USA > Michigan > Bay County > History of Bay County, Michigan, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 64
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Dark gray slate. 33
Light slate 3
Fire-clay. 43
Gray slate
3
Black slate.
7
Fire-clay
5
Black slate.
41
Coal.
Fire clay.
Light shale
83
Black slate
Light gray slate
3
Black slate 13
Light slate.
6
and below this something which is supposed to be lead.
From the filings drawn up from this last vein bullets were made, and there was every indication that it was really lead. Aside from this it is a fact well known that the Indians, years ago, brought large quantities of lead into town, but always persistently refused to tell where they procured it, although various expedients were adopted and untiring efforts made to gain possession of the desired informa- tion.
The slate discovered was of various degrees of hardness, rang- ing from the very hard, such as is used for billiard tables, roofing, etc., to the very soft, used for slate pencils, etc.
Finding only six inches of coal in the first hole sunk, the ma- chinery was moved to another part of the field and again boring was commenced. After shifting about several times, the operators, on March 30th, struck a vein of coal only eleven feet below the surface. Continuing the boring, the vein was found to be two and one-half feet in thickness. Below it five feet of slate was found, and . after this, another vein of coal five feet in thickness. Not satisfied with this, the machinery was moved further down the stream to a point
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
221
where the south bank is in the shape of three shelves, a few hundred feet apart, from the brow of the bluff almost to the water's edge. At the base of the last of these shelves, and about fifty feet from the bank of the river, the boring was again resumed, and on April 12th a vein of seven feet was found. This latter vein was nineteen feet below the surface-there being above the vein ten feet of clay and nine of slate. Below the vein there existed six inches of prickings, the presence of which was calculated to be worth more than an ad- ditional foot of coal, because in mining the coal the workmen easily remove the prickings with a pick, and break the coal down into the cavity, thus saving the expense of blasting.
After striking this vein the company decided to organize a stock company and commence mining. A general desire being expressed to see the coal, they resolved to sink a shaft at once, and this they did. The shaft was twelve feet square, sided up, and was entered by means of a bucket. Having gone five and one-half feet into the coal the company, May 13, 1875, procured a special train and invited the public to visit the fields. This opportunity about ninety people availed themselves of.
The excursion and result of observations made were described at the time as follows :- "The excursion left Bay City a little before 8 and arrived at Deep River at 9:15. There were ninety passengers, half of whom found teams there and the balance at Sterling. The former place, however, affords the best facilities and will be the town in that section, for the reason that it is a trifle nearer the mine than Sterling, while it is twenty minutes ride nearer Bay City. It also has superior hotel accommodations to its rival. The roads from Sterling and Deep River may be termed a "Y" Sterling being at the upper arm, Deep River at the lower, and the mine at the base. The distance from Sterling to the point where the road inter- sects the one from Deep River is one and three-fourths mile, while from Deep River it is one and one-half. For this distance the roads are in bad condition but beyond this, three and one-half miles to the fields, the road is good. The bad portion of the Deep River road is to be repaired, however, and soon excursionists will not be obliged to undergo such a jolting as they experienced to-day.
From Deep River to the mine. The soil here, is a sandy loam resting on clay, underneath which is sand. It is productive, as the beech, maple and oak would indicate. Unfailing wells of pure spring water are found at a depth of twelve to fifteen feet, all of which, added to the salubrity of the situation, renders the town a very de- sirable place of residence. Proceeding to the coal region, we. pass through large tracts of pine, chiefly Norway; the soil grows lighter until it almost disappears in an extensive sandy tract on which even huckleberry bushes with difficulty grow. All the way the sur- face is nearly level, with here and there slight undulations.
In estimating the value of the coal fields, suppose we take six feet for the basis of our estimate, and we find a yield of 9,680 tons to the acre, and 5,995,200 tons to the square mile, reckoning one ton to the cubic yard. If the company realize 50 cents profit per ton the net income per acre will be $4,840 and $2,097,600 to the square mile. The company have nearly 3,000 acres. In this esti- mate we have taken six feet for the depth of the coal, although over seven and one-half feet is the actual depth at the place of measure- ment. Whether this will hold out over the whole surface of course can only be determined by further developments, but from present indications the yield is as likely to exceed as to fall short of this es- timate. The vein evidently extends back under the bluff through the entire region, and as it extends back from the river rises slightly toward the surface. This will enable the miners to work without difficulty, as the water will run down to the shaft, when it can be pumped out into the river by the engine which will be stationed there to hoist the coal.
