USA > Michigan > Mecosta County > Portrait and biographical album, Mecosta county, Mich., containing portraits and biographical sketches > Part 72
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This election came off duly on the 19th of April, and resulted as follows :
Mayor .- George F. Stearns.
Recorder .- Charlie Gay.
Supervisor .- William Van Loo.
Treasurer .- W. Irving Latimer.
School Inspectors .- S. S. Wilcox (one year) and R. D. Pierson (two years).
Aldermen .- First Ward, Daniel Stearns and Thomas D. Stinson; Second Ward, Morgan L. Palmer and John F. Brown; Third Ward, Jacob O. Rose and A. Frank Markham; Fourth Ward, Ceylon C. Fuller and Alfred L. Clark,
Justices .- First Ward, Charlie Gay ; Second Ward, Erastus Fisher ; Third Ward, Everett Douglass ; Fourth Ward, Elijah F. Dewey.
Constables .-- First Ward, Edgar W. Ford ; Second Ward, Robert A. Griffin ; Third Ward, George W. Bevington ; Fourth Ward, George W. Jones.
Lewis H. Green was appointed City Marshal, E. O. Rose, City Attorney, and B. E. Hutchinson, Street Commissioner.
The first meeting of the City Council was held April 22, and the governmental machinery was set in full motion. The bond of the Marshal was fixed at $1,000; of the 'Treasurer at $5,000; and of the Street Commissioner at $1,000. At subsequent
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meetings the most important of the city ordinances were adopted, providing for licenses, nuisances, im- provements, etc.
In the fall of 1870, the city was cheered by the arrival of the first trains on the Grand Rapids & Indiana railroad, a full account of which is given elsewhere, under the head of " Railroads. " From this time population increased still more rapidly, and many disadvantages in the way of improvement removed.
It is a melancholy truth that from the date of the first entries of city lands, down to as late a period as 1872, factional interest and jealousy, and sectional feeling and rivalry, were almost continuous, and silently if not openly expressed, to the serious detri- ment of the city, turning away valuable accessions of both people and capital. But time, the great leveler of all distinctions, with the aid and advice of those who took up a residence at a later day, again pro- duced a unity of feeling, and to-day we are pleased to record that all is now changed, and an era of progress and prosperity has dawned upon the city which all sincerely hope nothing can ever impair or obstruct.
Big Rapids has been a sufferer from fire at various times, some of which deserve mention. The first fire of any consequence in the place was the de- struction of a large quantity of lumber belonging to Warren & Ives in the year 1860. The next was French's Hotel, in the north part of the city, occupy- ing the ground where the Waldon House has since been erected, and which was destroyed by fire Jan. 29, 1863.
Probably the most disastrous fire that has ever oc- curred in its effects upon the growth of the city, was that known as the " great fire," April 26, 1869, when every building on the west side of Michigan avenue, between Elm street and the Mason House on the corner of Maple, was totally destroyed. The fire originated in Ford & Bailey's meat-market, next door north of the large hardware and grocery store of Crawford & Green, at about eleven o'clock, p. m., and in two hours the whole range, consisting of ten buildings, was laid in ashes. The loss was variously estimated at from $20,000 to $50,000. No water supply or engines for extinguishing fires were here at that time, and common pails or buckets were the only appliances afforded. Lines of men were formed
to supply water with buckets from wells in the vicinity, and even from the river, but without avail, The Mason House, on the northeast corner of the block, was only saved by tearing down a small build- ing belonging to Harwood & Olds, and then hanging carpets and bed-clothes from the roof and windows, and keeping them saturated with water. Nothing was insured except the Mason House.
Another disastrous fire occurred on Sunday morning. July 12, 1874, which destroyed nearly every building on the east side of Michigan avenue from the old Pacific House on Maple street to Shafer's block on Elm. Comparatively little property was saved at this fire, and only partial insurance covered the losses. The great destruction at that time is said to be due to defective linen hose, and not to a want of water.
The Shafer Block, a large three-story brick ve- neered structure, on the northeast corner of Michi- gan avenue and Elm street, was burned Nov. 9, 1874, and proved a very severe loss, not only to the owner but to the city in general.
The last extensive fire occurred Oct. 19, 1879, when the new Mason House Block, and all the bus- iness houses south of it on the west side of Michigan avenue, to the brick block now occupied by A. S. Hobart & Co., were totally destroyed. All buildings on the east side of this block were more or less dam- aged by the intense heat. In fact, the fire extended around and over the Hobart store, and did consider. able damage beyond. All these disasters combined contributed in no small degree to retard the growth of the town. Many men lost all they possessed, and, becoming disheartened, removed to other places, while those who remained were many of them com- pelled to begin life anew.
