Alpena County, Michigan - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 4 of those read), 1903 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter with an unread heading (no. 4 of those read)

The "Jay House," built in the fall of 1844, as mentionod in Chapter I, was built near the corner of River and First streets. In the fall of 184G, a party of four families of French halfbreeds, came from Mackinaw to the mouth of Thunder Bay river, for the purpose of hunting and trapping. They occupied the "Jay House," and built two others. Of course, they could not be called settlers, for they came there only to spend tinwinter, and went away again in the spring. "Walter Scott came to Thunder Bay river in 1851, for the purpose of fishing and tradincr with the Indians. He moved awav in 18o7, and so did uot become a settler. The first settler that came to Fremont, was Daniel Carter, who moved his family to Thunder Bay river in the fall of 1856. He came in the interest of G. N. Fletcher, and was accompanied by a few men, who came to work during the winter, Mr. Carter's family consisted of wife and danghter, and were the first resident ladies of Fremont. Mr. Carter and men chopped a narrow strip of timber, on both sides of the river, and cut the timber in Thunder Bay river, nearly up to the South Branch, with a view of clearing it for running logs. This was the first work done, looking toward the improvement of the place.

When A. F. Fletcher came to Fremont, in 1857, a number of mechanics came with him. He brought lumber for building a store and boarding house, and under date ot August 30th, he writes to G. N. Fletcher, Esq., and says: "I arrived safely here Wednesday noon, and found Mr. Carter at home. He had been to Duncan, had not commenced the boarding house, but we will have it up day after to-morrow. I am building that and the store a little stronger than you spoke of, as Dan. says it would not last through the winter, if I did not. We cannot tell where the store ought to be, but will get it as near as possible." At this time only a temporary survey of the town had been made, and for this reason, it was impossible to know where to place the building. In September of the same year, John McNevins came to Fremont with some men, to make some timber for a mill dam, to be erected across Thunder Bay river; but the work was soon after discontinued, on account of the unparalleled depression in financial matters. It may be well to remark, that the year that Alpena county was organized and assumed a place among the sister counties of the State, was remarkable as being the most depressing year, financially, that this country ever saw; business being good in 1856, when placed in contrast with 1857. The following letter, written by John Oldfield, Esq., to George N. Fletcher, and dated Dunville,

''Your favor of 8tb instant, in relation to Thunder Bay affairs, came to hand last evening. I immediately saw Mr. Minor, on the subject, who is decidedly of tlie opinion, as well as myself, that it will be imprudent 1o attempt to go on with the work, unless, indeed, that you are prepared to furnish the means yourself. As far as I am concerned, I cannot furnish one dollar towards it; indeed, theie is such a general de[)rfession in all financial matters here, that I cannot raise money enough to run my mill, and intend shutting down. All business seems completely paralyzed; nobody pays, nor can pay, and I find myself with a large amount of bills receivable, some past due, and others falling due at an early date, but no money, and no prospects of getting it. Even clear lumber, in Albany, will not bring the cash. "With all these depressing circumstances staring us in the face, Mr. Minor and myself can see no other way but to stop the work, and, consequently, do not think it worth going up to lay any of the piers this fall, as you suggest. "Yours truly,

Mr. Fletcher, owning a half interest in the property, and not being so much affected by the hard times as his co-partners, for the reason that he had sold his mill property at St. Clair, prior to the panic, was disposed to go on with the work, hut the other proprietors not furnishing means, the com[)any's work ceased. Mr. Fletcher continued to make improvements in his own interests, and it was very fortunate for the people of Alpena county, and its organization, that he was able and willing to do so.

"Miller, Fletcher & Co." They kept a general assortment of such goods as are wanted in a new, isolated place, even whiskey and tobacco, and these articles Mr. Miller was very much opposed to handling. The work on the mill dam, for the Thunder Bay Dam Co., as it was called, was discontinued; but Mr. Fletcher continued to give employment to most of the people of Fremont, on his own account, and built a dock, and a large building on the corner of Second and Water streets, and known in 1867 as the "Myers Block." It should have been known as the "Miller Block," for he had the care of building it, and occupied it for many years. It will be referred to in the rest of this work as the "Myers Block."

All the proprietors, except G. N. Fletcher, having business relations other than at Fremont, were much embarrassed by the unprecedented hard times that shook many off their feet, financially, did but little for the improvement of Alpena, during 1857 and the first half of 1858. In the fall of 1858, men began to multiply in Alpena, "and sons and daughters were born unto them." Financially, matters having improved a little, Messrs. Lockwood, Minor and Fletcher resolved to go on with the work at Fremont. In pursuance of this resolution, the schooner J. S. Minor came to Fremont, having on board about thirty persons, among whom were Messrs. E. K. Potter, Abram Hopper, W. Stevens, Moses Bingham and Thomas Murray. Alexander Archibald and family and Samuel Boggs and family were among the number. Many of those who came were mechanics. Messrs. Archibald and Murray came for the purpose of lumbering for the firm of Lockwood & Minor, having a contract to cut, haul and run onto the rapids, one million feet of logs, more or less, at one dollar and seventy-five cents per thousand feet, being the first contract by the proprietors of Fremont, for cutting logs on Thunder Bay river. Mr. Archibald, after building a frame house for his family, near the corner of Second and Biver streets north, (for buildings in Fremont at this time were few, and uot far from the woods,) commenced to cut his supply road to the lumber woods, this being the firet road made in the county that exceeded a mile in length. He made this road nearly on the same line that the so called Section Line Road is now on, until he reached section 13, in town 31 north, of range G east, and thence northwest to Thunder Bay river, in section 2, of the same town and range. Men's wages at this time were from §14 to $16 per month, and they agreed to stay and run the logs in the spring. The very low price for j)utting in the logs, and the v.-ages of the men, show that there was not much "boom" to business at that date. Mr. E. K. Potter scaled and marked the logs for this camp this winter, and to him must be accorded the honor of scaling the first log on Thuntler Bay river, not barring the honor due the scaler who scaled in the camp of Alvin Cole during the same winter. It is claimed by William Boulton, in his History of Alpena, that Mr. E. K. Potter measured the first cargo of lumber "that left Ali)ena, and that the schooner Meridian, Capt. Flood, carried the first cargo of lumber from Alpena." If he had added the word "City," he would have been correct. In writing a history of the county, nice distinctions should be observed, between the whole county, and a certain locality, where both have the same name. While it would be true that Mr. Potter measured the first cargo of lumber that left Alpena city, and that the schooner Meridian, Capt. Flood, carried the first cargo of lumber from the city of Alpena, yet it would not be true in regard to the county of Alpena, for the writer measured a cargo of lumber, and shipped it on his schooner, the Marshall Ney, John W. Paxton, Captain, before the county had an organization.

In December, 1858, Messrs. John Cole and Alviu Cole arrived in Fremont, accompanied by a large number of men. Alvin Cole came for the purpose of lumbering for George N. Fletcher, having taken a contract of him, similar to the one taken by Messrs. Archibald and Murray. The logs were to be cut in the same vicinity, and banked near each other in the river. John Cole was a millright, and came to Fremont for the purpose of building two large sawmills, to be run by water power. One was to be erected on the east side of Thunder Bay river, for George N. Fletcher, and the other on the west side, for the firm of Lockwood & Minor. The timber was all made, hauled and framed for the mill, during the winter and spring. The mill dam was not built, according to expectations, on account of some disappointment or disagreement among the proprietors. The work of building the two sawmills was suspended, for the reason that they had no dam for water, and the two mill frames were piled away to await further consideration and development. The timber for the Fletcher mill was burned in 18G0, in a sweeping fire that burned over a large district around Alpena, and came very near burning Avhat there was of the town. Although this was considered a great loss to Mr. Fletcher at the time, yet it was a blessing in disguise. It sav- eel his timber until it was more valuable, aud relieved him of the embarrassing perplexity that attended milling at that time, in Alpena, and in which his co-partners were soon after engaged; and while their business did more to build up the village, it put less money into their pockets. The mill frame made for Lockwood & Minor was not put up for several years.

