USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 30
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S. G. M. Gates and George H. Shearer, had estimates prepared and submitted to the Council. A special election was ordered for July 14, 1871, to decide whether the city should have water works or not, but owing to some defect in the order, the election did not take place until August 14th, following, at which time $118,000 was voted as the beginning of a fund for the purpose of supplying the city with water from the Saginaw Bay. September 6th, a board of water commissioners was created, which was com- posed of James Shearer, Michael Daily, William Westover, John McDowell and H. M. Bradley, with James Shearer president. Numerous places were visited, and the subject thoroughly analyzed; in fact, the care and wisdom exercised in reaching a decision has been of great advantage to the city. The Holly system of direct pumping through the mains to the consumer, was adopted. Mr. E. L. Dunbar was appointed chief engineer and superintendent of con- struction, January 2, 1872, and about that time a contract was closed with the Holly Manufacturing Company, and the work of construction began at once. The works were located in the northern part of the city about four miles distant from the bay. The inlet from the bay was made about the same distance from the mouth of the river, so that clear and pure water is at all times obtained. The works were finished and the machinery commenced operations in December, 1872.
The following balance-sheet shows ledger balances from the commencement of the works, showing net amount expended on each branch of the works since their inception :
LEDGER BALANCE-DR.
Real estate
$ 6,724 83
Dock, tramway, store shed.
1,882 63
Engine house, chimney and wells.
19,097 42
Engine foundations, boiler foundations and arches.
4,931 72
Inlet from river
3,218 99
Inlet from bay
84,778 37
Reservoir and breakwater at bay
21,491 78
Filter at bay
1,683 13
Pumping machinery
39,109 64
Iron pipe and branch castings
52,743 36
Wyckoff patent pipe.
69,569 71
Laying pipe.
32,280 79
Valves for street mains
8,737 66
Public fire hydrants.
7,338 44
Furniture and fixtures
601 92
Implements (construction)
1,713 61
Engineering and general superintendence (construction)
7,856 17
Traveling expenses (construction). .
306 29
Interest, discounts and commissions (con- struction)
4,224 17
Insurance (construction)
29 00
Water meters
4,554 63
Service stop boxes.
18 85
Water works fund.
11,793 27
Orrin Bump, treasurer.
620 17
Thomas Rosa.
15 57
A. L. Stewart
15 00
John Young.
6 50
Office expenses and salaries.
17,006 43
Engineers' and firemen's wages. . .
35,072 84
Fuel.
26,317 68
Oil, packing and engineers' supplies.
4,038 51
Repairs to pumping machinery. .
1,972 72
Repairs to boiler arches
540 93
Repairs to engine house
422 89
Repairs to dock.
13 38
Repair and care of hydrants, valves and pipes.
5,379 43
Repairs to breakwater and reservoir.
461 86
Implements, (repairs) . .
649 12
Repairs to water meters
15 62
+
G
108
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
LEDGER BALANCES-CR.
Bay City bond account ($377,000 bonds)
$ 368,045 87
Water assessment, front on pipes ..
736 07
Service tap account. . .
1,187 64
Water rates, rolls from 1872-'78.
49,587 25
Water rates, roll of 1879
11,702 10
Water rates, roll of 1880
13,127 32
Water rates, roll of 1881
14,921 36
Water rates, roll of 1882
16,878 39
Plumbers' licenses
211 70
Rents, dockage, etc.
837 38
$477,235 03 $477,235 03 372,893 11
Total maintenance balances
91,891 41
Total water rate balances ..
106,216 42
The following table shows amount collected and the total of assessment roll for each year since the works commenced opera- tions:
AMOUNT
TOTAL OF
YEAR.
COLLECTED.
UNCOLLECTED
ROLL.
1873-Jan. 1 to April 30. . .. $
728 82
728 82
1873-'74-May 1 to April 30.
5,440 80
1 60
5,442 40
1874-'75-May 1 to April 30.
6,908 16
44 85
6,953 01
1875-May 1 to Dec. 31. . ..