The last calamity, and one that threatened to be one of the most destructive to the city, occurred April 29, 1881. The snow and ice from the country and lakes above melted with such rapidity that the Muske- gon River was swollen to an immense height, and a jam of logs completely filling the river from bank to bank, and in many places piled several feet above the water, extending from this city to about six miles above, commenced to move with the current. The booms and cribs gave way before the moving mass ; the top of the Tioga dam and the bridge just below were swept off, and for a time all the mills and man- ufactories at this point were in imminent danger of
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serious damage, or of being carried off altogether. Maple Street bridge, although severely tried, with- stood the terrible ordeal, to the delight and satisfac- tion of the hundreds of people who had gathered upon the banks to witness the grand but destructive sight. The lower dam was partially carried away, and required an outlay of some thousands of dollars to repair it. The entire damage to the city from this flood is estimated at from $25,000 to $30,000. Re- pairs were immediately commenced, and soon the booms, piers, dams and bridges were in a more sub- stantial condition and better fitted to battle with the elements than ever before.
Soon after Big Rapids became a city, the question of water supply for fire protection and for private use became a general topic with the citizens. At a meeting of the Common Council, April 11, 1871, Alderman William Van Loo offered the first reso- lution, " That a committee be appointed to ascertain the expense of supplying the city with the Holly water-works." This resolution, with its amendment by Alderman Jacob O. Rose, "To investigate the cost of the works by both steam and water power," was adopted, and the committee appointed. A majority of the council approved of the main resolutions, and went steadily on with their work and what they con- ceived to be their duty, despite the criminations and recriminations of the people, and the various peti- tions pro and con which were presented, and always respectfully discussed and considered. Its first pro- posed cost was increased through unforeseen causes incident to all enterprises, and ultimately amount- ed to perhaps $70,000.
The amount expended in the fall of 1871 was $30,271.40, of which $10,000 went to the Holly Com- pany for machinery, and $11,192.93 to H. Phelps for pipe, and for laying same. The following spring, by a vote of 215 to 123, the citizens decided to raise a further loan of $15,000 towards completing the works. Then, at different times since, various other amounts have been expended, though it has un- doubtedly been a good investment.
The fire department of Big Rapids was organized in March, 1871. The first officers were : J. M. Cook, Chief Engineer; E. O. Rose, First Assistant; C. D. Crandell, Second Assistant. In May of the same year, Hook and Ladder Company No. 1, was organ- iznd, which at that time constituted the entire
department. Its officers were : Charlie Gay, Fore- man; William H. Bennett, First Assistant; O. T. Ful- ler, Second Assistant; J. Frank Clark, Secretary ; S. D. Thompson, Treasurer. Several hose companies have since been organized and thoroughly equipped.
The "Young Alerts," of Big Rapids, have the champion belt for hose companies in Michigan, won at the State tournaments of 1882 and 1883. The former tournament was held at Charlotte, in August. The hose companies entered were the Protections, of Ann Arbor; Protections, of Muskegon ; Cadillacs, of Cadillac ; Hillsdales, of Hillsdale; Unions, of Battle Creek; and the Young Alerts, of Big Rapids. The Protections, of Ann Arbor, Protections, of Muskegon, and Hillsdales, of Hillsdale, were given no time, on account of imperfect couplings. Cadillac Hose made the run to the hydrant in 27 seconds, but owing to an imperfection in their hose they were unable to make any coupling, and were given no time. The Unions, of Battle Creek, made a handsome run in 411/2 seconds; hydrant time, 261/2. The last to run were the Young Alerts, who made the run in 41 14 seconds; hydrant run in 2614, winning by one- fourth of a second. They brought home a prize of $125, and the champion belt.
At the State tournament of 1883, held at Marshall, Aug. 15 and 16, the Young Alerts again won the first prize of $125, and the champion belt, making the run in the unprecedented time of 3914 seconds. The competing companies were from Albion, Hillsdale, Battle Creek, St. Johns and Hastings.
The team composing the Young Alerts this year were Robert McGregor, Foreman ; David Aitken, Fred Wakefield, Fred Gay, Dan McDonald, Herbert Priest, Alexander McGregor, Ferber Black, Charles Van Alstine, John Hagadone, Winifred Case, John Aitken, Will Lincoln, James Vallies, Burdette Cran- dell, Walter Gaunt, Robert Moon, Stowell Crandell and Ed. Hagadone.