The survey of the village of Fremont, by E. A. Breakenridge, was only a temporary one, without map or record, and was made for the purpose mentioned in Chapter III. As by law, it was imperative that a survey must be made of the village, and a map of the same be placed on record in the Register's office, with a conveyance to the public of the right of way of the streets of the same, before lots could be legally sold, the y>roprietors were resolved to have the survey made and recorded. In April, 1858, the writer was engaged by Messrs. Fletcher, Lockwood and Oldfield, to make the survey, under their supervision, all of them being in Fremont at the time, Mr. Oldfield being particularly anxious to have a thorough survey made. The writer then organized his party for the w^ork, and after ascertaining the variation of the needle, and administered the oath to his chain-bearers, proceeded to make the survey, as follows: Commencing at the southeast corner of section 22, thence north nine and one-half degrees east, 3.78 chains, to a point where he planted a post. From this post he projected a line bearing north, fifty-one degrees east, and south, fiftyone degrees west, for a base line, and named it First street. He then projected another line, bearing north, thirty-nine degrees west, and south, thirty-nine degrees east, from the post for a meridian line, and called it River street. On this meridian line, south to the bay, posts wei-e set at proper distances, and at all proper places between this line and the river. Oti this meridian, northward to Thunder Bay river, posts were placed at proper distances. Posts were set at all proper places between this line and the river, and the river was meandered up to the section line between sections 21 and 22, The base line was carried east, across the river, to a point designated by one of the proprietors, and another post was planted, and another meridian line projected, and named Fletcher street. On this meridian line, south thirty-nine degrees east, to the bay, posts were set at proper distances, between this line and the river. The meridian line was also extended north, thirty-nine degrees west, from the said post, to Beech street, and posts set at proper distances on this line, and between it and the river. Then Beech street was run north, fifty-one degrees east, to Oldfield street, and thence on Oldfield street to Bridge street, and posts set on these streets, at proper distances ; thence north, fifty-one degrees east, on Bridge street, to Miller street, and thence north, thirty-nine degrees west on Miller street to Mackinaw street, and posts were set at proper places. Soon after the field work was completed, the writer made a map of his work, and presented it to J. K. Lockwood, who approved of it, and went with the writer to Mortimer L. Smith, in Detroit, who made two copies on cloth, one for Mr. Lockwood and one for the writer, and which copy the writer has yet in his possession. Mr. Fletcher was not satisfied with the survey, for the reason that some of the streets reached the river, and that the meridian, on both sides of the river, was too close to it for mill purposes. The proprietors, after making many important alterations, had the mutilated and changed map of Oliver's survey lithographed and put upon the records, ostensibly as the survey of E. A. Breaken ridge.

There is no acknowledged survey of the city on record, nor is there any original field notes on record. E. A. Breakenridge is credited with the survey, and Oliver with the mistakes^ if any are found. The west square, belonging to the county, was named Victoria Square, in respect to the proprietors whoresided in the Queen's Dominion ; and the east square was called Jessie Square, Jessie being the name of the wife of General

Fremont, after wljom the villao^e was named. One half of the [)roprietors then resided in Canada, and hired their help there; and the other half resided in Michigan, and per sequence the town and county received their immigration from both places. They were hardy, industrious and enterprising people, who came for the pur[)Ose of making for themselves homes, and to* build up communities and industries for themselves and their children; and to learn how well they have done their task, you have only to look over Alpena county in 18T().

In January, 1859, provisions began to be very scarce in Fremont and in the lumber camps, and by the last of February, many people were reduced to whitefisli and bread. It was utterly impossible to get anything from Saginaw, by land, and the writer having people at his place (Ossineke, ) to care for, could render but little assistance. The people bore their privations with remarkable fortitude. All remained at their work, as though they had plenty, until in March, when they were relieved by the appearance of Mr. Lockwood's schooner, the J. 8. Minor. This visit from "General Scarcity" was repeated for several years, but only once succeeded in driving any one away. This shortage of provisions was occasioned, not so much by the inability or unwillingness of the proprietors to furnish the supplies, as by the incalculable increase of population, outside of those employed by the proprietors. Every year the supplies were largely increased, but tiie increase of consumers was still in advance of the supplies, and it was not until outside parties began to bring in provisions tliat the defect was remedied.

The following letter, from E. K. Potter to the writer, and <lated June 2d, 1876, with liberty to use, gra[)hically and humorously characterizes the events at that time. He says:

"In the fall of 1858, Lockwood & Minor inaugurated the first lumber operations on the Thunder Bay river. Contracts were let to Archibald and Murray, and Alvin Cole. It beiu^ something new to provide a supply of everything for six months, in a country as new and undeveloped as this was, it is not to be wondered at that the supplies run short long before spring, and by the first of February, 1859, that 'General Scarcity,' you spoke of, was here in full dress uniform. I was in the lumber tiamp that winter, and with sorrow beheld the last piece of pork hung up by a string, over the center of a rude table, as a reminder of happy by-gone days of peace and plenty. Mr. Whitefish stepped in and took the place of honor which had been occupied by Hog, and held the balance of power from that time until the IGth of March. Mr. J. K. Lockwood being informed of our sad state, had his good schooner, the J. S. Minor, fitted out and started for Alpena, or Fremont, as it was then called at that time, with pork, beef, sugar, etc., and she arrived as above stated, on the 16th of March, and to all appearances, it was just as cold and winter-like as at any time during the winter. "We all felt rejoiced to hear the news in camp, that the Minor had arrived with provisions, and we all sung Mr. Lockwood's praise, as many a poor man and his family have had occasion to do since; and I will here say to Mr. Lockwood, more than to any other man, belongs the credit of starting and keeping in motion the then small lumbering operations which gave employment to the few who were here, and thus securing the necessaries of life until better times should change the then discouraging situation of affairs, it being right after the dreadful panic of 1857, which will be remembered by all, as the hardest times this country had seen for fifty years. Messrs. Lockwood & Minor built the so-called 'Island Mill,' in 1860, which was the principal means of support for this then small and poor village, for three or four years. One pair of horses did the log hauling for the mill in the summer, and the lumber woods was the present site of Alpena. Down timber and burnt timber, and in fact' everything that would make a piece 6x6, was hauled to the little mill, and squared, and the block ends cut off, and shipped to Cleveland, and pork, flour, tea, sugar, etc., brought back in retuin, and thus, from year to year, the 'log' was kept rolling, until to-day we have, from this small beginning, which has been so imperfectly described, a city of nearly, if not quite, five thousand inhabitants, an honor to the founders, who, while striving to advance its interests and that of its inhabitants, in all proper ways, have not, by selfishness, grown rich in this world's goods, but they have the satisfaction of knowing that they helped their fellow man. "Yours respectfully, "Signed, E. K. POTTER."

The writer would here suggest, that those who have come to Alpena, of later date, who cannot do a day's work for the city or county, or even for the celebration of the "Glorious Fourth," without being paid for it; who came here after a town was made for them, by the old pioneers, and when the coffers of the treasury were well filled; who never underwent any hardships or expense for the city or county, should well remember, that many privations had to be endured, and many days' labor performed for the city and county, without pay, by the proprietors and first settlers, ere a town was built up for their reception ; and the men who were wise, prudent and persevering enough to build up and govern the county, until it had grown to opulence and influence, should be allowed at least a complimentary voice in making the laws, and not considered over-selfish if they wish to have a "hand share" in the spoils, when any are liad.

Mr, Fletcher and the firm of Lockwood & Minor having failed to build the two water mills referred to, were anxious to have their logs manufa<?tnred into lumber, and gave sufficient inducement to Messrs. Obed Smith and Harman Chamberlain, of St. Clair county, to determine them to erect a steam sawmill at Fremont; and in the spring of lSo9, they commencetl the work of building the first steam sawmill in Alpena county. They pushed forward the work with victor, and in August or September of the same year they sawed the first boards. This was an important, and an encouraging event. All before had been failure, disappointment and expense, without any adequate returns. Now the mill would give employment to the people, and the proceeds would furnish the means to purchase the necessaries of life. The first work done by this mill, was to cut the logs belonging to the firm of Lockwood & Minor. This occupied the balance of the season of 1859, and a part of 1860.

In the summer of 1859, Mr. J. K. Bingham came to Fremont. He brought with him, what was then considered a large stock of merchandise. He landed his goods on the north side of the river, (the reason will be given in the chapter on temperance,) and proceeded at once to erect a store, on Dock street; and in a few weeks a second store was added to the village. He then commenced the erection of a public house, near his store, on Dock street, and some time in September, the first hotel in Fremont was finished and opened to the public.

In the summer of 1860, John Trowbridge & Bros, leased the Smith & Chamberlain mill. They also purchased Mr. Fletcher's logs, as they were then situated in the river. They thought they could get better sawyers in the State of Pennsylvania, than they could in Michigan, and there they engaged Mr. George Bundy, to come with a crew of men, and saw their lumber. When Mr. Bundy came with his men, to saw the logs, behold! the logs were all fast on the "Big Rapids," and nothing less than a big flood would get them off. Trowbridge & Bros. then procured a charter from the Board of Supervisors, to build a dam across Thunder Bay river, in section 1, in township 31 north, of range 7 east, for the purposes of flooding and manufacturing. Then they proceeded to make the dam, and in September or October it was ready for the first flood. A few of the logs reached the mill that fall, and the balance in the spring, and were sawed during the season of 18G1. All the lumber sawed from these logs, was made into one raft, and towed to Chicago. It reached that place without much, if any, injury, and was the first and last raft of sawed lumber taken from Thunder Bay river. At this time, a bitter feeling existed between John Trowbridge & Bros, and the proprietors of Fremont, growing out of an affair that took place in 1858 and 1859. In Thunder Bay river was a middle ground, covered with water, except in low stages of the river. The Trowbridge Bros. claimed that this middle ground was an island, unsurveyed, and consequently belonged to the United States. The proprietors of Fremont claimed that it was a middle ground, and a part of the river, and the right to it was purchased with the adjacent lands. On this middle ground, the Trowbridge Bros, built a board shanty, to hold it by pre-emption, and the proprietors of Fremont, or some of their representatives, pulled it down. This was repeated two or three times, and the Trowbridge Bros., finding they could not hold it in that way, resolved to have the disputed "middle ground'"' surveyed by a United States Deputy Surveyor, as an island. In order to do this, it was necessary to bring into this survey, certain other unsurveyed islands in Thunder Bay and vicinity. These islands the writer, a short time prior to tliis, had been authorized by the Surveyor General to survey. By false representations, the order to the writer to survey the islands, was revoked by the Surveyor Genei-al, and a Deputy Surveyor sent on to make the survey. After the surveyor's report was sent to Washington, and a strong remonstrance was sent from the proprietors of Fremont, the writer sent a detailed account of the whole transaction to the Surveyor General, and nothing since has been heard from the survey, and the islands remain as they then were, and the proprietors of Fremont were victorious.

