Robert Ellis Roberts
SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT, STATE OF MICHIGAN, PAST AND PRESENT. 1855
DETROIT: R. F. Johnstone & CO., PRINTERS, ADVERTISER OFFICE. 1855.

http://moa.umdl.umich.edu/cgi/sgml/moa-idx?notisid=AFK0798


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 4~I            STATE OF MICHIGAN,
                         ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


                      P A S T  AND  PRESENNT.



                                            1855.,














                                        DETROIT:
                 R. F. JOHNSTONE & CO., PRINTERS, ADVERTISER OFFICE.

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SKETCHES



OF THE



CITY OF DETROITF



STATE OF MICHIGAN,



PAST AND PRESENT.



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& CO., PRINTERS, ADVERTISER OFFICE.
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R. F. JOHINSTONE






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Entered according to an Act of Congress in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the District of Mitchigan, by Robert E. Roberts.
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Sketches of the City of Detroit
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The following brief sketches of thfe history, pecuniary condition, resources, and prospects of the city of Detroit compiled from authentic data, will in part supply information frequently sought after.



THE CITY ITS HISTORY.



The city of Detroit is situated on the north shore of the Detroit river or strait connecting Lakes Erie and St. Clair.  The river is the boundary line between Michigan and  Canada West.  The city is l8 miles east of Lake Erie, and 7 miles west of Lake St. Clair, 300 miles west of Buffalo, and 545 from Washington, in Latitude 42 degrees 19 minilutes 53 seconds north, and Longitude West 82 deg. 58 sec. or from Washington west5 deg 56 min. 12 sec. Difference in time from Washington 33 min. 44 sec. New York city 34 min. 48 sec.

The history of Detroit is most intimately connected with the history of the whole northwest, as its settlement dates among the first on the American continent.  Founded  in the strife for sovereignity between the English and French governments, it became at an early day, a point of central influence, importance and action.  No place in the United States, it has been observed, presents such a series of events, interesting in themselves, and permanently affecting as they occurred, its progress and prosperity. Five times its flag has been changed.  First the lily of France floated over its fortress, then the red cross of Englald, and next the stripes and stars of the United States, and then again the red cross, and lastly the stripes and and stars.

Three different sovereigns have claimed its allegiance, and since it has been held by the United States its government has been thrice transferred; twice it has been beseiged by the Indians; once captured in war, and once burnt to the ground.  Fire has scathed it--the tomahawk, scalping knife, and war club have been let loose upon it in the hands of an unrelenting savage foe.  It has been the scene of one surrender, of more than fifty pitched battles, and twelve horrid massacres.


The present site of the city was occupied by Indian villages at the period of the discovery of the country.  In 1610 it was first visited by the French.  The whole lake region firom its discovery until 1762 was under the dominion of France.  The legitimate settlement of the city was in 1701, at which time a fort called "Ponchartrain" was erected.  Its location was south of Jefferson Avenue and east of Shelby street, occupying a space of about  200 feet sqiuare, and recently while some worlcmen were excavating for the foundation to the improvements now being made to, and in rear of the Michigan Exchange, they came across some of the cedar pickets of the palisades which encircled the fort.  In 1749 emigrants were sent here from France at the expense of the government.  Here in 1763 that daring warrior Pontiac the great head of the Indian race at that period, entered upon a bold plan of driving every white man over the Alleghanies and destroying all the English posts in the north west, simultaneously on a fixed day.  These consisted of thirteen well garrisoned forts, stretching from Niagara and Pittsburgh all along the lakes to the Mississippi, and on the Wabash river.  So  secret were


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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



his plans, and so prompt was he in their execution, that ten of these forts fell in a single day, and their inmates were massacred-but he himself met with a signal defeat at Detroit.  During that year it was ceded to the British crown.  In 1778 Fort Shelby was erected by the British commandant Major Le Noult, and called Fort Le Noult until after the war of 1812, when it was nanmed in honor of Governor Shelby of Kentucky.  It was located at the intersection of Fort and Shelby streets, and was removed in 1827.  In 1796, Captain Porter with a detachment of the American Army, under Gen. Wayne, entered the city and took possession of the fort, which had been previously evacuated by the British, and hoisted the first flag bearing the stripes and stars that ever floated in the Wolverine State.

The ordinance of 1787 was then extended over this part of the north west territory which
was governed by its first magistrate Gen. Arthur St. Clair.

The first Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons  in Detroit was organized at the house of
James Donaldson under sanction of the Grand Lodge of Canada, Dec. 19th, 1794, which was
styled "Zion Lodge No. 10."  James Donaldson was  the first W. M.

The Territory of Michigan was formed in 1805, and William Hull was appointed the first
Governor, with a judiciary, composed of Augustus B, Woodward [Augustus B. Woodward], James Griffin and Francis Bates, Judges, who organized a government at Detroit in July of that year.  On the 11th of June previous, the town was almost entirely destroyed by fire, one house only remaining. Shortly after the catastrophe, an act of Congress was passed directing the governor and judges to lay out a new town including the site of the one destroyed and ten thousand acres of adjacent land.

In 1807 Judge Bates resigned and James Witherall was appointed in his place.  In 1809 Rev. Gabrial Richard, published the first newspaper printed in the city, styled the "Michigan Essay or Imperial Observer:" Jamnes M. Miller, printer.

January 19, 1811.  At a meeting of the Governor and Judges, Augustus B. Woodward
one  of the Judges, himself clothed, completely in American manufactures, moved the following resoluion.

  "Whereas, the encouragement of American manufactures is a duty imposed on the good
citizens of the United States, by the dictates of benevolence as well as by the injunctions of patriotism, and whereas the consumption of domestic manufactures is at the same time the most simple and most efficacious encouragement of them, and whereas it is at all times becoming that those who receive both honors and emoluments from the execution of public trusts, should exhibit themselves the foremost in examples of utility, therefore, Resolved that it be respectfully and earnestly recommended by the Legislative authority of the Territory of Michigan, to all officers of this government, to appear clothed in articles the manufacture of the Continent of North America at all times when engaged in the execution of any public duty, power or trust from and after the fourth day of July, 1813."

Which was passed unanimously, and a copy thereof signed by the members and attested by
the secretary in order that it be deposited in the office of the Secretary of the Territory and  the Secretary to take such measures for the farther publication and communication of the same as he may judge expedient."

January 1812.  At a meeting of the Governor and Judges, a committee to whom was referred a communication from the commissioners of internal navigation in the State of New York reported as follows:

Whereas, the commissioners of internal navigation in the State of New York, have
addressed to the Governor and Judges of the Territory of Michigan, a communication, relative to a canal in the State of New York which being considered, Resolved unanimously, that in the opinion of the undersigned the canal contemplated by the commissioners of internal navigation in the State of New York from Black Rock to Rome, would not be so desirable as a canal around the cataract of Niagara, another by the falls of the Oswego."  The report was adopted and at a subsequent meeting the Governor and Judges signed a letter addressed 


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                           SKETCHES  OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.                                 5

to Gov. Morris, Dewitt Clinton, William North, Thomas Eddy, Robert R. Livingston and
Robert Fulton Esquires, commissioners of internal navigation of the State of New York,
enclosing a copy of the above resolution.
  Reuben Atwater, acting Governor, A. B. Woodward and James Witherell, Judges, composed the meeting.
   Here that brave and inagnanimous chief Tecumseh, the noblest of his race, "rose,
reigned and fell."  Tecumseh participated against us in all the conflicts, from the defeat
of Harmar in 1790, to the battle of the Thames in 1813, where he lost his life, and left no
spot or blemish on his honor or humanity.
  Oa the 16th of August, 1812, Detroit fell into the hands of the British. It was retaken
by the American army in 1813, and the territorial government re-organized in the fall of that
year, by the appointment of Gen. Lewis Cass, as Governor,who immediately took up his residence at Detroit, which has ever since been his home.
  The President of the United States, James Monroe, visited Detroit in the month of August,
1817.  His arrival was celebrated by the firing of cannon, a public dinner and a grand illumination of the city atnight. He was on an excursion for personal observation, of the country,
having passed through the New  England states and visited various important points along
the St. Lawrence, Lake Ontario, and Niagara river, to Buffalo, where he embarked for this city
in a sail vessel, and visited various points upon Lake Erie.  The citizens of Detroit presented
him with a span of horses and carriage, with which he returned to Washington by land, visiting
all important points in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland.  Mr. Monroe was the only President of the United States who ever visited Detroit, during his official term.
  In 1817 John P. Sheldon published a newspaper styled the "Detroit Gazette," which was the
first successful newspaper printed in Michigan.
  With every natural facility of becoming a place of importance, the condition of Detroit for
many years depended on the precarious support afforded by the fur trade, the disbursment of
public moneys while a military post, and the liberal appropriations by government for public
objects.
  The impulse and effect produced by the settlement and cultivation of the surrounding country
was wanting until about the year 1830, when emigration, which had previously been small,
rapidly increased, and farms and small villages began to thicken along the lines of the turnpike
roads which had been constructed by the general government. These were the Chicago,
leadingto Illinois: the Saginaw, to the head of Saginaw Bay, the Fort Gratiot to the foot of
Lake H-uron, and the Graiid Riverto Lake Michigan at t'ze mouth of Grand River.
                     DETROIT IN 1778 —-Interestiiig Narrative.
  The compiler is indebted to Hon. Alexander D. Fraser, for the following very interesting
sketch:
  The following narrative was taken down from  the lips of James May, Esq., my father-inlaw, who died in January, 1829.  He was an Englishman who came to this place when  a
young man, in 1778.  He was Chief Justice of Common  Pleas, established hereimmediately
after General Wayne took possession of the country, under Jay's treaty; was Colonel of Militia, &c. When the American Flag was hauled down by order of Genl. Hull, in 1812, at the
time of the surrender, he got possession of it, and kept'it until Genl. Harrison arrived, when
it was again hoisted.                                                              A. D. F.
 My Note Book, 1826.
  In the year 1778, after a passage of four days from Fort Erie, I arrived by the brig-of-war
Genl. Gage, at the settlement of Detroit. No vessels at that time navigated upon the lakes,
upon account of the revolutionary war which then raged, excepting those of His Majestynot even the smallest craft had this permission. Previous to that time, but few vessels ever
visited the lakes, and those very few and of an inferior class-indeed, no merchant vessel had
as yet ploughed the waves of the lakes.





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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



  The old town of Detroit comprised within its limits tihat space between Mr. Palmer's store
(Conant Block) and Capt. Perkins' house, (near the Arsenal building,) and extended back as
far as the public barn, and in front was bordered by the Detroit river.  It was an oblong
square; and covered about two acres in length, and an acre and a half in breadth.  It was surrounded with oak and cedar pickets about fifteen feet long.  The town  had four gates, east,
west, north and south.  Over the first three of these gates were blockhouses.  Each of these
had four guns, (six-pounders, each.)  The first of these was in that space intervening between
Palmer's shop, and Judge Door's house,(oppositelves' bank.) The west block-house was before
the ground on which Capt. Perkins' house now stands.  The third block-house was at the
north gate, which was inside of a small bridgme that is on the road to the fort, and near the
public magazine, (N[r. Austin's house, Congress street.)  There were besides two six gun batteries fronting the river, and in a parallel direction with the block houses.  There were
four streets that run east and west; the main street was twenty feet wide and the rest fifteen
feet wide.  There were three cross streets, runniing north and south, from ten to fifteen feet
wide.  At that time there was no fort, but there was a citadel on the ground on which Perkins' house now stands, (N. W. corner of Jefferson avenue and Wayne street,) the pump of
which still remains there. The citadel was picketed in, and within it were erected barracks of
wood, two stories high, sufficient to contain ten offices; and there were barracks sufficient to
contain from three to four hundred men; a provision store built of brick.  There was also
within the citadel an hospital and guard house.
  In the town of Detroit, in the year 1-78, there were about sixty houses, most of them
of one story high, and a few of them a story and a half; but none of them were two stories.
They were all of logs, some hewn and some round.  There was also a building of a splendid
appearance, called the King's Palace.  It was two stories high.  It was situated near the east
gate, and stood where Conant's new building (Beecher's store) now stands.  The pump which
now stands behind that building stood in the rear of the Government House.  Attached to
this house was a large garden extending towards the river, which contained many fruit trees.
WVhen I came here it was occupied by Governor Ilamiltoll, for whom it was built. He was
the first Governor commissioned here by the British Government, and was here about three
years before I came. There were four companies of the Eighth Regiment, two companies of
 Butler's Rangers, and one company of the Fourth Regiment. The latter were under the
 command of Capt. Anbey, the former under Capt. Caldwell, and Eighth Regiment command ed by Major Leverault, who was also commanding officer of the post and its dependencies.
 All these constituted about 500 troops. There was a guard-house near the west gate, and
 another near the Government House.  Each of these guards consisted of twenty-four, and a
 subaltern officer, who mounted regularly every morning between nine and ten o'clock. Each
 of these guards furnished four sentinels who relieved every two hours. There was also an
 officer of the day who did strict duty.  All these gates were shut regularly at sun-set, and even
 wicket gates were shut at 9 o'clock regularly, and the keys were delivered into the hands of the
 commanding officer.  They were opened in the morning at sunrise.  No Indian whatever, or
 squaw was permitted to enter the town with any instrument, such as a tomahawk, or even knife.
 It was a standing order that the Indians should deliver these before they were permitted
 to pass, into the hands of the sentinel, and they were restored when he returned.   No more
 than twenty-five Indians were allowed to come into town at the same time-they were per mitted to come in only at the east and west gates.  At sun-set the drum beat, and all the
 Indians were compelled to leave town instantly.  It was always the signal; strict search was
 made by the soldiers that none might be concealed; and if it was discovered that even a squaw
 was secreted but for a night, severe reprehension was sure to follow.
   There was a Council House, for the purpose of holding council with the Indians. It was
 near the water side, rear of the Government House. There was a Roman Catholic Church
 situated where Payne's brick house now stands, (near the Masonic Hall.) The Priest was



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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



then Peter Simple, an aged and infirm man, and adjoining it was the Priest's house and buryi,g-ground.  The church was 60 by 40 feet. one story high, with two steeples and two bells.
  The population of the town was sixty families, in all about two hundred males and one
hunderd females.  They-the  mein-were chiefly bachelors.  There was not a marriage in
the place for a number of years, until I broke the ice.  Twenty of these persons were traders
and kept retail stores. Of the population there were 30 Scotchmen, 4 Englishmen and 15
Irishmen.
  The extent of the settlement uLp the Detroit River reached about Hudson's House (now
Fisher's) not a house above that place in this country, until you reached Michilimackinac,
where there was a small settlement. Below Detroit it was settled on the banks of the River
as far as Springwells, but not beyond that.  These settlements were entirely confined to the
bank of the River, and there was no settlement or improvement in any other part of this
Territory than that in the immediate vicinity of Detroit.  These settlers were all French Canadians, and the whole population of the settlement, exclusive of the Military, might be about
700 souls. It was at that time considered a journey to go from Springwells into the other extremity of the settlement.
  The Indian trade was then excellent. There was much public money then in circulation here,
for the troops and the WNavy Department, were then strong here.  This post was established
by the British to keep the Indians in check, of whom they were afraid; and this was the reason why the old town was built so compact, that it might in case of urgency be more able to defend it against the assaults of the Indians.  The different tribes were Hurons, Wyandotts, Chip.
pewas and Pottawattamnies, Taways and the Moravians.  Frequently between 3 and 500 of
these could he seen at a time durin,g the revolutionary war. The civil department consisted
of two Justices of the Peace, one of these was the late Thomas Williams Esq, (father of the
late Maj. Gen. John R. Williams) and the other was the Governor or Commanding officer,
for the time.   The Orderly Sergeant was the Constable.  The justice kept the peace, and the
commanding officer took cognizance of all cases under ~10 York.   For  all sums above this,
writs came from Montreal, addressed to Williams, who got his Bailiff to execute them..In case of small debts, on a complaint to the Commanding officer, he sent his orderly tothe
debtor, requesting his immediate attendance before that officer.   He would then hear the
parties and make his determination accordingly. If against the defendant, he would order
him instantly to pay the money, or send him to the Guard House  until he complied,  and
some times would give a little time to pay; there was no process or costs in these cases.  If
the debtor, however, had no  property, the party was set at liberty.   One  Granchin owed
me a debt. I complained to Gov. Hamilton, who sent for him. HIe came, and being asked
if he had any thing to say against the debt, he said no.  Hie then ordered him to give me
an old negro wench in payment, and she served me twenty-five years.
  1779.-The Governor, getting tired of administering Justice, proposed to the merchants to
establish a Court of Trustees with jurisdiction extending to ten pounds Halifax. Eighteen of
these Trustees entered into a Bond that three of them should be a weekly Court in rotation,
and that they should defend any appeal which might be taken to the Courts of Montreal.
This court lasted for about eighteen months, and none ever appealed from it. It was considered as a court of conscience.   They had certain forms of process, —-they rendered judgment,
and issued executions. They had a constable and a Clerk, and imprisoned their prisoners in
the Guard House.



  Our goods were imported from Montreal.  The only mode of conveyance was by the King's
ship, who delivered them here free of freight.
  When an Indian committed a depredation on the Canadians they generally rose in a body,
and hung the Indian without any ceremony.  The citizens depended principally for eatables on
the Indians who supplied them with the quadrupeds of the forest. A milch cow was then






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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



generally sold for one hundred dollars, and a pair of steers would sell for two hundred and
fifty dollars.
  The circulating medium in the country consisted chiefly of paper money issued by the merchants, from a sixpence to twenty shillings, and purported to be payable to the bearer. Permission was given by the Governor to strike off so much money in shin plasters as a person had
property to redeem in that month.   The property was valued by appraisers, or a bond was
given with security to redeem. On the day of payment, each trader exchanged with him who
had his bills, and this was found to answer every purpose of trade, and seldom or ever any loss
accrued from this mode of dealing.  At this time the Indians used to spear the fish, and sell
them here for rum and whiskey.
  The citizens all lived then like one family,-had Detroit assemblies where ladies never went
without being in their silks.  The people dressed very richly.  Assemblies were once a week,
and sometimes once a fortnight. Dining parties were frequent, and they drank their wine
freely.



DETROIT IN 1 ~05 — Before the Fire.



  The old town previous to the fire, occupied a site embraced within the following limits
Griswold st. on the east, and Cass street on the west, and extending from the river to Larned
street, secured by a stockade on the west and east running from the river to Fort Shelby,
(present north line of Congress street.) In rear of the fort was the Royal Military garden, on
the east the Commanding Officers' Field, and east of the stockade onl the bank of the river was
the Navy Garden.   Where  Woodward avenue now is, and between  Woodbridge  and
Atwater streets was the Navy Yard.  The  names of the streets in the old town were  St.
Louis, St. Ann, St. Joseph, St. James, St. Honore and L7Erneau. The width of the widest
(St. Ann) was but 20 feet, at either end of which were gates forming the only entrances into
the city.  A  carriage way which was called Chemin du Ronde, encircled the town just inside
the palisades.  A  large creek called'-River Savoyard" bordered by  low marshy grounds
separated the high ridge upon which the old town was built, from the high grounds along the
summit of which runs at present Fort street. This creek extended from the river near the
lower line of the Cass farm, along a line between Congress and Larned streets to Woodward
avenue, and across Congress street and Michigan avenue, into Fort street; thence east along
the line of Fort street. That part of the town not required for public use was subdivided
into 59 lots. The names of freeholders in the old town were: Askin, Abbott, McDonald,
McDougall, Meldrum, Parke, Grant, Chagrin, McGregor, Campan, McKea, Oadney, Macomb,
Roe, Howard, Tremble, Sparkin, Leith, Williams, Ridley, Frazer, Haines, I)olson, Jayer,
Lefoy, Thebauld, Duhamel, St. Cosmo, Belanger, LaFleur, Cote, Scott, LaFontaine,  Bird,
Starling, Andrews, Harfoy and Ford.
  The destruction of the old town was so far fortunate that it led to the adoption of a plan
better adapted to a city, such as Detroit has become.



                                  TIHE NEWV TOWN.
  The site of the city is an elevation of about 30 feet, along the river front, rising farther
back to about 60 feet, affording most perfect drainage, covering an area within its corporate
limits of 3368 acres, about one-third of which is closely covered by buildings. These limits
will probably be enlarged on the river front in each direction at the meeting of the next
Legislature.
  The Governor and Judges who laid out the new town, seemed to anticipate the future
importance of the city, and to their foresight, good taste and judgment, are we indebted for the
reserves of the Grand Circus, Campus Martius, East, West, Centre and Capitol Parks, and
the numerous wide avenues, from 120 to 200 feet in width.
  It is in contemplation now to soon embellish the parks and circusses with public fountains.
  Detroit was incorporated a city by an act of the Governor and Judges in 1815, seven years








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                                        SKETCHES OF THE  CITY OF DETROIT.                               9

 before Boston bore the name and privileges of a city, and the government was vested in five
 trustees. This act was suspended in 1824, by a new charter passed by the Legislative council,
 when the late Gen. John R. Williams, was chosen Mayor.
     Sec. 1, of the act of 1815 reads as follows
      Be it enacted, by the Governor and Judges of Michig,an that so much of an'Act to repeal
 all Acts of the parliament of England and of the parliament of Great Brittain within the Terri toi-y of Michligan in the United States of America, and for other purposes" as repeals "An
 Actto incorporate the Town of Detroit " enacted by the Legislative Council and House of
 Representatives of the North Western Territory, in General Assembly, approved at Chillicothe
 on the eighteenth day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and
 two, be and the same are hereby repealed."  lion. Solomon Siblev. was chairman of the
first B'oard of Trustees, and Thomas Rowland, Secretary.  In 1816 the Board consisted of
 George McDl)ougall, Abram Edwards, Oliver W. Miller, Peter J. Desnoyers and Stephen Mack.
George Mcl)ougall chairman, and Thlaos. Rowland, Secretary.
    The first public market house was erected in 1816 by Capt. Benj. Woodworth, undor a
contract with the Trustees, at a cost of fifteen hundred dollars.  It was built in the centre
of AVoodward avenue, a little south of Jefferson avenue, and covered a space of about 30 by
70 feet, one story high, composed merely of a roof supported by posts, and enclosel I with
slats three inches apart, and served as a public whipping place until the law was repealed. The
culprits were placed outside with their hands thrust through the slats and tied on the inside,
when the officer would apply the lash on the bare back of the victim.
   When Detroit was first incorporated as a city, the only road leading out of it was the one up
and down the river.  The mail was brought around the lake, thlrough Ohio, oil horseback, and
when the road was very bad a man carried it on his shoulders through the Black Swamp.
The first line of carriages between Detroit and Ohio was established in 1827.
   Detroit is a port of entry, the commercial metropolis of the State of Michigan, and occupies
a central position on the great chain of rivers and lakes two thousand miles in extent, and
forming together the greatest body of inland navigable waters in the world.
   The following will show in a condensed form, estimates of the mean, length, breadth, depth,
area and elevation of the several bodies of water which compose the great chain



 a1a 
.'Re upenor, — — —-------— —. — — —-------------------------------— — — CO  ba  900  81  5 000
rn Hay — — —--------------------------------------— — — 10'  25  50(i  56   2000
Lite Mic igan ---------------------------------------— — — 30 70 iiOO 578 a2,00
Lk ilure,, — — —--------------------------------------------— — — 240 50 1000 57- 2Q400
I   St  air — — —--------------------------------------------— — — 20 iS  10  57,)   160
Lake ne — — —----------------------------------------------— — — 240 40  54  165  9,60.
1 ake Ontaim — — —--------------------------------------------— — — 180 55 510 152,io0
Riser St Larence, — — —--------------------------------------— — — 1       201         940
94,01,0
The location of the city is pleasant, commanding a fine view of the surrounding country,
with Canada in the foreground, and of the river for miles above and below until intercepted
by beautiful islands. It was originally selected by the isaivcs of the forest with their usual
sagacity, as a site for their villages, and was thus occupied before the Lake Country was
discovered by Europeans two hundred and forty-five years ago, and for about ninety years afterwards, or until the year of our Lord 1701, when it was taken possession of by the French who
erected "Fort Foachartrain" for the purpose of establishing a fur trading post, and protect



                                                    TlIE9S CHANGES,
   The compiler of these sketches first visited this city in the spring of 1827, without any
intention of permanently locating here, but a short residence sufficed to render his attachment
enduring, and it has ever since been his home. Having never been from it more than a few
















SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



weeks at a time, visiting eastern cities, and at each successive return he has hailed with
delight his approach to the good old City of the Straits, up its beautiful river of the
purest of water.  There is no other de-troit like it, with its elevated shores, lined with
villages, villas, stately mansions, French farm-houses, windmills, and pear trees of more
than a century's growth; its broad stream deep and clear with no veto "sandbars" or "snakeheads" to i~tterrupt, and lno fleet of" Steam Tugs" and "Lighters" to aid navigation.
  Detroit in 1I27 was the only municipal corporation in the territory of Michigan.  It
contained a population at that time of about two thousand souls, which was about onetenth the population of the whole territory, who were settled along the Lakles and rivers,
from Monroe to St. Clair, MIacklinaw and Green Bay; and but little was known of the
interior of the territory, which was for the most part a wilderness of forest and prairie,
though a few scattered settlements had been  made in Wrashtenlaw and Oakland counties,
with here and there a log house.  A water flour mill had been erected a year or two previous
at Pontiac, by Col. Stephen Mack and Hon. Solomon Sibley, which was the first in Michigalln.
  The city at that time was but little else than a military  and fur-trading post.  The
inhabitants were principally native French, though there were a number of families here
from the eastern States, but not mo,e than a dozen from any foreign country.
  The buildings were mostly constructed of wood, one or two stories high, with steep roofs
and dormer windows.  The banks of the river within view of the city were studded with
wind grist mills, and flour was brought to the city and sold only in sacks.  Since that time
great changes have taken place, and scarcely a vestage of the old city remains.   A great
portion of the then limits ofthe city, have been swept over by fire and re-built with substan -
tial business buildings.
   Then the steam boat arrivals were three or Iour a week, now there are eight or ten a



day.
  Then there were but three or four wharves at which vessels could unlade; now its docks
extend for more than two miles. Then there were but two or three turnpike roads leading
from the city, now there are plank roads and railroads in every direction.
  Then a mail from the east arrived once or twice a week, now we have three or four from
the east daily, and the telegraph wires extending in various directions, permnitting instant
communication with far distant points.
  (The telegraph line was completed to Detroit, and dispatches were received from the city
of New York for the first time, March 1st, 1848.)
  Then the fronts of the residences of James Abbott, Col. Anderson, Gen Larned, the
brothers Cote, Mrs. Deveraux and Dr. Hurd, situated on the west side of Woodward avenue,
between the river and Congress street, were shaded by an almost continuous row of stately
trees.  There was the old meat market in Woodward avenue, below Jefferson, and the old
wooden Presbyterian church, corner  of Larnedl street  and Woodward  avenue.   The
residence of Robert Smart, Esq., south of the Church, and at the corner of Woodward
avenue and Woodbridge street was the Godfrey I-HouLse, nearly opposite was Smith's Taver..
Where the "National" now stands, there was a small yellow house  in the centre of a
large potato lot  and beyond was  a vast common, the Jail, where Centre Parkl now is,
the Methodist Church a little to the east, Cliff's Tavern near the grand circus, Gen. Williams
barn, and an occasional shantee. These were all that intercepted a view of the forest
beyond.
   In Judge Sibley's field, west of Woodward avenue and north of the residence of Dr. Duffield,
was a small Fort, called Fort Croghan, which had been thrown up by the citizens and mounted
 with a few pieces of artillery for the purpose of protecting the inhabitants against the incur sions of the Indians, who came from- the woods and drove off cattle that were feeding on the
 commons and murdered the inhabitants.
   On Jefferson avenue, west of Woodward, there were in the first two blocks a number of






