Essexville City (part 1 of 5)

Bay City At The Close Of 1882

The following comprehensive review of the season of 1882 was made by the Lumbermans Gazette , and it covers the ground so thoroughly that we use it in this connection:

" It has been a year of successful and satisfactory prosperity in all its departments, and better still, the outlook foreshadows the fact and is brilliant and abundant with hope that this prosperity will continue through the season of 1883. This unequaled pros¬ perity has been expansive, and to a gratifying degree has affected all the other branches of trade and industry, which have been to a greater or less extent dependent thereon; and considering this fact, it is especially satisfactory to note that Bay City with the other valley cities have expanded and advanced by leaps and bounds of industrial and commercial activity and importance and general prosperity which is surpassed by few sections on the continent.

"The season of 1882 commenced at the opening of navigation with the prices of lumber materially enhanced above what had been asked or even expected during the preceding Winter months, and this advance has been fully and steadily maintained up to the close. A reference to our table will disclose the fact also that the lumber cut of the Saginaw Biver is greater than that of any year since the commencement of the business. As the shipments by water have also been the largest in the history of the movement of forest products from the river, it will be readily observed that to the manufacturer it has been a year of unrivalled prosperity. Taken in connection with this the fact that the salt production of the year is the largest since the inception of the business in 1860, we are warranted in congratulating the mill men on the Saginaw Biver on the abundant prosperity which has crowned their efforts. It has been to them a year prolific of glorious results. It was entered upon with plethoric purses, the fruits of the preceding sea¬ son's labor, which enabled them virtually to control the market, and resist any effort from whatever direction to force sales at a re¬ duction. Indeed, this was hardly required, as the demand for their product has been steady and persistent during the entire season. It appeared to be not so much a question as to the price demanded as the ability to supply the demand, especially in the finer grades of lumber. The season opened with a good supply of logs in the booms, which with the new crop were amply sufficient to keep the mills in constant operations, and the boom companies have exhib¬ ited unusual enterprise in pushing them forward to their destina¬ tion. The mills in the aggregate have been constantly employed. No labor disturbances have interfered with the successful prosecu¬ tion of business, and taken as a whole, employer and employe alike have just cause for congratulation. Of course, as is invariably the rule, there are individual cases to which general results are not ap¬ plicable, but such cases are very marked exceptions. In fact, so universal has been the prosperity, that it would be almost unreason¬ able to expect a repetition. The grave fears expressed by some very cautious operators at the ^commencement of the season, that the success of the preceding year, added to the unusual activity which had characterized operations in the woods, and the great activity with which the season opened, would result in overproduction, and hasten an era of stagnation, have failed of realization. Business has been prosecuted with unusual vigor and energy, mills generally have been operated to the extent of their capacity, and the lumber cut has aggregated more than that of any previous year, but the de¬ mand and the facilities for moving the product have been equal to the emergency, and nothing has intervened to mar the general prosperity. True, we have over 300,000,000 feet of lumber on the docks, the greatest amount ever left over, a large portion of which is unsold, but it must not be forgotten in this connection that the 'Tittabawassee boom has only about 60,000,000 feet of logs leftover against about 300,000,000 the year preceding. The lumber, therefore, on the docks is simply the usual surplus of the Tittaba¬ wassee boom converted into lumber, wdiich at the opening of navi¬ gation will be ready for the market in at least a partially seasoned condition. While the facilities for production and production itself have been increased, it must be remembered that the demand has fully kept pace. The natural increase of population in the territory to which our lumber is tributary and the opening up of new industries demanding the Saginaw Biver product are constantly increasing. This is the eastern limit of lumber production among the Western States, and the Eastern demand cannot fail to be continuous and persistent so long as the production continues, and the pine timber is sufficient for the drafts made upon it. In con¬ nection with the fact that we have a large amount of lumber crosspiled on the docks it will be well to consider that other fact that shipments by rail the past season have been heavy, and are still continued, and it may therefore be reasonably expected that large inroads will be made in the stock on hand before the first lumber¬ laden vessel leaves the river next Spring.

"In our last year's review we predicted that the lumber business proper would be less fluctuating in the future than in the past, and the reasons adduced at that time are equally pertinent at present, - a continually increasing demand, with a positive and certain reduc¬ tion of the commodity. Of course the lumber industry is not beyond the reach of a great financial disaster, which might send consterna¬ tion and ruin into the ranks of operators, but, barring such a calam¬ ity, the outlook is of the most gratifying and assuring character.

" The past year has been one of prosperity not alone to the man¬ ufacturer of lumber; the artisan, the mechanic, the laborer, the merchant, and the agriculturist all have felt its beneficent influ¬ ence. The business of the merchant has been extensive and remu¬ nerative, and the mechanic and laborer have found ample employ¬ ment generally at remunerative wages. Of course labor troubles in other sections have to a certain extent marred the year's prosper¬ ity, but it is recognized that this might with judicious management have been avoided, and has been more the result of demagoguery than real grievances. On the Saginaw Biver and tributary territory, the most harmonious feeling has existed between employer and em¬ ploye, nothing having intervened to mar these pleasant relations. The mill operatives generally at the close of the milling season have hied themselves away to the pineries, for the same employers, and the reciprocal feeling of consideration still remains uninterrupted. To the agriculturist nature has been grandly prolific in bestowment. Abundant crops have crowned his labors and blessed his store. This is an important fact for consideration in connection with the lumber trade, and must necessarily have an important bear¬ ing thereon, at least during the season of 1883. The effects of the past season's prolific crops have not yet reached the lumber indus- try to any appreciable extent. The decline in the price of cereals induced the farmer to hold back his crop and defer intended build¬ ing improvements, which will possibly be commenced as soon as the weather permits in the Spring. This will give an impetus to all other industries, but it will have an especially important bearing on the lumber trade, which warrants the belief that the demand for lumber thus produced will have a strong tendency to maintain pres¬ ent satisfactory prices."

Season Shipments For A Series Of Years From The River

The following statement shows the aggregate shipments of lumber and shingles from the opening of navigation to the close of the years named:

Comparisons Between 1857 And 1882

The following comparisons between work done in 1857 and that done by some of the mills in 1882, furnish some idea of the progress of twenty-five years:

Logging Operations

The wonderful results that have been accomplished in the man¬ ufacture of lumber are due, not alone to improved machinery, but to improved systems of labor, as well. In no other busi¬ ness are the systems and methods of labor more thoroughly or¬ ganized and adhered to. From the time the towering pine in the forest is noted in the minutes of the land hunter, until in the form of lumber, lath and shingles, it is piled upon the vessel or car, there *s no deviation from carefully devised plans of action.

The logging operations form a distinct business by themselves ? and during the Winter months create a new world which drains the manufacturing centres of quite a considerable part of their popula¬ tion. Thousands of people observe saw mills in operation, devour¬ ing logs with marvelous rapidity, without having any conception of the methods employed to obtain the logs. The logging camp, and the process of converting the tree into logs and placing them in the streams, are interesting factors of the lumber business. The follow¬ ing description has already been published, but it covers the ground so well that we give it in this connection. The writer says:

"In the first place, in starting a 'eamp' a foreman who has en¬ tire control of it is hired, and, with as many men as are required to 'run it,' builds the camp by notching the ends of logs together and building them the same as a log house is built, only the camps are usually one story, just high enough to admit a person, and the roof made of boards covered with tarred paper. A camp consists of the 'men's' shanty, cook shanty, barns, blacksmith shop and one or two other shanties to live in. As soon as these are erected the 'boys' begin chopping the timber down, while the sawyers saw the balance of it. The swampers are cutting the brush out of the way and logs, etc., for the skidders, who, with teams, as fast as the sawyers get out of the way, throw the logs on the skidways, two logs laid on the ground parallel with each other, and about six or eight feet apart, and pile the logs up till they look like a hay stack. When the logs get so high the men can't roll them up with cant hooks, the skidder, with team, 'decks' them by drawing or rolling them up with a long chain or rope. In the meantime a certain number of men are set to work building roads from the camps to their banking ground, by clearing a place about twelve feet wide of all stumps, roots, etc., so that when the snow comes there will be no obstruc¬ tions whatever to the sleighs. Branch roads are built leading to the main roads in all directions. Trees are cut up according to the number of logs they will cut. Some trees will make three sixteen-foot logs and a twelve-foot log; some more. It is calculated that a chop¬ per will trim,measure and get timber ready for the sawyer. The 'tote' team is kept on the road between the camp and the place where sup¬ plies are got, drawing supplies into the camp. As soon as snow comes in sufficient quantities, sleighs are got out and most of the teams go to hauling* The most of the sleighs have eight or nine feet bunks, and they hold immense loads of logs, loads being drawn Scaling all the way from 3,000 to 6,000 and 7,000 feet, making so many trips each day. Teamsters have to get up about 3 o'clock a. m., to get their trips in. In skidding, a pair of tongs are used now instead of a chain, resembling a pair of ice tongs, which are hooked into an end of a log in a second and the log is under way. When the men are a half a mile or a mile away at work a long tin horn about five feet long is Used to call them to dinner. When the roads are being packed to haul on, and when they have begun hauling, a 'sprinkler' is run all night every night during cold weather, which is a huge box, water-tight, holding forty or fifty barrels, set on sleighs, the same as a wagon box. A slide in the rear lets the water run out on to the road, and freezing as fast as it touches the road, soon forms a road of solid ice, which lasts until warm weather in the Spring. "

Curtis Emerson was running a mill at Saginaw, in 1847, and that Winter had a logging camp near Oaro, Tuscola County, There were but four steam saw mills on the Saginaw Eiver, one at Sagi¬ naw City, one at Portsmouth, one at Lower Saginaw, and the old yellow mill at East Saginaw, generally known as the Emerson Mill. The entire cut of these four mills for 1847 was less than 3,000,000 feet. For the season of 1847 Emerson stocked his mill with logs from the Cass River, and his lumber camp was within a half mile of Caro, now the county seat of Tuscola County. At that time,after leaving a small clearing of three or four acres, made by John Miller, a black¬ smith, about a half mile out of the present village of Tuscola, then a small hamlet, the whole country of the Cass was a howling wilder¬ ness; not a blow had been struck or a tree cut by a white man. The only way of penetrating the vast and unsettled portion of the coun¬ try was by an Indian trail. At that time Tuscola was the only or¬ ganized township in the county. At the Spring election of 1847 there were only thirty-six votes cast, which represented the entire voting population of Tuscola County.

