USA > Michigan > Eaton County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 35
USA > Michigan > Ingham County > History of Ingham and Eaton counties, Michigan > Part 35
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The improvements in progress in 1880 are quite im- portant, including the erection of several business houses, a large addition to the agricultural works, and the erection of a considerable number of dwellings in various parts of the city.
HEAVIEST TAXPAYERS IN LANSING .*
The following table, compiled from the books of City Assessor Moore, shows the valuation for purposes of laxa- tion in 1880 of the property held iu Lansing by various persons, firms, and corporations. No amounts under $4000 are included in the table, and the amounts are supposed to represent the cash value of the property assessed :
Angell, Eugene.
$7,650
Eichele, Jucob .. $5,250
Avres, P. C ..
8,650
Emery & Forester .. 6,000
Aber, A ..
6,350
Edgar, D. P. 6,000
Amerhine, John
5,000
Foller, Martha A 5,550
Allen, A.
4,800
French, J. M. (estate) ... 12,500
Appleyard, James
16,550
French, J. M., Sr .... 5,000
Alton, Fred.
7,300
Faller, A. D. 4,200
Allen & Hall.
7,500
George, W. S
20,600
Adams & Porter.
8,100
George, W. S., & Co. 19,750
Amos, Mrs. II. M
7,750
Green, Mory E. B .. 5,000
Betts. G. I
6,500
Grove, G. K. 5,500
Back, D. W.
32,100
Glaister, Richard 16,900
Buck, D. W. & M. J
10,000
Gleckman, J.
5,000
Bingham, S. D
6,200
Green, Myron.
5,200
Bement & Sons
12,050
Greene, S. R 4,500
Barnes, O. M.
109,850
Ilurd, D. C.
4,000
Blood, L. C.
6,700
llinchey, J. W
9,650
Beck, S.
14,000
Hart Estate.
34,100
Brisbin. G. S.
12,550
Ilart, A. N
19,000
Berteh, Andrew
7,900
Hodson, M.
13,550
Bosh, J. J ..
24,350
Haze, Wm. II
18,700
Buck & Gillett
23,500
Higgs, J. W
4,700
Bartholomew, I. 11
7,000
Iloll, J. B ..
12,150
Bailey, I .. II.
4,300
Hewitt, Cyros
6,450
Bennett, Eliza J
7,000
Hawes, W. C.
4,000
Brown, G. W
4,000
Iloxford, O.
5,000
Broas, Charles
4,900
Ilinman, Wmn. 8,700
Brown, B. E.
4,600
Holmes, J. C. 6,100
Carmer, W. P
8,000
Isbell, N. G
36,500 48,950 8,750 4,500 14,950
Chapman, Mrs. W. 11.
10,500
Joy, James F.
4,050
Coryell, Susan D.
5,500
Jenison, N. F.
6,000
Cannell & Edmonds.
14,600
Jones, N. B ..
4,000
Crawford, George
7,600
Jolinson, D. B.
7,350
Clark, A., & Co.
7,000
Kent, Thomas
4,500
Carter, L
5,300
Kerr, Mrs. Polly P 7,000 16,000
Crosman, J. A
1,500
Langen backer, A
10,100
Cowles, A. E
9,750
16,850
Cowles, Mrs. F. M
15,600
Lansing Gas Company .. Lansing National Bank. Leidly, Godlop.
14,500 7,900
l'ortrite, It.
5,300
Longyear & Sons.
42,700
Christiancy, I. P
6,000
5,500
Daniels, Smith
8,000
6,500
Dingman, W. R
5,000
10,900
Dart, R. C ..
6,900
Mead, J. I
53,200
Dayton, C. E.
18,980
Miller, J. P.
5,000
Dayton, G. M.
20,900
Marshall, Thomas.
4,500
Dart, Bowen & Co.
12,700
Marrey, G. K.
8,600
Davis & Larned.
6,900
Merrifield, E. R 6,900
Daniela, P. L.
11,500
MoClare, II. B
30,250
Davis Bros.
5,500 4,150
Marks, C. T
4,250
Dart & Merrill
6,000
Merrill, T. Gale.
7,330
Davis, E. 11.
