USA > Michigan > Washtenaw County > History of Washtenaw County, Michigan : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships...and biographies of representative citizens : history of Michigan > Part 54
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April Meeting, 1879 .- This meeting was chiefly devoted to the discussion of the cultivation of small fruits.
A paper on this subject was read by the Rev. Benjamin Day. He recommended their cultivation to all who have gardens. He con- trasted the new and improved varieties with the old, much to the detriment of the latter. He spoke for some time upon the culti- vating process. He was followed by J. D. Baldwin, who made some remarks on the cultivation of the raspberry.
President Scott said he would defend the cultivation of the apple. He said it had been the leading fruit for the past 40 years, and be- lieved it would be the same in the future. Mr. N. B. Covert gave his observations on the tent caterpillar and other insects injurious to the apple. Mr. J. D. Baldwin arose again, and spoke of the peach borer, so injurious to that fruit. A fine display of apples was made at the meeting by Mr. D. L. Godfrey.
May Meeting, 1879 .- At this meeting Mr. A. W. Toms made a fine display of plants in bloom. Mr. Covert contributed a paper on birds, which called out some discussion on the question whether the robin was a useful bird to the fruit-grower or not. Mr. Ganzhorn read an extended paper on the cultivation of fruit, advocating thor- ough culture, with proper restriction to allow the wood of the new growth to ripen. Mr. Baldwin then made a few remarks upon the cultivation of the peach.
June Meeting, 1879 .- This meeting was well attended, about as many ladies being present as gentlemen. The strawberry and its culture, and an exhibition of this fruit, was the main work of this meeting, per programme. The display of strawberries consti- tuted the principal attraction of the meeting. Mr. Baldwin opened
.
545
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
the discussion on this luscious berry, and was followed by Charles H. Woodruff, who spoke mainly on the seedling strawberry. He showed several varieties of these which were very fine. President Scott then spoke a few minutes on this valuable fruit. A committee of three were appointed to examine the fruit on exhibition, and after a ten minutes' recess, reported on the 16 plates displayed. Report received by society. N. B. Covert next read a paper on orni- thology. Mrs. N. H. Pierce read a poem, entitled "Small Things," which was liked very much. Remarks were then made by Mr. J. D. Baldwin on the peach rot, and by N. B. Covert, on curculio. Some specimens of fine dried apples were then distributed to the society, by the secretary, being a present from Mr. Williams, of Grand Haven.
August Meeting, 1879 .- The secretary read circulars from the secretary of the State Pomological Society, regarding their annual exhibition to be held at Detroit, in September, 1879. President Scott made an earnest appeal to the society to be represented at the State fair. The secretary then read an extended paper on the fruit interest of the county, which was very interesting and showed the interest and energy displayed by the fruit-growers of this county. The president alluded to the successful peach culture of Judge Lawrence, and of the extensive fruit operation of J. D. Baldwin, wishing that the society might take notice, and help to raise the standard of fruit culture.
September Meeting, 1879 .- At this meeting C. H. Woodruff presented the society with a fine display of white and black seedling grapes, and also some choice peaches. After this, Mrs. Pierce read an essay, which was received with much delight. The president, after asking the vice-president to take the chair, spoke at some length upon his labors with a like society in Ohio for 20 years; touched upon the fruit interest of the county, believed it to be one of the most important, and concluded by saying that Wash- tenaw county was destined to be one of the most flourishing fruit counties in the State. Judge Page here took the floor, and made a few remarks on the importance of the peach crop, and urged their more extended cultivation. Prof. Bauer then arose and said he believed that in future fruit-growing ought to become a separate business from farming. He also said that fruit-growers must be cautious in advising others to embark in this business, who had seen but little experience.
Mr. Covert said he believed apple-growing paid twice as much as any other branch of agriculture, and concluded his remarks with a glorious tribute to the genuine pomologist, for being ever ready, and always generous with the knowledge he possessed, to aid his friends in this noble work.