In cutting his lumber roads, Emerson followed, the greater part of the way, the Indian trail, which increased the distance some three or four miles, and made the distance from the village of Tus¬ cola to his camp about twenty-five miles. His camp was supplied with hay from low lands about three miles below the city limits, and his men in camp supplies from the city of Flint. It took four full days to make a round trip to his camp. Hay cost him when delivered $40 per ton, and the camp supplies in about the same proportion. The logs got out at his camp that Winter were of cork pine, and run largely into the upper qualities of lumber. From this lot of logs in 1847 was shipped out of Michigan the first full cargo of clear lumber. It was consigned to C. P. Williams & Co., Albany, N. Y. At this early day there were no lumber scows, steamboats, or steam tugs on the Saginaw River. The lumber was thrown from the docks into the river and then rafted and then poled down the river and out five miles into the bay, and then put on board of vessels. At that time there was about four and a half feet of water on the Carrollton Bar.

A Load Of Logs

road, February 24, 1883. The team weighing about 2,860 pounds, was driven by a man called "Black Tom Burns*" The load was hauled a distance of one and one quarter miles, and the logs scaled 16,613 feet.

The logs were owned by J. H. Hill & Sons, and were marked "nice," and belonged to a "gilt edged" lot, being hauled over the Pinconning Railroad to Saginaw Bay.

According to the average weight of the entire train load, these logs weighed three and one-half tons to the thousand feet, making a total of fifty-three tons in the above load. James Redy was foreman of the camp.

Rafting Operations

The streams that have furnished the logs for the Saginaw River mills, and in what is commonly termed the Saginaw lumber district, are the Cass,Flint, Shiawassee, Bad,Tittabawassee and trib¬ utaries, Kawkawlin, Rifle, Shore, Pine, Saginaw, Au Gres, Au Sa¬ ble and tributaries. The great bulk of logs, however, during the past years, have been furnished by the Tittabawassee and tributa¬ ries, and when this supply commences to diminish the backbone of the log product will have been broken. The Au Sable and tributa¬ ries contribute of late but few logs to the Saginaw mills. They are manufactured at Au Sable, Oscoda and other shore points, and rafted to the lower lake points. The Au Sable contributes a portion of its stock to the Tawas mills, but the bulk of Rifle and Au Gres logs come to the Saginaw River.

The Cass, Bad, Shiawassee and Flint, among the first lumbered, have passed out of calculation as log producing streams, as a basis of supply, each contributing but a small amount. Although logs had been run out of Cass River previous to 1864, in large quantities, the Huron Log Boom Company was not organized un'il that year, and has since handled the product of the stream, which has di¬ minished from 100,000,000 feet to 5,000,000 feet the present year.

The main source of supply for the Saginaw mills, as stated, is the Tittabawassee and tributaries, which are the Chippewa, Tobac¬ co, Molasses, Pine, Salt and Cedar.

The Tittabawassee*Boom Company was organized in 1864, and during the first year of its existence rafted out 90,000,000 feet of logs. In 1865 the product was 180,000,000 feet, and in 1866, 186,000,000 feet were rafted. In 1867 the company rafted out and delivered 236,000,000 feet. The amount furnished this season, however, ex¬ ceeds any previous year. The Bad River Boom Company rafted out 20,000,000 feet of logs in 1865, and 23,000,000 in 1866. The Kaw¬ kawlin, Rifle and Au Gres Boom Companies were subsequently or¬ ganized. A detailed statement for the past ten years shows as follows:

Recapitulation Logs By Rail

Ten years ago the idea of hauling pine logs by rail would not have been entertained as a profitable undertaking, but of late years it is a recognized industry. Aside from the short lines that are scattered throughout the pine forests of Northern Michigan, logs are hauled in great quantities by railroads to terminal points. The F. & P. M. Railroad handles pine logs extensively, the bulk of the product coming to the Saginaw River. The Mackinaw division of the Michigan Central has handled a large quantity of pine logs during the past two years. The Tawas & Bay County Road hauls logs to Tawas, and Saginaw Bay & Northwestern haul a good many logs to Saginaw Bay, which come to Saginaw River mills.

During the month of December the Flint & Pere Marquette hauled 11,964,532 feet of logs, of which 5,040,370 feet came direct to the Saginaw River. During the year 1882 this road hauled 95,294,- 620 feet of log3, of which 46,226,419 feet came direct to the Sagi¬ naw River, and 29,932,530 feet were distributed between Midland and Averill. Of these 12,595,870 feet were manufactured at Mid¬ land and 17,336,660 feet came through the Tittabawassee booms to Saginaw River mills. The balance of those not coming to the points named went to Manistee. The record of this road in loghauling during three years, shows as follows: hauled 5,305,781 feet, and in December 3,592,165 feet, making a total for the year of 86,030,768 feet. The Tawas & Bay County Road hauled during the year 38,436,570 feet and the Mackinaw di¬ vision of the Michigan Central 60,000,000 feet. The aggregate for 1882 shows as follows:

Boom Companies

The Tittabawassee Boom Company was organized in 1864 and during the first year rafted out 90,000,000 feet of logs. This com¬ pany has rafted more logs than any other company in the world. The season's work of 1882 was the largest in the history of the oper¬ ations of the company. The record of the past ten years is as follows:

The present officers are: - Directors - W. R. Burt, R. H. Weideman, John Moore, Ezra Rust, Thomas Merritt, Y. Z. Dorr, James A. Remick. Officers - president, R. H. Weideman; secretary, John Moore; treasurer, James A. Remick.

The Au Gres Boom Company was organized in 1867. Its offi¬ cers are: - H. W. Sage, president; John Emery, secretary; Ferdi¬ nand Johnson, treasurer. The office is in West Bay City.

The Rifle Boom Company was organized in 1870. The present officers are: - A. Chesbrough, president; E. T. Carrington, secre¬ tary and treasurer.

The Bay View Boom Company was organized in February, 1881. Its officers are: - E. G. Carrier, president; B. E. Warren, secretary; John Heath, treasurer.

First Mill

The first saw mill, in what is now Bay County, was built on Pine River, in the year 1835, by the firm of Jones & Chapell. They operated the mill only a short time and then it passed into other hands. It was a water mill, and traces of it may still be seen. This mill does not appear in the preceding history, for the reason that it was located outside of what is known as the Saginaw River District. The coarse lumber of the Center House came from this mill, a fact that should have been stated in connection with the history of that building.

Bay City Mills

owns the mill, formerly owned by the firm of Gates & Fay. The first saw mill built in what was then Lower Saginaw, was erected on this site, by Hopkins, Pomeroy & Fraser, in 1846 - '47, with two uprights. Jn the Fall of 1851 it was blown up, killing the fireman and wrecking things generally. It was put in running order and sold to Hugh Dunlap, of Chicago, and still later to Burns & Wheeler. In 1859 it became the property of Grant & Fay, and in 1868 was destroyed by fire. Mr. Gates then purchased Mr. Grant's remain¬ ing interest - and the firm of Gates & Fay erected a new mill and operated it until the Spring of 1882, when Mr. Fay retired and Mr. Gates continues the business, employing about sixty men and cutting annually about 15,000,000 feet of lumber.

was built by William and Alexander McEwan in 1850, with a capacity of about 2,500,000 feet of lumber a season. It w T as afterwards operated by John and William McEwan, and still later by John McEwan. Since his death, it has been operated by his sons, William, John and Alexander, under the firm name of McEwan Bros. The same building is still standing that was built over thirty years ago, though the mill has been improved and its capacity increased to 18,000,000 a season. The business employs about seventy-five men. The salt block was built in 1873-'74.

William A. McEwan, son of the late John McEwan, was born in New York City, January 1, 1849. He moved with his parents to Chicago, Ill., and in 1851 came to Bay City, where he has since resided. He was interested in the manufacture of lumber with his father, and after the death of the latter, in 1882, he carried on the business in company with his brothers. He was married Sep¬ tember 2, 1872, to Miss Maria Cornell, of Bay City.

John McEwan, of the firm of McEwan Bros., was born in Bay City, April 10, 1852. After completing his education he en¬ gaged with his father, John McEwan, in the saw mill. He spent most of his time in the office, having the care of the books. Since the death of his father, which occurred January 26, 1882, he has carried on the business in company with his brothers William and Alexander, the name of the firm being McEwan Bros. The firm have been successful in their business operations. He was married January 28, 1880, to Flora Judson, of Cleveland, 0., and has one son.

Alexander McEwan, son of the late John McEwan, was born in Bay County, Mich., December 2, 1856. Was married June 5, 1880, to Grace Suhr, of East Saginaw. Is living at the old McEwan estate in the First Ward. Mr. McEwan is one of the firm of McEwan Bros., lumber manufacturers and dealers, and conducts an exten¬ sive business.

