History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan, Part 118

Author: Durant, Samuel W. cn
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Philadelphia : D.W. Ensign & Co.
Number of Pages: 772


USA > Michigan > Eaton County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 118
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 118


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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were the Frost House and the Eaton Rapids Hotel. The Central and Montgomery were opened in 1870, and the Knowles in 1871. In 1870-71 a stock company was formed, with a capital of $100,000, for the purpose of building a large, first-class hotel, and the Vaughan House was erected. It was a fine, sightly building of briek, three stories high, eighty-one by one hundred and thirty-six feet in dimensions, with a basement under the whole, and con- tained 125 rooms. It was located on the northwest corner of Main and Knight Streets, opposite the Frost House, and was opened about the middle of May, 1872, by Messrs. Pantlind & Pickering, former proprietors respectively of the Hibbard House at Jackson and the Burdick IIouse at Kal- amazoo. The Vaughan Hlouse was totally destroyed by fire in 1874, and has not been rebuilt.


The Anderson House, an elegant four-story and base- ment brick hotel, was built in 1874, by W. H. Dodge. The sum of $3000 had been raised by subscription towards its construction by Col. George M. Anderson, a gentleman well known in most parts of the State, and the house was named for him. Col. Anderson is now in the employ of the Grand Trunk Railway Company. The building has a front of fifty-two feet, and is one hundred and forty-three in depth; it is finely furnished, fitted with an elevator, and has balconies on every story. The house has a large custom through the season, and is now managed and owned by Jason Stebbins, of Detroit. Its cost was $65,000. The " Areana Spring," at the Anderson Ilouse, was sunk after the building was erected, and is 192 feet in depth, with a flow greater than most of the others in the place.


David Stirling is the proprietor of a popular and well- patronized bathing establishment and boarding-house for patients. His manner of administering the baths has been secured by letters patent. The flow is so great from this well that baths are supplied direct from it ; they are given both hot and cold. Mr. Stirling ships large quantities of the water to various portions of the country.


Prof. Alexander Winchell, formerly State geologist of Michigan, after a careful examination of the Eaton Rapids mineral waters, gave them very complimentary mention. The following analysis will give an idea of the mineral properties of the water from several of the wells :


Frost Spring .- Analysis by Prof. Samuel P. Duffield, professor of chemistry in the Detroit Medical College. After evaporating a gallon of water from this well, the solid residue was found to consist of 88.22 grains, divided as follows :


Sulphate of lime.


4.64


Carbonate of magnesia


9.11


Carbonate of iron. 2.38


Carbonate of lime. 46.24


Chloride of sodium


9.21


Silicia .. 15.74


Organic matter and loss


.90


88.22


Cubic inches of carbonic acid gas to gallon of water ..


22.22


Vaughan House Spring .- Analysis by Professor R. C. Kedzie, professor of chemistry in the State Agricultural College at Lansing :*


PROTO-CARBONATES.


Per Gallon. 15,97


Solid Residue, in grains, left on evaporating a gallon of water. 90-45


ANALYSIS OF RESIDUE.


Grains.


Salphate of lime.


48.13


Carbonate of lime ..


20.74


Carbonate of magnesia ..


3.84


Carbonate of iron


1.23


Carbonate of soda


11.57


Carbonate of potassa


1.27


Chloride of sodium


90


Silicic acid ..


1.40


Nitrate of ammonia, hydro.


Sulphuric acid ...


Traces


Organic matter and loss


90


Total 90.45


ANALYSIS OF SOLID MATTER.


The alkaline substances reckoned as bicarbonates, in grains :


Sulphate of lime. 48.13


Bicarbonate of lime ...


29,88


Bicarbonate of magnesia


5.85


Bicarbonate of iron 1.70


Bicarbonate of soda ..... 16.31


Bicarbonate of potassa 1.66


Chloride of sodium .90


Silicic acid. 1.40


Nitrate of ammonia.


Trace


Hydro-sulphuric acid


Trace


Organic matter and loss


.37


Total ..


