Alpena County, Michigan - Communication, 1903

Communication

Mail. - Long before the writer came to Tluiiuler Bay, aud probably since the establishment of the military posts at Sault Ste, Marie and Mackinaw, a mail route had been established between these points and Saginaw, and carried along the west shore of Lake Huron, on the backs of men or on sledges drawn by dogs, and for that reason the mail is placed in this chapter, before steamers or roads. The conveyance of the U. S. mail was entrusted to the care of Frenchmen and half-breeds, and was carried on their backs, but mostly on what they called a trainaud, and drawn by dogs over the ice and snow. The trainaud was made of two flat pieces of oak, maple or birch wood, about one-half inch tliick, six or seven inches wide, and from nine to fourteen feet long. These were fastened together with cross-bars, and nicely turned up at one end. On this the mail was placed, with their camp and provisions, and fastened to the trainaud with cords attached to the cross-bars. The dogs were placed tandem, or one before the other, and attached to the trainaud by long traces. The dogs were generally large, muscular animals, well trained for the work, and capable of much endurance; and in early times were often very fancifully Jiarnessed. The harness consisted of a buckskin collar, with hames of some bright metal, and extending about six inches above the neck of the dog, and turned with a whorl at the top, in which was suspended a nice little bell. The straps were all made of black leather, with large housing of red broadcloth, when the dog was of a dark color, and blue when the dog was of a light color. The housings were fringed witli a long yellow frino-e, and nicely workeil with beads all over. The men were rapid travelers, making trips from Bay City to Sault Ste.

Marie iu four days, under favorable circumstances - a distance of about two hundred and twenty miles - and in two instances they made, under a reward, a traverse from Bay City to Devil river, in seventeen hours - a distance of one hundred miles or more.

Having given some idea how the mail was carried on the Lake Huron shore, at the time Fremont was first settled, we now proceed to give some details in regard to the establishment of the first postoffice in Alpena countv. Among the many privations that are experienced by the early settlers of a country, is the absence of reading matter and mail facilities. The American thinks it a hardship to do without his newspaper, if only for a short time, and receives it again with as much eagerness as he does his "bread and butter," after being without his dinner. The first settlers of Alpena were no exception to the rule, and Mr. Carter says, in a letter to George N. Fletcher, under date of the llth of February, 1857: "I want you to send more papers; we read everything all to pieces." As soon as A. F. Fletcher arrived in Fremont, he became sensible of this great want of mail, and in his first letter to his cousin, G. N. Fletcher, he says: "You ought to write to Washington about a postoffice." Soon after this letter, a petition went to Washington, for a postoffice at Fremont, and on the 15th of January, 1858, the papers arrived from Washington, establishing a postoffice at Fremont, with Daniel Carter as postmaster, together with blanks and other things necessary for the newly made postmaster to exercise the functions of his office. From 1850 to this time, the writer received his mail in the winter, through arrangements made with the postmaster at Bay City, and the mail carriers, the writer's mail being made into a sealed package and carried outside the mail bags; and iu summer, by arrangements with the postmaster at Detroit, and his schooner and other vessels coming- to Devil river for lumbev - receiving his mail quite regularly during the winter, and at intervals of from one week to one month during the summer. Soon after the operations of the postoflSce at Fremont had commenced, it was discovered that there was another Fremont in the State, and some letters occasionally went to the wrong Fremont, and the people had the name changed to Alpena postoflSce. Then letters sometimes went to a place called Alpine, and the name of the postoflSce was again changed to Thunder Bay postoffice, and subsequently to Alpena postoflSce, which name it still retains. Haviug a mail route established along the lake shore, for the winter season, the mail came regularly once a week during the winter, but having no mail route established for the summer season, the office had to depend on such arrangements as the postmaster could make with the postmaster at Detroit, and circumstances. AVhen any responsible person went to Detroit, and to return soon, he was authorized to carry the mail; and about tiie last words to those leaving for Detroit, were, "Don't forget the mail." This state of tilings continued only one summer. Mr. Carter petitioned the department at "Washington, to establish a mail route between Bay City and Fremont, in the summer season. They replied that they could not establish a mail route, but would grant him the whole proceeds of the office for the purpose of carrying the mail. During the summers of l<S5y, 18()0 and 1801, Mr. Carter procured the mail to be carried between Bay City and Alpena, as often as it could be carried, in a small boat; and at the end of the three years, Mr. Carter found himself to the good, less expenses, about two hundred dollars. The mail was then carried by steamers, running between Alpena and Bay City, for the proceeds of the Alpena postoffice and the other offices along the shore, and what the people donated, until July, 1800, when a regular mail route was established; and from that time until 1870, there has been a daily mail carried on the boats, and as regular as the weather would permit. Up to 1803, the winter mail had been carried by "dog train," along the shore. This winter, the arrangement was changed, and the "dog train" came only as far as Fremont, and returned. Mr. Carter, under a sub contract, carried the mail between Fremont and Bay City, and continued to carry it in the winter, until the summer route was established, in 18G6. It was then carried by stage, until 1876. Mr. Carter's house was made the first postoffice, and this, as well as many other of the institutions that now belong to Alpena, took their incipient growth at Mr. Carter's house. For remuneration as postmaster, Mr. Carter was to have sixty per cent of the revenue from the office, yet his salary for the first year did not reach the moderate sum of five dollars. Mr. Carter resigned the ofiice in April, 1800, but was not relieved until October, when E. K, Potter was appointed his successor, and following him in office was Leroy Bundy. The present incumbent, in 1870, is W. D. Hitchcock, and the fourth on the list of Alpena postmasters. The office is now one of considerable importance, being made a money order office in 1808. Its revenue, in 1875, being ^3,- 027.31 ; and the amount of orders issued reached the sum of

$24,030.09. In 1S()7, through the influence of the writer, k postoffice was established at Ossineke, called the Ossineke postoffice, and the appointment of George B. Melville as postmaster. The revenue of the office, for the first year, was a little over three hundred dollars. In 1870, there were four postoffices in the count}', two as above stated, and one called Long Rapids postoffice, Avith John Louden as postmaster, and one called East Side postoffice, with Mrs. Ellen Roberts as postmistress.

