USA > Michigan > Michigan as a province, territory and state, the twenty-sixth member of the federal Union > Part 5
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Some of the fugitives were lifted from the ground by the strong wind and were seized by the flames as they fell. Some saved their lives by scooping holes in the ground and burying their faces to escape inhaling the stifling air; others found refuge in wells where they clung to the walls with their fingers and toes. Some hid
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MICHIGAN AS A STATE
themselves in cisterns while the clothing was burned from their backs and the flesh was blistered. The flying sand and smoke blinded people who walked in the dense darkness into fire traps. Many of those who escaped with their lives were permanently crippled or blinded or disfigured. Half naked creatures made their way into village streets, often bearing the charred remains of their dead with them. Some took refuge in the waters of the lake, wading out until only their heads were above water, but even here they were suffocated by the intense heat, the smoke and the flying cinders. Animals, wild and tame, were destroyed in vast numbers or herded together by the instinct of self-preservation. One man who plunged into the lake for safety found in the morning a bear for a companion, but the bear made no objection and no trouble ensued.
Following is a list of the villages wholly or partially destroyed :
Name.
Population. Bldgs. Destroyed. Losses.
Port Hope
400
7
$51,000
Huron City
75
21
60,000
Bad Axe
400
70
71,000
Verona
150
32
70,000
Charleston
50
26
30,000
Total
1,075
156
$282,000
The losses by counties is thus indicated :
County. Lives Lost.
Bldgs. Destroyed. Losses.
Huron
70
1,613
$1,107,538
Sanilac
55
1,557
760,078
Tuscola
. .
255
106,317
Lapeer
. .
12
9,457
Railway Co.
. .
. .
20,000
Total
125
3,437
$2,003,390
CHAPTER V NEW STATE CAPITOL
W HEN in 1847 the capital was removed from Detroit to Lansing, the state took possession of a section of land, then wholly in a state of nature, for use as a site for necessary building or buildings. A plain frame structure was erected in 1847 and occupied by the legisla- ture in 1848. This was some rods away from the location designed for. the permanent capitol, which was left vacant, except that a few years later a cheap structure was built for the use of the sev- eral state officers for whom there was not room in the temporary capitol. It was the intention that, after serving its purpose for the interim, the cheap structure should be torn down, when the time should come for the erection of a permanent capitol. Governor Baldwin in his message to the legislature of 1871 expressed the be- lief that the time had now come, and recommended that the necessary steps be taken to that end. He said the present state house was built when the state was compar- atively new, with a population barely one-fourth of the present, and about one-twelfth present taxable valua- tion. The present building was designed for temporary purposes only and has come to be insufficient in size and accommodations for its uses. The legislative halls are small and inconvenient, deficient in necessary committee rooms, and wholly without ventilation. The supreme court room is small and unfit for use. The library is cramped and not capable of extension. The insecurity from fire of the public records and library, a calamity likely to result in irreparable loss, and the requirement of several years time to complete a new building fur- nished adequate reasons why immediate action should be taken.
The legislature promptly acted upon the suggestion
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and passed an act providing for a state building commis- sion. An appropriation of one hundred thousand dol- lars was made to permit the erection of suitable quar- ters for the state officers during the construction of the new building, and also to furnish necessary funds for procuring plans and for other expenses.
On the IIth of April, 1871, Governor Baldwin nom- inated as the building commission Ebenezer O. Grosve- nor of Jonesville, James Shearer of Bay City, and Alex- ander Chapoton of Detroit. These men were prompt- ly confirmed by the senate, sworn into office on the fol- lowing day and served throughout the whole time re- quired for the erection of the building. Mr. Grosvenor was a banker and man of affairs; both Messrs. Shearer and Chapoton were practical builders. The governor was made by the law a member of the board and ex-offi- cio its president. During the six years spent in the work of erection three governors served on the board-Henry P. Baldwin, John J. Bagley and Charles M. Croswell. Mr. Grosvenor served throughout the whole period as vice president. The commissioners industriously set themselves to perform the duty assigned them. Early in June following their appointment they issued an ad- vertisement, soliciting competitive designs and offering liberal premiums therefor. At the same time they issued a pamphlet of instructions to architects, furnishing all needful information and warning those contemplating entering the competition to avoid superfluous ornamen- tation, and to keep strictly within the limit of expendi- ture authorized by the legislature, which was about one million one hundred thousand dollars. The time al- lowed for submission of designs was six months.