107.20


Mitchell (now Morgan) House Spring .- Analysis also by Professor Kedzie. Alkaline substances reckoned as bicar- bonates :


Cubic inches of carbonic acid gas in gallon ...... 15.36


Grains of solid matter in gallon 93.02


Latter divided as follows :


# These figures are copied from a printed analysis furnished ; they do not correspond, in some things, with the statement at the begin- ning.


Cubic inches of carbonic acid gas.


472


HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICHIGAN.


ANALYSIS OF SOLID MATTER.


Sulphate of lite. 5.16


Bicarbonate of lime.


27.83


Bicarbonate of magnesia 6.88


Bicarbonate of iron.


1.38


Carbonate of potassa.


1.50


Bicarbonate of soda 7.58


Chloride of sodium.


.90


Silicic acid


2.54


Nitrate of ammonia


Trace


Ilydro-sulphurie acid.


Trace


Total solid matter 93.02


TABLE SECOND.


Alkaline substances reckoned as proto-carbonates :


Sulphate of lime.


45.16


Carbonate of lime ..


19.43


Carbonate of magnesia 4,52


Carbonate of iron 1.00


Carbonate of potassa


1.15


Carbonate of soda


5.38


Chloride of sodium


,90


Silieic acid


2.54


Organic matter and loss


.85


Nitrate of ammonia


Trace


Hydro-sulphuric acid ..


Trace


Total solid residue or evaporation, in grains .. 79.23


Stirling Spring .- Analysis by Professor Jackson, State Assayer to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts:


" BOSTON, Oet. 15, 1870.


"One imperial gallon of the water, or ten pounds avoirdupois, evaporated to entire dryness, yields of dry solid matter of a drab color 85.20 grains, which, separated into its constituents, was found to be composed of


" Carbonie acid 2.72


Chlorine.


.20


Sulphurie acid


45.84


Lime ....


22.77


Magnesia 3.20


Soda, grains 5.59


Peroxide of iron (or carbonate of iron), grains .. 2.80


Volatile matter and loss


2.08


85.20


"These constituents are undoubtedly combined as follows, in ae- cordance with the laws of solidity in an aqueous solution, and of atomie proportions of acids to the bases :


" Sulphate of lime. 55,20


Sulphate of soda ... 12.59


Sulphate of magnesia. 9.40


Carbonate of soda


Chloride of sodium 5.21


Carbonate of iron .. 2.80


" A water of this combination is decidedly an active medical agent, having alterative and aperient qualities, useful in many forms of dis- eases, as will be perceived by all physicians who examino this an- alysis.


" Respectfully, your obedient servant, " C. T. JACKSON, M.D."


The faet cannot be disputed that the waters from these various springs have been of vast benefit to hundreds of persons. To the taste they are very pleasant, and any quantity can be taken, on the warmest day, without harm- ful results. There is little doubt that Eaton Rapids must continue to be a place of note so long as its springs con- tinne to yield their health-giving waters. Its excellent water-power and advantages for manufacturing will also be factors in its future prosperity, but its citizens must not be weary in well-doing.


SCHOOLS.


The earliest schools in the township have been men- tioned in the articles from old settlers which are here in- eluded. From the records the following facts are learned :


Distriet No. 1 was formed July 19, 1842, to inelnde the following territory : " Commeneing at the southeast corner of section No. 31, township 2 north, range 3 west ; thence north to the northeast corner section No. 30; thenee east to the northeast corner section No. 28; thenee south on the seetion-line to the east quarter-post of section No. 33; thenee west 240 rods; thenee south 160 rods to the town-line; thenee west to the place of beginning."


District No. 2 was formed at the same date, " commene- ing at the northeast corner of section No. 1; running west on the township-line to the north quarter-post of section No. 3; thenee south to the centre of section No. 21 ; thenee east to the county-line; thence north to the place of be- ginning."


Distriets 5, 6, and 7 were fractional. The following was the apportionment of school-money to the distriets in the township of Eaton Rapids in 1843:


Distriet No. 1, 30 pupils. $31.25


2,14 14.58


5,32


33.33


16 6, 9 "


9.38


"


7, It "


11.46


$100.00


Among the early teachers these names appear :


1844 .- Miss E. Noyes, Miss Jane Gallery, Miss Roxana Skinner. 1845 .- Miss Ursula Ilarris, Miss Emily Russ, Samuel P. Town. 1847 .- Alvira Field, Maryette Beebe.


