USA > Michigan > Oakland County > History of Oakland County, Michigan, a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 37
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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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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
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.
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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 FIFTHI WARD-ORIGINAL SYS- TEM OF WATER WORKS-ELECTRIC LIGHTING AND TELEPHONE SYS- TEMS-FIRST GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPHI-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 eacli 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 $5.111.55; 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
$ 20,800
$154,980
Second
128,250
42,400
170,650
Third
183.075
50,150
233,225
Fourth
240.550
83,910
324,460
Totals
$077.055
$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 (Gasette 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- uaily evaporated.
The council held a special meeting April 27. 1885, to take appropriate action on the death of Mayor Samuel 11. 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. II. Turk and Alf. XVebb 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. 1, 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. II. 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 Ilurlburt.
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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
$ 1,877.41
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. Ilam- 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, $213.04; interest on water bonds, $818.09: schools, $2,780.43-total, $7.760.31. The entire valuation of city property was $2.598,200 and its tax levy, $30.311.50.
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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, 1800, 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.
323.81
From money borrowed
1,500.00
From hay sold. 3.00
Total
$94,691.38
Expenditures
For construction account. $85.801.49
Interest on bonds for 1889 3,825.00
Running expenses for 1889
4.388.64
Tapping material on hand.
140.68
Tapping dues unpaid .. 108.90
Break under bridge ( unsettled )
65.37
Total on hand.
271.30
Total
.$94,001.38
It appears, further, that the total gallons of water pumped for the year 1889 was 55,098,184, ranging from the lowest month, April ( when
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
1,807,241 gallons were pumped ), to the highest, Angust, when the amount was 8.726,610. To accomplish this work 770,467 pounds of coal were consumed. Superintendent Monroe also reported that the total number of water consumers was 253.
ELECTRIC LIGHTING AND TELEPHONE SYSTEMS
In the fall of 1801 the citizens of Pontiac and the common council were especially interested in providing an adequate system of electric lighting. Visits were made to Chicago and other cities and in Septem- ber the city fathers received a proposition from the Commercial Electric Company of Detroit, offering to install and sell a plant for $13.300, to be operated in connection with the city waterworks, $2,000 being added for the purchase of grounds. The proposition was subsequently ac- cepted. In March, 1802, the company offered to sell the plant to the city for $19,849.67, either in cash or in bonds running for three years.
On March 7, 1893, the council passed the ordinance granting to John D. Norton, William G. Hlinman, Joseph E. Sawyer, Judson Ham- mond. Alfred Webb and their associates ( the Michigan Bell Telephone Company), the exclusive right to operate a telephone exchange in Pon- tiac, provided they accepted the ordinance within six months from its passage and commenced the erection of such exchange. The rate for service was not to exceed $24 per telephone for business places and $18 for residences, seven free telephones being supplied the city.
FIRST GAMEWELL FIRE ALARM TELEGRAPHI
On May 29, 1893, the council entered into a contract with the Game- well Fire Alarm Telegraph Company for the installation of its well known system in connection with the city fire department of Pontiac. The contract was not for its purchase at that time, but for its lease until February 15, 1897. Twenty-five fire alarm boxes were provided for. The company agreed to sell the system for $4.700, with interest.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT IN 1894
It is impossible to give the reader a better idea of the functions of the municipal government, as developed at this time ( 1894) than to make liberal extracts from the report of the special committee of the common council, headed by City AAttorney P. B. Bromley, to whom had been referred the communication of the Michigan Municipal Commis- sion, asking for information on the subject. The report was read July 30, 1894, and was in substance as follows:
( First ) Organization-The city of Pontiac is incorporated by a special act of the legislature approved March 15. 1861, as amended March 18, 1865. March 20, 1867, March 20, 1800, March 9, 1871, May 23. 1877, May 28, 1879, May 26, 1881, June 2. 1885, and March 26, 1889. (Second) Officials-Mayor: Chosen by the electors of the city; term one year; salary. $100 and fees of the office.
Ten aldermen, two from each of the five wards of the city ; elected
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HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY
one each year; term, two years; salary, $2 per meeting for not more than twenty-six meetings.
City attorney: Appointed by the council; term, one year ; salary, $100 per year and reasonable pay in the judgment of the council for the conduct of actual cases in court, or other extraordinary services.
City marshal : Appointed by the council; term, one year; salary, $450.
City treasurer : Appointed by the council ; term, one year ; salary, $50.
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