4,100
Мооген, J. 11.
4,450
Elliott, Elvira,
6,100
McCaininon, Mrs. 7,600
Ekstein, Lederer & Co ...
5,000 Marvin, M. P' 6,000
Edgar, Miraodi
4,000
Morgan, HluDry 13,800
Englebart, Phil ..
6,500
Nichols, A. A 9,500
Nash, C. E .. $5,800
Shull & Alsdorf. $8,500
Nagle, John.
4,500
Sparrow, E. W. 6,250
Olds, S. S. 6,459
Oyer. John, Sr.
7,500
Shank, Mrs. II. B. 5,500
Pinckney, Win. H. 7,050
Porter, J. B
4,500
Turner, Mrs. M.
Packard & Packard.
5,000
Turner & Seymour.
6,000 12,980
Peck, Mrs. Sophia
4,000
Tottle, G. R
Troesti, Fred ..
12,500
Robson, John.
5,000
Tenney, J. E., agent.
53,520 8,000
Robson Dros. & Co
8,000
Thoman, Fred.
17,900
Rapleo, W.
9,000
Thayer, Mrs. N. S.
7,950
Rauney, G. E
5,300
Turner, J. M ...
9,550
Rodman, D.
5,500
Turner & Moody.
18,000
Reiff, D. P.
14,050
Terrence, L. A.
4,500
Scofield, S. G
9,500
Uehele, Wm. (estate)
4,000
Sattler, C. L.
6,200
Van llosen, C.
11,800
Shultz & Sattler.
11,000
Wells, Frank
14,000
Shelden, Allen
8,300
Wiley, W. G.
24,370
Saoford, G. P
8,350
Weinmaster, John.
5,750
Shank, II. B
4,100
Woodworth, II. A 6,300
Stebbins, C. B.
9,900
Whitney, E. If
5,500
Simons, B. F
28,700
Whiteley, John.
21,850
Shubel, Fred
6,400
Warner, Mrs. J. E 7,000
Sabin, W. D.
8,000
Wise, A ...
15.000
Smith, Il. H.
25,000
Yeiter & Co.
9,000
From a report of City Engineer Bartholomew, made in April, 1880, and published in the Lansing Republican, the following facts are drawn : Number of streets in the city, 119; number of miles of the same, 70; grading on 46 streets to the extent of 36 miles, at a cost of $157,000. There are 19 permanent monuments in the centre of streets, put down by the city at a cost of $3000. The average amount raised annually during the past five years for keep- ing the streets in repair has been $2800.
Since the spring of 1866 the city has erected ten bridges, seven of iron and three of wood, at a cost vary- ing from $200 to $10,000 each; the whole costing some- thing over $50,000, with an additional expense of $36,000 for approaches, abutments, and piers. Since 1870 eight important culverts have been built from the bridge fund, at an aggregate cost of $3200. The present value of bridges within the city limits is estimated at $80,000, and of cul- veris at $3000.
Since the organization of the city government there has been raised for bridge purposes the sum of $120,000. The number of miles of sidewalks and crosswalks is estimated at forty-five, costing $50,000. Up to the time this esti- mate was made the drainage and sewerage had cost $12,000, to which extensive additions are being made in 1880. At the same date there had been six reservoirs constructed, with a capacity of over 3000 barrels, at a cost of $3500. These are for the use of the fire department.
Recapitulation in tabular form :
Opening and grading streets .. $160,000
Ten bridges, complete ..
80,000
Side and crosswalks (forty-five miles) .. 50,000
Permanent sewers and drains, including ex- penditures of 1880 24,800
Open ditches and minor drains ... 5,000
Five reservoirs (one abandoned). 3,500
Eight bridge culverts. 3,000
Paving of six blocks on Washington Avenue ..
20,000
Merrill, J ..
8,000
Davis, Frank
7,000
Ingersoll, H
Cariner, Parmelee & Co.
8,000
Isbell, G. A
Cudy. Glassbrook & Co .. Chamberlain & Purinclee. Case, D. L ..
4,200
Johnson, Mrs. W
6,000
Jerome, George.
