USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I > Part 61
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George Young, sec. 21, Jan. 15, 1836. Orisson Allen, sec. 21, Feb. 15, 1836. Albert S. Allen, see. 21, Feb. 15, 1836. C. H. Carroll, see. 22, June 13, 1835. D. H. Fitzhugh, see. 22, June 13, 1835. McCloskey & Farley, sec. 23, Sept. 21, 1822.
Justin Smith see. 23, May 31, 1833. C. H. Carroll, sec. 23, June 13, 1835. D. H. Fitzhugh, see. 23, June 13, 1835. Little Charley, sec. 24, Sept. 19, 1822. McCloskey & Farley, scc. 24, Sept 19, 1822.
Lewis Campeau, jr., sec. 24, Sept. 30, 1822.
Justin Smith, sec, 24, May 31, 1823.
MeCloskey & Farley, sec. 25, Sept. 19, 1822.
Little Charley, scc. 25, Sept. 21, 1822. S. W. Dexter, sec. 26, June 18, 1825. James Abbott, see. 26, June. 18, 1825. D. H. Fitzhugh, see. 27, June 13, 1835. James Frazer, sec. 27, Sept. 26, 1833. Anthony H. Carter, see, 27, Oet, 3, 1833. Edward A. Leroy, see. 27, June 13, 1835. Edwin Herriek, sec. 28. July 11, 1835. Allen Ayranlt, sec. 29, Feb. 23, 1826. Norman Little, sec. 29, Feb. 23, 1826. Peter A. Cowdrey, sec. 29, Oet. 23, 1835. Trumbull Cary, sec. 29, Oet. 21, 1835. Turner Chappel, sec. 30, May 17, 1824. Hermann Ladd, sec 30, May 17, 1824. Jon. Kearsley, sec. 31. Sept. 19, 1822. Henry C. West, see. 31, April 6, 1830. James Frazer, sec. 31, Dee. 9, 1833. Sept 21, and 66 Oct. 15, 1835, and " Oct. 12, 1836. Norman Little, sec. 31, Aug. 25, 1836. Turner Chappel, see. 32, May 17, 1824. Charles Little, sec. 32, May 17, 1824. Ladd & Little, sec. 32, Jnie 18, 1825. Little Charley, sec. 32, Sept. 19, 1822. Turner Chappel, sec. 33, May 17, 1824. Charles Little, sec. 33, May 17, 1824. Hermann Ladd, sec. 33, May 17, 1824. Charles Little. sec. 34, May 17, 1824. Hermann Ladd, sec. 34, May 17, 1824. Ladd & Little, sec. 34, June 18, 1825. G. D. Williams, see. 34, June 9, 1835. E. S. Williams, sec. 34, June 9, 1835. D. H. Fitzhugh, sec. 34, Jnne 13, 1835. Little Charley, see. 35, Sept. 19, 1822. Fales & Heville, see. 35, Jan. 6, 1823. Little Charley, sec. 35, Jan. 6, 1823. Elon Farnsworth, sec. 36, June 8, 1835. Carolus A. Stebbins, sec. 36, Oct. 3, 1833. S. H. Henick, see. 36, June 11, 1835. C. A. Stebbins, sec. 36, Feb. 25, 1835.
SAGINAW CITY.
Owing to the part played by the village of Saginaw in the history of the township of the county of Saginaw, that extended
597
SAGINAW CITY.
notice which it deserves is given to it in the pages of the county history ; yet, in treating it as a portion of the county, many brief but important events, connected especially with it as a village, and in later days as a city, have been passed over, so that they would appear precisely where they pertain. As the village was the principal fastness of the Indians of the Valley, even as it is now the political center of the county, it is not too much to state that it formed one of the first points to attract the attention of the French missionaries and subsequently of the trappers, hunters and traders of Frontenac and Detroit. To pass over the era of the French pio- neers, then, would not be just, because they came here when the untamed savage nature of the inhabitants and all the difficulties attendant on travel in those days placed obstacles in their way, which could only be overcome by them; and to them is due, in a great measure, the comparative ease with which the treaties were negotiated and their articles enforced.
