History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan, Part 79

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co.
Number of Pages: 818

USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan > Part 79

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The Daily Telegraph, the Tribune, the Journal, and other papers noticed in the general history, have all contributed a share to that wealth of general intelligence which marks the city.

INTERNATIONAL SPELLING MATCH.

Once there was a wicked journalist in Port Huron. There may be wicked journalists in Port Huron now, but this wicked journalist is there no more. Once while he was there, Elder Smart proposed to get up a revival, and went about.the work systematically. He set the date three weeks ahead, got out posters and made all arrangements to draw good houses. The wicked journalist did not believe in revivals, and he said one day to another Port Huron edi- tor who was not truly good: "I believe we can break up that revival." The other editor thought not. Now it was just the time when the spelling mania was sweeping over the land. At once the wicked editor put an item in his paper suggesting that Port Huron shouldn't lag behind the age, and it was high time she began to spell. T'other editor copied the item and urged Port Huron to do her duty. The third day a call was issued for a spelling match. In a week everybody had a spelling book in his pocket and studied at every odd moment. Or- thographic exercises were the order of the day. When the time came for the revival to open, Port Huron and Sarnia were booked for an international spelling match, and Port Huronites scarcely know whether they had souls to save or not. They only knew they would spell the Canadians down or die in the attempt. The revival was abandoned. This does not profess to be a story with a moral, although it may tend to show how easily it is to set folks wild over nothing, and how like sheep they will go astray, or any other way, when some one chooses to lead them.

FIRE OF 1854.

The fire of March, 1854, at Port Huron, was supposed to result from the prosecution of the whisky sellers. The losses, as nearly as we have been able to ascertain, are as follows: E. R. Swet- ser, goods, $12,000, insurance, $5,000; M. S. Gillett, books, papers and building, $4,000, insur- ance, $1,250; Conger & Bancroft, library and papers, $3,000, total loss; J. H. Haslett, $500, total loss; Sweetser & Sanborn, building and goods, $20,000, insurance, $4,500; H. J. Bockius, boots, shoes, etc., $2,000, insurance, 1,600; A. & H. Fish, goods, $7,000, covered by insurance; Cummings Sanborn estate, building $2,000, insurance, $1,500; J. K. Bourne, $200. In ad-

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

dition to these losses, the telegraph aparatus in Bockius' store was entirely destroyed and the clerks in E. R. Sweetser's and Sweetser & Sanborn's store lost nearly all their clothing, barely having time to escape. Young Wastell, in E. R. Sweetser's store, in descending a rope from the third story, tore the flesh from the palms of his hands, so that he still suffers severely from the injury. George Proud, a young man in the employ of C. Bancroft, who was sleeping in the block, lost his watch and every rag of clothing, barely escaping with his life. The safe of Eddy, Avery & Co., was found to be so much sprung by the heat that it had to be broken open. Sweetser & Sanborn's safe stood the whole of the fire and came out very little injured. E. R. Sweetser's safe was thrown out of the second story window at the commencement.

THE PROGRESSIVE PARTY OF 1865.

The citizens of Port Huron, on every occasion when the subject has been presented, have made the most generous offers to the people of the county respecting the public build- ings. They have often shielded, by such offers, the people from unnecessary and oppressive taxation. Thus, when it was proposed in 1850 to raise a tax of $10,000 to erect new county buildings, some of the most responsible business men stepped forward and proffered a bond to erect a court house and jail, worth at least $10,000, free of cost to the county, on the simple condition that the county seat should be located in this place. Many of the townships were not then organized, a majority of the board was not sufficient to control the question, and hence St. Clair succeeded in retaining the county seat.

No sooner was the action above noticed taken by the board, than the citizens of Port Hu- ron set about complying with the terms, and promptly furnished the committee with the fol- lowing bond:

Know all men by these presents, that we, Cyrus Miles, Daniel B. Harrington, Jacob F. Bachelor, Allen Fish, James H. White, Henry Howard, George W. Pinkham, T. S. Skinner, John Miller, W. Wastell, D. Bryce, H. Herzog, John Wells, O'B. J. Atkinson, Jno. Stilson, S. McCormick, R. Walsh, J. W. Thompson, Jas. Beard, John Johnston, Jas. Haynes, Wm. Farr, J. W. Sanborn, J. S. Crellin, B. C. Farrand, W. T. Mitchell, W. E. Green, Wm. Stewart, D. Whitman, J. B. Shaller, O. A. Wilson, W. R. Mulford, E. Fitzger- ald, W. Sanborn, J. Howard, F. Saunders, M. Walker, J. P. Sanborn, E. Ortenburger, P. Walker, H. J. Bockius, F. A. Weyers, J. B. Hull,-all of St. Clair County, Michigan,-are held and firmly bound unto the Board of Supervisors of St. Clair County, their successors and assigns in the penal sum of twenty thousand ($20,000) dollars, for the payment of which, well and truly, to be made to said Board, their successors and assigns, we hereby bind ourselves, our and each of our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and sev- erally firmly by these presents.

