USA > Michigan > Saginaw County > History of Saginaw County, Michigan; historical, commercial, biographical, Volume II > Part 74
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These representative citizens of Saginaw then proceeded to cut a large ditch from the northern part of their prairie land to the Flint River, a distance of about two miles, enclosing three or four hundred acres, and plowed and prepared the ground for seeding. The results of their practical efforts at farming on this scale were fairly successful, but the difficulties were many and the expense great, and there was more or less trouble in keeping the workmen on the farm in such an out of the way place.
.After improving and operating several hundred acres of the prairie land originally acquired, which had cost them from four to ten dollars an aere, for several years, and proved the practicability of the scheme, the owners sold all their holdings to the Saginaw Realty Company, composed of Harry T. and William J. Wickes, Albert M. Marshall, Samuel G. Higgins and others. This company, having ample financial means backed by the enter- prise of its members, proceeded to extend and develop the extensive acreage. and to equip the farm with modern appliances and tools, thus placing the operations on a more economic basis. During the annual floods the land was largely overflowed, which often delayed or prevented the Spring work, en- tailing heavy loss, and it became apparent that much diking was necessary to prevent this handicap to the operations. The farming operations at this stage of the development of the Prairie Farm, and for some years after, were in charge of Emmet T. Bowen, a well known young business man of this city.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
DREDGE BUILDING DIKES AT PRAIRIE FARM
Development of the Prairie Farm
In 1903 certain Pittsburg capitalists, who owned a controlling interest in the Owosso Sugar Company, attracted by tales of the natural fertility of the muck lands in Saginaw County, investigated the soil and climate con- ditions, and purchased from the Saginaw Realty Company their entire holdings of marsh lands, amounting to more than ten thousand acres. They at once laid their plans on a large scale for the reclamation of the waste lands, and began to heap up banks of earth, in the form of dikes, to hold back the flood waters in the submersible basin near where Swan Creek and Bad River join the Shiawassee.
This is the bottom of the vast Saginaw drainage system, and is the worst and the best country hereabouts. It is the worst because several square miles of it lie only a little more than three feet above the level of Saginaw Bay, and the best is that from the beginning of time it has been the settling basin for rich alluvium brought down by rivers, from heights of four hundred to eight hundred feet, which flow nearly one hundred miles through fertile areas.
This pioneer effort in reclaiming the Saginaw marshes was a costly one. The land had to be won from the waters foot by foot, but each acre of land made dry proved so productive that the promoters were lured on, and eventu- ally arrived at the conclusion that the value of the land far exceeded the cost of controlling the flood waters. The diking was done by big dredges starting at the rivers and nosing their way into the land. scooping up the muck to form "borrow ditches," and depositing it along the outside edge of the area to be drained. As the dredges advanced the water flowed in, carrying them along in the channels which afterward were useful in draining off the water from the land. At the lowest point of the area the dike was made twenty feet high, and at other places the average height was seventeen to eighteen feet, while the ditches were about twelve feet deep. with a gradient of three inches to the mile to carry off the waste waters.
When the entire tract was enclosed, and lateral and cross ditches dug and dikes thrown up, the total length of dike was thirty-six miles Along the top of these dikes good roads were laid out and gradually improved to afford easy communication with all parts of the big farm. The main roads are surfaced with stone and oiled to render solid and enduring highways. . \t
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DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE
the lowest point of the farm, near its northwest corner, where the ditch assumes the size of a canal navigable to scows and motor boats, a pump house was erected. Installed in this building are four centrifugal pumps, which in times of high water lift the excess water from the canal and discharge it into the river beyond. In flood times these pumps work night and day, and relieve the farm ditches of one hundred and sixty thousand gallons of water an hour. The dikes hold back the flood waters, the canal and ditches drain off the surplus rainfall on the enclosed lands, and the pumps discharge the excess water into the swift current of the river, thus rendering the soil fit for cultivation.
"Mosquito Road" Leads to Farm
There are two ways of getting to the Prairie Farm from Saginaw. In the dry season one can go direct from the city by way of East Street and turning to the right about nine miles from the city limits, drive straight into the farm settlement four miles beyond. The other route is by railroad to St. Charles, and a drive of nine and a half miles over the "Mosquito Road" through swamps to right and left. Once on this road there are few chances of getting off, as wide, deep ditches line it all the way. There are surprises en route, as the road goes gently downward into the heart of the swamp, grass and timber land. Every mile or so billows of land roll up out of the welter of mud, and along these ridges appear prosperous farms, with good houses, big barns, and here and there a silo indicating that dairy farming and cattle raising are rural industries being developed.