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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



small stores-interspersed with dwellings, and those extended to the line of the Cass farm
just below Cass street.
   The "Cass Farm" was then a farm with but the farm-house, barns, &c., and an Indian
store-heuse and distillery on the lower line, and an ox mill on the river front.
  The first block in Jefferson Ave. east of Woodward was occupied on either side by small
stores, and on the N. W. corner of Bates street was the store and dwelling of Peter J.
Desnoyer, Esq.  On the south-east corner the store and dwelling of Gen. J R. Williams,
east of which was Pat. Palmer's tavern, and the residences of John Whipple, Judge Chipman
and Barnabus Campau, Esq., and on the corner the MAasonic Hall and Council House.
Crossing Randolph street on the site now occupied by the "Biddle House" was the
brick residence of Mij. Johln Biddle-constructed by Governor Hull, in 1807, and it was the
first brick house built in the city, and next the residence of Hon. E. A. Brush; opposite
was the brick residence and extensive fruit garden of Judge Sibley.  On the north-west
corner of PRandolph street was the Bank of Michigan, formerly occupied by the Detroit
Bank, chartered in 1806 and broke in 1810, and west were the residences of Major Kearsley,
Dr. Brown and Thos. F. Knapp.  All these are now gone, and with the exception of the
old arsenal and the residence of the late T.  S Wendell, Jos. Campan's dwelling, and
Smart and Desnoyer's stores, not a building remains along the whole extent of Jefferson aveenue, which was existing in 1827.
  Jefferson avenue until about this time terminated at the line of the Brush farm, when it
was opened up as far as Russell street, but with stern opposition from the owners of the farms.
There were then no buildings to obstruct the view of the fields and woods beyond,
firom the avenue in the vicinity of Brush street.  The only road at the time to Hamtramck
and Gross Point was on the river beach, to gain which from the avenue down Randolph
street, you,passed the Steamboat Hotel, the principal tavern in the city, kept by Capt.
Benj. Woodworth, brother of the author of the "Old Oaken Bucket."  Capt. W. emigrated to this city in 1806; and now resides at St. Clair. Nearly opposite the hotel was the
residence of Dr. McCoskrey, uncle of the present worthy Episcopal Bishop of the diocese
of Michigan.   Doct. McC. came to Detroit with Wayne's army in 1796, of which he
was the surgeon.  Turning from Randolph into Atwater st. on the south, was the Carding
and Full Cloth Factory of Messrs. French & Eldred; and just beyond, at the foot of
Brush street was the Smith Shlop of Harvey Williams, in front of which Che-minek, son of
that notorious Indian Chief, Kish-ka-go killed an Indian.   Kish-ka-go and son were
arrested and lodged in Jail.  Kish-ka-go supposed that he was detained for the murder of
some white man, he havilng killed several, and he could not be persuaded to the contrary,
though informed of the fact by Col. Beaufait. His reply to the Col. was, "no the hats never
forget." Kish-ka-go called himself the "son of thunder."  He sent a messenger to Saginaw
with instructions to summons his band together and hold a wa-bi-no to importune thunder)
(his father,) to come and throw down the jail and liberate him, on a particular day he
named.  The Chief waited patiently and sullenly for the day when he was to be liberated
The day came, but thunder did not, and he committed suicide by taking poison furnished
by his squaw.  Che-miuck, escaped from the Jail and was not retaken.
  East of Randolph street, extending along the front of the Brush, Beaubien, Moran,
Rivard, Mullet, Gouin and Dequindre Farms were extensive old Pear Orchards of centurial
trees-they having been transplanted there from that enchanted garden of Europe —" La
belle France"-by the early French imigrants who brought the young trees with them.
In front of these was a green lawn with a gentle slope to the beach of the river.
  Annually, in the month of June, thousands of Indians came from the Upper Lakes on
their way to Malden to receive presents from the British Government, who stopped and
lined the beach with their birchen canoes, and pitched their tents beneath the shade of
these trees,








11









SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



  On recalling to memory those old Pear trees, and the green lawn beneath and in fi'ont
of them, the many pleasant hours spent rambling there, eating of their delicious firuit,
we contemplate with regret the changes; scarce half a dozen of the old trees remaining;
the iron rails are stretched, and the fizing and rumbling of the iron horse is heard
whlere they were.   On turning down the river to the other line of the city, and recalling
the delightful promenade along the high banks of the river, which at this point formed a
beautiful bay, across the fironts of the Cass, Jones, Forsyth, LaBrosse, Baker and Woodbridg,e farms, and sweeping down past the residences of Robert Abbott, and Juldge May,
and reflecting that this, too, has been sacrificed and leveled low, to accommodate commercial and railway facilities, still more does it cause one to regret that the Star of Empire in its
westward flight visited the City of the Straits.  It makes one almost sigh with the ancient
habitans, at the remembrance of those times when the city was visited by an occasional
steamer to bear away the furs, fish and sugar brought hither in the birch canoe, from the
lake country above, and wish for the return of the good old days when the Indian canoe,
French callash, carryall and charrette,were the only vehicles of conveyance. Butfew of the
buildings of that day now remain. The most compact part of the city was between Jefferson
avenue and the river, and the only buldings of that day now standing there, are Jos. Callpau's dwelliing on Jefferson avenue, and the Hanks house on Bates street; all the rest are
gone, and the most of them were swept off by fire.
  On Woodward avenue the dwelling of John Owen Esq. now occupied by John Webster as a
hardware store, is the only one remaining. Besides these, there is the old farm house of
Gen. Cass, which is now on the north side of Larned street. The brick dwellings of
Messrs. Jackson and Cooper, onl Michigan avenue, the Academy near the water works
office on Bates street, the Browning HIouse farther up, the Cathedral of St. Ann, and part
of the Bishop's palace, since encircled by brick, the Abbott house opposite, (which was
on that spot when the town was destroyed by fire in 1805, and it is the only one of that
day, except the Moran farm house on Woodbridge street, now remaining in the limits of
the city.) The Andre house on Randolph street, and the one opposite occupied by the
Catholic Sisters' School, and the dwelling of Mrs. McDonald, corner of Fort and Shelby sts.,
formerly the quarters of the commanding officers of Fort Shelby.
  The above, it is believed, are the only buildings of 1827 that now remain, except some
that may have been re-built or re-modeled so as not to be identified at this time.
  Fort Shelby was removed in 1827-8, and the earth was used in filling up the embankment then being constructed along the whole water front of the city, by order of the
authorities, the expense of which was assessed on the adjoining property. This was done
as a sanitary measure, and the health of the city, which a year ortwo previous had been
bad, was very much improved.



                                     MHAYORS.
 The following gentlemen have held the office of Chief Magistrate of the city, and were
elected as follows:
  John R. Williams, elected in 1824; John R. Williams, 1825; Henry I. Hunt, 1826; John
Biddle, 1827; John Biddle, 1828; Jonathan Kearsley, 1829; John R. Williams, 1830;
Marshall Chapin, 1831; Levi Cook, 1832; Marshall Chapin, 1834; Charles C. Trowbridge,
1834, resigned in August, and Andrew Mack elected to fill vacancy; Levi Cook, 1835;
Levi Cook, 1836; Henry  Howard,  1837; Augustus S. Porter, 1838; resigned in the
fall, and Asher B. Bates, Recorder, acted; De Garmo Jones, 1839; Zina Pitcher, 1840;
Zina Pitcher, 1841; Douglass Houghton, 1842; Zina Pitcher, 1843; John R. Williams, 1844;
John R. Williams, 1845; John R. Willianis, 1846; James A. Van Dyke, 1847; Frederick
Bubl, 1848; Charles Howard, 1849; John Ladue, 1850; Zachariah Chandler, 1851; John
H. Harmon, 1852; John H. Harmon, 1853; Oliver M. Hyde, 1854 and Henry Ledyard,'55.








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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



Their business or profession and term of service were as follows:



John R. Williams, Merchant,
Henry I. Hunt,       do        -
John Biddle, Officer U.S. A., -
Jonathan Kearsley, Officer U. S. A.
Marshall Chapin, Physician,  -
Levi Cook, Merchant,     -      -
C. C. Trowbridge, Banker,?
Andrew Mack, seaman, 
Henry Howard, Merchant
Augustus S. Porter, Lawyer,?
Asher B. Bates, Lawyer, 
De Garimo Jones, Merchant,    -
Zina Pitcher, Physician,
Douglass Houghton, Physician,  -
James A. Van Dyke, Lawyer, -
Frederick Buhl, Merchant,
Charles Howard    do         -
John Ladue, Tanner,     -       -
Zachariah Chandler, Merchlant,
John H. Harmon, Printer,        -
Oliver M. Hyde, Merchant,    -
Henry Ledvard, Lawyer, -



  Henry I. Hunt died during his official term in'23, Marshall Chapin died in 1838, Douglass
Houghton died in 1845, Do Garmo Jones died in 1846, John Ladue died in 1854, John R.
Williams died in 1854, Andrew Mack died in 1854, and James A. Van Dyke died in 1855.
  John Biddle is now sojourning in France, Augustus S. Porter now residesat Black Rock,
N. Y., Henry Howard in Buffallo N.Y., and Asher B. Bates in Sandwichl Islands. Jonathan
Kearsley, Levi Cook, Charles C. Trowbridge, Zina Pitchler, Frederick Buhl, Charles Howard,
Zachariah Chandler, John H. Harmon, Oliver M. Hyde and Henry Ledyard, the present incumbent, all reside here.



                                     POPU.LATION.
  The population of the city proper returnedin the spring of 1854, as taken lby authority of
the State, was 40,373.  A population of 3,000 reside in contiguous city suburbs, which  for
all business estimates should properly be taken into account.
  A portion of the population are foreigners, many of whom are uneducated, and do not speak
English at all.  They regard the operation of the census as a preparatory process  to tax
them according to their numneration, and it is now known that the census taken  was quite
below the true number. A full census of the city and suburb population, which are substantially one, would have shown a population of from 47,000 to 50,000 souls.
  The population at the following periods, from 1820, was as follows:
I, 18'20 it was... — — —------------------------------------------------- 1,442
 "1830  " ----------------------------------------------------------  2,222 —increa,se in 10years,..70
  1q40  " — — —----------------------------------------------------- 9,102-    "6,880
  1850  ". — — —------------------------------ -------— — — 21,019-    ""' — 11 917
  1854            ".. — — —-------------------------------------- - - - 40,373    "    " 4"' 19,354
  It will be seen that the population has doubled in the four years preceeding  1854, and
the water assessment just made shows that the ratio of increase has not diminished during
the past year. The assessor found five hundred and seventy-five families residing in the
city more than there were one year agro.





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SKETCHIES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



,PROPERTY VALUATION.
The valuation of real and personal property aszessed in the city in 1854 wa.$ — — —---------------- -$12 518,115
Add f,r difference between valuati n for purposes of laxing o' of traftlic --------------------------   4,i72,705
Add for real and personal property of railrc-ads banks, &c., which pay a tax in gross to the State of  on  per cent. on their cal ital. — — —----------------------------------------------------------- 3,50nn1)o,000
Add for Church prop-rty not tax d.... — — —--------------------------------------------------------------  1,000,1100
Public l-,ropert,v not taxed water-sorks engine housef, maikets, public schools, &c. &c. — — —------------ 5(0,!;o0
County and Central t overnment buildings. — — —---------------------------- -------------------- 100 cOo
                                                                                                $21,760,8' 0



 The follov irg I usiness stat'stics were returned with the census in the sprir g of 1854:
The capital i.nvested in manufacturees within the city proper in 1854 was.. — — —---------------— — — $1,68,lf0
The products of the prece,dine year from manufactuies were........ — — —— —..... $',1l3,20
SIre value ot mnerchandi e imported in 1 53 for the purpose cf vale was. — — —-------------------— — — $7,422,703
                              PUBI,IC DISBURSElTIENTS 1853-4.
  The disl urscments for iirp-overrments and public purposes ma,s in 1853 and'4 were, (excluding fractions) as fo lows:
Citfy expenditures in 1 F3 for interest, sewers, &c.... — — —-------------------------------— — —. $137,267
City expend~t res ia 1S-4 foJ intert st, sewers, — — —---------------------------------------- 1'9,042
      "~'~4   ] q3                  public schools. — — —-----------------------— — —. 9,6
City exprndit-rrs'n 1854 for public Fchoo's. — — —------------— — —. 1(0,:,6t
State and couLty tax paid by city in 1853 and'4.. — — —-------------------------------------- 5:,018
    Axrount raised by general tax.......... — — —----------------------- -----------------— — — $31(,077 $310,070



Amount paid bh special sssessment in 1853 for Taving streetq... — — —-------------------— — — $ 61,710
.Amount paid by slecea; assessment in 18 4 for paving st;eets  -------— —....... — — —------------- 67 311
                                                                                                  129,021
Amsuo,t expended by Water Commissic ners for re-constructing W-ter Works and contingencies in
  113._.                           1.8 — — —-----------------------------------------------------------------— — — 172,587
AmoiuLt expended for skme purpose in 184... — — —----------------------------------------- 190,271 $312 859
    Cit- disbur.sements in two years — — —---------------------------------------------------  $751,956
Am,ount ex,en ed by Detroit Gas Light Company e larging and extending their;o'ks dri  g anoe
  time........................ — — —---------------------------------------------- --------------------------— — — 100,000
  Amount expended'n erecting houses of publ'c worship Ouring the same time, as follows:
S,tone Presbyterian Cihu cl c st.. — — —--------------------— —. — — —---------------— — —.  60,(o0o
Bt,ick                                                        " "  "..,.. 5%0()
     Ilic'I'51 — — —----------------------------------------------------------- 5, 00
B,ick    "         "      -"..,.,.,, —- -— _ —..........  - -...  40,0 0
Brick Congre ational".......... — — —----------------------------------------------— — —.  50,000
                                                                                                $1,0~ 1..(k,.6
    Amount of Water Loan......... — — —---------------------------------------- --------------------  0,o
Amourt drawn d,iectly frmn rs- urces ofecitizn-. — — —---— — —.- -------------------------------- $80!,956
Ad  for smut tpaid on subscription to Sto, k of Railroa is, Plankroads, and other pub'oc impri ve  meLts for ame tim ---------------------------------------------------------------------  2fC0,00
nhewing amo,ur t aitual'y drsbur ed in the city from its own re ources.for pubic purposes,to be. — ——,;1,001,9:6
  Tie anmounts exper ded annually for paving stre ts, and (,tb,r pu le improvements, this enhancing greatly the
value ofpr I erty, is large; but is not more thrn is demianded by the rapids grow h of the cily. A public mcetii g
held last -p-ing co,.venel by Mayor' proc amation voted to iaive by tax the sum of $163,000 for publ c mrpovements
the present year.  Th's is in aditon to the cost of paving, which will be at least half as much more, and is paid
by special assess!necnt.



  The city liabilities are: Bonds due in 1855, $53,609; in 1857, $20,000; in 1858, $50,(000; in 1859, $60,000; in 1865, $50,(',00; in 1869,,10,919; in 1870, $27,925;in 1871,
$19,320; in 1872, $400; in 1873, $22,000; optionial, $3,t50;-Total, $317,632. These were
issued for construction of the original Water Works, Public Sewers, City IIall, Markets,
&C. &c., the payment whereof is provided for by the Common Council, and the interest
on which is paid by direct annual tax.
  By a law of the Legislature of the State, no further bonds for purposes of city improvements can issue from the Comnmon Council, but all improvements thereafter to be made
must be provided for and paid for by direct tax at the time of construction.
' The law also requires a stated sum to be annually raised by tax, to go into a sinking
fund pledged to the extinguishment of the public debt. Since the passage of the law,
the sum of $35,199 38 has been placed to the credit of the public debt.  This fund is computed to extinguish the above debt in seventeen years.
   The Water Works liabilities are; Bonds due in 1873, $50,000; in 1878, $100,000; in
1880, $50,000; in 1883,100,000; in 1885, $100,000; in 1890, $100,000;-Total, $500,000;
$250,000 of which is now on hand to complete the re-construction of the works.
   Total liabilities of city and water works $817,622.









LIABILITIES.







SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



   In 1836, the total liabilities of the city were only $8,495.
   The present debt of the city has since been created for the construction of water works,
sewers, paving, public markets, &c., &c., besides some things less useful which it is not
necessary now to recall-let by-gones be by-genes.
  The largest portion of the debt contracted, has been applied to public improvements,
imperiously demanded by the public weal.  The public sewers -which improved property
checked disease, and so materially advanced the convenience of the public-need no
defense.
  The water-works-the noblest improvements of our city-upon  which its protection
from fire, its health, its convenience, its comfort, so much depenids-are not too dear at
any price, and which now will take care of the liabilities properly  belonging to them.
  The annual city tax has increased in ten years -from  1845 to 1855-from $19,000 to
$163,000. The purposes for which the tax of the present year was levied, were as follows: Payment of interest $23,367; sinking fund  $5,000; common schools  $19,966;
road  tax $8,000; contingent fund $19,661; general fund $23,757; fire department $4,925; street lamps $1,000; general road fund $11,066; improvement of parks $1,200;
sewers $38,960; site for Alms House $5,000; extension of market  $2,1C0; payment on
lot for cityHall $700; total $163,702.  This sum, though large, was imperiously demanded
in consequence of the rapid growth of the city and expansion of its improved limits, and
was cheerfully voted and paid by our citizens, with commendable firmness and patriotism,
rather than add to the public debt of the city, and they will continue to do so  hereafter
so long as it is necessary, for the improvement, health and prosperity of thc city, and they
are satisfied it is judiciously and honestly applied to the objects for which it is voted. The
character and reputation of their city they prize above all other considerations, and will
never suffer them to be tarnished.
  The current expenses of the cityin 1844-5 exclusive of interest paid, was $6,922 35,
in the year 1854-5 they amlounted, exclusive of interest and amount to sinking fund, to
$105,519 94.
  The Hotels of DOetioit are renowned tor comfort, neatness and excellence of their fare.
There are forty-nine hotels in the city, of various gr-ades, several of which, usually denomin-ated first class hotels, were designed arid erected expressly  for that purpose, and are
large and extensive edifices, constructed'n the  most modern style with every modern
improvement attached, affording to the sojourner every comfort, convenience and luxury.
There are also a number of large taverns with extensive brick stables attached, designed
and built expressly for the accommodation of farmers who come from a distance, bringing
their produce to market with their own teams.
                                 ARC HIIECTURE.
  In the erection of buildings, our citizens have generally been more solicitous of utilitv
than ornament.  Still we can point the stranger to some of the handsomest and most
classic structures of modei ii times. The three Presbyterian Curches, one of stone, the
others of brick, covered with mastic, and the Congregational Church, of brick and mastic,
recently erected, are highly ornate, both exterior and interior, and almost stupenlduously
magnificent.
  Besides these there are the Odd Fellows Hall, Firemens' Hill, Young  Mifens' Hall,
Masonic Hall, lJ.  S. Court House, Peninsular Bank, Savings Bank, St. Pauls Church,
Mariners Church, Cathedral of St. Feter and St. Pauls, and 1st Methodist and Unita,rian
Churches and whole blocks of stores, which are fine specimens of architecture. There
are also a number of private dwellings which are as fine specimens of the sublime art as
any western city can boast of.
  The Marine Hospital and Custom I'ouse and Post Office buildings soon to be erected
by the General Government, and the Alms House and City Hall to be erected by the
city, will be material acquisitions to our public buildings, and display of architecture.






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SKETCHIES OF THIE CITY OF DETROIT.



                                PUBLIC  GROUNDS.
  The wide avenues and public parks and squares of Detroit, are evidences and enduring
monuments of the wisdom, good taste and judgement of the Governor  and Judges who
devised and adopted the plan of the city, and elicit the entlh,tsiastic commendation of
strangers who visit us, which besides being adornments of an attractive character, are of
vast utility in ventilating the city, and rendering it more salubrious, and in arresting the
spread of fires.   The Governor and Judges who adopted the plan, were as follows:
  William Hull, Governor, Augustus B. Woodward, James Witherell and James Griffen,
Judges.
  The original plans were drawn in sections-12 in number, and each section signed
by William Hull, Governor, and Peter Audrian, Secretary.  The plan was designed and
proposed by Judge Woodward and is commonly called " Woodwarcd's planf" and it is fit
and due to his memory that the most prominent public ground should bear his name, it
is therefore proposed that Grand Circus, which is now divided into two parks, be by the
Common  Council hereafter designated by the name of "WVoodward Parks."
  Campus Martius, which is crossed by Woodward avenue, is 600 feet long  and 250 feet
wide, in the centre of which a fountain is to be placed at some future day.
  The city has recently purchased from the State a large lot, onil  the west side of
the square, with a front of 280 feet on Griswold street, for a site for the proposed City
Hall, and on the east of the square is the Public Market extending down the centre of
Michigan avenue, which avenue is 200 feet wide.
  The Grand Circus which is also crossed in the centre by Woodward avenue, is a half
circle, 500feet across on Woodward avenue and 1000 feet on Adams avenue, on either
side of Woodward avenue the grounds are enclosed, and set with trees, forming two
parks. The water has been lately introduced into the centre of each of these, preparatory
to the erection of fountains, which are to be immediately added, and the walks made
agreeably to the beautiful plan which has been adopted, when the grounds will be thrown
open to the public.
  Centre Park is situated on the north side of State street, between Farrar and Farmer
streets, and has a front on State street of 212 feet. It is enclosed and trees set, and is
soon to be embellished with a fountain.
  Capitol Park is situated on the north side of State street, between Griswold and
Rowland sts, and has a firont on State street of 168 feet. This park is enclosed; inll the
centre of which is the old State Capitol building, oocupied by one of the Public Union
Schools.
  Besides the foregoing there is the east Park, surrounded by Farmer, Randolph and
Bates sts., forming a triangle, with a front of 166 feet on either street, which is enclosed
and trees set, and a fountain is now being placed in the centroe.
   The west Park is triangular, surrounded by State, Park and Palmer streets, with
a front on State street of 168 feet. This Park has for many years been occupied by one
of the Public School Houses, which is now to be removed, the ground enclosed and embellished with trees and a fountain.
  North Park is triangular, surrounded by Randolph, Grand River' and Centre streets
with a front on Centre street of 80 feet; Crawford Park, at crossing of Fifth and Orchard
street, is oblong, 140 by 144; Elton Park at crossing of Fifth and Oak street is oblong, 140
by 244 feet.
   Besides the Parks, Washington avenue extending from Michigan avenue to the Grand
Circus 1400 feet, is 200 feet in width, which is wide enough to admit of being parked
100 feet in the centre, and still leave ample carriage way on either side and also Madison
avenue of the same width, extending from Randolph street to the Grand Circus 700 feet.







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S~~~~~SECE OF TU CIT OF JTOT



Should thCse two avenues be parked in the centre as proposed, they will, in connection
with the Grand CirCus, form a continuous grand promenade, of more tlan half a mile

A move has recently been made by our Common Council, to purchase a beautiful
grove, embracing many acres of land on the Woodhridge farm, adjoining the west line of



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Washington Avenue,          -                                                     200 feet.
Jefferson Avenue,      -                                                          120 feet.
Adams Avenue,    -                                                                 60 feet.
MAadison Avenue,       -                                                          200 feet.
Aionro e Avenue,    -...120 feet.
A'oodward Avenue,   -   I                                                     -   120 feet.
Miami Avenue,       -.......                          -       1io feet.
Alacoiub Avenue,       -                                                          120 fee.t.
East Mlichigan Avenue,    -        -                                              200 feet.
AWAest Michigan Avenue,        -       -       -                                  100 feet.
Case Avenue,       -                                                              100 feet.
Five of which bear the names of the five Presidents of the United States, who had occup)ied
the chair, previous to the adoption of the plan, and tlheir statues placed at the head of each
of the avenues bearing their names respectively, would be an appropriate embel'ishment, and
it is also suggested that the name of Campus Martins be changed to  "Cass Square," and
that a Statue of Gen. Cass be placed there.   The streets are generally from 50 to S80 feet
wide.



                                       AIE RC ANTILU.
  Detroit, from its first settlement in 1701, has ranlked first as a commercial point on the
western Lakes.  A company styled the "Company of the Colony of Canada," was incorporated by the Colony of Canada at a Convention held at Quebec, Oct. 31, 1701, which conferred
upon them the right "to trade at Detroit in beaver and other peltries to the entire exclusion
of all private individuals."
  M1. de La Motte Cadillac, the first commandant at Detroit who was commissioned by Louis
XIV., in a letter to Count Ponchlartrian in  1703. says, that his design in projecting the
establishmenlt of a trading post here in 1701, was to afford protection to commerce, since from
this place we can go by canoe to all the nations that are around the lakes; it is a door
by  which one can go in and out to trade with all our allies.  And we find that Charlavoix,
a French Jesuit Missionary who  visited this city as early as 1720, speaks of a complaint
that thie En,glish merchants sell merchandize to the savages cheaper than the French do,
thereby drawing all the trade to New York.
  In 1787, that patriarch native citizen among us, who wvas born just after the close of the
Pontiac war, Joseph Campan, Esq., actively  engaged in the mercantile business here,  and
continued in it for about forty years.  In early times he annually visited the city of Montreal,
conveying in birch bark canoes cargoes of fars, &c., and returming with t-hem freighted with
goods.
  Mr. Campau for many years had two stores, one whlere his present residence is, then the,
south side of St. Ann street, and the other on the river, a few rods above Ladue & Eldred,
tannery.   The old building was torn down a few weeks since.
  The late Barnabus Campau, Esq., his brother, and the late  Gen. J.  R. Williamns, his
nephew, were for many years employed by him as clerks, both of whom subsequently were
engaged for many years in the mercantile business on their own account, and as well as
MIr. J. Campau, accumulated large fortunes.  It was not until about the year 1799 that any
American merchants established themselves here.
              2







SKETCHES OF THIE CITY OF DETROIT.



