USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 62
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First-To improve and macadamize that part of the Cass River and Bay City state road between the east line of the corporate limits of Bay City and the county line.
Second-To improve and macadamize that part of the Port Huron, Bay City and Clinton state road between the west line of the corporate limits of West Bay City and the west line of Section Twenty-three, in the township of Williams in said county.
Third-To improve and macadamize that part of the East Saginaw & Au Sable state road between the west line of the cor- porate limits of West Bay City and crossing of the East and West section line between Sections Two and Eleven, in township Thir- teen north, of Range Four east.
Fourth-To improve and macadamize that part of the East Saginaw and Au Sable state road lying between the north line of the city of West Bay City and the bridge over the Kawkawlin River on said road in Section One, in township Fourteen north, of Range Four east.
Provided, That no such loan shall be made and no such bonds shall be issued unless a majority of the electors of said county of Bay voting thereon shall vote therefor at the election hereinafter provided for.
Resolved, That a special election is hereby ordered to be held in all the townships, cities and wards in said county, on Monday, the 29th of May next, to vote on the question whether or not the said loan and the said improvements to the roads named shall be made; and that at such election the vote shall be by ballot; and those voting for the said loan shall have written or printed on their ballots the words, "For the road loan," and those voting against the same shall have written or printed on their ballots the words, "Against the road loan;" which ballots shall be counted, canvassed, certified and returned to the county clerk, and shall be canvassed and determined by this Board at a future meeting there- of as provided by law.
The resolution was adopted with the following changes :-- May 29th was changed to June 12th; five per cent changed to four and a half per cent. At the special election the question was carried and the bonds sold. Work was begun, and in January, 1883, the records of the secretary of the stone road committee showed the following progress:
The bonds were sold for $100,000 cash. Contracts have been let for fourteen miles of road as follows:
Two miles on Kawkawlin road to Padley & Kilduff for $2,275 per mile, and 20 cents per cubis yard for grading.
Two miles on Kochville road to Fred. Staudacher, for $2,191 per mile, he to make the road complete.
Five miles on Midland road let to B. W. Merrick, first two miles at $2,400 per mile; second three miles at $2,750 per mile, filling in at 20 cents per yard.
Five miles on Cass River road, to Gorman & Kennedy, for $2,900 per mile, filling in at 20 cents per yard. *
Inspector of Cass River road, William Leighton; inspector of Midland road, John Toohey.
Made contracts with Jolin Welch for use of dock for holding
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stone at $800 per annum; with Staudacher for use of dock $100 per annum; with Blanchard at 50 cents per cord.
Bought 3,000 cords of stone at $3.25 per cord; bought 300 cords stone at $2.75 per cord; freight as per contract, $3.00 per cord; unloading 3,000 cords at $1.50 per cord; unloading 300 cords at $1.25 per cord.
Have now on hand about 1,000 cords. Have contracted for 4,000 cords at $2.50 per cord, and made contract for freight and unloading at $4.35 per cord.
Made a contract with Beebe & Co. to dredge one and one-fourth miles on Cass River road at $1,600 per mile.
Have paid one-half of contract price to Beebe & Co.
The amount of work done to date is as follows :- Kawkawlin road three-fourths mile; Kochville road 240 rods; Cass River road, 440 rods; Midland road, 275 rods.
Contractors have been paid as follows :- Padley & Kilduff, Kawkawlin road-On contract $2,065; on account stone hauling, $250. Credit by earth work, $308.30.
Gorman & Kennedy, Cass River road-On contract, $4,314; on account stone hauling, $700. Credit by earth work, $1,417.27.
There was a heavy cut on first mile of this road and made it more expensive.
B. W. Merrick, Midland road-On contract, $2,200; on ac- count stone haul, $300. Credit by earth work, $636.49.
Fred. Staudacher, Kochville road-On contract, $2,130. Credit by earth work, $755.87.
Total orders drawn to date, January 23d, which include pre- liminary survey, traveling expenses, etc., amounts to $38,536.77.
RAILROADS.
The Flint & Pere Marquette Railway Company was the first to start from the west and work ' toward the east, with a view of connecting the then undeveloped region of the Saginaw Valley with the railway system of the country.
