to secure their services, when the services of a friend were needed. On first coming among them, he and his family threw themselves upon their honor and honesty, never turning a key to prevent them from stealing, and, though they were then poor and often hungry, the confidence reposed in them was not betrayed.

"The mission board adopted the plan of giving to the pupils in the school a generous lunch every day at noon. There seemed to be a necessity for this, as the corn soup, (min-dah-min-ah-boo,) which was the principal food of the Indians, could not be conveniently carried with them; and then it was found by experience that if they were allowed to go home for dinner, which was not generally practicable, as most of them lived too far away, they were not likely to return the same day.

"For a long time the Indians took a deep interest in the school. This statement is illustrated by a touching incident, related by Mr. Porter. Joseph Na-bah-na-yah-sung, or as he named himself, Gibson, a boy about ten years old, while the school was suspended for sugar making one spring, had the misfortune to break both bones of the leg between the ankle and the knee. When the school opened again he was still unable to walk. With a womanly devotion that stands as a living argument against the doctrine of the total depravity of human nature even in those we call savages, his mother and sister alternately carried him three-quarters of a mile to school every day on their shoulders. If inquiry be made into the life and fate of the boy thus highly favored, it only remains to write -and let it be written among the records of the honorable deadthat he died, as many other noble men died,, by cruel starvation in Andersonville prison.

“There were many hindrances to success which it seemed impossible to remove or entirely overcome. Some of these were incident to the Indian mode of life. There was of necessity a long vacation in the season of sugar-making, during which the village was deserted. In planting time the school was small, though never entirely closed. At the proper season for peeling cedar bark, collecting rushes for mats, or picking strawberries, raspberries. or huckleberries, the Indians would leave by boat loads, taking their children with them. Notwithstanding these drawbacks, the children made commendable progress, considering that they had to learn a new language, the teaching being done in English. Many learned to read and write very well, and some made more or less advancement in arithmetic and geography. The success, however, was scarcely what the parents anticipated, and some degree of discouragement was the result. Add to this the fact that influences adverse to the education of the masses, emanating from the Catholic missions at little Traverse and Cross Village, at length began to be felt by the whole Indian population of the vicinity, and it is no wonder that the interest in the school fell to a lower degree of intensity than that manifested at the beginning."

In October following Mr. Porter's arrival, a Sabbath-school was organized, social prayer meetings were soon established, and religious work fully inaugurated. But as yet there was no preaching, for Mr. Porter was a layman and not a preacher. Mr. Dougherty, however, visited the mission occassionally and preached by means of an interpreter to the Indians, conducted communion services and administered baptism.

This condition of things continued until the spring of 1855, when Rev. H. W. Guthrie, now of Chillicothe, Ohio, was appointed by the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions as missionary to Bear Creek and Middle Village. During the year 1856 Mr. Guthrie organized a church, which after various experiences and changes is now known as the "First Presbyterian Church of Petoskey." When first organized there were sixteen members, which within two years was increased to twenty-five.

In June, 1882, Rev. W. S. Potter received a letter from Mr. Guthrie, touching upon his experiences while here, which we give herewith as follows:

Rev. W. S. POTTER:

Dear Brother:-In compliance with your wish that I should write to you concerning my participation in the work in Little Traverse Region, I submit the following:

A student of the Western Theological Seminary, I was licensed April 10, 1855, and on May 11th set out for your field, then mission stations of our board. I went under commission of the Presbyterian Board of Foreign Missions. On arrival I immediately began the work of preaching by an interpreter, twice or three times a week, as opportunity offered, and continued thus until the last of August, when I returned to the Seminary to spend another term in study.

My stated places of preaching were Bear River (now Petoskey) and Middle Village, eighteen miles north by direct way, or twentyfive miles around the bay.

At Middle Village I found Mr. J. C. Turner and wife; at Bear River, Mr. Andrew Porter, his wife, sister and mother, all of whom at both places were devotedly serving the Master's work in mission schools. Besides teaching they advanced the cause in various ways; their presence, example and life were efficient elements.

Mr. Porter rendered much medical advice and help to the Indians, his knowledge of their habits and language giving him. great power.