At the time set twenty designs were received from architects in all parts of the country. The board spent considerable time in the examination of the designs and
!
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MICHIGAN AS A STATE
on the 24th of January, 1872, they adopted the design submitted by E. E. Myers, then of Springfield, Illinois. It was regarded as superior to all others in combining beauty of proportion with substantial construction. The building as thus sketched is three hundred and forty-five feet in length by one hundred and ninety-two feet in width, not including porticoes. Including porticoes and steps, the extreme length is four hundred and twenty feet, and the greatest depth two hundred and seventy four feet. The height of the lantern from grade is two hundred and sixty-seven feet. The style of architecture is that known as Palladian, combining dignity, simplic- ity and graceful outline. The completed structure has justified the good taste and good sense of the commis- sioners in approving the selection of plans. Mr. Myers was immediately engaged as architect and general sup- erintendent and removed his office and residence to De- troit.
At an extra session of the legislature held in March, 1872, the cost of the building, including all expenses in- cident to construction and completion, was limited to twelve hundred thousand dollars. Very wisely, upon the recommendation of Governor Baldwin, the legisla- ture decided, instead of raising this sum by an issue of bonds, to spread upon the tax levy two hundred thou- sand dollars a year for each of the six years contem- plated for the erection of the building. This plan proved no great burden on the tax payers and furnished the money as needed to fully pay for the building by the time of its completion. In addition to the original ap- propriation, the legislature of 1875 appropriated seven- ty thousand dollars for steam heating and ventilation, thirty thousand dollars for changes in the construction of the roof, steps to porticoes and interior finish, sixty- five thousand dollars for constructing the main cornice IV-7
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MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
and balustrade of stone, instead of galvanized iron, as originally planned. The legislature of 1877 made further appropriations of twenty-five hundred dollars for wiring for electric lighting and annunciators, and forty thousand dollars for furnishing the halls and offi- ces, and improving the grounds. This makes a grand total of one million four hundred and thirty thousand dollars for the building complete and furnished, and the grounds about it laid out and improved.
On the day of the formal dedication of the building, January 1, 1879, the commission reported that every obligation had been fully paid and that there remained upwards of four thousand dollars to the credit of the fund in the state treasury. This is a somewhat remark- able showing, in view of the experience of some other states in the erection of similar structures. It proves that the funds placed by the state in the hands of the commission were handled honestly, faithfully, judicious- ly and with sole view to the interests of the people. It is refreshing for all time to contemplate this example of public duty performed with fidelity on the part of all concerned in it. The commissioners in their final report note as a remarkable fact and a cause of great thankful- ness that, though the building was in course of construc- tion for more than six years and during this period hun- dreds of men were employed upon it, no accident oc- curred causing loss of life or limb, nor any resulting in loss or sacrifice of property, worthy of notice.
The building stands in the centre of a block reserved for the purpose, which has a frontage on Capitol avenue of six hundred and sixty feet from north to south, and a depth from east to west of seven hundred and forty- three feet. The block contains an area of eleven and one-fourth acres, of which the building itself, with por- ticoes, covers one and one-sixth acres. The main front
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MICHIGAN AS A STATE
of the building looks to the east over the central business portion of the city. On account of the natural elevation of the ground on which it stands, the building is a con- spicuous and imposing object, prominent in the view of the approaches to the city from any direction. It has an air of dignity and substantiality entirely suitable for its character. The material is Amherst, Ohio, sandstone. The first base course, outside steps and landings, of Joliet, Illinois, limestone, and the corner stone of Mas- sachusetts granite. The covering of the dome and ceil- ings of the legislative halls are of galvanized iron. The windows are glazed with English plate glass, and the panels of the ceilings of the house and senate are of the same quality of glass, embossed.