Witness our hands and seals, at Port Huron, this - day of October, A. D. 1865.

Whereas, The citizens of the city of Port Huron have agreed to furnish a suitable site, and build, erect, and complete a Court House, Jail and County Offices, and to convey the same to said Board of Supervisors by a good and sufficient deed; Provided, and for the consideration, that the County Site of St. Clair shall be re- moved from St. Clair to Port Huron.

And whereas, the said Board of Supervisors did, at their late : ession in October, 1865, vote to remove said County Site from St. Clair to Port Huron; Now, the condition of this obligation is, that if a good and convenient location shall be obtained in the city of Port Huron, for County buildings-a Court House, Jail and County Offices, built equal to or exceeding in value those now occupied at St. Clair and conveyed to said Board, on or before the expiration of two years from the time that said County Site shall be declared to be removed from St Clair to Port Huron; and if, in the meantime, suitable rooms, for Court House, Jail, and County Offices, shall be furnished at Port Huron for the use of the County, and without expense to the County, then this obligation shall be void; Otherwise to be and remain in full force and effect.

William Wastell, D. Bryce, B. C. Farrand, John Miller, W. C. Green,

W. Stewart, John B. Schaller,

H. Herzog,

John Wells, O'B. J. Atkinson,

D. Whitman, John Howard,

John Stilson, Samuel McCormick,

Oscar A. Wilson,

E. Orttenburger,

Cyrus Miles, R. Walsh,

John P. Sanborn,

F. Saunders,

J. W. Thomson,

James Beard,

William R. Mulford,

M. Walker,

John Johnston, James Haynes,

H. J. Bockius,

William Farr, George W. Pinkham,

Edmund Fitzgerald,

J. B. Hull.

Jas. W. Sanborn, Henry Howard,

Thos. S. Skinner,

F. A. Weyers, William Sanborn, William T. Mitchell,

P. Walker,

J. H. White, D. B. Harrington, John S. Crellin,

We, the undersigned Committee, appointed by the Board of Supervisors for the County of St. Clair, do hereby certify that we have carefully examined the within bond, and find the same correct, and do therefore approve the same.

Thomas Dawson, Henry Rix, Wm. Jenkinson, George S. Granger.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

FIRE OF APRIL 21, 1866.

A disastrous fire occurred in Port Huron on April 21, 1866, commencing in a saloon and restaurant occupied by H. Williams, and thence extending to other buildings. Four buildings were consumed, three belonging to William Stewart and one to S. S. Ward, the loss to the former estimated at $6,000, and to the latter $6,000.

THE WAR OF 1861-65.

In the decade commencing with 1860, the whole country was convulsed by war between the States; and, while this portion of the Union, being remote from the scene of active hostili- ties, was not so sensibly affected as the States in immediate proximity, or at a short distance therefrom, the withdrawal of a generous portion of the bone and sinew of the city and county was a sacrifice at the expense of the material prosperity. The population of the city was then only a few thousands, and but little reflection is necessary to an appreciation of the effect on trade, commerce, agriculture and manufactures entailed by requisitions made on its quota of troops by the Government.

As elsewhere, citizens of Southern politics and sympathies were slow to countenance the action of the Government, and while all urged the enforcement of the laws and maintenance of the Union, there were many who differed honestly as to the means to be employed in that behalf. While repudiating the practical application of the resolutions of 1798, they insisted that violations of the Constitution defeated the objects sought to be gained. One class labored for the Constitu- tion and Union, another for the Union with or without the Constitution. This division of sen - timent caused interminable disputations, which were characterized by intense feeling on both sides, not altogether obliterated by the lapse of years. How the true citizens, both men and women, acted their part throughout those years of trial, is shown in the general military his- tory of the county.

THE CAUSE OF TEMPERANCE.

