USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan : a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests Volume I > Part 70
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When open water was reached, a snow storm greeted the adventurous mariners-accompanied by a thirty-six mile gale; ice formed on deck and rail, and the outlook was not promising; but the skipper kept a stiff upper lip and held his course steadily towards the head of the lake. The sailors were hardy fellows, and clung to their task bravely, so that at the end of a week's buffeting in the high seas, Raisin Point, at the mouth of River Raisin, was sighted, perhaps two miles distant from the present lighthouse on the government piers. A gale was blowing, the waves were rolling mountain high, and from the lookout it was plainly seen that it was not a hospitable harbor of safety towards which they were being driven, but a vast field of ice extending out from the shore a con- siderable distance. Upon the unyielding mass of ice they were rushing helplessly before the howling northeaster. As there seemed to be no way of averting their inevitable fate, preparations were made for leaving the vessel in her small boats, before she should strike. They were made none too quickly, for the captain and crew speedily found themselves, scantily supplied with provisions, upon the bridge of ice that stretched away toward shore, and as they looked back they beheld the schooner pitch, stern first, into the depths of Lake Erie. The shipwrecked crew made their dangerous and difficult journey over the ice field, reaching the snow covered shore half frozen. They could see in the distance, the church steeples of Monroe as the sun was disappearing in the west, and in the raging storm, shaped their course in that direction. There they were kindly and hospitably cared for, and became the "lions of the hour."
Monroe was not very liberally supplied with hotels in those days, either good or bad. The old "Exchange" had passed away in flames, but the "United States" was there, and to this old hostelry the wrecked sailors were taken and cared for until they took their departure for their several homes. It is not remembered what, if any, attempts were made to recover the cargo at the time; the market price of Monongahela Rye whiskey was about 121/2 cents per gallon, stoves and hardware did not appreciate in value after months' storage at the bottom of the lake, so that there was not the same anxiety to incur heavy expense in recovering the cargo that would prevail now, with the liquor alone constituting a profitable treasure trove. Still, desultory efforts were later made to find the lost cargo and save what was worth saving. It is believed that during the heavy storms of that and succeeding winters the schooner was broken up and the cargo scattered. But many, more hopeful and
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
with money to back their optimism, at intervals, during following years, made determined yet ineffectual attempts to recover the lost merchan- dise. In the meantime, the tax on whiskey advanced the price to a point when it became a "favorite" speculation to hunt for the lost liquor. Chicago parties have taken a hand and by the aid of judicious advertis- ing, no doubt have sold more Favorite whisky than was on board the schooner. Some years ago, Captain Chapin, then living at the little village of Brest, confidently entered into the quest, and spent consider- able money therein, with no other result than a narrow escape from drowning himself, and the loss of his boats. Captain Ben Whitney, another Monroe sailor, tackled the tough proposition, and with his small schooner cruised over the supposed site of the wreck, all one season, with a dragging apparatus, without results. During the war, when whisky such as this might be, was selling at three or four dollars per gallon, Captain Jones, of Monroe, employed divers and their apparatus and made a thorough search with no better success. Finally, a man living near Stony Point, who had achieved a reputation as a "seer," with "second sight" accomplishments was interviewed, and professed to be able to locate the much sought treasure. He was aided by a magic stone in the operation of his "mystic science," and succeeded in getting a sum of money for what he proposed to do. But for some reason the stone failed to "work," and the whisky still remains in the water or has long ago furnished toddy for catfish.
BREST AND NEWPORT
The rivalry between these two ambitious towns in their early expe- rience of aspiration and expectation never to be requited by realization of golden dreams, was something quite fierce, and blazed forth at times with great fervor. Brest, situated on Swan Creek, and Newport, on Rock River or Stony Creek, (now called Oldport), being near the lake on a creek partly navigable for very light draught boats, had each their grand commercial luminary, and the man who furnished the "steam" for the projects, which sprung up, mushroom-like in a night; Brest had its bank-with H. S. Platt as financial manager, who was a very enter- prising and a very optimistic man, when the future of Brest was con- sidered. Newport had William White, proprietor of the "hotel," the "Variety" store, postmaster, justice of the peace, notary public, pound master and public utility man, generally, for the town was inclined to "concede nothing and claim every thing." Mr. Platt as agent of the land company, inserted an advertisement in the Monroe Advocate in the winter of 1837, of which historic incident we have the printer's proof :
"Jobs To Let At Brest-The proprietors of the town of Brest wish to contract for the erecting of a large and spacious four story building for a Public house, to be built on the most approved plan for convenience and elegance. Said house to be built of wood, the size on the ground to be in proportion to the height. Those wishing to take the job will please furnish the subscriber at Monroe with a plan and cost of building the same. The lumber and materials can all be obtained at Brest. Like- wise to let, the building of a dwelling house, all materials furnished. A plan will be given when called upon.
