USA > Michigan > Ionia County > History of Ionia County, Michigan : her people, industries and institutions, Volume I > Part 47
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And thou, in thy beanty, flow onward, Work earthward, but always look sunward ;
1 grieve that forever I leave ther. But I take the sweet lesson yon give me Of cheerful contentment in duty : This, this is thy musje of beauty- Flow onward, forever and ever- So farewell, oh beautiful, beautiful river.
The second method mentioned as a means of celebrating the anniver- sary was the publication on Sunday, May 25, 1913, in the Detroit Sunday · Neres-Tribune of an account of the Indian occupancy of Grand river valley and the story of the coming of the Dexter colony, by Mrs. L. P. Brock,
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which reached readers all along the road made by them through the wilder- ness and aroused great interest, hundreds of extra copies being sold at lonia.
THE HISTORICAL PAGEANT.
On Wednesday, May 28, lonia's eightieth birthday, a historical pag- cant, consisting of six scenes, preceded by a history of the scenes, was enacted on the campus south of the Central school buikling, over one hun- dred and fifty children taking part, and was attended by a very large and- ience. The day was clear and beautiful, and the scene unique, as the grounds boasted a number of Indian wigwams. The scenes were as follow :
First Seene .- The driving ont of the Sauks, followed by the peace- ful councils of the three tribes that inhabited Michigan for over one hundred and thirty years before the coming of the whites, the Pottawatomies, Otta- was and Chippewas.
Second Scene .- The French fur traders bartering with the Indians. In this was depicted the post of Louis Genereaux, between lonia and Muir. and the Indians were shown approaching the traders' log post bartering skins for trinkets, calico, blankets, etc. An Indian mother who had accom- panied them, with her papoose strapped to a board (a big doll), hung it up on the limb of a tree and afterward came and knelt before it. singing an Indian lullaby while its father stood near.
Third Scene .- In this the coming of the Dexter colony was graphi- cally shown. The same style of costumes being worn by both men and women. This scene was especially valuable, historically, as William Arnokl, great-grandson of Oliver Arnold, one of the Dexter colony, took a leading part ; while John Loomis, son of Mayor .A. P. Loomis, and also great- grandson of Samuel Dexter, took the part of that sturdy pioneer, and wore the wedding coat of his grandfather. James W. Loomis, ex-register of deeds for lonia county.
The "family" came in a wagon drawn by a yoke of oxen, as the colony had come, which had been obtained to make the scene perfect. The Indians were gathered about their villages, when the cry was raised that the whites were coming, and immediately there was great excitement. An interpreter came on ahead after halting the main body, and engaged in conversation with the chief. The interpreters then brought Mr. Dexter forward for a conference, and finally Mr. Dexter paid them twenty-five dollars in silver for their bark wigwams and gardens and they departed to establish homes some other place.
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One of the prettiest little details of the pageant was the singing during this scene of Joel Guild's famous song. "I'm Off for Michigania," by a sextette of eighth-grade girls.
Fourth Scene .- This showed life in the early settlement, when the whites lived in the wigwams of the Indians until houses could be built. Also early home scenes were depicted, such as churning, spinning, piecing quilts, rocking a baby in an old-fashioned, one-hundred-year-old cradle, while the boys sharpened axes, played checkers, etc.
Fifth Scene .- The big hit of the day was the pioneer district school, twenty-five children taking part in this tableau. Charles Jack, a pupil of Central was "made up" to look like Doctor Lincoln, lonia's first school teacher, and certainly made a good imitation. The pupils carried out in detail the methods used in the earliest schools of this district. The school was called to order by the ringing of a hand-bell by the teacher, and pupils were seated on long boards. The old-fashioned method of spelling and pronouncing by syllable was carried out. The old slate was used. A class "spelled down." The multiplication table was given in song, and this old song by a chorus of boys and girls was received with riotous enthusiasm :
In Greenfield mountains there did dwell A comely youth named Samuel.
Chorus-Ri-too-ri-loo-ri-loo. li-too-ri-loo-ri-loo, Iti-too-ri-loo-ri-loo, Ri-loo-ri-loo.
One summer's morning he did go. His father's meadow for to mow. (Chorus.)
