USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume I > Part 10
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said, 'Parke, if we are ordered to complete our work, you must finish mine, for I would rather lose all I have done than return here.' Dur- ing this winter we had many hindrances to encounter. When encamped at the northwest corner of township 17 it was necessary to go to the northeast corner of the township to run the line west.
"This corner had been previously established on the left bank of the Tittabawassee, when we mistook the Tobacco river for the Tittabawassee river, and sought nearly two days in a blinding snow storm, having passed the junction of the two rivers, when not able to see the corner on account of the brush covered with snow, having passed it several times during the second day. At night I told the boys we must have intersected some other stream, and in the morning we would continue east, when we would find the corner.
"My expectations were realized, and we found the corner and a brush-built hut built by Steinbrook, in which he had been awaiting our arrival. . Becoming impatient, he had left, probably for Saginaw. On his return, owing to the difficulties of passing through the brush, he rigged a kind of jumper, drawing it on the ice and attaching it to him- self in such a manner as to disengage himself when breaking through the ice in deep water ; but at one time he came near losing his life.
"On another occasion, when returning from Saginaw with his jumper, discovering a pack of wolves feasting on a deer they had just drawn from an ice hole, he decided on sharing a portion of the deer with the
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wolves; and, when they growled and glared at him, hastily sprang upon them, yelling and waving his hat; they slowly retired a few steps, while he took a portion that was left, and retired.
"Early in autumn, 1830, we, the delinquent surveyors of the past year, were notified to go forward and complete our work without delay. When preparing outfits for another campaign in the Saginaw woods, Christmas made his appearance, being on his way to complete his un- finished work.
"The two parties, his and my own, left Pontiac together, and when on our way he suggested assisting me in completing the three contracts on my hands. Arriving at Saginaw, the schooner from Detroit, on board of which were our supplies, had grounded on the river bar, caus- ing delay and serious consequences for a time.
"Through the kindness of the Messrs. E. F. and Gardner Williams, at Saginaw City, we were supplied with sufficient provisions for a single trip, as they were short, their supplies being on board of the same vessel. Dividing with Christmas and leaving part of my own for the next trip of the packer, Samuel Steinbrook, the parties proceeded together and recommenced work. The other packer went for supplies first, and as the schooner had not arrived my provisions were taken for the other party, Steinbrook being provided with two bags of potatoes, being all our friends, Messrs. Williams, could do for us.
"I regretted, when too late, that I did not send Steinbrook with a letter demanding a share of the provisions stolen after dividing with the party. Potato diet, working twelve hours a day, was hardly suffi- cient. The third day, as we were running a line east, we met the packer, and never did the pony obtain relief so sudden as then. Every man had his pocket knife in requisition, sharpening sticks for broiling pork.
"After this occurrence our work went on regularly, as there was no further delay for some time. Steinbrook, on his return, brought a letter from Christmas, desiring to know what I would give for the privilege of completing his work. I answered him briefly: as for 'giving' for this privilege it was out of question, and, respecting the finishing of his work, no encouragement could I offer.
"On the next return trip of the packer this surveyor had taken pas- sage, leaving two men at camp, Eli Sawtels being one of them. Christ- mas, renewing his application, got my assistance in the further fulfill- ment of his contract. He had become broken down, discouraged, home- sick and sick of the woods, to the shedding of tears, as he was pleading for assistance.
"When out of pity to him I said, 'If you will finish the township in which you are engaged, I will complete the remainder (two townships) of your work.' It is not for me to say how I found his work had been performed, having but two men left to assist, the others having left for home. The following year I received a letter from him, stating his expenditures during the two trips exceeded the amount of his receipts ninety dollars.
"I never heard from Thomas after his leaving the Saginaw woods. Clark dropped dead from apoplexy, with the compass under his arm,
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while extending a range line in the western part of the state in 1836 or 1837.
"I will mention here that I finished the work of the two last named surveyors in the Saginaw woods and marshes.
"In the autumn of 1832 I left home for the purpose of subdividing fifteen townships in the lead mine district in Wisconsin.