SCHOOLS.
MODEL of beauty, size and convenience is the central school-house, and when the new First-Ward school building is completed the city will have ample school accommoda- tions for years to come. The school census taken in 1883 shows the number of persons in the
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district between 5 and 20 years of age to be 1,317, an increase over 1882 of 178. This increase has necessitated the employment of three additional teachers, besides one for an ungraded school.
The following is the full corps of instructors for the year 1883-4, with the salaries paid :
J. S. Crombie, Superintendent . $1,650
Anna Pease, Preceptress .. 700
Prill V. Boyce, Assistant High School. 475
G. L. Bingham, Grammar. 450
Fannie Forrester, Grammar 400
Flora A. Lincoln 400
M. D. Chittenden 350
C. E. Hulsart. 350
Nettie Peters
350
Lottie C. Price 350
Allie Hay 350
Etta Smart. 340
Maggie Switzer 330
Marion Palmer 330
Ilattie Place 330
Alverta Lamb
330
Total. $8,200
The bonded indebtedness of the district is $7,000, of which $4,000 is to be paid Feb 1, 1884, and $3,000 Feb. 1, 1885. The value of the school prop- erty in the district is estimated at $35,494 ; number of pupils that can be seated in the various buildings, 1,050 ; number of pupils enrolled in 1882-3, 1,166.
Following is a synopsis of the annual report of the Board of Education for the school year ending Sept. 3, 1883, and the estimates of receipts and expendi- tures for the year commencing Sept. 3, 1883 :
RECEIPTS.
Cash in treasury as per last report . $2,901 13 Receipts during year . 15,623 22
Total general fund. 18,524 35
Balance in building fund, Sept. 4, '82 650 95
Receipts during year. 5,642 35
Total building fund. 6,293 30
Balance in library fund, Sept. 4, '82
405 34
Receipts during year. 368 43
Total library fund . 773 77
Total receipts for the year . 25,591 42
EXPENDITURES OF THE YEAR.
General fund-teachers' salaries, etc. . . . $15,691 30
Building fund-wood house, walks, etc. .. 4,293 30 Library fund- new books, printing, etc . 393
SUMMARY.
Total general fund
18,524 35
Orders paid
15,691 30
Balance.
2,833 º5
Total building fund. 6,293 30
Orders paid .
4,293 30
Balance.
2,000 00
Total library fund
773 77
Orders paid .
393 41
Balance
380 36
Total amount in treasury to date
5,213 61
ESTIMATES FOR COMING YEAR.
Estimate of expenditure for coming year . $16,370 4+ Amount on hand, general fund . 2,833 25
One-mill tax .. 1,500 00
Primary school fund. 1,000 00
Total resources
5,333 25
Recommended to raise by tax
14,500 00
Total
19,833 25
Estimated expenditures
16,370 44
Balance 3.462 81
3- -
BUSINESS.
HE pioneers who first visited the ground on which the city now stands, saw in the " big rapids " of the Muskegon River a mighty power that would some day be the means of establishing a manufacturing city. Nature seems to have so designed it. A river whose constant flow of water is seldom materially affectd by the snows and rains of winter, or the extreme drouth of summer, with a fall greater than any other stream in the State, seems to invite the manufacturer to this spot. In the early history of the city the lumber interest was the one looked after; but as the imber in the vicinity was removed, other industries
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
took its place, and now, although it is still head- quarters for a large extent of the lumber manufac- turing district, is not dependent upon that alone for its existence. The natural and abundant facilities for manufacturing has drawn men and capital, and every year it is increasing; and it is confidently pre- dicted that the time is not far distant when Big Rapids will be second to none in the State as a manu- facturing center. Its immense water power, the ex- cellent farming lands around the city, timber for manufacturing purposes, and many other things, seem to verify the prediction.
The city has three large lumber mills, two flouring mills, two shingle mills, five large establishments for the manufacture of sash, doors and blinds, two foundries and machine shops, in which are made anything from a rivet to a steam engine, one large furniture factory, one large and several small wagon factories, one match factory, one picture-backing fac- tory, besides several smaller manufactories of differ- ent kinds. The last mentioned-the picture backing factory of James G. McElwee-is worthy of special mention, as it is the largest of the kind in the world. The products of this mill are shipped to all parts of the United States.
TIOGA MANUFACTURING COMPANY.