1848 .- Lucy Towsley, Lydia Reeves, Susan Skinner.


1849 .- Cornelia Walker, Martha Barr, Caroline King, Eunice M. Wright.


1850 .- Maria Crane, Jane Wright, Lydia Fitzgerald, Naney Pierson, C. C. Perrine, Jeannette E. Emerson, Clarinda E. Gilman, Mary M. Miller, George Gallery, Benjamin Darling, Eliza- beth Holcomb, L. A. Stone, Clarissa J. Ford, S. P. Town, B. L. Bentley.


The village of Eaton Rapids was formerly included in " District No. 5 of Eaton and Tyler." The following are items from the old records of the distriet :


" Nov. 4, 1841 .- Hired Henry Frink to teach school four months,-twenty-three dollars per month, amounting to ninety-two dollars." April 13, 1842, voted to have summer school, five and a half months, by female teacher. J. D. Conklin notified to finish school-house, according to contract, or be prosecuted. B. Knight, director; J. M. Collins, moderator. In the summer of the year last named Harriet Dixon taught fifteen weeks, at one dollar and a half per week. Sept. 30, 1842, the Eaton Rapids portion of the distriet contained thirty-two school-children, and the Tyler portion twenty-five. The school-house was repaired in the fall of that year. Nov. 21, 1842, Bird Norton was hired to teach the school four months, at fifteen dollars a month and board. May 8, 1843, Eliza Goodspeed was hired to teach five months, at eleven shillings a week. Other early teachers were: winter of 1843-44, A. N. De Witt; 1844, Luther S. Noyes, Roxana Skinner; 1845, L. S. Noyes, Elizabeth D. Noyes; winter, 1845-46, Samnel P. Town ; summer 1846, Cynthia B. Taylor ; winter 1846-47, Daniel Pahner ; summer 1847, Roxana Skinner.


By 1850-53 the number of pupils had so increased that it became necessary to provide extra room, and the Meth- odist and Congregational churches were used. The subjeet of building a new school-house was agitated in 1852, but


473


EATON RAPIDS.


it was not until the next year that a decisive step was taken in that direction. Sept. 26, 1853, at the annual school- meeting, a motion to raise $2500 to build a new school- house was carried by a vote of thirty to twenty, and on the 11th of March, 1854, the contract for building it was let to Joshua Slayton, for $2500, with $315 allowed for extras. The material used was brick. The directors of the distriet at the time were A. Hamlin, A. Harwood, William M. Tompkins, and B. F. Bailey.


In 1851 the district was reorganized as Distriet No. 12 of Eaton Rapids, the two towns-Eaton Rapids and Tyler-having been consolidated. It is now known as Fractional District No. 12 of Eaton Rapids and Hamlin. In 1857 the number of children in the district between the ages of four and eighteen years was 189.


At the annual meeting held Sept. 5, 1870, it was voted to raise $25,000, the sum of $20,000 to be expended in building a new school-house on the grounds belonging to the district (blocks 9 and 10, original village plat), and $2000 to be expended in building an auxiliary school- house on lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, block 7, MeIntosh & Frost's addition. Both buildings were ereeted in 1871, briek be- ing the material used in their construction. The central building is three stories high, and will accommodate about 450 pupils ; the ward building is a single story in height, and has accommodations for about fifty pupils. The teachers employed in 1880 are : Principal, Orr Schurtz; Preceptress, Nettie Hosler ; First Grammar Department, Sarah Gannon ; Second Grammar, Nina Van Buskirk ; First Primary, Clara Rogers ; Second Primary, Celestia Leonard; Ward School, Emma Gallery. Mr. Schurtz is a graduate of the Michigan University, and previously taught at Dansville, Ingham Co. The school board for 1879-80 is composed of the following persons, viz. : John M. Corbin, Moderator; K. Kittredge, Director; A. C. Dutton, Assessor ; Dr. S. M. Wilkins, T. W. Daniels, E. Dunbar (time of last two expires in July, 1880).


