New England Monthly, will give the reader the fifty years ago idea of a fast age:

THE AGE WE LIVE IN.

It has, says the "Yankee Blade," been often said that this is a "fast" age. Verily, it needs no ghost to tell us that. Everything is "rushed" now upon the locomotive principle. Even a race-horse speed no longer satisfies; nothing short of a high pressure velocity will answer. What was once a Jehu-like hurry is now considered a snail progress, and men turn away from lazy, dragging railway lines that travel only twenty miles an hour, with perfect disgust. A man who can control himself to travel at all in a stage coach, is considered a miracle of patience a phenomenon more inexplicable than the dogged imperturbability of Job. The whole human family has caught the steam mania, and are kept continually on the jump. Every day the pace is increasing, till it has become too frightful for "old folks" to live. They are in the background by the helter-skelter, neck or nothing speed of the rising generation, and find themselves perfectly bewildered by the hurry scurry with which scenes and events sweep by.

"Go ahead"-"put it through"-"hurry up the cakes!" are the mottoes of the times. No matter how well or ill-substantially or flimsy, a work is done, if you only "push along and keep moving." A building which twenty-five years ago no architect would have dreamed of erecting in less than six months, must now be pushed up in as many weeks; a railroad which none but a moon-struck engineer would have expected to construct in less than five or six years, must now be completed in two; a book, which once would have required years of brain work for its composition, is now dashed off at a dozen sittings. In short, all things which can be made to "go it," are whizzing on the "lightning" principle, and, from the high-flyer on the Cambridge race course to the stupendous floating palaces that dart up and down our mighty rivers, are scampering at a 2:40 speed.

It is true that fast built buildings every now and then tumble down and crush the inmates, and that fast steamers are continually bursting up and blowing thousands of thousands of passengers to immortal smash. But "vot of it!" as Sam Weller says. This is a go ahead age, and it is preposterous to suppose that millions of human beings are to be kept crawling along at a snail's pace on life's thoroughfare, only that a few hundreds may travel in safety. It

is the age of improvement, too, and, as a cotemporary says, "we are bound to keep the great engine of human civilization at racing speed, even if we sit on the safety valve to prevent the steam from escaping." There is no whoaing, holding in, or halting on any of the lightning lines of our day. Men are now born in a hurry-grow up, get married, have children, and die in a hurry and when buried, are dragged out from their graves by resurrectionists in a hurry, almost before the breath is fairly out of them.

Even in education the same fast principle is adopted. Everywhere the steam pressure is applied -everything is done per saltum. Young men are taught to get to their journey's end by short cuts, with a hop-skip-and-jump, and to scorn the example of stupid nature, which can produce nothing great except by slow and tedious processes of growth and assimulation. Years are no longer wasted in acquiring a single language or mastering a solitary branch of science. A bold, dashing, sweep-all-before-you style of study is the fashion, and the citadels of learning are carried by a coup de main. To-day the student is down in the bowels of the earth with the geologist; to-morrow he is soaring through the stellar spaces with the astronomer. This week you find him encircled by glasses, jars and blow-pipes; the next, the chemical gases are exchanged for the fogs of metaphysics or logic. One month he is cramming with Greek, Latin, French, German and Italian; another, he is galloping like a race horse over the vast fields of moral philosophy, political economy, poetry and romance. The literature of a country is exhausted in a day; he devotes a cigar or two to the writers of Spain, knocks off the ashes, and calls for the literature of Portugal. Great discoveries, too, are made in science with a flash of thought; miracles of invention are achieved in a moment of inspiration: and the probability is, that

"Modern philosophy, anon,

Will, at the rate she's rushing on, Yoke lightning to her railroad car, And, posting like a shooting star, Swift as a solar radiation,

Ride the grand circuit of creation."

During this twenty years Jackson county had passed from the primeval state to that of a thriving, civilized community. The native Indians had given place to the whites,

the forests to the cultivated farms, the primitive trails to roads, and the rude cabins to the comfortable, and in many cases, elegant homes of the prosperous farmers. Every town was settled and organized, and schools and churches were seen everywhere. The slow tramp of the teamsters was not seen on the main thoroughfare of commerce, for the modern railroad had taken its place. The city had grown with equal vigor. The log cabins disappeared and fine business blocks of wood and brick harbored our tradesmen, and the dwellings lined the straight and well improved streets. It was the market center for the whole county and for miles beyond its limits, and its streets were daily filled with dozens and hundreds of loads of produce which sought the Jackson markets. The decade opened with every evidence of increased prosperity and the future was bright and glorious.

The first excitement of the year was a considerable fire at the prison which consumed the north row of shops, and caused a loss of about sixty thousand dollars to the state and some of the contractors.

In May a special election was held for delegates to a convention to revise the state constitution. Jackson sent five delegates. The Whigs nominated Hon. Townsend E. Gidley, Henry Frink, William Jackson, Austin Blair and Abram Van DeBogart, while tthe Democrats nominated Wilbur F. Story, John L. Butterfield, R. H. Anderson, Dr. Jerry G. Cornell and Elisha S. Robinson. The Democrats were all elected.