7,269 55 28 46
7,298 01
1876
9,571 26
82 73
9,653 99
1877
9,599 26
139 19
9,738 45
1878
10,069 40
333 46
10,402 86
1879
11,702 10
142 94
11,845 04
1880
13,127 32
153 67
13,280 99
1881
14,921 36
303 65
15,225 01
1882
16,878 39
641 93
17,520 32
$106,216 42 $1,872 48 $108,088 90
LENGTH OF PIPE.
Total length of main pipe connected with the works:
30-inch stave pipe conduit from Saginaw Bay.
4 miles 66 ft.
18-inch stave pipe conduit from Saginaw River. 386 ft.
Total stave pipe conduit
4 miles 452ft.
Distributing mains:
16 IN | 12 IN |10 IN 8 IN
6 IN
4 IN 3IN TOTAL
Iron pipe
1,410 4,883 8,422 12 1 93814
961 14
66412 18.28512
Wyckoff pipe
6.411 13.20812 49.15312 18.97412 319 88.06612
Total .
106,352
Total iron mains.
3 miles 2,445} ft.
Total Wyckoff mains 16 miles 3,5862 ft.
Total.
20 miles 752 ft.
FIRE HYDRANTS. '
Whole number of public fire hydrants set
140
Holly hydrants.
99
Matthews' hydrants.
40
Brown's hydrants.
1
The pipes, hydrants and service connections are located in the several wards of the city as follows:
FEET
FIRE
SERVICE
ON
OF PIPE. HYDRANTS.
CONNECTIONS.
CITY ROLL.
First Ward.
18,207}
26
114
$1,120,000
Second Ward ..
20,8941
22
321
2,465,000
Third Ward
28,7533
80
366
2,287,000
Fourth Ward
11,4013
18
125
1,144,000
Fifth Ward.
9,6431
14
55
663,000
Sixth Ward.
8,891
16
35
670,000
Seventh Ward.
8,560}
14
41
735,000
Totals .
106,352 140
1,057
$9,084,000
WATER METERS.
The number of water meters set during the year was twenty-
two, making whole number set at the present time twenty-eight. The superintendent in his report for 1882, says:
"The experience of the past year has demonstrated beyond a doubt that the use of meters is the only practical plan for prevent- ing the waste of water and for equalizing the rates to be paid by consumers according to the quantity of water used. Notwithstand- ing an increase of 12 per cent in the number of service connections, the quantity of water pumped has been reduced 18 per cent. It is not to be supposed that the entire amount saved has been from the few services metered; the moral effect upon the smaller consumers of metering the larger ones, has been salutary, but this will not be permanent unless the meter system is extended as fast as possible."
WATER PUMPED AND COST OF PUMPING.
The total amount of water pumped during the year 1882, as indicated by the revolutions of the pumps, was 775,642,466 gal- lons, which is 168,739,577 gallons less than pumped in the preced- ing year. 769,705,577 gallons were pumped under the ordinary domestic pressure of forty pounds per square inch, which is equiv- alent to a lift of 107 feet from the surface of the water in the wells; 5,937,020 gallons were pumped under a fire pressure averaging seventy-cight pounds per square inch, at the pressure gauge, which is equivalent to a lift of 195 feet from the surface of the water in the wells. The cost of pumping this quantity of water has been $7,618.97, which is $9.82 per million gallons pumped; $9.12 for every million gallons raised 100 feet; $4.56 for fuel per million gallons, and $4.12 for fuel per million gallons raised 100 feet. The large reduction in the quantity of water pumped has enabled the works to respond promptly to every demand for fire pressure, and furnish thoroughly efficient fire protection to the city without excessive strain on the pumping machinery.
The number of gallons of water pumped during each year since the works commenced operations is as follows:
1873,
142,477,725
1874
294,714,798
1875
416,756,579
1876
518,197,129
. 1877
538,847,186
1878
530,197,397
1879
672,344,128
1880.
827,067,372
1881.