As the visitor emerges from a wood patch, near the farm entrance at the southwest corner of the farm, cultivated fields of vast extent burst into view. He turns north on the hard, oiled road which traverses the crest of a low dike bisecting the farm. A mile ahead is Alicia village, the largest settlement for miles around. Here are four score yellow framed cottages, housing work- men's families, a large clubhouse, a general store and an assembly hall. Across the road are several large barns, cattle sheds, wagon, machinery and tool houses, and a large grain elevator. This structure and the mint distillery a little further on are situated on the spur track which connects the farm with the Grand Trunk Railroad, six miles eastward. During the rush of Summer work from three hundred to three hundred and fifty farmers and
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GANG PLOWING BY TRACTOR ON THE PRAIRIE FARM
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UPPER SCENE-HARVESTING GRAIN ON LARGE SCALE AT PRAIRIE FARM LOWER SCENE-THRESHING WHEAT ON FARM IN FRANKENMUTH TOWNSHIP
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DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE
laborers are employed on the farm, and in Winter about seventy-five men are kept busy attending to the stock, repairing wagons and harness, over- hauling machinery, and getting all equipment in readiness for the Spring and Summer campaigns.
Driving by automobile along the central dike northward to the center of the farm, thence westerly about two miles brings the visitor to the lowest point of land, to which all the water in the ditches flows and where it is pumped out. Looking back from the top of the dike one has a clear view of the beet and mint fields. Beets and peppermint, with corn and rye, are the principal crops and are grown in great quantities on extended acreage. In all there are six thousand acres under cultivation, and in the Spring of 1917 another thousand acres went under the plow. All the plowing is done by gang plows drawn by steam and motor tractors, twelve plows to the gang ; and much other heavy work previously done by horses now falls to mechanical power. The Prairie Farm is said to be the largest farm under cultivation east of the Mississippi.
A Bit of Holland in Michigan
At times when all this section of the county is under water, when the Prairie Farm reposes within it earthen walls like a beleagured country, it reminds one very strongly of a section of Holland set down here in Michigan. Then the flood waters often rise to a height of seventeen feet on the outside of the earth dikes, and there are watchful days and nights for the male popu- lation. The dikes have to be constantly patrolled and threatened leaks and breaks repaired immediately. There are native foes, too, to the dike, the muskrat and the woodchuck. The latter is the one dreaded as he burrows deep enough to cause much damage, and men are employed to hunt them out.
Here and there in the dark brown field, gray patches are noticed. These are the clay subsoil touched now and then by the motor driven plows and being worked up into the lighter surface soil-much to its betterment, it is claimed. Only a little under the muck soil is a clay bed as dry as bone dust. There are driven wells as also tiled wells, and here and there excellent drinking water is found at a depth of abont thirty feet.
The inhabitants of the farm lead an isolated and monotonous life, es- pecially in flood time when communication with the world is almost entirely cut off. Exit by boats in the swirling currents is difficult and dangerous. Still the living conditions are steadily improving, and the farm dwellers have the conveniences of electric light and running water in their homes, supplied free by the farm's own generating and water plant, and also the use of tele- phones. There is also regular postal service to Alicia.
Raising Blooded Stock
A leading feature of the Prairie Farm is stock raising. In all the varied work of planting, growing and harvesting the extensive crops, about three hundred head of heavy draft horses are required; and in Summer about seventy-five teams, some of which are three-horse teams, are in constant use.
In 1913 the Owosso Sugar Company, owners of the Prairie Farm, im- ported twenty Belgian brood mares and one stallion for the purpose of estab- lishing breeding stables. Their manager went to Belgium and selected mares of the best blood that country produced. He succeeded in purchasing direct offspring of the champion sires and mares of Belgium. They have mares out of Reve de Or, who was champion over all breeds of Draft Horses at the Paris Exposition in 1900. One is a granddaughter of Indigene du Fos- teau, the champion stallion of Belgium from 1906 to and including 1909. This champion stallion was awarded with first prizes for his colt get in 1908 to 1913, inclusive, at the national Horse Show at Brussels. Among these mares are such as daughters of Brin D'Or, Ideal du Fosteau and Soleil Lavant.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
HOME OF THE ROYAL BRED BELGIAN DRAFT HORSES WHERE THE BEST IN AMERICA ARE RAISED
Their two stallions, now at the head of their stables, are two of the best bred stallions in the United States. Sans Peur de Hamal, No. 3446, twelve years old, is a grandson of Manage who was once owned by the Belgian gov- ernment, and later resold to his original owner for an enormous sum. He has shown himself to be an excellent colt getter, and has produced out of grade mares, colts that at two years old weighed fifteen hundred pounds.
