USA > Michigan > Genesee County > Flint > The book of the golden jubilee of Flint, Michigan 1855-1905. Published under the auspices of the Executive committee of the golden jubilee and old homecoming reunion > Part 1
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Mich. F 574 .F62 B55 1905 c.2
The Book of the Golden Jubilee of Flint, Michigan, 1855-1905
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500
JUBILEE PARADE-GREETING TO VICE-PRESIDENT FAIRBANKS
THE BOOK
OF THE
Golden Jubilee
OF
FLINT MICHIGAN
Flist.
1855 -1905
PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE GOLDEN JUBILEE AND OLD HOMECOMING REUNION.
MICHIGAN STATE LIBRARY LANSING 13
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574 .155
CONTENTS
The Editor's Fore-Word, by CHARLES A. LIPPINCOTT 1
Pioneers of Grand Traverse, by M. S. ELMORE 9
First Two Brick Buildings for Business in Flint, by M. S. ELMORE. 17 Traffic and Travel over Flint's First Railroads, by M. S. ELMORE 22
The Flint Harmonia Club, by M. S. ELMORE 28
The Development of Flint, by W. R. BATES. 31
The Moral and Religious Development of Flint, by REV. SETH REED
61
The Industrial Development of Flint, by F. A. ALDRICH 78
The Early Social Life of Flint, by E. L. BANGS 101
The Schools of Flint, by C. T. BRIDGMAN 133
The Michigan School for the Deaf, by FRANCIS D. CLARKE 153
Fraternal and Beneficiary Societies of Flint, by L. G. WILLISON 162
Literary Clubs of Flint-Old and New, by MRS. MARY A. FAIRBANK 181
A Flint Record of Library Evolution, by MRS. DAMON STEWART 191
Fifty Years of Progress, by H. H. FITZGERALD. (An editorial from the Flint Daily Journal) 200
Flint Today, by J. C. WILLSON, M. D. 204
History of the Golden Jubilee and Old Home Coming Reunion, by REV. THEODORE D. BACON 209
Then, Now, and Then-The Poem of the Golden Jubilee, by REV. W. DUDLEY POWERS, D. D. 249
Program of the Golden Jubilee 252
Honorary Guests of the Golden Jubilee
263
Committees of the Golden Jubilee 266
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ILLUSTRATIONS
Jubilee Parade-Greeting to Vice-President Fairbanks, title page_
Some Early Emergency Currency
8
Honorable Henry H. Crapo
24
Survey of Indian Reservations
32 1 40 Honorable J. W. Begole 1 1 1 1 1
48
Honorable G. H. Durand
56
Flint Churches 64
72
Flint Churches
St. Michael's Catholic Church, Parochial School and Father Murphy Hall
76
Old Flint-looking north-Saginaw Street Bridge
80
A Typical Illustration of Flint's Early Industries 1
96
An Old Time New Year's Calling Card.
112
Flint Schools
136
Flint Schools
144
Michigan School for the Deaf
160
Genesee County Court House and Flint Public Library 1 192
Honorable Grant Decker 200
Honorable D. D. Aitken
208
Honorable C. W. Fairbanks
216
Honorable J. B. Angell, L. L. D. 224
Jubilee Parade-Vehicle Workers 232
Jubilee Parade-Detroit Commandery, No. 1, K. T.
240
Jubilee Parade - Floats Showing the Development of the Vehicle Industry 248
Jubilee Parade - Floats Showing the Development of the Vehicle Industry 256
Honorable C. H. Wisner 266
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Honorable C. D. Long
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THE EDITOR'S FORE-WORD
Seldom, if ever, has there been just such a celebration as that which took place in Flint on June sixth, seventh and eighth, 1905. It was wholly unique, not in its individual features, but in their remarkable combination. Many cities have observed their fiftieth anniversary, but it is doubtful whether any other city has ever had the privilege of combining with the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of its incor- poration the ceremonies incident to the dedication of a stately new court house, of a beautiful new library building, of memorial tablets to its soldiers and sailors, the laying of the corner-stone of a new federal building, and the welcoming home of its former citizens. The fiftieth anniversary of the city was signalized by the most substantial evidences of finan- cial, intellectual and moral prosperity.
