USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests Volume I > Part 37
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THE FIRE OF 1840
The village had not even a hand engine when the fire of April 30, 1840, broke out in the Exchange, recently occupied by E. Burlington, corner of Saginaw and Lawrence. The flames soon swept across Sagi- naw street, which they swept clean to Pike street. Twenty-five build- ings were destroyed altogether, at a loss of some $25,000. These figures do not now look appalling; but they did at that time, as they represented the destruction of the business heart of Pontiac. The Jacksonian says that at the time the fire swept along Saginaw street "the spectacle was truly awful and sublime"; further, that "every one acted with commen- dable coolness. The ladies, who turned out and carried buckets, water, etc., are worthy of all praise."
EARLY BRIDGES
During the summer of 1841 bridges were built over the mill pond at Pike street and over Pontiac creek at Clinton street. In the follow- ing year the Pontiac & Detroit Railroad was approaching the place, and the question of the right-of-way began to be discussed.
"COMMON COUNCIL," THE GOVERNING BODY
The election of officers for May, 1842, was held under the amended charter, which changed the title of the corporation from "president
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
and trustees" to "common council," and allowed the people to choose a president, three trustees, a recorder and a marshal. The treasurer was appointed by the council. The first election under the new order of things resulted as follows: President, Pierce Patrick; trustees, Fran- cis Darrow, Rufus Hosmer and Willard M. McConnell; recorder, War- ren J. Nelson. Julius Dean was appointed treasurer.
It would appear that the people became tired of the monotony of the place under the order prohibiting the ringing of bells, for in 1850 a peti- tion signed by 221 citizens was presented to the common council pray- ing that Martin Bransby be appointed bell ringer. Their prayer was granted and said Bransby was allowed a salary of $52 for ringing the bell at five, nine and twelve o'clock A. M. and at one, five and nine o'clock P. M.
In 1851 a new bridge was constructed over the Clinton river on Pike street, at the mill pond, and in 1853 one was built on Andrews street, now Orchard Lake avenue. A bridge was built over the mill pond on Pike street in 1858, and in 1860 one on Pike street, west of the rail- road, was completed.
THE VILLAGE FIRE DEPARTMENT
The question of applying for a city charter began to be discussed early in 1859. In the meantime the fire department had been so developed that it consisted of Pontiac Fire Company No. I, with forty-one men, and Deluge Fire Company No. 2, with thirty-seven members, two hand en- gines and one hose cart. The first company was organized in 1833, but the men appear to have got along with buckets until 1844, when a hand engine was purchased in Rochester, New York, for six hundred dollars. In 1847 a Piano engine was purchased, and in the following year a one story brick house was completed; herein was housed the engine of 1844 (No. I) and the engine of 1847, which was christened Deluge Fire En- gine No. 2," the second fire company being formed in that year.
In 1847 H. C. Thurber was appointed chief engineer of the depart- ment, being succeeded by Colonel Archibald Spear in 1850, William C. Palmer in 1851, and James A. Weeks in 1852.
GAS WORKS INAUGURATED
Previous to the incorporation of Pontiac as a city in 1861 the de- partment consisted only of the two companies mentioned. The year before it became a municipality preliminary steps were taken to erect gas works, a committee of the common council being appointed to look after the matter and an ordinance passed March 21, 1860, authorizing Enos F. Chappell to form a stock company for that purpose. At the ' time Pontiac donned city garb, however, the gas works were still "in the air."
HEADS OF THE VILLAGE GOVERNMENT
The heads of the village government when the popular body was known as the "board of trustees" were as follows: 1838, Suel Wesson,
-
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president ; 1839, Amasa Bagley; 1840, G. O. Whittemore; 1841, E. B. Comstock.
After the governing body became the "common council" its presi- dents, year by year, were as follows: 1842, Pierce Patrick ; 1843, William S. Henderson ; 1844, John P. LeRoy ; 1845, Rufus Hosmer; 1846, Joseph R. Bowman; 1847, Rufus Hosmer; 1848, Horace C. Thurber; 1849, Horace C. Thurber ; 1850, Alfred Treadway; 1851, William M. Thomp- son ; 1852, M. La Mont Bagg; 1853, Alfred Treadway; 1854, Alfred Treadway ; 1855, James A. Weeks; 1856, Samuel E. Beach ; 1857, Julius Dean ; 1858, Julius Dean ; 1859, R. W. Davis; 1860, A. B. Matthews.