By Watek. - Prior to 1844, but little was known of Alpena county, and its waters were very seldom visited by any craft larger than a fishing boat. In 1845 and 1840, Thunder Bay Island becoming a large fishing station, made it profitable for steamboats going around the lakes, to call at this island, for freight and passengers. In 1840), the fishermen on the island entered into an aj^reement witli two steamers, to call at the island every trij* up and down during the season, when the weather would permit; and it became a habit with all the steamers to land passengers at the island, and call for them when signaled for them to call, by hoisting a flag. And this habit, once obtained, continued until IST)',); and most of the travel to and from Fremont was by this route^ - the freight mostly coming on sail vessels. After tlie sawmill was built at Devil river, vessels occasionally came there for lumber. In 1852, the writer purchased the schi)oner Marshall Ney, and run it regularly from liis mill, at Devil river, to Cleveland, for four years. Occasionally, during this time, small vessels came in search of freight or trade. In 1859 and 1800, the busine.'^s cf Fremont having largely increased, steamers found it profitable to make occasional trii)S there, and Capt. Darius Cole, owner ttf the steamer Columbia, was induced by the people of Aljiena, to place his boat on the route between Fremont and Detroit, and in a short time began making regular trips. The Columbia being a small boat, was able to land her passengers and freight on the dock inside the riven while the Forest Queen, tiiat came to Fremont only when she could obtain a profitable freight, was compelled to lay outside the river, and discharge her freight and passengers on lighters and boats, on account of the sandbar at the mouth of the river. In the spring of 1860, we find the following in the Detroit papers: "Steamer Columbia, Darius Cole, Master, leaves Detroit every Monday, at 2 p. m., arrives at Bay City Wednesday morning, and leaves Bay City for Thunder Bay every Wednesday morning, at 10 o'clock." At the same time, the Forest Queen made trips to Tav/as, every Friday, and every other Friday extended her trips to Au Sable, and sometimes came to Fremont. From 1859 to the fall of 1864, the Columbia continued to make weekly trips from Detroit to Alpena, and the Forest Queen came when she could get a paying freight. In 1863, the Genesee Chief, Capt. Clark, run on the Bay City route, and continued on that route until the fall of 1867. In the fall of 1864, the Sky Lark, Capt. A. G. Kipley, came on the Bay City and Fremont route, and the "old Columbia receded." The Sky Lark continued to make bi-daily trips each season, until the summer of 1866, when she was sold to western parties and taken off the route, and the steamer Huron, Capt. D. Cole, run in the Sky Lark's place during the remainder of the season. In 1867, the steamer Alpena, Capt. John Robeson, run on the route between Detroit and Alpena, making regular trips; and the Huron, Capt. D. Cole, run with the Genesee Chief, on the Bay City route. During the years 1867 and 1868, the harbor of Alpena had been so much improved by piers and dredging, that steamers could enter the river, and in 1868, a new impulse was given to mill building in Alpena, and consequently a large increase of freight for that place, as well as a corresponding increase along the .shore. In the spring of 1868, the steamer Huron, Capt. D. Cole, started on the Bay City and Alpena route, and in July, the steamer Geo. W. Reynolds, Capt. Benj. Boutell, run with the Huron, on the same route. On the 4th day of July, the steamer Metropolis made her first visit to Al[)ena, and run t)ii the route the remainder of the season. The Marine City run this season, ou the shore route, from Detroit to Alpena, in place of the Alpena, and extended her trips to Mackinac Island. In

1869, the steamer Metropolis, Capt. Cole, run on the Bay City route, and the Marine City, Capt. Jolm Robeson, run from Detroit to Mackinac. Business having largely increased in Alpena and on the bay shore, in 1870, the Metropolis, Capt. Cole, started on the Bay City route in the spring, and in October, the steamer Sandusky, Capt. McGrregor, was placed on the same route; and the Marine City, Capt. John Robeson, run on the shore, from Detroit to Mackinac. In 1871 and 187".!, the steamer Sandusky, Capt. John Stewart, run on the Bay City route; and in 1872, the steamer Lake Breeze, Capt. Lathrop, run with the Sandusky, on the same route; and the Marine City, Capt. John Robeson, continued to run from Detroit to Mackinac, and the propeller Galena. Capt. Broadbridge, made regular trips from Cleveland to Ali)ena. About the middle of the season of 1873, the steamer Dunla[), Capt. Brown, and the steamer John Sherman, Capt. John Stewart, were placed on the Bay City route, the Dunlap continuing on the route until after

1870. She was sailed in 1874, by Capt. Snow, and in 1875 and 187G by Capt. A. G. Ripley; and the Sherman, Capt. Stewart, run with the Dunlap in 1874. In 187o and 187(5, tlie steamer Dove, Capt. Knowlton, run with the Dunlap ou the Bay City route, and the Marino City, Ca[)t. John Robeson, continued to run on the shore route, between Detroit and Mackinac Island. In the meantime, the propellers Wenona, Capt. L. R. Boyuton. and the Galena, Capt. Broadbridge, run from Alpena to Cleveland.