The president then spoke in regard to fruit orchards of all kinds, and hoped the day was not far distant when every farmer would have one of them, with plenty of small fruits.
1
546
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
Prof. Bauer remarked for a few minutes on the excellency of the Catawba grape for market purposes, and closed by saying he believed the fruit-man could grow the fruit for the farmer better and cheaper.
October Meeting, 1879 .- This meeting was mostly taken up by the election of officers for the ensuing year. An entertaining paper was read by Mrs. Pierce.
November Meeting, 1879 .- The canker worm was the topic of discussion at this meeting, and some good remarks were made by the different members on the subject.
AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS .*
The following shows the acres, bushels and average per acre of wheat harvested in Washtenaw county for the four years mentioned:
Acres.
Bushels. Average.
Acres.
Bushels. Average.
1876.
.58,817
919,309
15.63
1878.
66,761
1,560,026
23.37
1877.
55,410
1,184,050
21.37
1879.
65,768
1,459,772
22.04
The average of wheat per acre in Washtenaw county in 1876 was exceeded by only the following counties in the State: Cheboygan, Chippewa. Ionia, Ontonagon, Presque Isle. In 1877 by Bay, Clare, Genesee, Ionia, Lapeer, Macomb, Manitou, Oakland, Ontonagon, Saginaw, Shiawassee, Tuscola, Wayne. In 1878 by Ionia and Ke- weenaw. In 1879 by Clinton, Ionia and Schoolcraft, As a wheat- producing county few counties exceed Washtenaw.
In 1880 there were in Washtenaw county 3,392 farms containing 265,150 acres improved and 126,081 acres unimproved lands, with an average of 115.18 acres to each farm, given herewith in detail:
Unim-
No.
Average
Improved.
proved.
Total.
Farms.
Acres.
Ann Arbor
14,583
4,813
19,396
232
83.60
Augusta.
7,129
5,913
14,042
142
91.85
Bridgewater
15,230
6,437
21,677
196
110.55
Dexter.
10,826
7,828
18,654
130
143.49
Freedom
13,855
6,540
20,399
198
103.03
Lima
12,142
8,075
20,217
15
131.28
Lodi.
14, 723
4,541
19,264
160
120.40
Lyndon.
11,433
7,795
19,228
123
156.33
Manchester
15,136
7,320
22,456
238
94.35
Northfield
12,057
8,301
20,358
200
101.79
Pittsfield.
13,325
3,429
16,754
123
136.21
Salem
13,829
5,791
19,620
194
101.13
Saline
13,793
5,081
18,874
151
124.99
Scio.
13,826
6,166
19,992
160
124.95
Sharon.
13,838
5,043
18,881
137
137.82
Superior
14,726
7,048
21,774
222
107.79
Sylvan
12,581
7,681
20,262
163
124.31
Webster
12,577
6,112
18,689
128
146.01
York.
14,286
7,364
21,650
192
112.76
Ypsilanti.
14,803
4,714
19,517
169
115.49
Ypsilanti City
149
60
209
2d District.
149
60
209
....
* The towns omitted in these tables were not reported.
alix Levering 1
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549
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
The following shows the number of acres, bushels, and average yield of wheat in 1879, and acres sown in May, 1880:
Acres.
Bush.
Average. Acres.
Ann Arbor township
3,468
73,986
21.33
3,926
Ann Arbor City.
65
1,234
18 98
74
3d and 4th Wards
40
780
19.50
52
5th and 6th Wards
25
450
18 16
22
Augusta. .
1,340
29,703
22.17
1,833
Bridgewater.
.3,956
86,041
21.75
4,382
Dexter.
.2,737
56,728
20.73
3,081
Freedom
3,618
84,812
23 44
3,829
Lima.
3,781
94,501
24 99
4,132
Lodi.
3,783
89,869
23.76
4,283
Lyndon.
2,795
52,853
18.91
3,000
Manchester
.3,611
93,114
24.43
4,355
Northfield.
