Charlevoix is the county seat of Charlevoix County, and has grown rapidly during the past four years. It has become one of the most famous summer resorts in northern Michigan, and its popularity in this respect must continue to increase. It is the center of a famous fishing region, and boats run to all points in the vicinity. Several steamers make daily trips to South Arm and East Jordan, and the staunch steamer, Clara Belle, makes two trips a day the whole length of the picturesque lake to Boyne City, where stages. run to connect with trains at Boyne Falls.

The improvements of the village conform to the natural surroundings. The citizens of the place are justly proud of their vil lage, and manifest a commendable spirit of enterprise and liberality in advancing those interests that redound to the credit and welfare of a community. The visitor is at once impressed with the neat and tasty appearance of the streets and buildings, and becomes attached to the place by reason of the cordial greeting he receives from the people whom he meets. The rudeness usually found in new places is nowhere exhibited among the people of this village; on the contrary, the intellectual and moral standard is very high, and there is an atmosphere of refinement that is immediately noticeable.

The early events which transpired at Pine River have already been narrated, and we come now to the starting point of Charlevoix as a village.

THE BEGINNING BY FOX & ROSE.

The narration of events already given shows that the site of Charlevoix Village is historic ground. The Mound Builders have left their traces and the character of the location would be sufficient evidence of its being a favorite resort of Indians. From the purchase of the land by John S. Dixon in 1854, until the beginning of the operations of Fox & Rose in 1864 nothing occurred that is connected with Charlevoix as a village.

In the course of the summer of 1864, Mr. Dixon completed arrangements with the firm of Fox & Rose, of Northport, by which they were to come here and build a dock to a sufficient depth of water for steam-boats to reach. Mr. H. O. Rose, now of Petoskey, came here and assisted in measuring the ground they were to have, which included all convenient dock sites around the mouth of the river.

It was also arranged that Mr. Dixon was to take charge of a stock of goods which he was to dispose of in exchange for wood, and that winter was begun the propeller wood trade at the mouth of the river. Work on the dock was pushed as rapidly as possible, and before the close of navigation a dock was partially completed, and everything was ready to receive wood. About the 25th of October there came a heavy northwest blow, the severest that had been known on the lakes for many years, and carried away about a hundred feet of the dock, doing considerable damage to what was left.

This disaster was an unfortunate one, but did not discourage the firm which was composed of pioneer business men who had already been in the same kind of business at Northport for several years. Early in the spring they repaired the damages and completed the dock.

When goods were first shipped here in the fall, an old block building was used, but during the winter of 1864-'65 they brought lumber and put up a store.

Soon after operations were commenced Philo Beers bought an interest in the business, and brought an addition to the stock of goods already on hand.

Early in the spring the machinery and material for a saw-mill were brought here, and in August, Robert Miller, now proprietor of the Bridge Street House, arrived, he being the owner. He had been here the previous year, and now came intending to build a

mill. The site that had been abandoned by William Holland was selected, a dam of heavy timber built across the creek and a substantial frame was erected by the middle of December, when work was suspended until the following spring. When spring opened and an attempt was made to raise the water it was found that the dam could not stand the pressure, not being adapted to the sandy foundation on which it was erected. It was repaired three times during the summer and then abandoned as a bad investment. This site is now occupied by A. Stover's grist and flouring-mill.

During the summer and fall of 1865, Messrs. Fox & Rose built their boarding house and barnl. The former is the original part of the Fountain City House. Philo Beers built the main part of his residence and C. Van Riper put up a dwelling house afterward owned by Nelson Ainslie.

The year 1866 did not witness any material change in the village, but 1867 opened with brighter prospects. The following is a brief biographical sketch of Mr. Fox:

AMOS Fox is one of the pioneer business men of the Traverse Region. He was born in Monroe Countv, N. Y., in the year 1827. In 1837 he removed to Branch County, Mich., with his parents and remained there until 1850. He then went to California and remained through the winter, and in the spring returned to Branch County. In the spring he formed a co-partnership with H. O. Rose, now of Petoskey. They went to California and remained engaged in mining about four years. The partnership lasted twentyeight years and was concerned in extreme business enterprises at Northport, Charlevoix and Petoskey. In 1855 they began operations at Northport, and built the first dock and store at that point. In 1864-'65 they built the first dock at Charlevoix which was finished the following spring. They also opened a store. The same firm afterward built the first dock and opened the first store at Petoskey. At these points they carried on mercantile operations and dealt in wood, ties, posts, &c. Mr. Fox's present store was built in 1868. He still carries on business at Charlevoix, and deals in bark, wood, &c. He also owns a large amount of land. He was married at Port Huron in 1866. They have two sons. Mr. Fox put on the first steamers that ran on the inland waters, and few business men are better known in northern Michigan than he. In 1882 Fox & Rose divided their property and dissolved partnership. Since that time Mr. Rose has carried on business alone.