   In 1815 there were five or six merchants here, who imported their goods from the east,
 among whom were our estimable and enterprising citizen, Shulbael Conant,  Esq, and the
venerable Joseph Campau, Esq., who atre the only ones of that time now residents among us.
   The books of Messrs, Mack & Conant, in possession of David Cooper, Esq., show that this
firm imported their dry goods f eom England in 1818, The following price currant for
18C8 is made up from the account books of Th6mas Emnerson & Co., Merchants, here at
that time, which are a'so in possession of Mr. Cooper, whlo at that time was in the compally's employ as book keeper.
   Tea per lb. l6s.; Loaf Sugar per lb. 3s. 6d.; Brown Sugar per lb. 2s. 6d; Yellow Soap
per lb. 3s. 6d.; Tallow Candles per lb. 4s.; Cofee per lb. 4s.; Pepper per lb. 5s.; Cheese
per lb. 2s.; Butter per lb. 2s.; Whiskey per gall. 8s.; Bocts per pair $10.; Paper per quire
4s.; British Shirting per yard 6s.  Fuiis —Raccoon 2s. 6d.; Fox 2s. 6d.; Otter 20s.; Mitik
3s.; Cat 2s. 6.; Muskrat 2s. 6.; Beaver 24s.  Oats per bustlel 4; Corn 6s.  Flour per bbl.
4-4s.  This firm shipped that year a large lot of flour to Fort WAayne, and paid 28s. per
barrel, transportation on the same.
   There are at this time three hundred and thirty-five stores of various kinds in the city.
The stocks of merchandize formerly kept, were very much mixed, consisting of staple  and
fancy dry goods, groceries, iron and nails, cr,)cklery, hardware, leather, boots  and shoes, hats
and caps, clothing, &c., &c., "country stock."
  But within a few years past business has become thoroughly divided, and we now have our
exclusive dry goods stores, Carpet stores, grocery stores, drugs and medicine stores, iron
stores, hardware stores, crockery stores, leather stores, boot and shoe stores, hat, cap and
fur stores, book stores, agricultural implements and seed stores, tea stores, wine and liquor
stores, furniture stores, &c., &c., several of which  confine themselves  exclusively to the
wholesale jobbing business.
  Some of the dry goods stores are not equalled in the west, and excelled only by few in
the east, in the beauty and magnificence of their buildings, in their internal arrangements; in
the extent of stocks or amount of sales.
  With the hope that it will not be considered invidious where there are so many extensive
and well arranged dry goods, carp"   d furnishing houses, the following description of one
is ventured:
  The store has a free stone front, is four stories high, occupies a front of fifty feet, and
extending in depth one hundred feet, comprising ten rooms, each twenty-five feet in width
and one hundred feet in depth, giving an area of 25,000 square feet, all of which are filled
to their utmost capacity with foreign and domestic dry goods, carpets, cloths, millinery and
clothing,-in addition to which the firm occupy a store-house in the rear.   The retail
rooms are four in number, finished in the most gorgeous  style.   About three hundred gas
lig,hts are required to light the several apartments. From sixty to seventy-five salesmen and
from one hundred to one hundred and fifty persons altogether are employed in the several
departments, and including those outside, seamsters and seamstresses, the firm give employment to about six hundred persons.  Their invoices of miercha-nd'zE imported durirt:g the
year 1854 amounted to more than seven hundred thousand dollars.
  This store was recently refitted and opened for the fall trade, with an invoice of goods
amounting to over four hundred thousand dollars.
  This is beleived to be the most extensive and best arranged dry goods store in the United
States, outside of New York.
  Besides the numerous extensive dry goods and carpet and furnishing stores, there are
several grocery, hard ware, crockery, furniture, hat, cap and fur, boot and shoe and clothing
stores, some of which comprise five rooms, twenty-five feet in width anid two hundred feet
in depth.






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                             SKETCIIES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.  19

                                     COi!1EE'CE  I  1854,
    The shipments  from  this port, by  the Lakes and Canada Railway alone, during the
 year 1854, were inl round numbers as follows: 337,000  barrels of flour,  897,000 bushels
 wheat, 587,000 bushels corn, 5000 bushels rye, 2,500 bushels barley, 228,000 bushels oats,
 1,800 barrels, and 1000 bags corn meal, 2,200 bags feed, ],300 bags shorts, 40 bags buck wheat flour,'300 nmalt, 30G0 bags and 480 bbls clover & grass seed, 380 bbls& 230 bags beans,
 20 barrels peas, 1941500 bushels potatoes,  17,000 bushels turnips, 1,200 bushels onions,
 24.600 barrels pork, 18,rG00 barrels fish, 4,7 00 barrels beef, 4650 barrels tallow, 6,000 barrels,
 and 226 kegs lard, 70 barrels and 2,300 kegs and firkins butttei, 550 barrels eggs, 780 boxes
 and 38 cas.k  chee-se, 2,200 barrels and 1L'57 sacks dried iruit, 340 banr els cranberries, 2,400
 barrels and 73 sacks green apples, 27 barrels pickles, 230 barrels saur krauiit, 300 barrels
 vinegar, 3,800 barrels beer, 7,6c80 ca-sks highwines, 136 hegsheads and 1,193 barrels sugar,
 460 barrels molases, 2,350 package;s tobacco, 870 kegs nails, 2,300 rolls leather, 17,000
 hides, 1,600 bundles skins, 520 packs furs, 500 barrels oil, 1,900 casks ashes, 4,000 barrels
 water lime, o300 barrels plaster,:0 barreis cement, 9,500 barrels, and( 1,900 bags salt, 62 bar rels crackers, 117 barrels salts, 6G  barrels sal,eratus, 1,000 barrels and 8 casks bees-wax,
 50 p)ackates and 30 tons game, 150 packs horns, 200 bales hair, 460 bales hemp, 39 bales
ginseng, 380 bales broom  corn, 570 fruit and ornamental trees,  100 horse  rakes, 300
stoves, 300 wheelbarrows, 70 carriages and wagons, 27 steam engines, 1000 empty halfbarrels, 8,500 dressed hog,s, 80 dressed sheep, 9000 hams and shoulders, 480 tons iron, 240
tons hay, i,500 live logs, 7,000 head cattle, 3,000 head sheep, 22 horses,  559,000 lbs rags,
2,000,000 lbs wool, 119>,000 lbs coal, 559 M staves, 4,600 M shingles, 9,000,000 pieces lath,
20,000,000 feet lumber, 940 tons ingot copper, and 14,000 tons unspecified merchandize.
   This, exclusive of the amount distributed by other modes of transportation, such as the
Michigan Central, and Detroit and  Milwaukee llailroads, and  other land carriage.  In
the single article of stoves, stated above at the number of 300, the real total was actually
over 5000.
   The receipts of general merchandizeo for the use of the city during  the year, was 36,233
tons.  In additioi,there was also ieceived, 99,000 barrels and 86,000 bags salt,  15,000
barrels wvater lime, 60  Larreis stucco lirme, 300 )bairrels cement, 15,500 barrels plaster, 336
tons -crude plaster, 1000o tons illl i -on,  40 tons railroad iron, 2,500 tons coal,  5,100 MI
shingles, 2,400,000 pieces lath, 10,000,000 feet lumber, 80 tons hemp and 25 tons flax, (manufactured here into rope,) a con —i'nment of furs direct firom Russia, (invoiced at $2,200,)
1,400 tons copper ol e, which, after being smelted here, yielded 946 tons pure ingot copper,
equal to 66 per cent.; and pine logs manufactured at the mills here into 36,000,000 feet
of lumber, and 14,000,000 lath.
                                                                               Nrumber.  Tnae



                                                                                 Number,
The arrivals of Amer'can vessels in tl' coast'rig trade'n 1854, were -----------------— — —.. 2,290
Of Forei,n vessels, -------------------------------------------------------------------    123
American vessels from foreig., poits,. — — —--------------------------------------------- -   -. —21
  Totals,....3 — — —------------------------------------------------------------------ -.. 2, 34
The clearances of Am, rican vess-ls em-,oyed in the coasting trade were-..... -..2,394
O0 foreign vessels,.1 — — —------------------------------------------------------------- - 1 6 3
Of Armerin -esael fo-eign or _s,..... — — —-— —.. — — —-— —. — — —-----— — —, —   29
 Totals, ---------------------- — — —. — — —------------------------------------- -------- 2,55 4
The value of goo's inrareted;n Aner;can vess..l was ---------------------------— — — 96 98658
Of goods imported in foreign vesse's, -... — — —--------------------------- -------— — — 27,721
 Total,. — — —-- ----------------------------------------------------------— —. $1 014,706
The amount of dutis on merTch ncdize'mporfed wa,.. -------------------------  $111,838
The value of exports of donestic produ'e to foregn f'ofts n AmricaLe v-essels, wa ----------- 118, Ot
The value ofexports of domestic iroduce to oreign por;s in fortigi vessels was ------------ 79,333
 Total....., — — —---------------------------------------------------------— — —. $199,62
The value *f lo-eign goods exi-or-ed was   ----------------------------------------— —,135
 Total of expor4s,................ — — —-----------------------------------------------— — —.... $2'45,787





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Tonnage.
1,006,880
  3-3-810
   4.Soi
1.048 494
1 121, iO. 892
  37,786
   5,459
1,244,137








SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



  The weight of merchandlize of all kinds received at this port during the year, was one
hundred and  twenty-six thousand, seven hulndred and eighty-one tons.
  The numnber of passengers carried through the city by Michigtan Central Railroad dusing
the year 1854 was 451,689.



                                  MtNUFACTORIE%
  It is not intended under this head to exhibit a complete  view of Detroit Manufactories,
giving facts and figures in detail, they not being at hand.  But some of the departments of
trade and industry are enumerated and sufficient to establish the fact that I)Dctroit is a nanufacturing, as well as a commercial city.
  There are, within the city limits, 46 stationary steam engines, most of which are used
in manufacturing establ,siments of various kinds; among them  are ten iron machine
shops, two locomotive manufactories, several brass foundries; sash, dloor and blind factories,
obtacco and morocco marnufactories and tainneries;:others are used ini saw-mnills, flouring mills,
piastermrnills, printing, offices, breweries. &c. There are in the citv 34') mechanic shops, among
lhiecb are several iron foulndties, boiler makers, blacksmithl slhops carrila e makleg, railroad
ca'. manufactories, furniture and chair, extensive boot and shoe and clothling establishment?
(several of which employ from one hundred to three hundred hands,) hat and cap manufactories and furriers, jewelers, church organ, piano forte makers, saddle and harness makers,
copper and tin ware manufactories, stone and marble works, balieries, lard oilS soap and
candle manufaetories, &c., &c,
  cimon.g the most imfportant manufactures in the city is that of iron, whIch  is now
carried on the most extensively, cmploying as they do between  one and two thousand
men, and doing an aggregate business of over a million dollars annually.
  Ti e extensive mining and lumber regions of the north dlo now require all the steam
engnes, n and other machinery thlat can be supplied from this point, while cur increasing
lake marinie offers to our engineers a field for competition with the skill and capital of other
cities. And here Detroit need hlave no apprehensions, as the works of past years sufficiently
evince tli supereior skill of her mechanics, sending' forth numbers of clegailt low pressure
enginies. without a singole failure.
  The demand for engines will further increase with the development of ttle iron and
copper mineral region of Lake Superior, now just rendered acei3ssibhe; by the. opening of
the Sault St. Mary ship canal.
  A rollin, mill, prepared for every kind of work, up to the heaviest railroad iron, is veoy
mu,ch required, and would without doubt prove a profitable investment.
  The rich iron deposits of Lake Superior should be manufactured here at home into every
forme required.  Now the large quantities of ore, or rather pure native iro, already produced, pass by us for want of works for its manufacture here, and nlear 1000 tons of which
are returned in bars and sold and consumed here annually.
  The copper smelting works here are altogether too small to smelt all the copper sent
down  to them, and large quantities are sent to works in other cities.  The establishment
here should be enlarged or a new one built without delay.



                                       L1U,UBER.
  Lumber  is one of our great staples and must continue to be such for a long time to
come, surrounded as we are with forests of pine, cherry, black walnut, oak, white wood
and other timber.
  The extensive forests of pine, coverieng a large part of our Peninsula, afford lumber of
a superior quality, which is noted in all the principal markets.
  The manufacture and shipments are mostly carried on along the St. Clair RPiver, Lake
Huron, and Saginaw Bay.  There are, however, in the city and suburbs ten mills which
manufactured du-ing the year past 3G,000,000 feet of lumber and 14,000,000 lath. Besides





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SKETCHES OF TI:E CITY OF DETROIT.



this theL'e was received here ficom mills elsewhere 10,000,000 fect of lumber,  24,000,000~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~



lath, and s,100M shingles, making a total for 1854 of 46,000,000 feet of lumber, 38,000,000
lath, and 5,100 A1. shingles. This does not include any of that which arrived here over
the plank-roads from the phie fOreSts of Lapeer county, ncr the large shipments made
by our citizens directly from the pineries, where many of them own and manage mills.
And one of our most extenaive dealers estimates that the mills in this city will manufacture
50,000,000 feet of pine lumber the preseat season, (' Wights mill" alone, will make over
8,000,000 feet.)
   The above rcpresen+ only the trade in pine lumber, and does not include oak, black
walnut, cherry and whit wood, of which there me lorge quaatities brought to this market



                                            cWYA'EOTTE.
  This young city, bearing the iname of the old Indian Chief, Walk-in-the-Water, after
whomrn also the first steamboat which ever crossed Lake Eriie was named, is situated on
one of his favo.rite hunting grounds, on the bank of the Detroit river, ten miles below
the city, and promises soon to be(come a large manufacturing place, and a valuable tributary to the business of this city.
   A Stock Company recently purchalsed the "4Biddle Farm," containing twenty-two hundredl acres, fior  Major BIiddle, the front of which embracingo two  miles on the river, and
extending a half a mile back, has been dedicated as the site of the city of Wyandotte.
Alany lots ha-ve lready beci sold, and sonme thirty tenements erected.
   The "'Eueka Troni Companrt)y" who own extensive iron ore-beds on Lake  Superior,
design to brin g        aown the ore and manufacture it into pigs at this place for which purpose
thev are erects ng a blast furnace.  Extensive coalpits are already set up, and a large
amorunt of ore is to be brought down from the Lake this fall.  The "Wyandotte Rolling
MIills Cormpary" are o-eecting very extensive worlks. Their main building  is now in process of constructioi,the tin roof being nearly on.  The building is one hundred  and
twenty feet squaLre, tweity-nine feet between joints, and sixty-five feet to the top of the
cupola,  The  rolling works are propelledby a large engine, taking its steam supply from
fi-ve forty foot few boilers, and the trip-hammer is worked by a separate engine,
   The c,ompaniy have th-eir machinery on the ground complete, for the manufacture of bar,
roll, band and other iron.  They have a heavy contract for the re-manufacture of railroad
iron for the MAichigan Central Railroad Company, upon which they will commence as soon
as their works are in operation.



                             T'IE FISH TRADE OG TlTE LAIi,S.
  The ea'Jly French explorers of the upper lakes,.in 1610  malke mention of the white fish
Tand trout as beirng vry luxurious and much used for sustenance of life by  the sons of
.the forest.  FIro  the time civilization  dawned upon the shores of the lakes, the French
seitlers supplied themselves with tlhem, and during the war of 1812, they were found of
-sbstantial benefi/ to our soldiers inL appeasing their hunger, for the want of other supplies.
   Previcus to the completion of thle Erie Canal, salt was mostly transported by the St.
Lawreince and thence up the Lakes, and obtained onily at enormous prices.  After the
canal was comFieted  it became  comparatively cheap, and Mr. Baniabas Compau,  an
enxterprising mer1chant of the "oldien time" was induced to pack a few barrels of white
fish to ship to Bu-ffalo for sale as  n experiment   The experiment proved  unprofitable,
but Mr. Compau-conitinued to pack annually until his death, which wasin 1845.  Formalny
years tLe consurmption was confined to Detroit a,nid vicinity.
   But ini 1830 emi,n.gratiou to Michigan rapidly commenced,  and increased to such a
degree in 1834 that the new comers found it difficult to purchase produce, on acc,unt of





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SKETCHES. OF THE, CITY OF DETROIT.



 the scarcity, as nearly everything consumed was imported from sister States.  This
 caused a great consumption of fish, and gave birth to the extension of lakle fisheries, and
 several  other grounds  besides   Mr.  Compau's, which was on Belle Isle, (formerly
 hIog Island) owned by himself, and is still owned  by his ciiildren,-it is situated a few
 miles above the city.
   From this time the business increased and several grounds were cleared on the St. Clair
 River, and as the market increased they were extended to the shores of Lake Huron.
Several houses in Detroit became extensively eingaged in the busiess, enmploying several
vessels exclusively in the trade.  The American Fur Company also  engag,ed in i+t; and
in 1841 two schooners were taken over the falls at the Saut St Marys into Lake Superior,
for the purpose of fishing on that Lake.
   Lake Superior abounds with the siscoweit, a fish weighing from 3 to 10 pounds.  They
are exceedingly fat, and when tried will yield 25-) per cent of oil.
   There are a great variety of fish in the lakes, besides the white fish, siscoweit anld trout.
Sturgeon weiging 120 pounds have been taken: trout 60 lbs, muskelullngoe 40 1,bs; pickerel,
15 lbs; mullett, I0 lbs; bill fish 6, cat 25.  In; the vicinity of the Sault St, Mary and all the
streams emptying into Lake Suaperior, large ouantities of small speckled or brook trout
are taken.
  In 1840 there were 35,000 barrels of fish of various kinds packed, and it is estimated
that the quantity now annually talken cannot be less than 1(00,000 barrels.  The most of
which is brought to Detroit, where quantities are sold for home consumption; anad market
is found for them  in Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana, and it is no  uncommonol  th;ng to see
them advertised in St. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville anld Natchcz; anld on the other hand in
New  York and Boston, while they also show themselves at Salemi, and Marblehead, th3
very head quarters of the mackerel fisheries.
  The wliite fish is regarded as the prince of fresh water fish.  Hont, H. R. Seho lcoraft in
his poem, "the whitefish" says:



" All friends to good living by turene and dish,
Coneqr in exalting this prince of a fish;
So fine in a platter, so tempting a fry,
So rich on a g-idiron, so sweet in a pi-,
Ttat even befo-e it the salmon must fail,
And that mighity boune-bouche, of the land beaver's tvL,



                           This fl-sh is a sulject ~o dain'y and whites
                           To show in a lecture, to eat or to write,
                           That equals inm  joy; I del  re, on my life,
                           To raise up my voi:e or to rai:e up my knife,
'Tis a mir.-e  alLke for the gourniad or faster;
                           White,, white.s a tablet of p,'. e alabaste: I
                           I*s beauty or flavor hO perion can dourt,
                           Whsn seen in the water, or tasted without;
                           And all the dispute that opinion ere makes
                           Of ih s king, f lak- fi.hs, ithis' deer of the lakes,'*
                           Reoa-aCs n r its c;oicen ess to pi,n'er c(r sup,
                           But the best mode of d.e sing sa,d serving it up.
                            *     *      **  *      *                *
                           The mnuse might  ppes,l to the sc'ence of books,
                           To picture it, ichth i olog;cal lo(,kt;
                           Shaw what s i a fgm1,' lite es, or odd
                           C(mmo r d Wvi h its c.usins, the  s-lrrons and cad-,
                           Tell where it ap- roxim ntes. poi nt wlere it fals,
                           yPv cou-tinz its fi:s, or di sfinc gu the secies,
                           O,; prove bh) pl,in r.a on, (such proof cn be lad}l).
'lis not' to,tileas sa!-on.' iu     )eake shed
                           Hlre to%, nilht a finc-  to descantinclinet,
                           Coste,, pl:t       i th:e  Io,:,  pt- tin to i e  d,
                           And brinn  up the -ed m, i     frefl str in,
                           To prove its ere.tion fi: cm feltiiinie bt-aiLs."t'
*A translation of A-l-dik-keem-raig,  the Indian name for this fish.
fvide' Indian  nal s and L, gends.'







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                           SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.                            23

                              LAIKE SU PEITIOR TRADE.
    The existence of LakeSuperior was first known to tie whites in 1641, when Charles
  Raymbault and Isaac Jogues, Jesuit missionaries, who first visited the Ste Marie river,
 were informed by the Indians that beyond the foaming rapids, was a lake called by them
 "Kitchi Gummi, (Big Lake)and in 1660 Rene Mlesnard, a Jesuit Missionary, visited the
 lake and reached Point Keweenaw, who while crossiing the Portage, wandered into the
 woods firom his companions anid was nieverheard of afterwards.
   The importance of the mines.of Lake Superior to the mercantile and manufacturing
 interests of Detroit, has long been appreciated by its business men, who encouraged and
 assisted the hardy adventurers in successfully ldeveloping the country, and who advocated
 and proc-ured the construction of the Sault Canal-a gigantic and almost imperishable
 work that must be ranked with the mighty structures of Greece and Rome.  T'his great
 acqueduct was completed last spring, and Lake Superior, the largest body of fresh water
 in the world, which has hitherto been navigated by only three or four inferior steamboats
or propellers, that were taken over land around the falls, is open to our lake commerce.
A length of four hundred nmiles is thereby added to our inland navigation, which now
extends uninterrupted from the Atlntie Ocean to the St. Louis river, at the head of Lake
S;uperior, in the territory of Minesota and Wisconsin.  At which point a short line of
railroad is soon to be constructed, extending to the Mississippi river.
  In the spring of 1845, the entire fleet onl Lake Superior. consisted of the schooners
White Fish, belonging to the Hudson Bay Fur Company, the "Siscoweit," belonging to
the A. M.  F. Co., and the "Algonquin," owned by Mr. Mendenhall. During that year the
schooners Napoleon, Swallow, Uncle Tom, Merchant, Chippewa, Ocean, and Fur Trader,,
were added, and in 1846, the steamboat "Detroit" was the first and only steamboat which
plied regularly between Detroit end the Sault.  Now there are four first-class passenger
steamboats, besides several propellers, running regularly between Detroit and ports on
Lake Superior, passing througlh the Sault Canal.
  The importations of provisions and supplies for the mines alone, are more than a million
dollars per annum, now, which will annually increase with the rapid settlemenlt and developement of the country.



                            LAKE SUPERIOR COPPER.
   The existence of copper upon its shores appears to have been known to  the earliest
 travelers and traders.  As  early as 1666, Father Claude Allouze visited the Lake, and
 informs us that pieces of copper were frequently found there, weigbhing from ten to twenty
 pounds.
   In t669, Baron La  ieontan visitedl the Lake, and described the copper mines  in his
 Voiages to Canada."  In 1721. P. de Charlevoix passed tlhro' the lake on his way to the
 Gulf of Mexico, and mentions the copper mines in his'' Journal of a Voyage to North
America."  Captain Carver visited the lake in 1766, and in his book of travels, published
an account of the copper found on its shores.  The mines were  worked at as early a
period as 1771, by a company composed of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester,
Mr. Secretary Townsend, Sir Samuel Tucket, Bart, Mr. Baxter, Consul of the Emperor
of Russia, and Mr. Cruikshankl, in England; and Sir William Johnson, Btrt., Mr. Bostwick, Mr. Baxter and Mr. Henry in America.  An air furnace was erected by this company
at Point Aux Pin.  Their mining operations were confined on the south shore of the
lake, to the Ontonagon River.  The object in forming this company was  not for the
purpose of obtaining copper, but for tlhe silver the ore might contain.  During the winter of
1771-2, they penetrated into the hill forty feet,,n a vein of native copper, which held
out that distance.  In the spring, when the thaw came, the clay,  on which they relied
for its stiffues, and neglected to prop up, caved in.  The enterprize was the( abandoned.
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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



the great copper rock weighing nearly two tons was found, which was removed by  Mr.
Julius Eldred of this city, in 1845, and now lies in the Navy Yard at Washington.
  Dr. Franklin was flimiliar with the existence of these mines, who  remarked that when
drawing the treaty of peace with Enoland, in the city of Paris he had access to the journals and charts of a corps of French Engineers that were exploring Lake Superior when
Quebec fell to the French; from which charts, he drew the line tlhrough Lake Superior,
to include the mnost and best of the copper mines to the United States; that the time would
come whlen driawiing that line would be considered  the greatest service he ever rendered
his country, and the copper ore to be a greater source of wealth than any other nation
possessed; that the facilities of transportatien would be well improved, so as to  export
copper ore to Europe cheaper then they raised itfrom their own mines."
  The first trace of any action of the United States Government, about the mines on Lake
Superior, was during the administration of President John Adams.   Ini 1800, Conigriess
passed a resolution "respecting the copper mines, on the south shore of Lake Superior,
providing that the President be authorized to employ ani agent to collect information relative to the copper mines, whether the Indian titles to the lands subsisted, if so, on what
terms it could be extinguished, &Ce.
  In 1819 an expedition was fitted out by the General Government, under the command
of General Cass, then Governor of the Territory of Michigan, for the purpose of settling
e,isting difficulties among the various Indian tribes, living on the borders of Lake Superior and extendino beyond the Mississippi River.   Honi. Henry R. Schooleraft accompanied General Cass, who collected a valuable m:ss of historical fatcts, all tending to show
the existence of Copper at mnany points, both on tlhe main land and the islands.
  In 1840 the State Geological Corps, under I)r. Houghton, State Geologist, carried their
researches into thle wild, but interesting regoion of Lake Superior.  The annual reports
of Dr. iHoughlton contained a lucid statement of facts, giving extended and accurate information with regard to this interesting le-gion, the know]edge of whlich had hitherto
been confined to the imperfect and unlimited observation of voyaging travelers.
                                       TI,NING.
  Public attention had not been attracted to the mineral region of the Upper  Peninsula of our State, and no attempt at mining there had been made since the suspension of
operations by the English Company in 1772 until after Dr. Houghton  commenced his
Geological surveys  of the region.
  In 1842 a treaty was made with the Chippewa Indians, by Mr. Robert Stewart, of this
city.  By- this treaty, all of tlhe country east of Fondulac, including the islands in Lake
Superior, not previously acquired, was ceded to the United States.   Immediately after
the ratification of the treaty in 1843, applications were made to explore and dig bfor Copper ore on the south shore of Lalke Supelior.  The Secretary of war in the spring of
tlhat year, issued three permits to Ansley, to Wilson & Turner, and to Turner & Snyder.
These were the first permits tlhat were gtranted.
  Shortly after Mr.  Walter Cunninghalm was appointed Special Agent by the Government
for the mines on Lake Superior, who established his agency at Copper Harbor.  About this
time Col. Chas. H. Cratiot, with a conmpany of miners from the lead mines in Wisconsin,
arrived at Copper Harbor, and commenced mining operations.
  In 1844, C. C. Douglass formerly assistant State Geologist of Michigan, was employed by
the Lake Superior Mining Company to explore their locations.
  Dr. Houghton continued the Geological surveys of the region, until he lost his life,
being wrecked in a storm on Lake Superior, on the 13th, of October 1845. Up to July
1846, about 900 permits were granted to different individuals, to work these mines, about
600 of which were located, and about 50 companies were organized under leases obtained
from Government, and ma;cy commenced operations; several of which are in successful






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niii,c, lia-o increased forces wol-lilly' alld           but tl,, most st'n coit  clitioi,iin tl-o
     fl~m'inI aairsof tho, coii-~.ti-y prevcrits a    -1i re,,ter inei-easo.  Thc L~a'kc StIper;.or
     re&; i-n niro(l  ha,s a ~111to1ctl'nate,,. at 20) OO(, about equa,-l to  Jatti-,lefe Ai;
      r ~sncconstrudic, and a TeoLinof" a, la-r —  s,.ze is ac,tual'.ly oil its slior-es.

          a  fi t   *~~entof clYr(,f- anuy acon,was made in I'~S,48~               ntn,       to ao~
I2~'  0(  Iii         t1ic o ro -e.c 2,r"5 idens of copper, of th-e va,,lue of ~)1,014,c~o  exi,)I-t04.d
       I,In J~ ~~~~t,~-,t C~Lael tha lic.; c-rc e.xpoi-to,,l','DO0 tons of copper, vatlu,c(l art   oe
       t~ d)   ~    lifo   ol~ars, aud it'- is e{ntetthat tl-i  exports thei present year w,ill
reahn; —,OO  tc,)ns o,f copper, vali-ied at ovc-r tuv,0 n,iuli;on dtollar~s.
         Ti   ~   ('# TniilOis nocw abol(  ~Sout (nnhu,ii       dan  tl-hirty toils of Copper per
            q this Cli-T mill- ahtout tl,., samre,, m-aki~n, fr-om theme two in~iiQ5i alone, ai'ngre
get,- of  12-, tonEs of 0~   r  er y-e-i', which at $400 per toss-theo estimatedvce  at
the~ nies   il rode'C,,I~24~19,0.
  r-esid,es tl:cse, there are f(-,-ty etesof thei yvounger  Tiines, tlia?,t wil,l sondI forward-(
fl,I-lm tiveltv to f-ve h-undrel~d toils e,-Lch, doigthe preseut year.  The anni-ual pr-o,"uct of
  mhe mines w- ldoubtless increaseo and double every two or threeoyears for some. timie to

  Theti pmnt  of coprfo   ~cOiiton,iio~,on dJistr-ict alone theo present seas-on, up  to



    2~~~~~~'cnis       aone    o 2 754 8C0pends  as fellowvs
      -.iiot  ad P,,,lecland mm"es,         -          --                      -     1Gl.~   b
-\at,'onal,   -           -           -          — — rc~


Forest  -',        I,       -           --                   12.C


Oh.io Tr-apfoc,-                -           -          ---                              4   5



Toltec,-            -           -                      ---                              Isi 
Windncsor,     -                                  ---                               -   7C9
E~vergrieec- Bjluf,-                                               --                   1,C9



Thei AlineE-olti.n,n mi-a   ithe mon'ih of July produced 1392' ton,,and will ship during~ theo




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   8 0, 5 9
   37 600
   42 7.03
- 9 1,4'i7 0
   50,145
- 4,592

-   6 -,C)79



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present season about 1300 tons of copper. The ~nes in the P()rta~e Lal~e, and Kewe



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  Collins Iron Co., Iron Hill, on sec. No. 2.11 Jackson Iron Co., Iron Iill on see. No. 1.
     Per oxydo of iron       92 26-100           Per oxvdce of iron,    95 60-100
equal to 6458-100 metalic iron.             (equal to 6692-100 imetalic iron.
     Silica    -    -    -    5 15-100            Siltica      - -             1 71-100
     Alumina-    -    -        1 71-100          Alumina         --    -       1 54-100
     Water & loss    -    -    38-100            Lime and Man(tanise    -        43-100
     Mang'anise-none.                       I    WaIter and lo s    -    -       72-100

        AInkinga  -    -    -    100 00 p'lts    Mai-    - -   100 Oparts
  hMe:srs. T'rowbridge &Graverats Iron tiill,[  Clristi ieooe   from Messrs. Trowbridoge
sec. No 10.                                 land Graverats iron Hill on sec. No. 10.
     Per oxyde of iron,     94 37-100            Per oxyde of iron,    -   98 78-100
 equal to 6606-i0 metalic iron.             equal to 6915-100 metalie iron.
     Silica   -    -    -    3 11-100            Seliea    -.    -    -    46-100
    Alunina      -    -    1 44-100             Alumina         -    -    -    13-100
    AITananise    -    -      16-100      A      Water aind loss     -    -    62-100
    Water and loss       -    92-100
                                                  Making      -    -       100 00 parts
    Making      -    -   100    00 parts.~
  Eachl of thle above samples was tested for Phosphorus and sulihnr, but without detecting any; therefore I know of no reason why these ores should not yield iron of the
Ivery best quali'y. by the simplest mode of reduction.
            PRepectf'ully submitted,                              JAnIES R. CIrTONe.'



liespeetfully submitted,                               JAMEs II. CinLTo."



