USA > Michigan > Mason County > History of Mason County, Michigan > Part 53
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39
HISTORY OF MANISTEE COUNTY.
large steam mill of Magill & Canfield, on Blackbird Island, was in flames. In an incredibly short space of time, mill, boarding house, stables, shops, docks and lumber were consumed.
"As soon as darkness began to close in, a lurid light appeared in the southwest on the shore of Lake Michigan, showing that the pine woods, that line the shore, were on fire. About 9:30 P. M., just as people were returning from evening services, the fire alarm again sounded, and every one now was on the alert, for the wind was blowing a fierce gale. Instantly a red, angry glare lighted up the western sky near the mouth of the river. The fire department rushed to the rescue. At the mouth were located the large mill and tug interests of John Canfield, with boarding house and about twenty-five or thirty dwellings. On the beach several acres were covered with pine saw dust, highly inflammable. Along the river, near the piers, were piled several hundred cords of dry pine slabs-fuel for tugs.
"Down from the circling hills on the lake shore pounced the devouring monster. The burning sawdust, whirled by the gale in fiery clouds, filled the air. Hundreds of cords of dry, pitchy slabs sent up great columns of red flame, that swayed in the air like mighty banners of fire, swept across the Manistee, two hundred feet wide, and almost instantly, like great fiery tongues, licked up the govern- ment lighthouse, built at a cost of nearly $10,000, and situated a hundred and fifty feet from the north bank of the river.
"A large fleet of vessels, wind-bound, lay opposite Canfield's mill, with four tugs, including the three large barges of Tyson & Robinson and the great steam tug 'Bismarck.' Now commenced a furious effort to remove the vessels and barges. The wild puffing and screaming of tugs, the hoarse hallooing of sailors, the loud roaring and crackling of the flames, the awe-stricken faces of the gathered multitude, luridly lighted, made up a scene never to be for- gotten or adequately described. The efforts of the firemen were in vain -the engine became disabled-and the flames came sweeping all before them. But now
A NEW SOURCE OF TERROR
arose. A bright light came up out of the south, directly in rear of the town, and the fierce gale bearing it on directly toward the doomed city. Those who resided in that part of the town, including the writer, rushed to the new scene of danger, the full extent of which few comprehended. The fire had originated two miles south of the city, on the lake shore. It first came upon the farm of L.G.Smith, Esq., which it devoured. Eighty rods north the extensive farm and dairy of E. W. Secor shared the same fate, with all his barns and forage. Another quarter of a mile, and the large farm buildings of Mayor R. G. Peters were quickly annihilated. Here the column of fire di- vided, the left hand branch keeping to the lake shore hills, and coming in at the mouth; the other taking a northeasterly course and com- ing in directly south of the town, as before described. Here a small band of determined men, fighting with the energy of despair to protect their homes, kept it at bay till past midnight. But all was vain-at 12: 80 o'clock the gale became a tornado, hurling great clouds of sparks cinders, burning bark and rotten wood through the air in
"A TERRIFIC, FIERY STORM.
"Every man now fled to his own house. The fire now came roaring on through the dead hemlocks south of the blocks included between Maple and Oak Streets, in the Second Ward. The flames leaped to the summits of the great hemlocks, seventy, eighty or ninety feet high, and threw out great flags of fire against the lurid heavens. The scene was grand and terrible beyond description. To us, whose homes and dear ones and all were in the track of the fire, it was heart-rending. Then came
A DELUGE OF FIRE
like that rained on the cities of the plains. The wooden town, the
saw-dust streets, the stumpy vacant lots, the pine clad hills north of the river, all burst into a sea of flame, made furious by the most fearful gale of wind I have ever experienced.
"On toward the river and the Manistee Lake, spread the tem- pest of fire. Men, women, and children, in night clothes, half clothed, or fully clothed-some bareheaded, on foot, in wagons, on horseback, fled for their lives. It was
"PANDEMONIUM ON EARTH.