lain mill was in the hands of John Trowbridge & Bros., and operated by tbem, foreign to the intei-ests of Fremont, resolved upon building a steam sawmill on the disputed "middle ground.'" They commenced the work accordingly, some time in July, and pushed it with such vigor, that in six vreeks from the time they struck the first blow, they were cutting lumber with one sixfeet circular saw. This was called the "Island Mill," because it was situated upon the disputed island. The importance of this mill is given in Mr. Potter's letter, to which the reader is referred.

Some time in 1859, Mr. Hilliard Broadwell came to Fremont. He came for the purpose of locating a site for a water mill. He was very conservative in his principles, firm in his own opinions, and familiar with water sawmills in the "old way," and nothing would do him but a water sawmill. He selected a site on the long rapids, and in the spring of 1860, commenced to erect a mill dam across Thunder Bay river, on section 7, in township 31 north, of range 8 east, which was finished in July or August of the same season. He then erected a sawmill, on the east bank of the river, having two upright sashes, carrying two saws each. The lumber was taken to Trowbridge Point, on a tram railway, and shipped. This mill was operated a few years by Mr. Broadwell, bat was found to be too primitive to be profitable, or compete with later improvements in milling, and was abandoned, and is now one of the old ihings of Alpena county.

A large portion of the improvements made in 1861, consisted in finishing up buildings, clearing the ground around them, making fences, etc. Some short sidewalks were made this year. From 1858 to 1862, a number of dwellings had been erected, and among the most noted were: One by J. S. Irwin, a cottage, between River and Minor streets, and then "way up in the woods" ; one built by A. F. Fletcher, on the corner of Water and Second streets, a two story building, and for a long time the best dwelling iu the village. It was occupied for a time, in 18G1 and 1802, by Mr. Leroy Buudy, as a hotel, for the best visitors to Alpena. Mr. Bundy was Postmaster for a short time, and was Deputy County Clerk in 1861 and 18G2. John Cole built a large dwelling near the corner of Water and First streets, and Samuel Boggs built a cottage on River and Second streets. John W. Glennie built a two story dwelling on the corner of Cliishohn and First streets; and William E. Jones built a cottage on the corner of First and River streets. David Plough built a cottage on First and River streets; Martin Minton, a cottai^e on the northeast corner of River and Second streets; and on the opposite corner Oliver T. B. Williams erected a large dwelling, which was destroyed by fire before it was entirely finished. Daniel Carter lived on Water street until 1859 or 1860, when he erected a large dwelling on Chisholm street, and moved into it, from Water street, the same year. At his house on Water street, was held the first election.

the first sessiou of the Board of Supervisors, the first session of a court. It was made the first postoflBce, the first boarding house, and for a long time the hospital, where all the sick and wounded, who had no home in the village, were taken and cared for by Mrs. Carter, who was the only physician in the county, and she did good service, as many have good reason to remember.

In 1862, Lockwood & Minor commenced to build another steam sawmill, on the east side of River street, between Sixth and Seventh streets. They had got the frame up, when the fire from the woods, which was near, spread into and through where the town now is, - 1876, - by a strong wind, burning the mill frame, together with a number of dwellings, and destroying a large quantity of rubbish. This so happened on the fourth day of July, and admonished the people, more than an oration, to clear away the timber around their dwellings. The mill frame was soon replaced, and in October the mill was completed, running one six-feet circular and a siding mill. This was known as the "Home Mill."

In 1861, Samuel E. Hitchcock, familiarly known among his friends as "The Deacon," came with his family to reside in Fremont; and in 1862, erected a fine dwelling on Chisholm street, near the bay. He had his lands surveyed, and made them an addition to the village of Fremont. In pursuance of an agreement with the Board of Supervisors, "The Deacon," in 1863, erected a large and commodious building, on the corner of Washington avenue and Chisholm street, and finished it, for county offices, and a room for holding the courts; and also for holding church and Sabbath school. It was known as "The Deacon's Coui't House." As soon as it was finished, and accepted by the Board of Supervisors, a lease was made for five years, and longer if the county of Alpena desired, with a provision that the court room might be used on the Sabbath, for the purpose of holding church and Sabbath school.

The year 1863 was not remarkable for the number of new buildings erected, but much improvements were made in finishing and enlarging those already erected, in clearing grounds, making fences, and improving the streets with ditches, sawdust and sidewalks; so that, in 1804, the little village began to assume the appearance of civilization.

The year 1864 is remaikable in the history of Alpena county, as the one from which it can date the commencement of its rapid gi'owth and prosperity. "General Scarcity" was superseded by "General Plenty," and has held command ever since.

Although a fierce and bloody war had been and was then raging in the southern States, and General Grant was fighting his Avay from the Rapidan to Richmond, and General Sherman was advancing step by step from Chattanooga to Atlanta, and a heavy draft, for soldiers and revenue, had been made on the northern States, yet they were prosperous in their business relations, and rapidly increasing in material wealth. This was particularly so with Alpena. Greenbacks were first issued in 1862, and in 1864 began to be frequently seen in Alpena. The supply of pitch and tar from the southern States, and articles manufactured there, being cut off by the blockade, brought uorway pine into demand, and tar and turpentine reached fabulous prices. This brouglit a large number of people to Alpenn, to look for norway pine to manufacture into timber and lunibci', and the norway pine stumps to manufacture into tar and turpentine. Lester, Long & Co. built a steam sawmill, on the east side of River street, between Fifth and Sixth streets. Tills mill run one large circular saw and lath mill - -capacity about two million feet of lumber and one million pieces of lath, and employed about twenty men. They also built a boarding house near the mill. This year, the "Home Mill," belonging to Lockwood & Minor, was destroyed by fire, involving a heavy loss to them. It was re-built the same season, and now - 18TG - be- longs to Bewick, Comstock & Co. This year - 1864 - the Thunder Bay Dam Company's dam was finished, and a large water mill built, on the east side of the river, by John Oldfield. It run one large circular saw, one muley, with edgers, slab saws and lath machines. It employed about forty men. Mr. Oldfield built, in connection with his mill, a large boarding house, barn, and a few small dwellings. Mr. Bowen built a storehouse and dock, on the south side of Dock street, Messrs. Doer & Fairchild erected a manufactory for making tar and turpentine from norway pine stumps, and many hundreds of these were made into tar, turpentine and charcoal. They sold their interest to Mai-tin Minton, who, in 1865, built another factory, at Ossiueke. This was a lucrative business as long as the war lasted, but when the war ended, prices of tar and turpentine soon dropped so low that there was no profit to the manufacturer, and it ceased to be an industry in Alpena county. This year - 1864 - the first bridge was built across Thunder Bay river. (For particulars see chapter on roads.)

In 1865, William Jenney and Elisha Harrington built a large steam sawmill, on the east side of River street, and north of Fourth street. This was, when erected, and is, in 1876, the largest mill in Alpena. They run one gang, one muley saw, and two large circular saws, with lath machines, edgers, slab saws, etc. They also erected, near their mill, a large boarding house, and store, and a few dwellings. This property changed hands, and in 1876 belonged to Hilliard, Churchill & Co. In 1863, the Smith & Chamberlain mill was destroyed by fire, which was strongly suspected to have been the work of an incendiary. This year - 1865 - it was re-built, on the site of the burned one. It run one gang, one muley saw, one large circular saw, and lath mill. Has a capacity to cut about six million feet of lumber, and about one and a half million pieces of lath per season. The property, in 1876, belongs to Folkerts & Butterfield. The First Congregational Society of Alpena, com- meuced this year - 1865 - the erectioD of a large and beautiful church, on the north side of Second street. It is a wooden structure, and cost about ^0,000 - finished in 1808 - and is, in 187G, the largest and best church in the city. This year - 1865 - two large hotels were being built; one on the corner of Fletcher and Dock streets, by J. R. Beach, and called the Union Star Hotel, and the other on the west side of Chisholni street, by Julius Potvin, and known as the Alpena House. They were finished in a style to accommodate the traveling public, and were expected to supply a need long felt by the citizens of the village.

