Early History of Caro, (Part 1) Indian Fields, Tuscola Co., MI

This history was extracted from "History of Tuscola and Bay Counties, Mich.
with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of their Prominent Men 
and Pioneers", published in Chicago by H. R. Page & Co. (1883), p. 79-90

This copy contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives.

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VILLAGE OF CARO

    Caro is the county seat of Tuscola County and is located on section 3, in 
the township of Indian Fields. It is surrounded by a rich farming country, which 
contributes liberally to its commercial prosperity and social progress. The 
geographical position of the village is near the center of the county, and had 
its origin in the idea that it might sometime become the county seat. Previous 
to 1869 it was designated by the name of Centerville.

    The first settler upon any part of the present site of the village was the 
late Samuel P. Sherman, who entered the north half of the northwest quarter of 
Section 3, September 8, 1852, and December 1st of the same year entered the 
south half of the northwest quarter. Only two entries were made in this section 
prior to September, 1852 and they were for lumbering or speculative purposes. A 
brief sketch of the first settler upon the site of Caro seems appropriate in 
this connection, and we give it as follows:

    The late Samuel P. Sherman was born in Williamstown, Berkshire County, 
Mass., March 4, 1805, and died January 1, 1883. When four years of age his 
parents removed to the State of New York. He was married at Lyons, Wayne County, 
New York, October 3, 1824 and moved to Southfield, Oakland County, Michigan, in 
1828. For a time prior to 1852 his son, William E. Sherman, worked at lumbering 
on the Cass River, in the vicinity of where Caro now stands, and was so much 
pleased with the appearance of the country that he reported his impressions to 
his father, who visited the locality in 1851 and decided to take up again the 
life of a pioneer. September 8, 1852, he entered sixty-three acres in the 
northwest quarter of section 3, in the present town of Indian Fields. September 
9 he entered eighty acres in the southwest quarter of section 4, and December 
1st of the same year entered eighty acres south of his first entry. January 5, 
1853, he entered forty acres adjoining, on the west, his second entry. In 1852 
he removed to Indian Fields, and was the first settler on section 3, now the 
village of Caro. Mr. Sherman's history during the last thirty years of his life 
is closely identified with that of the village of Caro. He was a man of generous 
deeds and strict integrity in all his business relations. His kindness of heart 
and liberality were proverbial. He was the first clerk of the township and the 
first justice of the peace. The second township meeting of Indian Fields was 
held at his house. In the earlier years of his life he was a member of the 
Methodist Church, but for the last forty years had been connected with the 
Universalist Church, and was largely instrumental in securing an organization of 
that society in Caro, as is manifest in the history of that society given 
elsewhere in this work. On the morning of January 1,1883, he started to walk to 
the depot to procure a ticket for his wife, who expected to leave for the East 
during the day. When about half way to the depot he was seen to fall on his 
face, and by the time he was reached life was extinct. His first wife died in 
1869, and he had married a second time. The children living are William E. 
Sherman, Mrs. William McPhail, Mrs. A. P. Cooper, Mrs. E. A. Marr, Mrs. George 
Gage and Mrs. Joseph Gamble.

THE FIRST OF CENTERVILLE.

    The Legislature of 1856-'57 authorized the building of a State road from 
Bridgeport, in Saginaw County, to Forestville, in Sanilac County. This road 
extended through section 3, in the township of Indian Fields, and that part of 
it was opened late in the fall of 1857. The work of brushing and clearing was 
done by E. P. Randall, J. Blakely, Alexander Belmer, Lewis Richards and his two 
sons, and Horace Parsell. This work was done in December, and the first team 
over the road was driven by Mr. C. R. Selden, present treasurer of the county, 
who was at that time hauling supplies for a lumber firm.

    In 1858 Melvin Gibbs, who had been keeping a hotel in the old log house 
built by Samuel P. Sherman, put up a frame building, still standing at the 
corner of Almer and Frank Streets, and used it as a hotel. It was known as the 
Gibbs House, and was the first hotel built on the site of Caro.

    In 1859 William E. Sherman, who had been living in Juniata, removed to this 
point and built a hotel near where the postoffice building now stands. There was 
a small building on the ground, built the year previous which he enlarged, 
making a building 30x40 feet in size and two stories in height. He gave his 
hotel the name of Centerville House, and from that the locality took its name. 
Mr. Sherman reasoned that being near the center of the county, this point was a 
good location for a town that would have more than an equal chance of securing 
the county seat.

    At this time S. P. Sherman, Melvin Gibbs, Charles Austin, Chester Briggs, 
William E. Sherman, Peter D. Bush and N. G. Alvord, were about all the residents 
of the neighborhood. 

    Mr. Sherman purchased a stock of groceries and calico, amounting in value to 
about $50, and kept them for sale in the bar-room of the Centerville House, and 
thus started the first store in the place. He also used to handle the mail, 
carrying it to and from Vassar and Watrousville, until the Burnside postoffice 
was established.

    The first blacksmith shop was started by L. D. Welch, who is still carrying 
on the same business in the village, and is consequently the pioneer blacksmith 
of Caro. Mr. Welch came here in the spring of 1861, and built a temporary shop 
about where D. A. Horner's drug store now stands. He also built a shanty to live 
in on the lot where his present residence stands. During that summer he built a 
permanent shop on the State road. He is still hammering away on the anvil chorus 
began in the solitude of Centerville.

    In the spring of 1861 Mr. Sherman put up a small frame building, about where 
the Wilsey Block now stands, and moved his stock of goods from the hotel into 
it. A man named Bates purchased the hotel, and it was kept for a time by a Mr. 
Foster, and in the spring of 1863, Alfred Weldon moved here from Saint Clair 
County, and kept the hotel a year. He then moved to Richland, in Almer, and 
built a mill that had been begun by E. P. Randall and J. Blakely. In the spring 
of 1864 S. R. Cross took the hotel property and rebuilt the hotel and kept it 
for several years.

    The second store in the place was started and kept by Joseph Gamble. The 
building was put up in 1861, and it is now part of a bakery building on State 
Street.

    The first physician in the village was Dr. Palmer, who came about 1862. 
Prior to that time Dr. Dickinson, of Almer, had been the only physician in this 
part of the county.

    The first church building in the place was built for Universalist worship, 
by Samuel P. Sherman, in the summer of 1861. It was used for religious worship 
by other denominations. Its mission has long since changed, and it is now part 
of a saloon building on the corner of State and Burnside Streets.

     Among the early preachers who ministered to the spiritual wants of the 
community, was a young man of fiery zeal and demonstrative inclinations. At 
times during his labors here strange sounds would be heard issuing from the 
poplars scattered through the burnings back of the village. The villagers were 
puzzled to account for the cause, and finally a delegation of boys visited the 
locality from which the unaccountable racket proceeded. Approaching the thicket 
with caution, they discovered the young preacher threshing wildly about among 
the underbrush, and delivering his sermon for the coming Sunday to the nodding 
poplars. The curiosity of the people was appeased, but the minister finding that 
his sanctuary was invaded, discontinued his rehearsals, and the eloquence of the 
young divine resounded no more through the burnings.

YEARS OF STRUGGLE.

    The years between 1861 and 1866, made an exhausting drain upon the energies 
of the people of Centerville. While the country was fighting battles for the 
preservation of the Union, Tuscola County was the battle ground of numerous and 
exciting contests over the location of the county seat. In that struggle 
Centerville was enlisted without limit as to term of service, and its captains 
slept with their armor on. The history of this contest is to be found elsewhere 
in this work.

THE HOPE OF CENTERVILLE REALIZED.