"Families were separated-husbands and wives, parents and children. The writer, when he gave over the unequal contest south of the town, rushed to his residence to find it deserted, and for nine hours he could get no word whether his family were dead or alive. They had fled before the tempest of fire across the bridge, which burned behind them, only to be surrounded and almost perished in the smoke and fire on the north side.
"EVERYTHING WENT DOWN
before the storm-dwellings with their home-treasures, mills with their machinery, stores and their stocks, warehouses and their con- tents, the fine swing-bridge at the foot of Maple Street, vessels and their cargoes,
"ALL MINGLED IN COMMON RUIN.
"From Fifth Street, half a mile south of the river, to Cushman & Calkins' mill, half a mile north of the bridge, and from the foot of Oak Street eastward to Tyson & Robinson's mill, at the outlet of Manistee Lake, three-fourths of a mile, was one surging sea of fire. The steam fire engine burned in the street where it stood, the men and horses barely escaping with their lives. About three o'clock the wind abated, but the work of ruin was complete. When Monday morning's sun glared red and lurid through the heavy masses of smoke, where had stood Manistee, it beheld
"A SCENE OF DESOLATION
scarcely to be described. In the First Ward three buildings remained -the Catholic Church, the Ward Schoolhouse, and a small dwelling -and I should add some small fishing shanties near the mouth of the river. The Third Ward was swept clean except a few buildings near Manistee Lake. In the Second Ward the six platted blocks lying between Oak and Maple Streets, and about thirty buildings near the mouth, were swept away. The Fourth Ward escaped nearly untouched, the fine residence of J. L. Taylor, banker, formerly the residence of M. Engelmann, situated in the very corner of the ward, being the only one burned. His loss was great and almost total.
"THE FIRE MADE THOROUGH WORK.
"The buildings were built mostly on wooden foundations, and their very site was scarcely distinguishable. Buildings, founda- tions, fences, sidewalks, trees, shrubbery-everything-were mowed close to the surface of the earth, and grass burned out by the roots.
"A THOUSAND PEOPLE HOMELESS.
"A thousand men, women and children, houseless, homeless, and many of them penniless, wandered sad and blinded in the black and smoking streets, or had taken refuge on vessels, tugs, boats and barges, to escape the devouring element.
"Nothing but the cleared fields of Messrs. Canfield and Peters, south of the western part of the Second Ward, saved that part of the town from utter annihilation, and hundreds from perishing in the tempest of fire.
"THE AFTER SCENES.
"The writer of this, at 10 o'clock the next morning, found his family three miles northeast of the desolated city, having barely escaped with their lives, with the scanty clothing snatched in the moment of flight. The night before surrounded with the com-
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HISTORY OF MANISTEE COUNTY.
forts of a beautiful and happy home, at dawn we found ourselves, blinded with heat and smoke, without home, or so much as a change of raiment-but thankful for life, strength and unconquerable hope and courage.
"Then was seen a spectacle to gladden the heart! Every house that remained was opened to receive the sufferers. Hearts and hands were as open as the homes. We almost felt it worth while to suffer for the sake of witnessing how much of generosity was latent in human nature.
"Monday every one was staggered with the blow. Tuesday men were strong, cheerful and hopeful, and set their faces to the future with brave hearts. Wednesday night came the terrible tidings from Chicago, almost crushing out all hope, for we felt that our insurance was gone. But from this our people are rallying.
"On Tuesday we organized for the serious work before us. Good men are in charge to alleviate the necessities of the sufferers; to receive aid from abroad and distribute to the needy.
"WHAT OF THE FUTURE?
"Manistee will rise from her ashes. The work of rebuilding is already commenced. We have hope, energy, faith in the future, and some capital.
"We have a splendid natural situation, at the mouth of a beau- tiful navigable stream penetrating the interior through pine forests 800 miles, on whose banks stand 4,500,000,000 feet of good pine, most of which must be manufactured at, and shipped from Manistee.
Help us through this Winter, and the future, though dimmed, is safe. In the name of the suffering and destitute of Manistee, I thank the noble and generous-hearted men and women of Grand Rapids for their prompt and noble response to our call. May God bless them, and keep them from like calamity.
