USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 66
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.. of frame school-houses
.. of log school-house-
" of pupils that can be accommodated
Estimated value of school property $85.201
EMPLOYMENT OF TEACHERS.
No. of male teachers employed
.. female teacher- employed
months taught by male teachers 203.4
months taught by female teacher- 5:13.2
Total wages of male teachers for the year $6,935.03
Total wages of female teachers for the year 15,377.14
Average monthly wages of male teacher- 31,09
Average monthly wages of female teacher-
. RESOURCES OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Money- on hand Sept. 5. ISSI $16.799.95
Oire-mill tax .775,30
Primary school interest fund 5,309.11
Library moneys 1.070,33
District taxes for all purpose-
30,321.28
Raised from all other sources 5.10.72
Total resources for the year 65,250.29
EXPENDITURES OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
Paid teachers 22.231.01
" for building- and repair- 15.271.26
.. library books and care of library
MANO.FR
.. for all other purposes 6.552.17
Amount on hand Sept. 1. 1882 11.321.11
Total expenditures, including amount on hand 65,250.29
STATISTI'S OF TOWNSHIP LIBRARIES.
No. of townships reporting library money- need
for general school purpose-
No. of township- forfaiting their library money- .1
" townships maintaining libraries
Amount paid for book - and care of libraries $11,53
Amount of taxes voted for libraries 50,00
Amount tines, ete., received from County Treas- urer for support of libraries 167.95
ـر.
EDUCATIONAL.
60S
MECOSTA COUNTY.
STATI-IC'S OF SCHOOL DISTRICT LIBRARIES.
No. of districts of less than 100 children, report- ing libraries -1
No. of volumes reported by the same 487 .. districts of more than 100 children, main- taining libraries B
No. of volumes added during year 095 .. volumes in such libraries 1,045
Amount paid for support of such libraries $750.28
of fines, etc., received from County
Treasurer
1,002.38
Graded School Statistics.
Big Rapids.
Number of children between five and twenty years 1.039
Estimated valuation of school property $30.000
Amount paid for instruction 6.561.25
Average monthly wages of male teachers 130.00
Average monthly wages of female teachers 33,55
Grand total expenditures 21,171.92
Grand total indebtedness 6.000.00
V'ost per capita of instruction
8.72
Total enrollment 1.089
Average number belonging daily attendance
620
Number of male teachers
530 1
6. female teachers 14
Average number of pupils to each teacher 47
Mecosta.
Number of children between five and twenty years 172
Estimated value of school property $2,100
AAmount paid for superintendence and instrue- tion 356.50
Average monthly wages of male teachers 49.00
.. female teachers 35.74
Expenditures
1.280.59
Morley.
Number of children between five and twenty years 135
Estimated valuation of school property $1,000
Amount paid for superintendence and instruc- tion 765
Average monthly wages of male teacher- 50
.. .. female teachers 35
Total cost per capita for instruction and inci- dentals 11.58
Total enrollment 11-4
Average number belonging daily attendance
65
Number of male teachers .6 female teacher-
1
THE PRESS.
A
S the Big Rapids Pioneer was the pioneer newspaper of this part of the State, it was rightly named. The first number was issued April 17, 1862, and was a very credit- able sheet in every particular, though it did not exhibit a very liberal advertising patronage for the first few months. It was started as a five-column folio, by Charlie Gay, as publisher and pro- prietor, and though it has had several changes in size, it has been essenti- ally under the same management for the nearly twenty-two years it has thus far been pub-
ished. Established when Big Rapids (or Leonard) had less than 150 inhabitants, and Mecosta County little over 1,000 inhabitants, and always devoted to both town and county, even its enemies admit that it has materially aided in the development and progress of this section of the State of Michigan. Politically it has been uniformly an exponent of Republican principles, which, when the paper was started, were synonymous with support of the Union. The following salutatory gives the platform of the paper, and also shows to some extent the feeling generally prevailing among the people :
"In presenting our little sheet to the public for their criticism, we shall offer no apology for its di- minutive proportions or for the matter contained therein, but bespeak for the Pioneer a candid and
MECOSTA COUNTY.
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1
impartial reading. It will be the aim of this paper to advance the interests of Mecosta County, not for- getting in the meantime the interests of the pro- prietor.
