USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 31
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In the Spring of 1866, the first attempt at numbering buildings was made. No system became so general and permanent as that adopted in the Fall of 1882, at the, introduction of free delivery system by the postoffice department.
By the Winter of 1866, the feeling of metropolitan importance became so intensified that the public refused to longer wade through snow upon sidewalks, and the city fathers, wisely and solemnly or- dained that snow upon any sidewalks to a greater depth than one inch must not be allowed to remain more than twelve hours after the storm had ceased. Since that time some have shoveled, and, alas! some haven't.
January 15, 1866, William A. Bryce, a former publisher of the Press and Times, died at Marine City, Mich.
The period of 1865-'66 was most notable as marking the be- ginning of a new era in buildings. The fire of 1865 cleared the way for new buildings, and men who were able to invest in building came to the front at this time. The business of the place demanded better hotel facilities, and James Fraser built the Fraser House Block. Mr. George Campbell was the contractor. For the city at that time it was an elegant building, costing about $75,000. Mr. Fraser erected it to meet the hotel wants of the place, and to con- tribute something to the material interests and welfare of the city that would be of enduring value and advantage. Mr. James Shearer had recently become interested in Bay City, and had become con- vinced that a larger growth and development was in store for the place. On the corner of Center and Water Streets, opposite the
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
Fraser House, he erected at the same time the first three-story brick business block in the city. The foundation of the city, with respect to its buildings, was now laid. Enterprise is contagious, and in matters of public improvement, if the right ones lead the way, others are sure to follow. Munger & Co. followed with improvements. Union and Griswold Blocks went up. Birney Block on Water Street and Averell Block on Center Street came soon after, and a portion of the Campbell House Block, by Mr. George Campbell.
A little later, in 1837-'68, other improvements were inaugurated. The first sewer was built by James Shearer, to his block, in 1866. In 1867, a mile in length on Center Street, and the following year a portion of Water and Center Streets were laid with Nicolson pavements. The work of paving was continued until about three miles had been laid, and at the present time Bay City is well sup- plied with pavements and sewerage. Mr. James Shearer put down the first flagstone sidewalk laid in the city.
In 1867, the work of dredging the outer bar of the river was commenced, and finished the following year. Railroad communi- cation opened, and a large number of new business blocks and private dwellings were built. New streets were opened, and real estate experienced unprecedented activity. During the next two or three years the aspect of the place was entirely changed, banking facilities were enlarged, the Fraser estate came into' market, or, at least, a portion of it. The High School building was erected, also the Court House; gas was introduced in 1868, and water works in 1872.
In 1868-'69, the Westover Block on Center Street was built by Mr. William Westover, the upper stories of which were devoted to an opera house. The postoffice is located in this block at the pres- ent time.
- 1872 was a busy year in building. Among the business blocks erected were the Maxwell dock and warehouse, those of E. B. Deni- son, H. H. Norington, Smith & Hart, on Water Street; and on Center Street were the Munger Block, First National Bank build- ing and block, and the Cranage Block. There were also a large number of residences erected in 1872-'73.
From 1870 to 1874, the population of the city was increased from 7,064 to 13,676. It was during that time, however, that Portsmouth was annexed to Bay City.
The increase in population and material wealth has continued rapidly, yet in all respects the growth has been healthful. During the past two years a general spirit of enterprise and improvement has prevailed, and as a consequence a great transformation has been wrought in the general appearance of the city. The streets are wide and well paved, private grounds present an attractive appearance, and the new business blocks are substantial and ele- gant structures. Among the more recent additions to the wealth and beauty of the city in this direction, are the two four-story brick blocks on Center Street, built by Mr. James Shearer, and described elsewhere in this work, the ornate brick block on Washington Street, built by Mr. William McEwan, and the large block of stores on Water Street, recently finished by Mr. E. B. Denison.
During 1881, over thirty miles of new sidewalks, and about two miles of main sewers were built in the city. Upwards of $900,000 were invested in new buildings and improvements. During this year the Concordia Block was built, an elegant three-story brick structure on Center Street.