In 1866, E. P. Campbell & Co., built what is known as the Campbell & Potter mill. It is located one and a half miles due west from the mouth of Thunder Bay river, and on its most southern bend. A tram railway was made from the mill to the bay, a little over a mile in length. A large and commodious dock was built out in the bay, for the purpose of piling and shipping lumber, and landing goods. The mill run one muley saw and two large circular saws, and a lath mill - had a capacity to cut six million feet of lumber, and a million and a half pieces of lath per season. At or about this time, G. S. Lester, under the firm name of C. Thompson <fe Co., erected a large shingle mill, a short distance north and east of the Campbell S: Potter mill, using the tram road and dock of E. P. Campbell & Co. for shipping purposes. It run a rotary machine and one Chicago, and had a capacity to cut about ten million shingles during the season. These very important improvements were soon followed by others, as a matter of necessity. The two mills would give employment to about fifty men, who must board near their work; and being separated then from Aljtena, by a mile and a half of a dense tamarack swamp, it became necessary to erect suitable buildings for their accommodation ; and a cluster of dwellings and other buildings wt^re soon erected near the mills, and this cluster of buildings was known as

Campbellville. The next necessity that presented itself, was a road on the section line, and direct between the tv/o places ; and the first step to be taken in that direction, was to drain the swamps. Two large ditches were made, one near and parallel to the tramway, and the other near and parallel with the section line, to the bay. These ditches drained a large portion of tho surface water, and enabled the people to open a road for pedestrians, but it was some time before teams could travel over it, during the spring and fall. This year - 1866 - two shingle mills were built; one on the north side of the river, near the bay, by Thomas Kobinson, who introduced the first planing machine into Alpena. This was a great desideratum. Prior to this, all lumber had to be dressed by hand, or brought from Detroit, and as mechanics' wages were from three to five dollars per day, and board, it made building very expensive. The other shingle mill was built by Hopper & Davis, on the north side of the river, and west of Chisholm street. Both of these were burned, the former in June, 1867, and the latter is unknown to the writer. L. M. Mason & Co. completed the water mill, commenced by Lockwood & Minor in 1858, the frame of which was made at that time, by John Cole. This mill is located on the west side of the dam, and runs one muley saw, two shingle machines, and a lath mill. Although Alpena had as few crimes to punish, perhaps, as any county in the State, of its age and population, yet it was necessary that it should have a place where disorderly persons could go and be taken care of. In 1864 or 1865, the Board of Supervisors made a contract for clearing Jessie Square, and erecting a suitable building for a jail. It was built on Chisholm street, and made of two-inch plank, doubled, and fastened together with spikes driven close together. It had three or four cells, well made, and strong: two light rooms for prisoners, and ample rooms for turnkey and family. Attached to this was a woodshed and stable. It was painted the Scotchman's "muckle dun" color, and made a verv uuimposing appearance. In 18GG, three church edifices were in construction - Catholic, on Chisholm street; Congregational, on Second street, and Episcopal, on Washington avenue. These will be noticed in another chapter. The increase of population, the erection of dwellings, public buildings and places for doing business, depended largely on the enlargement of the iraprovements made for the manufacture of lumber, and followed them as rapidly as could be expected. Most of the buildings were substantial structures, either as business places or dwellings; and many of the residences were spacious, tastefully made and commodious. At this time, a large portion of the business of the village was transacted on Water street, and the leading mercantile firms were as follows: Benjamin C. Hard wick, ou Water street, dealer in dry goods, groceries, clothing, boots and shoes, crockery, hardware, etc. L. M. Mason & Co., merchants and lumber dealers; store on AYater street; miscellaneous merchandise. A. W. Corastock & Co., on Second street, near the bridge, carried a fine assortment of miscellaneous goods. A. F. Fletcher & Co., on Water street, dry goods, ready made clothing, boots, shoes, etc. Mason, Doty, Luce & Co., lumbermen and merchants; store on Fletcher street; carried a large assortment of miscellaneous merchandise. Hopper, Davis & Co., dealers in dry goods, groceries, clocks, jewelry, etc., ou the west side of Water street. Mason, Lester <fe Co., lumbermen and merchants; store on AYater street; a large assortment of miscellaneous merchandise. Bolton & McRae, dealers in choice groceries, provisions and liquors, on the corner of Dock and Fletcher streets. William P. Maiden, the first physician and surgeon in Alpena, opened the first drug store, on the corner of Second and River streets, and carried a fine assortment of goods in his line. F. N. Barlow and J. H. Noxen, under the firm name of Barlow & Noxen, introduced the first hardware store in Alpena, on the corner of Second and River streets; carried a fine assortment of hardware, iron, stoves and tinware. Martin H. Mintou and John Creighton, manufacturers of and dealers in boots and shoes, and harness, on Second street. Wm. West, shoemaker and dealer in boots and shoes, on Second street. H. Hyatt, this year - 1866 - built the first bakery, and commenced the business of baking. It was known as the Eagle Bakery. He also erected a building and opened a meat market, near his bakery, on Water street. Although both of these improvements were much needed and duly appreciated by the people, yet the village was not large enough to make the business very lucrative. The upper rooms of this building were nicely fitted up for a Masonic hall, and this was the first one occupied by the Masonic fraternity in Alpena. At the door of this hall, many excellent citizens knocked and were admitted, and brought from darkness to light, and presented with the tools and instructions whereby they could work out the problems of life, on the square and compasses, -jvith temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice, and to travel on the level of time, toward that Divine Architect Who has made all things well, and Who uses neither trestle-board or patterns, and never made a mistake. Besides the business places already mentioned, Alpena had a number of mechanical establishments, great and small, five public houses, only two of which could be honored with the name of "hotel."' These were the Union Star Hotel, owned and kept by J. R. Beach, and the Alpena House, owned and kept by Julius Potviu. Both houses were well managed, and were rivals for business; were favorites with the public, and a satisfaction to the business men of the place. Alpena also possessed one or two billiard rooms, and a number of drinking places. We will now leave the village for a time, to look after the surroundings.

In 1862, John Trowbridge & Bros, lumbered a large quantity of short logs, and put them into the North Branch of Thunder Bay river; and the same season built a small shingle mill propelled by water, near the dam, in section 1, town 31 north, of rauge 8 east, and a boarding bouse near the same. In 1863, the Trowbridge Bros, lumbered long timber, from section 16, town 31 north, of range 8 east, and in the autumn of the same year, undertook to raft it to market. They proceeded to make cribs of the long timber, and load them with short logs. When the raft was nearly finished, and which contained about two and a half million feet of lumber, a furious storm arose, which lasted long enough to tear the raft to pieces, and scatter the timber in every conceivable disorder along the shore of the bay. They then built a small steam sawmill, near the first point east of Alpena, and about two miles distant, and subsequently known as Trowbridge Point. Here they cleared a small piece of ground, made a dock, and erected a number of buildings. They spent the season of 1864: in removing the logs from the bay shore to the mill, and sawing them, and which cost them nearly as much as the logs were worth, resulting in a large loss to the parties. In 1865 and 1866, Trowbridge Bros, built a large water mill, at the dam, for sawing lumber, and made a tram railway from the mill to their dock at the point, and being about seven miles in length. The mill run one muley saw, one sixfeet circular saw, one shingle machine, and a lath machine. Up to this time, little or no attention had been paid to tilling the soil. Indeed, it was almost the universal belief that the land was too poor, and the climate too arctic to produce good crops, and that it never could be a good farming country.

In an article published in the Pioneer, in November, 1866, headed "Our Prospects," and written over the signature of "Don Pedro," is the following: "The question is this; you have all heard it, so do not look for anything new. What is there to sustain Alpena when the lumbering is done with, but farming? and will that pay for the undertaking, or, in other words, reward the laborer? Reader, this is a (question which comes home to the bosom of all who have an interest in the futurity of Alpena; and it is one that sliould be agitated and pushed forward for one sole and particular reason ; that is, tJie lumbering must surely come io an end, and then there must be some other resource to fall back upon, or Alpena will then soon sink into decay, and the tenements now so rapidly going up, will become but stables for the wandering kine. Fruits will not generally become a source from which we shall ever reap much benefit, although Prof, Winchell has even gone so far in his geological statements as to declare that the best fruit country in Michigan is from this latitude, extending to the Straits. But let that be as it may, there is no one who will deny the fact that this is a first class grazing country." Then, after admonishing the people to raise hay and stock, he says: "All kinds of roots, so far as 1 can ascertain, grow in large quantities and of good quality. The cereals do quite well, but not enough so to warrant a cultivation of them." The writer has answered the same question many times, by stating what he now writes, that there is good farming lands enough in the county to support Alpena, when the pine timber is exhausted; but the question need not fret the questioner, for he will be in his grave long before lumbering ceases to be an industry of Alpena. It was truly refreshing to many, at that time, to learn that the country was not totally barren, and absolutely worthless, when stripped of its pine timber, and that the timber would last longer than one decade; and hence the importance of Don Pedro's discovery and announcement, "that this is a first class grazing country." The writer cultivated some land, at Devil river, and raised good crops; but this was attributed to its peculiar situation, the abundance of manure, and the extra care and cultivation.