FRESH TRAILS OF THE BLACK HAWK WAR
."This is remembered as the cholera year, and also the one which closed the Black Hawk war. A little cluster of whitewashed houses at the mouth of the Chicago river marked the site of the present great city. A little distance from this point we discovered fresh wagon tracks diverging from the main road which had been made by General Scott's little army in pursuit of Black Hawk and his warriors, which with the aid of a pocket compass for general course, we mainly followed. Our troops must have made about eleven miles a day in their march, as was indicated by their camping grounds, where we found traces of their fires, cast-off clothing and frequent new-made graves. Half a mile east of Rock river we first discovered where Black Hawk and his warriors had encamped three weeks previous, and took possession for one night only. In addition to the tent-poles were six or eight brush heaps twelve or fifteen feet in diameter, three or four feet high, the use of which considering their mode of warfare, we could not comprehend.
"At sunrise we were by the river which was filled by new made, sharp, cutting ice, and the depth of the water was midriff to the pony. The poor animal had a hard time taking us all over. Erwin Tyler, the cook, being the smallest man, was selected as ferryman, and crossed and re- crossed, carrying one man behind him each trip. From this point the character of the country changed from level to hilly, and reaching the height of ground we could distinctly see, looking ahead, three Indian trails, apparently six feet apart, indicating that the warriors marched in single file. The second day after crossing the river, we came across an Indian trader, rebuilding, the Indians having burned his house and from him obtained a fresh supply of provisions. Arriving at Mineral Point, met a son of General Dodge, from whom I engaged a good sup- ply of smoked side pork, not needed for the troops, as the war had closed. I engaged flour at fourteen dollars per barrel. During our journey the weather had been warm and smoky, but the night of our arrival a terrible snow storm occurred, continuing thirty-six hours, with drifts fifteen to twenty feet high. This was discouraging, for in a prai- ยท rie country the corners are made by raising mounds of earth two and one-half feet high; in the top a stake is driven and inscribed with mark- ing-iron, denoting town, range and section. The weather was bitter cold and our labor severe, but with a spade and two-edged axe, we over- came all difficulties.
"The month of February was pleasant and the honey bees were out flying in the air. One morning I discovered honey-comb near the foot of a hollow tree, from which we took two camp kettles' of as beauti-
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ful honey as I ever saw, and from this time forward we were constantly supplied with honey.
"There was occasionally much excitement caused by the movement of the Indians, although after the battle of Bad Axe, on the Missis- sippi, where General Dodge gave them a terrible whipping, some of the principal warriors succeeded in crossing the Mississippi. Black Hawk was soon after captured, having left his warriors after crossing Rock river.
"One day, sitting there in camp, copying field notes to transmit to the officers, having sent the boys out to complete a couple of lines, I was a little startled in hearing the crack of a rifle close by, and rapidly approaching footsteps, followed by an Indian greatly excited, who pointed in the direction of the gun shot; then stooping to the ground he picked up a piece of bark which he threw in the same direction. Shaking my head he saw I was determined not to understand him, and he looked sullen, mad, and much disappointed. Of course I thought he had an accomplice, and had I left would have robbed the camp. In a few min- utes two more Indians appeared and when within six feet of the tent placed the butt of their riflles upon the ground. I felt quite relieved. We exchanged the usual salutation of 'boo shoo,' at their first appear- ance. I invited them to lunch with me as was always my custom in Michigan, after which we parted good friends.
"I finished this work the last of April, and my men returned home, with the exception of my nephew, M. B. Smith, who accompanied me to Cincinnati, as the surveyor general's office had been removed to the city.