Miller & Lewis

The mill of this firm was originally built by the firm of Rus¬ sell, Miller & Co., in 1851. In 1868 it was leased by Albert Miller,, and the following year he purchased the property. He operated it alone until the Winter of 1866-'67, when Angus Miller purchased an interest, and the firm became A. & A. Miller. They rebuilt the mill that Winter, and made it the largest one in that vicinity, hav¬ ing a capacity of 12,000,000 a season, and representing an invest¬ ment of $50,000. They operated the mill two years, and from that time until 1879, Albert Miller was alone. In 1879, Mr. George Lewis purchased a half interest, since which time the firm has been Miller & Lewis. The season cut of the rp.ill is about 20,000,- 000 feet of lumber. The firm own a large amount of standing pine.

Albert Miller is an old resident of Bay City, having come here from St. Clair County, in 1855. For a time after coming here he worked in the mills and so laid the foundation of a successful business career. By 1863 he had reached a point when he consid¬ ered it safe to do something on his own account, and leased a mill which he purchased the following year. Since that time he has ranked as one of the leading lumber manufacturers of this region. He is also interested in other business concerns. Mr. Miller is one of the leading members of the Fremont Avenue Methodist Episcopal Society, and from the first has been one of its liberal supporters.

George C. Myers

In 1851, the firm of Watrous, Southworth & Co. built a mill on the site of the present Myers Mill, corner of Thirty-eighth and Water Streets. The old mill was torn down in 1878 and rebuilt by Mr. A. Chesbrough, who sold it to its present proprietor in 1881. The mill employs about twenty men, and cut last year 6,250,000 feet of lumber.

F. E. Bradley & Co

The saw mill of this firm is located at the foot of Tenth Street, and was originally built by Elijah Stanton, in 1852. It was first run with a small engine, but was replaced with a larger one in 1863. In 1857 Beebe & Atwood bought the mill, and two years later Mr. Stanton resumed possession and disposed of it to H. M. Bradley & Co. Its capacity at this time was 2,000,000 feet of lum¬ ber annually. In the Spring of 1860, the mill was thoroughly re¬ paired, and the capacity increased to 3,200,000. Improvements have been made from time to time until the present capacity is about 14,000,000 feet of lumber. In 1877 Mr. F. E. Bradley, a lumber merchant of Chicago, came into possession of the prop¬ erty, and ran it alone until 1880, when he associated with him Mr. Russell M. Bradley, and since that time the firm has been I 1 . E. Bradley & Co.

Hamilton & Mcgregor

At that time it had an upright and an edger, and cut during the season 1,000,000 feet of lumber. In 1859 it was enlarged and its capacity increased to about 5,000,000 feet. About 1872 the mill passed into the possession of Mr. S. H. Webster and was almost en¬ tirely rebuilt by him. In 1880 the present firm purchased it. Its present cut is about 15,000,000 for the season.

William Peter

The history of this mill begins in 1852. In the Spring of that year, its construction was begun by W. P. Doty. After his death it was purchased by the present proprietor, a prominent lumberman, and a resident of Toledo. The business is in charge of William A. Young, a son of Mr. George Young, of Bay City. The cut of the mill last season was 16,500,000 feet of lumber,

Pitts & Cranage

The extensive mill property of this firm, situated at the foot of Washington Street, may be traced back to 1853, when Messrs. Baughman & Partridge built a mill with a siding mill, two uprights and an edger, having a daily capacity of 80,000 feet. In the Spring of 1855 Mr. Partridge withdrew from the firm, and the fol¬ lowing Fall Mr. Baughman disposed of the property to Mr. Hub¬ bard, of Detroit, who soon afterward sold to the late Samuel Pitts, of Detroit. In 1857 the capacity of the mill was increased to 4,000,000 a season. In 1865, Samuel Pitts & Co. succeeded Sam¬ uel Pitts, and about that time the capacity of the mill was again increased. In April, 1868, Samuel Pitts died, and the firm be- | came Thomas Pitts & Co., which was changed in 1870 to Pitts & Cranage, Mr. Thomas Cranage, Jr., having been a member of the firm since 1865. In February, 1874, the original mill was destroyed by fire and the present mill built immediately after. The old mill when burned had a capacity of 12,000,000 a season, and the new mill has been built for a capacity of 20,000,000, which has been increased to 28,000,000. There are some notable features of both the mill property and the history of its management. The mill site has a river frontage of 1,680 feet, with dock room for piling 9,000,000 feet of lumber. The F. & P. M. Railroad extends along one side of the property and the Michigan Central along the other side. There are twenty-six tenement houses upon the property built in 1868 for the convenience of employes. The amount of rent charged for these houses, fixed at a nominal sum in 1868, has never been increased. Many of the men in the employ of the firm have worked for them from their boyhood, several men having been in their employ for nearly twenty years. Mr. Alexander Culbert, their book-keeper, has been in that position since June, 1868, and has rendered twenty years of faithful and valuable service. There are about 150 men employed in the operation of the mill and salt works. The latter were built in 1868. The present firm is composed of Thomas Cranage, Jr., of Bay City, and Thomas Pitts, of Detroit.

Eddy, Avery & Eddy

The mill of this firm is situated at the foot of Eleventh Street, and dates back to 1854, when the firm of Rodgers & Bros, laid the foundation of this large business concern. The mill then had one upright saw, employed ten men, and cut about 7,000 feet of lumber a day. In 1856, Miller & Butterfield became its proprietors, and increased its capacity, by the introduction of a circular saw, to 26,000 feet a day. This firm continued about four years, and was then succeeded by the firm of Miller, Barnard & Co. They put in another circular saw, a new and larger engine, new boilers, and in¬ creased the capacity to 86,000 a day. In 1864 the firm of Eddy, Avery & Co. purchased the property and made still further im¬ provements, so that in 1868 it cut about 8,000,000 feet in the sea¬ son of seven months, and employed forty men. January 1, 1879, this firm was succeeded by the present firm of Eddy, Avery & Eddy. The present cut of the mill is about 26,000,000 feet a season. The salt block was built in 1868, and the annual product is about 75,- 000 barrels. The present firm is composed of Edwin Eddy, of East Saginaw, John F. Eddy, of Bay City, and the heirs of Newell Avery, represented in the business by John H. Avery, a son of the late Newell Avery.

John F. Eddy, who resides in Bay City, is a son of the late Jonathan Eddy, who was a lumberman in the state of Maine, and came West at an early day, and became extensively engaged in lumbering in Michigan, and was one of the firm of Eddy, Avery & Co., at this point. In 1866 Mr. John F. Eddy came here from Maine, and since that time has been actively engaged in lumbering and other interests. In addition to the manufacture of lumber he is interested in a number of mercantile concerns. He is a thorough and enterprising business man.

John H. Avery is a son of the late Newell Avery, a prominent lumberman who died in 1877. Since his death the heirs have been represented here by John H. Avery, who now resides in Bay City and gives his personal attention to the business. He is also a part¬ ner in the hardware firm of Gedney & Avery.

N. B. Bradley & Sons

The mill now owned by this firm was begun and partially built by the firm of Hester, Carrington & Co., in 1854, and completed by Frost & Bradley, in 1855. Its capacity then was 4,000,000 feet for the season. In 1858 Mr. N. B. Bradley took charge of the mill, do¬ ing sawing by the thousand. In January, 1861, he in company with F. E. and Charles Bradley purchased the mill, the firm being N. B. Bradley & Co. In 1874, the style of the firm was changed to N. B. Bradley, trustee for the benefit of the partners. In Decem¬ ber, 1880, Mr. Charles Bradley died, and Mr. N. B. Bradley pur¬ chased the remaining interests. In January, 1881, his two sons, Elmer E., and Fred. W. Bradley, purchased an interest, and the firm became N. B. Bradley & Sons. Various changes and improvements have been made, increasing the cut of the mill from 4,000,000 to about 20,000,000 at present. The firm has a large lumber yard at Toledo, and is heavily interested in pine lands in this and other states. They also manufacture about 75,000 barrels of salt a year.

S. Mc Lean, Son & Co

This mill property dates back to 1854, when the first mill upon the site was built by B. F. Partridge, and operated by him about two years. Then James Fraser came into possession of it, and leased it to H, A. Braddock & Co. for several years. In 1868 it was pur¬ chased by Peter & Lewis, and operated by them until it burned, which was about 1888. In 1874 the present firm purchased the site, and rebuilt the mill. Last season the mill was in operation 140 days, and cut 14,000,000 feet of lumber with a force of thirtynine men.

Henry M. Campbell, of the firm of Beth McLean, Son & Co., was born in New York State. At the age of five years lie moved with his parents to Genesee County, and remained about six years. They then went to Birch River, and while there his father helped to build a mill for Jesse Hoyt, afterwards working in the mill and keeping the boarding house. They were in the wilderness, their house being the only one in that portion of the country. Here they remained some four years and then moved to Pine River. There Henry M. engaged with Seth McLean, in 1857, and has continued with him ever since as foreman of the mill. In 1874 he came to Bay City and has remained in the same mill until the present time. In 1882 he became a partner, the firm being now Seth McLean, Son & Co. Mr. Campbell is a thorough mill man, his whole life having been spent in the business; is a genial, pleasant gentleman and highly respected. He deserves the success he has attained. He was married March 26, 1865, to Miss Mary Galigan, of Michigan, and has one child.