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                           SKETCHES  OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.                             27

    We will here remark, that the boxes of ore mentioned  by Dr. Chilton, were taken from
  the top of the iion hill mentioned by Mr. Collins, in the summer of 1853; and the verbal
  opinion expressed by the Doctor, at the time he made the analysis, was that the ore must
 increase in richness as you descend towards the base of the hill  As these "iron hills"
 are from 150 to 300 feet in height, and one solid mass of "iron" there can be but little
 doubt, but that at a depth of 100 feet from the surface, the ore must yield nearly 80 per cent umn, metalic iron.
    Some of the hills above mentioned, are 80 rods in length by 40 rods in width, contain ing millions upon millions of tons of this very rich ore.
   As regards the quality and strength of the iron made firom this ore, we quote from  the
 report of Major Wade of the United States Ordnance Department, made to the Secretary
 of War, Senate Documents, Special Session, March, 1851, page 80.
   Strength of pounds per square inch.
 iron firom Salesbury, Conn., by means of
     40 trials.-                                                                    58,009
     " from Sweden, 4 trials,           -         -         -         -         -    58.184
      from Centre County, Pa., 15 trials,   -          -         -         -         58,400
      from Lancaster "       "  2   "            -         -         -         -    58,661
      firom McIntyre, Essex County, N. J., 4 trials    -        -                    58,912
     "  from England, Cable Bolt, E. V., 5 trials,                              -  -  59,105
      from Russia, 5 trials,      -                   -                   -          75,069
      from Carp river, Lake Superior,            -         -         -         -     89,582
   By the above data it will be seen that the Lake Superior iron sustained  a pressure of
 13,513 lbs. more to the square inch than Russia iron, which was found to sustain 16,694
more per square inch than English cable bolt, which is known to be the strongest iron England makes; thereby showing the Lake Superior iron to be about 54 per cent. stronger
than the best English cable bolt.  This iron has been so thoroughly proven in New York,
Boston, Pitssburgh, Cincinnati, and at the United States Navy Yard, within the past five
years, by manufacturing it into car axles, boiler plate, steam engines, wire, tacks, nails, (the
cut nail being found to clinch as well as the ordinary wrought nlails) and the manufacture of steel, that a volume could, if necessary, be written to show its great strength and
tenacity. All that is now wanted, is a sufficiency of capital to transport the ore to market, or manufacture the iron with charcoal, in the immediate vicinity of the "hills" where
there is a superabundance of the best water power in the State; and we can see no reason why Michigan cannot supply her sister states with this superior iron at a lower price
than any other iron can be produced in this country. Bloom iron canll be made with charcoal in Maraquette county, by water power, and placed on board vessels at the low price
of $26,50 per ton of 2,240 pounds; and the same iron can be sold in New York, for $100
per ton for the vaiious purposes we have enumerated-the ore being above  the surface,
its value can be as easily ascertained as the value of a pine tree in the forest; and invest
ments of capital in this business, do not run that hazard they necessarily must run in
seeking for copper and other materials below the surface.
  WAe consider that a trip to the Iron Hills of Lake Superior will more than pay any
one, if he does nothhing more than take a hasty survey of that immense mineral deposite,
without investing a farthing in the various adventures to make them productive."
  Works for the manufacture of Iron are now in operation at Marquette, and others are
being erected, Railroads fiom Marquette to the Iron manufactories have been constructed,
and the whistle of the Locomotive is already heard there, while large quantities of the
Ore are transported to Erie, Cleveland and Wyandotte, a few miles below Detroit, to be
mnanufactured.
  The "Collins Iron Company" have erected very extensive works at Marquette, and have






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SKETCIIES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



recently commenced the manufacture of bar iron, and their first shipment of 62 tons  was
received here a few days since.  They now have four forges, and will ill a shlort time have
eight in operation, when they will manufacture 50 tons per week.  This iron, on account
of its superior quality, sells readily for one hundred dollars per ton.
  Since the above was written, another shipmentof 200 tons of bar iron has been received.



                          LAXE SUPERio,,, MARBLE.
  In the vicinity, and beyond the'Iron Hills,' extensive beds of superior Marble have been
found, but for the want of roads they are at present inaccessible. But this will in a short
time be Tremedied, when these quarries will be worked, and the time is not distant when
it will be used in Detroit for building purposes, and Marble Palaces will be erected by
the "Mining and Manufacturing  Princes" of the Upper Peninsula.
  No estimate could easily overvaluo the richness and importance of the traffic of thie Lake
Superior region, even now, and Riches that make the almost fabulous wealth of Australia and
California but insignificant, lie hurried beyond the iron and copper bound shores of the
Lakle.



                                        COAL.
  About 100,000 tons of Mnoeral Coal is annually consumed in Detroit by  manufactories,
Furnaces, Gas Works and Steamboats, and for domestic purposes.  All of which is at present brought here from Ohio and Pennsylvania, while within a distance of less tlhan 100
miles from the city, extensive fields of superior quality of coal have been known to exist for miany years past, but which could not be made available to us for want of a cheap
mode of conveyance to this point.  This is now soon to be afforded by the construction
of the Detroit and M;ilwaukee Railroad, whilch passes directly throutlgh the coal district;
when it is expected that our own coal fields will not only supply coal for the consumption
of the city, but also the mnineral region of the Upper Peninsula, at cheaper rates than
it can be obtained firom any other source.
  The late Dr. Houghton, State Geologist, made thorough explorations of the coal districts, andin his reports to the Legislature in 1839,1840 anld 1841, he says that the main
bed of coal which traverses the central counties of the State, has been traced northerly to within a few miles of the south line of Shiawassee county, and that the bed has been
found of sufficient thickness to admit of being profitably worked."  Also "south-westerly
into Jacklson county, where the bed is of sufficient  thickness to admit of beings worked,
and the coal is of a quality well fitted for all the purposes to which- that substance is
applied."
  "The most extensive beds of coal were noticed in township 4 north, range 1 and 2 east,
in Ingham county, and range 3 and 4 west in Eaton county' "A  bed of bituminous
eoal more than 2 feet thick of a superior quality in town 4 north, rainge 2 east occurs in
the bed and banks of Cedarl River, Ingham county.  It is compact, has a glossy lustre,
ignites easily, burns with a light flame, and leaves only a small quantity of earthy res'.due." After commenting on the'"range and extent of the coal bearing rocks" he says: On
the east group of rocks appears in the towns of Leoni and West portage, in Jacksonll
county, in the north east corner town of Ingham county, in the bed of the Red Cedar
River.
  Its boundary is known to stretch northerly across the Shiawassee and Flint Rivers,
thus brninging within the limits of the coal rocks, parts of Genesee, Shiawassee, Ingham,
Jackson, Calhoun, Barry and Kent Counties, and probably the whole of Eaton, Ionia and
Clinton Counties." "The coal at this point (Red Cedar River, Inllgham county) is very accessable, and must ere long prove of great importance."
   "The coal has here (Shiawassee County) a thickness of from three and a half to four feet."
   From these extracts it appears that the coal bearing rocks extend through nine counties of the State,(and they probably do more,) a distance of nearly one hundred miles and






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                          SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.                              29

tlat tl,e samie stratum of coal, belongingto the lower col  basi n, is exhibited to view at
three different points of out crop, viz: at Barry, in Jaclkson county, at Reed River, in
Ingnham county-, 35.iles                            from Barry, and at Shiawassee River, 25 miles from Red Cedar River, occupying a line at least 60 miles inextent.
  Col. Richiai.( R. Lanrsing, President of the Michigan Coal Company, who has spent the
past te; yealrs in investigating and exploring the coal fields, says that in 1844 he sank a shaft
at ledCedar riier, through the coal bed which at that point was about sevenl feet below the  surface, arnd that hle found it to be two feet nine inches thick, overlaid by a stl.atum of fire clay, and resting on a bed of stone.  That in 1850 he caused anoth.ler shaft to
be sulk, and the actual measurement of the thickness of the coal bed at that point, as reported to him, was found to be 2 70-100 feet.
  In 18;53, Col. Lansing laid bare the coal bed at Red  C(edar River, to the extent of upward of a thousn   d superficial square feet, and removed to the surface about 60 tons of
coal.  The structure varied in thickness from three feet to twenty-eight inches. 14 tons of
the coal v'a tr-lsported to Detroit, to be subljected to all the tests for the various purposes
for which bh'tuiinous coal is generally used, which was tested by Mr. S. 1I. Newhall, Supeirinte  ant of motive power M. C. R, R.. who certified to its adaptation for forges.  Mr.
Eber B.  Warcld who had its power to raise steami, tested on one of his Boats, testifies
that "' e co-il burL led fireely, emitting a great deal of flameand raising steam iapidly, was
reduced to ashes without exhibiting any evidences of Sulplur, or clinker, or maki,ng any
imr ession on  te g r ates of the furniaces, which after the experiment, were left as free from
any adhesive matter as if wood had been burned."
  Col. Orville B. Dibble of the "Biddle House," after testing it in making Gas, certified
that his "decided opinion is, your coal yields as much gas as any other domestic coal used
for that purpose, and its lumious qualities certainly exceed any othe 3 gas manufactured
by us."
  ir. Francis Smith an Engineer of great experience, in the makling coke in thle north of
Enoqzan(, certifies that he made some experinments with the "Michioan Coal and came to
thle conclusion, which was entirely favorable to thle coal, as beingr, good for the making of
coke, that he I"had seen a gas retort clharged with th's coal three several times, and  the
cokle yielded in these instances, was, throughout, of that uniform silvery appearance
which is an invariable feature in good coke," and, thiat his impression is, "that  this coal
with proper ovens, would make as good coke as thlat now used in England, in firing Locomoti'-es and blast furnaces,"
  For domestic use Adrian R. Terry M. D., certifies that he "never in the Western
country, burnt a coal which gave so clear and brilliant a flame and of which the coke,
(after the bi'.tumei was burned out,) made so permanent and hot a fire. It leaves  but
an insiginifean. amount of ashes or earthy residue, in comparison with any coal I have
ever bur ned in this region."
  The foregoing certificates are published in the "Transactions of the Michig,an Agricultuf'a1 Society.
  The Coal fielo(s belonging to the "Michigan Coal Company" which is now fully organized,
are three in number.  One upon thle Michigan Central Rail RIoad, one upon the Detroit
and Milwaukee Rail Road and one upon the Detroit  and Lalsing Plank Road.  Each
of which have recently been explored by Mr. A. G. Bradford, of Pennsylvania, a scientific
gentleman of high attainments, and each is spoken of in a report made by him to  the
Board of Directors, in the most favorable terms.  Mr. B. states at the conclusion of his
report, that "The Coal found at each place is of extraordinary purity, approaching in quality'Cannel Coal' blend ing in its componant parts, all the necessary elements for every variety of use.  From my Coal explorations in several States of the Union, to which I
have devoted the most of my attention for the past fifteen years of my life, I can safely





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 say, that I never saw Coal at the out crop of such extraordinary quality aud purity, and so
 free generally from Sulphur and other impul,atives.'?
   This Company  is about cominencing active mining operations.
                                            SALT,
   It is estimated, that thiere is annually brought  to this State $400,000 worth of salt
from the New York Salt Springs.  This should, and the time is not distant when it will
 be manufactured and supplied from the salt springs of this State, which are klnowni to
 produce brine of sufficient strength and purity for profitable manufacture.
   Belai Hubbard, Esq., late assistant State Geologist, in a communication to J. C. Holnes,
 Esq., Secretary of the State Agricultural Society says;  "The State Geologist early point ed out the fact of the existence oflarge salt deposits, and indicated the points at which borin,gs might be most profitably conducted.  These were commenced in 1839 at Grand  Rapids and Tittabawassa river. Owing, to the great expense and difficulty at that time of obtaining the necessary materials for the undertaking, no sufficient appropriations were-made,
and the works were abandoned when the borings had proceeded to not more  than half
the depth indicated, as that which would be found necessary, the latter being  estimated at
from 600 to 700 feet.  Even at the depth  reached on  Grand River, (about 300 Yct)
the quantity and strength of the brine discharged, exceeded that obtained at any of the
Salt Springs in the country, except those of New York, being not less than 130 gallons per
minute, of which about 100 gallons contained a bushel of salt. At the sainme time, a private enterprise, undertaken at Grand Rapids, by the lon. Lucius Lyon, had conducted
borings to a depth of 400 feet, yielding a brine, when the upper fresh waters could be
shut off, of which, about 28 gallons contained a bushel of salt. None of these borings, however, had extended into the lower salt rock a sufficient depth to reach the strongest brine,
and the great difficulties attending the work in connection with the small facilities foibr
securing a market, and for competition with the rich salt springs of western  New York,
induced a temporary abandonment."
  Facilities for procuring proper materials for working and for conveying the salt when
manufactured to market, will now soon be afforded by the completion of the Detroit and
Milvaukee Railroad; and these salt wells will again be opened, and to the proper depth
indicated by Dr. Houghton, when it is confidently expected that the brine produced, will
be second in character to none in the United States.
                                CI'TY STATISTICS, 1855.
  The following is a recapitulation of the statistics of the city, prepared and reported
to the Boa,d of Water Commissioners by their Secretary, June 30th, 185a, at which time
the city contained.



Bakleries,................. 21 Public Markets.............. 2
Dye I-louses,................. 5 Soap and Candle factories,,.9
Churches,................. 28 Public St. Sprinklers,......... 2
Hospital,...................1 Groceries,............... 2(;0
Private Schools,............. 24 Iron Iiou'nderies,............7
Rail Road Depots,.............   2 Steam planing door, sash, blind
Breweries,................17    and furniture factorics,-... —  12
fMalt Houses,...............2 Burr MTill Stone faetory,....... 1
Boarding Houses,..........131 Water \Works,................1
Tave rns,.......  aei.............'.49 Public Halls,.................. 9
Ir on iachlue Shops,.......  10  Theaties,................... 2
Locomotive Mlaufactories,....2 Public Schools.............. 25
Flour Mills,.................. 3  Warehouses, ~....******24
Steam Tobacco Factories,.....6 Lard Oil Factory............1
Gas Workls,................1 Wheat Elevators.............2
Printing Offices,............. 11 Public bathing establishments,.4
Banks,...................... 4
Orphans  Homes,............. 2



Families, *......... X.*.*.6,328
Offices,..................... 175
Boil er Milanufactoriess,........... 4
Saw Mlanufactory,............1
Tanneries &C Morocco fact's,... * 9
Potteries, *................... 2
Soda & Small Beer Factories,. — 
Jail,-.........................1
Fire Engine Houses,. - - - - -......... 9
Private Meat MIarkets.......*  24
Stone and Marble Works,.....   10
Stationary Steam Engines,... 46
Rectifying Distileries,-.   - -.2
Stores,.....................  335
Mechanic Shops,..........    343
R. IL Car Factories, *................ 2
Saw Mills,.................. 6
Plaster  Mill,..................  1



  *This number more properly represents the number of House keepers than the number of families
The number is made up from those assessed for water, and where families are boarding with others






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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



   The above includes those only within the cit
low there are, say 700 families, several saw mail
wolrks, dry dock, &c., &c., all of which are to   t
business &c. of the city.
The number of families residing in tihe several
  Warlds of the City, July 1st 1855, were as fol  lows:FirstWard,..............................667.
Second Ward,...................... -  -    229.
Thirid Ward,................................ 530.
Fourth War(,............................. 977.
Fifth Wardl,   * * *   d,.....................8
Sixth W ard,...........................1159.
Seventh Ward,........................ I,06G5.
Eighth Ward,............                    884.................
  Total,..........................                          6,          328.



The increase of number of Families in the City,
  for the year ending July 1st, 1855, was as fol  lows:In the lower or western district, comprising 1st,
  2d, 5th and 8th Wards, as follows:First Ward,..................... 14 Families.
Second Ward,-....................5 
Fifth Ward,..................... 87
Eighth Ward,...................97 97

    Total,   *.....................293    "
In the upper or eastern dis'trict,
  comprising the 3d, 4th, 7th and
  6th Wards, as followers;Third Ward,... -...- -.*-.* -.-I**..
Fourth Ward,................... 34
Sixth Ward,...................... 1(64
Seventh Ward,*.............* —.173

   Total,...................372
   Total increase in City,........ 575



The  numrb-r of  families residing in the
  low r  rwest er  l  district of the cit,
  c omprising the  1st, 2d, 5th and  Sthth
  Wards, was,.,........................ 2,597,
The number of Families residing in the
 upper or eastern district, comprising the
 3d, 4th, 6th and 7th Wards, was,. * *. 3,791.



                          ECl[OOLS —-TII:rI2I ]EARLY  ]IISTOUIR.
   The compiler of these skletchles is indebted for the following sketch of the early history of
schools in Detroit, to -lonl. B. F. H  Witherell, to whom the public are frequently indebted
for interesting sketches of the early history of Michigan, published in the city papers.
   DEAR SIR:-At your suggestion, I send you a sketch of the early history of Schools in
our Territory, so far as I have been able to learn it:
   It is difficult to trace in detail, the efforts made more than a half a century since for the
education of our people-shut out as they were, fiom the rest of the civilized world, by
hundreds of miles of pathless forests, and scattered along the margins of our rivers and
lakes, of Ywhom some few hundreds only were gathered about the hamlet of Detroit-then
only a tracling pest, with a garrison to protect it.
   On  enquiry of some of the "Old Settlers," I learn, that some  time during the latter
part of the last century, Monsieurni ecours, and afterwards Mr. Ballpour taught' the school,'
and after them, about 17 99 to 1803, a Mr. Burrel wielded the ensign of authority; he kept
on St. James street in the rear of the present Freemason's Hall.
   After Burrell, came Mr. Donovan.  lJe taughit at the Park- ouse, between St. Louis st.,
and the river, in rear of Palmer & Whipples' Stationer's store.
   On  the 11th of June,  1805, in the morning when the fire burst out, (which consumed every house in the town, but one,) one of the scholars tells me that he was in schoolheariing the alarm, the boys all rushed forth to see the fun; but while in full career, they
were suddenly arrested, by a cask of tamarinds, thrown into the street from  a burning
store, on which they feasted till the flames drove them off. Teacher and scholars in
a few minutes found themselves, hatless and bookless-all were consumed-and the whole
town being in ashes, none could be got.  But the old French fashion of making a turban of
a handkerchief, answered the purpose.
  Old John Goff, the old sage, with his drab breeches and long blue stockings, followed
Donovan.  Ile kept "the school" for several years after the fire.   The boys say that he

or in boarding houses and taverns, they are not set down.  The number of families boarding is unusually large at present in the city, in consequence of the scarcity of dwellings to rent, the assessor found
but 23 in the whole city at the time he went through it, and he passed through every street.   And
several of these were vacant to repair This number of families he estimates would average, including
single persons, (of which there is a much greater proportion than in eastern cities,) and the families
boarding, at eight each, which would give a population at that time in the city of 50,624.





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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



hlad not the fear ol the Maine Law before his eyes, but daily got a little corned in the
foenoon, and 1lcked the boys; and in the afternoon, kiss,ed the girls.  At last the oltl man
pas.-ed aw,ay ifom  mcortal ken —havingo taug'ht as long aos hle coull stand on hls legs.Rie first ope-ne- his school on the west side of the mouth of the  "River Savoyard," near
the old resicence of the late Col. D. G. Jones; and his last school was kept opposite B.
Thon,psoni' Livery Stable.
'-The River Savoyard" somewhat noted in the annals of our city, was nothling more than
a lar,ge crce, drainin, the common back of the town,and( a few farmns lying above it.  It
was sometimes a largoe stream; and I have known it necessary to take people living along
its ar'gin, out of their windows into a canoe and carry them ashore.   This was after
longi-continued rains; but our modern subterranean rivers  have done the work for "the
Sav-,iard" —its glory is deparited-it is "among the things that were" but are not.
  It obtainedi its name from old Peter Berthlett; (the granid-fzathler of those yet among us,)
he kept a pottery on the west side of its mouth, near the outlet of the present grand sewer.   i )ore thle nick-name of  SavoyarLd" probla)bly because himself or his ancestors were
from Savoy; he always wenet by that name.   Mrs. Sheldon has in some way transformed
it to " Xavier," which it never bore.
  Old1 Father Berthlett went to Montreal, and in days wlhen stoves were a scarce article,
broughlt up a large number, and let them out for firom three to tenl dollars each, per win
ter; and bv this and other operations, became the wealthiest man in Canada.  lHe died
about thirty yea'rs ago.
  -Mai revenon a nos Mouton."
  Daniel Curtis kept "the school" a while in 1810 and'11.  Ito was then appointed
an oi:,cer in tlhe army, and a righit brave and gall ant soldier hle was.  Hie, alnd a brother
Lieutenant, in spite of the orders of a dro-nken Captain, held out for many days against
a 1.1g-e body of Indians who besieged Fort-,  until relieved by a body of General
HI'risoc's light-horse.
  Old it.- Rowe next entered the field after the war was over, and taughlt "the schLool"
in a little woooden buildini, which stood in the rear of Ives'  Brokci's office, in Gi'swold
street, belonging' to Joseph Compau.  Hiere the sciences flourished under the influence
of the old man'is birchen rod. There was a little cupola on the edifice-tlthe only onie of the
kind west of Lake Erie.  The young ideis rapidly expanded under its shadow.   Rowe
slept with his falthers, and as all things must have an end, so did the cupola.    Griswold
street was to be wildenred.   Mr.  Compau  refused his assent, and deenmi,g tlhe offered
comrpensa-tion insuffiient, he refused to remove the buildinug, and the agents of the city
sa,ced dowva through it and sold that part that was in the street to John Farmer (I think)
who v-et ow,ns it.
  The good old Father Richard, the only Cathoflic clergyman in the co-unitrv-whom  none
knew but to respect-was anxious to eduecate llh's people, and about tlis year 1811, sent to
France and procured M. Le Salliere to come over as a teacher. Hle taught a sl-hort time, hut
the war  caine on and his school ceased.  Th,ere are yet several mn atlong  us, who  owe
much of thleir scholastic knowledge to Father Richard's personal attention as their teachor, but his clerical duties, occupied too much of his time to  leave as much  as hle desired
for educational purposes.
  Among the well educated men-natives of the country in olden time, was that sterling
old patriot, Captain Cha'les Morau, the father of the Jud?oe.
  When quite a young man he was employed in the office of Captain Phillip doe Jean, so
well known, and who figured largely in the history of Michigan, some eighty years since.
De Jean was an emigrant from France, and was appointed a m1agistrate by the British
Lieutenant-Governor Hamilton, under whose orders, he, on the 18th of March, 1776, tried
John Contencinan for stealing some beaver, otter, and raccoon skins, from Abbot & Finchly,




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and Ann Wylie, formerly a slave of Abbott & Finchley on a charge of stealing or betng accused of stealing a purse containing six guineas, &c. The sentence of Justice de
Jean was, that they be "hanged, hanged, hanged, and strangled till they be dead on the
king's domain," (the common); and they were hanged. Governor Hamilton and de Jean
soon after left on a military expedition to "the Illinois," where they were made prisoners
by Gen. George Rogers Clark, whom the State of Virginia had sent over the Alleghanies with a small force to protect the infant settlements of the west.
  Hamilton and De Jean never returned; had they done so, they would have been tried
for murder-as the Governor-General and Chief Justice had caused warrants to be issued
from Quebec for their arrest.                                          "HAMTRAMCK."