.3,002
56,440
18.80
2,847
Pittsfield
.3,199
68,782
21.53
3,356
Salem
3,203
70,594
3,203
Saline.
3,419
79,339
23.21
3,770
Scio
.3,909
93,128
23.82
4,267
Sharon.
.4 000
96,723
24.18
4,267
Superior
2,708
49,850
18.41
3,094
Sylvan
3,719
75,100
20.19
3,041
Webster
.3,390
79,951
23.47
3,690
York.
.3,129
63,629
20.34
3,834
Ypsilanti.
2,727
53,548
19.64
3,341
Ypsilanti City
9
245
27.23
30
2d District.
9
245
27.23
30
The following shows the number of acres of corn, bushels of ears; also acres and bushels of oats in 1879:
CORN .-
-OATS .--
CORN .-
- -OATS .~
acres. bu. ears. acres. oats.
acres. bu. ears. acres. oats.
Ann Arbor .. 1,516 104,697
682 29,896
Pittsfield ..
... 1,237 100,794
841 39,440
A. A. City. . 60 3,670
15
440
Salem.
Saline
Scio
1,294 102,905
742 29,163
Sharon.
1,736 128,545
521 20,830
Bridgewater.1,578 100,593 1,022 44, 063
Dexter.
1,107
64,199
464 16,986
Freedom. 1,222
78,963
900 39,858
Lima ..
1,259 90,840
828 37,667
Lodi
1,421 100,397
996 47,427
Ypsilanti . ... 1,862
137,250 1,126 43,010
Lyndon . .1,212
68,468
234 6,781
Ypsil'ti City
19 1,235
12
495
Manchester .. 1,635 116, 115
678 27,416
2d District.
19
1,235
12
495
Of clover seed and barley, there were raised in 1879:
~CLOVER SEED .~ ~ BARLEY .~ acres. bush. acres. bushels.
~CLOVER SEED .~ ~ BARLEY. .
Northfiel
243
320
240
6,640
Pittsfield
854
1,130
152
4,215
3 & 4th Wards
12
14
Saline
547
902
72
1,267
5 & 6th Wards.
.. .
Scio.
.577
638
149 3,517
Augusta.
122
243
Sharon.
812
1,038
102
2,506
Bridgewater
698
1,226
148
3,470
Dexter
.240
374
132
2,964
Freedom
.974
1,610
100
2,664
Lima.
668
1,164
264
8,044
York.
474
791
49
1,150
Lodi
672
1,170
172
4,782
Ypsilanti.
779
1,357
65
1,449
Lyndon.
364
448
16
303
Manchester ....
459
774
179
4,335
.1,382
55,260
862 35,100
Sylvan.
1,379
96,805
667 25,688
Webster
1,262
84,845
614 25,114
York.
2,018 135,270 1,209 47,115
Northfield .... 1, 100
70,800
486 20,600
acres. bush. acres. bushels.
Ann Arbor.
. 494
667
397
10,772
A. A. City
12
14
Superior
431
631
291 7,940
Sylvan
427
730
69
1,754
Webster.
.306
364
295
8,077
5 & 6th W'rds
26 2,150
4 100
Augusta ... .. 1,235 104,380
679 31,182
Superior
1,645 118,638 1,041 47,978
3 & 4th W'rds 34 1,520
11 340
Ypsilanti City
34
550
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
The following shows the number of acres and bushels of potatoes as well as acres and tons of hay raised in 1879:
-POTATOES. acres. bush.
-HAY .-
-POTATOES .-- >
~HAY .-
Ann Arbor. . 146
11,822
2,528
3,035
A. A. City.
6 379
71
80
Pittsfield.
54
5,756
2,334
2,738
3 &4th Wards
3
239
51
51
Saline.
61
7,729
2,228
2,973
5 & 6th Wards
2
150
20
29
Scio
91
9,260
2,280
2,456
Augusta.
80
8,840
1,095
2,062
Sharon.
86
7,747
2,426
3,366
Bridgewater. . 109
9,663
2,466
3,054
Superior
93
9,608
2,214
2,453
Dexter.