    The final triumph of Centerville in the county seat controversy was the 
event that shaped the destiny of this aspiring village, and fulfilled the ardent 
expectations of such of its people as had labored long and unremittingly to 
accomplish that purpose. The board of supervisors, at the October session, in 
1865, voted to remove the county seat from Vassar to Centerville, and that 
action was subsequently ratified by the electors of the county. The population 
of the entire township of Indian Fields at that time could not have been over 
400, as the year previous the census returns reported it at 249. Section 3, now 
the corporation of the village of Caro, contained the following inhabitants and 
buildings: Beginning at the lower end of State Street, at the southwest corner 
of the village, was a house occupied by Daniel Delling. A few rods to the north-
east was the house of Lewis Miller, on the opposite side of the road; the next 
building was the district school-house, afterward sold and converted into a 
dwelling; next were the mills, and beyond, the house of William E. Sherman. S. 
R. Cross kept a hotel about where the postoffice now stands, and opposite was a 
small store kept by J. C. & Charles Montague, a portion of the building being 
occupied by them as a dwelling. Melvin Gibbs kept a hotel called the American 
House north of the Montague store, on what is known now as Abner Street, while 
opposite was the store of Joseph Gamble, who lived in the upper part of the 
building. North of that and near by, lived L. D. Welch, in a shanty. Not far 
away lived S. P. Sherman, and east, on what is now Frank Street, lived Charles 
Austin. Following northeast from S. P. Sherman's was the house of M. B. Gibbs, 
then X. O. Smith, and opposite, the house of Horace Montague. The next house was 
that of P. D. Bush, and with that the enumeration of Centerville in October, 
1865, ends.

    In December, 1865, P. D. Bush, S. P. Sherman, 'Melvin Gibbs, S. R. Cross and 
Charles Austin, made and platted the village, and soon cemmenced selling lots 
for building purposes. Theretofore the land had been worth about $15 an acre, 
and the first lots were sold at from $15 to S25 each.

    In the spring of 1866 the frame of a Universalist Church was moved down from 
Almer, and preparations made for the reception of the capitol, as narrated on 
another page. That spring and summer witnessed quite an immigration and 
considerable building. So flattering were the prospects that early in the summer 
William E. Sherman platted about fifty acres as an addition to the village. Up 
to September, 1866, no new streets had been opened, and building was confined to 
the State road and quarter-line roads. In September Mr. J. W. Spencer broke 
ground for his dwelling-house, where he now lives, and in October, John Kelsey 
commenced building a house on Burnside Street.

    It should, perhaps, be noted that Centerville had its salt and oil epoch, 
and slight attempts were made for both, but without success.

THE CARO POSTOFFICE

    About the first mail carrier to bring mail into Centerville was Mr. William 
E. Sherman, who used to bring it from Vassar and afterward from Watrousville and 
distribute it from his counter in the old Centerville House. The mail then 
amounted to perhaps a hat full, provided always the hat was not too large. About 
1861 a rival to Centerville appeared upon the bank of the Cass, about a mile 
distant in Almer Township, called Richland, and a postoffice called Burnside was 
established there, and E. P. Randall was postmaster. The mail route then 
extended from East Saginaw to Sand Beach. At that time, when the mail carrier 
passed through, the important fact was circulated throughout the neighborhood, 
and in the meantime a boy on horseback was sent to Burnside for the mail, which 
he brought in his pockets to the store of DeWitt C. Bush, that being by common 
consent the general rendezvous. The boy piled the mail on the counter, and the 
sacred pile was as safe as though it had been locked within government vaults. 
Each one who came to the store assorted the mail to suit himself, and made his 
or her own selections.

    In 1866 it was thought that the neighborhood should have a postoffice of its 
own, and during that year one was established at Centerville, and named Tuscola 
Center.

    The first postmaster was one Zenas Cook, a Universalist minister. He built a 
shanty near where Mr. Homer's drug store is now situated, and gathered in cigar 
boxes from the neighborhood stores for the equipment of his office. Mr. Cook 
continued in office about a year and was succeeded in September, 1867, by Farley 
Craw, the present incumbent. Mr. Craw removed the office to his store. The 
salary of the office at this time was $96 a year, and the mail was brought three 
times a week from East Saginaw. Mr. Craw was a man of great enterprise and made 
a spirited and successful effort to build up the office. He so increased the 
business that during his first year he earned $400, but the salary remained the 
same as before.

    October 1, 1868, Mr. Craw succeeded in securing a daily mail, and the salary 
of the postmaster was increased to $400. In June, 1869, the name of the office 
was changed to Caro, and the following July the office was made a domestic money 
order office, which was a great convenience as there were no banks in the 
village at that time. The amount issued in money orders prior to the 
establishment of a bank has reached $60,000 in a single year. October 1, 1872, 
the salary of the postmaster was increased to $490 per annum, and after that 
time, by a ruling of the postoffice department, any further increase in salary 
must arise from commission on the increased sale of stamps. The salary remained 
the same until September, 1874, when the system of fixing salaries so changed 
that the salary depended upon the amount of stamps sold. September 25, 1879, 
Caro was included in the list of postoffices known as Canadian money order 
offices. January 1, 1880, the office was made third-class. The salary in 1883 is 
$1,500 per annum. There are three daily mails, and the money order business 
amounted to about $19,000 in 1882. The office is kept in a building erected for 
that purpose by Mr. Craw in 1878. Mr. Craw is a veteran in the postal service, 
and has always been very popular with the public. We append a brief personal 
sketch of him as follows:

    FARLEY CRAW was born in Berkshire County, Mass., from where his parents 
removed to Oneida County, N. Y., when he was three years old. From there he came 
to Michigan in 1845, settling in Oakland County. He was elected a justice of the 
peace in Oakland County, also in Tuscola County after his removal here, his term 
of service in that office in both counties amounting to twenty-four years. 
During his residence in Oakland County he was appointed postmaster at Davisburgh 
by President Lincoln, holding the office until shortly before Andrew Johnson 
became president, when he resigned. In 1866 he came to Tuscola County, and in 
1867 was appointed postmaster at Tuscola Center, now Caro, and still holds the 
same. He was also at one time a director of schools. He has been engaged in the 
mercantile business, also farming. He is married and has a family of eight 
children.

CENTERVILLE IN 1868.