This mill is situated on Water Street, at the foot of Thirty-fifth Street. The first mill on this site was built in 1856 by the firm of H. D. Braddock & Co. Its capacity then was 1,500,000per season, and employed ten men; it had two upright saws. That firm run it un¬ til 1865, and then sold it to H. C. Young, who continued the busi¬ ness for two seasons, and then sold it to its present owner. In 1868 the capacity of the mill was increased, by putting in a circular saw, to 8,500,000 per season, and employing eighteen men. On the 22d day of August, 1868, this mill cut for A. Stevens & Co. l,130f feet of lumber out of one log, all perfectly clear, without sap, rot or knot, leaving still a balance. The cut was as follows:

In 1877 the mill burned, and was rebuilt the following season. The present cut of the mill is about 9,000,000 feet of lumber a sea¬ son, and employs thirty-six men. For the season of 1882 the cut was 4,000,000 feet of hardwood, and 3,500,000 of pine.

of Connecticut. In 1866 he settled in Bay City, and the following year purchased the mill property as above stated. Mr. Hitchcock is one of the substantial lumbermen of Bay City, and has always done a careful but successful business.

A. Rust & Bros

The mill of this firm is located at the foot of Twentieth Street, and was built in 1861 by John F. Rust & Co. In 1865 the firm was changed to A. Rust & Co. The original capacity of the mill was about 4,000,000 feet of lumber a season. Its present capacity is 17,000,000 besides lath and barrels. Seventy-five men are em¬ ployed about the mill. The present firm succeeded A. Rust & Co. The gentlemen composing this firm are residents of Saginaw.

Oscar B. Smith, superintendent of the mill, came to Bay City from Canada in 1868, and has been in the employ of this firm ever since, and since 1880 has filled the position of superintendent. He is thoroughly competent, and attends to the business intrusted to him with fidelity.

Hay, Butman & Co

The mill now owned by this firm was built by Mr. James Wat¬ son in the Fall of 1868, and commenced operations the following season with a circular saw. Cutting capacity 3,000,000 for the sea¬ son. In 1866 Mr. Watson was joined by Mr. O'Brien, of Chicago, when the mill was enlarged, and its capacity doubled. In 1871 the property was purchased by Hay, Butman & Co., the present owners. The present capacity of the mill is about 14,000,000 feet of lumber a season, and employment is given to about sixty-five men.

James M. Laing is superintendent of the mill, as there is no res¬ ident member of the firm. Mr. Laing is a native of Scotland, and emigrated to Canada in 1850, and from there to the States, in 1854. In 1866 he went into the employ of Hay, Butman & Co., in charge of theirjbusiness at Zilwaukee. In 1871, when they purchased the mill at Bay City, Mr. Laing came here, and has been superintendent of the business ever since. Continuous service in the employ of one firm is a testimonial that any man may justly feel proud of.

Dolsen, Chapin & Co

The mill of this firm was built by Messrs. Dolsen & Walker, in 1864, with a capacity of 4,000,000 a season, and employed fifteen hands. That mill was destroyed by fire, but was immediately re¬ built. The present firm dates from 1874, when it succeeded Dolsen, Chapin & Bro. The business employs about 130 hands. Last season the mill cut 22,000,000 feet of lumber. Mr. J. L. Dolsen resides in Bay City, and Arthur B. Chapin at Saginaw.

Folsom & Arnold

purchased their mill site in 1867 of W. L. Fay. The mill was built by the late John Fraser, in 1865-'66, and at his death the following Fall was purchased by Mr. Fay. In 1869-70 the old mill was taken away, and a new one built. Messrs. Folsom & Arnold have been in the lumber business since 1853, and until 1867 were in business at Albany, N. Y. Mr. Arnold is still a resident of that city, but Mr. Folsom has resided here since 1867. The old mill used to cut about 3,000,000 feet of lumber, but the present mill cut last season 19,- 000,000. About ninety men are employed. The mill is situated at the foot of Belinda Street.

Carrier & Company

This mill is located on the east side of the river, about two miles below the Third Street Bridge. It was built by its present owners, in the Fall of 1867, and commenced operations in the Spring of 1868. Its capacity when built was about 8,000,000 feet of lumber a season, but improvements have been made until the present cut of the mill is about double what it was at first.

Jefferson County, Pa., February 14, 1839, where he remained until 1877, engaged in lumbering. He then removed to Bay City, where he again engaged in the lumber business, having a large mill at Essexville. He is also building a pulp mill in Wisconsin, which will be managed by his eldest son. Mr. Carrier is one of the most enterprising lumbermen of the Valley. He was married May 15, 1861, to Catherine E. Robinson, of Jefferson County, Pa., and has a family of four sons and three daughters. His residence is corner of Fourth and Farragut Streets, Bay City.

Birdsall & Barker

This firm are the present proprietors of the McGraw Mill, one of the most noted mills in all the lumbering regions. The late John McGraw, who was so widely known in connection with Cornell Uni¬ versity, and as one of the most extensive lumbermen of his time, was first engaged in the manufacture of lumber with Mr. H. W. Sage, at Wenona, where in 1863-'64 they built a mill of monster pro¬ portions. In 1868 Mr. McGraw sold his interest in that mill, and built one at Portsmouth, which was destroyed by fire in 1872. The mill was immediately rebuilt on a much larger scale. It was said to be the largest mill in the world. It cut one season 55,260,000 feet of lumber. The mill site covered about one hundred acres, which has been thickly dotted with buildings of various kinds, until quite a village is gathered there. The cut of the mill last season w T as about 40,000,000 feet of lumber. The product of the two saltblocks is about 125,000 barrels. After the death of John McGraw, Mr. Thomas McGraw, a nephew living at Poughkeepsie, New York, was interested in the settlement of the estate, and in 1878 the firm of T. H. McGraw & Co. succeeded that of John McGraw & Co., and con¬ tinued until the Summer of 1882, when the firm of Birdsall & Barker became proprietors. Mr. T. H. McGraw is still concerned in the property, and does an extensive business in pine lands, logs and lumber. His residence is at Poughkeepsie, and a portion of his time is spent in Bay City, as his interests demand. The firm of Birdsall & Barker is composed of Benjamin Birdsall and C. C. Bar¬ ker, both of whom had been connected with the mill for several years. Mr. Barker has been connected with the mill since the first one was built in 1869.

The Detroit Mill

was built in 1878 by the firm of John Campbell & Co., and operated by them until 1879, when it was purchased by Edmund Hall, of Detroit, and R. J. Briscoe. The mill has been greatly enlarged and improved since it came into thejiossession of the present proprietors. Its capacity is about 25,000,000 feet of lumber, 5,000,000 lath and 2,000,000 shingles a season. About 150 men are employed by the firm. The salt block was built in 1880, and its capacity is 50,000 barrels a year.

R. J. Briscoe resides in Bay City, and carries on the business of the firm. He came here in 1877 from Flint, where he had been lumbering for eight years. Upon coming here he rebuilt the Stone Island Mill, and operated it until 1879, when the purchase of the Detroit Mill was made. He is also one of the firm of B. H. Briscoe & Co., proprietors of the Bay City Planing Mill, which he removed from Flint in 1877. The Saginaw River Boom Company, of which he is president, was organized through his efforts, and is one of the most important organizations on the river. During last season it picked up logs at the mouth of the river and on the bay amounting in value to over $40,000. Mr. Briscoe is one of the most enter¬ prising and energetic lumbermen of the valley.

Eddy Bros. & Co

This mill was built by S. H. Webster, and was purchased by the present firm in the Spring of 1881, of Chapin & Barber. The salt block was rebuilt in the Winter of 1882. The cut of the mill is about 18,000,000 of lumber a season, and the business employs about ninety men. The members of the firm are S. Eddy and John F., C. A. and C. F. Eddy.

S. Eddy, the principal manager of the business, was a lumber inspector for several years, and for five years was located at Alpena. He first came to Saginaw in 1864, and to Bay City in 1869. Since the Spring of 1881 he has given his entire attention to the manu¬ facture of lumber and the business interests of the firm.

Green & Stevens

The mill of this firm is located on Stone Island, and was built in 1865 John Appold. In 1880 it was purchased by the present proprietors. The mill employs about forty-five hands, and cut last year 18,000,000 feet of lumber.

James A. Green, of the firm of Green & Stevens, was born in Washington County, N. Y., January 4, 1886. Went with his par¬ ents to Chenango County, N. Y. Was there ten years in the lum¬ ber trade. In 1859 he moved to Minnesota, where he remained until 1861. He then joined the engineer corps and was employed in the manufacture of lumber for the army, in which he continued until the close of the war. He then went to Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and was three years in the lumber trade; then moved to Bay City and remained three years. From Bay City he went to Kansas and remained one year. In 1871 he returned to Bay City and engaged in the lumber trade. In 1881, in company with A. J. Stevens, son of the late Appleton Stevens, he purchased the Stone Island Mill property under the firm name of Green & Stevens. Their mill has a capacity of 15,000,000 feet of lumber yearly. Mr. Green was married May 81, 1857, to Miss Mary E. Kelly, of Con¬ necticut, and has three children. His residence is on South Centre Street.

A. J. Stevens, son of the late Appleton Stevens, was born at Deep Kiver, state of Connecticut. He came with his parents to Bay City, and after receiving his education he was employed by Chauncey Gibson in the First National Bank, (the first in the city,) as errand boy. He was gradually promoted to the position of book¬ keeper in the same institution. He was afterwards employed in the same capacity by A. Stevens & Co., where he remained until the death of his father, the senior partner of that concern. He then engaged in the lumber business, and in 1879 purchased a half-interest in the Stone Island Mill, since known as the Green & Stevens Mill, which he still owns and operates. The capacity of the concern is about 11,000,000 feet per annum. Mr. Stevens was married to Flora Hamilton, of Ohio, in 1875, and has two chil¬ dren.