CHAPTER XXI
CITY OF PONTIAC
FIRST ELECTION-CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT BORN-FIRST CITY HALL- VALUE OF PROPERTY IN 1876-"JOHN P. FOSTER NO. 2"-SMALLPOX EPIDEMICS OF 1881-82-NEWSPAPER SENSATION-RESIGNATION OF CHIEF ENGINEER FOSTER-CITY FINANCES IN 1876-BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS CREATED-THE NEW FIFTH WARD-ORIGINAL SYS- TEM OF WATER WORKS-ELECTRIC LIGHTING AND TELEPHONE SYS- TEMS-FIRST GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPH-MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT IN 1894-FIRST THREE YEARS OF WATER SERVICE- LIGHTING AND TELEPHONE SERVICE AGAIN-SEWERAGE SYSTEM IN- AUGURATED-EXTENSION OF WATER WORKS-TELEPHONE SERVICE UP TO DATE-COMMISSION GOVERNMENT ADOPTED-EARLY MEAS- URES PASSED-INCREASED EFFICIENCY OF FIRE DEPARTMENT-THE PRESENT CITY HALL-MAYORS OF PONTIAC-THE CITY PRESS- OAK HILL CEMETERY-GAS LIGHTING AND ELECTRIC POWER- POSTOFFICE AND POSTMASTERS-THE PONTIAC STATE HOSPITAL.
This chapter deals with the history of Pontiac as a city, tracing its general development as a municipality, with sketches of its various de- partments, from its first incorporation in 1861 to the adoption of the commission form of government in 1911, a period almost exactly of half a century.
CHARTERED
Pontiac was chartered as a city by an act of the legislature approved by the governor March 15, 1861, its territorial limits being the same as those of the village-that is, section 29, the west half of section 28, the north half of section 32 and the northwest quarter of section 33. By the amendment of March 20, 1867, the limits were extended so as to in- clude the south half sections of 19, 20 and 21 and all of sections 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33, making an area of three by two and a half miles and including 4,800 acres. The same territory was covered by the city, although of course settled and improved along every modern line, at the commencement of the commission form of government April 1, 1911.
By the amended act of March 20, 1867, Pontiac was divided into four wards, and a fifth was added in 1889.
The above may be designated as the chief divisions in the history of Pontiac as a city. The steps in this progress are to be described here- after somewhat in detail.
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
FIRST ELECTION
The first election for city officers was held April 1, 1861, and a few days later the War of the Rebellion broke upon the country with its hideous storm of death and destruction. Pontiac responded to Lin- coln's call for 75,000 volunteers with patriotic promptness, and on the 27th of April the common council voted to raise one thousand dollars for the benefit of families of volunteers, the same to be issued in city orders of fifty dollars each. For the entire year of 1861 the total tax raised was $3,621.79; school tax, $1,850; the total receipts were $8,433.56, and the expenditures, the same.
In 1863 the valuation of city property is given as follows: First ward, $272,052 ; second ward, $388,235; total, $660,287. The school tax amounted to $3,575.
In February, 1864, the council agreed to pay a bounty of one hun- dred dollars to each volunteer for Civil war service, and in the early part of the following year Mayor Cudworth, representing that body, entered into a contract with the gas company to supply Pontiac with illumination.
The treasurer's report for the year ending April 25, 1865, showed the total receipts of the city to have been $17,066.91 and expenses $16,700.53. City indebtedness : War bonds issued, $9,840; city bonds, $20,000.
CITY POLICE DEPARTMENT BORN
A night police was established during the winter of 1867-8, this being the first attempt at the establishment of a city police department, but one of the first acts of the newly-elected council of 1868 was the dis- bandment of the night force. It was soon afterward reestablished.
Under the amended charter of March, 1867, the city made a jump from two to four wards, and under the same act the school limits of the Pontiac union district were made coextensive with the municipal limits.
FIRST CITY HALL
In 1868 the two-story brick building on Pike street, which was after- ward remodeled for the fire department, was completed for the use of the municipal officers at a cost of $12,000.
In 1871 the iron bridge on Saginaw street was built by the Canton Iron Bridge Company, of Ohio, for $4,500.
For that year the receipts into the city treasury amounted to $43,- 247.10 and the expenditures, $39,448.04; balance, $3,799.06. Five years afterward, March 20, 1876, the balance in the hands of the city treasurer amounted to $5,III.55; the receipts for the year had been $40,205.18 and the disbursements, $35,093.63. The largest sources of income were the liquor tax ($3,122) ; city tax to pay face and interest of bonds ($4,239) and that raised for school purposes ($17,500).