    In the summer of 1868 the village of Centerville was described as follows: 
"Centerville is situated near the geographical center of Tuscola County, a short 
distance from the Cass River, in one of the most beautiful and healthy locations 
in the State of Michigan. It is about thirty miles east of Saginaw and nearly 
the same distance in the same direction from Bay City, sixteen miles northeast 
from Vassar, eight from Watrousville, and twelve from Unionville-the latter a 
town in the northern part of the county, about six miles from Saginaw Bay. The 
mail arrives daily from Detroit and Saginaw, and traveling facilities by 
railroad and stage enable the traveler to make the trip comfortably to and from 
the metropolis of the State in one day. The first permanent settlers were Samuel 
P. Sherman, William E. Sherman and Melvin Gibbs. The excellent quality of soil 
and the advantages of location which the place possessed indicated to these 
gentlemen what its future might become if industry and enterprise but seconded 
the advantage which nature supphed. No better farming district can be found than 
is comprised in the surrounding district, a fact which has contributed mainly to 
give Centerville the growth and importance to which she has attained. The soil 
is well adapted to the culture of all cereal crops, but especially to winter 
wheat, which is raised of a quality not to be surpassed. Fruits of almost all 
kinds do finely. Apples, pears, peaches, cherries, plums, grapes, with a large 
variety of small fruits, are successfully cultivated, though transplanted from 
foreign districts, while many kinds of fruits are indigenous to the soil. The 
timber most abundant is maple, beech, bass or linden, and oak. There is also 
some hemlock, cedar and elm, and occasionally large and very valuable tracts of 
pine are still found, although a great part of this valuable timber with which 
large districts were formerly encumbered has already been removed by the 
enterprising lumbermen. The surface is rolling and beautiful and well calculated 
for pleasant homes. Land can be purchased for from $5 to $15 per acre. Improved 
farms with good buildings from $30 to $50 per acre. Frosts are not as prevalent 
as in places more remote from the lake. The market is excellent; all kinds of 
farm produce obtain a ready and high price. Large amounts of feed are, each 
winter, consumed in the pine forests up the river, while Saginaw at the same 
time stands ready to take all the surplus products at good prices. The village 
was platted in November, 1866, shortly after the people of the county had 
decided by a large majority on a popular vote to make Centerville the shire town 
of the county. Previous to this time the county seat had been at Vassar. Since. 
this event-important in its influence on Centerville-the town has grown from a 
mere handful of houses, occupied by perhaps a dozen families, to a town of about 
500 inhabitants. It has a beautiful Union school-house, 40x60 feet, two stories 
high, which was erected at a cost of nearly $5,000. It will seat 275 scholars. 
An efficient teacher from the State of New York has charge of the school at 
present, under whose management it is in a prosperous condition. A printing-
office, just established, issued its first edition of the Tuscola Advertiser, as 
it is called, last week-August 21. It is a neat seven-column paper, whose 
appearance is decidedly creditable and is a compliment to its manager, who is 
both publisher and editor. The village contains one flouring mill. one saw-mill, 
a planing-mill, sash and blind factory, a tannery, a brewery, a foundry, four 
hotels, four dry goods and grocery stores, two drug stores, one hardware store, 
one feed store, two boot and shoe shops, one cabinet-ware house, two harness 
shops, three blacksmith shops, and one livery stable. There are Presbyterian, 
Methodist and Universalist societies; two physicians attend the sick; a single 
office looks after the insurance and real estate trade. As yet no lawyer has 
located at Centerville; an inviting field is here opened to some talented and 
enterprising young man to embark in this profession. The best of clay is found 
in abundance, and a brick-maker is among the articles much wanted. There are 
numerous kinds of business not yet introduced, and a good opening is here 
offered for a variety of vocations which can be profitably conducted. All things 
considered, beauty of location, healthfulness of climate, excellence of soil, 
its adaptation to the raising of fruit, as well as all kinds of farm products, 
with her unsurpassed markets, Centerville promises to rival her sister villages 
in extent of influence and business and in general prosperity."

CHANGE OF NAMES.

    Confusion and annoyance were continually experienced on account of two 
different names for the village and postoffice, and December 30, 1868, a meeting 
was held at Phipps Hall for the purpose of considering this, among other things. 
M. D. Orr was chairman and H. G. Chapin secretary. Mr. William E. Sherman stated 
the object of the meeting, and it was voted unanimously that some change should 
be made. An informal ballot was taken to ascertain the preferences of the 
citizens as to a name. Twelve names were proposed, six of which were found in 
the postoffice directory, and therefore not entitled to consideration. Another 
ballot was taken and twenty-six votes cast; as follows: Novesta, 13; Alvana, 8; 
Alcor, 2; Eagle Point, 2; Fontana, 1. A formal ballot was taken and forty votes 
cast with the following result: Novesta, 25; Alvana, 8; Latusco, 6; Alcor, 1. It 
was then unanimously voted that Novesta be the name of the postoffice and 
village. A committee consisting of E. W. Gerrish, F. Craw and W. E. Sherman were 
appointed to prepare petitions and obtain signatures to be sent to the 
postoffice department and to the representative in the legislature. Before 
anything was accomplished the board of supervisors organized a new town, calling 
it Novesta, and the village godfathers suddenly found themselves without a name. 
Another meeting was held to select a new name, which resulted in the choice of 
Caro. This name had been suggested by Mr. William E. Sherman, who abbreviated 
Cairo, in Egypt. He probably deemed it prudent, in view of the future 
necessities of the growing village, to make as light a draft as possible upon 
the alphabet. In February, by act of legislature, the name of the village was 
changed to Caro, and the following June, by order of the postmaster general, the 
name of the postoffice was also changed to Caro.

    In April, 1889, the village of Caro contained twenty-seven business places, 
as follows: At the lower end of State Street were the flouring and saw-mills of 
Gamble & McPhail. It was not unusual to see heavy loads of grain, that had been 
hauled a distance of thirty miles, to be ground at this flouring mill. Nearly 
opposite the mill was the tannery and harness shop of Dickinson Bros. Then came 
the furniture establishment and planing-mill of Howell & Ale; Montague & 
Sherman, general merchants; S. R. Cross, hotel; Gamble & McPhail, general 
merchants; Washburn & Jameson occupied the old Bush store; D. Campbell, dealer 
in boots and shoes; A. P. Cooper, proprietor of the Caro livery stable, Caro & 
Vassar and Cass City stage lines; Tuscola Advertiser, printing office, H. G. 
Chapin, proprietor; Empire saloon, by George Sayers; James West, barber; E. 
Belmer and J. N. Mertz, blacksmith shops; C. L. Taggett, wagon shop; A. M. Judd, 
jeweler; F. Craw & Co., general merchants; Miles & Nettleton, dealers in 
groceries, provisions, etc.; J. W. Spencer, general merchant; J. Phipps, 
druggist; R. Whiteside, merchant tailor; Caro foundry, J. J. Packer, proprietor; 
S. S. Utter, hotel; Tuscola Exchange, W. T. Riley, proprietor; Bush House, 
William Loomis, proprietor; John Franklin, harness shop.; H. D. Mendelsohn & 
Bro., clothing. There were also a meat market and a bakery.

    Among the advertisers of that time, the firm of Craw & Co. appears to have 
been the most poetic; and Caro maidens of 1869 were thrilled with bewitching 
refrains like this:

      "Girls, if you want to get a beau
       Buy a nice dress of Craw & Co."

CHANGES OF THREE YEARS.

Some of the changes which occurred in Caro between August, 1868 and November, 
1871, are indicated in the following table:

                                          1868     1871
No. of dwellings                            58      108
No. of dry goods stores and groceries        4        4
No. of drug stores                           2        2
No. of grocery stores                                 2
No. of furniture stores                      1        2
No. of jewelry stores                        1        1
No. of millinery stores                               2
No. of clothing stores                       1        3
No. of hotels                                4        4
No. of shoe stores                                    2
No. of printing offices                               2
No. of photograph galleries                           1
No. of harness shops                         1        2
No. of meat markets                          1        2
No. of foundries                             1        1
No. of saw and grist-mills                   1        1
No. of planing-mills                         1        1
No. of sash and door factories                        1
No. of wagon shops                           1        2
No. of blacksmith shops                      4        3
No. of marble shops                                   1
No. of saloons                               1        2
No. of new business places built                     17
No. of physicians                            2        3
No. of lawyers                                        4
No. of organized churches                    1        3
No. of lodges                                2        1
No. of schools                               1        1
No. of church buildings and halls                     2
Population, about                          180      500