"I had waited at Galena three weeks for the arrival of the first steamer going south. During my stay at Galena great excitement ex- isted in regard to Indians, as rumor said they were assembling by hun- dreds at Dixon's ferry, on Black river. One day a great scare occurred as a horseman appeared on the opposite side of the river, shouting 'to arms! to arms!' All the inhabitants were fleeing from Dixon's ferry to Galena in great terror. He plunged his poor, panting horse into the stream, rapidly urging him over. The poor animal feel dead soon after reaching the opposite shore. Laying aside my papers I set off for the ferry, where drums and fifes were playing and fifty or more men and boys had assembled. About the time I was leaving, the assembled mul- titude, fifteen or twenty young men mounted on horseback, were cross- ing the river to assist the women and children on their way. But as usual it proved a false alarm.
"While making returns at this time, the surveyor general suggested my entering into contract for surveying the exterior lines of townships in Indiana, and proceeding to the work as soon as I could make the necessary arrangements. Owing to the ill health of my wife when last heard from, I chose to defer giving an answer till I arrived home, when it was suggested my leaving a blank contract, to which I assented. The work in Indiana was afterwards given to Sylvester Sibley and another Michigan surveyor. For this act of the government agent the Indiana surveyors were much displeased, so much so as I was told, it was car- ried into congress at the next session.
Vol. 1-4
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BETWEEN SAGINAW BAY AND LAKE HURON
"During the following autumn orders were received by the surveyor general to cause that part of the territory lying between Saginaw bay and township 9, on Lake Huron, to be surveyed. The chief clerk was instructed to fill the blanks in the above mentioned contract and for- ward the same to me. This work had been given to Joseph Wampler in the fall of 1822, embracing about eighty township exterior lines, ex- tending south to township 6, and from range 8 east to Lake Huron, he (Wampler ). having surveyed about twenty-four townships, leaving the north line of township 10 unsurveyed, such being his anxiety to leave the swamps. It was the most dreaded portion of the lower peninsula, and would have been objectionable at the most favorable season of the year, but as there was one deputy surveyor, William A. Burt, at work near the lake, and another on his way, it was necessary the survey of the township lines should be continued or the subdivision must cease.
"I was on the ground with a full party or on about the first day of January, 1834, at the northwest corner of township 10 east, and there- fore nearly forty miles east of township line (9 or 10) left unsurveyed by Wampler. To commence surveying it was necessary to cross the townships by ranging with pocket compass to intersect just south of quarter section corner, it being necessary to measure from said corner a half mile, at which point the town corner was established in readi- ness to run the line west. This operation was necessary to perform in every range of townships. The snow being eighteen inches deep and the evergreen underbrush bent to the ground, it was extremely difficult ranging to keep our course, which occasioned our falling two miles short of camp when overtaken by night, and the going of this, our first. day without supper, tent, or blankets. In running long lines among swamps, where it is impossible for horses to pass, it was a common thing for each man to shoulder and carry throughout the day a pack containing a blanket and several days' provisions. Continuing my work for a few weeks under great disadvantage, I concluded to return home and wait until the frost should bridge the streams, which would enable us to extend our lines into the interior.
"In six weeks I entered the second time, after having obtained the field notes of a survey in township 9, where the timber, beech, denoted hard land, indicating that pack horses could be used. With this view I made a deposit of provisions at Mill Creek in addition to that made at Lapeer, and Burch's mill on Black river, six miles north of Port Huron. In addition to the horses, I engaged an extra pack-man, and proceeded by way of Romeo to Mill creek. Crossed the creek early in the morning, but soon plunged into almost an unpenetrable swamp, where I had expected being able to proceed with the horses, but they repeatedly sank, were unpacked, dragged out through mud and water, repacked, but soon down again, until night overtook us, when we chanced to find a section corner by which we learned we had progressed one and one-half miles. Finding it impossible to get the horses through, I sent them with two men, back to Romeo, with orders to proceed to Port Huron, then up to the lake shore about twenty miles, thence
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northwest to the point designated. The axeman, two chainmen and cook, headed by myself, each with a blanket and two weeks' provisions, pocket compass in hand, course northeast, set off through the marsh, readily finding the corner left in my first trip. We commenced work, continuing two weeks, our provisions much reduced, and not hearing from the pack-men, I decided we would go in pursuit. Taking an east course, we intersected Black river, followed down stream, boarded a shingle shanty, and were informed by the men that the men and horses had crossed the river and gone west. Turning back in our course we followed their tracks, and in due time met together. When running west I dispatched our new pack-man, directing him to go southwest by the pocket compass and, when eight miles, look sharply for an east and west line I had surveyed, follow it until he found what I had de- scribed on paper (handing it to him) and he would find provisions in a basswood trough covered with a like made trough, secured by heavy logs for safety.
