USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume I > Part 83
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The present officiating pastor is Rev. Lonis Brumu. Their Sun- day-school has in attendance 25 scholars, for whom a snitable library is provided.
Evangelical Lutheran Church .- This denomination held meet- ings in this township as early as in 1865, the pastor being the Rev. Mr. Miller. They niet for the worship of God at private houses in the neighborhood until 1874, when they purchased lot 6, block 17, in the village of Chesaning, and they erected thereon the present church building, at a cost of $1,200. It is a frame structure 24 by 36 feet in size. Present membership is 23. Present minister is Rev. J. Meyer. Sunday-school contains 20 scholars.
Wild Wood Cemetery .-- In the northwestern corner of the northwest quarter of sec. 28, on a beautiful plat of ground, along the bank of the Shiawassee river, is located Wild-Wood cemetery. It is neatly laid out in walks and wards. In these grounds overlook- ing the Shiawassee valley lie at rest inany of Chesaning's pioneers and worthy citizens. With their lives passed away the wily sav- age, the ferocions wild beast and the trackless forest. To the dauntless courage and untiring industry of these pioneers, and their few compatriots, who still remain with us on this side of the river, too much tribute cannot be paid. As brave and honorable inen they lived; let their memory be cherished with pride and affection.
SOCIETIES.
Chesaning Lodge, F. d. A. M., No. 194, was granted a charter from the Grand Lodge of the State Jan. 10, 1867. The charter members were J. J. Austin. J. N. Eldred, W. W. Wyman, H. F. Armstrong, E. H. Sternes. E. W. Damon and Joseph Bush. Its first officers were J. J. Austin, W. M .; J. N. Eldred, S. W .; and H. F. Armstrong, J. W. The present officials are as follows: N. R. Jersey, W. M .; W. W. Wyman, S. W .; L. W. Everts, J. W .; and G. Lyman Chapman, Sec. The lodge now has 60 members in good standing. They hold meetings Thursday evenings on or before the full moon of each month.
Chesaning Chapter, R. 1. M .. No. 67, meets the first Tuesday in each month. The chapter was instituted Jan. 19, 1869. The charter members were M. W. Quackenbush, H. P .: Frank P.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
Kenyon, K .; J. J. Austin, S .; R. W. Andrews, J. L. Helm, Wm. P. Allen, J. M. Jones, J. N. Eldred, John Rogers, C. C. Goodale, and others. The present officers are: W. H. H. Chapman, H. P .; H. J. Hopkins, K. ; John B. Griswold, S .; N. R. Jersey, Sec.
Chesaning Lodge, No. 103, 1. O. O. F., was granted its charter Oct. 31, 1866. The charter members were Frank P. Kenyon, Jas. C. Goodale, Jas. H. Young, Wm. R. Smith and Daniel C. Par- shall. The lodge holds regular meetings every Monday night. Membership is 35.
Chesaning Encampment, No. 76. I. O. O. F., meets the 2d and 4th Wednesdays of every month.
The Chesaning Grange, No. 164, was organized June 23, 1874, with a membership of about 30. Its officers were Samuel Carson, Master; David Peet, Treasurer, and O. W. Damon, Secretary. It now numbers 25 members. R. A. Wilson is Master; O. W. Damon, Secretary; and David Peet, Treasurer. The grange holds meetings the 1st and 3d Saturdays of each month.
Chesaning Lodge, No. 1,816, K. of H., was organized and char- tered Sept. 19, 1879, with a membership of about 20. Present membership is 23. Its meetings are held 2d and 4th Friday evenings of each month, in the I. O. O. F. Hall. O. F. Walker is Dictator, and D. (). Quigley, Reporter.
Good Templars. - There is a lodge of the Independent Order of Good Templars in the village.
