umes, and had about $600 out at interest, with a village lot worth $500. Early in January, 1876, the change was made to the rooms of the Y. M. C. A. with which body we remained, with the best of good feeling existing between the two societies, until the Y. M. C. A. gave up their rooms at the close of 1877. During this time no call had been made on the community at large, the only money received outside of our regular income being $10, the proceeds of a social or reception given us by the Y. M. C. A.

"With the close of 1877 the old project of building began to revive. It was finally decided to build and in August Messrs. Conner and West began the erection of the building, which was completed and dedicated December 6th, 1878, at a cost of $1,940.”

There are in 1884 about 1,000 volumes in the library.

The officers in 1884 are as follows: President, Mrs. L. H. Gage; vice-presidents, Mesdames S. S. Wright, B. D. Ashton and W. Pound; recording secretary, Mrs. W. Pound; financial secretary, Mrs Thacker; assistant secretary, Mrs. C. J. Kneeland; treasurer, Mrs. L. Soule; librarian, Mrs. J. F. Boyd; assistant librarian, Mrs. B. D. Ashton.

PIONEER PHYSICIANS.

B. D. Ashton, physician and surgeon, Traverse City, was born in Ohio in 1828. His youth and early manhood were spent in his native state. His medical studies were commenced in Brown County. Later he studied with Dr. Edwards in Miami Medical College, Cincinnati, and graduated at Cleveland Medical College in 1854. From then until 1862 he practiced medicine in Defiance, Ohio. The doctor's marriage was on May 7, 1856, to Miss Margaret P. Lackey, also of Defiance. She was born in Warren County, Ohio, in 1838. They have three sons, Benjamin Franklin, Charles W., Edwin L. In 1862 he removed to Traverse City, Grand Traverse County, Mich., where he has built up and is enjoying a large and remunerative practice. For some time Dr. Ashton was the only physician in Traverse City, and his field of practice was very wide.

Charles J. Kneeland, physician and surgeon, Traverse City, a native of Freedom, Portage County, Ohio, was born Feb. 10,

1846.

He received his education and entered his profession in his native state. He was six years a student in Hiram Eclectic Institute, (afterward Hiram College) when our martyr President, James A. Garfield, was principal. In 1870 he graduated in the University of Philadelphia. He was a post graduate of Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1880. On July 12, 1870, he was married to Miss Estella Udall, of Hiram, Portage County, Ohio. She was born there May 20, 1846. They have one son, Harold Scott. After three years medical practice in Freedom, Ohio, he removed to Traverse City, Mich., and in January, 1873, entered the medical firm of Ashton & Kneeland, where with his partner he enjoys a medical patronage which enlarges the more as years and population increase. The doctor has been director of Traverse City schools nearly eleven years, secretary of the county board of examiners nearly three years, school inspector in Traverse Township ten years, and United States examining surgeon in Traverse City

seven years.

INCORPORATION.

The question of incorporating the village was agitated for two or three years, and finally in the winter of 1881 a bill to incorporate the village of Traverse City was passed by the legislature. The following is a copy of the ɛct:

"That the following deseribed lands and territory, the same lying and being within the present limits of the township of Traverse, county of Grand Traverse and state of Michigan, to-wit: Lots No. 3 and 4, Section 2; Lots No. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, Section 3; Lots No. 1 and 2 and southwest quarter of northeast fractional quar

ter and southeast quarter, Section 4; north half of northeast quarter, Section 9; Lots No. 1, 13, 14 and 15, Section 10; Lot No. 1, Section 11, Town 27 north, Range 11 west; the same to be constituted a village corporate and kuown by the name of the village of Traverse City.

"The first election for officers of said village shall be held on the third Monday of April in the year A. D. 1881, at Leach's hall, in said village; notice of which shall be posted in three public places in said village by the board of registration, hereinafter appointed, at least ten days previous thereto.

"H. D. Campbell and Charles S. Despries are hereby constituted a board of registration, for the purpose of registering voters for the first election to be held in said village; and the said board of registration are hereby required to meet at the office of the county clerk, in said village of Traverse City, on Saturday preceding the third Monday of April, A. D. 1881, and register all persons presenting themselves for registration, and having the qualifications of voters at annual township meetings, due notice of which shall be given by said board in the same manner and time as provided in the preceding section.

"In case the said officers are not elected at the time designated in section two of this bill, an election for officers may be had at any time within one year from the time so designated in said section two of this bill; notice having been given as provided in said section two of this bill.

