USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.. > Part 28
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3. The " cat " seems to have been exercised in Woodward avenue. a little south of Jeffer son avenue, between the old Central Market which stood there, and King's corner, so called.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
Some of " the old fellows" say that a post stood there near the curb-stone, as a " standing ad- monition " to all evil-disposed persons. And some say that the offender was sometimes tied up to the corner post of the old market, where he received his blessing; but, however the thing was done, all agree who saw and remember it, that the cat, in the language of some of the stat- utes, " was well laid on." In conversation on the subject, there are found many persons who think that this punishment ought to be restored, and that it would soon clear the country of tramps, vagrants and other pests of society, who, now. as a punishment of crimes, find com- fortable quarters in houses of correction and in other places of confinement.
4. The statute of 1818, was in substance re-enacted by an act approved April 27, 1827.
5. Finally, by an act approved March 4, 1831, the punishment of whipping was abolished. While the last-named statute is repealed by an act approved November 25, 1834, the prohibi- tion of the punishment by whipping is re-asserted in the act of repeal.
6. According to this record, the authority for punishment at the whipping-post was con- tinned until March, 1831, since which time no such authority has existed in this State. The operation of the "cat " in one of the principal streets of a village is said to have been a subject of general attraction, IIundreds gathered round to see the sight, while adjacent win- dows were filled with spectators. The performance meant business, and there was no boy's play about it. It was a salutary and earnest admonition to all evil-doers.
Slavery was introduced into this district about 1794. At that time, an imitator of Jacob worked seven years in Meldrum & Park's mill to earn one of that firm's female slaves for his wife.
SEASONS OF SICKNESS.
Among the numerous troubles which the pioneers and old settlers of St. Clair had to en- counter, was the common ague, generated by miasmas arising from the low lands along the shore of the lake, and from the decaying vegetable matter in the swales of the interior and along the Riviere aux Hurons. This disease, known also as the chills and fever, formed, as it were, a stumbling block in the way of progress, and one of the great arguments presented by the trad- ers against the settlement of the district by the American pioneers. The disease was a terror to the people who did make a settlement here. In the fall of the year, every one was ill-every one shook, not hands as now; but the very soul seemed to tremble under the effects of the mal- ady. Respecting neither rich nor poor, it entered summarily into the system of the settlers. and became part and parcel of their existence-all looked pale and yellow as if frost bitten. It
was not literally contagious; but owing to the diffusion of the terrible miasma, it was virtually a most disagreeable if not dangerous epidemic. The noxious exhalations of the lake shore and inland swamps continued to be inhaled or absorbed from day to day, until the whole body became charged with it, as with electricity, and then the shock came. This shock was a regu- lar shake-a terrific shake, with a fixed beginning and ending, coming on each day or alternate day, with an appalling regularity. After the shake came the fever, and this last phase of the disease was even more dreaded than the first. It was a burning, hot fever, lasting for hours. When you had the chill you could not become warm, and when you had the fever you could not get cool-it was simply a change of terrific extremes.
This disease was despotic in every respect. If a wedding occurred in the family circle it & was sure to attack a few, if not all, of those participating in the festivities. The funeral pro- cessionists shook as they marched to some sequestered spot to bury their dead friend.
The ague commonly had no respect for Sunday or holidays. Whether the people were en- gaged in the sacred, profane, or ridiculous, ague came forward to the attack, and generally suc- ceeded in prostrating its victims.
After the fever subsided, you felt as if you had been some months in the Confederate Hotels, known as Andersonville and Libby Prisons, or as if you came within the influence of some wandering planet-not killed outright, but so demoralized that life seemed a burden. A feel- ing of langnor, stupidity and soreness took possession of the body-the soul itself was sad, and the sufferer was driven to ask himself the question: What did God send me here for, anyway ?
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
Your back was out of fix, your appetite crazy, your head ached, and your eyes glared. You did not care a straw for yourself or other people, or even for the dogs, which looked on you sympathetically, The sun did not shine as it used to-it looked too sickly by half-and the moon, bless your soul! the sufferer never ventured to look at her-but rather wished for the dissolution of himself, the sun, moon, earth and stars.
EVENING VISITS.