Ladies' Library Association .--- In 1877 a few ladies in the village, realizing the importance of and the benefits that accrue to the cit- izens from having a large library of miscellaneous books perma- nently established in the place to which the people could have access, formed the above named association. On the organization of the society, they possessed but 50 volumes, and fixed the mem- bership fees at one dollar per annum. Mrs. II. J. Bently was elected President; Mrs. W. H. H. Chapman, Secretary; Mrs. G. L. Chapman. Treasurer; and Mrs. T. L. Green, Librarian of the association. It is distinctively a ladies' enterprise; no males being allowed to vote at election of any of its officers. £
It is supported by membership fees, voluntary contributions, etc. They also occasionally secure the services of public speakers and lecturers to deliver addresses before the association on scientific and other subjects, the proceeds being applied to the purchase of new books and other expenses. Adjoining the library room is fitted up an ele- gant parlor, where the ladies meet for social converse, reading, or to transact the business of the society. During the past four years the number of volumes on its shelves have increased to 428. It has proven a success, and may now be counted as one of the ini- portant and permanent institutions of the village. The present officers are Mrs. S. E. Cheyney, President; Mrs. Catharine Rogers, Secretary; Mrs. W. H. II. Chapman, Treasurer; and Mrs. Plæbe Mayheifer, Librarian.
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CHESANING TOWNSHIP.
CHESANING VILLAGE SCHOOLS.
The village is supplied with two school buildings; one is a brick, which was erected at a cost, including furniture, of $14,000. In this building is kept a graded school, and three teachers are ein- ployed. The other is a frame building and is used for a primary school. The seating capacity of the two buildings is 280. Nmmn- ber of pupils in attendance for the school year of 1880 was 231. One male teacher was employed at a salary of $700. Three female teachers received salaries which amounted to $840. School year is 10 months. School library contains 64 volumes.
MERCANTILE, MANUFACTURING AND MILLING INTERESTS.
There are within the village limits the following stores and places of business : Fonr general stores, five groceries, three hardware stores, two furniture stores, two boot and shoe stores, two millinery stores, two drug stores, two restaurants, two hotels, two wagon shops, two harness shops, two mcat markets, five blacksmith shops, one foun- dry, one planing-mill, one stave and heading factory, one merchant and custom flouring mill, one printing office, which issues the Weekly Argus, and salt works not yet in operation. Six physi- cians reside in Chesaning.
Among the firms that may be especially mentioned as among the most enterprising business men of the place are Chapman Bros., H. J. Bently and Thos. L. Green, who each carry a large stock and full line of goods nsually found in first-class general stores; A. S. Bearer, A. C. Christian and Lyman O. Ford, who supply the residents with groceries; J. B. Griswold, who keeps a hardware store; L. L. Homer, proprietor of a meat market; Eldred & Co. and Wm. H. Niver, representing the drug trade; Win. H. Walker, owner of a furniture store; C. Moessner, boot and shoe retailer; Garrett Post, proprietor of the Waverly Housc; and Geo. W. Williams, who operates an extensive foundry established in 1877. A planing-mill, managed by A. A. Belden & Co .; mill was built in 1868 on the site of one that was burned; lias a 15-horse-power engine, New York make. Employs on an average 15 men. Capa- city in planing is 1,000 feet per hour; and in matching, 500 feet per hour.
The stave factory carried on by J. J. Campbell is one of the most important industries of the village. In this establishment are employed 42 men and boys. The motive power is a 35-horse- power engine; the factory has a capacity for making 3,000,000 staves and 10,000 barrel headings per annum.
The merchant and custom flouring mill, owned and operated by R. A. Wilson, occupies the site of the pioneer " corn cracker." It is a three-story-and-a-half frame building, 40x50 feet on the ground; is fitted with four run of stone and improved machinery, and cost its present owner $15,000. Its grinding capacity is 60,000 bushels
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
of grain per annum, and averages 40,000 bushels. Its machinery is run by water power, the "Shiawassee " furnishing a never-failing supply. From this mill are annually shipped 600 barrels of flour.
POSTOFFICE.
With the exception of the postoffice at Saginaw City and East Saginaw, this office is the most important one in the county. There are received and distributed at this office each week 260 weekly newspapers and magazines, and 35 daily papers. Its average receipt of letters for distribution in the village and township is 200 per day, while they send to other offices 100 letters daily. In the money-order department they issue orders yearly to the amount of $18,000 to $20,000. The present postmaster is Thios. L. Greene.