At the annual meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, held in February, 1883, the president, H. P. Merrill, reviewed the condition of the city and improvements for 1882, to. which was added the report of the secretary, Charles E. Gustin. In the course of his address, Mr. Merrill said :
"At no time in the history of this city has there been such ex -
tensive improvements in the way of paving streets, building sewers, sidewalks and street lighting as there has been the past year. This chamber has encouraged and assisted in moulding public opinion in favor of all such improvements, and how much of what has been done may fairly be credited to the efforts of this society, I leave to others to determine. We have to-day a city of at least 25,000 people-active, intelligent, industrious and prosperous. During the past year about five miles of streets have been paved and about three miles more ordered paved, at least twenty-five miles of sidewalk have been laid, also over three miles of main and lateral sewers have been constructed in a permanent and substantial manner, costing in the aggregate over $100,000. Our streets are now lighted with the electric light, our parks improved and beautified. The past season has been a prosperous one, and the coming season gives promise of still better. If the same spirit of public improvement continues, much that will add to the growth and beauty of our city may be done the coming Summer."
CHRONICLE.
BIRNEY (FORMERLY CHRONICLE) BLOCK.
The secretary's report contains the following review of the year 1882:
"The year 1882 just closed has been one of the most successful in the history of our city, alike encouraging to our manufacturers, merchants, mechanics and laborers. Though at the commence- ment of the season there was some delay in getting logs, our mill men have manufactured more than last season, prices having been fair the season through, and as a rule the manufacturers are satisfied with the result of the past year.
"The constantly increasing sales of our merchants, exceeding, from careful estimates made in the different branches, the sales of 1881 at least 20 per cent, has been very gratifying, and the outlook for 1883 is considered promising.
"Our mechanics and laborers have all been employed at satis- factory wages, no strikes have occurred, no serious disturbance between employers and employes, and the numerous houses that have been built by the working classes during the past season, are a standing testimonial to the general improvement that is taking place in our city. Bay City is known far and wide as an enterpris- ing and go-ahead city, the census of 1880 bringing it into promi- nence throughout the United States as much as anything of late years. Since 1880 its growth has been if anything more rapid than ever, and I do not think we would be far wrong in claiming nearly 30,000 as the population of the third city of Michigan.
REAL ESTATE.
"The real estate market has been active during the entire year,
ME EWAN -BLOCK _ WASHINGTON ST BAY CITY, MICH.
HARDWARE.
LOGAN, BIALY & MCDONELL. STOVES &C.
GOLDEN EAGLE CLOTHING HOUSE.
NEW DENISON BLOCK 1883 Fourth & Water Streets - Bay City, Michigan.
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
the transfers have been very numerous, although we have had no boom, prices have been good, and one very gratifying feature is that the sales have not been made to speculators, but for occupancy by the purchasers. In this connection I will say that there have been more buildings erected during 1882 than in any other year of our growth, the number aggregating 566, and the valuation about $972,092, about $100,000 more than during 1881. At the present time the demand for desirable locations is good, and everything points to an increased business in 1883.
LUMBER AND SALT
are known as the great staples of our city, and while it makes inter- esting reading for those in the business, I will not detain you by an itemized report, but give the total product of our city and West Bay City during 1882, and comparing the same with 1881. The season has been a prosperous one, and an increase in manufacture is shown :
1882.
Increase.
Lumber, feet. .578.372,119
24,372.119
Shingles. .
91,258,000
*7,742,000
Lath
59,921,700
15,921,700
Salt, barrels, about
1,500,000
Salt barrel staves.
20,000,000
Heading, sets
1,607,407
*Decrease.
"In addition to the foregoing there has been cut in Bay County 23,649,900 feet of hardwood lumber.
CITY IMPROVEMENTS.
"It is a difficult matter to keep track of the numerous improve- ments going on in our midst, and no matter how careful one may be he is almost sure to overlook something of interest. Aside from the buildings mentioned elsewhere we have expended during the year on pavements and sewers as follows:
Center Street pavement.