In 1861 or 18G2, Alexander Archibald and Thomas Murray purchased a piece of land, on the rapids, below Broadwell's mill, of Elisha Taylor, of Detroit; built a house and barn, and moved his family there; cleared four or five acres of land, and sowed it with oats and grass. They harvested a very good crop, and were satisfied with tlieir experiment, and would have proceeded to make the first farm in the county, had not the property changed into the hands o£ Mr. Broadwell, with whom they were at enmity, and they abandoned the contract and tlie place. Mr. Broadwell also cleared and cultivated with success, a few acres near his mill.

In 1860 or 18G1, a man known by the name of Antwine, cleared a few acres of land and tilled it, at the confluence of the North Branch with the main river, and about the same time, G. N. Fletcher selected a piece of land, in section 20 or 80, town 81 north, of range 7 east, and had from ten to fifteen acres cleared. He sold or rented the same to John King, who moved on to it with his family, and stayed two or three years. King raised large quantities of potatoes and bagas. and sold them by the quantity, or sleigh load. This was the first produce raised in the county, and sold by the quantity. This seems to be all that was done in the farming line, up to and including 1860. In the future of this chapter, it will be impossible to follow in detail the rapid growth of the village; and I shall notice, only in a general way, those that do not introduce some new industry, or necessarily promote other improvements.

In 1867, the business men of Alpena began to feel their financial strength, and the want of larger facilities lor transacting their business. Their harbor deficient, their roads bad, their docks, warehouses and business places too small. A "Harbor Improvement Company" had been organized, and considerable work had been done in the way of building piers and dredging, yet the water on the bar was too shallow to admit large vessels and steamers, and the company resolved to extend the piers into twelve feet of water, during the winter of 1S67 and 1868; and this was expected to remove the harbor difliculty. The only roads, at this time, connecting Alpena '"with the rest of the world," during the winter season, was the East Saginaw and Au Sable Eiver, and the Duncan, Alpena and Au Sa- ble River State roads. These were passable for teams, only during the season of frost and snow, and then they were very rough and uncertain. Through their Representative, the Hon. J, K. Lockwood, the people obtained an additional grant of swamp lands, by the Legislature, for the further improvement of said roads, and to build a bridge across the Au Sable river, the details of which will be found in the chapter on commiinication. No new mills were built in the village during the year 1867, but the mechanic's ax, hammer and saw were heard in every direction, finishing up and enlarging mills, docks, warehouses, hotels and dwellings commenced the last season, and erecting new dwellings and places for doing business. Mason, Doty & Co. made a large extension to their dock, and Jenney & Harrington made valuable improvements in theirs. Messrs. Bolton & McRae erected a largje and substantial building, on the corner of Dock and Fletcher streets, for a grocery and provision store. A two story building was finished, on Second street, opposite the drug store, to be occupied by John Creighton, for a shoe shop. A large hotel, on Second street, to be known as the Burrell House, was in process of construction. It was finished and opened as a public house, in August, 1871, with considerable formality, Judge Sutherland, Member of Congress, the Hon. D. May, Attorney General, Hon. J. K. Lockwood, and city officials, being present, and Mr. McLain being proprietor. Many dwellings might be mentioned, but the following must suffice: Josiah Frink, a fine dwelling, on Maine avenue, near Deacon Hitchcock's; S. Boggs, a dwelling, and J. Vi. Lane, a dwelling, on Second street. This year - 1867 - David D. Oliver built a large steam sawmill, at Ossineke. This mill was one hundred and twenty feet long, and forty feet wide, and designed to run one six-feet circular saw, for cutting long timber or cants, as desired, and a gang so arranged as to cut round logs or cants. It was intended^to work each side of the mill independent of the other, or together, as required, and for that purpose two sets of machinery were necessary. Oliver not being able to fiui.sh the mill with a gang, and finding that the engine was able to run two large circular saws, i)ut a circular in place of the gang, which did good work. Subsequently, the property went into the hands of Cunningham, Robinson, Haines & Co. They not knowing the design of Oliver, put into the mill the gang, and retained the two circular saws, thereby crowding the mill with saws, which the stream was not able to supply with logs.

The year 18G8 gave a new impulse to mill building. A young man of good business capacity, stern integrity, and per- .severing industry, came from tiie State of Ohio, to Alpena, and purchased a site for a steam sawmill, on the north side of the river, next to the bay. Backed by a father who was a man of means, and who declared that '"Frank was a good boy," he commenced the erection of a mill, near the end of the north pier, and then out in the bay. This was an undertaking of consitlerable magnitude, and was a very important improvement to Alpena. It extended the limits of the town, and gave a better appearance to its front. It would give permanency to that side of the pier, as the offal from the mill would soon fill in and about the pier, and make it solid and free from the attacks of the waves from the bay. The pier would be an advantage to the mill, for with a very little modification and ex[)ense, it could be used as a dock for piling and shipping lumber. This mill was commenced in 1808, and finished in ISGl*. It run one large circular saw and one muley saw, and a latli mill. It had a capacity to cut about five million feet of lumber per season, and about eight hundred thousand pieces of lath. It employed about twenty-four men, and is known as the Gilchrist mill. A lumber and shingle mill combined, was built this year - 1868 - on the north side of the river, and named the Cliamberlain mill, by A. F. Fletcher & Co. It run one large circular saw. which is capable of cutting two million feet of lumber per sea-

SOD, besides doin^ the necessary work for the shingle machine. For the manufacture of shingles, it run one Valentine double cutter, one Evarts single- cutter, and one hand machine. It also run a lath mill, edgers, slab saw, and cant slasher. Its capacity for shingles is about twelve millions per season, and five hundred thousand pieces of lath. The manner of working up the timber in this mill is very economical. The logs are first taken to the circular saws, and all the upper qualities of lumber taken off. The balance of the logs are cut into cants of proper size for shingle bolts, and then passed to the cant slasher and cut into blocks for the shingle machines. The only objection to cutting timber in this way, is, that some of the shingles are cut with the grain of the M^ood, instead of being cut across it. The mill employs about forty persons, men and boys. The company also built a large dock for piling and shipping their products. Bewick, Comstock & Co. commenced to build a shingle mill and dock, on the south side of the river, above Second street. It was not finished until 1869. It run one Valentine double cutter, and one Evarts single cutter. The logs are cut into blocks with a drag saw. The daily cut of this mill is about seventy thousand, and it gives employment to about twenty persons. A small shingle mill was built in 1867 or 1868, by Hagerty & Co., on the bay shore, near Campbell & Potter's dock. It run one single cutting machine, with a capacity to cut two or three million shingles per season, and employed eight persons. A. H. Doty built a shingle mill, on the north side of the river. It run two single cutting machines, with a capacity to cut about six million shingles per season, and gave employment to thirteen persons. At what date this mill was built, the M'riter is not able to "five. In re^rard to the first shingle mill erected in Alpena, the writer has passed over until now, not being able to get the particulars. J. S. Minor, under date of March 16th, 1878, to the writer says: "The first shingle mill was built by G. S. Lester; run a Valentine machine; twenty men; twelve million ; and since destroyed." The rapid increase of mills caused a corresponding increase in the cutting of timber. In the spring the river was packed with logs for miles, so that those having logs in the rear would have to wait for them until the logs in the front had been moved. Every one having logs to drive, in the spring, was anxious to get in ahead on the drive of logs. This sometimes caused contention and strife. Some mills were compelled to be idle in the spring, on account of the jam of logs in the river, unless logs were wintered over in their booms; and it became necessary that some arrangement should be had whereby logs could be delivered at the different mills, during the summer seasonas they were needed. On the 25th of April, 1868, a number of citizens of Alpena met at the office of L. M. Mason & Co., and organized the Thunder Bay River Boom Co. The capital stock of the company was $10,000, in one hundred shares of $100 each. Officers were elected as follows: President, B. F. Luce; Secretary and Treasurer, S. Mitcbel Noxen; Directors, B. F. Luce. P. M. Johnson, Wm. H. Potter, E. Harrington, and S. Mitchel Noxen.

If civilization means a great number of wants and their supply, then Alpena had reached a high state of civilization, for her wants were many, and as soon as one was satisfied, another stood ready to claim attention. Prior to 18G7, all macliiuery and foundry work for the mills at Alpena, was done at Detroit or Saginaw, and sometimes a small break caused a serious delav. A foundry and machine shop was very much desired by the mill owners, but this question stood in the way: Is there work enough to make it pay? David Crippen was the first man that undertook to answer the question. He was a practical machinist, and by hard work and prompt attention to the wants of his customers, he has been able to answer the question in the affirmative. He came to Alpena in 1867, erected a foundry and machine shop, built up a trade, and made the busi-

A fruitful source of mortification and regret to the people of Alpena, was a deficiency in accommodations for visitors, and this led to the erection of the Fletcher House. This want was felt, more or less, from the time of the incipient village, to the opening of that house. To meet this desideratum, Samuel Boggs, in 1867, commenced the erection of a large and commodious hotel, on the north side of Dock street, near the river. It was finished and opened in 1868, and known as the Huron House, and became a competitor for business, with the Star Hotel. Both of these houses run expresses to the boats, and the traveling public was pleased and satisfied. But this state of things lasted only until 1871, when both hotels were swept away by a fire, the details of which may be seen in the chapter on fires.