"Finding the provisions he made a full pack from the deposit and set off to meet the surveying party. 'But his return was long delayed. Fortunately the other packer, Steinbrook, was returning from my other deposit-Burch's mill-and met the lost and bewildered man, when the two returned to camp the following day. Of course he had a long story to tell of his adventures and sufferings during his two weeks' solitude in the wilderness. For six or eight weeks the land in the vicinity of the heads of Cass and Black rivers (the English of the Indian name is 'Big Marsh') was under water from knee to waist deep, and we were obliged to dispense with our horses while extend- ing range and township lines, while each man carried on his back his own blanket and provisions.
"Our progress, of course, was slow, making two and one-half to three miles per day. We were frequently obliged to lay down poles and pile on them hemlock boughs to keep out of the water while we slept. I remember we built one camp-fire on the earth-covered roots of an overthrown hemlock, after driving center-poles to scaffold up to the fire. The difficulty of transporting provisions caused us to be on short allowance, and I well remember, at one time, when our hun- ger had not been satisfied for days, and while establishing a corner on the bank of Lake Huron, a couple of the boys killed a coon when start- ing for camp, and not being able to reach it before night, we roasted one quarter of the coon for supper, and lay down blanketless for our night's repose. The remainder of the ,little animal, with the last pint of flour at camp, was quickly disposed of on our arrival.
"In April, finding I was accomplishing so little after two months' hard work, I decided to return home and await a more favorable sea- son. When making returns of the work performed I was offered twelve townships subdividing, with privilege of selecting my own location. This I accepted, and early in the autumn started on my third trip. When recommencing my work on Lake Huron another surveyor was landing his provisions, preparatory to commencing subdividing where I had already surveyed the township lines, and another party was said to be on his way for like purposes. It seemed as though the government
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was determined the survey of the part of the Lower Peninsula should be completed, twelve years having passed by since Wampler commenced the township lines. I found the condition of the country more favorable, the water having passed off. We found plenty of game, elk, deer, and indications of moose.
"Trappers had marked their lines with numerous dead-falls for mar- tin and other animals, valuable for their furs,' having coasted along the lake shore, as we found their boats well secured at the mouth of one of the streams.
"My work of subdividing lay partly on Saginaw bay. I completed it and returned home in February.
SURVEYS IN BLACK HAWK RESERVATION, IOWA
"In the autumn of 1836 I received a contract for surveying the ex- terior lines of about sixty townships in Iowa, extending from the south boundary of the territory to a point five miles north of Rock island, being equal to about one-third of the Black Hawk reservation.
"Arrived on the left bank of the Mississippi, opposite Burlington the 23d day of December, 1836. The river nearly filled with thick cakes of ice, it was with great difficulty that a ferryman, with my assistance in throwing a line to them from shore, by which they hauled the boat to land, having floated with the current far below the city. The packer, going down the river twelve miles, was able to cross over with the pack-horses, returning to the party in about two weeks. During this two weeks were extending lines, putting up at night with the settlers.
"During the time required for the performance of this work up to June following, the party suffered extremely with the severity of the weather, it being an open tract of country, principally prairie. The great wonder among the 'squatters' was, why we came to survey in winters. 'Why,' they say, 'you cannot survey half the time, as you can- not endure the cold.' In addition to this, the snow was sixteen inches deep for eight weeks.