"I have written in great haste, and I fear incoherently. It is the first time that I have had the heart to take the pen in hand since the disaster, and I only hope it may avail to help the needy and suffering.
"BYRON M. CUTCHEON.
The calamity was very great and the needs of the people very pressing. Manistee was remote, in a northern wilderness, eighty miles from any railroad, without telegraphic communication, reached only by way of the lake, with only thirty days of naviga- tion remaining, and a five months Winter of deep snow and steady cold just ahead, and the weather upon this bleak shore already inclement.
It is such trials that test the recuperative power of a people, but it is usually true that they are equal to the emergency, and the citizens of Manistee were not an exception. Amid the ruin and dis- aster there were some consoling features. There had been no loss of life, and no very serious accidents. Friends were left, and a generous world outside was ready to furnish aid.
The appeals for relief were met with ready response. Nearly $5,000 were received and distributed, besides commodities of of all kinds in great abundance. With true Western energy, the sufferers applied themselves to the task of rebuilding and repairing their losses. Brick took the place of wood to a large extent in the work of rebuilding, and a substantial and beautiful city gradu- ally rose from the ashes of the conflagration.
BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF MANISTEE IN 1878.
A very correct and comprehensive review of the commercial interests of the city of Manistee was published in the columns of the Manistee Times the first of June, 1873, and is as follows:
" Manistee City is located on the east shore of Lake Michigan,
about seventy miles north of Grand Haven, 130 west of Saginaw, and ninety-six miles south of Northport. It is within eight hours ride of Milwaukee by steamer, and is on the direct line of trade by the lake, between Chicago, Milwaukee and the East.
"The city is located on both sides of Manistee River, and between Manistee Lake and Lake Michigan. The river between the two lakes flows to the west, and is one mile and a half long, and navigable for vessels and steamers drawing from eight to twelve feet of water. It has a current of three miles an hour, and is never closed by ice, floating or otherwise.
" MANISTEE LAKE
lies east of the city, extending south and westward nearly five miles; it is about half a mile wide, of pure water, and has high banks of sand and clay, beautifully situated for building purposes. The water is of great depth, and affords almost unlimited harbor and commercial facilities. There are four villages outside of Manistee City proper, and on the borders of the small lake, as follows: Filer City and Paggeottville, containing about 400 inhabitants each; Rietzville and Sandsville, containing about 200 inhabitants each.
" The city proper contains about 5,000 inhabitants. Its busi- ness center is half way from lake to lake, and in the geographical center of the city. The city is divided into four wards. The First Ward embraces that part lying north of the river, the Second Ward that part south of the river and west of Maple Street; the Third Ward extends from Maple Street to Lake Manistee and south to Fifth Street; the Fourth Ward lies east of Maple Street, south of Fifth Street, and extends along the border of the little lake, taking in the thriving settlement known as Maxwell town.
" THE NEW IRON BRIDGE,
across the river on Maple Street, is completed, at a cost of about $18,000, and is far superior to the wooden structure destroyed by the great fire of October 8, 1871.
" The soil in the First Ward is mostly of sand or sandy loam. The Second and Third Wards are principally located on good clay loam soil, which is excellent for garden purposes. The country around the city is generally good for farming purposes. Wheat is never Winter-killed, and fruit of all kinds does well, especially pears, plums, peaches and apples, as the mercury seldom touches zero, and never goes far below that point. The river and harbor is always free from ice, and never subject to overflow. The timber of the county consists largely of beech, maple, ash, pine, hemlock and cedar, growing very large and thrifty. Timber land can be bought at from $3 to $15 per acre. City lots bring from $100 to $15,000 each.
" THE LARGE MANISTEE RIVER
affords excellent water communication with the interior, being nav- igable for about 200 miles, extending through one of the finest belts of pine timber in the state. The Little Manistee River flows from the southeast and empties into Manistee Lake. It affords float- age for logs a distance of about eighty miles, and excellent water- power at different points near its mouth.