"The said village of Traverse City shall in all things, not hereinafter otherwise provided, be governed by and its powers and duties defined by an act entitled 'An act granting and defining the powers and duties of incorporated villages,' approved April 1, A. D. 1875, and acts amendatory thereof.

may

"The bridges and approaches thereto now built, or that hereafter be built within the limits of the territory described in section one of this bill, shall be built and maintained by the township of Traverse or the county of Grand Traverse, in the same manner as though said village of Traverse was not incorporated.

"The council shall, for the purpose of improving the highways, within the limits of said township of Traverse and outside the said incorporated limits of the village of Traverse City, be authorized and empowered by a majority vote of all the council elect to use such an amount of the statute highway labor or general highway fund, as may be assessed within the limits of said territory described in section one of this bill, in the improvement of such roads or highways as the said council may determine, anywhere within said township. Said highway fund or statute highway labor to be expended and laid out in such manner as the said council shall advise or determine; provided said amount thus expended shall not exceed one-half of the aggregate amount of said highway fund or statute highway labor in any one year as assessed within the limits of said incorporation; provided further in the discretion of the said council not exceeding three-fourths of said aggregate amount may be expended in the year A. D. 1881.

"The poor that are now and may hereafter become a charge upon the township of Traverse, within the limits of said territory described in section one of this bill, shall be maintained by the said township of Traverse or county of Grand Traverse, in the same manner as though the said village of Traverse City had not been incorporated.”

The first charter election was held the third Monday of April, 1881; 229 votes were polled, and the following non-partisan ticket elected: President, Perry Hannah; clerk, Thomas W. Browne; treasurer, M. E. Haskell; assessor, Henry D. Campbell; street commissioner, John Kelley; constable, William J. Moody;

trustees Smith Barnes, Seth C. Moffatt, Homer P. Daw, Joseph D. Haviland, James Lee, Joseph E. Greilick.

1882:-President, Perry Hannahı; clerk, Harry C. Davis; treasurer, M. E. Haskell; assessor, Henry D. Campbell; street commissioner, John Kelley; constable, William J. Moody; trustees: James Lee, Joseph E. Greilick, George E. Steele.

1883: -President, Perry Hannah; clerk, H. C. Davis; treasurer, M. E. Haskell; assessor, H. D. Campbell; street commissioner, John Kelley; constable, William Moody; trustees: Smith Barnes, Seth C. Moffatt, Homer P. Daw, D. C. Leach.

1884:-President, Perry Hannah; trustees, two years: Dewitt C. Leach, James Lee, Joseph E. Greilick; clerk. Harry C. Davis; treasurer, Myron E. Haskell; assessor, Charles E. Lockwood; street commissioner, John Kelley; constable, William J. Moody.

The Traverse City Fire Department dates back to the year 1877. March 16 of that year a meeting was held at Leach's hall for the purpose of effecting an organization. A few months prior to that

THE HANNAH & LAY MERCANTILE CO.

One of the most gratifying and creditable accomplishments in the history of general progress in Traverse City, was the building of a mammoth business block by the firm of Hannah, Lay & Co., and its occupancy by the Hannah & Lay Mercantile Co. in 1883. The history of this firm presents some remarkable and interesting features. From this film have emanated the vital forces which have made the Traverse City of to-day, and while many of their business operations have already been mentioned, it seems desirable to summarize them in chronological order.

The firm of Hannah, Lay & Co., which consists of Perry Hannah, Albert T. Lay, James Morgan and William Morgan, was organized in the city of Chicago, May 1, 1850. It will, consequently, be thirty-three years on the 1st of May next, since this now widely known firm took its place in the business world. For

a year after the organization of the firm its business was confined to the purchase and sale of lumber in Chicago, then a miniature town compared with its present size. A lumber yard was leased

time a fund had been raised by subscription, and two small engines purchased. Two hose carts had also been ordered. At this meeting the Traverse City Fire Department was organized and officers elected, as follows: Fire marshal, S. Barnes; assistant, H. D. Campbell; chief engineer, W. V. Harvey; fire inspectors, Charles Duprey and John Stevenson. Officers for the engines Wide Awake and Invincible were also elected. Other business relating to buildings, location, &c., was also transacted.

With the introduction of water works in 1881, the fire protection of the village was completed.

In 1882 a state asylum for the insane was located at Traverse City, and is now in course of erection.

THE OLDEST MASON.