By Roads. - The first meeting of the Highway Commissioners took place at the house of Daniel Carter, on March 20th, 1858, and, 'On motion of D. D. Oliver, it was voted to form two road districts:

"Road District No. 1, to be bounded as follows: Commencing on Thunder Bay, where the east and west center line of town 30 north, of range 8 east, intersects the bay ; thence west, to range line between ranges 7 and 8 ; thence north, to town line between 31 and 32; thence east, to range line between ranges 8 and 9; thence south, to Thunder Bay; thence on margin of bay, to the place of beginning,

"Eoad District No. 2, to be bounded as follows: North by Road District No. 1 ; thence east by Thunder Bay, to the town line between towns 28 and 29 ; thence west to range line between towns 7 and 8, and thence north, to the south boundary of District No. 1."

At the second meeting of the Highway Commissioners, which soon followed the first, a petition, signed by Joseph K. Miller, Addison F. Fletcher, David Plough, Daniel Carter, Moses Bingham, Abram Hopper, James S. Irwin, Lewis Atkins and David D. Oliver, was presented to the board, to lay out and establish a road, "commencing near the mouth of Thunder Bay river, and thence by the most feasible route to the mouth of Devil river," this being the the first township road surveyed in the county. The petition was accepted, and the county surveyor was requested to make the necessary survey of the road.

At the spring election of 1859, a motion was made by the electors, and carried, and the following was placed upon the records: "Voted to raise the sum of one hundred dollars, according to the report of the Highway Commissioners, for the purpose of surveying and establishing a road from the mouth of Thunder Bay river to Devil river."

The records do not show that any one was authorized to levy and collect the tax, but nevertheless the tax was levied and collected, as the same has been done many times in towns where their organizations were much older than Fremont. The writer made the necessary survey of the road the same season, but too late in the fall to do any work on the road.

The first highway tax roll was made in 1858, by Lewis Atkins, township clerk, for Koad District No. 2. Only four parties appear on the roll, subject to road tax, as follows:

The people all along the Lake Huron shore, and especially those at Fremont, were very anxious to have a road opened between Bay City and Fremont. Indeed this road had become a necessity, and a petition was drawn up and signed by nearly all on the shore, and presented to the State Legislature, who, in 1859, passed the following act:

Sec 1. The People of ihe Shife of ^[ichi(]an cmicf, That Daniel Carter, of Fremont, C. C. Chilson, of Bay county, D. D. Oliver, of Devil river, Allen Terry, of x\uSable, and Charles H. Whittemore, of Tawas Cit}', be and the same are hereby appointed commissioners to lay out and establish a state road, from Saginaw City, in the county of Saginaw, to Cheboygan, in the county of Cheboygan, touching at Tawas City, AuSable, and Fremont, on Thunder Bay.

Sec. 2. For the purpose of the further construction and improvement of said road, there is hereby a[>[)ropriated all the non-resident highway taxes, not otherwise ai)[)ropri»tod by law for State roads, within six miles of the line of said road, on each side thereof, for the year 1850, and for five years thereafter."

The act also provided that the Highway ConmiissiuiuMs, of each township, through which the road should pass, should adopt and work the same, and it also provided that "said commissioners" should receive the large sum of --one dollar and fifty

Soon after the commissioners had received notice of their appointment, a meeting of the commissioners was called to meet at Tawas City, that being the central point. The only way to reach that place from Fremont, was either to foot it down the shore or go in a small boat. Accordingly Messrs. Carter, of Fremont, and Oliver, of Devil river, two days before the meeting was to take place, started for Tawas City, in the said small boat. They I'eached the place of meeting, in good time and found all the newly appointed commissionei's on hand, excepting C. C. Chilson, of Bay county, who had but little interest in the road. The commissioners met and, after thoroughly discussing the matter, and considering the great wisdom and munificence of the Legislature in passing the act, came to the conclusion that there would not be money enough collected during the said five years, to keep a brushed road that length in repair, after it had been laid out and made, as at that time but little land had been purchased along the line of the proposed road, and after voting the enterprise a failure, they adjourned sine die.

Thus ended the first effort for a road from the Saginaws to Alpena. After a week spent in this useless effort. Carter and Oliver returned, having spent their time and money, for which they could not expect any remuneration, except the consciousness of having faithfully discharged the duties imposed upon them by the people, and the imposition imposed upon the people by the Legislature.

The subject of a State road, from Bay City to Cheboygan, was not dropped, but the subject continued to be agitated until, in 18G1, the State Legislature passed a large bundle of bills for making State roads, and among them was the following: pointed by the Governor, upon the most direct and eligible route, between the places hereinafter designated, the following State roads: (The 22d in the list is) a road from Duncan, in Cheboygan county, to AuSable river, in Iosco county, via Alpena, to be known as the Duncan, Alpena and AuSable River State lioad.

Sec. 3. To secure the construction of said road, there is hereby appropriated an average amount of six hundred and forty acres of State swamp land to the mile." * * *

David Plough, of Alpena, was appointed commissioner on the Duncan, Alpena and AuSable State Road. No provision having been made, by the Legislature, for laying out this road, excepting the lands, the Board of Supervisors met and passed an order, to accept lands of the State of Michigan, for the benefit of the county, and issue road orders, provided they would be accepted, for making the survey of the road, in lieu of the land, and they authorized the commissioner to make a contract accordingly, and in April, 1802, he made a contract with the writer to make a survey of the road, for the sum of five dollars per mile, payable in county orders, or lands, at the option of the surveyors. The road was to be surveyed nnd(>r the supervision of the commissioner, the writer furnishing all things needed for the work.