"There are in the city and vicinity some twenty first-class saw- mills, with a capacity of about 100,000 feet of lumber each, and there is actually cut and shipped from Manistee about 159,000,000 feet each year.
" There is a daily line of steamers connecting with lines to Chicago, Milwaukee and most of the lake ports; a tri-weekly line direct to Milwaukee, and two steamers daily connecting with the cars at Pentwater.
"THREE LINES OF TELEGRAPH
are already established: One south to Muskegon, Grand Rapids, and east and south; one north to Frankfort, and & line between Stronach and this city. Three lines of
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HISTORY OF MANISTEE COUNTY.
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RAILROADS
are contemplated, and one or more will probably be completed soon. A line from Reed City would be but forty-eight miles long, and would give first-class connections in every direction, and one extend- ing twenty-four miles south would form a connection with the Flint & P. M. R. R. And the route east on the up river line is pressed with much earnestness. Certainly railroad men will not long delay to avail themselves of the extensive trade of our young city. We have one of the finest
UNION SCHOOL BUILDINGS
in the state, which, with three ward schools, affords educational facilities seldom equaled in a city of the size of Manistee.
" There are five church buildings of good size and appearance, and one, the Congregational, is a very fine brick structure that would do credit to a much older and wealthier town than Manistee.
"The water and atmosphere of Manistee are as pure and healthy as any in the world. We have all the advantages of a Lake Superior climate, without its extreme cold or remote location. With Lake Michigan on the west, deep in its crystal beauty, offer- ing a pathway for the commerce of the world, cheaper than iron horse ever followed, and more enduring than rails of steel; while Manistee Lake and rivers stretch away into the interior, offering water communication through a country rich in resources and fer- tile for cultivation. The city is extremely inviting to those desir- ing such a location, and affords one of the most promising opportu- nities for the investment of capital that could be desired.
" It is less than two years since
THE GREAT FIRE
of October 8th, 1871, swept over half of our beautiful city from the face of the earth. At that time we had less than 3,500 inhabi- tants, but yet from the ashes business houses and homes have sprung up, until last season the school census of the city proved a population of over 4,400, and now we have about 5,000. And all this after the terrible visitation of the fire fiend, and in the face of the thousand and one discouragements produced by the fire, and it is safe to predict that the city will number 10,000 inhabitants inside of five years.
" SAWMILLS AND LUMBER INTERESTS.
" First at the entrance of the harbor is found the mill of John Canfield. It is on the site of the oldest mill in the place, and is sheeted with iron from smoke-stack to foundation, and has a capacity of about 100,000 feet each eleven hours. Three mills have been burnt down on this site, which is just at the delta of the river; hence the efforts to make this as near fire-proof as possible.
" Tyson & Sweet's new mill is located in the Third Ward on the little lake, and is designed to take the place of the two mills burned down near where this now stands. It has a capacity of 150,000 feet. Then comes the other mill of Tyson & Sweet, which is a first-class mill, and has a capacity of 100,000. Across the river, in the First Ward, is the mill of Messrs. Cushman, Calkins & Co., built on the ashes of the one burned in the great fire. Capacity, 100,000 feet.
"Green & Milmoe's new mill, at the north end of Manistee Lake, was built in the stead of their mill burned down in the city. It has a capacity of 100,000 feet each eleven hours.
" Magill & Canfield's, on the east side of the little lake, has a capacity of 90,000. This is a new mill, built on the site of the one destroyed by the great fire.
"Shrigley & Canfield's mill has a capacity of 50,000 feet.
" Louis Sand's new mill has a capacity of 100,000 feet, and has one of the best whistles in the state. It has been heard over twenty miles.
Dennett & Dunham's mill, capacity of about. 60,000
Paggeott & Thorson's mill, at Paggeotville. . 100,000
Filer & Sons, at Filer City. 100,000
Magnan's mill, at Stronach 30,000
Taber's mill, at Filer City. 80,000
A. W. Briggs & Co's shingle mill.
80.000
Leitche's mill. 65,000
Rietz Bros. large mill.