$18.380 13
Third
2,280 00
Fifth
10 631 58
Fourth
972 84
Eighth
8,470 00
Van Buren 4
9,239 (0
Madison
13,008 00
Lord and Campbell Street pavement
7,411 64
Sewers in total .
$70,393 19 $17,234 26
"The total improvements to the city during the year 1882 amount to the enormous sum of $1,154,719.55, an increase over 1881 of $190,424.55.
ARRIVALS AND CLEARANCES OF VESSELS.
"During the season 1,542 vessels of all kinds with a tonnage of 542,219, arrived at the port of Bay City, and 1,649 with a tonnage of 615,571, cleared from same port. This does not by any means show the entire business done by the custom house here, as there is no record of reports and clearances of vessels within the district for any foreign ports.
"An estimate has been made of the valuation of the exports and imports by water for a period of three years, and is as follows: 1880
$18,000,000 1881 19,000,000
1882 21,000,000
Of the improvements concerning West Bay City, I have not as yet been able to get any authentic estimate, but it is beyond question that she will make a magnificent showing both as regards improvements during 1882 and contemplated improvements for 1883.
"One of the most important things for Bay City and West Bay City created during 1882 was the Bay City Chamber of Commerce. The good work it has done has been told you by our president, and
I will therefore not weary you by going over the same ground, but simply add thereto an important work of the Chamber.
"Scarcely a season has passed but what our manufacturers of lumber and shingles have been robbed enormously by river pirates. This has been known and different means employed to protect their interests but it has not been so successful as desired. Through one of the members of the Chamber of Commerce, R. J. Briscoe, a company has been formed for the purpose of their mutual protec- tion. It may be said that perhaps this company would have been formed regardless of the Chamber of Commerce. This might have been said of the hotel, of the parks, and of the county roads. But no, the drawing together of the lumbermen by the Chamber caused them on common ground to talk over their interests, and a private matter with Mr. Briscoe became a stock company under the name of the Saginaw River Boom Company, and no one here but will be glad to learn that it has saved to our manufacturers of lumler and shingles, over $40,000 in logs picked up at the mouth of the river and on the bay during the past season."
DIARY OF 1882.
The following diary of events of 1882, for which we are in- debted to the Bay City Tribune, contains many items of interest:
JANUARY.
2- Publication of Bay City's building improvements showing the total expenditure nearly a million dollars.
6-Swill milk and small pox under the consideration of the Board of Health.
Saginaw Courier begins to kick about Bay City's improve- ments.
9-A little four-year old daughter of David Davison, of Essex- ville, burned to death.
10-First number of Lamp of life issued.
12-West Bay City Presbyterians decide to erect a $15,000 church.
18-Annual table published showing manufacture of lumber for 1881 to have been 977,820,317 feet.
News from Washington settled the postoffice question, the office to remain in the Opera House Block.
Mrs. Capt. Allen, of the barge "Brightie," nearly drowned at night while attempting to board the boat at the Industrial Works. 18- Exhibition of West Bay City's improvements. $208,075 expended.
Marriage of Manager John Buckley and Miss Katherine Welch. Unpleasantness in the Probate Court between a divorced hus- band and wife over an abducted child.
19-Description of the miniature saw mill, a mechanical wonder.
19-John Zetch found dead at East Tawas.
20-Production of the allegory the "Great Republic" at the opera house.
Annual meeting of State Salt Association in East Saginaw.
The electric light under consideration of the Common Council committee.
23-Farewell complimentary reception to Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Van Deusen at the Fraser House.
Sudden illness of John McEwan, the pioneer mill owner.
Grayling comes to the surface with the thermometer 32 degrees below zero. .
25 -- Tenth annual report of superintendent of water works, E. L. Dunbar, showing 944,382,043 gallons pumped in 1881, it being the largest consumption of water since the introduction of the Holly system into Bay City.
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
Iron moulders on a strike for an advance of twenty-five cents per day.
