USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.. > Part 80
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517
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
apertures extending through the walls. The air is warmed by passing through the coils and rising. reaches the different offices of the buikling through fines extending from the basement to all the floors. The superiority of the apparatus over others lies in the fact that the air is always pure, and there is at all times a perceptible circulation like a gentle summer breeze. The other rooms in the basement are for the storing of bonded goods, closets, etc. with an of- evator in the southeast corner running to the third story. From the solid foundation rise the walls of the building. They are of handsome sandstone blocks, backed with brick. These blocks are laid in courses about 15 inches high, and vary in weight from 1,000 to 8, 000 pounds each. They are smoothly finished, the lower story in miter joints. At the topof the first story is a heavy broad belt or first story cornice. The first floor, which is laid on iron beams and brick leveled up with conerete to the proper height for the tiling and wooden floors, is gained by the one staircase of stone steps in the east end, from which one passes into a public hall, out of which an iron staircase leads to the upper stories. The public hall is 12 feet wide, and runs from the north side to the elevator. The east front door opens into this hall, and is the main entrance to the custom house and other offices up stairs. An inside door communicates with the post office corridor, which is 11 feet wide and runs the full length of the post office screen, 70 feet. Two outside doors also open into this corridor. from the north front. The floor of the corridor and lower hall is of slate and white marble tiling in alternate square blocks, with neat slate border on the outer edge.
The general business office of the post office is a noble room 70 by 45 feet in size and 17 feet. 4 inches in height. The floor of this is of black walnut and ash alternating. In the room are eight iron columns il inches in diameter to support the upper floors. The ceiling is plas- tered on iron lath, and is a beautiful piece of work. The mails are to be conveyed into this gen- oral office through the doors in the rear, or south side of the building, and in this large room is the post office furniture, all very ingenious and labor-saving, built on the premises, The furniture for handling the mails consists of two "general delivery cases, " two "assorting tables." one "stamping" or "canceling table." one "distributing oven." sometimes called a "throwing table,?' one "mailing case," one case for advertised letters, transient newspapers, ote., and three standing desks. The sereen which separates the general business office from the public cor- rider is now being put in place. The frame work is of walnut and butternut, with oil finish. In it are the drawers and boxes to the height that a man ean conveniently reach, and above that glass reaching to the ceiling. Two-thirds of the space designed for that purpose is now occupied by the drawers and boxes, of which there are 24 drawers. 16 newspaper boxes, and 1.250 lock boxes. Of the latter. 910 are No. 1 size, 23 by HE inches, and 360 No. 2 size. .12 inches square. They are of metal frame fronts with small glass in'each behind the frame through which the box owner can see whether mail is in the box without unlocking. The locks are manufactured by the Johnson Rotary Lock Company, of New York, and are very similar to the Yale lock. Nothing could be better or more convenient. At the west end of the corrider is the money order and registered letter department. a large corner room 22 by 20 in size, to which there is also an outside entrance. Hero also the mail carriers and route agents will leave their mails and registered letters, exchange receipts, etc. Adjoining this depart- ment are public and private offices of the Postmaster. 22 by Il fet, and 22 by 20 feet in size respectively. These will be carpeted and handsomely furnished, and provided with the usual office conveniences. Thus it will be seen that the whole of the front story is assigned to post- office nses, and in elegance and convenience of arrangement equals anything to be found in any city of 100,000 inhabitants in this country. The second floor is devoted to the Custom House and Court Room. It is laid on iron beams and iron arches. It is reached by the broad iron stair case at the east end of the building. A hall 12 feet wide, well lighted, and with marble and slate tiling floor, reaches from the east end to the court room door. Immediately at the head of the stairs in the east end is the water supply for the second and third stories. closets, wash hand basins, etc. The height of rooms on this floor (except the court room) is 14 feet and 6 inches. On the left of the hall is the office of the Collector. 21 by 23 feet in size, and adjoining it on the west a large room 24 by 31 feet in size for general purposes. Across the hall opposite the Collector's office is the room of the Special Deputy. This room
518
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
is of the same size as that occupied by the Collector. A small room. 11 feet square, suitable for wardrobe or stationery supply room, in the northeast corner of the building, opens into this apartment. A door opens from the Special Deputy's room into the general business office, to be occupied by the entry clerk, bonded clerk, vessel clerk, and the clerical attaches of the office. A handsome black walnut counter extends the whole length of the room and behind it are the desks of the different clerks. cashier's desk, safe, etc. As in the lower story, there are no vaults. the building being essentially fire proof. The sales will be burglar proof, the only sort of pro- tection needed.