As soon as he had reached the field, A pison sarpint bil his heel. (Chorus.)
And when he saw that he must die. Ile quickly turned his thoughts on high. (Chorus. ) On Abraham's bosom he did dwell. This fated youth named Sanmel. (Chorus. )
Sixth Scene .- This scene portrayed the first Fourth of July celebration, held in 1836 A street parade was reproduced in costume, with a life and drum corps. There was a typical stump speech, as given that day by Monzo Sessions, and the finish showed the old noise-making stunt of "shooting the anvils." In early days the pioneers bored holes in the anvils, and loaded them with powder. They fired them, and got a regular cannon report. This scene however did not include the powder. The "finale" was a real
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old-fashioned "Virginia Reel" to the tune of the "Irish Washerwoman," danced by the little people dressed in old-fashioned costumes, to com- memorate the "ball" held on July 4. 1837. in Parks and Warner's store, at the corner of Main and Kidd streets to finish the festivities of lonia's second celebration.
The exercises of this eightieth anniversary afternoon closed with a speech by Daniel W. Tower, of Grand Rapids, grandson of Samuel Dexter.
AN HISTORICAL RELIC.
About a week after the historical pageant was held the writer received a letter from Mrs. Franklin W. Adrich, living two miles west of Lake Odessa, whose husband is a grandson of Stephen Dexter, youngest brother of Samuel, saying that she and her husband came to lonia and witnessed the pageant, also saying they had in their possession a large chest belonging to Samuel Dexter, that brought some of his goods. upon leaving New York and it was suggested that the family allow it to be given and placed in the historical room of the public library at lonia, which was done. The chest is marked S. Dexter-Grand River Valley, via Mackinac -Crockery-Care Rix Robinson." This is the only memento that lonia possesses of its found- er's personal belongings.
CHAPTER XXXIL.
SIDELIGHTS ON IONIA HISTORY.
THE FIRST ARMORY.
In June, 1910. the old opera house was torn down and with it one of the landmarks of the city passed into oblivion. It stood on the south edge of the postoffice lot and gave way to the present federal grounds. This building was the first armory built in lonia and the one which came through the efforts of the lonia Light Guard which had been mustered out many years back.
In 1876 plans were gotten under way for the erection of an armory in the city of lonia for the lonia Light Guard. This agitation was started in the year of the centennial celebration in the city of Philadelphia. Some of the far-sighted members of the Light Guard conceived the idea of running an excursion to the celebration and in this way provide funds for the erec- tion of the armory. It was carried out with such success both as to patron- age and management that it netted over $1,200 and was the beginning of the armory fund. By diligent work more funds were found available and plans were soon under way for the erection of the building. It was opened on June 24, 1870, and the hopes of all the members were realized. It served its purpose faithfully for some twelve or fifteen years, but finances were scarce and as it was heavily mortgaged it soon passed into the hands of Benton Babcock. Mr. Babcock remodeled it and turned it into an opera house, which purpose it served until it was razed.
CITY ARMORY.
The success of the present armory is due to a great extent to the untir- ing efforts of General Kidd and the citizens of lonia. The first committee apopinted by the city to investigate the matter of an armory was made by Mayor Bible. December 30. 1907. This committee consisted of J. C. Taylor. Fred Caine and John Waidleich, and was to act in co-operation with the board of trade. The plans did not materialize to a great extent for some
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time, but all the while the different officials of the town were exerting all their power and influence towards such a building. In 1908, $10,000 in bonds of the city funds which had been set aside for the erection of the city hall were appropriated for the armory building. Finally the state gave to the Legislature $20.000 for the erection of two armories in the state. one to be located in the city of lonia. Thus the armory was at last a cer- tainty. E. A. Bowd was the architect and Right & Prowl, contractors. It was with much difficulty that the architect brought the cost of the building within the amount of the available funds. On October 1, 1900, Governor Warner accepted the keys to the building and turned them over to the city of lonia. This was the first armory in the state built under the authority and by state aid.
MICHIGAN REFORMATORY.
