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LARLY DAY5 IN DETROIT
PAPKRS WRITTEN BY
GENERAL FRIEND PALMER
OF DETROIT
BEING HIS PERSONAL REMINISCENCES
OF IMPORTANT EVENTS AND DE-
SCRIPTIONS OF THE CITY FOR
OVER EIGHTY YEARS
PUBI.ISHED BY
HUNT & JUNE
DETROIT, MICH.
PRINTED BY
THE RICHMOND & BACKUS CO.
Copyright, 1906
By Hunt and Junk
f
THI5 BOOK
15 DLDICATLD TO HIM
WHO IN5PIRLD IT,
MY DLAR LIFL-LONG FRILND AND COU5IN
THL HON. THOMA5 W. PALMLR.
PRLFACL.
Several years ago, when I was about to leave for New York,
the General, as we always called him, said rather sadly, "It will
be very lonesome, when you are away and the hours will be long
and sometimes weary."
"Why don't you write your reminiscences?" I asked. "That
will keep your heart and mind busy and time will pass so swiftly
that I will be back before you have fairly missed me."
"Where will I commence," asked the General.
"Take the river front from the River Rouge to Bloody Run
and then zig zag to and fro until you have covered the old city."
He did so. He started the papers for the Detroit Free Press and
they have been published regularly with but few intermissions
ever since.
He has woven a story which will interest many in whose
veins runs the blood of the pioneers and one which will prove of
infinite value to the historian who shall write the story of Detroit
and the great Northwest.
General Palmer was my cousin, my friend and my lifelong
comrade. For many years he shared my home, and in that home
he closed his eyes forever. In these papers there is kindness for
all and malice for none.
INTRODUCTORY NOTICE..
No work was ever published without omissions or trivial
errors, and the publishers claim no better verdict for this volume.
Friend Palmer was stricken with his fatal illness the very
day he and the editors were to b€gin re-editing the manuscript.
As these are strictly personal reminiscences, the editors did not
feel authorized in making any alterations without the author's
co-operation. We therefore present it without rearrangement or
amendations.
If the living representatives of the families named herein
will notify us of ^ny mistakes or omissions, we will be happy to
correct them in future editions.
With a tender appreciation of Friend Palmer's lovable and
kindly characteristics, we present his book in its present crude
but authentic form.
The Editors,
H. P. Hunt,
C. M. June.
GLNLRAL FRILND PALMLR.
DILD OCTOBER 9th. 1906
The remains of General Palmer were removed from the resi-
dence of former Senator Thomas W. Palmer at lo o'clock and
taken to the Elmwood Cemetery chapel, where the services were
held at 2 130 o'clock, Rev. Reed Stuart of the Unitarian Church
officiating.
Senator T. W. Palmer, who said, "When I was a boy I read
a couplet written, I know not by whom, which impressed me so
forcibly that I have remembered it through life. It is as follows :
" 'Thou art not a king of terrors, Death,
But a maiden with golden hair.'
MKT DEATH QUIETLY.
"This couplet has clung to me through Hfe, and on occasions
like this is brought forcibly to my mind. While it does not apply
to those who are in the heyday of life, full of health and strength,
when life lies all before them, full of achievement and promise
of achievement, it is particularly applicable to cases like this.
"The General, as we called him, sank away gradually with-
out preliminary suffering, and went down into the valley so
quietly that it seemed to me the maiden with golden hair took him
by the hand and led him across the line into the other life.
"He was a member of my father's family when I was born
and for seventy-six years we were very near each other. Although
we were separated from each ot'her by other family ties, our sympa-
thies were almost always in common. In his youth General Pal-
mer was the friend of all young men in his town, and as they
came to manhood their regard for him was not diminished. He
was a kind and sympathetic man, and all went to him with their
troubles. He met the vicisitudes of life with calm philosophy.
He lost his wife and two children, leaving only one behind, and
while he grieved for them it never affected his deportment toward
others. He was a helpful man and too responsive for his own
good in material things.
lO EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
''Although he may ha-ve had resentments he retained no ani-
mosities. He was a philosophic man and took the ordinary annoy-
ances of life with cheerful acceptance. He was a religious man
and, although not devout in conversation, believed in the great
law of compensation and that time at least would make all things
even. His religion was not dogmatic. He was charitable in his
judgment of others. He believed in the great hereafter that
would bring every wanderer home. He was a man of critical lit-
erary tastes, and, although he did not obtrude his conversation on
others would astonish his friends when circumstances caused him
to expose his knowledge of literature, and particularly of books
of travel.
''He will be much missed by me, my family, my household,
and all who knew him. I can think of no better way of ending
my remarks than by a quotation which a friend repeated to me
in the carriage on my way to the cemetery and which I asked him
to write out :
" 'Calmly he looked on either life, and here
Saw nothing to regret or there to fear,
From Nature's temperate least rose satisfied,
Thanked Heaven that he had lived, and died.'
"Today we place him beside his wife and children in the same
ground with his parents and two generations of friends who have
preceded him, happy in his life and thrice happy in his death."
The active pallbearers were Charles Miller. Ernest Mar-
son, Henry M. Rice, William Wemp, Henry Grix, Roswell A.
Hollister, Clare Bennett and Mr. Marshall.
The honorary pallbearers were Alexander Lewis, Alexander
M. Campau, Gen. Henry L. Chipman, Don M. Dickinson, George
N. Brady, William Livingstone, William E. Quinby, General h.
S. Trowbridge, Colonel S. E. Pittman, Colonel J. D. Lydecker,
Richard R. Elliott, William V. Moore, Richard H. Fyfe, C. A.
Kent, J. M. Shepard, John M. Wendell, Colonel James M. Shep-
lierd and J. B. Cook.
CONTENTS.
In Days o? Danger '. 17
My Arrival in Detroit, May, 1827 23
The Early Marine 26
Earlier Navigation on Lake and River 30
Slavery Days in Michigan 103
The Toledo War 108
Incidents oe the Patriot War 113
Early Day Architecture 120
Surveying in Early Days 123
Perils of Pioneer Days 124
The Happy French Habitant .* . 126
"The Winning oe the West'' 130
The Iron Men oe the Border 1 34
In Days oe Old 138
Early Days in Detroit .- 144
Our Citizen Soldiers 163
Old Express Days 194
Old Hotels oe Detroit 213
Tippecanoe and Tyler Too 240
Remarkable Specimen oe Native Copper 247
When Detroit Had a Town Pump 254
Royalty Saw Detroit. 261
First Baptist Church : . . . . 264
Detroit Merchants of Long Ago 269
No More Credit at the Postoffice 275
Fighting Epidemics 280
When Woodward Avenue Was a Corduroy Road 287
Colonel McDougall Was a Rare Old Soul 294
Rev. John N. Maffitt's Work in Detroit 299
Went to Pontiac by Way of Mt. Clemens 304
12 early days in detroit.
Tramps Received Ten Stripes 310
When Indians Were Hanged in Michigan 315
Washington Bonnet Inspired a Poet 321
Early History of the Detroit Free Press 325
Fighting Fire in the Old Days 331
Keen Rivalry of Fire Fighters 335
Famous Buildings Destroyed by Fire 341
Darius Clark and M. C. R. R. Fire in 1850 347
Heroic Work of Volunteer Firemen 351
Volunteer Firemen Became Famous 357
Social Functions of Volunteer Firemen 361
Fined $10 if Your Chimney Blazed 366
The Old River Road 370
Early Festivities 374
DowN-RivER Homes 378
The Cass Family 381
Old Mansion House 385
Old River Front 389
Many Old Buildings 393
Tunis S. Wendell 397
Old Jefferson Avenue 401
Dancing Teachers 407
Old Business Men 412, 463
S. L. Rood's Store 418
Mr. John Owen .421
A Son's Tribute 427
Joseph Campau 433
The Campau Family 438
F. & T. Palmer's Stores 443
F. & T. Palmer 449
Old Storekeepers 455
Early Postmasters 459
Makers of Detroit 467
Men of the Forties 473
The Desnoyers Heirs 476
Recollections of Men Prominent in the City's Affairs 481
Colonel Joshua Howard a Man of Note 594
General Isaac DeGraff Toll 601
contents. 13
The Navarre Family. 606
The St. Martin Family 614
The Peltier Family 619
The Labx\die Family. ^ 623
The Chapoton and Cicotte Families 630
Five Prominent Families — Rivard, Lafferty, Riopelle,
DuBois, St. Aubin 636
The Chene Family. 640
The Merry French Carts 644
Hamtramck 650
The Streets in the Lower Part of the City 665
Christmas in Detroit's Earlier Days 669
The Old Berthelet Market 674
Woodward Avenue in the Thirties 710
Visiting Firemen '..... 802
The Cass Farm 805
Judge Solomon Sibley 814
A Noted Firm 826
Conspicuous Men in Life of the City 819, 842
The Lewis Family 842
Business Houses in 1850 852
Persons Prominent in the City's Life 856
State Capitol and Supreme Court 865
Detroit Boat Club 868
Recollections of Persons and Events in Years Long
Past .' 872
Recollections of Mexican War 876
Fall of Fort Dearborn (Chicago) 880
Something About Business Men of the City Seventy
Years or More Ago 886
The Old Ten Eyck Tavern ' , 906
Marriage and Death Notices '. 910
Some Residents That I Have Overlooked 915
The Plat of the Town Known as Woodward's Plan. . 918
Buffalo to Detroit by Steamboat in 1821.. . , 921
Elkanah Watson and the Erie Canal 925
Prince Philip and Queen Mary 928
14 early days in detroit.
The Fort Street Girls 934
Belles and Beaux of Bygone Days 944
Randolph Street 953
First Protestant Society 962
Farewell to Judge A. B. Woodward 965
Early Social Conditions 973
Recollections of the First Theatres in Detroit 980
On the Canadian Side 1000
LARLY DAY5 IN DLTROIT
PALMLR
E.ARLY DAY5 IN DLTROIT
IN DAYS OF DANGLR.
WHEN THE INHABITANTS OF DETROIT AND VICINITY
DWELT IN DREAD OF MURDEROUS INDIANS-
TALES OF THE BORDER.
44 T N 1807 the little town of Detroit was just rising from its
I ashes. The Indians of the surrounding wilderness were
even then seriously threatening the settlements. At that
time there was but a small regular force in garrison at the old
fort, and, for the purpose of affording additional protection, a
body of volunteers was called out and placed under the immediate
command of Major John Whipple.
''The main guard was posted at the Indian council house,
where the new firemen's hall now stands, and a blockhouse was
erected on Jefferson Avenue, on the Brush farm. The tow^n was
surrounded by a row of strong pickets fourteen feet high, with
loopholes through which to fire. The line of pickets commenced
at the river on the line of the Brush farm and followed that line
to about Congress Street, and thence westerly along or near Mich-
igan Avenue back to the old fort, to the east line of the Cass farm,
and followed that line to the river. At Jefferson Avenue, at the
Cass line, and on Atwater Street, on the Brush farm, massive
gates were placed, which, daily, at rise and set of sun, grated on
their ponderous hinges. Pickets were placed at them and along
the line.
"It was rather an exciting time, but many ludicrous scenes
occurred. Among others, on a dark, rainy night, a sentinel fired
at an imaginary Indian, the drums beat to arms, the troops turned
out, and a militia colonel (he was not a native of Michigan),
who lived at a distance from the quarters of the troops, hearing
1 8 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
the alarm, seized his portmanteau in one hand, and the muzzle of
a musket with the other, ran at full speed to the guard house,
dragging the but of his gun in the mud. He kept on his headlong
way until, encountering a small shade tree, it bent away before
him, and he slid up to the limbs, but the recoil of the sapling left
the gallant warrior flat on his back in the mud.
*'The pickets remained around the town when the war of
1812 began.
"In 1814 General Cass, then a general officer in the army, was
in command of the frontier, with a body of troops to protect the
country. Our army on the Niagara frontier was hard pressed,
and the general, unsolicited, sent to General Brown all his force ;
only a dozen or so of invalids, unfit for service, remained. Gen-
eral Cass had become acquainted with our people, well knew their
courage and patriotism, and determined, with them alone, io
defend the country ; and they did not disappoint his expectations.
CAPTAIN WESTBROOK AND HIS RANGERS.
"Mr. McMillan, whose widow and children, after the lapse
of forty years, are still with us, had joined Captain Andrew West-
brook's company of Rangers. Captain Westbrook was a native
of Massachusetts, and had been taken in his childhood by his
father to Nova Scotia. He afterwards found his way to Dela-
ware, on the Thames, in Upper Canada, where he was living when
the war of 1812 broke out.
"He was too much of a Yankee to be quiet, and they drove
him oflf. He came to Michigan, raised a company of Rangers,,
and proved to be an exceedingly active partisan soldier, and seri-
ously annoyed the enemy. He made frequent incursions into the
province as far up as Delaware.
"He was at that time a man of considerable wealth, had a
fine large house, distillery, etc., at Delaware. On his first visit
there with the Rangers he called them around him at his own
place and, swinging a firebrand around his head, he said :
" 'Boys, you have just fifteen minutes to plunder my prem-
ises ; after that I give them to the flames !' And true to his word
he applied the brand and burnt up the whole concern.
"Captain Westbrook afterwards settled on the beautiful
banks of the river St. Clair, where we have often experienced the
generous hospitality" of 'Baronial Hall.' We usually called him
Baron Steuben.
IN DAYS OF DANGER. 19
INDIAN ATROCITIES.
''McMillan belonged to this corps. He was a gallant soldier
and did good service for his country. On the 15th of September,
18 14, the morning after his return from the Ronde, in Upper
Canada, he, with his young son, Archibald, then 11 years old,
went upon the common to find his cow. What follows, I have
from an eye-witness, Mr. William McVey, of the Rouge :
"David and William Burbank and myself were sitting down
at the Deer park, on the Macomb (now Cass) farm, near where
Lafayette Avenue crosses it, watching our cows. Mr. McMillan
and Archie passed us. W^e spoke to them about some apples they
were eating. They passed towards some cows that were feeding
near some bushes (the bushes then came down to where the cap-
itol stands). We kept our eyes on them, thinking danger might
be near. When they approached within gunshot of the bushes,
we saw three or four guns fired and saw McMillan fall. The
Indians instantly dashed out upon him and took off his scalp.
Archie, on seeing that his father was killed, turned and ran
towards us with all the speed that his little legs could supply.
''A savage on horseback pursued him. As he rode up and
stooped to seize him, the brave little fellow, nothing daunted,
turned and struck the horse on the nose with a rod which he hap-
pened to have in his hand. The horse turned off at the blow and
Archie put forth his best speed again. And this was repeated sev-
eral times, until the savage, fearing of losing his prize, sprang
from the horse, seized the boy and dragged him off to the woods ;
and thence was taken to Saginaw.
"About the same time a man by the name of Murphy, who
lived with the late Abraham Cook, went with a horse and cart
into the field on Judge Moran's farm, just back of where the
judge now lives. He was shot; scalped and his bowels cut open
and left exposed in the field, and the horse was taken off.
BATTLING WITH THE REDMEN.
"The Indians were constantly beleaguering the town, sallying
out occasionally, and driving off and killing the cattle, etc., that
approached the bushes. Determined to put a stop to this. General
Cass called upon the young men to arm and follow him.
"They were ready at the first blast of the bugle, mounted on
ponies, such as could be had (for there were but few left), and
20 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
armed with all varieties of weapons — rifles, shotguns, war clubs
and tomahawks, and whatever other instruments of death could
be had. As the woods and underbrush were very dense, they
expected to have a hand-to-hand fight, and prepared for it accord-
ingly. The company consisted of General Cass, Judge Moran,
Judge Conant,Captain Francis Cicott,James Cicott, Edward Cicott,
George Cicott, Colonel Henry I. Hunt, General, Charles Larned,
William Meldrum, James Meldrum, James Rilpy, Peter Riley,
Lambert Beaubien, John B. Beaubien, Joseph Andre, "Ditt" Clark,
Louis Moran, Louis Dequinder, Lambert Lafoy, Joseph Riopelle,
Joseph Visger, Jack Smith, Ben Lucas and John Ruland. I know
nearly every one of them personally, and a better lot of fellows
for the business they were on could not be well got together. They
were then young and full of spirit.
"After assembling, they rode up along the border of the river,
to the Witherell farm, and rode through the lane to the woods.
They soon came upon an Indian camp ; the Indians having fled,
leaving their meat roasting before the fires upon sticks.
"Here they found Archie McMillan's hat, and were in hopes
of finding him. The Rileys discovered the tracks of the enemy
and a hot pursuit commenced. They were overtaken on the back
part of the Cass farm and a hot fire was instantly opened ui>on
them, and was kept up until the word was passed to "Charge!"
Then, on the whole body went, pell-mell. It was hot work for the
Indians, and after awhile they fled. Peter Riley, who was in
advance when the firing commenced, suddenly reigned up his
horse across the trail, sprang off; and, firing over the horse's back,
brought a warrior to the ground, and in a twinkling took off his
scalp and bore it away on a pole in triumph. How many Indians
were killed is unknown. A squaw came in with a white flag
a few days afterwards and reported that several of their people
had been killed. Their chief, Kish-kaw-ko, was carried oflf in a
blanket, but whether wounded or killed could not be ascertained.
"Ben Lucas had a personal encounter with an Indian by the
side of General Cass. After the fight the company came out upon
the common, except two who were missing. They were the late
William Meldrum and Major Louis Moran, now of Grand Rap-
ids. Much anxiety was felt on their account. It was feared that
they had been killed. However, after a long while the brave fel-
lows appeared. They had been in hot pursuit of the enemy, and
had brought back a scalp, as they said, in token of victory.
IN DAYS OF DANGER. 21
"During the whole affair General Cass rode at the head of
his men, and when advised by Major Whipple to fall back (for
should he be killed it might create confusion), replied, 'Oh, major,
I am pretty well off here ; let us push on,' and he kept his post."
The venerable Judge Conant, who, as I have before men-
tioned, was among the volunteers, and to whom, as now, a squir-
rel's eye at forty yards was a sufficient target, states that General
Cass, and in fact every man in the company, behaved with perfect
coolness throughout the whole affair. They were nearly all
accustomed to the woods and the enemy knew it or they might
have been cut off to a man.
"After coming out of the woods the company formed and
marched to the River Rouge, drove a band of savages out of the
settlement and in the evening returned, having performed a good
day's work — one that gave quiet to the settlement until the end
of the war.
"Before the return of the company to the town it had been
rumored that the whole party had been killed. On their way up
from Springwells, the young men of the company raised a shrill
war-whoop. This confirmed the rumor and numbers of women
and children rushed to the river and put off in canoes, boats and
periag^uas for safety in Canada.
"I have mentioned the three Rileys, James, Peter and John ;
they were half-breeds. The latter is yet Hving on the St. Clair
River. They were educated men, and when with white people
they were gentlemanly, high-toned, honorable men; when with
the Indians in the woods, they could be perfect Indians, in dress,
language, hunting, trapping and mode of living. They were the
sons of the late Judge Rile}^, of Schenectady, who was formerly
in the Indian trade at Saginawy The three were thorough-going
Americans in every thought and feeling, and were thought to
be by the British, after they had gained possession of the terri-
tory, too dangerous persons to be allowed at large. They sent an
officer and a few soldiers to St. Clair, seized James and sent him
to Halifax, where he was kept until the war was over. He was
aftedwards killed by the explosion of a keg of gunpowder at
Grand Rapids.
"Peter remained about Detroit. He (as well as his brothers)
w^as a great favorite with the Indians, and used occasionally, when
a little corned, to annoy the British authorities by putting on the
22 ICARJ.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
uniform of an American officer, and with twenty or thirty Chip-
pewas at his back, parading up and down Jefferson Avenue, every
now and then giving the war-whoop.
"The warriors , were, of course, in the British service, but
Riley was their favorite, and of their own blood, and they would
not suffer him to be injured without a fight. They were proud
of his courage and his frolics amused them, so Peter remained
unmolested.
''Some months after McMillan was killed, and his son carried
off. Colonel Knaggs seized three Indians, the relatives of those
who had made the boy a prisoner. They were placed under guard,
and John Riley was sent to Saginaw to propose an exchange. The
terms were agreed to, and on the 12th day of January, following
his capture, Archie was brought in and delivered, as one from
the dead, to his excellent mother.
''There were many sufferings endured and danger encoun-
tered in those days, which no mortal tongue will ever utter and
no pen record."
MY ARRIVAL IN DETROIT, MAY 1827.
THE WINDMILLS— MR. REEDER, NANCY MARTIN AND GEN-
ERAL SCHWARZ.
I CAME to Detroit in May, 1827, with my mother and two
sisters, on the steamer Henry Clay. We were under the
friendly guidance of Mr. Felix Hinchman (father of Mr.
Guy F. Hinchman), who took charge of us at Canandaigua, N. Y.
My father, Friend Palmer, had preceded us some two or
three months, on account of urgent business matters connected
with the firm of F. & T. Palmer, of Detroit, of which he was the
senior partner.
Our trip through New York from Canandaigua to Buffalo
was by stage and very rough, the roads having been rendered
almost impassible by recent rains. It took us, I think, two days
and two nights to reach Buffalo. We had to wait at that point
two or three days for the steamboat Henry Clay. We did not
mind that in the least, for we were quartered at the Old Eagle
Hotel, kept by Benjamin Rathbun, a most sumptuous resting
place, I thought it, and so it was for those days. Our trip up the
lake to Detroit on the Henry Clay was uneventful. We had a
pleasant passage that occupied, I think, two or three days. The
Henry Clay, Captain Norton, was a floating palace, we thought,^
and we greatly enjoyed the time spent on it. The Henry Clay
had no cabin on the upper deck — they were all below. When you
desired to retire for the night or for meals, or get out of the reach
of rain and storms, downstairs or between decks you had to go.
MERCHANTS UVED OVER STORES.
We landed at Jones's dock, between Griswold and Shelby
Streets, on a fine day, about lo o'clock in the morning, and all
walked up to the residence of my uncle, Thomas Palmer, corner
24 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street. There were no public
conveyances in thpse days. Thomas Palmer lived over his store,
as did many of the merchants doing business here at that time.
Let me refer once more to Captain Norton, one of the most
conspicuous and popular captains on the lakes at that early day.
The Henry Clay was a crack steamer and, of course, must have
a corresponding chief officer. Of commanding presence, Captain
Norton, of the "fast steamboat Henry Clay," when he appeared
on Jefferson Avenue, clad in his blue swallow-tail coat with brass
buttons, nankeen pants and vest, and low shoes with white stock-
ings, not forgetting the ruffle shirt and tall hat, was the observed
of all observers. Steamboat captains were kings in those days.
. All were pleased and anxious to show them every attention.
When the Clay rounded Sandwich point, Detroit lay before
us and, though small, the city presented quite an attractive appear-
ance. The most conspicuous object in the distance was the steeple
or cupola of the state house or territorial capitol building, that
pushed its head up among the surrounding trees, its tin covering
glittering in the morning sun.
WINDMII.I.S ATTRACTED ATTENTION.
The windmills along the river also attracted our wondering
attention. Three were located on the Canadian side of the river,
one on the point opposite the residence of the late Joseph Taylor,
and two just above the present site of Walkerville. The one on
the American side was on a small point where Knaggs creek then
entered the river and opposite the old Knaggs' homestead (Hub-
bard's farm), since destroyed. Knaggs creek later on was oblit-
erated by the Ives brothers, who turned the place into a drydock.
The four mills presented to us a wonderful sight on that
bright May morning. They were in full operation; their four
immense arms, covered with white sail-cloth, were whirled
through the air by the force of the wind, and, as said before,
filled us with delightful amazement as all New York state could
not produce a scene to match it.
Two companies of British regulars in their red coats (they
were stationed at Sandwich) were going through their drill on
the green in the front of the old Huron Catholic church, its decay-
ing walls propped by poles, and on the open in front was planted
a high wooden cross, since destroyed. -The parsonage or mission
MY ARRIVAL IN DETROIT, MAY, ' 1 827. 25
house, however, remained, held up by its two enormous chimneys
at either end. The contrast presented by the red of the soldiers'
uniforms and the green sward will always remain a vivid picture
in my memory, so new and so unique. The Indians Jn their
canoes, to whom a boat propelled without the aid of sails or oars
was always an object of wonder, attracted our attention also, as
did the horse ferry boat, John Burtis, captain, that plied between
Detroit and Windsor, as slow as ''molasses in January." The
description of the celebrated first steam monitor of the civil war
(Ericson's) would aptly apply to this boat of Burtis's, namely,
"a. cheese box on a raft."
WESTERN HOSPITAI^ITY.
It is needless to say that my father welcomed us gladly at the
dock, and my uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Palmer,
greeted us with a genuine western hospitality that put us directly
at our ease. I forgot to mention that the late R. E. Roberts was
a fellow passenger on the Clay, it being his first appearance in
Detroit, whither he had come to join his brother, John Roberts.
I will try to give my recollections of Detroit and vicinity, and
the people at that early day.
The outlook below the present site of Fort Wayne was not
quite so inviting as now. The country around the mouth of the
River Rouge was low, flat and marshy, covered with a most
luxuriant growth of wild grass (marsh hay), that any one could
cut if he so desired. What was not cut was usually set fire to in
the winter and would burn for days, giving the people of the city
quite a scene, at night illuminating the sky above the marsh and
showing vividly the flames leaping through the dry grass. The
same scene used to be repeated every winter on the Grande
Marias, above the city, just beyond the water works.
Where Fort Wayne now is, and extending a little this side,
was an immense hill of yellow sand that always looked from the
city, like a yellow patch on the landscape. This sandhill, it is
presumed, was used in the early days (the memory of man run-
neth not to the contrary), as a burial ground by the Indians,
because in its slow demolition ( the sand of which was composed
being used for many purposes by anyone who desired to take the
trouble to get it), numerous remains of Indians were found who
had evidently rested there before and since Cadillac's time.
26 ^ARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
MR. RKEDER.
On the River road (thre was none other at that time),,
beyond the sand hill, I think, Mr. Reeder lived, on what is now
the Crane farm. I will halt a moment to dwell on Reeder. I
presume many now living will remember him. He was quite a
conspicuous figure in the streets of Detroit — very tall, thin and
angular, always dressed in a black swallowtail coat, buttoned to
the chin ; trousers of the same hue, and a tall hat the worse for
wear. He was almost always under the influence of liquor, his
frequent potations having lent themselves to painting his face a
fiery red. He was known to all at that time and, however intoxi-
cated or in the bonds of the "rosy" he might be, he was always
most polite and gentlemanly.
Well, nearly everyone has heard of the passing of Reeder and
the Reeder farm, the former to the beyond and the latter to the
late Walter Crane and Reeder's heirs.
The next residence, I do not know who occupied it at that
time, was an old style French-built house, with huge chimneys at
each end. There was an old orchard on the west side. At one
time, 1808, I think, it was occupied by Judge James Witherell
and family, who, coming here soon after the destruction of the-
town by fire in 1805, found suitable tenements exceedingly scarce,
and had to accommodate themselves to circumstances. It was
somewhat perilous at that time for people living so far from the
fort, as the Indians were none too friendly. I have often heard
Mrs. Thomas Palmer, Senator Palmer's mother and daughter of
Judge Witherell, relate how her father used to admonish the
family to keep indoors after dark, for fear of being carried off by
the redskins.
NANCY MARTIN.
The judge and family did not remain there long. The next
tenants I dot remember, but it was occupied by individuals whom
many now living will remember,, Walter Harper and Nancy
Martin. Of the former little is known, and of what the relations
were that existed between the two, just as little. But Nancy
Martin's name in connection with Harper Hospital will be remem-
bered long after the present generation are in the beyond. Her
property, consisting of eight acres on Woodward avenue, she
bestowed as a gift for the purpose of founding a hospital to which
she gave the name of Harper, in memory of her old and life-long
MY ARRIVAI. IN DETROIT, MAY, 1 827. 27-
friend. This hospital is now one of the institutions of the city^
an ever present reminder of her generosity. Her name is further
perpetuated by a beautiful street leading from Woodward Avenue
to the hospital and is named Martin Place in her honor. She
died in 1875, February 9, I think.
It may not be out of place to quote here what Chevalier
Cadillac, of Detroit's bicennial anniversary celebration, said of her,,
and it is so true : "In Nancy Martin, contradictory characteris-
tics were mingled. She was sweet, charitable and good ; she was^
coarse, raw and rude ; she was gentle, patient and long suffering ;.
she was outspoken, jovial and frank. She had a large store o£
plain Saxon words more expressive than refined. She was as
blunt as a barn hostler, and yet she was loving and forgiving, and.
as tender-hearted as the noblest of her sex. Her truthfulness,,
sagacity and integrity were never assailed. Do good, you, too,,
then you also will be remembered when your bones are dust."
DR. STEJW art's tribute.
Dr. Morse Stewart, in The Free Press a short time ago, had
this to say in regard to Nancy Martin:
"When Walter Harper gave nearly i,qoo acres of land
situated only a little distance outside of Detroit, also three lots
with buildings thereon in Philadelphia, and if my memory serves
me rightly some property in the village of Pontiac, to a board of
trustees for the purpose of establishing a Protestant charity hospi-
tal in Detroit, Mrs. Ann (Nancy) Martin supplemented that
munificent gift by conveying to the same board of trustees eight
acres of land fronting on Woodward avenue and extending east
on the rear part of which Harper hospital now stands ; also fifteen
acres just outside the city limits. These properties were the
accumulations of many years of hard work as huckster in Detroit
city markets, the small earnings from which had been wisely
invested in real estate of growing value. The hospital very appro-
priately bears the name of its founder, but to this day there exists
no adequate memorial of the large-hearted woman contributor to
the enterprise in any part of this rich city so greatly benefited
thereby. Tested by the standard which our Lord Jesus Christ
set upon money being cast into the treasury, all the charitable
contributions of all the rich men of Detroit pale into littleness in
comparison with this poor woman's gift, 'for they did give of
their abundance, but she of her need did give all her living.'
> >>
28 EARIvY DAYS IN DE^TROIT.
In this connection it seems to me that it would not be out of
place to perpetuate also in some substantial manner the memory
of Walter Harper and that of Rev. George Duffield, he having
first suggested the idea to Walter Harper and Nancy Martin.
The memory of Harper is sufficiently before the people, perhaps,
in having the hospital bear his name, but the memory of the others
is not.
I have said this hospital is an ever present reminder of Nancy
Martin's generosity, such is the fact, no doubt, to the present
generation, very many of whom are familiar with the circum-
stances attending the birth of Harper hospital, but in the long
years to come who will be likely to think of her or tell her story
unless something exists in enduring bronze or otherwise to her
memory ?
My first recollections of her date back to 1839 and 1840,
when she and Walter Harper lived in the vicinity of the sand hill,
Springwells. She was an almost daily visitor at Sidney Rood's
book store, as a huckster. She paid particular attention to cater-
ing to the tastes of the epicures in game, furnishing such choice
eatables as woodcock, quail, wild pigeons, ducks, venison, spring
chickens, etc. Rood and many that used to congregate at his
book store, were generous livers and fond of things good to eat,
and Nancy was on the best of terms with them all. Uncle Shubal
. Conant was an epicure and fond of game. He, too, always
patronized her liberally, as did Josh Carew, H. A. Newbould and
the gay epicurean bachelors, Randolph Brothers, wholesale dry
goods dealers oh Jefferson Avenue between Woodward Avenue
and Griswold Street, who kept the first strictly wholesale dry
goods house in Michigan. Theo. Romeyn, who was the greatest
epicure in game of them all, and many others also bought from
Nancy.
Mary Jacklin of late years, almost all will remember, was
something of the stamp of Nancy Martin, and quite as outspoken.
A GOOD GERMAN.
Gen. J. E. Schwarz also lived down that way about 1830, in
a cottage with a veranda in front. The cottage once belonged to
Hon. Austin E. Wing, and was occupied as a residence by him.
It stood on Bates Street, between Woodbridge and Atwater
Streets. The general had a raft constructed and floated the house
M^Y ARRIVAIy IN DE^TROIT, MAY, 1827.
29
down the river and anchored it ,on the bank about where Baugh's
iron foundry was built. The general, his wife, who was a highly
refined lady, and his daughter Emma, made it an ideal home,
many a gay party from the city enjoying their hospitality.
The general was always adjutant-general of the state until
his death, it seems to me, and aside from the elite of the city,
drew around him all the military officers of the state, as well as_
the United States army officers stationed here. Aside from Mr. /
Uhlman, I think Gen. Schwarz was the only German in the clty^
at that time. There were quite a number of English, Scotch and\
Irish. The French were in the ascendant, of course. J
The general was one of the best specimens of a German
gentleman I ever came in contact with. I think all those that
knew him' will sustain my assertion.
His daughter, Miss Emma, long resisted the advances of her
numerous American admirers, but was finally captured by *'Bob"
Woods, a young lawyer from Sandwich, across the river, a gentle-
man, and well up in his profession. They went to Chatham to
reside and I think they are living there yet, and where, I under-
stand, Mr. Woods has gained much distinction in his profession.
The J. P. Clark house next above was built by N. O. Sargent,
a boot and shoe merchant of Detroit, but I do not think he lived
to occupy it. Mr. Clark bought it and after making some alter-
ations, occupied it with his family and continued to live there until
he died. All are familiar with the drydocks .he built in front of
his house on the river. It is in use and well to the front now.
Clark was also owner of the Springwells mineral springs.
EARLILR NAVIGATION ON LAKL AND RIVLR.
A VETERAN DETROITER'S INTERESTING RECOLLECTIONS
OF PIONEER BOATS AND THEIR COMMANDERS, WITH
VALUABLE COINCIDENTAL INFORMATION.
IT is probable that few long-time residents of Detroit retain
such an interesting fund of information in regard to lake and
river marine matters of early days as did Friend Palmer,
some of whose recollections of pioneer boats and their com-
manders are here set down.
The steamer Henry Clay was one of the fastest boats on the
lakes in the early '30s, says Mr. Palmer. Captain W^alter Norton,
her commander, was a man of fine presence, and he used to cut a
swell figure when he appeared on Jefferson Avenue, clad in his
blue coat, with its brass buttons; nankeen trousers, white vest,
low shoes, white silk stockings, ruffled shirt, high hat, not forget-
ting the jingling watch chain and seals. Steamboat captains occu-
pied a high place in the social ranks in those days and much
deference was shown them.
I also call to mind Captain Roger Sherman, who commanded
the steamboat Superior, the second steamer on the lakes after
the Walk-in-the-Water. The Superior came out on the second
Tuesday in May, 1822, and was pronounced a decided success.
She was 346 tons burden, no feet keel, 29 feet beam, engine 56
, horse-power. The accommodations for passengers were excellent,
and the ladies' cabin was furnished in a style of great splendor
for those days.
Captain William T. Pease was also one of the old school
gentlemen of the lakes. He commanded respectively the steamers
Niagara first, Pioneer, Superior, Niagara ^second, and others,
including the Boston. He was also at one time master of the
schooner Michigan, which afterwards was sent over Niagara
Falls..
EARLY NAVIGATION ON I^AKE AND RIVER. 3 I
COMMANDED AN HISTORIC CRAFT.
Captain L. H. Cotton, of Detroit, it is said, commanded the
first steamer that ever towed a vessel up the Fort Erie rapids, the
steamer being the Monroe and the vessel the Milwaukee. He
was also master from time to time of the steamers Ohio first,
Pennsylvania, Daniel Webster, Oregon, Baltic, Anthony Wayne,
and later on, the then mammoth steamer Western World. At an
early period of his life, in 1835, he fitted out the brig Queen
Charlotte, which during the war of 18 12 was captured from the
British by Commodore Perry, and lay sunk for many years at
Erie, Pa. Captain David Wilkinson, who died in Perrysburg, O.,
many years ago, commanded the schooners Eagle and Guirrier,
his first steamer being the Commodore Perry, of which he
remained master until the close of her career, when he and others
caused to be built the Superior second, which he commanded for
many years. Captain C. L. Gager was with Captain Levi Allen,
James Harrington, Loring Pierce and John Kimberly on the
Walk-in-the-Water when she was lost. He was absent from the
lakes for several years, and on his return bought the Red Jacket
and sailed her, then the General Porter, which he converted into
a propeller, and afterwards the steamer Albany, which latter he
owned.
RACING WITH A MYTH.
Captain John F.. Wight commanded the William Penn, and
afterwards the Chicago, a scow craft. It was said of him when
master of the latter steamer, that coming out of Cleveland, and
passing the then town Ohio City, since absorbed by the former, a
heavy fog prevailed. The captain observed, as he supposed, the
smokestack of a steamer between his boat and the shore. He at
once ordered the engineer to put on all steam, saying he would
not allow anything to pass him, if he knew it. The contest kept
up, apparently, but when the fog cleared away it was found that
the smokestack was nothing but a fire-blackened tree stump on
shore. It is -also related of him that one time coming from Buffalo
the steamer Illinois hove in sight abaft the Chicago and gained
rapidly on her, whereupon an anxious passenger said to the cap-
tain: "Captain, she is after us, isn't she?" "Never mind." said
he, "we will be after her directly." Captain Wight, speaking in
praise of the Chicago, said his boat "could run anywhere where
the ground was moist."
>
32 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT,
NAVIGATED LAKE ERIE ALL WINTER.
Captain Harry Whitaker, who died a few years ago at St.
Luke's Retreat, Detroit, sailed at one time the schooner Marie
Antoinette; then the steamers North America, Monroe, United
States and A. D. Patchin. By navigating the United States
between Detroit and Buffalo during the entire winter of 1845,
Captain Whitaker accomplished something that has never been
equaled in the history of lake navigation. I was a passenger with
him on one occasion during the fore part of that year. We left
Buffalo on the morning of the loth of March, I think it was. The
steamer made its way laboriously through a mass of rotten ice for
about five miles, when we encountered a large field that was
apparently solid. The captain got all the passengers on the upper
deck, and had them run in a body from one side of the steamer to
the other, which gave her a rolling motion, as he backed her up,
and then let .her drive with a full head of steam into the icy bar-
rier. We continued in this way for the greater part of two days
in full sight of Buffalo before we got out of the ice into clear, open
water.
Captain Augustus Walker was probably one of the best
known navigators in aiding and furthering steamboat interests
that ever sailed the lakes. He built the Sheldon Thompson,
Washington First, Columbus and Great Western. He first com-
manded the United States and subsequently the others named. In
regard to the Sheldon Thompson, I copy an advertisement from a
Buffalo paper of July 7, 1830 :
''The steamer Sheldon Thompson, A. Walker, maste", pro-
poses to leave her dock, August 30th, for Mackinac, Green Bay
and intermediate ports. This stanch and elegant steamship is
lauded as being a specimen of Ohio architecture. She will remain
at Green Bay two or three days and one or two days at Mackinac,
to give her passengers a chance to view the delightful scenery of
the upper lakes."
On May 30, 1832, the Sheldon Thompson was. advertised to
leave Buffalo on the 4th of July, and Detroit on the 6th of July,
for the same ports. She left her dock (Dorr & Jones', foot of
Shelby Street) on the day advertised. I witnessed the leaving
of this steamer from her dock as above. She had on board a
goodly number of passengers, besides a number of United States
KARI^Y NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 33
troops, with their officers and regimental band, destined for the
seat of the Black Hawk war. The band treated the citizens to
some fine music.
ASTONISHED THE NATIVES.
The Great Western was the first steamboat on the great
lakes provided with upper cabins, and she aroused the curiosity
and interest of the entire lake region. I will give a description
of her, taken from the Cleveland Herald and Gazette, published
at the time, 1838 or '9 : "Her dimensions are as follows : Length,
186 feet; breadth of beam, 34 feet 4 inches; across the guards,
60 feet; depth of hold, 13 feet; tonnage, custom house measure-
ment, 781 ; being greater than any craft that ever floated on our
fresh seas. She is propelled by a high-pressure engine, made at
Pittsburg, said to be the largest, or one of the largest, engines of
that description ever made in the United States. The cylinder is
30 inches in diameter; stroke 10 feet; rated at 300 horse-power.
Her paddle wheels are 13^ feet radius, and 2 feet in breadth.
The Great Western is arranged unlike any other boat. The
entire hull is occupied by the boilers and by holds for freight and
wood. On the main deck aft is the ladies' cabin and state rooms ;
above this, on what would be the hurricane deck, the main cabins
are placed, running almost the whole length of the boat. The
ladies' saloon is aft, the dining cabin next, and the saloon, or bar-
room, forward. State rooms are arranged on either side these
cabins the whole length. The Great Western has sixty state
rooms, with three berths in each, and other berths in cabins, mak-
ing in all about 300."
I remember well when this steamer first came out. I was
'residing in St. Clair for a short season at the time, and it was her-
alded abroad that she was to be fitted with upper cabins, an inno-
vation unheard of on the lakes and hardly beheved possible, as it
was feared she would prove top-heavy. All the people living along
the St. Clair River watched for her passing on her first trip to
Chicago. The steamer unfortunately passed up the river in the
night. Nevertheless, the people were all out and on the watch.
She made a fine sight as she passed up on the Canada side, her
cabins all ablaze with light. Captain Walker died at Buffalo
many years ago, aged 65 years.
34 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
THE FIRST SAILING SHIP.
"Bob" Wagstaff, as he was familiarly called, will not soon be
forgotten by many. He commanded the first and finest sailing
ship ever on the lakes, the Julia Palmer, in 1836. She was built
at Buffalo in that year, and was 300 tons burden. Afterwards
she was converted into a steamer. Captain Wagstaff was also a
steamboat man for many years. He and Captain "Gus" McKins-
try took command of one of Oliver Newberry's steamers in mid-
winter, and relieved Fort Mackinac, the troops stationed there
being short of provisions. He was also in command of New-
berry's fine brig Manhattan, when she went ashore on Lake Erie,
below Maiden. Later on he was appointed collector of customs
at Tampico, Florida. He died many years ago in Brooklyn, N. Y.
Captain Chas. C. Stannard commanded the brig Ramsey
Crooks, also the steamers Niagara, Bunker Hill and Saratoga,
and died on board the Western World as she was leaving the
dock at Detroit in 1856. Stannard's rock in Lake Superior took
its name from him.
A REMARKABLE OCCURRENCE.
The steamer Chippewa, built at Buffalo, without frames, and
with the shape or model of a muskmelon, was sailed by Captain
Benjamin Armstrong, who also commanded the schooners Ster-
ling and Brittania, besides other craft. Captain Gil Appleby
sailed the schooner New Connecticut, which capsized on Lake
Erie; three days afterwards a woman was rescued from the cabin
alive, which was conceded to be one of the most remarkable events
of the times. Captain Appleby also commanded the steamers
North America, Constitution, Ben Franklin and Sultana. He
died at Buffalo in 1867.
Captain T. J. Titus commenced his career in sailing vessels,
commanding the schooners Aurora, United States and others. He
also sailed the steamers Ohio First, Sandusky, Erie, Buft'alo,
Queen City and Julia Palmer, his first one. His last command
was that of the propeller Monticello. While on Lake Michigan
he was drowned from the small boat while attempting to land on
shore.
THE MAYFLOWER.
The steamer Mayflower, built by the Michigan Central Rail-
road Co., was by all odds the finest steamer that up to that time
had ever appeared on the lakes. As she was of our own produc-
EARLY NxWIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 35
tion, SO to Speak, a notice of her first departure from Detroit to
Buffalo, taken from a local paper of that day, along in the spring
or summer of 1849, will prove of interest. It was as follows :
''This magnificent boat left our city on Monday evening on
her first trip to Buffalo this season. She carried many of our
worthiest citizens among the crowd of passengers, some of whom
have waited for days for her departure. Her kind and gentle-
manly commander, Van Allen, appeared as natural as life in his
post of 'mine host' on the occasion, and the polite and efficient
clerk, Nichols, transacted office business with his usual prompt
suavity, while Wormley, the bountiful and accomplished caterer,
and Newhall, the experienced engineer, and Farrer, his assistant,
were each looking as well as heart could wish at their accustomed
vocations."
The Mayflower was wrecked on Point Au Pelee, Lake Erie,
in 1854. Before the completion of the Great Western Railway
through Canada, passengers journeying east or west would always
time themselves so as to catch the Mayflower. I have often
waited for her, in company with many others, at Buffalo, twenty-
four hours at a time, and when the hour for her departure arrived
she would appear to be in an almost sinking condition, loaded
as she was with passengers, their baggage and her usual freight.
Detroit and the entire lake district bemoaned the fate of the May-
flower. No lives were lost, I think. The steamer Thames was
also at one time commanded by Captain G. R. Williams, plying
between Buffalo and Port Stanley, Ont. Captain Eberts also
at one time was in command of the Thames when she plied
between Detroit and Chatham, Ont., and he kept on this route
for many years. Captain F. S. Atwood ranks also among the
first navigators on the lakes. Besides sail vessels, he commanded
at different times the steamers Macomb, Monroe, General Har-
rison, Troy, Arrow, T. Whitney, Philo Parsons and others. Cap-
tain J. L. Edmonds commanded for several years vessels and
steamers, such as the North America, Chicago and Southerner.*
While in command of the latter, and after leaving Buffalo on her
second trip of the season, in March, 1850, he was taken suddenly
ill, causing the immediate return of the steamer to port, where
he died on entering the harbor. Captain Aaron Root sailed the
schooner Amaranth, steamers Constellation, in 1836, Bunker
Hill, in 1837; and subsequently the propeller Henry Clay. He
f
36 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
died at Black River, Ohio. Captain Joel H. McQueen com-
manded the steamer Constellation in 1837, afterwards the Samuel
Ward, and other boats. He also at one time commanded the
schooner White Pigeon. Captain John Shook sailed the schooner
Cincinnati, besides other vessels at an early period; also the
steamers United States and Columbus. He died at Huron, Ohio,
some years since. He had the distinguished honor, if it may be
called so, while in command of the Columbus, of conveying the
Prince de Joinville and suite from Buffalo to Green Bay. They
tarried in Detroit two days to see and to be seen. Captain vShook's
brother. Captain Jim Shook, sailed the fine clipper brig Illinois,
of the Eagle line, in 1836, when it was fashionable to have the
pea jacket ornamented with a spread eagle. He also at one time
commanded the propeller Sciota, besides several small sail craft.
He died at Huron, Ohio, many years ago.
MERRY MARINERS OE OLDEN DAYS.
Captain A. H. Squeirs sailed vessels for many years, among
others the schooner Leguire, steamers De Witt Clinton and Gar-
den City. He was living in Buffalo in 1883. He had for clerk
with him on board the steamer Clinton, Ben Barton, of Buffalo,
who, perhaps, some will remember. Ben was a gay and convivial
chap, and knew the "boys around, town" in every port on the
lakes between Buffalo and Chicago. When the Clinton came into
port it was the signal for a gathering of the boys, to have a good
time, and they always had it. Dan Whipple's place, that was on
Bates Street, Detroit, saw many of these gatherings, where fun
reigned fast and furious. The captain had a brother, Heber
Squeirs, ''Hebe," as he was familiarly called. He was a gay
young man when I knew him in Buffalo in the early forties. He
commanded and owned a tug, the name of which I have foi*got-
'ten; but "Hebe" I cannot forget. During the winter months he
was always the head and front of the gay balls and dances given
in the assembly rooms of the old Eagle tavern, on Main Street,
Buffalo.
OTHER LAKE PIONEERS.
Captain Amos Pratt, long a prominent lake navigator, will be
recollected as the master of the steamer Anthony Wayne, or Mad
Anthony, as she was first called. He also commanded one of the
first propellers on the lakes, the Sampson (in 1843). afterwards
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 37
the Princeton and the Globe. He was a popular seaman and a
gentleman. His death occurred in 1869 or '70. Captain William
Dickinson, who died at Buffalo in 1865, aged 65 years, was
reared on the waters and commenced life as a ferryman between
Black Rock and Fort Erie. After several years' experience on
the lakes, he commanded the schooners Sterling, Merchant,
Michigan (second), ship Milwaukee, brig Robert Hunter, pro-
pellers Hunter and Illinois.
Captain I. T. Pheatt, who died at Toledo in 1859, came from
the lower lakes in command of the schooner Grant. While on
the upper lakes he commanded the steamer General Harrison (in
1840), the steamer Indiana (in 1842), the Northern Indiana and
Western Metropolis. At the time of his decease he was managing
a ferry at Toledo. Captain John Stewart sailed several vessels for
the late Oliver Newberry. Among others were the schooners
Marengo, La Salle and the brig Manhattan. Previous to his
decease, which took place on the River St. Clair, he commanded
the steamers Michigan and Northerner. He was a bluff, hearty
sailor, and universally liked. I would also like to pay a passing
tribute to the memory of other lake pioneers, among whom were
Captain Samuel Vary, who died at Sheboygan, many years ago;
"Old Ned Burke," as he was familiarly known ; Jerry Oliver,
who commanded the steamer New England, besides sail vessels
at other periods ; Captain Paine Mann, Joe Sherwood, John
Kline; also Captain John W. Webster, who, with Captain James
Hackett, lighthouse keeper at the mouth of Detroit River, were
the two oldest vessel masters living in 1833. ' Webster died ^t
Painesville in 1864, and Hackett died in May, 1901. "Ned"
Burke died at Buffalo in 1841. Jerry Oliver died at Buffalo in
1855. Captain Paine Mann died at St. Joseph, Mich., in 1859.
Captain Joe Sherwood died at Delafield, Wis., in 1856. Captain
John Kline died at St. Joseph, Mich., in 1870. Captain W. P.
Stone, once of the steamer Keystone State, and favorably known,
died many years ago at a hotel in New York City. Captain
Thomas Richards died while in command of the steamer Niagara
at Milwaukee in 1849. Captain G. W. Floyd came from the sea-
board, and sailed the brig Indiana in 1837, ^^ 1^39 the steamer
Sandusky, and in 1843 "the propeller Hercules, after which he
returned to salt water. He died in California.
Captain E. B. Ward was also at an early day a vessel man,
38 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
sailing among" others the schooner General Harrison. The first
steamboat he commanded was the Huron, in 1840. Subsequent
events in his career are too familiar to be repeated here. Captain
L. B. Goldsmith was navigating the lakes in 1871, and was in
command of the steamer Jay Cook in 1883. Captain Fred S.
Wheeler, who commanded the propeller Hercules and steamboat
St. Louis, was very popular with all classes in every port on the
lakes. The Hercules, besides being the largest propeller on the
lakes at that time, had another distinguishing peculiarity — her
hull was painted checker pattern, red, blue and white. The Hol-
lister Bros., of Buffalo, her owners, had their store on Main
Street, in the latter city, painted in the same fashion.
Captain Fred S. Miller was still navigating in 1883. He was
tossed about from an early date. There are those, no doubt, who
will also remember Captain R. C. Bristol, who sailed vessels, also
the steamers James Madison and Niagara, second. He died at
Chicago in 1856.
Captain Morris Hazzard came from the east, having had
experience on the rivers. He brought out the steamer Milwaukee
at Buffalo in 1838, and afterwards commanded the Constellation,
Empire State, and also sailed the Monroe. Captain D. H. Mc-
Bride died in Milwaukee in March, 1871, after a lengthy career
on the lakes. He had a long experience on both sail and steam
craft. The schooner Havre was the last vessel he commanded
(in 1842), and the propeller Ironsides the last steamer. He was
second mate of the steamer Erie, which was, burned on Lake Erie
in 1841, and narrowly escaped being counted among the lost.
Captain William Hinton, for several years pilot on the United
States steamer Michigan, was first officer of the Erie when she
was burned, and he also met with a narrow escape. He served
long and faithfully on board of steamers, and commanded the
Daniel Webster after her name was changed to the Black Dan.
Captain James M. Averill, an old lake man, commanded the
steamer Erie (the little one) in 1840, and subsequently sail ves-
sels. Previous to this period the captain was several years at sea.
He died at Buffalo in 1875.
/In the year 1836, the steamer Little Erie made her first
appearance on the St. Clair River. She was the fastest boat of
her size on the lakes. She made quite a record during the Patriot
war, chasing up the patriots and seeing that they did not violate
^ARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE) xVND RIVER. 39
the neutrality laws existing between the United States and Can-
ada. She was lost in the ice on Lake St. Clair in 1842, and her
loss was much deplored.^
Captain Jacob Travers, who commanded the steamer Golden
Gate, besides several smaller craft, was lost with the steamer
Keystone State on Lake Huron in 1861. Captain John Caldwell,
who died at Cleveland in 1846, commanded in 1836, '37 and '38,
the schooner Hudson, afterwards the Henry Crevolin, and Tren-
ton. Subsequently for several years he commanded steamers to
Lake Superior, and in the Northern Transportation Line.
Captain J. C. Benjamin, who died at Prairieville, Mich., in
1864, sailed the steamboat Ben Franklin in 1849. He previously
sailed vessels out of Cleveland. With Captain Imson on the
steamer Hendrick Hudson, as clerk, was Wm. B. Rochester, of
Rochester, N. Y. He during the civil war entered the army as
paymaster and subsequently became paymaster-general. He is
now living in Washington, a retired brigadier-general.
OLD-TIME CLERKS AND STEWARDS.
The steamer Ocean, of the Ward line,- Captain C. C. Blod-
gett, had for clerk Theodore Luce (''Commodore Luce"), and
"Bob" Montgomery for steward. The captain and these under
officers were immensely popular and made things quite pleasant
for their patrons. Captain Whitaker had for his clerk on the
steamer United States in the early forties a young man by the
name of Bradley, a quiet, sedate, gentlemanly chap, who was
very popular. He resigned to become a messenger in Charles H.
Miller's Western Express Company, the first enterprise of the
kind ever inaugurated between Buffalo and Chicago. Bradley
was the first and only messenger of the company except Miller
himself. As the venture was not a success. Wells, Fargo and
Dunning obtained Miller's interest, and all know the immense
success of the present express companies in this dir-ection.
The steamer Great Western, Captain Walker, had at one
time a very popular clerk in the person of a Mr. Emerson, who
contributed his share in rendering this steamer a great favorite
with the traveling public. He, too, after a while ( 1844) resigned
to take a position in Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Western Express as
messenger. William A. Bury, now of Grosse He, Mich., was a
40 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
very popular clerk on many steamers and propellers in the early
days. He is unfortunately now a hopeless invalid.
"Tom" Gillett, son of the late Shadrick Gillett, was also
clerk on various steamboats and propellers in those days, and
he, as well as Bury, was a great favorite with all. He died sev-
eral years since. There were a large number of steamer clerks at
that time on the lakes, equally as deserving as those mentioned,
but I do not recollect their names.
RIVER BOATS AND CAPTAINS.
Among the river captains that I recall, were Captain Arthur
Edwards, master of the steamboat Gratiot, which plied to and
from tlie following ports : St. Clair, Black River and Ft. Gratiot..
Monroe, Vistula and Maumee. In noticing the Gratiot a paper
of that day (1832) says: "No foolishness about Captain
Edwards, for he says his boat will be precise in starting at the
hour advertised."
The sam6 paper says (June, 1833) : "The River Line is
supplemented by the addition of the steamer General Brady, Cap-
tain John Burtis, and this year the General Gratiot has changed
masters. Captain John Clark succeeds Captain Edwards."
I knew these captains well ;' have traveled with them often.
Captain Clark retired from service and settled on his farm on the
banks of the St. Clair, just below St. Clair city. He became a
prosperous farmer, wood merchant and general dealer.
All the Chicago steamers of that day ' (or steamers plying
between the latter port and Buffalo) used to wood at his dock.
He died many years ago. Captain Edwards passed away since
the civil war, in which he served with distinction as quartermaster.
Captain John Clark also at one time (1834) commanded the
steamboat General Jackson, built at Mt. Clemens, also the Lady
of the Lake, built at Mt. Clemens in 1833. Captain Atwood was
at one time also on this route. The steamboats General Macomb,
built at Mt. Clemens (1837), and Star, built at Belvidere (1837),
were also at one time on this route.
Captain E. B. Ward sailed the steamboat Huron in 1840.
"She was owned by Captain Samuel Ward, and was a very suc-
cessful steamer, netting him thousands of dollars, and laying the
foundation of his laree fortune."
e;arly navigation on laki; and rive;r. 41
first boat through the canal.
Captain Samuel Ward built and commanded another boat
at an earlier day than any of the above. It was a sailing vessel
called the St. Clair, and was built in 1820 at Marine City. After
the Erie canal was opened, Captain Ward freighted his boat at
Detroit for New York city, and took on board two horses to tow
her through the canal. On arriving at Buffalo he took down his
masts, entered and towed her safely through the canal; arrived
at the Hudson River, he shipped his masts, bent the sails and
soon came to anchor at the metropolis. Securing a full freight
back, he returned, but was somewhat disappointed on being
, required to pay toll. Captain Ward not only calculated on get-
ting through the canal free of toll, but expected (as should have
been the case) to get a premium, as his was the first boat from
the lakes to New York.
FIRST DE:TR0IT and port HURON BOAT.
Captain Hanson succeeded Captain E. B. Ward in command
of the Huron. These three captains (Ward, Hanson and Clark)
sailed the steamers Huron and General Gratiot respectively
between Detroit and Port Huron along in the '30s and '40s.
Another river steamboat, the first to ply between Detroit and
Black River (Port Huron), was the Argo, built at Detroit in
1830 by Captain John Burtis, and commanded by him. I was on
hand when she was launched and I made two or three trips on
her to St» Clair and return. She was very cranky. On these
trips I was in company with Thomas Palmer, father of the sen-
ator, who was quite portly, and Captain Burtis was on constant
watch to see that "Uncle Tom," as he called him, did not upset
his steamboat. She was found too cranky for the business and
was put on the ferry route, between Detroit and Windsor.
The steamboat General Vance, about 1835, was on the down-
river route, Detroit to Truax's (Trenton), and Newport, and was
owned and commanded by Captain Samuel Woodworth, son of
Uncle Ben Woodworth, of the Steamboat Hotel. She blew up
while lying at the dock in Windsor, killing the captain and some
of the crew.
GREAT FUR-SHIPPING PORT.
About 1830 Thomas Palmer, father of the senator, owned
the schooner Tiger and the scow Independence. The former was
not a very large affair, but the latter was of considerable ton-
42 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
nage, and was quite a freighter. Her captain, William Loiicks,
. dubbed her a "square-toed packet."
The Tiger seems to have done considerable business in her
time. The Detroit Gazette, of July, 1821, says: "The schooner
Tiger, Captain Birdsall, sailed from this port for Buffalo with
410 packs of furs, valued at $62,000."
Detroit was the greatest shipping port for furs on the lakes
at that time. In addition to the Tiger, the schooner Superior,
Captain Keith, sailed for Buffalo with 200 packs, and the account
quoted from above says : "There are between 300 to 400 packs
remaining at our different wharves, valued at from $300 and
$500 to $900 each. The Tiger and Independence both came to
grief on Lake St. Clair ; no lives lost.
Lewis Godard, of Detroit, about 1830, built a steamboat,
called the David Crockett. She was small, and of novel construc-
tion in that she was propelled by an immense wheel attached
to her stern. She plied between this port and Mt. Clemens.
The steamboat Arrow, built at Trenton in the early forties,
by Messrs. Atwood, Davis & Edwards, was a very fast boat, and
a great favorite with the traveling public. The Toledo Blade said
of her when she came out : "It is expected she will take pas-
sengers here after breakfast and land them in Detroit immediately
after dinner, and be in Toledo before tea time," and she did.
The names and personalities of the early navigators of the
lakes and rivers, as well as the various craft they were connected
with, all seem to pass before me in a long procession, as in a
dream. Many of the captains and all the clerks I knew quite
intimately, having traveled on many of the steamers in the early
days, when in the employ of the Western and Pomefoy's Express
Companies between Buffalo and Detroit.
THE GRIEEIN, THE FIRST VESSl^E ON THE LAKES.
It is recorded that the first vessel on the lakes was the Griffin,
which was built on the Niagara River at or near Schlosser Land-
ing in 1679. She was schooner rigged with the addition of a
topsail, and was sixty tons burden. She took her departure from
that place for Mackinac on August 7 of that year, in command of
Chevalier De LaSalle, a Catholic missionary, with a crew of six
persons. She arrived there in due time, and was laden with furs
for a return voyage, but after her departure was never again
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 43
heard from. Not for many years thereafter do we find any record
of craft on the lakes.
From 1 77 1 to 1779 nine vessels were built at Detroit by the
English government. They were as follows : Schooner Hope,
81 tons, built in 1771 ; sloop AngeHca, 66 tons, built in 1771 ; brig
Gage, 154 tons, built in 1772; schooner Dumore, 106 tons, built
in 1772; sloop Felicity, 55 tOns, built in 1774; schooner Faith, 61
tons, built in 1774; sloop Adventure, 54 tons, built in 1776; sloop
Wyandotte, 47 tons, built in 1779. During the revolutionary war,
the Gage carried fourteen guns, and the Faith, ten guns.
What was the fate of these vessels the record does not dis-
close.
SOME VERY EARLY BOATS.
It appears from a Buffalo paper, published in 1830, "that
the first schooner, fore-and-aft, built on Lake Erie after the
Griffin, was in 1797, at Four-Mile Creek, near Erie, Pa. She was
called the Washington.
The Union was the name of the first brig. She was built in
1814. She was ninety-six tons burden. She was laid up for a
time on account, it was said, of her being too large for the require-
ments of the period.
The first steamboats ever built on the lakes are said to have
been built by the Canadians, one at Brockville in 1816, name not
known, and the other the Frontenac. She was built at Kingston
in 18 1 7. She was of 700 tons burden, had three masts, no guards,
and looked like an ocean steamer. The Frontenac cost £20,000.
Captain James McKenzie, a retired officer of the royal navy, was
her first commander. It was said at the time that he was not
over-confident of his vessel, for advertisements were thus quali-
fied : ''The steamer Frontenac will sail from Kingston for Nia-
gara, calling at York (Toronto) on the first and fifteenth days
of each month, with as much punctuality as the nature of lake
navigation will admit of." She ended her career in 1828.
In 18 1 7 another steamboat, the Ontario, was built, but in
American waters, at Sacket's Harbor. She was no feet long
and 24 feet wide, measuring 246 tons. Captain Francis Mallaby,
U. S. N., was her first master.
In 18 18 the celebrated Walk-in-the- Water was built at Black
Rock.
44 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
*'In those days a solitary barque now and then sailed lazily
along the gentle current of our beautiful river, and the painted
savage, in his bark canoe, with his brood of tawny papooses,
glided silently along the sea-green waters. The voyageurs and
the bois coureurs of the Hudson Bay and Northwest Fur Com-
panies, while their voices kept tune and their paddles kept time,
annually departed to the hunting grounds of the red men along
the shores of the Slave Lake and the Lake of the Woods, and
even to the shores of the far-distant Oregon, where no sound was
heard but its own dashing."
The Detroit Gazette of May lo, 1822, says: "On Monday
last at about i o'clock, our noble river presented a very pleasant
sight. Nine fine schooners and a variety of small craft, aided by
a favorable wind, could be seen bearing -into port with all their
sails set."
I am led to contrast the foregoing with the account of the
number of craft, steam and sailing, that passed up and down the
Detroit River, on the 3d of June, 1901. The number on that date
was 168.
The Detroit Gazette of Friday, July 21, 1820, says: "The
arrivals and departures of vessels at this port since the 13th inst.
was as follows : Arrivals, 9 ; departures, 9, including steamboat
Walk-in-the-Water, for Black Rock," and the article also states
that Captain Rodgers has reduced the rate of passabe (cabin) on
his steamboat from Detroit to Black Rock from $18 to $15, and
in proportion to intermediate ports.
The Gazette of Friday, July 21, 1820, says: "The schooner
Tiger, Mr. Birdsell, master, arrived at this port last Sunday from
Green Bay, in the remarkably short passage of four days and
twelve hours, twenty-four hours of which time she remained at
Fort Mackinac. The following gentlemen were passengers on
her: Of the Third Regiment, United States Infantry, Colonel
Smith, Lieutenant-Colonel Lawrence, Captains Green and Gar-
land, and Lieutenants Dean, Lewis and Curtis. Of the Fifth
Infantry, Captain Whiting and Lieutenant Hunt. Of the Corps
of Artillery, Major Biddle; also Lieutenants Leib and Harding."
The same paper of Friday, May 18, 1821, says: "Last Sat-
urday morning fourteen schooners, laden with merchandise and
produce, sailed from this port for Michilimackinac and the ports
on Lake Michigan." It also says : "The steamboat Walk-in-the-
I
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 45
Water arrived here last Tuesday evening. She left Buffalo on
the 13th inst. at ii o'clock a. m., being the first vessel from Buf-
falo this season. She brought, among other things, several emi-
grants."
A Detroit Gazette of 1827 says: "These boats (referring to
the steamboats Henry Clay, Superior and Niagara) will take
freight at the usual rates, and every exertion will be made to
deliver it to the owners or consignees, but which, as well as bag-
gage of every description and small parcels, will be taken only at
the risk of the respective owners or shippers."
There were laid up in port of Detroit in December, 1845,
eleven steamboats, one propeller, forty schooners and sixteen
wood scows.
STEAMBOAT SUPERIOR.
''The History of the Great' Lakes" gives this account of the
steamboat Superior, that came out after the wreck of the Walk-
in-the- Water : "The hull of the Walk-in-the-Water was dam-
aged beyond repair, and having been a financial success, her
owners determined to replace her, and during the following
winter the Superior was built on the bank of Buffalo creek
by Noah Brown, master carpenter. She was not quite as long
nor as wide as her predecessor, but was two feet deeper. She
was owned by the Lake Erie Steamboat Co., and was launched
April 13, 1822. She was the first vessel of any size built at
Buffalo. Some slight work had to be done in the mouth of
Buffalo creek in the way of cutting through the sandbars, so
as to deepen the waters in order that the Superior might get out
into the lake. The shallowness of the water there had caused the ^^ v
owners of thi^boat to hesitate about building her in Buffalo creek, rVX
but as they were assured that the spring freshets would clear the
mouth of the creek, and a guarantee of $100 per day was given
by responsible citizens for each day that she was delayed in the
creek, after she was ready to go out, they decided to build her
there.
"When she was nearly ready to go out there was great anxi-
ety lest the guarantee would have to be made good, and the citi-
zens assembled every day in large numbers — merchants, lawyers
and laborers alike, with teams, scrapers and shovels and other
necessary tools, and labored most assiduously to remove as much
of the bar as was necessary to permit the Superior to pass out.
<^-^''
46 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
and to return to the harbor; and those who could not work sent
down provisions of all kinds to those at work, in order to help
the good work along. All felt that success in getting this vessel
out of the harbor into the lake was vital to the future of that
harbor.
"The fatal day arrived, and after some little difficulty in
touching the bar, the Superior got out into the lake, being aided
by her engine, around the shaft of which a cable was wound and,
attached to an anchor, carried ahead. After making a few miles'
run on the lake to try her machinery, she returned to the harbor,
and everybody concerned breathed more freely, for it then seemed
certain that had the Superior failed to get out over the bar at the
mouth at Buffalo creek, the harbor for commerce at the lower end
of the lake would have been established at Black Rock."
The Superior went into commission in May, 1822, under
command of Captain Jeddediah Rogers, and until 1826 was the
one steamboat of Lake Erie. This boat also made voyages to
Mackinac, which was then the terminus of western navigation.
The Lake Erie Steamboat Line, which was in operation in
1827, was composed of the steamers Superior, Wm. Penn, Henry
Clay and Niagara, which plied between Buffalo and Detroit. One
of these boats left the above ports every other day, commencing
in the early part of May from Buffalo. The Superior left on
May 7, the Wm. Penn on May 9, the Henry Clay on May 3, and
the Niagara on May 5.
EARLY RECORDS.
The number of arrivals at the port of Detroit, and what they
brought from April 8th to 19th, 1830, is as follows : Arrivals —
Steamboats and schooners, fourteen. The cargoes consisted of
flour, 91 barrels; whisky, 698 barrels; port, 95 barrels; dry fruit,
51 packages; cider, 33 barrels; beef, 16 barrels; salt, 66 barrels:
passengers, 72; kegs of lard, 18; bars of iron, 30; packages of
furs, 10; skins, 171; hides, 2; bushels of corn, 123; fish, four
barrels; butter, 36 kegs ; hams, 106; shingles, 11,500; lumber, 990
feet.
It will be seen that whisky had the call.
The Lake Erie Steamboat Line in 1830 was made up of the
following boats and captains : Superior, Captain Wm. T. Pease ;
Wm. Penn, Captain Weight ; Niagara, Captain Blake ; Wm. Pea-
cock, Captain Fleeharty ; Enterprise, Captain Miles ; Henry Clay,
Vjf
EARI.Y NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 47
Captain Norton. The first boat left Buffalo, April 12. For the
season of 183 1 there were added to the above the Ohio, Captain
Cahoon, and the Sheldon Thompson, Captain Walker, making a
daily line.
The steamboat Michigan, Captain W. T. Pease, commenced
her regular trips between Detroit and Buffalo and intermediate
ports, Wednesday, April 23, and continued through the season,
except on July 10, when she started for St. Maries (Soo), Mack-
inac and Green Bay. On August 10, she started for Mackinac,
Green Bay, Chicago, St. Joseph and Grand River — a fine inland
voyage.
The following Lake Erie steamboats were in 1834 plying
between Buffalo and Detroit :
The Michigan, Captain W. T. Pease; Daniel Webster, Cap-
tain Tyler ; Governor Marcy, Captain Chase ; Ohio, Captain Cot- ^ J
ton ; Oliver Newberry, Captain Edwards ; General Porter, Cap- ^' ^r-
tain Norton ; Henry Clay, Captain Stannard ; Uncle Sam, Captain
McKinstry ; Niagara, Captain Allen ; New York, Captain Miles.
There entered the port of Detroit from June 19 to 25, 1832,
eight steamers and eight sailing vessels, and cleared during the
same time ten steamboats and five sailing vessels.
In October and November of the same year it was some
better; from October 29 to November 12, ten steamboats and
twenty sailing vessels entered and thirteen steamboats and nine-
teen sailing vessels cleared.
The Chicago Democrat of June, 1834, says : "Arrangements
have been made by the proprietors of the steamboats on Lake
Erie whereby Chicago is to be visited by a steamboat from Buf-
falo once a week until the 25th of August. The steamboat Uncle
Sam left Buffalo on Monday last, agreeable to the arrangement."
It is also stated that ''there are four or five schooners which are
constantly plying across the lake. The stage has commenced run-
ning twice a week to Niles."
A DEUGHTFUL EXCURSION.
On the I2th of August, 1834, the splendid steamboat Mich-
igan left Buffalo for Mackinac, Green Bay, Chicago, Michigan
City, St. Joseph and the mouth of the Grand River of Michigan ;
and the notice of the event goes on^ to say :
"The trip will embrace a distance of 2,000 miles, and the
48 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
passengers will have an opportunity of viewing the splendid
scenery of Lakes Erie, St. Clair, Huron and Michigan, and the
rivers, straits and bays connected with them. The Michigan is
described to be a splendid vessel. We can conceive of no more
delightful excursion."
DETROIT IN 1834.
I make a few extracts in regard to Detroit and the lakes,
from a letter published in the Buffalo Daily Advertiser some time
in the year 1834. The letter is from Detroit, without date, and
commences : "I have just returned from an excursion among
the lakes, having traveled about 1,700 miles and visited some por-
tion of the country bordering the Mediterranean of the west,"
and among other things goes on to say: ''The Detroit River is
not surpassed in beauty and grandeur by the majestic Hudson.
The city of Detroit has a population of 5,000, and is very rapidly
increasing in population and business. I arn persuaded that
Detroit possesses advantages which have not been fully appre-
ciated. The river at its foot, being very broad and deep, forms
a harbor which can hardly be excelled, and which must always
form the grand rendezvous for the lake vessels." The letter goes
on to say further: "The increase of shipping and the improve-
ment of the vessels within a few years on the lakes are equally
astonishing. An excursion of 1,000 miles is a mere matter of
relaxation and pleasure. The citizens of Detroit, however, have
the honor of bearing off the palm in the construction of steam-
boats. The Michigan, built wholly at Detroit, challenges the
entire American waters to produce her equal."
The first propeller on the lakes was the Vandalia, built at
Oswego, in 1841. She was commanded by Captain Rufus Haw-
kins, and made her first voyage to the upper lakes in 1842. All
know how rapidly this class of steamer has accumulated since that
time, and how they have increased in size and speed.
The first steamer known to be on Lake Michigan was the
Henry Clay. In August, 1827, an excursion of pleasure was
made on her to Green Bay, where Governor Cass was holding a
treaty with the Winnebago Indians. From that period to 1832,
some of the boats went to Green Bay, but no further.
Here are some of the doings of steamboats, vessels, etc.. that
appeared in the local papers here and at other ports during the
season of 1844:
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE) AND RIVER. 49
"The steamboat Fairport was got into Buffalo harbor with-
out having suffered any material injury. She was advertised to
leave that port to-day, for Detroit, 4th April, 1844."
The Commercial Advertiser of Buffalo, March 20, 1844,
says : "Travelers from the west say a boat was seen yesterday on
the Canada shore near Point Abino. Whether it is the United
States (Captain Whitaker) returning, or the St. Clair, is
unknow^n ; it is probably the former, as she has had sufficient time
to make her trip to Detroit and back."
This no doubt was the return trip of the United States. She
left the port of Buffalo, for Detroit, March 10, 1844, and on this
trip I was a passenger.
INTERESTING NEWSPAPER REFERENCES.
"Steamer Missouri — This boat arrived here this morning
from Buffalo, which place she left on Thursday last. The Mis-
souri is the first steamer from below which has entered our port
this season." — Chicago Express, April 11, 1844.
The Buffalo Gasette of January 17, 1844, says: "The ice is
all out of the creek again, and there is but very little prospect that
the lake will be frozen over during the winter. There is not much
ice yet formed along the shores, and unless we have extraordi-
nary weather during February and March, an earlier navigation
than usual may be anticipated. The season thus far resembles
that of 1837."
The Chicago Express of April 10, 1844, says : "The schooner
Oneida arrived this morning from Cleveland, an event quite grati-
fying to our citizens. Our own port had been opened so long that
we had been impatiently awaiting the arrival of vessels from
below. The schooners E. C. Merrick and St. Lawrence, also from
Cleveland, are in the offing. The Oneida found a great deal of ice
in the Straits, and it was generally very thick. She reports, as
being this side of the Straits, the brig O. Richmond, and schooners
Windham, Baldwin and Havanna."
The schooner Windham got away from Chicago all right,
with a fine cargo, but met with disaster, as the Chicago Express
of the 17th of April, 1844, relates as follows:
"The schooner Windham, which cleared from this port yester-
day for Buffalo with 10,000 bushels of wheat, went ashore during
the prevailing high wind of last night, north of the north pier, and
4
50 EARLY DAYS IN D£:TROlT.
close to it. She mistook a light on shore for the one on the north
pier. There is considerable water in the Windham, but she can be
got off without serious injury to the vessel."
The steamer Missouri got away from Chicago all right, as
appears by the Chicago Express of April 13, 1844, which says :
"The steamer Missouri left this morning for Buffalo with
quite a number of passengers. Our present fine weather will
hasten the traveling season. A large emigration may be
expected.
The Buffalo Advertiser of April 17, 1844, thus chronicles the
first arrival of the season at that port from Chicago :
"First Sail From Chicago. — Captain Gager led in the
upper lake fleet, this morning, with the propeller Porter from
Chicago, with 8,500 bushels of wheat, and a heavy invoice of flour
and other rolling freight from Detroit. The Porter also brought
down quite a number of passengers."
LAKE business IN 1 844.
The picking up of business at the western ports on Lake
Michigan, etc., is thus chronicled by the Buffalo Commercial
Advertiser of April 12, 1844: "Vessels are much wanted for the
upper lake lumber trade. Some have been chartered here and
others sold for such destination. Chicago, Racine and other lead-
ing points on the west shore of Lake Michigan, are improving so
fast, and the demand for building materials is so great, that good
round prices are now offering for vessels to trade between Green
Bay, Kalamazoo, etc., to the places named above."
This appears to be a notice of the first steamboat combination
formed on the lakes. It appeared in an evening paper published
in Detroit by George L. Whitney, May, 1844, and reads: "The
owners of the steamboats on our lakes have completed an associa-
tion for the ensuing season ; the cabin fare from Buffalo to Cleve-
land is $5; to Detroit, $7; and to Chicago, $14; the steerage to
Detroit, $3 ; to Chicago, $7. We learn that the Julia Palmer and
St. Clair do not come into the combination, but run on the "oppo-
sition line."
LAKE ERIE FROZEN OVER.
The Buffalo Gazette of January 30, 1844, takes back what
it said in its issue of the 17th of the same month, in relation to the
lakes freezing, and says : "The lake is at last frozen over. A
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 5 1
friend who skated out to Point Abino on Saturday informs us
that about half way across he made a hole through the ice, and
found it to be about five inches thick. The fishermen of course
will soon commence bringing in fresh lake trout."
A ''east'' trip.
The Buffalo Advertiser of April 13, 1844, contained the fol-
lowing: ''The Detroit Free Press of Wednesday evening
acknowledges the receipt by the propeller Hercules, Captain
Wheeler, of New York papers of Saturday and of Buffalo papers
of Monday evening, in advance of the mail. This trip of the
Hercules is an era in the annals of propellers, and fully demon-
strates the great value of that class of vessels. The Hercules left
this port at 5 o'clock Monday afternoon and was back to her berth
again fully loaded at 5 o'clock this morning, thus making her trip
in four days and a half, an instance of dispatch rarely, if ever, sur-
passed by our best steamboats. Her rate of running was about
nine miles an hour."
The same paper of April 24, 1844, says in regard to lake
freights: "The price of freight is low upon the lakes. From
Lake Erie ports to Buffalo, wheat is brought for four to five cents ;
flour, sixteen to eighteen cents ; pork, twenty-five to twenty-eight
cents per barrel. For the same to Oswego, wheat is taken through
the Welland canal at eight and one-half cents. From the upper
lakes to this port, wheat is charged only eleven to twelve cents per
bushel, flour thirty-five to thirty-seven one-half cents per barrel,
according to circumstances."
CAPTAIN CHELSEA BLAKE.
Captain Chelsea Blake, that veteran sailor, so long and favor-
ably known on these waters as "Commodore of the Lakes," and
who for so many years sailed the magnificent steamers Michigan
and llinois, built by his earnest and steadfast friend, Oliver New-
berry, of this city, also commanded the good schooner General
Jackson in 1816, then owned by Messrs. Mack & Conant, of
Detroit. At the breaking out of the war of 1812, and while the
British fleet was blockading our coasts, Blake was mate of a brig
outwardbound, and then lying at Newberryport, Mass., waiting
for an opportunity to go to sea. He had been waiting about two
52 EARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
months and, seeing no chance of passing the British squadron,
determined to remain inactive no longer; and at his soHcitation
the whole brig's crew joined the American army. Blake, possess-
ing a good business education, was placed in the commissary
department, and his regiment belonged to Scott's brigade. He
was at the battle of Lundy's Lane, and used to relate an incident
thereof. As the two armies were approaching, and a little while
before the action, an Indian attempted to pass between the armies,
running for dear life. His captain said, ''Blake, can't you kill that
Indian?" at which Blake leveled his gun and. fired, but did not hit
the red man. He loaded his gun in an instant and fired again.
The Indian gave an upward leap and fell, apparently dead. This
Indian proved to be one of a family of five brothers, all warriors,
who resided on the Big Bear Creek, on the Canadian side, and
were known as the Sha-na-way family. One of them bore the
name of Megish, who followed the British army, and was at the
battle of Lundy's Lane, where he was killed."
The late R. E. Roberts had this to say of Blake in his work
on Detroit :
''For so many years, and so intimately, through ,battles breeze
and storm, had our citizens known Blake, from the time he vol-
unteered to sustain his country's flag under General Scott at Lun-
dy's Lane, until through every vicissitude of a sailor's life, he had
won for himself the distinguished title which he bore at his death,
that his name must be forever associated with the lakes, which
became his favorite element. Of almost giant size and command-
ing presence, no son of Neptune ever united in his composition
a rarer combination of the qualities which make a true seaman, a
safe commander, a genuine hero. Rough as the billows whose
impotent assaults on his vessel he ever laughed to scorn; with
voice as hoarse as the tempest which he delighted to rule this gal-
lant son of the sea had withal a woman's tenderness of heart to
answer the appeals of distress. Sincere was the grief of many
he had relieved, and universal regret among those who had ever
sailed with him, when he fell a victim to the cholera at Milwaukee
in the year 1849."
Captain Blake was rough, indeed, and rude of speech. Unlike
rnost of the lake captains of those days, who were perfect gentle-
men in manners and dress, he affected none of these, no courtly
EARIvY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVICR. 53
phrases, no ruffled shirt, no blue coat with brass buttons, when in
port and off duty, but was ever the hard-headed, rough seaman.
Like most men with rough exteriors, he possessed, as Mr. Roberts
says, a kindly heart, and rarely ever allowed a cry of distress to
pass unheeded. His use or abuse of the king's English was some-
what phenomenal. Indeed, most of the lake captains of those
days had the same malady, though to a limited extent, and I pre-
sume some of those of to-day have the same characteristics.
A PICTURESQUE PROFANER.
I listened once to Blake's profanity. On this occasion it was
directed to no less a person than his employer, Uncle Oliver New-
berry himself. The former was in command of a schooner belong-
ing to the latter, and had tied up his vessel- at the wharf near the
foot of Qass Street. Between this wharf and Mr. Newberry's
warehouse was a narrow slip. In this slip another youngster and
myself were amusing ourselves in a small canoe. I saw Mr. New-
berry come hastily out of his office, bareheaded, and hurry around
the rear of the ship, and call to Blake. He began to comb him
down for something in grand style. The captain listened to the
tirade a brief period ; then he let out at Mr. Newberry with such
a storm of profanity that the latter was so amazed and nonplussed
he turned on his heel, with the remark, "Well, well, have your
own way; you are bound to have it, anyway," and went back to
his office.
Blake, it was said, stood in mortal fear of death and from
the cholera in particular. He went to Milwaukee to escape the
latter, but unfortunately did not. A short time before he went to
Milwaukee he attended the funeral of a friend as a pallbearer.
Bishop McClosky officiated, and as the funeral cortege turned
from Jefferson and Elmwood Avenue, the bishop said to Blake,
"Well, captain, this is a ride we shall all have to take sooner or
later."
"Yes, bishop," Blake said, "I know that, but I shall object
just as long as I can, d — d if I don't."
He died in Milwaukee of the cholera in 1849, aged about 65.
54 e;arIvY days in Detroit.
Here is a poem from the Milvmiikee Commercial Herald
printed some time in 1843, in regard to Blake:
Ho, all ye travelers to the west ; ,
If you are bound across the lake,
And wish to take the boat that's best,
Go on the IlHnois with Blake.
A veteran, both By land and sea.
He long has braved the stormy main ;
And amongst the foremost, too, was he,
In the great fight at Lundy's Lane.
And now the din of battle past.
And smiling peace returned again.
See proudly floating from his mast,
Our nation's banner o'er the main.
Steve Newall, too, is at his post ;
A man of science, as to steam ;
Of engineers he is the boast, '
And none of danger need dream.
The steward, Wyncoop, is on board ;
'Mongst epicures he has the name
Of keeping his rich larder stored
''' With luxuries of fish, flesh, game.
In short, the boat we recommend
For safety, comfort and for speed ;
And warmly we advise each friend
For his own sake this notice heed.
»
Success attend your bonny boat.
The pride and glory of the lake ;
And may ye both forever float —
The Illinois and Veteran Blake.
CAPTAIN H. WHITAKER.
I know I will be pardoned if I have a little more to say aboui
Captain Whitaker and his steamboat, the United States. In a
letter from the editor of a Detroit evening paper, dated "Buffalo,
May I, 1844," speaking of the United States and her captain, is
this statement: 'We arrived here about 8 o'clock last evening,
having had the most pleasant trip over the lake that I ever
I
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 55
enjoyed. We made the passage from Detroit to Buffalo in less
than thirty-four hours, including some five or six hours that we
lost in stopping at intermediate ports. The United States sur-
passed my expectations, in comfort as well as in speed. Her new
and spacious upper cabin makes her one of the most comfortable
and pleasant boats on the lakes. No boat sets a better table,
by which, I mean, a table with a variety of dishes, well selected,
well cooked, well arranged, and well attended. The United
States has a fine band of music on board, which frequently
entertained the company amid the solitude of the lakes. One
word of Captain Whitaker, who owns and commands the
United States : He has been connected with lake navigation, and
most of the time in command of some vessel, for about twenty
years. For several seasons, as the public well knows, he has been
the first out of and the last into port, and yet he has never had a
serious accident befall his boat, nor ever lost a life on board of one,
nor ever injured property under his care, so as to incur a dollar's
worth of insurance."
The United States was the first steamer to arrive from Buf-
falo in the spring of 1844, the date being March 18. I was a
passenger in charge of the Wells & Co. western express. A
Detroit evening paper of the above date thus mentions the event :
'*As the Buffalo papers announced that the steamboat United
States, Captain Whitaker, was advertised to leave Buffalo for this
port on the 9th inst., and she not arriving here before the papers
of that day came round by land, we had made up our mind that
Captain Whitaker had been balked for once ; but lo ! about break-
fast time yesterday, up came the steamboat United States in gal-
lant style to our wharf, being the first vessel out of Buffalo this
season. The United States left Buffalo, according to her adver-
tisement, on Saturday afternoon, the 9th. After proceeding some
five or six miles, she found herself completely surrounded by the
ice, which a strong headwind had blown down the lake ; here she
was obliged to remain during Saturday night and most of Sun-
day ; towards the close of the day the wind had somewhat moved
the ice so as to allow the boat to turn around, and at about 5
o'clock she returned to Buffalo. With characteristic perseverance
and energy. Captain Whitaker put out again on Thursday and
came through in triumph. We understand that the boat encoun-
tered ice 100 miles this side of Buffalo."
56 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
At the close of the last century there were on Lakes Huron.
Erie and Michigan the following schooners : The Nancy, 94
tons ; the Swan and the Neagal ; the sloops Sigma, Detroit, Bea-
ver, Industry, Speedwell and Arabaska, and on Lake Superior the
sloop Otter.
The steamboat Michigan, "The Pride of the Lakes," the
sailing vessels Marengo, Marshall Ney, the steamboat Michigan
No. 2 and the brig Manhattan, all of Oliver Newberry's fleet,
were built on the river front between Cass and Wayne Streets.
The steamboat Michigan No. i (before mentioned) was, as many
will remember, the "ne plus ultra" of steamboats at that time.
She had three masts, two low-pressure engines, and at that date
was a wonder and a show, although her cabins, sleeping and
eating accommodations were between decks. The splendid brig
Manhattan was the pride of Admiral Newberry's heart, and when
she was wrecked, after she had been out but a short time, he was,
as he said, ''badly hurt." Not that he missed the money that she
had cost so much, but because she was such a thing of beauty,
with her towering masts and fine lines. One of Mr. Newberry's
vessels — the Napoleon — was built on the St. Clair River, in front
of Captain Westbrook's residence, just above Marine City. I
saw this vessel on the stocks myself when it was building.
RELIEF OF FORT MACKINAC.
The Napoleon was the vessel that was afterwards selected to
convey supplies to relieve the garrison at Fort Mackinac, in mid-
winter, and commanded by Captains Bob Wagstaflf and Gus Mc-
Kinstry. December, 1829, news came that by some oversight the
garrison and people at Mackinac had failed to receive their winter
supplies of provisions. The weather up to this time had beert
boisterous, and much ice had formed. A favorable change in the
weather occurred and it became mild. Mr. Newberry oflfered
one of his vessels in winter quarters here at that time to carry
the supplies, if a crew could be got together for that purpose.
"Gus" McKinstry (son of Colonel D. C. McKinstry) and Bob,
Wagstaff, both good, fearless sailors, undertook the job. They
succeeded in getting a crew, and about the middle of December
they landed the needed supplies on Mackinac Island, much to the
delight of the citizens and garrison.
DARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 57
WELL-KNOWN CAPTAINS.
I witnessed the launching of all the craft that I have just
mentioned, with the exception of the schooner Napoleon. Cap-
tain Van Allen, in command of the steamboat Mayflower when
she first came out, was at that time said to be the first favorite
of the traveling public on the lakes. Those now living that have
sailed with him, either on the Emerald, between Buffalo and
Niagara Falls, or on the steamboat Canada, between Detroit and
Buffalo, on the same route, I am sure, will testify to his gentle-
manly bearing at all times and to his good qualities as a sailor.
He retired from the service to take charge of a hotel at Mackinac,
which was a success, and died there some years ago. Captain
Willoughby succeeded Van Allen on the steamer Canada. He,
too, was immensely popular with the traveling public, as many
will remember. The Canada, under his command, and the May-
flower, under the command of Captain Van Allen, divided the
honors between this port and Buffalo. Captain Willoughby died
in Quebec in 1862,
Captain Thomas P. Folger was quite popular on the lakes
in the '40s. I knew him quite well, but cannot call to mind the
names of any craft that he commanded. He was brother to
Judge Folger, of New York, who was secretary of the treasury
under President Arthur. He died in California in 1855.
Captain Ira Davis was a very popular captain. I think his
entire service was on the route between here and Toledo. He
was in command of the steamboat John Owen, when she first
came out, I think, and for some years after. He died at his fine
home on Woodward Avenue, this city, in 1873, aged 56.
Captain Selah Dustin was on this same route, and also com-
manded the steamboat John Owen for some time. I presume he
was master of other craft, but do not call them to mind. He, ,too,
was very popular and a master of his profession. Many, I am
sure, will remember with pleasure the kindly old captain as I do.
CAPTAIN CHARLES L. GAGER.
I have something further to say in regard to Captain Gager.
He died in Buffalo, December 2, 1886. The Buffalo paper record-
ing his death goes on to say : "He was well known in marine
circles. His career dated back to 18 19, when he served on the
steamboat Walk-in-the-Water, which was the first steamboat on
58 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
the lakes above Niagara Falls. She ran from Black Rock to
Detroit, and, in addition to her Own power, required the assistance
of twelve yoke of oxen to get up the current of Niagara River.
Captain Gager about 1848 built the passenger steamer
Albany, sailing her himself. He also commanded a number of
other steamboats, and later owned and ran the large tug Echo,
at this port, which was afterwards converted into a floating ele-
vator. In his early days he sailed on the salt water, and is said to
have been engaged in the slave trade. He was bluff and obstinate,
but good-hearted, and a decidedly unique benefactor. He leaves
considerable property.
Captain Gager, was, indeed, a ''rough diamond." He had
an interesting family. His wife was a sister of Mrs. George G.
Bull, who was the clerk of the United States Court here about
1858 or 1859. He had a beautiful daughter. Mary was her
name. Mr. George G. Bull, her uncle, was for many years and
until his death (some time about 1870), an attache of the United
States Court here, in conjunction with the late Colonel John Win-
der and Addison Mandel, etc. I record a transaction in which
Captain Gager was one of the principal factors :
The steamer Albany was wintering at this port in 1848. vSome
time in January of that year, the First Regiment, Michigan Vol-
unteer Infantry, destined for service in Mexico, had completed
its organization and had reported to the war department for duty
in the field. Five companies, under command of Lieutenant-Col-
onel Alpheus S. Williams, were ordered to march to Cincinnati,
to take transportation down the Mississippi, which they did. The
other five companies, with Colonel Stockton and staff, managed
to secure transportation by water to Cleveland, or thought they
had. The river and lake w^re open and clear of ice, a January
thaw being in evidence, and apparently there was no inpediment
to navigation in, that direction. Captain Sewel L. Fremont, the
United States quartermaster at this post at that time, contracted
with Captain Gager to take the five companies, with their bag-
gage, etc., to the point above mentioned. Colonel Stockton's
command, with their baggage, etc., got on board the steamer
Albany, at the foot of Woodward Avenue, and started for their
destination. Before leaving the dock it was currently reported
that Captain Gager had induced the quartermaster to pay him in
advance for transportation of the troops to Cleveland. But on
I
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 59
arriving at Maiden the steamer was met by a sudden change of
temperature and threatening weather. The captain tied his boat
up at the dock and informed Captain Fremont that he would not
proceed a rod further under the circumstances, as he feared for
the safety of his vessel, as well as for the safety of his passengers.
He did not budge an inch, notwithstanding the threats of the
officers, backed by loaded pistols. They tried the engineer, but
he, too, was obdurate. Finally, the colonel and his command
were forced to get to Gibraltar, on the American side, as best they
could, and that was on foot, across Grosse He, and on scows
across the river beyond.
How Captain Fremont, if such was the fact (the prepaying
of Captain Gager) , ever squared himself with the war department
at Washington for his blunder, I never knew. As for Captain
Gager, he could take care of No. i, as all who knew him can tes-
tify. I was a clerk in the United States quartermasters and com-
missary offices here at the time, under Captain Whitall, Fifth
United States Infantry. Captain Fremont was detailed by the
war department on a special duty of equipping and transporting
this regiment and Captain Whitall and he had their offices
together,
STEAMBOAT ENGINEERS.
The steamboat engineers were not quite so much in the pub-
lic eye as were the steamboat commanders. Yet here are a few
of them that I call to mind, whose names and personalities were
almost as much to the front as any of the captains that I have
named : Steve Newhall, Ben Briscoe, Joe Cook, Frank Farrer
and George Watson. Newhall was one of Oliver Newberry's
trusted, reliable subordinates, and was an accomplished engineer
wherever placed. I think he was with Blake on the steamboat
Michigan when she first came out. Ben Briscoe passed the
morning, noon and aln;ost the afternoon of his life in the engine
rooms of many of the finest steamers on the lakes, and it is
entirely safe to say he was inferior to none. Joe Cook, Frank
Farrer and George Watson were also accomplished engineers.
I do not call to mind any of the steamboats on which Frank Far-
rer served, but I know he had the reputation of being A No. i
in his profession. Joe Cook was for many years engineer on the
May Queen, running between here and Cleveland. George Wat-
son was engineer at one time on the steamboat Ocean, one of
6o E;ARLY days in DETtlOlT.
Ward's finest steamers. There were hosts of other accompHshed
engineers on the lakes at that time, as there are now, but I do
not call them to mind.
CAPTAIN SAMUEL WARD.
Captain Samuel Ward came to Newport (now Marine City)
about 1819 or '20. Shortly afterward he built a little schooner
of thirty tons burden called the St. Clair. In this boat Captain
Ward got his start, trading in general merchandise. The cap-
tain made extensive trips in this little boat, one of which was
from Green Bay to New York (of which trip mention has before
been made). He built the schooner Marshal Ney about 1830.
About 1835 the schooner Harrison (100 tons) came out. E. B.
Ward, a nephew of Captain Samuel Ward, afterwards one of the
largest vessel and steamboat owners on the lakes, sailed in her as
mate. In 1839 he built the hull of the steamboat Huron, but had
not the means to complete it. His nephew, Eber B. W^ard, took
the matter in hand, finished the boat and afterwards developed
a rare business sagacity, as all who are familiar with his career
can bear witness.
THE STEAMBOAT DETROIT IN 1846.
In 1846 the steamboat Detroit was the only first-class
steamer plying regularly between Detroit and the "Soo." In 1855
there were four first-class passenger steamboats, besides sev-
eral propellers, running regularly between Detroit and ports on
Lake Superior, passing through the "Soo" canal. The shipment
of the copper output of the fourteen mines in the Ontonagon dis-
trict in 1855 amounted to nearly 3,000 tons. At the present writ-
ing not one of the fourteen companies is in existence. But the
mines in the Portage Lake and Keweenaw districts are now (as
everyone knows) producing immense amounts of copper, and the
stocks of each are held high in the Boston market, particularly the
Calumet & Hecla and the Tamarack. It is hard to imagine what
the late Mr. Sheldon, at one time one of the heavy owners of the
Calumet & Hecla mine, would say in regard to this property now.
In 1866 I was in Houghton, and Mr. Sheldon, whom I knew
well, tried to induce me to take some of the stock at $1 per share,
but I had been bit in copper to the extent of about $600, and could
not be persuaded.
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 6 1
THREE HISTORIC BOATS.
I call to mind three craft that were included in our lake
marine, that I have not mentioned before, and that had quite a
history attached. They were the brig Queen Charlotte, the
barque Detroit and the fore-and-after Lady Provost. They
belonged to the British fleet, opposed to Commodore Perry at the
battle of Lake Erie, and were captured by him. They were sunk
in the harbor of Erie. After remaining under water for a num-
ber of years they were raised and put into commission. How long
they remained so I do not remember. They all plainly showed
in their hulls the marks of the punishment they had received.
The brig Queen Charlotte had to "take crow." I have been
told that before the Lake Erie fight she passed up and down the
opposite side of the Detroit river under full sail, with -the cross
of St. George flying at her masthead, and as she passed in front
of the city she fired a blank cartridge (cannon), besides lowering
and hoisting her topsails. The late Commodore Brevoort related
the above circumstance. He knew, if anybody did, as he was
here at the time and was an eye-witness of the incident. He
afterwards participated in the fight as a volunteer. He used to
relate the incident with great glee, and it was memorized in
rhyme, as follows :
The Detroit and Queen Charlotte and Lady Provost,
Not able to fight or run, gave up the ghost,
And not one of them all from our grapplings got free
Though we'd fifty-four guns and they just sixty-three.
Here is a short sketch of what the Queen Charlotte was in
her prime :
'*On the morning of the i6th of August, 1812, the time of
Hull's surrender, the Queen Charlotte, a fine ship of war, 18
guns, ran up the Detroit River, near the sand hill (where the old
copper smelting works are now located) and dropped her anchor.
Under cover of her broadsides the boats, with General Brock's
troops, landed. They instantly formed and marched up to the
place where the Michigan Central Railroad crosses the river road,
and there defiled into the ravine out of the reach of our cannon.'/
Referring to the recent move of shipping freight direct by
steamers from Chicago to European ports, I would say that it
62 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
is not the first attempt of our lake shippers to place western pro-
ducts in foreign ports, without breaking cargo at the east.
George W. Bissell, of Detroit, freighted a vessel (the Levi Cook),
sometime in the early fifties, with an assorted cargo, for Liver-
pool. What the result of the venture was I never knew.
The St. Helena (sail), among others, chartered by J. and
P. Aspinwall, Detroit, to carry staves to Europe in July, 1859.
The Sexton, Pierce and Kershaw (sail), were chartered the same
season by Captain Pierce, of Cleveland, to carry railroad ties to
Russia. Trowbridge and Wilcox, Detroit, in 1859 sent from this
port the schooner Grand Trunk, 327 tons burden. Captain Stark-
weather, to Hamburg, Germany, with a large cargo, consisting
of hardwood lumber, and no doubt there were others.
In the fall of 1843, the number of boats remaining in com-
mission on the lakes was sixty, making a tonnage of 17,000 tons;
and of these only thirty-five Were used when the steamboat com-
bination was in existence.
It was computed in 1845 ^^at the average value of property
freighted to and fro on lakes Erie and Ontario exceeded $81,000,-
000, and the number of vessels exceeded 500, including seventy-
eight steamboats and steam propellers, many of which were from
500 to 1,200 tons burden. (This information was obtained from
a Detroit Daily of that year.)
SHIPMENTS OF GRAIN, ETC.
The first shipment of grain from Lake Michigan was made
in 1836. In that year 3,000 bushels of wheat were shipped from
Grand River, Mich., on the brig John Kenzie, owned by Dorr &
Jones, Detroit, and commanded by Captain R. C. Bristol. This
cargo arrived at Buffalo safely. In 1838 the steamer Great West-
ern carried from Chicago to Buffalo thirty-nine bags of wheat,
which were consigned to parties in Otsego County, N. Y. This
was the first grain shipped from Chicago. In October, 1839, the
brig Osceola carried down from Chicago to Kingman & Durfee,
of Black Rock, 1,678 bushels of wheat, this being the first ship-
ment of grain in bulk from that port. In 1840 a small schooner
named the General Harrison, of about 100 tons, was loaded at
Chicago with 3,000 bushels of wheat for Buffalo. The same years
the schooner Gazelle carried from Chicago to Buft'alo 3,000
bushels of wheat ; the brig Erie 2,000 bushels ; and the schooners
Major Oliver and Illinois each a small cargo, etc.
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 63
WINTER OE 1843.
The Jackson, Mich., Democrat said in the winter of 1843 •
''Just think of it — As soon as the lake is open to Buffalo, travelers
can go from Jackson, sixty miles in the interior of Michigan, to
Boston or New York by steam. If any man had told us fifteen
years ago that such a trip would be performed, or that such a com-
munication would be opened in 1843, we should have called him a
Mormon or Millerite."
There was much trouble with the mails in those days (1843),
as, for instance, a Detroit paper had this to say : "The steamboats
Columbus and Julia Palmer left Buffalo at the same time day
before yesterday. The mail was put on board the Julia Palmer ;
the Columbus arrived here between 8 and 9 o'clock this morning,
but the Julia Palmer is not here yet. The result is that we have
had no eastern mail since yesterday morning."
BAGGAGE CHECKS.
It appears from the Buffalo Gazette of some time in 1843
"that CaptainSquires, of the steamboat DeWitt Clinton, was the
first to adopt the plan of metallic checks for baggage, so that
when a passenger delivers his baggage to the porter he receives a
check, the duplicate number of which is attached to his baggage,
which is delivered only on presenting the duplicate — n great and
long-felt want."
A WONDERFUL TRANSFORMATION.
A copy of the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser of 1843 says:
"The present 3^ear completes a quarter of a century since the first
steamer was launched upon the western lakes. During that period
changes of vast magnitude have been effected by the application
of the mighty agent — steam. Dense forests which frowned from
the margins of great lakes, have been felled to give place to thriv-
ing villages, and the moody aboriginal occupant, who gazed with
wonderment at the approach of the ponderous vehicle, has become
extinct, or is known only as a wanderer beyond the limits of the
Mississippi. Changes like those have characterized the introduc-
tion of steam upon the lakes and the independent, inquiring spirit
which so distinctly marks the habits of the people of this country
has kept pace with the progress of steam westwardly, and devel-
oped the fertility and abounding resources of the prairies until
they have become the granary of the world."
64 EARLY DAYS IN DE;TR01T.
CAPACITY OF SOME EAREY-DAY STEAMERS.
*'The largest steamer on the lakes in 1859 was the Western
World, 2,002 tons. There were nine others over 1,000 tons each,
twenty-one measuring over 400 tons, seventy measuring over 100
tons, sixty-three measuring over 30 tons, and sixty-one measur-
ing under 20 tons.
'7n May, 1863, the steamers Western World, Plymouth Rock
and Mississippi were taken from Detroit to Buffalo to have their
machinery removed, and otherwise to be dismantled. These fine
steamers were commissioned in 1855, plied but three seasons, and
were among the largest and finest floating palaces ever put upon
the lakes ; and like everything else earthly they had their time ; so
had the railroad that scooped them, and there was no further use
for them. An extravagant outlay of money to a very small pur-
pose, as they never realized one dollar over expenses."
OVER THE FALLS.
In 1827 the schooner Michigan, having been condemned as
unseaworthy, was sent over Niagara Falls. The event was
announced in sensational handbills, which proclaimed that "the
pirate ship Michigan, with a cargo of furious animals, will pass
over the Falls of Niagara on the 8th of September, 1827." Enter-
tainment was promised for all who might visit the Falls on that
occasion, which would, ''for its novelty and the remarkable
spectacle which it will present, be unequaled in the annals of inter-
nal navigation." The Michigan was 136 tons burden. The event
was witnessed by several thousand people.
This schooner Michigan, that was sent over the Falls, was
the same vessel that conveyed Judge Buncer, of St. Clair, and his
belongings to Detroit in 181 7. He left Albany for Buffalo in
April of that year. On his arrival at the latter place, he had to
wait some days for the completion of the above vessel, on which he
intended to cross, and did cross Lake Erie.
A GALA OCCASION.
In the early days, from 1827 to about 1835, the absorbing
event in this community was the arrival of the steamboat from
Buffalo. A quaint old custom prevailed on these steamboats, and
that was the firing of a cannon on rounding the point at Sandwich,
announcing the fact that a boat was coming up the river. The
i^ARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE) AND RIVER. 65
echo of the gun had hardly died away before, down to the wharf
would come trooping all the citizens of the town, not otherwise
specially engaged, who enjoyed the diversion of seeing the boat
come in to her dock. Seeing the boat come in meant a great deal,
too, for the boats were few and far between, and those that did
arrive over the then uncertain route of inter-communication were
indeed welcome, bringing, as they did, friends, news, letters and
needed supplies. So the boats let off a gun to announce their
arrival and away every one that could hurried to the dock.
I can testify from actual experience, many times repeated,
what a welcome sound it was, and how everyone rushed to the"
dock, as stated. I presume the old steamboat Walk-in-the- Water
inaugurated this custom of firing a cannon, which was kept up
until steamboats became so numerous that their arrival and depart-
ure ceased to be a novelty, and the practice gradually died out.
But it was a stirring and exciting experience to all Detroit folks,
while the custom lasted, as any one that passed through that time
will bear witness. Everything in the way of occupation was
dropped when the report of that cannon was heard.
GREAT RIVAIvRY.
In the early thirties immigration was at fever heat, and every
steamboat that came in from Buffalo was loaded to the water's
edge. The rivalry was intense, and the boats were, ineed, floating
palaces for those days. The agents especially emphasized the
assurance that the public might depend on the most exact punctu-
ality in the sailing of the boats throughout the season, from either
end of the route, and their absolute safety. One of the most ener-
getic and active of these agents, or runners, at this end, and indeed
one of the most lively and truthful, not excepting those at the port
of Buffalo, was Billy Burchell. Many, no doubt, will remember
him, and what a stirring little chap he was. After hustling around
at every hotel and taven in town, and seeing to it that everyone
desiring to leave on the daily boat was on hand at the hour of
departure, his "passengers all aboard, sir !" to the captain at his
post, was the signal for starting, and it was almost invariably
waited for.
''FLOATING palaces'" OF THE PAST.
The steamer Michigan, as before mentioned, built by Oliver
Newberry, when she first came out was considered a leviathan
5
66 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
(472 tons burden), with her two engines, two walking beams and
three masts, and magnificent appointments. Then after a while
the steamboat Superior appeared, eclipsing the Michigan ; then the
Washington (609 tons burden) ; then the Great Western (780
tons), with the upper cabin, outdoing them both; then came the
Empire, Captain Howe, declared by all to be, up to that date, the
largest and most magnificent steamboat that had ever appeared
on the lakes. She was a fine steamer, and I well remember her
first appearance at her dock in this city. She landed at the foot of
Woodward Avenue, Grey & Lewis' wharf. The citizens of this
goodly town, almost en masse, inspected her admiringly and pro-
nounced her the pride of the lakes, and one not easily duplicated or
surpassed. Then came the Western World, 1,000 tons; then the
Mayflower, 1,300 tons; then the Plymouth Rock, 1,991 tons; also
the Northwest, 1,100 tons ; the R. N. Rice, 1,030 tons, etc.
The magnificent examples of naval architecture, taking into
account also their size and speed, as are now presented to us,
makes all former efforts in that direction dwindle into insignifi-
cance ; perhaps the efforts of the future may dwarf the present, but
it does not seem possible. How significant also is the advance of
the steam propeller of the lakes. In the early days sailing vessels
or steam propellers capable of taking on a cargo of 15,000 or
20,000 bushels of wheat, were considered large and quite sufficient
(copper and iron ore were not factors then in the freighting bus-
iness only to a very small extent), but now the capacity of the
propellers engaged in the grain, ore and lumber trade is enor-
mous. The amount of tons of ore, bushels of grain, and feet of
lumber the present lake monsters are able to take all are familiar
with. ,
Comparing the capacity of some of the early freighters with
those of the present an illustration is given, taken from a Detroit
paper of that time, November 2.^], 1843.
"The brig Rocky Mountains (which was one of the largest of
her class), on her last trip for Buffalo took a full cargo, consisting
of 1,042 barrels of flour, 1,776 bushels wheat, 120 barrels fish, 6
casks ashes, 9 barrels cranberries."
Contrasting the time taken by steamers between Buffalo and
Chicago from the years 1833- 1840, with the present, we find that a
steamer left Buffalo June 23 and returned July 18; another left
Buffalo July 20 and returned August 11.^
EARI^Y NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 67
CROSSING lake: ERIE IN 1815.
The following extract from a letter dated Detroit, September
29, 181 5, will give some idea of the tribulations of travelers in
those days. It was written by the late Judge James Witherell to a
friend in the "states," as they used to say then :
"I arrived in Buffalo ou the 19th of August, and was detained
until the 31st for want of a vessel. On that day I sailed in a
little vessel called the 'Experiment.' The little dirty cabin was
crowded with several women, six men and a dog. During the
night we ran past Presque Isle (Erie) some twenty miles, and as
some of the passengers were to have been landed there, they chose
to be put on shore opposite the vessel, and get back as they could.
They were landed. Among them was the famous Barnabas Bid-
well. On the 20th we ran into the mouth of Grand River in a gale
of wind. The mouth of the river was then some three or four rods
wide. The wind changed and soon raised a sandbar at its mouth,
which prevented the vessel getting out; and in this condition we
lay until the 6th of September (sixteen days), when Major Mars-
ton and Lieutenant Ballard, of the army ; Messrs. Bell and Kane,
of Buffalo, and myself (as the prospect of getting out within the
next ten or fifteen days was uncertain) concluded to hire a man
to take us in a wagon to Cuyahoga (Cleveland). Our baggage
was sent on shore to the wagon, but in going myself got jostled
out of the boat into deep water, and was compelled to swim some
distance. Of course I was thoroughly wet. It was about sunset
and we had several miles to go. The teamster said the road was
plain and I walked on ahead. When I had gone far enough to feel
sure that I was not on the right road, being surrounded by a dense
wilderness and no habitation to be seen, I began to retrace my
steps. I had walked several miles. The cold night air and my
dripping clothes had benumbed my shivering limbs. After awhile
I discovered a light and procured a boy for a guide, and after
seven or eight miles' walking over a very soft, muddy road, I
found the wagon. Arriving at Cleveland, I found that there was
but one way to proceed to Detroit, and that was to charter a small
schooner, which we did for $40, and sailed the next morning,
September 8. We ran to Black River ; stopped about an hour and
sailed again about 10 o'clock at night some twenty miles towards
Sandusky ; but the captain, not knowing the coast, was obliged to
run back to Black River on account of head wind, where w^e
68 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
remained until the I2th of September. On that day we sailed to
the mouth of the Vermillion, but could not enter on account of a
sandbar. We ran into a small creek and remained until daylight.
On the 13th we reached the islands. Here a violent storm of
thunder, lightning, wind and rain set in, which placed our little
barque in imminent peril. Here we found ourselves out of pro-
visions, and in attempting to leave the islands the wind drove us
back. We went on shore to look for food, but the island, being
uninhabited, and we having no guns or fishing tackle, we got noth-
ing but a few hard, small peaches, which were divided among us.
At night two men were sent on shore to get som.e sassafras or spice
bush to make a drink of, but the men found none. The captain
then advised that some button wood bark should be procured,
which was done, and being boiled an hour or two in an old ash
kettle we fell to drinking. To'me it was serviceable, as I was
suffering from fever occasioned by long fatigue and exposure. In
the course of the night the wind became favorable to lay our course
to Maiden. After being two hours under way a violent storm
arose, and our vessel sprung a leak in a place where it could not
be stopped ; and after our sails had been split to pieces by the wind,
we were driven on the Canada shore near the new settlement below
Maiden. Here we found a house and stayed all night, and in the.
morning we hired a man to take us to Maiden, and there another
was employed to take us up the river, and we landed at Captain
Knagg's on the i8th of September."
What a difference between then and now !
There have been in the past sailing greyhounds on the lakes,
as well as those at present on the ocean; as, for instance, the
ships Julia Palmer and Superior, the brigs Manhattan, Ramsey
Crooks, Queen Charlotte,, the clipper brig Illinois, etc. — all fast
sailers, as old lake men can testify. '
It was an exhilarating sight and one to stir the blood, to wit-
ness one of these vessels fly by the city with a fair wind abaft,
carrying a *'bone in her mouth" (to use a nautical expression),
everything set below and aloft, her colors fluttering in the breeze.
Old citizens, and sailors as well, will call to mind with a thrill
of delight the stirring spectacle. The picture can be, and is
repeated, on the ocean, but it is safe to say never again on the
lakes. Gone like a puff of smoke.
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 69
CAPTAIN WHITAKER AGAIN.
In the article below, which appeared in one of our local
papers, signed by the captain himself, appear the names and
descriptions of some of the steamboats and their captains that
I have mentioned before, but I do not think that need lessen its
interest; besides it presents some new features:
The first steamboat — the Walk-in-the- Water — was built at
Black Rock in 1817. John Fish was the master. She was as
good a model as those upon which boats of the same dimensions
are now built. Her length was 150 feet; breadth of beam, 27
feet;. depth of hold, 10 feet, with three feet rise to quarter-deck.
Her engine was low pressure and was built in England. It had
four feet stroke of piston, cylinder 40-inch bore, diameter of
wheels, 16 feet — four times the length of stroke. She always
ran from Grand River to Cleveland in three hours and forty
minutes in still water, a distance of thirty-one miles by govern-
ment chart, which gives a speed of eight and a half miles per
hour. She was lost at Buffalo on the first day of November,
182 1, after running four seasons. .
The steamboat Superior, Jedediah Rogers master, was built
at Buffalo and came out in May, 1822. She was not as good a
model as the Walk-in-the- Water. She was about the same speed,
and had the engine and furniture of her predecessor.
A small steamboat called the Chippewa, with a low pressure
engine, was built at Buffalo in 1823. She was a failure.
The Enterprise was built at Cleveland in 1825 by L. Johnson.
She had a low-pressure engine, which was changed to a high-
pressure in 1828-9. She then made money.
The Wm. Penn was built at Erie, Pa., in 1826, with a con-
densing engine. She was a failure.
The steamboat Pioneer was built at Black Rock (Captain
W. T. Pease) in 1825-6. She went ashore at Grand River, Ohio,
the same fall ; was gotten off and a high-pressure engine put in
her. She then performed well. The small boat Niagara, built
at Black Rock in 1826-7, received the low-pressure engine of the
Pioneer. She was a success.
The steamboat Henry Clay (Captain William Norton) was
built at Black Rock in 1826. She was a low-pressure boat, of
model and size similar to the W^lk-in-the-Water. The Clay was
a success.
70 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
In the winter of 1827-8 the steamboat Wm. Peacock was
built at Barcelona, Chautauqua Co., N. Y. She had the low-
pressure engine of the Chippewa and was a failure. She was
bought by C. M. Reed, of Erie, who put a high-pressure engine
in her. She was then a fair boat of her size.
In 1830 the small steamboat Ohio was built at Lower San-
dusky with a high-pressure oscillating engine. She was a failure.
In 1830 the steamboat Sheldon Thompson came out with a
low-pressure engine. She was a good model and a fair success.
In June, 1833, the steamboat Uncle Sam (Captain Stiles)
came out from Detroit. She had a condensing beam engine, but
was not a success.
In the same month, 1833, the steamer New York was built
at Black Rock. She had two high-pressure engines and eight
boilers, but was a big failure.
The steamboat Pennsylvania, with two high-pressure engine^
built by C. M. Reed, at Erie, Pa., was not a success.
From May, 1822, up to July, 1833, the following steamboats
were built : Chippewa, Enterprise, Wm. Penn, Pioneer, Niagara,
Henry Clay, Wm. Peacock, Ohio, Sheldon Thompson, Uncle
Sam, New York and Pennsylvania — twelve steamboats — making
fourteen steamboats built during the first fifteen years. The
Henry Clay was the only one of the twelve steamboats which
came up to the Walk-in-the-Water, or was superior to her in
speed or capacity for business. The other eleven were far infe-
rior in speed and capacity.
In the fall of 1833 the steamboat Michigan, with two low-
- pressure beam engines, built by Oliver Newberry, of Detroit,
and commanded by Chelsea Blake, came out. She was then the
best rough water boat in this country.
The Daniel Webster came out in December, 1833, ^"^ made
one trip from Buffalo to Detroit and back. She was built by
Pratt & Taylor, of Buffalo, after having false sides. She was a
fair boat.
After 1833, with an increase of business, the steamboats
built, with the exception of a few failures, were larger and better.
I commanded four of the above-named steamboats during
the time stated, and know their speed and capacity.
This account of early steamboating upon our western lakes
is drawn from memorv and is reliable. I doubt whether records
DARIvY NAVIGATION ON IvAKE) AND RIVER. 71
can be found which are rehable. I am pleased to say that during
the fifteen years of steamboating, of which I have written, there
were but five hves lost, caused by the breaking of a steam pipe
on board the Peacock, Captain John Flaherty.
Harry Whitaker.
captain fred wheeler and the hercules.
Captain Fred Wheeler, of the steamer Hercules, was a gay
boy for a steamboat captain, but they were nearly all so when in
port and tied up at the dock. Of course, outside, they were sail-
ors all.
The Hercules, on her trips from Buffalo to Chicago, rarely
ever stopped at any ports on the way, except Cleveland, Detroit
and Milwaukee, and at these three ports Captain Fred had many
warm friends. By far the greater number were at this port,
Detroit. *
The arrival of the boat here was always the signal to the
"boys" that a good time with Fred was at hand, and we always
had it, in a moderate way. He usually tied up at Alex. Lewis'
dock, at the foot of Bates Street, for from twelve to twenty-four
hours, leaving in time to get over the St. Clair Flats by daylight,
and rarely ever stopping on his downward trips for over an hour
or so.
Well, Fred concluded to get married and settle down, which
he did, marrying a young lady in Buffalo. Just before the event
he left word here with Dan Whipple (of the Bates Street res-
taurant) to provide a supper and a basket of champagne for the
"boys," wherewith to celebrate his nuptials. The supper came
off, and they were all on hand and enjoyed it, as much- as they
did the champagne. There was only one thing that occurred to
mar the pleasure of the occasion, and that was the intoxication of
the properietor of the house (Whipple), and he was the only one
of the crowd to get in that condition.
A MERRY ROW.
•
After the supper was over and the cigars lighted, it was
proposed that a meeting be organized for the purpose of adopting
resolutions expressing the friendly sentiments of the crowd
toward the bride and groom. Barney Campau was called upon
to preside and George Dibble was named as secretary. They
72 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
were installed in chairs placed on top of the supper table after
the cloth was removed. The proceedings had hardly begun when
Dan, seeing the boys seated on top of the table, his muddled brain
(he having been indulging a little in the "rosy") failed to take
in the situation, got furious, grabbed hold of the two chairs and
pulled them and their two occupants to the floor. The meeting
broke up in a row, of course, and the party left the house highly
indignant. Whipple came around to each one the next day and
made an humble apology, and the matter was smoothed over and
soon forgotten. Dan was always ugly when in that plight, but
he was a mighty good fellow withal.
Wheeler concluded to spend his honeymoon on a trip to
Chicago and return on the sidewheel steamer St. Louis, instead
of his own, the Hercules. The party arrived here in due time,
and he received the congratulations of his friends. As the steamer
was to remain here for eight or ten hours, one of tf^e boys pro-
posed to take the bride out for a buggy ride, and show her the
city. The offer was accepted.
For some reason or other, I imagine designed by the way of
a joke on the part of the escort, they did not return until after the
steamer St. Louis had left, and with it the groom. Wheeler was
in a peck of trouble on account of the non-appearance of his wife,
and left word for her to join him at Chicago by rail, which she
did. She was awfully indignant, of course. Captain Fred bided
his time in which to get in his retaliation work, and he did after
a little. About a month had passed after this small episode when
one day, along about noon, the Hercules appeared at her dock, on
her down trip from Chicago. Fred gave out to the ''boys" that
it would give him great pleasure to have them dine with him on
board the boat at 7 o'clock of that day. Well, we were all on hand
at the hour, and had a very enjoyable time. After the cigars were
lighted. Captain Fred excused himself for a few moments, and
upon his return he resumed his cigar. After a pleasant half hour
spent in smoking and relating reminiscences, he said, "Boys, I
am afraid I cannot give you an invite to accompany me to Buffalo,
but I can do the next best thing, and that is to give you a trip to
Maiden, and you are taking it right now ; no thanks !"
Sure enough, wher^ he excused himself he had given orders
to have the cables quietly slipped, and before we knew it we were
half way to Maiden. On our arrival at the latter place the
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 73
captain put us ashore, with a "Good bye, boys," and a "safe return
home," and sped on his way. We had to hire conveyances at
Maiden to get us home, which we reached after a tedious, dusty
ride of some three or four hours. We failed to see the joke.
MYSTERIOUS LOSS 01^ THE GOLIAH.
The other propeller, which I have mentioned (the Goliah),
was of about the same tonnage as the Hercules, and was owned
by Wesley Truesdail, of St. Clair. She was lost on her way to
the "Soo" in 1846, I think, on Lake Huron, it was supposed. At
any rate she was never heard from after she passed fort Huron.
The reason that I mention this boat again is that I knew the
captain and have been aboard of her frequently ; on her last trip
she carried two friends of mine, Edward Good, a clerk in the
employ of Mr. Truesdail, and John Schwarz, son of Gen. John
E. Schwarz, adjutant-general of the state. , Both were bright
young men, the latter particularly so.
Captain T. Langley, when in command of the propeller May-
flower, in August, 1861, received on board his boat at Mackinac
Prince Napoleon (Plon-Plon) and his suite, who wished to go
to Milwaukee. He gave up his own stateroom to the prince, who
testified his appreciation of the pleasures of the trip by presenting
the captain at the end of the voyage with his own cane. The
cane was a fine one, being surmounted by a massive gold head
bearing the prince's own name and crest.
TRIBUTE TO THE STEAMER OCEAN.
The following tribute to the steamer Ocean is from the pen
of Ossian E. Dodge, and is an extract from a poem delivered on
that boat, on its return to Detroit from the celebration of the
forty-fifth anniversary of the battle of Lake Erie at Put-in-Bay
Island, September 10, 1858.
Well, just at half-past seven o'clock.
The good steamer Ocean pulled out from the dock,
And while from the river she merrily ran on,
The ladies all screamed at the sound of the cannon.
There were plenty of soldiers with musket and sword
And a number of men lost their hats overboard,
While soon in the cabin we all had a chance
To each take a lady .and all have a dance.
74 EARLY DAYS "in DETROIT.
And now I will this opportunity take
To say that steamboats are well manned on the lake ;
And you will no doubt all respond to my motion,
That none can be more so than the good steamer Ocean.
To prove that this steamer is rapid and fierce,
She's got an agent, one Gen. Pierce;
And passengers dream of the Cupids and heavens.
While sailing so smoothly with good Captain Evans.
When the steamer is ready and all wish to start her,
The clerk sells the tickets — one good David Carter;
And to be doubly sure that she'll never be late,
One William McKay is the popular mate.
Of danger there never can be any fear
So long as George Watson is chief engineer;
And no one to grumble can ever be able
When the steward, John Greenslade, provides for the table.
Before the advent of Captain John Burtis, with his horse
boat, which he brought from Cleveland in 1825 or thereabouts,
the traffic between the two points was carried on by small boats
and scows, the former for the conveyance of passengers, the latter
for teams and passengers as well.
William Baubie, of Windsor, recently deceased, was engaged
in this business before Burtis came. He owned a scow and seven
row-boats, and has often related to the writer his experience in
the ferry marine.
Captain Burtis' boat was called the Olive Branch, a scow-
constructed craft propelled by horses. It resembled a "cheese-
box on a raft," and Mr. Bolio, one of the old French residents,
whose widow is still living in this city, was also engaged in the.
same business about that time, and with the same appliances.
And now comes Captain Ben Woodworth, of Woodworth's hotel,
who has this advertisement in the Detroit Gazette of April 20,
1820.
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 75
OVER ! OVER ! !
The subscriber has obtained a license to keep a Ferry
on the Detroit River, and calls on the public for patronage.
He has provided an excellent Flat, and his Boats for pas-
sengers are superior to any that can be found on the River.
Careful men have been engaged to attend the Ferry, and
constant attention will be given, in order that passengers may
suffer no delay. Persons wishing to contract for their fer-
riage by the year, will be accommodated at a low rate, and
landed at any point within a reasonable distance of the land-
ing-place on the opposite shore. Freight will be taken over
at a low rate.
*^ The Ferry is kept nearly in front of the Steam Boat
Hotel. B. WOODWORTH.
N. B. — Persons wishing to cross are desired to give
notice at the Steam Boat Hotel.
Detroit, April 20, 1820.
Captain Burtis' horse-boat was a sidewheeler. These wheels
were made to revolve by two horses, which trod on a circular
table, set flush with the deck in the center, and revolved upon
rollers, which, being connected with the shaft, set the wheels in
motion. The horses remained stationary on the deck, the table
on which they trod revolving under them, and being furnished
with ridges of wood, radiating like spokes from the center, and
which the horses caught with their feet, thus setting the tables in
motion.
The following advertisement in relation to the horse-boat
ferry appeared in the Detroit Gazette in 1825 :
"HORSE-BOAT FERRY."
The subscribers have recently built a large and
commodious
HORSE-BOAT,
for the purpose of transporting across the Detroit river pas-
sengers, wagons, horses, cattle, etc., etc. The boat is so
constructed that wagons and carriages can be driven on it
with ease and safety. It will leave McKinstry's wharf
(adjoining that of Dow & Jones) for the Canada shore, and ■
will land passengers, etc., at the wharf lately built on that
shore by McKinstry & Burtis. The ferry wharves are directly
' opposite.
Mr. Burtis resides on the Canada shore and will pay
every attention to those who may desire to cross the river.
D. C. McKinstry — J. Burtis.
76 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
The writer crossed the river on this boat many times in 1827
and afterward.
The ''horse-boat" continued on this route until 1833, when
Captain Burtis superseded her with the steamer Argo, which
Captain Jenkins, of Windsor, built for him in that year. This
little steamer I have alluded to slightly in a former article. For
the following, in regard to the ferry business, I am indebted to
the late Captain J. W. Hall, marine reporter at this port in 1878:
"In 1834 the Argo had a rival on the ferry route called the
Lady of the Lakes. The status of the ferry business did not vary
materially until 1836, when the United was brought forth. Mr.
Jenkins got up this craft for Louis Davenport. The United was
71 tons burden, and continued on the ferry route until 1853.
Subsequently she was converted into a lumber barge, and is still
(1878) in commission. During her term of service as a ferry
she had several masters. Those we at present call to mind were
Captains Davenport, W. Clinton and J. B. Baker. In 1842 the
Alliance began plying. After a few years her name was changed
to the Undine, Captain John Sloss. Tom Chilvers at different
times commanded her. The Argo No. 2 came on the route in
1848. Not long afterward an explosion took place on board,
killing Captain Foster, her master, and others. After reconstruc-
tion she was for several years commanded by Captain W. C.
Clinton, father of the present Captain W. R. Clinton, and after-
wards by Captain James Forbes until 1872, when she was taken
from the route. In 1852 Dr. Russell built and placed on the route
the Ottawa, commanded by Captain W. R. Clinton, and subse-
quently by Captain A. H. Mills. The steamer Gem, built for W. P.
Campbell, came out in 1856, and was first in command of Captain
J. B. Goodsell, and afterwards by Captain Tom Chilvers, the
latter having had for a short time on the route the Mohawk, form-
erly a British naval steamer. The Windsor was also built in
1856 by Dr. Russell. She was commanded by Captain W. R.
Clinton. After a short period of service she was chartered to the
Detroit & Milwaukee Railway, and was burned at their dock in
March, 1866, with the loss of several lives. Subsequently she
was rebuilt, converted into a barge, and is now (1878) in com-
mission on Lake Michigan. The Essex, built by Messrs. Jenkins,
came out in 1859, and began ferrying. She was commanded by
Captain George Jenkins. After running for some years she was
I
EARIvY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 77
laid up for a time and again took the route, plying more or less
of the past (1878) season. The steamer Olive Branch for a time
also served as a ferry during the period of 1859. She was owned
by W. P. Campbell. The Detroit, built at Algonac for Mr. Camp-
bell by Zadock Pangburn, came on in 1834, and, with others above
referred to, continued plying until 1875, when she was retired.
The Hope was built in 1870 for George N. Brady and Captain
W. R. Clinton, the latter taking charge of her. The present
(1878) fleet of ferry steamers consists of the Victoria, built in
1872, Captain W. R. Clinton; the Fortune, built in 1875, Captam
Walter E. Campbell, and the Excelsior, built in 1876, Captain W.
L. Horn. The last named steamers, in point 6i superiority, in
their get-up and accommodations, are unsurpassed anywhere in
the world. And what adds to this is that their officers are obliging
and gentlemanly in their deportment, and spare no pains in caring
for all who travel over this important thoroughfare."
This statement was made twenty-four years ago, and the
great advance the ferry company has made since that time all are
quite familiar with.
Another pleasing feature about this ferry business is the lib-
erality of the company in allowing the public to enjoy in season
the luxury of riding on their boats from morning until evening
for ten cents each person ; children in baby carriages and arms
free. Just think of it ! Nowhere else in the world can this be
duplicated, nor the routes either, for that matter. In the early
days no such luxury was dreamed of. It was available to a lim-
ited extent, but no one ever thought of taking advantage of it.
Although I have copied freely from Mr. Hall's article, I was
quite familiar with all the ferry boats, etc., that he mentions. The
ferry dock during the time of the Davenports and a little earlier
was at the foot of Griswold street. The steatmboats Argo, 2d,
and United ran every fifteen minutes or so into a slip on which
the Davenports, Lewis and his brother, built a commodious struc-
ture for a waiting room, saloon and restaurant. The saloon and
restaurant were run by John Edwards, whom many, no doubt,
will remember as an exceedingly jolly and pleasant Englishman.
This waiting room, saloon and restaurant were built over the
water on piles.
78 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
CAPTAIN BURTIS AND HIS STEAMBOAT ARGO.
I have barely mentioned this mite of a steamboat and her
jovial captain in a former article, but think both boat and captain
deserve a more extended notice, as it was this city's first attempt
in steamboat building.
The Argo was built in this city at the foot of Wayne Street.
The captain was a pioneer in the ferry business between Detroit
and Windsor, he having, as before mentioned, commanded the
horse fer-ry-boat that plied between the two cities. His ambition
in the navigation business was not satisfied, so he essayed the
steamer Argo (this was in 1833). She was fashioned out of two
immense trees, or logs, hollowed out like canoes, and the two were
joined together, fore and aft, but were spread apart and decked
over with side wheels. Shadrick Jenkins, father of the Jenkins
brothers^ Windsor ship builders, was the builder also of several
vessels respectively at Detroit, Moy (this side of Walkervillej
and Maiden. It seems to me that I was on hand almost daily
when the building of this boat was in progress, such an interest I
took in it.
The boat was finally completed and launched, sideways, into
the slip near by. She was a success in a small way, as far as
steam propulsion was concerned; but was very "cranky." The
Free Press published in 1879 (the exact date I do not remember)
an article I wrote in relation to Captain Burtis and his steamboat,
which I think will bear reproduction here :
INTERESTING RETROSPECT.
"Rambling about the city a few days ago, I found myself in
the City cemetery on Russell Street, corner of Gratiot Avenue,
and it occurred to me that as the order had gone forth for the
removal of the bojlies still remaining buried there, I might idle
away an hour or so scanning the few remaining tombstones, and
that perhaps I might remember something in relation to them that
would be of interest to the living.
"Many of our old residents will remember Captain Burtis.
His grave is so near Russell Street that the passerby can or could
read his name on the tombstone; doubtless many have done so,
when it stood erect, and perhaps have wondered who this person
was that once owned the high-soUnding title of 'Captain.' Quite
recently some miserable vandal broke the stone in twain. The
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 79
captain had the gift of forcible language to a remarkable degree,
and I can imagine him standing beside his own grave, in the flesh,
giving vent to his feelings against the perpetrators of the useless
act, in some of his choicest English. He died in 1836, at the age
of 45, so the stone records, and though comparatively young, he
had lived long enough to accomplish some few things to help along
the growth of this great city and state. He was the first to estab-
lish a decent ferry between this city and Windsor. Many will
remember his boat that looked something like 'Erickson's cheese
box on a raft,' propelled by horsepower. It was a wonder to all
the natives as well as a great convenience to the inhabitants on
both sides of the river. He continued this for a while until he
superseded it by something new and better, viz. : the steamer
Argo, the first steamboat built in Michigan. After serving as a
ferry boat for a short time, it became the pioneer of steam river
navigation between Detroit, Port Huron, Fort Gratiot, St. Clair,
etc.
'*! well remember the building of this diminutive steamer and
the captain's overseeing the same. It was built almost in front of
the hardware house of Buhl, Ducharme & Co., on Woodbridge
Street. The hull was composed of two immense logs, hollowed
out and joined together, making a huge canoe, as it were, and ,
when sufficiently completed to receive her miniature engine, she
was helped into the river, on rollers. Her trips to Port Huron
and other places were trips to be remembered. I ventured on
three of them to St. Clair and return, and the incidents connected
therewith are as fresh in my memory as though they had hap-
pened yesterday. She was awfully 'cranky,' this little Argo, and
it required considerable vigilance on the part of her captain to
keep his passengers from 'shooting' around and tipping her over.
One occasion I remember well. On one of the trips I mention,
the late Thomas Palmer was with us, and he, being of goodly pro-
portions, it behooved Burtis, who was at the helm, to keep his^
eye on him. Every once in a while he would sing out, 'For God's
Sake, Uncle Tom, keep in the middle of the boat, or you will-
have us over,' or 'Trim ship, Uncle Tom,' or 'Look out, Uncle
Tom,' until 'Trim ship, Uncle Tom,' came to be a by-word during
the excursion. This little Argo soon passed away and was super-
seded by another and larger steamer of the same name, but not
another 'Burtis.' The jovial and genial captain fell a victim to
cholera, I think."
8o EARr.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
RELEASED BY MAN-POWER.
-Another funny incident occurred on one of these trips that
I have hitherto failed to record. My uncle had imported from
the then lumbering state of Maine, an experienced hand, or expert,
in the lumber business, for service in his water saw mill, located
some miles up Pine River, in St. Clair county. Well, this chap
was with us on one of these excursions. Everything went along
, all right until, steaming quietly and serenely close to the shore,
between Algonac and Newport (now Marine City), the Argo
sunddenly ran her nose into a dense bunch of alder bushes on the
river bank, and stuck there hard aground. The utmost power of
the diminutive engine was unable to extricate the boat. My uncle
suggested to Captain Burtis that perhaps his man from Maine
might do the thing, as he was over six feet tall and quite lanky.
Well, the chap was quite willing, and, cautiously letting himself
into the water, at the bow of the steamer, where the water was
about up to his waist, he, without much effort, released the Argo
from her plight. Then the question arose, how was the man
from Maine to get aboard again without tipping us over. He
was bound to do it, if he tried it where he was, at the bow, so the
captain told him he must try getting aboard over the stern. The
•water there was up to his arm-pits, but he managed to crawl
aboard over the stern, with the help of those on board, and we
proceeded on our way rejoicing.
UNCLE TOM^S MISHAP.
Here is another incident in connection with the Argo and
Uncle Thomas Palmer. On one of these trips the latter found" it
necessary to go aft. To accomplish this it was necessary to climb
over the paddle-box, and as he was executing that feat he broke
through and caught his foot in a bucket of the paddle wheel. It
was a test of strength between himself and the engine. The
engine gave up. Palmer extricated his foot and the Argo pro-
ceeded on her way.
It's a long cry from the little Argo to the steamers Promise
and Tashmoo, and from these to what
Steam tugging was begun in 1844 by the steamer Romeo,
a sidewheeler. In 1848 there were also employed at the Flats the
steamers Tecumseh, Little Erie, Telegraph No. 2, Chautauqua,
propeller Odd Fellow, and others. The number of tugs in com-
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 8 1
mission in 1877, according to Captain J. W. Hall, marine reporter
at that time, was forty-two. In his records Captain Hall says:
''These tugs, for finish and capacity, are not surpassed in any
other part of the world, both as regards towing and wrecking."
The late Governor Jerome and his brother *'Tiif" had the
charter of the steamer Chautauqua when she was engaged in tug-
ging on Lake and River St. Clair in 1848. Captain David, as we
called him then, invited me, in the fall of the above year, to spend
a couple of weeks with him "aboard ship," which I did. I had a
very enjoyable time, the memory of which will remain with me
pleasantly always. Dave did not dream then that some day the
governorship of Michigan would be bestowed upon him.
SOME POWERFUL TUGS.
This tugging business was at one time indispensable and
assumed immense proportions. Of the forty-two tugs in com-
mission in 1877, I call to mind only four — the Champion, the
Sweepstakes, the Crusader and the Gladiator — all powerful tugs.
The Champion was without doubt the most powerful tug on the
lakes. She was built by the Detroit Dry-Dock Co. and owned
by the late John P. Gillett and others. The Sweepstakes was
owned by H. Norton Strong. These tugs, with their tows, were
a spectacular feature of our rivej in those days. Strong had his
tug, with five or six vessels in tow, perpetuated in a colored litho-
graph. They made a pleasing picture, taken as they passed the
city, bound down, with colors flying. This lithograph was widely
distributed, and many no doubt are the fortunate possessors of
them.
These tugs filled a long-felt want. I call to mind, along in
1837, 1838, and on to 1840, when our merchants received the
bulk of their spring and fall purchases in the east by sailing ves-
sels from Buffalo. These vessels were often detained by adverse
winds, sometimes for many days, causing the merchants and their
customers considerable anxiety and vexation. I call to mind one
such occasion. I was a boy clerk in the general store of C. & J.
Wells, Desnoyer Block, Jefferson Avenue, in 1837 or 1838. We
had the fall and winter stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., on the
way here, by vessel from Buffalo, and the proprietors were look-
ing anxiously for their arrival, as were many other merchants for
their goods. Well, one day eight or ten vessels appeared in sight
6
82 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
just below Sandwich point. As they were rounding the point a
head wind struck them, and there they lay for almost a week, with
all those goods in their holds that everybody needed so badly.
Finally a fair wind came along and wafted the fleet to the city,
and all interested were happy. Now, if the steam tug had been in
evidence such a thing could not have happened.
The late Captain E. B. Ward built an iron tug boat about
three years before he died. It was the first one built of iron, and
the largest on the lakes. She was constructed by the Detroit Dry-
Dock Company, but was found to be not adapted for the work
and was taken to New Orleans and sold. She was put into the
fruit trade in that vicinity.
the; waIvK-in-the- water.
The public has no doubt often heard of the steamer Walk-in-
the-Water, her origin and her loss on the beach at Buffalo pier in
182 1, but there are some incidents connected with this boat that
I don't think have appeared in print before. The ''History of the
Great Lakes" says of the Walk-in-the- Water :
"The year 1818 is memorable for the construction of the
Walk-in-the-Water, the first steamboat on Lake Erie. During
the winter of 1817-18 the following named persons associated
together to build a steamboat to navigate Lake Erie : Joseph B.
Stuart, Nathaniel Davis, Asa H. Curtis, Ralph Pratt, James Dur-
ant and John Meads, of Albany, and Robert McQueen, Samuel
McCoon, Alexander McMuir and Noah Brown, of the city of
New York. Of these Mr. McQueen, a machinist, built the engine,
and Mr. Brown, a shipwright, superintended the construction of
the hull. Early in 1818 Mr. Brown laid the keel at the mouth of
Scajaquada creek. There she was launched on May 18, 1818. On
August 25 she departed on her first passage over the waters^ of
Lake Erie.
The scene presented when the boat was ascending the
Niagara River was picturesque. The primitive steamboat strug-
gled with the rapid current, aided by several yoke of oxen on the
beach, tugging at the end of a long towline. This was the his-
torical "horn breeze" prevalent on Niagara River when the
current was stronger than the applied steam power.
According to Captain Barton Atkins, of Buffalo, the origin
of the name "Walk-in-the-Water" was as follows : "When Fulton
EARI,Y NAVIGATION ON I.AKE: AND RIVER. 83
«.*'
first steamed his boat, the CleSmont, up the Hudson in 1807, an
Indian standing on the river bank and gazing long and silently
at the boat moving up-stream without sails, finally exclaimed:
'Walks in the water.' " The man in the forest saw the boat stem-
ming the current unaided by any power known to him. He
observed the paddle wheels slowly revolving, and intuitively com-
prehended that when a paddle struck the water there was a step
forward.
STARTLED THE NATIVES.
It may be here briefly stated that the name, "Walk-in-the-
Water," being so long was not generally used, either in conver-
sation or in print. As she was the only one of her class on Lake
Erie, she was usually designated as "The Steamboat." Her
arrival at Cleveland is thus chronicled by a local historian: "On
the first day of September, 1818, an entire novelty, the like of
which not one in 500 of the inhabitants had ever before seen, pre-
sented itself before the people of Cuyahoga county. On the day
named the residents along the lake shore of Euclid saw upon the
lake a curious kind of a vessel making what was then considered
very rapid progress westward, without the aid of sails, while
from a pipe near its middle rolled forth a dark cloud of smoke,
which trailed its gloomy length far into the rear of the swift-
gliding, mysterious traveler over the deep. They watched its
westward course until it turned its bow toward the harbor of
Cleveland, and then returned to their labors. Many of them
doubtless knew what it was, but some shook their heads in sad
surmise as to whether some evil powers were not at work in pro-
ducing such a strange phenomenon as that on the bosom of their
beloved Lake Erie. Meanwhile the citizens of Cleveland perceived
the approaching wonder and hastened to the lake shore to examine
it. 'What is it?' What is it?' 'Where did it come from?'
'What makes it go?' queried one and another of the excited
throng.
" 'It is the steamboat ; that's what it is,' cried others in reply.
" 'Yes, yes, it's the steamboat ; it's the steamboat ; it's the
steamboat,' was the general shout, and, with ringing cheers, the
people welcomed the first vessel propelled by steam which had
ever traversed the waters of Lake Erie.
"The keel had been laid at Black Rock, near Buffalo, in
November, 1817, and the vessel had been built during the spring
84 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
and summer of 1818. It had received the name of Walk-in-the-
Water from a Wyandotte chieftain, who was formerly known by
that appelation, which was also extremely appropriate as applied
to a vessel which did, indeed, walk in the water like a thing of life.
The harbinger of the numerous steam leviathans of the upper
lakes, and of the immense commerce carried on by them, was of
342 tons burden, and could carry 100 cabin passengers and a still
larger number in the steerage. Its best speed was from eight to
ten miles an hour, and even this was considered something won-
derful. All Cleveland swarmed on board to examine the new
craft, and many of the leading citizens took passage in it to
Detroit, for which place it soon set forth."
FIRST TRIP TO DETROIT.
a* The Detroit Gazette of that day said of her first trip to this
• ■ city :
-< ''The Walk-in- the-Water left Buffalo at one 'and a half p. m.
'v ■« and arrived at Dunkirk at thirty-five minutes past 6 on the same
^ day. On the following morning she arrived at Erie, Captain Fish
(* having reduced her steam in order not to pass that place, where
%;.(/► J he took in a supply of wood. The boat was visited by all the
inhabitants during the day, and had the misfortune to get aground
for a short time in the bay, a little west of French Street. At
half past 7 p. M. she left Erie and arrived at Cleveland at 11
o'clock. Tuesday at twenty minutes past 6 o'clock p. m. she
sailed, and reached Sandusky bay at i o'clock on Wednesday ; lay
"^ at anchor during the night, and then proceeded to Venice for
'^'\ f. wood ; left Venice at 3 p. m. and arrived at the mouth of the
V ' Detroit River, where she anchored during the night. The whole
)C^ ^, time of the first voyage from Buffalo to Detroit occupied forty-
four hours and ten minutes^ — the wind being ahead during the
ir^ whole passage. Not the slightest accident happened during the
voyage, and her machinery worked admirably.
"Nothing could exceed the surprise of the 'sons of the forest'
on seeing the Walk-in-the- Water move majestically and rapidly
against wind and current, without sails or oars. Above Maiden
they lined the shores and expressed their astonishment by repeated
shouts of 'Taiyoh nichee !' (An exclamation of suprise.)
"A report that had circulated among them that a 'big canoe'
would soon come from the 'noisy waters,' which, by order of the
'great father of the "Chemo Komods" ' (Long Knives, or Kan-
•v
't
DARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 85
kees), would be drawn through the lakes and rivers by a sturgeon.
Of the truth of this report they were perfectly satisfied.
"Her second arrival at Detroit was on September 7 of the
same year, having on board thirty-one passengers, including the
Earl of Selkirk and suite, destined for the far northwest.
''The cabins of the Walk-in-the-Water were fitted up in a
neat, convenient and elegant style, and a trip to Buffalo was con-
sidered not only tolerable, but truly pleasant. She made an excur-
sion from Detroit to Lake St. Clair with a party of ladies and
gentlemen, and returned to Buffalo in time to be again at Detroit
the following week."
Honorable Henry R. Schoolcraft, Indian agent, gives an
account of a trip on the Walk-in-the-Water in 1820, as follows :
"On the 6th of May I embarked on the steamboat, which left
Black River at 9 o'clock in the morning and reached Detroit on
the 8th at 12 o'clock "at night. We were favored with clear
weather and part of the time with fair wind. The boat is large,
uniting in its construction a great degree of strength, convenience
and elegance, and is propelled by a powerful and well-cast engine
on the Fultonian plan, and one of the best pieces of the original
foundry (McQueen's, N. Y.). The accommodations of the boat
are all that could be wished, and nothing occurred to interrupt the
delight which a passage at this season affords. The distance is
computed at 300 miles ; the time we employed in the voyage was
sixty-two hours, which gives an average rate of traveling of five
miles per hour. The first two miles after leaving Black Rock
a very heavy rapid is encountered, in ascending which the assist-
ance of oxen is required. In passing through Lake Erie the boat
touches at the town of Erie, in Pennsylvania, at the mouth of
Grande River, and at the towns of Cleveland and Portland, in
Ohio, the latter situated on Sandusky Bay."
The Walk-in-the-Water had a low pressure engine. Captain
Job Fish commanded her when she made her first trip, arriving at
Detroit August 22 of the above year. She was afterwards com-
manded by Jebediah Rogers, and a Buffalo paper of July 9, 182 1,
says of her :
"The steamboat Walk-in-the-Water will sail on the 27th of
July at 4 o'clock in the afternoon for Detroit, Mackinac and Green
Bay, and will stop, as usual, at Erie, Grand River, Cleveland and
Sanduskv."
86 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
A ^'splendid adventure/''
The New York Mercantile Advertiser of May 14, 1818, had
this to say of her: "The swift steamboat Walk-in-the- Water is
intended to make a voyage early in the summer from Buffalo, on
Lake Erie, to Michilimackinac, on Lake Huron, for the convey-
ance of company. The trip has so near a resemblance to the
famous Argonautic expedition in the heroic ages of Greece that
expectation is quite alive on the subject. Many of our most dis-
tinguished citizens are said to have already engaged their passage
for the splendid adventure."
To speak of stotrip to Mackinac as having a resemblance to
the famous Argonautic. expedition of the heroic ages of Greece,
will provoke a smile in these days, when the same voyage is an
every-day occurrence.
The Detroit Gazette of August 10, 1821, contained the fol-
lowing :
"The steamboat Walk-in-the-Water left here on the 31st ult.
for Michilimackinac and Green Bay, having on board upwards of
200 passengers and a full cargo of merchandise for the ports on
the upper lakes. The officers of the army who took passage in her
were Colonels Pinckney, McNeil and House ; Majors Baker, Lar-
ribee and Watson ; Captains Garland, Green, Legate and Cass ;
Lieutenants Tuffts, Baker, Morris, Chambers, Allen and Pomeroy.
WAS UNSEA WORTHY.
General Ellis, at one time surveyor-general of Wisconsin,
contributes a paper on the early days in the west, which is printed
in the collections of the Historical Society of Wisconsin, in which
he gives a description of this steamboat and of his passage on her
from Buffalo to Detroit, some time in June, 182 1. He goes on
to say :
"The new steamboat Walk-in-the-Water, built by capitalists
from Albany, and after the North River models, commanded by
Captain Rogers, lay at the wharf at Black Rock. We took passage
in her for Detroit. She was furnished with what the engineer
called 'a powerful low-pressure engine,' but she could not, with all
her power, stem the rapids, and go out into the lake, but had to
be towed out. by nine yoke of oxen going along the beach, at the
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE) AND RIVER. 87
end of a line of 600 feet, which was cast off as soon as the steamer
got out of the rapids into the lake. This boat has great length
with but little breadth, was very slender, and proved unseaworthy,
having broken in two the next fall in a storm on the lake. She,
however, took us safely to Detroit."
A GLORIOUS I^OURTH.
The steamboat Walk-in-the-Water assisted in celebrating the
Fourth of July in 1821. The Detroit Gazette of July 6 says:
"This day, which may be emphatically syled 'The Birthday
of our Nation,' was celebrated by our citizens and strangers in
this city in a very appropriate and agreeable manner. At 12
o'clock the Declaration of Independence was read to a large con-
course at the council house, by Charles Larned, Esq. A proces-
sion was then formed, and, preceded by martial music, playing
the good old tune, 'Yankee Doodle,' marched to the hotel of Mr.
Bronson, where upwards of 150 persons sat down to a bounteous
repast, at which Judge James Witherell, as president, and Major
T. Maxwell, as vice-president, presided. Both of these gentlemen
entered the army at an early period of. the revolution, and never
laid aside their arms until the liberties of their country were
secured. Major J. Kearsley and Captain B. Woodworth assisted
as second and third vice-presidents."
The account goes on to say :
"The anniversary of our national independence, in the cele-
bration of which every American heart and hand should join,
was also distinguished by a numerous and brilliant assemblage of
the ladies of Detroit and its vicinity, accompanied by several of
our citizens and the gentlemen of the army at this post, who
embarked on board the steamboat Walk-in-the-Water at 11
o'clock:. The company were attended by a band of excellent
musicians, and their strains of melody,
'Now scarcely heard, now swelling on the gale,
As down the stream the floating barque is borne.'
conveyed to each listener the truth that the party on the water
sympathized amply in the patriotic and joyous feelings of their
fellow-citizens on shore.
"The day was extremely fine, and the quarter-deck of the
88 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
boat, which, by the pohteness of Captain Rogers, had been pre-
pared for the occasion, was occupied by cotilHon parties. The
Declaration of Independence was read, and, after partaking of an
excellent dinner, a set. of appropriate toasts were drunk. The
boat, after passing Maiden, and making a short trip in Lake
Erie, returned to her wharf at sunset."
The Gazette of the 13th says:
"It ought to be stated that the steamboat Walk-in-the-Water,
while passing the British garrison at Fort Maiden, was properly
noticed by the military authorities at that place."
The Walk-in-the-Water was beached in a storm, a few miles
above the Buffalo lighthouse, on the night of the 6th of Novem-
ber, 1 82 1, on her way to Detroit. She. left Black Rock at 4 p. m.
of that day. She was struck by a severe squall when about four
miles out in Lake Erie, which caused her to spring a leak. The
boat was at the mercy of the waves until half -past 5 o'clock
Thursday morning, when she beached a short distance above the
lighthouse. The passengers and crew got ashore without the loss
of lives or any material injury. Some idea may be formed of the
fury of the storm, when it is known that the boat, heavily laden
as she was, was thrown entirely on the beach. Among the pas-
sengers were Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Palmer, of Detroit, who were
returning home from their wedding trip, accompanied by Miss
Catharine Palmer, Mr. Palmer's sister.
WRECK Ot THE WALK-IN-THE WATER. .
Here follows a more extended account of the disaster, taken
from a Buffalo paper of November 6, 1821 :
"On Wednesday last the steamboat Walk-in-the-Water left
Black Rock at 4 p. m. on her regular trip to Detroit ; the weather,
though somewhat rainy, did not appear threatening. After she
had proceeded about four miles above Bird Island she was struck
by a severe squall, which it was immediately perceived had injured
her much, and caused her to leak fast. The wind from the south-
west continued to blow with extreme severity through the night,
which was exceedingly dark and rainy, attended at intervals with
the most tremendous squalls. The lake became rough to a terri-
fying degree and every wave seemed to threaten immediate
destruction to the boat and all on board. This was truly to the
EARIvY NAVIGATION ON IvAKE) AND RIVER. 89
passengers and crew a night of terror and dismay — to go forward
was impossible ; to attempt to return to Black Rock in the dark-
ness and tempest would have been certain ruin, on account of the
difficulty of the channel; and little less could be hoped, whether
the boat were anchored, or permitted to be driven on the beach.
She, however, was anchored, and for awhile held fast, but as
every one perceived, each wave increased her injury and caused
her to leak faster; the casings in her cabin were seen to move at
every swell, and the squeaking of her joints and timbers was
appalling; her engine was devoted to the pumps, but in spite of,
them all the water increased to an alarming extent — the storm
grew more terrible. The wind blew more violently as the night
advanced, and it was presently perceived that she was dragging
her anchors and approaching the beach. In such blackness of
darkness could her helm have commanded her course, not the most
skillful pilot could have chosen with any certainty the part of the
shore on which it would be most prudent to land. The passengers
on board were numerous and many of them were ladies, whose
fears and cries were truly heartrending.
''In this scene of distress and danger, the undersigned passen-
gers in the boat, feel that an expression of the warmest gratitude
is due to Captain J. Rogers, for the prudence, coolness and intelli-
gence with which he discharged his duty ; his whole conduct
evinced that he was capable and worthy his command. He
betrayed none but the character of one who at the same time feels
his responsibility and has courage to discharge his duty. He was,
if we may so speak, almost simultaneously on deck to direct and
assist in the management of the boat, and in the cabins to encour-
age the hopes and soothe the fears of the distressed passengers.
The calmness of his countenance and pleasantness of his conver-
sation relieved in a great degree the feelings of those who seemed
to despair of seeing the light of another day. No less credit is
due to the other officers. Sailing Master Miller, and Engineer Cal-
houn, and even the whole crew. All were intent on their duty,
and manifested that they had intelligence, courage, and a determi-
nation to perform it. All were active, and proved that they
wanted none of the talents of the most expert sailors, in the most
dangerous moments. To them all as well as the captain the
undersigned passengers tender their most sincere thanks.
90 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
*'The boat was at the mercy of the waves until 5 130 o'clock
Thursday morning, when she beached a short distance above the
light house, when the passengers and crew began to debark, which
was effected without the loss of lives, or any material injury.
Some idea may be formed of the fury of the storm, when it is
known that the boat, heavily laden as she was, was thrown entirely
on the beach.
Alanson W. Welton, Jedediah Hunt,
Thomas Pai^mer, OrIvAndo Cutter,
Wm. Berczy, Silas Meriam,
Mary A. W. Palmer, Rhoda Lattimore,
Catherine Palmer, Martha Bearey,
Chauncey Barker, Geo. Williams,
Thomas Gay, Elisha N. Berge,
John S. Hudson, Edson Hart,
James Clark, Geo. Throop.
A journey to DETROIT IN 182I.
The following is taken from a Detroit paper of March 23,
1874, the particulars of which were given to the writer of them
by Mrs. Thomas Palmer, one of the passengers on the steamer.
Mrs. Palmer was the mother of Senator Thomas W. Palmer:
"On the evening of October 31st, 182 1, the saloons and decks
of the Walk-in-the-Water (the first steamboat on the lakes,
coming out in 1819) were thronged with intelligence and beauty,
all full of animation and joy fulness, in the harbor at Buffalo, des-
tined for Detroit and other western towns — some returning home
after the absence of weeks and months, some to seek their fortunes
and some on a mission of love and mercy. Among the passengers
were to be found Thomas Palmer, merchant of Detroit and his
wife; Mrs. C. Hinchman, of Detroit; John Hale, of Detroit;
Lieutenant Kenzie, of the United States army for the post at
Detroit; Rev. Mr. Welton, Protestant Episcopal minister, and
family, destined for Detroit; Mr. Throop, merchant of Pontiac;
Rev. Mr. Hart and wife, of the Presbyterian church, for an Indian
mission at Fort Gratiot; John S. Hudson and wife and Miss
Eunice Osmer, as teachers for the same mission, with some others
not important to mention. With this company Captain Jedediah
Rogers started from Buffalo at evening for Detroit, all having
high hopes of reaching this port in safety. But during the night
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 9 1
the storm king walked forth and shook himself fearfully, the wind
howled, the storm raged, and everything conspired to make it a
fearful night. Every effort to stem the storm was in vain. They
were driven back, and at 5 o'clock in the morning of November
1st, 1 82 1, the Walk-in-the- Water was wrecked on the shore in
•Buffalo bay, at the light-house. Mrs. Palmer was the first one to
reach the light-house. Others quickly followed, and all the pas-
sengers and crew were saved. This was the first steamboat ever
navigated on these inland seas — that ever visited the port of
Detroit. She was succeeded the next summer by the Superior,
of three hundred tons burden, constructed at Buffalo, 1822, and
commanded by Captain Roger Sherman, and not by Captain
Rogers, as some have supposed. But what became of the pas-
sengers? They were all taken to Buffalo and kindly cared for
by the inhabitants for three or four days, when they found
other ways of getting to their respective destinations. Thos.
Palmer had been away from his business so long that he thought
he must secure the most expeditious means of getting to Detroit
that he could find. So he engaged a Mr. WiUiams to bring
himself and wife, Mrs. Hinchman, Lieutenant Kenzie, John
Hale and a Mr. Throop, of Pontiac, in a large wagon across
Canada. The weather was stormy, the roads horrible, and the
accommodations terrible. The journey occupied nine days of
hard and diligent travel. In the midst of what was then called
the long woods the wagon broke down, and, as it was near night,
they concluded to walk on to find a house, which they found to
be several miles distant. It was wet and the road very muddy,
but the ladies courageously walked on. In the meantime they had
to cross a river on a bridge composed of a single log. Some of
the men having gone before, the man of the house came to meet
the ladies with a torch, and so lighted their way and aroused their
courage. Weary, wet and covered with mud, they finally reached
the house, and were glad to find anything for a shelter, as it was
now in November. The house was made of logs and had but one
room for all purposes. There were seven in the family — father,
mother and five children. Not a very flattering prospect for com-
fortable accommodations. The family, however, sat up all night
and dried and cleaned the garments of the travelers, and left all
the lodging room for their guests.
92 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
A canoe: ferry.
t
''On the ninth day, just at evening, they reached the Detroit
River. The only means of ferryage was a canoe. The idea of
crossing in such a ferry was perfectly terrifying to Mrs. Palmer,
and so affected her that she wept bitterly. There, however, was
no other way to cross, and notwithstanding the canoe man was
very much intoxicated they passed over safely. It is easier to
imagine than to realize the perils and sufferings of such a jour-
ney at that season of the year, and through so sparsely settled a
country. The trip was so severe on the team that Mr. Williams
had to remain a whole week to recruit his horses before he could
venture to return with them to Buffalo. Having recruited his
team he returned the way he came.
A LONG VOYAGE.
''The other division of the passengers must have had even a
worse time than the first division. They embarked on a schooner,
or at least Rev. Mr. Hart and his wife, Mr. Hudson and wife.
Miss Osmer, Rev. Mr. Welton and family did so, and wefe four
weeks on the way. To" have been confined on a small schooner
for that length of time must have been even worse than crossing
Canada in nine days in an open wagon. As everything must have
an end, so had their voyage, and they reached Detroit in safety.
Here the missionary family remained a short time to recruit them-
selves and then went to their mission. They obtained all their
supplies through Thomas Palmer. During the time they were
here a box of clothing had been left in store in the loft of Mr.
Palmer's store for the benefit of the mission. One day one of the
men in the store below, hearing a noise in the loft, went up to see
what was the matter, and found Mr. Hudson in a sad predica-
ment, for, having put on a coat that was much too small for him,
he was not able to get it off, and had to be relieved.
"Of all the passengers on the Walk-in-the- Water at the time
of the disaster only one is now residing in Detroit, viz., Mrs.
Welton, one of the last survivors, Mrs. Palmer, having died
March 23, 1874. Mrs. Palmer to the last retained a lively remem-
brance of the event, and of the various incidents connected with
it. It was a joke for a good while whether she or one of the
divines aboard was the most frightened. I am indebted to Mrs.
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 93
Palmer for the facts above recited. She was one of the pioneers
of Detroit, being a daughter of Judge James Witherell, one of
the justices appointed by President Jefferson for the Territory of
Michigan when the territorial government was first organized.
The judge brought his family to Detroit from Vermont before the
war of 1812, but when he saw the clouds of war gathering he
sent his family east till the storm had passed over. She, there-
fore, had seen the city grow up from a very small town. Having
seen in the papers a different version of the story above recited,
she was very anxious to have the true state of the facts published.
'The truth of history must be vindicated.' I should here also
state that Mrs. Palmer went east on the first downward trip of
the Walk-in-the- Water. She went east as Miss Witherell and
now was returning as Mrs. Palmer. Thomas Palmer having gone
east, was married to her and they were now completing their
bridal trip.
"We have now, March 23, 1874, to record that since the
foregoing was written Mrs. Palmer has deceased, having died
quite suddenly on the 18th instant. Her husband had preceded
her, having died in 1868. She was 78 years of age, and nearly 79.
Thus, one by one, the pioneers of Detroit are dropping away.
"J.H.P."
Come we now to the birch-bark barge and canoe and the
French voyageurs — a great come-down, it must be confessed,
from the splendid equipment of our present lake and river
marine; and it seems as though they ought not to be included
in the program ; yet they were the beginning, and in Cadillac's
time almost the only marine hereabouts. They were quite plen-
tiful in the early days, and with their companions, the wooden
dug-outs, were indispensable, and formed quite a feature in
the meager panorama of the river. Nearly, if not quite all, were
equipped with a mast and sale that could be used at pleasure,
the sail consisting usually of a blanket. There were no regular
sailboats, as we have them now. The people here and thpse living
on the borders of the river, up and down, on either side, did not
seem to appreciate the pleasure and satisfaction that a 5ail on the
surface would afford them. How much it is enjoyed and indulged
in now, all know.
It seems a queer thing, too, in the light of the present, that
the young men of the city at that time were not fond of sailing or
94 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
a sailboat, as are the young people, and some of the old, for that
matter, now. As far as my experience goes, I can safely say that
I never went sailing on the river until after I was 25 years of
age, nor did any of the youth of my acquaintance. Such a pastime
was never indulged in. A boat club (and the first) was formed
in the early forties, composed of the principal young men of the
city, such as A. E. Brush, Dr. J. H. Farnsworth, Barney and
Alex. Campau and others. (Alex. Campau is the only survivor.)
An exhaustive and interesting account of this club was given in
the Detroit Free Press some two or three years ago.
Henry R. Schoolcraft, in his "Travels," gives a description
of the birch-bark barge and canoe. He says : ''Those of the
largest size, such as are commonly employed in the fur trade of
the north, are thirty-five feet in length and six feet in width at
the widest part, tapering gradually towards the bow and stern,
which are brought to a. wedge-like point and turned over from the
extremities towards the center, so as to resemble in some degree
the head of a violin. They are constructed of the bark of the
white birch tree, which is peeled from the tree in large sheets and
bent over a slender frame of cedar ribs confined by gunwales,
which are kept apart by slender bars of the same wood. Around
these the bark is sewed by the slender and flexible roots of the
young spruce tree, called "wattap," and also where the pieces of
bark join, so that the gunwales resemble the rim of an Indian
basket. The joinings are afterwards luted and rendered water-
tight by a coat of pine pitch, which, after it has been thickened by
boiling, is used under the name of "gum." In the third cross-bar
from the front, an aperture is cuit for a mast, so that a sail can
be employed when the wind proves favorable. Seats for those
who paddle are made by suspending a strip of board with cords
from the gunwales in such a manner that they do not press
against the sides of the canoe. For propelling them the natives
use the cedar paddle, with a light and slender blade. They are
steered with a large paddle having a long handle and broad blade.
A canoe of this size, when employed in the fur trade, is calculated
to carry sixty packages of skins weighing ninety pounds each and
provisions to the amount of 1,000 pounds. This is exclusive o^
the weight of eight men, each of whom is allowed to put on board
a bag or knapsack of about forty pounds weight. Such a canoe
thus loaded is paddled by eight men, at the rate of four miles per
hour, in a perfect calm."
EARLY NAVIGATION ON I^AKE AND RIVER. 95
THE FRENCH VOYAGEURS.
The French voyageurs were quite numerous here up to about
1837. They manned the "Mackinac barge" and the canoes of the
fur traders, and were also ready for service to anyone needing
them. They were quite a feature on the river at that time, and,
of course, must have been the same from Cadillac's day. I remem-
ber them quite well, and have joften been one of a party propelled
by them in their birch-bark canoes and barges. I copy from the
late Bela Hubbard's admirable book, "Memories of a Half Cen-
tury," a vivid and lifelike description of them, as' I saw and knew
them : "A wild-looking set were these rangers of the woods and
waters. The weirdness was often enhanced by the dash of Indian
blood. Picturesque, too, they were, in their red flannel or leather
shirts (buckskin), and cloth caps of some gay color finished to a
point, which hung over on one side, with a depending tassel.
"They had a genuine love for this occupation, and muscles
that seemed never to tire at the paddle and oar. From dawn to
sunset, with only a short interval, and sometimes no mid-day rest,
they would ply these implements, causing the canoe or barge to
fly through the water like a thing of life; but often contending
against head winds and gaining but little progress in a day's
rowing. Then in came the oars, and down lopped each mother's
son, and in a few minutes was in the enjoyment of a sound snooze.
The morning and evening meal consisted almost invariably, and
from choice, of bouillon — a soup made from beans, peas or hulled
corn, with a piece of pork boiled in it, and hard bread, or seabis-
cuit. To the northern voyageurs, rations were generally served
out of one quart of hulled corn, and a half a pint of bear's grease,
or oil, this being the daily and only food.
"The traveler, Henry, says (1776) : *A bushel of hulled corn,
with two pounds of fat, is reckoned to be a month's subsistence.
No other allowance is made, of any kind, not even salt, and bread
4s never thought of. The difficulty which would belong to an
attempt to reconcile any other men than Canadians to this fare
seems to secure to them and their employers the monopoly of the
fur trade.'
"As late as the last century, Detroit was one of the principal
depots for provisions, and fitting out for the Indian trade; and
here, particularly, the corn was prepared, hulled, boiled, and mixed
with fat, for the voyageurs.
96 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
''After supper, pipes were lighted, and, seated on logs or
squatted around the campfire, they chatted until bedtime. This
came early and required little preparation. To wrap a blanket
around the person, placing coat or shoe-packs beneath the head,
and a little greasy pillow — the only bed that was carried — consti-
tuted the whole ceremony ; and speedy and sound was the sleep
beneath the watchful stars.
"The labor of the oar was relieved by songs, to which each
stroke kept time, with added vigor. The poet Moore has well
caught the spirit of the voyageurs' melodious chant in his 'Boat
Song Upon the St. Lawrence.' But to appreciate its wild sweet-
ness one should listen to the melody, as it wings its way over the
waters, softened by distance, yet every measured cadence falling
distinct upon the ear. These songs are usually half ballad or
ditty, and love is of course the main theme. They express the
natural feelings of a people little governed by the restraints of
civilization."
He gives two specimens of these songs. The words wer.^
sung by one of the party and all joined in the chorus. (The songs
are too long to copy here; besides they are given in French, and
if rendered into English would lose their character.) "These boat
songs," he goes on to say, "were often heard upon our river, and
were very plaintive. In the calm of the evening, when sounds are
heard with greater distinctness, and the harsher notes are toned
down and absorbed in the prevailing melody, it was sweet, from
my vine-mantled porch, to hear the blended sounds of songs
and oar,
'By distance mellowed, o'er the waters sweep.'
"To my half dreaming fancy, at such times, they have
assumed a poetic, if not a supernatural, character, wafting me into
elfland on wings of linked sweetness.
"Some spirit of the air has waked the string;
'Tis now a seraph bold, with touch of fire,
And now the brush of fancy's frolic wing."
"At other times these sounds harmonize with scenes that are
still more inspiring. Seldom have I witnessed a more animated
spectacle than that of a large canoe or barge belonging to the
Hudson Bay Co., manned by a dozen voyageurs — the company's
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 97
agent seated in the center — propelled with magic velocity, as if
instinct with life, every paddle keeping time to the chorus that
rang far and wide over the waters. But times have changed, and
with them have passed from our midst the voyageur and his song.
French gayety is rapidly ebbing into more sober channels.
'*As I call up these memories with the same noble river in my
view, I listen in vain for the melodies which were once the pre-
lude to many joyous hours of early manhood. But instead, my
ear is larumed by the shriek of the steam whistle, and the labor-
ious snort of the propeller. All announce that on these shores and
waters the age of the practical, hard-working, money-getting
Yankee is upon us ; and that the careless, laughter-loving French-
man's day is over,"
I have myself often listened with delight to these songs as
they floated over the water, in the calm, still summer nights, and
my emotions in that regard have been so aptly portrayed by Mr.
Hubbard that I could not resist the temptation of copying from
his book as freely as I have done.
When Governor Cass accompanied Colonel Thomas L.
McKinney and party to Lake Superior, he provided, or had con-
structed, for their use a birch-bark canoe, or state-barge, of
unusual dimensions. I forget the size, but it was sufficiently large
to accommodate the entire party, with their provisions and other
belongings.
The party consisted, I think, of Governor Cass, Colonel
McKinney, United States Commissioner Major "Robert Forsyth,
and C. C. Trowbridge, secretary, besides six French voyageurs.
The details of the expedition are related in full by Colonel McKin-
ney, in a book published about that time, a copy of which is in
the Detroit public library, and which is very interesting.
The reason why I allude to this event that happened a year
before my arrival in Detroit, is that I have often seen this barge,
and as often enjoyed a ride in it up and down the river, as the
governor retained it until his departure for Washington as secre-
tary of war. What became of it thereafter I do not know.
WAS A RIVER BEAUTY.
There were birch-bark canoes, and birch-bark canoes in
plenty, on these waters at that time, but this birch-bark barge
eclipsed them all. The stern was amply provided with cushions,
98 ^ KARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
and had a canopy, or awning, overhead for protection from the
sun. It was usually moored at the foot of the river bank, in front
of the governor's residence, in charge of the voyageurs, ever ready
for an excursion up or down the river or up into Lake St. Clair.
This barge was a feature on the river in those days — more so
than it would be now, with all the various attractions that it pre-
sents, though no doubt it would cause some stir, even at this day,
with its gay flags, colored awnings, and the eight voyageurs, clad
in their picturesque costumes, with their crimson-bladed paddles,
keeping time to the charming refrain of some French chant, such
as ''Mai Brooke," etc., which all old residents will remember.
These excursions were particularly enjoyable of a moonlight
night, as can readily be imagined.
THE GRIFFIN AGAIN.
The hardy friar who accompanied Sieur de la Salle in his
expedition, gives this description of the vessel in his published
book : "
"It was a two-masted schooner, but of a fashion peculiar to
that day, having double decks and a high poop projecting over
the stern, where the main cabin was located, and over this rose
another and smaller cabin, doubtless for the use of the commander.
The stern was thus carried up broad and straight. Bulwarks-pro-
tected the quarterdeck. She bore on her prow a huge figure, skill-
fully carved, in imitation of an heraldic monster — the arms of
Count Frontenac — and above it an eagle."
This in the representation (which appears in the volume)
adorns the top of the stern. The ship carried five small cannon,
three of which were brass and three harquebusses, and the remain-
der of the ship had the same ornaments as men-of-war used to
have.
''It might have been called," adds Henepin, "a moving fort-
ress." In fine, it "was well equipped with sails, masts, and all
other things necessary for navigation."
After describing the natural beauty of the region lying
between Lakes Erie and Huron, Fr. La Salle adds : "They who
shall have the happiness some day to inhabit this pleasant and
fertile country will remember their obligation to those who first
showed them the way."
EARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. 99
I have received a letter from a lady in St. Clair city (Mrs
Anna Brakeman), under date of March lO, in which she says:
"I have read with much interest your articles in the St. Clair
Republican, copied from the Detroit Free Press, in relation to
the early marine. While reading them I was reminded of a few
items my grandfather, the late Captain William Brown, of Cothel-
ville, related to me many years ago. He was born in Detroit in
1784. When 18 years of age (1802) he sailed in the employ of
Judge James Abbott, of Detroit. I cannot recall the name of the
boat he commanded, but it was a sail vessel, and" went down as
far as Tonawanda, N. Y. There they loaded with salt for Detroit.
I presume it was Syracuse and Onondaga salt. That article was
very scarce in this section at that time. After he was 21 years of
age he cradled wheat all one day for a farmer in Cothelville for
two quarts of salt."
The lady also relates : "My greatgrandfather, the late Cap-
tain William Thorn, a native of Providence, R. I., who died in
Port Huron in 1842, sailed on the lakes in a very early day ; was
captain of a sail vessel owned by a Mr. Donsman, and I have been
told he took the first boat through the St. Mary's River.
On one occasion his vessel was windbound, near an island at
the mouth of that river. He went ashore on the island arid found
there a frying pan, supposed to have been left by the Indians. He
then named it 'Frying Pan Island,' the name it still retains. On
another occasion his vessel lay at anchor in a bay in Lake Erie.
They were entirely out of provisions, excepting flour, which they
stirred in a pot of boiling water, calling it pudding. He then
named the bay 'Pudding Bay.' At the present time it is known as
Tut-in-Bay.'
THIS WAS HEROISM INDEED.
He was so well acquainted with the route at the head of Lake
Huron arid the Straits of Mackinac that he was selected a& pilot
of the American fleet that went to recapture Mackinac Island
from the British after the War of 1812. He was lame at the
time from a dislocated hip; could not climb a mast, but sat in a
chair securely lashed to the seat, and was hoisted with pulleys to
the masthead. As I have been told, it was a very foggy morning,
but, understanding the route so well, he took tl]e fleet in unawares
to the British.
lOO EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
MORE OF INTEREST FROM THE SAME SOURCE.
She goes on to narrate further in regard to the early lake and
river marine, and says :
"By old papers I find that some time prior to the year 1830
there was a sail vessel named the Louisa Jenkins, which brought
goods, that came to Buffalo from New Ygrk, for the firm of Peter
Verhoeff & Co., Detroit. George Jasperson and my father, the
late Peter F. Brakeman, were members of the firm. The same
year the brig Wellington and the schooner Lady Goderich
brought goods from Montreal for the firm. Messrs. Verhoeff and
Jasperson had previous to this opened a store at Sandwich, Can-
ada. Mr. Brakeman had charge of the store at Point du Chien.
The goods were brought to him from Detroit by small sail ves-
sels, row boats and French batteaux. The names of the sail ves-
sels were the Nation's Guest, Lark, Happy Return, and a sloop
called The Forester, commanded by Captain Samuel Hayward.
These boats carried grain, furs, lumber and shingles from Point
du Chien to Detroit for the firm.
The letter also says : "June 20, 1832, P. F. Brakeman ship-
ped from Point du Chien, on the schooner Pilot, Captain Charles
Cauchois (Coshnay), 100 bushels white flint corn to Mackinac for
Robert Stuart, agent of the American Fur Co.
"Lewis J. Brakeman, brother of the late Peter F. Brakeman,
with four other men — Roswell Newhall, brother of the late Cap-
tain Clark Newhall, of Port Huron ; Francis Lanzon, uncle of
David and Daniel Cottrell,* of Cottrellville ; a Captain Stevens and a
Mr. Roe, on their way from Detroit to Point du Chien, on the
schooner Emily, were shipwrecked on Lake St. Clair December 13,
1830. L. J. Brakeman had purchased the boat and was bringing
her to lay up for the winter at Point du Chien, now Algonac.
Altogether there were seven men on the boat and a boy, Jemmie
Burns, whose homes were on the river. They had taken passage
on her from Detroit, that being the only way of conveyance for
them at the time. Each had some goods and stores with him. It
was a very cold and severe time. The boat jumped her mast, but
did not sink immediately. The story, as told by the boy, Jemmie
Burns, was that as soon as the accident occurred each one put
forth his best efforts, which would naturally be the case at such a
time, to save lives and goods. The schooner had a yawl boat of
sufficient size to carry all the men who were on board, with their
I^ARLY NAVIGATION ON LAKE AND RIVER. lOI
gx)ods. One Bela Knapp and brother, with the boy Burns, got
themselves in readiness a Httle sooner than the other five, and
were hurrying to the yawl. The men begged them to wait until
they could get ready. They paid no attention to their pleadings,
but entered the yawl, and Bela Knapp, who had a new broadax
with him, cut the rope, which loosened them from the schooner,
and they and their goods were all saved. The blame all rested on
Bela Knapp, as his brother and the boy pleaded with him to wait
until they were all in. We can better imagine than describe the
feelings of those who were left behind to perish with the cold.
The schooner dashed about for some time. Peter F. Brakeman,
then residing at Point du Chien, hearing of the trouble, procured
a large yawl and took with him several men, going to the place
of the accident, but when they arrived there the sea was rolling
so high they could not reach the wreck, but could very distinctly
see the men all sitting near each other at the bow — dead, frozen —
the stern being under water. Mr. Brakeman recognized his
brother sitting, holding his head in his hands, his elbow resting
on his knees. They then rowed for shore, built up a fire, spending
the night there, thinking perhaps the sea would calm down, and
they be able to procure the bodies in the morning. But when day
dawned nothing could be seen of the boat. She sank during the
night. L. J. Brakeman's body was found the next August by an
Indian, having been washed ashore on Squirrel Island. The
remains were buried in the old Point du Chien cemetery."
I remember the William Brown the lady mentions. He lived
near Cothelville (St. Clair River). I once accompanied my uncle,
Thomas Palmer, on a trip to St. Clair, in a sleigh, along shore, in
the winter of 1829, and we accepted his hospitality for one night.
He was a gentleman of the old school, sported his ruffled shirt,
etc., the same as did his neighbors along the river. Colonel Cot-
trell, grandfather of Hon. E. W. Cottrell, Captain John Clark,
Colonel Westbrook and Mr. Smith, the "Father of Algonac." I
also remember Captain William Thorn. He was the brother or
nephew of Mr. John Thorn, who platted the greater part of the
village of Black River, now the city of Port Huron. He was
rather a wild boy in the early days — they used to call him '*Cap-
tain of St. Clair River." I have often heard my uncles, Thomas
and George Palmer, relate the mad pranks the lawyers of Detroit,
Mr. Thorn, and the members of the Black River bar would indulge
I02 EARLY DAYS IN DEITROIT.
in every time the court was in session at St. Clair, (the latter being
the county seat then). Conspicuous among the Detroit lawyers,
they used to say, were Counselor O'Keefe, Mr. A. D. Frazier, B.
F. H. Witherell, etc., though Witherell, not being a drinking man,
was rather a "looker-on in Venice" than otherwise.
I also remember quite well the Mr. George Jasperson men-
tioned. He was a highly educated Swede. When I knew him he
was a retired merchant, and lived in quite a pretentious house,
surrounded with two or three acres of ground on the corner
of Russell and Catherine Streets, nearly opposite the present
Arbeiter Hall, which was away out in the country then. He had
two promising sons, Henry and Lewis, schoolmates of mine. He
also had a beautiful daughter, who became the wife of Alex.
Goodell, a partner of Henry M. Campbell, father of Judge Camp-
bell. Campbell and Goodell carried on the grocery business at
the northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Bates Street.
What became of the Jaspersons, I do not know.
5LAVLRY DAYS IN MICHIGAN.
NEGROES WERE BOUGHT AND SOLD AND REGARDED AS
CHATTELS— WELL TREATED BY THEIR MASTERS.
THE following references to slaves in Michigan have been
extracted from an able paper on the subject, prepared
and published many years ago by the late James A. Girar-
din, and also from other sources, and from personal recollec-
tions : -
In the olden time the city of Detroit and vicinity had slaves
among its inhabitants. The old citizens generally purchased them
from marauding bands of Indians, who had captured the negro
slaves in their war depredations on plantations. Many were thus
brought from Virginia, New York and Indiana, and sold to the
inhabitants of Detroit, sometimes for nominal prices. Among
our old citizens who were slaveholders in the olden times were the
late Major Joseph Campau, George McDougall, James Duperop
Baby, Abbott, Finchley and several others. The negro slaves
were well treated by their owners. Many of these poor captives
when sold and released were at once well taken care of by our
ancient inhabitants. Sometimes the price of a slave was regulated
according to his intrinsic value, but the price was quite high for
those days. For instance, a negro boy named Frank, aged 12
years, the property of the late Philip Jonciere, of Belle Fontaine,
now Springwells, was sold on the 22d of October, 1793, by Wil-
liam Roe, acting auctioneer, to the late Hon. James Duperon
Baby, for the sum of £213, New York currency, equal to $532.50
of our money. Mr. Baby being the highest bidder, Frank was
adjudged to him for the benefit of Mr. Jonciere's estate. In the
records of baptism of Ste. Anne's church, we find several persons
of color recorded as having received the sacrament of baptism,
and, in the absence of family names, we learn that the name of
''Margaret," for instance, a negress ''unknown," would be entered.
Several instances of this kind are entered in the old records.
I04 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
WRRE WELL TREATED.
During the administration of the governor and judges of the
territory of Michigan, several negroes received donation lots.
Among them was a well known negro named "Pompey," the prop-
erty of the late James Abbott. As a class the negroes were
esteemed by our early time population. Many of them could
speak the French language fluently, especially those living with
their French masters. But little cruelty was practiced by their
owners. There were no Wendell Phillips nor Lloyd Garrisons
nor any ''higher law doctrine" expounded in those days to disturb
the mind of the slave or the slaveholder. Everyone lived in
Arcadian simplicity and contentment. The negro was satisfied
with his position, and rendered valuable services to his master,
and was ever ready to help him against the treacherous Indians.
During the war of 1812, ^several of them accompanied thei-r mas-
ters to the battlefield and mateMally helped them and the troops.
MANY OWNED SLAVES.
By an ordinance enacted by congress, dated July 3, 1787,
entitled "an act for the government of the territory of the United
States northwest of the Ohio River," there was a clause in Article
VI, saying that "there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary
servitude in the said territory, otherwise than in the punishment
of crimes." This was a safeguard by congress to prevent the
extension of slavery northwest of the Ohio River. Notwithstand-
ing this wise provision, our ancestors paid little attention to it,
for whenever a spruce young negro was brought by the Indians
he was sure to find a purchaser at a reasonable price. Most every
prominent man in those days had a slave or two, especially mer-
chants trading with the Indians. Detroit and vicinity was a
heaven to the slave compared to the southern states, although
slavery was carried on on a moderate scale here, there being no
cotton or rice fields to employ them in, their labor being on the
plantations near Detroit, or at their master's houses. The master
once attached to his "Sambo," a great price would have to be paid
to buy him.
The late Judge May had a slave woman, who had come to
his hands for a debt owed to him by one Granchin. This faithful
slave served the judge some twenty-five years. Mr. Joseph Cam-
pau, an extensive trader in those days, had as many as ten slaves
SLAVERY DAYS IN MICHIGAN, IO5
at different times. Among them was a young negro named Crow,
quite a favorite of Mr. Campau, who had him dressed in scarlet,
a decided contrast to his color. This negro, to the amusement of
the inhabitants of the old town, used to ascend old Ste. Anne's
church steeple and there perform some of his gymnastic tricks.
He was supple and elastic as a circus rider. He had been pur-
chased at Montreal by Mr. Campau. He was afterwards drowned
from one of Mr. Campau's batteaux.
''Hannah," another intelligent colored woman, was purchased
at Montreal by Mr. Campau. This faithful slave^ after serving
him many years, married ''Patterson," also a slave. "MuUett,"
one of the most honest and faithful of all slaves, also belonged to
Mr. Campau, who very often employed him as confidential clerk.
This slave died not many years ago, at a very advanced age,
respected and esteemed for his great integrity and fidelity. The
slave "Tetro" was among the favorites of Major Campau. He,
too, was a faithful and as honest as the day was long. The late
General John R. Williams also possessed a slave named "Hector."
He, too, was faithful and trustworthy.
In the year 183 1 Daniel Leroy, Olmstead Chamberlain and
Gideon O. Wittemore sold to Colonel Mack, General Williams
and Major Campau the newspaper called the Oakland Chronicle,
the office being transferred here, and the well known slave "Hec-
tor" was placed in charge of it. When the late Colonel Sheldon
McKnight entered to take possession he was fiercely resisted by
"Hector," who showed fight and the colonel (I heard the colonel
relate this circumstance) had to retreat. This paper was after-
wards merged into the Detroit Gazette, and afterwards into the
Detroit Free Press.
de:ath :^or ivARcrcNv.
Ann Wyley, a former slave, suffered the extreme penalty of
the law for having stolen six guineas from the firm of Abbott &
Finchley. She was sentenced to death by a justice of the peace,
and buried on the spot where Ste. Anne's Church formerly stood
on Larned Street, which'ground was used as a place of burial in
early days. When in 18 17 the foundations of the church were
being excavated, the body of this unfortunate woman was found
face downward. It was supposed that she was in a trance at the
time of her burial. This incident Mr. Girardin says was related
I06 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
to him by an old lady some years ago, who knew all about the
facts, and who has since died.
The late Joseph Drouillard, of Petite Cote, Canada, had two
daughters. Upon the marriage of one of them to the grandfather
of Mr. Girardin she received a farm ; the other received two slaves
as her marriage portion. This goes to show that the negro in
those days was considered a chattel. Several of our French farm-
ers on both sides of the river had one or more of them.
Many anecdotes can be related of Africa's sons among our
ancestors. They as a class were well cared for and educated by
their kind masters.
The question may be asked, "How did slavery die out here?"
The owners of slaves, after having received their services for a
number of years, would generally liberate them, or sometimes
sell them to parties outside of the territory. When the celebrated
ordinance of 1787 was extended over the north-west, Michigan
assumed for the first time the first grade of government, and the
laws were put in force ; no more slaves were afterward allowed
to be brought into the territory, and slavery was known no more
here.
SALE OF THE NEGRO MAN POMPEY.
The following is a copy of a deed furnished by W. W.
Backus, of Detroit.
''Know all men by these presents, that I, James May, of
Detroit, for and in consideration of the sum of forty-five pounds,
New York currency, to me in hand paid by John Askin, Esq., of
Detroit, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, to be fully
satisfied and paid,, have sold and delivered, and by these presents,
in plain and open market, do bargain, sell and deliver unto the
hands of said John Askin, Esq., his heirs, executors, administra-
tors and assigns forever ; arfd I, the said James May, for my heirs,
executors and assigns, against all manner of person or persons,
shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents.
"In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal
this 19th day of October, A. D., 1794. ,
(Signed) "James May."
In the presence of
Robert Stevens.
SLAVERY i:>AYS IN MICHIGAN. 1 07
''I do hereby make over my whole right, title and interest in
the above mentioned negro man, Pompey, to Mr. James Donald-
son, of this place, for the sum of fifty pounds, New York cur-
rency, the receipt of which I do hereby acknowledge, as witness
my hand and seal at Detroit this 3d day of January, 1795.
(Signed) ''John Askin.''
Witness :
"WiivUAM McCuntock/'
Through the counties of Wayne, Monroe, Macomb and Oak-
land, the slave existed. True, he bore the same relation, almost,
to his master, as the white laborer of the south did to his master
previous to 1861. Yet he was a slave and liable to be bought
and sold.
An extensive merchant of Sandwich, Canada, and father of
the late Mrs. Judge John McDonell, of this city, owned two or
three slaves in the early days. Mrs. McDonell had in her posses-
sion her father's account books and papers, and she has often
shown the former to me, in which there appear accounts of the
expenses of each slave ; also an accurate description of them.
Their names I have forgotten. She remembered them all, well,
and testified to their fidelity quite heartily.
THE TOLLDO WAR.
IT WAS A RATHER FARCICAL AND AN ALMOST BLOODLESS
CONTEST— SOME AMUSING INCIDENTS.
THE "Toledo War" has been often ventilated in the public
press and through other sources, but there are two or
three amusing incidents connected with it that may be news
to some people. Although quite young, I was an eye-witness
of the feverish excitement that ruled our little community, and of
the marshaling of troops in our streets with the beating of drums,
flaunting banners and all the "pomp and circumstance of glorious
war" — all eager to be led by our plucky governor, Stevens T.
Mason, to chastise Ohio. It was related at the time that Major
Stickney, of Toledo, and his raft of boys were the only ones they
met there that really did any real fighting.
An instance is related concerning Major Stickney 's arrest,
which caused great amusement at the time. He and his family
fought valiantly, but were overpowered by numbers. He was
requested to mount a horse, but flatly refused. He was put on
by force, but would not sit there. Finally two men -were detailed
to walk beside him and hold his legs, while a third led the horse.
After making half the distance in this way, they tied his legs
under the horse, and thus got him to jail in Monroe.
VALIANT MAJOR STICKNEY AND HIS BOYS.
Major Stickney's raft of boys were named One Stickney.
Two Stickney, Three Stickney, and so on. In an attempt to arrest
one of the boys, "Two Stickney," a scuffle ensued, in which the
officer was stabbed with a knife, but the wound did not prove dan-
gerous, and it is believed this was the only blood shed during the
war. The officer let go his hold, and Stickney fled into Ohio. On
another occasion an officer attempted to arrest a man in the night
time. The man had but a moment's warning, and sought safety
in flight. He reached the Maumee River, threw himself on a saw-
log, and, with hands and feet paddled himself to safety to the
other shore.
TlllC TOLEDO WAR. I09
A very pious man was elected as justice of the peace and fled
to the woods, where he Hved for many days in a sugar shanty. It
'W^as currently reported and generally believed by the Ohio
partisans., that a miracle had been wrought in his behalf — that
/'robin red-breasts" brought him his daily food and drink. *The
belief in this miracle strengthened the cause of Ohio in many
quarters very materially.
BLOOD ON the: moon.
The Ohio troops, numebring about 600 officers and men, fully
armed and equipped, went into camp at old Fort Miami, and there
awaited the orders of the governor. Governor Mason, with Gen-
eral Joseph E. Brown, arrived at Toledo with a force, under the
immediate command of the latter, variously estimated at from 800
to 1,200 men, fully armed and equipped, and went into camp.
Then ''blood was on the moon," but the troops did not meet in
hostile array, owing to the timely intervention of two commis-
sioners sent by the President of the United States to use, their per-
sonal influence to stop all warlike demonstrations. The commis-
sioners were men of eminence in the nation — Hon. Richard Rush,
of Philadelphia, and Colonel Howard, of Baltimore. Hon. Elisha
Whittlesey, of Ohio, accompanied the commissioners as a volun-
tary peace-maker.
Governor Lucas, of Ohio, believed things were all amicable,
and thought he could run and re-mark the line between the two
states without serious opposition from the authorities of Michigan,
whereupon he disbanded the military he had collected, and
directed his commissioners to proceed with the work. S. Dodge,
an engineer on the Ohio canal, had been engaged as surveyor to
run the line. But Governor Mason was not of the same mind,
for it appears from the report of the Ohio commissioners to their
governor, that "On Saturday evening. May 25, 1835, after having
performed a laborious day's service, your commissioners, together
with their party, retired to the distance of about one mile south of
the line, in Henry County, within the state of Ohio, where we
thought to have rested quietly, and peaceably enjoy the blessings
of the Sabbath ; and especially, not being engaged on the line, we
thought ourselves secure for the day. But contrary to our expec-
tations, at about 12 o'clock in the day an armed force of about
fifty or sixty men hove in sight, within musket shot of us, all
no EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
mounted upon horses, well armed with muskets and under the
command of General Brown, of Michigan. Your commissioners,
observing the great superiority of force, having but five armed
men among us, who had been employed to keep a lookout and as
hunters for the party, thought it prudent to retire, and so advised
our men. Your commissioners, with several of their party, made
good their retreat to this place ( Perry sburg, O.). But, sir, we
are under the painful necessity of relating that nine of our men,
who did not leave the ground in time, after being fired upon by
th€ enemy from thirty to fifty shots, were taken prisoners and car-
ried away into the interior of the country. We are happy to learn
that our party did not fire a gun in turn, and that no one was
wounded, although a ball from the enemy passed through the
clothing of one of our men."
These prisoners were taken to Tecumseh. They were there
brought before a magistrate for examination. They denied juris-
diction ; six entered bail for their appearance, two were released
as not guilty, and one, Mr. Fletcher — refused to give bail and was
retained in custody.
Governor Mason was at Tecumseh at the time with General
Brown. The former in an interview with Fletcher, advised him
to give bail, but he firmly and decidedly declined to do so.
Governor Mason was very anxious that the unpleasantness
and difficulties might be settled without any further trouble. Gen-
eral Brown did not have much to say on the subject, but it was
believed at the time that he did not desire to have the question
amicably settled, but that he secretly wished for a collision
between the two states, that he might have the opportunity to dis-
tinguish himself, and in a conversation between Fletcher and Gen-
eral Brown, in regard to the arrest of the former and party, the
general, in response to the sheriff's regret that the citizens of Ohio
were fired upon, replied that "it was the best thing that was done ;
that he did not hesitate to say he gave the order to fire." He also
mentioned giving orders to the sheriff how to proceed ; and the
latter admitted that he acted under Brown's direction.
''B. F. Stickney, of Toledo, although one of the party
engaged in running the line, was confined in the Monroe County
jail for, as he says, "the monstrous crime of having acted as the
judge of an election within the state of Ohio."
Mr. N. Goodsell, a citizen of Toledo, was also abducted and
taken to Monroe. He was obliged to ride on a horse without a
THE T0LE:D0 war. Ill
bridle ; the horse, being urged from the rear, became unmanage-
able and ran away with him until he freed himself by jumping,
and got to Monroe on foot, where he was detained for a day or
two, secured bail and returned to Toledo. On the way to Monroe
Mr. Goodsell and the party having him in custody were joined by
another party having in custody a Mr. McKay, of Toledo. He
was mounted with his feet tied under the horse.
THE COMMISSIONERS ESCAPED.
The Ohio commissioners, with their surveyor, again com-
menced to run the line, previous to which General Brown sent
scouts through the woods to watch their movements and to report
when they found them running the line. When the surveying party
had got within the county of Lenawee, the under sheriff of that
county, with a warrant and a posse, made his appearance to arrest
them. He arrested a portion of the party ; but the commissioners
and Surveyor Dodge made their escape, and they ran with all their
might until they got off the disputed territory. They reached
Pennsylvania next day with clothes badly torn ; some of them hat-
less, with terrible looking heads, and all with stomachs very much
collapsed. They reported that they had been attacked by a large
force of Michigan militia under General Brown, and had been
fired upon and had just escaped with their lives; and that they
expected that the remainder of their party were either killed or
taken prisoners.
THE ONLY BEOOD SHED.
In regard to the arrest of "Two Stickney" by Joseph Wood,
deputy sheriff of Monroe County, Michigan, and of the knifing of
this officer, some further particulars are given herewith. Lyman
Hurd, constable, of the same county, testifies that he and Woo'd,
the latter having in his hands a warrant against "Two Stickney,"
went into the tavern of J. B. Davis, in Toledo, where they found
Stickney and George McKay, against whom Hurd also had a war-
rant. Hurd also testified that he informed the latter that he had a
warrant against him, and attempted to arrest him. McKay sprang
and caught a chair and told him if he attempted that game he
would split him down. Hurd also said McKay had a drawn dirk
in his hand, and he did not arrest him, presumably on that
account. While Hurd was attempting to arrest McKay, Wood
attempted to arrest Stickne}'. They had quite a scuffle and during
112 EIARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
the melee Stickney drew a dirk out of the left side of Wood and
exclaimed, "There, damn you, you have got it now." Wood let
go of Stickney and put his hand upon his left side, apparently in
distress, and went to the door. Those present asked Wood if he
was stabbed. He said, very faintly, that he was. A doctor was
called, on Wood's request, who on examination of the wound,
thought the latter's recovery very doubtful. But he did recover^
and as I before said, this was the only real fight and the only
blood shed on this memorable occasion.
For some of the foregoing particulars I am indebted to the
History of the Maumee Valley, by H. T. Knapp, Toledo, 1872.
INCIDENTS OF THL PATRIOT WAR.
AN EYE-WITNESS OF SOME OF THE EVENTS OF THE TROUB-
LOUS TIMES OF 1838-9 GIVES INTERESTING DETAILS.
I WILL not say very much in regard to the Patriot war of
1838-39, as it has been dilated uponso often that the story
must be famihar to most people.
I was on Jones' dock, this side of the river, directly in the
rear of the old board of trade building on W^oodbridge Street,
shortly after the Patriots crossed the river on the steamboat
Thames. The noise of the exploding musketry, in the short bat-
tle between the Canadian militia and the Patriots, in the Baby
orchard, woke me early. I surmised what it meant, and, on reach-
ing the dock, I saw the steamer in flames, at the dock in Windsor,
a short distance above the present ferry dock, and the barracks, a
large yellow building, just this side of the steamer, was also
ablaze.
I think the Patriots, who got badly worsted in their short
scrimmage with the "Cannucks'' in the orchard, set them on fire
in their hurry-scurry to get away up the river ; part of them took
to the Canadian woods. Soon a battery o-f British artillery, from
Maiden I think, came tearing up the river road and pushed on in
hot pursuit of the fugitives, but they did not succeed in capturing
any of the retreating Patriots.
THE PATRIOTS ROUTED.
In the meantime those who had taken the river road reached
in safety the two old windmills that stood on the bank of the river,
just above the present site of Walkerville. They availed them-,
selves of six or eight canoes, that luckily appeared in sight, drawn
up on the river bank, and pushed off for the American shore.
Some of them met with disaster before reaching *'home." The
artillery gained the further mill just about the time the fugitives
reached the middle of the river, and from that point they opened
upon them with grape and caninster. We could plainly see the
8
114 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
puffs of smoke at every discharge. They did not do much dam-
age, only wounding three or four slightly. Part got across the
river safely, the remainder, including the wounded, were taken
prisoners by a detachment of the Brady Guards, Captain Rowland,
and under the immediate personal command of General Hugh
Brady, who were on the steamer Erie, patroling the river in the
interests of the neutrality laws. Those who escaped and remained
in Canada got back safely after awhile.
During this time the little steamboat Erie, got away from the
dock between Woodward' Avenue and Griswold Street, where it
was waiting the Brady Guards to get aboard. Atwater Street in
that vicinity, and indeed the entire river front, was filled with a
howling mob, who deeply sympathized with the Patriots. When
the Brady Guards appeared, headed by Captain Rowland and
General Brady, a howl of derision went up from the crowd. But
General Brady, tall and as straight as a young poplar, Rowland,
whose black eyes snapped ominously behind his gold-rimmed
glasses, and the boys behind them with their muskets, paid no
more attention to the howlers than they would have done to a
swarm of buzzing flies, but parted the crowd to the right and left
and boarded the steamer without molestation.
SOME PROMINENT PARTICIPANTS.
The reason I surmised that the musket-firing on that Decem-
ber morning meant trouble was that a short time previous to the
crossing, I was invited by one of the initiated to an informal
meeting of the members of a "Hunter's Lodge," so named by the
Patriots. Thes gatherings were held in a building in the Brush
garden. The late William Adair ran the garden at that time.
Wliile at this meeting, I gleaned from the conversation going on
around me, that in the near future, a demonstration would be
made against our neighbors on the other side of the river, but the
time and place I could not ascertain. It was at this meeting that
I first saw and became acquainted with the late John Harmon,
who was an ardent Patriot, and the acquaintance ripened into a
warm friendship that lasted until his death. At this meeting I
also saw Colonel E. J. Roberts, Dr. Theler and others.
I was an eye witness of all the incidents referred to in this
connection.
INCIDENTS OF the: PATRIOT WAR. II5
AN IRISHMAN'S ESCAPE).
One of the Patriots that ventured across the river and took
an active part in the affair was a clerk in the office of A. E.
Hathon, city surveyor, a son of Erin (Hogan I think was his
name). He got back to this side safe and without a scratch. He
related with much amusement some of the details of the expedi-
tion. He said that after they had marched off the steamboat on
the Canada side. ''Some d — d rascal set it on fire," and there
they were, "Sink or Swim." They proceeded down the river road
to the barracks, a large frame building occupied by a company or
detachment of Canadian soldiers. They fired on the advancing
Patriots without damage. The fire was returned with a charge by
the Patriots, on the barracks. The enemy left in short order, and
retired to the Baby orchard, where the Patriots followed them,
and where the latter got worsted and were scattered, some being
taken prisoners on the spot, others fleeing for their lives up the
river road towards what is now Walkerville, and still others took
to the fields and roads leading into the country, all pursued by
the victorious Canadians. Our Irish friend said he took to one
of the country roads and, being fleet of foot, soon out-distanced
his pursuers, though several shots were fired at him, and any
quantity of imprecations were hurled after him. He got shelter
and concealment in a friendly farmer's barn, whose kindly wife
furnished him subsistence. He remained here quiet for a few
days, and then ventured into Windsor concealed in a load of hay
the farmer was bringing in. He got to the river all right, stole a
canoe, and paddled himself across to this side, and out of danger.
Hathon's ofiice was in the Cooper block, and the back win-
dows commanded a clear view of Windsor. I have often seen
Hogan go to the windows, and, casting his eyes across the river,
syear in an undertone, and then laugh immoderately at the remem-
brance of some funny incident connected with the affair. He said
further, he reckoned the reason the soldiers did not hit him during
his hurried flight was because they could not see him for the dust
he kicked up.
I have mentioned before in this connection Colonel E. J.
Roberts. He was the father of Colonel Horace S. Roberts, of the
First Regiment Michigan Volunteers, and was killed at the second
battle of Bull Run, while in command of the regiment.
Il6 ' EARl.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
DR. THELER'S expedition.
Referring again to Dr. Theler. He was an ardent Patriot of
the first water, a short, chtmky Irishman and full of fight appar-
ently, but the expedition he commanded that set out to capture
Maiden did not pan out successfully. He got away from here
one morning somehow, with I do not remember how many men,
and one piece of cannon — I think a brass six-pounder — on the
schooner Ann, and sailed away down the river for Maiden. Arriv-
ing in front of that town, they began blazing away with their gun.
The inhabitants, realizing what they were up to, armed themselves
and started out in small boats to capture the Patriots, which they
did after a short and harmless scrimmage. The doctor and
party were sent to Quebec and confined in the citadel and the
schooner and equipment were confiscated. The doctor, after a
brief confinement in that stronghold, managed to escape, and got
safely to this side. He published a book detailing his adventures,
escape, etc., which was quite interesting, his escape from the
citadel being particularly so.
A NERVY PATRIOT.
One party of Patriots, including Captain James Armstrong,
of Port Huron, recrossed the river from Canada, landing on Belle
Isle, but before they reached the land a ball from the six-pounder
cannon fired from the windmill at Walkerville mangled Arm-
strong's arm. He was bro.ught to Dr. Hind's office, in this city,
where the arm was amputated. Anesthetics were not in use in
those days, but Armstrong never uttered a groan during the
operation, and when it was finished he picked up the arm, waved
it around his head and said : ''Hurrah for the Patriots ! I'm will-
ing to lose another arm for the cause." Armstrong was afterward
sheriff of Sanilac County in 1856 or 1857.
CONVICTS IN VAN DIEMAN^S LAND.
Aaron Dresser and T. T. Wright were engaged with Colonel
Von Thoultz, in the affair of the windmill, near Prescott, Canada,
November, 1838. They were tried by a militia court-martial at
Kingston, and sentenced to death, but were sent to Van Dieman's
Land ^s convicts, where, after residence of nearly four years, thev
ixNciDENTs OF the: patriot war. 117
were forgiven and allowed to return to their country b) Sir John
Franklin, the British governor. In a communication to the New
York Tribune, February 17, 1844, they appealed to their country-
men to interest themselves in behalf of the fifty-four comrades
still in captivity, and to endeavor to procure their release. In addi-
tion to the above serving sentence at the same place they said were
twenty-two, taken prisoners in the affair at Windsor, opposite
Detroit, in the same year. Their names were Chauncey Sheldon,
Elijah C. Woodman, Michael Murray, John H. Simmons, Alvin
B. Sweet, Simeon B. Goodrich, James A. Achison, Elijah Stevens.
John C. Williams, Samuel Snow, Riley M. Stewart, John
Sprague, John B. Tyrell, James DeWitt Ferro, Henry V. Barnum,
John Varnum, James Waggoner, Norman Mallory, Horace
Cooley, John Grant, Lynus W. Miller (student at law) and
Joseph Stewart. They said they were five months on the passage
from Van Dieman's Land to London, and Mr. Everett, our min-
ister at London, got them a ship to New York. They also said :
'We say it with truth and sincerity that we would not of choice
pass the rest of our lives in Van Dieman's Land if the whole
island were given to us in freehold as a gift. We have not to com-
plain of unusual hardship used to ourselves, and yet both of us
have often wished to be relieved by death from the horrid bond-
age entailed on those who are situated as we were. 'To be obliged
to drag out an existence in such a convict colony, and among such
a population, is in itself a punishment severe beyond our power to
describe."
They also said: "Several parties, in all about 1,500 men,
were placed last May, under proper officers of the government, for
the purpose of securing four criminals guilty of murder, etc. ; we
were in one of these parties by whom the criminals were secured ;
and this and general good conduct procured several persons their
liberty, among whom we two were so fortunate as to be included.
Morrisset, Murry and Lafore are, we think, from lower Canada.
We can speak more decided as to. our comrades from Prescott,
Windsor, and the Short Hills, above named, because when we got
our freedom we visited most of them, though scattered through
the interior of the country, following their several trades or occu-
pations. One of us, Aaron Dresser, resides in Alexandria, Jeffer-
son County^the other, Stephen T. Wright, lives in Denmark,
Il8 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Lewis County, both in New York state. We will be happy to
reply to any post-paid letters from the relatives of our comrades,
and to give them any further information in our power."
(Signed) Aaron Dresser,
T. T. Wright.
ONE OF THE PARTY CAPTURED AT WINDSOR.
Chauncey Sheldon was from Oakland County, this state, and
came into the city with his team and load of produce. He had
some friends here that were ardent in the Patriot cause. They
persuaded him to visit the Hunters' Lodge in the Brush garden,
the night before the crossing, and induced him to join the expedi-
tion, telling him it was just a picnic and nothing short of that.
Well, he crossed the river with the ''gang," leaving his team, etc.
He was taken prisoner and sentenced to Van Dieman's Land as
above stated.
DR. Hume's cruel murder.
The old orchard (Baby's) where the battle cam^e off was
nearly opposite the building now occupied by D. M. Ferry & Co.'s
seed store, and among other incidents connected with this scrim-
mage was one of a most melancholy nature, and that was the mur-
der of Doctor Hume, of the British army, who was at Sandwich,
and for some reason was detained there, after the militia left, and
came up alone on horseback. On the road in front of this orchard
was a long, low log house, which was at that time in possession of
the Patriots, and from one of the windows or corner of this house
he was as far as any one knows, shot without mercy. His body
was thrown into a hogpen and partially devoured before his
friends had time to rescue it. For this and other atrocities of the
Patriots Colonel Prince, of Sandwich, commander of the Cana-
dian militia, retaliated on them with a summary vengeance that
has been often detailed.
This taking off of Dr. Hume in such a tragic manner has
been often detailed before, and I repeat it now because he was so
well known on this side of the river. The distressing occurrence
was the talk of the town and was regretted by all. I visited the
scene of the battle in the orchard two or three days after it
occurred, as also the spot where the doctor fell.
-r
INCIDENTS OF THE PATRIOT WAR. II9
AFTER THE WAR.
The excitement incident to the war was kept up for many
months, all along the border, on both sides, after all demonstra-
tions of a hostile nature had ceased. During the summer follow-
ing the Windsor episode, I spent some months in St. Clair. The
village of Moretown, on the opposite side of the river, still con-
tinued to maintain a company of Canadian militia, who had their
quarters over the store and warehouse of a Mr. Sutherland, an
extensive English merchant, who was loyalty personified. Many
of the present inhabitants of St. Clair and of Moretown will, no
doubt, call to mind the personality of the jolly Englishman. Every
time the militia company relieved guard, night and morning, the
squad that were relieved, would invariably discharge their mus-
kets when they reached the platform at the head of the stairs,
on the outside of their quarters. Everyone banged oflf his piece,
singly, before entering the door, waking the sleeping echoes and
reminding the peaceful inhabitants on both sides of the river, that,
although the ''cruel war" was over, still, ''eternal vigilance was
the price of liberty" and that they were not to be caught napping.
EARLY DAY ARCHITLCTURL.
DETROIT'S FIRST BRICK AND STONE STRUCTURES— INTER-
ESTING OLD BUILDINGS.
'^y^ HE first brick dwelling house in the city, it is believed, was
I built, or begun, by an Englishman — Mr. Benjamin
Stead, who died in 182 1. The house was finished soon
after his death by other parties. It was a two-story, double
brick house, and still stands, nearly opposite the old Michigan
Exchange. Part of it was occupied by the late Tunis Wendell,
and the other part by the late Col. Whiting, U. S. A. Later por-
tions of it were used by the United States for officers' sleeping
rooms. Dr. Farnsworth also had his office in part of it. It is
now occupied for various purposes.
The house of David Cooper, that formerly stood on Cadillac
Square, was built about 1827. It also was a double brick house
and was built by David Cooper and Charles Jackson. Both Mr.
Jackson and Mr. Cooper lived there in 1827 and later on. There
was also a small brick house on Jefferson Avenue below Wayne
Street, occupied for many years by William Berger as a gun-shop,
and before him by Hon. John Norvell, with the postoffice. Many
old residents will remember this, I think, as well as the old wooden
gun Berger had projecting from •the roof as a sign. The house
on the south side of Fort Street, near Wayne Street, now occupied
by Mrs. Whitbeck, was built by Dr. Henry, father of D. Farrand
Henry, and was occupied by him for at least five years. . It was
probably built prior to 1832.
Dr. Hurd built and occupied a two-story brick house on the
corner of Woodward Avenue and Congress Street, where is now
the Richmond & Backus Co., before 1827. Jhomas Palmer,
father of the senator, built and occupied as a store and residence
a two-story brick house on the south side of Jefferson Avenue, on
EARLY DAY ARCHITECTURE:. 121
the corner of Griswold Street, where the senator first saw the
Hght in 1830.
Levi Brown, the jeweler and inventor of the gold pen, had
his brick store and residence on the north side of Jefferson Avenue
between Shelby and Griswold Streets, nearly opposite that of
Thomas Palmer. There was also a brick dwelling, built by Jona-
than Keeney prior to 1830, on Fort Street, north side, between
Griswold and Shelby Streets. It is still standing.
Robert Smart built and owned, prior to 1827, a two-story
brick store on the corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues,
the present site of the Merrill Block, which was occupied as a
general store in 1827-8-9 and 1830, by Henry V. Disbrow, Esq.
General John R. Williams, prior to 1827, owned and lived in
a two-story brick house, on the north side of Woodbridge Street,
between Bates and Randolph Streets.
General Hull also built and occupied, prior to 1827, a brick
residence of quite fi pretentious character, on the corner of Jeffer-
son Avenue and Randolph Street, the present site of the Biddle
House. After General Hull vacated it it was occupied for a short
time by General Proctor (British), and shortly after by General
Brady, until he completed his residence on the corner of Jefferson
Avenue and Hastings Street, the present site of the Art Museum.
The Mansion House, that stood on the north side of Jeffer-
son Avenue, near the line of the Cass farm, now Cass Street, was
a stone and brick structure, and was built prior to 1827, from the
ruins of Fort Shelby. The old Bank of Michigan, or Detroit
City Bank, as I think it was called then, built and occupied, prior
to 1827, a small brick building on the present site of the Kearsley
building, at the southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Ran-
dolph Street.
Judge Canniff and Jerry Dean, prior to 1827, built ^nd occu-
pied as residences, the two-story, double brick house (still stand-
ing), on the south side of Congress Street, a few doors from
Shelby Street. Peter Desnoyer also, about the same period, built
and occupied as a store, a two-story brick building, on the present
site of the Desnoyer Block. The store did not occupy as much
ground as does the present block. His dwelling (wooden), built
directly after the fire of 1805, stood on the corner of Jefferson
Avenue and Bates Street, and the new brick store next to it on the
south.
122 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
The stone buildings of that time were Ste. Anne's church
(Catholic), the old Council House, on the corner of Jefferson
Avenue and Randolph Street, on the present site of the water
works building, and the old arsenal, on the southwest corner of
Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street.
The state capitol building (brick) was built prior to 1827.
There was also a government warehouse, of brick, directly in the
rear of Berger's gun shop and fronting on Woodbridge Street.
5URVLYING IN LARLY DAYS.
THE OCCUPATION HAD ITS PERILS IN THIS PART OF THE
COUNTRY— EXPERIENCE OF THE JEROME PARTY.
IN October, 183 1, Mr. Edwin Jerome left Detroit with a sur-
veying party composed of John Mullet, United States sur-
veyor, and Utter, Brink and Peck, assistants, for that portion
of Michigan territory lying west of Lake Michigan, and which
is now Wisconsin. Their outfit consisted of a French pony team
and a buffalo wagon to carry tent, camp equipage, blankets, etc.
Most of the way to the southeast corner of Lake Michigan they
followed a wagon track or Indian trail, and had a cabin or an
Indian hut to lodge in at night ; but west of the point mentioned
they found neither road nor inhabitant. They arrived at Chicago
in a terrible rainstorm and put up at the fort (Dearborn). This
far-famed city at that time had but five or six houses, and they
were built of logs. Within a distance of three or four miles of
the fort the land was valued by its owners at fifty cents an acre.
After twenty-three days' weary travel through an uninhabited
country, fording and swimming streams and exposed to much
rainy weather, they arrived at Galena where they commenced
their survey, but in two days the ground froze so deep that further
work was abondoned until the next spring. The day after the
memorable Stillman battle with Black Hawk, while the Mullet
party were crossing the Blue Mounds, they met with an Indian
half-chief, who had just arrived from the Menominee camps with
the details of the battle. He stated the slain to be three Indians
and eleven whites. The long shaking of hands and the extreme
cordiality of this Indian alarmed Mullet for the safety of his
party, but he locked the secret in his own heart until the next day.
They had just completed a town corner when Mullet, raising him-
self to his full height, said : ''Boys, I'm going in ; I'll not risk
my scalp for a few paltry shillings." This laconic speech was an
electric shock to the whole company. Mr. Jerome, in describing
his own sensations, said ''that the hair of his head became then as
porcupine quills, raising his hat in the air and himself from the
ground, and the top of his head became as sore as a boil."
PLRILS OF PIONLLR DAY5.
TRAVELERS IN THESE PARTS IN EARLY TIMES HAD TO
BEWARE OF WOLVES, INDIANS AND OTHER
DANGEROUS PROWLERS.
THE late Judge Z. W. Bunce, of Port Huron, in the spring
of 1817 put on board a one-horse wagon $3,000 worth
of ready-made clothing and started from Albany, N. Y.,
for Detroit on the 15th day of April. He passed through
Rochester, N. Y., when there were only twenty persons there, and
a choice of lots could be had then for $50. In this connection, and
referring to the same location record, Judge Jerome, father of all
the Jeromes in this state, related once in my presence that he was
offered 200 acres, on which was a log house, for 20 cents an acre,
but he said his eyes were set for Michigan, and had no use for
wild land in New York state.
Our adventurer was detained at Buffalo some days for the
completion of the schooner Michigan, on which he intended to
cross Lake Erie. The schooner was the one which was subse-
quently sent over the Niagara Falls with wild animals on board.
After three days he arrived in Detroit and stored his goods with
James Abbott and engaged board at Colonel Richard Smith's
tavern, on the south side of Woodward Avenue, between Jeffer-
son Avenue and Woodbridge Street. He made an effort to see
the farming country around Detroit, and for this purpose told
Colonel Smith, his landlord, to have a horse saddled for him.
He mounted his horse and took his course across what was then
called the commons to a French wood road, followed this until
he found himself deep in the mud and water. He then tried
another and another road, and found all the same. He then
returned to the tavern and asked the landlord to put him on to a
road that would take him into the country.
"Where do you want to go ?" inquired the landlord.
"Out among the farmers, to see what you have got for a
back-bone for your city," he replied.
"We have got no such bone. You will find nothing in that
direction but swamps, woods, wildcats and Indians. If you want
to see our farmers you must go up and down the river."
He took his advice and went as far as Hudson's (now the
PERILS OF PIONEER DAYS. 1 25
Country Club) on Lake St. Clair, by way of the old Stone Wind
Mill (once on Wind Mill Point) and was apparently satisfied.
He was invited by Colonel Jack Langhan, paymaster in the
United States army, to go with him and assist in paying off the
troops at the River Raisin, now Monroe. They started at 3
o'clock in the morning, Colonel Langhan and Colonel Dick Smith
on horseback, and Chauncy S. Payne and the judge in a one-horse
wagon. They crossed the Rouge by swimming the horses and
carrying the wagon over in two canoes. In the same way they
crossed the Ecorse. The ground over which they passed in the
firstpart of their journey was sandy and they found no great diffi-
culty until they reached Swan Creek. There they mired their
horse and wagon, but after one expedient and another they extri-
cated themselves from this quagmire. Here night came on — a
dark, dreary night — with nothing to amuse or cheer them but the
howl of the wolves, which kept up their serenade until nearly day-
light. The last part of their way there was a road made by the
United States troops through a dense forest free from stumps,
but with no bottom to the spongy soil. They arrived at the Raisin
about 9 o'clock in the evening.
After four days at the Raisin they started at 6 o'clock a. m.
on their return and, having daylight for the most part of the way,
they got along better than when going down, crossing the Ecorse
about 9 o'clock in the evening. Half way between that river and
the Rouge they found a pack of wolves in the road before them,
which opened to the right and left and let the travelers pass, at
the same time saluting them with a hideous howl. Payne, badly
scared, stuck to the wagon. The judge, having provided himself
with a cudgel, posted himself at the hind end of the wagon for
defense, but neither of them was injured. The horse suffered
most from the effects of Payne's whip. They reached Detroit in
the wee hours of the morning.
Mr. Payne was for many years a citizen of Detroit, associated
with Levi Brown in the silversmith and jewelry business. Payne
married the daughter of Jacob Smith, an Indian trader. Captain
Garland, of the army, married another daughter of Smith. These
girls inherited from their father an Indian reserve west of this
city.
Mr. and Mrs. Payne were both living in 1882. The traffic
of this family with the Indians was carried on most throug^i the
house of Conrad (CoOn) and Jerry Ten Eyck.
THL HAPPY FRENCH HABITANT.
HIS AFFILIATION WITH AND INFLUENCE UPON THE
INDIANS HEREABOUTS IN THE EARLY DAYS
OF OUR HISTORY.
GEORGE HERIOT, in his "Travels in Canada" (London,
1807), says of the French habitant:
"They were honest, hospitable, religious, inoffensive and
uninformed, possessed of simplicity and civility. Without
ambition and attached to ancient prejudices they sought no more
than the necessaries of life. Many, as a result of happy action,
were poor without realizing their poverty ; some were well-to-do
without boasting of their wealth."
"The stream-haunting habitant has been happily compared to
the beaver, or muskrat. At times he seemed to live in waters and
marshes around him, building his cabin where it was accessible
only to a canoe.
"A century and more after the founding of Detroit, the
farms still cling lovingly to the river banks, and a mile back from
the stream was still seen the untouched forest. The troops who
came from Ohio to Detroit in 18 12, found only one muddy road,
winding along between stream and wood, a situation which
offered the lurking savage every opportunity for ambush and
attack. What roads there were, the water-loving habitant despised ;
but over his rough highways he jogged merrily to market with a
two-wheeled Norman cart and rough, dwarfish pony, a curious
mongrel animal of unknown pedigree, but with an endurance and
possible speed w^hich delighted the simple peasant or his rollick-
ing sons.
AFFILIATED WITH THE) SAVAGES.
"It was the hardy, lawless French coureur des bois and bush-
rangers who hated England cordially, and pushing their way into
this coveted country, readily affiliated with the savages and
influenced them to hate English, and to look upon the French as
HAPPY FRENCH HABITANT. 1 27
their allies. They many times adopted Indian habits, took to
wife daughters of their savage friends, and raised a brood of
half-breed children.
"When the time came to change French for English control
the Indians, it is said, reluctantly consented, and d5wn to the mid-
dle of the last century, although the British were generally pre-
ferred to the Americans, the French were greatly preferred to
either.
" 'Whatever may have been the reason,' said Governor Cass,
'the fact is certain that there is in the French character peculiar
adaptations to the habits and feelings of the Indians, and to this
day the period of French domination is the era of all that is happy
in Indian reminiscences.' " (Historical Sketches of Michigan.)
LOVED BY the; INDIANS.
At the Sault de Ste. Marie in 1826 a Chippewa chief, address-
ing the American agent, thus pathetically referred to' the happy
days of the French dominion in the west : "When the French-
men arrived at these falls they came and kissed us. They called
us children, and we found them fathers. We lived like brethren
in the same lodge, and we had always the wherewithal to clothe
us. They never mocked at our ceremonies, and they never
molested the places of our dead. Seven generations of men have
passed away, but we have not forgotten it. Just, very just, were
they towards us." Mrs. Jameson's "Winter Studies."
Detroit's early days.
In his "Life of Cass" Professor Andrew McLaughlin says :
Seventy-five years ago Detroit was still a French settlement.
The few Scotch who came in during the later years of the English
domination affiliated with the French and appreciated their con-
servatism. In consequence of this ancestry there has always been
a steadiness and sobrietv in business and a caution and reserve in
society. It has not felt until a comparative recent period the stir
of American life, as has Buffalo, or Cleveland, placed in* the heart
of 'New Connecticut.' It can scarcely be doubted that conserva-
tive French Catholicism has had its influence in giving peculiar
tone and setting a dignified pace. It is true that after Detroit
had been ostensibly an American city for forty years, the intro-
duction of New England life gave the town a look of prosperity
128 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
and activity which was lacking to the Canadian towns across the
river. Not long ago, easily within the memory of men now living
in Detroit, the well-to-do French peasant held his acres and
refused twice their value or demanded perhaps that the city put
a rail fence on each side of the street, which eminent domain had
forced through his land. For a long time Detroit was practically
Michigan.
"Down to 1763 the city grew slowly. In the time of the Eng-
lish domination there came a few English traders and a few canny
Scotch, with their habits of thrift and deftness. But the French
habitant does not allow his ease to be interfered with. Every-
where the world presents the same roseate hue to his contented
vision. After 1796 some Americans making their way into the
territory jostle him about a little, insist on trial by jury, talk to
him of popular elections and other incomprehensive problems,
suggest the idea that Detroit may become a great commercial
center.
''When winter set in, the people gave themselves up to pleas-
ure-seeking. Their shaggy ponies, which had been allowed all
summer long to roam the woods or scamper uncontrolled along
the river banks, now became their special pride. The swiftest of
the herd was dearly cherished; and the highest ambition of the
farmer was to drive the fastest horse. The frozen 'river was the
theater of delights, or the 'Grand Marais' a few miles above the
city, swollen with autumn rains, offered its icy attractions. Sun-
day, as in most Catholic countries, was a day for enjoyment as
well as solemn worship, and Saturday was generally an occasion
of unrestrained merry-making. Sleigh-riding, dancing, feasting
and uncontrolled levity filled up the passing winter weeks. A sum-
iner's providence was easily lost in a winter's mild dissipation."
In 1817 the Gazette thus encouraged the French to effort:
"Frenchmen of the territory of Michigan, you ought to begin
immediately to give an education to your children. In a little time
there will be in this territory as many Yankees as French, and if
you do not have your children educated the situations will all be
given to the Yankees."
The French were exasperating to the busy Yankee, for they
never did today what could be delayed till the morrow.
JHAPPY FRE^NCH HABITANT. 1 29
diffe:re:d from other settlers.
The late Bela Hubbard, in his "Memorials of a Half a Cen-
tury," in regard to the French habitant, has this to say : "I have
alluded to one trait in which the French emigres di'ffered widely
from the English and Spanish settlers in America — their friendli-
ness towards the aboriginal inhabitants. This kindly disposition
was appreciated by the Indians ; so that the two races, whenever
they fairly understood each other, lived in peace together.
"I am not aware that intermarriages were frequent, or that
this relationship was often entered into by the peasantry of this
part of Canada. It was common enough at the remoter parts,
down even to times within my personal knokledge. The Indian
trader, whether Frenchman, Scotsman or Yankee, prompted partly
by interest, usually took to himself an Indian wife. At such
places as Mackinac and Sault Ste. Marie, half-breeds were quite
numerous, as they had been at Detroit at an earlier day. The class
known as voyageurs — the coureurs de bois of the older times —
had become to a very considerable extent of mixed blood. The
licentious lawlessness of those wild wood-rangers was not only
well known, but was a subject of much complaint at a very early
day. Certain it is, that in many points there was greater assimi-
lation between the natives and the people from France than was
the case with the emigrants from any other civilized country. In
several excursions which I made between 1836 and 1840, in the
wilderness portions of Michigan, and along the large streams and
channels, it was not uncommon to find the solitary lodge of a
Frenchman, with his squaw wife, and sometimes two wives, and
a troop of half-breed children. They lived more like Indians than
white people, associated chiefly with them, and depended on
fishini?-."
it
THL WINNING OF THE WL5T/'
FRONTIERSMEN IN THESE PARTS LED ADVENTUROUS
LIVES IN THE EARLY DAYS.
GEORGE CROGHAN, of Pennsylvania, Sir William John-
son's sub-commissioner, made a visit to the west in 1765,
for the purpose of establishing more friendly relations be-
tween the English and the more distant western tribes.
He says : *'We arrived at Detroit on the 17th of August, in
the morning, and went to the fort, which is a large stockade,
inclosing about eighty houses. It stands close on the north side of
the river, on a high bank, commands a very pleasant prospect for
nine miles above and nine miles below the fort. The country is
thickly settled with French. Their plantations are generally laid
out about three or four acres in breadth on the river and eighty
acres in depth. The soil is good, producing plenty of grain.
All the people here are generally poor wretches, and consist
of three or four hundred French families, a lazy, idle people,
depending chiefly on the savages for subsistence. Though
the land, with little labor, produces plenty of grain, they
scarcely raise as much as will supply their wants, in imita-
tion of the Indians, whose manners and customs they have
entirely adopted, and cannot subsist without them. The men,
women and children speak the Indian tongue fluently. In the
last Indian war, the most part of the French were concerned in
it (although the settlement had taken the oath of allegiance to his
Britannic majesty). They have, therefore, great reason to be
thankful to the English clemency in not bringing them to deserv^ed
punishment. Before the last Indian war, there resided three
nations of Indians at this place — the Pottawatomies, whose village
was on the west side of the river, about one mile below the fort ;
the Ottawas, on the east side, about three miles above the fort;
the Wyandottes, whose village lays on the west side, about two
miles below the fort. The former two nations have removed to a
considerable distance, and the latter still remain where they were,
and are remarkable for their good sense."
.THE WINNING OF THE WEST. I3I
BRITISH AND INDIAN ALUES.
Roosevelt in his "Winning of the West," speaking of the con-
flict for supremacy between the white element of the infant north-
west and the Indian element, says : "They would have found their
struggle with the Indians dangerous enough in itself, but there
was an added element of menace in the fact that back of the
Indians stood the British. It was for this reason that the fron-
tiersmen grew to regard as essential to their well-being the posses-
sion of the lake posts; so that it became with them a prime object
to wrest from the British, whether by force of arms or by
diplomacy, the forts they held at Niagara, Detroit and Machili-
mackinac. Detroit was the most important, for it served as the
headquarters of the western Indians, who formed for the time
being the chief bar to American advance. The British held the
posts with a strong grip, in the interest of their trades and mer-
chants. To them the land derived its chief importance from the
fur trade. This was extremely valuable, and, as it steadily
increased in extent and importance, the consequence of Detroit,
the fitting-out town for the fur traders, grew in like measure. It
was the center of a population of several thousand Canadians, who
lived by the chase and by the rude cultivation of their long, nar-
row farms ; and it was held by a garrison of three or four hundred
British regulars, with auxiliary bands of American, loyalist and
French-Canadian rangers, and above all, with a formidable but
fluctuating reserve force of Indian allies.
It was to the interest of the British to keep the American set-
tlers out of the land ; and therefore their aims were at one with
those of the Indians. All the tribes between the Ohio and the
Missouri were subsidized by them, and paid them a precarious
allegiance. Fickle, treacherous, and ferocious, the Indians at
times committed acts of outrage even on their allies, so that these
allies had to be ever on their guard ; and the tribes were often at
war with one another. War interrupted trade and cut down
profits, and the British endeavored to keep the diflferent tribes at
peace among themselves, and even with the Americans. More-
over, they always discouraged barbarities, and showed what kind-
ness was in their power to any unfortunate prisoners whom the
Indians happened to bring to their posts. But they helped the
Indians in all ways save by open military aid to keep back the
American settlers. They wished a monopoly of the fur trade ; and
132 ICARLY DAYS IN DIi:TROlT.
they endeavored to prevent the Americans from coming in to their
settlements. EngHsh officers and agents attended the Indian
councils, endeavored to attach the tribes to the British interests,
and encouraged them to stand firm against the Americans and to
insist upon the Ohio as the boundary between the w^hite man and
the red. The Indians received counsel and advice from the Brit-
ish, and drew from them both arms and munitions of war, and
while the higher British officers were usually careful to avoid com-
mitting any overt breach of neutrality, the reckless partisan lead-
ers sought to inflame the Indians against the Americans and even
at 'times accompanied their war parties.
ufej at the posts
''The life led at a frontier post like Detroit was 'marked by
sharp contrasts. The forest roundabout was cleared away, though
blackened stumps still dotted the pastures, orchards and tilled
fields. The town itself was composed mainly of the dwellings of
the French habitants ; some of them were mere hovels, others
pretty log cottages, all swarming with black-eyed children ;
while the stoutly-made, swarthy men, at once lazy and
excitable, strolled about the streets in their picturesque and
bright-colored blanket suits. There were also a few houses
of loyalist refugees, implacable Tories, stalwart men, revengeful
and goaded by the memory of many wrongs done and many suf-
fered, who proved the worst enemies of their American kinsfolk.
The few big, roomy buildings which served as store houses and
residences for the merchants were built not only for the storage
of goods and peltries, but also as strongholds in case of attack.
The heads of the mercantile houses were generally Englishmen,
but the hardy men who traversed the woods for months and for
seasons, to procure furs from the Indians, were for the most part
French. The sailors, both English and French, who manned
the vessels on the lakes, formed another class. The rough earth-
works and stockades of the fort were guarded by a few light guns.
Within, the red-coated regulars held sway, their bright uniforms,
varied here and there by the dingy huting shirt, leggings and fur
cap of some Tory ranger or French partisan leader. Indians
lounged about the fort, the stores, and the houses, begging or gaz-
ing stolidly at the troops as they drilled, at the creaking carts from
the outlying farms as they plied through the streets, at the driving
the: winning of the west. 133
to and fro from the pasture of the horses and the milch cows, or at
the arrival of a vessel from Niagara or a brigade of fur-laden
bateaux from the upper lakes.
DANGEROUS I^RIENDS.
**In their paint and cheap, dirty finery these savages did not
look very important; yet it was because of them that the British
kept up their posts in these far-off forests, beside these great
lonely waters ; it was for their sakes that they tried to stem the
inrush of the settlers of their own blood and tongue, for it was
their presence alone which served to keep the wilderness as a
game preserve for the fur merchants ; it was their prowess in war
which prevented French village and British garrison from being
lapped up like drops of water before the fiery rush of the Ameri-
can advance. The British themselves, though fighting with and
for them, loved them bi.it little; like all frontiermen, they soon
grew to look down on their mean, trivial lives — lives which nev-
ertheless strongly attracted white men of evil and shiftless, but
adventurous natures, and to which white children, torn from their
homes and brought up in the wigwams, became passionately
attached. Yet back of the drunken and lazy squalor lay an ele-
ment of the terrible, all the more terrible because it could not be
reckoned with. Dangerous and treacherous allies, upon whom
no real dependence could ever be placed, the Indians were never-
theless the most redoubtable of all foes when war was waged in
their own gloomy woodlands."
THE IRON MEN OF THE BORDER.
ADVENTURES AND TRIALS OF THE EARLY SETTLERS IN
THIS SECTION— INDIAN ATROCITIES.
IN the early conflict for supremacy I do not think it out of place
to recount some of the struggles, trials and hardships these
men of iron endured in ''Winning the West," gathered from
various sources, and before which the widely heralded accounts
of expeditions to the Klondike in search of gold pale into insignifi-
cance.
The times were hard in the early days, and they called for
men of flinty fiber. Those of the softer, gentler mood would have
failed amidst such surroundings. The iron men of the border
had a harsh and terrible task allotted to them, and, though going
through dreadful scenes and privations, they never faltered, and
wrested this fair land from the dominion of the cruel and remorse-
less savage, and left it as a heritage to the present owners, who
today are scarcely mindful of the splendid gift and the immunity
from harm that they enjoy, from within or without, contrasting
today with those of the early troublous ones.
The late Judge B. F. H. Witherell, writing of the early days,
says :
A DARING l^^AT.
''When the United States troops took Maiden, during the
war of 1812, they found in one of the government buildings,
securely packed away, hundreds of human scalps, nicely dressed,
and put up in packages of twenty each, and artistically ornamented
with various colored ribbons. The scalps were from the soft, silky
hair of the infant to the gray and white hair of the aged man and
woman.
"A halfbreed Pottawattamie chief, by the name of Robinson,
was present at the surrender of the fort at Chicago at the end of
the last war with England, and, being somewhat friendly with
the American troops, he used his influence to prevent their mas-
sacre. He succeeded, however, in saving only Captain Helm,
the; iron men ok the border. 135
the commandant, and his wife. During the confusion that fol-
lowed the first volley fired by the Indians, and partly covered by
the smoke, he succeeded in placing Captain Helm and his wife in
a bark canoe that he had concealed in that vicinity, and carried
them to Mackinac, navigating the whole length of Lake Michigan
in a bark canoe, and keeping out of sight of land nearly the whole
distance for fear of roving bands of Indians."
Probably the whole history of the Western country does not
furnish a more daring feat than this.
I must confess this is a silver lining to the cloud, for the
Indians massacred nearly the entire garrison.
INCIDENTS 01? THE WAR OE 1813.
"Immediately after the defeat of General Winchester on the
Raisin, which occurred on the 226. of January, A. D. 181 3, all the
prisoners that were able to travel were taken to Maiden ; the
badly wounded were indiscriminately murdered by the tomahawk,
rifle and fire. Our fellow citizen, Oliver Bellair, Esq., at that
time a boy, resided with his parents at Maiden. He states that
when the prisoners, some three or four hundred in number, arrived
in Maiden, they were pictures of misery. A long, cold march
from the states in mid-winter, camping out in the deep snow, the
hard-fought battle and subsequent robbery of their effects, left
them perfectly destitute of any cornforts.
"Many of the prisoners were also slightly wounded ; the
blood, dust and smoke of battle were yet upon them.
"At Maiden they were driven into an open woodyard, and
without tents or covering of any kind, thinly clad, they endured
the bitter cold of a long January night ; but they were soldiers qi
the republic and suffered without murmuring at their hard lot.
"They were surrounded by a strong chain of sentinels to
prevent their escape, and to keep off the savages who pressed hard
to enter the inclosures. The inhabitants of the village at night,
in large numbers, sympathizingly crowded around and thus fav-
ored the escape of a few prisoners.
"Mr. Bellair tells rrie that at the time these prisoners were
brought into Maiden, the village presented a horrible spectacle.
The Indians had cut off the heads of those that had fallen in battle
and massacre, to the number of a hundred or more, had brought
them to Maiden and had stuck them in rows on the top of a high
136 EARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
picket fence; and there they stood, their matted locks deeply
stained with their own gore — their eyes wide open, staring out
upon the multitude, exhibiting all varieties of features ; some with
a pleasant smile ; others who had probably lingered long in mortal
agony, had a scowl of defiance, despair or revenge ; and others
wore the appearance of deep distress or sorrow — they may have
died thinking of their far-ofif wives and children and friends,
and pleasant homes whick they would visit no more ; the winter's
frost had fixed their features as they died, and they changed not.
' '*The savages had congregated in great numbers and had
brought back with them from the bloody banks of the Raisin, and
other parts of our frontier, immense numbers of scalps, strung
upon poles, among which might be seen the soft, silky locks of
young children, the ringlets and tresses of fair maidens, the bur-
nished locks of middle life and the silver gray of old age. The
scalps were hung, some twenty together, on a pole ; each was
extended by a small hoop around the edge and they were all
painted red on the flesh side and were carried about the town to
the music of the war-whoop and scalp-yell."
"That the British government did not attempt to restrain the
savages, is well known ; on the contrary they were instigated to
these barbarous deeds. Among the papers of General Proctor,
captured at the battle of the Thames, was found a letter from
General Brock to Proctor, apparently in answer to one asking
whether he should restrain the Indians. The reply was, 'The
Indians are necessary to his majesty's service and must be in-
dulged.'
'In another communication, the judge says:
'Captain Knaggs, of Monroe, pointed out to me the cellars
of buildings in which our wounded soldiers, who were made pris-
oners at the battle of the Raisin, were burned. They are within
a few yards of the brick house on the left, as you approach the
north bank of the River Raisin from Detroit. One of them yet
remains uncovered.
"Mr. Campau, who, at the time of the battle, lived and yet
lives, about a quarter of a mile from the burned buildings, vividly
describes the scene — the shrieks of agony, and the howls of
despair, that went up to heaven, as the fierce flames rapidly envel-
oped the burning buildings. Though covered with wounds, many
of the prisoners were able to crawl to the doors to avoid the raging
<<i
iit
THE IRON MEN OF THE BORDER. 137
fires; but the bullet and the battle-ax met them there and at once
ended their miseries. The voices of all were soon stilled in death ;
and their bones lay bleaching in the sun and storm. The Indians
forbade the inhabitants to bury them under pain of death.
*'A soldier made prisoner at the battle was taken to Mr. Cam-
pau's house by the Indians. Some apples were handed to them.
The prisoner happened to receive his first. This was a mortal
affront, and the poor fellow was instantly seized, dragged to the
door and cut down on the steps.
^'Another soldier had hid in a haystack. He was discovered
by an Indian boy, who informed the Indians at Campau'^ bouse.
With a fierce whoop they started for him. Campau called out,
'Chief, give me your word to save that man !'
" 'I give it !' said the chief, and this saved the poor fellow
from certain death.
"It were endless to relate all the tales of blood that were wit-
nessed on the frontier. The lives of the French inhabitants, in
consideration of their former kindnesses to the Indians were gen-
erally spared and they exerted themselves to the utmost in behalf
of the sufifering captives and saved many from untimely graves.
Forty years have passed away, and the regent, with all his min-
isters, who employed the savages, and stimulated them to such
atrocious deeds, together with most of the immediate actors in
the scenes, have passed to that great tribunal to meet their count-
less victims, where the crimes of the one and the sufferings of the
other have been registered for the final reckoning."
IN DAYS OF OLD.
WHEN INDIANS AND OTHER ENEMIES HARASwSED PEACE-
FUL INHABITANTS HEREABOUTS— INTERESTING
TALES.
44 T N 1813-14, after the battle of the Thames, and the appoint-
I ment of General Cass to be governor of the territory, the
hostile Indians were everywhere committing depredations
on the inhabitants. The lives of the Way-we-te-go-che (French
people) were generally spared, because, during peace, they had
been universally kind to the Indians ; had relieved their distress,
fed them when hungry, clothed them when naked, and sheltered
them by their firesides from the winter storms — these things they
remembered ; but though they spared their lives, stern necessity
compelled them, as they said, to take all their means of living.
All their cattle were killed and their horses taken away ; the fences
around their land were used for firewood ; the fruit from their
orchards was carried ofT, and, in fact, they were left totally desti-
tude.
"Knowing their readiness to take up arms for their country
and the patriotic spirit that animated them, the government, at the
instance of General Cass, supplied them with the necessaries of
life from the public stores until they could raise something from
the earth to subsist on.
"This was a slow process for a people without cattle, without
teams, without fences. But they murmured not ; they looked upon
it as the fate of war and cheerfully submitted to it.
"As to the Yankee portion of our population, it was compar-
atively small and with the Indians it stood on a different footing.
All these were either put to death, when in their power, without
mercy, or were carried into captivity.
"Mr. McMillan, a respectable citizen, whose widow and chil-
dren are yet among us, was shot down and scalped, while out on
the common after his cow, and one of his children was taken pris-
oner and carried to Saginaw, as before mentioned. On the same
IN DAYS OF OI.D. 1 39
day a chief and his two sons, seeing old Mr. Moran and his son
getting rails near the border of the woods, approached with
stealthy tread, and when near enough drew their rifles and took
deliberate aim. There was but a hair's breadth between the
Morans and death. At this critical moment the old gentleman
turned the side of his face towards the Indians. The old chief
knew him at once, by his crooked nose, to be his former friend.
He whistled, the rifles dropped and the Indians went ofif. After
the peace they told Uncle Lewis that his nose had saved his life.
FIGHTING W^ITH THi; INDIANS.
*'The forest within sight of the city w^as filled with these
marauding bands and they were daily seen from the city, killing
cattle, driving oflf horses, etc.
"Colonel Croghan built a little fort, which is yet standing, I
think, on Judge Sibley's land, near the Pontiac road, to keep the
Indians from the common, and then fired into it from Fort Shelby,
to see whether or not he would be able to drive the Indians out
if they should take it. There was too small a garrison at Fort
Shelby to risk it or any part of it in an Indian fight. Governor
Cass called upon the citzens to come and follow him.
''Detroit then was but a small town and had but few inhab-
itants, but they were of the right sort. They gathered together
at the summons of the general, armed in all manner of ways —
muskets, fowling pieces, rifles, sabers, tomahawks, etc., but still
armed and willing to use their arms with General Cass at their
head, for he always was there.
"They went up the river about a mile, and there took to the
woods, intending to gain the rear of the Indian force, but their
scouts were on the alert, and when the citizens reached the Indian
camp they had just quitted it. A fire was opened upon them,
however ; one Indian, only, was known to be killed ; how many
others were killed or wounded was never known. The Indians
effected a retreat, followed by the party, for some distance — the
dense forest and thick underbrush, however, prevented a rapid
pursuit on horseback.
"After returning, the party w^ere informed that the Indians
were hanging on the borders of a settlement below, near the River
Rouge. General Cass and his party proceeded to that part of the
country, and the Indians fled. He afterwards, with the citizens,
140 EARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
marched toward the settlements on the CHnton River, which were
menaced by the enemy, and the savages again retired and fled to
Saginaw.
''His constant, unremitting vigilance and energetic conduct
saved our people from many of the horrors of war, and he was
well sustained by our habitants. They w^ere brave and fearless
to a fault ; the Indian yell and the war-whoop had no terrors for
them; when they heard it in battle they invariably returned it,
and rushed upon the enemy, as they did at Monguagon, under the
gallant Dequindre. They had great confidence in General Cass,
and willingly followed him into any danger.
"Horses were very scarce, and it was with great difficulty
that enough were obtained for the expedition. General Cass had
several, and his were readily and willingly furnished ; one mag-
nificent horse, ridden by one of the bravest fellows in all the west
(the late William Meldrum), was accidentally killed during the
expedition.
THE Indian's conscience.
"Among the unpleasant incidents of the early days of our city
were the numerous brawls and quarrels of the Indians.
"Murders, not alone of the whites, but of their ow'n people,
also, were frequently committed by the Indians. Being almost at
all times drunk, it is not to be wondered at that they so easily and
so often immured their hands in human blood.
"In the winter of 1812, on the afternoon of a day in January,
a Chippewa was found in the street of Detroit nearly dead from a
cut in his head from a tomahawk. Kish-kaw-ko, a notorious war
chief, dreaded fof his many atrocious murders, was suspected of
the crime. He was sought after and found, with his son, Big
Beaver ; the latter had his father's tomahawk, which was stained
with blood. When he was arrested, he said the blood was from
some meat he had been cutting. Both went quietly to prison, when
told it was the wish of General Cass that they should go there.
The governor's jury found a verdict of guilty against Big Beaver,
as the principal in the murder, and Kish-kaw-ko as accessory.
"The Indians remained in jail until May, when Kish-kaw-ko
was found dead one morning in his cell. A jury of inquest
returned a verdict of death from natural causes, but from circum-
stances afterward ascertained it was rendered probable that he
had poisoned himself. The night before, one of his wives brought
IN DAYS O^ OLD. . 14I
him a small cup ; then went away. Soon after a number of Indi-
ans called to see him, and held a long conference, and when they
went away he took leave of them with great solemnity and affec-
tion. After they left, Kish-kaw-ko asked the jailor to give him
some liquor, a request which he had never made before. At an
early hour the next morning the people who had visited him the
evening previous came again and asked to see him.
"When they found him dead they appeared delighted and as
if gratified to find their expectations realized. All but a few of his
band started immediately for Saginaw. Those who remained
performed the funeral ceremonies. He was buried by moonlight
in an orchard on a farm near the city."
HE I^OUND THE HATCHET SHARP.
The Moravian missionaries arrived in Detroit in 1781, when
the Indians held a war council in the presence of those mission-
aries and De Peyster, the commandant. The Indian chief, known
as Captain Pike, told De Peyster that the English might fight
the Americans if they wished ; they had raised the quarrel among
themselves and it was they who should fight it out. The English
had set him on the Americans just as a hunter sets his dog on the
game, but the Indians would play the dog's part no longer.
Kish-kaw-ko and another warrior stood by the British com-
mandant. The former carried a hickory cane about four feet long,
ornamented — or, rather, strung with scalps of Americans, together
with a tomahawk, presented to him by De Peyster, some time pre-
viously. He concluded his address to the commandant thus :
"Now, father, here is what has been done with the hatchet
you gave me. I have made the use of it you ordered me to do,
and have found it sharp."
A few days after this council the Moravians left Detroit for
their new homes on the Riviere aux Hurons (Clinton).
The English at Detroit, it appears, suspecting that a certain
set of pious Moravians on the Muskingum River were sympa-
thizers with the Americans, called a conference of the tribes at
Niagara, and urged the fierce Iroquois to destroy the Moravian
Indians. But they failed to see where such a massacre would
benefit themselves and would not fall in with the measure. The
conference at Detroit, it will be seen, met with like result.
142 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
A F'EJROCIOUS CHIEF.
"He was one of the most ferocious and bloodthirsty chiefs of
modern times. His influence with his people was great, although
he was unpopular. He was tall and athletic, and of great decision
of character. He was always attended by a large retinue when
he visited Detroit; was peculiar for carrying his war-ax on his
left arm, tightly grasped by his right hand, as if in the expectation
of striking. His disposition may be learned from the following:
"One of his band killed another, at Saginaw. The friends of
the victim were clamorous for revenge. The murderer's friends
were desirous of saving him from their vengeance and negotiated
for his life. The conditions were agreed upon and the property
offered in fulfillment of the bargain was about to be delivered,
when Kish-kaw-ko stepped up and struck the murderer dead with
his tomahawk. When ask^ why he interrupted the proceedings
and interfered with their lawful agreements, he merely said : 'The
law is altered.'
"Big Beaver, like his father, was a powerful and muscular
savage, and one day, when the jailor's son went to see him, he
seized him, thrust him to one side, just as he opened the door of
his cell, locked the door on him, and escaped to the woods. He
was never retaken, but was, not long afterwards, drowned in
Saginaw Bay."
he; was a brave man.
Referring again to General Cass, and the fearlessness and
decision displayed in his dealings with the Indians, "Early West-
ern Days" (by Judge B. F. H. Witherell, in the Wisconsin Histor-
ical Collections), records: ^
"In 1820 General Cass was detailed by the war department to
make a treaty with the Chippewa Indians, for a tract of land at
the outlet of Lake Superior for a military post.
"General Cass took along fifteen or twenty soldiers. Arriving
at the straits he sent out runners to inform the Indians of his
arrival and business.
"On the day appointed about 600 Indians assembled, a major-
ity of them from the north of the straits. A council was called.
General Cass explained at length the object of his visit, which
was to obtain, for the Great Father at Washington, a certain dis-
trict, or county, upon which to build a fort, where the traders
could be protected, etc.
IN DAYS OF OLD. 1 43
"Robinson was uneasy. He noticed that the Indians were
mad ; they did not look right ; and when General Cass had con-
chided his speech, one of the chiefs rose and, in reply, said he did
not like the Americans ; he did not like the Great Father at Wash-
ington, and that they would not sell him any of their lands, and
that if he (General Cass) and his soldiers did not leave they would
be killed. The chief then reached back, took a spear with a cloth
around it from another Indian, stuck the shaft into the ground
and the British flag spread in the breeze to the music of the war-
whoop of the entire band.
"General Cass instantly stepped up and took the staff in his
hand, jerked it out of the ground, tore oft' the flag, threw it down
and ground it with his heel, fairly hissing out with rage :
" 'As long as I live that flag shall not float in my presence on
this side -of the great lakes!'
" 'Then,' said Robinson, 'I was afraid. I expected they would
kill us right off.'
"But not another word was spoken for some minutes. Gen-
eral Cass and the chief stood looking at each other. At length
the chief advanced towards Cass, took him by the hand, and said :
" 'The Great Father at Washington can have the land he
wants.'
"The land was selected and a treaty was signed without any
further difticulty.
"General Cass," said Robinson, "was the bravest man I ever
saw."
EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
WALK-IN-THE-WATER, FAMOUS WYANDOTTE CHIEF, AND
THE DEATH OF THE GREAT TECUMSEH.
WALK-IN-THE-WATER, the great chief of the Wyan-
dottes, resided at Monguagon (Wyandotte) on the place
where the late Major John Biddle built his farm house
and resided for several years. Walk-in-the- Water's totem was
a turtle (because it walked in the water). He was a famous chief
in his day, of fine commanding person, nearly six feet in hight,
well proportioned and straight as an arrow. He had none of the
ferocious, morose and savage manner that characterized the great
chief of the Chippewas, Kish-Kaw-Ko ; he was mild in his deport-
ment and appeared pleasant and sociable with those who could
converse with him in the Wyandotte language. He could speak
only a few words of English. He was highly respected by the
whites who knew him and his own people respected him for his
wisdom and prudence in council and for his valor in war.
He led his warriors against General Wayne, whom the
Indians generally called General Waw-bunk (or General Tomor-
row). Nearly all the warriors of his tribe that followed him to
that battle, fell in the action, and he barely escaped. After the
defeat of Harmer and St. Clair, the old inhabitants used to say,
that long poles strung with the scalps of our soldiers were daily
paraded through the streets of Detroit, then a British post, accom-
panied by the demoniac scalp yells of the warriors who had taken
them — but after the battle of the Maumee, not a scalp was seen ;
the bayonets of the Tub-Regions roused them so rapidly from
their coverts that they with difficulty brought off their own scalps.
After the commencement of the war of 1812, and after Gen-
eral Hull had arrived at this post, Walk-in-the- Water and his
Wyandottes asked to be employed in the service of the United
States. General Hull, under orders from the government, declined
and advised them to remain in peace at home. They were soon
after exposed to the attacks of the British troops and their Indian
^ARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT. 1 45
allies from Maiden — these threatened the Wyandottes with exter-
mination unless they would raise the tomahawk for the Saga-nosh
(the British). The late Judge James Witherell, who had been
an officer of the revolutionary army, at the request of the execu-
tive, accepted the command of a battalion of volunteers in the
service of the United States. He strongly urged upon General
Hull the necessity of establishing a stockade at Monguagon or
Brownstown, with a garrison strong enough to resist any sudden
attack, for the double purpose of keeping up the communication
with Ohio, and to aid the Wyandottes in protecting themselves;
the general at last consented and ordered him to take a few com-
panies of troops with entrenching tools and proceed in boats to
Monguagon or Brownstown for that purpose. The boats were
got ready, the entrenching tools were on board, and the troops
embarked, when the vacillating course, which characterized the
whole of General Hull's conduct, again showed itself and the fol-
lowing order was received :
Major Withe:re:i.l :
Sir — General Hull has ordered me to call for the entrench-
ing tools you have in your charge or can obtain, including those
that were delivered to go to Brownstown ; you will be so good as
to deliver to the bearer. Tayi^gr Be;rry, Q. M.
July 2."], 18 1 2. .
After awhile he again induced the general to make the
attempt to establish a post an^ to open the communication with
Ohio. And he was again ordered to proceed with his own com-
mand, Dequindre's Rifles, Smith's Dragoons, Forsyth's Artillery,
and some companies of the Fourth United States Infantry and a
few Ohio Volunteers. They set out for Ohio, expecting to meet
the enemy below the Ecorse. On reaching the Rouge General
Hull sent an aid with the following order :
Sandwich, 3d August, 1812.
Sir — I have received your letter of this day. I wish you to
cross the River Rouge with your main force, until I send a rein-
forcement or vmtil you hear from me ; take an advantageous posi-
tion on this side of the River Rouge, and remain until you receive
further orders. I am respectfully yours,
William Hull,
B. Genl. Commanding.
iO
146 EJARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Walk-in-the- Water and his warriors soon discovered that
they were to receive no protection or assistance, and being too few
to defend themselves, they joined the enemy, though their hearts
were never with the British.
The next year (1813) Tanke, the Crane, one of the great
chiefs of the Wyandottes, Hving with a part of his tribe in Ohio,
and who had joined General Harrison, dispatched one of his trusty
warriors to the Wyandottes in Maiden, requesting them to leave
the British service and return home. The delivery of such a mes-
sage in the camp of the enemy required a high degree of integrity
and moral courage, yet the brave fellow ''threaded the forest, and
swam the rivers" and alone entered the camp of the enemy, and
in a bold manner and fearless tone delivered his message. The
Wyandottes knew that open compliance would be impossible —
instant death would have been their lot — and they returned a
negative answer, but sent a band of their bravest warriors to pro-
tect the messengers of the Crane, until he reached the Black
Swamp, and was in safety. The Wyandottes gradually disap-
peared from the British service.
Following the treaty of Brownstown Walk-in-the-Water,
after some urging, gave to the late Judge Witherell his opinion of
the origin and creation of the earth, etc. It shows that he had
mingled biblical revelations with his pagan ideas.
Walk-in-the-Water died about the year 18 17. He was a man
of strong mind and sound common sense, and had he been an edu-
cated white man he would have risen to a high position in the
nation ; yet how dark, bewildered and crude were his ideas of the
creation and final destiny of man.
THE GREAT TECUMSEH.
As Tecumseh was somewhat before my time (as also was
Kish-Kaw-Ko). I only relate some incidents in regard to him
picked up from various sources, that I think will be found to be
rather new ; also James Knaggs' sworn statement and affidavit,
furnished to General Cass, Detroit, September 28, 1853, ^^ regard
to the death of Tecumseh, and who killed him, found among the
papers of the late Judge B. F. H. Witherell. Mr. Knaggs claimed
to be an eye-witness of the affair.
Tecumseh was not only an accomplished military commander,
but a natural statesman and diplomat. A strong natural charac-
EJARLY DAYS IN DETROIT. . 147
teristic was exhibited by him at the council, held by General Har-
rison at Vincennes in 181 1. Tecumseh had heard the demands
and charges, and in reply made some striking hits at the general.
Having finished one of his speeches he looked around, and seeing
every one seated, while no seat was prepared for him, a moment-
ary frown passed over his countenance. Instantly General Har-
rison ordered that a chair be given him. One of the officers pre-
sented one, and bowing to him said :
"Warrior, your father. General Harrison, offers you a seat."
Tecumseh's eyes flashed. "My father!" he exclaimed indig-
nantly, extending his arm toward the heavens, "the sun is my
father and the earth is my mother ; she gives me nourishment and
I repose upon her bosom," and then sat down upon the ground.
General Brock at one time took the sash from his own waist,
and placed it around the body of Tecumseh, who seemingly appre-
ciated the honor, but the next day he was observed not to be
wearing his sash, and General Brock, fearing that something had
displeased him, sent his interpreter for an explanation. On report-
ing, the latter said that Tecumseh did not wish to wear a mark of
distinction, while there was an older and better warrior than him-
self present and hence he had transferred the sash to the Wyan-
dotte chief, Roundhead.
The following was found in the diary of a British officer :
"In the skirmish in which my command and a party of our
allies were engaged with the Americans, one of their officers was
wounded, when two Indians rushed in to take his scalp. The
American officer, bethought himself to give a Masonic signal,
when one of the Indians immediately sprang forward and caught
him in his arms. The Indian was Tecumseh."
TiHE: DEATH OF TECUMSEH.
Here follows the affidavit in regard to the death of Tecumseh :
Detroit, September 28, 1853.
"General Cass: Dear Sir — I read with interest your
remar*ks in the senate of the United States, last winter, relative to
the death of Tecumseh, in which you expressed the opinion that
he fell by the hand of Colonel Johnson.