The court room to which entrance is made through the wide doors at the end of the hall, runs clear across the building, 56 feet, and is 35 feet wide. It occupies the second and third stories, thus having two rows of windows, and is 32 feet high from floor to ceiling. It is wains- coted with black walnut and butternut, and the walls are relieved with plaster ornamentations. The plastering in this room and throughout the whole building is equal in finish to anything in the West. In the ceiling are two large iron ventilators. from which ventilating pipes ex- tend through the attic into ventalators through the roof. This room is expected to be occupied for one term at least of the United States District Court each year, since a very large share of the admiralty basiness in the United States Court of the Eastern District comes from this Cus- toms District.
The third story, also gained by the iron staircase in the east end of the building, is simi. lar in arrangement to the second. It will be occupied by the Inspectors of Hulls and Boilers, Collector of Internal Revenue. United States Commissioners. Deputy United States Marshal, etc. There will also be a small room for the use of the janitor. The ceilings of this story are 13 feet 4 inches high. The hall, which is of the same width as below, 12 feet, is not tiled, but floored with ash and walnut From the west end of the hall a staircase leads into the at- tic. This is lighted by a large glass-covered ventilator in the roof. Though quite spacious and floored, the attic will not be devoted to any particular use. Through it winding stairs lead into the dome, from which a magnificent view of the city. and the surrounding country, many miles in extent, down the river and up Lake Huron, is obtained.
The wood work of the building is butterunt and black walnut. the former predominating. all finished in oil and natural color.
The marble mantels, 17 in number, are of Vermont red marble. and the grates are pro- vided with summer fronts, atfording ventilation.
The outside doors are of massive black walnut. and the door trimmings throughout the entire building are of bronze, heavy and of elegant patterns.
There is in and underneath the building over a quarter of a mile of drain pipe, or 1,526 feet in all.
There has been expended up to February 1. for labor. $125,000. This has given em. ployment to a large number of men, most all of whom have been residents of Port Huron, the policy of the Superintendent having been to always give work to our own people when it was of that character that persons here were able to do it, which was not the case with stone carv- ing and some other kinds of skilled labor required. It has been a great benefit to the city in these hard times.
'The roof, undoubtedly the best in this State, is of heavy sheet copper. which was pur- chased in New York and cost 30 cents per pound, or with the labor of placing it in position, $6,300.
The windows of the first story are 9 feet 11 inches by 4 feet 3 inches in size; in the second story, 9 feet 1 inch by 4 feet 3 inches; third. 6 feet 13 inches by 4 feet 3 inches. The glass in the first and second stories on the north front and each end are of plate glass, four panes to a window. and the glass in the second story rear and third story of double strength sheet. It was all furnished by the Star Glass Company, of New Albany, Ind., and with the other glass in the building, cost $1.550.
The gas fixtures are not extravagant, but are very handsome. The two chandeliers in the court room are each eighteen light.
The following will show the amount of materials of various kinds used in the construction of the building:
519
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
Limestone, cubic feet ....... ... 16,359
Sandstone, cubic feet ...
31,750
Brick
Wrought and cast iron fexclusive of iron stairs, iron lathing, pipes of The heating apparatus, gas and water pipe -. or any hardware), lbs.
.. 215,000
Nails, 1b>
5,500 Lead, lbs
3,500
Copper in roof, Ibs
14,300
C'ement, bhfs
1,550
Lime, bbls. 750
Sand, cubic yards. 1,03×
Pine lumber, feet ..