.102
6,624
1,936
2,105
Sylvan
102
7,512
2,410
3,027
Freedom
130
9,163
2,255
2,332
Webster.
84
7,987
2,326
2,821
Lima
117
10,380
2,298
2,698
York ..
104
6,557
2,465
2,878
Lodi.
125
9,767
2,413
2,919
Ypsilanti
171
15,840
2,781
3,588
Lyndon
75
4,387
1,946
2,140
Ypsil'ti City. 7
445
34
35
The following shows the live stock in 1880:
Horses. Milch Cows. IIogs.
Horses. Milch Cows. Hogs.
Ann Arbor ..
.621
516
655
Northfield
326
343
445
Ann Arbor City . . . 112
58
61
Pittsfield
497
473
668
3d & 4th Wards. .. 101
48
43
Saline
564
530
941
5th & 6th Wards ..
11
10
18
Scio
544
502
835
Augusta.
404
544
810
Sharon
507
468
664
Bridgewater.
.669
637
938
Superior
462
430
681
Dexter
.478
434
684
Sylvan
562
508
711
Freedom
.513
681
847
Webster
586
453
567
Lima.
613
517
670
York.
667
630
1,104
Lodi.
621
550
1,446
Ypsilanti.
597
606
779
Lyndon.
439
406
633
Ypsilanti City
5
4
3
The following shows the number of sheep sheared and pounds of wool in 1879:
Number.
of Wool.
Number.
of Wool.
Ann Arbor
8,531
50,850
Pittsfield
9,179
52,342
Augusta.
3,323
16,203
Saline.
9,241
56,034
Bridgewater
9,792
60,118
Scio
7,852
46,740
Dexter.
7,151
42,237
Sharon.
8,966
58,541
Freedom
9,397
46,975
Superior
5,805
35,022
Lima
8,946
46,205
Sylvan.
7,536
41,011
Lodi
10,183
62,907
Webster.
9,277
55,927
Lyndon.
8,325
46,679
York.
8,541
48,703
Manchester
9,963
61,760
Ypsilanti.
7,073
42,766
Northfield.
5,757
31,240
Ypsilanti City
130
350
The following shows the number of acres in apple and peach orchards in 1880; and fruit sold in 1879:
~APPLES .~ ~ PEACHES .- acres bu. sold acres bu. sold in 1880. in 1879. in 1880. in 1879.
-APPLES .- acres bu. sold acres bu. sold in 1880. in 1879. in 1880. in 1879.
Northfield .. 384
1,570
10
96
Pittsfield.
467
684
. .
Faline.
432
3,247
11
40
Augusta ...... 166
6,200
5
Scio
.459
390
18
150
Bridgewater.515
813
27
25
Sharon. . .436
595
30
142
Dexter.
465
4,079
30
390
Superior
412
60
23
100
Sylvan. .441
2,579
·
..
Lima .... ..
.. 370
2,333
6
54
Webster. .424
1,960
2
120
Lodi ..
.. 473
2,283
16
36
York .. .589
6,212
3
257
Lyndon .. .. 455
2,084
16
121
Ypsilanti .... 502
4,506
4
119
Manchester. 427
725
18
220
Ypsi. City .. 12
128
. .
30
acres.
bush.
acres. bush.
Northfield.
111
10,160
1,707
~PEACHES .~
A. A. City .. 44
849
1 25
3d & 4th W .. 26
549
. .
25
5th & 6th W. 18
300
1
...
Freedom. .447
1,302
.
Manchester
542
555
742
Lbs.
Lbs.
Manchester .. 98
9,793
2,360
2,945
acres. bush.
2,201
551
ASSESSED AND EQUALIZED VALUE OF REAL ESTATE.
1873.
1874.
1875.
1876.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
SUPERVISORS'
DISTRICTS.
Assessed.
Equalized.
Assessed.
Equalized.
Assessed.
Equalized.
Assessed.
Equalized.
Assessed.