During the summer of 1855, in going from point to point, I occasionally went in a canoe or a fishing boat; sometimes I went all the way by land around the bay on an Indian pony, frequently I walked the fifteen miles and then crossed the bay in a boat. Without reflection on the past but for the guidance of others in the future, I give now as my judgment that such excessive labor or exposure is in no wise the best policy. It may sound well to distant ears as pious enthusiasm and self-sacrifice, but the sequel of suffering contains no romance, besides, years of labor are thus sometimes cut off for the future.

In my journal I find the following: April 8, 1856: This evening preached a sermon at Allegheny City on trial, in view of my ordination to the gospel ministry.

April 9th, ordained. Tuesday, May 8, started in return to Indian work.

Resuming the labors of the preceding summer, I put in the time much as before, with the addition of the study of the Ojibbeway language, in which I made some progress, aiming especially at an understanding of its construction, and by the help of a good interpreter, prepared, 'as I thought, a very correct grammar in manuscript.

I remained until November, 1857, and labored assiduously, though untiringly, to promote the welfare of the poor Indian, preaching, visiting, conversing and ministering as opportunity offered.

Just here a few extracts.

Friday, July 25.-Made the long journey from Muhquh Sebing (Bear River) to Ah-pe-ta-whu-yuh-e-ing (Middle Village) in còmpany with Mr. T.; we went around the bay twenty-five miles, and had one little pony, and rode and walked alternately.

Aug. 2d.-To day, after preaching, three presented themselves and professed faith in Christ, two of them leaving the Roman Catholics. One I baptized, also two children of Indian parents, after which, pursuant to previous announcements, I organized a Christian church at Bear River, now Petoskey, consisting of sixteen members (six white and ten Indian), calling it Muhquh Sebing, or Bear River Presbyterian Church.

Monday, Feb. 16th.-Am much exhausted from hard labor. Last Wednesday, prayer meeting, good attendance. Friday went to Cheboygan and preached first gospel sermon in the place. Returned home Saturday, preached twice yesterday. Three remained to inquire. One is to be received, the others re

turn.

Tuesday, Feb. 24th.-Am again permitted to record the goodness of God. In his infinite mercy he allowed me to visit Middle Village again on Thursday last, to preach on Friday evening, Saturday afternoon, and to ordain and install an elder. Preached on Sabbath; received two young men (one white and one Indian) into the church, baptizing one; administered sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and preached again in the evening. I would thank God and take courage; to whom be all the praise evermore. Amen.

Monday, March 2d. Very cold, mercury 17° below zero. Yesterday cold and very stormy, yet good attendance in the morning, but in the evening not so many present. Goodly number at monthly concert this evening. But I may not extend this already lengthy paper.

Nov. 4th.—I set out for Pittsburg; was driven by storm to Beaver Island; remained there a few days and preached several times.

Some time after Mr. Porter's arrival, a Catholic mission was established at this point. It was the intention to build a church upon the high ground, but Mr. Porter would not permit them to cross his domain, and a building was erected on the shore of the bay. It was a small frame building, and is still standing a silent monument of the past.

For a considerable number of years after Mr. Guthrie's departure, the Bear Creek Church had no settled pastor. Mr. Porter continued his school, and the building in which he conducted it is still standing on the mission farm. He also continued his religious work among the Indians, and kept up the church organization.

During the continuance of the mission, the Indians made steady improvement in the art and practice of farming. In 1852 there was only one pony and one plow among them. The surface of the ground in their small fields was strewn with the trunks of fallen trees, among which cultivation was carried on with no implement but the hoe. Afterward, when they had to some extent been provided with teams and farming utensils by the government, according to treaty stipulations, their fields were cleared and plowed. Oats, wheat, corn and potatoes were the principal crops. Of the last two, enough was usually raised to supply their own wants and leave a surplus for sale. Unfortunately the men sent to that local

ity by the agents of the government as Indian farmers, whose duty it was to instruct them in the art and practice of farming, were frequently too shiftless to do anything but draw their own salaries. A well remembered case will illustrate the statement. The Indians had become dissatisfied with one of this kind, and resolved, if possible, to get rid of him. Accordingly an old chief was delegated to present a complaint to the agent, which he did in the following brief terms: For the first year or two he would sometimes come out to the field where we were plowing, take hold of the plow handles and go half across the field, and then would say I am hungry,' and return to the village and remain there the rest of the day; but now he never comes near us at all." As the so-called farmer, who was sitting by and heard the complaint, had no defense to make, he was promptly discharged.