THE FIRST LAND-BUYERS.
The first purchasers of the United States Lands in this township are named in the following list:
Willard Parker, sec 1, Aug 1, 1853 Elijah Anderson, sec 1, Nov 11, 1854 Truman Scott, sec 1, Jan 3, 1855 William H. Fisher, sec 1, Jan 3, 1855 Edward H. Stearns, sec 1, Nov 7, 1854 Elijah F. Burt, sec 2, March 1, 1854 Thomas Morrish, sec 2, Nov 7, 1854 Bartholomew Glass, sec 2, Nov 7, 1854 Joel Bardwell, sec 2, Nov 7, 1854 Ge rge W. Lee, sec 2, March 1, 1854 Horace G. Soule, sec 3, June 27, 1855 James Cummins, sec 3, Sept 28, 1855 Hiram Walker, sec 3, Sept 13, 1855 William P. Allen, sec 3, Sept 13, 1855 Giles Bishop, sec 3, Dec 7, 1854 Robert Nason, sec 3, Nov 20.1851 A. L. & T. B. R R. sec 3, Dec 1, 1862 Hiram Walker, sec 3, Oct 1, 1855 Alfred Russell, sec 3, Oct 1. 1855 Israel Parshall, sec 3, June 18, and Dec 19, 1855
Salmon A. Mitchell, sec 4, Nov 15, 1850 Rufus P. Mason, sec 4, Jan 4, 1851 James Fuller, sec 4, Jan 4, 1851 Jolin Pitts, sec 4, Feb 18, 1852 Joseph Lockwood, sec 4, Jan 19, 1854 Heury T. Sherbock, sec 4, Nov 9, 1854 A. F. McCarty, sec 4, Dec 27, 1854 Daniel Brooks, sec 4, Dec 27, 1854 Robert H. Nason, sec 4, Dec 25, 1854 John L. Smith, sec 4, May 16, 1854 Justin D. Ingalls, sec 4, Dec 15, 1847 Rufus P. Mason, sec 4, Nov 22, 1850 James Fuller, sec 4, Nov 22, 1850 James C. Fuller, sec 4, March 1, 1851 Robert H. Nelson, sec 4, Oct 18, 1854 Edward Smith, sec 4, May 16, 1854 James C. Fuller, sec 4, June 1, 1854
Jos. R. Thompson, sec 5. Oct 24, 1853 John T. Tallman, sec 5, Feb 11, 1837 Franklin Moore, sec 5, Nov 10, 1853 Martha A. Griswold, sec 5, Nov 7, 1854 Benjamin Johnson, sec 5, Nov 7, 1854 Barnard Lenmon, sec 6, Nov 7, 1854 Charles Whittaker, sec 6, Nov 7, 1854 Warner J. Jobdill, sec 6, Nov 7. 1854 Isaiah Rathburn, sec 6, Nov 7, 1854 John B. Hamilton, sec 7, Nov 7. 1854 Bernard Frener, sec 7, Nov 5, 1854 Thomas Lister sec 7, Dec 2, 1854 H. H. Neff, sec 7, Ang 28, and Nov 7, 1854
William P. Allen, sec 7, Aug 3', 1853 Gideon Lee, sec 8, Jan 21, 1837 Charles English, sec 8, Jan 17, 1837 John W. Turner, sec 9, Feb 12, 1852 David Dresser, sec 9, June 11, 1849 Win. Dresser, sec 9, June 11, 1849, and Nov 16, 1850
Rufus P. Mason, sec 9, Nov 26, 1841 W. Chapman, sec 9, Oct 18. 1841 G. W. Chapman, sec 9. Oct 18, 1841 W. Chapman, sec 9, March 5. 1:46 James Fuller, sec 9, Oct 17, 1843 W. Chapman, sec 9, April 23. 1855 John S. Smith sec 9. April 23, 1855 Albert G. W. Smith, sec 9, Oct 26, 1854 James C. Fuller, sec 9, Nov 16, 1850, and Sept 1, 1851 Silas W. Legg, see 9, Oct 3, 1855 Samuel Scribbens. sec 9, Oct 3, 1855 W. Chapman, sec 9, April 23, 1855 Allen O. Templer, sec 9, Jan 14, 1856 Richard Odell. sec 9, May 4, 1855 L. G. Harkness, sec 10, Aug 18, 1863 D. M. Harkness, sec 10, Ang 18, 1863
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CHESANING TOWNSHIP.