Honorably and actively engaged as you were in all the stir-
ring events of the war of 1812, on this frontier, your opinion,
148 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
made up from circumstances at the time, and being yourself on
the field of battle, is entitled to great weight.
The affidavit of Captain James Knaggs, with whom, as with
nearly all our old citizens, I believe, you are acquainted, will, I
think, set the question at rest.
Being at the River Raisin a few days since, I called on Cap-
tain Knaggs, who was a brave and intrepid soldier, in the Ranger
service.
He stated to me all the circumstances of the battle on the
Thames, as far as they came within his knowledge, and at my
request, he made an affidavit (a copy of which I herewith send
you), narrating so much of the action as is connected with the
death of the great chief. .
Colonel Johnson stated at the time, and afterwards often
reiterated it, that he killed an Indian with his pistol, who was
advancing upon him at the time his horse fell under him. The
testimony of Captain Knaggs shows conclusively that it could
have been no other than Tecumseh.
Colonel Johnson, when last here, saw and recognized Captain
Knaggs and Mr. Labadie as the men who bore him from the field
in his blanket.
The transaction is of some little importance in history, as the
ball that bore with it the fate of the great warrior dissolved at once
the last great Indian confederacy, and gave peace to our frontier.
I am, respectfully yours, etc., B. F. H. Withkrell.
State of Michigan, County of Monroe, ss.
James Knaggs deposeth and saith as follows :
I was attached to a company of mounted men called Rangers,
at the battle of the Thames, in Upper Canada, in the year 18 13.
During the battle, we 'charged into the swamp, where several of
our horses mired down, and an order was given to retire to the
hard ground in our rear, which we did. The Indians in front,
believing that we were retreating, immediately advanced upon us,
with Tecumseh at their head. I distinctly heard his voice, with
which I was perfectly familiar. He yelled like a tiger, and urged
on his braves to the attack. We were then but a few yards apart.
We halted on the hard ground, and continued our fire. After a
few minutes of very severe firing, I discovered Colonel Johnson
lying near, on the ground, with one leg confined by the body of his
SARLY DAYS IN DETROIT. 1 49
white mare, which had been killed, and had fallen upon him. My
friend, Medard Labadie, was with me. We went up to the colonel,
with whom we were previously acquainted, and found him badly
wounded, lying on his side, with one of his pistols lying in his
hand. I saw Tecumseh at the same time, lying on his face, dead;
and about fifteen or twenty feet from the colonel. He was
stretched at full length, and was shot through the body, I think,
near the heart. The ball went out through his back. He held his
tomahawk in his right hand (it had a brass pipe on the,head of
it) ; his arm was extended as if striking, and the edge of the toma-
hawk was stuck in the ground. Tecumseh was dressed in red
speckled leggings and a fringed hunting shirt; he lay stretched
directly towards Colonel Johnson. When we went up to the col-
onel, we offered to help him. He replied with great animation.
"Knaggs, let me lay here, and push on and take Proctor." How-
ever, we liberated him from his dead horse, took hs blanket from
his saddle, placed him in it, and bore him off the field. I had
known Tecumseh from my boyhood ; we were boys together.
There was no other Indian killed immediately around where Col-
onel Johnson or Tecumseh lay, though there were many near the
small creek a few rod*s back of the place where Tecumseh fell.
I had no doubt then, and have none now, that Tecumseh fell
by the hand of Colonel Johnson. James Knaggs.
Sworn to before me this 226. day of September, 1853.
B. F. H. WlTHEREIvIv,
Notary Public.
Tecumseh left a son about 17 years of age, when he was slain,
to whom King George HI., in 1814, sent a present of a sword as
a mark of respect to the memory of his father.
When Colonel Richard M. Johnson was running for vice-
president I heard him deliver a campaign speech here from the
balcony of the Russell House, and during the speech some one in
the crowd cried out, "Who killed Tecumseh?"
''Well," the colonel said, ''while the battle was progressing
(referring to the battle of the Thames) "I saw a stalwart Indian
warrior approaching me with uplifted tomahawk. I was mounted,
and, drawing a pistol from my holsters, shot him dead. On exam-
ining the fallen Indian, they all averred that it was Tecumseh, and
I have never doubted but that it was."
150 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
JOSEPH CAMPAU, THE FRIEND OF THE INDIANS — CHIEF MACAUNSE
A BAD INDIAN.
Macaunse was a brave and sometimes sanguinary Chippewa
chief and warrior. His home was on the border of Lake St.
Clair, L'anse Cruz Bay. I have been to his lodge in company
with my uncle, Thomas Palmer (father of the senator), when
on winter excursions to his possessions in the village of Palmer
(now St. Clair City) in 1830. The chief was well-to-do, and
entertained us with genuine hospitality. He often visited the
city, where he had many friends among the old French Inhab-
itants. Joseph Campau, Peter Desnoyers, Major Antoine De-
Quindre and others. When I came here in 1827 the half of the
first floor of Mr. Joseph Campau's residence on Jefferson Avenu'e
was devoted to a store and office, the store in front and the office
in the rear. In this store he had a small stock of Indian goods, to
supply, in a measure, the wants of his good friends, the Indians.
This he kept up until about 1840, when most of the Indians in
Michigan were removed by the government beyond the Missis-
sippi.
Mr. Campau was indeed the friend of- the red men of the
entire northwest, and they heartily returned the feeling. He could
talk their language, and every chief of note knew him intimately,
and came to him for counsel and advice. I have seen, often and
often, in the summer season, scores of them, bucks, squaws and.
pappooses, squatted on the pavement in front of his place, invad-
ing his front steps and every available space, as on their visits to
the city they always made it a point to call on their good friend,
the great ''Che-mo-Ka-Mun" (white man).
They never failed to give him an ovation every fall when on
their way to and from Maiden (Canada) to receive their presents
from the British government. It was said that he used to make a
good thing of it, trading or buying outright the articles the Indians
got at Maiden that they did not need or want. Perhaps he did.
He was not the only one.
The only chief of prominence that I remember visiting Mr.
Campau was Macaunse. I think he belonged to the Chippewa
tribe of Indians. His lodge and headquarters were on the banks
of Lake St. Clair, as before mentioned. I have seen him here very
often, and also at the village of Palmer, now St. Clair City. He
e;arly days in Detroit. 151
was a fine specimen of his class, of commanding presence, and
spoke English fairly well and on these occasions was costumed as
nearly like a white man as it was possible for an Indian to be ;
black frock coat, confined around the waist with a wampum sash,
calico hunting shirt, fringed gaudy vest, broadcloth leggins orna-
mented with beads and porcupine quills, the outer seams profusely
decorated with silver ornaments, that gave out a musical jingle
with each step he took, buckskin mocassins hooked with porcupine
quills, plug hat ornamented with a broad open worked silver band,
five or six silver ear-bobs in each ear, and a silver ring through the
cartilage of his nose. All this, added to his fine physique, made
him quite the thing.
He was a brave and sometimes sanguinary Indian, quite as
bad as the rest of his dusky companions, and any one seeing him
in his lodge dispensing his hospitality, or quietly and peacefully
mingling with friends in Detroit or in his own village would
scarcely believe that he was the murderous savage our friend
Gagette Tremble describes him to be, further on.
He was always robed, a state of existence that many of his
race could not boast of. Extravagantly fond of whisky were these
Indians, squaws as well as bucks. I have often seen the former,
when offered a drink of whisky, take a good swig of the article,
and then fill their mouths to the utmost limit, and deposit the con-
tents in a little buckskin bag that they carried for the purpose, to
enjoy at their leisure.
Among the papers of the late Judge B. F. H. Witherell I find
an account of the experience of Gagette Tremble, who lived at
Milk River point, fifteen miles above the city, on the borders of
Lake St. Clair (now included in Grosse Pointe Village), had with
Alacaunse, Kish-Kaw-Ko and their bands ; also the experience of
Richard Connor, Indian trader and interpreter, w^io lived at Con-
nor's creek, with the same savages. He goes on to say, ''His
(Tremble's) is a healthy, active, green old age. (He was hale
and hearty in 1855 at the age of 78 years, the judge says). I met
him a short time since, joyous and merry, driving his pony and
charette home from the city, his cheerful countenance beaming
with pleasure and delight. Some of the old man's adventures in
former years are worthy of notice. The enemy, as is well known,
had in 18 13 full possession of the whole territory, and all tfie
western tribes of Indians had joined them. After the defeat and
slaughter of our troops on the Raisin, Macaunse, one of the chiefs
152 ISARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
of the Chippewas, came to the house of Tremble, with a bag in his
hand, and said : 'My friend, I am hungry, I have brought you
some venison. Have some of it cooked for me.' He then emptied
the bag on the floor, shaking out the leg of one of our brave but
unfortunate soldiers who had been killed a few days before under
Winchester at the Raisin.
"Tremble's anger rose, and regardless of danger, and the fact
that he was wholly in the power of the chief and his braves, he
delivered a volley of the most opprobrious epithets that the Indian
language afforded, and with foot and fist, gave the chief a severe
pommeling, kicked him into the highway, and told him, at the
peril of his life, never to insult a Way-me-ta-goche (white man)
in that way again. The old chief threatened to kill him, but
Gagette walked fiercely up to him, looked him in the eye, and said :
'If you are a brave man, as you say you are, strike now. You are
ar;iied ; your young men are all around you ; kill me if you dare —
strike now ; but you are a coward, and no warrior. Puckachee —
go, go.' The chief never sought revenge ; he felt that Gagette
was right in his anger.
"One of Macaunse's band shot one of Tremble's hogs. Gag-
ette discovered it, hauled it to the house, dressed and salted it.
The savage begged for a piece — said he was starved, was
very hungry, and he would have a piece. 'No,' sternly said
Treroble, 'not a morsel. When did a hungry red man ever come
to my wigwam and ask for food in vain? Have I not always
divided with him when I had little ; and when I had much, did I
not satisfy his hunger, and feed him and his people? But you
come to rob and steal, and maybe to kill me. Not a bite of the
cocoche (hog) shall you have.'
" 'Well,' said the Indian, 'I'll burn your barn then.' He took
a firebrand and ran to the barn. Gagette seized his rifle and ran
after him, while the rest of the band looked on to see the result.
Arriving at the barn the Indian flourished his brand. Gagette
cocked his rifle and leveled it at his head, and cried out : 'Do it,
do' it, and you are a dead man.'
" 'Ty yaw,' said the fellow, and throwing away his fire, he
walked sullenly off. After that they never tried by force to get
any of Tremble's pigs. His fists and his rifle, and his well known
readiness to defend his property, were his protection.
"Whatever" could be stolen, however, was considered lawful
EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT. 1 53
prey. One of the most daring feats ever performed by man — one
that is not exceeded, if equaled in the history of Indian wars — was
performed by Gagette about the same time.
The late Henry Connor, so well and favorably known in the
state, was one of the Indian interpreters. The Indians called him
Waw-biS-Kin-diss, or white hair. He had once traded at Sagi-
naw, the stronghold of Kish-Kaw-Ko and his band. Connor had
in sorne way incurred the ill-will of the chief, who was impatient
for revenge ; but he feared Connor, who was a man of dauntless
courage and stalwart frame. So the old savage postponed his ven-
geance until a safe opportunity should occur.
''The war came on and Connor was ordered out of the coun-
try by General Proctor. It so happened that his wife and child
were at what is now known as Mt. Clemens. It then contained but
one dwelling house, that of the late Colonel Clemens.
''Mrs. Connor, who still survives, is the sister of Gagette.
Kish-Kaw-Ko, knowing of Connor's absence, thought that the
time for revenge had arrived, and started with his guard (he
always had some fifteen or twenty armed warriors about him) for
Mt. Clemens, with the design of murdering Mrs. Connor and her
child. It is an Indian custom to kill the nearest relation of their
enemy when he is out of their reach.
"Gagette's younger brother heard of the old chief's designs,
and immediately sent word to him of the threatened danger. He
was at work in a field, at a distance from his house when the word
was brought to him. He was ten miles from Mt. Clemens, and
felt that no time was to be lost. His sister might even then have
fallen under the war club or battle ax. He was wholly unarmed,
had on only his shirt and pants, with a blue handkerchief tied
around his head. Minutes seemed ages. He instantly leaped upon
his faithful Sorrel, as he called his pony, which happened to be
feeding near, and, without saddle or bridle, away he flew, cleared
the fences at a bound, and through swamp and forest he held his
headlong way, lashing his nag to his utmost speed, and in an
almost incredibly short space of time, his pony, covered with foam,
reached the door of the colonel's house which Kish-Kaw-Ko and
his warriors were plundering. He sprang from his horse. His
pent-up wrath was burning high as he rushed into the house. Old
Kish and his men saw him enter, and knowing his terrible violence
when justly aroused and his dauntless courage at all times, and
154 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
4
feeling moreover guilty, they instantly sat down and drew their
blankets over their heads and were silent.
"Gaggette's wrath exploded with a perfect tornado of Indian
billingsgate, he gave full scope to his anger. When his eye caught
the giant form of Kish-Kaw-Ko his wrath fairly boiled over, he
sprang upon him like a tiger, jerked his blanket from his head and
showered his blows like winter rainfall in the old chief's face, till
the blood spouted from his nose and mouth ; then, rapidly passing
to the others, he pulled away their blankets, slapped their faces,
and returning to Kish, he gave him another pounding, saying,
'You old murderer, you have^ come here to kill my sister, have
you? You cowardly old villain. You have killed women and
children. You are not afraid of squaws and pappooses, but you
fear a brave man. If you don't, here is one — try me (striking his
fist on his own bosom). Come on, coward — dog, strike. Go home
and never show a murderer's face here again. The Green Bird (a
brave chief of the Tiger band, and a deadly enemy of Kish), told
me that you were a coward and a woman. You are no warrior,
no brave.'
*'A young brother of Gagette, a mere boy, was present, and
says that he fully expected instant death, but Gagette's sudden
burst of insane fury seemed to have completely paralyzed the sav-
ages. Not one of them stirred ; but received his vigorous blows,
dealt out, right, left and center, as they were, without a word or
motion.
''Having found that Mrs. Connor had been sent in a' canoe
down the Clinton river (then called the Upper Huron) to a
place of safety, before the arrival of the Indians, Gagette gave
them a parting blessing in his own peculiar way, and telling them
that the next time they went on an expedition to murder women
and children, they would find him on hand, he mounted his Sorrel
and ambled off at a careless, easy gait, to his home on the point —
and though a quiet, peaceable citizen, he is yet ready for another
fight, if the like occasion requires it.
"Mount Clemens was then in the Indian country — there was
no white man's dwelling between that of Colonel Clemens and the
North Pole. The life of the good and brave old colonel was, dur-
ing the war, often in peril from civilized and savage foes — he was
a while in service with the Michigan troops."
EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT. 1 55
RECOLLECTIONS OF THE VISIT OF THE INDIAN CHIEF BLACK HAWK
AND HIS STALWART SON.
It was at the Mansion House in Detroit and when Colonel
Mack was landlord that I saw the Indian warrior and chief, the
celebrated Black Hawk, and party. They were here on July
Fourth, 1833, on their way home after their imprisonment in
Fortress Monroe. Black Hawk and party put up at the Mansion
House, staying there three or four days, and I had the opportunity
of seeing them often. I quote from the diary of an English gen-
tleman who was a fellow passenger on the steamer that brought
them from Buffalo.
''Black Hawk is a slight-made man, about 50 or 55 years old,
and stands five feet five or six inches tall. He is, dressed in a
short blue frock coat, white hat and leggins tied around below the
knee with garters. He carries his blanket folded under his arm.
His shirt is not very clean, and his face is of a very dark com-
plexion, much like our gypsies. The cartilages, as well as the
lobes of his ears, are loaded with glass bugle ornaments, his nose
perforated very wide between the nostrils so as to give the appear-
ance of the upper and lower mandibles of a hawk. He wears
light-colored kid gloves and walking stick with a tassel. His son
is a fine looking young man, with what might be called an open
countenance. He carries his head high and looks about him. He
is covered with a scarlet blanket or cloth and wears nothing on .his
head but a feather or two stuck in his hair, and great bunches of
bugles in his ears. His face and bosom are painted red and his
forehead either painted or tattooed with a band. His hair is
turned up in front and pompatumed. He has many ornaments
about him and little bells that jingle as he walks. The prophet is
covered with a green blanket or mantle."
As said before, I saw Black Hawk and party many times, and
must say that the Englishman has given a good pen-picture of
them. The son was, indeed, a fine specimen of the Indian athlete.
He looked, as he was, the beau ideal of the Indian warrior, a tall,
brawny, muscular fellow, and handsome, too. His scalp-lock
was twisted full of gorgeous feathers, silver medals adorned his
breast, and silver bracelets clasped his wrists and arms. A scarlet
blanket was thrown in the most negligent manner across his
shoulders, and his nether garments were plentifully ornamented
with porcupine quills and silver bobs. As he stood there on the
156 i:ari.y days in de:troit.
porch or veranda of the hotel, having taken this pose evidently for
effect, he attracted more attention than did all the rest of the
party, particularly from the female portion of the community.
But he received it all without betraying the slightest intere'fet in
what was going on around him, and without a shadow of emotion.
Indeed, they all behaved in the same manner ; that is where the
Indian of it comes in. I have seen many good specimens of the
Indian brave, but I think this son of Black Hawk excelled them
all, a noble specimen of physical beauty, a model for those who
would embody the idea of strength.
Ex-Senator Jones, in a speech made September 29, 1894,
said : "When the Black Hawk war came on in 1832, General H.
Dodge sent his adjutant and his son, H. ly. Dodge, to my home to
ask me to serve him as aid-de-camp in the war which seemed
inevitable. I readily accepted the invitation, as only a few days
before my brother-in-law, who was agent for the Indians who
were making the trouble, was killed by the red devils. They cut
off his head, his hands and his feet and then cut his heart into
chunks, which the young bucks ate, he being judged the bravest
who could swallow the largest *piece without chewing it."
Mr. J. C. Sabine, who came here in the early days, says that
he, too, saw Black Hawk and party, when here. He also says that
Senator T. W. Palmer had the proud distinction, when quite an
infant, of being held for a few moments in the old chief's arms.
His nurse had him out for an airing one morning, and they met
Black Hawk and his son, who were out for a stroll. The old chief
took notice of the child, and, taking him up in his arms, said,
''Fine pappoose, but him too dark for white pappoose," and the
senator was dark at that age, two years.
Dr. J. L. Whiting, in his reminiscences published some years
ago, says among other things, speaking of Black Hawk and his
son : "On their return from Washington they stopped a while in
Detroit. I saw them both. Young Black Hawk fell desperately
in love with a prominent society belle and wanted to honor her
by making her his squaw. She declined the proferred dignity,
for reasons best known to herself, but she never married, and is
still living in single blessedness at Mackinac."
The lady in question was Miss Sophia Biddle, daughter of
Edward Biddle, Esq., of Mackinac.
EARI.Y DAYS IN DETTROIT. 1 57
ADDITIONAL Te:STIMONY AS TO THE FINE CHARACTER OF THE)
FAMOUS INDIAN CHIEF TECUMSEH.
The command of Colonel Dudley, which consisted of 800
Kentucky militia, completely succeeded in driving the British
from their batteries on the left bank of the Maumee Rivei?
and spiking their cannon. Having accomplished this object,
his orders were to return at once to his boats and cross to
the fort; but the blind confidence which usually attends militia
when successful, proved their ruin. Although repeatedly ordered
by Colonel Dudley and warned of their danger, and called upon
from the fort to leave the ground, and although there was abun-
dant time for that purpose before the British reinforcements
arrived, yet they began a pursuit of the Indians and suffered
themselves to be drawn into an ambuscade by some feint skirmish-
ing, while the British troops and large bodies of Indians were
brought up and intercepted their return to the river. Elated with
their first success, they considered their victory as already gained,
and pursued the enemy nearly two miles into the woods and
swamps, where they were suddenly caught in a defile and sur-
rounded by double their numbers. Finding themselves in this
situation, consternation prevailed ; their line became broken and
disordered and huddled together in unresisting crowds, they were
obliged to yield to the fury of the savages.
Fortunately for these unhappy victims of their own rashness.
General Tecumseh commanded at this ambuscade, and had imbibed
since his appointment more humane feelings than his brother
Proctor. After the surrender, and when all resistance had ceased,
the Indians finding 500 prisoners at their mercy, began the work
of massacre with the most savage delight. Tecumseh sternly
forbade it and buried his tomahawk in the head of one of his
chiefs who refused obedience. This order, accompanied with his
decisive manner of enforcing it, put an end to the massacre. Of
800 men only 150 escaped. The remainder were slain or made
prisoners. ,
^ TECUMSEH S IDEAS OF JUSTICE.
Captain Knaggs, who made the affidavit in regard to the
killing of Tecumseh, is thus spoken of by the late Judge B. F. H.
Witherell :
"Captain Knaggs is a highly respected citizen of Monrge,
and was one of the most active and useful partisans during the
war of 1812. Almost innumerable and miraculous were his 'hair-
breadth 'scapes' from the savages.
158 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
*'He related to me, when I last saw him, several anecdots of
Tecumseh, which will illustrate his character. Amongst others,
he states that while the enemy was in full possession of the coun-
try, Tecumseh, with a large band of his warriors, visited the
Raisin. The inhabitants along that river had been stripped of
nearly every means of subsistence. Old Mr. Rivard, who was
lame and unable to procure a living for himself and family, had
contrived to keep out of sight of the wandering bands of savages
a pair of oxen, with which his son was able to procure a scanty
support for the family. It so happened that while at labor with
the oxen Tecumseh, who had come over from Maiden, met him
on the road, and, walking up' to him, said:
" 'My friend, I must have those oxen. My young men are
very hungry ; they have had nothing to eat. We must have the
oxen."
"Young Rivard remonstrated. He told the chief that if he
took the oxen his father would starve to death.
" 'Well,' said Tecumseh, 'we are the conquerors, and every-
thing we want is ours. I must Have the oxen ; my people must
not starve ; but I will not be so mean as to rob you of them. I
will pay you $100 for them, and that is far more than they are
worth ; but we must have them.'
"Tecumseh got a white man to write an order on the British
Indian agent, Colonel Elliot, who was on the river some distance
below, for the money. The oxen were killed, large fires built, and
the forest warriors were soon feasting on their flesh. Young
Rivard took the order to Colonel Elliot, who promptly refused to
pay it. 'We are entitled to our support from the country we
have conquered ; I will not pay it.' The young man, with a sor-
rowful heart, returned with the answer to Tecumseh, who said :
'He won't pay it, won't he? Stay all night, and tomorrow we
will go and see.' On the next morning he took young Rivard and
went down to see the colonel. On meeting him he said :
" 'Do you refuse to pay for the oxen I bought ?'
" 'Yes,' said the colonel, and he reiterated the reason for
refusal.
" 'I bought them,' said the chief, 'for my young men were
very hungry. I promised to pay for them, and they shall be paid
for. I have always h^ard that white nations went to war with
each other, and not with peaceful individuals ; that they did not
rob and plunder poor people. I will not.'
Well,' said the colonel, 'I will not pay for them.'
(I i^
e:ARLY days in DETROIT. 1 59
" *You can do as you please,' said the chief, 'but before
Tecumseh and his warriors came to fight the battfes of the great
king they had enough to eat, for which they had only to thank the
Master of Life and their good rifles. Their hunting grounds sup-
plied them with food enough ; to them they can return.'
''The threat produced a change in the colonel's mind. The
defection of the great chief, he well knew, would . immediately
withdraw all the nations of the red men from the British service,
and without them they were nearly powerless on the frontier.
" 'Well,' said the colonel, 'if I must pay, I will.'
" 'Give me hard money,' said Tecumseh, not rag money (armv
bills).
"The colonel then counted out a hundred dollars in coin, and
gave them to him. The chief handed the money to young Rivard,
and then said to the colonel :
" 'Give me one dollar more.' It was given, and, handing that
also to Rivard, he said :^ "Take that ; it will pay for the time you
have lost in getting your money.'
"How manv white warriors have such notions of justice?
Before the commencement of the war, when his hunting parties
approached the white settlements, horses and cattle were occasion-
ally stolen, but notice to the chief failed not to produt:e instant
redress.
"The character of Tecumseh was that of a gallant and
intrepid warrior, an honest and honorable man ; and his memory
is respected by all our old citizens who personally knew him."
A DESCRIPTION OE TECUMSEH.
The following letter from the late venerable General Combs,
of Kentucky, who bore so gallant a part in the defense of tho Ohio
and the Maumee valley, in regard to Tecumseh, will, I think, be
found interesting. It is copied from "The Records of the Miumee
Valley" :
Editor Historical Record : You ask for a description of the
celebrated Indian warrior, Tecumseh, from my present observa-
tion. I answer that I never saw the chief but once, and then under
rather exciting circumstances, but I have a vivid recollection of.
him from his appearance and from intercourse with his personal
friends,- 1 am possessed of accurate knowledge of his character.
I was, as you know, one of the prisoners taken at what is
known as the Dudley's defeat on the banks of the Maumee River,
opposite Fort Meigs, early in May, 1813. Tecumseh had fallen
l6o KARIvY DAYS IN DE^TROIT.
on our rear, and we were compelled to surrender. We were
marched down to the old Fort Miami, or Maumee, in squads,
where a terrible scene awaited us. The Indians, fully armed with
guns, war clubs and tomahawks — to say nothing of scalping
knives, had formed themselves into two lines in front of the gate-
way between which all of us were bound to pass. Many were
killed or wounded in running the gauntlet. Shortly after the
prisoners had entered, the Indians rushed over the walls and again
surrounded us, and raised the war-whoop, at the same time mak-
ing unmistakable demonstrations of violence. We all expected to
be massacred, and the small British guard around us were utterly
unable to afford protection. They called loudly for General Proc-
tor and Colonel Elliot to come to our relief. At this critical
moment Tecumseh came rushing in, deeply excited and denounced
the murderers of prisoners as cowards. Thus our lives were
spared and we were sent down to the fleet at the mouth of Swan
creek (now Toledo), and from that place across the end of the
lake to Huron and paroled.
I shall never forget the noble countenance, gallant bearing
and sonorous voice of that remarkable man, while addressing his
warriors in our behalf. He was then between forty and forty-five
years of age. His frame was vigorous and robust, but he was not
fat, weighing about one hundred and seventy pounds. Five feet
ten inches was his height. He had a high, projecting forehead,
and broad, open countenance ; and there was something noble and
commanding in all his actions. He was brave, humane and gen-
erous, and never allowed a prisoner to be massacred if he could
prevent it. At Fort Miami he saved the lives of all of us who had
survived running the gauntlet. He afterwards released seven
Shawanese. belonging to my command, and sent them home on
parole. Tecumseh was a Shawanese. His name signified in their
language. Shooting Star. At the time when I saw him he held the
commission of a brigadier-general in the British army. I am sat-
isfied that he deserved all that was said of him by General Cass
and Governor Harrison, previous to his death.
Lexington, Ky., October, 1871. Leslie Cxdmbs.
A STIRRING INCIDENT.
During the siege of Fort Meigs it narrowly escaped" destruc-
tion. Many of the enemy's balls were red-hot and were directed
to a small blockhouse within the fort where the powder had been
EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT. l6l
removed. Whenever their balls struck they raised a cloud of
smoke and made a frightful hissing. An officer seeing the danger
cried out, "Boys, who will volunteer to cover this blockhouse?"
No second call was needed, and a more than sufficient number
sprang to execute the officer's request. As soon as they reached
the spot there came a ball and took off a man's head. The spades
and dirt flew faster than ever. In the midst of the job, a bomb-
shell fell on the roof, and lodging on one of the braces it spun
around for a moment. Every man fell flat on his face, and breath-
lessly awaited the explosion which they expected would end their
days then and there. Only one of the party saw fit to reason on
the case. He silently argued that as the shell had not bursted as
quickly as it ought, there might be something wrong in its makeup.
If it should burst where it was, and the magazine exploded, there
could be no escape ; it was death anyhow ; so he sprang to his
feet, seized a boat-hook, and pulling the sputtering missile to the
ground, and jerking the smoking match from its socket, discov-
ered that the shell was filled with inflammable matter, which, if
once ignited, would have wrapped the whole building in a sheet of
flame. This circumstance added wings to their shovels, and the
party were right glad when the officer said: ''That will do; go
to your lines."
MORE PRAISE FOR TECUM SEH.
Mr. Joseph R. Underwood, who was present at the defeat of
Colonel Dudley in the capacity of lieutenant in a volunteer com-
pany of Kentuckians, commanded by Captain John C. Morrison,
has this to say:
''Colonel Elliot and Tecumseh, the celebrated Indian chief,
rode into the garrison. When Elliot came to where Thos. Moore,
of Clark County, stood, the latter addressd him, and inquired 'if,
it was compatible with 'the honor of a civilized nation, such as the
British claim to be, to suffer defenseless prisoners to be murdered
by savages.' Elliot desired to know who he was. Moore replied
that he was nothing but a private in Captain Morrison's company
and here the conversation ended.
"Elliot was an old man. His hair might have been termed,
with more propriety, white than gray, and to my view he had
more of the savage in his countenance than Tecumseh. This cel-
ebrated chief was a noble, dignified personage. His face was
finely proportioned, his nose inclined to the aquiline, and his eye
II
1 62 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
displayed none of the savage and ferocious triumph common to
the other Indians on that occasion. He seemed to regard us with
unmoved composure, and I thought a beam of mercy shone in his
countenance, tempering the spirit of vengeance inherent in his
race against the American people. I saw him only on horseback."
A PARTING WORD.
For the Indian, cruel and revengeful as he was, there is some
apology, and time has in a measure conceded it. Since the land-
ing of our forefathers on Plymouth Rock until the present day the
crusade has been ever against the Indian. He resisted the inva-
sion of the whites on his domain, with all the means in his power,
throughout all the wide empire we claim to own, which once
called him master. They have fought the relentless crusade step
by step (as we white people would have done), until the last rem-
nants of that once numerous and powerful race are few in num-
ber and scattered to the winds, as it were ; soon they will be
nothing but a memory — a tradition.
»
"Ye say they all have passed away,
That noble race and brave —
That their light canoes have vanished ^ ^
From off the crested wave;
That 'mid the forest where they 'roamed
There rings no hunter's shout;
But their name is on your waters,
Ye may not wash it out.
"Ye say their cone-like cabins
That clustered o'er the vale
Have fled like withered leaves
Before the autumn gale ;
But their memory liveth on your hills,
Their baptism on your shore;
Your everlasting rivers speak
Their dialect of yore.
"Ye call these red-browed brethren
The insects of the hour,
Crushed like the noteless worm amid
The regions of their power ;
Ye drive them from their father's lands
Ye break the faith, the seal.
But can ye from the Court of Heaven
Exclude their last appeal !"
OUR CITIZLN SOLDILRS.
DETROIT MILITARY COMPANIES IN THE EARLY DAYS AND
AT THE PRESENT TIME.
THE City Guards were the first uniformed infantry company.
The present Light Guards are the lineal descendants of
the Brady Guards, and the Brady Guards of the City
Guards. The City Guards were organized at a meeting held
in the parlor of the old Steamboat Hotel in the winter of 1 830-1.
Among those present were General John E. Schwarz, Colonel
Edward Brooks, R. E. Roberts, Chas. R. Desnoyers, Joseph Alex-
ander, Jas. W. Sutton, Geo. Moran, B. B. Moore and Virgil
McGraw. Colonel Brooks, who was an officer under General
Harrison at the battle of the River Thames, was chosen captain,
and Isaac T. Rowland, a 'graduate of West Point, was first lieu-
tenant, and R. E. Roberts was orderly sergeant.
In 1 83 1 there was one other military company in the city,
but it was one of cavalry, commanded by Chas. Jackson, an artil-
lery company, raised previously by Captain Ben Woodworth, hav-
ing been broken up.
CITY GUARDS SWORN INTO SERVICE.
The Black Hawk war broke out in Illinois in 1832, and Mich-
igan troops were called upon to aid the United States forces.
Accordingly the militia, under the command of Major-General
John R. Williams, were ordered to appear for muster at Ten
Eyck's, near Dearborn, on the 24th of May, the only uniformed
companies in the command being the City Guard and the IJght
Dragoons, of which Chas. Jackson was captain, Garry Spencer
first lieutenant, John Farrar second lieutenant, and James Han-
mer third lieutenant. At the muster of the First Regiment, Mich-
igan militia, it was ordered to furnish a detachment of 250 men
to be under the command of Col. Edward Brooks, who was pro-
moted from the captaincy of the guard to the colonency of the
regiment, Lieutenant Rowland being promoted to the captaincy.
Volunteers were called for, and not a member of the company
164 KARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
except the commissioned officers stepped forward. General Wil-
liams, who had been told that all would volunteer, asked what the
apparent mutiny meant, whereupon First Sergeant R. E. Roberts
advanced and said that ''the City Guard is an organized military
company and ready to obey orders." The order was then given,
"City Guards, five paces to the front, march !" The command was
obeyed, and the men sworn into the service. The detachment,
with the cavalry, went as far as Saline, and was then ordered to
return to Detroit. This order was countermanded, and while the
troops were at Ann Arbor, they were ordered to join General
Brown's command at Dexter, and, there being no camp equipage
provided, the men contributed their money, watches and other
valuables to raise a fund for its purchase, but before another
twenty-four hours had elapsed the company was again ordered
back to Detroit, and this time there was no revocation. General
Williams with the dragoons went on to Chicago and thence to the
Naper settlement in Illinois, remaining.there until the termination
of the war.
On the return of the detachment it encamped on the com-
mons, near the old capitol, where a bountiful mess was prepared
and the 'men had the first square meal since leaving home. Hard
bread and raw salt pork was all that was supplied them on the
march. Some managed to cook the pork on sticks stuck into the
ground before the camp fires. The young men of the guard were
unused to such fare and several died shortly after, and others
were so broken down in health that they never mustered with the
company again. Many of the guard in the absence of blankets,
had green Scotch plaid cloaks, then the prevailing fashion, which,
when strapped on their knapsacks, gave them the appearance of
highlanders.
The field officers connected with the Detroit command, aside
from General Williams, were Colonel Edw^ard Brooks, Lieuten-
ant-Colonel Jonathan D. Davis, Major Benj. Holbrook and Dr.
John L. Whiting, surgeon ; Captain Louis Davenport having
charge of the baggage train.
THE CAREER OE TOM WILLIAMS.
Tom Williams, son of General John R. Williams, was fourtli
corporal in the City Guards. When the Guards were ordered
back Thomas joined the Dragoons under Captain Jackson, and
went to Chicago, and on arriving there news had just been
• OUR CITlZIvN SOLDIERS. 1 65
received that the Indians were massacreing settlers at Napier set-
tlement, some miles beyond. Thomas joined a party of volun-
teers, under Colonel Brooks, and went to their rescue that night,
arriving at daybreak next morning. This Tom Williams after-
wards entered West Point Military Academy, graduated after the
usual course, entered an infantry regiment as second lieutenant
and during the civil war was killed a brigadier general at Baton
Rouge on the Union side. In this engagement he received his
death wound while leading his command with a ringmg cheer,
mounted, saying to the Twenty-first Indiana Volunteers : "Boys,
your field officers are all gone. I will lead you."
Tom Williams also served through the Mexican and Florida
wars, with distinction.
General Williams was also accompanied to Chicago by Major
Chas. W. Whipple and Major M. Wilson, escorted by Captain
Jackson's dragoons. Jackson returning to Detroit, the company
was in command of First Lieutenant Garry Spencer, Second Lieu-
tenant John Farrar and Third Lieutenant Jame^ H. Hanmer.
While the command was in Chicago the people of the city,
on the i8th of June, at a public meeting, adopted and published an
address to General Williams and the officers and soldiers of his
command, warmly thanking them *'for the prompt and efficient
aid rendered them when the citizens of Chicago were without pro-
tection and had not means of defending themselves."
THE CITY GUARDS GO TO TOLEDO. •
The City Guards were again called upon, and this time a
proclamation of Governor Mason to go to Toledo armed and
equipped to defend the soil and sovereignty of Michigan against
the invasion and attempt of Ohio *'to steal their neighbors' land-
marks," and to capture certain judicial officers, ''who were
attempting to hold a session of an Ohio court at that place in
defiance of the statutes of Michigan and the peace and dignity of
the people thereof." And they went. Under command of Gen-
eral Joe Brown and the immediate orders of Colonel Warner S.
Wing, they entered Toledo at i o'clock in the morning, and saw
the coattails streaming in the air of the Ohio judges and troops as
they flew from their secret court room. The City Guards, after
having at the city of Monroe, in a hollow square, with about 2,500
more Michigan volunteers, sworn ''eternal hostility to Andrew
1 66 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT. •
Jackson, Ohio and all their legions, and eternal fidelity to Stevens
Thompson Mason as governor of Michigan," returned to Detroit
amid the beating of drums and flaunting banners, and were wel-
comed by the people, as were the Roman legions of old on their
return from a foreign conquest. Among the names of those who
composed or went forth on this expedition were such men as Jacob
M. Howard, Franklin Sawyer, Conrad Ten Eyck, Daniel Good-
win, Peter Desnoyers, Marshall J. Bacon, Charles M. Bull, George
D. Bull, George C. Bates and others.
THE CITY GUARDS ESCORT GOVERNOR CASS.
In 1 83 1 the City Guards escorted Governor Cass from his
residence to the boat on his departure for Washington to enter the
cabinet of President Jackson as secretary of war. A carriage had
been provided for the governor, but he declined it and took his
position with Captain Brooks at the head of the company, and
walked bareheaded from his residence on the river bank at the
west line of the city to the foot of Woodward Avenue, where he
took the steamer Henry Clay.
The exact date at which the City Guard ceased to exist is not
known, but it was previous to the organization of the Brady
Guard, many of its members being among the original members
of the latter company.
THE ARTILLERY COMPANY.
The artillery company mentioned as having been organized
by Uncle Ben Woodworth, and that had such a brief and unevent-
ful life, was made up of the young element, many of whom, after
it ceased to exist, entered the ranks of the City Guard, notably
Anson Burlingame, B. B. Moore, R. E. Roberts, James Sutton,
and, I think, Geo. Doty. They were not uniformed, but had one
gun, an iron six-pounder, attached to the gun carriage ; no horses.
Thy hauled their piece around with drag ropes, as the "fireladdies"
used to haul their machines in the old days. They seemed to have
a considerable amount of fun, getting the gun out, hauling it
around the streets and banging it ofiF on slight provocation. But
they got it ofif once too often, and with disastrous results. The
occasion was on a Fourth of July. They were engaged in firing
a national salute on the Campus Martins, where the Bagley bust
now is. I do not know who had charge of the breech of the gun,
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS. 1 67
but I do know that the late Levi Bishop, who was one of the mem-
bers of the company, was at the muzzle ramming home the car-
tridge. A premature discharge sent a large portion of the ramrod
into one of his arms, the right one, injuring and lacerating it to
such an extent that it had to be amputated. I was an eye-witness
of the accident and the amputation of the arm as well. The latter
operation was performed by Dr. Hurd in his office, corner Wood-
ward Avenue and Congress Street. Mr. Bishop was at that time
a journeyman shoemaker, working at his trade. On his recovery
he concluded to abandon shoemaking and enter the law% and all
know his subsequent career in that profession. In after years it
used to be said of him, ''That Fourth of July accident was the
means of spoiling a poor shoemaker and making a good lawyer."
OUT OF COMMISSION.
The artillery company was dead after this. Their gun came
to grief also. It was said the cause of the accident lay in the gun
itself, being, as artillerymen term it, "honey-combed at the breech."
*'Tom" Peck, a jolly, genial chap, and a member of the company,
too, procured a sledge-hammer and knocked the gun off its car-
riage, injuring it m such a way that it was fit only for old iron,
saying, as he did so, "he'd be d — d if that gun would ever have a
chance to injure another man." No one appeared to object.
'Tom" Peck — perhaps some may call him to mind — kept a large
shoe store in what was called the "Rpublican Block," corner Jef-
ferson Avenue and Bates Street. I think Bishop was in his
employ at the time of the accident.
THE MICHIGAN LEGION.
Before going further I call to mind that there is an account
somewhere that during the war of 1812 four independent, ununi-
formed companies called the "Michigan Legion," commanded by
Major James Witherell, then one of the territorial judges, who
had been an officer in the American revolution, and was grand-
father of Senator Thomas W. Palmer. They and their leader
saw hazardous and arduous service on this frontier during the
entire w^ar. They were included in Hull's surrender, and Major
Witherell was taken down the lake as prisoner of war, and only
submitted to parole at Kingston.
I 68 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT
THE BRADY GUARDS.
In 1835 3. force of 100 men or more was employed in grading
down the high river bank in front of the Cass farm. One day,
having been given an unHmited supply of whisky, they got into
a fight. They were too drunk to do much injury to each other, but
blood flowed freely. The sherifif's posse was powerless to stop
the fight or make arrests, and as there was no military organiza-
tion to call upon, there was nothing to do but let them fight it out,
until night put an end to the battle. This disgraceful scene
showed the importance of having a military company to call upon
in such cases.
Accordingly, in February or March, 1836, John Chester,
Isaac S. Rowland, Andrew T. McReynolds and Marshal J. Bacon
met in a room in the old "Smart Block," where the Merrill block
now is, discussed the question of raising a military compan}-, and
resolved that they would use their utmost efforts to interest other
young men in the project, and with such success that on the 2nd of
April a formal meeting of those favorably disposed, was held,
with an attendance of thirty-three young men. Colonel John
Winder was chosen chairman and Geo. C. Bates and John Y.
Pretty, secretaries. The unanimous conclusion was soon reached
that a company should at once be formed, and that a number of
committees were appointed for that purpose. The committee on
names were discussing earnestly, when Peter E. De Mill suggested
the name of General Hugh Brady as one which it would be a
pleasure to honor, and the suggestion was so appropriate that it
was unanimously accepted by the committee, who reported it to
the company, when it was adopted by acclamation and a commit-
tee appointed to ask the general's consent to the use of his name,
which consent was accorded with thanks for the compliment.
General Hugh Brady was an officer in the war of 1812. He
was especially distinguished in the battles of Chippewa and
Niagara Falls (Lundy's Lane), and was commander of the
department of the lakes, with headquarters at Detroit, from 1825
to the time of his death, April 15, 185 1, aged 83 years. He had
been for fifty-nine years continuously an officer in' the United
States army.
The committees on membership, at a subsequent meeting,
reported the results of their endeavors in that direction. The com-
mittee also presented a "Pledge of Membership," drawn up by
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS. 1 69
Andrew T. McReynolds, and engrossed on parchment by John
Chester, which had received fifty-seven signatures, which, with
those added subsequently, swelled the entire membership to
ninety-seven names, which constitutes the celebrated.
ROLL o^ 1836.
The following is a list of officers elected at this meeting:
Captain — Isaac S. Rowland.
Lieutenants — First, Marshal J. Bacon ; second, James H.
Mullett; third, George B. Martin.
Surgeon — Abram E. Sager, M. D.
Quartermaster— Henry G. Hubbard.
Sergeants — Orderly, George C. Bates; second, George C.
Leib; third, John Chester; fourth, Peter E. DeMill.
Corporals — First, Jacob M. Howard ; second, John J. Ashley ;
third, Caleb F. Davis ; fourth, John McReynolds.
I am under the impression that the first appearance of the
Guard, fully armed and equipped, was on the 226. £>i February,
1837, on which occasion the first standard was presented to them
at the American hotel (now the Biddle house) in the presence of
Governor Stevens T. Mason and a large concourse of citizens,
who had watched with eager interest the development of this
organization embracing as it did the elite of the .male portion of
Detroit, in every walk of life. At this their first turnout they
numbered nearly 100 muskets. The flag, presented to the Guard,
I think, is now in the possession of the state quartermaster general
at Lansing.
General Brady subsequently presented the company with a
handsome flag from the steps of the American hotel (Biddle
House) . One side of the flag bore the arms of the city of Detroit,
and on the reverse was. a portrait of one of the Guards, Charles
W. Penny, and said at that time to be the handsomest man in the
company.
The flag was painted by Tom Burnham or Caleb F. Davis,
I forget which. Both were artists well up in their profession.
FIRST PARADE OF THE BRADY GUARDS.
The Brady Guards, on their first parade, mustered nearly 100
(as before mentioned) muskets, and made ^a fine appearance.
Their captain, Isaac Rowland, was every inch a soldier, and the
170 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Guards, on this, their first appearance, plainly showed by their
superb drill and soldiery bearing, that they had been under the
keen supervision of a West Point graduate. They were given a
splendid ovation- by the citizens, who had watched with eager
interest the formation and the nightly drilling of the company in
the streets.
Soon after the "Bradys" had completed their organization
and perfected their uniforms, equipments, etc., the patriot war
suddenly loomed up on the horizon. Their services were soon
required to aid the United States in the enforcemnet of our neu-
trality laws, and which became an imperative necessity. So Gen-
eral Scott made his requisition for an armed military force from
Michigan and the ''Young Bradys," like the Coldstream guards,
rushed to the front and during the winters of 1837 and 1838, for
three months of each year, were mustered into the service of the
United States as common soldiers, subject to the rules and articles
of war. And, as George C. Bates said, "We faithfully performed
all the duties as such and won the special commendation and
praise of Generals Scott, Worth and Brady, and the secretary of
war, as the records will prove.
AT THE FRONT.
"During all this time we pooled our pay, secured a very large
sum of money, with which we burnished our muskets, mounted
them with mahogany stocks instead of the old black walnut, pur-
chased a magnificent camp equippage, and so, at Goat Island, at
the Falls of Niagara, on July 4, 1838, we took the highest prize
as the best drilled, most thoroughly uniformed and equipped troop
on the frontier. We numbered about 100 muskets and our officers
were Captain L. S. Rowland, Lieutenants A. S. Williams, Edmund
Kearsley and James A. Armstrong. Our sergeants were George
C. Bates, John Chester, George Doty and one other, whose name
escapes me. Our men, every one of them, were the elite of
Detroit, who voted always as they shot, and who would gladly
have shot any and all men who violated the laws or defiled the flag
of the nation."
The front, to which the guards were ordered, was at Fighting
Island, near Ecorse and within the boundaries of Canada. Gen-
eral Brady had his headquarters directly opposite the island, on
the American shore.
OUR citize;n soldie;rs. 171
A DE:FIANT BRITISH OFFICER.
By Lieutenant Ed. Kearsley and one other officer, General
Brady sent a message to Colonel Basden, of the Twenty-first
British foot, in command at Maiden, the purpose of which was
that he (Brady) and his command would see to it that the Patriots
on Fighting Island would be prevented from crossing the river ab
they had threatened. Lieutenant Kearsley returned from his
interview with the British commander, and proceeded to General
Brady's headquarters, where he reported to him that on reaching
Maiden they found Colonel Basden and all his officers at the mess
table, where they were dining and wining deeply ; that on bein^
introduced by the orderly to Colonel Basden and delivering their
message from General Brady, they were not even asked to be
seated, but were answered by Colonel Basden ''that while he had
the highest possible respect for General Brady, whom he had not
met since the battle of Lundy's Lane in 18 14, where the two regi-
ments repeatedly crossed bayonets, yet he had none for the United
States civil service officers or their disposition to enforce their
neutrality laws ; that he should, regardless of General Brady or
his command, attack the d — d vagabon(js on Fighting Island
before daylight the next morning; that he would clean them out
with grape and canister from his batteries and if they retreated to
the United States he would follow them th^re and destroy and kill
them wherever he could overtake them." •
IN 1.INE; OF battle:.
The moment this message was delivered the bugle call
sounded, the drum beat the alarm, and the entire command fell in,
formed into a hollow square with General Brady in the center,
who, in a firm, clear voice repeated most distinctly his message
to Colonel Basden and Basden's unsoldierlike and insulting reply,
and calling upon Captain Rowland for a half-dozen Brady Guards
with guide flags he ordered them to pace off the distance on the
ice from the American shore to mid-channel, which was the
boundary line between the United States and Canada, and to place
those flags about 100 rods apart up and down, so as to mark
clearly and distinctly that portion of the ice which covered Ameri-
can soil and that which covered the British boundary. When this
was done Brady moved the command back into line of battle, up
172 EARIvY DAYS IN DI^TROIT.
and dawn the river, and, taking his place about five paces in front
of the Hne, pointed to those guide flags and straightening himself
up like the old hero that he was, said :
Brady's ordi:rs to his troops.
"Soldiers, you see before you clearly marked out by yonder
guides the boundary line between the United States and Canada.
We are here to enforce our laws and to arrest and punish all
oflfenses and offenders against the United States on this side of
that line, and to see to it that no foreign power shall intermeddle
with our rights and duties. My orders to you are as heretofore,
to arrest and prevent all armed men from proceeding over to
Fighting Island, to capture and to turn over to the United States
marshal as prisoners all men who shall retreat from Fighting
Island to our shore; but if a British officer or soldier in arms
crosses inside of our lines I charge you all to beat them back, to
capture and to kill them, if it be necessary to protect our sover-
eignty, and to guard our soil against the impress of a British sol-
dier's foot. I have confidence that we can and will successfully
defend our soil against the intrusion or insolence of a British foe."
"These orders," Geo. C. Bates, orderly sergeant of the
Brady Guards, says, "were received by the troops with the wildest
huzzahs, and then our sentinels resumed their cheerless and chilly
round. The camp fires were piled high with hickory, beech and
maple and ash, and the suppers were cooked and the coffee boiled.
We all waited and watched for what was next to come. That
fearfully cold night wore on. The officer of the night made his
grand rounds repeatedly and reported all was well on the Detroit.
The old general, enveloped in buffalo robes and blankets, knee
deep, was sleeping in his headquarters. But every man slept with
his piece loaded, and his right ear listening- sharp and keen for
the call to arms. About an hour before day an attempt was made
by the Patriots to run a gun carriage over on the ice in order to
mount their sole piece of artillery, but this was prevented, and
the men in charge of it arrested. Almost simultaneously there-
with the rumbling of heavy artillery was heard on the Canadian
shore, and very shortly thereafter the whole British Twenty-first
regiment moved directly up, opposite Fighting Island, took up
their position on the ice and commenced a heavy cannonade upon
the Patriot camp. With the first gun fired, the whole of our com-
OUR ciTizi^N soldie;rs. • 173
mand turned out under arms, and as the shot from the British bat-
teries, struck through the branches of the trees on Fighting
Island, and knocked off the snow and ice, in one instance carrying
away a Patriot's arm, their track could be followed as distinctly as
that of the locomotive of a railway train. No sooner had Basden's
battery fairly opened, than the poor devils on the island began to
retreat by tens and twenties, and soon the Detroit River was dot-
ted all over with the fragments of this grand army, and just so
fast as they came inside our lines, we picked them up, arrested
them and turned them over to the United States marshal, who sent
them up by sleigh loads to Detroit, where they were confined in
jail.
"About 10 o'clock, with drums beating and flags flying, Col-
onel Basden's entire regiment, in two divisions, one above and one
below the island, marched around in line of battle to cut off the
retreat and capture these reti;eating ones. No sooner had they
uncovered themselves from behind the island than our entire com-
mand was formed in line of battle, and thus awaited the move-
ments on the other side, and of course with a strong hope that no
collision should come. The two British detachments marched
close down to our flags on the boundary, saluted each other, ana
marched back whence they came, but not a British soldier stepped
inside the American line. The pluck and coolness and prudence
of General Hugh Brady, aided by the Brady Guards and their
comrades, vindicated the rights and maintained the peace and
dignity of the United States and the people thereof."
Dr. Theller (Hero of the Schooner Ann) has something
to say about the Brady Guards on this occasion in his book, "Can-
ada in 1837-8." It appears there was a party of Patriots congre-
gated in this city, who conceived the idea of seizing the little
steainer Erie, lying at her dock in winter quarters, and joining the
forces at Fighting Island. "Hearing the cannonade they hurried
their movements, and took possession of the steamer and got their
arms, etc., on board. At this juncture fresh troops (Patriots)
came in from St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland Counties, all choice
riflemen, and joined their comrades on the Erie. They accom-
plished all this before any alarm was sounded, an excitement was
created at once by the ringing of bells, and a general feint simul-
taneous from all directions. However, before they could raise
steam on board the Erie, the Brady Guards were turned out with
the United States marshal at their head, and an attempt made to
174 * EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
seize the boat. Finding all entreaties, commands or threats una-
vailing, the marshal ordered them to be fired upon. The Bradys
of course obeyed the order, but being most of them good fellows,
took good care to fire over their heads, with the exception of one
who let his bullet strike a barrel of provisions a hardy old Patriot
was handling, who coolly, and as if a little ofifended, cried out,
"Take care there ; d — n it, you had a ball in your gun."
FIRST BALL OF THE GUARDS.
February 22, 1839, the first ball of the company was given
at the National Hotel (Russell House). The elite of the city
were present, as were the officers of the United States army sta-
tioned here and those of the British army stationed at Sandwich
and Maiden, in full uniform. There being quite a large number
of United States officers stationed here at that time, they, the
British officers and the officers, non-commissioned officers and
privates of the Guards, all in full uniform, aided by the gay
toilettes of the ladies present, made a most brilliant spectacle.
The day before the ball the following resolution, offered by
Private Geo. G. Bull, was adopted :
''Resolved, That all who go to the ball ought, to keep sober. '
EXCURSION TO BUFFALO.
July 2, 1838, the company, on the invitation of the Buffalo
City Guard, left on the steamer Michigan to spend the Fourth at
Buffalo and Niagara Falls. The Burgess Corps of Albany, the
Williams Light Infantry of Rochester and the Buffalo Light
Guard of Buffalo were at that period considered to be the crack
volunteer military companies of the union.
Writing of the Buffalo excursion of the Brady Guards, the
late Geo. C. Bates says : "During our active service upon the
frontier and under the special teachings and thorough drillings
given in person by Gen. Worth, Scott's aid, and by Maj, Payne,
U. S. A., the latter one of the most perfect drill sergeants that
ever shouldered a musket, we had acquired a reputation that not
only extended through the state of Michigan, but all along the
frontier, and so on the 4th of. July, 1838, we were invited by the
mayor and common council of Buffalo to visit that city and spend
the day with the Buffalo Light Guard and the Williams Light
Infantry from Rochester, on Goat Island at Niagara Falls. The
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS. 1 75
invitation was joyously accepted and the whole command, num-
bering 119 muskets, some nineteen or twenty of whom were
distinguished young lawyers, among whom I remember especially
the Rev. Jack Atterbury, then a mad wag, a fellow of infinite jest,
were carried down on the old steamer IlHnois or Michigan, and
were received at the docks in Buffalo by a grand military escort
and two-thirds of the population of that busy city. They were
marched to the park in front of the old court house, and in the
square above the splendid hotel — such an one as Buffalo has never
since had — where we spent the 3d, and were feasted and feted
and wined and juleped and punched and addressed by Mayor
Taylor and the various members of the common council as if we
had been revolutionary soldiers. Finally at early dawn on the
4th we went to Goat Island, where we pitched our tents, set our
marquee, planted our batteries and there contested with Williams
Light Infantry from Rochester for the palm of victory. We
justly won the premium, then and there awarded to us, as the best
citizen soldiers along the national frontier, who had no superiors
in promptness, efficiency and perfect knowledge of the school of a
soldier, the company and the battalion."
On this trip to Buffalo, on the invitation of the Buffalo City
Guards, the Brady s must have had a "high old time," judging by
the steamer's bill for refreshments, which amounted to $480, of
which $268 was for champagne at $2 a bottle, and $212 for meals
at thirty-seven and a half cents a meal. The question seems to
present itself, why they spent so much money on their eating."
VISIT OP BUFFALO CITY GUARD.
The Buffalo City Guard having accepted an invitation to pass
the Fourth of July, 1839, ^^^ Detroit, elaborate preparations were
made to entertain them handsomely, and on the evening of the
first (Saturday) the Bradys went into camp, with the Washington
Lancers, the camp being named in honor of Maj. Payne, under
whom the Guard had served during their enlistment in the patriot
war, and was located on the Cass farm, where the residence built
by the late Gov. Baldwin now is. Monday, July 3, the battalion
from Buffalo arrived, the whole being under the command of Col.
McKay, and went into camp with the Brady Guards and Lancers.
July 4 at 10 a. m. all were under arms, and Captain Rowland, on
behalf of the Brady Guards, presented a stand of colors to the
176 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
battalion of the Buffalo^ City Guard. Private Norman Rawson,
secretary of the Bradys, then presented a pair of pistols to Captain
Allen and silver cups to Messrs. Barton and Hosier, all of the
steamer Michigan, as tokens of appreciation of their attentions on
the occasion of the visit of the company to Buffalo in 1838.
The Bradys also gave a ball in honor of their guests at the
National hotel that was graced by the beauty and fashion of the
city, as well as by the presence of the United States officers
stationed here, and the British officers stationed at Sandwich and
Maiden, all in full uniform. Notably among the latter were
Colonel England and Captain Eyrie, both of whom later on won
distinction in the Crimean war, the- former attaining high com-
mand in the line and the latter on the staff, rising to the position
of quartermaster-general of the English forces. The affair was a
brilliant success, eclipsing the one given February 22.
The music at this ball was furnished by a colored band, which
came with the Buffalo Light Guard, and it was particularly fine,
as well it might be, when it is understood that the band and its
leader (whose name it bore, which I have unfortunately for-
gotten) had a national reputation at that time. It had its head-
quarters at Philadelphia, I think.
THi: WASHINGTON LANCERS.
The Washington Lancers was a juvenile company, composed
of youths, all about 16 years of age, commanded by Captain
William P. Doty; Albion Turner, first lieutenant; Edward M.
Pitcher, second lieutenant. This latter company usually did
guard duty while their older soldier brothers were away on social
and pleasanter duties. Their uniform was white pants, blue
jacket, blue cloth cap and they were armed with a lance instead of
musket. This lancer company was exceedingly short lived.
The military, at 11 a. m. on the 4th, united with the civil
authorities and attended the Presbyterian church, corner of
Woodward Avenue and Larned Street, and listened to the oration
in honor of the day, by George C. Bates in his civil capacity as
member of the Detroit Young Men's sociefy, after which there
was a grand dinner at the National hotel. At half-past 6 o'clock
p. m., the guard, accompanied by the common council, escorted
their guests to the steamer Buffalo and gave them a salute by way
of a parting compliment.
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS. 1 77
VISIT OF THE WILLIAMS LIGHT INFANTRY.
The above company, from Rochester, N. Y., having accepted
an invitation to visit the Brady s, arrived here on the Steamer
Lexington, Wednesday morning, July i6, 1846, and having been
received by the Guards, was escorted to the corner of Jefferson
Avenue and Rivard Street, and went into camp on the spot where
the Jefferson Avenue Presbyterian church now stands.
After morning parade the two companies and a large number
of invited guests participated in a cold collation, which was given
on the camp ground by the Bradys, in a large marquee tent. On
this occasion the late Hon. John Patton, then a somewhat obscure
wagonmaker, read an address suitable to the occasion, and he
delivered it in such a masterly manner as to challenge the admir-
ation of all his listeners. This, and his prominence in the
volunteer fire department, were great factors, no doubt, in
elevating him to the position of Mayor of the city, which office he
filled acceptably for two terms. '
In the evening the visiting company was complimented with
a ball at the National Hotel (now Russell House), which was
graced, as all the former balls were, by the fashion of the city, as
well as by the officers of the United States Army stationed here,
and the British officers stationed at Maiden. The next day they
were invited to a dinner at the Michigan Exchange, and in the
evening started on their homeward trip, evidently highly pleased
with their visit.
General Brady and Colonel Basden first met at the battle of
Lundy's Lane (as before intimated) June, 1814. General Winfield
Scott, as all know, was in command of the American forces, and,
as most people know, was a giant in stature, being six feet four
inches high. On this occasion, it is said, he wore in his hat a
white plume nearly two feet long. With his aids, Worth and
Wool, he stormed the British battery, but was repulsed by the
Twenty-first British Infantry, commanded by Colonel Basden,
until finally about 8 o'clock in the evening, just as the moon rose
over the carnage that raged there. Scott organized a division,
consisting of Hugh Brady's Twenty-first Pennsylvania Infantfy
and the bloody Ninth recruited in Maine, and forming them into
column of four deep and placing himself on his white horse in
front, he said :
12
178 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
I ' *'Boys, I am satisfied that you can carry that infernal British
battery. Now, I want you to follow me, and wherever you see
this white plume you will know that Winfield Scott is under it, in
advance. Charge !"
Shortly the white horse and the white plume were seen rolling
over and over in the dust, but on rushed Hugh Brady and on
clashed the arms of that gallant battalion until shortly Worth and
Wool, Scott's aids, were both knocked over, and Colonel Brady
wounded by a ball striking his sword and driving it into his groin,
was picked up and cared for. Basden and the British troops
encamped upon the field and slept upon and under their guns,
while Scott and Worth and Wool and Brady, and many others
were carried off the field and transported in batteaux to Buffalo,
where they all recovered.
THEY MET AGAIN.
Strange to say, twenty-four years thereafter these old war-
riors met again on the frontier at Maiden and Detroit, and by
their arms and true patriotism prevented another war between
• Great Britain and the United States.
They, Brady and Basden, met again (and the last time) at the
Michigan Exchange in 1847, where they and their fellow soldiers,
English and French, as the guests of the Brady Guards, rushed
into each other's arms and embraced like boys from school, until
the dining-hall of that glorious old-time hostelry echoed and rang
with joyous cry, "God Bless Brady and Basden : God bless the
queen and the president of the United States; God grant that*
henceforth in sunshine and in storm, in times of plenty and of
poverty, on the land and on the sea, everywhere the sun shall
shine, that Great Britain and the United States shall be firmer
friends, and that their only contests and controversies hereafter
shall be which can most and best promote the blessings of com-
merce, education, religion and liberty. Let all the people of both
nations forever shout Amen." And thus the feast ended.
THE WHTE PIvUME.
A further account of this dinner, from the pen of Geo. C.
Bates, orderly sergeant of the Bradys, is given below. He is also
responsible for the story that General Scott, at Lundy's Lane,
sported a white plume, in imitation of Henry IV. of France at the
battle of Ivry :
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS. 1 79
"The king has come to marshal us
In all his armor dressed,
And he has bound a snow-white plume
Upon his gallant crest.
"And if my standardbearer fall, m-
As fall f^ill well he may
(For never saw I promise yet
Of such a bloody fray),
Press where ye see my white plume
Shine amidst the ranks of War
And be your oriflamme today
The helmet of Navarre."
A FAMOUS DINNER.
"The troubles along the border had substantially ceased and
were finally ended by the treaty made by Lord Ashburnton with
Daniel Webster, our secretary of state, in 1847. 'The federal gov-
ernment had placed in its fortifications at Buffalo, Cleveland,
Detroit, Fort Gratiot and Fort Brady, and the Sault Ste. Marie-
detachments of regular troops, between whom and the British
troops on the Canadian side a warm friendship soon sprang up
and invitations to lunch and to dine from one side to the other,
were constantly given and accepted. This finally led to an invita-
tion from the Brady Guards to the officers of the British and fed-
eral armies to a dinner to be given at the Michigan Exchange,
including, of course. Colonel Basden at Maiden, and General
Brady at Detroit, where for the first time after a quarter of a cen-
tury, they should meet face to face, not with bayonets and sabers
and guns, and drums and wounds, but with knives and forks and
wines and wassail, and where once inore they could embrace each
other, not in the arms of death, but in those of friendship, love
and truth. ''The invitations to the dinner were cordially accepted
by all parties — the day fixed and the old dining room of the Mich-
igan Exchange on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Shelby
Street was decorated, not with flowers as of modern dates, but
draped upon one side with the battered banners of Basden's regi-
ment, prizes captured in the peninsula campaigns at Badajos, Sal-
amanca, Corunna and other victories in Spain, and on the other
side the walls were hung with the banners captured in the war
1 82 ' EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
ued, the organic law of the Brady Guard that in the event of the
sounding of the tocsin of war, the Guard should instantly disband.
But he had sat down for hours and listened to the warlike reminis-
cences of the veterans of the Guard, who at the conclusion of their
bloody recitals always drew forth their land warrants to prove the
terrible statements."
DINNER IN HONOR 01? COLONEIy GRAYSON.
Mr. Geo. N. Brady has kindly furnished me a copy of the
Pree Press of March lo, 1901, in which is copied an account of
the dinner of the Grayson Light Guards in honor of their com-
mander, Colonel J. B. Grayson, which account appeared in the
Detroit Evening Tribune of Saturday, Deecember 21, 1850.
Among the distinguished guests present were Lieutenant (after-
ward general) Grant and other distinguished men of affairs, ootn
in military and civil life.
"At the head of the table," reads the article, "was seated the
commanding officer of the guards, Lieutenant E. R. Kearsley;
seated at his right were Colonel Graysgn, Colonel Whistler, of the
Fourth United States Infantry, and Major Daniel H. Rucker; on
his left were General Hugh Brady, U. S. A., and General Schwarz
and aid. At the tables on the right and left were Lieutenants
James E. Pittman and Wm. D. Wilkins, of the Grayson Light
Guards; Lieutenants Henry and Grant, of the Fourth United
States Infantry; Lieutenant Freeman Norveil, of the marines;
Hon. John Ladue, mayor; Judge Whipple and Messrs. Rufus
Hosmer and Henry Barnes, of the press. Lucker's Sax Horn
band discoursed sweet music during the evening, adding much to
the pleasure of the occasion. After the removal of the cloth, and
ample justice had been done to the rations furnished for the occa-
sion, the president announced that they would charge for a toast,
which introduced the guest of the evening. Colonel John B. Gray-
son. Colonel Grayson's toast was followed by others, responded
to by the following prominent men : Adjutant and Quarter-
master-General Schwarz, Governor John S. Barry, Mayor Ladue,
Chas. E. Whilden, Lieutenant Wm. D. Wilkins, Lieutenant
Kearsley, Captain Phin Homan, aid-de-camp to the adjutant-gen-
eral; Rufus Hosmer, of the Advertiser; Lieutenant James E.
Pittman, Lieutenant Henry, of the Fourth United States Infantry ;
Major Rucker, Sergeant Jas. B. Witherell, Joe L. Langley,
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS. 1 83
Charles Dibble, Henry Barnes, of the Tribune; Lieutenant Free-
man Norveil, Corporal John B. Palmer, Alex. K. Howard, Ser-
geant John Robertson, Lieutenant Grant, Fourth United States
Infantry ; Judge Chas. Whipple, S. J. Mather, Charles S. Adams,
Charles Brewster, J. E. Martin, Calvin C. Jackson, J. Cook, Chas.
Berkey, Sergeant Geo. Davie, James W. Sutton, Corporal V. W.
Bullock and Thos. S. Gillett.
*'A letter of regret was read from Surgeon Chas. S. Tripler,
U. S. A. Among the toasts proposed was one to the press of the
city by Colonel Wm. D. Wilkins, wishing the pencil-pushers long
life and prosperity, to which was added, in brackets, by the printer
that set up that part of the article ('Sensible to the last — Com-
positor.')
''When the name of the immortal Grant was announced he
arose and in his characteristically modest style said he 'could face
the music, but not make a speech.' He proposed the toast, 'The
Grayson Guards — should their services be required, may they be
rendered in proportion to the confidence placed in them and their
worthy commander.' "
Of the above named men Colonel W. D. Wilkins will be
remembered by F7'ee Press readers as the writer of the best series
of foreign letters ever penned; Lieutenant, afterwards Colonel
Freeman Norveil, was one of the early proprietors of the Free
Press; Sergeant Robertson was adjudant-general of Michigan
during the civil war ; Calvin C. Jackson, at one time private secre-
tary to Governor Stevens T. Mason, was afterwards purser in the
navy during the civil war ; Colonel, now General Jas. E. Pittman,
is still aHve (1901) and one of the most respected veteran resi-
dents of Detroit. Sergeant James B. Witherell entered the United
States service as first lieutenant Third Dragoons, and was acci-
dentally drowned at Point Isabel, Texas, just as his regiment was
on the point of embarking for the north at the outbreak of the
civil war."
Of the above named persons the only ones now alive (1902)
are General D. H. Rucker, U. S. A, retired), Washington, D. C,
and Joe L. Langley, Chicago, 111.
When the Brady Guards disbanded the arms and accoutre-
ments that the statp had furnished them with reverted to the Gray-
son Guards and from them to the Light Guard. While in use by
the Bradys the possessor of each musket became attached to it to
184 ICARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
that degree that, as Geo. C. Bates said, he replaced the ordinary
wood of the stock with the mahogany or cherry, and otherwise
embelHshed it with silver mountings. When the civil war broke
out these muskets were taken possession of by the state quarter-
master-general (being flintlock), and percussion lock arms sub-
stituted in their stead, and the Light Guard took these latter with
them out of the state. These same flintlock muskets were changed
into percussion lock, as indeed all flintlock muskets in possession
of the state were, the demand for arms being so urgent, and
issued to troops in the service of the United States. After the war
closed the state claimed pay for all ordnance stores, in its posses-
sion, that were issued to troops in the service of the United States
and taken by them out of the state and not returned. (Included
in these stores we're the Brady Guard muskets, 79 in number.)
The state demanded the cash for them, or the return of the stores.
After some years the general government concluded to allow the
claim in cash, and the state, in due course, got the money.
The present Light Guard, learning of the payment of the
claim by the United States, petitioned the state mihtary board for
pay for the 79 Brady Guard muskets. What the nature of their
demand was, or what it was based on, I do not know. The board
allowed the claim, the state paying the same amount to the com-
pany for the muskets that it received for them from the general
government. So the Light Guard, luckily, were ahead so much.
' The Detroit Light Guard, the successors of the Bradys and
Graysons supplied over thirty ofiicers, for various Michigan regi-
ments in the civil war, and I presume the Scott and Montgomery
Guards did their share. Greusel, one time captain of the Scott
Guard, became colonel of an Illinois regiment in the war.
WHEJN the; bradys WERE ORGANIZING.
Referring again to the Brady Guards: When they were
organizing I was a boy clerk in C. & J. Wells' grocery store, Des-
noyer Block, corner of Jefferson Avenue and Bates Street. Mr.
John Wells, one of the firm, was a Brady, and, being quite popu-
lar, our store seemed to be headquarters of the company as it were,
where the members used to meet daily and "talk shop." The drill
rooms of the company were in the Williams building, where
Edson, Moore & Co. now are, in the fourth story. So I became
deeply interested in the company, its formation, etc., and when it
OUR CITIZEN soldie:rs. 185
turned. out on its first public parade, nearly 100 rank and file (with
its brass band), completely armed and equipped, it seemed to me
the climax was reached. Of all that number I think but one sur-
vivor remains, and that one is George Doty. In an article on this
company contributed to one of the daily papers some months ago
by Mr. Richard R. Elliott, is given the first roster of the company,
and if this meets the eye of any fortunate owner of it, by referring
to it, will readily see, if he is an old timer, that it contains the
names of nearly all the bright, promising young men of that day.
Men in every walk of life, that have contributed their shares to
make Detroit what it this day is.
THE GRAYSON GUARDS.
The Grayson Guards that followed the Bradys was composed
of about the same material as its predecessor, and flourished like
a "green bay tree" during the sojourn of its founder (Colonel J.
B. Grayson, U. S. A.,) among us. When he was ordered away it
languished, and died a natural death. There are many living who
were members of this company who will remember more about it
than I. Suffice it to say, I knew most of the members of the com-
pany intimately. Colonel Grayson and his assistant. Major Whil-
den, as well, and I am sure scores and scores of our people will
call to mind the personalities of the two latter gentlemen with the
same emotions of pleasure and regard that I do.
Most of all those that composed the foregoing military com-
panies have passed to the beyond and many of them on the field
of battle in the service of their country.
"On Fame's eternal camping ground
Their silent tents are spread,
And glory guards with solemn round
The bivouac of the dead."
TARGET SHOOT AT BLOODY RUN.
The Grayson Guards had an amusing target shoot (their first,
I think) up at Bloody Run. The firing was from this side of the
Run, where the stove works are now ; the target was planted on
the opposite bank of the stream. The day was all that could be
desired, the commissary had everything provided in the way of
eatables and drinkables that could be required. I was not present,
but full details of the affair were not wanting, given by partici-
1 86 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
pants, the next day. Joe Law, a member of the company, had
the first crack at the target. His bullet bored a hole clean through
the center of the bull's-eye, much to his surprise. The rest fol-
lowed in quick succession, their bullets apparently taking the same
course that Law's did, through the bull's-eye, as there were no
other marks on the target. On examination it was found that the
bank of the run on each side of the target was heavily charged
with lead, so they were compelled to award the prize, whatever it
was, to Private Law. Whereupon they had the greatest kind of a
jollification then and there. Their march back to their armory
was said to be a laughable aflfair by those who witnessed it. Geo,
Conkling, a member of the company, and an engraver in Geo.
Doty's employ, got up a cartoon of the return march, which was
most graphic and amusing, as all will testify who saw it, and their
number must be many. The memory of this target shoot in its
entirety must also be fresh in their remembrance. It was quite
fortunate that there were no dwellers at that time on that side of
Jefferson Avenue in the rear of the target. If there had been their
lives might have been in dangr.
' SCOTTS AND MONTGOMERYS.
I never was very familiar with the Scott or Montgomery
Guard, except that they were old organizations, well drilled and
efficient. The former furnished some capable officers of the First
Michigan Volunteer Infantry in the Mexican war — notably Major
Reuhle and Captain Nick Greusel. One conspicuous feature in
the Scott Guard parades, that many no doubt will remember, was
the ''pioneer" (Mr. Crongeyer), who marched at the head of the
company, clad in a uniform copied, I think, from that of Napo-
leon's pioneers of the Imperial Guard — blue with buff" facings,
bearskin shako, white leather apron coming down below the
knees, buff gaiters and carrying over his shoulder a broad or
battle ax. It is presumed the great captain got up this kind of a
soldier to clear away the underbrush, as it were, from the path of
his guarl, that they might have a fair show. Our friend, Cron-
geyer, was mindful of the position he held in the company and
bore the honor with becoming dignity, as all who ever saw him in
that capacity will recall to mind.
The Scott Guard also furnished a company for the Second
Michigan Volunteer Infantry, in the civil war (Company A) :
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS. 1 87
Captain, Louis Dillman; first lieutenant, John V. Reuhle; second
lieutenant, Gustavus Kast. At Fair Oaks Major Dillman was in
command of the regiment; he was also in command at Centre-
ville, August 28, 1862, but this time as lieutenant-colonel (Poe
being in command of a brigade).
Referring again to the Detroit Light Guard, which today is
so well to the fore, and to which I once had the honor to belong,
when it was first organized, I think it quite appropriate to include
in this article, an extract from one in relation to it that appeared
in the Detroit Journal some time in the fore part of 1898 :
''This grand old company was an outgrowth of the Brady
Guards, which was organized by the young men of the city as an
independent and volunteer military company April 2, 1836. The
name was derived from that famous hero. General Hugh Brady.
To this organization belonged the best class of young men in the
city. Matters of social as well as military interest were taken up,
and the company made many trips up to various parts of the state
and country, reflecting great credit upon Detroit.
''When the Mexican war broke out, the Brady Guards
responded to the call for men at once. They served with distinc-
tion and gave three men to the cause whose names are well known.
These were General Alpheus S. Williams, General James E. Pitts-
man and Colonel Wm. D. Wilkins.
"Shortly after the close of the Mexican war, and on the death
of General Brady, the Brady Guards were disbanded and merged
into the Grayson Light Guard, which was organized in 185 1.
This latter company was named after and commanded by Colonef
John B. Grayson, U. S. A., who was at that time stationed in
Detroit. But it was destined to a short life, and on November 16,
1855, it became the Detroit Light Guard.
"The original roll of the new organization was signed by 100.
Many of them went to the front in '61 and earned honor for
themselves and their state. One of the most prominent of these
was General A. S. Williams. Among the original first signers of
the roll who are still living in Detroit are General James E. Pitt-
man, Colonel Jerome Croul, General Friend Palmer, Hon.
Thomas W. Palmer, William A. Moore, George Doty, John
Patton, Alfred Russell, Thomas P. Sheldon, Henry R. Mizner,
Edward J. Smith, R. R. Howard, David R. Pierce and Henry C.
Penny.
1 88 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
"The record of the Light Guard in the war is magnificent. It
was the first company in the state to volunteer its services to
President Lincohi. The call was made April i6, 1861, and the
Light Guard volunteered on the next day. Nearly the whole coni-
pany of 79 men who were enrolled in the organization at that
time were mustered into the army. Many were anxious to go
with the boys and in several instances the members were offered
large sums of money for their places.
*'The company was in command of Colonel Charles M. Lum
as captain, John D. Fairbanks, after whom Fairbanks post is
named, was the first lieutenant and Wm. A. Throop second lieu-
tenant. General Eugene Robinson was at that time second ser-
geant of the company. It will be remembered that it was General
Robinson who drilled the Detroit Commandery, Knights Templar,
and made it what it is. ^
"The Light Guard became company A of that famous regi-
ment the First Michigan. It was the first company west of the
Alleghanies to report for duty at Washington. To it, also,
belongs the distinction of being the first company of the entire
north to cross the Long Bridge into Virginia, and so enter hostile
territory. The First Michigan led the army, and as company A,
the Light Guard was at the head of it. The company sacrificed
two men to the government in the battle of Bull Run. They were
William A. Cunningham and David A. Jones.
"At the end of three months, the Light Guards' term of
service closed. The members returned to Detroit and were given
«. most enthusiastic greeting. But they were not grand stand
players. Their country still needed them and nearly every man
went back to reenlist for three years, and the Light Guard fur-
nished the government with eighty-three commissioned officers.
"Prominent among these were Major-General A. S. Wil-
liams, Brigadier-Generals Henry M. Whittelsey, Henry M. Miz-
ner, William A. Throop, F. W. Swift, Jas. E. Pittman and John
Robertson ; Colonels Henrv L. Chipman, Horace S. Roberts, W.
W. Duffield, WiUiam D. w'ilkins, Huber Le Favour, Edward Hill,
William S. Whipple and Charles M. Lum ; Majors John D. Fair-
banks and Robert T. Elliott, and Captains Charles E. Wendell and
William J. Speed.
"While the company was fighting bravely at the front, the
Detroit Light Guard reserve corps did good service at home.
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS. 1 89
There were at times stirring scenes even in Detroit. Many rebels
lived in Windsor and attacks were expected at almost any
moment. In 1863 the negro riots had to be put down, and there
were raids of various kinds. During all these troublesome times,
the reserve corps did good service in patrolling the streets, guard-
ing the jails, and protecting the city generally.
''They did good work at the time of the negro riots," said
Colonel Fred E. Farnsworth, speaking of the matter. "The city
was aroused one night by the ringing of all the bells, which was
the signal agreed upon for calling the troops to arms in case of
danger. The reserve corps came to the rescue at once, and had
it not been for their aid, bloody scenes might have been the result.
*'And since the war the Light Guard has showqd the kind of
men that composed it. In 1874, it was ordered to Ishpeming- to
quell the riots among the iron workers in that locality. Its ser-
vices wete so well appreciated that one of the iron companies sent
it a check for $500. In 1877, with other military organizations, it
helped suppress the railroad strikes. Again, in 1885, they were
called to Bay City during the lumber workers' strike.
"The Light Guard has always been a great advertisement for
the city. The boys took part in the parades connected with the
Centennial in Philadelphia in 1876, and won compliments galore
by their fine appearance, splendid marching, and superb drilling.
It was the same way in New York, where the company stopped on
its return home. The organization has taken its due share of first
prizes in drills held in Toledo, Cleveland, Grand Rapids and other
cities.
''It has always made a fine showing at all state encampments.
It inaugurated the governor's levees, which have been among
the prominent social functions of the city.
DETROIT UGHT INFANTRY.
This company is an offshoot from the Detroit Light Guard,
which occurred some time in 1877. I ^^^ ^^^ at all well informed
on this military company, except that it is composed of the same
element as is the Light Guard, and not behind it in any way in the
manual of arms or proficiency in drill. I saw them once on parade
when the audience was the nation, as it were. The place was
Washington, and the occasion the dedication of the Washington
monument, February 22, 1884. It was a stinging cold day, as
igo DARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
many members of the company must remember. They formed in
the procession part of its military display, which latter was com-
posed of crack independent military companies from all parts of
the union.
I witnessed the passing of the procession from the office of
the depot quartermaster, U. S. A., corner of Fifteenth Street and
Pennsylvania Avenue, and when the Light Infantry came march-
ing down Fifteenth Street in open order and wheeled into Penn-
sylvania Avenue, they came around, or wheeled, v*^ith admirable
precision, as one man, eliciting the applause of the vast crowd
that were gathered at that point, an ovation of the like no other
military company in the procession called forth.
AGAIN THE BRADY GUARDS.
During the month of June, 1847, the company known as the
Brady Guards of Detroit was enlisted and mustered into the ser-
vice of the United States on the i8th of the above month, with
Morgan L. Gage, Detroit, as captain ; Alex. K. Howard, Detroit,
first lieutenant; Wm. F. Chittenden, Detroit, second lieutenant,
and Asa W. Sprague, Detroit, third lieutenant. This company
garrisoned Fort Mackinac and Fort Brady at the Soo, taking the
place of United States regulars sent to the front (Mexican war).
These forts were comm^anded respectively by Captain Gage and
Lieutenant Howard. The company was mustered out of service
at the close of the war. Though assuming the name of "Brady
Guards" there were none of the old members of the guard in the
ranks, but made up of new men recruited for the emergency.
The commissioned officers, however, were, or had been mem-
bers of the old guard. They were mustered into service by Cap-
tain J. A. Whitall, Fifth United States Infantry, who was sta-
tioned here at that time.
THE CITY GUARD.
Referring again to the City Guard, that they had an arduous
time during their Black Hawk campaign may well be believed,
when I state, that I was an eye-witness of their return, somewhere
about the latter part of July. They came into the city, mounted,
via Chicago turnpike (Michigan Avenue) to Woodward Avenue,
then down that avenue to their armory somewhere in the vicinity
of Woodworth's Hotel on Woodbridge Street east. Horse and
man were a sorry sight, particularly the former. Their reception
OUR CITIZEN SOLDIERS. 19I
by the citizens was most cordial, every one was out, apparently,
and the guard was delighted with the generous welcome accorded
them.
Later on the Cavalry horses belonging to the general govern-
ment, came into the city, by same route, tied together in fours,
then came cannon, caissons, traveling forges, etc., four horses to
each, the latter were skeletons, bedraggled with mud, indeed the
whole business was, as it had rained quite hard the two days
previous. Well, it was a wretched sight ; but Black Hawk and his
savage followers had been snuffed out like the flame of a candle.
Dear Mr. Editor :
An old and esteemed friend, as he says, who has perused
my articles published in your paper on the mihtary companies of
Detroit, writes me in relation to the Brady Guards, and clears my
memory in regard to that company in two or three particulars,
as for instance :
The music that the Buffalo City Guards brought to Detroit
at the time the Bradys entertained them on the Cass farm, was the
band of the Philadelphia Firemen, led by the celebrated bugle
player, Frank Johnson (colored). The band gave a concert at
the old city hall while in Detroit, which was then the only hall in
the city. It was crowded with the elite of Detroit. (I now call to
mind the incident, as I was present) . He further says that John
A. Rucker, of Grosse He ; George Doty and Stanley G. Wright of
this city, are the sole survivors of the Brady Guards.
Another point : I stated in one of the articles that the por-
trait painted on the flag presented to the Bradys by General
Brady represented the handsomest man in the company, "Charles
W. Penny." It was my impression that it was so understood at
the time, but it appears there was another claimant in the field,
George G. Bull, clerk United States Court. George was, indeed,
a handsome man, a fine soldier, as many will remember, and might
easily have been selected to represent the company as its hand-
somest member, but which of the two it really was I do not know.
I presume John Rucker, Stanley G. Wight or George Doty, can
say.
I understand there is in existence in this city, a full-length
portrait of Mr. George G. Bull, taken at the time he was a mem-
ber of the Bradys, and in the full uniform of the company. A
most interesting relic, it seems to me.
192 EARl^Y DAYS IN Dl^TROIT.
RETREAT 01? THE BRADY GUARDS.
In this connection, I repeat what is related in regard to the
Guards, in my article, "Incidents of the Patriot War," that
appeared in your journal some time during the early summer. It
was with the Patriots who invaded the soil of Canada on that
December morning of 1838 that the Guards had to do. After
their defeat in the Baubie orchard, Windsor, the Patriots dis-
persed at once; some of them took to the Canadian woods, but
most of them took the river road towards the Windmills (now
Walkerville) that stood on the bank of the river. They availed
themselves of six or eight canoes that luckily appeared in sight,
drawn up on the river bank, and pushed off for the American
shore. Some of them rnet with disaster before reaching home.
The British atillery, in pursuit, gained the further windmill, just
about the time the fugitives reached the middle of the river, and
from that point they opened upon them with grape and cannister.
They did not do much damage, only wounding three or four
slightly. Part got across the river safely, the remainder, mcluding
the wounded, were taken prisoners by the Brady Guards, Captain
Rowland, and under the immediate personal command of General
Hugh Brady, who were on the steamer Erie, patrolling the river
in the interest of the neutrality laws.
The march of the Guards from their armory to the steamer
Erie, which was at her dock between Woodward Avenue and
Griswold Street, waiting for their arrival, appeared to be some-
what perilous. Atwater Street in that vicinity, and indeed the
entire river front, was filled with a howling mob who deeply sym-
pathized with the Patriots. When the Brady Guards appeared,
headed by Captain Rowland and General Brady, a howl of
derision went up from the crowd ; but General Brady, tall and as
straight as a young poplar; Rowland, whose black eyes snapped
ominously behind his gold-rimmed glasses, and the boys behind
them, with their muskets, paid no more attention to the howlers
than they would have done to a swarm of buzzing flies, but parted
the crowd to the right and left, and boarded the steamer without
molestation.
FAILINGS OP GENERAL SCHWARZ.
Another incident in regard to the Bradys that, until now.
had lapsed from my memory, and of which I was an e3^e-witness.
It has also to do with the late General T. E. Schwarz, quarter-
OUR citize;n soi.die:rs. 193
master-general of the state. The general was intensely military,
and donned his uniform on the slightest occasion. Although a
fine, scholarly gentleman, and one of the old school, he was not
much up in military matters, particularly parade duty and manual
of arms. He did very well caring for the military property of the
state, but when it came to other duties — the ''shoulder arms" part
— he was minus, although I do not think he was conscious of it.
The instance I allude to in which he betrayed his lack of knowl-
edge in this regard was a public inspection of the guard. When
the Brady s were in their prime the general was requested by Cap-
tain Rowland to inspect the company in his official capacity. He
signified his willingness to do so, and the Guards were occordingly
drawn up in open order for inspection on the designated day on
the east side of Woodward iVvenue between Jefiferson Avenue
and Woodbridge Street. The general, in full uniform, passed up
and down the ranks, minutely examining the men, accoutrements
and muskets. I think there is a regulation way of handing a
musket, by a private, to the inspecting officer and also a regu-
lation way of returning it. Without heeding the rule, whatever
it is, the general had nearly concluded his job without a miss,
apparently, when he came to Sergeant George Doty, who
was away up in the manual of arms. The latter handed
him his musket for inspection. The general looked it over
critically, proceeded to return it to George, but not "accord-
ing to Gunter." The latter did not see it, so to speak, and the
musket fell to the ground with a clang, causing much surprise,
and suppressed merriment by the members of the company and
the bystanders gathered to witness the parade. The general did
not appear to notice the incident in the least and concluded his
inspection and expressed himself as being highly pleased with the
superb condition of the company. Doty used to enjoy relating
this afifair. Friend Palmer.
13
OLD EXPRESS DAYS.
REMINISCENCES OF THE TIME WHEN THE BUSINESS WAS
IN ITS INFANCY.
NOTING by the papers, some months ago, that the
American Express, the United States Express, and the
Wells-Fargo Express Companies contemplate consoHdating
under one head with capital of $30,cx)0,ooo, brings to my mind
the early days of the express business, when its was in its swad-
dling clothes, and giving then but little evidence of growing to
the giant it has now become. Perhaps my memories of those
days may be of interest to some, and therefore they are here
presented :
All know what a mighty business this express venture has
grown to, and probably do not realize what a small and insig-
nificant beginning it had. How much the people of this great
country, and, indeed, the world, owe to its progenitors, they,
perhaps, will never stop to consider. From its very start and
inception the enterprise was a success, in a small way, and pro-
ceeded to fill a great and long felt want was, instantly, as it were,
appreciated by all classes of the community. It fast became an
absolute necessity, and it is now impossible for the business
portion, at least, to get along without it.
Well, I was connected with this express business, in a mod-
erate way, when it was first started in Bufifalo, and was with the
company for a few years afterwards. Early in January, 1842, I
left Detroit for Bufifalo, to fill, or try to fill a position in the book
and stationery store of Wm. B. and C. E. Peck, on Main Street in
that city. The Pecks were also agents for Pomeroy & Co.'s
Express.
FROM CANADA TO BUFFALO.
The journey through Canada to Queenstown, was uneventful,
except that it took six days to get through to that point, traveling
by day and putting up nights at the comfortable taverns on the
route, where wines and liquors were free, and the juicy round of
OLD e:xpress days. 195
beef was always in evidence. The only thing the stage passengers
''kicked" at was the price of cigars, and that was four cents for the
best Havanas, the price never having been but three cents on the
American side for the best Principe Havana could produce. We
could not see why they did it ; they did not offer any explanation
and we stood it.
From Lewiston, opposite Queenstown, a horse railroad took
us to Niagara Falls, thence by steam railroads to Buffalo. Buffalo
was quite bewildering to me, being so much larger than Detroit,
25,000 inhabitants. Detroit at that time had only ten or twelve
thousand, I think. I was soon installed in my new position and,
among the rest of my duties was the care and charge of this
express business. Its small limit can be imagined, when I relate-
that I was easily able to take care of my part in running the book
store and attending to the business of the express as well, no
porter, no delivery wagon, etc.
The parties comprising the firm of Pomeroy & Co. were Geo.
E. Pomeroy, Henry Wells, Crawford Livingston and Wm. A.Liv-
ingston. Mr. Pomeroy and W. A. Livingston had their headquar-
ters in Albany, and Crawford Livingston in New York. The
chief office was in Albany. Mr. Wells had his headquarters in
Buffalo, and was almost always traveling on the railroad, between
the former city and Albany, soliciting business and making the
new enterprise known. He was a great factor in founding the
express business and placing it on the firm and stable basis it now
enjoys. / ,
Of commanding presence, possessed of a most kind and
genial manner, Mr. Wells was a most companionable man, full of
joke and fun. He had a pronounced impediment in his speech, a
stammer and a stutter combined, which in some might be con-
sidered a great af^iction, but in him it seemed to lend piquancy to
his jokes, stories and remarks of men and things. He had, as said
before, a fine presence, and in -addition, affected a peculiarity in
dress. Ruffle shirt, always a blue broad cloth cloak in winter, with
ample, flowing sleeves, and always a peculiar black silk velvet cap
that fell over the left side of the head and ended with a gold tas-
sel. He was sure of being the conspicuous, central figure
wherever he happened to be, and if any one on the route wished to
know anything in relation to the express business, if Mr. Wells
was on the railroad train, most every one knew it, and could read-
196 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
ily point him out. His personality was his greatest card, and did
more to fasten his ideas of the express business, its benefits, etc.,
on the minds of the public than any other factor did, or could.
He won and always had hosts and hosts of warm-hearted friends,
and they, as a natural consequence, became the friends and
patrons of his express company, an enterprise so novel and so
new.
Mr. Crawford Livingston was the resident New York partner
at, then. No. 2 Wall Street. I never came in contact with him
except through correspondence. He was a fine business man and
did much to promote the express business in New York, now the
head center. He died early, but lived long enough to realize what
his exertions in that direction would blossom into.
Mr. Wells performed twice the feat of bringing the presi-
dent's message from Albany to Buffalo in advance of the mails,
riding on the locomotive, the train composed of the latter and its
tender only. He used to say in his inimitable way "the engineer
just pulled the plug and let her rip."
TRIBUTE TO EXPRESS MESSENGERS.
Mr. Pomeroy was considered the ''Great Mogul," or assumed
to be, but 'in my opinion Henry Wells and Crawford Livingston
were the two men who gave to the weak child a healthy, sturdy
growth, which kept on increasing, and which it has today in a
most marked manner.'
To the express messengers is also due a large share of the
success that came to the enterprise. They were hustlers, all of
them, and untiring in the interest of the company. I call to mind
the names and personalities of some of them who were considered
the best, viz., Sam Lee, who always had what was termed the
''Bank Run." To explain, most of the country banks and bankers
kept their accounts with the Albany City Bank, and made their
remittances weekly by this "Bank 'Run" and this Messenger Lee.
Then there was Daniel Dunning, a pink of suavity and politeness,
as also Schyler, Thad Pomeroy, Powell Hurd, Wheeler, and last
and not by any means least, Wm. G. Fargo. The assumed duties
of these messengers were something that the messengers of the
present day do not feel called upon to perform, or are not, I pre-
sume, only in some isolated cases. These were executing mes-
sages, errands of all sorts, taking charge of ladies traveling from
OI^D EXPRS^SS DAYS. 197
one point to another on the railroad without escort, seeing to their
baggage, etc., taking charge of young children without their
parents, and doing many other things for the public that they had
long desired some one to step in and do. Thus they made them-
selves exceedingly popular, as well as the express company they
so well and ably represented.
Messenger Dunning (before mentioned) was most polite and
winning in manner, particularly to the fairer portion of creation ;
he gained their good-will, and I might say, admiration, both old
and young, if they were journeying unattended between Albany
and Buffalo, by his assiduous attentions to their wants.
NO PICNIC IN WINTER.
The journeys between the above points were something dif-
ferent from what they are now. Instead of four continuous
tracks, there was only one (strap rail), and that was not Contin-
uous. Four or five different companies, I do not remember their
names, operated their several roads and had their depots at the
various termini. So it can be readily imagined that a woman,
unattended and with or without baggage, would not have much
of a picnic traveling in those days, particularly in winter. It was
on such occasions that our friend Dunning 'got in his work," so to
speak, and, as said" before, gained their admiration, also their
appreciative regard, besides advertising the merits of the express
company, which then was in need of all the favorable publicity it
could get.
I do not know, with but one exception, what ever became of
these messengers that I have mentioned, but presume they contin-
ued with the company, and retired with honor. They seemed to
drop out of the business in the ordinary course and never heard of
afterwards, but with Wm. G. Fargo it was quite different. He
entered the service of the company as messenger the fore part of
the winter of 1842, at a salary of fifty dollars per month. He
came originally from Pompey, Onondago County, New York,
where he was born and to the employ of the express company,
from the position of freight agent on the Auburn & Syracuse Rail-
road. *'This employment" his biographer, Francis F. Fargo,
truthfully says, "gave him the employment of his life," and he
readily proceeded to take advantage of it. "It awakened concep-
tions of the possibilities in transportation facilities which he so
198 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
grandly wrought out and carried to such completeness in later
years." Mr. Fargo says he was one of the original projectors of
the express business of the Pomeroy and American Express. He
was not, but he was of the Western Express, and says also ''at the
time William G. came on the road the rails were only laid to the
east from Batavia, and packages were carried between the latter
place and Buffalo by stage coach." Not so. The rails were there,
all right, from Buffalo to Batavia and Rochester, January, 1842.
He also says **W. G. was appointed agent for Pomeroy & Co. at
Buffalo." Not so, he was never agent for that company at Buf-
falo. Not but that he would have been competent enough to fill
the bill, but he had other "fish to fry," and little did he or anyone
connected with the express business at that time, dream that he
would die as early as he did, a broken down old man at 63, but
worth, it was said, $20,000,000. In addition to this he had been
mayor of ^Buffalo twice, during the civil war. He was a war
Democrat, and in 1868, was candidate for governor of New York,
but failed to get the nomination. Don't think he cared much
for it.
peck's bookstore.
Peck's bookstore was located on Main Street, Buffalo, north
side, in the block between Swan and Seneca Streets, and was, as
all bookstores were in those days, headquarters for book lovers,
literary and business men, those scientifically inclined — a place
where the society gossip and the affairs of the day of every phase
were discussed and commented upon. The 'express venture, so
new an innovation and a novel but much needed enterprise,
claimed and had its full share of commendation and ardent wishes
for its success. The winter of 1842 will be rememebered by old
railroad and express men as one of unusual rigor. The railroad
between Buffalo and Albany was ironed with the strap rail, and
where any deep cuts occurred, or any cuts at all, the flurry of snow
would put a quietus on railroad travel until the cause could be goi
rid of by gangs of men armed with shovels. Snow plows were not
in evidence in those days.
ALWAYS ON DUTY.
The express company was put to its trumps to maintain a
daily express between New York and Buffalo during that winter,
but did it in spite of cold and snow. When the railroad was tied
OLD EXPRESS DAYS. 1 99
up or snowed under the company had to resort to the stage
coaches, and thus it was through snow, or rain or shine, the
express messenger was on hand daily to meet the wants of the
community, and the people soon learned to appreciate its benefits
and rely on its service, more especially banks and bankers. It
soon came to be a necessity, same as the d^ily mail, the daily paper,
etc. I have seen the snow on a level with the tops of the fences,
yet there was the express messenger.
The expense and difficulties attending the enterprise at this
early day seemed to be insurmountable, but the American pluck
and energy of the people composing the company pushed aside
all obstacles, and their hold on the country at large was assured.
The express people realized they were building for a far
future, and at the present time, though they of that day have gone
to the other shore, the small structure they then erected, and the
enterprise they inaugurated, has grown, as all know, to gigantic
proportions and has ''girdled the globe." The express company
had the confidence of the people from the very beginning, so much
so that banks and bankers, in fact all, intrusted their business to
them, giving into their care vast sums and packages of valuables
for transmission, without even the formality of a receipt for the
same, and neither the company nor the public at that time
demanded or required a receipt for money or valuables.
To illustrate some of the difficulties encountered during that
winter of 1842. Three or four times I was called upon to make a
messenger's run to Rochester, as from that point east the rail-
roads managed to make reasonable time, but between Buffalo and
Rochester the snow kept up an almost continuous blockade, neces-
sitating the services of additional messengers between these points.
Communication was kept up by the stage company by means ot
coaches on runners. During these trips it was a common occur-
rence to experience two or three tip-ups in the snow going, and
about the same number returning. On one of my trips to Roches-
ter, the stage was crowded with passengers. I had in my custody
a valise containing money packages, value not known, besides six
boxes of silver coin, the latter stowed awav in the bottom of the
stage. While we were, or the horses were, floundering through
the snow, which filled the air and everything with a blinding bliz-
zard, the team came up against a huge snow bank, and in trying
to wallaw through it, over we went completely. The sudden shock
198 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
grandly wrought out and carried to such completeness in later
years." Mr. Fargo says he was one of the original projectors of
the express business of the Pomeroy and American Express. He
was not, but he was of the Western Express, and says also ''at the
time William G. came on the road the rails were onlv laid to the
east from Batavia, and packages were carried between the latter
place and Buffalo by stage coach." Not so. The rails were there,
all right, from Bufifalo to Batavia and Rochester, January, 1842.
He also says "W. G. was appointed agent for Pomeroy & Co. at
Buffalo." Not so, he was never agent for that company at Buf-
falo. Not but that he would have been competent enough to fill
the bill, but he had other "fish to fry," and little did he or anyone
connected with the express business at that time, dream that he
would die as early as he did, a broken down old man at 63, but
worth, it was said, $20,cx)o,ooo. In addition to this he had been
mayor of Buffalo twice, during the civil war. He was a war
Democrat, and in 1868, was candidate for governor of New York,
but failed to get the nomination. Don't think he cared much
for it.
peck's bookstore.
Peck's bookstore was located on Main Street, Buffalo, north
side, in the block between Swan and Seneca Streets, and was, as
all bookstores were in those days, headquarters for book lovers,
literary and business men, those scientifically inclined — a place
where the society gossip and the affairs of the day of every phase
were discussed and commented upon. The express venture, so
new an innovation and a novel but much needed enterprise,
claimed and had its full share of commendation and ardent wishes
for its success. The winter of 1842 will be rememebered by old
railroad and express men as one of unusual rigor. The railroad
between Buffalo and Albany was ironed with the strap rail, and
where any deep cuts occurred, or any cuts at all, the flurry of snow
would put a quietus on railroad travel until the cause could be goi
rid of by gangs of men armed with shovels. Snow plows were not
in evidence in those days.
ALWAYS ON DUTY.
The express company was put to its trumps to maintain a
daily express between New York and Buffalo during that winter,
but did it in spite of cold and snow. When the railroad was tied
OLD EXPRESS DAYS. 1 99
up or snowed under the company had to resort to the stage
coaches, and thus it was through snow, or rain or shine, the
express messenger was on hand daily to meet the wants of the
community, and the people soon learned to appreciate its benefits
and rely on its service, more especially banks and bankers. It
soon came to be a necessity, same as the d^ily mail, the daily paper,
etc. I have seen the snow on a level with the tops of the fences,
yet there was the express messenger.
The expense and difficulties attending the enterprise at this
early day seemed to be insurmountable, but the American pluck
and energy of the people composing the company pushed aside
all obstacles, and their hold on the country at large was assured.
The express people realized they were building for a far
future, and at the present time, though they of that day have gone
to the other shore, the small structure they then erected, and the
enterprise they inaugurated, has grown, as all know, to gigantic
proportions and has "girdled the globe." The express company
had the confidence of the people from the very beginning, so much
so that banks and bankers, in fact all, intrusted their business to
them, giving into their care vast sums and packages of valuables
for transmission, without even the formality of a receipt for the
same, and neither the company nor the public at that time
demanded or required a receipt for money or valuables.
To illustrate some of the difficulties encountered during that
winter of 1842. Three or four times I was called upon to make a
messenger's run to Rochester, as from that point east the rail-
roads managed to make reasonable time, but between Buffalo and
Rochester the snow kept up an almost continuous blockade, neces-
sitating the services of additional messengers between these points.
Communication was kept up by the stage company by means ot
coaches on runners. During these trips it was a common occur-
rence to experience two or three tip-ups in the snow going, and
about the same number returning. On one of my trips to Roches-
ter, the stage was crowded with passengers. I had in my custody
a valise containing money packages, value not known, besides six
boxes of silver coin, the latter stowed away in the bottom of the
stage. While we were, or the horses were, floundering through
the snow, which filled the air and everything with a blinding bliz-
zard, the team came up against a huge snow bank, and in trying
to wallaw through it, over we went completely. The sudden shock
200 BIARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
threw us all in a heap, and the six boxes of coin, weighing about
seventy pounds each, went bang through the stage window, and
into three or four feet of snow. We managed after a little delay
and much trouble to right the coach and rescue the six boxes of
specie from the snow, and went on our way rejoicing, none the
worse for our rough experience in the snow, and arrived at the end
of our journey in time for an enjoyable dinner, which was made
the most of.
Rochester at that date called itself quite a city, crediting itself
with 25,000 inhabitants, 5,000 more than Buffalo, I think. My
impression of Rochester, that wild, first stormy night, will ever
remain with me. One peculiar feature was this: I noticed that
Buffalo did not have, though she needed them badly, night watch-
men, who, clad in their long cloaks and leather headgear, with
lantern and club, guarded the streets and slumbers of the people
and cried the hours, ''Two o'clock, and all's well."
My return trip with the express was quite as stormy. The
snow was on a level with the tops of the fences, and the stage
tipped over several times between Rochester and Buffalo, as I said
before. The railroad did not resume operations for many days.
The messengers had a hard, weary time that winter. They never
came into Buffalo without long accounts of their hardships, and
angry complaints against the various railroad superintendents
between Albany and Buffalo, and more particularly against Mr. J.
W. Brooks, late superintendent of the Michigan Central railroad,
and Mr. Higham. They alleged that Brooks and Higham arbi-
trarily restricted them to much less than their quota of freight and
extra baggage, when all the cities between x\lbany and Buffalo
were clamoring for the extras that the express had afforded them,
the which they had never had before so promptly ; they kicked
because they were now and then deprived of them. They were
beginning to realize what a wonderful benefit the advent of the
express company was to the country and community.
FIRST WESTERN EXPRESS.
Early in the spring of 1842 Mr. Charles Miller, a German,
and a retired oil merchant of Buffalo, started the first western
express. He had his headquarters with the Pecks, and designed
running the business in connection with Pomeroy & Co. He
made two or three preliminary trips to Chicago, as did his one
. OLD EXPRJiSS DAYS. • 20I
messenger (Bradley). After looking the ground over pretty
thoroughly, as he thought, he concluded the task was too heavy
and gave up the venture. There were at that time no railroads
between the west and Buffalo. Communication was had in sum-
mer by water and in winter by stage.
Some time during the summer of 1842 the Pecks changed
their location for a more central one further down Main Street,
on the same side, to Brown's building, midway between Seneca
and Exchange Streets, and with them went the express company.
By this time the business of the company had increased to that
extent that it became necessary to hire a porter and equip him
with a horse and wagon. The clerical force was not increased,
Mr. Henry Wells giving his almost undivided attention to the
business when in the city, and it also necessitated my sleeping at
the store, which I had not done before, as the express messenger
came in at midnight and I had to be on hand to receive him and
take charge of the money packages, etc. For fear something
might happen when the messenger and porter routed me out, the
company provided me with a revolver, a six-shooter, the same as
the messengers carried, a clumsy affair, though I never had occa-
sion to use it.
The railroad depot at that time was located on the outskirts
of the city, away out on Exchange street, and the messenger and
porter had a trying time in bad weather getting their express mat-
ter into the city and to the office.
i,uxurie:s easily obtained.
Shortly after removing to the new location the company
entered into an arrangement with Hagerman & Cowell, fruit and
sea food dealers, of Albany, to supply them daily with oranges,
lemons, pineapples, etc., when in season ; also fresh oysters, lob-
sters, hard and soft shell crabs. This was a great and unheard-of
accommodation to good livers, all along the line from Albany to
Buffalo, and, indeed, to all who could afford to indulge in such
luxuries. The people used to say, "Just think of it, oranges and
lemons in midwinter, and fresh oysters and sea food, and all you
want if you pay the price," and the latter was not heavy. It
became possible for the wealthy citizen to have all these hitherto
unobtainable luxuries at his winter entertainments. I am reminded
of a retired Buffalo capitalist, a Mr. Coe, living on Niagara Street,
202 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
who gave three entertainments at that time, one week apart, on
the nights of Thursday. He ordered 1,500 fresh oysters in kegs
for each function. It was the talk of the town for quite a while.
Occasionally during the season of 1843 ^ messenger was sent
west in charge of packages, etc., that had accumulated from time
to time, for points beyond Buffalo. A young man by the name of
B. B. Cornwell was employed in that capacity, the first express
messenger, except Mr. Bradley, of Miller, & Co., that was ever
sent west. The principal agents west were Mr. C. Younglove,
bookseller, Cleveland; B. L. Webb, forwarding merchant, Detroit,
and S. F. Gale & Co., booksellers, Chicago.
The business kept on increasing to that extent that the com-
pany were forced to abandon their agency with the Pecks, and
seek quarters for themselves alone. They selected offices in the
Mansion house, then kept by Philip Dorsheimer, on the Exchange
Street side, and moved in early in the fall of 1843.
SUCCESSFUL FROM THE START.
As said before, about this time was organized the Western
Express, under the name of Wells & Co., and it was a success from
the start. The company had but one regular messenger, Mr.
Nichols (Cornwell having resigned.) They selected a number of
steamboat clerks, who acted in that capacity in addition to their
other duties, so they managed to fill the bill quite well. Some time
during the winter of 1844, Mr. Dunning came to Detroit, as resi-
dent partner, and established his office with C. Morse & Son, book-
sellers. In 1845 M^- Dunning withdrew from the partnership, and
a year later Mr. Wells sold his interest fo William A. Livingston,
of Albany, and the firm name was changed to Livingston & Fargo.
*'Mr. Livingston took charge of the Buffalo business and Mr.
Fargo removed to Detroit, where he remained a year and returned
to Buffalo."
No messengers went west of Detroit, either by boat or rail,
until after 1845. Business did not warrant it. The Michigan
Central railroad was finished to Marshall only at that time, at
which point the express company established an agency, with Mr.
Kimball as agent. Communication between the latter point and
Chicago was by stage. Money packages destined for the east
from Milwaukee, Racine, Kenosha and so on found their way by
private hands to the Chicago agency.
OLD EXPRESS DAYS. 203
MADE RAPID STRIDES.
In October, 1894, I had a communication from Mr. Charles
Fargo, second vice-president of the American Express Company,
Chicago, which I copy, and which will show what giant strides
the express business made west of Buffalo, from 1844 up to the
above date. He said : "We have in the western department
(which means all the lines of the American Express Company
west of Buffalo) 6,136 men employed in the forwarding, receiving
and delivery of express packages at offices. In addition we have
807 men employed as messengers on trains, steamboats and stage
lines. We use in handling our business in this department 1,223
horses. We have, arriving and leaving Chicago every day, from
all points, seventy-four messengers bringing in from one package
each up to seven or eight carloads of express matter. In addition
to this we have established at convenient locations in all cities in
the west agents for the sale and payment of our money orders.
They do not handle express packages of any kind, simply being
what we call branch money order agents, where patrons can at all
times and conveniently purchase money orders. In many large
cities a large portion of the gas bills each month are paid by means
of these orders. In the city of Chicago alone we have 250 of such
branch agencies, and in the west nearly 1,500."
At that time (1845), ^s before mentioned, the Buffalo agency
could boast of but two clerks, one porter and one delivery wagon,
while at Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago there were none at all.
Verily, the projectors of this express business "built better than
they knew."
When the company had got well into their new quarters on
Exhange Street, Buffalo, their legitimate business had increased
to the extent that they abandoned the oyster and fruit business.
Mr. Dunning, when he came west, was the first regular mes-
senger of Wells & Co. He left Buffalo for Detroit in January,
1844, with quite a large consignment of goods, money, etc., and a
few valuable packages for Chicago. He had a large Pennsylvania
wagon that looked like a schooner on wheels, with a driver and
four horses. Thus equipped, he made the journey in about seven
days, I think. He said he had a prety rough time. After that the
express left Buffalo weekly. The messengers were Parks, Emer-
son and Geer (Kye Geer.) When navigation opened these same
messengers continued, but to Detroit only, I do not know when
204 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
messenger service was established between Detroit and pomts
west, as I left the service in the fall of 1845.
I had a little fun with this Western Express messenger busi-
ness myself three or four times. The first trip was March 10,
1845, out of Buffalo on the steamboat United States, Captain
Whitaker. We were two days and two nights in the ice in sight of
Buffalo light before we got into clear water.
The Hemingways, of Buffalo, owned and operated the line
of stages between the latter point and Detroit, through Canada,
and they had their stage office with the express company on
Exchange Street. The stages arrived and departed from this
point, so it was quite the thing to get newspapers and small pack-
ages to the Detroit office ahead of the mails through the courtesy
and kindness of the stage drivers.
Pomeroy & Co. had some little opposition after they got fairly
on their feet. A firm by the name of Pullen & Copp, seeing what
a good thing it promised to be, thought they would join in. They
did start in, but they soon found that the "longest pole was bound
to knock the persimmons." Pomeroy & Co. appearing to have it,
they soon backed out. Adams, of Adams & Co.'s Boston and New
York Express, occasionally came to Buffalo, with a lonesome car-
pet bag in his hand, presumably to look the land over. He soon,
quit, however.
The excessive postage on letters charged by the United States
had been for many years a matter of complaint among all classes.
The express companies determined to "beard the lion in his den,"
and advertised to carry single letters to and from all points where
they had their offices established, for ten cents each, which
included delivery. They had stamps printed and gummed. The
stamps were from a wood-cut and oval in form. The design on
them I forget. Anyway, the innovation took with the public, and
the company was rushed with business. But it did not continue
long. Uncle Sam got his "dander up," pitched into the company,
served an injunction and got a decision from the United States
Supreme Court that knocked the express company out of the
letter-carrying business. In the meantime about two bushels of
letters had accumulated in the Buffalo office. These the company
turned over to the postmaster at Buffalo to forward to their desti-
nation. Those to them thev were directed had to fork over the
OI.D EXPRESS DAYS. 205
amount of Uncle Sam's charge for postage. What the outcome of
the matter was I never knew. It, however, paved the way to the
adoption of cheap postage.
STIMULATED BUSINESS.
The express company was the means of stimulating the news-
paper and periodical business, and to it, in a large measure, is due
the credit of affording them facilities that have enabled them to
achieve the enormous business and circulation they now enjoy.
The same can be said of the book trade. I well remember what
an experience it was in Buffalo to get the New York dailies the
next day after publication. Two rival newsdealers, Hawks at the
po^toffice, and Burke in the Mansion house in that city, received
all the New. York and Albany papers and all the magazines then
published, which were only two or three, if my memory serves me.
How rapidly they have grown since, under the distributing facili-
ties afforded them, all know.
The express company was also a great factor in the fish,
oyster and fruit trade, placing" the great public out of New York
almost on an equal footing. It was also a great factor in the milli-
nery, jewelry and fancy goods trade at that time. The small and
pressing wants of dealers in these lines could be readily supplied.
I call to mind, aside from quite a number in Buffalo, a firm in
Detroit, Freedman & Goodkind, in the millinery and fancy goods
trade. The first express that went west from Buffalo in the winter
of 1844, and every one thereafter, carried for that firm a large bale
of millinery goods, dress trimmings, etc. The express charges
were excessive, necessarily, but the house glady paid them in view
of the increased custom the early receipt of the goods gave them
— an innovation Detroit people had not been used to. Freedman,
one of the firm, from the small store on Jefferson Avenue,
branched out into one of larger dimensions on Woodward Ave-
nue, and was for quite a period the proprietor of the largest dry
goods house in Detroit, or in Michigan^ — Freedman Brothers.
The express company also at that time did a large business
buying foreign silver coin, German thalers, Spanish milled dol-
lars, etc.
2o6 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
TRANSPORTATION VIA THE) CANAL.
The company (Pomeroy & Co.) sent a messenger weekly by
canal packet boat during the season of navigation to Buffalo to
Lockport and Rochester and return. Lockport at that time had
no communication by rail with the outside world. This was a
very enjoyable trip, though a little slow, but it gave one ample
time to enjoy the beauties of the country through which the canal
passed, and also ample time and opportunity to study that odd
specimen of humanity, the "canal driver," and also to experience
the pleasurable sensation of passing through the canal locks at
Lockport.
The packet boats (the "Old Red Bird Line") on the canal
between Buffalo, Lockport and Rochester at that time (1843)
were new and acknowledged to be the finest and fastest packets
that ever floated on the canal. Their names were the Empire and
Rochester. They were no feet long by 12 feet wide, and ele-
gantly fitted up with saloons, wash rooms, etc. The Empire was
commanded by Captain D. H. Bromley (''Dan Bromley") and the
Rochester by Captain J. H. Holmes, both princes of Captains, as
many old Buffalonians and others, perhaps, will remember. The
fare was $2, meals extra, and they were fine. The boats left from
the Commercial Street bridge daily, and their departure was
almost as much an event as that of an upper lake steamer ; indeed,
quite so.
There are so many more people in the world now and so
many travel for pleasure only, and to while away the time, perhaps
travel by canal may be revived, as pleasure travel is now revived
between Detroit and Buffalo by two magnificent steamers, form-
ing a daily line. What a contrast between them and those of the
early days !
As said before, the company had not been in the habit of giv-
ing or taking receipts for packages ; their customers did not
demand it, neither did they. This custom of mutual confidence
continued for two or three years, until the company got a rude
awakening. In the early spring of 1844 Richard Mott, of Toledo,
delivered to the express messenger, as he supposed, a package of
money, said to contain $3,000. The package never reached its
destination. A fuss was made about it, of course. I was sent to
Toledo to see about it. I saw Mr. Mott, and he said he had occa-
OI.D EXPRESS DAYS. 207
sion to make a remittance to Buffalo of the amount stated, and
arriving at the Indiana House, in that city, just as the stage was
leaving, he inquired at the stage window if the express messenger
was inside. Some one answered, "Yes." He handed the package
over, and that was the last of it. I made inquiries in regard to
Mr. Mott's standing and veracity, and satisfied myself that he was
all right, and so reported to tHe company, and they paid the $3,000
without any further talk. A few months after this Pomeroy &
Co.'s express messenger, Powell, was robbed of his money trunk
at the Syracuse House in that city, kept by Phile Rust. The trunk
was said to contain $7,000. I don't think the money was ever
•recovered, or the thief found ; anyway, the company paid the loss,
and ever after the receipt business, to and from, was in vogue and
rigidly adhered to, as' all know. These two happenings served to
strengthen still more the confidence of the public in the company.
A TRIP ALONG SHORE) AS EXPRESS MESSENGER.
It is amusing, in the ligt of the present, to call to mind a trip
(one of many) along shore from Buffalo to Detroit in charge of
the express, say on the steamboat New England, for instance, in
1844. She was very slow, light of draft, and her captain boasted
that she could run anywhere. She used to touch at Dunkirk, Erie,
Ashtabula, Conneaut, Painesville, Milan, Vermillion, Cleveland,
Toledo, Monroe, and so on. These were all small places at that
time, and the only towns that made anything of a show were
Cleveland and Toledo. The former boasted of two lighthouses,
as it does now, one at the mouth of the river, the other on the
high bluff overlooking the lake. There were three or four ware-
houses near the lighthouse at the mouth of the river, but not
another structure of any description on what was then called the
"Flats." There were quite a number of good" business lio'uses,
besides a fine hotel, the Weddell House. There was a town across
the river, Ohio City, I think it was, connected with Cleveland by a
bridge. Toledo at that time was the most forlorn, uninviting look-
ing place that it is possible to imagine. The authorities Had been
cutting down the bank of the river Maumee, where is now Summit
Street, and filling in along its front for dock purposes.
There was not a structure of any kind on Summit Street until
you got down the street some distance, and that, I think, was the
residence of Richard Mott. There were warehouses on this front
208 KARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
(two only, I think), newly erected, not very pretentious, and occu-
pied, one by Alonzo Goddard, the other by King Bros. But the
Toledo people said, notwithstanding the apparently gloomy out-
look, there was a ''silver lining to the cloud," and that was the
Wabash canal, which had just then been completed to their city.
All know what that canal has done for Toledo, and what its citi-
zens have done for themselves. There was only one hotel at
Toledo at that time of any pretensions, and that one was the
Toledo House, a two-story brick building, on the corner of Perry
and Summit Streets. It was afterwards added to and renamed the
'Indiana House.
Monroe w^s more of a shipping point then than now. The
steamboat ran up the short canal from the lake to the dock (which
I think was about two miles from the city), where were several
quite pretentious warehouses. Considerable shipping was done at
this point, and for many years after, but I think now it has almost
entirely ceased.
There were no other points between Monroe and Detroit,
except, perhaps, Brest and Gibraltar, but they were of no account.
The trip was rather enjoyable than otherwise, when the weather
was fair, and it took some three or four days to accomplish it.
Of the large number of people, except in a clerical way, con-
nected with the express companies (Pomeroy and American) at
the times I mention, only one, I think, is alive and still remains
"in harness," and he is the present efficient president of the Amer-
ican Express Co., James C. Fargo. His brother, W. G. Fargo,
secured him a place in the Buffalo office on Exchange Street, in
1843 o^ 1844, a country lad fresh from the farm. He has passed
along up from office boy, through a period of over 50 years, to the
head of the largest business of the kind in the world. His brother
Charles came into the business later, and was a good second. He
died in Chicago a short time ago, vice-president, I think, of the
same company. Nothing further need be said, I think, in regard
to the Fargos that I have mentioned, and their connection with the
express business, except this, their record speaks for itself now
.and always. In this connection Fra Elbertus, the "high daddy" of
the Roycrofters, East Aurora, N. Y., says in the Philistine:
"There is no such thing as a science of education, any more
than there is a science of medicine. Both are systems of experi-
ment and guesswork. Some of the very strongest and most influ-
OLD EXPRE^SS DAYS. 209
ential men who have ever Hved were men who had no **advan-
tages." Almost without exception, the men who have built up and
who managed our great railroad were untaught country boys.
Many of the strong men in all our great cities — the men at the
heads of the factories, great enterprises and banks — were bovs
who never had college advantages."
HENRY WE:I.I<S.
I do not call to mind the date of the death of Henry Wells.
He, too, departed this life a millionaire, I think. At any rate, he
established a young ladies' seminary at Aurora, in New York
state, or some point near Buffalo, and endowed it liberally. He,
too, was on "his uppers" when he took hold of the express busi-
ness. He was at one time, I was told, captain of a canal packet or
passenger boat. He was also at one time employed as a runner for
steamboats plying between New York and Albany on the Hudson
River.
An article that appeared in the New York Sunday Sun, of
recent date, in relation to pioneer steamboat days, on the Hudson,
has this to say of him in that regard :
"The rivalry between the steamboats brought into existence
an army of persistent and strenuous runners. Not a few of them
rose in after years to distinction and wealth as railroad men and in
other lines of transportation, as well as in politics. I remember
one who operated on the New York docks. We used to call him
stuttering Wells, on account of an impediment in his speech.
Wells was a hustler in his line, but not much of a fighter. One
day in a hand-to-hand contest over a passenger, a runner for an
opposition boat knocked him down. Wells got up, pondered a
moment as he saw his opponent bearing the passenger away in
triumph, shook his head and walked away. He did not come back
to steamboat running any more, but took to carrying parcels,
packages, letters and the like to their destinations. He built up
such a business in that line that he founded an express company.
That company made him a millionaire and bears his name today
as the "Wells-Fargo Express Company." So that knock-down
argument of an opposition runner on the steamboat dock that day
was rather a good thing for Stuttering Wells."
He often used to tell of his selling tickets on the curb in front
of the Park Theatre in New York, and also of opening a school to
14
2IO EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
»
cure stammering, although a confirmed stammerer hhnself. He
said he was quite successful in the latter vocation. But how he
effected a cure on his patrons he did not divulge.
ORIGINATED THE C. O. D.
Although my services with the express company lasted only'
for a brief period, about three years, yet I was in almost at its
beginning, and claim to have ''billed" the first goods that ever
went west by express from Buffalo. Not much of a job, to be
sure, and one that some one else would and could have performed,
if L had not. Yet it is something to tell, seeing that after all these
years, I am alive to tell it. I also claim to have originated the
initials "C. O. D." that are often seen on express packages in place
of "Collect on Delivery." If any one living is disposed to dispute
these two propositions, let him "rise up and speak."
The principal points between Buffalo and Albany were Roch-
ester, Canandaigua, Syracuse, Auburn, Geneva and Utica. Can-
andaigua was at one time head center of the stage lines in the
state of New York, the home of some of the most prominent and
wealthiest men in the state. Also the head and front of the
Masonic Fraternity, where it was said the taking of Morgan was
concocted. Anyway, in regard to this latter, two of its prominent
citizens and Masons were imprisoned in the county jail at Canan-
daigua, on suspicion of being engaged in the afifair. Their names
were Cheesebro and Sawyer.
I may be pardoned for getting off of the express track, as it
were, and dwelling over much on Canandaigua, but the fact is,
it was my birthplace, and also the home of the first clerk theT'om-
eroy & Co. express employed after their move into their new quar-
ters on Exchange Street. And all old expressgien will remember
"Bill" Blossom, I am sure. He was a nephew of that prince of
landlords, Col. Blossom, the proprietor of "Blossom's Hotel,"
known so well the country through.
Geo. Bemis, son of Mr. J. D. Bemis, bookseller, was the effi-
cient agent at this point, assisted by. a young man by the name of
Shepard. All these were factors in favor of the express company,
(except Morgan, perhaps). Canandaigua also, was one of the
places Lafayette deigned to honor with his presence, when he vis-
ited this country in 1824. He was dined and wined by the citizens
at Blossom's Hotel.
OLD EXPRESS DAYS. 211
Rochester was another prominent and important point, more
so, I think than any other between Albany and Buffalo, (more so
than the latter.) D. Hoyt, the principal bookseller in the place, was
the agent and had two efficient assistants, Starr Hoyt, his nephew,
and Henry Hastings, two popular young men in Rochester, as
many will remember. These young men were untiring in their
efforts to serve the interests of the express company in season and
out of season. The other points on the route were of importance,
of course, but these I have mentioned, with the exception, perhaps,
of Syracuse, were the most talked of and most heard from.
Erastus Corning, head of the Albany City Bank, also chief of
the great hardware house of Erastus Corning & Co., was a great
friend and patron of the company, as also was Dean Richmond.
In fact all men of prominence along the line from Albany to Buf-
falo lent their aid and gave their good words for the success of
this new venture.
When the ice went out of Buffalo Creek, in the spring, it was
a sure sign, and noted as such, then that the Hudson River was
open, from Albany to New York ; a gratifying event to the express
company, as during the closing of the Hudson, the only communi-
cation between Albany and New York was by the Housatonic
Railroad, and that was very unsatisfactory and uncertain. They
used to call it ''The Ram's Horn."
The founder of the express business in the Unied States was
William F. Harnden, who commenced the transportation of bun-
dles and parcels between Boston and New York March 4, 1839.
A year later (1840) a competing express was started by P. B.
Burke and Alvin Adams, the sole ownership and management of
which soon passed into the hands of the latter. In 1841 Mr.
Adams associated with himself as partner William B. Dinsmore,
of New York, and placed him in charge of the New York office.
Following this enterprise were the companies started by Gay &
Kinsley and Pomeroy & Co., and the Wells & Fargo. Mr. Harn-
den died in 1848.
Contrasting the. business of the express companies the pres-
ent, in Michigan only, with that of 1842, 1843 ^^^ 1844, I copy
an article that appeared in one of the daily papers in Detroit.
"The American Express Company paid its annual taxes in
March, 1902, and in its report to the auditor-general stated that
212 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
it had 555 agencies, and the National Express, which is under its
control, in Michigan, 88. The number of miles under which the
former does business in the state is 4,191, and the latter 780.
Receipts for 1901 :
American in Michigan were $370,825 81
National in Michigan were 76,672 63
Total $447,498 44
In closing this article all I have to say is: All the express
people had to do in the early days, and since, was to get in ahead
on every new route that was opened and to take care of the busi-
ness that came to them. Once firmly seated in the saddle they
could not be easily unhorsed, nor were they.
OLD HOTLLS OF DLTROIT.
REMINISCENCES OF THE HOSTELRIES OF EARLY DAYS.
THEIR PROPRIETORS AND THEIR GUESTS.
WOOD worth's steamboat house.
WOODWORTH'S HOTEL was in the early days the cen-
ter of almost everything, all the stage lines started from
there and nearly everyone of any note put up at this hos-
telry. ''Uncle Ben's" was as well known as any house of
• its kind in all the northwest. Here were held many of the fes-
tivities and functions of impkDrtance, military or otherwise.
I remember one occasion, a ball held directly after the con-
clusion of the Patriot War and Washington's birthday. It was
a brilliant affair. All the British officers stationed at Maiden and
Sandwich were invited and attended in full uniform, which was
quite elaborate with hussar jacket, dependent from one shoulder,
with side arms, saberstache, aigulettes, scarlet bobtailed coats,
knee breeches, silk stockings, etc. This was the same kind of
uniform it was said, that the. British officers wore at Waterloo,
minus the silk stockings and knee breeches. The originators of
the ball anticipated a rumpus at the ferry dock, foot of Wood-
ward Avenue, on the arrival of the guests, on account of the ill-
feeling entertained by our people on the border, engendered in
consequence of the then recent patriot disturbance. A large crowd
did gather at the ferry landing, but happily nothing unpleasant
occurred. Another rather interesting event happened there, an
auction for the benefit of the Free School Society which was run-
ning a free infant school, in a building which had been part of old
Fort Shelby, which building stood on the line of Cass farm. The
auction was held in the dining room of the hotel and the articles
to be disposed of were, fancy goods, needle work, etc. Colonel
Edward Brooks, a humorous and witty man, was the auctioneer.
One of the articles put up was a roasted turkey, donated by Oliver
Newberry, for which Landlord John R. Kellogg, of the National
214 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Ffotel (now the Russell House), and Landlord Wales, of the
Michigan Exchacge, bid against each other until it was finally
knocked down to Kellogg for $200. My eye came across another
version of this auction sale and I give it below :
"After the sale, Mr. Lillibridge, of the Tontine restaurant,
in the old council house, nearby, had a turkey waiting for a pur-
chaser. It was proposed that this turkey be obtained and sold for
the benefit of the society. Mr. Kellogg and Mr. Wales went for
the turkey, and it was proposed that the two draw lots for it and
give it to the ladies. Thereupon Lillibridge declined to sell, but
shouldered the turkey, brought it to the sale and donated it to
the ladies, and it was sold over and over again and finally knocked
off for $200."
I was present at this auction and I think the first version is
the correct one. I know Mr. Newberry presented a turkey.
Various articles brought large prices. For instance, a doll made •
of raisins excited such competition that it was finally knocked
down at seventy-five or a hundred dollars. The successful bid-
der, I think, was Oliver Newberry. People had some money to
burn, even in those early days of Detroit. The fair netted $1,656.
"Uncle Ben" retired from the hotel business after awhile,
and settled on his farm, near St. Clair City. Milton Barney
succeeded him in the keeping of this house. But its glory had
departed. Barney continued it for a while, until the fire of 1*848
swept it away.
IN THE SLOWER O^ HER YOUTH.
Mr. Barney had a beautiful daughter, Caroline. She was
highly accomplished and all that, and the father set great store
by her. She did not happen at that time to be in the social swim,
but soon attracting the attention of some of the young men of
Detroit's society, they chose to introduce her into their set if she
so desired. She was not adverse to the idea and the opportunity
soon came. The "boys," as they termed themselves, had formed
a dancing club (this in the winter), and met once in every two
weeks at their homes, each gentleman inviting his own lady.
Miss Barney *was invited and was escorted, in the first instance,
by the gentleman giving the party. She was well received, and
ever afterwards did not lack for "invites" and a welcome from
all. But during the early summer following death came to her
in the shape of malignant erysipelas. She was widely mourned,
and her funeral was largely attended. *'
OLD HOTELS OF DETROIT. 215
THE WOODWORTH FAMILY.
Uncle Ben Woodworth had two sons and two daughters.
One was drowned at the foot of Randolph Street in 1829. One
of the daughters was married about 1830, to whom I have for-
gotten; the other daughter, Ann, was married to Mr. Simon
Brown, who afterwards became colonel of a Michigan cavalry
regiment in the civil war, and attained the rank of brevet briga-
dier-general. The other son, Samuel, must be remembered by
many. He was his father's right-hand man. Prompt and ener-
getic, he was always "on deck." After quitting the hotel business
he purchased and became captain of the steamer Vance and was
blown up on her shortly afterward while the steamer was lying at
her dock in Windsor. .
Ann Woodworth was a sprightly, quick-witted, black-eyed
lady and was the boss in the kitchen and upstairs as well.
Following were the lines of stages running from Wood-
worth's Steamboat hotel in 1832, daily:
Sandusky line, passing through Monroe and Maumee; St.
Joseph line, passing through Ypsilanti, Saline, Clinton, Tecumseh,
Jonesville, Mottville, White Pigeon and Niles; Ann Arbor line,
passing through Pekin, Plymouth and Panama; Pontiac line,
passing through Rochester, Stony Creek and Romeo ; also a line
to Mt. Clemens, three times a week, Ypsilanti daily, in the
morning and sometimes an extra at 12 o'clock, noon.
AN INTERESTING PICTURE.
. I copy an article written in 1877, in regard to Sam Wood-
worth, and the hotel, by the late Geo. C. Bates. The latter was a
citizen of Detroit in 1835 and later.
''Come a little closer to the front (Steamboat hotel) and
there you see that same old omnibus having on its white panels
over the door in great gilt letters, "Woodworth's Steamboat
Hotel," and standing, aiding passengers to aHght, is a stout red-
haired, blue-eyed, very polite young man, about 28 years of age,
whose green frock-coat is buttoned very tightly about his person,
his dazzling-striped pantaloons fitting very closely, while a black
string and broad rolling shirt collar gave the Byronic appearance
to Sam Woodworth, the son of its proprietor — the major domo,
the man-of-all-work, who accompanied the omnibus to all steam-
21 6 e;arly days in Detroit.
ers, whose politeness, affability and knowledge of all men and
things, made him a very different hotel clerk from the diamond-
studded clerk of modern days. Everyone, man or woman, who
ever entered 'Uncle Bens,' as the Woodworth's hotel was called
for short, will remember Sam's suavity of' manner, his graceful,
smiling politeness, smacking a little of Sam Weller's, but still, a
kind-hearted, truly polite, and quite well-educated son of a brave
old father, who, after serving in the capacity of general manager
of Woodworth's hotel, for years, became possessed of the. vaulting
ambition to step up the ladder, and become the master of a steam-
boat, to stand, like old Commodore Blake, on the pilothouse, pull
this bell, that, and shout in loud tones, 'Avast, there !' 'Port, sir !'
'Port sir !' and, who having purchased a very small steamer called
the General Vance, commenced his regular trips to Truax's
(Trenton) and Newport, down the river and back, all in a single
day, touching at Windsor, Sandwich, Springwells, Ecorse and all
the intermediate points, 'wind and weather permitting,' until one
day, when lying at the Windsor dock, the teakettle engine of poor
Sam exploded, and the last ever seen of him was when he was
observed with outstretched arms and widespread limbs going up
higher than a kite, where many of the old sailors on the steamers
of those days followed him.
"The steamer was split up into matches, and what was left of
poor Sam was followed to the old cemetery — Sexton Noble and
his pipe managing the hearse — by all the old habitues of that inn,
and no man ever deserved more justly the tears that were shed
over his remains than he did."
RARE CHARACTERS.
Mr. Bates also speaks about Uncle Ben Woodworth in this
wise : "But come, let us enter this hospitable old home and first
pay our respects to Uncle Ben, a broad-shouldered, gray-eyed
man, then nearly 60 years of age, with very firm lips, mild in his
outward seemings, but when enraged a perfect old volcano, whose
increasing pallor, and deepening of the wrinkles on his face, told
of the higher barometer of passion within ; a great-handed, strong,
old-fashioned Yankee, whose heart was as open as the day, and
whose industry and cordiality made his home the headquarters of
all the steamboat men, and pioneers of the Straits."
Mr. Bates also mentions a noted character of those davs, Wil-
OLD HOTELS 01? DETROIT. 2l^
liam Clay, and says this of him : "Having shaken hands with
'Uncle Ben,' we pass into the barber shop, and, behold, here is
William Clay, the learned tonsorial artist, the cultivated, educated
barber from England, a man sui generis, who could cut your hair
in the very latest fashion, and chop logic with you ad interim;
who would give you a superb shave and simultaneously discourse
on the Greek roots; who would furnish an elegant shampoo and
all the while interesting you by quotations from Socrates, Long-
inus, Thomas x\quinas; who would give you the catalogue of his
private library — where the very finest editions of the Greek, Latin
and English classics could be found ; a man who would make you
a wig and at the same time weave you a web of philosophy, of
metaphysics and religion that would carry you to your grave; a
learned, scholarly, thoroughly educated barber, who only went
to rest these last few months (about 1875) and who was indeed
a marvel of the bygones of Detroit. 'When shall we look upon
his like again?' — a scholarly barber; a logical wigmaker; a class-
ical hairdresser ; a most learned shampooer ; a tonsorial artist, and
expounder of Greek phiHsophy, all combined ; a marvelous con-
junction of the vulgar art of living, with the aesthetics of the
academy, the homely drudgery of everyday life, united with the
beautiful teachings of Plato, Socrates and Cicero on the banks of
the Ilyssus."
Mr. Bates goes on to say further of the Steamboat Hotel :
A QUAINT HOTEL.
"But let US look the Woodworth Hotel over — it will take but
a moment. Observe it is only two stories over the basement ; it is
plain in construction and model. On entering from the street you
find the stage office, the bar, wherein those days one could get a
glass of pure Monongahela whisky, old Jamaica rum, brandy
imported from Quebec, that had no adulterant in it — bygones now
giving place only to liquid hell fire, composed of all sorts of ingre-
dients. Then came a large sitting room; then a large dining
room, all neatly and simply furnished, but all most comfortable.
In the next flight of stairs was the ladies' parlor, a very large
room, which we used to qccupy for Whig meetings ; several large
double rooms, where you would find not infrequently at least eight
members of the legislative council, all living and sleeping there.
The carpets were not velvet nor Royal Wilton, but three-ply, soft-
2l8 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
ened by heavy linings of hay, which gave rather frowzy odor to
the room. The furniture was very substantial, not wahdgany ; the
forks were steel, not silver, and the knives had bone instead of
ivory handles; but every room and bed in that hotel was full, year
in and year out.
"In February of each year, after the session of the Supreme
Court of the territory, around that table were wont to congregate
the members of the bar; and the annual bar dinner was given
when Judge Woodbridge, that witty old gentleman at the head
of the table, was flanked by Chief Justice Sibley and Justice Mor-
rell. At the foot sat Harry Cole, with Ross Wilkins on his right,
and midway between the two was General Charles Larned, one of
the most elegant, dashing and princely of all that bar, having on
either hand George McDougall, the father of the bar, and Charles
Cleland, his poet, editor, toastmaster ; while on the other side sat
Augustus S. Porter pulling his nose in nervous enjoyment of the
wine and wit, when every member was condemned to give a toast,
tell a story, make a speech, sing a song o-r drink a glass of salt and
water, and when Cleland's last toast was always to old McDou-
gall, a legal Falstaff, redivius, the quondam father of the bar,
then lighthousekeeper at Fort Gratiot, and which was drunk
standing, somewhat in these words :
" 'Brethren of the Bar : We drink now to the Nestor of our
bar, George McDougall, who, in early life, shed the light and bril-
liancy of his genius over our profession in beautiful Michigan, but
who now, in his old age, illuminates the dark waters of Lake
Huron with his magic lantern, and so guides the tempest-tossed
mariner safely through storms and dangers of the lake down to *
the silvery streams of St. Clair.'
"At which three cheers were given, heel taps all around, and
then, after a valedictory from Judge Hand, the bar went back
into chancery."
THE MANSION HOUSE.
•
Melvin Dorr, city auctioneer, occupied the first house this
side of the Cass residence, and on the line of the farm. The. next
was the Mansion House, about where Cass Avenue crosses Jeffer-
son now. This and Uncle Ben Woodworth's Steamboat Hotel
were the only hotels of any consequence in the city then. This
Mansion House was built and owned by Judge Woodward arid
was built in 1824 of the brick and stone taken from the ruins of
OLD HOTELS OF DETROIT. 219
old Fort Shelby when it was demolished. It was not very large
(three or four stories, I think), and, with the out-building,
extended back to what is now Larned Street. It had a high, open
porch that occupied its entire front, su{)ported by large wooden
pillars. Across the street from it was a large summer house, built
apparently for the pleasure of the guests of the house, and where
a band, when they had one, discoursed music, such as it was. The
high bank in front of the Cass farm extended to and a little
beyond the Mansion House. This summer house was on this bank
and had a long flight of steps leading from it down to Jefferson
Avenue, where the latter deflected from its course, about where
Cass Avenue crosses, and ended in the river. It was a pleasant
experience to spend a summer evening on the hotel porch or in the
summer house. Perhaps there are some living who can remem-
ber the pleasure, and with myself regret that the needs of business
and commerce necessitated the destruction and obliteration of this,
the fairest part of the city. It is hard to realize the change it has
undergone.
ENTERTAINED MANY NOTABLES.
Here at this Mansion House and at Uncle Ben Woodworth's
Steamboat Hotel all the notables of the country visiting the city
were entertained. General Scott and suite made the former their-
headquarters in 1832, as also did Black Hawk and his suite, on
their way from Washington to their homes, after receiving a
wholesome chastisement from Uncle Sam. Here also the citizens
of Detroit banqueted General Cass on the eve of his departure for
Washington to accept the portfolio of the secretary of war. I got
into this banquet for a short time through the good oflices of
Charles Mack, who was a chum of mine, and son of the proprietor,
Andrew Mack. I remember quite well the appearance of the
whole affair, the company present, etc. I also remember Major
Henry Whiting's recitation of his poem, "Michigania."
Mr. Alvah Bronson was -the first proprietor, General J. E.
Schwarz the next and Andrew Mack next, Mr. Uhlman next, and
then Mr. Boyer.
The hotel was demolished in 1834, when the Cass farm front
was graded down and dumped into the river, making some dozen
or more acres of available river front. A singular fact in regard
to General Schwarz and Mr. Uhlman was that they were the only
two native-born Germans in the city at that time.
2 20 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
THE ^IRST PROPRIETOR.
Colonel Andrew Mack was the first landlord after I came, or
shortly after. He was also United States custom house officer,
and the office was in a small building adjoining or near the hotel.
I think he afterwards kept the American Hotel (where the Biddle
House now is) for a short tirtie when it was first opened. A fine
man was the colonel. Of commanding presence and a "Chester-
field" in manners, he easily won the esteem of all. He was ably
seconded by his amiable wife. He subsequently moved or retired
to a farm on the St. Clair River, between Port Huron and St.
Clair City, where he died many years ago.
Charles Mack, son of Colonel Andrew Mack, proprietor of
the old Mansion House, was a handsome boy, and grew to a fine
manhood, but had no adaptation for business. He tried to be an
artist ; had a studio here, worried a while at portrait painting, but
soon gave it up, not meeting with success. He entered the United
States revenue service, and continued in it until he had to be
retired on account of rheumatism, which finally caused his death,
I think. He married one of the Clark sisters, who at one time
( 1838 or 9) was playing at the old brick theatre near the public
library building, with their brother-in-law, William Sherwood.
They were very pretty, bright and attractive, and were great
favorites. They made a great impression on the "boys," and I
did not wonder at Charley Mack's falling in love with the pret-
tiest one. Among other gifts the sisters were fine singers, and,
accompanied by Sherwood, who was himself a fine singer, they
rendered such songs as *'Hail Columbia," "Star Spangled
Banner" and others of the patriotic order, that set the house wild
with enthusiasm.
Mrs. Mack is living yet, and is, with her daughter, Mrs. Fitz
Talman, somewhere in North Carolina.
THE OLD MICHIGAN EXCHANGE.
The late George C. Bates, in some of his reminiscences
(1877) has this to say in regard to the old Mansion House and
of its closing days, in 1834, when it was demolished, and the glory
of the old house was transferred to the new Michigan Exchange:
"In those 'by-gones' the Detroit River in turning around so
as to swing Sandwich Point, made a huge detour just at the foot
OI.D HOTELS OF DETROIT. 221
of Cass Street, and, sweeping away inland, made a second Tappan
Zee. Its banks at that curve were the Cass farm, the Jones,
Woodbridge, Baker and Thompson farms, very high and bold,
and General Cass' orchard came almost to the edge of the bluff.
High up on the bank just below Cass Street stood this dashing
old home, the Mansion House, built many years before our visit
of today (July, 1835). It was made of stone, some three stories
high, with a veranda along its entire front and huge pillars reach-
ing clear away to the roof, and then extending back some 200 feet
deep. From that veranda you could look right down over old
Uncle Oliver Newberry's warehouse, across the Detroit Iron
Works, and have an exquisite view of the river, the dwellmgs and
gardens at Windsor and Sandwich down around the Pomt,
Springwells, and the smoke of the upcoming steamer could always
be seen far away around Sandwich Point. The old porch was
very cool and delightful, and there today you see' grouped on the
veranda young Governor Tom Mason, so handsome and genial;
prim John Norvell, Lieutenants Alex. Center, John M. Berrien,
Heintzelman, the latter all drawn up with rheumatism ; Lieutenant
Poole, Captain Russell, Major Forsyth, of the army; Judge Wil-
kins. Judge Morrill, Thomas Sheldon, Justin Burdick and numer-
ous other long-time habitues of this old inn — for today was a gala
day in Detroit.
**The records of that old Mansion House, if they could be
exhumed and read now, would furnish a sketch of Detroit, its old
citizens and guests that would astonish, interest and amuse.
"On that veranda in 1837 Daniel Webster was welcomed to
Detroit and in General Cass' orchard — afterwards graded down
by Abraham Smolk, and dumped into the river, making some 17
acres of new river front — made one of those God-like speeches,
which no other man ever had, ever can or ever will make. At that
dining table during a whole season was Silas Wright, New York's
greatest senator, with Judge Morrell, wife and daughter, Captain
J. B. F. Russell, of the United States artillery, and his gorgeous
wife, a splendid beauty. At the same table Stephen, A. Douglass
was not an infrequent guest, and there I have seen in brilliant
army costume side by side Generals Scott, Worth, Wool,
McComb, Whiting, Larned and an army of subalterns. But now
here today (1834) the glory of dear old Mansion House
departeth."
222 - EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
WAS A BRILUANT AFFAIR.
Mr. Bates also discourses quite at length in regard to the
opening of the Michigan Exchange. I have already given above
quite a space to this hostelry, yet I did not refer to its opening, as
I was a young schoolboy in those days and do not remember much
about it, although I knew of it, as Edwin A. Wales, son'of Austin
Wales, was a schoolmate of mine at the time. I will let George C.
Bates tell the story.
''Now the Michigan Exchange is opened and all the crowd
are about to go there and aid in its christening. So in fall all the
gentry, and in double files, led by Governor Stevens T. Mason and
John Norvell, we march to Shelby Street, corner of Jefferson
Avenue, where at the door the entire party are welcomed by Shu-
bal Conant, the owner and builder of that then magnificent pal-
ace, and by Austin Wales and his brother, E. B. Wales, then its
proud and youthful landlord. Prodigious, indeed, is this grand
new hotel, one hundred feet front on the avenue, the same in
depth on Shelby Street, four stories high, of pressed brick, with
stone trimmings. It begins a new era in Detroit. Old times are
passing away and commerce and fashion are westward bound
today. Of the building itself I need not speak. Like the monu-
ment of Bunker Hill, 'there it stands, and the first rays of the
morning sun greet it, and the last hours of expiring day linger and
play around its base.' "
"The dining room in that day was upstairs over the corner
store, at the conjunction of Jefiferson avenue and Shelby street,
where Webb, Douglass & Co., of Albany,^ the junior partner of
whom was John Chester, who for many a long year had the first
wholesale and retail crockery establishment. Directly from the
street you entered the office, and on the right was a large well-
lighted, airy, elegant bar, with a mahogany rail, rested on plated
silver arms or braces in front, and where, on this opening day,
everybody, young and old, grand and humble, drank pure liquors
to their hearts' content, for then we had no red ribbons ; '*'tis true,
'tis pity, and pity 'tis, 'tis true.' Everybody shakes hands with
Shubal Conant, then a teetotaler of the strictest kind, like old
Solomon, who had found 'wine and strong drink to be a mocker.'
Everybody congratulated Wales & Co. and everybody drank with
everybody and all 'went merry as a marriage bell.' Late dinner
OLD HOTELS OF DETROIT. 223
was served, and around that first table were gathered John A.
Welles, George B. Martin, Walter Newberry, Rufus Brown, John
Chester, Judge Hand, Colonel Daniel Goodwin, Ambrose Town-
send, John L. Talbot, Bill Alvord, Morgan L. Martin, while at its
head sat Judge Conant,*a Vermont giant — who occupied that same
seat until he was upwards of 80 years of age — and a great number
of invited guests, including all who came over from the Mansion
House.
*'The register of that first day of the Michigan Exchange,
Irish John used to shriek it out, 'Passengers for the Michigan
Exchange, omnibus going up now,' will furnish over 150 names
of the Detroit guests, and out of that number not a dozen remain
to this day ( 1877) to read these 'Bygones,' or to recall the pleas-
ures of youth and hope there gathered around the first table ever
spread in that now universally known hostelry. Underneath that
old roof lived Fletcher Webster, the favorite son of Daniel Web-
ster, and wife; Anthony Ten Eyck and lady; Marshal F. Bacon
and wife ; John A. Welles and wife ; Robert McClellan and wife,
and nearly all the quondam guests of the Mansion House, while
Judge Conant, Uncle Gurdon WiUiams, Salt Williams ('Stam-
mering Alph'), Young Gurdon, poor Bill Alvord, John L. Tal-
bot, and multidudes of others either actually lived in the house
or left it to die somewhere else.
"Forty-two years have come and gone since that opening
day of the Michigan Exchange — an epoch in Detroit (July, 1885),
and of the multitudes then in our streets only here and there can
you see a gray-haired man plodding wearily on, waiting for the
carriage that will be his escort to Elmwood^ — but even to this day,
with its old-fashioned front, its simplicity and plainness of out-
ward seeming, whosoever shall enter there will find every com-
fort and care that heart can desire or money command. Like the
old homes of Detroit, its latchstring is always on the outside, and
the weary and dust-stained traveler will ever find a cordial and
hearty welcome."
THE MICHIGAN EXCHANGE.
The Michigan Exchange was built by Shubal Conant about
1837 and opened by Austin A. Wales, who was succeeded by
Orville B. Dibble, and the latter by Daniel Goodnow, formerly of
the Macomb Street House, Monroe. Mr. Goodnow had asso-
ciated with him his son, William. They were succeeded by Fel-
224 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
lers & Benjamin, the latter having been keeping the old National
Hotel, the present Russell House ; they were followed by Edward
Lyon. I don't remember who had it after that. During Mr.
Lyon's reign Homer Barstow, George W, Thayer, now of Grand
Rapids, and Farnham Lyon, now of the Bancroft House, Sag-
inaw, were associated with him from time to time in running the
house. The hotel was a success from the start, and to accommo-
date the constantly increasing business, Mr. Conant was obliged
to enlarge the building on towards Wayne Street, and towards
the river on Shelby Street to Woodbridge Street. The original
building occupied but one-half of the lot on the corner of Jeffer-
son Avenue and Shelby Street ; that is, it e:jctended back from the
avenue about lOO feet. In the rear ran an iron balcony the width
of the hotel, the reading and dining rooms opening out on to it.
On one occasion under Mr. Goodnow's supervision, a public
dinner of some sort was given, and among the guests was Curtis
(Curt) Emerson. Many people will remember him. After the
wine had circulated pretty freely, he became quite jolly and
uproarous. Mounting the table, he proceeded to promenade up
and down, kicking the dishes right and left. His father, Thomas
Emerson, was sitting in the reading room quietly reading during
all this. Mr. Goodnow informed him of what was going on in
the dining room and entreated him to go in and see if his son
''Curt" could not be induced to simmer down. The old gentle-
man readily assented and, going out on to the balcony, through
the open windows (it being summer), he saw his son "Curt"
dancing up and down the table and raising the old "Harry" with
the crockery. He looked on for a minute, chuckling, and this is
what he said, "Yes, that is my son Curt, sure enough. I used to
do the same thing myself when I was his age. Go it. Curt." He
returned to the reading room and resumed his paper as though
nothing unusual had happened.
THE GOOD OLD DAYS.
The Michigan Exchange, in the "forties," was also a famous
place for the gay and dancing portion of Detroit's society, young
and old, to assemble during the long winter months and "chase
the hours with flying feet ;" Detroit was always gay in those days,
more particularly in the winter season. When the "frost king"
locked the lake and river in his icy embrace, cutting off all com-
OLD HOTEIvS O^ DETROIT. 225
munication from the eastern world, fun and frolic had full sway.
It was here in the ball room of this hotel, during the time the
Fourth United States Infantry (Grant's regiment) was sta-
tioned here, that all Detroit's gay '^400" or less, whatever there
was, the creme de la creme, met in weekly cotillion parties, gotten
up by subscription. That they were exclusive goes without say-
ing. You could not get within the charmed circle, had you ever
so much money, unless you were in the swim ; would not even be
asked to subscribe; no, sir! The officers of the army stationed
at this post, on detached duty (and it being the headquarters of
the "Michigan department of the lakes"), there was always quite
a number of them who contributed to their success. General
Grant, then a brevet-captain in the Fourth United States Infantry,
was a subscriber also, and with his bride, formerly Miss Dent,
was in attendance at all these parties, as well as the other officers
of the regiment and their ladies during its stay here. Grant him-
self did not dance, but his wife did. He used to stand around or
hold down a seat all the evening. One thing I noticed in him.
He was always ready to join the boys when they went out to
"see a man." This they did pretty often, as boys and men will,
but I never saw him under the influence of liquor, and I saw him
as often as anyone here, anyone, I mean, outside of the members
of his regiment and family ; and why I came to know so much in
regard to him arose from the fact that I was at that time in the
employ of Major E. S. Sibley, U. S. A., quartermaster for the
military department of the lakes, with headquarters in this city,
as quartermaster's clerk. Captain Grant was acting assistant
quartermaster and commissary of that portion of his regiment
stationed at Detroit barracks. He drew all his funds and orders
for supplies for his command from our office ; consequently I was
in frequent communication with him. He was always very tac-
iturn, talking no more than the business would allow, making his
wants known in the fewest possible words, and that was about all.
I attributed it to his youth and diffidence, for he certainly was
very "backward about coming forward." This latter trait in him
led me to ask his quartermaster-sargeant why the colonel of the
regiment appointed him acting quartermaster. He said he really
did not know why ; just happened to do so, he guessed, "but," he
said, "the captain, I will own is not much good when you come to
papers, accounts, returns and all that sort of thing, but when you
15
226 EARIvY DAYS IN- DETROIT.
g-et to the soldier part of it, drill, manual of arms, etc., (shoulder
arms business we used to call it) he could handle the regiment
as well, if not better, than any other fellow in it." This sergeant's
name was Smith. I once repeated the above, in relation to Grant.
to Mr. H. Garland and think he published it among other things
about the general in a magazine a few years ago.
TORE THINGS LOOSE.
These gatherings were always delightful and a source of
much pleasure to those who had the entre. Mr. Lyon was the
most even-tempered landlord, except Mr. Goodnow and his son,
William, that ever held sway over the fortunes of this hotel. No
matter how gay or wild the "boys" would get, nor how "Curt"
Emerson and Josh Carew and that set would rush things, he
never got off his balance. If things did get smashed, he always
knew well that there was always someone to foot the bill, and no
talk back. I call to mind one occasion. (It was New Year's eve,
1845 or 6; I forget which year.) There had been a New Year's
ball in the hotel that night, and on its conclusion (and it was an
unusually brilliant and gay affair), some eight or ten gentlemen
of the younger set hied themselves to the dining room on the
ground floor to pass the remainder of the evening. Champagne
was freely indulged in, and to the extent that it made the boys
quite jolly. They occupied the table next to the street, on which
were many remains of the ball supper, such as crockery, glass-
ware, etc. Soon the fun began, fast and furious, and in a very
short time there was not a thing left on that table. During the
performance Mr. Lyon would look in now and then to see how
they got along, but never an angry word nor remonstrance on his
part, as to the noise they were making or the havoc they had
caused in the crockery and glassware line. He knew the party
well, and that they were amply able to pay for what they called
for or for any damage his property might sustain at their hands.
They did pay the next day or two, and no mistake, and all parties
were satisfied.
hawley's beer room.
Under the corner of the Michigan Exchange on' Shelby
Street, and directly after its completion, a Mr. Hawley, from
Cleveland, opened a place for the sale of "Cleveland Beer" and
a sandwich ; nothing else. It was called "Hawley's Cleveland
OLD HOTF^LS OF DETROIT. 227
Beer Room." The beer was fine; much better than Thomas
Owen's brewery had suppHed to the people of Detroit. He
directly had a large run of custom and continued there for quite
a while, making money. There in that little downstairs room
he laid the foundation for a fortune. Afterwards he established a
brewery of his own. Many will remember ''Hawley's Brewery
and Malt House" on. Bates Street, between Woodbridge and
x^twater Streets.
THF MICHIGAN EXCHANGF.
Here is a list of people of note who have lived at the Michi-
gan Exchange, from time to time. Tubal Conant, General
Brooke, U. S. A. ; Colonel J. B. Grayson, U. S. A. ; Colonel Jas.
R. Smith, U. S. A.; Colonel J. B. Kingsbury, U. S. A.; Colonel
Electus Backus, U. S. A.; Major Hunter, paymaster, U. S. A.
(afterwards brigadier-general in the civil war) ; Captain Irwin
McDowell, U. S. A. (later on commander of the Army of the
Potomac) ; Lieutenant De Lancey Floyd Jones, U. S. A. (after-
wards colonel Third United States Infantry) ; Lieutenant J. M.
Berrien, U. S. A.; Lieutenant Center, U. S. A.; Captain J. A.
Whitale, U. S. A. ; Captain Robinson, U. S. A. (afterwards briga-
dier-general in the civil war) ; Josh Carew, Mr. Carnes, Curtis
Emerson, Thomas Emerson (father of "Curt") ; Governor Austin
Blair, George C. Bates, Mr. Van Husen and family. Judge War-
ner Wing, Doctor T. B. Scovell, Colonel Rucker, of Grosse He;
Lieutenant Holabird, U. S. A. (afterwards quartermaster-gen-
eral United States Army) ; Lieutenant Hawkins, U. S. A. (after-
wards commissary-general United States Army); Colonel John
W. Alley, U. S. A. ; Colonel J. P. Taylor, U. S. A. (brother of
President Taylor) ; Colonel Chilton, U. S. A. (afterwards on Gen-
eral Lee's staff. United States Army).
SOME NOTED GUESTS.
Alex H. Newbould made his home at the Exchange most of
the time, as also did Henry J. Buckley, Colonel E. H. Thompson
Flint, Colonel Grosvenor, Colonel Hammond, General Fountain
and General Giddings of the state military department, during the
first two or three years of the civil war. Whenever Gil Davidson,
of the wholesale hardware house of Erastus Corning & Co.,
Albany, came to visit Alex Newbould and the "boys," the
Exchange prepared itself for feasting, wine and wassail. In the
228 EARI.Y DAYS IN QETROIT.
private dining room would gather Alex Newbould, Josh Carew,
Joe Clark, Curt Emerson, Colonel Grayson, Sam Suydam, Alph
Hunter (Ypsilanti), Charles Ducharme, Fred W. Backus, etc.,
when fun, fast and furious, ruled the hour.
Captain Meade, United States Army (afterwards in command
of the Potomac) ; Lieutenant M. C. Meigs, United States Army
(afterwards quartermaster-general. United States Army, during
the civil war), were also guests of the house most of the time they
were stationed here. Among those who lived at the Michigan
Exchange in the early 40s was Joseph Clark ("Joe," as he was
familiarly termed) , and his wife. Clark was a popular and genial
man. He trained in the crowd composed of Josh Carew, Colonel
Grayson, Curtis Emerson, John T. Hunt, Samuel Suydam, etc.
His wife belonged to the fashionable set, and was a very bright,
pleasant lady. She was the daughter of Colonel Fenton, of Flint.
Her sister, Miss Jennie Fenton, lived with them at the Exchange.
The)^ were there continuously through two winters, and added
much to the gayeties' of that hostelry. General Brooke was a
soldierly-looking man, as all who ever saw him will call to mind.
He served with great distinction in the Mexican war, and came
here with his regiment, the Fourth United States Infantry
(Grant's regiment).
Lake Superior magnates, the copper kings of the early days,
usd to make this their headquarters also, when in the city. Among
them were Simon Mandelbaum, that genial, nervous, energetic
German, close friend of the Sibleys and the Bradys, as also of
all the Lake Superior people. Among the latter were James Car-
son, John Senter, Ransom Sheldon (the father of the Calumet &
Hecla mine) ; C. C. Douglass; Hon. Peter White (the delegate
from Carp River, Marquette), Holland, etc.
General Custer, in 1861, then a fresh graduate from West
Point and second lieutenant in a cavalry regiment, danced attend-
ance on Governor Blair, waiting his pleasure, for an advancement
to the colonelcy of a Michigan cavalry regiment. The latter hesi-
tated, being distrustful of his flowing, yellow locks, and his other-
wise effeminate appearance. He succeeded in gaining his oppor-
tunity after a brief period, and all are familiar with the brilliant
use he made of it. Chief Justice Charles W. Whipple made this
house his home after the death of his wife. Chamberlain, the
Democratic sage from Three Oaks, also had his headquarters
here, when in the city.
OLD hote:ls of de^troit. 229
The members of the legislature, before the capital was
removed to Lansing, bestowed their patronage about equally
between the Exchange, American, National and Woodworth's,
though I am inclined to think that Uncle Ben WoodwOrth got the
lion's share, on account of old associations, etc.
A me;lanchoi.y reminder.
Well, the glory of the old hotel has departed, I fear never to
return. What was almost the center of the city, around which,
and in the immediate vicinity, ebbed and flowed nearly all the life
there was here then, and I might say of the whole state, in either
the social, political or business world, is now almost deserted, and
the old hostelry has been given up to the rats. What a change it
presents, seeing it then, as I did, and seeing it now, as I do.
It seems to me the present site of the old Exchange would
be an ideal one for the contemplated new hotel. Take the entire
block, if it can be acquired, and have the house eight or ten
stories high, with a summer garden on top, balconies to all rooms
fronting on the river, above the third story. What a magnificent
outlook all this would have. Not another city in the Union could
match it.
THE DIBBI^E FAMILY.
After Mr. Dibble left the Exchange he retired to private life,
from which he emerged in company with his son Charles to take
charge of the Biddle House, of which they were the first pro-
prietors.
Dibble had a very interesting family. They were all together
when he kept that hostelry — two boys, Charles and George, and
three girls. Sue' was the eldest ; the other two were quite young
then. I have forgotten their names. George entered the navy
as midshipman. His father was very proud of him — he was truly
the "apple of his eye." When he was home on leave for the first
time, and sported his midshipman's uniform, the "admired of all
admirers," it did seem as though the father could not make
enough of him. Indeed, he was a handsome, bright and genial
youth of great promise, and a great favorite in the gay circles of
Detroit's young society. and with all guests of the house. But,
sad to say, he met a violent death, just before passing to a lieu-
tenantcy, in California, at the hands of a desperado. The latter,
for some cause, was never brought to justice. It was a terrible
230 E^ARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
shock to the family, and I do not think the father or mother ever
recovered from it entirely.
Charles was associated with his father in the management of
the Exchange, as also in that of the Biddle (as mentioned).
Many will remember Charles L. Dibble, who was an ideal hotel
Clerk, and all-around landlord as well. He was a favorite in
society and with the public also. Strange to say, he, too, met a
violent death, as did his brother George. It happened in an oil
mill, near the foot of Dequindre Street, that himself and Mr.
Higham (a civil engineer and formerly superintendent of one of
the separate railroads between Albany arid Buffalo in 1842-3),
were operating. It suddenly blew up one morning, killing both
men instantly.
Sue Dibble was a bright, charming society bud, the gayest of
the gay. She had many admirers, but death came to her early,
before she was out of her teens, and shortly after the death of
her brother George, which seemed to add still greater weight to
the burden of affliction already borne by the parents. The other
two- daughters married, and are living in Syracuse, N. Y., or near
there. One of them married a Mr. Stanton, who was at one time
conductor on the Detroit & Milwaukee Railway ; the name of the
other gentleman I have forgotten. I may be pardoned for dwell-
ing so long on the Dibble family. I was on almost as intimate
terms with them as I was with my own before they took charge
of the Biddle House.
THE AMERICAN HOTEI..
The American Hotel was built somewhere about 1830, the
Governor Hull residence being utilized in its construction ; and it
was extended to Randolph Street, the first story of the exten-
tion being used for stores. Its first proprietors were Austin
Wales & Bro., or John Griswold, I forget which. Many others
succeeded these in its management, until the great fire of 1848
wiped it out. It was always a first-class hotel, fully on a par in
every way with the Mansion House, Woodworth's National 6r
the Exchange. During Mr. Griswold's occupancy it was the
headquarters of the officers of the Fifth TJnited States Infantry,
five of which companies were at that time stationed at the Detroit
barracks, out on Russell Street. Nearly all of the officers of these
companies boarded at the American. Many of them had families.
OIvD HOTELS OF DETROIT. 23 1
All these, in conjunction with the other United States officers on
staff duty stationed in the city, added much to the social swim,
and there was a constant whirl of gayety at this hostelry, until
the Mexican war rudely broke it up, but not before Griswold's
pretty daughters, Martha and Clara, had been captured and made
soldiers' brides by two officers^of the Fifth, Captain Carter L.
Stevenson taking the former, and Lieutenant Paul Guise (brother
of our old and lamented friend, A. H. Guise) taking the latter.
After this, it always was more or less a military hotel. Mr. Gris-
wold was the father of Attorney George R. Griswold, for many
years county clerk ; Charles, deputy county register, and Dr. John
Alexander. Many must remember these gentlemen. After think-
ing the matter over I am satisfied that John Griswold was the first
proprietor of this house, and that Austin Wales & Bro. succeeded
him. It was not quite so gay as it was under Griswold's rule,
though reasonably so.
The first bachelors' ball that was ever given in Detroit came
off at this house, directly after Wales took it. It was a brilliant
affair, graced by the elite of the city, men and women. One
peculiar feature about it was, there was a committee appointed to
see that the ladies invited had an escort to and from the ball. The
invitations stated that the recipient would be called for about a
certain hour and also that it would be seen to that she had an
escort to her home. So all anxiety on that score was done away
with, and those that didn't have a beau got there and back to their
residence all right. Rather unique, don't you think?
Wales, after quitting this house, retired to his farm at Erin,
a short distance out on the Gratiot Road, where he died many
years ago. A large number of our people must remember him,
as well as his brother, and his son, Edwin A. Wales. Mr. Wales
had two charming daughters. One died in the early 40s; the
other, Cornelia, married La Fayette Knapp, son of Sheriff Knapp,
who declined or shrunk from the task of hanging Simmons, the
wife murderer, in the early 30s. He died after a brief married
life, and she afterward married Alex. H. Newbould.
FIRST MESMERIST IN DETROIT.
I think Petty & Hawley succeeded Austin Wales in the man-
agement of this house, and after them J. W. VanAnden. It was
at this hotel, during the proprietorship of Austin Wales, that Pro-
fessor DeBonnville, a disciple of Mesmer, gfave exhibitions of his
232 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
wonderful powers, and performed his wonderful cures, particu-
larly of rheumatism.
I have seen lots of people go to his rooms on crutches and
come away without them, their aches and pains entirely dispelled.
But I do not think the cures were lasting. The professor had
two attendants, who seemed to be entirely under his influence.
They were young men by the name of Williams and the other
E. N. Lacroix. The latter most all old residents will remember.
Whenever DeBonnville gave a lecture on mesmerism, these two
were always in evidence. The professor was the first exponent
of this wonderful science that Detroit had ever seen, and of
course he drew crowds, and he no doubt made much money.
Before leaving the American Hotel I will relate an incident
with it, or, more properly, with the General Hull residence, which
it afterwards absorbed. Mrs Nancy Hubbard, in a paper read at
a meeting of old settlers at Port Huron, Mich., on July 3, 1886,
in which reference was made to the early days in Detroit, says:
"My father left Painsville, Ohio, in 1811, in an open boat, for the
territory of Michigan, taking his family with him. We came
around the shores of Lake Erie and were two weeks in making
the trip to Detroit, stopping wherever night overtook us. When
we reached Detroit, we landed where is now Randolph Street, but
there was no street there then, and where Atwater Street now is
was covered over entirely with water. There was but one dock,
and it belonged to the United States government. The only
church in Detroit was Ste. Anne's Catholic church. Father Rich-
ard was the pastor. There were no settlements back from the
river, the Indians being the only inhabitants of the forests, and a
dense wilderness covered the state. Most of the inhabitants of
Detroit at that time were French."
Speaking about Hull's surrender, Mrs. Hubbard relates that,
"A guard was placed around Hull's house, which stood where the
Biddle House now stands, and the public buildings were all
burned. After Hull was taken to Canada. General Proctor occu-
pied his house and he offered $5 for every American scalp the
Indians brought to him. I have seen twelve Indians go in at one
time with scalps. At such a time the Indians would form a circle
in Proctor's yard, with the scalps hung on a pole in the center,
and would whoop and dance to the music of a small drum beaten
by one of their members."
OLD HOTEILS O? DETROIT. 233
NATIONAL HOTEL AND RUSSELL -HOUSE.
The corner where the Russell House now is in the early days
was inclosed by a cedar picket fence. In the inclosure was a
small yellow house occupied by Dr. William Brown before he
changed his residence to Jefferson Avenue, north side, just above
Bates Street. Adjoining was a log house used as a schoolhouse.
It had for a teacher a Mr. Healy (an Irishman), who was clerk
of the steamer Henry Clay when I was a passenger on her to this
city. After some years the National Hotel succeeded this log
house and Dr. Brown's corner. It was built (if I don't mistake)
by Mr. Chase, of the hardware firm of Chase & Ballard. Mr.
Chase was a retired British army officer, and a grandfather of the
Casgrains. Mr. Chase and family made their home at this house
until his death. The National was a fine structure in its day,
first-class in every respect and on an equal footing with the Man-
sion, Woodworth's, Exchange and the American. Its first pro-
prietor, I think, was Mr. S. K. Haning. He was succeeded by
John R. Kellogg, H. D. Garrison, Edward Lyon, Fellers and
Benjamin and, I think, the last proprietor was Mr. Russell, after
whom the present house gets its name. It is my impression that
it has always, up to the present time, been successful. The spa-
cious dining and dancing hall of this hostelry was a favorite place
for concerts, balls, etc., in the 40s and early 50s — much more so
than any of the others, with the exception of the weekly cotillion
parties at the Michigan Exchange in the winters of 1845-6. The
dances of the Brady Guards were always given at the National,
as also were the annual balls of the fire department, which were
all brilliant affairs. The firemen's balls were a feature of the
year, looked forward to with eager anticipation by every member
of the department, and the fairer portion of the city as well.
They came off about midwinter usually, and for months before
the function the office of the secretary of the department in the
hall, corner of Larned and Bates Street, was besieged by
anxious inquirers to ascertain for a certainty that their names and
those of their fair friends were on the list of the secretary.
When the night came it seemed all too short to suffice for the
eager longing, and the fuss and worry of preparation. Every
phase of society attended these department balls. From the high-
est to the lowest all met on a common footing, and everything
234 EARLY DAYS IN DETTROIT.
went as *'merry as a marriage bell." Many, I presume, will
remember them. Perhaps there are some that can call to mind
the gay society that in the latter 30s, through the 40s and early
50s used to congregate in assembly rooms of the Michigan
Exchange, American and National (Russell) Hotels during the
winter months. I have given something of a description of the
balls given by the Brady Guards at the National Hotel in a for-
mer article on our "Independent Military Companies."
FAMOUS pe:opIvi: performed there.
Every concert of any note was given at this house (the
National). The great English singers, the Brahams, sang here,
as did Henry Russell, the greatest of them all. Who that ever
heard him render "The Brave Old Oak," "The Ivy Green," etc.,
will ever forget them or the singer? Others of reputation sang
here, but their names have passed from my memory. Signor
Martinez always gave his inimitable guitar concerts here. On
this instrument he had no equal, as those that ever heard him will
remember. Mr. Siddons and his niece at different times gave
readings here. They were lineal descendants of the immortal
Sarah.
Looking through a package of old letters, etc., I came across
an invitation to attend a ball to be given the evening of February
15, 1844, at this hotel, for the benefit of Mr. Noverre, an Italian
music teacher here at that time, by the following gentlemen:
Thomas C. Sheldon, Douglass Houghton, Orville B. Dibble, A.
L. Williams, Edmund A. Brush, Lewis Cass, Jr., Alex H. Sibley,
Samuel Lewis, John Bradford, John T. Hunt, John Watson, E.
P. Seymour, Lieutenants George Deas,- J. L. Folsom, J. L. Jones,
of the Fifth United States Infantry, stationed here, Walter Inger-
soll, William N. Carpenter, T. W. Lockwood, James M. Welch,
E. S. Truesdail, Charles S. Adams, J. B. Campau and Henry M.
Roby. It was a gay affair, all the beauty and fashion of the city,
as well as from the opposite side of the river, were present. The
owners of the names appended to the invitation have all passed
away, without an exception. Not more than five or six persons,
myself among the number, are now living who attended the bril-
liant, crowded ball room of the National Hotel that night.
OLX> HOTEI.S OF DETROIT. 235
COSTUME PARTIES.
In the early 50s, costume parties were quite in vogue among
Detroit's 400. Two, particularly, I call to mind, at both of which
I was present.
The first one was given by Mr. Thomas C. Miller at his resi-
dence on Jefferson Avenue, corner of Hastings Street, where is
now Dr. Jennings's office. It was a notable affair, attended as it
was by the youth and beauty of the city, all in costume. The
other was given at the National Hotel, now the Russell House,
February 19, 1857, by a committee of gentlemen. The chronicler
of the event at the time says :
"The costume party at the National Hotel on Thursday even-
ing, February 19, notwithstanding the embarrassment under
which the committee suffered, was entirely successful. So bril-
liant an assemblage was never before witnessed in the 'City of the
Straits,' and all who participated in the delineations of that even-
ing will long remember the enchanting scene and recur to it with
emotions of pleasure and satisfaction.
"Messrs. Fellers and Benjamin contributed much to the
enjoyment and comfort of their guests, by their preparation and
attentions."
Here follows a list of some of those present and the char-
acters they represented:
Mr. John C. Bonnell, as Lord Shaftesbury, in a rich court
dress of blue and gold. He escorted Miss E. C. Green, who was
prettily dressed as a Swiss peasant in a blue skirt and cherry
waist. Mr. L. E. Higby, as the great financier. Sir Giles Over-
reach, escorting Mrs. L. E. Higby, as the beautiful Catherine
Parr, first wife of Henry VIII. The costume of Mr. Higby was
a court dress of crimson and gold. Dr. Gunn represented a High-
lander and dressed in the tartan of his clan. Mrs. Gunn was the
Goddess Flora, with her hair pleated in the form of a basket and
filled with flowers. Mr. Wareham S. Brown wore a remarkably
rich costume of crimson velvet and gold, of the court of St. James,
made expressly for the occasion. Mr. Nat Pitcher wore the dress
of a German courtier. One of the most perfect disguises of ^the
evening was worn by Mr. John W. Strong, as a zouave. His
dress consisted of scarlet pants, tied at the knee and falling to the
236 e;ari,y days in de:troit.
ankle, blue jacket and scarlet cap. Mr. H. T. Stringham, as a
Turk, was also completely disguised. He wore a very long beard,
large turban of blue and white silk, with silver crescent; jacket
and wide flowing pantaloons of silk, red sash and sword. Mrs.
H. T. Stringham, in her dress, represented most charmingly an
Italian peasant girl, in her gala dress — a very beautiful costume.
The impersonation of Night by Mrs. J. Talman Whiting was
admirable.
Mrs. Horace S. Roberts was prettily dressed as "Snow ;" Mr.
Charles P. Crosby as a courtier of St. Petersburg ; Captain A. D.
Dickinson as Paudeen O'Rafiferty. His correct representation of
the character contributed much to the amusement of the evening.
Mr. M. Howard Webster wore a remarkably rich dress of the
court of Louis XV. Mrs. Henry H. Welles appeared as Lady
Rowena. Miss Higby personated Sir Walter Scott's charming
character of "Die Vernon." Mr. Henry H. Welles was King
Charles H., in a maroon velvet trunk and jacket trimmed with
gold lace, black velvet mantle with a wide border of ermine and
cavalier hat and plumes. Mr. Moses W. Field was an Italian
peasant. Mr. G. W. Hunt was "Alonzo," in a rich dress. Messrs.
George W. Jarvi^ and E. M. Biddle were appropriately costumed
as Athos and Porthos, and made excellent guardsmen. Messrs.
A. J. Fraser, Thomas W. Mizner and T. D. Wilkins were Italian
brigands, in rich, fierce-looking costumes. Mr. Walter Ingersoll
was very becomingly costumed as a Spanish courtier. Mr. H.
Norton Strong was a Calabrian brigand. Dr. Louis Davenport
appeared as Don Juan, and Captain Alpheus S. Williams the pos-
tillion de Longumeau, with his pretty little daughter as La Fille
du Regiment. Mr. James F. Bradford was Master Modus.
Among the Shakespearean characters came Mr. Thomas H.
Hartwell as the Duke of Buckingham ; Mr. Julius E. Eldred, as
Romeo; Mr. Theodt)re H. Hinchman looked Hamlet well; Mr.
Henry P. Sanger was richly dressed in ermine as Richmond.
Mr. George W. Bissell appeared in perfect continental dress ;
Mrs. George W. Bissell in her mother's wedding suit ; Miss Bis-
sell as a country school marm of 1800; Miss Sarah Palmer was
Young America in short dress skirts of red satin, striped with
white; blue waist spangled with silver stars and red velvet cap
with red and white plumes. Mr. G. B. Stimson as Don Juan, in
OIvD HOTELS OF DETROIT. 237
a purple velvet Spanish jacket, doublet and trunks slashed with
white satin and silver lace, buff boots and Spanish hat with
plumes, look the part. Lieutenants C. N. TurnbuU and C. M.
Poe, United States Army, wore the becoming full dress uniforms
of the United States engineers. Mr. William Biddle was very
handsomely costumed as Mercutio. His dress consisted of a del-
icate pink silk trimmed with white satin and cap of same material,
with elegant drooping plumes. Mr. Horace S. Roberts was Don
Caesar. King Charles H. was represented by Messrs. A. N.
Rood, Henry R. Mizner and Allyn Weston. Mr. Samuel Lewis
as Chinese Koryan, looked very odd. Mr. Julius Movius was
King Charles L Mr. Tom P. Shelden appeared as the brave
Count Rudolph. Miss Sallie Webster was beautifully dressed as
the Maid of the Mist ; • ' •
"And gracefully, jto the music's sound,
The sweet, bright nymph went gliding round."
Mr. Thomas C. Miller was richly costumed as Cassio; Mr.
Jesse Ingersoll danced in Highland costume, and Mr. Nath G.
WiUiams in the rich green silk costume of Vicentio. Mr. J. C.
Van Anden was the Count of Monte Cristo. Mrs. W. Y. Rum-
ney was appropriately costumed as "Night." Mr. L. L. Knight
was a page of the court of Louis XIV. Mr. C. H. Wetmore was
in a field marshal's uniform. '
Two of the most elegant- dresses of the evening were those
worn by Mrs. Alex J. Fraser and her sister. Miss M. Miles, as
Grecian sisters. The skirts were short, of white silk, striped
with silver, over which was a blue silk tunic covered with
spangles; a beautiful white plume encircled the head, securing a
rich veil of white lace trimmed with spangles, which hung grace-
fully over all. The effect was beautiful, and the costumes, in
exquisite taste, ehcited much admiration.
Mr. John Rumney was a Spanish courtier. Mr. Sears
Stevens was a gentleman of the old school. The* queenly Miss
Louisa Whistler wore a blue dress, straw hat, and skirt looped up
with a choice collection of flowers, and carried a bouquet on her
arm. Mps. DeGarmo J. Whiting as a tambourine girl wore a rich
238 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
scarlet skirt, white bodice, short outer jacket of scarlet, trimmed
with gold lace and richly spangled, and carried an ornamented
tambourine. Mr. Preston Brady as a cowled monk, escorted Mr.
Fred W. Backus as Mephistopheles. Major Charles E. Whilden
was an Italian brigand. Mr. Joe L. Langley was an excellent
Scotchman in the Fraser tartan. Mr. John B. Palmer was cos-
tumed as a gentleman of colonial days. He was dressed in black
slik, velvet, knee breeches, silk stockings, low shoes and diamond
buckles, powdered hair, etc. Mrs. E. F. Alery was a Spanish
peasant, and was dressed in a crimson merino skirt, trimmed with
deep black plush, green silk velvet waist, laced in front, and
trimmed with crimson ribbon ; corn-colored silk apron. Mr. E. F.
Alery was a Spanish muleteer, in black velvet, knee breeches,
Spanish sandals, crimson velvet jacket trimmed with corn-color,
crimson sash and long cap of red falling on the shoulder. Mr. C.
C. Cadman appeared in the style of a citizen of the French repub-
lic. Joseph Law, F. Palmer and E. A. Lansing wore rich court
dresses. Mr. T. V. Reeve was Ruy Gomez, in a full suit of blue,
with blue and white plumes, curls and mustache. Mr. Nathan
Reeve was a Tyrolean peasant. Messrs. C. K. Gunn and Benja-
min Vernor were Knights Templar. Mr. George A. Baker was
in Mexican costume. The court of Louis XIV was represented
by several characters, all of which were beautiful — Mrs. John
Rumney and Mrs. R. T. Elliott, Mr. W. J. Chittenden in scarlet
and gold, and Mr. F. G. Goodwin in black and purple. Mr. W.
J. Rumney, dressed as a clown, had the most comical dress of the
evening.
The author of the foregoing description of this party, etc.,
was Mr. Henry R. Mizner, then a law student, but now a retired
brigadier-general, U. S. A. — a title won by distinguished service
during the civil war as colonel of the Fourteenth Michigan Infan-
try, and subsequent service as colonel of a regular regiment on
the Indian frontier.
As stated before, the first proprietor of this house was Mr.
S. K. Harring, who was followed by Hon. John R. Kellogg and
others. Kellogg had a very beautiful daughter (Amanda), and
while he was the landlord she died in the house of malignant
smallpox. Strange to relate, her death with that dread disease
caused scarcely any flutter among the guests.
OLD HOTELS OF DETROIT.
239
A SUCCESSFUL HISTORY.
This house has had various fortunes under various propri-
etors, successful and otherwise, and thus, all down through the
years, it has continued to be one of the centers of the social" and
dinner-giving world of Detroit. When merged into the Russell
House many years ago, it continued on the same plane, and has
kept up the reputation of the locality in a marked degree. Its
career under the admirable management of Chittenden & Whit-
beck, and, after Mr. Whitbeck's unfortunate demise, by the
present proprietor, Mr. W. J. Chittenden, I am told, has been
marked with deserved success. The present house has been in
the public eye for the past thirty or forty years, and should be
familiar to all.
TIPPLCANOL AND TYLER TOO.
RECOLLECTIONS OF HARRISON CAMPAIGN OF 184'
DETROITERS WHO PARTICIPATED.
THE Whigs of Detroit participated quite heartily in the
Harrison campaign of 1840, and were almost wild in
their espousal of the cause of the "Log Cabin," "Hard
Cider" and ''Coon Skin" candidate for the presidency.
A large vacant lot opposite the American Hotel (now the
Biddle House) on Jefferson Avenue was selected on which to
build a log cabin, in which the faithful could meet. The logs
for the structure were cut by the Harrison and Tyler Club on
the Jones farm out on Grand River Road, and hauled into the
city. Alex H. Sibley and Henry M. Roby drove a four ox team
for about two days. It was no boys' play either, as the Grand
River Road then was turnpiked quite high, and muddy at that,
and it was difficult to keep from getting into the ditch. There
were others engaged in the same pastime, but these are the only
ones I remember particularly.
I was one of the party cutting the logs and building the
cabin, though not quite old enough to vote. The log cabin was
of ample dimensions and of the most primitive kind. The front
was decorated with dried coonskins, with the hair on. The
interior was garnished with festoons of dried apples, dried
pumpkins, and corn ears, while a barrel of hard cider, on tap,
occupied a prominent position, and over the speaker's primitive
seat was placed a stuffed raccoon.
The ladies were requested to send in contributions of coarse
eatables for the dedication feast, and they responded liberally.
The tables groaned under a generous supply of pork and beans,
cold boiled ham, rye and Indian bread, corn dodgers, etc.
On the occasion of the dedication of the Log Cabin, a pro-
cession was formed, in which were included the orator of the
day, Colonel Edward Brooks, distinguished visitors from abroad,
various Harrison and Tyler Clubs, as also the Glee Club, com-
TIPPECANOE AND TYEER TOO. 24 1
posed of Chas. T. Adams, Henry M. Roby, Dr. Terry, Morris M.
Williams, James Sutton, Chas. A. Trowbridge and two or three
others whose names have passed from my memory. Two or
three log cabins on wheels, drawn by yokes of oxen, were also in
the procession. One of quite large dimensions, large enough to
accommodate four or five persons, who dispensed hard cider to
the thirsty crowd. Perched on the ridge pole was a live raccoon,
to which it was attached by a chain. It took four or five yokes
of oxen to haul this cumbersome affair. Another feature of the
procession was our stalwart Whig friend, fireman and ship car-
penter, Matthew Gooding (Zip-Coon) in his picturesque back-
woodsman's costume, bearing on his shoulder a tame live rac-
coon. Gooding followed directly after the large log cabin, and
attracted universal attention.
The dedication was a very hilarious affair. Colonel Edward
Brooks, president of the club, presided, and, after a characteristic
speech from him and a song by the Glee Club of "Tippecanoe
and Tyler, Too," he gave th'e signal to pitch into the eatables.
There was a wild scramble, and soon the tables looked as though
a cyclone had struck them.
Well, the Whigs had many a good enthusiastic meeting in
that log cabin that were remembered by the participants for
many long years.
Aher the nomination of Harrison, a Washington corre-
spondent of a Baltimore paper, who subsequently became a Har-
rison man, referred to the candidate of the Whig party as one
whose habits and attainments would secure him the highest
measure of happiness in a log cabin with an abundant supply of
hard cider. This ill-chosen and hapless phrase, coming from a
Democrat, was seized upon by the crafty Whig politicians, and
made to form the keynote of the campaign. Log cabins con-
structed after the frontier style of rude architecture, their walls
ornamented with coon-skins and their interior abundantly sup-
plied with hard cider, which was generally drank from gourds,
or in tin cups, constituted the "wigwams" where all indoor
gatherings of the Whigs were held.
A GREAT GATHERING.
The Whig celebration of Fort Meigs, Ohio, was held in
June, 1840, on the anniversary of the raising of the siege of that
fort, and on the ground it had occupied. A chronicler of that*
time says of it:
16 ' .
• 242 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
. ''There assembled at the appointed time and place, a con-
course of people variously estimated at from thirty-five to forty
thousand and embracing representatives from every state and
territory in the Union. Probably never before or since in the
annals of the country has there occurred a more enthusiastic
or impressive pageant. All classes and conditions, rich and poor,
aged and young, 'fair women and brave men,' lent their presence
and ardor. General Harrison's veterans and many of the coun-
try's rare statesmen, orators and humorists were there to honor,
each in his own attractive way, the hero of the siege. The mer-
chant left 'his counter, the farmer his fields, the rtiechanic his
bench, to join in the shouts of applause and exultation, while
cannon, musketry, church bells and martial music rent the air
again and again. Nature, too, smiled from her brightest sky
upon the green banks, the glancing waters, the beautiful towns
of Perrysburg and Maumee, the gleaming banners waving over
the victory — honored fort and British batteries — all combining
to give the celebration the pride and glory, if not magnificence,
of a Roman triumph."
MICHIGAN WELL REPRESENTED.
A large number of distiguished speakers were present,
among them General Harrison himself, who, it was said, deliv-
ered an eloquent and scholarly address. Governor Woodbridge,
of Michigan, was also among the speakers, as was Geo. C. Bates.
Geo. Dawson, Colonel Edward Brooks and Jas. A. Van Dyke, of
Detroit. A large number of our citizens attended, among whom
were nearly all the young Whigs of the city, voters and non-
voters. They provided themselves with tents and subsistence for
the occasion. That they had a good campaign and enjoyable
time was evidenced bv the rubicund nose each one had on him
when he returned. Most of them laid it to the sun and some to
the hard cider, and things they had to encounter. Of all the
number that went from here on that occasion, Stanley G. Wight
is the only one living, I think. He can remember, no doubt, the
festive time the boys had at the function, and going and returning
on the steamer. I was prevented from being one of the crowd,
much to my disgyst. My employer, "Sid" Rood, his brother,
"Gil" Rood, and the foreman of the bindery going, kept me at
. home.
TIPPECANOE AND TYLER TOO. 243
SOME DETROIT WHIGS.
Geo. Dawson and Morgan L. Bates ran the Detroit Daily
Advertiser (Whig) at that time.
Geo. Dawson was, as the late Eben N. Wilcox happily' said,
the very impersonation of muscular politics and was also endowed
with great power to enforce the pleasure of his will against all
questions. His phrenological and physiognomical features adorn-
ing such a figure impressed one instantly with the idea of the
man's intellectual superiority. You saw at once a man of force,
a born leader, and as such he was accepted by the Whigs of
Michigan, whom he was largely instrumental in leading to the
grand victory won in that fall of 1840. He had a most able
helper in the person of Morgan L. Bates ("Morgan the Rattler").
Many must remember his energetic personality and his green
spectacles.
Among other political writers and speakers of the Whig per-
suasion of that day were Franklin Sawyer, John L. Talbot, Henry
Chipman (father of the late Hon. J. Logan Chipman), William
Woodbridge, Jacob M. Howard, Geo. C. Bates, Jas. A. Van Dyke,
Asher B. Bates, Colonel Edward Brooks. The Democrats had
among their foremost rank of writers and speakers such men as
Henry N. Walker, John S. Bagg, John Norvell, Daniel Goodwin,
Anthony Ten Eyck, Wm. Hale, Randolph Manning, Dan Mun-
ger, Geo. R. Griswold, Colonel E. J. Roberts (father of the
lamented Colonel Horace S. Roberts, who fell at the Second
Bull's Run), Theo. Romeyn, Marshal J. Bacon, Chancellor Farns-
worth.
We will recall the names of some of the most prominent
co-workers (Whigs) in this memorable campaign : Abram C.
Canniff, A. C. and Virgil McGraw, Ed. King, Dave Smart, that
gushing Scotchman, Henry Roby, one of the celebrated minstrel
quartet who enlivened the rafters and sawdust of the Log Cabin
nightly, Alanson Sheley, Judge Canniff, Zach Chandler, Francis
Raymond, Franklin Moore, Wm. N. Carpenter, Wm. Harsha,
N. Prouty, Oliver Newberry, with his brigade of noted lake cap-
tains, headed by Captain Bob Wagstaff, Wm. Cole, sailmaker,
the Desnoyers, P. J. and son, DeGarmo Jones, J. R. Dorr, N. T.
Ludden, Phin Davis, Theo. Williams, the Abbotts, James and'^
sons, Morris Williams, Sid. and Gil. Rood, Wm. Gooding, James
Sutton, Stetson, the giant vulcan, Cullen Brown. John, Ellis and
244 e;arly days in Detroit.
R. E. Roberts, Doctors Pitcher, Rice and Whiting, Chas. Jack-
son, John Farrar, Jerry Moors, John Mullett, John Farmer,
Thomas Mason and John Palmer, Frank Hall, Charley Adams,
C. C. Trowbridge, John and Howard Webster, Alex. H. Sibley,
the most youthful voter of all but a most strenuous worker, and
a young man that ** feared no noise." Kb. Wilcox, myself and a
large number of young Whigs were under age at that time, but
that did not deter us from "working in the vineyard," and we did
the best we knew how. Wilcox was an exceedingly bright youth,
and could more than hold his own in our lyceum debates, pitted
against such rising lights as Anson Burlingame, Wm. B. Wes-
son, J. Hyatt Smith, Jed P. C. Emmons, and others. He was
quite a poet, besides, but I think he never essayed anything loftier
than carriers' addresses or something of that sort. He might
have done better, perhaps, if he had only let his muse have full
swing. I give a verse from his first carriers' address, composed
for Geo. Dawson's paper, January i, 1840:
"Time, inexorable tyrant; ever on,
Remorselessly thou hold'st thy rapid flight;
Thous't traveled ages ; still thou art not wan
But hale, as when God said, Let there be light."
Dawson, he said, praised him very much for the effusion, and
he said further, what surprised him more than anything else was
that the former should have pitched on him to write the address,
when there were so many others more capable, but he had a copy
of the address written the year before for the same paper by E.
M. McGraw (brother of A. C. McGraw), a suberb production,
he said, and worthy of Byron, and what better could he do than
follow in his footsteps. Here is the opening stanza of E. M.
McGraw's production, or part of it :
"Hist ! 'tis the tread of ever fleeting Time ;
Another year is buried in the tomb of years,
With all its scenes of virtue, vice and crime,
Its buoyant hopes, and bitter, burning tears."
Wilcox also pays a glowing tribute to G. W. Dawson, that
I am sure, all who knew the man, will concur in :
"Peace to thee, dear Dawson ; if we pictured thee too brus-
quely in the opening lines of this diffusive tribute to thy mem-
ory, it was with no unkind thought. The whirligig of time has
TIPPECANOE AND TYLER TOO. 245
let US come to know thee in thy gentler moods, as a lover of
nature and thy fellowman, an enthusiastic disciple of beloved
Isaak Walton. May your lines be as pleasant as his, now that
they are cast in the ocean of eternity."
I think it proper in passing to mention some of the young
,boy Whigs who, with Eben Wilcox and myself were active in this
campaign, many of them in after life gaining distinction, viz:
Anson Burlingame, Wm. B. Wesson, J. Hyatt Smith, O. B. Wil-
cox, Ed. M. Pitcher, Joseph Cook, Henry R. Mizner, Frank Far-
rar, La Fayette Knapp, E. A. Wales, David Lum, Stewart Lum,
Abijah Joy, Stanley G. Wight, Henry A. Wight, Sylvester Lar-
ned, Albion Turner, L. H. Cobb, Geo. Jerome, Wm. Duncan, Kin
S. Dygert, Jed Emmons, L. W. Tinker, Ed. King, Henry P.
Dequindre, John T. Walker, W. L. Woodbrid'ge, Anson Eldred,
Ed. Kearsley, Harrison and Tyler boys, all, and as enthusiastic
in the cause as they could be, and whose efforts no doubt con-
tributed much to the success of the Whigs, particularly in Detroit.
Senator Palmer, though a lad of only ten years, was always
around, and quite lively, too.
I may be pardoned for referring again to Eben N. Wilcox,
the friend of my boyhood, and of my maturer years whose prem-
ature taking off was the cause of so much regret. He will be
remembered for his promising opening youth, his brilliant career
at the bar, and his stirring speeches in the cause of the Union
at the outbreak of the civil war. His effort before the crowd con-
vened at the old firemen's hall on the fate of Fort Sumpter, was
like a bugle blast. Peace to his ashes.
"The moving finger writes ; and, having writ,
Moves on ; nor all thy piety nor wit
Shall lure it back to cancel half a line.
Nor all thy tears wash out a word of it.'.'
Colonel Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, the candidate foe
vice-president on the Democratic ticket, came up this way during
the campaign on an electioneering tour and put up at the old
National Hotel (Russell House). From the balcony of this hotel
he made a stirring speech to a large and enthusiastic crowd of his
admirers and others. I was among the latter. During the har-
rangue, some previous cuss in the audience interrupted the orator
with. "Who Killed Tecumseh."
''Well." said the colonel in answer, "in the thickest of the
246 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
fight, at the battle of the Thames, I saw a stalwart and fierce-
looking Indian, with his war paint on, coming at me with uplifted
tomahawk. I was mounted at the time and drawing one of my
pistols from its holster, shot him dead. Some one coming up at
the time said that it was the noted chief (Tecumseh) ; he was also
recognized by many others. I believe now, as I believed then,,
that the individual who is now addressing you, did kill Tecum-
seh."
I guess there is no doubt about it. I think I have alluded to
this incident slightly, in a former article.
During the campaign, the Whigs had an immense mass and
barbecue meeting on Fort Street where the Governor Baldwin
house now stands. They had a rough building improvised for
the purpose, with dining hall, speakers' stand, etc. Representa-
tives from adjoining states were present, also distinguished Whig
orators from outside the state, including Wm. M. Evarts, at that
time a rising young lawyer, and a fine orator even then. The
gathering was a great success, particularly the barbecue part of it.
REMARKABLE SPECIMEN OF NATIVE COPPER.
ITS TRANSFER FROM THE BED OF THE ONTONAGON RIVER
TO THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION.
AS AN indication of the mineral wealth of Michigan that
was so soon to make many men millionaires, the recovery
of an immense mass of copper in the bed of the Ontonagon
river in 1843, and its transfer to Detroit and to Buffalo, and
finally to the Smithsonian Institution, Washington, arc facts of
considerable interest. The valuable find was discovered by Gov.
Cass, H. R. Schoolcraft and others, and the huge mass was
brought down by Julius Eldred, of Detroit, in 1843.
The Buffalo Gazette of that year says of it :
This celebrated rock of pure copper, which has caused so
much speculation among the scientific and others, arrived in this
city on board the revenue cutter Erie, "Capt. Knapp. This rock
has attracted much attention since its discovery, about one hun-
dred years since.
"This rock has been brought from the shores of Lake
Superior through the enterprise of Mr. Julius Eldred, of Detroit,
and is to be placed in the national institution at Washington.
After several visits and two or three unsuccessful attempts to
remove it, Mr. Eldred left Detroit on the nth of June last, with
apparatus and machinery, fully determined to fetch away this
great mineral curiosity. After almost incredible efforts — being
compelled to overcome a hill fifty or sixty feet in hight, the party
at length reached the lake, having an affective force of twenty-
one men to assist in the removal.
The copper was shipped on board the schooner Algonquin
and transported over 300 miles to the head of the Falls of St.
Mary. It was then transferred to a Mackinac boat, and after
passing through the canal and around the rapids, it was shipped
on board the schooner Brewster for Detroit, w^here it arrived on
the nth of October last.
248 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
"At Detroit, it was taken on board the revenue cutter, and
arrived here, as stated, in charge of Mr, Eldred. Mr. Eldred
has presented to us a piece of the rock, which was flaked off in
moving. It is pure native copper, and such is its malleabiUty
that it may easily be hammered into any shape or form without
heating.
"The weight of the rock has never been definitely ascer-
,tained. It has been differently estimated — by Schoolcraft at
2,200 pounds, and he gives its dimensions at 3 feet 3 inches long,
by 3 feet 4 inches broad. Dr. Houghton, the state geologist for
Michigan, who has good opportunities for forming a correct
estimate, thinks it will weigh not far from 4 tons. It is the
largest specimen of native copper in the world, and Mr. Eldred
assuredly deserves the thanks of the country for his indefatigable
and successful efforts to bring it forth into the civilized world."
The canal around the St. Mary's Falls was not in existence
at that time. The rock was transported across the portage on
the horse tramway.
WAS INSPECTED IN 184O.
Mr. Hubbard with Dr. Houghton visited this copper rock in
1840, in the bed of the Ontonagon River. At that time nothing
was known of all this mineral wealth locked in the rugged hills
of Lake Superior, except now and then traces of copper were
seen at a few places along the shore, and this large mass of native
metal in the bed of the Ontonagon River was known. It- was
long revered by the Indians as a Manitou, and was mentioned in
the relations of the early French historians. Large masses
(larger even than this celebrated mass) have since been mined
in the Lake Superior district, and smelted at the old copper
smelting works at Springwells. They came from the Minnesota,
Isle Royal and Cliff mines.
This Ontonagon river copper rock arrived in Buffalo when
I was residing there. I think it came in the fall of 1843. While
in transit from the revenue cutter Erie to the railroad depot on
Exchange Street, it was under the immediate charge of Capt. S.
P. Heintzelman, United States quartermaster (since major-
general, U. S. A., in the civil war), who was stationed at Buffalo
at that time.
The captain, to gratify the curiosity of the citizens, had it
paraded up and down the principal part of Main Street and down
" REMARKABI.I: SPECIMEN OF NATIVE COPPER. 249
Exchange Street on a four wheeled truck, behind two spans of
horses and a driver. The horses were gayly decorated. .
Many of the citizens, eager to possess a cHpping from the
rock, as a souvenir, provided themselves with hammers and
chisels for that purpose, hoping to get a clip at it as it passed
through the streets, but they were foiled in this, as Captain Heint-
selman was close to the rock on foot and it kept him busy keeping
the people back.
The history of this copper mass is familiar to many, and
more particularly to Lake Superior people, and I mention it
more from the fact that in the winter of 1845 or 6 I kept Julius
Eldred & Co.'s tannery books in this city during my unoccupied
evenings, and at that time Mr. Eldred was trying to collect from
the government money to repay him for the expense he had
sustained in getting the rock to Detroit, and of course, heard
from the old genteleman more or less about it. He recovered
something I think from the United States, but how much I do
not know.
GOVERNOR CASS'S VIVID DESCRIPTION.
H. R. Schoolcraft, in company with Governor Cass and party,
visited this copper rock June 28, 1820. His description of it is
much like the rest. I quote a few remarks of his in regard to it
and its surroundings. He says : "I do not think the weight
of metallic copper in the rock exceeds 2,200 pounds. The quan-
tity may, however, have been much diminished since its first dis-
covery, and marks of chisels and axes upon it, with the broken
tools lying around, prove that portions have been cut off and
carried away. . Notwithstanding this reduction it may still be con-
sidered one of the largest and most remarkable bodies of native
copper on the globe, and is, so far as my reading extends, only
exceeded by a specimen found in a valley in Brazil weighing
2,666 Portuguese pounds."
In regard to its surroundings, he says : "Mostly immersed
in water reposes the copper rock ; on the left the little island of
cedars divides the river into two channels, and the small depth and
rapidity of the water is shown by the innumerable rocks which
project above its surface from bank to bank. The masses of
fallen earth — the blasted trees, which either lie prostrate at the
foot of the bluffs or hang in a threatening posture above — the
elevation of the banks — the rapidity and noise of the stream.
250 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
present such a mixed character of wildness, ruin and sterility, as
to render it one of the most rugged views in nature. One cannot
help fancying that he has gone to the ends of the earth, and
beyond the boundaries appointed for the residence of man.
Every object tells us that it is a region alike unfavorable to the
productions of the animal and vegetable kingdom; and we shud-
der in casting our eyes over the frightful wreck of trees, and the
confused groups of falling-in banks and shattered stones. Yet
we have only to ascend these bluffs to behold hills more rugged
and elevated ; and dark hemlock forests, and yawning gulfs more
dreary, and more forbidding to the eye. Such is the frightful
region through which, for a distance of twenty miles, we follow
our Indian guides to reach this unfrequented spot, in which there
is nothing to compensate the toil of the journey but its geological
character and mineral productions."
After Governor Cass and Thos. L. McKenney as joint com-
missioners on the part of the United States to negotiate a treaty
with Chippewa Indians at Fond du Lac in 1826, had concluded
the same, they ordered Geo. F. Porter to accompany the detach-
ment sent to the Ontonagon River for the purpose of procuring
this mass of native copper.
The result is given in his report, part of which follows :
REPORT OF THE COPPER ROCK.
*'We left Fond du Lac on the first day of August, 1826, with
two boats, containing 20 men, including our French and Indian
guides; and after a short passage of something less than four
days, arrived in the mouth of the river. We immediately pro-
ceeded up the river. About 28 miles from its mouth the river is
divided into two branches of equal magnitude. We continued up
the right branch for about two miles further, where we found it
necessary to leave our boat and proceed by land.
''After walking about five miles further over points of the
mountains from 100 to 300 feet high, separated every few rods by
deep ravines, the bottom of which were bogs. We at length, with
some difficulty, discovered the object of our search, long known
by the name of Copper Rock of Lake Superior.
''This remarkable specimen of virgin copper lies a little
above low water mark on the west bank of the river, and about
35 miles from its mouth. Its appearance is brilliant wherever
REMARKABLE SPECIMEN OF NATIVE COPPER. 25 1
the metal is visible. It consists of pure copper, ramified in every
direction through a map of stone (mostly serpentine, intermixed
with calcareous spar) in veins of from one to three inches in
diameter, and in some parts exhibiting maps of pure metal of lOO
pounds weight, but so intimately connected with the surrounding
body that it was found impossible to detach them with any instru-
ments we had provided,
"Having ascertained that, with our means and time, it was
impossible to remove by land a body weighing more than a ton
(two-thirds of which I should have observed is pure metal) we
proceeded to examine the channel of the river, which we found
intercepted by ridges of sandstone, forming three cataracts, with
a descent in all of about 70 feet, over which it was impossible to
pass : and the high and perpendicular banks of sandstone ren-
dered a passage around them impracticable. Finding our plans
frustrated by unforeseen difficulties, we were obliged to abandon
our attempt, and proceeded to the Sault Ste, Marie."
This mass of native copper appears to have been known to
the Indians for a very long period. Pierre Boucher, in his His-
torie Veritable et Naturelle, Paris, 1664, says "that the French-
men who went with Father Menard told me that they had seen a
nugget of copper at the end of a hill which they estimated to
weigh more than 800 pounds,"
INDIANS' BELIEF.
At the conference in 1826 with the Ojibwa at Fond du Lac,
for the purchase of these lands, one of the chiefs said in reference
to this nugget of copper :
"This, fathers, is the property of no one man. It belongs
alike to us. It was put there by the Great Spirit, and it is ours.
In the life of my father the British were busy working it. It was
then big like that table. They tried to raise it to the top of the
hill, but failed. They then said the copper was not in the rock,
but in the banks of the river. They dug for it by a light, working
under ground. The earth fell in, killing three men. It was then
left until now."
In 1843 the weight of this rock was estimated between 6,000
to 7,000 pounds, and its purity at 95 per cent, it was removed to
the Smithonian Institution at Washington as before stated, and at
a cost of about $3,500.
252 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
ITS HISTORY SHOULD NOT BE FORGOTTEN.
I have seen this rock many times at the Smithsonian Institu-
tion, Washington, as I presume many thousands have done, but I
do not remember if it bore on its surface anything to indicate its
strange history, and the various vicissitudes it had passed through
before reaching this, its final resting place. If it does not, it
seems to me it should, considering the vast wealth it has already
heralded, and the prospect of millions yet to come, the contempla-
tion of which almost makes the senses reel.
This silent rock, in its bed on the rugged shore of the Onto-
nagon, bore on its metallic face its story and its significance. The
untutored savage read it partly, but it was left for Fur Trader
Henry and Cass, McKenney, Schoolcraft, Houghton, Hubbard
and others before them who visited it from time to time, to read
aright the tale it had to tell and its great import.
It seems to me no mineral specimen in the world at this day
possesses the interest and significance that this rock of copper
does now, reposing so quietly in the halls of the Smithsonian
Institution in Washington, and there should be some fitting recog-
nition of the great part it played in making known to the nation
the vast wealth that lay hidden in the copper region of Lake
Superior, only waiting to be sought after.
The Calumet and Hecla people could afford alone to furnish
a golden pedestal for it, let alone a marble one, surmounted by a
golden scroll, with its history blazoned upon it.
Aside from seeing this copper rock in Buffalo, when it was
on its way to Washington, and listening to Mr. Julius Eldred's
account of his experience with it, I some years before this (1830),
heard of Mr. J. O. Lewis, who. was with Governor Cass and
Colonel McKenney as sketch artist on their trip in 1826, relate
his account of it to my uncle, Thos. Palmer.
After my uncle was burned out, on the corner of Jefferson
Avenue and Griswold Street, in 1830, he moved his books and
papers to the first floor of a frame building in the rear, on the
corner of the alley and Griswold Street (where the Michigan
Mutual Life is now), belonging to Shubal Conant. This Mr.
Lewis, who was by trade a steel and copper plate engraver and
printer, occupied the rooms in the rear of my uncle's.
Lewis often talked of this trip and this rock with my uncle
and others. I was most of the time in evidence, and an eager
re:markable: spe:cime:n of nativje: copper. 253
listener. Early impressions, it is said, are always lasting, so the
story of hunting up this copper rock, told by J. O. I^ewis, I never
forgot.
• It has been told that the one hundred pounds of copper that
the fur trader, Alexander Henry, cut from this rock in 1766 is
now in the British Museum and is held to be one of its rarest min-
eral specimens.
Schoolcraft, as a further evidence of what a terrrible spot
this rock had for an abiding place, quotes a passage from Walter
Scott, which I give :
"It seemed the mountain, rent and riven,
A channel for the stream had given ;
So high the cliff of sandstone gr^^,
Hung beetling o'er the torrent's way.
Where he who winds 'twixt rock and wave.
May hear the headlong torrent rave ;
May view her chafe her waves to spray,
O'er every rock that bars her way.
The foam globes o'er her eddies glide,
Thick as the scheme of human pride
That down life drive amain,
.As frail, as frothy, and as vain."
It is fair to presume that the vicinity of Ontonagon, to which
this refers, wears something of a different aspect from what it
did when this was quoted.
Mr. J. O. Lewis above referred to made a sketch of the cop-
per rock as it appeared lying in its bed on the margin of the
Ontonagon River, and I presume the engraving of it that appears
[in Schoolcraft's narrative, is taken from it."
Frii^nd PaIvMe;r.
1
I
WHLN DLTROIT HAD A TOWN PUMP.
HOW THE CITY GOT ITS WATER SUPPLY BEFORE THE
PRESENT FINE SYSTEM WAS ESTABLISHED.
MANY people now living in Detroit can remember when all
the people were supplied with water through tamarack
logs, bored out to make pipes. It was not long before that
when there was a t^wn pump at the foot of Randolph Street,
free for the use of all citizens.
The development of the water system included the discarding
of plants that in their day were supposed to be large enough to
take care of Detroit for years to come. At times people in some
sections of the city found that they could get no water during the
day, and some member of the family had to get busy at midnight,
when the demand fell off in other sections of the city, in order to
draw water to supply his family through the next day.
The issue of the Detroit Gazette July 20, 1820, contains this
notice :
"Resolved, That the board of trustees of the city of Detroit
will meet on Thursday, the loth of August next, for the purpose
of receiving proposals to furnish the city with water for a certain
number of years. "Geo. McDougall,
Attest. "Sec'y pro tem."
But it does not appear that any further action was taken
imtil the 4th of June, 1822, at a meeting of the citizens convened
at Bronson's Hotel, situated on the south side of Woodward
Avenue, midway between Jefferson Avenue and Woodbridge
Street. The Detroit Gazette, in 1822, had this item :
STEAM COMPANY.
"At a meeting of a number of the citizens of Detroit, con-
vened at Bronson's Hotel on the evening of the 4th of June, 1822,
A. B. Woodward was elected chairman and Geo. A. O'Keefe,
secretary.
WHEN d£:troit had a town pump. 255
"Certain proposals for supplying the city with water were
exhibited to the meeting by George Deming and his associates,
and were read and considered by the meeting, whereupon,
"Resolved, Unanimously, as the opinion of the meeting, that
it is expedient to promote the enterprise of George Deming and
his associates to supply the city of Detroit with water, and it will
be agreeable to us that the legislative authority should give him
an exclusive privilege for a certain nurnber of years, under equit-
able conditions.
"Ordered, that the secretary transmit a copy of these pro-
ceedings to the Detroit Gazette for publication."
And then the meeting adjourned. But it does not appear
that any further progress was made until the legislature, August
5, 1824, passed the act in relation thereto, mentioned in the
"History of the Detroit Water Works," by Jacob Houghton,
superintendent, in his report December 31, 1853. But this was
only an act empowering Mr. Peter Berthelet to construct a wharf
at the foot of Randolph Street and on it erect a pump, for the
purpose of pumping water from the river, to which all citizens
should have free access.
Previous to this meeting, however, the Gazette of April 12,
1822, in an editorial, had this to say : "A respectable fellow-citizen
has received a letter from a gentleman in Ohio, in which inquiries
are made as to the encouragement which a person would receive
from the citizens of Detroit in undertaking to supply them with
water from the river by means of hydraulic machinery. That
water can be carried from the river to the door of every inhab-
itant by means of hydraulics is evident to every person least
acquainted with the subject — and it is equally certain that were
it once effected, a vast number of our citizens would be saved an
expense of from $15 to $25 per year. It is perhaps out of the
power of our corporation to erect the necessary works, but it is
not out of the power of the citizens of Detroit to grant certain
privileges to individuals who would undertake and properly
accomplish the business. It is to be hoped that the trustees of
the city of Detroit generally will turn their attention to this
important object; and as its great utility cannot for a moment
be questioned, let foreign enterprise derive a portion of the ben-
efit of its accomplishment, if a company of our own citizens
cannot be formed to secure the whole to ourselves."
256 EARI,Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
THi: FIRST ste:p.
The efforts of the citizens of Detroit to devise some plan or
means through which they could be supplied with water became
— as Jacob Houghton says in his report — noised abroad, until it
reached the ears of Bethuel Farrand and Rufus Wells, residents
of Aurelius, Cayuga County, New York, who came on and sub-
mitted to the common council, February 17, 1825, their proposi-
tion for supplying the city with water, a full detail of which is
given in Mr. Houghton's report.
I witnessed the erection of the pump house on the Berthelet
wharf, foot of Randolph Street, and saw it in operation, in free
use by the citizens. I also saw it pumping water into the reservoir
erected on the rear of the lot now occupied by the water board
(formerly Firemen's Hall), and witnessed the boring for water
on the site designated for that purpose by Mayor Jonathan
Kearsley and Alderman Thomas Palmer, on the south side of
Fort, between Shelby and Wayne streets, and the building of the
reservoir at that point. I also gathered at the boring works quite
a quantity of water-worn pebbles that the borer brought to the
surface from a depth of between two and three hundred feet.
I was also quite familiar with the pumping works erected by
the Detroit Hydraulic Co. on the north side of Woodbridge Street,
between Cass and Wayne. I was well acquainted with Uncle
Chas. Howard, who ran the engine, and was around there often
when Captain John Burtis was building his steamboat Argo, close
by. I think it will be interesting to many of the old settlers, as
well as to many of the new, of our goodly Detroit. To the latter
it will, no doubt, be fresh news
I give herewith facts from the History of the Detroit Water
Works, up to the time (February 14, 1853,) the state legislature
passed the act creating the board of water commissioners and for
which history I am under obligations to my good friend of these
many, many years' standing, Jacob Houghton, Esq., superinten-
dent, who, I am happy to say, is with us yet.
The history is quite lengthy, I know, but I give from it facts
as they appear in his report of the condition of the department
under his charge for the year 1^53. The report was presented to
the common council.
WHE:N DETROIT HAD A TOWN PUMP. 257
THE TOWN PUMP.
On account of the stiff and impermiable clay upon which the
city was located the old residents did not find wells satisfactory,
for the water in them drained into them only from the surface.
As a result the river was the unfailing source of supply.
The water was at first furnished to the people by men who
hauled in carts, casks and barrels of it. Buckets were suspended
at the ends of wooden yokes, borne on the shoulders of worthy
pioneers. The ordinance of the trustees compelled each citizen
to keep on his premises a cask containing a certain amount of
water, for use in case of fire.
A free pump was arranged for at the foot of Randolph
Street in 1824, and it was erected by Peter Berthelet, by permis-
sion of the governor and legislative council. All citizens had free
access to the wharf on which the pump was located. It continued
in use until 1835, when it was taken down, by order of the com-
mon council.
Bethuel Farrand, father of the late Jacob S. Farrand, and a
pump, maker, Rufus Wells, both of Aurelius, Cayuga County,
New York, learned that Detroit wished an up-to-date water sys-
tem and came to this city on foot in 1825 and submitted a propo-
sition to the council which was accepted, and Mr. Farrand was
given the "sole and exclusive right of watering the city of
Detroit." Mr. Farrand later withdrew from, the enterprise and
the plant was established by Mr. Wells.
The pump house was located on Berthelet's wharf at the foot
of Randolph Street. This was in 1827. The house was a frame
building 20 feet square, with a cupola 40 feet high. The pumps
were driven by horse power, and the water was pumped into a
40-gailon cask at the top of the cupola.
The water passed through tamarack logs from this cask to
the reservoir which was located on the rear of the lot later occu-
pied by the Firemen's Hall at the corner of Randolph Street an3
Jefferson Avenue. This reservoir was 16 feet square and 6 feet
deep, and held 9,580 imperial gallons.
From the reservoir a line of logs was laid down Jefferson
Avenue as far as Schwartz's Tavern, between Cass and First
Streets, through parts of Larned and Congress Streets and east on
Jefferson as far as Brush Street.
17
258 £;ARI.Y days in DETROIT.
FIRST WATER FAMINE.
The city had a water famine one day, because a man in a resi-
dence on Larned Street left a plug open, and the water ran until
it filled his cellar. At this time the city had about 1,500 inhabit-
ants. Families were uniformly charged $10 per annum, quarterly
in advance. Mr. Wells remained sole proprietor until 1829.
In that year the right to supply the city until 1850 was given
Mr. Wells, Phineas Davis, Jr., Lucius Lyon and A. E. Hathon.
They formed the Detroit Hydraulic Company and bored on the
south side of Fort Street, between Shelby and Wayne, going down
260 feet, getting no water, but running into a bed of salt that gave
an indication of the future wealth to be obtained in this state from
this source.
The company secured an extension of the life of its charter in
1865, ^^^ prepared to build a pumping station and reservoir.
They were placed on the same lot where the boring took place.
The power was furnished by the second stationary engine brought
into this state, and water was supplied in the fall of 1830. The
reservoir was constructed of brick, was 18 feet square and 9 feet
deep, housed in a wooden building. The engine also furnished
power for the Detroit Iron Worlcs, at the corner of Jefferson and
v^ass. •
The city was supplied through two lines of wooden logs, of
three-inch bore. During the winter of i830-'3i all but four of the
hydrants were rendered useless by freezing and remained in that
condition until spring. Many of the logs, which had not been
laid at sufficient depth, also were frozen. The reservoir was
extremely defective and in 183 1 tHe company constructed another,
40 feet square and 10 feet deep, made of oak planks.
THERE WERE KICKERS THEN.
The Detroit Hydraulic Company soon after erected an engine
house on the north side of Woodbridge Street, between Cass and
Wayne streets. Instead of a rotary pump a double action force
pump was used. The water was declared not to be clear, pure
and wholesome, and not furnished continuously, and the company
was losing money, but it continued to extend its system.
Frequently the common council discussed the proposition to
buy the works, and a committee reported to that body that the
WHEN DETROIT HAD A TOWN PUMP. 259
company had forfeited its charter by the character of service ren-
dered. It was recommended that the works be located on land
up-river from the city.
A committee conferred with the company to learn on what
terms it would give up its interest, the committee consisting of
Aldermen Julius Eldred and Thomas Palmer. The price fixed
was $20,500. This report was accepted and the plant was pur-
chased in 1836. Noah Sutton, as agent for the city, visited east-'
ern water works and soon a site was purchased at the foot of
Orleans Street.
The plan of piping water from springs near Farmington was
considered and forgotten. During 1837 ^^e foundation of a new-
reservoir was laid, nearly a duplicate of the old Manhattan works
in New York. The next year the reservoir was completed.
The construction of the new plant included the laying of
nine miles of hollow tamarack logs and four and a half miles of
iron pipe. Water was pumped into an iron reservoir at the foot
of Orleans Street and from there it ran by gravitation to the old
reservoir on Fort Street, and from this point it was distributed
through the old system of logs.
BIG LEAKS.
A report made to the council in 1841 said that there was
leakage through the old logs at the rate of 116,000 gallons in
twenty-four hours. It was recommended that the new system be
used entirely, and provision was made for keeping a map of all
connections. Digging at random was found expensive, even in
those days. In 1838 six hundred and thirteen persons were
assessed for water, and in 1841 only 335. The deficiency was
probably occasioned more by the defects in the old works than the
absence of persons wishing a supply of water.
Soon after this report was made the engine and pump on
Woodbridge Street were abandoned and the new Orleans Street
pump was brought into use to supply water to the Fort Street
reservoir for distribution. December 14, 1841, the works was
accepted by the council. Early in 1842 the Fort Street reservoir
was abandoned.
When the plans for the new system were decided upon in
1836 the city contained 8,000 inhabitants. In 1849 the number
was more than 20,000, and nearly twice the contents of the reser-
26o EAR^IvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
voir was required each twenty-four hours. It was difficult to
find time to make the necessary repairs. Contracts were made
for a larger engine and new engine hpuse. The new engine was
put in use in November, 1850.
Early in 185 1 four acres of land on the Mullet farm, between
Russell and Prospect Streets, opposite the city cemetery, were
purchased by the council as a site for a new reservoir.
• ^
GOT wate:r only at night.
For several years there had been many complaints of insuffi-
cient supply, as the population increased. People had to draw
water at night for use the following day, and there were large dis-
tricts in^ which a supply could not be secured before midnight.
There was plenty of power to raise water to the reservoir, but
inadequate means for distributing it. Joined to the four and a
half miles of iron pipes, the largest having an interior diameter of
ten inches, were about thirty-five miles of logs, principally of two-
inch bore, and those were in many cases connected with a five-
eighths inch lead pipe. These were laid regardless of any system,
and the common council was besieged by complainants. More
than $181,000 had been spent on construction, and there had been
a deficit in fifteen years of more than $85,000.
In 1852 the control of the water works was placed in the
hands of five trustees, Shubael Conant, Henry Ledyard, Edmund
A. Brush, James A. Van Dyke and WilHam R. Noyes. Jacob
Houghton was appointed commissioner. Iron pipes were laid to
those sections of the city from which the most complaints had
come.
The trustees were made a board of water commissioners Feb-
ruary 14, 1853, by an amendment of the city charter, on applica-
tion by the common council, and special powers and authority
were given to them. Shubael Conant was the first president of
the board. He later resigned and E. A. Brush was appointed.
The city had grown from 1,500 to 35,000 people. Water-
works constructions, supposed to be large enough to care for
increased population, were repeatedly found inadequate after a
few years. This lesson was learned.
Be sure to build large enough; you will find it difficult to
overestimate.
ROYALTY 5AW DETROIT.
PRINCE DE JOINVILLE AND SUITE SPENT A DAY HERE,
WHILE DAUPHIN-HUNTING.
A
A LONG in the latter thirties and early forties, I was clerk in
the book store of Sidney L. Rood in the Cooper Block on
Jefferson Avenue, this city. I recall an incident that hap-
pened, in which the Prince de Joinville and his suite figured.
They visited this city while en route to Green Bay, Wis., on
the steamer Columbus, in charge of Captain Shook. The steamer
lay at her dock one entire day, giving the distinguished party
ample time to see Detroit. They visited our store and remained
quite a time looking over the French books in stock that I sub-
mitted for their inspection, and they purchased quite liberally.
Many of our people were curious to know why the prince
and his party should be bound for Green Bay. The question
appeared to be answered when it was remembered that the Rev-
erend Eleazer Williams, the alleged Dauphin of France, son of
Louis XVL and Marie Antoinette, lived there, and it was known
afterwards that the prince called on the Reverend Eleazer Wil-
liams, on the steamer's arrival at Green Bay, and had a prolonged
interview with him. I think the prince did call and see Williams,
but he disclaimed afterwards that there was any significance
attached to it. Yet the people continued to wonder.
KNAGGS WAS INTRODUCED TO THE PRINCE.
In this connection, George Knaggs, in Robert B. Roy's his-
tory of the Knaggs family, says:
''While on a visit to my relatives in Detroit, I met General
Lewis Cass, who said: 'You are the very man I wanted to see.' "
He went to the Cass residence, where he was introduced to
the Prince de Joinville and the Duke d'Aumale, sons of King
Louise Phillippe, of France, who with their suite had just returned
from Green Bay, Wis. Their suite consisted of Marshal Ber-
2 62 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
trand, Count Montholon, Viscount Montesquieu and several ser-
vants.
It appears that Louis Phillipe had heard that a man named
Rev. Eleazer Williams, an Indian missionary in the Episcopal
church of the United States, claimed that he was the son of Louis
XVI. and Queen Marie Antoinette, who had been beheaded, was
consequently the dauphin end entitled to the throne of France.
To ascertain whether the story was true, the young princes came
to the United States, chartered the steamer Columbus at Buf-
falo, and proceeded to Green Bay, where Williams was preaching
to a tribe of Indians.
DID NOT BEUEVE HIM.
When they saw and spoke to him, however, they became
convinced he was either a wilful imposter, or a person deceived
by foolish stories. Williams was well-known in Detroit. When
the first St. Paul's church on the east side of Woodward Avenue,
between Larned and Congress Streets, was consecrated, on
August 24, 1837, he read the consecration service and he was
frequently in this citv afterwards. He died at Hogansburg, N.
Y., in 1858.
When the two princes were on their way back they stopped
at Detroit and were entertained by General Cass. They had
great curiosity to know the situation in the surrounding countr}-,
which was once under French rule. Cass was much gratified on
being able to furnish a historian on those subjects like George
Knaggs, who was gentlemanly, finely educated and spoke French
like a native. George accompanied the princes on their steam-
boat trip to Buffalo, where he bade them farewell, and went to
New York, via Lake Champlain.
The Prince de Joinville and the Duke D'Aumale were
accompanied by Marshal Bertrand, Count Montholon and the
Viscount Montesquieu. Something in regard to their attire
may be interesting. I copy a description of the same from an
article that appeared in one of our daily journals, of date, Novem-
ber 2.y, 1892, and written by Richard R. Elliott, Esq.
''The princes, who were tall and sallow, but well shaped,
wore dark cloth frocks, buttoned; light cassimere trousers, made
rather collant, patent leather boots and blue traveling caps. De
Joinville wore a Byron collar and black silk cravat once around
with sailor fashioned knot ; D'Aumale a straight collar, black lace
ROYAIvTY SAW D^ROIT. 263
scarf run through a gold filagree ring ; Montesquieu was dressed
somewhat like D'Aumale, neither wore mustache nor beard, nor
was there any sign of jewelry visible.
"There was, however, a small oval ring badge on the cap of
De Joinville, on which was displayed an anchor, and the letters
L. B. P., La Belle Poule, the name of his man-of-war frigate.
"The marshal presented the type of the retired' generals of
the army. His bronzed face, short white mustache, long blue
frock, buttoned to the chin, loose blue trousers which partially
concealed his legs, which had become bowed from the constant
use of the saddle, his black cravat without collar, his erect and
commanding appearance, all indicated the hero to whom histori-
ans had already assigned a distinguished place in European his-
tory.
"Montholon, confidential companion of his exiled master to
the last, wore a bourgeois claret frock, buttoned, gray trousers,
straight collar, black scarf and horseshoe coil scarf pin. He had
in the upper button-hole of his frock the small ribbon of the
Legion of Honor. His face was cleanly shaved, and both he and
the marshal wore 'compromise' silk hats, i. e., neither bell-shaped,
which was royalist, nor cone-shaped, which was republican."
Mr. Elliott says, further, the dress of the princes and suite
was described to him at the time by the junior of the firm of A.
and J. McFarlane, merchant tailors here.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.
REMINISCENCES CONCERNING MEMBERS OF THE EARLIEST
CONGREGATION IN DETROIT.
A COPY from the Michigan Christian Herald, of October i6,
1902, a portion of an article on this society, in 1827-8. As
I was closely intimate with some of the persons mentioned
in it, I give it herewith, and follow it with some personal
remembrances.
The growth of modern Detroit dates in almost every particu-
lar from the period from 1820 to 1830. It was in this period that
the anomalous rule of the governor and judges, who combined in
one body executive, legislative and judicial functions, gave way
first to an appointive council to act with the governor in admin-
istrative measures, and afterwards to an elective council. It
was about this time also that the first steps were taken toward
the establishment of the University of Michigan ; that the first
State Medical Society was organized; that the first territorial
roads were laid out; that emigration to the territory commenced
on a large scale.
"In this transition period from the lethargy of the old French
settlement to the modern American city, the religious life of the
place received a new impetus. It was along in this period that
the first Episcopal, Methodist and Presbyterian churches were
organized, and at this time, also, that a few Baptist brethren began
to move for the establishment of religious services according to
their own faith.
FIRST IMMEIRSION.
"It was providential that Brother Henry Davis, who was
just completing his studies for the ministry, had his attention
turned in this direction, and in the August of 1826 he paid the
brethren here a visit. In the course of the following winter a
loom was fitted up "in the old Academy, a historic buildmg, which
long stood at what is now the west entrance of the city hall. Two
i^IRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 265
brethren and three sisters constituted his first congregation. At
the first meeting all related their Christian experience, and cove-
nanted together to strive for the establishment of their faith in
the city. Stated meetings were thereafter kept up in the Academy
for preaching, prayer and business. On the 19th of August Mrs.
Nancy Cabell was added to their number by baptism, the first bap-
tism by immersion that ever took place in the Detroit River.
Later in the same month two others were also baptised.
"October 20th, 1827, at the call of these brethren, a council
convened, and, after examination of their letters, declaration of
faith and covenant, gave them recognition as an organized body
of believers, under the name of the First Baptist church at
Detroit. The council consisted of lay delegates from the churches
in Pontiac, Troy and Farmington. No minister of the denomina-
tion is known to have been then settled in the state except Rev.
Elkanah Comstock, of Pontiac, who, from some providential
cause, was not present. The fact is historically suggestive th^t the
nearest ministers whose presence could be secured for the occa-
sion were Rev. Elisha Tucker, of Fredonia, Rev. Jairus Handy, of
Buffalo, N. Y., and Rev. Asahel Mors^, of Ohio. The sermon on
the occasion was from the text, 'Walk About Zion,' etc., by
Brother Tucker, the moderator of the council, and the charge
and hand of fellowship by Brethren Morse and Handy. The con-
stituent members of the church were, Henry Davis, pastor ; Leon-
ard Loomis, Reuben Starr, and Sisters Eliza H. Davis, Mary
Loomis, Martha Rhodes, Hannah W. Gordon, Sally Moon, and
Thankful Newberry. Brother Francis P. Browning was con-
sidered a member, though his letter from Pontiac was not received
at that time. To these four brethren and six sisters was thus
given a banner to be diisplayed because of the truth, and in the
name of their God, they set it up.
REV. HE^NRY DAVIS' GOOD WORK.
"Of the further labors of Brother Henry Davis, Rev. Samuel
Haskell said in his Half Centurv Memorial of the Church : 'The
records of the church during the first year are incomplete. They
mention, however, the painful exclusion of one who was among
the first baptized into their number, the dismissal of several others,
and the disablement of the pastor by sickness, which compelled
him to leave the field at the opening of navigation, before he had
266 ElARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
finished a year's labor on it. He left in April, much debilitated,
intending, however, by appointment of the church, to serve it for a
few months in collecting funds to build a house of worship, and
then return. But these expectations were disappointed. His
work here was finished. He had accomplished good under great
hindrances, and deserves our grateful remembrance, especially for
the leading part he acted in procuring from the city the grant of
these most eligible and beautiful lots on which our house of wor-
ship stands. This grant was secured only by coping with great
opposition, and owed its passage very much to the friendly advice
and active co-operation of Governor Cass, whose sympathy with
the young interest and its young pastor is still spoken of by the
latter with affectionate gratitude."
*'For more than three weeks after Brother Davis' departure
the church was without a pastor and was refused admission to the
Michigan Baptist Association. The reason given for this refusal
was that the body was too small to be considered a church, and
that it chose to receive as members persons who had been baptized
by pedobaptist ministers. Through this period the church mem-
bership varied from eight? to twelve. But the little band with a
noble zeal and firm purpose, continued to hold meetings regularly
from house to house. Brother Browning was an acknowledged
leader among them, and he was accustomed to expound the Scrip-
tures, read a published sermon, conduct a Sunday School, and
exercise a general presidency over the church. Though unso-
licited by agents this little body of faithful workers made regular
contributions to foreign missions and tract and Bible organiza-
tions, and erected a small building for the uses of the church.
"The history of the denomination in the state contains few
records of more devoted service and deeper Christian love than
were shown by this little body during its day of small things."
FRIEND PAIvMER'S ERCOI.LECTIONS.
Of those first members that met on the 20th of October, 1827,
the following, as a boy I knew well : Rev. Henry Davis and his
wife, Sally Moon, Thankful Newberry and Francis P. Browning.
I have always been told that my father. Friend Palmer, who was
a devout Baptist, was mainly instrumental in inducing Brother
Davis to turn his eyes in this direction. He came in 1826, as the
Herald says, and one year before the advent of my mother and two
sisters and mvself.
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 267
In July, 1827, the trustees of the city gave Rev. Mr. Davis
permission to use the lower room of the academy as a place of
public worship. This academy was a historic building, as the
Herald has it, but it was located on the corner of Bates and Con-
gress Streets, instead of where the west entrance of the city hall
is. He held forth there accordingly every Sunday morning and
at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. During his pastorate here he bap-
tized my mother, Thankful Palmer, and at my father's death in
May, 1827, officiated at the funeral. Shortly after this my mother
and myself became inmates in his family, for how long I do not
remember, but it appears to me for nearly a year. He lived then
on the Corner of Hastings and Woodbridge Streets in the rear of
the present Blodgett Terrace. He was a charming man and a
most devout Christian. His wife was a most estimable woman,
and so neat and trim. They were a very devoted couple, and dur-
ing all the years that have intervened, their memory dwells with
me fresh and fragrant, "like the vase in which roses have once
been distilled."
Mrs. Thankful Newberry was the wife of Uncle Henry New-
berry, and a most intimate and dear friend of my mother. Miss
Sally Moon was quite prominent here in those days. She was
associated with her brother, Geo. C. Moon, in the millinery and
fancy goods business, and what Miss Moon said in regard to the
prevailing style in female attire "went," as the saying is.
MR. FRANCIS P. BROWNING.
Mr. Francis P. Browning was a most estimable man, and
extensive operator in lumber, real estate, etc., a true, unselfish
Christian gentleman, if there ever was one. The firm of F. & T.
Palmer was intimately connected with him in many business ven-
tures, all of which were mutually beneficial. He was a sure Bap-
tist from the crown of his head to the sole of his foot. He died,
much lamented, of the cholera, in 1834. He left a son, Samuel
Browning, who is at present in the hardware business in this city.
Francis P. Browning was the father of the Baptist Sunday
School in this city, as were John J. Deming and Horace Hallock
of that of the Presbyterians.
My uncle, Thos. Palmer, was intimately connected with the
building of the first Baptist church on the corner of Fort and
Griswold Streets. Though not a member of that persuasion, he
268 i;ari.y days in Detroit.
assisted in the erection of the building in many ways, principally
in money and lumber, the latter from his sawmill at St. Clair. So
much was he identified with it that he was considered one of the
"pillars of the church," and Rev. .Mr. Turnbull, its first pastor,
was always an honored and welcome guest at his house, corner
Fort and Shelby Streets. Senator Palmer when a boy was a
regular attendant at the Baptist Sunday School, as I was myself.
After Rev. Mr. Davis left the society erected a small wooden
building for church and Sunday School purposes on the corner of
Fort and Griswold Streets, and it continued there until it made
way for the fine new brick structure that took its place. In addi-
tion to those I have mentioned as being at that time members or
regular attendants, I recall the names and personalities of the
following : Lewis Goddard and wife, Mr. Crocker and wife, Mr.
Ambrose and wife, Henry Glover, James Burns, Solomon Davis
and wife, John Bloom and wife, the three Dwight families, Sam-
uel Goodell and wife, Miss Urilla Bacon. The last named was a
niece of Lewis Goddard, an inmate in his family. In her James
Burns met his fate, then and there. After marriage, I think,
they joined the Methodist Church. Anyway, they were mighty
good people, good enough for any church. Henry Glover also
met his fate here, in the person of Miss Laura Dwight, a daughter
of Mr. Amassa Dwight. She was his first wife, and a charming
woman she was.
HIS mothe;r's baptism.
Referring again to Rev. Henry Davis, and my mother's bap-
tism, it was by immersion and it occurred on the river front,
between Hastings Street and Bolivar Alley. The latter alley is
now obliterated, but it ran between the residences of Theo H.
Eaton and Wm. G. Thompson, from Jefferson Avenue to the
river.
Most of the river front along here was composed of a sandy
beach, shallow water out for quite a distance, with hard, sandy
bottom. It was an ideal place for the purpose, much better I used
to think, than the one in front of the Cass Farm. When the new
church was erected on the Corner of Fort and Griswold Streets a
large tank, for use in immersions, was put in the basement. I
think after this no more baptisms happened on the river front,
except those that got into the water by accident, or mistake, with-
out the aid of a minister.
DETROIT MERCHANTS OF THE LONG AGO.
INTERESTING FACTS GLEANED FROM THE COLUMNS OF
THE DETROIT GAZETTE OF 1820-1822.
THE old Detroit Gazette was an insignificant sheet both in
size and appearance. The Democratic Free Press that fol-
lowed it was a trifle larger, and a decided improvement, as
regards typography, paper and contents. The first page of
the Gasette was almost entirely taken up with the laws of the
United States and the territory of Michigan. It was fairly
patronized by the merchants and others with advertisements.
I have a file of the paper from July 21, 1820, to June 28,
1822, from which I make some extracts, coupled with some per-
sonal remembrances of parties, and incidents mentioned in its
pages, that may be of interest to many and of no moment perhaps
to others. Anyway they will serve to show the difference in many
things between then and now. ^'Jom'mg in Contrast Lieth Love's
Delight." In the issue of July 21, 1820, I find:
George McDougall, Sec'y pro tem of Board of Trustees,
orders that the assize of bread be 4lbs. 40Z. for 12 1-2 cents; and
2lbs. 20Z. for 61-4 cents.
It also has an article taken from the New York Columbian,
viz:
"Shameful procedure — Some persons at York (now Toronto)
in Upper Canada recently thought proper to show their loyalty
to the British and hatred to the American cause, by seizing on
a wax figure of General Jackson, which had been exhibited in
that place, and after a mock trial, hanging it and destroying it.
This pitiful evidence of malice appeared to give great satisfac-
tion, and even a newspaper expresses much approbation at the
triumph. We have, however, been gratified in seeing, in another
part of the province, sentiments of a very proper disapprobation
of this procedure."
From July T3th to the 21st the Gazette chronicles nine
arrivals at this port and nine departures. Among them were the
270 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Steamboat Walk-in-the- Water, Rogers, master ; and the schooner
General Jackson, Chelsea Blake, master.
SOME OF THE ADVERTISEMENTS.
Tunis S. Wendell & Co. advertise in the same space a gen-
eral assortment of goods, just received from the east (at the
new store in Mrs. Dodemead's house).
This Doderhead house was on the northeast corner of Jeffer-
son Avenue and Shelby Street.
John S. Roby advertises for sale at his auction and commis-
sion store, on the wharf, between Shelby and Wayne Streets,
quite an assortment of merchandise, consisting of whiskey, beer,
flour, pork, tobacco, furniture, boots and shoes, etc.
June 26th, 182 1, the steamboat W"alk-in-the- Water, Jebediah
Rogers, master, advertises to sail from Black Rock on the 9th of
July next, at' 4 o'clock in the afternoon, for Detroit, Michili-
mackinac and Green Bay. She will sail from Detroit on her
return trip on the 23d of July.
EOUNDINO OF A GREAT BUSINESS.
M. Chapin & Co. say that they have received from New
York a very extensive assortment of drugs, medicines, groceries,
paints, oils, dye-woods, dye stuffs, etc., and offer the same low
for cash, at the store adjoining the house of Mr. Roby.
Mr. Roby's house was just below the Michigan Exchange.
The "Co." was John Owen, and after this the firm was John
Owen & Co., Dr. Chapin retiring, and Theo. H. Hinchman taking
his place. Mr. Owen, after some years, retired and Mr. James
A. Hinchman took his place.
The firm then became T. & J. Hinchman. Mr. J. A. Hinch-
man, after a brief session, retired, and T. H. Hinchman's three
sons took his place, under the firm name of T. H. Hinchman &
Sons. After the death of T. H. Hinchman the concern was
merged into the present extensive one of Williams, Davis, Brooks
& Hinchman Sons.
I imagine it is the only firm in the entire west that has main-
tained a continuous organization (so to speak) for nearly ninety
years, and with unimpaired credit.
It appears the paper, itself, was in trade. Their issue July
21, 1820, has this notice:
DEJTROIT MERCHANTS OF LONG AGO. 27 1
Quills, etc. — Just received at this office. Also Flutes, Fifes,
Flute Preceptors, Fife do. Blank Music Books, Record Books,
etc.
James Abbott, postmaster, has quite a List of Letters in his
office uncalled for.
Another advertisement reads : ■'
Paul Clapp.
Has on hand, and will constantly keep for sale, at wholesale and
retail, a large assortment of Hats, Beaver, Castor, Roram, Napt
and Felt.
Also — Ladies elegant Beaver Hats, with trimmings complete.
The whole will be sold very cheaf for CASH or PELTRY.
Clapp's place of business was between Bates and Randolph
Streets, on west side of Jefferson Avenue.
BIG F'OURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.
July 6th, 182 1, the paper records a 4th of July celebration, by
the citizens and strangers in the city. At twelve o'clock, the
Declaration of Independence was read to a large concourse, at the
Council House by Chas. Lamed, Esqr. A procession was then
formed, and preceded by martial music playing the good old tune
of "Yankee Doodle," marched to the hotel of Mr. Bronson, where
upwards of one hundred and fifty persons sat down to a bounteous
repast; at whidh Judge James Witherell, as president, and Major
T. Maxwell, as vice-president, presided. Both of these gentle-
men entered the army at an early period of the revolution, and
never laid aside their arms until the liberties of their country were
secured. Major T. Kearsley and Captain Bien Wood worth
assisisted as second and third vice-presidents. A set of appro-
priate toasts were drunk.
Aside from the foregoing a number of ladies and gentlemen
of this city and vicinity, also officers of the army at this post,
embarked on. the steamboat Walk-in-the-Water at 11 a. m. The
company was also attended by a fine band. The day was extremely
fine, and the quarter deck of the boat, which by the politeness of
Captain Rogers had been prepared for the purpose, was occupied
by cotillion parties.
The boat, after passing Maiden and making a short trip into
272 B:ARLY days in DETROIT.
Lake Erie, returned to her wharf at sunset. The British troops
at Maiden saluted the steamer on passing.
In the issue of August 10, 182 1, A. C. Canniff (Judge Can-
niif ) says he has oj>ened a boot and shoe shop in the small build-
ing two doors east of Colonel Henry J. Hunt*s store, where he
intends to carry on the business in all its branches.
Colonel Hunt's store was a few doors east of Shelby Street
on the south side of Jefferson Avenue.
A VAIvUABIvE CARGO.
In the issue of August 17 is a notice of the arrival of the
schooner Decatur from Chicago and Mackinac, having on board
500 packs of furs, valued at $100,000. The schooner Red Jacket
sailed from this port with 200 packs of furs.
James Abbott, auctioneer, says he will sell (same date) a
large quantity of maple sugar in barrels, kegs and mococks, and
take his pay in fine flour at the, then, cash price.
December i, 1820, the proprietors of the Gazette offer for
sale a large and fine assortment of miscellaneous books, much the
finest that has ever been brought to the territory.
In this same issue F. T. & J. Palmer have nearly a column ad.
but dated November 15, setting forth that they have received and
are opening their fall stock of goods, comprising almost every-
thing in the line of dry goods, groceries, liquors, hardware, crock-
ery and glass ware, which can be had low, for cash.
December 29, 1820, records the marriage of Mr. David
Cooper to Miss Lovicy Mack, also that of Captain Henry Whit-
ing, of the Fifth Regiment, to Miss Eliza Macomb. Both couples
were joined by Rev. Mr. Monteith.
David Cooper was father of Rev. David M. Cooper, of this
city. Captain Whiting was afterward Major Whiting, and sta-
tioned here for many years as quartermaster.
In the issue of February 16, is a notice of the marriage of
Doctor J. L. Whiting, at Hudson, N. Y., on the i8th of January
to Miss Harriet C. Talman, daughter of Doctor John Talman,
mayor of that city.
Scores of our citizens will remember Dr. Whiting with pleas-
urable emotions, I am sure.
Chauncey S. Payne, says, he has, for sale. Cheap for Cash, at
his shop on Jefferson Avenue, south side (between Shelby and'
Griswold Streets) a large assortment of jewelry, clocks, watches,
military goods, pocket knives, Indian jewelry, etc.
DETROIT MEJRCHANTS OF I.ONG AGO. 273
The Gazetter Office offers school books of all kinds, wrap-
ping paper and law blanks. John P. Sheldon, of the same office,
has a few axes for sale of excellent quality.
praise: for OAKI.AND COUNTY.
A stranger contributing a long article to the Gazette, on the
country around and adjacent to Detroit, among other things has
this to say about the country around Pontiac.
"The little lakes I have mentioned (twenty-one of which I
visited and from, the best information I could obtain there are
upwards of sixty of them in all) abound with fish of various
kinds, many of which I saw would weigh twelve pounds each ;
they are also in great abundance. The grey and black duck was
frequently seen in large flocks on these unfrequented waters.
These lakes are of various dimensions, from one to four miles in
circumference. Here may be found some of the most delightful
retreats for gentlemen of taste and fortune, and only a week^s
journey from the city of New York. When the great Erie canal
to Lake Erie is completed, you need not be surprised at seeing
gentlemen with their families coming to spend the summer months
on their country seats near Pontiac."
the; old-time ferry.
In the issue of July 21, 1820, and continued through the files
of the Gazette that I have, is the notice that B. Woodworth has
obtained a license to keep a ferry on Detroit River, and calls on
the public for patronage. He has, he says, provided an excellent
flat, and his boat for passengers is superior to any that can be
found on the river. Careful men have been engaged to attend the
ferry, and constant attention will be given, in order that paasen-
gers shall suflFer no delay. The ferry is kept nearly in front of
the Steamboat Hotel.
Ben Woodworth's Steamboat Hotel was on the southwest
corner of Randolph and Woodbridge Streets, and the ferry land-
ing was at the foot of Randolph Street.
In the same issue and continued through subsequent issues
for quite a period, is a notice of the forming of a land agency, by
Ball & Petit, and that an office has been opened at the office of the
surveyor of the Michigan territory ip the city of Detroit, for the
purchase, sale or exchange of lands, public and private, lying
18
274 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
within this territory, the western district of New York and Upper
Canada, or the adjacent parts of the state of Ohio, etc.
This firm of Ball and Petit was dissolved before my advent
here, by the death of Mr. Petit. Mr. Ball, the survivor, when I
knew him, was in the employ of Sheldon & Reed as assistant edi-
tor or business manager of the Gazetter, I think in latter capacity.
He was quite competent, however, to fill both positions. He at
the time boarded in my uncle's family, adjoining the Gazette
office, and with him was his sister, a charming girl in her teens,
Sophia Ball. The latter was here temporarily. What became of
Ball I do not remember, but his sister returned to her home some-
where in the south and married Mr. Hancock, a southern planter
who owned many slaves.
SI.AVE GiRIv WAS ABDUCTED.
Miss Ball, her father, and Miss Elizabeth Clemens, of Mt.
Clemens, the latter a daughter of Judge Clemens, were inmates of
my uncle's homestead for a year or more, the young ladies attend-
ing school here. Two or three years after Miss Ball's marriage,
she visited her former brief home here, with her two children and
they were guests in my uncle's family. She had with her a young
colored girl, one of her husband's slaves, as a nurse.
The fact became known to Doctor E. W. Cowles, a partner
of Doctor E. Hurd, through a colored barber on the steamer that
brought them here. The doctor, a pronounced abolitionist, inter-
ested himself in the aflfair and the girl was abducted ; her mistress
never saw her again, and, I remember so well, much to her
disgust.
I don't think Doctor Hurd had any knoweldge of the affair,
though I know his sympathies were all with the colored people.
Mr. R. B. Ross, in his sketches of Detroit in 1837, has
already dilated on this incident, and the reason I repeat it is that
I know the lady well who is mentioned and the circumstances con-
nected therewith, also think I furnished Mr. Ross with some of
the facts.
Mr. Petit, who, as I have said, died before my arrival here,
left a widow and one child, a boy. The Petits lived on the south-
east corner of Woodward Avenue and Congress Street, and
owned through to Griswold Street. The son, Dudley Petit, a
bright youth, a schoolmat^e of mine, died in the early thirties. The
widow married Mr. Eurotas P. Hastings, president of the OM
Bank of Michigan.
NO MORL CRLDIT AT THL P05T0FFICL.
WHY IT WAS ABOLISHED IN 1821 BY POSTMASTER JAMES
ABBOTT.
THERE are many interesting articles in the old Detroit
Gazette, from which I quoted last week. They throw a
great deal of light on life in Detroit in the early twenties.
For example, in the issue of July 21, 1821, I found that W.
Leonard & Co. inform their friends and the public, that they have
commenced the Saddling and Harness business at Spencer's Tan-
nery a few rods above the city, and ask for a share of their pat-
ronage.
This Spencer's tannery was situated on the river front, just
west of Hastings Street. Spencer, whoever he was, had docked
out into the river quite a space and filled it in with earth. It was
said that an Indian chief with uplifted tomahawk chased a man
by the name of Scott into this tanyard with murderous intent
but Scott hid in one of the tanning vats and thus got rid of his
pursuer.
It was quite a busy locality in the early thirties. Mr. De-
quindre, a brother of Major Antoine Dequindre, had an exten-
sive store close by. The Detroit & Black River Steam Mill Co.
had their saw mill and lumber yard just west; and opposite the
tannery yards were quite a number of saloons, a French dancing
house and billiard room ; also located in the vicinity were two or
three other dance houses, and it was said a seeker after a chance
and place to "trip the light fantastic toe" had only to get on top
of any of the lumber piles nearby to determine where it was
located by the sound of the fiddle. Those dances were always
on tap.
Harvey Williams had his extensive blacksmith shop near
here, and Alanson Sheeley had an extensive lumber yard near,
when he was agent for some Black River (Port Huron) steam
saw mill company. On this tannery dock was built the steamboat
Argo, No. 2.
a'
276 E^ARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
ADVERTISEJMENTS.
Storage and Commission Business.
(At the Steamboat Wharf), .
D. C. McKinstry informs the pubHc that he has taken the com-
modious store house, wharf and yard of Austin Ewing (foot of
Bates Street) and will transact the above business on accommo-
dating terms.
Auction and Commission Store.
James Abbott has just received N. Y., Penn., and Ohio
^ .1 Whisky, Smoked Hams, Bacon, Lard, Butter and Genesee Cheese,
M^^ I Flour, Garden Seeds, Pecan and Hickory Nuts, Domestic Goods
by Box or Piece, Buffalo Robes, Playing Cards, Soap, Tar, Lin-
seed Oil, Grind Stones, Stoves, Boards & Scantling, etc.
Also — a few barrels of Whisky, four years old, and best
Jamaica Spirits.
Jerry Dean has
Saddles, Bridles, Harness, Portmanteaus, VaHses, etc., Jefferson
Avenue, west side, between Griswold and Shelby Sts.
The proprietors of the. steamboat Walk-in-the- Water have
come down in their price for cabin passage from Detroit to Black
Rock, from 18 to 15 dollars. J. Rogejrs, Master.
Henry L Hunt says in addition to his usual assortment of
Dry Goods, Groceries, Hardware, Crockery and Shoes, he has
just received 100 barrels of Flour, 3 do of Maple Sugar, 50 do of
Pork, 100 do of Whisky, 200 do of Salt, 14 kegs of Butter and 7
crates of Bottles and 3 boxes Domestic Factory Cottons. All of
which he will sell low for cash. He says further. Bills on the
Bank of Muskingum, Ohio, will be received in payment for the
sugar and for part of the flour, butter and pork. Also, he again
solicits those who owe him to make payment without delay; by
so doing they will avert the mortification of being sued, and
relieve him from that painful duty.
JoHNSY McCarthy says he has established a bakery at the
southeast corner of Griswold and Woodbridge Streets, where may
be found at all times loaf bread, sea biscuits, rusks, hot rolls, etc.
McCarthy was in the same business, and at the same location,
when I came here and after.
NO MORE CREDIT AT THE POSTOFFICE. 277
WiivCOx & Beach inform their friends and the public, that
they have commenced the Hatting business in this city, and will
manufacture and keep on hand a good assortment of well finished
Hats, warranted equal in style and quality to any manufactured
in this country.
Wilcox was the father of Eben N. and General O. B. Wilcox.
NO MORE CREDIT AT POSTOEFICE.
Detroit in the early twenties was governed by a board of
trustees, of which James Abbott was the chairman and Jas. D.
Doty secretary.
In the issue of January 12, 182 1, James Abbott, postmaster,
says :
"The trouble, exclusive of the loss, I have lately experienced
in crediting postage, renders it necessary for me to discontinue it.
Notice is therefore give that from and after the first day of Feb-
ruary next no letter will be delivered out of the office unless the
postage is paid, except to persons who receive letters on public
business. Postage on newspapers is required by the seventeenth
article of instructions from the general postoffice, to be paid in
advance, without which they will not be delivered, even should the
money be tendered for them singly. N. B. — Persons who are
dissatisfied with the above arrangement, and others who do not
like to carry change in their pockets, may be accommodated by
depositing the probable amount of one quarterns postage in
advance."
PONTIAC IN 182 1.
In the issue, Friday, February 2, 182 1, the editor has this to
say in regard to Pontiac village :
A gentleman recently from Pontiac gives us the following
information in regard to the progress and improvement in that
new settlement :
"In December, 18 18, the first house was erected, and in July,
1820, the first County Court was held.
"There is now within the limits of the spot laid out for the
shire town of Pontiac one large grist mill, one saw mill, one tan-
ner and currier, one shoemaker, one blacksmith, one cabinetmaker,
one wheelwright, three carpenters and one brickmaker.
"From the 21st to the 28th ult. sixty-three sleighs, each
loaded from thirty to forty-eight bushels of grain, arrived at the
278 E^ARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
grist mill, and all from a distance of more than twenty-five miles.
"In March, 1819, there were but four families in the County
of Oakland — there are now about 200 — all of the best class of
emigrants."
In a communication to the Gazette from a correspondent,
February 2, 1821, he has this to say in regard to Sault Ste. Marie,
the expedition of Governor Cass and party the year previous and
the Indians :
''It (the Soo) is the key to the country around and north of
Lake Superior, and equally important to the savages and the
English. Accordingly the English government has established a
post on Drummond's Island, at the mouth of this (Soo) river,
and made that a deposit of presents for the Indians. When the
exploring party last season landed at Sandy Lake, many of the
head men of the bands were receiving cordial greetings at this
island; and to reach this happy spot, where fortune always smiles,
it is absolutely necessary they should pass the Soo. Here is an
extent of country of 500 miles, in which British flags and British
medals are not unfrequent sights. It is by this same route, like-
wise, the North- West Company make their largest and most val-
uable returns. At this time an easy, free and avowed communi-
cation is had annually with these Indians by this place. It is with
regret and displeasure that both sides (British and Indians) try
to intercept this wide-trod path.
"This dislike was strongly evinced last season when a treaty
was held by Governor Cass at the Sault for a cession of a certain
tract situated there, claimed by our government under Wayne's
treaty. It was with the greatest difficulty that cession was
obtained. One of the chiefs who was called the 'count' appeared
in the council in the full dress of a British officer, and during the
conference showed the greatest aversion for the Americans.
When the chiefs were about to retire, this fellow standing by the
presents, which lay in the center of the marquee where the coun-
cil was held, with great contempt, kicked them aside and rushed
out of the marquee.
GOVERNOR CASS'S BRAVERY.
"In a few moments a British flag, and not a North-West flag,
was seen flying within thirty rods, and in front of the governor's
camp, and in the midst of the Indian lodges. Immediately the
governor, unattended by any of the party, walked to the lodge
NO more; CRDIT at TH^ POSTOFFICE. 279
where the flag was raised, and by which the chiefs who had been
in the council were standing, and seizing the flag, he flung it upon
the ground and trampled it under his feet.
"The Indians appeared panic-struck by this daring act. The
governor called to the interpreter and remonstrated with them
upon the impropriety of their conduct, and upon the hostile feel-
ings they displayed towards the United States. He also stated
the inevitable result to which such conduct must lead, and that
a repetition of it while we were there, would not pass unpunished.
In less than fifteen minutes, the squaws belonging to the lodges,
with all their children, had abandoned their camp and were safely
landed on the British shore, and appearances indicated an imme-
diate attack. On the part of the exploring party preparations
were instantly made for defense against any attack which might
be made by the Indians. But the firmness of the party effected
what had already been despaired of. In a short time the older
chiefs sent for the governor and disavowed the rash act which
had been committed. They attributed it to the young men, and
expressed their sincere regret at its occurrence. They also
requested a renewal of the council, and proposed their readiness
to make the small concession, being only sixteen sections which
was asked. The council was accordingly renewed and in a short
time the treaty was signed. These same Indians had before
insulted American officers who had visited the Sault, and their
object was undoubtedly to ascertain how far their insolence might
be carried with impunity. During the whole of this transaction,
in their conduct and in their language, a positive attachment to
the English was very evident."
(An allusion has been made to this incident previously, but
differing from it in many respects.)
FIGHTING LPIDLMIC5.
HOW DETROITERS DEFENDED THEMSELVES FROM CHOL-
ERA IN 1832 AND 1834.
DETROIT had memorable epidemics of cholera in 1832 and
1834. I was but a strip of a lad then and do not remem-
ber much about it, only in a general way. I was too young
to realize the grave import of the calamity.
The bonfires of tar and rosin that the common council ordered
lighted at the corners of the principal streets throughout the
city, as a sanitary precaution, made the whole affair look to me
like a continuous Fourth of July celebration, so I rather enjoyed
it than otherwise and gave no thought to the cholera.