" As to politics, we shall discuss them as little as possible, believing as we do, that at the present time, when our country is shaken to its center by the most causeless revolt that has ever happened in the history of nations, as the lamented Douglas said, " every man is a PATRIOT OR A TRAITOR."
" We shall not stop to discuss party issues, nor party measures, but stand on the broad platform of American liberty ; determined to know no party preferences aside from the one great and glorious sentiment, "the UNION, the CONSTITUTION and en- forcement of the LAWS."
" When this unholy rebellion shall have been crushed, and its guilty leaders have suffered a just penalty for their damning treason ; when the glorious old Stars and Stripes shall wave again in triumph over the whole of our reconstructed Union, and peace again smiles upon us, then we shall find time to talk of party politics-not till then. We shall heartily support the National administration as long as its policy is the utter subjugation, and annihilation if need be, of traitors to our flag ; not believing it to be the duty of the Government to treat with treason, nor to be influenced by any excuses which may be made for the rebellion, by Southern rebels or North- ern traitors.
"We have always been a Republican since the first organization of the party ; but we now stand on the great Union platform, with the President, all Union Republicans and patriotic men who have formerly been identified with the Democratic party, as Edwin M. Stanton, Joseph Holt, Andy Johnson and hosts of others who love their country more than the notoriety of being party leaders, or the re- cipient of party favor. We shall claim the right of expressing our views through the columns of the Pioneer on any and all subjects, as our motto will be "INDEPENDENT IN ALL THINGS, NEUTRAL IN NOTH- ING; "and we may say some things that will be dis- tasteful to our readers; therefore we will here ask their pardon in advance, as we can do so with much better grace than after the offense is committed. It will not be our policy to criticise the actions of our leading statesmen, nor the behavior of our Generals;
neither to advise the President when it is best to order the advance of our "Grand Army, " believing as we do that those whom we as a nation have en- trusted with the management of the civil and mili- tary affairs of the country, are quite as competent to judge of what is best and necessary in the matter as we are, pioneers in a Michigan wilderness neither shall we be so very severe in our reviews of the leading journals of the Union as some of the country papers sometimes are, thinking that perhaps their editors are as competent and do as well as we would under like circumstances. And finally, we shall attempt to mind our own business, work for the success of the Pioneer, and strive to render it worthy of the confidence and support of the people of Me- osta County and the respect of our contemporaries."
C. C. Fuller was associated with the Pioneer in an editorial capacity from the beginning for several years, but for the first three years it was owned exclusively by Mr. Gay. Dec. 2, 1865, with the beginning of the fourth volume, appeared the announcement that Orrin T. Fuller had been received as a partner. The paper was then published by Charlie Gay & Co. un- til May, 1873, and then Mr. Gay was alone until November, 1876, when the Magnet was combined with the Pioneer, and the Pioneer-Magnet Printing Company was formed, consisting of Charlie Gay, M. W. Barrows, and E. O. Rose. In February, 1882. Mr. Barrows purchased Mr. Rose's interest. Since Mr. Barrow's death in February, 1883, Mr. Gay has been once more sole manager, although Mrs. Bar- rows still retains an interest in the paper. Besides these changes in ownership, the paper has experi- enced several changes in size. For the first five years it was published as a five-column folio. From 1867 to 1870 it was a seven-column folio. From 1870 to 1874. a nine-column folio; and in the latter year it was enlarged again to a seven-column quarto. On this occasion its name was changed to the "Big Rapids Pioneer.
Nov. 16, 1876, appeared the first number of the Pioneer-Magnet, the editors of the two papers having concluded to join forces. The following announce- ment explained this change :
We greet our patrons and friends to-day with the Pioneer-Magnet, a consolidation of the Big Rapids Magnet and the Big Rapids Pioneer. We have merged the material and business of the two offices into one, and have organized a stock
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
association under the laws of this State, which is to be known as "The Pioneer-Magnet Printing Com- pany." This change has been adopted after mature deliberation, with the belief that it will enable us to more effectually promote our own and the public interests.