Sans Peur de Hamal was champion at the Michigan State Fair, Detroit, in 1915 and 1916, and grand champion over all breeds in 1916, and champion in 1917 at the State Fair.
Rubis, No. 4008, a six-year-old stallion, imported by the Prairie Farm in 1913, is a grandson of Rubens. Many noted breeders in Belgium regretted that Rubens should go out of the country. He was purchased by General Rotha for the South African Government. Rubis is a real type of Belgian Draft Horse. He was awarded a silver medal by the King of Belgium in 1913, when he showed with two hundred and thirty others in the two-year- old class at the National Horse Show at Brussels.
The mares raised on the Prairie Farm are selected for breeding purposes. They are workers and earn their living in the harness and by raising colts. There has been accomplished what many breeders thought could not be done. The farm has raised just as good young stock as Belgium ever produced. some two-year-olds weighing seventeen hundred pounds and three-year-olds over eighteen hundred. Michigan and Saginaw County have equalled Bel- gium in this regard.
Besides this stock of heavy draft horses there are large numbers of pure bred Friesian, Holstein and Hereford cattle, improved Duroc Jersey swine, and registered Delaine Merino Black Top sheep. The Prairie Farm is also an extensive grower of pedigreed seeds.
Jacob DeGeus, an experienced stockman and farming expert, is manager of this great farm enterprise.
In a graphic way the Prairie Farm illustrates how capital and enter- prise, coupled with genius and application of business principles, will redeem waste lands and make them richly productive. In this instance lands worth scarcely more than four or five dollars an acre twenty of thirty years ago, have been made to yield such extensive crops that their value has increased to eighty or ninety dollars an acre. And when it is considered that there are
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SANS PEUR de HAMAL, No. 3446, OWNED BY OWOSSO SUGAR CO., ALICIA, MICHIGAN
A GRANDDAUGHTER OF INDIGENE du FOSTEAU AND A TRUE PRODUCTION
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
still one hundred thousand acres of wild prairie lands in Saginaw Valley still untouched, and only waiting action of the government for the control of flood waters, the imagination must be be drawn upon to form an idea of what the future development of this rich land means to the people of Saginaw.
United States Land Office
The United States Land Office for the sale of public lands, known as the "Genesee Office," which was originally located at Flint, was removed to East Saginaw, April 1, 1857. The Office of register was held by Moses B. Iless, and that of receiver by Colonel W. L. P. Little, who remained in charge until the inauguration of President Lincoln. John F. Driggs then became register, and C. K. Robinson receiver, their commissions bearing date of April 1, 1861. Mr. Driggs was elected to Congress in the following year and retired from the land office early in 1863, his place being filled by II. C. Driggs. In 1866 Andrew Johnson appointed M. W. Quackenbush as receiver, and Isaac Worden as register, who held office until the end of the Johnson administration. Thomas Saylor was then made receiver and Henry C. Ripley register of the land office, and they held office for four years. On May 10, 1871. Robert L. Warren assumed the office of receiver and W. R. Bates that of register : and in October. 1872, Major Albert .A. Day succeeded Mr. Warren as receiver. At that time government lands sold at one dollar and twenty- tive cents to two dollars and fifty cents per acre, according to location relative to railway lines.
Saginaw Valley Agricultural Society
For the purpose of promoting the improvement of agriculture and of stimulating the growing of live stock, a number of leading residents of this county organized on March 20, 1866, the Saginaw County Agricultural Society. The first executive committee of the society was composed of Barney 11. York, president; George F. Lewis, secretary, and Thomas L. Jackson, treasurer. The vice-presidents were George F. Veenfliet, William J. Bartow, William M. Smith and William MeBratnie, and the other directors were John Wiltse, John G. Hubinger, Andrew Goetz, Wellington R. Burt, Andrew Crofoot. N. S. Beach and Robert Ure.
The first fair of the society was held in East Saginaw, October 3 to 5. the commissioners for arrangement of all animals and articles for exhibition being : William M. Smith, cattle ; William J. Bartow, horses : George F. Veen- Heit, butter, cheese, vegetables and seeds; William McBratnie, farm implements and miscellaneous ; and Robert U're, flowers, drawings, paintings and ornamental work. There was a generous premium list and competent judges to make awards. The attendance was large considering that the population of the county was only about one-fourth what it is at present. The fair grounds were situated on the east side of South Jefferson Avenue between Sidney ( Rust) and Webber Streets, and boasted of a fine half mile track. In the following years many famous racing horses speeded on this track. Jay-Eye-See making a world's trotting record.