On the ;Jlst of May, 1802, the writer commenced the survey of the road at AuSable river. His party consisted of David Plough, commissioner, and Daniel Carter looking out the most feasible route for the road; A. J. A. Micliolowski and Frank Trowbridge, for chainmen; John King and Isaac Isaacson, for packers; Robert Newell, for axman, and Elijah Degroat, for cook.

The survey was made in due'time, and the report accepted by the Board of Control, at Lansing, in the fall of 1S02. In July, 180.3, the first contracts were made for the work on the road. The largest contractors on the road were S. O. Harri.s and J. B. Babcock.

Mr. Plough remained commissioner for a number of years, and was variously praised and blamed, as interest or prejudice prompted, but be was honest, and failed to make money out of the road, when he could have seen "millions in it." Here the speculative ideas of Plough and Oliver were at fault, for the extensive knowledge that Oliver had at that time of pine lands, and the extensive influence and power exercised by the Commissioner of State Lands, in letting and accepting contracts, would have made the business extensively profitable; but all this passed like a panorama, with but little thought, if any, in that direction, and so the wisdom, that comes after the fact, is worthless.

A short time prior to the survey of the Duncan, Alpena and AnSable State Road, a State road had been made from East Saginaw to AaSable river, called the East Saginaw and Au- Sable State Road, but was only passable for teams in the winter, on account of the condition of the AuGres swamps, and it was, after repeated efforts and appropriations of swamp lands, that it became passable in the summer season. The road, from the AuSable to Alpena, was finished during the summer of 1864, and that winter a stage line was run by Daniel Carter, between Alpena and Bay City, and the people rejoiced that they had a way out of the woods during the winter.

In order to carry the mail, Mr. Carter, in 18G3, run teams between Alpena and Bay City, by traveling sometimes in a bushed road, and sometimes on the ice, on the lake shore, but this way of traveling was risky and disagreeable.

In the winter of 1866 and 1867, through the Hon. J. K. Lockwood, an appropriation of swamp lands was made for the improvement of the road, and for building a bridge across the AuSable river, and in 1867, the connection of the roads was made by a bridge across the river. The road, from Alpena toward Duncan, was continued to be made slowly, and in 1865,

Daniel Carter built a bridge across Thundi-r Bay river, on the contract of G. N. Fletcher. It was many years before this road was finished to Duncan, and indeed, in 1870, it is not passable for teams, the whole length, in the summer.

From the organization of the township, to 1S70, most of the proceeds of the road tax was expended on the streets of Fremont. A bridge had been made, in 1805, across Thunder I3av river, connecting Dock and Second streets, and paid for from the proceeds of the road tax. It was a poor experiment, and soon went to decay. A road had been surveyed and cut out for a bush road, on the west side of the river, from Fremont to the Broadwell mill, at the rapids, and some work had been done, on what is known in 1870, as the section line road.

When the Duncan, Alpena and AuSable State Road was surveyed, it was carried in a direct route from the town line, near Greenbush, in Alcona county, to Ossineke, in Al[)ena county, and passed west of Harrisville and Black River. It was surveyed there instead of following the lake shore, through the instance of S. O. Harris, who compromised with the conimissioner, and paid the writer thirty dollars for backing up on liis line, from Harrisville to Greenbush. What his object was, the writer w'as not informed.

The people along the shore still needed a road, and, in I80r». an appro[)riation of swamp land was made for a State road from Ossineke to Harrisville, following the shore to South Point and Black River, and late in the fall of 1800, the road was o[)ened for winter travel. Obed Smith was the principal contractor and builder of this road.

On the 3d of May, 1800, a meeting of the citizens of Alpena was called, for the purpo.se of taking into consideration the condition of the old bridge. At this meeting the Highway Commissioners were requested to examine the bridge and report at the next meeting. On the 15th of May, the commissioners, D. Carter, Thos. Murray and Samuel Boggs, nuide their report, and the following rcsolutiim was passed: "Re-

A motion was also made and carried, requesting the Board of Supervisors to call a meeting and take the necessary steps to build a county bridge. J. K. Lockwood, Chairman ; A. Hopper, Clerk.

This meeting had the desired effect, and during the winter of 1869 and 1870, a good and substantial wooden bridge was placed over the stream, connecting Dock and Second streets. This bridge is good in 1876.

For several years, during the winters, much talk and agitation was had by the people of Alpena, and those along the bay shore, in regard to a railroad along the shore, to Alpena, but was always dropped during the summer.

In January, 1875, quite an impulse was given to tLe railroad agitators by a man of the name of Jefferds, who proposed to build a railroad, from Alpena, direct to Sterling, on the Saginaw and Mackinaw road, and the spring opened with a fair prospect of a railroad to Alpena, and made quite a stir for a short time.

Had the people of Alpena "boosted" the enterprise a little, as much as they will have to do, in all probability, when they get a road, they would have had one this summer, but they had lapsed into their usual summer complaint, and Mr. Jefferds not being able to build the road, it was abandoned.

In the winter of 1875, five sections of swamp lands were given by the State, to build a State road, from Alpena to Long Lake, and called the Long Lake State Road. The five sections of land, being insufficient to build the road, it being six and one-half miles long, a sum of $700 was raised by the people for that purpose, and in July, of the same year, a contract was made for buikling the road, and in 1876, the road is being made.