An immense iron potash kettle was located in the center of
the square at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Wood-
ward, and was kept constantly full, night and day, with burning
tar and rosin.
A portion of the troops under General Scott were quartered
here for a short time, while on their way to Green Bay, Wis., to
attend to Black Hawk. They occupied the government ware-
house on Woodbridge Street, near the corner of Cass. The chol-
era broke out among them, as it did, indeed, among his whole
command. Many of them died here, I think. I know many of
them did die of the dread disease after they embarked on the
steamer Henry Clay and were buried along the shore of the St.
Clair River. All old settlers on the St. Clair will confirm this
statement.
CHOi^ERA IN 1832.
Four steamers, the Henry Clay, Superior, Sheldon Thomp-
son and William Penn, were chartered by the United States gov-
ernment for the purpose of transporting troops, provisions, etc.,
to Chicago during the Black Hawk war ; but owing to the fearful
ravages made by the breaking out of the Asiatic cholera among
the troops, the crews on board two of these boats, the Henry
Clay and Superior, were compelled to abandon their voyage, pro-
ceeding no further than Fort Gratiot.
FIGHTING EPIDEMICS. 281
On the Henry Clay nothing like discipline could be main-
tained. As soon as the steamer came to the dock each man sprang
on shore, hoping to escape from a scene so terrifying and appall-
ing. Some fled to the woods, some to the fields, while others lay
down in the streets or under the cover of the river bank, where
most of them died, unwept and alone.
Their remains were subsequently gathered up and buried at
Fort Gratiot. Among the dead was a son of Henry Clay, to
whom a monument was erected in the cemetery at that post.
The Sheldon Thompson arrived in Chicago about the first of
July with her complement of troops and munitions of war, and
supplies for Fort Dearborn. Out of the number of soldiers
aboard of her twelve had died of the disease after she left Detroit,
and their bodies were cast into Lake Michigan at the mouth of
the Chicago River.
DEATH OF FATHER RICHARD.
Father Richard, the venerated and well-beloved Catholic
priest, also fell a victim to the disease, contracted in his tireless
devotion to the stricken, a martyr to the cause of humanity. I
was at his funeral, as indeed the whole community were, far and
near. His remains were deposited temporarily in the grounds
adjoining St. Mary's Hospital and shortly after found, as was
then supposed, a permanent resting place in the vaults under old
St. Anne's church, corner Larned and Bates Streets. When the
latter was destroyed, I think they were removed to the new St.
Anne's.
His body lay in state for two or three days in front of the
high altar in the church that he built almost entirely through his
own exertions. It was his pride and he loved it well. His body
was so arranged that it reposed clad in its priestly robes, half
reclining in his coffin, so that the features could be distinctly seen
the moment one entered the church.
A sorrowing crowd filled the church almost constantly, dur-
ing the time his body lay in state, and on the occasion of the
funeral the obsequies were most solemn and impressive.
CHOLERA IN 1834.
From about the middle of July, 1834, to a date about 40 or
60 days thereafter, this dreadful disease visited all ages, sexes,
conditions and colors in Detroit, and out of a population not
282 EAR-LY DAYS IN DETROIT.
exceeding 3,500, more than 10 per cent were cut down amidst
a panic of dread and misery, such as had rarely visited any of
our cities before.
Among the earhest victims was Governor Geo. B. Porter,
who died very suddenly in the very meridian of his life. He
passed away down at the brick house then in Springwells, which
he was erecting and furnishing for his own habitation. It was
afterwards occupied by the late Sylvester Lamed. The death of
Governor Porter left Stevens T. Mason, then but 20 years old,
the secretary and acting governor of Michigan, which place, not-
withstanding his youth, he filled with dignity and honor until in
1836 he was elected by the people of Michigan to that same office
and held it until 1839.
E^^ORTS OF MAYOR TROWBRIDGE.
At this time, 1834, Charles C. Trowbridge was the mayor of
Detroit. No better man or braver officer for such an emergency
ever held an office of so much importance to the safety and wel-
fare and the protection of a terrified and terror-stricken people.
The alarm that spread all over Detroit was created and extended
not merely by the sudden and awful deaths which occurred on
the steamers, on the docks, among the woodpiles and merchan-
dise strewed along the river, not merely among the laboring, the
dissipated, the filthy and reckless portion of the community, but
by the deaths among the most temperate, the most cleanly and
apparently among the most calm and courageous. Those who
have read Eugene Sue will not forget that when Father Rhodan
met the cholera as he came out of the gates of Paris and
demanded of him "for what purpose he had been mowing down
that population like blades of grass before the scythe," the chol-
era responded to the reproach that he "had carried off only one-
third, while fear alone had destroyed the remaining two-thirds."
As it was true in Paris, so it was in Detroit.
GEO. C. BATES'S REFERENCE.
The late Geo. C. Bates, writing about it in 1885, says: "It
is impossible now after fifty years have rolled away, to describe
the terror, alarm and panic that prevailed, to depict or portray
with the pen the blanched cheeks and the husky voices of brave
men who met at the corners of the streets or in the reception
room and drinking room of the old Mansion House (for brandy
FIGHTING EPIDEMICS. 283
was prescribed by Drs. Rice and Whiting and other leading phy-
sicians). Standing upon its gallery, they could look up and down
the avenue and see carts, drays and all kinds of vehicles on their
way to the cemetery, filled with corpses, many of whom but a
few hours before were in full health and strength. Neither can
I portray the absolute alarm and panic which emptied that old
Mansion House of nearly all its inmates on the death of its
matron, Mrs. Boyer — a woman huge in size, with a heart in full
proportion to her body, and courage that seemed to bid defiance
to death itself. About the 25th of August the bulletins reported
the death of thirty-six on that one day, among whom were
General Chas. Larned, F. P. Browning, Tom Knapp, the sheriff,
E. B. Canning, Mrs. B. F. H. Witherell, and others like them.
*'Dr. Randall Rice declared, with an oath, that in 1832 he
had saved nearly all his patients by bleeding and calomel, yet at
this season every single patient whom he had thus far treated
had died upon his hands.
"To obtain nurses at night and aids and assistants to remove
and bury the dead became almost impossible. Despair was fast
settling upon all who rernained. The stages were loaded down
each succeeding morning with load after load of frightened peo-
ple, who fled in terror to Pontiac, to Ann Arbor, to Jackson or
Monroe, and w^ho not unfrequently died on their way, or imme-
diately after reaching their destination of supposed safety."
WpRK OF FATHER KUNDIG.
In the midst of all this desolation there appeared, to aid
Mayor Trowbridge in his efforts to arrest the progress of the
disease, to roll back by force of will and courage the tide of
anxiety and fear that existed, one who was then and long after-
wards regarded almost a savior of Detroit, whose heroism and
Christian pluck and power did more than all other things to-
rescue his people from the grave. He won from them a record
and testimonial never to be effaced. His benevolence, humanity
and devotion to duty equaled any upon the field of battle, or
exhibited in the wildest and most fearful storms at sea. I mean
Father Kundig, a Catholic priest, who many a long year iifter-
wards was an honored bishop in Milwaukee of Holy Mother
church, and who carried with him to his grave the affections of
all who ever knew him.
284 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
The good father on his own responsibihty went to work as
utterly regardless and fearess of death as if God had vouchsafed
to him the power to crush it in the hollow of his hand or stamp
it out as he would the burning brand planted by an incendiary.
He organized and improvised a hospital just behind where the
Russell House now stands. Calling to his aid some twenty-five
or more of the daughters of his church, young, bright and beau-
tiful girls, like Josephine Desnoyer, Anne Dequindre, the Knaggs
and Campau girls, he infused into them at once by his teachings
and by his holy example an absolute conviction that it was their
duty to visit the sick, to perform the most irksome and sickening
duties for the poor, filthy and drunken wretches that were gath-
ered up each morning from the docks, steamers, lanes and high-
ways of Detroit, and to nurse them and to save them if possible
from death, and after death to prepare them decently and care-
fully for the grave.
So thoroughly did he arm them with his own courage and
religious zeal and pluck that almost at once the minds of all the
people began to realize that indeed cholera cut down only about
one-third, while panic and fear finished the work by laying low
the remaining two-thirds. Let it be borne in mind and never be
forgotten that of that noble old Catholic priest, and all those
bright, beaming, beautiful and blessed Catholic girls, not one of
them, although exposed day by day and night by night for weeks
together during the existence of that dreadful epidemic, ever
were even attacked by that hideous monster, the cholera.
MUTUAI. INSURANCE COMPANY.
Let it not be forgotten that immediately after the death of
Mrs. Boyer at the Mansion House, when the house was deserted
by everybody who could leave it and the city, fifteen young men,
of whom the writer was one, organized themselves into a mutual
insurance company and agreed that they would not leave their
home, but would occupy the old ball-room in the third story of
that old hotel and would watch over, aid and assist one another
to guard against disease, and if necessary, would faithfully watch
over and nurse and protect one another. Of all that number one
only was ever taken ill or died, and it was the victim of his own
folly — in drinking mint juleps and eating green cucumbers, as if
determined to invite an attack from the disease.
FIGHTING EPIDEJMICS. 285
That Mutual Insurance organization, like the work of Father
Kundig and his lady aids and assistants, soon banished all fear,
panic and mental anxiety for ourselves, and demonstrates in the
clearest and most absolute manner that whosoever cooly and
courageously pursues the ordinary habits of his life and his daily
business may bid defiance to cholera or yellow fever or any other
epidemic, and outlive its dangers and its destruction.
From about August 3, of that year, down to September 15,
the cholera continued its ravages, and furnished a death list from
day to day that was appalling, until at the final summing up of
the figures the balance-sheet showed that about one-eighth of all
our population had been carried- off to the cemetery.
About the middle of September, 1834, it was announced that
the cholera had abated entirely and that the theatre under Dean
& McKinney in old Colonel McKinstry's building, would open.
Our club went enmasse to listen to Dan Marble's humorous per-
formance of *'Black-eyed Susan." That was a happy crowd, you
may be sure, until on returning late at night the old sexton, Israel
Noble, mounted on his horse and followed by half a dozen drays
and carts, each one laden with dead bodies, warned us all to shut
up the theatre and wait until a later day, when finally the cholera
disappeared as suddenly and as strangely as it came.
•
OLD CHURCH USED AS HOSPITAL.
The Presbyterin church that stood on the corner of Wood-
ward Avenue and Larned Street was sold to the Catholics and
moved to the co'rner of Cadillac Square and Bates Street, where,
in the cholera time it was occupied as a hospital under the charge
of Father Kundig, as he says, John Canann, an Irish ditch digger,
was employed to bring the sick to the hospital and to take away
the dead for burial. He used a horse and cart for the purpose.
On one occasion as he was taking bodies away in his cart
for burial, he seized and undertook to carry out a man by the
name of Rider, who was noticed to be alive. On being remon-
strated with, John said that it made no difference, as he would be
dead anyway before he got him to the cemetery. Rider was still
living near St. Louis in i860.
The hospital that Bates mentions as being improvised by
Father Kundig, just behind the Russell House, was the place, as
Mr. Bates says, where thirty-five died in one day.
286 EARIvY DAYS IN DI2TR0IT.
Such was the panic of the public that at one time there were
supposed to be not over 1,500 people left in the city, those who
were well not being sufficient to take care of the sick.
During the epidemic of 1832, J. M. Howard, Lawyer Hard-
ing, Thomas Palmer, A. P. Mormon, A. H. Stowell, Sidney L.
Rood and lycvi Cook advertised that they would at all times be
ready to take care of those who had cholera, and they at once
had all they could do. The senate chamber in the old state cap-
ital was also utilized and filled with the sick.
Uncle Thomas Palmer lived at that time on Woodward
Avenue at the corner of Jorn R. Street, where is now Schwan-
kovsky's music store, and made it a point to visit the capitol
building twice a day at least, going and returning from his place
of business down town. I was there myself, often more out of
curiosity than anything else, being too young to realize the grav-
ity of the situation.
My uncle's great remedy was brandy and, indeed, stimulants
of all kinds, and he was quite successful, as I have heard him say,
in saving the lives of many who came under his care. As said
before, Drs. Rice and Whiting and other leading physicians pre-
scribed the same, with the addition of calomel. Dr. Hurd was
also quite successful in his treatment of the dread disease, though
he failed to save the life of a favorite servant of his, a young girl
from the River Rouge. She was about 20 years old and was
stricken with cholera. She was a great favorite in the family,
as she was of myself. The doctor and his good wife used every
effort to save her, but, as I said, in vain. I happened to be pres-
ent when she passed away, and, boy that I was, I shall never for-
get that death-bed scene. I may say, in passing, that Dr. Hurd
and Uncle Thomas Palmer worked in unison in treating the
disease. The cholera visited this city twice after this, but I was
not here either time.
WHEN WOODWARD AVLNUL WAS A CORDU-
ROY ROAD.
TRIP TO OAKLAND COUNTY, 28 MILES, REQUIRED TWO
DAYS— EXTRACTS FROM THE OLD DETROIT GAZETTE.
FRIDAY, November 10, 1820, the editor of the, Detroit
Gazette says:
"We delayed the publication of our paper until this evening,
in the expectation that the steamboat would arrive with some
late and important news, but we are disappointed. The mail
arrived in due season last Wednesday, but brought nothing of
interest."
EIARLY ROAD MAKING.
The paper of the same date has this to say of the Pontiac
Road, Saginaw Turnpike :
"The six miles of this important road which Major S. Mack
contracted to complete, and the progress of which our citizens
have watched with so much interest, are now finished, and we
are happy to say, in a manner highly to the reputation of the
contractor and the satisfaction of the public. Considerable more
than one-half of the road made by Mr. Mack is formed of very
large logs laid closely together, across the road, on which are
piled small timber, brush, clay and sand, making a dry, and at
the same time a durable highway.
"The principal objects encountered in making the road were
the immense number of large and small trees with which the
country immediately in the rear of this place abounds.
"It is, we believe, admitted on all hands, that Major Mack
has completed the most difficult part of the road between this
place and Pontiac. Still considerable labor remains to be done,
for the track beyond the Six Miles does not deserve the name of
Road — we refer more particularly to the portion lying this side
288 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
of the cranberry marsh and that near Mr. Woodford's and
beyond Mr. Thirber's.
**We will not insult the good sense of the inhabitants of
this city and of Oakland County by saying that they do not seem,
from the Httle that has been done on those parts of the . road
alluded to, to understand how much of their true interest is
involved in its speedy completion, but it will not be improper to
say that the exertion already made to accomplish the object has
not been proportioned to its palpable importance."
WOODWARD AVENUE) AS A CORDUROY ROAD.
Those that witnessed the large quantity of heavy logs
unearthed by the contractors when preparing the bed for the
asphalt pavement recently laid on Woodward Avenue (Pontiac
Road) to the Six Mile Crossing and wondered how and why they
were there, can now account for them, if they did not before.
And in the above connection I give the late Mrs. John Palmer's
experience over this turnpike a short time after its completion.
She said : ■
"We had Mack and Conant's turnpike on the north (Wood-
ward Avenue), then if was a new corduroy road extending from
the Grand Circus north six miles. Mack and Conant built it for
the general government, receiving $6,000 for it."
Mrs. Palmer said further : ''You can get an idea of what its
condition was then, when I tell you that Mrs. John P. Sheldon
and myself, each with an infant in our arms, started to visit Mrs.
Sheldon's father, who lived in Oakland County, 28 miles from
Detroit. We made the six miles over Mack & Conant's turnpike
and 22 miles along an Indian trail in just two days. Rather slow,
wasn't it?"
A. Edwards advertises a large stock of merchandise among
which is 200 barrels of whiskey and only 50 barrels of pork, also
boots and shoes of his own manufacture.
HE WANTED MUSKRAT SKINS.
De Garmo Jones wants a few thousand prime muskrat skins,
for which he will pay the cash, at his warehouse foot of Shelby
Street.
F. T. & J. Palmer, say "they have recently received a fresh
WOODWARD AVENUE AS A CORDUROY ROAD. 289
supply of merchandise, and they are daily expecting to receive an
extensive assortment, which together with what they now have
on hand, will make their assortment as complete as can be found
in the territory. Their former practice of not being undersold by
their neighbors is rigidly adhered to."
TO PURCHASE FIRST FIRE ENGINE.
The board of trustees of the City of Detroit, through their
secretary, Geo. McDougall, called a meeting of the citizens at the
Council House on Monday, the eleventh of September, at 4
o'clock p. M. to determine on the propriety of voting on a tax ta
be appHed in the purchase of a fire engine for the use of the city..
This was for the purchase of the first fire engine.
The Postmaster-General advertises August 31, 1820, for pro-
posals for carrying the mails from Detroit by Pontiac to Mt..
Clemens once a week, 53 miles.
October 27, 1820. John P. Sheldon of the Gazette, has a few
barrels of good old Ontario Whisky for sale, also a few barrels of
flour.
GOVERNOR CASS'S EXPEDITION.
Governor Cass, it appears, in 18 19 was impressed with the
importance of an expedition for exploring the extreme north-
western regions of the Union — the great chain of lakes, and the
sources of the Mississippi River, which were the continued sub-
ject of dispute between geographical writers. He presented a
memorial to the Secretary of War upon the subject in which he
proposed leaving Detroit in the ensuing spring, in two or three
Indian canoes, as being best adapted to the 'navigation of the shal-
low waters of the upper country, and to the numerous portages
which it would be necessary to make from stream to stream.
The specific objects of this journey, as presented in the mem-
orial of Governor Cass, were to obtain a more correct knowledge
of the names, numbers, customs, history, condition, mode of sub-
sistence and disposition of the Indian tribes — to survey the top-
ography of the country, and collect the materials for an accurate
map, to locate the site of a garrison at the foot of Lake Superior,
and to purchase the ground, to investigate the subject of the
northwestern copper mines, lead mines and gypsum quarries, and
to purchase from the Indian tribes such tracts as might be neces-
290 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
sary to secure to the United States the ultimate advantages to be
derived from them. To accomplish these objects it was proposed
to attach to the expedition a topographical engineer, a physician
and a person familiar with mineralogy.
The Secretary of War, Mr. Calhoun, not only approved of
the proposed plan, but determined to enable the Governor to carry
it into complete effect, by ordering an escort of soldiers and
enjoining it upon the commandants of the frontier garrison, to
furnish every aid that the exigencies of the party might require,
either in men, boats or supplies.
The expedition left Grosse Pointe (Lake St. Clair) in three
canoes May 26, 1820, and consisted of the following persons :
His excellency, Lewis Cass, Governor of the Michigan Ter-
ritory.
Alexander Wolcott, M. D., Indian agent at Chicago, phy-
sician to the expedition.
Captain David B. Douglass, civil and military engineer.
Lieutenant Aeneas McKay, Third United States Artillery,
commanding the soldiers.
James D. Doty, Esq., secretary to the expedition.
Major Robert A. Forsyth, private secretary to the governor.
Mr. Charles T. Trowbridge, assistant topographer.
Mr. Alexander R. Chase.
Also ten Canadian voyageurs, seven United States soldiers,
ten Indians of the Ottawa and Shawnee tribes, an interpreter and
a guide, making thirty-eight persons all told.
TREATY OF 1820.
The treay at the Soo was signed by Governor Cass on part
of the United States and by sixteen chiefs on the part of the
Indians (Chippewa) on the i6th of June, 1820, and witnessed by
Robert A. Forsyth, secretary; Alex Wolcott, Jr., Indian agent,
Chicago; Captain D. B. Douglass, United States Engineer;
Aeneas McKay,, lieutenant corps artillery ; John J. Pierce, lieuten-
ant artillery; Henry R. Schoolcraft, mineralogist to the expedi-
tion ; James Duane Doty, Charles C. Trowbridge, Alex R. Chase,
James Ryley, sworn interpreter.
This is the treaty referred to by "a correspondent" in the
issue of February 2, 1821.
V
WOODWARD avijnue: as a corduroy road. 291
From May 26. to nth, 1821, there were thirteen arrivals of
schooners from lower lake ports, with emigrants and merchandise.
organizing ST. CIvAIR COUNTY.
Governor Cass in his proclamation May 8, 182 1, says:
"And I do 'further declare that the seat of justice to be tem-
porarily located at the town of St. Clair, and as soon as the build-
ing, contracted to be built by the proprietor of said town, for court
house and jail is completed, then the county seat, shall be perma-
nently located in St. Clair.
This proclamation did not ''hold water," or did not stick.
The building for county purposes mentioned, was completed in
due time at a cost of over $6,000, by the proprietor of said town.
Thomas Palmer, and the county seat located at St. Clair, perma-
nently (as was supposed). It continued there peaceably and
quietly until the death of Mr. Palmer, when it was removed to
Port Huron.
The subject of its removal was slightly agitated before Mr.
Palmer's decease, but I have heard him say the people of the
county dare not remove the county seat while he was on earth.
Why he said so, I don't know, but any way the thing was not con-
sumated until after his death.
de:troit e:i.ection.
At an election on the 7th of May, 1821, for trustees and
officers of the city corporation, the following gentlemen were
chosen trustees: Joseph Campau, A. G. Whitney, Shubael Con-
ant, Levi Cook, Jacob Ellert ; secretary, Jeremiah V. R. Ten Eyck ;
assessor and supervisor, D. C. McKinstry ; marshal and collector,
Robert Garratt.
The issue of the Gazette, Friday, May 18, 1821, contains a
notice of a meeting of the citizens of Detroit, to meet at the coun-
cil house on the coming Monday (21st), at 4 o'clock in the after-
noon, to take into consideration the propriety of exhibiting a
mark of public attention to Major-General Macomb, on the occa-
sion of his expected departure from this territory.
A subsequent issue has this to say in regard to Major-Gen-
eral Macomb:
"The citizens of Detroit and its vicinity have at a public meet-
ing resolved to present to General Macomb a silver tankard, with
292 EJARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
appropriate engravings ; the tankard will be made in this place by
Mr. Rouquet. It was also resolved to present the general an
address, expressive of the high respect and sincere friendship
which his fellow citizens entertain for him. The address and
tankard will be presented on Monday next (the 21st). The pro-
ceedings of the meeting above alluded to, and the address will
appear in subsequent issue.
"It is expected that the general and his family will depart for
Washington on Wednesday or Thursday next."
I^OR GENERAIv MACOMB.
At the meeting of the ckizens of Detroit convened at the
council house on Monday, May 21, 1821, in pursuance of the
notice published in the Detroit Gazette, Governor Cass was called
to the chair and Geo. 'McDougall was elected secretary. At this
meeting it was resolved to appoint a committee of five persons to
prepare an address to the general, and it was also resolved that a
piece of plate be procured and presented to the same, by the citi-
zens of Detroit, with an appropriate inscription thereon. The
committees were to report their proceedings to this meeting on
Saturday next (the 26th). The committee on address consisted
of A. B. Woodward, William Woodbridge, Solomon Sibley,
Henry I. Hunt, and Austin E. Wing. •
The committee on procuring the piece of plate consisted of
James McCloskey, A. G. Whitney and Thomas Rowland.
The citizens again met on May 26, pursuant to adjournment,
Governor Cass in the chair and Geo. McDougall secretary.
Judge Woodward, on behalf of the committee, reported the
address, which was adopted and a committee was appointed to
present the same to Major-General Macomb on the coming Mon-
day. The above committee consisted of A. B. Woodward, William
Woodbridge, Solomon Sibley, Henry I. Hunt, Austin E. Wing,
James McCloskey, Andrew G. Whitney and Thomas Rowland,
with the chairman and secretary.
Monday, the 4th day of June, the citizens of Detroit met
agreeably to adjournment.
Colonel McCloskey, from the committee appointed for the
purpose, reported the following inscription for the piece of plate
to be presented to the general :
WOODWARD AVENUE AS A CORDUROY ROAD. 293
(Arms of the Territory.)
PRESENTED
to
MAJOR-GENERAL ALEXANDER MACOMB
by
THE CITIZENS OF HIS NATIVE PLACE, DETROIT,
AS A TESTIMONIAL
OF ATTACHMENT AND RESPECT
FOR HIS
PERSON AND CHARACTER.
June 4, A. D., 1821.
The inscription was unanimously adopted, whereupon the
citizens proceeded to the house of Gen. Macomb, presented to
him the piece of plate and delivered the address.
The general responded to the address in feeling terms, and
accepted the plate which the citizens were pleased to offer, with
(he said) the utmost pleasure.
COLONEL McDOUGALL WA5 A RARE OLD 50UL.
AMUSING RECOLLECTIONS OF THE EARLY TWENTIES AND
EXTRACTS FROM THE DETROIT GAZBTTB.
GEORGE McDOUGALL, who acted as secretary at the
General Macomb demonstratioji, referred to last week,
was a lawyer of great ability and distinction in Detroit in
the.early days. The late Geo. C. Bates, in an article written
in 1877 in relation to Ben. Woodworth's Steamboat Hotel and to
a dinner to the bar given there, refers to Mr. Geo. McDougall,
one of its members present, and says: ''When Lawyer Clcland,
who was toastmaster, gave his last toast, it was always to old Geo.
McDougall, a legal Falstaff, redivivus, the quandom father of the
bar, then lighthouse keeper at Fort Gratiot, and which was drunk
standing, somewhat in these words : 'Brethren of the bar, we
drinlc now to the Nestor of our bar, George McDougall, who in
early life shed the light and brilliancy of his genius over our pro-
fession in beautiful Michigan, but who now, in his old age, illum-
inates the dark waters of Lake Huron with his lantern, and so
guides the tempest- tossed mariner safely through storms and dan-
gers of the lake down to the silvery stream of St. Clair.' "
I was living at Palmer (now St. Clair) when Lawyer
McDougall was keeping the Fort Gratiot light. He used often
to visit Palmer and always put up at Tomlinson's St. Clair
Exchange Hotel. Landlord Tomlinson kept a model hotel, much
better indeed than Black River (Port Huron) could boast of.
The civil engineer and the army of others connected with the St.
Clair & Romeo Railroad, then under construction, as also the
judges and lawyers having business at the county seat, called for
most everything desirable in the way of eatables and drinkables,
particularly the latter. Now McDougall used to enjoy his "otium
cum dig" at this hostelry, things were so different from his cooped
up lighthouse quarters and indifferent fare. He was always
accompanied by a colored youth, who was his valet, and seated
comfortably in the bar-room of the hotel, his gouty foot resting
coivOne:l m dougai,!, was a rare: oi.d souiv. 295
easily on a cushioned chair, with his brandy toddy at his elbow,
and his valet combing, oiling and brushing out his voluminous
wig (for he was as bald as a billiard ball), and cracking his jokes
and making witty comments on the passing show, he was a pleas-
ure to behold.
In after years, when I had become familiar with Dickens, and
with the transactions of the Pickwick 'Club, the picture of the
baldhead and rotund body of Mr. Pickwick always put me in mind
of Mr. McDougall.
Another character always suggested the colonel, and that was
Shakespeare's Falstaff as Hackett was wont to render it.
McDougall Avenue is named after his brother, whose daugh-
ter married Barnabas (Labie) Campau, the father of Alex M.
Campau, who is with us still, enjoying a hale, hearty old age, and
far beyond the reach of want.
HIS service: was decuned. '
Further about the colonel, it is said, that during the war of
1812 he marched with twelve mounted volunteers to join General
McArthurj who was then in Canada, but the general sent him
back, as it took too many men to help him on and off his horse.
He was very patriotic, but fat and gouty. The old colonel, it was
said, was a bundle^of eccentricities. His habit of ridiculous exa"g-
geration, his pounds of flesh, and his fondness for "sack"
reminded one of Shakespeare's fat knight.
The colonel died at his post, his lantern of life flickering out,
many, many years ago.
It was also said he made many laughable attempts at suicide,
and for what reason no one seemed to know.
In the Detroit Gazette of June 8, 182 1, Mr. T. Young says
he has opened an English school ori Woodbridge Street, and will
teach the English language, penmanship, arithmetic, geography,
etc., at the moderate price (just think of it !) of $2.50 per quarter.
In the same issue J. E. and. J. G. Schwarz make their first
bow to the public, and inform them that they will pay the highest
market price for furs and peltries, and that they have likewise
at their store and for sale domestic cotton goods, cloths, blankets,
calicos, etc.
John E. Schwarz (Gen. Schwarz) was in after years and
until his death, adjutant and quartermaster-general of the state.
296 e:ari.y days in Detroit.
He was also at one time landlord of the old Mansion House, a
most estimable gentleman and good citizen.
In the issue of Friday, June 18, 1821, the editor says in
regard to gas lights :
"By the Louisville (Ky.) Public Advertiser^ we perceive that
some of the inhabitants of that place have begun to use gas
lights." •
On the score of expense the editor says : "We are convinced
that the expense of lighting up a room in which twelve or twenty
lights would be requisite, is not one-fourth the amount that would
be required by the use of tallow candles."
In the issue of June 22, 182 1, is a notice that I consider quite
interesting and therefore copy it.
"procession.''
"According to ancient custom, the solemn procession in com-
memoration of the institution of the blessed sacrament, commonly
called the Lord's Supper, will take place on Sunday next, at 5
o'clock p. M., within the enclosure of the Church of St. Anne. A
short address, explanatory of the ceremony, will be delivered at
half past 4. Christians of all denominations disposed to witness
the procession are welcome. It is expected, however, that they
will conform to all the rules observed by the Catholics — by stand-
ing, walking and kneeling. The military on duty, only, may
remain covered. It is enjoined on all persons to preserve pro-
found silence during the whole time of the cermony. N. B. — A
collection will be made, the proceeds of which will be employed in
completing the steeples of Church of St. Anne, and covermg them
with tin."
In later years I myself have witnessed these same proces-
sions within the enclosure of the Church of St. Anne on Larned
Street, and the same were conducted by Father Richard. They
were to me, always, most impressive.
In the issue of July 6, 1821, the editor says that "Major A.
Edwards, of this city, has completed an excellent team grist mill
with two run of stones. It will, we learn, require four oxen to
work it, yet it is believed, notwithstanding the expense attending
a mill of this kind, that sufficient business will be done by it to
award the enterprising proprietor; for there is not a grist mill
in any direction nearer to this place than Pontiac, which is worthy
COI^ONEIv M DOUGAI,!, WAS A RAREJ OI.D SOUI.. 297
of notice; and our windmills, of which there are a considerable
number, never produce good flour. From the inconvenience
which the inhabitants of Detroit and the adjacent country have
suffered for the want of good grist mills, which will now in a
great measure be removed, we must place that of Major Edwards's
among the most useful establishments in the territory."
I have often been in this mill and witnessed its operations and
the ceaseless tread of the oxen propelling it always interested me.
When I saw it, it was run by Julius Eldred (French & Eldred)
as a woolen mill. It was situated near the foot of Randolph
Street, between it and the railroad depot. I saw it burn one night
in 1835.
The editor says, in the issue of Friday, June 22, 1821, in
regard to drains, etc. :
"For several days past we have heard frequent complaints of
the intolerable stench arising from gutters or drains of cellars,
etc., which are suffered to run into the streets, and form in many
places such masses of putridity as cannot fail, in this warm
weather, of producing disease. Every one who frequents Wood-
bridge Street and some others near the river is annoyed by the
execrable odors arising from these gutters, few or none of which
are carried further than that street, where they form green, stag-
nant pools, equally offensive to the sight and the smell. Is it not
necessary, in order to preserve the health of the town, that a main
gutter should be. made through Woodbridge Street, say from
Woodworth's to the public wharf? Two or three channels from
this main one would carry the offensive matter into the river, and
render the air in that part of the town pure and wholesome."
This public wharf was at the foot of Woodward Avenue.
FARMERS LAMBASTED.
In the Gazette May 11, 1821, see how the editor lambasts
the farmers of the territory :
"There are not three families that manufacture their wearing
apparel — and it is believed there are not five looms in the territory.
There is not a carding machine or fulling mill within, perhaps, a
100 miles of Detroit. There is not a farmer in the territory that
ever had sufficient enterprise to cultivate any article for exporta-
tion, although we have thousands of acres of the best hemp land
in the world. On Tuesday last a small vessel from Ohio was lying
298
e;arIvY days in de:troit.
at Roby's wharf, laden with potatoes, for which five shiUings a
bushel was received for several hundred bushels. This can justly
be attributed to the indolence and improvidence of our farmers.
Since navigation opened this spring there have been upwards of
fifteen arrivals of vessels in the port of Detroit, laden with pro-
duce to feed the farmers and other inhabitants of this territory."
TO, BUY fire: engine;.
In the issue of April 6, 182 1, is a notice of a public meeting of
the citizens of Detroit at the council house on the 9th inst. at 3
o'clock p. M. to determine on the propriety of voting a tax to be
applied to the purchase of a fire engine for the use of said city.
It is presumed the meeting was held accordingly and the tax
voted, though I do not discover any notice of it, as when I came
here the city owned a fine new fire engine. Protection No. i .
The tax was voted, it 'appears, and paid and the engine
ordered. It arrived here on the 26th of December, 1825, on the
schooner Superior. It was made by Jacob Smith, Jr., of New
York. Another fire engine was also in commission when I came
(No. 2). I think the city acquired it some time in April, 1827.
RLV. JOHN N. MAFFirS WORK IN DETROIT.
PERSONAL REMINISCENCES OF THE EVANGELIST'S LABORS
HERE IN THE LATE '40s.
IN the issue of the old Detroit Gazette of December 7, 1821, the
editor has this to say in regard to a book, then recently pub-
lished, entitled, "The Life of John N. Maffit :"
"A book has been recently published in some of the states of
the Union, entitled 'Tears of Contrition, or Sketches of the Life
of John M. Maffit,' (by some editors called the 'Second White-
field') in which the author gives incidents of his life in a very
peculiar style. Mr. Maffit, who has been often mentioned in news-
papers as a very eloquent and powerful preacher, was from Ire-
land, and landed with his brother in New York in April, 1819,
where he experienced many difficulties, which led him to indulge
in gloomy reflections, etc. While in the city, his brother visited a
camp meeting in Hebron (Conn.) and on his return told him to
be of good courage — that there was an opportunity of his doing
well as a preacher in Connecticut, to which state he advised, him to
go. Instead of adopting the ordinary phraseology which one
brother would use in giving advice to another, Mr. Maffit says
he was addressed by his brother, on his return from Hebron, in
the following strains :
" 'Up go and possess thy Eden. Thou hast crossed the Red
sea and traversed the desert, behold the little stream of Jordan
rolls between. Fear not to launch away — pluck up fresh courage
— gird up thy loins — ^address thyself to Satan's Conqueror — view
your eastern shores — go proclaim a Saviour's name and let the
starry pennant of the Manger's God wave through Connecticut's
farthest bounds.'
"We cannot resist the wish to give a farther specimen of this
celebrated preacher's style of writing; and therefore extract the
paragraph immediately subsequent to the one above, in which, we
think, h^ would be understood as having considered his brother's
advice feasible, and that he adopted it as soon as possible.
300 ^ KARIvY DAYS IN DE^TROIT.
" 'Quick as the rapid stream which rushes o'er some deep
mouthed, rocky bed, I started from my couch, and drawing the
gHttering falchion from my bosom, that had slept ingloriously at
ease, and flying to the arms of hope, she clasped me to her peace-
ful bosom, and spreading forth her broad and downy pinions, cut
the air till within the peaceful woods of Thompson, I beheld the
crowded tents of Israel's camp, and mingling with the happy
throng, from the bending willows snatched my lone and silent
harp, and touched the first strains which burst from a grateful
heart/ "
The editor goes on to say : *0\ little indulgence in style like
Mr. Maffit's may be allowed when writing about 'Tears of Contri-
tion,' but in giving 'Sketches of Life,' it is presumed that most
readers of judgment would prefer a mode of telling a story, in
which plain matter of fact were not so liable to distortion and
misrepresentation, as they certainly are by the figurative and flow-
ing manners of Mr. Maffit."
H]S WAS POPUIvAR.
Many of the present day will no doubt remember well the
above mentioned Methodist, distinguished in his day as a revival-
ist preached. He held forth here during the summer of 1848
or '49, for about six weeks, in the Methodist church that stood
where the new county building now is. He created quite an
excitement, crowds flocked to hear him, and a large number were
plucked "like brands from the burning" through his ministrations.
He was a natty, neat little gentleman, always faultlessly dressed,
and apparently on intimate terms with the fairer portion of his
congregation. He had quite a number of young society buds, of
that day, "on a string," so to speak, and they ignored in many
instances the escort of the worldly boys of their set from these
meetings to their homes.
I remember particularly there were three or four upper Jef-
ferson Avenue young girls that gave their boy friends and
admirers the cold shoulder, prefering instead the escort of Judge
Ross Wilkins. The judge, a devout Methodist, was a close
attendant of these meetings, and always occupied the "amen cor-
ner," and therefore the proper thing.
I attended these meetings very often, was much taken with
Maffit's style of oratory, as also the way he worked his congrega-
REy. JOHN N. M affix's WORK IN DETROIT. 30 1
tion. During prayer time, which took up most of the evening,
when nearly all heads were bowed, he would walk up and down
the aisles, and if his eye lit on a comely fair one, occupying the
first seat in a pew, he would kneel down in the aisle close by, and
earnestly plead with her to go forward to the anxious seat. I
have seen him do it often. One instance in particular; There
was Mrs. Perry, a very pretty woman, the wife of a boss carpenter
here, who had attended these meetings regularly, but had not been
induced to go forward to be prayed for. I was there one evening
and so was Mrs. Perry. I had a seat in the gallery where I could
see things, Mrs. Perry had one in the body of the church close to
the aisle. It was during prayer, the reverend gentleman was
walking up and down the aisle as usual, when he spied Mrs. Perry
whose head was down, and whose fair plump hand, ungloved,
was resting invitingly on the top of the pew.
What did he do but kneel down in the aisle at that pew door
and quietly lay his hand over that of Mrs. Perry. She looked up,
of course, and after a few, it is presumed, persuasive words, he
brought her up "into camp," so to speak.
DID MUCH GOOD.
Myself and the Rev. Mr. Maffit were quite friendly, and it
arose from the fact that he had a son, then a midshipman in the
navy, of whom he was quite proud. On leave here at that time
was Midshipman George King, a brother of the late J. L. and J.
E. King, a very promising young officer. King and I used to now
and then attend these meetings. The first evening that King
accompanied me, when we got to the church, the congregation
were engaged in prayer. We halted in the vestibule and saw
Brother Maffit pacing up and down the aisle as usual. King being
in uniform instantly attracted his attention. He threw whatever
he had on his mind to the winds, apparently. Rushing down the
aisle -he grasped King by both hands, apologizing for the sudden
action by saying: "My dear boy, you must excuse me for this
demonstrative greeting, but I have a son in the navy, a midship-
man, and the sight of the uniform is always a forcible reminder
of my dear boy, perhaps you know him, sir?" King said he knew
him well. I think they had served on the same ship together,
whereupon Mr. M. invited us to take seats in the gallery, which
we did. On all our subsequent visits he was equally cordial.
302 i:arly days in de:troit.
Much to our surprise he did not once broach the subject of reU-
gion, the one thing that was apparently nearest his heart. He
thought we were good enough already, and no room for improve-
ment, I presume. It was said he did a great amount of good here.
AN APPE^AI..
Like the country papers of the present day, the patrons of
which are proverbially tardy in paying up, was the Detroit Gazette
in 1822, The Detroit Gazete^ like many of the country journals
of the present day, had hard sledding to get along and keep its
head above water. In its issue of June 13, 1821, it makes an
appeal to its patrons. As it is quite lengthy, I quote only a por-
tion of it :
"To Our Patrons:
*'In this number of our paper, which closes the fourth year of
our labors as printers and editors in the territory, we are induced
from the appositeness of the time, and, more particularly, from
urgent necessity, to call upon all our patrons, real and nominal, to
discharge the demands we may have against them."
After a long detail of its situation financially, and an urgent
appeal to the citizens to aid and foster emigration to the terri-
tory, he goes on to say :
"We beg leave before concluding this article, to revert once
more to our own concerns. Our neighbors have frequently said to
us, when presented with a bill, *You must be making money — you
have a terrible price for your paper and a good many advertise-
ments, and you must be getting rich. Now, in relation to the
value of our little Gazette to us, we will only repeat what we did
some time ago, when under the necessity of dunning : If we cal-
x:ulate the annual value of the labor, the materials consumed and
other necessary expenses in printing our Gazette, and deduct from
the amount our annual receipts, both on account of subscriptions
and advertisements, our loss will be found to amount to more than
$500. This can be easily accounted for. The French population
have very little inclination to know the contents of newspapers,
because they have never been taught their value, and only eight or
ten of the most intelligent are subscribers for our paper, and so
far from receiving from our subscription enough to pay for the
RE:V. JOHN N. MAFFIT S WORK IN DETROIT. 303
value of the labor alone required to print the Gazette, we do not
hesitate to say that were our subscribers increased fourfold, we
should not receive more than enough to pay the necessary expenses
of the establishment. We have but two subscribers in the county
of St. Clair, four in Macomb, one in Oakland, two at Mackinac,
fourteen in Monroe, and about one hundred in Wayne, and many
of them, perhaps, are unable to pay their subscription.
As to subscribers who receive our papers by mail, they may
be considered as a loss, for from a few to whom we send them
we have never received enough to pay for the labor and expense
of enclosing them. In fine, we have been enabled to keep up our
establishment from our receipts on account of contingent support,
and as we have before said, from the generous forbearance of a
great portion of our creditors. We assure our patrons, however,
that such are our expectations of future support from a continued
increase of enlightened population, that we shall, with God's bless-
ing, still continue our exertions and do all we can in our vocations,
to benefit the country. ,
''Farmers who wish to become subscribers and who are pre-
vented on account of the scarcity of money, are again informed
that all kinds of grain, butter and cheese will be received in pay-
ment for them."
The editor's remarks in regard to the lack of interest, taken
in his paper on the part of some of the French residents here, at
that time, is too true, sorry to say. I was well acquainted with
one of our French residents, rich and quite intelligent, who down
to about 1850, at least, did not take a newspaper, but would, every
morning, send over to a Yankee neighbor of his to borrow his
Free Press. I have been in the latter's residence often when the
request for the paper came. Nor did he take water from the city,
but for a long time had it hauled in barrels from the river, in the
old way. Nor did he take gas from the gas company for quite a
while after they had it introduced. Now this French gentleman,
though many, many times richer than his neighbor, was not
penurious iji hardly any sense, his purse was always open to calls
of charity, and a free giver to many laudable -enterprises. Why
this backwardness on his part in coming forward to the support
of the press, gas and water I never could fathom.
WENT TO PONTIAC BY WAY OF MT. CLEMENS.
REMINISCENCES OF SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN IN THE
DAYS OF THE STAGE COACH.
IN the old Detroit Gazette of Friday, May 31, 1822, is this
notice :
''Judge Clemens, one of the proprietors of Mt. Clemens, has
recently established a Stage, to leave this City Weekly, after the
arrival of the Steam Boat, and arrive at the Seat of Justice of
Macomb Co. on the same day. Seats may be taken at the very
low price of One Dollar, by Applying to Colonel Richard Smyth,
the Agent at Detroit. Extra accommodations will be furnished
to strangers who may wish to visit Pontiac, St. Clair or the other
new villages in the country. This is the first public Stage ever
established in Michigan."
The late Judge B. F. H. Witherell, in 1855, writing about
Colonel Christian Clemens and Mt. Clemens, has this to say :
"Emigrants to the territory (Michigan) after the war of
18 12 had passed by, will remember the colonel's generous, bound-
less hospitality to those seeking a new home in the wilderness.
The only passable road for carriages for years to the country
about Piety Hill, Pontiac and north of them, was by the shore of
Lake St. Clair to Mt. Clemens, and thence up the Clinton, making
a journey of some sixty or seventy miles to get eighteen or
twenty; it then occupied from four to six days, and is now per-
formed in one hour by railroad.
The allusion to Mt. Clemens in the Gazette suggests the fol-
lowing extracts from some articles I wrote last summer for the
Mt, Clemens Monitor, in regard to the early days of the "Bath
City," and to the country between here and there and through
which the rapid transit electric runs. Note the difference between
then and now. It is almost a part of Detroit.
WDNT TO PONTIAC BY WAY OF MT. CLI^MENS. 305
EARLY MT. CLEMENS.
My Stepfather, George Kellogg, settled in Mt. Clemens, on a
farm that he purchased on the Clinton River, a short distance
below the village, and opposite the Connor farm. This was
about 1835. He built an ideal log house, i. e., the logs were
square, and the chinking filled in with plaster instead of mud, and
nicely furnished inside. The chimney and fireplace were built
of brick ; the latter was of ample size, sufficient to take in nearly
one-half a cord of wood; an immense crane swung in it from
which depended the pots and kettles needed in the culinary
department.
Cooking stoves were a great rarity in those days. The near-
est approach to one was the tin open oven that was placed on the
hearth before the glowing fire, containing fish, flesh or fowl,
as the case might be, fitting it for the family consumption, and
splendidly if did its duty, I can testify. And often turkeys and
geese, in cooking were suspended by a cord from the ceiling, and
slowly turned by a willing hand, the drippings from the bird
being caught in a tin dish, directly under it, and returned back
over it by the attendant with a pewter or wooden spoon, they used
to call it "basting." Cannot some of you remember with delight
this process of cooking or roasting a turkey, and how appetizing
the bird was? And the short cake and biscuit of those early
pioneer days baked in the iron spider, the latter containing the
white dough turned up to the glowing fire. I say "white dough"
because it was not always in evidence in the settlers' houses of
those days. Wheat flour was considered almost a luxury, rye
and Indian corn predominated all through that section and St.
Clair County as well, and mighty good bread rye and Indian
meal, mixed, made, as I can testify. I include St. Clair County
because I had personal experience in that locality.
When a lad on my uncle's (George Palmer) farm on the
St. Clair River, where the Oakland Hotel now is, I spent quite a
portion of my early days on this farm, and must say that the
surroundings on this farm were not near as pleasant as those on
my stepfather's farm on the Clinton River. The log house was
much more primitive, logs not square, the chinking done with
mud, no such ample fireplace, and my quarters under .the roof
were reached by a ladder instead of stairs.
Referring to the trip to Mt. Clemens on my mother's wed-
20
306 KARI^Y DAYS IN DEJTROIT.
ding day ; it was a beautiful day in June. I remember that much,
and some little more in regard to the event and the trip. Mr.
Kellogg during the time he was courting my mother was a guest
of Uncle Ben Woodworth (Woodworth's Hotel), and when the
interesting event occurred he had no difficulty in persuading his
host to place at his disposal his private carriage, with *'Jabe," his
coachman, as Jehu. This carriage was quite a pretentious affair,
and about the only covered one in the territory at that time. We
journeyed to Mt. Clemens in fine style via the Gratiot turnpike
and arrived at Mr. Connor's residence along late in the afternoon.
*'Jabe" and the coach returned the next day.
There was very little settlement along the turnpike between
here and Mt. Clemens, after you left the confines of the city.
There was a tavern at Connor's Creek, five miles out, and another
ten miles out, called the Half Way House. Aside from these two
houses I think there were but five or six others the entire dis-
tance. I know there was- but one between the Half 'Way House
and Mt. Clemens, and that was five miles this side of the latter
town.
To this house from the Half Way tavern the pike ran through
an unbroken forest. On this piece of road the people had allowed
the brush to encroach to the extent that there was insufficient
space left for the passage of vehicles, and when it came to turn-
out, as did happen now and then, it was a rather difficult matter.
I am reminded of another trip through these same woods
nearly ten years later on and they had changed but very little in
that time. A young lady relative of mine desired to attend the
funeral of a mutual friend in Mt. Clemens, a daughter of Colonel
Stockton, and requested me to drive her up there in a buggy. I
undertook the business, and we started about nine o'clock. Fine
day and all that, road in good condition, but the horse was poor,
not much of a goer, and we did not reach the Half Way House
until long in the afternoon. We tarried long enough to refresh
the horse and ourselves, and started on our journey. We had not
gone far before the shades of evening began to fall and soon it
got as dark as a ''stack of black cats;" could not see your hand
before you ; had to let the horse take his own course, which he did.
Reader, were you ever out in the woods on a dark night, and
the custodian of a young lady and a horse and buggy? If 'you
ever have been you will know just about how I felt. I did think
at one time that I was just a little bit scared and ask^d my
we;nt to pontiac by way of mt. ci.e:me;ns. 307
lady cousin what she thought of the situation. She was plucky
and said she did not care if I didn't, and to let the horse take his
own sweet will as he was doing. So I did not worry.
*
A BAD SCARE.
The silence was most profound, broken only by the rattle of
the buggy and harness, as the horse felt his way. We had pro-
ceeded a mile or so thusly, when all at once from the side of the
road, apparently in the dense forest and from out the inky dark-
ness, came the sounding rattle of a snare drum. Goodness, gra-
cious ! how it startled us, the horse swerved into the bushes on the
side of the track, but thanks to his docility he stopped there.
After getting the horse on the right track again and finding
my cousin was all right, I sung out to some one to find what all
this disturbance was, and the cause. A voice in German-Enghsh
said that the owner of it and the drum had been a short distance
up and off the road to a friend's house where a rehearsal of a
brass band they were forming had been going on, and hoped his
sudden serenade had not rattled us and the horse. I told him I
thought it a queer time and place to raise such an alarm without
notice. Well, we reached Mt. Clemens in due course without
further mishap. I have often been to Mt. Clemens before and
since by this route, but never encountered a like experience or
had such a scare.
A WEDDING.
My first visit to this interesting village was in 1834, on the
occasion of the marriage of one of the daughters of Judge Clem-
ens to Sidney D. Hawkins, of Detroit, who was a prominent
merchant and auctioneer. Mr. Hawkins was a relative of Mrs.
Thomas Palmer, and as the latter's family and that of the judge
were closely allied, socially, it became a sort of family affair and
all our house attended and were the guests of the judge over
night, getting home next day. The senator, (T. W. P.) was on
hand with the rest, then a chubby four-year old. We had also
on this occasion for our conveyance Uncle Ben Woodworth's
coach and coachman "Jabe." The wedding was a fine affair and
participated in by the then elite of Macomb County. The knot
was tied by Elder Colclazer, the handsome presiding elder of the
Methodist church, who it was thought was at one time a suitor for
the fair bride's hand. Miss Caroline Whistler, a niece of Mrs.
3o8 EJARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Judge James Abbott, was the bridesmaid and Mr. John V. R.
Scott, a young society man of Detroit, and partner of Mr. Haw-
kins, was the »best man. I may be pardoned for dwelling a little
on this happy event, as all the participants were of the first prom-
inence, socially and otherwise. After a brief and happy married
life passed in Detroit, Mr. Hawkins died, and his widow returned
to Mt. Clemens, to live with the judge, her father. After a fitting
season had elapsed she married Mr. E. C. Gallup, of Mt. Clemens.
Both passed the rest of their days there, and all old settlers will
remember them both with pleasurable emotions, I am sure.
Mt. Clemens wears a different aspect now from what it did
then. It was at best only a straggling village, with the business,
etc., centering around the square in which was the old wooden
court house, jail, and meeting house as well, patterned after the
St. Clair county court house, or the latter was patterned after the
former, I don't know which. They were identical in structure, as
I can testify, having been in both of them many times, and quite
a different affair from the present fine brick building.
THEN AND NOW.
•
The passenger to and from Mt. Clemens at the present day,
comfortably seated in the luxurious electric cars, can hardly
realize, in passing over the road, the different aspect the same
route presented in the '30's and '40's Then it was almost a dense
wilderness, relieved now and then by a settler's log dwelling ; now
it is a continuous settlement the entire route of prosperous farm-
ers, with their commodious dwellings, in lieu of the rude log cabin.
I have had it forcibly brought to mind when passing over this
electric road what a wonderful change has taken place on this
route from that period to this.
I have 4;ned often to locate the site of the old Half Way
House, that was in the early days such a desirable point to reach,
a haven of rest, as it were, particularly if one was journeying from
Mt. Clemens to Detroit. The woods were so dense, the settlers so
far between, and the way seemed so long to the tavern, it used to
seem as though it never could be reached.
The sign, a large swinging one, painted white, hung away out
over the road, a prominent reminder that when you reached it you
would be ten miles nearer your destination, one-half way home,
and sure of ample refreshment for yourself and horse, if you were
we;nt to pontiac by way of mt. clemens. 309
not on foot. That delusive white sign, how often have I when
journeying from Mt. Clemens to Detroit eagerly watched for the
first sight of it, and when it did loom into view white over the
road, five or six miles in the distance, it seemed, as said before, as
though it never could be reached, like the mirage on the plains, "so
near and yet so far." It was awfully tantalizing. There are very
few living I imagine that have had the same experience on this
route, and to those the incidents I relate I am sure they will readily
testify to.
In the Gazette of July is a notice of the arrival, in the steam-
boat Walk-in-the- Water, of Rev. Eleazer Williams, missionary to
the Oneida Indians, with a deputation from the Six Nations, who
were on their way to visit their brethren in the vicinity of Green
Bay. The object of those who composed the mission (under the
auspices of the general government) , was not only to endeavor to
plant the gospel among the western Indians, but treat with them
for a tract of their territory, with a view to locate themselves and
such of their brethren as might be disposed to remove to that
region.
This Rev. Eleazer Williams, many will remember, became
quite conspicuous at one time, later on, as an aspirant to the throne
of France. He claimed that he was the son of Eouis XVI. and
Marie Antoinette. The Prince de Joinville, about 1838 or '39, vis-
ited Green Bay for the express purpose of seeing this WilliamSj to
ascertain for himself what grounds there were for this assumption.
On an interview with him the prince was convinced that his claims
were groundless.
The Gazette says Austin E. Wing was sheriff of Wayne
County in 1821, J. V. R. Ten Eyck was secretary of the board of
trustees of the city, and Thomas Rowland was clerk of the Wayne
County Court.
There were seventeen arrivals (schooners) at the port of-
Detroit from ist to the loth of May, 1822.
TRAMPS RECEIVED TEN STRIPES.
WHEN WHIPPING POST WAS LOCATED ON WOODWARD
AVENUE— SERVICES OF VAGABONDS WERE SOLD.
THE old Detroit Gazette of November 23, 182 1, says:
"By the act of this territory for the punishment of idle
and disorderly persons, it is provided that any justice of
the peace, on conviction may sentence any idle vagrant, lewd,
drunken or disorderly persons to be whipped not exceeding ten
stripes, or to be delivered over to any constable to be employed in
labor not exceeding three months, by such constable to be hired
out for the best wages that can be procured, the proceeds of
which to be applied to the use of poor of the county.
"Under this act sometime last summer the services of a
drunken vagabond were offered for sale in the market house, and
some wags on board the steamboat Walk-in-the-Water, then in
this port, persuaded one of the hands, a black, to attend the sale
and buy the man. The black actually purchased the vagrant's
services for ten days, for which, we think, he paid $1.
"From this circumstance, a writer in the Ontario (N. Y.)
Respository has made up a pretty good story, which, however,
would have passed without observation from us had not the story
been in a measure calculated to mislead those unacquainted with
the provisions of the law alluded to. By the story one would
think that the vagrant or drunkard, when sold, becomes the slave
for life, but the law provides that his services cannot be disposed
of to exceed three months. It remains to state, that the citizens
of Detroit and the adjoining counties have derived many benefits
from the operation of the law, and feel no desire to part with it.
It has had the effect of sending from the territory very many
drunkards and vagabonds that thronged into it from Canada,
Ohio and the state of New York."
This practice of selling or disposing of a vagrant's time was
continued until way along into 1830. I have witnessed a number
TRAMPS RECEIVED TEN STRIPES. 311
of instances where the Hke occurred in front of the old market on
Woodward Avenue, and on King's Court. I remember seeing
the whipping post, that was close by the market, but I never saw
anyone whipped there, nor do I think any unfortunate underwent
that ordeal after 1826.
- Imagine it must have been tough from the fact that the
sheriff at that period, whose duty it was to administer this pun-
ishment, was a tall and powerful man, who no doubt got in his
work to his own satisfaction, if not to that of the culprit. Some,
no doubt, will call 'to mind this officer of the law. His name was
''Swan," and he was brother-in-law of Thos. C. Sheldon.
SOME ADVERTISEMENTS.
In the year of November 30, 1821, F. T. & J. Palmer say:
"They have just received a new stock of goods, which they are
opening, at their new brick store, on the corner of Jefferson
Avenue and Griswold Street, and a short distance from their old
stand." They fill nearly a column in the paper enumerating the
various kinds of goods they have for sale. ^
John Hale, in the same issue, makes his first bow to the pub-
lic, and says he is receiving and has for sale at the store formerly
occupied by F. T. & J. Palmer, a general assortment of goods,
such as dry goods, crockery, groceries, hardware, etc.
A notice of the death of Benjamin Stead, a native of Eng-
land, and for many years a respectable and public-spirited inhabi-
tant of the town, appeared in the old Detroit Gazette, September
28, 1821.
This Mr. Stead was the father of all the Steads, well-known
residents here thereafter. Mr. Stead built the first brick dweUing
that was ever erected in this city, except the one built by Governor
Hull, where the Biddle House now is.
This residence of Mr. Stead is still standing and nearly oppo-
site the Michigan Exchange. It is occupied at present, I think, ^
by commercial agents who sell goods by sample.
The issue of Friday, September 7, 182 1, says in regard to the
treaty of Chicago :
"On Tuesday last Governor Cass and Mr. Sibley, the com-
missioners appointed to treat with the Indians, returned from
Chicago, together with the gentlemen who attended at the treaty,"
and says further: "Governor Cass, on his route to Chicago,
312 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
ascended the Miami to Fort Wayne. From thence his canoe was
transported over a portage of about nine miles to the head of the
Wabash. This river he descended to the Mississippi. The latter
river he ascended to the mouth of the lUinois, one of whose trib-
utary streams approaches within ten miles of Chicago.
EARIvY ERIE) CANAL BUSINESS.
September 7, 182 1, the editor says, in regard to the Erie
canal :
*'A friend who has lately traveled in the interior of New
York, has bfought with him on his return, the subjoined exhibit
of the business done on the canal in that state, between Utica and
Cayuga, from the first day in May up to the 226. of July, in the
present year. This canal is complete, and extends eight miles
below Utica, and will in about twelve months be finished to the
Cohoes, within a mile and a half of Troy, and as far west as the
Genessee River by the same period. Elegant boats for the accom-
modation of passengers ply daily between Utica and Montezuma,
near Cayuga lower bridge. So much adds our informant, and we
respond, for the spirit and well directed resources of this great
state.
"Account of property transported on the middle section of
the Erie canal at Utica from May i to July 22, 182 1 : Barrels of
flour, 18,993 ; do of salt, 7,007 ; do of provisions, 4,200 ; do of
ashes, 2,243; bushels of v/heat, 12,529; feet of boards, 44,065;
bushels of water lime, 34,583 ; galons of whisky, 38,827 ; tons of
gypsum, 212; tons of merchandise, 989; feet of timber, 14,269."
It will be seen that whisky held its own.
POSTOEI^'ICE ON WOODWARD AVENUE.
James Abbott, postmaster, in the issue, October 12, 182 1,
advertises 120 letters uncalled for.
The postoffice was then located on the west side of Wood-
ward Avenue, midway between Woodbridge and Atwater Streets.
Judge Abbott lived in a cottage with a fine garden in the rear on
the corner of Woodbridge Street; next was the postoffice, next
was his store and warehouse.
This issue, and many thereafter, informs the public that the
proprietors have received and have for sale "Schoolcraft's Trav-
els," through the northwest regions of the United States, per-
TRAMPS RECEIVED TEN STRIPES. 313
formed as a member of the expedition under Governor Cass in
the year 1820.
The book is now out of print, and a very scarce volume ; if
you doubt it, try to get hold of one by purchase and see what
a time you will have.
The Gazette says, October 19, 182 1 :
''Governor Cass, when in the City of New York, presented
Dr. Mitchell with a piece of the petrified tree alluded to in our
article respecting the treaty of Chicago. The fragment was, with
divers other things, on the 29th ult., deposited in one of the col-
umns which adorn the grand avenue (now erecting) of the park."
I wonder what park?
The same issue has an extract from the PittsHeld Sun, which
says, in regard to the New York city hall :
"The iron railing, now enclosing the grand public square
and city hall, has been imported into New York from Liverpool,
though it might have been had cheaper in this country. This
want of patriotism as well as economy has called forth not a
little raillery and irony from the friends of the city and the
country."
THE SCIAWASSA COMPANY.
The issue of the 8th of October, 1821, contains a notice of a
meeting of the Sciawassa Company, at the council house (corner
of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street), Thursday, the 25th
inst., for the transaction of important business. It was signed by
Obed Wait, secretary.
This Obed Wait was the architect of and superintended the
erection of the capitol building.
October 12, the Gazette, in an editorial, calls attention to the
Sciawassa Company, whose avowed mission was to encourage
immigration to the territory, and to disseminate full inform.ation
in regard thereto, and says in part:
"It is peculiarly favorable to the interests of the territory
that a measure like that entered upon by the Sciawassa Company
should be taken at this time — for, so far from our citizens having
hitherto been able to spread a knowledge of the advantages of
this territory to any considerable extent among the people of the
eastern and northern states, it may be said with truth, that a gen-
eral ignorance prevails relative to them. Indeed, the traveler
from Michigan is frequently asked (by persons whose standing
in society would seem to imply at least a knowledge of the geog-
314 EARI,Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
raphy of their native country), 'if Detroit belongs to the British
or the United States/ "
SCARCITY OF BRICKMAKERS.
In this same issue of October 12, 182 1, complaint is made
in regard to the scarcity of brickmakers.
"Much inconvenience has been sustained by the citizens of
Detroit for the want of a few good and industrious brickmakers.
But two brick buildings have been commenced during the past
summer — a store of the Messrs. Palmer, 40 feet square, and one
of Mr. Peter J. Desnoyers, 44 x 36. The former, after several
delays, is completed; the latter is nearly so, but the masons dis-
continued work two weeks ago for want of brick. Three other
buildings would have been erected if brick could have been
obtained."
The Palmers, before their new store was erected on the
northeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street, occu-
pied with their stock of goods a wooden building on the corner
of Larned and Griswold Streets, where is now the Campau
building.
Peter Desnoyer's new brick building stood on Jefferson
Avenue, where the store recently vacated by the Richmond &
Backus Co. now is.
November 23, 182 1, the editor says in regard to the progress
made in building the Erie canal :
"On Thursday, the ist inst., the water was. let in from the
termination of the Utica level to the Little Falls, which is 22 miles
below Utica. This event was celebrated by a party of gentlemen
from Utica and many others who joined them on the passage
down. Their arrival at the Little Falls was announced by a
national salute, and the cheers of a great number of people who
had assembled to witness the scene. On landing a procession was
formed, which marched to the house of Colonel Myers and par-
took of a dinner prepared for the occasion."
December 14, 182 1, Melvin Dorr makes his first bow to the
citizens of Detroit, and says he has just received a fresh supply
of dry goods and groceries, which he desires them to inspect, and
which he will be glad to exchange for cash, furs, produce, dried
ginsang, clean linen and cotton rags.
Melvin Dorr was brother to J. K. Dorr, and when I knew
him he was city auctioneer.
WHEN INDIANS WLRL HANGED IN MICHIGAN.
EXTRACTS FROM THE FILES OF THE OLD DETROIT
GAZETTE OF 1821-1822.
THERE is in the old Detroit Gazette of December 28, 182 1,
an interesting account of the hanging of two Indians for
murder. It reads as follows :
"Execution-"— Yesterday, Ke-tan-Kah and Ke-wa-bis-Kim,
the Indians who were sentenced to death, at the last September
session of our Supreme Court, the former for the murder of Dr.
W. F. Madison, and the latter for the murder of Charles Ulrick,
were, agreeably to their sentence, hanged by their necks until they
were dead.
"The First Regiment Territorial Militia, under arms, and a
guard of United States troops attended the execution. The spec-
tators were very numerous — not many of whom had ever wit-
nessed a similar scene.
"They appeared throughout the whole solemn preparatory
steps to be perfectly collected — they walked firmly to the gallows,
and previously to ascending to the drop, shook hands with Rev.
Mr. Janvier, Mr. Hudson (one of the gentlemen belonging to the
Mission family), the sheriff and marshal, and several other gen-
tlemen who stood near them. They ascended the steps of the drop
in a manner peculiarly firm, after which they ask'ed through the
interpreter the pardon of the surrounding spectators for the crime
they had committed. They then shook hands and gazed for a few
minutes on the assemblage and on the heavens, when their caps
were drawn over their faces and they launched into eternity."
January 4, 1822, Henry Sanderson says he has for sale
twenty-five barrels of the best kind of Michigan apples, and
twelve barrels of good cider, also an elegant one-horse sleigh, two
chaises and two sets of harness complete ; also continues the har-
nessmaking business at his old stand, and will attend to all orders
for painting or glazing, also for fire buckets (leather).
3l6 . UARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Mr. Sanderson's place of business and dwelling was on
Woodbridge Street, between Bates and Randolph Streets. He
was the father of Mrs. Bissell, wife of the late Geo. W. Bissell.
BUCKET SHOPS.
The business of making fire buckets in those days was quite
an industry, as every citizen was compelled by law to provide
himself with two, to be kept in a conspicuous place in his dwelling,
those in business of any kind to keep two additional wherever
such business was carried on. These to be used in case of fire.
It was quite interesting on the occasion of an alarm uf fire
to see the citizens, each with their two leather buckets, rushing in
hot haste to the blaze, wherever it might be located. Some of
these fire buckets are preserved. Three or four aj*e in possession
of the present fire department, and two, that were once the prop-
erty of Judge James Witherell, grandfather of Senator Palmer,
are in the log cabin at Palmer Park.
In same issue, J. L. & H. S. Cole, attorneys and counsellors-
at-law, say they have opened an office in the north apartment of
the Steam Boat Hotel.
Harry S. Cole, of the firm, married the daughter of Peter J.
Desnoyers, and was the father of the late Mrs. Eben N. Wilcox
and Charles S. Cole. He was a very popular lawyer and elegant
gentleman. .
In the issue of November 2, 182 1,0. & L. Cook announce
that they have just received from New York and offer for sale
a fine assortment of dry goods.
This firm was composed of Levi and Orville Cook (brothers)
and they occupied a part of the brick store of Levi Brown. It
stood on the we^t side of Jefferson Avenue, midway between Gris-
wold and Shelby Streets. At the time of my advent here this
firm had dissolved, Orville giving place to his brother Olney. The
latter firm continued for a while and were succeeded by Cook &
Burns, Levi retiring. This latter firm continued for some years
at the old stand, when Olney Cook retired, and was succeeded
by Timothy L. Partridge, a young man from St. Clair, who
had been in their employ for a long period. The firm then
became James Burns & Co., whom scores of the present day
will remember.
In the issue of November 9, 1821, is a notice of the marriage
WHEN INDIANS WERE HANGED IN MICHIGAN. 317
(on the 5th) by Rev. Mr. Janvier of Mr. Peter Desnoyers to Miss
Caroline Leib.
Miss Leib was the daughter of Judge Leib (Leib farm, Ham-
tramack) and aunt to Clevil and W. Q. Hunt, of this city.
November i6, 1821, the paper contained this announcement:
"Good news! The following is taken from the Albany
Gazette of October 29 :
" * Wheat sold in this market on Saturday at i6s id sterling
per bushel.' "
The newspaper carrier had his troubles in those days as well
as in these, Sheldon & Reed say, January 11, 1822:
"give the devii. his dues."
"Our carrier informs us that several persons to whom he
presented his New Year's address requested him to tell Messrs.
Sheldon & Reed to charge the address to their account. To those
we have to say that the tjioneys raised by the carrier from the
address belong entirely to himself; and that, on that score, he
is at full liberty to open an account with whom he pleases."
February 8, 1822, James McCloskey, cashier of the Bank of
Michigan, gives notice to the stockholders that an election will
be held at the bank on Monday, the nth day of March next, at 12
o'clock M., for choosing directors for the ensuing year.
The bank building was a small brick one, of one story, and
stood where is now the Kearsley building, corner of Jefferson
Avenue and Randolph Street.
In the paper of Friday, March 29, 1822, is the notice of
marriage (on Wednesday evening last) by Rev. A. W. Welton,
I Mr. John Farrer to Mrs. Hannah Mack, all of this city.
Mr. Farrer was the grandfather of Ford Starring, of this
city.
THE STRONGEST BOAT.
' The Gazette in its issue of Friday, May 31, 1822, announces
the arrival of the elegant new steam boat Superior, Captain J.
Rodgers, with a full freight of merchandise and ninety-four pas-
sengers, sixty-eight of whom were citizens of or immigrants to
Michigan, and goes to say : •
"This excellent vessel was built at Buffalo during the past
winter, under the immediate superintendence of Captain R —
and is owned by the proprietors of the old steam boat Walk-in-
the- Water, which was wrecked in the fall of last year. She is
3l8 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
346 tons burthen, no feet keel, 29 feet beam, and has an engine
of 59 horse-power. In her construction great exertions have
been made to render her secure in the most tempestuous weather,
and it is the opinion of many that she is the strongest boat on
the continent. Her accommodation for passengers are excellent,
and the ladies' cabin, particularly, is furnished in a style of
splendor, highly creditable to the liberality and taste of her own-
ers and commander."
In the issue of June 7, the editor has this to say in regard to
United States troops being stationed at Sagana Bay :
"We learn with much pleasure that a post is to be established
at Sagana Bay, and that Captain Perkins, military storekeeper
at this post, has received orders to procure implements for erect-
ing barracks, etc., as early as practicable. This post is to be
formed by a detachment of the Third United States Infantry, and
will be under the command of Major Baker, now at Green Bay."
THE OLD ARSENAI..
This Captain Perkins was in charge of the government
arsenal here until it was transferred to Dearborn. This arsenal
occupied the square, bounded by Jefferson Avenue, Wayne, Lar-
ned and Cass Streets. The* arsenal building was of stone and
was on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street. The
captain's quarters were on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and
Cass Street.
Major Baker was the last commandant (then Colonel Baker),
of Fort Shelby. He died here in the early thirties, much
regretted. He was indeed a most estimable man, and gallant
soldier. He owned what is called the ''Baker Farm," at the time
of his death.
The editor also has this to say, in regard to British troops on
this frontier:
"On Saturday last (June i) about 150 British troops passed
this place in the American schooner Michigan. They are to be
stationed at Drummond's Island. It is obviously the intention
of the British government to maintain, if possible, its influence
over the Indian tribes to the northwest, and to do this, the main-
taining of a force as large as any which our government may
send to that quarter is necessary. This reinforcement for Drum-
mond's Island is probably intended to counterbalance the effect
which our new post at Sault Ste. Marie would produce upon the
Indians."
i
\VHE:N INDIANS \V£:Ri; HANGED IN MICHIGAN. 319
MANY IMMIGRANTS.
In same issue (June i), the editor has this to say in regard
to emigration to this territory of Michigan :
*'So numerous have been the arrivals of immigrants to this
territory, since the opening of navigation, that it is difficult, at
this time, to ascertain with any degree of certainty, their actual
numbers — and by making inquiries among those of our citizens
who would be most competent to form a correct opinion on the
subject, we have found a material difference in calculations.
Almost every vessel which has touched at this port has brought
immigrants, and last week a schooner (the Erie from Buffalo)
landed forty-five. They were mostly from the counties of Mon-
roe (formerly Genesee) and Ontario, N. Y., and came well pre-
pared to take immediate advantage of every facility which our
delightful country extends to the enterprising immigrant. It is
worthy of notice, also, in relation to this body of immigrants, that
they were not induced to leave their homes, in the most fertile
portion of the state of New York, and remove to this territory by
any high wrought and vivid descriptions of its excellence, by
interested speculators. On the contrary, they had the consoling
certainty that they should not regret their removal, because their
providence had sent those on whose judgment they could depend,
to 'spy out the land' and from whom they had obtained a good
report.
**The interest which is awakened in many parts of the Union,
in relation to this territory, and, above all, the arrival of numer-
ous intelligent immigrants and gentlemen who come to see the
country, induce a conviction that the barriers to emigration are
giving way, and that a tide has begun to blow which nothing will
retard. It is also a pleasing reflection that those who have
arrived in our territory were not from any particular part of the
Union, Vermont, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania having fur-
nished a portion of our population, and Ohio is also giving us a
liberal share. Last week the schooner Sylph landed ten farmers
from that state, and we are informed that many more are prepar-
ing* to follow them. But from New York we have received and,
perhaps, shall continue to receive, the greatest number of immi-
grants. In that great state this territory begins to be known, and
it is with much pleasure that we observe, in some of the news-
papers of the western district of the state, publications relating
to the advantages of certain portions of this territory, which seem
to have been written bv those who have carefully examined them."
320 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
NAMING THE CUNTON RIVER.
He also has this to say in regard to the Tetibawassa River :
''This river, the largest which empties into the Sagana, has
recently received the name of Clinton. The reasons for a change
of this kind must be obvious to all. Tetibawassa is at best an
uncouth, ill-sounding term, and if by varying it a better can be
substituted, the measure must meet with general approbation. To
DeWitt Clinton, the principal and most active projector of the
New York canal, this country has been and will be infinitely
indebted. Hence the propriety of sending him every suitable
demonstration of gratitude and respect."
In the issue of Friday, June 21, 1822, the editor has this to
say in regard to the steamboat Superior :
"The steamboat Superior, Captain Rodgers, arrived here
from Buffalo on Friday last and sailed for Michilimackinac on
Saturday, having on board a considerable number of passengers
and a full cargo of merchandise destined for the Indian trade.
"The trip-sheet of the Superior contained the names of
ninety-nine passengers, more than half of whom were for this ter-
ritory, and have since left this place to examine the United States
lands in the interior.
"The trip to Sault Ste. Marie will be made as soon as the
Superior returns from her next trip to Buffalo."
He also says in regard to whitefish:
"Last fall a gentleman in this city sent a barrel of whitefish
to a friend in New York, from whom he has recently received a
letter, in which the highest commendation is given to the fish.
Those who had the opportunity of tasting them were of the
opinion that in flavor they far exceeded shad. We have not the
least doubt but this opinion of our whitefish will become more
general as the exportation of them increases."
How truthfully this prediction of the editor has been verified.
I can testify of their present "scarcity, scarce in comparison to
what they were in the early thirties. You could then buy, any
morning in the season, at any of the markets and from the cajioes
of the French habitants at the foot of Woodward Avenue fine
fresh fish, as many as you desired, for five cents each, and at any
of the fishing grounds along the river you could have as many as
you could carry away conveniently, for nothing.
WASHINGTON BONNET INSPIRED A POET.
I HAVE never seen this parody by Woodworth before, and
doubt if many have.
The Detroit Gazette of November 30, 1821, contained a song
by Samuel Woodworth, author of the "Old Oaken Bucket," and
is a parody on the latter, delivered at the cattle show and exhibi-
tion by domestic manufacturers of the New York Agricultural
Society.
At the exhibition, it appears, there were presented five bon-
nets manufactured from spear grass by American ladies. They
were pronounced superior to the best Leghorn. The finest of
the number received the name of the Washington bonnet and sub-
sequent to the fair was sold at auction for more than $100. The
following excellent partriotic song, from the pen of the American
Poet Woodworth, was in circulation at the fair :^
THE WASHINGTON BONNET.
Air— "The Old Oaken Bucket."
"The Bard who has so often sung Independence
And wakened his lyre to the praise of the brave,
Now hails a new spirit among their descendants,
Imparted from heaven that blessing to save.
The delicate white-fingered hands pf the lasses
Have opened the era their virtues adorn.
By making alone from American grasses
A delicate bonnet that rivals Leghorn.
' ^ Chorus —
A pretty grass bonnet — a dear native bonnet,
The Washington bonnet that rivals Leghorn.
21
32 2 ^ARIyY DAYS IN DETROIT.
No foreign intrigues can now disaffect us,
Since we can oppose them with courage and wit ;
Our masculine valor has made them respect us,
Our fetninine genius will make them submit;
No more shall we send them our eagles and dollars,
Our fair from our soil can their persons adorn
With necklaces, bracelets and corsets and collars.
And delicate bonnets that rival Leghorn.
Then hail to the arts that secure independence.
And draw our resources from liberty's soil.
Our national banner derives new resplendence
From feminine genius and masculine toil.
Our valor shall teach all the world to respect it,
vTho' some have affected that valor to scorn ;
And Amazon damsels have armed to protect it
With helmets or bonnets that rival Leghorn."
Some of the readers of the Gazette now and then dropped
into poetry. Listen to this one in its issue of December 7, 1821 :
THE RULE REVERSED.
The devil once, to execute his plan,
Tempted woman, and she tempted man.
Whence rose, we read, the origin of evil;
But wiser grown and better skilled to stray
Through every devious maze of folly's way,-
Man now tempts woman — woman tempts the devil.
Quiz.
Friday, June 7, 1822, the paper gives notice of the sailmg of
the steamboat Superior, from Buffalo to Michilimackinac on June
1 1 next at 9 o'clock a. m., and will touch at all intermediate ports
up and back.
ASA PARTRIDGE.
The name of Asa Partridge appears in the Gazette now and
then in 1820 as drawing sheriff's fees, charges for the care of
paupers, etc., from the county treasury. This Asa Partridge was
sheriff of Wayne County before Austin E. Wing. He came here
as captain and commissary in the army during the war of 181 2.
WASHINGTON BONNET INSPIRE^D A POET. 323
He moved to Palmer (St. Clair) in 1826, and shortly after died
there. His widow married Doctor Harmon Chamberlain, of that
city. Partridge left four children, three boys and one girl. One
of the boys, Benjamin, was colonel of the Fourteenth Michigan
Infantry during the civil war, and rose to the rank of brigadier-
general. He was afterwards state land commissioner for four
years. Another of the boys, Timothy, entered the service of Cook
& Burns, this city, about 1840, and on the retirement of Mr.
Cook he succeeded to his place, as before stated, and the firm name
became James Burns & Co.
The daughter married Marcus H. Miles, of St. Clair, who
became register of deeds of that county, and afterwards a captain
and quartermaster in the civil war.
September 26, 1827, James Abbott says he has 240 acres of
land on Pontiac road, five miles from Detroit, that he would like
to dispose of on the most reasonable terms.
If his heirs only had it now in 1903.
October 2, 1827, Alexander Campbell, a baker at the corner
of Griswold and Woodbridge Streets, advertises a runaway
apprentice to the baking business. All persons are forbidden har-
boring or trusting him on his (Campbell's) account, as hfe won't
pay a cent.
Campbell was father of the late John Campbell, bookkeeper
for the board of public works.
In March, 1828, James Abbott says he continues to pay cash
for deer skins in any quantity. He also has a few barrels of fine
old whisky (now hear him) which he will sell cheap to the thirsty.
In October, 1829, Emmor Hawley advertises saddles, har-
nesses, trunks, valises, etc., at the red building, north side of
Jefferson Avenue.
This red building was midway between Woodward Avenue
and Griswold Street. Mr. Hawley married the sister of Shubal
Conant.
Thomas Palmer advertises December 29, 1829, about 1,000
acres of land, where St. Clair City is now, for sale at auction on
the first Monday of June, 1830, at the county court house in the
village of Palmer. The climate is mild and healthy, and the situ-
ation is decidedly the most pleasant and beautiful in Michigan.
Terms made known at time of sale.
324 e:ARI.Y days in DETROIT.
IvIBE^RAI, WITH uncle: SAM'S I.AND.
Aaron Greeley was the land surveyor in those days. He sur-
veyed the 10,000 acre tract, and in doing so was rather liberal with
Uncle Sam's land. When Thomas Palmer came to dispose of the
portion he received from the general government for building the
capitol building, some 7,000 or 8,000 acres, it was found in re-sur-
veying it into parcels (metes and bounds) as purchasers desired
them, many of the quarter sections over-ran. In some instances
there would be quite a strip of land running clear across a quarter
section (after the purchasers had got all the land their deeds
called for), that no one appeared to own, so they divided it up
among themselves. For instance, two parties purchasing a quarter
section would have the surveyor divide it equally, eighty acres to
each. When the survey was completed it appeared that there was
a strip of land from sixteen to twenty feet wide between the two
eighties that there was, apparently, no owner or claimant for, so
the parties gobbled the sixteen or twenty feet and set their fences
accordingly. I don't know whether Thomas Palmer ever detected
the error or not, don't think he did. Perhaps, if he had, he would
have been very apt to have made a fuss about it. I think some of
the quarter sections through which Woodward Avenue is laid
out, that were reserved by the governor and judges, are ip the
same predicament.
LARLY HISTORY OF THL DLTROIT FRLL PRL55.
ACCOUNT OF EARLY NEWSPAPER WORK IN DETROIT, WITH
SOME PLAINLY-WORDED AND INTERESTING
POLITICAL LETTERS.
IN the year 1829 Daniel Leroy, Olmstead Chamberlain and
Gideon O. Whittemore sold to Colonel Andrew Mack, Gen-
eral John R. Williams and Major Joseph Campau the
newspaper called the Oakland Chronicle, the office being trans-
ferred here, and Hector (colored), the well-known slave of
General Williams, was placed in charge of it. When the late
Colonel Sheldon McKnight, who in the meantime had made
arrangements to take charge of and run the concern, entered to
take possession, he was fiercely resisted by Hector, who showed
fight, and the colonel had to retreat. I presume the former had
not been advised. I heard the colonel relate this incident. This
paper was afterwards merged into the Detroit Gazette and after
into The Free Press.
Shortly before the destruction of the office of the Gazette
by fire in 1830, Mr. E. Reed, one of the proprietors of the paper,
seeing, no doubt, that the concern was traveling on the "ragged
edge of the whirlwind," hied himself to Washington in search of
office under President Andrew Jackson, and while there wrote a
number of letters to a well-known Democratic political leader and
influential citizen here on his prospects there, and about things
political in Detroit. Letters were all franked by Hon. John Bid-
die, M. C.
Copies of them are given here ; they will explain themselves,
and no doubt will be found interesting, particularly to old settlers.
The following is an extract from a letter of E. Reed, one of
the firm of Sheldon & Reed, publishers of the Detroit Gazette,
dated Washington 27th, December, 1829 :
POIvlTICAL LETTERS.
"Coon Ten Eyck's backsliding does not surprise me. A man
so utterly selfish cannot be expected to hold on to anything with-
326 EARLY DAYS IN DE^TROIT.
out being paid for it. He would sell his Saviour for a halfworn
Indian blanket. His big talk about his influence (Good Lord!)
was always a good joke. I don't believe he ever controlled a vote
except those of the ragged thieves that he has about him, and that
he pays with whisky for their work. Doctor Sloss, of Dearborn,
also, I am told, has sworn vengeance because Judge Witherell was
removed. If you had a real newspaper, the influence of such
apologies for men might be set right. Catch them telling some
damned lies, and then prove it on them in the paper.
"In relation to the next election, who will oppose Biddle?
How will the Masons go? The anti-Masons? The French? The
mining country ? You ought to be damned if you are beaten this
time — but, so help me God, I believe you will be. The battle once
on, our good-natured easy Democrats fall to billing and cooing
and frolicking with the aristocrats and sharpers, and they take
advantage of them. The price of liberty is eternal vigilance, so
somebody has said. It is equally true, that the Republican party,
which must exist in all places in the country, can only triumph by
being true to itself, and wide awake all the time. The war should
never cease, nor should any compromise be made. That business
.of compromise is always one of the acts of the devil, which he puts
in the heads of the aristocrats in order to defeat the people. Our
party in Michigan is cursed with false friends.
DEPEND ON THE COUNTRY.
"You will have to depend on the country, and let the town
people, the aristocracy of tape-cutters, pill-peddlers, bankmen and
pettifoggers go their own way. It is not necessary to waste a
word upon them. Show them that they cannot kick out of the
traces without getting hurt. All the little appointments in the
country should be looked to. Not a constable should be appointed
or elected, unless he be a good man and true, if possible to
prevent it.
"But the worst feature of Michigan politics is the practice of
electing nincompoops to the legislature, merely because they can
be elected. The lines of party should be drawn taut, and no man
put in nomination who is not a thorough whole-hog party man.
It is never too late to begin to do good, and you may as well begin
now as later. You can never have a legislature fit to depend on
until this practice is introduced.
EARLY HISTORY OF THE DETROIT FREE PRESS. 327
"Why the devil don't you get that paper started? Never
mind an editor — better have none at all than a half-way man. Tell
Wells if he will start it I will give him two columns weekly from
here, until he can get someone who will go the whole hog. For
God's sake keep it out of the hands of any milk-sop politician,
and tell Wells not to place too much reliance on Parson Hasting's
advice, or that of any sectarian who catechises babies on Simday
mornings at the academy. The paper ought to have a man, and
not an old woman in pantaloons at the head of it. It cannot be
made profitable in any other way. Tell him to avoid the *no party'
man as he would a pestilence. They are always a set of crafty,
speculating wretches, who have their own ends to gain. I believe
there are more of this species of knaves in Detroit than any other
place, and now is the time to set them before the public in their
true colors, before they contaminate the state government, and
make it offensive to the eyes of the others, as they have succeeded
in regard to the territorial government. Michigan can never have
any influence here until she possesses a strong party character, and
he who succeeds in giving her that desirable character will deserve
most at the hands of her people.
"Yours truly,
(Signed) . "E. Reed."
SECRETARY WiTHEREIvI. IN DANGER.
The following is a copy of a letter from E. Reed, dated Wash-
ington, January 24, 1830, and marked private and confidential:
"Dear Tom — I saw Eaton, secretary of war, last night — he
is a fine fellow. I mentioned your case, and stated that when the
news arrived at Detroit of the vote of Ohio and Jackson's election
was rendered certain, our Secretary Witherell raised up his hands
and said he %oped God would interpose and take Jackson to Him-
self and prevent the nation from being disgraced by his taking
the presidential seat.' Eaton's reply was exactly in these words :
'Make out and substantiate that fact, and by God, sir, I pledge,
my 'life he will be removed. Your staternent is sufficient for me,
but get all the affidavits you can."
"And now, for God's sake, get affidavits of that fact, and keep
*
328 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
dark. Don't show this to any one — for if we fail, the least said
the soonest mended. Write often.
"Dear T , I find myself a strong man here — a much
bigger fellow than at home. If I told you all, you would think I
was a vain, bragging man.
"I don't leave until I get an appointment.
Yours truly,
(Signed.) "E. Reed."
OPPOSED TO WING.
The following is a copy of a letter from E. Reed dated Wash-
ington, January 26, 1830, and marked ''private :'*
"Dear Tom :
"I have tried to keep Biddle on the turf, but he won't and told
me today that he would not be a candidate again. What will you
do? Will you turn in and support Wing? If you do, you ought
to be damned, and will be. Do you think I say this without reason ?
No, I do not, and I will tell you why you ought to be damned, in
the event of that contingency.
"In the first place, if you go for Wing, you acknowledge that
there was no principle in your support of Biddle. Think of that !
In the next place, by electing him, you give the aristocracy of
Michigan a lift which it will take a good Democratic editor five
years to pull down again. Think of that again ! And, thirdly
(which is the best reason I shall give you just now, for I am in a
hurry), by sending Wing here, you cut your own noses off. He
is well known here as the devoted friend of Clay, and a bitter anti-
Jackson man. He could do the territory no good.
(Signed.) "E. Reed."
On the back of the last letter, or one dated January 24, some-
one has written or made the following "Mem:"
"The statement about the secretary is a lie from beginning to
end."
The "Wells" mentioned was Stephen Wells, bookseller, and
"Parson Hasting-s" was Eurotas P. Hastings, president of the
Bank of Michigan. "Coon Ten Eyck" was Conrad Ten Eyck, of
Dearborn, United States marshal at that time.
e:arIvY history o^ the dettroit freje; press. 329
oi.d styi,e of inking.
The office of the Gazette was located on Griswold Street
directly in the rear of F. T. & J. Palmer's store. There was quite
a space between the store and the Gazette office, that was used
as a woodyard, etc., by Mr. Thomas Palmer. On the rear of this
yard was a two-story wooden kitchen, carriage house, etc., that
joined onto the printing office.
As I was located so near the Gazette office, and the type-
setting and printing process so new to me, and so interesting, it
became a habit for me to visit it, particularly when they were
working off the paper. The way of inking the types was quite
amusing. The ink was spread out over the surface of a table
near by the printing press and pressman. Two great round
leather cushions, stuffed with sheep's wool, and in each of which
was a wooden handle, were used in the process. The operating
"printer's devil," taking a cushion in each hand, by the handle,
dabbed them in the ink on the table and then briskly jabbe3 them
together many mines, thus distributing the ink equally over their
surfaces. Then he dabbed them on the types — quite different
from the present way.
THE DEMOCRATIC FREE PRESS.
The fire that destroyed tKe Detroit Gazette and much adjoin*
ing property happened on the evening of April 26, 1830.
The late Judge B. F. H. Witherell, writing to a f fiend in
Washington the next day, says of it, in part : "Judge McDonnell,
who was one of the losers, said, while his house was in full blaze,
'There is no evil without a corresponding good ; there will be no
more dispute about public printing.' The Gazette people saved
their type, I think, for which I am not glad nor anyone else. A
sword in the hands of a mad man is a dangerous weapon, and no
matter how he uses it. A fellow set the office on fire to avenge
himself on McKnight; he is now in jail."
McKnigbt was a nephew of Mr. Sheldon, one of the pro-
prietors of the Gazette. The judge does not say who this mad
man was.
Sheldon McKnight busied himself directly in getting out a
new paper, and succeeded in establishing The Democratic Free
Press, the first number of which was issued May 5, 1831. It was
330 . :eari,y days in dejtroit.
published every Thursday morning from the office, corner of
Bates and Woodbridge Streets.
The first number was very little larger than the Detroit
Gazette, being 193^x14 inches. It is better printed than the latter
and on much better paper. The dimensions of the Gazette were
153^x103^. The issue was almost entirely taken up with the pro-
ceedings of a public meeting of the Democratic Republicans of the
County of Wayne, who were opposed to the election of Austin E.
Wing for delegate to congress. The meeting was held in the ses-
sion room March 14, 1831. John R. Williams was chairman and
Chas. W. Whipple and John P. Sheldon were secretaries.
At this meeting a committee of five was appointed to draft
an address to the citizens of the territory. John R. Williams,
John P. Sheldon, Oliver Newberry, David C. McKinstry, and
Colonel Andrew Mack were appointed the said committee.
They met and drafted an address to the citizens of the terri-
tory, setting forth the views of those present, and on the evening
of the 24th of March met and adopted the address.
Later on John R. Williams was nominated for delegate
against Austin E. Wing. The former was defeated.
The career of The Detroit Free Press since then is familiar
to all.
FIGHTING FIRL IN THE OLD DAYS.
THE BEST LADIES OF THE CITY ON ONE OCCASION
ASSISTED THE VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT.
I DO not undertake to give a full and complete history of the
old volunteer fire department, as that has already been done
in an admirable "History of Our Firemen," compiled and
edited by Mr. Charles S. Hathaway, and issued in 1894, but
merely give some incidents connected therewith that came under
my personal observation while I was a member of the department
and "ran wid de machine," and some from competent history and
hearsay.
I joined the department in 1838, and became a member of
No. 4. I ran with the machine for many years, until four or five
before the paid fire department with its steam fire engine took the
place of the hand engines and the volunteer companies.
A MAN 01'' ne:rve:.
William Green was foreman of No. 4 when I joined. He
was a man of nerve, exceedingly prompt and dignified when on
duty. He commanded to a very great degree the respect of the
members of his company. He was at that time foreman for Sid-
ney L. Rood in his book bindery. He was succeeded as foreman
of No. 4 by William B. Wesson, who was also a prompt and
energetic fireman.
The rivalry among the various companies was great indeed.
The excitement in striving to be first at a fire was blood tingling,
as all who have experienced it will remember, and when one com-
pany washed another, as it was termed, it was glory enough. -I
do not know how it was among the members of the other fire
companies, but among the members of No. 4 it was all engine;
they talked engine, thought of hardly anything else but engine,
and dreamed engine.
I will endeavor to give an account of the fires and other inci-
332 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
dents, of which I was an eye-witness and participator, that were
connected with the volunteer fire department.
A fire broke out in the Detroit Gazette office, on Griswold
Street, about 8 o'clock of an April day in the year 1830. The
building was destroyed. F. & T. Palmer's brick store was dam-
aged and the wooden kitchen and carriage house adjoining, on the
corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street, were destroyed,
as well as the wooden dwelling of Judge John McDonnell, adjoin-
ing Palmer's, on Jefferson Avenue. Dr. Thos. B. Clark had his
office and a small stock of drugs and medicines in a small building
next to McDonnell's, which was pulled into the street by the
citizens to prevent the fire from extending to Major Dequindre's
wooden store and dwelling adjoining it.
This was about the first fire of any consequence that had
visited Detroit for some years. Happening, as it did, in the
office of the only paper published in Michigan at that time, and
threatening the destruction of one of the few brick buildings in
the town occupied as a store and residence by a prominent cit-
izen, it brought to the scene nearly the entire community. All
joined in, men, women and children, to assist the firemen ; also to
assist in saving property, furniture, etc.
Many of the first ladies of the city worked like heroines,
passing buckets to the fire brigade, and aiding the Palmers and
McDonnells in saving as many of their effects as possible. Peo-
ple became almost beside themselves, and there was wild excite-
ment for a time. I remember quite well seeing men throwing
looking glasses and frail furniture out of the windows, and car-
rying feather beds down stairs, and depositing them out of reach
of all possible harm.
Thomas Palmer had disposed of the remaining stock of the
old firm to Phineas Davis, so was not much of a loser. What
losses the other sufferers sustained I do not know.
BEER RAN IN THE DITCH.
, Jack Smith's dwelling, on the corner of Griswold and Wood-
bridge Streets, was also destroyed, with the stable in the rear.
In the lower part of the McDonnell house was the hat store of
H. Griswold and auction house of Colonel Edward Brooks. Thos.
Owen, the brewer, had about 300 barrels of beer in McDonnell's
cellar which, I think, was a total loss. Beer ran down Griswold
FIGHTING FIRE IN THJS OLD DAYS. 333
Street gutter nearly all the next day — a great chance for free
lager. The fire was the work of a drunken or crazy printer
(Ulysses J. Smith), who pretended to have some grievance
against Sheldon & Reed, the proprietors of the Gazette.
I have said the Palmer's brick store was damaged. Only
the doors, window casings and eave troughs on the side towards
the fire suffered. The wooden kitchen and carriage house that
joined on to the Gazette office were the only buildings of the
Palmers that were totally destroyed.
The city owned at that time but three engines. There was the
new "Protection No. i" and the ''Old Engine," said to have been
taken from Fort Shelby when it was demolished. Any way, it
was in commission that night and manned by the "boys'* did
good service. There was also the new one belonging to No. 2
Company.
The Gazette building was an unpretentious one, a small
wooden two-story affair with a small cupola, and in it hung a bell.
Office and editorial rooms were on the first floor. The upper one
was devoted to printing and composition. This fire knocked the
Gazette out. It never appeared again. It was merged somehow
into The Detroit Free Press, -under the management of Sheldon
McKnight.
A rather humorous account of the fire is contained in a letter
written the day after it happened, by the late Judge B. F. H.
Witherell to a friend in Washington, a copy of which appeared in
The Sunday Pree Press recently.
'"frenchman took de bucket.""
The next fire that occurred, of any note, happened during the
inter 1832-33. As I was an eye-witness of the affair, I will
endeavor to detail it, as memory serves me. It broke out early one
intensely cold Sunday morning in Jerry Dean's saddlery and har-
ness shop, that was situated about midway between Griswold and
Shelby Streets, on the north side of Jefferson Avenue, and before
it was mastered, consumed the building in which it started, also
the book store of Stephen Welles, adjoining on the west, and the
general store of Oliver & Walter Newberry, that stood on the now
so-called Ives' corner, Griswold Street. The buildings, being of
wood, burned like tinder.
334 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
It was at this fire that Mr. Joseph Campau (he lived almost
opposite the fire, as did my uncle and family) in his excitement,
rushed in among the crowd summoned there by the clanging bell
in the church steeple, corner of Woodward Avenue and Larned
Street — some to render assistance and others to look on, as usual —
and exclaimed:
"Frenchman took de bucket, white man took de engine."
Engines No. i, 2 and 3 were stationed as near the burning
buildings as prudence would permit, and two lines, composed of
the citizens, were formed and extended from them to the river
at the foot of Griswold Street. There was not any dock or wharf
there at that date. A hole was cut in the ice and some citizen vol-
unteered to station himself at it and pay particular attention to
filling the fire buckets as fast as they came to him, which was
pretty fast, and handing them to his nearest neighbor, who in turn
passed them to the next, and so along the line to the fire engine.
The empty buckets came back along the other line in due course,
and so on.
It was a bitter cold job, and before the affair was over nearly
all those who participated in keeping up the lines, as well as the
men at the brakes, were covered with icicles. There were no con-
venient hydrants, reservoirs or hose in those days, and the engines
had to depend on the "bucket brigade" to keep them supplied with
water.
This "bucket brigade" was a most necessary institution.
Each householder was obliged to provide himself with two leather
buckets for use in case of fire. When an alarm was sounded he
would grab his buckets and rush to the scene of danger. They
would form lines, as said before, and hurry up the water. After
the fire was over the buckets w^ere thrown into a heap and then
each owner claimed his buckets, names being conspicuously
painted on them. I think the present fire department owns three
or four of these self-same leather fire buckets. Senator Thomas
W. Palmer has two of them, in the "Log Cabin" at Palmer Park.
They used to belong to his grandfather, Judge James Witherell.
KLLN RIVALRY OF FIRL FIGHTLR5.
STORIES OF THE OLD VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT AND
THEIR AMUSING DEEDS SEVENTY YEARS AGO.
AT the time of the burning of the old Detroit Gazette news-
paper office, in 1830, the members of No. i Protection
Fire Engine Co. that I knew personally in after life were :
David C. McKinstry, chief engineer; Obed Waite, engineer;
Asa Madison, Shadrach Gillett, John Farrar, Timothy Fales,
Dexter Merrill, Jeremiah Moors, Francis Leterneau, Perez Mer-
ritt, Thomas C. Sheldon, John Wright and Harvey Williams;
and of Engine Company No. 2 were: Robert A. Forsyth,
Edmund A. Brush, Ralph Wadams, Darius Lamson, Felix Hinch-
man, Charles C. Trowbridge, Henry S. Cole, Walter L. New-
berry, John Iv. Whiting, David Cooper, Joseph W. Torrey, Mar-
shal Chapin, Wm. G. Abbott, Simon Poupard, Curotas P. Hast-
ings, Theodore Williams, James W. Hinchman, Josiah R. Dorr,
Melvin Dorr, John J. Denning, Shubal Conant, Alanson M. Hurd,
George F. Porter and Thomas Rowland.
THE REUC.
There was one other fire engine besides Protection No. i
when I came here, and that was a very crude and cumbrous
affair. It was said to have belonged to Fort Shelby and a relic
of Perry's fleet. It had solid wooden or iron wheels. A faithful
representation of it is to be found on page 26 of the book entitled
"Our Firemen."
In March, 1827, the common council appropriated $127 to
put this "old engine" in repair and to keep the same in good con-
dition for one year.
Robert Hopkin, the. well known and venerable artist, in "Our
Firemen," page 118, has described the first fire engine (Boys'
Company) and to which I have alluded. He said :
"I not only remember the first fire engine in Detroit, but
336 * EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
when I was a lad I painted and decorated the machine, which
was to be a feature in some public parade. At that time — it was
along about 1852, I think — I know it was said that the Httle
apparatus was about forty years old, and it looked it. The thing
consisted of an iron-bound oblong box or reservoir, about 6 feet
long by 23^ feet wide, and 18 or 20 inches deep. It was mounted
on four small iron wheels, just such as you now see on hand
trucks used in wholesale houses. In the center of the box was
a copper dome or air chamber some 15 or 18 inches high, and in
front of and behind this dome were two small pumps set on an
angle and operated by long brakes extending to the front and
rear of the reservoir. There was a suction opening — and only
one — on one side of the reservoir, and a long curved handle or
tongue by which the vehicle was hauled. When the suction failed
to provide a sufficient quantity of water — which was almost invar-
iably the case, it was said — the deficiency was overcome by lines
of bucketmen passing water and emptying it at either one of the
open ends of the little reservoir.
PUMPS FROM PERRY^S FLAGSHIP.
"Of course, I know nothing first-hand as to the pumps, but
I recollect that when I was decorating the engine many persons
called to look at it, and I heard it said repeatedly that the pumps
were from the flagship of Commodore Perry's fleet, and that the
engine had been devise'd and built by the soldiers garrisoned at
Detroit. I do not think it weighed as much as an ordinary lum-
ber wagon, and, as I remember it, the suction opening was not
much over an inch and a half in diameter."
Mr. Hopkin made a sketch of this engine from memory, and
it is quite a faithful reproduction of the "Old Machine," as I
remember it.
The boys of No. 3 supplied themselves with fire hats from
the stock of privates' uniform hats in the United States store-
house. They had seen service in the war of 18 12, and were con-
demned. Seymour Rossiter, son of Old Rossiter, the dyer, one
of the members of the company, and quite an artist, painted some-
thing on the fronts of these hats that represented a building in
full blaze, and the letters "F. E. Co. No. 3" above it. These hats
were of glazed leather.
I^IGHTING fire: in THE OL,D DAYS. 337
GOT THERE FIRST.
On one occasion a member of the company, who . was
employed in some occupation near the foot of Cass Street, dis-
covered a fire in a building adjacent to the place where he was
at work. He directly, without giving a general alarm, quietly-
posted five or six of his fellow members, who were in hailing dis-
tance, of the fact; they repaired at once to the engine house, and
when the general alarm was sounded their engine was out in na
time, and the first at the fire, of course. This member of the com-
pany who first discovered the fire was Henry (Hank) Mullett. I
have often h.eard him in after years relate the circumstance and.
with much amusement. I have also heard Henry M. Roby, a.
member of same company, tell the same story. The incident is-
alluded to in ''Our Firemen."
This younger element of the city that had before 1830
organized this sort of fire company (they were present at the
Gazette office fire), gathered around the "old machine" men-
tioned, and had it housed in a small wooden building, on the north-
east corner of. the alley that crosses Wayne Street, between Lar-
ned and Congress Streets. Fire Engine Company No. 4 occupied'
this building afterwards, and for many years.
PETITION FOR NEW COMPANY.
Well, the boys after a while came to see that they were not
having a proper show in the fire department and, accordingly, in-
the early part of 1830, they petitioned the common council for the-
organization of a new fire engine company. The petition was-
granted and the members (named in the grant) that I knew per-
sonally at that time and for long years after, were: Henry J^
Canniff, Benjamin F. Stead, John McCarty, William W. Miller^
William H. Wells, William N. Carpenter, Lewis C. Rowland^
Seymour Rossiter, George Doty, Henry M. Roby, Francis Eldred,,
Rufus W. Griswold, James H. Mullett, Henry H. Snelling, Henry
L. Chipman, Benjamin R. Keeney, Willis Garrison, Charles Mack^
George W. Keeney, Henry C. Wagstaflf, John Dackett and John
Watson.
Their engine was named officially No. 3, and to stimulate the
members it was said that the common council agreed by a resolu-
tion to pay a premium of $5 to said company if their engine was
the first to operate on any fire.
22
338 ^ARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
And it was further said that in April, 1830, when the Gazette
office fire happened, the members of the company claimed they
were the first to get a stream of water on the fire and put in their
bill for the $5. But from some unexplained cause the claim was
rejected. It is my opinion that the claim of the boys' company
was valid, as they were all quite young. None of them could
have been over 18 years old, handy and full of snap and boyish
enthusiasm.
i:XCITlNG SPECTACLE.
A short time after that fire, the common council requested
the three companies to appear at the public wharf on a stated day
at 4 o'clock in the afternoon, for the purpose of making certain
experiments in the operation of said engines in concert, and to
ascertain more fully the expediency of procuring hose for Engines
Nos. I, 2 and 3.
The three engine companies with their engines appeared at
the "Public Wharf," foot of Woodward Avenue, according to
request, and gave the common council and citizens of Detroit
(the latter gathering in large numbers) a full taste of their qual-
ity, and so convincing was it that the hose was ordered a few days
later. I witnessed this parade and display of the prowess of that
fire department, in its infancy, and must say it was to me, though
quite a srnall lad, a most exciting spectacle.
The companies all took suction from the river, and as they
had no hose the foreman of each company, standing on the top
of his ''machine," held the pipe that was screwed tightly on to
the "goose neck," and with his thumb pressed tight over the
mouth of the nozzle, held the stream of water back as long as he
could, while the boys at the brakes were putting in their best
Hcks, with "down with her" and "now she feels it" constantly
repeated.
SOAKED EVERYONE.
When the water was releasel, then the excitement culminated,
and each company did its best endeavor to outdo the other in the
distance thrown, as well as in the time the stream of water was
maintained. When they did get started, the foreman directed
the water to the tops of the adjacent buildings (they were not
very high then), on to the sidewalks, in at any open door or win-
dow, onto any careless pedestrian that happened to be in reach,
and. onto members of rival companies, until they were as wet as
FIGHTING FIRE IN THE OLD DAYS. 33^
a lot of drowned rats. I believe he would have squirted on Gov-
ernor Cass if he had been handy. Such fun !
I have .seen almost the same scene enacted many, many,
times in after years. I call one or two to mind. One was at an
annual parade of the department (I have forgotten the date).
It was announced at this parade that the top of J. L. King's store
(King's corner) was to be the objective point, the goal, as it
were, and the first company to attain it with a line of hose and a
stream of water was to have the "broom" and carry it until it
was wrested from them by some similar achievement by a rival
company.
Well, the day came, and the department was- on hand, all
eager for the fray. The engines were posted at the reservoirs
near by, one on the corner where the Merrill Block is, and one a
little farther up Jefferson Avenue. I do not remember what
engines were at each reservoir, except No. 4, and that was at the
reservoir on the Merrill Block corner. Well, the foreman of each
company with their assistants were at the foot of the ladders,
with lines of hose, the brakes manned and all eagerly awaiting
the signal from the chief engineer to pitch in. When the signal
did come, the mad and perilous rush to get to the top of the
building was a thrilling experience to those engaged in it, as well
as a thrilling sight to the spectators. No. 4 it was, I think, that
got the broom that time.
lee's brass trumpet.
The other occasion was a parade of the department held on
the vacant space in front of the Russell House, where is now the
Bagley fountain. I do not call to mind much in relation to this
parade or what the various companies set out to do, except it was
to see which engine could throw a stream of water the farthest.
Well, they got to work and soon the usual wild excitement pos-
sessed each com_pany, and the cries of "Down with her, now she
feels it," etc., were universal. I do not remember which com-
pany bore the palm, but what I do remember — and it is principally
for the following incident, in connection with it — was that Wil-
liam Lee (Bill Lee) was the foreman of No. 3. The company
just before this had purchased a fine large brass trumpet, and
"Bill" had it on this occasion, of course. His position, or the one
he took, was on the body of the "machine," between the brakes.
340 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
After the signal from the chief engineer to commence playing
was given, the excitement was as usual on such occasions, until
after a few moments it seemed to increase, and "Bill" in his
eagerness, every time he shouted "Down with her" to the boys,
he banged this brass trumpet against the "goose neck" until it
lost all semblance of what it had been, and was but an unshapen
piece of brass. I have a cut of this affair among my effects some-
where, clipped from a paper of that date.
FAMOU5 BUILDINGS DLSTROYLD BY FIRL.
FURTHER REMINISCENCES OF CONFLAGRATIONS THAT
RUINED POPULAR LANDMARKS IN THE 30'S AND 40'S.
SOME time during the summer of 1832, French & Eldred's
woolen mill, a short distance to the east of the foot of
Randolph Street, was destroyed by fire. The same blaze
ruined the pumping apparatus of Farrand & Wells, and Mr.
Eldred's store and dwelling near by. It happened on a moonless
night, about 2 a. m. The buildings were dry and burned like
tinder. The flames lit up the whole county of Wayne and part
of Canada, apparently. Out where we lived on Woodward '
Avenue, corner of John R. Street, the illumination was so great
one could see to read by it.
One early summer morning in 1.837, ^ ^^^ broke out in the
row of wooden buildings adjoining Dr. J. L. Whiting's ware-
house on Woodward Avenue. It was thought to have com-
menced in a bakery adjoining McKenzie & Greaves's store, which
was nearly enveloped in flames before the alarm was sounded.
From there it extended with ungovernable fury in all directions
east of Woodward Avenue, crossed Atwater Street, and swept
over the buildings between Atwater and Woodbridge Street^
The buildings between Woodbridge Street and the river, from
Woodward as far as the low block (Berthelet row) in front of
Woodworth's Hotel, on Woodbridge, with two or three excep-
tions, were a mass of ruins.
On Atwater Street the fire was arrested at a small building
below and next to the tavern called the Market Hotel, in the rear
of the Berthelet market. Included in the loss, besides the ware-
house of Dr. Whiting and McKenzie & Greaves's grocery store,
were the extensive grocery house of Franklin Moore, on the cor-
ner of Woodward Avenue and Atwater Street ; the grocery store
of Garrison & Holmes on the opposite corner of Woodward Ave-
nue (where Eaton's now is) ; the Arthur Bronson tavern, north-
east corner of Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street; John
342 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Farrer's store, on the southeast corner of Bates and Atwater;
the Detroit PubHc Garden, with buildings, etc., on the northwest
corner of Bates and Atwater Streets; the entire plant of John
Roberts, on Atwater Street, between Bates and Randolph, front-
ing on the river, consisting of a general store, soap and candle
factory, etc. ; Charles L. Bristol's wooden stores, on the south side
of Atwater, between Woodward Avenue and Bates Street;
Knowles Hall's carriage factory and Mr. Sanderson's carriage
and saddlery shop; the dwelling of H. H. Leroy & Co.
The late George W. Foote was at that time bookkeeper for
Franklin Moore, and during the fire he brought the books and
papers of the concern over to the store of Loomis & Jaquith, oppo-
site (in which store I was a clerk at the time), arid established a
temporary office there until things could be straightened out.
The Detroit Garden was the only place of the kind in the
city at that time, and its loss was deeply deplored. Dr. Marshal
• Chapin's residence, midway between Bates and Randolph Streets,
on Woodbridge Street, was also destroyed.
BURNING OF ste:ame:r great western.
One important fire, and so considered at the time, the book
entitled "Our Firemen" does not make mention of at all, and that
was the partial burning of the then finest and most magnificent
steamer on the lakes, the Great Western, while lying at her dock
(Gillett & Desnoyer's), near foot of Shelby Street. It happened
about 1838, on a summer Sunday afternoon about 5 o'clock. I
have forgotten the exact date. She had arrived that forenoon on
her down trip from Chicago to Buffalo. I was present at the
fire with engine company No. 4 (that far-off time, it seems but
yesterday). She was the pride of the lakes, and of her owner
and commander, Captain Augustus Walker. She was the first
steamer to have her cabins on the upper deck, passengers hereto-
fore having had to dive down between decks if they had any idea
of sleeping or eating, and most of them had. The news that this
steamer was ablaze spread like wildfire and hurried everyone to
the scene ; indeed, all Detroit was on hand. The engines hustling
down Wayne and Shelby Streets came near running over the
men and boys who had hold of the drag ropes, so wild was the
excitement. No. 4 engine company came first in this encounter.
It had its station on the dock, between the warehouse and the
I'AMOUS BUIIvDINGS DESTROYED BY FIRE. 343
burning steainer, and three of its members had the post of honor
during the fire. William Green, the foreman, who had the pipe,
was assisted by Barney Campau and Kin Dygert. They held the
fort, so to speak.
They were stationed on the upper deck of the steamer, abaft
the wheelhouse. The scene lives in an oil painting by Thomas
Burnham, a well known local artist of that day. This painting
is now the property of some citizen of this city, who should, it
seems to me, donate it to the Art Museum, or to the present fire
department. The upper cabins of the Great Western, abaft the
wheelhouses, and the ladies' cabin below, were badly wrecked,
otherwise the steamer did not sustain much damage. But it was
a most exciting fire while it lasted, as any one now living who was
present at the time will, I am sure, bear witness.
I^IRE 01? JANUARY I, 1842.
Early on the night of January i, 1842, a fire broke out in the
New York & Ohio House, situated on Woodward Avenue, mid-
way between Jeflferson Avenue and Woodbridge Street, and
swept away the entire block bounded by Woodward and Jeffer-
son Avenues, Griswold and Woodbridge Streets.
"It was a fire, as was a fire," and tried the mettle of our vol-
unteer firemen to the utmost, as no fire that ever preceded it had
done. The night was mild but windy, with the wind from the
south ; no snow or rain had fallen for quite a while. We were in
the midst of a January thaw. All things corfspired to give the
flames a good time and they had it. Aided by the high wind, they
came near crossing Woodward Avenue and would have done so,
perhaps, had it not been for the gallant efforts of our brave fire-
men. The foremen of No. 2 and No. 4 engine companies, aided
by their assistants, ran lines of hose to the top of of J. L. King's
store, on the corner of Woodward and Jefferson Avenues, and
there, protected by a high wooden balustrade, were enabled to
keep the fire brands and sparks from getting a foothold on the
roof of King's store, as well as on the brick building adjoining,
occupied by McArthur & Hulbert.
The Bank of Michigan building on Griswold Street had all
the plate glass in its windows so badly cracked that they had to
1>e replaced by ordinary glass. The plate glass had been imported
from France and was the first of its kind to appear in the state.
344 i:ari.y days in Detroit.
The panes were not very large, to be sure, only eight by ten, but
then they were plate glass, nevertheless. The destroyed buildings
along Jefferson Avenue were speedily replaced by others of brick.
In addition to Hallock & Raymond's clothing store, Warren's
candy and confectionery place, the Howard restaurant, and Geo.
Dawson's, the Detroit Advertiser, the following firms and con-
cerns were wiped out: A. C. McGraw, boots and shoes; G. & J.
G. Hill, drugs ; Nelson^ groceries ; Gardner & Mather, crockery ;
Edward Bingham, drugs; Salisbury, grocer, and the United
States customs offices. Our engine, No. 4, was stationed that
night at the reservoir, comer of Jefferson and Woodward Ave-
nues (the Merrill Block corner).
tTKB, OF 1848.
Early iij the forenoon of a June day in 1848 a fire broke out
in a large yellow warehouse on the river front, between Bates and
Randolph Streets, occupied by John Chester & Co., and J. Nich-
olson Elbert. A portion of the upper stories was used by a fur
dealing firm, the name I have forgotten, for the storage, repack-
ing and cleaning of furs, ridding them of the fatty portion adher-
ing to them. Captain J. A. Whitall, United States quartermaster,
one other person and myself were at the time looking out of the
back windows of the captain's office that was over the Peninsular
Bank building on Jefferson Avenue, noticing two or three propel-
lers that were passing up and down the river. One of these pro-
pellers was just steaming away from the dock of the yellow ware-
house, when suddenly an immense billowy cloud of inky smoke
streaked with jets of flame burst from the rear of the building,
and in less than a minute the whole structure was a roaring mass
of fire. Sparks from the propeller had a fine chance to get in their
work through the open windows of the portion used by the fur
dealers, and they did it. The cleaning benches and floors were so
saturated with the grease and oil from the furs that they were as
tindev. The flames, fanned by a fierce east wind, raged despite
the efforts of almost the entire population of the city until quite
along in the afternoon, by which time nearly every building in
the following described areas was destroyed :
The entire square now occupied by the Biddle House prop-
erty, including the residence of E. A. Brush on the corner of
Brush Street, and the residence of Major John Biddle adjoining;
1
FAMOUS BUILDINGS DE^STROYED BY FlRE. 345
the entire square bounded by Woodbridge Street, Atwater, Brush
and Randolph ; the east half of each square fronting on the west
side of Randolph Street, between Jefferson Avenue and the river.
The principal buildings destroyed were the Old Council house,
in which Sandford Britton had a stock of furniture ; the Berthelet
market, the Berthelet row, Woodworth's Steam Boat Hotel, Amer-
ican Hotel (the old Governor Hull mansion), the Indiana Hotel
in the rear of the Berthelet market, on Atwater Street ; the house
of engine company No. 3, the Daily Advertiser office, the large
warehouse belonging to Alex. M. Campau next adjoining the
yellow warehouse on the east ; also the boat house and all the fine
boats of the Detroit Boat Club.
300 FAMIUES HOMELESS.
About 300 families were rendered homeless by this disaster.
In the first story of Alex. Campau's brick building adjoining
the council house on the west. Bill Clare kept a billiard room, and
when the fire broke out the two tables were in full blast, but, not-
withstanding, the game progressed until the iron shutters in the
rear became so heated that the party thoug-ht it prudent to quit.
This building, however, did not sustain much damage on account
of its heavy walls, only a small portion of the roof being destroyed.
This disastrous fire dealt this portion of the city a blow from
which it has never recovered.
The American Hotel, formerly the old Governor Hull man-
sion, was a historic building, and its loss was much regretted
on that account. Hull built the house for his own use .on taking
command of this post in 1812. It was a substantial brick building,
and the first brick structure of any pretentions erected in Mich-
igan. After his unfortunate surrender of this post he was suc-
ceeded in the occupancy of it by, the British General Proctor, who
made it his headquarters during his brief stay. General Hugh
Brady, on being assigned to the command of this department,
made it his headquarters until his own residence was completed,
where the Art Museum now is.
The destruction of Ben Woodworth's old Steam Boat Hotel
was also keenly felt by all, and deeply deplored by the old settlers
particularly. It had been for years the principal hostelry in all
the northwest, the headquarters, so to speak, of all the social and
political life of Detroit and the state. All grand entertainments.
346 e;ari.y days in Detroit.
military balls, social parties, bar dinners, etc, were given there
after the war of 1812, until the completion of the National Hotel
(Russell House), which latter then shared the honors.
I was an eye witness (though quite a lad) of a brilliant ball
given at Woodworth's Hotel on Washington's birthday, shortly
after the termination of the Patriot war. All the officers of our
army on duty here were present, as also were the officers and
members of the Brady Guard and General John R. Williams and
staff, all in full uniform. The British officers then stationed at
Sandwich and Maiden, were also present, in full uniform. Quite
an unusual significance was attached to the presence of the latter
at this ball. The battle of Waterloo had been fought but a little
over twenty years at that date, and nearly every British officer
present had participated in that battle. Some bore scars of the
conflict, and all who were entitled to do so displayed conspicuously
on their breasts medals struck in commemoration of that event.
The fame and genius of that great captain, Napoleon Bonaparte,,
had so filled the world, while he compelled its attention, that a
little more thaCn twenty years after his death had passed, way out
here on the confines of civilization his name and his exploits were
as fresh as though they had happened the day before, and there-
fore these men that had been pitted against him on that memor-
able day were objects of peculiar interest. The side arms worn
by some of them that night were the same that they wore on the
day of the battle.
DARIU5 CLARK AND M. C R. R. FIRL IN 1850.
THIRD PAPER OF REMINISCENCES REGARDING THE OLD
VOLUNTEER DEPARTMENT AND ITS WORK.
NOVEMBER 20, 1850, in the early morning, fire broke out in
the large cupola of the Michigan Central freight building,
an immense structure for those days, and quite as extensive,
it seems to me, as the present one. The building and all. its
contents were lost, including lo freight cars, 15,000 barrels of
flour, 25,000 bushels of wheat, 2,000 bushels of corn and a quan-
tity of miscellaneous freight.
Of the flour, some 1,000 or 1,500 barrels happened to be piled
on the dock, on the river front. Most of this was rolled into the
river to save it from the flames, and settlers all along both sides
of the river to its mouth got the benefit.
The fire was supposed to be the work of an incendiary,
through the agency of some kind of an apparatus confined in a
small box filled with combustibles. It was set to expldtle at a
certain hour. As free access was had to the cupola during the day
by persons desiring to get a fine view of the river and opposite
shore, it was an easy job for a visitor to deposit such an article in
that locality if so disposed, and quietly and safely wait the result.
I think the fact of the burning of the depot by one of the
railroad conspirators was established at their trial for lawless acts
on their part perpetrated against the Michigan Central Railroad
Company. I presume many will remember this trial. It came off
at the Firemen's Hall, this city (I do not remember the date), and
attracted wide attention. Eminent counsel were engaged on both
sides, prominent among whom were Colonel John Van Armen, of
Michigan ; Hon. W. H. Seward, of Auburn, N. Y., and Hon. Eli
Cook, of Buffalo, N. Y. I was in the court room many times
during the trial.
348 e;ari,y days in dettroit.
the secret agent.
Mr. Darius Clark, formerly of Marshall, Mich., was quite a
factor in unearthing this conspiracy. He was a secret agent of
the railroad 'company, employed for the very purpose of ferreting
out the "gang." The fact of his appointment was kept a profound
secret. It was so well guarded that Clark was enabled to join this
secret conclave of railroad wreckers, and did join, taking all the
prescribed oaths, and, of course, became one of the "gang,"
attended all the meetings of the "lodge," etc. It is needless to say
the information he gained was divulged to the railroad people.
Hence the trial and break up.
Clark received for his reward from the railroad company,
among other things, the appointment as its agent in New York
City, which important position he held for many years to the
entire satisfaction of the company and the community in general.
Scores and scores of people, citizens of Michigan particularly, will,
I am sure, remember Darius Clark, with pleasurable emotions — a
gentleman of elegant manners and most engaging address.
The conspirators, for the part he took in their undoing,
swore vengeance against him, and in consequence Clark steered
clear of Michigan, and I don't believe he ever visited this or any
other locality in the state until some time in 1865 or '66.
DARIUS Clark's guests.
During the civil war, in the fore part of 1863, Governor
Blair and party, consisting of Mrs. Blair, Mrs. Gorham, of Jack-
son; Dr. Tunnicliffe, also of Jackson; John J. Bagley, Colonel
Fred K. Morley, assistant adjutant-general of the state, and the
writer visited the army of the Potomac. On the way, we tarried
some days in New York City, the guests in a great part of Darius
Clark, who rendered us every attention in his power. The chief
of police of that city, through Clark's request, put one of the
small harbor steamers belonging to that department at the dis-
posal exclusively of Governor Blai;- and his party during their
stay in the city.
Clark had some months previous to this solicited of Gover-
nor Blair the appointment of state sanitary agent at New York
City, without pay, asking only that he be commissioned colonel
with the rank of colonel in the state volunteer service, which
Governor Blair did. There were at that time large numbers of
b
DARIUS CLARK AND M. C. R. R. iPiRE IN 1850. 349
invalid officers and soldiers of MitHigan regiments on leave going
to and from the army of the Potomac and southern battlefields.
They necessarily drifted through New York City and there were
large numbers of sick and wounded soldiers of Michigan regi-
ments who had been sent to the various hospitals in and around
New York, particularly the extensive hospital at David's Island.
To all these Colonel Clark gave a large share of his time and
attention, visiting them almost daily. He, however, was reim-
bursed by the governor's order for money expended on account of
the soldiers, their small expenses, such as tobacco, stationery, per-
iodicals, newspapers, etc. These accounts were paid regularly by
the quartermaster-general of the state.
ASKED ^OR ri:i.ii;f.
After the war closed, 'Colonel Clark resigned his agency of
the Michigan Central in New York City and engaged in the whole-
sale drug business with his brother, Emmons Clark, colonel of the
celebrated Seventh New York regiment, and another gentleman.
He also engaged in other ventures. Time passed and sorry to say,
all of thm came to naught and left him almost penniless. In his
dilemma he sought relief from the state of Michigan, which he
claimed to have benefited by his aid and assistance rendered to the
wounded and invalid soldiers. He at the same time acknowledged
that in his hour of plenty and supposed remoteness from want,
he had solicited and taken this state agency without the expecta-
tion of pay, still he concluded, under the circumstances to make
an appeal to the legislature of the great State of Michigan for
relief in this his hour of need.
He did not in his petition state any sum for services, but
merely cited the amounts paid to the other sanitary agents of the
state, Messrs. Benjamin Vernor, Dr. Tunnicliffe and Luther B.
Willard, i.e., $2CX) per month and office expenses, and left it to
the discretion of the state officials to pay whatever amount they
saw fit. Well, a joint resolution looking to Clark's relief was
introduced in the legislature, second term of Governor Bagley's
administration, instructing the board of state auditors to examine
and adjust his claim and make him whatever allowance was
found to be his due.
350 eari.y days in dijtroit,
the; outcome:.
The resolution was passed along towards the latter part of the
session. Clark himself and his friends thought, then, he would
have some show for obtaining relief, not giving themselves the
least apprehension in regard to the fate of the resolution at the
hands of the governor, as the latter had not, as far as was known,
signified the least hostility to the measure.
Well, Mr. Bagley put the joint resolution in his pocket and it
never made its appearance from that receptacle. What his
reasons, good or bad, were, for so doing, I never heard.
Clark was much cast down on account of the result, and
finally accepted a subordinate position on the then New York &
Harlem Railroad, and died in harness, not many years ago, and
was buried through the kindness of friends (I have understood),
beside the remains of his wife in the cemetery at Marshall, Mich.
Peace to his ashes.
Referring again to the trial of the railroad conspirators, it was
said at the time that Colonel Van Armen also ingratified himself
into the good graces of the conspirators, and became, with Clark,
one of the ''gang." How true this is I do not know.
Along in 1870 Clark visit Detroit and, during his stay here, he
made a trip on the Michigan Central Railroad to Jackson,
Marshall, etc. On the way, when passing the village of Leoni, he
pointed out to me from the car windows the very house in which
the secret conclaves of the conspirators were held, when he joined
them. He was always quite reticent in regard to the part he took
in the affair, scarcely ever alluding to it. Why- he was so shy,
I never inquired.
HEROIC WORK OF VOLUNTLLR FIREMEN.
SEEN DURING THE BIG BLAZE OF 1837— WINDSOR GAVE
DETROIT DEPARTMENT A SILVER TRUMPET.
EARLY on the morning of January 10, 1854, a fire broke out
in the shoe store of Smith & Tyler, at the northeast corner
of Woodward Avenue and Larned Street, and before it
could be gotten under control — the structures being of wood
and a high wind prevailing — the entire north half of that square
was destroyed, including the grocery store and sample room of
George Davie and John Fay, also Bates's merchant tailoring
establishment.
Shortly after this fire had been mastered by the firemen, a
small jet of flame was noticed by a few lookerson (myself among
the number) issuing from a point high up on one of the wooden
pillars of the Presbyterian Church on the northwest corner of
Woodward Avenue and Larned Street. No one appeared to pay
much attention to this, when all of a sudden, like a flash of light-
ning, a volume of flame was seen to shoot up in the interior of the
steeple in which was the belfry and almost in a twinkle it was an
immense torch of fire. This steeple being of goodly dimensions
and quite tall, made a most magnificent spectacle, lighting up as it
did the city and adjoining country. I heard afterwards, many
citizens of Windsor, Sandwich, Canada, declare that the illumina-
tion furnished on that occasion was most grand. It appears that
the fire or flame that was discovered burning on one of the pillars
in front of the church, proceeded from a pine knot, fat with rosin,
located in the outer casing of the pillar, it being hollow. It soon
worked its way through, and then asserted itself, to its heart's
content.
It was beyond all reach and just rioted. The church was
completely destroyed, nothing but the walls being left standing.
It was feared for a while that the burning steeple would fall, either
into Woodward Avenue, or on the stores of Holmes & Co.,
adjoining on Woodward Avenue, and it was watched with intense
352 EJARLY DAYS IN DE:TR0IT.
interest by the spectators. Considerable anxiety was also felt,
from the fact that the establishment of Holmes & Co. was crowded
with citizens assisting that firm in removing their stock of goods
to a place of safety, as they had come to the conclusion that their
premises must go.
THE ste;i:pi,e^ fei.Iv.
Well, soon the steeple was seen to waver, and finally, and
fortunately fell, with a loud crash into the body of the church,
Holmes & Co. did not sustain much damage, fortunately.
The bell of the church was melted by the fierce heat, and the
metal was cast into a large number of tea bells, and distributed
among the church members as souvenirs. Dear reader, perhaps
you are the fortunate possessor of one.
WILLIAM DUNCAN.
The compiler of "Our Firemen" aptly says : "No man living
put in more years of active service or took a greater or more prac-
tical interest in the affairs of the old volunteer fire department than
did Wm. Duncan. He has been assistant foreman, foreman, as-
sistant chief and chief engineer ; he was a member of the original
fire commission, and as a member of the common council did a
great deal of work as a member of the committee on fire depart-
ment. On the Fourth of July, 1875, he entertained the entire fire
department of the city at his home on Miami Avenue, the mem-
bers of which, together with other invited guests, constituted a
company of considerably over one thousand persons who partook
of his hospitality on that occasion. I was present, and it was a
lavish and most enjoyable entertainment and the host was at his
best.
It is sad to relate, that his last days were chilled by the pres-
ence of want, and of the very many that he had assisted! when
in affluent circumstances, very few came to his rescue in his hour
of need.
I first knew him when he was an apprentice to Cullen Brown,
in the saddlery and harness business. He was at the same time a
member of Engine Company No 4, of which company I was also
a member. We used often in after years, even until a short period
before his death, to talk over, with a wonderful amount of pleas-
ure, the stirring times that we had experienced, "running with the
machine." A thorough fireman was "Bill Duncan," and an all-
around good fellow withal.
HEJROIC WORK 01^ VOI^UNTEE^R I^IREM^N. 353
THE free; press fire.
I also copy from "Our Firemen" Mr. Duncan's account of a
fire that partially destroyed the Sheldon Block, now the Willis
Block, on Jefferson Avenue. I copy it because I was present at
the fire and can verify the truth of his statement. Mr. Duncan
said:
"Just after 3 o'clock on the morning of January 4, i%7, fire
was discovered in what was then called the Sheldon Block, now
known as the Willis Block, on the north side of Jefferson Avenue,
between Griswold and Shelby Streets. The weather was intensely
cold, so that the fire department, in addition to working with inad-
equate apparatus, met wjth many annoyances and much delay in
handling the hose. The fire, while it was at last brought under
control, succeeded in destroying The Free Press office, Henry
A. Naglee's confectionery store and bakery, Amos Chaffee's
blacksmith shop and Dr. Rufus Brown's general store, groceries,
wines and liquors, the total loss amounting to about $23,000 — a
very considerable blow in those days of wild-cat panic.
"Near the close of the fire two of the younger members of
the fire department passed through a scene of danger that was
considered most thrilling and gave a display of cool-headed deter-
mination which was the talk of the town for the rest of the winter.
The store occupied by Doctor Brown was largely filled with drugs,
oils, turpentine and liquors. It was two stories high, built of brick
and having a steep pitched roof, so high that the roof-tree and
gable peaks were ten or fifteen feet higher than the adjoining
buildings. Owing to the character of its contents Doctor Brown's
store burned rapidly, untily only the bare brick walls remained.
Meanwhile the late Mr. John Owen had a position astride the
ridge of the roof of the adjoining building — a frame structure
occupied by Cook & Burns as a dry goods store — and only about
ten feet from the burning building, where he sat holding the
hose nozzle, and directing a stream on the flames. At the top of a
ladder, which rested against the eaves of the dry goods store,
stood the late James Sutton, holding the hose which led up to Mr.
Owen.
BRAVE WORK.
"Suddenly a cry arose from the several hundred people who,
standing in the street below, were watching the picture that the
walls of the Brown building were weaving to and fro.
23
354 EJARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
" 'The wall is falling !' shouted a fire warden. 'Get away
from there!' Still Messrs. Owen and Sutton held their position.
'Get back further/ 'look out, John!' 'SHde down the ladder, Jim!'
and other warnings sounded, but to no avail.
"Evidently the young firemen did not hear the cries, for pres-
ently a large section of the wall came down with a crash, forcing
its way through the roof of the dry goods store, and sending up a
great cloud of smoke, cinders and fire, completely hiding Messrs.
Owen and Sutton from view, and so far as the crowd could guess,
carrying the entire roof and the two men down among the ruins.
In a few minutes, however, when the smoke had cleared away, this
anxiety was relieved by the sight of Mr. Owen still astride the
ridgepole and sending water down into the flames, while Mr. Sut-
ton, fairly covered with ashes, dust and smoke, was clinging to the
hose in his old position. They had not been hurt, although the
wreck made by the falling wall was within six feet of them ;
so close, indeed, that when the falling brick had ignited the
crushed-in roof, Mr. Owen found it advisable to retreat about ten
feet. There he remained, however, with Mr. Sutton, a loyal com-
panion, until the fire was stopped. By this act the entire eastern
one-third of the block in question was saved from destruction."
BIG ^IRE IN WINDSOR.
In 1849, while Mr. Duncan was chief engineer of the Volun-
teer Fire Department, a fire broke out in Windsor on the night
of April 6, and as far as appearances from this side indicated, the
City of Windsor was in danger of being wiped out by fire. Dou-
gall's large brick store on the west side of Ferry Street and abut-
ting on the river, was a mass of flames and a high wind was pre-
vailing. After a delay of an hour and a half, owing to the absence
of the ferry boat, Duncan was enabled to send only one engine
(No. 5) across, and that was by a small steam boat called the
Hastings, that he happened to see make a landing at the foot of
Shelby Street. The reason why only one engine was sent across
the river was owing to the smallness of the Hastings. Duncan,
however, at the timely suggestion of Mr. John Owen, took over at
the same time 250 feet additional of hose, which addition saved the
City of Windsor many, many thousands of dollars.
When Chief Duncan and his men reached the scene nearly an
acre of territory had been burned, and the northwest wind was
he:roic work of voi.unt£;£;r fire:me:n. 355
sending a mass of cinders and flame directly towards the large
frame hotel known as the Windsor Castle, which stood directly
opposite the site of the present Crawford House.
About two hours and a half after the landing of the boat, the
Detroit firemen being augmented in the meantime, by the arrival
of Engine Company No. 2, on board the steamer Ariel, the flames
were subdued, the fire completely checked. It was a fierce, stub-
born fight, and the firemen that particularly distinguished them-
selves in connection with Chief Duncan, as hoseman and pipeman
were : Andrew Young, A. P. Copeland, Joseph P. Rhodes, Wil-
liam Hopkins and J. P. Rosenburg. For reasons unexplained the
ferry boats did not visit Detroit that night.
LOSS WAS $30,000.
Following is a list of the buildings that were destroyed : Dou-
gall's dry goods store, two warehouses. Hunt's hardware store,
and packing house, customs office, a restaurant, the Queen's Hotel,
brick school house and dwelling, Mr. Richard's bakery and dwell-
ing, four large frame barns (and four horses) besides several
small outbuildings. The total loss was $30,000. Had it not been
for the Detroit firemen the loss would, at least, have been double
the amount.
The Windsor people entertained the Detroit firemen right
royally, "gave them the best they had in the shop," of course, and
the day following called a pubHc meeting of citizens which was
held at the Windsor Castle Hotel, at which meeting an address of
thanks was unanimously adopted to Wm. Duncan, chief engineer
of the fire department of the city of Detroit, and the two fire com-
panies under his command on the occasion. They also voted a
silver trumpet to the volunteer firemen of Detroit. The trumpet
was procured, properly inscribed and on July 2, 1849, the same
was presented to Mr. Duncan, as chief engineer of the volunteer
fire department of the City of Detroit.
The firemen were drawn up in a hollow square at the foot of
Woodward Avenue, and received the committee on presentation,
consisting of Colonel Arthur Rankin, chairman; John McEwan.
Esq., sheriff; P. E. Verhoeff, merchant; H. Kennedy and J.
McCrae, also merchants, preceded by the German band, playing
"God Save the Queen," and escorted by the mayor, chief engineer
and officers and member of the fire department.
356 JCARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
THE CERE^MONY.
The presentation speech was made by Colonel Rankin and the
same was responded to by Chief Duncan, who received the gift in
behalf of the department. Hon. Jas. A. Van Dyke then made a
brief but interesting and eloquent address, after which the com-
mittee on presentation, accompanied by President James A. Van
Dyke, of the fire department; Vice President Georg Foote, Chief
Engineer Duncan, and the assistant engineers, honorary members.
General Cass, Doctor Pilcher, Wm. Barclay and others, with
invited guests, partook of a dinner at the National Hotel, given by
the fire department committee, consisting of James A. Van Dyke,
David Smart and Stanley G. Wight.
The trumpet in question is at present among the most valued
mementoes of the Detroit Fire Department and is in the keeping
of its chief.
I m'entiop these incidents in regard to Chief Duncan almost
at length, as I was an eye witness to all.
The pages of "Our Firemen," where a complete account of
the Windsor fire is given, served to refresh my memory in some
.particulars.
VOLUNTEER FIREMEN BECAME FAMOUS.
.MANY OF THE OLD DETROIT DEPARTMENT GAINED DIS-
TINCTION AS SOLDIERS, STATESMEN, DIPLOMATS,
SCIENTISTS, POLITICIANS OR ARTISTS.
AMONG the good firemen of the old Detroit volunteer
department were many men whose names became famous
in the history of this city and are familiar to the old resi-
dents. Among the capable fire fighters were :
Wm. Duncan, Wm. H. Lum, Wm. Moors, Peter McGinnis,
Wm. R. Noyes, Jr., Wm. C. Ryan, Benj. Sparling, Wm. B.
Wesson, Morgan L. Gage, John J. Garrison, Henry H. Leroy,
Hugh Moffat, John D. Fairbanks, John Pulford, Alpheus S.
Williams, Henry R. Mizner, Mark Flannigan, Wm. D. Wilkins,
Chas. M. Lum, Jacob Houghton, Chris. Baby, Ananias McMillan,
Cornelius Ockford, Geo. W. Patterson, Wm. Lee, Ben Clark,
Jas. W. Gilbert, Abijah Joy, Kin Dygert, Oliver Bourke, Frank
Eldred, Henry J. Canniff, Ed. Kearsley, Wm. Barclay, Alvah
Ewers, Wm. P. Doty, Dave Esdell, D. J. L. Whiting, Jerome
Croul, Robert W. King, John Kendall, Wm. Adair, Sam Clem-
ents, Ben Keeney, Charles A. Trowbridge, Henry M. Roby, John
Y. Petty, Chas. S. Adams, Jacob S. Farrand, Chas. R. Desnoyers,
Geo. Foote, Nick Greusel, Chauncy Hurlbut, Theo. H. Hinch-
man, John Owen, Robt. E. Roberts, James W. Sutton, Christian
Buhl, Jas. A. Van Dyke, Chas. Vail, Henry T. Buckley, Barney
Campau, Lucretius H. Cobb, Harman DeGraff, Lafayette Knapp,
David O. Lum, Sam Lewis, Henry L. Newberry, Geo. Doty,
Francis Raymond, Eben N. Wilcox, O. B. Wilcox, Stanley G.
Wight, Wm. N. Carpenter, P. E. Demill, Anson Eldred, Elisha
Eldred, Matthew Gooding, Jeremiah Godfroy, J. S. Jenness, Ben
G. Stimson, David Smart, Pierre Teller, Anson Burlingame, John
Campbell, Henry P. Dequinder, Theo. Williams, Robert McMil-
lan, James R. ElHott, Robert T. Elliott, Andrew J. Brow, W. S.
Penfield, Tom Gillett, John Patton, Ben Vernor, A. A, Rice,
358 EARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Edward Shepard, Noah Sutton, Asa P. Morman, Joseph Leroy,
WilHam Green, first fireman No. 4, David R. Pence, George
Osborne, Tom Hurst, Samuel G. Caskey.
MANY GAINED DISTINCTION.
A large number of the members of the old organization
gained distinction in after life on the battlefield, as statesmen,
diplomats, scientists and otherwise. The late Zachariah Chandler
and the late H. P. Baldwin head the list as United States sen-
ators; Anson Eurlingame, as minister of the United States to
China; J. Logan Chipman, as a congressman, and the following
as distinguished soldiers : General O. B. Wilcox, Colonel Mar-
shall Chapin, Colonel John D. Fairbanks, Colonel Whittlesey^
General John Pulford, General A. S. Williams, General Henry
R. Mizner, Colonel Mark Flannigan, Colonel Wm. D. Wilkins,
Colonel Chas. M. Lum, Colonel Nick Greusel and Colonel Robt.
T. Elliott ; Robert Hopkin in art ; and in science Jacob Houghton ;
in diplomacy, Anson Burlingame. Many filled the office of mayor
of the city, as, for instance, Zach. Chandler, John Patton, O. M.
Hyde, Wm. C. Duncan, Hugh Moffat, Alex. Lewis and some
others. Henry L. Chipman, brother of Hon. J. Logan Chipman,
died a lieutenant in the United States navy. Colonel J. B. Gray-
son, United States commissary, at one time stationed here, was
foreman of No. 3.
RUNNING ON THE SIDEWALKS.
I copy from "Our Firemen" what it says in regard to the
opposition the firemen met with from the citizens in regard to
the former using the sidewalks in running to fires :
"One of the chief obstacles met by the hand engine men was
the continuous effort to prevent their use of the sidewalks in '
running to fires. The most persistent objector in this respect was
Major Kearsley, who, whenever a fire alarm was sounded, at
once took a position in front of his property, at the corner of
Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street. Being somewhat crip-
pled he carried a crutch, which he would shake at the racing men
as they would refuse to get out of the way, and so cause the fire-
men to turn into the street. At last this obstacle was overcome
by detailing two men to run ahead, whenever there was a run
in front of Major Kearsley 's place.
VOIvUNTEE^R FIREMEJN BE^COME FAMOUS. 359
"These men would very carefully and good-naturedly pick
up the irascible old gentleman and carry him out of the way, hold
him there until the machine had passed. An opposite to the
major was the late General John R. Williams, who lived at the
corner of Woodward and Grand River Avenues. On one occa-
sion, in making a run over the sidewalk in front of the general's
house, the wheels of No. 5 ripped ofif thirty or forty pickets from
the fence, besides taking off the gate hinges. The general
appeared at his front door en-deshabile to wave his hand deprecat-
ingly at Foreman George C. Codd, but when the boys returned
from the fire they repaired, by special invitation, to General Wil-
liams' residence, where they were most hospitably supplied with an
abundanc of hot coffee and lunch."
FUN e:nrout^.
I can testify to the truth of the foregoing as far as regards
the annoyance the citizens sustained, as also the damage done to
the sidewalks. I myself used, sometimes, to wonder why the citi-
zens took it as patiently as they did. It did not make any differ-
ence what the condition of the street was — good, bad or indifferent
— on an alarm being sounded, out would rush the engines and up
or down the sidewalks they would go, regardless. The foreman
hallooed himself hoarse through his trumpet, the two stalwart men
hold of the tongue guiding the machine into every box, barrel, or
wood pile in its way or out of it, and knocking it into "kingdom
come." It was just glorious, the boys a-hold of the drag ropes
almost wild with excitement — what could the average citizen do
under the circumstances, except protest as Major Kearsley used to
do ? But I am satisfied, it is quite safe to say, that no detail of men
was ever made to run ahead, whenever there was a run in front of
the major's premises, and carefully and good-naturedly pick up
the irascible old gentleman and carry him out of the way, holding
him there until the machine had passed. It would not have been
a healthful proceeding at all, as all who knew him will bear
witness.
HOT COFFEE.
I also copy from the same source (because it is so true) what
is said in regard to the gratuitous furnishing of hot coffee by the
ladies of the neighborhood in which the fire happened to be
located.
360 KARIvY DAYS IN DEITROIT.
"Speaking of hot cQffee. It was an invariable and necessary
feature of the life of a fireman in those days. No matter as to the
locaHty of the fire, it was a certainty, if the fire amounted to any-
thing worth mention, that the ladies in that neighborhood would
appear with their big pitchers of hot coffee, royally brewed and
delightfully served. Then, too, if the fire was a mere trifle, or if
the alarm had been a false one they were certain of finding a good,
stiff pot of hot coffee awaiting them on their return to the engine
houses."
SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF VOLUNTEER FIRLMLN.
ANNUAL BALLS WERE GREAT EVENTS— THE VISIT OF THE
SYRACUSE, N. Y., COMPANY WAS MEMORABLE.
A GREAT feature of the Volunteer fire department in the
early days was its social side, i. e., the annual firemen's
ball, a function that was kept up for years. These balls
always took place in midwinter and were looked forward to as
the event of the year. Every woman of a dancing age, high and
low, was invited, and months before the happy event came the
office of the secretary of the fire department was besieged by
anxious male visitors to ascertain if the names of their female
friends were on the indexed invitation book of the secretary.
The latter's position was no sinecure at that time and he had
to call in outside help to pull him through. I myself with many
other members of the department, used to spend hours and hours
correcting the lists and names, adding new ones, etc., also assist-
ing in filling in names in the blank spaces on the printed invita-
tions and directing them. Each invitation to give it greater sig-
nificance had to bear on its face the broad seal of the department.
This was plainly impressed on a large disc of gold surfaced paper,
and then pasted on to the face of the invitation — quite an elaborate
affair, that consumed some time and called for considerable care
in getting them just right.
WHAT A FI.UTT^.
These balls were always given at the National Hotel (Russell
House), and for weeks almost before the long-looked-for night
came decorators were busy making ready for the event the large
dining hall of the hotel.
And when the night did come, ah, me ! what a flutter the fair
portion of the town was in, to be sure. Their particular flutter
consisted in, wondering if they would be called for by some one of
the committee designated for that purpose and mentioned in the
invitation ("All ladies will be called for, and after the ball escorted
362 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
to their homes"). Well, I never knew of any mishap on account
of facilities in getting the fair portion of the town to and from
these balls.
Here once a year all the city, high and low, met on the same
level. The first society was always largely represented, particu-
larly the younger, dancing, portion, the boys of their set nearly all
being active members of the department. Any way, they were
very democratic affairs, all around, enjoyed by all who participated
in them, I am sure. I neglected to say that the invitations desired
all ladies who required an escort to the ball to so inform the secre-
tary, and some one of the committee would call for thern.
THE ^IRE WARDENS.
The fire wardens, "Leather Heads," as the boys used to call
them, were quite a feature in the Volunteer fire department. It
was their business to provide recruits from the idle and curious
spectators present at a fire, to man the brakes when the firemen
became exhausted, which was often the case, particularly at a
protracted, stubborn fire.
They wore the usual fireman's uniform and leather hat and
carried as a badge of office and authority a staff about six feet
long, painted white and tipped with gold leaf. They were clothed
with sufficient authority to arrest anyone who refused to ^york on
the brakes.
I recall these names of some of our citizens who at various
times served as fire wardens, men most of whom had served as
active firemen, but who were incapacitated through various
causes from serving as such any longer : Levi Cook, Mason
Palmer, John Palmer, James Williams, Alex. H. Adams, Alvah
Ewers, Jonas Titus, John Farrer, John Farmer, Darius Lamson,
M. F. Dickinson. They rendered most efficient service, and often
without their aid the boys at the brakes would have had a weary
time, and the devouring element a better show.
VISIT 01^ SYRACUSE FIREMEN.
The Free Press in its issue April 9, 1899, has a very faithful
reproduction of the old Fort Wayne engine that was manned by
No. 3 boys, also of a hand pump engine built in 1830, presumably
the new No. 3 that usurped the place of the old one. The hand
SOCIAL INUNCTIONS OF VOLUNTe;e;R FIREMEN. . 363
pumping engines that followed' Protection No. i and 2 were about
all alike.
Our volunteer fire department came to be so efficient that
its name and fame were heralded abroad, as was the name and
fame of our Brady Guards and many invitations from eastern fire
companies to tournaments were received and accepted, leaving the
city to the care of their brother firemen of other companies. The
tournaments consisted of quick runs, laying lines of hose, pumping
streams to a great distance and other contests which put into
requisition all their speed and strength and skill. Eastern fire
companies used, of course, to return these visits, which were con-
sidered field days by the members of our department.
One visit of this kind I call to mind, and that was by a com-
pany from Syracuse, N. Y. They came without an invitation and
unheralded. The first intimation our department had of their
arrival was a notice from Uncle Oliver Newberry that a fire
engine company from Syracuse, N. Y., with their apparatus had
lande/1 at his dock and wanted to know what he should do with
them, and at the same time suggested that the department officials
look after them. The fire alarms were sounded at once and out
came the whole fire department. In cases where the location of a
fire was not known the practice was to assemble at the corner of
Woodward and Jefferson Avenues, and ascertain its whereabouts,
then pitching for all they were worth. On coming together at the
point I have named, the chief engineer gave the information that
an eastern fire dompany was at our gates, knocking for admis-
sion. The entire department with its apparatus headed by the
chief engineer and James A, Van Dyke, its president, at once
repaired to Newberry's dork at the foot of Second Street, where
they found the Syracuse Company modestly waiting, as their fore-r
man said, to see what their welcome would be, coming as they did,
uninvited and unannounced, though down in their hearts they
were sure it would be cordial, as indeed it was.
A HEARTY WELCOME.
President Van Dyke, in his usual happy manner, welcomed
them to the city and to its hospitalities, assuring them that they
could have the best there was ''in the shop." Then all hands
repaired to the Firemen's Hall, corner of Larned and Bates
Streets, where more speech-makinp- was had, a brief welcome by
364 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
the mayor, etc. The foreman of the Syracuse company was
elevated to the top of a convenient barrel in No. One's house, and
told his story amid much laughter and applause — that his com-
pany had determined to visit the Detroit fire department, willy
nilly, whose reputation was being continually buzzed in their
ears, and see for themselves. He at the same time alluded to
General Lewis Cass in happy terms, intimating that the citizens
of Detroit ought to be proud to count among them as one of the
citizens such an eminent statesman, and intimated that it would
give himself and his brother firemen from the salt district great
pleasure to pay their respects in person to the general, if the
opportunity was afforded them. Word to that effect was gotten
to the general directly, who responded, saying he would be much
pleased to welcome the Syracuse firemen, as well as the Detroit
fire department, at his residence on West Fort Street that after-
noon at 3 o'clock.
ente:rtaine:d by gene:ral cass.
At the appointed hour the fire laddies were on hand. The
general and family welcomed them very cordially; the house,
crowded with rare paintings, statuary and bric-a-brac, gathered
during their residence in Paris, was thrown open for their
inspection. Refreshments were served in the large dining room,
and after the boys had made a terrible slaughter of the sparkling
champagne and rare wines that the general had brought from
France, the foreman of the visiting company, a nervous little
chap, made an eulogistic speech to the host that fairly staggered
him.
The general, perhaps, had no idea, until he was informed of
it on that occasion, that he was so distinguished a personage.
He, however, replied quite briefly, and in chosen words expressed
the pleasure and gratification it afforded him to welcome at his
home the Detroit firemen and their guests.
INTERESTING portrait.
An interesting incident occurred on this occasion that has
always remained fresh in my memory, so much so that I will
relate it. In the generals dining-room a full length portrait of
Marshal Soult, in full uniform, occupied a conspicuous position
at its head. It attracted the attention of all, of course, and par-
SOCIAI^ FUNCTIONS OF VOI.UNTe;ER FIREJME^N. 365
ticularly that of the visiting firemen, who expressed much curios-
ity in regard to its history. The general said, that during his
mission at the Court of St. Cloud, as the representative of this
government, the marshal and himself (the former being minister
of war) were on the most intimate terms, diplomatically as well
as socially (a mutual admiration society, as it were) and that on
the eve of his departure from France the marshal had this por-
trait of himself painted, and presented to him, as a memento, and
as a mark of his regard. The general said, further, that it was a
fine likeness of Napoleon's celebrated marshal, as he then was,
and that he set great store by it. I presume the painting is in
existence somewhere yet.
The general did not say that he gave his picture in. return,
but it is fair to presume that he did. After a characteristic speech
from President James A. Van Dyke, the firenlen took leave of
their host and his family, with warm expressions of pleasure the
visit had "aflforded.
VISITORS WFRK de:i.ighTe:d.
The Syracuse firemen left for their homes the following
day, highly delighted with their visit, and, as they put it, "over-
whelmed with hospitality." I do not remember whether any of
our Detroit fire companies returned the visit or not, but presume
they did. There are no doubt some members of the old fire
department living that will call to mind this, visit of the Syracuse
fire company.
There were many other fires that occurred during my mem-
bership in the Volunteer fire department, that I have ' not
mentioned in this connection, as I did not happen to be present
at them. Those that I do mention, I was an eye-witness of. The
burning of the Detroit Gazette, the burning of the French &
Eldred's woolen mill, also the fire of 1832, corner of Jefferson
Avenue and Griswold (Ives' corner), happened before I became
a fireman, but I saw them all the same. It is needless to say I
did not witness the fire of 1805.
FINED TEN DOLLARS IF YOUR CHIMNEY BLAZED.
EARLY FIRE REGULATIONS IN DETROIT NOW READ LIKE
AMUSING JESTS— ADDITIONAL REMINISCENCES.
THE action of our early town fathers upon the subject of
fires forms a curious chapter in our municipal history,
especially when taken in connection with the fact of the
entire destruction of the town by fire soon after. But it is
easily accounted for by the fact that the town within the pickets
were mainly composed of old dry wooden buildings, standing
close together upon very narrow streets — mere lanes — and
crowded into a space between where Griswold Street now is on
one side and Wayne on the other, and extending from the river,
which then came up near to Woodbridge Street to a lane a little
north of Larned Street, covering but little more than two acres of
ground.
The trustees of the town first met February 9, 1802. There
being no printing press here to give the inhabitants notice of the
act of incorporation, a meeting was called by the trustees for
February 15 to have the act read to them, of which meeting writ-
ten notice in both French and English was served upon each
householder. This meeting held, the first official act of the trus-
tees was to pass an ordinance of seventeen sections, "for the better
securing of the said town against injuries by fire." Some of its
provisions are worthy of attention.
EARIvY REGULATIONS.
Chimneys were to be swept once in two weeks in winter and
once in four weeks in summer, before 9 o'clock Saturday evening.
If a chimney took fire there was a fine of $10. Every householder
was to be provided with a tight barrel, to have ears of ropes on
each side with lever to pass through, so as to enable two men to
move it when full, to where it was wanted. The barrel was always
to be kept full of water, where it could not freeze. They were also
FINEJD TEJN DOLLARS IP YOUR CHIMNEY BLAZKD. 367
to be provided with two buckets of three gallons each, and a
ladder on the roof to each chimney, and one from the ground to
the roof. In addition each shopkeeper was to provide one bag,
afterwards two, to hold three bushels, which, on the first alarm,
he was to take with his buckets of water, to the fire. On the first
■cry of fire, the housekeepers were to turn out every male capable
of assisting, and the men thus turned out were to form in a line
to carry water from the river. These and various other regula-
tions were enforced by penalties varying from $5 to $25.
MANY i^ine:s.
Committees were appointed to visit every house, and report
to the board violations of the ordinance. A large portion of the
town records for three years is taken up with these reports, and
with the fines inflicted for the breaches of the ordinance. The
ordinance was adopted on March 10, and by the 29th, less than
twenty days, fifty-one fines had been imposed. These fines seem
to have been distributed with remarkable impartiality. Many of
the first citizens were among the victims; including four of the
five trustees, John Asher, John Dodema, James Henry, and
Joseph Campau, and the well known secretary, Peter Andrain.
Among the others fined were Robert Abbott, Peter Desnoyers,
George Meldrum, Dr. Scott, Dr. Eberts, Judge McNiff, and Rev.
Mr. Bacon (father of the late Rev. Dr. Bacon, of New Haven,
Conn., who was a native of this city).
The reports of these committees of examination were some-
times very curious. Some families had frozen barrels, others
empty ones ; others barrels with one ear, others with no ears, and
some had no barrels at all ; some no buckets, some but one ; others
had no levers, others had two short ones ; some shopkeepers had
no fire bags — some had them filled with flour, others with goods,
and Mr. Ten Eyck is reported as having h^s filled with muskrats.
John R. Williams was fined 75 cents because the water in his
bucket was frozen. Elijah Brush (father of the late Edmund A.
Brush) was complained of for having ladders that were too short
in front and at the rear of his house. Mr. Woolsey was fined
because he had neither poles, buckets nor barrels about his prem-
ises, and Robert Abbott was fined $3 for failing to have his chim-
ney cleaned.
368 KAKI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
FOOLED THE EXAMINERS.
Authentic tradition informs us that one of our most respect-
able matrons on seeing the examiners coming, and finding her
barrels without water, as they approached crept into the barrel,
exclaiming, "Gentlemen, you can't say that my barrel is empty."
That woman was not fined. The very last recorded act of the
trustees before the great fire of 1805 was to provide that these
examiners should go over the whole town once a week. This
was on the nth of May, 1805, just one month before the destruc-
tion of the city.
THE DISASTROUS I^IRE OF 1805.
The fire of 1805, which destroyed "Old Detroit," has often
been described by eye-witnesses. Some of the descriptions have
already been published, but I think this clipping from one of our
morning papers in 1855, in relation to it, may not be out of place :
. The boundaries of the town at the period of the fire were as
follows : the western extremity was on a line with Wayne Street,
the northern Larned Street, the eastern Griswold vStreet and the
southern the river.. The houses were usually composed of logs,
clapboarded, and one story in height. The number of inhabi-
tants may closely be estimated by the list of losses published below
multiplied by four. The fire broke out about 9 o'clock m the
morning of June 11, 1805, in the stable of a baker named John
Harvey. The stable stood between Wayne and Shelby Streets,
on the north side of JeflFerson Avenue. The wind was south by
southeast, and was so violent aS to carry cinders as far as Crosse
Pointe. The flames spread so rapidly that in spite of the exer-
tions of the citizens nothing remained but an old warehouse
located on Wayne Street, subsequently occupied by Henry J.
Hunt. Few of the inhabitants saved any of their personal prop-
erty except those who were wise enough to cart their effects to the
commons. An old fire engine formerly owned by the British was
brought into requisition, but to little purpose. The only recourse
for the afflicted families was to find shelter in residences along the
river. These were too few to accommodate all the sufferers, and
common board shanties were erected on what was then called the
commons, which at that time extended from Griswold to Ran-
dolph Streets. Fortunately the weather was mild. When a
violent storm arose the inhabitants would rush out of doors for
fear that their frail shelters would tumble down. One evening a
FINE:D ten DOI^IvARS if your CHIMNE:Y BIvAZED.
369
blind horse owned by Henry Berthelet walked into one of the
board shanties occupied by Conrad Seek and family, and full pos-
session was given before the brute would be expelled.
The following is nearly a complete statement of the losses,
as presented by heads of families to the committee authorized to
receive their clams. The original inventory was in the possession
of the late Peter Desnoyers :
James May, i 1,000.
— Mackintosh, i 1,000.
John Watson, £550.
Dr. Brown, ^550.
James Dodemead, £4,060.
G. Meldrum, £3,000.
R. J. Abbott and Mary Abbott,
£2,000.
James Henry, £2,300.
Church and Presbytery, £6,000.
Conrad Seek, £260.
Robinson & Martin, £2,500.
James Fraser, £500.
Peter J. Desnoyers, £392.
John B. Piquet, £320.
G. Godfroy, Jr., £850.
John Connor, £420.
Rev. G. Richard, £250:
Augustin Lafoy, £800.
A. Home, £256.
William Allen,^£i20.
Joseph Voyez, £800.
John Gentle, £500.
Mrs. Cote, £400.
— Lafleuer, £400.
Mrs. Provencal, £400.
Mrs. Coates, £450.
Mer Gobiel, £450.
Daniel McNeal, £480.
D. McClain, £240.
Peter Audrain, £650.
John Harvey, £400.
John WiUiams, £150.
Mr. Frere, £240.
George Smart, £372 5s.
Daniel Lazelete, £701 3s. 4d.
Joseph Thiebault, £7,711 7s.
Abraham Cook, £955.
Jacques Girardin, £400.
Thomas Welch, £215.
Peter Chartron, £31.
.Archibald Horner, £637 5s.
The statement of losses suffered by Joseph Campau, Forsyth
& Smith, Messrs. Saunders & Donovan, William Robertson and
Dr. Wilkinson are not to be found.
24
THE OLD RIVLR ROAD.
REMINISCENCES OF PEOPLE AND RESIDENCES ON THAT
HISTORIC THOROUGHFARE.
THE Knaggs house (Hubbard farm), built about 1790, long
since destroyed, stood on th& west side of Knaggs Creek,
twenty feet back from the road, on what is now the corner
of River Street and Swain Avenue. As I have already men-
tioned, Knaggs Creek was obliterated by the Ives Brothers when
they built their dry dock there. The latter was taken down in
1845. A windmill stood on the river bank in front of the Knaggs
house.
The mouth of Knaggs Creek was said to be in 18 12 about
300 feet wide, and came up to within a few yards of the Knaggs
house. At the mouth there were growing in 1827 about three
acres of wild rice that attracted vast multitudes of wild duck
and large numbers of blackbirds.
In connection with this old house I quote from remembrance
of the late Colonel James Knaggs, son of Whitmore Knaggs,
who was born in the house. It may be of interest to some to
repeat it here:
"Whitmore Knaggs, my father, was born in Detroit in 1763,
the same year Pontiac tried to carry out his famous plan of
driving the English out of Detroit and the other forts on the
western frontier. On July 31, 1763, a party of the Detroit gar-
rison under Captain Dalzell made a sortie, and at Bloody Run
were defeated by Pontiac with great loss.
"After his triumph Pontiac invited the leading French resi-
dents, including Peter Descompts Labadie, who afterwards
became the father of my mother, to a grand feast in honor of
the victory. There was plenty of fish and fowl but no liquors.
After the feast was over Pontiac said to Labadie : 'How did you
like the meat? It was. very good young beef, was it not? Come
here, I will show you what you have eaten,' and Pontiac then
opened a sack that was lying on the ground behind him, and
THE OI,D RIVE^R ROAD. 37 1
took out the bloody head of an EngHsh soldier. Holding it up
by the hair, he said with a grin, 'There's the young beef.* Laba-
die took one look, his stomach turned and he ejected all he had
eaten. The dusky warrior jeered at him and said he was nothing
but an old squaw. He described the young beef as very tender
and quite appetizing until Pontiac's revelation. He also says
that General Hull was also a frequent visitor at tlie old house.
Governor Cass and Governor Woodbridge called frequently.
Tecumseh, the celebrated Indian chief, and his brother called
several times to see my father."
James A. Armstrong lived down that way on the River
Road, but considerably later than 1827. He lived near the
'Xabadie house," still standing, just below the Governor Porter
house, since owned and occupied by Colonel Sylvester Larned.
After Mr. Armstrong vacated the house Judge Bacon, of
Lake Superior fame, was its tenant. He was a jovial man and
all-around free liver. Many of the present day will no doubt
recall him. The house owned and occupied by Colonel Lar-
ned near the gas works, mentioned above, was commenced by
Territorial Governor George H. Porter, but never finished by
him. He was carried off by the cholera in 1834. The house was
of brick and designed to be the finest in Michigan. It had
reached only one story and a half at the governor's death and
then stopped. It was roofed over in a sort of way to protect it
from the weather and remained in that condition for many years,
when it was taken by Colonel Larned, who put on a substantial
roof without increasing the height of walls and it so remains to
this day.
GOVERNOR PORTER.
I remember Governor Porter very well. He was a Pennsyl-
vanian, a fine-looking gentleman and well liked here. He was
exceedingly horsey and brought with him a fine stud of thorough-
breds. Mrs. Porter was a fine-looking woman but rather stout,
whereas the governor was of slight build. He had two sons,
Hume and Andrew, who remained here with Mrs. Porter for
. quite a while after the governor's death. Hume was a lawyer
and moved to Washington to practice his profession. He was
at one time Assistant Secretary of War under Polk. Andrew
got an appointment in the army and became colonel or brigadier
general. He was provost marshal general at Washington and
372 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Alexandria, Va., at outbreak of the civil war and had for his aid
Captain Trowbridge, U. S. A., son of C. C. Trowbridge. He
married Maggie Biddle, daughter of Colonel John Biddle, after
whom the Biddle House was named. Hume and Andrew are
both dead.
The Brevoort house, occupied by Commodore Brevoort,
was built by Robert Navarre about the year 1740, that and the
Labadie house, built the same year, were standing in 1885, just
above 24th Street, on what was commonly known as River Road,
but now River Street. The Lafferty house, which was demol-
ished some years ago, was built about 1750.
THE I^AFFERTY EI^M.
On the River Road, in Springwells, in front of the old
Lafferty homestead, was a conspicuous mark in the landscape.
It is known to have been planted a few years before the close of
1750 and was a striking example of the period required for the
elm to produce a respectable shade. In 1862 the trunk measured
four feet from the ground, was ten feet in circumference, which
dimensions it held to the limbs. At ten feet the trunk parted
into seven branches, each of which was in size a considerable
tree. It stood within the fence and its limbs extended over 100
feet. One by one its seven limbs were ruthlessly cut away by the
axe and finally the main trunk succumbed to the iron march of
improvement, otherwise it might have stood for centuries the
glory of the neighborhood. I myself have often rested under its
shade while a boy in the early thirties and forties and wondered
at its vigorous aspect. The Loranger house, part of which was
standing in 1885, was built about 1730. The Lafontaine house
was standing just below the Loranger farm, between the river
and the road. It was occupied as a school house about 1835, the
Lafontaines having moved to Monroe, Mich. I attended a spell-
ing bee or spelling school there one night sometime along in
1835. The late Edward Jerome was the pedagogue par excel-
lence of that time. He accepted a challenge from the
Springwells school teacher to see which school could spell the
other down. Well, it was a pretty tough job, but we came off
victorious. During all the long years after between that time
and Mr. Jerome's death, whenever I met him, he would always
allude to that time and with the greatest glee. He was a model
the; oIvD river road. 373
teacher, as many now living can testify. He understood his bus-
iness in all the minor branches, but did not go into Latin, Greek
and that sort of thing. He was most kind and considerate to
those scholars that got their lessons and behaved themselves, but
a terror to those who did otherwise. Some of the most unruly
boys that ever existed lived in Detroit at that time and our friend
Jerome had his hands full teaching the young ''idea how to
shoot." Aside from the city boys he had some pretty rough
specimens during the winter months, boys who drifted into the
city from the lakes after navigation closed. But he was equal
to the occasion and always came off best.
The Lafontaine house, though seemingly strongly built,
tumbled down of itself soon after this, leaving only its stone
chimneys standing, bare and naked for some years after.
Peter Godfroy lived on the Godfroy farm, fronting on
River Road. The house was of recent construction compared
with the others I have mentioned. I think Mr. Godfroy once
lived at corner of Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street,
about 1827, and while living there he built the house I mentioned
on this farm and occupied it about that time. The corner I men-
tion belongs yet to the Godfroy estate.
This side of Godfroys lived lat^r on Mr. Charles Bissell,
dry goods merchant, and later on in the forwarding and com-
mission business, in which he was engaged at time of his death.
Charley Bissell was a handsome man but exceedingly brusque
and sometimes overbearing, a terror to his clerks. One of the
clerks in his dry goods store on corner of Jefferson Avenue and
Griswold Street (site of the old store of Thomas Palmer), J.
Hyatt Smith, afterwards a distinguished Baptist divine, and a
member of Congress, and one of my particular chums used to
repeat to me some of his grievances in that direction. But in
his home and private life it was said Mr. Bissell was all he
should have been.
Later on Ladue & Eldred had a large tannery opposite the
old Lafferty house, and just below them Brooks & Adams had a
lumber yard, and this side of them Hubbard & King had a saw
mill and lumber yard. The Bissell residence, Ladue & Eldred,
Hubbard & King's lumber yard are all within the memory of the
present generation, and I think all have given place to other uses.
EARLY FLSTIVITILS.
REMINISCENCES OF DETROIT'S FAMILIES AND THEIR GAY
DOINGS MANY YEARS AGO— FAMILIAR NAMES IN
THE NARRATIVE.
BEFORE leaving the old French residences down the river.
let me try to picture the gay scenes enacted in them in the
early days, particularly during the long winter months. From
the sand hill in Springwells to Grosse Pointe, on the river front,
and from the latter point to Milk River Point on Lake St. Clair
they formed an almost continuous settlement. All the dwellers in
them considered themselves near neighbors and almost one family.
The French residents were proverbial, for the love they bore
their horses; and the traditional French pony, wiry, strong and
fleet of foot, gave them all they desired in that direction. Every
French family owned two or three ponies, at least, some of them
more, particularly the Cicottes, Laffertys and the Campaus.
Joseph Campau owned a vast number. Go where you would
through the woods adjacent to Detroit, nearly all of every drove of
horses you came across had the letters "J. C." branded on the
flank. ^So numerous were these ponies that they would venture
into the city in droves during the warm summer nights, attracted
by the salt that the merchants had stored in barrels. in front of
their places of business. Convenient "saltlicks," as one might
say, and they were.
When winter shut down and Jack Frost locked the river and
lake in his icy embrace, cutting off all communication with the out-
side world, then the fun commenced. Young men and maidens
were in abundance and sleighing, dancing and other festivities
ruled the hour. I have attended many of these dances, and have
often made one in a sleighing party and can testify to the fun that
ruled.
SUBSTANTIAL REFRE:SHME:nTS.
The music, furnished by one or two violins — fiddles, they then
called them — was quite all that was needed. French four and
reels comprised about all the dances, no cotillion or round dances.
1
EARI^Y FESTIVITIES. 375
Refreshments were not elaborate, but were quite ample, consisting
in nearly every case of cider, apples, doughnuts, venison dried
and roasted, hickory nuts, black walnuts, etc., and sometimes a
little whisky.
I do not think the early pioneers of this section were much
addicted to whisky, though the late George Moran, who kept a
roadhouse in Grosse Pointe and whom many will remember quite
well, once told me that his father made his own whisky and drank
it fresh from the still. The old gentleman passed away at the age
of 80 years. I asked George once how much whisky he thought
his father had gotten away with during his lifetime, and he said
about eighty barrels. The old gentleman drank it all himself.
Just ponder on it ! But he was an exception.
These gatherings were usually kept up to the early hours of
the morning. The ride home in the carry-all, behind the fleet
pony, and your best girl, for the nonce, by your side, will long be
remembered.
THE WIDOW WEAVER.
But to return. The Widow Weaver used to keep a hotel
about , where Twelfth Street comes down to the river. Mrs.
Weaver owned the so-called Thompson Farm. She was assisted
by her daughter Polly, who was quite pretty, charming and all that
sort of thing. She had many suitors, many admirers, among
those who were wont to patronize the hostelry, but none seemed
to gain favor in her sight until Mr. David Thompson, who was at
that time sheriff of Wayne County, laid his heart at her feet.
She accepted the sheriff's offer and became Mrs. Thomp-
son. Mr. Thompson brought his bride to the city and lived
in a house that I well remember. It was a white frame house and
on the present site of the Hotel Normandie on East Congress
Street. While living there Mrs. Weaver, the mother, died and
Mrs. Thompson became heir to the Thompson Farm, an ample
fortune in itself. She at once proceeded to build a handsome resi-
dence on the corner of Fort and Shelby Streets, the present site of
the State Savings bank. All will readily remember it. It was a
palatial dwelling in its day. Mrs. Thompson developed quite a
taste for the arts, the walls of her house were decorated with
some fine paintings by celebrated artists, and in the yard adjoining
the house on the Shelby Street side was an artistic bronze foun-
tain, as well as a fine copy in bronze of Kiss's Amazon.
376 e;arly days in Detroit.
the; THOMPSONS.
On its completion Mr. and Mrs. Thompson occupied the
house and she continued to do so until her death. Mr. Thompson
passed away years before her.
Mrs. Thompson's life was full of charitable, kindly acts. Her
ears and purse was always open to the cry of the needy. The
crowning act of her life was the establishment of the Old Ladies'
Home in this city, which will be a pleasant reminder of her mem-
ory when those of the present are dust. I think she endowed this
home in her will. She lived to a good old age and died without
a "blot on her escutcheon."
May's Creek, named after Judge May, who once lived just
below and adjoining it, was once quite a stream, boasting at one
time of a large grist mill, about where Fort Street crossed it, but
has been entirely obliterated by the tracks of the Michigan Cen-
tral Railroad. It was a splendid place to skate in the early days,
being quite wide at. the mouth. It was always frozen earlier than
the river, and, besides, not so dangerous. All the boys in the
early days used to skate there.
ROBERT ABBOTT.
On the north side of May's Creek was the home of Robert
Abbott, brother of James Abbott, then postmaster of Detroit.
Unlike his brother James, he was tall, spare and stoop-shouldered.
He had the appearance of being quite feeble, but he was not. He
and .his wife were devout Methodists and scarcely ever were they
absent from church service, walking all the way from their home
to the house of worship in the city. He was auditor-general of the
state in 1838-9 and had his office in the same room with A. E.
Hathon, city surveyor, and Thomas Palmer, in the Cooper Block,
on the present site of Rev. D. M. Cooper's white store on the south
side of Jefferson Avenue, between Griswold and Shelby Streets.
Contrasting the duties and scope of his office with those of
the present auditor-general at Lansing, with his spacious quarters
and army of clerks, the comparison seems wonderful. Mr. Abbott
had but one clerk, Mr. Church, but it was ample force for the
business then. It would look as though these four gentlemen had
crowded quarters, but I don't think any of them suffered on that
account.
Mr. Abbott, at times, was inclined to be quite peppery with
KARLY FESTIVITIES.
377
some who came in contact with him in his official capacity. I call
to mind one instance in particular of which I was an eye witness.
Hon. Lansing B. Mizner (father of General Henry R. Mizner),
at that time was one of the commissioners appointed by Governor
Mason, to disburse the five million dollars the state borrowed for
public improvement purposes from the Morris Canal & Banking
Co., of New Jersey. One morning Mr. Mizner called on the audi-
tor-general officially, and in the course of their conversation the
latter made some disparaging remarks in regard to a written report
of expenditures, etc., that the former had submitted for auditing
some days previous. Mr. Mizner, as many who knew him will
remember, was the pepperiest of the peppery, when rubbed the
wrong way. Well, our friend Abbott got it back hot, so hot that
Mizner came off first best. However, Mr. Abbott was, notwith-
standing, a fine, genial gentleman of the old school.
Mr. and Mrs. Abbott died many years ago, and what disposi-
tion they made of their property I never knew. They had several
children, one a daughter, married the late E. V. Cicotte, sheriff of
Wayne County.
DOWN-RIVLR HOML5.
REMINISCENCES OF DAYS WHEN PROMINENT FAMILIES
IvIVED ON THE RIVER FRONT NEAR THE PRESENT
SEVENTH STREET.
GOVERNOR WILLIAM WOODBRIDGE was a neighbor
of the Abbotts on the north side of the old May's Creek.
The family residence was a quaint cottage of the villa style,
with dormer windows, and veranda in front. It was set back
quite a distance from the River road, nearly as far back as the
present Fort Street. A fine farm the governor had. Its front
extended two French farms in width on the river to the line of
the Baker farm, and ran back two miles into the woods. Beyond
and in the rear of the house was a fine orchard, full of apple, pear,
peach and plum trees that, it seemed to me, were always in a full
bearing mood during the season. I have been in it often, though
it had in the front and the rear a high board fence to keep out
intruders. I got in in the regular way.
The governor was a conspicuous figure in the early days of
Detroit and many no doubt will remember him well. His career,
personality, etc., have been publicly recounted often by others,
so won't bear repeating here. His oldest son, William, and
myself were schoolmates. Mrs. Woodbridge was the daughter of
Hon. Jonathan Trumbull, the author of "McFingal," a poem that
many are familiar with (it is in most libraries and is not yet out
of print). Trumbull djed in the Woodbridge homestead and
was buried in the family lot in Elmwood.
coivONEiv baki:r.
Lawyer John S. Abbott married a daughter of the governor.
His residence was ^n the line of the Baker farm, River road.
Colonel Baker, U. S. army, lived in an unpretentious house a
short distance back from the River road (Baker farm). It had
three or four of the fine old French pear trees in front. Colonel
Baker was the last commandant of Fort Shelby in 1823. It is
DOWN-RIVER HOMES. 379
said he was engaged to be married to the widow of Henry I.
Hunt, who died mayor of Detroit, in 1826. The colonel became
ill and unfortunately died October 12, 1838, but in compensation
for his taking off he left the widow, in his will, the front of the
Baker farm, extending back from the river to Fort Street.
Mrs. Hunt was the daughter of Angus Mcintosh, a Scotch-
man of good family who had been a merchant in Detroit both
under British and American rule.
After four years of American rule, Mcintosh moved across
the river into Canada, above Windsor, and afterwards built a
large residence, still standing (this side of Walkerville), which •
he named Moy Hall, after the home of the family in Scotland. I
have been to the Moy house often when it was in its prime. He
also built a warehouse and dock in front of his residence or a
little this side. A fine place to fish was this dock, and many an
afternoon I played truant to fish on the Mcintosh dock. Both
dock and warehouse disappeared a few years ago. I remember
Colonel Baker well and also Mrs. Hunt. The colonel was a fine-
looking man, a gentleman and a soldier. As for Mrs. Hunt, it
goes without saying, she was a fine, beautiful woman and highly
accomplished.
THE MUIvIvETT HOUSE.
The Mullett house (John Mullett), next above Colonel Bak-
er's, was an unpretentious residence and had some fine old pear
trees in front of it. Mr. Mullett was a surveyor, civil engineer,
etc. He surveyed most of the land in Michigan and the north-
west. He was at one time surveyor-general of the northwest,
being at the head and front in his calling. He died many years
ago. One of his daughters married Frank Hall, a banker of •
Aurora, 111. He was lost on the steamer Lady Elgin, Lake Mich-
igan. Another daughter married Mr. Forster, a mining engineer.
One of the boys, Henry, came near being a graduate of West
Point. He was there about two and one-half years, but, as he
said, he could not bear confinement any more than a "liberty
pole," and the strict rules were irksome to him, so he quit and
came home. He had ability enough and all that sort of thing, but,
as he himself said, he could not and would not think of the rules
in time. The rest of the family went into the interior of the state
to live, on a farm near Lansing.
Between the Mullett house and the next one (Kercheval's)
was a street, now Seventh Street, the first one that was opened
380 e:ari.y days in Detroit.
down to the water's edge "at that time in that section. The Ker-
cheval residence was an unpretentious one, but quite as good as
its neighbors, built in 1825 or 6, I think (it was there at any rate
in 1827). The Kerchevals have occupied a place with the first
in Detroit society ever since I knew them or of them. Mr. B. B,
Kercheval was an ideal host, as was also his wife, and, aided by
their four charming and attractive daughters, made tiieir home
a center for all the society people of the forties and early fifties.
Many a dancing party I have attended there, and can speak "by
the card." Strange it may seem, but it is a fact, the Kerchevals
were the only down-the-river family that entertained to any extent,
and drew around them the younger society of Detroit.
HON. AUGUSTUS S. PORTER..
The residence of Hon. Augustus S. Porter was the next
above the Kerchevals of any prominence. It was an old-fashioned
house with pillared veranda in front, and stood somewhat back
from the river road. Mr. Porter was a prominent lawyer and was
a partner in the law business with the late Henry S. Cole, and
was at one time United States senator from Michigan. He was
a genial, pleasant gentleman, and his change of residence (he
moved to Niagara Falls) was much regretted by his Detroit
friends.
The next residence above the Porters was that. of DeGarmo
Jones. The house was a story and a half cottage, had two wings
with bay windows, after the villa style, and with its front garden
ornamented with a profusion of flowers and two fine pieces of
statutary, ''Spring" and "Autumn," was the prettiest of all the
down-the-river residences, surpassing those up-the-river or in the
' city, for that matter. It was situated on the line of the Cass
farm, and what became of it after the Jones family abandoned it
I do not know.
The Savoyard River, or more properly Creek, came down
through the Cass farm, passing under a stone culvert on the Jones
farm line to the river. The advent of the Michigan Central Rail-
road, with its numerous tracks swept away all the dwellers on the
river front to May's Creek, and forced them to seek other and
more desirable abiding places. How changed is that locality at the
present from what it was when I first saw it, can scarcely be
imagined. Fancy DeGarmo Jones coming back to earth and start-
ing out to look for the charming home he occupied when here !
He would get lost sure.
THL CA55 FAMILY.
INTERESTING REMINISCENCES OF GOVERNOR CASS AND A
DESCRIPTION OF HIS RESIDENCE, BUILT ABOUT 1743.
THE Cass orchard extended to the Hne of the Jones farm,
and occupied the space between what is now Congress
and Fort Streets. Between the orchard and the River road
and fronting on the road, was a large warehouse, called the
Indian council house ; it stood about where the locomotive works
and Buhl iron works were.
Between the Indian house and the lane that .led to the barns
and outhouses of the general were two or three houses (two and
a half stories) belonging to him. • Mrs. Hinchman, mother of
Guy F. Hinchman, occupied one of them for a while. I do not
know who tenanted the other two. In front of these houses, and
on the river, was Thomas Owen's large brick brewery and dock.
I presume he leased the ground from the general, being on the
Cass farm. This brewery of Owen's was a fine one and so was
the dock. The latter, it seems to me now, had about one hundred
feet front, but it might not have been so great, as things look
larger to young eyes than they do to the eyes way long in the
seventies. I remember Thomas Owen well ; he was a bluff, hearty
Englishman, of goodly proportions, and, I have been told, he
knew how to brew beer. He died many, many years ago.
Just east of this brewery the high bank in front of the farm
began to assert itself and continued to a little beyond the further
line on the river. This bank was very high. Look across the
river, below Windsor, and you will see a repetition of this bank
with this exception-, the bank on this side had considerable slope
to it and was covered with a growth of fine large trees that
afforded a delicious shade in the hot summer months. It was,
indeed, the only public park we had. A high and close board
fence, from the tenement houses to the ornamental picket fence
in front of the general's house, kept out intruders. One could
not look over it.
382 EJARIvY DAYS IN DI^TROIT.
GENE^RAL CASS'S HABITS.
The Cass residence itself has been so often described that I
will not repeat it here. I have frequently seen Governor Cass
sitting on his front porch on warm afternoons, in straw hat and
dressing gown in addition to his other light clothing, or taking
his constitutional up and down the broad plank walk in front, that
went from the Mansion house down to opposite the Owen brew-
ery site. He rarely visited other parts of the city on foot, at least
I never saw him do so. He seemed to me to keep himself within
himself. He was quite stoutj perhaps that was the reason.
This plank walk that skirted the farm front between it and
the River road, afforded a fine promenade for the city people; a
delightful place it was for a stroll on a summer's day or a moon-
light night. Indeed, it was the only place in the city where its
citizens could get a small taste of a park and, save for the trees
that intervened," an uninterrupted view of the broad and beautiful
Detroit River that got out of sight at Sandwich Point. If we had
this site for a park now, what sum of money would buy it !
The Savoyard ran in the rear of the Cass residence, through
the orchard, sometimes quite a stream. Its outlet I have already
pientioned. This orchard was a fine one. I often visited it with
the rest of the boys and not by invitation, either, and can testify
to the excellence of its fruit. It was in this orchard that Daniel
Webster once addressed a meeting of the citizens who had
assembled to do him honor. No public hall was large enough to
accommodate the crowd. I saw him on that occasion. This was
sometime after General Cass and family had left for Washington.
When the front of the farm was tumbled into the river in
1835 or .1836, to prepare for wharfs and for business purposes,
the house was moved back to Larned Street, where it remained
until some years ago, when it was torn down to make room for a
more pretentious building for business purposes.
^ QUAINT PORCH.
The quaint porch at the old house looked like a Chinese
pagoda and the governor used to say that it was a puzzle to
decide which was built first, the porch or the house. As to the
builder, some authorities say Cadillac, others '"'Mons. Taberneir
dit St. Martin." The latter once owned the Cass farm and sold
THE CASS FAMILY. 383
it to the Macombs in 1787 for $1,060, and they sold to Cass. The
house was supposed to have been built about 1743. The governor
said he was satisfied that the house was built anterior to or about
Pontiac's time, there being on it numerous marks of bullets shot
into it.
One thing about the house that I remember in particular was
the large knocker on the front door. It was a lion's head in
bronze, had a large ring through its nose for a clapper. It was
there when the governor took the house. There was a deep mark
across the lion's face, as if made by some sharp instrument wielded
by a powerful hand. The general used to say, he was told that it
was made by Chief Pontiac, who, after a stormy interview with the
then occupant of the house, who was commandant at that time in
Detroit, left in high dudgeon and when the door had closed upon
him, he drew his tomahawk from his wampum belt and dealt the
lion's head a fierce back-hand blow with it that left a mark. I
have seen this lion head often and knowing the story, always
looked at it (the mark being plainly visible), with a great deal of
interest. When the general vacated the house he took the knocker,
and it afterwards adorned for some years the front door of his
own house at the corner of Cass and Fort, and after he retired
from Mr. Buchanan's cabinet in 1861 the front door of his private
apartments and office which he had added to the. residence of his
daughter Mrs. Canfield, corner First and Fort, and which he occu-
pied until he died. I don't know where it is now, I presume some
of the family have it, and no doubt set as much store by it as did
the general.
CHARMING FAMILY.
The general had a charming family, though the son, Lewis,
was inclined to be odd.
Lewis went with his father to Washington and accompanied
him to France when he was appointed minister to the Court of
St. Cloud. He was appointed a major of cavalry in a regular
regiment raised for the Mexican war but too late for service in
that war. About 1852 he was appointed minister to Rome. He
returned to Detroit about the commencement of the Civil War,
and in 1866 returned to Paris where he died about 1879. His
most intimate friends were the late E. A. and Alfred Brush, also
the late Doctor Rufus Brown. Doctor Brown, in particular, was
the most intimate friend of all, after he returned and made Detroit
his home and after his mission to Rome was ended.
384 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Mrs. Cass, it goes without saying, was an estimable lady,
beloved by all. The four daughters were fine looking girls, slight,
with features of the madonna type, except Elizabeth, the eldest,
I think, who was a brunette. She did not have the "Cass look"
(as they used to call it), out of the eyes which all the rest had.
She unfortunately died early, before the general and family went
to Washington. It was said at the time that she was engaged to
the late Edmund A. Brush, and it was also said the engagement
was "in his mind," only. Whether it was so or not, who knows ?
That he was not, was the common opinion then. He put on
mourning for her, however. He at that time used to wear a tail
white hat and the crape on it in her memory was quite con-
spicuous. Her remains are in Elmwood Cemetery.
FAMILIES WERE INTIMATE.
As for the other daughters, most people are familiar with their
after life and knew them as Mrs. Canfield, Mrs. Ledyard and Mrs.
Von Limburg. They are all dead now, Mrs. Ledyard quite
recently. I had opportunities of knowing the Cass family pretty
well, by sight at least, as I was a lad in my teens. Our people, my
uncle's family and the Cass's were on quite intimate terms, also
attended the same church, the old Presbyterian, that stood on the
corner of Woodward Avenue and Earned Street, where the Wal-
dorf now is. The governor's pew was in the same aisle as ours and
directly across. They were pretty regular in their attendance at
morning and evening service, and my aunt, Mrs. Thomas Palmer,
made me go to church, it seemed to me, all the time. So with see-
ing them so often in church and elsewhere I knew them and of
them quite well.
I may be pardoned for giving so much space to the Cass fam-
ily when it is remembered that Detroit was then virtually the cap-
ital of the great northwest, and everything centered here. It was
also headquarters of the military department of the lakes. This
family, of course, held the first position socially, for was not its
head the governor of this wide domain, and what transpired in his
family and in connection with it was, of course, interesting to
all in this then small community, and besides, was not my aunt's
father, Judge James Witherell, his secretary of state?
THL OLD MANSION HOU5L.
RECOLLECTIONS OF THAT WELL-KNOWN DETROIT HOTEL
AND ARSENAL, WITH THEIR INTERESTING SUR-
ROUNDINGS.
JEFFERSON AVENUE ended on the eastern line of the Cass
farm. At that point the River Road (which would have
been Jefferson Avenue if continued) took a sharp turn,
skirting a bay that put in from the river, between the Mansion
House and Owen's brewery. This bay was in the shape of a
crescent and on the farm front, affording a fine place to skate in
the winter; it was also used by the Baptists, both white and col-
ored, to immerse their converts in, summer and winter (how dif-
ferent from the practice of today). I have witnessed many bap-
tisms in this bay; the ceremony was interesting at all times, but
particularly so in the winter, when a large space had to be cleared
in the ice for this purpose on the edge of the bay. Sometimes the
cold was so severe that the constantly forming ice had to be
removed with rakes. Yet, for all that, the minister and those to
be immersed walked into the freezing water calmly and seemingly
without fear or dread. It is said that no one ever sufferNcd from
after effects. It always seemed to me to be the height of heroism
to do those things under those conditions. An abiding faith
seemed to sustain them which was reflected in their faces, as
«
they entered and emerged, singing, from the freezing water, clad
in their baptismal robes. Was it not heroic?
This bay was obliterated when the excavation of the farm
front was accomplished, as was also Owen's brewery. "Sic
transit."
THE MANSION HOUSE.
Mr. Melvin Dorr, city auctioneer, lived in the first house on
Jefferson Avenue, on the Cass farm line, and next was the Man-
sion House, about where Cass Avenue crosses Jefferson now.
This and Uncle Ben Woodworth's were the only hotels of any
consequence in the city then. This Mansion House was built by
25
386 KARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Judge Woodward and of brick and stone taken from the ruins
of old Fort Shelby when the latter was torn down. It was not
very large, two or three stories, I think, and, with out-buildings,
extended back to what is now Larned Street. It had a high open
porch that occupied its entire front, supported by large wooden
pillars. Across the street was a large summer house, built appar-
ently for the pleasure of the guests of the hotel, and where a
band, when they had one, discoursed music, such as it was. The
high bank in front 6f the Cass farm extended to and a little
beyond the Mansion House. This summer house was on this
bank and had a long flight of steps leading from it down to Jeffer-
son Avenue, where Jefferson Avenue deflected from its course
(about where Cass Avenue crossed) and ended at the river. It
was a pleasant experience to spend a summer evening on the
porch of the hotel or in the summer house. Perhaps there are
many living who can remember the pleasure and, with myself,
regret that the needs of business and commerce necessitated the
destruction and obliteration of this, the fairest part of the city.
It is hard to realize the change that this locality has undergone.
Between Jefferson Avenue, at the foot of the summer house
steps, and the river, Mr. Scanlon lived, as did also John Cannan;
the latter was an "Irishman of the Irish." He was the boss ditch
digger and turnpike builder, also house mover and sometimes
undertaker. My uncle, Thomas Palmer, had him constantly in
his employ, it seemed to me, for aside from his store business he
was always having a ditch dug, a road built or a house moved,
and John was always the man to boss the job. There was also
at the water's edge a large yellow brewery; I do not remember
whom it belonged to, but I think to Mr. Hoadley. From it a long
wharf extended into the river, at 'which wharf the steamer Nia-
gara of those days used to tie up when she reached here. I think
Cass Street was open to the river at that time, at least there was
a street open to the river from Jefferson Avenue, and it seems
to me it was about where Cass Street is now. Well, be that as
it may.
powe;r:p^ui. turner ste^tson.
The Detroit City Engine & Foundry Co. occupied the south-
east corner of this short street. Their works were quite exten-
sive, extending to and on Woodbridge Street. • J. R. Dorr was
the president and W. B. Alvord was the secretary and treasurer
THE OLD MANSION HOUSE. 387
of the company. DeGarmo Jones and Harvey Williams were also
of the company. Turner Stetson, many will remember him, I
presume, was the chief man in the engine and foundry depart-
ments. He was tall and gaunt, but had a frame of iron and was
gifted with the strength of a giant. The works boasted a trip
hammer, located in a large shop on Woodbridge Street, and it
used to be a picnic for us boys to see how and with what ease this
stalwart Stetson could handle the immense masses of red hot and
yielding iron, and to see the sparks fly from under the blows of
the ponderous hammer! Of course, he had hold of the compar-
atively cool end of the iron, but he handled it like a toy. With
all his powerful strength, he was kind, genial and gentle as a
child. A little later on (1844), Armstrong, Sibley & Co. had a
large warehouse opposite this foundry, fronting on the river.
I think Alvah Bronson was the first landlord of the Mansion
House, 1824 to 1827. General Schwarz succeeded him for a
short time. Colonel Andrew Mack was the landlord when I
came, or shortly after, at least he was the first one to occupy it
that I remember. _ He was also United States customs house offi-
cer and the office was in a small building adjoining the Mansion
House, or near it. He afterwards kept the American, where the
Biddle House now is. A fine man was the colonel, of command-
ing presence, and a Chesterfield in manners, he easily won the
esteem of all. He was ably seconded by his amiable wife. He
moved or retired to a farm he had purchased on the St. Clair
River, between Port Huron and St. Clair City, where he died
many years ago. Mr. Uhlman, a German, succeeded him in the
Mansion House and was the last landlord, I think.
THE ARSENAL.
The government arsenal grounds covered the entire space
from the custom house to Wayne Street, running back to Larned
(Cass Street was not open then through these premises). Captain
Perkins, U. S. A., was the officer in charge. His residence was
about where is what is now the center of Cass Street. A high
white fence inclosed the square, the stone arsenal building being
on the corner of Wayne Street, where was the wholesale store of
Phelps, Brace & Co. The arsenal grounc^s, except the space
given to the captain's house and garden, were filled with
unmounted cannon, cannon balls and empty bombshells, piled in
388
e:arly days in de:troit.
pyramids. The arsenal was filled with muskets and infantry and
cavalry accoutrements. These were afterwards removed to the
Dearborn arsenal upon its completion.
The arsenal property was sold by the government, I think
to Oliver Newberry. At any rate, he erected a brick building,
about on the site of Captain Perkin's house, which afterwards
became the Garrison house. The Wayne County register of
deeds occupied the ground floOr in the rear, on Cass Street, as an
office, for two or three years. Josiah Snow was register, W. T.
Young was deputy. I was also a clerk in the office at that time.
Snow did not give the office much attention and Young and
myself ran the whole business and had a goc^d easy ti^ne, too. Com-
pare the two offices of register of deeds then and now. Often
when searching the records in the office of the register of deeds
in the city hall of late years and coming across specimens of my
penmanship, memojy used to leap back to the ofifice on Cass
Street, with its small force of two; and comparing with the pres-
ent ample quarters and the army of clerks required to get away
with the increased business of today, made me "tired." The stone
arsenal building was afterwards turned into a' hotel, and con-
tinued so for many years. Mr. Uhl, a German, was the first land-
lord. I am told he was the father or grandfather of the late
United. States minister to Germany, how true it is I don't know.
The bar was in the basement, corner of Cass Street, and it was
open nearly all night, summer and winter. The proprietor used
to hang out, at night, a green light. We boys, when all the other
places were shut up, would look for the green light, and if it
was going we were sure of a place to spend the balance of the
evening and regale ourselves with the savory pork and beans, and
the beer (not lager) that the house afforded, and the latter was
always on tap, as was the pork and beans.
THE OLD RIVLR FRONT.
REMINISCENCES OF BUSY DAYS IN THE WAREHOUSE DIS-
TRICT FROM WOODWARD AVENUE TO THIRD STREET.
A
CROSS Jefferson Avenue from the arsenal was the resi-
dence of our postmaster, Hon. John Norvell ; he was
appointed to succeed James Abbott, I think. The house,
one and a half stories, with dormer windows, was on the cor-
ner of Wayne Street, set a little distance back from the avenue,
with peach trees in front, and had be^n the residence of the late
Hon. Henry I. Hunt, maiyor of Detroit in 1826, who died there
in that year. The postoffice was in a little brick building of one
story, and it had a hip roof. This building was just below the
residence of the postmaster. The office had been maintained there
only a short time when Mr. Norvell fitted up a room in his dwell-
ing and moved the office and its belongings into it. It was quite
a different affair from the old postoffice on Woodward Avenue
when James Abbott was postmaster, although the office was up-
to-date at that time. Mrs. Norvell and their son Joseph ran the
office almost entirely and gave universal satisfaction; indeed, it
could hardly have been otherwise. Mrs. Norvell was a beautiful
woman, highly cultured, and Joe was a bright, active, sturdy
youth. *'Ji""'"^y" Norvell, broker, of the present day, is a living
image of him. ,
In the rear of the postoffice was a large brick building,
belonging to the government and used as a warehouse for gov-
ernment purposes. General Scott quartered his troops there for _
a short time while on his way to Green Bay, Wis., to attend to
Black Hawk.
FINEST WAREHOUSl^ ON THE^ IvAKES.
At the foot of Wayne Street was a slip and on the opposite
side from the Oliver Newberry warehouse was another ware-
house, but I do not know who occupied it, although I presume
the dock was owned by Mr. Newberry, as he subsequently built
a fine, substantial brick warehouse there, the finest on the lakes,
390 KARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
and now used by the Detroit & Cleveland Steam Navigation Co.
The first warehouse I mentioned was sold by Mr. Newberry to the
United States government and was used by the quartermaster's
and commissary departments of the United States army during
the Mexican war.
It was on the border of this slip, foot of Wayne Street, that
Captain John Burtiss built his steamer Argo.
This warehouse was afterwards torn down and its place occu-
pied by a brick building put up to accommodate the pumping
engine of the Detroit Hydraulic Works. "Uncle Charles How-
ard," as he was familiarly called, was the engineer. The reser-
voir was located on the corner of Fort and Wayne Streets, south
side of Fort, opposite the present site of the Journal office. It
was not a very extensive affair, but sufficient for the time, I pre-
sume ; I do not know how, long it lasted, but the city records will
tell anyone who has the curiosity to inquire.
B. Iv. Webb (the late Duncan Stewart at that time was ware-
houseman for Webb) occupied a warehouse next to Armstrong,
Sibley & Co. Between the two warehouses there was a slip. The
warehouse adjoining was Oliver Newberry's. Here were built
the steamer Michigan, "the pride of the lakes," the sailing vessels
Marengo and Marshall Ney, another Michigan, and the brig Man-
hattan. The steamer Michigan No. i (commanded by Captain
Blake) was, as many will remember, the "ne plus ultra" of steam-
boats of that day. She had three masts, two low pressure engines,
and at that time was a wonder and a show, although her cabins
were between decks. No upper cabins were built at that time.
WAS A SMALI. BUII.DING.
The next warehouse on the river, I think, was Shadrack Gil-
lett's, and is yet standing. As can be seen it is a small affair com-
pared to its neighbor, the Cleveland line warehouse, yet it was
considered a large worehouse in 1827, '29 and '30. It was in
front of this warehouse that the steamer Great Western was
burned while laying at the dock.
The next warehouse, it seems to me — although I think there
was another warehouse between, but I do not remember posi-
tively— was the De Garmo Jones. Nearly all the steamers and
boats at that early time used to tie up at Jones's dock. He had an
enormous stock of steamboat wood on hand at all times ; that was
THE OIvD RIVER FRONT. 39 1
one inducement; another was that it was the river center of the
city. Lawson F. Howard and General James E. Pittman subse-
quently occupied it, as did the Cleveland line of steamers. The
next warehouse was used by Captain E. B. Ward and John
Hutchins.
J. W. Strong, Charles Bissell, Gurdon Williams & Co., F. W.
Backus, George W. Bissell, John Hurlbert and O. Newberry &
Co., were in the forwarding and commission business on the dock
between the foot of Cass Street and the Michigan Central depot.
E. W. Bissell, successor to his father, A. E. Bissell, is on deck yet
at th same old stand, at the foot of First Street.
In later years and before the Great Western Railway was
opened through Canada to Buffalo, in 1855, the following (in
addition to those mentioned) were in the forwarding and commis-
sion business on the dock in the same and other localities : John
Chester, Door, Webb & Co., Brewster & Smart, Littlejohn &
Crarey, Hicks & Palmer, B. L. W>bb, Poupard & Petty, Hunt &
Roby, Iv. W. Tinker, J. P. Mansfield, J. & P. Aspinwall, C. D.
Farlin & Co., Brewster & Dudgeon, Graves & Wickware, Backus
& Bissell, L. P. Brady, H. H. Brown & Strong, Bridge & Lewis,
A. E. Bissell, Chas. Howard & Co., Howard, Stewart & Co., Ker-
cheval & Collins, Armstrong, Sibley & Co., Armstrong & Guise,
Ives & Black, Gillet & Desnoyers, E. W. Hudson, Lewis & Graves,
Backus & Armstrong, W. M. Whitcomb & Co., Bissell & Farlin,
J. Nicholson Elbert, E. P. Hastings & Co., J. A. Armstrong, W.
T. Pease, Nichols, Whitcomb & Armstrong, Alex. Lewis & Co.,
Grey & Lewis, N. Norton Strong, J. L. Hurd & Co., Duncan
Stewart and John W. Strong, Sr.
A NOTE FROM MR. C. M. BURTON.
To the Editor of The Free Press:
In last Sunday's Free Press there was an article on the Man-
sion House by Friend Palmer. Mr. Palmer stated that the build-
ing was of stone, was put up by Judge Woodward, and that the
stones were taken from Fort Shelby. I think Mr. Palmer is at
least partly in. error: The lots on which the Mansion House was
erected were purchased by Judge Woodward of James May,
March 21, 181 1^, for the consideration of $8,000. I judge from
the value of the property, that the building must have been erected
before that date. ' ^
392 ElARIyY DAYS IN Di:TROlT.
Judge Woodward remained in Detroit as judge until he was
rotated out of office in 1824. Just before he left Detroit, in that
year, he advertised his property for sale, and gave quite a descrip-
tion of it. The judge went south as far as Washington at this
time, but returned the following year and sold this property to
General John E. Schwartz for $7,500. He then returned to Wash-
ington, and from that place went to Florida, where he had received
an appointment as territorial judge, and died in Florida in 1827.
Fort Shelby was not abandoned by the United States until
1826. I do not know but that some portions of it had been torn
away before that date. Mr. Palmer will probably know whether
the fort buildings remained intact or whether they were demol-
ished. It seems to me quite improbable that the Mansion House
buildings were erected out of the old fort.
I have heard that after the fire of 1805 the old stone chim-
neys and whatever other stone there was in the old village were
collected and used for this hotel. There was no stone in the
neighborhood of Detroit that could be readily obtained sufficient
for a building of this size. Perhaps some old resident of Detroit
may be able to give us some information on this point.
Respectfully yours,
C. M. Burton.
Dated November 26, 1903.
MANY OLD BUILDINGS.
INTERESTING RECOLLECTIONS CONCERNING THEIR TEN-
ANTS AND HISTORY IN THE '20's— THE BIG STEELYARDS.
ON the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street, oppo-
site the arsenal, was a small frame building used as a
tailor shop by Ezra Rood. Adjoining was a large brick
building of three stories erected by Henry S. Cole. The first
floor was used for stores, the upper floors for* offices and sleeping
rooms. The frame building and the brick one made way for tlie
present fine wholesale stores, erected by the late Henry Glover.
Adjoining the Glover Block and still standing, is, it is believed,
the first brick residence built in Detroit. It is said it was erected
or at least begun by an Englishman, Mr. Benjamin Stead, who
died in 1821. The house was finished soon after his death by other
parties. It is a two-story, double brick house and is nearly oppo-
site the old Michigan Exchange Hotel.
In 1827 and later, part of it was occupied by the late Tunis
Wendall (I think he died there in 1851 or '52), and the other part
by Colonel Henry Whiting, assistant quartermaster, U. S. A.
Tunis Wendell's eldest son and Colonel Whiting's two sons, Henry
and William, were playmates and schoolmates of mine and we had
many good times together, of course. Henry Wendell went off
to sea and never returned. A younger son, Charles E., was killed
in the civil war. Henry Whiting entered West Point, graduated
into the infantry and served with his regiment in the Mexican war.
He died in this city and is buried in Elmwood. William Whiting
entered the navy and died a short time ago, an admiral, having
served with distinction during the civil war. A few years before
his death he was afflicted with total blindness.
OTHEIR TE^NANTS.
Colonel Whiting occupied his part of the building until about
1837 or '38, when he moved to his new brick residence on Fort
Street, at present owned by the Lothrop estate. The colonel was
394 i;ari,y days in de;troit.
ordered to another station just before the war with Mexico and I
don't think he ever returned to this city. He was succeeded by
Captain S. P. Heintzelmann, U. S. A., since major-general, in the
late rebellion. During the Mexican war the premises were used by
the United States for quartermaster's, commissary and recruiting
offices. Later Doctor Farnsworth had his office there until he
died. It is now occupied for many purposes in a mercantile way.
Some of the upper rooms were occupied from time to time as
sleeping apartments, by Axel. H. Newbold, Josh Carew, Seelah
Reeves and others.
Adjoining was an old wooden building, with dormer win-
dows, set some distance back from the street, and occupied by the
Thiebault sisters, two old maids, relics of a pioneer French fam-
ily. Some people averred that one of them was a witch, for, it was
said, on one occasion, when their chimney was discovered to be on
fire, she flew out of the house on a broom-stick, with a water
bucket in her hands, down to the river and back again tothe chim-
ney top, with the bucket filled with water, which she emptied into
the chimney and directly the fire was out. But 1 never believed
the yarn and don't imagine any one else did, either.
sivoss's store:.
Adjoining and on the corner of Shelby Street, Mr. Sloss had
a small store, dry goods, notions, etc. ; the family lived upstairs
over the back part. He continued there a few years, then moved
to Dearborn with his stock of goods. His son, William, suc-
ceeded to the business there, and, I believe, is in it yet, or was up
to a few years ago. Opposite the Cole building on the corner of
Wayne Street was a large wooden tenement building, set some
distance back from the street and occupied by several families. I
don't know who owned it.
RUGE^R, THE HAY SCALE: MAN.
Adjoining was the house of Mr. Ruger, the hay scale man,
where he lived with his two daughters. Ruger was a scrubby
looking little man, hair and whiskers frosted by sixty or more win-
ters. Always attired in a suit of rusty black, a low-crowned,
borad-brimmed black beaver hat, from which the fur had been
worn by constantly chalking on it the weight of loads of hay, etc.,
that had gone under the scales.
Ruger had two daughters who kept his house, the mother
MANY OIvD BUILDINGS. 395
being dead. They were of an uncertain age, and not very attrac-
tive. Still, damaging stories were circulated around about them,
to the extent that some of the unruly boys around town used to
gather on the opposite' side of the street and stone the house.
Ruger stood but two repetitions of this sort of fun, when he retal-
iated by firing into the crowd. The gun fortunately did not con-
tain any lead or things, so no harm was done. But the stoning
experiment was not repeated. I never heard that the stories about
the daughters were ever substantiated. I am satisfied they were
not. /
The city hay scales were located on the corner of Larned and
Wayne Streets, where are now the fire department headquarters.
THE OLD WAY.
These hay scales were somewhat curious in construction and
quite primitive, but not any more so, I imagine, than any other city
or town in the country possessed at that time. A pair of immense
steelyards were suspended from strong oaken beams, protected by
an overhanging shingled roof, that sheltered the whole business.
Under these steelyards the load of hay or other property was
driven, and by some process — I think it was done by the aid of a
windlass — it was swung clear of the ground, vehicle and all, and
then the weight taken and chalked on old Ruger's hat. The steel-
yards were plentifully supplied, of course, with iron 56's and other
heavy weights, that have in a great measure gone out of date ;
indeed, I think quite so, .and are scarcely ever seen nowadays,
except in the circus ring, when the "strong man" tosses them
around, swings them over his head, etc. The advent of the plat-
form scale relegated all this mode of heavy weighing into the cor-
ner. I have often witnessed old Ruger and his assistant go
through the process of weighing a load of hay and other .things.
Adjoining this building was the two-story office and residence
of Doctor Hendry. It was quite pretentious, had dormer windows
and a square roof. The doctor was a Virginian and quite up in
his profession, I have heard said. His family occupied a high
social position. The doctor died there about 1835 or '36, and his
widow married Lawyer Charles Cleland, whom many will remem-
ber, I presume. Adjoining the Hendry house lived the widow
Roby. Her husband died before 1827. He had a warehouse and
wharf on the river front (Roby's wharf), where he did quite an
396 EARLY DAYS IN DI^TROIT.
extensive business in the forwarding and commission way.
Adjoining Mrs. Roby's was an old unoccupied building that was
soon torn down to make way for the Michigan Exchange Build-
ing, which all know about, as it is still standing, though almost
tenantless and in a forlorn condition.
MR. BURTON IS RIGHT.
Di:troit^ Mich., December 2, 1903.
To the Editor of The Pree Press:
In reply to Mr. C. M. Burton in your edition of last Sunday,
I desire to say that, on second thought, I think he is right in regard
to the stone used in the building of the Mansion House, and that
it did not come from Fort Shelby. I was here before the fort was
completely demolished and do not remember having seen any stone
that had been used in its construction. The magazine, a bomb-
proof structure of stone, was situated outside the embankments of
the fort, and in the center of Congress Street, midway between
Shelby and Wayne Streets. This magazine was in the process of
demolition when I came, and what I learned about the Mansion
House having been built out of the stone taken from Fort Shelby
was from hearsay only.
Most of the buildings of the fort called the "cantonment"
were standing on my arrival here. They were shortly after dis-
posed of by auction, except the row on the west side that extended
from the present east line of Fort Street, out towards Michigan
Avenue. * . ■
My uncle, Thomas Palmer, purchased quite a number of the
buildings at the sale, as did many other citizens, and moved them
to different localities about the city. The Presbyterian congrega-
tion bought the assembly building that had been used for dances,
court-martial, lectures, etc., and moved it to the rear of their
church, then in process of erection, at the corner of Woodward
Avenue and Larned Street, and used it for a session and Sunday
school room for many years. After that, it did duty as a place of
worship for the colored Methodist Episcopal congregation, near
the corner of Brush and Champlain Streets, and I think it did so
for many years. Yours truly,
Friejnd Palmer.
TUNIS 5. WLNDLLL.
SEDATE, EXEMPLARY MAN COULDN'T REALIZE THE FACT
THAT THE OLD BANK OF MICHIGAN HAD GONE
TO THE WALL.
OPPOSITE the Michigan Exchange Hotel on Jefferson Ave-
nue Tunis S. Wendell had a general store on the northeast
corner of Shelby Street.
Tunis S. Wendell was a sedate, wholly religious and most
exemplary man. In business his integrity was unquestioned and
his faith in his neighbors and others with whom he came in con-
tact was unbounded. When the Old Bank of Michigan was totter-
ing to its fall, he had such confidence in the officers of that institu-
tion that he turned a deaf ear to the rumors that were afloat affect-
ing the solvency, and continued to take the notes of the bank a
long time after it had suspended specie payments. He said that
the bank managers had assured him of its solvency, and that its
assets were ample to secure all bill holders and not to worry. He
did not worry, but continued to take the notes in exchange for
goods until he was forced to the conclusion that the concern was
dead, completely so. There is no question that the bank officers
did assure our friend Wendell that it was sound ; and to my per-
sonal knowledge they did so to many others — Sidney L. Root
(with whom I was clerking jit the time) among the number; he
sustaining a serious loss. I never heard Mr. Wendell say how
much he was out, but the amount must have been large, as he
showed me once a drawer in his desk that looked to be nearly full
of Bank of Michigan bills.
THEY WERE HONEST.
There is no doubt that the bank officers were perfectly honest
in their assertions to their customers and to the bill holders that
things would come out all right, but they themselves were badly
deceived by the Dwights, bankers of Geneva, N. Y., who owned
the controlling interest in the bank, and had promised to stand by,
398 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
but did not do so when the time came, so the institution had to go
under. Many creditors took real estate for their holdings. Among
them was Judge Canniif and, he took the farm ("Canniff farm"),
out Woodward Avenue. Why Wendell and Rood did not take
real estate for what amounts they held, I do not know. Real
estate being a poor asset at that date, was the reason, perhaps.
I think this loss made Mr. Wendell more sedate than ever,
and evidently preyed upon his health. When I bought out the
concern of G. F. Rood & Co., in 1857, Mr. Wendell had been their
bookkeeper for some little time and on taking possession he con-
tinued with me for six months or so, at my request. He could
have kept on longer if he had so desired, but as he sought employ-
ment more for recreation than otherwise, he elected to quit. He
did not live long after that.
MRS. WENDEIylv.
Mrs. Wendell was a Hunt, sister of Henry J. and W^m. B.
Hunt. She was a widow at the time of her marriage to Mr. Wen-
dell. Her first husband was Captain Gleason, U. S. A.
The Wendells had two sons and two daughters. Henry, the
eldest son, was a schoolmate of mine. He went off to sea, made a
voyage to China, returned home, after a brief stay started off
again, and never was heard from. Charles, a most promising
young man, was quite an efficient telegraph operator and when the
civil war came on he raised a company and went to the front and
was killed.
I have mentioned elsewhere about the Wendells living at one
time in the brick dwelling opposite the Michigan Exchange. Well,
while this is on my mind, there comes to me the vision of the old
colored "mamma," who was a domestic in the family when I came
here, and so continued many years until her death. There -was an
entryway on Jefferson Avenue to the cellar kitchen of the house,
and on every fine, afternoon in the summer this "mamma" would
plant herself in this entryway arrayed in her best "bib and tucker,"
a bright-hued handkerchief bound around her head, her face
wreathed in smiles. She knew nearly every passer by, and they
her, and kindly greetings were always in order. She was espe-
cially motherly to us boys, as she had a son of her own, "Dick,"
who was a playmate of ours, and one of us on most all occasions
then. Perhaps some living may remember her.
TUNIS s. wi$nd.e:i.l. ' 399
pijTE^R e;. de;miIvIv.
After Mr. Wendell in that store came Peter E. Demill. Mr.
Demill came here along in the thirties, and seemed to me to have
been always in the mercantile business, until he associated himself
with the Detroit Gas Light Co. He was an ardent church man
and an Episcopalian of the Episcopalians, a good citizen, a kind
neighbor and a most exemplary Christian gentleman. He was a
bachelor when he came here, and so remained for years. *So
long was it before Cupid snared him that his friends thought him
incorrigible, but at last along came Miss Henrietta Westbrook,
daughter of Colonel Westbrook, of St. Clair (a soldier of 1812) he
met his fate and they were married. They had two children, a
son and a daughter, the former a most promising young man
( Peter E. Demill Jr.) Unfortunately he was accidentally drowned
at Chicago during the World's Fair. The daughter, possessed of
a most charming and attractive personality, as nearly all know,
and married Mr. George W. Moore, a prominent member of the
Detroit bar.
Both Mr. Demill and wife passed away but a few years ago,
widely regretted.
MRS. CHARI,e:S JACKSON.
Mrs. Charles Jackson owned the ground and building. She
acquired the property from her husband, Mr. Dodemead, who
erected the building. After his decease she married Mr. Dyson
(who had been a captain in the war of 1812) and after his decease
she became Mrs. Charles Jackson. Mr. Jackson was a stone and
brick mason, also a master builder, and a prominent citizen. He
did his share in the building line, and had the contract for the
stone and mason work on the territorial capitol. He built many
other buildings in the city, among them a double brick house on
Cadillac Square where the central market is, as residences for him-
self and David Copper.
Mrs. Dyson had two children by Mr. Dyson, Sam and Jane ;
many will remember "Aunt jane" as she was familiarly called.
''Sam" most always held some city office.
About the date the Exchange was completed, the Thiebault
residence and the Sloss store, opposite, were swept away and gave
place to a brick building of four stories called the Wavcrly Block,
built by C. C. Trowbridge, Elon Farnsworth and Colonel Henry
Whitney. Avery & Eldredge had a dry goods and grocery store in
this block j3n the corner of Shelby Street.
400 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
MR. lillabridge:.
Before going any further I will mention that Mr. Lillabridge
occupied the building below the Wendell house, on the corner of
Wayne Street, instead of Mr. Rood. It was the next building that
Ezra Rood occupied as a tailor shop. Lillabridge claimed to be
most intimate withe Edwin Forrest, whether this was so I do not
know, but this I do know: When the Detroit Juvenile Library
and .Debating Society circulated a subscription papers for the
purpose of raising funds with which to purchase books for a
^ library, he put himself down for ten dollars and Edwin Forrest for
a like sum and the money was paid. He was a house decorator in
a small way and had a small stock of fancy wall papers, etc. He
made a specialty of cutting tissue pa^^cr into fanciful shapes and
decorating the ceilings of stores, the hanging lamps, etc., with
them to accommodate the flies. They were quite pretty and attrac
tive. He also had a very pretty wife, and people used to say that
he was inclined to be jealous. There might have been some
foundation for it and perhaps was. There was Captain Walsh,
ah Englishman (Mike Walsh), who kept the "vShades" under the
Republican Hall on Jefferson Avenue, who was and had beer quite
attentive to Mrs. L , so much so that it raised Mr. L.'s
"Ebeneezer." He determined to have satisfaction the next lime
he met this disturber. They met — and the alleged wrecker" got
his eyes full of snuif and his head punched through the injured
husband's efforts. I saw Walsh directly after the affair in Mr. Sco-
ville's office, upstairs in the Republican Hall Block, where the doc-
tor was busy getting the snuff out of Walsh's eyes and patching up
his face. He presented a pitiable appearance, with his blood-shot
eyes and disfigured countenance. I don't think anything ever
came of it, a least I never heard of anything. I think this Walsh
was afterwards prominent in New York politics.
OLD JLFFLR50N AVLNUL.
REMINISCENCES OF MANY OLD STOREKEEPERS, WITH THE
STORY OF A PROPOSED EAST-SIDE PARK.
CH. JAQUITH & CO. occupied a store (boots and shoes)
on Jefferson Avenue, below the Michigan Exchange.
It was a branch of an eastern house. (Captain Arthur
Edwards married a sister of Jacquith's). His right-hand
man was Smith, who for many years- kept a shoe store on
Woodward Avenue, at the corner of Larned Street, where Swan
now is. J. W. Tillman had a furniture store in, the Waverly
Block. Morse & Bro. had a book store in the same building.
C. C. Trowbridge and Chancellor Farnsworth also had their
offices in this building, up stairs in the second floor. W. B.
Alvord had bachelor quarters there also. The entrance was by a
flight of iron steps on the Shelby Street side. R. E. Roberts also
had at one time a dry goods store in this block.
The widow Coates owned the ground and building, and occu-
pied it until her death. After her Z. Vollum occupied the store
as a boolc bindery. I do not remember who came after. On the
northwest corner of Shelby Street, and opposite the Waverly
Block, H. H. Brown occupied a small wooden building adjoining,
as an insurance and exchange office, with Walter Ingersoll as his
assistant. The Shelden Block, of brick, adjoining, was occupied
by Almar & Shaw, books and stationery. C. W. Barnum had a
hat store in the same block. The postoffice at one time was
located in this building. Shelden McKnight was postmaster and
he had Mr. Adam's, his brother-in-law, for an assistant. Geo. M.
Rich, Eugene Laible and D. C. Holbrook were clerks. George
M. Rich was first with Postmaster John Norvell. The Detroit
Free Press and Harsha & Wilcox had their quarters in this build-
ing, up stairs, and occupied most of the upper part, I think. The
widow of Orville Cook lived in a wooden dwelHng in this locality
26
402 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
in 1827 or 1828. Mr. Cook had been a dry goods merchant and
I think was in partnership with Levi Cook (O. & L. Cook), at
the time he died. Mrs. Cook was a sister of John Hale (Hale &
Bristol).
FIRST SODA WATJ^R saloon.
Afterwards this building was occupied by Henry A. Nagle,.
who sold ice cream, candy, soda water, etc., the first saloon of the
kind established in this city. In relation to Mrs. Cook, the for-
mer occupant of this building, and John Hale, j>erhaps it may not
be out of place to say that Mrs. Cook, as said before, was the
sister of John Hale, and John Hale married the sister of Mrs.
Thomas Sheldon. The latter was the wife of Mr. Piquette (Mrs.
Sheldon was a Labadie, a daughter of one of the old French fam-
ilies and a most estimable woman). Mr. Piquette died, leaving
two children, John B. and Charles. Mrs. Piquette married Mr.
Reed, who died shortly after, leaving no issue. Mrs. Reed then
opened a boarding house, not for the income it promised, but
more for the sociability attached to it. She soon had all the
boarders she needed, it being so home-like. My uncle, Thomas
Palmer, boarded there before his marriage, as did my father,
when here from the east, and many others.
Among them was Thomas Sheldon. He at that time was a
gay young bachelor, and at once laid siege to the widow's heart
— and won. The fruit of the union was two daughters and a
son. This was after the removal of the family to the corner of
Fort and Wayne Streets, now the Journal office site, where Mr.
Sheldon owned a lot arid built a residence. They retired into the
country, as it were, and as they fondly hoped.
George Tucker, a cultured colored barber and hairdresser,
was opposite the F. & M. Bank and kept a fine stock of per-
fumery, hair goods and toilet articles. William Bond had a
looking glass and picture frame factory in this locality. In the
Levi Brown brick block, Olney and Levi Cook, brothers, had a
general store, the firm name being O. & L. Cook, afterwards Cook
& Burns. The latter continued in business some years. Mr.
Cook then retired from the concern and Mr. Burns removed to
Woodward Avenue, between Jefferson Avenue and Larned
Street, opposite the Merrill Block. Mr. Cook retired to his farm
on the Grand River Road, near the railroad crossing, where he
OLD JEFFERSON AVENUE. 403
died. J\ir. Burns took into partnership Tim W. Partridge and
Hamilton Miller, clerks in the former firm. They continued in
the business until the death of Mr. Burns.
FINE MEN.
The Cooks and Mr. Burns were men of the highest integrity
and of the lirst standing in the community. In their store one
could find almost everything adapted to the wants of man at that
time. They all spoke French fluently, as did their clerks. They
catered to the French trade, which was a great factor in the busi-
ness of the city in the early days, and they enjoyed the largest
share of it.
Later in life Mr. Burns had the misfortune to be elected to the
legislature. While a member of that body a bill was introduced
authorizing the City of Detroit to issue bonds for the purpose
of raising money to buy a park. The ground to be purchased
(its locality was named in the bill) was the fine piece of woods
on the Cook farm, opposite Belle Isle, in Hamtramck. Mr.
Burns and John Ow^en owned this land. The price per acre to
be paid was incorporated in the bill, and was $450.
Great opposition to the bill at once sprang up. It was con-
tended, aside from the personal interest Mr. Burns had in the
matter, that it was giving too much to the eastern part of the
city, while the southern and western part had nothing in the way
of a park except the Grand Circus. Mr. Burns and the advocates
of the bill contended, if it passed, it would give the city a beautiful
piece of woods and grounds ample for park purposes, and at the
same time the city would acquire title to the property that in the
near future would more than double in value.
A STRONG REASON.
It happened to be the desire of Mr. Burns and Mr. Owen,
and the former in a feeling speech before the house expressed it,
that aside from the bargain the city was getting, it would, of
course, give a needed resort to all classes, more particularly to
young men, clerks, etc., who, on Sundays and other days of rec-
reation, hied themselves to, all sorts of vicious resorts on this
side and the other side of the river. Canada was a great mecca
for the youth in the early days. I used to go there on 'a pilgrim-
age myself, now and then. Well, Mr. Burns and the other advo-
404 £;ari.y days in Detroit.
cates of the bill got "busted." The opposition were too strong
for them, carried too many guns. Mr. Burns may have been a bit
selfish in his efiforts, as it would undoubtedly have enhanced the
value of the adjoining property, which was owned by Mr. Owen
and himself. Let me recall — the bill did pass, but it was left to
the citizens of Detroit to decide whether they desired a park or
no, at a mass meeting to be called by the mayor. Well, Mr. W.
W. Wheaton. ma^'or at that time, did call a mass meeting of cit-
izens to assemble in front of the rear entrance to the city hall, on
Griswold Street, to determine the question. Those who wefe in
favor of the park were to bunch themselves together on one side
of the entrance, and those opposed on the other. The mayor,
stationed at an upper window, was to decide. After all had taken
their places he took a long and critical look at the assembly
beneath him, and decided no park. I was there, and it seemed a
mighty close squeak. The people had another try at it while Mr.
Henry Moffat was mayor. They were called together in the
same place on the same business. They did get together and
bunched themselves as did the citizens at the former meeting,
and with the same result. Mayor Moflfat could not see it. This
time, too, it seemed to be a mighty close squeak. After this the
matter was dropped. Referring to the prophecy of Mr. Burns
that the property would greatly increase in value in the near
future, it is verified, for today the property is valued at $2,500
or more per acre.
And I am strongly of the opinion that the heirs interested at
present in this property are mighty glad that the park question
went as it did.
A GOOD re:sult.
Well, after all, the opposers of the park builded better than
they knew. If the tide had turned the other way we would not
now, perhaps, be the owners of the finest park in the world, Belle
Isle. "All's well that end's well." In the light of the present,
what a queer proceeding the foregoing was, to determine a ques-
tion. I don't imagine that such a thing could happen now.
At one time later on a German by the name of Hahn kept a
fur store, dyeing and repairing furs, etc., nearly opposite the old
Joseph Campau residence and next to Cook & Burns, Jeflferson
Avenue. He was successful in business, I think. He had two
fine daughters. One of them married Charles H. Duncks, who
ohD jeffe:rson ave^nue. 405
was at that time with Charles Piquette, jewelry, gold pens, etc.
He afterwards removed to Flint, and engaged in the manufacture
of spring beds. The other daughter married Robert T. Elliott,
who was major of the Sixteenth Michigan Volunteer Infantry,
who was killed in action in Virginia in 1864. He was a fine offi-
cer and soldier.
To the Editor of the Free Press:
I have read, with a great "deal of interest, the articles of Mr.
Friend Palmer, and I believe, with many others of our city, that
we can give him hearty thanks for the work he is doing, and also
*thank The Free Press for the space it gives in publishing them.
I do not believe that Mr. Palmer will think me captious or
critical if I suggest a few corrections and additions to his last
week's paper. He has twice referred to our second mayor as
Henry I. Hunt. Mr. Hunt's full name was Henry Jackson Hunt,
and the **I" has crept into some records, because of the peculiar
manner in which Mr. Hunt wrote his middle initial.
I am personally acquainted with several members of the
Dodemead family, and therefore am able to correct one statement
regarding them that Mr. Palmer made. John Dodemead, the
Detroit ancestor, left ten children. Robert M. died in 1828
without issue, David died in 1836 without issue, Isaac died
in 1818 without issue, John died in 1813 without issue, James
died in 1818 without issue. Alice married Joseph Wilkinson
and died in 1850; Betsey married Charles Jouet, at that
tim<^. Indian factor at Chicago, where she died shortly after
her marriage, in 1809. She left one daughter, Jane, who
married Samuel Northington. Ann married Captain Dyson, and
after his death she married Charles Jackson ; she died in 1850,
leaving Samuel T. Dyson, who was known as a good fellow and a
politician in Detroit; Jane M. Dyson, familiarly and lovingly
known as Aunt Jane. Nearly everyone in Detroit knew her and
loved her. The third child of Ann Dodemead was Anna Jackson,
who married a Mr. Watkins, and afterwards married Jonathan
Thompson; she left three children, Mrs. Overton, Mrs. Smith,
and Miss Kittie Watkins. One of Mrs. Overton's daughters has
recently become well known as a novel writer. The ninth child
of John Dodemean was Maria, who died in 1821, and the young-
est child was Catherine, who married Jacob B. Varnum. At the
406 . EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
time of her marriage, Mr. Varnum was Indian factor in Chicago.
His brother was acting vice-president of the United States during
the war of 1812. One of Mr. Varnum's sons. Dr. Varnum, now
Hves in Los Angeles.
The property at the southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue
and Shelby Street was the homestead of John Dodemead during
his life, and there his wife, Jane, and his family lived after his
death. The wife, Jane, was a very energetic woman, and carried
on a boarding house or hotel on this corner, which was a famous
resort in its time. The Supreme Court of the territory held its
sessions part of the time in the building on this lot. This prop-
erty afterwards came to be owned by Aunt Jane Dyson and her-
stepfather, Charles Jackson, by purchase from the other heirs of
the Dodemead family, and by partition proceedings. It was never
owned by Mr. Dodemead. The ancestor of John Dodemead
acquired this lot by purchase from John A skin, January 22, 1799,
and the title for the property remained in the family nearly one
hundred years, until it was sold to Mr. Frederick E. Driggs,
November i, 1897. C. M. Burton.
DANCING TLACHLR.
MISS BARKER HUMMED MUSIC AT HER SCHOOL, AND ADAM
COUSE ALMOST DANCED HIMSELF TO DEATH.
OVER the store of Cook &' Burns, on Jefferson Avenue, Miss
Barker had a dancing school, the only one in the city then
(1840). She lived there with her brother and family. The
dancing was done in the parlor. Barker was a musician and
played on a number of ins'truments, the violin being the chief. He
furnished the music when sober, but was so rarely in that condition
that Miss Barker had to sing or hum dancing tunes, and we would
do fairly well, considering the orchestra. She had quite a class of
boys and girls from the first families and, although her methods
were crude, she succeeded in making her pupils pretty fair dan-
cer's. Many that I know* and remember received their first and
only lessons from Miss Barker — some of them pretty good dan-
cers, too. Fancy a dancing school waltzing to the tune of the
song,"Dark-eyed one, dark-eyed one, come hither to me," hummed
by the teacher.
Levi Brown occupied the other part of this brick store (his
family lived upstairs) for many years, until into the forties, and
then moved to New York. He dealth in jewelry, clocks and
watches. Chauncey S. Payne was his partner and succeeded him
in the business for awhile, then moving to Flint. Levi Brown was
the inventor of and the first to manufacture the gold pen in the
United States or elsewhere. He used to charge five dollars for
the nibs alone and people thought them cheap at that. A nice man
was Levi Brown and a Christian gentleman. After Mr. Payne,
Mr. Sibley, from Canandaigua, N. Y., occupied the premises and
dealt in the same kind of goods as Messrs. Brown and Payne.
ADAM COUSE.
Speaking about dancing schools, somewhere in the forties
these buildings were swept away to make room for the Masonic
Hall, with stores underneath, and in one of these stores Mr. Adam
408 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Couse, assisted by C. F. Amsden, opened a music and piano store,
and had a dancing scliool in one of the rooms attached to the hall.
Mr. Couse was a finished dancing master and introduced here all
the new dances as fast as they appeared on the carpet east. He
had a large class at once and gave universal satisfaction. He
alnx}st danced himself to death and had to give it up.
While in this locality I will take the occasion to mention
Chauncey S. Payne again. He was the brother of Mrs. Levi
Brown. He married Miss Smith, a daughter of Jacob Smith, who
was here before 1805 as a merchant or Indian trader. Captain
Stockton, of the United States engineers, married another daugh-
ter of Jacob Smith. He was appointed colonel of the First Regi-
ment, Michigan Volunteers, at the outbreak of the Mexican war,
and went to Mexico and returned with them. After that he
resigned from the army and went to Flint to live and died there
some time after the civil war. He also was appointed to a Mich-
igan regiment as colonel during that unpleasantness, the Sixteenth
Infantry. Jacob Smith had still another daughter whom Colonel
Garland, United States army, married. The colonel built and
occupied a residence on the site of the farmer residence of the late
Mr. Beattie on Jefferson Avenue. Colonel and Mrs. Garland had
four children, two girls and two boys. The two boys, I think,
went into the army. Of the two girls, Bessie and Louise, the for-
mer married Lieutenant Deas, adjutant of the Fifth United States
Infantry, and Louise, I think, married Lieuteant Longstreet, U.
S. A., afterwards lieutenant-general of the confederate army
IvlEUTEJNANT GEORGE DEAS.
I presume there are but a few living who remember- Lieu-
tenant George Deas, adjutant of the Fifth United States Infantry.
He was a soldier from the crown of his head to the sole of his
foot ; the finest lo'oking man in the regiment. He made an excur-
sion into Canada, visiting the officers of the British regiments sta-
tioned at Maiden, Toronto, Montreal and Quebec, and was by
them pronounced without peer in any service.
Deas was in the confederate army also and was killed during
the war. Many paid court to Bessie, but Deas held the winning
cards. She was a beautiful and attractive girl, Louise not so much
so, yet enough to capture Longstreet. The latter had quite a rival
in the person of Lieutenant Gordon Granger, U. S. A., who was
^
DANCING TE^ACHRR. 409
then stationed here in Detroit, but it w>as of no use ; Gordon Gran-
ger, as we all know, got to be brigadier-general during the civil
war. He was a fighter from "way back" and indeed a "rough
diamond."
He was the roughest specimen of a West Point graduate I,
or any one else, ever saw, I think ; as for myself, I know he was so,
I had ample opportunity to know him well when he was stationed
here in Detroit. In the absence of any other officer of the United
States army who were stationed here and who had been ordered
to Mexico, he was detailed to assume command of the quarter-
master's and commissary departments. I was quartermaster and
commissary clerk at the time and, of course, was in daily com-
munication with Granger and we came to know each other well.
He was all right, except that he was rough and uncouth, and got
along well enough with the boys, but with the girls he was a back
number. Henry Mullett, of this city (son of John Mullett), who
had been to West Point, said to me one night at Whipple's, on
Bates Street, when Granger was present, after looking him over
for awhile : "He is the^ roughest specimen of a West Point gradu-
ate I ever saw, but," he said, "if he passed the West Point ordeal
he is all right and no mistake. There is something in him, sure."
During the civil war it came out as it did in General Grant's
case.
The country is still indebted, and so was Phil Sheridan, to
Gordon Granger, for unearthing and bringing the former into
prominence. Sheridan at the time was a captain of cavalry, U. S.
A., and on staff duty at General Halleck's headquarters near
Farmington, Miss., never expecting, as he himself said, to get
higher in rank than major. Granger had been colonel of the Sec-
ond Michigan cavalry, but was promoted to brigadier-general,
leaving the p>osition of colonel of ttie regiment vacant. He recom-
mended Sheridan for the place, to Governor Blair, who had been
looking around for a suitable person to succeed Granger. The
governor caused the commission of colonel to be issued to him.
May 25, 1862, and the country is quite familiar with his subsequent
career. I think General Alger was the officer that conveyed the
commission of colonel to Sheridan.
Well, to resume. The space between Levi Brown's and the
corner of Griswold Street, about 1830, was occupied by a law firm,
Cole & Porter; Jerry Dean's saddlery and harness shop, Stephen
4IO EARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Wells's book and stationery store ond O. & L. Newberry's general
store. The law firm's office was a small one story building, pillars
in front ; the late Senator Jacob M. Howard was a law student
with this firm, as I had occasion to know, because at that time he
was my Sunday school teacher in the Baptist Sunday school. Hte
was an ideal teacher, to my mind. His clear and interesting
expounding of the meanings of the various passages of Scripture
included in our lessons made it quite easy for our young minds to
grasp them. In all his after life, until death took him so suddenly,
he was, in my mind, always my Sunday school teacher.
A NOTE I'^ROM MR. PALMER.
To the Editor of the free Press:
In reply to Mr. C. M. Burton in yours of Sunday last, say:
Instead of thinking him captious or critical in suggesting a few
corrections and additions to my articles that appeared the 13th, I
thank him very much. In calling to mind the personalities, etc., of
various old residents of Detroit who have passed away, I did not,,
and do not intend to give, only in a partial way, their antecedents,,
nor the after career of their descendants, as in some instances it
would be impossible. All those old residents that I have men-
tioned, and those that I may hereafter mention, I knew personally,
and those of that time that I did not know, I do not write about.
In regard to Mr. Hunt. I never heard him called by any
other name than Henry I. Hunt. He being such a prominent man
in this community, and having died such a brief period before I
came, his name was, so to speak, in everyone's mouth. Have no
doubt his name was as Air. Burton puts it.
As regards the Dodemeads, Dysons and Jacksons, I only
know about the first named that Mrs. Dyson was a Dodemead, and
that the property referred to, corner Jefferson Avenue and Shelby
Street, was always called the Dodemead corner. I knew Sam Dy-
son and Aunt Jane intimately (think I have mentioned them
before). I also knew Anna Jackson well. Was an admirer of
hers myself, and when she married Mr. Leonard Watkins ("Len"
Watkins) I was his best man. In a future article I shall have
something to say in regard to Anna Watkins's three daughters, as
also her second husband, Jonathan Thompson.
Referring to Mr. Tunis S. Wendell, whose name was men-
tioned in a former article, I omitted to say that two of his daugh-
DANCING TEACHER.
411
ters are still living; one, the widow of Mr-. Geo. E. Curtiss (for-
merly leather dealer here) at 374 Cass Avenue; and the other,
widow of Mr. Reuben Doolittle, who was an extensive paper
dealer in Chicago, lives in the latter city, at 174 Oakwood Boule-
vard. I also mentioned a son of Mr. Wendell, Captain Chas. E.
Wendell, as having been killed in the civil war. I desire to add
that he fell while leading the First Michigan Volunteer Regiment
at "double quick" immediately after the fall of Colonel Horace S.
Roberts, his most intimate comrade in arms. This at the second
battle of Bull Run. Friend Palmer.
Detroit, December 22, 1903.
OLD BU5INE.55 MEN.
ON Jefferson Avenue, adjoining the Dodmead house (T. B.
Wendell's store), Judge Abraham Canniff had a boot and
shoe store, he being a shoemaker by trade. Charles M.
Bull, next to him, kept a general grocery store. Along here a
woman had a millinery shop, she afterwards became Mrs. Chaun-
cey Hulbert.
David Cooper had a general store, and Conrad Seek had a
tailor shop about 1830. Afterwards on part of this property was
built the Granite Block, so-called. It was not granite, however,
but an imitation, being brick covered with stucco. Later on, 1845,
G. F. Rood & Co. Qccupied a story and a half building as a sta-
tionery store and book bind-ery adjoining..
Dr. Hoyt built and occupied a four-story brick building that
adjoined the F. & M. Bank. This was afterwards occupied as a
billiard saloon and dwelling by Tobias Love. The billiard saloon
was the first floor. It was afterwards occupied by the Peninsula
Bank on the first floor, and the upstairs as offices by William
Hale, lawyer.
CASS PARK.
Lawyer Hale, as he was more familiarly termed, was at one
time a member of the Common Council, and when General Cass
proposed to donate to the city the present Cass Park. The sub-
ject came up before the council May 8, i860 (it had been up
before, it appears), through the following resolution, offered by
Mr. Hale :
"Resolved, that the resolution and proceedings of the Com-
''mon Council in relation to the acceptance of a parcel of ground
**to be conveyed to the city for a public park by Lewis Cass, be,
"and the same are hereby rescinded."
Mr. Hale w^as much opposed to the acceptance by the city of
the land proposed to be donated under the terms attached to the
gift by Mr. Henry Ledyard, the agent of General Cass. It
OLD BUSINESS MEN. 413
appeared that Mr. Hale had formed the idea, and so stated in his
remarks on the resolution, that Mr. Ledyard desired the city to
spend much more money in beautifying the ground to be donated,
laying out walks, fencing, setting out trees, planting flowers,
building a fountain and doing other things tending to make the
grounds attractive, for the sole purpose of enhancing the value
of the lots surrounding and adjacent the property of the general.
He also stated that in case the council did not accept the terms,
the proffer of the land would be withdrawn for an indefinite
period. He made quite a lengthy and spicy argument against it,
in which he handled the general and Mr. Ledyard without gloves.
What decision the council came to then I do not know. Perhaps
Mr. Ledyard modified his demands, or the council swallowed them
whole. Anyway, the city now has the park, and a lovely piece of
ground it is, with its abundance of fine trees, its flower-bordered
walks, and its fine fountain, the finest for the amount of water
thrown of any in the city, with the exception perhaps of the foun-
tain on Washington Avenue, near the Hotel Cadillac, and that
only within the last year or so. I imagine the people of Detroit
would not hold Mr. Hale in grateful remembrance had he suc-
ceeded in inducing the Common Council to reject the gift of Gen-
eral Cass.
Mr. Hale at one time kept the National Hotel (Russell
House). He went to California and died there. Something of a
coincidence, his brother-in-law, Wm. J. Chittenden, is the present
proprietor of that hostelry.
A bright young man, Frank Pixley (I think he was a rela-
tive), was a student in Mr. Hale's office about 1849. ^ ^^ ^^t
know whether he was admitted to the bar here or not. Anyway,
he went to San Francisco and became editor and proprietor of
The Argonaut, published in that city, a journal widely and fav-
orably known. He died in San Francisco a few years ago. I
presume many he;"e and elsewhere will call him to mind.
Colonel Grayson, commissary ; Major Sibley, quartermaster,
and Major Hunter, paymaster, all of the United States Army, also
had offices in the building. Later on G. F. Rood & Co., in place
of their wooden building,' erected a four-story brick building
which they occupied until Mr. Rood's death. John Owen & Co.
occupied a store in the Granite Block, before mention-ed, as did
Jacobs & Garrison. The F. & M. Bank, next to "Tob" Love's,
414 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
was erected sometime in the thirties. It was a fine building, of
cut stone, four stories high with basement. Joy & Porter and
George C. Bates at one time had their offices here, as also did the
American Express Co. when Wm. G. Fargo was agent. The
David Cooper block covered the site of his old store as well as that
of Conrad Seek's tailor shop, and the millinery shop or store.
The Cooper Block was of brick, three stories high, and a
capacious unfinished attic, and was built along in the thirties.
Mr. Cooper occupied the first store as a general store for some
years, until he retired. Mr. David Cooper was a most methodical
man in all he said or did. A conscientious Christian gentleman,
he was quite thrifty and most modest in all his desires, owing no
doubt to his early training with the firm of Mack & Conant. From
a humble beginning he acquired position and a large fortune. In
trade he was exactness itself. He was his own bookkeeper always,
and when you received an invoice or statement of account from
him, where fractions occurred in either, it was always 6^, 123^,
18^, 373^, 62 }4, 87^, pro or con, as the case might be, in every
instance. I have seen his day book often, and it did look too odd.
He used to say he only wanted what was his own, and desired to
accord to others their own. I do not think he ever sued a debtor,
or foreclosed a mortgage. I never heard that he did the latter,
though he must have had from time to time large amounts out
on that class of security. In addition to his Jefferson Avenue
store, he had a lime house situated on the slip at the foot of
Wayne Street. It was a small brick structure and contained the
lime burned at Sibley & Cooper's stone quarries down the river,
just this side of Wyandotte or Trenton. I think he was the only
one in the city at that time who had lime for sale. He also kept
building stone for sale from the same locality. This double duty,
store, lime house and building stone kept the old gentleman, his
clerk, George Woods, and his son, George A. Cooper, quite as
busy as they desired to be. I always wondered why Mr. Cooper
got rid of his interest in the stone quarry so easily and cheaply as
he did. He had the entire management of the business and occa-
sional differences would arise between the Sibley's and himself
in regard to his methods in carrying on the business. On one
occasion, and I was present — in. fact the only one present but the
two parties concerned, — the meeting occurred in May, E. S. Sib-
ley's office. In discussing the affairs of the company a little
OLD BUSINESS MKN. 415
heated talk occurred, whereupon Mr. Cooper said: ''Major, Til
tell you what I'll do. I will give you $10,000 for your interest in
the business or take $10,000 for mine." The major said on the
instant. ''Mr. Cooper, it is a bargain." The affair was closed
then and there. I was Major Sibley's clerk at the time. I
say the affair was closed at the time and at the figure I have
named, as I never heard anything to the contrary. I thought then
and have always thought since that Mr. Cooper did not expect
that the major would take him up so promptly. Mr. Cooper had
two sons and one daughter. The daughter, Adeline, married Dr.
Sprague, of Rochester, Mich. The eldest son, George A., died
many years ago. He was a schoolmate of mine and always an
intimate friend. He was a young man of much promise and his
early taking off was much felt by his fam.ily, as well as by the gay
young society in which he moved. The next son, Rev. David M.
Cooper, is with us yet, and all know him so favorably that it
would be useless for me to say anything further in his direction,
only to join with all who know him in expressions of esteem and
regard.
T. H. EATON.
Then T. H. Eaton had it for a drug store, groceries and dye
stuffs. A spruce individual was T. H. Eaton and well up in the
drugs, dye woods and grocery business. He came here from
Buffalo about 1841, and had there been a member of the firm of
Wm. Williams & Co., druggists and grocers, I do not suppose
there was ever before his advent here or since, a more suave bid-
der for trade and position than he. He was connected by mar-
riage with Bishop McCoskrey, and John A. Welles, the banker.
He soon acquired both position and comparative wealth; wealth
that as the years went on continued to increase until at his death
it must have been a most comfortable fortune. He first estab-
lished himself in the American Hotel Block, corner Jefferson
Avenue and Randolph Street, succeeding David A. McNair, the
latter having succeeded Riley & Ackerly, both concerns in the
drug and grocery business. After the fire of 1848 he moved to
the Cooper Block, further down Jefferson Avenue, and from there
to the fine new store corner Woodward Avenue and Atwater
Street, where his son, who succeeded him, is now located. He
was the first to introduce here a machine to grind the brown Mus-
covado sugar. As many will remember, it was about the only
41 6 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
quality of sugar in general use here at that day, white and loaf
being considered luxuries. The sugar came in large hogsheads,
and on opening the contents would be mostly in large hard lumps
that took much time and hard work with axes and hammers to
bring them to a granulated state. The machine obviated the diffi-
culty and was a great boon to the trade. He was a neat penman
and kept his own books at that date. He was particularly proud
of his work in that direction. He used to show with a great deal
of satisfaction a copy of an inventory taken of the stock of Wm.
Williams & Co., of Buffalo, just before he left that concern, and
it certainly was a model. He was always a neat dresser and a
most precise, methodical man. He certainly was fond of acquir-
ing money, and it is my impression his charities were large and
mostly in the direction of the Episcopal Church, of which he was a
member. I came to know him fairly well because a chum of mine,
Chas. T. Paddock, nephew of Mr. Chas. Jackson, was his confi-
dential as well as his prescription clerk. I also heard much of
him in Buffalo after I went there, as the drug house of Wm. Wil-
liams & Co. was on the same block on Main Street, as was the
bookstore of Messrs. Peck, in which house I was a clerk. They all
spoke of him as a very bright young man. He built himself a
palatial residence (now occupied by his son) on Jefferson Avenue.
He was a familiar figure on the avenue in those days, riding home
from his Woodward Avenue store on that white horse of his that
the coachman brought down regularly every afternoon for his use.
Many will call this to mind no doubt. Mr. Eaton was politeness
and consideration itself to his clerks and employees during the
early part of his career here, and I presume he kept it up until his
life's end.
Mr. Thomas Cranage, now of the extensive lumbering firm of
Pitts & Cranage, Bay City, w^as at one time, and for quite a period,
clerk for Mr, Eaton. The business habits he acquired in Eaton's
house have no doubt stood' him in good stead through all his life.
COLONEL BERRIEN.
A frequent visitor to the Eaton mansion was Col. John M.
Berrien, engineer of the Michigan Central Railroad, when it was
the property of the state. The colonel was a West Pointer, and
graduated into the engineers, resigning to enter the employ of
OLD BUSINESS MEN.
417
the state in laying out the road. He had for an assistant Lieu-
tenant Center, who had also been a West Pointer.
The mother of Theo. H. Eaton, Maria Montgomery, was the
granddaughter of Judge John Berrien, lineal ancestor of Colonel
Berrien, engineer of the Michigan Central Railroad. It is said
General Washington wrote his farewell address to the army while
a guest of, and in the house of Judge Berrien's widow at Rocky
Hill, near Princeton, New Jersey, December ist, 1783.
Many of the present day will remember Colonel ^errien,
whose commanding and soldierly figure was often seen on the
streets. He died many years ago. In this connection it may not
be out of place to mention John A. Welles, the banker, who mar-
ried a sister of Mr. Eaton.
27
5. L. ROOD'S 5TORL.
IT WAS THE HEADQUARTERS FOR THE JOLLY SET OF
DETROIT'S BUSINESS MEN MANY YEARS AGO.
CHAPIN & OWEN had the next store with the same class
of goods, and Snow & Fisk with books and stationer\' had
the next. Josiah Snow, of Snow & Fisk, I presume many
will call to mind — a fussy, plump, nervous little man, always
on the go, always a cigar in his mouth and scarcely ever was
lighted. He was engaged in all sorts of enterprises after he left
the book business. The last I heard of him was directly after the
war. He was then engaged in building telegraph lines. His
right-hand man here was Scott W. Updike, who some will, per-
haps, remember, for everyone knew him at the time. He was an
enthusiastic fireman, as well as one of the trimmest members of
the Brady Guards. He was a master in the art of dancing, and
no firemen's or Brady Guards' ball was complete unless Scott
Updike was on hand to call the sets. Standing on the lower step
of the platform on which the music was stationed, his trim figure
on these occasions always arrayed in the uniform of the Brady
Guard, his loud and commanding voice would sway and direct the
gay crowd before him through all the mazes of the giddy dance,
as none other in all my experience has ever done. The last I ever
saw of him was at a military encampment in Cleveland many
years ago. He was then captain of a military company from
Rochester, and myself and the late Dr. Lucretius Cobb were his
guests for two or three days. He gave us a good time.
OTHER CONCERNS.
The upstairs portion was used for offices and sleeping rooms.
William Patterson (late of the old book store on Michigan Ave-
nue) had a job printing office here. Robert Abbott, auditor-
general of the State of Michigan, had his office here, as did
Thomas Palmer and A. E. Hathon, H. R. Schoolcraft, Indian
agent, and Dr. Marshall Chapin, Mr. Owen's partner.
The firm of Chapin & Owen was dissolved through the death
S. L. ROODS STORE. 419
of Dr. Chapin, and Theodore H. Hinchman, head clerk in the
late concern, took his place, and the firm name changed to John
Owen & Co. After a few years here they moved a few doors down
into the Granite Block. John W. Strong occupied this John
Owen store along about 1848, '49 and '50, with a stock of gro-
ceries, wines and liquors. John Owen & Co.'s neighbors in the
same block were Jacobs & Garrison, corner of Jefferson Avenue
and Shelby Street, as mentioned before, and they were in the
same line of business. Snow & Fisk were succeeded by Sidney
L. Rood & Co., in the same line, Sidney L. Rood and Morris F.
Williams purchasing the stock of Snow & Fisk. After a brief
period :\1. M. Williams retired and took a position in the post-
office, which he retained through all administrations until his
death. I might say in passing that I succeeded to the business of
G. L. Rood & Co. after Mr. Gilbert Rood's death, which occurred
in 185 1.
'^'^Gllv ROOD.'^
This G. F. Rood ("Gil" Rood) was a queer combination.
He was rough, though kind and genial, and fond of a joke. Hon-
est to a fault, his word was as good as his bond. He always
expressed himself as a follower of Tom Paine, as did his brother
Sidney, although whether they really believed in his teachings or
not, I do not know. At the time of his death "Gil" expressed a
wish that a band of music should play "Yankee Doodle" on the
.way to the cemetery, and "Hail Columbia" on the way back, which
was done.
I was clerk and bookkeeper for S. L. Rood after* Mr. Wil-
liams left, for nearly three years, until he quit business and
removed to Fredonia, Chautaqua Co., N. Y. From the latter place
he removed to Milwaukee, got rich and died there about 1873.
Sidney L. Rood was an out-and-out Whig in politics, an all-
around good fellow, genial and most charitable, his purs& ever
ready to respond to the cry of want. His store was the head-
quarters of the jolly set of Detroit's contingent (the old heads),
Whig or Democrat. In .those days it was customary for loiterers
and customers of the proprietors to occupy chairs in front of the
premises on the pavement under the awning in the summer time.
Here, in front of Rood's, of* a hot summer's afternoon would
gather such genial spirits as Judge Canniff, Levi Cook, David
Thompson, Charles Jackson, Jerry Moor.es, Virgil McGraw,
Frank Hall, Mr. Meredith, Judge Backus, John Farmer, Thomas
420 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Palmer, A. E. Hathon, Uncle Henry Newberry, John Mullett,
Oliver Newberry, Ezra Rood, John Scott (father of "J^"^"
Scott), Joseph Campau, who was always an amused spectator),
and many others. The topics of the day would then and there
be discussed and whatever fun there was in the crowd was sure
to come out. The same parties did not get together every day,
of course, but they did not skip very often. Oliver Newberry
w^ould never tarry long, but would linger a few moments on his
way to the Bank of Michigan, quiet and taciturn, listen to a joke
or tW'O from Canniff and others, and pass on w4th a grim smile.
UNCLE HENRY NEWBERRY.
Uncle Henry Newberry was almost a daily attendant. He
was crusty and taciturn, but kind-hearted, loved a joke but rarely
indulged in perpetrating one. He always persisted in being on
the wrong side of nearly all questions discussed there or else-
where. To illustrate : One day he made his appearance, looking
rather the worse for wear and exceedingly crusty. He was ques-
tioned by Judge Canniff and said ''he had passed through an
experience that would make any man crusty, ill and sour-tem-
pered, and that was he had been summoned on a jury and had
passed the entire night sitting up with eleven of the contrariest
men he ever met." I think John Farmer was the most argument-
ative and persistent talker of the lot. Rood was the publisher, so
to speak, of Farmer's maps of Michigan, consequently he was a
frequent visitor.
Mr. Rood, in addition to his book and stationery business,
carried on quite an extensive book bindery and blank book fac-
tory in a small wooden building in the rear of the store. Rood,
with all his good points, was apt sometimes to be a little rough.
He said to me, directly after entering his employ :
iTalmer, have you ever kept a set of books?" I said "No,
sir." Then he said : "Williams has left and, damn you, if you
want to stay with me you have got to keep those books." It is
needless to say I kept the books. , •
SUPPLIES FOR THE LEGISLATURE.
Rood used to furnish the legislature, until the capital moved
to Lansing, with paper and stationery — quite a good thing those
days, no contract and no grumbling at price. On the start, at
S. L. ROODS STORE. 42 1
the opening of the session, the order always was : Sixty bunches
quills, sixty Roger's penknives, sixty sand boxes, sixty wafer
cups, sixty rulers, sixty papers of black ink powder, sixty wafer
stamps, sixty pieces of red tape, sixty dozen of lead pencils, sixty
small bottles of pounce, sixty erasers, sixty inkstands, sixty papers
of black sand, and, besides all these articles, quite a quantity of
letter and fool's-cap paper, envelopes or wrapping paper, red ink,
wafers, sealing wax, etc. "Something of a starter."
I slept in the store, on a bed made up on the counter, and
boarded in Mr. Rood's family. They did not give much salary
then. My princely compensation was $50 the first year and
board, $100 the second, and $150 the third, and so on. I thus
worried through three years rather happily.
One of Mr. Owen's clerks, Reuel Roby, and myself were
great chums. After closing at night, at 9 o'clock, we would spend
the evening together, either at his place or mine. While clerking
next to John Owen'"s, I never lacked, in a small way, for candy,
nuts, oranges and cigars. Wines of the finest brands and other
strong liquors were always on tap, but neither Reuel nor myself
partook of the latter. For some cause or other we had no desire
to do so.
Re U Ely ROBY.
Reuel Roby was the son of Mr. John Roby, who did an
extensive forwarding and commission business at the foot of
Shelby Street (Roby's dock and warehouse), until the time of
his death about 1825 or 1826. A widow, three sons and one
daughter survived him. The widow and daughter passed away
soon after, and of the three boys, Henry, the eldest, went into the
employ — I think — of Wm. Brewster, forwarding and commission
merchant, as bookkeeper. He continued in the same capacity,
with various firms, until he went into business on his own account,
associating himself with John T. Hunt (Hunt & Roby).
Reuel, the next, entered the employ of Chapin & Owen and
remained with them, as principal prescription clerk, for many '
years. John, the next, entered the service of a forwarding and
commission house on the dock, who had a business connection
with the firm of HoUister Bros., Buffalo. This latter firm had a
branch of their concern located at Monroeville. Ohio, then a great
railroad transfer center. John, being an exceedingly bright
young man, soon attracted the attention of the HoUisters, and
422 EARI,Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
they made him a flattering offer to take charge of their branch at
Monroeville, which he accepted, and ever after made that town
his home.
A change in the railroad system of Ohio served to divert
much of the business from Monroeville, so John Roby went into
the malting business c^uite extensively on his own account, the
Hollisters in the meantime having withdrawn their interest. The
malting business, which had assumed large proportions, and what
little remained of the railroad freight business, taxed John's
capacity to the utmost, so he summoned Henry and Reuel to his
aid, Henry having severed his connection with Hunt. They
responded, and the three brothers undertook the business together.
Shortly after Henry's advent in Monroeville he married a sister
of Hon. Thomas W. Palmer, of this city, and took up his perma-
nent residence there. After a married life of a few years' dura-
tion, the wife died, leaving a daughter, who subsequently married
Major Frank Hamilton, Fourth United States Artillery, a native
of Monroeville. The latter was militarv attache to the United
States legation at the court of Madrid, Spain, during Senator T.
W. Palmer's mission there. Mrs. Hamilton accompanied him.
The Robys acquired a comfortable fortune in Monroeville,
but they are all dead, as are Captain Hamilton and wife.
The major was a graduate of West Point. His wife was a
most estimable woman. There are but very few of the present
residents of Monroeville that do not hold in loving memory the
Robys and Major Hamilton and his wife.
MR. JOHN OWLN.
STORY OF THE GREAT AID HE GAVE TO THE STATE OF
MICHIGAN, AT THE OPENING OF THE CIVIL WAR.