17,850
Johns & Bailey
6,400
Cottrell, A
8,600
Junes, Whitney
17,200
Calkins, N. S.
9,500
Leeland, C. P.
Coleman, M. L
8,500
Lapham & Longstreet ... Lansing Iron-Works ..... Lathrop, F. R
Total $346,300
This does not include bridges, culverts, and other similar constructions made by the various railway companies.
Two very important public improvements are being made the present season, 1880, to wit : the paving of Washing- ton Avenue for a distance of six squares, from Shiawassee Street on the north to Kalamazoo Street on the south, and
" From the Lansing Republican.
Robson Bros.
10,000
Terry, Lorain
Taylor, J. W. 4,700 14,000
Robson, R. S
7,350
Seymoor, II.
6,900
Camp, O. F.
143
CITY OF LANSING.
the construction of large sewers on several of the principal streets. The contract for paving Washington Avenue was let to Gardner & O'Connor, of Lansing, at the round sum of $20,000. The sewerage work is being done by James Hurley and Perry Mathews, of Lansing, at $12,800 for the main sewers and the Lenawee and Michigan Avenue drains. The State is expected to make an appropriation to the amount of $7000 or $8000, in aid of the sewerage system of the city. The main sewer is to run north on Grand Street to a certain distance, then across to Seymour Street farther west, and thence run north to Grand River, below the dam, so as to carry the drainage clear of the settled portions of the corporation. A thorough system of drainage will greatly improve the healthfulness of the place.
The pavement adopted by the council for Washington Avenue is of complex kind. The street is first reduced to a uniform grade and the surface covered with a heavy layer of sand, upon which the pavement is placed without any- thing intervening. A space of thirty feet in the centre of the street is paved with white cedar blocks, of sizes vary- ing from three inches to a foot in diameter, set upon end, and the interstices filled with gravel. The remainder of the street from the wooden pavement to the curb is paved with medium-sized bowlders procured in the country around Lansing. It remains to be seen whether the wooden block pavement will be sufficiently durable to justify the outlay. The distance to be paved is half a mile, and the cost per lineal foot amounts to about seven dollars and fifty-eight cents, including lots and streets bordering and crossing the avenue. Lateral sewers and drains will be laid so as to discharge into the main sewer.
The plan is a good one, and if the whole of that portion of the city lying upon the west bank of the Grand River be eventually drained into the river, at a point below the Seymour Street bridge, it will undoubtedly contribute greatly to the general health of the city.
The expenditures for public purposes, it will be readily seen, have been very large, indicating a disposition which, while it lays somewhat heavy burdens of taxation, evinces an understanding of the needs of the population, and a de- termination to make wise provision for the future.
BRIDGES.
The first bridge erected within the limits of the present city of Lansing was one over Cedar River, on what is now Cedar Street. It was constructed of logs, under the superin- tendence of Joseph E. North, Sr., probably as early as from 1840 to 1842, certainly before the location of the capital at Lansing. It was carried away in the spring of 1852, and replaced by a second one probably in the same year, which remained until 1866, when the covered lattice bridge still standing was built by Smith Tooker, of North Lansing, at a cost of $3250.
The first bridge over the Grand River, before noticed, was erected in Main Street in 1847, by Bush, Thomas & Lee at their own expense. The work was done by George Mathews. . This was destroyed by flood, and about 1856 a second bridge was built on the same site, at the expense of the township, at a cost of about $1400. The contractors were Messrs. Smith Tooker, Capt. J. R. Price, and Capt.
J. J. Jeffries. This was destroyed by an ice flood, and since that time there has been no bridge at this point.
The first bridge at North Lansing was also ereeted in 1847, but the one on Main Street was first completed. The lower bridge was erected at the expense of James Seymour, at a probable eost of $1500. It was a wooden " bent " bridge, and, with considerable repairing, stood until 1867, in which year Smith Tooker removed the last of the old " bents," and erected a covered lattice bridge at a cost of $6200. It was a very superior structure, having a twenty- foot carriage way and six-feet sidewalks on either side, roofed and shingled. It was modeled after one of the Connecticut River bridges. This was carried away by the great flood of 1875, and replaced by the present iron structure in the same year.