The Congress of the United States, by an act entitled, "An Act making a grant of alternate sections of public lands to the state of Michigan, to aid in the construction of certain railroads in said state, and for other purposes," approved June 3, 1856, granted land to the state of Michigan, to aid in the construction, among others, of a railroad from Pere Marquette to Flint.
The state of Michigan, by an act of the Legislature, entitled : "An Act disposing of certain grants of land made to the state of Michigan for railroad purposes, by an Act of Congress, approved June 3, 1856, approved February 15, 1857, conferred upon the Flint & Pere Marquette Railway Company so much of the lands granted by Congress as pertained to a railroad from Pere Marquette to Flint."
The Flint & Pere Marquette Railway Company was organized January 21, 1857. The provisions of the law donating lands to this company were accepted February 24, 1857. The map of location of land was filed in the office of the secretary of state, August 7, 1857, and in the General Land Office at Washington, August 18, 1857. The first grading was done in the Fall of 1858.
The first rail was laid at the edge of the Saginaw River, August 19, 1859.
The first engine used on the road was called the "Pollywog," a small second-hand locomotive, bought at Schenectady, for $2,000. The same engine was afterward re-built and was recently in service on the road, under the name of "Pioneer."
The branch to Bay City was the first railroad to penetrate Bay County ..
From 1861 the local business activity at Bay City was greatly
increased by the growing importance of the lumber and salt indus- tries. But there were no adequate facilities of transportation, and the want of better communication with the outside world was strongly felt. In 1863 it was determined to make move toward se- curing a railroad, and a company for that purpose was formed, of which James Fraser was president. Judge Birney was a leading spirit in the enterprise, and at the extra session of the Legislature of Michigan, in January, 1864, Governor Blair was induced to rec- ommend legislation for the aid of railroads. An act was drafted by Judge Birney, and passed by the Legislature, authorizing Bay County to loan its credit to aid in the construction of a railroad. This was to be done by the county issuing bonds to the amount of $75,000, which were to be loaned to the first responsible company formed for the purpose of building a railroad on the east side of the Saginaw River, and between Bay City and East Saginaw. The act was care- fully drawn and all of its provisions strongly guarded, so that no harm could result to the county from any possible reason. The citizens of Bay County subscribed $40,000, and with that capital, work was commenced and prosecuted, as the act passed prevented the issue of any bonds until half the distance of the road was graded. Mr. Fraser continued to act as president of the company until his removal to Connecticut, when he was succeeded by Judge Birney. By him a satisfactory negotiation of the bonds was effected, and under the su- perintendence of A. S. Munger, the grading of the road progressed. When the grading was nearly complete, Dr. H. C. Potter and Samuel Farwell subscribed the remainder of the stock and agreed to furnish the funds to iron and stock the road. Work was begun in August, 1866, and the first train passed over the road Saturday, November 23, 1867. In the light of subsequent history the completion of this road was one of, if not the most, important event that has ever oc- curred in the history of Bay City. The company organized for the purpose of building the road was confronted with seemingly uncon- querable obstacles. The low ground between Bay City and Sagi- naw frightened every one, even the engineers considering it im- practicable to build a railroad across the swamp. The directors of the company held meetings to devise ways and means of proceeding but no one could be induced to take charge of the construction. At last Mr. A. S. Munger consented to undertake the responsibility, and the arrangement was very satisfactory to all concerned. Mr. Munger proceeded with an engineer to run lines and examine the ground. He discovered that there was a subsoil of dense clay. After spending many weeks experimenting, Mr. Munger decided to dredge a canal, and with the dirt excavated to make an embankment for the track. The subsoil when thrown upon the surface made a firm and safe road-bed. The work was prosecuted with great energy, and a train ran over the track November 23, 1867, between Eleventh Street in Bay City and East Saginaw. The road when completed, was a remarkable triumph of engineering skill and sound judgment. For this great success, fraught with so much of importance to Bay City, Mr. Munger must be awarded the credit. The people of Bay City were sensible of the great value of this road, and also apprecia- ted the extent of their obligation to Mr. Munger. Wednesday, No- vember 20th, a meeting of citizens was held at the Fraser House to arrange for a supper in celebration of the opening of the road. That same evening the city council appropriated $500 to aid in carrying out the arrangements for that occasion.