CARO CHURCH HISTORY.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

    In what is now the village of Caro, Methodism was, as it generally has been, 
the pioneer denomination following closely on the steps of the first settlers. 
The first sermon preached by a minister of the Christian religion was preached 
by a Methodist clergyman, the Rev. I. J. B. McKenney, in the log house which was 
at that time the residence of S. P. Sherman. This was in the year 1855. At these 
services twelve persons besides Mr. Sherman were present. At this time there was 
no organized society, but one was subsequently organized by Rev. J. B. Russell, 
with the following members: Farley Craw, James Hoyt and wife and John Darbee and 
wife. The society met at first in Phipps' Hall; when the old court-house was 
built, services for a time were held there. They next occupied a building owned 
by David Hammond. This the society rented, fitted up the lower rooms for 
services, and continued to occupy them until their present house of worship, on 
the corner of Burnside and Sheridan Streets, was completed. This is a frame 
building 32x56 feet in size, with a tower on the corner 10x10 feet at the base, 
and rising to a pinnacle ninety feet from the ground. The interior is tastefully 
finished and decorated. The contract price of the church was $3,134. It was 
dedicated August 8, 1870. In 1874 two class-rooms were added to the rear, 15x20 
feet and 15x12 feet in size, separated by folding doors, and frequently used for 
social services. A considerable sum of money has since been expended in 
improvements of both the interior and exterior. In 1879 the society built a 
parsonage on Burnside Street, adjoining the church; chiefly through the 
energetic efforts of Rev. G. H. Field. It is a two story brick house 26x32 feet 
in size with kitchen and pantry behind, and substantially built. The cost was 
about $1,500. Horse sheds also were built in 1880. The first board of trustees 
consisted of D. H. Andrews, J. Darbee, F. Craw and R. Whiteside. The present 
board consists of D. H. Andrews, Dr. Wheat, F. S. Wheat, J. Weale, W. S. Fritz, 
1 ohn Staley, P. D. Bush, Gilbert Johnson and John Kelley. The society has 
property worth about $5,500, and is free from debt. It is self-supporting, 
receiving no missionary aid, and its finances are in healthy condition. Previous 
to the organization of Caro as a separate charge, a Union Sunday-school was 
formed in which other denominations took part. On the opening of the new church 
a Methodist Sunday-school was formed with Richard Whiteside as superintendent. 
It has shared the prosperity of the church and has an average attendance of 
about 130.

    The following have ministered to the church since the first organization: 
Reverends J. B. Russell, E. Slump, J. G. Whitcomb, J. H. Caster, R. C. Lanning, 
J. C. Whiteside, George W. Stowe, W. P. Maywood, J. W. Campbell, George H. 
Field, Joseph F. Berry, Mr. Verner, and William Benson, the present incumbent. 
An extensive revival in 1875 added largely to the church. The present membership 
is 120.

UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.

    Universalism in Caro appears to date back to the year 1855, when there was 
occasional preaching by the Rev. Mr. Hunt. In 1863 a house of worship was 
erected for the Universalisms of Caro and vicinity by Samuel P. Sherman. It was 
a small building situated on the corner of Main and Lincoln Streets. There was 
no regular church organization, but services were held every four weeks by Rev. 
Mr. Hunt for a time, and afterward occasionally by Revs. Messrs. Sawyer, 
Knickerbocker and Crum. Then for a time there was no preaching and the church 
building became a school-house. An organization was attempted, but not completed 
until the spring of 1880, when A. P. Cooper was elected moderator and N. M. 
Richardson, parish clerk. Rev. L. J. Dinsmore was called, and in the fall the 
foundation walls of a brick church were laid. The building was completed in the 
summer of 1881 and dedicated Sun-day, July 31st. It is a plain Gothic brick 
structure, 28x60 feet in size. The side walls are sixteen feet in the clear and 
from the center of the building to the apex of the ceiling it is twenty-four 
feet. The front wall is surmounted by a bell tower which gives sixty-five feet 
above the street level. The seating capacity of the church is 250. The building 
cost $1,800. The two lots on which it is built, valued at $500, were given to 
the society by S. P. Sherman, who also gave $400 in money. The successful 
completion of the work was largely due to the generous gifts of Mr. Sherman, and 
to the efforts of William H. West, assisted by Rev. Amos Crum, of Bay City, who 
held occasional services after Rev. Mr. Dinsmore left.

    Services preparatory to the formal dedication were held on Saturday. On 
Sunday morning, July 31, 1881, every seat was occupied, even the benches along 
the wall being filled. The usual introductory service of song was given, after 
which the Rev. C.W. Knickerbocker preached the dedicatory sermon. After the 
sermon, William N. West, one of the trustees, stepped forward and made a 
statement in regard to the cost of the building, and the financial condition of 
the society, stating that there remained to be raised the sum of $600. An appeal 
was made to those present to liquidate this indebtedness, and with so good 
effect that in the course of half an hour $308 were raised. Soon after the 
dedication, Rev. J. M. Getchel was called to the pastorate, and remained in 
charge until January, 1881. The church is at present without a pastor. The 
present membership includes about twenty families. The Sunday-school is in a 
flourishing condition.

TRINITY CHURCH.

    The private journal of the Rev. Wilbur R. Tillinghast, then residing and in 
charge at Midland, furnishes the first tangible data of the history of this 
church. On the 3d of February, 1871, Mr. Tillinghast received a letter from C. 
P. Black, of Caro, requesting him to hold service at Caro on some Sunday as soon 
as possible. In reply he appointed the first Sunday in Lent, February 26, 1871, 
and on that day held a morning and an evening service. They were held in the 
Methodist Church building. On the 26th of March of the same year Mr. Tillinghast 
again held morning and evening service and baptized two children, Minnie Laura 
Black and Marian Husted. He again held service on Sunday, May 21st. About this 
time he was succeeded in the rectorship of Saint John's Church, Midland, by Rev. 
M. M. Crory, who continued the service at Caro at intervals of four weeks during 
1871. In the years 1875 and 1876 the Revs. George P. Schilky, D. D. and J. E. 
Jackson, of Bay City, held a few services at Caro at irregular intervals. July 
18, 1877, Rev. G. W. Wilson, then rector of Saint Paul's Church, East Saginaw, 
and a member of the Diocesan Missionary Committee, began an examination or 
missionary visitation of Tuscola County and other counties of the northern 
convocation, in the course of which he visited Caro, and on Friday, July 20, 
held service at the Baptist Church. The next day a committee was appointed to 
solicit subscriptions for the support of a church in the place. On the 30th the 
committee reported $400 guaranteed, with a probability of $200 or $300 more. 
October 17 of the same year Rev. George W. Wilson was appointed missionary to 
Bay and Tuscola Counties, charged with the duty of establishing and maintaining 
services at any points in these counties. On the 30th he held evening service at 
the Baptist Church in Cara and the mission was named Holy Trinity Mission. This 
was the first step toward permanency and the birth of Trinity Church. On the 
16th of December, 1877, the congregation met in Hammond's Hall, which had been 
fitted up in church style and which was the home of the church for over two 
years. January, 4, 1878, the Rev. Mr. Wilson was established in the parsonage, 
which had been rented and pre-pared for his occupancy. On the fourth Sunday 
after Epiphany, February 3, 1878, the Sunday-school was organized with seven 
scholars. June 28, the first meeting of the congregation was held for the 
purpose of organizing for church work.

    April, 1880, the congregation removed to St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran 
Church. In the same year Rev. Mr. Wilson was succeeded by Rev. Mr. Todd, who 
entered upon his labors July 8. Thirteen members having entered into articles of 
agreement to organize a church the first meeting was called for the 17th day of 
January, 1881, at which meeting C. O. Thomas, Frank H. Thomas, J. F. Palmer, C. 
P. Black, George McClelland, George S. Ralston and Dr. William Morris were 
chosen vestrymen and from them J. F. Palmer was elected senior warden, George S. 
Ralston, junior warden, F. M. Ingersoll, clerk, and C. O. Thomas, treasurer. 
Steps were at once taken toward the construction of a church building, and a 
committee was appointed to secure subscriptions. Such encouragement was given 
that about May, 1881, work was commenced upon the building and rapidly carried 
to completion. It was opened for service on the following Christmas day. The 
cost was about $2,500. Adding value of lot and furniture brings the valuation to 
at least $3,000.

    The church building has not yet been consecrated, but it is in-tended that 
the ceremony shall be performed in a few months.

    In February, 1883, the Rev. Mr. Todd was succeeded by the Rev. C. H. 
Beaulieu, the present rector. The present vestrymen are Charles Rusted, C. P. 
Black, John F. Palmer, Frank Thomas, Edward Theobald, George S. Ralston, Job 
Haskins and Dr.William Morris. John F. Palmer is senior warden, Frank Thomas, 
junior warden and secretary, and George S. Ralston, treasurer. The congregation 
numbers 107; the number of communicants is thirty.