Miller & Brothers

This firm is composed of three brothers, Albert, James and Andrew Miller, the first named being of the firm of Miller & Lewis. Miller & Brothers' mill is situated on the Middle Ground, and was built in the Winter of 1880-'81. The mill employs about sixty hands, and cuts about 14,000,000 feet of lumber a season.

Murphy & Dorr

This mill is located on the Middle Ground, and was built in 1878 by Whipple, Palmer & Co. In the Spring of 1877 it was pur¬ chased by the present proprietors. About forty-five men are em¬ ployed, and the mill cut last year nearly 20,000,000 feet of lumber.

E. J. Hargrave & Son

This mill is located on the Middle Ground, and was built in 1866 by the firm of Miller Bros. In the Winter of 1879 the mill property was purchased by the present firm. About fifty men are employed, and the cut of the mill last year was 14,000,000.

tive of England. He came to Bay City in 1866, and engaged with N. B. Bradley as foreman of the mill; which position he held seven years. He then engaged with John McGraw & Co., as foreman of their mill, remaining with them two years. In 1875 he entered into partnership with H. M. Bradley in the planing mill business; car¬ ried on that business two years' and sold out. Leased their present mill for one year, then leased the Tawas Mill Co's mill for one year. December, 1, 1878, they purchased of Richards, Miller & Co., their present mill property, which has since been operated under the firm name of E. J. Hargrave & Son. The capacity of the mill is 16,000,- 000 feet of lumber and 2,000,000 of lath. The firm have been suc¬ cessful in their business. The son, Edward, is an enterprising young man, a "chip of the old block." They are both pleasant gentlemen. Their stock of draft horses is as fine as there is in the Valley. We wish them success.

West Bay City Mills H. W. Sage & Co

The history of this mill is so intimately connected with that of the beginning of West Bay City, that most of the facts appear in that connection. The mill was built by the firm of Sage & McGraw in 1864, and commenced running in May, 1865. It was considered at that time to be at least one of the largest saw mills in the world, and was described as being a monster of the woods - the very head of the mill family. The main building was 80x120 feet in size, two stories high, having a wing upon one side and a boiler room upon the other. Five large engines furnished the power. In 1868 Mr. H. W. Sage purchased the interest of Mr. John McGraw, and the firm was changed to H. W. Sage & Co., two sons of Mr. Sage being partners in the business. The mill property at the present time represents an investment of $500,000.

"The sawing capacity of the steam saw mill of Sage,'McGraw & Co., at Wenona, opposite this city, was tested on Saturday last, the 9th instant. The amount of lumber sawed that day was greater, we have no doubt, than was ever cut in any saw mill of not larger capacity in the same number of hours. There are in the mill four gangs, one circular and one muley saw. The stock and slabber gangs, run by James Corbett and George Winter, cut 151,840 feet; the gangs run by Adolph Trombley and John Rheim, cut 184,160 feet; the circular, which was run by Cormic Cullen, cut 59,284 feet; and the muley, run by Abbott Plummer, 25,518 feet, making 870,- 797 feet, most of which was one and a half and two inch stuff. The total number of logs cut was 718. Time of cutting, twelve hours.

"The mill is under the charge of Mr. John G. Emery, who is one of the most thorough-going and energetic mill men in the United States. The following is a list of the leading men employed in the mill: - M. Haggarty, foreman; A. Daly, assistant foreman; C. Cullen, A. Plummer, James Corbett, A. Trombley, George Win¬ ter and John Rheim, head sawyers; P. Sova and P. Mannix, head edgers; L. Roundsville, chief engineer; F. Beane, head fireman. The fitting and hanging of the saws was attended to by W. O. Craft and M. Page. Messrs. J. B. Ostrander and Nicholas Emery also were on hand and made themselves very useful. The whole num¬ ber of men employed was 185.

"At the conclusion of the day's work Mr. H. W. Sage delivered a short speech to the men, in which he cordially thanked them, and expressed his appreciation of the energy, muscle and skill they had displayed. The men then dispersed to their homes,after giving six

James Corbett is still sawyer in the same mill; Abbott Plum¬ mer is lumbering, and lives in West Bay City; John G. Emery is now of the firm of Emery & Garland, dealers in mill machinery and supplies; M. Haggarty is now foreman of H. J. &C. J. Smith's mill, West Bay City; L. Roundsville is still chief engineer at the same mill; W. 0. Craft is keeping saloon in West Bay City, and N. Emery is present foreman of the same mill.

Year. Feet C. E. Lewis

This mill was built by Whitney, Coite & Co., in 1852. In 1862 it was purchased by the firm of Taylor, Moulthrop & Co., and in 1881 by Mr. Charles. E Lewis, the present proprietor. The mill employs about sixty men and cut last year 12,500,000 feet of lum¬ ber.

Charles E. Lewis was born in Cuyahoga County, in the "Western Reserve" part of Ohio. In 1851 he, in company with his half-brother, the late J. W. Whittaker, came to this part of Michi¬ gan, and was engaged in working at his trade, that of a millwright. He helped to build what was known as the "Drake" Mill in Bangor, the mill now run by Miller & Lewis at South Bay; also a mill at Carrollton, which was burned down shortly after it started up. In 1860 and 1861 was in the employ of Henry Doty, at what is now known as the "Peter" Mill. Some time afterwards was with the late John McDowell in his foundry and machine shop. Still later was a member of the firm of Smalley Bros. & Lewis, founders and machinists. In 1876 he bought John S. Taylor's share in the saw mill owned by Taylor & Moulthrop. In 1880, Wellington R. Burt, of East Saginaw, bought Mr. Moulthrop's interest, and the business was carried on under the firm name of Burt & Lewis. In 1881 Mr. Lewis bought out Mr. Burt, and is now sole proprietor of the saw mill and salt works connected therewith. He was married in 1857 to Miss Lucina Topping, of Cuyahoga Co., Ohio, and they have one child, a girl.

John Welch

This is the mill known for many years as the "Drake Mill." It was built in the Winter of 1851-'52, by Drake'Bros., and in 1858 sold to Kibbee, Whittemore & Co. After that it had various owners, and was finally purchased by Mr. Welch in 1880. In 1881 the mill burned, and was rebuilt the following Winter. It employs about forty men, and cut last year 12,000,000 feet of lumber.

built by Mr. George Lord in 1854. Its capacity then was about 25,000 feet of lumber a day, and gave employment to thirty-five men. In 1866, the present company became its proprietors. The present cut of the mill is about 20,000,000 feet of lumber a season, and number of men employed about 180. The officers of the company are D. Noble, president, Philadelphia; C. S. Riley, vice-president, Philadelphia; F. Johnson, superintendent, West Bay City.

F. Johnson, superintendent of the Keystone Mill, was born in Salem Co., N. Y., in 1881. In 1847 removed to Maryland with his father, where they engaged in farming and had also a saw mill. The father dying in 1858, the mill became the property of the son, who retained it till 1866, when he sold out and came to West Bay Cit} T , taking the position which he now holds with the Keystone Lumber & Salt Manufacturing Co.

This mill was built in 1854 by the firm of Moore, Yose & Co., and at that time had two uprights, a circular and lath mill, with a season capacity of 1,000,000. In 1858 the property was purchased by the firm of Moore, Smith & Co., and in 1862 they enlarged its capacity to 10,000,000 feet a season, giving employment to thirtyfive men. In 1878 the mill'passed into possession of the firm of Peter Smith & Sons. In November, 1880, Peter Smith died, and his two sons, Henry J. and Charles J. Smith succeeded to the busi¬ ness. The average cut of their mill is now 20,000,000 a season, and about eighty men are employed. The firm also manufactures about 85,000 barrels of salt a year.

The firm ofLaderach Bros, is composed of five brothers, Jacob, Rudolff, Charles, Samuel and John. In 1861 they built a stave mill and cooper shop at Salzburgh, and engaged in the manufacture of barrels; the salt business, then in its infancy, creating a demand for that kind of package. After running their stave mill for a number of years, they went into the shingle trade, doing a large and successful business as manufacturers. In 1878 they added a saw mill to their already large establishment. The mill has a ca¬ pacity to cut from 6,000,000 to 7,000,000 per season. In 1878 they purchased from William S. Talman the salt works erected by him in 1868,and now manufacture from 16,000 to 18,000 barrels per annum. They were originally what was known as a "kettle block," but the present mode of manufacture is by the "steam process."

Laderach Brothers are five in number, and are all natives of Switzerland. The whole family, consisting of father, mother, seven brothers and four sisters, emigrated to the United States in 1851, and settled on a farm in St. Clair Co., Mich. The father, mother and the two younger brothers have since gone over to the "silent majority." The five who compose the firm of Laderach Bros., manufacturers of lumber and salt, came to the Saginaw Valley in 1857, living in Bay City for four years. In 1861 they all removed to that part of the township of Bangor which was afterward known as Salzburgh.

Jacob Laderach married Miss Elizabeth Ehrson, of San¬ dusky, Ohio, and they have five children, four daughters and a son. He was the first school director of District No. 8, Bangor.

Rudolff Laderach married Miss Catherine C. Laderach, a native of Bavaria, Germany, in 1861, and they have five children, three girls and two boys. He was elected an alderman for the Third Ward of West Bay City in 1881 and re-elected in 1882.

Charles Laderach has been married twice; his first wife was a daughter of the late John Miller. After her death he married Miss Katrine Laderach, a native of Switzerland. His family con¬ sists of one boy and two girls.

The mill of this firm is situated a mile south of what was for¬ merly known as Salzburgh. It was built in the year 1869 by the firm of Brooks & Adams, who operated it until 1872, when it came into the possession of the present proprietors. The whole mill prop¬ erty includes about thirty-six acres. They cut an average of 22,- 000,000 feet of lumber a season, and employ about 110 men. They have three salt wells, and produce about 55,000 barrels of salt an¬ nually.