Saturday morning, November 23d, the first excursion train left East Saginaw for Bay City. Just before the train left that city, an elegant gold watch was presented to Mr. Munger as a testimonial of appreciation of the untiring energy and signal ability he had dis- played in the accomplishment of a most difficult task. Hon. James Birney made an appropriate presentation speech, and Mr. Munger received the gift with a few remarks expressive of his gratitude.
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fourth Sunday of January of each year, at which time the officers and executive committee are to be elected, who shall hold their offices until their seccessors are elected. Heretofore the annual meetings have been held in June, but under the change then made no session was held last year, so that the present officers and executive committee have held their offices about a year and a half; and we regret to say that not a great deal of practical work has been accomplished during that time; and this has been owing to various causes which it is not here necessary to enumerate.
There have been but five or six meetings of the executive com- mittee held, owing to the difficulty of obtaining a quorum to trans- act business. The present committee consists of ten members from the various churches, besides the president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, only five of whom are necessary for a quorum. I am satisfied that the committee is too large to get practical and efficient work.
During this time but three churches, the Baptist, Presbyterian and Congregational, of this city, have contributed to the society.
Three years ago a careful canvass of the entire county, includ- ing the two cities, was made under the direction of the executive committee and much good was accomplished. The time has arrived when the growing population requires another careful can- vass, especially in the territory outside the two cities; and in order to do this the society must have money and books. The report of the treasurer, which will be read to you will show the amount of money on hand, and the society has in the two depositories 868 ibles and testaments; in the depository at Bay City 324 bibles and 439 testaments, and in the depository at West Bay City forty-four bibles and sixty-one testaments.
Our agent who canvassed the county, found much need for bibles in these localities. Settlers are rapidly occupying the new portions of the county, and they often find it difficult to spare the money necessary to procure a bible or testament, and in such cases a judicious person, perhaps the pastor of the church or the congregation in the locality, should be authorized to make dona- tion.
Instances might be given showing this need. One will be sufficient :- The pastor of a congregation in the township of Au Gres, one of the northerly towns, called in his pastoral visits, at the residence of one of the settlers, and after conversation with the family asked leave to pray with them. The husband looked at his wife-the wife at the husband, and at the husband's intimation the wife stated to the pastor that they had no bible in the house; that they would be glad to have one but they did not know where to procure it; if one could be obtained they would be glad to get it and pay for it, but no bible could be had nearer than Bay City, a distance of over forty miles.
In the last canvass of the county 900 bibles and testaments were given away, and about a like amount sold.
The officers for the year 1883 are as follows :- President, T. F. Shepard; vice-president, E. B. Denison; treasurer, A. Folsom; secretary, F. B. Clark; directors, W. I. Brotherton, First Baptist Church; C. W. Parish, Washington Street M. E. Church; F. A. Bancroft, Presbyterian Church; O. A. Waterhouse, Congregational Church; C. H. Francis, Presbyterian Church, West Bay City; D. P. Clark, M. E. Church, West Bay City.
POLITICAL.
Bay County forms a part of the Tenth Congressional District. Present representative, Hon. Herschel Hatch, Republican, elected in 1882.
Bay and Tuscola Counties compose the Thirtieth State Senatorial District. Present senator, Hon. J. H. Richardson, Greenbacker, of Tuscola County.
The county is divided into two representative districts. All that portion of the county lying east of the Saginaw River consti- tutes the First District, and all west of the river, the Second District. Hon. H. M. Wright, Democrat, of Bay City, is the member from the First, and Hon. Newcomb Clark of West Bay City, from the Second District.
SHIP BUILDING.
BY BERT. H. GUSTIN.
Ship building is an industry on which Bay City and West Bay City pride themselves, and one that forms an important branch of business here during the long months of the Winter, when the season of navigation is hushed by the chilling arctic blasts. Ly- ing almost adjacent to splendidly timbered lands with material accessible at all times and at a moderate price, this location is very desirable for those intending the construction of lake craft.
The quality of the oak timber to be found here is famed through- out the country, and it is even sought in the foreign markets, large quantities being sent to England. The timber is very large, and the quality of the best. Tamarack, a very useful and desirable timber for certain purposes in ship building, is here to be had of sufficient size for upper-deck beams, etc. Pine sticks for masts and spars are cut in the neighboring woods and hauled direct into the yards, the same being true of the oak and other varieties used. It follows that the best obtainable material is to be had here at less cost than elsewhere. These facts have induced the estab- lishment on the river of several extensive yards, from which have been launched some of the largest and finest vessels now afloat.