EARLY VISITORS.
It is impossible to fix the date when the Jesuit missionaries left their rude monastery, by the shore of Lake Iroquois, for a visit to the Otchipwes of O-sag-e-nung, or the Saginaw. That Revs. Breboeuf and Daniel rested among the savages of the Saginaw between the years 1634 and 1638, there is every reason to believe; for, in the annals of " The Company of One Hundred Associates," 1637, there is mention made of a visit of the Jesuit fathers to the Indian towns beyond Lake Huron, and of a resolution to estab- lish a French settlement there. About 28 years later, in 1665, the Jesuit fathers Allonez and Duvall, or Dablon, established a temporary mission at the river camp of the Otchipwes, known as Wakaigan-pijigwabe -- the house of the wifeless. In 1668 the great Marquette, accompanied by M. Dablon, came among the Saginaw Indians, and after a brief stay went to St. Mary's Falls, where he established a mission, previous to that exploratory trip which resulted in the discovery of the "Father of Waters." Three years later the Chippewa bands went north to the Sault to attend the great council of the Indians held there that year. Indian legends speak of the Wemitigoji, or Frenchmen, coming in the great ship a few years after the council of the Sault, and of four men coming on foot from the west, who were in the ship, when it first appeared to them above the mouth of the river. Such legends point directly to Robert Cavalier de la Salle. From that period to 1795, when a Frenchman named Tromble visited the Valley, there are few legendary or written accounts of the white visitors. It is, however, to be supposed that French missionaries and French traders called regularly on the Chippewas of the Valley and con- tinued so to do until treaty times, when the American began to take up the land of the Indian, and the merchant to supersede the trader. Subsequently the German and American missionaries
598
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
established their varied forms of worship, and the era of Ameri- can settlement was begun.
PLATTING THE TOWN OF SAGINAW.
James McCloskey, son-in-law of Gabriel Godfroy, of Godfroy's on the Pottawatomie Trail, now Ypsilanti, and his associate, Cap- tain John Farley, entered a portion of the land, on which the city now stands in September, 1822. Farley had the tract surveyed by John Mullett, who platted a portion of it under the name of the " Town of Sagana."
This town on paper comprised 20 blocks with the river lots on Water street, the entire town extending over the east half of the southeast quarter of section 23, and the south half of the southwest fractional quarter of section 24, stretching back four blocks from the river, with its southeastern corner resting near the foot of what is now known as Clinton street. Lot No. 77 of this plat was sold May 8, 1823, for $25.
Captain John Farley, late of the United States Ordnance De- partment, and inheritor of his father's property at Saginaw, made the subscribed entry in his journal regarding this first plat: " The following is an epitome of the early history of Saginaw City proper since its first purchase in 1821 or 1822.
"In 1821 the Government decided to establish a military post on Saginaw Bay to protect the settlers, and reassure the treaties whichi had been made with the Indians in their sales of that portion of their territory. This military post was located on the ground known now as Saginaw City, on the west side of Saginaw river.
"Knowing that towns generally spring up in the immediate vicin- ity of such posts, Capt. Farley and James Mc Closkey, Esq., con- ceived the idea of laying out a plan of one on the only available land in the vicinity, to which they gave the name of 'Sagina. ' Accordingly they purchased the adjoining tract in section No. 24, of 136 acres, and employed the State Surveyor, John Mullet, to make the town plat, which was duly recorded in the county records at Flint.
"James Mc Closkey sold his undivided half interest to A. G. Whitney, of Detroit, who afterward sold the same to Dr. Charles Little, of East Avon, N. Y. Little sold one half of his interest to Herman Ladd, of the same place, and soon bought it back. The only sales made in the original town by Farley & Co. were lots Nos. 77, 78 and 139, and lots 81, 83 and 85, as shown upon the town plat of 1822, among my papers.