It was recognized very early in the development of the plans for the Golden Jubilee that an unusual opportunity for the manifestation of civic enterprise had presented itself. Like all great opportunities it demanded a great response. It was a test of readiness and ability. The hearty and effec- tive manner in which the opportunity was met is revealed in the pages devoted to the history of the celebration.
The executive committee, which was charged with the responsibility of formulating and carrying out plans for the anniversary, addressed itself to the accomplishment of two things, first, the preparation of an appropriate program of a high intellectual and moral character, in keeping with the
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
dignity of the celebration, combining with it a variety of clean entertainments, suitable for a city in holiday attire for a festi- val occasion. It was the general feeling of all citizens that commercialism should be eliminated from the celebration, that it should be social, educational and inspirational in character. All the committees were thoroughly imbued with this idea and worked in hearty accord with it.
The second desire of the committee was to make pro- vision for the return of as many former citizens as possible, and to provide adequate means for the comfortable enter- tainment and enjoyment of all the guests who should honor our city with their presence.
In carrying out the first object, invitations were delivered in person by representatives of the general committee to some of the most distinguished men of the nation and state. Among the number who responded to the invitation were: Hon. Charles W. Fairbanks, vice-president of the United States, Hon. Henry B. Brown, associate justice of the United States supreme court, Hon. Russell A. Alger, of the United States senate, Hon. Samuel W. Smith, Hon. William Alden Smith, and Hon. Edwin Denby, members of congress, Hon. Fred M. Warner, governor of Michigan and his staff, the members of the supreme court of the state of Michigan, viz., Chief Justice Joseph N. Moore, and Justices Willliam L. Carpenter, Claudius B. Grant, Robert M. Montgomery, Russell C. Ostrander, Charles A. Blair, Aaron V. McAlvay, and Charles C. Hopkins, Rt. Rev. John S. Foley, Hon. James B. Angell, LL.D., president of the University of Michigan, Hon William W. Crapo, the officers of the Michigan National Guard, the officers of the Detroit Naval Reserve, the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, of Michigan, and many others.
There were present also a number of military and civic organizations, including several companies of the Michigan
3
THE EDITOR'S FORE-WORD.
National guard, the Detroit Naval Reserves, Detroit Com- mandery No. 1 Knights Templar, Grand Army posts, fraternal and beneficiary societies, many alumni of the University of Michigan, and all the local military and civic organizations. There were two great parades, including vivid representations of old and new Flint. Various exhibition drills and band concerts were given. Elaborate electrical illuminations, a beautiful electric fountain, a brilliant display of fire-works, base-ball games and various other amusements were provided. There were also a number of banquets and smokers, re-unions of organizations and social gatherings of friends and old acquaintances.
In carrying out the second object, the committee pro- cured and sent a beautifully engraved invitation to the cele- bration to every former citizen of Flint whose name and address could be secured. A folder with half-tone illustra- tions setting forth the principal features of the anniversary, and a return card by means of which entertainment could be arranged for in advance, were enclosed with the invitations. For the special comfort and convenience of guests while in the city, rest and toilet-rooms were provided in suitable locations; hospital corps were organized; separate emergency hospitals for men and women, ambulances, a place for lost children, check-rooms, a bureau of information, and a free messenger service were provided. Each guest upon his arrival was pre- sented with a carefully prepared folder containing a program of all the events, the line of march, the location of the head- quarters of the various committees, the principal points of interest in the city, and other interesting items of information.
These plans which were carefully elaborated, were suc- cessfully carried out through the hearty co-operation of the mayor, the common council and other city officials, the press, the various committees, and the intelligent and enthusiastic
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
assistance of the citizens in general. Everybody felt that the honor of our city was at stake. The people worked together with such hearty unanimity of purpose and plan that credit for the success of the Jubilee is due not to any one individual or set of individuals, but to the entire community.
