In 1859 the total number of vessels navigating the waters of the great lakes, all of which paid tribute to Michigan, was over sixteen hundred, with an aggregate carrying capacity of about 14,000 tons. In 1873 the carrying capacity of the vessels belonging to Detroit alone amounted in the aggregate to 129,180 tons. Reduced to tabular form, the carrying capacity of Michigan vessels stands thus: Number of steam craft in Detroit.. Number of sail craft, including barges, in Detroit. . 106 139 Total in Detroit 245 Carrying capacity of steam craft in Detroit, in tons.. 63,886 Carrying capacity of sail craft in the State outside of 44,063 Total in State outside of Detroit 59,451 Aggregate carrying capacity of Michigan vessels. 188,631 gan University with the class of 1850, and receiving the degree of master of arts from that institution four years later. Having selected the law for his profession, he began its study, and after devoting himself diligently to it through a regular course of instruction, he was admitted to the bar in 1851. In the following year, he married Miss Amanda W. Fleming, of Albion, Michigan. The first years of Mr. Barnes' professional practice were attended with more than ordinary success He was made prosecuting attorney of his county, and held the position during the first five years he was a member of the bar. Retiring from this office, his abilities were given a wider field of opera Value of steam vessels in State outside of Detroit, $1,063, 020 It is proper to state that the number of vessels here represented is taken from the register of the board of underwriters, and represents only those that are insurable under the strict rules of that board. There are hundreds of others that ply the waters of our lakes and rivers, that are not included in this estimate, whose aggregate tonnage would swell these figures largely, and whose trade forms no insignificant item in the commerce of the State. tions, and they with his untiring energy and devotion to business soon gained him a position among the first lawyers in the interior of the State. In the fall of 1863, he was elected a member of the State legislature, and took a prominent part in the proceedings of that body during its sessions in 1863-4. Shortly after his service in the State legislature, he, in a great measure, withdrew from his legal practice, devoting himself more particularly to his railroad enterprises. Mr. Barnes has been connected with the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw. Railroad since its organization, and to his ability, energy and perseverance, the success of this important measure is to a great degree attributable. He has been the secretary and attorney of this company since its commencement, and is now also its land commissioner. Mr. Barnes has proven himself an able railroad man, showing a keen foresight and clear judgment upon all questions connected with the building and running of a first class railroad in these days of close competition. In his business and social relations, he has made many warm friends throughout the State and country, and it can safely be said that but few men are held in such universal esteem at their homes as he is in Mason, the place of his residence. In this connection it may not be uninteresting to note the amount of commerce that passed through the Detroit river in 1872. The following figures are made from information derived from the custom houses and boards of trade at Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, Toledo, Sandusky, Cleveland, Erie, Buffalo, Tonawanda, and Welland Canal, and for which we acknowledge our indebtedness to the courtesy of George W. Bissell, Esq., of the Detroit Board of Trade: TONNAGE OF FREIGHT THROUGH DETROIT RIVER IN 1872. TONS. Lumber, 971,977,349 feet, which reduced to tons amounts to.. 1,943,954 Coal.. 1,109,196 ENTERED AND CLEARED AT DETROIT, NOT BEFORE INCLUDED. It will be seen by comparing the above figures with those we have given for the State, that over seventeen per cent, in value, of the lake shipping is owned in Michigan; and that the carrying capacity of the vessels of Michigan amounts to over twentyfive per cent, or more than one-fourth, of the whole tonnage of the lakes. The apparent discrepancy between the two per centages is accounted for by the fact that the lumber barges heretofore alluded to, possess a much greater carrying capacity, in proportion to their cost, than other vessels. As most of these barges are owned in Michigan the apparent discrepancy will be readily understood. It will be seen by the foregoing that the commerce of the lakes increases enormously from year to year, notwithstanding the number of railroads that span the continent and traverse the State in all directions. This wonderful growth of the lake marine, however, no more than keeps pace with the demands of trade in the great Northwest. Nor is there any prospect in the near future of any diminution in the rate of increase. The time is not far distant when the loading of ships at our wharves with merchandise for Liverpool will be the rule instead of the exception. Quite a large direct trade with Europe has already been established; but with the building of canals now in contemplation, or the enlargement of those now in existence, that trade will swell to enormous proportions. 42 CHAPTER XXXIX. MINERAL SPRINGS OF MICHIGAN-THEIR DISCOVERY-ANALYSES OF THE WATERS-THE LOCATION OF EACH-THE ST. LOUIS SPRING'ALPENA - MIDLAND - EATON RAPIDS - SPRING LAKE LANSING — FRUITPORT-BUTTERWORTH'S OWOSSO-HUBBARDSTON - LESLIE— MOUNT CLEMENS. Within the last four or five years Michigan has acquired a national reputation as a watering place and a resort for invalids. This is owing to the discovery that the water flowing from artesian wells in various parts of the State is highly charged with various minerals that are recognized by physicians as valuable in the treatment of disease. The first discovery of this kind was made at St. Louis, Gratiot county, in the summer of 1869. In that year a company began boring for salt water. At the depth of 200 feet a vein of water was struck which spouted up to the height of twenty-four feet above the surface. The tube was three and a half inches in diameter, and it delivered 300 gallons of water per minute. The water was beautifully clear and cold, and to the taste was barely perceptibly alkaline. It was not saline, and was therefore abandoned for manufacturing purposes. An accident finally revealed the fact that pieces of iron or steel held in the water a few minutes became charged with magnetism. This led to further experiments, resulting in the discovery that the water possessed medical properties invaluable in the treatment of various forms of disease. An analysis of the waters was made by Prof. Duffield, which confirmed the opinion as to their value, and the wells soon became a resort for hundreds of the afflicted. This led to further searches in different parts of the State, and the result is that nearly a hundred wells of water have been found to possess (as their friends claim) magnetic properties. Upwards of twenty of these have |