Hiram Walker, sec 10, Oct 1, 1855 Alfred Russell, sec 10, Oct 1, 1855 H. E. Kinney, sec 10, Sept 30, and Dec 29, 1854
Wellington Chapman, sec 10, Nov 16, 1850, and April 23, 1855
C. H Carroll, sec 11, July 14, 1836 W. T. Carroll, sec 11, July 14, 1836 Gideon Lee, sec 11, Jan 21, 1837 Gideon Lee, sec 12, Jan 21, 1837 C. H. Carroll, sec 12, July 14, 1836 W. T. Carroll, sec 12, July 14, 1836 Sarah P. Richardson, sec 12, Oct 19, 1836
Abels Donelson, sec 13, Nov 7, 1854 William Griswold, sec 13, Nov 6, 1854 Franklin Walker, sec 13, Nov 7, 1854 Washington D. Morton, sec 13, Nov 7, 1854
Wm. Griswold, sec 13, Nov 7, 1854 David Richards, sec 14, Nov 7, 1854 Cyrus Hewitt, sec 14 Nov 7, 1854 S. Matthewson, sec 14, Nov 7, 1854. Hiram Walker, sec 15, Nov 1, 1855 Alfred Russell, sec 15, Nov 1, 1855 Abigail B. Allen, sec 15, Feb 16, 1856 G. W. C. Smith, sec 15, July 2, 1855 John T. Turner, sec 15, June 7, 1855 W. P. Allen, sec 15, June 6, 1855 James C. Fuller, sec 15, July 14, 1848 John W. Turner, sec 15, May 30, 1853 Edward H. Stern, sec 15, May 30, 1853 E. S. Bennett, sec 15, Nov 22. 1855 W. D. Morton, sec 15, Sept 26, 1855 Horace C. Soule, sec 15, June 8, 1855 Tirrah McArthur, sec 15, June 15, 1848 C. Kimberly, sec 15, June 15, 1848 Rensselaer Allen, sec 15, Sept 23, 1853 C. C. Hascall, sec 16, Jan 24, 1842 John Ferguson, sec 16, Jan 24, 1842 Benjamin North, see 16, Jan 24, 1842 John M. Watkins, sec 16, Jan 24, 1842 W. Chapman, sec 16, Oct 18, 1841 J.M. Watkins, sec 16, June 22, 1842 L. C. Smith, sec 16, March 27, 1854 Albert G. Smith, sec 16, Oct 20, 1854 Samuel Leonard, sec 16, Feb 5, 1855 Waters Burrows sec 16, June 4, 1855 Samuel Noyes, sec 17, Jan 16, 1837 Isaac Brown, sec 17, Jan 16, 1837 B. F. Town, sec 17, Jan 16, 1837 C. Hamilton, sec 17, Feb 11, 1837 W. H. H Elliott, sec 17, Jan 16, 1837 Robert Harper, sec 17, Feb 11, 1837 John Tallman, sec 18, Feb 11, 1837, Geo. Woodman, sec 18, Ang 7, 1854 Chauncey Metcalf, sec 18, Feb 11, 1837 James B. Hunt, sec 19, Jan 20, 1837 J. T. Tallman, sec 19, Feb 11, 1837 Oshea Cova, sec 19, Nov 14, 1854 D. Van Wormer, sec 19, Jan 16, 1837 Waters Burrows, sec 20, June 4, 1855 David Peet, sec 20, June 23, 1855 E. W. Damon sec 20, June 23, 1855 James Chambers, sec 20, Ang 31, 1855