For the first two or three years the expense of the mission was borne wholly by the Presbyterian board. After the establishment of Indian schools by the government, the one at the mission was adopted by the agent as a government school, and the usual salary was paid to Mr. Porter as teacher. About 1871 the government funds set apart by treaty for the benefit of the Indians being exhausted, and the board finding itself straitened for means, the mission was discontinued. The landed property of the establishment passed into other hands, and in 1875 Mr. Porter returned to his Pennsylvania home. The place is now occupied by Mr. Nathan Jarman, and is still known among the older residents of Petoskey as the mission farm.

Mr. Porter was for a long time justice of the peace and judge of probate. He was very popular with the Indians, and it is said. had become so accustomed to their ways and habits that he was no longer contented after white people settled about him. In 1870 his mother, who was living with him, died at the age of ninety-six Hazen Ingalls was then living near by, and at Little Traverse were three or four white people. Mr. Porter, however, called about him his Indian friends and conducted the funeral services himself. By means of strings a long pole was fastened to the rude coffin, and with Indians as pall bearers, his aged mother was buried in the grave he had dug near by.

years.

Mr.

HAZEN INGALLS was the first settler who came to Bear Creek for the purpose of making a home, and to apply his industry to local development. He came from Jefferson County, N. Y., to Lee'anaw County in 1859, and from that time until 1866 lived about four miles from Northport. In the spring of 1866 he bought the water power and saw-mill, then standing, of Messrs. Fox & Rose. The saw-mill, a small affair, had been built by Harvey Porter, a brother of Andrew Porter, about the year 1862. Ingalls moved into a house that had been built by an Indian, and engaged in farning and operating the mill. Afterward the mill was changed into a grist-mill. He also kept a small store for their own convenience and to furnish Indians with supplies. At the time the village of Petoskey was started in 1873, Messrs. Ingalls and Porter were the only white people in this vicinity. Mr. Porter used to run a small grist-mill on the present site of W. L. McManus' saw-mill. Mr. Ingalls was born in the state of Vermont in the year 1802, and is still living on the high bank of the creek, where he first located in 1866. He is engaged in the milling business with one of his sons.

In 1873 the village of Petoskey came into existence. The postoffice was removed to the new settlement, and the name Bear Creek is applied either to the town or the stream that furnishes a splendid water power, much of which is yet to be utilized.

Nathan Jarman, present owner of the "Mission Farm," was born in Northamptonshire, England, May 5, 1841. Came to this country in May, 1856, and settled in Lorain County, O., where he

was engaged in farming. Came thence to Charlevoix County in 1866, and settled in the town of Eveline. Moved to Emmet County in March, 1873, and located on the "Mission Farm." He bought the farm in the fall of 1880. Has 112 acres, about one-half of which is within the limits of Petoskey village. About twelve acres are platted. In March, 1863, he married Isabella Bartlett, who died in 1881, leaving four children. His second wife was Rebecca H. Lee; they have four children. When Mr. Jarman came to Bear Creek, Andrew Porter, in charge of the Indian mission, and Hazen Ingalls, were the only settlers at this point.

From a position a little above the business portion of the village of Petoskey, looking to the southwest, one may see about a mile away a series of beautiful green fields, sloping in graceful succession down the hillside. From their appearance one can readily see that, unlike most other fields in the vicinity they have been cultivated for many years. These fields make up what is familiarly These fields make up what is familiarly known as the "Mission Farm."

CHAPTER XIX.

EARLY SETTLEMENT-HARDSHIPS OF THE FIRST HOMESTEADERS-STATISTICAL INFORMATION-GENERAL PROGRESS SCHOOL MATTERSBAR OF EMMET COUNTY.