William McDowell, who died at Traverse City, March 12, 1884, aged 104 years, was the oldest Mason in the world. This question was settled some years ago beyond dispute. He was made a Mason in Lodge No. 208, Balleymaney, county of Antrim, Ireland, June 24, 1807. He was a royal arch, knight templar, knight of Malta, ark and mark degrees, and priest, lord and knight of the cross. He was master in 1828, resigning that year to emigrate to Canada. He had been a resident of Traverse City three years, living with his daughter, Mrs. Urban Barnhart, in Fernwood suburb.

on the corner of Jackson and Canal Streets, nearly two miles below their present location, and it was the furthest lumber yard up the river, in the city.

In the spring of 1851 Mr. Hannah came to Traverse City, or rather the spot upon which Traverse City is now built, in the little schooner Venus, a craft of about fifty tons burden. In company with Horace Boardman and a Mr. Whitcher, he went up what is now known as the Boardman River, and spent several days in examining the pine region tributary thereto. Returning, he bought from the firm of Capt. Boardman what is now known as the old mil), on the creek, in the western part of the village, with some 200 acres of land, for the sum of $5,500.

From 1851 to 1855 the supervision of the business here was divided between Mr. Hannah and Mr. Lay, each remaining six months and then changing places with the other, who had charge in Chicago. As the business grew in magnitude and importance this plan was found to be inconvenient, and in 1855 Mr. Hannah took permanent charge of the Traverse City business, and Mr. Lay that in Chicago. This arrangement has continued to the present time, a period of twenty-eight years.

It is not necessary to again review the details of the early lumbering operations.

In 1853 the pine was taken from the village plat and princi

pally sawed into bridge timber, which was used in the construction of the Illinois Central railroad bridge across the Illinois River at LaSalle, of more than a mile in length. Before the job was completed, it was getting to be so late in the fall, and it was so important that the lumber should be furnished, that the loggers prolonged their labors until late in the evening, Mr. Lay holding lanterns for the choppers to work by.

The first store occupied by the company was a little log building, 12x18 feet in size, situated in the west part of the town, a few feet south of where to-day stands the old building used at that time as a boarding-house for the little water mill. After the completion of the first steam saw-mill, the business of the company was transferred to the spot which had been occupied so many years by them. The first store here was a little building, now known as the tin shop, and which stands on the opposite side of the road from the Bay House. In 1859 what is now known as the central or main building of the old block of wooden stores was

then editor of the Herald, the late Gov. Bates, upon his first trial of the Alleghany, said: "The trip to Chicago instead of being a terror and dread, and of ten days' duration as it often was in sail vessels, is now a pleasant pastime." In 1864 the company built the little steamer Sunny Side, in Detroit, especially for the bay business. This was the first steamer plying regularly upon the bay, and was a great favorite with the public, and to-day there remain many very pleasant recollections among the older residents of Traverse City, of the pretty little Sunny Side. This boat did a fine business for four seasons, when she was totally wrecked at the Pine River (Charlevoix) dock, Nov. 14, 1867. The steamer City of Traverse took the place of the Alleghany in 1871, arriving at Traverse City from Cleveland, where she was built and furnished, on the 1st of May in that year. She was the third steamer owned by the company, and was built expressly for their own trade, and has proved to be an excellent boat and a good investment. The original cost of the City of Traverse was $85,000, and large sums

constructed. buildings were added.

In 1857 was built the present steam saw-mill which was used until 1879, when it was entirely rebuilt and all the latest and best machinery put in, and the most improved methods for manufacturing lumber employed, making it one of the most complete mills in the state. Soon after the removal from the old steam mill, in 1857, that building was converted into a flouring-mill, for which purpose it was used until the erection of their present magnificent waterpower mill, in the year 1869. The shingle-mill was built in the fall and winter of 1881. The mill made 12,000,000 shingles during the past year. Since the beginning of their business, this firm has manufactured over 400,000,000 feet of lumber at Traverse City. The first vessel property owned by this firm was the brig J. Y. Scammon, eventually wrecked on the Manitou Islands and a total loss. At a later day they owned the schooner Telegraph. Both vessels were engaged in the lumber trade between this place and Chicago. Their first steam craft was the propeller Alleghany, bought in 1860 and run until the close of 1870. The people of Grand Traverse thought they were almost out of the woods when they had a regular weekly steamer from this port to Chicago. The

putting in new machinery and entirely refitting the boat for pas senger travel, and she is, to-day, one of the finest and most popular boats upon the lakes. She is now again being fitted up, at heavy expense, for the summer travel of 1883.