RIGHT here, let me dwell for a few moments on Mr. John
Owen. A wonderful business man he was then and con-
tinued so for many years, almost to the time of his^ death.
He was apt to be at times somewhat harsh with the clerks in
the store and sometimes with his sons. He was very pleasant in
liis family always. He was the same among his fellow Metho-
dists, in the church and in the Sabbath and singing school. He
was an ardent Methodist and was a familiar figure in the choir of
the old wooden church on the corner of Woodward Avenue and
Congress Street, of which he was the leader. He was the main-
stay of the Methodists for years in this city and state.
I think it was his nature to be prompt and exacting in busi-
ness matters, hence his success. When he came to the store in
the morning or at any time, it would always be with a rapid,
hurried walk. He would march with the same step directly to
the bookkeeper's desk, at the rear of the store. On reaching his
destination off would go his plug hat and in his quick and decisive
way would summon either Theo. Hinchman or Roby, the confi-
dential clerk, to his presence and then would begin the business
of the day. Senator Palmer, when a boy, roughed it in Mr'.
(Jwen's store for about a year, as a coarse hand clerk.
I, myself, stood in wholesome awe of Mr. Owen and, indeed,
it never entirely wore off, though we were always on friendly
terms. I think he believed in me somehow (though it took me a
long time to find it out), as, for instance, during the civil war, he
was state treasurer, and part of that time I was assistant quarter-
master-general of the state.
TWO HUXDREJD THOUSAND DOLLARS WORTH 01^ BONDS.
While I was acting in that capacity Mr. Owen had succeeded
in placing $200,000 worth of the bonds of the state, authorized
to be issued by the legislature for the purpose of raising money
424 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
to pay state bounties. The cash was in the bank to the credit of
the state, and the quartermaster-general was out of the city, in
Washington. On this money the bank was paying interest to the
state. Mr. Owen, the president of the bank, did not like the
situation. He came to the office one morning and said he desired
to turn this money over to our department and so stop the interest.
I said to him :
"The quartermaster-general is in Washington and I am not
properly in condition to receive it, as I am not under bonds to the
state."
"I know it," said he, "but it will be all right, and if you will
take thie money and receipt for it it will be passed to your credit
at the bank."
I assented, gave a receipt, and the $200,cxx) was passed to my
credit. To say that I was surprised would not express it. You
might have knocked me down with a feather. Ever after I
looked upon Mr. Owen in a far different light.
At the outbreak of the civil war, as said, Mr. Owen was
state treasurer. The treasury was almost empty. In this emer-
gency the governor (Blair) convened the legislature at once, to
devise ways and means for the purpose of equipping the troops
of the state destined for the service of the United States (Presi-
dent Lincoln having called for 75,000 men to aid in putting down
the rebellion). In the meantime, in response to the appeal of
the president through our governor, the First and Second regi-
ments of infantry were rapidly recruited and came in to camp
the first at Fort Wayne and the second at Camp Blair, out Wood-
ward Avenue.
MR. OWEn's great service.
Clothing, tents, equipments, ammunition, etc., were needed
at once; the necessity was imperative. In this dilemma Mr.
Ow^en came to the front, and on his own individual responsibility
guaranteed to A. T. Stewart & Co., New York, the payment of an
invoice of army cloth sufficient to clothe the First and Second
regiments. Colonel Henry M. Whittlesey, acting for the state,
was dispatched at once by the governor to New York to nego-
tiate its purchase. It is needless to say the goods came on with
quickest dispatch. A little later on Colonel E. O. Grosvenor was
dispatched on a like errand and under the same auspices to the
New England factories for the purchase of underclothing,
socks, etc.
MR. JOHN 0WE;N. 425
Most all citizens of Michigan at the present day know with
what promptness the first two regiments of Michigan troops were
put into the field, armed and equipped for immediat service.
When recounting the deeds of Michigan's citizens in the civil war,
to uphold the union, the name of John Owen, it seems to me,
should stand pre-eminent. War without its principal sinew
(cash) would be but a rush in the dark.
I think it may be pertinent to say in this connection that the
purchase from A. T. Stewart & Co. could not- have beeen dupli-
cated in any northern city one week later, as the demand for army
cloth was so urgent.
JUDGED CANNIFF.
In passing I will halt for a brief space to say a few words
about Judge Canniff. Where or how he acquired the title of
"judge" was not apparent, but he was always addressed as such.
He was an inveterate joker and gave as good as he got. He was
for many years the agent for Suydam, Sage & Co., wholesale
grocers, of New York, before their failure and after. They had
large interests here and throughout the state, all of which the
judge settled up to the satisfaction of the firm. I was in a good
position to know, as I made up his final statement to the firm and
closed the account.
The judge was mighty fond of money and strictly honest.
When I had closed the account I speak of, he handed me a twcf
dollar bill, saying at the time :
"Don't let Jim or Ann (his son and daughter) know anything
about this, as they might make a fuss."
I presume he feared they might think he was throwing his
money away. He left quite a large estate to his children, but
mostly -to his son James, who was his idol. I rather think James
must have played it on the old man, as during the last sickness
of the latter James would allow scarcely anyone but the doctor to
see his father, not even his adopted son, Henry Canniflf. James
did not live long to enjoy what he got, a few years only. He
divorced his wife, married his ward, and built himself a fine resi-
dence on the Canada side, opposite Belle Isle. He had a stroke
of paralysis, lingered along two or three years almost helpless,
and then passed to the "beyond." And thus it is.
426 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
DANIEL J. CAMPAU.
Daniel J. Campau, father of the present Daniel J., built him-
self a wooden building, two stories high, on his father's lot, next
to Rood's, in which he carried on the dry goods business in all its
branches, kept a fine line of goods and did a fine business. A
good business man was Dan, the most capable of any of his
father's sons, except Joe, who was the old gentleman's favorite
and man of afifairs. The latter died many years ago, in 1838 or
'39, 1 forget which. Dan was considered quite a high roller, loved
fast horses and all things else in their train. Nevertheless, ha
made money and retired from business wnth a competency, which,
added to that his father left him, made him a rich man. His suc-
cess in the dry goods business, I think, was partly due to his able
assistants, the late Charles Vail and a nephew, the late Henry
Campau, the latter for so many years in the county register's
office.
When Theo. Hinchman first came to Detroit, himself and
Charles Vail were great chums and were ''boys about town," into
most everything that was going of a lively nature. They used to
relate to Reuel Roby and myself, when they came into Mr. Owen's
store late at night, an account of their adventures around the city.
They were always in high glee, not from intoxicants, but from
the fun they had had attending French dances, etc. But a stop
came to all this. Mr. Theo. Parker, a Presbyterian revivalist,
eame along and preached his stirring sermons, morning, noon and
night. He created quite a furor. Hundreds were drawn into the
fold, among them Hinchman and Vail. They became devout
Christians, as much down on their fonr^er follies as they had been
eager in their pursuit, and so each continued to his life's end.
A 50N'5 TRIBUTE
REV. D. M. COOPER CONTRIBUTES SOME INTERESTING
FACTS CONCERNING HIS REVERED FATHER.
To the Editor of The Free Press:
I appreciate very highly the kindly reference made to my
revered father by my old friend, Mr. Friend Palmer, in the
Sunday Free Press of January 3. One or two qualifications of
statements are nevertheless necessary. He said:
''In trade he was exactness itself. He was his own book-
keeper, always, and when you received an invoice or statement of
account from him, w-here fractions occurred in either, it was
always 6^, 12^2, 18^, 37>^, 62^, and 87^, pro or c®n as the
case might be in every instance. I have seen his day book often,
and it did look too odd."
But really I cannot see anything ''odd" in his style of book-
keeping. It w^as the one in vogue in his time, before the intro-
duction of the decimal system and was the outcrop of the pounds,
shillings and pence period. It was the mode in which I was
instructed in my youth, and it always was pleasing to me by its
exactness.
It would interest Mr. "Friend" to see an account now before
me, when my father was clerk to one Richard Pattison, in Sand-
wich— probably his first clerkship before he fixed himself in
Detroit.
I recollect my father point out to me the old Sandwich store
shortly before it was burned. The credit side of the account
reads :
Cr.
By year's wages from 14 June, 181 1, to 2 January, 1812,
6 mos. 19 Ds. at £80 per annum £44 3s 4d, Due Mr. Cooper £28,
i6s 8d. Sandwich, 16 March, 1812.
E. E.
428 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
A LEGACY.
• His old account books I have stored away, as a legacy for my
children. If I supposed it would interest your readers I could give
some choice tracts from these old-time accounts. I never saw
more beautiful penmanship, and that done with the old quill pen.
Steel pens, of course, were unknown. And I remember, as if it
were yesterday, the glee with which coming home from the store
one day he exhibited his first gold pen purchased from Mr. Levi
Brown, a watchmaker, and deacon in St. Paul's church, for which
he paid $5 and whose shop stood on the site of the present Willis
Block. I supposed then, and have never seen it contradicted, that
Mr. Brown was the inventor of the gold pen. Mr. Brown sube-
quently sold out to Mr. Payne and removed to New York City.
His chief workman, Mr. Griesbach, continued until quite recently
the business of repairing gold pens. Since his death, at an
advanced age, his son carries on like work at his residence on
Orleans Street.
TRANSFER OF THE UME QUARRY.
•
The transfer of the lime quarry to Judge Sibley was on the
basis of $12,000 instead of $10,000, as Mr. Palmer states. At
least so I have always understood.
Solomon Sibley, one of the most noted of the early residents
and judge of Michigan territory, came here in 1797, and some
years after that acquired title from the government to a valuable
tract of land in what is now the Township of Monguagon, while
Colonel Mack, also one of the earliest American residents,
obtained possession of the adjoining tract. The Sibley property
went by descent to Frederick B. Sibley, while Colonel Mack's
parcel came into possession of his son-in-law, David Cooper.
There were outcroppings of an excellent quality of limestone on
both tracts, and Mr. Cooper opened a quarry about the year 1840.
Three or four years later the general government commenced the
construction of Fort Wayne, and in order to obtain the material
leased a portion of Mr. Cooper's quarry. From the stone there
obtained all the concrete used in the first fortification at the fort
was obtained, as well as the stone, in blocks, out of vv^hich the
officers' quarters and barracks were built. One of these struc-
tures burned down during the period that the fort was unoccupied
after the war. The other, the large stone structure inside the
A son's tribute. 429
fortifications, has been used as barracks down to the present time.
This work of construction was carried on by General Meigs, after-
wards quartermaster-general of the army.
HIS faithfulne:ss.
As an example of the faithfulness of Mr. Cooper as a clerk
for Mack & Conant this anecdote has often been told of him :
One of the habitues of the store was the eccentric Judge -
Woodward, who was in the habit of calling every evening and
helping himself to a glass of whisky. This he would p'ace before
him and while discoursing pedantically on history, politics, met-
aphysics and every other conceivable subject, would sip the liquor
until the tumbler was empty. As he never offered to pay, the
bookkeeper felt it his duty to make an entry of each glass on the
back page of the daybook.
One day the judge was presented with a paper which, on
unfolding, he found to be a bill of some seventy-five half pints of
whisky at five cents each.
''What?" he cried, "do you charge for such a thing as a
little whisky?"
''Not for a little," was the answer. "This amount shows that
you have had four gallons and a half."
The judge came off his high horse and paid the bill but
unwillingly and with a very bad grace.
A FlIvIAI^ DUTY.
And now, as my "Friend" has opened this topic, allow me
before I conclude to occupy a little more of your space to dis-
charge a filial duty to one to whom I owe so much. Possibly so
suitable an opportunity may not occur again.
Many years ago I. accompanied my father on his first visit to
Montreal since his birth, in search of some reminders of his child-
hood. The old streets were there in the French quarter where he
acquired a knowledge of the French language which served him
so well when in subsequent years, as a merchant in a city where
the use of that tongue predominated, he did business. But noth-
ing seemed familiar to him except the old Bonsecour Catholic
church.
Strange that we should have then missed St. Gabriel's, in
which he received the rite of baptism shortly after its erection in
1786 — the oldest Protestant church in Montreal, whose centennial
celebration occurred March 12, 1886.
430 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
THE MARBLE TABLET.
The building is now occupied as an annex to some municipal
structure. While examining it I noticed that the marble tablet on
the outside, announcing the fact of its antiquity, attracted to it a
constant file of visitors. Standing, it preserves the memory of
Christian courtesies in early days between the three leading
Christian communions.
While the church was being built the good old Recollect
fathers offered the congregation the use of their chapel to wor-
ship in. The sturdy Scotchmen accepted the offer, and when they
moved into their own kirk they presented the fathers with a hogs-
head of canary wine and two boxes of candles. '
Subsequently, when the Anglican church was burned, the
Presbyterians, doubtless remembering how they had been indebted
to others, came forward promptly and put St. Gabriel's at the
entire disposal of the Anglicans for the half of every Sunday until
their church could be rebuilt.
The knowledge of its continued existence came to me in a
curious way. One of those ''New Year's Greetings" which I was
accustomed to present annually to my congregation, and in which
allusion was made to the fact that I built the Memorial church in
memory of my father, by 'some chance came into the hands of
Rev. Robert Campbell, pastor of St. Gabriel's. It led him to
address me the following note :
"68 Jainville St.,
"Montreal, Nov. 5, 1886.
"Dear Brother — My friend and co-presbyter, Mr. Jordan,
mentioned the circumstance of your father's birth in Montreal in
1789 to me the other day, and being curious in the matter I turned
to the old church register used in common by the Protestants of
the city in those days, and I found the following entry: 'David,
5on of Mr. Alexander and Elizabeth Cooper, born the 24th day of
November. Baptized the 19th day of December, 1789.'
y V
MR. COOPER IN DETROIT.
In 1799, three years after the first flag that ever floated in
Michigan bearing the Stars and Stripes was given to the breeze,^
we find Mr. Cooper in the City of Detroit — then only a military
post — a lad 10 years of age, without influential friends and no
relative excepting a widowed mother of slender means, whose re.^"-
A SON S TRIBUTE. . 43 1
idence, a little one-story wood colored house, was on the site
of the present Union Trust building.
The necessity of earning his own livelihood led to his appren -
ticeship to Mr. James Henry, a merchant then doing business in a
store on St. Anne Street (now Jefferson Avenue), just west of
the present site of the old Michigan Exchange.
To Mr. Henry he was largely indebted for those business hab-
its which formed the basis of his after success in life. He ever
entertained an affectionate remembrance of his old employer, and
after him named one of his children. At the close of his appren-
ticeship he became chief clerk in the mercantile establishment of
Thomas Emerson & Co., afterwards known as the firm of Mack
& Conant, where his integrity secured him general confidence.
unive:rsai,i,y esteemed.
Perhaps no resident trader was more universally esteemed by
the old French inhabitants and the Indians, over whom he always
had great influenoe. At the age of 35, in the full vigor of man-
hood, with a valuable mercantile experience and an unsullied char-
acter he carried into execution his long-cherished projects of
establishing l)usiness for himself. In 1820 he was married by Rev.
John Monteith to the daughter of Colonel Stephen Mack, a pio-
neer from the State of Vermont — the first Yankee merchant in
the City of Detroit — a man of remarkable energy and public
spirit, as the schemes he set on foot for the development of the
resources of the territory will abundantly testify. But these
schemes were frustrated by an untimely death. He lies buried in
the cemetery at Pontiac, a city which he was mainly instrumental
in founding.
Thence onward to the date of his death, July 27, 1876, at the
advanced age of 86, Mr. Cooper pursued the even tenor of his
way, honored as a citizen, beloved as a husband, revered as a
father.
His first place of business was in a story-and-a-half frame
building standing immediately in the rear of the site of Macauley's
millinery store, corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues. The
space in front on Woodward Avenue was occupied by \he town
market and surrounded by a wooden paling.
432 E^ARI^Y DAYS IN DI^TROIT.
A GRAND UFE. <
The only official positions he ever filled were those of alder-
man, trustee of Harper Hospital, and elder in the First Presby-
terian church of Detroit. All I claim for him whom I revere as
earthly father is a life like that of David Elginbrood, ''intelligently
met and honestly passed," which, McDonald truly says, ''is the
best education of all" — except it be that higher one ta which it is
intended to lead and to which it did lead.
What wealth he acquired was the result of slow accumula-
tion in legitimate trade, rigid economy, incessant toil and patient
waiting, and not a ''dirty shilling" in it. He avoided debt as he
avoided sin and would have no more thought of defrauding a man
of a farthing than of taking his life.
Hence his life was not one of feverish anxiety but one of
quiet. His sleep was sweet and refreshing — the sleep of a man
whose conscience w-as void of ofifense toward God and man, as it
was his daily prayer it should be.
His remains repose peacefully in Elmwood, in this city, where
he passed seventy-six years of his active life, and which he saw
grow to its present size and beauty, and in close proximity to the
noble river upon which he gazed in boyhood — a locality and a
stream as familiar to his eyes a hundred years ago as it is to ours
today.
His youth was innocent; his riper age
Marked with some act of goodness every day ;
And watched by eyes that loved him, calm and sage
Faded his late declining years away.
Meekly he gave his being up and went
To share the holy rest that waits a life well spent.
That life was happy; every day he gave
Thanks for the fair existence that was his:-
For a sick fancy made him not her slave.
To mock him with her phantom miseries :
No chronic tortures tacked his aged limb,
For luxury and sloth had nourished none for him.
And I am glad that he did live thus long,
And I am glad that he has gone to his reward :
Nor can I deem that Nature did him wrong
Softly to disengage the vital chord ;
For when his hand grew palsied and his eye
Dark with the mists of age — it was his time to die."
D. M. Cooper.
J05LPH CAMPAU.
INTERESTING RECOLLECTIONS OF THIS SUBSTANTIAL OLD
CITIZEN, AND OF CHIEF MACOONCE.
THE JOSEPH CAMPAU residence (most all will remem-
ber it) was built, it is said, on the foundations of the
former residence of Mr. Campau, erected before the fire of
1805. One curious feature about the house was that not a nail
was used in its construction, hickory pegs being substituted
instead, at least so all the Campau boys asserted. It was a one-
story house with high finished attic, dormer windows, etc., and
was always painted yellow with white trimmings. It has been so
recently removed that I will not attempt to describe it further, as
all will probably remember it.
From Dan's store to his father's residence was a line of
red cedar pickets set closely together, about six feet high with
a double entrance gate in the center. Half of the first floor of
tlie house was devoted to a store and office, the store in front
and the office in the rear. In this store, when I first came here,
Mr. Campau had a small stock of Indian goods, to supply, in a
measure, the wants of his good friends, the Indians. This he
kept up until about 1840, when most of the Indians in Michigan
were removed beyond the Mississippi by the government.
Mr. Campau was indeed the friend of the redmen of the
entire northwest, and they returned the feeling. He could talk
their language, knew their peculiarities, and every chief of note
knew him intimately and came to him for counsel and adVice.
He always met them with a smile of welcome. I have seen
often and often, in the' summer season, scores of them^ — bucks,
squaws and papooses — squatted on the pavement in front of his
place, as on their visits to the city they always made it a point to
call on their friend, the great ''Che-mo-ka-mun (i. e.. White-
man). They never failed to give him an ovation every fall when
on their way to and from Maiden, Canada, to receive their pres-
ents from the British government.
28
434 1SARI.V DAYS IN DETROIT.
SUCCIilSSl'UI. TRADKR.
♦
It is said he used to make a good thing of it, trading for or
l)uying outright the articles the Indians got at Maiden that they
did not need or want. If he did do so, it was what all the other
merchants did. I have seen a list of the presents they received,
some of them I have forgotten. Those that are now in my mind
were shot-guns, rifles, lead, powder, shot, bullet molds, gun
flints, hunting knives, axes, tomahawks, vermillion, blankets,
broadcloth, calico, brass kettles, seine twine, fish-hooks, fish-lines,
glass beads, thread, needles, silver ear-bobs and other silver orna-
ments. The glass beads were always very much in evidence, as
were also the silver ear-bobs and otl^er silver ornaments.
An eye-witness has described the distribution of these pres-
ents :
''I noticed the effect each gift had on this expecting multi-
tude, as it was brought out from the store house. New joy
would sparkle in every eye. The little naked children would run
about almost frantic ; the squaws would utter the exclamation
'neau,' which is peculiar to the women ; the boys and girls clap
their hands and toss themselves about, whilst the old men smoked
away like steam engines. And as the dispensers of these gifts
would go round every eye would follow them, and with an implor-
ing look, when every now and then .a fear would manifest itself
lest they who indulged it might be passed."
CHIEF MACOONCE.
The only chief of prominence that I remember visiting Mr.
Campau was Macoonce. His lodge and headquarters were on
the banks of Lake St. Clair. I have seen him here very often.
He was a fine specimen of his class, always sober, a state that
many, many of his race could not boast of. Awfully fond of
whisky w^ere these Indians, squaws as well as bucks. I have
often seen the former, when offered a drink of whisky take a
good long swig and then fill their mouths to the utmost Hmit and
deposit the contents in a little buckskin bag that they carried for
the purpose, to enjoy at their leisure.
This Macoonce spoke English fairly well and was costumed
nearlv like a white man — black frock coat, tied around the waist
ml
with wampum, fringed calico hunting shirt, vest, broadcloth leg-
gins, ornamented with porcupine quills, the outer seams pro-
josKPU CAMPAU. 435
fusely decorated with silver ornaments that jingled with each
step he took; buckskin moccasins worked with porcupine quills,
plug hat ornamented with a broad silver band, five or six silver
ear-bobs in each ear, and a silver ring- through his nose. All
this, added to his fine physique, made him quite conspicuous.
My uncle used to visit St. Clair once every winter at that
time and generally took me along with him. We always used to
stop at this chief's lodge, on L'Anse Cruche Bay, Lake St. Clair,
and enjoyed his hospitality.
Macoonce was one of those chiefs of the Chippewa tribe
that were compelled to join the enemy during the war of 1812,
but, like Walk-in-the-Water. the Wyandotte chieftain, his heart
was never with them.
A F5RAVIC IJUCK.
Among the savages the chief was not only the judge who
pronounced sentence on the culprit, but was frequently execu-
tioner of his sentence. The late Thomas Coquillard related to
judge Witherell this circumstance in connection with the above:
"In 181 3 he saw many Indians one day gathered about what
is now the foot of St. Antoine Street. He went up to them and
found that the death penalty was about to be inflicted on a young
savage for killing a young squaw of Macoonce's band.
♦ "The chief sent word to the culprit to come at the appointed
time and place and be killed; the young Indian came alone; no
fetters, no guard, no sheriff or constable to prevent the esca|>e
of the' murderer. Alone he came to meet his fate. He cast one
long, lingering look upon his people, put a handful of salt in his
mouth, fell on his hands and knees, drew his blanket over his
head, and submitted to his fate. The chief, with a single blow of
his tomahawk, dismissed his spirit to the red man's heaven — the
happy hunting grounds, in the islands of the blest."
Macoonce, when visiting the city, always stopped at a tavern
on Woodbridge Street that stood in the rear of the present Cooper
building. He also used to put up, when visiting the college of
Palmer (St. Clair), at Cross's tavern in that town, where I have
seen him often.
My uncle Thomas lived, at the time I write of (after being
burned out), in a house next to Mr. Cainpau's, so we were pretty
near neighbors. I have given an account of this fire in a former
article on "Our Old Volunteer Fire Department."
436 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT,
This dwelling of ours belonged to Uncle Shubal Conant and
was set back from the street line twenty-five or thirty feet. It
was afterwards moved and its place taken by a brick building
three stories high, occupied as a dry goods store by Mr. C. M. D.
Bull and as a boot and shoe store by Mr. N. O. Sargent for quite
awhile, until their death. John Palmer afterward had a dry goods
store in the same building.
As said before, we were near neighbors of the Campaus, and
of course quite intimate. Two of his boys, Dennis and James,
about my age, and myself were great chums. We used to have
great times playing, in the winter evenings, in the cellar kitchen,
which was quite large and boasted of an immense fireplace. We
had some help, of course. Mr. Campau had a very pretty daugh-
ter, Adelaide, who was the apple of his eye. He set great store
by her, and she was, indeed, a dainty piece of humanity. A
Scotch gentleman of fine presence by the name of Johnson came
along who quite captured her. He was a widower, represented
himeslf as a scion of the Scotch nobility and exhibited much
family silverware, linen, etc.
Mr. Campau would have none of him and threatened his
daughter with excommunication from his heart and wealth if she
persisted in marrying him," which she did without anybody's con-
sent but her own, and the old man did as he said he would —
divorced her from his heart and wealth and never had say with
her thereafter. I never knew what became of them. Her brother,
Daniel J., however, treasured his sister's memory, for he named
his daughter, now Mrs. Campau Thompson, after her.
The old merchant was always kind, aflfable and neatness
itself. He was always arrayed in black broadcloth, coat, vest
and pants, coat cut swallow-tail, with plug hat and white cravat.
He was for some reason or other a foe to the Catholic priesthood,
so much so that he let no occasion pass to express his hostility,
and for this reason, I suppose, he was denied burial in the conse-
crated ground of Mt. Elliott Cemetery. But perhaps he will get
there quite as soon as some of the rest of us. Notwithstanding
his trouble with the priesthood, he w^as a Christian and, I think,
a good Catholic at heart, as were all the family. Mrs. Campau
particularly. But it appeared to be the priests he was after and
not the faith.
Joseph Campau was buried in Elmwood Cemetery, the moss-
covered foundations of a monument are over his remains, but no
JOSEPH CAMPAU.
437
monument was ever erected upon them. Upon a massive marble
slab near by is the record of the man who was to be honored. It
reads :
"In memory of Joseph Campau, born in Detroit, February
20th, 1769; died July 226., 1863, in the ninety-fifth year of his age.
American by birth, French by descent and education, he was a
merchant for over sixty years and distinguished as the wealthiest
man in the State of Michigan."
His grandfather was a French officer under M. de La Mothe
Cadillac, the founder of Detroit in 1701. Theo. J., his son. aged
50, is buried near him.
THL CAMPAU FAMILY.
ADDITIONAL INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT MR. JOSEPH
CAMPAU, HIS DECENDANTS AND HIS WEALTH.
MR. JOS. CAMPAU had something to do with slaves, as it
appears from an old document, a bill of sale in the pos-
session, of his heirs, that on one occasion Mr. Campau
bought of Margueritte de Boucherville, in Montreal, a negro
boy named Thomas, aged 9 years. The price paid for him was
£25 sterling, and it was one of the conditions of the sale that the
boy should be brought up in the Catholic faith and manumitted
at the age of twenty-one years. Another bill of sale dated
November 25, 1791, shows that a negro named Pompey was sold
by George Lyons to George Leath & Co. for the sum of £40
sterling. In June, 1792, the same chattel was sold to James May
for £38 sterling. He had one or two other slaves besides this one.
Still another document of interest, especially in these days
of thoughtless hurried and unceremonious marriages, is a con-
tract drawn up with imposing formula, the principals in which
were Sieur P. J. Desnoyers and Demoiselle M. Louis Goberille.
The date of this interesting relic of an obsolete custom is July 30,
1798. All old settlers remember Peter J. Desnoyers.
The pioneers of Detroit were, it seems, not adverse to social
pleasures, which fact more definitely appears from the following :
"January 17, 1807.
"Mr. Campau will please furnish for the Grand Marais party
on vSaturday next, provided there is good carioling, a qr. of roast
beef and a pair of fowls ready for the spit.
"Major Ernest,
James Abbott."
Of all the wealth that Mr. Campau did leave, and it was very
large, none remains in the heirs except that possessed by Daniel J.
Campau and his sister, Mrs. Thompson, though I think the
widow of James, "Jock Campau," the late Mrs. James Scott,
owned some of the property left by her first husband, at the tinv
of her death.
the: campau Family. 439
mr. campau's children.
The eldest son, Joseph, who was his father's right-hand man,
died along in the early forties. He was a very quiet, level-headed
young man, and the old gentleman felt his loss keenly.
Daniel J., as before mentioned, was a successful merchant
on his own account and did not pay much attention to his father's
affairs. He married Miss Palms, the sister of Francis Palms, and
they had three children, two boys (Daniel J. and Lewis P.) and
one girl. This girl, as said before, he named after his discarded
sister, Adelaide, showing that her memory was ever fresh in his
mind.
Lewis, one of the sons, died only a few years ago, a bright,
promising young man; the other, Daniel J., is still alive and with
us. All know what an influential Democratic politician he is, and
all-around turf man as well. I do not profess to know a thing
about horses, races or race tracks — on those matters I am all at
sea. P)Ut I am told, and judge by observation, that the Grosse
Pointe race track, with all its appliances, is the finest in the coun-
try, and all owing mainly to our fellow citizen, Daniel J. Campau.
Adelaide, the daughter, became the wife of a former mayor
of this city, Wm. G. Thompson, as all know.
RICHEST MAN IN MICHIGAN.
Theodore and Dennis attended more or less to their father's
business, and managed with his aid and that of a French book-
keeper (as his books were kept in that language) to keep things
in order, until the old gentleman died in 1863. Then Theodore
and Dennis took almost the entire charge of the estate, which was
considered large, as it was said at the time of Mr. Campau's
death that he was the richest man in Michigan. Daniel was
incapacitated from attending much to business, on account of a
paralytic stroke that deprived him of the use of his lower limbs.
Theodore married Miss Mesels and built himself a palatial resi-
dence next above that of C. C. Trowbridge, and died there. Jer-
ome Croul l)ought it after the death of Theodore, tore it down and
replaced it with a residence more pretentious than its predecessor.
Dennis continued in the old homestead on Jefferson x\ venue
until his death. Most all at the present time will remember the
old Campau homestead that was torn down only a few years ago,
and also Dennis on his white horse, taking his usual outing of a
440 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
fine afternoon. James, "Jock," as he was familiarly called, mar-
ried a daughter of Colonel Abram Edwards, of Kalamazoo, and
busied himself in attending to what property his father left him.
I think quite a bit of it came into the hands- of his widow, who
subsequently became the wife of -our good and genial friend,
"Jim" Scott. She died a short time since. I think one son, by
Campau, survives her.
THE YOUNGEST SOX.
Timothy, the youngest son, and the pride of his mother's
heart, married the sister of Mr. J. B. Howarth, of this city. He
died some years ago, leaving a widow and one daughter. The
former survived him but a short time ; the latter is married and
is living now with her husband in Grand Rapids. Whether Tim-,
othy left any property or not, I do not know.
Joseph Campau had four daughters. One, x-Vdelaide, married
in the early thirties, Mr. Johnston, a Scotch gentleman of win-
ning address, a widower.
"tash" chapoton.
Another daughter, Matilda, married "Tash" Chapoton, son
of Eustache Chapoton, of this city. Tash used to clerk for Mr.
Brown, who kept an extensive clothing store in the Smart build-
ing, which is now the Merrill Block, in the early thirties. He
continued with him some years, went to Chicago, and engaged in
the same business on his own account, was quite prosperous, and
during the civil war did an enormous business in his line. But
the acquisition of more wealth through his wife, one of the heirs
of the Joseph Campau estate, made him reckless in regard to
money, and he, a genial, whole-souled chap and inclined to be a
little horsey withal, soon came to grief. Himself and wife are
both dead and I do not think they left any estate. I met *'Tash"
Chapoton often in Chicago during the civil war and he was
always anxious to give one a good time while there, and did do so.
Another daughter, Emily, married a man by the name of
Lewis; they both died many years ago. Whether they left any
children or property I do not know.
• Another daughter, Catharine, married Mr. Francis Palms.'
She died many years ago, leaving a daughter, who became the
wife of Dr. Book, of this city. I imagine Mrs.- Book must be
quite wealthy.
THK CAMPAU FAMILY. 44 1
MR. brigham's e:xplosion.
Next beyond us was a two-story and a half frame building,
half of it occupied by Mason Palmer as a general store, and the
other half of it as a hardware store by William Wells. (Wells
was an enthusiastic fireman as well as Brady Guard.) He also
dealt in a particular kind of lamp, in which burning fluid was
used instead of oil, and he dealt in this fluid as well. The fluid
was, by some process, distilled from spirits of turpentine. The
process of distillation was a secret at that time and known only
to Mr. Brigham. The manufacture of this fluid was carried on
directly in the rear of John Palmer's dry goods store in the cellar
of an unoccupied dwelling on the alley that runs from Griswold
Street to the line of the then Campau lot. The approach to the
cellar was by a flight of hewn log steps on the outside, laid in the
earth down the incline, the house being built on the side hill
towards the river.
The business was prosperous and continued for some time
and quite a demand was created for the fluid, when all of a sud-
den something terrible happened. One morning the whole thing
blew up, with Brigham in the cellar or laboratory, busy with his
still, his furnace, his fluid and his turpentine. I happened to be
in the Palmer store at the time and was sitting at the back window
looking into the alley, when, Bang! came the noise of the explo-
sion, a great puflF of black smoke shot out of the chimney and
then all was silence for a moment or so. I ran out into the alley
and just as I reached the house Brigham was being led up the
steps outside, his clothes nearly all burned off of him, groaning
piteously. He was taken to a house occupied by a widow in the
same alley, where his burns were attended to.
The doctor, after examining his injuries, found that he had
Inhaled some of the burning gas and pronounced his case serious.
Brigham lived but a short time afterwards and with him vanished
his illuminating fluid business till a later time when its manufac-
ture was surrounded with more proper and better safeguards.
Brigham was a very handsome man, a neat dresser and all
that sort of thing, a favorite in society. He had a profusion of
curly hair and luxuriant whiskers, all of which vanished when
the explosion took place. On looking at himself in the glass in
the parlor of the house to which he had been taken, he saw what
had come to him — hair, whiskers, eyebrows and eyelashes all
442 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
gone, lips drawn and l:)listered by the heat. He looked once and
exclaimed, with hands raised, "My God ! My God !" and no more.
It is needless to say that the affair gave the whole city quite a
shock.
HERRICK^S CIRCULATING IJP,RARY.
Mr. Palmer retired from business after awhile; so did Mr,
Wells, the latter moving to Monroe. Their places were filled by
Mr. J. A. Herrick, who used the entire building as a book and
stationery store. He had also a circulating library — something
new then. Next to him Lewis Hall had a watch, clock and jew-
elry store. After awhile all the buildings were swept away,
including the Bull store, and their places supplied by the present
Conant Block.
Before going any further I will go back again to 1827 to say
that Dr. Marshall Chapin in that year occupied the store where
Mr. Herrick held out in 1842 or '43, as a drug and grocery store.
John Owen was his clerk. (I think he was his partner.) Mr.
Owen was a little inclined' to be wild at that time, and with his
chum, the late Captain Arthur Edwards, used to have a Heap of
fun bothering the then city marshal, Adna Merritt, a nervous,
excitable little body, who used to get himself all tangled up trying
to stop these two from starting and throwing fire balls, balls of
cotton wicking soaked in turpentine and reenforced with twine.
It was quite common then on Fourth of July nights, and on other
nights as well, during the summer season, for the boys to ignite
and throw these balls up and down Jefferson Avenue. Merritt
tried to put a stop to it, but Ow^en and Captain Edwards were
dead against his doing so and su])plied all the fire balls necessary
from Dr. Chapin's store. Did you ever see fire balls thrown, or
did you ever throw them yourself? 'Tis great fun and attended
with some danger to the hands and some to property, although
I never knew of any harm to come from them. After a short
season both Owen and Edwards joined the Methodist church,
having gotten religion. No more fire balls from that quarter after
that.
F. & T. PALMLR'S 5TORL5.
REMINISCENCES OF SENATOR PALMER'S FATHER'S LIBER-
ALITY IN THE PRESENT TOWN OF ST. CLAIR.
THE lot on which the old Bank of Michigan building stands
(now occupied by the Michigan Mutual Insurance Co.)
was nearly vacant in 1827. In 1828 Thomas Palmer erected
a double brick building on the lot for a New York concern. A
part of it was occupied by B. B. Kercheval as a general store for
awhile ; I don't remember who occupied the other part of it. This
building was afterwards torn down and the Bank of Michigan
building took its place.
On the opposite corner,, same side, was the brick store of
F. & T. Palmer. The upper part was used as a dwelling by
Thomas Palmer. They kept a general stock of goods, a much
larger assortment than any house west of Buffalo. They dealt
largely in furs and Indian goods and did not scorn to undertake
almost any other venture on the side, as, for instance, the con-
tract for building the territorial capitol, portions of the Saginaw
(Pontiac) turnpike and the Gratiot, Grand River and Michigan
Avenue (Chicago) turnpikes. Besides, they ran an ashery and
pottery where West Park now is, on the line of the Cass farm.
The ware turned out at the pottery was called ''Jackson ware"
and was used extensively in those days. This latter business was
carried on for some time after my father's death in 1827.
My uncle, in the fall of every year, used to fill a wagon body
with this ware weekly, and in charge of a trusty man it was ped-
dled out to the farmers between the city and Milk River point
on Lake St. Clair, taking in exchange apples, cider, vegetables,
etc. I Used often to accompany the man on these trips and
enjoyed them ever so much, as well as the hospitalities of the
French farmers. It took sometimes three or four days to get
around and back again, but it was a heap of fun, and I look back
upon these trips as among the most pleasant episodes in my life.
Everv farm had its cider mill.
444 EAKLV DAYS IX DETROIT.
MR. conant's building.
The lot on which the Bank of Michigan erected its building-
was not entirely vacant in 1827, as Mr. Conant some time before
that year put up a wooden building, two stories with basement,
in the rear of this lot on Griswold Street, on the corner of the
alley.
On this alley, which is still open, and in the rear of the Mich-
igan Mutual Insurance building, lived some of the first families
in the city at that time, among them Mr. Hawley, a merchant
doing business on Jefferson Avenue, near Griswold Street, He
married a sister of Shubal Conant. They had three children, two
sons and one daughter. What became of the sons I do not know.
The family moved to Kalamazoo, and the daughter, Jane, mar-
ried a man by the name of Marsh, and their daughter married
William Stephens, a son of John Stephens, grocery merchant, of
this city.
The wooden building remained there for many years. The
basement was occupied by Thomas Palmer as an office after the
fire which wrecked the F. & T. Palmer store on the corner of
Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street. J. O. Lewis also occu-
pied a room in the rear of this basement. He was an engraver
and was at work particularly at that time, engraving on steel the
likeness of General Cass and Father Richard, from which to take
impressions. Some of the impressions are still extant and are
wonderful likenesses of the originals. I used to be very much
interested in his work while the two engravings were under way.
The rest of the building up stairs was used by Mr. Conant for
offices and sleeping apartments for bachelor tenants.
INVESTMENTS AND LIBERALITY.
In addition to their business here, F. & T. Palmer carried on
a store in Canandaigua, N. Y., another at Ashtabula, Ohio, and
another on the St. Clair River, now St. Clair City. Besides this
they owned the tv^o sections of land upon which the City of St.
Clair is platted and had a water sawmill some miles up the Pine
River, where the pine timber was then abundant and of the
choicest quality. Later on, after my father's death, Thomas
Palmer built an extensive steam saw and lath mill on tlie St.
Clair River, at Palmer, now St. Clair, and abandoned the water
mill up the Pine River.
F. & T. PAIvMER S STORES. 445
The mill he ran for many years, until the supply of pine in
St. Clair County gave out ; then he gave up the mill. Before my
father died in 1826 the firm found that thev had so manv irons
in the fire that they had to suspend payment. Things were in a
state of chaos for awhile, but the surviving partner, Thomas,
cleaned everything up and paid the debts of the concern out of its
assets, one hundred cents on the dollar. Thomas Palmer was a
father, so to speak, to nearly all of St. Clair County at that time,
and particularly of the village of Palmer. I passed two or three
years of my boyhood there, off and on,, and have often heard them
say to him :
''Uncle Tom, when you go back to Detroit, I wish you would
send me a barrel of flour or a barrel of pork or a bushel of beans"
or something. These things were always sent. I don't know that
he ever got his pay for them, but I don't think lie did in many
instances.
He tried yet further to help the village by organizing a com-
pany to build a railroad from there to Romeo. A great deal of
money was expended in clearing the way and on the superstruc-
ture, but after getting that far the money gave out and, no one
coming to the rescue, the project had to be abandoned, Mr. Pal-
mer being out about $20,000. The superstructure can yec be
traced along the Grand Trunk Railway that runs into St. Clair.
In payment of all the money spent in the locality and the
worry and fuss endured, the villages of Palmer, or St. Clair,
when they found out "Uncle Tom" could not and would not do
any more for them, changed the name of the village "Palmer" to
that of St. Clair, through petty spite or something. He had
di oated the public square and had built a court house and jail,
whiic it was the coi vty seat, that cost over $6,000. The question
of mo\ .ti- the county seat to Port Huron was mooted during his
lifetime, unt he told them he would go for the public square and
for the lot on wiicii tlie court house was built if such a thing hap-
pened while he was on earth. The matter rested until after his
death and* then the transfer was made directly.
My uncle Thomas Palmer's varied interests in St. Clair
County, and particularly in his village of Palmer, took him often
to that locality. On one of these excursions I accompanied him. I
was but a lad and delighted with the prospect of a long sleighride.
We had it. The sleighing was fine, the ice in the Detroit River,
446 KARLV DAYS IN DETROIT.
Lake St. Clair and River St. Clair was good. We started out in
our one-horse French carriage, and took the river road to Crosse
Pointe and Lake St. Clair. On reaching "Milk River" point on
Lake St. Clair, which river empties into L'Anse Cruz Bay, Lake
St. Clair, we struck right across the bay to about where New Bal-
timore now is. The bay puts miles into the land, as all know, and
it was quite a venture to take the course we did, besides ther : was
a slight flurry of snow, but not sufficient to blot out the shore of
the bay.
WAS A IjTTLIv IN DOUBT.
My uncle was a little apprehensive, as he, in company with
Mr. Jerome (Geo. Jerome's father), the winter before, had a
rough time crossing this same bay. They were caught in a snow-
storm and came near perishing, but General Brady with double
sleigh and span of horses had preceded us about an hour before,
on his way to Fort Gratiot. The tracks of his team and sleigh*
were plainly visible and we followed them closely and reached
the opposite shore all right. We put up for the night at what is
now New Baltimore, with a Frenchman by the name of "Yax,"
who kept a tavern there in a long, low log house. It was very
comfortable, this log tavern, with its only one room divided off
into sleeping rooms by curtain calico strung on wires, and a gen-
eral room at the end of which w^as an immense fireplace, and a
bar, where was dispensed the prevailing beverage, whisky. Yax
and his companions played cards and caroused all night. They
woke us up occasionally with their wrangling merriment.
We left in the morning bright and early for the village of
Palmer. We halted a short time at Algonac, which was scarcely
any town at all, to see Mr. Smith, a pioneer of that village. Pie
almost overwhelmed us with his hospitality. I saw him often in
after years. He was a nice gentleman, one of the old school,
sported a ruffled shirt and all that. I think some of his descend-
ants are prominent in Algonac yet. We also met on the way
(after Algonac) and made a brief stop with each. Captain Sam
Ward, Colonel Cottrell, Colonel Westbrook and Captain Wm.
Brown. In front of Westbrook's residence the schooner Napo-
leon was on the stocks, nearly completed. Colonel W^estbrook w^as
building her for Oliver Newberry'.
Westbrook was a noted character on the river in those days.
It was said he had served under General Scott in the war of 18 12,
F. & T. PAI.ME:R S STORIES. 447
and that he had been captain of a privateer in the early part of
that war. He was rugged appearing and of giant stature, remind-
ing one of Captain Blake. I saw him often in after years and
every time I saw him the conviction grew on me that he really
might have been what they said, though it was no disgrace. We
reached my Uncle George Palmer's log residence, one mile from
Palmer, about dusk the second day out of Detroit.
This log house of my uncle's was situated on the l)ank of
the river, just below where the Oakland now is, and was as prim-
itive as it well could be. The logs were not hewn or squared, but
in their native state ; wooden latch to the door, with the "latch-
string'' always out. It boasted one luxury not found in all the
log cabins of those days, and that was a brick chimney. It had
an ample fireplace, of course, that would hold all the wood that
could be piled on. Down stairs the "cabin" had three rooms, one
general room and two sleeping rooms. Upstairs could boast only
of one room and that directly under the rafters. This room was
reached by a short ladder.
I became well acquainted with this room and the rest of the
log cabin in after years. When about 12 years old my Uncle
Thomas thought it would be a good thing for my general health
to rotigh it on a farm. So I was sent to live for a short season
with my uncle on the banks of the St. Clair. I did not make much
of a fist at farming, but did the best I ^could and liked it fairly.
Aly aunt, a New England girl, was kindness itself, and treated
me in a most motherly fashion. My uncle was all right, too.
After five or six months I contracted the fever and ague. This
disease shook n\e up so, and hung on so persistently, that I was
obliged to come home. I did not get rid of the pest for nearly a
year. But I think my experience at farming in St. Clair and my
tussle with the fever and ague were a lasting .benefit, as I have
never been sick over a dav or two since.
ON THF, WAY HOME). ' '
We remained in Palmer (St. Clair) three or four days and
then started for home. After reaching Yax's tavern, where we
put up for the night, we skirted L'xA^nse Cruche Bay on the ice,
instead of crossing it. On the shore of the bay, n short distance
al)ove the mouth of the Clinton River, which empties into it, the
Jndian chief, Macoonce, had his lodge. My uncle, who knew
448 e;arly days in Detroit.
him quite well, called on him. He welcomed us cordially and
seemed much pleased with the visit we made him. We also stop-
ped for a warming on our way down at the tavern of Mr. Moross
at the mouth of the Clinton River. The tavern was a large two-
story frame building, with dormer windows and painted yellow,
with white trimmings. It stood on the site of the once thriving
village of Belvidere/and became a part of it. The tavern and
Belvidere have both passed away, and I think scarcely a vestige
remains. Belvidere was quite a village at one time, evolved
through the brain and energy of Colonel James L. Conger, of
Mt. Clemens. I visited there once for three or four days when
it was in its prime. It boasted of quite a large warehouse and
dock, a few stores and a number of substantial dwellings. My
visit was to a friend who kept the lighthouse at the mouth of the
Clinton at that time. He and his family lived in the village in a
pretentious two-story house, and the surroundings seemed to bid
fair for a healthy growth to the town, but something struck it,
don't know what, and, as said before, it has vanished. Well, we
reached Detroit all right, much pleased w^ith the trip.
F. & P. PALMER.
STORY OF THEIR LARGE DEALINGS— COLONEL McKINSTRY,
A. C. McGRAW, SAMUEL G. CASKEY AND OTHERS.
MY uncle, Mr. Palmer, also built for the Detroit & St. Joe
Railroad, now the Michigan Central Railroad, a car
track from the depot, where the city hall now is, down
Woodward Avenue to Atwater Street, and along the latter
street to the DeGarmo Jones warehouse. I don't just remem-
ber the year this was built, but it was before the Patriot war.
This track, laid above the level of the street, made Woodward
Avenue from the city hall to Jefferson Avenue awful in muddy
weather. I have often seen loads of wood, etc., completely stalled
in front of what is now the Merrill Block. Why the track was
abandoned I do not know, but I always supposed it was because
of this muddy business and the difficulty the locomotive had in
getting up Woodward Avenue to Jefferson Avenue. I have seen
the engine puff and snort, some time for half a day, before it
could get up to the level of the latter street.
The firm got from the United States, in payment for building
the court house, about eight thousand acres of land in the ten
thousand acre tract, so-called, and three hundred city lots. The
government reserved all the quarter sections on each side of
Woodward Avenue and called them Park lots. F. & T. Palmer
got the remainder. The ten thousand acre tract came down to
the railroad crossing on Woodward Avenue, so it would seem ;
if they could have held the land until the present day what a good
thing it would have been for their heirs.
LAND WAS SOLD CHEAP.
Most of the quarter sections near the city were cut up into
five-acre lots and sold for from $7 to $8 per acre. The land in
the back part of the tract, then almost a howling wilderness, they
were glad to sell for from $3 to $4 per acre. The city lots, many
on Woodward Avenue, sold for $300 and $400 each, being sixty
29
450 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
feet front. The one that Metcalf brothers used to occupy was
sold for $300. Many lots on Miami Avenue, near Grand Circus,
sold for $75 each, also those adjoining West Park and so on. I
merely mention this to show the difference in the prices asked for
real estate then and now.
Next to the Palmer's store on Jefferson Avenue, was the
residence of Judge John McDonnell, who occupied the upper part,
and the lower was used by Mr. H. Griswold as a hat, cap and fur
store, and by Brooks & Hartshorn, auctioneers ; the cellar, by
Thomas Owen, the brewer, for the storage of beer. Dr. Thos. B.
Clark occupied the next building as an office ; he also had a small
stock of drugs and medicines. Next, Major Dequindre had his
store and residence. He dealt largely in Indian goods and furs,
and owned the Dequindre farm. Mr. Dequindre was a fine
French gentleman, one of the old school.
^Next to Mayor Dequindre's was the store of Gray & Noble.
They kept a general stock of goods. Mr. Noble was quite a small
man, while Mr. Elliott Gray, his partner, was of commanding
presence, about six feet two inches tall, but slender. He always
wore the conventional outer garments of black, a ruffled shirt, tall
hat, etc. I think he always carried a cane. I remember these
gentlemen well. The firm finally dissolved and Mr. Gray went
into partnership with Mr. Gallagher in the forwarding business
at the foot of Bates Street. I think the late Samuel Lewis and
his brother Alex clerked for them at that time. Afterwards the
firm was Gray & Lewis^ and after that it was Lewis & Graves.
A POIvlTlCAL MEETING.
The Palmer building on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and
Griswold Street, after the fire that swept it away, gave place to
a fine large four-story brick building erected by Lewis Goddard,
that extended from Jefferson Avenue to the alley in its rear. In
this building were located, on the corner of Jefferson Avenue,
Charles Bissell, dry goods merchant ; next to him, on the same
street, were Enoch & Grif. H. Jones, also in dry goods. On the
Griswold Street side. Colonel Edward Brooks had his office, as
collector of the port, Jacob Farrand was his deputy. The second
story was occupied as lawyers' offices, etc., the third and fourth
stories were occupied by Colonel D. C. McKinstry for a museum
and for theatrical purposes, lectures, political meetings, etc.
F. & T. PALMER. 451
One political meeting there is in my mind quite vividly. The
young men of the city had organized a party, irrespective of pol-
itics and had up a ticket for the city offices that they had pledged
themselves to support. At the head of the ticket was the name of
Curtis C'Curt") Emerson for mayor. At this meeting "Curt"
was in the chair and when called upon for a speech, he gave one
in his characteristic manner, ending up with : "Gentlemen,
although the consumption is preying on my vitals, yet will I go
with you to the brink of the grave, g — d d^ — n you."
Their ticket did not carry.
the: museum.
The museum, under the charge of the late William Adair,
contained many rare and curious objects, among which were three
Egyptian mummies, a fine collection of wax figures, also a variety
of beautiful and rare specimens of birds, beasts, minerals, shells,
etc. ; with many interesting curiosities in nature and art. There
were many splendid cosmoramic views, and in the evening phan-
tasmagora and phantascopal illusions were exhibited. The
museum was quite popular and a source of considerable revenue
to the colonel.
Dramatic exhibitions of a light vaudeville character were
given in the fourth story, and laughing gas was also administered
to those who desired it. This giving of laughing gas was some-
what dangerous to the operator and to spectators as well. A
partition extending from the floor to ceiling hemmed in the par-
taker of the gas from outsiders. Many funny incidents occurred
connected with this pastime. While under its influence the par-
taker usually acted out his peculiarities or proclivities, laughing
boisterously, dancing, boxing with an imaginary foe, declaiming,
etc. It was quite a feature and always attracted a large crowd.
MAN OF MANY PARTS.
Colonel D. C. McKinstry, owner of the museum, was indeed
a man of many parts, enterprising, public spirited and somewhat
of a Bohemian. He was tall and heavily built, rather abrupt in
manner and speech, yet of a warm, genial disposition which made
him quite popular. He was fond of parade and show, was either
a major or colonel in the militia — anyway, everyone used to call
him colonel. He was engaged in many ventures, besides the
452 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
theaters, and the Michigan Garden and Museum. Notably, he
was associated with F. & T. Palmer in the contract with the gen-
eral government for building the state capitol. After the work
had made fair progress the other contractors bought him out and
went on and finished the structure. Througti them all he
acquired considerable means. His success in most every venture
led someone to call him ''Silver Heels," a name that stuck to him
through life. A fair representation of the colonel is given in the
picture painted by Thomas Burnham entitled "Election Day at
the Old City Hall," when Stevens T. Mason ran for governor
against C. C. Trowbridge. This painting is, I think, in the pos-
session of Mrs. General A. T. Williams, this city. Colonel Mc-
Kinstry died in Ypsilanti in 1856, aged 78 years.
MC kinstry's sons.
Of the sons of Colonel D. C. McKinstry, Charles was a
lawyer in New York City, and died there many years ago, of
consumption. Augustus (Gus) sailed the lakes. I have men-
tioned him before in an article on the '%ake and River Marine,"
that appeared in the Sunday Free Press quite a while ago. In
it allusion was made to himself and Captain Robert (Bob)
Wagstaff volunteering to take charge of Oliver Newberry's
schooner Napoleon, loaded with provisions for the troops at Fort
Mackinac, and the inhabitants of the island as well. Although
in midwinter, their heoric and dangerous mission was success-
fully accomplished. James P. entered the navy, served through
the Mexican war, as also the civil war, with distinction, rising to
the rank of commodore. He at the outbreak of the rebellion
brought the United States squadron stationed in the China Seas
safely to this country. He at one time during the civil war had
command of a gunboat on the Mississippi River, and, I think, was
severely wounded in an encounter with the rebel batteries on
shore. He was the second in command on the U. S. steamer
Michigan when she first came out.
Elisha, after passing sufficient time at the law school in New
York City, hied himself to California some time in the early '50s,
became a judge, and is still alive and fairly active.
Another son, Justus, entered West Point and graduated, but
into what branch of the service I do not know. After a while he
entered the quartermaster's department, U. S. A., as captain and
F. & T. PAI.MER. 453
departmental quartermaster. I think he was in the Mexican war.
Anyway, he served in the civil war, was Fremont's chief quarter-
master at St. Louis, when organizing his army to invade the
south. The transactions of his department were on a gigantic
scale.
The McDonnell building that had been destroyed by fire
was replaced by a wooden one and was used by Edward Bing-
ham as a drug store (Jacob S. Farrand was at one time his clerk).
He furnished Bingham's ''Red Cordial" for summer complaints,
and it is yet on sale at the various drug stores in the city. It was
a great remedy then, and I think it is now.
A. H. Newbold and John W. Strong put up a three-story
brick building on the site of Dr. Clark's former hardware store,
Webb, Chester & Co., dealers in crockery and glassware, occupied
a store somewhere along here before they moved to the Michigan
Exchange building. It was the first of its kind in Detroit, crock-
ery and glassware excli;sively. John Chester some time after-
wards went into the forwarding business on the dock. Major
Dequindre retired from business and A. C. McGraw occupied part
of the major's former premises with a boot, shoe and leather
store, as did G. & J. G. Hill with drugs and groceries the other
part.
MR. A. C. MC GRAW.
Mr. McGraw came here, I do not exactly know when, but
he had been here two or three years or more when the fire of 1842
wiped out the his boot and shoe store. I remember his store quite
well, from one circumstance, if from no other; and that was on
the night of the fire mentioned, I was a member of fire engine
company No. 4. Our machine vvras stationed at the reservoir,
corner of Jefferson Avenue and Woodward Avenue (Merrill
Block) and we had a line of hose run through McGraw's store
to the alley in the rear. The fire progressed so rapidly that every-
thing was in flames before the danger to the hose was fairly real-
ized. Then the foreman sent four members of the company (of
which I was one) to help the pipe man and his two assistants to
drag the hose out of danger, which we did, and a warm and per-
ilous job it was.
Samuel G. Caskey, late of the firm of A. C. McGraw & Co.,
was then a sturdy youth, just off the farm from somewhere down
east, and serving his apprenticeship at the boot and shoe business.
454 EARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
He slept in the store on the counter, as all boys did in stores then^
and on this occasion was suddenly awakened by the uproar, and
rushed half dressed as he was, and barefoot at that, to Mr.
McGraw's house on Congress Street and gave the alarm.
MEN WHO HAVE RISEN.
Caskey was a sturdy, awkward youth, not unlike some others
that have commenced way down at the foot of the ladder and
slowly and patiently won their way to the topmost round — as for
instance John J. Bagley, Dexter M. Ferry, Philo Parsons, Moses
W. Field, William N. Carpenter, Alex Lewis and many others
that could be named.
I, myself, commenced way down the ladder, slept on the
counter, swept out the store, took care of the horse, sawed and
brought in the wood and all that, but somehow did not reach the
top financially. The trouble was, I suspect, I was not saving;
they were. Well, it's all right, anyway, and I have managed to
get a heap of fun out of life.
I never knew Mr. McGraw personally very well, but knew
of him and about him in the early days, through the late Edward
C. Walker, who was a brother-in-law of his, he having married
Walker's sister. "Ed" Walker, as we boys always used to call
him, on his advent here entered the school of D. B. Crane, and
in the higher and advanced classes; he was also a member of our
young debating society, that wrestled weekly in the upper rooms
of the school building with the stirring questions of the day. As
Walker was so much further advanced than the rest of us, and
apt to worst anyone pitted against him in debate, we concluded
to hold him in reserve for lectures before the society, on subjects
of interest to all. These lectures were very interesting and
instructive, and were open and free to all. They were remark-
ably well attended and highly appreciated.
Another thing that somewhat interested me in Mr. McGraw,.
he married for his third wife a Miss Metcalf, who was a great
friend of Sidney L. Rood and family, and they of her's. I being
clerk in Rood's establishment at the time, my thought and atten-
tion were called more or less to the subject of this brief sketch.
Something rather remarkable in Mr. McGraw's life was that he
lived to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of his wedding with his
third wife.
OLD 5TORLKLLPLR5
STORIES ABOUT INTERESTING CHARACTERS IN BUSINESS
IN DETROIT FIFTY YEARS AGO.
THE Gray & Noble building, they having retired from the
business, gave way to a fine large four-story brick build-
ing, with an attic. The store stood on a corner of Jefferson
Avenue, and was occupied by Horace, Hallock & Raymond, as
a clothing store, the next one by Mr. Warren as a candy and con-
fectionery store. The entrance to the upper floors was on Jeffer-
son Avenue, between these two stores. What use these upper
floors were put to I do not remember, but I think that the top
story and attic were used by the Detroit Daily Advertiser as a
publication and printing office.
In the basement Mr. Howard kept a first-class saloon and
restaurant. Previous to Mr. Howard, a jolly, rotund Parisian
Frenchman, kept this restaurant. It was much frequented nights
by the youth of the city to a large degree, and particularly the boys
of No. 4 engine company. When the time -between ordering
refreshments, liquid or solid, seemed longer than usual and things
got dull, he would say :
''Come boys, why for you no do som tings for make ze pot
boil ; you be one lot good for nottings."
I never knew what became of him. Howard was there in the
same location when the fire of 1842 wiped the premises out.
Next to this building on Woodward Avenue was N. B. Car-
penter's meat shop (Sheriff Thompson was interested with him
for a while) ; the New York and Ohio House, formerly Arthur
Bronson's Tavern, and the dwelling of Mrs. Colonel Anderson
and Miss Taylor, her sister, on the corner of Woodbridge vStreet.
A horribIve: d^ed.
An incident in relation to the atrocities committed by the
Indians at an early day and with which this locality is in a meas-
ure associated, may not be out of place, and is from the pen of the
late Judge B. F. H. WitherelL
456 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
"Among the many instances of the atrocities and horrid cru-
elty of the savages on our frontier was the murder of Mrs. Snow
and child. Doctor Coleman, of Ashtabula, Ohio, saved her daugh-
ter. (Coleman was surgeon in the army under General Harri-
son). After the mother was killed Snow, at the commencement
of the war, was living with his family at Pipe Creek, near San-
dusky. He made maple sugar in that neighborhood, and to pre-
vent his sap from being stolen, he had set some, pitfalls, in which
a few squaws had accidentally been caught. The savages, on the
breaking out of the war, determined to kill him (Snow), and went
to his shanty for the purpose, but he was absent ; so they took al!
his family, with some neighboring women and children, prisoners,
and started for the great scalp depots, Detroit and Maiden.
"Mrs. Snow was enciente, and in feeble health. After pro-
ceeding a short distance they found that they could not well carry
Mrs, Snow's youngest child, which was some two or three years
old. A blow of the hatchet saved them any further trouble. The
death (and such a bloody death) of her lovely child before her
eyes, filled the mother's heart with unutterable agony. She strug- •
gled on with her demon captors a few yards, her strength gave
way, and she fell to rise no more. The devils incarnate toma-
hawked and scalped her, and stripped her naked, jumped with
their feet upon her naked body, jammed it in the mud, and left
her.
BROUGHT TO DETROIT.
The children and other prisoners were brought to Detroit.
One of Mrs. Snow's daughters. Electa, a girl of seventeen years,
shortly afterwards (not knowing of the death of her mother, as
they were separated at the time she was murdered) was standing
at a window in Doctor Scott's house (afterwards Colonel Ander-
son's) on Woodward Avenue — where the Mariner's church now
stands — and saw a party of Indians passing with her mother's
scalp on a pole. She knew it by the long beautiful auburn locks,
and cried out :
"Oh, my mother is killed, there is her scalp and there is her
shawl on an Indian."
It was so.
This transaction was so horrible, that General Harrison not
only re|X)rted it to the government, but issued a proclamation call-
OI.D storeke;epe:rs. 457
ing the attention of the world to the manner in which the war was
carried on by the enemy.
In the rear of Mrs. Anderson's house was a barber shop, kept
by an antiquated Frenchman, whom the boys had nick-named
"Dusty." They used to steal his barber pole every chance they got
and he got his name, I presume, from the manner in which he
used to "dust" after them when he knew of the affair.
The museum corner, after the fire of 1842, was occupied by
the Michigan Insurance Bank, H. H. Brown, cashier. This bank
was the depository of the Michigan Central Railroad Company
during the railroad conspiracy troubles. Having been warned
that their funds might be in danger (as one of the gang had
reported that, at one of their secret meetings, it was resolved that
the bank should be raided in the near future) the bank provided
a night watch consisting of Walter IngersoU, assistant cashier;
William L. Whippe, teller, and myself, an outsider, to fight off the
robbers if they should make themselves manifest. We were pro-
vided with shotguns and revolvers as well as with dark lanterns.
We had a cot bed made up against the vault door upon which we
took turns napping it. This fun continued for two or three weeks,
but no robbers put in an appearance, so we were mustered out. I
really do not know what we would have done if they had made an
attempt. There was no organized police force on duty night and
day then.
O. M. Hyde occupied the rear of tRis building then as collec-
tor of customs, William Goodnow being his deputy. The stores
along Jefferson Avenue erected after the fire of 1842 were occu-
pied from time to time by John Palmer, dry goods ; Henry Glover,
merchant tailor; Graham & Lacey, dry goods; G. & J. G. Hill,
drugs and groceries ; H. P. Baldwin, boots and shoes ; Moor^ &
Bradford, dry goods ; Hallock & Raymond, clothing, and the
Farmers & Merchants Bank, on the corner of Woodward and
Jefferson Avenues.
THE mariner's church.
Down Woodward Avenue, after the 1842 fire were Hiram
Walker, groceries and liquors ; Kirby, leather ; Gleason F. Lewis,
and David Preston, brokers and dealers in land warrants, etc., and
the Mariner's or Bethel church, on the corner of Woodward Ave-
nue and Woodbridge Street, which still holds its place there.
This church was given the lot on which it was built, extending
458 BARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
through to Griswold Street, and the money with which to build
it, by Miss Taylor, the survivor of Mrs. Colonel Anderson. By
the terms of the will, as I always understood it, the church was
to be called the "Bethel," the seating was to be entirely free and
devoted particularly to the use of the mariners and sailors on the
lakes. I do not know that she endowed it, but the rents received
frorn the stores underneath have always been sufficient, I imagine,
to maintain a minister and a sexton. The Episcopalian church
has always had this church under its special charge and control.
The question of proprietorship, as to the rights of the Episco-
palians in the premises, has sometimes, in the past, been mooted.
I am not sure that the question has ever been fairly settled, but
think it has been. I have always understood that there was no
provision in the will of the testator that gave to any one denom-
ination the exclusive right to run this church, but that the pulpit
and seating were free to Protestant and Catholic alike.
Mr. Mason Palmer, who was one of the executors of Miss
Taylor's will, was an "Episcopalian, of the Episcopalians," and,
good man that he was, considered it a desecration of the
pulpit of the Episcopalian churches to have any but the
regularly ordained ministers oi that denomination occupy
them, and thus it was, I have always understood, that Mr.
Palmer handed the control over to the Episcopalians, and
as no one has taken the trouble to make a fuss about it
this control still continues. In my mind it makes but little differ-
ance anyway what denomination controls the church, be it
Protestant or Catholic, as long as the gospel is preached from its
pulpit and the seats are free to all. Mr. Richard R. Elliott gives
an exhaustive account of this business in one of the daily papers.
LARLY P05TMA5TLR5.
REMINISCENCES OF THE FIRST POSTOPFICE, JUDGE ABBOTT,
JOHN NORVELL, SHELDON McKNIGHT AND OTHERS.
THE postoffice first occupied the store under the church on
the corner of Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street,
moving from its quarters in the basement of the Bank of
Michigan building, that it had occupied for many years after
leaving its quarters in the Sheldon Block. The postoffice con-
tinued there until Uncle Sam provided for it a home of its own, in
conjunction with the United States custom office and the United
States courts, on the corner of Griswold and Larned Streets, a
home that was then considered ample, for its uses for a score or
more of years to come. But meantime the city had grown beyond,
far beyond, its swaddling clothes and these then ample quarters
were found too small to meet the demands of the public, so Uncle
Sam, after five or six years of weary waiting, on the part of the
city, provided another, a much larger and more magnificent home,
into which the postoffice, the customs, judges and jury have lately
moved.
The business of the courts and of the postoffice and customs
has increased so within the five or six years that it took the gov-
ernment to build the new home, that the present quarters are now
found to be too small to meet the wants of the public. There is
ample room, however, for expansion on the square it occupies on
the corner of Fort and Shelby Streets.
The first postoffice in Detroit under the federal government
was establishment in the year 1796, with the late Judge James
Abbott as postmaster. During his administration the office was
kept in the river end of his residence on the southeast corner of
Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street. Adjoining was a
small red warehouse containing his stock of merchandise in bulk,
and furs.
In the latter he was the largest dealer in the northwest, being
agent of the Astors and the Northwest Fur Company. Mr.
Abbott retained his position until 1830, when he was superseded
460 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
t
by Mr. John Norvell, who retained the position till 1836, when he
was elected United State senator. During Mi». Norvell's admin-
istration, the office occupied a small brick building then standing
on Jefferson Avenue, midway between Wayne and Cass Streets,
and adjoining his dwelling, on the southeast corner of Wayne
Street, that had formerly been the residence of Henry I. Hunt,
mayor of Detroit, in 1826. The little brick building used for the
postoffice had been Mr. Hunt's private office. The latter was
found to be too small to accommodate the increased business of
the postoffice, so Mr. Norvell had the south end of his dwelling
fitted up and converted into an office sufficient for his needs'. The
little brick building stood for many years, after the postoffice left
it, and, as many will remember, was occupied by Mr. Berger as a
gun shop until it was torn down to make way for the present brick
block.
MR. SHELDON MCKNIGHT.
Mr. Sheldon McKnight succeeded Mr. Norvell in the office
and moved its location in 1837 to the corner of Griswold Street,
where C. & A. Ives formerly had their banking house for so many-
years. In 1839, under same postmaster, the office was removed to
the Sheldon Block, fourth down Jefferson Avenue, same side. In
1 84 1 Major Thos. Rowland, securing the appointment of post-
master, the office was again removed to the corner of Griswold
Street in the basement of the then new stone structure erected by
the Bank of Michigan for its own use. The building is now
owned and occupied by the Michigan Life Insurance Company.
During the administration of John G. Bagg, who succeeded Major
Rowland, the office remained in the same location.
In 1850, under the administration of Colonel Alpheus T.
Williams, the office was removed to the basement of the Mariner's
church, then just erected on lower Woodward Avenue. It
remained in this locality until the completion of the then new
building at the corner of Larned and Griswold Streets. In the
Mariner's church building, after Colonel Williams, came Thorn-
ton F. Broadhead, who succeeded him in 1853, and retained the
office until July i, 1857, when Cornelius O'Flynn was appointed.
Mr. O'Flynn was superseded on the loth of May, 1859, by Henry
N. Walker, Esq., and it was under the latter 's administration that
the new building was finished, and he removed into it in January,
i860, and at noon on the 30th of that month it was thrown open to
the public.
KARivY postmaste;rs. 461
OPENING OF NEW POSTOFFICE;.
I copy from The Free Press of January 31, i860, a short
account of the opening :
"At noon yesterday the spacious new building erected for the
accommodation of the postoffice and other federal offices in this
city, situated on Gr is wold Street, between Congress and Larned,
was thrown open to the public. The portion intended to be occu-
pied by the postoffice is so far completed as to permit of its imme-
diate occupancy, and the business of that office will hereafter be
conducted there. The occasion of the opening attracted a large
concourse of people, hundreds of whom rushed into the corridor
as soon as the doors were thrown open, each anxiously striving to
be the first to get a letter from the new office. 'The location of the
boxes being somewhat different from those of the old office, of
course, much confusion ensued, the pushing and rushing and hur-
rying and crowding reminding one of the scenes in California in
olden times on the arrival of a mail from the Atlantic states.
Everybody went to the office, whether they expected any mail or
not, and made as much fuss in finding their boxes as though their
dispatches were of the utmost importance. Throughout the day
the excitement and curiosity were kept up to a considerable extent,
the office being filled with persons desiring to secure eligible boxes
or curiously insi>ecting the place."
The amount of labor performed in the Detroit postoffice at
that date, the same paper says, can be estimated from a few gen-
eral figures. There are fifteen mails received and the same num-
ber sent away daily. These mails convey an average of over
15,000 letters, exclusive of the large amount of newspapers, books,
packages of valuables and other articles transmitted through this
channel. This amount of mail matter requires the use of from
sixty to seventy-five large mail bags, which are received and sent
away daily. The sale of jx)stage stamps averages $100 per day.
The department of registered letters, which is a comparatively
new branch of the service, now occupies the entire time of' one
clerk, and having increased 125 per cent within the past year,
promises soon to require additional force.
FOSSIIvS IN THE STONE.
Referring again to the Bank 0/ Michigan building, atten-
tion is called to the quality or rather make-up or formation of th*e
stone used in its construction. It seems to be a hard sandstone,
462 EARI^Y DAYS IN DEJTROIT.
capable of sustaining a high finish, but it is to the countless num-
ber of fossils it contains that particular attention is called. They
have always been an interesting study to the curious and to the
geologist as well, these specimens of extinct life that moved and
had their being thousands and thousands of years ago and are
imprisoned in this stone. The high finish given to the surface of
the stone has brought out the presence of the fossils so as to be
easily seen, particularly at the Jefferson Avenue entrance and in
the pillars adorning it. Go and look at them, it will richly repay
you.
The first animals that ever walked on the earth lived about
twenty million years ago. Scientists call them "trilobites" and
declare that they were undoubtedly the first animals that had legs.
They were the ancestors of modern lobsters and crabs and great
numbers of them have been preserved in the rocks in some parts
of this country.
. Quantities of them are found in the neighborhood of Cincin-
nati. Being clad in armor made of an imperishable substance
known as ''chitine," their forms have been preserved in a wonder-
ful way, and, the mud in which they became buried having
hardened into stone, they are dug out today by curiosity hunters,
who call them "petrified butterflies" or else "fossil locusts."
OLD BUSINESS MEN
REMINISCENCES OF MANY MEN WHO SOLD GOODS IN DE-
TROIT LONG AGO— THE CAPTURE OF ANDRE.
IN 1827 and early thirties, directly opposite the Palmer build-
ing, on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold
Street, was a two-story wooden building. I don't remember
who occupied it at that time, but later on it was occupied by
Mr. Dwight, the father of the late A. A. Dwight. He kept a
miscellaneous stock of goods and lived on the corner of Wood-
ward Avenue and State Street, where Rolshoven's jewelry store
now is. Afterwards Stowell and Rood kept a bookstore there,
having a book bindery upstairs. Stowell and Rood dissolved
partnership and Rood remained there until he bought out Snow
& Fisk. I don't remember who followed, but I think it was
Banks, a colored man, with clothing. Spencer & Calhoun kept
a faney grocery store next door ; the^' had on sale the first pine-
apples that I ever saw.
Next came Mrs. Calhoun, who kept a millinery shop; J.
Hawley, harness and saddlery; Charles Piquette, jewelry and
gold pens ; Chase & Ballard, hardware, and C. Wickware & Co.,
drugs, liquors and groceries. Their store afterwards was occu-
pied by Knight & Pitcher, with boots and shoes. Dr. Thomas
B. Clark, with a drug store, occupied the corner of Woodward
and Jefferson Avenues, after his forced removal by fire from
across the street. Mr. M. Paulding had at one time a hardware
store in this block and John B. Piquette had a jewelry store in
the same building, as did also George Doty. .
WERE TAILORS BY TRADE.
Garry Spencer and Mr. Calhoun were both tailors by trade
and it seemed out of place for them to be in the grocery business.
They dissolved partnership soon after and each went his way in
the pursuit of his old calling. Mr. Chase, of Chase & Ballard,
464 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
was a retired British officer, from Quebec. How he came to get
into the hardware business with Mr. Ballard is not known, but
they kept a large stock, did a large business and were quite suc-
cessful. Mrs. Chase, a French lady, a native of Quebec, was a
very charming and attractive woman and her daughter, Charlotte,
was her counterpart. The latter married Dr. Casgrain, of Wind-
sor, who since has been elected a member of the Dominion parli-
ament ; and their son is now quite a prominent attorney of Detroit.
Mr. Chase was a quiet, dignified gentleman of small stature.
Chase & Ballard were succeeded by F. A. Hickox. Mr. Chase
built and owned the National Hotel (Russell House).
The two Piquettes were the sons of Mrs. Thomas Shelden,
by her former husband and half brothers of Mrs. Storrs Willis
and the late Mrs. Harry Guise.
Mr. Paulding's father was one of the three men who captured
Major Andre during the revolution.
HOW THEY CAUGHT ANDRE.
Paulding used often to refer to the part his father played in
the capture of Major Andre, not by any means in a self-asserting
way, as much as did his friends. He being of a jovial, genial
nature, was possessed of many friends. Indeed, nearly all the
then small community knew ^im well.
Paulding's ancestor, it appears was the master spirit of the
party that captured Andre (namely John Paulding, Isaac Van
Wart and David Williams), and the only one that could read and
write, and when they hailed Andre he ( Paulding) advanced with
present musket and bade him stand and announce his destination.
**My lads," he replied, "I hope you belong to our party."
They asked which party he meant.
"The lower party," he answered, and on their saying that
they did, he bfetrayed an exultation that was unmistakeable.
"Thank God, I am once more among friends," he cried.
Paulding happened to have on a royal uniform at the time,
which further mystified Andre. None but Paulding (as before
mentioned), was able to read Arnold's pass which he produced,
and he treated it with little respect after the previous avowal.
Paulding said after, if he had pulled out General Arnold's pass
first, he should have let him go.
OI.D BUSINESS MEN. ' 465
SEARCHED II IM.
Tlicy at once proceeded to examine his person. He warned
ihem of Arnold's displeasure, but they vowed they did not fear
it, and w^hile by their compulsion he threw off his clothing, piece
by piece, Williams was deputed to the examination. Nothing
appeared, however, till one boot was removed ; then it was evident
that something was concealed -in" the stocking.
"By ," cried Paulding, "here it is," and seizing the foot
while Williams withdrew the stocking, three folded half-sheets of
paper inclosed in a fourth indorsed "West Point" were revealed.
The other foot was found similarly furnished.
"By ," repeated Paulding, "he is a spy!"
They questioned him as to where he obtained these papers ;
but, of course, his replies were evasive. They asked him whether
he would engage to pay them handsomely if they would release
liim and he eagerly assented. He would surrender all he had
with him, and would engage to pay a hundred guineas or more,
and any quantity of dry goods, if he were permitted to communi-
cate with New York. Dry goods, it will be remembered, was the
general term for articles peculiarly precious to our people. Pauld-
ing peremptorily stopped the conversation, swearing, determin-
edly, that not ten thousand guineas should release him. In answer
to further questions Andre prayed them to lead him to an Ameri-
can post, and interrogate him no more.
It is also asserted that, but for the strong, energetic spirit of
Paulding, there is a probability that Andre would have gotten
ofif, and that his resolutions and sagacity are shown by the course
pursued on this discovery. I will not go further into a detail of
this disastrous affair, disastrous as far as Andre and the British
cause were concerned, as all school boys and girls throughout
the land, as well as the average citizen, are familiar with the
story. But I presume it is with them, as it is with me, the
account of Andre's capture and unfortunate fate is ever new.
JUI.IUS EI.DRED.
Julius Eldred, in the latter thirties, erected a block of three
brick stores on the north side of Jefferson Avenue, between
Woodward Avenue and Griswold Street, and removed his hard-
ware store to one of them, his son Elisha and Mr. Marvin joining
him. Another son, Anson, with Mr. David French, continued
30
466 • EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
the ground plaster, French burr millstone, lumber and wood busi-
ness at 84 Atwater Street, in the "blue building."
Randolph Brothers occupied one of the stores with wholesale
dry goods, the first of its kind in Michigan. There were four
brothers, bachelors to their life's end. They were a gay, genial,
hospitable quartet, bon vivants if you will, and for whom Nancy
Martin saved her choicest tid-bits. Whether they made much
money, or what became of them, I never knew, but from about
1835 to 1845 o^ '6> ^h^y were quite in the public eye.
After occupying the corner of Jefferson and Woodward
Avenues for awhile. Dr. Clark was burned out and a four-story
brick building was erected on the place by the owner of the lot,
Barnabus Campau or 'Xabie" Campau, as he was sometimes
called. This building was occupied by A. C McGraw & Co.,
boots and shoes, for many years ; afterwards by M. S. Smith &
Co., with a jewelry store. They also remained there for many
years.
On the Merrill block site, in the early '30's, was a brick build-
ing owned by Robert Smart and occupied by the dry goods
merchant, Henry Disbrow, afterwards by a Scotch gentleman
with the same line of goods (I have forgotten his name) ; then
by M. M. Brown as a clothing store, and finally by Campbell &
Jack and Campbell & Linn, dry goods merchants. All will
remember Colin Campbell and James Jack and Mr. Linn. The
last named is with us yet, a fine, courteous gentleman, who has
quite recently retired from the employ of Newcomb, Endicott &
Co., after many years of service with them. Aug. L. Wells was
on this corner in 1847. He sold dry goods.
f
MAKLR5 OF DLTROIT.
ALEX. McFARREN, PETER J. DESNOYERS AND HENRY S.
ROBY, EARLY BUSINESS MEN OF THE CITY. '
AROUND these four corners — Jefferson' and Woodward —
and in the immediate vicinity for many years ebbed and
flowed the life of the city. It was its business center, and to
be located far from it, even in a small way, meant disaster.
Adjoining Campbell & Linn, Alex McFarren kept a book and sta-
tionery store. Mr. McFarren had been a boss carpenter, but went
into the book and stationery business. He secured the agency of
the American Bible and Tract Society publications, and being
a Presbyterian, easily obtained nearly all the patronage of that
denomination. He was a fine, genial man and enjoyed a large
trade from the general public as well. After some years in the
business, having secured a competency, he retired to his comfort-
able home out Woodward Avenue, and passed the remainder of
his days in quiet. He had for principal clerk a very popular young
man, Frank Brainard, who drew a large amount of custom, par-
ticularly from the younger portion of the community, in want
of school books, etc. He was a brother of Mrs. McFarren, as
also of Mrs. A. E. Hathon. There are many, no doubt, who will
call to mind the persons I have mentioned. The late Don C. Hen-
derson, editor of the Allegan Journal, was a clerk in McFarren's
book store for quite a while, before he joined the editorial staff of
the New York Tribune, under the tutelage of Horace Greeley.
Next to McFarren Pierre, Teller kept a store, having for sale
drugs, wines and liquors, and next to him George Wales had a
wholesale liquor store. Some now living may perhaps call to mind
George Wales. He was a short, chunky, genial chap, not unlike
the late William P. Moore, whom many will remember, I know.
Wales kept an extensive stock of liquors and sold cheaply. I
recall that he had a particular make of brandy that he sold by the ,
barrel for 75 cents per gallon to the trade and to the tavernkeepers
in the interior of the state. If any of the latter's guests desired
468 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
to "wet their whistles" (and most all of them did) and made any
objection to the "goods" handed out, the proprietor >vould say,
"Why, that is George Wales's best, and cost me 75 cents a gallon."
What more could be said ?
On the site of Mr. Dcsnoyers's residence William and J. E.
King had a clothing store, and next was the Desnoyers Block.
Peter J. Desnoyers was born in Paris, France, on the first of
August, 1772. He received an excellent education and served with
his father as a silversmith until he was 18 years of age. Just
previous to the French Revolution a company had been formed in
America known as the Sciota Land Co., which opened an agency
at Paris, and offered large inducements to mechanics and artisans
of moderate means to invest in its lands. It was represented that
they were eligibly located on a large stream called "La Belle
River," abounding with fish of an enormous size, embracing
magnificent forests, filled with wild game ; that there were no mili-
tary enrollments and no quarters to find for soldiers. A large
number of mechanics and artisans were allured by such repre-
sensations to invest in these lands, and manv of them came over
and took up their abode here.
Mr. Desnoyers made some purchases for his son, Peter J.,
who, with many others, stimulated by a spirit of adventure, and
influenced by the political disturbances at home, embarked in an
emigrant vessel, and after a voyage of 60 days reached Havre de
Grace, Md., and thence proceeded to Gallipolis, Ohio, which was
said to be within the company's domains. They arrived there \\\
1790. Upon reaching this spot they found that the title deeds
which they held were worthless, the company of whom they pur-
chased not owning a foot of the land they had sold. They had
parted with all their worldly goods, merely to reach a wilderness,
in the midst of a people of whose language, manners and customs
they were ignorant and at a period when the Indians were carry-
ing death and destruction to most every white man's home. They
endured many hardships and privations, and had frequent strug-
gles with the hostile savages, which resulted in the death or cap-
ture of many of their number. One of the emigrants, a Mr.
Melcher, of the same profession as Desnoyers, was missing for a
long time, and it was thought he had been killed by the Indians.
A few years afterwards Mr. Desnoyers met his old friend at a
French farm house in Springwells. Melcher had been purchased
MAKe:RS O^ DETROIT, 469
from the Indians by some of the Canadian French on the Detroit
frontier, and thus his Hfe had been saved. The meeting between
tlie two friends was of the most cordial character.
The French settlement at Gallipolis did not flourish. A few
of the emigrants remained there and cultivated the ground accord-
ing to the limited knowledge and skill which they possessed. But
the Sciota Land Company failed entirely, and the 'settlement was
ultimately broken up. Mr. Desnoyers went to Pittsburg, whence,
in company with Michael Dousman, a well-known merchant of
Mackinac, he accompanied Wayne's army, it then being on its way
to the northwestern territory. He arrived in Detroit in June,
1796, being then 24 years of age. In July of the same year his
services were called into requisition by the government- as an
armorer, his commission being signed by Colonel Hamtramck. He
continued in the service as an armorer until November, 1803, when
he resumed the business of silversmith, manufacturing chiefly"
Indian silverware, and trinkets, so highly valued by the savages.
He formed a copartnership with John B. Piquette, the father of the
late John and Charles Piquette, and first husband of the late Mrs.
Jchn P. Sheldon.
The firm carried on a successful business as jewelers and
silversmiths until the great fire of 1805, when they dissolved. Mr.
Desnoyers lost nearly all his earnings, the result of his industry
and prudence for nine years.
WHEN LOTS WERE CHEAP.
After the fire, Jefferson and Woodward Avenues and that
portion of the city from Griswold Street to Randolph and north
to Adams Avenue, was surveyed and regularly laid out into lots.
These lots were the property of the United States, and were sold at
auction. The highest price of the most eligible lots in the city was
seven cents per square foot, and the whole average, not more than
four cents. Mr. Desnoyers purchased the lot or lots on the corner
of Jefferson avenue and Bates Street, now occupied by the build-
ings known as the Desnoyers Block, where he erected a small
building, one story high, and an attic with dormer windows. It
had two wings, in one of which, for some years, he kept a general
store, and in the other carried on his business as silversmith.
The Desnoyers Block also occupied the site of another build-
ing of brick, built a few years after the wooden one. This latter
-f
^ 470 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
was designed for a dwelling and for store purposes as well, and
was occupied some time after 1825 or 1826. Anyway, the two
structures were standing there in the early thirties. The old
wooden homestead was trundled off to Beaubien. Street, beyond
Congress, where it "held the' fort" for many years. The brick one
was torn down when the present block was built. '
Mr. Desnoyers was about the first merchant here (that I
remember), to keep marbles, the delight of the average boy's
heart in the early days, and I presume they possess the same charm
for those of the present day. All the boys attending the old Uni-
versity School on the corner of Bates and Congress Streets,
nearly, used to patronize him extensively. I myself squandered
many a penny for marbles at the old gentleman's store.
Aside from marbles, Mr. Desnoyers kept in his store as great
a variety of articles as possible. It was a common remark, when
a citizen was in quest of an article that was difficult to be obtained
elsewhere, that it could be found at Desnoyers's, which generally
turned out to be true. This became so proverbial that on one occa-
sion a gentleman made a wager with another that he could name
an article that Desnoyers could not -furnish. It was agreed. They
entered the store, and one of them very seriously inquired of the
salesman of versatile resources if he had any goose-yokes. "Oui,
monsieur," was the prompt reply, and he proceeded to a drawer
and produced the article asked for. The merriment of the party
was beyond reasonable bounds, Mr. Desnoyers entering as heartily
into it as his customers.
fine; characteristics.
Mr. Desnoyers's personal habits were plain. He was a man
of great perseverance and industry, of strict integrity, and was a
devoted Catholic. He was quite facetious and jovial, and never
failed to perpetrate a good jest when occasion called for it, and no
man perceived more readily the point of his own jokes and laughed
more heartily at them when uttered. For many years previous to
his death he lived in affluence and ease in the fine brick house
which he, on retiring from business in 1835, purchased from the
Frances P. Browning estate, situated on the corner of Larned and
Griswold Streets, where is now the old postofifice building. This
fine mansion was built by Mr. Browning for his own use. He
was a merchant well known here many years, for the philanthropy
MAKIiRS 01? DETROIT. 47 1
and the zeal with which he supported his poUtical opinioHS. He
was also the head and front of the Baptist church here, and he
was, besides, an Abolitionist of the most radical stamp. He died
in 1834, of the cholera.
Mr. Desnoyer's house was the center of attraction for many
of our most refined citizens. The elegant, old-fashioned furniture
and plate, costly wines and luxurious tables were suggestive of
wealth, good taste and pleasant associations.
Mr. Desnoyers died suddenly at his residence on Griswold
Street on the 3d of June, 1846, aged 74 years. He left a handsome
estate which was divided among his heirs. Some of them or their
survivors are with us yet.
hi:nry s. roby.
Perhaps none of the present day will remember Henry S.
Roby, a contemporary of Shubal Conant, Peter T. Desnoyers,
Thomas Palmer, Oliver Newberry and other merchants who flour-
ished here in 1810-11-12. He was an enterprising citizen (the
father of Henry M., John S. and Reuel Roby), and I think built
the first private wharf in Detroit. At one time during his business
career, there was a scarcity of small change, and Mr. Roby
initiated a system of shinplasters, which became quite current.
Mr. Roby had occasion to visit Monroe, and the landlord at whose
hotel he stopped, not knowing him, in the course of conversation,
inquired somewhat anxiously about the Detroit shinplaster system
and Roby's responsibility. Roby's reply was brief and rather
equivocal ; in fact, he expressed strong doubts whether "this man
Roby was worth a damn cent."
"I have in my pocket," said he, "a considerable amount of
his shinplasters, and though they seem to pass current in the com-
munity, I doubt whether they will ever be redeemed. I have often
been tempted to burn the damn things, and I'll tell you what I
will do. I have more of them than you have ; yet, if you will burn
yours, ril do the same thing, and then we will get rid of the
trash." He had no idea that the landlord would asquiesce, but he
did. "Done!" said he. Roby deposited his in the stove; the land-
lord did the same. Roby enjoyed the joke quietly, but said noth-
ing. A few days afterwards Mr. Desnoyers, General Cass and
other distinguished citizens of Detroit, visited Monroe, and Roby's
shinplasters again became the subject of discussion — ^the landlord.
472 EIARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
I belie^ne, refusing to receive them. Mr. Desnoyers assured him
that they were current and that Roby was sound. Said mine host,
in reply : ''I am informed by a gentleman from Detroit that they
are worthless, and he and I burned up several dollars' worth the
other day." A description of the gentleman from Detroit was
demanded and Mr. Roby's unmistakaljle physiognomy and dress
were described. The company were convulsed with laughter.
Upon their return to Detroit Desnoyers h^d his fun. Said he
to the shinplaster banker : "Vy you burn up your bills, eh? You
tink 'em no good, I suppose. I give you Michigan bank bills for
all of dem, if you burn de Michigan bank bills, too." Roby
declined the proposition and his shinplaster exploit was a standing*
joke for a long time.
MEN OF THL FORTIL5.
ANOTHER CHAPTER OF INTERESTING REMINISCENCES OF
DETROIT IN EARLIER DAYS.
PIERRE TELLER had a store in the Desnoyers Block at the
corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues when he first
came to Detroit, and afterwards he located furtlier down the
street. His new location used to be headquarters for many not-
ables of that day (the late '40s) and among them were David
Smart, James A. Van Dyke, Doctor J. H. Farnsworth, Doctor
Rufus Brown, Doctor J. B. Scovill, Tom Edmonds, John McRey-
nolds, Doctor W. Egge, Walter Ingersoll, Theo. Williams, and
Edgar Randolph. He had for clerks at that time Henry N. Mun-
son and Robert Dermont. The former, after leaving Teller, went
into the insurance business and continued in it until his death.
Dermont went into the drug and liquor business on the northwest
corner of Woodward Avenue and Congress Street and continued
there until he died.
Doctor Ware had his office over Teller's store, as did Doctor
J. H. Farnsworth. Doctor Ware was a dentist of great skill. The
late Doctor J. H. Farnsworth learned the profession of dentist
from him, and all know what a skillful practitioner he was, and
how he would joke and jolly a fellow when it hurt. He had me
in chancery occasionally, and I can speak by the card. Aside from
his social and genial qualities, the doctor's loss was keenly felt by
the large number of our citizens who had for years and years
looked upon him as the only dentist and would have none other.
But I presume they have become reconciled ere this.
Doctor M. Ware went to New York City many years ago,
became quite wealthy and had houses and lands. Along in the
early fifties I visited New York quite often and used to see and
hear of the doctor through Geo. F. Macey (once of the firm of
Macey & Driggs), who was located in New York and carried on
a general agency there — insurance, collecting, rents, etc. He had
quite a number of houses under his charge in different parts of the
474 EARLY DAYS IN D£:TROIT.
city belonging to the doctor, and he busied himself chasing up the
tenants.
C. & J. Wells occupied the next store with groceries and
liquors. My first experience in, clerking was with this firm in
1837-8. I slept on the counter, took care of the horse, sawed and
brpught in all the wod, swept out the store and was a general all-
around coarse hand clerk. I enjoyed it very much, though ; hav-
ing worked on a farm two or three years I was used to roughing it
and did not mind it a bit. Besides I was my own master after the
store closed and could go to the theater, of which I was passion-
ately fond, as often as I liked.
It was an interesting situation in one respect; the store was
the headquarters, so to speak, of the Brady Guards, then just
forming, and I seemed to live in an air of excitement constantly.
Doctor Edwin Desnoyers later on occupied the store on the
corner of Bates Street and Jefferson Avenue with a stock of drugSj
etc. The C. & J. Wells store was, in 1844, occupied as a book and
stationery store by C. Morse & Son. C. Morse & Son came from
Canandaigua, N. Y. The father had been for years in the same
line of business with his brother-in-law, Jas. D. Bemis, in the above
place. The firm of Bemis & Morse was well and familiarly known
throughout the state of New York and all along the lakes. They
were extensive manufacturers of blank books, and during the early
days — say from 1818 to 1830 — furnished nearly all the blank
books and office stationery needed by the merchants here and
Mackinac. The firm of F. & T. Palmer alone seemed to me to
have a cart load of ledgers, journals and day books made by this
firm.
C. Morse & Son did an extensive business in their line. Wells
& Co.'s Western Express had their office with this firm — the
first regular express office established in this city. Daniel Dun-
ning was the agent and resident partner. This express company
was afterwards merged into the American Express Co.
Morse & Son after many years retired from business ; the
father to his quiet home on Selden Avenue, this city, where he died
not many years ago. Charles entered the service of the Michigan
Central Railroad Co., in whose service he died four or five years
ago. Charles was musically inclined ; indeed, very much so. I used
to tell him he was always at it. He was a modest, quiet, retiring,
genial gentleman, as all who knew him will bear witness. There
MEN OF the; forties.
475
were two daughters that Mr. Chauncey Morse brought here with
him from Canandaigua. Jane, the eldest, married Geo. G. Bull, a
member of the Detroit bar and clerk of the United States court.
George was also an enthusiastic Brady Guard and divided the hon-
ors of being the handsomest man in the corps with Chas. C. Penny.
Mr. Bull died many years ago, as did his wife, leaving a daughter,
who, I think, is at present employed in the Detroit postofiice. The
other daughter of Mr. C. Morse (Sarah) married Lawyer Van
Rensaeler, of the Detroit bar. The latter died many years ago.
]\lrs. Van R. is still living.
I understand that Geo. G. Bull's portrait, painted full length
in the unifrom of the Brady Guard, is in the possession of his
daughter.
THL DLSNOYLRS HLIRS.
INTERESTING HISTORY OF THE DESCENDANTS OF ONE OF
DETROIT'S PROMINENT EARLY SETTLERS.
THE upper part of the Desnoyers Block was used for offices
as well as for bachelors' sleeping rooms. John Webster,
hardware merchant, had a suite of rooms here, called "Crim-
son Hall," from the color of the paper used in decorating the
walls. Zeke Truesdail (brother of Wesley), L. W. Tinker, Mr.
Abbott, Thomas Edmunds and others also had rooms in the same
block. Sometimes they and their friends used to make things quite
lively in the old building.
THE DESNOYERS HEIRS.
Peter Desnoyers was the eldest son, the next was Charles and
the next was Frank. They assisted the father in the store until
he went out of business. Peter went into business on his own
account, and at the same time looked after his father's affairs. In
1 82 1 he married a daughter of Judge Leib, a sparkling, brilliant
brunette. They had two children, Edmund and Emelie (Totts).
Peter's second wife was Annie Hunt Whipple, daughter* of
Captain John Whipple, U. S. A., and sister of Chief Justice
Charles Whipple, Kate, a daughter of this second marriage,
became the wife of J. Newton Powers, Fanny, another daughter,
married William B. Moran, son of Judge Charles Moran.
Peter Desnoyers held many offices of public trust, particularly
that of state treasurer for two terms. He died in 1880, widely
known and widely lamented for his sterling qualities of head and
heart. A truly good man.
Marie Rose, a daughter of Peter J., who I never saw,
married in 1817, Louis Dequindre, brother of Major Antoine
Dequindre.
Emilie, another daughter, married Louis Leib. She died
young and left no heirs. Victoire married in 1825 Henry S. Cole,
a most able lawyer, from Canandaigua, N. Y., who had settled
here. They had three sons and four daughters. Marie Louise
THii DliSN OVERS HEIRS, 477
married Eben N. Wilcox ; Isabelle died a nun of the Sacret Heart ;
Marie Antoinette and Harriett S. never married, but their beauti-
ful and pious lives were a repetition of that of the mother and
grandmother.
Elizabeth Desnoyers married, im 1835, James A. Van Dyke,
one of the most brilliant lawyers of his time, who died before he
had fulfilled the bright expectations his talents promised, and who
left a large family, as follows : George W., married Fanny Per-
ley, widow of Charles Piquette ; Marie D., married Wm. Casgrain,
a member of that distinguished family of Canada. They did reside
at Milwaukee, Wis.
Philip James Desnoyers married, first, Marion King, a daugh-
ter of Daniel King, of Green Bay, and niece of Mrs. Geo. Doty, of
Detroit, and second, Sarah Beeson, daughter of Jacob Beeson, pro-
duce dealer of this city. He was one of the most known lawyers
Detroit has ever produced, inheriting in an eminent degree the
brilliant talents of his father. When he came to be prosecuting
attorney of Wayne County he was a terror to evil doers, and they
stood in awe of him. He had the misfortune to become quite bald
in early life, and adopted no means or device to conceal the defect ;
and it is reported of him that on one occasion a number of crim-
inals were lined up at the county jail, to be escorted to the court
room, in order to learn their fate, when a chap standing by whose
time had not come, but had evidently been in limbo before, said :
"Now, boys, mind your eye, if that bald-headed cuss down at the
court room gets after any of you, you are gone, sure ;" and it was
pretty often the case. He died in the flower of his age.
Rev. Ernest D. Van Dyke is the very worthy and respected
pastor of the Pro-Cathedral (St. Aloysius), Detroit. Josephine
D. Van Dyke married Henry F. Brownson, an officer in the United
States army. He resigned in 1871, became a lawyer and partner
of Philip Van Dyke. He is a son of the celebrated writer, D.
Orestes Brownson. Victoria Van Dyke is a nun of the Sacred
Heart order. Elsie Van Dyke married Wm. B. Moran, son of
Judge Moran, as before mentioned. She died in 1874, leaving one
child, Catherine, who married Stratheam Hendrie.
Charles Desnoyers, son of Peter J., went into the forwarding
and commission business on the dock with Shadrich Gillett (Gil-
lett & Desnoyers). Many will remember the old firm. They
remained together many years. He married Elizabeth Knaggs, of
478 EARLY DAYS IN DEJTROIT.
the well known Knaggs family that lived down the river. A beau-
tiful girl she was, with such a wealth of golden hair. The wed-
ding was a brilliant affair. The knot was tied in St. Anne's
Church, on Larned Street. I was present at the ceremony and
remember it well. It seems to me that Father Richard officiated
on the occasion. Charles was a tall, handsome man ; and together
they made a very fine looking couple, indeed.
Francis Desnoyers married Louise Baird, of Erie, Pa., and
settled at Green Bay, Wis. His children still reside there. 1 knew
Frank better than any of the other Desnoyers boys. He was of a
jovial, kindly disposition, much like his father. He invariably
came to see me when he visited Detroit, which he often did.
Josephine Desnoyers married Professor Henry Barnard, of
Hartford, Ct. Mr. Barnard was at one time president, of St.
John's College, Md., chancellor of the University of Wisconsin,
and United States commissioner of education. One son and two
daughters are the children of this marriage. The son, Henry, an
accomplished, studious gentleman, took up his residence in Detroit,
and entered the law. I understand he was quite successful and
gained distinction. He married, in 1878, Kitty, daughter of Judge
Chas. Moran and Justine McCormack. He died some years ago.
His widow survives him.
The two children of Marie Rose Desnoyers, who married
Louis Dequindre in 1817, were Annie and Henry P. The former
married Edward A. Lansing, who for many years was in the
insurance business here, at one time a partner of Ben Vernor's,
and later a partner of Anderson, under the firm name of Lansing &
Anderson. The latter firm dissolved and Lansing continued the
business until he -died. Four or five children w^ere the fruit of this
union — three boys and two girls, I think. One of the daughters
married Judge Riley, some years ago. I do not now know what
became of the others. We all know the happy, contented life the
judge and his wife lead.
There are very many of the present day, who I am sure, will
call to mind ''Ed" Lansing and his agreeable and gentlemanly
personality, as I do; as also his brother, ''Gat" Lansing, who was
one of the same stripe. The latter was engaged in business here,
the nature of which I do not just now remember, but he was some-
what conspicuous from the fact that he was the "Grand High
Priest" of that mystic order, the Druids — which afterwards
merged into the Sons of Malta, another mystic order.
I
THE DESNOY^RS HmRS. 479
Henry Dequindre and his sister, Annie, lived with their
grandfather after the death of their father and mother. Henry
was a schoolmate of mine, a handsome, bright, intelligent boy.
After leaving school he was for many years clerk for Mason
Palmer, and then for Palmer & Holmes, with whom he continued
until they retired from business. What business he followed after
that I do not call to mind. He married and, after a brief married
life, he' died in this city. His widow secured a clerkship in some
department in Washington, where she was only a few years ago.
Emelie (Totts) Desnoyers, daughter of Peter, married, as I
said before. Professor F. AUerie. At this wedding Senator
Palmer was the professor's best man. Edmund, the brother of
Mrs. F. Allerie, after passing the usual time here at school, was
ambitious to be a doctor of medicine, so his father sent him to the
Philadelphia Medical College, where, after the stated period, he
capturd his "sheepskin." On his return here he practiced his pro-
fession only to a very limited extent. He at once opened a drug
and prescription store on the corner of Bates Street and Jefferson
Avenue (Desnoyers Block), where he continued until he died,
many years ago. The doctor was a very companionable, genial
man, and a favorite with all. He was also an accomplished drug-
gist and chemist. Many will, no doubt, call him to mind, and
remember what a neat dresser he was, after he returned from
Philadelphia. His attire was stunning, particularly in waistcoats,
scarfs and cravats. But for all'that he was a fine, all around good
fellow.
Of the sons of Henry S. Cole and Victorie Desnoyers,
Augustus Porter went with the First Regiment, Michigan Volun-
teers, to Mexico in the sutler's department. While there he con-
tracted typhoid fever, which hung on to him until after his return
and which after a time caused his death. Chas. S. studied law
with his uncle, James A. Van Dyke. I cannot say that he was
admitted to the bar. He, however, never practiced the profession.
Many will remember him and his companionable, genial ways.
He died many years ago, unmarried, and much lamented, at his
sister's (Mrs. E. N. Wilcox) house, out Woodward Avenue (Wil-
cox farm). Henry S. died when quite a youth, of consumption.
Referring again to Josephine Desnoyers and Annie Dequin-
dre, I am reminded of the last rites of the church on the occasion
of the funeral and burial of Father Richard. I was present at" Ste.
4^0 liAKLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Anne's during the ceremony, and also at the burial of that saintly
priest, as was almost the entire community, without regard to
creed. But out of all that great concourse of mourners, I fail to
call to mind but two, and they were these young maidens 1 men-
tion. After all these years, I seem to see them as I saw them then,
both at the church and at' the grave, overwhelmed with grief.
At the grave they lingered long, as did many others, after the
body had been deposited in its temporary resting place. I lingered
with the rest and could not help but remark, boy that I was, the
deep and almost uncontrollable sorrow shown by these two young
girls at the loss of their spiritual father, who had always been near
and dear to them from their earliest youth until his death.
I am indebted for a large number of incidents in the life of
Mr. Peter J. Desnoyers to an article published in a Detroit paper in
1863, from the pen of Mr. Geo. L. Whitney, who many years
before was the editor of a daily paper here (the name of which has
escaped my memory). The article in question was kindly loaned
to me by Rev. D. M. Cooper.
I am also indebted for many facts in regard to the descend-
ants of Peter Desnoyers to that charming and interesting volume,
''Legends of Detroit," the author of which was that bright and
accomplished daughter of the late Mrs, Eliza Watson (nee God-
froy), Mrs. Caroline Watson Hamlin, whose early death was so
widely and so deeply regretted.
RLCOLLLCTIONS OF ME.N PROMINENT IN THL
CITY'S AFFAIRS.
''T^HE store on the corner of Bates Street and Jeiferson Ave-
I ■ nue, opposite the Desnoyers Block, was occupied by Camp-
bell & Goodell (H. M. Campbell, father of the late Judge
Campbell). William Brown occupied the dwelling adjoining. It
boasted of a very pretty front yard, filled with roses, etc. ; also had
fine shade trees in front. Mr. Howard Webster occupied it as a
residence some time after. Mr. Webster, as many will call to
mind, was quite a florist, and was given to raising rare plants and
.flowers; among the latter was the night blooming cereus. The
specimen he had w^s a fine one, and when the time for its flower-
ing approached, he gave notice that on the nights, naming them,
when the plant would be in full bloom it would be on free exhibi-
tion in his parlors. The plant did show itself in all its fragrance
and glory, as all will remember who saw it. I never saw one
before nor since, and all had to thank the gentleman for the rare
treat he so generously gave.
Further along, Wilcox & Beach, at an earlier day, had a hat
store, and next to them a Mr. Swan kept a tavern. Counsellor
O'Keefe res ded along here next to the present Kearsley residence
(the latter still standing). Freedman & Goodkind were doing
business along here later. Major Kearsley had his residence next,
beyond Doctor Brown's, before he built on the corner of Randolph
Street. Freedman & Goodkind were the first merchants in Detroit
to order goods from New York by express in the winter. They
dealt largely in ladies' trimmings, embroideries, jet goods, laces
and fine fancy goods. Every trip the express messenger made to
this city during the winter he carried one or more bales for this
firm. This was an innovation in the dry goods business here and it
established their reputation to such an extent that the firm sought
larger quarters on Woodward Avenue and afterwards became the
extensive dry goods house of Freedman Brothers that many will
remember. Along here some years later Doctors Bissell and
Lauderdale had a drug store. They also practiced their profes-
4^2 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
sion, and enjoyed a large share of patronage. They were very
genial, companionable young men. Doctor Bissell married the
sister of Mrs. Theo. A. Eaton, and what became of them I have
forgotten. Doctor Lauderdale, on the breaking out of the civil
war, entered the service as assistant surgeon Twenty-fourth Mich-
igan Infantry, and served to the end of the rebellion.
The present Kearsley house occupied the old Bank of Michi-
gan site (standing in 1827).
couNSEiyivOR o'keefe:.
Counsellor O'Keefe was an eminent Irish barrister, brim full
of wit and repartee. He kept bachelor's hall and continued to
until after the arrival of his maiden sister from Ireland, who, after
the counsellor's death, married Judge Strong. I used to see much
of the counsellor in the early thirties, as he frequently visited the
office of my uncle in the Cooper Block that I have mentioned
before. Robert Abbott, auditor-general, and A. E. Hathorn had
their offices in the same room. He was always interesting and at
that time was just past his prime. It appeared that previous to
his departure from Ireland he had a misunderstanding with some
of his fellow students and had it out with them on the college
green in Dublin, and, as he said, he quit the latter place in disgust
but not in disgrace. In relating the circumstance and also the
tame reception the bar of Detroit gave him when he came to this
city, he would warm up with the subject, and with passionate elo-
quence he would give them all particular fits. He was of com-
manding presence, over six feet tall and straight as a poplar, and
with his ample cloak thrown across one shoulder, his right arm
free, he would stride up and down, gesticulating and rolling out
his adjectives, to the intense wonder and amusement of his
audience, myself included. He died poor, I think, but left a mem-
ory that is cherished by relatives now here. He was a member of
the legislature before the removal of the state capitol to Lansing,
and always when he had occasion to address the house he kept
them in a roar of laughter. He was quite as witty as "Willie"
Gray (whose relative he was), which is saying a great deal.
O'Keefe was at one time in the early days prosecuting attor-
ney of St. Clair County, and this is how it came about. The story
is taken from the ''History of St. Clair County," published in
Chicago in 1883, and is as follows :
I
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 483
"At a very early date, about 1820, O'Keefe came to Detroit.
He was a liberally educated and thoroughbred lawyer, but was
extremely intemperate in his habits. His drinking sprees were fre-
quent, sometimes lasting for weeks. He became acquainted with
Judge Bunce, of St. Clair County, visiting him often, sometimes
prolonging his visits for weeks, and through the judge's influence
became prosecuting attorney for the County of St. Clair. O'Keefe
on one of his visits to Judge Bunce, expressed a wish to represent
St. Clair in our legislative council at the next sitting, and he stated
that the judge favored his election, which was doubted by the lead-
ing men of the county. In the following year O'Keefe came up
from Detroit to canvass the county, and made his first call on the
father of Anna P. Stewart. He introduced his subject by stating
that he had quit the use of intoxicating liquors, that he had
decided on thorough reformation, and was about to take up his
abode permanently in St. Clair County. Relying on his reforma-
tion and ability, he had come to offer himself as a candidate to
represent our county in the legislature. In reply Mr. Stewart
said: 'Counsellor, I am glad to hear of your proposed reforma-
tion, and as to your abilities, no one can doubt them. Come and
make your home among us for one year, and give us proof of your
reformation, and there is not the least doubt that you will become a
favorite among the people, who will certainly^give you their hearty
support ; but to be candid, counsellor, I must insist upon one year's
reformation before I can give you my support.'
At this O'Keefe became angry and said : "Sir, I wish you to
know I was educated at two of the best seminaries in England, and
I was bred at the Irish bar; and, sir, I can write your governor
down."
After this outburst of passion there was a pause. Mr. Wol-
verton who was present remarked :
"Counsellor, you remind me of the story of the calf who
sucked two cows."
"Indeed," said O'Keefe, "and what of that, sir?"
"Nothing in particular," said Wolverton, "only it is said the
more he sucked the larger he grew."
At this remark O'Keefe smiled and became apparently good
natured, when the three went into a calm discussion of the mat-
ter. Mr. Stewart and Wolverton tried to convince "him that Bunce
did not intend to support him, but on the other hand was seeking
484 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
his own election. O'Keefe said: "It may be so, but if I thought
there was such deception in professed friends, I would throw
myself on the mercy of the Lord."
From the first organization of St. Clair County up to 1830,
O'Keefe practiced in the county court, most of the time as prose-
cuting attorney. A soldier at Fort Gratiot had murdered a com-
rade, and was delivered over to the authorities for trial ; at the
time Judge Sibley, of Detroit, was the circuit judge, and O'Keefe
prosecuting attorney. This was the first time that Mr. Stewart
ever sat on a jury. The jury in this case found a true bill of
indictment. The bill was drawn up by O'Keefe while visiting
^-•Judge Bunce. In order to dress in the backwoods style of that
'day, O'Keefe procured a pair of buckskin pants, which he wore on
^visiting Mr. Stewart.
MR. WIIvLCOX, OF WIJJ.COX & BEACH.
Air. Willcox, of Willcox & j>each, was the father of the late
E. N. Willcox and General O. B. Willcox, U. S. A. Mr. Beach
was the father of the late Eben Beach, who built a fine residence on
Lafayette Avenue. The latter at an early day, became a member
of the firm of Rathbone & Co., stove manufacturers, of Albany,
New York, acquired a fortune and came back here to pass his
days in affluence and quiet, loaned his money to the Michigan
farmers, at a good rate of interest, and proceeded to enjoy him-
self and his money, until the grim destroyer death stepped in and
stopped it all. Eben's daughter married a son of the late L. M.
Mason. Doctors Allen and Stewart, botanical doctors, had at one
time an office in this locality.
Major Kearsley, who lived in the house he built on the corner
of Randolph Street, is, of course, remembered by many old resi-
dents. His whole bearing and appearance gave one the idea that
he was a very stern man, but he was not. He was prompt and
decisive and not much given to levity, but he was full of the
*'milk of human kindness." He was a fine Greek and Latin
scholar and a terror to the classes in those languages in D. B.
Crane's and Professor Fitch's school, in the university building
that was on Bates Street. He was always invited, on examination
days, to hear the classes recite and was sure to be present. I seem
to hear him now, stumping up the stairs leading to the recitation
room, and the cold chills are chasing down my back, as I write.'
Woe betide the scholar who made a slip, for the major was sure to
haul him up with a round turn. J. Howard Webster married a
I
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 485
daughter of his, and Edmund Kearsley, his son, was a schoolmate
of mine at Crane's school. He (Edmund) was a good scholar
and was an assistant to old "D. B." (as we used to call him), in
the chemical laboratory. The major was engaged in the battles of
Niagara (or Lundy's Lane), Stony Creek, and Chrysler's Field,
and the sortie from Fort Erie, September 17, 1814. In the latter
engagement he received a wound which resulted in t,he loss of a
leg. This was a source of life long pain to him. The amputa-
tion was delayed in the hope of saving the leg, and then was
improperly done.
The major was held in high esteem in the army for his attain-
ments and his^ bravery, and it was much regretted when his
wounds compelled him to retire to private life. He was appointed
receiver of public money for the district of Michigan in 1820, and
made Detroit his home until his death, August 31, 1859, I think
he retained the office of receiver of public money until his decease.
He was at one time mayor of this city, and on account of his abil-
ity as a linguist was for many years a regent of the University of
Michigan. He was held in highest respect for his upright and
honorable character, and for his fidelity in the administration of
public trusts. A sword presented by General Washington to his
father, Captain Samuel Kearsley, was given to Major Kearsley by
him in 1819. This sword, I understand, descended to his son,
Captain Edmund R. Kearsley, of Bucyrus, Ohio — -lately deceased.
I presume it is in the possession of the latter's heirs.
The sword above referred to was presented to its recipient in
rcognition of the valuable and timely aid rendered by the captain
and his amiable wife, providing the soldiers with flour and meat, to
the extent of their means, in the dark days at Valley Forge. This
charitable act, coming to the ears of Washington, touched his
great heart. The commander-in-chief ordered the troops paraded
at headquarters, and calling Captain Kearsley to the front, com-
mended him for his meritorious services as an officer and his phil-
anthropic efforts for the relief of the soldiers, and presented him
with his (Washington's) own sword. It is a sharp three-edged
French rapier, which Washington wore at Braddock's defeat in
1755, ^"<^1 upon which is engraved:
"Draw me not without reason; sheath me not without honor."
It is related of the major that towards the end of his life he
frequently visited his farm at Grosse Pointe, to and from which he
486 I;ARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
drove in a two-wheeled gig. The road ran close to the river, and
in some places there was no room for two vehicles to pass. One
day, while on a return trip, he found an ox lying in the middle of
the road at the narrowest place, so that he could not pass. He
called to it in an endeavor to drive it out of the road, but the ox
paid no attention. Finally, losing patience at the inactivity of the
animal, the major drove his horse upon it, when it quickly rose
and overturned him into the river. Having but one leg he found
some difficulty in righting his gig and getting into it.
Upon telling of the occurrence (with much amusement), and
being asked why he drove onto the ox, the major replied that he
had told the ox if it did not g-et out of the way he would drive over
it, and as the animal paid no attention there was nothing else for
him to do, for there was not room to go around.
An extensive hardware merchant of Detroit, Mr. Howard
Webster, married a daughter of Major Kearsley (Martha). The
latter and Eliza Chipman, daughter of Judge John Chipman, who
was a near neighbor, were almost inseparable in their girlhood
days. Miss Chipman married William Baubie, of Canada, a writer
of prominence, afterwards in the government service in the
Dominion. A son survives him, William E. Baubie, a prominent
attorney of Detroit, who is also a writer and compiler of merit, |
The latter married Julia P., daughter of James Beatty, of Detroit,
their children being Marie Logan and Raymond Perrier Baubie.
A daughter of Webster (Sarah) married Colonel J. T. Sterling,
who commanded an Ohio regiment during the civil war. Another
daughter, Rebekah, married a son of Lawyer Oscar Heyerman.
The latter was at one time law partner of the late James B.
Witherell. Young Heyerman entered the United States navy as
a cadet, and during the civil war rose to the rank of commodore.
He died at sea on his way to visit his mother in Germany.
Commodore Heyerman had the reputation among his fellow-
officers of being one of the bravest men that ever trod the deck of
a ship. I think his wife is dead also. '"Major," a son of J. K.
Webster, married a daughter of Thornton F. Brodhead, who was
colonel of the First Michigan cavalry in the civil war.
A son of Colonel Sterling, following in the foosteps of his
grandfather and those of his father, gained a cadetship at West
Point, passed with honor through that strict ordeal, and is now
a full-fledged officer in the regular army.
MEN* PROMINEINT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 487
Colonel Sterling's wife is still living and resides on Grosse He.
Edmund Kearsley, son of the major, whom I have mentioned
as attending D. B. Crane's school, and as one of his assistants in
the chemical department, after completing a college education at
Kenyon College, Ohio, in 1832, returned to Detroit, and became
asistant receiver in the United States land office under his father.
He proved so efficient in this position that Major John Biddle,
registrar of the land office, requested his transfer to his depart-
ment, and made him chief clerk of that important office, which
position he filled until 1840, when his health failing from too close
application to business, he retired to a farm belonging to his father
in Oakland County, remaining there until he returned to
Detroit and resumed active business, his health having been
restored. Among other things he superintended the erection of
the Biddle House, one of the largest hotels in the state of Michi-
gan at the time, built by a company of which his father and Major
Biddle were the principal stockholders. Inheriting the military
spirit of his ancestors, he took an active interest in organizing
the Brady Guards, and was at one time captain of the company.
This organization was pronounced by General Scott the best
drilled company that came under his inspection, and equal to any
troops in the regular service. ^
During the "Patriot" disturbance of 1837-8 the Brady Guards
were called out and mustered into the United States service, where
they remained for nearly a year and a half, quelling disturbances
and protecting the border. During this time Kearsley was captain
of the company.
The subsequent history of some of these young men (mem-
bers of this company) it would be interesting to trace. Several of
them occupied prominent places in the. councils of the nation, in
both houses of congress, upon the bench, at the bar and in pulpits.
Some of them served their country in the Blackhawk and Mexican
wars; and not a few fell at Gettysburg fighting under command
of their former comrade, Lieutenant Williams, of the Brady
Guards, then a brigadier-general.
Years after the guard had been disbanded General Brady was
thrown from a carriage, receiving injuries which proved fatal.
Captain Ed Kearsley, upon learning of the death of their old com-
mander and patron, returned to Detroit, from which he had
removed, and the old company, many of whose former members
488 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT^
were now solid business men and men of note of Detroit and
different parts of the country, turned out as the Brady Guard — for
the last time — to escort the remains of the general to their last
resting place in Elmwood cemetery.
During his life in Detroit Captain Kearsley was for a number
of years secretary of the fire department and assistant chief
engineer. • He was also for a ^ime assistant quartermaster-general
of the state, and while in that position served with Captain U. S.
Grant while located at Detroit.
In 185 1 Captain Kearsley removed from Detroit to Bucyrus,
Ohio, where he remained until his death.
ANSON BURLINGAME AND OTHER MEN.
King's corner, opposite the Merrill Block, before King put
up his building, was occupied by a Air. Phelps as a saloon
and eating house, and was called "Phelp's Corner." The
building was one story high, with porch and pillars in front.
The whipping post was located near it, on the Woodward Avenue
side, close to the curb. I saw the post often, but never saw any
one whipped there. There are people, however, who came here
after I did, who say that they have seen culprits being punished
there, but I doubt it. I don't believe it was used for that purpose
after 1826. If it had been I should certainly have been an eye-
witness, or should have heard of it, as I lived only a block from
it, down Jefferson Avenue, and was always on the ''qui vive" for
anything of that kind. This was a great corner for auctions, any-
thing and everything. I have seen the sheriff sell a man's time
here, having been sentenced by the court for some petty offense, or
for vagrancy. If he could not pay the fine imposed by the judge
his time was sold to any one who would pay for it and board him
while he worked it out, as was the custom in those days. The
sheriff, of course, had to put the culprit on the "limits," and to
see to it that he did not skip the town.
• THE OLD MARKET.
The old city market (it has often been described), was in
the center of Woodward Avenue, about fifty feet from Jefferson
Avenue. This market, as I recollect it, was a pretty good one, and
was well supplied. The French housewives from the other side of
the river furnished most of the eggs, poultry and vegetables
MiCN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 489
needed. They usually occupied the space between the market
and Jefferson Avenue, and I do not know what the people would
have done without their assistance. Delicious whitefish, in sea-
son, were here abundant and cheap. J. L,. King became the
owner of this corner and replaced the old wooden building with a
new brick one, four stories high, the highest one in the city at that
time (about 1829). It was the custom of the old fire department,
at its annual parade and on other occasions, to assemble all the
engines on this corner or in the immediate vicinity, and then at a
given signal to see which company could first reach the top of
King's building with a line of hose, taking water from the reser-
voir on the Merrill Block corner. It was an eager, hustling rush,
and no mistake, for a few minutes after the signal was given to
plant the ladders and gain the top. The feat was also attended
with considerable danger. The winning company always got a
wild ovation, and were entitled to display a broom fastened at the
''goose neck" of their engine, which they carried until some other
company knocked them out.
BULL & BEARD.
The basement of the King building was occupied by Charles
M. Bull and George Beard (Bull & Beard), as a saloon and
restaurant. Here at last was a place where almost everything in
season could be had, and it became quite a resort, continuing so for
many years. Here is was that Mr. Avery, a bookkeeper in one of
the banks (Michigan, I think) met his death at the hands of Shel-
lon McKnight. Mr. Avery was a quiet, reserved gentleman, not
given to intoxicants, but genial withal, whereas McKnight was of
a rather fiery and peppery disposition, and on the evening of the
[tragedy was somewhat under the influence of liquor, though this
was not his habitual condition. Some words of a trivial nature,
buf heated, passed with them. McKnight gave Avery an open-
handed blow, not intended to be a crusher, but it was sufficient to
cause Avery to stumble over something on the floor. He fell heav-
ily, striking his head, and expired almost immediately. The event
made quite a stir, of course; McKnight was arrested and tried.
He plainly showed that he had no intention of injuring Avery and
that he had always been on the most friendly terms with the
deceased, whereupon he was acquitted. McKnight ever after-
wards felt the sting of remorse for this act and in many ways
490 DARLY DAYS IN DICTROIT.
assisted the widow of Avery and her children, particularly Charles
H. Avery, a son, who became a protege of C. C. Trowbridge and
by him was given a position in one of the banks — the Bank of
Michigan. I myself have many times heard McKnight regret bit-
terly that the sad accident happened.
LAWYER HANSCOM's JOKE.
There was another famous restaurant started by a man by
the name of Carson, but at a somewhat later date than Bull &
Beard's. It was on Griswold Street, somewhere between Jeffer-
son Avenue and Larned Street. When the legislature held out in
Detroit the members used to go down there for lunch. Carson
had a huge cast-iron image of a man, life size, on top of his large
stove. It Avas said that Hanscom, a waggish member of "the
house," drew up a resolution, authorizing the clerk of the house
to purchase this image for Representative Hall, and succeeded in
prevailing upon Charles O'Mallej (the Irish member from Mack-
inac County) to introduce it, in perfect innocence of its being a
huge joke. It is unnecessary to say that the resolution was laid on
the table.
Many no doubt will remember Hanscom. He was a lawyer of
good repute, was also captain in the First Regiment, Michigan
Volunteers, that went to Mexico. He was member of the legis-
lature from Oakland County, and a "high roller."
The first and second stories of King's building were occu-
pied as offices and I think the fourth floor was occupied by either
The Free Press or Advertiser, I do not remember which. At any
rate there was a printing office there. Counsellor Charles Tfyon
had his office on the first floor front, above the clothing -store. He
was a confirmed bachelor, quite eccentric in many ways. He
w^as a fine penman and did a large business drawing up deeds^
mortgages and conveyances of all sorts. They did not have the
neat and convenient law-blanks and the typewriters of the present
day, so most law-papers had to be written out.
ANSON BURLINGAME.
Anson Burlingame was a protege of Tryon's and a student
in his office. It has been said that Burlingame was not so espe-
cially indebted to Tryon as has been the popular belief. Now
I know that he was deeply indebted to him in many ways. The
MEN PROMINiJNT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 491.
latter was the first one to take hold of him, pull him up out of
obscurity, and give him a show. I would like to know what he
would have been if Tryon had not lent a helping hand when he
did. Burlingame and myself were schoolmates, sitting side by side
at the same desk. The school was in an alley in the rear of the
Evening Nezi^s office and a Mr. Clark was the schoolmaster.
Burlingame was brigiit, studious and ambitious, which I was not,
I am sorry to say. His father had been a butcher and drover, as
well as a local Methodist preacher in Ohio, but at that time he
kept a tavern in some part of the city — just where I am not cer-
tain, but I think it was in the vicinity of the Berthelet market.
Anson went from this school into Tryon's office, then into the law
office of Zepheniah Piatt, attorney-general, and then into the office
of Atterbury & Williams. General A. S. Williams, L. B. Mizner
and others helped him through Cambridge. He made speeches
before the Whig Club of Boston, attracted the attention of the
Whig Central Committee and was employed by that body to
stump the state of Massachusetts. His western style of eloquence
was new in that section and he at once became popular. Briggs,
then governor of Massachusetts, took a great interest in him, and
paved the way for him to a seat in the legislature of that state in
1846 and afterwards to a seat in the thirty-fourth, thirty-fifth and
thirty-sixth congresses of the United States.
Senator Hoar in his autobiography, recently published, says
of Burlingame, in connection with the presidential election of
1848: ''Anson Burlingame, afterwards minister to China, cap-
tivated large crowds with his inspiring eloquence." In a foot-
note, he relates the following: "Shortly after Burlingame came
into active life, he made a journey to Europe. The American
minister obtained for him a ticket of admission to the house of
commons. He was shown into a very comfortable seat in the gal-
lery. In a few minutes an official came and told him he must
leave that seat; that the gallery where he was was reserved for
peers. They are very particular about such things there. Bur-
lingame got up to go out, when an old peer who happened to be
sitting by and had heard what was said, interposed. Xet him stay,
let him stay. He is a peer in his own country.' *I am a sover-
eign in my own country, sir/ replied Burlingame, 'and shall lose
caste if I associate with peers.' And he went out."
492 e;ari.y days in Detroit.
DUEL THAT didn't COME OFF.
While in congress, Burlingame denounced in no measured
terms the« cowardly and brutal attack made by Preston S. Brooks
upon Senator Sumner. Brooks sent him a challenge and it was
accepted, the meeting to* be held at Niagara Falls, with rifles as
weapons. Brooks, for reasons best known to himself, did not put
in an appearance, but Burlingame did. This exhibition of pluck
on the part of the latter gained for him a wide reputation. Presi-
dent Lincoln appointed him minister to Austria in 1861, and
soon afterwards to the China mission. This mission he held for a
few years, resigned and took a position at the head of the Chinese
embassy commission, appointed by the Chinese emperor to nego-
tiate treaties with the United States and the European powers.
He was stricken down with congestion of the lungs, with this
great work unfinished, February 22, 1870.
Burlingame visited Detroit directly after the Brooks aflfair
and Eben Wilcox gave him a reception at his home on Jefferson
Avenue, next to Doctor Cobb's residence. All his old friends
were invited to meet him, myself among the number. At the
reception the subject of the duel that did not come off was freely
discussed, and the guest of the evening got a good deal of chaffing.
It seemed to me that he was quite satisfied that the affair took the
turn it did. I know I should have been.
the king brothers.
A few Words, in passing, in regard to J. L. King ("J. L.," as
he was familiarly called). He was a fine, genial man and
always had a strict eye to business. Nothing pleased him better
than to get hold of a customer and make him believe that the par-
ticular coat or garment he was inspecting was just the thing he
wanted. He would grab it in the back and say, "My friend, it fits
you like a glove," and it almost always did. Any of the "boys"
could get almost unlimited credit of "J. L." if he knew them
well or knew of them. He was first located at the corner of
Atwater and Randolph Streets, in company with a Mr. Trow-
bridge, and there he accumulated enough capital to purchase the
site on the corner of W^oodward and Jefferson Avenue and erect
his store. His brothers, William and John E., were associated
with him in the business as clerks, and were of the same type of
manhood — all very fine.
me;n prominent in city affairs. 493
AT the: outbreak of the: me:xican war.
At the outbreak of the Mexican war, the state raised and
equipped a regiment of volunteer infantry with T. B. Stock-
ton for colonel, A. S. Williams for lieutenant-colonel, and
James E. Pittman for adjutant. John E. King was commis-
sioned lieutenant in this regiment, helped raise a company and
went with it to the war. At the close of the war the regiment
returned to this city — with King as captain of his company — and
was mustered out of the service. William and John E. then went
into the clothing business in the block opposite J. L.'s store, on
Jefferson Avenue, and continued there for awhile, until John E.
married Miss May Baughman. The firm then dissolved partner-
ship and John E. went into the lumber business with Bela Hub-
bard and Collins Baughman. The firm name was Baughman,
Hubbard & King.
On the same floor with Tryon, in the King building, Ezra
Williams, lawyer and justice of the peace, had an office. He was ^
commonly known as "Pope Williams." McArthur & Hulbert,
grocers, occupied the store next to King's on Woodward Ave-
nue. Between this and Woodbridge Street, were located, from
time to time, A. S. Bagg's book store, the law office of Judge B.
F. H. Witherell, M. F. Dickinson, stoves and hardware, John
Thompson, hquors, and Jonas H. Titus and Silas Titus, auction-
eers. In 1830 the law office of Judge Witherell was in a small
wooden building; he afterwards put up a brick one in its -stead.
The corner of Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street was
then occupied by the Godfroy House, built just after 1805 by
Peter Godfroy, owner of the Godfroy farm, down the river. . The
lot also included the present site of the police station. The cor-
ner is now occupied by a brick building and the property is still in
the hands of the Godfroy family. It is said that Tecumseh and
his brother, the Prophet, and *'W^alk-in-the- Water" often visited
there, when the family occupied the corner. Peter Godfroy was
at one time extensively engaged in the fur business in company
with his brother, in Monroe. It is said that John Jacob Astor was
their principal customer.
In the block from King's store to Bates Street, on Jefferson
Avenue, about this' time (1837), George C. Moon and his maiden
sister had a millinery store, Zach Chandler and after him, Chan-
dler & Bradford, had a dry goods store. Hicks & Palmer also had
a dry goods store, and Darius Lamson (afterwards Lamson &
494 EIARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Butler), had a dry goods store. Lamson was a quiet, unobtrusive
man, of undoubted integrity and in whom it seemed there could be
no guile. His partner, later on, Wm. A. Butler, most of the pres-
ent generation are familiar with, as he died but a few years ago,
a banker on Griswold Street.
In this block also John Hale kept a general store. Asso-
ciated with him was Charles L. Bristol. John Hale had the repu-
tation of being a sharp trader and always looked out for "John,"
hit or miss. He also carried on an extensive ashery and soap
factory and had a number of teamsters collecting ashes through-
out the city. There were no hard or soft coal ashes at that time.
In return for these ashes the people were given printed orders on
the store, payable in goods. The orders bore the legend, *'Hon-
.€Sty is the best policy," which created considerable amusement in
the then small community.
^ ; - THE BUHL BROTHERS.
F. and C. H. Buhl, on their arrival here, occupied a store in
this same block, with hats, caps and men's furnishings, also manu-
facturing hats and caps. The factory was in the rear of the store
and separated from it by a wooden and glass partition. The stock
•of furnishings was fine, though limited. All the gentlemen of
that day attending the swell parties, balls and dances used to go
to Buhl's for their white kid gloves, etc. With George Winter
to assfst in attending to the wants of their customers, they had a
large and profitable trade. Right here no doubt they laid the
foundation for the large fortunes they both acquired later on. I
have often seen, through the glass partition, both of the brothers,
coats off, working hard at their trade and they continued to do
so until the necessity for it vanished. They were in this location
nearly twenty years.
George Winter succeeded the Buhls, and carried on the busi-
ness in the same locality for many years. George was a familiar
figure on the avenue for two decades at least. He was the first
to introduce the "Conformateur," a Paris invention to take the
measure of the head, a contrivance that all are now familiar with,
• tjut which was then quite a novelty. He was also the first to
introduce illuminating gas jets over his store, spelling his name,
■"Winter's."
It may not be out of place to note somewhat briefly the after
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 495
business career of the Buhl brothers, though I presume it is
known to scores of people.
After dissolving partnership, F. H. continued in the business,
later — in 1852 — moving down the avenue to 146-148, Shubael
Conant's (then) new brick block, adjoining the Bank of Mich-
igan— now the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Co. building —
where he carried on a successful trade, also going into furs
extensively.
HENRY A. NEWIvAND.
When the civil war broke out Mr. Buhl had in his employ a
young man by the name of Newland, who appeared to be his head
or confidential clerk. Anyway, he was bright, energetic, always
present, and most strenuous in his endeavors to secure trade for
his principal. I speak of all this in regard to Newland, from the
fact that I was a personal observer of his early career with Mr.
Buhl. At the breaking out of the civil war I was at once installed
into the office of assistant quartermaster-general of the state. I
had seen some service in the United States quartermaster's depart-
ment during the Mexican war. Our department had the furnish-
ing and equipping of the first eleven regiments of infantry of the
state, as well as the Coldwater battery.
Right here was where our young friend Newland "got in his
work." He early made friends with all the attaches of the office,
was on hand almost daily, and if anything in his line in the way
of forage caps or military equipments in general was wanted, he
always found it out. The establishment he was connected with
being the largest in the city or state, and fully competent to
execute all orders of the military nature I mention, almost on the
''drop of the hat," so to speak, and as time was the essence of all
contracts then, he most always got the "job." So, if 500, 1,000
or 5,000 infantry caps were wanted, and wanted quick, the depart-
ment knew who to depend upon. Through our office he also
secured the patronage of nearly every officer in the military
department, as well as that of almost every officer belonging to
the Michigan regiments. Their wants in the military line were
many, consisting in part of forage caps, swords, silk sashes,
sword belts, shoulder straps, epaulettes, chevrons, spurs, gaunt-
lets, etc. So it can readily be seen what a splendid trade this
young man picked up for his principal, and when Mr. Buhl took
him in as a partner, no one wondered. They continued together
49 6 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
some years successfully, when Mr. Newland finally branched out
for himself in the same line. All will remember the tragic instan-
taneous death of Mr. Newland and wife, which occurred in a
colHsion on the Grand Trunk railroad at Battle Creek in 1893.
They were on their way to the World's Fair in Chicago.
Mr. Buhl kept on in business until 1877, accumulated a large
fortune, and passed away a few years ago (1890) honored and
respected by all. Full of years and good works he was gathered,
as was the Patriarch Abraham of old, to his people.
The firm name after Mr. Newland became the partner of
F. Buhl, was Buhl, Newland & Co., the ''Co." being Walter Buhl,
son of F. After Mr. Newland left the concern, and Mr. Buhl
had passed to his fathers, the son of the latter carried on the busi-
ness for some time, then disposed of it and the stock to Edwin S.
George.
C. H. Buhl, after the separation, got hold of the Detroit
Locomotive Works. It was merged into the Buhl Iron Works,
which concern made much money and continued nearly forty
years. C. H. Buhl was . also head of the wholesale hardware
house of Buhl & Ducharme, which concern is still in business
under the name of Buhl Sons & Co.
He also, in company with Albert S. and Henry Stevens —
and, I think, the late Wm. H. Stevens — was interested in 187 1 in
the building of a railroad thirty-five miles long from Champion,
Marquette County, to Huron Bay on Lake Superior, projected
for the purpose of transporting ore, timber, etc., to the lake. But
from some unexplained reason it was not a success, though com-
pleted and equipped with locomotives and cars. It turned out an
utter failure, the Stevens brothers losing more than $250,000,
Wm. H. Stevens all he put in, if any, and Mr. Buhl more than
$600,000. But, notwithstanding all this and other losses, the
latter was able at the time of his death to leave to his heirs the
snug sum of nearly $6,000,000, it is said.
Reflecting on the successful career of these two Buhl broth-
ers, I seem to see them now as I saw them then — coats off, sleeves
rolled up, and hard at work in that little room in the rear of their
store on Jefferson avenue — amid the steam arising from the vast
open copper boiler in which the hat bodies were stewing. And
it would have been hard to realize then that in after life both
would attain large wealth, and one, C. H., would become so rich
me:n prominent in city affairs. 497
that he could afford to lose $600,000 almost at a blow, without a
ripple ; and, when called away from earth, could leave his heirs
nearly $6,000,000. They were both fine, splendid men, of the
most rigid integrity and very successful, but for all I don't think
that either of them got much fun out of life.
THE BANK OF MICHIGAN.
The Bank of Michigan built its first banking house in
this block — from King's store to Bates Street on Jefferson
Avenue — and it was a fine structure, with a cut stone front.
When the bank vacated for its new quarters on the corner of
Griswold Street, the Michigan State Bank, John Norton, cashier,
took the building and after they quit business the Bank of St.
Clair, with W. Truesdail for cashier, occupied it. W. N. Carpen-
ter had a dry goods store in this block, also. W. N. Carpen-
ter I seem to have known always. We were schoolmates, and
the friendship contracted then continued through life. He sprung
from an eminently respectable family. His father, N. B. Car-
penter, was one of the magnates of the town, and was almost as
much of a character as Judge Canniff or John Farmer. He and
David Thompson were in the provision business on the south
side of Woodward Avenue, between Jefferson Avenue and Wood-
bridge Street. I think their establishment was wiped out in the
fire of 1842. N. B. was short of stature, rotund and one of the
jolliest of men.
William N. entered into the employ of Franklin Moore's
dry goods store on Jefferson Avenue, between Woodward Ave-
nue and Bates Street. After awhile the firm name was Moore &
Carpenter, later it was William N. Carpenter alone, and finally
it became Carpenter & Rice (A. A. Rice, who was afterward
with Beecher, Rice & Ketchum). I think that after the separa-
tion between himself and Rice, Carpenter retired partially from
active business, having acquired a competency — and that through
his own exertions entirely, as he inherited scarcely anything from
his father's estate. He early entered the fold of the Episcopal
church, and was ever prominent ^n it. Of pleasing address, he
soon won the affections of Miss Gibbs, the sister of Mrs. Theo-
dore Eaton, and they in due time married.
Carpenter erected a fine house — fine for those days — next
to that of Doctor Mx)rse Stewart on Jefferson Avenue, and lived
there until his untimely death. While his house was in the
32
498 ElARIvY DAYS IN DJ5TR0IT.
builder's hands he used to take me into it often, for my inspec-
tion and admiration. It was certainly fine (particularly the
interior decorations), though small. He himself was quite in
love with it and often pronounced it a ''perfect gem."
It is a pity he could not have lived the fullness of years, to
have enjoyed it, and the fortune he had acquired as well.
He was, as many people know, thrown from his buggy and
instantly killed while on the way from his coal yard and dock,
in the lower part of the city, to his home. He used to visit the
above place of business almost daily. I was with him on two or
three occasions, and took him to task for driving around the
streets unattended. But he reminded me that he had always
been used to a horse and did not fear. "Watch out, for ve know
not."
In 1827 Felix Hinchman, father of Giiy F. Hinchman, had a
store on the corner of Batee Street in the same block, and A. S.
Bagg also had a book store here in the early forties, after leav-
ing his former store on Woodward Avenue to the use of Mr.
Miller, father of Thomas C. Miller, who carried on the tobacco
business for awhile. He was succeeded by his son, Thomas C,
who continued the business until his death. John J. Bagley got
his knowledge of the tobacco business in this store, as did also
Daniel Scotten. Bagley succeeded to the business and Scotten
went with Granger and Lovett into the same business. How
they all prospered everybody knows.
With A. S. Bagley was a young man, Peter R. h. Pierce,
who was his right hand man while in the book business ; a bright,
curly-headed, handsome chap. He went to Grand Rapids and
engaged in business, the nature of which I do not know. He
was county clerk of Kenty County during the civil war, and
after that a member of the legislature. He died some years ago.
Mr. Felix Hinchman Hved at that time on the opposite cor-
ner from his store (the northeast corner of Bates Street), in the
John R. Williams homestead, a yellow cottage^with a large wil-
low tree in the front yard. The Williams family had vacated it
for their new brick dwelling on Woodbridge Street between
Bates and Randolph Streets.
The Hinchmans, after leaving the Williams homestead to
make way for the Republican block, moved directly in the rear
on Bates and opposite Durell's cabinet shop. The house was a
.^^
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 499
iinique affair, and was perched on top of a high bank. Its
approach was made by a flight of hewn log steps let into the
bank.
Mr. C. C. Trowbridge, who came to Detroit with Felix
Hinchman, was an inmate of his household, after the latter's
marriage with Mr. Thomas Palmer's sister, Catherine. He
seemed and, indeed, was almost like one of the family, the bonds
of friendship between the two young men being so close. Mr.
Trowbridge continued an inmate of the Hinchman family until
his marriage with Miss Sibley, daughter of Judge Solomon Sibley.
Hinchman and Trowbridge remained firm, fast friends dur-
ing the life of the former, and for years and years after his death
Mr. Trowbridge and family remembered the wife and children
of his deceased friend most liberally at Christmas time and also
on other occasions.
It is not necessary for me, here, to speak of the career of Mr.
Trowbridge. It is known to nearly all our citizens of the pres-
ent day, as he passed away so recently. His kind, fatherly ways,
genial and gentlemanly bearing, which he retained through life,
will also be remembered.
The splendid banquet given in his honor by his admiring
fellow citizens at the Russell House not long before his decease
attested the regard they held him in and will long be remem-
bered, by those who were present, with pleasing emotions, and he
himself, it will be impossible for us to forget.
It has been said of Mr. Trowbridge that the most earnest
applications for loans coming from his personal friends would
be declined by him when it was not safe or convenient for the
bank to discount, with an air and politeness that really did the
applicant almost as much good as the loan itself could have done,
if it had been obtained.
Inexorable, and yet courteous, he never gave offense. With
these traits, it may be supposed that he was an invaluable bank
officer, and that the administration of his department gave high
satisfaction to the friends of the institution. He resigned in 1836
and was succeeded by H. K. Sanger.
Mr. Trowbridge, speaking of Judge Sibley, his father-in-law,
said : "I am reminded of a remark made to me not long since
by the venerable General Cass. The general said, that, while a
stout boy, he was one morning occupied at a hollow stump stand-
500 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
ing before his father's on the Muskingum River, pounding
Indian corn for the family breakfast. He looked down the road
and espied two persons approaching on horseback. They proved
to be Mr. Sibley and his young wife, the daughter of Colonel
Sproat, of Marietta, Ohio, on their way to Detroit, where Mr.
Sibley had decided to practice law. According to the custom of
the country, they aHghted without ceremony, partook of a wel-
come breakfast, and resumed their long journey." ^
In the rear of the Hinchman store, on Bates Street, was the
furniture and cabinet shop of William Durell. The next on the
corner of Woodbridge Street was the old store of John R. Wil-
liams, occupied by his son, Theodore (of blessed memory), as a
grocery store. Opposite Durell's lived David Isdeil, whom* some
may remember. He and his son Dave were quite well known
her .at the time. Dave was an enthusiastic fireman.
Continuning on up Jefferson Avenue, there were located, as
near as I can remember, between Bates and Randolph Streets,
Ellis Doty's residence, Pat Palmer's tavern, with a large elm
tree in front of it. Pat Palmer was the father of Perry Palmer.
The latter was captain of the propeller Goliah, which was lost on
Lake Superior, and nothing heard of vessel, passengers, cargo
or crew. Captain Palmer fortunately for him, did not happen to
be on the vessel at the time, having got a friend to take his place
temporarily. The propeller was owned by Wesley Truesdail.
BARNABAS CAMPAU.
Barnabas (Labbie) Campau was a line specimen of the
French gentleman, of commanding presence, quite unlike the
two brothers Joseph and James, who were thin and small of
stature, comparatively. Mr. Campau had two sons and two
daughters. One of the daughters married John B. Piquette ; the
other never married. The two boys, Barney and Alex. M. upon
the death of the father, came into their inheritance, which was
large, and proceeded to enjoy it judiciously. After a while Bar-
ney married Miss Alexandrine Sheldon, daughter of John P.
Sheldon. After many years of an apparently happy married life,
Barney was accidentally drowned at the foot of Bates Street.
He left two sons, fine, promising boys, who might have made
their mark in life, but they died early, just after they had reached
their majority. Barney Campau was a fine, manly, generous and
MJEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 50I
all around good fellow, as all will say who knew him and there
are scores and scores of people here and elsewhere, who did, and
his early taking off was deeply deplored. His widow married R.
Storrs Willis, a brother of the poet, N. P. Willis, and himself no
mean composer of verses. He was also a close student of litera-
ture and the arts, music being one of his principal accoinplish-
ments. He died not long since. He was for many years con-
nected with the Detroit public library.
The children of John B. Piquette I am unable to follow
intelligently.
Alex M. Campau is with us yet, and in the full enjoyment
of all his faculties, and one to look at him and mark his erect fig-
ure and elastic step would think he could never grow old.
George; doty.
A little later on, where Doty and Palmer had been, Rob-
ert Rumney had a dry goods store, as also did Saunders and
Kittredge. Where Oliver Miller had been, George Doty, jewelry,
put up a four-story brick building, the first and second floors of
which he occupied for his own use with a stock of jewelry,
clocks, watches and sporting goods. The remainder of the build-
ing was used for offices, etc. In his store front Doty introduced
the first plate glass windows of any dimensions (and they were
large) that had ever been seen in Michigan. They attracted wide
attention and at that time were a wonder and a show.
Doty at that time was the jeweler of Detroit, and also kept
the finest stock of sporting goods in the state. Old Mr. Lebot,
Berger, William Wingert and Dygert (father of Kin Dygert)
had previously attempted to do a little in the latter line, but Doty
beat them all "out of sight." Any one having arrived at the point
where he thought he could afiford a fine gold watch, always went
to George Doty, or if a diamond ring, Doty's was the place to
procure it. I bought one there once, myself, and Hon. Peter
White, of Marquette, speaking in praise of Doty and his jewelry
establishment, not long ago, said he procured from George his
engagement ring. It was a stunner, of course, though the Hon.
Peter did not say so.. Morrison J. S. Conklin, Ed. J. Smith, of
Chicago, and many other young men acquired their knowledge of
the watch and jewelry business under the tuition of George Doty.
The latter also made the first Detroit city clock.
George married a sister of J. L. King (Rachel King). How
504 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
The subsequent careers of these two (Elwood and Howe) are
known to most people of the present day. I am under the impres-
sion that it was with Dow Elwood that Dexter M. Ferry first
took service in this city, as all around clerk and bookkeeper.
Dexter was a stalwart youth at that date, faithful and prudent,
and he feared no noise. I, being in the same business as Elwood
& Howe, further down the avenue, had frequent transactions with
him and came to know Dexter well (Elwopd I had known pre-
viously in Rochester.)
BEGINNING OF A GREAT BUSINESS.
When Howe succeeded Elwood, Dexter Ferry staid on, until
he went into the seed business. It is not necessary, except briefly,
to follow his successful career further, as all are familiar with it.
I little thought, at the time I speak of, that he would attain the
wealth he possesses, nor the prominence in the community which
he now enjoys. Our relations during all these years have been
most friendly, and I am right glad that he is as he is. His seed
venture was with M. T. Gardner, the firm name being M. T.
Gardner & Co. I had at the time a steam job printing office, and
did a large amount of printing for the new concern, and having
in my book bindery the only paper cutting machine in the city,
cut all the paper used in making their seed bags, etc., thus being
a factor in a small way in helping to the front this early bird
that now overshadows the country with its wings. They were in
a measure something like the express business — they filled a long-
desired want. A seed company in Rochester, and Frisbee & Co.,
of Fredonia, N. Y., and the Shakers had for years flooded this
state and the west with garden seed's and it was time for some
one to call a halt, some one nearer home that could fill the bill
equally as well, if not better, than a foreign concern. M. T.
Gardner & Co., tried to experiment, and time, care and attention,
developed the infant it was into the giant it has now become.
Shortly after the advent of the Markhams here they were
joined by James C. Parsons and Jerome Croul from Rochester,
N. Y. I say joined — they did not do so in the book business but
did in the family circle, making their home with the Markhams.
They entered at once into the tanning business — leather, hides,
wool, sheep pelts, etc., and later on leather belting. The firm
continued some time. I do not know how long, and was very sue-
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS.. 505
cessful. Mr. Parsons retired from the firm, moved to Chicago,
where I think he engaged in the same business. He passed
through the great fire there losing heavily, went to New York
and engaged in the stock brokerage business with Frank C. Mark-
ham. I do not think they were very successful. The former is
living at present in Whitestown, Long Island. He married while
here a daughter of the late Doctor Thos. B. Clark of this city ; she
is also living. Many will remember "Ji"^" Parsons and his
estimable wife with kindly, pleasurable emotions, as I do. Jerome
Croul was at the time he left Rochester a most active member of
its volunteer fire department, and on his arrival here, as a matter
of course, identified himself directly with the like organization in
this city. He continued an active fireman until the volunteer
department went out of business. Pie served one or two terms
with marked ability, as all know, as fire commissioner in the paid
department. At the outbreak of the civil war he was appointed
on the governor's staff as colonel, and a member of the state mil-
itary Contract board. In relation to this board Adjutant-General
Robertson had this to say at that time: "Individual ability and
great energy, coupled with exemplary economy, characterized this
board, relieving the quartermaster-general of much labor and
responsibility." I was in a position to know very much of the
workings of the board, ^nd in my opinion Colonel Croul was by
far the most efficient member of it. His subsequent career in
business all are familiar with, as he died so recently. I presume
it is almost needless to mention, as a matter of news, that he
married a sister of his partner (Parsons), who survives him, a
most estimable woman.
The Markhams resided in the Elisha Taylor house (still
standing) on Jefferson Avenue, south side, between Brush and
Beaubien Streets. Their home was made most attractive by the
presence of its presiding genius, the charming wife of Fred P.,
a Rochester lady. Croul and Parsons, as before mentioned,
made it their home with this family, and in addition the presence
of a few outside congenial friends, almost always of a Sunday,
met them around their hospitable board, to discuss the bountiful
spread, made these occasions most enjoyable for all the partici-
pants. There were usually present besides the family above men-
tioned, Geo. Sam Rice, freight agent of the Michigan Central
railroad; J. Hargrave Smith, pay department, United States
506 . E^ARIyY DAYS IN DETROIT.
army; Major Whilden, George Jerome, the writer, and occasion-
ally W. Van Miller, of Monroe. Time has dispersed all that
crowd, and but three are now living, viz. : Frank C. Markham,
James C. Parsons and myself.
The firm that succeeded Parsons & Croul was Croul Bros.,
of which our jolly and genial friends "Jo^ ' Croul was a most
efficient member, and contributed much to its success.
Fred P. Markham, after leaving Detroit, was at one time
United States consul at Samoa. He died man}- years ago, as did
his charming wife.
«
'' "Make merry with the world as best you may, '
Ere you, like them, are called to pass away.
All pleasure ceases with our loss of breath,
And all is ended with the one word death."
The other occupants of the old council house were the
Advertiser Printing office, Patrick Tregent's billiard saloon and
M. Martz, bootmaker.
THi; VINGT CLUB, AN ORGANIZATION THAT FLOURISHED BEFORE THE
WAR — ITS MEMBERSHIP.
Referring again to the Doty building, I desire to say that
Mr. Doty used the second and third, floors for his business
and the entire fourth floor was occupied by the ''Vingt (20)
club," an organization similar to the present Audubon club.
It was founded in 1848, by Mr. Charles E. Whilden (Major
Whilden), a clerk in the office of Colonel J. B. Grayson, United
States commissary of subsistence stationed here at that time, and
some others. It dififered in one respect from the present Audu-
bon club inasmuch as liquors, eatables and cigars, were furnished
to the members and a monthly assessment of $2 each was found
to be sufficient to cover all expenses, except on some extraordi-
nary occasion when a special call would be made. It was intended
at first to limit the number of members to twenty, but the club
soon gained great fK>pularity and the membership limit was done
away with, though the club still retained the name of "Vingt."
This was the first club of the kind ever organized in this city,
and, as said before, it rapidly grew into favor and carried on its
list of members such names as Charles E. Whilden, Benjamin
Vernor, J. C, Parsons, Jerome Croul, James E. Pittman, S.
Dow Elwood, William Gray, W. D. Wilkins, Theodore Luce,
me:n prominent in city ae'Fairs. 507
Horace S. Roberts, Alexander Lewis, T. W. Palmer, John B.
Frink, George Doty, Mr. Duff, Dr. L. H. Cobb, George A. Cooper,
V. W. Bullock, Colonel John Winder, City Treasurer Bushnell,
Henry A, Wight, James W. Sutton, H. J. Buckley, David R.
Peirce, John B. Palmer, J. B. Witherell, Robert H. Brown,
Friend Palmer, and many others whose names I fail to recall. It
continued to flourish until some time before the Civil War and
then fell to pieces on account of the repeated indulgence in gam-
bling of some of the members, which the by-laws strictly forbade.
The good members simply would not stand it.
The first meetings of this club were held in a small room
over Peter Babillion's saloon on Griswold Street, and later in two
rooms in the fourth story of the Williams block (Republican
hall), corner of Bates Street ( where 'Edson, Moore & Co. now
are). One of the two rooms was devoted exclusively to whist,
the other to noise, and plenty of it. I was caterer, as well as
secretary and treasurer at that time, but on account of the smali-
ness of the income was able to furnish only bread and butter,
crackers and cheese, herring (smoked), brandy, whisky, lemons,
sugar and cigars. The refreshments were all displayed on a
sideboard in the noisy room, and every one helped himself. The
club began to grow and becoming too large for its quarters in
the Williams block, it secured larger and more commodious ones
in the George Doty building.
It was the custom in the early days of the club, when one of
the bachelor members married, for him to give a dinner to the
members, in the club rooms, the spread being provided from out-
side by a nearby restauranteur. This pleasant custom was dis-
continued after the club took up its quarters over Doty's store.
The list of members had increased to such an extent that it was
found to be impracticable.
Plere in their new quarters, as in the old, one " room was
devoted exclusively to whist and silence, which room fronted on
Jefferson Avenue. The next room, in the rear, was given up to
euchre, checkers, dominoes and noise ; the next, in the rear of this,
and fronting on the river, was used (as the members termed
it) as ''Feasting Room." Here in a moderate and primitive way
were the appliances for preparing eatables and drinkables —
chafing dishes, ordinary table furniture, etc. ''Jim" Sutton was
here the caterer par excellence. The two dollar assessment
508 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
against each member would not admit of a much more elaborate
larder than in its early days, and ''Jim" did the best he could on
the limited income. In addition to the bill of fare in the Williams
block, we had oysters, and fresh eggs, in season, pigs feet,
pickled, ready to serve, canned lobster, now and then a cold boiled
ham and pickles always. No waiters, no cooks, it was every one
for himself as formerly, and deliciously free and easy. As
remarked, the liquids furnished were confined to brandy and
whisky. Lager beer was not in it those days. It was before the
Civil War, and liquors of all kinds were remarkably cheap, as
many will remember. The finest, the purest brandy, imported,
was only from three to four dollars per gallon, and whisky of the
first quality and age (lyuke Whitcomb's best) was way down,
down. Cigars, the finest Havana, were only from three to four
and a half dollars per hundred. So you see, a lot of "fellers'"
could have, and did have, a pretty good time on a small amount
of money.
The club met on Saturday nights, and on no other, except
special occasions. This was in conformity with the by-laws, and
was. for a long time, three or four years, rigidly adhered to, but
after a while some of the poker ishly inclined members (gam-
bling being strictly prohibited) procured keys of their own to the
rooms and met there when they pleased, on other nights besides
Saturday, thus violating the rules of the club and consuming its
provender. They were remonstrated with, but to no purpose, the
consequence being that the club disbanded.
I know that some of the members of this club are still alive,
and I am sure if this article meets their eye their thoughts will
travel back to those good old days, those happy days, or those
nights, of mild revel and keen enjoyment, when William Gray.
Wm. D. Wilkins, John B. Palmer, Major Whilden, Dr. L. H.
Cobb, Horace S. Roberts, Jerome Croul, V. W. Bullock, Henry
Buckley, J. B. Witherell, "Jim" Sutton and others were at their
best; when
''All hearts with pleasure bounded,
The laugh was laughed,
The song was sung,
And loud the revel sounded."
Visitors out of town used often to enliven the club with their
presence. I particularly call to mind "Charley" Little, from Sagi-
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 509
naw. Charley was musically inclined; could sing a good song,
tell a good story, and being an all around good fellow, his com-
pany was always welcomed. He used to sing one song that
always brought down the house. The name of it I have for-
gotten, unfortunately, but it always used to tickle Bullock (that
sweet singer) so immensely that he almqst tired poor Little out
getting him to repeat it. I visited Saginaw two or three years
ago, and made quite a protracted stay there, with some friends.
It was in the summer time, and Saginaw looked its best. While
there the gentleman I was visiting drove me over to see Little (I
think he lived on the east side). We found him at home, in his
fine residence embowered in splendid trees. He was pleased to
see us, of course. We (he and I) had much to talk over, discus-
sing the early days, and I am satisfied that he enjoyed it quite
as well as I did. I think he is living yet, indeed I hope so.
The following effusion (mentioned an a former articl^) in
regard to our friend Willie Gray, a distinguished member of the
''Vingt club," occurs in a "Post Prandial Rhyme" recited at a
bar supper in Detroit on the evening of January 28, 1857, by D.
Bethune Duffield :
Next to Levi (Bishop) sits his favored friend,
Whom much he loves, nor ever would offend;
A ruddy youth, adorned with smiles and curls,
And once, and still, the fav'rite of the girls ;
His graces those of Ganymede excel.
And Ganymede's vocation loves he well ;
Give him a cask of old Falernian wine;
'Round his fair brow let boys the roses twine;
Close to his side, and ere the wine has run,
Plants generous Toms, all dripping with his fun,
Let goblets pass as often as they are drained,
And wit flow free, unpruned and unrestrained.
And ere the midnight hour has come and gone,
You've seen young Bacchus and Anacreon.
But he of whom we sing, the rosy boy,
Is still a man, and knows each manly joy;
Effeminacy soft, he never knew.
Save when he knocked a dandy all askew,
His thirst for wine has never been paralleled.
Nor powers of suction ever been excelled.
No matter how or where the night was spent,
Next morning finds him o'er his table bent ;
5IO BARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
No sluggish blood within his veins e'er lay ;
He works at heavy tasks with each new day.
With him Fraser alone an oracle can shine,
And 'Old Lemaiee' is Bible-truth on wine —
For all his brands read 'Henkle on the Rhine.'
A mean or sordid breath he never drew ;
For all his friends he- ever has a chew ;
The juices of his heart are ripe and rare,
For Mumm's best vintage ever bubbles there ;
Indeed his body might be called a vine,
Since all his blood is ripe and rare old wine !
In him no error lies except in name,
For this father is alone to blame,
And had he known him as some others do.
Instead of Gray, he'd named him William Blue.
■ The records of this club, which were faithfully kept during
his fife, would now afford most interesting reading to any of the
surviving members, but unfortunately they are lost. Robt. H.
Brown was the last secretary, and on his departure from the city
he left them in charge of the late Tim Campau, who was never a
riiember of the club. On the latter's demise an effort was made
to discover them among his effects, but the search was fruitless.
THE REPUBLICAN HALL AND OTHER BUILDINGS AND THEIR
OCCUPANTS.
The Rumney and Kittridge stores and the General Williams
homestead were after awhile swept away and were replaced
by the Republican hall. Brick Block. In this block were
located from time to time, T. & J. Beaubien, Charles Moran, T.
& J. Watson, Benjamin Vefnor (with Jed P. C. Emmons for
clerk), and Horace Hill, dry goods dealers; Truax & Booth,
wholesale grocers ; James Nail & Co., dry goods, and C. D. Cross-
man, dry goods. Walsh, whom I have mentioned before, in con-
nection with Lillibridge, occupied a large portion of the basement
as the Tontine Coffee house. A large hall occupied the fourth
story, about the center of the block, and was used as occasion
offered, for political meetings, lectures, balls and dances, the lat-
ter patronized exclusively by the second four hundred of Detroit.
The remainder of the upper floors was occupied as doctors' and
lawyers' offices, sleeping rooms, etc. Devereaux Williams had
rooms in the third story of this building, on the Bates Street cor-
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 5 II
ner, and at one time had for a roommate Charles Barstow, a
gifted, courteous gentleman from Boston — a Yale graduate —
who was here in the interests of some eastern firm. He had an
unfortunate appetite for intoxicants, and during a fit of delirium
he threw himself from the corner window of the room to the pave-
ment below and was instantly killed.
The Grosvernor residence was enlarged and extended to the
corner of Randolph Street. The corner was occupied for a time
by Riley & Ackerly with drugs and groceries — until 1838, when
they became embarrassed. Theo. H. Eaton, then of the firm of
Wm. Williams & Co., Buffalo, bought their stock, through his
agent, David A. McNair, and the latter carried on the business
until the dissolution of the co-partnership of Wm. Williams & Co.
in 1842, when Mr. Eaton came on and took control of the busi-
ness in person.
This is. slightly diflferent from the account given of this cor-
ner in my article of January 3, and D. A. McNair's, Riley &
Ackerley's and the late Theo. H. Eaton's connection with it. For
this revision I am indebted to his son and successor, Theo. H.
Eaton.
Cicott Brothers had a dry goods store next beyond Eaton.
The upper part, in connection with the old Hull residence, was
occupied by Austin Wales as the American hotel. He kept it for
some time and then retired to his farm at Erin, in Macomb
Count}^ He was the father of Edwin A. Wales and Mrs. Alex
H. Newbould. Later, John Griswold kept this house until his
death. He was the father of George R. Griswold, John and Doc-
tor Alexander Griswold, also Mrs. Captain Stevenson and Mrs.
Captain Guise, of the United States army. Petty & Hawley also
kept this house, as did J. W. Van Anden.
The opposite corner of Jeflferson Avenue and Randolph
Street, which was occupied, in 1827, as a residence by Judge Solo-
mon Sibley, was well surrounded by shade trees, flowering
shrubs, and extensive gardens. The rest of the block was vacant,
except a house on the corner of Brush Street, although Caleb F.
Davis had a paint shop here later. This vacant space was used
for a long time as occasion required by circus people, menag-
eries, etc.
Here, in the campaign of 1840, "Tippecanoe and Tyler, too,"
was located the Log Cabin, in which the stirring meetings of
that memorable time were held.
512 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
'*Cale Davis," as he was familiarly called, was a noted citi-
zen in the early times. Beside being an expert at his trade, he
was an energetic fireman, a trained body guard, and at one time
was city clerk or city treasurer. I forget which. Anyway his
signature at that time became a familiar one, as it was attached
to the first ''shinplasters" the city ever issued. They were of
various denominations of the fractions of a dollar, and I presume
some of them are still extant, pasted in the scrap books of collec-
tors. Davis, I think, saw service in the Civil War, but in what
capacity I do not know. Anyway he was employed for some
years in the war department, Washington, as clerk or head of the
bureau having charge of the rebel archives captured at Rich-
mond, Va. Whether alive at present I do not know. He was
the artist of one of the banners presented to the Brady Guards,
the one that General Hugh Brady presented from the steps of the
American hotel (Biddle house).
Adjoining the American hotel on Jefferson Avenue was the
residence of Major John Biddle and next was that of Edmund A.
Brush, neither dwelling being very pretentious. The Brush house
was on the corner of Brush Street, a two-story wooden structure.
The Brush estate was not at that time quite as valuable as it is at
the present day, but nevertheless it yielded a very comfortable
income and revenue. After the death of Colonel Elijah Brush,
the family were quite as poor as some of their neighbors. The
late C. C. Trowbridge once said, "Colonel Elijah Brush died in
1813. (Edmund A. Brush was at college), widow and children
very poor, living in Canada, in Sandwich, farm not very valu-
able, not worth much and producing nothing," this in 18 19. But
under the fostering care of Edmund A., the Brush farm became
very valuable and what is left of it now in the hands of the
heirs is worth much money. Colonel Brush left four heirs,
Charles R., Edmund A., Alfred and Sumantha. Charles R. was
a jolly, easy going man, unlike the rest; Alfred was a West Point
cadet and graduated ijito the infantry but soon after resigned
and, returning to Detroit, remained ever after under the wing of
E. A., until he died. His chief occupation was horticulture,
which he pursued for amusement. In his office in the Michigan
or Brush garden that occupied the square where now the Lyceum
theater stands, and also the D. M. Ferry seed store, etc., he kept
a history of the various trees, shrubs and flowers growing there
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 513
and entered in a small blank-book their daily progress, fruition,
etc. He was also a great pedestrian, and, in company with Doc-
tor Farnsworth and Doctor Rtifus Brown, took daily outings,
rain or shine. They would ''pedest," these three, as though the
"old Harry" were after them. Charles R. died leaving a daugh-
ter to the care of his brother, E. A. ; Sumantha married George
R. Meredith, a lawyer living in Detroit. The union was not a
happy one. Meredith was a thoroughly good, happy-go-lucky
fellow, came of a fine Baltimore family, was a good lawyer and a
gentleman in every way, but dissipated, I am sorry to say. After
living together for a time they were divorced. The fruit of the
union was a daughter. Mother and daughter died soon after the
separation, as did also Meredith. Much to the latter's credit he
reformed some time before his death and gave temperance lec-
tures here and elsewhere. The daughter of Chas. R., who became
the ward of Edmund A., married a gentleman by the name of
Boggs. They went to Chicago, where they still reside. Edmund
A. Brush after awhile absorbed the whole of the estate and made
it the study and aim of his after life to keep the Brush farm as
much as possible off the tax rolls, as other than farm property,
and fighting assessments of various kinds. He rarely sold any
property, preferring to give what was called a "Brush" lease, the
party of the second part paying a cheap rent therefor and also
the assessments on the property, ordinary and extraordinary. He
died quite suddenly, some years ago at his Grosse Pointe resi-
dence. He left to his widow and two other heirs all of his vast
estate.
MAJOR BIDDLE.
Major Biddle was a fine gentleman of commanding pres-
ence, courteous and polished, one of the old school. He was the
brother of Nicholas Biddle, president of the old United States
Bank. The Biddle house was named after him. He died in
Paris, France, I think.
From 1837 to 1850 there were located from time to time,
between Randolph and Griswold Streets, on Jefferson Avenue,
firms that I knew, such as Jas. G. Crane & Co., hats and caps;
Watkins & Shaw, harness; Farnsworth, Mather & Hall, general
store; Benjamin LeBritton, drugs; Charles W. Penny, clothing;
Eldred & Son, and Eldred & Marvin, hardware; J. Sabine, har-
33
514 KARI.Y DAYS IN DE'I'KOIT.
ness ; John McReynolds (after Doctor Clark), drugs, on the
corner of Jefferson Avenue and Woodward Avenue ; McCormick
& Moon, hats, caps and mihinery ; Doctor Rufus I5rown, Hquors
(opposite S. L. Rood) ; J. M. Berger, books; E. & H. Doty, dry
goods ; Hutchinson & Titus, dry goods ; Ingersol & ^virby,
leather; Martin & Townsend, hardware; F. H: Stevens, president
of the Michigan State Bank, hardware; Stevens & Zug, furni-
ture, below the Michigan Exchange ; R. W. King & Company,
crockery, and F. Wetmore, in the same line.
McCormick, of the firm of McCormick & Moon, was the
brother of the late Mrs Judge Moran, as also the late Mrs. J. B.
Vallee. Mons. Vallee was deputy collector of customs under
Colonel Andrew Mack. The customs office was located just one
side of the Mansion House hotel on Jefferson Avenue, when the
colonel was its proprietor. When \ think of that customs office I
seem to see it as it was then, with its large sign over the door,
on which was painted an eagle with outspread wings holding in
its beak a scroll, on which was inscribed "U. S. Customs," and a
representation of the stars and stripes as well.
THE WIEIXOX FAMILY.
Mr. Watkins, furniture dealer, occupied the house on the
opposite corner of Brush Street (where Haight's drug store
now is), which was wiped out by the fire of 1843. Next
to Haight's store, Jonathan* Thompson after awhile built
the brick row^ of tenement houses still standing there. Elisha
Taylor built and resided in the house next adjoining for
many years; after him, for awhile, Mr. Fred P. Markham occu-
pied it. The house is still standkig* Adjoining this house lived
the widow Willcox, the mother of Eben N. and General O. B.
Willcox. Mrs. Willcox lived there until Eben N. purchased the
farm at Highland Park and went there to live. His mother
joined him and spent her last days there. A motherly, kind,
benevolent and Christian lady was Mrs Willcox and it is owing
to her exertions alone that the people of Greenfield (Highland
Park) are enabled to enjoy the little brick church on Woodward
Avenue, just this side of the six mile road crossing.
Besides Eben and Orlando (the latter's second name was
Bolivar, and he w^ent by the name of Bolivar among the boys.
MEN PK0MINE:NT in CITY AFFAIRS. 515
much more than by the name of Orlando), Mrs. Willcox had
three daughters. One married David A. McNair, druggist,
another Air. George Davis and the other Chas. A. Taylor. Eben
did and Orlando does owe much to this good mother of theirs,
for any success or prominence that they attained in after life.
Eben was as fine a stump and after dinner speaker as I ever knew.
Ot-lando's career in the Civil War all are familiar with.
Another son of Mrs.' Wilco>c (Charles), was a printer by
trade, and for some years carrier on a job printing office in com-
pany with Wm. Harsha, under the firm name of Harsha & Will-
cox. He died many years ago.
Mrs. Chas. A. Taylor, it appears, is alive, and, in the Chi-
cago Tribune of September 20, 1903, sfie states that she started
for that city in May, 1832, her sister, Julia, going with her in a
prairie schooner. After the fifth or sixth day they came to Calu-
met, and put up at a two-room tavern kept by a French Canadian.
One room was used for sleeping, divided ofT by blankets. The
half breed wife of the Frenchman, with her infant, shared the
bed, but in spite of the discomforts they slept well. The next
morning they resumed their journey, though in fear and trem-
bling as they had received the disquieting news that Black Hawk
was on the warpath and headed for Chicago. They arrived safely
at their destination, however, and went at once to one of the two
taverns kept at the post and that by J. B. Beaubien — but they
were scarcely asleep before being aroused by an alarm, and told
that the Indians were really coming. They took the children from
their beds, dressedMn a hurry and rushed to Fort Dearborn. Col-
onel J. V..D. Owen, U. S. A., met them en route, and gave them
a warm welcome to his own quarters. They afterwards opened a
boarding house, and felt rewarded when two or three young men
applied for board. One of them was a young Englishman, Geo.
Davis, who later on became a brother, he .marrying the sister
Myra.
Mrs. Taylor says further: ''In the winter of 1834-35 a
piano which had been brought from London, England, by a Mr.
Brooks, then the only one in the place, or in the state — was taken
from the store, and Mrs. Brooks, assisted hy Geo. Davis and
others, gave several concerts to the great delight and amusement
of the citizens. Davis was the life and soul of any company he
5l6 ' :eARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
might be in. There are many old citizens yet in Chicago who will
remember the comical songs, 'The Great Mogul' and 'The Blue
Bottle Fly,' for instance, that always brought forth rounds of
applause."
I, as well as many of the citizens of Detroit, have often
heard Mr. Davis get off the above songs. He rendered them
finely, and they were most amusing. Mr. Taylor, I did not have
the pleasure of knowing.
George Davis was in the employ of the Michigan Central
railroad in this city as cashier in 1852-3.
Eben N. Willcox was the father of our street railway sys-
tem, securing from the common council the original franchise in
1862, and organizing the company which built the earliest lines.
Frank B. Phelps was associated with him.
On the occasion (July 4, 1866) of the delivery of the battle
flags of the various Michigan regiments and batteries to the state
by the general government, Bishop McCroskrey made the opening
prayer, and Mayor M. I. Mills, the welcome speech to the 123
bearers of the flags, and to about 125 other veterans, who accom-
panied them. General O. B. Willcox followed him with a pre-
sentation of the colors to the state, and Governor Crapo followed
in an address of acceptance. The day before, the latter submit-
ted his manuscript to Colonel Fred Morley, assistant adjutant-
general, for his opinion. The document being quite lengthv and
verbose, the colonel, after its perusal, advised the governor to cut
it nearly one-half, giving as a reason that he thought the veterans
would become uneasy before its conclusion. The governor did
cut it, but when about half through his manuscript, a squad of
artillery men, who had charge of a Parrott gun stationed on the
Campus Martius, about where the Bagley bust now is, getting
impatient on account of the lengthy address, let the gun off pre-
maturely. At the sound of the discharge every bearer dropped
his flag and, with the other veterans, with a yell, rushed over to
the cannon, leaving the governor with a very meager audience.
The address was hastily concluded as the standard-bearers and
veterans did not return, of course. According to program the
squad in charge of. the piece were to fire a salute on the conclu-
sion of the governor's address, but they could not bear the
strain, and started in on their part of the celebration without
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 517
notice, much to the dehght of the standard bearers and the rest
of the veterans.
In July, 1863, General Willcox had command of the depart-
ment of the Ohio, headquarters at Indianapolis, and at the time
of the Morgan raid. I think Morgan made his escape, although
a large number of his force were captured, and confined in the
prison at IndianapoHs. One of the Michigan batteries, M, Cap-
tain Hilliar commanding, and of which the late George A. Sheeley
was second lieutenant, was on duty there at the time, having
been ordered out during the raid above mentioned, but fortu-
nately their services were not required. General Willcox gen-
erously and humanely made an offer to the captured Morgan
men — that they would be set free if they would enlist in this bat-
tery and as an extra inducement each would receive the bounty
of $50 the state of Michigan was at that time paying for recruits.
Somewhere between fifty and eighty of these rebels accepted the
offer and I was sent by the quartermaster-general of the state
(Hammond) to pay this bounty. Well, I did pay it, and to the
scaliest lot of chaps I think I ever set eyes on. But the funny
part of it was after they had got washed up and shaved and had
donned Uncle Sam's uniform every mother's son-of them deserted
with uniform, overcoat and blanket, not one of them stuck. On
my return to Detroit the general and one of his staff (Lieutenant
Howard, Son of Senator Howard, I think it was) came on also.
On the same train as ours to Cleveland were General Morgan's
wife, her sister and Morgan's brother (the latter a non-com-
batant). The brother was genial and affable, but the ladies were
as bitter and discourteous as they could well have been, except to
General Willcox and his aide. When any of the other union offi-
cers or soldiers on the train passed their seats they would draw
the skirts of their dresses to one side so as to avoid contamina-
tion, and turn their faces away with the most pronounced looks
of disdain in their eyes. It was very amusing.
Eben Willcox was something of a poet, as well as a lawyer,
ready debater and an all around good fellow. At the conclusion
of a post-prandial rhyme recited by the late D. Bethune Duffield
at a bar supper on the evening of January 28, 1857 (which I have
mentioned before), he contributed the following appendix:
5l8 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
To these smooth rhymes of our beloved Bethune,
Pray let me add a short impromptu tune.
Too faithful limner, he portrays us all,
From ermined judge to pettifogger small;
Hits off a foible, here — there, praise bestows.
To satirize, too kind ; in verse or prose,
His humor, like an Irving's, genial flows.
Welcome, dear Duffield, with your funny pen.
Welcome your shafts, tho' wounding now and then.
You love the Aluse — you love your dog as well ;
Write well in prose — disdain not doggerel.
To "Babes in Heaven" sometimes address a verse,
And win cheap fame with many a pretty nurse ;
, While weeping mothers hug you in their arms,
In Grief-Eyed Fancy yielding all their charms.
Classic in costume, see his flowing hair
Adorn the Forurh and the Banker's chair ;
Beset for discounts, turning from his brief
To give a briefless brother kind relief ;
At Education's call devotes a willing life.
And urges unwashed urchins to its strife.
Zealous in party, his "resolves" are classed
The best in all conventions, and are — passed.
Whilom an Honest Whig penned many a line,
And knelt devoutly at the Union shrine;
But now, alas ! in want of strength of nerve
(Naught else), behold him, tim'rous ; shake and swerve.
Join the mad factions, yelping "bleeding" crew
Forget his friends, and swallow "Kansas," too.
Oh ! how much brighter would thy laurels shine
Had'st thou proved steadfast like the "Sixty-Nine \'[
In deeds benevolent, he foremost ranks.
Active in good, nor stays to gather thanks ;
With mind well filled from Learning's ample stores.
Enriched by travel to her classic shores;
With all the virtues beaming from his eye,
So deep, so dark, so full of poesy,
To Jiim may turn, in honest pride, our bar,
And in his genius hail a risen star.
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 519
And at this same bar supper Bethune Duffield had this to
say to our friend, Eben N. Willcox :
Wilcox (who once had bent a hopeful eye
Toward chancery honors and sweet poesy.
And who, if his ambition had held out,
' Would long ere this have brought his schemes about.)
Inclines to raising pigs and pony mares,
Working off mining stocks by thousand shares;
And lately, when the nation heard and hoped,
And strong men trembled as tho' all was lost.
Lest the great Union should begin to slide,
Bearing off pigs and ponies on its tide,
He boldly raised the Fillmore banner high.
Shouting "The Union" as his battle cry.
And with an army numbering "sixty-nine"
He saved the Union with its sacred shrine.
Then marched his army home with him to dine,
While Gray stepped in to quaff the flowing wine.
General O. B. Willcox is also something of a poet, as is
evinced by the following, which emanated from his pen, and was
simg at the New England dinner given here in 1854:
VIVE LES VOYAGEURS—
Huzzah for the mighty men of old !
Vive les voyageurs !
Men of the ancient lordly mould,
Brave, chivalrous, though poor,
See o'er the mountain waves they plow
Look through the forest dim
Lit with the western sun their brow,
Sing them a choral hymii^
Huzza for the lily girls of France !
Vive les bons garcons !
Sing to the glittering sword and lance-
Frenchmen for honor draw.
Sing to the courier — his bark
Floats o'er the silvery lakes !
Chant with the fur-trader! and hark
How the forest shakes !
520 EARiwY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Huzzah for the fathers old !
Honor the cross they bore —
Not by the path to fame and gold,
But persecutions sore;
Sing to the soldiers of the cross,
Fighting the way they trod!.
Chant ! for the gain is ours — the loss
Fell on those men of God.
Our friend Orlando was a creator of fiction also. He wrote
quite an interesting book of the early days in Detroit entitled
"Shoepac Recollections." It was very entertaining and had a
wide sale at the time. I think it is out of print.
In the early days, a solitary barque now and then sailed laz-
ily along the gentle current of our beautiful river, and the painted
savage, in his bark canoe, with his brood of tawny papooses
glided silently along the sea-green waters. The voyageurs and
the couriers du bois of the Hudson Ba}- and North West Fur
companies, while their voices kept tune and their paddles kept
time, annually departed to the hunting grounds of the red men,
along the shores of Slave Lake, the Lake of the Woods, and
even to the far distant chores of the Oregon "where no sound was
heard save its own dashing."
There are some now living, and who are to the manor born,
amid whose earliest recollections linger and float the musical
strains of the old canoe songs, and to those who have (as I have)
personally shared the wild pleasures of the voyageur's life, the
memory lingers with us like a pleasant dream, or like a charm-
ing story that has been told to us.
'^'^The word voyageur throngs the mind of the habitan,
whether of French or American descent, with a thouasnd
pleasant associations. Visions of sport, of mad-cap rollick-
ings, of jigs and feasts — of dangers, braved with bold hearts
— or hardships endured with patient heroism arise to cause
him to gaze regretfully on the olden time, and wish that in
the present we had more of the light-heartedness, the easily
won content of the "vieux habitans" of the northwest. Who
is there born here to the soil, or who was here in the twen-
ties and thirties, who does not remember the simple and innocent
pleasures of these men^/ Who, whose memory does not turn to
the sturdy French pony, flying with the carriole over the ice ; to
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 52 1
the snowshoe and canoe race, or the dashing winter ride in the
traineau? Who is there whose mind is not stored with the wild
tales of the strife of the northwest fur trade, or the weird legends
of the camp-fire ? Of all these — of the feast and the superstition,
the wassail and the ghost tale — the voyageur, the gay, reckless,
brave, honorable courier of the wood and the lake, was the expon-
ent, ever ready to engage in the one, and relate wild mystical
tales of the other. They were a singular race, these old voy-
ageurs. With the Indian and Buffalo they may now be found
retreating before the tide of civilization, unchanged, the same that
their fathers were one hundred and fifty years ago. They have
played an important part in the- history of this continent. Where
they made their camp-fire, or erected their trading post, the towns
and the great cities of the northwest have sprung up. Their trail
through the wilderness has grown to the pathway of a nation's
progress. We who today have found prosperity and happiness in
the country they opened to the world, owe them a debt of ever-
lasting gratitude.
It was in Mrs. Willcox's barn in the rear of the Jefferson
Avenue house that the youth of that day got together at the
instance of Eben N. Willcox to form a library and debating
society. After repeated meetings, a society was formed and a
constitution and by-laws were adopted. The society, now full-
fledged, secured rooms in the upper part of the old University
building on the corner of Bates and Congress Streets and pro-
ceeded to business. More in regard to this society anon.
This corner (the southeast of Jefferson Avenue and Beaa-
bien Street) was, during the Henry Clay presidential campaign,
occupied by the Whigs as a meeting place. A rough board struc-
ture of ample dimensions, they built for their use. Many, no
doubt, will call it to mind, and the stirring speeches delivered
there, as also the campaign songs, given by that admirable glee
club, composed of such (then) well known members as Chas. S.
Adams, Henry M. Roby, Morris M. Williams, James M. Sutton,
Chas. R. Morse, A. H. Sibley, Chas A. Trowbridge.
After this building had served its purpose it was torn down,
and a Mr. Bouchard kept an extensive blacksmith shop there,
but for a short time only. This was succeeded by the Congrega-
tional church, a brick structure, which is there yet, though turned
into a liverv stable — or was' once.
522 ^ EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
The Mr. Bouchard mentioned above was a Heutenant in the
First Regiment. Michigan Vohmteers, that saw service in the
Mexican War. During the progress of the 1848 fire that destroyed
the American Hotel (Biddle House) the steeple of this church
was accidentally set on fire by the flying sparks, and completely
wrecked.
jji jji ;,<
In this connection, and before it slips my mind, I do not think
it out of place to tell the story of the fate that befell the Log
Cabin, opposite the American (Biddle House), the headquarters
of the agitators in the celebrated campaign of 1840, ''Tippecanoe
and Tyler, too." The story is given to me by Mr. Richard R.
Elliott, who says :
"The destruction of the Log Cabin was quite dramatic. On
the morning of the festival of SS. Peter and Paul, June 29, 1848,
was to occur the dedication of the new cathedral. On such occa-
sions generally the relics of some saint are deposited under the
altar stone of the main altar of the church to be dedicated. The
Episcopal residence at the time' was on the west side of Randolph
Street, between Larned and Congress Streets. At 8 a. m. the
procession started, a band of music leading, followed by acolytes
and priests, then the relics on a white silk-covered table, covered
by a canopy, held by four priests, with four acolytes swinging
incense censors, following were the bishops, and las-t of all the
Archbishop of Baltimore, Eccleston, all in rich vestments. The
crowds of people were unusually large; Randolph Street was a
compact mass of men, women and children. Major Kearsley's
house, windows and roof, were occupied, but the greater crowd
was on the large roof of the Log Cabin. As the procession was
passing a rush was made on the roof to get to the front, and dur-
ing this rush the upper structure collapsed and the crowd were
precipitated be'low; what the casualties were I do not remember.
The debris was cleared away, but that was the end of the Log
Cabin. ^i? iic ;i:
On the northwest corner of Brush Street Mr. J. Bour built
for himself a wooden residence, not very pretentious, that was
possessed of one peculiarity in its construction, the absence of
nails, wooden pegs being used instead, as in the Joseph Campau
residence. Mr. Bour used to say that he got the idea from his
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 523
ancestral home in Germany. Mr. Bour was the pioneer fine boot-
maker of this city. Gentlemen's and ladies' boots were his spe-
cialty. He was quite successful, and after his demise his son,
Joseph Bour, succeeded to the business. After the fire of 1848
their shop and store were in the Biddle House Block. Many will
remember Mr. Bour and his son Joe. The latter was quite lame.
Dr. R. S. Rice lived in the house adjoining. The doctor for
years was one of the most noted physicians here, and his house^
presided over by Mrs. Rice and their daughter, Adelaide, was one
of the centers of the gay young society of that day. 'Simon Pou-
pard, of Poupard & Petty, built for himself a brick residence
adjoining, which was afterwards occupied by Mr. William Brews-
ter for some years. It is still standing.
Simon Poupard was a polished French gentleman, an accom-
plished bookkeeper and an expert accountant. He was acting in
that capacity when I came to Detroit, for the firm of F. & T.
Palmer, with whom he had been for many years, and was almost
like one of the family. Besides, being a master of the French
language, he was equally at home in the Indian dialect. He con-
tinued with the above firm until they went out of business, and
then entered the service of Phineas Davis, who succeeded the Pal-
mers. Fie afterwards went into the forwarding and commission
business with Mr. John Y. Petty under the name of Poupard &
Petty. The warehouse was at the foot of Bates Street. This
was about 1838. They continued there for some time and then
disolved the partnership. Petty going with B. L. Webb in the
same business. Poupard retired to Hamtramck and built himself
a brick residence on JefTerson Avenue, north side, that, is still
standing, just this side of Belle Isle bridge. He married a daugh-
ter of old Lambert Beaubien. He died in Grosse Pointe many
years ago. Many of my earliest memories cluster around genial
Simon Poupard.
'K ^ -I*
Mr. Justus Ingersol lived on the southwest corner of Jeffer-
son Avenue and Beaubien Street for a while. He was the father
of Mrs. Frank Phelps, the late Mrs. Anthony Dudgeon and the
late Mrs. Alexander Lewis. Mr. Ingersol was a very estimable
gentleman. He was connected with the firm of Ingersol & Kirby
in the leather business.
524 EJARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
The Opposite corner on the same side of the street was vacant
at that time but was occupied soon after by the present building.
Next was the brick residence of Eustache Chapoton (father of
the present Chapotons), a most rehable brick mason and builder.
It was enough to say to a would-be purchaser that the house had
been built by old Mr. Chapoton ; no further talk seemed neces-
sary. • It is fitting here to record that his descendants in the same
business fully sustain the old gentleman's reputation.
Mr. John Traux built and lived in the next residence, a most
pretentious house at that day ; it is still standing. Traux, a wid-
chwer, took for his second wife the beautiful daughter of Robert
Rumney. Mrs. Traux's daughter, Fanny, married John A.
Rucker, of Grosse He, and is still living.
One of the firm of P. & J. George, furriers, lived in the
double house adjoining, Barney Campau, at one time occupying
the other half. Mr. E. V. Cicott lived along here and next to him
were two small two- story houses, the first occupied by a Doctor
Smith, the other by Washington A. Bacon ("Old Bacon"), in the
rear of which was his first school for boys. Many a boy, now
grown to manhood and still with us, can testify to his efficiency
as a teacher and to his skill in handling the birch as well.
Some, years after Doctor Smith and W. A. Bacon vacated
these two houses ; they were 'occupied, one by Thomas W. Black-
mar, and the other by the writer. The latter, which was where
Mr. Bacon had his school, is still standing. His old pupils ought
to club together and purchase it.
Doctor Egge lived in this Bacon house at one time, but only
for a brief period — after his marriage with Miss Matilda Connor,
sister of Mrs. Darius Lamson, and Mrs. J. H. Farnsworth, and
daughter of the Connor, of Connor's Creek. All Detroiters of
David Smart's, Pierre Teller's and Doctor Farnsworth's time will
call to mind the genial, skillful doctor and gentleman, as also his
amiable wife. They are both dead. Mrs. Egge passed away in
this house a short time after her marriage, and the doctor died a
few years later, I think, in this city.
A Mr.' Trowbridge, who was the partner of J. L. King in the
clothing business, on the southeast corner of Randolph and
Atwater Streets (opposite the Berthlet market), also married a
sister of Mrs. Lamson. He died before I came to Detroit, as did
his wife. Their daughter. Miss Emily Trowbridge, was brought
MKN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 525
Up in Mrs. Lamson's family, as was Miss Matilda Connor. Miss
Trowbridge married a gentleman from Rochester many years ago.
I think they are both dead. The head of the Connor family, Rich-
ard Connor, of Connor's Creek, the intrepid Indian fighter, Indian
trader and interpreter, I knew well by sight. He was quite a
familiar figure on the streets here in the thirties.
Andrew J. (Jack) Connor I knew better than any of the
rest of the boys. He was for many years connected with the
United States lake survey, and on the breaking out of the Civil
War entered the service as sergeant of Company A, Fifth Michi-
gan Infantry. He resigned as captain October, 1864, on account
of disability contracted in the service. He died not long ago at
the Soldiers' Home, Dayton, O. Next, and almost adjoining this
Bacon (school) building, and my dwelling, as well, was a small
wooden building, with but one room, erected by some one for
school purposes, lectures, ward and other public meetings. One
of the Scott sisters used to keep a Children's school in this build-
ing. It was here that the first services of the Jefferson Avenue
Presbyterian Church were held. It caught fire one night and was
so badly wrecked it had to be carted oflF.
The corner of St. Antoine Street was built upon by James
Sherlock, and although the houses are there yet, they are
not very sightly. The corner of Beaubien Street, opposite
Boucherd's shop, where now is Sievers & Erdtnan's, was occu-
pied by Professor C. M. Fitch (with a girls' boarding and day
school, which was well patronized by the best families in Detroit
as well as those outside of the city), and afterwards by Lawyer
Geo. B. Porter. The next residence was that of Theodore Williams,
who lived there until his death. The brick building lately adjoining
was erected by F. H. Stevens, the hardware merchant and presi-
dent of the State Bank of Michigan. Mr. Stevens's brother was
his partner in the hardware business. I think his name was
George B. He had two fine daughters, the elder, a dashing bru-
nette, was quite a belle, the second not quite so much so. I do not
know what became of the elder; the younger married in Detroit
and I think her daughter is the wife of ex-Mayor Pridgeon. The
two families entertained handsomely, particularly that of F. H.
Stevens. Mrs. Stevens was quite a society woman and gathered
around her all the gay people of that day. I think a daughter
(Elizabeth) survives, unmarried. Both brothers were fine gentle-
526 tIARLV DAYS IN DETROIT.
men and first class business men. F. H. was the father of our late
tax title friend. Sears Stevens. Mr. E. A. Brush once told me that
he feared him more than anyone else in the business and that he
was always getting hold of one or more of his lots that the tenants
had failed to pay the taxes on and giving him no end of trouble.
And Sears did enjoy so much getting Brush in a tight corner.
He was a tax title expert, and often acted as agent for many
owmers of real estate who had property scattered around the city,
looking after their taxes and watching the tax sales, which he did
with lynx-eyed vigilance, seeing to it that no other tax title shark
got hold of any of it, as he himself used to express it. And there
were some of them ahvays camping on his trail, particularly Land
Agent Johnson and Lawyer Ebenezer Rogers. In addition to his
tax title business, he was for sorrie years librarian of the Detroit
Bar library.
Sears married a niece of Christian H. Buhl, and spent the
latter years of his life in Utica, Macomb County, though transact-
ing business in this city. He died there in 1888, leaving a widow
and six children.
The Sisters of the Sacred Heart occupy the adjoining lot with
a fine building, a convent and yopng ladies' seminary that all are
familiar with. Antoine Beaubien gave them this property, to the
corner of St. Antoine Street, and sufficient cash w^ith which to
put up the building, at least I have always understood that he did
so. This fine building, erected by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart,
replaced the homestead of Mr. Beaubi^ (where he died). Mr.
B. was an exceedingly kind and polished French gentleman. Per-
haps there are some who will call him to mind. He used to be
quite a familiar figure on Jefferson Avenue in the early days, driv^
ing behind his span of little black French ponies.
Judge James May's widow occupied a small wooden house on
this lot from 1827 to 1829. J^^^ge May was a native of Birming-
ham, England, and came over to Montreal in early life ; was there
at the capture of Ethan Allen ; came to Detroit during the
American Revolution, and often saw the savages parading the
streets of ancient Detroit with strings of scalps. Judge May was
the type of a fine old English gentleman ; gave splendid dinners
and kept the richest ''Valerian." He held many offices in the
territory, among them chief justice of the common pleas, and in
1 810 he was made adjutant-general of the Michigan militia. He
died on the 19th of January, 1829, and his grandchildren and
MI5N PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. ' 527
i^reat-graiulchiklrcii are still living". Mr. Alex. D. Frazier mar-
ried a daughter of Judge May, so did Colonel Edward Brooks. 1
have often seen ^ the judge, a plump, rosyfaced little man. His
son, Ben May. was a schoolmate of mine, as also was Andrew
Porter, son of Governor Porter. The latter, heing the son of the
governor, was inclined to put on airs and bully the younger boys.
He tried it on Ben, but the latter wouldn't stand it, pitched into
him and combed him down nicely. We did not hear any more
from Porter after that.
Judge May at one time — in 1805 — occupied the old Cass
House, and in September of that year the Michigan territorial
court, consisting of Judges A. B. Woodward, Frederick Bates and
John Griffin, got May's consent to meet there (this was directly
after the fire). Indeed, there was no other place. In May, 1806,
they met at the Dodemead house, erected directly after the fire,
and on the stiiuli side of Jefferson Avenue, corner of ShelbyStreet.
lyater tlie court was held at so many places that its course cannot
be follow^ed. It has been said that some over-critical person even
complained at the time that it had been known to meet on a wood-
pile. Certain it is that one or two judges have been known to
convene the court in a tavern or private room without notice to
colleagues, sheriff, clerk, crier, counsel, witnesses or litigants, and,
to adjourn without even a pen or paper having made record
thereof.
Judge A. B. Woodward, for eighteen years on this bench, it
is said, was the source of nearly, if not quite all, the grotesque
rulings and erratic acts wdiich mark the court as the most peculiar
that ever administered justice in Michigan, and yet he was very
far (it is said) from being an ignoramus, and was a gentleman by
birth and education.
The commandant of Fort Shelby, vexed that his soldiers
resorted to Mr. Dodemead's hotel to slake their thirst, placed a
sentinel at the door to prevent their ingress. It so happened that
one of the courts occupied an apartment in this hotel for its sit-
tings, and the records of the day show the discussion and reference
to the district attorney of the grave question whether the court was
not in duress by reason of this military order. The learned coun-
sel, who loved a joke, returned a long report, full of legal phrases
and hypothetical cases, but ingeniously avoided the question at
issue. The court ordered its approval of the report to be entered
of record as quite clear and satisfactory, and there it stands to this
528 • KARLY DAYS IN DEJTROIT.
day for the inspection of any antiquarian who may have the curi-
osity to look for it.
The present building on the corner of St. Antoine Street, and
belonging to the Sisters, was erected by Mr. Beaubien and leased
to the late Hon. Zach Chandler, who occupied it directly after his
marriage to the lady who died his widow so recently. Chandler,
while living in this house, got into a little trouble with the late
General (then lieutenant) U. S. Grant. The latter, with a half
dozen officers of his regiment stationed at the Detroit barracks,
then located on the corner of Gratiot Avenue and Russell Street,
in their daily walks to and from their barracks and the American
hotel, had to, or did, pass this residence of Chandler's. The latter
was quite remiss in cleaning the snow from his sidewalks. Grant
made a complaint and after a lively time on both sides, the affair
was amicably adjusted, but Mr. Chandler was highly incensed at
the time. -When Chandler came to be a power in running the
business of the United States, during the civil war, it wa^ feared
by the friends of Grant that this early trouble might have some
influence on his advancement, but on the contrary. Chandler gave
him all the support in his power, which was much.
When I came here this block, bounded by Jefferson Avenue,
Beaubien and Woodbridge streets, contained the Beaubien home-
stead dwelling and the orchard on Woodbridge Street. The
orchard was in the rear of the dwelling and took up nearly one-
third of the block on Jefferson Avenue from Beaubien to St. An-
toine Streets. I have been in the orchard many times and knew
it so well.
The homestead on Woodbridge Street was a long, low struc-
ture, in the French style, with a row of fine pear trees in front.
There were no houses at all between it and the river, only a beau-
tiful green pasture or lawn. In the orchard and where Theodore
Williams built his residence, the old Indian chief Kish-kan-Ko,
was buried. I have often seen his grave, in a small inclosure and
covered with bark. What disposition was made of the old chief's
remains when Williams invaded the premises I never knew, but
presume they are there yet. I have often seen old Lambert Beau-
bien, brother of Antoine, during the summer days wandering
around wearing a blue and white cotton handkerchief tied around
his head instead of a hat, as was his custom.
The lot on which the cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul and the
priests' residence are situated, was vacant until Antoine Beaubien
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 529
donated it to the Catholics for church purposes. The late Charles
Moran erected on adjoining lots, three two and a half story brick
dwellings, that were occupied respectively by Andrew .Ladue, O. B.
Dibble and Judge Ross Wilkins. These were afterwards replaced
by the present Jesuit college. Adjoining these three dwellings
was the residence of the Hon. Zephaniah Piatt, a handsome cottage
with a pillared verandah in front. Judge Charles Moran built
and resided in the old-fashioned brick building adjoining, recently
torn down. Here he died, leaving to his Heirs the extensive
Moran farm, almost intact, that he had nursed during his long
life, and as to leasing and keeping down the taxes, did as Edmund
A. Brush did with the Brush farm. I once leased a lot from him
on Larned street, on the Brush plan, rental sixteen, dollars per
year and taxes, and presume that I could have retained it at the
same rental until the Judge died if I had desired to do so.
A large number of our people will remerriber the judge and
most of his characteristics. He was genial, charitable and honesty
itself, but he had a keen eye to his estate and the geeting in of dues
from his tenants, and there is no doubt that he loved to accumu-
late money. He had many pecularities in that direction. He
was neither mean nor stingy, and always listened to the appeals of
the needy and responded liberally.
The late Judge Charles Moran was the only son of Charles
Moran and Catherine Vessier, dit Laferte, and born in 1794. The
founder of the family came to Quebec from France, somewhere
about 1678. His descendants came to Detroit before the English
conquest in 1760. Charles (Judge) Moran married for his first
wife, in 1822, Julie Dequindre, daughter of Antoine Dequindre.
The children were Matilda, Charles, Julie, Virginie, Mary and
Josephine. Matilda married James B. Watson, grandson of
Judge James Witherell, and also of Hon. Elkanah Watson, of New
York and Washington. The wedding was a brilliant one and oc-
curred in the old brick Moran mansion on Jefferson Avenue, lately
demolished. At it were gathered all the elite of Detroit. The
young couple went to housekeeping directly, in the little wooden
cottage (still standing) corner of Jefferson Avenue and Riopelle
Street. After a brief married life of a little more than a year the
wife passed away. Charles, after a career in the dry goods busi-
ness in the Republican block (where Edson, Moore & Co. are
now), went to Cleveland and was there for some years engaged in
the same business. Before his departure from this city he mar-
34
530 • EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
ried a young miss by the name of Pryer, a very pretty girl, indeed.
I met the couple two or three times in Cleveland. Whether they
had. any children or not I do not know. The wife died in Cleve-
land, I think. Charles was of a frail constitution. He contracted
consumption, returned home, and here, after a short period, died.
He was like the scions of all the old French families, possessed of
elegant manners and a kindly and generous disposition. Julia
married Captain Isaac D. Toll.
Toll saw service in the Mexican war. He was captain of
Company E, Fifteenth United States Infantry. In May, 1847,
three companies were recruited in this state and mustered into the
above regiment, of which Company E was one. The field officers
of the regiment were Geo. W. Morgan, of Ohio, colonel ; Joshua
Howard, of Detroti, lieutenant-colonel ; Frederick D. Miles, of
Iowa, and Samuel Wood, of Indiana, majors. Thornton S. Brod-
head, of Detroit, was adjutant. The regiment entered early on
the Scott campaign, and was engaged in the battle occurring on
that line of operations, sustaining a most creditable record for
energetic, galant and effective service, ending with the surrender
of the city of Mexico. The regiment was mustered out of service
August 21, 1848. Wm. D. Wilkins, of Detroit, was also an officer
in this regiment, being second lieutenant of Company G.
Mary Josephine Moran married Robert Mix, of Cleveland,
O. Virginia married Francis St. Aubin, of Detroit.
Mrs. Captain Toll died many years ago. The captain resided
at Fawn River, this state. One of his daughters married Colonel
Frank Croul, a son of Colonel Jerome Croul.
August 3, 1836, Judge Moran married for his second wife
Justine McCormick, of New York, sister of Mrs. J. B. Vallee, of
Detroit, by whom he had the following children : James, Wm. B.,
John Vallee, Alfred and Catherine. James, the oldest, was acci-
dentally shot by a companion. The two were out duck hunting,
in a canoe, in the Grand Marais, above the water works. James
was* in the forward part of the boat, and as they were going
cautiously along, a flock of wild ducks arose suddenly just in front
of them, when his companion, who was in the stern, raised his gun
on the instant and fired. Strange to say the whole charge of shot
entered the head of young Moran. Death was instantaneous. It
was a grievous shock to the judge and his wife, as may be sup-
posed. James was his father's right hand man, attended to his
office business, collecting rents, etc. The judge had quite a large
MEN PROMINI^NT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 531
number of lots on the Moran farm, let out to tenants on long-
leases, Brush leases, and the special l)usiness of the son was to
look after these.
Wm. B. married, in 1872, Elsie, daughter of James A. Van
Dyke, and for his second wife, in 1875, Frances, the daughter of
Peter Desnoyers. John Vallee married, in 1880, Emma Ether-
idge, daughter of the distinguished orator and statesman, Hon.
Emerson Etheridge, of Tennessee, Catherine married, in 1877,
Henry D. Barnard, of Hartford, Conn. Alfred married, in 1878,
Miss Latilda Butterfield.
Judge Moran died in 1876, leaving the most valuable estate,
with the exception of the Brush and Campau estates, in Detroit.
With the members of the second family of Judge Moran I was
not so familiar, though I had always known the J4jdge well, and
I knew Miss McCormick, who became his second wife, as also her
brother, who was a partner in the hat and cap business here with
Geo. C. Moon. I also knew her sister, Mrs. J. B. Vallee. Judge
Moran's first family and the family of Judge B. F. H. Witherell
were very near neighbors for years, and were on the most intimate
and cordial terms, almost like one family, as it were. The charm-
ing personalities of the judge's four daughters and their winning
ways made of their house a Mecca, so to speak, and what wonder
is it that they were captured soon.
Lawyer Alexander D. Eraser owned the house and lot on
the southeast corner of Beaubien Street, opposite the cathedral,
and lived there until his death. He was eminent in his pro-
fession, as many will remember. David Smart occupied the
adjoining house. All will recall David, that bluff, hearty
Scotchman, a prince of good fellows, whose heart and hand
wei:e as open as the day. David Smart had always made his
home with his uncle (Robert Smart) in the little two-story wooden
house on Woodward Avenue, previously mentioned. What his
occupation was before his uncle's death, I do not know, but directly
after he was a partner of Wm. Brewster's, in the forwarding and
commission business (Brewster & Smart). They did not remain
long together, the latter turning his attention to improving the
property left him by his uncle (he being his sole heir). The result
was the the various business structures that appeared adjacent to
what was then called "Smart's Corner." After a while the late
Mr. Charles Merrill leased the Smart property for a long term of
years, swept away the old buildings and new, and erected in their
532 KARI.Y DAYS IN DCTKOIT.
places the present ''Merrill Block," which has been a familiar
landmark for more than fifty years. Before this, however, he and
Henry M. Roby, who had been bookkeeper for Brewster & Smart,
made a pleasure trip to Europe, visiting his old home in Scotland,
and the various points of interest in England, Ireland, and Wales,
and also on the continent.
Many will remember David's brusque, hearty, genial manner,
his wide charity, that was dispensed to every needy and worthy
object with an open hand. He was a king, so to speak, among the
Odd Fellows, which order was a j>opular institution, at that time,
and em'braced within its folds the -cream of the young men of
this city. They could boast of such names as Colonel John Winder,
Chas. S. Adams, Morris M. Williams, Henry M. Roby, James E.
Pittman, Sax • Kellogg, Doctor Edward Desnoyers, Chas. Rich-
mond, Henry R. Mizner, Geo. S. Rice, and many others in the
foremost walks of life. Many no doubt will remember the dedica-
tion of the Odd Fellows hall — in this building of which Smart was
a moving spirit — somewhere about the year 1845 ^^'^^^ occupied
the site of the present establishments of L. B. King & Co. and Wal-
lace Sons. It was an imposing affair ; nothing approaching it had
ever before been witnessed in this city. David was also an active
and enthusiastic member of the old fire department. He was
always made a welcome guest by the social element that ruled
here, and^it was a matter of wonderment why he did not forsake
bachelordom, and take to himself a life partner. After a while
the wonder ceased. He succeeded in capturing the affections of
Miss Mary Williams, only surviving daughter of General John R.
Williams, and she became Mrs. Smart. She was a beautiful girl
with the rosiest of lips, and the blackest of eyes, that sparkled
behind her gold-rimmed eyeglasses. After some years of happy
married life, David died, leaving to his wife all his possessions,
which, coupled with the property she inherited from her father,
made her a wealthy widow. She did not remain in the latter state
long, however. Commodore Ja^. McKinstry, of the United States
navy, and son of Colonel D. C. McKinstry, wooed and won her.
After a brief married life he too passed away, leaving her again a
widow. She died a few years later in Egypt, while on a foreign
tour. Her property, all or nearly all, went to the children of her
brother. General Thos. Williams, U. S. A., and included the
present Merrill Block.
me;n prominent in city affairs. 533
Judge Solomon Sibley abandoned his residence opposite the
American Hotel and built and ocuupied the house adjoining
Fraser's. It was a large, plain, square brick house, and here the
Sibky family lived until the judge died. William Brewster after-
wards purchased and occupied it for some years.
William Brewster was a queer specimen of humanity, but not
by any means a bad man. He was much opposed, though, to his
family having any fun or enjoying themselves. He never had
any fun himself he said, and did not see why they should. I note
one occasion. Mrs. Brewster and daughters, being in the social
swim, decided to give a dancing party. Mr. Brewster objected
and said the affair should not come off, but come off it did. The
invitations were issued and, on the eve of the party, before the
guests had assembled, Mrs. Brewster managed to lock her spouse
in his room up stairs. During the evening when the music and
the dance were fast and furious, the company was startled by a
pounding on the floor overhead. The cause was explained by the
mother and daughters, much to the amusement of the guests, and
no one paid any further attention to the rappings but let him rap.
Yet Brewster was a first-class business man, and of the strictest
integrity.
Darius Lamson occupied the adjoining house, which is still
standing, though modernized. Mrs. Lamson was a leader in
society and, with her sisters, the late Mrs. Doctor Farnsworth and
Miss Matilda Connor, and her niece. Miss Emily Trowbridge,
made a very attractive household, that drew within its circle the
elite of Detroit.
Mrs. Lamson was the daughter of Henry or Richard Connor,
of Connor's Creek, the Indian trader, scout and interpreter. In
the latter capacity he accompanied Governor Cass and Colonel
Thomas L. McKenney, commissioners, to Fond Du Lac in 1826,
whither they went to conclude a treaty with the Chippewa Indians.
The remainder of the party was composed of Colonel Abram
Edwards, secretary ; Geo. F. Porter, assistant to Colonel Croghan,
U. S. A.; Major Whipple, comissary; T. O. Lewis, sketch artist;
Jas. W. Abbott, son of Judge Jas. Abbott, and E. A. Brush, assist-
ants in delivering provisions to the Indians.
Mr. Connor owned the ground on the southwest corner of
Jefferson Avenue and Bates Street, in the early days, and about
1825 or 6, built on it a substantial brick building that was occu-
534 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
pied from time to time by Franklin Moore, Moore & Carpenter,
Wm. N. Carpenter, and Carpenter & Rice. Doctor Morse Stew-
art had an office in this building, as also did Doctor H. P. Cobb.
This building gave way to a more pretentious one, erected by
Doctor Jas. H. Farnsworth, which is still standing.
Colonel Garland, United States Army, occupied the adjoining
house, which was a plain brick structure and was built by him.
Mr. Harrington, a lawyer from Port Huron, built and occupied
for a time, a house adjoining Colonel Garland's. It was of brick
and of the villa style. Edward Lyon and family afterwards occu-
pied it, about 1849, while he was keeping the Exchange Hotel.
During the occupancy of this house by Mr. Lyon, in the fall of
1850, he and his wife gave a dancing party. It was a brilliant
affair and was attended by the elite of the city, military and all,
the latter in full uniform. . A short time before issuing the invi-
tations he told the "boys'' he intended giving a dancing party,
and charged them all to be on hand as it was going to be a stun-
ner. Well, it came off in good time and it was a sure enough
stunner. I have attended many functions of this kind in my
time, and think this affair "took the cake." The supper room,
located in the upper part of the house, was open from the begin-
ning of the party until its close. Whisky in the gentlemen's dress-
ing room, and champagne in the supper room ; the latter flowed
like water. It is a wonder the whole male portion did not get
tipsy; but they did not, except two or three. Most of the rest,
though, it must be confessed, became quite hilarious. Dancing
to the music of Gilliam's String Band, was kept up until a late
hour. Lyon said on the start that he was going to give the boys
all the wine they could get away with, and a general good time.
He did it. This "blow out" of his was the talk of the town for
quite a while after it occurred. General Garland and his staff, on
• their way through the city, were present.
General Hugh Brady, United States Army, and commanding
this department, accupied the house adjoining, which was a plain
brick one. It was replaced by the present Museum of Art. The
General was a splendid entertainer, and this city at that time was
eminently a military one. There was always quite a number of
troops stationed at the Detroit Barracks, the officers of which
augmented by the various staff officers on duty at headquarters,
made of the General's house a mecca, as it were. From time to
me:n prominent in city affairs. 535
time, when their husbands were on duty here, Mrs. Colonel
Backus and Mrs. Captain Thompson, U. S. A., made it their home
with him. He also had with him, until her marriage with Judge
B. F. H. Witherell, his daughter, Cassandra, who managed his
household. That she was an adept in the culinary art, it is needless
for me to say, in view of the many living witnesses who can testify
to her gifts in that direction. I, for one, can give appreciation of
her skill. A fine officer and gentleman was Colonel Backus, and
an admirable lady was his wife. They had a charming daugh-
* ter, Mary, who married Captain Ward, U. S. A.
At the time of the marriage of Colonel Backus with Miss
Brady, the General was living in the General Hull Mansion,
where is now the Biddle House. I remember the occasion well,
as I was present, though quite a lad. The affair was a festive
one and drew together in the General's parlors, the elite of the
city, including all the military stationed here, as also the British
officers stationed at Sandwich and Maiden, all in full uniform.
The officers w^ore their side arms and spurs, as was the custom
at the time. I seem now to hear, as I heard him then, the rattling
of their accoutrements and the jingling of their spurs, as they
whirled through the mazes of the giddy dance. The custom of
wearing the spurs on festive occasions was annoying to the ladies
as they made sad havoc with their dresses. Th^ practice soon
died out, however, as did the wearing of side arms, except when
on duty.
Colonel Backus, at the outbreak of the Civil War, was sta-
tioned here as mustering officer, and was assisted in performing
those duties bv Lieutenant (now General) Henry R. Mizner,
U. S. A.
On the corner of Hastings Street and Jefferson Avenue,
where now stands the Blodgett Block, Major B. F. Larned, pay-
master United States Army, built and occupied a brick residence,
and lived there for many years until ordered ofT for duty in the
Mexican War, Colonel Whistler, United States Army, lived
there afterwards, until he was ordered elsewhere. He was colonel
of the Fourth United States Infantry. The colonel had a beauti-
ful, attractive daughter, Louise Whistler. I presume many
will remember her. When once seen, it was not easy to forget
her. She was bright, sparkhng and vivacious, and when she
appeared on Jeflferson Avenue, as she often did, she drew the
536 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
attention of all passers. She was spirited and pugnacious withal,
i. e., would not allow any nonsense from the "boys" or young
men of her acquaintance. On one occasion I remember, at a party
given by a prominent family, she was present, and among the
young gentlemen also present, was Mr. Charles S. Adams, one of
the society leaders and a good fellow. Now Charles had always
been in the habit of being quite free and easy, in a jovial and
harmless sort of way, with the young ladies of his acquaintance.
He tried some of his pleasantries on Miss Louise, that evening,
but she would not have it, and drew a dagger on him, which she
always carried, and made him apologize, which he did gracefully
and with a good deal of amusement. I was not at the party but I
heard the young woman herself give an account of the affair the
next day at the house of another young lady, a mutual friend.
She married a young gentleman from Louisville, Kentucky, a Mr.
Helm, who went into the Confederate service and was killed dur-
ing the Civil War. I saw her here in company with her mother,
some time after the war, but she was very much changed and
looked quite unlike the brilliant girl I had known in former years.
They came on a visit to Mrs. Whistler's sister, Mrs. Judge James
Abbott. Colonel Whistler and Mrs. Abbott were members of that
distinguished family which in addition to a colonel in the United
States Army, who rendered marked service to his country, fur-
nished a trained and most accomplished engineer to the Russian
government, building its first railroad, and continuing in its
employ for many years. There was bom to the latter, in L(:>well,
Mass., in 1834, James A. McNeill Whistler, who in later years
became a distinguished artist, his death occurring but recently.
It was said at his demise "We had not another painter, the
announcement of whose death would have attracted such wide-
spread attention." He was also an etcher and executed some fine
examples, as the "Pool on the Thames," "German Rag Picker."
"The Lime Burners." Among his paintings was' a fine portrait of
his mother, made when the family were in St. Petersburg. It is
said, that the world has known only two etchers as great as
Whistler, Rembrandt and Hayden, president of the Royal Society,
London. He was educated at West Point, but why he did not
enter the army was not known. A number of pictures from this
artist's brush are owned in this city, also several etchings.
Eurotas P. Hastings, president of the Bank of Michigan.
MEN promine;nt in city affairs. 537
owned the next dwelling- ; it was in cottage style, with pillared
front, and I always thought the house and grounds were most
attractive, more so than any other place on the avenue. The front
yard was quite ample, and Mr. Hastings always showed fine taste
in adorning it with flowers and flowering' shrubs. The spring
display of fine tulips was always a most attractive feature, and
drew exclamations of delight from passers-by. It was afterwards
owned and occupied -by Hon. Robert McClellan.
The Christ Church congregation for some years occupied the
next « lot with a barn-like structure, until it was replaced by the
present fine edifice. The Sibley family built and occupied the
adjoining house, which is still standing and used by members of
the same family. Robert Stewart built and occupied the adjoin-
ng brick house, now the residence of Doctor Morse Stewart. Rob-
ert Stewart came from Mackinac, where he had been in the employ
of the American Fur Co., as also was his uncle, David Stewart,
who came with him. They both went to Astoria, Oregon, over-
land, in 1812, in the employ of John Jacob Astor. They are often
mentioned in Washington Irving's "Astoria." David, a sturdy
Scot, resided with his nephew, Robert, until his death.
It is said of Robert Stewart that he was a severe man in all
things, and he looked it. He was severe in his family, and when
he experienced religion, he was severely religious. At one time,
which I well remember, he attended a party at Woodworth's
Hotel, and when the waiters brought in the refreshments on
trays, they were halted by Mr. Stewart, who quickly gained the
attention of all present, and then and there, in a ballroom, in a
most reverential manner, he asked the divine blessing on the good
things about to be served, all present bowing their heads devoutly
and all accepting the interruption as an entirely desirable feature
of the occasion. I know I always thought him severe, and no
doubt he was. Two of his boys, John and Robert, with whom I
was very intimate, did not hesitate to say so. Mr. Stewart used
the remaining space between his house and Hastings Street as a
garden.
The two boys I mentioned both entered the navy. They died
early, after attaining the positions of first lieutenants. John, the
elder, married a Miss Field, of New York, and Robert married a
sister of the first wife of the late R. Storrs Willis. She married
again, and I think she is still living. They were two fine, promis-
538 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
ing young men. David Stewart, the eldest son, I was not very
intimate with. He was a brilliant lawyer and became a member
of congress. He was a very handsome man, as many will remem-
ber. He removed to Chicago, where, through causes entirely of
his own creating, he was not successful. He entered the service
on the outbreak of the Civil War, as lieutenant-colonel in an
Illinois regiment and served wnth distinction. He died many years
ago.
Robert Stewart had two daughters. Kate, a brilliant, fas-
cinating brunette, married a gentleman by the name of Baker,
from somewhere in the south. She died some years ago. I under-
stand that Mr. Baker is alive and is a resident, of this state. ' The
other sister — I have forgotten her first name and personality —
married a gentleman by the name of Turner. Wm. N. Ladue
married a daughter of theirs. He is a banker somewhere out
west.
Mr. Ladue was at one time deputy city controller under Mr.
Redfield. On the breaking out of the Civil War he entered the
service and was first Heutenant and adjutant of the Fifth Michi-
gan Volunteer Infantry, June 19, 1861, to September 15, 1862.
My goodness ! how those straight-laced old fellows of the
Robert Stewart type used to freeze the hearts of their children.
I presume, though, they did not mean to be harsh, for Stewart,
during that young adventurous life of his must have been ''one of
the boys" himself.
Opposite Major Larned's and across the street from Judge
Moran, resided Colonel A. T. McReynolds (lately deceased). He
lived there before the Mexican War, for which he raised a com-
pany of dragoons. The colonel and his command participated
in the war, he being severely wounded at the capture of the City
of Mexico. He continued to live there after his return until his
removal to Grand Rapids.
Andrew Ladue, of Ladue & Eldred, lived in the adjoining
house. Andrew Ladue came here somewhere along about 1848
or '49, and at once entered into copartnership with the Eldreds
in the tanning business. They established an extensive tannery
on the river front directly in the rear of the present Jefferson
Avenue residence of Hon. Wm. G. Thompson. They did a large
and successful business there for some years, when they removed
their establishment down the river to the Lafferty farm front.
MEN PROMINEINT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 539
Mr. Ladue brought his family with him, consisting of his
wife, two sons (I think) and three daughters. With them came
a brother's widow, her two sons and one daughter. What became
of these two sons I fail to recall. Suffice it to say they were
bright, temperate young men, and I presume they turned out all
right. The daughter, an interesting and quite attractive young
lady, after a while married Anson Eldred, son of Julius Eldred,
who took her and her mother to his home, somewhere in Wiscon-
sin. With the careers of the sons of Andrew Ladue, James and
William N., most of the present generation are familiar. Of
Andrew's three daughters, two are alive. One married (now)
General Wm. P. Duffield, who served with distinction in the Civil
War, and who is (I think) engaged in some civil capacity under
the general government. He resides with his family in Washing-
ton. The other daughter (I think) has a responsible position in
the Detroit public library. I beg pardon for taking up so much
space with the Andrew Ladue family, but the fact is, James Ladue
and myself were, from the start, warm personal friends, and so
continued to his life's end. And so for the young ladies, the one
that Anson Eldred carried off, and the one that General Duffield
captured, had in me one of their most ardent admirers. Had I
been at that time in a different financial condition, don't know
what I might have said or done.
Shortly after the advent of Andrew Ladue here his brother
John and family also took up their residence in the city. John
was in 'the same business as Andrew, but confined his attention
(I think) almost exclusively to the tanning of sheep peks and
dealing in wool as well. He was quite democratic and was often
seen passing through the streets driving his own wagon, piled full
of sheep pelts, and he seated on the top. He became quite popular
and was elected mayor of the city once, or twice. Thousands, no
doubt, will remember Mayor Ladue, his son, Tom Ladue, and all
about them. He had daughters and other sons, but I fail to recall
what became of them. They or spme of their representatives are
living here yet, I understand. Tom Ladue was a bright young
man and full of business.
James F. Joy lived next to Mayor Ladue. Mr. Joy lived in
this locality at an earlier date than did the Ladues (Lawyer
Clelland living here before him), but at the same period as did
Judge Witherell. It was, J think, his first attempt at housekeep-
540 e;ari.y days in de;troit.
ing in this city. I was quite intimate witli the Witherells, my
uncle Thomas having married a sister of the judge (and I way
long in after years married a daughter of his). I therefore saw
much of the Joys.
James F. Joy, when he first came to this city, had a class of
boys in the Presbyterian Sunday School, that met in the little
brick session room on Woodward Avenue, between the two
churches (First Presbyterian and St. Paul's). I had the pleas-
ure of being one of the members of his class. I say pleasure,
because it was eminently so, besides being most instructive. His
clear exposition of the Scriptures, was a complete revelation to
me, as well as to the rest of the class. I had, a few years before
this, been one of a class of boys under the tutelage of Mr. Jacob
M. Howard, at the Baptist Sunday School, and gained much
instruction from the clear way he put things, but being some
futher advanced in years when a member of Mr. Joy's class my
mind was better prepared to "catch on," so to speak, to his plain
and terse elucidation of the various scriptural passages" that
appeared in our Sunday lessons. I met Mr. Joy in after life only
a few times, and then in a business, way when he was connected
with the Michigan Central Railroad, but I have never forgotten
my experience with him as a Sunday School scholar and he my
teacher.
* * *
Next to Mr. Joy lived Judge B. F. H. Witherell. Judge
Witherell built his residence about 1830, while occuping a small
yellow cottage that stood where is now the Detroit Opera House.
On its completion he changed his location. He was chosen judge
of Wayne County in 1855, ^^^ continued in that capacity until his
death.
On the occasion of the dedication of the new Wayne County
court house building, October 11, 1902, in an address delivered on
"The Early Bench and Bar of Detroit," a distinguished member
of the profession had this to say of Judge Witherell :
"Who among the older members of the Detroit bar can ever
forget his dignified bearing, benignant smile and friendly address ?
He came of an old Detroit family, his father having been secre-
tary of the territory, had lived here since the early years of the
century, and was never known to have done a dishonorable act.
He was perfectly honest, and his perceptions of justice were rarely
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 54 1
at fault. His memory was replete with anecdotes of the early
settlers, and he was never so happy as when recounting stories of
the old territorial life. He knew and was known by everybody,
and no one who ever passed him on Jefferson Avenue, where he
lived for many years, failed of a winning smile or a cordial greet-
ing. It was one of his pleasantries, and one which lent itself to
his natural bent, to catch the bar napping, and if another case were
not ready when the jury went out, he would call the entire docket
and continue the cases over the term, though a dozen might
have been ready upon a day's notice. But it was impossible to be
angry with the dear old man. He died in 1867, respected and
beloved by all and mourned by every one with whom he had been
brought into social contact."
Judge Witherell, for some years and until his death in June,
1876, was the only civil court judge of Wayne County. He
performed the duties unaided, for the small consideration of
fifteen hundred dollars per year, and when the Civil War was on
Henry A. Morrow, then city recorder, raised the Twenty-seventh
Michigan Infantry, and went with it to the front. Judge With-
ell took charge of the recorcier's court in addition to his other
duties, and continued to do so until Colonel Morrow resigned, or
his term expired. The judge drew the salary for recorder's unex-
pired term and handed the same over to Mrs. Morrow.
* * *
Judge Witherell contributed a large number of interesting
articles .to The Detroit Free Press, on "Early Detroit," over the
signature of ''Hamtramck." Nearly all of these articles were
reproduced and published in the transactions of the Historical
Society of Wisconsin, an evidence of their appreciation. He it
was who first proposed the idea of erecting a monument to the
brave soldiers and sailors of the state who fell while fighting the
battles of the country during the Civil War, and he lived to see
the idea carried to the certainty of a successful termination. On
the organization of the Monument Association he was chosen
president, an office he filled till the day of his death. In fact,
nearly his last moments were spent in presiding over the delibera-
tion of the board of directors of that association. He was also
president of the Historical Society of Michigan during its
existence.
I am fully alive to the fact that the amount of court business
542 KARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
has increased in a most remarkable degree, and shows as much as
any other factor can the great growth of the city and county. In
Judge Witherell's time, as said, the one judge and the one city
recorder were considered sufficient to handle all the business in
that line in the city and county, except what came before the
United States judge, whereas now it takes six judges to run the
business.
R. B. Ross, in his admirable sketches entitled "Winder's
Memories^" published some seven or eight years ago in the Even-
ing Neivs, had an article entitled ''J^-^dge Witherell Going Through
the Docket," and a cut heading it showing just how the judge
did it. •
* * *
•
Judge Witherell was married three times, and survived each
of his partners. He was first married to Miss* Mary A. Sprague,
of Poultney, Vermont, in 1824, by whom he had four children,
Martha E., James B., Harriett C. M. and Julia A. His first wife
died in 1832, being the first victim to the cholera which prevailed
to such an alarming extent in that^ear. In 1837, he married for
his second wife Miss Delia A. Ingersoll, by whom he had one
child, Charles I. She died in 1847, and in 1849 he was married
to Miss Cassandra S. Brady, daughter of General Hugh Brady,
and who died in 1864, from the effects of a lamp explosion.
Martha, the eldest daughter, a saint if there ever was one, died just
on" the verge of womanhood. Harriett, the next daughter, mar-
ried the writer and after thirty years of a happy married life she
too passed away to a glorious immortality. The next, Julia, mar-
ried Herman A. Lacey. The latter was at one time a partner in
the dry goods house of Graham & Lacey on Jefferson Avenue,
east side, between Woodward Avenue and Griswold Street, and
after in the real estate business. He served with distinction
through the Civil War as captain and assistant quartermaster
from its commencement until its close. He was with the army of
the Potomac at the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville and
Gettysburg, as on Sherman's line from Louisville to Atlanta, and
from Atlanta to the sea, quitting the service in Texas, March 13,
1866. He afterwards engaged in the street paving business with
Mr. Walton, under the firm name of Walton & Lacey. This firm
paved a large number of streets in this city, notably Jefferson
Avenue. They also had the contract for paving the principal
MDN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 543
Streets in Little Rock, Arkansas, which they completed to the
entire satisfaction of the citizens of that city. Captain Lacey,
later in partnership with Mr. Walton and Mr. Walker, had the
contract to put in the receiving basin, build the docks and per-
form other work at the new water works, up Jefferson Avenue,
involving large expense and much executive ability. Captain
Lacey's health became so much impaired through the various
strenuous pursuits in which he had been engaged, that he passed
away July 4th, 1881, leaving behind an unblemished name. Cap-
tain Lacey served as city clerk for two terms, and was also deputy
city controller under B. G. Stimson. His widow and a daughter
are still living.
One of the sons of Judge Witherellj James, was a gradu-
ate of the University of Michigan. After graduation he
joined a party of fellow graduates, five in number. Senator
Palmer among them, and made the tour of Southern Spain,
including Gibraltar and Tangier, Morocco. They sailed from
New York in a vessel loaded with lumber, and after a rather
hazardous voyage entered the harbor of Cadiz one Christmas
morn. Now just see how eloquently Senator Palmer puts the
incident in his Decoration Day address, delivered in this city May
30, 1879:
"On a Christmas morning, many years ago, I stood upon the
deck of a merchantman, in the harbor of Cadiz, in .Spain. The
cathedral and convent bells were ringing out their carols in com-
memoration of that event which, two thousand years ago, brought
tidings of peace on earth and good will to men, and, as I leaned on
the taflfrail infused with the glamor of youth, enveloped in the
Indian summer haze of that delicious atmosphere which predis-
poses the most stolid to reverie, I gazed on the beautiful town,
that rose like a city of pearl from the sea, and mused. I could
hardly realize my own identity ; that I, a boy born and reared on
the margin of the great lakes, was floating on the same waters
that had borne the Phoenician fleets three thousand years ago;
that I was looking on a city contemporary with Carthage, and
which was old before Rome was born; on the distant mountain
side I could see the towers of Ronda, where Julius Ceasar had
fought a pitched battle of which he said, that 'although he had
fought many times for victory, he had fought but once for his life.'
And here was the spot ; and Hannibal had here probably stopped
when starting on that march which was to end only in Rome's
544 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
abasement or her triumph. I thought of the advent of Christian-
ity, and the dethronement of the idols of Baal; of Roderick, the
last of the Goths, and his fateful love ; of the coming of the Moors,
and of the empire they reared ; of the sorrows of Boabdil, 'the
man without a country, the king without a throne ;' and as these
imaginings floated across my brain as pinnaces before a soft
south wind, a strain of music struck upon my ear. As its cadences
floated across the tremulous floor of the sea, it sounded wonder-
ously familiar. It was our national hymn. I turned and there,
thank God, our flag was flying at the peak of a man-of-war. A
great lump arose in my throat, great drops rolled down my cheeks.
I reached out my arms as if to enfold it. What to me were the
historic scenes of Spain and its .fables ; what its olive groves and
acacias, what Xeres, Saguntum, the Alhambra or the Guadal-
quiver ?
**Yet, to those who knew not its significance, it was a piece
of bunting, with hues harmoniously blended, not half so attractive
as a painting or a landscape; but no Murillo, nor the gardens of
Atlantis, could have awakened any such emotions in my breast.
''What was it that endowed it with power? It was the
emblem of all I held dear on earth. It was home, country, ^ower,
protection, inspiration, restraint, society in solitude, wealth in
poverty. From it as from a camera were thrown upon my heart
visions of those I loved, of the beautiful city where I was bom,
of my companions in its streets, of the primeval forests of my
state, of its environing lakes, of my country and its happy homes.
It was not because it floated above the deck once trod by Decatur
that it had charactec to me. It was not that it represented half a
continent. It. was not because it had been triumphant on land
and sea, but because from its rustling folds, as from the unpent
lips of a phonograph, came to me words of cheer, expressions of
affection, voices of friends in the old town, the speakers on the
campus, the shouts of the hearers in response or applause, the
traditions of our history and the assurance that 25,000,000 of
people looked up to it only to bless it. I was no longer away from
my native land. The shadow of the Flag annihilated space."
* * *
The senator's fine allusion to "Old Glory" no doubt met a
thrilling response in the breast of everyone who had the pleasure
of hearing the address, and, I presume, its reproduction or a por-
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. * 545
tion of it at this time will cause like emotions in the breasts of
those under whose eyes this article may pass. Americans at least,
and particularly those that have been abroad. Twice from our
shores have I wended my way across the Atlantic, and neither
time did I cast my eyes upon the Stars and Stripes, with excep-
tion of seeing it displayed at two or three consulates after I left
New York until I saw it flying at the mast-head of one of our
men-ofrwar, in the harbor of Villefranche, on the Mediterranean ;
nor did I see it again that trip. The second trip I do not think I
saw it at all, unless it was, as before, at two or three consulates,
and, in addition, at the United States legation at Madrid, Spain,
until I saw it flying from the mast-head of a small brig in the har-
bor of Cadiz. Among the vast number of ships that crowded
that harbor, flying the flags of every nation, sometimes two or
three times repeated, this diminutive brig was the only one that
had "Old Glory" at its mast-head. It was as big as a large table-
cloth, seemingly, and the strong breeze did shake it out good,
saucy and defiant. I just wanted to get up and yell. I think
every American has felt like doing the same under similar circum-
stances. The senator and wnole party besides myself felt the
inspiration the incident caused.
5li * *
After the party of graduates had concluded their tour, they
separated at Cadiz. Young Witherell and one of the party, Dave
James, going to Granada, and the rest sailing for Rio Janeiro.
Witherell and James took up their quarters in the old Moorish
Alhambra and there they remained for several months. Dave
James and young Witherell, before leaving New York, took a
course of lessons in the Daguerrean art, and became familiar
with it, so much so that they themselves were competent to give
instructions to others. They also provided themselves with the
necessary apparatus for taking the pictures, etc. On their reach-
ing Granada they directly set up shop in the Alhambra, and with
giving instructions in the art and taking pictures they had all they
could do. They were the first to introduce this art into Spain, and
it created no little curiosity and interest among the natives. I
have before me now one of the old plates that they took of the
"Court of the Lions" in the Alhambra with themselves shown
among the marble lions. It is almost as distinct now as it was on
the day it was taken. On their return to this country James went
35
546 • EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
to Kansas City, and Witherell went into the law and real estate
business with J. Logan Chipman. He served as city attorney for
two terms. After a time, tiring of the law, he turned his eye on
the army, and in 1855 procured a lieutenancy in a new cavalry
regiment then forming, the Second, of which regiment Albert
Sidney Johnson was colonel, Robert E. Lee lieutenant-colonel,
W. J. Hardee brevet lieutenant-colonel and George H. Thomas
major. The regiment completed its organization the surgmer of
the above year at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and was ordered
to Texas. In December, 1856, Lieutenants Witherell and Owens,
with a detachment of men of this regiment, defeated a party of
Indians near the Rio Grande and drove them across into Mexico.
*?* *!* 'P
Lieutenant Witherell, in November, 1858, with a small
detachment from that regiment, came up with a party of Indians
who had robbed the mail party of a number of mules, near the
head waters of the Nueces, Texas. A short and severe contest
took place, the Indians being routed and defeated. Lieutenant
Witherell and three of the soldiers were wounded. The most des-
perate and the main fight of the year was fought by Captain Earl
Van Dorn with a detachment of the Second Cavalry, against the
Comanches in Texas, who were, it was said, the best riders in
the world. Their horsemanship was truly remarkable. Writing
about this battle in 1865, Colonel Albert G. Brackett, chief of
cavalry of the department of the Missouri during the latter year
of the Civil War, and who was present, says of it, in part :
**It was soon over. The Comanches fought without giving
or asking quarter until there was not one left to bend a bow, and
would have won the admiration of every brave soldier of the
command but for the intrusive reflection that they were the mur-
derers of the wives and children of our frontiersmen, and the
most wretched of thieves. A too high meed of praise for gal-
lantry and unflinching courage cannot be awarded to the officers
and men who achieved this success over so desperate and skillful
a foe. Although superior in number to the Indians, it neverthe-
less required the coolest and most undaunted individual bravery
to advance upon the danger that presented itself in this fearful
ravine — a danger as imminent as it was unseen — without a single
one of those immediate incentives to chivalric deeds — the open
field, the charge, the shout of defiance, the gallant overthrow of
MKN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 547
an enemy by a comrade, the clank, clank and glitter of steel —
without one of these, the troops of this command moved, as it
were, into darkness, and with a courage that challenged admira-
tion, felt for the danger they were called upon to encounter."
Among the officers he mentions as having participated in this
battle occurs the name of Lieutenant James B. Witherell.
* * *
The act of secession was passed by the convention of Texas
after that of South Carolina, and in March, 1861, those of the
Second Regiment who had not joined the Confederacy, including
Lieutenant Witherell, had to get out of Texas in short order.
They proceeded to Point Isabel at the mouth of the Rio Grande,
for the purpose of embarking for the north on a steamer that lay
at anchor a short distance out in the Gulf of Mexico. The night
before the regiment left the officers occupied quarters on the small
steamboat lying at the dock that was to convey the regiment to the
large steamer in the offing. During the night, by some unaccount-
able mishap, Lieutenant Witherell was drowned from off this boat.
How it happened has always remained a mystery. It is supposed
that he left his stateroom during the night for some purpose or
other, and being quite near-sighted, stumbled over the low railing
on the upper deck, and thence to his death. His body was recov-
ered the following morning. It had a severe bruise on the fore-
head, showing that in his fall he must have come in contact with
the dock or something and been rendered at once unconscious.
Sad to say, that was the end of what no doubt would have been
a brilliant career in the conflict that came a little later on, and in
which so many of the officers of his regiment gained distinction,
for or against the union. Those that were against the union, we
sorrow for their sin, though they did achieve renown for their
bravery.
The surviving son, Charles, younger than James B., and also
a graduate of the Michigan University, a young man of much
promise and scholarly attainments, died just on the verge of man-
hood. He was an intimate and bosom friend of Hon. Don M.
Dickinson and a classmate. .Had he lived he might perhaps have
attained as deserved honor and renown as has the distinguished
gentleman I have named. He passed away highly esteemed and
regretted by his associates, and also by all those with whom he
had come in contact.
548 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
In connection with the foregoing it may be of interest to say
that after fort-one years had passed Senator Palmer returned to
Spain, to Cadiz. Not as a college graduate, just released from
his Alma Mater and on a voyage of pleasure or adventure, but
as the accredited minister of this great republic to the court of
Spain. It was also Christmas time at Cadiz. The same bells
from the towers of the cathedral across the square from the hotel
and from various other towers in the city were ringing out their
joyous notes as they did when the senator and his fellow gradu-
ates sailed into its harbor on that Christmas morn forty-one years
before. With him were Mrs. Palmer, Captain Hamilton, U. S. A.
military attache, and Mrs. Hamilton, Mr. Wm. Livingstone and
myself. We celebrated the day at our hotel by an old-fashioned
New England Christmas dinner. The conventional turkey, as
well as the plum pudding, were in evidence, as also the "cup that
cheers," but the pumpkin pie was missing. While here the
party visited many points of interest, and one afternoon in walk-
ing around the ramparts we came across a somewhat dilapidated
Spaniard who was seated on the outer wall, fishing in the bay, the
water at that point being quite deep. Senator Palmer accosted
him in Spanish and said :
''Well, my friend, I see you are fishing here yet, after all
these years."
"Yes, Senor, but how many years?"
"Forty years," responded the senator.
"Oh," said, the chap with the rod, "that was my father," and
they two had by constant use, all the years at that point worn
quite an indenture in the stone coping of the wall.
A CORRECTION.
Editor Detroit Free Press: In the interest of historical
accuracy, permit me to correct an error by Friend Palmer in his
article in today's Sunday free Press, "Detroit in Earlier Days."
He says : "And when the Civil War was on, Henry A. Morrow,
then city recorder, raised the Twenty-seventh Michigan Infantry
and went with it to the front. Henry A. Morrow raised and was
colonel of the Twenty- fourth Michigan Infantry, and joined us at
Washington, D. C, 1862, after the Pope campaign, and shortly
before the battles of South Mountain and Antietam, in Maryland.
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 549
I know this to be correct for our lieutenant-colonel, Frank Graves,
of the Eighth Michigan Ijifantry, was a brother-in-law of Colonel
Morrow, and he and I called on the colonel at his tent shortly
after his arrival. James C. Willson, M. D.,
Major and Surgeon, Eighth Michigan Infantry. .
FuNT, July lO.
Next to Judge Witherell lived Buckminster Wight, whose
house is still standing. Buckminster Wight built his fine
residence somewhere in the early forties, I think. His son,
Henry A. Wight, had preceded him to this city quite a while,
how long I do not call to mind. Anyway we were schoolmates as
well as most intimate friends and both attended D. B. Crane's
school. At that time Wight made his home with his uncle (Rice)
on the Cass farm, on Fort Street, where the dwelling of Allan
Shelden now is. After his term of schooling with Mr. Crane had
expired, he went to Boston and entered the wholesale dry goods
house of another uncle, named Rice. After some years he
returned to this city, and went into the lumber firm of Wight &
Coffin (The Wight being his father). This firm succeeded the
Detroit & Port Huron Steam Mill Lumber Co. (Rice, Coffin &
Co.), who had their sawmill near the foot of Beaubien Street.
They carried on business here for many years and quite success-
fully. Nick Greusel (captain of the Scott Guards and later a
colonel of an Illinois regiment in the Civil War) was in their
employ for many years, and I think was their foreman for quite
a while. I do not know when Mr. Coffin quit the concern, but
quit he did, and Henry, the father, and Stanley G.., a younger
brother, continued the business there until the father passed
away. Henry and Stanley, finding their quarters too limited, went
further up the river to the foot of Wight Street, and erected for
themselves a model steam sawmill, unquestionably, at that date,
the finest in Michigan.
The firm was H. A. & L. G. Wight. They did a successful
business in their new location, for quite a while, until fire wiped
out the fine plant completely. They never rebuilt. After this
the firm met with varied fortunes. Henry died, leaving a widow,
two sons and one daughter. The widow died a short time ago.
The two sons and daughter survive. Stanley G. Wight is still
with us, and is, I am pleased to know, in fairly good health, and
in comfortable circumstances. The Wights built the block of
550 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
residences between the corner of Hastings Street and their home-
stead, all of which are still standing. They also built the block of
brick residences on Jefferson Avenue, between the late Senator
McMillan's home and that of Mrs. Chas. Wetmore. Edwin B.
Wight, younger brother of Henry and Stanley — I do not know
whether he was in the firm or not — went into the Civil War,
served with distinction and was in the fight at Gettysburg, where
he lost an eye. jjc ^^ *
Henry married Miss Sara Davenport, scion of one of the first
and oldest families here. She was the daughter of Louis Daven-
port, the first proprietor of the Detroit and Windsor Ferry, and
one of the j oiliest and pleasantest of men. Another daughter of
Davenport's (Ann) married our lately departed friend. Doctor
Geo. B. Russel, and another (Matilda), married General John
King, U. S. A. Mrs. Davenport's maiden name was Walker, and
she was the sister of Lieutenant John T. Walker, U. S. Navy.
The Davenports, w^hen I came here, had a charming cottage resi-
dence on Woodward Avenue, west side, nearly half way between
Larned and Congress Streets. The house was set back quite a
w^ay from the street, the intervening space being made attractive
with trees, flowering shrubs and flowers. This locality presents
quite a different aspect now from what it did then. I think it is
the property of the Davenport heirs yet.
Doctor Louis Davenport, a most skillful surgeon, was a son.
He did not see service in the regular army, during the Civil War,
but often went to the front as volunteer surgeon, and rendered
most efficient and timely aid, particularly after the second battle
of Bull Run. It was said of him that he had the steadiest hand
and the coolest head of any man on the job. The doctor was quite"
clever as a caricaturist, and would have made his mark in that
direction had he so desired. Some of his sketches, particularly
imitations of ** Holbein's Dance of Death," were startling. He
died not many years ago, widely lamented.
Captain Bob Wagstaff married for his first wife a sister of
Mrs. Louis Davenport. Wagstaff was honored by Oliver New-
berry, who gave him command of his fine brig, "Manhattan,"
then the pride of the lakes, and also of Uncle Oliver's heart.
Wagstaff had the misfortune to lose her. She went ashore in a
heavy gale on Lake Erie, just below Maiden, and was almost a
total loss.
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 551
Wagstaif also had the proud distinction, in connection with
Captain "Gus" McKinstry, of taking the schooner Napoleon (one
of Newberry's fleet) in the depth of winter, loaded with pror
visions to Mackinac to relieve the dwellers on the island as well
as the United States troops stationed at the fort, who by some
unexplained reason happened to be short and almost on the verge
of starvation. (This incident as well as the loss of the Manhat-
tan has appeared in print before, but it may not be out of place
now, in this connection).
* * *
General John King was a protege of General Hugh Brady.
The latter procured for him, when a lad, the appointment of
cadet at West Point. After the usual four years' ordeal, he
graduated into the infantry, serving with distinction in the Mex-
ican and Civil Wars. He died not many years ago, a retired
brigadier general, U. S. A. He was severely wounded in the
hand, at the battle of Shiloh. All who knew John King (and
they were a host) knew him only to love and admire him. He
died just as he had commenced to enjoy life and his well won
honors. His widow and (I think) two daughters survive him.
* * *
Oliver Bellair and Richard Hopson lived in this block also.
Bellair was one of the old French residents, and quite prominent.
He was in the war of 1812, and held some important position on
the American side. He was present at Hull's surrender. I have
seen the old gentleman often, and knew him quite well.
Hopson kept a grocery store in an addition to his dwelling.
The lot on this upper corner of Hastings Street was vacant.
James Nail, later on, built a fine residence in this block and
resided in^ it for quite a period.
* * *
Thomas C. Miller, a tobacconist, lived on the opposite corner
of Hastings Street, where are now a drug store and Doctor Jen-
nings' office. Miller lived here until he erected a house of his
own a little further up the street and moved into it. It was just
beyond or adjoining the Congregational church. I think he lived
their until he died.
Thomas C. Miller, an agreeable gentleman, succeeded his
father, who was the pioneer in the tobacco business here. Miller's
store and factory was on Woodward Avenue, between Jef-
552 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
ferson Avenue and Woodbridge Street. It was quite extensive
for those days, and in fact the only one in Michigan. Dealers of
every sort kept tobacco in stock, but Miller's was the first estab-
lishment that dealt in that most desirable commodity exclusively,
and their wooden Indian was the first to appear on any street in
Detroit. John J. Bagley served his apprenticeship at the business
with Miller and his father, as did Daniel Scotten.
While occupying this house. Miller gave a fancy dress party,
that was attended by all the elite of the city, in costume, none
being admitted that were not so dressed. It was a brilliant affair,
and the first of the kind ever held here, with the exception of one
given three or four years before by Captains Grant and Gore,
which (in my opinion), the one at Miller's eclipsed. The latter at
that time kept bachelor's hall, and it was hinted, that he was on
the lookout for a fair partner, and had adopted this means of
paving the way into society, for that purpose. Be that as it may,
he, after a while, married, not to any fair one that was present at
his house that night, but to a charming young lady, highly accom-
plished, the daughter of a fine French family (Quelos), not long
here from their native country. After a brief but happy married
life, .of a little more than a year's duration, the wife died leaving
an infant daughter. Miller himself followed, not many years
after, the daughter surviving him.
* * *
A young sister of Mrs. Miller, a bright, vivacious young lady,
and also highly accomplished, had many admirers, and among
them was, Wellington (Duke) Hunt, a scion of one of the old
Hunt families, who succeeded in capturing her. After many years
of happy married life Hunt passed away, leaving her a widow
with three boys. The eldest (Wellington) is married, and he
with his wife and his mother at present occupy the family home-
stead on upper Jefferson Avenue. The other two boys are also
alive, and are all well and favorably known to the present genera-
tion. Many will call to mind the father, ''Duke" Hunt. A most
strenuous, vigorous hustler after this world's possessions. He
managed, through much up-hill work, to secure a competency,
which his widow is now enjoying. I think the present ''Duke"
Hunt is successful in the real estate business. I hope so, at least.
me:n promini;nt in city affairs. 553
Hunt served in the Civil War as captain in a Michigan
cavalry regiment. There were other Hunts in this war, cousins
of his, notably Lewis C. Hunt, a West Pointer, who rose to the
rank of brigadier-general ; another cousin, Henry I. Hunt, also a
West Pointer and later a brigadier-general, and chief of artillery
of the Army of the Potomac, and rendered most distinguished
service as such at the battle of Gettyburg.
* * *
After Thomas C. Miller, there lived along here from time
to time Zebulon Kirby, Samuel G. Watson and others whose
names have escaped my memory. Zebulon Kirby was of the firm
of Ingersoll & Kirby, leather dealers. Captain John Pridgeon
most all of the present day will remember. Anthony Dudgeon
scores of our citizens will recall with pleasure and regret that he*
parted from our midst so early in life. He married a daughter
of Mr. Justus Ingersoll, sister to Mrs. Alex Lewis, Mrs. Frank
Phelps and Mrs: Carman, and sister also to Jessie and Jerome
Ingersoll. Two children were born to the> Dudgeons, a son and a
daughter. The son, a promising boy, just verging into manhood,
was acidentally drowned, as was ex-Mayor Barker, from the lat-
ter's yacht, between the city and Grosse He. The daughter, as
fair and comely as her mother and aunts ever were, which is
admitting much, married Mr. Harry Newberry, son of Mr. John
G. Newberry. Mr. and Mrs. Newberry have resided abroad
during most of their married life, in Paris and Madrid, Spain.
Mr. Newberry was appointed secretary of the United States
legation at the latter capital a short time before Minister Palmer
resigned the po.st. After the latter retired Mr. Newberry became
virtually minister, until the appointment of Mr. Palmer's succes-
sor. It is, perhaps, needless to say, that Mr. Newberry and his
gifted wife fully sustain the reputation of Minister Palmer and
his estimable consort in upholding the dignity of this nation, both
politically and socially, at the Spanish court. They remained
there until Mr. Newberry was transferred to Constantinople.
How long he remained at the latter post I do not know.
* * *
Lawyer Samuel G. Watson was an eminent member of the
Detroit bar and one time was a partner of Judge B. F. H. Wither-
ell. He was a genial, companionable gentleman. He died many
years ago, leaving a widow and three attractive daughters. One
554 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
of the latter married a Captain Hart, U. S. A. Another married
Mr. Lovett, of Scotten & Lovett. The other married the young-
est son of John Stephens, of the firm of Stephesn & Field, whole-
sale grocers, Woodward Avenue. Mr. Lovett died a few years
ago. Mrs. Lovett survives him. I do not know whether Mrs.
Hart and Mrs. Stephens are alive or not.
Colonel J. B. Grayson, United States Army, followed Mr.
Miller in the occupancy of the house on the corner and
lived there for a time, while his family were here with him.
They returned to New Orleans, from whence they came, and
' the colonel took up quarters at the Michigan Exchange, until
ordered to New Mexico, just before the Civil War. Between
Mr. Miller's house and Russell Street, "Ferd" Parker, grocer
•(brother of the late T. A. Parker), built a fine brick residence
which is still standing, though completely modernized. Mr.
Townsend, of Martin & Townsend, afterwards of DeGraff &
Townsend, built, and occupied a comfortable wooden dwelling
adjoining the residence of Mr. Parker, and lived there until his
death, which occurred many years ago.
A portion of Russell Street, adjoining, was in dispute, as
regards dedication to the city or something of that nature. Any-
way, Patrick Tregent concluded he would take the bull by the
horns, and squatted on it and put up a four-story brick residence
which nearly blocked the street. The authorities pitched into him
and after a long fight Tregent removed it. I don't know whether
he reaped anything from his venture or not, but think he did. He
was not apt to go short on anything of that sort. Beyond Robert
Stewart, on the opposite corner of Hastings Street, where Alex.
Lewis is now, CuUen Brown lived in a modest wooden dwelling
until he moved into a brick house on the present site of the Man-
dell residence near the corner of St. Aubin Avenue. The Brown
corner was afterwards occupied by Mr. Lewis, with the present
fine brick residence.
Mr. A. C. McGraw built a fine brick residence adjoining the
house of Mr. Lewis, and it still belongs to the McGraw estate.
^ Chancellor Farnsworth owned and occupied a large wooden resi-
dence adjoining and lived there many years, until his death, which
occurred in the same house. The chancellor's holdings continued
to Boliver alley, now obliterated.
The chancellor built this residence while living on Fort Street,
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 555
and occupied it somewhere about 1835. Many, very many of our
old citizens will remember Chancellor Farnsworth, the amiable,
kind-hearted, Christian gentleman, who, I used to think, was abso-
lutely without guile. His accomplished wife was one of the prin-
cipal leaders in society, a society that was as brilliant as any in
all the northwest. They had two daughters. General O. B. Will-
cox won the eldest for his first wife, when he was second lieu-
tenant, U. S. A., and shortly after he graduated from West Point.
She died many years ago. The second married a young lawyer
from New York, whose name has escaped my memory. And
here the chancellor and his gifted wife passed the remainder of
their days, honored by all, and, wlien they passed from earth,
regretted by all.
Ellis Doty, father of George and Henry Doty, built and occu-
pied, before 1830, a fine residence at the foot of this alley on the
River Road. On the corner of this alley, next beyond Chancellor
Farnsworth's, was a yellow cottage, occupied by Mrs. Hinchman,
mother of Guy F. Hinchman, who lived there a short time only.
Its place was taken by the present Eaton residence, which was
built by Theodore H. Eaton.
Mr. C. C. Trowbridge built and occupied the adjoining resi-
dence which is still standing. It was where Jefferson Avenue then
came to a stop. This avenue was not opened beyond the Trow-
bridge line or the line of the so-called Mullett farm for two or
three years after 1827, a rail fence crossing the avenue at that
point. People had to use the River Road if they desired to pro-
ceed further. When the avenue was opened up to Mt. Elliott
Avenue it was done with a great deal of difficulty and met with
much opposition from the old French settlers, who regarded the
innovation as downright robbery. Some years later Ezra Rood
built two houses where the late Senator McMillan's residence now
stands.
Mr. Rood had been for about four years the receiver of public
moneys here, and at the end of his term of office, found $6,000 in
his hands, surplus, that he could not account for, and reported the
fact to the treasury. They said his accounts were O. K. and
closed, so he took the $6,000, built these two houses, and he and
his wife took a trip to Europe. Upon his return the United States
treasury officials informed him that on a re-examination of his
accounts, through an oversight in the settlement when he closed
556 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
his official relations with the United States government, it was
found that he was in debt in the sum of $6,000. On a showing
of the facts, Rood at once paid up the amount, but he had the
two houses and a trip to Europe to show for it. Not so bad after
all.
Captain Gore, Fourth United States Infantry, occupied the
first one of these two houses for a while, and after him, Lieutenant
U. S. Grant, of the same regiment, lived there. Washington A.
Bacon, a well remembered school teacher, took possession after
Grant vacated the premises. He had his school in the rear in a
building on the corner of Larned and Russell Streets. The next
house was occupied by Captain S. P. Heintzleman, United States
quartermaster at this post, during his station here. Afterward,
in the Civil War, he became general. The row of brick houses
that extended to the residence of Mrs. Charles Wetmore, were
erected by Mr. Buckminster Wight and are still standing.
The brick dwelling now occupied by Mrs. Wetmore was built
by her father, Alex. H. Buel, a distinguished lawyer, member of
congress, etc. There were no buildings of any note between this
and Jefferson Avenue bridge, except the Benson house, on the
corner of Jefferson Avenue and Orleans Street, two brick dw^ell-
ings erected by P. & W. Fisher, jewelers, and a wooden dwelling
occupied by jthe late Colonel W. D. Wilkins. All of these above
mentioned are still standing.
The next dwelling beyond Mr. Trowbridge's, same side, was
that of D. J. Campau. The next was that of Horace Hallock.
The stone residence of the late Sidney D. Miller is on the site of
a wooden dwelling erected by Mr. C. Morass and occupied along
about 1848 by Dr. Ebenezer Hurde. Mr. Morass also built the
brick residence, still standing, next beyond that of the late R. P.
Toms, and now owned by Mrs. Chas. Lathrop. The house adjoin-
ing was built by the late Dr. H. P. Cobb and occupied by him until
his death. His widow and his son, Dr. L. H. Cobb, lived there
until the son's death, the widow dying soon after. There were no
residences of any consequence between the house of Dr. Cobb and
the railroad bridge except the brick dwelling right at the bridge,
built by the late Dr. Desnoyers, now owned by the William Gray
estate, and occupied by the latter's widow.
The depot of the Detroit and Pontiac Railroad was, at an
early date, on the southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 557
Dequindre Street. It was a temporary wooden affair and the road
was equipped with very ordinary cars, in the Hght of the present,
and the track was laid with strap rails that curled up on the least
provocation, the end coming up through the floors of the cars and
endangering life and Hmb. I have been to Pontiac often on this
road and have been a scared witness on two or three occasions,
when the "snake heads," as they were termed, made their sudden
appearance, but am happy to say that no very serious accident ever
occurred on their account.
After using this terminus for a while the company, instead of
building a depot and shops at the foot of Dequindre Street, as it
was supposed they would do, concluded that they would rather
get into the heart of the cit}^ than on to the river front, so they
tore up and abandoned their track through Dequindre Street to
Gratiot Avenue, and came in on the latter thoroughfare, estab-
lishing their depot in the rear of Andrew's Hotel (where the
Detroit Opera House now stands).
After the company had thus used or occupied Gratiot Avenue
for some years, the citizens doing business on the street began to
make a fuss, and continued it, threatened to tear up the track, etc.,
until finally the company was compelled to vacate the avenue and
return to their old occupancy of Dequindre Street.
When the Detroit & Pontiac Railroad was first contemplated,
Major Dequindre, Judge James Witherell and other property
owners interested, and the projectors of the road, entered into a
written agreement whereby the latter bound themselves, if the
former would permit them to run their tracks into the city over
their land, and to the river front, to establisih their de|x>t and other
buildings there, making it the permanent terminus of the road;
and further, in consideration of the expected benefits to adjoining
property to be derived, through the location of the depot, etc., on
the river front, the property owners agreed to grant the railroad
people a right of way loo feet wide over any of their land. The
route selected was between the Dequindre and Witherell farms,
down what is now called Dequindre Street, to the river.
Well, the road did come in but only to this depot on Larned
Street, and the company never established a depot nor buildings
of any sort at the foot of the so-called Dequindre Street. During
the time they abandoned the above location and came in on Gra-
tiot Avenue down to the Campus. They quietly acquired the title
558 EARLY DAYS IN DEJTROIT.
from the Dequindre heirs to forty feet of the so-called Dequindre
Street, and, in connection with the Witherell heirs, for and in
consideration of the purchase from them of thirty-five feet on
Jefferson Avenue and running along their track to Woodbridge
Street, for street purposes, and also some other minor considera-
tions, they relinquished to them their interest in all but sixty feet
of the I GO feet right of way mentioned in the original grant in the
early thirties. They also at the same time acquired right of way
from Woodbridge Street at its intersection with Dequindre to
their present location. Having accomplished this clever move,
they abandoned Gratiot Avenue, as said before, but instead of
laying their tracks on Dequindre Street down to Atwater, they
switched off at Woodbridge Street and came in on the river front
where they now hold out. A most desirable change for the rail-
road company, but not quite so much so for the holders of prop-
erty at the foot of Dequindre Street, the Witherell and Dequindre
farms.