The celebration enlisted the best thought and energy of the city. The interest was wide-spread and deep. From the beginning to the conclusion of the undertaking there was no abatement of effort. The interest and enthusiasm grew with every new development of the plans. Many of the busiest men and women of the city gave liberally of their time to promote the success of the undertaking. All merely personal considerations were forgotton in the universal desire to make the celebration reflect honor and credit upon our city. With such purpose and such energy it was not possible to fail. It is pleasant to record that the official program was carried out promptly to the letter, without the omission of a single feature, and apparently to the entire satisfaction of the guests and citizens of Flint.
The honorary guests, who had accepted the invitation to be present, responded promptly at the hour appointed. The Hon- orable Charles W. Fairbanks, vice-president of the United States, travelled from the Pacific coast, declining many urgent invitations to deliver addresses in leading cities of the west, in order to keep his engagement with the citizens of Flint and their guests. It is probable that there was never assembled in any city of Michigan so many able and distinguished men as were brought together on this occasion. The addresses which they delivered were of a uniformly high standard of excellence, dignified, scholarly, patriotic, and inspiring, worthy of the men and the event.
The Old Home-Coming Re-union, and the social greet- ings, family gatherings, and banquets incident thereto, formed
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THE EDITOR'S FORE-WORD.
one of the most delightful features of the Jubilee. While the city was filled with guests the arrangements for their comfort and entertainment were well-nigh perfect. Our citizens will always hold in grateful remembrance the eminent men, who came from all parts of the state and nation, sacrificing their time and contributing their best efforts to the success of the celebration. All things combined to make Flint a joyous city on its Golden Jubilee. Everybody seemed to be at home, and to be imbued with the festival spirit of the occasion. The celebration throughout, while affording ample amusement as well as intellectual entertainment, was singularly free from any immoral or debasing influences. This must always be a matter of pride to our city. There was no regretable conduct to mar the high character, or unfortunate accident to detract from the joy, of the Jubilee. It has passed into history, but will always be cherished in the memory of the citizens of Flint as a noteworthy and inspiring manifestation of civic progress.
It is too soon to measure the influence of the Jubilee on the life of our city, but some of its effects are already apparent. While the celebration was in no sense a commercial undertak- ing, but, on the other hand, involved great expense to the city, it was the best advertisement the city has ever had. It made known to the state that Flint is a city of high ideals, that it is ambitious not only to take a leading place in the industrial and commercial world, but that it is seeking to develop and foster a high type of intellectual, moral and patriotic citizen- ship, that it is endeavoring to establish and perpetuate institu- tions and influences alongside of its industrial and commercial enterprises that will preserve and strengthen its reputation as a city of homes, schools and churches. It thus drew the attention of the best class of men and women, the kind who make a city prosperous in the highest sense.
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
The Jubilee aroused public spirit to a degree of intelli- gent and enthusiastic interest never before realized. The signal success of the undertaking, the plans of which in the beginning seemed to be too ambitious for our resources, has made us aware of the development attainable by harmonious co-operation. Flint has come to a new consciousness of itself. Its new life is being manifested in the organization of the Flint Improvement League, the movement for an adequate park system, and in the recent additions and enlargements of its industrial enterprises. The Jubilee gave to Flint a mental and moral impulse, the beneficent effects of which will be felt in the development of the city for many years.
It is proper in this place to say something about the origin of this history. The plans for the Jubilee had not been fully matured before it was realized that the celebration would be an epoch-making event in the history of our city, and that some permanent record of it should be prepared and made accessible to the future residents of Flint. The executive com- mittee entertained the hope that sufficient funds would be contributed to permit of the publication of a suitable memorial volume. They were not disappointed in this expectation. The response of our citizens to every new request was so gen- erous and prompt that the committee after paying all the expenses of the celebration were enabled to appropriate a sum sufficient to warrant them in undertaking this history.
The idea of the history itself underwent a process of development. It is an evolution. It seemed fitting that the book should not only contain a record of the Jubilee, but also a history of the city. This plan met with favor. After due reflection and consultation with others it was the judgment of the editor that a more satisfactory history of the city would result from a division of the labor than if it were all under- taken by one individual. This plan was open to the objection
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THE EDITOR'S FORE-WORD.
that the various writers would to some extent invade each other's fields, on the other hand, the advantage to be derived from the view-point of a number, and the greater variety in the composition of the book,, seemed to be a sufficient offset to this objection.