Some of the early operations in the line of this industry have already been given in connection with the history of the navigation of the Saginaw River. The first vessels of any considerable size built in Bay County, were built by the firm of H. D. Braddock & Co., in 1857 and 1858. They were the "Essex" and "Bay City." Some small fish boats were built here as early as 1849.
In 1873 the product of the ship yards was estimated at $600,000; for 1874 it was about $400,000.
During 1881 the amount of money paid out in building and fitting out boats in Bay City and West Bay City, was as near as can be estimated, as follows:
Three boats built at Crosthwaite's yard $100,000
Two boats built at Davidson's yard. 180,000
Rebuilding and docking Bay City Dock. 30,000
Five boats built and rebuilding and docking at Wheeler & Crane's 395,000
Total $705,000
The Winter of 1883 has been a busy one in the various ship yards, and a review of their opertions will show the extent to which this industry is carried on at the present time.
THE BAY CITY SHIP YARD.
This yard which is located at the northern terminus of the street railway, has its full share of work this Winter as is usually the case. The first boat docked for repairs was the barge "B. B. Icsman," owned by John Homegardner, of Sandusky, Ohio. She was given a new keelson, entire new ceiling, new shelf pieces, tow posts, oak work on deck, mainmast, boom, gaff, rudder-stock, steer- ing gear and other important improvements, to the extent of $2,000. Capt. W. H. Reynolds will command her the coming season.
One of the most important improvements in the ship building line, that is being made at this port is the rebuild of the steam barge "Benton." The "Benton" was built as a passenger propeller in
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1866 at Buffalo, and then ranked at the head in her class of vessels. She is well known to Bay City people, having in later years, run upon the Cleveland route as a companion boat to the propeller "Bertschy," and in opposition to the propeller "Robert Holland" and steam barge "Porter Chamberlin." She always minded her machinery and had a reputation as being fast, at one time. In 1879 she was converted into a steam barge by the removal of her upper cabins. The following year she became the property of E. J. Vance, of this city, and Fisher, Wilson & Co., of Cleveland. Since then she has been engaged in the lumber trade and has done an unusually good business, making rapid time and meeting with but little ill-luck. Her financial record was such that her owners re- solved to give her a thorough rebuild and that resolution is now being carried out at the Bay City ship yard. She entered the dock on December 14th and since that time, the many employes of the yard have been busily engaged hewing timber and putting it in place. When completed, she will have received part new floor, new ceiling forward and aft, two strakes of shelf pieces 5x12 inches, entire new deck frames 8x10 inches; three-inch deck; new plank-shear; new
The steam barge "George King," owned by Capt. Gregory Francis, of this city, is lying at the dock and before the opening of navigation, will have received a new center board box, inside arches and other repairs, which will be decided upon when the work has been commenced. Her boiler is undergoing repairs, and her hull will receive an entire re-caulking. Capt. Joseph Shackett will con- tinue her master, as in 1882.
The barges "Levi Rawson" and "C. L. Young," of the King's tow, are to enter the dock shortly for minor repairs.
The steam barge "S. C. Baldwin" is billed for the dock for part new decks and repairs to bottom, also for re-caulking.
The steam yacht "Hubbard," hauled out upon the dock, will be given a rebuild before Spring. Alterations are to be made to her cabins.
Other minor work, not yet decided upon, will be done at the Bay City yard before navigation opens, so that the large force of men will find plenty of employment.
WHEELER & CRANE'S YARD.
The ship yard of Wheeler & Crane, on the west side of the
METROPOLIS
SAGINAW, BAY CITY AND ALPENA STEAMERS.
stanchions; 53x12 inch fender strake; new strake of planking and three inch quick work, inside and out of stanchions up to rail, all thoroughly edge-bolted. She is receiving a new stem and stern post, forty feet of new keel, new outside planking forward and aft where needed; two new main keelsons and two sister keelsons fastened through and through and edge-bolted with one inch iron forelocked. New hatches, hatch combings, timber heads, tow post, spar, part new rail and new upper works around cabin. She will be housed in forward, the forecastle being placed on deck. To complete the overhauling of the hull, it will be re-caulked from stem to stern.