The report of the school inspectors for the year ending Sept. 1, 1879, presents the following items regarding the schools of the township :


Number of districts (whole, 8; fractional, 1) 9


" of school-children in township


828


4€ in attendance during year 714


of days school taught. 1404


66 of school-houses (brick, 3; frame, 7)


of seatings in same .. 958


Value of school property $36,250.00 Number of teachers (males, 5; females, 20) 25 Wages paid same (males, $1140; females, $2342.50). $3482.50


Total resources for year 7373.44


Amount on hand Sept. 1, 1879 .. 293.04


Total expenditures, less amount on hand.


7080.40


RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.


First Congregational Church, Eaton Rapids .- This church was organized July 13, 1843, and on the 25th of October, following, a " meeting of the friends of religion" was held at the house of J. W. Smith, at Eaton Rapids, for the purpose of organizing a religious society. Rev. J. W. Smith was called to the chair, and David Bradford was chosen secretary, while David Barr and David B. Bradford were chosen to receive votes. Thomas Jewett, David B. Bradford, and David Barr were chosen trustees for one, 60


two, and three years, respectively, and it was resolved that the society be called the " First Congregational Society of Eaton Rapids." The original membership of the church was seventeen. A frame church was finally begun, but was not finished until the spring of 1855. It continued to do service until 1877, when it was burned. The foundation of the present fine briek edifice was laid the same year. Rev. R. C. Bedford, the pastor at the time, labored earn- estly in the matter of building, and to him great eredit is due for its construction and for its style and appointment. It was completed and dedicated early in 1879, with five cents left in the treasury, and the society free from debt .* The pastors of this church since its organization have been Revs. Joseph W. Smith, Moses H. Smith, John S. Kidder, John R. Stevenson, N. D. Glidden, R. Hovenden, J. S. Edwards, Hiram S. Hamilton, P. R. Hurd, R. C. Bedford, -who left in October, 1879, and is now at Rockton, Ill., -and the present pastor, Rev. D. Payson Beebe, who has been in charge since May, 1880. The membership of the church, July 8, 1880, was 100. The Sunday-school has an average attendance of 80 to 100; K. Kittredge, super- intendent.


The church building occupies a prominent location on Main Street, and is a source of pride to the society and to the citizens of the village.


Methodist Episcopal Church, Eaton Rapids .- Rev. David Knox, preacher in charge of Eaton Circuit in 1843, appointed as trustees of the " First Methodist Episcopal Church of Eaton Rapids, in said Eaton Circuit," Tyler Blodgett, Andrew De Witt, Luther S. Noyes, Ira Turney, Luther Blodgett, John Montgomery, Pierpont E. Spieer, Benjamin Knight, Chauncey Butler. Meetings were first held by the Methodists in the "old red school-house," which is now used by Daniel Gould for a barn. A frame church was commenced not long after the organization, but was not completed until 1855. It is still in use, although the material is on the ground for a new building, to cost, ready for seating, $8000. The membership of this church in July, 1880, was about 275. Rev. James Hamilton is the pastor, succeeding Rev. J. S. Waruer. A Sunday- school is maintained, with a large attendance; W. D. Brainerd is its superintendent.


Baptist Church, Euton Rapids .- The records of this church state that "at an informal meeting held at the house of Brother Henry R. Jeffries, in Eaton Rapids, on the 25th day of January, 1845, several brothers and sisters were present holding letters from various Baptist Churches, and after mutual consultation it was agreed to hold a meet- ing on the 22d of February to consider the propriety of organizing a Baptist Church in this place." The meeting was held pursuant to appointment, and the following per- sons who were present formed themselves iuto a church known as the " First Baptist Church in Eaton Rapids," and adopted articles of faith and church government : Cal- vin Race, Ann Race, Henry R. Jeffries, Mary L. Jeffries, Timothy Wheeler, Asenath Wheeler, Ann Arnold, Samuel Ferris. A council convened April 17, 1845, consisting of delegates from churches at Springport, Aurelius, and


# The cost of this church was between $4000 and $5000.


474


HISTORY OF EATON COUNTY, MICIIIGAN.