    An incident not common in the practice of the Episcopal Church occurred 
March 3, 1879. This was the baptism by trine immersion, after the mode of the 
Eastern Church, of George Bryant Hart. The ceremony was performed in Cass River.

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

    The history of the First Baptist Church Society of Caro, begins on the 25th 
of March, 1876, when an organization was effected by Deacon C. O. Adams, Mrs. 
Caroline Adams, H. G. Chapin, Mrs. L. W. Chapin, John Sprague, Mrs. H. A. 
Sprague, James Cummings, Mrs. Delight Cummings, D. D. Fish, Mrs. Eunice E. Fish 
and Mrs. Emily Atwood-eleven members. H. G. Chapin was elected clerk. About 
April 13, 1876, Rev. A. E. Mather came to this field, supported by the State 
Mission Board. Services were held in Hammond's Hall but at once the members of 
the church began agitating the question of erecting a house of worship. In May, 
1876, the society commenced preparations. A resolution was passed authorizing 
the board of trustees to take the matter into immediate consideration. A 
subscription paper was started and about $3,500 pledged in money, labor and 
material. This amount was increased by small subscriptions from abroad. Lots 
were purchased and the work commenced in June. The corner stone was laid on the 
3d of August, and in the winter of 1877 a fine brick edifice costing about 
$7,000 was completed. The church was dedicated February 25th, the dedicatory 
services being conducted by Rev. A. E. Mather, assisted by Rev. N. C. Mallory, 
of Detroit, Rev. Theodore Nelson, East Saginaw, Rev. J. W. Campbell, Caro, and 
Rev. Theodore Stowe, Caro. The morning sermon was preached by Rev. Mr. Mallory, 
and the evening sermon by Rev. Mr. Nelson. After the morning sermon Rev. Mr. 
Mather, who had managed the subscriptions, finances, and taken general 
supervision of the work of building, made a statement of the present 
indebtedness of the church, which amounted to $3,000. It was desired that that 
amount be pledged, and the church be dedicated with its debt provided for. About 
$2,000 was pledged, and the remaining $1,000 was pledged in the evening. The 
property of the church was then formally delivered into the hands of the board 
of trustees by Rev. Mr. Mather.

    The church was furnished by the ladies of the church and society, and the 
furniture consists of an Estey cabinet organ, carpeting, chairs, lamps and a 
beautiful twelve-light chandelier, the memorial gift of Mr. A. Washburn.

    The Rev. Mr. Mather remained with the church until March, 1878, when the 
Rev. T. H. Cary received and accepted a unanimous call to the pastorate, filling 
it until September, 1879. On the 1st of January, 1880, Rev. O. O. Fletcher was 
called and continued with the church until July 4, 1881, when he resigned on 
account of ill health. Rev. D. Gostelow then officiated from September, 1881, 
until September, 1882, when, having received a call to another field of 
usefulness, he was granted a letter of dismissal. The church then remained 
without preaching until early in January, 1883, when the Board of State Missions 
placed Rev. C. D. Gregory in the field, under whose ministrations the church 
experienced a spiritual revival and numbers were added to its membership. He was 
succeeded June 1, 1883, by Rev. G. T. Street, the present pastor. The history of 
the Sunday-school has been one of varied success, but for the last four years it 
has ranked among the best in the county, constantly increasing in numbers and in 
general prosperity. Its superintendents have been Henry G. Chapin, G. T. 
Alexander and R. G. Parkhurst.

LUTHERAN CHURCH.

    The Evangelical Lutheran Saint Paul Society of Caro, was organized in 
September, 1877, and incorporated on the 28th of January, 1878, with a 
membership of five. Its first officers were Jacob Eisenstein and John Strohauer, 
wardens, and John Wagner, F. W. Osterle and Carl Blum, trustees. The first 
minister was the Rev. Henry Gangnus, who preached here occasionally until the 
latter part of the year 1878. He was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Albright, who 
ministered to the congregation until July, 1879. Rev. John Hass then became 
pastor and continued in charge until sometime in 1881. The church building was 
commenced in August, 1878, and completed in the following summer. It is a frame 
structure 24x40 feet in size and cost; to build, $550, the society furnishing a 
portion of the lumber. The society had a membership of but six families and the 
task of building a sanctuary was a heavy one. The dedication services took place 
in December, 1879, a sermon being preached in the German language in the 
forenoon by Rev. Mr. Hass, services in the afternoon being in English. The 
church has been for some time without a pastor, but efforts are being made to 
revive the interest and to restore the regular services of the sanctuary. The 
present officers of the church are as follows: Treasurer and secretary, John 
Yorke; trustees. John Strohauer, Christian Fessler and Herman Winkle.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

    The Rev. Mr. Reed, Presbyterian minister resident at Vassar, preached in 
Caro occasionally during the years 1877 and 1878, and on the 11th of December of 
the latter year the Rev. E. P. Clark, who had succeeded the Rev. Mr. Reed, held 
services in the Baptist Church and organized the Presbyterian Church in Caro. He 
was assisted in this by the Rev. T. D. Marsh, of Grand Rapids, synodical 
missionary, and the formation of the society in this place is due to the impetus 
given to this work by these two gentlemen. Ten members constituted the first 
society. The following gentlemen were elected officers: Elders, John F. Seeley 
and Manly C. Dodge; trustees, R. P. Edson, J. H. Knickerbocker and William C. 
Brown.

    Services were held occasionally by different clergymen, but there was no 
regular clergyman until the Rev. L. W. Chapman, then of Bay City, was called, 
August 31, 1880. Though not regularly installed in the pastorate Mr. Chapman 
continued to supply the pulpit for about one year and a half, when he was 
succeeded by Rev. Mr. Whitcomb, who supplied about three months. He was 
succeeded August 1, 1882, by Rev. Lemuel P. Bissell, the present pastor. 
Services were held in Red Ribbon Hall until October 10, 1880, when the society 
moved into their chapel situated on the corner of Pearl and Thomas Streets. This 
is a building 24x48 feet in size, of Gothic architecture. A tower 6x6 at the 
base and forty feet high indicates the purpose for which the building is used. 
The auditorium occupies the whole of the building and has a seating capacity of 
200. The total cost was about $2,000. The church building was dedicated October 
10, 1880. The attendance was very large, the audience crowding the auditorium in 
every part. The dedicatory services were conducted by Rev. E. P. Clark, assisted 
by Revs. Marsh, Berry, Fletcher and Dinsmore, the sermon being by the Rev. Mr. 
Clark. Rev. L. W. Chapman then read a history and statement of the financial 
condition of the church, and during the morning and evening services 
subscriptions and contributions were received to the amount of $220.

    The present membership of the church is sixty. The Sunday-school was 
organized in June, 1880, with a membership of twenty, and with the following 
officers: John F. Seeley, superintendent; Manly C. Dodge, assistant 
superintendent; Mrs. R. P. Edson, secretary, and Mrs. Higgins, treasurer. In 
growth and prosperity it has kept pace with the church and numbers eighty-five. 
It is under the superintendency of F. 0. Watrous, with Mrs. R. P. Edson as 
secretary, and Mrs. L. P. Bissell as treasurer.

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.

    The first step toward establishing the public service of the Roman Catholic 
Church, in Caro, was taken September 1, 1879, by the leasing for three years of 
the third story of A. C. Young's brick building on State Street. The Rev. C. T. 
B. Krebs took charge. This was his first mission. Missions being established in 
Gage-town, Sheridan and Sebewaing, and under Father Krebs' pastoral charge, 
services were held at Caro on every fourth Sunday only.

    The trustees, from the organization until January, 1880, were Joseph St. 
Mary, T. C. Quinn, Patrick Coleman and Christopher Callan, and subsequent to 
that Patrick Coleman, Daniel Murphey and Simeon Brownell. On the expiration of 
their lease it was found that the expense of maintaining the services of the 
church at Caro was too great for the comparatively small number of members, and 
they were discontinued. Efforts are, however, being made for the construction of 
a church edifice and the maintenance of public worship, and with good promise of 
success, the subscription list having already reached the sum of $770.

EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION.

    In addition to the church societies already mentioned, is a branch of the 
Evangelical Association, organized about 1871. The society, however, has never 
built a house of worship and services are held at the homes of its members. From 
the fact of its membership being mostly of German nationality and from its 
resemblance to the Methodist Episcopal Church, it has been erroneously called 
the German Methodist Church. The following clergymen have conducted services 
here since the first services of this organization, viz: Revs. Samuel 
Heinninger, John Kemke, William Berge, John Miller, F. Kamp, E. Klump, William 
F. Binder, E. Hess and Wade. The present membership of the church is twelve.

SCHOOL HISTORY.

BY PROF. A. C. BROWER.

    On the 11th day of October, 1858, the board of school inspectors of the 
township of Indian Fields, consisting of D. D. Dopking, D. H. Andrews, and J. K. 
Heartt, met and formed School District No. 3. Said district was bounded as 
follows: Commencing at the northwest corner of section 4, thence running east on 
the town line to the northeast corner of section 1 thence south on the town line 
to the quarter stake on section 13, thence west on the quarter line through 
sections 13, 14 and 15 to the quarter stake between sections 15 and 16, thence 
north to quarter stake between sections 9 and 10, thence west to quarter stake 
between sections 8 and 9, thence north on section line to the place of 
beginning.

CHANGES.

    On the 1st of October, 1862, the boundary lines of the district were so 
changed as to embrace the northeast one-fourth of section 16 and the southeast 
one-fourth of section 9. This territory was set off from District No. 3, October 
3, 1863, thus restoring the original boundary.

    On the 25th of October, 1871, the boundary lines were again altered so as to 
include the southeast one-fourth of section 15, south one half of sections 13 
and 14, east one half of section 22, sections 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 33, 34, 35 and 
36,

    April 22, 1881, the southeast one-fourth of section 22, the south one-half 
of sections 23 and 24, sections 25, 26, 27, 34, 35 and 36 were set off District 
No. 3.

    On the 6th of July, 1882, the boundary was again changed so as to exclude 
sections 11, 12, 13, 14, east one-half of section 15, northeast one-fourth of 
section 22 and north one-half of sections 23 and 24 so that now, August 1, 1883, 
District No. 3 embraces sections 1, 2, 3, 4, north one-half of section 9, 
section 10, and the northwest one-fourth of section 15. There is no record to 
show that section 33 has ever been set off.

SCHOOL BUILDINGS.

    Some time in 1857 Peter D. Bush built a small house on State Street west, a 
few rods southwest of what is now known as "Wilsey's Mill," and allowed the 
settlers to use it for school purposes.

    This house was burned in the spring of 1858. The first house built by the 
district was not completed until the 17th of December, 1863. William E. Sherman 
was the contractor and received for the building when completed the sum of $284.

    The house then built is the southwest part of the house in which Job Haskins 
now lives. In the fall of 1867, after the organization of the Union School 
District, the house now owned by Mrs. H. G. Chapin just west of her residence on 
Sherman Street, was built for a primary department.

    The Union School building was completed September 8, 1868, at a cost of 
$4,160.

    In the fall of 1878 it was necessary to procure additional school rooms, 
consequently a new building was ordered erected on the Union School grounds 
north of the main building. This building was completed September 2, 1879, at a 
cost of $885. In 1882 the school had again outgrown its accommodations and the 
building south of the main building was procured at a cost of about $100.

GRADING OF SCHOOLS.

    Although the Caro Union School District was organized in 1867, there was 
wisely no attempt made to introduce a course of study until January, 1871, when 
the school seemed to demand a more careful grading and a course of study to 
correspond with similar schools in the State. Accordingly, A. C. Brower, who was 
principal of the school at the time, was authorized to prepare a course of 
study. After conferring with the different educators of the State he laid before 
the board of trustees a ten years' course, which being duly adopted was 
introduced about the 1st of February, 1871. This remained the established course 
of study with but few alterations, such as the school under Principal Austin 
Barber demanded until 1879, when, under the direction of the board of trustees, 
A. C. Brower, who was again in charge of the schools, prepared an eleven years' 
course, embracing such work as is usually done in graded schools.

GROWTH OF SCHOOLS.

    In 1859 there were 12 pupils; in 1868, 125; in 1869, 147; in 1870, 1551; in 
1880, 391; in 1881, 418; in 1882, 423; in 1883, 464.

TEACHERS.

    The first school in Caro (then Centerville) was taught by Miss Ruth Sherman, 
in the winter of 1857-'58, in the house built by P. D. Bush, mentioned above. 
After which there was no school in the district until 1861, when Miss Sherman 
again taught a six months' term in a house built by S. P. Sherman for religious 
purposes. This house is a part of what is now known as Hobson's saloon.

    In 1862, Miss Caroline Hitchcock; 1863-'64, Miss Agnes Ellis; 1864, Miss 
Caroline Hitchcock; 1865, Mr. Frank Rogers; 1865, Mrs. S. Marr; 1865, Miss 
Isabel McPhail; 1865, Miss Ruth Delling; 1866, Mr. W. H. Marvin; 1866, Miss Alma 
Pratt; 1866-'67; Mr. Ethan Gustin.

    Charles Lewis was principal from 1866 to his death in October, 1870. He was 
succeeded by A. C. Brower, a student of the East Saginaw High School, who 
consented to teach until the board could procure a principal. He was continued 
until the present time, 1883.

MISCELLANEOUS.

    On the 5th of October, 1862, the electors of School District No. 3, met at 
the house of Thomas Foster and elected William E. Sherman, director; Peter D. 
Bush, assessor, and Samuel P. Sherman, moderator; hence the first officers of 
the district. At this meeting it was voted to raise $10 for contingent expenses, 
for the coming year, and to have three months school by an inspected female 
teacher. This teacher "boarded herself" and taught for $2 per week.

    The first school after the organization of the Union School District, was 
begun on the 1st of December, 1867, with Charles Lewis as principal, and Miss 
Helen Gibbs, assistant; the former teaching in the Job Haskins house, and the 
latter in the house now owned by Mrs. Chapin, on Sherman Street.

    There is, in connection with the school, a society known as the Caro Union 
School Lyceum, now in the sixteenth term of its existence, which affords an 
excellent opportunity for practice in speaking and debating, and for acquiring a 
knowledge of parliamentary rules and usages.

    In addition to Professor Brower's sketch, we add the following: Charles 
Lewis, of whom mention has been made, was particularly successful as a teacher, 
and during his brief career endeared him-self to both pupils and the public 
generally. His death was deeply lamented, and his memory is still cherished by 
those who knew him.

    A. C. Brower has given the schools of Caro many years of valuable service. 
He was born in Medina, Mich., in 1848. The circumstances of his coming here have 
already been stated. His work has been thorough and very successful. The work of 
grading and re-grading has been done by him, and through his efforts the schools 
have come to occupy high rank, and his labors are appreciated by the people of 
Caro.

LODGES AND SOCIETIES.

MASONIC.

    Mount Moriah Lodge No. 226, F. & A. M., was organized February 23, 1867, 
with eleven members, viz.: Samuel C. Armstrong, J. J. Wilder, Farley Craw, 
Daniel Kinyon, Elisha Kinyon, Thomas B. Morrison, Peter D. Bush, Avril Harris, 
John Morrison, John C. Santee and Tiffany Nettleton.