Testing the coal. A skeptical contemporary asks why the coal has not been tested. In reply we will state that it has. It has been tried in grates and burned splendidly, the length of time which it has been out of the ground making no difference with its excellence. Again, it has been tried in forges, and here it keeps up its excellent reputation. The writer of this saw some samples tested in the forge at A. Stevens & Co's blacksmith shop at Deep River, and can state that every particle of it was consumed, making very little smoke and causing a fine, white heat. The blacksmith there, who was skeptical at first, after using it for some time pronounces it of a very superior quality.
And now the public will probably desire to know what the com- pany will do next. We will answer this conundrum by quoting the following from the statement of all articles of association and amendments filed in the office of secretary of state from April 27th to May 8th.
April 27 .- Eureka Coal Company, $250,000; paid in, $62,500; Bay City.
They will complete the organization of the company, retaining for themselves a half interest, and disposing of the remaining one- half in shares of $25 each. Fifty per cent will be paid in first to pay for the land, and 5 to 10 per cent more, which will he sufficient for working capital. There will be no difficulty in completing the or- ganization, as applications for interests have been made by the hun- dreds, including men from Ohio, New York and other states.
In this connection we may allude to the fact that the railroad lines of Michigan are already looking toward the Rifle River fields as the place where they can in the future secure their coal-not only because it is nearer home, but because they will not be required to transfer it over roads antagonistic to them.
J. F. Joy, of the M. C. R. R., is greatly interested. It will prove a "big thing" for the Central, as a saving of 50 per cent on all coal used by them will be effected, the company not being obliged to transfer it over any road but their own.
Mr. Joy has agreed to build a branch road to the mine within sixty days after it is placed in operation. Of course it is to his ad- vantage to do so, as well as for the benefit of the coal company.
Mrs. Dennis, wife of the host of the Deep River House, has the honor to be the one who took from the shaft the first piece of coal. In future years this will be something of which Mrs. D. can boast with pride."
Messrs. Stevens & Graham also sunk a shaft at their mill at Deep River, and found coal. A vein was also struck at Standish.
The coal fever ran high. The news traveled rapidly abroad that coal had been discovered in Bay County, and glorious predictions were made for the future of this favored region, with prodigal liberality. The people of the county felt themselves growing rich collectively and individually, and the Rifle River region found itself suddenly famous. Nor were these bright expectations groundless; that there was coal was unquestioned. Scientific men had visited the region, and viewed specimens of the ore through their spectacles, and pronounced the existence of coal in considerable quantities a certainty. Several car loads were shipped to Bay City and other places to be tested, and it was pronounced to be of superior quality.
Then came the important part of the enterprise; that of making it pay. There were several reasons why nothing further was done. It was supposed at the time that facilities for transportation would be immediately furnished, but circumstances occurred which defeated all the contemplated arrangements, and none could be effected that the company felt warranted in undertaking. Again, none of those interested had any practical knowledge of mining, and the enterprise finally became dormant. In sinking the shafts the flow of water was found to be a hindrance which had to be overcome by pumping.
222
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
But whatever may have been the reason the enterprise was virtually abandoned, and the coal beds of the Rifle River region still consti- tute a portion of the undeveloped resources of Bay County.
RIVERS AND LAKES.
In the south part of the county are the Saginaw and Kawkaw- lin Rivers, two historic and important streams. In the north are the Pine, Rifle and Au Gres, all of which are important logging streams. There is but one lake in the county, and that maintains a solitary existence in the townships of Au Gres and Arenac. This unromantic body of water is known by the suggestive name of Duck Lake.
BAY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The first steps toward a county fair association were taken in 1865. On the evening of August 26th, of that year, a meeting was held at the Wolverton House, in Bay City, for the purpose of effecting an organization. At this meeting committees were ap- pointed to draft articles of association and arrange other prelimi- naries.