Educational

EDUCATIONAL. Schools. - As soon as p)acticable after the townsliij) meeting, held oil the 5th day of April, 1858, the School Inspectors of the township of FremcHit, met for the purpose of forming a school district, and as much territory as could he allowed by law, was incorporated into School District No. 1. Soon after this, a school meeting was called, and Addison F. Fletcher was elected the first School Director. Miss Mary L. Carter was hired to teach the first school, and after being inspected, commenced teaching, in a small cooper shop, made of rough boards, which was then the best building that could be procuieil for a school lunise, and which stood on lot 10, in block 3, of the village plot. The writer has not been able to find a record of this school, and thinks that no record was kept. The second school was commenced on the 23d day of May, 1859, and ended on the 20th of August of the same year. The report is as follows :

District No. I, Alpena

This school was taught in an upper room in what is now called the Myers block, on the corner of Second and Water streets, on lot 13, in block 3, of the village plot. This building was completed in the fall and winter of 1858. The first floor was used as a storehouse, and the second was used for county and other purposes, viz: Circuit Court room and county offices, school room, church. Sabbath school, printing oflice, and all public gatherings. We give below the names and ages of the scholars attending this school, as being of some importance, should the record be preserved for the next Centennial year, and may be interesting to some of the present generation:

Soon after the Rev. C. G. Bisbee came to Alpena, in 18G0, be was hired to teach the school, but he made no report until the 27th of February, 18G2, when the number of scholars enrolled was fifty-one, doubling in two-and-a-half years. Following Mr. Bisbee, as the next school teacher, was Leroy Bundy, who only taught forty-eight days. In 1803, the school was taught by C. P. Butler, who had an average attendance of twenty-five scholars during the summer term. The winter term ended April 29th, 1804, and was a full term, with an average attendance of twenty-two scholars. The report is made, but not signed. Miss Kate Bai'clay taught the summer term of 1804, but made no report.

In 1803 and 1804, the first district school house was erected in the county. It was located on lot 2, in block 20, of the village of Fremont, and was the construction of Samuel Boggs. J. B. Tuttle taught the first school in this house, and consequently was the first teacher who taught in a district school Louse in Alpena county. His report is as follows:

Report of a term of the public school, taught in District No. 1, of Alpena village, Alpena county, Michigan, during the winter and spring of 1804 and ISOo. School began Jan. 3d, l^iOT). School closed April 1st, ISO.j.

This report shows a rapid increase of schohirs. and a corresponding increase of inhabitants in .\l[u'na county. luoic than "tloubling in two yeai's.

east side of the river, and a school taught there. The large increase of population rendered it necessary to have more school room, and the School Board, deeming it advisable to erect a Union School house, took the necessary steps in that direction, and in 1867, the Legislature authorized the building of a Union School house, by the following act: An act to authorize the formation of Union School District

Sec. 1. The People of the Sfcde of Michigan enact, That the School Inspectors of the township of Alpena, in the county of Alpena, are hereby authorized to organize the said township of Alpena, or so much thereof as they may deem necessary, into a school district, to be known as Union School District Number One, of said township.

Sec, 2. Said school distiict shall be organized according to the provisions of the school laws of the State, and all moneys lawfully voted to be raised in said district, by tax or loan, shall be a valid debt against all the property in said district.

Soon after the passage of the preceding act, bonds were issued and negotiated, and the necessary funds raised for the construction of a Union School house, and in 1868, a suitable building was erected, under the supervision of David Plough, as dii-ected by the School Board.

The building was located on grounds, donated to the township, for school purposes, by S, E. Hitchcock, and it cost, in round numbers, the sum of $20,000, when finished, furnished, and the ground cleared off and fenced.

Charles T. Brockway was engaged as the first Superintendent, and in November, 18(')9, the Union School commenced its regular operations, under his supervision. Mrs. Sutton, Mrs. Stevens, Mrs. Yanlnwegen, Miss Doane and Miss Barclay were engaged as teachers. They were inspected by Messrs. Cornstock and Barlow.

The school Avas divided into four grades - the primary, secondary, senior and junior. Each grade was divided into two classes, called the A and B class, excepting the senior grade, which was divided into three classes, the highest of which pursue the higlier English branches, and is in every respect a High School grade. Scholars were taken into the school at the age of six years.

F. S. Dewey succeeded Mr, Brockway, as Superintendent, in 1871 or 1872, for he says in his report of 1874: "In 187*2, or two years ago, I changed the course of study." He divided the school into five grades, of two years each, primary, secondary, intermediate, grammar and liigh school. It now takes ten years to go through the course. Mr. Dewey is Superintendent in 187(3.

The writer has given the names of the teachers, in the Cnion School, as reported in 187-t, with their salaries, showing the condition of the sc1kk)1, at this time. But little change from this was made in the school up to 187»).

The whole number of pupils in school was 374, and the number of scholars enrolled was as follows: Boys, 325; girls, 281. The number of seats in all the rooms was 450.

In 1876, there is fourteen school districts in the county, and twelve district school houses. In the village is a Catholic school, a German school and a NorAvegian school.