In the early days when the railroad was projected, there was
scarcely anyone living along its line, or in the vicinity. There
were not at that time 500 inhabitants scattered over the then
Seventh Ward and on the Witherell and St. Aubin farms adjoin-
ing (the latter then in Hamtramck). It was all farming land
beyond Gratiot Avenue, and the danger to life and limb was
scarcely thought of, nor were the benefits of a thoroughfare to
the river taken into account. Who was there to use it? But now
what a difference and what a benefit it would be to the thousands
living in the immediate vicinity of the railroad to have it abandon
its present tracks and come into the city, if it could, on the Michi-
gan Central loop line, Beaufait Avenue, or some other street
beyond it, and give the city a chance to open Dequindre Street to
the river. "A consummation devoutly to be wished" and one that
would greatly enhance the value of real estate in that section of
the city. .
The railroad company has had its innings for the last sixty
years. The benefits the kind-hearted and credulous people ex-
pected to derive from the grant of 100 feet right-of-way were
never realized. The railroad went its way, regardless and rejoic-
ing, and now they ought not to howl if they are compelled to do
what they most certainly should do, in the interests of the public,
and what they must do in time.
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 559
The title to the twenty feet of the Witherell farm, the rail-
road company has not acquired, so far.
Repeated attempts have been made by citizens of the old
Seventh Ward along the line of this road, through the common
council, to make the road remove its tracks, or do something, but
without success.
The heirs of the Witherell farm, after it was divided, occu-
pied most of the space on each side of Jeflferson Avenue to the
line of the St. Aubin farm, with their residences, as, for instance,
Dr. and Mrs. Hurd, Judge B. F. H. Witherell, Mr. and Mrs.
Thomas Palmer and James B .Watson. On the line of the St.
Aubin farm, Cullen Brown lived in a two-story brick residence,
where is now the Mandell house, as before stated, and after him
Mr. Carne, the brewer, occupied it.
Beyond this there were no residences of any note, except that
of the Hon. John Norvell, which is still standing this side of the
Ducharme place. On the bank of Bloody Run one of the Hunt,
brothers lived in a small, attractive cottage. He married, as
before stated, a daughter of Jonathan Keeney, who lived on Fort
Street. His memory has been perpetuated by our friend, J. B.
Ross, in his admirable articles in the Evening News, entitled,
"Detroit in 1837."
Where Jefferson Avenue crossed Bloody Run, neai the
Pontiac tree (now gone), were the remains of a grist mill,
the foundations, some of the timbers and the mill stones
half buried in the soil. The mouth of Bloody Run, was,
when I came here, crossed by the same log bridge or a
large portion of it, that spanned it that July day in 1763, when
Captain Dalzell and his command met disaster at the hands of
Pontiac and his warriors. This bridge had been repaired from
time to time of course, but it was practically the same bridge.
The old Parent residence at the mouth of the "Run" was then
standing where many of the defeated troops sought shelter after
their repulse on the bridge. This house bore many bullet marks
fired into it during the melee. The battle of Bloody Run has been
so often described that I will dwell on it here, only briefly.
In regard to the battle, Mr. Trowbridge said, in an address
before the "Historical Society of Michigan," of which Judge B.
F. H. Witherell was president: (There is no date to the news-
paper clipping giving an account of it, kindly loaned' me by the
560 ^ARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Rev. David M. Cooper, of this city, but it must have been deliv-
ered many years before Mr. Trowbridge's death).
"We of this generation, although the silver cord is appointed
to be broken at three score years and ten, have shaken hands, as
it were, with Cartier and La Salle and Marquette, to whom Char-
levoix assigns the discovery of the Mississippi, with Hennepin and
Charlevoix and La Hontan and Carver and Henry and Pike.
Nay, we have actually talked with the friends of Pontiac, and lis-
tened with breathless interest to their simple and truthful narra-
tives of his daring conspiracy with the western tribes for the
extermination of the British power from the country claimed by
the conspirators as the special gift of the Great Spirit, to his
red children, and especially of that dreadful massacre of
British troops on the 31st of July, 1763, at Parent's Creek,
now and ever since the event called Bloody Run, "and at
this time within the boundaries of our city. You and I, M4-.
President, were well acquainted with Mr. Peltier, the grandfather
of the late Chief Justice Whipple : with Mr. Charles Gouin, our
near neighbor; with Madame Meloche, a resident at Parent's
Creek; with Jacques Parent, of Connor's Creek; and Gabriel St.
Aubin, of SandKvich. These were all eye-witnesses of the mas-
sacre. Mr. Peltier was lying upon the roof of his father's cottage,
near the creek, looking over its ridge upon the horrid spectacle,
and Mrs. Meloche was a young bride, living with her father-in-
law upon the bank of the creek, and but a few hundred yards
from the bridge upon which so many brave men met an inglorious
death. It was my privilege, just forty years ago, to take from the
lips of each of these venerable persons, while yet in the full pos-
session of their memories, such of the principal incidents of the
siege of the fort at Detroit as were most vividly recollected by
them. Their relations, just as they were then taken, with a lead
pencil, have, as you are aware, been presented to your society,
together with a literal copy in ink, covering about fifty pages of
foolscap, in order to insure their better preservation."
Parkman says, as most all have read, that the designs of Pon-
tiac were told to Major Gladwin, the commander of the fort, by a
beautiful dark-eyed daughter of the forest, named Catherine, who
had won the major's affections. Parent says that Pontiac told him
this was done by "an old squaw" of that name, who communicated
not with Gladwin, but with some Pawnee servant woman in the
MEN promine:nt in city affairs. 561
fort; and that he sent two young men to bring her to his tent,
where he gave her a severe beating with a crosse, a stick used by
the Indians in playing ball.
Colonel McKenney in his ''Tour of the Lakes," in 1826, says
he visited the battleground, "Bloody Run," and that the remains
of the old bridige were there then, "The Bloody Run Bridge," and
its remains.
"Tell ye where the dead
Made the earth wet, and turned th' unwilling waters red."
And also that Mr. St. Aubin, who with Mr. Chapoton, were
Captain Dalzell's two guides, on that fatal July morning, told
him that on visiting the battleground on the morning after the
battle he saw upon the bridge alone from eighty to 100 dead
bodies. The passage over it was stopped by them. Pontiac, on
the day after the battle, sent for some Canadians who lived near,
and pointing to the dead bodies on the bridge, and to the batteaux
in the creek, said :
"Take these dead dogs — put them in those boats of mine and
take them to the fort."
The order was obeyed, so far as the removal of the bodies
were embraced in it, but they were buried in the cellar of a Mr.
Sterling's house. It is also said; Captain Dalzell's head was
chopped off and stuck on ©ne of the pickets of the fence in front
of Parent's house. .
I think this Mr. Sterling's house must have been inside the
palisades, and situated between what is now Jefferson Avenue and
Woodbridge Street, in the rear of the Mutual Insurance Com-
pany building, as the late Judge B. F. H. Witherell said he had
often, when a boy, seen the inclosure containing the remains. Pre-
sume they are now reposing quietly in the alley in the rear of the
Michigan Mutual Insurance Company building.
Bloody Run was called Parent Creek before this Pontiac
affair. Its name being changed afterwards to the one it now bears
or rather to the one it did bear before it was obliterated.
The hearth and chimney stones of this old Parent residence
were lying around on the ground a few years ago, and I presume
some of them are around. there yet.
As said before, Jefferson Avenue was not, in 1827, opened up
.^6
/
562 liARJLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
further than to the residence of C. C. Trowbridge. The travel
for quite awhile was by the river road. On this river road was
located the residence of Ellis Doty at the foot of Boliver Alley.
Adjoining was a tavern kept by Pascal Potvin (the old French-
man also drove a cart in the city, hauling water, etc.). Mr. Abra-
ham Cook, father of Mrs. Thomas Knapp and Mrs. John Owen,
occupied the next residence, then came Colonel Marsaac's resi-
dence, then the Riopelle and Dequindre homesteads. Judge With-
erell occupied the next residence. The latter was not of the old
French style. It had a fine orchard and quite a number of fine
old French pear trees attached to it as did the Marsaac, Riopelle
and Dequindre homes. The pear trees around the Witherell home
were particularly fine. Three large ones at the entrance gate, on
the river front, three on the line of the apple orchard in the rear
of the house and five or six on the line of the Dequindre farm.
They bore delicious fruit, as did also the apple orchard.
The judge was a man of commanding presence, more than
six feet tall, quite different from his immediate neighbors who
were srnall in stature, but at this time he had begun to feel quite
a little the weight of the years that were upon him. He, however,
proved to me one day that he was not as far gone as he appeared.
We were on his back porch and I called his attention to a black
squirrel that was disporting itself in the top of one of the tallest
pear trees. Said he, "You just wait, keep your eye on. the squir-
rel, I will get my shot gun and see what I can do with him, think
I can fetch him." He got his gun, raised it to his shoulder and
fired, bringing^ down the squirrel. Then he turned to me and
said, "you didn't think I could do it, now did you?" I said, "no,
sir, I did not think you could." Then he chuckled.
The St. Aubin farm and homestead were adjoining, then fol-
lowed the Chene, Campau and McDougall farms. The St. Aubin,
Chene and Campau homesteads I remember quite well. They
were of the conventional French type. All these residences had
fine pear trees in the front and fine apple orchards in the rear.
Mr. Wm. H. Coyle, who was a resident of Detroit, in the
latter thirties, wrote a poem about the pear trees, which shows
how they were loved and almost made sacred by the French
pioneers. The few verses which follow give the tone of the poem :
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 563
*An hundred years and more ye have stoo.l,
Through sunshine and through storms,
And still like warriors clad in mail,
Ye lift your stalwart forms.
When the ancient city fell by the flames,
Ye saw it in ashes expire,
But like true sentinels kept your posts,
In the blazing whirl of fire. ^
The lingering few "vieux habitans"
Look at ye with a sigh,
And memory'^s teardrop dims their gaze,
While they think of the times gone by.
Live on, old trees, in your hale green age,
Long, long may your shadows last,
With your blossomed boughs and golden fruit,
Loved emblems of the past."
Many of the present residents of Detroit must remember that
'eccentric genius, W. H. Coyle.
There were, along here, fine fishing grounds, where in the
season innumerable whitefish were caught with the seine. The
best ground was on the-Chene farm, where, the plant of Parke,
Davis & Co. now is. There was a sort of a middle ground about
twenty or thirty feet from the shore, and on it were located the
reels for the nets, two log shanties for the fishermen, and a large
.inclosure for the catch. I have often spent the night there, wit-
nessing the operation of seining. I quote from some one, I do
not know who, in regard to the catching of whitefish. It expresses
my sentiments :
"And truly it was an interesting spectacle to see boats leaving
the shore with nets coiled on the stern shelf as the men pulled up
the stream, until reaching the channel bank the net was quickly
paid out and the boat pulled rapidly back to land, the floats fol-
lowing in a graceful curved line, while often a song kept time
with the oars ; t4ien as both ends were drawn briskly in, to see
the beautiful white silvery bodies glancing through the water and
finally tossed, all glowing and active, on the beach."
564 EARLY DAYS IN DICTROIT.
The Campaiis (Labie), the father and his two sons,
Barney and Aleck, carried on the catching of whitefish at the
upper end of Belle Isle for many years, and after the death
of their father, the sons continued for some time, until, I think,
the death of Barney. The grounds were considered the finest on
the river, and yieldied every season great quantities of fish. I have
often been there during the fall and saw their expert French boat-
man haul in the seines almost bursting with their finny prey. To
my mind it was an exceedingly interesting experience, and one
I imagine that but few of the present day can recall.
"Come hither from Parnassus* hill,
- Of 'melting whitefish eat your fill.
And from your lubricated throats
Will glide such smooth and pleasing notes
As never yet the pipes did follow
Of your precentor — bright Apollo.
In the fall weather, cool and hazy,
When the slow sun is getting lazy,
And from his cold bath in the river
Comes out all red with many a shiver,
With feet too chilly as they pass
To melt the hoar frost on the grass.
Northward his yearly journey takes
The shining 'white deer of the lakes.'
Swift through the lymph, in countless herd's.
Thicker than the thickest flight of birds.
The living shapes of silver dash.
Till all the rustling waters flash,
As when beneath the breeze of June
Their myriad waves reflect the moon.
Then all the dwellers in the land
Come trooping gaily to the sand ;
Through day and night the populous shore
Echoes the clanking of the oar.
The meshes of the spreading seine
Are tried with many a grievous strain,
And the gay crowd with jovial din,
Hail the rich harvest gathered in."
And then to eat a whitefish, cooked by one of the natives,
man or woman, was a delicious morsel to be long remembered.
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 565
SO unlike the present methods. You that have tasted a whitefish
cooked on the fishing grounds by a French fisherman know what
I mean.
"This fish is a subject so dainty and white
To show in a lecture, to eat or to write,
That equals my joy; I declare on my life,
To raise up my voice or to raise up my knife,
'Tis a morsel alike for the gourmand or faster;
White, ^white as a tablet of pure alabaster.
Its beauty and flavor no person can doubt
When seen in the water or tasted without ;
And all the dispute that opinions ere makes
Of this king of lake fishes, this deer of the lakes,
Regards not its choiceness, to ponder or sup, •
But the best mode of dressing or serving it up."
This fish in its season was the mainstay of the community,
rich and poor alike. Just think of it, you could go to market any
morning in the season and get as many whitefish as you wanted
for five cents apiece. On the fishing grounds you. could have for
the- asking as many as you yourself could well carry away.
The salting and packing of the surplus stock of whitefish was
a great industry, giving employment to a large number of persons
up and down the river. These salted fish were considered a great
delicacy here and elsewhere, during the summer months. No
household was regarded as fixed for the summer season luiless it
had one or two half barrels of salted whitefish in the cellar. Tom
Lewis, the "Governor of Grosse He," had an extensive whitefish
fishery on his farm on that island. He had a peculiar way of
curing his fish that kept them always in great demand and only a
favored few could get them.
All the whitefish that were salted down by the proprietors of
the various fisheries in this vicinity, and up the lakes, before they
could obtain a market for them in the east and elsewhere, had to
undergo the examination of a state inspector here. This inspector
was a man by the name of Clark, quite a conspicuous figure in
those days. The inspection of the fish was conducted in a long
open shed that occupied the space on the dock between the ware-
house of Shadrach Gillett and DeGarmo Jones. It was rather an
interesting process to me, and I used often to witness it. The fish
had to be re-packed, and gone over one by one, re-salted and
566 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
otherwise put in a marketable condition. Clark's son, Ben, who
was his father's deputy, was a schoolmate of mine, and another
attraction that drew my attention to this business. The decline in
the catch, owing to the absence of whitefish, made the services of
an inspector useless, and the office was therefore abolished, I
think.
The James Campau (brother of Joseph) homestead was a
large log structure, a story and a half with dormer windows, huge
chimneys, etc. It was situated about opposite where Pitt's saw
mill used to stand. In this house, a large number of British sol-
diers, on their retreat from Bloody Run, took refuge. Campau
hustled them into the upper part of the house, the entrance to
which was reached by a ladder and closed by a trapdoor. Before
they all got out of harm's way the Indians swarmed into the house
and fired on the last few who were on the ladder, but did not do
much damage. I have often seen the bullet marks on the wooden
beams of the ceiling. Judge Witherell had at one time a barbed
arrow that came from an Indian bow on this occasion. It did not
harm anyone, but lodged in the front door frame of the Campau
house. One of the latter's descendants presented it to the judge
and he gave it to the State Jlistorical Society. Campau claimed
to have sustained a serious loss in this affair and in 1772 sent a
petition '/to the king's most excellent majesty," stating that he had
sheltered two hundred and fifty of Captain Dalzell's troops on
their retreat, had suffered/ much damage on^ that account and
asked for three hundred dollars in payment of same. It is not
known whether he ever got it or not.
The diminutive old French church or chapel that stood next
below the James Campau house and partly in the orchard, on the
river road, is probably well remembered by many old settlers. No
service was ever held in it in my day ; it always remained tightly
closed. It used to be a curious relic of the olden time to me, and
I have often rested on its front steps, in my boyhood days, and
pondered over its origin and the many scenes enacted in and
around it. The late Colonel W. D. Wilkins wrote an interesting
description of this little church, for the Detroit Free Press, in
1878, and it is such a faithful one that I reproduce it here:
"It seems a pity that we have not a little of this reverence for
the olden time in Detroit, or rather that we did not have it before,
for except the old Joseph Campau house on Jefferson Avenue, all
" MDN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 567
the buildings that might have recalled the joyous, adventurous
and romantic age of the iFrench habitant and the British garrison
and trader, are gone. I remember a dear little wooden chapel that
once stood close by the river side, in what is now the western part
of the Tenth Ward. It was built by one of the earliest French
settlers, I believe by an ancestor of the late Joseph Campau and
Barnabas Campau, in fulfillment O'f a vow made to the Blessed
Virgin during a great storm on his voyage from Normandy to
Canada. It stood on solid oaken foundations and frame, though
with crumbled weather-beaten sides, with moss covered belfrey,
with the tiny but musical bell that came from "Xa Belle France,"
and with massive iron handles to the double leaves of the door,
each bearing the fleur de lis, proud badge of the Bourbons. It
was here that the adventurous voyageurs and coureurs des bois
heard their last mass and took farewells of friends and relatives
and gave the parting kiss to one who was dearer than either,
before departing on their long and perilous canoe voyages over
stormy lakes, through unknown streams, amidst dense forests,
through savage bands, more inhospitable than wood, lake or
storm, to the far, far distant La Pointe or Lake of the Woods or
Mississippi's sources, or wherever the quest of commerce led their
dauntless, patient, merry hearts. Here the gay voyageuer, return-
ing with haloo and song and gun fire from his long and perilous
voyage, decked with red sash and bead work, and passing rich
from the perils and profits of journey and chase, was wedded to
the bright-eyed demoiselle who had been patiently waiting for
him in the high-roofed, one-story farm house by the bank of the
stream ; and here they drove in gay procession through the nar-
row streets of Xa Fort' to display the gallantry of the groom and
the beauty and the fine attire of the bride.
"It was a most interesting little building, almost the only one
left in historic old Detroit City of three dominions and five wars,
hallowed with the most romantic and sentimental associations ;
but it stood in the way of a projected sawmill, the few feet of
space occupied by its venerable and sacred walls were needed for
lumber piles, and in 1848 the little church disappeared, and I pre-
sume its very existence has been forgotten except by the older
inhabitants, among whom I am beginning to class myself. It
would have cost but a trifle to preserve the time honored chapel,
and think what a precious relic it would be now."
In "Shoepac's Recollections," a story of the early days in
568 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Detroit, by General O. B. Willcox, U. S. A., the writer says
of the River Road (already mentioned) :
"In front of the houses on the river bank are the cherry
trees and in the rear the apple and pear orchards — fruits brought
from sunny France and planted by the skillful Jesuits; apples
red to the core, large and luscious; cherries that rival nectarines,
and pears of every variety, and of every season from July to
November.
" 'Bright gleam the apples, pears and cherries.'
''Nor will the^ patch of onions escape his notice ; it is the
Frenchman's flower-garden — the invariable concomitant of every
family who may claim a foot square of mother earth. The fish
net or seine is stretched on the fence.'' I can bear most willing
testimony to Shoepac's statement in regard to the cherry, apple
and pear trees, as I have spent many an hour in my boyhood in
their branches and beneath their shades ; also enjoyed the luscious
fruit; and then the sweet cider and perry (the latter the juice
of the pear) . Every farmer on the river owned a cider mill, and
on Judge James Witherell's farm was a fine one. Reader, did
you ever, when a boy, suck cider through a straw ? If you have,
then you know what a delicious pastime it is, and what a delightful
memory of your boyhood's days.
''The fish nets. Have you ever been on the fishing grounds
and witnessed the paying out and the hauling in of the net or
seine, and joined in the excitement, as I have done many times,
and after, of melting whitefish eat your fill ?
'"The shining "White deer of the lakes"
Swift through the lymph in countless herds,
Thicker than the thickest flight of birds,
The living shapes of silver dash,
Till all the rustling waters flash
As when beneath the breeze of June
Their myriad waves reflect the moon,
Then all the dwellers in the land
Come trooping gaily to the sand ;
Through day and night the populous shore
Echoes the clanking oar.
The meshes of the spreading seine
Are tried by many a grievous strain.
And the gay crowd with joyous din,
Hail the rich harvest gathered in.' "
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 569
Shoepac goes on to say:
''The long flint-lock gun, with leather pouch and powder-horn
is hung on wooden hooks in the hall. The canoe is drawn up on
the beach. But hark ! You hear the sound of distant voices come
stealing over the water. Turn towards the river. See a long
pirouge (birch bark canoe) or more ample Mackinaw boat, per-
haps a little fleet of them in a single line manned by voyageurs or
coureurs de bois, and loaded with packs of furs. The oarsmen
have fitted out at Mackinaw, to appear in style at Detroit — the
greater station and nearer civilization. Each garcon has a red
sash around his waist and pulls a red oar, or short-handled paddle,
the blade of which is a bright crimson. They keep perfect time
and it is a joyous, quick time — with the notes of a French song
which was chanted in France a century or more ago.
" 'Malbrooks s'en vat a guerrah !'
"Or, perchance the air is one you may not recognize —
" 'A Lon-don day
S'en va coucher !'
"And this, one verse of which is given —
" Xa Jeune Sophie
Chantait I'autre jour,
Son echo repete,
Que non pas d' amour
N'est pas de bon jour.'
''The words were sung by one of the party of boatmen and
all joined in the chorus. No music could be more lively and,
inspiring. It comes over the water — is accompanied by the splash
of oars^. It is roared out with the utmost spirit, too, by that most
glorious of all instruments, the human voice. It has pealed
through the woods, and over the rivers and lakes for thousands
of miles. It has animated those brave adventurers in camp, at
portage through summer and winter, rain and snow, sickness,
peril and death ;. and now joy ! joy ! it greets the steeples of St.
Anne ! The children run out of the houses, down to the river
shore to hear it; the maiden turns pale, and blushes, and hurries
to the door ; the old man hobbles out and waves his hat. Troops
570 e;arly days in Detroit.
of people rush down to the wharves to see them land ; and such
shouts of welcome and rejoicing never were known before. Wit-
ness the fiddling and dancing on Sunday evenings whenever there
was any little neighborhood of French people on the great wide
porch, or beneath trees on the grass ; or, if in the house with the
doors and windows thrown wide open. And there were the pret-
tiest and most mischievous-eyed French girls dancing away for
dear life with the good-looking,' frank-mannered voyageurs or
coureurs de bois, in their red, yellow or green- sashes, long black
hair, and blue calico shirts.
"Then was there not the racing to church the year round and
racing home again ? And were there not regular trotting matches
on the afternoons of the great days of the church, which brought
the people in from the country up and down the river? Espe-
cially, was there anything like it in the winter season, when the
wicked river would even wink at these atrocities by freezing over,
so that nothing was seen on Sunday afternooris but carioles,
turned up in front, in a curl like a skate, gliding or rather flying
over the ice, two and two? The little Canadian ponies held their
tails up in the air like banners and their noses protruding into the
clouds, or snorting between their legs — they trotting like mad^
while the garcons whooped like Indians.
''Then on Easter morning, was not the churchyard of St.
Anne fairly riotous w^ith boys cracking painted or dyed eggs?''
General Wilcox speaks also of the ''Shoepac," the name he
gives his book. The Shoepac, as all old timers know, was an
article of foot wear used almost exclusively by the French habi-
tant. It was an article of general merchandise, the merchants of
those days keeping it always in stock. The Palmers kept a large
quantity on hand, as did Joseph Campau, Peter Desnoyers, and
others. A few of the French residents of the city used to wear
shoepacs habitually, summer and winter, as, for instance, Lam-
bert Beaubien, Mons Cote (the latter lived on Woodward Avenue,
w^here is now the store of Marvin Preston), and others.
How Judge James Witherell used to treasure his flint-lock
gun, with its leather pouch and carved powder horn, relics of his
Revolutionary days. He, too, had it hung on wooden hooks in
his hall, and it was from these hooks he took it, at the time he shot
the squirrel that was disporting itself in the top of one of his
loftiest pear trees, and to which I have alluded at length in a
MICN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 57 1
former article. And those birch bark canoes, and Mackinaw boats
manned by those gay, sturdy voyageurs ! The store of F. & T.
Palmer used to swarm with these coureurs de bois, when naviga-
tion was open, and I became as familiar with them as with other
frequenters of the establishment. Governor Cass had a fine barge,
the best of its class, made of birch bark, and manned by nine of
these voyageurs, four on a side, and a steersman. Had a cush-
ioned stern, and an awning over it. It was truly a swell affair.
It was in this barge that he, with Colonel McKinney and party,,
journey to Fond du Lac and return in 1826. I have alluded to
this barge somewhat at length in a former article, and only refer
to the refrains ''Shoepac" mentions. I was so familiar with them
I seem to hear them now, as I heard them in that far off time, the
music of their voices floating over the water of a calm, still sum-
mer night, when hardly another sound interfered. I call to mind
one evening in particular. It was a moonless summer night, calm
and still. A party of us young folks were gathered in the summer
house of the "Mansion House Hotel," the latter directly in front
of the hotel and across Jefferson Avenue, when all at once the
refrain started from Hog Island (Belle Isle) apparently, anyway
in that vicinity, and it was kept up by the voyageurs without let or
hindrance until they passed the city on the Canada side of the
river. There was more to the songs than is here given, but the
lines quoted are the ones that always rernain fresh in my mem-
ory. It proved to be the governor's barge with a small party on
board. The same thing was ofttimes repeated, and so weird and
entrancing was the music that the memory of it will remain with
me always. As the late Bela Hubbard says in his ''Memorials
of half a century," published in 1888:
"The boat-songs were often heard upon our river, and were
very plaintive. In the calm of evening when sounds are heard
with greater distinctiveness and the harsher notes are toned down
and absorbed in the prevailing melody, it was sweet, from my
vine-mantled porch, to hear the blended sounds of song and oar —
" 'By distance mellowed, o'er waters sweep.'
"To my half-dreaming fancy, at times, they have assumed
a poetic, if not a supernatural character, wafting me into elf-land,,
on wings of linked sweetness.
572 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
" 'Some spirit of the air has waked the string,
'Tis now a seraph bold, with touch of fire.
And now the brush of fancy's frolic wing.'"
I think I have quoted this passage or a portion of it from
Bela Hubbard's book, in an article some time ago, but perhaps a
repetition of it here may not be out of place.
There are but few living, I imagine, who have heard these
Canadian boat songs, and if there are any I am sure they will
join me in praising them as I do, a charming episode of the long
ago that will never be repeated. Yes, times have changed, and
with them have passed from our midst the voyageur and his song.
French gayety is rapidly ebbing into more sober channels. Even
the church has set its face, in a great measure, against balls and
merry-makings.
This barge of the governor's (as I think I mentioned in a
former article) he kept for use of his family and friends until he
went to Washington as secretary of war. I, myself, enjoyed a
ride on it several times, evenings, up and down the river, but there
was no such charm in the music heard on board the barge as
there was listening from the shore, in the stillness of the night.
What became of it I never knew. It ought to have been pre-
served, as it was unique in its way. These voyageurs brought
from the upper country from time to time, large quantities of
Indian maple sugar, in a granulated state, packed in birch bark
mococks. A mocock is a receptacle of a basket form, and oval,
though without a handle, made of birch bark, with top sewed
on with wattap (the fine roots of the red cedar, split). The
smaller ones were ornamented with porcupine quills, dyed red.
yellow and green. These ornamented mococks held from two to
a dozen tablespoonfuls of sugar, and were made for presents, or
for sale to the curious. The larger ones were not ornamented,
and contained from lo to 30 pounds of sugar. This was an article
of exchange with those who made it. They bartered it for labor,
for goods, etc., generally at ten cents per pound. The Indians
often lived wholly upon it, and the explorer Henry says he has
known them to grow fat upon this sugar alone. Fish bones and
the bones of dogs and deer were often found in the large mococks,
mixed with the sugar, showing of course that while the sap was
boiling they used it for cooking purposes, instead of water.
In conjunction with these birch bark canoes, and the voy-
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 573
ageurs who manned them, was the "Dog Train," a most important
feature. The dog train was made of a Ught frame of wood, and
covered round with a dressed deer skin. The part in which the
feet went was Hned with furs, and was covered in Hke the fore
part of a shoe. The bottom was a plank, about half an inch thick,
some six inches longer than the train, and an inch or two wider.
In this train a lady was very comfortable and could take a child
in her arms while her husband or friend, standing on the part of
the bottom that projected behind, gave the word to the well-trained
dogs, who, it was said, were capable of trotting with such a load
forty miles in a day.
What Shoepac says in regard to the fiddling and dancing
among the French habitants is true to life, as I can testify, having
seen so much of it andi participated in so much of it. I think I
have mentioned elsewhere how the young fellows in the early
thirties used to get on the top of the lumber piles of the Detroit
and Black River Steam Mill Lumber Co., near the foot of Beau-
bien Street, to locate the diance by the sound of the fiddle. That
part of the town then was decidedly French and scarcely a night
passed without one or two dancing parties. They were orderly,
too; no nonsense permitted. T have seen, as Shoepac has, the
racing to church on Sunday and other festive days, and racing
home again, and the trotting matches on the ice, up and down the
river on the Rouge ; have seen,
"The rapid pacers come and go
Like phantoms o'er the beaten snow !
And jumper, cutter, train and pung,
Behind the nimble ponies swung.
The swan neck cario^es make the scene
Lively with scarlet gold and green,
The brightest pacers, roan and bay,
Caper like little boys at play,
And toss their heads as if they knew
As much as human horses do."
Then he mentions Easter morning. How often have I of an
Easter morning been with the boys in Ste. Anne's Church yard
cracking eggs. Weeks before I would prepare my colored eggs
for the occasion and when the day came I was always on hand.
There was scarcely an Easter Sunday went by I did not capture
four or five dozen eggs, and that was considered pretty good luck
where the whole crowd were sharp.
572 e;arly days in dktroit.
" 'Some spirit of the air has waked the string,
'Tis now a seraph bold, with touch of fire.
And now the brush of fancy's frolic wing.' "
I think I have quoted this passage or a portion of it from
Bela Hubbard's book, in an article some time ago, but perhaps a
repetition of it here may not be out of place.
There are but few living, I imagine, who have heard these
Canadian boat songs, and if there are any I am sure they will
join me in praising them as I do, a charming episode of the long
ago that will never be repeated. Yes, times have changed, and
with them have passed from our midst the voyageur and his song.
French gayety is rapidly ebbing into more sober channels. Even
the church has set its face, in a great measure, against balls and
merry-makings.
This barge of the governor's (as I think I mentioned in a
former article) he kept for use of his family and friends until he
went to Washington as secretary of war. I, myself, enjoyed a
ride on it several times, evenings, up and down the river, but there
was no such charm in the music heard on board the barge as
there was listening from the shore, in the stillness of the night.
What became of it I never knew. It ought to have been pre-
served, as it was unique in its way. These voyageurs brought
from the upper country from time to time, large quantities of
Indian maple sugar, in a granulated state, packed in birch bark
mococks. A mocock is a receptacle of a basket form, and oval,
though without a handle, made of birch bark, with top sewed
on with wattap (the fine roots of the red cedar, split). The
smaller ones were ornamented with porcupine quills, dyed red.
yellow and green. These ornamented mococks held from two to
a dozen tablespoonfuls of sugar, and were made for presents, or
for sale to the curious. The larger ones were not ornamented,
and contained from lo to 30 pounds of sugar. This was an article
of exchange with those who made it. They bartered it for labor,
for goods, etc., generally at ten cents per pound. The Indians
often lived wholly upon it, and the explorer Henry says he has
known them to grow fat upon this sugar alone. Fish bones and
the bones of dogs and deer were often found in the large mococks,
mixed with the sugar, showing of course that while the sap was
boiling they used it for cooking purposes, instead of water.
In conjunction with these birch bark canoes, and the voy-
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 573
ageurs who manned them, was the "Dog Train," a most important
feature. The dog train was made of a hght frame of wood, and
covered round with a dressed deer skin. The part in which the
feet went was Hned with furs, and was covered in Hke the fore
part of a shoe. The bottom was a plank, about half an inch thick,
some six inches longer than the train, and an inch or two wider.
In this train a lady was very comfortable and could take a child
in her arms while her husband or friend, standing on the part of
the bottom that projected behind, gave the word to the well-trained
dogs, who, it was said, were capable of trotting with such a load
forty miles in a day.
What Shoepac says in regard to the fiddling and dancing
among the French habitants is true to life, as I can testify, having
seen so much of it and! participated in so much of it. I think I
have mentioned elsewhere how the young fellows in the early
thirties used to get on the top of the lumber piles of the Detroit
and Black River Steam Mill Lumber Co., near the foot of Beau-
bien Street, to locate the dance by the sound of the fiddle. That
part of the town then was decidedly French and scarcely a night
passed without one or two dancing parties. They were orderly,
too; no nonsense permitted. T have seen, as Shoepac has, the
racing to church on Sunday and other festive days, and racing
home again, and the trotting matches on the ice, up and down the
river on the Rouge ; have seen,
"The rapid pacers come and go
Like phantoms o'er the beaten snow !
And jumper, cutter, train and pung.
Behind the nimble ponies swung.
The swan neck cario^es make the scene
Lively with scarlet gold and green,
The brightest pacers, roan and bay,
Caper like little boys at play.
And toss their heads as if they knew
As much as human horses do."
Then he mentions Easter morning. How often have I of an
Easter morning been with the boys in Ste. Anne's Church yard
cracking eggs. Weeks before I would prepare my colored tggs
for the occasion and when the day came I was always on hand.
There was scarcely an Easter Sunday went by I did not capture
four or five dozen eggs, and that was considered pretty good luck
where the whole crowd were sharp.
574 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
ON THE RIVER BANK IN EARLY DAYS.
"The cottage homes so closely stand,
Their numbers stretching up and down
In front of each continuous town, :
In front of each upon the bank,
A narrow wharf of single plank
Stretched out to where a single hand
• Might fill a bucket to the brim,
Sinking it down below the brim.
Yet never touching the bottom sand ;
While to this simple jetty tied,
Canoes float safely by its side."
"Whenever Monday's morning ray
Brings to the world its washing day,
The busy housewifes and their daughters,
There with their labors vex the waters.
The garments in their fingers gathered.
With vigorous rubbing drenched and lathered,
And paddled with cunning knack,
Resound with many a rousing whack,
While the fair laundresses at work
In no Carthusian silence lurk,
But skilled enough to wash and speak,
Gossip enough for all the week."
Kven as their ancestors did in old France.
Any one who has traveled in the south of France — and there
must be many such — cannot have failed to notice the peasant girls
and women, clad in their bright and gay attire, washing clothes
■on the banks of the streams adjacent to their homes, and particu-
larly can this be wittiessed at Nice, where any morning the visitor
may see on both banks of the shallow little river (Paillon) that
runs through the city, scores of French women residents of the
''Old Town," busy washing and paddling the garments with their
short wooden paddles and skilled alike to wash and speak gossip
enough for all the week. The services of these French women
are in almost constant demand taking care of the laundry of the
various hotels with which Nice is crowded. During the season
from November to April, it is a luxurious city with the attractions
and resources of the great northern capitals.
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 575
TRAFFIC IN DETROIT AT AN EARLY DAY,
In the old Detroit Gazette of January 29, 1819, may be found
a report made to the Lyceum, of the business of the town for the
year 18 18. The shipping then belonging- to Detroit was 849 tons.
The whole shipping on Lake Erie was 2,384 tons. The value of
exports was $69,630, most of which went to other trading ports
on the waters above. The value of imports was $15,619.
The United States commissary brought here from time to
time from Ohio for the use of the troops, 1,042 beef cattle, and
1,439 hc>gs. So situated were our domestic resources. The wheat
and flour seems also at that time to have been brought from Ohio.
These two articles of food (staff of life) were almost exclusively
brought from the latter state as late as 1837-38, to which T can
testify. In a'n address delivered some years ago the late G. W N.
Lothrop said:
"This is the oldest town in the whole northwest except Kas-
kaskia, and far the most important. Its central position in
the lake basin and its inviting site early arrested the ambitious
sagacity of the French. It soon became the key to their empire
■ on the Mississippi. If one would bid the past again return and
walk reanimated before him, this is the very spot for the invoca-
tion.
"The clear, sparkling waters of the Detroit River played and
wore away its natural shore.
"The canoe of the savage with its freight of squaw and
papoose, or peltries, often rested on the sands of the beach, and
here the oars of the voyageur returning after long absence, has
kept time to the music of his boat songs. And here, happy in the
joys of home and welcome the sweet summer evenings have sped
swiftly by. in merry dance on the green carpet of the river banks,
reflecting here in the new world the manners of the parent land
— gay sparkling land of mirth and social ease."
DETROIT IN 1787.
Roosevelt in his "Winning of the West" (Volume III, page
31), writing about the post of Detroit in 1787, has this to say:
"At such a post those standing high in authority were partly
civil oflicers, partly army officers. Of the former, some repre-
sented the provincial government and others acted ^for the fur
companies. They had much to do, both in governing the French
576 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
townsfolk and countryfolk, in keeping the Indians friendly and
in furthering the peculiar commerce on which the settlements
subsisted. But the important people were the army officers. These
were imperious, able, resolute men, well drilled and with a high
military standard of honor. They upheld with jealous pride the
reputation of an army which in that century proved again and
again on stricken fields no soldiery of continental Europe could
stand against it. They wore a uniform that for three hundred years
has been better known than any other wherever the pioneers of
civilization tread the world's waste spaces, or fight their way in
the overlordship of barbarous empires. A uniform known to the
southern and northern hemispheres, the Eastern and Western
Continent and all the islands of the sea. Subalterns wearing this
Uniform have fronted dangers and responsibilities such as in
most other services only gray-haired generals are called upon to
face; and at the head of handfuls of troops have won for the
British crown realms as large and often as -populous as European
kingdoms.
The scarlet-clad officers who serve the monarchy of Great
Britain have conquered many a barbarous people in all the ends
of the earth, and hold for their siovereigns'the lands of Moslem
and Hindoo, of Tartar and Arab and Pathan, of Malay, Negro
and Polynesian.
"In many a war they have overcome every European rival
against whom they have been pitted. Again and again have they
marched to victory against Frenchman and Spaniard, through the
sweltering heat of the tropics ; and now, from the stupendous
mountain passes of mid-Asia, they look northward through the
wintery air, ready to bar the advances of the legions of the Czar.
"Hitherto they have never gone back, save once; they have
failed when they sought to stop the westward march of a mighty
nation, a nation kin to theirs, a nation of their own tongue and
law, and mainly of their own blood."
THE MACOMB I^AMILY AND ITS BRANCHES — WELL KNOWN AND
DISTINGUISHED NAMES.
John Macomb came to America from the north of Ireland
about 1784. He settled in New York and made his famous
purchase from the United States of 38,000 acres of land
situated in New York and Vermont. He had three sons, David,
MEN PROMINIvNT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 577
William and John, who together owned all the American islands
in the Detroit River, having made the purchase of the Pottawa-
tomie Indians, and also owned all the islands in the River St.
Lawrence on the American side, with the exception of Carlton
Island, on which was Fort Haldiman. They also owned what are
the Cass and Stanton farms. They were merchants in Detroit
during the Revolution and furnished the English army with their
supplies, and also largely the American army.
Another account says that William Macomb was an English
officer, of Scottish extraction, and came to Detroit with the
English troops in 1760. Macomb obtained an Indian grant for
Crosse He, as well as all the islands in the Detroit river. Hog
Island (Belle Isle), John and David joined him in claiming. This
island contained 704 acres, was surveyed by Mr. Boyd in 1771,
and purchased from the Indians of the Ottaw'a and Chippewa
nations in council under direction of his majesty's commander-in-
chief, and conveyed to Lieutenant Geo. McDougall, whose heirs
sold it toWm. Macomb in 1793. Hog Island (Belle Isle) a£ter this
somehow came into the possession of David Macomb, and he sold
it to L'Abie (Barnabas) Campau for $5,000, and the heirs of the
former assert that the amount paid w^as in "wild cat money," and
that he never realized one dollar from it. It is presumed, how-
ever, that he took this money with his eyes open. At all events
it is pretty certain that the Macombs one time owned all the
American islands in the Detroit river. William, the younger,
died on Crosse He in 1827, leaving three daughters and one son;
the son w^ent to California in 1849 ^^^ never returned. One
daughter married for her first husband William Abbott, son of
Judge James Abbott, of this city, and for her second husband,
Colonel Brodhead ; the second daughter married Henry Brevoort ;
the third daughter married John Wendell, of Albany, N. Y. This
John Wendell w^as a nephew of Tunis S. Wendell, one of our old
time merchants. His widow survives him and is living at Crosse
He. A daughter (Kittie) married a gentleman by the name of
McLaughlin. She has lately become a resident of this city.
Four chilren of Colonel Brodhead are living. Ivieutenant John
Brodhead, a son, late of the U. S. marine service, died in Detroit,
March, 1904. Thornton F. Brodhead had quite a military career.
He was first lieutenant and adjutant. Fifteenth United States
infantry, April 9, 1847; brevetted captain August 20, 1847, "for
37
578 KARLV DAYS JN DiJTROlT.
gallant and meritorious conduct at Contreras and Churuboso,
IMexico;" full captain, December 2, 1847; disbanded July 31,
1848; colonel First Michigan Cavalry August 22, 1861 ; died
September 2, 1862, on the battlefield of wounds received in action
at the second Bull Run, Virginia, August 30, 1862. Brevet
brigadier-general of volunteers from latter date. Colonel Brod-
head was mortally wounded while gallantly leading his men to the
charge. On his death bed on the field, almost the last words to
his attending surgeon were, "The flag will triumph yet." In his
last to his wife he writes : ''I fought manfully, and now die
fearlessly." A heroic ending of what gave good promise of being
a brilliant career.
* * H:
The Brodheads, Wendells and Brevoorts are descendants of
William Macomb. Mrs. John Anthony Rucker, a sister of Wil-
liam Macomb, left numerous descendants on the island. Her
husband had obtained a large quantity of land there and their
children still own several large tracts. Long ago, when William
Macomb's daughters were little girls, it is related that the Indians
would come across the river in canoes from Canada 'with mococks
of sugar (described in a recent paper) for sale.
In the war of 1812 William Macomb was captured by the
British and taken prisoner to Montreal, together with Judge
James Abbott, of Detroit. During his absence the Indians
attacked "The Mansion House," which stood on the Wendell
place, and burned it. William Macomb's wife, Monique Navarre,
with her baby of only three weeks old, fled to the woods to escape
the savages, and shortly afterward died in consequence of the
exposure.
A. and W. Macomb were extensive merchants here as far
back as 1777, as evinced by the fact that they were in the practice
of drawing upon their correspondents in Montreal and elsewhere
bills ranging from £30 to £40,000 and upwards ; one bill as high
as £53,740 1 8s 8d. The fur trade at that time was very heavy.
The Macombs appeared to be engaged as agents of the British
government as well as extensively employed in the fur trade.
They were intelligent merchants and must have carried on a very
large business in the way of exchange.
Mrs. Col. Rucker, of Grosse He, was a Macomb. The colonel
died in the 30's, I think. He was a familiar figure on the streets
m£;n prominent in city affairs. 579
of Detroit in the early days — -of commanding presence and gentle-
manly, courtly address, and always faultlessly attired in the con-
ventional swallow-tail, ruffle shirt, etc. The Ruckers were quite
intimate with the Whitings, Mrs. Whiting being a Macomb. The
W'hitings were Colonel and Mrs. Whiting. The colonel was
United States quartermaster of this post and had been for many
years ; he conitnued to hold the same position until the breaking-
out of the Mexican war, when he was ordered to the front. Of
the children of the Ruckers, Daniel H. was at one time clerk for
Oliver Newberry. He afterward entered the United States ser-
vice as second lieutenant of a drag"Oon regiment, October 13, 1843,
and savv^ adventurous and hazardous service against the Indians
on the plains and around Santa Fe, New Mexico, when it was
scarcely known and could be reached from the states only by a
primitive wagon road of 800 miles through a hostile country. He
served through the Mexican war, was promoted to major Feb-
ruary 23, 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle
of Buena Vista. He was transferred to the quartermaster's
department August 23, 1849, and rose in that difficult and respon-
sible branch of the service to the position of colonel and assistant
quartermaster-general, U. S. A., and brevet major-general of vol-
imteers.
After the breaking out of the civil war, and during its con-
tinuance, the services he rendered at Washington, D. C, as depot-
quartermaster and as assistant quartermaster-general, was most
efficient. I have no doubt but that many a Michigan officer will
call to mind General Rucker's impressive manner and vigorous
expression when called upon to furnish transportation and sup-
plies that he did not think according to regulations. He married
Miss Irene Curtiss, niece of Colonel William Whistler, U. S. A.,
and daughter of Captain Curtiss, U. S. A.
The general has been retired from service for many years and
with his estimable wife is passing the remainder of his days in
Washington, D. C, that Mecca of the retired army officer. He
has the proud distinction of being the father-in-law of the late
Lieut. -Gen. Phil H. Sheridan, who, when the civil war broke out,
declared he would remain with the north, and if in the then
■coming conflict he should be lucky enough to attain the rank of a
major of cavalry the measure of his ambition would be full to
overflowing. How his wish was gratified the entire nation knows.
From an obscure lieutenant of cavalrv, he rose to be lieutenant-
580 £;arly days in Detroit.
general of the army, and one of that immortal quartet of Amer-
ica's greatest captains — Washington, Grant, Sherman and
Sheridan.
Another son was, and I think is now, a major and paymaster
in the United States army. John A. Rucker, another son, was, in
his youth, or when a young man, clerk in the United States quar-
termaster's department in Detroit under Colonel Henry Whiting,
and continued in his employ until the colonel was relieved by Cap-
tain S. P. Heintzleman,' assistant quartermaster United States
army. He then took up his permanent residence on Grosse He
and on the old homestead farm whpre he has lived ever since the
quiet and retired life of a farmer and country gentleman, happy
in his family and in his competency. He married some years ago
Miss Fannie Truax, daughter oi John Truax, of Detroit. Mr.
Truax was the first merchant in Detroit or the northwest to brea'<
away from the retail system of selling goods and of selling by the
package only.
There were but two daughters. I think one of them married
Captain J. A. Whitall, Fifth United States infantry. The captain
w^as' stationed at this post during the latter part of the Mexican
war. He was aid to General Hugh Brady, as well as in charge of
the quartermaster and commissary departments for the space of
two vears and over. He mustered into the United States service
the First regiment of Michigan volunteer infantry and then went
to Mexico. He also subsisted them at the Detroit barracks whi e
they remained there and while en route to Cincinnati, He also
furnished quarters at the barracks, fuel, straw and subsistence to
that portion of the Fifteenth United States infantry that ren-
dezvoused there. It w'as my good fortune to serve under him in
the capacity of quartermaster and commissary clerk. He was
always the kind, considerate officer and courteous gentleman.
While on duty here he was an applicant for the position of major
and paymaster. United States army. After a while he obtained
the promotion and was stationed at Santa Fe, N. M., where he
died some years ago, leaving a w^idow and daughter. The former
has since died, I think ; the latter still survives and is living at
Grosse He.
The captain also furnished the First Michigan volunteers on
their return from Mexico, quarters, fuel, straw and subsistence
until they were mustered out of service.
The other daughter married Rev. Mr. Fox, who w^as for so
MEN PROMINENT IX CITY AFFAIRS. 58 1
many years the able assistant to Bishop AlcCoskrey. He died some
years ago, leaving- a widow and three sons. The widow, I think,
is dead, and one of the sons (Colonel E. Crofton Fox) died quite
recently at Grand Rapids. The career of the two other sons I am
not familiar w^ith.
General Alexander Macomb, who died commander-in-chief of
the armies of the United States, married his first cousin, Catharine
Navarre, Wm. Macomb's daughter. Gen. Macomb was the son
of Alex. Macomb (called the great land speculator). General
Macomb was in command here about 1821 and on being ordered
away was presented by the citizens of Detroit with a service of
plate. •
A descendant of the Macombs — a charming lady — has charge
of St. Luke's Retreat, that delightful, soothing, quiet haven of
rest where weary souls "lapped in quiet bide their time." I have
had occasion to visit friends there in former years ; as, for
instance. Captain Whitaker and his wife (the former of the early
lake marine) ; August Palm, that quiet, unassuming gentleman,
for so many years connected with the Detroit & Milwaukee rail-
way. My own sister spent some time there; Mrs. Williams,
widow of Morris W. Williams, formerly of the Detroit postoffice
for so many years; the late Alvah Bradish, the well-known artist,
who passed almost his whole life in our midst ; Amoray A. Rice
(of Beecher, Rice & Ketchum), and others.
I have been told recently by an inmate, wdio is an old-time
friend of mine, that under its present management the retreat is
indeed a haven of rest — "Rest "for the Weary."
Abraham Cook was born at Trenton, N. J., in 1762, his
father being a farmer. It is said that he served as a drummer
boy during the revolutionary war, and in after years when he now
and then came across a drum he would take it up eagerly and
beat the charge in handsome style.
He joined the militia here in the war of 181 2 and was
wounnded in one of his hands, in a brush with the enemy, losing a
finger. In Detroit he engaged in the lumber business and general
trading, and w^as quite successful. His name appears on the
election roll of 1799 as a voter on December 15 of that year, when
three representatives to the general assembly of the northwest
territory at Cincinnati, O., were voted for.
He came here an orphan and had no relatives except one
582 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
sister, Mrs. Dickson, who in after years lived at Ypsilanti. It is
thought he came with Col. Hamtramck's" army in 1796, at which
time he was 22 years of age. Of course his army experience as a
drummer boy preceded that date. He was also here in the fire of
1805, but suffered a small loss only.
He was present at Hull's surrender, and when General Proc-
tor ordered many citizens to leave the town in 1812, he was passed
over and remained at home. One day several English officers
who were boarding at his house indulged in some slighting
remarks about the American army in his hearing. He resented
their language in a spirited way, but was not called to account for
it.
Mr. Cook vigorously advocated the extension of Jefferson
Avenue about the years 1828-29, through the town of Hamtramck,
from C. C. Trowbridge's line in Detroit to Grosse Pointe, and
of course passing through his (Cook's) farm. The French
settlers, through whose land the avenue was to go, were bitterly
opposed to it, particularly Antoine Dequindre. Antoine Rivard,
one of the Campau's (James, I think) and others. They threat-
ened all sorts of things. I well remember the controversy. They
(the opposers) petitioned the legislative council, asserting that
the opening of the avenue through their farms would be an
illegal proceeding, and also alleging that Cook favored it "because
he has a legal title to a large estate which will greatly enhance in
value by the opening of the road." The avenue was finally
opened without serious trouble, as is well known.
Both of Mr. Cook's wives were of the name of Thorn. The
name of the first was Jane, and she was the daughter of John
Thorn, of Black River (now Port Huron). About 1826 she died
and he removed with his remaining family nearer the city on to
the river front adjoining the Marsack residence and in the rear of
C. C. Trowbridge's Jefferson Avenue house. For several years
after he married Jane Thorn he kept boarding house in this city,
which was patronized mostly by army officers and the best citizens
and which, by his wife's careful and energetic management,
became a profitable business. He purchased 240 acres in Ham-
tramck in 181 1 of Gabriel St. Aubin for $650. In 1816 he pur-
chased from Francois Rivard 167 acres for $1,000 and in 1818
purchased from Robert J. McDougall 160 acres. He afterwards
married Mrs. William Thorn, whose maiden name was Elizabeth
Cottrell. and who was a daughter of Colonel Cottrell (St. Clair
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 583
river), and the widow of Cook's deceased w-ife's brother. She
was also aunt to our esteemed fellow citizen, Hon. Eber W. Cot-
trell. There was no issue by the second marriage.
John Thorn, of Black river, was a gay man in his day. I do
not remember to have seen him, but I have seen his brother, of the
same locality, who was a fine looking man, and of the most genial
nature. During my repeated sojourn in St. Clair, on my uncle's
farm, I often listened to the tales the dwellers along the borders
of the St. Clair river had to tell of the gay times the lawyers of
Detroit and others had with John Thorn, the hospitable entertainer
of Black river, when court business led them to the county seat of
St. Clair county (Palmer). Thorn was almost always assisted in
making it lively for the foreign element by some of the dwellers
along the St. Clair river, as, for instance, the Fultdns, Cottrells,
St. Bernards (Sambineaus), Wards, Westbrooks, Wm. Brown
and others. Those from Detroit, usually, were Lawyers Frazer,
O'Keefe, Fletcher, Witherell, McDougall, Backus and others.
What wild tales they told of unrestrained harmless fun and ^frolic.
John Thorn was a gay character in the early days, and well known
all up and down the St. Clair river.
As before said, the Cook residence was in the rear of the
Trowbridge house and on the river front. I have often
seen the old couple sitting on the front porch of an even-
ing, when I was going to and" fro in charge of ''our cow"
that was pastured on the Witherell farm — and this cow, I
want to record right here, gave me a world of trouble.
They (the Cooks) were great friends of the Indians, who
often in the summer time used to pitch their tents in front of
their house, as also in front of the Marsack's, the Riopelle's and
the Dequindre's, and up to the Witherell residence. The narrow
road in front of the last named would not accommodate them,
otherwise they w^ere quite welcome. Often have I seen them and
often have I lingered in their tents unawed by the fearful tales
told by the old residents, of the cruelties practiced by them in
Pontiac's time and later.
Mr. and Mrs. Cook were often seen in the city, visiting the
Knapps who, at that time, lived on the north side of Griswold
street, between Larned and Congress streets. They always came
either in their French cart or their one horse sulky.
The Cook house in Hamtramck was an old-fashioned brick
dwelling, large and roomy, and the only brick house above Detroit
584 EAKLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
t
and the north pole except that of Captain Samuel Ward at New-
port, now Marine Cit} ; hence, quite peculiar and interesting on
that account. It occupied, with its immediate grounds, the pres-
ent site of Owen park.
Mr. Cook had sons and daughters. The eldest daughter,
Eliza, married Thomas Knapp, who was sheriff of Wayne county
at the time Simmons was hanged— --and fine man he was. After
the death of Mr. Knapp, which occurred about 1830, she married
Mr. John Owen; After some ten or twelve years of happily
wedded life passed together, she died. Miss Jane Cook, who had
for many years made it her home with her sister, Mrs. Owen,
married Mr. Ow^en.
James H. Cook, the eldest son, married Miss Drew, daughter
of Hon. John Drew, of Mackinac, and of the firm of Biddle &
Drew. James H. was an extensive Indian trader. He had sons
and daughters and in 1837 was a ship chandler in this city and
resided at 30 Griswold street. He died in Canada while lumber-
ing for his brother-in-law, John Owen. Otis Cook, an intimate
friend of mine, a remarkably handsome and promising young
man, died early in lijfe of consumption. Joseph Cook was also an
intimate friend as well as schoolmate. He graduated into a
marine engineer. "Joe" was first-class in his profession. He
was engineer of the steamboat May Queen, that plied between
here and Cleveland for many years, and was also on other steam-
ers. He was an all-around good fellow, as all who knew him will
bear witness. A man every inch of him. He was alderman of
the seventh ward in 1887-88, United States inspector of hulls
from 1868 to 1878, United States supervising inspector of steam-
boats from 1878 to 1885, ai^d from 1890 to the time of his death,
on May 29, 1891.
John Cook, a fine, stalwart youth, w^ent to California in 1849
and died there.
As said. Miss Jane made it her home with her sister, Mrs.
Owen. She was possessed of a most charming personality, bright
and gentle, but, when occasion required, aggressive. She was a
great favorite in society and was conspicuous in that bright
galaxy of "Fort street girls" of whom she formed a part. She
had many admirers, of course, myself among the number, and
two or three of them that I could name w^ere most persistent, but
all of us failed to capture her. An unsuspected suitor appeared
on the scene in the person of Mr. John Owen, the husband of her
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 585
late sister. Well, after a sufficient season had elapsed for Mr.
Owen to bury his grief (as before remarked), the two were mar-
ried. I was one of the regretful witnesses of the marriage cere-
mony. I have the satisfaction of knowing, however, that through
all the years that intervened between that time and the death of
Mr. Owen, the relations existing betwen the two were of the most
happy character. Mrs. Owen is still with us, enjoying the society
of her children and the competency left her by Mr. Owen and her
inheritance in the Cook farm.
Mr. Abraham Cook was a very quiet, steady, retiring, gentle-
manly man, and he looked it. He always, when I knew him,
sported a black broadcloth swallow-tail coat, white cravat, and
low crowned, broad-brimmed black beaver. But for all the good
things the neighbors and friends of Mr. Cook said about him,
it was intimated that he had his streaks, as most of us have, and
when the situation required it, he was as strenuous as any. When
I was about 15 years old I received an invitation from a school-
mate to spend a short season with him on this "Cook Farm." His
father, Judge Jeddiah Hunt, had leased it for a term of years from
Mr. Cook. I had a most enjoyable time, and always remembered
it with great pleasure. The judge realized the most profit from
the farm by raising produce for the Detroit city market, also
poultry, turkeys, geese, eggs, etc. The daily morning trip down
to the city with the load of "garden stuff" will long be remem-
bered. Jefferson Avenue, as before stated, extended only to the
upper line of C. C. Trowbridge's residence lot. Access was had
to the city along what was called the "River road," that skirted
the French farms. Judge Hunt, I think, was about the only
farmer around Detroit, except, perhaps, Mr. Peter Van Every,
who paid any attention to supplying the Detroit market with farm
produce. The city market in the center of Woodward avenue,
and a little below Jefferson, and the Berthlet, corner of Randolph
and Atwater, were supplied with farm produce, etc., mainly by
the wives of the French farmers, residents of the Canada side of
the river. There was a hard-surfaced space, kept scrupulously
clean, between the market front and Jefferson Avenue, on which
these French wives used to "squat," surrounded by their "garden
truck," etc. I used to be in that locality so constantly that the
faces of these French housewives were almost as well known to
me as my own people. Their names I never knew, but it is fair
to presume that some of their fair descendants have chosen for
586 EJARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
their lords residents of this side of the river, sons of the New
Yorker and of the New Englander, so intimate were the relations
existing between the residents of the Canada side of the river and
this.
What became of Judge Hunt and his family I never knew,
no? do I know why he was called judge. He was a fine man, and
really looked the judge. He had a very fine family, arid to
account for the intimacy that existed between our people and
theirs, state that the judge and his family were passengers on the
steamboat Walk-in-the- Water when she was wrecked off Buffalo
harbor in 1821, and on which also were Mr. and Mrs. Thos.
Palmer, my uncle and aunt, also Mr. Palmer's sister, who after-
ward married Felix Hinchman.
This Judge Hunt and Geo. Jerome's father resembled each
other in appearance very much. When you saw one it was hard
to believe you did not see the other.
I do not remember who the tenants of the farm were after
Judg Hunt left, except Monsieur Woolaire, a French gentleman,
and one of Napoleon's Imperial Guard, who at the time had a wine
and liquor store on Woodward Avenue, below Jefferson. He
occupied it as a residence and not as a road house. The premises
always remained in the ownership of the Cook family.
Some time after the death of Mr. Cook, which occurred at
his residence on Atwater street, December 28, 1874, aged 73 years,
the property was leased to (I think) the Hamtramck Driving
Park Association, and the Cook homestead was turned into a
public road house. The state fair was held there one year, and the
First Michigan Cavalry, Colonel Brodhead, rendezvoused there.
Headquarters in the public house and the regiment quartered on
the race grounds. A Mr. Pond was at one time the proprietor of
this road house. He had a son, Charles Pond, who was a tal-
ented portrait painter. He transferred to canvass the likenesses
of many of our citizens, among them Mrs. Palmer, the wife of
Senator Palmer, and presume he is well and pleasantly remem-
bered. This road house had numerous proprietors and varied
fortunes until the race track was removed farther up the river
to its present location, when it was abandoned, and its site donated
to the city as Owen park — a much more savory and pleasing insti-
tution. The present condition of that locality all are familiar
with. The property is still in the hands of the Cook and Owen
heirs, that portion remains unsold. A charming locality for
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIR^. 587
a residence, situated as it is in the immediate vicinity of the
Detroit river with Lake St. Clair in full view.
Eliza Cook, by her first husband, Dr. Thos. Knapp, had
three children: Thomas, who when quite young was accidentally
shot while hunting in the Cass orchard, and died from the effects.
Lafayette, a very bright, promising and agreeable young man,
attained his majority and was with Mr. John Owen for some
years as clerk in the drug store, and finally branched out for him-
self in the same business on Woodward Avenue (east side),
between Fort and Congress Streets ; he married Miss Cornelia
Wales, daughter of Austin Wales. After a brief married life, he
died at Erin, on the Gratiot road, between this city and Mt.
Clemens, the country seat of Mr. Wales, Eliza (Puss) Knapp,.
who was one of the brightest and one of the most vivacious of that
charming group of Fort Street girls who held all of us young men
and boys in bondage. She had hosts of admirers, of course, and
was finally captured by Mr. Frank Hunt, a son of Judge Hunt, of
Washington, D. C, and brother of Mrs. Wesley Trusdell and
John T. Hunt. There were born to them three children: Tom
Hunt, whom many will remember as being quite prominent in the
newspaper business and in amateur theatricals in this city. He
died here a few years ago of Bright's disease. A daughter mar-
ried a gentleman in Sault Ste. Marie (Canada) by name of
Hughes, and died there some years ago. A son, Harry Hunt,
is a resident of this city, and is now publisher of this book. After
some years of married life, the Hunts separated. Frank Hunt
emigrated to Manitoba, and remained there until his death,
a few months ago. Mrs. Eliza Hunt after a while married
Honorable Albert Prince, son of Colonel John Prince, of the
Park farm. Sandwich, Ont. • Mr. Prince was a distinguished
Canadian barrister, and member of parliament from Essex.
They had their home down the river on the Canadian side-at Petite
Cote (The Firs), where they entertained lavishly. They had five
children. Albertina, who arrived at womanhood, was possessed
of a charming personality, bright, intelligent and skillful on the
harp and piano. She died in this city in 1898 quite suddenly.
Albert, a son, is at present in the employ of the Canada Southern
railroad and holds quite a responsible position. John, another
son, arrived at maturity and married, and was identified in some
way with the newspaper business. He died some seven or eight
years ago. Constance, a daughter, who is richly, endowed with
588 ' EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
all the charming attributes of her sex, resides at the Park farm.
Sandwich, in the Prince homestead, with her aunt, ^Miss Belle
Prince, and her brother, Albert Prince, and his wife.
Mrs. Eliza (Cook) Knapp had by Mr. Owen two sons
and one daughter, Griffith, who attained majority, and was a cap-
tain and assistant quartermster, U. S. A., during the civil war,
died of consumption some years ago. Edward T. also attained
majority and was in service during part of the civil war as first
lieutenant. Fourth Michigan Cavalry. He died many years ago.
The daughter, Catharine, married Mr. Horace Turner, at one
time auditor of the Michigan Central Railroad. He is alive, is
in business in this city and is well and favorably known. Mrs.
Turner, a lovely character, died some years ago, leaving two
daughters.
The fruit of the marriage of Mr. John Owen and Miss Jane
Cook was three sons, Edward, Lafayette and John, and one daug-
ter, Fannie. Edward died not many years ago. Lafayette and
John have charge of the large Cook and Owen estates. Fannie
married Mr. Chas. Lothrop, a distinguished member of the
Detroit bar and son of. the late Hon. Geo. V. N. Lothrop. He
died a few years ago.
THE GODFROV FAMILY AND ITS BRANCHES — THE EIRST COMERS
WERE PIONEERS^.
The name of Godfroy is among the oldest in Normandy, and
some claim that it is a descent from* Godefroi de Bouillon, the
Crusader.
Several of the family were eminent as priests and historians.
Denis (Dinie), councillor in the parliament of Paris, 1580,
was the author of several valuable legal works. His son Jacques
was secretary of state. His grandson was made historiographer
of France in 1640 and wrote the history of the Constables and
Chancellors of France. A branch of this family resided in Nor-
mandy in 1580, whose head was Pierre. His son, Jean Babte,
came to Canada about 1635.
In 171 5 Pierre Godfroy, grandson of Jean Babte, came to
Detroit. He married, 1724, Catherine Sanduge. He was fol-
lowed shortly afterwards by Jacques Godfroy. In 1750, Jean
Babte Godfroy, called the chevalier, came to Detroit with his wife,
and died here in 1756. Pierre and Jacques both married into the
M15N PROMINENT IN CITY AI^FAIRS. 589
same family. Like others of the name, they were interested in the
fur trade, which was originally a monopoly carried on by a com-
pany called the Hundred Associates, and later by the "Companies
des Indies." As early as 1680 it was said that 25,000 beaver skins
alone were exported from Quebec in a single ship.
Pierre's line died out, but the children of Jacques were Cath-
erine, who married November 21, 1733, the Chevalier Alex.
Trotier des Duisseaux, of an illustrious family. He was the first
trustee of St. Ann's, and the first captain of militia. Jacques, born
in 1722, was very young at the time of his parents' death, and was
brought up by his eldest sister, Catherine des Ruisseaux. Like
his father, he was interested in the fur trade. He was thorough
with the Indian tongues, and exerting great influence with the
chiefs by reason of his bravery and family connections, he soon
became widely known as interpreter and negotiator between the
savages and whites. When Pontiac, in 1763, attacked the fort at
Detroit and other English posts, Jacques Godfroy and Dr."
Chapoton were sent by the English commander to parley with
him and endeavor to persuade him from his purpose, but the
savage chieftain could not be influenced.
Jacques married Louise Clotilde Chapoton, daughter of Dr.
Chapoton, surgeon in the army. She died in 1764, l^Sivhw one
son, Jacques Gabriel. Jacques devoted the remainder of his life
to the care of his son, and the rebuilding of his fortune, which
had suffered since the English conquest. He figures prominently
in many of the Indian transfers of land. In the American state
papers is a curious deed in French from Jacques Godfroy to his
son, conveying to him farming lands, implements, cattle, silver
and slaves. The land conveyed comprised the tract between
Tw^entieth and Twenty-second streets, this city, from the river to
some three miles back, some of which is still owned by his
descendants (Godfroy farm). He died in 1795. He evidently
was very popular and generous, for he seems to have been for
several years godfather to almost every child that was born, for
pages of baptisms on the records have his name affixed, in his
strong, bold handwriting. This Jacques Gabriel was born in 1758,
within Fort Ponchartrain. He was named Gabriel from his god-
father and uncle, Gabriel Le Grand Chevalier de Sintre. About
the year he became of age the American revolution was in prog-
ress. Though the colony was far removed from the scene of war,
Gabriel's sympathies were with the colonists. His early years
590 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
were spent in extending the fur trade and establishing trading-
posts on a large scale, from Monroe to Fort Vincennes ; the firm
of Godfroy & Beaugrand was one of the largest in the west, as
well as the firm of Godfroy & Le Shambre. The latter firm
established a warehouse about 1809 ^^ Ann Arbor on the west
bank of the Huron river, back of the Occidental hotel. It was
called "Godfroy's on the Pottawattomie trail." This trail crossed
the river where the Congress street bridge (Ann Arbor) is now.
In 181 1 this firm received a patent for 2,500 acres of land, signed
l>y President Monroe. It is said that, what is believed to be the
key of this old warehouse was found a short time ago on its site,
and at present hangs on the wall of Archie McNicol's shop in the
Hewitt block, and the account of the find indulges in the following
remarks in regard to it: *'If that key could talk what a tale it
might tell of Indians and bales of deer and beaver skins that were
brought into the building and exchanged for guns, powder and'
shot and knives. Imagine the canoes and flat-bottomed boats
coming up the Huron river (as they must have done) with sup-
plies. All that is perhaps now left of this warehouse is the big
rusty key."
After the American possession Gabriel received the appoint-
ment as sub-agent and deputy-superintendent of Indian affairs
from General Harrison (af ted wards president of the United
States). The records which have been preserved of his success in
negotiating with the Indians are abundant, and he retained the
position until his death in 1832. Gabriel was major of the first
regiment of the territory, and on the resignation of Augustus B.
Woodward, was made colonel. He married Angelique de Couture,
by whom he had five children. Gabriel, Jr., married Elizabeth,
daughter of Judge James May ; his descendants reside at Grand
Rapids. Jean Baptiste settled at Fort Wayne, Ind. In 1796
Gabriel married for his socond wife, Therese Douaine de Bondy,
by whom he had several children. He died in 183 1. He was
one of the few who lived under French, English and American
rule in the same place and saw a change of flags five times. He
married a third time, Monique Campau, by whom he had no issue.
The only child by his second wife, Susanne, rnarried James Mc-
Closkey. Her children were : 'Henry, married Therese Souland,
of St. Louis ; Elizabeth, married Hon. Isaac P. Christiancy, of
Monroe. Hon. Isaac P. Christiancy was at one time justice of
the supreme court of Michigan, later United States senator from
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 59 1
this state, and still later United States minister to Peru. Caroline
married Mr. Calwell. Susanne married Mr. Morton, of Monroe,
brother of the late Julius Morton, of Detroit (father of Hon. J.
Sterling Morton). Melinda married John Askin, of Sandwich.
I think both of the latter are living. Pierre (Peter), "La Prince,"
as he was generally called, was born 1796. He, in company with
Colonel Marsaack, Captain Wm. P. Patrick, Dr. and J. H. Bagg
and Robt. J. Graveraet (the latter an Indian interpreter, removed
the last remnant of Indians in Michigan, and particularly about
Detroit, to their reservation beyond the Mississippi. He was
active and enterprising, and the firm of P. and J. Godfroy was
well known throughout the northwest. He married Marianne
Navarre Marantette, daughter of Dominique Code de Marantette
and Archange Louise Navarre ; she and her sister, Mrs. Dequin-
dre (afterwards Mrs. Wm. B. Hunt), were considered the most
beautiful women of their time in the territory of Michigan. It is
a family tradition that Prince Godfroy once won a wager by pad-
dling himself in a wheelbarrow across the Detroit River to visit
his fiancee, who lived on the Canada shore, a feat quite as difficult
as Leander swimming the Hellespont and no less romantic. The
children of this union that I well remember were William, Eliza-
beth, Caroline Anne. Alexandrine Louise, Nancy and Jaques B.
William, who was a schoolmate of mine, went early to Pueblo,
New Mexico, and engaged in the land agency and mining busi-
ness, and where I think he is yet. I used to hear from him occa-
sionally some years ago. Caroline Anne (Carrie Godfroy) is with
us yet, and unmarried. Alexandrine Louise married Mr.
Theodore P. Hall. They are now living in quiet, refined retire-
ment at Grosse Pointe. Mr. Hall was for many years a success-
ful member of the Board of Trade. He is a book lover of the
most pronounced kind. Nancy married Mr. Joseph Visger, a
name well and favorably known here in the early days. Jacques
B. was educated at Bardstown, Kentucky; he studied law, but
abandoned the profession of it on account of ill health. He was
a partner for many years with his father in the fur business,
under the firm name of P. & J. Godfroy. He married in 1820
Victorie, daughter of Colonel Francis Navarre, of Monroe. He
died in 1847, leaving many children. The only ones I knew any-
thing of were Zoe, who married Benjamin Abbott, son of Robert
Abbott, auditor-general of the territory of Michigan ; Sophie,
592 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
who married James Whipple, of Monroe (his first wife), son of
Major John Whipple, U. S. A., of Detroit.
I can well believe the assertion that Mrs. Peter Godfroy and
Mrs. Dequindre were two of the most beautiful women in the
territory at the time of their marriage and for some years after.
The first that I remember of Mrs. Dequindre was when she was
living with her first husband, Dequindre, in their little dwelling-
adjoining the latter's store, that was on Atwater Street and on the
upper line of the Beaubien farm. I used to pass there morning
and night for two or three years in charge of the family cow that
was pastured on the farm of Judge James Witherell (I think I
have mentioned this briefly in a former article). Mrs. Dequindre,
being quite intimate with all our people, knew me well, and
always noticed me in a most kind and pleasant way that I never
can forget. The bakers of those days used to have for sale
molasses ginger cakes, cut rudely into the shape of horses, dogs
or cats, that were the delight of the youngsters, of which class I
was one. Mrs. Dequindre most always had one in readiness for
me when I passed. After all these years I can taste them yet.
Well, boy that I was, her striking beauty impressed me strongly,
and I seem to see her now, with her sparkling black eyes, dazzling
white teeth and bright, winning smile. No wonder that after a
brief widowhood she captured the widower, William B. Hunt, one
of the handsomest men of that day, and father of Wellington and
Cleveland Hunt. The other sister, Mrs. Godfroy, I do not remem-
ber but a little about until later on in the early fortfes. When
they lived down the river I used to visit them there occasionally.
I remember one visit particularly, and that was a New Year's
call in 1842, the day before the big fire. All the female portion
of the family were present, this being before Miss Elizabeth was
married to John Watson. I, at that time, remarked Mrs. God-
froy and her striking resemblance to her sister, Mrs. Dequindre.
I never until then had had a real good look at her. She, in her
conversation, confined herself to French, and I was told that she
could speak English only quite indift'erently. Peter, the father of
Mrs. T. P. Hall and Miss Carrie Godfroy, died, I think, in 183 1
or 1832. I knew him quite well by sight, as the Palmers (F. and
T.) had quite extensive dealings with the Godfroys in furs and
Indian goods from the time of the advent of the former in the
territory until they quit business. The family at one time, in the
MEN PROMINENT IN CITY AFFAIRS. 593
early days and before my advent here, occupied quite a preten-
tious residence (high stoop with pillars, etc.), on the corner of
Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street, adjoining what is
now the police station. It was standing in 1830. This corner is
in the possession of the Godfroy heirs at the present day.
Correction. — In Mr. Palmers's article on the Cook family,
the birth of Abraham Cook was said to have been in 1774. It
should have been about the year 1762.
3^
COLONLL J05HUA HOWARD A MAN OF NOTL.
COL. JOSHUA HOWARD, A MAN OF NOTE— HIS MILITARY
SERVICE AND HIS FAIMILY.
COL. JOSHUA HOWARD entered the Army in 1813, and
served first in the infantry, afterwards in the ordnance
department, the artillery, and as commissary of subsistance.
At the outbreak of the Mexican War, he accepted the lieutenant
colonelcy of the Fifteenth U. S. Infantry, and led his regiment
gallantly over the walls of Chapultepec, for which he was breveted
colonel. The gallant and lamented Broadhead was his adjudant
and received the sword of the commander of the fortress. Colonel
Howard prevented the notorious General Pillow from carrying off
and appropriating to his own use several brass cannon captured
from the enemy.
The field officers of the Fifteenth U. S. Infantry were Geo.
W. Morgan, of Ohio, colonel ; Joshua Howard, of Detroit, lieu-
tenant-colonel; Fredrick' Mills and Samuel Wood, of Iowa,
majors. Three companies of the Fifteenth Infantry were recruited
from this state under the supervision of Colonel Howard. The
officers of the Michigan companies were : Company A — Captain,
Eugene Vandeventer, Flint; first lieutenant and adjutant, Thorn-
ton F. Broadhead, Detroit ; second lieutenant, Samuel Beach,
Pontiac ; second lieutenant, Ed^vin R. Merrifield, Lansing. Com-
pany E — Captain, Isaac D. Toll, Fawn River; first lieutenant,
Thomas H. Freelen, Kalamazoo; second lieutenant, John B. Good-
man, Niles ; second lieutenant, Piatt Titus, Jackson. Company
G — Captain. Frazer M. Winans, Monroe ; first lieutenant, Ahira
G. Eastman, ^Adrian ; second lieutenant, Wm. D. Wilkins, Detroit;
second lieutenant, Michael Doyle, Detroit. They rendezvoused
at the Detroit barracks, were mustered into service by Lieutenant
Frank Woodbridge, U. S. A., aide to General Brady ; clothed and
equipped by Major Henry Smith, quartermaster, U. S. A., who
accompanied them to Vera Cruz, Mexico. I was in the U. S.
COI.ONI<;i. JOSHUA HOWARD, A MAN OF NOTE. 595
quartermaster and commissary department here at that time and
assisted in equipping this portion of the Fifteenth Infantry.
It is said that Colonel Howard came to Detroit first in 1815
and held a position in the revenue department under Austin E.
Wing, deputy collector, and later he secured an appropriation to
build an arsenal in Detroit, which was located on Jefferson Ave-
nue and the southwest corner of Wayne Street. He built the
arsenal at Dearborn, the corner stone of which was laid with
appropriate ceremonies July 30, 1833, Major Henry Whiting, U.
S. A., making the address, which was pronounced fine and schol-
arly. Colonel Howard was at one time a member of the Michigan
legislature, was also appointed United States Marshal of the
district of Michigan. He was also elected sheriff" of Wayne
County over E. V. Cicotte in 1854: the latter was a prominent
French citizen and Democrat. On the outbreak of the Civil War
Colonel Howard w^as appointed an additional paymaster, U. S. A.,
and served as such until its end. I accompanied him once, on an
exceedingly cold day, to Flint, to pay the Tenth ^Michigan Infan-
try. A frigid ride we had from Holly to Flint in the stage. No
railroad then between the two points. Colonel Howard with his
estimable wife and sons and daughters, occupied for some years
in the late thirties and early forties the dwelling used by Gen-
eral Cass after his return from France. Its site is at present taken
up by the late Governor Baldwin's house. I think they came into
Fort Street to reside after the colonel had completed the arsenal
at Dearborn. At any rate they were there when I first knew^
them. Of the sons, Alexander K., Henry Dearborn (Duff*), and
Daniel were the only ones anywhere near my age. Alexander K.
was always an assistant to his father. He was an enthusiastic
P'rady Guard. During the month of June, 1847, the company
known as the "Brady Guard" was enlisted and mustered into the
service of the United States, for the purpose of garrisoning Fort
Mackinac, Fort Brady, Sault Ste. Marie, taking the place of
regulars sent to the front during the Mexican War. Morgan L.
Gage was captain, Alex K. Howard first lieutenant, Wm. F. Chit-
tended second lieutenant, Ara W. Sprague second lieutenant. The
above forts were garrisoned respectively by Captain Gage and
Lieutenant Howard.
Scores of people will no doubt call to mind "Marg" Gage,
''Alec," Howard and ''Bill'' Chittenden and the genial, wittv citv
596 e;ari.y days in Detroit.
constable, Ara Sprague, ''Duff" Howard, who was an accom-
plished machinist. He was at one time foreman of the extensive
engine works of Jackson & Wiley of this city. The last I knew
of him he held a responsible position in the Alger Iron Works,
Boston. Daniel was, during the Civil War and for a time after,
of the firm of Howard & Welch, claim agents, this city. Alex-
ander K. Howard married for his first wife, Mary, daughter of
Charles Larned, and for his second wife, Lizzie, daughter of Dr.
J. L. Whiting. One of the daughters, the eldest, was at that time
or shortly after, married to a lawyer, Mr. C. K. Green. The other
two (with whom I was on friendly terms), were Cornelia and
Julia. They were prominent in that bright galaxy of femininity
that dominated Fort Street and Jefferson Avenue which was com-
posed of (besides themselves) Eliza and Mary Inman, Frances
Gillett, Marion Forsythe, Eliza (Puss) Knapp, Mary and Julia
Palmer, Harriet, Eliza and Mary Williams, Rose and Alexandrine
Sheldon, Louisa Heath, Jane Cook, Martha Palmer, Mary (John)
Palmer, Sarah Oilman, Mary Larned, Lizzie Whiting, Mary
Brooks and others. Three or four of the young ladies named did
not live on Fort Street but in the immediate vicinity, but for all
that they were noted to be of the Fort Street crowd. Cornelia
Howard married John W. Strong and Julia Howard married
Walter Ingersoll.
Brig.-Gen. Henry R. Mizner, U. S. A., married one of the
daughters (Lizzie) of Colonel Howard. She was not of my time,
but later, though I knew her and of her and was at the general's
wedding.
Listen to the following poetic effusion from the pen of our
gifted friend, the late Colonel William D. Wilkins, addressed to
Miss Lizzie Howard. Colonel Wilkins prefaces his verses thus :
"Miss Lizzie — I promised you when we were dancing last
night some lines, if you would not album — ize them. La Vbila
Howard is such a pretty name to rhyme to, that it is a pity you
should ever change it.
"I'll try some lines to improvise
With most exceeding pleasure,
For, when I think of your bright eyes
My thoughts all flow to measure,
• And should the Muses silent stand
They'd be the worst of cowards,
For now I write at your command,
The lovliest of the Howards.
C0I,0NE:I. JOSHUA HOWARD, A MAN OF NOTfC 597
A single glance from those soft eyes,
Bewitching and entrancing,
Makes my heart a certaint prize
And sets my spirits dancing.
I pray for some low rustic cot.
In woodbine all embowered,
And that it there might be my lot
To dwell with Lizzie Howard.
You'd make a paradise on earth
Wherever you resided.
And comfort, happiness and mirth
Should dwell where you and I did.
We'd laugh at sorrow's chilling tide,
And when misfortune lowered.
You'd be my angel and my guide;
Wouldn't you — Lizzie Howard?
Alas ! These visions never can .
Meet with realization :
I'm the most melancholy man
In all this mighty nation,
I see — with a prophetic eye —
My cup of bliss all soured,
And all that's left me is to die
For love of Lizzie Howard."
Friday morning, July 9, '52.
The Brady Guards above referred to of which Alexander
Howard was first lieutenant, did not include among its numbers
any members of the old original Brady Guards, except Captain
Gage and Lieutenant Howard, but was recruited from the gen-
eral public, the same as Unde Sam gets all his soldiers. Lieutenant
Hiram Dryer, of the regular service, was, after a little, assigned
to this company of Brady Guards as second lieutenant. Dryer
had been a soldier in the ranks in Mexico, where he especially dis-
tinguished himself. It is reported of him that in the course of a
siege of some fortification by General Taylor a volunteer was
called for to plant "Old Glory" on the wall or embankment of
the fort. Hiram Dryer volunteered and did it, in the face of the
enemy's fire. He was made second lieutenant in the regular ser-
vice on the spot. He came north and was detailed to join the
Brady Guards at Fort Mackinac. He afterward served in the
598 IJARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Civil War as a captain in some regular regiment (I forget now
which ) .
When Governor Blair and party (of which I was one) visited
the Army of the Potomac just after the battle of Chancellorsville,
Captain Dryer entertained us hospitably in his tent. He was a
thorough soldier. Perhaps some may remember him. He mar-
ried a daughter of the late John J. Garrison of this city. I think
they are both dead.
I am indebted to Hon. Peter White, of ^Marquette, for the
incident in regard to Captain Dryer's experience in Mexico.
i^ ^ ^
Colonel Howard was the chief marshal on the occasion of
the celebration of Cadillac's day, July 24, 1858, aided by Colonel
Cyrus W: Jackson and Signor Angelo Paldi. John Patterson
was mayor at the time. They had an immense procession, which
• was participated in by the mayor, common council and officers,
Detroit Light Guard, Scott Guard and Shield's Guards, the vol-
imteer fire department with twelve hand engines and one hook
and ladder company, all the organized labor societies, and thou-
sands of other citizens.
The exercises came off in Firemen's Hall. Hon. C. L. Walker
was the orator of the day. E. N. Lacroix delivered an addreiss in
French. A grand banquet was given in the evening at the Rus-
sell House, at which Judge B. F. H. Witherell presided, assisted
by Joseph Campau, Alaurice Moran, Pierre Desnoyers, Charles
Beaubien, Richard Godfroy, William Woodbridge, Shubael Con-
ant, Henry Chipman, David Cooper, Levi Cook, Ross Wilkins, S.
V. R. Trowbridge, and others. Rev. F. A. Blades pronounced the
benediction.
D. Bethune Duffield composed a poem for the occasion, which
he read.
A record of the toasts given and speeches delivered on that
occasion is not preserved, but it is safe to say a good time was
had.
Cyrus W. Jackson was of the firm of Jackson & Wiley, the
iron founders and steam engine builders, and Signor Paldi was
an esteemed Italian citizen, who had been bandmaster of the Fifth
United States Infantry, coming here with that regiment before
the Mexican War. He served with his regiment through that
war, and when it closed, his term of service having expired, he
COI^OXEIv JOSHUA HOWARD^ A MAN OF NOTE. 599
made this city his home. He built and resided in the first house
erected in the vicinity of the Detroit Barracks, with the exception
of the Jasperson residence. The Signor's house was of the ItaHan
villa order, and stood on Catherine Street, opposite the barracks.
The Jasperson dwelling was on the northwest comer of Rus-
sell and Catherine Streets, and quite unpretentious.
>;c ^ ^
In this connection it may not be out of place to give the
following from the Grand Rapids Sunday Herald of June 5, 1904,
over the signature of General Isaac D. Toll, of Petoskey, president
Michigan Association of Veterans of Mexico. It relates some of
the operations of the Fifteenth United States in Mexico :
Editor Grand Rapids Herald — The Herald of May 15,
under caption, ''Horse in the World's History," you give General
Scott's horse "Rolla" the distinction of being a "beautiful bay."
Now the horse he rode at Contreras and Churubusco was a very
large horse, quite eighteen hands high, but roughly coated, very
dark brown, anything but handsome, angular in shape. Captain
R. E. Lee, who rode a magnificent bay, pointed out to us of the
Fifteenth U. S. Infantry, and led the way to the Mexican rear,
commanded in person by Santa Anna, then rejoined General
Scott at Nativitar.
Major Mills of ours rode a hard-mouthed mare, to his death
(he was unable to control her) at the city gate (San Antonio).
I knowing her, warned him against his joining the dragoons,
and had before done so. Redpath in his school history, page 287,
writes of the "heights of Churubusco carried by Generals Twiggs
and Pillow." '
Now the battlefield was mostly as level and flat as land could
be. There were heights at Contreras on August 19th and 20th,
1847, we had to cross the rock pedregal and storm the entrenched
works on the morning of the 20th.
Colonel Riley in the van, your then captain, afterwards Col-
onel McReynolds, had conmiand of Company K, Third Dragoons,
could, if still with us, corroborate the above. I had command of
Company E, Fifteenth U. S., and the colors in these affairs, and
lost severelv at Churubusco. ^r , ■,
Yours truly,
Isaac D. T01.L,
President Michigan Association of Veterans *of Mexico.
Prtoskey, 'Mich.
6oO DARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
This peclregal was a great obstacle in an advance on the Aca-
pulco Road through San Antonio directly to the southern gate of
Mexico City. It was an immense field of broken lava lying in
front of the Mexican General Valencia's camp, battle of Contreras,
August 20th, 1847. It ^'^s in this battle that Captain F. D. Cal-
lender's battery did such good service. Captain Callender, before
the ^lexican war, had command of the Dearborn Arsenal.
GLNLRAL ISAAC Dl GRAFF TOLL.
GENERAL ISAAC DE GRAFF TOLL was born December
I, 1818, on Toll farm, near Schenectady, X. Y. Is a resi-
dent of Petoskey, Mich., since 1880, of which city he was
President in 1881-1882, and to which he presented the site for
the Lockwood Hospital. He was also chiefly instrumental in
having built the breakwater that has so vastly improved the harbor.
The account given before does not fully cover his actions in
the Mexican war, for at the battles of Contretras, 19th and 20th of
August, 1847, ^^^ Churubusco, 20th of August, 1847, he was in
the thick of the fray, and his charge with the bayonet at the latter
battle, against orders, after having gone three times through a
fierce fire to ask permission to charge, which was refused', was the
cause of the American troops winning the day in that part of the
field, with the assistance of the New York Volunteers and the
Palmetto Regiment of South Carolina and others.
On this occasion Captain Toll was in command of Company E,
the 15th U. S. Infantry, recruited in Michigan, his being the color
company. He was also engaged at El INIolino del Rey, September
8, 1847. '^he subjoined letters from his companion-in-arms,
Samuel E. Beach, first lieutenant Company A, 15th U. S. Infantry,
in Mexican war, and colonel of the 5th Michigan in the War of
1861, and from Governor Ransom, of Michigan, will show the
estimation in which he is held by those who know him. Governor
Ransom, on the 23rd of December, 1847, wrote in part as follows :
''Allow me to congratulate you on account of the high charac-
ter you have won for yourself by your gallant conduct and bravery
during the period, and amid scenes and events, of the most bril-
liant military campaign ever witnessed. I pray God that the
laurels you have gained may garland your brow in unfading fresh-
ness through a long and happy life, and I most cordially welcome
you back to Michigan.
. ^ Most sincerely and truly,
E. P. Ransom.''
6o2 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Letter from Colonel Samuel E. Beach, first lieutenant of
Company A, 15th U. S. Infantry, to Lieutenant Merrifield, also of
the same company, wlio was left in hospital at Pueblo, Mexico,
when the 15th advanced to the City of Mexico, August loth,
1847. Colonel Beach^also served as Colonel of the 5th Michigan,
war of 1861 :
'ToNTiAC, July 10, 1886.
My Dear Mr. Merrifield, Lansing, Mich.
In progress of time you and I naturally recall the more
prominent events of our 3'outh, you of the assault at Pueblo,
Mexico, where you led the Forlorn Hope, I of the terrible fire and
overwhelming odds at Churubusco, where the Michigan com-
panies, the right. Company A, commanded by me, and the center,
with the colors, E, commanded by Captain Toll, gloriously sus-
tained the honor of our state.
I must state to you, my old comrade, that Captain Toll, after
he had thrice gone back amid the fire, to get permission to charge,
was refused, himself ordered it, and reformed the regiment, which
then, at the critical time, charged the masses of the enemy success-
fully, and none too soon, for the New York and South Carolina
Volunteers, on our left, had just 'gone in,' in their part of the field.
I hope justice will be done this opportune and gallant act, and the
men of the companies A and E of the 15'th regiment of U. S.
Infantry from our state have that justice accorded them which
has been delayed.
The battle of Churubusco was the deciding battle of the war
with Mexico, the infantr}^ did the work there, while all had their
share, but on this arm all relied. Of the nearly two hundred
men of those companies which we helped to form, my dear friend
and comrade, how many will answer roll-call? Perhaps twenty.
Eight dollars a month and found for all this empire of the Pacific,
and yet how these twenty survivors are remembered.
Ever sincerely your comrade,
S. E. Beach.^^
Also in Burton & Cutcheon's History, 3rd Vol., p. 203 :
''In the battle (Churubusco) Company E carried the colors
of the regiment and especially distinguished itself, Captain Toll
leading the charge, the 15th covering itself with glory, suffering
heavv loss."
G£;ne:rai. isaac de graff toll. 603
Captain Toll's company was in the front in this charge, and
the heaviest loss was sustained by it.
General Toll comes naturally by his military spirit, for in his
veins runs the blood of the Vikings, his paternal ancestor coming
from Norway to the then Province of New York, where he took
up a large tract of land in the Mohawk Valley, near Schenectady.
He was for many years a member of the Provincial Assembly that
sat at Albany, N. Y.
Captain Philip R. Toll (father of the subject of this sketch)
served in the War of 18 12 in Canada, as captain of Schenectady
Mounted Artillery; removed to Ovid, N. Y. ; and in 1834 to
Centerville, Mich., where he conducted a large department
store ; and on the soldiers' monument lately erected there his name
is engraved ; later he erected flouring and saw mills at Fawn
River, St. Joseph, Co. ; then removed to Monroe, Mich., where
he died August 17, 1862, survived by his widow, Nancy De Graff
Toll, daughter of Major Isaac De Graff, who served through the
entire period of the War for Independence. She was the mother
of General Isaac De Graff Toll. She was born September 18,
1797, and died at Monroe, Mich., March 27, 1898, having lived
over a century.
The De Graffs were equally warlike as the Toll side of the
family. It is recorded that at the battle fought near Schenectady,
July 18, 1748, on the Toll farm, Captain Daniel Toll, the great-
great grandfather of General Toll, and three of his great-great
vmcles w^ere killed. John I. De Graff (uncle of General Toll) was
a member of the U. S. Congress twice, and it was he who fur-
nished the means to equip the fleet of Commodore MacDonough
with which he won the battle of Lake Champlain.
The cause of this was that Washingtpn, having been captured
and burned by the British in the raid General Ross made upon it,
the departments of the government fled the city, and Commodore
MacDonough could get no reply from the Navy Department to
his requisitions for money and supplies for his fleet then fitting out
to repel the British attack, which was known to be preparing
rapidly near the foot of Lake Champlain. In this crisis, as every
moment's delay might mean the loss of all Northern New York
and Vermont to the Union, John I. De Graff pledged his private
means and credit to the amount of $100,000 for the necessary
equipment, and with this aid Commodore MacDonough was
604 EJARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
enabled to meet and destroy th^ enemy's fleet at Plattsburg Bay,
this being the final victory that proved that the lion of England,
invincible on the waters to all the world, was, on more than equal
terms, unable to withstand the valor of Uncle Sam's blue jackets.
Perry's victory on Lake Erie had only partially destroyed
the English naval force on the Great Lakes, but ]\IacDonough's
utterly destroyed the last vestige of it, and at greater odds against
him than Perry had.
The ''ingratitude of Republic" is amply shown in the attached
letter from Commodore MacDonough and the remarks attached
thereto :
"U. S. Ship Saratoga, 15th Sept., 1814.
My Dear Sir — You will oblige me by giving any attention to
Lieutenant Criswick that may be of service to him while with you
in Albany or in your vicinity. He, by the fortune of war, is with
us. For him I feel interested, and I know vou will attend to him.
I am again short of funds and cannot supply him. I have not yet
received the draft which was promised me (as you saw when I
was with you) by the Secretary's letter. The delay must be
attributed to the derangement produced by the capture of Wash-
jngton. The aid I obtained, through your influence and respon-
sibility enabled me to get the fleet ready. When I go to Wash-
ington, which will be I hope very soon, I shall not fail to represent
to the Secretary your kindness. Be pleased to present to Mr.
Walton and Messrs. Bleekers my best regards, and believe me to
be, dear sir,.
Your obedient humble servant,
T. MacDonough.
While John L De Graff was widely known as a public bene-
factor, the first president and one of the main projectors of the
Mohawk and Hudson Railroad, one of the first, if not the first (as
has been claimed) for passenger travel in the United States, thrice
mayor of his native city, Schenectady, N. Y., and twice in Con-
gress, in justice to his memory and the truth of history, I give
above copy of a letter \Yritten to him by Commodore Mac-
Donough, showing that by the aid rendered by Mr. De Graff to
that gallant officer, he was enabled to get the fleet ready to meet
the enemy on Lake Champlain, Sept. 14, 1814, the victorious result
of which we know; and will add that Mr. De Graff in his
advances to the government lost, by depreciation of treasury
ge:ne;ral isaac de graff toll. 605
notes, thirty thousand dollars, eight thousand of which only was
paid to his executor, Judge Jesse D. De Graff, in 1856, the death
of Mr. B. Bleeker, of Albany, his most important witness during
the prosecution of the claim, cutting off the remainder. The cap-
ture of Washington by the British rendered the government pow-
erless to aid the gallant Commodore, so he appealed successfully
to Mr. De Graff. The ''responsibility" (see letter) involved a
loss as stated.
General Toll is the only living officer of the U. S. Army that
served in the Mexican war now residing in Michigan. He served
the state as member of the house of representatives and as state
senator, 1847; while in the house he prevented the Lake Shore
railroad from going south from Coldwater, although one hundred
thousand dollars were offered for the route ; was chief of division
of U. S. Pension, 1853-4; examiner of patents seven years, and
holds commissions that show he passed through every grade from
lieutenant-colonel to major-general in the service of the, State of
Michigan.
Among the various public addresses he has made since a resi-
dent of Petoskey are those made at the obsequies of Presidents
Garfield and McKinley in that city, at both of which he presided.
General Toll is a member of G. A. R. Post 170 from his
service in April, 1861, as commandant of the guards at Washing-
ton, D. C. Later he received a commission as recruiting officer
from Governor Blair, October, 1863.
General Toll was married January 9, 1849, ^o Julia Victoria
Moran, daughter of Judge Charles Moran. She died in 1865.
The General is now a resident of Petoskey, where he has lived
since 1880, and is as much alive to all that is transpiring, and with
as youthful a heart and soul, as though since his birth the steam
railroad and telegraph had not been invented in his youth, nor the
telephone, phonograph and automobile since he was old enough to
be a grandfather.
Let one of us now living be placed in the social and economic
conditions that prevailed in 18 18, and he would be as helpless as
though he were transported to the Middle Ages.
THE NAVARRE. FAMILY.
HENRY OF NAVARRE; AT THE: BATTLE OF IVRY.
Now by the lips of those ye love, fair gentlemen of France,
Charge for the golden lilies, upon them with the lance.
A thousand spurs are sinking deep, a thousand spears in rest,
A thousand knights are pressing close behind the snow-v/hite crest ;
And in they burst and on they rushed, while like a guiding star,
Amidst the thickest carnage blazed the helmet of Navarre."
The Navarres trace back their ancestry in an unbroken
line to Antoine de Bourbon, duke de Vendome, father of Henry
IV. of France. (The latter the Plumed Knight).
Robert de Navarre came to America and landed at Quebec.
He was appointed under the French government subdeleque and
royal notary at Detroit. He married here in 1743 Marie Loth-
mand deBarrois.
Robert Navarre's children were Marie Francoise, born 1735;
married Geo. McDougall, lieutenant in the British Army, by
whom she had two sons, Jean Robert and George. In 1774 she
married Jacques (Jock) Campau, father of Joseph and Barnabe,
by whom she had no heirs, but Barna]>e, in 1820, married her
granddaughter, Archange McDougall, whose sons were Alexan-
der and the late Barnabe (Barney) Campau.
Marianne, born 1737, married, in 1760, Jacques A. St. Mar-
tin, frequently called La Butte, a celebrated interpreter. They
lived in the old Cass house, which was the St. Martin homestead,
the ground being deeded to him in 1750. St. Alartin died in
1766, leaving a young widow with three children. His executors
conveyed the property in 1787 to the well known Scotch merchant,
Alexander Macomb, for $1,000, and in this house was born his
grandson, who became famous as Major-General Macomb and
died the commander-in-chief of the Federal Army. Previous to
this sale it was occupied by George C. Anthon, father of several
sons, who distinguished themselves as classical scholars and
otherwise.
THE NAVARRh: t'AMILY. 607
Of the St. Martin children, one died unmarried ; Finon mar-
ried Philip Fry, Archange married Angus Mcintosh, who later on
inherited the estates which belonged to the earldom of Moy in
Scotland, the earldom itself having been forfeited in the rebellion
against the House of Hanover. The Mcintosh homestead was
on the Canadian shore a little this side of Walkerville, and was
celebrated along the Detroit River for the princely and lavish
hospitality of its genial owner. The house is still standing, though
somewhat modernized.
Ten children were born to Angus Mcintosh. The boys went
to Scotland to take possession of their estates. Two of the daugh-
ters were much loved and esteemed in Detroit — Mrs. Henry I.
Hunt and Miss Catherine Mcintosh.
In 1770 Marianne Nevarre, w^idow of St. Martin, bestowed'
her hand upon Dr. George C. Anthon, who had come to Detroit
m 1760 with Major Rogers. She died in October, 1776, leaving
no heirs by Anthon.
Robert Navarre, eldest son of Robert, Sr., surnamed Robishe
the Speaker, was born in 1739. He married in 1762, Louis
Archange de Mersac, daughter of Francois and Charlotte Bou-
rassa. Another Charlotte Bourassa, a cousin, married in 1760,
Charles de Langlade, the pioneer settler of Wisconsin, whose
family belonged to that of the count of Paris. To Robert
(Robishe) was deeded by the Pottawatomies their village, which
was on a beautiful eminence, commanding a fine view, which
even then was pronounced by them "Ancient Village." "We, the
chiefs of the tribe of the Pottawatomies nation at Detroit, have
deliberated and given of our own free will a piece of land of four
arpents in width, by the whole depth, situated at our Ancient
Village, to Robishe, son of the scrivener. We give him this land
forever, that he might cultivate the same, light a fire thereon, and
take care of our dead, and for surety of our words we have made
our marks." This grant was ratified by Henry Bassett, com-
manding at Detroit, July 15, 1772, in presence of George McDou-
gall. On one of Navarre's quit rent receipts it is stated that this
tract was confirmed by General Gage. Robishe resided on his
land and in the house known later on as the Brevoort homestead,
which stood on the River Road, just about where Twenty-fourth
Street crosses it. (It was torn down after the commodore's
death, which occurred about 1855 or 1856). It was enlarged by
6o8 I5ARI.Y DAYS IN DICTROIT.
the commodore (Robishe's son-in-law). Robische was the' great-
great grandfather of Mrs. W. Y. Hamhn, author of the ''Legends
of Detroit."
This Robische was blessed, like all French of that period, with
an exceptionally large family. Jacques, born 1766, settled on the
River Raisin. Francois, born 1767, early removed with his
brother and Jean Marie to Monroe where twenty-six arpents of
land had been deeded to the Navarres by the Ottawas. .Francois
was colonel during the war of 1812-1813, and figured most con-
spicuously. His house was the headquarters of Generals Wayne,
Winchester, St. Clair and others. Thirty-six Navarres, it was
said, served in his (Francois's) regiment. He was thoroughly
conversant with the peculiar habits and warfare of the savages,
and spoke with facility several other languages. He was captured
at Brownstown, whither he went ahead of Colonel Johnson to
negotiate with the Indians. He was taken prisoner to Sandwich,
but escaped. His son served under Captain Richard (Dick)
Smythe. The only French pear trees along the Raisin are those
that were taken there by Colonel Navarre from his father's place
in Detroit. Francois was the personal friend of Wayne, Win-
chester, St. Clair, Cass, Macomb and Woodward, and his corre-
spondence with several of them has been preserved by the heirs,
it is said. Isadore, born 1768, married (1795) Francoise Des-
comptes Labadie, daughter of Alexis and Francoise Robert.
Their eldest son, Isadore, born 1790, though a mere strippling,
served in the war of 1812. He married, 1790, Marie Suzord,
daughter of Louis and Maria Dosette Lebeau. The children were,
Robert, born 1792; Francois, born 1793; Victoire (married, 1822,
Jacques Godfroy, son of Colonel Gabriel and Therese Couaire de
Bondy) ; Agathe, who was exquisitely beautiful, according to all
accounts; Monique (married John Askin, eldest son of Colonel
Jas. Askin, of Sandwich). Archange Louis, born 1770, married,
1796, Dominique Godie de Marentette, whose daughter Jeanne
married, first, Timothey Dequindre ; second, William B. Hunt.
Charlotte, another daughter of Archange Louis, born 1774, mar-
ried Cajetan Tremblay. Antoine Freshet, born 1772, married,
1806, Madeline Cavallier. He served with distinction during the
war of 1812. Marianne, born 1780, was a great belle. She was
very gifted, possessing fine musical ability and decided talent for
painting. Colonels Hamtramck and Gratiot were rival suitors
THE NAVARRE FAMILY. 609
for her favor. Both pleaded in vain. She was faithful to the
memory of a former lover who had died suddenly. Several of
her letters have been preserved, it is said. The style is admirable,
the handwriting characteristic and beautiful. Catherine, another
daughter (named after her aunt, Catherine Macomb), born 1782,
married Commodore Henry Brevoort, of Lake Erie fame, and a
member of the Brevoort family of New York. The children of
this marriage were : John, married Marie Navarre ; Robert, died
young; Anne, who was a celebrated beauty, married Charles L.
Bristol, who was the partner of John Hale ; Elias, settled in Santa
Fe, New Mexico; Henry, married Jane, daughter of Wm.
Macomb, and Jeannette Francheville de Marentette, who left
three sons — William Macomb, who fought bravely and fell in
battle during the Civil War ; Henry Navarre, who was at one time
the popular prosecuting attorney of Wayne County, later on judge
of Wayne County court, and at present practicing his profession ;
Elias Thornton, connected with the Canada Railroad.
Henry Brevoort, son of the commodore mentioned, was for
a long time clerk for Hale & Bristol, and after entered the employ
of John Mullett, surveyor-general of Michigan, and spent the
remainder of his years surveying in Northern Mxhigan and the
Upper Peninsula. He was a fine, manly, handsome fellow, and
died too early. Elias, another and a younger son of the com-
modore, cast his lot in New Mexico (as before said), in the early
forties, and I don't think that he ever returned here, but once,
and that was at the time of the death of his father, the commo-
dore. He passed a stirring, adventurous life in that once far-off,
wild region of the country. He was an intimate friend and asso-
ciate of General Fremont's famous guide and scout. Kit Carson.
Both Henry and Elias were schoolmates of mine. Elias died
March 12, 1904, at Sialo, Mexico, whither he had gone for the
benefit of his health. He was unmarried.
He passed through many exciting scenes and had many per-
ilous adventures in that "Wild and woolly" country. He was on
intimate relations with nearly all the old army officers in the early
days. The late General Sturgis was then lieutenant of dragoons
and Brevoort led him as guide and trailer, into his first Indian
fight. Brevoort said that he (Sturgis) behaved himself with
great credit, but forgot all he had told him he was to do or how
to do, in case the ''Reds" were overtaken, which they were, and
39
6lO EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
I20 head of mules recovered, and they killed nine out of ten of
the band. He told Sturgis he never was guilty of killing Indians
on paper, but always took a voucher from the dead Red. Sturgis
asked him what he meant by voucher. He said, ''A scalp, of
course." Which he said he did in this case, and fastened them
to his belt. He said the Red was bound to get his scalp if he
could, and he thought the Indian's 3calp was far better in his
belt, than his in that of the hostile. That was in the winter of
1854-55. He said it was a hard trip to Sturgis, but a very valu-
able lesson to him. His gallantry won him promotion to a cap-
taincy. He also said in relation to events in and ai^ound Santa Fe
at that time. "If I could be with you for six months, I could
give you some very interesting data that would fill a good sized
volume, which would be brim full of exciting, thrilling events
in which I participated. I always had a fine mount in those
days, accompanied by the best rifle made, including a pair of
Colt's ivory-handled six-shooters and a keen knife. Could sleep
mounted as well as upon a mattress, and ride further in twenty-
four hours than any two men could with a change of mounts."
He also knew and was quite intimate with Major J. A. Whitall,
paymaster, U. S. A. ; Major E. S. Sibley, quartermaster, U. S. A. ;
Major Dan H. Rucker, quartermaster, U. S. A. ; and others.
Brevoort was quite a voluminous writer, and it is to be hoped
that he left some account of the exciting life he led in New Mex-
ico. In a letter to me last December, from Sante Fe, he said in
relation to Carson : "Yes, Kit was a personal friend who saved
my life and that of my companion, in the fall of '50, when cross-
ing the plains, by riding 150 miles with a troop of dragoons in
less than twenty-four hours, arriving the night before myself and
party were to be massacred by a band of bandits and robbers of
the worst kind. I had in connection with my companions (a
party of gentlemen) and under my protection a large amount of
specie (gold and silver). It was a gay night when Kit crawled
into camp the night before, and informed me of the contemplated
attack of the robbers. They somehow got wind of the aid that
had come to us, consequently the affair did not come off."
He also sent me copy of communication that he had addressed
to the commissioner of Indian affairs in relation to the servant
girl problem, but no notice had been taken of it by that official.
Brevoort's assumption was that the article had been pigeon-holed,
THE NAVARRE FAMILY. 6ll
because (as he wrote) the commissioner of Indian affairs and all
of his employes, numbering hundreds, would be against any such
move as he recommended, simply because they would eventually
have to look for some other occupation. The Indian girls were
said to be well trained in all home and domestic work, and to
speak English. I sent the article to The Free Press, and requested
its publication. It appeared in the columns of that paper Novem-
ber 15, 1903. Brevoort said he thought if President Roosevelt's
attention could be brought to the subject some good might result
from it, and this servant girl question arrive at a solution.
Monique, another daughter of Robishe, born in 1789, was
the first wife of William Macomb. She inherited the traditional
loveliness of her race and added, among other accomplishments,
that of a daring and superb equestrienne.- She died young, leav-
ing one son, Navarre Macomb.
Pierre (Peter), another son of Robishe, born in 1786, settled
at the mouth of the Maumee about 1807. He was a trusty scout
to General Harrison during the war of 1812. His thorough
knowledge of the Indians and of the country enabled him to
render many important services.
It appeared from ''Knapp's History of the Maumee Valley"
that near the mouth of the Maumee River, opposite Manhattan,
about 1806 or 1808, a French settlement, near the Ottawa
(Indian) Village was established. Conspicuously among those
French adventurers was Peter Navarre, a grandson of Robert
de Navarre, an officer in the military service of France, who came
to this country in 1745. The Ottawa village, Navarre asserted,
had been in existence since the days of the Pontiac conspiracy,
and the head cliief of the nation was a descendant of Pontiac.
This Peter Navarre joined Hull's Army on the Maumee,
went to Detroit, and then returned to the Raisin, where he enlisted
in Colonel Anderson's regiment. He was at Raisin when the
British Captain Elliott, accompanied by a Frenchman, and a
WyandcJt Indian, came with a flag to inform Colonel Brush and
the troops at Raisin that they were included in the terms of sur-
render of Hull. Navarre and his four brothers acknowledged
themselves as prisoners, and were permitted to depart on parole.
Peter Navarre and his four brothers, rendered valuable aid
to the United States as scouts during the war of 181 2, and it was
said, had General Winchester listened to their sagacious and
6l2 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
timely suggestion, the disaster at the Raisin would not, pro1)al)ly,
have occurred.
"Navarre and his brothers were employed as scouts by Gen-
eral Harrison as soon as Fort Meigs was completed. When the
Indians first made their appearance. Navarre discovered them
crossing the river at the foot of the island. On reporting this
to Harrison, he gave him three letters — one to Lower Sandusky,
one to Upper Sandusky, and a third to Governor Meigs, at
Urbana. Navarre departed, and at the end of the fifth day
handed the message to Governor Meigs."
Peter Navarre, who was living in 1872, near Maumee Bay,
was born in Detroit in 1786 (as said) and was then (1872) 87
years of age. An editorial in the Toledo Blade of May, 1872,
gives the following in addition to what has been hitherto sketched,
upon the authority of this venerable patriot :
"At the battle of the Thames on the ist of October, Navarre
was under Johnson, in the immediate vicinity of Tecumseh, of
whose death he speaks as follows : 'He was standing behind a
large tree that had blown down, encouraging his warriors, and
was killed by a ball that passed diagonally through his chest.
After death he w^as shot several times, but otherwise his body
was not mutilated in the least, being buried in his regimentals, as
the old chief desired, by myself and a companion, at the command
of General Harrison. All statements that he was scalped or
skinned are absolutely false.' "
While at Maiden General Proctor, of the British Army,
offered the Indians $1,000 for the scalp of Navarre, and was
informed that if he wanted it he must secure it himself, as in
times of peace they had taught him all their knowledge of wood-
craft, and now it was almost impossible to capture him."
It is said that his portrait, taken at the age of 70, is still pos-
sessed by his descendants. This portrait, with a short history
of Peter Navarre, was given in the Evening News of August 27
last. In relation to the advice given to General Winchester, by
Peter and his three brothers, Robert, Alexis and James, before
the battle of the Raisin (and to which allusion has already been
made), the article goes on to say: ''It was these four brothers
' who discovered Proctor's proposed attack on the settlement at
Frenchtown, but whose warning was set at naught by the con-
THE NAVARRE FAMILY. 613
flicting and false report of Jacob La Salle, an unsuspected spy in
the service of the British."
For the early history of the Navarre family, before about
1830, I am greatly indebted to the late Mrs. Caroline Watson
Hamlin, who, in her admirable book, "Legens of Detroit" (com-
piled mostly from the records of St. Anne's Catholic church),
has given an account of the advent of the first pioneer of this
family as well as of most, if not all, of the old French families,
who came here after or about Cadillac's time. After I came to
Detroit, about 1830, I became personally acquainted with most,
if not all, of the surviving members of these old French families,
whose forebears were the pioneers of this section, and what I
may relate in their connection, after the latter date, is from per-
sonal observation and recollection.
In the article printed Sunday, September 4, I said that Gen-
eral Alex. Macomb. died commander-in-chief of the Army of the
United States. I should have said, "in immediate command."
All know that the president is the commander-in-chief of the
Army. Also, the compositor made me say, ''General Macomb was
in command here about 1812." It should have been "about 1821."
THL 5T. MARTIN FAMILY.
THE ST. MARTIN FAM'ILY, A BRANCH OF THE NAVARRES—
DR. ANTHON AND HIS DISTINGUISHED SONS—
THE OLD CASS HOUSE.
TO the St. Martin family belongs a branch of the Navarre
family (the Anthons of New York, the Scotch branch of
Mcintosh). Antoine St. Martin was appointed a royal
notary at Quebec as early as 1660. He came from Haut Lan-
guedoc, France. He married twice. His descendants by his first
wife are still in Canada. By his second wife, Michelle Cusson,
whom he married in 1687, he had one son, Jean Baptiste, born in
1689, who, in 1709, came to Detroit and married Marie Louise
Dogon, by whom he had five children, one of whom, Jacques, sur-
named La Butte, married in 1760, Marianne Navarre, daughter
of Robert, the sub-intendant. A daughter, Margaret, married in
1758, Colonel Louis Jadot. She is the ancestress of the Anthons,
of New York. Another daughter married in 1760, Jacques Code
de Marentette.
Jacques St. Martin (La Butte) was a noted interpreter. He
was brother-in-law of Lieutenant Geo. McDougall, whom he
accompanied with Major Campbell to Pontiac's camp at that chief's
suggestion that he wished to treat with them. The office of inter-
preter was a very important one, and the English suffered much
owing to the rescality of some of these men. The French mission-
aries and French officers were mostly familiar with the Indian
languages and were seldom imposed upon. Bradstreet and Sir
William Johnson complained of their interpreters, but always
made honorable exceptions of Chabeat de Joncare Chene, Jacques
St. Martin, and later of Henry Connor and Whittemore Knaggs
— Jacques St. Martin married Marianne Navarre, who, after his
death, in 1768, married Dr. George Christian Anthon. She died
at the age of 36, leaving no heirs by Anthon, but three by St.
Martin. They resided in the Old Cass house, which then belonged
the: ST. MARTIN FAMILY. 615
to St. Martin. One of these children, Archange, born in 1766,
married Angus Mcintosh, who inherited the estates which
belonged to the earldom of Moy, the earldom itself having been
forfeited in the rebellion against the house of Hanover. He was
noted for his lavish hospitality. The sons of this marriage re-
turned to Scotland. Two of the daughters were well known in
Detroit, Mrs. Henry I. Hunt and Miss Kitty Mcintosh, who died
some years ago. Mrs. Hunt died many years before the latter
(as has been mentioned before).
THE ANTHON BRANCH.
Marguerite de St. Martin rnarried, in 1758, Colonel Louis
Jadot, an officer in De My's regiment. He was the eldest son of
Jacques Jadot, former alderman and mayor of Recrois (France),
and Marie Boland. Colonel Jadot was killed in 1765 by the Indians.
His wife had died in 1764, leaving an infant daughter, Genevieve,
to the care of her brother Jacques and his wife, Marianne Nav-
arre. Litttle Genevieve was kimdily taken care of. by her aunt,
Marianne Navarre who, becoming a widow, married Dr. Anthon.
In 1773 Mrs. Anthon died, and Genevieve was left with her
cousins, the St. Martin children, as the wards of Dr. Anthon and
their uncle, Alexander Macomb. When Genevieve reached her
fifteenth year Dr. Anthon married her ; he was at the time forty-
five.
A brief sketch of the doctor, whose life was an adventurous
one, and who gave to America its most celebrated classical scholar,
Charles Anthon, may be interesting to many.
Dr. George Christian Anthon, born at Salzugen, Germany, in
1734, died in New York City in 181 5. He studied medicine in his
native place, afterwards at Gerstungen. In 1750 he passed his
examination before the medical authorities of Eisenbach. From
thence, in 1754, he went to Amsterdam, passed two examinations
before the College of Surgeons, and was appointed surgeon in the
Dutch West India trade. He made several voyages, but the ves-
sel he was on was captured in 1757 by a British privateer from
New York, and was carried into that port. At the age of 23 he
found himself in a new and strange country without friends, and
with no other resources than his profession. Confident of his
ability he applied for a situation in the military hospital at Albany.
His talents were recognized, and he was appointed assistant sur-
6l6 EARIyY DAYS IN DETROIT.
geon in the First Battalion, Sixtieth Reg-iment, Royal Americans.
In 1760 he was detached with a party which, under Major Rogers
took possession of Detroit. He married twice — first Marianne
Navarre, the widow of Jacques de St. Martin, by whom he had
no heirs; in 1778 he married Genevieve Jadot, her orphan niece,
on the St. Martin side. In 1786 Dr. Anthon removed with his
family to New Montreal. Three of the doctor's children were
born in Detroit. It appears the doctor had eleven children in all.
Henry, born in 1795, died in 1861, became the Rev. Henry An-
tion of St. Mark's Church, New York City. Charles, born
in 1797, died in 1867, the most accomplished Greek and Latin
scholar in America. The remainder of his children died
in New York without attaining special prominence. "Anthon's
Classics" were at one time in use in all the colleges and ^
high grade schools in the United States. During my experience
in the bookselling business I sold thousands of copies of "Anthon's
Classics." Harper & Brothers were his publishers. Do not think
they are in use now, but will be remembered quite vividly, no
doubt, by many of the present day who in their college days sweat
over these productions of Dr. Anthon and damned him up and
down.
CASS HOUSE.
At the time of the demolition of the Cass or St. Martin House
it was suggested by some one that the City of Detroit buy it and
remove it to East Grand Circus Park, but no one in authority took
any interest in the matter, the idea died out and the old historic
relic went to the rag bag, so to 2peak. What an atk*action it would
be at the present day, not only to our own citizens, but to the cit-
izens of the entire country as well. Just witness in the season
how the crowds of visitors from abroad press and crowd through
the halls of the rustic log cabin at Palmer Park, a structure so
suggestive, in a way, of the early days, and besides it is situated
quite near *(httle over a stone's throw) Mad Anthony Wayne's
road through the woods to Pontiac, over which his army marched
with its artillery and wagon train so long ago.
This Cass (St. Martin) house has been described many times.
Notwithstanding, I think an account of it in this connection will
not be out of place. It is taken from Colonel McKinney's "Tour
of the Lakes," published in 1827. I was quite familiar wath it,
the: ST. MARTIN FAMILY. 617
0
indoors and out, and can testify to the truthfulness of the colonel's
description.
In a letter to his wife, he says: "At 2 o'clock (June 17,
1826), I dined with the governor (Cass), and as you may be
curious to know what kind of a mansion he occupies, I will give
you a sketch of it. It is not exactly in, nor entirely out of the city
— I mean its settled parts ; but stands by itself on the bank of the
river, with the roadway from the city to Springswells, between it
and the precipice, or edge of the bank, down which a diagonal and
rough way has been cut to the river. The house is of cedar logs,
and weather-boarded, one story, with a high sharp roof, out of
which,- and near the center, comes a short stone chimney of enor-
mous thickness, and on which the roof leans, being a little sunk
round about it. Before the front door, which is nearly in the
center of the building, the building itself being some fifty feet
front, is a porch that being a little out its perpendicular position
inclines north. Its figure is nearly that of a square as of any
other figure, with a sharp Chinese-looking top that shoots up
some three feet above the eaves of the house and seems to have in
no one place the least connection with the building. I told the
governor that my puzzle was to decide which was built first, the
porch or the house. He acknowledged his inability to decide the
question, but added, 'the house itself is anterior to the time of
Pontiac's war, there being on it now the marks of bullets which
were shot into it then.' I learned afterwards that the porch had
once ornamented the garden as a summer house, but had been
advanced from its retirement to grace the front of the residence
of the executive of the Michigan Territory. A post and board
fence runs between the house and the road, the house standing
back from the line of it some ten or twelve feet. Two gateways
open into the inclosure, one having been intended to admit, and
the other to let you out, over a circular gravel walk that gives
figure to a green plat in front of the door, and between it and the
fence. One of these has been shut up, but how long I don't know —
so we go in and come out at the same gate. The position occupied
by this relic of antiquity is very beautiful, not on account of the
views to it, and from it, only, although these are both fine, but it
is sustained on either side and in the background, by fertile upland
meadows, and flourishing orchards and gardens which give it a
most inviting appearance, and serve to impress one with the idea
6i8 e;ari.y days in Detroit.
of old age surrounded by health and cheerfulness. In front are
the shores of Canada, with the beautiful river between, and to the
right the Huron Church, etc., the sound of the bell from which
strikes gratefully upon the ear.
''Now for the inside of the building. You enter first into a
room, or saloon, of some ten feet square in which the governor
receives his business visitors, and where lie scattered about in some
tolerable confusion, newspapers and the remains of pamphlets of
all sorts, whilst its sides are ornamented with Indian likenesses,
and pipes, and snow shoes, and medals, and bows and arrows, etc.
On your left is the door which lead's into the dining apartment,
back of which is another room (in which is a fireplace) of* about
the same size, divided from it by folding doors. This dining
room is warmed in winter by one half a stove, whilst the other
half, passing through the partition into the saloon, keeps that
comfortable. From the right of the audience room or saloon,
you enter the drawing room, and in place of the back room,
in the left division, two rooms are arranged, one which
serves for the library, and the other for a lodging room.
These rooms being all well carpeted and curtained, and furnished
in excellent, but plain style, present a view of comfort which
forms a striking contrast to the exterior; and you are made to
forget, in the midst of these interior accommodations, the odd-
shapen and ancient appearance from without. There is much of
the simplicity of republicanism in all this. Extrinsic appearances
are to a reasonable extent disregarded, and the higher value is
attached to the interior, and this is not an unfit emblem of the
governor himself. You are not to imagine, however, that this
applies to his person, which is portly, and altogether governorlike,
and in regard to which he is neat in his dress, and though plain,
polished in his manners."
THL PLLLLTILR FAMILY.
THE PELLETIER FAMILY AND ITS BRANCHES, IN WHICH
ARE FOUND MANY WELL-KNOWN NAMES.
HISTORY states that when La Mothe Cadillac landed at
Detroit he was greeted by two couriers des bois, Pierre
Roy and Francois Pelletier (pronounced in my time Pel-
tier, also Pelk) . This latter name stands very high in Canada
and is found in every department of science and politics. Nich-
olas, the first of the name, came from Beance, France, and mar-
ried, in 1675, Jeanne Roussy, and settled in Canada. A grandson
married at Detroit, 1718, Marie Louise Robert, whose son, Jean
Bapte, married Marie Cornet. The children were : J. Bapte,
married, 1769, Catherine Valle dit Versailles; Therese, married,
1780, Jean Bapte Chapoton; Andre, married, 1763, Catherine
Meloche; his son, J. Bapte, married, 1809, Catherine Williams,
daughter of Thomas Williams and Cecile Campau, she was a sister
of General John R. Williams; Jacques, married, 1778, Madeline
LeVanneur at Quebec. Their children were: Archange, born
1782, named after her godtnother, Archange Barthe, wife of John
Askin, governor of Mackinac. She married in 1800 Maj. John
Whipple of Manchester, Mass. "The children of this union
blended the happier traits of the Puritan with graceful charms of
the dark-eyed Norman race." James Burbick Whipple married,
1812, for his first wife, Sophie Godfrey, daughter of Colonel
Gabriel Godfrey, and for his second wife a daughter of Judge
Jas. May. Charles Wiley Whipple, the well known lawyer and
chief justice of the Supreme Court of Michigan, which office he
held at the time of his death, married Marguerite Anne Brooks,
daughter of Colonel Edward Brooks, and Marguerite Anne May,
daughter of Jud^e May. Anne Hunt Whipple married Peter Des-
noyers (his second wife). Henry L.Whipple married Caroline
Buckley, of Monroe, a most interesting young lady of great
beauty, who after Whipple's death, married Mr. Harvey Mixer,
620 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
of Buffalo, and then of Monroe, and then of Detroit. A fine gen-
tleman and a business man of -the strictest integrity. His wife
died not many years ago. I knew Mr. Mixer well in Buffalo in
1842-3-4-5, and our acquaintance has continued pleasantly all
down these years. Henry L. Whipple when he died was deputy
auditor-general of the state. William L. Whipple married Louise
Fairchild, sister of Mr«. Benjamin Vernor, of Detroit, and like
her sister (Mrs. Vernor) was a very attractive and beautiful
woman. His only child, Marie Louise, married Edgar, son of
Alexander Lewis. She died on the very threshold of life, as
beautiful and as charming as was her mother. William L. Whip-
ple was a schoolmate of mine, and we were always close friends
until he died. We were at school together, clerked it together
here and in Monroe, and when the Mexican War came on he
joined the First Regiment, Michigan Volunteers, Thos. B. W.
Stockton, colonel; A. S. Williams, lieutenant-colonel, and James
E. Pittman, adjutant, and proceeded with the regiment to Mexico.
When peace was declared the regiment returned to Detroit and
was mustered out of service. He obtained a situation as teller
in the Michigan Insurance Bank, which he retained until he asso-
ciated himself with the writer in the paper and stationery business
under the firm name of Palmer & Whipple. On the death of his
wife he parted with his interest in above concern and after a
while accepted a situation in the Detroit postofiice. This he
retained until the breaking out of the Civil War, when his mili-
tary ardor and valuable experience gained in the Mexican War
impelled him to raise a company for the Second Michigan Volun-
teer Infantry, J. B. Richardson, colonel, and went with it to the
front. He was captain, April 25, 1861. The Second Michigan,
with the Third, although they did not participate in the first battle
of Bull Run, covered the disastrous retreat. The regiment was
with McClellan's army during the Richmond campaign, and with
it on its retreat to Harrison's Landing, where it remained until
April 15, 1862. Whipple in the meantime was promoted to the
lieutenant-colonelcy of the Twenty-first Michigan Infantry, for
gallant and meritorious services, August 13, 1862. A rapid rise
from a captaincy to lieutenant-colonel in little over a year. The
Twenty-first bore an imj>ortant part in the battle of Perrysville,
Tenn., October 8, 1862. In Colonel A. A. Stevens's report of the
battle he says among other things : "Ivieutenant-Colonel Whipple,
•THE PELLETflER FAMILY. 621
Major Hunting and Adjutant Wells each filled their respective
positions nobly, and rendered very efficient service upon the
occasion."
Something significant in the fact that Colonel Stevens made
his report to Colonel Nicholas Greusel, for many years prior to
the war a citizen of Detroit, and uncle to Hon. Joseph Greusel, also
a warm friend of Whipple's. At the time of making the report
referred to Greusel was colonel of the Thirty-sixth Illinois Infan-
try and commanded the Thirty-seventh Brigade, Eleventh Divis-
ion, Army of the Ohio. Whipple died at Nashville, Tenn., Novem-
ber 1 6, 1862, of typhoid fever, just on the threshold of a brilliant
career. He was exceedingly fond of a soldier's life, and during
his brief career in that direction, saw more service fighting the
battles of his country than did any of his ancestors, except, per-
haps. Admiral Whipple, the brave and distinguished head of the
family. It is a matter of record that Commodore Abraham Whip-
ple struck the first blow on the water for the cause of indepen-
dence. When the French and Indian war broke out, he took
command of the English privateer Gamecock and captured twenty-
three prizes in one cruise. In 1772 he led the secret expedition
that burned his majesty's armed schooner Gaspe in Narragansett
Bay. •
Eliza Susan Whipple married Chas. Conaghan-* of Cincin-
nati, O. ; Margaretta Torry Whipple married Charles Hyde, also
of Cincinnati ; Catherine Sophia married Ediwin Skinner. Skin-
ner was at the time in the employ of the Michigan Central Rail-
road. Later, on the breaking out of the Civil War he joined the
Tenth Michigan Voltinteer Infantry as first lieutenant and quar-
termaster, and served in that capacity with distinction and marked
ability, during the entire war. Their children, who are alive,
reside in this city, except Dr. Strong and wife ; Henry W., who
married in 1877, Nannie Avery, of Detroit, for his first wife,
and for his second Miss Dana, daughter of R. H. Dana, author
of that exceedingly entertaining book, "Two Years Before the
Mast." Archibald married, 1887, Norton Strong, surgeon United
States Army, son of H. Norton Strong and Helen Chapin, of
Detroit. Bernard Skinner is unmarried. Mary Walcott Whip-
ple, who inherited all the fine characteristics of her race, died
unmarried, and quite recently, at an advanced age, preserving to
622 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
the last her fine conversational powers and all her faculties almost
unimpaired.
. The Whipple family in the early forties and fifties drew
around them in their modest but comfortable home on Congress
Street, between St. Antoine and Beaubien, all the gay young soci-
ety of the city. Charles Peltier, who held many important offices
in the city and county, and who was also prominent in insurance
circles, was the son of Charles Peltier and Cecil Marthe Chapoton,
whose sister married Major Antoine Dequindre, of Dequindre
farm. He married Eliza Vameter Cicotte (his cousin, I think).
Charles, a son of his, succeeded his father in the insurance busi-
ness. A daughter of his, Madeline, married Joseph Belanger, a
branch of whose family came to Detroit in 171 5 from Canada.
These two young men (Peltier and Belanger) joined forces in
the insurance business under the firm name of Peltier & Belanger.
They were deservedly popular and successful. They finally con-
cluded to dissolve partnership. They are now pursuing the same
business, each on his own account.
Lucy Peltier — the daughter of which Peltier she was I do
not know — was a charming girl, very beautiful, and a great fav-
orite in the family of Mr. Felix Hinchman, as also in that of
ours. She married a gentleman by the name of Lacey, a banker
in Niles, Mich., in 1838. "Lucy Lacey" were household words
in the Hinchman family for years. What became of her and hers
during all the past time I do not know. I presume some of her
descendants are living in Niles now.
THL LABADIL FAMILY.
THE LABADIE FAMILY AND ITS CONNECTIONS BY MAR-
RIAGE INCLUDES MANY WELL-KNOWN NAMES.
THE name of Labadie was borne in France, 1732, by Alex-
ander Etyenne Ravielt Claude Labadie, colonel of an
infantry regiment. A descendant of his came to Detroit
about 1747 and immediately took a foremost rank in the affairs
of the colony. His son was Louis (Badichon) Labadie, married,
26 February, 1759, Angelique. Campeau, who died in the parish of
TAssumption (Sandwich, Ont.), 11 December, 1767. She left
six young children. Louis (Badichon) Labadie then fell in love
with the daughter of an Indian chief. Though no record
can be found of his marriage to this Indian woman, yet it is
known that he lived with her seventeen years, and when she died
she left seventeen children. He was then married, in St. Anne's
Church, Detroit, October 18, 1784, to Charlotte Barthe, widow
of Lieutenant Louis Reaume, of the British army. By this mar-
riage he had ten children, so as he had thirty-three children by
his three wives, he may claim to have aided materially in popu-
lating Detroit and its vicinity. One of the children of Louis Lab-
adie married John Hale, an extensive merchant here until into
the forties (Hale & Bristol). One of his daughters (Antoinette)
married Joseph Langley, then of New York, but now of Chicago ;
the other (Lizzie) married William S. Driggs of Macey & Driggs,
real estate, etc. Her son is an officer in the United States navy
(he invented a gun). Another daughter of Louis (Badichon)
Labadie, Eleonore, married first, Mr. J. Reid, who was one of
the editors and proprietors of the old Detroit Gazette (Sheldon
& Reid) ; second, in 1806, Jean Baptiste Piquette, son of John
Baptiste Piquette and Francoise Archeveque de Rouen, by whom
she had two sons, John Baptiste and Charles; third, in 1825,
Thomas C. Sheldon, by which marriage she had three children.
Thomas P. married Winnie Clark, niece of Governor Fenton of
624 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Michigan ; Rose married A. Henry Guise, of a distinguished
Philadelphia family, an estirrTable man and courteous gentleman.
Her daughter Nellie married Mr. Orville Allen, of Grosse He.
vShe died some years ago. One of the sons (Thomas Guise) pos-
sessed a fine voice and is now on the operatic stage; another son
(Richard) is also upon the operatic stage; another son (Philip)
was a bright young man of scholarly attainments, he was at one
time engaged in newspaper work and was on the Evening News,
and bid fair to become a success in that line, but unfortunately
he has been the victim of rheumatism for years to such an extent
that it has almost totally incapacitated him from attending to any
business that requires much out-door work. Alexandrine Ma-
comb, another daughter of Thos. C. Sheldon, married first, Bar-
nabas Campau, son of Barnabas (L'Abbie) and Archange Mc-
Dougal, by whom she had three children; Charlotte died in
infancy; Thomas S., and Albert, "two bright, promising young
men who attained majority. Thomas died after a brief illness in
Yokohama, Japan, where he had gone for his health. Albert
studied medicine under Dr. E. L. Shurly, of Detroit, was admitted
to practice, with the prospect of a brilliant career before him, but
from some cause became a hopeless invalid and died at the Cath-
olic Retreat, Dearborn. These two young men were quite cele-
brated for their courteous and elegant manners. Alexandrine M.
Campau married a second time to Mr. R. Storrs Willis, brother
of the poet, N. P. Willis.
Mrs. Alexandrine Burt, who recently died in Paris, and who
was well known in Detroit, was quite a celebrated opera singer.
Years ago Mrs. Burt sang at several sacred concerts given for
charity in Detroit, and it was said her voice compared favorably
with that of her personal friend, the renowned Adelina Patti.
Oliver P. Burt, her husband, was at the time of his death a prom-
inent Michigan lumberman of Saginaw. Mrs. Burt was a descend-
ant of the Labadies (L. Descomtes, called by the Indians, Bad-
achon) and was a sister of Mrs. L. J. Archambeault, now living
at 31 EHzabeth Street, West, with her daughters, Mrs. Chas. M.
June and Mrs. Josephine Kelly. She is a cousin of Mrs. R.
Storrs Willis, and also connected with the Campaus, Marentettes,
Montreuil and other French families of Detroit and vicinity. She
was born in Canada, at the Labadie farm, at what is now known
as Walkerville. Mrs. Burt's daughter (Nina), a sweet singer and
. the: labadie i'AMiLY. 625
L. -. i.g young woman, has been on the operatic stage in Europe,
singing in Paris, Naples, London and other continental capitals
for several years, and now resides at Milan, Italy. She also sang
in concert in Detroit about eight or nine years ago. Judge James
May married for his second wife Marguerite (a Labadie), and
daughter of a third branch of this family, and by her had many
children. Marguerite, Anne married Colonel Edward Brooks. Her
children were mostly girls (had two boys). The girls were cel-
ebrated for their beauty and charming personality, and they were
also quite musical. Emma, Octavia and Mary were almost the
mainstay of the Presbyterian Church choir. Marguerite Anne
married Charles W. Whipple, son of Captain Whipple, U. S. A.,
and brother of Lieut.-Col. W. L. Whipple, Michigan Volunteers
in the Civil War. Charles was a distinguished member of the
Detroit bar, and held the office of chief justice of Michigan. She
died at the early age of 30 years, leaving two daughters — Eunice,
who married Judge William Jennison, of Detroit, and Adeline,
widow of Josiah Johnson, a wholesale dry goods merchant of
Detroit, west side of Woodward Avenue, just above Michigan
Avenue. Adeline Brooks died unmarried, as did Emma. Rebecca
married Dr. J. B. Scovell, a most skillful physician of Detroit,
and a genial gentleman. Two children were the fruit of this
union — Edward Brooks, whose wonderful voice has won him an
enviable reputation (Chevalier Scovelli), married Marcia Roose-
velt, a daughter of Judge Roosevelt, of New York City, and a
cousin to President Roosevelt. Mary (May) married Mr. Rich-
ard Cornell, of Buffalo, N. Y. After separating from her husband
she went on the stage and was known to the theatrical world as
May Fielding. After quite a successful career she again married,
and at present she and her husband live at Cobourg, Canada, that
pleasant retreat, the summer home of many society people from
this side. .Octavia married Mr. J. C. W. Seymour, for many
years connected with the old Farmers & Mechanics, and also
other banks in operation here at that time. Two children of this
marriage, I think, are still living — Elizabeth, wife of Captain
Waterbury, U. S. A. ; Marguerite, wife of Mr. Rush Drake, for-
merly of Detroit, but now of Denver, Col. Mary Brooks (Mol-
lie) married Mr. Whitney, of Philadelphia. Mr. Whitney was
a capitalist,' and at an early day invested largely in Texas bonds
at a low figure (Lone Star State). When the state was admitted
40
626 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
into the Union the general government assumed the payment of
these bonds, and so Mr. Whitney came into much money. Mrs.
Whitney was at one time noted in New York society as one of its
most brilHant and accompHshed women. She is, I think, yet
alive and in New York. Emily Brooks married Mr. Francis
Markham, of the Woodward Avenue dry goods house, of Mark-
ham & Thompson. They afterwards resided in New York. Eliz-
abeth married Harry Scoville, son of Dr. J. B. Scoville, who was
connected with the Detroit Free Press when it was under the
management of Wilbur F. Storey, and afterwards with the same
gentleman on the Chicago Times. Carrie married Mr. Philip
Gulliger, and resided in New York. She possessed musical tal-
ents of a high order, both vocial and instrumental. It is said she
gained a great reputation in the former. William died young.
Edward went to Colorado, and at one time was chief of police of
Denver. I met him in Washington, D. C, in 1884 or 1885.
Colonel Brook's house on Woodward Avenue, west side,
about midway between Congress and Larned Streets, was the
center of the gay life of Detroit of that day. None other pos-
sessed so much the potent charm to draw within its magic circle
all that went to make up the social swim. Adeline, as said, died
unmarried and, I think, of consumption, but she was in her prime
one of the most queenly looking women that ever trod the streets
of Detroit. I saw her one evening, in the Brooks' parlor, stand-
ing beneath and in the full light of the chandelier engaged in
animated conversation with John W. Strong, Jr., who was then in
his very prime (both in the pride of youth and beauty) and I
thought then, as I think now, that I never saw a handsomer
couple. John had just returned from New York, where he had
spent two or three years in mercantile pursuits, was fresh from
the east, so to speak, and had all the glamor of the big city about
him. Sad to think she had to die so young. Emma (as said)
also died unmarried. She was strikingly beautiful, differing
somewhat from the others in this particular : she was a brunette,
the others were not. She showed Labadie blood. There were a
half dozen of us boys who used to attend Rev. Mr. Cleveland's
(Presbyterian) Church in the gallery, and for no other reason
than to see Emma, Octavia and Mary Brooks. Ah, me, poor
boys, they are all dead and gone but myself, but I anl sure if any
of them were alive they would make the same confession. Emilv,
THE LABADIE FAMILY. 627
Elizabeth and Carrie were a little after my time and I know of
them only. I know there are some two or three now living who
will call to mind Colonel Edw. Brooks. He took some part in the
Black Hawk War and was always identified with what little mil-
itary we had here at an early day. He was also the most promi-
nent and efficient auctioneer that the city could boast of. He
could never get through a sale without repeating some funny'
story or getting off some witty anecdote or saying which always
made those occasions quite interesting, besides putting his audi-
ence in good humor with themselves, and stimulating the bidding.
He was also the most prominent figure here, and in the state for
that matter, during the campaign of 1840 ("Tippecanoe and
Tyler, too"). His witty speeches at the "Log Cabin," that was
opposite the American Hotel (Biddle House), and elsewhere will
long be remembered. He was appointed by President Harrison
collector of this port. How long he served in that capacity I do
not know, nor do I know when and where he died. Another
daughter of Judge May, Nancy, married James Whipple, of Mon-
roe, another son of Major John Whipple, U. S. A. James Whip-
ple was at one time register of deeds of Monroe County. Another
daughter of Judge May, Caroline, married Alex. D. Frazer, a
highly distinguished member of the Detroit bar for many years.
The only fruit of this union was Alexander, whom many will call
to mind, a very pleasant and agreeable young gentleman. The
latter married Miss Milly Miles, of New York, daughter of Dr.
Miles. The latter, in company with Dr. Bannerman (Bannerman
& Miles), were in this city temporarily, exploiting some medical
specialty, the nature of which I forget. Dr. Miles had with him
here Mrs. Miles and three beautiful daughters. One of them
(Milly) captured Alexander, Jr. (as said). The husband died,
leaving one daughter (Carrie), who died in her teens, unmarried,
a bright, charming girl. Another daughter, Mary Miles, married
Mr. Herter, of New York, a dealer in antique furniture and an
artistic house decorator as welt. The remaining daughter is mar-
ried, I think, and is living in Paris, or was the last I heard of her.
Mrs. Frazer and her sister attended the costume party at the
National Hotel (Russell House) on the evening of February 19,
1857, and the chronicler of the affair (General Henry E. Mizner,
U. S. A.) has this to say of the costumes worn on that occasion
bv the two ladies I have mentioned :
628 KARLY DAYS IN DEJTROIT.
"Two of the most elegant dresses of the evening were those
of Mrs. Alex. J. Frazer and her sister, Miss Mary Miles, as the
'Grecian sisters.' The skirts were short, of white silk, striped
with silver, over which was a blue silk tunic, covered with spangles.
A beautiful white plume encircled the head, securing a rich veil
of white lace trimmed with spangles, which hung gracefully over
all. The effect was beautiful, the costumes in exquisite taste,
elicited much admiration."
That it was a function of ihe swellest kind may be gathered
from the same account of it, which goes on to say : "So brilliant
an assemblage was never before witnessed in the 'City of the
Straits,' and all who participated in the delineations of that
evening will long remember the enchanting scene, and recur to it
with emotion of pleasure and satisfaction." I was present on
this occasion, and do not suppose there are but four or five
besides myself who were of that notable gathering now living.
Lawyer Frazer, his wife, their son Alex, and his wife and their
daughter Carrie, were all of them on the most cordial terms imag-
inable, and when together seemed like a party of children. All
even before Alex was married, father, mother and son, were as
chummy as a trio of boys and girls. Many of the present day
will call these characteristics of the Frazer family to mind, I am
sure.
One of the Marentettes (Canada) married a Labadie. James
Godedet Marentette to Elizabeth Labadie in 182 1. This Maran-
tette was born at Assumption, Sandwich (Ontario), in July, 1798.
This Elizabeth Labadie was born at Assumption, Sandwich, in
September, 1801, and was daughter of John B. Labadie.
The Marentettes were widely celebrated for their musical
talents. One of the descendants of the above-mentioned Maren-
tette is Mr. Victor E. Marentette, who now conducts a wholesale
and retail book and stationery business, at Windsor, Ontario ; he
is married to Delphine, youngest daughter of Captain Chas. F.
Labadie, of Windsor, a direct descendant of Louis (Badachon)
Labadie, thus combining in this union two branches of the Lab-
adie family. Members of the Godfroy and Dequindre families
married into the Marentette, Navarre, Labadie family, of Sand-
wich, as will be seen by reference to my article on the Godfroy
family.
THE LABADIE FAMILY. 629
JOHN B. AND CHARLES PIOUETTE.
John B. was for many years, indeed from their first advent
here until they quit business, one of the most trusted clerks of
F. & T. Palmer. He was well posted in French and Indian dia-
lect, almost the main requisites in business here at that time.
Charles was in the employ of Levi Brown, jeweler and gold pen
maker, and when he quit he branched out 'for himself, also con-
tinuing the manufacture of gold pens. John married, 1836,
Angelique Campau, daughter of Barney (TAbbie). Their chil-
dren were: John, died unmarried; Elsie, married first in 1870,
to Lieut. Armsby Mitchell, U. S. A., son of the distinguished
astronomer and soldier, General Mitchell, U. S. A. ; second
( 1880) , James Hoban, Washington, D. C. ; Charles married,
1876, Fanny Elston Perley. He died in Paris, France, the same
year. Emilie married, 1876, Francis P. B. Sands, a prominent
lawyer of Washington, D. C, son of Rear Admiral Sands, U. S.
N.
John B. Piquette was a happy-go-lucky genial soul. What
business he followed after his marriage I do not call to mind :
attending to the large estate belonging to his wife, I think, was
sufficient to keep his time employed. The Piquette family was
originally from Picardie, and the name is frequently seen in the
Armorial General of France.
The first in this country was Eustache, 1680. He settled in
Canada and married, his descendants drifted to Detroit, and John
Baptiste Piquette married in 1808, Eleonore Descompts Labadie,
as mentioned. To this family belongs the celebrated Sulpician,
Francois Piquet, who in order to attack the Iroquois confederacy
to the French, founded a mission at the mouth of the Oswegat-
chie River in 1748. He erected a substantial stone building and
placed this inscription on the corner stone:
"Francois Piquet laid the foundation of this building in the
name of the Almighty God in 1749." This inscribed corner stone
occupies a conspicuous place in the New York State Armory,
erected in Ogdensburg in 1858.
THL CHAPOTON AND CICOTTL FAMILIES.
THE CHAPOTON AND THE CICOTTE FAMILIES, WITH THEIR
NUMEROUS BRANCHES.
THE first of the Chapoton family and name in Detroit was
Jean, son of Tendrez Deame Cassaigne. CazoUe, di»cese
of Duges, Languedoc, France. He was a surgeon in the
French army, with the rank of major, and was ordered to Fort
Ponchartrain (what a tedious journey it must have been!) to
reHeve Doctor Forestier, the first physician who came to the post.
For forty years Doctor Chapoton's elegant and stereotype-like
signature is affixed to every death notice in the colony. He
retired from the army several years previous to the English con-
quest, and settled on the land which he had received as a grant.
He died in 1762, one year before the battle of Bloody Run. He
married in 1721 and had twenty children. A son of Doctor
Chapoton was Jean Baptiste, born in 1721. He also was a doctor,
and was the one who held an unsuccessful parley with Chief Pon-
tiac in 1763, just before the battle of Bloody Run. Eustache
Chapoton was born here in 1792, and was son of Jean Baptiste
Chapoton and Theresa Peltier (Pelky). He was married in 181 9
by Bishop Flaget, of Bardstown, Kentucky, to Adelaide Julia
Coquillard (Curkeaw). He died in 1872 at his residence on Jef-
ferson Avenue, just above Beaubien Street. Many will remem-
ber him. He was a fine looking, sturdy man, and was a French-
man in manners as well as in ancestry. It was said that through
some unfortunate accident his father lost the large property
which had been granted to Doctor Chapoton No. i.
Eustache was a builder, a stone and brick mason all the years
that I knew him. His name alone was a sufficient guarantee of
good, relible work. By energy, industry, and untiring perse-
verance he acquired considerable wealth, which he left to his
children. He was honesty and integrity itself, which qualities
have also descended to his children in a marked degree. His wife,
the; chapoton and cicotte: famiues. 631
as before said, was a Coquillard ; a brother of hers lived where J.
L. Hudson's store now is. He also was a most reliable stone and
brick mason. A brother of Eustache Chapoton located in Mt.
Clemens about the time Judge Clemens died. I think he followed
the same trade as did his brother. I used to see him there in 1835
and later. He had a son who was a playmate of mine, when as a
boy I sojourned there on visits to my mother. This son is alive
yet. Josephine, daughter of Alexander, married Raymond Baby,
of that well known Canadian family, and resides at Sarnia, Can-
ada, or did some years ago.
A daughter of Doctor Jean (Charlotte) married in 1760
Pierre Barthe, a brother of Charles, the ancestor of the families
of Askins and Brush. Her daughter Charlotte, born in 1763, mar-
ried twice; first, an English officer, stationed here, and who par-
ticipated in the battle of Bloody Run, July, 1763; second, in 1784,
Antoine Labadie (Badachon), whose descendants are Mrs. R.
Storrs Willis and the late Mrs. Henry Guise. Another daugh-
ter, Catherine, married in 1808 Major Antoine Dequindre.
Alexander, a son of Eustache, married a daughter of St.
IvUc Labadie. Several^ C:hildren blessed this union; first, Alex-
ander, Jr., married Marianne Peltier, daughter of Charles Pel-
tier and Eliza Cicotte; second, Elizabeth, married Alex Viger,
at the time an extensive coal merchant, and brother of Captain
Viger, of the steamboat May Queen, Detroit & Cleveland line;
Emilie, married Edward Bush. A fine fellow was Ed. Bush, and
when he married Miss Chapoton his prospects were brilliant, none
more so. He was a nephew of Mrs. Chas. Ducharme, and at the
time of his marriage he was in the grocery business on the corner
of Jefferson Avenue and Brush .Street, and was conducting it
quite successfully, and so continued. He subsequently removed
to the corner of Congress Street and Cadillac Square, where is
now the new county building, and continued there for a while
until disaster overtook him, and he vanished to I do not know
where. His widow survives him.
Edmund Chapoton, one of the rising doctors of Detroit, mar-
ried in 1883 Martha Sherland, of South "Bend, Indiana. Eustache,
son of Eustache and Miss Coquillard (Tash) married Matilda
Campau, daughter of Joseph Campau. Therese, his sister, mar-
ried Louis St. Aubin (St. Aubin farm) ; William (his brother)
married Sarah Connor, of Connor's Creek. Felice (his sistep)
632 e:arIvY days in Detroit.
married Cfaptain Paxton (whom I knew well) ; he was of the
river and lake marine. It will be seen that there have been, thus
far, three doctors in the family, besides one of the daughters
marrying a doctor (Cicotte), Dr. John R., and brother of Sheriff
Cicotte.
Dr. Jean Baptiste Chapoton and St. Martin were Captain
Dalzell's guides on that disastrous march to Bloody Run, July,
1763.
* * *
The founder of the Cicotte family in America was Jean,
born in 1666 in the diocese of Rochelle, France, and said to have
descended from the same family as the celebrated de la Roche jac-
quelien, the Vendean chief. Jean came to Detroit in 1730 as a
merchant. The quantity of handsome plate possessed by this fam-
ily has frequently been mentioned. With the exception of that of
Miss St. Martin, afterwards the wife of Angus Mcintosh, there
was no such collection of silver in the colony. The fate of war,
pillage by the Indians, extravagant living and reckless trust in the
honor of others soon scattered this superb property. A few
remnants, it is said, are still in the possession of the descendants.
The present Godf roy farm was at one time owned by the
Cicottes.
Catherine Cicotte married about 1855 Doctor Allen, of the
Botanic drug store of Stewart & Allen, that was on Jefferson
Avenue, north side, between Randolph and Bates. Doctor John
Cicotte, a bright, handsome young chap and a good dentist, mar-
ried a daughter of Eustache Chapoton (Julie) ; Madeline Cicotte
married F. W. Lawson, of the firm of Lawson & Howard, for-
warding and commission merchants, DeGarmo Jones warehouse,
foot of Shelby Street. Francis X., son of Jean Bapte Cicotte, born
1787, married Felice Peltier, the widow of Capt. Peter Tallman,
an artillery officer in the United States army. Francois was
commissioned as captain by General Hull in 1812. His small
company, composed mostly of men inured to the toils, dangers
and privations of frontier life, were noted for their discipline and
undaunted bravery. After the defeat of Winchester at Monroe an
Indian chief brought Doctor Brown, a Kentuckian, to Francois
X. Cicotte to sell as his prize. The Indian wanted $100 for the
ransom of his captive, which was paid by him. Doctor Brown
afterwards visited his deliver-er when he came again to Detroit
THK CHAPOTON AND CICOTTE FAMILIES. 633
with General Harrison's army. Francois died in i860. He was
a fine specimen of the early Frenchman, possessing that rare
charm of manner which seemed a peculiar legacy to these descend-
ants of the first pioneers.
His son Edward V., married, first, Miss Bell, of New York,
by whom he had one son (George). He married a second time,
Lucretia Abbott, daughter of Robert Abbott, auditor-general of
Michigan. Edward V. held many positions of trust, and was for
two or three terms, sheriff of Wayne County. He was a remark-
ably fine gentleman, polished and of the most agreeable manners.
He died not many years ago, and hosts of our people will remem-
ber him pleasantly. Francois X. married, first, Victoire Beau-
bien, daughter of Lambert Campau, by whom he had two daugh-
ters. Victoire married Charles R. Bagg, son of Asahel S. Bagg,
and for many years clerk of the recorder's court ; Phillis married a
Mr. Rankin. Francois X. married a second time Elizabeth,
daughter of Dr. E. A. Theller, of patriot war fame or notoriety,
by whom he had three girls and a son. The son resides in Cali-
fornia (San Francisco) with one of his sisters, who married a
son of William B. Hunt, of this city. Emma and Anne married
two brothers and, I think, reside in Detroit. F. X. Cicotte held
many offices of public trust. He was at one time city clerk or
city treasurer, as his name appears on the Detroit city "shin plas-
ters" as clerk or treasurer. He was an affable gentleman. There
is extant a curious and interesting marriage contract between J. B.
Cicotte and Angelique Poupard, executed July 27, 1770, before
Philip De Jean, royal notary, by act of law residing in Detroit, at
the signing of which twenty-five or thirty prominent people
(friends and relatives) of Detroit were present and signed the
document with the principals. Mrs. Hamlin in her book,
''Legends of Detroit," gives the document in full, with the names
of the signers, etc. An uncle ,of Sheriff Cicotte, father of Jim
Cicotte (the .latter a noted character and Democratic politician,
was a great lover of fast horses, and had quite a local celebrity in
that line. He and Lieutenant U. S. Grant, Barney Campau, Major
Bob Forsyth and many others used to make it lively in the winter
racing down Jefferson Avenue from the bridge, and also on the
River Rouge when the ice was in condition. He went by the
name of Captain Cicotte, and in 1835 built and occupied the sec-
ond frame house that was erected in the third ward on Congress
634 ^ARI^Y DAYS IN^ DEJTROIT.
Street east. It was occupied after by Israel J. Beniteau, father
of Captain Beniteau, of the Detroit Light Guard. I think the
house is still standing. Captain Cicotte's father was the second
white male child born in Wayne County.
* ^ *
In relation to the sad condition of the people of Monroe after
the battle of the Raisin, Judge B. F. H. Witherell says :
"It was reported at the time, that on learning a few teams
were mustered here and sent down, among the rest Captain Fran-
cois Cicotte and his brother, Jean B., went down, with each a pony
and traineau. A traineau is a peculiar kind of sledge, useful for
traveling in deep snow. Arriving at the Raisin, they beheld the
anburied bodies of the fallen braves. Cutting large quantities of
thorn brush, they covered them up, and with the inhabitants,
started on their return — Captain Cicotte happened to drive the
foremost team, and said that as he approached the place of Blue
Jacket's, a noted Indian chief, a little below Trenton, he noticed a
robust, hardy looking young white man standing by a tree. While
wondering how and why he should be there alone he heard the
sharp crack of two rifles. The poor fellow sank down to earth,
the balls from the Indian rifles had passed through his heart, the
crimson life current spouted from the wounds, and he gasped and
died. The savages cut off his feet and carried them away in
triumph. The white man had been made a prisoner — had escaped
— got bewildered in the deep forest — was overtaken and shot.
He had doubtless marched to our frontier among the gallant men
of Kentucky and Ohio, thousands of whom perished and their
heart's blood saturated our soil, their bodies became a prey to the
famished wolves and their bones for many long years lay bleach-
ing in the summer suns and winter storms.
"General Cass gave Captain Cicotte and his men great credit
for the skill and bravery with which they met, fought, and beat
the enemy, with such disparity of numbers.
"Afterward Captain Cicotte and his company were ordered
to scour the banks of the River Rouge, several miles up, to drive
off the Indians and protect the inhabitants ; arriving at old Francis
Chavan's farm, he divided his company. With some of the men
he crossed the river on a raft made of fence rails, and marched
to the Hicks's farm. Old Jesse Hicks, the owner, a brave old
scout, was along in the ranks, and as they approached his house
THE CHAPOTON AND CICOTTE ^AMIUES. 635
they discovered several Indians at a distance on the run. One of
them, the hindmost, had a large roll of blankets, \vhich he had
plundered, on his back. On the outside of the blankets hung a
large pewter basin, such as our fore-mothers were wont to keep
brightly burnished on "the dresser." The Indian was at a great
distance when Cicotte turned to old Jacox, a gallant Scotchman
from Grosse He, and said, "Jacox, give that fellow a pill." He
instantly leveled his rifle and fired. The Indian tumbled head
over heels, then sprang to his feet and ran off. When the scouts
came up they found that the ball had entered the center of the
basin, but .the blankets had stopped it, and the red warrior
escaped."
FIVE PROMINENT FAMILIES.
THE RIVARD, LAFFERTY, RIOPELLE, DUBOIS AND ST. AUBIN
FAMILIES AND THEIR BRANCHES.
IT is said the founder of the Rivard family in this country was
Nicholas Rivard, born in 1624, but it does not appear that
they came to Detroit until about 17 13, as among the earliest
marriages celebrated at Fort Ponchartrain. (Detroit) is that of
Francois Rivard (the interpreter) and the widow of a distin-
guished officer, which occurred October 13, 1713, the witnesses
being the commandant and seven or eight prominent citizens.
Francois Rivard was an ensign in the First Regiment of militia
organized in the territory. His daughter Archange, born, 1774,
married, 1795, Paul Plessis Bellair. A son, Oliver Bellair, mar-
ried his cousin. Rose Rivard.
Oliver Bellair lived for many years on Jefferson Avenue in
the same block as did Judge B. F. H. Witherell, Mr. McKibbon
and others, as I have mentioned in a former article. He gained
much distinction in the war of 1812, and was present at Hull's
surrender. Rivard Street gets its name from this family. Mr.
Weiss, a former well-known music dealer of this city, married a
daughter of Oliver Bellair, as did Fred Watson, son of Eugene
W. Watson. A daughter of Mr. Weiss is now Mrs. Fred C.
Whitney, wife of the well-known theatrical manager. Both
daughters of Mr. Bellair were faithful repetitions of their mother,
who was a very beautiful woman.
IvAI^F^RTY OR I.e:S I^^RTE. "
The Lafferty farm takes its name from Joseph Lafferty, a
descendant of Antoine Ferrault dit Lafferty, who served in the
regiment of M. de Tubercasse and was stationed at Fort Pon-
chartrain as early as 1710. He married, at Montreal, Michelle
Fortin, whose mother, Louise Sommilliard, was the daughter of
the sergeant-at-arms and sister of Soeur Bourgois, founder of the
Order of Notre Dame, Montreal.
THE RIVARD, LA^^ERTY, RIOPELLE FAMILIES. 637
I knew only one of Joseph Lafferty's descendants, Clemence,
though was often in the old homestead down the river on the
Lafferty farm, and often on a summer day sheltered myself under
the spreading branches of the elm that stood in front of it, the
branches of which spread nearly across the River road. Clemence
died not long ago.
It appears that a branch of the Riopelle family moved to
Detroit shortly after the English conquest in 1760. Dominique,
born 1787, married, in 18 18, Clotilde Gouin. She was the widow
of Antoine St. Bernard. The latter was of the St. Bernards of
St. Clair River, one of whom at one time was a famous pilot of
the United States steamer Michigan, one of the steamers that
carried a portion of General Scott's cholera stricken army to
Chicago during the Black Hawk war. Domonique, a son, also
married a Gouin (presumably a cousin). One of their children,
a son, is a member of the Detroit bar. A daughter married
Michael G. Payment, who was so many years with Chauncey
Hulbert in the grocery business on Woodward Avenue, and who,
notwithstanding his constant intercourse all his life with English-
speaking people, could not very fluently speak the language. I
used often to worry him about it.
Dominique and myself used to be schoolmates at "Old
Crane's" in the University building on Bates Street.
Riopelle Street is named after this family.
DUBOIS.
It appears that the one who left his name to the present
Dubois farm, came from Montreal to Detroit several years previ-
ous to the American possession. In 1792 he married Marguerite,
daughter of Alexis Descomptes Labadie. James, a son of this
union, married in 1829 Sophie Campau, a daughter of Jacques
and Josette Chene. He died some years ago, leaving to his chil-
dren his large estate, and the leputation of an honest man and
upright citizen. One of his daughters, a remarkably beautiful
girl, married Julian Williams, grandson of General John R. Wil-
liams. Louis Charles (a son) married Julia St. Aubin, daughter
of Louis St. Aubin, and Therese Chapoton. Louis was a fine,
sturdy fellow. He was many years in the employ of Grey &
Lewis, Lewis & Graves, and^other firms. James Dubois lived for .
many years on the east side of JeflFerson Avenue, corner of Dubois
638 KARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Street. I knew him well. How surprised he would be if he could
see the stupendous and splendid apartment house (the Pasadena)
that now occupies the site of his late homestead. The homestead
of the pioneer of the family was on the river front of the Dubois
farm.
Dubois Street gets its name from this family.
ST. AUBIN.
Mrs. Hamlin says: "This family was formerly called Casse
and is one of the very oldest in Detroit. Jean Casse dit St. x\ubin
came to Fort Ponchartrain as early as 17 10. Francois, a descend-
ant of his, born here in 1775, was intimately identified with the
history of this city. He was the owner of the St. Aubin farm,
and resided on it, in the old homestead on the river front house
next above that of Judge James Witherell. The late Judge B. F.
H. Witherell gathered from him many detailed accounts of inci-
dents that occurred in the early days of the English conquest,
information he had received from his father, Louis St. Aubin,
which he (the judge) gave us through the columns of the Free
Press some years ago (1855-6) over the signature of Hamtramck.
Francois St. Aubin married Basaline'Campau. She survived
her husband forty years, and died in the old homestead, aged 84
years. They had nine children. Louis St. Aubin married, first,
Therese Chapoton ; second, Madeline Cottrell, of St. Clair. Fran-
cois married Virginie Moran, daughter of Judge Chas. Moran.
Another daughter married Mr. Louis Groesbeck. Another daugh-
ter married Pierre Provencal, of Grosse Pointe. Another daugh-
ter, Matilda, married Eugene W. Watson, U. S. N., and grandson
of Judge James Witherell. Another daughter married Richard
Connor, of Connor's Creek. Another daughter married Mr.
John F. Godfroy, of Grand Rapids. Another daughter married
Mr. Henry Beaubien. Another daughter married Antoine
Moross.
I saw Mrs. St. Aubin often when I was a boy, in the old log
homestead on the river front of the St. Aubin farm, when nearly
all, if not all, the above nine children were unmarried and living
at home.
I never knew much about the after life of the St. Aubin boys
and girls and those that they married, except Pierre Provencal ;
THE RIVARD, LA^FERTY, RIOPELLE FAMILIES. 639
Francois, who married Virginie Moran, and Matilda, who mar-
ried Eugene W. Watson.
Pierre Provencal, of Grosse Pointe, was a fine gentleman of
commanding presence and possessing all the courteous manners
of the old French resident in a marked degree. There are many,
I know, who will call him to mind.
Mrs. Judge James Weir, of this city, is a* daughter of his.
Judge Weir's daughter impersonated Madame Cadillac on the
occasion of the Bicentennial celebration of the founding of this
city, July 25, 1901. Her untimely death, -a little later on, was
deeply and widely deplored.
St. Aubin Avenue takes its name from the St. Aubin family.
THL CHLNL FAMILY.
(Sometimes Called Chesne in the Early Days.)
THE Chenes are a (French) Hamtramck family, and the
earliest to invade this section of the country. Mrs. Ham-
lin says in her book, "Legends of Detroit" :
''As early as 1717 the name of Chene appears on the
records of St. Anne's, and one is attracted by the beautiful and
picturesque signature, so clear, precise, full of character and indi-
viduality."
It appears that Pierre Chene, the founder of the race on the
soil of the new world, married in 1676 at Montreal, Jeanne Bailly,
of a family of considerable importance. Two of his sons, Charles
and Pierre, came to Detroit as early as 17 17 (as said), and are
the ancestors of that name in Michigan, They were active and
enterprising, and at once took leading positions in the colony.
One of the Chenes (Pierre) married, in 1747, Clem.ence
Chapoton, daughter of the surgeon. Charles, another son, was a
noted interpreter; he married a Labadie. Isadore, another son,
married, in 1753, Therese Bequet. Isadore was noted for his
great bravery and figures conspicuously in the military annals.
To him was deeded a tract of land by the Pottawatomies at the
same time as the one to Robishe Navarre. This grant to Isadore
was confirmed by Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton in 1777.
The descendants of Isadore married into the Joncaire, Laba-
die, Campau, Chapoton, Dequindre and Baby families.
In 1753 a large body of French from Canada moved to the
southeast and erected forts — Presque Isle, on the site of Erie,
Pa. ; La Boeuf , on French Creek, and Venango on the Allegheny
river. In April of that year Mr. Joncaire was sent with a small
detachment of regulars and a number of friendly Seneca Indians,
to visit the Indians on the Ohio and its branches. When Joncaire
reached the Miami, he marched into their towns with great cere-
mony. The Indians were frightened and promised again to
THE CHENE FAMILY. 64 1
become the children of the French. Joncaire assured them of
protection and succeeded in inducing a large number to accom-
pany him to the fort on Maumee.
Rev. Rufus W. Clark, in his address, or sermon, delivered
before the Sons of the American Revolution in the First Con-
gregational Church, this city, April 30, 1899, has this to say in
regard to the Chenes :
"During the revolution and long after peace was declared
Detroit was the center of the military operations of the British
in the northwest, and furnished the base of supplies for their
incursions. The first expeditions fitted out here were those which
appeared before Harodsburg and other points in Kentucky in the
spring of 1777. The attack on Fort Henry at Wheeling was in
the fall of the same year. The expedition of 1778, consisting of
a force of four hundred Indians and eleven Canadians, led by Cap-
tain Chene, of Detroit, against Boonesborough, Ky."
It was reported and generally believed that Isadore Chene
parted with the entire island of Grosse He for two satin dresses,
desirous that his wife and daughter should be the two best dressed
women in the community. The grant of land mentioned as going
to Chene from the Pottawatomies and confirmed by Governor
Hamilton in 1777 may have been this same island of Grosse He.
He might have thought he was well paid in what he got for the
island, as land was worth scarcely anything in those days.
The Joncaires, one of whom married into the Chene family,
w^ere highly educated and cultured gentlemen. It is no wonder
that they were such an acquisition in their new home. Francois
Chabert de Joncaire was a son of Gabriel, captain of infantry,
and Marguerite Fleury de la Gorgendiere, one of the most aristo-
cratic and powerful families of Canada. The chevalier was a
man of great ability and took an active interest in promoting the
growth of the city of Detroit. He married Josette Chene, by
w^hom he had ten children, sons and daughters. They are rep-
resented today by the families of the La Fontaines, Lorangers,
McBride, F. Van Miller, Kellogg, of Monroe, and Mrs. Fitzsim-
mons, of Albany, N, Y. The grandmother of the foregoing,
Catherine Chabert de Joncaire, born, 1784, married, 1808, Francois
La Fontaine. He was a merchant and considered a rftan of
wealth. He also had a large property in Canada. To him be-
longed the "La Fontaine Farm." He was a man of much ability,
41
642 E:ARi.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
energetic and persevering". Five children were born to them,
JuHa, Charles, Margaret, Louis and Lucy. Louis was a banker
m Monroe ; he died some years since. Lucy La Fontaine married
James McBride, a prosperous merchant of Monroe. A daughter
of theirs (Josette) married a Mr. Clark, of ^lonroe. He passed
away and the widow married W. Van Miller, of Alonroe, son of
the late Hon. Dan B. Miller, of that city, cashier of the Wyan-
dotte Savings bank, and brother of the late Sidney D. Miller,
president of the Detroit Savings Bank, and ]\Irs. Alex H. Sibley,
of this . city. Another daughter married Mr. Fitzsimmons, of
Albany, N. Y., at one time a partner in the extensive firm of
Erasttts Corning & Co., hardware and railroad supplies. Another
daughter (Nellie) is single and resides in Monroe. Another
daughter married Mr. James Kellogg, of Detroit, for many years
connected with the late wholesale hardware house of J. James &
Son, and after with the United States customs in this city until
his death. He was the half brother of Mr. Friend Palmer, of this
city. A son of Mr. McBride (James) is a prosperous furniture
manufacturer in Grand Rapids.
Captain Chene, mentioned in Mr. Clark's address, was the ■
great great grandfather of Mrs. Serena Kellogg and the rest of
the Monroe descendants. The Joncaire mentioned was their
great grandfather (Chabert de Joncaire). Joncaire was, as
before said, at one time in command of a detachment of Indians
and coureurs des bois that marched to the Ohio.
The Chene homestead was standing when I came here, and
occupied a portion of the present site of Parke, Davis & Co. It
was a hewn log structure covered with clapboards. One of the
Chenes (they used to call him "Old Man Chene") occupied it at
that time, and he died there. I remember the funeral quite well.
He was buried from St. Anne's church w^ith most imposing cere-
monies, and his body* deposited in the vault beneath the high altar,
where reposed the remains of Father Richard ; for which privilege
his estate paid $500, a most munificent sum in those days.
• The Chene heirs claimed, through Gabriel Chene, who in
1827 paid $50 (it is said) for it, a large tract of land skirted by
the river front and extending from the Boulevard to Baldwin
Avenue, wdiich takes in Beller's establishment, Kling's brewery
and a large number of handsome dwellings. When the land was
originally purchased a stipulation in the contract called for a res-
the: CHKNE FAMILY. 643
ervation for a burial ground by the Catholic diocese. Bishop
Riese was then officiating. A chapel was built (St. Phillips').
The property was never used for the dead, as far as I know.
Mrs. Catherine Baby Chene, the wife of Mr. Charles Chene,
who died at the family home on Jefferson avenue, May, 1904, was
a Baby, scion of the distinguished Canadian family of that name.
In her obituary notice it was stated that her grandfather. Colonel
Baby, was in command of the Second Regiment of Essex Militia
in the War of 1812. It was also said, in the obituary notice, that
the first deed of land in Detroit was held by the ancestors of
Gabriel Chene. The deed was sfiven bv Cadillac.
Chene street takes its name from this family.
V
THL MERRY FRLNCH CART5.
THAT WERE USEFUL IN ALL SORTS OF WEATHER AND FOR
MANY PURPOSES.
IN the earlier days the streets of Detroit, in the absence of
pavements, were very bad in the fall and spring; mud
seemed to predominate. Cabs and public hacks were in a
very "limited number. Peter Cooper, colored; Jackson, a col-
ored barber, and George Herron, an English barber, were about
the only persons owning and operating public conveyances, and
their services, as may be supposed, were taxed to the limit. Men
wore their heavy boots, pants tucked inside, and in the outskirts
of the city a few boards and planks were laid down lengthwise, so
that people could manage, with difficulty, to get along.
In such a state of things the single two- wheeled horsecart
was very much in evidence and was a most important institution.
It was an invention of the old French habitants of the country.
They were used by all classes and were convenience itself. A
buffalo robe or blanket was spread on the bottom of the cart, two
or three ottomans or stools were put in (in the absence of other
covering for the bottom or floor of the cart, hay or straw was
used), and the horse, understanding his business as well as his
master, off he plodded, ofttimes half leg deep in mud, to church,
shopping or to make fashionable calls. The carts were mighty
enjoyable, as I can testify, having time and again been the driver
on many, many occasions, sitting perched up in front, and the
ladies enjoying the bottom of the vehicle, protected from the
rough boards by soft buft"alo robes or other means ; occasionally
the lynch pin that apparently held the cart together would get
out of place, and the occupants be dumped in the mud. It was
quite a sight, when the streets were in bad condition of a Sunday,
to see the long line of carts backed up against the curb in front
of the two churches (Presbyterian and Episcopal) on Woodward
avenue, between Larned and Congress streets, waiting the pleas-
ure of their owners.
THE MKRRY F'RENCH CARTS. 645
Indeed no other conveyance would have been practicable,
when mud prevailed, which was always the case, and to the fullest
extent when wet weather set in. I have often seen in those days
the feminine portion of the -families of General Cass, Commodore
Brevoort, John Millett, Governor George B. Porter, Thos. Palmer,
B. B. Kercheval, Governor Woodbridge, Honorable Augustus
Porter, DeGarmo Jones, Colonel Baker, U. S. A., Judge Jas.
Witherell, Judge Sibley, Judge Leib, Judge Moran, C. C. Trow-
bridge, and others enjoying a ride to church or on a shopping
tour, or paying a social call. They could be backed up anywhere,
and get into all sorts of places, and to get in and out of them was
just too easy. Governor Porter maintained a stud of fine horses,
but as far as memory serves me, he did not sport a four-wheeled
carriage. I do not think there were four-wheeled carriages in
the city at that time. Judge B. F. H. Witherell was the first to
start one, that I remember, and the Kerchevals followed.
The carts were great factors in removing the earth com-
posing the Fort Shelby embankments, as also the quite prominent
knoll that was where the city hall now is. Thos. Palmer, the
senator's father, had the contract for removing the earth from
the latter place, and I used often to wonder where all the French
carts came from. The feminine portion of tha community
attending the singing school under the leadership of Eurotas P.
Hastings and his brother, in the Presbyterian session room,
adjoining the church, as also the school in the basement of the
Methodist church, on the corner of Congress Street, in bad
^^■eather, always came in these carts, but —
"They contained a deal of fun
Like mourning coaches
When the funeral's done."
Mrs. John H. Kenzie, of Chicago, in her interesting book,
''Wau Bun," writing of the early days in the northwest, says :
"We took passage at Detroit on the steamer Henry Clay in
September, 1830, for Green Bay. Our ride to the dock, through
the dark by-ways in a French cart, the only vehicle which at that
day could navigate the muddy, unpaved streets of Detroit, was a
theme for much merriment, and not less so, our descent of the
narrow perpendicular stairway by which we reached the little
apartment on the Clay called the ladies' cabin."
646
EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Wlien General Macomb visited Detroit Mrs. Hester Scott took
him around the city in one of these French horse carts, borrowed
for the purpose from Mr. H. D. Harrison, the Jefferson Avenue
dry goods merchant, and it was said^that the general enjoyed it
hugely. Airs. Scott and her three daughters are no doubt well
remembered by many residents of this city and elsewhere. They
taught a select school for young ladies, and that it was select, may
be gathered from the appended list of pupils, daughters, of
Detroit, that graduated from or at one time attended this school.
Mrs. Scott came of a distinguished family. Her father, Hon.
Luther Martin, was an eminent Baltimore lawyer. He defended
Aaron Burr and Blenerhassett when they were tried for con-
spiracy against the United States.
PUPILS AND PARENTS.
NAMES OF PUPILS.
Andrews, Miss C.
Brady, Sarah
Brewster, Martha
Brewster, Harriet
Barney, Mary
Barton, Harriet
Briscoe, Frances
Bell, Sarah
Bingham, Sarah
Bullock, Mary
Brooks, Elizabeth
Brooks, Emily
Boggs, Elizabeth
Chapoton, Julia
Chittenden, Miss
Campau, Caroline
Coe, Adelaide
Drew, Elizabeth
Drew, Ellen
Desnoyers, Ellen
Davenport, Matilda
Davenport, Sarah
Dixon, Florence
Dibble, Helen
Dibble, Mary
Dibble, Susan
Elliott, Elizabeth
Fairbain, Margaret
Forsyth,^ Marion
Flood, Julia
Gallagher, Mary
Garrison, Margaret
Godfroy, Caroline
PARENTS OR GUARDIANS.
H. R. Andrews
S. P. Brady
Wm. Brewster
Wm. Brewster
Milton Bar-ney
S. Barton
B. Briscoe
Mr. Bell
E. Bingham
H. Bullock
Col. Edw. Brooks
Col. Edw. Brooks
D. E. Harbaugh
E. Chapoton
Wm. F. Chittenden
Mrs. A. Beaubien
Israel Coe
John Drew
John Drew
P. Desnoyers
Lewis Davenport
Lewis Davenport
Mrs. Green
Col. O. B. Dibble
Col. O. B. Dibble
Col. O. B. Dibble
Mrs. R. T. Elliott
T. Fairbain
Col. R. A. Forsyth
Mrs. Flood
. Thos. Gallagher
H. Garrison
Peter Godfrov
THE me;rry frknch carts.
647
Green, Emily
Gooding-. Caroline
Hallock, Mary
Hamilton, Sophia
Harvie, Mary
Hammond, Isabella
Howard, Eliza
Hurd, Henrietta
Johnson, Isabella
Jack, Mary
Kercheval, Mary
Larned, Harriet
Lamson, Cornelia
Le Roy, Ann
Low, Lucy
Lee, Fanny
Lyon, Cornelia
Manning. Camilla
Merrill, Julia
Mizner, Eliza
Mizner, Mary
McReynolds. Julia
Moon, Harriet
Moran, Mary
Moran, Julia
Moran. Virginia
Norvell, Emily
Piatt, Mary
Pitts, Julia
Poupard, Elise
Raymond, Mary
Sheldon, Alexandrine
Swan, ^klargaret
Sheldon, Rose
Strong. Eliza
Town, Elizabeth
Tomlinson, Isabella
Wagstaff, Miss
Whipple, Margaret
Williams, Mary
Watson, Margaret
Witherell. Julia A.
Mr. Green
Matthew Gooding
Horace Hallock
Mrs. S. Clement
Andrew Harvie
Chas. G. Hammond
Chas. Howard
Dr. E. Hurd
Mr. Johnson
I. R. Jack
B. B. Kercheval
Mrs. Sylvia Larned
Darius Lamson
H. H. LeRoy
Mrs. Bushnell
Mrs. E. O'Keefe
Edward Lyon
Randolph Manning-
Samuel Pitts
L. B. Mizner
L. B. Mizner
Col. A. T. McReynolds
Miss M. Moon
Chas. Moran
Chas. Moran
Chas. jMoran
Hon. John Norvell
Z. Piatt
Samuel Pitts
Simon Poupard
Frances Raymond
Thomas C. Sheldon
Thomas C. Sheldon
Thomas C. Sheldon
John W. Strong
Reuben Town
N. Tomlinson
Lewis Davenport
Chas. W. Whipple
Ezra Williams
W. Richardson
B. F. H. Witherell
The school house, I think, was situated on Larned Street,
below St. xAntoine, and along about 1854 they lived opposite me
on Larned Street, betv^^een St. Antoine and Hastings. Next to
them lived Morris M. Williams and next Alex. H. Adams. One
night during the summer months these three unprotected females
were assailed by burglars. They gained access by means of a
ladder raised to one of the upper windows of their' sleeping apart-
ments. The whole neighborhood was alarmed by their cries of
648 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
alarm. I hastened across the street and found that the uproar
they raised had scared the burglars off, and the ladder that they
had used, in the possession of Max Allor, now the well-known
detective, who, though a mere lad, had partially succeeded in
quieting their fears. They were all right in a little while, when
they found that they had not been carried off bodily, nor robbed
of any of their earthly possessions. '
;i< jj^ ^
These French carts were very enjoyable also in fine weather
on short excursions with the girls into the surrounding woods,
particularly in October, when they had put on their gay autumn
attire and the hickory nuts and hazel nuts were plentiful. How
full of pleasure those trips were ! The distance to the woods was
not great; they came down to Elizabeth Street on the west side
of Woodward Avenue and down to about Hancock Avenue on
the east side, and out on Grand River Avenue on the Jones farm,
not far from Perkins's tavern, and out on Michigan Avenue
they came down to where is the hay market (once Woodbridge
grove), and just in the rear of this grove was an immense field
of hazelnut bushes which in the season were loaded down with
nuts. Out Woodward Avenue, about where is Farns worth
Street, were many acres of blackberry bushes, loaded with their
delicious fruit in the season. And then the excursions in these
carts down to that lovely driveway, "Lovers' Lane," in the vicinity
of what is now Fort Wayne. The lane came into the River road
about where Winterhalter's beer garden was, and extended out
quite a distance toward the Dix settlement. My friend, Ross, in
one of his articles in relation to early Detroit, says of this lane,
and as the incident he relates to it is true, I copy it :
"Mrs. Tunis S. Wendell, the daughter of Colonel Thomas
Hunt, and widow of Captain Gleason, U. S. A., and Miss Isabell
Cass, daughter of General Cass, at one time were riding on horse-
back with a party of officers, when they came to a narrow country
road which was on the present line of Junction Avenue. It was
a beautiful pathway, and overshadowed with stately' trees, many
of them covered with clinging vines, and Belle Cass said : "We
ought to name this lovely spot." . "Why not call it 'Lover's
Lane ?' " said Mrs. Gleason. So said, so done. This pathway
was for many years a favorite trysting place for enamored young
people, and was generally known by that name, 'Lovers' Lane.' "
THE ME;RRY FRENCH CARTS. 649
Afterwards, in 1857, the common council confirmed the name
officially. I have often been through this lane on foot and on
horseback, sometimes alone, and sometimes in the company of a
fair friend, when the scent of summer was strong and luscious,
and "where wild honeysuckles scented the air," and can testify
to its attractive and sylvan beauty, that appealed to every sense.
My cousins, the senator's (Palmer) sisters, used to say: ''Come,
harness the horse to the cart; we will get one or tw^o other girl
friends, and off we will go to 'Lovers' Lane' on a picnic." So
said, so done. The same thing happened often for some years.
I think these outings were more enjoyable during the fall months,
say October and the early part of November, than in the summer.
The soft, hazy, dreamy Indian summer, that always prevailed
here in the fall of the year, threw its glamour over everything
animate and inanimate, which, coupled with the gorgeous attire of
the trees and shrubbery, made it an ideal spot for a picnic, and
an ideal place for lovers. The memory of those delicious days
can never be forgotten. It seems strange that the Indian sum-
mers that were always with us during a great part of the autmun
months, in the early days, should have ceased to put in an appear-
ance, as a rule, only coming now and then, and when we are
favored, tarrying with us only for a brief period. In the old days,
it seems to me, Indian summer never missed us, and when the
warm, dreamy, hazy season did come, it tarried with us for two
or three weeks and sometimes longer. Presume clearing off the
forests has caused it. The late Judge Campbell says in his poem,
"A Legend of L'Anse, Creuse," a few words in reference to
Lovers' Lane :
"And the cool shades of Lover's Lane
Heard a low murmur as of bees
Humming among the linden trees,
As up the Rouge the pony sped."
HAMTRAMCK.
THE township with this unpronounceable name is the oldest
in the state — the mother of all the others. It takes its name
from Colonel John Hamtramck, of the United States army,
who was left in command of this post by ''Mad Anthony"
Wayne. The army under General Hull crossed to Canada from
this town. Colonel Joseph Watson, the son-in-law of Judge Jas.
Witherell, it is said, was the first man, and Major John Wliipple
the second, that landed in Canada at the commencement of hos-
tilities. Colonel Hamtramck purchased the farm,, afterwards
owned by the late Hon. James A. Van Dyke, some two miles
above the city, and from this circumstance the town received its
name.
Colonel Hamtramck was a native of Canada. He joined the
American army in 1775 and continued in that service nearly
twenty-seven years. As a disciplinarian he was exemplary, as an
officer highly respected. Having received the approbation of
Washington, he received from him the most honorable testi-
monials. He was colonel of the First Regiment, United States
Infantry. He died at Detroit April 11, 1803.
Colonel Joseph Watson was the father of the late Eugene
Watson and grandfather of the late Lewis Watson.
The old residents above Bloody Run that I recall are Judge
Leib and William B. Hunt.
William B. Hunt was the son of Thomas Hunt, heretofore
mentioned, who volunteered at the battle of Lexington, and was
subsequently a colonel in the First Regiment of United States
Infantry, stationed at Fort Wayne, Ind. He removed from Water-
town, Mass., to Fort Wayne in 1798, and shortly after came to
Detroit. Thomas Hunt's wife was Eugenie Wellington, whence
the late George Wellington (Duke) Hunt, son of William B.
Hunt, gets his name. William B. was the brother of Henry I.,
and all the rest of the family of Hunts here and in Maumee, as
also the brother of Mrs. Captain Josiah Snelling, U. S. A., Mrs.
IIAMTRAMCK. 65 1
Tunis S. Wendell and Airs. Major Abraham Edwards, of Kala-
mazoo, and mother of late Mrs. James Scott, of this city. Major
Edwards was deputy quartermaster-general at Fayette, Pa., until
the close of the w^ar of 1812, when he moved to Detroit and
entered into business with Henry I. Hunt, his brother-in-law,
keeping a general store.
:|; ^ :!<
Wm. B. married a daughter of Judge Leib, by whom he had
George Wellington and Cleveland Hunt. The former died in
1 88 1 ; Cleveland is with us yet, a prominent member of the Detroit
bar. The first Mrs. Hunt died many years ago, and Wm. B.
married the beautiful widow of Timothy Dequindre, brother of
Major Antoine Dequindre. Airs. Dequindre was the daughter of
Louis and Archange Navarre, and was the sister of Mrs. Colonel
Jas. Askin and of Mrs. Peter Godfroy. Airs. Dequindre and Airs.
Godfroy had the -reputation of being the most beautiful women
on the frontier. To this latter assertion I can bear willing testi-
mony, as I have seen both of the ladies often, when almost in the
pride of their youth and beauty. The former I knew intimately.
Four children were born to Air. and Mrs. Hunt, two daughters
and two sons. One daughter is a nun of the Providence Hospital
at Washington, _ D. C. ; the other daughter was the late Airs.
Thos. Paxton of Detroit. A son (Wm. B. H.) married Miss
Cicotte, a daughter of Francois Z. Cicotte and Elizabeth Theller.
They reside in California. Roland Hunt, the brother, passed away
at Los Angeles in April last. He was quite a musical genius, and
a very lively boy. I also knew W^m. B. Hunt ; knew him when he
was state librarian, during the time that I had much business at
the state capitol on Grisw^old Street, in the latter, thirties, when
Sidney L. Rood, my employer, had the contract for furnishing the
state with -paper and stationery. He (Hunt) was a remarkably
nice man and gentleman. R. B. Ross, writing in the Evening
A^ezvs some years ago, on Detroit in 1837, gave quite an exhaustive
history of the Hunt family.
This Hunt family descends from William Hunt, born in 161 1,
in England. He was promoted to colonel in the British army
during the parliamentary wars. For his successful defense of
York against Cromwell he was knighted in 1644 by Prince Rupert.
Defeated in the battle of Alarston Aloor, July 2, 1644, he took
refuge in America, under the name of a deceased cousin, Ephraim
652 i:arIvY days in Detroit.
Hunt. He settled at Weymouth, Mass., where he married Ann
Richards, daughter of Thomas and Weltheau Richards. His
great-great-grandson, Thomas Hunt, born at Watertown, Mass.,
in 1754, enHsted in the American army during the war of inde-
pendence, and was at the battle of I^exington. He was an officer
under Anthony Wayne in August, 1796, and became commandant
of Detroit in 1.800, where his family 'followed him.
Hi * *
Payee, who lived on the bank of the river, just above Judge
Leib, was a jolly, rollicking Frenchman, and it was at his house
more than any other up the river that the French dances came ofif,
almost weekly, during the winter. They were liberally patronized
by the young bloods from the city, who were always eager to bask
in the smiles of the pretty French girls, whom they knew, and
whom they were sure to meet. Have any of you that read these
lines ever been to a French dance given in a French farm house,
not in a tavern? If you have, then you know all about it. The
large kitchen and living room, with its polished floor, c^uaint old-
fashioned furniture, the tall clock in the corner, the huge cast-
iron plate stove of two- stories, brought from Montreal in the
early days, in which a scorching heat could be engendered in short
order. "Music in the comer posted," which consisted of two
vioHns. And then the gathered company, eager to begin, which
they did always early in the afternoon, and kept it up until the
small hours in the morning. No round dances, only Money-musk,
Virginia reel, Hunt-the-grey-fox, French four, the pillow dance
and occasionally a cotillion. It did not seem to me as though the
feet of the dancers would ever grow weary moving to the inspiring
music of "French four," given on a violin, and as a Frenchman
alone could give it. Refreshments were also ample, served in
primitive style, of course, and of good quality.
Then the going home with your best girl, if you had one,
or the going home with any of the girls, was a pure delight. "In
the lingering by the wayside and the tarrying on the door-step,
in the light of the winter moon, there were many tender words
spoken and solemn vows exchanged, and many a good-night kiss
stolen before the pretty girl, her cheeks painted by the frost and
rosy with the touch of her rustic lover's lips, went blushing into
the kitchen to say 'good-night' to the wife of the house and to
HAMTRAMCK. 653
dream of her joy in her little low chamber, where the same moon
stole in that had witnessed their plighted vows on the doorstep.
"I cant remember what they said,
'Twas nothing worth a song or story ;
Yet that rude path by which they sped
Seemed all transformed and in a glory.
The snow was crisp beneath their feet,
The moon was full, the fields were gleaming ;
By hood and tippet sheltered sweet,
Her face with youth and health was beaming.
Perhaps 'twas boyish love, yet still,
O listless woman, weary lover ;
To feel once more that fresh, wild thrill
I'd give — but who can live youth over?"
l^iit there were other houses besides Payee's where the
inmates were quite as jolly. Abraham Cook owned the farm a
short distance above Payee. All these had to be reached by the
River road. Jeflferson Avenue was then opened up, only as far
as the residence of the late C. C. Trowbridge. I do not call to
mind the names of the owners of the farms between the Cook
farm and the water works, but think they were all of them of
French descent. One of them must have been, as is evidenced
by the small apple orchard, and the group of sturdy French pear
trees yet remaining. The apple and pear trees are entirely unpro-
tected, and it seems to me the owner, whoever he is, ought to look
to it that they are not destroyed. They have survived the wear
and tear of all these years, and deserve to live as long as possible.
The water works occupy the site of the Peter Van Avery
homestead. The homestead was a long, low frame structure,
painted yellow with white trimmings. It had a fine apple orchard
in the rear river front, and a row of fine French pear trees on the
Jefferson Avenue side. I knew Mr. Van Avery and his family well,
and visited there often. In addition to carrying on and attending
to his large farm, Mr. Van Avery owned and operated a grist
mill, which I think was located on Connor's creek. When a mere
boy. Colonel Peter Van Avery shouldered his musket and volun-
654 DAKLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
unteered to defend the territory, and with the army of General
Hull was surrendered to the enemy, and carried a prisoner of war
to Montreal, where he was paroled. He shouldered his knapsack
and started off alone and on foot, with but twelve shillings in his
pocket, a journey of some two hundred miles to. Albany. . On his
solitary journey, at Poultney, in V^ermont, he heard some one call
out, "Holloa, Peter, where are you found?" and, to his great
surprise, found another prisoner of the same army, also on parole.
He turned in, rested himself awhile, and then resumed his weary
journey, and finally reached Albany, with his pocket replenished
to twenty-four dollars, the donations of the Vermonters, who
kindly added to the little store of the soldier-boy. During the
long march, he found but one man who w^ould take pay for his
entertainment.
^ ^ ;>;
The Connor family, from whom the creek derived its name,
lived a short distance up the stream on the Connor farm. The
Connors of this and Macomb Counties came to the state with the
Moravians, and were always well-to-do people in both counties.
The Connors of Connor's Creek identified themselves more with
Detroit society and people than did any other family outside of
its limits. Richard, the head of the family in this county,
improved the southeast coriier of Jeft'erson Avenue and Bates
Street with brick stores, in the latter thirties. Darius Lamson, a
prominent merchant, married a daughter, as did Dr. J. H. Farns-
worth and Dr. Egge. Another daughter married a Mr. Trow-
bridge, clothing merchant here in the early days, and one time
partner of J. L. King. Richard, a son, a merchant here, married
a daughter of Mrs. Ellis Doty. He died in California. James,
another son, was a prominent young man, as was also "Jack"
Connor, another son. The latter was in the Civil War, and died
at the Soldiers' Home, Dayton, Ohio. William, another son, died
recently in this city.
* * 5k . *
I have omitted thus far the "Church farm," so-called, this
side of the Cook farm. I think Seller's garden is a por-
tion of it. I do not call to mind the name of the original
owner (I think the Chenes claimed- some ownership), but I
well remember the small Catholic church that stood on the bank
of the river above Beller's and just this side of the late Levi
HAMTRAMCK. 655
Dolson's tannery. It was called St. Phillippe's. "When the rays
of morning creep down the gray spire of St. Phillippe's and cast
its shadow o'er the way, just at the .foot of Grand Marias, the
wooden cock that at its peak stood opening wide his gilded beak."
Also the St. Phillippe's college for boys, adjoining the church.
This school w-as quite celebrated in its day, and many scions of
our first families used to attend it. There were some fine French
pear trees on this farm, and they were included in the Beller
property. They remained of vigorous, sturdy growth until quite
recently, but their constant use as hitching posts gradually killed
them and they went the way nearly all their kind have gone in the
past few years.
Next this side of , the residence of Abraham Cook ( Cook
farm), between it and St. Phillippe's, lived one of the Chapoton
families. There were sons and daughters, but their personalities
have faded from my memory. The only thing in relation to them
that I remember is that they kept tavern, as did Peter Van Avery.
Somewhere between Connor's Creek and Hudson's (Fisher's)
lived the McQueens. Along in the early thirties, our hired man
and myself used every fall to make excursions in a two-horse
wagon to Grosse Pointe, and Milk River points, exchanging
Jackson ware, that my uncle turned out at his pottery, where is
now West park, for apples, cider, potatoes, and other farm
products. These trips usually occupied two or three days' time.
We were welcome guests, wherever night overtook us. One
night, I remember, caught us at McQueen's. It is the only all
night stopping place that I do recall, and the reason that it
remains in memory, arises, I presume, from the fact that during
the night there was quite a fall of snow, the first of the season,
and in the morning the ground was covered to the depth of nearly
two inches. That .night we had bargained for a quantity of
apples, which we were to gather ourselves. The ofchard was
located in front of the house, between it, the road, and the river,
and it is the gathering of those apples I never can forget, nor the
McQueen's. My companion was some inclined to use cuss words,
and on this occasion he outdid himself. This family had sons
and daughters. One comely daughter, the late Captain E. B.
Ward captured for his first wife.
The Van Dyke Farm, so-called, ne^ct above the residence of
the late Wm. B. W^esson, I have failed to mention also. The
656 EARLY DAYS IN DE;TR0IT.
original ^wner was Stephen Mack of the old firm of Mack &
Conant, but it was on this farm, river front, that Colonel Ham-
tramck built his residence in the early days, when he was in com-
mand here. It has been recently destroyed. It has been often
described and written about and sketched, and its history, etc., is
quite familiar to all of the present day. Judge James Witherell
occupied it for a while after Hamtramck's demise. It was hoped
that the associations connected with the old house might enlist
sufficient interest in our community in the historical structure to
warrant and ensure its preservation, but while all were waiting
for some one else to do something, the old house tumbled to the
ground of itself. — ''Vale."
Victor Morris was the original owner of the tract now known
as the Wm. B. Wesson plat, and from whom the latter purchased
it. It extends from the channel bank of the Detroit River, north
above Gratiot Avenue. One of the grandsons, Cleophus, lives
in Chatanooga, Tennessee, or did in 1902. A granddaughter,
Mrs. Chas. Burnett, lives on the old farm on Gratiot Avenue, or
did two or three years ago. Another granddaughter married
Mr. C. Frazer, of this city, and I think they are both living.
The "Grand Marais," what a garden it has become ! A few
years yet, and it will be hard to realize (and even now it is), that
the present broad fields of corn and waving grain, and the splen-
did grounds and buildings of the Blue Ribbon race track were in
the early days, and not so very remote either, one vast swamp or
quagmire, covered with a most luxuriant growth of marsh grass
and bull-rushes, the home of the muskrat and all kinds of horrid
snakes.
"The bullfrog with his croaking harsh,
And the fat muskrat, haunt the marsh ;
The wild duck floats among the reeds."
I have often been through it in its -wildest state, have many
times skirted its borders on the river to Windmill Point, and
when a little more than a year ago, I gazed over the same country
from my seat in the electric car, it was hard to believe the evidence
of my senses. I have been up along the Grosse Pointe road often
while this change has been going on, but it never struck me so
forcibly as it did the time of which I speak.
In those days Windmill Point, with its roofless stone tower
slowly falling to decay, was always an object, of great interest to
HAMTRAMCK. 657
me. The Point , ^s now, was quite a high piece of ground, and
had the same stunted apple orchard. Why the mill was aban-
doned I never knew, nor who was the builder of it. I think it has
now entirely disappeared.
Just this side of the Century Club, on the river bank, lived
Henry Hudson — "Old Hudson" everyone called him. He and
his family were considered for some reason an unsavory lot, and
were known far and wide through this section of the country.
Besides Hudson and wife there were three or four boys. They
were stalwarts all, parents and the boys, and when the sheriff
or any of his deputies had occasion to visit their premises in
their line of duty, they went prepared, for they were fully aware
that they might meet with trouble. On one occasion Sheriff
Wilson had a 'warrant for Hudson for some alleged misdeed. He
went up to the house to serve it. Mrs. Hudson saw him coming,
and divining his mission, she at once provided herself with a large
basin of scalding water and stationed herself behind the open
front door, so she could give it to him good and plenty. The
sheriff fortunately discovered the enemy and her means of defense
through the crack of the door, and struck the basin from her
hands with the heavy but of his riding whip, spilling its scalding
contents over her bare. feet. The outcome tickled the officer
immensely. Mrs. Hudson was a masculine looking woman,
marked with smallpox. She wore a broad-brimmed straw hat,
winter and summer, and out of doors when the weather demanded
it, a sailor's heavy sea jacket.
At the French dances the boys were most always on hand,
and almost sure to get into a muss of some kind before the party
was over. One occasion I call to mind. The dance was given
at a house on Jefferson Avenue, just above the present water
works. About the usual number and quality of people were on
hand, as were two of the Hudson boys, also some five or six
youngsters from the city, myself among the number. The dance
proceeded merrily for quite a while, and everything bid fair fdr
an enjoyable, peaceable party. But along in the small hours it
became apparent that some of the party had partaken quite lib-
erally of liquid refreshments, so much so that it made them
inclined to be ugly, particularly the two Hudson boys, and they
appeared to be spoiling for a muss of some kind. The oppor-
tunity soon came. John Demas, whom very many will remember,
42
65^ EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
was present on this occasion, and as usual was very busy enjoying
himself. He was quite a favorite among the French girls, and
his attentions were eagerly sought.- It seems that John had been
during the evening more than polite to the el'der Hudson's "fan-
cies," a young Grosse Pointe beauty. This angered Hudson to
that degree that he determined to put a stop to it, and he did. A
dance was called, the couples including Demas and his partner.
(Hudson's girl), and were in their places on the floor; the music
and everything was ready and waiting for the "caller," when in
rushed Hudson, nothing on but pants and shirt (it was in sum-
mer), a short iron bar in his hand and crazed with drink. He
at once proceeded to stampede the party ; pell mell, dancers, music
and spectators hustled for the doors and windows, any way to get
out. Hudson, after they were all out, proceeded with his bar of
iron to smash the furniture in the room, knock all the plastering
off the walls and put out the lights, and broke up the party com-
pletely. I never learned the outcome of the matter. I presume,
though, that John Demas, being the. better man, came out first
best. *
What finally became of the Hudson family I never knew. I
have, however, one pleasant remembrance of them. Adjoining
their homestead was a fine cherry orchard, and I have often vis-
ited it during the season. Visitors for cherries were always wel-
come, whether they brought the price or not, showing that they
were not so bad as they were painted. A Mr. Fisher succeeded
them. I think he bought the Hudson property. He opened a
roadhouse there, and "Fisher's" was known as a house of enter-
tainment for years and years. Who have not danced at "Fish-
er's," dined and otherwise enjoyed themselves under the hos-
pitable roof?
Fisher in the early thirties was a grocery merchant on lower
Woodward Avenue. He married a daughter of Coon Ten Eyck,
of Dearborn, then sheriff of Wayne County. Directly after his
n%arriage he disposed of his grocery business in the city and
moved to Grosse Pointe. Mrs. Fisher carried on the business
quite successfully at the Pointe for many years after her husband's
death.
I never at any time was very familiar with Grosse Pointe, or.
the residents there. I knew George Moran very well and who did
not know George Moran? His place on the bank *of Lake St.
HAMTRAMCK. 659
Clair, a mile or so above Fisher's, was a welcome spot to all
journeying in that direction, besides those that made it their spe-
cial business to call on George. He was full of reminiscences of
the early days, and took special delight in relating them. He
married a daughter of the adopted son of Commodore Grant, who
commanded the British government vessels on the lakes before
the surrender of the country to the United States in 1796 under
the Jay treaty, and he once owned the farm where George lived.
The commodore died there about 1813. The homestead is there
yet, or was a few years ago. It stood directly opposite Aloran's
place, a short distance back from the road and had a large pine or
evergreen tree in front of it. The late Judge Witherell (Ham-
tramck) has this to say of the adopted son: ''The first distinct
recollection that he (Grant) has of his childhood is that he was
a captive boy about three years old among a wandering band of
Chippewa warriors. Whence he came, his name or lineage he
never knew. The Indians had brought him to Detroit and while
roaming about the street, the little captive attracted the attention
of the lady of the late Commodore Grant. He was a kind-hearted
old sailor, and his wife was one of the excellent of the earth. As
they were riding out one day, she discovered the little blue-eyed
prisoner among the savages, and his condition aroused all the
sympathies of a mother's heart. She pointed him out to her hus-
band, and asked him to buy the boy. The old tar was ever ready
when a good deed was to be done. So, dismounting from his car-
riage, he went among the Indians, and finding the owner, he gave
him $100 for the little Che-mo-ka-mi.m, and carried him home,
giving him his own name, John Grant. The little captive was
a great favorite of the commodore, who raised him to manhood,
and he well repaid the kindness shown him by his unremitting
care and attention to the interests of his benefactor. Captain
Grant, as he grew up to manhood, understood that he was a
native of the United -States, and never for a moment wavered in
his allegiance, though as the adopted son of a British officer, it
might have been supposed that he would have acted differently."
The captain was alive in 1854.
itf i'; 1*:
Reynard Creek (Fox Run, a short distance above Con-
nor's Creek, and where the Grosse Pointe Road crosses),
about five miles from the city, was the turning point in the
66o EARLY DAYS IN DJiTUOlT.
supremacy of some of the Indian tribes. Great numbers were
slain in the battle, and it is believed the vast number of human
bones found in the fields of George Moran, of Grosse Pointe, are
the remains of some who fell in the fight. They are evidently of
great age and some have the mark of the spike of the war club
in their skulls. Mr. Moran had quite a collection of these relics,
also rusty knives and tomahawks, as well as quite a number of
small tomahawks measuring about four inches, wrought out of
native copper. They give quite conclusive evidence that the
Aborigines had a knowledge of the copper deposits in the Lake
Superior regions, and the skill to mine the mineral and to fashion
it into various articles of use.
* * *
Commander Alexander Grant married, in 1774, Therese,
daughter of Chas. Barthe and Marie Therese Campau. He was
of the clan of Grants, of Glenmoriston, Scotland. He entered the
navy at an early age, but resigned in 1757 to join a Highland regi-
ment raised for the army of General Amherst in America. In
1759 he reached Lake Champlain. General Amherst, desiring
able officers for his fleet on the lake, commissioned Lieutenant
Grant to the command of a sloop of sixteen guns. After the con-
quest of Canada, Grant was ordered to Lakes Erie and Ontario.
Detroit was then an English garrison, and it was here that he met
his fate in Therese Barthe. He built his castle, as it was called,
at Grosse Pointe (its site is at present occupied by T. P. Hall's
summer residence, "Tonnancour.") It was a place noted for the
courtesy of its host, and his open, generous hospitality. Tecum-
seh and his warriors were frequent guests at the Grant castle. In
1805 the commodore belonged to the executive council of Upper
Canada. In a letter to his brother "Alpine," dated from York
(Toronto), July 5, 181 1, he says:
"My duty where my naval command requires me is such a
distance from here that I cannot travel in the winter when the
legislature meets, but I com"e down at my ease in the summer and
take some sittings in the council. A gentleman who has served
his country upwards Q"^ fifty-five years requires some indulgence
and my superiors allovi it to me."
He was a man of commanding presence, a great favorite and
a good officer. He had ten daughters who are represented by the
English-Canadian families of Wrights, Robinsons, Dickinsons,
HAMTRAMCK. 66 1
Woods, Duffs, Gilkersons. Millers, Jacobs and Richardsons. Mr.
Jasper Gilkerson, of Brantford, has been in charge of the Indians
in Canada for many years. So faithful has he been to his charge
that any promise made to the Indians by him has always been
kept by the government. A worthy representative of his grand-
father, Commodore Grant, who, when administrator, with the
power of giving free grants of land, never granted any to his
family or their connections. — (Mrs. Hamlin in 'Xegends of
Detroit."
>!; H« Jii
Commodore Grant was connected by marriage with the
Labadies. An uncle of the commodore's wife (Pierre Barthe
Labadie), in 1760, married Charlotte Chapoton, daughter of Dr.
Jean Chapoton, surgeon in the French army. Their daughter Char-
lotte, born in 1763, married in 1780 Lieutenant Louis Reaume of
the British army, who left her a widow within the year. In 1784
she became the second wife of Antoine Louis Descomptes Labadie,
surnamed "Badichon/' and was the mother of Mrs. Thomas C.
Sheldon. She is buried in the same lot in Mount Elliott ceme-
tery, Detroit, as is Mrs. Thomas C. Sheldon, her daughter, and
her grand-daughtc, Mrs. Laura J. Archambault, mother of Mrs.
Chas. M. June and Josephine Kelly, both of Detroit. The com-
modore was also related by marriage to die Askins and
McKees, of Sandwich, and the Brushes, of Detroit. Grant
was also concerned by marriage with the family of Colonel
Edward Brooks and that of Lawyer Eraser. The two latter per-
sons married daughters of Judge James May, by his second wife,
who was a Labadie. The Labadie homestead is still standing, and
is on the river road or River Street, just below the residence of
the late Colonel Sylvester Larned (the Governor Porter house).
* * *
Mr. Provencal, a French gentleman, owned a farm a short
distance above George Moran's. He was one of the old school,
and of commanding presence. Presume many will remember him.
* * *
Judge Leib owned and lived on the farm adjoining the
Hunts, across Bloody Run. The judge and his wife came from
Philadelphia, when, I do not know. They were living on the Leib
farm, at any rate, when I came to Detroit.
662 II:AR1.Y days in DETROIT.
The judge was from a distinguished family in that city. His
brother. Dr. Michael Leib, also of Philadelphia, died at the age of
63, January 28, 1823, and his obituary notice said of him: *'He
was a man of considerable talent and great energy of character,
qualities which qualified him to be a conspicuous politician during
the arduous conflicts of party. He was a member of the legisla-
ture of the state of Pennsylvania, a representative of the state in
congress, a senator of the state in congress and again a member of
the legislature of his own state."
Their residence was situated where Berry Bros.' varnish fac-
tory is now. Their dwelling was floated down from Grosse
Pointe on a raft and was, with much difliculty placed on its foun-
dations. After the judge and his wife had passed away it was
moved back to the corner of Jefferson and Mt. Elliott Avenues,-
where it did duty for many years as a road house. I think it was
then the property of Flattery brothers. Many of the present day
will remember this house.
I call to mind the judge and his good lady quite well. He
was a rosy- faced, jolly, rotund man, short of stature, and of the
old school in every way. I used often to meet them coming into
the city, on the river road. They knew me and always passed a
pleasant word with me. They always came in their one-horse
calache or shay, such as Judge James Witherell, Judge Sibley and
Joseph Campau used. Very few of the residents here at that time
sported this kind of a conveyance (the one-horse French cart
being most in use), hence they were more noticeable.
The Leibs were fine people. They had one son, I think. He
was a fine, handsOme young fellow and highly gifted. I saw him
directly after his return from Tangier, Morocco, where he had
been serving the United States as consul, and think I never saw a
finer looking man. He died soon after his return.
Mrs. Leib was a Quakeress, and always attracted my atten-
tion in her dove colored satin Quaker bonnet, and her plain but
rich dress.
It was said that Colonel Hamtramck was in love with the
beautiful daughter of Robert Navarre, Marianne. He first saw
her with her father when they visited Philadelphia in 1786, on the
organization of a government for the North West Territory,
which comprised all the American possessions west of the Alle-
ghanies. General St. Clair was appointed governor, and a num-
HAMTRAMCK. 663
ber of the most popular officers of the revolution were given
important positions. A court was established and the judges were
authorized to prepare a code of laws. Alajor-General Samuel
Holden Parsons, the rival of St. Clair for the appointment of gov-
ernor, was appointed chief justice with Judge Cleves Symmes and
General Joseph M. Varnum as associate judges. The former w^as
a great-grandfather of Theodore P. Hall, of Detroit and Crosse
Pointe, and the descendants of Judge Symmes reside in Louisville,
Ky. In this first court of the northwest Judge Solomon Sibley,
General Lewis Cass, Colonel Ebenezer Sproat and others well
know^n in Detroit took their first lessons in law.
These pioneers, w'ho had crossed the mountains of Pennsyl-
vania on horseback, settled on one of the picturesque bends of the
Ohio. Here they founded Marietta, so called after the lovely and
ill-fated Marie Antoinette of France. Louise St. Clair, who had
not forgotten the little Norman friend wdiom she had met in Phila-
delphia, wrote to her as soon as she w^as settled at Marietta; chal-
lenging her to cross the intervening ''Black Swamp" and visit her
in her new home. Marianne came from too good a pioneer stock
to shrink from any hardship, especially where it promised an
adventure. So, accompanied by her relative, Antoine Garelin, a
guard of friendly Indians, and her faithful serving woman, she
performed the perilous journey in safety. On her arrival she
found Marietta a scene of life and excitement. The newly organ-
ized first regiment of United States Infantry was then on its way
to garrison Vincennes. Its corps of gay officers, among w^hom was
Major John Francis Hamtramck, made the days speed merrily
and happily for the young maidens. Major Hamtramck made des-
perate love to the Navarre beauty, and was almost constantly by
her side. For some reason she doubted the young officer's fidelity
to her, and finding a convenient pretext, returned to Detroit w^hilst
Hamtramck w-as away upon temporary official business. -Shortly
afterwards St. Clair was attcked by the combined savage tribes
of the west, and sustained a disastrous defeat. It is said Wash-
ington, on hearing of it, for once in his life, swore such a volley
of oaths as to make his secretary's hair stand on end. After the
battle of the Maumee Colonol Hamtramck w^as ordered to Detroit,
and here he again met his former sweetheart, and pressed his suit
a second time. Marianne again refused him. "Well," said he.
664 EARLY DAYS IN DE:TR0IT.
"since we cannot be uited in life, in death I shall be near you. I
shall give orders to be buried by your side."
"Oh, that is romantic, colonel, but you are a soldier and
cannot say where your last sleep shall overtake you," she replied.
"No matter, mark me, I shall slumber within the shadow of
your tomb."
In 1803 Hamtramck died, and was buried near the Navarre
lot in the old St. Anne's Churchyard. On the abandonment of the
old St. Anne's cemetery the remains were placed in Mt. Elliott, as
well as the tombstone, over them, with its voluminously worded
inscription.
Fifty years later Marianne died, and her body was removed
some years ago from the Navarre to the Godfroy lot in Mt.
Elliott, which is opposite the spot where Hamtramck is buried,
and he slumbers within the shadow of her tomb, as he said he
would.
* * * •
One of the Trombleys (Gazette) lived at Milk River Point
during the Indian Chief Tecumseh's time, as also that of
Macoonse and Kish-Kan-Ko. Himself and Richard Connor, of
Connor's Creek, had many thrilling experiences with the three
noted Indian Chiefs. Mrs. Connor was the sister of Gazette
Trombley. Both were living as late as 1856^
THE STREETS IN THE LOWER PART OF THE CITY.
BEYOND Jefferson Avenue, out Gratiot Avenue way, from
Hastings Street up, was sparsely settled and continued to
be so until about 1850. Away out Russell Street were sit-
uated the Detroit barracks, erected just previous to the Mexican
war. Before these barracks were built here, the troops stationed
at this post were quartered in the old Government warehouse at
the foot of Wayne Street, which was ill adapted for such a pur-
pose. But here the quarters for the troops, the officers' quarters
and the public offices, etc., were quite commodious. The barrack
enclosure took in three or four acres on the corner of Gratiot
Avenue, Russell and Catherine Streets, and including in it the
old brick powder magazine that many will perhaps remember.
It stood a short distance back from Catherine Street, and, before
the barracks invaded that part of the city,, was way out in the
country, as it were, and considered beyond any possibilities of
danger to the citizens in case its contents should by any accident
blow up. At that time there was a wide open common around
this locality. The only house I remember near there was that of
Mr. Jasperson, a merchant in the city, and that was in a two-acre
lot on the northwest corner of Russell and Catherine Streets,
and house of the bandmaster of the Fifth United States Infantry.
There were no houses out Gratiot Avenue beyond Russell Street
until the Bloody Run was reached. The rifle range for target
practice was set about where St. Joseph's Catholic Cathedral now
is and there was no possibility of any one getting hit by a stray
bullet unless one wanted to bad.
One great benefit to that part of the city at that date was in
the building of a plank walk by the government, from Jefferson
Avenue out Russell Street to the barracks, and on to Gratiot
Avenue, and one from Russell Street along Catherine Street, down
to Gratiot Avenue, where it joined the latter street. But for this
walk, the barracks and that pari of the city would have been
almost isolated in bad weather. The location of the barracks out
ihat way was a great factor in settling that part of the city. The
666 KARIA' DAYS IN DETROIT.
officers' quarters were on the southwest corner of Russell and
Catherine Streets, and were occupied at various times by many
officers afterwards distinguished in the Civil War, notably Lieu-
tenants Grant, Gordon Granger, Longstreet, Canby, afterwards
General Canby, of Modoc Lava Beds fame, and many others.
This building is still standing and adjoining Arbeiter Hall on
Russell Street. The barracks served a good purpose before and
during the Mexican War, also during the Civil War. The neces-
sity for their continuance ceased after the latter war ended, and
they passed away. The land on which they were Iniilt was owned
by General Cass, of Detroit, and James Schoolcraft, of the Soo.
Woodbridge Street was not opened for some years, only as
far as Chancellor Farnsworth's line. Between it and the river
there was not much to note for many years. Between Bolivar
Alley and Hastings Street, on the river front, the ground was
low and marshy and continued so until it w^as filled in and
reclaimed.
When the river was high, the water always washed over the
road, along its border, between Hastings Street and Bolivar
Alley (that was). Consequently most of the portion of that
section between the above two points and Woodbridge Street was
a swamp, of no use whatever, and never had been, so far as
known. This was a capital bathing spot, and freely patronized
by the small boy and his elders. The water was shallow for quite
a distance out, and the bed of the river hard and sandy. It was
often used by the Baptist persuasion for baptising.
Eldred & Ladue built their tannery here along in the forties,
which they carried on for many years. Alanson Sheley had a
small dock, office and lumber yard at the foot of Hastings Street.
He was agent /or the Black River (Port Huron) Lumber Co.
Louis Moran, brother of Charles Moran, lived at the foot of this
street, on the River Road. There was a row of low buildings
between Moran's house and the line of the Beaubien farm, occu-
pied principally as drinking saloons, billiards, etc.
Mr. Timothy Dequindre had a general store on the line of the
Beaubien farm. He was a brother of Major Dequindre and an
exceedingly nice gentleman, one of the old school. He passed
away, leaving a beautiful widow and two young and handsome
daughters. The widow afterwards married Mr. W. B. Hunt, a
widower and the father of Cleveland and G. W. Hunt. One of
sTRiiETs IX Tii£: i.owe;r part of city. 667
ihe daughters married Lawyer W. H. Wells, afterwards lieuten-
ant-colonel of a Michigan regiment in the Civil War and provost
marshal-general of Alexandria, Va. The other daughter mar-
ried Rev. Rufus Nutting, of Ohio.
In front of the row of buildings I mention was a filled-in
dock of considerable size, and on this dock was built the steam
ferryboat Argo No. 2 ; there was also a small tannery on this dock,
carried on in the early days by Joe Spencer.
Mr. Gilbert Dolson, brother of Levi Dolson, who for so many
3-ears operated a tannery just above Beller's garden, on Jefferson
Avenue, related an incident in connection with this tannery. He
said :
"At the time of Hull's surrender, the Indian allies of the
British were very jubilant and insolent, and a terror to the inhab-
itants. The brutal Indian chief Kish-Kan-Ko chased Doctor
Scott into Joe Spencer's tannery, and, as he entered, threw his
tomahawk at him, which stuck in the door casing."
In the rear of Chancellor Farnsworth's residence was^ a fine
orchard of French pear trees, consisting of at least a dozen trees,
all in a bunch (called the twelve apostles). Who planted 'them
or when they were planted is not known, but they were the finest
and largest specimens of their kind anywhere along the river or
on the shore of Lake St. Clair. The last owner of them caused
them to be destroyed to make room for a lum]>er yard. It was
a great pity that they were not preserved.
The old Moran homestead was on Woodbridge Street,
between Hastings and St. Antoine Streets. It was so recently
demolished that most all will remember it. J. L. King built and
occupied a fine brick residence with ample grounds on this street,
living there until his demise a few years ago. He also had some
fine peach trees. Think the house is there still. The old Beau-
bien homestead was, in build and character, like the Moran
house, only the former was of a natural wood color, never having
been painted, while the latter, always boasted of a coat of yellow
paint with white trimmings. It stood on Woodbridge Street,
between St. Antoine and Beaubien Streets. It had a row of pear
trees in its front yard and an apple orchard in its rear towards
Jefferson Avenue.
The officers and soldiers stationed at Fort Gratiot used always
when visiting the city to camp at the foot of Beaubien, and they
668 EARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
came quite often during the summer months. They always came
in their large green barge ; this before the advent of river steam-
ers— before Captain John Burtis had started his little steamer,
Argo, on the route between here and Black River (Port Huron),
Fort Gratiot, Village of Palmer (St. Clair), etc. The soldiers
were always in charge of two or more officers, and the latter, on
these occasions, had pressed upon them the hospitalities of our
citizens.
I think I have already mentioned that the Indians often times
selected this locality for their camping grounds, and it was
thought that they did so from the fact that one of their most
noted chiefs, Kish-Kan-Ko, was buried near by in the Beaubien
apple orchard. I have already mentioned this chief, and his place
of burial in a former article.
On the corner of Woodbridge and St. Antoine Streets lived
Mons. J. B. Vallee, a French gentleman of the old school ; he was
deputy United States custom officer under Colonel Andrew Mack.
Mons T. R. Vallee, married Miss McCormick, sister of Mrs.
Judge Moran. There were two daughters and, I think, one son.
What became of the latter I do not know. One of the daughters
married ex-Mayor Langdon, and the other Mr. Wheeler, an
accomplished druggist, for some years (about 1879 and '80) in
business on Griswold Street near the Moffat block. What a
pleasant family, and what a pleasant polite suave gentleman was
Monsieur Valee. Many no doubt will call him to mind, and the
family as well.
There were no houses on the Beaubien farm front, from St.
Antoine Street down, for some years, until 1837, when the first
steam saw mill was started. It was located at the foot of St.
Antoine Street and was called, if I do not mistake, the ''Detroit
& Black River Steam Saw-mill Co." Mr. E. A. Brush and Dr.
Justin Rice were, I think, the principal stockholders. It was in
operation quite a while, until the increase of business necessitated
a larger mill. Then the old mill gave place to a new one, thirty-
four by eighty feet in size, which was owned by Rice, Coffin &
Co., afterwards by Wight & Coffin. This mill was followed
shortly afterwards by another one built by Mr. Samuel Pitts,
further up the river, and, in three or four years, four more mills
were built to keep pace with the demand for lumber. But now
nearly all have disappeared.
CHR15TMA5 IN DLTROITS LARLILR DAYS.
HOW THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY CELEBR.\TED THE
HAPPY OCCASION IN THE EARLY THIRTIES
AND FORTIES.
CHRISTMAS was generally observed in the early days, but
nowhere near to the extent that it is now. It was not then
as at present a church or religious festival, but more of a
social one. None of the religious denominations participated
in it as such or paid any attention to it; had no services in their
houses of worship, except the Roman Catholic. The last named
paid marked attention to the day. The ceremonies at St. Anne's
were elaborate and imposing. Christmas after Christmas have I
witnessed them. Those under Father Richard, I think, impressed
me more than any that followed. I also attended a Christmas
festival at St. Phillip's in Hamtramck, which was most impres-
sive, and which remains in my memory vividly. The ceremonies
were conducted by Father Vanderpool (I think his name was).
He died shortly after this and his remains were deposited in the
vault under St. Anne's Church. I witnessed his elaborate
obsequies.
RACED the: PON ie:s.
Stores and places of business, as a general thing, closed at
noon. If the snow was in good condition on Jefferson Avenue,
the horsey portion of the male community were all out with their
fast French ponies and an animated scene presented itself, from
the Dequindre Street bridge to the Michigan Exchange. In the
absence of snow on the avenue, this scene was transferred to the
river, if the ice permitted.
The starting point was from in front of the residence of
DeGarmo Jones (about where Third Street now is.) The objec-
tive points were usually Mother Weaver's, near the foot of
Twelfth Street, and "Coon" Ten Eyck's, on the Rouge, this side
of Dearborn. Major ''Bob" Forsythe with his fast pony "Spider,"
670 EARLY DAYS IN Dli:TROIT.
and Lieutenants Grant and Henry, U. S. A., Cicotte, Daniel J.
Campau, the Beaiibiens, etc., all with the most spirited French
nags, made things hum. There are some, perhaps, that can call
to mind the races on the avenue and on the river in that far off
time, when all hearts with youth and pleasure bounded.
IN THE HOMES.
Then as how there was the usual hanging up of the stocking,
and the interchange of presents, but not quite to the extent it has
attained at the present. The usual Christmas dinner, something
more elaborate, than on ordinary days, as now, with the conven-
tional turkey, with the pumpkin and mince pies ; white fish and
always the new cider, that had just commenced to sparkle. In
some farm houses in the country the Yule log was hauled in and
put into the huge fireplace, that would take in almost a half cord
of wood, and soon before it would appear the turkey suspended
by a stout cord, and then and there put through the process of fit-
ting it for the table. I have witnessed two or three times the
above hauling in of the Yule log, roasting the turkey, etc., in the
"Log Farm House" of my stepfather, Mr. George Kellogg, on
the Clinton River, just below Mt. Clemens, in the thirties. Have
myself watched, turned and basted the bird that Doctor Russel
used to say *'was too much for one, and not enough for two."
. CHRISTMAS VISITS.
The gay portion of the community used now and then of a
Christmas to visit Lieutenant F.D. Callender, U.S. A., at the Dear-
born Arsenal, also Royal Oak, Mt. Clemens, Fisher's and Payee's
up at Grosse Pointe. On all these occasions Brad Thompson with
his four-horse turnout was the ''J^^^^/' ^^^^ ^^^^d the reins. It is
almost needless to remind the reader, that much fun and pleasure
was had at these festivities, ''where youth and pleasure met to
chase the hours with flying feet." It also goes without saying,
that an elaborate dinner was always served on this day at Dan
Whipple's and continued to be until into the late forties.
The Protestant denominations, as said before, did not appear
to take much notice of the day. I do not call to mind a solitary
service, in its commemoration, held in either the Presbyterian,
Episcopal or Methodist Churches, until after the dedication of
St. Paul's Church by Bishop McCoskrey. Then service was had
CHRISTMAS IN di;troit's earuer days. 671
there every Christmas morn and the church inside elaborately
trimmed with evergreens, holly, etc. The splendid choir, com-
posed of Mrs. Dr. A. R. Terry and a lady assistant, whose name
has escaped me, Chas. S. Adams, Chas. A. Trowbridge and Dr.
A. R. Terry accompanied by the pealing organ — rendered the
Christmas anthems to the entire satisfaction ©f the delighted
audience. Did any one, living, ever hear Mrs. Terry sing "I
know that My Redeemer Liveth?" If so, then that person will
know.
MIDNIGHT MASS.
The midnight mass at St. Anne's, was most imposing, with
the so-called "Crib of Bethlehem" erected at the end of one of the
side aisles^ — a most elaborate affair, resplendent with lights pro-
fusely decorated with evergreens and flowers. This "Crib of
Bethlehem" was made to represent the manger in which our Lord
was born, with representations in miniature size of the animals
said to be present on that occasion, of the Blessed Virgin and St.
Joseph, and the shepherds coming to adore their Lord, as also the
"Three Wise Men of the East" bearing their presents to lay at
his feet.
This impressive and striking adjunct to the other ceremonies
was inaugurated to appeal more particularly to the senses of the
juvenile portion of the congregation, and it was instilled into
them then and there that their "Divine Lord and Master" was
once a little, helpless babe, as they had been, and it was a pleasing
incident they ever remembered.
It must not be inferred from the seeming apathy of the
Protestant portion of the community to notice this day with any
appropriate church ceremonies, that they did not in the fullest
sense acknowledge the sovereignty of their Divine Master and
hold themselves second to none in their fealty to Him. On the
contrary the devotion of the early pioneer dispensers of the holy
truth and their devotion to the cause of Christ, as evinced in thf
Methodist circuit rider and the Moravian missionary, will fully
attest their faith in Him who was crucified at Golgotha and before
whom all knees shall ])end.
WEI^COMED WITH JfOISE.--
It was quite the custom the night before Christmas to usher
in the day with the blowing of horns and firing of guns, com-
mencing: at 12 o'clock and keeping it up until daylight. This
672 EARLY DAYS IN D£;TROIT.
custom was most prevalent among the German portion of the
community. Woe betide the EngUsh speaking or Protestant fam-
ily who had a German girl for a domestic. Her admirers would
commence at the appointed hour and keep it up till morn. The
German maid would be in eager anticipation of the opening of
the fusilade and -grievously disappointed if it did not occur accord-
ing to program.
Thanksgiving was more of a holiday than was Christmas
among the English-speaking people because they were mainly
from New England where the former custom prevailed. They
inaugurated also the New England practice of hanging up the
stocking and the pleasant custom of interchange of presents.
They also introduced here the Christmas tree, the mistletoe bough,
the holly branch, English ivy, etc., which customs they had
derived from their English ancestors, where
"The mistletoe hung in the castle hall
The Holly branch shone on the old oak wall
And the Baron's retainers were blythe and gay
Keeping their Christmas holiday."
Perhaps if it had not been for the New Englanders, the early
French settler and his descendants would not have heard of Santa
Claus, the .patron saint of childhood dear to the heart of every
child in the land — nor of the poem that will live always and that
all are familiar with :
" 'Twas the night before Christmas
When all through the house," etc.
THE INDIANS CEIyEBRATED.
The Indians were also quite a feature here at Christmas time,
before they were removed beyond the Mississippi by the general
government. They had early learned of the present-giving cus-
tom, that the eastern element had brought with them and inaugu-
rated here. So on Christmas and New Year's, those that had
their abiding places or lodges anywhere near the city, were sure
to be on hand bright and early to secure their share of the good
things that were going. They were always more than eager for
whisky, but the prevailing sentiment was against furnishing them
the article at all freely. Still, in spite of all the precaution exer-
cised, some of them would manage to get as boozy as they make
CHRISTMAS IN DETROIT'S EARUKR DAYS. 673
them. But under any circumstances they were always peaceable.
On these occasions they used to levy generous contributions on
Joseph Campau, Peter Desnoyers, Antone Dequindre and othei
early French settlers they knew and whom their fathers had
known. They also always gave Governor Cass an ovation before
they got out of town. I call to mind one occasion when the
clothier, J. L. King,' decorated a number of them with headgear.
He had in stock quite a lot of tall white hats that were many
years out of date and unsaleable, so he concluded to pass them to
the Indians, as far as they went. They cut quite a ludicrous
figure, as may be supposed. Yet, Mr. "Injun," every one of him,
that got a hat was as proud as Lucifer. ''Everything was grist
that came to the Indian's mill."
Contrasting the present elaborate ceremonies in all the
churches on Christmas day, with those at an early day, Elder
Blades knows what good old Elder Gildruth would say, if he was
permitted to attend Divine service at the Central Methodist
Church this Christmas morning.
^3
THL OLD BLRTHLLLT MARKET.
PROMINENT CITIZENS WHO LIVED ON THE STREETS IN
ITS VICINITY.
THE Berthelet market, on the corner of Randolph and
Atwater Streets, was named after Mr. Peter Berthelet. It
is said that the Savoyard River, or creek, also obtained its
name from this same man. as he bore the nick-name of
''Savoyard."
Henry Berthelet, a son of the proprietor of the Berthelet
market, was at one time in the dry goods business here, went to
Wisconsin and engaged in the lime business, and became rich.
He married a Knaggs. It is said he is still living.
Near the market, on this street, were located, Matthew
Moon, grocer, and S. B. Morse had a stall in the market. How-
ard & Wadhams occupied a warehouse at the foot of this street.
Henry Howard, of Howard & Wadhams, was at one time mayor
of the city. I think he removed to Port Huron. After them came
Hartshorn & Howard, and then Morse & Co., then J. N. Elbert.
The Market Hotel was in the rear of the market on Atwater
Street. Mr. Norton, father of Mrs. Jas. A. Hinchman, had a
grocery store opposite this market. Nearby on Atwater
Street, Eldred & Co. had a grocery store, called the "Blue
Store," a lumber and wood yard and a lime and stone yard.
The Eldreds also owned a woolen mill, near the foot of this
street, a tread mill operated by oxen. It was from this
mill that Farrand & Davis got the fK)wer to run their water pump-
ing apparatus, which was located at the foot of the street. Mr.
Julius Eldred and family lived over the store. Opposite Mr.
Eldred's was the gunsmith shop of Mr. Lebot, (father of
ex-Alderman Lebot). Lebot had been a member of Napoleon's
Imperial Guard, was at Waterloo and was immensely proud of it.
He was a worshipper of his emperor, as he termed him. He was
indeed a grizzled veteran in appearance, tall, thin and as straight
the: oivD bertheIvET market. 675
as an arrow. He was wounded during his service and often used
to allude to it. The "boys" used to chaft him once in awhile and
say, "Mr. Lebot, how did you get your wound ?'' his reply always
was, (straightening himself), "Joost as I shall say, Vive L'Emper-
eur, I receive a ball."
"And what did you say then, Mr. Lebot?" "I shall say joost
de same, all de time, wot I been say before, 'Vive L'Empereur,' "
he would always respond, with the greatest enthusiasm.
Among the prominent citizens who resided (from about 1830
to 1848) in the near vicinity of the American Hotel (Governor
Hull House), Woodworth's Hotel, Berthelet market, Jefferson
Avenue and Randolph Street (the latter from Congress Street to
the river) were :
Judge Sibley, Major Kearsley, Edmond A. Brush, Colonel
John Biddle, Barnabus Campau, Judge Henry Chipman, Ellis
Doty, General John R. Williams, Peter J. Desnoyers, Eustache
Chapoton, Counselor O'Keefe, John Truax, Wm. Brewster, Dr.
R. S. Rice, Simon Poupard, John Y. Petty, Felix Hinchman,
Henry M. Campbell, Dr. Wm. Brown, Widow Wilcox, Father
Richard, the Watsons, Johnstons, Fearsons, Clarks, Ords, Andres,
Whipples, Dr. McCloskey, Sheriff' Wilson, Dr. Marshall
Chapin, Thomas Rowland, Oliver Miller, Henry Berthelet, Julius
Eldred, Henry Sanderson, Austin E. Wing, Knowles Hall, John
and R. E. Roberts.
On Jefferson Avenue, where is now the water office, was the
old council house, and on Bates Street, northeast corner jof
Atwater, was the Detroit Garden. Mr. Kunze, a prominent Ger-
man citizen, also lived on Randolph Street, southeast corner of
Woodbridge Street.
Noyes's extensive livery stable was located near by on Ran-
dolph Street, as were the vacant grounds always selected at that
time by the circus people for giving their performances.
So it will be seen that Randolph street from Larned Street to
the river, and the four corners on Jefferson Avenue were quite
the business and social center of the city, where throbbed its life
and its activity. Some of the above have been before mentioned
in connection with this locality.
The residences of Generals John R. Williams, Dr. Marshal
Chapin, Thomas Rowland, Oliver Aliller, Henry Berthelet, Henry
676 I2ARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Sanderson and Knovvles Hall were on Woodbridge Street between
Randolph and Bates Streets.
Colonel Garry Spencer, justice of the peace, had his office at
one time opposite the American Hotel. The colonel at that time
usually wore ruffled shirt, gold rimmed spectacles, and broadcloth
cloak with ample velvet collar (the latter in the winter) — a most
polite, suave gentleman. The public hay scales were located in
front of his office.
A Mr. Freeman had a grocery store on southwest corner of
Jefferson Avenue and Brush Street. He lived over the store.
He had for a clerk our good friend (who lived with him), now
Hon. Peter Wh.te, of Marquette ; this in the early forties. Peter,
while filling this situation, aspired to be a soldier and to serve his
country in that capacity. Colonel A. T. McReynolds was at that
time raising a company of dragoons for service in the Mexican
War. Peter offered himself to the colonel for enlistment as a
private, but much to his disgust he was rejected on account of age
— too young.
In 1808 Oliver Williams, brother of Uncle Harvey Williams,
and father of O. B. Williams, of Owosso, was a merchant in
Detroit and became one of the largest dealers in the peninsula.
He bought his goods in Boston, bringing at one time a stock
amounting to $64,000, and conveying them overland in covered
wagons to Buffalo, thence to Detroit by sail vessels. In 181 1 the
sloop ''Friend's Good Will" was built for him. It was captured
by the British and called afterwards the "Little Belt." Williams
was in business in Detroit when F. and T. Palmer started their
store here. He afterwards moved to Owosso. At a meeting of
the State Pioneer Society, held in Lansing, June, 1882, B. O.
Williams, of Owosso, son of Oliver, was requested to prepare a
biography of his father, and also to contribute further important
facts for the sketch of his uncle, Harvey Williams. Whether he
did so or not, I do not know\
Beyond Eldred's, Harvey Williams carried on a large black-
smith shop. Mr. Williams was a soldier in the w^ar of 1812 and
came to Detroit in 181 5. In 1828 he purchased an engine in
Buffalo and set it up in his shop in Detroit, which was the first
engine ever set up on land in the territory of Michigan. In 1826
he made all the mill irons used by Thomas Palmer and Horace
Jerome in the erection of tw^o water saw^mills on Pine River, four
the; old berthelet market. 677
miles from St. Clair. In 1829 he constructed and used the first
engine ever built in Michigan. The cylinder was six inches in
diameter and three feet stroke. He removed to Saginaw City
in 1834, and was living there in 1882. He made a journey to
Saginaw in 1822 with supplies for the troops stationed there, had
to ford the Clinton River at five different points. The Indians
and first American settlers at St. Clair knew Uncle Harvey well.
Though not a trader in the full sense of the term, his dealings
with the savages, as well as with the civilized inhabitants, were
extensive and honorable.
Opposite Harvey Williams's was the old Brush homestead.
This was an unpretentious old-fashioned 'wooden structure, two
stories with an attic, with dormer windows, devoid of paint. It
was situated in the center of a spacious lot that took in the entire
width of the Brush farm. The dwelling was surrounded with
trees, currant bushes, roses, and other flowering shrubs. It was
an attractive place, and must have witnessed many stirring scenes
in the early days, and no doubt, many times,
"Every rafter
Has rung with shouts of laughter."
I passed it often when a mere lad, and have often tasted of
the currants from its garden. David French had a lime and stone
yard in this locality. Eugene St. Armour had a wagon shop near,
on Atwater Street. A. Leadbeater ha/l a tavern on the corner
of Brush and Atw^ater Streets.
^ ^ i~
WOODBRIDGE, RANDOLPH AND BATES STREETS AND OF PERSONS WHO
RESIDED THERE.
On Woodbridge Street, between Randolph and Bates Streets,
were the residences of Oliver Miller; also Geo. Doty and
Edmund Kearsley, wdio were great friends of his; John R.
Williams, Dr. Marshall Chapin, Knowles Hall, carriage maker,
and Mr. Sanderson, cabinet maker. The latter had a daughter
who was adopted by Mr. Levi Cook and became the wife of the
late Mr. George W. Bissell. Thos. Rowland at one time lived
on this street.
678 KARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
I do not call to mind any business houses or residences of any
note on Woodbridge Street, between Bates Street and Woodward
Avenue, except the residence of Hon. Austin E. Wing, on the
corner of Bates Street, nearly opposite the present police station,
and the store of John R. Williams, afterwards Theodore Wil-
liams, on the corner of Bates Street, where is now (or was) Mr.
Parker's wholesale grocery. Down Bates Street from -Wood-
bridge Street, Orson Eddy had a tin and copper shop (his widow
married Hiram R. Andrews), there were also the New York and
City Hotel (about No. 34), and Gray & Gallagher had a ware-
house at the foot of this street, as did Poupard & Petty. Alex-
ander Lewis afterwards occupied one of these warehouses, as did
Hunt & Roby, and after them, L. W. Tinker, agent of the Mt.
Clemens glass works, and also engaged in the Lake Superior
trade. He was at that time the largest shipper of copper here,
except the Minnesota Mining Company. My uncle, Thomas Pal-
mer, had at one time in the thirties an extensive lumber yard, at
the foot of this street. The lumber was the product of his St.
Clair saw mills.
The Wing residence on the corner of Woodbridge Street was
a cottage with a pillared veranda in front. When the judge
vacated it and w^ent to Monroe to live, General J. E. Schwartz
bought it and floated it down the river on a raft to the locality
that I have mentioned in the fore part of these recollections.
* Hi 5k
It was said that Austin E. Wing, as much as. to any one. the
city owes its obligation for the magnificent grant of the Military
Reserve, including all the land north of Larned Street, west of
Griswold Street and extending to Michigan Avenue on the north,
and to the Cass farm land on the west. This splendid work he
accomplished while delegate to congress from Michigan. A fine
man was Austin E. Wing, possessing talent of the highest order.
He was very handsome and always faultlessly dressed, almost the
counterpart of General Chas. Larned, and those who ever saw the
two men, will I am sure agree with me. I was quite intimate in
the family, as Wing's son Talcott and myself were boys together,
schoolmates under the various pedagogues that from time to time
held sway at the old University school building on Bates Street.
Ever after until the day of his untimely death we were close
friends, although his lot was cast in another place (Monroe).
THE OLD BERTHELET MARKET. 679
When D. B. Crane was on deck at the old University build-
ing on Bates Street, Talcott was his chief assistant in the chemical
department, which was quite complete in the various chemicals
and chemical apparatus, and he was just the funniest boy in the
whole school. The cabinet containing- the bottles of the various
chemicals used was located at the end of the school room on the
Woodward Avenue side and just over the boys' desks, within easy
reach. When Talcott required any of the chemicals in his experi-
ments, he had to mount the desk to get them. During this he
would cast his eye towards "Old D. B.," as the boys used to call
him, and if he was not looking, Talcott would get off all sorts of
antics and gymnastics for the benefit of the rest of the boys, and
directly the. school was in an uproar of hilarity, to the astonish-
ment of the ''Old Man." No one seemed to know from whence
the disturbance had proceeded, and Talcott was always as demure
as a lamb. He used often to refer to this pleasant boyish incident
in after days with much merriment. Edmond Kearsley had
charge of the chemical laboratory in the basement of the building,
evolving gas from the black oxide of manganese and other experi-
ments of like character. Edmond was also full of circus. During
recess he was constantly walking on his hands, turning cart
wheels, hand springs, etc. He had some of the other boys enlisted
and they partitioned oflf a portion of the basement, with Mr.
Crane's permission, and gave a sort of acrobatic exhibition, admis-
sion two cents, which was patronized to the limit. A son of Tal-
cott Wing is in business here at the foot of Woodward Avenue.
h
* * *
The ''Detroit Garden" was on the northeast corner of Bates
and Atwater Streets. It occupied about 150 feet of space along
the former street, and about 50 feet along the latter and was kept
by Dean & Campbell. It was quite a resort, being the first thing
of its kind ever started here. It was here that, for the first time,
I ever saw or tasted ice cream ; it was served in small wine glasses,
ten cents a glass. On the corner of Atwater Street was a small
theater belonging to the garden, the auditorium being out of
doors under the shade trees. The show was always on when the
weather would permit, and the acting, to my mind, was always
verv fine.
68o ICARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
The house was a long, low cottage structure — with dormer
windows — set back from the street about 50 feet, the intervening
space being filled with trees, roses and other flowering shrubs.
Two or three vine-covered arbors found place there, which did
duty as all other structures of like character do. It was really
quite an ideal retreat. It was said that the Hudson family, who
were mentioned in my article on Hamtramck in The Free Press,
December 5, owned this corner and lived in it before they took up
their residence in Grosse Pointe. Anyway, they lived on this
(Bates) street, between Woodbridge and Atwater before I came
here, as I have been reliably informed, and on this corner. Bates
Street from Jefferson Avenue to the river, was quite an important
locality in the twenties and thirties. On it, in addition to those I
have mentioned, lived others whom I rememebr quite well : Mrs.
Hancks, whose husband. Lieutenant Hancks, was killed inside of
Fort Shelby, by a cannon shot fired from a British gun on the
other side of the river two or three days before Hull's surrender.
The Durrells, the Isdells, the Hinchmans on the southeast corner
of Jeflferson Avenue, and Henry H. Le Roy.
While the American army, under General Hull, was station-
ary at Sandwich, a British force was despatched from the Canada
side to take possession of the Island of Mackinac. The whole
garrison of this post was only' fifty-seven men, under command of
Lieutenant Hancks,* and the first intimation which this officer had
of the declaration of war was the arrival of a bodv of British
troops, supported by more than a thousand Indian warriors, con-
sisting of Sioux, Winnebagos, Ottawas and Chippewas. The
savages, it appears, had been directed, in case of resistance, to
show no quarter, and the odds being so fearfully against him, the
American officer immediately surrendered.
On Atwater Street, between Randolph Street and Woodward
Avenue, were located the stores of Charles S. Bristol, Mr. Bain,
tailor; Peter Beaubien, grocer; Gilbert Dolson, dry goods; John
Farrer, dry goods; John N. Gott, grocer; Arthur and Jesse
McMillan, grocers; Eleazor Ray, grocer; Van- Antwerp, black-
smith ; Peleg O. Whitman, carpenter ; John Robert's brick store,
ashery and soap factory (the latter's holdings • extended to the
river, and were midway between Randolph and Bates Streets), as
also the carriage factory of Knowles Hall.
THE OLD BERTHELKT MARKET. 68 1
Knowles Hall was quite prominent in those days. He was an
extensive carriage builder for the times. When he died he was
buried in the cemetery out on Beaubien Street where is now Clin-
ton Park. In the process of time this cemetery became quite
neglectd (Elmwood having superseded it), and the headstone that
markd Hall's grave had been broken in two by some vandal and
lay on the ground. His widow, who directly after his death had.
with her two daughters, removed to Buffalo, was informed of this
circumstance. She came on here with one of her daughters. They,
in company with Mr. David, procured a new stone, had the body
removed to Elmwood cemetery, and the stone placed at its head.
One of Hall's daughters married Mr. Bronson Rumsey, of
Buffalo, an extensive shoe dealer.
HORSE :^ERRY BOAT.
The horse boat ferry used to leave from the foot of Bates
Street in the early thirties. To verify this statement I give copy
of the notice to the public below :
"The public are informed that the horse boat has been thor-
oughly repaired, and will ply regularly between Detroit and the
opposite shore. The decided advantages of this conveyance over
the sail ferry boats will readily occur to all, and it is hoped that
the liberal patronage which it has hertofore received will not
only be renewed, but increased. The boat will leave the foot of
Bates Street every half hour during the day and every exertion
will be used to accommodate and please. Those persons who may
wish to subscribe for ferriage "by the year will leave their names
at the store of John R. Williams, corner of Bates and Woodbridge.
"May 4, 1 83 1." .
On the southeast corner of Woodward Avenue and Wood-
bridge Street was at one time Bronson's tavern, where is now
what used to be called the Wardell Block.
Arthur Bronson, who kept this tavern, was in some way
related to the family of De Garmo Jones. There were two daugh-
ters, Sarah and Mary. The Bronsons were interested in the
French Spoliation claims. Sarah was quite busy only a few years
ago trying to get something from the general government on that
account ; whether she succeeded or not. I never knew. Marv, the
682 KARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
other sister, died many years ago. Mr. Bronson was much
esteemed and widely known here in the early days.
R. H. Hall built this block for the Wardell's, a wholesale
grocery firm in New York. M. S. Bishop had a grocery store in
this block, as also did John Rumney and Hutchins & Jenness;
also G. & J. G. Hill, after the fire of 1842. On the opposite side
of Woodward Avenue John Bull, brother of Charles M. Bull, had
a variety store, R. & W. Stead at one time had a grocery store,
and also William Phelps, O. M. Hyde and Morgan L. Gage had
a hardware store. Ingersoll & Kirby dealt in leather and
hides. Dennis Mullane had a clothing store on the corner of
Woodbridge Street, H. D. Waller & Co. had a grocery store.
Monsieur Woollaire, a Frenchman, kept a wine, liquor and cigar
store, his liquid goods being imported from France direct. M.
Woollaire was a giant in stature, and had been a member of
Napoleon's imperial guard. He had for an assistant a French-
man, Monsieur Vickar, who was as nervous, talkative and erratic
as his principal was staid and dignified. I presume many will
call them to mind.
Charles G. Hammond, late of the Illinois Central railroad,
located at Chicago, at one time had a dry goods store on the west
side of Woodward Avenue, between Jeffepson Avenue and Wood-
bridge Street. He was also at one time collector of customs at
this port. Nathan Goodell, brother of Lemuel Goodell, at one
time sheriff of Wayne county, had a restaurant on the east side of
Woodward Avenue, between the same two streets. Afterwards
he was with Oliver Newberry as manager of his vessel and steam-
boat interests.
Mr. Goodell was the steward of the steamer Henry Clay
when I was a passenger on her in 1827.
Colonel Anderson, of the United States army (as said
before), occppied the residence where is now the Bethel or
A^ariners' church. In this connection :
Colonel Anderson was on duty at Fort Shelby at the time of
General Hull's surrender, in command of a twenty-four pounder
cannon, and when General Brock marched up from Springwells
to the fort on August 16, 1812, Colonel Anderson was not allowed
to fire, by General Hull's orders. As the British troops advanced
on the fort the American troops eagerly awaited the orders to
fire. Cannon loaded with grape stood on the commanding emi-
THE OLD BERTHELET MARKET. 683
nence of the fort, ready to sweep away the advancing coianins.
The troops then heard the order, ''Retire within the fort," with
shame and mortification it is said, but obeyed it. It is further
related that Lieutenant Hull, a brother of the general's, while
trying to raise the white flag, said to Captain Snelling, who was
near by, ''Snelling, come and help me raise this flag." "No, ^ir,"
was the indignant response, "I will not soil my hands with that
kind of flag."
]\Iy uncle. Senator Palmer's father, who was one of the sur-
rendered, told me that the artillerymen in charge of the cannon
could have swept into ''Kingdom Come" the advancing force, if
they had been permitted to fire, but he. said the British troops came
up the narrow cause W' ay leading to the fort as if on dress parade,
and evidently knew the surrender had been cooked and dried
beforehand.
It is related however brave Hull may have been person-
ally, he was, as a commander, a coward, and, moreover, he was
influenced, confessedly, by his fears as a father, lest his daughter
and her children should fall into the hands of the Indians. His
faculties had become paralyzed by the intemperate use of alcoholic
stimulants, which produced a cowardly fear — fear that he should
fail- — fear that his troops, w^hose confidence and respect he could
not but discover he had lost, would prove untrue to him — fear
that the savages would spare no one if opposed with vigor — fear
of some undefined and horrible evil impending. His conduct
throughout was such as might be expected from a man who had
reached premature dotage and of physical decay.
B. B. Kercheval & Co. were adjoining the store of Loomis
& Jaquith, in the forwarding and commission business. Their
warehouse extended to the river. In this connection I would like
to say that at that time I was a clerk in the store of Loomis &
Jaquith, and Detroit depended on Ohio for its supply of flour.
All of our flour came to this dock from Cleveland, and it used to
be my fun to roll the barrels from the vessel to the store.
Dr. J. L. Whiting had the warehouse opposite, once the ferry
dock, and did a large business in the commission and freighting
line. One early summer morning in 1837 a fire broke out in a
row of buildings adjoining Whiting's warehouse and swept it and
them aw^ay ; also Franklin Moore's store. Garrison & Holmes, on
the corner, where Eaton's now is; John Farrer's store, on the
684 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
corner of Bates Street; the ''Detroit Garden'' and buildings, the
entire plant of John Roberts and all the concerns and dwellings
located on Atwater and part of Bates Streets. The late George
W. Foote was at that time bookkeeper for Franklin Moore, and
he brought the books of the concern over to our store (Loomis &
Jaquith's) and established a temporary office there until things
could be straightened out. I was present at this fire, an account
of which I have given in a former article. Directly after this fire
I do not remember who occupied the two stores on the corner of
Atwater Street, but think that John T. Garrison did the corner
one for a white. Benjamin G. Stimson carried on the grocery
and ship chandlery business where the Eaton store now is, in 1845
and after. I think he continued thei"^ until Eaton succeeded him.
Chauncey Hulbert erected and occupied the adjoining building
for many years as a grocery store and residence.
J. and P. Aspinwall were grocers on the corner of Woodward
Avenue and Larned Street in 1845, and Atkinson & Godfrey,
painters and paper hangers, were on Woodward Avenue, near
Atwater Street.
Between Hulbeft's and Woodbridge Street was a dive called
the 'Xoafers' Paradise," where the low^est element of the city con-
gregated. Judge James A. Slaymaker, as he was familiarly
called, was a candidate for the office of alderman of the ward and
he was elected. His supporters and admirers desired to present
him with a hat in token of their esteen] and it was at the "Para-
dise" where the thing came off.
The judge was present, of course, as well as Colonel J. B.
Grayson, J. Nicholson Elbert, Major Whilden, J. B. Witherell,
Robert Bullock, Major W. D. Wilkins, Willie Gray, myself and
many others whose names I do not now recall. The .presentation
speech was made by a club-footed hatter in the employ of F. & C.
H. Buhl, by the name of ''Bob Hittel." He w^as an "out-and-
outer" sure enough.
Just before the speech was made the hat had been passed
around among the crowd to give them an opportunity to admire
it, and when Hittel came to the part of the speech, "Allow me,
judge, to present you with this hat," he was minus the hat and
halted for a second, and then, continuing, said : "Where in h — is
that hat?" The article was speedily forthcoming and the fes-
tivities went on.
'nil; 01. 1) bj;rthi;i.i;t market. 685
Colonel Grayson was a most conservative and democratic
individual, for he had this whole crowd at his house a few nights
afterward and entertained them right royally. I was there, and
the behavior of the crowd was ludicrous ; they were orderly
enough, to be sure, but quite out of place. On the refreshment
table, among other things, was a large dish of macaroni and
cheese. Upon perceiving it, Hittel said: "Now, boys, mind
your eye, this is macaroni." I presume that neither he nor his
pals had ever seen or heard of the dish before.
' Jndge Slaymaker was a fine, scholarly man, originally from
Philadelphia, and in his younger days was a partner in an exten-
sive iron manufacturing concern, a "high roller," and was a chum
of Chevalier Wyckoff and his sqt. He was for some years clerk
in the dry goods house of Holmes & Co.
William Cole carried on the manufacture of sails, awnings,
flags, etc., on At water Street, between Woodward Avenue and
Griswold Street. John Ask had a tailor shop on the corner of
Griswold and Atwater Streets. John was a big, bluff, Yorkshire
Englishman and a great pugilist. Nelson Tomlinson kept the
Mansion House, formerly John Hanmer's tavern, at the foot of
Griswold Street, where is now the Seaman's home, in the same
old building. Mr. Hanmer owned and kept this house in 1827.
The ferry dock later on was also at the foot of Griswold Street.
The boats, Argo and United, made the trip every fifteen minutes,
and ran into a slip on which the Davenports, Lewis and his
brother, built a commodious structure for a waiting room, saloon
and restaurant. The saloon and restaurant were run by John
Edwards, whom many will remember as an exceedingly jolly and
pleasant Englishman. This waiting. room, saloon and restaurant
was built over the water on piles, and it is said that John made
a pretty penny smuggling stufif over from Canada, even as people
do nowadays. He had a trap door in the floor, inside his bar-
counter, and it was said that row boats, in the dead of night, with
contraband goods aboard, would somehow get under this trap
door and be quickly delivered of their contents.
Edwards was also ( 1845) agent for the line of stages between
Detroit and Buffalo, through Canada. He advertised that
"Stages will leave Windsor every morning, during the close of
navigation, at 9 o'clock, for Buffalo and intermediate points. Fare
to Buffalo $14.00, including ferriage. Through in three days."
686 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
It took me longer to make this same trip in the winter of 1842.
Then it consumed seven days. Such a sea of mud, most of the
way, and the fare I paid was $18 to Niagara Falls.
Dr. E. A. Theller of patriot war fame had a grocery and drug
store near the Mansion House on Griswold Street. On Wood-
bridge Street, in 1837, ^- B. Cole had a grocery store as also did
James Crabb, whom I presume many will remember. Crabb was
a very pleasant fellow, an Englishman, always neatly dressed,
invariably wearing a white cravat.
George Miller, afterwards county treasurer, had a grocery
store along here also, Gideon Paul had a variety store and Nathan
Pr-outy groceries, and William Shaw had a harness and saddlery
shop, and William Winget a gun store, all on this street.
BRUSH STREET.
At the foot of Brush Street, where is now the Detroit,
Grand Haven & Milwakee railroad depot, Mr. Charles Howard
built two large warehouses (immense for those days). One of
them was occupied by himself and the other by Brewer & Dud-
geon. They gave place afterwards to the Detroit, Grand Haven
& Milwaukee Railway Co., which established the present depot
there.
Randolph Street, from Jeflferson Avenue to the river, was
quite a business center in the early days. Woodworth's hotel was
on this street, on the corner of Woodbridge Street (as before
mentioned). George Heron, barber and ladies' hairdresser, was
also on this street. William Clay, the intellectual perfumer and
wigmaker, was in the Woodworth hotel block. Opposite the
hotel on Woodbridge Street was the Berthelet row, and on the
Randolph Street corner of the same was a large grocery kept by
Stead Bros. Dr. McCoskrey (the doctor was an uncle of Bishop
McCoskrey) lived on the opposite corner (east), and with him
Sheriff John Wilson, his son-in-law. Mr. Kunze. a German and
a fine gentleman, had his store and soap factory adjoining.
The northwest corner of Woodbridge and Griswold Streets
was vacant for many years after the 1805 fire until Thomas Gal-
lagher erected a wooden building on the site, which he occupied
for quite a while as a grocery store, with a sample room attached.
He did a prosperous business for the many years that he remained
in this location. He afterwards removed to Fireman's hall and
still later to a store on Cadillac square.
the; OI.D bi-:rthklkt MARKtrr. 687
A splendid, whole-souled, genial, Irish gentleman was Tom
— generous to a fault. He died quite poor, I think, at the early
age of 53 years. He had two boys, fine, bright, handsorne fellows
they were. They both got into the regular army as commissioned
officers. One Jn the Sixteenth United States Infantry and the
other in the First United States Artillery. What their career was
in the army I do not know. I think they are both dead now.
This corner above mentioned was afterwards occupied by the
Detroit Free Press, and Bagg, Barns & Co., with a fine brick
building. In 1827 and later the corner opposite, towards the
river, was occupied by a small bakeshop run by a Mr. McLaren.
The Eagle tavern adjoining was put up shortly afterwards by
B. F. Farns worth, I think ; John Campbell, father of the late John
Campbell (at one time bookkeeper for the board of public works),
I remember, was instantly killed when this building w^as in pro-
cess of erection by falling from one of the upper stories.
This tavern was well patronized and was kept at various
times by Mr. Davis, Tomlinson & Graves, Horace Heath, lately
deceased; by the father of Mrs. John Drew (whose name I do not
remember. Mrs. Drew owns or did own the old Board of Trade
building on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street.)
Other parties continued there in the tavern whose names I have
forgotten.
The father of Mrs. Drew came very near losing his life here
in this house. In the office sitting-room he noticed a small box
standing on the floor, and, presuming that it belonged to some
guest in the house, he picked it up and tossed it into the baggage
room adjoining. No sooner had it touched the floor, when, bang!
it went off like a cannon, knocking the old man down and making
a total wreck of the baggage room. The box contained an infer-
nal machine and was waiting for something of the kind to .happen
to it. For what particular person it was intended to surprise, was
never known or found out.
In 1827, Asa Madison occupied a large building just below
the Eagle, as a blacksmith and repair shop. Some years after it
was turned into the Buena Vista hotel.
Opposite the Eagle tavern was the dyeing establishment of
Rossiter, the only one in the city, and his dwelling as well;
adjoining was Joseph Campau's barn (the Campau lot extended
through to Woodbridge Street.) A short distance from this barn
688 l;ari.y days in dj^troit.
was a double frame dwelling, one story and attic, with dormer
windows. Adjoining was the Meldrum house, a large w^ooden
building, brow^n and unpainted, and, when I first knew it, it was
used as a tenement house. It was said that Sheldon & Reed, in
1817, before removing to Griswold Street, printed the Detroit
Gazette in this building. The building was destroyed by fire
about 1848.