The next meeting was held at the court house, September 2d, at which a constitution was adopted and the following officers elected :- President, Judge Birney; vice-presidents, R. P. Essex, Hampton; D. Jones, Williams; John Grant, Arenac; N. Merritt, Portsmouth; E. D. Blend, Bangor; Col. Raymond, First Ward, Bay City; J. R. Thomas, Second Ward; Israel Catlin, Third Ward; secretary, John Culbert; treasurer, E. B. Denison; Executive Com- mittee, J. F. Willey, C. Scheurmann, C. F. Corbin, A. E. McClain, R. J. Campbell, G. H. Van Etten.
It was resolved that the society hold a fair about the 1st of October, and the executive committee were instructed to make arrangements for the same, and report at next meeting.
At this time there were but few farmers in the county to sus- tain such an enterprise, but the business men came to the front, and the first fair was a creditable success.
In 1867-'68, B. F. Partridge was chosen chairman by the society, and two more successful fairs were held, proving that the farmers as well as others were progressing and progressive.
At the annual meeting in January, 1878, the president, Hon. Isaac Marston, made a lengthy report upon the condition and in- terest of the society, and with reference to the situation at the beginning of 1877, said:
"At this time the society had no grounds or buildings, having before then given one-half the receipts for the use of the grounds and buildings owned by private individuals. The new board at once determined, if possible, to infuse new life and vigor into the society and to hold a fair at the proper time, and considering the rent demanded unreasonable, and that more interest would be taken in the success of the society if it should rent or purchase grounds and erect suitable buildings thereon, it was deemed best to make some efforts in that direction-while the importance of the society owning the grounds was conceded. Yet to purchase land upon credit, might be to over-burden the society at the outset and thus impair its usefulness. It was on the whole deemed best to rent grounds and accordingly, five acres, just outside the corporate limits of Bay City and fronting upon a plank road were leased from the Bay County Driving Park Association together with the sole right to the use of the track, building and grounds of the Driving Park Association during the week for holding the County Fair in each year. The lands and privileges were leased for a period of five years with the privilege of renewal, or the right to purchase the grounds at any time during the continuance of the lease or re-
newal. The treasurer reported that there was a balance held over from 1871, with interest thereon amounting to $842.26. This, of course, would fall far short in the purchase of materials and erec- tion of buildings; if, however, the greater part of the materials could be procured in the shape of donations to the society, the amount of money on hand would go far toward purchasing the balance of the materials and paying the labor of erecting, painting and fitting them up for exhibition purposes.
Our lumber manufacturers and hardware merchants were therefore called upon, and the wants and desires of the society made known, and so prompt and cheerful was the response that suitable buildings, permanent in their character, were erected, painted and completed in time for the exhibition in September. The building and improvements made at a low estimate are worth fully $5,000, and I doubt if any county society in the state can show buildings more tasty in appearance, or better adapted to the wants of an agricultural society for exhibition purposes. In this connection it might be as well to say that at the time of their erection it was supposed that altogether too much room was being provided, and that less space, fully occupied would have been better. Yet it was soon found that with the exceptions of stables for horses and pens for sheep, every available inch would be occu- pied, and the fact actually was that every other department was over- crowded, and that application for space made by our merchants had to be largely reduced, some not being able to obtain any, owing to delay in making application.
Since that time the society has prospered, and in 1879 the county purchased the grounds where the race track and buildings had been provided at great expense. The society now has beautiful grounds, spacious buildings, and everything for future use.
The officers, directors and superintendents for 1882 were as follows :
OFFICERS.
President, B. F. Partridge; treasurer, Curtis Munger; secre- tary, E. T. Bennett.
DIRECTORS.
John Lineberger, Charles Fisher, William Maxon, R. P. Gustin, Nelson Merritt, J. F. Romer, Charles Brunner, S. A. Van Dusen, S. R. Presley.
SUPERINTENDENTS.
General superintendent, Pres. Partridge; Art and Music Hall, G. E. Van Syckle; agricultural hall, Nelson Merritt; dairy and household products, L. L. Culver; fruits, G. Fred Lewis; agricul- tural implements, William Gaffney; hardware and machinery, William Gaffney; vegetables, John Jones; grain, Charles Fisher; cattle, Isaac Marston; sheep, swine and poultry, R. P. Gustin; horses, Joseph Seligman; game, S. A. Van Dusen; Marshal, Capt. William Simmons.
BAY COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY.