944,382,043
1882.
775,642,466
The number of connections inserted in the main pipes during the year was 114, of which eight are connected with iron mains and 106 with Wyckoff mains. The whole number of service at- tachments, besides branch castings, connected with main pipes, is 1,034.
Main pipes were laid during 1882, as follows :- In alley be- tween Jefferson and Madison Streets from Tenth to Eleventh; on Eleventh Street from alley between Jefferson and Madison to Mad- ison; ou Madison Street from Eleventh to Thirteenth; on Farragut Street from Center to Tenth.
ASSESSMENT RATES FOR 1883.
The regular assessment roll for the year 1883 amounts to $14,236.80; estimating the amount to be received from metered water at $4,500 and from new sources $1,000, makes a total of nearly $20,000. The roll for 1883 embraces the following users of water:
Private dwellings .560
Bakeries
4
Families in blocks 111
Ashery
1
Lawn hose. 226
Banks. 3
Urinals. .245
Barber shops
10
Private stables. . 93
Bath houses 5
Blacksmith shops 5 Hotels 23
VALUATION
Total construction balances
-
*
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
109
Boarding houses
31
Hotel stables
5
MEMBERS OF BOARD SINCE ORGANIZATION.
First Ward .- Michael Daily, appointed September 6, 1871, resigned May 13, 1872; Andrew Walton, appointed May 27, 1872; Andrew Walton, re-appointed December 9, 1872; Andrew Walton, re-appointed February 4, 1878; Andrew Walton, re-appointed Jan- uary 22, 1883, term expires September 6, 1887.
Second Ward .- James Shearer, appointed September 6, 1871, term expired September 6, 1873; Thomas Cranage, Jr., appointed November 3, 1873; Thomas Cranage, Jr., re-appointed September 2, 1878, term expires September 6, 1883.
Third Ward .- William Westover, appointed September 6, 1871; William Westover, re-appointed March 29, 1875; William Westover, re-appointed October 20, 1879, term expires September 6, 1884.
Fourth Ward .- John McDowell, appointed September 6, 1871, died May 11, 1872; William Smalley, appointed May 27, 1872; William Smalley, re-appointed February 4, 1878; William Smalley, re-appointed December 13, 1880, term expires September 6, 1885.
Fifth Ward,-Henry M. Bradley, appointed September 6, 1871; Henry M. Bradley, re-appointed February 4, 1878, resigned May 3, 1880; Charles E. Young, appointed June 1, 1880; Charles E. Young, re-appointed September 5, 1881, term expires September 6, 1886.
Sixth Ward .- Andrew J. Miller, appointed August 4, 1873, term .expired August 4, 1874; James Clarke, appointed October 13, 1874, term expired August 4, 1879; William Daglish, appointed October 20, 1879, resigned October 24, 1881; Duncan McGregor, appointed October 31, 1881, term expires August 4, 1884.
Seventh Ward .- Thomas H. McGraw, appointed August 4, 1873, resigned September 14, 1874; W. C. McClure, appointed September 21, 1874; W. C. McClure, re-appointed November 8, 1875, resigned March 24, 1879; George C. Meyers, appointed May 5, 1879; George C. Meyers, re-appointed December 13, 1880, term expires August 4, 1885.
BAY CITY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
This association was organized in February, 1882, by virtue of act No. 166 of the Legislature of the State of Michigan, entitled "An Act for the Incorporation of Boards of Trade and Chambers of Commerce," approved March 19, 1863.
Its object and government are set forth in articles two and three of its constitution, which read as follows:
"The object of this association shall be to advance the com- mercial character of and promote just and equitable principles in trade, to correct any abuses which may exist, and generally to im- prove the interests of trade and commerce in Bay County.
"The officers for the government of this association shall be a president, two vice-presidents, a board of eleven directors, a com- mittee of arbitration, and a committee of appeals.