L. L. Hotchkiss is a native of Connecticut. He came to West Bay City in 1863 and entered the employ of Brooks & Adams. On the death of Mr. Brooks, which occurred in 1872, Mr. Hotchkiss became a member of the firm, the style of which was changed to L. L. Hotchkiss & Co., which it still retains.

The mill belonging to this firm was built in 1878 by the firm of Malone & Gardner, which firm was succeeded by W. H. Malone & Co. in 1873. The mill employs fifty men and cut last season nearly 20,000,000 feet of lumber.

Smalley Bros. & Co

This mill was built in 1831, by the firm of Slater & Woodworth, and in the Fall of 1882 sold to the present proprietors. About thirty men are employed. The mill cut last year 8,000,000 feet of lumber.

The Rouse Mill, Essexville

was built by J. M. Bouse, in the Winter of 1870-'71. He carried on the business until January, 1878. It then passed into the hands of his two sons, E. F. and W. B., who have made great improve¬ ments, changing it from a circular to a gang mill, doing custom work. They also added the salt block. They give employment to about forty men, and turn out about 12,000,000 feet of lumber yearly, and ninety barrels of salt per day.

Inland Mills

There are the inland mills of Norn & Kent at Sterling; Cross & Dyer, Deep River; John Lentz and J. P. Phillips, Pine River; John Hulburt and J. W. Culver, Moffat; Gorie &Carscallan, Omer; the Pinconning Mill and the Whitney Mill at Whitney.

The Salt Industry

When the act providing for the admission of Michigan into the Union was passed by Congress in 1836, it was among other things provided that all salt springs in the state, not exceeding twelve in number, with six sections of land adjoining each, might be selected by the state, and in pursuance of this act, the Legislature of Michigan, in July, 1836, authorized the Governor to make the selection. Most of the lands were located in the Grand River Valley, but one tract was selected on the Tittabawassee River, at the mouth of Salt River. The state geologist, Dr. Houghton, was author¬ ized and directed by the Legislature to commence boring for salt at one or more of the state salt springs as soon as practicable. He selected one point in the southwest corner of Section Twenty-four, in Township Fifteen, on the west side of the Tittabawassee, and com¬ menced operations about the middle of June, 1838. Many difficul¬ ties were encountered, and when the appropriations were exhausted the work was abandoned.

the basin was along the Saginaw River, and the people of Saginaw having great confidence in Dr. Houghton, became impressed with the same belief.

In January, 1859, a public meeting was held at Saginaw, and a committee appointed to petition the Legislature for aid and en¬ couragement in the enterprise of salt manufacture. Judge Bimey was in the Legislature at that time, and was active in securing the passage of a bill giving a bounty for the manufacture of salt. The original bill proposed a payment of five cents a bushel, but he suc¬ ceeded in getting ten cents granted. It was this encouragement that stimulated the first efforts fco manufacture salt at Saginaw and Bay City. In April, of that year, the East Saginaw Salt Manufac¬ turing Company was organized with a capital of $50,000. The boiling of salt was commenced the latter part of June, 1860, and the first salt packed was in July, 1860.

Operations At Bay City

As soon as the existence of salt at Saginaw was demonstrated, Bay City "came down" with the fever, and two companies were formed in March, 1860. The Portsmouth Salt Company was or¬ ganized March 13, 1860, and its articles of association filed with the county clerk, March 20th. The Bay City Salt Manufacturing Company was organized March 23,-and its articles of association filed May 18, 1860. The principal stockholders of the first named company were James J. McCormick, Appleton Stevens, A. D. Braddock & Co., B. F. Beckwith, Judge Miller, William Daglish, Martin Watrous, C. E. Jennison and W. R. McCormick. Their well was sunk to a depth of about 600 feet, and the first salt made in Bay County was made by them in the Summer of 1861. The well was on the present site of the McGraw Mills, and W. R. McCormick was the first superintendent and secretary. Various changes oc¬ curred in the company, and its property was finally sold to John McGraw, about the year 1868.

The Bay City Company stock was mostly owned by James Fraser, D. H. Fitzhugh, H. M. Fitzhugh and Messrs. Munger. Mr. H. M. Fitzhugh afterwards became the principal proprietor of the stock. Their works were on the present site of the Michigan Pipe Company's works. Their well was sunk to a greater depth than the Portsmouth well, and they made their first salt in the early Autumn of 1861. These works were continued for several years, and were changed from the kettle to the pan block, and the prop¬ erty finally sold to the Pipe Works.

Other works followed in rapid succession. Messrs. Harkness & Sohne sunk a well to a depth of 900 feet, and erected works with one block of kettles and one of pans, with a capacity of 100 barrels of salt in twenty-four hours.

Messrs. Hayden & Co. sank a well to a depth of 1,000 feet, and established works at Portsmouth, afterwards purchased by Appleton Stevens & Co. This was a kettle block.

In 1862 Mr. A. C. Braddock came here and superintended the construction of works for the New York Salt Works. The depth of the well was 1,016 feet, and the site occupied seven and a half acres with a river frontage of 200 feet. The process of manufac¬ ture was by kettles and solar covers.

The Lower Saginaw Salt Company, Dolsen & Walker and the Altantic Salt Company followed in 1862-'63, and Leng & Bradfield also sunk a well at Bangor. By the close of 1864 there were twenty-six salt concerns in Bay County. The manufacturers, cap¬ ital invested, and product were as follows:

Salt Statistics For The Year 1864 Location. Investment Barrels

The first process of manufacture was by the kettle block, but it was not long before they had to be abandoned. Then came the pan block, and they too, in time, were found to require too much fuel, and gave way for the present system. Between 1864 and 1868 various changes occurred. Some suspended operations and new works were constructed. The manufacturers and products of 1867-'68 were as follows:

Review Of The Business

In 1871 Mr. H. M. Fitzhugh, president of the Saginaw & Bay City Salt Company, prepared an article which was published for the information of members of Congress, from which we quote as follows:

"The salt manufacture of the Saginaw Valley has had an ex¬ istence of about ten years. Brine was discovered in 1860, but no considerable development occurred till 1861. In that year large investments were made in the new enterprise, and the growth of the business, stimulated by a war demand and war prices, was very rapid.

"At the start all the conditions seemed to favor the production of salt as an exclusive business. There were - for distribution - a fine navigable river, emptying about midway in the chain of the great lakes; for saline material, an inexhaustible supply of the very strongest brine, underlying many thousand square miles of terri¬ tory; and for fuel, the dense original forest of Northern Michigan. Accordingly, the business was entered upon in the fullest confi¬ dence that if salt would not be made at a profit here, it could not be made anywhere in the United States.

"It must be admitted that the investments were not all judicious, and that in the inception of this, as of most new enterprises, some losses were incurred from want of experience; but this was less the case in this instance than usually happens, as the model on which the orignal Saginaw Salt Works were built existed at Syracuse, N. Y., which also supplied all the peculiar machinery and such skill as was required at a comparatively moderate expense.

"It should be said that the salt produced at Saginaw, in the earlier period of the manufacture, though not as good as it is now, was a fair article. It had to be sold everywhere alongside the product of the New York works, which had had the benefit of more than a half century's experience; it must, therefore, have compared not very disadvantageously with Onondaga salt, in order to com¬ mand nearly the same price, which it always did.

'"However bright the prospects which induced early investments in the manufacture of salt at Saginaw, it was very soon discovered that they were delusive. The expense account of the manufacturers soon swelled to largely more than double its original proportions by the advance in labor as well as in fuel and other materials of manu¬ facture.

"The great difficulty in making salt, the tendency to overproduc¬ tion, began to appear at an early period,and within four years of the commencement of the manufacture it had become a losing business to such an extent that the production largely declined,and salt property had hardly a quotable value. I can not recall a single instance in which an original, independent investment in the salt manu¬ facture in the Saginaw Valley, has offered a reasonable profit as a result of the manufacture itself. This may seem a bold assertion in the face of the fact that the production of salt on the whole has increased, and that it has without doubt added largely to the value of real estate. The annual distribution of large sums in this manu¬ facture has undoubtedly had a favorable influence on the general prosperity, but the business itself has been anything but a profit¬ able one.

"After the vast profits of the independent salt business were seen to be imaginary, it was discovered that it might be more profitably conducted as an adjunct of the saw mills. These lumber manufac¬ tories make a vast amount of refuse which must be disposed of in some way, or the mills would soon be buried in their own waste. Hence it was found highly economical to employ their slabs, edgings, sawdust and exhaust steam in the production of salt. A manufacture of this kind has now grown up which is more or less profitable in proportion to the skill with which the several manu¬ facturers avail themselves of their advantage in this respect; indeed, the entire manufacture of the Saginaw Valley, at the present time, may be said to depend on the saw mills, because even in the cases where they have no salt works directly connected with them, and under the same management, their refuse is sold at a small figure or given away to the nearest salt works, which are thus enabled to run at a reduced expense; in fact, little or no cordwood is now used for fuel at any of the salt works of the Saginaw Valley."

The Salt Districts

District No. 1, Saginaw County. - Employs four deputy salt in¬ spectors, has fifty-six salt companies, with forty-three steam, eighteen pan blocks, and 4,000 solar salt covers, having a manu¬ facturing capacity of 1,400,000 barrels of salt.

District No. 2, Bay County. - Employs three deputy salt in¬ spectors, with thirty-eight steam blocks, thirty-one salt companies, and 500 solar salt covers, with a manufacturing capacity of 1,300,000 barrels of salt.