                               COMTItON SCHOOLS.
  The Common Schools of Detroit, where every child in the city can obtain the elements
of a good English Education free of charge are the pride and boast of our city.
  Common Schools were first established in 1842. Previous to this time but little interest
had been manifested in the cause of general education, and the first to take the initiatory steps towards the establishment of a system of general education was Dr. Zi,.a
Pitcher, who, while Mayor in 1841, called the attention of the Common Council to the
great need of Common Schools in the city. A report was subsequently made to the
Council which showed there were 27 English Schools, 1 French and 1 German School
in the city, and the whole number of pupils about seven hundred, while there were upwards of two thousand children of the proper school age in the citv.
  Measures were then immediately taken to establish an additional number of Schools,
and seven others were soon opened, and urgent efforts used to persuade parents whose
children were then roaming the streets, to send them to these Schools.   In 1842 an act
was passed by the Legislature incorporating the various Schools of the city into one
District, under the style of the "Board of Education of the City of Detroit."  The Board
is composed of two School Inspectors from each ward, one of whom is annually elected
for the term of two years.
  Dr. Pitcher, distinguished and beloved for his untiring efforts in behalf of every
interest connected with the cause of Education in this city and state, both as a member
of the Board of Education and Board of Regents of the State University (of which until
recently he was a member from its first establishment,) continued his efforts in behalf of
the Common Schools without abatement and while Mayor, presided over the deliberations
of the Board, and zealously devoted himself to develope and perfect the Free Schoo
System.
  Dr. Pitcher had in the late Hon. Samuel Barstow an able and devoted coadjutor. Who
from their establishment up to the time of his death, (which took place July 12th, 1854,)
was unwearied in his efforts, devoting much of his time and talents to perfect the system, and establish the Schools on a permanent basis.
   To the persistent, unwearied and united exertions of Dr. Pitcher and Mr. Barstow, the
system in a great degree owes its present perfection. Other members of the Board deserve honorable mention for their early efforts in behalf of the cause of Education, among
whom are George Robb, D. Bethune Duffield, Eben N. Wilcox, James V. Campbell, and
 Charles Byram, Esqs.
   Mr. Barstow was President of the Board for many years, and was succeeded by Levi
 Bishop, Esq., the present able and efficient incumbent, il whom the cause of Education
 has a worthy successor of the lamented Barstow.
   The Schools under the charge of the Board, are three Union Schools;  two Middle
 Schools; eleven Primary Schools and one Colored School. The three Union SchoolsIcon tain eleven departments, and have an aggregate attendance of 2,000 Scholars.
   The number of teachers employed in all the Schools, is thirty seven, of whom nine
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 are males, and twenty eight are females. The number of Scholars in all the Schools,
 during the past year was 5000. The expenditures for the year amounted to 15,623,94.
 The value of the property owned by the Board is estimated at thirty-five thousand dollars.
   The Schools are sustained by moneys annually drawn firom the State School Fund, and
 by a tax on the real and personal property in the city.
   It is in contemplation to establish at an early day, a High School, where pupils may
 be prepared Cor the University Course.  When this is done the system will be complete in
 form, and if carried out with tile same faithfulness that has hitherto characterised the acts
 of the Board, the pupils in the Detroit Common Schools will rank favorably with those of
 any other similar institution in the country.
   Besides the Common Schools, there are twenty-four private Schools and Seminaries in
 the city, where those who wish can educate their children; and two excellent Commercial
 Colleges.
   Since the foregoing was prepared, the proceedings of the Board of Education contain
the following:
   On motion of Levi Bishop, the following preamble and resolutions were unanimously
adopted:
   Jflhereas, The late Samuel Barstow, Eqq., once President of this Board, was, from the
beginning, one of the most efficient and active promoters of the free school system of Detroit, and its present state of prosperity and increasing usefulness is in a large measure
due to his untring zeal and sel-denyingo labors; therefore,
  Resolved, That the newly enllarged school building in the Seventh Ward be named in his
honor the "Barstow Union School," and that the Building Committee cause a marble tablet to be inserted in the vacant panel in the front of said building, inscribed with  the
words "Barstow Union School."
                      C[tURCHES AND RE,IGIOUS SOCIET[IES.
  The first house for public worship erected in the city, was built by the RomanL Catholics, in the year 1723, on a site now occupied by Jefferson Avenue, and directly in front
of the Masonic Hall, and was burned with the city in 1805. The Cathedral of St. Ann,
erected on the triangle, between Larned and Congress, and Bates and Randolph streets,
was commenced in 1817 by the Rev. Gabriel Richard; but was not completed until after
 his death, in 1832, though it was occupied by the Society for many years before.
  The first Protestant Society in Detroit, was organ,z,d by the Methodists, in 1812.
  The first Episcopal Society was  organized in 1824.
  The first Presbyterian Church was organized in 1825-which society erected a house
of worship on the corner of Woodward Avenue and Larned street, where the brick church,
afterwards erected by them was burned in January 1854.  The church was construct( d
of wood, and was removed to give place for the brick one, and is now owned and occupi d
by the Irisl Catholic Society, and is located on the corner of Porter and Sixth streets, and
is shortly to be removed to give place for a more commodious brick edifice.
  There are at this time 28 church edifices in the City, as follows:
                               ROWA. N CATHOLIC.
  Cathedral of St. Ann; (French) cor Bates and Larned streets-stone.
  Cathedral of St. Peter and St. P'aul (Irish) corner Jefferson Avenue and St. Antoine streets
-brick.
  St. Mary's Church, (German) corner Croghan and St. Antoine streets-brick.
  Trinity Church, (Irish) corner Porter and Sixth street-wood.
                                  PROTESTANT.
 Presbyterian Church, corner State and Farrar streets-brick.
 Presbyterian Church, corner Fort and Fourth streets —-stone.
  Presbyterian Church, corner Jefferson Avenue, near Rivard street-brick.







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                        SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.                            35

 Presbyteriant Church,  corner  Lafayette and Cass streets-brick.
 Presbyterian Church, (Scotch) East  Park-wood.
 Congrecgational Church, corner Fort and Wayne streets-brick.
 St Paul's Church, corner Congress and Shelby streets-stone.
 Christ's  Church, Jefferson Avenue, between lIastingsand Rivard-wood.
 Mariter's Church, corner Woodward Avenue and Woodbridge street-stone.
 St. Mathews Church, (colored) corner Congress and St. Antoine street-wood.
 Baptis  Church, corner Fort and Griswold sts. -wood.
 Ta.berticle, Baptist, Iloward, between Second and Third streets-wood.
 Metho)dist church, corner Woodward Avenue and State street-brick.
 Methodist church, corner Congress anrd Randolph streets-brick.
 M1ethodist church,ecorner La Fayette and Fourth streets —wood.
  Methodist chlurch, corner of Walnut and Seventh streets-brick.
 Methodist church, (French) corner Rivard and Croghan streets-brick.
 Methodist church, (German) corner Croghan near St. Antoine-brick.
 Methodist church, (colored) La Fayette street, near Beaubien-brick.
 New church, corner Jefferson Avenue and Beaubien street-brick.
 LTniiitarian church, corner La Fayette and Shelby street-brick.
  Dutch Reformed church, corner Congress near Rivard street-brick.
  Dutch Reformed church, corner Croghan and St. Antoine streets-brick.
  German Lutheran church, corner Monroe Avenue and Randolph streets-brick.
  Four stone, eighteen brick and six wood.
  Several religious societies destitute of houses of worship hold service in public halls, &e.
  Many of the Churches are elegant a.nd costly edifices.  The Church of St. Ann (French
CaLtholic) is the oldest churlch in Detroit.  It is 1.51 feet long and 60 feet wide.  The Cath( dral of Saints Peter and [aul (Catholic) is the largest, being 160 feet in length, 81 feet
wide and 72 feet high.  Tile steeple, which is not yet erected, is designed to be 200 feet
te its top fr'om the pavement.
  TI'he Congregational and three Presbyterian Churches, erected within the past two year%,
are larg. and cornmmodious. each capable of seating 1000 persons, and are not surpassed in
their style of architecture in the western States.  They were all designed and constructed
under the superintendence of Mr. A. Jordon, architect of this city.  The fo)llowing is a
descriptionl of one of them just completed:
  The Fort Street Pre-byteritan Church is built of limestone, from the quarries at Malden,
in the early decorated styln of Gothic architecture.  It has the principal tower on the
north-west corner, with small tower ou the north-east corner, and a square tower in the
centre of front gable.  The face work is of i ubble stone, laid in even courses, having the
pinnacles, nroulded jambs, tracery, and other trimmings, of cut stone.  The main tower
is 100 feet high, and has heavy projecting buttresses on the corners, finishing against the
belfry story in an octagonal fonrm,and continued up above the parapet with crocketed pinnacles.  T'he spire rises to the height of 130 feet above the tower, octagonal in form, and
enriched with boldly carved crockets on the angles. From the pinnacles on the four corners of the tower spring flying buttresses to the corners of the spire, pierced with pointed
openings, and having crocketed parapets.  The front is richly decorated with tracery, the
hoods to windows crocketed, the gable surmounted with embattled parapet, a niche on
either side of centre window; the centre tower finished with a pierced parapet, and richly
crocketed pinnacles. The small tower terminates with a two story lantern, each story
 pierced with eight openings.
   The audience chamber is 90 feet long by 60 feet wide, lighted by six pointed windows
 on each side, and a circular window in the rear wall. It has an open roof, supported by
 six trusses spanning across the building, elaborately filled with tracery up to the ridge,






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 which is 72 feet high above the floor. The back wall is ornamented with a handsome
 screen, having an overhanging canopy above the pulpit richly carved and decorated.
   There are no galleries, except the one for the choir, which is over the vestibule, and in
 which is placed a fine organ, built by Mr. George Stevens, of Cambridge, Massachusetts,
 at a cost of $4,000.  There are twelve chandeliers in the audience chamber-two suspen ded from pendants of each roof truss-forming a pleasing coup d'oil.  There are a centre
 and two side aisles to the church, and one hundred and ninety slips, capable of seating
 1,000 persons.  The basement story is 12 feet high, containing a lecture room, which wil
 seat 400, Sabbath and infant school rooms, pastor's study, two furnace and fuel rooms.
   The cost of the edifice and its finishings is $70,000.  It has been built from the designs
 of Messrs. 0. & A. Jordan, of this city, under the superintendence of Mr. A. Jordan.
 The contractors were, for the mason work, Mr. Thos. Fairbairn; carpenterb' work, Messrs.
 McDuff & Mitchell; plastering Messrs. Rowe & Boyd; paintiing, Messrs. Godfrey, Dean &
 Liable. The furnaces were furnished by Messrs. Dudley & Holmes.
                                    CENIETERIIES.
   The first Roman Catholic Cemetery was situated where the Masonic Hall, now stands;
and was used as such from 1723 until the year 1810, when the Governor and Judges granted
to the corporation of St. Ann, the public triangle in section one for the purpose of erecting
a church thereon, and sixteen city lots north of the same for a burying giound.
   Here the remains of Col. Hamtramck repose.  His tomb bears the following inscription:   "Sacred to the memory of John Francis Hamtramck, Esq., Col. of the 1st. U. S. Regiment
of Infantry, and commandant of Detroit an(ld its dependencies. He departed this life, on the 11th
of April, 1803, aged 45 years 7 months and 28 days.  True patriotism and zealous attachment to national liberty, joined to a laudable ambition, led him into military service at an
early period of his life, He was a soldier even before he was a man.
   He was an active participator in all the dangers, difficulties and honors of the Revolutiolstry War.  Anld his heroism and uniform good conduct, procured him the attention'and
personal thanks of the immortal Washington.  The United States in him have lost a valuable officer and a good citizen, and society an useful and pleasant member   To his family the loss is incalculable: and his friends will never forget the memory of HIamtramck.
This humble monument is placed over his remains by the officers who had  the honor to
serve under his commaad: a small but grateful tribute to his merit and his worth."
  This ground was used until about 1826, when the Society purchased a lot on the Antoine
Beauibien farm, near the Gratiot road, for a Cemetery; and interments were made  there
until about the year 1846, when they purchased a large and handsomely located lot of land
in the town of Hamtramck, about two miles above the city, which is called " Mount Elliott."
The Protestant burying ground in an early day, was on the north side of Larned street, and
east of Woodward Avenue, now occupied by the Holmes' Block, Water Works' Office, &c.The military burial ground occupied most of the square formed by Fort, Shelby, Lafayette
and Griswold streets.  No interments were made there after 1827; and in 1828, on  removing the Fort, the remains were taken up and removed to a new ground.   The burial
ground on the corner of Larned Street and Woodward Avenue, continued to be used until
about 1826, when the city purchased a lot adjoining the Catholic ground, on the Antoine
Beaubian farm; and also in 1834, about fifty acres of land for a cemetery on the Gouin
farm, north of the Gratiot road, part of which was laid out into small lots and sold. This
ground is still used as the City burial ground.
                                    ELILMWOOD.
  This beautiful and sequestered Cemetery lies in the Township of Hamtramck, about two
miles from the City Hall, and occupies about sixty-five acres of land, well diversified, of
light and porous soil, well adapted to its design.
  The ground was purchased in the spring of the year 1846. The fit improvements, such





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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



as fetncing, laying out drives and walks, and platting into lots, proceeded during the summer; a tasteful English Cottage, designed as a residence for the Superintendent, was
erected. and in October of that year, it was opened for the interment of the departed. It
afterwards became incorporated by act of the Legislature. The following persons constituted the first Board of Officers elected under the act of incorporation, viz:
  A D. FRASER was elected President; JOHN OWEN, Treasurer; HENRY LEDYARD, Secretary; HENRY LEDYARD and CHARLES C. TROWBRIDGE, Executive Committee.
  The following is the list of original subscribers:
  Douglass & Walker. John A. Welles, Henry H. Brown, H. P. Baldwin, Henry Ledyard,
Geo. E. Hand. J. M. Howard, Franklin Moore, Hallock & Raymond, A. W. Buel, George
F. Porter, J. S. Farrand, George Foote,  C. C. Trowbridge, John Owen, F. Buhl, W. A.
Raymond, J. N. Elbert, D. Smart, C. Morse, J. A. Van Dyke, H. H. Emmons, J. S. Jonness, Edward Lyon, Harmon DeGraff, Samuel Coit, Shubael Conant, S. P. Brady, Frederick Wetmore, J. W. Tillman, E. Farnsworth, George C. Bates, Charles S. Tripler, W.
N. Carpenter, A. S. Kellogg, E. Eldred, Z. Chandler, D. Cooper, J. G. Hill, G. R. Russell,
A. S. Williams, A  H. Adams, C. H. Avery, George Hill, John Drew, E. P. Hastings, C.
Howard, C. G. Hammond, A. S. Porter, T. Romeyn, A. D. Frasel;, J. F. Joy, W. Truesdall, J. Winder  E. A. Wales, James  V. Campbell, Darius Lamson, J. A. Hicks, Luther
Beecher, M. F. Dickinson, Henry Doty, Samuel Barstow, Thomas W. Lockwood, Richard
I-L Hall, Pierre Teller, D. Goodwin, B. F. Larned, Robert Dermont, DeGarmo Jones,
Michigan Lodge No. 1. by A. S. Kellogg, Wayne Lodge  No. 2. by A. S, Kellogg, Wawea-tonong Lodge No. 12. by A. S. Kellogg, Moses P. Hutchins, J. H. Farnsworth, Alexander Goodell, T. H. Hinchman, William S. Lee, Bela Hubbard, A. Clark, J. L. King.
  Since the original purchase, twenty-five acres has been added, on the N. W. side, extending along upon the sides of the ravine, adding largely to the interesting feature, and
capabilities of the place.
  Here, beneath the shade of the old towering elms, whose name it bears, will sleep, as
they pass away, the generations who have peopled Detroit.
                            "Here on this spot,
                            "'he,re many generntions sleep forgot,
                            Upf,aom 1,rble tomb and grassy mound,
                            There cometh on the ear a peaceful sound,
                            JFlWich bids us be contented with our lot,
                            A,d suffer calmly."'
  The mild breath of Spring blows gently across the grave of youth and beauty, the gorgeous summer comes up and stands in her pride around the tomb of maturity, and the wind
of autumn sighing drearily, scatters the yellow leaves over the last resting place of those
who have gone down in the fulness of years, and winter comes, last in its time, clasping all
like death itself, in its dumb cold embrace.
  If it indicates a gentle spirit, and hearts open to the influences of elevated humanity
to cherish and beautify the graves of lost love-to honor the useful and good, and to freshen the remembrance of the sweet and lovely in life, then has Detroit furnished such evidence in her chaste, secluded, picturesque and beautiful Elmwood.



                                  WATER WORKS.
  A supply d pure water is essential to the health, and therefore to the prosperity of any
city  The citizens of Detroit may well congratulate themselves upon having a water works,
which furnishes an abundant supply of as pure water as any in the world, conveying it into
their very dwellings, and at rates far cheaper than any other city.  The water is taken from
the river above the city and forced by two steam engines into an iron reservoir 60 feet in
diameter and 20 feet deep, elevated on a circular brick tower 50 feet in height firom which
it is distributed throughout the city, by means of iron and wood pipes.
  The soil upon which the city is built, being mostly impermeable clay, the water pro,cured by wells, is, with occasional and few exceptions, surface, and not spring water, and








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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



contains a large per cent. of organic matter, greatly increased in the neighborhood of
drains and sewers, and which therefore constitutes a serious objection to its use. Its analysis showed that it contained 116 grains of compound ingredients to a gallon, while a gallon of water taken from these works exhibited but about 5 grains; the compound of
the river water being composed mostly of silica, allumina, and iron, elements  that  can
produce little or no-injury; while the solid matter of the well water contained a large
quantity of chloride of sodium, chloride of potassium, and magnesiumrl, the two latter being cathartic in their properties.  The analysis also shows  that the water of the river,
drawn from the great northern lakes, and from which the works are supplied, is found
as pure and free firom mineral substance as almost any body of water in the world.
  In 1836, the city purchased the works, which had been established by individual enterprise, ten years before, and expended upon them about $120,000. In 1852, at which time
they had cost the city the sum of $266,000, over and above al receipts, they were placed
under the management of a board of Trustees, who were subsequently, by act of the Legislature, inorporated as a board of Commissioners.  Up to the 1st of Jatnuatry last, the
Commissioners had expended, in reconstructing and enlarging the works, the sum of
$271,000.  The amount of their ordinary receipts over ordinary expenditures was $41.60Cmaking the amount expended for construction over receipts $229,400 which added to the
amount before expended by the Common Council, shows the total cost of the works to January 1st, ] 855, to be $495,400.
  In 1838, when the works were first regularly conducted by the city, the assessmerts
amounted to $3,676, and the number of assessments to 613.  In  1845 thie assessments
were $9,488, and the number was 1,251.  In 1854, the assessments were $3J1,840, and the
number was 5,872. The assessinint of 1854 exceeded thlat ofthe plrevious yearby more than
$3,000, and the assessment for 1855, is $36,184-being anl increase of $4,344 over last
year, and 663 more families are supplied with water  from  the works, than there were
one year ago; while there is no doubt that this ratio of increase will continue for many
-'rs, on the lines alonle of pipes now laid.  There are now 27 irkles of iron and about 14
miles of wooden pipes.  It would be a low figure to estimate the amnount of.Lssessment
fiom the pipes now laid at $50,000 annually, when the lines are filled by buildings —an
event, at the present rate of construction, not far off. The extension of pipes will at the
same time be required in new districts, which are fast being settled.  There are now at
least one thousand families living beyond the reach of water fi'en these works,  who procure but a scanty supply from wells.
  The population of the city having doubled in the last four years, and the receipts for
water nearly so, it would be safe to estimate that the population and receipts for water will
double in the next five years. So that by the time the loan recently made, of $250,000 is
expended in extending the works, the revenue from the water would not only pay the annual interest and ordinary expenses, but leave a large surplus annually to go into a sinking
fund pledged to the extinguishmenit of the debt.
  The works are owned by the city, and managed by a Board of Commissioners, chosenl by
the Common Council. The water rates are not fixed by any law, but are graduated by the
Board to meet the requirements properly belonging to them.
  The present minimun prie for families, is four dollars per annum, a fraction over one cent
per day which it is believed, is lower than that established by any other water workain the
union.  The project of supplying the inhabitants with water, by means of water works
was agitated at an early day.  In 1820 a proposition was made to the Trustees by Mr.
John W. Tomkins to furnish the city with water, but no action was had on the proposition by the Board, except ordering it placed on file, though subsequently frequent discussions were had. Nothing decisive was adopted until 1825, when a Water Works was commenced by Mir. Bathuel Farrand under an act passed by the Common  Council granting







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SKETCHES OF THiE CITY OF DETROIT.



him "the sole and exclusive right of watering the city," and in 1827 the citizens were first
furnished with water from the works. The water was raised by two pumps of 5 inches
bore, driven by horse power into a forty gallon cask> at the top of a cupola, from which it
was conducted through tamarack logs to a reservoir 16 feet square and six feet deep, situated on the lot now occupied by the Firemen's Hall, corner of Jefferson Avenue and
Bates street. The pump was at the foot of Randolph street, on lot 25, Berthlet's subdivision, adjoining French & Eldred's Carding Mill.  In 1829 other parties became interested in the works, and a Company was organised  under  an ordinance passed  by the
Common Council, which company was subsequently incorporated by the Legislative Council. The company made an effort to obtain a supply of water by boring into the earth in
1829, and bored a hole of four inches in diameter to the depth of 260 feet, on a lot at the
S.E. corner of Fort and Wayne streets, ten feet of alluvial earth was first passed through,
next a stratum of tenacious marly clay with veins of quick sand 115 feet, 2 feet of beach
sand with pebble stones succeeded, and rock was then struck. It consisted of a stratum
of geodiferous lime rock 60 feet in depth.   The auger then penetrated sixty-five feet into
lias, in the course of which it fell into a cavity 21 inches in depth. A stratum of carbonate of lime, impregnated with salt, in a rather friable and yielding form succeeded, which
was considered a subordinate bed in the lias. for the latter was again found below it, and the
boring continued eight feet, when no water was obtained and the project abandoned.
  In 1830 the Company constructed a reservoir 18 feet square and 9 feet deep on the
same lot. The water was pumped into it by means of a ten horse power engine, driving
a rotary pump, and was forced through a three inch iron pipe.  The Company continued
to extend their works and made every effort to supply the inhabitants with water in the
face of an increasing pecuniary loss and the complaints of the public, until 1836, when they
were purchased by the city.  The city projected the present works, and the construction commenced in 1837. In 1841 the "New Works" were so far brought into use as to
supply water to the Fort Street reservoir. In 1842 the present iron reservoir was brought
into use, and the Fort Street reservoir abandoned.  The works were conducted by a Superintendent annually appointed by the Council, until the Sprilng of 1849, when he was elect ed at the Charter Election. For several years there had been many complaints of an ir regular and insufficient supply of water, and discussions and debates were had as to  tleo
 best policy to be pursued.  Many were in favor of the sale of the works.  In Februaly
 1852 the Common Council passed an ordinance by which the control and management
 of the works were vested in a Board of Trustees, and Shubael Conant, Henry Ledyard,
 Edmund A. Brush, James A. Van Dyke and William R. Noyes, were appointed Trustees.
 The Board at once determined to re-construct the works on an enlarged scale.   In the
 mean time relief was afforded to several sections of the city by the extension of iron dis tribution pipes.
   In February 1853, an actwas passed by the Legislature, incorporating the "Board of Wa ter Commissioners of the City of Detroit," and naming the gentlemen who composed the
 Board of Trustees as Commissioners with power to loan $250,000.  The Board of Commis sioners was organized on the 16th of May following, the loan was soon affected, and  the
 money obtained, when the work of reconstruction commenced, and seven and a-half miles
 of iron pipes were laid; fifty-four new fire hydrants erected, and twenty-nine stop cocks
 put in before the close of the season.  The Board also purchased 10 acres of land on the
 Dequindre farm, on the summit, north of the Gratiot road, about one and  a-half miles
 from the river, for the purpose of constructing thereon a new reservoir.



NEW RESERVOIR.



  In 1854 the work was resumed, and the construction of a new reservoir commenced,
and about one-third of the work accomplished during the year. The reservoir is to be






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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



constructed in two basins-by raising earth embankments to a height of thirty feet.
The embankments are to be 103 feet through at the base, and 15 feet at the top, in the centre of which a puddled wall 16 feet at the base, and 8 feet at the top.   The slopes of the
embankment outside are to be sodded and set with evergreens, and inside first lined with
concrete and then paved with brick. -A flight of stone steps will be built on the inside slope
of either basin firom the terrace to the bottom. The terrace on the top to be gravelled, and
a fence constructed on the inner side around the basins.  Either basin will be 200 feet
square at the top, 114i feetat the bottom. The two basins covering nearly 4 acres. The
top water line will be 50 ft. above the intersection of Jefferson and Woodward Avenues, and
77? feet above the river.  The total storage of the two basins will be 7,592,704 imperial
gallons.   The terrace at the top will be reached by a flight of stone steps; at the base,
one or more fountains will constantly jet forth streams of water.   When completed, it
will afford a commanding view of the city and surrounding country, and a delightful promenade for pleasure.
  The water is to be forced up to the reservoir by a powerful cornish steam engine, through
an iron pipe, 24 inches interior diameter. The water will be distributed through a 21 inch
pipe, extending from the reservoir to the western line of the city, connecting with all the
pipes in streets running at right angles from the river  A stand pipe is to be erected at the
engine house wharf, inside of a brick tower, 115 feet in heigh.  The top of the tower will
be reached by a flight of stairs inside, around the pipe. The top of the tower will be about
forty feet above the reservoir, and afford a fine view of the City, Lake St. Clair and surrounding country.
  When the summit reservoir is completed, it is contemptlated to abandon the use of the
one at the river.
  It is expected that the new works will be entirely completed within the next two years
and it is estimated that the Board now have the necessary amount of money to accomplish
it. They having recently negociated a further loan of $250,000 under authority of an
act of the Legislature passed February 6, 1855.
  During the year 1854 the present works distributed 314,392,655 gallons.   The greatest
number of gallons distributed in any one month was 33,498,222, and the works now being built are designed to be capable of supplyiug 3,000,000 gallons in twelve hours, equal
to 90,000,000 gallons per month.
  Hon. James A. Van D,yke, a zealous and efficient member of the board, from its first organization, and who for many years previous was intimately connected with our city affairs,
as City Attorney, Alderman, Mayor of the city, and President of the Fire Department, and
thoroughly acquainted with all the concerns of the community, and devoting much of his
timtne and talents, devising and forwarding plans which have from time to time been adopted
for advancing the prosperity of the city, was removed by death on the 8th day of May
1855.
  Hon. Alexauder D. Fraser, on whose report to the Common Council while Recorder of
the city, in 1836, the city purchased the water works, was appointed a Commissioner by the
Common Council to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. Van Dyke. The following gentlemen now compose the Board of Commissioners: Edmund A Brush, Shubael
Conant, Henry Ledyard, Alexander D. Fraser and William R. Noyes, and the Officers are
Edmund A. Brush, President, R. E. Roberts, Secretary, and Jacob Houghton, Jr., Superintendent and Engineer.






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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



The following statement shows the increase of.ssessments from year to year since the
  purchase of the Works by the City, and is designed to show the growth of the City,
  and increasing demand upon the Works rather than the Revenue.
The assessments for the year 1838, 1839, and 1840, were
  irregular, one year running into the other.  The aggre  gate amount of rectipts of those years was $11,030 00
  or an average of -3,676 66
Assessment of 1841,:m)unted to...... 5 446 00
               1842,       "                     5,686 00-increase of...       $  240 00
               1843,       "                     7,163 18        ".-         1,477 18
               1844,       "     a8.710 50                       "               1,547 32
           "   1845,       " — — —------         9,488 34        ".777 84
            1846,          "..10.396 00       ".907  66
               1847,       ".9,832 18-decrease of-. —-.-    563 82
           "   1848,       "                    10,738 00-increase of ------- 905 82
       "       1849,                             12.633 00   "                   1,895 00
       "       11850,      "                    15,612 00        "..      2,979 00
            1851,          "......19,756 00                ".   4.144 00
               1852,       "                    25,348 00        " --------      5.592 00
            1853,         "...... 28,617 00    "               3,269 00
           "   1 854,      "                    31,840 00        "               3,223 00
       "       1855,       ".......36.184 00             "               4,344 00



             Increase of the number of assessments for the past ten years.
                        Assessments in 1845.                 Assessments in 1855.
    Families,..     915.... — ——.5,282
    Taverns,....... 23.......... 48
    Stores. Offices and Shops,....215 -1,028
    Railr, a I Depots, — — —---- -—.      2.3
    Brew, ris,      __ 2....................... 2.-.._........._......._. 17
    Stati( narv Steam Engines,2.... 2                        40
    Mills, Factories, &c.,.92.-.-                  222

        q oral,
,1 otal — — —------— — —..1,251.-.-6. 640
                      CO,IPARATIVE PURITY OF WATER.
  The follcwing table shows the solid matter in a gallon of water taken from lakes, rivers
and wells, i l diff rent cities:



                                    g(rains                                                Grains
       LAKES AND RIVERS.                  solid                    WELLS.                       solid
                                    matter                                                matter

    London,   Thames River, —....... 28,000     Paris-Artesian Well,................. 9,860
    Ne     New River, -............. 19.200          New York,  Manhattan Well,.... ---— — — 125,000
New York-Croton River, e — — —-------- 6998           N     ork   Average several, ----— — — 58,000
Alhany-Hudson River, 6-320                                       Lydius Street Well,.... -        19,240
Troy, N, Y.-Mohawk River......... 7,880    Alb,                 Old State House Well,.. — —-  36,000
Brooklyn-Average Long I. Ponds,...... 2,367           Albany,    Exchange Well,-.... -   64,680
Boston-Cochituate Lake,. — — —------- 1,850                     Capitol Park Well. — —- 65,520
Bridgeport, Ct.-Pequomock River,..0,992            Brooklyn-Average several Wells,.-          - 48,833
Philadelphia-Skuyikill River, — — —---- 4,260                  Beacon Hill Well, -               50,055
                Hemlock Lake, ------   1,330       Boston,  Tremont Street Well. — —- 26,600
Rochester, N.Y.,  Lake Ontario, — — —-  4,160                  Longacre Well,..-56,800
                ( Genesee River         11,210     Rochester, N. Y.-Average several,....   30,000
Cincinnati-Ohio  River,..............    C,.736     Detroit-Park Lot   Well,......... 116,461
Detroit-Detroit, River -, — — —--          --- 5,722



  Of the Detroit river water, Prof. Douglass, in his report of the analysis, says: That it
contains less solid matter in the gallon than either the Croton or Cincinnati water, but
more than the Fairmouth or Long Pond water. In estimating the value of your city
water, as compared with water of other cities, due allowance must be made for the fact
that the total solid matter is materially increased by the presence of silicia, allumina, and
iron, elements that can produce little or no injury; while the chlorides, much the most inju







41







SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



rious compounds, are entirely absent.  The presence of such large quantities of silica and
iron, is accounted for by the fact that Lake Superior and Huron are formed, for the most
part, in a basin of ferreginous sandstone and igneous rock.
  Of Deiroit well water, he says: The large quantity of chloride of sodium, (common
salt,) chloride of potasium and magnesium found in it, clearly indicate its surface origin.
The two last salts are cathartic in their properties, and the habitual use of water, holding
them in solution, in any considerable quantities, must prove injurious to health.
                                     HEAD OF  W%tTER.