"The troops were removed from the station in 1823 or 1824, the place languished for some time, and the military reservation was sold to Mr. Dexter. The spirit of speculation in Western lands revived in 1836, and Mr. Norman Little (the son) went to Sag- inaw to settle, and succeeded in interesting a large New York firm ( Macklin, Oakley & Jennison) in making a purchase from Dexter. for $50.000.
599
SAGINAW CITY.
"On this tract they laid out a more extended plan for the city, which was made the county seat, and several public buildings were erected.
"On account of the want of roads and other communications, the towns on the Saginaw were for years comparatively shut in, and their progress was slow; but since the discoveries in salt and other mineral products, and the advent of railroads, which have devel- oped the immense lumber resources of that region, the population of the valley has largely increased, and its rise and progress has recently been marvelous. " The title to a portion of this property was questioned; but a decision, favorable to the original proprie- tor, was rendered by the court in 1866. Judges Sutherland and Fenton represented the owner. The property, now in possession of Mrs. John Farley, comprises two blocks on the east side of Washington street, between Miller and Farley streets, togetlier with a large and valuable tract extending from Washington street to the river front. south of the Campcau grounds. Mrs. Farley, who resides at Washington, visits Saginaw at intervals, is conver- sant with the history of the two cities, and favorably known to the old settlers of the Valley.
THE DEXTER ADDITION.
The second platting was effected Dec. 3, 1830, for Samuel W. Dexter, of Washtenaw county. It comprised all that land on which Saginaw City now stands, extending from the river front west on Cass to Harrison street, north on Harrison to Jefferson, east on Jefferson to the river, and south to the post at the place of begin- ning. Of the lots represented on this plat, only eight were sold that year.
Dexter sold his interest in the land which he entered in 1825, comprising the N. E. fr. } of thic N. W. fr. 4, and the south part of the S. W. fr. ¿ of section 26, town 12, 4E., to Dr. Abel Millington, of Washtenaw. This sale transferred to Millington the city of Saginaw, with the exception of 24 lots already disposed of by Samuel Dexter, and of the public square, located as the seat of justice in 1831. The transfer of the property was made July 18, 1835.
Dr. Millington was not content to hold this property very long. He began to lose faith in the prospects of the Valley, and so was anxious to dispose of his newly acquired real estate. He had not long to wait. Early in April, 1836, terms of sale werc agreed on, and on the 26th of that month he transferred all his interests in tlie city of Saginaw, to a company composed of Norman Little, John T. Mackey, Samuel Oakley and William Jennison, jr., for the sum of $55,000. Dr. Millington paid only $10,000 in the first instance for this property.
THE CURRIER PLAT
was made Feb. 1, 1837, under direction of the new proprietors. This showed 407 blocks, and referred to lands on the east as well
%
600
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
as on the west bank of the river. Streets were laid off and named; a map of the city was printed for circulation throughout the Union, with the result of congregating 900 persons upon the site of this city before the close of the year 1837. Then the Crisis came; a cloud of adversity lowered upon the State, and the young city with its population almost disappeared before the close of the year 1838. For the two succeeding years there was little prospect of the proprietors attaining their hopes; the series of misfortunes which followed close upon the panic destroyed their enthusiasm; yet they were fully aware of all the wealth of woods and ininerals which their land contained, and possessed at least the determin- ation to hold them until others would come forward to aid them in building up the city. In 1841 the report of the company stated that there were only 58 lots and three entire blocks sold out of the whole number of 407 blocks appearing on the plat. With the exception of this very small portion of their large domain, all their property was deeded to James Hunt, April 9, 1841, for a consideration of $220,000.