"H. S. PLATT, Agent.
"Monroe, February 14, 1837.
"N. B .- Brick makers would do well to commence the manufacture of brick at Brest, as good clay and sand can be obtained near together, and a ready market for any quantity of brick."
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Not to be outdone by such evidences of thrift by Brest, Mr. White, on the following week, in the same paper, and directly underneath the above, put forth the following eloquent "bluff :"
"Jobs To Let At Newport-The proprietor of the town of Newport wishes to contract for the erection of a large and spacious fifteen story building for a public house, to be built on the most approved plan for convenience and elegance. Said house to be built of marble; the site on the ground to be in proportion to the height. Those wishing to take the Job will please furnish the subscriber with a plan and cost of building the same. Also, to let, the building of twenty or thirty dwelling houses ; all materials furnished, with a plan of each.
"WM. WHITE, Agent.
"Newport, March 28th, 1837."
This caused a hilarious demonstration at Brest, and Platt saw the point of the joke, as soon as anyone, and determined to show "Variety White" that his appreciation was complete and willing to "acknowledge the corn." He therefore invited all the business men in the village or "City of Brest" to accompany him on a neighborly visit to his rival the next Saturday. The sleighing was good, and with a huge sleigh filled with a jolly crowd and drawn by four fine horses, the visit was made. White had gotten wind of the affiair and prepared for it in his most hospitable style. He opened a fresh barrel of his celebrated currant wine, (celebrated over the country side as the most delicious and "extraordinary beverage ever invented by man"), a judicious selection of other refreshing liquids, fried cakes, gingerbread, and various other eatables were bountifully prepared, and when the Brest visitors arrived, there was a great deal doing for a few ensuing hours. It was a great occasion, and a very tactful procedure for Brest, for it healed up "sore spots" and harmonized relations that were becoming exceedingly strained. Today there is nothing to show that anything unpleasant ever happened there,-not even the two villages themselves.
NEW DUBLIN AND WATERLOO
During the excavation of the government canal to improve the harbor of Monroe, a large number of Irishmen were employed with shovel and spade; some of these had families, and settled in the south western portion of the city in the First ward; as usual, it was not difficult for boys of active minds with a keen sense of humor, to find a sobriquet for this little settlement in Monroe, and by common consent, "New Dublin" became the term by which it was familiarly known and is even to this day, although the applicability of the nickname ceased long ago to be pertinent. Waterloo, another specially designated locality in the city, also in the First ward, has borne that name for so long a period that even the oldest inhabitant fails to remember when or why it was bestowed. The battle of Waterloo was fought and won in 1815 by the "Iron Duke;" that is a little too early a date to be considered a reason for the bestowing of this historic name upon a section of wilder- ness in Monroe county, and it does not seem probable that the French, who were the principal inhabitants would under the circumstances, have cared to perpetuate it. So the cause or circumstances suggesting the designation remain in obscurity. A waterpower was developed on the River Raisin at this point and a grist mill built and operated there for many years, which is still running and manufacturing an excellent quality of flour and other milling products; there was later established a woolen mill owned and operated for many years by Thomas and John
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
Norman, of Monroe, later by Redfield & Noble (Herman J. Redfield and Henry Shaw Noble).
INCORPORATED VILLAGES (CENSUS OF 1910)
Dundee-Township of Dundee. Population in 1910, 1,070; Incor- porated, 1855.
Maybee-Township of Exeter. Population in 1910, 310; Incorpor- ated, 1899.
Milan-Partly in Monroe county, partly in Washtenaw county: Population in 1910, 1385; Incorporated, 1885.
Petersburgh-Township of Summerfield. Population in 1910, 490; Incorporated, 1869.
Carleton-Township of Ash. Incorporated, 1912.
POST-OFFICES AND POST MASTERS OF THE COUNTY (Corrected up to April 24, 1912)
Azalia, township of Milan-Fred Noble, postmaster.