The Pioneer-Magnet will be, as its predecessors have ever been, the champion of all the material in- terests and varied resources of Mecosta County. No effort will be spared to make it a welcome visitor to every family, and a source of profit to all business men whose patronage it may enjoy. In politics it will be Republican to the core. It must not be understood from this, however, that it is blindly pledged to sanction every measure and act of the party, or of its individual members, for deserving criticism will never be withheld.
The patronage and friendship which our respective papers have enjoyed in the past are duly appreciated, and we venture the hope that the business relations between our new company and the public may be pleasant and mutually profitable. With the increased facilities afforded by uniting the material and machinery of two well equipped printing-offices, and the employment of thoroughly competent workmen, we flatter ourselves that the " Pioneer-Magnet Com- pany " has no superior in the printing business in Western Michigan.
E. O. ROSE. CHARLIE GAY. M. W. BARROWS.
The daily issue was started Aug. 1, 1881, in size a five-column folio. The following salutatory greeted the public at this time :
In commencing the publication of the daily l'io- neer-Magnet, we have but little to say. Believing that a readable newspaper, containing the latest tele- graphic, general and local news, will be supported by the people of Big Rapids and vicinity, we undertake to furnish such a paper. A liberal outlay of money for telegraphic news and help will be made, and an earnest effort put forth to make the daily Pioneer- Magnet worthy of the patronage it seeks. It will contain the regular afternoon press dispatches, which cost quite a sum of money, and no efforts will be spared to make its local news department perfect and complete. Whenever warranted by the demands of patronage, its present modest proportions will be enlarged, and all improvements necessary to keep pace with the times will be made. Trusting that our efforts will be appreciated, and supported by an intel- ligent public, the daily Pioneer-Magnet is launched upon the sea of journalism.
April 24, 1882, the name was changed to the Pio- neer, and the size made six columns.
The Big Rapids Magnet was established under the
name of the Big Rapids Independent, in 1870, the first number appearing June 21. E. O. Rose was editor and proprietor. It was started as a four-page, 32-column paper, very neat in appearance, and mani- festing much ability. The following extracts are taken from the salutatory :
This is an humble and perhaps difficult undertak- ing, prompted by neither desire nor ambition to con- trol in political or societary matters, but to be a chronicler of local and general news, which we pro- pose making a specialty, and in which we shall endeavor not to be excelled,-in other words, we shall publish a news paper. We do not mean by this, however, that upon all political and social sub- jects we shall be silent, for we shall fearlessly express our opinions and convictions upon any and all matters in which we happen to become interested, and condemn wrong whenever and wherever we find it.
In our political ideas we shall be governed by no man nor set of men, and our platform will be INDE- PENDENCE IN EVERYTHING, NEUTRALITY IN NOTHING.
In National and State politics we shall, from a life-long preference for the great and undying princi- ples of the Republican party, support the nominees of that party; but in local politics, where we have the advantage of a personal acquaintance with the individuals craving the support of the people, we re- spectfully reserve the right to determine for ourselves which is the most deserving of it, believing as we do that in all local and petty offices, integrity, compe- tency and fitness should have more to do with the selection than party lines.
Promises are among the cheapest commodities, and sometimes, at the commencement of such an enter- prise, more are made than are afterward fulfilled ; but not being given to a profusion of them, and pre- ferring to be judged by our deeds rather than words, we simply announce that we shall publish just as good a paper as is possible with our limited facilities, and as the support we receive will warrant, and that it will be our special aim to make the INDEPENDENT interesting and profitable, not only to the inhabitants of the city of Big Rapids and Mecosta County, but of the whole Muskegon Valley.
With the beginning of the year 1871, J. O. Rose became a partner, and the paper was published by J. O. and E. O. Rose, the latter, however, continu- ing to manage the paper personally. At the begin- ning of its fifth volume, June 18, 1874, the Magnet (the name for which the Independent had been ex- changed) was enlarged to a six-column quarto. The connection of J. O. Rose ceased the last of October, 1874, and the paper was then published and edited
611
MECOSTA COUNTY.
by E. O. Rose alone until it was united with the Pioneer, in November, 1876.
Big Rapids Regulator.
CEPT. 1, 18So, the paper bearing this name was established, and published with more or less regularity for about two years, by David Drake Cooper, of Big Rapids. He claims to have had a circulation of 1,200 at one time; and at the present writing promises that the paper will soon be revived.