After a successful career of almost thirty years the society disbanded, its last fair being held at Union Park on the West Side, which had been laid out and maintained by Isaac Bearinger. The park itself with its fine track was abandoned in the Fall of 1905, and the following year was subdivided into city lots.
Nothing was done to revive the agricultural society until 1912, when the Saginaw County School and Farm Bureau Association was organized, and gave interesting educational exhibits at Riverside Park in the Fall of that year, and in 1913. The officers of the association were: Frank J. Newman,
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DEVELOPMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Birch Run, president : Valentine Katzenberger, Bridgeport, vice-president ; L. S. Foote, Saginaw, secretary ; Henry Coats, Hemlock, treasurer; Burton S. Tefft, Saginaw, fair manager.
From this beginning the Saginaw County Agricultural Society was re- organized and placed on a sound working basis. The society held successful fairs and stocks exhibits with racing at the driving park laid out and improved by Harry Bates about thirty years ago, in 1914 and subsequent years; and in 1917 erected two permanent buildings for exhibition purposes. The plans of the society provide for the erection of other buildings especially adapted to the needs of the fair.
The present officers of the society are John Popp, president; William J. Morgan and Jacob B. Hoffman, vice-presidents; Frank F. Kleinfeld, secre- tary ; Christian F. Gugel, treasurer. The directors are the officers and Jacob DeGeus, William F. Jahnke, John Leidlein, Langley S. Foote, Charles B. McClure, John C. Rauchholz, Thomas B. McDonagh, Val Katzenberger, Cameron C. Speer and Fred Wiltse.
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MACONVALE CANARY, No. 153,622 The Saginaw Valley Stock Farm. Owner
Central Agricultural Society
Believing that the west tiers of townships should have an agricultural society of their own, some business men of Saginaw City and prominent farmers organized the Saginaw Central Agricultural Society in May, 1873. The officers of the society were: Dr. I. N. Smith, president ; William MeBrat- nie, secretary; George R. Stark, treasurer. The vice-presidents were : Willard Shattuck, John A. Leinberger, Martin Stocker, John McMillan. Thomas P. Hines, Frank Ackley, Samuel Harder, Theodore Bundage, N. S. Lockwood, S. B. Williams, James Graham, John Wright, William Roeser, Colin Mc Bratnie, George Ward, S. C. Goodale, Eleazer J. Ring, Norman 1. Miller, Peter C. Andre and Thomas Shimmons. These officers and Thomas L. Jackson, Moses Harris, Jacob H. Lewis, Jay Smith, Nelson Abel, David Geddes and William A. Crane, composed the board of directors. The first fair of the society was held September 15-17, 1873, at the well appointed fair grounds on Court Street. This society maintained a fairly successful existence for about fifteen years, but at length disbanded and its grounds reverted to the uses of agriculture.
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HISTORY OF SAGINAW COUNTY
Saginaw County Farmers' Organizations
The officers of the Saginaw County Farm Bureau are : Jacob B. Hoffman, Oakley, president ; E. G. Rust, Merrill, vice-president ; Langley S. Foote. Saginaw, secretary and treasurer ; Earl P. Robinson, Saginaw, county agricul- tural agent.
The officers of the Saginaw County School and Farm Bureau Fair Association are: F. J. Newman, Birch Run, president ; Val Katzenberger, Saginaw, vice-president ; Langley S. Foote, Saginaw, secretary ; Henry Coats, Ilemlock, treasurer. The Fair Managers are Burton S. Tefft, county com- missioner of schools, and Earl P. Robinson, county agricultural agent.
The Saginaw County Bean Growers Association has for its officers Fred Wiltse, Saginaw, president ; Charles W. Sutliff, Oakley, vice-president ; Alex. Pullar, Saginaw, secretary ; Richard Frahm, Frankenmuth, treasurer.
The Saginaw Valley Holstein-Fresian Breeders' Association is conducted by William J. Morgan, Saginaw, president ; Thomas Phoenix, Saginaw, vice- president ; Al. C. Schoenheit, Saginaw, secretary and treasurer.
Saginaw County Order of Michigan Experiment Association has for its officers George Emerick, Saginaw, president ; Alex. Pullar, Saginaw, vice- president ; Fred Cornair, Chesaning, secretary and treasurer. The directors are : William J. Kirchner, Freeland ; Henry Coats, Hemlock ; John J. Veiten- gruber, Frankenmuth ; Hy. Deibel, Saginaw ; and Charles Cook, Birch Run.