The additions to the city mnade subsequently comprise those of P. C. Andre, Alex. Andre, Binder & Seyffardt, C. T. Brenner, I. Blackmore, Briggs, Geo. W. Bell, Barnard & Newell, Joseph Campeau, Theo. J. Campeau, Cloeters, Clarke, Davenport, C. L. Eberhardt, Fred Ganschow, Gardunk, Gront & Hay, Wheeler, P. O. Johnson, Chris Kuhl. D. B. Ketcham, Little & Moore, John G. Liskow, H. L. Miller, John Moore, H. S. Mann, Otto H. C.Moore, Annie F. McEwan, Paulus Nenrminger, Penoyer, Parsons R. Gay- lord, Isaac Parsons, M. C. T. Plessner, Aaron A. Parsons, A. Rust, Robesons, (S. D. of H. Miller's), Lutton, Babcock, Harrington & Briggs, Smith & Parsons, Smith & Hadens, Stark & Hitchcock, Win. Seyffardts, Wm. Storch, Jr., Geo. Schmidt, Schemm & Schoenheit, Hugo Wisener, Mary Williams, Edward Zagelmeyer, Louis Zagelmeyer. Many of these tracts forin extensive and valu- able additions to the city. A few of them are limited in extent, but all contributed to extend its limits, and prepare it as the home of a large and prosperous population.
ORGANIC.
The city of Saginaw was incorporated under legislative authority Feb. 17, 1857, and an election of municipal officers ordered to be held. The charter recognized two wards, each allowed to elect two representatives in council, as well as take part in the election of county and city officers. The first election resulted in the choice of Gardner D. Williams, Mayor; Col. Garrett, Recorder; E. R. Shemmons, Treasurer; E. C. Newell, City Attorney; A. S. Gay- lord, Supervisor; John A. Gibson, Marshal; George W. Bullock, David Hughes, John Moore and Jay Smith, Aldermen.
In 1859 the population grew so rapidly that the city was erected into three wards. In 1867 one ward more was added, and in 1869 two, giving to the city a council of 12, with the regular civic
601
SAGINAW CITY.
officers. The rate of such advancement within the 12 years ending in 1869, will be apparent from the fact that in 1857 the population of the city proper was only 536; three years later it, was reported at 1,712; nine years later, in 1866, at 6,420; and in 1869, 6,980. Mayor Williams was re-elected in 1858. He died during his term of office, when Hiram L. Miller was appointed Mayor, until the annual election. The names of the city officers elected from 1857 to the present time are given in the following lists:
MAYORS.
Gardner D. Williams. 1857-'S
William H. Sweet .1810
Hiram L. Miller. 1858-'9
George F. Williams 1871-'2
George W. Bullock 1859-'60
Benton Hanchett. 1873-'4
John Moore. . 1861-'3
Fred H. Potter. . 1875-'6
Peter C. Andre. 1864
George F. Lewis. 1877-'8
Stewart B. Williams.
1865
Lyman W. Bliss 1879-'80
William M. Miller
.1866
Arthur Hill
1881
Alfred F. R. Brady
1867-'9
RECORDERS.
Coe Garrett.
1857
Robert McQueen. 1867-'8
Newton D. Lee.
1858
John B. Schick ..
1869-'74
Hiram L. Miller.
1859-'60
John J. Swarthout. 1875-'9
Daniel L. C. Eaton
1861-'2
C. E. Brenner (to fill vacancy) .. 1880
Alfred F. R. Brady
1863-'6
Byron G. Stark 1881
CONTROLLERS.
Edwin Saunders.
1868-'72
Frederick L. Eaton 1873-'8
('harles D. Little. 1873
Dewitt C. Dixson. 1879-'84
TREASURERS.
Edward R. Shemmons 1857-'8
Peter Lane. 1861
Charles Miller
1859-61
Emil Schuermann. 1868-9
Jerome H. Gotee.
1862-13
Racine Purmort ... 1870.7
Augustus C. Ganschow. 1864
Emil Schoenberg. 1878-80
Richard Kuhen.