Big Rapids Current.
LIVELY paper by the above name, and the youngest of the three at Big Rapids, is published Wednesdays, by V. W. Bruce. It was started early in 1879, by Mr. Bruce and W. F. Slawson, the first number appearing February 6. The following is extracted from the salutatory :
In the ages long ago, before Big Rapids had a name or even a being, the powerful current which now flows through our beautiful city started on its course from the highlands of Michigan, around Houghton Lake, and ever onward has been its flow, scattering blessings without number to all the inhab- itants of the Muskegon Valley.
To-day another Current starts on its course to ac- complish a similar purpose; and it is the earnest hope of the publishers that it may as honorably ful- fili its mission. We do not come basing our hopes of success upon the downfall of others ; for did we not believe that there is room for another paper in Mecosta County, among its thousands of inhabitants, we should not come.
We shall make the collection of local and county news a specialty, and will be grateful for any such items furnished, whether we deem it best to use them or not. Party politics and its rewards shall not be our gliding star, although, being Republicans, we shall stand by our principles as individuals ; but our paper will be independent (not neutral) on all political matters. Temperance being the great question of the day, our Current will gladly bear on the temper- ance standard worthy men and measures, without exception, who may confidently look for our encour- agement and support, but no others need apply. To build up and strengthen the community in every way
possible will be our constant aim, and every enter- prise bearing this, or the development of the city and county, in view, may draw on us as the soil upon that other current.
The Current was started as a seven-column folio, and enlarged to a quarto July 20, 1881. Mr. Slaw- son retired in November, 1879, and Mr. Bruce is now sole proprietor.
Big Rapids Herald.
URING the spring of 1876 this paper was started by O. D. Glidden, and the first number appeared May 24. In size, it was a six-column quarto; and in politics, a sup- porter of the Democratic party, as will be seen by the following, extracted from the salutatory :
We come before our readers with this new candi- date for public favor, with the belief that it will fill a want heretofore felt in this part of the State for a paper Democratie in principles, and devoted to the interests of the people of northern and central Michigan. We shall endeavor to make the Herald a paper not alone for Big Rapids and Mecosta County, but for the people of this part of the State. Politically, the Herald will be on the side of De- mocracy and reform, believing that the Republican party is responsible for the reckless extravagance and corruption in government.
We believe the only way by which the great prob- lem of economy and purity of government can be solved and the issues of to-day met in the interest of the people, is in the complete overthrow of that party and the success of the Democracy, committed as it is, to economy and reform. And we invite the co operation of the Democrats and reformers of Northern Michigan, that we may, together, do our full share towards such a success. We will cheer- fully give space in our columns for the discussion of these and all other questions of general interest to the people. While the Herald will occupy no equiv- ocal position politically, we shall endeavor to make it eminently a home paper,-such a paper that every man in Northern Michigan will find it profitable and interesting to read ; and that it shall be a welcome visitor in every home.
In 1878 the paper was sold to a stock company. and publshed for a few months in the interest of the Greenback party, under the name of the Greenback Herald. B. Il. Howig then became editor, and after a few months Mr. Glidden again became connected
612
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
with the paper, which was for two years published under the firm name of Glidden & Howig. Then came another change, Mr. Howig leasing the paper for a year of Mr. Glidden. April 1, 1882, the office was sold to William P. Nisbett, the present proprietor and editor. It is now a six-column, eight-page paper, 30 x 44.
Daily Morning Enterprise.
URING the spring of 1881 this short- lived paper was started at Big Rapids, by W. S. Stevens, who came for this purpose from Newaygo County. Soon after this, he formed a partnership with Wesley Griffith, of Greenville. It was independent in politics, and in size a four-column folio, afterwards enlarged to a five-column folio. Its office was just north of McLellan's shoe store. After a struggling existence of three or four months, the material was sold to Muskegon parties, and the paper discontinued.
Mecosta Advance.
N April, 1881, this paper was started by T. W. Harrison, formerly of Edmore, where he had been engaged in journalistic work. Sept. 1, 1882, he sold out to the present propri- etor, H. M. Trussell, of Pittsburg, Pa., where he was connected with the Daily Chronicle. It was started as a seven-column folio, but with the beginning of the second volume it was enlarged to a five-column quarto. It is published every Friday. Politically it is independent. The Advance is an ex- cellent local newspaper, and has good correspond ents in all parts of the county. The Morley Advance is published also by Mr. Trussell, and is of the same size and appearance as the Mecosta issue. The first number appeared April 13, 1883. H. O. Lake is the Morley editor.