   The first officers were: W. M., J. J. Wilder; S. W., Samuel C. Armstrong; J. 
W., T. Nettleton; secretary, John Morrison; treasurer, Farley Craw; S, D., Peter 
D. Bush; J. D., Thomas Morrison; T., Avril Harris. The lodge worked under 
dispensation until February 5, 1868, when it received a charter from the grand 
lodge of Michigan. Its membership by last report was seventy. Meetings are held 
Wednesday evenings on or before the full moon. The present officers of the lodge 
are: John Basston, W. M.; S. F. Chase, S. W.; George Brown, J. W.; James Sutton, 
treasurer; Charles H. McEckron, secretary; W. C. Buchanan, S. D.; A. C. Young, 
J. D.; S. C. Dickensheets, T.

    Caro Chapter No. 96, R. A. M., was constituted by charter January 19, 1875, 
its charter members being Alonzo Washburn, Henry P. Atwood, William L. Rogers, 
L. Wilcox, J. H. Howell, J. T. Mills, A. M. Judd, J. J. Packer and J. D. Sutton, 
and its first officers: A. Washburn. H. P.; H. P. Atwood, K.; William M. Rogers, 
S.; L. Wilcox, C. H.; J. H. Howell, P. S.; J. D. Mills, R. A. C.; J. Sutton, G. 
M., Third V.; J. J. Packer, G. M., Second V.; A. M. Judd, G. M., First V.; J. J. 
Packer, treasurer; A. M. Judd, secretary. The present number of members is 
sixty-two. Regular convocations are held on the fourth Thursday of each month. 
The officers of the chapter at the present time are as follows: H. P., John 
Staley, Jr.; K., Melzer E. Mallory; S., Peter D. Bush; C. H., L. Wilcox; P. S., 
C. H. McEckron; R. A. C., George B. McClelland; treasurer, A. M. Judd; 
secretary, N. M. Richardson; sentinel, D. C. Dickensheets: M. 3d V., E. G. Fox; 
M. 2d V., A. M. Judd.

ODD FELLOWS.

    Caro Lodge No. 173, I. O. O. F.. was chartered November 17, 1871, with the 
following charter members: George W. Howell, Charles Montague, James W. Graves, 
Daniel Kinyon and Frank Fairman. Its first officers were: George W. Howell, N. 
G.; Charles Montague, V. G.; James W. Graves, secretary; Daniel Kinyon, 
treasurer; John Riley, W.; Frank J. Curtis, R. S. N. G. The last two were 
initiated at the first meeting.

    After an existence of some six years, the charter was revoked by the grand 
lodge for non-payment of grand lodge dues. A few of the members clubbed together 
and paid the grand lodge dues for the purpose of retaining possession of the 
furniture. In December, 1879, the charter was restored, and the following 
officers installed by Grand Master Servoss. N. G., John A. McPherson; N. G., 
John Staley; secretary, E. R. Cookingham; P. S., John Sprague; treasurer, A. L. 
Keiff; warden, Alexander Montague; I. G., J. D. Knight; conductor, E. R. 
Billings; O. G., F. Pool; R. S. N. G., H. G. Chapin; L. S. N. G., H. P. Atwood; 
R. S. V. G., R. P. Edson; L. S. V. G., James O. Hendricks. The present member-
ship numbers forty-three. The officers are: N. G., F. C. Town-send; V. G., John 
Riley; R. S., F. W. Osterle; P. S., C. N. Worthington; T., W. Lewenberg; R. S. 
N. G., H. S. Johnson; L. S. N. G., F. A. Pool; W., H. S. Lee; C., F. H. Thomas; 
R. S. S., John Watrous; L. S. S., John Sprague; O. G., Edward Darby; I. G., 
Frank Dyer; R. S. V. G., E. R. Cookingham; L. S. V. G., William Imerson. The 
lodge meets every Monday night, and is enjoying an unusual degree of prosperity.

    Caro Encampment No. 54, was instituted August 14, 1872, by A. Ferguson, G. 
H. P., of the Grand Encampment, and the following officers were elected and 
installed: M. D. Orr, C. P.; J. P. Hoyt, H. P.; J. W. Graves, S. W.; F. A. 
Goodell, scribe; John Riley, treasurer; C. Montague, J. W. Its present member-
ship is thirty-five. Present officers: H. S. Johnson, C. P.; John Sprague, H. 
P.; E. R. Cookingham, S. W.; F. C. Townsend, J. W.; John Riley, treasurer; F. W. 
Osterle, scribe; John Watrous, J. S.; F. H. Thomas, G.; C. N. Worthington, First 
W.; F. A. Pool, Second W.; William Imerson, Third W.; A. L. Keiff, Fourth W. 
Meetings are held the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month.

KNIGHTS OF HONOR.

    Caro Lodge No. 1143, Knights of Honor, was instituted July 3, 1878, with 
twenty-five charter members. The officers elected were as follows: Dictator, J. 
F. Wilmot; vice-dictator, C. O. Adams; assistant dictator, H. S. Harcout; 
reporter, F. H. Rob-bins; financial reporter, W. F. Street; treasurer, John 
Staley, Jr.; chaplain, Rev. J. W. Campbell; guide, Charles Pyne; guardian, John 
Sprague; sentinel, Henry Sellick; past dictator, H. G. Chapin. The lodge has 
been prosperous and has increased largely in member-ship, numbering at present 
fifty-two members. Two have died, Henry G. Chapin and T. C. Johnson. The present 
officers of the lodge are: Dictator, M. Herbert Smith; vice-dictator, William A. 
Lewenberg; assistant dictator, Frederick S. Wheat; reporter, J. Langworthy Duck; 
treasurer, James H. Howell; chaplain, W. J. Taylor; guide, Myer Himelhoch; 
guardian, Wolf Himelhoch; sentinel, I. Himelhoch Meetings are held Friday 
evening of each week.

KNIGHTS OF THE MACCABEES.

    January 9, 1883, Advance Tent No. 71, of Knights of the Maccabees, was 
instituted by Sir Knight, Hugh Elliott, D. G. C., of Michigan, the number of 
charter members being twenty-eight. The following officers were chosen: Past Sir 
K. Com., John F. Seeley; Sir K. Com., Frank H. Thomas; Lieut. Com., Charles A. 
Pyne; K. K., Charles Wilsey; F. K., John C. Watrous; prelate, Benjamin F. 
Harris; physician, W. J. Taylor, M. D.; sergeant, Frank Hamilton; M. at A., 
Charles W. Graham; 1st M. of G., W. C. Riley; 2nd M. of G., Edward C. Humphrey; 
sentinel, E. A. Fuller; picket, Marshall Stewart.

ROYAL ARCANUM.

    Caro Council No. 661 of the Royal Arcanum, was organized March 6, 1852, with 
twenty-three charter members. The officers elected were: Regent, Cyrenius P. 
Black; vice-regent, George H. Pond; orator, W. J. Taylor; past regent, John A. 
McPherson; secretary, J. Ralph Gillespie; collector, Jas. L. Duck; treasurer, 
Fred. D. Aplin; chaplain, A. L. Keiff; guide, A. C. Dickensheets; warden, R. P. 
Edson, sentry, W. S. Cassitt; trustees, Geo. B. Mc-C1elIand, J. D. Knight and J. 
H. Howell; medical examiner, W. J. Taylor; representative to Grand Council, John 
A. McPherson; alternate, C. P. Black.

    The present membership of the Council is twenty. Meetings are held on the 
third Friday in each month. The following officers were chosen at the last 
election: R., C. A. Van Wagner; V. R., G. H. Pond; secretary, J. R. Gillespie; 
collector, W. N. West; treasurer, F. D. Aplin; chaplain, A. L. Keiff; G., R. P. 
Edson; W., J. A. McPherson; sentry, W. S. Cassitt; medical examiner, W. J. 
Taylor; trustees, S. Strickland, J. H. Howell and F. Town-send; representative 
to Grand Council, J. A. McPherson.

LADIES' LIBRARY ASSOCIATION.