"The president, vice-presidents, committee of arbitration, com- mittee of appeals and board of directors shall be elected by a ballot at each annual meeting, and shall hold their offices for one year and until others are elected in their places, except those first elected under this constitution, whose term of office shall expire on the second Tuesday of January, A. D. 1883.
"The president and vice-presidents shall be ex-officio members of the board of directors."
The officers and directors for the first year were as follows: -H. P. Merrill, president; B. E. Warren, first vice-president; L. L. Hotchkiss, second vice-president; L. S. Coman, treasurer; Charles C. Gustin, secretary.
6
Y
5
Elevator ..
1
Brewers
1
Laundries
4
Butcher shops.
17
Library. . .
1
Court house
1 Livery stables
16
Jail.
1
Machine shops
13
Churches .
4
Offices
98
Coffee roaster.
1
Paint shops
2
Cracker factories
1
Depots . . .
Cigar factories
3
Photographers.
4
Carriage shops
2
Planing mills
8
Drill houses.
8
Plumbers.
3
Electric light works
1
Printing offices
2
Foundries.
3
Pipe works.
1
Flouring mills.
1
Restaurants
15
Gas works. .
1
Round houses.
2
Harness shops. Halls ..
7
Salt crusher.
1
Hospitals
1
Schools . .
6
Stores.
90
Stone yard.
1
Street car barn.
1
Telegraph office.
2
Warehouse.
1
Water motor
1
Water closets in hotels, stores,
etc. .
206
Water is supplied to the following without charge :- City hall, police station, city offices, four hose houses, eleven public drinking fountains, and two public parks. Twenty-two services are shut off by reason of the buildings on the premises having been removed or burned and not rebuilt. Fifty-eight services are shut off for non-payment of rates.
FIRE PROTECTION.
HOURS RUN FOR FIRES.
NO. OF
GALLONS PUMPED
DAMAGE.
January
3:30
4
564,000
200
February
1:38
4
215,228
560
March
1:07
2
124,540
700
April
1:34
4
211,068
400
May.
1:37
5
175,084
..
June.
3:48
7
403,988
410
July .
13:24
14
2,165,316
12,675
August
8:07
8
1,100,460
800
September
3:01
8
380,792
210
October.
1:32
2
164,008
550
November
3:03
2
349,752
500
December
:40
1
82,784
110
Totals ... 42:56
61
5,937,020
$17,115
E. L. DUNBAR, superintendent and secretary of the Bay City Water Works, was born in Ellsworth, Conn., in the year 1846. In 1865 he located in Bay City. Being a practical engineer, and a young man of marked ability, he was selected as a proper person to superintend the construction of the water works, and was appointed to that position in January, 1872. So well adapted is he to that position that he was continued as superintendent, and also made secretary of the board, and is still retained in the same capacity. He is a practical man, and his services have been of great advan- tage to the city in his admirable management of the affairs of the department of which he is in charge.
PRESENT BOARD OF WATER WORKS.
First Ward, Andrew Walton; Second Ward, Thomas Cranage, Jr .; Third Ward, William Westover; Fourth Ward, William Smal- ley; Fifth Ward, Charles E. Young; Sixth Ward, Duncan Mc- Gregor; Seventh Ward, George C. Meyers.
OFFICERS.
President of the board, William Westover; superintendent and secretary, E. L. Dunbar; first engineer, A. B. Verity; second en- gineer, Frederick H. Holly.
.
12
0
Bottling works.
MONTH.
ALARMS.
FOR FIRES.
3
Saloons .
101
2
110
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
Board of directors-Thomas Cranage, Jr., G. K. Jackson, Isaac Marston, John Drake, A. J. Cooke, J. R. Hall, William H. Miller, Albert Miller, William Westover, L. S. Coman, D. C. Smalley.
It started with a membership of about 170 of the leading busi- ness and professional men of the city, who were willing to unite their energies and means for the promotion of the interests of Bay City and County. The first year of its existence witnessed many beneficial results from the association. Many improvements were originated and others aided by it. At the annual meeting in Jan- uary, 1883, the president, H. P. Merrill, made an annual report, in the course of which he mentioned the aims of the association, and what it had done during the year, as follows:
"A want had long been felt for an association or society that would bring our prominent citizens together to consider matters pertaining to the progress and welfare of our city. It was not a debating society that was needed, but a place where meetings could be had to form or mould public opinion in matters of public concern.