District No. 3, Huron County. - Employs four deputy salt in¬ spectors, has ten salt companies, with five steam and eight pan blocks, with a manufacturing capacity of 400,000 barrels of salt.

District No. 4, Iosco County. - Employs two deputy salt in¬ spectors, has eight salt companies, with eight steam blocks, having a manufacturing capacity of 300,000 barrels of salt.

District No. 5, Midland County. - Employs one deputy salt in¬ spector, has four salt companies, with one steam and three pan blocks, having a manufacturing capacity of 100,000 barrels of salt.

District No. 6, Manistee County. - Employs one deputy salt in¬ spector, has one salt company, with one steam block now in opera¬ tion, with a manufacturing capacity of 50,000 barrels of salt.

District No. 7, Gratiot County. - Employs one deputy salt in¬ spector, has one salt company, with one pan block having a manu¬ facturing capacity of 40,000 barrels of salt.

The following table is taken from the state salt inspector's re¬ port, and shows the amount of salt inspected during the year. This does not show the full amount manfactured:

Shipments By Water For 1882

Most of the production now is by the grainer system. Steam blocks are used and evaporation is procured by the use of exhaust steam from the engines which drive the saw mills. The expense of fuel is thus reduced to the minimum, as were the steam not used in the salt manufacture, it would be suffered to escape without fur¬ ther service. This mode of manufacture has practically superseded all others, because of the economy of fuel.

In 1882 there were thirty-four salt making establishments, and the amount inspected was 1,193,479 barrels. The total product for the year was considerably more than that.

In the early days of salt manufacture here, the prices reached as high as $3.50 a barrel. The past year the average price has been about seventy cents.

Salt Associations

The association of salt manufacturers of the salt producing counties of Michigan, organized in 1876, under the title of "Michi¬ gan Salt Association," and reorganized in 1881, under the name of "Salt Association of Michigan," has, during its few years of exist¬ ence, met with flattering success on all sides, the consumer of salt as well as the producer being profited thereby.

Early in the history of the great industry, associations from time to time were organized and operated, one of these being the uay County Salt Company, in 1865. This concern lasted two or three years, when the Saginaw & Bay Salt Company took its place. This corporation was organized about the year 1868, the most prominent salt manufacturers along Saginaw River being members. The capital stock was $200,000, with 8,000 at $25 each. The amount actually paid in was $19.25 per share. The officers of the company were as follows :

This association was discontinued in 1871, and from that time until 1875 there was no regular organization to take hold of and han¬ dle the saline article. The salt producer during that time saw the real necessity for an organization. A number of salt manufacturers in the Saginaw Valley ffiid a meeting, and on the 8th of July, in that year, organized an association, known as the Saginaw Salt Company. Its purpose was the marketing of all salt its stockhold¬ ers manufactured, and such as was delivered to it for that purpose by others, and in connection therewith, the establishing of agen¬ cies for the sale of salt in principal markets, and the buying, sell¬ ing and manufacture of salt. The capital stock was $500,000, of 20,000 shares of $25 each. The amount of capital stock paid in was $18,000. This company was of a few months' existence. On March 31st, in 1876, the Michigan Salt Association was formed, to exist as an organization for five years. At its first annual election following officers and committees were chosen:

President, W. R. Burt, East Saginaw; vice-president, Albert Miller, Bay City; secretary, D. G. Holland, East Saginaw; treas¬ urer, Thomas Cranage, Jr., Bay City. Board of directors, J. L. Dolsen, H. C. Moore, J. R. Hall, H. M. Bradley, John McEwan, of Bay City; W. R. Burt, W. J. Bartow, G. L. Remington, Ezra Rust, Newell Barnard, G. F. Williams, H. A. Batchelor, of the Saginaws; W. R. Stafford and James Ayers, of Port Hope; E. F. Holmes, of Oscoda. Executive committee, H. M. Bradley, J. L. Dolsen, of Bay City; W. R. Burt, W. J. Bartow, N. Barnard, East Saginaw.

The capital stock was $200,000, of 8,000 $25 shares. The amount actually paid in was $2 per share. This organization was probably the most successful one in the history of the Saginaw Valley. Its stock-holders numbered forty-eight, twelve of whom resided in East Saginaw, fifteen in Bay City, two in West Bay City, fourteen in Saginaw City, and one each in Port Austin, Caseville, New River, White Rock, and Port Hope. It appointed a committee consisting of Thomas Cranage, Jr., N. Barnard, and one other member, who drafted an amendment to the salt law, which was passed by the Legislature, and it is now considered the best that could be drawn, it covering all the points desired.

In 1881, on March 31st, the organization expired by limitation. At that time a new combination was organized under the name of the Salt Association of Michigan. This company is in existence at the present day, and is doing effective work. Its officers are about the same as of the old association. The purpose for which this or¬ ganization was formed is the manufacture of and dealing in salt, and to engage in the transportation of its products to market. The capital stock is $200,000, divided into 8,000 shares of $25 each. The amount actually paid in is $2 per share. The affairs of the asso¬ ciation are managed by the Board of Directors, who are all man¬ ufacturers of salt. The places for the transaction of the associa¬ tion's business are Bay City and East Saginaw.

Any manufacturer of salt in this state is entitled to become a stockholder of the association by signing articles of association, and designating the number of shares taken, which shall not exceed one share of the capital stock for every barrel of the daily average of his manufactory on a fair estimate. From the proceeds of the salt sold, there is paid an annual dividend of 8 per cent to each stock¬ holder on the amount paid in, payable on the 30th days of March and September, which together with all losses sustained and all expenses incurred in handling and selling, together with the inspec¬ tion fees, are charged up as expenses before a division of the proceeds of sales are made. Annual meetings of the stockholders are held on the third Thursday in January, in each year. Special meetings are held at times when the president or directors shall appoint.

Every manufacturer, in becoming a member of the associa¬ tion, is obliged to execute and deliver to it a contract for all salt manufactured by him, or a lease of his salt manufacturing prop¬ erty. Each stockholder makes salt solely on the association's ac¬ count. The board of directors has power to determine the rate of advance in the price of salt, and it also has power to appoint traveling or resident agents for the sale of salt.

Eivee Navigation

The history of Saginaw River navigation extends over a period of about fifty-two years, and the exhibits of its traffic at the pres¬ ent time indicate to what extent the industries of this region have attained. The first craft to dispute the right of way upon the highway of this river, was a vessel or sloop called the "Savage," probably so called from its appearance rather than anything it was likely to accomplish. This craft was of about forty tons burden, and owned by the American Fur Company. It made occasional trips to the company's station at Saginaw from about 1881 to 1887 or 1888.

In June, 1882, a vessel that could carry fifty tons came into the river, and after discharging some freight for the Fur Company, sailed up the Tittabawassee and took a load of potatoes from Dun¬ can McLellan's farm, and carried them to Detroit. This was the first export of farm produce from the Saginaw Valley.

In August, 1887, Capt. George Raby sailed into the Saginaw River as master of the schooner "North America." He settled his family at Portsmouth. He died about the year 1860.

Capt. J. Davis Smith, brother of Dr. George E. Smith, of Bay City, commanded the "Richmond," formerly the "Conneaut Packet" for a year or two, until she was wrecked on the Canada shore of Lake Huron. Dr. George E. Smith was sailing with his brother on the boat at the time. About this time Capt. Wilson commanded a little schooner called the "Mary," which sailed be¬ tween Saginaw and Detroit. She was also wrecked on the Canada shore.

About 1850, the steamer "Columbia" ran weekly between De¬ troit and Saginaw. She was commanded at one time by George H. Cottrell, and his brother C. B. Cottrell, now of Bay City, was clerk. The "Columbia" was afterwards purchased by Capt. Cole. Then came the "Charter" and "Snow."

In 1858 the Bay City & Alpena Line was started by Capt. Cole with the "Columbia." This line is still operated by the firm of Cole & Holt. There are three boats on the line doing a good business.

The bar at the mouth of the river was for a long time a serious obstruction to navigation, but nothing definite about its removal was reached until 1867, when the work of dredging was com¬ menced, and completed the following year. This work elevated the port of Bay City to rank with any on the lakes.

The Season Of 1882

"This season of navigation on the Saginaw River has closed, and most of the crafts have gone into Winter quarters. The river is covered with ice except in a few spots, and it is doubtful if an¬ other boat can enter this port this year after to-day. The propeller 'Saginaw Valley' left Alpena yesterday for Bay City, and she is the last boat to start for this port. She was at Tawas last evening and will endeavor to feel her way in to-day. She is well ironed off, and being broad and of light draught can travel through the ice without

"The season opened in April with lumber freights at $2 per thousand to Buffalo and $ 1.75 to Ohio ports. The large lumber fleet rushed into port, and by May freights had taken a drop of 25 cents per 1,000 feet. As the season advanced a further reduction of 25 cents took place, making it $1.50 to Buffalo and $1.25 to Ohio. Loads became very scarce with wages and expenses high, and the worst season on record was looked for. The lowest charter reported was a barge from Crow Island to Buffalo at $1.25, which rate was accepted in order to fill out the tow of the propeller 'Passaic.' Freights remained steady and quiet at the figures named until Sep¬ tember 1st, when a reaction took place, an advance of 25 cents being made upon the demand of owners of lumber carriers. Another 25 cent advance speedily followed and then another, making the rate $2 to Buffalo and $1.75 to Ohio. A brisk demand for Buffalo boats sent the rate up another quarter, only on Buffalo and Tonawanda boats, however. As soon as the chilling Fall winds set, freights again in¬ creased a quarter, fixing them at $2.50 and $2, and from then until the close of the season they remained firm at those figures. Better freights were obtained, in some instances, but as a rule, those were the going rates. The steam-barge 'Ontonagon' and barges 'Win. Lewis' and 'R. J. Carney,' were the last regular lumber traders to leave for Buffalo. The tug 'Albert J. Wright' and barges 'Mills' and ' W. A. Sherman' came here and loaded, and they were in reality the last craft for Buffalo, where they reached safely on Monday morning last. The barge 'B. B. Buckhout' was the last craft to load for Ohio. She was towed out to Tawas by the tug 'Cheney' and from there was towed to Cleveland by the steam-barge 'Geo. L. Col¬ well.'