The general settlement of the county and the development of its agricultural resources were delayed by the fact of the lands of the county being held subject to the Indian treaty. In August, 1874, the castern tier of townships came into market, and April 15, 1875, the remainder of the county was thrown open to actual settlers. At that time the white population of the county was about 150. The Grand Rapids & Indiana Railroad had just opened a highway of travel and transportation through the county, and the village of Petoskey had just entered upon its career. Upon the date named the books were opened at the U. S. Land Office at Traverse City, and so great was the rush for land that over 800 claims were entered during the first three days. Under an act of Congress soldiers in the late war could homestead 160 acres of land while a citizen could homestead only eighty acres, consequently a greater portion of the land was taken by soldiers who settled upon homesteads of 160 acres. During the summer and fall of 1875 a steady stream of immigration poured into the wilderness of Emmet There was not a road in County, and wilderness it indeed was. any direction in the woods except one state road to Cheboygan. The settlers who came in scattered over the county so that settlement was general, and the woods resounded with the sturdy strokes of the woodman's ax, and log cabins were set in the numerous openings in the wilderness.

This was during the hard times that prevailed throughout the country, and many people were driven to seek homes in a new country where but little capital was required to obtain a start. It is always true that the first settlers in a new country, especially upon government lands, are men with comparatively no means. In this county nearly all who came in were without any more than money enough to get themselves located on their land, and all began the race for a subsistence together. There were no settlers before them who had storehouses from which new comers might borThe rush of settlers continued through the summer of 1876, and most of them had no idea of the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life. They supposed they would be able to obtain employment, and could earn enough to support themselves the same as in older localities. But all were consumers, and none had yet come to be producers, and all were too poor to hire work done. The

row.

consequence was that early in the winter of 1876-'77 their supplies were exhausted, their money gone, and actual destitution of even the bare necessaries of life prevailed. This fact became known, and measures were taken for the relief of those who were destitute. As early as October, 1876, the Democrat, published at Petoskey, explained the situation, and urged the importance of public action in the matter. The leading men of the county interested themselves, committees were constituted, and supplies were obtained and distributed among the needy homesteaders. The board of supervisors also made provision for rendering aid to those in the several townships, and the appeals in behalf of the destitute met with liberal responses both from abroad and at home. There were some who feared that the reputation of the county would be injured by the fact of such destitution coming to the knowledge of the outside world, but those fears were groundless as subsequent history proved. The next year people with more or less money began to come in, and an era of prosperity and growth was begun that to the present time has continued without abatement, as the statistics indicate.

Between the years of 1875 and 1880 the population of the county was increased to 6,640, which was divided among the several towns as follows: Bear Creek, 2,763; Bliss, 192; Center, 265; Carp Lake, 109; Cross Village, 452; Friendship, 465; Littlefield, 267; Little Traverse, 1,029; Maple River, 164; Pleasant View, 418; Readmond, 516.

The school census of the year 1882 gave the number of school children in the several towns as follows:

The following is furnished by Rev. W. S. Potter, of Petoskey, secretary of the County Board of School Examiners:

The success and permanence of our republic are conditioned by the virtue and intelligence of its people. According to the American idea, the source of all authority is the popular will, expressing itself through the ballot. The ideal of excellence in our government will be attained when the exercise of the universal franchise shall be guided by the conscience and wisdom of our citizens. For the establishment and maintenance of virtue we look chiefly to such agencies as the church, the home, the influences of good society, and to that natural sense of honor and love of justice never wholly wanting in the breast of man.

For the diffusion of intelligence and the training of the mind we must look chiefly, so far as the masses are concerned, to America's grand free school system.

In the development and application of this system the success of Michigan has made her conspicuous among her sister states. Among the counties of the peninsular state, Emmet is but a child in age, development and experience. And yet this circumstance is not wholly a disadvantage; for if her progress has not reached as yet the results attained by many older counties, nevertheless it must be conceded that youth is a hopeful period. Our possibilities are not so much behind us as before us. We have a future full of promise. These observations are unquestionably true when applied to the public school system of Emmet County.

It is our purpose to sketch this system in brief, setting forth such points as are most likely to interest your readers in the Grand Traverse Region.

We shall notice first the obstacles which our public schools have encountered in this county.