The first bridge on Michigan Avenue was also a wooden bent bridge, built at the expense of the State in 1848. One Taylor was the contractor, and the probable cost was $1500. Mr. Tooker was also employed in the work. This stood until 1863, when it was replaced by a lattice bridge, but without a roof. The contractors were David Buructt, of Grand Rapids, and Smith Tooker, of Lansing, and the cost was about $3500.
This structure remained until 1871, when it was succeeded by an iron bridge, which was carried away in 1875, and replaced by the present one.
The first bridge on Washington Avenue was erected in 1857. Messrs. Bush, Thomas, and Lee owned the lots on the north bank of the river at this point, and the avenue terminated at Main Street. The company gave a four rod street through their land (sinee widened to five by the city), and in addition each of the partners gave $300, William Hinman gave $200, and others donated considerable sums towards it. The Board of State Auditors also appropriated $1500, and the work was completed at a total cost of $3000. The contractor was Col. John Berry, of Jackson. It was a wooden bridge. This was replaced in 1873 by the pres- ent iron structure. Iron bridges were also constructed in 1873 at the Mineral Well, and on Shiawassce, Saginaw, and Seymour Streets. Those destroyed by the flood of 1875, as related elsewhere, were replaced in the same year.
GREAT FLOOD IN GRAND RIVER.
On the 1st of April, 1875, there occurred a memorable flood in Grand River which involved great destruction of property in Lansing. The stream spread over all the low bottom lands, and immense quantities of drift-wood min- gled with the ice-jam which swept majestically down the valley, bearing destruction in its course. Some of the streets of the city were navigated in boats, and the scene resembled that often witnessed along the Mississippi and its tributaries.
An immense ice-gorge formed above the city, and there was an accumulation of logs and drift-wood which foreboded disastrous results. About 11 o'clock A.M. this gorge gave way and came with terrific force down the stream. The bridge of the Grand Trunk Railway was the first to feel its effects ; but though considerably damaged it resisted the flood. The iron bridge on Washington Avenue, on account of its elevation, was left uninjured, but the next in order,
141
IIISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
the Mineral Well bridge, was doomed to destruction. Being heavily built of iron, it resisted for a time the immense pressure, but finally succumbed and floated away upon the top of the jain of ice, logs, trees, and other drift-wood. The moment it fell it was apparent that unless it sunk or stranded on the shore the remaining bridges below were doomed. The bridges on Michigan Avenue and Shiawassee and Sag- inaw Streets quickly went down before the rubbish which swept against them, and then followed the wooden structure on Franklin Street at North Lansing, though it resisted the pressure for a half-hour, during which the people anxiously watched the increasing accumulation of rubbish and the rising waters which stood level above the top of the dam. At length the force became too great, and the bridge was lifted bodily and the whole vast mass of debris which had accumulated at that point pushed on resistlessly towards the new bridge on Seymour Street, the last one on the river. This was carried away like straw, and the city was thus in a few hours swept clear of all its bridges on Grand River except oue. The four iron and one wooden bridges were erected at an original cost of nearly $30,000.
During this scene a great crowd of people followed the march of destruction from the Mineral bridge to the lower eud of the city, watching its progress amid great excite- ment.
Some of the heavy spans of the iron bridges were caught and fastened to the shore at various points below the city, and one of them, nearly entire, was left by the flood on Stambaugh Island. The North Lansing wooden structure was caught at Grand Ledge. Foot bridges were constructed as soon as the waters subsided,-one at North Lansing within twenty days after the flood, and another at the Min- eral Spring. The first-named cost $130.
On the 7th of July following, a contract for rebuilding the four iron bridges was let to the Canton Iron Bridge Company, of Canton, Ohio, at the sum of $14,653.94, and the bridges were rebuilt and completed during the same season. In February, 1876, the city bridges had another very narrow escape from destruction, but happily the flood passed without causing serious damage. After every severe winter there will be great danger of a similar destructive flood, though the amount of drift-wood is growing less year by year.
NOTED FIRES.