Equalized.
Assessed.
Equalized.
Assessed.
Equalized.
Assessed.
Equalized.
Ann Arbor town. 66
458,570
430,000
459,880
426,000
452,950
386,000
432,580
386,000
427,020
340,000
421,110
340,000
427,640
439,900, 820,000
1,282,730
1,285,00€
" 1st & 2d.
921,930
800,000
907,410
797,000
874,085
717,300
847,513
812,130
637,600
757,875
637,600
754,096
455,575
421,500
1,342,390
1,250,000
" 5th & 6th.
277,915|
253,000
272,935
251,000
267,270
225,900
260,718
225,900
260,499
200,800
255,111
200,800
240,216
260,000
742,955 677,010
760,00€ 624,000
Bridgewater.
383,410;
335,000
394,910|
333,000
299,000
441,370
299,000
372,090
265,700 207,200
373,900
265,700 207,200
282,220
263,000
938,325
770,000
Freedom.
304,340
312,000
293,830
318,000
293,918
285,000
298,340
285,000
303,170
253,400
289,310
253,400
297,650
323,000
554,020
950,000
Lima.
385,300
335,000
378,020
333,000
389,905
309,000
386,090
309,000
380,740
274,700
380,170
274,700
371,940
350,200
1,115,855
1,028,000 |
Lodi.
452,075
421,000
451,360
418,000
447,485
375,000
441,370
375,000
433,165
333,000 151,200
438,800 185,480
333,000 151,200
167,820
198,000
869,085
1,250,00€|
Northfield.
301,910
280,000
300,630
315,000
299,665
282,000
300,290
282,000
297,360
251,000 393,000
296,940 504,730
293,000
499,292
500,000
1,481,020
1,468,000 |
Salem.
393,300
380,000|
411 189
383,000
401,835 573,000
346,000 468,000
385,315 571,000
346,000
375,105
307,600
373,045 521,980
307,600 416,000 485,000
499,080
521,000
1,366,580
1,532,000
Scio.
674,310 333,210
327,000
332,130
325,000
387,000
456,390
351,000
466,500;
351,0001
461,820
319,300
456,930 461,840
319,300 305,000
407,190
395,000
1,246,360
1,218,000
Webster
395,770
394,000
403,510
392,000
402,160
346,000|
398,120
346,000'
404,940
302,000
410,430
302,000
405,800
384,000
1,208,090
1,125,000
York.
437,440
388,000
436,710
386.000
432,040
343,000
431,220
343,000
430,335
304,800
425,823
304,800
431,690
390,000
1,265,200
1,146,000
Ypsilanti town .
530,470
448,000
533,090
440,000
520,880
392,000
480,810
392,000
450,010
345,000
449,280
345,000
440,160
439,900
1,322,700
1,295,000
1st.
689,400
603,000
688,050'
601,000
685,575
541,900
681,750
541,900|
663,800
481,700
663,075
481,700
660,325
618,600
2,001,755
1,880,000
zd
..
381,235
320,000
367,800
318,000
350,550
285,200
335,625
285,200
334,500
253,000
302,750
253,000
272,500
311,500
741,050
785,000
236,580;
198,500
230,581
210,000
230,440 383,520
187,000
229,390
187,000!
230,870
165,000
228,040
165,000
228,430
210,400
760,000
1,000,000!
Dexter.
276,175,
263,000
276,305
261,000
279,013
233,000
279,649
233,000
282,660
194,430
587,000
400,000
572,050
400,000 251,000
301,720
320,000
1,619,340 904,900
915,000
Pittsfield
552,720
493,000
548,640
491,000
551,000
442,000
545,320
442,000
500,640
534,770
416,000
622,050
485,000
617,370
268,000
355,930
340,000
553,905
1,000,000
Superior
443,360
446,770
367,500
438,460
364,000
443,420
343,000|
454,660
343.000'
460,750
305,000
454,150
410,000
1,220,530
1,220,000
. 6
" 3d & 4th.