Among these prominently appear difficulties of a financial character.

A large part of the lands of this county were homestead lands.

From the nature of the case such lands are almost always preémpted by people of moderate means; by people who, having lost their fortunes elsewhere, have come to the new country to retrieve them, or by young people just beginning to build up their fortunes. For these very obvious reasons there has been but little money in the county available for school purposes.

It is the misfortune of a new country that many of the financial demands upon its citizens arrive when they are least able to meet them. Forests must be removed, dwelling-houses and other farm buildings must be constructed, highways must be laid out, farms must be provided with stock and implements of labor, while the general necessaries of living must also be obtained.

To these expenses must be added the cost of school grounds and buildings, school furniture and books and apparatus, and the continued expense of teachers' wages.

These have been obstacles of no small size and importance. But to the praise of the enterprise and intelligence of our people be it said, these obstacles have been met with courage, patience and

success.

Another obstacle has been encountered in the difficulty of securing thoroughly trained and efficient teachers in a new country.

At first there were of course no graded or high schools in the county, where our own sons and daughters could be educated and fitted for teaching. It may therefore be said without reflection on the natural abilities of our teachers, that many of them have undertaken their work without full and adequate preparation. And for financial reasons mentioned above it has been impracticable as yet for our district officers to offer teachers such wages as would enable them to incur much expense in qualifying themselves for teaching.

This county has also suffered from the imperfection of the school laws with regard to the supervision of the schools. As the law has been for many years, and now is, the schools have been supervised by township officers, with the possibility, and in some cases the certainty, of an annual change of officers. It is evident that a new country suffers more than an older one from the evils of such a system of supervision. It seems certain that our schools would be more efficiently superintended by a county officer. There are twelve townships in this county, and it is only a truism to say that it is easier to find one man thoroughly competent and responsible for the work of supervision than it is to find twelve. Under the supervision of one man the school system of the county would be a single unit, whereas it is now twelve units.

Responsibility would then be concentrated upon one man, and the sense of accountability for the faithful performance of duty increased. We venture to say that the present system of county examining boards is a good one, but would be much improved if some one of the board should be made practically a county superintendent.

But notwithstanding these obstacles we are able to report a very gratifying progress in the public schools of this county.

The period covered by the history of our schools is about ten or twelve years. During this brief period the number of districts has increased from less than six to about sixty. New districts are constantly forming and old ones being reconstructed to suit new exigencies.

At first the school-houses were almost invariably built of logs; now at least one-third of them are frame buildings, and the old ones are rapidly giving place to new and attractive structures.

As the financial condition of the people improves the fact soon becomes manifest in improved school buildings and better furniture and apparatus. There exists a commendable tendency to curtail expenses 'iu other directions sooner than in the direction of the schools.

A marked improvement has occurred in the selection of superior text books for our schools. The most modern and approved books have been very generally adopted.

The county examiners have strongly urged the advisability of uniformity of text books in the schools, and their efforts have been largely successful.

But perhaps the most notable advance is seen in the improvement of the teachers themselves. It has been the policy of the board of county examiners to gradually elevate the standard of teachers' qualifications in their examinations. The results have been most salutary. Teachers secure a much better preparation for their work than formerly. Their services command a more liberal remuneration. The schools are much better taught, and as a natural consequence the progress of the scholars is much greater.

The efficiency of our teachers is greatly increased by the system of state institutes under the direction of the state superintendent of public instruction. One of these institutes is held annually One of these institutes is held annually in the county, conducted either by the state superintendent or by competent educators appointed by him.

The purpose of the institute is chiefly to instruct the teachers in the methods of teaching and school management.

The teachers of this county also enjoy the advantages of a flourishing teachers' association. There are annual and semi-annual meetings of the association, at which papers are presented and discussions occur on topics assigned with special reference to the particular needs and progress of the schools of this county.

There are at present two graded schools crowning the public school system of the county. One of these is located at Petoskey, has a school census of about 800, employs nine teachers, has a high school, has a systematic course of study including several of the languages and a considerable number of the sciences, studies in English literature, etc.