The officers of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company are : August C. Fitting, Hemlock, president ; F. C. Moll, Saginaw ; vice-president ; Frank A. Short, Hemlock, secretary and treasurer.
The Saginaw County Cow-Testing Association is controlled by Frank Plumb, Saginaw, president ; William B. Hackett, Saginaw, vice-president ; Traugott Trinklein, Vassar, secretary and treasurer.
Saginaw County ( Pomona) Grange, No. 57, is officered by George Emerick, Saginaw, master ; Otto Bowser, Birch Run, secretary ; Henry Coats, Hemlock, treasurer; Mrs. Alex. Pullar, Saginaw, lecturer; Henry Deibel, Saginaw, overseer; Mrs. Otto Bowser, Birch Run, chaplain.
The officers of the Saginaw Valley Holstein-Fresian Breeders' Sales Association are : Thomas Phoenix, Saginaw, president ; Frank Robbins, Mun- ger, vice-president ; Al. C. Schoenheit, Saginaw, secretary and treasurer. The executive committee is composed of Jacob DeGens, Alicia ; George M. Maurer, Frankenmuth ; W. A. Wilder, Bay City ; William J. Morgan, Saginaw ; John F. O'Keefe, Saginaw ; William Roenicke, Saginaw ; D. D. Aitken, Flint.
The officers of the Saginaw County Horse Show Association are : George H. Sutherland, Saginaw, president ; Robert Russell, Saginaw, vice- president : N. N. Wright, Saginaw, secretary and treasurer.
The Saginaw County Farmers' Institute is officered by Fred Cornair, Chesaning, president ; and J. D. Proper, Chesaning, secretary and treasurer.
The Saginaw Poultry Club has for its officers: J. C. Hohn, Saginaw, president ; Robert Booth, Saginaw, vice-president ; Ed. Ohland, Saginaw, secretary and treasurer : and Al. Iluebner, Saginaw, assistant secretary.
The Saginaw County Milk Producers' Association is conducted by Char- les Hodges, Saginaw, president ; Thomas Phoenix, Saginaw, vice-president ; Langley S. Foote, Saginaw, secretary ; Fred Rohloff, Saginaw, treasurer.
CHAPTER XXIII TRANSPORTATION
Rough Forest Trails - Experiences in Early Road Making - Difficulties of Travel - First Plank Road - Early River Navigation-First Vessels on Saginaw River-Coming of First Steamboat - Building First Steamboat - Shipbuiding - Rise and Decline of River Commerce - River and Shore Lines - Rapid Decline - Early Railroad Projects - Building the F. & P. M. Railroad - Why Saginaw City Was Cut Off - Opening Excursion - Land Grants and Earnings - Mutuality of Interests - Steamship Line - Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw - Saginaw Valley & St. Louis Railroad - Saginaw, Tuscola & Huron - Port Huron & North Western - Cincinnati, Saginaw & Mackinaw Railroad - Interurban Electric Traction - Street Railways - Beginning of Rapid Transit-Good Roads Movement-Cost of Road Improvement-Value of State Awards.
W HILE the Saginaw Valley is well provided with facilities for trans- portation, by railroad, highway and river, within the memory of old pioneers this situation did not exist. Less than a hundred years ago, when the whole region of Michigan was a vast wilderness, the only means of communication with the frontier settlements were by lake and river, or by Indian trails through the dense forests overrun with wild beasts. Navigation of the lake in the small and frail craft of the early days was frought with peril and hardship, and was not a popular means of travel. The more customary route was by the old Indian trail by way of Pontiac, Grand Blanc and the traverse of the Flint, to the remote outpost on the Saginaw River. But improvement of the existing trails, like everything else, at length had a beginning, and was attended by much difficulty and danger.
The first labor in making a road to the Saginaw Valley was performed in 1822-3 by United States soldiers who were then stationed at Fort Saginaw. It became necessary to get supplies through from Detroit, and a road was cut through the woods following the old Indian trail and crossing the Flint River at the point where the city of Flint is situated ; and John Hamilton, Harvey Williams and Ephraim S. Williams hauled supplies to Saginaw for the soldiers. So difficult was travel in those days that on one occasion, it is related, the garrison was reduced to half-rations and very little provision left when fresh supplies were finally brought in to the fort. The primitive road was used for travel on horseback and by sleighs in winter, to and including 1831. Many trees had fallen across the trail, the small streams were difficult to cross, and the winter travel to Saginaw Bay, to procure fish caught by the Indians, had increased to such an extent that it was necessary to improve the road. In the Fall of 1831 a fund of one hundred dollars was raised by subscription, to be expended upon the road between the Flint and Cass Rivers.
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