476,240
429,000
439,550
426,000
437,719|
383,400
443,490
717,300 383,400
461,890
340,000
466,615
340,000
410,315
424,500
214,340
570,00€
Lyndon.
211,710
190,000
210,090
189,000
213,880
170,000
192,170
170,000
Manchester. .
589,550
508,000
593,500
505,000
585,800
450,000
580,200
450,000
Saline.
588,310
525,000
570,585
522,000
609,000
614,130
546,000 293,300
343,855
293,300
324,560
268,000 367,900
598,470
618,400
1,151,120
1,819,000
Sharon.
612,000
655,000
388,000
445,930
342,510
600,200
546,000
282,291
376,120
338,900
510,000
559,310
368,855
392,200
908,430
1,150,000
SyIvan
Grand Total ... 11,142,000 10,000,000 11,040,095 10,000,000 10,929,142 9,000,000 10,827,545 9,000,000 10,606,304 8,000,000 10,502,845 8,000,000 10,266,544 10,200,000 27,667,810|30,000,000
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
2,289,970
2,460,000
Augusta.
1,500,000
468,000
CHAPTER XX.
THE PRESS.
Among the professions none have taken a higher rank than that of journalism, and the position of an editor on one of the great dailies, or on one of the leading magazines, or even the small coun- try weekly, is not to be despised. The newspaper, the editor, the reporter, and the compositor are the Archimedean levers which move the world. Their character and doctrines fashion public opinion, and their defeats and triumphs become matters of history. Their jests may become stale and their principles exchanged by the minority for passing attractions; their enemies may forgive and friends forget, yet through all these vicissitudes of life, through the mass of inconsistencies malevolent human nature cultivates, the universal verdict of mankind renders to their agencies an in- finite good.
Important affairs may at times be mismanaged, but they are never misunderstood, and their accomplishment is never attempted by a perverted or dishonest ingenuity. There is certainly no pro- fession or professional representative who is more entitled to the fullest complement of moral support than journalism and the jour- nalist. He is the weathercock of public opinion, and must be firm and upright amidst swaying interests and perilous exigencies. His thoughts must not be blinded by personal considerations, but left free to adjudicate questions of grave import to humanity, as safely, clearly and effectually as the purest judge upon the bench. Such must the editor be-a man true to himself, his race and his God. Of such material must he be composed, if he would dictate a policy or direct an administration which will live in history as the mark and model of its time.
The newspapers of Washtenaw county, from the issue of the first number of the Michigan Emigrant, the pioneerjournal of the county, have generally ranked high with the press of the country. Perhaps the newspapers of no section of the Northern States wield a more potent and beneficent influence than those of Washtenaw county. To them is due much credit for the rapid strides made by the people in developing to such high state the natural resources of this county; in building beautiful villages and thriving cities; in the progress enjoyed in all branches of legitimate business; in securing the extraordinary educational advantages, and in mold- ing the social status of the people of the county, which is of a much higher character than found in most sections of the Northwest. The gentlemen who have from time to time labored at the helm of
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553
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
the various papers recorded in this chapter, we again repeat, de- serve no little praise for their services rendered in making one of the very first counties in Michigan out of the wilderness of a halt century ago. The paper issued from the various presses of the county to-day stand foremost among the city and provincial papers of the State. Those in charge have uniformly evinced a fair de- gree of journalistic ability, while some have proven themselves to have been endowed with that rare and peculiar genius occasionally found in the editor's chamber.
One of the most interesting and important features in the history of Washtenaw county, is its newspapers, and it has been our en- deavor to deal with the subject fairly, fully and impartially. Our plan will be to give a sketch of each paper ever published in the various cities and villages, in their chronological order.
ANN ARBOR PAPERS.