This company has been one of the principal in- struments in building up Big Rapids and its manu- facturing interests. It was incorporated Nov. 17, 1870, by John F. Brown, Thomas C. Platt (Owego, N. Y.), Marcus E. Brown (Hornellsville, N. Y.), Byron M. Hanks (Rochester, N. Y.), and Joseph O. Hudnutt, for the purpose of operating in lumber, lath, shingles, etc., and also flour and feed. The capital stock was $500,000, in 20,000 shares of $25 each. Of this stock, $400,000 were actually paid in at the start, the 4.000 shares representing the other $100,000 being held by the Directors for sale. Of the 16,000 shares held by the incorporators, 4,694 were held by John F. Brown; 4,693 by Thomas C. Platt; 4,693 by Marcus E. Brown ; 960 by Byron M. Hanks, and 960 by Joseph O. Hudnutt. John F. Brown, of Rig Rapids, was Managing Director until his death, in 1880. The company built and ran a steam-pomer saw-mill, a water-power saw-mill and a flouring mill. They also held interests in the North- ern National Bank, and many other prominent enter- prises in Big Rapids and vicinity.
BUSINESS MEN'S ASSOCIATION.
A move in the right direction has recently been made by the principal citizens of Big Rapids. At a meet- ing held Oct. 26, 1883, they organized themselves into the " Business Men's Association," the object of which is to induce capitalists to invest in Big Rapids, in manufacturing, etc. They have raised a fund of $1,000 to defray the expenses of the organization. The following are the officers: M. P. Gale, Presi- dent; F. Fairman, G. F. Stearns, W. S. Gray, George A. Roof, C. M. Darrah, S. S. Wilcox and J. McCor- mick, Vice-Presidents ; William P. Nisbett, Secretary ; W. W. Smith, Treasurer; S. H. Gray, J. M. Crocker, D. F. Glidden, S. L. Newton, E. G. Haney, M. M. Cole and J. T. Escott, Executive Committee.
TELEPHONE.
A telephone company was formed in 1881, con- sisting of M. P. Gale, Hudnutt Bros. and others, which was in October' of 1881 bought out by the present Telephone and Telegraph Construction Com- pany. Its office is in the Furniture Block, and H. D. Reid is General Manager. The main office is in Detroit. The Big Rapids system now has 85 wires.
NORTHERN HOTEL.
'The hotel called the "The Northern, " Sid. H. Roosevelt, proprietor, is justly conceded to be one of the finest hotels in Northern Michigan, and has added much to the fair name of Big Rapids. The building was erected in 1881. It faces the south, and is 300 feet in length, extending from State street to the alley west of the Northern National Bank. It contains, first, one large store, 40 x 100 feet, directly west of the alley. Next come three rooms, 18 x 40, for offices or small stores. Then come the barber shop, reading-room, and other small apartments con- nected with the hotel. The hotel office, forty feet wide and fifty feet deep, occupies the center of the block. Directly in the rear of it is the dining-room 40 x 60, and in the rear of that the kitchen, 30 x 40. Next come five rooms, 18 x 40, and two, 18 x 44, for offices and small stores.
'The upper story is all used as a part of the hotel. It is divided into sixty-eight parlors and sleeping rooms, the largest being 18 x 18, and the smallest 10 X 14, and all but four have outside windows. A hall extends through the entire block, and outside stair- ways at the northern and western extremities render
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escape easy in case of fire. Abundant sewerage is fur- nished, the site being upon the slope facing Mitchell Creek. The entire block is lighted by gas and heated by steam, the furnace and boilers being located in the basement directly under the dining room, with a laundry under the kitchen.
The "Northern," under the management of Mr. Roosevelt, and favored with the services of so effi- cient and genial a clerk as Charles l' Miller, is a credit to Big Rapids.
MERCY HOSPITAL.
Mercy Hospital, at Big Rapids, was established by the Sisters of Mercy of Grand Rapids at the in- stigation of Father Herbstrit, a Roman Catholic priest stationed here. The institution was an urgent necessity from the number of accidents in the lum- ber woods. The sisterhood purchased 40 acres of land and proceeded to erect a building which cost $7,000. It was begun Feb. 5, 1879, and before the close of the year its list of entries included 200 names. The aggregate number for the years 1880- 81-'82, were respectively 500, 900, and 800. Up tò date of . writing (Oct. 24, 1883), the number of patients who have received treatment the current year is 743. There are now 60 patients in the vari- ous wards. The death rate has thus far been the lowest of any hospital on record, being but 316 per cent.
In December, 1882, the building was consumed by fire, and a temporary structure has been erected to serve the demand until the new one now in progress is completed. It will cost $24,000 besides the ad- dition which is contemplated, and will require an ad- ditional expenditure of about $13,000.