250,000
Butternut Jumber, fort
25,000
Walnut lumber, fret.
25,000
CITY WATER-WORKS.
The bid of the Holly Company, of $25,000, was accepted May 8, 1872, on condition that the machinery would be completed before September 15, that year. The contract for piping was let to Walker & Rich. at $68.85 per ton, and $500 additional for each crossing of Black River. In August. 1872, the mandamus was replied to by Mayor Miller declaring the contracts which he signed illegal. This resulted in postponing the completion of the work. All the petty disputes in this matter were subsequently settled, and. on September 6, 1573, the works were formally opened.
The water-works machinery cost the city $25,000, and is a very fine piece of machanism
and workmanship. The most important parts are the cylinders and pumps, there being four of each. The engines are rated 100 horse power each. or 400 horse power in all.
Two cylinders are placed upon each side of a heavy iron frame, with the pistons and con- necting rods working at right angles to each other, upon a shaft placed at the top of the frame. The crossheads can be disconnected from the piston rods in a moment. so that each cyhuder is practically independent of all others in its workings. On the lower side of each cylinder, the piston is extended to connect with the piston of the pump, with a crosshead and key for instantaneous disconnection. The steam cylinders are 14x24 inches in size. and the pinps 9x24 inches. The pumps are capable of forcing into the pipes 1, 000,000 gallons of water each twenty-four hours. By a new combination, the cylinders and pumps put in in this city can be run either high or low pressure. or with high pressure in one cylinder, and low pressure in all the others; that is, the exhaust steam from the cylinder which receives "live " steam. is passed on to the others, and moves them. At a trial made in September, 1873, with the "compound " throttle open 1-32 of an inch, the cranks made 17 revolutions a minuto, and with the throttle open 1-16 of an inch they made 28 revolutions in minute, steam pressure being 163 pounds. With steam in all the cylinders, and throttle open 1- 16 inch, 42 revolu- tions per minute were made.
Connected with the suction pipes are two air chambers, and the discharge pipes have the same number. The cylinders are cased in black walnut, and all the unpolished iron work is neatly painted.
The regulators are ingenious pieces of mechanism, and are essential to the proper work- ing of the machinery under all circumstances. There are two of these: one of which acts as a fire signal, blowing a small whistle when hydrants are opened, and letting more steam into the cylinders at the same time. Gauges placed in conspicuous places also indicate. at all times, the exact pressure of water in the pipes, and of steam in the boilers.
The condenser, used when the engines are run on low pressure, is of the most approved pattern, and has connected with it two air pumps. There is also a " donkey engine," to supply the boilers with water in case of accident to the pumps connected with the machinery. All the steam pipes in the building are covered with asbestos, to prevent condensation.
The boilers are two in unmber, each five feet in diameter and sixteen feet long. with sixty 33 inch tubes. They are substantially placed on heavy cast iron fronts, and appear to be excellent in every respect. They weigh over five tons each, and the whole machinery weighs about 100 tons.
"These works save the citizens an indirect tax of thousands of dollars. Diseases have almost disappeared since their establishment, while the fire fiend can be said to be fully under their control. The engineers in charge, and the officers of the water supply department of the city prove by attention to duty that they are proud of their service.
520
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT, SHOWING THE AMOUNT OF BUSINESS TRANSACTED IN THE DISTRICT BE OF INTEREST :
FROM
FISCAL YEAR END-
FISCAL
FISCAL
FISCAL
CLASSIFICATION.
1866, TO JUNE 30, 1867
ING JUNE 30, 1868.
YEAR END- ING JUNE 30, 1869.
ING JUNE 30, 1870.
ING JUNE 30, 1871.
Valne of Imports entered for Transportation to Interior Ports
73,040 00
$ 153,367 00
$ 129,825 00
$ 101,870 00 $ 108.921 00
Value of Imports entered for Transportation and Exportation to Manitoba. .
136,563 00
164,667 00
23,899 00
51,476 00
114.574 00
Value of Imports entered for Consumption ...