This society probably had an existence prior to 1865, but there are no records of proceedings back of that time. In 1865 a re-or- ganization took place, and J. M. Miller was elected president, J. L. Dolsen, secretary, and J. L. Monroe, treasurer. Since that time the society has been in a fairly prosperous condition, and its work has progressed. At the last annual meeting held in Bay City, in January, 1883, the secretary, T. F. Shepard, made a report from which we extract the following:
"The last annual meeting of the Bay County Bible Society was held in the Congregational Church in Bay City, on the evening of June 20, 1881. At that time the constitution of the society was so amended that the annual meeting should be held on the
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BRADDOCK & BATEMAN
OFFICE.I
PARAMOUNT.
CIGAR MANUFAFLORA
PARAMOUNT-CIGAR - MANUFACTORY, BAY CITY. BRADDOCK & BATEMAN_PROP'S.
ICE HOUSE.
WHOLE FRESH & SALT FISH
-W.A.BECK DREDGE
W.A.B. & Co
EM MA
W. A. BEEBE & CO. CATCHERS AND WHOLESALE DEALERS IN FRESH AND SALT FISH, ALSO OWNERS OF STEAM DREDGE: EAST SAGINAW Nº 1. BAY CITY, MICH.
HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
227
In 1876 a local writer reviewed the fishing operations at Alpena as follows:
"Fishing is carried on by means of trap nets and gill nets. The trap net grounds are inside the bay, the best places being Campbell's fishery, Plough's fishery and Sulphur Island. The gill net grounds lie off the coast a distance of from five to ten miles. The number of rigs employed in fishing varies every year, but they number, generally, about ten trap nets and ten or twelve gill net rigs. The yearly catch will average between four and five thou- sand barrels, worth, at least, $30,000. Lately, a large business has sprung up in the fresh fish line, the fish being packed in ice in Alpena, and then shipped to various points below. The most con- venient sites for the gill net boats are on North Point, Sugar Island and Gull Island. The best fishing season is during the Fall, when the fish come on the various reefs to spawn, but the reckless catching at such times has sensibly diminished the number of fish. The principal fish sought after are white fish and trout. In addition to those are pickerel, bass, sturgeon, herring, suckers and a number of other varieties.
At the present time, this industry is extensively carried on at Thunder Bay, giving employment to a large number of men, and constituting a very important branch of business. A United States hatchery has recently been established at Alpena.
The amount of fish caught in this vicinity during the season of 1882 was as follows:
POUNDS.
By sail boats
420,000
By trap nets
560,000
By fish tugs
690 000
Total caught at Alpena. 1,670,000 Amount brought from Duck Island, Ontario. 262,000 Total amount shipped from Alpena .. . . . 1,932,000
The greater part of the fish that was caught was packed in ice and shipped fresh to Detroit and other markets.
In April, 1882, the Bay City Tribune reviewed the fishing inter- est at and around Bay City as follows:
"Among the many business pursuits followed in the Saginaw Valley, especially at and around Bay City, that of fishing may be designated as being one of the foremost as regards extent and im- portance. But little notice is taken by the general public of the vastness of the business, and but a few would hardly realize its greatness were it not for the newspapers which occasionally allude to the large hauls, extensive shipments, etc.
The best grounds for Spring fishing are on the east and west shores of the Saginaw Bay, extending from the mouth of the river to about twenty miles north on either side. On these grounds are employed at least 450 nets, 400 to 500 men, and from seventy-five to 100 sail boats or fishing smacks, as they are termed down East. The boats are constantly on the move, bringing their slimy cargoes to the Bay Cities for packing and shipment. The fish, "all alive," are transferred from the boats to the different wharves along the river, principally toward the mouth, where buyers are stationed eagerly awaiting the arrival of "fresh" loads. Enormous quantities of fish have been taken this Spring, the number of tons aggregating forty, fifty and sixty tons a day, the latter amount having been caught on April 7th. Since that date the catch has gradually lessened, on account of the stormy weather which has kept the bay in an unceasing splash and turmoil. Pickerel are the fish caught this Spring, though there is a sprinkling of perch, dog-fish, cat-fish, bull- heads and the like, noticeable in every load brought to the city. The former fish come into the bay about April 1st, looking for some quiet and placid sheet of water in which to spawn, and it is when they are on nature's mission that they are entrapped. It would seem that there
should be some law to protect the innocents, and thus prevent an impending extermination of these fish from Saginaw waters, but a fisherman of sixteen years experience informs a Tribune reporter that such a law is unnecessary. Says he: "I tell you what it is, these pickerel are increasing every year a hundred fold, and we are catching more and more every season. A few years ago I thought we would soon clean out the fish entirely, but now there are more than ever. There are ten to every one we catch, which succeed in spawning, and one of their litters, when full grown, would fill a net, so you can see how fast they increase." Sturgeon and white fish, like pickerel, have their seasons. Sturgeon will be caught in large num bers on the east shore and around Charity Island, in about two weeks. Their spawn is given to an old German who, by a process of his own, makes it into "caveau" or apple butter as the boys call it, for shipment to Germany, where it is regarded as a very palat- able dish when properly prepared. White fish, in the Fall, are caught in paying quantities, and brought here for packing and shipping.