Accordingly the editor prepared a plan for the work, and called to his aid those whose names appear at the head of the several chapters. Each writer was given full liberty in his own field, the editor being responsible for the plan of the book and the choice of his associates. He entertains the hope that the public will appreciate as fully as he does the faithful and efficient work of his co-laborers. They are all busy men and women, and have done their work in the time which could be wrested from the pressing engagements of their daily voca- tions. They have had to surmount many difficulties. It is not possible for any one without experience to realize how difficult it is to obtain satisfactory data upon which to base an authentic history. The records of Flint's past were very few and meager, and furnished but little information. The files of early newspapers were diligently scanned for items of historical interest in vain. Their columns seem to have been devoted to a narration of the events of the outside world. They contain but little of local interest. Almost all of those who could have given important data concerning the early history of our city have ended their earthly labors. Notwith- standing these and many other difficulties, the work of the various writers has been done faithfully and conscientiously. It has been entirely a labor of love. The approval of their fellow-citizens will be their only, and to them an adequate, compensation.
No doubt value and interest would have been added to this book if its limits had permitted of an extended biographi- cal notice of the leading citizens of Flint, both past and pres-
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
ent. It was not possible to do this, accordingly, individuals have only been mentioned in connection with the events of which they were a part. It has been the aim of the editor and his associates to prepare a history of Flint, not to eulogize any individual. Old citizens will probably discover that many important events have been omitted from this history. The editor believes that the names of his associates are a sufficient guarantee that a thoroughly earnest and honest effort has been made to prepare as complete and as impartial a history as was possible under the circumstances.
The results of their work, as seen in the following pages, reveal the struggles and triumphs, the sorrows and joys of the pioneers. They contain a record of the industrial and com- mercial progress of the city, the establishment and develop- ment of the excellent public institutions, whose influence has had such a beneficent effect upon our people, and whose splendid buildings adorn our city. They show the wise fore- sight, the sound judgment, the untiring industry, the steadfast perseverance, the indomitable purpose, and the sterling charac- ter of the men and women who made Flint, and who made possible the memorable celebration of the fiftieth anniversary of its incorporation as a city.
The past is prophetic of the future. The influence of the pioneers persists in the pluck and energy, in the character and ability of their heirs and successors. There is every reason to believe that the one-hundredth anniversary of the city will be marked with unmistakable evidence of its progress along every line of honorable endeavor.
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Pioneers of Grand Traverse
Whence They Came ; Who They Were. Indian Tribes, Treaties and Tracts of Flint River.
By M. S. ELMORE.
The writer is aware that any narrative of his earliest experience or observations in Michigan, even though the retrospect be through the mists of forty-seven eventful years, if compared or contrasted with the strenuous life of the real pioneers of ten or twenty years before, would appear to the few adventurous men and women who remain to hear, or discuss it, but a simple suggestion of the frontier life they remember, and of whose trials and triumphs they could tell us most entertainingly. We may, therefore, safely infer that citizens who were first to come to Genesee County, or before 1860, will be more curious to note how nearly the historian's story tallies with their own recollection of the topography of the town; how his description of places or of people compares with those already written on their own memories.
When the emigrant has waited until cities and villages have sprung up; when civilization has expressed itself in churches and schools and commerce, he may not justly esteem himself entitled to the distinctive place among his neighbors that one freely accords to the sturdy citizen, whose purpose in life, and the pursuit of it, should have incited him to leave the home of his childhood, friends and kindred, and the haunts of youth, and with commendable ambition, to make ready and found a home for his family-present or prospective- should undertake the enterprise, fraught with hazard, toil and
ix
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
solicitude, of building this home in a Michigan forest. To this end we see him loading his family and effects into an ox-cart, or covered "Michigan" wagon, as they were called, somewhere in the east, and 'mid tears and farewells to begin the tiresome journey toward the west. To such old-timers, whose arrival was before '50, and in particular the hardy pioneers in the oft-quoted "'36," a claim to comradeship, or to social equality with these avante couriers-the trail blazers of the Michigan wilderness, would be regarded by them, and with reason, inconsistent and of questionable propriety.