100,000
Rietz Bros. small mill . 70,000
R. G. Peter's mill. 100,000
Engelmann & Salling's mill .. 100,000
Ruddock & Gifford's mill 130,000
Tyson & Sweet's new mill 150,000
" It is estimated that nearly 200,000,000 feet of lumber will be shipped from this port during the season.
"LIST OF BUSINESS HOUSES AND PLACES OF BUSINESS AND TRADE, ASIDE FROM THE LUMBER INTERESTS.
" In this list we cannot attempt to give the names of streets, but commence at the west end of South River Street, which runs parallel with the river and harbor, and extends from lake to lake, a distance of over a mile and a half.
" William Crippen's foundry and machine shop.
" Root beer manufactory of John Flansburgh.
" Store and warehouse of Messrs. Canfield & Wheeler.
" Residence office of Dr. Ellis.
"Foundry and machine shop of Wheeler & Johnson.
" Shoe shop of Caspar Schneider.
" A grocery store.
" Grist mill of John Baxter & Co.
" Union Boiler Works of A. Jack.
" Paint shop of Sayles & Gregory.
" Joiner shop of Green & Long.
"Brick block of James O'Brien. Occupied first story by the dry goods store of H. W. Marsh, and the second story by the Odd Fellows hall and rooms.
" Merchant tailor, R. Penzien.
" Dock and warehouse, J. F. Kirkland & Company.
" Insurance and telegraph office, Wing & Hawley.
"Otto Bauman, meat market.
" Millinery store, Mrs. Otto Bauman.
" Photograph, artist and picture gallery, E. E. Douville.
" Lumber inspector's office, Gilbert Young.
" Milwaukee House, Baxter & Fitch, proprietors. This is the largest hotel building, probably, on the shore, it being ninety-three feet front by eighty-eight back, and contains 60 rooms.
" United States Hotel, L. Magoon, proprietor. This was mostly ยท burned last season, and has been rebuilt and improved.
" Blacksmith and carriage shop of Silas C. Overpack.
"Livery stable, Hugh McGuineas.
"City Hall, Hugh McGuineas.
" Postoffice block, L. S. Ellis, proprietor and postmaster. This block contains the drug store of D. Carlton & Co., postoffice, and office of the Manistee Standard, O. H. Godwin, editor and proprie- tor. Printing office of R. Hoffman.
" Baur's grocery store and steamboat bakery, in Baur's brick block. This block contains also the law offices of Ramsdell & Ben- edict, N. W. Nelson, Esq., and Dovel & Morris. Justice office, S. S. Glover; sheriff's office, Peter Yoss; dentists' offices of J. B. Wilcox and K. A. Brigham; office of city recorder, T. B. Collins, Recorder; Merchants' Bank, J. L. Taylor, cashier; restaurant in basement, Andree Bros.
" Dock and warehouse, J. Baur.
"City Hotel, Gregory Bros., proprietors. This hotel is three stories high, and is among the few buildings that survived the great fire.
Feet.
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42 HISTORY OF MANISTEE COUNTY.
" Barber shop, J. G. McKee.
"Dry goods and grocery store, Tyson & Sweet.
" New brick block of Douville Bros. Not yet occupied.
" Clothing and boot and shoe store, George Nungesser.
" Book and stationery store, Douville Bros.
"Tobacco and cigar store, Laduc & Duranleau.
"Grocery store, Black & Thompson.
" Drug store, Willard, Hall & Co.
" Office Drs. Mead & Fisher.
"Jewelry store, Gardner & Bixby.
" Harness store, Russell Bros.
" Harness store, J. Somerville.
"New auction store, J. Jenkins & Co.
" Store wareroom, J. Jenkins.
"Store formerly occupied by Lucas & Nungesser.
" Shoe shop of P. Johnson.
" Tailor shop of Mr. Baer.
" Candy store of Mr. A. Bowen.