'"The season thus far has been a very successful one, and having opened so early, a number of fishermen have been led to be- lieve that it will not last long. In years past it extended to July, the last fish of 1881 being purchased in that month. There are those, however, who expect the fish season will last for some time yet, if not running along to July.
"The buyers are about the same as last year. George Giddey, who has this year branched out for himself, still occupies the Red House at Banks, and has met with good success. Shepherd & Mc- Donnell, Riker & Kilbourn, W. A. Beebe & Co., Lourim Bros., C. W. Gauthier, George Penniman and W. F. Benson, are principal purchasers and shippers. They handle the bulk, if not all the crop.
"The packing process is simple. The fish are laid away in common pine barrels in layers, between them and around the side of the barrels, being layers of ice. As soon as packed, the barrels are brought to the F. & P. M. and D. & B. C. Railroads for ship- ment, no fish in barrels being allowed to remain in Bay City over night. The cities that get the fish are Detroit, Toledo, Cleveland and Cincinnati, the latter having the best market. From these places the fish are shipped throughout the southern country, very few going east.
"The prices are governed solely by the supply of the fish. As the catch increases so do the prices decrease.
"In Banks, or the First Ward of West Bay, are located what are called the "freezers," houses constructed for the purpose of freez- ing fish, at this and warmer seasons of the year, when it is not de- sirable to make shipments, or when there is a big supply and a light demand. Fish are placed in flat, galvanized iron boxes, which are closed by tight fitting covers. These boxes are placed in layers, surrounded by ice and salt, and frozen the same as ice cream, ex- cept that everything remains stationary.
"In Winter, fishing on the Saginaw Bay through the ice, by means of spears, is an occupation followed largely by residents of the two cities, there being at one time a city of 2,500 persons on the congealed liquid, having a store, saloon and business places. Every Winter cannot be depended on, some being far better than others. The past two Winters, owing to the mildness of the weather, no fishing of any great extent has been done."
COUNTY OFFICERS, ETC.
The following shows the several incumbents of county offices from the time of the organization of the county to the present year:
OFFICES.
1857. - Clerk, Elijah S. Catlin; Prosecuting Attorney, C. H. Freeman; Register of Deeds, T. M. Bligh; Sheriff, Nathan Simons;
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HISTORY OF BAY COUNTY.
1
Treasurer, James Watson; Judge of Probate, S. S. Campbell; Cir- cuit Court Commissioner, S. P. Wright; Surveyor, J. J. Mc- Cormick.
1858 .- Clerk, Thomas W. Lyon; Prosecuting Attorney, James Birney; Register of Deeds, T. M. Bligh; Sheriff, N. Whittemore; Treasurer, James Watson; Judge of Probate, S. S. Campbell; Cir- cuit Court Commissioner, W. L. Sherman; Surveyor. T. W. Watkins.
1860 .- Clerk, S. W. Saylor; Prosecuting Attorney, T. C. Grier, Register of Deeds, F. A. Martin; Sheriff, J. S. Barclay; Treasurer, James Watson; Judge of Probate, S. S. Campbell; Circuit Court Commissioner, T. C. Grier; Surveyor, B. F. Partridge.
1862 .- Clerk, N. Whittemore; Prosecuting Attorney, L. Beck- with; Register of Deeds, Aug. Kaiser; Sheriff, R. H. Weidman; Treasurer, A. S. Munger; Judge of Probate, S. S. Campbell; Cir- cuit Court Commissioner, A. McDonell; Surveyor, B. W. Seeley.
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