170,416 00)
240,824 00
371,305 00
346,701 00
350,994 00
Value of Exports of growth and production of U. S. to adjacent Provinces. .
1,208,186 00
1,138,091 00
1,667,210 00
1,927,368 00
2,754.463 00
Amount of Duties collected in Coin.
45.734 22
12,402 21
87,183 07
103,384 23
04,508 23
Amount of Duties on Merchandise entered for transportation to Interior Ports
28.125 78
52,436 59
55,657 75
45,526 61
16,719 04
Amount of Duties on Merchandise entered for transportation and Exporta- tion to Manitoba
88.051 61
130,154 78
21.259 01
36.327 48
41.795 03
Amount of Official Fees collected
6,599 35
14,826 90
16,581 60
16,515 00
14.412 25
Amount of Tonnage Tax collected
5,074 82
7,042 99
8,189 49
9,513 15
2.839 90
Amount of Marine Hospital Collections
480 57
852 18
1,240 61
1,224 93
1,744 75
Amount of Inspection Fees of Steamboats
412 50
1,547 29
1,143 86
1,293 20
1,270 42
Amount of Licenses to Pilots and Engineers
197,445 00
266,085 00
315,738 00
391,812 00
293.899 00
Amount received from Fines, Penalties and Forfeitures
Amount received from Bonding Seals
Number of Entries made of all kinds ..
5,739
6,072
6,458
6,780
5,193
Number of Entrances and Clearances of Vessels.
3.504
9 892
9.882
9.994
9,201
Number of Transportation Bonds made.
75
136
109
92
113
Number of Transportation and Exportation Bonds made ..
39
19
10
43
125
Amount of Tonnage Outstanding (owned in the District).
14,860 77-100
20.659 86-100 25,250 27-100 29,005 02-100 31,500 01-100
Number of Vessels owned in the District.
145
170
207
238
Number of Immigrants arriving at this Port
14,318
30,593
35,589
43,356
36,271
In 1821, the Tonnage Tax was abolished, except on vessels engaged in foreign trade.
The number of immigrants who arrived at Port Huron in each fiscal year, ending June 30, 1880, commencing with the organization of the district of Port Huron, October 6, 1866, was as follows:
34,580
1867-8.
30,593
1875-6 ..
31,334
1868-9.
35,689
1876-7.
30,185
1869-70.
43,356
1877-8.
30,610
1870-1.
36,977
1878-9 ..
33,423
1871-2.
38,988
: 1879-80 to May 31
79,265
1872-3.
58,917
1873-4.
58,881
Total.
565,816
It will be seen from this that the total number of immigrants who entered the United States at this port in thirteen years and eight months was 565.816: or more than one-third the present population of Michigan. Before the close of the fourteenth year (October 3, 1880), the number reached 600,000. Within the past two years, it is supposed that over 200,000 immigrants entered the United States at this port. During the year ending June 30, 1881, no less than 111, 170 immigrants crossed the line at Port Huron; while during the year ending June 30, 1882, 71,424 immigrants were registered. During the last six months of ISS2, the number of immigrants entering the United States at Port Huron is estimated at 80,000.
POSTMASTERS AT PORT HURON.
The first Postmaster in the Port Huron District was George McDongal. He was succeeded by John S. Heath. In 1840, John Wells was appointed. W. L. Bancroft succeeded him in 1845. On Mr. Bancroft's resignation, in 1846, Cummings Sanborn received the appointment. Either Allen Fish or M. S. Gillett took charge of the office in 1848. In 1853, George W. Pinkham was appointed; in 1857, H. S. Potter; in 1861, M. S. Gillett, and in 1865, Gen. Hartsuff, the present incumbent, was appointed.
UNITED STATES REVENUE COLLECTORS.
The list of United States Revenue Collectors at Port Huron since 1849, embraces the names of John Wells, W. L. Bancroft. William Sanborn, John Atkinson and John P. Sanborn. At date of writing, it is reported that changes are to be made in the official ranks of both the Collectors' and Postal departments.