In 1868, Dr. Wm. P. Maiden built a three story building, on the corner of Chisholm and Second streets. He designed the first story for a drug store, the second story for offices, and the third for a Masonic hall. The Alpena House, destroyed by fire January 1st, 1868, was re-built, on the site of the old one, in 1868 and 1869, and will be noticed in the chapter on fires. The frame of the Union School house was raised in August, 1868, the details of which are given in the chapter on education.

"Notice. - The stockholders of the Alpena Oil Company will meet at the Court House, on Friday evening, April 14th, at 7 o'clock, to organize, and transact such other business as may lawfully come before them.

D. D. Oliver, of Ossineke, made this company a proposition, that, if they would locate the well at Squaw Point, on lands belonging to him, he would contribute SI, 000, and would deed the company five acres of land, provided they should find anything valuable. This proposition was accepted by the first stockholders, who agreed with the writer, that Alpena was too near the dip of the rock, or edge of the basin, to find much brine or oil. Subsequently, men became stockholders, who had more property interests in Alpena than knowledge of geology, and either thought or pretended to think, that oil could be found in Alpena as well as in any other place, and this divided ideas and interests delayed the operations of sinking a well until in January, 18G9, when new arrangements were made to feel into the '-bowels of the earth," for oil, salt, or whatever might be of value. The first work in putting up the derrick and necessary buildings was done in January. The location selected was near E. Harrington's mill. In March, 1809, Mr. Hagerty, who had a contract for sinking the well, reported the lithological structure for 01^ feet, as follows:

After this, but little attention was given to the structure or kind of rocks, but generally limestone, with some layers of shale and soapstone. At 600 feet, a vein of mineral water was reached, which flowed with such force as to keep the borings clear, without pumping. The well was sunk to a depth of 1,185 feet, and when the tubing was put in. in 1870, it was discovered that the drill had stopped in a solid rock of salt. The brine was very strong, but could not be obtained in paying quantities. It was supposed by some that, by letting the water flow upon this bed of salt, it would soon dissolve and form a reservoir for brine, of sufficient size to establish a business in salt making. But this kind of rock does not dissolve as readily as manufactured salt, (chloride of sodium,) for, mixed with it is often sulphate of lime, (gypsum,) chloride of calcium, magnesium, etc., which renders the rock hard, and not easily dissolved. The proprietors, G. N. Fletcher, Wm. Jenney and E. Harrington, being disappointed in regard to obtaining brine, turned their attention to the mineral water. Mr> Fletcher submitted a quantity of the water to Dr. S. P. Duffield, a practical chemist, of Detroit, Mich., for a quautitive analysis, with the following result:

Analysis In A Gallon

Another well was bored by Mr. Hagerty, in 1874, on the east side of Thunder Bay river. At 700 feet a vein of very soft water was struck, which flowed the full capacity of the well. At 950 feet a mineral vein was reached; and at 1,050 feet salt rock. It is somewhat remarkable, and to be regretted very much, that a minute and detailed record of the geological character of the several strata of rock was not made. It might have led to valuable results.

The first hardware store was started by Barlow & Noxen, in 1866. Mr. Noxen soon left the firm and J, J. Potter stepped into his place, and with Mr. Barlow built up a large trade. In March, 1869, Mr. Barlow retired from the business and E. K. Potter filled the vacancy. The firm soon was changed to Potter Bros. & Co., and so re-organized, the business was well managed and is now one of the largest mercantile establishments in Alpena.

The same year, Mr. Barlow commenced to build a clapboard mill, on the south side of the river, near the pier, for the purpose of cutting clapboards and door stuff. It run one clapboard machine and sapper. Subsequently, it was changed to a shingle mill, running one double and one single machine. Had a capacity to cut 100,000 shingles per day, and employed twenty-seven persons. It was owned in 1876 by Edward White, and valued at $8,000.

In 1870, the people of Alpena had become exceedingly prosperous, in the general acceptation of the term in this country - people are prosperous according to the accumulation of wealth, over and above paying their expense of living. To show how prosperous the people are, we have only to show their surrounding: conditions and influences, and their accumulation and increase of pj-operty and population, and we can do this in no better way than to show the acts and statistic d reports of the people themselves, or through their representatives.

The population of Alpena proper, in 1864, was 674, and in 1870, according to the state censu.s, was 2,756, an increase of 459 inhabitants yearly. The vote cast in 1864 was 69, and that in 1870 was 519, a yearly increase of 75 votes. This

From its organization to 1864, six years, it had accumulated only 6y voters, while from 1864 to 1870, six years, it more than doubled that number each year.

The valuation of property, as made by the Board of Supervisors, and as shown by the census, was made upon the towQ of Alpena, which, in 1860, comprised the whole county. When the towns of Ossineke and Corles were organized, in 1867, it materially changed its territory. Alpena was again metamorphosed in 1871, by the organization of the city, and again changed by the organization of the towns of Wilson and Long Kapids. A large portion of the accumulation of wealth belonged to the village of Alpena, and when connected with other territory and subject to such changes, the figures of the supervisors fail to express fairly the rates of increase of values in the village.

The two years above have been selected: First, to show the change in value by a change in territory, and second, to select two years in which no change had been made in Alpenji lu tJuly, 1802, Congress enacted a law, imposing n tax of five per cent on all incomes over and above one thousand dollars net, and now, by giving a list of persons in Alpena, who paid an income tax in 1800 and in 1868, and the amounts on which they paid their tax, will better show their increase of wealth than any estimates made by the supervisors.

The following is tlie income tax lists (exclusive of legal exemptions) for Alpena county, for the years 1800 and 1808, as furnished by E. B. Chamberlain, assistant assessor, 15th division, 0th district: book, to show, in this place, the various circumstances that conspired favorably for the growth of Alpena, and that which exercised the largest influence, was the then so called "depreciated greenback."

Most of the wealth of x\lpena, in 1864, was in her immense forests of pine timber, and the accumulation of wealth by the people depended mostly upon the low price and easy purchase of those lands. For the purpose of settlement and drainage of the swamp lands, the Legislature, in 1859, passed a homestead law, by which any settler or occupant of eighty acres of swamplands, upon making application to the Commissioner of the Land Office, was entitled to a certificate of purchase, conditioned that the settler should live on the laud continuously for five consecutive years; that within three months from the date of such certificate, the settler should file with the Commissioner of State Land Office, a certificate from the Supervisor of the township in which the laud is located, together with his own affidavit, that he is in actual possession and occupancy of such land; that he shall not cut or carry away any valuable timber, except upon lands cleared for cultivation - ^complying Avith these provisions and proving the same at the expiration of the five years, he would be entitled to a deed of the land from the State of Michigan.

In 18G2, Congress also passed a homestead law, by which any person, male or female, being the head of a family, or a male twenty-one years of age, and a citizen of the United States, or had declared his intention to become a citizen, and who had always been faithful to the government, and by paying a small register fee, was permitted to select and occupy one hundred and sixty acres of land, from any of the United States lands, subject to entry, at one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre, and that, by living on the land for five consecutive years, and making proof of this to the Kegister of the Land Office of the district, where the land belonged, was entitled to a patent of the land from the United States. ,

In 18G2, Congress established a Department of Agriculture at Washington, D. C, and in 18G3 made a grant of lands to the several states, to aid them in establishing an Agricultural College in each state. Some of the states selected their lands, while others, being remote from the land districts, put their certificates on the market, and sold them for what they could get, being always less than one-half their cash purchasing value at the United States Land Ofiice for lauds.

For the purpose of drainage and reclamation of the swamp lands, the Legislature, in 1859, made a law granting swamp lands to aid in making roads and bridges, and in 18G1 appropriated about four hundred thousand acres for that purpose. Subsequently a large portion of the swamp lands have been used in the same way. The law provided that, if the contractor elected to take lauds for the construction of any road, as soon as his contract was accepted by the Board of Control, he had a right to select a portion or all the lands called for by his contract,' and the Commissioner of the State Land Office would withdraw them from the market and hold them during the life of the contract; that whenever the contractor finished two miles or more of the road, and it was accepted by the local road commissioner, lie was entitled to receive deeds of so much land as he was entitled to per mile for making the road.

As soon as the contract was accepted by the Board of Control, the Swamp Land Commissioner credited the contractor with the amount of the contract. This was called "unmatured scrip."

As fast as the contractor finished his road and had it accepted by the Koad Commissioner, he was credited with so much "matured scrip," on which he was entitled to deeds. This scrip was transferable by an order from the contractor, drawn on the Commissioner of the State Land Office. This scrip was placed upon the market and sold at a low figure, sometiuies for less than one-half its purchasing value for laud.