The purpose of the organization, as set forth in its constitution, is to promote the cause of temperance and sobriety by abstaining from the use of all intoxicating liquors. Perhaps in no city in the world has the cause of temperance had more earnest workers than at Port Hu- ron. It is now some years since the organization attained its full strength. The lessons which it then taught, and the earnest manner of the teachers, rescued numbers of people from the ruin which strong drink was bringing or had already brought upon them.

In 1867, Port Huron had several religious societies, owning five church edifices, worth in the aggregate, $25,000. These societies paid their ministers not to exceed an average of $800 each. The whole expense of supporting these five societies, including taxes, insurance and all other charges, did not exceed $6,000.

Port Huron had also twenty-six saloons, devoted solely to the sale of intoxicating drinks. Her citizens paid the keepers of those saloons an average of at least $600 a year, making an aggregate of $15,600. They also paid their rent, which at a low figure amounted to at least $3,000. Total, $18,600. Her citizens assisted, too, in supporting the bars of eight hotels, at an additional expense of say $4,000.

Looking at the sacred and profane in this light, it is not to be wondered at that the peo- ple rose en masse to assert their intelligence.

IMPROVEMENTS IN 1869.

In reviewing the improvements made during the year 1869, the following description of such improvements is selected from a number of papers on the progress made during that year:

THE CITY HALL AND COURT HOUSE.

The corner-stone of the County Court House was duly placed October 30, 1872. Early in the forenoon, the music of bands was heard on the streets, and a gathering of members of the Masonic fraternity was noticeable. At noon the Masons entertained members of the fra- ternity from abroad, and invited guests to the number of 242, at Bazar Hall, where

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

dinner was provided. After dinner, the Masons, led by the Port Huron Band, and the Knights Templar, marched through some of the principal streets, finally halting at City Hall Park. The procession numbered nearly 200, and was made up of Masons resident here, and members of the fraternity from Sarnia, Marine City, Algonac, Lexington and other places. The Romeo Band was also in the line. The Knights Templar, under command of Eminent Commander F. L. Wells, were especially noticeable for their fine uniforms and excellent drill.

The following were the Masonic officers taking part in the ceremonies

Acting G. M. - - M. W. Dep. G. M. Hugh McCurdy, of Corunna.

Acting D. G. M .-- M. W. P. G. M. W. T. Mitchell.

R. W. G. Chaplain. - Rev. A. M. Lewis, of Romeo.

Acting G. S. Warden .- P. M. A., J. Cummings. Junior G. W. P. M. -- Isaac Thorne.

Senior G. D. - Robert S. Brown.

Junior G. D .-- H. W. Stevens.

Grand Tiler. - Charles Flugal.

Grand Marshal of the Day - - Lieut. George Duff.

Bearer of the Golden Vessel of Corn-B. F. Owen, of Marine City.

Bearer of the Silver Vessel of Wine-Ralph Wadham.

Bearer of the Silver Vessel of Oil -- J. D. Whitney.

Bearer of the Holy Bible, Square and Compass-William Johnston. The corner-stone of the new building was laid at the northeast corner. Under it was a square cavity in the brick work, prepared for the reception of the box containing the papers and other documents deposited.

The exercises commenced with prayer, offered by the Rev. A. M. Lewis, of Romeo, Right Worthy Grand Chaplain of the State. Following this, Acting Grand Master W. Dep. G. M. Hugh McCurdy, of Corunna, delivered the following address:

" BROTHERS -- In the name of our ancient order, we are invited to lay in fitting place the corner-stone of an edifice devoted to the administration of public justice, and the official duties of those who rule a city. As the corner-stone becomes the chief prop of the edifice, so it is deemed important that it should be adjusted to the principles of the square, level and plumb, laid broad and deep, and dedicated to the eternal principles of the Goddess of Justice. It is not unusual that it should also be the chosen stone by which the builders may communicate with their descendants in the great hereafter when the head that conceived and the hand that executed shall have moldered into decay.

" In no other section of the broad land which we inhabit can we drink in the inspiration here afforded. Within the days of men now living, the region here around us was but a vast, continuous forest, shadowing the fertile soil, sweeping over hill and dale in endless undula- tions, surging the shores of yonder inland sea in verdure, and mantling brooks and rivers from the light of day. Green intervals, dotted with browsing deer, and rice fields blackened with more formidable game broke the sameness of the woodland scenery. The vast lake at our feet then as now, washed the shore; but the Indian voyager, in his birch canoe, could descry no land beyond its world of waters.