Opposite this Meldrum house was the United States hotel,
kept by a Mr. Crawford, on the corner of a narrow street that
led from Wodbridge Street down to DeGarmo Jones's dock,
where the steamer Henry Clay used to land, also the steamers
Peacock and William Penn. When we landed from the Henry
Clay in 1827 we all came up this street afoot, across Woodbridge
Street, and on up through a narrow alley, between the Campau
lot, the Meldrum house and Cooper building to Jefferson Avenue.
Just below the United States hotel was the small storehouse
of Henry I. Hunt, the only house saved from the fire of 1805. ^^
w^as taken down in 1830.
Mr. James Williams carried on for many years, until he died,
a flour, feed and produce business betw^een this United States
hotel locality and Wayne Street. Mr. Williams built and occu-
pied the brick dwelling that stood on the corner of the alley and
Griswold Street, where is now the Moffat block.
Adjoining the Jones w'arehouse was that of Shadrach Gillett,
afterwards Gillett & Desnoyer (Charles R.) It is still standing,
I think, and has been mentioned before. And how diminutive it
looks, alongside of its neighbor, the Detroit & Cleveland line brick
warehouse. Yet in its day it was considered quite the thing and
w^as sufficiently large for all purposes.
Canniff & Scott in 1837 had a general grocery store on the
northwest corner of Shelby and Woodbridge Streets, and carried
on the business .there until the death of Mr. Scott. It was quite
a lounging place for the old heads of Detroit. Mr. Scott was the
father of our well-known genial and witty friend, Jim Scott.
Diagonally across from Canniff & Scott's, a Mr. Clark had a
bakery. It had a square corner with a wide double door, which,
when Shelby Street was in good condition in the winter, the boys
took for use in sliding down hill. The street where it crossed
Woodbridge Street diverged a little to the left, and the conse-
quence was that, sometimes losing control of their sleds, by design
the; old berthelet market. 689
or otherwise, the boys would run bang! through these corner
doors into the shop, creating no end of a row with the old man
Clark. But boys will be boys. Besides Clark had two boys
himself.
What a glorious pastime this sliding down hill was. In those
early days Woodward Avenue from the market to the river, as
well as Griswold, Shelby and Wayne Streets, were in use night
and day, in the winter time, when in condition by the boys with
their sleds at the peril to themselves of life and limb and to pedes-
trians as well.
Larned Street was opened up to the Dequindre farm in 1827
but Congress street was not opened up any farther than St. Anne's
church until a short time after. When it was opened up through
the church property, it left a triangular lot, fronting on Congress
Street and Cadillac Square, which the church, or Bishop Foley,
still holds, I think.
I do not call to mind any residents of upper Larned Street
in the early times, except "Chris" Babe." Chris was C. C. Trow-
bridge's hired man for years and years, and always drove the
cart when the family took an outing. He was an all around good
fellow and faithful man. He was an especial favorite of the boys.
His house was on the west side of Larned Street, just above
Russell. His wife, a slight built German woman, was a merchant
in a small way. She k^pt in the front part of the house a small
stock of worsteds, patterns, needlework and all sorts of small
articles dear to the woman's heart. Mr. Bacon, a little later on,
had his school on the southeast corner of Larned and Russell
Streets.
There were no buildings or residences beyond Brush Street,
of any note, except, later on, the United States Barracks, which
have been mentioned before. The rest of the land here was a
wide common, relieved occasionally by some market gardener
who had an acre or two under cultivation. It remained so for
many years, but of course now it presents a widely different
aspect, with its compactly built streets, stretching far beyond the
old barracks site, teeming with a busy population. That it was a
wide common, may be inferred from the fact, that, in 1826 or
1827, the city bought some few acres here, on the Beaubien farm,
for a cemetery, Protestant and Catholic. My father was the first
person to be buried out there in May, 1827, and I remember, the
44
690 e:ari.y days in de;troit.
bars of the lane, skirting the Hne of the Beaubien farm, where
now Beaubien Street crosses Jefferson Avenue, had to be taken
down to let the funeral cortege through. Not a house in all that
wide expanse. And now how changed !
Major Whipple lived on the corner of Larned and Randolph
Streets in a large, commodious house built of hewn logs that were
always whitewashed. He was the father of Judge Whipple,
Lieutenant-Colonel Whipple, Michigan Volunteer Infantry, and
Miss Mary Whipple. The major had been an officer in the United
States army and had served with distinction in the war of 181 2.
The southeast corner opposite was occupied by the Clark
and Andre families and Captain Phearson, old French residents.
Jim Clark was quite a noted individual ; perhaps some will remem-
ber him. He was a fighter from "way back" and always promi-
nent on election days. I think General Ord, United St.ates army,
was a relative of the Andre family. Adjoining the seminar}-
towards Jefferson Avenue, was the Watson residence, parents of
John and James Watson, the dry goods merchants, also of Mrs.
Judge O'Flynn.
On the opposite corner was the St. Clair Catholic seminary,
where many of the daughters of prominent citizens, both Catholic
and Protestant alike, were educated. The building is still stand-
ing. Before this, about 1832 or 1833, Mr. Edwin Jerome had
rooms in the upper part of this building \vhere he taught day and
night school, his first attempt at school teaching here. I was one
of his pupils. The Jerome family occupied the rest of the
building.
Adjoining Major 'Whipple's was Noyes' livery stable, but
some little distance back from the street. Partly in front of the
livery stable and the lot adjoining was where the circus companies
of those days used to pitch their tents — Blanchard, Dan Rice and
many others that I fail to recall. They were all single ring cir-
cuses, too, where one could see, hear and enjoy the whole business
to his heart's content, and not lose one jot of those side-splitting
jokes that came from that wonderful individual, the clown, in his
motley garb. His "here we are again" rings in my ears now.
Adjoining this space was the school of the Lyon sisters, for
young ladies, in an old-fashioned, typical, French house. Oppo-
site was the residence of Father Richard, which he occupied until
his death. The house was a large, unpretentious wooden build-
THE OI.D be:rthe:i.i:t market. 691
ing, with a large double door in the center, but significant in this,
it was said (and at the time it was the common belief), that in
donating the square of land on which this house and St. Anne's
church were located by the governor and judges, it was stipulated
that the gift would hold good only so long as the building stood.
Whether this was so or not I do not know, but I do know that
Father Richard's successor had the building entirely encased in
brick and it was said that it was done for the purpose of holding
the property agreeably to the requirements of the grant made by
the governor and judges.
It was said that Father Richard was so studious and patient
in his search after knowledge that he actually counted the eggs
in a whitefish. How many millions, history fails to tell. Here,
too, in this priest's house, ate, slept and told their beads, Jos.
Mettez, sexton of St. Anne's (who tolled the bells), the philan-
thropist, Fathe^ Kundia; Father Shaw, who in his youth was an
officer in a British cavalry regiment, and was at the battle of
Waterloo; Pere Badin, Bishop Rese and, last of all, the good,
genial, laughing Bishop Lefevre.
Across Cadillac Square, where now the county buildings
are, was an old French built house, belonging to the Brush
estate, presumably a farm house, and in the rear was quite
an orchard.
Mr. Horace Jerome, father of the late George and Governor
Jerome, occupied this house, among others, for a while, when the
family first came to this city. Alpheus White, livery stable keeper,
afterwards occupied it for many years, until it was torn down and
the old orchard passed away.
Colonel Garry Spencer lived on the corner of Randolph
Street, adjoining, and did for some years. Peggy Welch, a
notorious character, owned a' house on the opposite corner to
Colonel Spencer's, much to the disgrace of the good name of the
neighborhood. She had received repeated requests from her
neighbors to vacate the premises and had been threatened that if
she did not comply she would be forced to do so, to all of which
she turned a deaf ear.
Dr. J. H. Bagg was a member of the common council at the
time this occurred and he originated and carried through that
body the resolution or order to tear down this house of "Peggy's"
as a public nuisance. She, learning of the proceedings of the
692 e:ari.y days in Detroit.
council, said she would not go, hit or miss. The house (after
seeing that all the inmates were safely out and the goods and
chattels set out in the street) was torn down and destroyed, in
pursuance of the order of the council, in the face of day, by the
late Alexander H. Stowell, then marshal of Detroit. Of this
afifair, Mr. Stowell, in his biography read before the Detroit
Pioneer Society, says : "It was rather a high-handed measure thus
to invade and destroy private property, but being directed to do
so, Alexander did it,'' If there are any living who knew Stowell
they may well believe him. I was an eye-witness of the destruc-
tion of this house.
There were two or three houses besides those I have men-
tioned on Cadillac Square, then Michigan Avenue. One of these
was the double brick occupied by David Cooper and Charles
Jackson. It stood about where the central market now is. There
were only two or three buildings on Lamed Street between Ran-
dolph and Bates Streets, one of these being St. Anne's stone
church, built by Father Richard and his congregation, directly
after the fire of 1805. It was demolished so recently that it is
not necessary to go into a description of it here. But I may be
pardoned if I dwell on a few incidents in its connection.
Father Richard I remember quite well. I often heard him
preach and witnessed him officiate at high mass frequently. He
was a familiar figure in the streets of Detroit in the early days,
particularly at the time he was running for Congress. All
respected, esteemed and loved him, and at his death, by cholera,
brought on by his personal devotion and attention to those affected
by that dread disease, the entire community went into mourning.
For nearly three days his body lay in state, propped up in his
coffin, in front of the high altar in St. Anne's, and I am sure
nearly every one in the city and county round about considered
it his loving duty and privilege to take a last look at the face of
the spiritual father, the friend of all, the loved and honored citizen.
My earliest recollections center around this St. Anne's
Church. I attended the Branch University School, directly oppo-
site on Bates Street, for many years, and all the boys were more
or less in evidence on the festal days of the church, and sometimes
at high mass. I seem to hear now, as I did in reality hear then,
on week days, the pealing of the organ of St. Anne's and the
chanting of the choir as the music swelled out into the summer
THE OLD BERTHEIvliT MARKI^T. 693
air and was wafted over the street, filling our school room with
melody and hushing its hum.
Another feature of St. Anne's, and indeed of all CathoHc
churches of that day, was the presence at church of the young
men of the parish, who invariably came, on their little French
ponies, from up and down the river, fastening their animals during
service to the fence palings that surrounded the edifice. The
fairer portion of the worshippers, elderly persons and children,
came in their French carts, the younger riding standing up. I
presume the girls feared to muss their dresses. The carts differed
from the one-horse carts used in the city in this respect : the
body was composed of slats and was high enough to enable the
occupants to ride in an erect position, and in this way the cart
would hold more passengers. I presume many will bring this to
mind, as I do. These carts used to be quite a feature on the
Canadian side of the river, as well as here, on a summer Sunday,
the objective points being the Catholic church at Sandwich and
St. Anne's here, the two churches drawing all good Catholics to
their folds from up and down the river. After church, to see the
long procession of carts filled with gaily dressed French girls,
wending their way homewards along the road that skirted both
sides of the river, was a sight to be long remembered. Those
who came on ponies, after church let loose, used to scurry home
at a breakneck pace, running their ponies as though they had been
sent for the doctor. I used to think that they just came to church
to have a good race home.
On the east side of Bates Street, between Larned Street and
Jefferson Avenue, where is now the Franklin House, John Gar-
rison built and occupied what was called the "Yankee Boarding
House." He was the father of the late John J. Garrison. He
also had a son, Willis, younger than John J., who was a great
chum of mine, and with whom I used to spend much of my time,
at the Yankee boarding house, when not in school. Willis was
quite a genius, one of his acquirements being the painting of inte-
riors with patterns, called theorems, I think, cut from paper by
himself, and designed by himself. Wall paper at that time was
quite expensive; indeed, I do not think it was in use here at all
at that date. He decorated the walls of the rooms of the board-
ing house in this manner, and I was much interested in the pro-
ceeding. This Yankee Boarding House enjoyed a large country
694 " ICARI<Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
patronage. On the corner opposite, the widow McMillan lived
in a commodious house (log), and she, too, kept boarders. Mrs.
McMillan was a quaint, Quakerish, motherly old lady, with bright
red hair, the champion and good friend of all the boys who
attended the nearby school, for one reason among others because
she had boys herself, who attended this school. I remember one
in particular. Ananias was his name ; he was a refractory youth,
and she seemed to be always w^anting him, and he never seemed
to be on hand. She used to stand at her door (Iseem to see her
now) and sing out at the top of her shrill voice, "AN-A-NI-AS."
It was repeated so often that it became very familiar ; so much so
that one of the boys of the school, the late Henry M. Roby, while
on a trip to Lake Superior, many years after the good old lady
had gone to her reward, remembered it to good advantage. The
steamer on which he was making the trip called at Silver Islet,
at which point Alex H. Sibley (a former schoolmate who also
knew Mrs. McMillan) was located. After stepping on the dock
Roby sang out, "AN-A-NI-AS" at the top of his voice, \vhich
soon brought Sibley to his side. Mrs. McMillan's husband was
shot by the Indians, a short distance from their home, on the
outskirts of the city, near the Campus Martins, in 1812.
In after years, Dan Whipple occupied the premises opposite
the present Franklin House, with a bowling alley, saloon and res-
taurant. It was for many years the chief place of its class in the
city, and held precedence above all others.
For at least fifteen years Dan held sway there, keeping up
always the first-class reputation of his establishment, and acquir-
ing a comfortable fortune. He abandoned it only to go into a less
* trying business, the keeping of a biUiard saloon, and the second
one of any note in the city. All will remember it, and also the
name of his marker and assistant, John Seereiter, the almost
champion billiard player of the United States. I say ''almost,"
because at that date his friends and admirers claimed for him the
title of champion and maintained it until Mike Phelan, of New
York, defeated him in an arranged gam^e, of which I was an eye-
witness, that came off at the Fireman's Hall, lasting from early
gaslight until broad daylight. Thousands of dollars changed
hands on the result, as it attracted crowds of interested people
from all over the United States. All will remember that match,
of course, as the details have been many times repeated in the
new^spapers of that day and since.
THE OLD BERTHELET MARKET. 695
It was at Whipple's that the "boys" of that day gave all their
"Petite Soiipire," the premises not being large enough for an
extensive banquet. Barney Campau gave us a Fourth of July
spread on his coming into his inheritance, which was a swell
affair for those days; Wm. G. Lee, of the Bank of St. Clair, on
his birthda}-, and Captain Fred Wheeler, of the propeller Her-
cules, on the occasion of his marriage. The boys entertained the
Detroit officers of the First Michigan Volunteers that went to
Mexico, the night before they left. Their guests were Lieutenant-
Colonel A. S. Williams, Adjutant Jas. E. Pittman, Captains Jas.
M. Williams, Walter Deane, and Lieutenants Pitcher, King,
Whipple, Schwartz and McNair. On every Fourth of July for
years the gay boys of Detroit made of this locality their head-
quarters, and it is safe to say that not before or since, with the
exception, perhaps (and that in a limited wa}^), of Bull & Beard's
restaurant under King's corner, and Wm. Carson's further down
Jefferson Avenue, has there been in this city an establishment
just like Dan Whipple's. The premises were far from being pre-
tentious, inside or out, but the larder was beyond criticism, and
another attraction was the absolute freedom Dan accorded his
guests — for you see, he was a bon vivant himself.
Well, I quit all this after I married, and Dan, too, quit this
particular line, as before mentioned. Before leaving the subject,
however, I call to mind some of the older heads of that day, who
were well up in this community, who used to frequent "Whipple's
Coffee House," such as David Smart, Alex Newbould, the broth-
ers Randolph, Charles Ducharme, Walter Ingersoll, Jed Emmons,
Willie Gray, Wm. Lyster, Dr. Eggie, Dr. Scovell, Colonel Gray-
son, Josh. Carew, Curt Emmerson, Marsh Mead, Theo. Wil-
liams, Tom Edmonds, General A. S. Williams, Geo. C. Bates, and
many others whose names I do not now recall, but the place was
the Mecca of that day towards which all masculine faces, on
pleasure bent, w^ere turned.
Some of those who were to be found at the Bates Street
coffee house any evening in the week have distinguished them-
selves in politics, law or arms ; some today are found among
the solid and substantial business men in the citv. When the
place was in the full tide of its popularity the Brady Guards —
Detroit's pioneer military organization — was in its glory. Dis-
tinguished visitors were ahvays entertained with a bird supper
696 KARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
at the coffee house, and after drill was over the gallant guards-
men were in the habit of repairing to Whipple's.
Strellinger, the brewer, kept this place along in the early
sixties, his family occupying a portion of it. A sort of a literary
club used to meet there evenings. Among its members were
Colonel Fred Morley, Wm. Gray, Dr. J. B. Scovell, Lyman Coch-
rane, Thos. Shields, John Hosmer, Frank Baker, myself and
others whose names have escaped me. No cards were ever played ;
it was "a feast of reason and a flow of soul"' truly. It would be
interesting reading at this date if a record had been kept of the
good things said and discussed at those gatherings. One of Strel-
linger's sons, the one that went upon the stage, begged the privi-
lege from his father to wait on this crowd, and was allowed to do
so. He assigned as nis reason for the request that it gave him
opportunities to enjoy the literary treat that was nightly presented
there. This early experience of his led him to adopt the stage as
a profession.
I used to meet him often in after years, and he always
assured me, as well as others, of the fact that his early contact
with the members of that club convinced him that he was fitted
for better things than running a lager beer saloon. All know of
the phenomenal success that he attained in his profession. It is
safe to say, I think, that the elder Strellinger did not lose money
in this venture.
*'Buck" Birmingham and then Chas. Richter succeeded Dan
Whipple and Strellinger. They kept up quite well the reputation
the place had acquired under its former proprietors. Charles
Richter was and is one of our most reliable German citizens, and
knows how to keep tavern, as I can testify, having boarded with
him at one time for about five years.
On the University lot, where is now Farrand, Williams &
Clark's drug house, "Protection Engine Company No. i" had
its engine house, a small wooden structure, just large enough to
accommodate the "machine." Hose carts were not known then,
the hose being realed on the engine.
In the rear of the engine house, on the corner of Congress
Street, was the brick schoolhouse (branch of the University)
where the youth of that day and for many years afterwards wres-
tled with the various pedagogues, and the worrying lessons and
tasks given them. • ^
THE OI.D BERTHELET MARKET. 697
The first teacher in this school house that I remember was
Juba Barrows. He was competent enough but was irritable and
passionate to ahiiost the last degree ; he had no patience with the
boys and they, on their part became so unruly, that he was forced
to quit. The next one was Edwin Jerome, who was a success.
He ruled with kindness and discretion but was exceedingly firm
with the bad boys, and there were many such. He used to join
the boys in their sports after school-hours, particularly in the ball
games. He was always either pitcher or catcher, when the ''ins"
were out, and woe be to the boy making bases, when he was on
deck, as his aim was unerring. He was followed by Charles
Wells, who made a very good teacher, but he had a bad lot to gov-
ern. He was assisted by his brother, John Wells. The latter had
charge of the younger and quieter pupils down stairs, and the
former, those older, and inclined to be fractious, upstairs. It was
during the fall, winter and spring season, only, that the reign of
the older boys lasted.
When the boats laid up in the fall, many of the younger
hands employed on them took advantage of the time until naviga-
tion again opened up, to acquire as much book-knowledge as was
possible. This element was inclined to be rough and unruly.
Charles Wells had many a tussle with some of them, but being a
large, athletic man, always came out ahead.
A climax came, along in the early spring, about ball playing
time. All of the boys were the owners of one or more balls, and
were continually dropping them on the floor in the schoolroctfn,
which was strictly against orders, and Mr. Wells was sure to
chuck any into the fire that he got hold of. One forenoon a ball
rolled directly in front of his desk. He grabbed it at once and
into the stove it went. In a brief space of time there was a deaf-
ening report, the stove was wrecked and the ashes were scattered
all over the room. The ball had been filled with powder to catch
the old man. Well, we had a vacation that day and next. " Mr.
Wells tried the best he could to find the culprit, but failed.
The next teacher was D. B. Crane. He was well up in Latin
and Greek, and taught those languages successfully. Taking him
all in all, he was the best all around teacher that had appeared in
Detroit up to that time. He was also a student in chemistry, had
an extensive laboratory in the building, and gave weekly lectures
to us boys, illustrated with interesting and brilliant experiments,
698 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
iliat were a marvel to us. His chief assistants in the chemical
departments were the late Edmund R. Kearsley, of Berea, Ohio,
and the late Talcott E. Wing, of Monroe.
Mr. Crane's younger brother, Ambrose, had charge of the
younger boys in the minor branches. Old ''D. B.," (as the boys
used to call him), ruled more through kindness than the rod,
though he did not spare the latter when occasion demanded it.
He used quantities of snuff, almost constantly flecking it from off
his ruffle shirt bosom.
When Mr. Crane quit the school, I quit my school days also,
having got as much learning, I thought, as I could stagger under.
Prof. Andrew Fitch succeeded to the school, I think, with Andrew
Harvey as assistant. The old school building and extensive
grounds passed away years .ago to make way for the buildings and
improvements that at present occupy the site. Before leaving
this locality I may be pardoned for referring to two societies that
dominated things in the old building outside of school hours, dur-
ing Mr. Crane's and Professor Fitch's administration — the
''Detroit Juvenile Library and Debating Society" and the "Detroit
Thespian Society." The former had its birth in Mrs. Wilcox's
barn. At first the membership of these two societies was con-
fined to the pupils attending the "University branch," but after a
while their scope was enlarged and many outsiders were admitted.
Among the members of these two societies,' I now recall the
names of many a member who afterwards became well known in
th^ many walks of life: Anson Burlinghame, J. Hyatt Smith,
Orlando B. Willcox, Eben N. Willcox, E. C. Walker, William
B. Wesson, Henry and William D. Whiting, John Biddle, Charles
and Elisha McKinstry, Richard R. Elliott, L. H. Cobb, William
Woodbridge, Edward M. Pitcher, Edwin A. Wales, J. Tallman
W^hiting, John A. Tucker, John and Robert Stuart, Seth P. Ran-
ger, W. h. Whipple, Revel Roby, Levi B. Taft, and others. Bur-
lingame, Smith and O. B. Willcox acquired a national reputation,
Henry Whiting entered the army, became captain, was in the
Mexican war and died in this city soon after ; his brother died a
few years ago, a commodore in the United States Navy. Charles
McKinstry became a prominent lawyer in New York; his brother
Elisha got to be a judge in San Francisco. John and Robert
Stuart both served with distinction in the United States Navy,
and W. Iv. Whipple died lieutenant colonel of a Michigan volun-
THE OLD BERTHELICT MARKET. 699
tecr regiment of infantry, during the Civil War, at Nashville,
Tenn. Levi B. Taft entered the law and became a judge. The
others I have mentioned stayed in Detroit and were well and
favorably known.
The society debates were often quite animated, and the
interest taken in the organization by its members was marvelous,
particularly when the election of officers was on. The excitement
ran high and centered on the office of president especially. W. B.
Wesson was the first to hold that office and he bent all his ener-
gies to hold on to it and he did. The opposition resorted to all
methods of electioneering, buying votes, etc., to down him, but
they never did so.
Wesson displayed the same spirit, or characteristic, as a mem-
ber of "Engine Company No. 4." He was always after the office
of foreman of the company, and he had it as long as he wanted it.
I know something about his ambition in regard to the debating
society and the engine company, as I was secretary of both.
The Thespian Society, during its life, put two or three plays
on the boards, that were quite successful and proved that there
was considerable talent among its members in that direction.
Two plays that I remember particularly were the tragedy of
"Douglass" and the farce of "Jeremy Diddler." In the former, J.
Hyatt Smith took the part of Norval, a Mr. St. Clair, that of Lord
Douglass and Edwin A. Wales, that of Lady Douglass. Smith
was very effective as Norval and in the death scene his "Mother,
oh, my mother," brought down the house. His rendering of "My
Name is Norval," etc., was considered fine. Edwin A. Wales
was a handsome boy and made a charming Lady Douglass, so.
much so that Eben N. Willcox, who played Sam in "Jeremy Did-
dler," could not keep from throwing his arms around him when
the curtain was down.
To procure the necessary costumes challenged the ingenuity
of the society. McKinstry's father, the colonel, owned the Detroit
Museum, and the wax figures in it had to be denuded now and
then to help out the Thespians. Mrs. M. M. Fisher, wife of a
Woodward Avenue grocer, and daughter of Conrad (Coon). Ten
Eyck, sheriff of Wayne County, who were boarding with the
widow Willcox (mother of Ebeh N. and O. B.), and she a bride
of a month, kindly loaned her wedding dress to Wales, and George
Tucker, the hair-dresser on Jefferson Avenue, furnished the black
700 EARLY DAYS IN DEITROIT.
ringleted wig, turning the young, smooth-faced boy into a most
charming Lady Douglass. Smith and St. Clair were helped out
by the museum wax figures. Charles McKinstry and E. N. Will-
cox in "Jeremy Diddler" were most effective, the former as
Jeremy and the latter as Sam, his servant. J. Hyatt Smith, also,
did some very good work, it was said, in female characters, as did
Elisha McKinstry and the writer.
The Fireman's Hall, a two-story brick structure, with cupola
and bell, took the place of the old wooden house on Engine
Company No. i. The upper part was devoted to the uses of the
common council, the fire department and of R. E. Roberts, the
then city clerk and secretary of the fire department, while the
lower floor gave larger and more commodious quarters to the
engine company and hose cart, which was duly appreciated.
In January, 1831, the city council house was the old hall,
used for balls and other purpK>ses in the Cantonment (Fort
Shelby), which was removed when the fort was destroyed, to
near the corner of Bates and Larned Streets in the rear of the
Presbyterian Church. Before this the city fathers had used the
first floor of the council house, corner of Jefferson Avenue and
Randolph Street (where the water offices now are), but having
leased that part to George R. Lillibridge for a coffee house (The
Tontine), and a portion of the upper part to a Mr. Sears for a
boys' school, they used this building, or hall, in conjunction with
the church, the latter using it as session iand Sunday school room.
The city and church continued to occupy this building until
it was removed to make way for a new brick structure, in which
were located the city offices in the upper part, and Fire Engine
Co. No. I and Hose Co. No. i, lower part, the church moving the
Sunday school into their new brick session room on Woodward
Avenue, adjoining it.
Opposite the University building on Congress Street, about
the middle of the block, was a court or "cul-de-sac" that grew
rushes and fleur-de-lis, survivors, it is presumed, of the Savoy-
ard. In this court in an old-fashioned French house lived the
widow Savenack. She was the mother of Charles Savenack,
whom many must remember as the proprietor of the railroad
eating house, located in the F. W. Backus warehouse, at the foot
of Third Street, along in the early fifties. He did a large business
and his place was quite popular.
TIJK UKD BERTHEIvET MARKET. 701
I mention this Charles Savenack to show what pluck and
perseverance will do. When a mere lad he used to peddle
molasses candy to the schoolboys at one cent a stick. The sticks
of candy were of goodly size and were stuck on a shingle that
the vendor always had in evidence. Everybody patronized him,
he was in with all the boys, and his business flourished to such
an extent that he called in an assistant. He saved his money
and one thing led to another until he blossomed out into the pro-"
prietor of the business I have mentioned. He died many years
ago, comfortably well off. Many of the present day will call him
to mind, I presume.
A very few traders were located on Michigan Avenue, now
Cadillac Square, at that date, and they were not much in evidence
until the vegetable market was built and occupied, and then they
flocked to the place in great numbers.
Solomon Davis, with his brass, bell and key foundry, lived
and flourished on the corner of Bates Street and the little park
that once graced that locality, the latter having since been wiped
out by the present police headquarters. This park was of small
dimensions, it is true, but it was a charming little breathing place,
wits its dense growth of trees, *'an oasis in the desert," as it were.
Robert P. Toms lived there for many years.
Uncle "Sol" Davis was a familiar figure to us boys and he
always had a kind word for us and indeed for all others. He
passed away a few years ago at a ripe old age, respected and
honored by all.
During all the years ''Uncle Sol" lived adjoining the little
park he was captain of the "Big Fiddle" in the Baptist Church
Choir.
Opposite Sol Davis's was the home of John Farrar, an early
pioneer, who was the contemporary of his neighbor, Davis, and of
the late Judge Caniff, also of Shubael Gonant, Charles Jackson,
Levi Cook, John Farmer, the Palmers, John Mullett and many
others as well, and enjoyed the full confidence of all the com-
munity. He was the grandfather of Ford Starring, the present
efficient cashier of the custom house. Farrar Street was named
after him. He' had a son, Frank, who was a schoolmate of mine,
a sturdy, fearless boy. After leaving school he blossomed out
into a marine engineer and carried his fearless spirit with him.
Another schoolmate, Joe_ Cook, brother-in-law of the late
702 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
John Owen, was of the same ilk. He, too, became a marine
engineer.
Well, boys will be boys, and will get into queer places some-
times, and we were no exceptions to the rule. Whenever we did
blunder into anything, if we had Joe Cook or Frank Farrar along
with us, or both of them, we did not fear tfie consequences, as
they were just ''fighters" and athletes for a fact. Good, true men,
they have both passed to the beyond.
The Brush garden was in this immediate locality. All the
present generation will remember it as the residence of E. A.
Brush and it is now supplanted by the Lyceum Theater, Ferry's
seed house, etc. The fire of 1848 wiped out the Jefferson Ave-
nue dwelling of Mr. Brush, and he then occupied the garden as
his future home. Previous to this it was a free garden for the
public. Most of the time it was run by D. C. McKinstry, who in
addition to this was the proprietor of the two theaters near the
present public library, as also of the museum that was on the cor-
ner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street. Most of the actors
performing at the theaters boarded at the garden, which lent an
additional attraction to it. The garden boasted fine fruit and
shade trees, shrubs, flowers and other attractions. Vine covered
arbors were plentiful, in which patrons could have served to them
almost anything in the way of refreshments, ices and soft drinks
in the season, they might desire.
When the museum was destroyed by fire, the wax figures
and curios that were saved were transferred, under the care of
William Adair, to this garden, where they furnished another
attraction. It was the only place of the kind in the city and was
well patronized.
The following in relation to the "Michigan Garden" is taken
from McCabe's Detroit City Directory of 1837, and is quite
correct : ' '
"Among the many improvements in the city, one of the most
prominent is the Michigan Garden — laid out with much skill and
taste by our enterprising citizen, Colonel D. C. McKinstry, and
opened during the summer of 1835. It is situated in the north-
ern extremity of the town, the entrance from Randolph Street,
and occupying about four acres. The walks are admirably
arranged, and fruit trees of every description, besides a choice
selection of foreign and domestic plants, are distributed in grace-
THje OI.D bbrthe:i,e;t markett. 703
ful elegance throughout the numerous beds. It is decidedly a
summer retreat from the bustle and cares of business, of no ordi-
nary character, combining utility and gratification with pleasure,
there being a commodious bath and splendid recess attached to
the concern — also tasty summer houses in every part of the
garden. The major with his usual . 'go ahead' disposition has
attached a choice menagerie to the establishment, and in short,
spared neither pains nor expense to render it worthy the patronage
and support of a liberal and discerning public."
Colonel Elijah Brush, father of E. A. Brush, was buried in
the northeast corner of this garden. The grave and quite a plot of
ground were enclosed by a high picket fence and the enclosure
was filled with a dense growth of alder bushes, through which
the headstone could be plainly seen. When Elmwood was opened
the remains were removed to that place, as well as this headstone.
Had I been older I might have had unpleasant memories of
this garden. My father, anticipating the arrival of his family
here, had leased this ground and residence for a term of years.
While making some needed repairs on the house, and ridding the
cellar of one or two feet of water, he contracted a cold, which rap-
idly developed into inflammation of the lungs and resulted in his
death. I was too young to realize our loss. I confess, though,
to harboring a slight grudge against this locality, for if it had
not been for my father's unfortunate connection with it he might
have lived out his three score and ten years, whereas he died at
the early age of 40, just on the threshold of life.
Beyond this Michigan Garden, on the north, all was farming
land, except here and there a log cabin. The garden was also the
headquarters of the patriots before and after the border war of
that name (Hunter's Lodge No. i).
On the triangular block, now the Hilsendegen block, were the
German Lutheran Church and parsonage. Fire, I think, swept
them away.
Colonel John Winder built and occupied a cottage where
is now the St. Clair Hotel. He continued there for a number
of years until he made the then considered mad purchase of ten
acres of land out -Woodward Avenue, paying, I think, $50 an
acre for the same. There were only one or two buildings beyond
the colonel's and they were private residences. I lived in this
Winder cottage myself for five years after I married, succeeding
S. Dow El wood.
704 e:ari.y days in Detroit.
Croghan Street, that was, was open only across the Brush
farm. One of our common councils recently had the name of this
street changed to the one it now bears, ignoring the memory of the
gallant soldier, Colonel Croghan, U. S. A., whose name it bore
for so many years. "How soon we are forgotten."
Gratiot road, as it was then called, could boast of only a few
scattered dwellings and now and then a business place. Breit-
meyer's corner was a cow pasture of one or two acres and was
owned by Sidney h. Rood, bookseller and stationer, who consid-
ered it of sufficient value to off-set a claim of $800 some eastern
papermaking concern had against him. They accepted it reluct-
antly, but I imagine they got their tnoney out of it, if they held it
long enough. The transaction tickled Rood, much.
Monroe Avenue was occupied by private residences exclu-
sively, on the east side from Farrar Street to near the corner of
Woodward Avenue, Elisha Eldred's is the only one that I
remember.
The widow Doty, mother of Henry, George and W. P., lived
on the northeast corner of Monroe Avenue and Farrar Street and
continued to until her death. Quite a number of the bachelor
gentlemen in the thirties, forties and early fifties, made their
homes with Mrs. Doty, from time to time, among them, David
Smart, Charles Ducharme, Wm. Lyster, Addison Mandell, Thos.
J. Cummings, Henry M. Roby, Alex. H. Newbould, James S.
Conklin, David R. Pierce, Tom Edmonds and Dr. Egge. The
Davenports lived adjoining Mrs. Doty for quite a while. I think
John Farmer lived on the opposite corner of the same streets, in
a frame dwelling on the rear of his lot and I also think he carried
on his map-engraving and printing in the same house. This
building was once a part of the old wooden building that stood on
the corner of Griswold and Larned Streets, where is now the
Campau Block. When Griswold Street was widened it was found
that this building was in the way, so Joseph Campau, the owner,
was notified to accept the award of the street opening jury or
remove it, and he refused to do either. The common council
ordered it sawed in two and John Farmer bought the part that
was in the street and moved it to his lot on Monroe Avenue.
Farmer was a wonderful man in his way, a most competent
surveyor and a finished engraver, as the work on his maps will
show. Endowed with surprising energy, it always seemed to me
THE OLD BERTHElvET MARKET. 705
that the steam engine within him, so to speak, must sooner or
later wear him out, and it did. I do not think I ever met his
counterpart. I knew him intimately and when I was in business
sold thousands of dollars' worth of his maps.
The late Judge B. F. H. Witherell lived in a two-story dwell-
ing where is now the Detroit Opera House. The judge lived here
until later on in the early thirties, when he built and moved into
his new residence on Jefferson Avenue, nearly opposite Christ
Church. It was from the roof of the judge's woodshed on the
Campus Martius that the late R. E. Roberts and myself saw
Simmons hanged.
The hanging of this man Simmons and the details have been
so often dwelt upon that I will not go into a lengthy description
of the affair, but the scene of the hanging is, after all these years,
vividly impressed upOn my memory. I seem to see him. now,
marching at the head of the county and jail officials, preceded by
a band of music consisting of drums and fife. His bearing was
erect and defiant and he kept time to the music. After gaining
the platform on the scaffold, which he mounted with a firm step,
he came to the front, examined the crowd critically, glanced up
at the noose dangling over his head and listened quietly to the
prayer of the officiating minister; then the noose was adjusted
around his neck, the white cap drawn down over his face, and he
was swung into eternity. Thomas Knapp was the sheriff at the
time, but his heart was too tender to permit him to do a job of
that sort, so his friend. Uncle Ben Woodworth, kindly volun-
teered to do it for him. Ben was made of sterner stuff. There
were no buildings to obstruct the view of the jail and the scaffold,
and not a very large audience to witness his taking off, except
the company of riflemen from Oakland County in their fringed
hunting shirts, plug hats, etc., who acted as a body guard and
formed in a hollow square around it.
Simmons was a large man, full habit, florid face, and when
the drop fell it seemed as if his heavy weight must break the rope,
the strain was so great. The great body swayed to and fro for a
minute or so, the legs contracted two or three times convulsively
and then all was still. I have witnessed since then, three execu-
tions by hanging at Sandwich, and this taking off of Simmons
impressed me more than all the rest on account of the nerve he
exhibited on the occasion, and his apparent disregard of death.
Besides it was more spectacular.
45
7o6 e:ari.y days in Detroit,
The only buildings in the vicinity at that time were the jail,
John Farmer's, Israel Noble's, the Methodist Church, and a few
tenements occupied by colored people on the northeast corner of
what is now Gratiot Avenue and Farrar Street. This church, of
brick, built for the society by Charles Jackson, is still standing.
It has experienced various fortunes, first a church, then a theater,
then a private residence and now a restaurant. The Methodists
had quite a struggle to build this church, and, after it was built,
to maintain it. For a considerable time its only seats were boards
placed on blocks, and the pulpit and its immediate surroundings
were of planed pine boards, devoid of paint. After a time these
things were remedied and the church flourished. I have heard
all the noted Methodist divines of that day, in this section, hold
forth in this church : Elder Gilruth, Elder Frazee, Elder Col-
clazer, Elder Baughman, Elder Blades and my esteemed friend.
Elder Hickey ; also many circuit preachers who now and then
filled the pulpit.
Elder Gilruth was, I think, the most athletic and vigorous
preacher of them all. He was a man of large frame and impul-
sive temperament, and, when he got warmed up in his work of
warning his hearers to flee from the wrath to come, off would
come his coat, vest and neckwear, he would pound on the pulpit
with his fists and also with the Bible, and arouse the congrega-
tion to the utmost, some, in their fervor being hardly able to
restrain themselves. One old colored woman, I remember in par-
ticular. She would always get the ''power," but more so under
Elder Gilruth's preaching than that of any of the others. On
these occasions she used to Jump from her seat near the pulpit
(the "Amen" corner,) and continue to jump and shout "amen,"
"glory," etc., until she reached the church door when she would
quiet down and return to her place.
Colonel Dorus M .Fox, in an article written some time ago,
tells of being present on one occasion at this church and witness-
ing the scene I relate. I think he must have been there at the
same time I was.
An itinerant Methodist preacher by the name of Mitchell
while delivering a sermon in this church, said to Generals Cass
and Macomb, who happened to be present : "You, General Cass,
and you. General Macomb, will burn in hell fire if you do not
repent." What effect this fierce warning had upon the distin-
THE OI.D berthe;i,e:t market. 707
guished gentlemen is not recorded. , And on another occasion,
said, when the choir began to sing the hymn given out, he said :
''Stop that ungodly big fiddle till we get done worship."
Elder Baughman had the most stentorian voice of any Metho-
dist preacher I ever heard. There were but half a dozen houses
around the church, and in the summer time with the windows
open his voice could be heard all over the neighborhood. We
used to live, then, on the corner of Woodward Avenue and John
R. Street and I have often heard his voice at that distance.*
The late Elder Hickey, like Elder Baughman, was once noted
for his powerful voice. The Indians gave him the name which
in their tongue meant "thundering man." It was reported that
his voice, while preaching, could be heard one mile away in the
quiet of an evening hour. An aged lady said to him once: ''I
used to hear you preach over fifty years ago." He replied : "And
you didn't have any trouble to hear me, did you?" She answered
no.
Elder Colclazer was a handsome man and an eft'ective
preacher. He "was a bachelor and the idol of the feminine portion
of his congregation, could boast of any number of pairs of slip-
pers and had dressing gowns galore, the gifts of his admirers.
The church continued here until it was sold to Colonel D. C.
McKinstry, who turned it into a theater. With the proceeds ot
the sale the society purchased a lot on the corner of Woodward
Avenue and Congress Street, where now is Rayl's hardware-
store, and erected a small wooden building for their own use.
Israel Noble, sexton and caretaker of the church, lived on the
southeast corner of Farrar Street, opposite, in a small two-story
house. His wife and the wife of Charles Howard, engineer of
the city water works on Woodbridge Street, (Sisters Noble and
Howard), were the mainstays of the church choir at that date.
The jail, in front of which Simmons was hanged, was an
imposing stone structure, with a cupola containing a bell. This
jail has often been described; it occupied the present site of the
public library. I was inside of this jail quite often, visiting my
chum and schoolmate. Brad Thompson, son of Sheriff Thompson,
the' then keeper, who, with his family, used the living rooms.
Over these were two rooms used to confine delinquent debtors. I
used to be quite interested in these two rooms. In one of them
an inmate had cut his throat, the blood from the wound bespat-
7o8 e;arly days in Detroit.
tering the walls and leaving a stain which, it seems, was never
gotten rid of. In this room was a large coffee mill, fastened
securely to a wooden bench so that it would not wobble. Brad
Thompson used to say that the mill went like fun every night,
-Operated presumably by the spirit of the suicide I have mentioned.
The other room had been used by an insane person who had cov-
ered the walls with the most comical charcoal sketches imagin-
able. Why they were allowed to remain there I cannot imagine.
Sheriff John M. Wilson succeeded Sheriff Thompson and it
was during his administration that the negro riot occurred. It
was about the middle of June, 1833, occasioned by the arrest of
Thomas Blackman and wife, fugitive slaves from Kentucky. -
The woman escaped from jail and the man was rescued from the
sheriff by a crowd of colored people as he was escorting him
from the jail to a carriage to convey him to the dock en route for
Kentucky. His rescuers hustled him across into Canada. Sher-
iff Wilson was borne down by the crowd and beaten with a club,
having endeavored to defend himself by discharging his pistol.
His injuries, it was feared for a time, would prove fatal. Great
excitement ensued, the Presbyterian Church bell rang an alarm,
the cry ''To Arms" was shouted through the streets and men with
guns, pistols and swords were seen coming from all directions.
The city council was convened by the mayor and a stringent
ordinance passed which prohibited all colored people from being
on the streets after nightfcdl without a lantern and a lighted
candle in it. A curious ordinance, in the light of the present. It
was many days before the excitement died entirely out. I was a
distant witness to the whole affair, from my window in the Uni-
versity school building; from it I had an unobstructed view of
the jail, I saw the crowd gather, saw Sheriff Wilson come out
with. his prisoner, the rush of the crowd, the flash of a pistol and
heard the report. Then all was confusion in the school, all the
scholars, ignoring Mr. Crane, broke for the outside and for- the
jail, where we spent the remainder of the day watching them
bring in the scared colored people who were considered in any
way connected with the uprising.
At that time and long after, the name "Kentuckian" inspired
the greatest dread in the hearts of the colored people of this
locality, and, indeed, among us boys he was looked upon as an
ogre and a walking arsenalj and as if anything and everything
horrible might be expected from him.
THE OLD be:rthe:le:t market. 709
Grand Circus Park was then an unoccupied piece of ground, a
common. Beyond, all was farming land, along the Pontiac turn-
pike, now Woodward Avenue. On the west side the dense woods
came down to Elizabeth Street. On the east side of Woodward
Avenue, out to about Warren Avenue, the woods were pretty-
well cleared off and the land was most of it under cultivation.
Major Kearsley owned a large farm out this way, beyond
and adjoining the residence of the late H. C. Parke. Out on this
road, near Royal Oak, lived quite a noted character, known to all
the country round about, "Mother Handsome" she was called,
and she kept a roadhouse. I often saw her and I think she was
the homeliest woman I ever looked upon. She was of slight
build and stature, with a face much disfigured with smallpox.
The late A. C. McGraw relates of her the following. Himself and
his father, with two or three others, started on a trip of discovery
out on the Pontiac road, in the early part of 1830. He says:
"The day was warm and some of the party becoming thirsty,
they inquired of two or three persons they met if they would soon
come to water, but were told that 'Old Mother Handsome's' near
Royal Oak, would be the first place. Mother Handsome was so
homely she was called handsome. She had been through the war
of 1812 as a camp woman, (laundress). When they arrived at
the cabin, she stood in the door with a broom in her hand. My
father was naturally polite and, hurrying up to her, said: 'Mrs.
Handsome, you don't know how glad we are to see you.' 'Dkmn
you,' she said, 'if you call me Mrs. Handsome again, I will break
the broomstick over your head.' My father's surprise can be
imagined. Her other name was 'Chapel.' "
She, however, was a kind, motherly, old lady and gave good
entertainment to man and beast.
WQODWARD AVLNUL IN THL THIRTIES.
TRIALS OF THE PIONEER RESIDENTS
I CALL to mind but a very few dwellings on Woodward
Avenue in 1830, or for some years after. Where the Hol-
den Road (now Palmer Avenue) came into Woodward
was a dense forest ; it seemed when you entered it as though you
w^ere about to explore the unknown. There is a small house now
standing on the corner of Woodward and Warren Avenues that
was there in 1830 and before. The Brush estate had a farm house
at about Eliot Street, fronting on Woodward Avenue.
Considerably later on, B. G. Stimson purchased quite a plot
of ground on the corner of what is now Stimson Place, and on
it erected the dwelling that is there- still. Many wondered why
he w^ent so far out when so many more eligible sites' were available
much nearer the city. Mr. Stimson and his wife were both young,
genial and, being quite socially inclined, attracted the young,
the gay and the dancing element to their hospitable residence.
The only seeming drawback was the trouble getting there during
the winter and spring, and sometimes it was more than seeming,
as occasionally the snow or mud s6 blocked the avenue that it
was quite an undertaking to do so, and taxed the capacity of the
limited number of hacks and cabs to take care of the crowd. On
these occasions the French cart was much in evidence.
B. G. Stimson learned the ship chandlery business, or what
the needs of a sailing craft were in that line, on a voyage around
the Horn before the mast, and up along the South American
coast, on a sailing vessel, collecting hides, etc.- He was a fellow
sailor with R. H. Dana, Jr., who wrote that highly entertaining
book, ''Two Years Before the Mast." Our esteemed townsman,
Harry W. Skinner, married a daughter of his.
Referring again to attending parties at the Stimson's: The
pleasure derived more than paid for the discomforts.
WOODWARD avenue; IN THE) THIRTIES. 7 II
Woodward Avenue (Saginaw turnpike), clear to Pontiac,
during the rainy season, and particularly in the spring, was dread-
ful on account of the mud, and sometimes it took the stage coach
the best part of two days to make the journey, and then the
passengers had, at times, to get out and help pry the coach out
of a mud hole with fence rails, and so on. I have witnessed the
operation and thought at the time what dreary fun it must have
been for a stage load of passengers to go bumping over a cordu-
roy road for a long distance and then get suddenly landed in a
quagmire and be forced to help the coach out of its plight.
Referring to the hardships of the early settlers in getting into
the interior of Michigan from Detroit, I quote from the late Mr.
S. V. R. Trowbridge's (father of General Chas. A. and Edward
Trowbridge and brother of C. C. Trowbridge) account of his
experience in that direction, published in the Pontiac Gazette some
time in 1858:
"When I arrived in Detroit with my family some time about
the first of May, 1821, I was obliged to hire a wild pair of French
steers ; no teams in the country.
**I loaded and started for the new home ; quite late in the day
arrived at Mrs. Chappers, or ''Mother Handsome," as she was
commonly called. A turnpike had been made for five miles, and
then a horrible road through swamps and marshes. After pass-
ing some distance it became dark, road terrible ; wife walking,
leading one, and carrying a great boy of thirty pounds. Oxen
wild and ungovernable; spirits sunk; almost sorry that I ever
undertook to bring my family to suffer and die in those wild
woods. Presently two men came up who cheered us on, and
agreed to stick by, if all night, to help with the team and children.
"Noble fellows ! and long to be remembered ; one was Mr.
Miller, father of Mr. Miller, merchant of Rochester, Mich. Those
men were indispensable at that time. I have often wished since
then that I could do something for some of their children, as
token of thanks to them. About 10 o'clock he saw a light from
a window and finally got to White's tavern, and camped on the
barroom floor; house filled with lodgers. Next day started in
good spirits on a firm road for a few miles, and came to the Royal
Oak tree — a tree named by John J. Hunt, Azra Baldwin and
David C. McKinstry, commissioners to run a road to Pontiac.
The other gentlemen had stuck the stake near this tree, and Judge
712 EARI^Y DAYS IN DO'ROIT.
Hunt said, 'We will call this the Royal Oak.' I said to Mrs.
Trowbridge, 'Perhaps you had better walk around this mud-hole ;
I am afraid you may be thrown from the wagon.' Mrs. Trow-
bridge got down with the children, and then commenced a con-
tinuous mud-hole that ran for six miles. That was a hard day*s
travel, through a heavily wooded country, mud to the wagon bed,
children constantly becoming fast in the mud, my wife unac-
quainted with such a life — obliged to carry a heavy child. At one
time I saw her sitting on a log crying, children fast in the mud.
I then said, 'Cheer up, we are near the promised land. See that
light ahead, that is the land of promise.' I called at Dr. Swan's
and then came up to our new place, where we have lived ever
since, the recipients of manifold blessings, temporal and spiritual.
"The only settlements in this peninsula then were a few in
Oakland County. Oliver Williams, father of Gardner, Ephraim,
Benjamin, Alpheus, Alfred and James, rolled the first wagon ever
started from Detroit for the interior.
"I arrived on my land the 226. of October, 1821."
Rev. O. C. Thompson said that when he came to Michigan
in 183 1 the hospitahty and good cheer of the pioneer famihes
would never be forgotten by him, and he mentions particularly
that of S. V. R. Trowbridge. From Detroit he went out in every
direction, visiting all parts of the territory in search of a location,
and finally settled on St. Clair.
The late Colonel John Winder built his residence (still stand-
ing) on his ten-acre lot about the same time that B. G. Stimson
built his, and it was wondered why he, too, went so far out. Some
years after. Rev. Dr; Duffield built and occupied a fine brick resi-
dence opposite Colonel Winder's. Both himself and Mrs. Duffield
died there. After awhile the residence gave place to the present
block of stores. At about the same time General John Robertson
owned and occupied the lot on which is now Blessed's grocery
store, his d'welling being on the rear of the lot.
In the rear of the Duffield residence, near the corner of High
and Park Streets, was the fortification or earthwork erected by
Colonel Croghan, protecting the outskirts of the city. It was
called "Fort Nonsense," and was for the protection of the farmers
against the Indians, a place where the former could rally in case
WOODWARD ave;nue: in the thirties. 713
of an emergency. It was surrounded by a moat which was crossed
by means of a draw-bridge. The guns of the fort commanded it.
In after years it was a great resort for picnics and pleasure out-
ings. Why it was called ''Fort Nonsense" I never knew. It was
leveled many years ago.
Where the Methodist Church now is, John R. Williams had
a large barn, and some distance back from it was a large two-
story and a half brick house, also belonging to him. And that is
all there was in that vicinity for many years.
As said before. Grand Circus Park was nothing but a com-
mon. The west side was an extensive pond of water, that fur-
nished good skating during the winter and good shooting of
ducks, plover, snipe and tip-ups during the season.
Just south of this pond, on a slight rise of ground, was Cliflf's
tavern, now the Whitney Block. When I first knew this tavern it
was kept by an Englishman by the name of Busby, who came
direct from London, England, with his family. He also brought
with him three or four farmers from that vicinity with their fam-
ilies, who located in this county. They, the men portion, were
typical English farmers, with their smock frocks, gaiters and hob-
nailed shoes.
Mr. Busby always put me in mind of Mr. Pickwick, ever since
I knew of the latter through our lamented friend, Charles Dickens,
and whenever I see a picture of Mr. Pickwick I seem to see Busby.
He had a beautiful daughter, a typical English girl ; her name was
Grace, I think. She married James Frazer, of Bay City.
This tavern used to be well patronized by the farmers living
near the city, and by the general public. It was a grand place for
shooting turkeys, geese and chickens Thanksgiving and Christ-
mas. The fowls were securely fastened to a box or something
some distance in the rear of the tavern, about where the Bagley
residence now is, I should think. The crowd would load and fire
from the back shed of the tavern, and when the dav's fun was
over they would spend the night in the bar-room, raffling off the
victims of the day. There were no houses beyond the tavern in
the direction of the firing, so there was not much danger from a
stray bullet.
H. H. LeRoy afterwards occupied this tavern site and
grounds with his dwelling and garden, he having been burned out
on Bates Street in the fire of 1838.
714 ICARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Nearly opposite Cliff's tavern, where John R. Street comes
into Woodward, lived Thomas Palmer, my imcle, in what was
called a "rought cast house," two and a half stories high. It was
quite a commodious dwelling and was occupied by him during the
building of his new residence on the corner of For^ and Shelby
Streets. Adjoining and including the ground on which stood the
house, he owned one or two acres, which were enclosed at the
rear and on the Woodward Avenue and Grand Circus Park sides
by a rail fence, and were devoted to garden purposes. There were
no business houses of any kind, from this point, on either side of
Woodward Avenue, down to Jefferson Avenue, it being given up
entirely to private residences and continuing so for some years.
Those that I can call to mind as residing on this avenue the
time we lived there and up to 1850 were, next to Air. LeRoy, Mr.
Petty, he being in the employ of the American Express Co. ; Mr.
Manchester, clothing merchant; William King, clothing mer-
chant; Benjamin Vernor, Dr.* Brodie, David R. Pierce, George
McMillan and William Stead. The last-named lived on the north-
west corner of Clifford Street. On the opposite side of Wood-
ward Avenue, to John R. Street, were Dr. Stone's sanitarium,
a double dwelling owned by Dr. Scovell, and the residences of
James Abbott, Dr. Kane and Dr. J. A. Brown. .Samuel Bates
owned and lived on the corner of Clifford Street, where is now
the "Sugar Bowl" candy store; he als© owned the house and lot
adjoining. I think the property is in his heirs to this day. I think
M. F. Dickinson owned the two adjoining houses. General John
R. Williams owned and lived in a small cottage on the corner of
Grand River Avenue, where is now William H. Elliott's dry goods
store. The general died in this house, and this property is now in
the McKinstry heirs.
* * *
Those who lived on the opposite side of the avenue, between
John R. and State Streets, I am unable to recall, except N. T.
Ludden, Alanson Sheely, John Atkinson, Lemuel " Goddell, and
David Dwight, father of the late David Dwight, the lumberman.
Mr. Dwight lived in a small cottage where Rolshoven's store
now is.
On the same side of the avenue with Elliott's dry goods
house, and on the opposite corner of Grand River Avenue, lived,
previous to 1849 ^^^ after, Edward Shepard, the hardware mer-
WOODWARD aveinue: in the thirties. 715
chant, in quite an attractive residence, surrounded by fine trees
and shrubbery. Mr. Godfrey owned some lots adjoining, and, 1
think, Hved there ; at all events, later on he improved the property
by building the substantial Godfrey Block thereon.
Dr. Joseph H. Bagg also lived, in 1839, where is now the
Godfrey Block, and next to them lived Lawyer Ezra C. Seaman.
Frank E. Eldred lived directly opposite.
Where Hunter & Hunter's dry goods house now is Labie
(Barnabas) Campau built for himself a brick residence, and
lived there until he died. His son, Barney Campau, occu-
pied it afterwards for some time. The space between this
and the corner of State Street was vacant for many years,
until Mr. Wesson erected the present building. Continuing on
the west side of the street, on the corner of State Street was the
Methodist Church, afterwards St. Andrew's Hall. Perhaps some
of our ]\Iethodist friends will recall Rev. Mr. Thompson, who pre-
sided so long and so ably over this church. Perhaps they will
remember, too, what an ardent, earnest preacher he was. He
was always carried away with his subject, and at the conclusion,
he would almost invariably drop back into his seat in the pulpit,
seemingly in a trance, eyes closed, with a happy smile lighting up
his face. Thus he would remain for a brief moment, entirely
oblivious to all surroundings.
I do not recall what was on the remainder of this block except
what was called the ''Checkered Store" and Farnsworth's shoe
store, the latter on the corner of Michigan Avenue and demol-
ished only a. few years since. I think Martin Story lived along
here about where Heyn's Bazaar now is. Story was quite a prom-
inent citizen in his day. He held many offices of trust in city
affairs. I knew him quite well when he was city marshal. He
seemed always to hold the latter office. Mrs. Story was a daugh-
ter of Conrad Seek, who divided the honors with Colonel Garry
Spencer of being the first merchant tailors in Detroit, about 1830.
I recollect - Conrad Seek well. He lived and had his shop on
Jefferson Avenue, Where the D. M. Cooper White building now
is. He had a son (Bill Seek) who was a chum of mine. It is my
impression that Alex. H. Stowell married a sister of Martin Story.
Alfred M. Story, a son of Martin, is still a resident of this
city. He is quite well known, particularly among the theatrical
fraternity.
7l6 EARLY DAYS IN DE:TR0IT.
On the corner of State Street and the avenue, where now is
Kern's dry goods house, was Finney's Hotel. Daniel Goodnow.
after retiring from the Michigan Exchange Hotel, resided in this
block for some time. W. K. Coyl had a dwelling and grocery
store on the corner where are now, Wright, Kay & Co.
The present city hall site (Campus Martins) was occupied
mostly by the Michigan Central Railroad depot and by a female
seminary. The depot buildings, or sheds, were on the corner of
Michigan Avenue and Griswold Street ; the seminary was on the
latter street, and engine company No. 2 had its house on the
northeast comer of Griswold and Fort Streets. The remainder
of the campus was devoted to circuses and outdoor public meet-
ings. R. N. Rice, superintendent of the Michigan Central Rail-
road, kindly donated a pagoda here for the use of speakers, bands
of music, etc. "The Yellow Seminary,," as it was called, from
the fact that it was built of yellow Milwaukee brick, three stories
high, occupied a portion of the site of the city hall. It was
erected prior to 1835 by a corporation organized for the purpose
of establishing a female seminary. The site for the school build-
ing was contributed by the governor and judges, with the under-
standing that when it ceased to be used for educational purposes
the ownership should revert to the state. Mr. Kirkland was the
first principal and was assisted in his work by his talented wife.
Mrs. Kirkland was in fact the principal, and the school soon
became known as "Mrs. Kirkland's school." The Kirklands
remained for a few years and then other teachers followed. The
association finally gave it up as a bad job financially and passed
the property back to the state. The building was afterwards used
by state officials and as a state armory, the latter under Adjutant-
General Schwartz. When the city acquired possession of the
building it was used for the offices of the mayor and other public
officials, until torn down to make room for the present city hall.
Professor Kirkland, though learned, was a small, undersized
man, meek and retiring, while Mrs. Kirkland was a woman of
commanding presence, quite determined and somewhat aggressive.
She was fully competent as a teacher and filled her part to the sat-
isfaction of the seminary organization. She was an author, also ;
but I do not recall anything that she wrote before she came to
Detroit. After leaving here and going west, she wrote "A New
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 717
Home in the West — Who Will Follow ?" a very entertaining book
which, I presume, many have read.
My uncle, Thomas Palmer, was one of the incorporators of
this seminary, as I had sufficient reason to know. During the first
winter of the Kirkland rule I was a member of my uncle's house-
hold, on the corner of Fort and Shelby Streets, and it came about
somehow that I had to act as a sort of janitor of the building,
sweeping out the school rooms and building the fires in the morn-
ings. I do not remember that I brought in the wood, but don't
think I did. But it was not much of a task anyway, only some
mornings it was stinging cold, and besides the early rising did
not quite suit me. But then I used to see the girls — some consola-
tion.
The corner where the Russell House now is, in the early
days, was enclosed by a cedar picket fence. In the enclosure was
a small yellow house occupied by Dr. William Brown before he
changed to Jefferson Avenue. Adjoining was a log building used
as a school house. It had for a teacher Mr. Healey, who was
clerk of the steamer Henry Clay when I was a passenger on her
in 1827. It is said Eben N. Willcox was born in this yellow house.
After some years, the National Hotel succeeded this log
house and Dr. Brown's corner. About th^ same time, the then
new city hall occupied the center of Cadillac Square. It was con-
sidered a fine structure at the time, as was the National Hotel,
S. K. Harring was the first proprietor of this hotel, I think. It
had varied fortunes under proprietors, successful and otherwise,
until, as the Russell House, under its present management, it has
achieved permanent and deserved success.
This point was then as now one of the municipal centers of
the city, full of life and business, notwithstanding the mud and ill
condition of the streets at times. It was also the only polling'
place in the city. Sixty years ago there was not a stone pavement
in Detroit and wood sidewalks were not too plenty.
Previous to 1835 not a single street in Detroit was paved. In
this year Atwater Street, between Woodward Avenue and Ran-
dolph Street, was paved with cobble stones, through the efforts
and influence of the late R. E. Roberts. In an article written by
Colonel Nick Greusel on Old Times in Detroit, and published in
The Detroit Free Press, September, 1866, he says: "Speaking of*
unpaved streets and mud. if Mrs. H. H. Brown is still alive may
71 8 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
be she will remember when I carried her across Jefferson Avenue
through mud two feet deep with her arms around my neck. I
carried her from the Tontine Coffee house (old Council house)
across to Major Kearsley's house on Jeff'erson Avenue, corner of
Randolph Street. How many ladies would venture on such a
journey these days, and yet it was a common practice for gentle-
men to stoop down and carry ladies on their back across the
muddy streets along in the thirties a'nd early forties."
The first attempt at wood pavement w^as made by Julius
Eldred, in front of his hardware store on Jefferson Avenue. It
was composed of octagon shaped blocks of pine wood, a foot and
a half each way, I would think. They remained down some years
and wore well, and I don't know why the experiment was not
repeated at the time. The city again tried its hand at paving, with
stone after awhile, and paved with cobble-stones the square at the
mtersection of Woodward and Jefferson Avenues, and about
twenty feet (in width) in to center of the latter avenue, down as
far as some point just below the old Michigan Exchang, to First
Street, I think. This pavement remained down for some time,
two or three years, or until Jefferson Avenue was paved with the
same kind of stone from curb to curb, its entire length, as far up
as Dequindre Street.
It was an amusing sight, in the fall and winter, to see the
horses hitched to the various conveyances, after ambling serenly
along over this twenty feet of pavement, look around in wonder
and surprise, when the wheels struck with heavy jolt the sea of
mud, at the upper line of Woodward Avenue w^here it crossed
Jefferson. I presume they thought it a "put up job." Wood-
ward Avenue in the early forties was planked with two-inch pine,
from Jefferson Avenue to the river, but it did not remain down
for long.
Jackson, the colored barber, was the first in the city to start
the running of one-horse cabs. He had two or three, and they
were a great convenience. His headquarters for them were at his
shop, one or two doors below the Ives Bank, on Jeff'erson Avenue.
There was one other public conveyance, which was always
kept quite busy in the season, and that was a covered sleigh omni-
bus, the first and last one I ever saw with a stove in it. Mighty
'fine of a cold, frosty night, particularly when going to or return-
ing from a party, with your best girl and the thermometer at zero
WOODWARD ave;nui: in thk thirties. 719
or thereabouts. The remembrance of the enjoyment of the occa-
sions in this sleigh omnibus is, at the present time, like the mem-
cries of a pleasant dream.
Land speculation ran high at that time, and almost every man
that came here had his pocket full of money, expecting to invest
it so as to make his pile before breakfast, 4s it were. Cities and
villages were springing up in every direction, and city lots were
being sold at auction and at privete sales at prices that doubled
and trebled very quickly.
James Stilson, a name and personality well remembered by
old settlers, was a prominent auctioneer in the earlier days. He
had his rooms on Woodward Avenue, near Jefferson, and
auctioned off lots upon lots in paper towns, at about $10 each. It
was a glorious time for Stilson and bad for the other fellow.
Stilson was no less prominent in politics; he was an enthu-
siastic Democrat and an ardent supporter of the young and bril-
liant Stevens T. Mason, when he ran for governor on the Demo-
cratic ticket in opposition to C. C. Trowbridge.
Stilson was also a leader, and to quote a writer of that time,
alluding to him :
"And here, too, he was again in his glory. No ordinary cam-
paign would answer his purpose. The season had been wet and
Woodward and Jefferson Avenues were about half a \tg deep in
mud porridge. Yet a grand Democratic procession was organized
to pass through it. Mr. Stilson was the grand marshal. He
rode a horse vwhich was completely covered with a cloth of gold,
and he himself was decorated with all the glories of a Grand
Legion of Honor. And the way he rode at the head of the col-
umn was like Mars on the Captoline Jupiter. A small schooner,
fully rigged and manned, and mounted on wheels, and drawn by
six or eight horses, was an important feature in the line. And
there the Democracy marched to the music of the Union."
Unfortunately for the narrative this schooner-rigged craft
did not figure in this or any other Democratic procession, but it
did occupy a prominent position in a Whig procession the day of
the election for governor. The only polling place in the city was
at the old city hall, now Cadillac Square, and, as may be imagined,
things were quite lively in and around that locality on that day.
The schooner was manned by a crew of Whig shipcarpenters from
Oliver Newberry's shipyard, all stalwart, fearless men, prominent
720 li;ARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
among them being George Irving, lately deceased, a host within
himself. Irving was their leader. He was foreman at the ship-
yard as well, and not anticipating that trouble would happen to
either schooner or crew, was tardy in joining his fellows. He got
a tip from Uncle Oliver, who had just returned from the polls.
While there he had detected signs in the air that there would be a
scrimmage. On his way to the office, through the shipyard, he
called Irving to him and said : "George, I have just been up to the
polls, and it seems to me that our boys in charge of that schooner
on wheels are going to have trouble. I think you had better take
some more of the yard men up there and see about it."
And he did. Shortly after Irving had reached the scene the
Democratic procession, headed by Stilson on his panoplied charger
and himself in martial array, met the Whig procession, headed by
the schooner, opposite where is the present city hall. The meeting
was a clash, and a rush was made by the Democrats to capture the
schooner. Then the fun began. It was a wild, fierce fight for a
time, but the brawny ship carpenters came off victorious and were
allowed to go on their way yelling. George told me this himself,
and he related the circumstances with great glee.
The scene I have attempted to portray is vividly pictured in
a painting by Thomas Burnham, a local artist of that time, and
which is now the property of Mrs. Samuel Carson, of Detroit,
mother of the late Mrs. A. S. Williams. Mrs. Carson recently
loaned the picture to the Detroit Museum of Art. It is a true
representation of the event. I was an eye-witness ^of the whole
business.
The late Eben N. Willcox described the painting thus :
"At the right rises in magnitudinous proportions, with all the
self-assertion of the reddest brick, with stone capped lintel and
windovy^ and its little belfry, what was then known and accepted as
a great architectural triumph, the city hall of Detroit, our Hotel
de Ville. Scarcely less imposing, on the immediate right, with his
banners flaunting in the third-story windows, proclaiming *No
Monopoly' and 'Stevens T. Mason for Governor,' sits Stilson, the
Magnificent, under his cocked hat and on his grand war horse,
marshaling the Democratic hosts to votes and victory — 'Bumble
the Beadle' not more important. Immediately under him an
excited group, consisting of your whilom delightful 'By-Gones'
correspondent, George C. Bates, Franklin Sawyer, editor of the
WOODWARD avenue; IN THE; THIRTIES. 72 1
Whig paper, and Kingsbury of the Democratic sheet, with N. T.
Ludden and Alanson Sheley — interested spectators, are hotly dis-
cussing the all-absorbing questions of the day. Apart in the right
foreground stands a conspicuous figure, recognizable at once as
that of the most noted Democratic politician of his day, the most
public-spirited citizen, the most open-hearted friend of the poor — .
a peer of the realm — David C. McKinstry."
*!* ^ 'K
Stilson was a tall man of blonde complexion, notwithstanding
which he entertained the idea, somewhat, that he resembled Napo-
leon, in person and mind. Like most auctioneers, he was impa-
tient when the bidding was inadequate to the value of the goods
he was selling. "I am a mean man, as mean as dirt," he would
say, "but I feel quite at home in this company." On one occasion
he was selling some furniture in a private- house and put up a pier
glass mirror worth about $50.
"How much am I offered for this fine French mirror," he
asked repeatedly ; but no one seemed inclined to bid. Finally
some one bid a dollar. He was nettled but continued to sell until
the bid went up to $4.
"All done," he said, holding up his hammer, and lingering,
"all done? Well, gone."
As he said the last word, he struck the glass with his hammer,
smashing it into a hundred pieces. I have mentioned before his
extensive sales of lots in Michigan paper cities hundreds of miles
from civilization. One in particular was White Rock City on the
shore of Lake Huron, about ten miles north of Port Huron. It
looked fine on the draughtsman's plans, but it is still innocent of
human habitation.
Years after I saw this same Stilson, at the first state fair ever
held in Michigan. It was located out Woodward Avenue, west
side, about where Alexandrine Avenue is now. He had on exhi-
bition in a tent four or five trained dogs of peculiar breed. They
were certainly very cute and remarkably intelligent animals. The
major in his old time style and manner expatiated on the wonder-
ful things his dogs could do, and they bore out what he said of
them. It was said that he died somewhere in Virginia,
46
722 e;arIvY days in Detroit.
General John R. Williams owned the corner where is* now
Kanter's Bank, and about 1835 built on it and the lots adjoining, a
brick block extending to what was then the residence of Mr.
David Cooper. The Wright Brothers occupied this corner for a
long time with a general grocery store, and quite extensive, too.
They had been stewards on Mr. Newberry's steamboats.
Adjoining the log school house on Woodward Avenue that
I have mentioned, was the residence of a Mr. Gagnier, an old-time
Frenchman, w^ho was a woodturner and from whom all the boys
bought their tops.
The Methodist Church stood on the corner of Congress
Street. This church was dedicated July 20, 1834, and was a
small wooden building with a basement, the latter being used for
a Sunday school. In the rear of the church, on Congress Street,
was the court martial and dancing hall of the Old Cantonment
of Fort Shelby. It was formerly in the rear of the Presbyterian
Church, corner of Woodward Avenue and Larned Street, where
it did duty as Sunday school and session room and city court
room.
The opposite corner, where is now Brown's drug store, was
vacant up to the Presbyterian session room.
I imagine that the entire front of the block on Woodward
Avenue, east side, between Congress and Larned Streets,
must at one time have been used for cemetery purposes, for,
in digging to place the foundations for St. Paul's Church and the
new brick Presbyterian Church, the latter to replace the old
wooden one, on the corner of Larned Street, the workmen dis-
turbed a large number who were in the last sleep. I witnessed
the laying of the corner-stone of St. Paul's Church, as also that
of the Presbyterian, and the installation of Bishop McCoskrey,
after the completion of the former. I think the bishop's sermons,
his genial personality and his commanding presence can never be
forgotten by anyone who was ever brought in contact with him.
I presume that many will call to mind Rev. Mr. Fox, his able
assistant, who for so many years, with the bishop, ''held the fort"
in' old St. Paul's Church. He lived at Grosse He, where he mar-
ried a daughter of Colonel Rucker. Mr. Fox and his wife are
dead. They left three sons. One of them, C. Crofton Fox, died
at Grand Rapids not long ago. He was at one time, under Gov-
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 723
ernor Luce, a member of the state military board, with the rank
of colonel. What befell the other two boys I do not know.
For ten years, at least, during the ministration of Bishop
McCoskrey, I scarcely ever missed a Sunday morning service, if
in the city. A number of young clerks, with myself, owned a pew
in the gallery of the church, and the bishop used to say, if he did
not see us in our accustomed places of a Sunday morning, he
knew that something must be up.
A charming man was the bishop. St. Paul's Church had the
only organ in the city, except the one in St. Anne's Church. The
leaders of the choir were Dr. and Mrs. Terry, Mr. Charles S.
Adams and Charles Trowbridge.
The Presbyterian session room was a small brick building
used by the society for Sunday and singing school purposes, also
meetings and debates of the Young Men's Society, lectures, etc.
The Young Men's Society drew within its folds all the tal-
ented young men of the city, and their debates were always largely
attended and eagerly listened to. They were intensely interesting
and highly instructive ; could hardly have been otherwise when
the contestants were such men as Jacob M. Howard, James F.
Joy, M. J. Bacon, G. V. N. Lothrop, Samuel Barstow, Jas. A.
VanDyke, Jed P. C. Emmons, Geo. C. Bates, D. Bethune Duffield,
William Gray, Levi Bishop, Franklin Sawyer and others of equal
note.
The lectures that I recall particularly were those on chemis-
try by Dr. A. R. Terry, also his lectures on Morse's telegraph sys-
tem. At that time the telegraph wires were nowhere beyond
Buffalo, and nearly all were ignorant of its workings. The doctor
had the wires stretched along on the walls, inside, with the oper-
ating instrument on the president's desk, and gave a satisfactory
and enlightening description of transmitting messages by tele-
graph.
Dr. Douglas Houghton and Franklin Sawyer were the found-
ers of the Detroit Young Men's Society. "Its object was the
general diffusion of knowledge and a condensation of the talents
and acquirements of the young men of Detroit, for intellectual
and moral improvement. Lectures were delivered befort it, and
debates conducted, which for the most part were characterized
by a deep thought, acquirement and research." In 1837 it had
300 members, professional, mercantile and mechanical.
724 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
, Here is a list of presidents of the society : Douglas Hough-
ton, Jacob M. Hovy^ard, George E. Hand, George C. Bates, James
A. Van Dyke, Samuel T. Douglass, James V. Campbell, E. C.
Walker, D. Bethune Duffield, H. H. Eminons, G. V. N. Lothrop,
C. I. Walker, Levi Bishop, H. P. Baldwin, Luther S. Trowbridge,
S. Dow Elwood and Richard R. Elliott.
The society was organized in 1833 and ceased its existence
in 1882.
Richard R. Elliott was, I think, the last secretary of the
society, and I understand he is engaged in writing its history in
full, from its beginning to its close, for publication in the near
future. It cannot fail to be of the highest interest.
^ :^ ^
The singing school was quite an institution at that time and
was condiucted by E. P. Hastings, and his brother, David French,
ran the "Big Fiddle." The young people of all denominations
attended, but I record with sorrow and regret that many of the
boys (myself among the number) did not do so for any good it
might bring, but for the mischief there was in it. They had
formed an aggressive society called the "Rowdy Club No. i," the
captain of which became a distinguished northern ofBcer during
the Civil War and is now a retired brigadier-general. The other
members in after life filled various responsible positions. "Boys
will be boys." •
One of the objective aims of the club was the disturbance of
the Presbyterian and Methodist singing schools, and they did it
most efifectually, by running in and out and slamming the entrance
door, loud whispering, putting red pepper on the stove, greasing
the big fiddle bow, and many other annoying things, until finally
Alexander McFarren, the bookseller, volunteered to stand guard
in front of the Presbyterian session room on singing school nights
and keep tlie boys out. He knew them all, and managed to curb
them somewhat.
The club finally met its Waterloo at the Methodist singing
school. Two of its members went one evening arrayed in female
attire, under the protection of one of its most stalwart and fearless
members (since an officer in the Unites States Navy). A large
delegation of the club was on hand, of course, distributed around
in various parts of the room, away from the "wolves in sheep's
clothing-" and their champion.
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 725
The strange actions of these three soon attracted the attention
of the singing master, Mr. Philbrick, and some of the girls in the
class. One of the latter, more venturesome and plucky than the
rest, proceeded to investigate them and found to her amusement
that the two supposed females were among her most intimate boy
admirers. The latter, with their escort, fearing exposure, broke
for the door, but before they could reach it, it was shut and
securely guarded, catching them in a trap.. An officer was sent
for, and they were bound over to appear at the recorder's court
in the city hall. Well, they appeared before his honor at the
stated time. They pleaded guilty, and the recorder, in view of
their youth, let them off with a scathing lecture, that, I will ven-
ture to say, no member of the club present, and indeed no one of
the large audience in attendance, Qver forgot. I know myself
and the three culprits never did. One of them, the captain of the
club, was moved to tears when the recorder alluded to his wid-
owed mother, the other two received the lecture with apparently
stolid indifference. The recorder w^as Asher B. Bates, and when
the three got clear of the court room, they vowed vengeance then
and there, and if a fitting opportunity ever presented itself, they
would take it out of his hide. But as time went on and the sober
second thought asserted itself, they came to see that he was right
and their animosity gradually died out.
As before said, one of these three, the captain, is now a
retired brigadier-general, one died an officer in the United States
Nav}', and the other became an officer in the Mexican War, a mer-
chant on Jefferson Avenue and a California Forty-niner, and died
there. I record with sorrow, and also some little gratitude, that
the sympathies of the girls attending these two singing schools
were always, from some cause or other, on our side. This affair
broke up the club, and the singing schools went on in peace.
The vacant lot on the corner of Woodward Avenue and Con-
gress Street, adjoining St. Paul's Church, was afterward occupied
by a two-story wooden building, in which L.. Y. B. Burchard had
a stock of general merchandise. Dr. John Ellis, almost the first
homeopathic physician in Michigan, had his office in the second
story. He died some years ago in New York City. Mr. Burchard
was about the first one to venture into business on Woodward
Avenue beyond Larned Street.
726 DARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
The Presbyterian Church on the corner of Larned Street,
when I first knew it, was a small wooden building with an unpre-
tentious steeple. The steeple boasted of a good, fair-sized bell,
which was used for all church and city purposes. It was rung at
7 o'clock in the morning, at noon, at 6 o'clock in the evening, and
at 9 o'clock at night by a city official. The bell rope came down
into the pillared entrance of the church, so that anyone, in case of
a fire, could give the alarm. **Hank" Wagstaff, brother of Cap-
tain ''Bob" Wagstaff, was the bell ringer.
The Reverend Noah M. Wells was the pastor and continued
in charge until the church building was sold to the St. Peter's
Catholic Society and was removed to the corner of Bates Street
and, what is now, Cadillac Square, the present site of Mc-
Sweeney's billard room. It remained there for some years, until
its removal into the Eighth Ward.
Colonel McKinney in his "Tour of the Lakes," in 1826, has
this to say of Mr. Wells : "On seeing this minister, the Rev. Noah
M. Wells, I was forcibly impressed with his fitness for the sacred
calling. His countenance not only wears the expression of
benignity but his entire appearance is that of a man of feeble
health, which alone was calculated to interest me. The thin par-
tition that seemed to be between him and the eternal world, made
his exercises the more appropriate, and gave to his discourse a
deeper interest."
I often heard Mr. Wells preach, and can bear witness to the
impression the colonel got of his feeble and frail appearance in
the pulpit ; but outside, and in the daily walks of life he was most
energetic. It is my impression that he outlived the colonel. He
was a very loveable man. His son, William Wells, was a promi-
nent hardware merchant here for years, an enthusiastic fireman
and Brady Guard. This son died a retired farmer at Vienna, near
Monroe, a few years ago.
The fine brick edifice that succeeded the wooden one was an
ornament to the city, and all were justly proud of it. The Rev.
J. P. Cleveland was, I think, the first pastor of the new chujch,
and will be remembered by many as a most eloquent divine. He
died quite recently, I think. This church was destroyed by fire
in 1854, and the society built a new one where Hudson's store
now is.
WOODWARD avenue: IN THE) THIRTIES. 727
The choir of the Presbyterian Church was one of its greatest
attractions, and quite equal to that of its neighbor, St. Paul's
(though unassisted by an organ), which at the time would have
been considered sufficient praise. The ladies composing the choir
were Mrs. Henry H. Brown, Misses Emma, Octavia, Rebecca and
Mary Brooks, Kate Hinchman, Harriet, Eliza and Mary Wil-
liams, Sophia Griswold, Miss Wendell, Miss Hastings and one or
two others whose names I do not now recall. The gentlemen
were — the leader, Eurotas P. Hastings, Mr. Henry H. Brown,
Wm. B. Alvord, James M. Bradford, George Watson and others,
and sometimes the brother of Mr. Hastings. David French pre-
sided at the bass viol, accompanied by Henry T. Cole on the flute.
Mr. E. P. Hastings and his brother were born musicians, the latter
being a teacher of music and followed the calling for a living.
The present site of the Merrill Block was owned by Robert
Smart ('"Bob" Smart, as he was familiarly called), who
built the brick store on the corner of Woodward and Jeffer-
son Avenues that I have before alluded to. He also had his
residence in a two and a half story wooden building about midway
between Larned Street and Jefferson Avenue, unpretentious and
devoid of paint. It was set back from the sidewalk about twenty
feet, with a row of trees in front.
Mr. Smart was a genial, jolly, Scotch bachelor and drew
around himself all the ''old boys" of that day. I have often seen
sitting with him under the trees in front of his house of a sum-
mer's day, many of his old cronies, among whom I recall Commo-
dore Brevoort, Austin E. Wing, Dr. Wm. Brown, General Charles
Larned, Judge Caniff, Ben Woodworth, Peter Desnoyers, Joseph
Campau, and many others. Mr. Smart passed to his fathers and
soon after his homestead was swept away, and his heir and
nephew, David Smart, replaced it with wooden and brick build-
ings for business purposes.
Mr. Amberg occupied the brick store adjoining the corner
one on Jefferson Avenue, with a stock of clothing. Adjoining
Amberg were Doty & McReynolds, auctioneers, and next was L.
L. Farnsworth (Gothic store) with boots and shoes. The wooden
stores were occupied by various tenants, the names of whom I fail
to recall except George Davie and John Fay, who had a grocery
and liquor store on the corner of Larned Street. The fire of 1852
swept away all these wooden buildings, and in due course of
728 e;arly days in di:troit.
time (1854 or 1861) the entire Woodward Avenue front, from
Larned Street to Jefferson Avenue, was replaced by the present
Merrill block.
Later on Wm. S. Penfield was in the hardware business,
with seeds and agricultural implements, about where O'Brien's
grocery store now is. When the building was demolished, he
removed to 210 Woodward. Penfield was an enthusiastic fire-
man. Mr. C. H. Buhl married a sister of his. Samuel Brown-
ing, son of F. P. Browning, who in the forties was clerk for the
Noyes Bros, (hardware), later on started in the same business for
himself at 1 17 Woodward Avenue. Thos. Berry, of the Berry Bros.,
glue manufacturers, had Browning for one of his first customers.
Sam Browning said the glue was of such superior quality that it
soon asserted itself and practically drove the foreign or eastern
article out of the market. The public is quite familiar with it
now.
John Owen, about 1830, occupied a house on the corner of
Woodward Avenue and Fort Street, where is now 'McMillan's
grocery store. He vacated it after the death of his first wife and
Judge Horace Jerome, father of the late Governor Jerome and
George Jerome, occupied it until his death, which occurred a short
time after he moved into it. I attended his funeral.
I do not recall who succeeded the Jeromes ; the next tenants
I remember were John and Howard Webster, wath stoves and
hardware. I think the McMillans occupied this corner shortly
after the Websters vacated it and they are still there. The
McMillans, before this occupied the premises where is now the
Metropole.
Adjoining the John Owen residence on Woodward Avenue
was the residence of John Scott, father of our Jim Scott, and
adjoining w^as the log cottage of a Widow Jones; she had a son
Ansel, who was a schoolmate of mine. Next to Mrs. Jones was a
blind alley fifteen or twenty feet wide, in which lived two or three
French families. Mr. Eutache Chapoton, father of the late Alex.
Chapoton, lived adjoining this alley in a two-story frame dwelling.
Sometime after this he moved to then upper Jefferson Avenue and
replaced the wooden tenement with a substantial brick block, still
standing. Dr. Ebenezer Hurd owned and lived in an old-fashioned
brick dwelling adjoining, on the corner of Congress Street, where
is- now the Richmond & Backus Company store. The doctor was an
WOODWARD AVKNUE IN THE; THIRTIES. 729
eminent physician and surgeon, particularly the latter. It was said
that he was the most skillful surgeon in all the northwest, when he
was in his prime. His practice extended all up and down the
river, on the borders of Lake St. Clair, and up the Rivers Rouge
and Ecorse. He always went when he was called, regardless.
As evidence of the doctor's surgical skill I relate a little anec-
dote, though I think it has been mentioned before. I repeat it
here because I knew of it personally at the time it occurred.
"One party of patriots, including Captain James Armstrong,
of Port Huron, recrossed the river from Canada, landing on Belle
Isle, but before they reached the land a ball frorri a six-pounder
cannon mangled Armstrong's arm. • He was brought to Doctor
Hurd's office Avhere the arm was amputated. Anesthetics were
not used in those days but Armstrong never uttered a groan dur-
ing the operation, and when it was finished, he picked up the arm,
waved it around his head, and said :
"Hurrah for the patriots, I'm willing to lose another arm
for the cause."
Armstrong was afterwards sheriff of Sanilac County in
1856-7.
Dr. Hurd also amputated the arm of the late Levi Bishop,
that was shattered by the premature discharge of a cannon, while
he was assisting in firing a Fourth of July salute on the Campus
Martins.
The doctor had a brother who was quite an artist (Gildersleve
Hurd), a designer and portrait painter of much skill. He had his
studio on Jefferson Avenue one door north of F. P. Browning's
store. He painted the portraits of some of the notables here, in
1826-7 and later, among them Judge James Witherell and wife
(now in possession of Mrs. Julia A. Lacey, Jefferson Avenue),
Judge B. F. H. Witherell and wife. He also painted the portrait
of Chemick, the son of the noted Indian chief, Kish-Kan-Ko,
which I think is now in possession of the Yondotega Club.
Mrs. Pettie lived on the corner opposite Dr. Hurd (south-
east corner of Congress Street), and I think she owned the prop-
erty through to Griswold Street. Mrs. Pettie, in the course of
events, became Mrs. E. P. Hastings.
This corner was afterward occupied by a brick building,
and I think it was first used by the Baggs as a bookstore and a
home for The Free Press. Adjoining was the residence of Colonel
730 EARI^Y DAYS IN DE:TR0IT.
Edward Brooks, city auctioneer, etc., where Fenwick's restaurant
is now. A portion of the lower part of his residence, toward the
river, was, at an early date (1837, and for some years after),
occupied by William R. Noyes with a hardware store, about the
first store on the avenue. Adjoining was a small wooden build-
ing that was used for a children's school. This children's school
was taught respectively by Miss Crawford and Miss Campbell.
Senator Palmer, when quite a lad, was a pupil here. Uncle Solo-
mon Davis took Miss Campbell for his second wife.
Afterwards a Mr. Goodrich, sexton of the Presbyterian
Church, opened up there wath a small stock of confectionery,
notions, etc., which appealed to the pockets of the youth attend-
ing the school nearby. He drove a brisk trade, particularly on
the Fourth of July.
Adjoining, Louis Davenport, proprietor of the Detroit &
Windsor ferry, lived in a neat cottage, set back from the street
some distance, the front yard being liberally supplied with trees
and flowers. The property is in the hands of his heirs yet. One
of his children, Lewis, became a skillful surgeon and a good
physician.
Adjoining the last named house was the residence of a typ-
ical French gentleman, Presque Cote ; it was a typical French
house of an early period. There were only himself and wife and
I used often to see them sitting on their front porch, of a sum-
mer's afternoon. Mr. Cote was the only resident that I remem-
ber at that time who toted water that the household needed for
drinking purposes, from the river; he used two wooden buckets,
dependent from a yoke across his shoulders. There were hosts of
others, of course, that did the same thing, but he is the only one
that I can recall in particular. Rain water supplied their other
wants.
The lot adjoining Mr. Cote's was vacant for some years until
some one erected a wooden building there, in which Stephen
Smith kept a shoe store for a long time, until his death, I think.
On the opposite corner of Larned Street (southwest), was
the cottage residence of General Charles Larned, father of the late
Sylvester Larned. His law office adjoined his house. The gen-
eral was an exceedingly handsome man, of commanding presence,
with dark curly hair and ruddy complexion. He usually wore in
summer a dark blue coat with brass buttons, nankin vest and
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 73 1
pants, black silk or satin stock, ruffled shirt and silk hat, a watch
fob from which depended a large bunch of seals that jingled as
he walked along the streets. The jingling of the seals heralded his
approach. One could always hear him before one saw him, from
this circumstance. He was unselfish and generous and a friend
to the poor ; also a good friend to the entire French contingent.
The Honorable J. M. Howard, Franklin Sawyer and Samuel
Pitts, all studied law in his office. He died of cholera in 1834.
The late Daniel Goodwin, Jr., of Chicago, said in regard to
General Larned :
•'After Samuel Pitts had graduated at Harvard and studied
law with Judge Story, he went to Detroit about 1833, with a letter
of introduction from General H. A. S. Dearborn to General Chas.
Larned, who had served under the elder Dearborn in the war of
1 8 12. Larned was major of a Kentucky regiment under General
Harrison which was incorporated into the regular army and sta-
tioned at Detroit. He was mustered out in 1816, and remained in
Detroit the remainder of his life and reared a large and influen-
tial family there. One of his sons-in-law was General Alpheus S.
Williams, who distinguished himself in the Mexican war and
in the war of the rebellion. He (the latter) was father-in-law of
the late lamented and talented Colonel Francis U. Farquhar of the
regular army. Mr. Pitts succeeded to General Larned's practice.
A partner for some time of Mr. Pitts was Senator Jacob M. How-
and a lawyer of most eminent albility, whose eloquence was
admired by almost every citizen of Michigan."
A widow and interesting family survived General Larned,
one son and five daughters. The son, Colonel Sylvester, took to
the law and became an eloquent member of the Detroit bar. Dur-
mg the Civil War he served as lieutenant-colonel of the Second
Michigan Infantry, from July 16, 1861, to March 6, 1862. He
married first a daughter of Colonel Lansing and sister of Edward
A. Lansing ; second a. daughter of C. Edwards Lester, who was
the author of that widely read book "The Glory and Shame of
England," and at one time United States consul to Liverpool.
Colonel Larned died not many years ago in London, England,
whither he had gone to visit a married daughter residing there.
A large number of our citizens are quite familiar with the col-
onel's career. He was intensely persuasive before a jury and was
fitly termed the ''Silver-tongued Larned."
732 e;arIvY days in Detroit.
General Larned's daughters were married as follows : Cath-
erine to Lawyer Samuel G. Atterbury (who afterwards entered
the ministry) ; Julia to Lewis D. Allen, lawyer ; Jane to General
Alpheus S. Williams ; Mary to Alex. K. Howard, son of Colonel
Joshua Howard, U. S. A. ; Harriet to William Rumney, son of
Robert Rumney, of this city.
After General Larned's death the family vacated the cot-
tage for their new residence on the corner of Congress and
Shelby Streets, where was St. Paul's Church. Afterwards
the cottage passed into the hands of Orris Field, who opened
a public house there, calling it the ''Detroit Cottage." He
continued there for quite a while when he made way for the brick
building that now occupies its site.
The cottage, during the general's life, was the scene of many
charming entertainments and social functions. I call to mind
one in particular, a gay gathering, to witness the marriage of
Lieutenant Sproat Sibley, U. S. A., and Miss Hunt, the daughter
of Judge Hunt, the father of John and Frank Hunt. The beautiful
bride was a niece of Mrs. Larned. It was a military wedding,
the groom w^as in full uniform as well as the many officers sta-
tioned here, who were present, making a brilliant spectacle. 1,
luckily, happened to be an eye-witness. Sylvester Larned and
myself were playmates and close friends at the time and through
him I rceived an invitation.
The Larned heirs and the Barnabas Campau heirs owned the
entire front of this block to Jefferson Avenue, and most of it is in
their possession yet.
^ -^ -^
The other firms engaged in business on Woodward Avenue
between Jefferson Avenue and the Russell House, up to 1850,
were Lyon & Co., dry goods; Holmes & Babcock, dry goods;
Albert Ives, grocer; Reuben Town, dry goods; D. W. Fiske,
hardware; P. & J. George, furs; John Brown, dry goods; Chase
& Cargill, auctioneers ; Cogshall Hardware Co. ; Coe & Coit, bank-
ers; J. & P. Aspinall ; R. H. .Hall, grocer; Hayden & Baldwin,
harness and saddlery ; Robert Dermont, drugs and liquors ; Freed-
man Brothers, dry goods; Holmes & Co. (Silas M. and Jabez),
dry goods ; S. Reeves, dry goods ; James Burns & Co., dry goods ;
Van Husan & Haynes, dry goods ; Markham & Thompson, dry
goods ; Eagle & Elliott, clothing ; N. P. Jacobs, drugs ; L. W.
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 733
Tinker, grocer ; Tinker & Webb, grocers ; Ephraim Brown, dry
goods ; P. T. Lowe, hardware ; T. K. Adams, boots and shoes ;
LaFayette Knapp, drugs; Wilder & Hunt, hardware; Noyes
Bros., hardware.
Griswold Street, from Jefferson Avenue out, had but a very
few buildings on it and none at all beyond the State house, in
1830. The dry bed of the Savoyard with its well defined banks
crossed the street diagonally, from Congress Street to the alle)/
by the old postoflfice building; across it on that side, was a small
wooden bridge with a hand rail on either side of it. This same
bridge was in evidence when the Savoyard was a live thing, so
I have been told.
Thomas Knapp, the sheriff, lived about the center of the east
side block, in a cottage surrounded by fruit trees and flowering-
shrubs. On the corner of the alley in the rear of the Ives Bank,
Edwin Jerome, our one time schoolmaster, had a grocery store,
assisted by his brother, "Tiff" Jerome. The latter died a, few
years ago in Saginaw, almost if not quite a millionaire.
* * *
On the corner of Larned Street, where is now the Campau
Block, was an old wooden building with a cupola on top, in which
there was a bell. The bell was used to call together the children
who attended the school kept there by Mr. McKinney and his
wife. They kept school there until the building was sawed in
half, and one half with the bell was sold to John Farmer and
moved away, as before mentioned. F. & T. Palmer once occupied
this building with their stocks of goods, before the completion
of their brick store on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Gris-
wold Street. In 1827 there was a short section of cedar pickets
standing in Lamed Street, midway between it and Shelby Street,
the sole remains of old Fort Ponchetrain.
Later on, Peter Desnoyers occupied until his death the fine
brick building (where is now the old jx)stoffice building), which
was built by Francis P. Browning. His office was in a small
wooden building adjoining on Larned Street. Here he also had
the remnants of his old stock of goods from his Jefferson Avenue
store. Uncle Peter was a genial gentleman, fond of a joke and
a good anecdote.
734 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
As the city increased in size, the one polhng place, at the city
hall, was found to be inadequate to accommodate the increased
number of voters, so the city fathers divided the business and
had extra polling places, at Woodworth's Hotel, on Randolph
Street, and at Uhl's tavern, in the old arsenal building, on the
corner of Jefferson Avenue and Wayne Street. On three occa-
sions I was one of the election clerks, once at the citv hall and
twice at the latter place. Each time Uncle Peter was one of the
election inspectors, another was Levi Cook, the other one I do not
now remember. Cook was an inveterate joker and between the
, two they had a heap of fun among themselves and the voters as
well. Uncle Peter's quizzical questions to the voters, in his
broken English, with a merry twinkle in his eye, always excited
the risibilities of those present. The questions sometimes were
entirely foreign to the business on hand. If they were puzzlers.
Uncle Peter would let it go at that, receive the ballot and drop
it into the box with an amused and enjoyable chuckle.
* * *
Mr. Desnoyers, just after he purchased this residence on the
corner of Lamed Street, built two other houses on Griswold
Street, between his own and the alley. One of them was occupied
by Dr. Terry and the other by Dr. Farnsworth. Henry V. Dis-
brow, in 1827, occupied a house further along, on the corner of
Congress Street. A little later on Lewis Goddard built a small
brick residence on the southwest corner of Congress Street, and
I think he lived in it until his death. Barnabas (Labie) Campaii
afterward occupied it until the completion of his new residence
on Woodward Avenue. James Williams built a fine brick resi-
dence on the corner of the alley, where is now the Moffat Block,
and lived there until his death. John Palmer, in 1829, also built
a fine brick residence adjoining, on the corner of Fort vStreet.
He resided there until 1870 or thereabouts, and removed to make
room for the Moffat Block. These two houses were the first
really good brick dwellings in the city, except the Hull house. A
little later Judge James Abbott built opposite John Palmer's,
where is now the Hammond building, a fine brick residence,
vacating the premises on the corner of Woodward Avenue and
Woodbridge Street. The judge lived there until his death, the
family afterward removing to Woodward Avenue, between John
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 735
R. and Grand Circus. I think the Abbott heirs sold the property
and it was devoted to various uses until the Hammond building
went up.
Judge Abbott was very fond of bees and had some forty or
fifty hives in the rear of his house, on the Fort Street side, and the
boys used to fight shy of that locality for fear of being stung.
;1< ^ ;i:
There was a house warming in 1833 at the old Abbott house,
George C. Bates, who was at the function, on a visit to the city
after an absence of nearly forty years, writes about it. The house
had been transformed into a restaurant, kept by Mike Bowen, and
he looking-for a light lunch, as he says, stepped into this restau-
rant, ordered a cup of cafe au lait and a sandwich. As he sat
there his eye wandered out to the city hall, the soldiers' monu-
ment and the Russell House, the street cars with theii^ tinkling
bells, memory carried him back to the by-gone days of forty years
before. He says :
''Sipping my coffee, the scene changed, and I saw in my
mind's eye on this identical location — including that occupied by
the city hall, the old Baptist Church and all this high ground or
knoll — a herd of cows, wearied cows, muddy and worn out by
long travel, stretched here and there, just brought from Ohio by
Mr. Wight for his milk ranch below town on the Cass farm, he
then being a hale, hearty, middle-aged man, engaged in the milk
business. Between that herd of cattle and the old capitol, now
that beautiful Union school house (High School), not one single
building was erected either on Griswold Street or Michigan
Avenue, but a long narrow plank walk over the green sward ( for
it was May, 1833) to the capitol where the Supreme Court of the
Territory of Michigan was then in session, was the sole isthmus
that connected Detroit with that beautiful suburb.
"At the same time on the west side of Woodward Avenue,
corner of Woodbridge Street, stood a low two-story old-fashioned
wooden building, probably over fifty years old — standing perhaps
ten feet back from the avenue, with a steep roof, dormer windows
and a high brass knocker on the door on which was cut in deep
letters 'J^^^^s Abbott.' The latch-string of that old door was
always on the outside, for there lived for many a long year one
of Detroit's most active and successful old-fashioned merchants —
a man of figures and of wealth, a sturdy descendant of an English
736 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
family, born in Montreal about the year 1791, who in the fur
trade, in commission business and supplying the military posts
of Michigan and the northwest, had accumulated a very large
estate, for he owned nearly half of that whole block, and who
maintained to his death the character of the fine old English gen-,
tleman, 'all of Ve olden time,' and who, amidst a long business
life, entertained with true hospitality all who made his acquain-
tance, and sought society under his roof."
In those -days the merchant princes of Detroit, and Mr.
Abbott especially, lived in small, snug, cosy houses, richly fur-
nished with real mahogany — ^table spread with solid silver — the
finest linen ; cellars full of pure old brandy, Jamaica rum, London
port, luscious Maderia and sherries that would make the blood
dance in one's veins ; and the richer they grew the more hospitable
they became, the more they entertained with elegant dinners.
After business was over splendid supper and dancing parties were
the order almost every evening after navigation was closed until
the next summer came.
No better representative home of Detroit fifty years ago could
be found that of James Abbott on Woodward Avenue; and
he himself, his genial, jolly wife, his beautiful daughter Sarah,
too soon to die; Aunt Cad Whistler, Miss Caroline Whistler, an
antique sister of Mr. A., the most graceful dancer and waltzer
then in Detroit; his then two roystering wild sons, Madison and
Bill Abbott, who sometimes in grand frolic rode their horses up
into the old Mansion House and drank julep and toddy with Jack
Smith from the counter there. All these grouped in a pho-
tographic gallery would tell the story of bygones of Detroit.
''But commerce had increased. The old steamers Niagara,
Clay, Sheldon Thompson, had given way to the New York, the
Michigan and such floating palaces. The docks were crowded in
summer with vessels, and Judge Abbott found he must move away
from the busy, crowded port of Detroit to a quiet retreat in the
country — remote from all business — and so he built the then ele-
gant home in which I was now sitting taking my lunch. At that
time, except the homes of John Palmer and James Williams
directly opposite and where the Mofifat block now stands, and a
small wooden building at the rear of what was the Baptist Church,
then occupied by Mason Palmer, and Mechanic's Hall, then a
small, rickety old shanty, there were no buildings in the neighbor-
WOODWARD avenue; IN THE) THIRTIES. 737
hood, and when his new home was completed Judge Abbott flat-
tered himself that he was forever outside of and beyond the reach
of business wants, or business property ; that in future years there
he and his children and his children's children could have a quiet
country home, where in peace and quiet they could live and die.
Of the house itself, it may be said, that, when finished, it was one
of the most substantial, costly and elegant buildings in Detroit.
"Now stands it there; none so poor, so low as to do it reverence."
But the house was finished — the grass plot prepared, and the rose
bushes were transplanted from the old home, and with true old-
fashioned hospitality there must be a ''House Warming," and so
invitations, written in Mr. Abbott's round English hand — bespeak-
ing order, firmness, health and true nobility — were sent to all the
elite of Detroit to come and help dedicate that home to comfort,
enjoyment, pleasure and hospitality, and they came. As I looked
into my coffee cup, nearly drained, and closed my eyes to the
present, memory and fancy^-blessed gifts to man — gave me back
that brilliant scene, and replaced it in those, then large parlors,
dining rooms, chambers and anti-rooms, long since gone, never,
never to return. There stood Mr. and Mrs. Abbott, two sturdy
specimens of the old English and French Canadian stock, most
richly and elegantly dressed — not in the Parisian styles, but the
true English mode. Miss Whistler, as aide-de-camp, waiting to
receive their guests, who came to exclaim from their very heart
of hearts, "Peace be upon this house and all beneath it," and who
were welcomed without ostentation or ceremony, but with true
old-fashioned western hospitality. There was General Hugh Brady,
one of the noblest, bravest, truest soldiers that ever trod with
undaunted step the field of battle, in full uniform, with his staff;
General Frank learned, with his suave and elegant address ; Cap-
tain Backus, the son-in-law of General Brady; ex-Governor Tom
Mason, Governor Woodbridge, Judge B. F. H. Witherell, Augus-
tus L. Porter, Judge Goodwin and a large number of the old law-
yers of Detroit, always ready for a big fee, a frolic, or a flirtation.
Major Bob Forsyth, a superb, elegant paymaster, U. S. A. ; Pierre
Desnoyers, Chas. Moran, Chancellor Farnsworth, Edmund Brush,
Alex. Centre, Lieutenant J. M. Berrien, Alfred Brush, General J.
E. Schwartz, all in complete uniform, Chas. C. Trowbridge, John
A. Welles, aye, all the men and women of that day full of life, hope
— joyous, generous, fraternal, hospitable — were gathered there and
47
738 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
then; and the feast of viands, of music, and of joy, and of wine
went merrily on. Such a supper of elk steaks, roast venison,
prairie chicken, buffalo tongues and beaver's tails was never
excelled in Detroit; and the claret and sherry and Maderia flowed
like water, while Jamaica toddies, apple toddies, egg-nog, Cana-
dian shrub and hot Scotch and Monongahela whisky punches came
and went, until the long and joyous feast was over, and even now-
here, as memory brings back the aroma of that old Jamaica toddy
and Monongahela whisky, my red ribbon trembles with the pleas-
ant memory of long ago."
JfC *fC Sft
The Baptist Church was on the opposite corner from John
Palmer's, where the Walker building now is. It was of brick,
with quite a commanding steeple. Its first pastor, I think, was
Reverend Robert Turnbull. Adjoining was the Mechanics' hall,
a two-story wooden building. This hall was used from time to
time by various school teachers. As it was after my school days,
I call to mind only four or five who taught school, there. One
was an old-time pedagogue, George B. Eastman (the boys used
to call him "Old Eastman"). He taught along in the early thir-
ties, and a good school he kept, too, his scholars and their parents
used to say. Another old-timer kept school here in 1838. His
name was Marsh. I never came under his' tuition, but I did come
under his instructions in military discipline, as he was captain of
Company A, First regiment, Michigan Militia, and when I was
first warned to train, having arrived at the age of 18, I found that
it was to be in his company. Well, we did have a time of it, and
Captain Marsh put us through our paces good. He was a schol-
arly man, and gave good satisfaction as a teacher. The others I
call to mind were Patrick Higgins, afterwards police justice. The
latter and myself boarded together with my aunt, Mrs. Hinchman,
on lyarned Street, while he had charge of this school. A pleasant
and agreeable gentleman. He was rather slight in stature, but
always quiet, determined and dignified.
Other teachers were Mr. Bissell (later on Bishop Bissell),
assisted by his son. Lawyer Bissell, of this city, and Philo M.
Parsons. The latter I knew intimately and admired him greatly.
No one deplored his early death more than 'I.
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE) THIRTIES. 739
Mr. W. W. Wilcox was president of the Mechanics' society,
1856-7-8. He was also a member of board of estimators in i860;
grade commissioner, 1855-1861 ; drain commissioner, 1860-1862;
alderman, 1854; city assessor, 1857-1863. During the time he
held the last natned office he had for employes, Henry M. Whittle-
sey, J. L. Langley, George W. Osborn, James C. Latham, Eugene
Robinson and John I. Teller. Wilcox Street was named after
him. This street was formerly Grand River east. Silas Farmer
was one of the committee to rename the street, and it was so
named from the fact that the Wilcox homestead was on the corner
of John R. Street and Miami Avenue, built over sixty years ago.
The main part is now doing service as a store.
Mr. Wilcox was a heavy contractor, carrying on -a very
extensive establishment ; many of the most prominent buildings in
Detroit were erected by him. In 1865, at the earnest solicitation
of his old friend, James F. Joy, then a C, B. & Q. director, Mr.
Wilcox was induced to abandon his large interests in Detroit and
remove to Aurora, 111., to assume the responsible position of
superintendent of the entire car and wood work department of
the C, B. & Q. road, a position which he held for many years.
He died in Aurora, May, 1880. A son of his, George G. Wilcox,
was clerk in the state adjutant-general's office in this city during
the civil war and after, and later a clerk in the Uni1»ed States
customs for many years.
* * *
General John R. Williams, at one time had his residence
opposite the capitol, on the corner of State Street. Timothy Fales
lived in the rear of the capitol, on the corner of Grand River
Avenue, where is now the Bennett block. Later on Lawyer
Lewis Allen lived opposite the capitol, where later stood the
Capitol Square, theater, as did also Eralsey Ferguson.
The Capitol building, many will remember, and it has so
often been described, I will not repeat an account of it here, except
to relate one or two incidents connected with it. The members of
the legislature, cotivening here, used occasionally to have a high
old time, particularly at night sessions and on days of final
adjournment. Some among the members of the lower house had
a trick of smuggling liquor within the walls and having it charged
as stationery. At the night sessions when it got along into the
small hours, the fun, aided by the ''stationery," got fast and
740 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
furious, and it was kept up until the speaker's gavel rapped
adjournment. The brilliant and eloquent member of the lower
house from Mackinac, McLeod, was particularly conspicuous on
these occasions. He was almost the counterpart of the late
"Curt" Emerson and, like him, possessed unusual gifts. They
used also to have mock sessions of the house, at night, and at these
McLeod was always elected speaker. It can readily be imagined
what a wild time they had.
Of all the speakers of the house, the only ones that I remem-
ber and, who, at that time, impressed me so much, were Judge
Henry T. Backus and Robert McClellan.
The Territorial library w^as in the Capitol building, and was
established by act of legislative council, June i6, 1828. William
B. Hunt was appointed the librarian by Governor Lewis Cass, for
a term of two years. Mr. Hunt continued to act as librarian until
March 7, 1834, when Gershom Mott Williams was appointed by
Governor Geo. B. Porter. Wm. B. Hunt was the father of the
late G€0. Wellington Hunt, also of our present fellow citizen,
Cleveland Hunt. Mr. Williams seems to have acted as librarian
until the organization of the institution as a state library.
The honored names of Henry R. Schoolcraft, Charles Moran,
Daniel S. Bacon, Calvin Britton, Elon Farnsworth, Chas. C. Has-
kell and others are found in the list of members of the library
committee.
Gershom Mott Williams was the son of General John R.
Williams.
The location of the state capitol was away out in the country,
as it were, surrounded by a wide common, that for some years
could not boast of a single dwelling. The only resident in the
immediate vicinity in 1827 that I call to mind was Thomas Row-
land, at one time postmaster, and he lived where St. Aloysius
Church is now, on Washington Avenite.
Captain John Burtis, of the steamer Argo, lived in a small
cottage (Locust cottage), that had a row of locust trees in its
front. It was located al30ut 100 feet from Grand River Avenue,
on the north side of what is now Bagley Avenue. The captain
was asked why he went out so far to ''pitch his tent," and he
replied, ''I want and must have sea room."
The wide commons in the rear of the capitol were, during
the summer months, covered in many places with a dense growth
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 74 1
of weeds that grew almost as high as one's head. On this com-
mon and through these weeds the horses and cattle roamed at will,
and among them was a stubborn donkey, the property of Colonel
D. C. McKinstry. This donkey was an especial pet of boys, and
many tried to ride him. He would allow them to get on his back
and get comfortably seated ; then he would start off at a canter,
with a loud bray, up would go his heels and over his head would
go the boy. After a time he met his master, though, in a l)oy
by the name of Nige Pickett, a harum-scarum youth who was
utterly fearless. He tried Mr. Donkey several times without
success. There came a time, however, when he stuck on despite
the efforts of the animal to throw him. Ever after that the
donkey would allow Pickett to ride him whenever he pleased.
George Jerome, when a boy, often tried to ride this donkey, but
failed.
* * *
My uncle, Thomas Palmer, owned quite a number of lots
between the line of the West park and the line of the Cass farm,
and on them had located quite a number of houses bought at the
government sale of the cantonment buildings of Fort Shelby, and
established quite a colony there. He also had in operation there
an ashery and a pottery. The latter turned out what was called
** Jackson ware," a very coarse pottery, but just suited to the needs
of those who did not care for a better article.
On the line of the Cass farm and on the west side of Michi-
gan Avenue was the cottage residence of Charles M. Bull, the
only dwelling that I remember on that avenue or in the immediate
vicinity at that time. Mr. Bull lived there for many years and
died there. His house, as I have said, was the only one on
Michigan Avenue that I recall, and Michigan Avenue continued
on its way houseless until one reached a log farm house on the
Woodbridge farm, where now is the wood and hay market. This
house of Mr. Bull's was turned into a "Cheap John" furniture
store, and many will remember the great display of odds and ends
the proprietor used to make in front of his store.
General Fairchild, of Wisconsin, married a daughter of
Charles M. Bull. Fairchild was afterward governor of Wiscon-
sin. Charles M. and the late George G. Bull, clerk of the United
States court, were brothers. Mrs. Captain Gager, whose husband
commanded the steamboat Albany, was a sister.
742 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Fort Shelby, when I came here, was in the first stages
of demoHtion. The earthworks had been leveled and but two
or three rows of the cantonment buildings remained intact.
They were speedily disposed of .at public sale, except a por-
tion of the western row, the council hall going to the Pres-
byterian society, which moved it to the rear of its new brick
church on the corner of Woodward Avenue and Larned Street,
where it did duty as a Sunday school room, lecture room, etc. I
attended Sunday school there and remember with pleasure the
names and personalities of two of the Superintendents, John J.
Deming and Horace Hallock. Two good pious m.en, and, if
there is a bright hereafter, they, no doubt, are in its very midst.
John J. Deming's daughter Mary married Mr. Chas.
Crocker. The latter in after years was one of the Pacific railroad
crowd of millionaires, another of whom was Mark Hopkins,
formerly of St. Clair. They both erected fine houses on Nobb's
Hill, San Francisco, the aristocratic quarter. The mansions,
though now vacated by their former owners, are with all their
contents kept as show places.
Mr. Crocker was a poor, struggling youth in this city, in the
early thirties. Mark Hopkins was at the same period a young
boy (perhaps i6 years) dependent on and living with his brother,
Samuel Hopkins, in the village of Palmer (now St. Clair). I
lived there at the same time ; we were boys together. He passed
out of my life, and the first I heard of him after that was his
wonderful career in California, where he rolled up wealth, "in
measures that Alladin never knew." Samuel Hopkins w^as in the
early days the principal cabinet maker and boss carpenter of the
village. He was a fine, square man, member of the church,
leader of the choir and all that sort of thing. He was the main-
stay of the congregation that used to meet in the court room of the
old county seat building, before the dwellers there had any stated
preacher. Samuel Hopkins was always on hand. When Rev-
erend O. C. Thompson was assigned to St. Clair as the resident
preacher, Hopkins continued, a mainstay. Along in the after
years, I used to meet him, now and then, and the early times were
gone over, you may be sure.
The last time I saw my friend Hopkins he was sitting in the
office of the Oakland hotel, St. Clair. He had just completed it,
and he looked with great satisfaction on what he had accom-
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 743
plished, a feat that did not enter his wildest dream in the early
days. He said further that after he had gotten hold of the gener-
ous "lump"' that Mark had left to him it was a new and queer
experience for him to have if not an unlimited bank account, a
very generous one, and a still further pleasurable experience was
to draw a check on a bank. ♦
I saw lately in the papers that Charles Crocker, son of the
deceased millionaire, paid a fee of $20,000 to Dr. Doyen, of
Berlin. The doctor treated his wife and asserted that she had
a cancer. She died under his hands. After her death it was
ascertained that she did not have a cancer at all and died from
other causes. Mr. Crocker has instituted suit against the doctor
for malpractice.
John J. Deming, as stated in a former article, was superin-
tendent of the First Sunday school (Presbyterian) I ever attended
in this city; he was a brother of Mrs. John Palmer. He held
many offices of trust and his beautiful, clear-cut handwriting
appears on many of the city records. A beautifully written card
from his pen is before me now, and bears the legend,
JANE M. PALMER, DETROIT.
1835.
"Awake, my soul, to sound His praise.
Awake, my harp, to sing."
— Barlow.
He died many years ago in California.
7^ 2JC ^ *
Larned, Congress and Fort Streets all ended on the line of
the Cass farm, and beyond there were very few dwellings, except
on the river front. The large log farm-house belonging to Gov-
ernor Cass stood where is now the residence of Allan Shelden.
This log house was for the use of the person having immediate
charge of the farm and was of ample dimensions.
A line or row of fine locust trees ran across the -Cass farm,
on the present line of Fort Street. The stone bomb-proof powder
magazine, belonging to Fort Shelby, was situated in the center of
Congress Street in front of the Caniff & Dean house and midway
between Shelby and Wayne Streets. It was torn down shortly
after I came here. The quarters for the officers stationed at Fort
Shelby (not the commanding ofificer), were situated on part of
744 ea'rly days in Detroit.
the property now the site of the present postoffice. Judge John
McDonnell occupied them after the burning of his dwelling in the
fire of 1829 or 30, until his death.
*. * *
Judge McDonnell and his family were so intimately con-
nected with our family that I* must give them some little consider-
ation here. The judge was a most kind-hearted, genial, and
intelligent Scotch gentleman, and, although a young lad myself,
he challenged my admiration. Mrs. McDonnell was a most
estimable lady, a daughter of a Mr. Smith, a Scotchman, who
was an extensive merchant in Sandwich in 181 2 and previous.
Aside from his other possessions, the judge owned two or three
slaves, as did other families here and on the border in Canada. He
also cared for three old men, pensioners on his bounty, in his
home on Fort Street. I have often seen them sunning themselves
in the summer, on the front porch, and, in the winter, enjoying
the huge kitchen fire.
On the corner of the alley, in the rear of the Widow Coate's
house on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Shelby Street, Amos
Chafifee carried on a horseshoeing and blacksmth shop and con-
tinud there for some years.
Along in after years, a small, cosy brick dwelling occupied
the site of this blacksmith shop. It was the residence — and at
the same time — the gambling rooms of ''Ike" Flowers, whose
personality so many must call to mind. Flowers had the reputa-
tion of being among the best principled of that fraternity ; he was
never known tx> take advantage of a novice. This assertion I
have often heard vouched for by frequenters of his establishment.
He always appeared on the streets faultlessly dressed, and inva-
riably alone when on foot, although the owner of a very pretty
woman for a wife. He and Mrs. Flowers used often, on fine
afternoons, to enjoy an outing behind a spirited nag. The family
lived over the gaming rooms, and consisted of Flowers, his wife,
and a sister of the latter, a very pretty unasumming damsel.
They all lived there until down to about 1853-4, when they van-
ished. I never knew what became of them, except "Ike" and his
pretty sister-in-law. The latter I heard of some years after, as
being married to the son of a well-known wealthy manufacturer
in Springfield, Mass. Flowers turned up in this city many years
after, as keeper of a restaurant, first on Griswold Street, next
WOODWARD ave;nue; in the thirties. 745
nearly opposite the Michigan Exchange, the last, in the Desnoyer
block on Jefferson Avenue. He had another woman for a wife,
the widow of a scion of one of the old French residents. The
appetizing "petite soupire" that ''Ike" used to provide for the fre-
quenters of his rooms on Shelby Street, were remembered, and
drew many who had partaken of them, to patronize him in his new
venture. Mr. Harry Guise and myself were guests of his from
start to finish, although neither one of us ever visited his place on
Shelby Street. He was singularly reticent in regard to his former
life, his wife, etc. It was presumed his former wife was divorced
from him, although Guise and myself never made the slightest
allusion to his past. He died while keeping the restaurant in the
Desnoyer block, April 6, 1887.
Flowers began life as a hand on board a Wabash canal boat.
He was no sooner able to earn $5 or $6 a month than he learned to
gamble. One day when 15 years old he won the piles of the entire
boat's crew with whom he worked. Immediately afterwards he
quit work and thenceforth became a professional gambler. In
1845 or 1846 he opened his first gambling house in Columbus, O.,
in company with Sprad Betts and John Brown. His house pros-
pered greatly, and as his wealth increased so did his ambition.
He broke from his partners, came to Detroit and opened a gamb-
ling saloon on Shelby Street.
During the thirty-eight years which Flowers spent on and off
in Detroit he was the proprietor of numerous ''high-toned"
gambling houses.
It was said that Flowers was one of the most audacious
gamblers in the entire west. His losses one night, it was said,
exceeded $12,000, and his friends aver that during his career he
won and lost over $1,000,000.
* * *
A row of Lombard poplars stood in front of the McDonald
house on the corner of Fort and Shelby Streets. I remember
them as prominent landmarks on approaching the city from
below. It was said that the seed from which they were, reared
came from France.
In the rear of the McDonnell residence was the wagon and
blacksmith shop of Marsh and Chittenden. They occupied the
entire lot from the alley to Lafayette Street. The latter street,
from Shelby to Griswold Streets, had but two or three dwellings on
74^> EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
it. On the northeast corner was a saloon; about the middle of
the block on the north side was the residence of Mr. Heath, a
produce dealer ; opposite were the cottage residences of Gilbert F.
Rood and William P. Patrick. Adjoining the residence of Mr.
Heath were the freight buildings of the Michigan Central rail-
road, which extended through to Michigan Avenue. The build-
ings were in charge of William F. Chittenden, of Marsh & Chit-
tenden, who was freight agent and master of transportation of the
railroad at that time. Mr. Chittenden was an amiable man in
many ways, possessed more than ordinary culture, had the gift of
expressing himself admirably, and managed to acquire quite a
competency for those days ; altogether a remarkable man.
Opposite the shop of Mr. Chaffee was the two and a half
story dwelling of Alvah Ewers, the cooper, and one of the city
magnates. He had his shop on the corner of Larned and Cass
Streets where is now the wholesale grocery house of Messrs. Lee
& Cady. Dr. Ewers, his son (deceased), was at one time the
United States consul at Windsor.
Adjoining Mr. Ewer's place, across the alley, was a large
double, wooden tement house, belonging, I think, to Levi Cook.
It occupied the site of the building formerly occupied by the
Calvert Lithographing Company. On the corner where is now
the Tribune building was the saloon and residence of John Horn.
He made a specialty of brown stout and English ale, keeping both
on tap. The excellence of his goods attracted a large custom.
He prospered in his business, so much so that he moved to more
extensive' quarters near the foot of Woodward Avenue. Later
he and his boys and a Cincinnati capitalist, who had married
Horn's daughter, went into the ferry business between this city
and Windsor. Their career in this line is familiar to almost
everyone. On the opposite corner, where stands the building
formerly occupied hy The Free Press, were located the stables and
headquarters of the various stage lines in which DeGarmo Jones
was interested. They occupied quite a large space, extending to
the alley crossing Shelby Street and about lOO feet on Larned
Street."
Adjoining on Larned Street was the residence of the widow
Roby, and opposite, Joseph Campau had a row of five or six tene-
ment houses. Later on, after Mrs. Roby's death, the house she
had occupied was replaced by Geo. W. Howe's brick livery stable,
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE) THIRTIES. 747
the first good livery established here with the exception of John
Long's in the rear of the National hotel, now the Russell house.
Referring once more to Horn's corner : It was the property
of the late Dr. Rufus Brown, he having purchased it in 1836,
paying for the lot $300, and he hung on to it with the greatest
tenacity to the day of his death, when the representatives of his
estate consented to part with it for the sum of $15,000.
Adjoining Horn's, on the corner of the alley, lived John Y.
Petty, of the firm of Poupard & Petty, forwarding and commis-
sion merchants.
Larned, Congress, Fort nor Lafayette Streets were not opened
up any farther than to the line of the Cass farm in 1827, as before
said. The first houses and business places that I recall on Larned
Street, between Shelby and Wayne Streets, were, on the south
side, the residences of Henry S. Cole and the widow Hinchman
(mother of Guy F. and the late Joseph B. Hinchman). Adjoin-
ing Mrs. Hinc.hman's, on the corner of Wayne Street, after some
years, was the brick grocery store and residence of E. W. Jones.
Adjoining the Horn corner, also, lived Charles Howard, the
engineer of the Detroit Hydraulic Works, and next to him was
the residence of William Duncan Brewer and Ezra Rood. Later
on Duncan became mayor of Detroit. He married for his first
wife the daughter of John Hanmer, an esteemed citizen.
My earliest recollections center about Jas. Hanmer's tavern,
foot of Griswold Street. When I came here there was no dock at
the foot of Griswold Street. The water of the Detroit River
washed up here on a pebbly beach, the Indian, the French voya-
geur and the habitant pulled his canoe up on the shore unob-
structed. Here in the season they brought great loads of white-
fish from the various fisheries up and down the river. How often
when a slip of a boy, have I trudged of a morning down to the
foot of Griswold Street, from my uncle's house, corner of Jeflfer-
son Avenue, to procure the daily supply of whitefish. The catch
was often so large that aside from their excellence as an article
of food, their cheapness recommended them, and you could buy
from five to ten, nice hard, plump fellows for 25 cents. So plenti-
ful were they that scarcely a household in the city but what had
them on their tables if they so desired. They were almost the
mainstay of our people in the early days, and when cooked by any
of the French housewives of that time, what a delicious morsel
748 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
they were. I have dwelt somewhat on the white fish m former
articles.
Hanmer's was well patronized, mostly by lake and river-
going men. It was headquarters for them during the winter
months, a "haven of rest/' as it were. When the fire (spring of
1830) visited and wrecked the Detroit Gazette office on Griswold
Street, and the brick store of F. and T. Palmer, adjoining on the
corner of Jefferson Avenue, the weary citizens composing the
bucket lines formed from the engines stationed on Jefferson Ave-
nue to the foot of this street for the purpose of supplying them
with water. Hanmer was on hand with a bountiful supply of
hot coffee, etc., that was most gratifying to the inner man. He
repeated the same thing the winter following when the fire
occurred on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street
(Ives old corner), sweeping away a number of wooden buildings.
It was an intensely cold Sunday morning and the water froze
wherever it touched. It may well be supposed that the firemen
and the "leather bucket brigade" had a hard time of it. A person
could not stand in the line long without being covered with icicles,
and the boys manning the brakes were in about as bad a condition,
so it may be imagined our Friend Hanmer's donation on this
particular occasion was most welcome. Though quite a lad, I
was at both these fires, and helped pass the empty buckets, too
small to handle the full ones. This tavern, after Hanmer left it,
was occupied by Nelson Tomlinson, who, while the Patriot dis-
turbance was on, had been keeping tavern in Palmer (St. Clair).
He changed the name to "The Mansion House," and that name
it bore until it was changed to "Seaman's Home." It is still
standing, and I think it bears the same name. The Detroit and
Windsor ferry boats (Davenport's) landed at the foot of this
street, and near by at the docks of DeGarmo Jones and Shadrack
Gillett landed most of the large steamboats from Buffalo. Ward's
line of steamers landed near by at John Hutching's dock.
Many will call to mind Jas. Hanmer and his personality, as
he passed away not so many years ago. He was an ideal land-
lord, and one of the quietest and most genial of men. After
gaining a competency he quit the tavern business, and retired,
in a measure. He owned at one time the southwest corner of
Woodbridge and Bates Streets, where had stood the home of
Hon. Austin E. Wing, and operated there a wood yard, some-
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 749
what extensively. He left three daughters and two sons. The
name of the oldest was Charles. He died in his teens. What
became of the other I do not know. Wm. Duncan, the brewer,
married a daughter of Hanmer's, the eldest. An individual by
the name of Ryckman (who I think was in the employ of Josh
Carew) married another daughter. They did not remain long
together and separated for good. The fault could not be hers,
as she was one of the most gentle and amiable of mortals. She
shortly after married Mr. James Carson, of Lake Superior, and
it is presumed lived happily, at least I never heard anything to
the contrary. The other daughter married Wm. Ashley, a bright
young man connected with William Duncan in the brewery
business. Duncan's early married life was passed in a small
two-story dwelling on Larned Street between Shelby and Wayne,
and nearly opposite my boarding house (Mrs. Hinchman's) so
that I became quite familiar with them and their surroundings.
After a time I went to Buffalo for three or fours years, and in
the meantime Duncan had improved his fortunes, and had got-
ten into more pretentious quarters and pleasanter surroundings.
I do not remember at what time his wife died, leaving a boy and
a girl. After some years the widower married a young woman
of this city by the name of Heath, pretty and attractive as most
people of the present day know.
Duncan was quite successful in the brewery business and as
a maltster, and I think associated with him from time to time
were Curt Emerson, Josh Carew, Nate Williams, ex-Mayor Lang-
don and others. His brewery was at 186 Woodbridge Street
west, and his malt house, 29 Bates Street. The Collins brothers
were in his employ, it seems to me always, particularly John Col-
lins, lately deceased, who was for so many years connected with
the Wayne County Savings Bank, and in charge of the safety
deposit vaults. A man whose sterling integrity, all who knew
him were delighted to acknowledge.
John, while in Duncan's employ was his special delivery and
collecting agent, and was a conspicuous figure on the streets at
that time driving his delivery wagon himself. He was good
nature itself, and always had a place on the seat beside him for
the many youngsters of his acquaintance, who swore by him,
particularly Thomas W. Palmer, Warner Newberry, Billy Ewers,
Guy and Joseph B. Hinchman and many others. Then they
750 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
were a bit useful to him, too, holding the horse in case of need,
etc. When he went a good man passed to his reward.
Duncan after a while essayed politics, though he had been
before this alderman of his ward (first) 1854-5-6, and ran for
mayor on the Democratic ticket in opposition to H. P. Baldwin.
The contest was quite spirited on both sides. The staid Mr.
Baldwin had quite a new and to him novel experience visiting
the saloons and slums soliciting votes and acquainting himself
with the rough element. It was different with Duncan from the
nature of his business, which brought him in contact and made
him familiar with the saloonkeepers and those that frequented
their places. Besides all this he was more a man of the people
than was Baldwin, an easy going, generous, genial individual.
Mr. Baldwin had all the elements of respectability to a marked
degree, but they were not sufficient to win, and his Democratic
opponent was elected by a large majority. I heard Duncan in
one of his speeches say in regard to his adversary : "Mr. Bald-
win, who is opposing me, is a very nice, good man and all that
and I have not a word to say against him, except- that he is not a
Democrat, and besides he wears a No. 6 hat." That was all he
said for or against him, no more.
Duncan served the city as tnayor for two terms, quite suc-
cessfully. Some time either during his term of service as mayor,
or before or after, there occurred here an alarming scarcity of
small change, to relieve which Duncan came to the rescue through
the issue of $15,000 worth of fractional currency, on his own
individual responsibility. They were welcomed by all classes of
the community, and taken without question^ or hesitation.
Duncan built for himself a fine residence on Lafayette
Avenue, where he hoped to pass the declining years of a busy
life in peace and contentment, but he was doomed to disappoint-
ment, for death came to him only a few years after he had ceased
the worry and hustle of 'business, and not much past the prime
of life, widely regretted, leaving a widow, a son, and daughter
by his first wife, and a very comfortable fortune. The widow,
after some years married Dr. Donald McLean, who died not long
ago. His widow survives him and resides in this city. The son
died here only a year or so ago. The daughter married Lieu-
tenant (now Captain) Cecil, U. S. A. He is at present stationed
at Fort Cook, Omaha.
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE) THIRTIES. 75 1
On the corner where is now the fire department headquar-
ters stood the old city hay scales, the Washington market
afterwards taking its place, and then the present fire depart-
ment. The arsenal grounds took up the entire square bounded
by Wayne and Larned Streets, Jefiferson Avenue and Cass Street,
except the arsenal building itself on the corner of Wayne Street
and Jefferson Avenue, the dwelling of Doctor Houghton in its
rear on Wayne Street and the residence of the keeper. Captain
Perkins, on the corner of Jefferson Avenue and Cass Street.
William Nesbitt had a grocery store and dwelling where is now
the Detroit News Co, Between Cass and First Streets after Lar-
ned Street was opened up, lived William Harsha, Duncan Stew-
art, William Warner, stage agent; George W. Howe, William
Stewart and others whose names I do not now recall. I lived
ther£ myself the second year after I was married (1853).
In the rear of the Washington market, on the corner of the
alley, was the house of fire engine Company No. 4, of which I
was a member, having, joined the company about 1838. This
was what was then called the young men's and boys' company,
scarcely any of the members being more than 21 years of age,
and it is needless to say that the fire engine business eclipsed all
else in the minds of the boys. They thought engine, they talked
engine and they even dreamt engine. If they succeeded in get-
ting to a fire before any of the older companies, or if they suc-
ceeded in washing any of them, it was a victory indeed, and was
hailed with yells of delight. The term "washing" used to mean
that when any of the companies were taking water or suction
from another company and were furnished more water than they
could get away with, then they were "washed."
There were some three or four dwellings' in the alley corner
of the Evening News building; and in one of them, as I have
before mentioned, Anson Burlingame and I attended school.
Across the alley, in the rear of the Free Press job office on Shelby
Street, was the residence of Colonel Levi Cook ; the first story is
yet standing and is used as a carpenter shop. The Savoyard used
to run down through this alley, and right here was a large elm tree
(on its border). Colonel Cook lived here many years. In this
house the late George W. Bissell was married to Miss Eliza San-
derson, an adopted daughter of Colonel Cook. He and John
Hale owned nearly all the land in this block, bounded by the alley,
752 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Shelby, Congress and Griswold Streets. John Hale built for
himself, on Congress Street, a fine large frame dwelling, im-
mense for those days. It stood where is now a part of the Buhl
block and opposite the present site of the Wayne County Savings
Bank. From the Hale residence to the corner of Congress and
Shelby Streets were Colonel Cook's garden and plum and peach
orchard. The plum and peach trees yielded delicious fruit, as I
can testify.
On the west side of Shelby Street, from the Evening News
building, there were no dwellings until one reached the residence
of Henry Newberry, on the corner of the alley in the rear of the
present Tecumseh Block. Oliver Newberry lived with his
brother, Henry, and his nephew, Henry L. On the present site
of the Tecumseh Block Thomas Palmer, father of Senator
Palmer, built for himself a frame residence that, at that time,
was the peer of any of a like character on Fort Street. He occu-
pied it until his removal to the Witherell farm on Jefferson Ave-
nue. As an evidence of the rise in value of property in that
immediate vicinity, my uncle sold this property for $7,000, and
his son, the senator, subsequently bought it for $45,000. I Imag-
ine there was some little sentiment on the senator's part con-
nected with this purchase.
There were very few houses on Congress Street from Shelby
Street down, before its extension through the Cass farm. Judge
Caniff and Jerry Dean built and occupied the brick residence that
is still standing nearly opposite the present Shelby Block. The
judge continued to occupy his portion of it until his death, nearly
thirty years ago. He was an eccentric character, and where he
got ^his title of "judge" no one seemed to knowi but neverthe-
less he was a ''Sir Oracle" in many respects in this community
at an early date. His decisions on mooted questions that used to
be discussed by the city solons in front of *'Sid" Rood's book
store were nearly always taken as final. The judge was withal
the most genial of men and an inveterate joker. He addressed
every one, high or low, by his given name. He commenced his
career here as a shoemaker in a little shop on the south side of
Jefferson Avenue, a short distance this side of Shelby Street.
Later on he entered into partnership in the grocery business with
John Scott, father of our present fellow townsman and capitalist,
*7im" Scott, on the corner of Woodbridge Street near the foot of
WOODWARD ave;nue; in the thirties. 753
Shelby Street. The business continued until the death of Mr.
Scott, when the surviving partner closed it out. The judge,
though strictly honest, was very close in money matters and
would not spend a cent in any way if he could avoid it except
for his just debts. While I was clerk in the quartermaster's
office here I used to run across him quite often and his usual salu-
tation was, ''Come, Friend, haven't you got ten cents about you?
I am awful thirsty," and later on, when I was in the paper and
stationery business, he used to have a desk in my store where he
kept his books and papers. I used to assist him in taking care
of his accounts, etc. In closing his accounts in relation to the
Scott estate, of which he was administrator, I made out the final
settlement for him. But now and then he used to indorse my
paper for four or five hundred dollars, and I was satisfied that
he would not do the same for anyone else, so I was content.
Take him all in all and he was a good man and an upright citizen.
Jerry Dean, saddler, died in the thirties. His daughter
married a Mr. Armstrong, who was with Edgar & Co., sugar
dealers, for many years. Mrs. Snelling, widow of Captain Snell-
ing, U. S. A., kept a boarding house opposite the Caniff and
Dean house and also at one time kept a boarding house in the
Hull residence on Jeffe'rson Avenue, directly after General Hull
left there. Among those who boarded with her on Congress
Street was the Rev. J. E. Chaplin, a most eloquent and gifted
Methodist divine. He laid siege to the widow's heart, and suc-
ceeded in capturing it. I think he was the most earnest and per-
suasive preacher that I ever listened to. He did not have the
lungs and voice of Elder Baughman, but in the directions I have
named he could not be surpassed. He had a son, an exceedingly
bright, clever youth, with whom I was intimate. He was a prom-
inent member of our debating society and a first class debator for
a boy. Mrs. Snelling had a son, James, who was a lieutenant in
the United States army and was killed in the Mexican war. He
also was a schoolmate of mine. Another son, Henry H., was in
the seed and horticultural business here for some years and then
went into the same business with Grant Thorburn in New York.
The story of General Pickett, of the confederate arrny, and
his men — by his wife. La Salle Corbell Pickett — has this to say
in regard to Lieutenant Snelling: "In the Mexican war, among
others, Brevet-Major George Wright, Captains Rumford and
48 -
754 EARLY DAYS IN DE;TR0IT.
Larkin Smith, First Lieutenant and Adjutant James Longstreet,
Second Lieutenant James G. T. Snelling and George Pickett, of
Eighth Infantry, were all distinguished at the battle of Churu-
busco. The eighth being one of the two regiments which crossed
the Rio Churubusco and held the causeway which led to the
City of Mexico," and again ; *'of the storming party that General
Worth sent against the 'Mill/ in the battle of El Molino del Rey
(this most bloody of the battles of the Mexican war), he (Pick-
ett) emerged without a scratch. His brother lieutenant (Jas. G.
T. Snelling) was less happy, being severely wounded during the
charge."
Adjoining Mrs. Snelling's was a large lot that occupied the
rest of that side of Congress Street to Wayne Street. In the
center of it, and about one hundred feet from the line of the for-
mer street, was situated the quarters for the officer in command
at Fort Shelby. He was housed in a wooden mansion of con-
siderable pretensions, that stood with its' porch and gable end
somewhat toward Shelby Street; beautiful and attractive in sum-
mer, surrounded as it was by trees of a fine growth, and eglantine
and morning glories creeping around the pillars of the porch and
climbing up over the gable. Its rear abutted on Wayne Street
and the alley. Inside the house along the entire front towards
Congress Street was a large banqueting room, with a pillared
alcove with raised platform for the musicians. It is needless to
say that in this room from time to time gathered, either at feast
or dance, all that composed the gay Detroit society of that day,
both civil, and military. I have heard one citizen — prominent at
that time, but no longer with us — say that he attended a ball here
once, given by the officers stationed at the fort. General Hull
and staff and other officers of the army stationed here and on
duty outside of the fort were present, as well as all the elite of
the city. This citizen said further that it was the most brilliant
gathering he had ever witnessed. The officers were in full uni-
form and the ladies were in the gayest attire.
This building stood for some years after the fort was demol-
ished, until Oliver Newberry, who owned the property, carted it
off somewhere. I have been in the old house often.
In the winter season at the time Fort Shelby was garrisoned
by troops, the younger people always early made arrangements
for a series of weekly assemblies for dancing. The Detroit
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 755
Gazette summoned the gentlemen to the preliminary meeting.
Committees were appointed — on wine, music, suppers, invitations,
and there was a general committee of reference. The officers of
the army stationed at the post always participated in these arrange-
ments and in the general management. The British officers at
Fort Maiden and Sandwich and the principal citizens of Maiden,
Sandwich and Petite Cote were invited. In return they gen-
erally gave a dinner and ball to our citizens. Among other regu-
lations, no gentleman was allowed to appear in the ball-room
except in full dress, officers in uniform. Boots were not per-
mitted, and knee-breeches were the rule.
General Macomb commanded the -post of Detroit for several
years, and some of the most accomplished men in the army were
on his staff or under his command. These officers improvised a
theater in the upper story of a large brick storehouse — belongmg
to the government — that stood at the corner of Cass and Wood-
bridge Streets. It is said that they made the scenery — painted
in* a style exceedingly creditable to their taste — and that their
plays were all well chosen. Tickets for the winter were issued to
the families invited, and at the close of the season a ball in return
was given by the latter to the military. As the ladies did not
perform, the gentlemen were compelled to assume their dress and
parts. It was said the late James Watson Webb, when stationed
here as second lieutenant in the army, figured as one of the
prettiest brunettes ever seen inside of that playhouse. James
Watson Webb was later editor or proprietor of the New York
Courier and Enquirer, and was also at one time our minister to
Brazil.
My aunt, Mrs. Hinchman, occupied the place for two or
three years, and during that time I was a very frequent visitor
there, and have often, when in its banqueting room, pondered on
the gay and distinguished company that had in the past from
time to time gathered there.
"When their hearts beat high and warm,
With music, song and dance and wine."
The ample kitchen that abutted on Wayne Street and the
alley leading to it, with its immense fireplace, would, it seemed
to me, take in a quarter-cord of four-foot wood at once. Its
immense swinging crane with the great array of pots, kettles and
756 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
tin baking ovens needed to prepare the viands — all must have
been a sight to see. The kitchen, the fireplace and the swinging
crane were there when I was, but my aunt did not have use for
as many appliances as did the former occupant.
* * *
The Mason family occupied a house on the south side of
Congress Street, midway between Shelby and Wayne Streets.
Hon. John T. Mason was appointed governor to succeed Gov-
ernor Cass, and his son, Stevens T. Mason, was secretary of
the territory. Governor Mason died in office and his son suc-
ceeded him as governor, with Kintzing Pri^^hette as secretary
of the territory. The deceased governor's family continued to
live in the old house, and to it Stevens T. brought his new wife,
a young lady from New York.
The young governor's inauguration of the Toledo war, his
being succeeded by Hon. John Horner (from the east some-
where, September 5, 1835), and his nomination and election as
governor of the state after its admission to the union, in oppo-
sition to Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, are matters of history.
The notice of the appointment of his successor to the terri-
torial governorship came to GovernoF Mason while he was
addressing his troops, in Toledo, his first intimation. It made
the soldier boys, his friends and adherents, fighting mad. Hor-
ner was not regarded with much favor, and after a brief reign
he quit in disgust. I remember him quite well; he was a tall,
slim, dyspeptic looking individual, and what made him most
talked about was that when the weather was cool he always
sported a fur muff and tippet when out of doors. Horner was
succeeded, I think, by Governor Porter.
In the interim, between his being ousted by Horner and his
election as governor of the new state, Mason and his adherents
ha(^ a lively time. Among the latter were Kintzing Pritchette,
Isaac Rowland, Franklin Sawyer, Dr. Farnsworth, George C.
Bates, Dr. Rufus Brown, Dr. Scovel, Humes and Andrew Porter,
Alfred Coxe and many others whose names I do not recall.
All the young element were with him, "tooth and nail." The
older element opposed him, principally on account of his extreme
youth, he being but a little over 21 years of age. Excitement ran
high and led to occasional encounters on the streets between the
different parties. I call to mind one of which I was an eye-wit-
WOODWAEUD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 757
ness that happened on what is now Ives corner. It was quite a
lively tussle for a time, Mason's party coming out ahead, but
with some little damage to their attire.
Stevens T. Mason was a very handsome man, as his por-
trait in the state capitol at Lansing will testify. Genial, gener-
ous, gifted, fearless and strenuous withal what wonder is it that
he enlisted the admiration and devotion of his adherents? After
serving his term as governor of the new state he removed with
the entire family to New York, I think, except one, a sister
(Kate), who was captured by Isaac Rowland and induced to
make this city her future home, as Mrs. Rowland.
9|C ?|C 3|«
Stevens T. Mason's father, John T. Mason, served as secre-
tary of the territory of Michigan until 1831. In that year Gov-
ernor Cass went into President Jackson's cabinet as secretary of
war. The elder Mason saw that here was a chance for the eleva-
tion of his son. He also resigned and put forth a request for the
appointment of his son as his successor. Jackson appointed Geo.
B. Porter as governor and Stevens T. Mason as secretary. The
latter appointment created great indignation all over the state,
many protests being made against it. The appointee was only
19 years of age and in his position would be acting governor dur-
ing the absence, illness, death or resignation of Porter. Meetings
were held all over the territory and delegates appointed to a cen-
tral body, with the intention of demanding the resignation or
removal of young Mason. In Detroit an indignation meeting
appointed Oliver Newberry, Andrew Mack and John E. Schwartz
as a committee to report whether Stevens Thompson Mason was
21 years of age. They reported July 25th, 183 1, that he was not
of age, and that President Jackson knew it. A few days after.
Mason responded in a conciliatory manner.
A banquet was given by Governor Cass at his residence, just
before leaving for Washington, at which all the notables and
officials of the' city and territory were present. After appropriate
addresses by Cass and Major John Biddle, toasts became the order
of the evening.
Austin E. Wing arose and said, "Gentlemen, fill your
glasses." After the glasses were charged, he held up his own
and said: "The health of the ex-secretary of state." It was a
ticklish toast, as both John T. Mason and his son were being ful-
75^ EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
niinated against by everybody. But the elder Mason saw a chance
of recovering lost ground, and he promptly took it. He thanked
the assemblage for the compliment, and said he had always tried
to do his duty. Then he talked about his son and successor. "My
boy is smart, gentlemen," he said. "He understands the duties
of the office. I hope you will not condemn him unheard." He
then placed his right hand upon his heart, and continued in
broken tones. "Try the boy, gentlemen, try the boy. President
Jackson is not to blame. If any blame can be attached, it is in
the affection of the father for the son." It was an effective plea.
Tears sprang to the eyes of nearly all his auditors, and the
indignation at the appointment of a lad who had not attained legal
manhood, passed away like a summer cloud. Mason's subse-
quent career as acting governor and the real thing are a matter
of history.
Colonel Winder said of Miss Emily Mason, a sister of the
governor: "She was the most beautiful and accomplished woman
of her time, and I can give you no idea of the beauty and elegance
of her appearance when she was bridesmaid at my wedding."
Governor Stevens T. Mason died in New York, and his
remains repose in a vault in that city. It was proposed at one
time to ask the legislature for an appropriation for the purpose of
returning the body to Michigan, probably Lansing, for sepulchre.
Thus far nothing has been done in that direction.
* * *
Prominent residents on Congress Street, between Woodward
Avenue and First Street in the early days, were Doctor Hurd,
corner Woodward Avenue and Congress (west) ; Mrs. Pettie,
afterwards Mrs. Eurotas P. Hastings, (east) ; Henry V. Disbrow,
southwest corner of Congress and Griswold; Lewis Goddard,
northwest corner of Griswold ; John Hale, east side, between
Griswold and Shelby ; Dr. John R. Ellis, in the double brick house
near Shelby; S. P. Brady, H. K. Sanger, at one time cashier of
the Old Bank of Michigan, along about 1835 ^^ '3^, lived at No.
40 Congress Street (west). The house is still standing. Mr.
Sanger came here from Canandaigua, N. Y., afid remained with
the above bank until it went out of business in 1841, when he
returned to Canandaigua for quite a time. He returned to Detroit
however, and entered the Michigan Insurance Co.'s bank as its
cashier, where he remained until his death. I think he was also at
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE) THIRTIES. 759
one time internal revenue collector. Henry P. Sanger, one of his
sons, is now or was — secretary of the Wholesale Grocers' Asso-
ciation of Michigan. General Joseph P. Sanger, U. S. A., was
born in the house No. 40 Congress Street. He has been in the
United States military service since the outbreak of the Civil War,
and gained so much distinction in that war the Cuban War, and in
the Philippines, that from the rank of lieutenant in the First Regi-
ment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, he has risen grade by grade,
until quite recently President Roosevelt retired him as a major
general of the United States army. There were three daughters,
one married Bishop Paddock, another Colonel DeGarmo Jones,
who was at the outbreak of the Civil War assistant adjutant gen-
eral of Michigan. The third married Charles Grimscoe. Phineas
Davis lived along here on Congress Street, as did John J. Garrison,
and A. C. McGraw. Dr. Stebbins, Peter E. Demill, between Gris-
wold and Shelby ; the widow of General Chas. Lamed and fam-
ily, corner of Shelby. Where is now the Shelby block was a brick
dwelling occupied by Captain Whipple, U. S. Topographical
Engineers ; also a wooden building occupied at one time by Mrs.
Snelling, widow of Captain Snelling, U. S. A., as a boarding
house, and after by John W.- Strong and Sheriff A. S. Johnson.
Mr. Johnson had three daughters — interesting, bright, viva-
cious girls. Annie, the second daughter, was particularly charm.-
ing. They all belonged to the dancing element, and Annie, at
one of the Firemen's balls, given at the National Hotel (Russell
House) was the belle of the evening. She married Ephriam
Brown, a prominent dry goods merchant here in the forties. His
store was on the southeast corner of Woodward Avenue and Con-
gress Street. Another daughter married Lewis F. Tiffany, of
the boot and shoe firm of Tiffany & Gushing, and for many years
manager of the boot and shoe firm of H. P. Baldwin & Co. To
him the latter firm was indebted for the large city trade that it
enjoyed, as he was very popular among all classes, particularly
the younger. He was also a Br^dy Guard. Another daughter
mrried Mr. Gushing, of the firm above mentioned. Annie mar-
ried for her second husband Mr. Higgs, and she is now living
with her married daughter at Glendower, Va. The others are
all dead, I believe. ^
On the opposite corner lived Dr. Geo. B. Russell. Adjoining
lived Judge Abraham C. Canniff, and Jerry Dean in a double
760 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
brick house which is still standing. After they vacated it Dr. A.
R. Terry resided there for a while, as did Lawyer David E. Har-
baugh. Aiong here, between Shelby and Wayne Streets, lived
from time to time Governor Stevens T. Mason, Lawyer Wm. Hale^
Cleaveland Hunt, Fred Buhl, Captain J. N. Macomb, U. S. topo-
graphical engineer; Will H. Biddle, Major Macklin, paymaster
U. S. A. ; Jonathan Thompson, M. S. Smith, Lieutenant Rose,
U. S. A., (son-in-law of Governor Baldwin), and Allan Sheldon.
The Mason residence, after they vacated it, had various ten-
ants. The last before it was replaced by the "Austin House,"
was, I think. Lawyer Hale. Adjoining, on the corner of Wayne
Street, was the residence of G. Mott Williams, son of General
John R. Williams. It is still standing.
:{! * jjc
On the southeast corner of Congress and Wayne Streets
lived Dr. J. L. Whiting. The house was built for him and he
lived there for many years. All will remember the genial doc-
tor, as also his son, J. Talman Whiting, the latter a pioneer
in Lake Superior navigation, associated with Sheldon McKnight.
Dr. J. L. Whiting, from the time of his advent here until the
day of his death, was one of Detroit's most esteemed and influ-
ential citizens. He came here in 1817 from Auburn, N. Y., where
he had been practicing medicine. He married, at Hudson, N. Y.,
on the i6th of February, 1821, Miss Harriet Talman, daughter
of Dr. John Talman, mayor of that city. Mr. A. G. Whitney,
who was a prominent citizen here in the twenties and early thir-
ties, married a sister of Mrs. Talman at Hudson, N. Y., April 3,
1820. Mr. Whitney's name appears often in the early records of
Detroit and Wayne County. '
Doctor Whiting quit the general practice of his profession
about 1836, and ventured in the forwarding and commission busi-
ness at the foot of Woodward Avenue, east side. He worked up
a fine business and was prospering successfully until the disas-
trous fire of 1837 wiped him out completely. What his next busi-
ness ventures for some years were I do not know. He afterward
formed a co-partnership in the land and insurance agency busi-
ness with Charles G. Adams. The ^rm was successful for many
years. The untimely death of Mr. Adams was a grievous blow
to the doctor, but the latter continued the business until his death.
Doctor Whiting, during the cholera seasons of 1832-4 and later.
WOODWARD AVJeNUE IN THE THIRTIES. 761
rendered most efficient service, particularly during the first
scourge, when the citizens of Detroit and vicinity were almost
paralyzed with terror.
The doctor's first trip to Detroit was most eventful. His
account of it that appeared in one of the city's papers some
twenty-five years ago is quite interesting and amusing, besides
showing the hard times the early settlers of this city had to sub-
mit to. He relates his experience thus :
"I had been practicing in Auburn, N. Y., for about two
months, when a couple of acquaintances came along, each with
a sleigh load of dry goods stock which had been unsalable and
with which they proposed to start business in Detroit. They
revived my original intention and we made up a party for the
long journey. I bought a tandem harness, and hitching up my
horse before one of their train, I made a definitive start westward.
"Four days of brisk travel over crisp snow brought us to
Buffalo, then a small village which was trying to do some
'Phoenix' business by rising from the ashes in which the British
had left it during the war. It was in a pitiful plight from the
scourge of fire to which it had been subjected, but its people were
hopeful and brought brave hearts to their work of rebuilding the
fortunes of the place.
*'A few miles east of Buffalo we were overtaken by a young
man who had already been to Detroit, and who was returning
thither in a cutter drawn by one horse, while another was led
behind. He proposed that I should join him and go by way of
Canada, thus saving two "hundred miles in distance and four
days' time. .Assenting, I placed my horse ahead of his and on
Tuesday, February 15th, 1817, we started for Black Rock, where
we intended crossing the Niagara River. This, however, we
found to be impracticable as the river was full of floating ice,
and the winds were blowing great guns from Lake Erie. We
had to wait until the following Friday for a change of wind,
when we embarked with our horses and possessions on the soli-
tary scow or flat-boat of the place.
"This movement nearly deprived me of the pleasure of tell-
ing you the story. We were slowly floating in the eddy, up-
stream, when the ferry-man raised a sail, a movement which
so frightened the horses of my friend Knapp, that they imme-
diately jumped overboard. The day was one of the coldest I ever
762 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT,
experienced, before or since, and the work of fishing the poor
animals out was desperately chilling. I was left in the scow with
my horse Charley, to contemplate the pleasing prospect of being
crushed by a floating cake of ice, or driven over the ledge of
rocks, which, I had learned from the venerable Jedediah Morse in
early life, existed some twenty miles down the river.
"However, I was rescued at length, and while we were
laboring to restore life to our frozen horses, a small boat came
across from Fort Erie with a party, among whom were Colonel
DeGarmo Jones and Shubael Conant, both of whom advised us to
abandon our contemplated journey through Canada, and travel
by the south shore of Lake Erie.
"This course we followed, retracing our steps through Buf-
falo and passing the first night at Hamburg, eight miles west.
We headed next day for Cleveland, passing through Dunkirk,
Cross Roads, Conneaut and Painesville, then all mere clusters of
from six to a dozen log cabins, surrounded by a dense primeval
forest.
"The roads, to give them their title of courtesy, had been
merely cut out of the woods and were full of stumps.
"At Conneaut we quartered ourselves in the only tavern in
the place. -I was wofully alarmed at the prospect of being taken
ill in such a place, far from home and friends, and among a lot
of Irish emigrants, who were busily engaged in disposing of vil-
lainous whisky. But the doctor of the place gave me a mixture
of boiling water, vile sugar and whisky, yet warm from the still,
and I was placed in bed and covered with blankets, coats, etc.,
to give the whisky and the covering a chance to knock out the
chill, which -they did, and in the morning I was as well as ever.
"When we reached Cleveland, a village of some fifteen or
twenty houses, we found the ground bare. The snow was all
gone and with it the road. The country was a wilderness and
there was no guide. Progress seemed impossible, unless we
chose to go by the ice on the lake, and that did not appear either
safe or practicable. We took the advice of the oldest inhabitant.
Doctor Long, who said that as the winter had been very cold, the
ice was probably pretty firm to Huron, forty-five miles distant.
"So we bought a jumper of 'pung' and got to Rocky River,
some seven or eight miles distant, the same evening. Next morn-
ing the ice on the lake was covered with from eight to ten inches
WOODWARD AVI^NUEJ IN THE) THIRTIES. 763
of snow, the day grew bright and warm, with a strong wind from
the south, the snow thawed- and we plodded on through heavy
slush. Cracks appeared in the ice, at first but a few inches wide,
but toward evening, as the wind became stronger, increasing to
a yard or more, ugly looking crevasses, below which we knew
there were seventy-five feet of lake water.
"As evening approached we came to one frightful chasm in
the ice. We had jumped a good many during the afternoon, but
none so formidable as this gap. My friend Knapp was for going
back, but this I opposed, insisting that as we had made forty
miles of our journey, we should not back down before the other
five. Besides we were on a rock-bound coast, there were no
landings, and there was nothing for us to do but to push ahead
or lose ourselves in the yawning holes which we had already
passed.
"So giving the horses a cut each, 1 made them jump the
crevasse, which they did very neatly, indeed. We reached Huron
before nightfall, and after a hearty supper, slept the sleep of the
weary.
"At sunrise I went down to the shore to examine the con-
dition of the ice. There was none to examine. Every particle
had floated off during the night to the Canadian shore.
"Here was another stoppage — our ice gone. There was
nothing for it but to leave the 'jumper' we had bought, at Cleve-
land, and take to our saddles.
"We waited f^ur or five days for the mail-carrier, Barron,
then young to the service, to act as our guide through the Black
Swamp of Ohio, for, with the disappearance of the snow, the
overland route had completely disappeared also. When Barron
arrived we started on horseback on the dreariest portion of our
way, reaching lower Sandusky late in the afternoon.
"The river was greatly swollen by a freshet, but it had to be
crossed if we did not want to stay out in the cold at night, for
there was no shelter on the east bank. Lusty shouting brought
out an Indian who paddled over in his canoe and ferried us across
for a small fee. We led our horses as they swam behind us.
"The next day, Monday, February 24, we plunged into the
Black Swamp, a terrible, dismal, bottomless, almost impassable
stretch of nearly, thirty miles of black ash. We forded the Carry-
ing River in its very midst and reached Maumee about 4 p. m.
764 EARLY DAYS IN DEITROIT.
The swamp was trodden about with hoof and footprints, the
only indications of a trail, save the biazed trees. So long as the
frost lasted these indications of the trail lasted, but when the
thaw came, it disappeared and the blazed trail alone remained.
''When we were about three parts through the swamp, Bar-
ron lost the trail of blazed trees and placed us in a new and most
painful dilemma. He insisted that the trail lay to the left, while
I was equally positive that it lay to the right. So to settle the
matter we placed Knapp in the center to act as a rallying point
and started out in opposite directions. I recovered the trail after
tramping about one-third of a mile, summoned my companions
by shouting like a trooper, and well contented with our luck, we
pushed along afresh, completing our passage of the Black Swamp
in a single day, a very astonishing feat in those primitive times.
"On Tuesday we reached the River Raisin, whose east side,
then as now, was known as Frenchtown, and spent the night
with Gabriel Godfroy. We successively crossed the Rivers Raisin,
Swan Creek, Huron, Ecorse and Rouge, and reached Detroit
February 26, 1817, at 4 p. m.
''Detroit was then the extreme western point of white civili-
zation, and considerably mixed with white and red at that. I
made my first home with the late Major David C. McKinstry,
on Jefferson Avenue, between Shelby and Griswold Streets, and
nearly opposite the old Campau homestead. I rented a room in
a store kept by Thomas Palmer, father of Senator Palmer, in a
house belonging to the late Joseph Campau, aryl in it I conducted
my practice as a physician for three years.
"My practice increased to such an extent that I was obliged,
in 1 820- 1, to move over to the corner of Jefferson Avenue and
Griswold Street, where stood a two-story wooden building, in
which I had half of the first floor.
"This was then the center of the city, which was bounded
on the south by the river, on the east by Brush Street, on the
north by Larned Street and on the west by Cass Street.
"The people were suffering bitterly from the effects of the
war with the British. They were only a handful in number, some
900 souls in all, white or native born, English-speaking Ameri-
cans; outside of the garrison there were only about fifty. They
had lost pretty much everything during the war and were suffer-
ing from the want of the very necessaries of life. All their pro-
WOODWARD AVE^NUE: IN THE THIRTIES. 765
visions, their oxen, hogs and sheep, came from Ohio, through
the Black Swamp and were very dear.
"There was a full regiment of infantry at the fort, with two
companies of artillery and a few engineers. General McComb
was in command, and had a staff of officers who made a very-
pleasant society for a number of years. You could scare up a
dance almost any evening by merely snapping your fingers, as I
might say, and you were not expected to half ruin yourself by
laying in vast stores of expensive refreshments. The society of
the day, if restricted as to numbers, was cultivated and refined,
and life was very pleasant."
Dr. Zina Pitcher built on the northwest corner of Congress
and Wayne Streets a residence and office which he occupied for
many years, until his death. Nearly all the old settlers will
remember Doctor Pitcher. The house is still standing.
Edward Kanter at one time lived along here between Wayne
and Cass Streets, as did Allen A. Rabineau and James Hanmer,
John Stephens (of Stephens & Field) lived in a fine brick resi-
dence on. the northeast comer of Cass Street (afterwards Gray
& Baffy furniture factory).
* * *
John Stephens was of the firm of Stephens & Field, whole-
sale grocers. Woodward Avenue. The first acquaintance I had
with Mr. Stephens was in Mt. Clemens along in the forties. He
and his brother carried on an extensive grocery business in that
town, made much money there, and after a while drifted to this
city, going into the same business, but not together. John went
with Moses W. Field, corner of Woodward Avenue and Wood-
bridge Street (Mariners' Church). The brother opened up in
the checkered store that stood where the present Majestic build-
ing looms up, its top almost out of sight. Mrs. Stephens and
her attractive daughters drew around them in Mt. Clemens all
that went to make up the social life of the place, and almost of
Macomb County as well. It is quite safe to say that upon the
adyent of the above family to this city, they at once took here
the same position socially that they had occupied in Mt. Clemens.
Any one of the present day who had the pleasure of enjoying
their splendid hospitality, in their fine residence, corner of Con-
gress and Cass Streets, will, I am sure, bear witness to my state-
ment that their family circle was a most charming one to be
766 EARI.Y DAYS IN DIJTROIT.
drawn into. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens passed away many years
ago.
One of the daughters married George Lamson, son of Darius
Lamson; another married Lieutenant J. Kemp Mizner, U. S. A.,
who served with distinction through the Civil War as colonel of a
Michigan cavalry regiment, and died a few years ago a retired
brigadier-general, U. S. A. Another married Captain Van Vliet,
U. S. A., and another Mr. lyittle. One of the boys, William,
enhsted as quartermaster-sergeant in the First Michigan Volun-
teer Infantry (three months), went to the front and was in the
first Bull Run battle. At the expiration of his term of service he
was mustered out in this city. Afterward he married Miss
Marsh, a society belle of Kalamazoo, a grandniece of Uncle
Shubael Conant. The wedding at Kalamazoo and the reception
given here were quite brilliant affairs, and a nine days' wonder.
The other son married a daughter of Lawyer Samuel G. Watson.
I know that some of the members of the Stephens family are
dead, but think Mrs. George Lamson is alive and residing in
Santa Barbara, Cal., and Mrs. Captain Van Vliet, living at Fort
Slocum, New York harbor. I think the son that rnarried Miss
Watson is alive, as also the daughter that married Mr. Little.
Reynolds Gillett, father of the late John R. Gillett, occupied
the southwest corner of Congress and »Wayne Streets, and lived
there for many years. The old house is replaced by the fine build-
ing erected by Mr. Croul for storage purposes. Charles Lum
lived adjoining. He was the father of the late Charles M.* Lum,
and a master builder of wide reputation. The "Old Brick Brew-
ery," whose ample dimensions loomed up so conspicuously for
so many years on the corner of Congress and First Streets, has
disappeared and its site is now occupied by the William Dwight
Lumber Co., a much more sightly point than it was a few years
ago. It was a famous brewery in its day, when Thomas Owen,
Curt Emerson, Josh Carew, Carne, Carew & Co., Davis & Moore,
William Duncan and others operated it. The ale product turned
out was of the finest quality and much money was made there.
But lager beer came and knocked the heavy beers and ales out
of the market and killed the old brewery.
WOODWARD AVE:NUE IN THE THIRTIES. 767
John Bloom, the sailmaker, lived opposite this brewery, on
First Street, in a plain brick dwelling. He died there. The
house is still standing. Old John Bloom was of foreign birth,
came to America about 1830, from Boomusaund, Sweden, and
to Detroit in 1834. He started business as a ship chandler and
sailmaker, near the foot of Wayne Street, thence to the foot of
Cass Street, thence to the foot of the De Garmo Jones warehouse,
foot of Shelby Street, thence to the Abbott block, foot of Gris-
wold Street, and finally to the foot of Woodward Avenue, where
he was in business when he died. The business was carried on
by his son, Nelson, who died a few years ago.
After awhile the lower part of Congress Street, between
First and Third Streets, became quite aristocratic. D. Bethune
Duffield, Eben N. Willcox, R. N. Rice, George Jerome, Charles
Howard, Samuel F. Barstow, U. Tracy Howe, Captain Gager
(of steamer Albany), Judge L/ongyear, Mr. Emmons, father of
Judge and Jed P. C. Emmons, and a number of others, living
there. The brick mansion (still standing), on the northwest
corner of Second Street, was built and first occupied by Charles
Howard (at one time mayor), afterwards by Gurdon Williams.
It was a palatial residence in its day and witnessed many a festive
scene, but now dilapidated. Its glory has departed, as has the
glory of the rest of that section, so far as sites for private resi-
dence are concerned.
^ ^ H'
The house on the southwest corner of Cass Street and
Lafayette Avenue was occupied by Lawyer Charles H. Stew-
art, father of Mrs. William Gray, and afterward by Mr.
John Drew. Mr. Stewart was an exceedingly sharp lawyer
and practitioner. He, Theodore Romeyn and John A. Welles
(the latter not a lawyer, however, but an exceedingly clever
banker) were almost always concerned in some enterprise where
money-getting was the final issue. Kinsing Pritchette and Gover-
nor Stevens T. Mason were sometimes mixed up with the rest
in some way. This was about the time the state got the $5,000,-
000 loan from the "Morris Canal & Banking Association" of New
Jersey. Mrs. Stewart was an intellectual lady and a fine musician,
whom he married in Ireland.
While occupying the premises on the southwest corner of
Lafayette Avenue and Cass Street, vacated by Drew, Mr. Stewart
768 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
built for himself the fine wooden residence (still standing) on the
southwest corner of Fort and Second Streets, in which he lived
quite a while. Afterwards the residence of Henry K. Sanger and
after him Henry A. Newland ; it is held by the heirs of the latter
yet. After Mr. Stewart left this city he lived in Washington,
New York and St. Louis, spending the summers on Staten Island
during the following twenty years. He then removed to San
Francisco, where he died, January 20, 1871.
The mother and daughters were familiar figures on Fort
Street and vicinity, and always drew marked attention to them-
selves when taking an outing on account of the rapid pace with
which they proceeded ; the three always arm in arm, Mrs. Stewart
in the middle. There were other rapid walkers living in the
immediate neighborhood of the Stewarts, and I presume ic was
from the former they caught the infection. They were John
Owen, Theo. H. Hinchman, the Hall brothers (Lewis and Wil-
liam), and most citizens of the present day know what rapid
pedestrians they were.
My recollections of the Stewarts are very pleasant, particu-
larly from the following incident. One afternoon, passing up
Shelby Street, where the alley crosses the street in the rear of the
present News building, I found a lady's gold watch lying on the
sidewalk, evidently dropped by some passerby. Shortly hand
bills appeared telling of the loss, and also that $30 reward would
be paid to the finder if delivered at the Stewart residence, corner
Cass and Lafayette. I hastened to get the watch into the hands
of the owner, but declined the promised reward, which was
pressed upon me, though I hated to, I must own. Thirty dollars
was such a fortune to a small boy. But Mrs. Stewart did not
forget me. Two or three days afterward she and her daughters
called at our house, corner Fort and Shelby Streets, and presented
me with an elegant bound book, one of those handsome and inter-
esting keepsakes that were annually issued from the press in those
days. I treasured it for years and years until some one stole it.
One of the daughters married Lawyer William Gray, and the
other Lieutenant W. D. Whiting, afterwards a commodore of the
United States navy.
^r *P T*
Mrs. John Drew at that day was a handsome, attractive
woman, and drew around her quite a sprinkling of tjie Fort
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 769
Street feminine society, as well as many of the gay bachelors of
that period, among whom were David Smart, H. M. Roby, John
and Frank Hunt, Josh Carew, Walter- Ingersoll, the Randolphs,
Alexander H. Newhould, Sam Suydam, Ed M. Pitcher, Dr. L-
Cobb, Barney Campau and others. Many a pleasant gathering
was had in her parlors, some of which I participated in. After
vacating these premises the Drews removed down the river, in the
vicinity of the Governor Porter house (Sylvester Larned). Mr.
Drew died here. Mrs. Drew married Mr. ''Sol" White, M. P. P.,
of Windsor.
Mr. Drew was of English birth — a quiet, easy-going gentle-
man, well liked as far as I knew. He erected and owned the
brick building on the southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and
Griswold Street, at. one time occupied by the board of trade after
it vacated its old quarters corner of Woodbridge and Shelby
streets. At his death his widow inherited the property. It
passed through various hands, until quite recently it reached those
of Senator T. W. Palmer, who has, after all these years, the satis-
faction of becoming the owner of the property where was located
the dwelling of his father (Thomas Palmer) and the mercantile
establishment of Friend & Thos. Palmer as well. The brick
store, with dwelling overhead, was erected by the two brothers
somewhere about 1823 and 4. The upper part, in which Senator
Palmer was born, was used as a dwelling by Thomas Palmer (as
was the custom then) until the fire of 1830, which so damaged the
building that he was forced to vacate it, and he allowed it to pass
from his hands. Aside from being at one time the location of
the Palmer store and homestead, and the place of his birth,
Senator Palmer values the spot as being historic ground, for it is
but a few feet outside of where at one time (before 1805) was
located the only block house and entrance gate on the eastern
side of Fort Pontchartrain, the gate through which Pontiac and
his dusky warriors were admitted on that memorable morning on
an alleged mission of peace. How his murderous designs were
frustrated by Gladwin and the Indian maiden or some other red-
skin, most all are familiar with, but I prefer to put faith in the
pleasing story of the Indian maiden warning Major Gladwin of
Pontiac's bloody intent. Major Richardson, in his romance of
Wacousta published many years ago, intended, no doubt, to depict
this Indian maiden in the character of "Oucanasta ;" Major Glad-
• 49
770 - EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
win in that of ''Major DeHaldimer," and Pontiac in that of
''Wacousta." The story of Wacousta was dramatized, and Dean
& McKinney, theatrical managers from Buffalo, about 1837, gave
a representation of it, at the old brick theater near where is now
the public library. The play was very* fine, and the characters
were well rendered. Mr. McKinney took the part of "Wacousta,"
and Mrs. McClure that of "Oucanasta." I do not call to mind
who acted "Major DeHaldimer." Mr. McKinney made as bad
an Injun as can well be imagined, and Mrs. McClure personated
the devoted, confiding Indian maiden to perfection. Major Rich-
ardson, the author, was in the city at the time, a guest of Gover-
nor Stevens T. Mason.
It was through this gate also that Captain Dalzell and his
brave followers passed to their disaster at the mouth of Bloody
Run, and through it the shattered and bleeding remnants of his
command returned. If the spirits of Pontiac and his warriors
and those of Dalzell and his men ever haunt this earth they must,
one would think, be much in evidence on this very spot. Through
this same gate trooped in and out, for more than a hundred years,
the dwellers sheltered behind the pickets of Fort Ponchartrain.
who sought an eastern egress. At the foot of Griswold Street
and only two blocks or so distant from this corner, is the very spot
upon which Cadillac landed when he founded Detroit more than
200 years ago.
-K ^ -T^
The location of the office of the Detroit Gazette, the only
journal in the northwest for many years, adjoined the Palmer
premises, and also gave much prominence to this locality. In
and around the editorial rooms of this paper gathered from time
to time all the politicians and the influential men of that day.
Austin E. Wing, Sheldon McKnight, Colonel John Biddle, Judge
McDonnell, Solomon Sibley, Judge Jas. Witherell, Judges Griffin
and Woodward, Colonel McDougall, Governor Cass, General
Charles Lamed, Judge Conant, Father Richard, Judge May,
Judge Abbott, Commodore Breevort and many others. To my
mind no other locality in Detroit possesses so much interest as
does this.
After the English came, the large number of officers of the
garrison, coupled with Scotch and English merchants who soon
WOODWARD AVe:nUE IN THE THIRTIES. 77 1
followed, contributed to form a society that could hardlv have
l^een more attractive.
It is said the English and Scotch merchants kept within the
confines of this little stockade immense stocks of goods for the
purpose of trading with the Indians. Their accumulations at one
time amounted, it is said, to the large sum of $5,000,000. This
was the most important trading post, and indeed almost the only
one in all the northwest, and to which, as to a Mecca, all the
Indian tribes and noted Indian chiefs bent their steps. Pontiac,
Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet, were here or in close
vicinity constantly. Pontiac's dream of capturing this and other
posts from the British kept him ever vigilant, and when his
scheme in regard to Detroit failed ignominiously he was filled
with rage and chagrin and later at Bloody Run poured the vials
of his wrath on the ill-fated Captain Dalzell and his followers.
John Logan, the Cayuga chief, whose speech to Lord Dun-
more, Governor of Virginia, is familiar to every school boy, was
here in 1774, and after the treaty of Chillicothe, O., he resided for
many years in this vicinity.
Alexander and Wm. Macomb were extensive merchants here
in 1777. They drew at one time on their correspondents in
Montreal for over $250,000, and frequently for as high as $150,-
000 and $200,000 against furs they had shipped.
• '»* 'K ^
In these sketches of the old settlers I have seldom mentioned
any except those that I knew well, or their descendants —
some of the latter are with lis yet. To the later resident of
Detroit or the rewcomer, these recollections may not l^e of
much interest, but to the descendants of those hardy pioneers —
whose early career here of industry and frugality, and whose wise
forecast not only laid the foundations of their own private for-
tunes, but whose enlightened enterprise and liberality contributed
so much to render Detroit what she now is, a wealthy, prosperous
citv, with an honorable record in the archives of commercial enter-
prise — they ought to possess interest of the most absorbing char-
acter.
In this connection the newcomer in our midst may, if he
stops to consider and dwell upon the fact, be reminded that the
pioneers from Cadillac's time down (with their descendants)
have lived, moved and had their being right here where is our
772 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
goodly city ; walked the streets in old Fort Ponchartrain, and
later, after the fire of 1805, trod the streets of New Detroit, and
busied themselves in all the walks of life as we do now here today,
but with this difference — they carried their lives in their hands,
ever in dread of the hostile savage. Pontiac, Tecumseh, Kish-
Kon-Ko, Walk-in-the- Water and their savage followers from
time to time were held by the dwellers of the town in the direst
dread, and were familiar figures on the streets of both the old and
the new town and the country round about in time of peace.
There were plenty of Indians here after my advent, streets
thronged with them during spring, summer and autumn, but they
were always most peaceable and friendly.
I presume there is hardly a rod square of ground underlying
the city from Beaubien Street to First, and from the river back
to Fort Street and in the immediate vicinity of the latter, that does
not contain the remains of a human being. When the Cass farm
front was excav9.ted into the river over a hundred dead bodies of
Indan warriors were exhumed. Their bones went into the dirt
carts, the implements of war and the chase, as also the various
ornaments buried with them becoming the spoil of the lucky
finder.
Jefferson Avenue in the immediate vicinity of where was old
Str Anne's Church before the fire of 1805, must now contain the
remains of many who were in the old church cemetery. Years
ago, when ditches were being dug in that , locality, I repeatedly
saw workmen uncover cofiins of those that had been buried there
(for 105 years it was a burying ground).
Detroit, I think, may be called one vast cemetery. When
excavating for the foundations of buildings now occupying the
old St. Anne's Church square'on Larned Street, many, many dead
bodies were disturbed and scattered. Even Colonel Hamtramck's
remains might have met the fate of the rest if some kindly hand
had not seen to it that they got safe sepulchre in Mt. Elliott
cemetery.
Those that fell at the battle of Bloody Run, tradition says,
were buried between Jefferson Avenue and Woodbridge Street,
below Griswold. The ground we tread on is sacred because of
the martyrs in the cause of civilization and religion who have
suffered and perished here. It is said that Pope Pius V., while
crossing the pidzza of St. Peter's in Rome, with the Polish ambas-
WOODWARD AVE:NUI5 IN THE THIRTIES. 773
sador, suddenly stooped down and gathered a handful of dust,
saying, "Take this (as a relic) for it has been reddened with the
blood of martyrs." The same might with equal propriety apply
to the soil in and around the location of Fort Ponchartrain and
Old Detroit.
If you but stop a moment on the way.
When passing o'er the road from day to day,
Perhaps a voice long silent with the dead
Will you admonish for your careless tread.
For more than lOO years the small community within the
stockade of Fort Ponchartrain (Old Detroit), and on Griswold
street and vicinity were most of the time at outs with the Indians,
who swarmed around the little picketed enclosure, eager to put a
bullet into the first white man who gave them the least show.
And it is quite safe to say that those inside the fort were equally
as alert and eager to return the compliment. One can readily
imagine what a dusty, perilous time the inhabitants of our old
town must have had, particularly during Pontiac's siege. In this
connection I think it would be appropriate to give a description of
the old town of Detroit before the fire of 1805 — its streets, names
of some of its residents, etc., which I found among the papers of
the late Judge B. F. H. Witherell.
DETROIT IN 1805, BEFORE THE KIRE.
The old town, previous to the fire, occupied a site embraced
within the following limits : Griswold Street on the east and
Cass Street on the west, and extended from the river to Larned
Street, secured by a stockade on the east and west, running from
the river to Fort Shelby (present north line of Congress Street).
In the rear of the fort were the royal military gardens, on the east
the commanding officers field, and east of the stockade, on the
bank of the river, was the navy garden. Where Woodward
Avenue now is and between Woodbridge and Atwater Streets was
the navy yard. The names of the streets in the old town were St.
Louis, St. Anne, St. Joseph, St. James, St. Honore and L'Erneau.
The width of the widest street, St. Anne, was but twenty feet, at
either end of which were gates, forming the only entrances into
the city. A carriage-way, called the Chemin du Ronde, encircled
the town just inside the pallisades. A large creek called the
''River Savoyard," bordered by low marshy ground, separated the
774 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
high ridge upon which the old town was built, from the high
grounds along the summit of which runs at present Fort Street.
That part of town not required for public use was subdivided into
fifty-nine lots.
The names of the freeholders of the old town were Askin,
Abbott, McDougall, Meldrum, Parke, Grant, Chagrin, McGregor,
Campau, McKea, Oadney, Macomb, Roe, Howard, Tremble,
Sparkin, Leith, Williams, Ridley, Frazer, Haines, Dolson, Jayer,
Lefoy, Thebauld, Duhamel, St. Cosmo, Belanger, LaFleur, Cote,
Scott, Bird, I,a Fontaine, Starling, Andrews, Hardy and Ford.
'K 'K 'K
Lewis Hall, the jeweler, built and occupied the house where
Dr. Brodie now lives on Lafayette Avenue. Hall was succeeded
by Judge Jennison, I think. Henry Doty built on and occupied
the southeast corner of Lafayette and Cass Avenues, and I think
he also built an adjoining building on Lafayette Avenue.
Below this there were a number of residents between Lafay-
ette and Michigan Avenues on Cass and these were Jerry Moore,
Mr. Greenwood, Mr. Lothrop, builder, and G. and J. Gibson, car-
riagemakers: The last named left a comfortable fortune, if we
might judge from the fine marble tomb with" its tall obelisk that
covers the remains of one of the brothers — John, I think — in Elm-
wood cemetery, near the E. B. Ward monument. They were the
sons of old man Gibson, the court crier, who succeeded Day.
Jerry Moore, stone mason, and one of the solons of the town, and
the W'idow Stevens, mother of Sears Stevens, lived on Wayne
Street, between Fort and Lafayette ; Jonathan Keeney and his son
Ben operated an extensive foundry here (extensive for those
days) on the corner of Shelby and Lafayette Streets, where is
now the Philharmonic building. After his father's death the son
associated with him William Barclay, and the firm became Bar-
clay & Keeney. The firm did a successful business for several
years and then dissolved partnership. Keeney wandered to
Panama and took service with the company then building the rail-
road across the Isthmus, as a civil engineer. Barclay branched
ofif in a foundry of his own, near the foot of Hastings and Atwater
Streets. The foundry of Barclay & Keeney had no steam power
to furnish wind for the big bellows that kept the blast furnace
going, so had to depend on horsepower for that purjxDse. They
had in their employ a comical French boy, who had charge of the
WOODWARD avenue: IN THE) THIRTIES. ' 775
horse and the "merry-go-round." The boys used to call him
''Drive" in lieu of a better name. You could hear the wheeze of
the big bellows for a half mile or more across the commons. Ben
Keeney married "Drive's" sister, a pretty French girl. She died
shortly after and he married for his second wife a daughter of
Mr. John Drew. The family name of the boy "Drive" was
"Janeau." He in time blossomed out as one of the most skillful
locomotive engineers on the Michigan Central, as did his brother,
Noveau.
Fort Street in the early days was an • aristocratic street,
indeed ; it has always been so until within the last eight or
ten years. It was more so then than was Jefferson Avenue.
Its dominion was contracted, to be sure, extending only from
about Griswold Street to Second and Third Streets, but it had
plenty of blood. Mrs. Clitz, widow of Captain Clitz, U. S. A.,
occupied the house on the corner of Fort and Cass Streets, where
the Governoi: Baldwin residence now is. She later on occupied
the Norton Strong house, on the southeast corner of Fort and
Cass.
John Clitz was a lieutenant in the Second U. S. infantry in
1 819, and stationed at Plattsburg, N. Y., when he married Mary
Gale Mellen, of Walpole, Mass., and daughter of Gilbert Mellen.
They were married at Sackett's Harbor.
Lieutenant Clitz had been a soldier in the war of 1812, being
wounded at the battle of Plattsburg. . He was for many years
aide to the late General Hugh Brady. Mrs. Clitz followed her
husband to the various frontier posts, at which he was stationed,
enduring the many privations which the families of United States
soldiers at remote points were called upon to encounter in those
days. When the command was sent to found Fort Brady at the
^00, early in the twenties, she had to live for six months in a tent
during severe weather. The lieutenant had attained the rank of
captain, and was in command at Fort Mackinac, where he died
in 1836, leaving his widow with eight children.
The four sons were John, Henry, William and Edward M.
John entered the U. S. navy, and died a rear admiral. Henry
entered West Point, and graduated into the infantry. He died a
brigadier general. John Clitz and Henry Clitz saw distinguished
service in the Mexican as also in the Civil War. The former was
with Commodore Perry on his mission to Japan many years ago.
776 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
William was for fourteen years in the employ of the late John
Owen, in the drug and grocery business, and later went to South
America to buy rubber for the Goodyear company. He after-
ward entered the government service as paymaster's clerk to his
brother-in-law. Colonel Pratt, and in 1883 embarked in gold and
silver mining in Montana. He was obliged, on account of ill-
health, to abandon the latter business, and on the advice of his
physician in Montana returned to Detroit. He entered Grace
Hospital for treatment for Bright's disease. But from the begin-
ning there was no hope for him, and he died there some time in
July, 1893, being cared for by loving and devoted friends. "Billy"
Glitz will be remembered by many of the present day as a faithful
friend, a man of gallant parts and of sterling character. Edward
M. is living, a resident of New York city. He saw service in
the Mexican war, and was for some years with A. T. Stewart,
the New York dry goods king, in the fifties and sixties. The
daughters were all beautiful and highly accomplished. Mary,
after rejecting many suitors, at length married Major Pratt, pay-
master, U. S. A. Frances married Lieutenant DeRussey,
U. S. A., who saw service in the Mexican war, as also in the Civil
war. He was retired as a brigadier general, U. S. A., in Novem-
ber, 1882. He died in this city, May 29, 1891. Harriet L.
married Lieutenant Sears, U. S. A. Sara married Lieuetnant
Anderson, U. S. A., who during the Civil war entered the Con-
federate service, and became a brigadier general. Afterwards
he was chief of police at Savannah, Ga., for many years. They
were all fine, lovable people, worthy descendants of a worthy sire
and gallant soldier. John and Henry Glitz were boys here, and
schoolmates of mine " and James Snelling, Henry and William
Whiting, John King, x\nson Burlingame, the Willcox boys (Eben
N. and Orlando B), Tom and Devereaux Williams, Wm. B.
Wesson, J. Hyatt Smith, and others. All of the above, with one*
or two exceptions, attained distinction in the army, in the navy,
in diplomacy, etc. Mrs. Glitz died at an advanced age, in 1890, at
the residence of her son. General H. B. Glitz, 664 Woodward
Avenue.
* * *
After Henry Glitz left this city for West Point I did not set
eyes upon him again until I met him in New York in the spring
of 1852, at the Irving House, corner Broadway and Chambers
WOODWARD AVE:nUEJ IN THE) THIRTIE:S. 777
street. I was east for the purchasing of goods and had under
my charge (who were on a visit to the metropolis) Mrs. Judge
B. F. H. Witherell, Mrs. B. B. Kercheval, and Mrs. Chas. Bissell,
all of this city. Clitz was then a lieutenant and assistant profes-
sor at West Point (having graduated into the infantry some
years before). He had been informed of the arrival of our party
at the Irving House, and came down from the Point "post haste"
to meet us. The meeting on his part was quite boisterous. He
kissed the ladies, of course, and he threw his arms around me,
giving me a regular bear's hug and rubbing his bearded cheek
against mine.
I call to mind this latter incident particularly, as when he first
left for West Point, or when I last saw him, he was a slight-built
youth, with cheeks and chin as fair as a maiden's — while mine
when we met were almost beardless — and from a slight figure he
had increased much in size. Mr. Zach Chandler was in the city
at the time, though not stopping at the same hotel. He called on
the ladies, and he requested permission to dine with us, which
was readily granted, of course. Clitz was of the party. We had
a private dining room, and it goes without saying that we had
an enjoyable time. Mrs. Chas. Bissell (nee Ellen Hunt) was
then in her prime. I do not remember whether Mr. Chandler
was married then or not, but, anyway, he paid particular court to
the fair lady. Who could help it ? He was quite attentive to our
party — took us to Burton's theater on Chambers Street, also
escorted the ladies through Stewart's dry goods store, whose
white marble palace was directly opposite the Irving House. To
make a tour of Stewart's New York dry goods house was some-
thing to talk about long after. I did not see John Clitz after he
left Detroit to enter the navy as midshipman, until I met him at
Asbury Park in the summer of 1889. Then he was a rear admiral
of the United States navy, retired. How on the wings pf the
wind time does travel !
"Quick! We have but a second,
Fill round the cup while you may ;
For time, the churl, hath beckoned,
And we must away, away !"
Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot, was at the Irving House at
the same time we were.
778 EARLY DAYS IN DE:TR0IT.
Colonel Joshua Howard, U. S. A., on the completion of the
arsenal at Dearborn occupied this (Baldwin) house after Mrs.
Clitz. The next occupant was, I think. Governor Cass, who pur-
chased the property after his return from France. When Mrs.
Canfield, his daughter, completed her residence on the southeast
corner of First Street, the governor took up his abode with her,
occupying a portion of the Fort Street front as his office. He
died there in 1866, aged 83 years.
Governor Cass was not present at Hull's surrender, as all
readers of history know, but was very indignant in consequence.
Senator Palmer's father was present, as was his grandfather,
Colonel James Witherell (alluded to in a former article) with his
command ; also his uncle, James Cullen Witherell. All were
included in the "give-up" and put upon their parole. I think,
however, that Witherell, his son and Palmer were taken to Maiden
as prisoners of war for a short time.
Governor Cass, when he vacated his home for that of his
daughter, Mrs. Canfield, left nearly all his pictures, statuary, art-
treasures and bric-a-brac, that he had collected during his sojourn
in Europe and the far east, in charge of his son. Major Lewis
Cass. In the meantime, the governor's daughter, Isabella (Belle
Cass) married Baron Von Limbourg, minister to the United
States from the Netherlands. She died in Florence, Italy, and
left all her property to the gouty old baron. Mr. Halstead, in the
New York Times, sometime during 1885, relates among other
things in regard to the late Major Cass, that "he was in love with
and proposed to Miss Emily Mason, sister of Governor Mason,
and also was at one time a cadet at West Point." Well, he no
doubt might have admired the young lady, as all the young and
old bachelors of that day did.
Our people, at that time, lived on the corner of Fort and
Shelby Streets, opposite the present postoffice, and the Masons
lived in the house that formerly stood where the Austin house on
Congress Street now is. My uncle, Thomas Palmer's family, and
the Mason and Cass families were quite intimate, and, although
a lad of 15 or 16 at the time, I can remember quite vividly the
happenings in those days ; I was quite old enough to see and
' remember.
In regard to the intimacy existing at that time, I recall one
instance of it. One summer the entire Mason familv went east
WOODWARD avenue; IN THE) THIRTIES. 779
on a pleasure trip for a short season and left the governor's grand-
mother, Mrs. Moore, aged about 90, in charge of the servants.
During the time they were away my aunt, Mrs. Palmer (who was
a warm friend and admirer of the old lady), made me sleep there
every night they were away, as a sort of a projtection to
''grandma." But I do not think, nor did I think then, that I
would have been of much use in case trouble had appeared. I was
a great admirer of the young governor as were all of the young
boy element. His dashing manner, military bearing, as well as
the sort of heroic glamor thrown around him through his attitude
in connection with the so-called Toledo war, just caught the
sympathy and admiration of us youngsters. His gorgeously
attired color-bearer on all political occasions (Stillson), on his
panoplied charger more than attracted our attention, and when
Mr. C. C. Trowbridge (good man that he was and a Whig) was
defeated, the' young element of the city were tickled.
Thomas H. Hartwell, former president of the board of
educatioi?, in his recollections of Detroit, published some years
ago, has this to say of Governor Stevens T. Mason :
"Mason was a bachelor, and made his home with his mother
and sisters. The eldest of the latter, and the reigning belle of
Detroit, was Miss Emily Mason. Their residence was on Con-
gress Street between Shelby and Wayne. Great entertainments
were given at their house, and all of the bon-ton of the city were
invited, and Emily Mason did the honors of the gubernatorial
mansion with that elegance of manner, stateliness and grace
characteristic of one well versed in all the courtesies and amenities
of high social life."
In the early part of 1847 ^ company (K) was recruited in
this city, for the Third United States dragoons, in which regi-
ment, Lewis Cass, Jr., of Detroit, served as mayor. The com-
pany was officered by Andrew T. McReynolds, Detroit, as cap-
tain; John T. Brown, Tecumseh, as first lieutenant; J. C. D.
Williams, Detroit, and Frank Henry, of Wisconsin, as second
lieutenants. This company and regiment served in the Mexican
War with much distinction, in the army of General Scott, on his
advance from Vera Cruz, and participated in the several engage-
ments on his line of operations and especially in the celebrated
and successful charge of Captain Phil Kearney on the Gareta San
Antonio, in the capture of the City of Mexico. Captain McReyn-
78o EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
olds received a wound while leading his company, disabling for
ever- after one of his arms. Lieutenant Williams also was
wounded quite severely in one of his arms. The company was
mustered out of service July 20, 1848.
While minister to Rome Major Cass fell in love with Miss
Ludlow, daughter of an eminent banker of New York, and mar-
ried her. After a brief married life in Rome she died.
On his return from his mission to Rome cupid again got hold
of him and the object of his quest this time was Miss Cornelia
Piatt, daughter of the Hon. Zephenia Piatt, attorney-general of
the State of Michigan. Engaging in every particular, slender
and graceful, with clear cut features, large, mournful gray eyes
that looked as if they could flash stormily at times, a colorless skin
and a glory of golden hair, what wonder that she enthralled the
major ! I think there are but two or three living that remem-
ber her as I do. As charming a creature as that sun which brings
to early maturity flowers and women alike, ever shone upon.
The intimacy on both sides continued for a year or* so, and
became, from the position the two occupied in society, most
marked and commented upon. It was said at the time that the
admiration was more upon the major's side than upvon that of
Miss Cornelia. Be that as it may the intimacy got a sudden chill,
and for some unexplained cause Miss Piatt packed her trunks
and started for a visit to friends in New York, under the charge
of Jas. A. Hicks, a prominent merchant here at that time. Before
reaching New York they met with disaster. They were passen-
gers on that unfortunate steamer, the Swallow, which was
wrecked on the Hudson a short distance below Albany. Many
passengers were lost, among them being the mother and father of
the late Hon. ,W. G. Thompson, of this city. Mr. Hicks had the
good fortune to save his own life as well as that of his charge,
Miss Piatt. They managed to get hold of a settee and were held
up by it until rescued.
There were about 300 passengers on board, and an article
in an Albany paper at the time, giving the particulars, says among
other things in regard to it : "Miss Cornelia Piatt, a young lady
of Detroit, who was on her way to New York, under the charge
of Mr. Hicks, of that city, left the boat on a settee, and were
taken up a short distance below nearly exhausted. Mr. Hicks,
when he went over, had his overcoat on, but finding that he could
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 78 1
not do anything with it on, and it requiring great exertion to
keep the settee up straight, he succeeded in getting it off. The
coat was found this morning nearly five miles below — in one of
the pockets was a draft for a considerable amount. Wm. N.
Carpenter, of Detroit, was also on board the Swallow at the time
of the disaster."
I do not think Miss Piatt ever returned to this city. She
married, three or four years later, a gentleman engaged in busi-
ness in New York City, and they lived in Brooklyn.
Mr. Hicks returned to Detroit and of course was made quite
a lion of on account of his gallant rescue of the young lady.
A younger sister of Miss Cornelia Piatt married Slam
Agnew, a son of Professor Agnew, of the University of Michigan.
They were living in New York in 1868. I saw them there. Old
graduates of the university will remember Professor Agnew
and his son, ''Sam."
Major Cass, on his return from France, continued to occupy
the Cass house, as it was called, until it and its contents were
finally sold to Governor Baldwin. During his occupancy he per-
formed a graceful act by permitting the public to see and inspect
the art treasures and bric-a-brac it contained. Every Wednes-
day of the week, the lower part of the house, consisting of the
drawing rooms, library, padded sleeping room, etc., were thrown
open to the free inspection of the public. What seemed odd was
that no one was present to look after things, the sight-seers came
and went as they listed. The Major, in addition to his collection
of curios lying about loose, would, as if to tempt the cupidity of
his visitors, leave around small amounts of gold coin and green-
backs that any one could appropriate if he so desired. But I
used to note that this money was always displayed on a small
table placed near the closed door of apparently, a bed room.
I have been told that this door had a number of small gimlet
holes bored in it and by this means the Major could see what was
going on. He was, if behind the door, now and then enlightened
in regard to his carelessness. Be that as it may, no theft was
ever reported nor small articles purloined.
The major went to Paris to spend his last days in retire-
ment and there passed to the beyond. Dr. Rufus Brown, who
knew him as intimately as any one in the city, used to say that
the major was misunderstood by the communitv in general;
782 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
that he was full of all kindly and generous- impulses, ever ready
to ass
notice.
to assist the unfortunate when their cases were brought to his
*
On the corner of Washington and Michigan Avenues, where
is now the Cadillac, William Champ kept the Railroad Tem-
perance House. Charfip's father, Nathaniel, occupied the jail
after Sheriff Wilson, as sheriff. The father of Nathaniel Champ
was sergeant-major of cavalry during the revolution and served
under Major Henry Lee. His exploit in attempting to abduct
Major-General Arnold, and bring him into the American lines, I
presume, is well known by all readers of American history.
Washington conceived a plan for abducting Arnold and
bringing him into the American camp. The plan was : Champ
was to desert from the American Army and enlist in the British
service, for that purpose. He did so and directly formed his
plans to capture Arnold. But on the very day when Champ was
to execute his plan, Arnold changed his quarters to superintend
the embarkation of troops for an expedition southward, to be
commanded by himself, and of which expedition Champ was to
be a member. By this unexpected movement ,the latter's plans
were entirely frustrated, and he took the first opportunity to
desert from his majesty's service and rejoin his command in the
American army.
Sheriff Champ was a fine looking man, spare, tall and
straight as a young poplar. He had the manner's of the ''Old
School." Some of his descendants are living in this city yet. 1
am told that Rob Roberts, son of the late R. E. Roberts, married
a granddaughter of his.
F. M. Latourneau, builder, lived on Washington Avenue.
Hugh Moffatt, builder, lived on Lafayette Avenue. Latourneau
and Moffatt were the boss builders of that day. The latter's
skill in that line is shown in the Moffatt block of the present
day. ''The former built the wooden dwelling ol Thomas Palmer,
corner of Fort and Shelby Streets, conceded to be at that time
the finest and best constructed wooden residence in the city. The
carved mantels, the carved fan light over the front entrance on
Fort Street, as well as the covering for the attic window in the
gable on the same street, were wonders in their way. He also
WOODWARD AVI2NUK IN THE THIRTIES. 783
built the family residence on Jefferson Avenue, Witherell farm,
after Mr. Palmer had disposed of the Fort Street house.
Dexter Merrill, city marshal, lived on Lafayette Avenue, near
Griswold Street. A. H. Stowell lived on Grisvvold Street, near
Grand River Avenue. James M. Sutton had his pail and tub-
factory on the. corner of Griswold and State Streets, and later
moved to May's Creek. Mr. Sanderson had his stone yard on
Lafayette Avenue, adjoining Keeney's foundry. W. F. Chitten-
den lived on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Rowland Street.
Later on Jas. Burns lived here, as also did Rowe, the oyster
dealer. The latter died here, and I think he was the last tenant.
Later on, on the south ,side of Lafayette Avenue, between
Shelby and Wayne Streets, lived John Owen, Sidney L. Rood
and M. F. Dickinson.
Edward McGraw, brother of A. C. McGraw, lived on
Lafayette Avenue near Cass. He was quite a poet and was called
the poet McGraw. A specimen of his poetry is extant, I think.
It is a New Year's address written for Geo. W. Dawson's paper,
"The Detroit Daily Advertiser;' and commences thusi
"Hist, 'tis the ever fleeting tread of Time,
Another year is in the tomb of years,"
and pronounced by Eben N. Willcox and others at the time as
equal to anything Byron wrote.
Bishop McCoskrey lived in a house owned by John Owen on
the northeast corner of Lafayette Avenue and Wayne Street,
still standing.
Dr. Abbott, brother of Lawyer John T. Abbott, built a fine
brick residence on the southeast corner of Fort and Cass
Streets. Mrs. Clitz occupied it after Dr.' Abbott, and after
her Mr. Daniel Dunning, of Wells & Co.'s Western Express,
as a first-class boarding house. There had been boarding
houses and boarding houses in Detroit before this, and first-
class ones, too, but this house of Dunning's exceeded all of its
predecessors in the appointments of its table, service, etc. Mr.
Dunning and his wife had been in the hotel business in Albany,
Syracuse, etc., and were fully up to the requirements of that day.
They were ideal hosts. Among their patrons were Captain
Inman, of the U. S. steamer Michigan, and his family, consisting
of his wife, two daughters and a son ; John A. Welles, the banker.
784 e:aRIvY days in DETROIT.
and his wife; Colonel Berrien, chief engineer of the Michigan
Central Railroad, and his associate, Mr. Center; Colonel Mcin-
tosh, U. S. A.; Albert Crane; William Welles, brother of the
banker, John W. Strong, and many other people of note whose
names have escaped me. I boarded with the Dunnings for over
a year. Mrs. Captain Inman was a sister of Theo. H. Eaton, as
was also Mrs. John A. Welles. The daughters of Captain Inman,
Eliza and Mary, were both young and attractive and were a great
addition to the society of Fort Street, which at that j>eriod was
at its zenith. Eliza married a son of Bishop Odenheimer. The
other daughter, Mary, died unmarried, I think. The son was
for some years clerk with T. H. Eaton in the drug and grocery
business. Captain Inman was a fine officer and gentleman. He
was the first commander of the steamer Michigan. Mr. John A.
Welles was a banker, pure and simple, and managed the affairs
of the old Farmers' & Mechanics' Bank with singular ability. His
ideas of monetary affairs, economics, etc., were of the highest
order, and under his immediate eye was reared the present Mr.
T. H. Eaton, and to Mr. Welles, no doubt,- he owes, through the
latter's teachings and advice, much of the business ability he now
possesses, although one would think the mantle of his father fall-
ing on him would give him all the aid he needed in that direction.
Be that as it may, I think he himself will concede that John A.
Welles was a great factor in shaping him for the care of the mer-
cantile knowledg^e he acquired through his father. I am told,
though his givings are large, he has added much to his bank
account since his father's death. John A. Welles was a tall, fine
looking man, of polished manners,, always faultlessly dressed,
Mrs. Welles was a fine, attractive looking woman, and one to see
them together on the street, which was no uncommon occurrence,
would think they were lovers on the eve of marriage.
* * *
Colonel John M. Berrien was a West Pointer, and graduated
into the Engineers. He resigned to take charge of the engineer-
ing department of the Michigan Central Railroad, after its pur-
chase by the state. He was a relative of Mrs. Inman, Mrs. John
A. Welles and Theo. H. Eaton. In a former article referring to
the father of Theo. H. Eaton, I alluded to the farewell address
of General Washington as having been written at the home
(Rocky Hill, New Jersey) of the great-greatgrandmother of the
WOODWARD AVIvNUE: IN THE) THIRTI^. 785
present Mr. Eaton, Mrs. Judge Berrien, who was born Margaret
Eaton. It is a matter of history (see Lossing's Year Book of the
American Revolution V Colonel Berrien's fine, soldierly figure
was familiar to all Detroiters for years; he was a fine gentleman
and a most accomplished engineer.
To the last day of his life, he supported his old negro nurse,
who fostered him in infancy. He boarded at the Michigan
Exchange the latter years of his life and died there. Aside from
his qualities as a civil engineer and soldier, he was an artistic
flute player, and an ardent lover of music.
Colonel Mcintosh resembled in physique General Wheeler,
U. S. A. (formerly of the Confederate Army). Mcintosh was
a fiery, irascible man, but a soldier every inch of him. He was
killed in the Mexican War, on General Taylor's line.
Albert Crane is of course well remembered by many of the
present day, his career as member of the extensive real estate
firm of Crane & Wesson is also familiar. Their sub-divisions in
various parts of the city at that early day have led to some con-
fusion in straightening out streets, etc. Mr. Crane removed to
Chicago years ago, embarked in the same business. Walter
Crane, a brother, lately deceased, who was part owner of the
Reeder farm, Springwells, it is said, remembered him quite gen-
erously in his will.
John W. Strong, Jr., many will remember, as he passed
away not so many years ago. He was well and favorably known.
* * *
U. S. STE^AMER MICHIGAN.
The U. S. steamer Michigan was launched at Erie, December
5, 1843. She was built at Pittsburg, Pa., and transported in sec-
tions by canal and wagon. The launching drew thousands to
witness it, owing to the fact that she was the first craft on the
lakes of iron construction. Her first commander, Wm. Inman,
saw service on Lake Ontario in the war of 1812, under Commo-
dore Chauncey, and after under Commodore Perry in the West
Indies. Lieutenant James P. McKinstry, second) officer, saw
service on the ocean and the lakes. Sailing Master Stevens was
a son of Captain Thos. Holdup Stevens, who commanded one of
the gunboats under Perry at the engagement on Lake Erie, Sej>-
tember 10, 1815.
In a series of articles on "Old Express Days," which
appeared -in the Sunday Free Press in the winter of 1902-3, I had
50
786 EARI.Y DAYS IN Dl^TROlT.
this to say of our friend Dunning, and think it will bear repeating
in this connection:
''Then there was Daniel Dunning, a paragon of suavity and
politeness, as also Schuyler, Thad Pomeroy, Powell, Hurd,
Wheeler and others. The assumed duties of these messengers
were something that those of the present day do not feel them-
selves called upon to perform, I presume, except in isolated cases.
These were executing messages, errands of all sorts, taking
charge of ladies traveling from one point to another on the rail-
road without escort, seeing to their baggage, etc., taking charge
of young children without their parents, and doing many other
things for the public. Thus they made themselves exceedingly
popular, as well as the express company they so well and so ably
represented."
Messenger Dunning was most winning in manner, particu-
larly to the fairer portion of creation ; he gained their good will,
and I might say, admiration, both old and young, if they were
journeying unattended between Albany and Buffalo, by his assid-
uous attentions to their wants. No picnic in winter, these self-
imposed duties.
The journeys between the above points were quite different
from what they are now. Instead of four tracks, there was only
one (strap rail), and that was not continuous. Four or five
different companies (I do not remember their names) operated
the several roads, and had their depots at the various termini.
So it can be readily imagined that a woman, with or without bag-
gage, would not have much of a picnic traveling in those days,
particularly in winter. It was on such occasions that our friend
Dunning ''got in his work," so to speak, and gained their appre-
ciative regard, besides advertising the merits of the express com-
pany, which then was in need of all the favorable publicity it
could get.
:{: jj: *
ON THE ERIK CANAL.
Travel by rail through New York was far more expeditious
than by canal, of course, but by the latter route during the season
of navigation, particularly the summer months, was delightfully
comfortable. Take it in the month of June, for instance, on
one of the splendid packet boats of that day, which plied between
Albany and Buffalo. They were no feet long by 12 feet wide,
and elegantly fitted up, with saloons, wash rooms, etc. The^
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 787
charming rural portion of New York state through which they
slowly passed, presented a delightful panorama to gratify the
eyes of the passengers. It was somewhat monotonous at times,
of course, but what a change from the crowded, lumbering stage
coach, with all its discomforts, no one who has not experienced
both can realize. And what kings the packet boat captains were.
Their personalities were familiar to almost every man, woman
and child all along the route. The bright dark sides of the "Rag-
ing Canawl" were depicted in song and story on the boards of
every theater in the state. I witnessed some amusing scenes
sometimes, particularly when a packet boat crowded with passen-
gers, and they nearly all on deck enjoying the air and scenery,
there suddenly came the cry from the pilot or captain of "low
bridge," then such a scattering of the lazy ones who had been
lost in day dreams to get clear of being knocked into the canal.
It was a heap of fun. What a bright, knowing, independent
chap was the "canal driver." No one could teach him a thing.
The cowboy of the plains puts me in mind of him; like him
resourceful and ever ready for a muss or a heroic action.
I have lugged in one or two allusions to the Erie Canal in
these remarks, and do not think it out of place, now that we are
at it, being also a matter of record, to say that the canal was not
opened through its entire length, until in 1825 or 1826. Before
this goods had to be teamed from Albany to Buffalo, and it took
about -three months to get goods up from New York. Stages
were two days to Sandusky in 1837. Mails were brought on
horseback until 1827 through the Ohio Black Swamp. Stages
to Chicago in 1837 were four and five days reaching there.
The dwellers on Fort Street west in the thirties and early
forties were opposite the city hall, Chas. R. Desnoyers,
whose residence was adjoining what is now McMillan's gro-
cery store. Desnoyers was the son of Peter J. Desnoyers
and of the firrn of Gillett & Desnoyers. The James Abbott brick
residence was on the corner where is now the Hammond build-
ing. On the corner where is now the Moffatt Block, was the
house and ornamental grounds of John Palmer. Adjoining the
latter on Griswold Street, was the house and ornamental grounds
of James Williams. Elon (Chancellor) Farnsworth lived in the
house on Fort Street, adjoining that of John Palmer. He soon
vacated it, however, for his new residence up Jefferson Avenue.
788 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Judge C. I. Walker succeeded him. James Penny, boot and shoe
merchant, owned and occupied the house adjoining Farnsworth's.
He was the father of Mr. Henry Penny, who is at present a resi-
dent of Detroit. This property was purchased by Mr. Simon J.
Murphy, on wdiich he erected his fine office building "The
Penobscot."
The Pennys were related to Chauncey Hulburt, late presi-
dent Detroit water works board. The fine brick residence of
Mr. and Mrs. David Thompson adjoined the Pennys, and was
where is now the State Savings Bank. It is safe to say, how-
ever, that aside from the house erected by John A. Welles, the
Thompson mansion and the grounds were the pride of the street.
Thomas Palmer, the father of Senator Palmer, erected his resi-
dence on the southwest corner of Fort and Shelby, about 1834.
It was built by Mr. Latourneau, the builder "par excellence" of
those days, and was a most substantial structure, as those
employed to tear it down found out. It was ornamental as well.
It remained there, although altered a little, until it was replaced
not long ago by Senator Palmer's present fine brick building
called the "Tecumseh Block" and devoted to business purposes.
The noted Indian chief Tecumseh, it is said, was often in evidence
around this corner during the 18 12 trouble, as the officers' quar-
ters of Fort Shelby were on the opposite corner, and his spirit
haunts this locality, accordingly.
* * *
The next house was that of John H. Kinzie. Mrs. John H.
Kinzie in her entertaining book ''Wau-Bun, The Early Days in
the North West," telling of their first leave taking of it, says :
"It was on a dark rainy evening in the month of Septem-
ber, 1830, that we went on board the steamer Henry Clay to
take passage for Green Bay. All our friends in Detroit had con-
gratulated us upon our good fortune in being spared the voyage
in one of the little schooners which at this time afforded the ordi-
nary means of communication with the few and distant settle-
ments on Lakes Huron and Michigan. They arrived at the bay
(Fort Howard) in due course, and it appears Mr. Kinzie
remained there in his official capacity, disbursing agent of the
Winnebago Indians, until July, 1833, when they returned to
Detroit under escort of Governor Geo. B. Porter and E. A.
Brush, Esq."
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 789
It is presumed the present building was erected by Mr.
Kinzie a short time before the above year (1830). Thi^ Mr.
Kinzie was the son of the John Kinzie who was present at the
Chicago massacre, April, 1812. John H. Kinzie removed per-
manently to Chicago about 1835 or 1836. This house is still
standing.
The late George C. Bates's first wife was of this family of
Kinzies. She was, I think, the widow of a son of John H. Kinzie.
The latter at one time owned some 140 acres of land near the
mouth of the Chicago River (north side). Mrs. Kinzie was
reputed to be a wealthy widow when Bates married her. They
had one child, he a son, who became an officer in the U. S. Army,
Captain Kinzie Bates. He was stationed at Fort Wayne at the
time of the negro riots, October, 1862, which occurred in the
vicinity of the Brush Garden, on Brush, Lafayette and Con-
gress Streets. The affair had got beyond the control of the city
authorities, whereupon the mayor called upon the commandant
at Fort Wayne for assistance. Captain Bates and a squad of
men were ordered to the scene of trouble.
I was standing on the corner of Fort and Brush Streets, a
block or so from the burning tenements, when Bates and his
little command came marching up Brush Street from Jefferson
Avenue, he and a sergeant side by side at their head, the former
with drawn sword, the latter and the rest of the men with mus-
kets at a ready. Near by me stood the then notorious Arthur
Gore. Just as the soldiers were passing us he sung out in a
tone of derision, loud enough for Bates to hear distinctly: '*See,
boys, I am damned if Uncle Sam isn't sending our soldiers to
protect the damned niggers." Bates did hear it, his face grew
more scarlet than ever. He did not take the slightest notice of
Gore, but marched steadily on at the head of his men, looking
neither to the right nor the left, straight for the dense crowd
of rioters who were surrounding the burning buildings. They
scattered like chaff before the wind. Bates and his squad of
soldiers were masters of that situation. At which there was not
quite as much laughing on the back seats.
If I recollect right the disturbance had assumed such a
magnitude that the aid of a. regiment of troops, partially orga-
nized for the Civil War, and rendezvousing at Dearborn, had to
be called on before it was put to a final stop.
790 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Bates was a private in the First Michigan Infantry (three
months), and after November, 1861, first heutenant in First
United Sta'tes Infantry. He was promoted to brevet captain in
October, 1862, for gallant and meritorious service in the battle
of Corinth, Mississippi, was breveted major July, 1863, for gal-
lant and meritorious service during the siege of Vicksburg,
Mississippi, and made full captain in March, 1866.
Dr. Zina Pitcher lived in this house for a short period after
Kinzie; after him Dr. A. R. Terry, and after Terry Mr. Byram,
furniture manufacturer (Byram & Philbrick), and then came
Thomas W. Lockwood, a partner ,in the law firm of Barstow &
Lockwood. The latter did the office work of the firm, being well
equipped for this department of the profession. An impediment
in speech deprived him of the opportunity of oratorical display
either in court or as a political speaker. He was of a quiet, retir-
ing nature, and devoted to home pleasures and the duties of
religion. He was active in literary and intellectual pursuits, and
was a leading member of the Detroit Young Men's Society, being
chosen president of that body in 1847. He was one of the
incorporators of the old Board of Trade in 1848. He died here
April 18, 1866.
Samuel Barstow, his partner, died in Buffalo of cholera in
1856. He was an excellent lawyer, a man of good sense, strict
integrity and universally respected. He was very prominent in
educational affairs. He was one of the school inspectors in 1840,
and so continued until his death. The Barstow school was named
after him. The late Rev. J. Hyatt Smith, who knew him inti-
mately, used to say of him that, when he was speaking and got
thoroughly warmed up with his subject, he always put him in
mind of a bunch of wormwood. Intimately associated with Bar-
stow & Lockwood (though not in partnership) was Lawyer
Anthony Ten Eyck, who was quite prominent here in the latter
forties and fifties. He served during part of the Civil War as
paymaster in the army. Mrs. Thomas W. Lockwood was a sister
of his. He was a fine, quiet gentleman and much esteemed.
Mr. John Owen owned the two vacant lots (100 feet)
between Thomas Palmer and John H. Kinzie, but did not build
upon them until about 1846.
WOODWARD AVENUIC IN THK THIRTIKS. 791
After the death of my father, my mother was paid $600 by
Lewis Goddard for her dower interest in the lot, southeast cor-
ner Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street. This sum her friends
urgently advised her to invest in the purchase of these two lots
(100 feet), but she declined, and they subsequently became the
property of Mr. Owen.
John Scott, after he left Woodward Avenue, lived adjoining
and beyond the Kinzie-Lockwood house. He died here in 1846,
aged 49 yeflrs. Jim Scott, after the death of his father, sold the
property to ex-j\Iayor Wm. C. Duncan, for, I think, $14,000,
cash, western currency. I remember the transaction quite dis-
tinctly, as Jim showed me the money done up in several pack-
ages. He went west or south somewhere, and returned only at
long intervals, for quite a period, then he carrie to stay, and is
here yet. Duncan, I think, rebuilt the Scott house or replaced it
with brick, and then sold it to N. G. Williams. H. H. Brown
built a fine brick residence, where the old reservoir had been.
Simon Mandelbaum, one of the copper kings of Lake
Superior, became the owner of the house built by H. H. Brown
on Fort Street west, after the death of the latter, and I think his
widow owns it yet.
Many will remember Mr. Mandelbaum, a genial gentleman.
All Lake Superior people in the early days in that region I am
sure will. He and Alexander Siblev were close friends, and
interested together in many Lake Superior ventures, as also were
Holland, Sheldon M. Knight, Carson, Close, Ransom, Sheldon,
S. B. Brady, Breitung, Peter White, C. C. Douglass, Charles A.
Trowbridge, Slawson, Senter and others.
I mention Alexander Sibley particularly because it was in
his company I first saw Mandelbaum. It was in Major Sproat
Sibley's office (he was a brother of Alexander and United States
quartermaster here). They had just returned from a business
and pleasure trip to New York and Boston and were in high glee
relating the various happenings they had experienced on their
journey. It was quite the custom then for the porters and bag-
gagemen employed on the railroads, steamboats and in hotels
throughout the country to wrestle with a passenger's baggage in
the wildest manner; it seemed as if they did not care how they
handled it. Protests from the owner did not appear to count.
"Baggage smashers," they were aptly termed. Sibley and Man-
792 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
clelbaum constituted themselves a committee of two to put a
stop to the abuse, as far as they were concerned. On this trip
each of them had a considerable amount of baggage, and they
made it their business to keep close tab on their belongings. At
every railroad station, on every steamboat, they personally saw-
that their "traps" were handled with care, and woe betide any
luckless ''baggage smasher" if he did otherwise. They did have
many encounters with these chaps, and they gave a graphic and
amusing account of these ructions.
Mandelbaum met an early death by drowning, off a steamer
of the Detroit and Cleveland line, on its passage between this
port and Cleveland. He left a widow and daughter. The widow
is a sister of John Senter, now of Houghton, Mich.
^ ^ T*
The residence of Thomas C. Sheldon stood on the corner of
Wayne. Street. After the death of Mr. Sheldon the corner passed
into the hands of the First Congregational Society, on which
they erected a church that was eventually transformed into the
present Detroit Journal office. Thomas C. Sheldon was a brother
of the John P. Sheldon who, in company with E. Reed, published
the Detroit Gazette. They came here in the early days and were
classed among the pioneers of the western country. Thomas C,
unlike his brother of the Gazette, was a powerful man, not very
tall, but thick set, with broad shoulders, and endowed with great
strength. I have seen him handle a 200-pound barrel of pork as
if it were a child's toy, ending it up and over and so on. Withal,
he was a kind and genial man, a good citizen, husband and
father; but he would not stand any nonsense — what he said he
usually meant. He was a close friend and adviser of Governor
Stevens T. Mason.
The Sheldons have been mentioned in a former article, then
in connection with their residence on Jefferson Avenue in the
thirties, and also in connection with their relationship to the
Labadies, Piquettes, Navarres and others.
* * *
At the edge of the curb, south side of this street about the
center of the block, between Shelby and Wayne Streets, was
made the experiment of boring for water. Rufus Wells, Phineas
Davis, Jr., Lucius Lyon, and A. E. Hathon in 1829 secured the
WOODWARD avenue; IN THE; THIRTIES. 793
contract to supply the city with water until 1850. They formed
the Detroit Hydraulic Co. They went down about 200 feet, but
found no water and did find much salt, but the latter was not
what they were looking for, and much to their apparent dis-
appointment the quest was abandoned. The workmen brought
from beneath the surface large quantTties of water-washed peb-
bles, indications, it was thought, of an underground stream of
water. I have mentioned this slightly in a forjner article, but as
I occasionally witnessed the boring, do not think it out of place
to allude to it here, and boy that I was, I could not but think
it a queer freak for four such brainy men as Wells, Lyons, Davis
and Hathon to be hunting for water way down beneath the sur-
face of Fort Street, when oceans of the purest, freshest water in
the world was rushing right past the city's very doors, which
could be had without asking.
sjc ^ sK
Dr. Henry came next and he built the first brick house
on this street. Dr. Henry was a nephew of the celebrated
explorer and Indian trader, Alexander Henry. The latter was
present at the massacre of Fort "Mackinac by Pontiac in June,
1763, and was an eye witness of the atrocities committed. The
same would have been meted out to the garrison at Detroit, but
thanks to the Indian maiden ''Oucanasta," Pontiac did not have
''any show."
Alexander Henry visited the historic Lake Superior Copper
Rock in 1766, when it lay in the bed of the Ontonagon River,
and cut from it 100 pounds of fine copper, which is now in the
British Museum, London, and is held to be one of its rarest min-
eral specimens. The only one before him visiting this rock, of
whom we have any account, is said to have been the Jesuit mis-
sionary. Father Menard, in 1664.
This copper rock, as most people know, is now in the Smith-
sonian Institution, Washington.
Alexander Henry can share with a very few others the proud
distinction of giving to the nation the knowledge of this then
wonderful copper specimen, which led to the discovery of those
vast deposits of that mineral which capital and enterprise have
developed to such extent that the imagination can scarcely realize
the limit. The total amount of wealth realized by the Calumet &
794 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Hecla mine alone, to the present time, makes the brain whirl to
contemplate.
In a narrative of his adventures, Mr. Henry says in regard
to this copper rock: '*On my way (April, 1776), I encamped a
second time at the mouth of the Ontonagon, and now took the
opportunity of going ten miles up the river with Indian guides.
The object which I went most expressly to see, and to which I
had the satisfactic^n of being led, was a mass of copper, of the
weight, according to my estimate, of no less than five tons. Such
was its pure and malleable state that with an ax I was able to cut
off a portion weighing 100 pounds."
Mr. Geo. Wilson, a college graduate, in 1830 was teaching
an English classical school in Detroit at the same time the Misses
Farrand were conducting a young ladies' seminary. Miss Emily
Mason, sister of Governor Stevens T. Mason, attended this
school of the Misses Farrand, as did Isabella Cass, the Misses
Campbell, Jane Dyson, Isabella Norvell, Emma Schwarz and
many others.
Mr. Wilson was, I used to think, a remarkably homely man,
but had the reputation of being a fine classical scholar and teacher.
He married one of the Misses Farrand, as did Dr. Henry of
Fort Street (being his second wife). D. Farrand Henry, civil
and mining engineer, of this city, is a son of theirs.
, Mr. Wilson resembled Dr. A. L. Porter, another homely
man, but a good doctor, who was here in 1845 ^^^ before, and
had his office and dwelling at 255 Jefferson Avenue, near Beau-
bien Street. I presume many will remember him.
Dr. Henry, when he lived below the Michigan Exchange,
before he removed to Fort Street, had two children, a son and a
daughter, by his first wife. The children were exceedingly well
behaved, so much so that they attracted the attention of the dwel-
lers in that vicinity. Hand in hand they wended their way to
church or school, daily unattended. Aubry, the son, was a school-
mate and chum of mine, and the daughter a favorite of my aunt,
and with her brother always welcome guests at the house, which
they always made it convenient to pass on their way to church or
school. The daughters name I have forgotten, or what became
of her, but the boy after leaving school took to the printing busi-
ness, was at it for many years, and after went into the billrposting
business. Aubry died some eight or ten years ago. He married,
WOODWARD ave;nue: in the; thirties. 795
had two or three sons, one of whom is of the well-known firm
of Jas. E. Henry & Son, bill posters.
After the doctor's death, Mr. Shadrach Gillett lived in the
Henry house for a while until he moved further down the street
to the southwest corner of Third, which corner Geo. S. Frost
occupied after him. Mr. Nehemiah IngersoU, after, occupied the
Henry House. In it, one of his daughters (Delia), was married
to the late Judge B. F. H. Witherell. The house is still standing.
Dr. Abbott built the fine large residence on the southeast cor-
ner of Cass Street. He was succeeded as a tenant by Mr. Daniel
Dunning, and he by H. Norton Strong, who became by purchase
the owner of the property.
Dr. Marshal Chapin's residence and ample gardens were
on the opposite corner. Dr. Chapin became the owner of this
lot, quite a while before he vacated his home on Woodbridge
Street. He cultivated during that time quite a garden here.
Among other vegetables that he cultivated was the tomato, or
"Love Apple" as it was then familiarly called, and grown for
ornament only. It was shunned by most people as being poison-
ous, and classed among poison ivy, wild parsnips, etc. My aunt,
Mrs. Hinchman, thought different, and had the temerity to use
the vegetable freely in her household. She had the doctor's per-
mission to visit his garden and use as many as she liked of the
tabooed tomato, which she did in spite of the caution of the
neighbors. I often visited the doctor's garden with her, just to
procure the fruit of this plant. I then came to know, as all the
world has since known, what a boon to the human race this
excellent product of the soil was. What could we do without
the tomato.
Dr. Chapin lived there until he died. This corner is, I
think, owned by his heirs yet.
Theo. H. Hinchman built a brick residence on a portion of
this lot. Wm.S. Driggs, just after the opening of the Cass farm,
built two brick residences, very fine and palatial for that day,
on the southeast corner of Second Street. Silas N. Kendrick
built and occupied a fine residence of brick next this side and
adjoining Fort Street Presbyterian Church.
My earliest recollections of Detroit center about Dr.
Chapin and his family. I was familiar with the members' of the
latter when they occupied their cottage-like residence on Wood-
796 e:ari.y days in D£:troit.
bridge Street, nearly opposite Uncle Ben Woodworth's Steam-
boat Hotel, and also when they moved to the corner of Fort and
Cass Streets, and so continued. I also used to see much of the
doctor when he was conducting his drug, medicine and grocery
store on the south side of Jefferson Avenue, scarcely half a block
distant from our residence on the southeast corner of Griswold,
and he had at the time for his chief clerk the late John Owen,
who a short time after became his partner. When he came into
the partnership the firm name was Chapin & Owen, and they
changed their location to the Cooper Block, a short distance down
the street. After a while Dr. Chapin retired from the con-
cern, Mr. Theo. H. Hinchman taking his place. In the mean-
time the latter had married the doctor's eldest daughter Louise,
and the firm name was changed to John Owen & Co. The latter
firm, after conducting a successful business for some years, dis-
solved partnership. Mr. Hinchman associating with himself his
brother James, continued the business and the firm name became
T. & J. Hinchman. All are familiar with the subsequent career
of the Hinchmans.
Dr. Chapin had four children, two boys and two girls.
The eldest boy, Charles, died young; the second, Marshal W.,
lived to see service in the Civil War, was first lieutenant Fourth
Michigan Volunteers, then captain in the same regiment; then
colonel of the Twenty-third Infantry, August 23, 1862. Resigned
for disability, contracted in the service, April 15, 1864. A daugh-
ter, the eldest, married Theo. H. Hinchman (as said). The other
daughter, Helen, married H. Norton Strong. Mrs. Hinchman
survives, and is passing her declining years in quiet retirement
with her children.
Dr. Chapin rendered most efficient service during the two
cholera seasons that visited Detroit (1832 and 1834).
In 1832 the house of Engine Co. No. 2, was on Fort Street,
at the northeast corner of the Campus and Griswold Street. A
cut of this engine, from the late Geo. W. Osborn's collection,
was in the Sunday Pree Press May 21, 1905. This machine, it
appears is now owned by an Ionia Fire Company, and is still in
use.
I first saw this engine at a fire in the winter of 183 1-2, on the
corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street (Ives corner).
It was then a spick and span new machine, glorious in paint and
gilding.
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE) THIRTIES. 797
The widow Griswold, relict of Griswold, the hatter, and
sister of Mrs. John Palmer, occupied the house adjoining the
Baptist Church, and resided there until she died. Mr. Charles
Vail, manager for D. J. Campau when in the dry goods business
in Detroit, married a daughter of Mrs. Griswold.
Jonathan Keeney, owned and lived in the adjoining house,
still standing, and at present owned by the Kirby heirs. It may
not be out of place to say that Mr. Keeney was a kind, modest,
retiring gentleman; a foundryman and machinist, and master of
his trade. He had a daughter and several sons. The daughter
(Eloise) married Mr. Geo. Hunt, owner of the Hunt farm, and
from whom the trustees of Elmwood Cemetery derive their title.
Mr. Hunt had a son, Lewis, a schoolmate of mine, who entered
West Point, served with distinction through the Civil War, and
died a retired brigadier-general.
Another Hunt that also gained distinction during the Civil
War was a native of Detroit and was, I think, the son of Henry
I. Hunt*. At all events, he was a graduate of West Point and
later chief of artillery of the army of the Potomac. He died a
brigadier-general, having won his laurels at Gettysburg repelling
Pickett's persistent and desperate charges.
One of Mr. Keeney" s sons, Willis G., was a cripple from
childhood, one leg shorter than the other, but for all that he was
as lively as the rest of the boys of his age. We were schoolmates
and chums. That around Fort Shelby was a dangerous locality
during the war of 1812 may be inferred from the fact that Willis
and I used to go around the common, near by, with a wheelbar-
row gathering up the fragments of exploded bomb-shells that
came from the British batteries posted on the opposite side of the
river. On one occasion we were out all day, and gathered up
nearly the full of a French cart. All this for the benefit of the
iron foundry. Willis died young. Another son, Charles, was
older than Willis ; and there are some, perhaps, who will remem-
ber Charles Keeney, and what a pleasant, genial good fellow he
was. Rather fastidious as regards dress, it must be confessed,
but he was an untiring medical student and ranked among the
first in his profession. He and Dr. Louis Davenport studied
under Doctors Terry and Russell. He was prominent on the
boards of our ''Detroit Lyceum" in the old University building on
Bates Street, in the thirties.
798 EARLY DAYS IN DEITROIT.
The lot on the northeast corner of Fort and Shelby Streets
(the residence of the late Hiram Walker) was vacant for many
years after Hull's surrender, until Uncle Oliver Newberry built
the present substantial building there, declaring that it was really
the first good home for himself he ever had. Homes with others
he had had, of course, but this was for "Oliver" alone. The
''Old Bachelor Commodore" occupied it until his xleath.
On the northwest corner of Fort and Shelby Streets was
the residence of Judge John McDonnell. It was formerly quar-
ters for the officers stationed at Fort Shelby. I have already
alluded to these quarters and the McDonnells at length in a for-
mer article. Next to Judge McDonnell's was a two-story wooden
dwelling that had once formed a part of the officers' quarters
adjoining. Sheldon McKnight occupied it at one time, as did
Harry Guise, Frederick P. Markham and many others.
Dr. G. B. Russell built a fine brick residence adjoining this
relic of Fort Shelby. He lived here for quite a while until he
vacated the premises for upper Jefferson Avenue or Hamtramck.
Wm. Chittenden, of the Russell House, succeeded him.
Mason Palmer owned the adjoining grounds to the corner of
Wayne Street, and occupied the corner with a substantial brick
residence. He lived there for many years.
John A. Welles, cashier of the then Farmers' and Mechanics'
Bank, built the residence on the northwest corner of Fort and
Wayne Streets, since the quarters of the Detroit Club, and later
the Michigan Club. It was considered, by all odds, the finest
residence building in the city and the state at that date, about
1837. It is a fine one to this day. He occupied it for a while.
Theo. Romeyn occupied it after Mr. Welles and lived there until
he removed to upper Jefferson Avenue.
Governor Mason occupied this house before Romeyn, for a
short season. Henry Ledyard lived here for quite a while and
after him General Pope, U. S. A., commanding this department.
The general had his headquarters in this house.
t' *
N. P. Jacobs, who at one time was in drugs and groceries
and after in the same business with John J. Garrison, and later
was United State consul to Calcutta, occupied the next residence,
and after him George C. Bates, the brilliant lawyer and silver
WOODWARD AVKNUE IN THE) THIRTIES. 799
tongued orator, who lived here many years. I think the house
is still standing.
Governor Stevens T. Mason at one time occupied this house
also for a short period. Miss Emily V. Mason, when here a short
time ago, reminded me of the fact, and saying that Tom Sheldon,
who lived nearly opposite on the corner of Wayne Street, and
who was an ardent adherent of her brother, would often sing out
"Come over here, Tom, I have something spicy to tell you." She
added that it was fair to presume that her brother attended to the
call, if he could.
* * *
Major Henry Whiting, U. S. A., built a fine brick residence
adjoining just before he vacated his Jefiferson Avenue house
opposite the Michigan Exchange, and lived here until the Mexican
war. Major Whiting had been stationed here for many years as
United States quartermaster, and was an accomplished officer
and gentleman. He had traveled extensively and often delivered
lectures on his foreign travels before the Young Men's Society.
One I remember particularly and that was on Genoa, Italy. It
impressed me so much that many years after, when I had the
good fortune to visit Genoa myself, I seemed to see it as the major
had described it. He was something of a poet also, having com-
posed a poem entitled "Sanilac" and one entitled "The Emegrant."
I heard him recite the latter at a banquet at the Mansion House
tendered to Governor Cass by the citizens of Detroit on the eve
of his departure for Washington to assume the duties of seci etary
of war. I give below a few verses from "The Emigrant," as I
have never forgotten the talented author nor the occasion :
Upon the Clinton river, just through the country back,
You'll find in shire of Oakland, the town of Pontiac,
Which, springing up of a sudden, scared wolves and bears away,
That used to roam about there, in Michigania,
And if you follow downwards, why, Rochester is there,
And further still Mt. Clemens looks out upon St. Clair,
Besides some other places within Macombia
That promise population to Michigania.
800 i^ARJ.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
If you had rather go to a place called Washtenaw,
You'll find the Huron lands the best you ever saw,
The ships sail to Ann Arbor right thro' La Plaisance bay
And touch at Ypsilanti, in Michigania.
Or if you keep a going a great deal further on,
I guess you'll reach St. Joe, where everybody's gone;
There everything, like Jack's bean, grows monstrous fast, they say,
And beats the rest all hollow in Michigania.
Then come, ye Yankee farmers, who've mettle hearts like me
And elbow grease in plenty, to bow the forest tree,
Come, take a quarter section, and I'll be bound you'll say
This country takes the rag oflf, this Michigania."
Ex-Mayor K. C. Barker remodeled this house and almost
made another one of it. He lived here until his untimely taking
off by accidental drowning.
Geo. V. N. Lothrop became the next owner, and lived here
while in the city, until he died, only a few years ago.
Lawyer Asher B. Bates, one time recorder of the city, built
and occupied a wooden residence on the corner of Cass Street
(NE.) fie went to the Sandwich Islands to reside, and the
property came into the hands of John P. Clark, of the Spring-
wells Dry Dock, and how it got into the ownership of the Detroit
club I do not know. John Chester, however, occupied it quite a
while after Bates left.
General Cass, after he returned from the French mission,
occupied the large wooden dwelling on the northwest corner of
Cass Street, until the completion of Mrs. Canfield's brick resi-
dence, southeast corner of First Street, when he took up his abode
with her, where he remained until he died. Major Lewis Cass,
the son, did not go with the general, but remained with the art
treasures the family had collected, keeping bachelor's hall, until
the late Governor Baldwin succeeded him and became the fortu-
nate possessor of all the rare and costly things the house con-
tained. Governor Baldwin erected on the site of the house the
fine brick residence that is there now.
Colonel Joshua Howard, U. S. A., after he had completed the
Dearborn arsenal, occupied the .adjoining wooden building for
WOODWARD AVENUE IN THE THIRTIES. 8oi
quite a while until he took up his residence again at Dearborn,
where he died.
For many years Fort Street, below Colonel Howard's resi-
dence, to the lower line of the Cass farm, was with the exception
of the Log Farm house, entirely destitute of buildings of any sort.
The west or north side to Michigan Avenue was an unbroken
common, where the cows wandered at will, and where the citizen
soldiers held their encampments and went through their evolu-
tions. Here the militia gathered once every year, to find out how
much they did not know about marching, counter marching and
the science of arms in general. Here on this ground was held the
great Whig mass meeting and barbecue (campaign of 1840) at
which meeting among the array of distinguished orators who
addressed it was Wm. M. Evarts, who afterwards became secre-
tary of state.
SI
VISITING FIRLMLN.
GENERAL CASS AND THE FIREMEN.'
WHILE occupying the house on the northwest corner of
Fort and Cass Streets, General Cass entertained at
unch a company of firemen from Syracuse, N. Y., just
after he arrived home from France. I gave an account of the
affair in the Sunday Free Press of October 4, 1903. I will repro-
duce it, in part, here :
The Syracuse company came without an invitation and
unheralded. The first intimation the Detroit fire department had
of their arrival was a notice from Uncle Oliver Newberry that a
fire engine company from Syracuse, N. Y., with their apparatus
had landed at his dock and wanted to know what he should do
with them. The fire alarms were sounded at once and out came
the whole department. In cases where the location of a fire was
not known, the practice was to assemble at the corner of Wood-
ward and Jefferson Avenues, and ascertain its whereabouts, then
pitching for all they were worth. On coming together at the
point I have named, the chief engineer gave the information that
an eastern fire company was at our gates, knocking for admission.
The entire department with its apparatus headed by the chief
engineer and James A. Van Dyke, its president, at once repaired
to Newberry's dock at the foot of Second Street, whjere they
found the Syracuse company modestly waiting, as their foreman
said, to see what their welcome would be, coming as they did,
uninvited and unannounced, though down in their hearts they
were sure it would be cordial, as indeed it was.
President Van Dyke, in his usual happy manner, welcomed
them to the city and to its hospitalities, assuring them that they
could have the best there was "in the shop." Then all hands
repaired to the Firemen's hall, corner of Lamed and Bates Streets,
where more speech-making was had, a brief welcome by the
mayor, etc. The foreman of the Syracuse company was elevated
to the top of a convenient barrel in No. One's house, and told his
story amid much laughter and applause — that his company had
VISITING FIREMEN. 803
determined to visit the Detroit fire department, wiiose reputation
was being continually buzzed in their ears, and see for themselves.
He at the same time alluded to General Lewis Cass in happy
terms, intimating that the citizens of Detroit ought to be proud to
count among them as one of the citizens such an eminent states-
man, and intimated that it would give himself and his brother
firemen from the salt district great pleasure to pay their respects
in person to the general, if the opportunity was afforded them.
Word to that effect w^as gotten to the general directly, who
responded, saying he would be much pleased to welcome the
Syracuse firemen, as well as the Detroit fire department, at his
residence on West Fort Street that afternoon at 3 o'clock.
ENTERTAINED BY GENERAL CASS.
At the appointed hour the fire laddies were on hand. The
general and family welcomed them very cordially. Refreshments
were served in the large dining room and after the boys had made
a terrible slaughter of the sparkling champagne and rare wines
that the general had brought from France, the foreman of the
visiting company, a nervous little chap, made a eulogistic speech
to the host that fairly staggered him.
The general, perhaps, had no idea until he was informed of it
on that occasion, that he was so distinguished a personage. He,
however, replied quite briefly, and in chosen words expressed the
pleasure and gratification it afforded him to welcome at his home
the Detroit firemen and their guests.
After a characteristic speech from President James A, Van
Dyke, the firemen took leave of their host and his family, with
warm expressions of pleasure the visit had afforded.
The Syracuse firemen left for their homes the following day,
highly delighted with their visit, and, as they put it, "overwhelmed
with hospitality."
ANOTHER VISITING COMPANY.
The following summer another fire company from the east
visited our fire department. This time it was the Ithaca (N. Y.),
Hook and Ladder Company No. 3. They also enjoyed the hos-
pitalities of General Cass. An account of it appeared in The
Detroit Free Press Tuesday, August 12, 1845, ^^^d is as follows:
*^The Ithaca Fire Company arrived in this city on Monday
morning on board the Illinois, accompanied by a fine band. They
804 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
are a fine looking company and composed, we should judge, of
the business men of Ithaca. Their uniform is neat and comfort-
able. They were handsomely received, considering the short
notice, by our excellent fire companies, and hospitably entertained
at the National Hotel."
Also, in The Free Press, August 13, 1845:
''The guests of our fire department left for the east last
evening and were gratified at the manner in which they were
treated while here. Our department never exerted themselves
more than they did yesterday and the day before to make them at
home. They succeeded well and everything passed off agreeably."
Extract from an old letter, dated Detroit, August 14, 1845,
and written by myself to a friend in Monroe, Mich., in regard to
this visit of the Ithaca firemen :
''Rest and quietness once more prevail in our city. We fire-
men have been kept in a complete ferment for the fast two or three
days, occasioned by a visit from a company of firemen from Ithaca,
N. Y., and such times ! We had a magnificent torchlight proces-
sion, which for length, brilliancy of light, and disposition of
torches, could scarcely be equaled. We moved through the prin-
cipal streets, and gave the towns folks a pretty good chance of
seeing how the thing could be done up, and it was allowed by all
to be pretty near beyond parallel. We escorted our Ithaca friends
to the boat, Tuesday evening (12th), where they assured us that
language was inadequate to express how much they had been
gratified with their visit to the 'City of the Straits,' and the hearty
reception accorded them by its citizens, coming as they did unin-
vited and unheralded. They meant it, too, every word of it, for
all firemen and citizens in general seemed to vie with, each other
in rendering them hospitalities."
One of the Fort Street girls (Miss Mary Palmer, sister of
Senator Palmer), writing to a girl friend in Monroe, Mich.,
August 12, 1845, among other things has this to say in regard to
the visit of the Ithaca firemen : .
"Our firemen are having a terrible time just now ; a company
of firemen from Ithaca, N. Y., have come to visit them ; they leave
for home this evening. Last night they had a splendid torchlight
procession ; today they are to have a dinner served on the ground
where the Brady Guards camped, just below the residence of
General Cass, on Fort Street. They are all fine looking men ;
their uniform is green jacket and white pants; a delightful band
CASS FARM. ... 805
of music with them. General Cass has invited them all to his
house to partake of a light lunch, and they have just passed our
house (corner of Fort and Shelby Streets), on their way down
accompanied by a number of members of our Engine Co. No. 2.
The general is going to dine with them this evening. They have
received a good deal of attention during their sojourn among us."
On Fort Street, north side, below the Howards, and where
is now the residence of the late Allan Shelden, was the commodi-
ous log farm house of the Cass Farm; still further down and
located on the DeGarmo Jones farm, was the palatial mansion of
the widow Jones, erected by her after his death. My wife and I
attended the house warming she gave on its completion, and it
was a sumptuous affair. It is now used as a sanitarium. Gener-
ous hearted, whole-souled man that DeGarmo Jones was, it is a
pity that his widow's last days were clouded by the fear that she
would end them in the poor house, an unfortunate hallucination
under which she labored.
the: CASS Farm.
When I came to Detroit the farmer that operated the Cass
farm and lived in the log farm house down Fort Street, was an
Englishman by the name of Nelson. When Mr. Rice succeeded
him, he moved out on to Woodward Avenue, west side, about
where Virginia Avenue crosses. The house (brick) is still stand-
ing. A daughter of his married Mr. Foster, a manufacturer of
furniture. The latter bought three or four lots of my uncle
Thomas Palmer, way out on Montcalm Street, or in that vicinity ;
anyway, it was before any streets were open out that way — a
wide, common, quite destitute of houses. Foster agreed to pay
for the lots in furniture ; started in, put up his dwelling and shop,
adjoining, and began business ; but of all the slow workers I
thought he was the slowest, and I reckon my aunt thought so too.
Among the articles of furniture he was to make for my uncle in
payment were two large rocking chairs, a set of parlor chairs, all
rush bottomed, two or three settees and one or two other pieces.
My aunt kept me dancing attendance on this Foster, and it was
no light task for me to trudge from the corner of Fort and Shelby
Streets over to his place on Montcalm Street, rain or shine, once
a week at least, and hurry him up. We got the furniture at last,
and the high-backed rocking chairs and the set of parlor chairs
yet survive, and are now in the parlor of the Log Cabin at
Palmer Park, large as life and twice as natural. Every time I
8o6 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
see those chairs, I seem to see Foster and his comely wife, and in
mind I again trudge over the hill to his shop on my hurrytip
errand. Perhaps Foster was not so much to blame, after all, as
besides his furniture business, he had quite a little family to look
after, and I think he had but one assistant in his employ. Foster
and his wife may have some survivors in this community; in
that case the sight of those articles of furniture I mention as
being in Log Cabin at Palmer Park may be of interest to them,
and that is why I bother the reader with a mention of Foster or
Nelson at all.
In this connection I give something in relation to the "Old
Cass (St. Martin) House" that stood on the river bank, from the
pen of the late Judge James V. Campbell : :
THE OLD CASS HOUSE ON THE RIVER BANK.
And threescore years were ended
And the lily flag was down,
When Pontiac and his allies
Encamped before the town,
But safely stood the mansion,
Unspoiled of bolt or bar.
For the Indians loved St. Martin
And the gray hairs of Navarre,
Sprung from an old and kingly race
The glory of his dwelling place
Came from his honored children more
Than from his ancestry of yore,
Bedecked with cross and star.
Behind the dormer windows
That open on the strait,
First cradled were the Anthons,
Renowned in church and state,
The good and wise physician
Of all the red men known
Had love of the German forest,
Of star and mine and stone ;
And the slender, dark-eyed mother
That held them on her knees,
Sang songs of the Spanish border, ■>
The land of the Pyrenees,
Who knows what golden threads of thought
Before the infant memory brought
In manly eloquence were wrought
Beneath those waving trees?
FORT stre^e;t. 807
There on the New Years gathered
Within the largest room,
Around the roaring chimney
The household of Macomb,
Straight sat the keen DePeyster,
With learning quaint in store.
But, first at the sound of the fiddle.
To dance on the well-rubbed floor.
And there were the great fur traders
Whose will in the woods was law
With the heart of a Highland chieftain
And grip of the lion's paw.
The hale old house had flourished
A hundred years and ten —
Above the Fort was floating
The flag of stars again.
A brave and honored soldier
Came up to hold the town,
A wise and manly ruler,
A scholar of renown.
And here he made his homestead
And lived in quiet state
Before the wandering emigrants
Began to crowd the strait,
Along the sloping bank-side,
In front of his open door,
The tents of the forest's chieftains
Are mustered as of yore.
And painted warriors as they pass
Or smoke in groups upon the grass
Smile, grim applause when stately Cass
Moves downward to the shore.
The spreading town has shouldered
The useless fort away.
The grasping hands of Commerce
Are closing on the bay.
The garden and the orchard
No ripened fruif retain,
And idlers cross the wheat-fields
And trample down the grain,
Alas, for the brave old mansion !
Alas, for its ancient fame !
Old things make room for the present
As ashes follow the flame !
8o8 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
The last individual to operate the Cass farm before it was
cut up into city lots was, if I mistake not, Harvey King, who was
quite successful in its management.
corrections.
Editor Free Press :
It would appear from my article on Fort Street, in your issue
of July 23, that Governor Mason occupied the John A. Welles
house after Theo. Romeyn, whereas I meant to say that the gov-
ernor occupied for a short time the house on the southwest cor-
ner of Woodbridge and Rivard Streets, before Mr. Romeyn, and
that Henry Ledyard lived in the same house for quite awhile, and
after him, General Pope, U. S. A., commanding this department.
The general had his headquarters in this house. It is still
standing.
And another correction. N. P. Jacobs occupied the Welles
house after Mr. Romeyn vacated it, instead of the one next
beyond it. Friend Pai^mer.
HARVEY KING.
■ In my last I mentioned that the late Harvey King was
the last one to operate the Cass farm. He leased it in 1842 at
a yearly rental of $150, and kept it until some time in 1880.
He cleared off the dense growth of timber from Ledyard
Street out. He was the first to deliver milk in the city. Driving
his milk cart himself, with his large milk can beside him, going
from customer to customer, ringing his bell before each residence
to tell them that he was on hand, and to hurry up, as many had
their ears open listening for the vigorous clang of the milk man's
bell. King, with his son, John R., continued the milk business
during the latter years of the farm lease quite extensively.
Harvey King was the first president of the board of public
works, being appointed to that position by Mayor Moffatt. He
was the builder and sole owner, of the first street railroad, on
Grand River Avenue — this about 1868. He also, in i860, pur-
chased a large tract of land from General Cass on the north side
of Grand River Avenue, and established there (what was famil-
iarly known for years) King's cattle yards. Also built and
owned the Brighton house adjoining, a hostelry patronized almost
HARVEY KING. 809
exclusively by drovers and cattlemen. Previous to the establish-
ment of this cattle yard, people having stock to sell had to
expose them for that purpose on the Campus Martius in front of
the Andrews Hotel. This action and foresight on the part of
King was a great convenience to all concerned. Many will call
to mind the crowded state of things in front of Andrews Hotel
in the days I mention.
Harvey King purchased the wooden addition to the National
Hotel (Russell House), which addition was on what is now Cad-
illac Square, and sold the same to his son John R., who removed
it to the northeast corner of Montcalm and Cass Streets, and sold
it to Mr. Ryan. It is still standing and doing duty as a five-
apartment tenement house. The large front door of the old
National is yet in commission as the backdoor of this tenement
house, with its big brass knobs and the figures 1856 and 1858.
The house on the north side of Fort Street, beyond and
adjoining the one built by Oliver Newberry (which latter was
afterwards occupied by General Cass and the major), was built
and owned by John Hulbert, who succeeded Henry R. Schoolcraft
here as Indian agent. Mr. Hulbert was a brother-in-law of Mr.
Schoolcraft, he marrying the latter's sister, and came here in a
batteau from the Soo in 1836. He disposed of his property after
awhile and built a brick residence at the northeast corner of Cass
and Congress Streets (the same house later on was occupied by
John Stephens, of Stephens & Field), which many years after
was destroyed by fire, with Gray & Baffy's furniture warehouse.
the: CASS COMPANY.
In 1835 a company, styled the "Cass Company," was formed,
its object being to build docks, warehouses, etc., for the improve-
ment of the city, and to increase facilities for commerce, and as
this undertaking was one of great importance to the city, it may
not be out of place here to give a brief sketch of it, and a history
of titles as they passed from hand to hand. The Cass farm was
conveyed by the government by patent, dated April 20, 181 1, to
John W. Macomb, William Macomb and David B. Macomb, who
were agents of the government, and were extensively engaged
in trade here as early as 1777. David B. and William Macomb
sold their thirds to General Cass by an act of congress. The old
Macomb (St. Martin) mansion, subsequently occupied by Gen-
8lO EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
eral Cass, stood on a bluff on Jefferson Avenue, near the river,
and upon the sale of the farm front, the building was removed
to lot 142, West Larned Street, occupied by William Beal, ice
dealer. The building was built of blocks of hewed timber and
clap-boarded. It was in a good state of repair in 1863, and when
it was demolished some years later it was found on examination
to be in fit condition to last 100 years or more. There was some
talk at the time of its purchase by the city and its removal to
East Grand Circus Park, but that was all there was to it, and
the historic landmark had to go.
The Cass Company consisted of DeGarmo Jones, Oliver
Newberry, Eurotas P. Hastings, Major Henry Whiting, Shubael
Conant, Charles C. Trowbridge, Elon Farnsworth, Henry S.
Coie, Edmund A. Brush and Augustus S. Porter. The organiza-
tion was a very powerful one financially, and the enterprise was
looked upon by many of our citizens as one promising a very
great reward, but there was some who had misgivings. The com-
pany raised' the sum of $125,000, which they paid for the front,
the deed bearing date June 18, 1835. On June 18, 1840, the
property was mortgaged to General Cass, but the debt was dis-
charged the following year.
The Cass Company deeded the property to Augustus S.
Porter, as trustee, and on Mr. Porter leaving the state, Charles
C. Trowbridge was appointed his successor. The property con-
sisted of all that portion of the city embraced within the boun-
daries of the east and west lines of the Cass farm, and from the
south line of Larned Street to the river. The company expended
about $100,000 in docking and grading, and subdivided it into
lots. A few of these they sold ; but a financial crisis came on,
and the entire property, with the valuable improvements the com-
pany had made, reverted to General Cass. But Mr. Newberry
had obtained from the company lots Nos. i and 2, ujx)n which he
built a warehouse. The adjoining lot. No. 3, having reverted to
General Cass, Mr. Newberry purchased it, which with the other
two, constituted for many years what was known as Newberry's
dock. This dock for a long period had been the scene of the
greatest activity during the season of navigation, and it was Mr.
Newberry's favorite haunt, even for years after he sold it. On
the 13th of August, 1855, J. L. Hurd & Co. purchased this prop-
erty, for which they paid the snug sum of $68,000. The lots Nos.
FORT STREET. 8ll
I, 2 and 3 extend from Second Street west 248 feet, comprising
one-third of the Cass front, from Front Street to the river.
The unfortunate termination of the Cass Company's specu-
lations proved disastrous to several of the parties.
While recalling scenes and incidents in this portion of the
town, I am reminded of General Cass and his parrot. He had a
pet parrot brought from France, of which the family and him-
self made much, and he was taught to say many things. When
the general was running against Taylor for the presidency, some
one taught the bird to "Hurrah for Taylor." The bird enjoyed
it so much that he kept at it, in season and out of season. It
annoyed the general so he had to get rid of it, and he gave it
away.
2jc ^ ^
In my article on Fort Street (south side, Kinzie house),
I omitted to say that one of the early dwellers in that house
was Geo. W. Martin. He was of the firm of Martin & Town-
send, hardware, corner of Woodward Avenue and Larned
Street (southwest). He was a gay young man, but possessed of
good business qualifications. He died of cholera in 1834 at the
mansion house. Townsend associated himself with Harmon
DeGraff in the same business on the same corner under firm
name of DeGraff & Townsend. Many will call to mind Harmon
DeGraff, what a staid, methodical, business individual he was, to
be sure. Townsend was an equally good business man and quite
genial. The firm after continuing in a successful business for a
while was broken by the untimely and much regretted death of
Mr. Townsend. After this Mr. Ben Vernor took Mr. Town-
send's place in the firm, and it became DeGraff & Vernor. The
former married the latter's sister. Vernor came here some years
before with a stock of fancy dry goods and located in the Repub-
lican Hale Block where is now Edson, Moore & Co. The death
of Mr. DeGraff caused the discontinuance of the firm and the
business. Vernor went into the insurance business with Edward
A. Lansing. The firm were successful, I believe for quite a
while, then it became Lansing & Anderson, Vernor branching out
for himself in the same business, which he continued until his
untimely and much regretted death, especially so among the
young business portion of the community. Vernor was not a
Brady Guard, nor a Light Guard, but he was a most enthu-
8l2 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
siastic member of the Old Volunteer Fire Department, an all
around good fellow and in all social functions he was ever at
the front.
Mr. DeGraff during most of his life here, was associated
with Mr. Silas N. Kendrick in the iron foundry business, corner
Larned and First Streets, which they successfully conducted,
Mr. K. being an expert in the business. The latter built for him-
self a fine brick residence adjoining the First Presbyterian Church
on Fort Street, which property Mr. H. B. Joy has lately acquired.
Mr. and Mrs. Kendrick were fine people, full of all good impulses
and kindly deeds. Mr. Townsend was survived by Mrs. Town-
send, and two daughters. One married Geo. B.. Sartwell, for
some years cashier of the American Exchange Bank. Mr. Sart-
well and the late Alex. H, Dey were closely associated in business
for many years. He is still living and has retired on his laurels.
Mrs, Townsend and Mrs. Sartwell died some years since. Miss
Townsend is still living.
* >|: ;K
The Strongs have always occupied a prominent position on
this street. The Strong family (John W. Strong, Sr.) when they
first came here in 1838, occupied the Knaggs house down the
river (Bela Hubbard's) for quite a while, then moved into the
city. He was for some years forwarding merchant on Second
Street. He was also at one time justice of the peace.
H. Norton Strong became the owner of the Doctor Abbott
house after Mr. Dunning vacated it. Norton Strong, a neat,
precise, fastidious individual, became quite prominent as a vessel
owner and shipper in the forties and fifties. He quit this busy
life in mid-career, leaving to his heirs a presumably comfortable
fortune. Mr. Strong married the beautiful and accomplished
Miss Helen Chapin, a daughter of Dr. Marshall Chapin. They
had sons and daughters. Mr. Thomas Pitts married one of the
daughters. Norton Strong, during the last years of his life, had
the distinction of owning, with the exception of E. W. Hudson,
the largest fleet of sailing vessels on the lakes, and the steam tug
to help them along. John R. Gillett, who was his manager, right
hand man, etc., published a lithograph print in colors, of large
dimensions, showing five or six of his vessels heavily grain laden
in tow of his steam tug Champion, passing Windmill Point light,
FORT STREET. 813
headed down the river, a sight that will never be seen again.
John W. Strong, Jr. (brother of Norton), married a daughter of
Colonel Joshua Howard, U. S. A. John Strong was a very hand-
some man; indeed, they all were fine looking men, including the
father. The daughters were all beautiful and accomplished.
One married G. Mott Williams, son of General John R. Williams ;
another Henry T. Stringham, bank man ; another Henry H.
Brown, cashier Peninsular Bank, whose fine brick residence was
on the site of the old hydraulic reservoir, corner of Wayne Street.
Mr. Brow^n lived here for many years dispensing princely hospi-
tality, an estimable man, and when he passed away he was much
regretted. The house is still standing. The late John Moore,
who at one time kept the Merchants' Exchange, that was on the
southeast corner of Woodbridge and Griswold .Streets, was in the
employ of H. H. Brown for many years as coachman, etc. John
died rich. He owned at the time of his death a fine residence and
grounds, northwest corner of Washington Avenue and Grand
River Street. Brown had two children, Warham and his sister
Mary. The former was a very handsome, interesting boy, and
when he grew to manhood was employed in the bank with his
father as teller for many years. During this time he made the
trip to Europe, in jcompany with D. Bethune Duffield and Jas. C.
Ladue. After the bank ceased operations his father and himself
engaged in the insurance business until the death of the former.
After the death of his father he was in the employ from time to
time of the Detroit & Windsor Ferry Co., and then in the Detroit
water office. He was in the latter employ at the time of his death,
which occurred only a few years ago. In his prime Warham
Brown was the handsomest young man in Detroit, and of the
most polished and engaging manners. Those that attended the
costume ball at the Russell Hause many years ago will, I am sure,
call to mind the elegant appearance Warham made in his mag-
nificant court suit of the time of Louis XIV., the observed of all
observers. He was a guest at the various entertainments or ban-
quets that Senator Palmer gave some years ago to the "Old
Boys," the last one of which was at the 'Xog Cabin," Palmer
Park, May 12, 1896. The daughter Mary, charming and bright,
grew to a graceful womanhood. She married Wallace Osborn,
of Rochester, N. Y., son of N. Osborn, the builder of the present
8 14 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
city hall. Mrs. Brown, widow of H. H. Brown, passed her
declining years with her daughter, Mrs. Osborn. She passed
away but a few years ago. Mrs. Osborn died in Rochester nearly
two years ago.
>!:
HOW JUDGE SOLOMON SIBLEY WAS NOMINATED FOR DELEGATE TO
CONGRESS IN 1 82 1.
Governor Cass having designated Pontiac as the county seat
of Oakland County, Colonel Stephen Mack (Mack & Conant), of
Detroit, who had become interested with many other citizens of
Detroit in forming an association known as the "Pontiac Com-
pany," for purchasing, jointly, a tract of land for the purpose of
laying out and establishing a town on the same, turned his atten-
tion to constructifig a road from Detroit to the new city (Pon-
tiac), and also to building mills on the Clinton River, near by.
A company for the latter ■ purpose was formed, consisting of
Stephen Mack, Shubael Conant and Solomon Sibley, who com-
pleted the first saw and grist mill in Oakland County in 1821,
and the event was duly celebrated. The occasion was one of
great importance to the few scattered settlers in that region, not
less to the enterprising company at Detroit who had originated
and completed that important undertaking. There was as large
a gathering on the occasion as the sparse settlement in Oakland
County could furnish, then consisting of about a dozen families,
the number present being increased by several gentlemen of
Detroit who had been so rash as to embark in what was at that
time considered a very doubtful enterprise, an undertaking that
some were sure would result in failure and bankruptcy. A good
dinner was provided, toasts were drunk and various sports
ensued.