The evening visits were matters long to be remembered. The chores of the day per. formed, it was common for the farmer to yoke his cattle, hitch them to a sleigh, and drive the whole family over the snow-covered land to the fireside of some well-known friend many miles distant. Perhaps by agreement several families met, and then were such chattings of politics, of live-stock affairs, of tradings matle or prospective, in fact of the past, present and future.
There were all those interesting matters of household care and labor as held the mothers in breathless and rapid conversation. The shying and blushing of the older girls, because some boys, just about as big were there: the nervous pinchings of fingers and pulling of coat tails, told plainly that big boys, too, were ill at ease-boys and girls were bashful, blushing ereatures in those olden days. In the back room. how the little folks did play blind man's buti. how they were joined by their seniors, and how the game went on until supper was announced at about the hour before midnight. Such setting out of all the substantials would be a sight to day. Then came the sances of all sorts, the pies and cakes, and cookies, and honeys, till all cried, enough. Then came the counter-invitations, the good-byes and leave-takings, after every and all approved styles. This performed, the guests started for home to enjoy sleepiness and slight headaches the next day. These were good old times. Social life at that day was eminently sincere!
NUPTIAL FEASTS IN EARLY TIMES.
The festivities attendant on the union of two souls in pioneer days formed a great attrac- tion There was no distinction of classes, and very little of fortune, which led to marriages from the first impressions of that queer idea, called love The family establishment cost but little labor-nothing more. The festivities generally took place at the house of the bride, and to her was given the privilege of selecting the Justice of the Peace or clergyman whom she wished to officiate. The wedding engaged the attention of the whole neighborhood: old and young, within a radius of many miles, enjoyed an immense time. On the morning of the wedding day, the groom and his intimate friends assembled at the house of his father, and after due preparation set out for the home of his girl. This journey was sometimes made on horseback, and sometimes on the old-time carts of the early settlers. It was always a merry tour, made so by the bottle, which cheers for a little time, and then inebriates. On reaching the house of the bride, the marriage ceremony was performed, and then the dinner or supper was served. After this meal, the dancing commenced, and allowed to continue just so long as any one desired to step jauntingly about to the music of the district violinist. The figures of the dance were three or four handed reels, square sets and jigs. So far the whole proceedings wore, in the language of our modern asthetic girls, too utterly utter. The commencement was always a square four, followed by what pioneers called jigging: that is, two of the four would single out for a jig, and their example be followed by the remaining couple. The jigs were often ehar- actorized by what was called the cutting ont, that is when either of the parties became tired of the dance, on intimating a desire to retire, his place was supplied by some one of the com- pany, without interrupting the dance for a moment. In this way the reel was continued until the musician himself was exhausted.
About nine or ten o'clock in the evening, a deputation of young ladies abducted the bride, as it were, and placed her in her little bed. In accomplishing this. they had usually to as- cond a ladder from the kitchen to the upper floor. Here in this simple pioneer bridal chamber. the young, simple- minded girl was put to bed by her enthusiastic friends. This done, a dop- utation of young men escorted the groom to the same apartment, and placed him snugly by the side of his bride. Meanwhile the dance continued. If seats were scarce, which was gener- ally the case, every young man, when not engaged in the dance, was obliged to offer his lap
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
as a seat for one of the girls-an offer sure to be accepted. During the night's festivities, spirits were freely used, but seldom to great excess. The infair was held on the following evening, when the same order of exercises was observed.
FORM OF MARRIAGE RECORD.
TERRITORY OF MICHIGAN, ( TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: COUNTY OF ST. CLAIR.
Know ye that on this day, the twenty-sixth of November. in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty, Louis Bertrand and Maria Petit have been joined in the holy bonds of matrimony, according to law, at St. Clair, by the undersigned.
F. J. BADIN, Catholic Missionary in the Territory of Michigan.
LETTER OF INQUIRY.
The following is a verbatim copy of the letter, with no alteration in the orthography or punctuation :
April the 8 1870.
Squire miney Sir about eight years ago Susanalın burse was mearrid to augustus Christy I sed eight but It Is nine was marrid by Squire miney now what I want to know If onr mearrig was recordid it will be a to youre inrest to informm mee of the particklars i want to know emadialy if you please.