JouENALiSM. - We are indebted to the proprietor of the Pioneer for the following letter, written to him by D. R. Joslin, in regard to the history of the Alpena County Pioneer. We give all of his letter that is pertinent. Mi\ Joslin says: "In the year 1862, I was publishing a paper at Port Austin, in Huron county, called the Huron County Reporter. During the winter of 1862 and 1863, hearing of a commencement of a village, at the mouth of Thunder Bay river, and the fine prospects of a large and thriving village, not far in the future; the large amount of pine lands on the river and its branches, and the large amount of lands, which appeared upon the tax rolls, and not satisfied with the prospects of Port Austin, I was induced to correspond and learn the prospects of locating a paper at Alpena. Accordingly 1 corresponded with O. T. B. Williams, the Prosecuting Attorney. He took an immediate interest to encourage the enterprise, and so did all the people of the village, which, at that time, contained about 250 inhabitants, and according to their means, subscribed a liberal donation of $200 to aid in establishing the paper. Accordingly, about the 26th of April, 1863, on Sunday, I arrived with my printing office, at Alpena, on the Forest Queen, which anchored out in the bay. Freight was loaded on scows and poled in. The printing oflSce was landed off the scow, on Miller's dock, Sunday, and procuring a room over Miller's store, now the Myers block, and commenced immediately to set up the office, and in order to secure the tax printing, must issue by the 1st day of

May, which, by working day and night, with one hand, issued on the last day of April, a twenty column paper, having five columns per page, of 17| inches a column, of which twelve columns were reading matter, called the Thunder Bay Monitor. It was hailed with great .satisfaction and well patronized. The issue of the first year was about 150 copies, which was very large, according to the population, for at that time, there were only two mills in the place - Messrs. Lockwood & Minor's, on Water street, and the Island mill - the Chamberlain mill just burned. One dry goods store, Mr. Hardwick's. Messrs. Lockwood <fe Minor kept a few things, but could hardly be called a store. Mr. Miller kept a small grocery store. Mr. Bingham kept the only hotel, a small two story wood building, on the north side of the river, which had to be reached from the south by a boat, if one could be found, if not, go over on a saw log, or stay Avhere you were. These composed the business places of the town ; therefore the paper was almost destitute of home advertisements, so we had to look abroad for advertisements to fill up, many of which were of little profit. The tax list, which was large, was a great relief to the expenses. The next year, three other mills were built, and a number of stores and hotels, having double the population and business, and gave the advertising columns a much better appearance, and helped greatly to its sup[)ort. I continued to [)ublish the paper until the fall of 18G5. Being so unfortunate as to lose my wife, causing a derangement in my business, in the month of November, 1SG5, I sold the oftice to D. D. Oliver. Mr. Oliver immediately installed J. A. Case as editor, and J. Honsburger as publisher. Some time in the spring of lS(»(i, Mr. Oliver changed the name of the paper to the Al[)ena County Pioneer, which has continued since." In 18()7, Oliver soKl a half interest in the paper to Robert S. Toland, and the paper was conducted under the firm name of Oliver S: Toland. Blinding the paper too small for the growing business of the town.

Oliver, throao:!! tlie directiou of Toland, enlarfyed it to a twentj-four column paper, being 24x10. Oliver resided at Ossiiieke, and having business there, could not see to the management of the office, and consequently the business run behind expenses about five hundred dollars, up to the spring of 1808. J. K. Lockwood and Oliver v/ere very anxious to have the paper live a Republican, and after some talk in regard to the matter, Oliver sold his interest in the office to Lockwood, at a certain price, with conditions that Toland should have the same chance with him as he had with Oliver, and that George McFadden, who was employed in the office, should have the privilege of buying the half interest in the office, if he should so elect, at the same price that Lockwood purchased of Oliver, it being the object of Lockwood and Oliver to make the business live. In 1808, we find the Pioneer published by Toland & McFadden. Had these young men taken the advice of Oliver and Lockwood, and had been more persevering and economical, they might have had, at the Centennial year, a good property, a successful business, and an honorable standing among the citizens of Alpena. But they could not see what the result would be, and in June, 1808, McFadden turned over to Lockwood, his interest in the Pioneer office, and for a short time, the business was run in the name of Lockwood & Toland. In November, 1808, Lockwood &, Toland sold the Pioneer office to Albert C. Tetft. Mr. Tefft was not a practical printer, and says, in an issue of his paper, in February, 1871: "Not being a practical printer, we have had some bad luck in not presenting so 'clean' a sheet as we wished sometimes." Mr. Tefft purchased the business to keep, and by industry, economy and good management, has made it a success, when practical printers had failed, and as a reminder of this fact, Mr. Tefft says, in an issue of his paper of the 22d of February, 1871: "Two years ago, when we first took charge of the Pioneer, its proprietors informed us that it had never been a paying institution, but that each succeeding owner had lost money in trying to sustain it." In September, 1871, Mr. Tefft enhargfed it to a nine column paper, of 24x30, and put a new head on it, making it n large and respectable paper, and which was a true index of the growth of Alpena. A second paper was started in Alpena, in June. 1871, owned and edited by J. ('. Viall, and called the Alpena Weekly Argus. It is Democratic in politics, and a champion worthy the steel (jf the Pioneer, and will have a tendency to arouse the Republican proclivities of the editor who has had his own way so long that his Republicanism was becoming egotistical. Tlie Ai'gus office and its contents were completely destroyed in the great fire oi July 12th. 1872. He had no insurance, but the people, with their usual generosity, soon hel[)- ed the editor to renew his paper, and in 1870, it is a successful and im[)ortant institution of the city.