The Michigan reformatory is alluded to in the "Michigan Manual" as located in Ionia, but in reality it is located in the township of Easton, nearly a mile from the western limits of the city of lonia. The project of building the house of correction first took shape under the legislative act approved .April 25. 1873, wherein it was provided that the governor should have authority to appoint a board of three commissioners whose business it should be to select and secure a suitable site for a state house of correction and provide necessary plans for the buildings to be erected thereon.
According to the provisions of this act the governor appointed Hon. Hampton Rich, of lonia : Hon. John Swift, of Northville, and Hon. Charles T. Hills. of Muskegon, as commissioners of location. The citizens of lonia. eager to secure the proposed institution in this county, offered to donate a tract of sixty-three acres in the township of Easton, west of the city of Ionia, for the site of the proposed house of correction. Upon the report of the commissioners, the Legislature of 1875 passed Act No. 96, which was approved April 22. appropriating the sum of $150,000 "for the erec- tion of a house of correction according to the plans and estimates pre- sented by the commissioners appointed under Act No. 170 of 1873." This same Legislature authorized the governor to appoint a board of three com- missioners to take charge of the work of construction "provided that the work when completed should not cost more than $270,000." The commis- sioners appointed by the governor were Hon. Hampton Rich, of lonia : Hon. Charles Kipp, of St. Johns, and Hon. Westbrook Divine, of Montcalm county.
It was intended as a place of confinement for male first offenders over
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fifteen years of age, with no maximum age limit, and prisoners were received for all offenses except first-degree murder, for terms ranging from a maximum of life sentence to a minimum of six months. The work of construction was at once begun and steadily carried to completion. Under Act No. 59, approved April 29, 1877, an additional appropriation of $121.258 was made to complete the work, an appropriation of $20.000 having been made the same year by Act No. 1, approved January 13. The total amount of appropriations by the Legislature for the first cost aggregated therefore $201.258. The institution was opened in August, 1877, and in 1878 the state purchased a continuous tract of one hundred acres, by which the entire land possessions were increased to one hundred and sixty-three acres. The prison and the grounds proper are surrounded by a high brick wall, which forms an almost perfect square. They rest upon a commanding eminence in the midst of a natural attractive region, and embellished at various points with sharply pointed turrets and towers, present to the observer, even viewed from the city of lonia, a gracefully picturesque spectacle.
The Legislatures from year to year have made large appropriations for the general improvements of the grounds and the purchase of larger farm- ing tracts. In recent years the appropriations have been voted as follow : 1907, $6.850: 1900, $6,600; 1011, $6,000.
The property of the institution consists of 771 acres of land, 199 acres of which were added by the Legislature of 1915, and about thirty large build- ings, besides many smaller ones. Fire during the past four years, destroyed the industrial building, the hospital and the building of the steward and store- keeper departments. These buildings have all been rebuilt, largely with inmate labor. of fireproof materials, and at a minimum cost to the taxpayers. The new main factory building constructed along the most approved modern lines was erected during the last biennial period at a cost of about $75,000. It is 75 feet wide. 376 feet long and three stories high. The material is sandlime brick, with steel sash and ribbed glass windows, and the building is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system, supplied from a 50,000-gallon tank on a 1oo-foot steel tower.
The present value of the property is over $600,000. Because of fire loss, which caused unusually large expenditures and at the same time hamp- ered the industrial work of the institution, the earnings were less than nor- mal and the expenditures greater. The number of inmates on January 1. 1915, was 613, and in addition to the inmates within the walls there were 250 inmates on parole on that date, outside the walls of the institution in different parts of the state. About 400 of the inmates are employed in the
MICHIGAN STATE HOSPITAL, IONLA.
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MICHIGAN REFORMATORY, IONIA.
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manufacture of reed goods, about fifty in farming, and the balance in the general work of the institution. Total number of officers, forty-four. The receipts for the biennial period ending June 30, 1914. for current expense were $126,000 from the state treasury, and $114,666.18 from earnings of the institution. The Legislature of 1915 appropriated $3.000 for general repairs and $8,800 for the purchase of additional farming land.
IONIA STATE HOSPITAL.