B. Hibbard and became a part of the old Hibbard House, which was torn down in the summer of 1902.

On July 4th a fire occurred in the Porter block, on the south side of the public square, which destroyed the Citizen office, though the building was only badly damaged. The Citizen resumed publication in September, with C. V. DeLand as proprietor, who published it until 1861.

The Citizen of June 1, 1853, says that "building is all the rage here now. There never was a time when there were so many new houses and buildings being erected. Our merchants and mechanics are all busy, busy, busy. Lumber and all kinds of material are scarce and high. Of personal knowledge, we can count twenty new buildings in course of erection. What town can beat this?"

In the spring of 1851 occurred the arrest of Capt. Abel F. Fitch and twenty-three other citizens for conspiracy against the Central Railroad Company. The trial lasted nearly all summer in Detroit and attracted wide attention. We shall make it the subject of a special chapter later on.

The presidential election of 1852 was an important matter, and resulted in the organization of a new national party, the initial steps to which were taken in Michigan, the platform and naming of which occurred in Jackson July 6, 1854. A complete historical account of this great event will form a distinct chapter later on in our work.

During 1853 the Grand River Railroad Company was formally organized and an assessment made to make the preliminar surveys. Joseph E. Beebe was president M. A. McNaughton, secretary, and Amr, Root, treasurer. A mass railroad mr eting was

which was largely attended and resulted in work being commenced on the road to Adrian as well as to Grand Rapids. Gentlemen were present from Eaton, Barry, Ingham, Kent, Lenawee, and some other counties. Hon. T. E. Gidley presided and C. V. De Land was secretary, with a number of vicepresidents. Resolutions were adopted favoring the construction of a road from Adrian, also to Grand Rapids, which gave a new impetus to these projects. Messrs. H. H. Smith, O. M. Barnes and others advocated a road to Lansing and steps were taken looking to further action in that direction.

In August the Citizen said, "We have the pleasure of announcing that the work on this end of the Jackson branch of the Southern road was commenced last Monday morning. About one hundred men entered the 'disputed territory' and are digging their way through it with a vengeance. The road will soon be graded the five miles, the right of way having been purchased by Mr. Root and those acting with them. As soon as the grading is completed the contractor, Mr. Ransom Gardner, says the work will be pushed to completion at an early day, the Michigan Central Company to the contrary notwithstanding.". The first locomotive reached the city on this road December 10, 1857.

During 1853 five three-story brick stores were erected, by Alonzo Bennett, Daniel Hodgkins, C. W. Penny and George McGrath. Several frame stores were also built. The Kennedy Steam Mill was completed in

1854, and the Novelty Steam Mill was built in 1855. The Jackson Gas Company was organized in 1856, and the next year the city was lighted by gas.

In February, 1857, a disastrous fire broke out in a frame building adjoining the Empire Hotel, on the north side of Main street, and swept over two whole blocks. The loss was very heavy, as it was in the business part of the town. It was a severe blow, but inside of two years it was rebuilt with substantial brick structures.

In 1860 the population of Jackson was 5,060; number of houses, 782. In the county there were 5,033 families and a population of 26,664. Value of real estate in the county, $11,712,271; number of farms, 2,596; acres improved, 209,023; unimproved, 158,504; number of sheep, 107,931; swine, 12,549; number of bushels of wheat raised the past year (1859), 667,691; rye, 19,591; corn, 600,268; oats, 145,641; barley, 17,487; buckwheat, 23,822; potatoes, 216,152; pounds of wool, 352,304; butter, 662,559; cheese, 58.279; number of flouring mills, 14, manufacturing 64,700 barrels of flour per year, and nine saw-mills, cutting 1,654,000 feet of lumber per season. Whole number of children attending school, 7,229; amount raised by rate bill, $2,128.78; total amount of district taxes, $13,446.25.

The history of Jackson since 1860 is so recent that it is hardly worth following in dry detail, but it will be sandwiched in with events and biographies, and its distinct features given due prominence.

The following is a list of the early officials of the township and a record of the elections from the first settlement down to the organization of the village.

1831.-The town meeting poll lists of Jacksonburgh for 1831 contained the following names: Russell Blackman, William Shipman, J. W. Bennett, Daniel Hogan, M. Freeman, William R. Thompson, Orvil Cummins, George C. Pease, Oliver Russ, John Durand, J. Fifield, John Wickham, W. C. Pease, William Curtiss, Abel Daniels, Joseph Case, Lyman Pease, Hiram Thompson, Elias Keyes, Christian Prussia, John Fifield, Silas Loomis, E. S. Billings, Timothy Williams, Jeremiah Thompson, O. H. Fifield, Isaac Sterling, Samuel Wing, John Wellman, Lemuel Blackman, David Striker, Chester Wall, Martin Flint, Elemis Gillet, Horace Blackman, Ezekiel T. Critchett, John Ritchie, Jesse Baird and William R. DeLand.