The theoretic head of water, in various localities, from the present reservoir when it is



full, is as follows:



At the corners of                            feet
  Jefferson Ave. and Third street,          63
      Gai"     s i'e  a Cass                                street. 48
        Bm"                                                                 " Wayne  street, 41
        Os,             6" Shelby     street, 38
                "    " Woodward Ave.,  40
      "       "am        se4 St. Antoine street, 39
      c"    "          Hastinos street,       1 37
      "          "     Rivar'd street,       34
        " "           Russell street,       40
                "     Riopelle street,   42
      "          "     Orleans street,       45
  Fort street and Eighth street,             47
       "        "   Sixth street,           45
;'       "  Fifth street,             43
       "        "  Fourt  h street,                                     41
       Ca u   " aThird street,               39
';       "  Second street,            35
       s,'      "   ~VaXne street,           42
.... Shelby street,                  33
                "  Griswold street,          37
       "        "  Randolph streets,        48
  Gratiot street and Randolph street,   39
                  "   Beaubien street,   40
                  "   Hastings street,    37
          "        "  Rivard street,         29
          *'       "  -Russell street,       25
          "        "   Orleans street,       21
  Brush and )[acomb streets,                 39
     ";   is  Gratiot street,                4 0
     "     "  Columbia street,               34
     "     "   IHigh street,                  29
  Orleans and Atwater street,                64
      "     "  Woodbridge street,           54
      "     "  Jefferson Avenue,             45
      "I Larned street,                      44
            "   Croghan street,              41
      "'    "  Mullett street,               36
            "  High street,                 28
      "     "   Gratiot street,              21
            "   Scott street,                18
            "  Hale street,                  17
      "     "   St. Joseplh street,          15
   "North Park                               41
   "Campus Martius,                          43



At  the corners of                   feet
  Woodward Ave. and Atwater street,  60



     Cassre.. a        Woodbridge st,,
       Wy   s e"       Jefferson Ave.,
    S"yse        "      Larned street,
    oo a Ae 4    "      Congress street,
    S A o sr 3   "      Fort street,
    Hatnssre, 3  "       State street,
       Rv d s e"        Clifford street,
       Rse   sre       Circus street,
    Rol ste 4    "      Adams Avenue,
    O"aste'      High street,
     c;          "       Sibley street,
    Sx"hst t     "      Toll gate,
    Ff"         " 4     North  city line,
Laftyette street and  Eighth street,
'r "      "  Seventh street.
          S o    s e   Fourth street,
       W n   " X'    Cass street,.
Mhichigan Avenue and Seventh street4
         G"osr      "   Third street,
            R l    s"   First street,
                   "   Shelby street,
         B"it t      "  Griswold street
         Hsig   st t  3Bates street,
Congress street and Seventh  streets,
         Rsel2     "   Sixth street,
            O t"    "  Fourth street,
                  "   Third street,
'tsr4     "   First street,
            C"    "  Wayne street,
         ihte"     "   Griswold street,
          "'       "   Bates street,
         ooe,4     "   Brush street,
            J"    "   Beaubien street,
          "    "       fSt. Antoine  st.,
         C g nte"s  "   HLstings street,
         ults3"    "  Russell street,
At Grand  Circus,
   Centre Park,
"Capitol Park,
"  West Park,
   "East Park,
 "Crawford Park,
 "Elton Park,



Corner Sixth and Grand River sts., 33.



GAS LIGHT.



  Detroit is well lighted with Gas, which is supplied by an incorporated Company, who
have erected very extensive works on the river, near the eastern line of the City.   Gas



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 151
 40
 42
 46
 43
 40
 43
 41
 3-i
 34
 29
 14
 10
 41
 40
38
 35
) 42
 45
 42
 40
,39
 46
 51
,52
 55
 51
 47
 45
4'i
 43
 45
 44
 45
 46
 44
40
 38
 40
 44
 43
41
 34






                         SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.                              43

pipes extend through most of the principal streets, at present, and the Company are colnstantly extending them into new districts.  There are already over twelve hundred Street
Lamps set, for the purpose of lighting the city at night and we nowt wonder how they get
along at night, ill cities without gas.
                             PAVEIY IENTS AND SEWERS.
  All the Streets and Avenues in the business portion of the city are paved with stone,
making in the agregate about 13 miles of paved streets, and, the work of paving is progressing, and will continue until every street is paved.
  A proper system of sewerage is of vital importance to the prosperity of any city.   As a
preventive of sickness, as a matter of economy and comfort addresses itself to every citizen.  The subject engaged the early attention of the authorities of the city, and a large
stone and brick sewer was constructed along the track of the creek which formerly run
through the low grounds between Jefferson Avenue and Fort street.  Since which time
a number of sewers have been constructed in various sections of the city.  The sewers
are constructed of brick, and are circular, from 3 to 5 feet diameter.  They  are constructed by the city, and paid for out of a fund raised by general tax for that purpose,
and premises drained into them, subjected to an annual "Sewer Tax."



                                    PI,ANIK ROARS.
  There are seven Plank Roads leading from the city into the country, the aggregate length
of which is about 300 miles; they are:
  The Detroit and Grosse Point, Detroit and Erin, Detroit and Birmingham, Detroit and
Ilowell, Detroit and Saline, Detroit and Monroe, Detroit and Plymouth.
                                      THE RIVE ft.
  The Detroit River is 25 miles in length, between lakes St. Clair and Erie, average width
one mile, depth 6 fathoms, current 2 miles an hour, and it is estimated that at this velocity at a transverse section, opposite the city, where it is contracted to about 52 chains it
discharges 190,270,080 cubic feet per hour, or 3,171,168 cubic feet per minute.
  There are seventeen islands in tihe river.  The names of these are, "Clay,"  "Celeroo,"
"Hickorv," " Sugar, " Bois Blanrc," "Elba," "Fox," "Rock,"" Stoney," " Grosse, "Turkey,'
"Fighting," "Mammy Judy," " Grassy," "Mud," " Belle" and" Peach."  The two latter are
situated a few miles above, and within sight of the city, near the entrance to Lake St. Clair
The largest of which is Belle Isle (formerly Hog Island).  Peach Island was the home  of
Pontiac.  Parkman in his "; History of the Conspiracy of Pontiac," says, "Pontiac, the Satan
of this forest paradise, was accustomed to spend the early part of the summer upon a small
island at the opening of Lake St. Clair, hidden from view by the high woods that covered
the intervening *Isle au Cochou.
  "Thie king and lord of all this country," as Rogers calls him,  " lived illn no royal state.
tis cabin was a small, oven-shaped structure of bark and rushes. Here he dwelt with his
squaws and children; and here, doubtless, he might often have been seen, carelessly reclining his naked form on a rush mat, or a bear skin, like an ordinary warrior."
  The other fifteen islands are situated within the first twelve miles of the river, after entering it firom Lake Erie, some of which are in view of the city.  The largest of which is Grosse
Isle, on which are a number of large and well cultivated farms.  This island is a very popular retreat for citizens of Detroit during the heat of summer.   On some of the others there
are extensive stone quarries; and on many of these, as well as Belle Isle and Peach, are extensive fisheries, where large quantities of white fish are annually taken.  Father Hennepin,
who was a passenger on the "Griffin," the first vessel that crossed Lake Erie, in 1679, in
his description of the scenery along the route, says," the islands are the finest in the world;
the strait is finer than Niagara; the banks are vast meadows and the prospect is terminated



*Now Belle Isle,







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with some hills covered with vineyards, trees bearing good fruit, groves and forests so well
disposed, that one would think that nature alone could not have made, without the help of
art, so charming a prospect."  The streams emptying into the strait, are, on the Canada side,
the river aux Canards, and on the American shore, the HIuron river, Monquagon creek, river
Ecorse, river Rouge, May's creek, below the city, and Bloody Run and Connor's creek above.
  The vilages on the Canada shore, are Amerstburgh, near the entrance to Lake Erie, Sanldwich, about three miles below Detroit, and Windsor directly opposite the city. On the
American shore, Gibralter, opposite Amherstburgh, Trenton opposite Grosse Isle, and Wyandotte, about ten miles below the city.
  Fort Malden is situatedjust above the village of Amerstburgh, in Canada: and Fort Wayne
is situated on the American shore, on the Sand Hill, about three miles below the city.
                                  THE CLIMATE.
  The climate of Detroit is temperate; snow falls at firom six to eighteen inches deep, and
never remains more than a few weeks.   The transition from the cold of spring to the
heat of summer is rapid; firom summer to winter gradual and prolonged.   As general
characteristics, the spring is wet and prolonged; summer dry; autumn mild; winter cold
and dry.  The average temperature in the spring is 50 Farenheit; summer 80; winter
20; autumn 60 to 65.



ELEVATIONS.



  The elevations of dfferent localities in the city, above the   I
 Jefferson Avenue from the  " Shelby        "          31
Michigan Central R. R. Depot  "Wayne         "           31
to theeast line of the city at "Cass         "          31
the intersection of different " First        "           31
sts.                           "Second    "              29
At Third street,          4 ft. "Third       "    30
  Second  "               5    "Fourth       "    29
 First    "              6    "Fifth         "    29
 Cass      "            18   "Sixth         "    28
 Wayne   "              25       Seventh    " 26
 Shelby   "             28    " Eighth       "    25 
   "Griswold"            28   Fort street from MWoodward
 Woodward Ave.          26   Avenue to the west line of the
" Bates street,         26   city.
 Randolph street,       26   AtWoodwardAve.             23 ft
  "Brush street,        26    " Griswold street,       29
 Beaubien street,       26   "Shelby        "          33
 St. Antoine"           27    "Wayne        "          34
  Hastings   "          29    "Cass         "          33
 Rivard       "         31    "First        "          33
 Russell      "         26   "Second    "              31
 Riopelle    "          23    "Third        "          27
 Orleans    "           20    "Fourth    "             25
  Lafayette Street.            "Fifth        "          23
At Griswold street,      27    " Sixth       "          21 |



  The country back of the city gradually rises until it reaches at Birmingham, 18 miles
from the city, an elevation of 200 feet above the Detroit River, and Pontiac 25 miles
north of the citv. is 386 feet above the river, and the Detroit and Milwaukee Rail Road
passes over an elevation of 400 feet between Detroit and Pontiac.
                           FIRE,S-FIRE DEPARTMENT.
  Few cities of its size have suffered by fire to the same extent as the city of Detroit
has. In 1704 an attempt was made by the Indians to destroy it by fire who partly succeeded. In 1805 it was almost entirely consumed (but one house escaped.) In 1837
neaily four squares in the business part of the city were destroyed.   In 1842 one of the
best business squares in the city was entirely swept off, and in 1848 four squares were






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etroit River is as follows:
   Seventh 20
  Eighth 19
Woodward Avenue from the
River to the north line of the
city.
At Atwater street, 6 ft
" Woodbricl,,e st.        15
" Toffersoii Ave., 26
  L-,iriied street, 25
  Congress 20
  Fort 23
   State 26
  Grand River St., 24
  Clifford street, 23
   Grand Circus St.       25
  Adams Avenue, 28
  Eliz,-tbetli street, 28
'Alontealm 29
  H igh 32
  Ilenry 3 5
  sii)l ey 37
  Toll Gate, 50
  North line citv,       58
Gratiot Road at 6rl-ins
 St.. 45







SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



burnt over, in the centre of the city. Besides these several very severe and calamitious fires
might be enumerated.  The first Fire Engine Company was organized in 1815, and the engine used by this Company was taken firom Commodore Perry's Flag Ship-previous to
this a "'bag, bucket and battering ram comp'y" had been organized, and the inhabitants were
required under penalty to keep on their respective premises a certain quantity of water
in a wooden cask arranoed with handles and provided with a pole so that two men could
sling it upon their shoulders and convey it to a fire.  Each house was to be provided with
a ladder and a certain number of buckets.
  The first engine purchased by the city was purchased in 1825 by Hon. J. R. Williams,
then MIayor of Detroit, to man which a company was organized and called "Protection
Engine Company No. 1I"  In 1827 another Engine was procured and a Company organized to man the same. which was called "Eagle Company No. 2."  In 1840 the Fire Department consised of Four Engine Companies: "Protection No. 1," "Eagle No. 2," "-Wolverine No. 3," "LaFayette No. 4," one Eose Company,'"Hurlbut No. 1'," and one Hook, Ladder
and Axe Company.



  The Legislature in 1840, granted a charter to the Department-the officers named in
the act were Robert E. Roberts, President; Frederick Buhl, Vice President; Edmun(l R.
Kearsley, Secretary; Darius Lamson, Treasurer, and Elijah Goodell, Collector.   The firemen of the city having previously organized the Dep.rrnent and elected the foregoing persons as officers.
  Subsequently the following gentlemnen have been elected to and discharged the duties of
President: John Owen, Chauncy Hurlbut, David Smart, J. A. Van Dyke, Eben N. Wilcox,
and John Patton.
  Shortly after the organization of the Department an effort was made to raise a fund
ostensibly for the benefit of widows and orphans of members of the Department. A small
amount was at first realized, but this was carefully fostered and loaned on interest, which,
with the amount received from the annual balls, given by the Department, the annual
donations firom citizens, which were always liberal, the fund in 1849, besides the amount
paid for relief, amounted to something over $6,000. with which was purchased a lot; and
it was determined to erect thereon a Hall. Proposals were received, and it was ascertained that'to erect a suitable building would cost $15,000.  The firemen at once determined to erect the building, and authoriz3d the President, Hlon. James A. Van Dyke. to
effect a loan to the amount of $8,000 secured on the property, which he accomplished,
and the building was put under contract, relying upon the liberality of their fellow citizens to aid in completing it, and the promptness with which they came forward to their
aid, when it was found that they had gone to the extent of their means, showed that no
false estimate was placed on their liberality.  The ladies, too, always ready to lend their
aid to every good work, came to their rescue, and got up a Fair to increase their fund,
from which was realized a little short of $1,000- finding a sufficient remuneration  to
them for the labor and expense bestowed to witness the completion of an edifice, from
which, in all after time, the firemen will derive an annual income, which will enable them
to contribute to the widows, and education of the orphans of their members.
  The Hall was completed in the fall of 1851, and opened to the public, when Mad'lle Parodi gave her first concert in this city in it, who said of it-," I think it one of the very best
that I ever sang in, and the comforable arrangement for the performers is an admirable
feature in the building." It is alike the monument of the liberality and gratitude of our
citizens, for which they are distinguished, and the prudence and good management of the
Department in fostering their means to enable them to erect it.
  The amount due on the building will soon be swept away, leaving a permanent and
perpetual income of about $2,000 per annum, to be used for benevolent purposes, which






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46                        SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.

result is certainly gratifying to the originators and projectors of the enterl)prise, as well as
to all who have contributed either in labor or means, to accomplish it.
  David Smart Esq., is deserving of the gratitude and thanks of every member of the Department, for his untiring efforts in raising the first funds which was the foundation of
the noble result.  But to the Hon. James A. Van Dyke were they particularly indebted
for the early erection of the Hall, who (notwithstanding his own multiplied and pressing ecng,agements,) devoted much of his time and energies during the three years he served as
President of the Departmient, for the accomplishment of this object.  On  the completion
of the Hall, Mr. Van Dyke retired from the Presidency, when the Depart nent tenlderedocl
him its "thanks for his untiring zeal and successful efforts in promoting its good, and resolved, as a token of their high esteem and affectionate regard to procure a full length
portrait of himn to adorn those walls he had devoted so much time to raise.   The portrait,
painted by the emincit artist, Hicks, of New York, was procured and elegantly framed, at
an expense, in all, of near seven hundred dollars.
  The following gentlemen have, in turn, held the office of Chief Engineer of the Department:
  Levi Cook, Noah Sutton, Henry V. Dishrow, Theodore Williams,  Chauncy Hurlbut,
James Stewart, William Barclay, William Duncan, Lucretius H. Cobb and John Patton,
William Duncan present incumbent.
  The Fire Department at present consists of 8 Engines, "Protection No 1,"' Eale No.
2," "Wolverine No. 3," "LaFayette No. 4," "Washington No. 5," "Neptune No. 6,"'Union
No. 7," and "Continentals No. 8,"' and one Hook, Ladder and Axe Company. Each ot the
several Companies have very substantial brick houses, two stories high, aomre of whom
have very elegantly furnished meeting, rooms.  That of the "Eagles," it is believed is not
excelled by any F'r3 Company in the United States.
                                YOUNG MENSS SOCIETY.
  The Detroit Young Men's Society was organized in January 1843, when the la'e Dr. Douo2lass Houghton delivered the first lecture before the association.   On the 26th, of March
1836 the Society was incorporated by the Legislature.
  The exercises of the Society are continued only during the fall and winter months, andl
consist of debates and lectures alternately one evening in every week.
  In 1850 the Society purchased a very desirable lot, 48 feet front and 100 feet deep, on
Jefferson Avenue, between Bates and Randolph streets, and erected a superb building there
on 48 by 95 feet.  On the first floor are two spacious stores, over which is their elegal,t
Hall. The entrance to the Hall is be ween the two stores, over the entrance and front part
of the stores are appropriate committee and library rooms.   The Society have a large and
well selected Library of about 3000 volumes.
   The following gentlemen have been elected to and discharged the duties of President
 of the Society, as follows:
   In 1833, Franklin Sawyer, Jr.,                  In 1842, John S. Abbott,
           Douglass Houghton,                     In 1843, Samuel T'. Douglass,
   In 1834, Jacob M. Howard,                       In 1841, Asher S. Kellogg,
             Charles W. Penny,                    In 1845, Bela Hubbard,
   In 1835, George C. Bates,                       In 1846, Witter J. Baxter,
            Marshall J. Bacon,                     In 1847, Thomas W. Lockwood,
           James A. Armstrong,                    In 1848, James V. Campbell,
   In 1836, John N. Talbot,                        In 1849, Ed. C. Walker,
            Alexander W. Buel,                     In 1850, D. Bethume Duffield,
            Geo:e E. Hand,                         In 1851, U. Tracy Howe,
   In 1837, David E. Harbaugh,                     In 1852, Halmer H. Emmons,
   In 1838, Franklin Sawyer, Jr.,                  In 1853, George V. N. Lothtop,
   In 1839, James A. Van Dyke,                     In 1854, Charles I. Walker,
   In 1840, John G. Atterbury,                     In 1855, Levi Bishop.
   In 1841, Samuel Barstow,





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                         SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.                            47
                                ]M[t'CHANICl SOCIE'Y.
  Tile Mechanics' Society of the City of Detroit, was founded in the year 1818, and incorporated by all act of the Governor and Judges of the Territory of Michigan, in 1820,
their charter was renewed in 1839 by the State Legislature.
  The Society own a very elligibly situated lot, about one hundred feet square on the corner of Griswold and LaFayette streets, on which their Hall is situated.  It is in contemplation to erect on this site a large and elegant Hall. They have a well selected Library of about 2000 volumes, and it is the very place where every young mechanic and apprentice can store his mind with all that has been published upon the arts and sciences
Could an arrangemenit be made with this and the Young Men's Society whereby their Libraries could be united, they would together form a Library unequalled in the west, and
such an arrangement no doubt would be to the mutual advantage of both Societies.
                                 LAKE NAVIGATION.



   Up to 1679 the lakes were only navigated by birch bark canoes.  But in August of
that year, the first vessel that ever crossed Lake Erie, arrived at Detroit. This vessel was
sixty tons burden, and called the "Griffin" it was constructed at Erie, then Fort Frontinac,
by Robert de LaSalle, her commander. Father Louis Ilennepin, a missionary was among
the passengers. The Griffin proceeded up the Lake to Green Bay, from which place
she sailed on the 18th, of September, on her return with a cargo of furs, and was lost on
Lake Erie, with all on board.  Other vessels were afterwards at an early day constructed
of a greater burden, and in 1793 the British Government had a number  of men-of-war
on the Lakes, of two hundred tons burden, each carrying eight guns.
  September 10th, 1813, the hostile fleets of England and the United States on Lake Erie
met at the head of the Lake, and a very severe battle ensued.   The fleet bearing the'red
cross' of England, consisted of six vessels, carrying sixty-four guns, under command of
the veteran Commodore Barclay, and the fleet bearing the'broad stripes and bright stars
of the United States, consisted of nine vessels, carrying fifty-four guns, under command of
the young and inexp)crienced, but brave Commodore Perry. The result of this conflict
was made known to the world in the following dispatch, written at 4 P. M., of that day.
  DEAR GE;NERAL  -We have met the enemy, and they are ours.  Two ships, two brigs, one
schooner and one sloop.                  With esteem, &c.,
  General William Jones.                                                   O. H PERRY.
  Captain Chelsea Blake, that veteran sailor, so long and favorably known on these waters as "COMNIODORE OF THE LAKES," and who for many years, sailed the splendid steamers
Michigan and Illinois, built by his early and steadfast friend, Oliver Newbury, Esq., of this
city, commanded the good schooner General Jackson in 1816, then owned by Messrs.
Mack & Conant, of this city.  For  so many years  and so intimately-through battle,
breeze and storm had our citizens known Blake, from the time he volunteered to sustain
his country's flag under General Scott, at Lundy's Lane, until through every vicissitude
of a sailor's life, he had won for himself the distingutishiong title which he bore at his
death, that his name must forever be associated with the lake, which became his favorite
element. Of almost giant size, and commanding presence, no sonl of Neptune ever united in his composition a rarer combination of the qualities which make a true seaman,
a safe commander, a genuine hero.
  Rough as the billows whose impotent assualts on his vessel he ever laughed to scorn,
with voice as hoarse as the tempest which he delighted to rule, this gallant son of the sea
had withal a woman's tenderness of heart to answer the appeals of distress. Sincere was
the grief of m-my he had relieved, and universal the regret among all who had ever sailed
with him, when he fell a victim to cholera, at Milwaukee, in the year 1849.
  Scarcely less closely associated with the rise and progress of vessel and steam navigation
on the lakes, is the name of our respected fellow citizen, Oliver Newbury, who has also en





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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



titled himself to, and received the rank of "ADMIRAL OF TIE L,AKES." As he still survives his
favorite Captain, it may be unbecoming to speak of him in the terms which his persistent
enterprise through the lapse of so many long years, justly deserves.  From the commencement of his career in this city, to the present time, he has been more or less largely interested
as owner of schooners, brigs ships and steamers, always of the first class in their day, ani
at one time ranked as the proprietor of the largest fleet on the great chain of lakes. For
the good he has done by the employment of so many, and the promotion of the city's
name for spirit.and enterprise among the proudest cities of the land, his memory will
always be cherished with affection and pride.
  The General Jackson was subsequently commanded by our venerated townsman  still
living, Commodore Brevort, and was wrecked a few years after on Lake H-uron. Commodore Brevort also bore a gallant part in Perry's conflict, in testimony and gratful recognition of which his country voted him a gold medal.
  In 1817 the published marine list chronicled as the arrivals during the week ending July
24th, ten schooners and one sloop, the latter having the passengers on board —and clearances, one sloop, and six schooners.  In 1854, the arrival of vessels at this port, during
the season, numbered 2,434, their aggregate tonnage was 1,048,494, and the clearances
numbered 2,554, aggregate tonnage 1,244,137.
  The number of vessels enrolled at the Detroit Custom House, in September, 1855, is as
follows: steam boats, 60, and steam propellers, 23-tonnage;34,285,30-95.  Sail vesselsbarques 5, brigs 9, schooners 123, scow schooners 15, scows 17, sloops 44-total, 213tolnnage, 35,653, 50-95.  Total tonnage of steam and sail vessels, 69,878,80-95, making
together of steam boats and sail vessels enrolled in this district about three hundred, the
largest of which, the steamer "Western World," is 2,002 tons burden.
                     STEArl1 B)ATS AND S'IrEAM BOAT RIt'TES.
   The Steam Boat Walk-in-the-Water, Captain Jedediah Rogers, was the first Steam(r
 that navigated the lakes, and her arrival at Detroit for the first time, was chronicled May
 20th, 1819.
   The following notice of a trip to Mackinaw, appeared at that date in a New York City
 paper.
   "The swift Steamboat, Walk-in-the-Water, is intended to make a voyage early in the sum mer from Buffalo on Lake Erie, to Michilimnakinack, on lake Huron, for the conveyance of
 company. The trip has so near a resemblance to the famous Argonantic expedition in
 the heroic ages of Greece, that expectation is quite alive on the subject.  Many of our
 most distinguished citizens are said to have already engaged their passage for this splen did adventure."
   The Walk-in-the-Water was advertised to make one trip weekly, from Black Rock to
 Detroit, and back, touching at the principal towns on the American shore.
   The "Walk-in-the-Water was wrecked near Buffalo, in the fall of 1821. Thomas Pal mer, Esq., and lady and Mrs. Felix Hinchman of this city, were on board at the time,
 no lives were lost. The Steam Boat Superior was built during the following winter, un der the superititendance of Captain Rogers, and was launched in the month of May, 1822,
 and made tri-monthly trips, firom Buffalo to Detroit during the summer
    This was the commencement of the era of steam in navigation-and now in 1855, there
 are times when there is not room at our two miles of wharves for the number of steamers
  that throng them-many of which are magnificent, and as perfect specimens of steam
  craft as can be found in the world, and the broad stream is firequently. for miles above and
  below the city, studded and whitened with the sails of whole fleets of brigs, schooners and
  sloops.
    Steam boats for the conveyance of passengers now leave this city regularly, as follows:
    From Detroit to Buffalo, Daily.-Three magnificent steamers, consisting of the "Wes







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SKETCHSS OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



terin AVold," 2,002 tons burden; "Plymoutli Rock," 1,991 t-is burden'; and "Buckeye
State," 1,274 tons burden, form a daily line, connecting at Detroit with the M.  C. R. R.
These boats m,ake the trip on the north shore, and go through without stopping-running
time l5 hours.
'PrIom Detroit to Port Huron, )Daily. —Thie splendid steamers " Porester"' and' Ruby,"
'orm a daily line.  Throngh by daylight.
  From Detroit to Ports on Lake  Superior.-Four magnificent steamers, consisting of
the "Illinois," "North Star," "Planlet," a'nd "Northerner," ply regularly to  Ontoiag-),n,
and other ports on Lake Superior passing through the Sault Ste. Mary Canal.
  From Detroit to Cleveland, Daily.-Steaners "Liay Quceln' and " Ocean.'
  From Detroit to Sandusky-Steamer "Bay City"-daily.
  From Detroit to Toledo, Daily-Steamers "Dart" and "Ar'row."
  Fromn Detroit to shl7tcy-Steame's "Albion" and "Pearl."
  From Detroit to Port Sarnia, C. W.-Steamer "Canadiani"
  The Steavm Boats'"Transit," " Molhawk," and "Argo," (ferr ies) ply constantly between Detroit and Windsor.
  Three regula' lines of PROPELLtRS are established as follows:
  From Detroit to Dunkirk, connecting at Dunkirk with the New York & Erie Rail Road.
  Fromn Delroit to Bufalo, connecting at Bu'ffalo with the New York Central Rail Road
and Erie Canal.
  From Detroit to Ogadensburglh and Cape  F'incent, Lvke  Ontaro, passing through the
Welland Canal, connecting with the'Ogdensburgh and Vermont  Central Rail Road, between Ogdeisburgh and Boston, and Cape Vincent Rail Road, between New York and Cape
Vincent.
  Besides these a large number of propellers are engaged in carrying freight to various
ports on the Takes, above and below, and thouSands of brlgs and schooners arrive and clear
durinng a season.