Early in 1867 a mail route was established, also a postoffice at Charlevoix. Philo Beers was postmaster. Nelson Ainslie had the contract for carrying the mail, and moved his family here in the spring of 1867. The village had been platted by Mr. Dixon in 1866.

Mr. Beers kept the postoffice at his house which stood just south of the river, and was post-master until his death, which oc curred April 3, 1872. Richard Cooper, who was deputy postmaster, moved the office to the Fountain City House, where it was kept until the appointment of Willard A. Smith, as post-master, which was made in May. Mr. Smith still continues to hold that office.

The firm of A. Fox & Co. had made a contract with a firm in Buffalo to build a tug for use on Pine Lake in towing their wood from the different points around the lake to the dock. Early in the spring of 1867 they began clearing out the river, and the construetion of a railroad from their wood-yard on the river to their dock. They also had four scows built at Northport for their wood trade. Some time in June the tug, which they named "Commodore Nutt," arrived, and after considerable trouble she was got into Pine Lake, whose waters were then parted for the first time by steam craft.

An alleged physician arrived this year in the person of one

Dr. Fiasco, who demonstrated the propriety of his name to the sorrow of those who had any business with him. There is a well founded tradition that he was a complete fiasco. The next physician was a Dr. Gilbert who came in 1868, and after remaining a month or two moved to Elk Rapids where he made a brief stop. The first physician to locate here permanently was Dr. L. Lewis, who came in 1870, and is still in practice here.

In the spring of 1867, Richard Cooper came from Little Traverse and kept the boarding-house for A. Fox & Co. He afterward purchased the property and built the present Fountain City House, which he still keeps.

NEWSPAPERS.

THE CHARLEVOIX SENTINEL is a pioneer institution in this part of Michigan, and has been an important factor in the general development and progress of Charlevoix County. In 1869 the county of Charlevoix was organized. At that time De Witt C. Leach was publishing the Grand Traverse Herald and Willard A. Smith was a compositor in the office of the Grand Traverse Eagle. Mr. Leach desired to establish a newspaper office in the new county and selected young Smith as the person whom he desired to come to Charlevoix and manage the enterprise. A satisfactory arrangement was effected; and Smith took such material as he thought necessary from the Herald office and it was transported to the new field of journal

Even at this time the improvements were not extensive. Robert Miller had a blacksmith shop on the north edge of the river. A. Chamberlain had partially constructed a dwelling, now used as a confectionery store, opposite Major Green's office. John Althouse had built his house on the north side of the river, and an M. E. parsonage occupied a solitary place in the woods. Mr. Laister put up a building near the present hardware store of Stockman & Iddings, during the summer of 1868, and afterward brought a stock of goods from South Arm. Mr. Laister was a bachelor and possessed of a comfortable property. He carried on his mercantile business until his death by suicide, Dec. 6, 1871. He was an Englishman by birth and had no relatives in this country. No cause could be assigned for the tragedy that terminated his life.

In the fall of 1868 the first lawyer to locate in the county arrived in the person of Major Edward H. Green. He built a house where his present residence stands, and the following winter taught school taking his pay principally in flour and potatoes.

It was during this time that Charlevoix enjoyed the brief honor of being the county seat of Emmet County. The records were brought over from Little Traverse and court was held in the Althouse building. The supervisors also met here, but Charlevoix County was organized the following spring and was thereafter disconnected from Emmet.

The year 1869 was an important period. Charlevoix County was organized and the village of Charlevoix became the county seat, and in April the Charlevoix Sentinel was established. In the issue of April 24, that being the first, local happenings were chronicled as follows: The union convention to nominate county officers; the fact that Redington, Nelson & Co. were having a tug boat constructed at Buffalo for use on the lakes; Messrs. Fox & Rose's new store on the south side of the river was said to be of mammoth proportions, and nearly finished. The second story was used as a hall. A. Fox & Co. were laying a plank road between their store and the dock; Redington, Nelson & Co. commenced operations with their steam-mill, the previous week; William Laister had five new boats ready for use; George Kyes had put up a building, the lower story of which was intended for a general store and the second story for a boot and shoe manufactory; Nelson Ainslie wanted to build an addition to his house as soon as a carpenter could be procured. The newspaper history of the place since that time has been substantially as follows:

ain City House, and Saturday, April 24, 1869, the first number of the Charlevoix Sentinel was issued for De Witt C. Leach by Willard A. Smith, with Major E. H. Green as editor. Its field was wide, for north of Traverse City there was no competition. Charlevoix village was scarcely a prophecy and if every white family in that territory had each paid for one copy during the year, the publisher would not have grown rapidly rich. Turning back the issues of fifteen years to the early numbers we find, however, a well printed and well edited local newspaper. Public questions are there discussed with candor and ability, and the make-up of the paper displays the work of a printer well skilled in his craft. The paper was a five-column folio and was printed on a Washington hand press. In the earliest numbers are the advertisements of E. H. Green, attorney and insurance agent; Philo Beers, notary public; Robert Miller, blacksmith; A. G. Aldrich, assistant assessor and deputy collector; the Fountain City House, Richard Cooper, proprietor; William Laister, general store; Redington, Nelson & Co., dealers in lumber; George Kyes, grocery; and A. Fox & Co. general merchants. Thus the business of the village was fairly represented at that time. During the second year the office was removed to a building at the corner of Clinton and Bridge Streets.

March 12, 1870, Mr. Leach sold the establishment to Willard A. Smith. Mr. Green continued editor until Feb. 11, 1871, when Smith became editor and proprietor. he retired from a position which he had very ably filled and Mr.

In 1874 the paper was changed to a six-column folio, afterward to a five-column quarto, and in 1881 to a six-column quarto.

In 1871 Mr. Smith built an office on Main Street. Subsequently that building was moved to Bridge Street and occupied for a time when it was again moved and the present Sentinel building erected upon its site. Mr. Smith continued sole proprietor until August, 1883, when he sold a half interest to Ed. F. Parmelee, and the firm became Smith & Parmelee, as at present. At that time the paper was increased to a seven-column quarto.

When first established the Sentinel was the official paper of seven counties, including two on the Upper Peninsula. Since that time its field has narrowed as population multiplied upon this inviting domain. Its prosperity, however, has never been checked nor its influence lessened, and in the years of progress that have wrought such desirable changes in Charlevoix County the Sentinel has voiced the interests of this locality with commendable judgment and fidelity. The fact that it survived the vicissitudes inevitable to pioneer journalism, testifies to the excellence and vigor of its early management. The institution has shared the general prosperity surrounding it, and the equipment of the office has kept pace with the increasing business which it enjoys. The Sentinel was established as a Republican newspaper and has maintained an unwavering course to the present. In point of influence and journalistic excellence the Sentinel holdș a high rank among the newspapers of

Michigan and its columns give evidence of great enterprise on the part of its publishers. ·

WILLARD A. SMITH, the founder of the Sentinel, was born at Malone, Franklin County, N. Y., April 14, 1848. At the age of seven years the death of his parents left him an orphan and the necessity of early shaping his future career was thus thrust upon him. At fourteen years of age he came to Michigan and entered the office of the Marshall Statesman as an apprentice. He served an apprenticeship of three years and four months and then went to Flint where he worked several years in the offices of the Globe and Wolverine Citizen. Failing health caused him to try the Traverse Region and he found employment as compositor in the office of the Grand Traverse Eagle. It was while working on the Eagle that the project of starting the Charlevoix Sentinel was considered and acted upon as already related in the history of that paper. Immediately upon becoming a resident of Charlevoix he took a leading position in public affairs which he has maintained to the present time. In 1872 he was appointed postmaster, which office he still retains. He has held the offices of county clerk, county treasurer, and president and trustee of the village. He has been manager of the telegraph office since it was established in 1874, and U. S. Signal observer since 1879. Dec. 25, 1871, he married Nancy M. Bagley, of Banks, Antrim County. They have four children. Their residence was originally built in 1872, and rebuilt in 1875. Mr. Smith has been a successful journalist as any man must be who plants a newspaper on the frontier and brings it safely to a position of influence and prosperity.

ED. F. PARMELEE, one of the editors and proprietors of the Charleroix Sentinel, was born at Reading, Hillsdale County, Mich., in the year 1861. He was educated at the University of Nebraska, and at Hillsdale College, graduating from the latter in the class of 1883. His father built a cottage at Breezy Point between Pine and Round Lakes, and made this the summer residence of the family in 1882-'83. Having had some experience in journalism and desiring to engage in that occupation, in August, 1883, he purchased an interest in the Charleroir Sentinel and became one of its editors and proprietors. Mr. Parmelee is a young man of thorough culture, and well adapted to the journalistic profession.