Several cars thrown from the track at St. Helens. No one in jured.
26-Death of John McEwan at 3:15 P.M.
27-Death of Arthur M. Birney at Fort Keogh, M. T., is an- nounced.
Final report of the Bay City Relief Committee published. 28-The $8,000 express package stolen at Grayling. Burial of John McEwan.
30-Squabble among the superintendents of the poor.
Two sons of Mrs. Ray, of Maple Forest Township, Crawford County, frozen to death in the woods.
Col. Hurst's patent double action compound, conglomerated, automatic, triangular balanced weather signal inflicted upon a gen- erous public.
Eighty dollars' worth of watches stolen from M. Wendell by a young woman.
Louis Coro found dead in bed in West Bay City.
FEBRUARY.
Mrs. William Moots given a reception in the West Bay City Methodist Episcopalian Church, after her return from an European tour.
3-Joseph Valley broke through the ice at the railroad bridge and had a narrow escape from drowning.
Mackinaw train snow-bound and abandoned.
William Forsyth carried over a seventy-five foot bank on the Au Sable River and killed instantly.
John Gorman, or "French Johnny," knocked out of time in a prize-fight with Jack Maloney.
6-Roderick McCloud killed in Roscommon County by a roll- ing log.
8-Polish boy named Recosky fatally shot while gunning near, Auburn.
14-The extensive lumler business of H. W. Sage & Co. placed on the market.
15-Henry Trombley, a resident of Hampton Township, found dead.
Augus McDonald, hostler at Anscomb House barn, injured by his stallion "Golden Sheaf."
23-Formation of the Bay City Chamber of Commerce.
26 .- John Hayes died suddenly at his home on Second Street. William Maior, of Arenac severely stabbed.
MARCH.
Completion of Hamilton, McClure & Co.'s brine reservoir.
Washouts on the Mackinaw division between Ogemaw and Beaver Lake.
2-Tug "Clara" sank in Saginaw Bay.
9-The tugs "Golden Eagle" and "C. W. Liken" experience a rough time with ice on the Saginaw Bay.
16-The Tribune published its annual shipbuilding operations, showing the expenditure of $500,000 in water craft.
17-John Crawford killed on a rollway at Thompson's camp on the Au Sable.
20-Captain Gilbert Travers, master of Blanchard's steam barge "Mayflower," died in Detroit.
22-Thomas Balfour, of West Bay City, died.
14-Murder of William Michie, at State Road crossing, made known by the discovery of his dead body.
Stephen Barry killed by an F. & P. M. train at Midland.
15-Mrs. John Webber suddenly expired, at her home, corner Eighteenth and Fraser Streets.
16-Common Council visited East Saginaw to examine the electric light system.
Thomas Coon run over by a street car and fatally injured, at the south end.
20 - Andrew Levey run over by the cars and killed, near the foot of Jefferson Street.
Arrest of Joseph D. Parrent on the charge of murdering Wil- liam Michie.
23-Greenback city nominations made.
27-Teachers' institute began exercises in the new high school.
APRIL.
3-City election.
Child of W. R. Evans, the barber, run over by a street car and killed.
5-Publication of the shocking work done in the lumber woods -forty-five men killed during the Winter.
Terrific tornado passed over this section. Six men killed.
11-Parrent bound over to the Circuit Court for the murder of William Michie.
Dr. Tupper's horse stolen.
Jury in Titus murder case at Roscommon, failed to agree. 28-Schucker & Hopp's saloon, at the bridge, entered and the burglar caught.
29 -- Democratic city convention.
30-Beginning of the Parrent examination for murder.
Republican convention.
Death of Mrs. Cleora M. Bligh.
31-Alice Oates and a chosen few desert their company in Bay City
Joseph Borowiak's skull fractured by another Polander.
12-Tug, "Maud S," burned at Bay View.
16-$124,000 appropriated for Saginaw River improvements.
18-Waldbauer's tailor shop, in West Bay City, robbed of $600 worth of suitings.