David Peet, sec 20, Oct 5, 1855 Edward Smith, sec 20, May 10, 1856 William Smith, sec 20. Jan 10, 1853 Israel Parshall, sec 20, Dec. 18, 1855 James Allen, sec 20, Sept 15, 1855 WV. Chapman, sec 21, Oct 18, 1841 Geo. L, Davis, sec 21, Oct 7, 1851 Rufus Mason, sec 21, Nov 26, 1841 O. S. Chapman, sec 21, July 16, 1842 Giles Bishop, sec 21, Nov 28, 1854 Geo. W. Chapman, sec 21, Oct 18, 1841 S. Leonard, sec 21, Feb 5 and June 16 1855
Warren S. Ward, sec 22, April, 23, 1855 Giles Bishop, sec 22, June 2, 1856 Geo. W. Chapman, sec 22, April 5, 1854 Julia Ann Neff, sec 22, Nov 2, 1855 E. G. Goddard, sec 22, Aug 18, 1863 Benj. S. Badgely, sec 22, Dec 20, 1854 Henry P. Emery, sec 22, Dec 20, 1854 H. A. Tobias, sec 22, Dec 2, 1854 Grice Mathewson, sec 23, Nov 7, 1854 Eugene Willime, sec 23, Nov 7, 1854 Thomas Partridge, sec 23, Nov 7, 1854 Anderson Bump, sec 24, Nov 7, 1854 T. J. Johnson, sec. 24, Nov. 7, 1854 A bram Slocum, sec. 24, Nov 7, 1854 N. G. Clark, sec 24, Nov 7, 1854 Hiram Willes, sec 24, Nov 7, 1854 John Reid, sec 25, Nov 7, 1854 John Brace, sec 25, Nov 13, 1854 Charles Bell, sec 25, Nov 7, 1854 Ira Stanard, sec 25, Nov 7, 1854 Asahel Townsend, sec 25. Nov 7, 1854 James C. Townsend, sec 25, Nov 7, 1854 Anson Sheldon, sec 26, Nov 7, 1854 Geo. C. Reid, jr., sec 26, Nov 7, 1854 Reuben Van Tefflin, sec 26, Nov 7, 1854 Giles Bishop, sec 27, June 2, 1856 A. L. & T. B. R. R., sec 27, Dec 1, 1862 Benj. S. Badgely, sec 27, Dec 20, 1854 Henry R. Emery, sec 27, Dec 20, 1854 Solomon Tobias, sec 27, Dec 2, 1854 Elisha Taylor, sec 27, Jan 10, 1856 Henry C. Thayer, sec 27, Dec 2, 1854, May 17, and Sept 24, 1855 Rufus P. Mason, sec 28, Nov 26, 1841 Giles Bishop, sec 28, Feb 12, March 14, May 24, and June 5, 1855
John Ferguson, sec 29, Jan 24, 1842 Benj. North, sec 29, Jan 24, 1842 J. M. Watkins, sec 29, Jan 24, 1842 Benj. North, sec 29, May 21, 1844 Daniel North, sec 29, May 21, 1844 O. S. Chapman, sec 26, April 17, 1844 Stephen Bentley, sec 29, Feb 16, 1850 O. S. Chapman, sec 29 April 5, 1851 Rufus P. Mason, sec 29, April 5, 1851 Israel Parshall, sec 29, June 4, 1855 Giles Bishop, sec 29. Dec 6, 1854 Daniel Pierce, sec 29, Nov 20, 1850 Giles Bishop, sec 29, Nov 28, 1854 O. S. Chapman, sec 29, July 16, 1842 D. McArthur, sec 29, Aug 15, 1854 James Wadsworth, sec 30, July 7, 1836
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
.