An election was held at the public house of William R. Thompson, July 11, 1831, which resulted in the choice of Samuel W. Dexter as delegate to congress, who received 21 votes: while his opponent, Austin E. Wing, was accorded 20. For members of the legislative council, James Kingsley received 27 votes; George Renwick, 22 votes; E. M. Skinner, 15 votes, and Isaac Sterling,

16 votes. The inspectors of election on that occasion were Ralph Updyke, Christian Prussia, Ezekiel T. Critchett, Isaac Sterling and Horace Blackman.

1833. An election held at the house of David Keyes on the second Monday of July: For delegate to congress, William Woodbridge had 20 votes; Lucius Lyon, 26 votes. For members of the legislative council, George Renwick had 27 votes; Abel Millington, 24 votes; Henry Rumsey, 26 votes; Munnis Kenney, 22 votes. Signed by E. T. Critchett, William D. Thompson, clerks of election.

1835.-At a special election at the house of William Bothwell May 25, for the purpose of electing one delegate to represent Jackson county in convention "now assembled" to form a state constitution, Rosevelt Davis had 50 votes, and Roswell B. Rexford 46 votes. Signed by Oliver Russ, Samuel Woodworth, inspectors, and William R. DeLand, town clerk.

At an election held October 5 and 6, 1835: For governor, Stevens T. Mason had 51 votes; John Norvell, I vote; William E. Perrine, I vote. Lieutenant-governor, Edward Mundy had 51 votes; Ross Wilkins 1 vote; William R. DeLand, I vote. Representative to congress, Isaac E. Crary had 59 Representative to the state legisla

votes.

ture, Townsend E. Gidley had 58 votes; Abram F. Bolton, 30 votes; James Franklin, 6 votes. Senators, fifth district, David Page had 62 votes; Abel Millington, 62 votes; Benjamin T. Mather, 57 votes; Henry Rumsey, 31 votes; Silas Finch, 30 votes; William J. Moody, 31 votes. Adoption of the state constitution: Yes, 27 votes; no, 5 votes. Samuel Hamlin, Oliver Russ and Jotham Wood, inspectors of election.

At an election held April 4, 1835, to elect two delegates to represent Jackson county in convention to form a state constitution, Townsend E. Gidley had 60 votes; Rosevelt Davis, 58 votes; Roswell B. Rexford, 56 votes; Thomas McGee, 51 votes. Signed by Jotham Wood, John Daniels, Curtis Wheelock, inspectors of election for the town of Jacksonburgh.

1836.-At the township meeting April 4, at the house of Paul B. Ring: For register of deeds, Joseph C. Bailey had 81 votes; William R. DeLand, 63 votes. For supervisor, Jotham Wood had 65 votes; Daniel Coleman, 63 votes; J. Wood, 2 votes. For township clerk, William D. Thompson had 66 votes; William R. DeLand, 55 votes. For justice of the peace, J. N. Dwight had 103 votes; Joseph C. Bailey, 70 votes; James Fifield, 65 votes; Hiram H. Smith, 63 votes; William R. DeLand, 63 votes; David Keyes, 61 votes; J. W. Dwight, 16 votes. William R. DeLand and Hiram H. Smith had each received an even number of votes, and declared a tie between them. And then the And then the electors again proceeded to vote for one justice of the peace, and William R. DeLand had 48 votes; Hiram H. Smith, 48 votes. Whereupon it was declared a tie. The sun being then down, it was declared that no more votes could be polled upon that day.

Phineas French was appointed poundmaster. Election returns signed by David Keyes, J. P., J. C. Bailey, J. P., Oliver Russ, moderator, township board.

William R. DeLand was elected justice by "lot," April 16, for one year, deciding the tie vote between H. H. Smith and himself. At a special election May 2, 1836, William R. DeLand had 38 votes for justice of the peace; Hiram H. Smith, 34 votes for justice. of the peace, thus finally deciding the contest in favor of DeLand.

At a special election at the house of Paul B. Ring, March 11 and 12, 1836: For representative to the state legislature in place of Townsend E. Gidley, resigned, Phineas Farrand had 80 votes; Abram F. Bolton, votes; John N. Dwight, I vote.

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At a special election May 3, 1836: For representative to the state legislature, Abram F. Bolton had 41 votes; Phineas Farrand, I vote; Oliver Russ, 3 votes; Josephus Case, I vote; D. F. Dwight, I vote.

At an election held September 12, 1836: For a delegate to the state convention, Jerry G. Cornell had 52 votes; Ethan Allen, 53

votes.

At the election November 7 and 8, 1836: For presidential electors, William H. Welch, Woolcott Lawrence and William Draper had 105 votes; David McKinstry, Daniel LeRoy and William H. Hoeg, 80 votes. For senators, fifth district, George B. Cooper had 109 votes; William Moon, 110 votes; Marcus Land, 90 votes; Abram F. Bolton, 86 votes. For representative in the state legislature, Jerry G. Cornell had 88 votes; Phineas Farrand, 109 votes. For sheriff, Amasa B. Gibson had 128 votes; George W. Gorham, 75 votes. County clerk, William R. DeLand, 108 votes; William D. Thompson, IOI votes.