1865
Fred W. Hollister 1881
Edwin Saunders.
1866
MARSHALS.
John A. Gibson.
.1857
Edward P. Shemmons. 1861
F. Fizarro Woodruff
1858
Thomas S. Kennedy . .1862
Bernhard Rice.
1859-'60
ALDERMEN.
1857.
1858.
George W. Bullock
David Hughes
1st Ward .. Newell Barnard יי (to fill vacancy) Myron Butman
John Moore
2c David Hughes
Jay Smith
602
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
1859.
1st Ward. William H. Sweet
2d «
(to fill vac'cy) Amasa Bust, jr.,
3d 66 David H. Jerome 1860.
1st Ward. Lewis Webster
3d
Abel A. Brockway 1861.
1st Ward
Augustus S. Gaylord
2d 44
. John B. White
3d .6 George F. Williams 1862.
1st Ward Coe Garrett
2d
.Richard Kuhen
3d
. William II. Taylor 1863.
1st Ward. Pcter Lane
2d
. Valorous A. Painc
3d
. George F. Williams 1864.
1st Ward. John W. Richardson
2d
Emil Shemmons
3d
Charles Wider 1865.
1st Ward.
Jamcs G. Terry
2d
. Ezra Rust
3d
.George F. Williams 1866.
1st Ward.
Ammi W. Wright
2d
Richard Kuhen
3d
George R. Stark 1867.
1st Ward
Daniel B. Ketchum
2d . . A B. Paine 2d .Gardner K. Grout
3d 66 Abel A. Brockway
4th
Micha-1 C. T. Plessoer
16
66 James R. Cook 1868.
1st Ward. Joseph T. Burnham
. Charles T. Brenner 2d
2d (to fill vac'cy) Newton D Lee
3d 64
George R. Stark
4th
.Stewart B. Williams 1869.
1st Ward. George Davenport
Thomas L. Jackson 2d
. Racine Purmort 3d
4th .Henry A. Newton . George Streebe 5th
. Edward Moye
6th
.Janies F. Adams
.Thomas Shemmons 1870.
1st Ward.
Elcazer J. Ring
2d
.Jay Smith
3d
John Diebel
4th
Stewart B. Williams
5th David Andrews
6th Roman Hang
1871.
1st Ward. Arthur D Smith
2d .Lyman W. Bliss 2d
3d Thomas L. Jackson
4th
66
James E. Saunders
5th
66
William H. Smith
6th
Jamcs F . Adams
1872.
1st Ward Joshua Tuthill
2d
William W. Knight
3d 66
William Reins
=
4th
66
(to fill vacancy) Charles Wider
. James Kelley
5th John Friedlein
6th " Charles W. L. Jost
1873.
1st Ward. . George Davenport
2d . Benjamin B. Bartlett 3u . Francis M. Allen
4th James E. Brady
(to fill vacancy) Benj. Forbes
5th
66
William H. Smith
6th John C. Ziegler
1874.
1st Ward. .Augustus S Gaylord
2d .Joshua Blackmore 3d George F. Williams
4th Benjamin Forbcs
5th John Gensbauer
6th William G. Ferguson
1875.
1st Ward. George Davenport
(to fill vac.) Alexander Andre
3d
4th € .William Reins
James E. Brady
(to fill vacancy) Nicholas Rice
5th 66 .Jerome B. Allen
6th 66 James F. Adams
1876.
1st Ward. Aaron T. Bliss
2d .James Jerome 3d 66 .Charles Wider
4th .James McGregor
5th John Graensbauer
(to fill vacancy) Joseph Cook
6th
Alexander B. Kelley
1877.
1st Ward Bradley M. Hosmer
2d .Fred W. Hollister 3d Jacob Knapp
4th Norvil Cameron
6th 66 David Crowley 5th
Joseph E. Adams
. William Binder
Peter C. Andre
603
SAGINAW CITY.