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
VALUE OF PROPERTY IN 1876
At the council meeting of October 11, 1876, the assessed valuation of city property was reported as follows :
Wards
Real Estate
Personal
Total
First
$125,180
$ 29,800
$154,980
Second
128,250
42,400
170,650
Third
183,075
50,150
233,225
Fourth
240,550
83,910
324,460
Totals
$677,055
$206,260
$883,315
The amount of taxes levied for the year 1876 on the above valua- tion was as follows: City tax (three-fourths of one per cent), $6,624.86; sinking fund (one-tenth of one per cent), $883.31 ; matured bonds, with interest, $2,280 ; bridge fund, $1,000; for school purposes, $17,000. Total, $27,788.17.
The common council at its meeting of December 30, 1878, passed resolutions of respect and condolence on the death of Hiram Voorheis, so long a valued and beloved member of that body.
"JOHN P. FOSTER, NO. 2"
At the session of January 20, 1879, bids were received from four or five well known manufacturers of steam fire engines, east and west, offering to "deliver the goods" in Pontiac for $4,000, the Silsby Manu- facturing Company of Seneca Falls, New York, also agreeing to repair the old steamer "Pontiac," which was all but out of commission. The Ahrens Manufacturing Company of Cincinnati, offered to take its pay in Pontiac city bonds, payable five years from delivery of engine, or eight per cent off for cash. The Silsby concern secured the contract and by February, 1879, the so-called Silsby "combination engine" was safely housed in Pontiac. It was received from Chicago and failed to give satisfaction. The council then refused to ratify the purchase of the new engine, but agreed to pay the eastern concern for the repair of the old engine. The Silsby Company threatened to sue the city for viola- tion of contract, but a compromise was finally effected and the engine was retained. It was named John P. Foster, No. 2.
Mayor Mabley resigned at the meeting of the council held July 7, 1879, and a special election was called for the first Monday in August to select his successor. Alderman Jacobs became acting mayor. Charles Dawson became mayor at the April election of 1880.
William Smith & Sons petitioned the common council, December 27, 1880, for permission to lay gas pipes in the city streets and alleys, alleg- ing that the "gas made by our process is free from all impurities and is five times greater candle power than coal gas; hence it requires only one-fifth the quantity to produce the same amount of light." Their petition was granted at the next meeting, provided the pipes for the aforesaid gas were laid within two years; but the enterprise failed to materialize.
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
SMALLPOX EPIDEMICS OF 1881-82
On account of the threatened prevalence of smallpox in 1881 and the prevailing carelessness of citizens to take proper precautions, the board of health, of which John Meloy was chairman, adopted a house- to-house vaccination campaign, being, of course, backed by the common council. At the same time vigorous measures were put in force to eradi- cate all filthy conditions which would naturally stimulate the spread of any epidemic. A pesthouse was established during this period, as several cases run their course notwithstanding all the precautions taken. When the epidemic had abated the pesthouse was closed, but several blankets were unfortunately left behind-most unfortunately, because a certain colored family appropriated them for private uses, and started an epi- demic in the following year which was worse than the first. But that was also stamped out by energetic measures.
An interesting item taken from the records of 1884 is that which presents the schedule of licenses adopted at the meeting of the common council held on April 21, of that year. A menagerie and circus were to pay into the city treasury $15 each; circus and menagerie combined, $25 ; side show, $5; stand or booth, $2; concert or minstrel show, per day or night, $2 ; theatrical troupe, per day or night, $2; rope walker, per day or night, $2; street exhibition of animals, per day or night, $2; other enter- tainments not mentioned in the foregoing, $2 per day or night; wagons or tables (transients), per day, $5; street peddlers other than the fore- going, $5 ; meat peddlers, per year, $25 ; fish stands, per year, $10; vege- table, fruit or candy stands, carts or wagons (single or combined), per year, $10; hacks, omnibuses and other public carriages, transient, per day, $5; auctioneer, transient, per day, $5; auctioneer, local, per year, $5.
NEWSPAPER SENSATION
Some excitement was caused at the council meeting of April 20, 1885, by the introduction of a resolution to the effect that the city papers (Gazette and Bill Poster) had charged that body with misappropriating cemetery funds for general purposes; one correspondent in the Bill Poster stated that the amount so taken was as much as $3,000; and, in view of said charge and contemplated purchase of new cemetery ground
"Resolved, that the mayor appoint a committee of five to investigate such charges and any other matters concerning said cemetery and report at the next meeting, said committee to consist of two aldermen and three citizens."