That the organization has during the past year accomplished much is apparent to those who have watched its proceedings. What it has done cannot in every instance perhaps be seen, as the work which it initiated in many cases has been carried out by others, while in other cases it has but moulded public sentiment, and actually assisted in carrying out, or at least encouraged, others, in measures contemplated for the public good. In this connection I think I am justified in saying that nothing has been done to in- juriously affect the rights of any individual or company further than such as must inevitably follow in the march of necessary public im- provements in a young and ambitious city.
"It is with pride that I mention a few of the more important measures which this organization performed, recommended or assisted in accomplishing during the past year.
"First-Valuable statistics pertaining to the agricultural, me- chanical, manufacturing industries of the cities and county have been collected, published and distributed. This has resulted in directing the attention to the superior facilities afforded in this county for business purposes-and many have availed themselves thereof. Much good may still be expected from the work already done. Strangers visiting our city on business or pleasure have been fur-
nished with prompt and valuable assistance which otherwise they could only have obtained, if at all, with much trouble and expense.
HOTEL.
"It is well known that about the time of our organization the principal hotel in our city was not open to the traveling public, nor was the prospect for an early opening flattering, yet with the active assistance of this body a change in the ownership of the Fraser House property was accomplished, the house remodeled, repaired, refurnished and opened to the public, and to-day it stands equal to the best in the state, and our people take just pride in referring to it.
FREE BRIDGE.
"The necessity for a free bridge between the two cities has long been felt, and when the question of raising money by tax was sub- mitted to the people of the county with which to purchase or build a bridge, active work was considered necessary to meet the oppo- sition of interested parties and townships supposed to be opposed thereto. Information was furnished by this Chamber, committees appointed to visit some of the more important polling places, and with the assistance thus rendered the result was favorable. It then became necessary in order to prevent a heavy loss to the stock- holders of the Third Street bridge to assist in the negotiations look- ing to a purchase of the property, which was rendered, and resulted in a purchase being made much, we believe, to the advantage and benefit of all parties interested.
STONE ROADS.
"The Chamber also lent its aid in promoting measures to raise by tax money to build stone roads leading from the cities into the country. This work has been fairly inaugurated, about four miles of the roads have been constructed and the prospects now are that in a short time this county will have roads superior to any in the state.
MIDLAND RAILROAD.
"Some work has been accomplished in the direction of having this completed and the indications are that the present season will see the accomplishment thereof.
CITY PARKS.
"The city parks were in a rude, unfinished and unsightly condition last Spring. This Chamber originated and recommended to the Common Council a plan which at a moderate expense would ma- terially improve the same. The plan was adopted, the small parks on Center Street were improved and made attractive, the larger parks also much improved, and a plan suggested by which the paved streets could be beautified outside the paved line thereof. These improvements are apparent to the most casual observer."
During the year 1882, membership fees to the amount of $1,780 were collected.
The association has suitable rooms fitted up on Fifth Street, near Washington Street, where the public can obtain any informa- tion pertaining to Bay County.
The officers and directors for 1883 are as follows :- H. P. Merrill, president; Albert Miller, first vice- president; T. Cranage, Jr., second vice-president; L. S. Coman, A. McDonell, George Campbell, C. L. Collins, John Rose, Luther Beckwith, D. C. Smalley, John L. Dolsen, John N. McDonald, John H. Wilkins, R. B. Taylor, directors; W. H. Tousey, R. Scheurmann, D. W. Grow, F. A. Bancroft, E. B. Denison, committee on arbitration; George Lord, E. Y. Williams, William Keith, J. L. Dolsen, J. H. Wilkins, committee on appeals; Charles C. Gustin, secretary; L. S. Coman, treasurer.