1866-7.
24,318
1874-5 ..
Value of Free Goods Imported
OCTOBER 1.
YEAR END. YEAR END-
521
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
OF HURON, MICHIGAN, FROM DATE OF ORGANIZATION, OCTOBER 1, 1866, TO JUNE 30, 1852, MUST
FISCAL
FISCAL
FISCAL
FISCAL
FISCAL
FISCAL
FISCAL
FISCAL
FISCAL
FISCAL
FISCAL
YEAR END-
YEAR END-
YEAR END-
YEAR END- YEAR END-
YEAR END-
YEAR END-
YEAR END-
YEAR END-
YEABEND-
YEAR END
ING JUNE
IXG JUNE
ING JUNE
INGIUNE
ING AUNE
ING JUNE
ING AU'NE
ING JUNE
ING JUNE
ING IUNE
30. 1572.
30, 1873.
90, 1571.
.10. 18:3.
30. 1876.
30, 1971.
30, 1579.
:10, 15-0.
30.1881.
30,1992.
258.271 00 $ 117.791 00 $
240,281 00
550.239 00
556.723 00
173.925 00
186,155 00
121,291 00
6,615,004 00
5,525.721 00
5.609,61900
9,229,591 00
9,615.122 00)
47.123 15
73,211 50
84,506 99
19,555 57
161,317 42
116.675 20
105,762 26
72,111 64
201.076 53
229,214 :5
319,524 25
168.068 93
19,673 81
40,226 25
35,002 61
83,519 96 1
109.406 80
59,913 51
43,18: 33
121,467 70
101,010 58
1×1,294 45
100,235 63
153,505 72
1111,292 5
30.166 14
275.721 00
191,827 03
265,610 81
012,313 54
952,952 13
1.081,915 18
3 .- 12,571 21
15 544 10
5,555 60
4.131 80
1.917 1,
9.121 20
15,014 31
11,697 91
12,55, 20
20,752 25
24, 280 95
11,294 02
3.171 75
3.515 64
4,111 48
3,537 54
1.273 55
1,995 56
3,359 16
2.660 28
2,627 75
2,121 :0
3.1+4 21
2,442 07
11
3.000 6%
2,450 62
2.914 57
2,92% 86
1.211 29
:,715 90
1.002 52
1,993 68
2,348 60
2,125 89
2,781 15
2,351 00
2,264 35
2.650 %,
3,024 25
3.119 15
3,382 95
1,970 00
2.395 00
2,650 00
2.250 00
2,230 00
2,115 00
2,500 00
22,910 00
2.745 00)
1,506 50
123,705 0
373,949 00
138, 120 00
401,372 00
561,153 00
125.725 00
5$1,531 00)
1.114,222 (M1
1.351,461 00
1,574,452 00
:00 34
2,334 99
2,111 22
3. 163 03
199 00
1,362 16
122 54
599 28
6.312
6,023
5.175
4,8:1
6.188
6.121
10.317
11,101
10.130
7,114
8.135
8,046
6.515
7,653
4.73
6.523
155
113
103
261
129
321
212
456
514
5:19
+01
, 1,635
2.612
3 .- 80
274
314
330
339
350
301
₹18
38.938
54,917
55,3 1
34,550
31,941
30,1×5
30,610
33.1233
91.375
111,170
11,124
105. 155 01 5 :21.055 00 5
129,957 00 $ 169,026 00 $ 110,1615 (0)
1.1001.205 00
2.027,95; 00
3,221,119 00
6,950,197 00
375,557 00
145,510 00
742,659 00
75.16: 00
856,798 00
1,515,0 5 00
2.684,406 00)
3,183,071 00
5,601,858 00
5,025.809 01
5.570,528 00
8,933.028 00
ING JUNE 30, 1878.
: 105,221 00 $ 381,460 00
$ $65,356 00
152,661 00
THE P. H. & N. W. R. R. DEPOT.