The Sisters discharge all the required labors of the establishment. Five or six are at all times in attend- ance, and the hospital is sustaired by the contribu- tions or sale of tickets among the lumbermen which ate solicited by agents in the employ of the Sisters. Each ticket costs $5, and entitles the holder to the benefits of the hospital in case of sickness or acci- dent. Patients suffering with any disease except those of an infectious nature are admitted. The beneficiaries of the institution express their satisfac- tion with the care and attention they receive, and re- gard the gentle women who strive to alleviate their sufferings with grateful affection. The drugs required
are kept in stock and the medicines compounded at the hospital.
Drs. Burkart and Groner are the present medical advisers, and their services are gratuitous. They visit their charges on alternate days and treat some remarkable cases, and perform rare and difficult sur- gical operations. Among the most recent was the am- putation of the tongue of James McGill, July 20, 1883. 'The disease was cancer of the tongue, and the operation was performed by the regular attending physicians. On the third day of August they per- formed the rarely successful operation of stretching the sciatic nerve, with the best results. Dr. W. A. Hendryx was attendant physician and surgeon about two years.
BANK ROBBERY.
ROBBERY was committed at the Ex- ¿ change Bank of Big Rapids, between Sun- day evening, Nov. 30, and Monday morning, Dec. 1, 1873, of 82,868.42 in checks and notes. Upon attempting to open up for busi- ness Monday morning, at the usual hour, the inner door of the vault could not be unlocked. All efforts to open it being unsuccessful, an opening was made in the back or west wall of the vault> through which an entrance was obtained. An ex- amination of the door disclosed the fact that the slid- ing bars or bolts were securely held in place by a prop-a piece of two-by-four scantling, about two feet in length, so placed as to effectually prevent their being moved by the key. Further examination also disclosed the fact that a long framework of shelves for the reception of books, standing against the south wall, had been shoved away from the wall, and that there was a hole in the cement floor in the southwest corner, sufficiently large to admit the body of a man. The safe was found unlocked, its valuable contents gone, and the unpleasant conviction that the bank had been robbed was forced upon the minds of every one present.
A thorough examination of the premises being made, it was ascertained that the burglar entered beneath the sill at the southwest corner of the build- ing, and tunneled his way to the base of the vault, a
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MECOSTA COUNTY.
distance of about 15 feet, and then by making an ex- cavation in the masonry or stone work of the vault, he was enabled to effect an entrance up through the cement floor.
The trench was large enough for a man to crawl from end to end without difficulty, and near the vault the excavation was large enough for a man to sit up- right, with plenty of room for work. The earth and stones which had been removed from the excavation were packed away on either side, filling the space between the joists clear up to the floor. There were found in the tunnel two pairs of heavy double blankets, two straps (which had evidently been used to fasten the blankets into a compact bundle while they were being taken in there), an old summer coat, a gunny sack, and a quantity of crackers, all which would indicate that the burglar had burrowed beneath the floor for some time; in fact, the amount of work done, considering the cramped position of the opera- tor, and the caution with which it had to be con- ducted, must have occupied several days and nights. The only things in the shape of tools found in the excavation were a small screw-driver without a han- dle, and a piece of cross-cut saw plate, about five inches square.
One rather singular coincidence, and perhaps a very fortunate circumstance for the robber, was the fact that the safe within the vault had been left open, and after having gained an entrance he had nothing to do but appropriate its contents and make his exit.
The reason of the safe being unlocked, Gen. Bron- son, President of the bank, explained as follows: On Sunday forenoon, having occasion to examine some papers that were kept in the safe, and not under- standing the combination upon which it was locked, or how to unlock it, he got Mr. F. D. Brown, who was at one time cashier of the bank, to go and unlock it for him. Having taken out the documents he de- sired, Mr. Brown closed the safe door and inquired if he should lock it. He (Gen. Bronson) replied that he might wish to inspect other papers not yet taken out, and Mr. Brown thereupon left the bank. After concluding the inspection of the documents he went there to examine, he returned them to their place, closed the door, and took hold of the knob for the purpose of locking it; but it occurring to him that he might turn it the wrong way, and thus derange the
combination or get the lock out of order, and believ- ing everything to be secure within the vault, he left the safe unlocked.
Two young men, Charles Stickney and Charles Milner, who slept in the back room of the bank, their bed being not more than three or four feet from the hole made in the vault, stated that they heard no noise or disturbance whatever during the night. Young Stickney stated, however, that for several days before he had occasionally heard a scratching noise beneath the floor, but supposing it to be caused by rats or mice, he paid no attention to it.
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