Such investigation showed that the council had borrowed about $2,000 from the trust fund with which to buy the south addition to the ceme- tery grounds, with no other intention than of promptly paying it back (which was done) ; so the excitement and newspaper sensation effect- ually evaporated.
The council held a special meeting April 27, 1885, to take appropriate action on the death of Mayor Samuel H. Norton, and resolutions were adopted and engrossed at the meeting of May 5th.
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
INVESTIGATING LIGHT AND WATER SYSTEMS
Aldermen Meloy, Taylor and Weston were appointed a committee, at the council session of August 10, 1885, to visit neighboring cities and investigate the matter of supplying the city with electric light.
At the same meeting, Aldermen William R. Rowley, G. H. Turk and Alf. Webb made a long report on their examination of different systems of water works. They examined the gravity system of Ann Arbor, the direct pressure systems of Lansing and Grand Rapids, and the works at Big Rapids, Reed City, Petoskey and Flint, which also illustrated the stand-pipe system. The committee collected complete figures as to the difference between actual ownership, cost of fire pro- tection and the cost of the same by franchise, its final recommendation being that the city build and operate its own works, and that, in view of the existing low prices of material and machinery, a special election be called to submit the question of voting bonds at once.
On October 5, 1885, however, the council adopted a resolution to submit the proposition of issuing bonds not to exceed $75,000 for the proposed water works, at the regular charter election. In February, 1886, the council invited proposals from construction companies and named March Ist as the date for opening them. Professor Charles E. Green, of the civil engineering department of the Michigan University, was called to the city to make the necessary surveys and estimates and report to the council. At the charter election of April 5, 1886, however, the water works proposition was defeated, 573 voting "no" and 418 "yea" on the issuing of bonds.
RESIGNATION OF CHIEF ENGINEER FOSTER
Chief Engineer Foster, of the fire department, made his annual re- port and resigned his office, to the deep regret of all, April 14, 1886, in the following communication to the mayor and common council : "Gentlemen: I herewith submit my annual report as chief engineer of the Pontiac fire department from April 1, 1885, to April 14, 1886. We have had during the year three small fires and eight false alarms. The loss of property has been very small.
"We have on hand two steamers and two hose carts, all in good condition. We have about 2,200 feet of hose, 500 feet of which is No. I, 500 feet No. 2, and the balance No. 3. This comprises all the prop- erty belonging to the city for use in the fire department which has been placed in my hands.
"With this report will terminate my services as chief engineer of the Pontiac fire department for the past thirty-six years. I wish to retire now from further service and, in retiring, I feel that I leave it in good hands. Some of the men have been with me for a number of years and are selected from the best material that is available. They are all good men and thoroughly understand their business. Mr. H. G. Mon- roe, the engineer, in my judgment is a very valuable man for the city, perfectly competent and second to none in the state. He is ably assisted by Mr. Cass Hurlburt.
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
"Hoping the same good fortune may attend our city in the future as of late years, I remain,
"Your obedient servant, "J. P. FOSTER, Chief Engineer."
CITY FINANCES IN 1886
From the reports of various city officers we now present the several items which best exhibit the financial status of Pontiac, and those who are interested in this subject should revert to similar figures already published for the year 1876, or a decade before.
The balance in the treasury March 12, 1886, was $1,661.22; the total receipts for the year having been $34,359.93 and the disbursements, $33,698.71.
The property valuation and tax apportionment, by wards, was as follows :
Wards
Valuation General Fund
Bridges
Schools
First
$ 449,500
$ 2,065.54
$ 187.77
$ 1,877.4I
Second
366,800
1,685.53
153.33
1,532.42
Third
659,000
3,028.24
275.27
2,754.02
Fourth
918,000
4,220.69
383.63
3,836.15
Total
$2,393,300
$11,000.00
$1,000.00
$10,000.00
BOARD OF WATER COMMISSIONERS CREATED
At a meeting of the council held August 22, 1887, an ordinance was passed establishing a city board of water commissioners, to consist of four members, with the mayor ex officio president of such board. Their regular term of office was to be four years. As the first members of the new board the council elected J. D. Norton, whose term of office was to expire the second Wednesday in April, 1889; Alfred Webb, whose term was to expire on the same date in 1890; Judson A. Ham- mond, in 1891, and A. A. Lull, in 1892.