The building of the depot of the P. H. & N. W. R. R. Co. was begun August 20, 1SSI, under the superintendence of James O'Sullivan. The size of the building is 32x150 feet and twostories high with cupola. A fourteen-foot platform runs all around it on the ground level. and a balcony six and a half foot wide runs the full length on both sides at the second floor. The framework is very strong. surmounted by a truss roof secured with iron. The projection of the roof on each side is wide enough to shade the balcony, and is supported by strong brackets, sixty-six in number. There are upward of one hundred windows, including a bay window from the roof down on the riverside, There are nineteen outside doors, nine of them double doors. The sides of the building are tightly sheeted with Inmber: against this is felt paper lining, and then the siding. Inside the finish is of cherry and ash. On the lower floor are a ladies' waiting room, a gentlemen's waiting room, and a dining room, each 22x31 feet in size; also eleven other rooms of various sizes, including ticket office, baggage room, train dis- patcher's room and a kitchen.
Above them are sixteen rooms, beside balls. all for the uses of the officers of the road.
In the north end, a brick vault extends from the ground to the roof. It is Sx16 feet in size, and has two one-foot walls all around. with an air space between them, making it certainly fire proof. The structure is heated by sterun and lighted by gas made in the building. The boiler room is brick, H6x24 foot in size, with cement floor. The gas pipes are being put in now. The cupola is Sx16 feet in size, and rises from the roof twelve feet. The whole building rests firmly on spiles that were driven into the ground ton feet. The cost will reach $10,000.
A short distance south of this buikling is the new freight house, 21x150 feet in size, 14 foot posts. A platform extends all the way around it. and there is an office fitted up in the north end.
The Chicago & Grand Trunk depot is farther south.
THE IRON BRIDGE.
One of the very important improvements made by the narrow-gauge company was the building of the neat-looking, strong, iron bridge near the mouth of Black River. The wood work was done by James Sullivan, for the company, and the iron work by the Smith Bridge Company of Toledo. It rests upon spiles driven by Daniel Runnells, and has 141 feet of a span. besides about 250 feet of trestle work approachos.
10.151
12.1239
39,611 35-100 16,575 76-100 53,265 15-100 53,650
17.839 57-100
50.975 37-1 0 61,100 3-100
53.219 75-100 50,731 88-100 53,8285 81-100 49,740 93-100
3.699 28
522
HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.
The iron bridge across Black River, thirteen miles above its mouth, is one of the largest pieces of bridge architecture in Michigan. Its construction is due to the enterprise of the P. H. & N. W. R. R. Company.
The Military street and that known as Seventh street bridges, are both swing bridges, similar in construction to those in use at Chicago.
TELEPHONE EXCHANGE
The first magnetic telephone line put in operation in Port Huron was that between the office of Fraser & Fish and the office of the Register of Deeds. About the same time a line was established connecting the residence of Mr. C. B. Peck, manager of the N. W. G. T., with his office, and with the office of the train dispatcher at the depot. McMoran & Co. also had an " acoustic " telephone line in operation between their mill at the month of Black River and their store in the Opera House Block, during the spring and summer of 1879. None of these lines were of publie importance, and no general interest was awakened in the subject
In September, 1879, the manager of the Times determined to make an effort to secure the establishment of an exchange in Port Huron, and after some correspondence with Mr. W. A. Jackson. Manager of the Telephone and Telegraph Construction Company, of Detroit, which holds all telephone franchises for Michigan. secured the promise that Port Huron should be the next place in Michigan to have an exchange, if fifty subscribers could be obtained. The canvass for subscribers was commenced about a month later, and the project has been com - pletely successful.
The system of telephone exchange is an enterprise that is destined to grow in importance and extent until every business house, scores and hundreds of private houses, and every vil- lage and city in the State, if not in the whole country, are brought into immediate speaking con- nection with every other. The whole thing is so wonderful, so marvelous. so far, indeed, be- yond what any of us would have believed possible ten years ago, that it is difficult even now to realize it fully. And yet it is an established fact, and a fact that goes beyond a scientific won- der and becomes of the greatest practical utility.
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