At that time the question of electing a delegate to congress
was about to come before the people. But no nomination had
been formally made. The company present resolved itself into a
committee of the whole on the condition of the territory of Mich-
igan. It was deemed to be a fit occasion to nominate in a formal
manner a candidate for congress. There were three persons
present, who, by education and position, were deemed to be
qualified for the post, namely : Daniel LeRoy, A. B. Woodward,
and Solomon Sibley. It was no easy task for the company to
determine the merits of the respective gentlemen. The question
SIBLEY I^AMILY. 815
had been unexpectedly sprung upon the candidates themselves,
and they had no time to prepare elaborate speeches and answer all
sorts of impertinent questions, whereby to prove their qualifica-
tions. The facetious Judge Woodward proposed that each can-
didate should be put through the mill, one at a time, and the one
whose maniplations and skill in the hopper should produce the
best meal should be declared the candidate. Colonel Mack and
the miller being appointed umpires.
The suggestion was adopted by acclamation. It was agreed
that Judge LeRoy should go through the ordeal first. He
mounted the hopper, and it was agreed by all that he went
through the performance admirably. Next Judge Woodward
tried his chances, and won great applause.
The mill was beginning to work well, the meal could scarcely
be excelled, but it remained for Judge Sibley to carry off the
palm. He took his stand, and an appreciative constituency could
not fail to see his superior merits. The miller took up the meal,
handful after handful, and was enthusiastic in its praise. Colonel
Mack did not at first quite agree wrth him, but finally was con-
vinced, not only that the meal was finer, but the performance of
the judge himself so unique and beautiful as to place his com-
petitors in the shade. It was only a question of time to deter-
mine which of the three candidates was to be nominated. The
judge was making good time in the hopper, when the umpires
with watch in hand at the proper moment, declared him the suc-
cessful candidate. His competitors acknowledged the corn. He
was formally announced as the favorite candidate of Oakland
County. His nomination was responded to in Wayne, Macomb
and Monroe, and he was elected delegate to Congress for the
Territory of Michigan, which position he filled with honor to
himself and satisfaction to his constituents.
Judge Sibley's family when I knew them consisted of eight
children, four boys and four girls. Henry, after attaining his
majority, w^ent to Wisconsin, when it was a territory, and was
delegate to Congress from there. He also was appointed Gov-
ernor of Minnesota.
Ebenezer Sproat entered West Point and after the usual time
graduated into the artillery. He was afterwards transferred to
the Quarter-Master's department, with the rank of captain, and
served .with great distinction in that capacity during the Mexican
8l6 EARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
War. He had charge of the immense mihtary depot at Camargo,
the center of supphes for General Taylor's army. The transac-
tions of his department at that point were enormous, involving a
large expenditure of money, and a necessary accumulation of
much public property. On the breaking up of the depot at the
close of the war and disposing of the public property under his
charge, Captain Sibley found but little time to close his accounts
with the department at Washington, so brought all his papers
to Detroit, to which point he was ordered to take charge of the
quartermaster's department in the military department of the
lakes. I am able to testify that the transactions of his depart-
ment at Camargo were very extensive from the fact that I, being
his clerk while stationed here, made up his Camargo accounts and
settlements with the United States ; they were closed to the entire
satisfaction of all concerned. To the initiated in such matters,
the magnitude of the job will, I am sure, suggest itself. The
knowledge I then and there acquired of the manner of settling
accounts with the treasury department at Washington, stood me
in good stead when in after years the task devolved on me of
settling the accounts of the State of Michigan, against the gen-
eral government, for expenses incurred on account of the Civil
War.
- Captain Sibley was stationed here about two years, and dur-
ing that time Lieutenant U. S. Grant was stationed at the Detroit
barracks with his regiment, the Fourth U. S. Infantry. From
here Captain Sibley was ordered to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and
remainded there, I think, until the breaking out of the Civil War,
when he was elevated to the position of deputy quartermaster-
general with rank of lieutenant-colonel, and stationed at Wash-
ington.
General M. C. Meigs was quartermaster-general at that time;
and he, as first lieutenant of engineers, was stationed at Detroit,
building Fort Wayne, at the same time that Captain Sibley was
stationed here as quartermaster. The former used to draw from
the latter his monthly cofnmutation for fuel and quarters. Quite
as odd, if not more so, were the different positions Captain Sibley
and Lieutenant Grant occupied in after years. While Grant, the
modest, retiring first lieutenant was stationed here with his regi-
ment, he held the position of regimental quartermaster, or quar-
termaster of that portion stationed at the Detroit barracks, and
SIBLEY FAMII.Y. ^ 817
as such drew all his supplies, cash, etc., from his superior officer,
Quartermaster Sibley. After the Civil War broke out, the
progress of events brought the obscure lieutenant very much to
the front, far outstripping Captain Sibley, although he too
attained distinction, rising to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. I
think Sibley made a mistake when he sent in his resignation. I
am told he realized it after a while, and when Grant got to be*
president he made a move to get re-instated> but the former found
it impossible to do it, for military or army reasons. Colonel Sib-
ley resigned April 15, 1864. He was a splendid man in every
way. My two years' service with him made me appreciate his
fine qualities of head and heart. A truly Christian gentleman
and of the strictest integrity.
Alex H. Sibley I knew quite well as a young man, and
while teller in the Bank of Michigan. Afterwards he and Samuel
P. Brady were sutlers to Colonel Bennett Riley's regiment when
it was ordered to California in 1849. They made the voyage by
sea in sailing vessels around the Horn, taking quite an assort-
ment of goods along, sufficient for the needs of the regiment, and
for probable outside customers. They freighted an extra vessel
with their supplies. When they arrived at Valparaiso, they first
learned of the discovery of gold in California at Suter's mill.
After a short stop they proceeded to Monterey, their objective
point in California, but not Being satisfied with this location, the
Colonel after a brief period abandoned it for the Golden Gate
and San Francisco, and there established his headquarters. The
gold discovery created an immense excitement through the entire
country, and thousands had already flocked to that point in quest
of the precious metal. As a consequence provisions and supplies
of every kind got to be very scarce, and when these supplies of
Brady and Sibley were landed and get-at-able, the demand for
them from outsiders, miners and others, amounted almost to a
frenzy. They hastily stored their goods in tents, no other shelter
being available, and did the best they could to answer the wants
of the crowd, mostly miners, with their fat gold dust pouches.
The cry was not "How much do you ask?" but ''Can I have the
goods ?" and so it w^ent on, until the other vessel of goods arrived
from New York.
In the meantime supplies in a limited quantity had begun to
arrive from points along the Pacific coast, which relieved the
pressure some, but Brady and Sibley reaped a rich harvest and
52
8i8 e:arly days in Detroit.
continued for some time. I had this account from Edward M.
Pitcher, nephew of Dr. Z. Pitcher, and J. Mott WilHams, son of
General John R. WilHams, both of this city, who went out in the
employ of the firm as sutler's clerks.
After his return to the States, Sibley entered quite exten-
sively in mining operations on Lake Superior, particularly the
"Silver Islet" mine, and I understand gained quite a competency.
Frederick B., the youngest, I was always familiar with from
our schoolboy days on. When the Sibleys acquired the lime
business and stone quarry down the river near Trenton, Fred
took charge of it, and established a stone yard and lime kiln on
the river front between Rivard and Orleans Streets, which he
carried on until a few years ago, when he disposed of it, as well
as the stone quarry down the river.
When McClellan's army was before Richmond, Alex and
.Fred Sibley were engaged in furnishing Major Ingalls, quarter-
master of the army of the Potomac at West Point, Va., with
forage. They had an office in New York over which Fred pre-
sided. I was told they dispatched two or three vessels a day from
that port loaded with forage for that army.
C. C. Trowbridge married one of the daughters, as did
James^ A. Armstrong, of Armstrong, Sibley & Co., and Charles
S. Adams, of the firm of Whitney & Adams. One of the daugh-
ters (Miss Sarah) survives.
Of all the sons of Judge Sibley, I think Alexander was the
most strenuous, pushing and agressive. Mr. Trowbridge used
to relate this of his father-in-law, which has been mentioned, I
think, in an article some time ago: "I am reminded of a remark
made to me not long ago by the venerable General Cass. The
General said that, while a stout boy, he was one morning occupied
at a hollow stump standing before his father's house on the
Muskingum River, pounding corn for the family breakfast. He
looked down the road and espied two persons approaching on
horseback. They proved to be Mr. Sol. Sibley and his young
wife, the daughter of Colonel Sproat of Marietta, Ohio, on their
way to Detroit, where Mr, S. had decided to practice law.
According to the custom of the country, they alighted without
ceremony, partook of a welcome breakfast and resumed their
long journey."
Solomon Sibley was one of the judges who presided at the
trial of the wife murderer Simmons, July, 1830.
CONSPICUOUS MEN IN LIFE OF THE CITY. 819
Colonel A. T. McReynolds, who lately died in Grand Rap-
ids at an advanced age, was a prominent attorney here in the
early days. He was a man of sterling worth and also quite mili-
tary. At the outbreak of the Mexican War he organized a com-
pany of dragoons, of which he was commissioned captain. John
T. Brown, of Tecumseh, was first lieutenant and J. C. D. Wil-
liams, of Detroit, and Frank Henry, of Wisconsin, were second
lieutenants.
^'Dev" Williams, as he was familiarly called, had the air and
bearing of a soldier, but little else in that line. Captain McReyn-
olds, however, left the drilling of the company entirely to "Dev."
The company rendezvoused at the old Detroit barracks, corner
Russell and Gratiot Streets. He used to go up daily, and with
the aid of the sergeant of the company, who had once belonged to
a British cavalry regiment, put his men through their paces.
* * *
Captain McReynolds and his command left here in due time,
and saw service in Mexico under General Winfield Scott, and par-
ticipated in the taking of Chapultepec and the City of Mexico.
In the last affair Captain McReynold's company made a gallant
charge across the causeway leading into the city, losing quite a
number of men and horses. In this charge the captain received
a severe wound in the arm, as did I^ieutenant Dev. Williams. The
wound of the former lasted him through life, the latter soon
recovered. After the war both returned to Detroit, McReynolds
to his profession and Williams to his father's hearth. During
the Civil War McReynolds was given command of a Michigan
regiment and served with distinction. Subsequently he took up
his abode in Grand Rapids and died there recently. Lieutenant
Williams died in Mt. Clemens a few years ago.
jjt * *
John McReynolds, brother of the colonel, was a man of ster-
ling worth. He was associated with Henry Doty, also a man of
the strictest integrity, in the auction and commission business for
many years on Woodward Avenue. Associated with them was
Wm. P. Doty, brother of Henry, who was a bright business
young man and one of the society leaders of that day. David R.
Peirce was also with this firm for many years.
820 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Tom Edmonds, as he was familiarly calkd, was the auction-
eer for McReynolds & Doty. He was an eccentric character.
Unfortunately he was addicted to periodical sprees, that lasted
sometimes a week or ten days. On these occasions he was a
conspicuous object on the streets minus coat and hat, and in a
dilapidated condition otherwise, he would declaim on the corners
in an unintelligible jargon, always ending his sentences with
"down goes the hammer." When he was himself, however, he
was correct in every particular and faultlessly dressed.
As an auctioneer he had no superior. He was a great
favorite with all the community.
'K *?* *!*
In addition to Wm. P. Doty as one of the leaders of the
young society of this city, I call to mind the names and person-
alities of Edward M. Pitcher, Dr. L. H. Cobb, Albion Turner,
Geo. A. Cooper, Wm. A. Heartt, L. B. Watkins, J. C. D. Wil-
liams, John B. Palmer, Charles and George Dibble, Henry School-
craft, Eben N. and O. B. Willcox, Norman Emmons, Lafayette
Knapp, Barney and Alex Campau, Henry A. Wight, Alex Lewis
and W. G. Eee. The older set of society gentlemen — I think I
have mentioned some of them before — who used to mix in on
occasions with the younger, were John T. Hunt, Frank Hunt,
Henry M. Roby, Chandler Seymour, Addison Mandell, Jed P. C.
Emmons, Walter Ingersoll, John W. Strong, J. Norton Strong,
A. H. Guise, Sam Lewis, Dr. Geo. B. Russell, Chas. S. Adams
and H. C. Kibbee.
* * *
Of all the sons of General John R. Williams, Theodore was the
most liked in this community, and the most active in the life of
the city. Ferdinand, G. Mott, John C, T. Mott and J. C. Dever-
eaux were good, respectable members of the community, and
filled their roles as all good citizens are expected to do. Thomas
Williams, as said in a former article, was a graduate of West
Point, entered the infantry, served with distinction in the Mexi-
can and the Civil War. During the latter war he attained the
rank of brigadier-general. He was killed at the battle of Baton
Rouge, where he commanded the union forces. He was a good
soldier.
CONSPICUOUS MEN IN IjFlJ OF THE) CITY. 82 1
Among the bachelors who used to flourish here in the
early days in addition to Curt Emerson, Josh Carew, Dr. Rufus
Brown, Sax Kellogg, Sam Suydam, W. B. Alvord and Alf
Hunter were Marsh Mead, Delos Davis and Charles Richmond.
Mead and Davis, though not society men, were gentlemen of ele-
gant leisure, favorites among their male friends. Charles Rich-
mond, a most genial bachelor, was not exactly a gentleman of
elegant leisure ; -but he made the tour of Europe and for a long
period he was assistant postmaster here, and through fortunate
ventures acquired quite a property. He became the owner of the
Odd Fellows' Hall that order had erected on Woodward Avenue.
The Odd Fellows were unable to hold it on account of lack of
funds, and Richmond became the fortunate o-yyner. Many with
myself will remember him with feelings of admiration and pleas-
ure. His early death was much regretted.
^ Sfv 3{C
Few and perhaps no one now will remember Obed Waite.
He was a man of much -promise and was the architect of the
state capitol building. He died in 1830. I remember his funeral
(Masonic) was largely attended. He was a friend of Thomas
Palmer, father of the senator, also of Colonel D. C. McKinstry,
Shubael Conant, Oliver Newbury and indeed all of the prominent
men here at that day. He was a remarkably fine looking man,
and an accomplished architect.
OUVER M. HYDE.
There was a row of wooden buildings on the west side of
Woodward Avenue, between Woodbridge and Atwater Streets
(Abbott Block), in which were the business places of Waller
& Jaquith, Jenness, and. others, but they did not extend to the
corner of Woodbridge Street. Between was the leather store
of Ingersoll & Kirby, and the store of Oliver M. Hyde ; the latter
extended to the. corner of Woodbridge.
Mr. Hyde dealt in almost every conceivable thing, it was
said that you could buy of Uncle Oliver Hyde, or he would fur-
nish for a price anything" from a mousetrap to a meeting house.
He also carried on the platform and counter scale business with
A. A. Wilder, under the firm name of Hyde & Wilder, at the
same locality, the manufactory and scales room being in the
822 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Upper part of the building. Wilder was an engineer, machinist
and inventor, always inventing something of practical utility, but
failed to derive much profit from his inventions, and as is often
the case, others reaped where he had sowed and are even now
enjoying the benefits of his genius. Mr. Hyde about the same
time established an extensive foundry and machine shop on
Atwater Street, near the foot of Dequindre Street. He was
engaged here for some years in the manufacture of engines and
steamboat machinery.
Oliver M. Hyde had an able assistant in the person of Captain
Morgan L. Gage. The captain emigrated to Saginaw and died
there. A sorl of his is at present and has been for some years
bookkeeper for the extensive lumber and salt firm of Charles Mer-
rill & Co., of that city. About 1852, O. M. Hyde built a steam
saw mill on the west bank of the Saginaw River, opposite the
town of East Saginaw, which he sold in 1854 to a company com-
posed of Charles Merrill, R. N. Rice and U. Tracy Howe.
Mr. Hyde lived for many years, and until he died June 28,
1870, on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Griswold Street,
in an attractive cottage, where is now the Whitney building.
Uncle Oliver left a widow and three children, two sons and one
daughter, in comfortable circumstances. One of the sons, Henry,
was for a while in the dry goods business on Jefferson Avenue,
he buying out Mr. Edward Graham. He married for his first
wife Miss Wasson, whose father was an extensive car builder,
of Springfield, Mass. He abandoned the dry goods business in
this city, and took up his residence in Springfield, entering into
partnership with his father-in-law. Louis, a younger brother,
joined him in the business, Mr. W^asson having died in the mean-
time. They are both alive and carrying on the business vigor-
ously. In addition to the car business, Henry is president of a
bank in Springfield, a position that he has held for many years.
Both enjoy in an eminent degree the confidence and respect of
the citizens of that hustling New England city.
Mr. Asa D. Dickinson, brother of Hon. Don. M. Dickin-
son, married the daughter of O. M. Hyde, Harriet, an exceed-
ingly bright and charming girl. After many years of happy mar-
ried life Asa passed to the beyond. He died in 1904 and his
remains rest in Elm wood. President Cleveland appointed him
consul to Nottingham, England, a position that he retained until
CONSPICUOUS MEN IN U^E OF THE CITY. 823
a short time before his death, rehnquishing it at his own request.
Many will call to mind Asa's ('Xittle Dick," as he was
familiarly called) career in the river steambot business in the
early days. He was popular and successful, full of joke, repartee
and a wonderful flow of spirits. He was afterward in company
with John J. Gatrison (Garrison & Dickinson). The latter's
extensive acquaintance with steamboat people and the inhabitants
on both sides of the river up and down, from Maiden to Port
Huron, brought to the concern a vast volume of trade. But he
sought a wider field, severing his connection with Mr. Garrison,
and embarking in business in New York City, where he con-
tinued with varied fortunes until his appointment to the Notting-
ham consulship.
Uncle Oliver Hyde married in Poultney, Vermont, Julia
Sprague, the sister of Judge B. F. H. Witherell's first wife, Mary
Ann Sprague. He was uncle by marriage to Colonel Spencer
Sprague, who with his son, Henry, composed the well-known
patent right firm of Thos. S. Sprague & Son. The business is
carried on under the same firm name today. Spencer Sprague
was also for many years in the agricultural implement business
on the east side of Woodward Avenue, between Jefferson Avenue
and Atwater Street. Hon. James Mercer, of Ontonagon, was
a clerk in his establishment for some time. Spencer saw service
in the Civil War. He was a very genial, companionable man. A
large number of our people will call to mind Colonel Spencer
Sprague, and with pleasurable emotions.
After some years a brother of Mrs. Hyde's, Henry Sprague,
came with his family and took up residence in Detroit. He died
after a few years sojourn here, leaving a widow and several
children. One of the daughters married Henry. Hopson, who
was for many years a hardware merchant on upper Woodward
Avenue, and is now a retired capitalist. Another daughter mar-
ried Silas Bullock, who was for many years bookkeeper for Mer-
rill & Palmer (Charles Merrill and t. W. Palmer). Bullock
had seen service in the Civil War, was taken prisoner and con-
fined for many months in the rebel prison at Andersonville.. He
never entirely recovered from the severe treatment he underwent
in that southern prison pen, and jio doubt it hastened his death.
He left a widow, a -son and a daughter. ' The daughter is mar-
ried to Dr. J. Knox Gailey, of this city; the son, Earle Bullock,
is also a physician, and is in the service of the government.
824 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
The late Benjamin F. Hyde, a prominent Democratic poli-
tician, was a nephew of O. M. Hyde. Very many will remem-
ber ''Ben" Hyde. The old-time Democratic politicians, I am
quite sure, will. He was by profession a lawyer, but it seemed to
me that he always held office, either in the customs or somewhere
else. He did though, about 1849, embark in the banking busi-
ness, but not for long. He was very popular with all classes, and
deservedly so.
My connection by marriage with a niece of Mrs. O. M. Hyde
(Miss Witherell) made me quite familiar with the Hydes, and
all akin to them. We were almost of the same family.
^ ^ ^
HENRY A. NAGLEE.
Henry A. Naglee, coming here in the early thirties, from
Philadelphia, was the pioneer in the soda water, mead, ice cream,
fancy cake and candy business, ice cream though had made its
appearance here, a short period before, in a limited way, but
Naglee advertised to furnish the above specialties in quantities as
might be desired. He also served oysters in season and did a
limited restaurant business, minus liquors. He also kept fine
cigars and smokers' articles. He was brother of Mrs. H. D.
Garrison, the principal milliner in the city at that time, somewhat
eclipsing Miss Moon in the same line.
Naglee was a fine looking, pleasant mannered man, unmar-
ried, and drew a large trade. His store was on Jefferson Avenue,
opposite Rood's bookstore, midway between Griswold and Shelby
Streets. He, however, was unfortunate in business through a
mistaken venture, and had to retire. Emboldened with his suc-
cess in his ice cream saloon business, he started a restaurant on
an extended scale, corner of Wayne Street and Jefferson Avenue.
His bill of fare was most elaborate, including almost everything
in season. He also had a stock of fine wines and liquors and
cigars. His venture was not a success, and both concerns were
wrecked. Naglee entered the service of Sidney L. Rood, books
and stationery, in which concern I was clerk and bookkeeper.
Naglee's specialty with Rood was traveling through the state,
disposing of books, stationery, blank books, etc. For this pur-
pose Rood bought a fine span of horses and a strong peddler's
wagon. It was a substantial outfit in every way, as indeed it
CONSPICUOUS MEN IN UFE OF THE CITY. 825
had to be to stand the rough, primitive roads in the state at that
early day. Naglee did not venture far outside of Wayne County,
sometimes to Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor. This was the first time a
rig of this description had ever visited the places he ventured
into, and the people gave him an ovation. His graphic descrip-
tions of the various incidents occurring on his trips were most
interesting and amusing. The rough, muddy roads came in for
a good deal of vigorous talk on Naglee's part, and well they
might, judging from the condition of the goods returned unsold ;
shaken almost to pieces and requiring much repair. This venture
was fairly successful, and what became of Naglee after he left
Rood's employ, I never knew.
The incidents related were a part of my life at the time and
mixed in with the daily happenings. Naglee was at that time
and while in business here an important member of the com-
munity. He was not at the start a rival of Bull & Beard, the
restauranters, under King's corner; he catered more particularly
to the female portion of the community, which Bull & Beard
did not.
A NOTED FIRM.
A NOTED FIRM AND ITS EXTENSIVE OPERATIONS HERE
AND ELSEWHERE.
THE style of architecture in brick structures here in the early
days was peculiar, in that they were all after the same
pattern and severely plain. As a sample of the style then
prevailing, the reader is referred to the Whiting & Wendell
house, nearly opposite the old Michigan Exqhange, and now
used by commercial agents, the Kearsley House, northwest cor-
ner Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street. This style of build-
ing continued without change until some time in 1855 or 1856.
J. C. Devereaux Williams broke the spell when he erected the
building where is now the Hotel Gies, Monroe Avenue, and his
other building near the foot of Woodward Avenue, east side,
between Atwater Street and the river. Five or six years after
this the Merrill Block followed.
The Merrill Block was erected about i860 by Mr. Charles
Merrill, a wealthy lumberman from Maine, who had cast his
lot in Michigan and made this city his permanent place of resi-
dence. Senator Thomas W. Palmer married his daughter, his
only child, and was a most important and efficient assistant to
Mr. Merrill. The Merrill Block was much more ornate and pre-
tentious than the Williams buildings, and on its completion was
the pride of the city, and continued so for many years. It became
at once the center of its life and trade until about 1895, when
Woodward Avenue, above the campus, seemed to become the
center of attraction and gradually drew trade and public atten-
tion to that part of the city. The glory and fame of the Merrill
Block departed, but not until it had proved to be a great finan-
cial success to its originators.
* * *
A short sketch is here given of the lumber operations of Mr.
Merrill in Saginaw, when head of the firm of Charles Merrill &
Co., of that city.
note:d firms. 827
About 1852, O. M. Hyde, of Detroit, built a mill on the west
bank of the Saginaw River, opposite the town of East Saginaw,
which he sold to a company composed of Charles Merrill, R. N.
Rice and U. T. Howe, also of Detroit, in 1854. This mill had
two Mulay saws and a siding machine for making six-inch strips.
In 1856 they remodeled the mill, taking out the siding machine
and putting in a small gang with an eight-inch crank, being the
first flat gang ever placed on Saginaw River. This made the
capacity of the mill six million feet per year. The mill was
managed in 1857 by Mr. Gushing. It was a hard year for lum-
bermen, and money was lost. In 1858 the mill was placed under
the management of Joseph A. Whittier, also from Maine, who in
1864 acquired a quarter interest in the firm, at the same time
Thomas W. Palmer bought a quarter interest.
Mr. Merrill died in December, 1872. His daughter, Mrs.
T. W. Palmer, inherited his interest (one-half), and the business
was continued under the name of Charles Merrill & Co. In 1880
the mill was taken down, Joseph B. Whittier, son of Joseph A.,
became a member of the firm and a new mill was built, which
contained all of the modern improvements and could saw about
twenty-five million feet per year. In February, 1903, when J.
B. Whittier died, the business of the company was closed, the
timber (about 650,000,000 feet) on its lands had been cut and
since then its aflfairs have been in the process of settlement. It
was a remarkably successful company in that it never had any
losses, of any amount, by fire, water or bad debts.
Aside from the Merrill Block, which as long as it stands
will serve to perpetuate Mr. Merrill's memory, I call attention
to the white marble fountain which conspicuously adorns the
Campus Martins, erected to his memory by his daughter, Mrs.
Thos. W. Palmer.
The first occupants of the Merrill Block after its completion
were: Morrison & Conklin, jewelers; Staring & Wittemore,
pianos ; Higby & Stearns, druggists ; Farrel Bros., dry goods ;
Forsyth Bros., dry goods ; L. L. Farnsworth, boots and shoes ;
F. Wetmore, crockery; G. & W. Doeltz, dry goods and milli-
nery; David Preston, banker; Isadore Kaufman, clothing; Yates
("Hold your horses") clothing; John Palmer, insurance; Detroit
Gas Light Co. ; Walkers & Russell, Barstow & Lockwood, law
offices.
828 i:ARLY days in DETROIT.
Nicholas had a Daguerrean gallery in fourth story, corner of
Larned Street, and after removed to the northeast corner of
Woodward and Jefferson Avenues (fourth story). Mr. Melius
succeeded him in the Larned Street corner. A large number of
rooms in the fourth story of the block were occupied as sleeping
rooms, tailors rooms, etc. St. Andrew's Society also had a large
room in the block. Merrill Hall, occupying a large portion of
the second, third and fourth stories, was tha finest and largest
hall in the city, except the Firemen's Hall, which it excelled in
the facilities afforded the public for ingress and egress. It became
immensely popular at once. There was scarcely a night that it
was not in commission.. The Detroit Musical Society, under the
leadership of Professor Abel, held its weekly meetings there for
many years. The hall continued to enjoy its popularity until
"Pop" Wiggins captured it and turned it into "Wonderland."
The Farmers & Mechanics bank at one time in the sixties occu-
pied the northeast corner, first floor, upstairs. David Whitney,
Jr., succeeded it and continued there for many years.
^ ^ 5{c
One great factor in the success of the firm of Charles Mer-
rill & Co., in its early days, was John Mark, born in Alsace-
Ivoraine. After completing his education in the common
branches, and serving his term in the French Army, he, with his
wife, emigrated to this country in 1846, coming directly to
Detroit. He at once entered the service of Samuel Pitts (Pitts's
saw mill) at 62^ cents per day. Mr. Pitts gradually advanced
his wages until he received $5 per day as inspector of lumber.
While with Mr. Pitts he acquired a complete knowledge of the
lumber business, becoming master of all its details. In 1858 he
went to Saginaw to measure some lumber that Mr. Merrill had
sold. He soon found plenty of work and became an authority
in Saginaw as inspector. He was also of great assistance to
Mr. Whittier, the resident partner of Merrill & Co., who knew
nothing about running a lumber mill. After a few years David
Whittier, Jr., secured his services to handle his Saginaw inter-
ests, which he did very successfully, buying logs, having them
sawed and shipping the lumber. He handled one year over sev-
enty million feet for Mr. Whitney.
The good offices Mr. Mark rendered to Mr. Whittier, in
showing him the way to make and handle lumber, enabled the
note:d firms. 829
latter to become, at the close of the first year, as expert as the
best manufacturer in Saginaw. In rendering a deserved tribute
to Mr. Mark, he says : "He was a thoroughly honest man, and
gradually made his way to the front rank of the business men of
Saginaw. He was one of God's noblemen."
Mr. Mark died not many years ago in his fine home on
Jefferson Avenue, leaving his heirs quite wealthy. During his
declining years he was a familiar figure around the Merrill
Block and the offices of Hon. T. W. Palmer and David Whit-
ney, Jr., and also in the haunts of his German friends. Many,
no doubt, will call to mind his stalwart, erect form and genial
manners.
The death of Joseph B. Whittier in February, 1903, no doubt
hastened the close of the business of C. Merrill & Co. This
gentleman from his long service with the company, as employe
and partner, became an efficient lumberman, so much so that he
took the entire management of the concern, the other partners
deferring to his judgment in conducting the affairs of the firm.
He was singularly successful, and his early death was deeply
deplored by his surviving partners as well as by the entire Sagi-
naw valley.
Mr. Jos. A. Whittier, father of Jos. B., still survives, and
though the weight of years is upon him, is quite vigorous and
sound of mind, . and is at present busily engaged in closing up
the affairs of the firm, no light task for even a man who is in his
prime. In his lovely home in Saginaw, surrounded by his chil-
dren and grandchildren, he enjoys his well-earned competency
to the full, passing his declining years peacefully, calmly and
quietly, even as the sun goes down.
* * *
Alexander H. Stowell came to Detroit in 1831, and went
into the book business on the northeast corner of Jefferson
Avenue and Griswold Street. After a while Sidney L. Rood
became a partner of Mr. Stowell, and later bought him out, carry-
ing on the business alone until he bought out Snow & Fisk and
removed to the Cooper Block. Stowell was after this an auction-
eer at the corner of Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street.
He continued in the business (real estate, etc.) until he died
about 1867. He was a full faced man of short stature and
chubby ; a glib talker, and rather inclined to "pull the long bow,*'
830 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
could tell a good story, and all together was a good companion
and shrewd individual. He was a Democrat, and a successful
one, being elected alderman in 1839, ^l^o in 185 1-2-3, when he
represented the fifth ward. He was city marshal in the early
forties, state senator in 1852 and assessor from 1854 to 1856. He
lived on Grand River Avenue, where the Y. M. C. A. building is.
-Stowell was a member of the Methodist Church. John Owen
was also a member of the same church and it was supported
mainly through the latter's liberality. It was deeply in debt
nevertheless. On one Sunday after the conclusion of the sermon,
the minister requested the members to remain and hold a busi-
ness meeting. Among those who remained was Stowell, who
was quite conspicuous in conducting it. "Now," he said, "we
have all to contribute according to our means. We must not
ride a willing horse to death, and I object to Mr. Owen's giving
anything, as he has given too much already." Stowell took the
subscription paper and headed it with $3,000 with a grand flour-
ish. Then he passed it around, and the others, inspired by his
liberality, gave large sums in proportions to their means. Mr.
Owen desired to subscribe, but Stowell would not hear of it. The
amounts subscribed were collected slowly, for cash was quite
scarce in the early days of Detroit. Finally, some months after-
ward, the committee, headed by J. Wilkie Moore, waited on Mr.
Stowell and said: "We have collected every subscription except
yours, and we would like you to pay up." Stowell's face was a
picture. He looked daggers at his fellow-churchmen. "What,"
he said, "do you think I am a darned fool ? I won't give a cent.
I did my part in raising the money from those stingy fellows, and
that is sufficient. H it had not been for me the church would
have been bankrupt and the property sold."
The committee was surprised, and even J. Wilkie Moore,
who knew Stowell's peculiarities better almost than anyone else,
was asked when they got out-of-doors : "What do you think of
that?" "I can't think," was the answer. However, when Stow-
ell was buried in 1872 two of his pallbearers were John Owen and
J. Wilkie Moore.
I did not come much in contact with Stowell, though I knew
him quite well. He was a familiar figure in the crowd of city
solons who used to make Rood's book store their headquarters.
I being the only clerk in the establishment, saw much of him of
course. Later on when I was in business myself, I indorsed the
NOTKD FIRMS. 83 1
paper of a Mr. Barrowman, a hatter, doing business in the
Masonic hall building, to the extent of $ioo. He was a good
fellow, a member of the Methodist Church in good standing, but
he was not a success in business, and seeing he must go to the
wall called a meeting of his creditors, and Stowell was one of the
number. It appeared that all Barrowman's creditors were mem-
bers of the Methodist Church, except myself. Stowell, on enter-
ing the room where we were assembled, seeing me, exclaimed to
Barrowman, "Good gracious, man, what makes you go out of the
church for help?" The idea seemed to tickle him immensely. It
is needless to say I had to stand the $ioo.
Many will call to mind the firm of Pattison, Stowell & Jones.
I think it was formed in the forties. Pattison was at one time in
the printing business, later in real estate and later proprietor of
a second-hand bookstore on Michigan Avenue, near Griswold
Street. He was in this business at the time of his death a few
years ago. He was quite an authority on old scarce and rare
editions. He owned quite a nice farm out at Birmingham where
he died.
Czar Jones at one time kept the Cass Hotel, now the Wayne.
It was there I first knew him. He was an eccentric character.
I did not know him very well until late in life. Along in the
eighties I used often to encounter Jones, J. WiUkie Moore, Chas.
Sanford and Pattison, and talk over the happenings in the early
days. Jones owned and lived in a small brick building to the rear
of Watson's drug store, corner of Jefferson Avenue and Riopelle
Street. He was the inventor of a carpet tack that was a great
improvement on the old one. He busied himself in disposing of
these up to the time of his death, which happened only a few years
ago. Pattison, Stowell & Jones transacted a real estate, auction
and commission, brokerage and general information business.
In the year 1836 the governor appointed A. H. Stowell, Wil-
liam Driggs and Mr. Berry as a committee to locate the county
sites of Midland and Gratiot counties. It took four days, with
good horses, to get from Detroit to Saginaw. Saginaw had a
trading house and about one hundred inhabitants, and there were
three houses between Flint and the Cass River.
From Saginaw the party went about four miles up the Titta-
bawassee River, in canoes, and from there on foot to Midland.
They then returned to Pontiac, and from there journeyed through
832 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
the woods to Lyons, which then had about fifty inhabitants. From
Lyons they took the trail on foot for about sixteen miles to the
house of a trader by the name of Campau, it being the only house
on the route, and from there to Midland, on foot, camping out at
night, to Gratiot County. On their return a heavy rain had fallen
and it was almost impossible to get along. Arriving at Pontiac,
and taking an early start, it still took a whole day to get from
Pontiac to Detroit.
In this connection, in relation to travel in the early days,
General Cass went to Chicago to hold a treaty with the Indians,
and this was, beyond doubt, the most wonderful canoe voyage in
American history. Let the reader trace on the map the following
route from Toledo to Chicago, which was given in the Geneva,
N. Y., Gazette of October 3, 1821 :
"General Cass, on his route to Chicago, ascended the Maumee
to Fort Wayne ; from thence his canoe was carried over a portage
of about nine miles to the head of the Wabash. This river he
descended to the Ohio and then descended the Ohio to the Missis-
sippi. The latter he ascended to the mouth of the Illinois, one of
whose tributaries approaches within ten miles of Chicago."
The reader will see, that in order to avoid a land journey of
3CX) miles, through a wilderness, a circuitous course of five times
that distance was endured.
In this manner the government agent reached Chicago, where
he held a council with the Indians. The direct journey can now
be made in as many hours as it then took weeks, and during the
extraordinary canoeing the party had to live on fish and game.
Their route took them past St. Louis, and yet this was the easiest
and safest way of reaching their destination.
A fine likeness of Sto^k'^ell is preserved in a painting by the
artist, Cohen, which is the property of D. J. Campau.
H< ^ ^
Warren Hill when he came here was a widower, and married
for his second wife, Mrs. Hazard, nee Peirce, sister of Mrs. Ellis.
Doty, Mrs. Randall S. S. Rice, Mrs. Wm. Moore, mother of Wm.
P. Moore (the latter for so many years with Brady & Trowbridge
and S. P. Brady & Co.), also the mother of Mrs. Henry L. New-
berry, who is the mother of Mrs. Austin Ladue.
Mrs. Hazard, whom Mr. Warren Hill married, was also
sister of the Mr. Peirce who was the father of our good friend
note:d firms. 833
and well known fellow townsman, the late Mr. David R. Peirce,
The father of David was in business in this city many years,
before 1820.. He and Thomas Palmer, father of the senator,
were engaged together in many mercantile ventures. He went
to Ogdensburg, N. Y,, where in 1827 our friend Dz^id was bom.
Mr. Peirce subsequently removed to Montreal, where he died.
David R. Peirce has given quite an exhaustive account of his
own career since he came to this city, which appeared in The Free
Press June 14, 1903. In addition to what appeared in that article,
I desire to add that Mr. Peirce, when he first came to this city
from Montreal, entered the auction and commission house of Doty
& McReynolds and after Doty & Abbott, who carried on business
on Woodward Avenue, -where the Merrill Block now is, and
remained with the latter firm until they retired from business.
He next took service with Z. Chandler & Co., as bookkeeper, and
after in the same capacity with the Detroit Locomotive works,
where he remained until the company quit building locomotives
and was merged into the Buhl Iron Works. He remained with
the latter as manager until the death of C. H. Buhl and assisted
in closing up his affairs. His service with the two concerns
extended through a period of over forty years. He then entered
the service of Hiram Walker as confidential secretary, and
remained with Mr. Walker until his death, rendering valuable
assistance in closing up his affairs. In the above varied interests
in which he was engaged, Mr. P. had the reputation of being an
expert bookkeeper as well as a first-class business man in every
way, and also one whose integrity was never questioned.
After Mr. Hiram Walker gave to his sons his entire interest
in Walkerville, Canada, he embarked in other enterprises that
were successful, so much. so that he was enabled solely and alone
to bestow that splendid charity on this city, "The Children's Free
Hospital" and also to liberally endow it — a monunuent to his
memory for all time. In these enterprises of Mr. Walker, Mr.
David Peirce was his right hand man, and to his integrity and
business ability, Mr. Walker was in a great degree indebted for
his success after he had given up his interest in Walkerville.
Since the foregoing was written David R. Peirce, our good
friend for nearly sixty years, departed this life, January 21, 1905,
deeply regretted by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance.
The Free Press at the date of his death paid a fitting tribute to his
memory, but I desire to add,, that I knew him intimately from the
53
834 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
day of his advent here until his death, and during all of the fifty-
six years of his residence in this city we were on the most intimate
terms. Not a shadow ever came between us. We were mem-
bers of the "Light Guard" together, as also of the old volunteer
fire departmqit. He was its last secretary and was a great factor
in closing its affairs after the sale of the Old Fireman's hall to the
water board.
After Senator Palmer had taken possession of his new resi-
dence adjoining Palmer Park, in the fall of 1897, Mr. Peirce was
a frequent and vvelcome visitor. Every Sabbath saw him there
at dinner, rain or shine, until his failing health, the result of the
paralytic stroke that came to him, made his visits there few and
far between. The Senator counted on his appearance so faith-
fully, on these occasions, that he might say, as did Julia in the
play of "The Hunchback," when alluding to Master Walter's
devotion to her, "I have seen the snow on a level with the hedge,
and yet there was Master Walter." I desire to say further in
regard to his obituary in The Free Press of the 25th of January,
1905, that it contains many interesting incidents of his early ^and
late life in this city, aside from what I have related in this article.
Mr. Rodney D. Hill, a son of Warren Hill, was a college
graduate, a pronounced book lover, a lawyer and member of the
Detroit bar. He died many years ago, leaving a son and daugh-
ter in very comfortable circumstances. The son, George B.,
established the bolt and nut works in Hamtramck, with which all
are familiar, and at the time of his death he was the manager and
principal stockholder. Before Mr. R. D. Hill's death, he built for
himself a fine brick dwelling on Jefferson Avenue, second east of
Orleans Street, where his daughter, Miss Sarah Bacon Hill, now
resides.
Mr. Bristol Hill, another son of Warren Hill, was a tall, fine
looking man, pleasant and agreeable in his manners. I do not
know what occupation he followed, if any. My impression
always was that he assisted in managing the varied interests of,
his father, who was quite wealthy. He won for his wife, one of
Mr. Lyman Baldwin's handsome daug-hters. After a brief
married life, he passed away. His widow, who inherited all his
fortune, which was said to be considerable (large for those days),
married the late Wm. B. Wesson, and is still living in the family
mansion, on Jefferson Avenue, with her daughter, Mrs. Colonel
Seyburn.
NOTED FIRMS. 835
Warren Hill built, in' 1845, a four-story brick building on
Woodward Avenue, west side,* between Fort and Congress
Streets. Geo. F. JMacey, of the then well-known firm of Macey &
Driggs, married Miss Tomlinson, a niece of Mr. Warren Hill.
* * *
Dr. Hosea l\ Cobb, who built and lived so long in the house,
still standing, next this side of the flat on southwest corner of
Jefferson Avenue and Riopelle Street, was a well known phy-
sician here. He was born in Woodstock, Vt., in 1796, and mar-
ried in that state a daughter of Warren Hill, and sister of Rod-
ney D. and Bristol Hill. Mrs. Cobb died after a very brief
married life, leaving an infant son, Lucretius H. Cobb. Dr. Cobb
then removed to Detroit with his father-in-law and Rodney and
Bristol and established himself in practice. He was quite suc-
cessful in his profession, but unsuccessful in a venture in the
drug business in connection with Mr. C. W. Wickware. Their
store was next below the offices of the Cincinnatti, Hamilton &
Dayton railroad, corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues.
Mr. Wickware was quite a prominent citizen here in the early
days. He held many offices of trust, besides the business asso-
ciation with Dr. Cobb. He married the sister of Mr. Townsend,
of the firm of Martin & Townsend.
Cobb when he first came to this city had his office in the
Connor building on the southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue
and Bates Street, and after in the wooden addition to the Ameri-
can Hotel (Biddle House), where he and his son, Lucretius,
boarded. They remained here until the great fire of 1848 swept
the hotel and its surroundings away. After this disaster the
doctor established his office in his new^ dwelling on Jefferson
Avenue, which was luckily completed about that time. The
doctor and his son, Lucretius, kept bachelors' hall in the new
residence for a brief period, until the advent of the second Mrs.
Cobb. The latter was a charming lady, and a great acquisition
to the social side of Detroit. Along in 1845, Lucretius, who had
studied medicine w4th his father, attended the Medical College
in Cleveland, and after the usual time had elapsed he secured
his ''sheepskin" and returned home, a full-fledged doctor of
medicine. He was successful, had a large practice, but was not
in love with his profession to any great extent, and sighed for
others paths to fame and fortune. He and Wm. B. Wesson
836 i:ari,y days in dejtroit,
were engaged quite extensively^ in real estate and building oper-
ations and must have made considerable money. After awhile
the doctor associated himself with Freeman Norvell, H. N.
Walker and others in the Spur Mountain Iron mine, Lake
Superior. The venture at the outset was successful, and gave
great promise in the near future. I know that at one time Nor-
vell himself and the others could have sold their interests at a
large advance on cost. They waited too long, the ore began to
give out, disaster overtook them and the mine was abandoned,
with what loss to the parties I do not know. Dr. Cobb spent
about two years at the mine overseeing it, etc. While in charge
there one winter he entertained the Michigan legislature on their
Lake Superior trip with lavish hospitality and gave them a good
time.
After quitting Lake Superior, returned to Detroit and took
charge of the Hargraves Manufacturing Co. Mr. H. having
resigned, the affairs of the concern were found to be in a ter-
rible muddle, financially and otherwise. After a brief period,
the doctor brought order out of chaos; put the concern on its
feet and at the time of his death it was in a flourishing condition.
The doctor died May 4, 1879, ^.nd on the day of the funeral the
entire force of the establishment, a very large number, attended
it in a body, besides the fire department and a host of personal
friends, making an imposing spectacle. He made a gallant fight
for life, as he had not arrived anywhere near the "sere and yel-
low leaf," but was in the full strength of his intellect and man-
hood. That "locomotar ataxia," the result of the rupture by
accident of a nerve, clung to him with unrelenting tenacity until
he vwas forced to succumb.
Dr. Cobb joined the fire deprtment August 13, 1842, and
ran with Engine Co. No. 2. He was one among the younger
members of the department who were all full of the fire of youth,
daring and courage, as for instance, Eben N. Wilcox, Orlando
B. Willcox, Stanley G. Wight, Barney Campau, Wm. B. Wes-
son, Henry L. Newberry, Kin S. Dygert, Jack Connor, Joseph
Cook, Frank M. Farrer, Charles S. Cole, Wm. Duncan, John
T. Walker, W. W. Duffield, Wm. P. Doty, David R. Peirce,
L. L. Farnsworth, Henry P. Dequindre, David Esdell, John D.
Fairbanks, Tom S. Gillett, Anson Burlingame, Henry J. Buck-
ley, Lafayette Knapp, Leon Lafluer, Ike Warren, Clint Whit-
NOTED FIRMS. 837
man, myself and some others of the younger element, whose
names have escaped me. These were the members of the depart-
ment, who talked engine, dreamt engine, haunted the houses
containing their idolized "machines," and were always on hand
at the first tap of the bell, eager to get as wet as drowned rats,
and as eager to go wherever sent, and oft times without being
sent. To, illustrate the feeling of daring and adventure that
pervaded the younger element of the department, the members
of. No. 4 (The Boys' Company) desired to decorate their meet-
, ing or business room with an appropriate motto, to be placed on
the wall behind and over the foreman's chair, and this was what
was adopted at a meeting one evening :
"When danger calls we're prompt to fly,
• And bravely do, or bravely die."
The author of this brave declaration was Eben N. Wilcox,
Dr. Cobb was a leading member of the old fire department. He
was its president from 1864 to 1866, and chief engineer in 1850
and 1 85 1. He was one of the first commissioners of the paid fire
department appointed in 1867, just after its organization, and
served in that capacity 'until his death in 1879. He was also city
physician in 1848-1851, and again in 1863-65, county physician
in 1865 and school inspector for the old seventh ward in 1858-59.
From his advent here as a youth until his demise he was a
conspicuous figure in the social swim. In that gay Fort Street
circle of feminity he was most welcome, and with the rest of the
younger set of masculines disputed the supremacy of their elders,
who sought to push them to one side. He was always in favor
with the fair daughters of Detroit and could easily have had his
pick from among them, yet he never married. It is useless to
conjecture why, yet I am satisfied he passed away heart whole.
In the giddy whirl that dominated society here in the early
days, from 1838 to about 1855 (aiid it seems to me has never
been repeated). Dr. Cobb was ever a prominent figure and always
on hand, never needing a second call. From almost the day he
came here with his father, to make it their home until death, the
closest relations existed between the writer and himself, and
never a shadow clouded our friendship. He was my family phy-
sician always after he entered the profession, until his depart-
ure for the Late Superior iron mines.
Dr. H. P. Cobb, just after he was admitted to practice, and
838 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
before his marriage, was invited by an invalid friend to accom-
pany him to Europe in the capacity of companion and medical
adviser. They traveled quite extensively in the British dominions
and on the continent. They spent much time in Rome and the
doctor brought back many souvenirs of that city, particularly
engravings of some of its most prominent structures, the Colos-
seum, Pantheon, Castle of St. Angelo, etc. He would often get
quite enthusiastic, dilating on the wonders of the "Ancient City,"
as well as of the wonders of other places that he had visited and
the many interesting incidents connected therewith.
Prof. Williams, of Ann Arbor, at one time president of
the University of Michigan, married a sister of Dr. H. P. Cobb.
They had two daughters. One married Thos. S. Blackmar, a
graduate of the university, and after a member of the Detroit
bar and partner in the law firm of Moore & Blackmar (William
A. Moore) and later circuit court commissioner for Wayne
County. He was found dead in his office one morning, presum-
ably from heart disease. Many will remember genial "Tom"
Blackmar with emotions of sincere pleasure and regard, and also
deep regret at his early taking off. The writer knew him inti-
mately, .and passed many delightful hours with him in his home
and at other places, socially, in the society of congenial spirits.
"Tom" Blackmar had one son, Paul, who, on the death of his
father, engaged in mining in Colorado, which vocation he fol-
lowed for a short period, returned to Detroit, and entered the
service of W. E. Tunis, bookseller, where he continued for a
brief period, and then entered the service of the Hon. Thos. W.
Palmer, taking charge of the Detroit office, in the Merrill Block.
He continued here for two or three years, and then became part-
ner in the extensive lumber firm of McGraft & Montgomery,
Muskegon,»of which Senator Palmer was then a member. This
firm was quite successful, but from some cause it was decided to
discontinue the partnership, the affairs of the firm were closed
with very gratifying results to all parties concerned. The Sen-
ator and Blackmar after this embarked in a lumbering venture
in Big Rapids of considerable magnitude. It did not prove a
very profitable enterprise, but they met with no losses, and I
understand came out something more than even. After this he
was appointed receiver of an extensive concern in MinneaDolis,
whose affairs were apparently hopelessly involved. He succeeded
in bringing order out of chaos and confusion, and the result was
NOTED FIRMS. 839
exceedingly gratifying to all concerned. After this he was
appointed to the position of cashier of the^ Chicago World's Fair.
He also filled the same position at the San Francisco Exposition,
in both of which he acquitted himself with singular ability. He
afterw^ards became manager of the extensive business enterprises
of JMr. F. A. Peck, of Chicago, and when the latter was appointed
United States commissioner to the Paris Exposition t«ook young
Blackmar with him as assistant commissioner. While acting in
this capacity he attracted the attention of the promoters of the
extensive bottling w^orks (Bass's ale) of London, England, who
engaged his services, to take charge of their business, which he
did. He visited this country two or three years ago, and placed
on sale in every prominent city in the union, the output of this
concern. At a meeting of the stockholders, held in London in
1904, they expressed themselves as being gratified with the
year's business, and attributed the happy result, mainly, to the
efforts of Mr. Paul Blackmar.
The other daughter of Prof. Williams married Prof. Dubois,
of the ' University of Michigan. She still survives, and is at
present living in Lansing.
;|; ^ *
When, in 1840, Sidney L. Rood quit the book and stationery
business and vacated the store in the Cooper Block on Jefferson
Avenue, he was succeeded by the firm of R. S. Babcock & Co.
with a stock of dry goods (odds and ends) brought from the
east. Mr. Babcock's partner was Silas M. Holmes. They gave
it the name of "the Old Manhattan Store."
The firm continued to do business here for a few years and
then dissolved, Mr. Babcock going to Kalamazoo and Mr.
Holmes, taking in partnership with him his brother Jabez, opened
up an extensive dry goods store on Woodward Avenue, opposite
the present'Merrill Block, under the name of Holmes & Co. They
continued here for some years and prospered greatly, when they
built and occupied a four-story brown stone front, importing the
stone from the east, adjoining the Presbyterian Church on the
same avenue. They filled it with an extensive stock of dry goods,
carpets, etc.
The late R. E. Roberts, in his sketches of Detroit issued in
1855, says of this establishment:
"With the hope that it will not be .considered invidious,
840 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
where there are so many extensive and well-managed dry goods,
carpet and furnishing houses, the following description of one
is ventured :
"The store Has a free stone front, is four stories high, occu-
pies a front of fifty feet and exceeding in depth one hundred feet.
Comprising ten rooms, each twenty-five feet in width and one
hundred feet in depth, giving an area of twenty-five thousand
square feet, all of which are filled to their utmost capacity with
foreign and domestic dry goods, carpets, cloths, millinery and
clothing, in addition to which the firm occupy a storehouse in the
rear. The retail rooms are four in number, furnished in the most
gorgeous style. About three hundred gas lights are required to
light the several apartments.
"From sixty to seventy-five salesmen and from 10 to 150
persons are employed in the several departments, and including
those outside, seamsters and seamstresses the firm gives employ-
ment to about 600 persons. Their invoices of merchandise,
imported during the year 1854, amounted to more than $700,000.
This is believed to be the most extensive and best managed dry
goods store in the United States, outside of New York."
While Holmes & Co. were occupying the premises on Wood-
ward Avenue, opposite the Merrill Block, they had with them in
their employ a number of bright, active young men who con-
tributed much to the success of the concern ; indeed, it may truth-
fully be said that they laid the foundation of the reputation the
house gained and so long enjoyed. Their names were Gunn,
Locke, Eaton, Irwin and Noble. They followed the firm into
their new location, next to the Presbyterian Church. Many read-
ers of these papers will, I am sure, call these young men to mind.
I give this extensive notice of the firm of Holmes & Co. for
the purpose of showing the contrast between it and the mammoth
establishments that Detroit can boast of at the present day, such
as the Newcomb-Endicott Co., Hunter & Hunter, William H.
Elliott, Pardridge & Blackwell, Taylor, Woolfenden Co., Gold-
berg Bros., Sparling, Kerns, Tuomey Bros., L. A. Smith & Co.,
and many others. I knew the firm of Holmes & Co. well and had
many business transactions with them. They did a fine business
for years, made much money, and if Silas had kept out of politics,
the firm would never have met with disaster. When at the hight
of their prosperity he (Silas) was induced to run for state treas-
NOTDD FIRMS. 84 1
urer on the Republican ticket, this about 1854-5. Kingsley S.
Bingham was on the same ticket for governor (he was one of
the organizers of the Repubhcan party "under the oaks at Jack-
son"). The RepubUcans were successft^l and Holmes became at
once ''Big Injun" in the party and throughout the state. He
became owner of the Detroit Daily Advertiser (Republican) and
tried to run it for a while. He had already become the owner of
the Democrat and Enquirer, and he merged it into the Daily
Advertiser. If there is any one thing in this world that is hazard-
ous to run, it is a newspaper or the printing business in any
shape, unless you have served an apprenticeship at it from the
''printer's devil" up. I know, for I was in the job printing busi-
ness quite extensively once myself. After a while Holmes came
to see what an elephant he had on his hands ; he came to me
and wanted me to run the paper in connection with my business
and made a flattering offer, but having already "bitten off as
much as I could chew," conveniently, I declined. After awhile
R. F. Johnstone & Co. became the proprietors, on what terms I
do not know, but it is safe to say Holmes must have parted with
it at a loss of considerable magnitude.
As before remarked, Silas M. Holmes was a dominant spirit
in his party. I readily saw that, for during his term of office I
was a bidder for the contract to furnish the state with stationery,
and could not help observing how all gave in to Mr. Holmes.
He was one of the board of state auditors who had the giving
out of the contract. There did not seem to be anyone else in
evidence; he it was who named the successful bidder or bidders.
These were the firm of Kerr, Morley & Co., of Detroit, repre-
sented by Colonel Fred Morley, one of the firm. There were at
Lansing on business at that time and stopping with Morley and
myself, at the old Hudson House, Thomas W. Palmer, then a
young man just married, and the veteran editor, Rufus Hosmer,
who had considerable fun at Tom's and my expense. Those who
knew Rufus Hosmer will call to mind what a good natured joker
he was. Morley had to remain at Lansing to get his contract
formally accepted and approved, and was not with us on the
home trip. He felt so elated at his success that he gave me
sufficient cash with which to buy an oyster supper, etc., at Howell
on the way home. We reached the latter place about midnight,
and you had better believe we had a good old time. The land-
842 EARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
lord gave us the "best he had in the shop." The ride in the
stage frorri Lansing to Howell was cold and chilly, and one can
readily imagine how welcome a "hot Scotch" and a dish of steam-
ing oysters would be under the same conditions. John Blessed,
the grocer, I think was the driver of the stage on this occasion.
Well, Holmes & Co. went on from bad to worse, and being
unable to stem the tide, went under. Jabez attended more to the
purchase and sale of wool, he being the largest buyer of that
staple in the state at that time. I saw Jabez in 1881, in Stoninsf-
ton. Conn., where he was living in comfortable retirement with
his wife, who, I was told, had inherited money. Silas M. Holmes
died in June, 1905, at Corning, Cal., at which place are living at
present his married daughters, Mrs. A. Chittenden and Mrs. C. C.
Chittenden.
Of the young men who were with Holmes & Co., Gunn and
Locke went into the dry goods business on Woodward Avenue,
between Congress Street and the Russell House, and were in it
for many years. Charles Eaton was for some years, along in
the later seventies, with Edward Lyon, Michigan Exchange, as
manager. Mr. Irwin died early in life, much regretted. Mr.
Noble continued in a subordinate position in the dry goods busi-
ness until his death. Gunn and Locke and Noble are dead, and
I presume Mr. Eaton is also.
:jc ^ ^
LEWIS FAMILY.
The Lewis family (Villier Dit St. Louis) traces back to
Louis Villier, born 1766, son of Jean and Marguerite Gatineau
oi Toule Loraine, France. This Louis Villier came to Quebec,
Canada, and from thence to Detroit about 1745. He was mar-
ried here April 26, 1746, Marguerite Moran, daughter of Pierre
and Josette Drouet. Through her mother Marguerite was related
to Drouet Sieur de Richardville, a French officer ; to the Creviers
and Le Neuf de Herrison, one of the oldest and most remark-
able families of Canada. Louis was called St. Louis, on account
of his great piety. He died in 1765, leaving the following
children : .
First. Louis, born 1747, married, 1770, Charlotte Requin-
deau, dit Joachin. She was related to Gaultier De Varennes,
Governor of Three Rivers, Petit Lefebres, and many other prom-
inent families.
the; leiwis family. 843
Second. Chnstopher, married 1785, Josette Suzor.
Third. Marie Louise, married 1767, Jos. Thos. Dajot.
Fifth. Jennie, born 1754.
Louis and Charlotte Requindeau had several children. First.
Louis Vitus, born 1776, who served in the War of 1812 and 'was
promoted several times for his bravery. He settled at Sandwich,
Canada, and died at an advanced age. Second, Josette, mar-
ried Reaume. Third. Hubert, married Therese Barthe, daugh-
ter of Jean Baptiste and Genevieve Culleur de Beaubien. Fourth
Francois X.
Jennie St. Louis, married April 3, 1804, Thomas Lewis, son
of Thomas Lewis and Josette De Loraine of Three Rivers, Can-
ada, whose children are Joseph, who married Fanny Sterling,
two of whose children reside in Boston, Mass., one at Detroit.
Sophie, married Narcissus Tourner dit Jeanette. Thomas, called
"the good natured Governor of Grosse He," a man bubbling
over with fun, witty sayings, anecdote and kindly, generous deeds,
married Jeanette Francheville de Marentette, widow of William
Macomb, whose only daughter married Dallas Norvell, son of
Hon. John Norvell. This Macomb was brother of General Alex.
Macomb, who was General Scott's immediate predecessor as
general of the army. Thos. Lewis, married a second time Mary
Brown, by whom he had a large and interesting family. Anne
married Richard Godfroy. Charlotte married Dr. Fay, a dis-
tinguished physician and partner of Dr. Thos. B. Clark. She
married a second time Henry P. Bridge, formerly of Boston,
ex-Controller of Detroit, and one of its most prominent and
respected citizens. He passed away many years ago. Mrs.
Bridge is still alive, the weight of years sitting lightly upon her.
She occupies the family home on East Congress Street. Samuel
married Jennie Fenton, sister of Governor Fenton, of Michigan,
and Colonel Fenton, Eighth Michigan Infantry. He died abroad
in 1878. He was a successful business man, a genial companion,
and a Christian gentleman beloved by all. Alexander married in
1850, Elizabeth, daughter of Justus Ingersoll and Ann Buckley.
He has a large and exceptionally charming family. He has held
many offices of public trust, mayor, fire commissioner, etc. He
possesses in an eminent degree that courteous manner which* was
the peculiar inheritance of the French residents. We were boys
together here and through all our lives, have been on intimate
844 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
terms, and am pleased to know that the ex-mayor is still in the
land of the living, enjoying his well-earned wealth, the society
of his children, and that his step is as sturdy and his faculties as
clear and as bright as they ever were.
Referring to the marriage of Samuel Lewis to Miss Jennie
Fenton, calls up the names and personalities of Mr. Jos. Clark
and his wife. The latter was the sister of Miss Jennie Fenton,
and at the time of the engagement of the latter to Mr. Lewis, they
were all guests at the Michigan Exchange. At this particular
time a series of weekly subscription parties were given at this
house, which drew the elite of Detroit to its parlors. The city
was also well stocked with officers of the U. S. A. The field
and staff of the Fourth Ut S. Infantry, and other officers of the
army stationed here on detached duty, and their wives. So that
coupled with the men of the city also the maids and matrons, com-
posing the 400, enabled the management to present a delightful
entertainment to their patrons. Detroit was cut off from water
communication with the outside world, during the close of ^navi-
gation and with no railroad, its citizens had to depend upon
their own resources for amusement, and it is idle to say that we
did not have plenty of fun, *'fast and furious."
Joseph Clark and his wife were an exceedingly agreeable
couple, and contributed much to the pleasure of those making
their homes at fhis hostelry, among whom were Josh Carew,
Judge Wagner Wing, Colonel J. B. Grayson, Wm. E. Whilden,
Samuel Lewis, Curtis Emerson, even staid Uncle Shubael Con-
ant was often forced to acknowledge their influence. Mrs. Clark
died some years ago, leaving a son, who is now on a ranch in
California. The widow married Prof. Edwin Sanborn of Dart-
mouth College, father of Miss Kate. Sanborn, the authoress.
(All that relates to the Lewis family before ''Governor
Thomas Lewis of Gros'se He," I am indebted to the late Mrs.
Hamlin's ''Legends of Detroit.")
An interesting article from the pen of Mr. C. M. Burton that
appeared in the December (1904) number of The Gateway, in
regard to the "Early Schools of Detroit," contains a sketch of
Father 'Gabriel Richard, accompanied by a faithful likeness of
the good old man. J. O. Lewis, a sketch artist, steel and copper
plate engraver and printer, located here in the early days,
engraved the plate from which the original of this was printed.
LUVI B. TAFT. 845
His studio was in a frame building, first floor, on the northwest
corner of Griswold Street and the alley, in the rear of the present
Michigan Mutual Life Insurance building. My uncle, Thomas
Palmer, after the fire of 1830, occupied this first floor (as an
office) with Mr. Lewis. I was around there almost daily and
was much interested in Mr. Lewis's work, particularly this like-
ness of Father Richard. The latter I used to see there often clad
in his priestly garb. With his straw hat, the broad brim of which
was lined on the under side with green silk, to protect his eyes
from the sun, carrying in his hand the almost ever present cotton
umbrella. Lewis about this time engraved the likeness of Gover-
nor Lewis Cass, the same that appears in Mrs. Sheldon's "Early
Michigan."
Mr. Lewis was with Governor Cass, Henry H. Schoolcraft
and party, who made that canoe voyage to Lake Superior in 1820,
to obtain a more correct knowledge of the Indian tribes inhabit-
ing that region, and also to find out more about the presence of
copper in the vicinity of the Ontonagon River, and other points,
but more particularly did they look after the copper boulder
lying in the bed of that river, some distance from its mouth.
This copper rock had been known to the Indians and early
explorers for a great number of years. By the former it was
guarded from outside knowledge with jealous care.
A sketch of this rock as it appeared (at that time) lying on
the shore of the Ontonagon River, partly in the water and partly
out, is given in Schoolcraft's Journal of the expedition, page
177. I furnished the Sunday Free Press with an extended article
in regard to this copper rock, which appeared in that paper one
or two years ago.
sjc ^ 5j:
LEVI B. TAFT.
Levi B. Taft, when he first came here in 1834, clerked in
the store of Levi & Olney Cook, who were his uncles. He at the
same time finished the study of the law. In 1839 he entered
Dartmouth College, graduating in 1843. He returned to Detroit
the same year and studied law with Hon. Jacob M. Howard. In
1848 he was admitted to the bar by the state supreme and fed-
eral courts. After practicing here awhile he went to Niles, where
he was associated with Hon. George H. Jerome and Judge
Hiram F. Mather. .He afterwards went to Chicago, where he
846 ■ KARtY DAYS IN DETROIT.
resided sixteen years. He was for twelve years a member of the
board of education, and a. portion of the time its president. In
1868 he came to Pontiac on account of poor health and bought a
farm, where he resided eight years. Later he took up the prac-
tice of law in this city, and in 1873 was appointed judge of the
sixth judicial circuit. He died at his home in Pontiac 'x\pril 29,
1895. He was born in Bellingham, Norfolk County, Mass.,
August 6, 1 82 1.
I,EWIS GODDABID.
Referring again to Lewis Goddard, who erected the brick
building on the site of the F. &-T. Palmer store, on the corner of
Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street. He was quite an ener-
getic man, and progressive, it would seem, as he, in 1831, sent a
stock of goods, in charge of a Mr. Sanford Collins, to Toledo,
Ohio, that town then quite in obscurity. The goods were placed
in an old deserted blockhouse that was built in 181 6. It had been
so long deserted that it was perfectly surrounded with an under-
growth of timber of considerable size. It was said that this was
the first fair sized stock of goods ever brought to Toledo. The
present citizens of Toledo ought therefore to honor his memory.
Those there at the time did him honor, for it appears that the
event was celebrated by a ball given in an old log warehouse,
then standing at the mouth of Swan Creek. He established his
son, Alonzo (a schoolmate of mine), in the forwarding and com-
mission business there, Which he carfied on successfully until his
death.
A writer in a Detroit paper of January, 1858, relates what a
Mr. Haile, of Newark, told him in relation to Toledo. He savs :
"They took passage on the steamboat Niagara, Captain Stannard,
for Toledo. Left Buffalo Creek just before sunset and after
steaming all night they found themselves back at Buffalo in the
morning. After passing two nights on Lake Erie, the third day
they reached Toledo. This was September i, 1833. The town
then consisted of a wharf, a small frame storehouse and two
log houses. Mr. Haile was offered four acres on the hill, in
what is now the heart of Toledo, for his team. Not considering
it an offer worth looking at, he told them that if they would skim
the scum from the Maumee River, perhaps he would stay with
them."
JOHN PATTON. 847
Levi B. Taft was a member of the Detroit Lyceum and
Debating Society, in which society he took an active part. He
was its first Hbrarian. He, Anson Burhngame and J. Hyatt Smith
were alwavs close iriends.
JOHN PATTON.
The late John Patton was one of the best "dialect" readers
in Detroit's celebrated amateur group, which included that ver-
satile genius, Johnny Enright, and Frank Morton, and on occa-
sions Peter White, of Marquette. Our friend Jim Scott might be
included in this group, but he is more on the order of dialect
story telling, in which role he is unapproachable.
On one festive occasion Patton told an Irish story with, a
delicious brogue that would have delighted all the senses of an
evicted peasant of the "old sod," and followed it with a recitation
of Burns' "Tam O'Shanter" in unimpeachable Scottish dialect.
"Farth," exclaimed an Irish member of the company present,
"pwhat is he anyhow ? I think he's Irish and thin again I think
he's a Scotchman." "He was born in Ireland/' was the expla-
nation. "Begorra ! I might have knowed it, from the beginning
ave his name — Pat !"
A fine sketch of his life that appeared in one of the city
papers said, among other things :
"In 1840 he read the Declaration of Independence on the
Fourth of July where the Presbyterian Church now stands, on
Jefferson Avenue. This was at the time in the woods, and the
city had its celebration there in the open."
Well, he did read the Declaration of Independence on the
day and at the place mentioned, but the celebration was not in
the woods nor in the open, but in an immense tent, and was par-
ticipated in by the* citizens generally, as well as by the Brady
Guards and the Williams Light Infantry from Rochester, N. Y.,
the guests of the Bradys. The two companies went into camp
and pitched their tents in close proximity to the big tent. They
had a grand banquet in the latter, on the Fourth of July night,
and had a good time, of course. I was at the banquet and at the
reading of the Declaration of Independence, and can testify to
John's masterly delivery of that piece of literature. It chal-^
lenged the admiration of the large crowd assembled to listen to
it, and from that hour Patton became a figure in the public eye.
848 e;ari.y days in Detroit.
Any one who heard John recite "Tarn O'Shanter" will acknowl-
edge his gifts in that direction.
John was fond of the drama and everything that tended in
that direction. At one time when the stage of the Metropolitan
Theater, opposite the Biddle House, was idle, he got up an
amateur company and produced the play of "Damon and Pyth-
ias," John taking the part of Pythias. I do not remember another
one of the actors. I knew John so well and was so much inter-
ested in seeing him get through his part all right, that I lost
sight of the others cast in the play. His reading of the lines was
fine throughout, but he lacked the physique that should accom-
pany this part. He did not make much of a figure "mopping the
stage" with that chap who slew his horse, or said he did. Forrest
with his powerful frame was the man to do that "up to the
handle." John next tried "Ion" in the play of that name, writ-
ten by Thc«rias Noon Talfourd. He did fairly well, but it is a som-
ber production.
The masterly rendering of the Declaration of Independence,
on the occasion named, turned the gaze of the public upon Pat-
ton, and he rose step by step from the obscurity of his blacksmith
shop to be mayor of the city, which office he held for two terms
with honor and dignity. He was an enthusiastic member of the
old volunteer fire department, and at one time its chief. For
thirty years he carried on the blacksmithing and carriage making
business successfully. He held every position in the fire depart-
ment from "greaser" to chief, the latter from 1852 to 1854.
While mayor he started the movement for building the present
city hall, introduced the first steam fire engine and secured the
first street railway. He was six years county auditor (1864-
1869), and then sheriff of Wayne County for two years. He
was elected justice of the peace in 1880 and served twelve years.
He was appointed United States consul to Amherstburg by Pres-
ident Cleveland in 1893. He served in that capacity to the satis-
faction of all, particularly the citizens of Amherstburg, until a
change came in the administration and John had to go.
, JjC J|C 5}*
re:sidents of capitoi. square.
Referring again to the residents in the vicinity of the State
house, where is now Capitol Square, along in the early thirties, I
mention Mons. Girardin, who lived in one of my uncle's houses
RESIDENTS OF CAPITOI. SQUARE. 849
near Mr. Thomas Rowland. He was a tailor by trade, a native of
France, and a professor of its language. He was highly edu-
cated and an old school gentleman. When he appeared in public,
he was always faultlessly dressed, ruffle shirt, high hat, etc. In
addition to his other accomplishments he gave lessons on the
violin. He left two sons, bright young men, one of whom was a
captain on the police force for some time, and died while such
official many years ago. I do not know what' pursuit the other
followed, but he was quite an authority on *'01d Detroit," and
articles from his pen on that theme appeared often in the city
papers. He also died many years ago.
^ ^ H;
Hiram B. Andrews, one time sheriff of Wayne county, was
located not very far from the State capitol. He was the proprietor
of the Railroad hotel that occupied the present site of the Detroit
opera house. The Detroit & Pontiac railroad depot was in the
rear of this hotel. Mr. Andrews was largely assisted by. his wife,
who was an energetic, hustling business woman. He at one time
had for a partner Mr. Patrick, under the firm name of Patrick &
Andrews. The business was successfully carried on until the
death of Mr. Andrews, when the premises made way for the
Detroit opera house.
Mrs. Andrews had a pretty daughter by her first husband,
Mr. Eddy. She was bright, vivacious and had many admirers.
One of them, "]oq'' Webb, of the firm of Tinker & Webb, grocers
on Woodward Avenue, and nephew of B. L. Wood, forwarding
and commission merchants, finally captured her. They were
married in St. Paul's Church on Woodward Avenue by Bishop
McCoskrey.
*P ^ ^
"The Railroad * hotel, as many will remember, was three
stories high. The two upper stories had balconies across their
entire fronts and commanded fine views of the campus and Wood-
ward Avenue. The former in those days was always crowded
with farmers' teams from the surrounding country, far and near,
filled with the produce of the season, dressed hogs, etc., all of
which contributed to make it an animated scene. Mr. Andrews
catered more particularly to the farmer element, as did Perkins,
the proprietor of the tavern of that name on Grand River Avenue.
I used to be a frequent visitor at Andrews' hotel, as my friend
54
850 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Judge Caniff, having taken to himself a second wife, in the person
of a maiden lady, Miss Roe, a native of New York City, made
this house his home, and continued to do so until his wife's death,
which occurred after a brief married life. I attended her funeral,
and after it was over, the mourners, as well as myself, met in the
apartments of the judge to hear the reading of the deceased lady's
will. He requested me to read the will. I did so. After a few
minor bequests, she left the remainder of her fortune, amounting
to a -little over $30,000, to her husband, the judge. When I
came to the latter paragraph the judge burst into tears, which
were quite uncontrollable for a few minutes, so much so that I
was unable to proceed. After he had quieted down, I finished
the document. This was a wrinkle in the make-up of the judge
that I was unprepared for. It appeared that Miss Roe at the time
of her marriage to the judge had a fortune of $30,000 in cash.
This sum was never touched during her lifetime, but allowed to
accumulate, and this was the fortune she willed to the judge, less
the few bequests she made as stated.
This hotel was the headquarters at that time for ward cau-
cuses, political meetings, etc., and many a stirring meeting was
held in the large room in the rear of the office and bar on the
ground floor. I remember one occasion when a laughable inci-
dent hapened, though at one time it looked as though it might end
in disaster. It was on a summer night and the meeting was
assembled at the call of some ward official. The audience was
large and most enthusiastic. I happened to be there, but on the
outside in the alley, looking in at the open window. At the con-
clusion of a telling harangue by one of the elect, the audience
rose to their feet and cheered and stamped so vigorously that the
floor gave way, and the whole ''shootin' match" went into the
cellar, without any serious damage, however, but much laughter
was indulged in when the fright was over.
if: ^ ^
RE\'. J. HYATT SMITH.
The late Rev. J. Hyatt Smith came to Detroit with Webb,
Chester & Co., from Albany. He was an odd genius, exceedingly
bright and much given to literary pursuits. He was a prominent
member of our Literary and Debating Society, a good debater,
and, on every question up for discussion, he was assigned and
accepted a position, either pro or con. He was also quite stage-
REV. J. HYATT SMITH. 85 1
struck, fond of the theaters, and was always trying to imitate
Forrest and other actors of fame at that time. He was also a
member of our Thespian Society, that held forth weekly, during
the winter, in the upper part of the University building, where
now are Williams, Brooks & Co.
In George Doty's jewelry store, was Seth P. Ranger, a
young man, a clerk for Doty, who was also an odd genius at watch
repairing, good at argument and debate. He, too, was a member
of our Debating society. He and J. Hyatt Smith always took
opposite sides, and, one time, during a heated debate, the *Xie"
was given and a challenge followed the next day. A meeting
was arranged for and the parties met with pistols, in old Fort
"Nonsence," an earth fortification that stood on the Sibley farm,
a short distance from Woodward Avenue and a little above High
Street (which fort had been mentioned before). They exchanged
shots, but the result was bloodless as well as harmless. Each one
was convinced of the bravery of the other, they ^hook hands and
were friends from thence on.
A young lad, "Jimmie" Jones, a nephew of Enoch Jones, was
the only witness to the affair, and he never would tell, whether the
balls in the pistols were lead or cork. Most every one believed
they were the latter and no doubt they were.
This Seth P. -Ranger died a few months later, much lamented
by us all. The Literary and Debating society passed appropriate
•resolutions and appointed a committee composed of William B.
Wesson, Anson Burlinghame and Eben N. Wilcox, to procure
the means from the members to provide a tombstone to mark his
grave. It was done. He was buried in the cemetery on the
corner of Gratiot Avenue and Russell Street. His body was sub-
sequently moved to Elmwood cemetery.
Smith and Anson Burlingame were great chums, and, in dis-
cussing their futures, they each resolved to go to Congress, and
what's more, they did so. Smith went to Albany and got a
position in the Albany City bank, studied for the ministry, was
ordained and took charge of a Baptist church in Brooklyn and
soon became a noted divine; had all Brooklyn at his feet, so to
speak.
He made a trip to Europe, Egypt and the Holy Land, and
upon his return lectured throughout the country on what he had
seen. He gave one lecture here in Detroit at the Whitney opera
852 I^ARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
house, where the new postoffice is now. His lectures were very
humorous (after the Mark Twain order) and drew crowded
houses. His congregation, with others, sent him to Congress,
thus making good his compact with Burhnghame, where he served
through one session and declared himself satisfied.
Smith was fond of relating his experience while here in
Detroit. Telling of the wild life he had led with the rest of the
''boys," always into something he ought not to have been. I
happened to be in New York during his ministry in Brooklyn and
saw by a morning paper that the various Protestant congregations
of Brooklyn would get together in the Brooklyn Tabernacle on a
certain evening. It gave the names of the pastors who would
address the meeting and among the number I saw the name of
Rev. J. Hyatt Smith. I made up my mind to be there too, and I
was.
When it came to Smith's turn to speak, he gave a very
eloquent and vivid account of his early struggles and the incidents
thereto. When he came to relate his experiences while in Detroit,
I was much surprised to learn what a bad, bad boy he had been.
He pictured himself as having been, to use a slang phrase, "one
of the worst bugs on the vine," and so thankful that he had been
"plucked like a brand from the burning." Now I was with
Smith as often as any one while he lived in. Detroit, saw him
almost every day and night, and never saw anything very bad in
him. It is true, he liked fun and frolic as well as most boys, but
we behaved ourselves as well as any community of boys are apt
to do. I don't think he would have been so eager to tell the story
the way he did if he had know^n that I was in the audience.
^ ^ ^
busine:ss housds prior to 1850.
The following persons in business here prior to 1850, I have
omitted to metion : John G. Norton, furniture, on Woodward
Avenue; S. P. Wilcox & Co., dry goods, on Jefferson Avenue,
after this in boots and shoes ; Winchell & Co., furniture, on
Woodward Avenue ; Brady & Trowbridge, grocers, on Jefferson
Avenue, between Woodward and Griswold ; E. Chope, carriage
and wagonmaker, on the northeast corner of Lamed and Ran-
dolph Streets ; George D. Grossman, dry goods, on Jefferson
Avenue; Fortier & Berthelet, dry goods, also on Jefferson
BUSINESS HOUSES PRIOR TO 1850. 853
Avenue ; A. E. Mather, crockery, on Woodward x\ venue ; George
M. Rich, grocer, on the southwest corner of Jefferson Avenue
and Randolph Street ; WiUiam Sowersbey, grocer, on Woodward
Avenue ; Stevens & Zug, furniture on Jefferson Avenue ; Marcus
Stevens, afterwards on Campus Martins, near Andrews hotel ;
Charles W. Penny, clothing, on Jefferson Avenue ; N. O. Sargent,
boots and shoes, on Jefferson Avenue ; John Bigley was with his
father in the City Hall market.
Mr. Eardley Ives was a genial English gentleman, an expert
bookkeeper, and as such was in constant demand. He was the
father of the late Lewis Ives, to my mind the best portrait painter
in the United States. His work will, I am sure, bear me witness.
His son, Percy Ives, follows closely in the footsteps of his father
and bids fair to equal if not eclipse him. Another son, Augustus,
is a prominent physician.
William Gilbert, father of the late J. W. Gilbert, roofer, was
a brick and stone mason, with his residence on Columbia Street;
Daniel F. Webster, son of Daniel Webster, the god-like, practiced
law here in 1837.
Dr. Hall was a prominent physician here in 1837 ; Calvin C.
Jackson, private secretary to Governor Stevens T. Mason, after-
wards a purser in the United States navy, married a daughter of
his. His son, Amos T. Hall, was at one time deputy state treas-
urer, and afterwards was auditor of the Illinois Central Railroad,
Chicago.
Major O'Callahan, in the feed business, had a mill on
Atwater Street, about where is now the plant of the public light-
ing commission. He was a most genial Irish gentleman. The
Emmons family were quite prominent here in the early days, and
a great many of the present day will remember Jed. P. C.
Emmons. Halmer Emmons was for many years a distinguished
member of the law firm of VanDyke & Emmons. He later
became judge of the United States court and died a few years
ago. He was a most exemplary man in many ways and a high-
toned gentleman.
Jed Emmons was an exceedingly bright young rnan, served
a brief term with Z. Chandler in the dry goods business and then
entered the law. He was one of the founders of the Detroit
Lyceum and Debating society, and at the preliminary meetings in
Eben N. Wilcox's barn, in the rear of his mother's dwelling on
854 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Jefferson Avenue, his remarkable readiness in debate soon won
the admiration of the rest of the boys and he at once became a
leader. He was an ever-ready • speaker on all occasions and
became quite distinguished in his chosen profession. He severed
his connection with Detroit on account of his health and emigrated
to Florida, where he became attorney-general of the state.
Norman Emmons was also a bright and gifted young man ; he
also served an apprenticeship for a time behind a dry goods
counter, then entered the law office of Van Dyke & Emmons, was
admitted to the bar, and, wath John VanDyke, opened a law office
in Mihvaukee, where, I think, they -carried on a very successful
business.
It was Mr. Throop's father who, in a letter published in the
Geneva, N. Y., Gazette, many years ago, accorded to Mr. Elkanah
Watson, of Albany, N. Y., the distinguished honor of being the
originator of the movement that culminated in the building of the
Erie canal.
Lawyer George B. Throop lived, about this time or a little
later, in the house next beyond the VanDyke residence on Jeffer-
son Avenue, occupied later on by George Doty. I do not know
much about the legal ability of Mr. Throop or otherwise, but 1
was intimately acquainted w-ith tw^o of his sons, Aeneas and Mont-
gomery. The former was clerk of Wayne county at one time,
and afterwards moved to New York and became identified with
the lithographic firm of Hatch & Co. The latter w'as a member
of the bar here and afterward removed to New York state. Alex.
M. Campau married Eliza, a daughter of Mr. George B. Throop.
Referring again to the Emmons family, I desire to say that
Thad P. Sheldon, somew^hat prominent in the law and a right
good fellow, married Hester, a daughter of Mr. Emmons. They
owned and lived in a small cottage on the corner of Adams
Avenue and Park Street, where Mr. Linn now lives. I think
Major Ford Rogers also married an Emmons.
Mr. James A. VanDyke, the partner of Halmer H. Emmons,
w^as one of the most brilliant lawyers of his time, as all will
remember. He w'as very popular in all walks of life, particularly
in the law, and in the old fire department, of which he was the
president.
Referring again to the firm of Jas. A. Hicks & Co. John B.
Palmer w^as a member of this concern for some years, and a
BUSINESS HOUSES PRIOR TO 1850. 855
brother-in-law of Hicks. Many will remember him as a bright,
handsome, young man, with a charming personality and one of
Detroit's then 400. I fail to remember what became of the firm,
but I think it went out of existence upon the death of Mr. Hicks.
At any rate, John B. Palmer fell in love with and married a
daughter of Major Kirby, paymaster United States army, who
was stationed here at the time. Sometime before the outbreak of
the civil war the Major was ordered south and with him went
Palmer and his wife. After the fall of Fort Sumter, the Major
joined the southern confederacy as also did his son-in-law (the
wife of the latter being an ardent secessionist). John B. had
some command in the C. S. A., but just what it was I fail to
remember. At any rate he had charge of the prison for captured
northern prisoners at Salisbury, N. C, at about the close 01 the
war. After things got smoothed over a little he came north and
visited Detroit, but the reception from his old friends was so cool
that he left in disgust, returned to the south and went into busi-
ness in Columbus, S. C. I met him some time afterwards in New
York and he told me he was doing well and prospering.
John and Jerold Gray, brothers of Willie Gray, were some-
what prominent here in the early forties. The former was a
lawyer, I think; at any rate he was a most entertaining debater
at the Young Men's society. He was commissioned by the
regents of the Michigan University to select and purchase the
first invoice of books for their library.
Jerold was the broadest kind of an Irishman, genial and
watty. He w^as for awhik a clerk for Hunt & Roby, on the dock,
and often for J. Nicholson Elbert. Both John and Jerold returned
eventually to Dublin from whence they came. Jerold was of the
"Fighting Irish" and although a thoroughly good fellow would
sometimes get into little scraps with the boys.
I refer again to the incident when Levi Bishop lost his arm
by the premature discharge of a cannon on the Campus Martius.
Tom Peck, as he w^as familiarly called, a boot and shoe dealer in
the Republican block (where is now the Edson-Moore Co.'s
store), when he heard of the mishap to Bishop, "procured a
sledge hammer, went to the Campus Martius, and with it, knocked
the cannon off its carriage, spiked it and otherwise unfitted it for
anything but the melting pot, saying, as he did so :
"I'll be d— d if that gun will ever hurt anyone again." It
liad already injured one other person besides Bishop.
856 EARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
JUDGE EMMONS.
A large share of the community wondered why Hal Emmons
located down at the Ecorse, and why he spent so much money on
that swamp of a place. What a world of evergreens and other
fine trees, and flowering shrubs, he planted there. When he was
holding court, he was quite a picturesque character, mounted on
his horse, with his saddle-bags behind him, going to and from his
farm in Ecorse. It reminded one of the itinerant Methodist
preacher, who in the earlier days rode his circuit on horseback
with his saddle-bags behind him, and also the doctor of those
days, visiting his patients by the same means, up and down the
river, the River Rouge district. How often have I seen Dr.
Hurd starting out on these excursions, rain or shine, and while
roughing it on my uncle's farm in St. Clair, in my boyhood days,
have I seen that Methodist circuit rider coming up the river road
(the road that runs in front of the Oakland) of a Saturday, to
fill the pulpit in the St. Clair county court roorh (no church build-
ing of any kind). This before the Rev. O. C. Thompson located
himself there as permanent preacher.
"Judge Emmons, though not a professing Christian, was a
very exemplary man. His wife was a devout Christian and a
sincere believer in God's word. She also believed in the efficacy
of family prayer and had family worship every day in her own
chamber with her children. She also felt that grace should be
said at the table, and that duty seemed to devolve on her. Laying
aside her timidity, she determined to ask a blessing herself at each
meal and set a time when she would begin. That evening Judge
Emmons brought Chief Justice Field and Governor Alpheus
Felch, to dinner. Mrs. Emmons, in speaking of the occasion,
said : "I felt as if my heart would fly out of my mouth, but I
asked the blessing, and I never again felt the least timid. God's
grace was all sufficient."
Adonijah Emmons, the father, died in Detroit, April 15, 1843.
Harriet' L., his wife, died in Detroit January 20, 1874.
Judge McNeil, of Port Huron, married a sister of Judge
Emmons. Their son, Hal E. McNeil, saw some service in the
civil war. Entered service November 8, 1861, sergeant Company
G, Fifteenth infantry, second lieutenant October 13, 1862, first
lieutenant January i, 1863. Resigned September 17, 1864, and
honorably discharged. He married a daughter of Wm. Wallace,
of this citv.
BUSINESS HOUSES PRIOR TO 185O. 857
PROCESSOR ASA GRAY.
Professor Asa Gray came to the state in 1838, to take the
chair of natural history in the then new University of Michigan.
The university had no building at that time erectea at Ann Arbor,
so Prof. Gray asked for a year abroad before taking up his work
here. This was readily granted him by the regents, and they
put $5,000 into his hands with which to lay the foundations of
the university general library. Geo. P. Putnam, of the firm of
Wiley & Putnam, booksellers, New York, was then resident in
London, and through him the professor managed the expenditure
of the money in a manner that proved satisfactory. On his
return from Europe the university was still not ready for him
and he was given another year's vacation. Finally it ended by
his resigning and taking the Fisher Professorship of Natural
History at Harvard, under President Quincy.
Houghton, Mifflin & Co., Boston, issued in 1894, two vol-
umes, Letters of Asa Gray, edited by Jane Loring Gray.
LEVI BISHOP.
I have something further to say about the accident that
happened to Levi Bishop. It is furnished by my friend, Richard
R. Elliott, Esq., histographer of Detroit. He says : "It was not
Dr. Hurd who amputated Levi Bishop's arm, but Dr. Zina
Pitcher.
"The policing of. Camp Payne, on the Cass farm, July 3-7,
1839, was placed in charge of the Washington Lancers, under
command of Captain Henry B. Clitz. They were all young men,
and I was a non-commissioned officer. The National Guard had
a brass cannon of antiquated shape, which was being fired in
rapid succession at the noonday salute, sixteen times in seven-
teen minutes ; the piece became quite warm. It was primed
from the vent, in charge of Sergeant Abraham McHose ; Bishop
and a swabber had charge of loading the gun. After it had
been swabbed. Bishop inserted the charge, which was in a flannel
bag, rammed it home once and while ramming the second time
the premature discharge occurred, blowing out the ramrod,
which fractured Bishop's hand and wrist and prostrated him.
Captain Clitz ordered me to procure a cot, on which was placed
the wounded man, and he was carried by his comrades to the
house of Eralsey Ferguson, northeast corner of State and Gris-
858 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
wold Streets, where he boarded. In the meantime Lieutenant
H. A. Schoolcraft, of the Lancers, had been sent to Dr. Pitcher's
residence, where he was fortunately found. Captain Clitz
ordered me to detail a guard of six men to escort the wounded
man to his residence and to keep the near vicinity of the house
clear during the operation; this I did. Chloroform was not in
use at that time, and Bishop's screams were frightful.
"McHose stated that the piece had become quite hot at the
vent, so much so that his thumb became blistered ; while Bishop
was ramming the charge McHose raised his thumb an instant, the
air entered the vent, the swabbing not having been thorough ; a
spark had been left, which ignited the powder and the explosion
followed."
This account of the affair differs a little in some particulars
from the one I gave in an article published some months ago.
Mr. Francis Raymond, I am plesaed to know, is with us
yet. As all know, he was one of the firm of Hallock & Raymond,
in the clothing business, in the early days, and later on was of
the firm of F. Raymond & Co., booksellers and stationers. He
bears his eighty odd years exceedingly well, and is almost as
able to put in as good a day's work at the desk as he did for so
many years in the office of receiver of taxes.
WIEUAM HAEL.
William Hall, another old-timer, is also with us (in 1901,
when this was penned) yet, although well along in the eighties.
As most know he carried on the watch and jewelry business for
many years, in the forties and early fifties, where is now the old
Masonic hall building, on Jefferson Avenue ; later on he was for
many years with* the firm of M. S. Smith & Co. A peculiarity
of Hall's was his rapid gait in the street when going to and
from his place of business, not unlike John Owen, Theodore
Hinchman and his brother, Lewis Hall. The boys all used to
say that the four always went as if they had been sent for.
LEWIS HALL.
Lewis Hall had his jewelry store and watch making estab-
lishment on the south side of Jefferson Avenue, adjoining the
Bank of Michigan (now ]\Iichigan Mutual Insurance Co.) In
the rear, on the alley, lived John Hawley, saddler and harness
BUSINESS HOUSES PRIOR TO 185O. 859
maker, whose store was on the north side of Jefferson Avenue,
between Woodward Avenue and Griswold Street. Mrs. Hawley
was a sister of Uncle Shubael Conant. Between the Hawleys
and Halls and the stores of William Wells and Mason Palmer,
adjoining, was quite an area, a ''patio," as it were, filled with
trees and flowering shrubs, but no fountain; the latter could not
be a possibility in those days. The front of the Hawley dwelling
was really facing this area, a charming retreat in which to pass a
summer afternoon. The occupants of the Jefferson Avenue
front enjoyed it immensely. I passed many a pleasant hour
there. Lewis Hall was an expert at chess and passionately fond
of the game. And here, in the rear of his store, looking out into
this garden (as it were), William Hammond, the Irish gentle-
man of leisure, whom I have before mentioned, and he would
play by the hour at this fascinating game, with nothing to
disturb them but the twitter of the birds and the humming of the
bees. It is difficult to imagine that such a charming spot ever
existed in that locality, an ''oasis in the desert," so to speak.
Mr. Hammond, an enigma to Detroit society, passed his
days here, his declining years smoothed and solaced by many
kind friends, chitf among whom were Judge B. F. H. Witherell
and La^yyer "Billy" Gray. Mr. Hammond, when the "sere and
yellow leaf" came upon him, and his step had lost the firmness of
earlier days, could be seen nightly at Tom Gallagher's in the
Fireman's hall building (now the water offices) enjoying his
glass of steaming brandy toddy, one and only one, quitting the
place at 9 o'clock, invariably, for his quarters nearby. He was
somewhat addicted to snuff in his later years, which he took with
the grace of a Chesterfield or a Talleyrand.
Quite a prominent citizen that I have omitted to mention
heretofore was "Pat" McGinnis, and nearly all of the present
day will, no doubt, recall him to mind. I first knew him about
1840, as a member of the Engine Company No. 4. After many
struggles, incident to the life of a poor boy, he became an
autioneer, also kept for years a small store on Bates street, in
the rear of the Normandie hotel, filled with odds and ends,
particularly remnants of dry goods, bargains in laces, ribbons,
etc., which drew to his place of business the first ladies in the
city. "His custom was large. He branched out as he prospered,
bought real estate, notably McGinnisville at the Woodward
86o EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Avenue railroad crossing, became alderman of his ward and
went to the legislature. He died in a fine residence of his own
on Cass Avenue, a few years since.
Does anyone, I wonder, call to mind Pat's father? I
remember him well. When I was clerk in Rood's book store he
used to haunt Jefferson Avenue places of business, in the person
of an itinerant peddler, who always had about him a ring or
other piece of jewelry, sometimes rare and antique, rare coins
and other articles of like character, which he would exhibit for
inspection and, perhaps, purchase. Always quiet, gentlemanly,
unobtrusive and invariably humming a tune. I presume his
two boys, Peter and Pat, looked after his declining years, as they
were fairly well to do at that time.
MATHEW GOODING.
Another prominent fireman and somewhat noted citizen in
the forties, that has until now escaped my notice, was Matthew
Gooding, ship carpenter and boat builder, on upper Atwater
Street. He was a member of Engine Company No. 3. What
particularly attracted attention to him was his magnificent
physique, long flowing hair and beard, black as the raven's wing.
In the Harrison campaign he went with the Detroit delegation
of "Hard Cider Boys" to a celebration at Fort Meigs, Ohio, June
13th, 1840, garbed as a typical woodsman. In the capote of
his hunting shirt Gooding carried a live raccoon securely fast-
ened to his coat collar with a light metal chain. He marched
some distance in advance of the delegation, and the oddness of
his attire, coupled with the stalwart appearance of the man and
the presence of the live "coon," attracted universal attention, and
he was the observed of all observers at Fort Meigs, which was
the most imposing and popular demonstration that at that time
had occurred in the United States. The fort and grounds and
the presence of some of the most distinguished actors w^ho were
associated with one of the most interesting events recorded in
American history. General Harrison himself was present, as
from this city. Governor Woodbridge, George C. Bates, George
Dawson, Colonel Edward Brooks and many other citizens of note.
Nine or ten military companies from adjoining states were also
present. It was said at the time that the entire number of joeople
present was something near forty thousand. Our friend Good-
ing died of cholera in 1854.
busine;ss houseis prior to 1850. 861
Leete & Ray, furniture dealers, were in business on Wood-
ward Avenue; Peter Lee, baker, on the corner of Atwater and
Brush Streets (foreman of Engine Co. No. 3) ; WilHam Clay,
hairdresser and perfumer,' in the National Hotel building in 1845
(he was styled the ^'learned barber") ; Hiram Joy and George
Robb were ice dealers in 1845 ^^^ previous, and were pioneers
in the business. Mr. Leete, of Leete & Ray, was the father of
Attorney Leete of the Detroit bar.
* * H:
William Clay was born in Bath, England, and first took up
the vocation of a barber in Canandaigua, N. Y. He at one time
used to shave Wm. H. Seward, legal agent at the time, of the
Great Holland Land Company. He came to Detroit in 1833,
and opened a shop in Ben Woodworth's hotel, where I first used
to see him. He had the finest and best appointed barber shop in
the city at that time. When Mr. Seward visited Detroit, he
always inquired the whereabouts of his old friend, and when
Jacob M. Howard, w^ho always patronized Clay, and he came
together in the little shop, then would come up problems in meta-
physics, abstruse topics, and historical and political matters, that
would be discussed at length. Clay was altogether a remarkable
man. Geo. C. Bates, in his interesting "By-Gones of Detroit,"
published in The Free Press some years ago, gave an admirable
pen picture of our learned and worthy friend. In 1852, the
Northwestern University, at Chicago, bestowed on him the title
of master of arts. Clay, in many respects, resembled Elihu
Burritt, the "Learned Blacksmith.'*
^ * ^: ^
"bijah'^ joy.
Abijah Joy (''Bijah") assisted his brother Hiram, above
metioned, in the ice business. He later drifted into the police
force and was assigned to the central station, and to the call of
''Hiz-oner," the police justice, where he remained many years,
until his transfer to other stations.
Abijah was a faithful officer, of undoubted integrity, pluck
and courage; besides he had been an old fireman, a member of
hand engine No. 4. "M. Quad" (Mr. Lewis of The Detroit
Free Press staff), through his admirable sketches of the proceed-
ings of the police court, at that time, made Abijah's name a
household word throughout the land.
Bijah was passionately fond of children, and many a little
862 :eARI.Y DAYS IN DEJTROIT.
truant waif was' restored to its anxious parents, its little heart
gladdened and its tears dried, through his fatherly ministrations.
Pie was always provided with an ample supply of candy for the
little ones.
Joy was appointed doorman at the central police station Sep-
tember 21, 1867. When the Trumbull Avenue station was built
he was transferred to it in the same capacity, and with the open-
ing of the Twentieth Street station, the scene of his services was
again moved westward. He continued to act as doorkeeper at
the last named station until he was retired by the commissioners
in consideration of his long and faithful services. He died in 1885.
I knew him \vell, always. Geo. P. Goodale has paid a fine
tribute to *'Bijah," which appeared in the Sunday Free Press
some time last May.
^ :;: :(:
E. B. and Dan Whipple succeeded Hiram Joy in the ice
business; Abbott & Beecher had dry goods, corner of Jefferson
Avenue and Bates Street ; Toles & Allen were painters and paper
hangers, on Woodward Avenue; D. W. Fiske (grandfather of
Edward Locke), hardware on Woodward Avenue.
Doctor Lemcke (Dr. Klein married his widow), was prac-
ticing here in 1845. He l>ecame assistant surgeon of the First
regiment of Michigan Infantry, that went to Mexico, under
Colonel Stockton. Mrs. Klein is still living, her pretty daughter
by Dr. lycmcke, married Mr. T)an Loring, an extensive dealer in
boots and shoes here for many years. Both are dead.
* * *
JOHN HUIvI..
John Hull, that sturdy butcher, had a stall in the City
Market. John lived on Washington Avenue, west side, near the
corner of Grand River, in an unpretentious house. I think he
died there. I knew him when he first became prominent in his
trade. At that time (1848-9), I was in the employ of the United
States Military Department here, and John used to supply it with
cattle on the hoof, which of course led me into close contact with
him. He was always honest and upright in his dealings with
the government. He was an uncompromising Democrat. He
left four sturdy boys and quite a large estate. The boys embarked
in the grocery business, extensively ; the largest retail grocery
store in the state, which they managed successfully for some
years. Disaster finally overtook them, and after a brief struggle
BUSINESS HOUSES PRIOR TO 1850. 863
they had to succumb. One of the brothers, Robert, is at present
in the meat business in this city.
9)% ^ S^
THE "shades."
In 1845, and later, Alfred Kennedy kept the "Shades,"
corner of Shelby and Larned. Afterwards he moved nearer to
Jefferson Avenue, on the corner of the alley, opposite the build-
ing formerly occupied by the Calvert Lithographing Co. in the
Evers homestead. Kennedy was celebrated for his fine wines,
liquors, ales and cigars. He was also first to introduce here
that appetizing morsel, the Welsh rarebit. I appeal to anyone
living who ever partook of that delicacy at his establishment, if
the memory of it does not linger with them yet. Here, at this
place, used to meet nightly to enjoy the games of dominoes and
"Rounce," Henry J. Buckley, Armory A. Rice, Uncle Oliver
Newberry and many others. Mr". Newberry was very fond of
the game of "Rounce" and enjoyed it hugely.
* * H<
Ed. Franks had a small furniture store on Jefferson Avenue.
He afterwards removed to Mackinac, and kept the Mission
House there for many years. He married a daughter of
Abraham Smolk. The latter had the contract for filling in and
docking out the front of the Cass farm, and after its completion
removed to Mackinac, and died there. One of Ed. Franks'
daughters married Mr. Ed. E. Kane, of this city. Mr. Franks
\vas a very genial, companionable man and a good citizen. The
filling in and docking out the Cass farm front, was an enormous
undertaking, as any engineer will see, on looking over the
premises. ^h * *
John W. Strong, Jr., grocer at about 99 Jefferson Avenue;
A. & T. McFarlane, merchant tailors, on Jefferson Avenue : also
T, & J. McGrath and P. McTerney; J. Wilkie Moore, had a
fancy goods store on Jefferson Avenue, near Randolph Street;
P. & W. Fischer dealt in watches, clocks and jewelry at the same
place that they occupied until 1903; George W. Tucker (colored,
as before mentioned) kept the swellest barber shop in the city on
the north side of Jefferson Avenue, between Shelby and Griswold
Streets. He also kept a fine stock of hair goods, perfumery,
toilet articles, etc. W. K. Coyl, in 1837, had a grocery store on
Woodbridge Street opposite the Eagle Tavern ; he afterwards
moved to the corner of the Campus Martins, on Woodward
864 EJARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Avennue, where are now Wright, Kay & Co., jewelers.
Nathaniel Prouty had a grocery store on Woodbridge Street on
the same side as Coyl's, but further down (before mentioned).
William Phelps, late of the firm of Phelps & Brace, once taught
school over Prouty's store. Mayor Patton had a blacksmith shop
and carriage factory on Brush Street near Woodbridge Street;
John Hanna had a tobacco factory at the foot of Bates Street;
John was once warehouseman wath J. L. Whiting, and after was
on Woodward Avenue, between Congress Street and the Russell
House, same side.
* 5ij *
Morris M. Williams, who was once a member of the firm of
Sidney L. Rood & Co., was for many years a distributing clerk in
the Detroit postoffice. He had become so expert at it that people
wondered who could be found to fill his place if he shoula die,
and in harness, and strange to record, his successor was speedily
found. Morris was a genial gentleman, also an old Brady Guard,
and his death was generally regretted.
The old bank of Michigan had a number of bright employes.
Besides E. P. Hastings, president, and C. C. Trowbridge, cashier,
they were Norman Rawson and James A. Armstrong, book-
keepers ; Alex H. Sibley and E. Steele, tellers ; and W. W. Dean,
discount clerk, and^Mr. Sill. Sill was employed in the bank in
some capacity; think he was appointed cashier. He was sent on
by the Dwights, of Geneva., who subsequently wrecked the insti-
tution.
Major Robert A. Forsyth, formerly a paymaster in the U. S.
army, after First Street was opened, through the Cass farm, built
and occupied a small cottage house, midway between Fort and
Congress Streets, where the Union depot is now. The major
was widely known here in his day and was universally popular.
He and his family were intimately connected wdth the Cass,
Kercheval, Jones and Mason families, and indeed all that went to
make up the social side of Detroit. He was very fond of horses
and with his fast nag Spider, was usually the first one out when
the snow began to fly or when the ice on the Detroit and Rouge
rivers was in any sort of bearable condition. I have seen him
venture on the river in front of the DeGarmo Jones residence
when the ice was so thin that it would rise and fall beneath the
runners of his sleigh and the hoofs of his horse, but Spider, goaded
on by the fierce yells of his driver, would alw^ays come out all
THE STATE CAPITOL AND THE SUPREME COURT. 865
right. He never used a whip. The Major and Lieutenant
Grant were often pitted against each other when the ice and snow
were in good condition. In the summer time Detroit could not
boast of any good place to speed horses, but in the winter the
Detroit and Rouge rivers and Jefferson Avenue gave the owners
of fast nags ample opportunity to do so.
The Major passed away at the early age of 51 years. At the
time of his death we youngsters used to look upon him as an old
man, and he had somewhat that appearance, with his iron-gray
hair and whiskers, a grizzled old veteran, as it were. Many years
after his death Dr. Lucretius H. Cobb, Henry A. Wight and
myself were one day in the cemetery on the corner of Gratiot
Avenue and Russell Street and came across the Major's grave.
On the tombstone above it we found, to our surprise, that he had
died at the early age I have mentioned and we had always
thought him an old, old man. A son of his, Lewis C. Forsyth,
a retired colonel U. S. A., lately died at a summer resort near
Washington, D. C. * ^ *
STATE CAPITOL AND SUPREME COURT.
Referring once more to the state capitol, the building pos-
sessed the full-length portraits of Washington, Lafayette, Gover-
nors Cass and Mason. I think the same are in the state building
at Lansing at the present day.
The Supreme Court held its sessions here. I do not remem-
ber much about the personnel of the judges, but I do of "Day,"
the crier.
The former was an eccentric individual, tall and thin, and an
old-timer, inasmuch as he clung to knee breeches, ample coat
skirts and waistcoat. He wore his hair long, brushed straight
back from his head and tied in a queue. He died in harness and
was succeeded by John Gibson, quite Day's opposite. Gibson
was "large and stout," had a stentorian voice, and at the least
noise or disturbance in court he would shout "Silence in the
court !" in a voice loud enough to paralyze a person. It was said
of him that one day while dozing at his post there came up a
thunder storm ; a loud clap of thunder brought him to his feet
with "Silence in the court!" shouted at the top of his voice,
which much amused the judges, lawyers and spectators. On the
occasion of Day's demise, two or three of the lawyers practicing
before that court delivered themselves of poetic effusions to his
memory, and I give them here. They appeared in public print
55
866 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
(many years ago), but they are so witty and humorous, and as I
know all the parties, I think they will bear repeating, since they
will be new to many, as also the short notice of "Day" preceding
them :
*'For a number of years up to 1835 there flourished here a
character whom many of the old residents will remember. His
name was Isaac Day and his calling was that of ''Crier of the
Court" for the County of Wayne, Territory of Michigan. Among
the well known members of the bar were Charles Cleland, John
L. Talbot and Jacob M. Howard, neither of whom had then
attained to such dignity of years as to despise a joke, even if it
had a touch of ghastliness in it. One sad day the crier, Isaac
Day, died, and Cleland, Howard and Talbot each contributed an
obituary in verse. • Those effusions are given here.
The record of Day's death is in the following form :
Territory of Michigan, Circuit Court,
Countv of Wayne. Mav Term,
'1835-
"And now John Gibson, the present crier of the court, comes
and presents the following Epitaph on his renowned and illus-
trious predecessor and prays the court that the same may be
entered of record.
First Contribution — Cleland.
"Step light ! The light of Day's expired.
Silent is he who silence oft required.
That stentor's voice and that majestic staff
That raised the bearer and suppressed the laugh
Are heard by Day no more — nor yet by night;
'Yet when the evening came, Day still was bright.
But Day today no more shall utter speech,
Since Day's in darkness far beyond our reach.
Alas ! cmr Day has gone ! No ray of light
Bespeak the Day — no morning radiance bright
Shall ever restore to this dark court, its Day.
Darkly they are left to feel this crooked way
Since, as we are told, in Day's report,
Day hath no more Day in court.
None cry for Day, who oft have cried
To please the court, when men were tried.
Yet now that Day's eclipsed, we say,
Peace to his manes ! Poor Isaac Day."
the; state: CAPITOL AND THE) SUPREIME; COURT. 867
Second Contribution by next mourner — Howard.
•'His soul is fled from this, his daily scene
Downward, to search the gloomy caves of spleen.
He left few children in the legal way.
With mighty wail, to mourn the loss of Day;
He left no friend, no picture and no foes,
No face of bronze and no carbuncle nose,
Nor tooth, nor jaw, nor tongue, left he behind.
For heirs to quarrel for and none to find.
Yes, he's defunct, and no more the morning ray
Shall glad the rubicund nose of rising Day.
No more from whisky, ashes, rugs and straw,
Shall rising Day salute the halls of Law ;
No more with silver-headed cane shall tread,
Proud as Apollo, from his orient bed.
The cost compelling hours of ten to two.
Big with defaults against the hapless few,
Whose dinner-loving souls and beefward views
Divert from law, the juries and the stews."
Third Contribution by next mourner — Talbot.
'* *Tis true the light of Day has fled
And night and silence reign, for Day is dead.
No more he cries but has the task assigned
To the sad spouse on earth now left behind.
But Day will dawn again in the courts much higher,
And take his place in them once more as Crier.
No need there'll be amid that glorious band
Of his once harsh reproof, or noise repressing wand.
Nor will there be as of that Court, the crier
To break his old back in making up the fire.
Nor growl on Sundays, as he casts his looks
In charge of records, papers, lamps and books.
In that abode his tasks will be far fewer,
Indeed his station there's a sinecure.
Instead of Whisky, nectar there will flow,
Instead of ashes, sausages will grow.
And ragged rugs exchanged for robes of Snow,
And brilliant stars and gaudy, clouds will be
His daily couch and slumbering canopy.
From thence he'll rise and to the angels open
Heaven's Court whenever Day shines forth as broken.
Here from his wife, from culprits, lawyer's free
He'll eat and drink to all eternity."
868 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
THE IvAST EXECUTION.
Referring again to the hanging of Simmons, I came across
an article in an old newspaper, some time ago, that said:
'*One Watson was a fifer and presented a claim to the Mich-
igan Legislature at Lansing many years ago. It 'was for three
days' service as fifer and playing the dead march for S. G. Sim-
mons, from October 17 to 20, 1830, from the jail to the scaffold."
Also another newspaper article I came across regarding the
same :
*'An English gentleman who made a tour of the American
lakes in 1830 and published a book of his travels, printed in Lon-
don in 1833, '^^^s ^^ Detroit at the time of the trial of Simmons,
and on the 26th day of July, 1833, he was present in the court-
room when sentence of death was pronounced. Among other
things, he says: *As the murderer was conducted to the bar to
receive the sentence of the law, I observed in him a noble human
form, erect, manly and dignified ; of large, but well-proportioned
stature, bearing a face and head not less expressive than the beau
ideal of the Romans, etc' "
The judges who occupied the bench at the trial were Sol.
Sibley, Henry Chipman and William Woodbridge. B. F. H.
Witherell was the prosecuting attorney. Simmons was defended
by Lawyers George A. O'Keefe and Cole and Porter. Simmons,
on the scaflfold, joined in the hymn sung on the occasion:
"Show pity, Lord ; O, Lord, forgive,
Let a repenting sinner live — "
in a loud voice that I could distinctly hear from where I was on
the roof of Lawyer Witherell's woodshed.
Hs ^ ^
DETROIT BOAT CI.UB.
Boat clubs flourished here sixty years ago, but of course not
as much as now. The Detroit Boat Club was organized sixty
years ago, February 18, 1839, by Edmund A. Brush and others.
I knew all the members of the Detroit Boat Club, not inti-
mately, of course, but by sight, as at that time I was only a slip
of a lad and trained with the younger set. Their boat house was
located in a slip on the river front, between the large yellow ware-
house of John Chester & Co. on the west, and the Campau ware-
house at the foot of Randolph Street on the east. It was the
pride of the city at that day, and all its members were quite enthu-
THE DETROIT BOAT CLUB. 869
siastic. It was indeed a noticeable feature in the social life of
the city.
In the great fire of 1848 the boat house was destroyed and
the contents with it, except the boat called the Wolverine. The
club was reorganized in 1856 and the old members were placed
on the honorary roll. The club is booming at this day and is in
splendid condition financially and otherwise. For further and
fuller details of the club's doings, etc., I quote from the Detroit
Free Press of February 19, 1899 :
"First among the attractions of the City of the Straits is its
unrivaled situation on the most beautiful river that flows.
Nowhere else in the world can there be found so broad an
expanse of flowing water with the same advantages of boating as
are presented by the Detroit, and that this fact was appreciated by
the earlier residents of the city is attested by the existence here
of the oldest boat club in America.
The Detroit Boat Club had always included in its member-
ship many of the foremost and most representative men of the
city, and no other organization in the state has held the enthusi-
asm and spirit of the older participants in its benefits so well as
has this one. They are interested today, although the. gray may
have crept into their hairs, in hearing of and assisting the welfare
of the club. Their muscles twitch and the fire comes into their
eyes as they talk of the good old days, when they were in their
prime with the other 'boys.'
"It was just sixty years ago, on the evening of February 18,
1839, that a little company of gentlemen met in the office of Mr.
E. A. Brush for the purpose of organizing a boat club. There
were present James A. Armstrong, John Chester, J. H. Farns-
worth, A. T. McReynolds, Alfred Brush, Alpheus S. Williams,
A. H. Sibley and E. A. Brush. A constitution was drawn up and
adopted and the list of members was filled out by adding the
names of A. S. Kellogg, John Winder, J, S. Rowland, D. C. Hol-
brook, A. Ten Eyck, George C. Bates, Rufus Brown, John Mc-
Reynolds, J. Nicolson Elbert, Samuel Lewis, William T. Pease,
A, M. Campau and Wesley Truesdail. E. .\. Brush was chosen
president and James A. Annstrong was made the first secretary.
For the sum of $225 a barge, thirty-eight feet long, was bought
in New York. It was a six-oared Crolius racing barge. Pre-
viously a four-oared clinker boat, named the Georgiana, was
870 EAR1.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
bought and was manned by James A. Armstrong, E. A. Brush,
James H. Farnsworth and Alpheus S. WilHams. The larger of
the two boats, which was successively called the 'E. A. Brush,*
'Frolic,' and 'Edmund,' was broug'ht to this far western country
through the Welland canal. It did service until 1877."
In those early days the club was largely a social organiza-
tion and barge parties on the river were extremely popular. One
of the features at this time was a stunning uniform adopted by
the members. It consisted of a chip sailor hat covered with white
linen and broad black band ; sailor pantaloons of white duck with
black belts around the waist; shoes with low sewed heels, and
white socks ; black silk handkerchief knot ; blue shirts with white
figure and broad square collar ; coat of Kentucky jean. Garbed
in this natty uniform the }X>ung sailors were wont to take the
barges up the river on balmy, moonlight nights, the foremost
young ladies of Detroit's society by their sides, sending the little
craft steadily and swiftly along under the impulse of their strong,
regular stroke. May 24, 1842, the first club contest took place,
with the competing crews as follows:
"Race boat — Alfred Brush, stroke ; E. A. Brush, No. 2 ; J. H.
Farnsworth, No. 3 ; Lieutenant Brooks, No. 4 ; A. Ten Eyck, cox-
swain.
"Club boat — George Deas, stroke; J. N. Elbert, No. 2; A. S.
Williams, then representative in Congress, No. 3 ; W. Truesdail,
No. 4 ; Ed Brooks, coxswain.
"The race-boat crew won the event handsomely. The con-
test aroused considerable interest, as it was the first aquatic event
of the kind anywhere in the western waters. The course was two
miles straight away from the club house, a plain structure on the
site of the present Detroit, Grand Haven & Milwaukee depot, to
*Hog' Island, the euphonius title in those days of our beautiful
Belle Isle.
"It was the custom of the club members to spend every
Fourth of July on the island, which then knew nothing of its
present improved loveliness, but it was unexcelled in its wild and
tangled beauty. Writing in the Free Press, December 2, 1877,
George C. Bates described one of these holiday excursions :
" 'On the third a detachment was sent to clear away the
grounds, pitch marquees and tents borrowed from the army, and
there they entertained among their guests Misses Isabella Cass,
THE DETROIT BOAT CI.UB. 87 1
Emma Schwarz, the Misses Griswold, sisters of Purser George R.
Griswold, of the navy, and all the elite of Detroit society; Major
Robert A. Forsyth and Henry Ledyard were always assigned to
the duty of brewing a big bowl of sailor punch, half/ and half, a
duty that was performed to the satisfaction of everybody; and
toasts were drunk to the memory of George Washington, John
Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and so on down to General Harrison
in successive goblets filled to the very brim, and just tipped and
touched on the edge with pineapple rum and arrack.
" 'There, on the Fourth of July, 1841, the guests of the day
were General George M. Brooke and his handsome adjutant,
George Deas, who married Miss Garland; subsequently went
with his brother-in-law% General Longstreet, into the confederate
army and, after the reibellion, broke down ^nd died of a broken
heart. General Brooke, colonel of the Fourth Infantry, U. S. A.,
was the gallant old Virginia hero who, in 1813, at the sortie of
Fort Erie, opix>site Buffalo, when the American batteries were
shooting wiM because they could not find the British troops, vol-
unteered and took a large glass lantern under his military cloak,
crept inside the British lines, quietly clambered up a tree, tied the
lantern to a limb and instantly dropped to the ground and ran,
while a hundred cannon blazed away at him ineffectually, and
he came back safe to camp. He was as brave as Ney, as gallant
as Murat, and most elegant old Virginia gentleman.
" 'Today,' continues the writer, 'Belle Isle is the abode where
in summer the young men of society congregate, where good
dinner, music and dancing, flirting and picnicking and sporting,
all the elegancies of fashion, all the enjoyments of cultured life
may be found ; but of these club men only here and there remains
an antiquated specimen. Its president and elegant secretary, the
coxswain and bow-oarsman, and all the Philadelphia attaches have
long since mingled with their mother earth.' "
H* 't^ 'i*
Of all the persons mentioned above as members, only one. is
alive at this date, Alex. M. Campau.
Another boat club was organized about 1845, by the younger
set of the young men of the city. It was not so pretentious as the
older club, having but one boat, a twelve-oared barge called the
Eliza, after Captain Inman's youngest daughter. Captain Inman
was in command of the U. S. S. Michigan at that time.
872 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Among the members present were Edward M. Pitcher,
Lucretius H. Cdbb, George Shepard, Leonard Watkins, George
A. Cooper, Albion Turner, L. W. Tinker, William P. Doty,
Charles L. Dibble, L. F. Knapp, H. A. Schoolcraft, J. C. D. Wi'l-
liams. Friend Palmer, and some others whose names I do not
recall. We used to have a heap of fun, rowing on the river and
at picnics at Belle Isle, then Hog Island. We often had dancing
parties on the island in the old brick boat house that stood at
the foot of it. Our boat would accommodate twenty-four people,
all told, quite comfortably. The music and refreshments went
up on another boat, of course. So it can be seen that we could
always get up a dance during the summer because we had the
facilities and the girls were always willing. We had many friends
across the river, livings at W^indsor and along the shore to Sand-
wich, and also at the latter place. So we used to take them in, of
course.
I don't think the older club had as enjoyable a time as we.
True, they had the society of Miss Cass, Miss Schwarz, the Misses
Griswold and others, but we had the society of the younger por-
tion of Detroit's feminine contingent, and with the latter, the
former were not "in it," so to speak. The club broke up after a
few years from natural causes, and I do not remember what fate
befell the dear old "Eliza." But the memory of these delightful
excursions to Hog Island will remain with me always.
None of the "boys" mentioned above is at the present time
living except myself.
* * 5|;
OLD RESIDENCES.
When I came to Detroit in 1827, and until about 1840, busi-
ness was transacted almost exclusively on Jefferson Avenue, and
between the latter and the river (Woodbridge and Atwater
Streets).
There was no places of business of any description on any of
the streets north of Jefferson Avenue. Woodward Avenue could
not boast of a single place of business. The nearest approach to
such a thing was General Charles Larned's law office opposite the
Merrill Block and adjoining his residence on the corner of Lar-
ned Street, and Dr. Kurd's office and residence on the corner of
Congress Street. Larned, Congress, Fort, Wayne, Shelby, Gris-
OLD RKSIDI^NCES. 873
wold. Bates, Randolph and Brush Streets were all sparsely occu-
pied by private residences.
Woodward Avenue was occupied by private residences, and
as far as the Grand Circus only. The residences were not pre-
tentious in any sense and were far behind buildings of like char-
acter at the present day.
The first residence building in the city to attract attention,
was one erected by John A. Welles, cashier of the Farmers' and
Merchants' Bank, on the northwest corner of Fort and Wayne
Streets. It is still standing. At the time it was built it was con-
sidered a wonder and a show.
Soon, however, the example set by Mr. Welles in building
was followed by others and residences of a better character than
formerly began to prevail.
Business did not invade Woodward Avenue until about 1843,
and then to a small extent, and only between Jeflferson Avenue
and Larned Street. Jefferson Avenue from the Cass farm line,
and the. streets between it and the river were quite 'busy streets,
as far up and including Beaubien Street. Woodbridge Street, as
now, was a busy street, but only up to Bates Street, beyond which
point it was devoted to private residences. Atwater Street, from
Woodward Avenue to Beaubien Street, was a business Street
solely. Randolph Street was the center of the grocery and pro-
vision trade, and indeed, from Jefferson Avenue to the river, was
the busiest part of the city, as on this street were Woodworth's
Hotel and' the Berthelet market. Nearby were Eldred's store,
tannery and ox mill, the Farrand & Davis pumping works, Har-
vey Williams's large blacksmith shop and the Detroit & Black
River Lumber Co.'s steam sawmill.
Stead Brothers kept a large grocery and provision store on
the southwest corner of Woodlbridge and Randolph Streets, in
the Berthelet Row. so-called. One of the brothers died many
years ago, the other in January, ^903.
3^C 5jC 5j*
STAGE COACHES.
Ben Woodworth's Hotel was the headquarters of all the
stage lines running out of Detroit, which adxied much to the busy
character of this locality, particularly in the winter. The stage
drivers of those early days used to take great prid'e in their turn-
outs, coming into the city and going out with a great flourish.
But it was coming into the city that they put on the most- style.
874 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
They would allow their horses to go at an easy pace and take a
rest, for a few miles before entering the town and until they
crossed the Savoyard creek bridge on the river road between the
Jones and the Cass farms, then they would come on with a rush
and a run, until they reached the Mansion House, situated on
Jefiferson Avenue, about where Cass Street now is. After get-
ting rid of the passengers desiring to put up at this hostelry, they
would make their best show up Jefferson Avenue to Uncle Ben's,
horns blowing, whips cracking and attended with all the clatter
of hoofs, and rumble of stage coach incident thereto. It was
inspiring to a degree, and brought every one on the route to the
door or window to witness the passing show.
The foregoing was on the road between this city, Monroe
and Toledo, more particularly ; the other lines equaled this one in
demonstration, but did not have so numerous an audience.
^ 'i* ^
Jefferson Avenue at that day presented quite a different
appearance from what it does now. Then all the retail dry goods
stores (strictly wholesale dr}' goods houses there were none)
were located on this street, and, with two or three exceptions, on
the river side of the avenue (the "dollar" side, it used to be
called).
It was then the custom of the merchants to make a display of
their goods on the outside of their establishments ; they used to
call it "ragging out." In the spring, summer and fall, when the
weather was fine, the avenue was exceedingly gay with fluttering
dry goods, displayed by the merchants to catch the eye of their
fair customers, who shopped then as eagerly as they do now. It
was also the custom for the merchants to pile their empty dry
goods boxes on the curb in front of their stores and allow them
to remain for quite a time after the arrival of the spring and fall
stocks, as an advertisement. The authorities never protested
against this arrangement, nor did they against the custom of
piling fire-wood by the merchants and sawing the same in front
of their stores. I have seen fifteen or twenty cords of wood piled
in front of Z. Chandler & Co.'s dry goods house, opposite the
Merrill Block, and remain there until a convenient time came for
sawing it up. Imagine such a state of things at the present day !
Merchants then made visits to the east in the spring and fall
OLD RESIDENTS. 875
for the purchase of their goods. There were no railroads, no
commercial travelers, and selections had to be made in person at
eastern head centers.
* * *
Before leaving the eastern part of the city, I will mention
that just above the foot of St. Aubin Avenue. Mr. McHoose had
an extensive brewery; his "brew" was widely known. He was
succeeded by Robert Fitzpatrick, and' the last to occupy it was
Mr. Carnes, formerly of the firm of Carnes, Carew & Co. (Josh
Carew), who I think made some money here. His "Wine of
Malt" was extensively patronized.
Many of the present generation will remember Mr. Carnes,
as also Josh Carew. The former I think was from London, Eng-
land, and had acquired his knowledge of the brewing business in
the extensive establishments of that city. When he appeared on
the streets, he was always faultlessly dressed, but in the brewery
he was quite another character in attire. He was an acknowl-
edged authority on whist.
Josh Carew will be remembered with pleasure by many of
the present day. He was a "bon vivant" of the most pronounced
type, and no function, ball or otherwise, was considered complete
unless he was among the promoters. He was a thorough good
fellow, ever ready to help the needy or assist in a charitable enter-
prise. The other partner in the concern of Carnes, Carew & Co.
was Curt Emerson. All will acknowledge that Carew being so
closely associated with Curt, as he was, could not have been other-
wise than he was. Death long since claimed both Curt and
Carew. Carnes is yet alive, I think, in New York.
The ale they brewed in the old brewery that stood on the
southeast corner of Lamed and Second Streets, had an extensive
reputation. William Duncan succeeded to the brewery and the
ale and kept up the excellence of both until "lager beer" gradu-
ally usurped both in popular favor.
* * *
Going back into the thirties I will relate an incident that
occurs to me, before it escapes my memory.
Governor Stevens T. Mason appointed the late Peter Des-
noyers state treasurer in 1835 or 1836. About a year before his
death Mr. Desnoyers visited Lansing in company with his son-in-
876 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
law, the late William R. Moran, and was struck with amazement
at the splendid proportions of the new state capitol.
''Oh, my dear boy," he remarked, ''there have been great
changes in Michigan in my day. When I was state treasurer I
used, every night, to carry the funds of the state home in my
hat."
* * *
The only buildings of 1827 that now remain in the city are
the wooden building on the southwest corner of Larned and Ran-
dolph Streets, occupied then as a Catholic sisters school, and the
brick residence of the late Tunis S. Wendell, nearly opposite the
old Michigan Exchange, and now used for commercial purposes.
Also the small wooden warehouse of Shadrach Gillett next above
the D. & C. line warehouse. I say "small" but it was considered
large in its day.
^ ^: j}:
ADDITIONAL RECOLLECTIONS OE MEXICAN WAR.
At the breaking out of the Mexican war. Colonel Bennet
Riley's regiment, the Second United States Infantry, was sta-
tioned at the Detroit barracks, on the corner of Russell Street and
Gratiot Avenue. Colonel Riley was a bluff old soldier and a
fighter. Many will call him to mind, as also some of the
officers of his regiment, among them. Captain Hoe and Lieuten-
ants Canby and Granger. Only a portion of the regiment was
stationed here, the remainder being assigned to garrison the forts
up the lakes. The regiment was soon called on for duty in Mex-
ico, where it rendered efficient service. Colonel Riley, on his
departure, said he was going for "death or a yellow sash."
This gallant old soldier was born in St. Mary's County, Ind.
He entered the army as ensign in a 'rifle regiment in the year
1813; served through the war with Great Britain, and through
the Florida and Black Hawk Indian wars. Breveted colonel U. S.
A. for galantry at the battle of Chokachatta, Florida ; brigadier-
general for galantry at Cerro Gordo, and major-general for gal-
lantry at Contreras, Mexico. He was the first military governor
of our newly acquired territory of California.
Lieutenant E. R. S. Canby, adjutant of the regiment, attained
the rank of brigadier-general diuring the Civil War, and was
killed in the "Modoc campaign." Lieutenant Gordon Granger
THE MEXICAN WAR. 877
also attained the rank of brigadier-general during the Civil War.
After the departure of the Second Regiment the .barracks
were left in charge of an ordnance sergeant, who looked after the
government property as well as the welfare of some fifteen or
twenty laundresses and their children belonging to- the absent
members of the regiment.
During the Mexican war the barracks were also the rendez-
vous for recruits raised in this state and in Wisconsin to fill the
depleted regiments in the field. They were also the headquarters
of the Fifteenth United States Infantry, of which Colonel Joshua
Howard was lieutenant-colonel, Thornton F. Brodhead adjutant,
and William D. Wilkins major, all of this city.
The First Regiment Michigan Volunteer Infantry, also ren-
dezvoued here. Colonel B. F. Stockton was in command, and
Alpheus S. Williams was his lieutenant-colonel, John V. Reuhle
was major. Dr. Adrian R. Terry was surgeon. Lieutenant James
E. E. Pittman was adjutant, and Dr. Lemke was assistant
surgeon.
The regiment was not filled until the middle of the winter
months and then was ordered to Mexico. Five companies under
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Williams were ordered to march
to Cincinnati, to take transports down the Mississippi, which they
did. The other five companies with the colonel and stafif engaged
transportation by water to Cleveland. The river and lake were
open and apparently there was no impediment to navigation in
that direction.
, Captain Sewel L. Fremont, the United States quartermaster
ordered here to equip this regiment, contracted with Captain
Gager, of the Steamer Albany, to take the five companies to the
point above mentioned. Colonel Stockton's command, with bag-
gage, etc., got on board the steamer all right at the foot of Wood-
ward Avenue and started' for their destination.
Before leaving the dock it was currently reported that Cap-
tain Gager had induced the quartermaster to pay him in advance
for the transportation of the troops to Cleveland. But on arriv-
ing at Maiden the steamer was met by a sudden change of tem-
perature and threatening weather. The captain tied his boat up
at the dock and informed Captain Fremont that he would not
proceed a rod further under the circumstances, as he feared for
the safety of his vessel and his pass'engers. He would not budge
878 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
an inch, not withstanding the threats of the officers, backed by
loaded pistols (no revolvers in those days). They tried the engi-
neer, but he, too, was obdurate. Finally the colonel and his com-
mand were forced to get to Gibralter, on the American side, as
best they could, and that was on foot, across Grosse Isle and on
scows across the river.
How Captain Fremont, if such was the fact (the prepaying
of Captain Gager), ever squared himself with the war department
at Washington I never knew. As for Captain Gager, he could
take care of "No. i," as all who knew him will testify.
* ^ *
On the breaking out of the war with Mexico Captain S. P.
Heintzelman (afterward a major-general in the Civil War), was
in charge of the quartermaster's department here. He was soon
ordered to the front, and as there were no regular officers of the
quartermaster's department available, General Brady was forced
to place any United States army officer he could get on duty here,
in charge of both the quartermaster and commissary departments.
He accordingly selected Lieutenant Frank Woodbridge, his aid,
to succeed Captain Heintzelman. Lieutenant Woodbridge was
also soon ordered to the front to join his regiment and the depart-
ment was filled by the following officers in succession, who hap-
pened to be here either on sick leave or detached duty : Captain
J. B. S. Todd (brother of Mrs. Abraham Lincoln), Lieutenant
Gorxion Granger, Captain Carter L. Stevenson, Captain J. A.
Whital and Lieutenant Andy Merchant.
Finally, the war being over, Major E. S. Sibley, of the United
States quartermaster's department, and Major J. B. Grayson, of
the United States commissary department, were ordered here in
charge by the secretary of war. Both of the latter officers served
with distinction in the Mexican war.
Directly after Major Sibley assumed charge the Fourth
United States Infantry was ordered here. A portion of the regi-
ment occupied the Detroit barracks, the remainder were distrib-
uted around at posts on the upper lakes.
Colonel William Whistler was in command of the Fourth
Infantry. I have mentioned him and his family before, but I will
add something that I think interesting, viz. : That is Captain Curtis,
of the Second United States Infantry, brother-in-law of Colonel
Whistler (having married his sister), was stationed at Green Bay
the; me:xican war. 879
and was in command there May 21, 182 1. He died prior to 1830
at Prairie due Chien, leaving a danghtev Ifene, wlio became an
inmate of Colonel Whistler's family. Sht married Captain Daniel
H. Riicker, United States army, who served with distinction
throughout the Mexican and Civil War. The widow of the late
Lieutenant-General P. H. Sheridan is a granddaughter of Captain
Curtis' s, whose daughter, Irene, now Mrs. Rucker, is Mrs. Sheri-
dan's mother.
The other officers of the regiment I fail to call to mind,
except Lieutenants Langebeil and Henry.
There was something peculiar in the assignment of the
Fourth Regiment to this department. In the spring of 1812, this
regiment was ordered to join General Hull at Detroit. A short
time after they reported to Hull, he surrendered his entire com-
mand to the British.
The regiment, after the close of the Mexican war, was dis-
tributed at different points on .the lakes between Fort Gratiot,
Mackinac and Pittsburg. The headquarters with a portion of the
regiment were established in this city at the Detroit barracks,
where the Arbeiter Hall now is. The building used for head-
quarters is still standing next to the hall. It formerly stood facing
Catherine Street, as before mentioned.
This was Grant's regiment. He was acting assistant quarter-
master and was stationed with headquarters at Detroit barracks.
I was a clerk in Major Sibley's office at the time and knew him
well. His official duties often brought us into contact with each
other. He was always the gentleman, quiet and retiring, never
obtrusive. I do not think he was over fond of his office, as his
quartermaster-sergeant told me that he detested papers and
accounts, but on the other hand he was considered one of the best
officers in the regiment for handling and maneuvering it, a soldier,
every inch of him. Subsequent events verified the sergeant's
opinion of him.
Colonel Wm. Whistler was a captain in the Fourth New
York Infantry when it was engaged in the battle of Monguagon,
fought the 8th of August, 181 2. His younger brother, John
Whistler, was an ensign in the same regiment and also present.
He was fatally wounded. They were brothers of Mrs. James
Abbott, whose father was then a captain in the army, and sta-
tioned at this post.
88o EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Lieutenant Geo. Johnson commanded the Michigan cavalry
in this action. He behaved with the greatest gallantry, charged
with the utmost impetuosity, and showing the courage of a lion.
He had a horse killed under him. Johnson was called the Murat
of the cavalry. Jesse Johnson, at one time a merchant here, and
his brother, Thomas J., a young lawyer here, were sons of his.
Lieutenant Johnson died in Green Bay, Wis., in 1850, at an
advanced age.
Nathaniel Champ fought in this battle and was a sergeant in
a company of Ohio volunteers, who fought with Colonel Antoine
Dequindre at our left and gallantly entered the enemy's works at
the point of the bayonet. Major Muir, of the British army, com-
manded the enemy's forces, which consisted of 200 regulars of the
Forty-first Regiment ; icx) militia and 450 Indians, in all about
750 men. Tecumseh, Walk-in-the-Water, Mainpot, Lame-hand,
Split-log, with many chiefs of lesser note, led the Indians.
* * ;|c
FAIvIv OF FORT DEARBORN ( CHICAGO) AND SIEGE OF FORT WAYNE.
The following letter was written by Captain D. Curtis,
Fourth United States Infantry, from Fort Wayne, Ind., October
4, 181 2, to his friend and former comrade, Cullen Colburn With-
erell, uncle of Senator Thomas W. Palmer, and relates to the fall
of Fort Dearborn, Chicago, and the siege of Fort Wayne :
Fort Wayne, October 4, 1812.
Friend Cullen:
As our difficulties for the moment have in some measure sub-
sided, and as I have been so fortunate a's to survive the siege, it
affords me the highest satisfaction to have it in my power to com-
municate to you some among many of the most important occur-
rences since my arrival at this place. I arrived here on the 5th of
June after a successful passage, and killed two deer on my way.
I was, on my arrival, and still continue to be, highly delighted
with the place, and my situation, except, perhaps, I might have
been a little better suited with a more active employment than I
have had till about the 4th of last month.
Shortly after my arrival Lieutenant Whistler left for Detroit,
and has not yet returned, we presume he has gone to take a peep
at Montreal with the other unfortunate beings, included in tlie
capitulation of General Hull, to the British.
FALL OF FORT DEARBORN. 88 1
Nothing here of an important nature transpired till about the
7th of August, when our captain received a note from General
Hull, stating that Fort Dearborn was to be evacuated, and
requesting the captain to communicate the same to Captain Wells
and Wm. Stickney, and for them to point out the most safe and
expeditious route for Captain Heald to take from Chicago to
Detroit. The gentlemen were consulted on the subject, and con-
cluded that by way of this place would be the best route, and in
order to secure as much of the public property at that place as
possible, Captain Wells thought proper to use his endeavors to
that effect. Accordingly, on the 8th Captain W>lls, with a party
of thirty-five Miami Indians with their pack horses and one of
our soldiers with five of the public horses, started to assisted Cap-
tain Heald in the evacuation of Chicago. On the morning of the
19th one of the Indians that accompanied Captain Wells returned,
bringing intelligence that on the morning of the 15th (or as he
calculated time, four nights ago). Captain Heald and his com-
pany, with Captain Wells, were all cut off; the particulars of
which he thus related. They arrived at Chicago on the 13th,
where were encamped then about 500 Indians of different tribes,
some of whom were known to be at enmity with our government.
Captain Wells being well acquainted with Indian customs, and
seeing the difficulties likely to attend Captain Heald in getting
away from his post, used every exertion in his power to effect an
evacuation without the loss of men; he even gave up all the
arsenal and magazine stores to satisfy their savage ferocity, buf
to no effect, and then agreed to deliver up all the cattle (about
100 head) and made them several other valuable presents in hopes
of being permitted to depart in peace. The fatal morning arrived,
and while the bloodthirsty savages were killing and dressing their
heaves, the garrison was evacuated. Captains Heald and Wells
marching in front, the baggage wagon next, the women and
children next to it, followed by the soldiers and the thirty-five
Indians with their pack horses bringing up the rear. They had
not passed one mile from their little asylum when the alarm was
given that the enemy, about 400 in number, was close upon them.
A kind of hollow square was formed immediately, encompassing
the women and children, and two rounds fired, but being over-
powered by numbers, the brave, the innocent fair and the helpless,
fell a prey to the savage cruelty of the tomahawk and scalping
56
882 , EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
knife. We have since been told by another Indian that Captain
Heald and lady (both wounded ),W.Flanzay and wife, Lieutenant
Helms and wife, and nineteen soldiers were made prisoners and
sent to Detroit, from whence they are to be transported to Mon-
treal or Quebec, with other prisoners taken at the capitulation,
which perhaps you know more about than I do. Thus ends the
fate of Chicago and its worthy commander, the success of this
post and the fate of its great worthy and intrepid commander.
I now proceed to relate, and in some instances particularize.
The Indians, since the news of Chicago, except some of the
Miamies, have expressed and manifested a very different dispo-
sition from anything discovered in them previous to that event.
Many attempts have been made to send expresses through to
Detroit and other places, and many failed, either by being killed
or driven back by Indians. A. W. Johnston on express to Piqua,
Ohio, was killed oh the evening of the 28th (August), before he
had gone half a mile from the post. He was shot through the
body, tomahawked, scalped, stabbed in twenty-three places and
beaten and bruised in the most cruel and barbarous manner. The
Indians came within hearing of our -sentinels and hailed, request-
ing admittance into the garrison. This was the first instance since
my acquaintance at this place of an Indian hesitating or expres-
sing any fear in approaching the garrison. His business was to
request of our captain a white flag, that some of the chiefs might
come and speak with him and the Indian agent, A. W. Stickney.'
The flag was granted under a promise of its being returned that
day, but the rascals kept it several days, during which time they
were constantly plundering our gardens and cornfields, and even
killing and carrying away our cattle and hogs immediately under
our guns, and we, poor soldiers, either from cowardice or some
other agency in our captain, were not suffered to fire a gun, but
obliged to suffer their repeated insults with impunity. On the
evening of the 4th of September the flag returned, accompanied
by several chiefs, and after being asked whether they wished to
remain at peace with us or be considered in an open state of war-
fare, the head chief among them observed: "You know that
Mackinaw is taken, Detroit is in the hands of the British and
Chicago is fallen, and you must expect to fall next, and that in a
short time." Immediately upon this our great captain invited the
savage rascal over to his quarters and after drinking three glasses
FAI.I. OF FORT DEARBORN. 883
of wine with him, rose from his seat, observed : ' "My good friend,
I love you, I will fight for you, I will die by your side, you must
save me," and then give him a half-dollar as a token of friend-
ship, inviting at the same time to come and breakfast with him
the next morning. The chief and his party retired to their camp,
but instead of accepting his invitation to breakfast, sent five of
their young warriors, who secreted themselves behind a root
house near the garrison, wher^ they shot and killed two of our
men about sunrise as they were passing from a small hotel near
that place.
The night of the 5th arrived and our captain had" not drawn
a sober breath since the chief left the garrison the night before.
From the movement of the Indians in the course of the day. Lieu-
tenant Ostrander and myself expected to have some sport before
the next morning, and we were not disappointed in our conjec-
tures, for at about 8 p. m. a general shout from the enemy was
heard, succeeded by a firing of small arms on every side of us.
The alarm post of every man, as well as the respective duties of
Mr. Ostrander and myself, having been regulated during the day,
the enemy had not time to fire a second round before we were
ready, and opened three broadsides upon them and sent them a
few shells from our howitzers, which we presume must have raked
the shins of many. We exchanged the general shots, when I dis-
covered "from the flash of their guns that they were secreted behind
the buildings, fences and shrubberies near the garrison, and
ordered the men to cease firing till further orders, thinking the
enemy would conclude that we were either frightened or scarce
of ammunition, and perhaps would venture a little nearer.
Although our ceasing to fire did not appear to bring them nearer,
yet it tended to concentrate them more in a body, though they
continued an irregulated fire about half an hour, without our
returning a shot. As soon as a large body had collected at one
point we threw a couple of shells from our howitzers which soon
made them disperse, and but few shots were received from them
the remainder of the night.
The next day they kept up a firing from behind fences, build-
ings and shrubberies near the garrison, till about 3 p. m. in order,
we presume, to disturb our rest, knowing that we had been all
night on the alert. Our captain still continued drunk as a fool,
and perfectly incapable of exercising rationality on any subject
884 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
whatever, but was constantly abusing and ill treating every one
that came in his presence.
The night of the sixth approached, and as we are told that
caution is the mother of safety, we had the roofs of our houses
aill watered as well as the pickets on the inside, our water casks
all filled and buckets all ready in case of the enemy's attempting
to throw fire, which they had endeavored several times to do,
without success. This was all d®ne and every man at his post
before dark. Between 8 and 9 p. m. we heard a most tremendous
noise, singing, dancing and whooping, and when they had arrived
within a proper distance they hailed and aksed us in plain English
what we intended to do, whether to surrender or fight? They
said they had 500 men with them and that they expected 700
more the next day, and that in three days' time they would show
us what they could do. We answered them that we were ready
and bade them come on, that we were determined, to a man, to
fight till we should lose our lives before we would yield an inch
to them, and then gave a general shout round the works, fn true
Indian mood, which they instantly returned, commencing at the
same time a general fire, whicl\ was kept up on both sides, with
much warmth, till about 11 o'clock without the loss or injury of
a man on our side, but from appearance they must have lost many,
as they were very quiet till towards night.
The siege continued from the morning of the fifth till the
morning of the tenth, both day and night, much in the manner
above described, and the fears and troubles of our great and
intrepid commander continually drowned in the excessive use of
the ardent. Our fears and apprehensions, from the disorder and
confusion he created among the men, were one of our greatest
troubles, and we had everything prepared at one time to silence
his noise and clamor by coercive measures. He would frequently
talk of surrendering if the Indians were likely to be too much for
us, and particulary if thev or the British were to bring on one or
more pieces of cannon which they took at Chicago and plant them
near the garrison, when he knew that the largest piece at Chicago
was only a three-pounder ; and when told by one of his subalterns
that the first person in the garrison who should offer to surren-
der to the Indians or the British at the approach of no heavier
piece than a three-pounder should instantly be shot, he offered no
resistance, but remained client on the subject.
FALI. OF FORT DEARBORN. 885
After the tenth we rested in tranquiUty, but could see large
l)odies of Indians, between that time and the 12th, running in
great haste across the prairies, and many without arms. We were
at a loss to determine the cause of this movement, but concluded
that they must have met with some opposition as they discovered
the approach of an army between this and Piqua, as they were
running from that quarter.
About 3 o'clock p. M. of the 12th to our great joy we discov-
ered the approach of a small troup of horse, and on their coming
up to the garrison, we learned that it was the advance guard of
an arjiiy of about 5,000 under the command of Brigadier-General
Harrison. You may rest assured, friend C, that we lost no time,
after the general had pitched upon and regulated his encamp-
ment, in making known to him the late conduct of our great,
worthy and mortal captain, James Phea. The general, after hear-
ing with great attention what we had to relate, expressed his
great astonishment at the breach of confidence in the captain, and
requested us to have everything reduced to writing and the
charges produced in regular form ; which was done that evening,
and the next morning handed in. About 10 o'clock the captain
was honored with a note from the general requesting him to
deliver the bearer his long knife, and consider himself under
arrest till his late conduct should be brought to a public
investigation.
Shortly afterwards the general sent one of his aids to us
requesting to know whether we would withdraw the arrest in case
the captain would resign. We at first declined, but in a further
request of the general we consented, on the consideration of his
having been a long time in service, but more particularly on
account of his having a young family. His resignation was sent
in and accepted, to take effect on the 31st of December next, and
in two days he left this for the State of Ohio.
Thus ends the success of this plac^ so far, and thus you see
the evils, the loss, the disappointments and mortifications attendant
upon cowardice and intoxication, in mortal man.
D. Curtis.
BU5INL55 MEN OF SLVLNTY YLAR5 AGO.
SOMETHING ABOUT BUSINESS MEN OF THE CITY SEVENTY
YEARS OR MORE AGO.
W ATKINS & JOY were saddlers and harnessmakers at
125 Jefferson Avenue. This firm continued in the busi-
ness for quite a while, dissolved, and the firm became
Watkins & Shaw.
Ferry Moores was the first to embark in the storing of ice for
summer use, but only in a small way. He did not follow it up.
The next was Abraham Smolk, and he, after one or two seasons,
also discontinued the business.
Hiram Joy embarked in this business, succeeding Moores
and Smolk. He made a success of it, filling a long-felt want.
After Joy made the ice business a permanent thing, a chunk of
ice was not quite so much of a luxury in the summer as it had
been ; for, in the absence of refrigerators and ice chests, it had to
be kept in the cellar, or some cool place, wrapped tightly in a
woolen blanket, to preserve it.
Joy continued the business four or five years. He was suc-
ceeded by James Robb (Robb the Ice Man), and he by E. B. and
Dan Whipple. Joy was the brother of "Bijah" Joy, whom "M.
Quad" made famous through the columns of the Free Press many
years ago, as police attendant on central station court.
Hiram Joy married about 1838 or 1839 the widow of Newell
French, city street inspector, and brother of David French, of
French & Eldred, by whom he had one child, a daughter. After
a brief married life, the wife died and the infant daughter was
adopted by David French. This daughter of Hiram's grew to
lovely womanhood, and was known as "Carrie" French. She
became the wife of J. Sterling Morton, of Monroe, Mich. J.
Sterling moved to Nebraska. After some years of a happy mar-
ried life the wife passed away, leaving sons and daughters.
Morton entered President Cleveland's cabinet as commissioner
of agriculture. When Mr. Cleveland was replaced by Mr. Har-
busine:ss men of seventy years ago. 887
risen, Morton retired to Nebraska, where he died. One of his
sons, Paul, recently had the distinguished honor of being
appointed to a seat in President Roosevelt's cabinet, as secretary
of the navy. His subsequent career is known to all.
I knew Hiram Joy well, and seem to sec him now when he
came into Rood's book and stationery store (where I was' clerk)
one morning to purchase some note paper, and told me, with
great glee, of his approaching marriage, and what the purchase
was for (invitations). And a day or two after the wedding,
when he made his appearance at the store, how effusively all the
crowd that usually assembled there congratulated him. Joy had
another brother (Hartford), who was a master mariner and
sailed the lakes.
Chas. W. Penny had an extensive stock of clothing at 92
Jefferson Avenue. Penny was of that set who boarded with Mrs.
David Thompson on Fort Street, the Randolphs, and others. He
was an ardent member of the Brady Guards, and with the excep-
tion of Geo. G. Bull was said to be the handsomest man in its
ranks. In evidence of this fact (as stated in a former article on
the Brady Guards) his full length "figure, clad in the uniform of
the guard, is represented on the flag presented to the company
by General Hugh Brady. Mr. Penny removed to Jackson, where
he carried on the same business until his death.
About 1838 Newbould & Strong were in the hardware busi-
ness on Jefferson Avenue, south side, midway between Wood-
ward Avenue and Griswold Street. The firm consisted of Alex.
H. Newbould and John W. Strong, Jr. In the same block were
G. & T. G. Hill, groceries and drugs; A. C. McGraw, boots,
shoes and leather ; Warren, candies, nuts, etc. ; Hallock & Ray-
mond (before mentioned); Howard's restaurant; the printing
establishment of the Detroit Advertiser (George Dawson) ;
Nelson, groceries; Mather & Hall, crockery (before mentioned) ;
Edward Bingham, drugs; Salisbury, groceries. The Goddard
building stood on the northeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and
Griswold Street. In it was located the McKinstry museum (in
the upper stories). On the ground floor, Griswold Street side,
was located the offices of the United States customs. In this
block also was the New York and Ohio house, a large wooden
structure midway between Jefferson Avenue and Woodbridge
Street, west side, and Mrs. Colonel Anderson's residence, north-
888 e;arly Dx\ys in Detroit.
west corner Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street, where
is now the Mariner's Church.
This block was completely swept by fire on the night of Jan-
uary I, 1842, the flames originating in the New York and Ohio
house, burning out all the concerns I have named. This same
block was visited by a destructive fire in 1830. Both fires have
been described at length in former articles.
Charles M. Bull had a grocery store on Jefferson Avenue,
south side, between Griswold and Shelby. He was at the same
time in company with Geo. Beard in the restaurant business under
King's corner, Jefferson and Woodward. He lived at the north-
west corner of Michigan Avenue and Park Street. There was
not a residence beyond him out Michigan Avenue for some years.
He died in this home, leaving a wife and nine children. After a
becoming period the widow married Judge E. Smith Lee, by
whom she had one son, Charles Lee, who is now manager of
some eastern railroad. After a while the judge and family
removed to Washington, D. C, where he and his wife died. One
of Bull's daughters married General Lucius Fairchild, at one
time governor of Wisconsin, consul to Liverpool and minister to
Spain. He is now a vvidower and living at Madison, Wis.
Another of Bull's daughters (Miss E. C. Bull) is now living in
Washington.
Judge Lee came here from Rochester, N. Y., with his wife,
son and daughter in the late thirties, and engaged in the practice
of law with David Stuart. His daughter, Mary Lee, married
here, to whom I fail to recall ; the son, Wm. G., was teller in the
bank of St. Clair for three or four years, resigned and went to
New York, after which I lost sight of him.
Mrs. Charles M. Bull was the sister of Captain Gager, of
the .steamer ^.Albany, a steamboat that flourished in the forties,
and a fine one for those days.
Gideon Paul had groceries, etc., at No. 71 Woodbridge
Street. Gideon after this engaged in various ventures, but I do
not think they proved very successful. He was an expert book-
keeper, and quite a jolly Englishman, being secretary of "the Old
Countrymen's Benevolent Society." He finally drifted into the
Peninsular Bank as bookkeeper, under H. H. Brown, cashier,
where he continued until he died.
The Beaubien Bros, were in the dry goods business in the
BUSINESS MZN OF SEVENTY YEARS AGO. 889
Republican block, south side of Jefferson Avenue, l>etween Bates
and Randolph Streets. They were sons of Lambert Beaubien,
one of the owners of the Beaubien farm. They were succeeded
by the Watson Bros. (John and James), and they by Chas. Moran,
son of Judge Moran.
iji * 5k
The Detroit & S"t. Joseph Railroad was commenced in the
spring of 1836. Forty miles was under contract, thirty of which
was in operation, or stated would be during the summer of 1837
(to the mouth of St. Joe River — 196 miles — was the objective
point).
5jC 5jC 3(C
In a former article, I failed to mention the following very
prominent citizens, who were here in 1827 :
Francis D. Browning, James Sanderson VanAntwerp, father
of Fr. VanAntwerp; Lemuel Goodell, Colonel Edward Brooks,
Sheldon McKnight, Gildersleve Hurd, Israel Noble, Chas.
Howard, Judge Jas. May, Lambert Beaubien, Antoine Beaubien,
John Wright, Andries, Ord, Watsons. Clarks, Sheriff Champ,
Sheriff Thompson, Sheriff Wilson, Louis Dequindre, Wm. Pettie,
Archie McMillan, Conrad Ten Eyck, Dexter Merrill, Captain
Pearson and Oliver Miller.
5;< H« 55:
THE CITY IN 1834.
In March, 1834, a census was taken by A. E. Hathon. The
four wards of the city contained 4,964 persons (2,904 males, 2,060
females), 477 dwelhngs, 64 stores and warehouses. In 1837 there
were 9,763 inhabitants, and the number of stores and dwellings
exceeded 1,300. The principal municipal officers were: Levi
Cook, mayor; aldermen, Oliver Newberry, Thomas Palmer,
Julius Eldred, Darius Lamson, John Farrer, David Cooper, John
Owen; city clerk, Geo. Byrd; city attorney, Jas. A. VanDyke;
collector, A. C. Canniff; city surveyor, A. E. Hathon; treasurer,
David French ; superintendent hydraulic works, Noah Sutton ;
justices of the peace, John W. Strong, David E. Harbaugh, Lem-
uel Goodell, Chas. Moran, B. F. H. Witherell, Henrv' V. Disbrow.
Supervisors of highways — District No. i, Newell French;
district No. 2, Lorenzo Pratt.
890 KARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Clerks of the markets — Washington market, Israel Noble ;
Berthelet market, D. Hayward.
Wood measurers — James H .Cook, Israel Noble; weighmas-
ter, Chas. M. Bull ; superintendent of water works, David French ;
marshal, David Thompson ; constables, Jacob McKinney, Robert
R. Howell, Richard J. Conner; sexton, Israel Noble.
Fire department — Chief engineer, H. V. Disbrow ; assistant
engineers, John h. Whiting, R. S. Rice.
Fire wardens — Ward No. i, Silas Titus, Alex. McArthur,
James O. Graves, Geo. W. Gallagher. Ward No. 2, Shubael
Conant, Enoch Jones, Chas. Bissell, James Hanmer, Marshal J.
Bacon. Ward No. 3, David Dwight, G. Mott Williams, John
Winder, Z. Kirby, R. Ingersoll. Ward No. 4, Mason Palmer,
Jerry Dean, James Williams, Asher B. Bates, John Palmer. Ward
No. 5, Henry Howard, Justin Rice, H. H. Brown, Benj. F. Lar-
ned, Edward Brooks.
* * >|s
The Ann Arbor mail arrived every other day; Chicago and
western, every other day; eastern and southern, every day during
the time of the close of navigation, and other times the mail
arrived and departed by regular steamboats. Grand Rapids mail
arrived Tuesdays ; Mt. Clemens, every Tuesday, Thursday and
Saturday ; Pontiac, every Monday and Friday ; Lapeer, every
Saturday.
The officers of the Detroit & St. Joseph Railroad Co. were :
President, John Biddle ; directors, C. C. Trowbridge, Oliver New-
berry, Shubael Conant, E. A. Brush, Henry Whiting, J. Burdick,
H. H. Comstock, Mark Norris, C. N. Ormsby; chief engineer,
John M. Berrien; assistant engineer, A. J. Center; secretary and
treasurer, Alex. H. Adams.
* 5ij ^
The city hall was a two-story brick building with a hammered
stone basement and was 100 feet long and 50 feet wide, the height
of the first story 16 feet, and from the base to the top of the cor-
nice 36 feet. On the front of the roof was a handsome cupola.
The principal entrance was from the public square (Campus Mar-
tins) . The first story was occupied by the city market and clerk's
office, and on the second story was a spacious hall, used as a coun-
cil chamber and court room. The building was erected in 1835,
and cost about $20,000.
BUSINi;SS MEN OF SEVENTY YEARS AGO. 89 1
Young Men's society, chartered March, 1836. President,
George E. Hand; vice-president, Silas Titus; corresponding sec-
retary, Asher S. Kellogg ; recording secretary, Francis Raymond ;
treasurer, David Harbaugh ; auditor, Walter W. Dean ; managers,
John Chester, John L. Talbot, James A. Van Dyke, A. T. McRey-
nolds, Jas. F. Joy, John S. Magruder, Alpheus S. Williams.
^ ^ ^
The Detroit Daily Advertiser was conducted by Geo. L.
Whitney; its editor was Geo. Corselius.
^ ;!c ;Jj
The principal hotels were : American Hotel, by John Gris-
wold; Michigan Exchange, by A. Wales; National Hotel, by H.
K. Haring ; Steam Boat Hotel, by B. Woodworth.
Captain Thomas Hunt was register of the United States land
office. He was a brother of Henry I., William B. and Geo. Hunt.
The business of the office • was quite extensive in those days,
emigration being at a fever heat in i836-'37 and '38. The captain
had two very pretty daughters, Eunice and Ellen. The former
married Dr. Tripler, surgeon, U. S. A. ; the other married Chas.
Bissell, dry goods merchant (his second wife).
^ sic ^
John McReynolds, northwest corner of Jefferson and Wood-
ward Avenue, had drugs, medicines, etc. John was a brother of
Colonel Andrew T. McReynolds. (Dr. Thos. B. Clark married a
sister). He was afterwards in the auction and commission busi-
ness with Henry Doty, also with Tom Edmonds, the principal
auction and commission house in the city at the time. General
O. B. Willcox, U. S. A., married for his second wife a daughter
of his. A very companionable man in every way was John
McReynolds.
^ ^ >)«
Wm. P. Wing occupied Colonel McKinstry's circus build-
ing (that was near the present public library) after it was given
up as such, as a planing mill, and gave out that in addition or
connection therewith he had in opperation a circular saw, which
would slit to great advantage door, sash, etc.
5j€ *i» 'I* ^
Dr. M. L. Cardell, an exceedingly quiet and retiring gentle-
man, was a skilful dentist, and had his office in the Desnoyers
892 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Block. When the Lake Superior copper excitement was in full
blast he removed to that part of the state, Hancock, I think. He
was the father of Mrs. Joseph H. Chandler, of Chicago, and Mrs.
Holland, of Detroit. A daughter of the latter married Mr. Mc-
Clellan Brady, a son of Mr. Geo. N. Brady.
F. A. Hickox had an extensive stock of hardware at 127
Jefferson Avenue, west side, between Woodward Avenue and
Griswold Street. After a while he removed to Ann Arbor. Mr.
Fred Buhl married a sister of his. Another sister married James
Piatt, of Ann Arbor.
Henry Keeler, No. 22 Randolph Street, opposite the Berthe-
let market, kept jewelry, watches and clocks, repaired watches
' and clocks, and was an engraver on metal and* wood.
C. Coggeshall & Co., 38 Woodward Avenue, had a fine
assortment of hardware, also sperm oil and candles. This Cogge-
shall was the father of Mrs. David W. Fiske (Fiske was after in
the same line of business). Chas. Locke, of the firm of Gunn &
Locke, married a daughter of Mr. Fiske, and a son of Locke's
married a daughter of the late Guy F. Hinchman. A son of
Coggeshall had an extensive drug and grocery store in the Shel-
don Block, on Jefferson Avenue, opposite Rood's book store.
Cooper Block, in the early forties. Chas. Paddock, who was
afterwards with T. H. Eaton, was his prescription clerk. Cogge-
shall was quite a society man and an all around good fellow.
Chas. M. D. Bull (he was a relative of the Widow Doty)
had an extensive stock of dry goods and groceries, at 94 Jeffer-
son Avenue, in a brick building of Mr. Conant's, adjoining the
residence and store of Joseph Campau. Mr. Bull was a fine
looking, prompt, energetic business man. A society man withal.
He married Miss Swathel, an interesting daughter of an influen-
tial family in Ann Arbor. After a brief married life, he passed
away The widow after a few years married Mr. Sinclair, a
prominent miller in Ann Arbor. The Sinclairs, Swathels, Haw-
kins, Brighams, Platts, Hickoxes were the society leaders in the
University City, and drew around them all the gay and socially
inclined students, among which were Thomas W. Palmer, Joseph
Smith, Willis Ransom, Jas. B. Witherell, Geo. Kellogg, Cleveland
Whiting, David, James and Thos. Blackmar.
BUSINESS MEN OF SEVENTY YEARS AGO. 893
Kingsbury & Burnhani published the Detroit Evening Spec-
tator in the Republican Hall Block (where is now the store of
Edson, Moore & Co.). They had a reading room attached, to
which all strangers were invited. Quite an attractive lounging
place it was.
Dr. E. A. Theller, in addition to his drug and grocery store
on Atwater Street, had an office at 119 Jefferson Avenue. Asso-
ciated with him was Dr. Starkey, whose specialty was the eyes.
Dr. Starkey was the father of Henry and Richard Starkey, both
of whom were well known by many of the present day.
:!; iit j}c
CAPTAIN SCOTT UPDIKE AND OTHERS.
Snow & Fisk were in the book and stationery business in
the Cooper Block. They sold out to Sidney L. Rood in 1838, who
continued the business.
Josiah Snow was a short, fat man, quite genial and endowed
with a wonderful amount of energy. He was engaged in so many
outside ventures that he had no time to devote to the book busi-
ness. The last I knew of him was fifteen or twenty years ago;
he was then engaged in laying telegraph wires in New York state.
He never during his waking hours was without a cigar in his
mouth, but it was rarely ever lit. I think Snow married Fisk's
sister.
Scott W. Updike was a nephew of Josiah Snow. If there
are any members of the old Brady Guard alive, they must remem-
ber Updike, the trim-built, prompt soldier; indeed, citizens of
1837 and later, who are alive now, cannot fail to remember Scott
Updike, who was as well known as the ''town pump."
At a military encampment, held in Cleveland, one Fourth of
July, and many days thereafter, Scott Updike, then of Rochester,
N. Y., was present with a company from that city, of which he
was the captain, and a fine company it was. It was a very large
encampment, comprising companies from various states, and in
fine discipline and condition. Captain Updike invited myself and
Dr. Lucretius H. Cobb to be his guests during the show. We
went, and the captain gave us the time of our lives. I never can
forget it. I have forgotten the year of the encampment, but it
must have been in the late forties.
During this encampment the city of Cleveland entertained
894 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
the officers connected with it and a few prominent citizens at a
•banquet given at the principal hotel in the city at that time. The
doctor and I, not being encampment officers, nor prominent cit-
izens of Cleveland, did not have any show for an invitation, but
Charles, Noble, a native of Monroe, Mich., and a friend of our
boyhood days, happened, luckily, to be Cleveland's city attorney
at the time and it was he who piloted us safely in. He also kindly
included in the invitation a friend of ours from Saginaw, Colonel
Little. It was a swell affair and no discount. Champagne flowed
like water.
Charles Noble later on removed to this city and went into the
real estate business. He had for a partner George L. Frost.
Hosts of people will remember them.
Sidney L. Rood, before he bought out Snow & Fisk, was in
the bookbinding and blank book manufacturing business in the
old wooden building on the northeast corner of Jefferson Avenue
and Griswold Street. Rood and A. H. Stowel had been, the year
or so before, associated together in the book business. In a for-
mer article I mentioned Rood at considerable length.
'I* *!* '**
Rufus Brown was a wholesale grocer, wine and spirit mer-
chant at 83 Jefferson Avenue, opposite the residence of Joseph
Campau. Brown came here from Albion, N. Y., in the early
thirties, and with him Dr. J. B. Scovill, though I do not know if
the latter came from Albion or not. He was the contemporary of
Alfred Cox, Kintzing Pritchette, Governor Stevens T. Mason,
Isaac Rowland, Franklin Sawyer, George C. Bates, E. A. Lan-
sing, Humes Porter, Jacob M. Howard, Dr. Farnsworth, Alfred
Brush, Major Lewis Cass, J. Nicholson Elbert and others. iVfter
a period he quit the grocery and liquor business, studied medicine
and surgery under Dr. Scovill, and was admitted to practice. He
never practiced the profession, but went into the drug, medicine,
fine grocery and liquor business. After continuing in this awhile
he sold out to Higby & Dickinson ; they in turn sold out to Higby
& Stearns. Dr. Brown after this took a trip to Europe, spending
some time in England and on the continent. On his return to
Detroit he became a gentleman of elegant leisure, and so remained
until his death. He married late in life a lady who I think was
related to Mrs. DeWitt C. Holbrook and Mrs. General F. W.
Swift. She was an estimable woman and made him a devoted
BUSINIvSS MEN OF SEVENTY YEARS AGO. 895
wife. They had three children, two girls and one boy. One of
the daughters, Jessie, a charming girl, died just on the verge of
womanhood, casting a gloom over the members of the circle in
which she moved, one of whom was my eldest daughter. They
were the. closest friends, and had been from their childhood. The
parents felt the blow most keenly. The doctor, after enjoying an
almost uninterrupted period of good health, died after a brief
illness. His widow and the two remaining children removed to
Albion, N. Y.
Dr. Brown had two brothers, one, Joseph, a surgeon in the
United States army, and the other, Robert H., a member of the
Detroit bar. The doctor was possessed of elegant manners,
always a gentleman, ever at his ease and a faultless dresser. What
wonder is it that during his early bachelor life his society should
be courted by all with whom he came in contact? He was of the
set of beaux who fluttered around the belles of that day, including
among their number the Misses Cass, Mason, Brooks, Cornelia
Piatt (daughter of Attorney-General Zepheniah Piatt), Emma
Schwarz, Isabella Norvell and others. Dr. Scovill and Dr.
Brown were most assiduous in their attentions to the Misses
Mason for quite a period. As an evidence of the gallantry shown
by Dr. Brown, I will relate an incident that occurred one after-
noon when the former was parading on Jeflferson Avenue in com-
pany with Miss Emily Mason. The unpaved streets were a little
muddy, particularly on the crossings. When they reached Gris-
wold Street, at what was then called Sherlock's corner, the. doctor
observed that the gutter was in no fit condition to accommodate
the daintily-booted feet of his fair companion, though beyond it
was all O. K., so he drew from his pocket his ample white linen
handkerchief and, emulating Sir Walter Raleigh when escorting
Queen Elizabeth under similar conditions (though Sir Walter
used his cloak), spread it on the ground over the muddy spot,
and the lady passed on with boots unsoiled. T happened to be an
eye-witness.
The doctor' also had a desperate flirtation with Miss Belle
Cass. So warm did it get that the general, fearing it might have
amatrimonial termination, set his face against it decidedly, which
put a stop to it. I do not know why the general opposed it ; pre-
sumably, he hoped for a better mate for his daughter, though the
doctor was desirable in every way except financially. T often
896 i:arIvY days in Detroit.
heard the doctor allude to the affair in an amused sort of a way.
The doctor and myself were always intimate, though he was some
years older, especially during the latter years of his life, from
1868 until his death.
The foregoing was written many months ago, long before
Miss Emily Mason had brought to fulfillment her dream of
bringing the remains of her brother, the "Boy Governor of Mich-
igan," to 'rest forever beneath the soil of the city and state he had
loved so well. What a reunion it would have been, if, on that 4th
of June, the parties I have mentioned above could have been pres-
ent. All are now dead but Miss Mason.
Dr. Brown and Major Cass were always intimate friends.
* * *
E. Steel was teller in the Bank of Michigan. He was the
father of Albert Steel and the brother of the late Mrs. A. H. Dey.
His widow, a charming lady, married Mr. Oaks, who for many
years operated a saw mill at St. Clair. It was said that she was
the love of his early youth, and from some cause best known to
themselves, Mr. Steel came out ahead. Old members of the
Audubon Club will remember Mr. Oaks, I know.
John and Simeon Leake were tellers in the Farmers and
Mechanics Bank. They came here from Albany, and had seen
service in the Albany City Bank. They were bright young men,
with pleasant manners, and were soon initiated into society,
which was quite gay at that time. They were great favorites with
all. They remained here in the bank for three or four years, and
then returned to Albany and to the service of the bank from which
they came, where" I saw them in 1843.
Mrs. Johnson, a widow, had a small grocery at 22. Griswold
Street at the corner of the alley. It was in an old wooden build-
ing belonging to Joseph Campau. It is a source of great pleas-
ure to me to say a few kindly words in remembrance of this
motherly woman. She was the especial favorite of all the young
boys that lived anywhere near her. She catered to their tastes
in the way of pies, turn-overs, and cakes; also candies, fire-
crackers, marbles, tops, etc. Besides she had an ear for all the
little* troubles that boys will have, which endeared her to them
more than anything else. She got the most of our spare change,
of course, but the loss of that did not worry us; the wish was that
it could have been more. After a while she moved to the corner
busine:ss me:n of* seventy years ago. 897
of the alley between Jefferson Avenue and Larned Street, on
Shelby, before Ike Flowers occupied it. She continued in the
same business there. What became of her I do not know. She
had a son, engaged in some lucrative employment, who lived with
her, and he, I believe, looked after her in her decHning years.
What fun we did used to have at good old Mrs. Johnson's. The
memory of it and of the good old soul cannot be wiped out.
2|C ^ >{v
OIvD BUSINESS HOUSES.
S. W. Higgins had an office in the Museum building, south-
east corner Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street. He was a
surveyor, a most prompt and energetic man and thoroughly up in
his profession. He built the first house on the Witherell farm,
north of Gratiot Street. It was an attractive cottage, situated
some distance back from the street in the then dense woods. He
used to call it the "Higgins Retreat." Perhaps there are some
living who will remember him.
Thomas J. Hulbert was in 1837 assistant cashier of the Bank
of Michigan. How long he retained this position I do not know,
but presume, imtil the bank went out of existence. The next that
I remember of him he was in the ice business here, and after that
he was in the paymaster-general's office, Washington. General
B. F. Larned was paymaster-general. The latter was stationed
here many years as major and paymaster, U. S. A. Mr. Hulbert
married a daughter of Colonel Gad Humphrey, U. S. A. Colonel
Humphrey's wife was the sister of General Larned. After Gen-
eral Larned's death, Mr. Hulbert entered the office of Mr. Spin-
ner, treasurer of the United States, Washington, in which office
he remained until his death. Mr. Henry P. Sanger, of this city,
married a daughter of Mr. Hulbert.
In this connection. Major B. F. Larned, way long In the
early days married the widow of a son of Elkanah Watson
(Joseph B. Watson), the grandfather of Eugene W. and James
B. Watson, late of this city.
Nathan Goodell, before 1827, was steward of the steamboat
Henry Clay. He left the Clay and started a restaurant on Wood-
ward Avenue, opposite the old market. Lemuel Goodell, his
brother, came here in 1828 and hired out to Nathan. When the
latter went into the mercantile business Lemuel purchased his
57
898 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
interest in the restaurant and carried it on until about 1830, when
he sold out and became steward of the steamer Henry Clay, and
remained there through 183 1. He was at one time justice of the
peace, also deputy sherifif under John Wilson, and succeeded him
in that office about 1832-3. He was also warden of the state
prison under Governor John S. Berry, in ^842. He married Per-
sus McMillan, daughter of the widow McMillan, and sister of
Ananias. I think he went to live with a son in Oshkosh, Wis.
Thomas O. Hill was teller in the Michigan State Bank, of
which F. H. Stevens was president and John Norton, Jr., cashier.
He was the brother of G. & J. G. Hill, grocers and druggists.
Mr. Hill and his wife were a handsome couple, the latter a lovely
character. Presumably many will remember them. They had
one daughter who, in after years, married Frank C. Markham,
of the bookselling firm of Markham & Bros. v
Horace Hallock and Francis Ra^Tnond had a clothing store
on the southwest corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues.
William A. Raymond, a brother of the latter, came on and joined
them in the business. William A. was a very clever, bright young
man. He was quite gifted as a sketch artist and made many
spirited sketches of Detroit and vicinity as they appeared at that
time. The late R. E. Roberts gave some of them publicity in his
articles on Detroit in the early days. He died quite early.
It is not necessary to dilate on dear old Horace Hallock, the
saintly man, as he so recently passed to his reward. Mr. Frances
Raymond is with us yet, and *'to the fore," I am happy to record.
There was a Mr. and Mrs. Harvey keeping a bake shop in
18 1 5, Mr. McCabe's directory says on Jefferson Avenue, between
Woodward Avenue and Bates Street, east side (where Lamson's
store was). The house was moved to Woodbridge Street about
1827, and became the United States Hotel, where it remained as
such for a long period of years. Perhaps the wife of this Mr.
Harvey may have been the Mrs. Harvey who helped one Sam
Kenton and his three companions to escape from the fort, before
1805.
De Mill & Goodell (Alex.) were dealers in groceries and
provisions at No. 155 Jefferson Avenue and Bates Street. They
were the successors of Campbell & Goodell. Henry M. Campbell
was the father of Judge Jas. M. Campbell. Peter E. De Mill has
been mentioned at length in a former article. Goodell had a
!jusiness me:n of se:ve:nty years ago. , 899
brother (Elijah) who was clerk (later on) for H. P. Baldwin,
who was quite a stirring, go ahead individual. He it was that
was mainly instrumental in getting up the movement through
which the name Hog Island was changed to that of Belle Isle, in
honor of Miss Belle Cass.
The Watsons, Johnsons, Andres, Clarks, Ords and Whipples
all at one time lived in the vicinity of the intersection of Larned
and Randolph Streets. The Watsons, were John, James and
Thomas, and a sister. They lived with the mother, a widow.
John and James were dry goods merchants in the Republican
Block, Jefferson Avenue. Thomas was a lawyer. The daughter
married Judge O'Flynn. John married a daughter of Peter God-
froy. James married a daughter of Whittemore Knaggs, and-
removed to Saginaw. John continued the business here. John-
son, who was related to the Watsons, commanded the Michigan
cavalry at the battle of Monguagon, 8th August, 1812, as men-
tioned in former article. The Andres and Clarks and Whipples
I have mentioned in a former article.
Major Elias C. Andre, one of the Andre family, and born
here, died in this city not very long ago. He passed most of his
life among the Indians in northern Michigan. Was also engaged
in lumbering. He, it was said, amassed quite a fortune, but unfor-
tunately investments took it all or nearly all away from him. He
was quite an inventor, and patented many inventions. I knew
him here when he was quite a boy of 16 years.
* * H:
JOHN COLUNS, CHAUNCEY HULBERT, ET AI..
A prominent resident here in 1827, and some years after,
whom I have omitted to mention, and who influenced the advent
here of two individuals who became distinguished citizens of
Detroit, was John Collins. He came here in 1820, bringing with
him his cousin, Daniel Goodwin, and later (1825) he induced
another cousin, Chauncey Hulbert, to cast his lot in this city.
Collins was quartermaster of the Kentucky Rifle Brigade in the
war of 18 1 2, and was present at the massacre of the Raisin. He
settled in Detroit after the war and engaged in merchandizing and
the manufacture of soap and candles and the packing of pork and
beef. He supplied the government posts on this frontier for
many years after the war of 1812. He had large transactions
900 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT."
with John Hale (Hale & Bristol) and the Palmers (Friend and
Thomas), who were also extensively in the soap and candle
business.
Collins had a partner by the name of Woolsey (another
cousin of his). They continued in business quite a while, until
disaster overtook them, and failure was the result. This hap-
pened in 1836. What became of Woolsey I do not know. Collins
retired to the Goodwin, now the Chestnut ridge, farm. He died
in 1875. Woolsey left two sons; one, Melancthon, was a school-
mate of mine. I subsequentl}' lost sight of him. The other son
was adopted by Lawyer Daniel Goodwin, and was known in the
family as "little Dan." 'Xittle Dan" took the name of Daniel
Goodwin, adopted the law as a profession and became a distin-
guished member of the Chicago bar. He died only two or three
years ago.
John Collins lived w^hile in Detroit on the northeast corner
of Bates and Woodbridge Streets. A daughter of his, Lucretia
Goodwin Collins, born in 1830, is the mother of Benj. F. Com-
fort, principal of the Cass School. Daniel Goodwin was for many
years United States district attorney for Michigan, was subse-
quently appointed district judge, and served repeatedly in the
Legislature. He was president of the constitutional convention of
1850. He appeared for the people in 1851 in the great trial
known as the railroad conspiracy case. He was judge of the
Circuit Court for the northern peninsula of Michigan, and I
think he held this office at the time of his death.
The first knowledge I had of Chauncey Hulbert, he was in
partnership with Jerry Dean in the saddlery and harness trade.
A burn-out in 1832 dissolved the partnership. His subsequent
career is too well known for me to expatiate on it ; suffice it to
say that his services in the interest of the city water works, and
his munificent endiowment of Water Works Park, will endear his
memory to the citizens of Detroit forever.
I was up at the water works for half a day last summer,
admiring the lovely park and its miniature lakes, and also lingered
for an hour in the power house and watched the almost noiseless
movements of the iX)nderous pumping engine. While contem-
plating it with wonder, I could not help contrasting it with the
small affair, with its clatter, that used to do the pumping for the
Detroit Hydraulic works, which was located on Woodbridge
BUSINESS MEN OE SEVENTY YEARS AGO. 9OI
Street in the rear of Edgar's sugar house, and forced the water
up into its reservoir at the southeast corner of Fort and Wayne
Streets. I could not help being reminded, also, of the water
works of Farrand & Davis, the wooden pump at the foot of Ran-
dolph Street, and the miniature wooden reservoir at the corner
of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street, where is now the water
office.
* >ij *
The Baggs flourished here sixty years ago. John S. Bagg,
of Bagg & Harmon, Dr. Joseph H. Bagg, A. Smith Bagg, Silas
A. Bagg. Hosts of people will remember this family, though
most of them have left us. John S. was the editor and one of the
proprietors of the Detroit Free Press. A. Smith had a book and
stationery store on Woodward Avenue, on the east side, between
Jefferson Avenue and Woodforidge Street. He continued there
for some years, then removed to Jefferson Avenue, just above
King's corner. With him at this time was P. R. L. Pierce, who
afterwards removed to Grand Rapids, became quite prominent
there, was county clerk, member of the Legislature, etc.
I do not know how long A. Smith Bagg continued in the
book business. The last I knew of him he was a farmer out
Woodward Avenue, just beyond the railroad crossing. He was
a very genial, companionable man, bubbling over with good
spirits. He died not so many years ago. I do not know how
many children he left. I knew only one — Charley Bagg, for many
years until his death, the efficient and popular clerk of the Record-
er's Court, and like his father, one of the most genial and com-
panionable of men, as many will call to mind,
John S. Bagg, I did not know much about. He always
appeared to me cold and austere, as a newspaper editor ought to
be, I suppose; though I have been told that he was easy of
approach and most kind. His daughter is the wife of Mr. Geo.
H. Russell, the banker.
Silas A. was county register for two terms, I think.
Dr. Joseph H. Bagg was quite prominent in his profession.
Mrs. Bagg, his wife, was first cousin to the late Thos. C. Sheldon,
Dr. Randall S. Rice, the first Mrs. Dr. Pitcher, Mrs. Sheldon
McKnight, and Mr. John P. Sheldon, who in conjunction with
Mr. E. Reed conducted the Detroit Ga^zette. Mrs. Bagg when a
girl attended the female seminary at Clinton, Oneida County,
902 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
N. Y. There was then at Clinton a preparatory school for boys in
connection with Hamilton College, which was also in that village.
The girls and boys of the two institutions often took their meals
together at the same boarding house, and Mrs. Bagg well remem-
bered taking her meals there at the same table with three sprightly
young gentlemen who hailed from Detroit. These were Sproat
Sibley, Edmund A. Brush and Peter Desnoyers, all well known
Detroit names in the early days.
Dr. Bagg and his wife came here in 1838, and it took a full
week to come by steamer from Buffalo to Detroit. He was
appointed surgeon of the expedition (1839), to remove the Chip-
pewa Indians beyond the Mississippi. The doctor also made sev-
eral voyages of exploration into the Lake Superior country. His
companions in one of those expeditions, were the follow'ing, then
familiar names : Lucius Lyon, Dr. Douglas Houghton, Jonas H.
Titus, Omar D. Conger, and Anthony Ten Eyck. They made the
entire circuit of the lake in birch-bark canoes. The doctor was
the father of Hon. B. Rush Bagg, member of the Detroit bar, and
who was for years known as the efficient police justice of DetroiU
It will perhaps be remembered by some, that when he ran for
that office the last time, as a party candidate, it was ascertained
about noon on election day that the "roughs" were making a
strong effort to defeat him, so the respectable portion of the elec-
tors, without distinction to party, rallied to his support and elected
him by a strong majority. He died young.
Dr. Bagg lived on the northeast corner of Brush and Macomb
Streets for eighteen years after his removal from Woodward
Avenue. He was for one term what was then known as "side
judge" of the Circuit Court. He was a member of the common
council of Detroit for two or more terms, and member of the
State Constitutional Convention of 1850. He w^as also judge of
probate of Wayne County for four years, from 1853 to 1857.
Rush Bagg married one of the daughters of Lyman Baldwin
(sister of Mrs. William B. Wesson), one of the most beautiful
women that ever lived in Detroit. She, too, died young. It is
said the doctor originated and carried through the common coun-
cil the celebrated resolution of order to tear down the house of
the notorious "Peggy Welch" as a public nuisance. It was torn
down by order of the council by Alex. H. Stowell, then marshal
of Detroit. I have alluded to this incident at greater length in
BUSINESS MEN OF SEVENTY YEARS AGO. 903
a former article. Of all the members of the Bagg family it was
generally conceded that John S. was the head and front and
received the most consideration. The events of his long and hon-
orable life are of public record.
BUSINESS BUILDINGS SIXTY YEARS AGO.
Business buildings that stood in Detroit sixty years ago have
gone out of existence, except the Abbott Block, corner of Gris-
wold and Atwater ; Desnoyers building, northwest corner of Jef-
ferson Avenue and Bates Street; Shelden Block (now WilHs
Block), Jefferson Avenue (west side), between Griswold and
Shelby Streets; White buildings (now Waverly Block), opposite
Michigan Exchange. The others were commercial buildings, west
side Woodward Avenue, between Jefferson Avenue and Larned
Street ; Connor's building, northeast corner Jefferson Avenue and
Bates Street ; King's building, corner of Jefferson and Wood-
ward Avenues ; Law buildings, corner Woodward Avenue and
Woodbridge Street ; Republican Hall, where Edson, Moore & Co.
now are; Smart buildings (Merrill Block) ; Wardell Block, south-
east corner Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge Street, a portion
still standing.
Harsha and Chas. Willcox had a book and job printing office
at No. 80 Sheldon Block (up stairs). Harsha was the father of
Walter Harsha, so well and favorably known. He was an exceed-
ingly well read man, quiet and unobtrusive, great in argument.
He was one of the learned crowd that used to gather at Rood's
book store and discuss the affairs of the nation. Joseph Campau
and he were great friends. I have often' seen the two together in
the printing office, discussing the Catholic Church, priesthood,
etc. Chas. Willcox was the brother of E. N. and General O. B„
Willcox.
Atkinson & Godfrey were house, ship and sign painters.
Woodward Avenue, east' side, one door above Atwater. Both
partners were jolly, genial men and quite conspicuous in the busy
life of the city, and enthusiastic members of the volunteer fire
department. Many no doubt will remember Jerry Godfrey well,
as I do. The firm after this was, I think, Godfrey & Dean.
William Cole was sailmaker and rigger, corner Woodward
Avenue and Atwater Street. Perhaps some will call to mind this
bluff, hearty sailmaker.
904 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Smith, Glover & Dwight (R. G. Smith, Henry Glover, A. A.
Dwight) had foreign and domestic dry goods at No. 118 Jeffer-
son Avenue.
J. W. Tillman had a fine stock of -furniture at 69 and 71
Jefferson Avenue, opposite the Michigan Exchange.- J. W. Till-
man was quite a factor in the life of Detroit, both in business and
socially. At the breaking out of tlie Civil War he was very much
interested in military affairs. He was quite active in the organi-
zation of the Lancer Regiment, was temporary colonel until Col-
onel Arthur Rankin, an English-Canadian, and capable officer
from Windsor, Canada, was commissioned as its colonel, this in
1862. It was recruited mainly from Canada. It was mustered
into service with the maximum number, fully equipped, with the
exception of horses. It would have left the state for the field in
fine condition, but was disbanded by order of the war department,
contrary to the repeated protests of the governor, and without
giving any reason for such procedure, losing to the service of the
Union a remarkably fine regiment of officers and men. The late
W. G. Thompson was an officer in this regiment. Lieutenant H.
M. Whittlesey, quartermaster of the camp of instruction at Fort
Wayne in 1861, and after quartermaster of the freedman's bureau,
under General O. O. Howard, U. S. A., was a brother-in-law of
Tillman's, the latter marrying the sister of the former. Will Till-
man, a son, was major and paymaster of volunteers during the
Civil War. He now resides at Louisville, Ky.
Colonel Tillman married for his second wife, Miss Martha
Conant, of Monroe, Mich. After Colonel Tillman's demise, his
widow married General A. G. Williams, then member of Congress
from Michigan. ■ '
Frederick Wetmore had a crockery store at 125 Eldred,
Block, north side of Jefferson Avenue. Scores of the present day
will remember Fred W>tmore, also his nephew, Charles H., men
of character and strict integrity.
They afterwards moved to Woodward Avenue, north side,
between Lamed and Congress.
George E. Egner had a confectionery store and ice cream
parlors at 172 Jefferson Avenue. They were generously patron-
ized by our first citizens, and everything furnished was of the
highest order.
James Stewart had copper, tin and sheet iron ware, stoves.
busine:ss mkn of seventy years ago. 905
etc., at No. 83 Woodward Avenue. Stewart was at one time a
partner in the same business with M. F. Dickinson, brother-in-
law of William B. Wesson. Mr. Stewart was an enthusiastic
member of the old fire department, a most estimable man and a
good citizen.
William T. Pease was forwarding and commission merchant,
foot of First Street. He was also agent for the Troy & Erie line.
Earlier than this Pease had been captain of several steamers ply-
ing between here and Buffalo. He and his clerk, Charles Har-
rington, were immensely popular with the traveling public, and
deservedly so.
Charles Howard & Co. were forwarding and commission
merchants at the foot of First Street, also they were agents for
many eastern transportation lines. Charles Howard was at one
time mayor of the city, and was one of the first projectors of the
Detroit & Pontiac Railroad. He built two enormous warehouses,
where is now the Grand Trunk depot. One of them was occupied*
by Brewster & Dudgeon. During the Civil War he invented a
musket, not a breech loader exactly, but the cartridge was inserted
through an aperture in the side of the barrel. He called it the
''Thunderbolt." The war department looked upon it with some
favor, but with not sufficient to adopt it. What became of it I
never knew. Many will remember Mr. Howard, one of the very
best of men.
N. T. Ludden had domestic and fancy goods, also dry gro-
ceries, at No. 96 Jefferson Avenue and corner of Woodward and
State Street. Ludden was at one time sheriff of Wayne County.
His son is, I think, city or county surveyor.
John I. Herrick had books, stationery and paper hangings
at 98 Jefferson Avenue, where the Conant Block now is. Her-
rick also had a circulating library, the first of the kind here of any
account. It filled a long felt want and was well patronized.
Theodore H. Eaton had groceries, drugs, medicines, dye
stuffs, etc., at 188 and 190 Jefferson Avenue. It is needless to
say, I presume, that his son (Theodore H. Eaton) is now in the
same business, but not in the same locality.
THL OLD TLN LYCK TAVERN.
FAMOUS WAYSIDE INN AT DEARBORN, WHERE PIONEER
TRAVELERS FOUND WELCOME SHELTER IN
MICHIGAN'S EARLY DAYS.
THE recent destruction by fire of the ancient stables, formerly
a part of the "Old Ten Eyck Tavern" at Dearborn, oblit-
erates one of the very few remaining local landmarks of the
early pioneer days of Michigan.
The Old Ten Eyck Tavern stood for over fifty years on the
Chicago road, about nine miles west of Detroit, at a point on the
banks of the River Rouge where the ancient highway forks — the
southerly branch running westerly to Saline, Adrian and so on,
and the northerly branch, known as. the Howell road, running to
Ionia and Grand Rapids.
It was a typical wayside pioneer tavern, spacious, substantial
and comfortable, and in some respects the most memorable and
illustrious one in Michigan.
The old barn or stable, which stood just across the street and
which burned to the ground a few nights ago, was perhaps equally
famous, for it afforded shelter to the pioneer teams and also to
many of the men, for the house itself was generally filled to over-
flowing with the women members of that great stream of pioneers
that surged westward from the city about 1820 and 1840.
If the reader will glance through the volumes of the Mich-
igan Pioneer and Historical Collection, he will find more refer-
ences to the Old Ten Eyck Tavern than to any other hostelry.
Indeed, almost every settler in the southern and southeastern por-
tion of the state who has there left a record of the memorable
wagon journey westward from Detroit refers in almost affec-
tionate terms to the Old Ten Eyck Tavern at Dearborn.
There is good reason for this, for it was at this house that
those hardy and hopeful pioneers passed their first night after
THi: OLD TEN e:yCK TAVERN. 907
plunging into the wilderness on their long-contemplated journey
by wagon and ox team to their new homes in the wild and glori-
ous west.
To appreciate the attitude of mind in which those hardy
travelers approached the Old Ten Eyck Tavern, one should
remember that they had come to Detroit by boat from Buffalo,
where they had gathered from various parts of New York and
other eastern states, full of expectanc}^ and hope and intense
interest, and some perhaps not without an occasional misgiving
and even a shade of fear and dread.
THE JOURNEY THROUGH THE WOODS.
Arriving at Detroit, they at once set about fitting out for the
long-expected journey through the woods. Getting an early
morning start, they would proceed out "Michigan Avenue, then
called the Chicago road, but would not get farther than to where
the Clippert brick yards now are located before they struck the
''swamp" and its attendant calamities.
The ''thirty-mile swamp," as it was called, extended from
just west of Detroit nearly to Ypsilanti. It was not really a
swamp, for it yielded perfectly to subsequent drainage, being a
low, level, heavily-timbered and very wet plateau, broken only by
the sandy and gently-rising banks of the River Rouge. On one
of these sandy knolls, the Old Ten Eyck Tavern stood, a welcom-
ing beacon to the anxious traveler journeying over the corduroy
or floundering hub-deep in the thick and sticky mud. Not a
house nor habitation had they seen during that first long, hard
day of struggle through the somber, elm-shaded, swampy trail.
It is a forty-minute ride by trolley now, but in those days the
stage or emigrant wagons that made it in a day did well.
Emerging at nightfall as the sun cast its setting rays upon
the broad facade of the substantial old tavern, and greeted by the
genial beams of its famous proprietor, "Old Coon" Ten Eyck, as
he was affectionately called, the weary pilgrims began to feel
something of the glow of that fellow feeling which makes us
wondrous kind.
"Sally, have some more wolf steak put on," Old Coon would
call out in a cheery voice, as each new load of hungry pilgrims
would drive up.
908 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Sally was the proprietor's wife, and, like him, one of the
famous characters of those early days. Many years later I knew
her well, a dear, kindly old lady in white cap and prim kerchief.
She had been long blind, but her mental faculties were keen, and
she was full of interesting reminiscences of the olden time.
GENIAL old' "coon" TEN EYCK.
Conrad Ten Eyck was accounted one of the prominent men
of Detroit as long ago as 1815. He was United States marshal
for Michigan, and, I think, the first sheriff of Wayne County
when that county embraced the greater part of the lower penin-
sula. He came here from Albany, N. Y., being a member of
the old Ten Eyck family of that city. He was a very genial and
shrewd man. When the stream of settlers surged into lower
Michigan, he went out to where the Chicago road crossed the
Rouge River, afterward called Dearbornville, and built the "Old
Ten Eyck Tavern" about 1820. The location selected was a
happy one. The tavern and its business prospered. All the pion-
eers had money. Land speculation was rife. Conrad got his
share. All his descendants were left well off. His oldest son, the
late William Ten Eyck, died about twelve years ago, one of the
very wealthy men of the county. The Ten Eyck farm at Dear-
born originally contained several thousand acres. Mr. George
Hendrie bought five hundred acres of it twenty or twenty-five
years ago for $100,000, and still owns it. A part of a farm at^
Grosse Pointe owned by the Ten Eyck family is now the site of
the Country Club.
The pleasantry about the "wolf steak" was one of "Old
Coon's" stock jokes. He was w^ont to perpetrate it upon the new-
comers, perhaps for the purpose of awing the juvenile pioneers.
Once a particularly pretty and jolly girl emigrant, coming out of
the tavern dining-room, with the taste of the juicy Ten Eyck
lamb chops still in her mouth, asked, "And have I really eaten
wolf steak?"
"Surely, my pretty miss," replied Old Coon.
"Then I suppose I am a wolverine," exclaimed the fair
traveler.
"That you are," said Mr. Ten Eyck, "and will be from this
on !"
The remark caught the ears of some gallant young swains
the; old ten eyck tavern. 909
who forthwith claimed that they, too, were wolverines, doubtless
wishing' to be as much like their fair fellow traveler as possible.
So the nickname "caught on" and was passed along, and in time
the settlers, after they had passed the Old Ten Eyck Tavern,
came to call themselves "wolverines."
Whether this was the origin of the term "Wolverine State,"
the official nickname of the state of Michigan, I do not know for
a certainty, but Clarence Burton does.
REMEMBERS THE OLD DAYS.
The writer spent an evening recently with Mrs. Sarah Ten
Eyck Tompkins, widow of the late Daniel D. Tompkins, of Dear-
born, who is the only surviving member of Conrad Ten Eyck's
large family. She was born at the Ten Eyck homestead adjoining
the Old Ten Eyck Tavern in 1828. She remembers distinctly the
exciting times of her childhood when the old tavern was filled to
overflowing with the wayfaring settlers bound for their new
homes.
"Many a night," she remarked, "have I seen every floor in
the house covered wuth the sleeping women and children of the
pioneer travelers, while the men and boys took refuge in the lofts
of the tavern barn or camped in or under the wagons clustered
about the yard or along the roadside.
"No, I do not think we ever cooked wolf meat. Father was
very fond of a joke. I often heard him telling with solemn awe
about the wildcats and wolves that were wont to prowl around at
night.
"Father gave up the tavern while I was still quite young, and
rented it to Dr. King, who ran it for many years, but as our house
was so near by, we always knew what was going on.
"There were eight children of us, six girls and two' boys,
and all grew up and lived to good age, but I am the only one left.
The generation that witnessed the trials and triumphs of those
thrilling pioneer days is rapidly passing. They were interesting
days. Their like will never come again."
MARRIAGE AND DLATH NOTICES.
The marriage and death notices mentioned below were furnished to
the Detroit News by Mr. C. M. Burton some months ago. I have repro-
duced them, and have added to each some personal recollections of the
parties which may give them more interest than a plain notice would
possess. Friend Palmer.
MARRIAGES and deaths of prominent people. Notices
taken from the Detroit Gazette, 1820- 182 1 :
March 24 — Married at St. Clair, Jas. Fulton, Esqr., sheriff
of the County of Macomb, to Miss Hannah Thorn.
Note — James Fulton, who married Miss Thorn, sister of John
Thorn, of Port Huron (Black River), was the original owner of
the ground on which the city of St. Clair is platted, and from
whom the Palmers (Friend and Thomas) acquired it. Abraham
Cook, of Detroit (Cook farm) also married a Miss Thorn. John
Thorn was the original owner of the site of Port Huron, and was
a "high roller" in the early days.
Captain Gleason, U. S. A., married Miss Hunt January, 1820.
Sister of Henry I. and Wm. B. Hunt.
Note: — The captain died at Fort Mackinac March 27, 1820.
The widow married Tunis G. Wendell, merchant, this city. Mrs.
Gleason gave the name of ''Lover's Lane" to that lovely driveway
which once existed on the outskirts of the city, in the vicinity of
Fort Wayne. Mrs. George E. Curtis, 45 Madison Avenue, is a
daughter of the Wendells. Her sister, another daughter, Mrs.
V. Wendell Doolittle, of Chicago, is spending the present winter
(1906) with her.
November 22, 1820 — Died near Sandwich, U. C, Mrs.
Archange, Askin, aged 71 years. She was a native of Detroit,
lived much respected and died without an enemy.
Note: — Mrs. Askin was the mother of Mrs. Colonel Brush,
who was the mother of Mr. Edward A. Brush, this city. Colonel
Brush had a command under General William Hull.
November 30, 1820. — Married in Williamson, Ontario
County, N. Y., Jeremiah Moores, of this city, to Miss Sophronia
Kelly.
marriage: and deiath notices. - 911
NoTi; — Jerr}- Moores was a master stone and brick mason.
He was one of the city magnates in the early days, with Levi
Cook, Judge Caniff, OHver Newberry and others.
December 24, 1820. — Married, in this city, by Rev. Mr. Mon-
teith, Mr. David Cooper to Miss Lovicy Mack.
Note — Miss Mack was the daughter of Stephen Mack, of the
firm of Mack & Conant (Shubael), extensive merchants here
before the destruction of the city by fire in 1805. Mr. David
Cooper was later a prominent merchant^and capitalist. He was
the father of Rev. David M. Cooper, the widely-known and
respected divine.
December 25, 1820. — Married, by Rev. J. M. Monteith, Cap-
tain Henry Whiting, Fifth United States infantry, to Miss Eliza
Macomb.
Note — Captain Henry Whiting was United States quar-
termaster, stationed at Detroit. He continued on duty here until
the breaking out of the Mexican war, when he was ordered into
the field. His wife was the sister of General Alexander Macomb,
United States army.
On the same day and by the same minister. Lieutenant Aeneas
Mackay, corps of United States artillery, to Miss Ann Macomb.
Note — Miss Macomb was a sister of Mrs. Whiting.
January 18, 1821. — Married, in this city, by Rev. John
Monteith, Mr. Benjamin B. Kerchival to Miss Maria Forsyth.
Note — Miss Forsyth was the sister of Major Robert A. For-
syth, paymaster U. S. A. Mr. Kerchival was a prominent citizen
and merchant here for many years.
February 2, 1821. — Died, at Chicago, 27th December last,
Miss Maria Dodemead, of this city.
Note — Miss Dodemead, who died at Chicago, was the sister
of Mrs. Charles Jackson, of Detroit. The Dodemeads owned for
years the southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Shelby Street.
February 16, 1821. — Married at Hudson, N. Y., Dr. John L.
Whiting, of this place, to Miss Harriet C. Tallman, daughter of
Dr. M. John Tallman, mayor of that city.
Note — Dr. Whiting came directly to this city with his bride.
912 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
He was a prominent citizen here for many years. Was eminent
in his profession and rendered most efficient service during the
cholera seasons that visited Detroit. He is well and favorably
remembered.
June I, 1 82 1. — Married, in this city, Sunday evening, by Rev.
John Monteith, Mr. Eben Beach to Miss Elizabeth M. Owen, both
of this city.
Note — Mr. Beach was of the firm of Willcox & Beach,
hatters. Willcox was the father of Eben N. and General O. B.
Willcox. Miss Owen was the sister of Mr. John Owen. Mr.
Beach was the father of Eben Beach, the capitalist, who was a
resident of Lafayette Avenue for many years and died on that
street not many years ago. I think he has a daughter yet living
in Pontiac.
"old oaken bucket/'
March 30, 182 1. — Married, Sunday evening last, by Rev.
John Monteith, Mr. William Russell to Miss Abbey Woodworth.
Note — Miss Woodworth was the sister of Benj. Woodworth,
who kept the Steamboat hotel that was on the northwest corner of
Woodbridge and Randolph Streets. She was also sister of Sam
Woodrworth, author of the "Old Oaken Bucket." Uncle William
Russell lived for many years until 1837, on the southeast corner of
Hastings and Woodbridge Streets.
April 3, 1 82 1. — Married at Hudson, N. Y., in the evening,
A. G. Whitney, Esq., of this city, to Miss Anne Eliza, daughter of
John Tallman, Esq., formerly mayor of the former city.
Note — Miss Tallman was the sister of Mrs. Dr. M. J. L.
Whiting. Mr. Whitney's name is often seen in the early public
records of Wayne County.
May 3, 1 82 1. — Married, by Rev. John Montieth, Lieutenant
John Mellen, of the U. S. corps of artillery, to Miss Elizabeth
Scott, all of this city.
Note — Charles Mellen, a son of theirs, was well known here
in the forties and fifties. The Smarts, the Williams's and the
McKinstrys were always great friends of the Mellens.
MARRIAGE AND DEATH NOTICES. 913
May 3d, 1821. — Died at Sandwich, Canada, Lieutenant Otis
Fisher, of the Eighth Regiment, U. S. Infantry, who fell a victim
to those false notions of honor which have recently deprived our
country of so many valuable officers audi citizens.
Mr. Fisher was an officer of much merit and served his coun-
try in the second war with Great Britain with distinguished repu-
tation. In the glorious battle of Bridgewater, on the Niagara
frontier, he lost an arm, and was just about retiring from the
army to enjoy the consideration to which his services entitled him.
Lieutenant Otis Fisher's antagonist in the fatal duel was
Lieutenant Farley, of the same regiment. The affair occurred
near Sandwich, and Liuetenant Fisher fell mortally wounded, and
died the next day. Lieutenant Farley was the brother of the late
Mrs. William Brewster, of this city.
November 2.2, 1822. — ''The last mail brought us the melan-
choly intelligence of the death of our friend, James B. Witherell,
on board the U. S. schooner Peacock, while on her return from
Havana, Cuba, to Norfolk, Va. He was the son of Judge James
Witherell, of the Supreme Court of this territory, and a young man
universally esteemed among his acquaintances. There are few
officers in the navy better qualified than he was to shed a luster on
that arduous service. Our readers will recollect that last week
we published a letter (dated October 10, 1822) from him dated a
few days before his death, full of hope, patriotism and of enter-
prise. He was then engaged in chastising the pirates of the West
Indies, and it is due to the peculiar hardships of that service that
his death may probably be attributed. He was appointed midship-
man March 10, 1820, and died October 20, 1822.
Note — He was uncle of the Hon. Thomas W. Palmer.
May, 1831. — Lieutenant E. G. Sibley (Sproat Sibley), U.
S. A., was married to Harriet L. Hunt, daughter of Judge Hunt,
of Washington, D. C, by Rev. Richard Berry.
Note — They were married at the cottage residence of Gen-
eral Charles Earned, southwest corner of Woodward Avenue and
Earned Street, in the afternoon, in the presence of a distinguishd
gathering composed of the elite of Detroit society. The groom
and the other military officers were in full uniform. It was a bril-
liant affair. Mrs. Earned was an aunt of the bride. Lieutenant
Sibley was a son of Judge Solomon Sibley and was born in this
58
914 EARI,X DAYS IN DETROIT.
city. He served with distinction in the Black Hawk war, the
Mexican War and the Civil War. In the last named war he rose
to the position of colonel and assistant quartermaster-general.
Colonel Sibley was stationed in this city for two years directly
after the close of the Mexican war, as quartermaster of the depart-
ment of the lakes.
I had, though quite a lad/ the pleasure of being present at the
above ceremony.
September, 1831. — Mr. John Owen was married at Mt.
Morris, N. Y., to Miss Lucy B. Beach.
Note — Miss Beach was the sister of Mr. Beach, of the firm
of Willcox & Beach, hatters, this city. This was Mr. Owen's
first venture in matrimony.
October, 1831 — Colonel John Winder was married to Eliza-
beth C. WilHams, daughter of General John R. Williams, by Rev.
Richard R. Bury.
Note — The colonel's first wife. The marriage ceremony took
place in General Williams's residence on Woodbridge Street, north
side, between Randolph and Bates Streets.
The above last three notices were taken from The Detroit
Free Press. ■
Two other marriage notices that may be of some interest, but
not taken from the Detroit Gazette:
June 25, 1807. — Captain Samuel Dyson, U. S. A., command-
ing the garrison at Detroit, to Ann Dodemead, daughter of Mr.
John Dodemead. Stanley Griswold, Esq., justice of the peace for
Michigan territory, performed the ceremony.
Note — They were married in the Dodemead residence, south-
east corner of Jefiferson Avenue and Shelby Street. Griswold
Street got its name from this Squire Griswold.
Mrs. Dyson afterward married Chas. Jackson of Detroit.
Captain Dyson was quite prominent in the battle of Monguagon
in 1812.
May 7, 1834 — Dr. F. A. Breckinridge, of Brockville, N. C,
to Catherine Ann, daughter of Hon. John .McDonnell.
Note — Judge McDonnell was occupying at the time the aban-
doned officers' quarters, Fort Shelby, which stood where the new
postoffice building now is. I was at the wedding. Miss McDon-
nell was the aunt of the present superintendent of the Detroit
house of correction.
50ML RL5IDLNTS THAT I HAVE OVLRLOOKLD.
MRS. JOHN R. WILLIAMS was buried on the corner of
Woodward Avenue and Adams, where is now the First
Methodist Church. The land was owned by the general.
The grave, with conspicuous headstone, was a short distance
from Woodward Avenue and in plain sight of the passer-by.
Where her body rests now I do not know.
*
Judge B. F. H. WitherelFs circuit, when he was first elected
judge, embraced the counties of Wayne, Washtenaw, Jackson
and Oakland. In after years it was narrowed down to Wayne.
5j: ;{c ^
J. W. Brooks, who was the first superintendent of the Mich-
igan Central Railroad, after it had been sold by the state, wrote a
shocking bad hand, as many will remember. He once answered
a letter written to him by James W. Sutton, who carried on a pail
factory near the road on Fort Street, in relation to some trespass
by the company. Well, Jim rode on that letter for ever so long,
the conductors taking it for a pass, the writing was so bad. All
who knew* Jim vSutton can readily realize how much he enjoyed
the joke.
Speaking of newspapers, there was one that very few persons
ever saw or heard of. It was published about 1840, during the
Harrison campaign, by the late Henry Campau, of the register's
office. It was a small sheet, 7x9, and was called the ''Castigator.-'
Henry was at that time a clerk in his cousin's (D. J. Campau's)
store, and he got out the paper in a room over the premises. It
was anti-Harrison in politics, and, as its name implied, full of
vinegar, and castigated much, so much, indeed, that his employer,
D. J., ordered it suppressed. I think Mr. Richard R. Elliott has
preserved "a copy. It was unique, and those that knew Henry
Campau can well believe it. Campau graced the top of the first
page of his paper with the figure of an "owl," with the legend :
• "The owl is out,
In vain the raging blade
Shall court the midnight shade."
9l6 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
In addition to those propriotors of the National Hotel
(Russell House) from time to time (heretofore mentioned), I
have failed to name H. D. Garrison, former dry goods merchant
on Jefferson Avenue, about 1840. If any call him to mind they
will remember him as a model landlord, possessed of a fine pres-
ence, winning, prompt and energetic. I was forcibly reminded of
him a short time ago by a visit from one of the old clerks in his
dry goods store, Orson Wooden. Orson has been for the past
thirty years employed in the postoffice in this city, but has now
retired from public life to the St. Luke's Home, with a comfort-
able competence, and says he intends to pass his remaining days
in peace and quiet. The last time I heard of .Garrison he was
keeping a hotel in Chicago.
One of the proprietors of the old National Hotel, and one
whom I have mentioned before, John R. Kellogg, had a beautiful
daughter, Amanda, with whom our family were quite intimate.
She was an interesting girl, admired by all and had many suitors.
But she fell a victim- to the smallpox and died in the hotel, much
regretted by all the community. Strange to say (at this day)
her sickness in the hotel with that dreaded and malignant disease
did not cause any alarm among the guests of the house for their
own safety. How much different from now. Mr. Kellogg was
a man of distinguished appearance, polished manners, etc., but I
do not think he was a success as a hotel keeper. He died in
Allegan a few years since.
* * *
Many will remember Signor Martenez, that supreme master
of the guitar. He was the finest player on that instrument that
Detroit has ever known. He was the especial pet of Colonel
Grayson and other United States officers here at the time.
Although so skillful on the guitar, he was an out-and-out vaga-
bond, so to speak, and tolerated only on account of his musical
gift. He married a pretty French girl here, and the two lived
with his wife's mother. He gave lessons on his instrument to
Colonel Grayson and many other army officers, as well as some
citizens. Colonel Grayson once made him a present of a gold
watch and chain, with which he seemed highly pleased. A short
time after, when he came to give the colonel a lesson, the latter
noticed the absence of the chain and asked the signor what had
become of it and the watch.
RI^SIDENTS I have: OVERLOOKED. 917
"Well, colonel," said he, "I got awful hard up and put 'em
up spout."
Imagine the colonel's ire. On another occasion the signor
received from some one an order on Brady & Trowbridge, grocers
here at the time, for $io in goods from their store. He was-
asked how he would have it, and he replied :
""Guess I will take nine dollars' worth of brandy and cigars
for myself and one pound of tea for the old woman (meaning
his mother-in-law) so she will not make a fuss."
He, poor fellow, got caught in a cattle guard on the Mich-
igan Central Railroad near the city and was run over by a loco-
motive. He was under the influence of liquor at the time, it was
supposed.
* * *
Colonel Mcintosh was the most peppery United States army
officer I ever came in contact with. He was, in appearance, about
like the late General Wheeler, of the United States Volunteers.
He commanded at Fort Winnipeg in 1834.
I mentioned Colonel Mcintosh briefly in a former article, in
relation to the boarders at "Dunning's" on Fort Street in 1845.
I said he was killed in Mexico, and on "General Taylor's line."
This was error. He died from wounds received at the battle of
"Molino del Rey" (King's Mill) and not on Taylor's line. The
men under his command used to call him "Old Smash Pipe,"
because he would not allow smoking. He was born in Georgia
and commanded a brigade in General Worth's division in the
above battle. Colonel Isaac D. Toll, now of Petoskey, this state,
was in the "Molino del Rey" battle and gave me the above facts.
THL PLAT OF THL TOWN, KNOWN AS "WOOD-
WARD'S PLAN."
THE GOVERNOR AND JUDGES' PLAN.
THE wide avenues and public squares and parks of Detroit
are evidences and enduring monuments of the wisdom and
good taste and judgment of the governor and judges who
adopted the plan, they having been authorized by an act of
Congress after the destruction of the city by fire in 1805.
The plan was designed and proposed by Judge Woodward,
and was known in the early days as "Woodward's plan." The
governor and judges who adopted the plan were William Hull,
governor; Augustus J. Woodward, James Witherell and James
Griffin, judges.
The original plan, which has been described as '^resembling
one of those octagonal spider webs, with a center and lines leading
out to the points around the circumference and fastened to spires
of grass," was designed for military defense, and to communicate
information by signal telegraph from all points to a common
center (the Grand Circus), but only in part carried out. At the
time of the adoption of the plan a large portion of the site was
covered by the fort, cantonment grounds, military gardens and
fields, which were reserved to the general government, and when
granted to the city twenty years later, was laid out in regular
square blocks.
The original plan was in twelve sections. In the center of
most of them there were large triangular spaces of ground, dedi-
cated for specific public purposes, to-wit : educational, scientific,
fire protection and religious. Of these one is occupied by the
public library, one formerly by the high school (n6w Capitol
Square), and one formerly by St. Anne's Church (now the
Auditorium). The others are known as the east, west and north
parks. Besides which, two large spaces were dedicated as public
grounds, which have now become most conspicuous on the plat.
These are the Campus Martins, which is crossed by Woodward
Avenue, and which is 600 feet long and 250 feet wide. On the
west line of the square there was a lot with a front of 280 feet
on Griswold Street, which at one time, about seventv-five vears
• THE PLAT OF THE TOWN. 919
ago, was donated by the city to the trustees of a female seminary,
on which they erected a large brick building which for many
years was operated as such, but it did not prove a success, and by
the terms of the donation the property reverted to the city, and
is now occupied by the present City Hall. An extended account
of this seminary has been given in a former article.
The governor and judges' plan embraced all between the
Brush farm on the east and the Cass farm on the west (except
the military reservation, covering all west of Griswold Street
bet'ween Congress Street and Michigan Avenue) and from the
river to Adams Avenue ; and all north of which to a point about
three miles from the river, was platted into lots, designated as park
lots, containing ten acres more or less, and were sold by the acre.
Those park lots are now platted into city lots and are for the most
part compactly built upon."
The foregoing is from the late R. E. Roberts's book,
''Sketches of Detroit," issued in 1854.
Here is a contemporary description of Judge Woodward's
surveying process written by John Gentle, and published in a
Pittsburg paper :
''Judge Woodward, appointed to lay out the town, deposited
his instruments, astronomical and astrological, on the summit of
a huge stone, and for the space of thirty days and thirty nights
viewed the diurnal revolutions of the planets, visible and invisible,
and calculated the course of the blazing comets. To his profound
observations of the heavenly regions the world is indebted for the
discovery of the streets, alleys, circles, angles and squares of this
magnificent city — a theory equal in magnitude and splendor to
anv on earth."
ml
Colonel McKenney in his book, "Tour of the Lakes, 1826,"
has this to say in regard to Judge Woodward's plat of the city :
"I have seen a plat of this city (Detroit). I wish, for the
sake of the designer, towards whom, personally, I entertain the
kindliest feehngs, that it had never been conceived by him. It
looks pretty on paper, but is fanciful— resembles one of those
octagonal spider webs which you have seen on a dewy morning,
with a center, you know, and lines leading out to the points round
the circumference, and fastened to spires of grass. The citizens
of Detroit would do well, in my opinion, and their posterity would
920 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT. .
thank them for It, were they to reduce the network of that plan
to something more practical and regular."
Mr. Smith, father of Mrs. Judge McDonnell, died at Sand-
wich, Canadaj March 3, 1833. He laid out this city after Mich-
igan's first organization as a territorial government, under the
direction of Governor Hull and Judge Woodward ; the plan was
designed by the latter, to which Mr. Smith, as a scientific man,
was much opposed ; he considered it visionary, and ill adapted for
the purposes for which it was intended. He was when he died
79 years of age, and by birth a native of Wales.
Mr. C. M. Burton's library is rich with information in regard
to this plan of Judge Woodward's.
BUFFALO TO DETROIT BY STEAMBOAT IN 1821.
GENERAL HERBERT E. ELLIS, in Wisconsin Historical
Collections, Vol. 7, gives an account of a trip from Buf-
falo to Detroit on the steamboat Walk-in-the-Water, June,
182 1, in which he says:
''There was not a good harbor on Lake Erie (south shore)
except Sandusky. At Erie, Ashtabula and Cleveland bars had
lormed across the mouths of the streams, and goods had to be
lightered off. We reached Detroit at the end of the third day."
The general had something to relate in regard to our city
which I quote:
''The town (Detroit) was not as large as it is now. It was
built on a single street, parallel with the river and something over
half a mile in length. There was one brick house, that of General
Macomb, built by Governor Hull, a rather respectable structure,
but the general had left it under orders from the war department
to go to another part of the country. There was beside this house
of General Macomb's, a small brick market house, a new struc-
ture, the pride of the city ; a tavern of wood, of moderate preten-
tions ; a council house of poles, set on end and the joints filled with
lime mortar. There were besides, some hundred or less small
houses and shops ; and last but not least, Governor Cass's dwell-
ing, a square structure of logs, lathed and plastered inside and out,
and quite out of town, down the river bank at least three-quarters
of a mile.
"The population of Detroit was mixed, the French-Canadian
prevailing. There were many halfbreeds, and it being the season
of the year when the Indians usually came in from their wintering
grounds, the wild Chippewas seemed to be in undisputed posses-
sion. They did not appear over select in their language or man-
ners ; still they were quite inoffensive to the whites, especially the
French traders, to whose every order and command they rendered
instant obedience. No police existed or was necessary.
"Woodworth kept the principal hotel, which was well patron-
ized. It was at Woodworth's that I observed the wall ornamented
922 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
with a large map of Michigan, laying down nearly the whole
interior of Michigan (on authority said to have been derived from
the war department), as a swamp.
''The court was in session, held at the afore-mentioned
council house, made of poles set on end. The whole court con-
sisted of his honor the judge, three lawyers and as many suitors.
One of the counsel, a Mr. Biddle, was discussing some obscure
questions involving title to land ; the court seemed in much per-
plexity ; the opening counsel only made darkness more visible.
"The lawyers at length paused for the decision from the
bench. It was in the afternoon of one of the hottest days in
June; the court room seemed to broil — ^the judge being the chief
victim. He wiped the perspiration from his naked poll with no
seeming relief ; at length, rising with much dignity, he proceeded,
not to a decision of the case, but deliberately through the council
room, and without explanation of any kind, marched into the
street and thence to the wharf at the river, and sitting down with
his feet hanging over the river, having on neither coat nor vest
nor hat, amused himself for an hour or more, throwing sticks and
pebbles at the fishes. Having, at length, apparently cooled his
head and quieted his nerves, he rose, and with the same deliber-
ation observed in his egress, returned to the court room and
resumed his seat. The suitors and coCinsel being, probably, accus-
tomed to his moods, had all quietly maintained their places during
the recess, and were ready for a resumption of the case. The
judge, as if nothing unusual had happened, proceeded to give his
decision, which, if it did not please both parties, evidently satisfied
them, as immediate acquiescence followed.
"I learned that with all his eccentricities, he failed not of
securing the confidence of the people, both of the bar and of the
suitors.
"Though a majority of the inhabitants of Detroit were of
plebian order, Canadian and mixed blood prevailing, yet there was
not wanting a good proportion of well-educated, intelligent, culti-
vated people, who would have graced almost any society ; for open,
free-hearted manners to strangers, and genuine hospitality, they
were an honor to our common humanity.
"Detroit river presented most creditable improvements along
its banks ; the farms being occupied on the old French plan of one
of three arpents (an arpent is one-seventh less than an English
BUFFALO TO DF,TR0IT ON A STEAMBOAT. 923
acre) in width and extending eighty arpents deep — the houses
were generally a few rods apart on the river bank, and there was a
halo of antiquity in their appearance. Orchards of apple and
pear trees invariably occupied their front — the trees indicating a
growth of a hundred years. Every point on the river bank was
garnished with a windmill — water mills being unknown at that
time in this part of the globe."
* * *
Referring again to Mr. Busby, the keeper of the yellow
tavern (Cliflf's) out Woodward Avenue near Grand Circus:
His son, Thomas Busby, now residing at Ypsilanti, furnishes
a few particulars in regard to his father that may, perhaps, be of
interest.
His father came here from London, England, in 1830, and
opened the tavern in 183 1, and continued it until 1838. He then
sold the lease to a Mr. Cliff, who gave it its. name, ''Cliff's
Tavern," which it afterwards retained until it was purchased and
removed by the late H. H. LeRoy.
While Mr. Busby had the premises it was called the ''Eagle
Tavern," and the following is a copy of the printed card setting
forth to the community what he proposed to furnish at his hos-
telry, prices, etc. :
EAGLE TAVERN.
GOOD ACCOMMODATIONS FOR TRAVELERS.
Rates as follows:
Boarding by the week i8s od
Ditto, by the day, with lodging 4s 6d
Ditto, by the meal is 6d
Cold meals is 6d
Span of horses to hay one night 35 6d
One horse to ditto is 6d
Each carload of goods drawn for customers is od
Lodging ; IS od
Good pasture for cattle.
One yoke of cattle per night .: 2s od
JAS. BUSBY.
Mr. Busby removed to Saginaw in 1836, it taking him three
days to get there by land, with family and household effects.
They camped out over night where Flint now is, there being but
924 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
one dwelling there. They found but a few dwellings in Saginaw,
one of them of considerable dimensions, owned by Mr. Campau,
which they occupied. (Since this was penned this building has
been torn down.)
Strange to relate, when they essayed to build themselves a
home in Saginaw, they were compelled to import lumber for the
purpose from Detroit.
Mr. LeRoy, some time after he bought the Cliff tavern site
and adjoining lot, said he never expected to get his money back —
things looked so blue out Woodward Avenue. The ground was
so swampy that no one seemed to care to take it off his hands, so
he was forced to occupy it himself, improving the grounds by
draining, etc. He lived there for many years until Mr. David
Whitney, Jr., persuaded him to take very much more than the
property cost him — indeed so much more that Mr. LeRoy never
regretted his Woodward avenue innvestment.
I
LLKANAH WAT50N AND THE LRIL CANAL.
THAT Hon. Elkanah Watson, of Albany, N. Y., the pro-
jector and originator of the Erie canal, was closely iden-
tified with our people may be inferred from the fact that one
of his sons, Joseph B., married a daughter of the Hon. James
Witherell, and sister to Mrs. Thomas Palmer, mother of the
senator. She dying, Mr. Watson married^ again. After a brief
period Watson died and his widow married Maj. B. F. Larned,
paymaster U. S. A., of this city. A daughter of Elkanah
Watson (Emily) married George B. Larned, brother of General
Charles Larned, of this city, and uncle of Sylvester Larned. He
served in the war of 1812, with the rank of captain, and after the
war was stationed in Detroit. He died at the home of his
brother. General Charles Larned, southwest corner of Wood-
ward Avenue and Larned Street, January 27, 1825.
Joseph B. Watson had by his first wife two sons, Eugene W.
and James B., and by his second wife one son, George. Eugene
W. was nearly all his life in the U. S. navy, served during the
Civil War, and was during the latter part of his life in charge of
one of the life-saving stations on the upper lakes. He married
one of the St. Aubin girls (Matilda). He was the father of the
late Lewis C. Watson, circuit court commissioner. James mar-
ried a daughter of Judge Charles Moran.
B. Watson was a member of the Detroit bar. George
Watson was a sutler at Fort Gratiot for some years. He mar-
ried a daughter of James Williams (Eliza) of this city. He died
in St. Louis many years ago.
This Elkanah Watson was a well-to-do merchant whose por-
trait was painted by Copley, the eminent British portrait painter,
which was in itself a guarantee of respectability. He saw little
of volunteer service, but during much of the revolution was in
Europe, engaged in mercantile transactions. On his return he
interested himself in many matters of public concern, particu-
larly in the building of the Erie canal. While in Europe he
investigated thoroughly the canal system in Flanders and Hoi-
926 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
land, and saw how easily the same system could be made to pre-
vail in the United States, if capital or state aid could be induced
to venture in the construction. By persistent effort he induced
the canal commissioners of the State of New York to take hold
of his project, and hence the Erie canal. That he was the pro-
jector of this canal, which proved such a vast boon to the coun-
try and particularly to the great west, is evidenced in a com-
munication from the Hon. Robert Throop that appeared in the
Geneva (N. Y.) Gazette February 19, 1819, in which he says:
"The successful progress of the Erie canal, and the immense
benefits likely to arise from its completion, have lately excited a
laudable curiosity to know who was the projector of the canal
policy in this state. A just regard to the reputation of the state
seems to require that the projector, if alive, should be favored
with some decisive proof of public gratitude; and in case of his
death, that his name should be handed down with becoming honor
to posterity. It is fortunate for the reputation of the state that
the projector is both known and alive; and I now, without fear
of contradiction, declare him to be Elkanah Watson, of the city
of Albany.
"The sagacious and comprehensive mind of that truly patri-
otic gentleman, in the year 1791, conceived the sublime idea of
uniting, by means of navigable canals, the waters of the great
lakes with those of the Hudson and Susquehanna."
The author of this letter, Hon. Robert Throop, of Geneva,
N. Y., was the grandfather of the late Mrs. Alex. M. Campau,
of this city.
In 1779, Mr. Watson sailed in a United States packet to
France, in charge of dispatches from Congress for Dr. Benj.
Franklin, then our minister at the Court of St. Cloud, and Mon-
sieur De Vergennes, the prime minister of France, which he
delivered in person as directed. He was in Paris at the time of
the surrender of Cornwallis. Later on he was in London and
was on the floor of the house of lords, December 5, 1783, and
heard King George III. read his speech formally recognizing the
United States of America as in the rank of nations.
In writing (September, 1791) in relation to the project of a
canal to unite the waters of the Hudson and the great lakes,
Watson said:
"In giving a stretch to the mind, into the womb of futurity, I
saw those fertile regions, bounded west by the Mississippi, north
^IvKANAH WATSON AND THE; ERIE CANAL. 927
by the great lakes, east by the Allegheny mountains, and south
by the placid Ohio, overspread with millions of freemen, blessed
with various cHmates, enjoying every variety of soil, and com-
manding the boldest inland navigation on the globe ; clouded with
sails, directing their course towards canals, alive with boats pass-
ing and repassing, giving and receiving reciprocal benefits from
this wonderful country, prolific in such great resources, or, per-
haps, passage boats, bearing distant travelers on their surface,
with horses trotting on their embankments. In taking this bold
flight in imagination, it was impossible to repress a settled con-
viction that a grancl effort will be made to realize all my dreams
— perhaps delusive."
Mr. Watson made a brief visit to his daughter, Mrs. Larned,
in this city, arriving Sunday, July 2, 18 18, on the schooner
Franklin from Buffalo, which port they left on the 23d of June.
He does not appear to have much to say about Detroit only in a
general and pleasing way. He participated in a celebration of
the Fourth of July, which was held in a field or orchard in the
rear of the residence of Governor Cass, where he dined with a
large collection of gentlemen and oflicers of the army.
PRINCL PHILIP AND QULLN MARY.
THERE WERE GREAT DOINGS WHEN THEY WERE WEDDED
AT WINCHESTER.
A SPANISH-ENGLISH ROYAL MATRIMONIAL ALLIANCE THAT
DIDN'T HOLD VERY LONG.
THE approaching marriage of King Alfonso of Spain to the
Princess Ena of Battenberg bring to mind a similar affair
that occurred in .1554, when Prince Philip of Spain came to
anchor in Southampton water, and, landing, proceeded to
Winchester to Mary Tudor of England, an event heralded as
being fraught with tremendous probabilities to Christianity.
After the contract was ratified and before Philip left Madrid
for England the Spanish Marquis de las Navas was ordered to
take Philip's first presents to his bride. We are told' that the
Marquis fitted himself out for his mission regardless of cost,
and his splendor appears to have been equalled by the princely
gifts of which he was the bearer and the noble hospitality
extended to him in England.
Philip's offering to Mary consisted of "a great table diamond,
mounted as a rose in a superb gold setting, valued at 56,000
ducats, a collar or necklace of 18 brilliants, exquisitely worked
and set with dainty grace, valued at 32,000 ducats ; a great
diamond with a fine, large pearl pendant from it (this, it was
said, was Mary's favorite jewel, and may be seen on her breast in
most portraits) . They were, we are told, the most lovely pair of
gems ever seen in the world, and were worth 25,000 ducats. Then
comes a list of pearls, diamonds, emeralds and rubies of inestim-
able value, and other presents without number for the queen
and her ladies.
The account goes on to say that "each great noble — and
there were 20 of them — took his train of servants in new liveries
and the Prince (Philip) had a Spanish guard of 100 gentlemen
PRINCli; PHIIJP AND QUEEN MARY. 929
in red and yellow, lOO Germans in the same uniform, but with
silk facings, icx) archers on horseback, and 300 servants in the
same gaudy colors of Arragon.
THE prince's vessel.
The ship selected to convey Philip and his suite to England
was a fine merchant vessel, named the Espiritu Santo, and com-
manded by the bold Biscay mariner, Martin de Bertondona. A
splendid sight it must have been with its towering, carved and
gilded poop and forecastle. It was hung, we are told, from
stem to stern with fine scarlet cloth, and aloft on every available
spot v/ere colored silk pennons. A royal standard, thirty yards
long, of crimson damask, with the prince's arms painted on it,
hung from the mizzen-mast. The fore-mast had ten pointed silk
flags painted with the royal arms, and there were thirty other sim-
ilar flags in the stays and shrouds. Three hundred sailors in red
uniforms formed the crew, and we are assured that the effect of
the ship was that of a lovely flower garden — as well it might be —
and the cost of the decorations was 10,000 ducats.
It is further related how the queen (Mary) was anxious
for her consort's arrival, and how she had ordered 1,000 gentle-
men to await him with as many horses.
On the 1 2th of July Philip and his suite embarked in a
sumptuous galley of twenty-four oars manned by sailors in
scarlet and gold, with plumed hats of scarlet silk, and amidst
music, singing and daring gymnastic feats of the marines, went
on board the Espiritu Santo. The next day, Friday, at 3 in the
afternoon, they set sail. They arrived without mishap in South-
ampton water Thursday, the 19th of July, where they were wel-
comed with a national salute by the combined English and Flem-
ish fleets of thirty sail assembled to receive them.
On landing at Southampton Philip found awaiting him a
beautiful white charger caparisoned in crimson velvet and gold,
that was champing its bit hardly. The prince, it is said, must
have looked an impressive figure with his dapper, erect bearing,
his yellow beard, and close cropped yellow head, dressed as he
was in black velvet and silver, his massive gold chains and price-
less gems glittering in his velvet bonnet and at his neck and
wrists:
59
930 e;arly days in Detroit.
exchange messages.
The queen was 'at Winchester and had learned post-haste
of the landing of her future husband, and messengers were
actively scurrying backwards and forwards through the pitiless
rain of the next three days.
Early on Saturday morning the earl of Pembroke arrived
from the queen with an escort for the prince of 200 gentlemen
dressed in black velvet with gold chains and medals, and 300
others in scarlet cloth with velvet facings, all splendidly mounted.
The next morning, in a pouring rain, the royal cavalcade
set out for Winchester, 3,000 strong. On the road 600 more
gentlemen dressed in black velvet with gold chains met the prince,
and when nearing Winchester six of the queen's pages, beauti-
fully dressed in crimson brocade with gold sashes, with as many
superb steeds, were encountered, who told Philip that the queen
had sent the horses to him as a present. On their arrival at Win-
chester the party proceeded at once to the grand cathedral, which,
it is said, impressed the Spaniards with wonder, and above all,
to find that mass was as solemnly sung there as at Toledo.
A group of mitred bishops stood at the great west door,
crosses raised and censers swinging and in solemn procession
to the high altar, under a velvet canopy, they led the man whom
they looked upon as God's chosen instrument to permanently
restore their faith in England.
When the prince started for Winchester he was immediately
surrounded by seventeen of the principal nobles of England and
fifteen Spanish grandees. He was dressed in a black velvet sur-
coat adorned with diamonds, leather boots, and trunks and doub-
let of white satin embroidered with gold, but this delicate finery
had to be covered by a red felt cloak to protect it from the rain.
Notwithstanding this it was too wet for him to enter Winchester
without a change, so he stayed at a hospital that had been a
monastery one mile from the city, and there donned a black vel-
vet surcoat covered with gold bugles and a suit of white velvet
trimmed in the same way, and thus he entered, passing the red-
clothed aldermen with gold keys on cushions and then to the
grand cathedral.
After admiring the cathedral Philip and his court went to
the dean's house, which had been prepared for his reception in
PRINCE PHIUP AND QUEEN MARY. 93 1
order to allay the maiden scruples of the queen with regard to
his sleeping under the same roof with her at the bishop's palace
before the solemnization of the marriage.
A UTTI.E DIVERSION.
The narrator goes on to say that after Philip had supped
and presumably was thinking more of going to bed than anything
else, the Lord Chamberlain artd the Lord Steward went to him,
it being lo o'clock at night, and told him that the queen was wait-
ing for him in her closet and wished him to visit her secretly with
very few followers. He at once put on another gorgeous suit,
consisting of a French surcoat embroidered in sliver and gold,
and a doublet and trunks of white kid embroidered in gold. The
party traversed a narrow lane between two gardens, and on
reaching a door in the wall the Lord Steward told the prince that
he could take with him such courtiers as he chose.
Philip did not seem disposed to run any risks, and construed
the invitation in a liberal spirit, taking into the garden twelve or
fifteen of his most distinguished followers. They found them-
selves in a 'beautiful garden with rippling fountains and arbors,
which reminded them of the books of chivalry. The prince and
his party entered by a little back door, and ascended a narrow
winding staircase to the queen's closet. She was in a "long nar-
row room or corridor where they divert themselves," surrounded
by four or five aged nobles and as many old ladies, the bishop of
Winchester being also with her, and the whole party, we are told,
were marvelously and richly dressed, the queen herself wearing
a black velvet gown cut high in the English style, without any
trimming; a petticoat of frosted silver, a wimple of black velvet,
trimmed with gold, and a girdle and collar of wonderful gems.
She was walking up and down when the prince entered, and as
soon as she saw him went quickly towards him and kissed her
hand to him before taking his. In return he kissed her on the
mouth, in the English fashion, and she led him by the hand to a
chair placed by the side of her own under a canopy. The queen
spoke in French and her future husband in Spanish, and thus they
made themselves well understood. The two lovers sat under
their brocade canopy chatting for a long time, but this probably
seemed somewhat slow to the bridegroom, who, after asking the
queen to give her hand for all his Spaniards to kiss, as they loved
932 e:arly days in Detroit.
r
her well, begged to be allowed to see her ladies, who were in
another room. The queen went with him, and as the ladies
approached, two by two, he kissed them all "in his way," with his
plumed hat in his hand, "so as not to break the custom of the
country, which is a very good one," the narrator says. Whether
the queen thought it good on this occasion is not clear, but when
her lover wanted to leave directly the extensive osculation was
over she would not let him go, but carried him off for another
long talk with her. When he had to leave her she playfully taught
him to say "Good night," and he made this excuse for going to
the ladies again to say it to them, but when he reached them he
had forgotten the outlandish words and had to return to the queen
to ask her, "whereat she was much pleased," but probably less so
when he found it necessary to go back once more to the ladies
to salute them with "God ni hit."
Philip slept late the next morning, and as soon as he was up
the queen's tailor brought him two superb dresses, one made of
very rich brocade profusely embroidered with gold bugles and
pearls, with splendid diamonds for buttons, and the other of crim-
son brocade. His highness went to mass in a purple velvet sur-
coat with silver fringe and white satin doublet, and then after his
private dinner went in great state to see the queen. She received
him in the great hall of the palace with the courtiers ranged on a
raised platform on eaph side. The great ofificers of state preceded
her, and she was followed by fifty ladies splendidly dressed in
purple velvet, and, having met her consort in the middle of the
hall, she led him to the dais, where he stood in sweet converse
with her for some time. Then Philip went to vespers and the
queen to her chapel, and after supper they met again.
THE W^EDDING.
The next day the wedding ceremony was performed by the
bishop of Winchester. There were four services of meat and fish,
each service consisting of thirty dishes, and minstrels played dur-
ing the feast, while the solid splendor and pompous ceremony
appear to have impressed the Spaniards with wonder not unmixed
with envy.
Then after the queen had pledged all her guests in a cup of
wine, and a herald had proclaimed the titles of Philip as king of
England, France, Naples and Jerusalem, prince of Spain and
prince: PHILIP AND QUEEN MARY. 933
count of Flanders, the royal party retired to another chamber,
with the English and Spanish nobles, where the time passed in
pleasant converse until the ball began.
After dancing until nightfall supper was served with the
same ceremony as the dinner, and then more talk and gallant
compliment, after which all retired for the night.
HAPPINESS SHORT-IvIVED.
It appears that the couple got on very nicely for a while, at
least, as a letter written from Richmond of date 19th August,
says :
/'Their majesties are the. happiest couple in the world, and
are more in love with each other than I can say here. He never
leaves her, and on the road is always by her side, lifting her into
the saddle and helping her to dismount. He dines with her pub-
licly and they go to mass together on feast days."
Great preparations were made for the entrance of the queen
and her consort into London, which they did amidst the greatest
rejoicings. The signs of vengeance visited upon the Wyatt reb-
els had been cleared away and the city was as bright and gay as
paint and gilding could make it. The "galluses" from which the
fifty dead bodies of the London trainbandsmen who had deserted
to Wyatt at Rochester bridge were cleared away from the doors
of the houses in which their families lived and the grinning skulls
of the high offenders were taken from the gates and from Lon-
don bridge.
Despite all this Philip and the Spanish nobles found, instead
of a submissive people ready to bow the neck at once to the new
king and his followers, a country where even the native sover-
eign's power was strictly circumscribed, and where the foreign-
er's only hope of domination was by force of- arms, and this they
saw in the present case was impossible.
Philip, recognizing that his sacrifices had been in vain, and
that he could never rule in England, made the best of an unfor-
tunate speculation, and in September of the following year, with
all gravity, courtesy and dignity, left Mary to die of broken heart,
alone, disappointed and forsaken.
THE "FORT STRLLT G1RL5."
FORT Street West in the early days was the aristocratic street
of the city, where ebbed and flowed almost the entire social
swim of Detroit. I recall the faces, forms and names of
many of the fair daughters of that street and immediate local-
ity who ruled the hour. Misses Cornelia and Julia Howard,
daughters of Colonel Joshua Howard; Misses Eliza and Mary
Inman, daughters of Captain Inman, United States navy (who
had command of the U. S. S. Michigan) ; Misses Rosa and Alex-
andrine Sheldon, daughters of Thomas C. Sheldon; Miss Frank
Gillett, daughter of Mr. Shadrac Gillett; Miss Lizzie Whiting,
daughter of Dr. J. h. Whiting; Miss Sarah Gillman, niece of
Mr. Mason Palmer ; Misses Mary and Julia Palmer, daughters of
Mr. Thomas Palmer; Miss Mary Palmer, daughter of Mr. John
Palmer; Misses Helen and Louisa Chapin, daughters of Dr.
Chapin Miss Marion Forsythe, daughter of Major Robert For-
sythe; Miss Eliza (Puss) Knapp, daughter of Mrs. John Owen
(nee Knapp), Miss Jane Cook, sister of Mrs. Owen; Misses
Mary and Harriet Larned, daughters of General Charles Lar-
ned; Misses Eliza, Mary and Harriet Williams, daughters of
James Williams ; Miss Louisa Heath ; Miss Kate Hinchman,
daughter of widow Hinchman ; Misses Eunice and Ellen Hunt,
daughters of Major Hunt, paymaster U. S. A. ; Misses Brooks,
daughters of Colonel Edward Brooks ; Misses Kercheval, daiigh-
ters of B. B. Kercheval, and Misses Stewart, daughters of Charles
Stewart.
These young ladies, joined with those that upper Jefferson
Avenue could furnish, such as Miss Adeline Rice, daughter of
Dr. R. S. Rice; Misses Sarah, Martha and Harriet Brewster,
daughters of William Brewster; Misses Kate and Matilda Con-
nor, sisters of Mrs. Darius Lamson; Miss Emily Trowbridge,
niece of Mrs. Lamson ; Misses Martha and Harriet Witherell,
daughters of Judge B. F. H. Witherell, and Miss Sue Dibble, the
daughter of Colonel Dibble ; the two daughters of Chancellor
Farnsworth; Miss Cornelia Piatt, daughter of Attorney-General
f(^ — ,., ^... — ,^^ ^, })
THE FORT STREET GIRLS. 935
Piatt; Miss Louisa Whistler, daughter of Colonel Whistler, U.
S. A., and Misses Louise and Francis Ladue, daughter and niece
of Andrew Ladue, presented as brilliant a galaxy of feminine
youth and beauty as could be found west of Albany. In this cate-
gory must be included Miss Eliza Throop, daughter of Lawyer
Throop; Misses Eliza, Elizabeth, Mary and Harriet Ingersoll,
daughters of Justus Ingersoll; Miss Martha MuUett, daughter
of John Mullett ; the Misses Godfroy, daughters of Peter God-,
froy ; Miss Cornelia Wales, daughter of x-\ustin Wales ; Misses
Garland (Virginia and Louise), daughters of Colonel Garland,
\j. S. A. ; Misses Chipman, daughters of Judge Henry Chipman ;
Miss Martha Kearsley, daughter of Major Kearsley; Miss Fan-
nie Truax, daughter of John Truax; Miss Sophia Griswold,
niece of Mrs. John Palmer; Miss Anna Jackson, daughter of Mr.
Charles Jackson ; Miss Charlotte Chase, daughter of Mr.
Thomas Chase ; Miss Mary Williams, daughter of General John
R. Williams; Misses Moran, Matilda, Julia and Mary, daugh-
ters of Judge Charles Moran ; Miss Mary Clark, daughter of Dr.
Thomas B. Clark ; Misses Davenport, Anne, Sarah and Matilda,
daughters of Mr. Louis Davenport; Miss Elizabeth Gardner,
sister of Mrs. John Y. Pettie; Miss Maggie Moore, niece of Dr.
R. S. Rice ; Miss Julia Willcox, sister of E. N. and O. B. Willcox.
Perhaps I might add Miss Emily V. Mason, but she really
belonged to an older set, which included Miss Isabella Norvell,
daughter of Hon. John Norvell; Miss Jane Dyson, daughter of
Captain Dyson. LI. S. A. ; Miss Emma Schwarz, daughter of
General John E. Schwarz ; Miss Isabella Cass, daughter of Gen-
eral Cass; Miss Maggie Biddle, daughter of Hon. John Biddle;
Miss Samantha Brush, sister of Edmund A. Brush; Miss Sarah
Roby, sister of Henry M. and Reuel Roby; Miss Josephine
Desnoyers, daughter of Peter Desnoyers ; Miss Annie Dequindre,
cousin of Miss Desnoyers; Miss Annie McDonnell, daughter of
Hon. John McDonnell; Misses Sibley, daughters of Judge Sibley;
Miss Sarah Abbott, daughter of Judge James Abbott ; Miss Cas-
, Sandra Brady, daughter of General Hugh Brady; Miss Caroline
Whistler, niece of Mrs. Judge James Abbott; Miss Brevoort,
daughter of Commodore Brevoort ; Misses Adelaide and Cath- ,
erine Campau, daughters of Mr. Joseph Campau; two daugh-
ters of Mr, Barnabus Campau ; two daughters of Colonel Knaggs ;
Miss Watson, sister of John and James Watson ; Misses Larned,
936 EARLY DAYS IN DE:TR0IT.
daughters of General Charles Larned (Jane, Kate and Julia.)
On the other hand the list of beaux contained such names as
John W. Strong, Jr., John T. Hunt, Frank Hunt, Barney Cam-
pau, A. M. Campau, Henry M. Roby, Samuel Lewis, Charles S.
Adams, Dr. Rufus Brown, Dr. Scovell, Dr. Farnsworth, Edwin
M. Pitcher, William P. Doty, Albion Turner, Dr. L. H. Cobb,
George A. Cooper, Charles Dibble, George Dibble, Henry A.
Wight, J. C. D. Williams, Joshua Carew, H. Norton Strong, La
Fayette Knapp, James C. Parsons, Dr. George B. Russel, Ben-
jamin Vernor, Leonard Watkins, Decatur Norris, William A.
Heartt, John Rucker, Charles J. Paddock, nephew of Mr. Charles
Jackson, Charles A. Trowbridge, E. A. Lansing, John B. Palmer,
Friend Palmer, Alex. Lewis, William Gray, James A. Armstrong,
A. S. Kellogg, Alfred Cox, Walter Ingersoll, Chand. W. Sey-
mour, H. T. Stringham*, James W. Bradford, William P. Doty,
W. L. Whipple, Addison Mandell, PL A. Schoolcraft, Eben N.
Willcox, O. B. Willcox, J. P. C. Emmons, Norman Emmons,
Frank P. Markham, William G. Lee, Simeon Leake, Frank B.
Phelps, A. H. Guise, Jerrold Gray, Dr. Egge, Alex K. Howard,
John Rumney, Will Rumney, Albert Crane, W. B. Wesson,
George W. Bissell, Griffith Jones, Samuel Suydam, /\lfre(4 Hun-
ter, and H. J. Buckley. No greater gallants than they in their
day could be found. To these might be added officers of the
United States army stationed here from time to time as well as
the officers of the United States navy attached to the U. S. S.
Michigan and their ladies.
I do not know what became of Alfred Cox and A. S.
Kellogg.
James Bradford went to Milwaukee and engaged in the
piano business.
Henry A. Schoolcraft drifted to New York, after he had
finished his law studies and enlisted in General Stevens's regi-
ment, then organizing for duty in California. The regiment
reached its destination in due season and, after serving his time,
he entered the employ of Captain Sutter, and was in his employ
when gold was discovered in his sawmill race. He died out
there many years ago.
Ted P. C. Emmons became a distinguished member of the
Detroit bar and, after some years practice here, went to Arkansas
and became its attorney-general. I think he died there.
((^ — ^ ^^ ^ yf
the: ^ort strke^t giri,s. 937
Norman Emmons, like his two brothers, the judge and Ted,
took up the law, and he and John Van Dyke (brother of James
A.) started practice in Milwaukee. They were quite successful
for years, when the partnership was dissolved, and Norman
returned to this city, where he died only a few years ago.
William G. Lee died a few years ago in New York city. 'He
was agent there fgr a large insurance company.
Ferrold Grey returned to Ireland, where he died many years
ago.
Griffith Jones drifted to El Paso, Texas, engaged in business,
and died there many years- ago.
Samuel Suydam, while here, was the representative of the
extensive New York house of Suydam, Sage & Co. His man-
ners were pleasing, he was lavish in the expenditure of money,
and a faultless dresser. He soon became quite a favorite and
flourished until disaster overtook the firm of Suydam, Sage & Co.,
when he returned to New York.
Alfred Hunter and Suydam were warm friends and asso-
ciates. The former was not quite the lady's man that Suydam
was, if anything, a more faultless dresser. He never appeared
on the street except in the most correct attire. The lining of his
coat, which was usually a sack of black cloth, was invariably of
white silk. Hunter was the proprietor of an extensive flouring
mill at Ypsilanti. What the end of these two gentlemen was I
never knew.
John T. Hunt, of the firm of Hunt & Roby, was a remark-
ably handsome man, a general favorite and deservedly so. He
died many years ago, unmarried.
Dr. Rufus Brown led an easy bachelor life for years and
finally married the sister of Mrs. General Swift. He died about
20 years ago.
Edward M. Pitcher served in the Mexican War, as a lieuten-
ant in the First Regiment Michigan Volunteers. On his return
here, he engaged in the boot and shoe business with Alfred
Knight. After a while he severed his connection with Mr.
Knight, and on the departure of Colonel Bennet Riley's regiment
for California he and James Mott Williams joined the sutler's
department and went out with it around the horn. Pitcher
remained there, and died there. WilHams after some years
returned to this citv.
938 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
William P. Doty was for many years with his brother, Henry
Doty, in the auction and commission business. Finally he and his
two brothers, George and Henry, built a sawmill at Saginaw and
engaged in the lumber business. After a few years of success
William died there, unmarried.
•Albion Turner, after many years' service with his brother-
in-law, Benj. G. Stimson, caught the California fever, then quite
prevalent, and journeyed there across the plains. He was at
first fairly successful, but went into an unfortunate venture, the
freighting of a vessel with a stock of miscellaneous goods for
trading along the Pacific coast towards Alaska. He and his ves-
sel got away from San Francisco all right, but they were never
heard of after.
Geo. A. Cooper, after quitting school, took service with his
father, David Cooper, assisting him in the care of his various
interests. He died unmarried, about 1864..
Charles Dibble, son of Orville B. Dibble, joined his father
in the proprietorship of the Biddle House. When his father died,
Charles retired from the hotel business and went into other pur-
suits. He and Mr. Higham engaged in the manufacture of a
burning fluid. ' Their establishment was located on Dequindre
Street, northeast corner of Guoin. They were progressing quite
successfully when one morning an explosion completely wrecked
the whole concern, instantly killing Dibble and Higham, besides
one or two of the employes. Dibble married Miss Davis, a sister
of Clayton Davis, a Lake Superior mining operator. She sur-
vived him and married Henry Warner Newberry.
Geo. Dibble entered the United States navy, and died many
years ago in California. Both of the Dibble boys will be remem-
bered as two bright, genial attractive young men.
Devereaux Williams (son of General John R.) was a favor-
ite in the young society of that day. During the Mexican War
he saw service as a lieutenant in Captain A. T. McReynolds's
company of dragoons. He was wounded in the arm at the cap-
ture of the City of Mexico. He went to California in 1849 ^^^
spent some years there. He returned shortly before the death of
his father and remained here, employing his time in the care of
the inheritance left him. He married the widow of Captain
Stanton, U. S. A. Mrs. Stanton was a niece of General Alex.
Macomb. Both died many years ago.
ff-^^-^,^ ^►^,^__.^ ^,^, -, ''
THE FORT STREET GIRLS. 939
Joshua Carew, after severing his connection with Carne,
Duncan & Emerson in the brewing business, went to New York
city for a while. He returned, however, and took hold of the old
brewery that was where Dwight's lumber yard now is, and oper-
ated it for a short time, but failing health compelled him to give
it up. He died many years ago. He was the last one to do busi-
ness in the "Old Brewery."
William A. Heartt left our circle early andi branched out in
the northern part of the state. He, I understand, is at present a
citizen of Caro, and in comfortable circumstances.
John A. Rucker is yet alive and is a prosperous farmer and
land owner at Grosse Isle. "
Henry L. Newberry was with his Uncle Oliver in the ves-
sel, steamboat and warehouse business for many years. He
married Miss Maggie Moore, sister of William P. Moore, and
niece of Mrs. Dr. R. G. Rice. Henry died 'some years ago in
New Orleans, w^here he had gone on a business venture. His
widow still survives him.
Charles J. Paddock, nephew of Charles Jackson, drifted away
to Cincinnati many years ago. He was for some years chief clerk
for Theodore H. Eaton, druggist.
Marion Forsythe and Eliza (Puss) Knapp were the most
vivacious of all that bright galaxy that went by the name of the
"Fort Street Girls," and were among the leaders in the social
swim. Marion had at that time quite a flirtation with a Scottish
nobleman, the "Laird of Inches," visiting here, and it was thought
he might carry her off, but nothing came of it. She married Prof.
Antisell, attached to some department in Washington, a widower
with two daughters.
Eliza Knaptp married Frank Hunt, son of Judge Hunt, and
after married Mr. Albert Prince, barrister of Sandwich, also a
member of parliament from Essex County.
I will try and give, as far as memory serves, the after life
of the remainder of the feminine, as well as that of the masculine
members of Detroit's gay society of that day.
Cornelia Howard married John W. Strong, capitalist.
JuHa Howard married Walter Ingersoll, cashier Michigan
Insurance Co. Bank.
Eliza Inman married a son of Bishop Odenheimer, of Phil-
adelphia.
940 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Rosa Sheldon married Henry A. Guise, commission mer-
chant, of this city.
Alexandrine Sheldon married Barney Campau, and after
his decease, became the wife of R. Storrs Willis.
Miss Frank Gillett married Oren Howard, son of Charles
Howard.
Sara Oilman, niece of Mrs. Mason Palmer, married Charles
Young, a lawyer in this city. After his demise she spent twelve
years in Paris, France, engaged in studying the system of street
cleaning and sewerage of that city, aho the construction of flats
or apartment houses. She returned to this country to reside in
Hartford, Ct., after having made herself proficient in these
specialties.
Martha Palmer, niece of Mason Palmer, married John
Rumney, grocer of this city.
Miss Mary Palmer, daughter of Thomas Palmer, married
Henry M. Roby, of the forwarding and commission firm of Hunt
& Roby. The firm dissolving, Mr. and Mrs. Roby removed
to Monroeville, Ohio.
Julia Palmer married Henry W. Hubbard, of Kenosha, Wis.
After a few years' residence in the latter city, they removed to
Ntw York. After a residence there of some years, Mr. Hubbard
contracted some permanent stomach trouble, and with his wife
visited the home of her father here, in hope that a change of
scene might afford him relief. But he died soon after their
arrival in this city. After a while she married Hon. Hugh
Moffat, at one time n\2iyor of this city.
Mary Palmer, daughter of John Palmer, died early, unmar-
ried.
Helen Chapin, daughter of Dr. Chapin, married H. Norton
Strong, vessel owner of this city, brother of John W. Strong.
Jane Cook, sister of Mrs. John Owen, Mrs. Owen dying,
she, after the death' of her sister, married Mr. Owen.
Mary Larned married Alexander K. Howard, son of Col.
Joshua Howard.
Harriet Larned married Will P. Rumney, son of Robert
Rumney, of this city.
Eliza Williams married George Watson, son of Mrs. Major
B. F. Larned, by a former husband. Mr. Watson was at the
time sutler at Fort Gratiot.
THE '^l^ORT STREET GIRLS/^ . 94 1
Mary Williams married Henry J. Buckley, of the firm of
G. O. Williams & Co., commission merchants.
Louisa Heath married Mr. Stone, of New York City, of the
firm of Bowen, McNamee & Co.
The daughters of Col. Edward Brooks : The eldest, Mar-
garet Ann, m'arried Judge Charles Whipple, of the Michigan
Supreme Court. The second, Adeline, died of consumption,
unmarried. The third, Octavia, married Chandler W. Seymour,
connected with the Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, of this city.
After many years they removed to San Francisco. The fourth,
Emma, died just on the verge of womanhood, a most charming
girl and the admiration of all who had the pleasure of knowing
her. Rebecca, the fifth, married Dr. J. B. Scovell, of this city.
The sixth, Mary, married Mr. Whitney, a rich gentleman of New
York. Emily married Francis P. Markham, of the dry goods
house of Thompson & Markham. Elizabeth married Henry •
Scovell, son of Dr. Scovell. Carrie married Philip Guliger.
Elizabeth Hale, daughter of John Hale, married William F.
Driggs, of the firm of Macey & Driggs, land agents, this city.
Eliza Kercheval married Lieutenant Frank Woodbridge,
U. S. A., aid at the time to General Hugh Brady. Harriet, the
second daughter, married Mr. Hudson, from Lake Superior.
Alice, the third daughter, died unmarried many years ago. Mary,
the fourth daughter, married Moses W. Field, of the firm of
Stephens & Field. Later Mr. Field became member of Congress
from this district.
The Misses Stewart, daughters of Lawyer Charles Stewart:
One became the wife of Lieutenant, afterwards Commodore, Wil-
liam D. Whiting, United States navy, and son of Major Henry
Whiting, at one time stationed in this city as quartermaster,
United States army. The other became the wife of William
Gray, lawyer, this city.
Adeline Rice married Henry Kibbee, of Mt. Clemens.
Sara Brewster married Joseph G. Hill, of the firm of G. & J.
G. Hill, grocers of this city. . Martha died many years ago unmar-
ried. Hattie married Jonathan Thompson.
Matilda Connor, sister of Mrs. Darius Lamson, married Dr.
Egge, of this city.
Emily Trowbridge, niece of Mrs. Lamson, married a gentle-
man from Rochester, N. Y.
942 EARtY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Martha Witherell died of consumption just on the verge of
womanhood, widely lamented.
Harriet Witherell married the writer of these recollections,
and after twenty-eight years of happy married life passed to the
beyond.
Sue Dibble died in early life, about 1846, unmarried, leaving
a wide void in the young social circle of that day.
The two daughters of Chancellor Farnsworth — one married
Lieutenant O. B. Willcox, U. S. A., afterwards a retired briga-
dier-general, U. S. A. The other married a gentleman, a non-
resident of Michigan, whose name I do not recall.
General Willcox married for his second wife, Julia, daughter
of John McReynolds, Detroit.
Louise Ladue married Colonel William W. Duffield.
Miss Frank Ladue married Mr. Anson Eldred, of Milwaukee.
Jennie Fenton, of Flint, sister of. Colonel W. M. Fenton, of
the Eighth Michigan Infantry, resided here with her sister, Mrs.
Joseph Clark. She married Samuel Lewis, of the firm of Lewis
& Graves, forwarding and commission merchants, this city.
Alex. K. Howard, after the loss of his wife, married Lizzie
Whiting, daughter of Dr. J. L. Wliiting.
Eunice and Ellen Hunt, daughters of Major Hunt, pay-
master, U. S. A. The former married Dr. Tripler, surgeon, L^. S.
A., stationed here; the other married Charles Bissell, forwarding
and commission merchant, this city.
Cornelia Piatt married a gentleman in Brooklyn, N. Y.
Louisa Whistler married Wm. Helm, a gentleman from Ken-
tucky, who joined the southern confederacy.
Julia Willcox married David A. McNair, druggist, here.
Charlotte Chase married Dr. Casgrain, of Windsor.
Mary Williams (daughter of General John R.), married,
first, David Smart, of this city ; second, Commodore James P.
McKinstry, U. S. N.
Matilda Moran married- Jas. B. Watson, this city; Julia
Moran married General Isaac D. Toll.
Mary Moran married William Robert Mix, Cleveland, Ohio.
Benjamin Vernor married the sister of Mrs. William L.
Whipple.
John Rucker married Miss Fannie Traux.
THE '^'i^ORT STREET GIRES/' 943
Mary Ingersoll married Mr. Carmen, a merchant residing at
Lockport, N. Y.
Eliza Throop married Alex. M. Campau, this city. '
Elizabeth Gardner married Mr. Miller, an extensive lumber
dealer, Chicago.
Anna Jackson married, first, Leonard Watkins, and second,
Jonathan Thompson.
Laura Chipman married General Henry L. Chipman, U. S.
A. ; Eliza, William Baby, Windsor. Katherine died unmarried.
Martha Kearsley married J. Howard Webster.
Louisa Chapin married Theodore H. Hinchman.
Sophia Griswold married Charles Vail.
Martha Mullett married Mr. Forster, a Lake Superior mining
engineer.
Elizabeth Godfroy married John Watson, dry goods mer-
chant, this city.
Carrie Godfroy, the other daughter, is still living.
Kate Hinchman married Joseph Law, this city.
Cornelia Wales married, first, Mr. LaFayette Knapp ; second,
Alex. H. Newbould.
Virginia Garland married Lieutenant George Deas, adjutant
Fifth United States Infantry.
Louise Garland married Lieutenant Longstreet, U. S. A. ;
during Civil War, Lieutenant General, C. S. A.
Eliza Ingersoll married Frank B. Phelps, this city.
Elizabeth Ingersoll married Alex. Lewis, this city.
Harriet Ingersoll married Anthony Dudgeon, this city.
Mary Clark, daughter of Dr. Thos. B. Clark, married James
C. Parsons, Detroit.
Maggie Moore, niece of Mrs. Dr. R. L. Rice, married Henry
L. Newberry.
Dr. Farnsworth married Kate Connor, this city.
Henry A. Wight married Sara Davenport.
William B. Wesson married Mrs. Hill, widow of Brittan Hill.
Albert Crane married a lady from the east and moved to
Chicago.
