USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I > Part 45
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Not one-half of the original grant received by the company has been disposed of. The lands are located west of the Saginaw river and in the counties through which the road runs.
These lands are valuable not only for the pine found upon them, but for farming purposes. The Government in granting this land to the railroad followed its usual course and charged double mini- mum price for the even numbered sections within the railroad limits. Still its lands are nearly all disposed of, and very largely settled upon, which would not have been the case if the railroad had not opened the district. W. L. Webber is the land commis- sioner, and under his administration of the office every facility has been afforded settlers to build happy homes and acquire a lasting and valuable property in the wheat district of the future.
JACKSON, LANSING & SAGINAW RAILROAD.
The construction of this important line was first projected in 1856. The act of Congress of June 3 of that year, granting lands to the State of Michigan to aid in the construction of railroads, provided for a road from Amboy, in Hillsdale county, near the south line of the State, by the way of Lansing, to some point at or near Traverse Bay. Two companies were organized for the pur- pose of constructing this road. One, called the Amboy & Traverse Bay Railroad Company, making Jackson a point in the line of the road, was organized in December, 1856, with a capital of $5,000.000, of which Hon. M. Shoemaker, of Jackson, was the president; and the other, called the Amboy, Lansing & Traverse Bay Railroad Com- pany, making Albion a point, was organized Jan. 23, 1857, with the same capital, of which Marvin Hannahs, of Albion, was the first president. The grant was conferred by the Legislature on the latter company, and was formally accepted by the company March 5, 1857. Among the directors named in the articles of
449
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
association were Hon. H. L. Miller, of Saginaw City, and M. L. Gage, Esq., of East Saginaw.
The first meeting of stockholders was held at Albion, June 3, 1857, at which A. L. Williams, M. Hannahs, W. W. Murphey, Geo. C. Munroe, H. B. Shank, D. W. Gould, H. Smith, T. D. Dewey, R. E. Aldricli, G. W. Bullock, W. L. P. Little, E. O. Grosvenor and J. K. Lockwood were elected directors. A. M. Williams was soon after chosen president, which office he con- tinued to hold as long as the corporation continued in business. The financial crash of 1857 followed soon after this stockholders' meeting, and before the work of constructing the road was com -- inenced, and consequently nothing was done until 1859. At this time it was deemed of the first importance to build the part of the road between Albion and Owosso, thus connecting Lansing with the D. & M. R'y at Owosso, and the M. C. R. R. at Albion. Work was commenced on this part of the line, and the first iron was laid from Owosso south. Twenty miles was completed and accepted by the Governor Dec. 28, 1860.
The company became embarrassed and the work progressed very slowly; it was not until Sept. 17, 1863, that the road was completed to Michigan avenue in Lansing, a distance of 9 miles farther. The work of grading some 30 miles of the line sonth of Lansing had been done at that time, but the company was unable to procure the iron, and never performed any further work on the line.
Dec. 22, 1863, a company was organized for the construction of a railroad from Lansing to Jackson, a distance of 39 miles, under the name of the Lansing & Jackson R. R. Co., with a capital of $300,000, of which H. A. Hayden was president.
By the beginning of 1865 it became apparent that the A., L. & T. B. R. R. Co. did not possess the ability to construct more road, and that the grant would revert to the United States, and the lands be lost to the State unless some new corporation should assume the work. Feb. 3 of that year the articles of association of the Lansing & Jackson company were amended by changing the name of the corporation to Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw R. R. Co. by increas- ing its capital to $1,500,000, and by designating Saginaw as its northern terminus. During the winter following, efforts were. made to get an extension of the time for completing the road, and on July 3, 1866, an act of Congress was passed extending the time for seven years, and providing that if the A., L. & T. B. R. R. Co. should fail to complete the road between Owosso and Saginaw City within a limited time, the Legislature might confer the grant on some other company. The grant was so disposed of by the Legisla- ture at its session in 1867, upon the J. L. & S. R. R. Co. This company now proceeded with the work of completing the road with such energy, that on the 11th of October of that year it was com- pleted to St. Charles, and on the 7th of January following, to Wenona, a distance of 50 miles from Owosso.
