MNOU

with boulders one mile from shore over which the white caps dashed, of the far-famed city of White Rock.

"Leaving this capricious harbor, so well stocked with defensive boulders, we soon arrived at, and successfully doubled that rough, rocky, small-caverned cape, Pointe aux Barques. Leaving the broad expanse of Lake Huron, and entering the extensive Bay of Saginaw, whose dangerously rough seas were brought vividly to mind on reading the accounts of the perilous voyage of the fisherman, floating upon its bosom, on cakes of ice, the sacrifice of six brave and noble-hearted men from Alabaster, in an attempt to rescue them, during the last winter-my memory reverted with singular clearness to one of the most perilous scenes of my life. On the arrival of the party at Pigeon river, we crossed over to, and made a survey of Charity island, but unfortunately left a small cur dog running in the woods, belonging to Lieut. Poole; the next day I was detailed, and four others, in a yawl, with two days' provisions, to rescue the dog; we sailed about fifteen miles, propelled by our muscles applied to oars, under a calm, still sky, and smooth, placid waters.

"On approaching the cove-sided island, we were forcibly reminded of the errand of mercy upon which we had been sent, by the dog's leaping in the air, running and capering up and down the beach, making loud and joyous yelpings; on nearing the shore, the dog leaped aboard; just at this moment, a light, vaporing shadow flitted away from the spot the dog left, and it has been a matter of much serious speculation whether it was the shadow of Lieut. Poole's soul flitting off. We immediately set out on the return, with the brightest of prospects and full spread canvas; when about eight rods from shore, we encountered, suddenly and unexpectedly, a southwesterly gale, and twice attempted and failed to come in stays, with a view to regain the island; on the third endeavor, our mast cracked about half off near the foot, and the sail dipped water, bringing us in stays double quick, with an ominous and fearful sheet of water pouring over the side, shipping about a barrel of water; by great and despairing effort, with our weight upon the upper edge, the sail lifted from the water, and the craft righted; hats and shoes were vigorously applied in bailing, and as soon as possible our oars were put in motion, and the boat headed for the island, then about a quarter of a mile distant, and we into a direct line into Lake Huron. After an hour of the hardest struggle for life we found ourselves nearing the island, and on arriving, joyously camped for the night. The following day the wind veered northwesterly, and blew directly for Pigeon river; at 4 P. M., the sail was reefed to the size of a farm-house window, our staunch and crank little craft was placed before the gale, and one hour and ten minutes sped us safely into camp. Your relator will here add his testimonial to the many others related of the crank and turbulent waves of Saginaw Bay in rough weather; and state, that while on this speedy passage, he stood upon the thwart holding fast to the

mast, and when in the trough of the sea, nothing but the sky could be seen to the front or rear at an angle 45 degrees; on look ing at the white-caps chasing in the rear, apparently to engulph me 15 or 20 feet beneath their crest, my hair pulled fearfully, and my heart seemed leaping from my body. At this alarming moment, the base of the wave up-ended our yawl, and it leaped forward with such force as to cause an involuntary squat, dashing spray over the stem, giving us an oft repeated sprinkling. "Passing over the minor incidents in the progress of our work, from the encampment at Pigeon river to the Saginaw river, we finally pitched our tents on, or near, the site of your enterprising city, and took observations, for nine successive days, of the sun crossing the meridian, to determine the latitude and longitude of this capacious river; your relator each time noting the exact second from an excellent chronometer.

"Now, when I ride into the cities of Saginaw Valley, in palace cars, on first-class, well stocked railroads, or ride up and down this river in a noble steamer, beautifully furnished, viewing in surprise the almost continuous line of cities along its banks; teeming in wealth and splendor; the immense yards of lumber, containing millions of feet; salt works sufficient to resuscitate and save all this thrift and industry from any serious decline; in contemplating all, memory of 1833 and 1836 leaps forth and asks, Did all this spring from chaos, or more than chaos, with so much forbidding sterility upon a stream lined with extensive marshes, deep bayou or sturdy forest, uninhabited, save a few log houses near the river, in Saginaw City? In those early years, your water lines of river, bay or lake were familiar. I then traversed the Tittabawassee and its branches, Chippewa and Pine, Bad river, Cass, Flint and Mishtegayoc, exploring their forests, selecting their choicest timber and finest lands.

"And now, my old co-laborers in the woods and fields of Michigan, wishing you long life and joyous end, I say adieu."

Thomas J. Drake sent the following letter, under date, Pontiac, June 19, 1874, addressed to Hon. Albert Miller:

"Dear Judge:-It is difficult for me to find words, to express adequately the pleasure which your letter gave me.

"The celebration, to which you so kindly invited me, is one of no ordinary character. The early settlement of the Saginaw Valley, and the organization of our State government, are subjects deeply interesting; and, while I remember the one, I cannot forget the other. There are few events more deeply seated in my memory than my first visit to Saginaw. Perhaps it is well ordered that we cannot look back on the past and view over by-gone years without commingled emotions of pain and pleasure, and thus we are preserved from the evil effects of satiety and despondency.