LRAIlL ROA]3.



   The first railways, formed on the plani of mnakilig a distinct surface and track for thewheels seems to have been constructed near Newcastle upon the river Tyne in Englanldl
In Roger North's Life of Lord Keeper North, he says, that at this place (in 1676) tbocoals
were conveyed fro'n the mines to the banks of the river, by laying rails of timber exact'ly
strait and patallel; and bulkly carts were maade with four rollers fitting those railS, whereby
the carriage was made so easy that one horse would draw four or five chaldrons of coaL'
In 1776, Mr. Carr constructed an ir-on railroad at the Sheffield colliery.   The rails were
supported by wooden sleepers, to which they were nailed.  Railways were afterwaxd used
in a number of ether collieries, and in 1825 the first railway was suecessfnlly adopted on
a public thoroughfare for the tranportation of merchandise and passengers onl the Stockton and Darlington railroad in Englanld, 25 nmiles in lelIg,h. From that time a new era
commenced in the history of railroad transportation and railroads now extend like a netork over thle greater part of England.  The first locomotive engintoused as thle motive poweronrailroads was used on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway in 1830,   In 1827 the
first railroad in the United States was constructed from Quincy near Boston to Neponset
river, a distance of three miles.  It was constructed solely for the ti-ansportation of
granite from the quarries.  In 1828 the Mauch Chunek Railroad, nine miles in length, was
finished: this was constructed solely for the transportation of coal.  In 1826 the Legislature of the State of New York chartered the " HudsQon and Mohawk Railroad Company,"
which was the first railroad company chartered in the United States.  On. the 12th day of
August, 1830, the first ground was broken at Scheniectaday for a double track road to Albany, and the road was in operation the following spring.  The cars used were coach bod



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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



ies, of the ordinary form.  The nmotive power first used was horse, and on steep inclinations
stationary steam power. A locomotive engine called "John Bull," procured from England,
was placed on it during that year. The Newcastle and Frenbchtown Railroad was constructed in 1829.  This road extended from Newcastle on the Delaware, to the Elk river,
near Frenchtown, 16h miles, and was the first railroad constructed in the United States
for the conveyance of passengers.  The first engine on a railroad weighed but six tonls,
while at the present day engines of forty tons weight (including tenders) have been introduced on some roads.
  In 1830 there were but 41 miles of railroad in operation in the United States; in 1840,
2,167 miles; in 1850, 8,655 miles; and in 1854, there were 430 lrailroads in operation'
having an aggregate length of 20,619 miles-4,000 miles of which are double track roads.
And it is estimated that there are about 13,000 miles more of railroads now in various stages of construction.
  The project of a railroad across the Peninsula of Michigan, was agitated as early as 1830,
a.t which time the Legislature of the then Territory of Michigan adopted a memorial to
the general government in favor of the establishment of a canal or railroad route from
Detroit to the mouth of St. Joseph River on Lake Michigan.
  In 1832 the Legislature incorporated the "Detroit and St. Joseph Railroad Company."
In 1834 Leiut. J. M. Berrien, under authority of the War Department, surveyed the route
of the road and submitted his report to a convention of the friends of the measure, held in
Detroit in December of that year. The Directors and officers of the Company were as
follows:  Maj. John Biddle, President; Charles C. Trowbridge, Oliver Newberry, Shubael
Conant, E. A. Brush, I-leiry Whiting, J. Burdick, H. H. Comstock, M'ark Norris and C. N.
Omsby, Directors; John M. Berrien, Chief Eagineer; A. J. Center, assistant Engineer;
and A. H. Adams  Secretary and Treasurer.   The construction of the road was commenced by this company in 1836.  Who surveved the road from Detroitto Jackson and located it to Dexter.  This company graded about ten miles of the road in detached parts between Detroit and Ypsylanti. They expended for grading, ironl, cars, bridges &c., the sum
of $139,702 79. Soon after Michigan was admitted into the Union, the Legislature adopted
a grand scheme of internal improvements and effected a loan of five millions of dollars, for
the purpose of constructing public works-railroads and canals. This had the effect to cheek
individual enterprise, and the Detroit and St. Joseph Railroad Company transferred their
interests to the State in t e year 1837.  The State completed and opened  tro road to
Ypsilanti in 1838, to Ann Arbor in 1839, to Jackson in 1842, and to Kalamazoo in 1843.
The State constructed the road with the wood and flat bar superstructure as far as Kalamazoo, 143 miles from Detroit.  When in 1846 it was purchased from the State by capitalits, firom New York an(l New England, for the sum of two million of dollars, and a charter was granted them by the Legislature incorporating them a company under the style
of the Michigan Central Railroad Company.



                       /IICHIGAN CENTRAL  RAILROAD.
  The design of the State was to make a road across the Peninsula only from Detroit to
Lake Michigan.  But it was at once apparent to the new owners that, with the great and
growing west beyond, the ultimate interest of the stockholders-though perhaps temporarily suffering-would be promoted by the construction of a more permanent work, of
large capacity, and its extension through the State of Indiana to Chicago, in Illinois. The
charter of the company gave them ample power to extend their road through this State,
and the company soon made arrangements with the New Albany and Salem Railroad Company to use their right to build a road from Michigan City to the State line of Illinois, and
with the Illinois Central Railroad Company, whereby they were enabled to reach Chicago,
which they accomplished in 1852. At Chicago the road connects with nearly 1500 miles
of Railway and their extensive Steamboat connections.




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SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



The Michigan Central Road also now connects with the Joliet and Northern Indiana road
Lake Station, 35 miles east of Chicago, by which arrangement passengers from St. Louis,
be set down in J'ew York in about forty-eight hours, and freight can be transported bett'een Detroit and the.lississippi River without breaking bulk on the route. At Detroit the
Michigan Central road connects with the Great Western Railway from Detroit to Niagara
through Canada West, and with their own line of magnificent Steamers on Lake Erie,

which pass down the north shore of the Lake going through without' stopping in is hours.
Tbe run four passenger trains through from Detroit to Chicago, daily, arid one accom
The aggregate number of passengers conveyed on the road during the year ending May
31st, 185w was 503,774, (being 145,838 more than th year previous,) making a daily average
of nearly 1700. The aggregate number of tons of fieight moved on the road during the
same time was 24825, being an increase over the year previous of 25,265 tons.'l'be earn
in gs of the road for the same time amounted to the sum of $2215,283, being 635,871 more
in the year previous and the expenses of the road were for same time $2,335.62 and
31,683 more than the year previons. The net earnings of the road for same time

The annual business of the road has increased in the last six years as follows in the
number of passengers conveyed, from 152,672 to 503,664; in the number of tons of freight
from 81,06 to 241,826 tons; in gross earnings, from $691,972 to $2,213,283; and

net earnings, from $390,323 to $879,635.  The operating expenses from  $301, 649 to



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    amutdtih   u   f$7,5,big 2410mr   hntepeiu  er


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Cost of'oad including depots,     -         -         -         -          $10,3C0,147 03
Stock in Steamboats,           -                                                 343,880 04
Stock and Bonds in other Rotds,              -         -          -            1,399,763 99
            Total,      -          -         -         -         -         -    $12,043,791 06
    There are 64 Locomotive Enoiines on the road,'11 of which were constructed  in the
Company's shiops in this city, and 4 by the Detroit Locomotive Works, and the others at
eastern manufactories. There are onil the road 57 first and 1l2 second class pass cn ercars
630.8 wheeled box fireight cars; 150, 8 wheeled open cars; 11, 4 wheeled box c; ri.
         Total Passenger Car s C, 9.
        Total Freight Cars 16391.
    And 20 gravel dumper s. 70 hand cairs, and 60 repair and wood cars.
    All the carsl of every kind in use on this )adt were built by  the company in their own
shlops; and the company employ about 12C0 men in operating the road and car and engine
building.
    The population of that section of the State tributary to this road is 216,852; the number
of acres of improved land 844,309; and( the products of the district in 1854 was as follows:
3,137,81 bushels of wheat. 3,450.946 bushels of corn, 943,330 bushels of grain, 1,078,244
bushels of potatoes, 86,760,889 feet of lumber; there are 298 saw mills and 93 flour mills in
the section. The Depot grounds of this company, in Detroit, embrace an area of twentytwo acres of land, all enclosed. They have twenty-six hundred feet of dock front on the river.
Along this is their freight depot building, constructed of brick, two stori.;es high, one hundred
feet wide and eight hundred feet long. This building can store one hundred thousand barrels
of flour.  Adjoining this, and fronting on Third street, is their Passenger Depot, three hundred
 and twenty feet long and seventy feet wide; in one end of which are their ticket office, ladies' room
 baggage room, &c., on the first floor, and in the second story are the Superintendents and Treasurers' offices, Engineers' Rooms, Local Superintendant and Cashier offices, and also the general
 ticket office and duplicate bill department. Below the freight depot there are also two large
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constructed of brick, one hundred and twenty feet long sixty feet wide and seventyive- feet
high.  Besides these there are within the enclosure all engine-house one handred uand-thirty five
feet diameter, surmounted with a dome eighty-five feet high, with sixteen apartments for engines, two machine and blacksmith shops, one of which is one hundred! and sixty feet lon,.sixty
feet wide and two stories high, in which are twenty-three forges, the other is one hundred and
eighty feet long and fifty-five feet wide, having 31 fires,. and both furnished with blast from
a fan run by a stationary engine.  In the second story are a large number  of lathes, planing
machines, &c., for working iron.
  Adjoining is a large shop for building and repairing. cars, one hlunred and sixty-nine feet
long, fifty-five feet wide, and two stories high.  All the machinery of this shop and the machine shops is (riven by a large stationary engine, placed in a buildin,g between the two.
There is a'so between the two a large smoke stack, thirteen feet square and, one hundred
and fifty feet high, by means of which all the smoke  of the shops is carried off by underground flues.']'There are also lumber, store alnd other buildings.
  This road is second to none in the west in permanency  and  solidity, or in its conduct and
management.  It is the pride of our state and city,. and has adled much to the permanent
business of both.
  TheL officers of the company are as follows
  President-J. W. FORBES, Boston.
  Vice President-J. W. Brooks, Detroit.
  Di-rectors-J. MA. Forbes, R. B. Forbes, J. E. Thayer, Geg. B. Upton, Boston,. D. D. Willi<amson, John C. Green, New York; Erastus Corning, Albany; J. W. Brooks, Elon Farnsworth, Detroit.
  Treasurer-Isaac Livermore.                     Freighlt Agent-Johnll Hosmer.
  Superintendent-Reuben N. Rice, Detroit.    Auditor —E. Willard Smith.
  Local T1reasurer-U. Tracy Howe.                Supt. Motive Power-S. T. Newhall.
  Local Superintendent-Charles M.. Hurd.         Supt. Car Work-S. C. Case.
  Cashier-Geo. W. Gilbert. 



                     DETROIT AN]D IIILWAUKEE RAILWAY~
  The "Detroit and'filwaukie Railway Companjy"  was incorporated by the Legislature of
Iichigan, in Y,ebruary, 1855 with authority to consolidate the Detroit and Pontiac (incorporated in 1834) and the Oakland and. Ottowa (incorporated in 1850) RailRoad, companies, and
the consolidation was consummated on the 21st day of April, A. D. 1855, by which  act  the
property, rights and franchises of the "Detroit and Pontiac' and " Oakland  and Ottowa'
companies were vested in the "Detroit and Milwaukee Railway Company,"' and placed under
the direction of a Board composed of the following gentlemen.
  HENRY  N.  WALKEER, President; Henry Ledyard, Yice  President;  H.  P. Baldwin, B.
TWright, E. A. Brush, E.  B. Ward, Detroit;  W.  M. McConnell, Pontiac; -I. P. Yale,
Grand Rapids, Directors.
  C. C. Trowbridge, Secretary and Treasurer. 
  R. Higham, Chief Engineer.
  Names that are a sufficient guarantee to the public to ins-re the sucess of any enterprise
they undertake.
  The Detroit and Milwaukee Railway is to extend from the city of Detroit to Grand Haven, Lake Michigan, 185 miles, passing through the northern tier of counties of the lower
peninsula.  They are the richest portions of the state, abounding in lumber, plaster, water-lime, coal, salt springs and other valuable elements of wealth. They are also some of
the very best farm lands in the state, and yet the least developed, for want of a railway or
other available communication commensurate with their business requirements.  This road, *
which is now partially completed, and its construction along the entire length rapidly prosecuted, will soon supply their great deficienc,y and pour their products and that of the valleys




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of the Shiawassee, the Maple and Grand River into the city of Detroit, which is their natura
depot and market, at once giving the road a local traffic equal to that of the most favored
road in the western states.
  The population of that section of the state tributary to this road  in 1854 was  241,164.
The number of acres of improved land was 820,004, and the products of the district were  as
follows: 2,329,389'%iisheis of wheat, 2,081,695 bushels of corn, 872,881 buslels of grain, 1,140,418 bushels of potatoes, and 350,000,000 feet,of lumber.  There  were at that time 99
flour mills and 352 saw mills in the district.
  At Corunna, in Shiawassee county, the road crosses the Bituminous coal beds, which have
now been tested for four years and found to be of the best quality, and which will be exteusively opened when the means of transporting the coal to a market is afforded, which the
construction of this road will do.
  At Grand Rapids the line passes the gypsum beds, which are extensively worked now,
and will form a large itemn of freight on this road, to supply the wheat growing counties contiguous to it
  This road when finished, will be a complete work in itself, extending across the entire State
from the straits which connect Lakes Erie and St. Ctair, at the city of Detroit, the commercial capital of the State, to Lake MAichigan, and might rely solely upon the resources of the
contiguG'us territory along the line for support, but its position as part of the great Northern
trtuk line, from Boston, New York and Monrtreal, to the Mississippi River and finally  from
thence to the Pacific Ocean, gives it in a measure a national character, and secures a large
amount of through traffic between the country west of Lake Michigan and the east.   The dis
tance by this road, between New York and Milwaukee, is i06 miles shorter than by any oth
er route.
  At Detroit the road forvms a connection with the Great Western Railway from Detroit to
Niagara Falls through Canada Wrest, and from  thence by several different routes  to the
cities on the sea-board, both in the States and Canada.
  At C- rand Haven on Lake Mickigan a connection is formed by steam ferries across the Lake
to Milwaukee, cennec,ting with the five different railroads terminating in that city, extending
west to the Mississippi River, to-wit: The "Milwaukee and Mississippi," to Prairie du Chien.
the'"MIilwaukee and La Cross," the "Racine, Kenosha and Beloit," the "Manitowoc and St.
Paul's.' and the  "Milwaukee and Dubuque," or Galena Ratiiroad, and also with roads running
north to Lake Superior.  The road from Detroit passes through the villages of Royal Oak,
Birn,,inir'am, Pontiac, Waterford, Rose and IHolly, in Oakland county;  Fentonville, Litden
and Gaiaes, i, CGenesee county;  Owasso and Corunna, in Shiawassee county;  St. Johns, in
Clintton, county; Lyons, Ionia and Flat River, in Ionia county; Grand Rapids, in Kent county,
to Grand Haven in Ottowa county.
  At the last session of Congriess a bill was introduced to donate public lands for the purpose of constructing a railroad running north connecting with this road at Fentonville, to Saginaw and the Stra-its of Mackinaw, thence to the Staut St. Mary's and from thence through the
mineral regions of Lake Superior to Montreal River.  And another to Marquette River in the
county of Mason  on Lake Michigan, coninecting by steamboats across Lake Michigan  to
Manitowoc, Marquette, Eagle Harbor, and  Ontonagon, on Lake  Superior.   The growing
importance of the mining interests on Lake Superior, renider a road desirable and its construction will be required at no distant dayv which will furnish to the Detroit and Milwaukee
road an amount of business not easily appreciated. The Detroit and Milwaukee company
received from the Detroit and Pontiac company, twenty-five miles of road from Detroit to
Pontiac, which had recently been re constructed in the best manner, and which was stocked
with five locomotives, four passenger ears, and forty-eight freight cars. The road is completed to
Fentonville, 51 miles from Detroit, and it will, during the present month, be opened  to Cor





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runna, 50 miles beyond Pontiac, when 75 miles of the road from Detroit will be in operation.
Twenty-six hundred tons of iron have recently been received by the company, and the grading and superstructure of the road is rapidly progressing, and the road bed will be ready for
the rails as far as Lyons,  123 mies from Detroit, by the first of December next. The  estimated cost of the road from Detroit to Lakie Michigan is $6,192,050.
  The Depot grounds of the company in the city of Detroit are located in the centre of the
city on the river, and cover an area of about twelve acres.   Thev have sixteen hundred  and
fifty feet of dock front on the river. On these grounds there are two large store houses, fi-eiglht
sheds, an engine house for six locomotives, machine shop, smith shop, wood sheds, water
tank, &c.
  The construction of this road vwill bring to the city of Detroit an amount of business not
easily appreciated and its completion is paraminount to every other of the many projected iiprovements, for the interests and prosperity of the city.



                       TIHE GREAT AVESTERN RAILWAY.
  This popular road, which was opened in Janua,ry 1854, extends from  Windsor, opi
troit, through the cities of Chatham, London and Hamilton,to Niagara Falls, 229 mi
ing the Niagara River on the great Railway Suspension Bridge, acknowledged }y all
of the wonders of the world, and connecting with the New  York  Central and  N
and Erie Railways, for New York, Boston and all intermediate places.  It  also co
IHamilton,wvith railway and steamers to all ports on Lake Ontario and( the River
rence, and with the Great Western International Line of Steamers for Oswego, -iv
one of the quickest, and certainly the most pleasant route now open to the  Ea
steamers being fitted up with every regard to comfort and convenience, and being u
ed by any steamers upon the inland waters of America.
  The construction of the Great Western Railway, has secured for tle city of Det
was much needed, and which our citizens have long suffered for the want of, nankly,
and reliable route to the east, uninterrupted at all seasons of the year.
  The Great Western Railway is acknowledged to be one of the best constrlretedl,
efficiently managed roads on the continent of America, and has already a very  la         I
ness, both in through and local traffic, both of which are rapidly inreasing.
  The receipts for the half year ending 31st
July 1855, being,    -.
And for the same period in 1854,   - 



Showing an increase in one year of.                                              ~99,088
or upwards of 66 per cent, on the gross traffic of the line.
  There are at present 62 locomotives on the road, and 14 more are to be placed on it this
fall, making in all 76.  There are likewise on the road 45 first class passenger cars, 29 ecmigrant cars, 12 baggage, mail and express cars, 416 eight wheel and 100 four wheel box
freight cars, 122 platform, 56 cattle and 409 gravel cars; in all 1189, at present on the  road,
which, with 519 now constructing, will make a total of 1708.
  The company have lately issued ~1,000,000 of new stock, the whole of which has been
taken up by the original shareholders, and they intend at once  laying another track between
Hamilton and London, to enable them to accommodate their vast and increasing business.
  The following are the Directors of the company:
  ROBT. W. HARRIS, Esq., President.             William Dickson, Esq.,
  John S. Radcliffe, Esq., Vice President.      I. B. Smith, Esq.,
  C. I. Bryd,es, Esq, Managing Director.        Alex. Beattie, Esq.,
  Henry McKinstry, Esq.,                         Robert Gill, Esq.,
  Lieut. Col. Gourlay, Esq.,                     Peter Buchanan, Esq.,
  EX-OFFICIO DIRFECTORS.-C. Magill, Esq., Mayor of Hamilton; D. Mathieson, Esq., Varden of Oxford; H. Clench, Esq., Warden of Middlesex.
  General Office of the Company, Hamilton, Canada West.



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X- 239,193
 150.105
X99,088



Iiti l — ll-I ~1J..-".......o
tance from New York than by any other.  Let the doors be thrown open wide, and let the
citizens of Detroit extend every aid within their power for the construction of roads  terminating in the city, wherever they may extend.



DIsrSTANCES  FRO.  DFETROIT.



   VIA  DETRO I T, I OWELL AND LANSIDG I LANKILOAD
To Red ford. — — —----  1. \ illiasto             70
   Fa,T ingron I  15 To -........31  1' 0 Elason.....77
        Fa f milg on.1 91  Ol. emas              1......7
   Novi. — — —--— — —.5   Lansing... —.   84
.lilckville.       30 E      ale              91
   Neew Hudson ------ 32    l'ortl; nd...106
   Keniin-ton........ 234    Lyons  ------— — — t3
   Br ghiton..........,  40 go  17
   4well e............ 51,   Saranac (per S B)   133
   F(owler's.... 9...A...,...... 1.41
4  Terre Coup e  Qit  lowlov9!   Ads....... —...                     141
   Le I: oy ---------- 681  Grtnd Rapids..... —- 11
       VIA DEL'ROIT AND  SALINE  I'LANKROAD.
To 1,b rn. — — —--- I0 To CCinton........52
   Wa  ne -------— — — 17'iecumseh............... 57
   Ypsi~anti 29sral............17    eush..............6
    Ypei.nti — — —-— — 29    Auria............67
   Saline.............2  li_e_______4(!
 VIA DETROIT, MT CLEP,MENS AN-D ALMONT PLANKROAD'
 To Utict...............    13lo Bomeo.         40
    Mt. C em n -— — — 2         lmont -----— — — 49
    Armada; ----------- 37[
                       VIA LAiKE.
To Ashley...... — — —---- 3(0 ITo Goderich, C W —V — 8
    Algonac..- --— — — 4      Ma4k naw 3........15
    Newvport. — — —---- 48.Uu t St.  Mla-aries...335
    St. Clair.. - O-:ton agon....,. 645
    Port t           uron......... 68  uperi,,' City. — — — 70
    LexiLgt(ol-.. — — —-- 8   Green Bay. — — —- 495
                        V, t I.,AKR.
 To Monroe.-     -      ---- 401   Clevland —-.. —.1O0
    Tole o... __        Dun kirk -— —.230
    Sandusky.- --- 751 B ffalo -_                -— — — 265
                     VIA'? TEAMBOATS.
 T  Snandusky City      75 To Asllabua........ _   21 3
    Hu ron -—..                                   --  5 Conneaut...... 228
    Blaek River.       lo,5    Erie. — —-—. — —- 232
         (olr   a 3  -elad 142    Dua,kiik ---------- 286
    Grand R,ver -      -- 1721   Buffalo.         338



      VIA DnTROIT AND MILI,AUKFEE RAILWAY.
To Royal Oak.......... 12 To Counna...   75
   B-,,mingham............. IS.......(),svo             78
   Pontiac............ 26 St Joehus.........!16
   Waterford                      Lon...........115
   R,,se............... 42   Ionia....... 122
   Holnv.1. 46 F                                                       lat River......... ).i   Fenton-ville........ 51       G aria Rapids....15.
   Linde........... Grand Haven....14
   Gaines............. 3
        VIA GREAT W~ESTERN  RAILWAY, C.  W.
To Belle River. l6  ToParis.                           158
   Baptist CGeek       ------ 30 |   Fa'rcild's C  eek...167
   Cilatham.      -. — — —- 45 1 l';u1ias    -    -----— — — 18t
   Tna  esville.. 601    Hamilt,n ---— — — 8S6
   H gert s Roid          731,'t iey C eet....3
   E,:kiord.-.    -. — — —- 8,1|  G,-isl)y -----------  203
    Lo         e   -      — — — 1-0-!   B,am vil'e...20
    Lo don              ].......10     St. Catlheriae's — — — 210
    Huffman           - -— — —..1-0  Tnoro)li....221
    In- rsoll ----— — — 2~9!    N-iagara Falls.  ----- 23)
    Wood-tock.........1381   Bu ia'o             - ------— — — 252
    BienLiem...147 |
                    VIA FLANKROAD.
 To T,enton........  151 1 rO Moniroe ---------- 4)
    Gibralter              2011   Toledo.        2      0...... 65



To Cincinnati -------- 3071 ITo Cai o.............       49
   Pittsburz.. -— — — 288    Galena............   455
   R Isalsad b-y Chicago 466l  -  St. Paul.-......... 6i44
   bt. Louis.......552  M         lilwaukee _ 369









          VIA MIICHIGAN CE

To Dearbo-n...... I.O
   Wa, ne........  17
   Ypsilanti..... 29
   Geddes.........3
   Ann Arbor.........    i7
   Delhi............42
   ScUD.o...............44
   Dcxme...........        4
'hle sea...., 54
   G ass Lake........65
    Jackson..........;51
   Parma........  86 
    A b,on............. 5
    Marshal.........  107
    Ba tle Creek........1l,




I                       3,'ILE S.
'TO Galesbu,,g..........131
    + K' l.m11 azOo.........v143
   Paw Paw.......... 159
    Deeutur. - ----— —.167
    1)owagiac.. 7.....  17q
    1Niles............190
    B  eha, an        - --— — — ]97
    Terre Coup e.201
    New  Buffite       -— — — 17
    Porter............. 239
    Lak:~.a..........8
    Junction,..269
    Cliceo. 248
    Joliet........294








SKETCHES OF TffE CITY OF DETROIT.