The little steamer Clara Belle was put upon the bay in 1875, and had a good trade for several years, until the business outgrew the boat, and she was then sold and was run last season on Pine Lake. The steamers City of Grand Rapids and T. S. Faxton are now owned and run by this company, on the Traverse City, Petoskey and Mackinac daily line.

The growing popularity of the Grand Traverse Region as a summer resort, and the rapid increase of pleasure travel, necessitated the opening of the new route, and also providing increased hotel accommodation. To meet this demand Park Place Hotel was leased of H. D. Campbell, and handsomely fitted up by this firm and placed in charge of Col. J. D. Billings, and has, under his management, gained the reputation of being one of the best houses in the state. The large three story building has since been built on the opposite corner, connected by a covered bridge with the original building, and both are now used in the summer.

East Park Place was built by H. D. Campbell in 1873, and kept by him five years.

In the spring of 1882 the erection of a mammoth brick block was begun, and completed the following year. In April, 1883, the new block was occupied, the building and business was mentioned in the Herald of April 12 at great length, of which the following is an extract:

'From 1859 until this week, Hannalı, Lay & Co. have oceupied the old wooden stores which were started in that year. As the business increased 'one department after another was added, and warehouses were built on the opposite side of the road, and the old flour-mill was utilized for the same purpose, and other warehouses were built or rented in other parts of the town. But the time had come when all this was insufficient. The business had outgrown the accommodations. The necessity for a change. in the near future was apparent several years ago, and plans were then laid for the changes recently made.

"One year ago the erection was begun of the magnificent block. just completed. This block occupies what was for so many years known as the 'triangle' at the west end of Front Street, and faces 212 feet on Front Street and 112 feet on Union Street. The south and the north fronts and the side elevations are all of the same height. It is, in fact, a block with four fronts. It is three stories above ground, with a basement nine feet in the clear under the entire building. This basement is finished in keeping with the rest of the building, is well lighted, front and rear, and will be used by the various departments. The building is, therefore, really, four stories in height. The best quality of pressed brick (which were all manufactured here) are used for the entire exterior. The caps and cornices are of galvanized iron and the sills of cut stone. first floor south front is entirely of iron and French plate glass, the plates being from 6x12 to 9x12 feet in size. The entire building is heated by steam, which is made in the building. There are freight and passenger elevators running from basement to fourth story. The building will be lighted by electric lights. A walk fourteen feet wide runs entirely around the block, and a permanent awning covers the entire walk in front. The extensive grounds connected with the building are all heavily clayed and graveled. There are fourteen public entrances to the building in the two fronts and at the sides.

The

"In the southwest corner is placed the banking office of Hannah, Lay & Co., and in the rear of this Mr. Hannah's private office. The remainder of the west end of the building and the entire department next east is used for hardware and crockery from top to bottom.

Next comes the boot and shoe department, next the dry goods department, 50x112 feet, the entire four floors being used for this purpose together with furniture and upholstery. The next two departments are devoted to groceries from basement to fourth floor.

"Each department connects by wide arched doorways, with the adjoining departments, so that one may pass the entire length of the block through the different stores, without going outdoors. Wide, easy stairways lead from each department to the next floor above. These are placed at the north end, and from the first turn, where is a roomy resting place, a fine view is had of the entire length of the long salesroom below.

“Our space is too limited to enter into details. Suffice it to say that this building, erected at a cost of $100,000, is probably the most complete and best adapted to the business for which it is intended, of any in the state.

"Right here it is very proper to speak of Mr. Smith Barnes. Mr. Barnes came to Traverse City in 1859 and became interested in the mercantile business, taking the general management of that department of the business of the firm. Mr. Barnes' peculiar fit

ness for what has proved to be so important a position is conceded by all. Closely watching the minutest details of the business, great and varied as it is, he is perfectly familiar with every item, and he has so systemized the work that the business is carried on quietly, pleasantly, and with perfect order. pleasantly, and with perfect order. Mr. Barnes has taken an active

interest in the erection of the new building and has given much time and thought to the interior plans of the different departments, and with what degree of success is now apparent. It must be very gratifying, indeed, to Mr. Barnes to note the present inagnificent proportions of the business which has, under his management, grown from its small beginnings a quarter of a century ago.