Please direct LGrensburg India
Susanalın Christy
If this leter does fall in in Squire mineys hand eney Squire will do please informe me if to parties is will to be divorse how much will cost to get it.
Some lawyear of port huron i dont care hoo that will take it upon his self to in formm mee of the pear- tikalars i will rewarde him also.
THE PIONEER FUNERAL.
The occurrence of religious worship was a stated means of friendly meeting, so that most of the settlers were in the habit of attending, although they were not all professors of religion. To enjoy such meetings many came long distances. Nor were they so delicate or so daintily dressed that a threatening cloud kept them at home. Perhaps it was on funeral occasions that social sympathy found most conspicuous expression. Few of the settlers were absent at such times. There was no officiating sexton, no pall, no hearse, then. The people met at the house of the bereaved, then formed in double file, and slowly wended their way to the schoolhouse, where services were held. In procession the able bodied men went first as bearers, and by successive changes carried on their shoulders the rude bier on which rested the coffin. The services over, the processionists resumed the march, and with silent tread proceeded to the open grave. Here thanks were given to the attendants by the clergy in behalf of mourning friends. Then followed timely admonition, and the fervent prayer, the filling of the grave by the same strong hands, then the benediction, and then the wending of ways to the sad homes of those who mourned, and of those who most sincerely sympathized.
THE OLD POST OFFICE.
A special event was the arrival of the weekly mail. The old red chest, upon which the con- tents of the pouch were cast, was often surrounded then, as such a one might be now, with pal- pitating hearts, waiting to be glad or sad, as something or nothing was in store for them. There were lovers then, as now, and to them as these, the mails were slow coaches. There were poli- ticians, too, panting for the latest news, all alive to learn whether Adams or Jackson was the victor. And then there were those lonely hearts who had left the dear old homes far away to the eastward, who never ceased to dwell upon the memories of their childhood, and to think of dear ones left behind. At even-time in more than one little hamlet, when the tinkling of the cow-bell and the song of the whip-poor-will were just beside the door, and the cricket sang his hearth song, dew drops were falling outside, and tear drops within. Usually a visit after. ward to the old homestead was a panacea for all these ills, and most returned from the east ern visit weaned from the old home and ever after happy in the new.
Letters in such days as these, how precious they were, read and re-read, worn out by read ing, worn into the memory. Letters then were of joyful import, and then, as now, letters breath- ing saddest sorrows, telling them as only stricken hearts can sometimes write when griefs are too great for other utterance.
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IHISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY
RETROSPECT.
How natural to turn our eyes and thoughts back to the log cabin days, and contrast them with the homes of the present time. Before us stands the old log cabin. Let us enter. In- stinctively the head is uncovered in token of reverence to this relie of ancestral beginnings and early struggles. To the left is the deep, wide fire-place, in whose commodions space a group of children may sit by the fire, and up through the chimney may count the stars; while ghostly stories of witches and giants, and still more thrilling stories of Indians and wild beasts, are whisperingly told. and shudderingly heard. On the great erane hang the old tea kettle and the great iron pot. The huge shovel and tongs stand sentinel in either corner: while the great andirons patiently wait for the huge back log. Over the fire-place hangs the trusty rifle; on the right side of the hearth stands the spinning wheel; while in the further end of the room, is the loom. looming up with a dignity peculiarily its own. Strings of drying apples and poles of drying pumpkins are overhead. Opposite the door by which you enter stands a huge deal table; by its side the dresser, with pewter plates and shining delf catching and refleet- ing the fire-place tlame, as shields of armies do the sunshine. From the corner of its shelves coyly peep out the relies of former china. In a curtained corner, and hid from casual sight, we find the mother's bed; and under it, the trundle bed: while near them a ladder indicates a garret where the older children sleep. To the left of the fire-place, and in the corner opposite, the spinning wheel forms the mother's work-stand; upon it lies the Holy Bible. evidently much used its family record telling of parents and friends a long way off. and telling, too. of children
" Scattered like roses in bloom; Some at the bridal, and some in the tomb."