The Western Emigrant .- On Wednesday, Nov. 18, 1829, The Western Emigrant was first issued at Ann Arbor. The pioneer paper of Washtenaw county in size and general make-up is hardly to be compared with the press of to-day. It was a five-column folio, and edited and published by Thomas Simpson. The first num- ber contained the Declaration of Independence, articles on hemp, tobacco, "To make Cement for Broken Glass," Thanksgiving Proc- lamation of Gov. Cass, a Salutatory Letter from the Editor, two communications on the country, several items of general news, for- eign and domestic, advertisement of Territorial Laws, and a Moral and Religious Department. The paper also contained advertise- ments of L. Hawley, Nash & Co., Edward Clark, John Allen & Co., Benjamin Sutton, Administrator, Select School, by T. W. and Moses Merrill, Israel Branch and Castle Southerland. The editor in his salutatory says: "It shall be the constant aim of the editor to promote correct principles, and exhibit impartial information relative to the merit and qualifications of candidates for important public offices. Whenever the public good requires it, public men and measures shall be freely and fearlessly canvassed. He will es- pouse constitutional principles, advocate and enforce a plain system of political common sense." The letter from the editor assures Hon. Samuel W. Dexter that the columns of the Emigrant will be open to the discussion of Freemasonry and Anti-Masonry. The adver- tisement of L. Hawley, Nash & Co. informs the public they " have erected a distillery in the vicinity of Ann Arbor, and will keep constantly on hand a superior quality of rectified whisky, which they will sell as low as can be purchased in the Territory." Gen. Clark advertises for "a few thousands bushel of grain, for which a fair price will be paid in goods or whisky." To those who know the General's strong temperance principles this will seem strange, but it must be remembered in the good old days whisky was regarded as a necessity which no one could do without. In
554
HISTORY OF WASHTENAW COUNTY.
the second issue A. & D. B. Brown have a column advertisement in which they enumerate the goods they have in stock, and close with the same announcement as made by Gen. Clark, that they have "any quantity of superior rectified whisky at twenty-five cents per gallon by the barrel, for cash. Also, whisky exchanged for grain at the highest rates."
Mr. Simpson's connection with the Emigrant was only of five weeks' duration, when he disposed of the paper to Samuel W. Dexter and John Allen, who made it an Anti-Masonic organ, dealing powerful blows at what they considered a crime against good gov- ernment. In their salutatory, the editors remark: " We are Anti- Masons, and what are commonly called political Anti-Masons. We know no other consistent Anti-Masonry. A highly important era has been developed-a secret society, embracing much of the talent and wealth, and most of the political information of the Union, which (if we may trust its advocates) has existed from time im- memorial, seeing everything, but itself unseen, hearing, knowing everything, but itself unknown, reaching everything, but invulner- able because invisible, its ramifications extending throughout every department of society, ' possessing power wherever power is valu- able,' binding Europe and America together. This society has been brought to light; its most secret cells thrown open to view; and we trust the development will be an everlasting warning against secret combinations." Appealing for support it says: "Anti-Masons of the Territory of Michigan, we ask your support. We here un- furl the Anti-Masonic banner; we shall be proud to see you standing by its defense. Anti-Masons of the county of Washtenaw, we look to you for support; we trust you will not desert the good cause, that you will not be lukewarm when your rights are at stake." The Emigrant during its existence never wavered. in its advocacy of Anti-Masonie principles. About the commencement of its second volume Mr. Dexter became sole proprietor of the paper, and in connection with John Allen and George Corselius, had editorial control. An enlargement of the Emigrant took place on the commencement of the third volume, and Mr. Allen retired from the editorial corps. The paper afterward passed into the hands of George Corselius, who changed its name to the Michigan Emigrant and advocated Whig principles. The conclusion of the fourth volume was the last of the Emigrant, but was succeeded by the
Michigan Whig, by the same editor and publisher, its first number bearing date Dec. 4, 1834. This change was not ap- proved of by Mr. Dexter, who was the real, though not the nominal, owner of the office, and to that name that of Washtenaw Democrat was soon after added. The Whig and Democrat continued to be published by Mr. Corselius until September, 1835, when the es- tablishment passed into the hands of George W. Wood & Co., who changed its name to the
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