Early in 1872 proposals were advertised for and in response six were submitted. These ranged from one million one hundred and forty-four dollars to one mil- lion eight hundred and ninety-six dollars. The lowest was that of N. Osburn & Co. of Rochester, New York, and was the only one within the appropriation. The contract was awarded to the lowest bidders on the 1 5th day of July, 1872, and the contractors immediately set about the task before them. There had been a strong sentiment in favor of using Michigan material exclu- sively in the building. But the board say in their report that while they felt a proper pride in using material found within the state, and were desirous of carrying out the suggestions of the legislature in this respect, they were unwilling to adopt any stone which could not com- mand their fullest confidence, or to try any experiment in a work of such importance and magnitude. There was found no quarry within the state sufficiently devel- oped to insure the required quantity of stone, uniform in color, and of suitable quality for a building of such
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MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
size and character. All the materials employed were of the best of their several kinds.
The corner stone of the new building was laid with suitable ceremonies on the 2d day of October, 1873. On that occasion there was a street parade under General William Humphrey, as chief marshal. It was comprised in six divisions made up of military organizations, civic organizations and fraternal societies, including a great number of masonic lodges, which had charge of the act- ual laying of the stone. The procession marched from the old capitol to the new one, where a platform had been erected for the occasion. Prayer was offered by the Right Reverend Samuel A. McCoskrey, episcopal bishop of Michigan, and an eloquent oration was deliv- ered by William A. Howard of Grand Rapids.
The building was formally dedicated on the Ist day of January, 1879, on which occasion all the surviving ex-governors were present and made addresses, except Robert McClelland, who was detained at home by phy- sical disability. These ex-governors were Alpheus Felch, William L. Greenly, Austin Blair, Henry P. Baldwin, John J. Bagley. Mr. Felch of Ann Arbor was the fourth governor of the state, being preceded only by Messrs. Mason, Woodbridge and Barry. Mr. Greenly of Adrian was elected lieutenant-governor and held the position of governor in 1847. He signed the act removing the capitol from Detroit to Lansing. Mr. Blair of Jackson was the governor during the four try- ing years of the civil war; Messrs. Baldwin and Bagley were the immediate predecessors of the then incumbent of the office.
Governor Charles M. Croswell called the assemblage to order and presided. Prayer was offered by Right Reverend George D. Gillespie, episcopal bishop of Wes- tern Michigan. The exercises were held in the hall of
-
GREENLY BLAIR
FELCH BAGLEY
CROSWELL
BALDWIN
GOVERNOR AND EX-GOVERNORS, LANSING,
TA ATTT A T)IZ _ _ 0
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MICHIGAN AS A STATE
representatives. Addresses were made by each of the ex-governors in turn. Mr. Greenly recalled the circum- stances under which the capitol was removed. The leg- islature having passed the bill locating the capitol in the township of Lansing, the governor appointed commis- sioners to make the actual selection of a site. They were authorized to locate on what was known as the school section, a section reserved in every township to be sold for the benefit of the public schools. This they did, choosing twenty acres for the purpose in an eligible lo- cation. It was also made the duty of the commissioners to prepare a suitable state house ready for occupancy by the 25th of the following December. The commission- ers performed their duty well. The site chosen was then in an uninhabited and unimproved region and was ac- cessible only by trail through the forest. The legisla- tors and state officers who served at the opening of bus- iness in this then remote and primitive locality had the experiences of genuine pioneers. To reach the spot was no trivial undertaking, and to find shelter, food and the necessaries of life was not so easy as now. But the hard- ships and inconveniences were endured with little mur- muring. The contrast between the early day and the present, not only in the capitol itself but in all its sur- roundings, was one of the most striking features of the dedication. It illustrated the progress made by Michi- gan in the intervening thirty years.