Vevay, and constituted the church. The first preaching was by Bishop J. C. Post, who was succeeded by Elder Hill. In November, 1848, Elder John Tampkin took charge. lle was granted letters of dismission Dee. 21, 1850, and was succeeded in October, 1852, by Rev. J. C. Covey. Nov. 26, 1853, it was voted to settle Rev. Charles Clutz as pastor, and he was received into the church by letter April 29, 1854. During 1856 the pulpit was supplied by various persons. A call was extended to Rev. D. Davis in June, 1857, but Rev. David Hendee was settled instead, relieving him in February, 1858. Rev. H. G. Mosher commenced his labors with this church May 3, 1858, and continued as pastor several years. His death occurred in October, 1869. Rev. J. G. Portman was engaged as pastor Jan. 10, 1867, and resigned in the fall of 1868. He was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Rees, who was ordained March 17, 1869, and resigned Oet. 30, 1870.


Rev. James Mallery was settled in February, 1871, and was succeeded in 1872 by Rev. P. Van Winkle, who resigned in July, 1876. The present pastor, Rev. J. M. Titterington, took charge Jan. 1, 1877. He preaches also in three " out-stations."


The first building occupied as a meeting-house by the Baptists is now the upright part of the dwelling occupied by Dr. S. M. Wilkins. The present frame church was built in 1859; extensive repairs were made upon it in 1878. The present membership of the church (July, 1880) is 210. The Sunday-school was also organized in 1845, and in June, 1879, had a membership of 224, with an average attendance of 150, and 400 volumes in the library. The present superintendent is Scott Rorabeck.


There are also small congregations of Adventists and Episcopalians. The pastor of the former is Rev. Mr. Lewis. The latter is practically disbanded.


BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.


N. WOOD.


NELSON WOOD.


Nelson Wood comes of patriotic stock, his grandfather having been a soldier in the war of the Revolution, and his father, Job R., in the war of 1812. Job was a Green Mountain boy, and Nelson's mother, Mary Wood, was also a native of Vermont, though both families having removed to New York, their marriage occurred in that State, where Nelson was born, June 28, 1819, in Richmond township, Ontario Co. His mother having died when Nelson was about two years old, the father in the course of a couple of years married again, keeping his family together. Nel- son, after the common manner of farmers' boys, attend- ing district school, and assisting on the farm, passed the years away until nineteen, when the family removed to Michigan, settling down in the wilderness. Only six fam- ilies were then living in Eaton Rapids, and three between their home and Charlotte. This was in 1838. In 1842 his father died, and on Sept. 17, 1843, Nelson married Miss Julia, daughter of Moses and Anna (Fassett) Piper, the


MRS. N. WOOD.


former being a native of Massachusetts, and the latter of New Hampshire, where she married Mr. Piper. They were farmers, and the parents of six children, Mrs. Wood being the third, and born in Vermont, Feb. 20, 1821. This family also eame to Michigan in 1838, where the mother died in 1843, and the father in 1847, Mrs. Wood and two brothers and two sisters surviving.


Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Wood are the parents of the fol- lowing children : Marshall, born Oet. 23, 1845; Mary Ann, born Aug. 18, 1848; Sebra, born March 25, 1852; Julia M., born July 16, 1856; and Agnes A., born Nov. 13, 1860. Mr. Wood has always followed farming, and is now the possessor of a fine farm of one hundred and twenty aeres, though a wilderness when first occupied by him.


Politically, he acts with the Republican party, though he is not what is termed an active politician nor an office-seeker. Flis religious views are liberal. In the schools of his town he takes great interest, advocating every measure looking towards their advancement.


-


BENJ. F. MILLS.


MRS. BENJ. F. MILLS.


RESIDENCE OF THE LATE B. F. MILLS . EATON RAPIDS, MICH.


475


HAMLIN.