THE CHARLEVOIX JOURNAL, published at the village of Charlevoix, was established by Charles J. Strang, the present proprietor. The first number was issued in June, 1883. The paper is a five-column quarto, is Democratic in politics and is conducted with evident ability.

CHARLES J. STRANG, editor and proprietor of the Journal, is a son of the late James J. Strang, leader of the Michigan Mormons. He was born at St. James, Beaver Island, Mich., April 6, 1851. After the death of his father in 1856, he removed to Walworth County, Wis. and three years later to Jackson County. In February, 1860, he removed to Eaton County, Mich. He was educated in the district schools of the country, and in March, 1868, entered the office of the Eaton Rapids Journal as an apprentice, where he worked one year. Subsequently he worked at Bay City, Mich., three years, in western states one year, at Charlotte, Mich., two years, and at Lansing eight years. Married Miss Hattie Wight at Charlotte, Jan. 31, 1875. They have four daughters. In June, 1883, they removed to Charlevoix and established the Journal as above stated. The Royal Arcanum is the only society of which he is a member. Mr. Strang is an experienced printer and is making the Journal popular as a local paper.

EARLY SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.

It is time that we turn back and notice the efforts made for the moral and educational welfare of the community. While the people have been busy projecting business enterprises and laying the foun

dation of a business center, other important interests have not been neglected; in fact, both the week day and Sunday-school antedate the village.

Religious teachings were introduced upon the site of Charlevoix long before the village came. It is a fortunate circumstance that matters of public morals and education have always received prompt attention from the citizens of the place and as a consequence we find a refined and an intelligent community instead of a rough and uncouth element so frequently found in new places. The visitor need spend but a short time among the people of Charlevoix, and he will find that he is in the midst of a hospitable and generous class, where there is an atmosphere of refinement and thrift.

Sunday school work in Charlevoix dates back to the fall of 1859 when Mr. and Mrs. Dixon organized a class in their log house which stood near the shore of Pine Lake.

We find an interesting account of this school in the sketch written by Dr. Leach, as follows:

It was commenced in the fall of 1859, and closed in the summer of 1860, having been kept up, with some irregular intermissions, between these two dates. Four families were represented those of S. F. Mason, Medad Thompson, Hugh Miller, and J. S. Dixon. The pupils were Oscar Mason, Albert Mason, Melvin Thompson, William Miller, John Miller, Mary Ann Miller, Ellen Miller, Frances P. Dixon, Joseph R. Dixon, and Charlie Dixon. There was no formal organization, and the exercises were of the simplest kind. Desiring some Sunday-school books for the children, Mrs. Dixon wrote to Mr. T. Marvin, publisher of the Missionary Herald. Her letter was referred by him to the young people's missionary society of Park Street church, Boston, which promptly responded by the donation of a ten-dollar library. Mr. Dixon's residence was situated near the beach of Pine Lake. As the homes of the other families were similarly situated, the easiest way for the It children to reach the school in the winter was to go on skates. was quite natural that, returning, the attractions of skating should prove too strong for their regard for the Sabbath, and that they should while away a considerable part of the afternoon on the ice. At one time it became a serious question with Mrs. Dixon, whether her school, indirectly, was not doing more harm than good.

"After the close of this Sunday-school, in the summer of 1860, brought about indirectly by severe domestic affliction in the family of Mr. and Mrs. Dixon in the loss by death of a little daughter, nothing more was attempted in that line of work till 1865. In the summer of that year, for a short time, Mrs. Dixon again conducted a Sunday-school, in the little log school-house that had been built on a terrace overlooking Pine Lake, on the grounds now occupied by the Charlevoix summer resort.

"In the spring of 1867 the writer found himself in Charlevoix, with the prospect before him of spending the summer and autumn there. At the earnest solicitation of the young people, he consented to undertake the organization and management of a Sunday-school. Within a radius of two miles, there were, all told, about sixteen persons of both sexes of suitable age for a Bible class, and about the same number of children old enough to attend the school. They were all gathered in, almost without an effort. There was no minister of the gospel at Charlevoix. Rev. Leroy Warren, engaged in home missionary work, preached there when his duties, at long intervals, called him into that region, and Rev. A. J. Sensabaugh, the Methodist minister on Antrim circuit, held meetings there occasionally, but during the greater part of that season the Sundayschool was the only Sunday service.

"Some difficulty was encountered in finding a suitable place for meeting. There was a fisherman's shanty on the south side of the river, on or very near the site now occupied by the block owned by