27
450
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
From Wenona northward the route of the road lay through an unbroken wilderness far beyond the rndest settlement, and at this point the work was suspended for upward of two years. In March, 1871, an act of Congress was passed permitting the company to re-locate its route north of Wenona, which was done by an amend- inent to its articles of association in the same month. The work , was again commenced on the new line, and the road completed to Wells, 40 miles from Wenona, in December, 1871; and in Decem- ber, 1872, it was completed to Otsego Lake, a distance of 119 miles from Wenona. Thus it will be seen that this company has within less than two years, without any local aid whatever, constructed nearly 120 miles of railroad through an entire wilderness, and for much of the distance a dense forest.
To many persons the project of building such a road seemed chimerical, but the incredibly rapid growth of towns and villages along its line and the large business so soon created, are results which fully justify the sagacity and foresight of the managers of the road. To the energy, enterprise and ability of J. F. Joy, H. A. Hayden, W. D. Thompson and O. M. Barnes, in pushing forward this work, the people of Northern Michigan, and especially the Saginaw Valley, are largely indebted. 52 miles more completed it to the Straits of Mackinaw, its northern terminus.
THE J., L. & S. LAND GRANT.
The number of acres patented to this railroad company was 348,- 433, in 1872. In 1876 the road was completed to Gaylord, a dis- tance of 238 miles from Jackson. Since that period it has extended its lines, and is now in possession of the full number of acres pro- vided for in the grant. The sales of these railroad lands com- menced in 1868. James Turner was the first land commissioner who acted under this grant, and he was succeeded by Hon. O. M. Barnes. Augustine S. Gaylord assumed the duties of commissioner, Ang. 15, 1872.
SAGINAW VALLEY & ST. LOUIS RAILROAD.
This road was surveyed in June, 1871, by Frank Eastman. In September of that year the contract for grading, etc., was awarded to Alexander McDonald. Sept 15, 1872, the first spike was driven, and three months later, Dec. 15, 1872, the first train passed over the line from Saginaw to St. Lonis. Dec. 31 witnessed the formal opening of this new railroad, tending westward from Saginaw, uniting the city with the already rich agricultural district embraced in Gratiot and adjoining connties, rendering available an extensive belt of pine, oak, hemlock and other timber. The length of the railroad from East Saginaw to St. Louis is 35 miles.
451
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
THE DETROIT, SAGINAW & BAY CITY RAILROAD.
A branch of this road was completed to East Saginaw in January, 1879.
THE OWOSSO & SAGINAW NAVIGATION COMPANY
was organized in 1837. This company desired merely to improve the Shiawassee river, so as to create a slack-water navigation be- tween the confluence of that river with the Flint and Owosso. The capital stock subscribed was $100,000; the shareholders agreed to complete the work within five years succeeding the grant of charter; but the project being so prematurely conceived, and the circum- stances of the tinie so opposed to progress in any direction, that the " slack-water navigation of the Shiawassee " fell through never, perhaps, to be revived.
THE NORTHERN CANAL.
The work of building a canal from the forks of the Bad river to the north bend of the Maple river, a distance of 15 miles, was entered npon in June. 1838, under the charge of Charles F. Smith. This canal was intended to connect the Saginaw and Grand rivers, and would doubtless be carried through to completion had not the financial crisis of 1838 checked the progress of that enterprise which then had seized upon the people. The work was projected by the new State under the supervision of the Board of Commis- sioners of Internal Improvements, appointed under authority of the Legislature, in March, 1837. The construction of the canal proper, and the rendering of the waters of the Bad and Maple rivers navigable were estimated to cost $238,246, but the sum actually appropriated to commence operations was $62,000. This amount was expended, and like many other State investments of the period, resulted in a direct loss.
NAVIGATION AND SHIP-BUILDING.
The first boat built in the Saginaw Valley was that by Nelson Smith, in 1837. This was a schooner of light tonnage, named the "Julia Smith," intended for the coasting trade.
The "Buena Vista" was the first steamboat constructed on the waters of the Saginaw. The shipyard in which it was built was located at the foot of Bristol street, East Saginaw. Both yard and boat were gotten np by a stock company in a most primitive manner, but the work was so novel that during the year 1848 the builders received continned visits from the Indians, half-breeds, and even white settlers. The building of the ship completed, the machinery was arranged, and the day of the launch announced. Addison Mowrey was appointed captain of the little steamer, and
452
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
through him invitations were sent to many of the Indian chiefs to participate in the ceremony attendant upon the launch of the first steamboat. The Indians came, were brought on board while the vessel was still on the stocks, and entertained in the cabin while it moved slowly down the soaped planks to the water. Presently steam was got up, the stern wheels began to move, and the Indians, unable to realize what was in progress, rushed forth to find them- selves in the midst of the river on such a "big canoe" as they never dreamed of. The noise of the machinery, the smoke and cinders, the panting of the steam, and the swells behind the little boat, so surprised them that they looked on in amazement at the whole pro- ceedings, and waited patiently for something more surprising. The excursionists returned all right, and none were so happy as the Indian chiefs on reaching terra firma For many years the "Buena Vista" was utilized as a tug and packet boat.