As early as 1852 or 1853 a number of buildings were destroyed by fire on the west side of Washington Street, in the block bounded by Washington, Michigan, and Capitol Avenues, and Allegan Street. Among the sufferers were Dr. McCInre and a merchant named Bascom. The post- office was also burned at this time. The fire was incen- diary.
One of the carliest of the many destructive fires which have desolated Lansing occurred on the 18th of October, 1857. The aggregate loss approximated 825,000. Among the heaviest losers were G. W. Peck, on block of business buildings, $10,000; Burr & Grove, hardware, $6000; Mead & Griswold, State Journal office, $6000; John Thomas & Co., $2000; Masonic lodge, $300.
On the 14th of July, 1866, a serious fire at North Lan- sing destroyed property of the value of $75,000, including
$24,000 on mercantile goods, the flour-mill of B. E. Hart, plaster-mills, saw-mills; a chair-factory, and a foundry.
On Saturday, the 18th of February, 1871, a destructive fire occurred on the southwest corner of Washington and Michigan Avenues, which destroyed four two-story frame stores and much of their contents. The total loss was about 840,000, on which there was insurance to the amount of $27,000.
On the 15th of April, 1875, Cowles' block, on Wash - ington Avenue, was destroyed, involving a loss of about $35,000. Among the heaviest losers were F. M. Cowles, building, $30,000 ; Smith Hunter, $2500; and H. B. Carpenter, law library, $1000. Other parties who suffered were J. Esselstyn & Son, J. M. French & Son, and A. E. Cowles.
The large hotel known as the Mineral Spring House was destroyed Feb. 5, 1876. Loss about $12,000. Oo the night of June 18, 1876, the large planing-mill and sash- aud-blind factory of A. Allen & Co. was totally destroyed, involving a loss of $20,000. It was the largest establish- ment of the kind in the city, and gave employment to over twenty hands. The building was erected in 1865 by Buck- land & Chapman. In 1867 the Chapmans sold two-thirds of their interest to Abram Allen and Alfred Wise. The firm was doing a business of from $30,000 to $100,000 per annum. A fire at North Lansing on the 24th of Jan- uary, 1877, destroyed the drug-store of O. I'. Frary & Co., causing a loss of $7000. During this fire there was almost a panie at Hart's Hall, where a play called " The Drunkard" was being enacted by au amateur company.
On the 15th of February, 1877, a wooden block, situated on Washington Avenue south of the German block, was destroyed ; loss, $3000.
On the Sth of September, 1877, the stave-factory of Schultz & Co., was damaged to the extent of $75,000, principally by the destruction of sheds and stock. About 4000 tight barrels and a million staves were burned.
By far the most serious fire that ever occurred in North Lansing was on the 26th of September, 1877, the aggre- gate losses reaching about $100,000. The area burned over was about an acre. The property destroyed included Ilart's flouring-mill, containing ten runs of stone, and in- cluding grain valued at $50,000 ; Parmelee & Co.'s woolen- mill, valued at $33,000; Scofield's saw-mill, valued at $6000; the foundry of Cady, Glassbrook & Co., valued at $4000; and an ice-house, on which the loss was about $500.
Besides these losses a large number of buildings in Centre and Franklin Streets were greatly damaged, there being about twenty business stocks injured by removal. About 100 persons were thrown out of employment, and the business of North Lansing sustained a heavy blow. Several persons were injured during the progress of the fire, and there was assistance present from Jackson, Owosso, St. Charles, and other places. The total losses by fire during 1878 were $16,692.50. The losses during 1879 were considerable, including thirce frame buildings and stocks of merchandise at North Lansing, loss about $3000, March 19th ; Christopher's store, on the 7th of May, loss about $8500; the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern
145
CITY OF LANSING.
Railway Company's coal-sheds, August 1st, loss $2000 ; the dwelling of Bernard Kelly, on Capitol Avenue, about the same date, loss $900; and Thowas MeKewin's house, on St. Joseph Street, loss $800. The total losses for 1879 foot up about $15,000.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
The organization of the Lansing fire department dates back to October, 1857, when an engine company, a hook-and- ladder company, and a hose company were organized, and soon after provided with fire apparatus .* The first engine was worked by hand, and was made to order by the cele- brated firm of L. Button & Son, of Waterford, N. Y., and cost, complete, $1000. It was received at Lansing in June, 1858. The hose-eart and hook-and-ladder carriage were made in Lansing, by Sprang, Tobias & Co., a firm of car- riage-builders, who turned out a ereditable piece of work. The whole outlay at that time was not far from $1700.