Her machinery, which is in very good shape, is also being over- hauled. The cylinder and valves are being bored out by the Indus- trial works, and about $1,200 is being laid out on her boiler by Mckinnon & Co. Considering all, everything is being done to make the "Benton" better than ever before. In addition to the above improvements, alterations will be made where deemed necessary, new pieces of timber substituted for that which is worn or decayed, and every part of the craft put in first-class shape. Capt. Henry Bennett, her master, is superintending all branches of the overhaul- ing and seeing that everything is done as it should be, and feels confident of having one of the very best steam barges on the lakes during 1883. That is the calculation at present, and if nothing un- foreseen happens to prevent, the expectations will be realized. The "Benton will remain in the lumber trade.
river was visited, and found to present a scene of great activity, the same as in seasons past. The largest job on hand is the building of a steam barge for Capt. William Forbes, of Port Huron, and through the kindness of that jolly mariner the writer was given a few points regarding the construction of the new craft. She is 196 feet and seven inches keel, thirty-four feet beam and fourteen feet hold, dimensions that are calculated to give her a carrying capacity of 1,100 gross tons, or about 800,000 feet of lumber. She is being built of the best white oak and will be first-class in every respect, rating A, 1* without a doubt. Her floor timbers are 6x15 inches, placed so closely together as to form an almost solid floor. Her frames are sixteen inches at the breech, fourteen inches at the bilge and seven inches on top, Her ceiling is five inches on the floor, seven, eight and six inches at the bilge and five inches up, all edge- bolted and thoroughly fastened. Her main keelson is 12x13 inches, two sister keelsons 12x12 inches, and two "riders" the same dimen- sions, all forelocked with one inch iron. Her planking is four inches on the bottom, five inches at the bilge and four inches on top sides. The average dimensions of the deck frames are 9x11 inches. She will be diagonally iron strapped with 43x3 inch iron, thoroughly bolted through frames. Twelve tons of this iron will be used. When completed the new craft will resemble the steamship "C. H. Green." The cabin for her crew will be located aft, with pilot house and texas forward. She will carry three spars and plenty of canvas.
Her engine will be a fore and aft compound, 27x40 and 44
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and is now being made by Hodge, of Detroit. Mr. Hodge is also constructing her boiler which will be one of the Moses pattern, Otis steel, twelve feet shell. Her shaft will be ten inches in diameter and will throw an eleven and one-half foot wheel. She will be thor- oughly equipped in every respect, having steam hoisting apparatus, steam pumps, etc. It is expected to have her ready for work. by May 1st, when she will enter the Lake Superior trade. Her cost is placed at $75,000. Her officers so far as known will be as follows: Captain, William Forbes; mate, Mr. Phillips, formerly of the steam barge "Caldwell;" engineer, Walter Trueleven, formerly of the steam barge "Tecumseh.' The barge "Fannie Neil," owned by Mr. Forbes, will be the consort of the steam barge. She will be commanded by the well known Capt. Peter Cummings, for six years master of the barge "Clement."
A light draft tug is well under way for Capt. P. C. Smith, the dimensions of which are as follows: Length, seventy five feet; breadth of beam, seventeen feet; depth of hold, five feet. She will have a fourteen square engine and a 53x10 feet Otis steel boiler. The machinery is being made by the Riverside iron works, in De- troit, and the boiler by Mckinnon & Co., of this city.
The tug "Ella Smith," hauled out on the bank at this ship yard, is receiving a new cylinder 24x24 and a new seven inch shaft.
The barge "T. G. Lester" has been cut in two and lengthened thirty feet, which will increase her carrying capacity about 100,000 feet of lumber. She is owned by T. G. Lester.
The barge "Boscobel" is to receive new deck frames and part new railing, and the steam barge "Mayflower" will receive consid- erable overhauling before going into service.
ATJAMES DAVIDSON'S YARD
was found a monster steamship on the stocks, the largest craft ever constructed on the Saginaw River, and the largest craft on the lakes, so far as dimensions are concerned, the iron steamship "Onoko" being the only boat that will eclipse her in the way of carrying ca- pacity. The dimensions of this mammoth are as follows:
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