"Much time was lost daily in travel to and from timber, for camp- ing. We continued many days working, while the 'squatters' were sit- ting by the firesides. I well remember one rainy morning during this month, entering the open, wide-spread prairie six miles west of Bur- lington, when running a range line (the pack-man with the horses turn- ing to the right for wood shelter), my nephew, M. B. Smith, said, 'Uncle, your face is frozen.' This was about the middle of the day. Such was the sudden change of weather in three or four hours' time, and increasing, that were it not that we had reached the town corner, and running east with our backs to the wind, we should have been com- pelled to flee to the timber to avoid freezing.
"One terrible cold night the prairie winds blew out all our fires, and our full supply of blankets seemed to afford no protection. Some of the boys started on a bee line for the nearest house, going in their stocking feet as the fire had been insufficient to thaw hard frozen boots. The remainder soon followed and I remained alone in camp until sun- rise, when I was glad to follow, the entire company's blankets being
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insufficient protection from such terrible cold and wind. During the month of March the reflection of the sun on the snow was extremely painful to our eyes, and notwithstanding we adopted the Indian custom of blacking our faces, it was unsuccessful, and I was compelled to send a long distance for green glasses, giving relief at once.
"After the middle of April our work went on finely. Approaching the western boundary of the reservation, we were anticipating some trouble with the Indians, as they had manifested some dissatisfaction regarding the line as surveyed their encampment. But the only an- noyance we received from them was stealing the only remaining pack pony, and, as I had sent his mate off with the packman, this compelled the party to carry packs when extending lines. This was the fourth horse stolen by the Indians during my surveys. Completed this work the first of June, having been absent from home about six months.
ANOTHER IOWA CONTRACT
"Receiving another contract for subdividing twelve townships, also in Iowa, extending from Dubuque to Turkey river, and two ranges west to an extensive prairie, I left home on the 22d day of August, 1837, it being the second day of election under the territorial law. Arrived at Dubuque on the 6th of September, and before the first township was completed three of the party were taken down with the ague and fever, causing much delay with our work. Nevertheless we finished the sub- division in due time, and commenced the survey of the islands in the Mississippi, and when about two-thirds completed the January thaw breaking up the ice compelled us to discontinue our work, the only con- tract I ever failed to fulfill. After waiting a week in vain for a change of weather we crossed the river with much trouble, for home via Ga- lena, as there was no road open further north. Arriving at Chicago the principal topic was the Michigan wild-cat money, followed by the Canadian patriot war. We frequently met sleighs overloaded with fami- lies fleeing from their Canadian troubles.
"Arrived home the latter part of February. I then intended dis- continuing the survey of public lands. However, in the autumn of 1844, I received a letter accompanied by a contract for resurveying the township of Salem (township I south, range 7 east). The county surveyor declined making further surveys. It furthermore was en- joined on me to pay strict regard to the instructions transmitted, they having emanated from the hand of the commissioner of the land office. This work required three weeks.
"Early in the year 1845 the office of the surveyor general was re- moved from Cincinnati to Detroit, when one of the early pioneer sur- veyors, the late Hon. Lucius Lyon, received the appointment of sur- veyor general.
CAPTAIN PARKE'S RECAPITULATION
"The number of miles of established lines which I surveyed in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa, from March, 1822, up to the middle of
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January, 1838, including the survey of township I south, range 7 east, Washtenaw county, if performed in subdividing, would be equal to more than three times the size of Oakland county, amounting to 5,400 miles, the ground twice walked over, amounting to 10,800; to this add the daily walking from and return to camp, about equal to thirty miles to the township; to this add the travel to and from my districts, some- times several hundred miles from home, and the whole number would not fall short of 20,000 miles.
"I have not penned the foregoing as being anything extraordinary, as there are thousands of men in Michigan who could go through the same fatigue if they would form a resolution to do so. We suffered much from frozen feet, the painful effects of which I am still hourly reminded, after a lapse of forty years .*
"It was not uncommon to carry packs of blankets and provisions camping, when overtaken by night.
"In the prairie country we occasionally carried poles from two to three inches in diameter, from which to cut posts to set in mounds every half mile, when raised in the spring. These posts we marked with the marking iron-township, range and section. I have occasion- ally entered a prairie with three poles, equal to nine posts, with com- pass and staff in hand.
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