Sabbath Schools and Chukches. - Soon after J. K. Miller came to Fremont, he commenced to teach a Bible cla.ss on the Sabbath, at the house of Daniel Carter. The class consisted of only five persons, being the children of James S. Irwin and Cyrus Erwiu. In the spring of 1800, the first Sabbath school was organized, with J. K. Lockwood as superintendent; W. 11. Potter, treasure!- and librarian, and A. Hopper, secretary. In the summer of the same year, the Rev. C. G. Bisbee came to Fremont, and soon after took charge of the Sabbath school, as sn[)erintendent. Mr. Bisbee was a man of considerable talent; was well educated, but not a g(K)d orator. He was a good man, kind and obliijini:, and won the love and regard of all who knew him; and no one ever left tlie place with more well-wishes than the first minister of Alpena. He was industrious, and tau<'-ht school for two vears after he came to Fremont, partly for his support, as the then newly organized church di<l not feel able to wholly employ and pay a minister. He held preach - in«r services and Sabbath school in the first room over the store now occupied by J. Myers, on the corner of Second and ^^ ater streets. As soon as Deacou Hitchcock had finished the court house, the church and Sunday school were held in it, and Mr. Bisbee continued superintendent until he went away, in the spring of 1805, when Deacou H. Hyatt was elected in his place. Mr. Hyatt was followed as superintendent, in the spring of 1866, by Rev. W. D. Kussell, who left Fremont in September of the same year, when Wm. D. Hitchcock, the present superintendent, in 1870, was elected. Mr. Hitchcock has done much to elevate and systemize the school, and bring it up to a high standard of excellence, and has succeeded in gaining the affectionate regard of the children of his school ; and will be remembered kindly by the coming generation, Avhen those who occupy higher positions will be forgotten. There is another name that has taken high rank in the annals of the first Sabbath school, and in the remembrances of the children, and which deserves honorable mention in this connection - Julia F. Farwell. She has always taken a lively interest in the school, and done much for its advancement. She always had charge of the class called the "Birds' Nest," being a large class of small scholars, and with her received elementary teachings. In 1860, the whole number of scholars in attendance was twenty-five. In 1866, the scholars had increased to 126. In this year, the Episcopal Sabbath school was organized, and in 1867, the Methodist, Baptist and Catholic schools were organized, all of which drew more or less scholars from the old school; yet, in 1875, the scholars had increased to 193, divided into twenty-seven classes. This school belongs to the First Congregational church, and is held in the church, being the first and largest school in Alpena. The officers, in 1876, are as follows: Wm. D. Hitchcock, superintendent; T. M. Luce, assistant superintendent; Belden W. Smith, secretary; John D. Potter, treasurer; Eugene Motley. James Johnston and Charles Watrous, librai'ians; Henry S. Seage, George Nicholson, Mrs. W. H. Potter and Nannie Person, choir, and Mrs. F. H. Armstrong, organist.

Church Organization. - On the 2cl of March, 18C2, an organization was effected, under the name and style of "The First Congregational Church, of Alpena."' The organic members were as follows: C. G. Bisbee, S, E. Hitchcock, Samantha Hitchcock, Julia F. Farwell, Elizabeth Mooney, Emily H. Plough, B. C. Hardwick and Lydia J. Martin. The Rev. C. G. Bisbee was the first pastor, and held churcli in the upper room of a building, standing in 1870, on the corner of Second and Water streets, and now called the Myers block, and continued to hold services there, until the court house was built, in 1803, on tlie corner of First and Washington streets, and was then adjourned to the court house, and the church and Sabbath school continued to be held in the court house, until their church was finished and dedicated, and then law and gospel, that had so long been in such fearful proximity, was .separated.

The church is a wooden structure, costing §8,000, and was built all the way from 180.J to 1808, and dedicated October 4th, 1808. A bell was i)urchased in 180U, and placed in the church, at a cost of §120. The value of the proi)erty, in 1870, is about .^10,000.

Soon after the Rev. C. G Bisbee left the pastorate, his place was filled, for a short time, in 1804 and IS*;:), by the Rev. Thos. F. Hicks, and following him, the Rev. W. D. Russell filled the pulpit until 1800, when he left the place. During the year 1807, services were held by the Rev. D. C. White, and the Rev. F. N. Barlow, a Baptist minister.

It must be borne in mind that, up to about this tiuio, it required all the people in Fremont, without <lrawing any lines, to fill a church, "and tliey could hardly.''

Baptist Chuech. - On the 15th day of October, 1867, steps were taken to organize the society, known as the First Baptist Society, of Alpena. F. N. Barlow was the first minister. The organic members were as follows: P. M. Johnson, D. Carter, E. Harrington, C. L. Kimball, W. M. Sutton and John Nicholson.

Catholic Church. - In 1864, the Rev. Patrick Barnard Murray came to Alpena, in the interest of the Catholic church, and held services and attended to the needs of the Catholic people, as best he could without a church. In 1865, he purchased of David D. Oliver, all the land in Oliver's addition to the city of Alpena, east of Chisholm street, for $300, Oliver donating $100, for the purpose of building a church, and in 1866, the Rev. Marray succeeded in erecting a good and substantial church, and was dedicated as the Saint Bernard church.

In the Catholic church, the Bishop owns the church property in fee, and the presiding pastor or priest is president, secretary and treasurer of the local church.

As soon as the church was finished, a Sabbath school was commenced, and in 1870, a week day school was commenced, having about 100 scholars. The Catholic churches count their members by families, and in 1876, Saint Bernard's chvircb numbered about 300 families, and was presided over by the Rev. Father John Van Gennip. The schools, at this time, numbered 250 scholars in each, and taught by four teachers - the Sisters of Chai-ity. The value of the chur'ch property, in 1876, is $10,000. If oar dwellings in the spirit world are built up of the good deeds we do here to our fellow beings, and that each good deed is a separate piece of the structure, then we think that the Sisters own many of the best dwellings in the summer land, and many people, when they arrive there, will

Educational. 1G3

EpiscorAL Chuuch. - This church was organized on the first of February, ISGo. The Rev. G. O. Bachmau was the first rector, and held his first services on the 0th of July, 1S05. He remained in charge of the church for eigliteen months, and was relieved by the Rev. H. H. Brown, who remained in charge for sis months, and was succeeded by the Rev. W. W. leafier. in June, 18G8, and who is still rector of the church, in 1S7G.