"For two or three weeks the work of removing the stock had been quietly going forward, so quietly that business was not in any way interrupted, and but few of our citizens were aware of the work being done. On Saturday, March 31st, the grand rush was made, and on that day a small army of men was busy from morning until night, and darkness came down upon the old store deserted.

"The old buildings look low and small now; the ceilings are low and dingy, the rooms look darker than they used to, the floors are more sunken, and the office is smaller than we thought; but to those of us who have been daily visitants there for twenty years or more, and to those who have stood behind counter and at desk for that time and longer, pleasant memories cluster around the old spot, and in leaving it forever we feel somewhat as we felt when leaving the old home years agɔ.

"Hannahı, Lay & Co. have been signally successful in securing and retaining a most efficient corps of employes. Cuyor Germaine, acting as general outside forem in, has been with them from the earliest memory of man, and is yet as youthful and efficient as ever. The late John Francis Grant, whose death the Herald recorded two or three weeks ago, had stood at the general book-keeper's desk for twenty-five years. William Holdsworth who has charge of the real estate department, has occupied his place for twenty-three years. Chas. A. Crawford, who has general charge of the office and banking department has been in his position from his boyhood days, and we draw no fancy sketch and paint no untruthful picture. when we say that he is one of the best business men in the state. Time and space fail when we attempt to note in detail the great number of employes that are engaged with this firm. Fully sixty clerks and book-keepers are required to attend to the business as now conducted. The heads of the departments are as follows: H.P. Daw, hardware; E. P. Wilhelm, dry goods (Mr. Wilhelm has been with the firm for twenty years); Herbert Montague, grocery; C. B. Atwood, boots and shoes; M. S. McMichael, furniture. Jas. A. Moore will be in charge of the central or mercantile office, Chas. A. Crawford will remain in charge of the bank and lumber office, Julius T. Hannah will assist his father in the general management. of the business.

"If there is any one feature of the business of this firm more worthy special notice than another, it is the cash system which was inaugurated by them many years ago. They have always paid cash for everything bought and for all labor performed, and have always expected cash for what they have sold. This has, very largely, done away with "dicker trade" throughout Grand Traverse, and the benefits arising from this excellent system have been beyond all estimation. Founded upon the solid rock of a cash system, Grand Traverse has scarcely felt the ebb and flow of the waves of financial worry and distress that have, twice since the organization of this firm, swept over the country, but, scarcely checked in its process, the development of the entire region as steadily and surely gone on.

"Another important fact in this connection is worthy of note.

All the large gains that have been made in the transaction of this great firm have been used to promote the interests of and benefit the Grand Traverse country. Nothing has been drawn away except for the actual living expenses. Here the business centers, here the work has been done, here the money has been paid. As a firm Hannah, Lay & Co. have been public spirited and generous. No public improvement planned, one-half of the tax for which this firm must pay, has ever been objected to or opposed by them. Anxious to promote the best interests of the entire region they have ever been ready to do their full share.

"Hon. Perry Hannah, the head of the firm, the best years of whose life have been given to its service, strict and exact in all business affairs, but quick to note and reward ability and fidelity; public spirited, liberal in great matters and in small; a kind friend and trusted counselor, is honored and beloved by all.

"Thirty-three years is a long time for a company of men to remain in business without changes, and knowing 'time waits for no man' they have wisely concluded to organize their business into corporations. The new store starts out with the organization of a mercantile company, with a capital of $300,000. Perry Hannah, president; A. T. Lay, vice-president; Smith Barnes, secretary and treasurer, and will be known as the Hannah & Lay Mercantile Co. It is also proposed at an early day to organize the lumber interests into a corporation to be known as the Traverse City Lumber Co. with a capital of about $1,000,000. The banking business will also be carried on and under the name of Banking House of Hannah, Lay & Co."

An idea of the growth of the business may be obtained from the fact that in 1860 the sales aggregated $16,000, and in 1883, $600,000. Following are some facts in connection with Messrs. Perry Hannah and Smith Barnes.

Mr. Hannahı was born in Erie County, Penn., Sept. 22, 1824. He came with his father to St. Clair County, Mich., when thirteen years of age, and spent a portion of his early life in rafting logs from Port Huron to Detroit. He was then engaged for several years in commercial work with Mr. John Wells, of Port Huron. In 1846 he became clerk in the lumber yard of Mr. Jacob Beidler, of Chicago, Ill., and continued there until 1850, when the firm of Hannah, Lay & Co. was formed. Mr. Hannah's marriage was on Jan. 1, 1852, to Miss Ann Amelia Flint, of New York. She was born there Dec. 25, 1834. They have one son, Julius T. Hannah, and two daughters, Hattie Amelia and Claribel.