Thomas Stewart, sec 30, Nov 1. 1855 L. C. Smith, sec 30, Aug 27, 1855 J. B Griswold, sec 30. July 1, 1850 D. McArthur, sec 30, Aug 15, 1854 Hermann Ladd, sec 31, June 18, 1826 Charles Little, sec 31, June 18, 1826 . Cornelius Bergen, sec 31, Jan 15. 1836 Norman Little, sec 31, Feb 23, 1836 A. G. W. Smith, sec 31, Oct 20, 1854 A. E. Hernington, sec 31, June 18, 1855 Philip Mickles, sec 31, Sept 3, 1855 A. L. Williams, sec 31, Sept 19, 1855 Stephen Bentley, sec 32, Feb 16, 1850 Israel Parshall, sec 32, June 4, 1855 Benj. S. Badgely, sec 32, Dec 20, 1834 Henry R. Emery, sec 32, Dcc 20, 1854
Israel Parshall, sec 32, Oct 18, 1855 Philip Mickles, sec 32. Sept 8, 1855 A. L. Williams, sec 32, Sept 19, 1855 Wm. B. Irwin, sec 32, Sept 28, 1855 Norman Parshall sec 33, Oct 18, 1855 Geo. V. N. Lothrop, sec 33, Sept 27, 1855
L. G. Harkness, sec 34. Aug 18, 1863 D. M. Harkness, sec 34, Aug 18, 1863 Thomas Foote, sec 34, Jan 2, 1855 Jesse Fenny, sec 34, Sept 6. 1855 Elislia Taylor, sec 34, Jan 10, 1856 M. J. Barrett, sec 35, Nov 7, 1854 Geo. Crocker, sec 35, Nov 7, 1854 Leonard Wesson, sec 35, Nov , 1854 R. D. Lamond, sec 36, Nov 7, 1854
A FRIGHTFUL MURDER.
One of the most brutal murders ever perpetrated was that of Charles Smith, of Chesaning, on the morning of Sept. 13. 1876. It brought a blush of shame into the features of man and woman, and stained the Centennial year witli a crime as horrible as its cause was base. The Courier report of that murder and the trial which succeeded it was full and accurate, so that from it alone we take the following particulars of the disgraceful tragedy:
Charles Smith owned and lived on a fine 40-acre farm, the product of his own industry and frugality, situated about one and one-half miles south of the village on the Corunna road. At about two o'clock on the morning of Sept. 13, 1876, the barn belonging to liis premises was discovered to be on fire, and although the neiglibors were on land very soon after the fire originated, it was impossible for them to render any efficient aid, and the building was almost totally consumed. Smith was missing, and inquiries were made concerning him. Mrs. Smith said she had seen him enter the barn after the fire had gained considerable headway, and had not seen him afterward. The fire raged until it consumed all that it could reach, and after it had gone down sufficiently to admit of it, a search was made in the ruins for the body of Smith. On what was left of the barn floor the remains were found in a ter- ribly burned condition, surrounded by a smoldering heap of straw and other debris.
Mr. Smith's family consisted of his wife, Mrs. Mary Jane Smith, Cora Rolfe, a 12-year old daughter of Mrs. Smith by a former lins- band, a little son aged seven years, and one aged about three, both lris children by Mary Jane Smith. Visiting in his family at the time of the fire were Mrs. Julia Ann Cargin, a sister of Mrs. Smitlı, and her newly married husband, Freeman Cargin, residents of Katonah, Westchester Co., N. Y. The Cargins were on their wedding tour. There was a young man named Norris Alexander, who had worked on the farm at various times for Smith, but there had been difficulty between the two men and Alexander had been discharged. Alexander first went to Smith's to work when he was
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CHESANING TOWNSHIP.
a lad between 14 and 15 years of age, and made his home there most of the time up to the opening of this narrative. His reputa- tion was not of the best, and once he was sent to the House of Cor- rection in Detroit for larceny. We introduce Alexander with the family, because he figures very prominently in their destinies, as will be seen further on.
There had been difficulties in the family, Mr. and Mrs. Smith not agreeing very well, and the peace of the husband and wife was not angmented by the presence of Cargin and his wife, al- though the latter were on their "honeymoon trip." Alexander, familiarly known as " Nock," a nickname for Norris, had also been heard to inake remarks that showed a bitter feeling toward Smith. It seems also that young Alexander took lodgings at the Waverly House in Chiesaning on the night in question. He was supposed to have been in bed all night and in the morning, but there are indi- cations that he had been out at the window of his room during the night. Joseph Miller, a neighbor of Smith's, had seen two men come out of the house and go to the barn about 20 minutes before the fire was discovered. It appeared also that Mrs. Smith had lately . made inquiry in the neighborhood if she could hold her husband's property in case of his death.