In 1851 Daniel Johnson built the "Snow" at Zilwaukee.
Curtis Emerson built the "Ethan Allen" steam barge the same year, and launched her from the stocks near the Emerson mill. After a trip on the river the genial tenant of the "Halls of the Montezumas" tendered a banquet to his friends. This social gath- ering assembled at the Webster House.
From 1851 to 1864, the tonnage of the boats built on the Sagi- naw did not exceed 22,000 tons. Between that period and 1867 a few small boats were built. From statistics compiled since 1867 the following statement is obtained:
Date.
Style of Boat.
[Tonnagel Date.
Style of Boat.
Tonnage
1867
Two Barks
1,127.00
1872
Three barges.
379.30
Nine barges.
2,267.00
One steam yacht ..
33.37
Four propellers
276.00
One canal boat ..
150 00
One schooner
500.00
185
Prop. David Ballentine. .
972.13
Two tugs
144.00
Schr. A. B Morse.
1,099.37
One steamer
52.00|
C. H. Burton.
534.90
Two scows
63.00
Journeyman .
235.04
1863
One bark.
366.00
R. T. Lambert.
53.23
Four barges.
666.00
Prop. J. C. Likeu
78.24
Two tugs.
46.00
Tug Westey Hawkins
45.70
One steamer
28 00
Prop. Arenac.
63.29
Two schooners
334.00
44
Schr. Iosco.
230.80
One canal boat.
109.00
1869
Five barges.
1,256.56
W. L. Peck .
365.68
One schooner.
30.10
Schr. Buckeye State.
525.64
יי
Two scows.
62.70
Prop. W. R. Quinity
38.79
One propeller
21.17
Schr. Queen City .
735.00
Two sloops.
424.00
Chester B. Jones ..
493.71
870 Three schooners
662 00
W. S. Crossthwaite
671.71
Two tugs
63.00
L. C. Butts
504.38
Eight barges
1,186.00
Benj. F. Bruce ... .
729.37
One sloop.
171.00
66
Grace A. Charme. .
259.18
Four scows
89.00
66
B. B. Buckhout
351.76
1871
Three schooners
1,199.00
Tug Fannie Tuthil
100.30
Two steam yachts.
19.00
1874
" E. H. Miller.
30.14
One tug.
15 00
" A. H. Hunter
28.14
Two canal boats.
111.00
Schr. Evening Star.
497.81
"
One barge ...
149.00
Morning Star
497.81
1872 Six schooners.
2,319.73
Bark St. Clair.
286.37
Two scows. .
59.00
Barge J. Sparrow ..
264.07
F. A. McDougal.
416.00
"
66
CHAPTER XVI. MISCELLANEOUS.
COUNTY FINANCES AND STATISTICS.
There is no more certain index to the financial condition of a free State than its public accounts. So it is with any portion of the State where the citizens manage their own affairs; for as a general rule the governing board of a county exercise sound judgment, and are slow to authorize any outlay which does not give promise of future profit. The annual exhibit of the county treasurer is a safe basis on which to rest the financial condition of a county; but to realize its gradual development the table of assessment has to be referred to. The tabulation of the amount, resulting annually from taxation, is of little consequence, beyond the chance it offers the curious of summing up the moneys contributed directly by the people for the support of good government. The indirect taxation accruing to the general Government is much more extensive than the direct, but the possibility of obtaining reliable figures in this regard is so far removed that the subject could be treated only in a speculative manner; therefore, the reader must be content with a knowledge of what is certain, viz: that the citizens contribute directly or indirectly, or both, as much as should render the general Government, the State government, and the local govern- ment as great as the principles of pure and simple Republicanisın require it to be, and which it is not; as mindful in guarding and honoring the legacy, which the Revolutionary Fathers left us, as it should be, and which it is not; as paternal in character, and as solicitous for the public good as a Republican government ought to be, and which it is not. It is conceded that the Government under which we live is the most liberal, the one alone under which man has attained his position in the universe, and the nearest approach to true government known to the civilization of our day. To make it what it is capable of being made, and surround it with that halo of truth and honesty which can alone pertain to a re- public, is all that is required. Official perfidy should be stigmatized, and the guilty punished,-not nominally, but severely; for he who would prove faithless in an office bestowed by a free people deserves chains, not liberty, -a refuge among slaves rather than a home among freemen.