This is one of the two state institutions which have done much to bring the name of the little city of lonia very prominently before the people of Michigan, and because of the successful management of the same has been one of the factors which has contributed toward the favorable impression of this city generally held by citizens of this state.
The Ionia state hospital was organized in May, 1885, under the name of the Michigan asylum for insane criminals, and the name was changed by Act No. 181, public acts of 1891, to Michigan asylum for dangerous and criminal insane, the state asylum by Act No. 17, public acts of 1899, and again to that of Ionia state hospital by Act No. 21, public acts of 1911. It is located at lonia, Fonia county. The hospital consists of eight buildings, for officers and patients, occupying 217 acres of land. Its first cost was $83.283.20, and the present value of the property is $478,875.24. The num- ber of patients treated for the fiscal year ending June 30. 1913. was, males, 422: females, 62; number of patients June 30, 1914, hales, 434: females. 60.
The class of patients admitted to the institution are the convict insane from all penal institutions of the state: dangerous insane from all asylums of the state: and those charged with crime but acquitted on the grounds of insanity, and sent direct from the courts.
In 1889 an appropriation was secured from the Legislature which per- mitted of the purchase of a two-hundred-acre farm, on which the main, or "south side" buildings are now located. Other appropriations for increas- ing the capacity were obtained in 1891. 1895 and 1901. The Legislature of 1913 appropriated $57.500 for improvements and the Legislature of 1915 appropriated $26,000 for the same purpose.
The first patients were received in this asylum on September 7, 1885. and the total for its first year of existence was 63. Since that time there has been a steady increase, until today the institution is caring for an aver. age of about 350 patients. Of these. about 100 are confined in the build- ings on the north side. It is a noteworthy fact that this is one of the most
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successful asylums within the United States, which is indeed a remarkable record when the class of patients they have to handle is considered. Insane criminals, at the outset, will be conceded to be an undesirable class to select · as patients, and then when one comes to remember that added to these we have here the dangerous insane from all of the other asylums of the state, it will readily be seen why it is remarkable if this institution can even hokl its own among the other asylumis of the country. However, it has not only done so, but today is conceded to be among the best in the entire country.
This institution was under the direct supervision and management of Dr. O. R. Long, medical superintendent, until his death on September 10, 19144, and it was to his abilities and good judgment that a very large measure of its success must be attributed. Doctor Long held this position from the first opening of the institution down to his death. However, behind Doctor Long stands a board of trustees whose close attention to their duties has contributed toward its success. Doctor Long was also very ably assisted in the discharge of his duties by his assistant, Dr. W. F. Maxwell.
After the death of Doctor Long, Robert H. Haskell became medical superintendent, a position which he is filling at the present time. He is assisted by P. C. Robertson, assistant physician; H. B. Chamberlain, clerk There are at present three medical attendants and fifty-one employees.
REBEL PRISONS IN CIVIL WAR DAYS.
This intensely interesting sketch by Sheklon R. Curtiss, of Saranac, telling of his experiences in the Rebel prisons, given below, was written by himself and kindly furnished for publication. He says: "We love to speak of pleasant memories of the past, but to me the memories of army life are clouded by sad recollections, especially when my mind goes back to my life in Rebel prisons. Our regiment went out in 1862 and put in three years of solid work with Custer's Michigan Cavalry Brigade. We remember the long lines of stalwart men that marched out at the bugle call for drill and dress parade in the old camp at Grand Rapids. We remember them at the front when called to meet the more stern realities of soklier life. and we cannot forget those that fell, pierced with Rebel bullets, and mangled by Rebel shells, and how could we forget those who bore the awful sufferings and finally died in the midst of the horrors of Rebel prisons. Of all death- dealing machinery there is none more terrible than these.