The other graded school is located at Harbor Springs, has a school census of about 350, employs four teachers, and has a systematic course of study. These two schools are doing a good work in preparing young men and women of our own county for teaching. It is probable that graded schools will be established at no distant day at Cross Village and Pellston.

Under these favorable conditions the improvement of our teachers has been quite marked. Ex-Superintendent Cochran, at a recent institute in this county, paid the teachers the compliment of saying that in personale and intelligence they were equal, and perhaps superior, to the average of the state.

Needs of the schools of Emmet County: It cannot be otherwise than that many needs should exist in the public schools of this county. Their brief history, the newness of the country and the imperfect development of our resources account for the existence of such needs.

We need time for the development of the wealth of the county that more funds may be available for school purposes. Teachers' wages are still comparatively low. The schools are generally deficient in apparatus, such as globes, maps, books of reference, etc. More money for school buildings is needed. The school grounds. are generally in need of much improvement.

The continual elevation of the standard of teachers' qualifications will be necessary for some time to come.

The establishment of libraries, and the enlargement of those already established, are improvements greatly to be desired.

The greater dissemination among the teachers of school literature, such as treatises on the methods of teaching, educational jour. nals, etc., is an obvious neccessity.

But the greatest need of all is better supervision of the schools.
Nothing could stimulate the teachers more in their work, noth-

ing could improve the methods of teaching and school management more than the frequent, regular and intelligent superintendence of the schools by a thoroughly competent person. The number of licensed teachers in the county is sixty-five.

Number of teachers making teaching a permanent profession estimated at twenty.

Number of normal school graduates teaching in the county, three Members of the board of county school commissioners: J. L. Morrice, Harbor Springs, chairman; Rev. W. S. Potter, Petoskey, sec: etary; A. L. Deuel, Harbor Springs.

Number of public examinations of teachers held annually in the county, four, viz: Two regular at Harbor Springs, the county seat, on the last Friday of March and October, respectively; and two special at such points in the county as the board shall determine. Finally, it may be said that there is a progressive spirit in educational affairs among the people of Emmet County. Their zeal is fully commensurate with their ability. They are determined to take high rank among the counties of this great state in the development and success of their educational institutions.

Judge Shurtleff, of Cross Village, taught the first school in the county, outside the Indian or mission schools.

The total school census for 1883 was 2,548. Per cent of census enrolled in schools, seventy-six; per cent of enrollment in average attendance seventy-five. There are fifty-eight districts in the county, and two graded schools.

The following information relating to school matter is taken from reports of school inspectors for the years of 1878 and 1883. Bear Creek, year 1878: Five school districts, two frame school-houses, two of log and one shanty. Number of school children, 416. For the year 1883: Nine school districts, uine frame and one log school-houses. Number of school children, 1,035.

Bliss, year 1878: Two school districts, sixteen school children, no school buildings. Year 1883: Three school districts, ninety-five school children, one frame and two log school-houses.

Center, year 1878: Two school districts, seventy-nine school children, no school buildings. Year 1883: Seven school districts, 120 school children, six school buildings.

Pleasant View, year 1878: Five school districts, 100 school children, one school building. Year 1883: Six school districts, 155 school children, six school buildings.

Readmond, year 1878: Two school districts, forty-nine school children, two school-houses of log. Year 1883: Seven school districts, 187 school children, five school buildings.

Little Traverse, year 1878: Four school districts, 266 school children, three school-houses. Year 1883: Four school districts, 468 school children, four school buildings.

Friendship, year 1878: Four school districts, eighty-four school children, one school-house. Year 1883: Six school districts, 136 school children, six school-houses.

Cross Village, year 1878: One school district, 148 school children, no school-house. Year 1883: One school district, 152 school children; no school-house.

Carp Lake, year 1883: Two school districts, thirty-seven school children, one school-house.

Littlefield, year 1883: Four school districts, sixty-one school children, four school-houses.

Maple River, year 1883: Four school districts, 102 school children, four school houses.

EMMET COUNTY BAR.

The first person to locate in Emmet County as now organized, for the purpose of practicing law was Charles R. Ford, who removed to Harbor Springs, then Little Traverse, in the fall of 1874, and at the election that fall was elected prosecuting attorney. He