"Agriculture is little known to the dusky sons of the forest and through summer and win- ter they range the wilderness with restless wandering. Exploring the beautiful strait, or the meandering stream that gives a dark tint as it moves to the crystal waters of the more impet- ous river, the Indian li fts his canoe upon the sand beach, and smokes away the sultry hours in lazy luxuriance. To him the wilderness, rough and harsh, has charms more potent in their seductive influences than all the lures of luxury and sloth, and he finds no heart to dissolve the spell. Such is the picture of the past.

" To-day the scene is changed. The wigwam has given way to the stately palace and the Indian, driven by the advancing steps of civilization, has gone still further to the setting sun. On the river the canoe is superseded by the white-winged vessel; and the boat propelled by an element which the red man knows not of, and laden with the products of industry, speeds its way to marts beyond his knowledge. Now, art and refinement spread out charms, and knowl.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

edge leads man to the highest type of social enjoyment. The frowning stockades at your northern door have been removed, as no longer necessary to your safety; a teeming popula- tion under the direction of skill and capital, extends its labors and scatters prosperity and hap- piness on every son of toil. Every department of industry is pursued, and every resource of wealth developed. Situated at the outlet of an immense sea fed by others and at a point that must make your lovely city a commercial and railroad center, nothing can retard its onward progress.

"This proposed edifice attests the liberality and public spirit of the people, and here, on behalf of the great fraternity I represent, I congratulate the citizens on the prosperity they have so worthily secured, and on the commencement of a building which, when finished and com- pleted in all its parts, will be a pride and ornament to the metropolis. Brethren, according to ancient Masonic usage, we will now proceed to lay the corner-stone."

The corner- stone was then adjusted in true Masonic form, after which the Grand Master addressed the citizens as follows:

" FELLOW-CITIZENS-To our trust, as Free and Accepted Masons, has been committed the laying of this corner-stone; and we who are lawful Masons have performed that duty with an eye single to the glory of the Great Architect of the Universe, and exact justice to all men.

"Centuries have looked down upon our fraternity, and ages still in the womb of time will attest the honor and beneficence of the brotherhood.

"We practice the essential requirements of the good and just, as handed down to us by the best of the sons of earth.

" And now my brethren, let it ever be our effort to observe, preserve and keep every rule enjoined by Masonry, and so live as not to bring a taint upon its future history.

" Thus untarnished and full of fresh life and vigor, may it ever march on to new achieve- ments until time shall be no more."

At the command of the Grand Master, the Masons then gave the public grand honors, in perfect time, and with impressive effect.

The following is a list of papers and other articles deposited in the corner-stone, which was read by the Grand Secretary:

Copy of City Charter and Ordinances.

Port Huron City and Business Directory.

List of members of Board of Education, rules, etc.

List of Mayors of the city.

Autographs of City, County and United States officers residing in the city.

Copies of city papers of latest dates.

Copy of Lake Huron Observer, September 16, 1837.

Proceedings of Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Michigan June 4 and 5, 1872. Other proceedings of Masonic bodies.

Manual of First Baptist Church.

Manual of First Congregational Church.

Certificate of Membership of St. Stephen's Catholic Church.

List of Members of Fire Department.

Historical sketch of Ladies' Library Association with list of books.

Historical paper on " Early Settlement of Port Huron " by Mrs. B. C. Farrand in the Daily Times of June 17.

Photograph of William Stewart & Co.'s hardware store.

Business cards of Howard & Son, W. B. & J. Hibbard, James H. Haslett, L. A. Rose, Will-

iam Wastell, H. Mears, M. Walker, William Stewart & Co. (with coin attached), Commercial, and Samuel J. Giddey.

One 25-cent fractional currency, issued by John Miller & Co., August 25, 1862.

One dollar note of First National Bank, deposited by Henry Howard.

Silver coin deposited by Edward Petit, date 1854, inscription, "E. Petit, born 7th Febru- ary, 1813, first white child born in the city of Port Huron."

Five silver coins, inscribed and deposited respectively by John Miller, J. Gillett Wastell, Alice M. Miles, Nellie Stewart and Hattie Howard.

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

One silver coin, inscription, "S. T. Probett & Son, Builders, August 30, 1872."

Photograph of William Wastell's drug store.

Certificate of membership of Spiritual Society, with date of organization, and date of erection of their hall.

Piece of charred wood from Chicago fire.

Discipline of Methodist Episcopal Church of Port Huron, 1868, with names of officers and members.

Copy of programme of banquet given to the Masons, August 13, 1872.