PROGRESS AS MARKED BY VALUATION.
In the record of the Board of Supervisors, the condition of the county for the ten years succeeding its organization has been
(453)
only $140,078.75, advancing in 1843 to $214,492.25, and in 1880 valuation of real and personal property within the county was
When it is remembered that as recently as 1841 the aggregate
TOWNSHIPS AND CITIES.
REAL ESTATE AS ASSESSED.
REAL ESTATE AS EQUALIZED.
PERSONAL ESTATE.
AGGREGATE VALUATION.
PER CENT. ADDED OR DEDUCTED.
Albee, .
$ 157,803 00
$ 91,999 15
$ 9,414 00
$ 101,413 15 4.17 deducted.
Birch Run,.
299,070 00
270,060 21
33,573 00
303,633 21 9.7 deducted.
Brady, .
243,625 00
200,016 13
18 950 00
218,966 13|17 9 deducted.
Bridgeport, ..
310,430 00
495,446 28
29,360 00
524,806 28 59.6 added.
Brant, .
166,535 00
151,546 85
13,517 00
165,063 85 9 deducted.
Buena Vista, .
728,564 45
568,280 28
20,450 00
588,730 28 22
deducted.
Blumfield, . .
423,010 00
430,624 18
37,030 00
467,654 18 1.8 added.
Chesaning, .
690,900 00
423, 21 70
78,220 00
501,741 70 38.7 deducted. 1.4 added.
Carrollton, ..
396,735 00
416,175 01
29,350
00
445,525 01
4.9 added.
Frankenmuth, .
662,960 00
631,137 92
66,920 00
698,057 92
4.8 deducted.
Fremont, ..
125,296 00
123,040 68
7,725 00
130,765 68
1.8 deducted.
Jamestown,.
105,995 00
104,935 05
9,180 00
114,115 05
1 deducted.
Jonesfield,.
97,657 00
88,086 62
4,736 00
92,822 62
9.8 deducted.
Kochville,
588,265 00
549,568 56
36,835 00
586,403 56
2.1 added.
Lakefield,
77,768 00
65,014 05
2,895 00
67,909 05 16.4 deducted.
Maple Grove, .
559,976 00
300,147 14
45,228 00
315,375 14|46.4 deducted.
Marion,
47,315 00
44,996 57
1,405 00
46,401 57
4.9 deducted.
Richland,
157,265 00
144,054 74
15,325 00
159,379 74
8.4 deducted.
Saginaw, ...
571,685 00
600,840 93
32,655 00
633,495 93 5.1 added.
Spalding, . .
155,095 00
165,021 08
9,470 00
174,491 08|16.4 added.
St. Charles, ..
238,250 00
200,130 00
37,150 00
237.280 00 16
deducted.
Swan Creek, .
108.965 00
94,036 80
8,755 00
102,791 80|13.7 deducted.
Taymouth,. . .
218,899 00
200,073 69
18,555 00
218,628 69
8.6 deducted.
Thomastown, ...
252,220 00
230,024 64
19,810 00
249,834 64
8.8 deducted.
Tittabawassee, ..
445,775 00
431,064 43
41,283 00
472,347 43 3.3 deducted.
Zilwaukee,.
367,550 00
340,907 60
5,575 00
355,482 60 4.8 deducted.
East Saginaw, ..
6,170,585 00
4,930,297 42
1,369,000 00
6,299,317 42 20.1 deducted.
Saginaw City,.
3,281,200 00
2,686,646 56
912,850 00
3,599,496 56 18.12 deducted.
Total,. .
$17,681,268 45 $15,069,715 52
$2,927,736 00|$17.997,451 52
beginning of 1881 may be gleaaed from the subscribed figures :-
The state of the various townships and cities of the county at the
1848
1847
1846
Year.
noted.