James A. Armstrong married, first, Miss Sibley, daughter of
Judge Sibley ; second. Miss Bates, of Canandaigua, N. Y.
H. T. Stringham married a daughter of John W. Strong,
this city.
944 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
William L. Whipple married Miss Fairchild, of Cornell,
N. Y.
Eben N. Willcox married Louise Cole, daughter of Henry S.
Cole, this citv.
Addison Mandell married Miss Chittenden, daughter of Wil-
liam Chittenden, this city.
Frank P. Markham married a daughter of James O. Hill, this
city.
Dr. George B. Russel married Miss Anne Davenport.
General John H. King, U. S. A., married Matilda Davenport.
Charles S. Adams married Miss Sibley, daughter of Judge
Sibley.
General Henry R. Mizner married a daughter of Colonel
Joshua Howard.
BEIvIvES AND BEAUX OE BYGONE DAYS.
In a previous paper I omitted to mention Martha and Clara
Griswold, daughters of John Griswold, who kept the American
Hotel' (Biddle House) in 1844-5. Martha, the elder, married Cap-
tain Carter L. Stevenson, Fifth U. S. Infantry. Clara married
Lieutenant Paul Guise, of the same regiment. Guise was the
brother of the late Harry Guise, of this city.
Also Frances Roberts, daughter of Colonel E. J. Roberts,
father of Colonel Horace L. Roberts, First Michigan V(5lunteer
Infantry. Miss Roberts married George R. Griswold, son of John
Griswold.
Martha Kearsley w^as married to J. Howard Webster, a young
hardware merchant, in 1840. Mrs. Webster died in the house
(Kearsley house) she was married in, which is now standing at
the northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street,
in 1862. Mrs. Webster was secretary of the Mt. Vernon Associa-
tion when it was started in Michigan by Mrs. Elon Farnsworth
as state agent. She was a life member of the Protestant Orphan
Asylum and for many years on its board. She was the first pres-
ident of the Home of the Friendless. Being the granddaughter
and daughter of soldiers, she was earnestly interested in army
work at the beginning of the Civil War. Dying at the early age
of 42, the second year of the war, Detroit lost a notable woman.
<(^ ^ „^ ._^^ „ ))
the: fort street giri^s. 945
John W. Strong, Jr., was first in the hardware business, as
partner of Alex. H. Newbould, and then in the grocery business
for himself, and next in real estate. He acquired a competency.
Barney Campau had all he could do to take care of the large
estate left him by his father. His tragic and early taking off will
be well remembered.
John B. Palmer married a daughter of the confederacy, which
took him south. He entered "the rebel service and remained in
it until the close of the war. He returned to Detroit, but the feel-
ing was so strong against him that he concluded to take up his
residence at Columbus, S. C. He died there many years ago.
A. L. Kellogg was at one time in partnership with Marsh
Mead, in the forwarding and commission business. He was an
expert bookkeeper, and his services in that capacity were much
sought after. -
Samuel Lewis was associated with many prominent men in
the forwarding and commission business on the dock, from time
to time, and acquired wealth" and a first-class business reputation.
He died in Europe many years ago while on a trip there.
Charles S. Adams, a brother of Mrs. Sheldon McKnight, was
of the firm of Adams & Ashley, painters and decorators ; after-
wards of the firm of Whiting & Adams, tax, insurance and real
estate agents. A very popular gentleman. He was gifted with a
fine voice, and was the leader in St. Paul's Episcopal choir. Many
will remember this choir, composed of Dr. and Mrs. Terry,
Charles S. Adams, Charles A. Trowbridge and one or two others
whose names have escaped me.
E. A. Lansing married Miss Annie Dequindre, granddaughter
of Peter J. Desnoyers. Lansing was a well known insurance agent
here for a long time. He died here many years ago.
Dr. Geo. B. Russel, though classed among the older set,
thought himself young enough to claim the hand of Miss Annie
Daveni>ort in marriage. All will remember Dr. Russel, he died
so recently.
H. Norton Strong was an extensive vessel and steam tug
owner. He died many years ago. Thomas Pitts married a daugh-
ter of his.
Lafayette Knapp was in the drug business for quite a while
on Woodward Avenue, west side, between Fort and Congress
Streets. After his marriage to Miss Wales, he quit business,
60
946 • KARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
retired to a farm in Erin, Macomb County, and after two or three
years died there.
Simeon Leake came from the Albany City Bank, was teller
in the F. & M. Bank here for three or four years and then returned
to Albany.
Dr. Egge will be remembered favorably by many. He was a
skillful physician and enjoyed a large practice.
John Rumney was a successful grocery merchant for years,
until the day of his death. William Rumney was for a short time
with his brother, John. He was for some years secretary of the
Board of Trade.
Frank B. Phelps was an extensive fur dealer for years, also
dealt heavily in beans. He was acting mayor of Detroit when a
negro riot occurred in front of the jail on Beaubien Street.
A. H. Guise was a native of Philadelphia. A'fter his advent
here, he became one of the firm of Armstrong, Sibley & Co., for-
warding and commission merchants. He continued in the busi-
ness for quite a period, and then engaged in other pursuits. He
will be remembered most favorably by many of the present as a
man of strict integrity and as a finished, courteous gentleman.
James C. Parsons was of the firm of Parsons and Croul, until
he removed to Chicago. He passed through the fire there and met
with great loss. He died quite recently at Whitestone, Long
Island, N. Y.
William Gray, the witty, genial Irish barrister — the large
number of persons of the present day who knew^ him regret that
he died so young.
Dr. Scovell came to this city with Dr. Rufus Brown. He
was a gay society man, a fine gentleman and a skillful practitioner^
Mr. Henry T. Stringham was a bank man during his resi-
dence here. A fine, courteous gentleman.
Frank Hunt, brother of John T. Hunt, went to Winnipeg,
Canada. It was almost a wilderness then. He 'took up govern-
ment lands, near the latter city, and resided on them until his
death, which happened the fore part of 1905. He became quite
familiar with the language and habits of the Indian tribes in that
locality and wrote an elaborate and extended account of their
manners, customs, etc.
Dr. J. H. Farnsworth was the dentist of the city almost up to
the day of his death. He was exceedingly clever in his profession.
((^^^^ ^^ .^^ ^^ ^ -»-»
THE FORT STREET GIRLS. 947
Dr. L. H. Cobb will be well and favorably remembered as the
skillful practitioner, the, at one time, efficient head of the old Vol-
unteer fire department, one of the first commissioners of the paid
fire department and manager of the Hargreaves Manufacturing
Co. He died in the service of the latter company.
Leonard Watkins was the nephew of Mr. Geo. W. Bissell.
After his marriage to Miss Jackson he removed to Milwaukee, and
died there a short time after.
Walter IngersoU will be well remembered as the cashier of
the Michigan Insurance Company Bank. A very companionable
gentleman who had hosts of friends.
Addison Mandell came here with Theodore Romevn, with
whom he was associated for some years. He later became clerk
of the United States Court and remained in that capacity until his
decease. Mrs. Mandell survives him.
Henry A. Wight, son of Buckminster Wight, and brother of .
Stanley G. Wight, with both of whom he was associated in the
lumber business, died early in life and in the midst of a successful
career.
William B. Wesson, from a small beginning in the real estate
business, amassed a large fortune. He died comparatively early
in life, leaving to his widow and heirs his large possessions which
they are now enjoying.
Alex. M. Campau is yet very much alive, and I am pleased
to say enjoys his comfortable fortune and the society of his sur-
viving family and friends,
Benjamin Vernor — ''Ben" has not been gone from among us
sufficient years to blot out his memory, but with the many who
knew him in life, it is as fresh as ever. And all his good qualities
are remembered ; bad ones he never had.
Henry J. Buckley was a very bright business man. He was
the right hand of Uncle Gurdon Williams, and the first manager
of the Detroit & Pontiac Railroad, built in 1842, or about that
date. After this he was associated with Mr. Williams in business
on the dock. On the death of the former he succeeded to the bus-
iness, which he carried on successfully, and at his death left a fine
fortune to his widow. He was at one time a member of the legis-
lature from this county.
James A. Armstrong, of the firm of Armstrong, Sibley & Co.,
on the dock, foot of Cass Street. He afterwards filled many
948 ICARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
responsible business positions, among which was the head of the
freight department of the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad.
Alexander Lewis, I api happy to say, is with us yet, hale and
hearty, enjoying life, the companionship of his children and the
society of his numerous and attached friends.
Charles A. Trowbridge, of the firm of Brady & Trowbridge,
grocers, and later of the firm of Trowbridge, Chiprnan & Rood,
forwarding and commission on the dock, was a very genial, com-
panionable man, fond of music and socially inclined. He was
largely interested in Lake Superior ventures, and at the time of
his death, which occurred in New York not many years ago, he
was agent for the Silver Islet Mining Co.
Mr. R. B. Ross recently published an article on the old Cath-
olic seminary, still standing on the corner of Randolph and Lar-
red Streets. He covers almost the entire ground. I will supply
som€ deficiencies. I was, as he states, a pupil of Edwin Jerome
when he taught school, in this building, and my sister was a pupil
of the Sisters conducting the seminary. I will give as near as
maybe the names of the boys attending Mr. Jerome's school,
about 1830: Thos. Williams, J. Mott WilHams, George Doty,
Lewis Rowland, Barney and Alex. M. Campau, Henry Chipman,
Wm. Miller, Sam Woodworth, Alex. Sibley, Henry Brevoort,
Tom Biddle, Edmund A. Kearsley, Jim Clark, Friend Palmer,
Geo. Jerome, Ordo Watson, Andries, Henry and Wm. L.
Whipple.
Mr. Sears had a boys' school, about this time, in the upper
part of the old council house. It was a rival partially to the one
kept by Edwin Jerome, and intended more particularly for boys
of more advanced years. Most of the scholars I call to mind.
Their names were : Theo. Williams, Dan Campau, Tom Biddle,
Joe Norvell, Isaac Rowland, Alex. H. Sibley, Henry W. Roby,
Henry J. Canniff, Lewis Cass, Jr., Humes and Andrew Porter,
Ben May and others.
Names of the young girls who attended the Sisters' semi-
nary in same building, but later : Misses Biddle, Sibley, Chip-
man, Kearsley, Schwarz, Norvell, Hurd, Brooks, Palmer, Brush,
Desnoyers, Dequindre, Campau, Rowland, Doty, Watson, St.
Aubin, Larned, Dyson, Abbott, Bronson, Campbell, Willson,
Chapin, Brevoort, Berthelet and Whipple.
The Andries were influential citizens, and lived opposite this
<'<'^^^^. ^^A„— -^>„ „ f)
THE FORT STREET GIRLS. 949
building, as did the Clarks. Adjoining the convent, towards Jef-
ferson Avenue, lived the . Watsons, John, James and Thomas,
also their sister, who married Judge O'Flynn. The Jerome fam-
ily occupied this convent building during the time the son Edwin
had his school in it.
The Whipples lived on the northeast corner of Larned and
Randolph Streets. From this family came Chief Justice Charles
Whipple ; Henry L. Whipple, at one time deputy auditor-general ;
Wm. L. Whipple, conspicuous in the Mexican and also in the
Civil War, and a daughter who was the second wife of Peter,
Desnoyers.
In the rear of the Whipple house was Noyes-s livery stable,
and between it and Miss Lyons's school house, was a vacant
space, where the circus people pitched their tents. It was here
that I first saw Dan Rice, the renowned clown of those days.
Father Richard also lived close by, on Randolph Street, south
side, between the latter street and Larned. I do not remember
the elder Clarks, but I recall the son, "Jini" Clark, who was a tall
and powerful athlete, whom no one cared to tackle. He was a
Democrat and invariably their champion. He was quiet and
peaceable enough when not molested ; otherwise a terror. Placid-
ius Ord married a sister of his. Ord was at one time a mem-
ber* of the territorial legislature from Chippewa County, and
later was its hbrarian. General E. O. C. Ord, U. S. A., a West
Point graduate, and a distinguished officer in the Civil War, was
a brother.
The Johnsons also lived in this vicinity. Johnson was at the
battle of Monguagon, commanding the cavalry, and on account of
his impetuous riding was called the Murat of the American cav-
alry. He had two sons — Jesse, who was in the dry goods busi-
ness with John Watson; the other (I think) entered the priest-
hood. It is my impression that the Johnsons were relatives of the
Watsons.
Judge Sibley lived on the northeast corner of Jefferson
Avenue and Randolph Street.
It has been lately asserted that Miss Lyons was teaching
school in the convent, southwest corner of Randolph and Lar-
ned, when the St. Clair sisters came in 1833, and after their
departure in 1837, remained in the same convent Charity. This
is a mistake, as Charles Trombley, of this city, whose wife. Miss
950 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Elizabeth Knaggs, an adopted daughter of Miss Lyons, asserts
to the contrary. I also from my own personal knowledge make
the same statement that he does.
Miss Lyons's schoolhouse and residence was directly opposite
Father Richard's. I have some reason for remembering it, as
my two cousins (Senator Palmer's sisters), attended her school,
and when the streets were in a muddy condition, which was gen-
erally the case in the spring and fall, it was ahvays up to me to
harness the horse onto the French cart, and take them to and fro.
.Miss Lyons and her two adopted daughters were familiar figures
to me in my young days. I knew Miss Lyons well, or as a boy
might know a person old enough to be his mother. The school
room was in the residence, which she owned. Many of the first
families in the city sent their daughters to her school.
In the immediate vicinity on Jefferson Avenue and Randolph
Street, was the Hull House (later on Biddle House), the Council
House, residences of Colonel John Biddle, E. A. Brush, Detroit
City Bank, Counselor O'Keefe, Major Jonathan Kearsley, Dr.
Wm. Brown, Swan's tavern (Swan was at one time sheriff of
Wayne County. He was brother-in-law of J. C. Sheldon), John
Truax, Thos. F. Knapp, Barnabas Campau, Dr. McCrosky, Judge
Henry Chipman, Oliver Miller, Captain Fearson, Ellis Doty,
Peter T. Desnoyers, John Y. Petty, Simon Poupard, Wm. Krinze,
Wm. Brewster, D. R. L. Rice, Sheriff Wilson, Henry M. Camp-
bell, Mrs. (widow) Wilcox.
Pat Palmer's tavern was near by on Jefferson Avenue, east
side, midway between Randolph and Bates Streets. Palmer was
the father of Captain Perry Palmer, of Wesley Truesdall's ill-
fated propeller Goliath, Geo. Egner, confectionery and ice cream
parlors, and Geo. Doty, watches, docks and jewelry, some time
later occupied the Palmer tavern site with new and substantial
brick structures.
General John R. Williams lived on Woodbridge Street, close
by Woodworth's Hotel. His first residence was on the south-
east corner of Jefferson Avenue and Bates Street, where is now
the dry goods house of Edson, Moore & Co. The house was a
wooden cottage painted, yellow, with white trimmings. An
immense willow tree completely shaded its front. Felix Hinch-
man occupied this house for a while, after the general vacated it.
All the latter's children were born in this house. There also
ef-^^^^< «»A^__>»« «,^,^-»-'
THIJ) FORT STRE:ET GIRLS. 95 1
lived on this street. Dr. Alarshal Chapin, Thomas Rowland,
Knowles Hall, Mr. Sanderson, father of Mrs. Geo. W. Bissell,
Henry Berthelet (of the market), while nearby on Bates Street
were located AIcDnrell and his furniture store, John Collins,
soap and candle manufacturer, David Isdell, Mrs. Hanks, widow
of Lieutenant Hanks, who was killed by a stray shot from a Brit-
ish battery, located on the opposite side of the river, just before
Hull's surrender, Theo. Williams's grocery store, Hon. Austin E.
Wing, H. H. Le Roy, who afterwards owned and lived on the
block where is now the Whitney building (Woodward Avenue),
the Detroit garden, northeast corner of Bates and Atwater.
Names of prominent citizens of Detroit who, in the thirties,
lived between Antoine, Congress and Cass Streets and the river:
Wilcox, John Truax, Wm. Brewster, E. A. Brush, John
Biddle, Judge Sibley, Andre, Watsons, Ords, Johnsons, J. Kears-
ley. Dr. McCrosky, B. Woodworth, Oliver Miller, Thos. Row-
land, Dr. Chapin, General John R. Williams, Sanderson, Knowles
Hall, H. H. Le Roy, Judge Austin E. Wing, Judge Henry Chip-
man, Dr. Wm. Brown, Henry M. Campbell, Barnabas Campau,
Ellis Doty, Felix Hinchman, Peter Desnoyers, Lewis Davenport,'
Colonel Edward Brooks, Arthur Bronson, Colonel Dick Smith,
Mrs. Colonel Anderson, Judge James Abbott, John J. Deming,
J. P. Browning, Julius Eldred, David French, Dr. R. L. Rice, Dr.
Justin Rice, Chauncey Hulburt, John Roberts, R. E. Roberts,
Edward Bingham, Rev. Noah M. Wells, Thos. F. Knapp, Wm.
Pettie,- Presque Cote, Tunis L. Wendell, Major Henry Whiting,
the Cicotts and Beaubiens, Simon Poupard, John Y. Petty, Wil-
liam ^urell, Isdell, Dr. T. B. Clark, A. C. McGraw, T. B. Vallee,
T. L. King, Lebot, Horace Hallock, T. Bour, Dr. Henry, Judge
Canniff, Jerry Dean, Dr. J. L. Whiting, John Hale, Levi Cook,
Lewis Goddard, Shubael Conant, John Garrison, Robert Smart,
Henry S. Cole, Dr. Z. Pitcher, M. Paulding, Dr. H. P. Cobb,
Colonel Dibble, B. F. Farnsworth, Phineas Davis, N. Rossiter,
Nathaniel Prouty, William Nesbitt, John Hanmer, Dr. E. A.
Theller, P. Berthelet, Henry Howard, E. O. Graves, Thomas
Gallagher, Elliott Gray, H. D. Garrison, Alvah Ewers, Jas. A.
Van Dyke, Levi Brown, Colonel L. B. Mizner, Eugene St.
Armour, A. D. Frasier, Judge James May, William Duncan,
Thiebault, Melvin Dorr, William B. Alvord, J. R. Dorr, Dr.
Rufus Brown, Dr. J. B. Scovell, Marsh Mead, Joseph Campau,
Charles Piquette, Chauncey L. Payne, Thomas L. Chase, Wil-
952 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Ham Harsha, Eustache Chapoton, Gideon Paul, General Charles
Larned, Dr. Ebenezer Hurd, Henry V. Disbrow, Alex. McFar-
•"and, Shadrach Gillett, Reynolds Gillett, Stephen Wells, A. H.
Stowell, Garry Spencer, A. B. Calhoun, Judge Elliott, John and
Charles Wells, Pierre Tiller.
Some of the above citizens, those living in close proximity
to the Hull House (Biddle House) and the old Council Ho*use,
southwest corner Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street, I men-
tioned in a former article, January i, 1905. The others men-
tioned, though living at a greater distance from this business
center, recognized it as such and were seen almost daily some-
where around Uncle Ben Woodworth's Steam Boat Hotel,
Wales's American Hotel, and Berthelet market.
This Randolph Street and Jefferson Avenue corner, and
near vicinity were in the twenties, and in fact earlier, and almost
up to 1848, the year of the great fire, the social center of Detroit,
and if we include Randolph Street to the river, it was the business
center as well, I might say, of the entire state. In the immediate
vicinity, on the southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Ran-
dolph Street, was the Governor Hull House, later on the Ameri-
can Hotel, and later the Biddle House. The old Council House,
where is now the water office. On Randolph Street, as many old
settlers know, was located. Uncle Ben Woodworth's Steam Boat
Hotel, southwest corner of Woodbridge Street. On lower Ran-
dolph Street, southwest corjier of Atwater, was the Berthelet
market, the only cattle market in the city. It had adjoining it on
Randolph Street, quite a space fenced in and paved with cobble
stones, for the convenience of horses and cattle exposed for. sale.
The extensive industries of French & Eldred close by on
Atwater Street, the pumping works of Farrand & Davis, at the
foot of Randolph. Also on Randolph Street were located the
principal retail grocery stores in the city. Augustus Kunze had
his soap and candle factory, southeast corner of Woodbridge and
Randolph ; a grandson of his is, or was, an employe in the water
office. At that time Mr. Kunze, General Schwarz and Mr. Uhl-
man, keeper of the Mansion House, were about the only Germans
of prominence in the city.
At foot of Randolph was the extensive forwarding and com-
mission house of Howard & Wadhams, and later oh Brooks &
Hartshorn, and later on J. Nicholson Elbert. It was indeed a busy
center then, teeming with life and activity.
RANDOLPH STRE;ET. 953
RANDOLPH STREET.
When the Sibleys vacated the premises on the northeast cor-
ner of Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street, the wooden house
was moved away and the brick one torn down, leaving an open
space of nearly half the block. On this open space the circus
people pitched their tents in preference to their former location
on Randolph Street, and continued to do so until 1848. Here,
also, the Whigs erected their log cabin in which to hold their
meetings during the stirring campaign of 1840, "Tippecanoe and
Tyler too," which many now living will call to mind, with all its
hard cider and coon skins.
When the platform scales came into use the old city hay
scales and building at the corner of Larned and Wayne Streets
were abandoned and the platform scales took their place, but not
in the same locality. These were established in front of the
American Hotel, on the opposite side of the street. They were
for a long time the only hay scles in the city with the exception
of the ones at the northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and
Wayne Street.
In the large room 'on the first floor of the Council House the
territorial court held its sessions, and continued to until the terri-
torial capitol was completed (1824 or 5). The common council
also held its sessions here until about 1830 or 31, when the Pres-
byterian Church people, at the sale of the Old Cantonment build-
ings, Fort Shelby, purchased the long Hall building that had
been used by the troops for balls and other purposes, and moved
it to the rear of their new church, northeast corner Woodward
Avenue and Larned Street, and on their own lot, for use as a
session and a Sunday school room. It suited their purpose admir-
ably, and it came in very opportune for use by the common coun-
cil of the city. The latter, for some unexplained reason, had
leased the Council House to Mr. Lillibridge for his ''Tontine Cof-
fee House," and therefore they were gratified enough to secure a
room in which to hold their sessions. The city continued to use
this church session room until the Firemen's hall (brick) was
erected on the adjoining lot, northwest corner Bates and Larned
Streets, clearing away the old wooden shed-like structure that had
accommodated Fire Engine Co. No. i so many years. The upper
part of this new building was devoted to the uses of the common
council, the fire department and city offices.
954 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Services of the Church of England were held in the Council
House from 1824 to 1828. It was here that the first St. Paul's
parish was organized in 1824. It is said it was the cradle
of the first Episcopal Church in Michigan. Rev. Richard F.
Cadle was the pastor. Wardens and vestrymen were : Samuel
Perkins, Levi Brown, John Biddle, A. J. Whitney, Jonathan
Kearsley, James Abbott, Henry Chipman, John Garland, John L.
Whiting and Jerry Moores.
I mention the minister, wardens and vestrymen, as I knew
them all by sight. The Rev. Mr. Cadle I heard in the pulpit.
Samuel Perkins was a United States ordnance officer and keeper
of the arsenal here. Levi Brown was a jeweler, and inventor of
the gold pen. John Biddle was Major Biddle, after whom the •
Biddle House was named. A. J. Whitney held some county
office. Jonathan Kearsley was United States receiver. James
Abbott was postmaster. Henry Chipman was a judge and father
of Hon. J. Logan Chipman. John Garland was a colonel in the
United States army. John L. Whiting was a prominent doctor.
Jerry Moores was a master stone and brick mason.
In the large room of the Council House, first floor. Dr. Doug-
lass Houghton was first introduced to the public through his
chemical lectures, which were largely attended. They were very
interesting, illustrated as they were by brilliant experiments.
They were the first lectures of their kind ever given here to the
general public. D. Z. Crane, our old schoolmaster in the Uni-
versity building on Bates Street, was a regular crank on chem-
istry. Crane had a fine laboratory, apparatus, etc., and gave fre-
quent illustrated lectures to his scholars only. So we youngsters
who were attendants at Crane's school, were somewhat familiar
with chemistry and ''caught on" when we came to hear it
expounded by Dr. Houghton.
After this Lillibridge (a queer character), established here
''the Tontine Coffee House," the first of its kind in the city. It
was a little ahead of the times and did not prove a success.
Upstairs in the southwest corner of the Council House was
the Masonic lodge room, with the curtains to the windows always
tightly drawn, and outwardly all looked dark and ominous, owing,
no doubt, to the cloud cast on the order by the Morgan affair
that happened in New York State in the early twenties, and with
which all Free Masons are familiar. It was said the feeling
RANDOLPH stre;e:t. 955
entertained against them here, at that time, by the anti-Masons,
was so strong that they did not dare to appear in pubUc, in their
regaha with music, etc., as they formerly had been in the habit of
doing. Perhaps this may have been so, generally speaking, but I
know of two occasions when they did appear in full regaha;
these were at the funeral of my father and later that of Mr. Obed
Waite, architect of the territorial capitol building. Not being
a Free Mason I do not remember when the lodge resumed its
former sway. I (boy that I was) was full of the mystery of this
alleged Morgan abduction business. Before my mother and the
rest of our family left Canandaigua for Detroit, I accompanied
her to the jail there to see Mr. Cheesbro and Mr. Sawyer, promi-
nent Free Masons, who were confined on suspicion of being con-
cerned in the kidnaping. Mr. Cheesbro was one of my father's
most intimate friends, as also was Mr. Sawyer. The latter was
a tenant of his, and a very near neighbor.
There was no evidence against them, or of sufficient char-
acter to convict them, and they were released. Mr. Cheesbro
died at a good old age in Canandaigua, and Mr. Sawyer emi-
grated to Grand Blanc, in this state. He too lived to see many
years and died at Grand Blanc.
The last to use the Council House building were James A.
Hicks, dry goods, and after him Sandford Brittan as furniture
store. Then came the fire of 1848.
^ 'K ¥
Between the Council House and Randolph Street, was a
vacant lot where had been the reservoir of Farrand and Davis.
On this lot Eldred & Co. erected a two-story wooden building,
and used it a while for a hardware store. They vacated it for
larger premises further down Jefferson Avenue. Geo. M. Rich
succeeded them in the building with a stock of groceries. He too
was dirven away by the fire.
When the Governor Hull House became the American Hotel,
it was extended to cover the vacant space between it and Ran-
dolph Street. The first story was finished for business purposes,
and the two upper stories for the hotel. The corner store was
occupied by Riley & Ackerley, drugs and medicines, then by
David A. McNair, same business, and later by Theo. H. Eaton.
The latter occupied the premises at the time of the fire. The
956 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
adjoining store was occupied first by the Cicotts, with dry goods,
and after by Fortier & Berthlet, in the same trade.
Near the American Hotel, on Randolph Street, and fronting
Michigan Avenue (now Cadillac Square), Mrs. O. Hartwell kept
a boarding house. Mrs. Hartw^ell, a widow with two children, son
and daughter, came here from Canandaigua, N. Y., about 1845.
One of her boarders was Attorney Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, a
member of the Detroit bar and a lawyer of rare ability. He took
quite a liking for the widow's son, Thomas H. Hartwell, who was
a bright, studious lad, and induced him to enter his office as a
student. After the usual time had passed, Thomas was adniitted
to practice and became a full-fledged limb of the law.
In 1852-53 Van Rensselaer was county clerk, and Hartwell
was his deputy. They were 1)oth practicing their profession here
in 1855 and later.
Hartwell became quite interested in the public school system
of Detroit and was at one time president of the board of education.
He unfortunately sustained a serious paralytic stroke, which inca-
pacitated him from attending to business of any sort for some
years. These years he spent in travel west and other parts of the
Union, mostly on horseback. Being young, he gradually won
back his health, and is now practicing his profession in New York-
City, or was a few years ago.
Lawyer Van Rensselaer married Hartwell's sister. After a
few years of married life she passed away, and he married Miss
Sarah Morse, daughter of Mr. Chauncey Morse, the bookseller.
Mr. Van Rensselaer died some years ago. His widow survives
him.
Garry Spencer also lived on Randolph Street, fronting Mich-
igan Avenue. It was at Spencer's house that our schoolmaster,
Edwin Jerome, met his fate in the person of Mrs. Spencer's sister.
The boys of the school knew all about it, at the time — for during
this period he was particularly gracious.
Alpheus White, a rugged and noted character at that time,
lived near by the Spencers, and Mrs. Hartwell, in the log cabin
farm house of the Brush estate. I remember his personality well,
but I do not call to mind his occupation.
RANDOLPH STREET. 957
Cullen Brown, with his extensive harness and saddlery estab-
lishment, was located on Jefferson Avenue, near Randolph Street.
The boys all knew Cullen Brow n, and it was at his .shop all went
to get their skates strapped. We went there more particularly on
account of William Duncan, who was his head man. Duncan
will be remembered as that energetic member of the old Volunteer
Fire Department of Detroit, of which he was at one time chief.
About the time Chancellor Farnsworth built on upper Jeffer-
son Avenue Cullen Brown built on the southeast corner of Rivard,
where is nowvthe residence of ex-Mayor Alex. Lewis. After some
years' residence In this locality, and on the opening of Jefferson
Avenue across the Dequindre, Witherell and St. Aubin farms, Mr.
Brown sold this corner to Mr. Lewis, and built a brick residence
further up on the St. Aubin farm, where is now^ the city residence
of Mrs. Addison Mandell. Mr. Carnes, the brewer, succeeded
him. The Mandells succeeded the latter, supplanting the old-
fashioned brick structure with a more modern one.
Mr.. Brown married for his second wife the sister of Mrs.
Geo. Jerome and Mrs. Homer Warren. They had one son, the
present Cullen, whom every one knows, and favorably. The
Brown house that was on the southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue
and Rivard is now doing duty as the residence of Mr. W. Q.
Hunt, northwest corner of Jefferson Avenue and Leib Street.
Ht jK ^
ALEX. CAMPAU AND BELLE ISLE.
Mr. Alex. M. Campau has deposited in the Detroit Museum
of Art, historical department, about sixty papers, mostly original,
in regard to Hog Island (Belle Isle), derived from his father,
Barnabee (Labie) Campau, all of which are valuable, either his-
torically or because of the signatures. They are at present in a
somewhat dilapidated condition. In due time they will be mended
and catalogued so as to make them easy for reference for any one
interested.
Mr. Campau related to the waiter the version of the charge
that the $5,000 his father paid Wm. Macomb for the island was in
wildcat money, and that he (Macomb) never realized anything
from it. He said : "The $5,000 my father paid Macomb was in
'red dog' (or wildcat) money, issued by some chartered bank in
Ohio, and about the only currency in circulation here at that time,
958 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT
and considered good. Macomb was owing this bank in Ohio
$5,000 on a promissory- note, and he went down post haste to pay
it, as it was past due. On arriving at the bank he noticed an
unusual crowd in and around it. On demanding that the teller
produce his note, the latter hesitated, and finally referred him to
the cashier in an adjoining room. After some palaver with the
latter official he paid over the $5,000 and got his note. It appears
that the bank had failed, and the officials, knowing Macomb was
good for the $5,000, had expected or hoped to retain this good
piece of paper, and let their 'red dog' promises-to-pay go to the
dogs."
So it will be seen that Macomb did not lose in the transaction.
B. F. FARNS WORTH AND PHINF,AS DAVIS.
"I did not know Mr. Farnsworth intimately during the latter's
years of his life, but saw much of him during the first two years
after his arrival here, as he was an inmate of my uncle, Thos.
Palmer's home, when he occupied the upper part of the store,
southeast corner of Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street, and
it is of that period of his life that I write.
''He first came to the city in 1829 as the accredited agent of
Phineas Davis, Jr., of Boston. Mr. Davis had just purchased a
stock of general merchandise for the western market, which he
committed to the charge of young Farnsw^orth, and a staVt was
made from Boston by water during the month of September. The
goods were loaded on a small schooner and conveyed to Albany
via Long Island Sound and the Hudson River. The voyage was
an extremely tedious one, occupying six days in its first stage as
far as New York City. After a day's delay in that city, he took
the steamer for Albany and reached there five days in advance of
the schooner, which occupied five days in its voyage up the river.
At Albany the cargo was transferred to a canal boat, and the
weary westward journey was taken up. Mr. Farnsworth left the
freight boat to Utica, and journey in advance by packet to Buffalo.
The delays had been so many that when the cargo reached that
city the last steamer of the season had started for Detroit, and the
only recourse was a belated schooner. Upon this he shipped his
stock and took passage, fortified by instructions from his principal
that if his journey were arrested he should land and dispose of
RANDOI.PH STREE:T. 959
his goods wherever possible. This did not prove necessary, how-
ever, as he reached Detroit safely and without incident on the
13th day of October, 1828. He at once purhased the stock of
F. & T. Palmer, remaining in the brick store, southeast corner of
Jefferson Avenue and Griswold Street, and rented the premises
from Thomas Palmer, father of Senator Palmer. His authority
was absolute, as if he had been in business for himself, for he held
an unconditional power of attorney from his principal, witnessed
by James Witherell and Thomas Palmer and acknowledged before
Judge Solomon Sibley.
Though I was quite a small boy at the time of Mr. Farns-
worth's advent here, his personality is very vividly impressed
on my 'memory. He was an exceedingly clean cut, handsome man,
and precise in all his movements — Boston from the crown of his
head to the sole of his foot.
Henry L. Ball, assistant editor and publisher of the Detroit
Gazette at that time, was, with his sister, also an intimate of my
uncle's family. Mr. Ball and Mr. Farnsworth became intimate
friends. The latter, so recently accustomed to the busy life of
Boston, would have found existence extremely monotonous here,
through the long winter, but, as he said, for the amusement he
found in reading the exchanges of the Detroit Gazette furnished
him by his friend Ball. The calm, quiet, cool and deliberate
demeanor he brought with him from Boston, he always main-
tained. Plis integrity was unquestionable. After severing his
connection with Phineas Davis, he associated himself with Amos
T. Hali and A. E. Mather.
Phineas came here with his family in August, 1828.
Farnsworth managed *'Phin's" business here for some time,
but was taken ill and went back to Boston. In 1836 Phineas was
placed in charge of an important enterprise, and wishing to
relinquish his store, went to Boston and held a conference with
Farnsworth. As a result the latter returned to Detroit in Decem-
ber, 1836, and formed the partnership mentioned above. They
bought out the entire business interest of Davis. Besides this
venture of Mr. Farnsworth's with Mather & Hall, he engaged in
some other enterprises, notably the hotel business (Eagle Tavern
on Woodbridge Street, near Griswold, which he built and
owned) ; the shoe business which he conducted for many years,
96o EJARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
and he was also at one time connected with the assessor's office.
He was, in addition, quite an extensive owner of real estate.
Mrs. Davis was the sister of Colonel Sylvanus Fair, of the
United States Engineer Corps, who was a distinguished soldier
in the war of 1812. At that time Colonel Fair was the superin-
tendent of the military academy at West Point, and his statue
stands there now to perpetuate his fame.
Davis in 1829 was connected with Detroit's water supply.
He was in company with Rufus Wells, Lucius Lyon and A. E.
Hathon, the common council giving to them the exclusive right
of furnishing water in Detroit until i860. The reservoir was
located on the south side of Fort Street, between Shelby and
Wayne. The company did not give good service and its charter
was revoked in 1836.
Phineas was a stout man of medium hight and blond com-
plexion, magnetic and pushing, and somewhat eccentric in his
ways. He was engaged in many enterprises, notably the Gibraltar
and Flat Rock canal. He induced Daniel Webster to invest, he
buying stock to the amount of $2,500, giving his note for it. The
note was discounted by the Bank of Michigan, but it never
realized a cent from it.
A bank was established at Gibraltar under the wildcat bank-
'ing law of 1837, with a capital of $100,000. Its directors were
Joshua How^ard, Enoch Jones, Benjamin Porter, Alanson Sheeley,
Theo. Romeyn, H. B. Lothrop, N. T. Ludden, Eldridge Morse
and Griffith H. Jones. Joshua Howard was president and J. C.
Ringwalter cashier. The bank went down like the rest of the
brood of wildcat banks, as did the Flat Rock Canal Co., and Phin
Davis was a ruined man.
In 1837 Webster visited Detroit to see his son, Fletcher
Webster, who was at that time practicing law here. While here
Daniel Webster spoke in the Cass orchard, rear of the old man-
sion. Cass was not here at the time; was United States minister
to France. The use of the grounds was kindly tendered to the
Whigs by Edmund A. Brush, Democrat. All the Whig notables
of Detroit were present, as well as the officers of the new state.
After dinner, served to 500 persons, the speech was delivered on
the questions of the day. I was present.
Davis was finally forced to make an assignment for the
benefit of his creditors, to Alanson Sheeley and N. T. Ludden, and
RANDOLPH STREET. . 96 1
directly after removed to Pontiac, where he kept a general store
for many years. He died in Pontiac in 1850, in his fiftieth year.
I do not know the date of Mr. Farnsworth's death. Mrs. Farns-
worth died in this city February 7, 1904. at the advanced age of
91 years. I remember when her husband brought her here as a
bride. She was prominent in society for many years. I think
three daughters survive her.
The immediate associates of Mr. Farnsworth, directly after
he came here, were Henry L. Ball, assistant editor Detroit
Gazette; Obed Waite, architect of capitol building; Sheldon
McKnight, Sidney D. Hawkins, J. V. R. Scott, Mr. Pettie and
Walter L. Newberry.
bi
FIR5T PROTE.STANT 50CIE.TY.
IT was due to the labors of Rev. William Case, a Methodist
Episcopal clergyman, that the first Protestant socJety was
formed in Detroit in 1810, with seven members; Robert
Abbott, Betsey, his wife; William McCarty, Mamia C, his wife;
William Stacey, Betsey, his wife, and Sarah Macomb. These
people were organized into a church, the membership of which
was increased to thirty before the war of 1812, when it suflFered
in the general demoralization attending the conflict, though Mr.
Abbott and Mr. McCarty kept up the religious services as far as
possible. The little company held together, and when Rev. Joseph
Hickox, of Hartford, Ct., came to this region as a missionary, the
original seven members were again established as a Methodist
Episcopal Church, occupying the Council House, southwest
corner Jefferson Avenue and Randolph Street, as a place of wor-
ship, with preaching once in three weeks.
Robert Abbott was the first English-American born in
Detroit. His mother was the first English-speaking woman who
settled in Detroit.
Wm. McCarty was born on Crosse He. His wife was the
sister of the wife of Robert Abbott, and they were born in
Philadelphia.
William Stacey and his wife lived on the River Rouge. Mr.
Hickox preached regularly on the River Rouge, and at Monroe,
as well as in Detroit.
In June, 181 6, Rev. John Montieth, a graduate of Princeton
Theological Seminary, a missionary commissioned by the board
of missions of the Presbyterian Church, began his labors in Mich-
igan. At that time the population of Detroit was about 1,000.
^In May, 1819, a lot on Woodward Avenue, running from Larned
to Congress Street, was granted to the First Protestant Society,
which was the title taken by the church and congregation. The
deed was signed by Lewis Cass, governor of Michigan territory,
and Solomon Sibley and John Hunt, two of the judges of the
territory. The witnesses were Henry Chipman and Edmund A.
THE FIRST PROTESTANT SOCIETY. 963
Brush. In 1818 a cliurch was organized, having some of the
doctrines of the Presbyterian Church, but not so rigid 'as to repel
those of other, rehgious behefs from uniting with them. The
first elders were John J. Deming, Levi Brown and Lemuel Shat-
tuck. In the year 1820 the church edifice was completed. The
signers of the first constitution were Charles Larned, Austin E.
Wing, Thomas Pahiier, Jas. Duane Doty, Thomas Rowland,
Stephen C. Henry, Frances Audrian, Wm. Woodbridge, John
Hunt, Justin Rice, James Abbott, Henry L Hunt, Henry Sander-
son, D. G. Jones, John P. Sheldon, John J. Deming, Lewis Cass,
Benjamin Woodworth, A. Edwards, B. F. H. Witherell.
In 1825 the church was reorganized and regularly adopted
the Presbyterian form of government.. At that time* there
were forty-nine members, thirty-eight of which were women.
Their names were: Margaret Audrian, Seth Beach, Maria
Brewster, Cullen Brown, Lucy Brown, Catherine Bronson, Elijah
Converse, Phoebe Crosby, Rebecca Converse, William B. Hunt,
Sarah Hubbard, ^latilda Hurd, Melicent Plunt, Catherine Jones,
Jane Kelly, Mary Chapin, Louisa Cooper, Elizabeth Cass, Nancy
Caniff, John J. Deming, Ruth Edwards, Lucretia Goodwin, Mary
Gillett, Stephen C. Henry, Ann Henry, Lydia Sanderson, Sophia
Seymour, Martha Ten Eyck, Almira Willcox, xA^shbel W. Wells,
Asenath Lee, Temperance Mack, Fanny Mack, M^ry McMillan,
Mary Owen, Jane M. Palmer, Justin Rice, Hannah Roby, Mary
Rice, Mary J. Scott, Ann Hunt, Mary Hunt, Eurotas P. Hastings,
J. W. Woolsey.
In 1825 Stephen C. Henry, Eurotas P. Hastings, John J.
Deming and A. S. Wells were elected elders of the church. E. P.
Hastings, Henry I. Hunt, Shubeal Conant, Levi Cook and Austin
E. Wing were trustees.
ILLUMINATIONS.
The custom of illuminating public buildings and private resi-
dences to celebrate any important event was much in vogue here
in the long ago.
In 1837, when Michigan was admitted into the Union as a
state, there was a grand illumination to celebrate the event.
Sperm candles, inserted in three-cornered tin candlesticks, were
used. A projecting corner of the latter was stuck into the wooden
sash inclosing each pane of glass in the windows. It was quite
general throughout the city.
964 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
The lighting was simultaneous, at the sounding of the bell
from the Presbyterian Church steeple, on Woodward Avenue and
Larned Street. The effect was striking and quite spectacular.
The night w^as w^ithout a moon, and as dark as a "stack of black
cats." Seen from the middle of the river, or from the Canada
shore, the aspect the city presented was brilliant.
The Michigan Exchange Hotel, then just completed, pre-
sented a splendid sight. Every pane of glass in the entire structure
had its gleaming light. Other prominent buildings did their share,
but I think the Michigan Exchange excelled them all. Jefferson
Avenue was a blaze of light from^ end to end, and bonfires lent
their aid to turn night into day.
There was another illumination of a like character, in every
way, more brilliant, perhaps, some ten years later, on the ending
of the Mexican war. The city had grown larger in the meantime,
and the display was more imposing.
I do not call to mind another illumination, and think this was
the last. Housekeepers were no doubt glad of it, as the splutter-
ing candles must have caused them no end of bother.
THE FARLWLLL TO JUDGL A. B. WOODWARD.
ENTHUSIASTIC SPEECHES IN OLD-TIME STYtE OF OVER-
PRAISE—SINGULAR' CONTRAST BETWEEN THE WOOD-
WARD ADDRESSES AND THE JUDGE'S REAL SELF.
FRIEND PALMER offers an interesting selection. He had
gone into The Detroit Gazette, Feb. 20, 1824, and found
important details of the farewell to Hon. A. B. Woodward,
for 18 years territorial judge. The gathering of citizens
included all the well-known men of the day. It was held at
Woodworth's hotel. Hon. John McDonnell was called to the
chair and Philo E. Judd was chosen secretary. The report con-
tinues in the quaint phraseology of the day :
After the organization, the chairman was requested to
explain more fully, the purpose for which it was called. He did
so in a concise, but feeling manner, stating that it was to take
into consideration the public services of the Hon. Augustus B.
Woodward, during his residence in Michigan territory. The
chairman dwelt on the intrepid conduct pursued, and the inesti-
mable services rendered by Judge Woodward to this country,
and to our fellow-citizens in the most trying scenes — scenes, too,
in which the chairman himself was an actor. Whereupon the
following preamble and resolutions were considered and unani-
mously adopted :
judge; woodwaro praised.
"Whereas, by the recent organization of the judicial depart-
ment of this territory, we lose the services of the Hon. Augustus
B. Woodward, late chief justice of the Supreme Court, who has
faithfully and honorably, discharged that important trust, dur-
ing a period of more than eighteen years. And, believing it to be
our duty to express the sentiments of this meeting, which are in
unison with those of our fellow-citizens generally, in relation to
his merits and public conduct ; therefore,
966 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
"Resolved, That the extreme legal information, incorruptible
integrity, splendid talents, correct and gentlemanly deportment,
tried patriotism, and the great literary acquirements of the Hon.
Augustus B. Woodward, eminently entitled him to the respect of
every American.
"Resolved, That during the long period he has served as chief
justice, his research, impartiality, independence and urbanity have
been such as to merit the entire approbation of this meeting ; and
his unceasing exertions for the good of' the country, comi^and
our warmest gratitude.-
"Resolved, That the intrepid course pursued by him during
the prevalence of the power of the enemy in the territory, and his
zeal in the protection of our unfortunate citizens and prisoners,
have lastingly endeared him to us ; and that we shall ever cherish
the most grateful recollections of his fortitude and active philan-
thropy.
"Resolved, That Mr. John Burnham, Mr. Calvin Baker, Mr.
J. O. Lewis, Mr. Obed Wait, Mr. James Byrne, and Mr. John
Roberts, Jr., be a committee to prepare a suitable address, expres-
sive -of the sentiments of this meeting and those of the public.'*
The said committee then retired and after some time returned
and reported an address which, having been considered, it was
further unanimously
"Resolved, That the address be adopted, and that the com-
mittee present the same together with a copy of these resolu-
tions, to the Hon. Augustus B. Woodward.
"Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed
by the chairman and secretary, and together with the address, be
published in the Detroit Gazette and National Intelligence.
John McDonnell, Chairman."
**Philo E. Judd, Secretary."
#
HIGH RESPECT SHOWN.
Judge Woodward was deeply affected by the sincerity of the
resolutions but managed to make a felicitous reply, couched in
the polished style of the day.
In addition to the resolutions, the committee offered the judge
a memorial signed by John Roberts, Jr., brother of Robert E. Rob-
erts, city clerk and secretary of the Detroit water board ; John
McDonnell, progenitor of the present superintendent of the Detroit
THE FAREIWELIv TO JUDGE: A. B. WOODWARD. 967
House of Correction; James O. Lewis, sculptor, whose work is
seen in the statues of Father Richard and Lewis Cass ; Obed
Wait, the designer and architect of the territorial capitol build-
ing; James Burnham, Calvin Baker, James Byrne. This some^
what flowery address, prepared by these gentlemen, reads as
follows :
A portion of your fellow-citizens, who have learned with
unfeigned regret that, in the recent arrangement of judges for
this territory, they lose the benefit of your services in a situation
which you have filled for so many years with such honor to your-
self cannot, in justice to their own feelings, suffer this occasion
to pass without assuring you of the high respect they entertain
for you personally, and the estimation in which they have invar-
iably held your virtues and your patriotism. In the expression
of our sentiments we refrain from adulation and panegyric,
because we conceive they could add little to the meed of praise
which is already justly your due. Our subject is fully accom-
plished if we have conveyed to you, in the unaffected language of
simplicity and truth, the testimony of our confidence — our regard,
and our gratitude — and we hope that our feelings will not be
measured by the brevity which we shall observe in their
exDression.
Coeval with the existence of our territory we find you com-
mence the discharge of an office, than which none within the
range of civil government is more arduous and important an
ofiice, the faithful discharge of which sustains the good order
and happiness of society. The duties which devolved on the
judges of this territory were, indeed, of no ordinary magnitude.
Not only were they judicial, but they were also of a legislative
character ; and sure we are, that whatever success may have
attended their labors, your individual exertions were never want-
ing to their accomplishment. If these duties were performed in
any manner to merit praise, and that they were, we believe few
will feel disposed to dispute, certainly no small share should
belong to you.
LAUD HIS WAR REICORD.
Since the year 1805 we have beheld you presiding on the
bench of the Supreme Court if we except the period during
which a foreign foe waved over our city a "flaming brand," and
with what dignity, strict integrity, assiduous research and true
968 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
•
independence of character you have discharged the functions of
that station, because it must be acknowledged, not only by the
citizens of this territory, but also by those beyond it who have
perused your learned and elaborate opinions that none could pos-
sibly possess these qualities in a more eminent degree than your-
self. It is unquestionable that you possess no common share of
legal as well as scientific knowledge qualities which enabled you to
discharge the duties of your station in the most unexceptionable
manner, it is equally true that your strict attention and unwearied
exertions in whatever conduced to the public prosperity, could
not be surpassed in any country or in any age. With such quali-
fications, your sensibility of heart, your sound judgment, and
your perspicuous and penetrating understanding rendered you
peculiarly calculated in every respect for that office.
When our country was plunged in the deepest horrors of
war, and the ruthless savage exercised his uncontrolled domina-
tion over our devoted city, from a review of your conduct in that
mournful period, we profess to be at a loss which to admire most,
the former enlightened judge upon the bench, or the now intrepid
patriot in the hour of danger. During the lapse of eighteen
years you have presided in our Supreme Court you have con-
tinued to accumulate that debt of gratitude which your country
now owes you and which, we will venture to assert, she can
never repay. And so indefatigable have been your exertions, that
even when the hand of sickness laid you low, you hesitated not to
attend to the duties of your station at the imminent hazard of
your life.
FIRMNESS.
Who that has heard of our late war with Great Britain and
pretends to know anything of the history of that sanguinary
period in which it raged, but must be aware of your patriotic
exertions in vindication of the rights of our citizens? Who that
remembers the bloody massacre of the River Raisin, that does not
remember also the more than Spartan firmness you manifested
on that occasion ? When the articles of capitulation were vio-
lated— when the lives, the liberty and the property of our citi-
zens were in jeopardy, you alone were their "guardian and their
shield" — and you alone had the firmness to step forth to save
them. And this bold stand you maintained to your eternal honor
until the sword of the enemy repelled the advancing forces of
THE fare:wi:IvL to judge a. b. woodward. 969
your country. Neither captivity nor death had any terror to
deter you from pursuing the laudable course which you deemed
necessary, to insure the safety of your countrymen ; and you have
now the consolation to reflect that you were not only instrumental
in guarding their liberty and property, but had even saved the
lives of others. But why need we detail the signal actions you
performed ? We only repeat what is already on record. We only
glance at deeds, the details and proofs of which are now in the
archives of the government.
•
REPROACHED CAEUMINATORS.
Think not, sir, that your country will be ungrateful. If foul
play has been used — if impure feelings have prevailed, the actors
in unholy transactions will learn that in a land of freedomi, merit
cannot be depressed.
It were to be wished that we could stop here ; but we cannot
do so in justice to you. The example which you set to others they
could not imitate, even in the distance ; and jealously envied you
the fame and the honor you so meritoriously acquired. After time
will do you justice, and the page of history will be devoted to
your actions and your. name. It is melancholy reflection that the
character of the virtuous citizen often finds no shelter from the
storm of calumny. Imputations, odious, absurd and unjust,
deserve no reply. You have discharged your public duties in a
manner to elicit the approbation of the virtuous part of the com-
munity. You drifted not with the current. You sailed not in the
wind of opinion and prejudice.
In conclusion, be assured that the memory of your virtues,
vour talents and your actions will be forever green in the remem-
brance of your countrymen.- Accept, sir, the assurance of our
high consideration and respect.
m'donneel's speech.
With great formality the resolutions were presented to the
judge by Chairman McDonnell, as follows :
A meeting of your fellow-citizens was held agreeably to
public notice in this city, on the evening of Saturday last, the
avowed object of which was to take into consideration the ser-
vices of an ofiicer, who has with singular felicity, in the discharge
of his public duties, continued, for a series of years, to command
970 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
the admiration of which he is a member. Need I scarcely add
that I alhide to you, sir? If on the one hand, we lament the
occasion that called us together, we hope that on the other, we
see nothing that can justify us in drawing a conclusion of any
intended ingratitude by your country towards you. No, sir,
whatever the present appearances of the horizon may indicate, we
trust, that without pretending to a spirit of prophecy, we can ven-
. ture to assert, that the sun of your fortunes far from being set,
is merely eclipsed by a passing cloud that will, soon vanish from
the sight, and will at no distant period become more resplendent
than ever.
In presenting you, sir, with the resolutions and the address
which the unanimity of the meeting deemed to be due to you,
permit me to assure you for myself and the rest of the gentlemen
of the committee appointed to wait on you, that we derive pecu-
liar pleasure from the performance of the duties which the meet-
ing enjoined on us; that we fully concur in the sentiment of
approbation in relation to yourself and I beg to add the assur-
ances of our high consideration for you personally.
FOND REMEMBRANCES,
Be assured, sir, that when the little bickerings and prejudices
of the transient hour are buried in the vale of oblivion, when the
pulse of the caluminator shall have ceased to beat, when his organ
of detraction will no longer furnish a banquet to the worm ; and
when himself and his character are sunk in forgetfulness, a gen-
eration, yet unborn, will do justice to the man in whom were
united the philosopher, the patriot, the judge and the philanthrop-
ist. In that day, the cultivation of the sciences will add an addi-
tional ray to the light which will shine around your name, and a
grateful posterity will venerate the memory of him whose labors
have enlarged the boundaries of their knowledge.
JUDGE woodward's RESPONSE.
This is Judge Woodward's response : The affectionate
address I have had the honor to receive from you, while it is an
evidence of your 'attention and kindness, cannot be otherwise than
gratifying to a mind of sensibility.
To find my humble qualifications thus appreciated, and my
THE ^AREWKI,!, TO JUDGE A. B. WOODWARD. 97 T
Inadequate services, in the cause of my country, so applauded,
is a. reward sufficient to satisfy a higher ambition than mine.
In the various labors which have diversified a situation and
scenery so peculiar as those in which I was placed, my only
merit is that I have been uniformily governed by a severe sense
of duty, and while I can have no claim to exemption from error,
it is not in the lot of human nature that exertions, however well
mtended should be viewed in the same aspect by all. A steady
and uniform approbation is not anticipated, even in the most
exalted stations of our republic ; nor is it to be regarded as a mat-
ter of surprise than those in less elevated capacities should not
always escape censure or obloquy.
In that melancholy and sanguinary hour, when a hostile ban-
ner overshadowed our land, and during which I could perform
no official act, my feelings imperiously compelled me to stand by
my fellow-citizens, to combat for their rights, to share their dan-
gers, and participate in their sufferings; and, according as they
should stand or fall, to stand or fall myself. Nor, at this day,
would my heart or head dictate an alteration in my course, were
a destiny so deplorable again to attend the fortunes of my country.
Be pleased to accept, gentlemen, for yourselves, and for your
fellow-citizenSy my sincere thanks for the respect and politeness
with which the communication of your sentiments has been accom-
panied ; and believe me, your welfare and prosperity are objects
which will be ever dear to my heart.
COMMENTS.
It ma}^ not seem inconsistent to add that the judge, while
praised for his urbanity and high social qualities, had according
to Henry A. Cherey, "a temper of his own." Mr. Cherey's com-
ment is as follows : "He was a marvel of personal untidiness,
even among pioneers, and his imperious will was such that no
mortal man could get along with him unless he submitted to it.
During the British occupation, in 1812, he was General Proctor's
secretary in civil matters, but he bullied- Proctor as he had pre-
viously bullied Hull."
C. M. Burton says of him, "His life in Detroit was among a
frontier people who were not at that time overcleanly themselves ;
and if he was so untidy as to call the attention of his neighbors to
the fact, he must have been filthy indeed. We are assured that
972 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
lie drank liquor more than was usual even in his day ; that he was
not very punctual in the payment of his debts; and continually
quarreled with Governor Hull. He was never married. This
may have been because he found no lady who was willing to risk
her life and happiness by a union with him.''
Mr. Burton comments on the fact that in New York City,
about the time Judge Woodward was born, there was baptized
there one Elias Brevoort Woodward, who may have been iden-
tical with the judge; but no explanation is at hand to indicate
why Woodw^ard changed his name, if indeed such is the fact.
LARLY 50CIAL CONDITIONS.
THE VENERABLE MICHIGAN HISTORIAN EXAMINES NEWS-
PAPER FILES FOR 1823, AND THROWS A FLOOD OF
LIGHT ON EARLY SOCIAL CONDITIONS— UPS AND
DOWNS OF LIFE IN THE VILLAGE OF DETROIT.
FRIEND PALMER again looks over the Detroit Gazette
for the mid-winter of 1823, and finds quaint historic
suggestions of Hfe in the old town. That there is historic
value in advertisements may no longer be doubted. Friend
Palmer's method of looking over the people's wants, to find what
was going on in the village community smacks of the scientific
method of original discovery. For example, with proper classi-
fication of the advertising columns of today, much that would
prove difficult to understand, of the passing period, would be
revealed, say in 100 years, if the public notices of merchants were
read. Friend Palmer's advertisements from the Gazette throw a
flood of light on the old village days — what was paid for butte:
and eggs; how the housewives saved the ashes; how lands went
begging for owners; how men fell in debt, and other interesting
transactions of a long-forgotten day. Among the notices which
came under Friend Palmer's critical eyes are the following, which
he offers without additional comment, each paragraph being self-
explanatory :
GREAT LAND TRANSACTIONS.
To enterprising capitalists and mechanics: The subscribers,
having contracted with the governor and judges of the territory
of Michigan to erect a courthouse or capitol in the city of Detroit,
and having received from them a transfer of all the city lots and
land remaining of the 10,000 acres, which was granted to the said
city by an act of Congress, of the 21st April, 1806, have thought
proper to offer for sale 6,640 acres of land and 144 city lots. It
will be only necessary to state briefly, in order that an estimate
may be made of the value of the land, that it lies in the immediate
974 EARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
vicinity and adjoining the city of Detroit, a place which for advan-
tageous location is not equaled by any on the borders of Lake
Erie', which is rapidly increasing in its population and busmess,
and will always be the commercial, if not the political, capital of
Michigan. The most important highway in the territory, that
leading from Detroit to Saginaw, passes directly through the tract
offered for sale. The quality of the soil is various, but by far the
greatest proportion is of the first description, and very heavily
timbered. The value of the timber may be estimated by a knowl-
edge of the fact that the average price of wood in the city of
Detroit during the two winters last past was $2.50 per cord. It
may also be truly said that the proximity of the above land to an
excellent market for all kinds of vegetables, grain, fowls, etc.,
aside from the certainty of a rapidly increasing population and
consequent rise in the price of real estate, greatly enhances its
value and importance over all lands now^ offered for sale on the
western waters. The city lots are pleasantly situated, and are
mostly in the immediate vicinity of the capitol (the cornerstone
of which was laid the 22nd inst.). Some of the lots offered by
the subscribers extend from the shore of the river to the ship
channel, and afford excellent locations for wharves and store-
houses.
The terms of sale will be liberal, a credit of from one to
three years being given if required. Masons, carpenters and
joiners will have an opportunity next summer to purchase for
their labor such lots or pieces of land as they may select. Thomas
Palmer, one of the late firm of F. T. & J. Palmer ; David C. Mc-
Kinstry. Detroit,' September 25th, 1823.
N. B. — Thirty-three quarter sections of bounty land in Indi-
ana, Illinois and Missouri, fifteen village lots in Pontiac, and
twelve out-lots adjoining, containing from three to twenty acres
each, will be exchanged for personal property.
Four or five good carding machines will be received for any
of the above property. David C. McKinstry.
OLD TIME SALES.
Cash Establishment. — F. Hinchman has just opened a new
store, in the building formerly occupied by Colonel D. G. Jones,
on the corner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues, where he
offers to the public as handsome an assortment of dry goods,
EARLY SOCIAL CONDITIONS. 975
groceries, crockery and hardware as can be found in this city,
and he pledges himself to all to whom these presents shall come
to sell as cheap if not cheaper than any of his neighboring tape-
cutters.
He will receive in exchange for goods purchased of him,
the following commodities, to wit : Cash, grain of all kinds, furs,
ginseng, beeswax, and hides. Also, uncurrent money at a dis-
count. Detroit, January 5, 1823.
Messrs. Sheldon & Reed: We observe in your paper of the
26th inst. prices of several articles of produce, calculated to mis-
lead and disappoint the expectations of people who trade to this
market. We have on hand loo kegs butter, 250 bbls. flour, 50 do
pork, a few barrels beer and 3,700 lbs. cheese, which we will sell
at the following prices : Butter, first quality, 125/2 cents per
pound; inferior, do 10 cents>; flour, $6.75 and $7 per bbl. ; pork,
$10 do; beef, $7 do; and cheese, 7 to 3 cents per pound. Dorr &
Jones, Detroit, December 29, 1823.
Postoffice, Detroit, January i, 1824. — The mail for the east-
ern, southern and western parts of the United States will in future
be closed on Wednesday evening, precisely at 9 o'clock. James
Abbott, postmaster.
DEBTS AND ASHES.
City of Detroit, Feb. 18, 1824.
I offer for sale all my property, personal and real, on Satur-
day, the 1 8th day of September next.
I wish soon to go to Washington, in order to dispose of
some property to pay my debts here. I would like to see those
to whom I am indebted before I go; and as I suppose, I shall
have to resume the practice of law, I shall accept of any profes-
sional business in which it is conceived I may be of service, for a
moderate compensation. A. B. Woodward.
NojiCE. — The office of the Clerk of the Supreme Court and
Register of Probate, is kept in the brick building on the n. e. cor-
ner of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues, over the store of Mr.
Darius Lamson.
All writs, transcripts, or other writings required from his
office, must hereafter be paid for before they are taken away.
Those who are indebted for such writings are requested to settle
accounts without further delay, and those who have left deeds,
r'
976 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
etc., with the Register to be recorded will please to call and
receive the originals and pay the fee. J. V. R. Ten Eyck, Register
of Probate, etc., Detroit, January 22, 1824.
VILLAGE PRICES.
"Idleness is the mother of vice." What would some of our
neighboring competitors do if they could? ''Ashes, Ashes,
Ashes," or ''Grain, Grain, Grain !"^ The subscriber will pay in
goods, at cash prices, the following prices for grain, delivered at
his store: Oats, forty-four cents; wheat, $1.12; corn, sixty-nine
cents; rye, eighty-two cents.
Not having but one store in Detroit he is not as well prepared
to sell goods at various prices as some of his neighbors ; and he
hopes the public will not suffer themselves to be deceived by the
enhanced price offered for ashes, when they can call at the old and
well known store of John Hale's at the sign of the Pot Ash ket-
tles and grind stones, and purchase their goods without extortion.
John Hale.
The public will please to lake notice, that Messrs. F. & T.
Palmer, my competitors in the purchase of ashes, have had the
offer of 400 bushels at thirteen cents per bushel (that being the
price which they have advertised to give, as per a late notice in
the Detroit Gazette), and they refused to take them at that or any
other price and transport them.
This is very like "the dog in the manger ;" vide old fables of
Esop. John Hale, Detroit, January 14, 1824.
EARLY LUXURIES.
One hundred and fifty mococks maple sugar of a very supe-
rior quality and suitable for the use of families has just been
received, and is offered for sale by C. S. Payne & Co., July 10.
To sell or let. — That most valuable farm, situated at Grosse
Pointe, in the territory of Michigan, belonging to the estate of
the late Hon. A. Grant (Commodore Grant). It^is only ten
miles from the city of Detroit, and would form an eligible resi-
dence for a respectable family.
There is an excellent orchard on the premises. For terms
apply to Thomas Drekson, Esq., Queenstown, or to James Woods,
Esq., Sandwich, Upper Canada, April 18, 1820. (This Grant
farm is now (1906) owned and occupied by T. P. Hall).
'^
EARLY SOCIAI^ CONDITIONS. 977
The subscriber, in connection with Mr. James Lockwood,
has commenced the manufacture of tin ware, and will hereafter
keep on hand a full assortment of articles in that line (at the
building recently occupied by him as a Silversmith's shop) , which
he will sell at prices from thirty to fifty per cent lower than
articles of the same description have usually been sold in this
market.
This w^are will be made by Mr. Lockwood, of the best mate-
rials; and those who may wish to purchase either by wholesale
or retail, are respectfully invited to examine it — as by purchasing
at this establishment, it is believed, a considerable saving may be
effected, besides the expense and risk of transportation. C. S.
Payne & Co., Detroit, November 29, 1823.
Watches, clocks and timepieces of every description, carefully
repaired and warranted, by. Levi Brown, of the firm of C. S.
Payne & Co. His time in future will be entirely devoted to that
branch of their business.
A general assortment of watches, jewelry, silver work, and
other articles in their line, kept constantly for sale at low prices
by C. S. Payne & Co. Detroit, November 20, 1823.
Willcox & Beach's hat factory, Detroit. The subscribers con-
tinue their business one door south of the Ga\zette office, Gris-
wold Street, where hats of every description are made, of the
best materials, and warranted equal in workmanship to any man-
ufactured in the United States. They flatter themselves that by
the most unremitted attention to business, and a determination
not to be excelled as to the durability, beauty or cheapness of their
hats, they will merit a liberal portion of the public patronage.
Willcox & Beach. Detroit, May 17th, 1823.
. BUSINPJSS CHANGES.
Dissolution. — The co-partnership heretofore existing under
the firm of F. T.' Palmer and J. Palmer, is by mutual consent,
dissolved. All those having demands against said firm are re-
quested to present them for payment, and all those any wise
indebted to said firm, either by note or book account, are notified
that in consequence of the late dissolution, they are obliged to call
for immediate payment to F. & T. Palmer, who are authorized to
settle all the demands, either for or against the late firm. Friend
Palmer, Thomas Palmer, John Palmer. Detroit, August 2, 1823.
62 ^ .
978 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
NOTICE.
The business will be, as usual, continued at the old stand,
corner of Jeffersoti Avenue and Griswold Street, by F. & T. Pal-
mer. Detroit, August 25, 1823.
Bar and pig- lead. — Two thousand five hundred pounds of
bar and pig lead is just received from the mines of the Missis-
sippi, and for sale by C. S. Payne & Co.
Washtenaw County. — Messrs. R. Smyth, J. L. Leib, A. E.
Wing, J. McCloskey, and T. C. Sheldon, have been appointed by
Governor, Commissioners for fixing the seal of justice in the new
County of Washtenaw, and will next week proceed to execute that
duty. The county seat will probably be established on the River
Huron of Lake Erie, about 40 miles from its mouth. Emigration
is taking a direction that way, and we have no doubt but it will
be in a short time a flourishing arid well settled country. It is
the ninth in the territory, and the seventh that has been organized
within four years.
At this time, when our national legislators and government
begin to be informed of the rising importance of this territory,
and of its value to the Union, there are some objects which should
be sought for, and which, with a little exertion, we believe, can be
obtained from Congress.
Within the compass of this city the United States possess a
reservation which would be of much value to the corporation or
to the country. In its present situation it is of little use, and as
there is a great probabiHty that Detroit will not soon become
a military post of any consequence two-thirds of this reservation
could at this time be disposed of without injury to the public ser-
vice. It would be well if government should direct the immediate
sale of such of the reservation as can be dispensed with, but it
would be far better -if it should be made a gift to the city of
Detroit, or to the County of Wayne ; and we contend that for one
good reason it would be no more than an act of justice on the
part of government to make a free gift of this reservation. It
is well known to almost every inhabitant of Wayne County that
for several years past they have been at an enormous expanse for
the support of paupers ; and it is as well known that a large pro-
portion of these paupers were discharged soldiers from the differ-
ent posts in this territory. Indeed, there has been every year a
number of helpless mortals discharged from the posts in the upper
KARJ,Y SOCIAL CONDITIONS. 979
country, many of whom, learning that our laws are very liberal
in respect to poor and helpless people, have made Detroit their
residence, and have been supported at the expense of the com-
munity for years. This fact alone should go far to induce our
national legislature to give to this community the military reser-
vation in this city, or at ledst a considerable portion of it.
There is little doubt but improvements in laying out and
making roads in this territory would yield a greater profit to the
national treasury than a like quantity and kind of improvement
made in any of the other United States territories. Why, then,
should not Michigan receive more aid in this respect than any
other section of the national domains? Why should there be any
hesitation in making appropriations for roads through the public
lands when it is known that a trifling expenditure for this purpose
will insure a rapid sale of the lands and greatly increase the
receipts of the national treasury? (The Hon. Austin E. Wing
secured, when in Congress, a grant of this reservation to the city
of Detroit).
THL FIR5T THEATERS IN DETROIT.
'"T^HE first theater I attended in Detroit was about 1828. It
I was up_ stairs over a grocery store, in a wooden building
on the southwest corner of Woodward Avenue and Atwater
Street, with the entrance in the rear. The only play that I can
recall was ''The Honeymoon." I have seen the same play many
times since but, looking back through all the years that have
passed, I do not, to my mind, think I have ever witnessed a better
rendering of it or one that pleased me more. The "Mock Duke"
was simply wonderful, and so very funny. The names of the
actors I do not recall.
The next theater, Parson & Dean's, was in Ben Woodworth's
Hotel, in the rear on the corner ol the alley, over the stables,
entrance on the alley and in rear of the present water works build-
ing. The accommodations were rough and primitive, the scenery
improvised for the occasion, but the acting was all that could be
desired, at least as far as I was concerned. Of the plays given
there, the one I distinctly remember before all others was **The
Stranger," with Mr. Parsons in the title roll, and Miss Clark took
the part of Mistress Haller. Parsons was celebrated in the theatri-
cal world at that time, about 1832. He afterwards became a dis-
tinguished Methodist divine. This theater had a good financial
career, though Detroit could not boast of but four or five thou-
sand population.
The next theater was in a brick building near the public
library. It was originally a Methodist church. I attended divine
services there often ; indeed, it was our church, so to speak. Dean
& McKinney, of the Eagle Street Theater, Bufifalo, were the
lessees. Dean was the father of Julia Dean, who in after years
became that charming actress and beautiful woman, whom manv
will remember. I have often seen many a celebrated actor and
actress tread the boards of this theater, notably Mr. Ingersoll, a
FIRST THEATERS IN DETROIT. 98 1
pupil of Edwin Forrest, Charlotte Cushman, Mr. Burton, Mrs.
McClure, William Warren, Mr. and Mrs. Trowbridge, the Isher-
woods, the Clark sisters, .Mr. Ince and daughter, Parker and
daughter Julia, Little Billy Forest, J. E. Murdock, Dan Marble,
Mr. Hackett, and others.
Mr. Ingersoll was a fine actor and bid fair to rival his tutor,
but he died early, shortly after his engagement here. He appeared
as Virginius, with Mrs. Dean as Virginia. Miss Cushman ap-
peared as Romeo, with Mrs. Dean as Juliet ; Portia in "The Mer-
chant of Venice," with Mrs. Dean as Nerissa, and Mr. McKin-
ney as Shylock. Miss Cushman's engagement with Dean and
McKinney was in 1837. She was the guest of Governor Steyens
T. Mason. Captain Marryatt, R. N., author of "Midshipman
Easy," e^c. was entertained by the governor at the same time.
* * *
Mr. Dean was famous as "Balie Nicol Jarvie" in "Rob Roy."
Mr. McKinney, besides enacting the part of Shylock, used to take
the part of "Arbaces" in "The Last Days of Pompeii," with Mrs.
McClure as "Nydia," the bHnd girl, and also "Wacousta" in the
play of that name, with Mrs. McClure as "Oucanasta." The
scene of "Wacousta" is laid in and around Detroit, the siege of
Pontiac. Major Richardson, author of "Wacousta." was a
retired British officer, residing in Windsor. Mr. McKinney was
also fine in "Shylock," at least I thought so, though a youth of 18
or thereabouts. Those who would care to see a representation of
Nydia, the blind girl of Pompeii, and Mrs. McClure almost very
self in that character, can easily do so, by visiting the Detroit Art
Museum, where is the statue of the "blind, girl" in marble, by
the celejDrated Michigan sculptor, Randolph Rogers, and kindly
loaned that institution by Senator T. W. Palmer.
^ ^ ^
One of the specialties of one of the Isherwoods (Plarry)
was such characters as "Sir Giles Overreach." Mrs. Trowbridge
usually playing with him. The latter used to get quite carried
away with her part and once, during her excitement, she stabbed
Isherwood with a dagger, almost fatally ; so serious was it that a
doctor had to be called immediately, and he was laid up for a
week in consequence. I was present at the play. Isherwood was
982 e;arly days in Detroit.
also a first-class scene painter, and was later on employed in that
capacity at Wallack's Theater in New York for many years. He
was a fine actor, of the robust class.
^ ^ 5[C
Mr. Ince and daughter were in light opera, such as "LaBaye-
daire," the first opera that I remember to have seen and the first
of its kind to be presented to the citizens of Detroit, I think.
Mrs. Parker, of Parker & Ellis, looked after her charming
daughter', Julia, who was a danseuse and a fine one, too.
H^ H* H«
The patrons of the theaters in those days used to get their
money's worth, and more, too, as the price of admission was low,
it being from 25 to 75 cents, according to the location of seats.
Two plays were always given, the first usually a heavy one, and
the second, a light, amusing farce. Between the first and second
play, a comic song or dance was given to fill up the time. Plere
Miss Parker, whose stage name was ''Miss Honey," used to get
in her work, so to speak, and she used to dance the hearts of the
"boys" right out of them as well as the hearts of some of the older
heads.
^ ^ ^
Little Billy Forest, whom many old-timers will remember,
was an excellent low comedian. Later on he was with Parker and
Ellis, then with McFarland and Ed Sherlock, at the Metropolitan
Theater, opposite the Biddle House. Dan Marble was an admir-
able personater of the "Yankee," and won fame and fortune. He
was also fine as William in "Black-eyed Susan," Diggory in "AH
the World's a Stage."
* * *
William Warren appeared here in "O'Callahan, or On His
Last Legs," and other characters. He afterwards became a cele-
brated comedian, and died in Boston a few years ago. Here Win-
chell, the impersonator of odd characters used to appear. His
sketches were of the same character as those that Lingard gave
in recent years.
This theater was quite a distance from the heart of the city
at that time. One reached it from the corner of Monroe Avenue
and Farmer Street, by a wide plank sidewalk that ran across-lots
to the entrance, but it was well patronized, nevertheless. Colonel
McKinstry, the owner, finally sold the property and built a large
FIRST THEATERS IN DETROIT. 983
•
wooden circus, opposite the northeast corner of State Street. It
did not prove a success as a circus so he turned it into a theater,
and continued it for awhile, but neither as a theater did it turn
out to be a successful venture, so he finally abandoned it alto-
gether. After this, the old city hall was used occasionally for
entertainments. It was, in fact, about the only place for the pur-
pose in the city from 1841 to 1848.
« ft
^: ^ ^
Mr. J. S. Potter and wife were the first to give theatrical
entertainments in the city hall. Garry Hough used to appear here,
as also did a Mr. Ryer, who had considerable talent. He used to
take the leading male characters in "Evadne," "Blanca, the Italian
Wife," etc. Isaac S. Merritt was at that time a strolling actor
and he, too, appeared here. Some years later he wrote his name
''Isaac Merritt Singer," because he was the inventor of the Singer
sewing machine. He had no use for the stage after that. The
Detroit Free Press of July 5, 1848, has this to say in regard to
the city hall and J. S. Potter : *'Mr. J. S. Potter from the eastern
states is now fitting up the old city hall in a neat and commodious
style, as a theater, and when completed will open it with a fine
company. The building is being thoroughly cleaned and pamted
and will be arranged with a pit and a tier of boxes capable of seat-
ing 300 persons."
^ ^ 5!"
Christie's Minstrels occasionally appeared here. They were
the pioneers in this class of entertainment, and they took at once,
being such a novelty. Christie was a host within himself. He
was aided by his brother, George, and a youth named Pearce, as
end men. The remainder of the troupe w^ere all first-class musi-
cians. Presume many will remember Christie, the leader. He
was quite distinguished in appearance when off the stage, and
then always faultlessly dressed, and usually accompanied by two
dogs of a fine breed, but not of the bulldog variety. What became
of him I do not know. The minstrels gave the newest and most
catchy songs of the day, and wefe immensely popular. Many
years after this George Christie, with Burch, Backus and Wam-
bold (also former members of Christie's Minstrels), opened a
music hall on Broadway, New York, opposite the Metropolitan
984 e:arly days in Detroit.
Hotel (Niblo's Garden), and continued there for a long period
with great success.
Charley Backus was of an influential Rochester (New York)
family. He was a fine singer of the minstrel order. Burch was
a better story teller than singer I used to tliink. Wambold was
a fine singer. His "Sally in Our Alley" was one of the many pop-
ular songs of the day that he used to render bewitchingly. I
often heard this tfio at the above music hall.
The National Theater (Metropolitan) was built and first
opened by Parker & Ellis in 1848. After Parker & Ellis came
James Sherlock, who gave place to his son, Ed T. Sherlock, for
two years. In 1855 came Asa McFarland, and dtiring his reign,
which lasted up to the year 1861, the theater was known as "Mc-
Farland's Metropolitan Theater."
PARKER AND ELUS.
Mr. Parker was an old-time comedian, reveling in large
check trousers, and boasting a red nose. He was a good comic
singer, an indispensable accomplishment for a comedian in those
days. His song, ''The Seven Ages of Man," with the chorus of
"Hey Down, Ho Down, Derry, Derry, Down," I am sure will be
remembered by some of the old theater-goers of the present. In
their repertory they had an excellent farce called "The One Hun-
dred Pound Note," in which Parker had the comedy role of "Billy
Black." The fun of the part consisted in asking conundrums,
which, of course, no one must answer; and whenever the farce
was put up Parker always collected a batch of new ( ?) conun-
drums. I remember one of the awful ones that he prided himself
on. In making an exit he would say something like this : "What
becomes of all the pins ? Eh, you can't tell ? Well, I will. They
all go into the earth and become terrapins, see ?" And another :
"Why am I like the old year? Can't tell, eh? Because I am
going out." Exit Billy. As a "gagger" and "mug-ger" he did
not have his equal.
Parker also was very good in "Sir Harcourt Courtly," in
"London Assurance," and in the song of "The Seven Ages of
Man," spoken. "My grandfather was a most wonderful man.
He sailed up to the north pole, and all around it, cut it down, and
brought it home vvath him, and my grandmother uses it now to
FIRST THE;ATERS IX DETROIT. 985
prop up her clothes line. Then why not come here every night,
listen to a good play, hear a good song, and go home singing *Hey
Down, Ho Down, Derry, Derry, Down, all to fill up this farcical
scene O.' "
Ellis sometimes ventured on the stage in different roles, but
I call to mind only that of Claude Melnotte in "The Lady of
Lyons," which he rendered fairly well.
Mrs. Farren also appeared at this theater as Lucretia Borgia.
Miss Weymess, as Blanca in "The Italian Wife," and like char-
acters, supported by Mr. Perry, who at one time played the lead-
ing male roles with Julia Dean.
Joe Whiting, a fine .all-around actor, and genial gentleman,
played here. His rendering of the "Seven Ages of Man," in
Shakespeare's "As You Like It," Act 2, Scene VII, was fine. He
was very chummy with the members of the Detroit Boat Club.
Mr. Whiting, I understand, makes this city his permanent home.
There appeared here from time to time. The Denin Sisters;
Charlote Cushman ; the Payne & Harrison troupe in opera ; Edwin
Booth and his brother, J. Wilkes ; Maggie Mitchell ; Lawrence
Barrett ; Ada Isaacs Menkin ; E. L. Davenport ; Dan Marble ; Lit-
tle Billy Forest ; Fuller ; Barney Williams ; Billy Florence ; J. W.
Wallack, Jr.; the Webb Sisters (Ada and Emma) ; Frank Chan-
frau ; the Cooper opera troupe, also Campbell and Castles ; Wil-
Ham Crisp; Matilda Heron; E. L. Tilton. Couldock appeared
here often and was a decided favorite. His acting in "The Wil-
low Copse," "Louis XI," "Richelieu," etc., was fine. Fuller was
almost a fixture at this theater. He was most efficient in old
men's characters, such as Sir Peter Teazle in "The School of
Scandal."
Lola Montes did not happen to appear on the Metropolitan
"boards," but she did appear at the old "Firemen's Hall," in a
lecture. She was a small but most attractive woman, and had
wonderful eyes. No wonder she made a fool of King Louis of
Bavaria.
Two old play bills of the National, June 7, 1855, and January
15, 1856. In the first, the play was the drama in four acts, entitled
"Capt. Kyd." The cast was as follows :
986 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
CAST.
Robert Lester "^
Herbert Morel ., ^, , „
_ , ..^ . \ Charles Barry
Robert Kyd , . . ( ^
Housebeam Hemlock J
(A Yankee with comic songs) J. H. McVicker
Mark Meredith Mr. Bari^ett
Old Man Mr. Deering
Laurence Mr. Pratt
Kenard Mr. Healey
Hans Schenck Mr. Hackett
Countess Mrs. Durivag€
Grace • Mrs. McFarland
Jost Stoil Mrs. Deering
Tunell Boswell
Karl • Terrill
Jacob , Vanderin
Custa Cheney
Kate ; Mrs. Armstrong
Elpsey Miss Deering
The performance concluded with Morton's comedy, "Sketches
in India," in which Lawrence Barrett was the Count Garloux, a
character dialect comedy part.
The second bill, January 15, 1856, announces "a complimen-
tary benefit to Mr. A. Macfarland, on which occasion the popular
actresses, Celia and OHve Logan, will appear." There is a letter
to Mr. Macfarland, from the members of the company, begging
him to accept the benefit. The following were the signers : Miss
Celia Logan, Miss Olive Logan, Miss Rosa Kingsley, Mrs.
George Burt, Mrs. T. T. Fannin, Mrs. Nelson Kneass, Miss Anna
Kneass, Mr. W. D. Lacy, Mr. J. T. Fannin, Hy E. Mehen, L. P.
Barrett, George Burt, Frank WilHs, P. C. Cheney, A. S. Black,
Nelson Kneass, W. S. Lennox, John W. Roberts, James Jamison,
E. Macfarland. Then follows Mr. Macfarland's reply excepting
the compliment. The performance began at 7 130 o'clock, pre-
cisely, with the tragedy of "Pizarro," cast as below:
CAST.
Rolla Mr. Macfarland
Pizarro Lacy
Ataliba Fahnin
Orezembo Mehen
Almagro Cheney
Sentinel Lennox
F'IRST THEATE^^S IN DETROIT. - 987
Alonzo Barrett
High Priest Kneass
Orano Willis
Davilla . . '. Black
Elvira Miss Celia Logan
Cora Miss Olive Logan
Highland King Miss Macfarland
The farce was ''Bombastes Furioso" in which little Charley
Kneass, Mr. Kneass, Miss Kneass and little Agnes Kneass ap-
peared. The prices of admission were : Private boxes, $5 ; dress
circle and parquet, 50c ; orchestra arm chairs, 75c ; gallery, 25c ;
single seats in private box, $1.00.
^ ^ ^
Edwin Booth appeared here in his usual round of characters,
with which most of the theater-goers of today are familiar. I
liked him best in "Hamlet." I have seen Macready, Forrest,
Charles Kean, Murdock, Davenport and Fechter in this character
and think he excelled them all.
Adah Isaacs Menken appeared in the play of "Mazeppa.'^
She rode the "Wild Horse of Tartary."
"To me the- desert-born was led,
Wild as the wild deer and untaught.
It was but a day that he had been caught,
They bound me on, that menial throng,
Upon his back,. with many a thong."
She was at that time a most beautiful woman, and possessed
a captivating fortn. The mad rush of the steed, up the artificial
stage hills, with the "Menken" lashed to its back, was most
thrilling.
Dan Rice, the circus man, broke the untamed steed upon
which she used to ascend and descend to and from the flies of the
theater. This horse accompanied her on her travels, through this
country, to London and Paris. In the latter cities her success
was phenomenal, much more so than in the United States. In
London she was the rage of the male population. She had young,
lordlings dangling at her heels, and in Paris her. debut was even
more of a success than it was in England. Among her admirers
988 e:arIvY days in de:troit.
in the gay capital, it is said, was tlie Emperor Napoleon III, at the
time in the heyday of his power.
It was not so much the excellence of her acting and riding as
her fascinating personality. Her features were perfect. Her
glossy dark hair fringed her forehead in short crisp -curls, while
her form was a study for a painter.
She died in Paris in the height of her career, and was buried
in Pere-la-chaise. A simple slab with the name "Adah Isaacs
Menken" marks the spot.
■" inarKb trie spot.
Mrs. Matilda Herron appeared in "Camille" through two
engagements, and drew crowded houses. It was the first time this
play was presented in this city.
* >}: *
Barrett's first appearance was as Murad, in ''The French
Spy," June 28, 1853. He was then a little over 15 years of age.
Barrett's manner in acting was severe and abrupt, and other-
wise cold and reserved. It is told that his first appearance was a
failure. He rushed out of the theater at the conclusion of the
play, and did not appear again that evening, he was so chagrined.
But his indomitable will and perseverance ultimately secured him
success, and in two years after this failure he was the Romeo to
Julia Dean's Juliet. I saw him often during his early career, and
later.
H: * *
Hackett, the elder, also appeared here in his celebrated char-
acters, FalstafT, Rip Van Winkle and Monsieur Mallet. It was
said he was the best Falstafif that ever appeared on the American
stage. Two other actors followed him here later on in that char-
acter, Ben Debar, of St. Louis, and Charles Bass, and though
good, could not hold a candle to Hackett.
His representation of Rip Van Winkle was considered a
wonderful and realistic production, at that time, but later on
Joseph Jefiferson eclipsed him.
^ ^ ^
During Charlotte Cushman's engagement here, she made a
specialty of her great character Meg Merrilles. Presume m.any
will remember what a thrilling and effective piece of acting it was.
"When Meg Merrilles sprang forth in the moonlight and stood,
FIRST THEATlJRS IN DETROIT. 989
with towering figure and extended arms, tense, rigid, terrible, yet
beautiful, glaring on the form of Henry Bertram, the spectator
saw a creature of the ideal world and not of earth."
* * *
I heard Couldock many times at this theater, in "Richelieu,"
''Willow Copse," and "Louis XI." I have seen Irving in the
latter character, and do not think he surpassed Couldock. The
latter's Louis XI was as devilish, and diabolical, as it could well
be. All will acknowledge, who ever heard him, his superioritv in
"The Willow Copse."
* H« *
I saw Madame Celeste, the famous French dancer, at the
Metropolitan in the "Green Bushes," and as Mathilde in the
"French Spy." She and Fanny Ellsler divided the honors of the
world at that time in that line. They have not since been eclipsed.
Bonfanti, a French dancer of some fame, appeared here also.
Perhaps many will remember how she used, to walk across the
stage on her toes, and then throw one leg straight out and whirl
around on tlie other like a top. Mrs. McFarland, wife of the
once proprietor, used .to essay the same thing, but it was a mis-
erable failure.
* * *
J. W. Wallack, Jr., played here as Fagan in "Oliver Twist,"
and as Mercutio in "Romeo and Juliet." His rendition of Queen
Mab, Act I, Scene 4, was a delicious treat.
Miss Caroline Richings and her father appeared af this
theater often. Mr. Richings did not come before an audience
here, that I remember, except posing in the character of George
Washington ; he merely chaperoned, as it were, his talented daugh-
ter. Miss Caroline, though an adopted daughter, was the apple
of the old gentleman's eye, and she had a brilliant career until
she married that little insignificant opera singer, whose name I
have forgotten. She died early, much regretted.
It was said of the late Peter Richings that on his benefit* night
he would stand on a pedestial surrounded by set clouds and red
fire, made up as George Washington, the father of his country,
while his 'adopted daughter Caroline, dressed in white, and an
American flag draped around her, would warble "The Star-
Spangled Banner," and that during that time Peter really imag-
ined he was the original G. W. It is said that while waiting one
990 KARI.Y DAYS IN DEITROIT.
night for the curtain to go up an unfortunate super strayed in
the clouds, where Peter was. He exclaimed : "Here, you fellow
— you — what are you doing up here? This is heaven, and only
Caroline and myself are allowed here."
Miss Richings also appeared at the Fireman's Hall, and
gave recitations from Longfellow's ''Hiawatha," in character,
which were fine. She made a charming looking *'squaw."
't^ '1* 'T*
Susan Denin was a fine actress. She and her sister, Kate,
appeared at the Metropolitan and were very popular. I call to
mind only one of the many characters personated by the former ;
that one was Parthenia to Mr. Kent's Ingomar. She rendered
the part charmingly. Mr. Kent was a very strenuous and wild
barbarian. I think that Miss Susan appeared at this theater dur-
ing the following season, in the same character, with Mr. Albaugh
as Ingomar.
;|: ^: -^
Maggie Mitchell was often seen at this theater in her charm-
ing characters, **Fanchon," "Pearl of Savoy," etc.
* * * . ■
Julia Dean and her father appeared many times on the boards
of this theater. Miss Dean was a charming actress, as well as
woman, and of the many characters she essayed, the one which
overshadows all the others in my memory, is that of Julia, in "The
Hunchback," with her father as Master Walter. I have seen
Eliza Logan and Mary Anderson in the same character, and to
my mind Miss Dean excelledthem "both.
* H: *
Dan Marble was always a favorite and drew crowded houses.
He was inimitable in Yankee characters, as well as William, in
"Black-Eyed Susan," and Diggory, in "All the World's a Stage."
. ^ *!* ^
William Warren was almost a fixture at the Eagle Street
Theater, Buffalo, in 1842-3-4, where he played his usual round
of characters. Sir Harcourt Courtley, O'Callaghan on his Last
Legs, etc. This was before he associated himself with the Boston
Museum, where he was for nearly fifty years. Dan Marble
married his sister, Anna Warren. The widow of Joseph Jeffer-
son is a niece of the late Mrs, Marble. Dan Marble and wife
FIRST THEATE^RS IN DEJTROIT. 99 1
resided in Buffalo at the same time I did, 1842-3-4 and 5, and
years after. They Uved in a neat brick cottage of their own quite
a distance up Main Street. The personaHties of Marble and his
wife I was quite familiar with on the stage and off. By the
papers, September 24, 1903, I see that a daughter of theirs, Mrs.
Mary Myers, appeared at the Detroit Opera House in the play
of "The Eternal City." Mrs. Marble was by marriage an aunt
of Mary McVicker, who was the second wife of Edwin Booth.
Dan Marble died of cholera in Louisville, Ky., fifty-four years
ago. . ^ * ^
Little Billy Forest was the oddest and funniest man on the
job. It did not make any difference whether he was in tragedy
or comedy, he always created a laugh. His impersonation- of
"Sam," in the "American Cousin," was fine, also as Sir Peter
Teazel, in the "School for Scandal."
The Cooper Opera Co. were very fine, I thought.
De Lussan also appeared here, early in her career. I heard
her in "The Bohemian Girl," as Arline ; she was superb.
The Pyne & Harrison Opera Co. also appeared at the
Metropolitan. They were fine.
Mr. William H. Crisp appeared here in "Don Caesar de
Bazan." I think he was the father of Mr. Crisp, at one time
speaker of the lower House of Congress.
E. T. Tilton was leading man at the Metropohtan in 1855,
and afterwards assisted in opening the Detroit Opera House. In
the same year Lawrence Barrett had a benefit here, and gave
"The Rake's Progress," "The Soldier's Daughter," and a scene
from "The Iron Chest."
Wilkes Booth was a very handsome man, of slighter build
than his brother Edwin. He played but one engagement at the
Metropolitan, I think. I remember to have seen him as lago to
Mr. O'Neill's Othello, also as Richard Third; Fazio in the
"Italian Wife," "Macbeth" and "Hamlet," "The Widow's Vic-
tim," "The Two Gregories," and "Family Jars." He played
about two weeks and his share of the receipts, it was said, was
$116. This was under Ed. Sherlock's management.
The Campbell and Castle Opera Company appeared often at
this theater and were great favorites. It was almost a revelation
to hear Campbell render "Then You'll Remember Me," in "The
992 e;ARI.Y days in DETROIT.
Bohemian Girl," ''A Heart Bowed Down," Seguin and wife were
with them also, the former as Devilshoof and the latter as the
Gypsy Queen.
^ 2]C 2|C
Sothern played here in "Rich Poor Man and Poor Rich
Man," his first appearance.
Brougham appeared here in "Pocahontas," as the Indian
Chief Powhattan ; a rythmetical burlesque of his own creation. A
remarkably fine actor and gentleman he was. During his life
on the stage he gave an immense amount of pleasure and he
did no harm.
Mrs. John Drew, lately deceased, on her first appearance here
as- Mrs. Hunt, was young, vivacious and most attractive. She
essayed spright.ly parts, such as Maria in "The Spoiled Child."
I first saw her in this character and have never forgotten it. Mr.
Hunt I do not recall, but I do her second husband, Mr. Mossop,
as also her third, Mr. Drew. The latter was an exceedingly good
comedian, and justly popular. Mr. Mossop was fine in Irish
characters and a good comic singer. Mr. Drew I saw in "Handy
Andy," and in a play I think was called the ''Hypocondriac." It
was very funny and he kept the audience in a continual roar of
laughter. His Handy Andy was a revelation. Mrs. Mossop-
Hunt-Drew also acted in after years Julia in "The Hunchback,"
Constance in "The Love Chase," and Francine in "Grist to the
Mill." But her crowning success was in the character of Mrs.*
Malaprop, in "The Rivals." Her rendering of it will be remem-
bered as long as the traditions of the stage endure. She engaged
with Mr. Joseph Jefferson in 1887 to travel with him and act Mrs.
Malaprop, and from that tirhe till 1892 continued to do so. Mrs.
Drew passed away recently and is buried in Glenwood Cemetery,
Philadelphia, and before her death she bade her son, John Drew,
inscribe on her tomb the stanza given below, from Mrs. Bar-
bauld's poem :
"Life, we've been long together.
Through pleasant and throagh cloudy weather
'Tis hard to part when friends are dear,
Perhaps 'twill cause a sigh, a tear ;
Then steal away, give little warning.
Choose thine own time;
Say not Good-Night, but in some brighter clime,
Bid me Good-Morning."
FIRST THE:ATE;RS in DETROIT. 993
Lawrence Barrett, as said before, made his first appearance
at the Metropolitan. He had been bellboy at the Michigan
Exchange and after, parcel boy in Holmes & Co.'s dry goods
house. While serving in the above capacities he found time to
v^ork as supe at this theater. I often witnessed his early efforts
on the stage, and must say he did not give much promise of
attaining the high position in his profession that he did. It was
said of him that during his after brilliant career he had no mem-
ory of those who assisted him in his early struggles, nor the
chums of his early days.
Mr. Murdock appeared here in various characters and it
was said of him jn his day, from about 1840 to 1850, that he was
one of the most delightful actors on the American stage. His
Charles Surface in "The School for Scandal," it was said, was
never excelled, and his Hamlet was pronounced fine. I saw him
in both characters.
The Logan sisters (Eliza, Olive and Celia) appeared here
from time to time. Eliza was most effective in the character of
Julia in ''The Hunchback" and plays of that character. She was
not as attractive in person as Julia Dean, but she was a fine
reader, an appreciative actress and a great favorite. Olive was
perhaps the finest looking of the three, but did not impress me
with the idea that she was much of an actress. She, after a little,
gave dramatic readings through the country and met with much
success.
I refer again to Miss Julia Dean to say that on the occasion
of her first engagement here at the Metropolitan Theater it was
determined that she must have a benefit tendered her, whereupon
a number of her admirers met in the rooms of Mr. J. D. Jones,
the sculptor, at the Michigan Exchange (Mr. Jones, from Cin-
cinnati, was modeling in clay a bust of General Cass for the
Young Men's Society). The Hon. John Norvell presided and
drew up the tender of a benefit to the fair Julia, which was agreed
to by those present.
I give herewith Mr. Norvell's effort, as well as the names
of those signing it.
"Miss Juua Dean :
"The undersigned citizens of Detroit, having frequently wit-
nessed your finished and excellent representations ; having with
pride and pleasure seen the genius which you exhibit in each part
63
994 EJARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
you play, and knowing the purity and excellence of your private
life, beg leave to tender you a complimentary benefit.
*'They do this to evince not only to yourself, but to other
ladies in your arduous profession, that true genius, a ready and
earnest disposition to become a finished artiste, and an exercise
of the graces and virtues of their sex, will receive as they merit,
universal approbation.
"We would suggest Friday evening next for the benefit, and
such a bill as may best suit your own taste."
Henry Ledyard, E. A. Brush,
William Gray, Marsh J. Bacon,
Wm. D. Wilkins, ' George C. Bull,
J. N. Elbert, Samuel Suydam,
A. R.' Terry, • Chas. S. Adams, ■
J. W. Strong, Jr., C. Harvard,
S. P. Purdy, Dallas Norvell
W. T. Rice, Wm. T. Smith,
J. C. Gordon, E. S. Throop,
John Hosmer, W. C. Cole,
Friend Palmer, W. P. Moore,
Chas. A. Trowbridge, T, D. Jones,
Geo. C. Bates, A. G. Gray,
Alex Davidson, • J. E. Martin,
J. B. Scovell, A. Mandell,
Barry Norvell, J. Lake Henry,
J. Logan Chipman, W. S. Stevens,
Frank C. Markham, H. H. Dunckley, .
Sheldon McKnight, John Norvell,
Col. John B. Grayson, Henry R. Mizner.
Detroit, October 4, 1849.
Miss Dean responded in graceful terms and chose for her
bill the play of "The Hunchback," with herself as Julia and her
father as Master Walter. The theater was crowded on the night
of the representation, and it is needless to say the artist acquitted
herself with credit.
Barney Williams and Billy- Florence almost began their
career on the boards of this theater. They married sisters (Pray).
Barney's wife used to act with him.
Barney Williams was fine in Irish characters, and a great
favorite. In addition to his Irish characters he played "Mose"
here. Chanfrau had just introduced it in New York at the
FIRST THEATEIRS IN DETROIT. 995
Bowery in "A Glance at New York," and it was all the rage.
Williams was fairly good in the character, but he did not come
up to Chanfrau in my estimation. I saw the latter in the role
of "Mose" shortly after it was put on the boards at the Bowery.
I say Bowery, but it was either that or the Olympic, on Broad-
way. Anyway, a man by the name of Mitchell was the manager.
It is related of him that he used to talk to the boys in the pit,
who paid their shilling for admission, and if they were particu-
larly noisy, or misbehaved themselves in any way, he would go
on and make a speech, saying, 'Terhaps, boys, if you don't behave,
ril raise the price to a quarter, as sure as you live." A very
effectual threat.
The characters that I most admired Florence in were Cap-
tain Cuttle and Sir Lucius O'Trigger. The late Mrs. John Drew
once said that Florence was the best Sir Lucius O'Trigger she
ever saw. What a treat it was to see and hear him and Jefferson
in "The Rivals," the former as Sir Lucius and the latter as Bc^b
Acres, not forgetting Mrs. Drew as Mrs. Malaprop. It was a
delicious bit of acting and memory recalls it with pleasure. Flor-
ence "died November 19, 1891, in Philadelphia.
Mr. and Mrs. Florence came out first, just about Chanfrau's
time, and played as the ''Irish Boy and Yankee Girl," also "Born
to Good Luck" and "Mischievous Annie," in which Mrs. Flor-
ence appeared in six different parts, introducing songs and dances.
Mrs. Florence's "Bobbing Around" and "Away Down in Maine"
were whistled and played from north to south.
EDWIN FORREST.
Edwin Forrest was in his day the grandest figure on the
American stage. The first time I saw him was in the winter of
1843 at the Eagle Street Theater, Buffalo, in the character of
Claude Melpotte. He was then in his prime, and had not acquired
the athletic proportions he gained in after years. He had just
returned from Europe after his marriage with Miss Sinclair. I
saw him many times in later years, both in Detroit and New
York, in the characters of Othello, Hamlet, Richelieu, Jack Cade,
Damon, in "Damon and Pythias," Spartacus, Richard III, Met-
amora, Virginius. I think Edwin Booth excelled him as Ham-
let only. Edwin Booth and his brother, J. Wilkes, both essayed
the character of Richard III, at the Metropolitan here. It was
996 ICARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
thought by some that Edwin was superior, to his father in that
character, ahead of Forrest even. I have seen somewhere a
criticism on his acting in the fifth act, where Richard falls asleep
in his tent and is tormented by the ghosts of his victims, who file
before him, denouncing and threatening him. When the ghosts
vanish Richard wakes from his uneasy, horrid slumbers, and
springing from his couch, grasps his sword and cries out, ''Bring
me another horse, bind up my wounds," etc., and whirling round
and round, brandishing his weapon at his imaginary foes, drops
on one knee at the footlights, his countenance the perfect pic-
ture of horror and dismay, and his whole frame shaken with
fright. After assuring himself it was but an idle dream, he
.exultingly says so. The critic in question declared Edwin Booth's
representation of this scene, as terrible beyond description, and
unapproachable. In my opinion Forrest excelled him in this
character.
"Forrest had a grand 'body and a glorious voice and in
moments of simple passion he affected the senses like the blare
of trumpets and clash of cymbals, or like the ponderous,- slow-
moving, crashing and thundering surges of the sea." At one time
in his early youth, it was said, he acted a female part, and on
being hissed by a young person in the audience whom he recog-
nized, he came to the footlights and addressed the offender in
these words : "Damn you, damn you, you wait till I get through
with this part and I'll lick you like hell."
Sir Wm. Don, baronet, and Lady Don appeared here, he as
Sir Charles Coldstream in "Used Up." I do not remember what
character Lady Don took. Sir William was at one time a cornet
in the Fifth dragoon guards, British army. Baronets were not
so common in that time as they are now, and as people were
curious to see one, he drew very well. He went to Australia,
where he died still a young man.
Forrest was one of the most athletic men of his time, and
possessed great physical force. In view of this the characters of
Spartacus, Metamora and Damon were created for him and I
think Jack Cade was also. "He was a great egotist and thought
himself the greatest of actors and of men. Caricatures of him-
self, no matter how delicate or how comic, he could not endure."
Regarding Forrest's marriage with Miss Sinclair, his divorce
and his trouble with Macready, most all theater going people are
FIRST THEATERS IN DETROIT. 997
familiar. He acquired great wealth, having reached a profes-
sional position where he could command his own terms. He
gained the admiration and applause of the theater-going world,
and there was no reason, outside of himself, why he should not
have lived a triumphant and happy life. Yet his existence was a
tempest and his career a splendid failure. ''There was always a
fly in his ointment, a. Mordecai at his gate, sullen resentment in
his heart and scorn on his lip."
The present generation have seen McCullough, Salvini, and
many of them Forrest in the character of Othello,' and I will
venture the assertion that all will agree with me that Forrest was
the grandest Othello that ever trod the American stage. I
mention this character particularly, because his rendering of it
pleased me the most of all. And further quoting from William
Winter : "Forrest's hyena snarl when as Jack Cade he met Lord
Say in the thicket, or his volumed cry of tempestuous fury when,
as Lucius Brutus, he turned upon Tarquin under the black mid-
night sky — those are things never to be forgotten."
I saw Forrest impersonate both of the above characters, and
can truly say, with Winter, they can never be forgotten.
After the verdict in the Forrest divorce case in 1852 crowds
at Christy's Minstrels, in New York, nightly, for months, encored
the song of "Jordan am a Hard Road to Travel," for one verse —
"For sixty-nine nights the immortal Forrest played,
And sixty-nine crowds he had accordin' ;
In Macbeth, Damon and Jack Cade,
He's the greatest actor on this side of Jordan."
After his trouble with Macready, Forrest clubs and Forrest
associations filled with youthful enthusiasts, deified him and
defied his traducers. His last performances and readings in
1 87 1 and 1872 were comparative failures, the great, generous,
magnetic but lonely and unhappy man died December 12, 1872.
Lady Don, after the death of her husband, appeared in Vin-
cent's theater, where is now the new county building, in the char-
acter of the Earl of Leicester in "Kenilworth." It was a ryth-
metical play, after the burlesque order, and quite amusing. She
may have appeared in other plays, but this is the only one that I
remember. It had quite a run and to- crowded houses. Mrs. Don
was a very handsome woman of fine presence, and she acquitted
herself admirably at least in this play.
998 . EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
McKee Rankin mack his first appearance on the boards of
the MetropoUtan. The character he represented I do not call to
mind. Later on he tried his hand at "Rip Van Winkle." He
was farily successful in this character, but he had to yield the
palm to Jefferson.
"Uncle Tom's Cabin," when it first came out, had a very
successful run of many weeks at the Metropolitan. I think Mrs.
Macfarland took the character of Topsy. It was admirably ren-
dered, whoever essayed it.
After Macfarland, in 1861, came John Ellsler and his wife
from Cleveland for a short period. They presented "The Old
Curiosity Shop." I have forgotten who played the character of
Little Nell, but I call to mind quite vividly how admirable Ellsler
was in the character of Quilp, and Mrs. Ellsler in that of the
Marchioness. They also gave "Aladdin, or the Wonderful
Lamp," with Mrs. Ellsler as Aladdin. The scenery and spectacu-
lar appointments were gorgeous for that day. The play had quite
a run for two weeks, and was a drawing card.
After Ellsler came Yankee Robinson for a short season in his
various characters, then came Mrs. H. A. Perry, who had for
her leading man John W. Albaugh, who at this engagement
played Ingomar to Miss Susan Benin's Parthenia.
In 1862 Mr. Bayless opened the Metropolitan as. a variety
theater, and he was followed by Welch & Jacobs. The latter
retired and Chas. M. Welch became manager, and so continued
until fire swept the theater away in 1877. Welch made much
money here, clearing, it was currently reported, $1,000 per
month. The young men's hall in the Biddle House had from
time to time been used for theatrical purposes; notably Ristori
with her troupe appeared here for two nights in January, 1876,
in the characters of Queen Elizabeth and Marie Stuart, under the
management of Garry Hough. The latter paid her $5,000 for
the two performances, and said he lost money in the venture.
J. W. Lanergan and wife opened here, shortly after the Met-
ropolitan was destroyed or about that time. Lanergan was a
fine versatile actor. He was particularly good in "Still Water
Runs Deep," "The Love Chase," "She Stoops to Conquer," etc.
His wife was very good, but inclined somewhat to the emotional.
Under their management here. Castle, of Campbell & Castle's
opera troupe, appeared as Don Caesar in the opera of "Maritana."
FIRST THEATERS IN DETROIT. 999
Edwin Booth also appeared here as Claude Melnotte in "The
Lady of Lyons," and Charles Kean as Cardinal Wolsey in a por-
tion of the play of "Henry VIIL" and as Hamlet in the play
of that name. Both were remarkable productions, particularly
that of Cardinal Wolsey.
Brignoli and Clara Louise Kellogg gave some selections from
operas here. The former's rendering of "Good-bye, Sweetheart,
Good-bye," was particularly fine. They were then in their prime
and it can readily be imagined what a rich treat their engage-
ment here was.
Lanergan was quite successful in his venture here. He quit
to engage in the grocery business, however, with sample room
attached, on the northeast corner of Larned a-nd Griswold Streets.
That popular young man, Charles A. Mack, was associated with
him. They always appeared to be doing a good business, and I
presume they were successful.
ON THL CANADIAN SIDL.
OUR GOOD FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE BORDER.
THERE were many prosperous farmers on the Canadian side
of the river in the early days, and their wives frequented
the old market on Woodward Avenue, near Jefferson, in the
season, with their stocks of apples, pears, poultry, eggs, early
vegetables, etc. They usually squatted down on the space between
the market and Jefferson Avenue, surrounded by their possessions.
They came across the river in their own dug-outs or canoes in
the early morning, did these thrifty French matrons.
The farmers up and down the river on this side did not seem
to have any surplus to dispose of, at least, I do not remember see-
ing any of them vending their produce at this market, except one,
and he was not French, and that was Judge Jedediah Hunt, who
had leased the Abraham Cook farm in Hamtramck, and was on
hand daily, during the season, with an abundant supply of vege-
tables, eggs, chickens, etc. He also supplied the Berthelet market,
as did the French housewives from Canada. At these markets in
the fall of the year, were found in perfection the delicious white
fish, also muscalonge and sturgeon, and all so fine and cheap.
One could always get white fish in the season and at these mar-
kets from the up and down river French fishermen, for five and
ten cents each, and this until twenty-five or thirty years ago.
Discharged British soldiers married into French families on
both sides of the river, and from these unions have sprung many
of our most influential citizens.
In those early days our Canadian friends and neighbors were
more closely interwoven into our social life than at the present
time. The Watsons, Askins, McKees, Rankins, Beaubiens,
Princes, Mercers, Richardsons, Dougalls, Elliotts, Lewises,
"^oods. Cowans, Mclntoshes, Halls, etc., were large land holders,
most if not all of them, and wealthy for those days, Colonel Prince
quite so. It was said that he brought with him, when he came
from England, $300,000 in gold. Colonel Gardner, who lived on
the River Aux Canard, just below Sandwich, was also a wealthy
English gentleman. Besides these, the officers of the British
NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE) BORDER. lOOI
army stationed from time to time at Maiden and Sandwich were
always welcome guests at our firesides, and on all festive occa-
sions they contributed much to embellish the social life of this
then gay city. I say gay city ; it was eminently so, it seems to me,
more so than at present, particularly during the winter months,
shut out as we were from contact with the eastern world. There
was not much else to do then only to -have a good time, and we
had it. All seemed like one family, as it were. The interchange
of civilities was constant. Many* of the families intermarried.
Bob Woods married Miss Emma Schwarz, daughter of General
Schwarz. Mr. H. S. McDonald, Windsor, married Miss Brod-
head, sister of Colonel Thornton Brodhead. Alex. Lewis married
Miss Libbie Ingersoll, of this city. Samuel Lewis married Miss
Jennie Fenton, of this city, sister of Colonel Fenton, of Flint.
William R. Wood married Miss Caroline Whistler, niece of Mrs.
Judge James Abbott and Colonel William Whistler, U. S. A.
Hon. Albert Prince, M. P., married Mrs. EHza Hunt, nee Knapp.
William Baby married Miss Eliza Chipman, daugiiter of Judge
Henry Chipman. Theodore WilHams married Miss Hall, and
Tom McK^e married Miss Mary Gager, daughter of Captain
Gager, of the steamer Albany. So it will be seen that the tie
that bound residents of both comnrunities together was no fickle
one.
Colonel Gardner, who lived with his niece, Mrs. Sutton, on
the banks of the Canard, had seen service in Spain under Welling-
ton, was at Salamanca, also Vittoria, where the duke drove Napol-
eon out of that kingdom. I dined with him often on the banks
of the Canard, and on one occasion my brother-in-law, James B.
Witherell, was wdth me. The latter had been in Spain, and was
familiar with many of the localities where Colonel Gardner had
been, so the meeting was very agreeable and interesting on both
sides, and doubly so to me. The colonel had been associated, for
a while after he came to Canada, wdth Tom D. Babcock (late of
St. Clair) in the dry goods business in Windsor in 1837-8. The
Colonel and Sidney L. Rood, bookseller of this city, were always
warm friends, the former invariably making the book store his
headquarters when in the city. He was a bluff, hearty, typical
Englishman, and somewhat resembled Colonel Prince in appear-
ance. The Mrs. Sutton with whom Colonel Gardner made his
home was the wife of Mr. Sutton, druggist in Windsor.
I002 EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
The A'lercers lived about an eighth of a mile above the ferry
landing. There were three daughters. One married a gentleman
near Chatham by the name of John Duck ; another married John-
son Richardson, brother of the Major Richardson who wrote
"Wacousta;" the other married a gentleman named Blackwood.
There were three boys, I think. John Mercer was appointed
sheriff for the County of Kent, and held the office until his death
in 1897. Jos. Mercer was clerk of the court of Sandwich, and
was killed on the Great Western Railway at Chatham in 1862.
Mrs. Duck died in 1852, Mrs. Richardson in 1881. James Mer-
cer, the youngest son, cast his lot early in the United States. He
came. to Detroit when quite young, was clerk for John J. Traux
and later for Colonel Spencer Sprague in his agriculture store on
lower Woodward Avenue, and after that, he got married and
emigrated to Ontonagon, where he engaged in the forwarding
and commission business, was quite successful and acquired a
comfortable competenc}'. He was quite a factor in electing to the
Unites States Senate Hon. Thos. W. Palmer. He is at present in
Ontonagon, enjoying hrs well earned fortune. Mr. Merce*, a
Republican in politics, represented his country in the legislature
(House, session of 1881 ; and in the Senate, session of 1883).
When Captain Marryatt, R. N., author of ''Midshipman Easy,"
"Peter Simple," etc., was in Windsor he was the guest of the
Mercers during his stay.
When I came to Detroit the brick store and warehouse of
John and James Dougall was a conspicuous object, located down
as it was almost under the bank of the Detroit River, on the
Canadian side and directly opposite the foot of Griswold. Street.
The firm carried a large stock of general merchandise, imported
exclusively, and they pledged themselves to sell carpets, hearth
rugs, etc., as cheap, duty included, as they could be bought in
New York. I was a frequent visitor to their establishment, when
it was in the heyday of their fortunes, and, boy that I was, was
amazed at the display of foreign goods they made. One of the
firm, James, was mixed up a little in the rebellion of 1837, but
not on the Patriot side. He was a participator in the battle of
Windsor on December 4, 1838, and on seeing the two-starred flag
of the Patriot forces borne by Colonel Harvell, cried out, "A hun-
dred dollars to the man who shoots the standard bearer." Har-
vell was shot and fell on the flag, which was captured by Lieuten-
NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE BORDER. IOO3
ant, afterwards Colonel I^ankin. Harvell was then bayoneted.
Mr. Dougall married the daughter of Mr. Baby, a very beautiful
and accomplished young lady. The homestead of the latter was
situated just across , the street from Dougall's store, and I think
they made their home with old Mr. Baby. Mr. Dougall was
mayor of Win(isor four years, serving in 1859-60 and 1869-70.
One of his sons^ was at one time of the clothing firm of Mabley &
Co. on Woodward Avenue. The Dougalls had an immense Amer-
ican trade for years. They were heavy importers of hardware,
iron and steel, an(^ were hustling competitors of Erastus Corning
& Co., Albany, N.^Y. .
The Richardsc^ns were quite a distinguished family in Wind-
sor, Robert Richardson being a surgeon in the British army. One
of the sons, John, was a major in the same service and spent some
time in Windsor. He was quite literary, and wrote among other
books, the Indian n(^vel of **Wacousta," as before said; it was
very popular and widely read. Some one dramatized it, and it
was brought out here by Dean & McKinney at the theater on the
southeast corner of Gratiot and Farrar Streets (house still stand-
ing). This about 1837. Charlotte Cushman was here at the same
time, playing at this theater. The major and herself were guests
of Governor Stevens T. Mason. A son of the major married a
daughter of my jolly good friend, Dr. Donnelly, who was so well
and favorably known on both sides of the border. I had an expe-
rience with the doctor and it was a jolly one, too. The late Gov-
ernor Dave Jerome shared it also. The latter, in his early days,
chartered the steamboat Chataugue one season for the purpose of
tugging on Lake and River St. Clair, making his objective point
at Algonac. He invited the doctor and myself to make a ten
days' visit, which we did. It is needless to say we had a thor-
oughly good time.
I think some of the members of the Richardson family are
residents of Windsor at the present time. One of them was
engaged for two or three years on the Detroit Journal in the cir-
culating department, when it was under the management of Hon.
William Livingstone.
The first time I remember to have seen Colonel Rankin and
notice him particularly was at an entertainment given by Mr.
Robert Watson at his hospitable home, on the river bank, just
below Windsor, and where is now the Canada Southern depot.
I004 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Gathered there at the same time were Bob Woods, now Judge
Woods, of Chatham; Mr. and Mrs. Mercer with their .sons and
daughters; Colonel and Mrs. Prince, with their sons and daugh-
ter, Miss Belle Prince ; the Babys, the Dougalls and other promi-
nent people who went to make up the social and business life of
that side of the border. The gay company was, of course, plen-
tifully sprinkled with the representatives of both sexes of Detroit's
social side. Colonel Rankin was then in his prime, and just mar-
ried to Miss McKee, daughter of Colonel McKee and sister of
Tom McKee, of Sandwich, lately deceased, and who was for so
many years connected with the Canadian customs. I never could
get on terms of intimacy with the colonel, he was so imperious,
but I was quite intimate with the McKees.
Colonel Rankin in 1862 obtained permisMon from the war
department to raise for the United States service a regiment of
lancers, which he did, recruiting the members almost entirely from
Canada. It was mustered into service with the maximum number,
fully equipped with the exception of horses. It would have left
the state in fine condition, but was disbanded by order of the war
department, contrary to the repeated protests of the governor
(Blair) and without giving any reason for such a procedure,
losing to the service of the United States a remarkably fine body
of officers and men.
Colonel Rankin in a very happy manner presented, on behalf
'of the Windsor town council, to the Detroit fire department a
silver trumpet in recognition of its opportune services in staying
what promised to be a disastrous fire on the night of the 6th of
April, 1849. '^he loss, anyway, was about $30,000.
The colonel died March 13, 1893, at the Hotel Dieu in
Windsor. He was a familiar figure on the streets of Detroit and
Windsor for many years. He was a powerfully built man and
vigorous to the last. His individuaHsm was strongly asserted in
his facial contour, which indicated firmness, determination,
shrewdness, and iron will. His bronzed, resolute face and gleam-
ing eyes were surrounded by a mass of white hair and long
whiskers and mustache, which gave him a resemblance to a
French marshal. Nor did his appearance belie his record. He
was a gallant soldier, fire-eating duelist, belligerent politician and
successful speculator and man of business, and wrote his name on
NICIGHBORS ACROSS THE; BORDER. IO05
more than one page of Canadian history. He and Judge Woods
of Chatham were Hfelong friends.
Shortly after his marriage Rankin proceeded with a band of
Indians from Walpole Island to England, where he attracted
marked attention in London from the, extravagant and gorgeous
display of his troop, driven by himself, as an Indian chief, in a
van made for the purpose, with his team of six gorgeously capari-
soned cream-colored horses drilled to the quick step of a brass
band in attendance. He sold out to Catlin (Indian showman) for
a large amount and returned to Canada.
Rankin was born at sea (Atlantic). His marriage with Miss
McKee was clandestine, though^ why was not known.
On the river front and near the Fellers, Benjamin mansion,
is his old, time-worn home. It is a strong, old-fashioned wooden
structure with dormer windows. It was built by Wm. R. Wood,
lawyer and town treasurer of Sandwich, somewhere about 1840.
Wood was allied to one of the prominent Detroit families, having
married Miss Caroline Whistler, niece of Mrs. Judge James
Abbott, as before said. Wood, in addition to the above, owned
Bois Blanc Island, both of which he sold to Colonel Rankin some
time in the late forties.
Colonel Rankin had two remarkably fine boys. Both grew
to manhood ; one took to the stage and has been before the public
for many years. I always thought him a very fine actor. The
other, George C, I hardly know what vocation he did follow.
The first I had my attention called to him particularly, he was
the proprietor of an opera company down at Manhattan Beach,
just below Sandwich. Their entertainments were given under a
large tent, and were very good. I thought they drew remarkably
well, anyway. He was also the author of a work on Canada, a
dialect novel, which was fine. He was quite an authority on
French dialect. Not long before his death he had a controversy
with Dr. Wm. H. Drummond, the Montreal professor and author
of "ly'Habitant," because the latter claimed to be the author of
the poem, "The Wreck of the Julie Plante." Though it had been
popularly credited to him, he maintained that Frank Morton, of
Detroit, Michigan Central ticket agent and cousin of Hon. J.
Sterling Morton, was responsible for the verses. The latter was
widely known on both sides of the river, but more particularly on
this side, where he had hosts of friends, and they all upheld
I006 EARI.Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Rankin's contention as correct. I presume that by this time the
matter has been settled in Dr. Drummond's favor. Morton's
rendition of the poem was certainly admirable, as was that of
Hon. Peter White, of Marquette, and Hon. E. W. Cottrell, of
Detroit.
COI^ONEI. JOHN PRINCE.
The late Colonel Prince was without doubt the most noted
person that ever settled in Sandwich. He came from England
somewhere about 1832 with his wife and four children, born in
that country. It was said that he brought with him 75,000 gold
guineas, besides a fine breed of English setters and several brace
of pheasants, being a keen sportsman. He was a man of splendid
physique, about five feet ten inches in hight, powerfully devel-
oped chest and shoulders and a voice of thunder, but it was said
"so controlled and modified that at times it -filled the audience
with wonder at his powerful denunciations and his electric flights
of oratory. A striking type of Daniel O'Connell, the renowned
Irish patriot. He purchased in Sandwich what is called the Park
farm, and from the quaint homestead he and his charming wife
dispensed princely hospitality. In a short time he won his way
into the hearts of the people ; was elected to parliament, and was a
very active member of that body. He was quite conspicuous dur-
ing the Patriot War, on the Dominion side. It was thought at the
time on both sides of the border that his treatment of those
patriots who fell into his hands after the battle of Windsor was
extremely harsh. It may have been, but the provocation was
great. Put yourself in his place. An armed body of irrespon-
sible men from a foreign soil, led by irresponsible officers, invaded
Canada with murderous intent, threatening not only his peaceful
home and the lives of those near and dear to him, but the homes
and lives of his neighbors as well. Aside from this, an act of
barbarity perpetrated by the Patriots on thie person of one of his
dearest friends, almost an inmate of his household, drove him to
frenzy. But a few hours before this visitation of his vengeance
on his patriot prisoners, his eyes had been filled with the horror
of the mutilated body of this friend, who had been in his house in
the full possession of youth, health, strength and intelligence, on
the evening preceding this eventful day.
On the evening before the third of December, 1838, Dr.
Hume, assistant staiif surgeon — only child of Dr. John Hume, of
NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE BORDER. IOO7
Almada Hill, Lanark, Scotland, in whose family the medical pro-
fession was hereditary," the father being in Egypt under Aber-
crombie, and a cousin — German surgeon to the duke of Well-
ington— dined at the house of a friend in Sandwich. He wore
his undress uniform and during the evening went to the Park
farm, partly to see the colonel, as times were exciting, partly to
give professional advice for Mrs. Prince, who was ill to distrac-
tion from nervous fever, partly to prescribe for the colonel him-
self, w^ho was ill and worn out, and chiefly to see the third ill per-
son in this afflicted family. Miss Rudyard. Hume was a fair-
complexioned fellow, of easy and gentlemanly manner, with a
look and countenance peculiarly mild ; altogether a pleasing per-
sonality, handsome and distinguished looking. On the morning
of the attack, he and Commissary Morse directed their steps from
the Park tavern to where the sounds of firing came, the former to
tender his professional services. They rode, the staff-surgeon
still in uniform, and the horse in its usual military trappings.
Some one suggested that to be in plain clothes might be safer,
but he laughingly replied that no one would touch a doctor. As
the incendiaries returned from burning the steamer Thames they
met the two. Hume mistook them for Loyalists. ' A woman came
out from her house and warned him that they were a detachment
of patriots, but she was too late. The patriot account is that their
captain demanded Hume's surrender. To his question "To whom
shall I surrender?" came the answer, "To the Patriots." He
then quickly dismounted, with the uncomplimentary rejoinder,
"Never, to a set of rebels." Then a dozen bullets
pierced him. "Only a part of our force fired — the rest, among
whom I was one, thinking it quite unnecessary to go to extremes
with so brave a man." The surgeon's body told a different story.
Colonel Prince's official dispatch says that, not content with firing
several balls into him, they stabbed him in many places with their
bowie knives and mangled his body with an axe. One Loyalist
appears to have been near enough to call out, "Don't shoot that
man ; he is the doctor." This interruption and their absurd
query, "Then why does he not surrender?" enabled him to slip
past the corner of a house under the cover of which he tried to
reach a friend's. The first man who fired must have been satis-
fied with his aim, for he turned to a companion and .said, "You
may go and take his sword ; he won't run farther." At any rate,
he retreated, pistol in hand, facing his enemies.
I008 EARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
Some of these details of the atrocities have been contra-
dicted. Hume's companion fared better; he was shot at, but the
balls passed through his hair.
All the details of the Patriot War and the incidents con-
nected with the battle of Windsor, including a minute account of
the part Colonel Prince took in it, as also the cruel fate of Di.
Hume, have often been written and commented upon, and must-
be quite familiar to the present generation, but I have never seen
quite so detailed an account of the tragic death of Dr. Hume as is
given here, which is taken in part from ''Rebellion Times in
Canada" by the Miss Lizars — I myself was an eye witness of this
afifair in Windsor in 1838, from Jones's dock at the foot of Shelby
Street, and also from the room of the David Cooper building on
Jefferson Avenue.
It was in the fifties that Colonel Prince went to the Canadian
Soo, as first judge of the Algoma district. It was then partially
a wilderness. He served with credit until his death, which
occurred there November 30, 1870. He was buried on an island
opposite Bellevue, where he lived. Mrs. Prince did not desire to
accompany him to the Soo, and was not with him when he passed
away. The island is owned by some eastern parties, and is called
Deadman's Island. His son, Albert Prince, Q. C, erected a
tablet to his father's memory. Deadman's Island, lying where
the Little Rapids first begin to break over the gravel set with
large boulders, on the Canada side, between Topsail Island and
the main land. Quiet and secluded as if in the heart of the
wilderness, then, and known to but few, but now in the very
whirl of traffic and commerce.
Mr. F. J. Hughes, of the Canadian Soo (who is living there
yet), nursed the colonel, almost in his arms, during his six
months' sickness of heart disease, and after his death, saw him
buried on Deadman's Island, as he promised he would. This
Mr. Hughes was a relative in a way. He married the colonel's
step-granddaughter, Miss Hunt, daughter of Mr. Frank Hunt, of
Detroit.
Despite the ill feeling that existed among some of the Cana-
dians against Colonel Prince on account of his course in this
affair, he was more of a hero than ever. His journeys were ova-
tions. It was said that Hamilton, Chatham and London testified
to a general appreciation. In Chatham the incorporated com-
NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE BORDER. IOO9
panics saluted him hot only with their arms, but with hearty
cheers. At London the Union Jack was run up on his hotel and
fire balls were thrown about to make the night brilliant. He
was dined in - Toronto, and made a triumphal progress home.
The portion of the Eighty-fifth regiment stationed at Sandwich
were ready to draw him to the Park farm on his arrival, substitut-
ing themselves for his horses, and immediate preparation was
made to dine and wine him, which was done, and the dinner was
set in an arbor of oak boughs adjoining the barracks.
In an account of the battle of Windsor, given by a Canadian
writer, this passage occurs :
"Perhaps the unkindest mention of the battle was the report
given, as the events progressed, by the Detroit Morning Post,
fresh from the wonderful spy-glass of the reporter. The infantry
are evidently citizens, and as near as we can judge by means of a
spy-glass, are like men employed in an unwilling service. They
move at the rate of two miles an hour, and have several times
stopped, as though irresolute about proceeding."
The author of the article in the Detroit Morning Post was
correct, for I was an eye-witness of the march of the British
infantry from Sandwich. They came up along the river road
almost like a flock of sheep, without any hustle or double-quick,
although they could plainly see the smoke from the burning bar-
racks in Windsor and hear the reports of the patriots' guns. I
saw them from the top of the Cooper building, and I did not have
any spy-glass, either. They were quite conspicuous in their red
coats. The five sons of Colonel Prince were conspicuous in
Canadian life. Albert became a distinguished barrister and
member of the dominion parliament from Essex. The one daugh-
ter, Arabella (Belle) was a charming girl, of the English type,
attractive in every way. She always graced our social functions,
given at the National hotel (Russell House) and elgewhere. She
is the sole survivor of the immediate Prince family and is passing
her declining years at the Park farm.
Albert Prince married Mrs. Lizzie Hunt, of Detroit, daugh-
ter of Mrs. John Owen by her first husband, Thos. Knapp. They
lived at the "Firs," just below Sandwich on the bank of the river ;
an ideal home, where they dispensed princely hospitality, and
drew around them all who were distinguished in the dominion,
politically or otherwise.
64
lOIO EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
FELLERS & benjamin;
In after years, when worried with the cares of business, Mr.
Fellers (of the firm of Fellers & Benjamin, hotel proprietors)
occupied the old Johnson Richardson homestead for a while, and
in 1859, bought the Scott residence, which he occupied until his
death ; then it passed into the hands of his former partner Benja-
min. It will be remembered that Fellers & Benjamin at one time
kept the National Hotel (Russell House) ; also the Michigan
Exchange. Benjamin married the only daughter of his partner
Fellers, somewhere in the late fifties.
The National hotel and the Michigan Exchange under the
management of Fellers & Benjamin, were in their prime, and not
excelled by any west of Albany. Benjamin, during the civil war,
kept the Adams House in Chicago, which was situated near the
Michigan Central railroad depot. The house had a fine repu-
tation. After his retirement from the above, he and his wife
joined Mr. Fellers in Canada where he passed his remaining days
in rest and retirement. He died in 1900. A fine man was ''Ben."
Fellers I was not so well acquainted with.
NOTED ENGLISH OFFICERS. .
Between the years from 1829 to 1839 several noted men from
the British army and navy settled along the bank of the St. Clair
River in the townships of Sarnia and Moore. There were Cap-
tain Hyde, Commodore Crooks, Captain Vidal, Admiral Vidal,
Captain Wright, Captain Graham, Captain Sturgeon, and Surgeon
Donnelly's family, also Sergeant Minton, and several other minor
subordinates. Sergeant Minton was one of the bodyguards of
Napoleon on the island of St. Helena. Admiral Vidal built a
spacious house. It had knees under the beams and in the corners,
like those in a ship, to stand a gale without twisting. Dr. Don-
nelly was sent by the government to Upper Canada during the
cholera epidemic of 1834 and died of that disease in London, and
his family moved to their lands in Moore.
Captain Wright had been captain of the guardship, man-of-
war Griffin, and had charge of Napoleon on the island of St.
Helena. He married Miss Jane Leach, one of the belles of the
island, about whom an interesting story is told. While attend-
ing a ball on the island, given in honor of Napoleon, he honored
NEIGHBORS ACROSS THE BORDER. lOII
her with considerable attention. She remarked that she had a
great favor to ask of him, and he repHed he would grant it if it
were in his power, that he had never refused a lady anything he
could do. She then asked him for a lock of his hair. This, he
said, he would give with pleasure, but she must honor him by cut-
ting it off with his sword, which she did, and this lock of hair is
set in a beautiful brooch, now in the possession of Mrs. Wright,
widow of the late Dr. Henry Wright, of Ottawa. Captain Wright
was colonel of the frontier regiment during the Mackenzie rebel-
lion, 1837 and 1838, and also captain, of one of the earliest steam-
ers that floated the Rivers Detroit and St. Clair, called the Mina-
cetunk (an Indian word meaning the spirit of the wave). Her
average time between Maiden and Sarnia, by steam and sail, was
four days, and it is said she sometimes tied up over night to a
tree. For the first four years she was a failure; her paddle
wheels did not dip enough in the water and her boiler capacity
was insufficient. During those four years the steamer Gratiot
came out and ran between Detroit and Port Huron, as did the
steamers Huron and Macomb.
Dr. Donnelly was the head surgeon in the British navy, under
Admiral Nelson, and was on the man-of-war St. Joseph when the
British and French fleets were approaching each other. Nelson
sent an order for him to come on board his ship, the Victory,
which was to have the principal weight of the fight. This he did,
taking with him six surgeons from other ships. He attended
Nelson when he was wounded, and held his hand when he died.
But few of the children of these old settlers are living. Senator
Vidal, of Sarnia ; P. M. Wright, of Detroit, and J. P. Donnelly,
of Port Arthur, are all the writer knows about; but there are a
great many grandchildren.
The above is taken from an article which appeared in some
one of our daily journals and purports to be from the pen of Mr.
E. P. Wright, of Detroit, date missing, as also name of journal
publishing same.
Dr. Donnelly, of Windsor, was a son of Surgeon Donnelly.
He occasionally practiced on this side of the river. A large
number of people on both sides of the river will, I am sure,
remember the doctor well, as his geniality and ready Irish wit
made him a great favorite among those who had the pleasure of
his acquaintance. He died in Windsor not many years ago.
INDLX.
E.ARLY DAYS IN DLTROIT.
Abbott, James W., 533, 714, 782.
Abbott, John S., 378.
Abbott, John T., 783.
Abbott, Judge James, 99, 103, 124, 243, 271,
275, 308, 312, 323, 376, 386, 435, 459,
533, 536, 577, 735, 733, 737, 879, 975.
Abbott, Madison, 736.
Abbott, Mary, 369.
Abbott, Robert J., 367, 369, 376, 418, 482,
591, 963.
Abbott, Wm. G., 335, 577. 736.
Adair, Wm., 114, 357, 451.
Adams Alexander H., 362, 647, 890.
Adams, Alvin, 204, 2ii.
Adams, Charles S., 183, 2?d. 241, 244, 357,
401, 521, 532, 671.
Adams Express, 204.
Agnew, Mrs. Sam'l, nee Piatt, 781.
Agnew, Professor, 781.
Albaugh, J. W., 998.
Alery, E. R, 238.
Alger, General Russell A., 409.
Alvord, Wm. B., 223, 386, 401, 727.
Allen, Capt. Levi, 31, 47, 176.
Allen, Mrs. Lewis D., 732, 739.
Allen, Mrs. Orville, nee Nellie Guise, 624.
Allen, Orville, 624.
Allerie, Prof. F., 479.
Alley, Col. John, 227.
Allor, Max, 648.
American Express Co., 194, 198, 21 r, 474.
American Fur Co., 100.
Amsden, C. F., 408.
Anderson, Mrs. Colonel, 455, 682.
Andre, Joseph, 20, 690.
Andre, Major Elias, 899.
Andre, Major John, 464.
Andries, George, 889, 908.
Andrews, Hiram B., 678, 849.
Anthon, George Christian, 606, 614.
Anthon, Prof. Charles, 615, 616.
Anthon, Rev. Henry, 61^.
Apel, Professor, 828.
Archambault, Josephine, see Mrs. George C.
Kelly, 624.
Archambault, Mary J., see Mrs. Chas. M.
June, publisher of this book, 624.
Archambault, Mrs. L. J., 624.
Armstrong, Capt. Benj., 34.
Armstrong, Capt. James A., 115, 170, 180, 371,
729.
Armstrong, J. A., 391.
Arnold, Benedict, 464.
Asher, John, 367.
Ashley, John J., 169.
Ashley, Wm., 749.
Askin, John, 106, 107, 405.
Aspinwall, J. & P., 61, 391, 732.
Astor, John Jacob, 493, 537.
Atkinson, John, 714.
Atterbery, Rev. John, 175.
Atterbury, Mrs. Samuel G., 732.
Atwood, Capt. F. S., 35, 40.
Audrain, Peter, 367, 369.
Aumale, Duke d', 261, 262.
Avery, Chas. H., 490.
Babcock, Thomas 'D., looi.
Babillon, Peter, 507.
Baby, Chris., 557.
Baby, James Duperon, 103.
Baby, Mrs. Raymond, nee Josephine Chapoton,
631.
Baby, Wm., 74.
Backus, Charley, 983.
Backus, Col. Electus, 227, 535, 737.
Backus, Fred W., 228, 238, 419.
Bacon, Judge M. J., 243, 375, 890.
Bacon, Marshall J., 166, 168, 223, 723.
Bacon, Rev. Dr., 367.
Bacon, Urilla, see Mrs. James Burns, 268.
Bacon, Washington A., 524, 556.
Bagg, A, Smith, 493, 498, 901.
Bagg, B. Rush, 901.
Bagg, Charles R., 633, 901.
Bagg, Dr. Joseph H., 591, 691, 715, 901.
Bagg, John D., 460.
Bagg, John S., 243, 901.
Bagg, Miss, see Mrs. G. H. Russell, 901.
Bagg, Mrs. C. R., nee Cicotte, 683.
Bagg, Silas A,, 901.
Bagley, A. S., 498.
Bagley, Governor John J., 181, 348, 454, 498,
552.
Baker, Colonel, 86, 318, 378, 645.
Baker, George A., 238, 696, 789.
Baker, J. B., 76.
Barker, Mayor K. C, 553, 800.
Baldwin, Lyman, 902.
Baldwin, Governor H. P., 175, 358, 457, 595.
724, 750, 781, 800, 899.
Ball, Henry L., 961.
Ball, Miss Sophia, see Mrs. Hancock, 274.
Ball & Petit, 273.
Barclay, William, 356, 774.
Barker, Chauncey, 90.
Barnerd, Henry, 478.
Barnes, Henry, 182, 183.
Barnum, C. W., 401.
Barnum, Henry V., 117.
Barrett, Lawrence, 985, 988, 991.
Barry, John S., 182.
Barston, Samuel, 723.
Barstow, Homer, 224.
Barton, "Ben.", 36, 176.
Basden, Col., 170, 173, 177, 179.
Bates, Asher B., 243, 725, 800. 890.
Bates, Capt. Kinzie, 789.
Bates, George C, 735.
Bates, Geo. C, 166, 168, i^o, 172, 174, 176,
178, 181, 184, 215, 217, 220, 222, 227,
242, 282, 294, 414, 695, 720, 723, 735,
861, 870, 894.
Bates, Morgan L., 243.
Baubie, Maria Logan, 486.
Baubie, Mrs. Wm., nee Chipman, 486.
Baubie, Mrs. Wm. E., nee Julia Beatty, 486.
Baubie, Raymond P., 486.
Baubie, Wm., 486.
Baubie, Wm. E., 486.
Beach, Col. SamueJ E., 594, 602, 66i.
Beal, Wm., 810.
Beatty, James, 486.
IOI4
EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Beaubien, Antoine, 526, 528, 889.
Beaubien, Chas., 598.
Beaubien, J. B., 20, 510, 515.
Beaubien, Lambert, 20, 523, 528, 889.
Beaubien, Peter, 680.
Beaubien, T., 510.
Beeson, Jacob, 477.
Belanger, Joseph, 622.
Bellair, Oliver, 135, 551.
Belles and Beaux, 1840, see also Fort Street
Girls, 944, 948.
Bemis, Geo., 210.
Bemis, J. D., 210.
Benjamin, Capt. J. C., 39.
Beniteau, Capt., 634.
Beniteau, Israel J., 634.
Berczy, Wm., 90.
Berge, Elisha N., 90, 512.
Berger, J. M., 514.
Berger, Wm., 120, 122, 501.
Berkey, Chas., 183.
Bernard, Frank, 467.
Berrien, Col. John M., 221, 227, 416, 417, 737,
784, 78s, 890.
Berrien, Judge John, 417.
Berry, Governor John S., 898.
Berry, Taylor, 145.
Berry, Thos., 728.
Berthelet, Henry, 369, 674, 675.
Berthelet, Peter, 255, 674.
Bertrand, Marshall, 261, 262, 263.
Biddle, Edward, 156.
Biddle, E. M., 236.
Biddle, Maj. John, 44, 144, 324, zi^, 487, 512,
675, 698, 890.
Biddle, Miss Sophie, 156.
Biddle, Wm., 236, 237.
Bidwell, Barnabas, 67.
Big Beaver, 140, 142.
Bingham, Edward, 344, 453.
Bishop, Levi, 167, tzz, 729, 855.
Bissell, A. E., 391, 738.
Bissell, Bishop, 738.
Bissell, Chas., 373, 391, 450, jtt, 890.
Bissell, E. W., 391.
Bissell, Geo. W., 61, 236, 316, 391, 677, 751.
Black Hawk, 155, 156, 219, 280, 515.
Black Hawk (Young), 156.
Blackmar, David, 892.
Blackmar, James, 892.
Blackmar, Paul, 838, 839.
Blackmar, Thomas S., 838.
Blackmar, Thomas W., 524.
Blackmar, Wm., 892.
Blades, Rev. F. A., 598, 673, 706.
Blake, Capt. Chelsea, 46, 51, 59, 70, 216, 270,
390, 447.
Blair, Gov. Austin, 22-jy 348, 409, 424, 598.
Bloody Run, 559, 561, 566, 630, TT2.
Bloom, John, 268, T^y.
Bloom, Nelson, '](>t.
Blossom, "Bill," 210.
Boncher, Pierre, 251.
Bond, Wm., 402.
Bonfanti, Signora, 989.
Bonnell, John C, 235.
Book, Dr. J. B., 440.
Book, Mrs. Dr. J, B., 440.
Booth, Edwin, 985, 999.
Booth, J. Wilkes, 985, 991.
Bouchard, Lieutenant, 522.
Bour, J., 522.
Brackett, Col. A. G., 546.
Bradford, James F., 236, T2T.
Bradford, John, 234.
Bradley, 39, 201, 202.
Bradish, Alvah, 581.
Brady Guards, 114, 163, 168, 172, 179, 181,
183, 187, 190, 192, 233, 345, 418, 474. 487.
534, 597, 695, 847, 878, 893.
Brady, Genl. Hugh, 114. 121, 164, 168, 170,
T-IZ, 175. T-n, 179, 180, 181, 187, 191, 446,
487, 512, 594, TZ7-
Brady, G. N., tj, 182, 892.
Brady, Preston, 238.
Brady, L. P., 391.
Brady, McClellan, 892.
Brady, Cassandra, 542.
Brakeman, Louis J., loi.
Brakeman, Mrs. Anna, 99.
Brakeman, Peter F., 100, loi.
Brevoort, Anne, see Mrs. Charles L. Bristol,
609.
Brevoort, Commodore Henry, 61 372, 577, 608,
609, 645, 727.
Brevoort, Elias, 609, 610, 611.
Brevoort, John, 609.
Brewster, Chas., 183.
Brewster, W., 531.
Brewster, Wm., 421, 533, 675.
Briscoe, Benj., 59.
Bristol, Capt. R. C, 38* 62.
Bristol, Chas. S., 342, 494, 680.
Britton, Calvin, 740.
Britton, Sanford, 345, 502.
Broadhead, Col. Thornton F., 460, 486, 530.
577, 586, 594, 877.
Broadhead, Lieut. John, 577.
Broadhead, see Mrs. Webster, 486.
Brock, Gen'l., 61, 136, 147.
Brodie, Dr., 714, 774.
Brooke, General, 227, 228.
Brooks, Adeline, 626.
Brooks, Col. Edward, 163, 165, 213, 240, 242,
Brooks, J. W., 200, 915.
332, 450, 527, 619, 625, 627, 661, 730, 898.
Brooks, Mary, see Mrs. Whitney, 625, 'j27.
Bronson, Alvah, 87, 219, 271, 387.
Bronson, Arthur, 34, 455, 681.
Brown, Capt. Wm., 99, loi, 446.
Brown, Col. Simon, 215.
Brown, Cullen, 554, 559.
Brown, Dr. Rufus, 22^, 353, 383, 473, 513,
747- 894, 895.
Brown, Dr. Wm., 2zz, 369, 675, 725.
Brown, Ephraim, t^.
Brown, General Joseph E., 109, 110, in.
Brown, H. H., 401, 457, 791, 813, 890.
Brown, John, 732. ,
Brown, Joseph, 895.
Brown, Levi, 121, 125, 316, 407, 409, 428,
629.
Brown, Mr. and Mrs. H. H., 117, 727.
Brown, Noah, 45, 82.
Brown, Robert H., 507, 510, 898.
Brown, Wareham S., 235.
Brown, W. M., 466, 813.
Browning, F. P., 265, 267, 283, 470, 728, tzz,
889.
Browning, Sam'l, 267, 728.
Brownson, D. Orestes, 477.
Brownson, Henry F., 477.
Brow, Andrew J., 357.
Brougham, John, 992.
Brush, Alfred, 383, 512, 894.
Brush Edmond A., 234, 260, 335, 344, 367,
383, 512, 526, 529, 533, 611, 668, 675, 702.
1^7, 788, 868, 890, 902.
Brush Elijah, 367, 703.
Buckley, Henry T., 227, 357, 507, 740.
Buel, Alex. H., 556.
Buffalo City Guard, 174, 175, 176, 191,
Buffalo Light Guard, 174, 175, 176,
Buhl, C. H., 357, 494, 496, 526, 728.
INDEX.
IOI5
Buhl, F., 494, 495, 684, 760.
Buhl, Frederick, 892.
Buhl, Walter, 496.
Bull, Chas. M., 166, 412, 436, 489, 682, 741,
889, 892.
Bull, Miss, see Mrs. Gov. Fairchild, 741.
Bull, Mr. and Mrs. G. G., 58, 166, 174. 191,
475. 741.
Bullock, Dr. Earle, 823.
Bullock, Miss, see Mrs. Dr. J. Knox Gailcy,
823.
Bullock, Robt., 684.
Bullock, Silas, 823.
Bullock, V. W., 183, 507.
Bunce, Judge Z. W., 124.
Burbank, David, 19.
Burch, "Billy," 983.
Burchard, L. Y. B., 725.
Burdick, Justin, 221, 890.
Burgess Corps of Albany, 174.
Burke, Capt. Edward, Z7-
Burke, Oliver, 357,
Burke, P. B., 211.
Burlingame, Anson G., 166, 244, 357, 488, 490,
Burns, James, 68, 316, z^Zy 403.
Burns, Jimmie, 100.
492, 698, 851.
Burt, Charlotte, see Mrs. Ralph W. Kirkham,
624.
Burt, Miss Nina, 624.
Burt, Mrs. O. P., nee Labadie, 624.
Burtis, Capt. John, 25, 40, 74, 76, 78, 80, 256,
390, 668, 740.
Burnett, Mrs, Charles, 656.
Burnham, Thomas, 343, 452, 720.
Burton, Clarence M., 391, ^92, 396, ao6, 844,
909, 910, 920, 971, 972.
Burton, Wm., 981.
Busby, James, 713, 923.
Busby, Miss, see Mrs. James Fraser, 713.
Busby, Thos., 923.
Bush, Mrs. Edward, 631.
Bushnell, City Treasurer, 507.
Butler, W, A., 494.
Byrd, Geo., 889.
BUSINESS HOUSES AND FIRMS.
Bank of Michigan, 497.
Bank of St. Clair, 497.
Baughman, Hubbard & King, 493.
Beaubien, T. & J., 510.
Beecher, Rice & Ketchum, 497.
Bissell & Lauderdale, 481.
Buhl & Ducharme, 496.
Buhl, F. & C. H., 494, 495.
Buhl, Newland & Co., 496".
Buhl Sons & Co., 496.
Bull & Beard, 488, 490, 695.
Business Firms, 1835, 866.
Business Firms, 1845, 863.
Calvert Litho. Co., 863.
Campbell & Goodell, 102, 481.
Campbell & Linn, 466.
Carpenter & Rice, 497.
Chandler & Bradford, 493.
Chandler, Zachariah & Co., 243.
Chapin & Owen, 270, 418.
Chittenden & Whitbeck, 239.
Cicotte Bros., 511.
Crane, J. G. & Co., 513.
Dean & McKinney, 285.
Doty & Palmer, 501.
Eaton, Theo. H., 481, 482.
Edson, Moore & Co., 184, 892.
Eldred & Son, 513.
Elliott, W. H. Co., 840.
Farns worth, Mather & Hall, 513.
Farrand & Davis, 674.
Farrand & Wells, 502.
Freedman Bros., 205, 481.
Freedman Bros., 205, 481, 7^2.
French & Eldred, 297, 341.
French & Eldred, 502.
Gardner, M. T. & Co., D. M. Ferry & Co.,
successors, 504.
George, P. & J., 524.
Godfrey & Beaugrand, 590.
Godfrey & Dean, 903.
Godfroy, P. & J., 591.
Goldberg Bro., 840.
Graham & Lacey, 542.
Hale & Bissell, 494.
Hicks & Palmer, 493, 502.
Hunter & Hunter, 840.
Hutchinson & Titus, 514.
IngersoU & Kirby, 514, 523.
Kern, Ernest, 840.
King, R. W. & Co., SH-
Loomis & Jaquith, 683.
Mack & Conant, 57, 288, 430.
Martin & Townsend, 514.
McArthur & Hurlbert, 493.
Michigan State Bank, 497.
Moore & Carpenter, 497.
Nail, Jas. & Co., 510.
Newcomb, Endicott & Co., 840.
Pardridge & Blackwell, 840.
Poupard & Petty, 391, 523.
Saunders & Kittredge, 501.
Sheldon & Reed, 274, 317, 325, 333.
Smith, L. A. & Co., 840.
Sparling, J. & Co., 840.
Stephens & Zug, 514.
Taylor, Wolfenden & Co., 840.
Truax & Booth, 510. •
Tuomey Bros., 840.
Walton & Lacey, 542.
Wilcox & Beach, 481, 484.
Wright, Kay & Co., 864.
Cabell, Mrs. Nancy, 265.
Cadillac de La Motthe, 25, 27, 93, 95, 382, 437,
619.
Cadman, C, C, 238.
Calhoun, 89, 463.
Callender, F. D., 670.
Campau, Albert, son of Barnabas Campau,
624.
Campau, Alex M., 94, 345, 501, 564, 606, 820,
^ 871, 957.
Campau, Angelique, see Mrs. John Piquette,
629.
Campau, Angelique, see Mrs. Louis Labadie,
623.
Campau, Barnabas (L'Abie), 295, 466, 500,
503, 564, 567, 577, 606, 629, 675, 715,
732, 733, 957-
Campau, Charlotte, daughter of Barnabas Cam-
pau, 624.
Campau, Daniel J., 439.
Campau, Daniel J., 426, 436, 438.
Campau, Daniel J. W., 426, 432, 556, 670,
832, 915-
Campau, Denis, 436, 439.
Campau, Henry, 426, 915.
Campau, Jacques, 606.
Campau, James J., 436, 438, 440, 500, 566,
582.
Campau, J. Barnabas, 71, 94, 234, 345, 357,
Campau, Joseph, 426, 438, 566, 598,
Campau, Louis P., 439.
ioi6
EARLY DAYS IN DlSTROIT.
Campau, Major Joseph, 103, 104, 105, 136,
150, 284, 291, 325, 334, 367, 369, 374.
420, 433, 438, 439. 440, 562, 567, 570, 606,
662, 673, 727, 746, 892, 894, 896, 903.
500, 564, 624, 633, 69s, 715, 820, 945.
Campau, Matilda, see Mrs. Eustache Chapoton,
631.
Campau, Miss Adelaide, see Mrs. W. G.
Thompson, 439.
Campau, Monique, see Mrs. Gabriel Godfroy,
590.
Campau, Mrs. Alex., nee Eliza Throop, 854,
926.
Campau, Mrs. Barnabas, nee McDougall, 295.
Campau, Theo., 439.
Campau, Thomas, son of Barnabas Campau,
624.
Campau, Timothy, 440, 510.
Campbell, Alex., 323.
Campbell, Colin, 466.
Campbell, Henry M., 102, 898.
Campbell, H. M., 481.
Campbell, John, 323, 357, 687.
Campbell, Judge James M., 481, 724, 898.
Campbell, Sher., 985, 991.
Campbell, Walter E., 77.
Campbell, W. P., 76, 77.
Canann, John, 285, 386.
Canby, General E. R. S., 666, 876.
CanniflF, Henry J., 337, 357, 425.
Canniff, James, 425.
Canniff, Judge A. C, 121, 398, 412, 419, 425,
497, 701, 727, 759, 850, 889.
Canning, E. B., 283.
Cardell, Dr. M. L., 891.
Carne, 227, 559.
Carpenter, N. B., 497.
Carpenter, Wm. N., 337.
Carpenter, W. N., 234, 243, 357, 454, 497. 534-
Carson, Kit., 609.
Carson, James, 228.
Carson, Miss, see Mrs. A. S. Williams, 720.
Carson, Mrs. James, nee Hanmer, 749,
Carson, Mrs. Samuel, 720.
Carew, Josh, 28, 226, 228, 394, 695, 749.
Casgrain, Mrs. Senator C. E., 464.
Casgrain, William, 233, 477.
Caskey, S. T., 358, 449, 453-
Cass, Governor Lewis, 18, 20, 48, 97, 127, 138,
140, 142, 146, 160, 166, 219, 250, 252, 261,
'266, 278, 289, 291, 311 339, 356, 364, 371,
382, 412, 444, 471, 499, 527, 533, 571, 595,
614, 616, 634, 645, 663, 666, 673, 708, 756,
778, 800, 808, 845, 921, 927, 967.
Cass, Major Lewis, Jr., 86, 234, 383, 778, 780,
800, 894, 896.
Cass, Miss Elizabeth, 384.
Cass, Miss Isabel, see Baroness V'^on Limbourg,
384, 648, 778, 870, 845.
Cass, Miss, see Mrs. Canfield, 384, 778, 800.
Cass, Miss, see Mrs. H. Ledyard, 384.
Cass, Mrs. Governor Lewis, 384.
Cass, Mrs. Major Lewis, Jr., nee Ludlow, 780.
Castle, Wm., 985.
Cauchois, Capt. Chas., 100.
Cecil, Mrs. Capt., nee Duncan, 750.
Celeste, Madam, 989.
Center, Lieut, Alex J., 221, 227, 417, 737, 890.
Chaffee, Amos, 353.
Chamberlain, Dr. Harmon, 323.
Chamberlain, Olmstead, 105, 325.
Chandler, Zacharia, 358, 493, 528, 777, 853.
874.
Champ, Sargt. Nathaniel, 782, 880.
Champ, Sheriff Wm., 782, 889.
Chandler, Mrs. J. H., 892.
Chanfrau, Frank, 985.
Chapin, Col. H. L., 188, 243, 337, 358, 598,
675.
Chapin, Dr. Marshall, 335, 342, 358, 418, 442,
Chaplin, Rev. J, E. and Mrs., 753.
675, 795.
Chapoton, 561.
Chapoton, Alexander, 631, 728.
Chapoton, Alexander, Jr., 631.
Chapoton, Cecile Martha, see Mrs. Chas. Pel-
tier, 622.
Cnapoton, Dr. Edmond, 631.
Chapoton, Dr. Jean, 630.
Chapoton, Df, Jean Baptiste, 630.
Chapoton, Emile, see Mrs. Edward Bush, 631.
Chapoton, Eustache, 440, 524, 630, 728.
Chapoton, Josephine, see Mrs. Raymond Baby,
631.
Chapoton, Miss, see Mrs. Antoine Dequindre,
622.
Chapoton, Mrs. Eustache, nee Coquillard, 630.
Chapoton, Mrs, Dr. E., nee Martha Sherland,
631.
Chapoton, Mrs. Alex., nee Montreuil, 631.
Chapoton, Mrs. Alex., Jr., nee Mariame Pel-
tier, 6? I.
Chapoton, "Tash," 440, 631, 675.
Chapoton, Therese, see Mrs. Louis St. Aubin,
631.
Charton, Peter, 369.
Chase, Alex. R., 290.
Chase, Capt., 47.
Chene, 562, 563,
Chene, Isadore, 641.
Chene, Gabriel, 642, 643.
Chene, Mrs. Chas., nee Catherine Baby, 643.
Chester, John, 168, 170, 180, 222, 344, 391,
453, 891.
Chicago, 123, 515, 880.
Chilvers, Capt. Thomas, 76.
Chipman, Hon. J. Logan, 243, 358, 546.
Chipman, Judge John, 486.
Chittenden, Lieut. W. F., 505, 746.
Chittenden, Mrs. A., nee Holmes, 842.
Chittenden, Mrs. C. C, nee Holmes, 842.
Chittenden, Wm. F., 190.
Chittenden, W. J., 238, 239, 413, 798.
Chope, E., 852.
Christiancy, Hon. Isaac P., 590.
Christie, Geo., 983.
Cicotte, Capt. Francois, 20, 374, 634.
Cicotte, Edward, 20, 633.
Cicotte, E. v., 377, 524, 595.
Cicotte, F. X., 633.
Cicotte, Geo., 20,
Cicotte, Jean B., 634.
Cicotte, James, 20, 633.
Cicotte, Miss E. V., see Chas. Peltier, Jr., 622.
City Guards, 163.
Clapp, Paul, 271.
Clark, Benj., 357, 566.
Clark, Darius, 347, 349, 350.
C ark, Dr. T. B., 332, 450, 463, 505, 891.
Clark, Emmons, 349,
Clark James, 90, 565, 690.
Clark, J. P., 29, 40, 844.
Clark, Joseph, 228.
Clark, Rev. Rufus W., 641.
Clark, Winnie, see Mrs. T. P. Sheldon, 623.
Clay, Wm., 217.
Clay, Wm., 686.
Cleland, Chas., 218, 294, 395, 866.
Clemens, Miss Elizabeth, 274.
Clements, Samuel, 357.
Clemmens, Col. Christian, 153, 304, 307.
Cleveland, Rev. J. P. 626, 726.
Clinton, Capt. W. C, 76.
Clinton, Capt. W. R., 76, 77.
INDEX.
IOI7
Clitz, Admiral John, 775, yT7.
Clitz, Edward M., 776-
Clitz, Frances, see Mrs. General De Russey,
776.
Clitz, General Henry B., 775, 776.
Clitz, Harriet L., see Mrs. Lieut. Sears, 776.
Clitz, Lieut. John, 775.
Clitz, Mary, see Mrs. Major Pratt, 776.
Clitz, Sara, see Mrs. General Anderson, C. S.
A., 77(>.
Clitz, Wm., 776, 783.
Cobb, Dr. H. P., 534, 835-
Cobb, L. H., 245, 357, 418, 506, 556, 698, 835.
893.
Codd, Geo. C, 358.
•Coggeshall, C, 892.
Colclazer, Rev., 37, 706.
Cole, Chas. S., 316.
Cole, D. B., 686.
Cole, Harry S., 218, zid, 335. 380, 383. 747.
476, 479.
Cole, Miss, see Mrs. Eben N. Wilcox, 316.
Cole, Wm., 243, 685, 903.
Collender, Capt. F. D., 600.
Collins, John, 749, 899.
Combs, General Leslie. 159.
Comfort, Benj. F., 900.
Coming, Erastus, 211, 227.
Comstock, Elkanah, 265.
Comstock, H. H., 890.
Conant, Shubael, 20, 28, 222, 224, 227, 260,
291. 323, 335, 414, 436, 444. 471. 49S.
598, 700, 762, 890.
Conger, Col. J. L., 448.
Conger, Omer T., 902.
Conhehan, Mrs. Chas., 621.
Conklin, M. J. S., 501.
Connor, Andrew J., 525.
Connor, Henry, 153, 614.
Connor, John, 369, 654.
Connor, Matilda, see Mrs. Dr. Egge, 524.
Connor, Miss, see Mrs. Darius Lamson, 524
533-
Connor, Miss, see Mrs. J. H. Farnsworth, 524,
533-
Connor, Mrs. Henry, nee Trombley, 153.
Connor, Richard, Jr., 654.
Connor, Richard J., 151, 525, 533, 654, 664,
890.
Cood, Edward, 73.
Cook, Abraham, 19, 369, 562, 581, 582, 585,
593, 653, 910.
Cook, Eliza, see Mrs. John Owen, 584, 587,
588.
Cook, Eliza, see Mrs. Thos. Knapp, 562, 584,
587, 588. .
Cook, Hon. Eli, 347.
Cook, James H., 584, 890.
Cook, Jane, see Mrs. John Owen, 584.
Cook, John, 183, 584.
Cook, Joseph, 59, 245, 584, 701.
Cook, Levi, 676.
Cook, Mayor Levi, 286, 291, 316, 362, 402,
419. 598, 700, 733. 751, 889.
Cook, Mrs. Abraham, nee Thorn, 582.
Cook, O. & L., 316, 323, 402.
Cook, Otis, 584.
Cooley, Horace, 117.
Cooper, David, 114, 120, 272, 319, 335, 412,
427, 429, 430, 498, 692, 889, 911-
Cooper, Geo. A., 414, 507.
Cooner, Rev. David M., 272, 376, 415, 427,
480, 560, 911.
Copeland, A. P., 355.
Coquillard, Thomas, 435.
Cornell, Mr. and Mrs. Richard, 62^.
Cornwell, B. B., 202.
Corselius, Geo., 891.
Cote, Presque, 369, 730.
Cotton, Capt. L. H., 31, 47.
Cotrell, Col., loi, 582.
Cotrell, David, 100.
Cotrell, Hon. E. W., loi, 583.
Couse, Adam, 408.
Couldock, 985, 989.
Cowles, Dr. E. W., 274. ,
Cox, Alfred, 894.
Coyle, W. K., 562, 716, 863.
Cranage, Thos., 416.
Crane, Albert, 785.
Crane, Ambrose, 698.
Crane, D. B., 454.
Crane, D. B., 549.
Crane, Walter, 785.
Crane, Walter, 26.
Crapo, Governor, 516.
Crisp, W. H., 985, 991.
Crocker, Chas., 268.
Crocker, Chas., Jr., 743,
Crocker, Mrs. Chas., 742.
Croghan, Col. Geo., 130, 139, 533, 704-
Crongeyer, 186.
Crooks, Commodore, loio.
Crosby, C. P., 236.
Grossman. G. D., 510, 852.
Croul, Col. Jerome, 187, 439, 504, 506, 530.
Croul, Col. Frank, 530.
Croul, Alvah, 357.
Cummings, T. J., 704.
Curtiss, Asa H., 82.
Curtiss, Capt. D., 44, 579, 880.
Curtiss, Mrs. Geo. E., 411.
Curtiss, Mrs. George F., nee Wendell, 910.
Cushman, Charlotte, 981, 988, 1003.
Custer, General, 228.
CHURCHES.
Baptist, First, 264, 385, 540. 701, 736.
Catholic, 284, 285, 286, 522,
Cemetery, 688.
Congregational, 521.
Convent of Sacred Heart, 526.
Episcopal, First.
First Protestant Society. 962.
Fort Street Presbyterian, 795.
German Lutheran, 703.
Huron Indian Church, 618.
Mariners or Bethel, 458, 460, 682, see Miss
Taylor, 458.
Methodist, 300, 670, 673, 706, 713, 715, 722,
962.
Presbyterian. 395, 540. (>2S, 644, 670, 700, 708.
722, 726.
Presbyterian. Jefferson Avenue, 525.
Seminary for Girls, 690, 948.
St. Phillipe's, 643, 654, 670.
Ste. Anne's, 281, 296, 573, 613, 642. 664, 670,
689, 691, 7T2, 718.
St. Joseph's, dd^.
St. Peter & St. Paul, 528.
St. Paul's, 540, 644, 670, 722, 945, 953.
Dalzell, Capt., 370, 559, 566.
Dana, Miss, see Mrs. H. W. Whipple, 621.
Dana, R. H., 621, 710.
Davenport, Dr. Louis, 76, 164, 238, 550, 685,
730, 197.
Davenport, E. L., 985.
Davidson, "Gill," 227.
Davie, Geo., 183, 727.
Davis, Caleb F., 169, 512.
Davis, Capt. Ira, 57.
Davis, George, 515.
Davis, J. B., III.
Davis, Jonathan D., 164.
ioi8
EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Davis, Mrs. Phineas, nee Fair, 960.
Davis, Phineas, 243, 258, 332, 959.
Davis, Rev. Henry, 264, 265, 268.
Davis, Solomon, 268, 701.
Dawson, Geo., 242, 344,
Dean, Jerry, 121,. 276, 333, 409, 752, 759, 900.
Dean, Julia, 980, 988, 990 993.
Dean, Walter W., 891.
Deas, Lieut. George, 234, 408, 871.
De Bar, Ben., 988.
De Graff, Harmon, 357.
De Graff, Judge Jesse D., 605.
De Graff, Major Isaac, 603.
DeGraff, Major John J., 603.
Demas, John, 657,
Demill, Peter E., 168, 398, 898.
Demill, P. E., 357.
Deming, Geo., 255.
Deming, John J., 267, 335, 742.
Deming, Mary, see Mrs. Chas. Crocker, 742.
Densmore, Wm. B., 211.
Dequindre, Annie, see Mrs. E. A. Lansing,
284, 478, 479.
Dequindre, H. P., 245, 357, 478.
Dequindre, Louis, 20, 140, 558, 666, 889, 476,
478.
Dequindre, Major Antoine, 150, 275, 332, 450,
453, 529, 582, 673.
Dequindre, Miss, see Mrs. W. H. Wells, 667.
Dequindre, Miss, see Mrs. Rev. Rufus Nut-
ting, 667.
Dequindre, Timothy, 666.
Dermont, Robt., 732.
Desnoyers„ Chas. R., 163, 357, 476, 477, 688,
Desnoyers, Dr. Edwin, 474, 532, 556.
787.
Desnoyers, Edward, 479.
Desnoyers, Emilie, see Mrs. Prof. F. Allerie,
479-
Desnoyers, Frank, 476, 478.
Desnoyers, J. P., 246.
Desnoyers, Miss Josephine, see Mrs. Henry
Barnard, 284, 479.
Desnoyers, Peter J., 121, 150, 166, 314, 3^7>
367, 438, 467, 468, 469, 472, 476, 480, 570,
598, 673, 675, 727, 737, 787, 87s, 902.
Desnoyers, Philip James, 477.
Desnoyers, P. T., 471.
Desnoyers, Victorie, see Mrs. Henry S. Cole,
479-
Detroit Boat Club, 34S, 868, 869, 871, 872.
Detroit City Guard, 190.
Detroit Gas Light Co., 828.
Detroit Historical Society, 550.
Detroit Light Guard, 181, 183, 188, 598, 634.
Detroit Light Infantry, 189.
Dey, Mrs. A. H., 812, 896.
Dibble, Chas L., 183, 229.
Dibble, Miss Susan, 229.
Dibble, Orville B., 223, 234, 529.
Dickinson, Capt. A. D., 236, 822.
Dickinson, Capt. Wm., 37.
Dickinson, Hon. Don. M., 547.
Dickinson, M. F., 362, 493, 783, 905.
Disbrow, H. B., 121, 466, 733, 734, 889.
Dodemead, Alice, see Mrs. Joseph V^ilkinson,
405.
Dodemead, Ann, see Mrs. Capt. Dyson and
Dodemead, Betsey, see Mrs. Chas. Jouet, 405.
Dodemead, Catherine, see Mrs. Jacob B. Var-
num, 405.
Dodge, General H., 156.
Dodemead, John, 270, 367, 369, 399, 405, 527.
Dodemead, Mrs. Jane, 405.
Mrs. Chas. Jackson, 405.
Dodge, Surveyor, 109, iii.
Dolson, Peter, 680.
Donnelly, Dr., 1003, loio.
Donnelly, J. P., loii.
Doolittk, Mrs. Reuben, 408.
Dorr, J. R., 243, 314, 335, 386.
Dorr, Melvin, 218, 314, 335, 385.
Dorsheimer, Philip, 202.
Doty, Ellis, soo, 514, 555, 562, 675.
Doty, Geo., 166, 170, 185, igi, 193, 337, 357,
463, 477, 501, 507, 555.
Doty, Henry, 514, 555, 819, 891.
Doty, Jas. D., 277, 290.
Doty, Mrs. Geo., 501.
Doty, Wm. P., 176, 357, 704.
Douglass, C. C, 228.
Douglass, Sam'l T., 724.
Douglas, Stephen A., 221.
Dougall, James, 354, 1002.
Dougall, John, 1002.
Dougall, Mrs. James, nee Baby, 1003.
Dousman, Michael, 469.
Doyle, Lieut. M., 594.
Drake, Mr. and Mrs. Rush, 625.
Dresser, Aaron, 115, 117.
Drew, Hon. John, 584.
Drew, John, 992.
Drew, Mrs. John, 992.
Drew, Mrs. John, see Mrs. "Sol" White, 769.
Driggs, Capt. U. S. N., 623.
Driggs, Frederick E., 405.
Driggs, Mrs. Wm. S., 623, 795.
Druillard, Joseph, 106.
Dryer, Capt. Hiram, 597.
Duck, Mrs. John, nee Mercer, 1002.
L>ucharme, Chas., 228, 695, 704.
Dudgeon Anthony, 553, 686.
Dudgeon, Mrs. Anthony, 523.
Dudley, Col., 157, 161.
Duffield, D. Bethune, 509, 517, 598, 723, 813.
Duffield, Rev. George, 28, 712.
Duffield, W. W., 188.
Duncan, Wm. C, 245, 353, 357, 747, 749, 791,
875.
Dunks, Chas. H., 404.
Dunning, Daniel, 196, 202, 474, 786.
Durrell, Wm., 500, 680.
Dustin, Capt. Selah, 57,
Dwight, A. A., 463, 904.
Dwight, David, 268, 463, 714, 890.
Dygert, Kin S., 245, 343, 357, 501.
Dyson, Jane M., 405.
Dyson, Samuel T., 399, 405.
Eastman, Lieut. Ahira G., 594.
Eaton, Mrs. Theo. H., 417, 497.
Eaton, Theo. H., 268, 341, 415, 417, 511, 684,
784, 892, 90s.
Eddy, Orson, 678.
Edmonds, Capt. J. L., 35.
Edmons, Thos. 473, 476, 891.
Egge, Dr. W., 473, 524, 695.
Edwards, A., 288, 296, 533.
Edwards, Capt. Arthur, 40, 47, 400, 442.
Edwards, John, 77, 685.
Elbert, J. Nicholson, 344, 391, 674, 684, 894.
Eldred, Anson, 245, 357, 465, 539.
Eldred, Elisha, 357, 465, 704.
Eldrod, Francis E., 337, 357, 715.
Eldred, Julius E., 236, 247, 249, 252, 259,
297, 415, 674, 718, 889.
Elert, Jacob, 291.
Elliot, Col. R. T., 158, 160, 238, 358, 405,
611, 724.
Elliott, James R., 357.
Elliott, Mayor Robert T., 188, 357.
Elliott, Richard R., 185, 265, 458, 522, 698,
857, 915.
Elliott, Wm. H., 714, 840.
INDEX.
I019
Ellis, General Herbert E., 921.
Ellis, John, 243, 725.
Ellis, Surveyor General, 86.
Ellsler, Fannie, 989.
EUsler, John, 998.
Elwood. S. Dow, 503, 506, 703, 724.
Emerson, Curtis, 224, 227 , 451, 695, 749.
Emerson, Thomas, 224, 22t, 431.
Emmons, H. H., 724.
Emmons, Jed, 695, 937.
Emmons, J. P. C., 244, 510, 723, 853.
Emmons, Norman, 937.
Esdell, David, 357.
Ewers, Alvah, 357, 746.
Fales, Timothy, 335, 739.
Fair, Col. Sylvanus, 960.
Fairbanks, Col. John D., 188, 357.
Fargo, Chas., 203, 208.
Fargo, Francis F., 197.
Fargo, James G., 208.
Fargo, Wm. G., 196, 198, 202, 208, 404.
Farmer, John, 244, 362, 419, 497, 701, 704,
706, 733-
Farmer, Silas, 739.
Farnsworth, B. F., 958.
Farnsworth, Chancellor, 243, 401, 554, 666,
687, TZT.
Farnsworth, Col. Fred E., 189.
Farnsworth, Dr. J. H., 94, 120, 394, 473, 513,
524, 534, 894.
Farnsworth, L. L., T2t.
Farnsworth, Elon, 398, 740, 787.
Farrand, Bethuel, 256.
Farrand, Jacob S., 257, 341, 357, 450, 453, 502.
Farrar, Frank, 35, 59, 245, 701.
Farrar, John, 163, 165, 244, 317, 335, 342,
362, 680, 683, 701, 889.
Farquher, Col. Francis U., 731.
Fellows & Benjamin, 224, 233, 235.
Fenton, Col., 228.
Fenton, Governor, 623.
Fenton, Miss Jennie, 228.
Ferro, James Dewitt, 117.
Ferry, Dexter M., 454, 504, 512.
Fenwick's Restaurant, 730.
Ferguson, Eralsey, 739.
Field, Moses W., 236, 454, 765.
"Fielding May," 625.
Firemen's Ball, 233, 361.
Fish, Capt. Job, 84.
Fisher, Mrs. M. M., nee Ten. Eyck, 699.
Fisher, P., 556.
Fisher, W., 556.
Fiske, David W., 732, 892.
Fitch, Prof. C. M., 525.
Fitch, Andrew, 698.
Fitzpatrick, Robt., 875.
Flaharty, Capt., 46, 71.
Flannigan, Col. Mark, 357.
Florence, W. J., 995.
Flowers. Isaac, 744, 897.
Floyd, Capt. G. W., 7,7.
Foley, Bishop John S., 688.
Folger, Capt. Thos. P., 57-
Folsom, J. L., 234.
Foote, Geo. W., 342, 356, 684.
Forbes, Capt. Jas., 76.
Forrest, Edwin, 400, 981, 995.
Forrest, Little Billy, 981, 985, 991.
Forsythe, Col. Lewis C, 865.
Forsythe, Major Robt. A., 97, 221, 290, 335,
633» 670, 737.
Forsythe. Marion, 596.
Fort Dearborn, 123, 880.
Fort Wayne, Ind., 880, 881.
Fox, Col. C. Crofton, 581, 722.
Fox, Col. Dorus M., 708.
Fox, Mrs., nee Miss Rucker, 122.
Fox, Rev., 580, 722.
Franklin, Sir John, 116.
Franks, Edward, 863.
Franks, Miss, see Mrs. Ed. E. Kane, 863.
Fraser, A. D., 102, "501, 527.
Eraser, Alex., 236, 627, 628.
Fraser, A. J., 236, 627, 661.
Fraser, James, 369, 713.
Fraser, Mrs. C, 656.
Freelen, Thomas, 594.
Fremont, Capt. Sewell L., 58, 877.
French, David, 465, 676, 889.
French, Newell, 889.
Frink, John B., 507.
Frost, G. L., 894.
Gage, Morgan L., 190, 357, 595, 597, 682, 822.
Gager, Capt. C. L., 31, 50, 57, 59, 877.
Gager, Miss Mary, 58.
Gager, Mrs. Capt. C. L., 58, 741.
Gailey, Dr. J. Knox, 823.
Galup, E. C, 308.
Galup, Mrs. E. C, see Mrs. Sidney D. Haw-
kins, 307.
Gardner, Col., 1000.
Garland, Col., 86, 44, 125, 408, 534.
Garland, Louise, see Mrs. Gen'l Jas. Long-
street, 408.
Garland, H., 226.
Garrison, H. D., 223.
Garrison, John J., 357, 598, 684, 693, 798.
Garrison, Willis, 693.
Gallagher, G. W., 450, 890.
Gallagher, Thos. 686.
Gay, Thos., 90.
Geer, Kye, 203.
George, Edwin S., 496.
George, P. & J., 732.
Gibbs, Miss, see Mrs. W. N. Carpenter, 497.
Gibson, G., 774.
Gibson, J., 774.
Gilbert, Wm., 853.
Gilkerson, Jasper, 661.
Gillett, Frances, 596.
Gillett, John P., 81.
Gillett, Shadrach, 40, 335, 390, 477, 565, 688.
Gillett, Thos. S., 40, 183, 357.
Girardin, James A., 103, 105.
Gladwin, Capt., 560, 770.
Gleson, Capt., 398, 648.
Glover, Henry, 268, 393, 457, 904.
Goodale, George P., 862.
Goddard, Alonzo, 208.
Goddard, Lewis, 268, 450, 846.
Godfroy, Alexandine, L., 592, see Mrs. Theo.
P. Hale, 591.
Godfroy, Caroline Anne, 501, t;02.
Godfroy, Caroline, see Mrs. Colwell, 591.
Godfroy, Col. Jaques Gabriel^ son of Jaques,
589. 590.
'Godfroy, Elizabeth, 591,
Godfroy, Elizabeth, see Mrs. Isaac P. Chris-
tiancy, 590.
Godfroy, Gabriel, Jr., 367, 369, 590, 764.
Godfroy, Jaques, 588, 589.
Godfroy, Jaques B., 591.
Godfroy, John Bapti, 590.
Godfroy, John Bapt, 588.
Godfroy, Jeremiah, 357, 903.
Godfroy, Melinda, see Mrs. John Askin, 591.
Godfroy, Miss, see Mrs. W. B. Hunt, 591, 592.
Godfroy, Mrs. Gabriel, nee Elizabeth May,
590.
Godfroy, Mrs. Gabriel, see Monique Campau,
590.
I020
EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Godfrey, Mrs. Gabriel, nee Theresa de Bondy,
590.
Godfrey, Mrs. Jaques, nee Chapoton, 589.
Godfrey, Nancy, see Mrs. Joseph Visger, 591.
Godfrey, Pierre, 588.
Godfrey, Pierre, 372, 373, 493, 591, 592, 899-
Godfrey, P. & J., 591.
Godfrey, Richard, 598.
Godfrey, Sophie, see Mrs. James B. Whipple,
.c;q2, 619.
Godfrey, Susan, see Mrs. Morton, 591.
Godfrey, Susanne, see Mrs. Jas. McCloskey,
590.
Godfrey, William, 591.
Godfrey, William, 591.
Godfrey, Zoe, see Mrs. Benj. Abbott, 591.
Geodell, Elijah, 899.
Geodell, Lemuel, 218, 682, 714, 889, 897.
Geodell, Mr. and Mrs. Alex., 102, 898.
Geodell, Nathan, 682, 897.
Gooding, Mathew, 241, 357,
Gooding, Wm., 243.
Geednow, Daniel, 222, 226.
Goodnow, Wm., 223, 226, 457.
Goodrich, Simon B., 117.
Geodsell, Capt. J. B., y6.
Goodsell, N., no.
Goodwin, Judge Daniel, 123, 166, 243, 7Z7>
900.
Goodwin, F. G., 238.
Goodwin, Lieut. John B., 594.
Gordon, Hannah W., 265.
Gore, Capt., 552, 556.
Gouin, Chas., 560.
Graham, Capt., loio.
Granger, General Gordon, 408, 666, 876.
Grant, Commodore Alexander, 659, 976.
Grant, General U. S., 181, 225, 408, 488, 528,
552, 556, 633, 666, 670, 816, 879.
Grant, John, 117, 659.
Grant, Mrs. Alexander, nee Therese Barthe,
660.
Grant, Mrs. U. S., 225.
Gratiot, Col., 608.
Graves, Col. Frank, 549.
Graves, J. O., 450, 890.
Gray, Prof. Asa, 857.
Gray, Wm., 506, 508, 556, 684, 695. 723. 7^7'
855.
Grayson, Col. J. B., 182, 185, 187, 227, 358,
413. 506, 554, 695.
Grayson Light Guards, 180, 182, 185, 187, 684.
Green, C. K., 596.
Green, Wm.. 331, 343, 358.
Greenslade, John, 74.
Greusel, Col. Nick, 184, 186, 357, 549, 621,
717.
Greusel, Hon. Joseph, 184, 621.
Griesbach, 428.
Grisweld, Chas., 231.
Grisweld, Clara, see Mrs. Paul Guise, 231.
Grisweld, Dr. Alex., 511.
Grisweld, Dr. J. A., 231.
Grisweld, Geo. R., 231, 243, 511.
Grisweld, H., 332, 450.
Grisweld, John, 230, 511, 797, 891.
Grisweld, Martha, see Mrs. C. L. Stevenson,
231.
Griswold, Rufus W., 337-
Grosvenor, Col. E. O., 227, 424.
Guise, A. Henry, 231, 464, 624, 745, 798, 820.
Guise, Lieut. Paul, 231, 511.
Guise, Mrs. A. H., 464, 631.
Guise, Philip, 624.
Guise, Richard, 624.
Guise, Thos. 624.
Gulliger, Mrs. Philip, nee Carrie Brooks, 626.
Gunn, C. K., 238.
Gunn, Dr. and Mrs., 235.
Hackett, Capt. James, 37.
Hackett, James, 981, 988.
Hale, John, 90, 311, 402, 412, 494, 623, 751.
752, 900.
Hale, Mrs. John, see Labadie, 402, 623.
Hale, Wm., 243, 412.
Hall, Amos T., 853.
Hall, Frank, 244, 379.
Hall, General Wm., 121, 144, 232, 311, 345,
371, 654, 680, 682.
Hall, Knowles, 342, 675, 680, 881.
Hall, Lewis, 442.
Hall, Lewis, 768, 774, 858.
Hall, Miss, see Mrs. Brensen Rumsey. 681.
Hall, R. H., 682, 732.
Hall, Theodore Parsons, 591, 660, 663.
Hall, Wm.. 768, 858.
Hallock, Horace, 267, 455, 556, 742, 898.
Hamilton, Mrs. Major Frank, see Miss Roby,
422, 548.
Hamlin, Mrs. Caroline Watson, 480, 608, 613.
Hammond, Chas G., 682.
Hammond, Wm., 859.
Hamtramck, Col. John F., 469, 582, 008, 650,
662, 664.
Hand, Judge G. E., 218, 223, 891.
Haning, S. K., 223.
Hanmer, Jas. H., 163, 165, 747, 890.
Harbaugh, D. E., 759, 889, 891.
Hardee, General W. J., 546.
Harper Hospital, see Nancy Martin, 26.
Harper, Walter, 26, 28.
Harmon, John, 1 14.
Harnden, Wm. F., 211.
Harring, H. K., 891.
Harring, S. K., 238, 717.
Harrington, Chas., 905.
HarrisoH, General W. H., 146, 160, 163, 242,
456, 590, 610, 612, 626.
Harsha, Walter, 401, 903.
Harsha, Wm., 243, 903.
Hart, Mrs. Capt., nee Watson, 554.
Hart, Rev. Edson, 90, 92.
Hartwell, Thos. H., 236.
Harvey, Andrew, 698.
Harvey, John, 368.
Harvey, Mr. and Mrs., 898.
Haskell, Rev. Samuel, 265.
Hastings, Eurotus P., 274, 328, 335, 536, 39i.
645, 724, 727-
Hastings, Henry, 211, 724.
Hathon, A. E., 114, 258, 376, 418, 467, 482,
889.
Hawkins, Capt. Rufus, 48.
Hawkins, Sidney D., 307.
Hawley, Cleveland, 226.
Hawley, Emmor, 323, 444.
Hawley, John, 463, 858.
Hazzard, Capt. Morris, 38.
Hay ward, Capt. Samuel, 100.
Hayward, D., 889.
Healy, 237, 717.
Heintzelman, General S. P. 221, 248, 394, 556,
580, 878.
Helm, Capt., 13d..
Hendrie, Mr. and Mrs. Strathern, 477.
Hendry, Mrs. Dr., see Mrs. Chas. Cleland,
395-
Henderson, Den C, 467.
Henry, Alex, 252.
Henry, D. Farrand, 120, 794.
Henry, Dr. Jas.. 120, 367, 369, 43r, 795-
INDKX.
I02I
Herrick, John I., 905, 442.
Herriot, Geo., 126.
Herter, Mrs., nee Mary Miles, 627.
Heyerman, Mr. and Mrs. Oscar, 486.
Hicks, Jas. A., 502.
Hickox, F. A., 464, 892.
Higby, L. E., 235.
Higham, 200, 230.
Higgins, 897.
Hill, Bristol, 834.
Hill, Col. Edward, 188.
Hill, G., 344, 453, 898.
Hill, J. G., 344, 453, 898.
Hill, Rodney D,, 834.
Hill, Thomas S., 898.
Hill, Warren, 832, 834.
Hinchman, Felix, father of Guy, 23, 335, 498,
586, 622, 67s, 678, 974.
Hinchman, Guy F., 23, 381, 498, 555, 747,
749, 892.
Hinchman, Jas. A., 270, 674.
Hinchman, Jas. W., 335, 796.
Hinchman, Joseph B., 747, 749.
Hinchman, Kate, 727.
Hinchman, Mrs. €., 90, 91, 381, 555, 795-
Hinchman, fheo. H., 236, 270. 357, 419, 423,
426, 555, 768 795, 796, 858.
Hinchman, Theo. H. & Son, 270.
Hinchman, T. & J., 270.
Hittel, Robt., 684.
Hoban, Mrs. James, nee Elsie Piquette, 629.
Holbrook, Benj., 164.
Holbrook, Mrs. De Witt C, 894.
Holmes, Jabez, 732, 839.
Holmes, J. H., 206.
Holmes, Silas M., 732, 839, 841.
Homan, Capt. Phin, 182.
Hopkins, Mark, 742.
Hopkins, Robert, 335, 358.
Hopkins, Samuel, 742.
Hopkins, Wm., 355.
Hopson, Henry, 823.
Hopson, Richard, 551.
Horn, Capt. W, L., 77.
Horn, John, 746.
Horner, A., 369.
Hosmer, John, 696.
Hosmer, Rufus, 182, 841.
Hough, Garry, 983.
Houghton, Douglass, 234, 248, 252, 502, 723,
902.
Houghton, Jacob, 255, 260, 357.
Howarth, J. B., 440.
Howard, Alex. K., 183, 190, 595, 597-
Howard, Charles, 256, 390, 391, 686, 707, 747.
889, 905.
Howard, Col. Joshua, 109, 530, 594, 595, 778,
877.
Howard, Cornelia, see Mrs. John W. Strong,
596.
Howard, Daniel, 595.
Howard, Henry Dearborn, 595, 596, 597, 517.
Howard, Jacob M., 166, 169, 243, 286, 410,
540, 723, 724, 731, 845, 866, 894-
Howard, Julia, see Mrs. Walter Ingersoll, 596.
Howard, Lawson, 591.
Howard, Lizzie, see Mrs. Henry R. Mizner,
596.
Howard, Mayor Henry, 517, 674, 890.
Howard, Miss, see Mrs. C. K. Green, 596.
Howard, Mrs. Alex K., nee Lamed, 596, 732.
Howard, R. R., 187.
Howe, Geo. W., 746.
Howe, W. B., 503.
Howe, U. Tracy, 822.
Hoyt, D., 211, 412.
Hoyt, Starr. 211.
HOTELS.
American Hotel, 511, 952, 953, 955.
Biddle House, 487, 944, 950, 954.
Cass Hotel, 831.
Eagle Tavern, 687, 923, 959.
Finney s, 716.
Mansion House, 571, 685, 799, 952.
Michigan Exchange, 716, 964.
National Hotel, 463, 627.
Railroad, 849.
Russell House, 463, 627, 717, 747, 759, 916,
1009.
Seamen's Home, 685. »
St. Clair, 703.
U. S. Hotel, 687.
Woodworth's Hotel, 686, 873, 952.
Yankee Boarding House, 693.
Hubbard, Bela, 95, 129, 571.
Hubbard, Henry G., 169, 248, 252.
Hubbard, Mrs. Nancy, 232.
Hudson, Bay Co., 96.
Hudson, Henry, 657.
Hudson, J. S,, 90, 92.
Hughes, F. J., 1008.
Hughes, Mrs. F, J., nee Hunt, 1008.
Hull, John, 862.
Hull, Robert, 863.
Hume, Dr. 118, 1006.
Humphrey, Col. Gad., 897.
Hunt, Cleveland, 317, 592, 652, 666, 740.
Hunt, Col. Henry J,, 20, 272, 276, 292, 368,
371, 389, 398, 40s, 460, 553, 607, 614, 650,
608, 891.
Hunt, Frank, 587.
Hunt, General Lewis C, 553, 797-
Hunt, G. W., 236, 891.
Hunt, G. Wellington, 552, 592, 650, 666, 740.
Hunt, Harry P., 587.
Hunt, Jedediah, 90, 585, 1000.
Hunt, John T., 228, 234, 421, 587.
Hunt, Judge, 587, 732.
Hunt, Mrs. H. J., 379, 701.
Hunt, Mrs. W. B., 591, 666.
Hunt, Thomas, 587, 648, 650, 891.
Hunt, W. B., 398, 591, 650, 740, 891.
Hunt, W. Z., 317, 957. ,
Hurd, Alanson M., 335.
Hurd, Gildersleeve, 11 1, 729, 889.
Hurd, Dr. Ebenezer, 120, 167, 728, 274, 286,
556, 559.
Hurlburt, Chauncey, 788.
Hurlbut, Chauncey, 357, 684, 899-
Hurlbut, John, 391.
Hurlbut, Thomas J., 897.
Hurst, Thos., 358.
Hyde, Captain, loio.
Hyde, Benj. F., 822.
Hyde, Henry, 822.
Hyde, Louis, 822.
Hyde, Mrs. Henry, nee Wasson, 822.
Hyde, O. M., 358, 457, 682, 821, 823, 827.
Imson, 39, 203.
Imson, Captain, 39.
Ingersoll, Jerome, 553.
Ingersoll, Jesse, 237, 553.
Ingersoll, Justus, 523, 553.
Ingersoll, R., 890.
Ingersoll, Miss, see Mrs. Alex. Lewis, 553
Ingersoll, Miss, see Mrs. Carman, 553.
Ingersoll, Miss, see Mrs. Frank Phelps, 553.
Ingersoll, Walter, 234, 236, 401, 457, 473, 596,
695.
Inman, Captain Wm., 784, 785.
Inman, Eliza, 596.
I022
EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Inman, Mary, 596.
Inman, Miss, see Mrs. Bishop Odenheimer,
784.
Irving, George, 720.
Irving, Major^ 181.
Isdell, David, 500, 680.
Isherwood, Harry, 981.
Ives, Albert, 460, y^^-
Ives & Black, 391.
Ives Bros., 24, 370.
Ives, C, 460, 853.
Ives, Eardley, 460.
Jacklin, Mary, 28.
Jackson, Andrew, 166, 32';.
Jackson, Anna, see Mrs. Jonathan Thompson,
405.
Jackson, Calvin C, 183.
Jackson, Chas., 120, 163, 165, 244, 398, 405,
416, 419, 692, 701.
Jackson, Col. Carus W., 598.
Jacobs, N. P., 732, 798.
Jadot, Col. Louis, 614.
Jadot, Genevieve St. Martin, see Mrs. G. C.
Anthon, 615.
Janvier, Rev,, 315, 317.
Jaquith, C. H., 401.
Jarvis, G. W., 236.
Jasperson, Geo., 100, 102.
Jasperson, Henry, 102.
Jasperson, Miss, see Mrs. Alex. Goodell, 102.
Jenkins, Capt. Geo., 76.
Jenkins, Shadrach, 78.
Jones, De Garmo, 23, 243, 288, 380, 387, 390,
449, 568, 645, 670, 681, 762.
Jerome, Edwin, 123, 272, 690, 697.
Jerome, Geo., 245, 446, 506, 691, 728, 741.
Jerome, Governor David, 81, 691, 1003.
Jerome, Horace, 691, 728.
Jerome, Judge, 124, 676.
Jerome, "Tiff," 81, 733-
Jenness, J. S., 357.
Jennison, Judge Wm., 625.
Johnson, Annie, see Mrs. Ephraim Brown,759.
Johnson, Col. Richard M., 148, 245.
Johnson, Jesse, 880.
^Johnson, Josiah, 625.
Johnson, L., 69.
Johnson, Lieutenant George, 880.
Johnson, Miss, see Mrs. Louis F. Tiffany, 759.
Johnson, Sheriff A. S., 759.
Johnson, Thomas J., 880.
Joinville, Prince De, 261, 263, 309.
Joncaire, Chabert de, 642.
Jones, David A., 188.
Jones, Enoch, 450, 890.
Jones, General De Lancey Floyd, 227.
Jones, G. H., 450.
Jones, J. L., 234,
Jones, Mrs. Col. De Garmo, nee Sanger, 759.
Jones, Senator, 156.
Jouet, Chas., 405.
Jouet, Jane, see Mrs. Samuel Northington, 405.
June, Chas. M., publisher of this book, 624.
June, Mrs. Chas. M,, nee Mary J. Archam-
bault, 624, 666.
Joy, Abijah ("Bijah"), 245, 357, 861.
Joy, Hiram, 861.
Joy, James F., 539, 723, 739, 891.
Kane, Mrs. Ed. E., 863.
Kanter, Edward, 722, 765.
Kaufman, Isadore, 827.
Kearsley, Edmond, 245, 357, 482, 485, 487, 679.
Kearsley, Major E. K., 170, 182, 358, 485, 522,
675, ^77, 698.
Kearsley, Major J., 87, 256, 271, 484, 675, 709,
718.
Keeler, Henry, 892.
Keeney, Benj. R., 357, 797.
Keeney, Geo. W., 337, 797.
Keeney, Jonathan, 21, 559, 774.
Kellogg, Asher S., 890.
Kellogg, James, 642.
Kellogg, Tohn R., 213, 233, 238, 916.
Kellogg, Geo., 305, 670, 892.
Kellogg, Mrs. Serena, 642.
Kellogg, Sax, 532.
Kelly, George A., 624.
Kelly, Josephine M., 624.
Kelly, Mrs. G. C, nee Archambault, 624, 661.
Kendrick, Silas V., 795.
Kennedy, Alfred, 683, 355.
Kercheval, B. B., 380, 443, 645, 683.
Ke-Tan-Kah, 315.
Ke-Wa-Bis-Kim, 315.
King Bros., 208, 301.
King, Daniel, 477, 502.
King, Edward, 243, 245, 502.
King, General John, 550.
King, Geo., 301, 502.
King, Harvey, 808.
King, J. E., 468, 492.
King, J. L., 343, 489, 492, 502, 667, 673.
King, John R., 808.
King, Marion, 477.
King, R. W., 357. Si4-
King, Wm., 468, 492, 714.
Kinniff, A, C, 243, 272.
Kinzie, John H., 788, 790.
Kinzie, Lieutenant, 90.
Kinzie, Mrs. John H., 645, 788.
Kirby, Z., 853, 890,
Kish-Kan-Ko, 20, 140, 142, 144, 146, 151, 153,
528, 664, 667, 729, 772.
Knaggs, Captain James, 22, 24. 36, 48, 68, 157,
370.
Knaggs, Geo., 261, 284.
Knaggs, Whitmore, 370, 614, 899.
Knapp, Bela, loi.
Knapp, Captain, 247.
Knapp, Eliza, see Mrs. Albert Prince, 587.
Knapp, H. T., 112.
Knapp, Lafayette, 231, 245, 357, 587, 733-
Knapp, Sheriff Thos., 231, 283, 562, 584, 587,
705, 733-
Kundig, Bishop, 283, 285, 691.
Labadie, Alexandrine, see Mrs. O. P. Burt,
624.
Labadie, Antoinette, Mrs. Joseph Langley, 623.
Labadie (Badichon), Antoine Louis, 623, 628,
631, 661.
Labadie, Chas. F., 628.
Labadie, Delphine, see Mrs. V. E. Marentette,
628.
Labadie Eleanore, see Mrs. Thomas C. Shel-
don, 62^.
Labadie, Eleonore Descompts, see Mrs. John
Baptiste Piquette, 629.
Labadie, Elizabeth, see Mrs. J. G. Maren-
tette, 628.
Labadie Francoise, see Mrs. Isadore Navarre,
608.
Labadie, Laura J., see Mrs. Jos. Archambault,
624.
Labadie Lizzie, see Mrs. Wm. S. Driggs, 623.
Labadie, Marguerite, see Mrs. Judge May,
625.
Labadie, Miss, see Mrs. John Hale, 402, 623,
Labadie, Medard, 148, 149.
Labadie, Mrs. Louis, nee Charlotte Barthe,
623, 661.
INDEX.
1023
Labadie, Peter Descompts, 370, 372, 402.
Labadie, Pierre Barthe, 661.
Lacey, Col. Herman A., 542, 543.
Lacey, Miss, 543.
Lacey, Mrs. Julia A., 542, 729.
Ladue, Andrew, 529, 538.
Ladue, James C, 539, 813.
Ladue, Mayor John, 182, 373.
Ladue, Miss, see Mrs. General VV. P. Duffield,
539.
Ladue, Mrs. Austin, 832.
Ladue, W. N., 538.
Lafferty, 372, 636.
Lafountaine, Francois, 372, 641.
Lafountaine, Lucy, ' see Mrs. James McBride,
642.
Lafoy, Augustin, 369.
Lafoy, Lambert, 20.
Lamson, Darius, 335, 362. 493, 533, 765, 889.
Lamson, Mrs. Geo., nee Stephens, 766.
Lamson, Mrs. Geo., nee Stephens, 766.
Lanergan, J. W., 998.
Langdon, Mayor, 668, 749.
Langham, Col. John, 125.
Langley, Captain T., 73.
Langley, Jos. L., 182, 238, 62^3.
Lansing, "Gat," 478.
Lansing, E. A., 238, 478, 731, 811, 894-
Lansing, Miss, see Mrs. Sylvester J^arned, 731.
Larned, Catherine, see Mrs. Samuel G. Atter-
bury, 732, 890, 897.
Larned, Col. Sylvester, 245, 282, 371, 661,
731, 732, 925-
Larned, General Benj. b., 535, 925.
Larned, General Charles, 20, 81, 218, 271,
283, 596, 678, 727, 730, 731, 925.
Larned, General Frank, 737.
Larned, Geo. B., 925.
Larned, Harriet, see Mrs. Wm. Rumney, 732.
Larned, Jane, see Mrs. General A. S. Wil-
liams, 732.
Larned, Julia, see Mrs. Lewis D. Allen, 732.
Larned, Mary, see Mrs. Alex. K. Howard,
7 '?2.
Lathrop, G. V. N., 575, 5«8, 723, 800.
Lathrop, Mrs. Chas., 556, 580.
LaSalle, Jacob, 613.
LaSalle Sieur de, 42, 98.
Lau, Joseph, 186, 238.
Lauzon, Francis, 100.
Lebot, Alderman, 501, 674.
Leake, John, 896.
Ledyard, Henry, 260, 412, 798, 808, 871, 994-
Ledyard, Mrs. Henry, 384.
Lee,- General R. E., 227, 546, 599-
Lee, Sam, 196.
Lee Wm. G., 339. 357. 695.
Lefevre, Bishop, 691.
Leib, Judge, 317, 476, 645, 661,
Leib, Lieutenant G. C, 44. 169.
Leib, Louis, 476.
Lemcke, Dr., 862.
Leroy, Daniel, 105, 325.
Leroy, H. H., 342, 713. 923-
Leroy, Joseph, 358.
Leroy, M. A. H., 357-
Lester, C. Edwards, 731.
Lewis, Alexander, 71, 358, 39i. 4S0, 507, 523.
620, 678, 820, 843.
Lewis, Anne, see Mrs. Henry P. Bridge, 843-
Lewis, Anne, see Mrs. Richard Godfrey, 843-
Lewis, Edgar, 620.
Lewis Family, 842.
Lewis, Gleason F., 457.
Lewis, Joseph, 843.
Lewis, J. O., 444. 844, 967-
Lewis, Lieutenant, 44.
Lewis, Miss, see Mrs. Dallas Norvell, 843.
Lewis, Mrs. Alex., nee IngersoU, S43.
Lewis, Mrs. Edgar, nee Whipple, 620.
Lewis, Mrs. Joseph, nee Fanny Sterling, 843.
Lewis, "M. Quad," 861.
Lewis, Mrs. Samuel, nee Tennie Fenton, 843.
Lewis, Mrs. Thomas, nee Jennie St. Louis,
843.
Lewis, Thomas, 234, 237, 357, 450, 843.
Lewis, T. O., 252, 533, 565.
Lincoln, Abraham, 188, 424, 492, 878.
Linn, Thomas, 466.
Lilibridge, 214, 400.
Little, Chas., 508.
Livingston, Crawford, 195, 202.
Livingston, Wm., 195, 548, 1003.
Logan, Ceiia, 986.
Logan, Olive, 986.
Log Cabin, Palmer Park, 806, 813.
Longstreet, General Jas., 408, 666, 754.
Loomis, Leonard, 265.
Loring, Mrs. Daniel, nee Lemcke, 862.
Louis, Samuel, 843.
Love, Tobias, 413.
Lowe, P. J., 733.
Luce, Theo., 39, 506, 723.
Lucas, Benj., 20.
Lucas, Governor, 109.
Ludden, N. T., 243, 915, 714, 721.
Lum, Col. Chas. M., 188, 357, 766, 854.
Lum, David O., 245, 357.
Lum, Steward, 245.
Lum, W. H., 357.
Lyon, Edward, 224, 226, 233, 534.
Lyon, Farnham, 224.
Lyon, Lucius, 258, 903.
McArthur, General, 295.
McBride, Capt. D. H., 38.
McBride, James, 642.
McBride, Miss, see Mrs. Fitzimmons, 642.
McBride, Miss Nellie, 642.
McCabe's Directory, 1815 — 898.
McCrae, J., 355.
McCarthy, John. 337.
McCarthy, Jonsy, 276.
McClain, D., 369.
McClellan, Robert, 223, 537, 740.
McClintock, Wm., 107.
McCloskey, James, 292, 317, 590.
McCoon, Samuel, 82.
McCoskrey, Bishop, 53, 415, 516, 670, 686,
722, 783.
McCoskrey, Dr., 686.
McDonald, Mrs. H. S., nee Broadhead, looi.
McDonnell, Judge John, 329, 332, 450, 744.
McDonnell, Mrs. Judge John, 107.
McDougall, George, 103, 218, 254, 268, 289,
292, 294, 563, 577, 605, 614.
McDougall, Robert J., 582, 606.
McDonough, Commodore T., 603.
McDowell, General Irwin, 227.
McEwan, John, 355.
McFarren, Alex., 467, 724.
McGraw, A. C, 243, 344, 449, 453, 466, 554.
709, 783.
McGraw, E. M., 244, 783.
McGraw, Virgil, 163, 243.
McGinnis, Patrick, ^59.
McGinnis, Peter, 357, 860.
Mcintosh, Angus, 607, 614.
Mcintosh, Miss Catherine, 607.
McKay, Col., 175.
McKay, Lieut. Aeneas, 290.
McKay, Wm,, 74, iii.
McKenzie, Capt. James, 43.
McKenney, Thomas L., 250, 252, 533.
I024
UARI^Y DAYS IN DETROIT.
McKinney, Col., 97, 561, 571, 616, 890.
McKinstry, Capt. "Gus," 34, 47, 56, 452, 551.
McKinstry, Charles, 452, 698.
McKinstry, Col. D. C., 56, 75, 276, 285, 291,
330, 335, 449. 451. 553. 702, 707, 711, 721,
891, 974, 982.
McKinstry, Commodore J. S., 532.
McKinstry, James P., 452, 485.
McKinstry, Judge Elisha, 452.
McKinstry^ Justus, 452.
McKnight, Sheldon, 105, 325, 329, 333, 401,
459, 489, 798, 889, 901.
McLean, Dr. Donald, 750.
McLoughlin, Prof. Andrew, 127.
McMillen, 18, 22, 138, 694-
McMillan, Ananias, 357, 694, 898.
McMillen, Archibald, 19, 22, 889.
McMillen, Arthur, 680.
McMillen, George, 714.
McMillan, Robert, 357.
McMillan, Senator, 550, 555.
McMuir, Alexander, 82.
McNair, David A., 415, 515.
McNeil, Hal. E., 856.
McNeil, Judge, 856.
McNiff, Judge, 367.
McNicol, Archie, 590.
McQueen, Robert, 82.
McReynolds, Andrew T., 168, 538, 599, 676,
779, 819, 891.
McReynolds, John, 169, 473, 514, 890.
McVey, William, 19.
Macaunse, 150, 152, 434, 447, 664.
Macey, G. F., 437.
Mack, Charles W., 219, 337, 999-
Mack, Col. AnHrew, 15s, 219, 325, 330, 387,
428, 668.,
Mack, Col. S'tcphen, 431, 815.
Mack & Conant, 51, 288, 430, 656.
Mack, Major S., 287.
Mack, Mrs. Andrew, 220.
Mack, Mrs. Hannah, see Mrs. John Farrer,
317-
Mackintosh, Angus, 369, 379.
Macomb, Alexander, 581, 606.
Macomb, A. & J., 578.
Macomb, Capt. J. M., 760.
Macomb, David, 577.
Macomb, Elias T-, 609.
Macomb, Eliza, see Mrs. Capt. Henry Whit-
ney, 2T2.
Macomb, Gen'l Alex., 221, 291, 292, 293, 294,
576, 580, 606, 613, 615, 708, 755, 771, 921.
Macomb, Henry Navarre, 609.
Macomb, John, 577.
Macomb, John (father of above), 577.
Macomb, Mrs. Wm., nee Navarre, 578.
Macomb, Miss, see Mrs. Henry Brevoort, 577,
609.
Macomb, Miss, see Mrs. Col. Broadhead, 577.
Macomb, Miss, see Mrs. John Anthony Ruck-
Macomb, Miss, see Mrs. John Wendell, 577.
er, 578.
Macomb, Miss, see Mrs. Col. Whitmg, 578.
Macomb, Navarre, 611.
Macomb, Wm., 577, 578, 609, 611.
Macomb, Wm., 577.
Madison, Asa, 335, 687. ^
Madison, Dr. W. F., 315-
Maffit, Rev. John N., 299, 300.
Magruder, J. S., 891.
Mallaby, Capt. Frances, 43.
Mallory, Norman, 117.
Mandelbaum, Simon, 228, 791.
Mandell, Addison, 58, 554, 704, 820, 957-
Mann, Capt. Parne, 37.
Manning, Robert, 243.
Marble, Dan., 285.
Marble, Dan., 985, 990.
Marentette, Jas. G., 628.
Marentette, Mrs. J. G., nee Labadie, 628.
Marentette, Mrs. V. E., nee Labadie, 628.
Marentette, Victor E., 628.
Mark, John, 828.
Markham, Frank C, 898.
Markham, Francis, 503, 505, 626.
Markham, F. P., 503, 506, 514.
Markham, Mrs. Frances, nee Emily Brooks,
626.
Marriage and Death Notices in 1820 — 910, 912,
914.
Marris, Lieut., 86.
Marsh, Capt., 738.
Marston, Major, 67.
Martin, George B., 169, 223.
Martin, Hon. Luther, 646.
Martin, Jas. E., 183.
Martin, Morgan L., 223.
Martin, Nancy, 26, 28, 466.
Martinez, Signor, 234.
Masons, F. & A. M., 502, 951, 955.
Mason, Governor John T., 756.
Mason, Governor Stevens T., 108, no, 165,
169, 183, 221, 282, 452, 719, 737, 756,
779, 792, 799, 87s, 894, 1003.
Mason, Kate, see Mrs. Isaac Rowland, 757.
Mason, L. M., 484.
Mason, Miss Emily, 778, 799, 895, 896.
Mason, Thomas, 244.
Mather, S. J., 183.
Maxwell, Major T., 87, 271.
May, Benj., 526.
May, Caroline, see Mrs. Alex. D. Frazer, 627.
May, Judge James, 104, 106, 369, 3/t>, 430.
526, 590, 619, 625, 889.
May, Marguerite, ■ see Mrs. Col. Edward
Brooks, 625.
May, Mrs. Judge James, nee Labadie, 625.
May, Nancy, see Mrs. Jas. Whipple, 627.
Mead, Marsh, 695.
Meads, John, 82.
Meigs, General M. C, 228, 429, 816.
Meldrum, James, 20, 369.
Meldrum, George, 367.
Meldrum, William, 20, 140.
Meloche, 560.
Menard, Pere, 251.
Menkin, Ada Isaacs, 985.
Mercer, Hon. James, 823, 1002.
Mercer, John, 1002, 1004.
Mercer, Joseph, 1002.
Meredith, G. R., 419, 513.
Merriam, Silas, 90.
Merrifield, Lieut. E. R., 594, 602.
Merrill Block, 449, 453, 485, 532, 727, 826.
Merrill, Charles, 531, 822, 823, 826, 827.
Merrill, Charles & Co., 822 (Rice R. M.,
U. T. Howe).
Merrill, Dexter, 335, 783, 889.
Merrill, Fountain, 827.
Merritt, Adna, 442.
Merritt, Perez, 335.
Mettez, Joseph, 69;.
Metcher, 468.
Methodist Church, 396.
Miles, Capt., 46.
Miles, F. D., 530.
Miles, Marcus H., 323.
Miles, Mary, see Mrs. Herter, 22,7, 627.
Miles, Milly, see Mrs. Alex. Frazer, Jr., 627.
Miller, Capt. Fred S., 38.
Miller, Chas. H., Express Co., 39, 200.
Miller, George, 686.
Miller, Hon. Daniel B., 642.
INDEX.
1025
Miller, Lynus W., 117- ^ ,, t^ • .
Miller, Mrs. W. Van, see Josette McBride,
642.
Miller, Oliver, 501, 675.
Miller, Sidney T., 642, 556.
Miller, T. C, 89, 235, 2^1, 498, S5i-
Miller, T. C, Jr., 551.
Miller, W. Van., 506, 642.
Mills, Capt. A. H., 76.
Mills, Major Frederick, 594.
Mills, M. I., 516.
Mills, Wm., zzi.
Mitchell, Maggie, 985.
Mitchell, General, 62Q.
Mitchell, Lieut. Ormsby, 629.
Mizner, Gen'l Henry R., 187, 237, 24s, 357.
377, 532, 535, 596, 627.
Mizner, Mrs. General J. K., nee Stephens, 766,
Mizner, Thos. W., 237.
Moflfatt, Henry, 404.
Moffatt, Hugh, 357, 358, 782.
Monteith, Rev. John M., 272, 431. 9ii-
Montes, Lola, 985.
Montesquieu, Viscount, 262.
Montgomery, "Bob," 39-
Montholon, Count, 262.
Moon, G. €., 267, 493, 53i-
Moon, Matthew, 674.
Moon, Sallie, 265, 267, 493-
Moore, B. V., 163, 166.
Moore, Geo. W., 399- ,^
Moore, FrankHn, 243, 341, 342, 497, 084.
Moore, J. Wilkie, 830.
Moore, Thos., 161.
Moore, Wm., 187, 357-
Moors, Jeremiah, 244, 335-
Moran, Alfred, 531- ,, ^ , „
Moran,. Catherine, see Mrs. Strathcarn Hen-
drie, 477.
Moran, Charles, 510, 529, 666, 889.
Moran family, 529, 530.
Moran, George, 163, 375, 658, 660, 661.
Moran, James, 530.
Moore, John, 813.
Moran, John Vallee, 531 •
Moran, Judge Louis, 19, 20, 139, 668 889.
Moran, Judge Charles, 529, 645, 668, 740,
925.
Moran, Julia, see Mrs. Isaac D. Toll, 529, 605.
Moran, Kitty, see Mrs. Henry D. Barnard,
478, 531-
Moran, Louis, 666.
Moran, Maurice, 598.
Moran, Miss, see Mrs. James Watson, 925-
Moran, Mrs. Charles, 529.
Moran, W. B., 476, 477, 531-
Moran, Wm. B., 876.
Morass, C, 448, 556.
Morgan, Col. Geo. W., 5^0, 594-
Morgan, General, Si7-
Morley, Col. Frederick, 696, 841.
Morley, Col. Frederick, 596.
Mornjon, A. P., 286, 358.
Morrell, Judge, 218, 221.
Morrison, Capt. John C, 161.
Morius, Julius, 237.
Morrow, Col. Henry A., 548.
Morrow, Henry A., 541.
Morton, Frank, 847, 1005.
Morton, Hon. J. Sterling, 1005.
Morse, Chas. R., 474, 52i-
Morse, Chauncey, 474-
Morse, Commodore, 1007.
Morse, Rev. Ashael, 265.
Morse, O. B.. 674.
Mott. Richard, 206.
Mullett, Henry, 337, 11^- 409.
Mullett, James H., 123, 169. 337, 70i.
Mullett, John, 244, 379, 420.
Munger, Daniel, 243.
Munson, H. N., 473.
Murray, Michael, 117.
Myer, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey, 619.
Nagle, Henry A., 402.
Nail, James, 510.
Napoleon, loio, ion.
Napoleon Prince, 73.
Navarre, Alexis, 612.
Navarre, Isadore, 608.
Navarre, James, 612.
Navarre, Pierre, 611, 612.
Navarre, Marie Francoise, see Mrs. Geo. M.
McDougall, 606.
Navarre, Marie, see Mrs. Henry Brevoort,
609.
Navarre, Marrianne, see Mrs. Dr. Geo. C. An-
thon, 607, 614, 662.
Navarre, Miss, see Mrs. General Alex. Ma-
comb, 581.
Navarre, Monique, see Mrs. Wm. Macomb,
6n.
Navarre, Mrs. Isadore, nee Francoise Des-
compts Labadie, 608.
Navarre, Robert, 234, 372, 606, 611.
Navarre, Robert, Jr, (Robishe), 607, 66a.
Neglee, Henry A., 353, 874.
Nesbitt, Wm., 751,
Newberry, Henry L., 267, 357, 420, 553, 752,
832. .
Newberry, John G., 553.
Newberry, Oliver, 34, 51, 53, 56, 59, 65, 70,.
213, 221, 243, 330, 333, 368, 388, 390, 41.0,
420, 446, 452, 471, 550, 719. 752, 798,
802, 810, 889, 890.
Newberry, Walter L., 223, 333, 335, 961.
Newberry, Thankful, 265, 267.
Newberry, Miss, see Mrs. Austin Ladue, 832.
Newberry, Mrs. Henry L., 832.
Newbould, A. H., 28, 227, 231, 394, 453, 511,
695, 704. ,
Newhall, Clark, 100.
Newhall, Roswell, loo.
Newland, Henry A., 495, 768.
Newell, Steve, 35, 59.
NEWSPAPERS.
Detroit Daily Advertiser, 783, 841.
Detroit Evening News, 491, 612, 751.
Detroit Gazette, 575, 687, 748, 770, 792, 959,
961, 96s, 973, 976.
Detroit Journal, 1003.
Free Press, 687, 729, 746, 983.
Morning Post, 1009.
National Intelligencer, 966.
The Castigator, 915.
Nicholas, 35.
Nichols, 202.
Noble, Charles, 894.
Noble, Israel, 216, 285, 890, 706.
Norris, Mark, 890.
Norton, John, 497.
Norton, John, Jr., 808.
Norton, Capt. Walter, 2Z, 30, 47.
Norton, Capt. Wm., 69.
Norvell, Col. Freeman, 182, 183, 836.
Norvell, Hon. John, 220, 222, 243, 389, 401,
459, 460, 559, 895.
Norvell, James, 389.
Norvell, Joseph, 389.
Noyes, Wm. R., 260, 357, 730.
Nutting, Mrs. Rufus, nee Dequindre, 667.
Nutting, Rev. Rufus, 667.
I026
KARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Oclcford, C, 357.
Odd Fellows Lodge, 532.
O'Flynn, Judge Cornelius, 460, 889.
O'Keefe, George A., 102, 254, 482.
Oliver, Jerry, 2,7.
O'Malley, Charles, 490.
Osborn, Mrs. Wallace, nee Brown^ 813.
Osborne, George, 358.
Osmer, Eunice, 90, 92.
Ormsby, C. N., 890.
Overton, Mrs., 405.
Owen, Capt. Griffith, 588.
Owen, Catherine, see Mrs. Horace Turner,
588.
Owen, Edward, 588.
Owen, Fannie, see Mrs. Chas. Lothrop, 588.
Owen, John, 270, 353, 354. 357. 403. 4^3.
419, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 442, 562,
701, 728, 768, 783, 790, 796, 830, 858,
889.
Owen, John, 588.
Owen, J. V. D., 515.
Owen, Lafayette, 588.
Owen, Lieut. Edward T., 588.
Owen, Mrs. John, 562, 584, 585, iooq.
Owen, Thomas, 227, 332, 381, 450.
Paddock, Chas. T., 416, 780.
Paddock, Mrs. Bishop, nee Sanger, 759.
Paldi, Signor Angelo, 598.
Palmer, Friend, 30, S5. 57, 59, 60, 76, 78,
79, 80, 81, 91, loi, 102, ii2j ii3j 118,
124, 146, 150, 155, 184, 185, 187, 190,
I94i 19s. 196, lO"^. 199, 200, 201, 203,
204, 205, 206, 210, 219, 220, 221, 222,
225, 230, 234, 238, 240, 242, 244, 245,
252, 256, 261, 266, 268, 274, 281, 284,
286, 294, 296, 300, 301, 303, 304, 305,
306, 307, 324, 329, 331, ZZZ, 335, 336,
ZZl, 338, 342, 344, 346, 347, 356, 372,
373, 375. 379. 383, 384, 388, 391, 392,
396, 410, 415, 416, 419, 420, 421, 423,
, 424, 425, 435, 442, 448, 454. 457. 463.
473. 474, 478, 479, 480, 484, 488, 491.
495, 498, 501, 506, 507, 508, 523, 524,
52s, 528, 529, 539, 540, 545, 562, 563,
571, 573, 583, 584, 592, 595, 598, 609,
616, 620, 626, 631, 642, 649, 655, 656,
669, 678, 682, 683, 684, 696, 699, 703,
70s, 717, ^2^, 72$, TZ2, 745, 753, 768,
779, 824, 831, 836, 837, 841, 844, 865,
872, 909, 950, 955, 994, 1003, 1008.
Palmer, Friend, Senior, 23, 25, 266, 274, 286,
291, 402, 444, 689, 703, 791, 977.
Palmer, F. & T., 23, 267, 272, 314, 329, 332,
447, 449, 452, 474, 523, 570, 571, 592,
629, 676, 733, 900, 910, 978.
Palmer, F., T. & J., 288, 3". 974. 977-
Palmer, George, 105, 305, 447.
Palmer, Jane M., 743.
Palmer, John B., 183, 244, 238, 288, 362, 436,
441, 442, 457, 502, 507, 733. T2fi, 7Z7,
787, 820, 855, 890.
Palmer, Julia, 596,
Palmer, Miss Catherine, see Mrs. Felix Hinch-
man, 88, 90, 499, 586.
Palmer, Mary, 596, 804, 805,
Palmer, Martha, 596.
Palmer, Mason, 362, 441, 458, 479, 736, 798,
859, 890.
Palmer, Miss barah, 236.
Palmer, Mrs. Friend, nee Witherill, 542.
Palmer, Mrs. Thomas, Senior, nee Miss M. A.
Witherill, 25, 26, 88, 90, 92, 93, 307.
384, 540, 586, 741-
Palmer, Mrs. Thankful, see Mrs. Geoi'ge Kel-
logg, 266, 267, 305.
Palmer, Mrs. Senator T. W., 548, 553, 586,
827.
Palmer Park, 616, 834.
Palmer, Pat, 500.
Palmer, Perry, 500.
Palmer, Senator T. W., 90, 120, 121, 156, 167,
187, 245, 268, 307, 316, 334, 422, 423,
479, 507. 543, ("Old Glory") 545, 548,
553. 749, 752, 769. 788, 790, 821, 823, 829,
834, 838, 841, 880, 892, 1002.
Palmer, Thomas, Senior, 2^, 24, 25, 41, 79, 80,
88, 90, 92, 93, loi, 120, 121, 150, 252,
256, 259, 269, 286, 323, 324, 329, 332,
373, 376, 386, 396, 402, 418, 419, 435,
444, 445, 447, 449, 47i, 540, 559, 586,
645, 676, 678, 683, 701, 714, 717, 752,
764, 778, 782, 805, 844, 974, 977, 889,
925-
Palmer & Whipple, 620.
Palms, Francis, 439, 440.
Palms, Miss Catherine, see Mrs. Dr, Book,
440.
Pangborn, Zadok, 77.
Parent, Jaques, 560, 561.
Parker, Julia, 981, 984.
Parker, "Ferd.," 554.
Parker, Rev. Theodore, 426.
Parker, T. A., 554.
Parks, H. C, 203, 709.
Parsons, General Samuel Holden, 66.^.
Parsons, James C, 504, 505, 506.
Parsons, Philo M., 454, 738.'
Partridge, Asa, 322.
Partridge, General Benjamin, 323.
Partridge, Timothy, 323.
Partridge, T. L., 316.
Patterson, Richard, 427.
Payne, Major H. C, 174, 175, 187.
Patton, Hon. James, 177.
Patterson, John, 187, 357, 358, 847.
Patterson, G. N., 357.
Paul, Gideon, 686.
Patrick, Caot. W, P., 591, 746.
Patterson, Mayor John, 598.
Paterson, Wm., 418.
Paulding, M., 463. 464.
Paulding, John., 464.
Paxton, Mrs. Thos., nee Hunt, 651.
Payne, Chauncey S., 125, 272, 407, 408.
Pearson, Capt., 889.
Pease, Capt. W. T., 30, 47, 69, 391, 905.
Peck, Thomas, 167.
Peck, W. B., 194, 198, 200, 202. .
Peirce, D. R., 507, 833.
Peltier, Charles, 622.
Peltier .family, 560, 619, 620, 621, 622.
Peltier, Marianne, see Mrs. Alex. Chapoton,
Jr-, 631.
Pence, D. R., 358.
Penfield, W. S., 728.
Penfield, Miss, see Mrs. C. H. Buhl, 728.
Penny, Charles C, 475.
Penny, Charles W., 169, loi, 513.
Penny, James, 788.
Perkins, Capt., 318, 387, 388.
Perry, Mrs., 301.
Perry, Commodore O. H., 31, 61.
Petit, Dudley, 274.
Pettie, Wm., 889.
Petier, Lucy, see Mrs. Lacey of N:les, 622.
Petier, Madeline, see Mrs. Joseph Belanger,
622.
Petty, J. T., 357, 523, 675.
Phelps, Brace & Co., ^^7.
Pheatt, Capt. J. T., 37.
Phelps, Mayor Frank B., 516, 523, 553, 946.
Phelps, Mrs. F. B., 523.
i
INDEX.
1027
Phelps, Wm., 682.
Pierce, Capt. Loring, 31, 62.
Pierce, David R., 187, 714.
Pierce, Lieut. John J., 290.
Pierce, P. R. L., 498, 901.
Pike, Capt., 141.
Pinckney, Col., 86.
Piquette, Charles, 402, 405, 463, 469, 477
623, 629.
Piquette, Elsie, see Mrs. James Hoban, 629.
Piquette, Elsie, see Mrs. Lieut. Ormsby Mitch-
ell, 629.
Piquette, Emelie, see Mrs. F. P. B. Sands,
629.
Piquet, Father Francois, 629.
Pittman, General James E., 182, 187, 391, 493,
506, 532, 620, 695, 877.
Piquette, John B., 369, 402, 463, 469, 500, 623,
629.
Pitcher, Dr., 244, 346, 901.
Pitcher, Dr. Zena, 765.
Pitcher, Edward M., 176, 245, 695, 698, 818.
Pitcher, Nat., 235.
Pitts & Cranage, 416.
Pitts, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, 812.
Pitts, Samuel, 731, 828.
Pixley, Frank, 413.
Piatt, Attorney General Zepheniah, 491, 529,
780, 895.
Piatt, Cornelia, 780, 895.
Poe, Lieut. C. M., 2Z7.
Pomeroy's Express, 42, 194, 198, 200, 204, 206,
210.
Pomeroy, George E., 195, 196.
Pomeroy, Lieut., 86.
Pomeroy, "Thad," 196.
Ponchatrain Fort (Old Detroit), 769.
Pond, Charles, 586.
Pontiac, 370, 383, 560, 589, 611, 614, 630,
769, 772.
Porter, Augustus S., 218, 380, 645, tj,-].
Porter, General Andrew, 37!, 527.
Porter, George F., 250, 335, 533.
Porter, Governor George B., 281, 371, 525,
Porter, Humes, 371, 892.
527, 645.
Poupard, Simon, 335, 523, 675.
Powers, Mrs. J. Newton; 476.
Pratt, Capt. Amos, 36.
Pratt, Ralph, 82.
Preston, David, 457, 827.
Pretty, John W., 168.
Pridgeon, Capt. John, 553.
Pridgeon, Mayor, 525.
Prince, Albert, 587, 1008.
Prince, Col. John, 118, 587 looi, 1004, 1006,
1008,
Prince, John, 587.
Prince, Miss A., 587.
Prince, Miss Arabella, 588, 1009.
Prince, Miss Constance, 587.
Prince, Mrs. Albert, nee Knapp, looi, 1009.
Pritchette, Kintzing, 756, 894.
Proctor, General, 121, 136, 153, i57. 160, 232,
345, 612.
Prouty, N., 243, 686.
Provencal, Catherine B., see Mrs. Judge James
Weir, 639.
Provencal, Mrs. Pierre, nee St. Aubin, 638.
Provencal, Pierre, 369, 639, 661.
Rankin, Col. Arthur, 355, 356, ^04, 1003, 1005.
Rankin, (ieorge C, 1005.
Ransom, Governor E. P., 601.
Rankin, McKee, 998, 1005.
Rankin, Mrs. Col., nee McKee, 1005.
Randolph, Edgar, 473.
Ransom, Willis, 892. *
Rathbun, Benj., 2^.
Raymond, Francis, 243, 357, 888, 890, 898.
Raymond, W. A., 898.
Ray, Eleazor, 680.
Reed, C. M., 70.
Reed, E., 325, 327, 402.
Reeve, T. V., 238.
Reeve, Nathan, 238.
Reeves, Selah, 394, -jTiZ.
Reuhle, Major J. V., 186, 187, 877.
Rhodes, Joseph P., 355.
Rhodes, Martha, 265.
Rice, A. A., 357, 497.
Rice, Amoray S., 581.
lOIO.
Rice, Dan., 690, 987.
Rice, Dr. Randall S., 244, 283, 286, 523, 890,
901.
Rice, George S., 505, 532.
Rice, Justin, 668, 980.
Rice, R. M., 716, 822.
Rich, George M., 401, 503.
Richards, Capt. Thomas, 37.
Richardson, Col. J. B., 620, 1003.
Richard, Father Gabriel, 232, 281, 296, 369,
444. 479» 642, 670, 675, 690, 692, 844,
967-
Richardson, Mrs. Johnson, nee Mercer, 1002,
Richardson, Robert, 1003.
Richings, Caroline, 989.
Richings, Peter, 989.
Richmond & Backus Co., 120, 314, 728.
Richmond, Charles, 532.
Riese, Bishop, 643, 691.
Rivard, Antoine, 158, 582.
Richter, Charles, 696.
Riley, Col. Bennet, 599, 876.
Riley, James, 20, 21, 290.
Riley, John, 21, 22.
Riley, Judge and Mrs., 478.
Riley, Peter, 20, 21.
Riooelle, Joseph, 20.
Rivard, Francois, 582.
Roberts Col. E. J., 114, 243.
Roberts, Col. Horace S., 115, 188, 237, 243,
411, 467, 507.
Roberts, John, 25, 342 675.
Roberts, R. E., 25, 52, 163, 166, 244, 357, 401,
675, 700, 705, 782, 839. 898, 919.
Roberts, Mrs, R. E., nee Champ, 782.
Robertson, General John, 183, 188, 712.
Robertson, Wm., 369.
Robinson, 134, 143.
Robinson, Eugene, 188.
Robinson, General, 227.
Roby, Henry M., 234, 27,7, 241, 243, 337, 357,
421, 521, 532, 704.
Roby, John S., 270, 421, 422.
Roby, Henry S., 471, 532.
Roby, Mrs., 395.
Roby, Reuel T., 421, 426, 698.
Rochester, General W. B., 39.
Roe, Wm., 100, 103.
Rogers, Capt. Jedediah, 44, 46, 69, 85, 88, 89,
270, 276, 317, 320.
Rogers, Ebenezer, 526.
Rogers, Mayor Ford, 854.
Root, Capt. Aaron, 35.
Roland, Capt., 114, 120.
Roland, Isaac S., 163, 168, 170, 17S. 192, 675,
894.
Roland, Louis C, 337.
Roland, Thomas, 292, 309, 335, 460, 675, 740.
Rolshoven, F., 463, 714.
Romeyn, Theodore, 28, 243. 767.
Rood, A. N., 237.
I028
EARLY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Rood, Ezra, 39,^, 400, 420, 555.
Rood, Gil F., 242, 398, 412, 419, 403.
Rood, Sidney L., 28, 242, 261, 286, 331, 397,
419, 454, SOI, 514, 704, 824, 893, 894.
Roosevelt, President Theodore, 575, 611, 625.
Roosevelt, Judge, 625.
Roosevelt, Marcia, see Mrs. Edward B. Sco-
vell, 625.
Rosenberg, J. P., 355.
Ross, J. B., 559.
Ross, R. B., 274.
Rossiter, Seymour, 336, 337.
, Round Head, 147.
Roy, Robert B., 261.
Rucker, General Daniel H., 182, 227, 579, 6io.
Rucker, John A,, 191, 524, 578, 580, 722.
Rucker, Miss, see Mrs. General P. H. Sher-
idan, 579, 879.
Ruland, John, 20.
Rumney, John, 2^.
Rumney, Robert, 501, 524.
Rumney, W. Y., 237, 732.
Russell (of Russell House), 22,^-
Russell, Alfred, 187.
Russell, Capt., J. B., ^(>, 550, 759, 798-
Russell, Capt. J. B. P., 221.
Russell, Dr. G. B., 76, 550, 759, 798.
Rust, P., 207.
Ryan, W. C, 357-
Sabine, J. C, 156, 51 3-
Sager, Dr. Abraham E., 169.
Sands, Rear Admiral, 629.
Sands, Mrs. F. P. B., 629.
Sanderson, Henry, 315, 342, ,670, 675-
Sanderson, Miss, see Mrs. G. W. Bissell, 677.
Sanger, H. K., 759, 768.
Sanger, Henry P., 236, 499, 759, 897.
Sanger, General Joseph P., 759.
Sargent, N. O., 29, 436.
Sawyer,' 210.
Sawyer, Franklin, 166, 243, 720, 723, 894.
Schoolcraft, Hon. H. R., 85, 94, 247, 249, 253,
290, 418, 740, 845.
Schuyler, 196.
Schwarz, Emma, see Mrs. Robt. Woods, 29,
895.
Schwarz, General J. E., 28, yz, 163, 182, 192,
219, 295, 387, 392, 678, 695, Til-
Schwarz, John, jj,, 295.
Schwarz, Mrs. J. E., 29.
Scott, General Winfield, 52, 170, 177, 180, 219,
221, 280, 389, 446, 599-
Scott Guard, 184, 186, 598.
Scott, "Jim," 420, 440, 728, 753, 79i, 847.
Scott, John, 420, 728, 753.
Scott, J. V. R., 308.
Scott, Mrs. Hester, see Luther Martin, 646.
Scott, Mrs. Hester;, pupils at her school
(1840), 646.
Scott, Mrs. James, 438, 440.
Scotten, Daniel, 498, 552.
Scovell, Dr. J. B., 22t, 400, 473, 625, 695.
894, 895.
Scovell, Edward Brooks, 626.
Scovell, Harry, 626.
Scovell, Mrs. E. B., nee Roosevelt, 626.
Scovell, Mrs. Harry, 626.
Seaman, Ezra C., 715.
Seek, Conrad, 369, 412, 715.
Seek, Wm., 715.
Seereiter, John, 694.
Selkirk, Earl of, 85.
Senter, John, 228, 792.
Sevenacic, Charles, 700.
Seward, Wm. H., 347.
Seyburn, Col. S. Y., 834.
Seymour, J, C. W., 625.
Shanaway, Megesh, 52.
Shaw, Father (of Ste. Anne's), 691.
Shaw, Wm., 686.
Sheeley, Alanson, 243, 275, 666, 714, 721.
Sheeley, George M., 517.
Shelden, Allen, 549, 743, 760.
Sheldon, Alexandrine, see Mrs. R. Storrs Wil-
lis, 590, 623.
Sheldon, Chauncey, 117, 118.
Sheldon, John P., 273, 288, 330, 792, 901.
Sheldon, Mrs. Thomas P., 469, 661.
Sheldon, Ransom, 228.
Sheldon, Rose, see Mrs. A. Henry Guise, 596
623.
Sheldon, Thomas C., 221, 234, 311, 335, 623,
792, 799, 901.
Sheldon, Thomas P., 187, 237, 623, 975.
Sheridan, Mrs. General P. H., nee Rucker,
^ 579, 879.
Sheridan, General P, H., 409, 579, 879.
Sherman, Capt. Roger, 30, 91.
Shepard, Edward, 210, 358, 714.
Sherlock, Edward, 991,
Sherwood, Wm., 220.
Shields Guards, 598.
Shields, Thomas, 695.
Shoepack Recollections, see General O. B. Wil-
cox, 520, 567, 573.
Shook, Capt. John, 36, 261,
Shook, ■ Jim," -^d.
Shurley, Dr. E. L., 624.
Sibley, Alex. H., 234, 240, 244, 521, 642, 694
791, 817.
Sibley, Frederick B., 428, 818.
Sibley, Judge Solomon, 139, 218, 292, 311,
428, 48^. 499, SI I, 533, 645, 662, 663,
675, 814.
Sibley, Major E. S., 225, 413, 414, 415, 610,
816.
Sibley, Major Sproat, 732, 791, 902, 913.
Sibley, Miss, see. Mrs. C. C. Trowbridge, 499,
818.
Sibley, Miss, see Mrs. Jas. A. Armstrong, 818.
Sibley, Mrs. Alex. H., nee McBride, 642.
Simmons, John H., 117, 231.
Singer, Isaac Merritt, 893.
Skinner, Henry W., 710.
Skinner, Mrs. Edward, 621.
Slaves in Detroit, 104, 105.
Slaymaker, Judge James A., 684.
Sloss, Capt. John, 76.
Sloss, Dr., 326.
Sloss, Wm., 394.
Smart, Robert, 121, 531, T2-j, 466.
Smith, Colonel, 44.
Smith, Col. Jas. R., 227.
Smith, Col. Richard, 124.
Smart, David, 243, 356, 473, 524, 531, 695.
Smith, Edward J., 187.
Smith, Glover, 904.
Smith, Jack, 20.
Smith, Jacob, 125, 408.
Smith, J. Hargrave, 505.
Smith, J. Hyatt, 244, ^-jz, 698, 850, 832.
Smith, Joseph, 892.
Smith, Major Henry, 594.
Smith, M. S., 456, 760.
Smith, R. G., 904.
Smith, Sergeant, U. S. A,, 226.
Smith, U. J., . 333.
Smolk, Abraham, 221.
Smyth, Richard, 307.
Snelling, Capt. Josiah, 650.
Snelling, Harry N., 337.
Snelling, Lieut. J. G. T., 754.
Snow, Electa, 456.
INDEX.
1029
Snow, Josiali, 388, 418, 893.
Snow, Mrs., 456.
Snow, Samuel, 117.
Snow's Sanitarium, 714.
Society Men, 1840 to 1850 — 820, 821.
Southern, 992.
Sparling, Benj., 357.
Speed, Wm. J., 188.
Spencer, Garry, 163, 165, 463, 676, 691, 715.
Sprague, Ara. W., 190, 595.
Sprague, Col. Spencer, 823.
Sprague, John, 117.
Sprague, Julia, see Mrs. Oliver Hyde, 823.
Sprague, Henry, "^23.
Sprague, Miss, see Mrs. Henry Hopson, 823.
Sprague, Miss, see Mrs. Silas Bullock, 823.
Sprague, Mrs, Dr., 415.
Sproat, Col. Ebenezer, 500, 663, 815.
Squeirs, Heber, 36.
Squires, Captain, 63.
Squires, Captain, 63.
St. Amour, Eugene, 677.
St. Aubin, Francois, 638.
St. Aubin, Francois, 638.
St. Aubin, Gabriel, 560, 562. 582.
St. Aubin, Louis, 638.
St. Aubin, Matilda, see Mrs. Eugene Watson,
638, 639.
St. Aubin, Matilda, see Mrs. Eugene Watson,
925-
St. Aubin, see Mrs. Antojne Moross, 638.
St. Aubin, see Mrs. Henry Beaubien, 638.
St. Aubin, see Mrs. John F. Godfroy, 638.
St. Aubin, Mrs. Louis, nee Therese Chapoton,
631.
St. Aubin, see Mrs. Pierre Provencal, 638.
St. Aubin, see Mrs. Richard Connor, 638.
St. Martin, Antoine, 614.
St. Martin, Jacques (La Butte), 606.
St. Martin, John Bapte, 614.
St. Martin, Mrs. Jacques, see Navarre, 614.
Stannard, Capt. Chas. C, 34, 47.
Starkey, Dr., 893.
Starkey, Henry, 893.
Starkey, Richard, 893.
Starkweather, Captain, 62.
Starr, Reuben, 265.
Starring, Ford, 317, 701.
Stead, Benjamin F., 120, 311, 337. 393-
Stead, Wm., 714.
Steel, Albert, 896.
Steel, E., 896.
Stephens, Col. Albert S., 496, 621.
Stephens, John, 444, 765.
Stephens, John, Jr., 554.
Stephens Mrs. John, Jr., nee Watson, 554.
Stephens, Wm., 444, 766.
Sterling, Col. J. T., 486, 561.
Stetson, Turner, 243, 387.
Stevens, Captain, 100.
Stevens, Elijah, 117.
Stevens, F. H., 514, 525.
Stevens, Henry, 496.
Stevens, Robert, 106.
Stevens, Sears, 237, 526.
Stevens, W. H., 496.
Stevenson, Capt. C. L., 230, 511.
Stewart, Capt. John, 37.
Stewart, Charles H., 767.
Stewart, Dr. Morse, 27, 497, 537, 898.
Stewart, Duncan, 390, 391.
Stewart, James, 904.
Stewart, Joseph B., 82, 117.
Stewart. Riley M., 117.
Stiles, Captain, 70.
Stilson, James, 719.
Stimson, B. G., 236, 357, 543, 684, 710, 712.
Stockton, Col. T. W. B., 58, 306, 408, 493,
620.
Stone, Capt. W. B., 37.
Story, Alfred M., 715.
Story, Martin, 715.
Stowell A. H., 286, 692, 830, 894, 902.
Strelinger, 695.
Strelinger (Samuel of Posen), 696.
Stringham, H. T., 235.
Strong, H. Norton, 81, 236, 391, 812.
Strong, John W., 235, 391, 419, 453, 596, 889.
Strong, John W. Jr., 626, 813.
Strong, Judge, 481.
Stuart, 100, 537, 554.
Sturgis, General, 609,
Sumner, Chas., 492.
Sutton, James W., 163, 183, 241, 243, 353,
507, 521, 915-
Sutton, Noah, 259, 358, 889.
Suydam, Samuel, 227.
Swan, Sheriff, 311.
Swathel, see Mrs. C. M. D. Bull and Mrs. Sin-
clair, 892.
Swift, F. W., 188, 894.
SOCIETIES, ETC.
Detroit Musical Society, 828.
Detroit Thespian Society, 698.
Firemen's Hall, 596, 694, 700.
Hamtramck Driving Park. 586.
St. Andrew's Society, 828.
Vingt Club, 506.
Young Men's Society, 723.
Taft, Levi, 698, 845, 847.
Talbot, John L., 223, 243, 866, 891.
Tallman, Dr. John, 272.
Tallman, Harriet, see Mrs. Dr. L. J. Whiting,
272.
Tallman, Mrs. Fitz, nee Mack, 220.
Tanke (the Crane), 146.
Taylor, Charles A., 515.
Taylor, Col. J. P., 227.
Taylor, Elisha, 505, 5x4.
Taylor, General Zachariali, 180, 597.
Taylor, Joseph, 24.
Taylor, Mayor of Buffalo, 174.
Taylor, Miss, 455, 458.
Tecumseh, 146, 149, 157. 159, 161, 245, 371,
493, 660, 664, 880.
Teller, Pierre, 357, 467, 473, 524.
Ten Eyck, Anthony, 223, 243, 567.
Ten Eyck, Conrad, 125, 166, 325, 658, 670,
889, 906, 908.
Ten Eyck, Jerry. 125.
Ten Eyck, J. V. R., 291, 301.
Ten Eyck, Miss, see Mrs. Fisher, 658.
Terry, Dr. A. R., 241, 671, 723,-877.
Thayer, George N., 224.
Theller, Dr. E. A., 114, 173, 633, 685, 893.
Thiebault, Joseph, 369, 399.
Thomas, General George H., 546.
Thompson, "Brad," 707.
Thompson, David, 375, 419, 497, 670, 788 889,
890.
Thompson, E. H., 227.
Thompson. John, 493.
Thompson, Jonathan, 405. 410, 514.
Thompson, Mrs. David, 375.
Thompson, Mrs. W. G., nee Campau, 436, 438.
Thompson, Rev. O. C, 856.
Thompson, W. G., 268, 439, 455, 538, 904.
Throop, Aeneas, 854.
Throop, George B., 90, 854.
Throop, Hon. Robert, 926.
Throop, Montgomery, 854.
Throop, Wm. A., 188.
I030
KARIvY DAYS IN DETROIT.
Thorn, Capt. Wm., 99, loi.
Thorn, John, loi, 583.
Thorn, Reuben, yz2.
THEATRES.
Circns, 511, 690, 953, 983.
City Hall Theatre, 983.
Dean & McKinney's, 980, 1003.
Detroit Garden, 342, 675, 679, 951.
Detroit Opera House, 705, 991.
First Theatre in Detroit, cor. Woodward Ave.
and Atwater St., 980.
Lyceum, 702.
McFarland's Metropolitan (National), 847,
982, 984, 993.
Parsons & Dean's, 980.
Vincent's Theatre, 997.
Welch & Jacobs, 998.
Young Men's Hall (Biddle House), 998.
Tillman, J. W., 401, 904.
Tillman, Major W., 904.
Tinker, L. W., 245, 391, /176, 678, 733.
Titus, Jonas, 39, 362, 493, 902.
Titus Piatt, 594.
Titus Silas, 493, 890.
Todd, Capt. J. B. S., 878.
Toll, Capt. Daniel, 603.
Toll, Gen. Isaac De Graflf, 530, 594. 599. 601,
602, 603, 917.
Toll, Capt. Philip R., 603.
Toll, Mrs. Nancy De Graft, 603.
Tompkins, Mrs. D. D., 909.
Tompkins, see Mrs, Sarah' Ten Eyck, 909.
Torrey, Joseph W., 335.
Townsend, Ambrose, 223. -
Travers, Capt. Jacob, 39.
Tripler, Chas. S., 183, 891.
Tromblev, Gazette, 151, 153, 154, 664.
TrowbrTJge, C. C, 97, 244, 282, 335, :i72, 399,
401, 439, 452, 490. 499. 512, 521, 555,
562, 582, 585, 645, 653, 688, 719. 737, 890.
Trowbridge, Captain, 372.
Trowbridge, General C. A., 241, 357, 670, 711.
Trowbridge, S. V. R., 711.
Truax. Fannie, see Mrs. J. A. Rucker, 580.
Truax, John, 524, 580.
Truesdail, E. S., 234.
Truesdail, Wesley, 73, 500, 587, 476, 497.
Truesdail, Zeke, 476.
Trumbull, Jonathan, 378.
Tryon, Charles, 490.
Tucker, Rev. Elisha, 265.
Tuffts, Lieutenant, 86.
TurnbuU, Lieut. C. N., 237.
Turnbull, Reverend, 268.
Turner, Albion, 176, 245.
TunniclifFe, Doctor, 348.
Tyler, Captain, 47.
Uhl, 388.
Uhlman, M., 29, 219, 387.
Ulrick, Charles, 315.
Updike, Scott W., 418, 893.
Underwood, Joseph R., 161.
United States lixpress Co., 194.
Van Allen, Cantain, 35, 57.
Van Antwerp, James Sanderson, 680, 889.
Van Antwerp, Rev. F. J., 889.
Van Armen, Col. John, 347, 350.
Van Derventer, Captain Eugene, 594.
Van Dorn, General Earl, 546.
Van Dyke, Elsie, see Mrs. W. B. Moran, 477.
Van Dyke, J. A., 242, 260, 356, 363, 397, 473,
477, 479, 651, 723, 802, 854, 889, 891, 937.
Van Dyke, Josephine D., see Mrs. H. F.
Brownson, 477.
Van Dyke, Philip, "477.
Van Dyke, Rev. Ernest, 477.
Van Dyke, Victoria, 477.
Van Every, Peter, 585, 653-
Van Rensaeler, Mrs. Sarah, 475.
Van Vleit, Mrs. Captain, nee Stephens, 766.
Vail, Charles, 357, 426.
Vallee, Mrs. J. B., 630, 668.'
Vallee, T. R., 668.
Vananden, J. C, 237.
Vananden, J. W., 231.
Vanderpool, Father, 670.
Vanhusen, 227.
Varnum, Doctor, 406.
Varnum, Gen. Joseph M., 663.
Varnum, Jacob B., 405.
Varnum, John, 117.
Vary, Capt. Samuel, 37.
Verhoff, Peter E., 100, 355.
Vidal, Admiral, loio.
Viger, Alexander, 631.
Viger, Mrs. Alexander, nee Elizabeth Chapo-
ton, 631.
Vingt Club, 506.
Visger, Joseph, 20, 591.
Von Limbourg, Baroness, see Miss Isabell
Cass, 384.
Von Thoultz, Colonel, 116.
Voyez, Joseph, 369.
Wagner, James, 117.
Wagstaflf, Capt. "Bob," 34, 56, 243, 452, 550,
726.
Wagstaff, Henry C, 337, 726.
Waite, Obed, 313, 335.
Wales, Austin A., 214, 223, 230, 231, 511,
587, 891.
Wales, Cornelia, see Mrs. Lafayette Knapp,
231.
Wales, George, 467.
Wales, E. A., 222, 231, 245, 511, 695, 699.
Wales, E. B., 222.
Walcott, Alexander M. D., 290.
Walker, Capt. Augustus, 22, 39, 47, 34-2-
Walker, C. I., 724.
Walker E. C, 454, 698.
Walker, Hiram, 457, 833.
Walker, Henry N., 243, 460.
Walker, Hon. C. L., 598.
Walker, H. D., 682.
Walker, J. T., 245, 550.
Walk-in-the-Water, 144, 146, 435, 493.
Wallack, James W., Jr., 985.
Walsh, Captain Michael, 400.
Ward, Capt. E. B., 27, 40, 60, 82, 391, 655.
Ward, Capt. Samuel, 40, 60, 446, 584.
Ward, Mrs. E. B., see Miss McQueen, 655.
Ware, Dr. M., 473.
Warren, Anna, see Mrs. Dan Marble, 990.
Warren, Homer, 957. 990.
Warren, Wm., 981, 982.
Washington, General George, 417, 485.
Washington Lancers, 175, 176.
Waterbury, Captain and Mrs., 625.
Watkins, Kittie, 405.
Watkins, Leonard, 410.
Watson, B., 925.
Watson, Charles, 529.
Watson, Col. Joseph B., 86, 650, 925.
Watson, Elkanah, 529, 925, 927.
Watson, Eugene W., 650, 897, 925.
Watson, George, 59, 74, 727, 927.
Watson, James, 690, 889, 899.
Watson, James B., 529, 559, 897, 925.
inde:x.
1031
Watson, John, 234, 337. 369. 5 10, 592, 690,
889, 899.
Watson, Lewis C, 650, 925.
Watson, Mrs. Eliza, 480.
Watson, Mrs. Eugene W.. see Matilda St.
Aubin, 638.
Watson, Robert, 1003.
Watson, Samuel G., 553. 766.
Watson, Thomas, 510. 899.
Wayne, General Anthony, 144, 278, 608, 616,
651.
Weaver, Miss, see Mrs. David Thompson, 375.
Weaver, Mrs., 375.
Webb, .1. Watson, 755.
W^ebb, B. L., 202, 390, 523-
Webster, Capt. John W., 37, 244, 476.
Webster, Daniel, 179, 221, 853.
Webster, Daniel F., 223, 853.
Webster, J. Howard, 236, 244, 481, 484, 486,
728, 943-
Webster, Fletcher, 960.
Webster, Sallie, 237.
Weir, Miss Isabel, 639.
Weir, Mrs. Jud^e James, nee Provencal, 639.
Welcli. James M., 234.
Welch Thomas, 369,
Welles, John A., 184, 223, 415, 417. 1Z1, 7^7-
784, 788, 798, 873. .
Welles, Henry H., 236.
Welles, Wm., 784-
Wells, Augustus L., 466.
Wells, Col. W. a., 441, 667.
Wells, €., 81, 184, 474, 697-
Wells, Fargo & Co., 39, 55, i94, 209, 211.
Wells, Henry S., 195. 201, 209.
Welton, Mrs. Alanson W., 92.
Wells, Rev. Noah M., 726.
Welton, Rev. Alanson W.. 90, 92, 3'^7-
Wells, Rufus, 256, 258.'
Wells, Stephen, 328, 333. 410, 444.
Wells, Wm., 726.
Wendell, Capt. Charles E., 188, 393. 398, 411.
Wendell, Henry, 393, 398.
Wendell, John, 577.
Wendell, Tunis G., 120, 270, 393. 397. 398-
410, 412, 576, 648, 651, 910.
Wesson, Mrs. W. B., nee Baldwin, 834. 902.
Wesson, W. B., 244, 331, 537. 698, 835. 905-
Westbrook, Captain, 18, 56.
Westbrook, Colonel, 10 1, 399, 446.
Western Express. 198, 202, 204.
Weston, AUyn, 237.
Wetmore, F., 514, 827.
Wutmore, Fred, 904.
Wetmore, C. H., 237. 904.
Wetmore, Mrs. C. H.. nee Buel, 550, 556-
Wheaton, W. W., 404-
Wheeler, , 668.
Wheeler, , 196.
Wheeler, Capt. Fred S., 38, 51, 7i, 695-
Whilden, Maj. C. E., 182, 185, 238, 506, 684.
Whipple, Catherine S., see Mrs. Edwin Skin-
ner, 621.
Whipple Col. W. L., 457, 620, 625, 690,. 695,
698.
Whipple, Commodore Abraham, 621.
Whipple "Dan," 36, 71, 72, 409, 694, 862.
Whipple, Eliza S., see Mrs. Chas. Conaghan,
621.
Whipple, Henry W., 621.
Whipple, James Burdick, 592, 619.
Whipple, James, of Monroe, 627.
Whipple, Judge Charles W., 165, 182, 183,
228, 330, 476, 560, 619, 625, 690.
Whipple Major John, 17, 21, 476, 533, 592,
627, 688.
Whipple, JViargeretta T., see Mrs. Chas. Hyde,
621.
Whipple Major W. S., 188.
Whipple, Mary Walcott, 621, 690.
Whistler, Col. Wm. D., 181, 183, 187, 357, 506,
„,. .508, 536, 556, 579, 594, 596, 684, 878.
Whistler, James Mc. Neil, 536.
Whistler, Miss Caroline, 307, 736.
Whistler, Miss L,ouise, 237.
Whistler, Miss, see Mrs. Capt. Curtiss, 579.
Whitaker, Capt. Harry, 32, 39, 49, 54, 71,
204, 581.
Whitale, Capt., J. A., 227.
Whitall, Major J. A., 59, 190, 344, 609.
Whitbeck Mrs., 120, 239.
Whitcomb, W. N., 391.
White, Captain , 46.
Wnite, Peter, 228, 501, 598, 676, 791, 847.
Whiting, Admiral Wm. D., 393, 768.
Whiting, Cleveland, 892.
Whiting, Col. Henry, 24, 120, 227, 393, 890.
Whiting, De Garmo J., 237.
Whiting, Dr: J. L,, 156, 164, 244, 272, 282,
335, 341, 357, 596, 890.
Whiting, lienry D., 219, 272, 393, 579, 595,
698, 799.
Whiting, Joseph, 985.
Whiting, J. T., 235, 698, 760.
Whitman, Peleg O., 680.
Whitney, A. G., 291.
Whitney, Col. Henry, 399.
Whitney, David, 829, 924.
Whitney, George L., 50, 480.
Whitney, Mrs., nee Brooks, 626.
Whittier, Joseph A., 827, 828.
Whittier, Joseph B., 827.
Whittlesey, Hon. Elisha, 109, 358.
Whittlesey, H. M., 188, 358, 424, 739, 904.
Wickware, C, 463.
Wight, Buckminster, 549.
Wight, Edwin B., 550.
Wight, Henry A., 50, 549.
Wight, Stanley G., 191, 242, 245, 356, 549.
Wilcox, Charles, 484, 515, 903.
Wilcox, Eben N., 243, 245, 277, 357, 477,
479, 484, 514, 516, 519, 698, 717, 720,
837, 903.
Wilcox, General O. B., 245, ••277, 357, 358,
484, 514, 516, 519, 555, 566, 698, 891,
903.
Wilcox, G. G., 739.
Wilcox, Mrs., 514.
Wilcox, W. W., 739.
Wilkins^ Major W. D., 530, 877.
Wilkins, Ross, 221, 218, 300, 529.
Wilkins, T. D., 236.
Wilkinson, Capt. David, 31.
Wilkin;icn, Joseph, 405.
Willard, Lather B., 349.
Williams, A. L., 234.
Williams, Capt. G. R., 35.
Williams, Davis, Brooks" & Hinchman's Sons,
270, ^
Williams, Ezra, 493. '
Williams, Gardiner, 712.
Williams, Gen, Alpheus S., 170. 181, 187, 236,
357, 452, 460, 487, 491, 493, 526, 620.
695, 712, 731, 877, 891, 904.
Williams, Gen. John R., 105, 121, 163, 164,
165, 325, 330, 346, 359, 367, 498, 500, 532,
619, 675, 678, 713, 714, 722, 739.
Williams, George, 90.
Williams, Gurdon, Jr., 323.
Williams, Gurdon M., 223, 391, 767, 890.
Williams, Gurshom-M., 740, 813.
Williams, Harriet, Mary and Eliza, 532, 727.
Williams, Harvey, 275, 335, 387, 676.
I032
e:ARI,Y days in DETROIT.
Williams, James, 362, 688, 695, 712, 733, 890.
Williams, John C, 117, 369.
Williams J. C. Devereaux, 510, 826.
Williams, Light Infantry, 174, 175, 177, 847.
Williams, Morris F., 419.
Williams, Morris M., 521.
Williams, Morris M., 241, 243, 419, 532, 581,
647.
Williams, Mrs. A. S., 720.
Williams, Mrs. and Mrs. Julian, 637.
Williams, N. G., 237.
Williams, Oliver, 676.
Williams, O. B., 676.
Williams, Rev. Eleazar (alleged Dauphin of
France), 261, 262, 309.
Williams, Salt, 223.
Williams, Theo. G., 243, 335, 473, 500, 525,
528, 678, 605.
Williams, Thomas, 164, 165, 532, 619.
Willis, Mrs. R. Storrs, nee Sheldon, 464, 500,
537. 596, 623, 631.
Willis, N. P., 501, 624.
Wilson, Major James C. 549.
Wilson, Major M., 165, 657.
Wilson, Sheriff John M., 708, 889, 898.
Winans, Capt. Frazer N., 594.
Winder, Col. John, 58, 168, 507, 532, 703, 890.
Wing, Col. Warner S., 165, 227.
Wing, Hon. Austin E., 28, 292, 309, 322, 330,
675. 678, 727, 758, 979-
Wing, J. T., 679.
Wing, Talcott E., 678, 698.
Wing, W. P., 891.
Winget, Wm., 501, 686.
Winter, George, 494.
Witherill, Charles I., 547.
Witherill, Cullen C, 880.
Witherill, Harriet, see Mrs. Friend Palmer,
542.
Witherell, James B., 182, 486, 507, 543, 545,
S47, 684, 892,
Witherell, Judge James, 26, 67, 87, 93, 145,
167, 271, 316, 334, 384, 539, 557, 562, 566,
570, 592, 638, 645, 662, 729, 925.
Witherill, Judge B. F. H., 102, 134, 142, 146,
148, 151, 157, 283, 304, 329, 336, 435,
455. 493, *53i, 535, 54°, 542. 549, 559,
S6i, 598, 638, 645, 705, 729, 737, 795,
823, 868, 889.
Witherill, Julia, see Mrs. Col. H. A. Lacey,
542.
Witherill, Martha E., 542.
Witherell, Miss (Mother of Senator Palmer),
93-
Witherill, Mrs. B. F. H., first nee Mary A.
Sprague, 542.
Witherill, Mrs. B. F. H., second nee Delia
A. Ingersoll, 542.
Witherill, Mrs. B. F, H., third nee Cassandra
S. Bradv. 542.
Witing, Dr. J. L., 761.
Wittemore, Gideon O., 105, 325.
Wood, Joseph, in.
Wood, Mrs. Robert, nee bchwarz, looi, 1004.
Wood, Mrs. W. R., nee Caroline Whistler,
1001.
Woodward, Judge A. B., 218, 254, 292, 429,
527. 972.
Woodbridge, Judge Wm. L., 218, 242, 245,
292, 371, 378, 386, 392, 5q8, 645, 737, 868.
Woodbridge, Lieut. Frank, 594, 878. ^y)
WooHen, Orson, 916. ^V^
Woods, Mrs. Robert, 29. ^^J
Woodworth, Benjamin, 41, 74, 75, 87, r6r,
166, 213, 215; 217, 219, 229, 271, 273, 30^
307, 345, 70s, 727, 890, 921.
Woodworth Capt. Samuel, 45, 215, 321, 921.
Woodworth, Samuel, 912.
Wool, General, 177, 221.
Woolsey, 367, 900. •
Woolsey, Daniel, 900.
Woolsey, Melanchton, 900.
Wormley, 35.
Worth, General, 170, 174, 177, 180, 221.
Wright, Captain, loio.
Wright, Capt. John F., 31.
Wright, Kay & Co., 716.
Wright, Mrs. Henry, ion.
Wright, P. M., ion,
Wright, Stephen T., 117.
Wright, T. T., IIS.
Young. Andrew, 355.
Younglove, C, 202.
Young, W. T., 295, 388.
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