>LUMBERING INTEREST.
ECOSTA County is so situated on the border of a great tim- ber country, and yet at con- venient distances from good markets and great distribu- ting points, and contains within its borders pine forests so valuable, that it is to be expected that the lumbering industry be of the greatest importance. The lumber of Michigan is known all the world over for its quality; and as to quantity, it is sufficient to be a source of employment and wealth for de- cades to come. Even before the first settlement of Mecosta County, its territory had been crossed by many . adventurous
lumbermen. The " Big Rapids " were known among the lumbermen long before the site of the present city ceased to be the property of the United States Government. The Muskegon river was recognized as an extremely convenient means of transporting logs from the interior of the State.
The lumbermen leave no record of their work, and no trace other than pine stumps of their visit ; hence it is impossible to give any extended account of early operations. Glancing through the columns of the Pioneer, one sees here and there an item which indicates the magnitude to which the business had reached in an early day. In the issue of April 29, 1864, appeared the following item :
"The 'Big Drive' is now passing our village, and in a few days will be over the rapids, as the water is at a good stage, and some thirty men, we believe, are
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
helping the logs over the rough places. About 100,- 000,000 feet of logs have been put in the past winter on the Muskegon and its tributaries."
Again, June 9, 1866: " Commodore l'ingree, of Muskegon, widely known as the oklest navigator of the Muskegon river, has just made an entirely suc- cessful experiment in getting the ' Big Drive ' over the rapids at this place. The logs were piled two or three deep for about two miles, and about half a mile on the flat the logs were on dry land, the water hav- ing gone down and left them there. The getting them off seemed almost an impossibility, but the Commodore got them all afloat by filling the channel below with logs, and raising the water over three feet, thus producing slack water for nearly half a mile. The logs are now being floated off rapidly, and new 'jams' are made farther down, as necessity requires. He says he will run the logs to the mouth, unless the river dries up entirely ; and from the manner he is operating here, and the kind of men he has to help him, we have no doubt of his success. "
Again, April 30, 1868: "Commodore Pingree® passed over the rapids here on Sunday last with the 'Big Drive,' consisting of about 60,000,000 feet of logs. The drive is considerably ahead of time this year, and must reach its destination several weeks in advance of former years." And so every year whole forests are floated down the Muskegon, yield- ing wealth and employment to thousands.
LIFE IN A LUMBER CAMP.
Real life in a lumber camp is so unique that a brief account of a visit to such a place may not be out of place. Every one who can do so should visit a camp, and see how the work of cutting and putting in logs is conducted. That is one thing that should be seen before wandering in foreign lands to feast one's eyes on strange and wondrous things, for no- where abroad will he find what we have near home.
The camp visited we found under the immediate supervision and management of two gentlemen, who had the contract for cutting and putting into the river the timber from 240 acres of land. The camp was in the midst of the forest, and consisted of six buildings, situated conveniently near together, and of sufficient capacity to accommodate seventy men, twenty pairs of horses and seven pairs of oven. The
first is the " cook shanty," 20 x 52 feet in size, and one-story high, which serves for a kitchen and dining- room for the entire crew. The work of this depart- ment is performed by four girls and a chore boy, the latter bringing wood and water and making himself useful in a thousand ways. Two long tables, covered with enamel cloth, enable forty-two men to take their meals at once. Two large cooking-stoves are kept constantly in use ; and when told the amount of pro- visions consumed per day or week, the query natur- ally arises how so few hands can prepare such a quantity of food with only two stoves. Work in the woods creates an appetite like a furnace, and provis- ions disappear before a crew of seventy men like dry leaves in a whirlwind. The bill of fare consists of potatoes, beans, pork, bread and molasses, and other substantial food, one meal seldom varying materially from another, with strong tea three times a day. A full force of men consume each week about five bar- rels of flour, five barrels of pork, from fifteen to twenty bushels of potatoes, and other things in like proportion.
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