CHAPTER VI THE NATIONAL CENTENNIAL
T HE one hundredth anniversary of the Dec- laration of Independence was celebrated with suitable demonstrations in all parts of the state, July 4th, 1876. Commem- orative exercises were held in each of the principal cities and villages, to which the people gathered in great numbers. These were generally inaugurated by a military and civic parade in the early part of the day, which was followed by an oration by some distinguished citizen of the locality, reading of the declaration of independence, a poem or music, the whole concluding with a ban- quet, and in the evening a display of fireworks. Among the orators, were Theodore Romeyn at Detroit, Thomas B. Church at Grand Rapids, Dan P. Foote at Saginaw, Mark S. Brewer at Milford, L. D. Dibble at Battle Creek, Isaac Marston at Bay City, J. E. Tenney at Lansing, A. L. Millard at Adrian, Jonas H. McGowan at Coldwater, George W. Wilson at Charlotte, George H. Jerome at Niles, A. H. Fenn at Allegan, Charles H. Denison at Port Huron.
An important feature of the celebration consisted of sermons in the several churches by the pastors thereof, usually given on the Sunday preceding the date. In this manner the event took on a solemn and religious character, recognizing the hand of Providence in the forming and guiding of the nation throughout its his- tory. Upon the recommendation of Governor Bagley, the event was further commemorated by the planting of trees. The governor's proclamation says, "On Satur- day, the 15th of April next, I urge upon every citizen of this state who owns a piece of God's ground, whether it be large or small, whether in city or country, town or village, to plant a tree, which our children and our chil- dren's children may know and remember as the tree
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100 MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
planted by patriotic hands in the first centennial year of the republic." This suggestion was favorably received and was carried out with appropriate ceremonies and patriotic demonstrations in a hundred or more of the cities, towns and villages of the state, as well as in many rural localities. In some places whole parks were planted and thence became known as Centennial Parks.
The great distinguishing event of the year was the international exposition at Philadelphia, which was formally opened May 10th and continued open until the Ioth of November following. For the time, it was an affair of the greatest magnitude which this country had seen. It was officially recognized by the govern- ment, which authorized the appointment of a commis- sioner for each state. Governor Baldwin appointed James Birney of Bay City as such commissioner, and Claudius B. Grant of Marquette, as alternate. In the latter part of 1875, Mr. Birney resigned to accept the post of United States Minister at The Hague, and Vic- tory P. Collier of Battle Creek, was appointed by Gov- ernor Bagley to fill the vacancy. By authority of con- gress the governments of other nations were formally invited to participate, and most of them did so. It thus took on an international aspect.
The exhibition was financed as a stock corporation with a capital of ten million dollars in shares of ten dollars each. The stock was largely taken throughout the country from purely patriotic motives. The general government and the several states made appropriations to erect special buildings and to provide suitable dis- plays illustrating their resources and achievements. Con- gress appropriated a million and a half dollars. Michi- gan's appropriation was seven thousand five hundred dollars, which was larger than that of any western state, except Nevada, Arkansas, Ohio and Illinois.
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MICHIGAN AS A STATE
The act of the legislature making the appropriation authorized the governor to appoint commissioners to officially represent the state, and to arrange for and sup- erintend the placing of exhibits to be made by institu- tions and citizens of the state. Governor Bagley ap- pointed as such board Messrs. Merrill I. Mills of De- troit, Jonathan J. Woodman of Paw Paw, Henry Fra- lick of Grand Rapids, and Jay A. Hubbell of Hough- ton. The board appointed as its secretary Mr. Frank W. Noble of Detroit, and he gave his entire time to the service on the grounds throughout the whole exhibition. An attractive state building was erected on the grounds, wholly by voluntary contributions of money or materials by individuals. It furnished official headquarters for the commission and a place of rendezvous and rest for Michigan visitors, of whom there were many thou- sands during the summer. The register kept there showed thirty-two thousand signatures. Some litera- ture was provided for the occasion, intended for the en- lightenment of inquirers from other states and nations. A history of the state was prepared by Judge James V. Campbell of the state supreme court; a history of the press of Michigan by Tom S. Appleton of Adrian and a sketch of the resources and development of the state, looking to the encouragement of immigration, was pre- pared by Stephen B. McCracken and freely distributed at Philadelphia. The two first mentioned publications were included in the exhibits.