Public Library. - In the paper of 18G8 and ISGO, was a notice of a public library, kept at the residence of Chas. W. Richardson, and open to the reading public every Saturda}'. Mrs. S. A. Mather, president; Mrs. H. R. Morse, secretary, and Mrs. C. W. Richardson, treasurer and librarian. It is said to have been organized in 1864, by four ladies, and called "The Ladies' Metropolitan Library." This was the first library, for public reading, in the village, and reflects much credit on the benevolent ladies, who got it up. Long will they be remembered.

Chaptek Viii Judiciary

Soon after the writer was elected Justice of the Peace, ii3 1857, he purchased a justice docket and Tiffany's Justice Guide, being the first docket and law book used in the county. At the spring election of 1858, Daniel Carter was elected Justice of the Peace, and the writer, having no desire to do any business in the justice line, turned over to Mr. Carter his docket and law book.

Some time, during the summer of 1859, Leonard Jewell came into the river with a sail boat, having liquor on board, to sell. As soon as he commenced to sell his liquor, J, K. Miller brought suit against him, before Daniel Cartei-. There were^ at that time, no lawyers in the town, and Mr. Carter, very young in the business. However, it so happened that Obed Smith, who was then a Justice of the Peace, in St. Clair county, and who had some experience in law matters, was in Fremont, on a visit. So Mr. Smith, after instructing Mr. Carter, in regard to his duty as Justice of the Peace, then acted as counsel for Mr. Miller. The case was tried. It was proved that he bad sold liquor unlawfully, and he was fined. The boat was anchored out in the stream, and the Constable had taken the rudder ashore, to prevent the boat leaving until they had got through with it. Jewell pretended that his money, to pay the fine, was on boar<l the boat, and requested the privilege of going after his money, which was readily granted, supposing that he could not go away without his rudder, but what was their surprise, when they saw him sailing out of the river, steering his boat with an oar. There was no boat to chase him and bring him back, so they had to let him go, but he never

Judiciary

Under the constitution of 1850, the Judiciary was changed, making eight Circuit Judges, and each presiding over certain districts, called Judicial Circuits. This number was soon enlarged, and in 1857, Alpena was placed in the Tenth Judicial Circuit, which was composed of the following counties: Saginaw, Gratiot, Isabella, Midland, Iosco, Bay and Alpena, with uuorganized counties attached to them for judicial and municipal purposes. Subsequently, the Circuit was changed, and in 1876, Alpena is placed in the 18th Judicial Circuit, composed of the counties of Bay, Iosco, Alcona, Alpena, Presquc Isle and Otsego.

The constitution of 1850, also fi.xed the salaries of all officers, and making the Circuit Judge's at $1,500 a year, a sum barely sufficient to pay the board and traveling expenses of some of the Judges in the nortliern counties, and they were compelled to seek relief through the several Boards of Supervisors, who. in order to do justice, which the Legislature had not done, they were compelled to violate the laws of the State, and become a law unto themselves.

The first session of the Circuit Court was held in thf Myers block, in October, 1800, and presided over by Judge Woodworth. The court officers were: AVilliam 1\. Bownian, Sheriff, and Addison V. Fletcher, Clerk. Oliver T. H. Williams was the only resident lawyer. He had moved t(» Fremont, in the spring of 1801). He was a man of consideral)le ability, and in the fall of 1800, was elected fii-st Prosecuting Attorney.

Judge AVoodworth held but one or two sessions t>f court, and was succeeded by the Hon. James Birney, who held but one session of court each year, until the fall of 1S05, when the Honorable Jabez G. Sutherland was elected. Judge Sutherland held two sessions of court each year, until 1870, when he was elected to Congress. Tiu- Hon. T. C. Grier wa.s appointed to fill the vacancy, and held the May term for 1871. Judge Grier died before the time of holding another session of the court, and the Hon. Sanford M. Green was elected to fill the judgeship, and who is the presiding Judge in 1876.

Alpena has been very fortunate in her selection of Circuit Judges. All have been able law^yers, old and experienced jurists, and w^ell headed. The court officers, in 1870, are:

The Circuit Court continued to be held in the Myers block, until 1863, when the first session of the court was held in the, so-called, Hitchcock Court House, and all the county officers, and records, were moved there, and so remained, until 1870, when the building was destroyed by fire, and many of the records and papers w-ere burned. The court records, records of the Board of Supervisors, the records of marriages, deaths, naturalization, some assessment rolls, account books and vouchers. The court and offices were then removed to rooms over Potter Brothers' hardware store, where they remained until they again passed through the ordeal of fire, but this time without being scorched, as everything belonging to the court and records, were saved. The Court was then held in the Union School house, until the Potter block was finished, when the court and county offices were removed to rooms prepared for them, over the hardware store of Potter Bros., where they remain in 1876.

D. Holmes, J. H. Stevens, V. C. Burnhara, A. R. McDonalc^ All survived the Centennial year, ('xcei)ting Obed Smith, who died at his residence, in Alpena, on the t^Oth day of November, 1870. He was the oldest member of the l)ar, beiny^ an octogenarian. He was admitted in 1802. He was a Ma.son. in good standing, and was buried with Masonic honors - the Alpeua bar attending his funeral in a body. He was one of the early settlers of Fremont, having built the first steam sawmill in the county, in 1859. In 1805, he built the first bridge across Thunder Bay river, between Dock and Second streets. He was active in business, temperate in iiabits, truthful in his expressions, and was just in his dealings with his fellow men.