The following tabulated statements deal with the assessed
454
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
..
. .
. .
..
. .
..
..
·
.
. 2,554,484.22
.471,707.27 1880.
345,291.17 1870
Valuation. Year.
Valuation
231,028.60 1860
.354,864.13 1850.
$440,968.12 1849
Valuation. Year.
Chapin,. . .
81,875 00
83,021 25
12,500 00
95,521 20
.
17,997,451.52
.9,647,260.20
valuation of real and personal property from 1846 to 1881:
-
455
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
to tens of millions, one must admire and acknowledge the busy activities of the times, as well as the genuine enterprise which characterized the people.
THIRTY YEARS' TAXES.
The sums of money contributed annually from the period of immigration to 1865, when the resources of the county were fully comprehended, and their value fully realized, are thus given:
Year.
Total Taxes. Year.
Total taxes. Year.
Total taxes
1835
$ 203.63 1846.
10580.86 1856
37,735.41
1836.
.2,444.62 1847
.8708.86 1857
40, 29.95
1887
2,773.53 1848.
.9661.27 1858.
41,605.92
1838.
.3,158 25 1849.
.9225.02 1859
47,356.51
1839 .3,925.74 1850
10853 06 1860
.59,755.12
1840.
.3,036.18 1851.
17206.80 1861
65,332.09
1841.
.4,003.25 1852.
13,208 .62 1862
66,457.14
1842.
. 4,546.81 1853
.22,316 .33 1863.
86,516.01
1843.
.5,975.09 1854.
28,775.22 1864.
112,699.86
1844.
.7,131.69 1855
30,489.77 1865
178,525.97
In 1866 there was an increase of $20,080.22 over the amount raised in 1865, and the year following an advance of $31,971.54 over that of 1866, being $230,577.73.
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.
The financial condition of the county at the beginning of the year 1881, together with the sums received as taxes, and the amount expended, are exhibited in the following statement made by County Treasurer J. C. Valentine, December 1, 1880:
DEBIT.
Jan. 1, To Cash on Hand and in Bank.
Dec. 31, " Total Receipts for the year,
$ 15,737 12 132,931 07
$148,668 19
CONTRA CR.
Dec. 31. By Total Disbursements for the year 1880,
$131,533 72
Am't in Metropolitan Nat. Bank, N. Y.
100 25
Am't Geo. L. Burrows & Co. 's Bank, Saginaw . .
5,517 58
Am't in 1st National Bank, Saginaw. .
5,500 00
66
Am't in 2d Nat. Bank, East Saginaw. .
5,673 25
6%
Am't Currency on Hand
281 00
Am't Coin on Hand
62 39
Total RECEIPTS.
$148,668 19
Taxes.
$12.783 95
Redemptions.
7,080 47
Office Charges and Collection Fees.
810 57
Liquor Taxes. ..
35,298 80
East Saginaw City Tax.
6,922 15
Interest on East Saginaw City Tax
418 5
Office Charges and Collection Fees on East Saginaw City Tax.
335 33
1845.
8,656.73
45€
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
Advertising Fees on East Saginaw City Tax.
19 00
Townships and Cities Acc't Tax 1879.
56,425 23
Drain Taxes collected.
789 70
Interest etc., Taxes collected.
1,086 07
Rejected Tax collected.
3 19
Bills Receivable. .
406 66
Primary School Fund.
8,240 51
Library Funds.
1,186 28
Poor Fund.
233 94
Keeping Prisoners. .
66 48
Circnit Conrt Expenses
681 50
Contingent Fund.
33 14
County Institnte Fund.
159 58
Total Receipts for the year 1880. DISBURSEMENTS.
$132,931 07
State of Michigan
$15,001 86
Poor Fund.
13,677 21
Stationery
488 26
Printing.
1,132 05
Fuel, Light and Janitor.
1,145 66
Pursuit, Arrest and Trial of Criminals.
7,241 03
Keeping Prisoners.
3,051 27
Transportation of Convicts.
10 00
Circuit Court Expense.
7,999 50
Coroner's Inquest.
557 48
Expense Acconnt.
96 65
Library Fund ..
475 00
Judge of Probate.
1,300 00
Prosecuting Attorney.
1,500 00
County Treasurer.
2,750 00
County Clerk ..
1,150 00
Circuit Conrt Stenographer.
1,200 00
Superintendents of County Poor.