25-St. George's Society's annual feast and banquet.
27-Launch of the steam barge "Nevada."
28-The policemen's wages raised.
MAY.
1-Organization of the Bay City Brick and Tile Company.
A little son of John B. Castonjuey drowned in a cistern.
4-Wholesale stampede of horses on Water Street; nine vehicles on the go at one time. John Rowell seriously injured. 8-Two trains collided at Kawkawlin. Damages $5,000.
11-Steam barge "Prindeville" went ashore at Oscoda.
12-Trial of Josheph D. Parrent commenced in the Circuit Court.
Frank C. Bruce, a Saginaw forger, absconded.
16-Jesse Hoyt's planing mill, at East Saginaw, burned.
First saengerfest meeting held.
17-Michie's murderer found in the person of Parrent.
19-Plummer & Bradley's saw mill at Ogemaw, burned. 20-Death of W. S. Gerrish.
22-Parrent sentenced to State prison for life.
James St. Charles, of Madoc, Ont., found dead at Pinconning. 24-Robert Graham killed near Gladwin.
27-Jerry McAuliffe cut his foot at Houghton Lake, and bled to death.
JUNE.
1-Forepaugh's show in the city.
2-Frank Foote, foreman of the Saginaw Bay & Northwestern Railroad, fatally injured at Pinconning.
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
5-News of the murder of Edward Washington, of this city, near Moorhead, Minn.
8-Cyclone in First Ward.
9-Murderer of Edward Washington, in Minnesota, lynched.
12-Stone road loan vote carried.
16-Concordia Block visited by burglars.
T. B. Donnelly's diamond stolen.
20-Marriage of Ella V. Roosevelt and Capt. J. D. Graham.
21-Bay Citys defeated the Caros, 29 to 6.
23-Graduation exercises Bay City High School.
28-Launch of James Davidson's steam ship, "Siberia," the largest craft ever built on Saginaw River.
29-Death of Prof. Julius W. Hatch.
JULY.
4-Maud, daughter of D. M. Pierce, of this city, fatally burned at Beaver Lake.
Drowning of Willie Campbell and Mary Rose, in the Kawkaw- lin River, at Riverside farm.
James Welch given a fatal blow by unknown persons.
Judge Birney orates at East Saginaw.
6-Death of James Welch.
14-Sudden death of Frank Vosburg.
17-Three men precipitated from a scaffolding of the new St. Joseph's Church, and badly injured.
19-Detroits vs. Bay City, 24 to 4.
20-Burning of W. H. Lynch's picture store.
21-McLeod's shingle mill boilers in Saginaw City exploded, killing William Crawford and Ferdinand Scheum.
Frightful death of Samuel S. Foss, on Washington Street, by being thrown from his buggy.
Nelson Denner drowned at the railroad dock on the West Side.
22-Burning of Birney's livery barn and other buildings on Third Street. Loss, $20,000.
31-James Ford killed by the cars, at Mount Forest, on the S. B. & N. W. Railroad.
AUGUST.
2-Dedication of the Arbeiter Society's new banner.
Marriage of Miss Sarah Wendell and Daniel H. Lieberthal.
4-A boy named Vail fatally injured by a runaway horse at Vassar.
7-First day of the fifth annual sangerfest of the Peninsular Sængerbund.
8-Owosso vs. Bay City, 8 to 2 in favor of the former.
9-Flints defeated Bay City 19 to 7.
10-Lapeers defeated by Bay City, 7 to 16.
15-Johnny Grant, aged thirteen years, shot and killed by an unknown person in broad daylight, near the corner of Fraser and Twenty-first Streets.
Return of the Peninsulars from the state encampment.
16-A tramway at the McGraw mill fell, precipitating seven men, one of whom sustained fatal injuries.
19-Saginaws downed by the Bay Citys, by a score of 18 to 15. 22-Marriage of David Sempliner, of Au Sable, and Miss Annie Sempliner, of this city, in I. O. B. B. Hall.