1878.
1880.
1st Ward.
. Aaron T. Bliss
1st Ward. Angus McIntyre
2d
Austin Anchutz
2d
Philip Ophergeld
3d
. George F. Williams
66 3d Benjamin N. Montross
4th
. Gilbert Gaum
4th
.George Rathbun
5th
William J. Kerwin
5th John W. Brown
6th
Alexander B. Kelley
6tlı
Enos T. Troop
1879.
1881.
1st Ward.
.James W. Perrin
1st Ward. James W. Perrin
2d
.Jay Smith
2d
John H. Benjamin
3d
Jacob Knapp
4tl
. Thomas Doyle
4th
.Frederick Nehmer
5th
Charles J. Ewald
5th
David Crowley
6th
66
John W Brown
6tlı
Ferdinand Kaiser
THE FIRST SETTLERS.
The chapter devoted to the pioneers of this Valley in the history proper of the county deals generally with the men and events of pioneer days. Thcrein are given brief sketches of Eleazer Jewett, Wm. Mc Donald, Gardner D. Williams, Abram Butts, James Busby, E. N. Davenport, J. B. Cushaway and others. Their settlement may be said to have been made in the heart of the Indian country. The Otchipwes, numbering over 3,500 souls at that time, surrounded them, and oftentimes made such encroach- ments upon their privileges as to render life in the locality dis- agreeable, if not actually uncertain. There were no roads then: intercourse with the outer world was a subject seldom thought of, as a journey to Pontiac or Detroit necessitated many hardships, exposed the traveler to many dangers, and required days of severe marching to perform. To all these trials the first American pio- neers were not at all anxious to submit themselves. They devoted all their energies to conciliate their red neighbors, and when conciliation failed they would resort to the exercise of physical power by enforcing the argumentum baculinum. The latter system. or "Club Law," was tried by Messrs. Jewett and Williams with great success, as is evidenced in the descriptions given in the county history; but as a rule the policy of conciliation was effectual, as the Indians could appreciate justice, and esteem all who loved it.
At this period Eleazer Jewett lived at Green Point, close by the town of Saginaw, as platted by Farley and McCloskey. Louis Campeau dwelt in the great block house on the west side of Water street, near the mills of Wright & Co. This was constructed of hewn timber, with a roof of the same material, built for strength and durability. It was all the work of the Frenchman, and stood the monument of his enterprise until 1862. when fire swept it away.
Jack Smith, the English half-breed, erected a hut below Mr. Campean's trading post. This was constructed of poles arranged as in a palisade, with bark under roof, covered with a thatch of salt-marsh grass. Here the improvident half-breed trafficked with his Indian friends until 1832. when he left his rude dwelling to take care of itself. The very lot on which Smith erected that hnt has becu often brought under notice since the time of his resi-
. . (to fill vacancy) A. B. Paine
3d
Henry F. Allen
604
HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
dence here. What became of the original owner or of his chil- dren could not be learned, and this being so, tended to render the acquisition of the property a most uncertain transaction.
The barrack or stockade was used as a school-house, and within its rude walls Judge Albert Miller taught the first school. The stockade extended to the site of the Taylor House.
During the year 1832 the idea of becoming owners and culti- vators of the soil possessed many of the old settlers of Saginaw City and took practical shape. During that year A. W. Bacon, Charles Mc Lean, Henry Mc Lean, John Brown, Andrew Ure, Har- vey Williams, John Mc Gregor, Douglas Thompson, Stephen Ben- son. Wm. J. Henderson and John Todd located lands along the Tittabawassee, and subsequently brought their families thither to reside.
The same year Eleazer Jewett, G. D. Williams, E. S. Will- iams, Abram Butts. Thomas Mc Carthy, James Busby, James Frazer, David Stanard, Ang. Bertrand, Sylvester Vibber, Dougal Mc Kenzie, Edward Brown, Thomas Simpson, Seymour Ensign and Duncan Mc Lellan located at Saginaw City, some of them with the intention of becoming permanent settlers, others with that of making it a home for a few years. E. N. Davenport arrived in 1832 and made Saginaw City his home.