List of officers and members of Grace Episcopal Church, with history of its organization.

Copies of Detroit daily papers of latest dates.

Copy of contract with Stephen T. Probett, builder of City Hall, dated July 16, 1872.

Photograph and history of Mother Rodd.

Business card of J. W. Campfield, boots and shoes, established 1833.

Early history of the family of S. S. Ward.

The Masonic ceremonies were completed by the application of the square, level and com- pass, the stroke of the mallet, and the pouring on of corn (wheat), oil and wine.

Judge Mitchell then made a few remarks, saying that the orator of the day, Mr. Eldredge of Mount Clemens, was not present, being detained, as he supposed, by ill health. He thanked the brother Masons from other places for their kind assistance in the ceremonies and labors of the day, and especially those from Canada, wbose presence testified that the brother- hood of Masonry is not limited by cities, counties, States or nations, but is as wide as the world. He called upon Mayor Miller to speak for the city.

In response to this, Mr. Miller came forward, thanked the Masons for their assistance in the ceremonies of the day, and expressed his confidence that the building would stand for he did not know how long.

Mr. O'Brien J. Atkinson then spoke on behalf of the Common Council, also thanking the Masonic brotherhood for the part they had taken in the ceremonies of the day. This closed the exercises at the stand, and the crowd, which must have numbered two or three thousand persons assembled in the park and streets adjacent, immediately dispersed. Most of the stores were closed from 1 until 3 o'clock and many places of business were handsomely decorated with flags and streamers. All the exercises passed off pleasantly and satisfactorily, making the affair in every way a success.

THE CUSTOM HOUSE AND POST OFFICE.

During the year 1865, the customs business of this region attained such porportions as to convince the Government authorities that the interests of the revenue service would be ad- vanced by the organization of a new district separate from that of Detroit, of which it was then a part. In the winter of 1865-66, definite movement was made by our citizens to secure the cre- ation of the new district, and a delegation of our leading business men, among them Hon. James W. Sanborn, Henry Fish, John P. Sanborn, H. Howard and F. L. Wells, proceeded to Washington to labor for the result which was attained in the April following by the passage of the bill creating the "Customs District of Huron," embracing twenty-two counties and all the frontier from Lake St. Clair to the Straits of Mackinaw, a line of coast of fully 550 miles, counting the bays and inlets of Lake Huron. The organization of the district was begun in the fall of 1866, and completed the next spring, since which latter time the upper part of Johnston & Howard's block, on the corner of Water and Military streets, has been occupied by the offi- ces of the district. This arrangement was, of course, intended from the first to be only tem- porary.

Hon. Omar D. Conger was elected to Congress in 1868, and among the first bills intro- duced in the House by him was one providing for the erection of a Government building at this point. After the usual delays which such measures meet with in Congress, the bill was finally passed June 10, 1872, and approved by the President the same day. It authorized and directed the Secretary of the Treasury "to purchase at private sale or by condemnation in pursuance of the statute of the State of Michigan, a suitable lot of ground in the city of Port

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

Huron, State of Michigan, and to cause to be erected thereon a building suitable for the accom- modation of the custom house, bonded warehouse, and other Government offices in that city, the lot of land and the building thereon, when completed, upon plans to be previously made and approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, not to exceed the cost of $200,000." Plans were at once prepared under the supervision of A. B. Mullett, then Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department, and steps taken to secure a suitable site for the building. There was some rivalry between the north and south sides of Black River in the effort to secure the location of the building, and various spots were placed in competition, most of which, however, were excluded by the exactions of the Government, which were that the site should be bounded on at least three sides by streets or alleys. The site finally selected by the locating committee (consisting of Collector Sanborn, Postmaster Hartsuff, Capt. E. Fitzgerald, John Howard. W. L. Bancroft, Albert Hendricks and Peter Hill), was the lot on the corner of Sixth and Water streets, fronting 225 feet on the former street and 131 on the latter, and 175 on the alley. The cost of the lot was $10,000, $5,000 of which sum was paid by subscriptions of citizens, so that the cost to the Government was less than had been anticipated. Some fault has been found with the location, but all things considered, it is doubtful if any better one could have been made. It is central, on high ground and convenient of access, which considerations out- weigh the single objection that the building is not as conspicuous as if situated on Military street or Huron avenue.

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History of St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources, its war record, biographical sketches, the whole preceded by a history of Michigan, Part 79

Author: Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co. Number of Pages: 818

Author:
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A.T. Andreas & Co.
Number of Pages: 818