23-Republican County Convention.
24-Famous Slivers vs. Humming Bird base-ball match.
25-Ionia Club defeated the home team 11 to 1.
29-Samuel Henderson, twenty-two years of age, blew his brains out with a revolver at Au Sable.
Bay Citys vs. Zilwaukees; score 23 to 15.
31-Port Huron and Bay City base ball contest. 3 to 2 in favor of the visitors.
Meeting of the First Congressional Convention of the Tenth Dis- trict at the court house.
SEPTEMBER.
2 .- Nomination of H. H. Hatch for Congress.
5 .- Bay City again defeated the Saginaws.
7 -- Bay Citys defeated the Flints 10 to 9.
11-Worcester vs. Bay City, 36 to 4.
12 -Democratic Congressional Convention. A. C. Maxwell nominated.
13-Democratic County Convention.
15-Electric light tower talked of.
Barges "R. N. Rice" and "City of the Straits" let go adrift on Lake Huron.
18-Providence vs. Bay City, 7 to 1.
20-Beginning of the Bay County Fair.
26-First day of the Northeastern Fair.
27-Saginaws defeated by Bay Citys, 7 to 6.
28-Flints ditto, 11 to 7.
OCTOBER.
3-Saginaws defeated, 6 to 0.
4-Body of Colin Blaine found in the river at Carrollton.
Saginaws defeated Bay Citys 6 to 1.
9-Body of William Currie, of Roscommon, found floating in Saginaw River, at Bay City.
Property of Woods & Reynolds at Saginaw attached.
11-Last game between the Bay Citys and Saginaws; won by the former; score, 20 to 3.
14-Formation of the Bay City Stock Base Ball Association. Charles Hicks, of Lapeer, killed near Munger Station by the
cars.
Kawkawlin postoffice robbed of $82.
19-Rally of the Republicans and speech by Senator Ferry at the opera house.
23-Death of Dexter A. Ballou and Jeanette Hemme.
24-Lottie Stewart struck by an F. & P. M. train and fright- fully injured.
Steamer "Emerald" broke her piston rod and damaged $2,000. 28-Fire at Hamilton, McClure & Co.'s. Loss $80,000.
31-Thomas MaGuire shot.
NOVEMBER.
7-Election.
8-James Burns killed in Kennedy & Culhane's camp in Ros- common.
10-John McCurley drowned at the railroad bridge.
11-Stores of T. A. Hull and E. B. Morehouse, at Sterling, robbed and $700 taken.
15-County count settled and candidates declared elected.
20-John Wilson fatally injured by the cars at Pinconning.
28-Forty head of cattle at H. P. Merrill's farm poisoned.
DECEMBER.
1-Free mail delivery system.
L. A. Good garroted and robbed of $190.
4-Indignation postoffice meeting in Seventh Ward.
7-Death of Remuel Rabidoux. Saginaw Barrel Company's works at Saginaw destroyed by fire. Loss $180.
11-Patrolman Ryan assaulted by five unknown roughs.
15-Death of Dr. William Daglish.
16-Death of Major Prescott, ninety years of age, and a pen- sioner of the war of 1812.
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
23-Death of Mrs. J. Breckler.
25-John Wynn stabbed at Essexville.
26-Sale of the bank block to the Bay National Bank.
27-Dolphus Labute killed in camp near Standish.
28-Case of Bay City vs. S. G. M. Gates quashed.
29-Resignation of Captain of Police Simmons.
IMPROVEMENTS IN 1882.
The following table shows a synopsis of the improvements in Bay City during the year 1882:
Residences, brick blocks, etc., numbering 566. . $ 967,092 00
Paving, 26,659 feet.
70,393 19
Sewerage, 16,502 feet ..
17,234 36
Electric light, thirty miles of wire, etc.
55,000 00
Telephonic wires, etc.
2,500 00
Water works, meters and piping.
5,000 00
Sidewalks, twenty-five miles.
32,500 00
Grand total
$1,149,719 55
1881
963,295 00
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