Her spectacles, as if just used, are inserted between the leaves of her Bible and tell of her purpose to return to its comforts when cares permit and duty is done. A stool, a bench, well notched and whittled, and carved, and a few chairs, complete the furniture of the room. All these articles stand on the coarse, but well seoured floor. Let us for a moment watch the city visitors to this humble cabin. The city bride, innocent. thoughtless and ignorant of labor and care, asks her city-bred husband, "Pray, what savage has set this up?" Honestly confess ing his ignorance, he replies, "I do not know." Then see the couple upon whom age sets, frosty but kindly. First as they enter, they give a rapid glance about the cabin home, and then a mutual glance of eye to eye. Why do tears start and fill their eyes? Why do lips quiver? There are many who know why; but who. that has not learned in the school of experience the full meaning of all these symbols of trials and privations, of loneliness and danger, can com- prehend the story they tell to the pioneer? Within this chinked and mnd danbed cabin, wo read the first pages of our history, and as we retire through its low doorway, and noto the heavy battened door, with its wooden hinges, and its welcoming latch-string, is it strange that. the outside scenes would seem to be but a dream ? The cabin and the palace standing side by side, in vivid contrast, tell the story of the people's progress- they are history and prophecy in one.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
FRENCH PIONEERS.
"THE history of the French in Michigan begins with the coming of Joseph Le Carron, a French Recollet priest, in 1615, to St. Joseph Island Mackinac. the Sault, and southward to the foot of Lake Huron. In 1623, Rev. Nicholas Veil and Frere Gabriel Sagard-the first his- torian of Michigan -traversed the country bordering on Lake Huron In 1628-30, Jean Nie- olet, the explorer of Wisconsin, traversed the upper lake region; afterward Peres Isaac Jacques and Raymbault visited the Indians along the western shores of the lake, as recorded by Peres Druillets and Marest. Then came Marquette, Joliet, La Salle, Hennepin. To those early ex- plorers we must look for the foundation of the history of the great West, and of Michigan in particular.
LA SALLE AND HENNEPIN.
The Griffin was finished August 4, 1679. and her sails set, a trial trip made, and the name she bore bestowed upon her by Father Hennepin. On the 5th, five small cannon were placed in position. The 7th was the day appointed for entering upon that voyage over the Gitchi Gomee, or great inland seas. The morning arrived, the sun shown forth as it were a sea of gold, a favoring breeze played upon the waters, the cataract of Niagara, six miles below, reduced its roar to music, while from La Salle's new fortress the song of the Te Deum swelled upon the morning air. The sails were set, Robert de la Salle, commander of the Grif- fin, Father Lonis Hennepin, historian and chaplain, with the pilot, and a number of hunters and trappers, were embarked, the cables which kept the little vessel fast were unloosed. and their voyage toward the setting sun entered upon.
]Three days after setting out, the vessel was anchored opposite Touchsagrondie, a Huron vil- lage then occupying the site of the present city of Detroit. From this point to the head of the St. Clair River, many Indian villages were found to exist, all of them unacquainted with the white man, save that small knowledge of him which they might have gained during the brief stay of the Jesuit fathers. Seven years after the Griffin succeeded in battling with the fierce current which then swept past the present site of Fort Gratiot, M. du Lhut caused the position to be garrisoned, and a strongly fortified trading post to be erected. This was completed in the fall of 1686, and the name of Fort St. Joseph conferred upon it, but its possession was so opposed to the ideas of French economy, that in July, 1688, the garrison received orders to evacuate the post, and to report at Michilimackinac.
On July 24, 1701, Monsieur de la Motte Cadillac, Capts. Tonti, Chacornacle and Dugue. in command of fifty regular troops, arrived at Detroit. The expedition was accompanied by a Recollet Chaplain and a Jesuit Father, who had come as a missionary priest, together with fifty trappers, traders and hunters. Before the elose of August, 1701, the first fort erected in Michigan. if we except Du Lhut's fortified trading post, at the head of the St. Clair, was a real- ity. This occupied the ground extending from the Joseph Campan homestead to Shelby, and thence to Woodbridge street, a point now removed from the river bank, but which at that time would represent the head of the bank itself. The position was called Fort Pontchartrain.