Perry Hannah was a member of the state legislature in 1856-'57, and has always interested himself in local affairs. He has served twenty-eight years as moderator of the school board, has been supervisor several years, and president of the village since it was incorporated. He is politically a Republican, and his name has been prominently mentioned in connection with the office of United States senator. His liberality in all worthy enterprises is proverbial.

Smith Barnes, secretary, treasurer and general manager of the firm of Hannah & Lay Mercantile Co., Traverse City, was born in Madison County, N. Y., in 1827. Since 1836 his life has been spent in Michigan. He spent five years of his youth in Livingston County, and about six in Oakland County. Later he spent some twelve years in Port Huron, St. Clair County. From there he removed to Traverse City in 1860, and became a partner in the firm of Hannah, Lay & Co. Since that time he has had the sole charge or general management of the mercantile department. During his first year in the business of the firm he and one clerk made all the sales, amounting to $16,000. In 1883 the sales were a little less than $600,000.

La 1852 Mr. Barnes was married to Miss Lucinda M. Hart. She died in 1870. His second marriage was to Miss Catharine K.

Clarke, of Geneva, N. Y., in 1871. In politics Mr. Barnes is a Republican, but steadily declines official position. He has, however, accepted an election as member of the city council, and has served as such ever since the incorporation of the village. His elegant private residence is on the corner of State Street and Wellington, and is known as Ingleside. Nearly forty years of his life have been devoted to commercial work and enterprise.

The mercantile interests at Walton, and lumbering operations at Long Lake, are noticed in connection with those points.

A RETROSPECT.

In December, 1883, the Grand Traverse Herald had completed its twenty-fifth year, and upon that occasion penned a retrospect of that period as follows: "In 1858 Traverse City was a little hamlet upon the shores of a wild and beautiful bay. A few houses were planted among the fresh pine stumps, but streets were only known on the recorded plat.

"On the west side of the town was the old saw-mill, then used as a flouring-mill, afterward occupied by J. E. Greilick for several years for his sash and door factory. The old roll-way and track from the mill to the bay, and the old dock, are now things of the past. In that part of the town were a few small houses and shanties used by the mill men and Hannah, Lay & Co's employes. Coming east the first house was Mr. Hannah's cottage, then a small, one story building. Next to this was the small building used for the Herald, then the boarding-house,' now the Bay House, but much smaller than now. 'The company's' store was then the little building now opposite the Bay House. This is a building about 20x30 feet in size, and here was the foundation for the present immense business of Hannah, Lay & Co. and the Hannah & Lay Mercantile Co. The old saw mill then occupied the spot upon which the present handsome building was erected a few years ago.

Coming across the river Front Street could boast of the Cutler House, about half its present size, the small house just west of it, a small dwelling owned by D. C. Goodale, on the old postoffice lot, and which was burned in 1863, the 'Sprague' House, corner of Front and Cass Streets, about half its present size, a small, square house which would hardly be recognized now in Locust Grove Cottage, a small two story building known to the older residents as the Exchange' Hotel on the lot now occupied by the Front Street House, the Fowle' House, still remaining substantially as it was then, corner of Front Street and Park Place, and a small portion of what is now the Occidental Hotel, then known as the Gunton Housc. These, with two or three log houses near Boardman Lake, and one log house near the Gunton House, made up Traverse City. The rest was a wild plain, covered with stumps and overgrown with huckleberry bushes. What is now known as the South Side' was then government land, and was entered soon after by Morgan Bates, he paying $200 for 160 acres. In a few weeks he sold to Perry Hannah for $400 and thought he had made a nice thing out of it.

"The entire region was a wilderness. Little settlements had been made at a few places along the lake and bay shores, but the interior was entirely unknown except to Indians, trappers- and surveyors. Grand Traverse, Antrim, Leelanaw and Benzie formed one county. The only means of communication with the outside world was by sail vessel. West and south only Indian trails penetrated the wilderness. There was not a house between Traverse City and Glen Arbor, and only three between this place and Manistee, seventy miles distant. William Monroe was the first settler south of Silver Lake, and he cut a road six miles to get to Ins location. A few farms were opening up on the east bay between Traverse City and Elk Rapids, as was also the case on the peninsula. Old Mission was then the terminus of the nail route (the office