Carleton, township of Ash-C. B. Hermann, postmaster. Cone, township of Milan.
Dundee, township of Dundee-Chas. Pulver, postmaster.
Erie, township of Erie-Geo. H. Drewior, postmaster.
Ida, township of Ida-Emma M. Snell, postmistress.
Lambertville, township of Bedford-H. L. Vanorman, postmaster.
Lasalle, township of Lasalle-John Bottimer, postmaster.
Lulu, township of Ida-Andrew Schultz, postmaster.
Maybee, township of Exeter-Leonard Reiser, postmaster. Monroe, city of Monroe-Chas E. Kirby, postmaster.
Newport, township of Berlin-A. E. Niedermeir, postmaster. Ottawa Lake, township of Whiteford-James A. White, postmaster. Petersburg, township of Summerfield-Thomas Clark, postmaster. Samaria, township of Bedford-Edward Harwick, postmaster. Scofield, township of Exeter-Chas Angerer, Sr., postmaster. South Rockwood, township of Berlin-G. Vreeland, postmaster. Steiner, township of Frenchtown-W. G. Fiedler, postmaster. Strasburg, township of Raisinville-A. W. Rau, postmaster. Temperance, township of Bedford-George R. Kinney, postmaster.
POPULATION 1810-1910
In the year 1810, the population of Michigan territory was 4,528, made up of 4,384 whites, 120 blacks and 24 slaves. At the end of the decade, there were 9,048, composed of 8,874 whites and 174 blacks, no slaves being included; by 1830, the population had reached 32,531, divided as follows : whites, 32,242; blacks, 257; slaves, 32. The increase during the following four years, (the census being taken in 1834, to determine if the population had reached the number qualifying the territory for admission into the union), was rapid; Monroe at that time was the most populous county, outside of Wayne, Washtenaw and Oakland, in the territory; the figures in each being given as follows: Wayne, 16,638; Washtenaw, 14,920; Monroe, 8,542; Oakland, 13,844. The total in the state, 87,273. Frontier troubles and malicious reports of the government agents in regard to the soil and climate of this portion of the state had much to do in retarding its development. The entire white population of the territory in 1800 was 551, in 1810 but 4,528, of
.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY
whom nearly one-third were in Monroe county. During the next ten years it increased to 8,896 only, but jumped to 31,639 from 1820 to 1830. In the decade during which the territory acquired statehood, the growth in population was most surprising, reaching 212,267 in 1840. Owing to its fertility, location and natural resources, Monroe county had more than its share in this increase. The following table tells the story of its gradual development :
1810- 1,340
1860-21,593
1820- 1,831
. 1864-22,221
1830- 3,187 1870-27,475
1837-10,611 1874-30,111
1840- 9,922
1880-33,624
1845-13,861
1884-33,353
1850-14,698
1890-32,337
1854-18,030
1894-33,181
Population of Monroe county, census of 1910, by townships, and the city, by wards :
Ash 1,840
Bedford
2,213
Berlin
1,687
Dundee
2,942
Erie
1,477
Exeter
1,550
Frenchtown
1,770
Ida
1,653
La Salle
1,293
London
1,128
Milan
1,943
Monroe
1,141
Raisinville
1,693
Summerfield
2,008
Whiteford
1,686
Monroe City
6,893*
1st ward
2,029
2d ward
1,147
3d ward
2,571
4th ward
1,146
Total
32,917
* This is claimed to be an erroneous enumeration-the subsequent school census giving something over 8,000. r,
Conservator's Report Bentley Historical Library
Title: Bulkley. History of Monroe County (2 vols. )
Received: Book bound with tunnel-back-style binding. Cover was full leather. Leather was friable and abraded. Joints were broken. Headbands were loose. Book was sewn all along over recessed cords. Sewing was sound. Paper was in good condition. Boards were of solid binder's board.
Treatment: Disbound book. Paste washed spine. Deacidified. Lined the spine. Added new machine-woven headbands. Rebound in new cover of 1/4 leather with cloth sides in case-style binding.
Materials: Talas wheat paste. Ehlermann's LAL 215 PVA adhesive. Barbours linen thread. PROMATCO heavy-duty endsheet paper. Machine-woven headbands. Backing flannel. Davey "Red Label" binder's board. Oasis Morocco leather. 23K gold.
Date work completed: August 1993
Signed:
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