A combination of all these circumstances led the neighbors to suspect that there had been some crooked transactions. The coro- ner's inquest on the body resulted in a verdict indicating that the deceased came to his death by murder in his own house ; that the body was conveyed thence to the barn and there burned with the building, and that suspicion pointed to Mrs. Smith, wife of the de- ceased, Freeman Cargin and his wife, and Norris Alexander. The parties were immediately arrested, and followed by an excited mob of the citizens of Chesaning, they were conducted to the depot and · thence to Saginaw City, where they were lodged in jail.
The preliminary examination of the prisoners commenced before Justice J. W. Clark, in Saginaw City, on the afternoon of Sept. 18, Prosecuting Attorney William Gillett appearing for the People, and Wm. A. Clark for the defense. The prisoners were all in court, and the women looked quite agitated. During the course of the testimony Mrs. Cargin was attacked with a sort of spasm, the symptoms of which were quite alarming, although she came out of it all right.
A great many of the neighbors were sworn on the examination, and Wednesday, the 20th, the prisoners consented to waive further examination, preferring to take their chances in the circuit court.
THE TRIAL OF CARGIN.
On Monday, Dec. 11, the trials commenced before Judge Tennant, each to have a separate trial. Freeman Cargin was the first to be tried. Messrs. Wm. A. Clark and Win. A. Clark, jr., and John Hurst ap- peared for the defense, and Prosecuting Attorney Gillett and his
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IHISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY.
partner in civil business, Lawson C. Holden, for the prosecution. There had been very much talk concerning the trial, and a great many men otherwise qualified for jurors had read the testimony on the examination, formed opinions, and consequently were ineligible. Eighty jurors were sworn in this case before 12 eligible ones conld be obtained. The regular panel of 24 and 56 talesmen were sworn, and at 3:10 p. M. on the 12th, both sides were satisfied with the fol- lowing named gentlemen as jurors : George Jenner. J. M. Wilson, George Streeb, W. E. Smythe, John Zimmerman, Porter Stewart, W. B. Stillman, Charles Burdick, John Howell, Joseph T. Man- ning, Frank Benjamin, John Baar.
Interest in this case among the citizens of East Saginaw, Saginaw City and the surrounding country had been gradnally working up as it became more and more clear that there was a strong. case against the acensed. Wednesday, Dec. 13, the court room was packed to its utmost capacity, and the stairs were crowded. Many, tired of trying to hear a word, or to get even a glimpse of the prisoners, filed away with the consolation that they would see a full account of it in the morning papers. The reason of this angment- ation of interest was the rumor that Dan P. Footc, connscl for Norris Alexander, had advised his client to plead guilty, and that, in accordance with this advice Alexander would so plead and make a full confession of the crime in all its details. This proved true, for this prisoner was brought into court in the forenoon, and pleaded guilty to the charge of murder. At 2:30 P. M. Alexander was produced in court, and being called to the stand as the People's witness, told a tale, compared with which ordinary tales of bloody murder are bnt cheerful Christmas stories. Mr. Clark, connsel for defense, objected, because Alexander was examined under the same charge as Cargin, and a party substantially to the record of this case. The objection was overruled, and Alexander took the stand, when he related that terrible story of murder with a nonchalance which only a communist could admire. It was proved and admit- ted that the murderers did their dreadful act at the lionse and took the dying man ont to the barn, which they set. on fire, probably before the poor victim was dead.
Judge Tennant sentenced the principal murderer to solitary con- finement in the State's prison for life. Julia Cargin, the consort murderess, received a similar sentence. Mrs. Smith and her para- mour, Norris Alexander, were also convicted of murder in the first degrec. Judge Tennant, in passing sentence on the murderess, said: "Your life is forfeited to the State, yet for public policy, and that alone, your sentence will be lessencd; you may live to come out of prison, and to sce your children, now small and tender, grown to manhood and womanhood, but you cannot enjoy them, for they will disown you and cast you aside. What can they think of the mother that so foully slew their father?" Her sentence was a term of 15 years' imprisonment at hard labor. Owing to the fact that Alexander turned State's evidence, his punishment was reduced to 10 years at hard labor:
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