Besides these substitutes for cash, in the purchase of pine and other lands, were "bounty land warrants," issued to all persons who had been soldiers in the service of the United States. Those issued to soldiers of the war of 1812, were in the State of Michigan exempt from taxation for three years after the date of the patents. During the years 1865, 1866 and 1867 the prices of those substitutes, in the hands of middle men or brokers, ranged about as follows: Land warrants of 1812, Land warrants of 1812, Land warrants of 1812, Land warrants of 1812, Agricultural college scrip. Swamp land scrip, on the dollar, fifty to fifty-two cents.

Hon. E. G. Spaulding. in his history of the greenback, on page 198, says: "Gold and commodities continued to advance in price. On the 15th of January, 1864, gold was $1.55; on the 15th of April, $L78; on the 15th of June, S1.97, and on the 29th of June, $2.35 to $2.50, which showed that the legal tender notes were only worth forty cents on the dollar in gold. The next day, the 30th of June, 1864, Mr. Chase resigned the office of Secretary of the Treasury. At this time the inflated paper issues, outstanding, were over $1,100,000,- 000, and in a few days thereafter, gold reached its highest quotations, $2.85, or more accurately speaking, greenbacks depreciated until they were worth in gold thirty-five cents on the promised dollar, at the board of brokers, in the city of New York."

It may be Avell to examine this point a little, to ascertain whether gold appreciated, or as it is asserted, "that greenbacks depreciated." Facts support the allegation that, among the business men and laboring classes, in the United States, gold appreciated, the same as other property. Foreigners, and those basing their values on gold, claimed that the greenbacks had depreciated, but this was a fact, only when the greenback was taken out of the United States. Gold and foreign currency, not being used as a legal tender, became property, and with it fluctuated in prices.

In 1804, a gold dollar would buy, say $2.50 in greenbacks, and in 187G, it would buy only $1.12. Now, the greenback would buy as much government land, in 18G4, as it would in 1870. The taxes, State and county, were no more on the dollar, in 1804, than in 1870, and the greenback dollar would pay as much tax in 1804, as it would in 1870, and the greenback dollar would pay as much debt, in 1804, as in 1870. The gold dollar could not force the payment of any more taxes or debts, in 1804, than it could in 1870, nor could it buy any more government land, unless it was exchanged for legal tender.

Surely there was no depreciation shown by these facts, and if the people had to pay high prices for what they purchased, they also received high prices for what they sold, whether that was labor, lumber, iron or merchandise. All these circumstances combined to make it extremely easy for any person to become the possessor of a piece of pine land, which was rapidly increasing in value. Many, who had gold or Canada currency, exchanged it for "the depreciated greenback," receiving two dollars or more for one, and then purchased scrip or land warrants, at about fifty per cent below their value, for land, making it cost the purchaser from twenty to tliirty cents per acre, in gold. Many, in this way, were becoming woaltliy, who did not appear on the income tax list, or add much to the figures of the Supervisor. These conditions extended to Alpena and her surroundings, and was a[)plicable more or less to all the Northern States.

ous dates, will give you a better idea of the condition of things about the village, and the thrift and activity of the people, than any report made by the writer:

J. H. Stevens has purchased the next lot, and has the lumber on the ground for building. "Will it be safe for two lawyers to live so close together?

J. W. Hall is building a cabinet shop for our friend Aber; also a dwelling house; and Mr. Todd a tailor shop and dwelling bouse, making that corner look livel}'.

way of paint and shade trees. The idea of getting shade trees in this sand is quite discou imaging, but when it proves successful, the beauty of the improvement more than repays the trouble.

W. H. Phelps has erected a very convenient and substantial dwelling on Third street. Ira Stout is finishing another for himself by its side, while the street is being extended south of the section line bridge, and five or six new buildings going up, the owners of which we did not learn. Going back to Chisholm street, we found a new fence, nearly finished, around Rev. Mr. Barlow's house, also preparations for building on John Blakely's lot. (Wonder if this isn't a shadow, which a future event casts before. ) The new coat of paint, on Mr. Mortimei's house, improves the appearance of this corner, and we observed some timbers on the site of the old Alpena House, which was burned down last New Year's.

On Lockwood street, several buildings are going up, which causes our village to gradually creep towards Campbellville. We learn that Henry Potter intends to make an addition of forty acres to tbe village, this spring.

Burrell's Hotel is improving very fast in its appearance. Its new coat of paint, and its blinds, making it one of the most presentable buildings in town. Z. M. Knight has covered his new store and is finishing it up. It will show a neat front to Water street. Abe Crowell is building a tasty residence near the Court House, which, with Mr. Chisholm's new house on the opposite side, makes that street look more attractive. From our window we can see the goodly proportions of Mr. Gilchrists' new residence, beautifully located on the banks of the river. On Chisholm street, Mr. Potvin's hotel makes glad the waste place, where the old one burnt last New Year's. This new building needs another story to make it look well. John Blakely's cottage gives a very sunny appearance to that side of the street and makes a very desirable cage for the bird lie caught this week.

The progress of agriculture, from 1866, was more than a doubtful experiment. The writer, having been correspondent of the county of Alpena for the Agricultural Department at Washington, from 1863 to 1870, and compelled to make monthly returns to the department, during that time, his attention was called to that department of industry, perhaps more than any one in the county, and as he traveled over the country, in making surveys and exploring for pine lands, he naturally noticed the soil and its adaptation to raising farm produce, and he became early convinced, by observation and experiment, that there was but very little fault in the soil or climate, and that the application of intelligent labor, would place Alpena county among the best agricultural districts in the State.

In the fall of 1865, the writer located the southeast quarter of section twenty-five, in town thirty-one north, of range six east, and the southwest quarter of section thirty, in town thirty-one north, of range seven east, being the first burnt lands purchased, for farming purposes. He sold these lands to Dr. J. B. Truax, H. Sawyer and H. King,

Some time in 1866, Sawyer, for defending J. K. Miller and G. N. Fletcher, against the attack of some drunken men, was the next day assailed by a mob, headed by one Crawford, whom Sawyer shot and killed instantly. For this he was arrested, tried, and bound over to the Circuit Court, and sent to Saginaw to jail, as there was none in Alpena, by the same class that assailed him, but he never had a trial, as the people refused to appear against him. More about this affair in the chapter on temperance.

In consequence of this sad affair, Sawyer and Dr. Truax surrendered their contracts and left the place, while Mr. King paid for his land and became the first permanent farmer in the county.

In 18G7, Charles B. Greely and George B. Erskine commenced to clear a farm in section nineteen or twenty, in township thirty-one north, of range six east. The land was densely covered with large sugar maple, beech and hemlock timber, and it required a good ax, a strong arm, much will power, and persevering industry to make a large farm in tliis place. Fortunately, they possessed all these requirements, and constantly the sound of the ax and the crash of falling timber, could be heard, until a large piece was ready to be piled into log heaps and burned. This was done, and the ground was planted with potatoes and baga turnips, and Mr. Greely reported that the first crop brought them over one thousand dollars, besides what they used for the family and seed. This was tlie largest sale of farm produce that was raised in the county. The chopping, clearing, and planting continued until 1871, when they found that, from being the possessor of a good ax each, and some other "traps," in 1866, they were now the owners of a farm of two hundred acres, and more than one-half of that cleared, with a good house and barn, etc., good teams, wagons, and farming implements, and this mostly made from the land. Their prospects, at this time, were exceeding prosperous, but a dark cloud suddenly came over their sunshine.

About two years prior to this, Mr. Erskine brought to his forest home a charming bride, a lady of about twenty-four summers, and who by her industry, cheerful disposition, and accommodating spirit, made her endearing to her husband, and his home bright and cheerful, and won for Iier tlie kind regard and respect of all that knew her.

In June, 1870, she went to the St^itc of Maine, to visit her mother, and while there, died, soon after giving birth to a son, that also died at. or soon after, its birth. Wlien the sad news of the death of his beloved wife and darling sou, reached Mr. Erskiue, it gave him such a shock, and cast such a gloom over his once happy home,^that he could not bear the thought of living there longer, and Mr. Greelj, sympathizing with him, they sold the farm and came to the city.

Soon after Messrs. Greely and Erskine commenced their farming, they were followed into the woods by Mr. Kimball, who located a farm on the south side of them, and Mr, Green, who located near them on the northeast, while A. R. Richardson commenced to clear a large farm, a mile or so east of them, and who soon had a large clearing, with a good frame house and barn. This formed the beginning of another settlement.

About the same time, 186G or 1807, James A. Case and William Hawley commenced to clear farms on Thunder Bay river, in section thirty-one, in township thirty-two north, of range seven east, and John Mainville and one or two others, located in section twenty-eight, of the same town and range, and while Mr. Case was debating with himself, whethei- farming there would pay, and the probability of any more settlers, Mainville was disputing his rights with a family of beavers, foithe occupancy of an old beaver pond. This, with Antoine's clearing, at the mouth of the North Branch, was the first settlement in this township.

In 1867, James Demster, William Pulford, David Dunn, and a few others, settled on homesteads, a few miles east of Alpena city, and about the same time, E. Woodruff and Alex. Macaulay and others, settled on and near Partridge Point.