Murdock Frazer arrived in 1833 at the village. At that time he set forth on horseback to explore the Saginaw with a view of locat- ing some lands. He actually crossed Pine Run creek, when he realized the fact that he was lost in the great wilderness. For 70 hours he traversed the forest, hungry, fatigued and anxions. He lost his horse. Packs of gaunt wolves threatened him; yet he pushed forward to the Cass river, where he was fortunate enongh to reach the primitive dwelling of Citizen Kent. After thawing ont, he repaired his torn clothes and proceeded to Saginaw. Two years later he located lands along the Tittabawassee, and became a permanent settler. Toward the close of the year 1836 the fol- lowing named persons possessed homes in Saginaw City or in its immediate neighborhood:
Antoine Campeau,
Albert Miller,
Jenks, Benj. Pearson,
Charles Mc Lean, Jack Smith,
Rufus W. Stevens,
Roderick Vaughan. John Farquaharson,
Wm. J. Henderson,
Nathaniel Foster,
Eleazer Jewett,
John Kengan,
James Abbott, .
David Stanard,
Humphrey Mc Lean,
C. W. Whipple,
Gardner D. Williams,
Abram Butts,
Alex. D. Frazer,
Grovenor Vinton,
Murdock Frazer,
Augustus Bertrand, Stephen Benson, A. W. Bacon, John Todd,
Nelson Smitlı,
Ira French, Geo. W. Bullock, Geo Davis,
Abram Gotee,
Daniel Kengan,
Rockwood,
Duncan Mclellan, John Brown,
Charles Lull,
James Kenny,
David E. ( orbin,
Sylvester Vibber,
Jeremy T. Miller,
James Frazer, Thomas Simpson,
II. N. Howard,
Jolın Lacy, Peter Guillott,
- Merritt,
Norman Little,
Jolın P. Hosmer, Curtis Emerson.
Win. F. Mosely, Harvey Williams, Eleazer Mason, Ponton,
Jolın Tibbets, Theophilus Clarke,
Dougal Mc Kenzie, Douglas Thompson, Seymour Ensign, Abram Whitney, Edward Brown, ames Busby,
ITiram L. Miller,
Charles L. Richman,
Phineas Spaulding, Geo. Blythe, Riley Mott,
Harvey Rumville,
605
SAGINAW CITY.
" The Red Warehouse" was erected in 1836. The Webster House and two warehouses were built in 1837. E. W. Perry had the contract for " getting out" the lumber to be used in the first- named structure. The " Williams saw-mill " then stood where the salt blocks of the Williams Bros. are now situated, and all forined what was known as the town of Saginaw. This nucleus of a city was barely formed, when the wave of depression moved westward, shattering the hopes of the new town-builders, and reducing the aspirations of the enterprise to a dream. The settlement was agitated to its very depths; many determined to leave the district; discontent dwelt in every mind.
The small-pox entered the Indian villages about this time, and added largely to increase the prevailing dread of some impending dis- aster. Providence, however, ruled that the pioneers might suffer alone from financial reverses, while the Indians would be carried away in thousands by the dreadful disease. Of the entire number of the doomed race then dwelling in the neighborhood of the " Great Camp," over 2.000 perished, the remainder fled to the wilderness to seek a hiding place, where the Great Spirit conld not find them, or pursue them with his vengeance. Even the wild woods did not shelter the poor savages from the terrible scourge; throughout the forest, river and stream the echoes of their dismal shrieks rang out for a short while, and then died away with death. Happy Indians! They survived not to witness the sacred circles of their fathers, the burial places of their race, upturned by the plow, or covered with the homes and factories of civilized man; they were spared at least this last and most terrible affliction.
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