B. FRANKLIN MILLS.


Stephen Mills was a native of Massachusetts. He moved when a young man to the State of Vermont, where he mar- ried Miss Mary Jenne, a native of that State. To them were born two sons, of whom B. Franklin was the younger, born March 20, 1813. When a lad of ten his parents re- moved to New York, where they remained until the fall of 1837, B. F. being then twenty-four years old, when they all emigrated to Michigan, and settled in what was then called Tyler township, now Hamlin. In 1842 Franklin made his first purchase of land, consisting of eighty acres. This is their present home, a view of which is given upon another page. Up to 1844 he made his home with his parents, working out some of the time and clearing and improving his own land. Feb. 5, 1844, he married Miss Lois Piper, of Hancock township, who was also a native of Vermont. Her parents were early settlers in this county, coming here in September, 1838. After their marriage they commenced keeping house in a small log house erected upon the land which Benjamin had purchased. Mr. and Mrs. Mills were the parents of seven children, viz .: Stephen A., born April 3, 1845 ; James A., born April II, 1847 ; Lois L., born April 17, 1849; Alonzo J., born Aug. 16, 1851; Mary L., born April 3, 1853, died June 4, 1858; Benjamin F., born Nov. 8, 1858; and Anna M., born April 16, 1861.


The father of Mr. Mills died in March, 1848, and his


mother March 20, 1862. During their last years they re- sided with Franklin, his mother living with him some four- teen years. ITis only brother, Ezra, resides in Ohio. Of the father and mother of Mrs. Mills, both died in Michi- gan also, Mrs. Piper Jan. 3, 1844, and Moses Piper in December, 1847.


Mr. Mills was a successful farmer, adding to his original purchase until, at the time of his death, which occurred Feb. 1, 1880, he owned one hundred and sixty acres of fine farm- ing land in good condition. He always carried on the farm until his death, since which time the youngest son has taken charge, with Mrs. Mills and the youngest daughter occupying the homestead, three of the other children being married and settled ncar them.


Mr. Mills was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and steward at the time of his death. Mrs. Mills and every other member of the family are also mem- bers of that church. Mr. Mills was also a strict advocate of temperance, and though, like most men of his day, pos- sessed of only a common school education, was a great reader, and interested and versed in all the leading ques- tions of the day. Ile was an active member of the Repub- lican party, a respected citizen, and a thoroughly self-made man. Commencing with empty hands, at the time of his decease he possessed a fine farm, well stocked, and con- siderable personal property. IIis mission filled, he sleeps the sleep of the just.


HAMLIN.


NATURAL FEATURES.


GEOGRAPHY, TOPOGRAPHY, WATER-COURSES, ETC.


THE township of Hamlin lies in the southeast corner of Eaton County, and is bounded west by Brookfield, north by Eaton Rapids, east by Ingham County, and south by Jackson County. The south boundary of the township was surveyed in 1824, by Joseph Wampler ; the east, north, and west boundaries in 1824-25, by John Mullett; and the subdivisions by Hervey Parke, of Pontiac, in 1826. Mr. Mullett was a prominent surveyor, and was employed in several of the Western States.


The surface of this township is considerably diversified, and there are found hill, plain, ravine, and swamp, while that portion devoted to agriculture possesses a generally excellent soil, which yields a large return for the labors of the husbandman. Grand River flows in a northwesterly direction across the northeast corner of the town, and unites at the village of Eaton Rapids with Spring Brook, which has come in a general northern direction, draining several swamps and marsbes. Both streams furnish good power, and a petition of James H. Sprague to build a dam across Grand River, on the northeast fractional quarter of section 1, was granted by the board of supervisors, Oct. 15, 1861.


The power has been improved at Spicerville and Eaton Rapids.


LAND ENTRIES.


The following is a list of land entries in town I north, range 3 west, now constituting the township of Hamlin :


Section 1 .- 1835, R. Perrine, J. Montgomery ; 1836, Cooper & Co., Daniel Coleman, Oliver Johnson.


Section 2 .- 1835, R. Montgomery ; 1836, Cooper & Co., J. Ford, J. Shepard, Coleman & Johnson.


Section 3 .- 1835, A. Spicer ; 1836, J. Ford, Coleman & Johnson.


Section 4 .- 1836, Coleman & Johnson, E. S. Coats, William Briggs, J. and G. H. Allen, J. Brown, C. S. Palmer.


Section 5 .- 1836, A. Spicer, J. R. Grosvenor, J. C. Bailey, A. F. Fitch ; 1837, C. Teft.


Section 6 .- 1836, B. Knight, D. Bateman, G. B. Cooper, S. Hamlin ; 1837, W. Frink ; 1852, M. Gilman; 1858, James R. Haines.




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