400 00
Liquor Tax ..
34,957 50
Contingent Fnnd.
2,288 74
County Institnte Fund.
195 75
East Saginaw City Tax.
6,701 30
Office Charges and Collection Fees on East. Saginaw City Tax ..
323 5
Detroit House of Correction.
454 79
Expense of Board of Supervisors
2,970 40
Agricultural Societies.
798 26
Primary School Fnnd.
8,240 51
Interest on Bonds.
10,050 00
Condemned School Lands.
25 00
Apprehension of Criminals.
40 40
Drain Tax.
1,040 04
66
Poor Fund.
263 58
Bridges.
850 00
Total Disbursements for the year 1880.
$131,533 72
.
.
. .
Towns and Cities Account of Taxes.
3,157 96
LAND UNDER CULTIVATION, AND CROPS.
The number of acres of improved land in 1860 was 18,048, and in 1870, 33,385. The value of crops in 1860 was $165,380, and in 1870 $690,382. The average of wheat in 1880 was 21,876, yield- ing 440,524 bushels, or 20.14 bushels to the acre. Acreage in May, 1881, 26,795. The land devoted to grain crops of all kinds in 1880 was about double that of 1870.
457
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
POPULATION.
The following returns deal with the townships of the county under the old limits, until 1850. From 1860 forward the returns deal exclusively with Saginaw county, as now known:
1834. Census of Saginaw township taken by Orison Allen
- 303
1836. Saginaw, Bay, Tuscola, Midland, Gratiot, Isabella
900
1837.
66
920
1840. Saginaw county (old boundaries).
892
1850. Saginaw, Bay, Midland and Tuscola.
2,865
1860. U. S. census of Saginaw Co.
12,758
1864. State census of Saginaw Co.
19,675
1870. U. S. census of Saginaw Co 39,095
The population of the county as given in the U. S. census returns of 1880, was 59,095.
POPULATION BY TOWNSHIPS.
TOWNS.
Organ- ized.
1850
1860
1870
1890
Albee
1863
197
553
Birch Run ..
1853
662
925
1,585
Blumfield.
1853
557
1,074
1,396
Brady
1856
278
471
1, 62
Brant.
1858
88
331
904
Bridgeport
1848
374
491
1,171
1,640
Buena Vista.
1850
251
231
1,005
1,727
Carrollton.
1866
1,564
1,756
Chapin .
1866
258
549
Chesaning .
1845
122
538
1,507
2,059
East Saginaw
1859
3,001
11,350
19,065
Frankenmutlı.
1854
1,082
1,488
1,692
Fremont .
1857
62
170
484
James
1876
582
Jonesfield
1873
372
Kochville
1855
658
1,070
1,787
Lakefield
1877
194
Maple Grove.
1867
201
505
1,378
Marion
1879
171
Richland .
1862
466
645
Saginaw Town
1830
879
1,004
1,357
Saginaw City
1857
917
1,699
7,450
10,444
Spalding.
1858
216
2,117
423
St. Charles.
1853
505
1,185
1,564
Swan Creek
1860
427
333
Taymouth .
1842
53
305
638
1,157
Thomastown
1855
443
697
1,047
Tittabawassee
1840
341
513
864
1,500
Zilwaukee
1854
186
1,153
1,630
Total
2,063
12,493
39,098
59,138
.
.
These figures are generally accepted as correct; but many in- cline to the opinion that within the year ending June, 1881, from 3,000 to 5,000 people have been added to the population. The transient character of the lumberers and others, may however tend to an acceptance of the figures 60,000 as a correct representation of the actual population of the county in 1880.
458
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
INDIANS.
The time has passed away forever, when the Chippewa nation as- sembled in their numbers on their great camp ground by the waters of the Saginaw. Whisky, internecine warfare, disease and reniov- al have all joined in the partial annihilation of a once powerful tribe. Within limits which 60 years ago contained an aboriginal popula- tion of 3,000, to-day only 287 representatives of the tribe can be found. Of this number, 77 dwell in the township of St. Charles, seven in Albee; 126 in Taymouth; 18 in Swan River; eight in James; one in Zilwaukee; 46 in Buena Vista; one at Saginaw City, and three at East Saginaw. Only a few of this remnant of that race remember the primeval wilderness through which their fathers roamed; yet they see enough to remind them of what their country was, to know what it is, and what it will be under the new race.
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