"Grocery store, McMaster & Hyde.
" New store of Mr. Dickinson.
" Merchant tailor, Mr. John Eagan.
" Hardware store, Russell & Mee.
"Grocery store, Weymouth & Kennedy.
"City Bank, Secor & Dunham.
" Insurance office, Secor & Shores.
" County clerk's office, C. Hurd, clerk and register.
"Law office of Messrs. Bullis & Cutcheon.
" Grocery store, J. A. Johnson.
" Office of Dr. Siqueland.
" Hardware store, E. Buckley & Co.
" Star clothing house, Gregory Bros.
" Dock and warehouse, Palmiter Bros.
" Flour and feed store, Lyman & Wright.
" Root beer manufactory, John Flansburgh.
" Millinery store, Misses Haley.
" New grocery store, L. T. King.
" Milwaukee clothing house, M. Herbst.
"City meat market, Henry Kremple.
"New store unoccupied, J. G. McKee.
" New three-story brick block of Lucas & Nungesser, which contains furniture, ware and sale room of Lucas & Nungesser, drug store of W. E. Short & Co., law office of A. V. McAlvay, and restau- rant of Messrs. Hornkoe & Co.
"Barber shop of J. J. McKee.
" Brick store of Cushman, Calkins & Co.
" Merchant and tailoring rooms of W. Edwards.
" Manistee Lime Works, Wing & Buckley. And one-half mile south-east of the bridge, is the large brick yard of E. Buckley & Co.
" Cabinet shop and second-hand furniture store, J. Jenkins.
" Manistee City Rink.
" Paint shop of Thorp Bros.
"Joiner shop, J. W. Tenant & Co.
" Shoe shop, W. E. Polhamus.
" Times printing office, in Times block. Law and land office, S. W. Fowler.
"Lumbermen's store, M. Kahn.
" Restaurant, Halber & McFay.
" Confectionery and fruit store, M. C. Cox.
"Fruit store, J. Banister.
" Grocery store, Weymouth & Kennedy.
" Fruit and vegetable store, J. C. Nimms.
" Dollar store, M. S. Root.
"Land looker and surveyor, C. F. Ruggles.
" Boot and shoe shop, Christ. Hansen.
" New York store, Kahn & Newman.
" Dry goods and clothing store, A. Stumes.
" Law office, A. H. Dunlap.
" Photograph rooms, J. W. Runkle.
" Boot and shoe shop, N. Olson.
" Furniture store, Nargood Hanson.
" Jewelry store, Magnus & Koklin.
" Barber shop, H. Young.
" Grocery and provisions, Frank Olk.
" Restaurant, John Baur.
" Blacksmith and wagon shop, John Baur.
" Planing mill, Gee & Preston.
" Brick block, containing grocery and crockery store, Joseph Baur. Large Masonic hall in second story.
" Planing mill, S. Sibben & Co.
" Drug store, Dr. J. Kingsley.
" Barber shop, Wm. Droher.
" Hotel, German Home.
" Restaurant, Otto Field.
" Grocery and confectionery store, C. Pomeroy & Bros.
"Confectionery and tobacco store, Samuel Burch.
" Drug store, Neil Jewel.
" Scandinavian clothing house, Field & Miller.
" Grocery store, Henry Mowe.
" Eagle Hotel, Fred. Miller.
"Foundry and machine shop, Stokie & Bowie.
" Broadway store, W. F. Miller.
" Restaurant, John Field.
" Justice office, R. A. Seymour.
"Cigar and fruit store, R. A. Seymour.
"Boot and shoe shop, P. Klies.
" Third Ward market, M. Ciechanowsky.
" Restaurant, Hans Peterson.
" Drugs and medicines and fancy groceries, Peter Jones.
" Shoe shop, O. Anderson.
"Sorenson's Hotel, J. Sorenson.
" Shoe shop, P. Anderson.
" Shoe shop, H. Shoening.
" Manistee Steam Boiler Works, Kirsch & Son.
"St. Charles Hotel, J. Halter.
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