THE NEW FIFTH WARD
The first officials of the Fifth ward, which was created in 1889, were as follows: C. J. Fox, supervisor, who served until 1892; C. C. P. Pittman, alderman, who was succeeded the same year by J. W. Bird, Daniel Linabury, constable; William Jay, treasurer.
It was first announced in the council which met March 4, 1889, that there was a movement afoot to divide the Fourth ward. Although there was considerable opposition to its creation, the measure finally went through the council. Its first appearance in the city finances of that year indicates that it embraced property valued at $555,700, and bore the following taxes: General, $3,953.85; bridges, $213.94; interest on water bonds, $818.09; schools, $2,780.43-total, $7,766.31. The entire valuation of city property was $2,598,200 and its tax levy, $36,311.50.
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
ORIGINAL SYSTEM OF WATERWORKS
The first report of the board of water commissioners submitted to the council February 10, 1890, is as follows: "To the Honorable Mayor and Common Council-Gentlemen: Since the creating of the board of water commissioners by your predecessors a complete system of water- works has been established in the city of Pontiac. Large powers and responsibilities were entrusted to this board; no system decided on, or a plan proposed. The board accepted of the trust in the same spirit in which it was given, and have endeavored to give to this city the best system of waterworks they could with the money to be expended. We feel that our efforts have been successful and assert, without fear of successful contradiction, that no city has a better plant for the money expended than has this city.
"Your commissioners, ignorant of the kind of a plant most desirable and unskilled in the practical establishment and working of the same, endeavored by a personal visit to our neighboring cities, similar in size and surroundings, to inform themselves as to the most efficient system to adopt.
"Two systems of waterworks were practicable to us-one pumping into a standpipe and taking the distribution from said pipe; the other, pumping direct into the mains. Both systems have their adherents. In order to have 100 pounds pressure-fire pressure-the standpipe would have to have been 200 feet in height. A less height would have necessi- tated the constant presence of an engineer or fireman at the pumping station, in order to make fire pressure, if needed; hence, no economy in regard to labor. Again, the bids submitted for a suitable standpipe would have taken about one-fourth of the total appropriation.
"Your board adopted the system of pumping direct into the mains. The wisdom of this course seems fully justified. The location of the pumping station was fixed near the railroad for economy in fuel, and near the river, above the city sewage, for unfailing water supply. John D. Cook, of Toledo, was engaged as consulting engineer, who prepared the specifications for the construction of the works and laid out the system of pipe distribution. Bids for the construction of the works were opened December 22, 1887, and on February 6, 1888, the contract was approved by the council and awarded to W. S. Parks & Company, they being the lowest bidders. On November 12, 1888, the works were in operation, since which time they have been under constant pressure.
"The season of 1888 being near its close, but few taps could be made before the ground was frozen, and rental of water takers com- menced January 1, 1889. Bonds of the city to the amount of $85,000 were issued, drawing interest at the rate of four and a half per cent per annum, interest payable semi-annually, and were sold to the Wayne County Savings Bank of Detroit at par; $75,000 of these bonds were dated March 1, 1888, and $10,000 May 1, 1888, the savings bank pay- ing out the funds as needed and allowing four per cent interest on balances. Of these bonds, $5,000 matured in 1888, and $5,000 each and every year thereafter until paid.
"In the pipe distribution, the first consideration was fire protection
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
to as large a portion of the city as possible; second, to accommodate the most water consumers. Unfortunately and unjustly, many living in the suburbs have not the advantages of the water, nor can they, without additional appropriations.
"The plant embraces duplicate pumping machinery and boilers, with sufficient capacity to accommodate a city of twenty-five thousand peo- ple, with about 13 miles of mains, 115 hydrants and 72 gates.
"The board has held sixty meetings since its organization and has given such attention as required. On January 1, 1889, H. G. Monroe was appointed general superintendent and engineer, under whose per- sonal supervision the works are conducted. D. J. Hammond was ap- pointed secretary to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Fred Van Hoven.
"All of which is respectfully submitted, "WILLIAM G. HINMAN, "A. A. LULL, "ALF. WEBB, "D. J. HAMMOND, "JOHN D. NORTON. "Board of Water Commissioners."
John D. Norton, treasurer of the board, also made the following report : "Financial statement of the Pontiac Waterworks from the commencement of construction to January 1, 1890:
Receipts
From issue of .bonds
$85,000.00
Interest on account .. 622.23
From city treasurer for 1889.
5,794.50
From private consumers for 1889.
1,447.84
From overdraft at First National Bank.
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