"I was in four different prisons-Castle Thunder, Mahlon, Libby and Andersonville. The old Libby prison is so well known that I will call your
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attention to only a few reminiscences. This prison was located on one of the principal streets in the city of Richmond, Virginia, and had been formerly used as a warehouse. It was built of brick. and its windows were well barred with iron. Its walls were strongly guarded and it was considered impossible for our men to escape from it; but in this they were mistaken. In this prison many of our true soldiers were confined, and from this place many were drawn by lot to be put to death in retaliation for some ( sup- posed ) grievance which the Confederacy had suffered at the hands of the United States government. At one time Captain Sawyer, of New Jersey. and Captain Flinn, of Indiana, were drawn by lot for execution, and were placed in a most filthy and gloomy dungeon to await the fatal day when vengeance shoukl be wreaked upon them. By some unknown means this fact was reported in Washington and word was sent by our government that if these men were harmed the same fate would be meted out to the sons of two Rebel officers, then held prisoners at Washington. Thus were these brave men saved and their turn for exchange came soon and they were free.
"It was common for us to hear discouraging news, and in fact we seldom heard of the Union army gaining any victories. One day it was reported that Meade was defeated with great loss, and that Grant had closed an unsuccessful campaign, by raising the siege at Vicksburg. These were truly dark days for the boys imprisoned there, waiting and hoping. But the silver lining of the cloud would sometimes glimmer through the dark- ness, and in spite of all precautions it turned out that the sun was still shining. A Richmond paper found its way to us, and brought the glad tidings that Grant had taken Vicksburg, with thirty thousand prisoners, and that the battle of Gettysburg had resulted in the defeat of Lee, with a loss to him of twelve thousand killed and wounded This inspiring news spread among the men silently, but swiftly, and hearts went up in thank fulness. eves brightened. and faces shone with hope. Rebel guards walked their rounds, wondering at the change, when all at once hundreds of voices burst forth in song as we never sang before :
" "Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord. He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored,
He hath loosed the fitful lightning of His terrible swift sword. llis truth is marching on.'
"Then rose the grand chorus of :
" .Glory, glory, hallelujah, our God is moving on."
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"Union men were confined in the lower part of the old prison, where it was so damp and unhealthy that mold actually accumulated on their beards. Many noble men closed their ever forever to the scenes and sufferings that surrounded them. From this prison a tunnel was dug underground, through which about sixty escaped, and many succeeded in reaching the Union lines. But the time came when i was to leave Libby prison, and with others we bade farewell to those left behind. We were loaded into box cars, closely crowded, with but little to eat or drink. Our suffering was great, and the filthiness of the cars was beyond description. Late one afternoon in June we arrived at our destination-Andersonville prison.
"This prison was in a part of Georgia where there are extensive pine forests. The prison was made by setting logs in the ground side by side, running up some fourteen feet. Before entering the prison we were taken to the quarters of the commanding officer, where for the first time we saw that heartless wretch, named Wirtz. We were searched before being taken out of his presence, and we were glad indeed, to get out of the sound of his profanity.
"I shall never forget the gloominess of that afternoon when we were put inside the stockade. I was surprised and horror stricken. Hope was gone, and death seemed stamped on everything. The air was full of deathly odors rising from the filthy ground, and the water was putrid from the wash of the prison. A long row of our boys who had died during the day lay on the right as we passed through the inner gate. This number would be added to until morning, when the dead wagon would take them to the place of burial. The whole prison enclosed about twenty acres, which in a short time was enlarged to thirty acres. Guards could be seen on top of the stockade at intervals of about five rods, all around the prison. There was a line staked ont some twenty feet from the stockade, that was called the dead line,' bevond which it was sure death to go. Some of our boys were shot dead before learning what this line was for.
"That night four of us lay down in the rain, under our one blanket. weary, hungry and sad, but were in a short time awakened by the robbers that infested the prison. One of these fellows stood over me with a large club. another held a razor over the throat of my next neighbor, while another looked over the contents of a roll containing writing material, needles. thread, etc., which was all I had left after the numerous searchings I had been through. We learned later, from the older prisoners, that these fel- lows were a set of hard cases that our government had enlisted and put in the navy, so they could be managed better, as they had been enlisted from
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jails from different cities, but being captured and in prison, they entered upon their old work of robbery and murder. Six out of sixty of them were afterward arrested, tried and condemned, sentenced and hung in prison. The groans of the sick, and continual cough, cough, in every direction, all through the long nights were sounds that our ears soon became accustomed to. Men were walking continually day and night until they could go no longer, when they would drop down and die, being actually starved to death. Many were the plans laid for our escape, but few succeeded in getting away.
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