The showing made by the educational interests of the state was one of the best. It was in charge of Rev. D. C. Jacokes, who spent his time in Philadelphia while the exposition was in progress. All the educational in- stitutions were well represented. This included exhibits by very many common schools, as well as the higher schools and colleges. A very full and elaborate mineral
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MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
exhibit, mainly from the Lake Superior region, was in charge of Mr. Samuel Brady, who took great pains in the collection and arrangement of the specimens. The agricultural and horticultural display was in keeping with the importance and resources of the state. It was under the special superintendence of Mr. C. A. Ilgen- fritz. The State agricultural and pomological societies contributed to an important extent in making the dis- play a success. There was also a very full and satisfac- tory exhibit of machinery and manufactured articles, made by nearly a hundred exhibitors.
The final report of the board of managers sets forth that the exhibit comprised three thousand eight hundred distinct specimens, one thousand two hundred of which were varieties of woods and shrubs, eleven hundred of them being furnished by the Agricultural College, which also furnished two hundred and ten specimens of grasses. There were shown five hundred and forty sam- ples of wool from forty-two counties, five hundred speci- mens of grain and seeds, four hundred and seventy-five specimens of copper, iron and gypsum, forty of salt and brine, several of building stone and slate, three hundred and seventy archaeological exhibits, and four hundred and seventy-five distinct specimens of fruit. The super- intendent of the agricultural department says in a letter to the board, "Your show of fruit at all times exceeded that of any other state, and in the aggregate more than double the quantity sent from any other state, while the variety and quality were unexampled." Over sixty awards were made to the state and its citizens. The re- sults were considered quite satisfactory, and the whole was regarded as creditable to the state.
Very much of the success of Michigan's participation in the exposition was due to the generosity, the energy and untiring activity of Governor Bagley, who was the
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Yours Most Bagley
103
MICHIGAN AS A STATE
chief executive of the state prior to and during its prep- aration and progress. He was an ex-officio member of the board of managers.
John J. Bagley, who was governor from 1873 to 1877, was a native of New York, having been born in Medina, Orleans county, in that state, July 24, 1832. As a lad he attended the public school at Lockport until the removal of his parents to Constantine, Michigan. Here he began his business career at the age of thirteen by engaging his services as general utility help in a coun- try store. Not long thereafter the family removed to Owosso, where he found similar employment. In 1847, when fifteen years old, he secured a situation with Isaac S. Miller in his tobacco factory at Detroit. He remained with Mr. Miller about six years, when, having attained his majority, he launched out for himself in the same line of business. He showed great enterprise and shrewdness in its management and speedily built up a trade scarcely second to any in the country. He was one of the earliest among manufacturers to discover the value of advertising. He made profitable use of that method of bringing his wares to the attention of the public. As a result, he had before reaching middle life, amassed a comfortable fortune and had established a trade which was a profitable asset. His capital found ready opportunities for employment in other directions. He was one of the organizers of the Michigan Mutual Life Insurance Company and was its president from 1867 to 1872. He was a large stockholder and pres- ident of the Detroit Safe Company, which did a thriving business. He was one of the incorporators of the Wayne County Savings Bank and of the American Ex- change National Bank, of which he was for many years vice president. He was, above all things a shrewd and enterprising business man, and it is to be noted that the
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MICHIGAN AS PROVINCE, TERRITORY, STATE
projects to which he gave his attention were uniformly successful.
About 1865 he, with two or three other parties, bought a large tract of land in Springwells, at the junc- tion of River Rouge and Baby Creek, known as the "ship-yard tract," which had escheated to the state through the death of the former owner without known heirs. This land was bought very cheaply and might have been profitably held for speculation. It was but seven miles from the Detroit city hall. But Mr. Bagley and his associates had planned to convert this tract, which had much natural beauty, and was mostly in a state of nature, into a rural cemetery. This they did, with the
expenditure of large sums for improvements. The fruit of their wisdom and good taste is seen to-day in the beautiful Woodmere cemetery, which, although now in the city limits, was then thought to be so far away that the city would never encroach upon it, as it had already grown up around and beyond Elmwood and Mt. Elliott. Mr. Bagley was for many years president of the cemetery association. His ashes rest in a beauti- ful site chosen by himself and his monument consists of a rough granite boulder, weighing many tons, which he had found upon a tract of land owned by himself in the upper country.
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