Whence came these pioneers of Genesee County? The greater proportion of them came, doubtless, from "down east ;" that indefinite section of the country beyond the Great Lakes. Men are inclined to be clannish, and were now led to follow the fortunes of supposedly lucky neighbors or kins- folk, who had braved Michigan wilds and sent back cogent messages of promised prosperity that fired the breasts of those left behind with a spirit of adventure and a resolve to follow. The citizen of the twentieth century cannot know by any present standard of experience, what a purpose to emigrate from "York State" to Michigan, implied. Removal to Alaska or Japan is not now fraught with greater anxiety or hazard, indeed, than was the preparation, departure and progress of those pioneers, and their "Michigan wagon" from the "scenes of their childhood" to the untried wildernesses of the "west." It meant, in most instances, hardships many, self-denial, a strenuous life, and weary waiting. Sickness, and the maladies incident to clearing and breaking new soil, were often dis- heartening, and shook the victim's fortitude, with his body. Quinine was as necessary to the family as flour and tea. Drs. Lamond, or Drake, or Hoyes, were liable to be in fre- quent request, and the bills burdensome. English, German, Irish, and Scotch nationalities were well represented in the
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PIONEERS OF GRAND TRAVERSE.
county ; the peculiar characteristics of each readily recognized and respected, when a common and wholesome interest in the problems of growth and social improvement were mani- fested.
It was a notable fact that the greater number of pioneers, who sought homes either in the settlements, or in the solitude of the unbroken forest, brought with them mental and moral equipment-intelligence, education, the amenities and culture of good society, and the sweet remembrance of family ties. These are helpful and potent toward the establishment of a community of honorable, hospitable and law-respecting peo- ple.
Schools and meeting houses were built in the clearings soon as the population warranted their rude construction; and the few pupils attending the winter term often proved quite as proficient in the practical branches of study as their com- petitors in the villages, and were often winners in the popular contests at the spelling matches.
Athletic sports were unlike the muscle building games of the present day, and were not embraced in the curriculum of the log school house lore. The schoolmaster's qualifications had not all been passed upon by the examining school board, but were left for the physical culture class of big boys, on some day of concerted reckoning, for test in open session of school. On the issue depended his future rank and rating in that district.
No section of the peninsula presented, doubtless, so many interesting and unusual events, often picturesque, for the his- torian, as the Grand Traverse and Saginaw Valley; especially by reason of the sterling and sturdy characteristics of the men and women who first adventured into the wilderness to trade with the Indians and acquire the lands for future possession and development. These experiences of pioneers afford topics
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF FLINT.
for a volume of graphic narrative, which, though told many times by more capable pens, one might regret insufficient space here to write out satisfactorily.
The war of 1812 so disheartened the natives, they appear to have been more ready to accept propositions for treaties with the whites, which advantage was recognized and steadily acted upon by them.
The intrepid Jacob Smith is accredited with having entered the Indian country before 1812, and, during the war was assigned the hazardous mission of learning what attitude the Saginaw Chippewa tribe would take in the contest. Be- lieving him a British subject he was admitted among them, until one of his companions, made too loquacious by fire- water, "gave away" the real object of the visit. They escaped to Pontiac only with their lives, by active and adroit dodging. Excepting one, Boelieu, a French trader (who probably gave the name of Grand Traverse to the locality), Jacob Smith was the earliest trader among the Indians here. While yet living in Detroit, until in 1819, after his wife's death, he located permanently at Grand Traverse, and built a log cabin on the north side, on the ground near the corner of present First avenue and Lyon street (the writer perhaps inspired by the consciousness of dwelling on the ground). This was, without doubt, the first habitation for a white man at Flint. Smith died there in 1825.
The earliest pioneers found Indians numerous. Indeed, traffic with red men was the potent incentive that attracted the first white men to the depths of the wilderness, for the valuable furs secured by the bullets and arrows of the natives. The tribes of Chippewas and Sauks inhabited the entire lower peninsula of Michigan, and were distinguished for their intel- ligence, often exhibiting traits of character in transactions with their pale-faced neighbors quite as commendable as copies
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