"The season, on the whole, has been a very fair one for lumber carriers. All that were properly managed, made money. The sea¬ son, as favorable as it was, is a surprise, when the fact that there was nearly 25 per cent increase in tonnage is taken into considera¬ tion. The past season some of the best and largest crafts have been added to the lumber marine, each carrying from 400,000 to 800,000 feet. The largest shipments of any season in Bay City's history were made the past season." was built by Nelson Smith in 1846-'47. She was built at Saginaw and named the "Julia Smith," that being the name of the proprie¬ tor's only daughter. At that time the Carrollton bar was an obstrue - tion to the navigation of the river, and this vessel was modeled to adapt itself to that difficulty. It was of about seventy tons burden and when loaded drew four and a half feet of water. In 1848, when Judge Miller removed his family from Saginaw to Portsmouth, they made the trip on this vessel in about two days. The "Julia Smith" left the Saginaw trade about 1850, and as late as 1871 was sailing on Lake Michigan, and was staunch and sound.

The first vessels of any importance built near the mouth of the river were built by the Braddocks, at Portsmouth, in 1857-'58, and were the "Essex" and "Bay City." The latter is still afloat. The "Java," a small fishing vessel was built at Lower Saginaw, in 1854.

First Steamboat On The River

"In July, 1836, the writer of this article, accompanied by Eleazer Jewett, the county surveyor, and one or two other parties who were to assist in making a preliminary survey of the site of Portsmouth, preparatory to making a plat of the village, came from Saginaw in a canoe (accompanied by the late James Fraser, who expected to meet a vessel in the river with some articles on board which he would have need of before the wind would permit the vessel to sail to Saginaw,) to the point where the village of Ports¬ mouth is now located, and after completing a survey of the out¬ lines for a village plat, proceeded down the river to the residence of Leon Trombley, Sr., which was then located at a point near the present corner of Fourth and Water Streets. While there partak¬ ing of some refreshments, Louis Trombley (who was then a lad ten or twelve years old,) came into the house crying, 'A steamboat! a steamboat!' We all rushed out of the house to see what had deceived the boy into the idea of a steamboat, when, to our great delight, we saw a steamboat proudly making headway against a south wind and the current of the Saginaw River; these obstacles had been a great detriment to the navigation of the river by sailing vessels, and seriously retarded the arrival of supplies for the citi¬ zens of Saginaw. We hailed the boat, which proved to be the 'Governor Marcy,' commanded by Capt. Gorham, piloted by Capt. Rhodes, and chartered by the late Norman Little, who was acting in behalf of himself, and Mackie, Oakley and Jennison, who then owned Saginaw City, and had just commenced active operations in building up the town. Mr. Jennison, who was interested in-the charter of the first steamboat that entered the Saginaw River, was the father of our respected fellow-citizen, Charles E. Jennison. With much ado, after losing some of our things in endeavoring to transfer them from the canoe to the boat, we all got on board, and had the satisfaction of riding on the first steamboat that ever floated on the waters of the Saginaw. The 'Governor Marcy* made regular trips to Saginaw once in two weeks during the balance of that season. Some of the early settlers may remember Capt. Gorham who commanded her. He was a complete dandy; I have known him to change his dress three or four times after entering the river before landing at Saginaw. He would sometimes appear on the pilot house of the boat dressed entirely in white, with a broad brimmed Leghorn hat on, motioning as if piloting the boat, when the wheelsman, Capt. Rhodes, who knew every foot of the ground, paid no attention to him. He was superseded in the com¬ mand before the season was out.

"In 1847 the business of the Saginaw Valley had begun to re¬ vive somewhat; the lumber business was carried on in a small way, and at that time a great want was felt for a better means of com¬ munication between different points on the Saginaw River, and for some mode of navigating the streams that form the said river. It must be remembered that at the time above mentioned every man had to paddle his own canoe; there was no road between the upper and lower towns on the river that any one but the late James Fraser dared to ride over. At this time Capt. Addison Mowry, a native of Pittsburgh, who was well acquainted with the navigation of the shoal waters of the upper portion of the Ohio River, con¬ ceived the idea that a steamboat modeled after those running on the Ohio, would not only serve for the wants of the Saginaw River, but could be made useful in navigating the streams above. At the suggestion of Capt. Mowry, the late James Fraser, Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Jr., Emerson and Eldridge, and some other parties entered into the project of building such a boat as has been mentioned: and in the Summer of 1847, Mr. Fraser and Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Jr., went to Pittsburgh and contracted for the engines for a boat, procured a model from which to build one, and commenced in earnest the great undertaking that it then was to* build a steamboat on the Saginaw River. The work of construc¬ tion was carried on near Emerson's mill, at Saginaw, on the east side of the river, for the convenience of getting sawed lumber at the mill. The work on the hull had progressed considerably dur¬ ing the season of 1847, but the boat was not launched till 1848, when she was consigned to the element for which she was intended, and named the 'Buena Vista,' upon which occasion there were great festivities at the 'Hall of Montezuma.' I think the responsi¬ bility of providing the materials and superintending the building of the boat was assigned to Daniel H. Fitzhugh, Jr., and notwith¬ standing the many difficulties attending that duty, they were all overcome, and in due time the 'Buena Vista' was constantly em¬ ployed in carrying passengers and towing vessels on the Saginaw River. Addison Mowry was her first captain, and Orrin Kinney, now of Portsmouth, was engineer. The 'Buena Vista,' notwith¬ standing her awkward appearance, with her stern wheel, answered the purpose for which she was constructed, with the exception of making money for her owners, and the successful navigation of the upper streams. As an illustration of her failure in the last named point, I will give a little sketch of her first trip to y^e forks of Bad River. This was before the Detroit & Milwaukee Railroad was built, and the people of Shiawassee County were looking for a means of conveying their surplus produce to market, by constructing a plank road to the forks of Bad River, and from that point the pro- duce was to be carried by the 'Buena Vista,' or some other light draught boat, to a shipping point on the Saginaw Kiver. To further the project above referred to, a delegation from that county, consisting of Gov. Parsons, of Corunna, and Mr. Gould, of Owosso, came to Saginaw in the Summer of 1849, and when they got ready to return home, it was determined, in order to show the feasibility of the project, to take the delegation on their way, as far as the forks, on board the 'Buena Vista,' and at the same time give ah excursion to the citizens of Saginaw. The writer was notified of the intended excursion and was on hand to start with the boat, upon which had congregated for the excursion, a large por¬ tion of the male population of Saginaw City, (East Saginaw then was not.) The boat started out in the morning under favorable auspices, expecting to be back at Saginaw by a little past noon, so no provisions for the comfort of the inner man were made except by those who took their rations of fire-water. The boat proceeded on her trip without encountering any difficulties, till we left the Shiawassee and entered the Bad River. That river was so narrow and crooked in places that it was with difficulty that we made any progress; in a short turn in the river the length of the boat was so great that it would rub both banks at the same time, and she had to exercise all the power of her engines to squeeze through. It was near night when we reached a point in the river where the navigation was attended with less difficulty, when a strange whistling sound proceeded from the en¬ gines, and the engineer was walking in the water by the side of the boat endeavoring to accomplish something by punching at its side. It was soon ascertained that the pipe which supplied the boilers with water had been filled with mud in dragging over the shoals, and that the boat was being propelled by heated gas. Had the engineer sue ceeded in letting water into the boilers when thus heated,there would inevitably have been an explosion which would have caused great loss of life. Before reaching our destination all the metal joints in the steam pipes were melted, and so far as the propelling capacity was concerned, the boat was a complete wreck. It was then near night, and we had all fasted since morning, and the prospect for the night was not very pleasant; when Daniel L. 0. Eaton and E. F. Bird volunteered to take a canoe and paddle to Saginaw, sixteen miles, and return with provisions for tire famishing crowd. They performed their duty faithfully, for which service they will always be held in grateful remembrance by all who partook of the bounti¬ ful supply of provisions, which they brought to the crowd about one o'clock in the morning, and which the good ladies of Saginaw City had supplied them with, by emptying their larders of cooked pro¬ visions. The next day the excursionists exercised their muscles in performing a pedestrian tour through the wilderness, by way of Swan Creek and the Tittabawassee to Saginaw. The 'Buena Vista' remained at the forks a few days till her steam pipes and boilers were repaired, when she returned to her duties on the Saginaw,which she performed till other boats came to take her place.

"The machinery of the 'Buena Vista' was afterwards transferred to the 'Whitney,' which was the first steamboat built at the lower end of the river. She was built at Bangor by Thomas Whitney & Co., and was commanded by Daniel Burns, of local notoriety.

"The next steamboat after the 'Buena Vista,' to ply these waters, was the 'Gen. Wolcott,' brought here in 1850 by Capt. Darius Cole, to run between Lower Saginaw and Saginaw, thus forming the first river line ever operated here.

"One of the incidents of the early days was a race between the 'Buena Vista' and the 'Wolcott.' Daniel Burns commanded the first named boat, and getting in too great a hurry at the outset,