For a while the city rented rooms for the accommodation of the apparatus, but after a time purchased a building and fitted it up for the department.
Another hand-engine was purchased in June, 1866. It was made by Jeffers, of Pawtucket, R. I., and at the time of purchase was owned at Adrian, Mich., where it had been in use for abont two years, though nearly as good as new. It cost $800. Both the hand-engines were after- wards sold,-the first to the village of Cheboygan, Mich., and the second to the village of Leslie, Ingham Co.
In February, 1871, two steamers were in Lansing on trial ; one from the celebrated Silsbee manufactory and the other from the works of Clapp & Jones. Both were of the third elass, and the last named was a piston engine. The Silsbee engine was the favorite, and was purchased about the 27th of February, and on the same day the other was purchased at a reduced price, the owners preferring to dispose of it at less than regular rates rather than transport it back to the factory. The Silsbee engine cost the city $4500, and the Clapp & Jones $3500. These are still in use, and are the only engines belonging to the city. They were from 1871 to 1877 furnished with hired teams by contract, but in the last-named year the city purchased two teams of two horses each at a cost of $775 for the two, and wagons and harness, which brought the cost of the outfit to about $1000.
A frame engine-house, the same now in use, was built at North Lansing in 1864. The cost of building and lot was about $900. The briek engine-house on Allegan Street was erected in 1866 at a cost of $7000. The lot cost $1200. In 1877 a fire-alarm bell, weighing 1000 pounds, was purchased in Cincinnati, Ohio, at a cost of $200, and hung in the tower. It is much inferior to the Meneely bells of Troy, N. Y., but cost something less for the same weight of metal. The engine-house at North Lansing also has a small alarm-bell.
The city has constructed three brick reservoirs on Wash- ington Avenue at a cost of about $1000 each, and having a capacity of from 900 to 1000 barrels each. The appa-
ratus at present consists of the two steamers named, a hose- eart with each engine, an extra one for use in case of need when water is a long distance from the fire, and the neces- sary tools and appliances, all in good condition.
The chief engineers under the old system with the hand- machines were C. C. Dodge, George K. Grove, J. W. Ed- monds, and HI. B. Shank. Under the new arrangement with the steamers they have been A. Cottrell and J. W. Edmonds, the last named having served consecutively seven years, in addition to two years' service under the old sys- tem. Mr. William H. Carmer has been assistant engineer for the past seven years.
The paid fire department of the city now consists of a chief engineer and one assistant, sixteen hose-men, and ten hook-and-ladder men, making a total of twenty-eight men.
The city is built so scattering and over such a great ex- tent of country that the department frequently has as much traveling to do as that of many eities having twice the population of Lansing. The city has no system of water- works as yet, and the water supply is drawn from the reser- voirs above mentioned and from Grand River. The depart- ment is in an efficient condition and under good discipline.t
POLICE DEPARTMENT.
The city supports a small police force, consisting of two regular night watchmen, with special policemen at the various railway stations. The city marshal is chief of police.
The city government has as yet no buildings of its own, but rents very commodious rooms in Turner & Moody's Block, over the post-office.
LANSING POST-OFFICE.
A post-office was first established in Lansing in May, 1847, under the administration of James K. Polk. George W. Peck was the first postmaster, and the office was kept in the store of Messrs. Bush & Thomas, which was located on the east side of Grand River, near the old Main Street bridge over that stream. The fixtures of the office were constructed by Henry Gibbs, one of the earliest car- penters and builders in the place. William Hinman, who was a clerk in the store of Bush & Thomas, was made deputy, and transacted the business. According to Mr. Gibbs' recollection the boxes occupied a space about three or four feet square. The mails for Lansing previous to the establishment of a post-office had been carried baek and forth by a post-rider between Lansing and Jackson. The first " mail-coach" arrived from Jackson in May, 1847.
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