Richard Naylor commenced farming about three miles northwest from the city, and a few other settlers at other points, so that, in June, 1861), the writer reported to the Department of Agriculture, at Washington, thirty-six farmers in the county.

In 1870, the Rev. F. N. Barlow commenced to build a large steam sawmill, and booming grounds, out in the bay, near the south pier. He commenced the work, by running a large crib around an area of the bay, suflficiently large to hold his logs, and drove piles for the foundation of his mill, out in the water, to be filled in around it with the refuse from the mill, which was afterwards done. This mill was finished in 1871, and run one large circular saw, one of J. B. Wayne's iron gangs, two patent edgers, one gang lath mill, one drag saw, two clapboard sawing machines and one sapper, for clapboard bolts. It had also, in connection, a planing mill, with one large iron planer, and a clapboard planer, one re-sawing machine, two ripping saws, and one butting saw. This mill gave employment to, from fortyfive to fifty men, and was valued at fifty thousand dollars. The refuse from the mill soon filled all the places, that refuse could be used to advantage, besides making steam. A large wrought iron refuse burner was made, ample in capacity, for burning the accumulations, together with machinery for conveying the refuse, directly from the saws to the burner.

This property changed owners several times, passing from Mr. Barlow to George Prentiss & Co., and from them to the Alpena Lumber Co. In 187G it is owned by Mr. Churchill.

The city of Alpena is indebted to the thrift and business push and capacity of Mr. Barlow, in this enterprise, for the large and important extension of territory, the stability of her harbor improvements, the accumulation of fifty thousand dollars of wealth to the city, and the addition of, at least, one hundred inhabitants, and while Mr. Barlow got more experience out of the operation, than money, yet it was a permnnent good for the place.

In 1871, A. R. Richardson built, on Maine street, the first brick dwelling in the city. Soon after the fire, in April, Bolton & McRae built a large, three story and basement brick block, on the corner of Dock and Fletcher streets, being the first brick

Events in history take place in regular succession, the same as the events in a person's life, and it is impossible for any event to take place before its antecedent. So with the growth of Alpena. Among its first wants were streets and roads, and as soon as these became well made, horses and carriages were in order, and needed; and people who conld not keep a horse and carriage, borrowed, or hired of those who had, until a livery stable became necessary, as one of the appendages of the city. J. R. Beach was the first one in the city to keep horses and carriages for hire. In 1871, McDade & Co. built and maintained a livery stable, on the corner of Washington avenue and Second street.

In the winter of 1872 and 1873, John S. Minor built his new mill, on the old disputed middle ground. It was planned for two five and a half feet circular saws. In 1876, he employed twenty-four men, and cut, with one circular saw, five and a half million feet of lumber.

Prior to 1872, all the banking busiuess for Alpena was done in Detroit. But very little currency was taken at Alpena, for the reason that there was no safe place for deposit. Mill men in Alpena checked out of Detroit banks, and payees generally spent a large portion of the money in Detroit; and this dwarfed the trade of Alpena, and kept it without money. On the 1st of March, 1872, Charles Bewick, Andrew AY. Comstock and William B. Comstock organized The Alpena Banking Co., with A. AV. Comstock as cashier. In April of the same year, Geo. L. Maltz and J. L. AVhiting organized The Exchange Bank, with Geo. L. Maltz as cashier. These banks brought a large amount of currency into the city; supplied the needs of the business men of Alpena, and became very important institutions of the place. A large hotel was erected this season, by George N.

Fletcher, of Detroit, under certain arrangements with the people of Alpena, and called the Fletcher House. It is situated on the bay shore, and occupies the whole space between Water and Eiver streets, one front of one hundred and forty feet facing the bay; one front of one hundred and forty feet facing Water street, and fifty-one feet fronting on River street, the whole being fortv-five feet wide. The building is three stories high; the first story fifteen feet, the second story fourteen feet, and third story twelve feet, and surrounded by a mansard roof and observatory, which commands a vier,' of the bay, with its islands and various points. This house is warmed by steam, and lighted with gas manufactured for the purpose. It is intended to be, in all its arrangements, a first class hotel.

Although Alpena was considered a very healthy [)lace, yet it sometimes happened that people died there; and it therefore became necessary to have a place to bury them. For this purpose, and to locate and establish the first cemetery in the city of Alpena, Daniel Carter, in July, 1873, donated to the city, ten acres of land, from the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section 21, in town 31 nortii, of range 8 east. We too often find cemeteries located so near growing towns, that they soon become surrounded with buildings; become a nuisance, and have to be moved. This one, however, is located near the western limits of the city, on the Section Line Road, so called, and so far away that it never will be reached by the buildings of the city. It is located on a sandy i)lain, covered with spruce pine trees, and when properly improvetl will be a very peaceful spot to repose this "mortal coil," wlien the spirit that gave it life has left it and gone to higher spheres. The only objection to it is its homogeneousness. The first white person buried in this cemetery was a man by the nanje of Peter Duclos, and the first Indian buried there was Pe-ua-se-wou-aquot, sou of the old chief Sog-on-e-qua-do.

Directly after the great fire of July 12th, 1872, tbe City Fathers passed an ordinance, establishing a fire limit, which was very much opposed, as being unnecessary in so small a town ; but it had this good effect, that it caused parties on Second street to re-build with brick, and gave an impulse to the structure of such buildings as gave permanency and beauty to the place; and from this time until 1876, brick buildings Avere the order of the day. In 1873, A. McDonald erected a fine brick block, on Second street, and in the same or following year, Potter Bros. & Co., F. S. Goodrich and Chas. C. Whitney built large brick stores, on Second street. In 1875, Pack and Blackburn erected fine brick stores, and in 1876, Deacon Hitchcock built the brick Centennial building, on the site of the old court house. Other large and substantial buildings were erected on the burnt district, during this time, the details of which tbe writer has not been able to reach.

Fires And Fike Organizations

Alpeua has been a great sufferer from fires. Perhaps no place of its age and population has been visited by the fire king so often, and with such terrible effect, as Alpena. In 18G0, an extensive fire run through the woods adjoining Alpena, destroying much valuable timber, both standing and made into flat and square timber, and destroyed a large mill frame belonging to G. N. Fletcher, and one of the mill frames made by John Cole, in the winter of 1858 and 1859.

In 1862, another tiie from the woods, destroyed Lockwood <t Minor's new steam mill, shortly after being enclosed, and burned, also, a number of small buildings, the loss being considerable for Lockwood & Minor at that time.

In 1863, the large steam mill belonging to Smith & Chamberlain, was destroyed by fire, resulting in a loss to the owners and to the place, that cannot be estimated. The property was valued at $30,000. It was thought by many, at the time, to have been the work of an incendiary. A shingle mill, built and owned by Thomas Piobinson, in 1866, and running in connection with the shingle mill, the first planer brought to Alpena, was destroyed by fire, in 1867. This was a ruinous loss to Mr. Eobinson, as he had placed in it all the means he had; was without insurance, and was unable to re-build. Another shingle mill, built in 1866, and owned by Hopper & Davis, was burned soon after Robinson's. This fire so cripi)led their business relations that for a long time the mill was not re-built ; and the damaging result to their future prosperity could not be estimated. And still another shingle mill was destroyed by fire, but I cannot state the time. This mill was the first of its kind erected in Alpena, and was built by G. S. Lester. A tar fac- tory, owned by Martin Minton, was submitted to the flames. Some other tires occurred between 18(53 and 18G9, the particulars of which the writer has not been able to procure. Soon after the burning of the shingle mill and planing mill of Thos. Robinson, Scott Doane, Moses Bingham and J. B. Beers formed a co-partnership, for the purpose of carrying on the general planing business, and making doors, sash and blinds, on the north side of the river, near the bay. On the 1st of June, 1868, Beers retired from the firm, and the business was continued by Doane & Bingham. They run a surface planer and matcher, a large molding and sash machine, and other auxiliary saws and machinery. At this time, a demand arose among the lumbermen for grinding feed, and Mr. Bingham, being a practical miller, as well as an excellent mechanic, resolved to supply the want. The firm soon started a feed mill in connection with their sash factory, capable of grinding three hundred bushels of feed per day. All went on well until the 3d of May, 1869, when the fire king, which seemed to have had his headquarters near Alpena in those days, burned the upper story of their sash factory, together with a quantity of dry lumber,

Since 1866, some daring experimenters in farming had raised, contrary to expectations, a large quantity of wheat, and they wished to have it made into flour. The firm determined to meet the exigency. They soon enlarged, and changed their feed mill into a grist mill, with a bolt and other machinery for making flour with success. This gave great encouragement to the farming interest. The firm was now doing excellent work, and progressing finely, until October 1st, 1870, when the fire king made them a serious visit. Not to be foiled again by "tl^at hose," this time he started the fire in the engine room, and in a few minutes the factory and mill were in flames. Nothing was saved, nor had they any insurance. For years of labor they had only a mass of blackened ruins and disappointed hopes. But they possessed intrinsic value in themselves.