Within a few years, 1703, thirty Hurons from Michilimackinac became settled at De- troit. Between 1701 and September, 1703, the settlement was further strengthened by bands of Ontawa-Sinagos, Miamis, Kiskakons and Loups, all floeking to Fort Pontchartrain, to wit- ness the magnificence of La Motte Cadillac and his command. Previous to 1706, the number of enemies made for himself by Cadillac among his own countrymen brought many and serious troubles into the very heart of the French posts at Detroit and at Michilimackinac. During the troubles at Detroit, Rev. Father Constantine and Jean la Reviere were stabbed by the Ont- awas, during their circumvallation of the fort. which continued forty days; until they raised the siege.
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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
In 1707, Jean la Blanc, second chief of the Ontawas, with Le Brochet. Moy kaouka, Sakima, Kinongé, Meaninau, Menekonmak and another chief visited the Governor of Montreal, and of- fered to make restitution: but the officer ordered them to report to Cadillac. The deputation returned to Detroit, August 6, 1707, when the commandant. Cadillac, addressed the Ontawas, Hurons, Miamis and Kiskakons in turn; the council was in session four days: but at the close the Indians agreed to deliver Le Pesant, the great disturber, into the hands of the French. He was handed over to the garrison; but unfortunately received a full pardon from Cadillac. This created a want of confidence in the French among the Miamis, Hurons and Iroquois, re- sulting in the killing of three Frenchmen, and created much disaffection in every Indian village.
In September, 1708. there were only twenty-nine inhabitants of Detroit who were the actual owners of lots and houses within the stockade. Of the entire number of acres surveyed at that time 353 roods in toto those twenty-nine freeholders owned only forty-six roods. the Hurons one hundred and fifty roods, and the Chevalier do Cadillac 157 roods. The entire num- ber of Frenchmen at the post then was sixty-three, of whom thirty -four were traders, who sold brandy, ammunition and trinkets in that and the neighboring Indian towns. During the war between France and England, which terminated in 1713. trouble after trouble surrounded Do- troit. En 1712, Outagamies and Mascontins Jaid siege to Fort Pontchartrain, then in charge of M. du Buisson, with thirty soldiers. The church and other buildings outside the stockade were pulled down. lest the besiegers would set fire to the pile with a view of burning the fort itself. The cireumvallation of the post and hourly assaults on it, were kept up for a period of thirty days, when the Indian allies of the French arrived from their hunting expeditions- both Hurons and Miamis, drove the Outagamies and Mascoutins to their intrenchments, and confined them there for nineteen days, until in the darkness of night they withdrew to Presque
Isle, twelve miles above Detroit. Thither the Hurons and Miamis pursued them, and forced a capitulation. which resulted in the massacre of all the men of both tribes, and the captivity of their wives and children. The Ontagamies and Mascoutins who were not actually killed on the Island, were brought to Detroit, where the Hurons continued to destroy four. five and six per day, until the last of those warriors who laid siege to the post were no more. The massacre resulted in the death of 800 men, women and children belonging to the besieging tribes at the hands of the Hurons and Miamis.
The decade closing in 1721 was one which tried the souls of the French inhabitants of Detroit. The sale of brandy and other abuses were prohibited and a great moral change effected in the manners, customs and habits of the white garrison and settlers. A council of the Hu- rons, Ottawas and Pottawatomios'was held near the fort Juno 7. 1721. under Capt. Tonti, thon commandant. The great Indian Sastarexy of the Huron tribe was the principal speaker, and the results obtained were of a comparatively conciliating character, so much so that by the year 1725 the Outagamie savages acknowledged the French king in precisely the same manner as did the other allies of the French. About this period, also, the log house, known as St. Anne's Church, was built, new barracks erected, about forty five dwelling houses brought into exis- fence, and the new stockade, with bastions and block-houses raised. The circular road or chemin du ronde was laid ont, and numerous improvements made in the vicinity of the Gov- ernment House. In 1746, the old French war may be said to renew itself: but not until 1719 did the contest with the English soldiers take any regular form. A decade later. the French power in Canada was destroyed, and in 1760 all the French possessions, from Lako Michi- gan to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, were in the hands of the conquering Normans and Anglo Sax- ons. Capt. Bellestre. then commandant at Detroit, surrendered to Maj. Robert Rogers in October, 1760.
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