Mr. Gustin has since resigned the position of secretary, and W. M. Kelley is elected as his successor.
G
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
111
MISCELLANEOUS REVIEW.
The introduction of salt manufacture in 1860-'61, infused new life into all local projects and enterprises, and brought into existence an important adjunct to the lumbering industry. New capital was drawn here and invested, the value of property was increased, and the residents of the village were encouraged to increase their efforts to improve their advantages and condition. A foundry was started followed by a boiler shop. Mr. A. N. Rouech leased Judge Camp- bell's pioneer tavern, and greatly enlarged it to meet the increasing demand for hotel accommodations. Mr. Rouech gave it the name of "Globe Hotel."
The greatest activity, of course, was in the lumber and salt in- dustries. These increased population and consequently enlarged the field for general business enterprises.
The first brick building erected in the city was built by Thomas Watkins, on the corner of Center and Washington Streets. It was begun in the Fall of 1862 and finished the following Spring. It was afterwards purchased by James Shearer and remodeled for his private residence. It was torn down about 1879 to make room for
GROW BRUS.
MASO
MUNGER BLOCK.
the elegant four-story block built by Mr. Shearer in 1879-'80. Mr. Watkins was an early comer to Bay City, and was a lumber inspect- or. He died July 22, 1868, at the age of fifty-two years, leaving a wife and one child. He was a native of New York State.
The fire of July, 1863, involved individual losses, but did not check the growth of the place, and resulted in better buildings.
In the Fall of 1863 Mr. James Shearer had a map of Bay City prepared with great care and accuracy, showing every building, with location and description, in the city. Buildings were scattered over an area extending south to Twelfth Street, north to a line just beyond the Pitts & Cranage Mill, and east to Madison, the western boundary being the river. There were four brick buildings in the city, the Watkins house, already mentioned; a two-story building on Water Street, now occupied by Meeker & Adams, built by George Campbell for James Fraser; a two-story building still standing just south of the Fraser House, built by a man named Cooper; and the county building, one story, which stood just in front of where the jail now stands. This last named building was occupied with the county offices. All these buildings were built in 1863. The prin- cipal mercantile business of the place was done on Water Street. between Third and Center Streets.
The glory of Center Street was not yet even foreshadowed. On
the present site of the Shearer Block, on the northwest corner of Center and Water Streets, was a two-story frame store building. Passing east along the north side of Center Street, the next building was a one-story frame where the Averell Block now stands; next a story and a half building on the northeast corner of Center and Saginaw Streets; then came C. E. Jennison's residence, and beyond that on the present site of the Central Block, was the Watkins dwelling. Between Adams Street and the public square was a story and a half dwelling standing back from Center Street, and the only building in that block. This is all there was on that side of Center Street. On the south side of Center Street was a story and a half store building standing about midway between Water and Saginaw Streets; on the corner where the Munger Block now stands was a two-story building, and there were two one-story buildings where the Westover Block stands; between Washington and Adams Street were four small buildings and a two-story dwelling stood next to the public square. The two-story residence of W. L. Fay, still standing just east of the public square, completed the list west of Madison Street. Beyond Madison Street were the residence of William McEwan, the dwelling built in the wilderness by General Partridge, in 1856, and two or three others. The McEwan grist mill stood on the present site of the Griswold Block.
Within the area described by the map referred to there were at that time 535 buildings, including barns and ice houses. There were seven churches, four school buildings, twelve saloons and six hotels.
During this year the American Express Company opened an office here. Previous to this the nearest office was at East Saginaw, and it cost 50 cents to get a parcel to or from that place. The Bay Bank was opened this year, in the Union Block on Water Street.
1865-'66 witnessed many improvements. Messrs. Sage & McGraw had a prosperous town started on the west side of the river. Bay City was incorporated as a city. The Third Street Bridge was built, a telegraph office had been established; a Board of Trade organized; Portsmouth and Bay City connected by street railway; a county agricultural society organized, and other important im- provements noted at length upon other pages.
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