                                     CONCLUStON.
  The city of Detroit is the commercial and mannfacturing metropolis of the state of Michigan, which is surrounded by a greater extent of navigable waters than any other state in the
Union. its territory being washed by the waters of Lakes Erie, St. Clair, Huron, Superior  and
Michigan; and its agricultural resources are great, its pineries are most extensive, its fisheries
are superior, its upper Peninsula abounds in mineral wealth. The copper and iron found there
is superior in quality and the quantity inexhaustible. Its coal and gypsum, beds and marble
quarries are inferior to none, and its salt springs are excelled only in strength by those of
New York; all of whlich are now being appreciated by our citizens, who are putting forth
their efforts to fully develope them, satisfied that every element of wealth is within their reach
and that the City of the Straits will maitntain a proud and preeminent position among her
sister cities of the Lakes and the Union.
  Three railroads now terminate here, and the fourth will be added within  the next twelve
months, connecting us with the southern tier of counties of our state, from which we have
hitherto been excluded, and with the Ohio roads leading to Cincinnati and beyond, ald the
Logansport and St. Louis railroad must inevitably extend itself to this city.
  The city contains at present numerous extensive  manufactories, a population of 50,000, a
vast number of prosperous mechanics, mostly owning their own shops and houses. We have
an improved city, a magnificent river, never swollen by flood or shallowed by (houth, with a
front of miles for wharfage and anchorage every where.   As a harbor it is excelled by few in
the world, either in pituresqueness or safety.
  The country around and tributary to the city is growing(r and  improving not less rapidly,
and the site and location of the town is admirably adapted to commercial and mechanical
business of every kind and on a large scale.  The Sault Ste  Marie canal, just completed,
opens up  to us a hitherto obstructed prospect, and secures a large and valuable trade with
the upper portion of the State.  The advantages of this trade ta Detroit are apparent.
  Detroit in many particulars is, notwithstanding the misapprehlensions of some letter writers,
the unrivalled City of the Lakes. Its growth has been steady, healthy and natural. Portions
of the city which buet a few years ago were the very outskirts: ponds formerly existing on the
Grand Circus and on the farms at the head of the "River Savoyard" where sportsmen amused
themselves hunting, duck and plover, are now far within the thickly settled and populated districts. The localities formerly occupied by forts, cantonments, block houses, magazines and
navy yards; the potato fields, commons where cattle grazed, and grave yards were, are now
compactly covered by long rows of stores and warehouses,  manufactories, mechanics' shops,
dwellings, and towering church steeples, a,d a dense, thrifty and enterprising population whose
busy hum have so changed the scene that the ancient habitant  and persons born and reared
in the land are scarcely able to recognize it.  As the poet might say:



' rn lwn a,d slopa-the red mars late abode
The:tein hoise rush s on an Ion road
Tilh  -eeple  ises al d vast g,anaries geoan
WNith r,a ducts of wide reajin  l)y commerce rade our own,
Polpds wh,:e the sporfsmi ni hunited dtl,k a' d plo er
Now withl parterr s alio pa ks are cove'ed over.
Green l:,ne~ through ehich the habitaet al( ne
Trove his charelte- to sacif us.t e! t- have grown,
Paved with cobbles which perp exed  he shtiro-e
(if his b'ue's"raits'-by  tr;,d e a ct docked of yore,
Str,its whose clear depths no pil,oues seel coul'd eaeh.
A,sw sullenlv aive back tle sC! ew-tuf's a, fn scre h.i.
 r sh from the " ack Concesion"- what sun rise
Illimes Jeana Cr pe,u's ihone  t, word ring eyesTo ee the terrace where the rampart  o vsed,
With leffty pile- of bh"cl; an( mortar  cro, ned.
Ala,! what  n,reater cbanbre  u:braiis the modern place
Con'aining new a less contented race,
Tha simple virtt es of the old, n time
Exchanged for coin-the imore almighty dime."







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APPEND I X.



DETROIT IN 1758.



JAMES BULL, ESQ, of this city, has in his possession a bound volume of the "London
Chronicle,"                                                 published in 1757, (The form of the "Chronicle" is 7 by 10 inches, published
sem     i-weeklly,)    which contains the followinig:


                                                         " PHILADELPHIA, JULY 28.
  Since our last, came to Town one Peter Lewney, who, for about a year past has been
among the French and Indians at Fort Detroit, and informs us as follows, viz: That he
was an Ensign of a Company of Rangers in the back part of Virginia, consisting of 70
men, com-manded by Capt. John Smith.  That last summer the Frontier Inhabitants, being
greatly distressed by the incursions of the enemy, their whole company went out in different parties to their assistance, except the Captain himself and nine private men, who were
in a Block House, and had with them six women and five children.
  That on the 30th of June. 1756, they were attacked by a body of Indians and some
French, and defended themselves the best part of a day, in which time, he says, they
killed thirty-two Indians and three Frenchmen, lost two of their own peop'e, and another
man and himself were wounded; but were forced to surrender at last, the house they were
in being set on fire.
  That they were then carried off, and after traveling some time, the Indians belonging
to four different tribes divided the prisoners, and parted; that before they came to the
lower Shawanese Town, (where he supposes there were about 300 Indians) the Shawanese
made a sacrifice of one Cole, whom they roasted alive, and tormented for a whole night
before he expired; and this they did in sight of the French, who seemed unconcerned at
their horrid barbarity, and did not endeavor to restrain them, notwithstanding the moving
entreaties and bitter complaints of the poor man; that they also killed and scalped another
mail onii the road, he being old anid not able to travel. That he (Lewney) was the only one
that was carried to Detroit where there were about 300 French families settled, and in
what they call the Town they have about 100 houses; that they have plenty of fish; the
land rich, on which they raise wheat and peas, and have very good crops; and the Indians
of two or three different nations very numerous.
  That while he was at Detroit an Indian King adopted him for his brother, on which account he was very well used, and was often with them at their Councils with the French,
being dressed and painted as the Indians were, and not known by the French but as an
Indian, living ia every respect as they did; and that at one time in particular, at a conference, he heard the French commander order the Indians to go first to Fort Duquesne,






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then to Fort Cumberland, and afterwards to: destroy all the English inhabitants; that about
the beginning of April last a great body of Indians set off for Duquesne, in parties, each
party having some Frenchmen with them.
  That about the middle of June he left Detroit in company with a small party of Indians
who were going to Niagara with some furs, in order to purchase Indian goods; that from
Detroit to Niagara it is about 280 miles, and that on the Falls of the latter the French
have a small Fort, in which they keep 30 men; and at Niagara there is a Fort of 24 guns,
6, 9 and 12 pounders, and in it about 300 men.
  That while he was at Niagara he met one William Phillips, of New York, who was taken
at Oswego, and they agreed to make their escape t(ogether; that the night before they left
it, 280 French arrived there from Cadaravui, destine(], it was said, for Fort Duquesne,  who
ercamped that night, and were to set out again next day, but he and Phillips went off
before them; that they traveled about 200 miles, (the land bad and mostly drowned) when
they came to Oswego without seeing an Indian, which place and Fort Ontario they found
entirely destroyed; that they came to the Mohlawk River, where they were kindly received
by the Indians, who gave them some victuals, of which they were in great want; and that
they got to Albany the 12th inst., from whence he proceeded to this city, and is now gone
to Virginia, where his parents live.  He was born in this Town, and is about 23 years of
age.  Capt. Smith, he said, was given to the French, and sent to Canada in the spring."



DETROIT  IN 1766-8.



  The compiler of the foregoing Sketches is indebted to Hon. A. D. Fraser for the following papers, received after the foregoing were in type.  In a note accompanying the
papers Mr. Fraser says:  " Little is known of the early history of our city; and those who
could have shed light upon it have long since passed away.  Much, however, might be done
in our day towards this object, by the publication of such ancient documents as must be
still in the possession of some families in this ancient city.  I am led to make  these remarks fromn having recently become possessed of two original documents, which I cannot
but think will be perused with some curiosity. They were recently discovered among the
papers of a gentleman who died on the opposite shore some forty years ago. It seems
that the British Government, about four years after takinig possession of Detroit, formed
the determination to compel the inhabitants to bear the expense of repairingo the Fort at
their own cost.  Col. John Campble, the commandant at Detroit and its dependencies,
issued a requisition on the citizens for this purpose.  This drew from them a spirited and
energetic remonstrance.  The second document is a voluntary association entered into in
1768 by some of the principal inhabitants, to repair the pickets around the Town, as well
for the public good, as their own particular and common safety, and appointing commissioners to do the work at their expense."



To JoHN CAMPBLE, ESQ., LIEUT. COL. AND COMMANDANT AT DETROIT  AND ITS DEPENDENCIES:


SIR:


      We have taken your order of the 3d instant, respecting the furnishing of materials by us for repairing this Fort, into consideration, and find it absolutely impossible to
comply with it. The requisition made of us per individuals, would amount at least to
Four Thousand Pounds, N. Y. Currency. A sum by far too great for the whole settle







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                            SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.                           59

ment, and all the trading people from different places now residing here, to pay.  I-ow
evei, that we mnay not be looked upon to be actuated by a spirit of opposition, we have
taken all the pains in our power to obtain the fullest information we could in regard to the
obligation we are supposed to lay under for keeping up the repa.rs of this Fort upon its
present pl.  We find, sir, that till the year 1750 the Fort was about half the extent it
now is.      inhabitants till then were obliged to furnish cne picket for each foot of ground
they poss     in firont within the Fort, and pay annually two sol per foot to the Crown,
by way of quit rent.  It was with difficulty that the circumstance of this place could accomplish the payment of their dues to the French King, of which he piroved his sensibility
by easing the inhabitants of the heavy bnrthen of furnishing pickets; for from that time
thie Fort was enlarged upon an entire new plan, at the sole expense of the Crown.   This
measure was not only necessary for easing the inhabitants but for convienieney of public
buildings.  The annual tax of two sol per foot, in front, was continued till the surrender
of this country to the English, since which the service has required such taxes of us that
thlly have been almost unsupportable,-  permit us, sir, to mention them and  you will see
that we stand in greater need of assistance than be obliged to pay any new demands.
Capt. Campbell, the first English commandant at Detroit, on his arrival here, levied a tax
on the proprietors in the Fort for lodging the troops, which amounted to a very considerable susn, besides each of the farmers were obliged to pay a cord of wood per acre in front.
The second year the proprietors paid again for quartering the troops, and the farmers furnished double the quantity of wood they did the year before.  The third year Col. Gladwin continued the same taxes.  The following year, being 1762, the tax within the Fort
alone amounted to one hundred and eighty-four pounds, thirteen shillings and four pence.
In the vear 1764 the taxes came to one hundred and fifty-eight pounds, New York Currency.  In the year 1765 you was pleased to signify by Messrs. Babee and Shapporton that
the taxes for the future should be the same as in the French Government, whichl, as we
have said before, was two sol per foot for the lots within the Fort.  The farmers were subject to a quit rent of two shillings and eight pence, New York Currency, and one-fourth
bushel wheat per acre in front, which was accordingly paid to Mr. Sliapperton, who was
appointed to receive the same.  After this, we could not help being surl-rised at tbe tax
for the current year, viz: one shilling per foot in front for lots within the Fort, and ten
shillings per acre for the farmers in the country.  The heaviness of this tax is most severely
felt, as you may judge by the delay and the difficulty the people have in paying it.  This
proves the badness of our circumstances.  We have not mentioned anything here with a
view of throwing any odium on you or any of your predecessors in the command, but to
show the impossibility of complying with the requisition now under consideration. To,
make our plea of exemption still stronger, we take the liberty to lay before you Mr. Navarre's letter to us with its translation, as he has long resided here in a public character,
and being a man of knowledge, we cannot doubt but the testimony will have its deserved
effect with his Excellency the General.  We forbear any further arguments of our inabilities. You know, sir, the sorrowful situation we are reduced to for want of money, and the
 languishing condition our trade is in.  In short, the knowledge you have of everything
 that relates to this infant country and the countenance and protection you have always
 showed to a ftir trade, makes us hope that you will do us the justice to represent our cir cumstances as they really are to those in power, and then we are sure we shall be relieved
from some of our present embarrassments, instead of being loaded with new taxes. As you
 are soon to leave this country, it gives us sensible concern that any of your oit4ers should'
 meet with opposition from us, especially when we consider that all your orders preceding
 this relative to the settlement have ever been founded on the most just and equitable
 principles. We therefore take this opportunity (as it probably will be the last>) to thank
 you with hearts full of gratitude for your wise, steady, benevolent and impartial conduct,





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during your command over us.  Accept of our sincere and best wishes for your health,
happiness and prosperity.
  We are sir, with respect, your most obedient, humble servants."



Poicer of Pr-oprietors to the Commissioners for repairintg the Pickets about the Town of
  Detroit:
  Be it known by these presents, that we, the subscribers, proprietors of the To:V of Dec
troit, sensible of the absolute necessity there is at present for repairing the Pickets,ar)und
the Town, as well for the public good as our own particular and common safety, we do
hereby fully authorize and impower MAessrs. Baby, St. Casm, Sterling and Thom. Williams,
Commissioners for us and in our behalf and stead, to buy Pickets and cause them to be
planted, and to make such repairs as to them shall seem expedient, and to appoint a person they may approve of, to superintend the carrying onl the work, who is to be paid as
they may agree.  Wre hereby ratify, confirm and agree to whatsoever they shall do or
cause to be done in and about the premises, and engage to pay on demand our respective
proportions of the expenses arising therefrom according to our possessions, as we have been
lately taxed for the repairs already made.
  DETROIT, February 24th, 1768.
  Signed by John Hay, P. Dequindre for Steadman, Rinkin & Eaoen, D. Baby, W. V.
Schaach & Co., Legrand,' Ben. James for Farrell & Abbott, John Magill, Peter Raven, D.
Brehm, St. MaItrtin for Ed. Pollard, Alex. Macomb, B. Chapeton, Checiel, John Robinson,
Hugh Boyt, Jacob, Lansingin, Comm. Laferte, B. Gracke, Narle Mocant, Teofille, Senchagrin, P. St. Cosme, Guilbean, CLbajig,. Tabrosse, Augustin Li Foy, Reaume.



                                        1778.
Letter from General  Gage to Capt. Stephenson, 2d Battalion 60th Reg,iment, Detroit.  Preserved among thepapers of the late Judge Jfay.   Xo. 20.
                                                     NEW YORK, April 8tlh, 1778.
  SIR: Your letters of the 14th and 18th December, are very full on the subject of grants
and lands at the Detroit.  I am to explain to you that the King has not invested any persons whatever, with the power of granting lands in America, except to  his Governors,
within the limits of their respective Provinces; and under certain forms and restrictions,
and where any purchase is made of the Indians though within the limits of the Province
they are not valid, unless permission is given so to do, and the purchase made in presence
of theil  Governor and His Majesty's Superintendent of Indian Affairs.  From  hence  you
wilt know that the power of granting lands at the Detroit, remains solely in the King, and
that no purchase can be made of Indialns but with the King's permission and authority.It may be needless after the above explanation to infornm you that all grants made by
Lieut. Col. Gladwin, Major Brace or any other British Commander, are null and void and
of no value.
  As for the French grants in general, unless approved of bythe Governor General of Canada and registered accordingly, they were not valid; but as for Mons. Belestre's grants in
the year 1770, they cannot be deemed any other than fraudulent and are by no means to
be looked upon as valid, and as for the Indian purchase they were not allowed by the French,
nor are thley allowed by the English Government, but under the restrictions I have already
mentioned.
  Monsieur Navarrie's declaration, or certifieate may be in part true, but it is not the whole
truthi.  The first settlers with Mons. Sabrevois, were not, perhaps, enjoined to the conditions imposed afterwards respecting their titles 5 the Government was glad to get any






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                          SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.                              61

people to begin the settlement.  But Mons. Navarrie's conclusion is vague and ill founded.
I am well informed in these matters, was three years  in possession of the books whelreia
the files were registered, and received information upon thenl, the very time in which
Mons. Belestre's grants were made, which sufficiently points out their being invalid, and that
they could not be registered when the government of Canada was on the point of surrelndering to the King, and the Capital possessed by his troops, so earlyas Sept. 1859.  Mons.
Belestre was not ignorant of these circumstances, and his grants are fraudulent.  I am
to require of you as soon as this is received, to annul and make void by public act. every
concession made by MIons. Belestre in the year 1760 every grant made  by  any British
Commander, without exception, and all Indian purchases whatever, or Indian deeds, not
obtained by the King's permission, and authority; and that you do not sutiffer any settlements to be made with the above titles, or any new settlements to be begun on any pretence whatever, and that you pull down as fast as any persons shall presum(, to build up,
and that you do seize and send down the country all persons who shall be endeavoring to
settle among the savages.
  I imagine the Indians will be set upon to talk to you on these subjects; you will answer
them that the King is tender of their property, and has made regulations to prevent their
being, cheated, and  defirauded; that His Majesty has been induced to make these rules,
upon the frequent complaints of the Indian against the white people who have defrauded
them of their lands by making a few of them drunk  and getting tlhemn in that condition
to give away their country, to the great disgust of the rest of the nations, and that by
such means the Indians have represented that white people have taken great part of their
hunting grounds.  This has happened to many Indian nations, and unless you stop it in
the beginning, at the Detroit, the same thing will happen there.
  Mr. Grant has engagcd to build two vessels for the King, in which l)usiness you will
please to assist him, and give him such helps as your Garrison affords, whenever he shall
demand it. As for the merchants they may buildl what vessels they please, but you will
not suffer either Mr. Grant's artificers or sailors to be taken from  him.  You have acted
very properly in that respect already.  I understand tlhere is very good cedar to be had
which Mr. Grant will now use for the King's vessels, and if you find it necessary, you wil I
reserve the cedar and suffer no persons to cut it, but when it is to be used in the King"'s
service.
  I hope that you received the order about fitting out tlihe old vessels for this year's
service.
  You must continue to take every precaution against accidents from fire, if Mr. Babies
stable is so near the magazine as you represent, it must be deemed a nuisance and removed
accordingly.



I am sir, your most obedient, humble servant,



TIIOM]AS GAGE.



  P. S.-The merchants alledge that there is cedar to be had in the greatest plenty. If
that is the real case, I can have no objection to their cutting as much as they shall want
of it; and you will not obstruct them, in that or any other business not detrimental to the
service.                                                                          T.G.



(A true copy.)   E. B. LITTLEHIIALI:S.



To Capt. STEPIIE.SON, 2d Bat. 60th Reg., at Detroit.







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(Signed)








SKETCHES OF THE CITY OF DETROIT.



1 7 9 9.



  The followiti extracts are from  a letter written by the late Peter Andlrain. Esq., fathe
of Mrs. Robert Abbot, to Hon. James May, who was at the time at Cincinnati, then the seat
of Government.  The letter is dated Detroit, January 14th 1799, and gives in detail the
proceedings of all election being held for the election of two members of General Assembly, Judge May being a candidate for re-election. The voting was vivit, voce, and the Judges
of election refused to receive votes for Judge May, " because he was gone to Cincinnati."
This was the only poll held in Michigan, and the inhabitants, from River Raison to River
St. Cla'r, came here to vote. The election was held two days, and the " candidatecs proclaimed to be highest in number are Wisewell and Visger, as Col. Chabert has declined, and
is not eligible, not having three years' residence in the cotentry.  Visger and Wisewell were
there present, and ~isger told the Judges and Sheriff that he would not go with Wisewell.
He then asked them which candidate was the highest in number of votes. They answered
him that it was Col. Chabert.  Visger said he was willing to go with Col. Chabert.  Col.
Chabert they then sent for, who was in an adjoining room, and asked him whether he was
willing to go with Mr. Vis,ger.  He answered yes.  Col. Chllabert demanded then a certificate of his election, and they answered him that they could not give it. They called for
vine, and thus the business ended.  Previous to that, Christian Clemens, a friend of Wisewell, asked the Sheriff and Juldges why the name of Wisewell was left behind, being, reported to be equal, in number of votes, to Visger. The answer was, that'"Visger is an older
residenter than Wisewell."



                                                                    " THIIURSDAY, 17 TH.
  The old, virtuous Col. MlIcKee died at his seat on the river Thames, the day before vesterday, after a short illness.  His remains have been interred this afternoon with great pomp
at the seat of his son Tom, at Petitte Cote. All the British Grandees attended, even Col.
Maisonville.  This event Till probably damp the rejoicings of to-morrow evening,  being
the Queen's birth.  A grand bal para is to be at Mr. Roe's, over the river, and the brave
Tom was one of the managers, with Jacques Baby.  You must announce  to  the world,
through the medium of the Cincinnati Gazette, this memorable death.  Great Britain have
lost a great support - the Indians a tender parent, and the United States the most inveterate and unnatural enemy."
  "The Captains of the militia on the British side were ordered to furnish five men per each
company to go immediately to Malden, to help to picket and fortify that garrison. People
seem a little alarmed on that side, and so are our own at the order of the Col Commandant,
which was published last Sunday  at church, by Mr. Levadoux himself, that the burying
ground lately allowed to Roman Catholics should not be picketted, but only defended by a
flying fence, &c. Capt Sedgwick told me this morning that orders are received to have this
town picketted anew; estimate of that expense is preparing, and it will amount to a pretty
penny."
  Your mill* has been going a spell, the water wheel got broke and was immediately repaired by Munish Labadi.  Messrs. Fillio & Menish have chosen some  bolting cloth  at Mr.
McIntosh's, and the bolt is made and at work. Every attention is paid to your interest. No
news yet from Wittmore Knaggs-Hamtramck not yet arrived.



                                                                        FRIDAY, 18TH.
  This day the British are celebrating in the house of Mr. Roe, the Queen's birth-day.  I
can hear the noise of the drum, as the wind blows from that shore.  All our officers except
Col. Strong, Lukens, Tallman and Gray are there, Ernest and his wife, the Sheriff and his
wife, Mrs. and Miss Dodemead and Miss Sally Williams are there, and also James Henry
and Winston.



                                                                     SATURDAY, 19TI.
  Your Lady told me this morning, that the dam of your mill was damaged near the trunk
through which water is conveyed to the wheel.

  *This was probably the first water flour mill in the State, and the one erected at Pontiac by Messrs
Mack and Sibley the first one a.n the interior.





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                                         1812.
  Copy of an address which was drawn up by Judge May, and signed by the inhabitants
residing at Detroit and vicinity, and presented to His I-lonor, Judge Woodward:



T'o the H,J(iorable.uigustus B. tFooditard, one of the Judges of the Territory of.Iich  i,-an:
  SIR:-WeV, the inhabitants residing in the vicinity of Detroit, beg leave to state: That we
have learned with extreme regret, that in consequence of not receiving any answer to your
despatches which had been forwarded to the Genera, Government, (after waiting a reasonable time) you have sign;ified your intention of shaping your course in a few days for the
city of Washington.
  We are on this occasion particularly obliged to acknowledge and admire your patriotic
and uniform conduct, since the surrender (on the 16th August last,) of this Territory to
HIis Majesty's arms, in interceding and protecting us suffering citizens and saving our lives
and persons from the victorious and insulting savage;  in preserving the remnants of our
property from pillage, and in aiding the means of departing those who wished to go and
find the standard of their country, and also for the spirit of humanity which you  have
displayed towards the surviving, citizens of the unhappy and terrible disaster which took
place on the 15th of August last in the vicinity of Chicago*-in procuring the means of
preserving those unhappy survivors, from the distressing calamities which environed them,
and for their restoration to their friends.  We have seen with great satisfaction the good
effects which has resulted from your respected efforts, and we sincerely hope that the pains
and interest you have taken in our behalf, may be crowned with success.
  From the just sense we entertain of your goodness, we cannot reconcile it to our minds
that you have any, the least wish or intention to emulate the example of others, who at the
hour of danger and at a time their services was most undoubtedly required, immediately
abandoned their posts and flew to the United States, leaving us to our fate, and owing
entirely to the pains and exertions which you have taken on the occasion, we have happily
escaped.  Fully impressed from  the situation of the country, of the necessity of your
presence, the fond hope we entertain that ere long your despatches will be answered and
your conduct highly approved by the General Government, we take the liberty of soliciting as a particular favor, thet you will continue to remain and brave out the storm with us,
or until the General Government shall judge proper to recall you from the Territory. We
further beg leave, with the deepest sense of gratitude, for the past exertions which you have
manifested in our behalf and for the tranquility which we continue to enjoy, to offer you
our warmest thanks.
  DETROIT, 6th January, 1813.



  * The Massacre, by the Pottawotamnie Indians, of thirty-eight men, two women and twelve children,
who that day had left and abandoned Fort Dearborn, and taken up their line of march for Fort Wayne
under an escort of Pottawotamie Indians, who after promising to escort them to Fort Wavne and receiving presents of all the Government property in the Fort, proved treacherous and attacked the party
within a mile and a half of the Fort, killing about two thirds of the party, when the remainder sunrendered. The prisoners were divided among the different bands of Indians,who in time reached Detroit.  The commandant, Capt, Heald, and wife, were wonnded, as also were Lieut. and Mrs. Helm.






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New Reservoir,............
Comparative Purity of Water-,...
Head of Water,..........4
Gas Light,...
Pavements and Sewers,......4
Plank  Roads,........
The River,.............
'i'he Climate, ---   -    - -----      —..
Elevations,.....
Fires-1'ho  Fire Departmenit,
Young, Men's Society, 
Mechanics' Society,
Lake Na-vigation,.....
Steamnboats and Steamboat Routes,
Rtdilroads,..
Michigan Central Rail road,.,
Detroit and Milwaukee Railway,.
Great Western Railway,
Detroit, Monroe anid Toledo Railroad,
Distances fi'om Detroit,.
Conclusion.,
APPENDIX,.    X.           S^.............
Detro0it i11 17156,.............
        1 7 6 03-8,......
Letter from G-en. Gage. 1778 -.-.       " Peter Anidrain, 17.99,.
Address to JvudSge Woodward, 1812,...



Tlhe NeF   Down,e patmnt,.,  8
Time's Chantges, --— — —.... -  9
MNayors,...12
Populationl,.... 13
Property Valua                        tion,                         -----— —,.. 13
P'ublic disbursemen2ts, 1853-4,.               Se oa 14
Liabilities,.                                                -...........14
Hotels,.............................15
Ar chitectraee,.........15
I'Public Grounids,                1.......6
WTidth       of     1Aveu es     -..2           D o ad lu 17
Merceattile,..I,..17
SComme rce in 1854,                                                                     -,5,19
Mi-anufanctories,.                      20
Lurnber,..                      20
Wyanidotte,.... 21
The I ish Tro ade of the Lakles,.....21
Lake Superior Tradoe,n2..... 23
Lake Superior Copper,...                           --— — — 23
Cioding.............. — ——.                         "        6.....24
-Produtce of     Copper, 17 — — —— — 25
Lake Superio Iron,......26
Lake Superior Marble,                      28
 Coa,tl,...         28
 Sallt, ~.............................30
 City Statistics, 1855,........30
 Schools-Their Eiarly History,.... 31
 Commonl Schools,.............. 33




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RAIL ROAD LINES.
Nov: 1855    ]~ii    ~ —'"~,,-~,L-.~,, - -~~  Nov. 1855



   MDichigan CenItral Railroad.
1, TTWEEN DETROIT, CHICAGO AND JOLIET.



      Trains -'eve 3Detroit  s follows:
Emigrant Train at — — —-------------------- 9.00 A.M.
Day Express Train at --------------------   9.45 A. M.
Jackson Aocommodation Train at              4.05 P. M.
Evening Express Train at ---------------— — — 5.45 P. M.
Night Express Train at — — —--------        9.30 P. M.
.rivef  at Detroit as follows
Evening Express Train at --------------------- 4.30 A. M.
Night Express Train at ----------------------- 9.00 A. M.
Jackson Accommodation Train at ---------— — — 10.45 A. M.
Day Express Train at  _                     9.15 A. M.



Day Express Train at — — —------------— — — 9.15 A. M.



Detroit and Mlilwaukee Railway.
   BETWEEN DETROIT & FENTONVILLE.



      Trains rLoate Detroit as f      ollows:
Morning Express Train at ---------------------  7.30 A. M.
Afternoon Express Train at -------------------- 3.00 P. M.
        rri vs at Detroit Es follows:
Morning Express Train at --------------— — — 9.50 A. M.
Afternoon Express Train at   _-   -     -— — 5.50 P. M.



      Great Western Railway.
Between Detroit & Elgin (Niagara Suspension Bridge.)



     Trjings 3jeov   Detroit zs:follows:
Morning Express Train at ---------------— — — 5.45 A. M.
Day Express Train at — — — 10.50 A. M.
Accommodation Train at                           1.10 P. M.
Evening Express Train at --------------------- 7.15 P. M.
   Ferry Boats leave the Michigan Central Railroad Docks 45 minutes previous to the departure of the
Trains. Trains run by Hamilton time, which is 15 minutes faster than Detroit.
















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