"The incidents of that journey, though many and important, were known to but few,-my traveling companion and associate, Commissioner Frost, who alone knew what occurred to us on our journey there and back to this place, has passed away, -a pioneer

in other realms, and there remains none to relate our adventures. Forgive the egotism, and let me say to you what I think I have to none else. On our way home, the question of life and death was forcibly presented for our consideration without time for reflection. It rained heavily while we were at Saginaw, and when Frost and I got ready to return we were ferried over the river at Green Point by Jewett. We moved rapidly to the usual crossing on Cass river, but the increased velocity and volume of water plainly told us we could not cross there in safety. It was raining hard, and we put away for the upper crossing a mile or more up the river. When we reached that point we found the river much narrower, and the north bank quite elevated. There were a few deserted Indian cabins on the north bank, some of them made of logs split into halves or slabs. We hastily unsaddled our horses, and drove them into the river; they swam easily to the opposite shore, went out of the river, and went to feeding. We hastily pulled down a cabin, took the timbers to the edge of the water, and there formed a raft. We fastened the timbers together as well as we could with our bridles and surcingles, laid timber and bark on top for a floor or platform, put our saddles, portmanteaus, and blankets on, and having two of the poles we could find at any of the cabins, we shoved our frail raft into the surging waters, and both leaped aboard. The first push we made carried us into water so deep we could not reach bottom with our poles, and down stream we went with the rapidity of a race horse. Our poles were so slender that they served us but little assistance as oars. We ap plied ourselves with all the energy we possessed, and so shaped the course of our raft that it came so near the south shore in passing one of the bends of the river, that I caught hold of the tops of some willows standing on the bank. By holding fast, our raft swung around, and brought Frost so near that he got a firm hold of the bushes, and thus we got to shore all safe and not the least frightened. Our horses were soon caught, and our bridles and saddles thrown on, our blankets and trappings secured, and we upon full gallop for Flint river, which we reached a little after sun-down.

"Our business at Saginaw was to locate the seat of justice for that county. When we got there we found Judge Dexter and Engineer and Surveyor Risder platting the city of Saginaw. Dexter approached the Commissioners with his skeleton map in hand; one of the lots he designated as the court-house lot.' He very abruptly informed them that if they located the site for the seat of justice on the lot he had designated he would donate it to the county, and he would give to each of the Commissioners a lot, perhaps two. Our other associate was satisfied with Dexter's proposition, and from that moment until we left, I think he looked at nothing but the lots Dexter proposed to give him. I felt inclined to treat Dexter with contempt, and for awhile Frost agreed with me and we looked at other places.

"There was then an uninhabited forest where East Saginaw now stands, and it was said that the whole country, after getting back

we

from the river, was a morass, and uninhabitable. However, resolved to inspect it ourselves. With Jewett to guide us we traveled the country up and down the river and from the river back, until we were satisfied that it was the best and most proper place for a court-house. Besides Jewett, there was with us that day a man by the name of Joshua Terry, who lived at Pontiac. Frost and I fixed upon a site, and drove a stake to indicate the spot selected. We took measurements from different points on the river with such bearing as would enable one to find the identical spot, and agreed to meet next morning and make our report. I went to Jewett's shanty at Green Point, and Frost went to the fort, as it was called, where he could find our other associate. The next morning, to my surprise, I found that Frost had been overcome, demoralized, and had actually signed a report locating the site on the spot selected by Dexter. Through the love of whisky which was entertained by Frost, and the love of gain entertained by the other Commissioner, the county seat of Saginaw county was located. I was then a member of the Legislative Council from Oakland county and all the Lower Peninsula north and west of it, and with pride I endeavored to extend and uphold the interests of my constituents, the pioneers of old Oakland, as well as those of the beautiful valley of the land of Saco. I have with deep solicitude and great pleasure witnessed the untiring exertions of the pioneers, and the marvelous growth and prosperity of the country.

"Fifty years ago and this vast country, of which the Saginaw Valley may be considered the center, was the home of the deer and the red man; its deep forests were then unmarked by the steps of the pale face; the most of it was beyond the pale of civilization. And what do we see now? Towns and cities adorn the land; railroads traverse the country in every direction; its rivers are utilized as highways for commerce and travel, and as a resistless motive power for manufactories; its forests are receding before the redoubled blows of the ax men, and being molded into articles of commerce, are wafted away thousands of miles for improvement or ornament in distant countries. And above all and beyond all, on the 24th of June, 1874, the pioneers of the State proposed to inaugurate and to carry into execution the celebration of the anniversary of the organization of the State government.

"All hail! Pioneers of Saginaw. Long have you suffered, and gloriously have you conquered. May you long enjoy the rich rewards with which your labors are crowned. Receive the congratulations of an old pioneer."

THE PIONEERS OF THE SAGINAW.

In their own circle within the original boundaries of Saginaw, the pioneers have done much which deserves honorable mention. It is true that the fame of a Washington, or the terribly earnest patriotism of a Montgomery have not been their share; yet there is no reason whatever to suppose that, did circumstances create