    The records state that the ladies of Caro convened July 28, 1877, to effect 
a legal organization of the society called the Caro Ladies' Library Association. 
The meeting was duly organized, Mrs. N. M. Richardson in the chair. Miss Della 
Cumings, clerk. A constitution and by-laws were read and adopted, committees 
appointed, and the following officers were elected for the ensuing six months: 
Mrs. N. M. Richardson, president; Mrs. Wm. McPhail, vice-president; Miss Della 
Comings, secretary; .Mrs. A. P. Cooper, corresponding secretary; Mrs. John 
Staley, treasurer; Mrs. D. C. Bush and Mrs. R. Whiteside, librarians.

    The membership at first was very small, being barely sufficient to maintain 
a working organization. It has, however, increased until there are at present 
about sixty-five members. Already the library they established contains nearly 
four hundred volumes of well selected books, and the number is being increased 
from time to time. The present officers of the society are as follows: 
President, Mrs. L. A. Haukerson; vice-president, Mrs. S. F. Chase; treasurer, 
Mrs. C. R. Selden; secretary, Mrs. N. M. Richardson; librarians, Mrs. S. P. 
Spafford and Mrs. N. M. Richardson.

W. C. T. U.

    The Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Caro was organized at a meeting 
held at the residence of Mrs. Field, in January, 1880. The following officers 
were elected: President, Mrs. John Staley, Jr.; vice-president, Mrs. J. A. 
McPherson; treasurer, Mrs. N. M. Richardson; secretary, Mrs. R. J. Parkhurst. 
The society has continued its organization to the present time, and from time to 
time has public temperance meetings. The officers for the last half of 1883 are 
as follows: President, Mrs. John Staley, Jr.; vice-presidents, Mesdames H. K. 
Winans, G. Spaulding and L. W. Chapin; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Dr. Wheat; 
treasurer, Mrs. J. F. Seeley; recording secretary, Mrs. P. Van Dyke.

G. A. R.

    May 26, 1883, a meeting of soldiers was held at Odd Fellows Hall for the 
purpose of organizing a post of the Grand Army of the Republic. Col. George 
Aiken, of Bay City, and Col. Markis, commander of the Tuscola post, were the 
officers who mustered in the boys. It was decided to name the organization 
"Whiteside Post No. 143, G. A. R., department of Michigan," in honor of the late 
Col. Richard Whiteside, of this place. The following is the list of officers 
elected: Commander, W. C. Buchanan; senior vice commander, N. M. Richardson; 
junior vice commander, Alex. Richards; surgeon, Dr. D. S. Stevens; 
quartermaster, M. A. Jones; officer of the day, John Staley, Jr.; officer of the 
guard, D. C. Dickensheets: chaplain, Alex. Reynick; adjutant, R. J. Parkhurst; 
sergeant major, G. S. Nutt.

    The following is the muster roll: D. S. Stevens, N. M. Richardson, G. S. 
Nutt, Rev. E. B. Sutton, Geo. Roxbury, E. D. Hollister, Isaiah Smith, John Monk, 
C. L. Taggett, R. J. Parkhurst, Jas. Monroe, Geo. K. James, M. A. Jones, J. 
Eisenstein, D. C. Dickensheets, Alex. Richards, John Strohauer, A. H. Wortman, 
Frank A. Goodell, W. C. Buchanan, John Staley, Jr., Andrew Richards, H. E. 
Gidley, S. McTaggett, H. G. Sherman, E. B. Bills, B. F. Richards, Chas. M. 
Amsden, J. T. Williams, John Wagner, Wm. Hodges, Alex. Reynick, Jas. S. 
Gillespie, E. P. Randall, E. Belmer, D. D. Ingels, Henry Wright, J. Mintline.

THE PIONEER MERCHANT AND BANKER.

    Mr. Charles Montague is the oldest merchant in Caro, having been 
continuously in the mercantile business longer than any one now engaged in that 
pursuit in the place. He was also the first to engage in the banking business in 
Caro.

    Mr. Montague was born near London, in Ontario, Canada, and came to Macomb 
County, Mich., in the year 1859. In 1863, being then about eighteen years of 
age, he came to Centerville, now Caro, and was temporarily in the store of J. C. 
Montague as clerk. He then enlisted and went into the army where he remained 
nearly two years. Returning to Centerville, he went into the mercantile business 
in 1865 with J. C. Montague, the style of the firm being J. C. Montague & Co. 
From that time to the present he has been continuously interested in the 
mercantile business, though for sever-al years his personal attention has been 
given to more extensive business operations. In 1867 J. C. Montague & Co. sold 
out and Charles bought out D. C. Bush. He was alone in business until February, 
1868, when he took William E. Sherman into partnership. That firm continued 
until 1870, when Mr. Sherman withdrew and Mr. Montague continued business alone 
for a time. The present firm is Charles Montague & Co.

    In 1875 Mr. Montague engaged in the banking business, a history of which is 
given on another page.

    Mr. Montague has been very successful in his business operations, and his 
liberal enterprise has had much to do with the prosperity of Caro. In 1869, as a 
member of the firm of Montague & Sherman, he built the first brick block in 
Caro, now the Wilsey Block. In 1878 he built the Opera-house Block, in which the 
Opera-house is located. The following year he built the Bank Block, in 1880 the 
Citizen's Block, and in 1881 the block of six stores on Frank Street, at the 
corner of State Street. These blocks are all of brick and constitute an 
important part of the business buildings of the village.

    In all public enterprises calculated to contribute to the welfare of Caro, 
Mr. Montague has taken a prominent part, and aided them liberally with his 
means. It was largely due to his efforts that a railroad was secured to Caro. He 
gave $5,000 in money, besides donating the depot grounds, and guaranteeing the 
payment of the $30,000 that was subscribed by the people of Caro and vicinity. 
He made the contract with the company to pay the sum of $30,000 and furnish the 
right of way.

    Mr. Montague's business in Caro at the present time is principally in real 
estate operations and banking. He is the owner of a large amount of real estate, 
in both the village and county, the management of which occupies a considerable 
portion of his time. But his most important interest is in the lumbering 
business of the firm of Van Winkle & Montague near Green Bay, Wis. This firm has 
been operating about two years, and is one of the most extensive lumber 
manufacturers in that part of the State. Their mill is located on Garden Bay and 
cuts annually about 30,000,000 feet of lumber. The firm own about 100,000,000 
feet of standing pine on Fish Dam River, and control the booming operations of 
the river. Their investment at this point represents nearly half a million 
dollars.

    In tracing the rise and progress of Caro it will be observed that Mr. 
Montague has been prominently identified with all the public enterprises which 
have combined to work out prosperity in the place.

RAILROAD COMMUNICATION.

    Since the year 1871 various railroad projects have been brought to the 
attention of the Caro people, but only one has been carried to completion.

    In 1871 the Flint & Pere Marquette Company proposed to build a road from 
East Saginaw to Caro, and asked a bonus of $15,000 from the people of this 
village. Nothing was done, however, toward raising that amount, but a route was 
surveyed by the company and some work was done on a portion of the line and then 
the project was abandoned.

    In 1877, after a good deal of agitation, the preliminaries of a road from 
Vassar to Caro were arranged. The people of Caro and vicinity subscribed the sum 
of $30,000, of which Charles Montague, of Caro, and William A. Heartt, of 
Wahjamega, subscribed $5,000 each. Mr. Montague donated the depot ground, and 
gave a personal guarantee for the payment of the $30,000 and that the right of 
way should be furnished. The road was completed in the summer of 1878 and 
commenced business in July.

    Another project is the Grand Trunk Line from Port Huron to Bay City by way 
of Caro. This has been agitated for some time and there is some prospect of its 
being carried out. There is a railroad committee organized in Caro, composed of 
some of its leading business men, for the purpose of looking after the railroad 
interests of the place.

CIVIL HISTORY.

    The year 1870 witnessed a marked improvement in the material interests of 
Caro, and toward its close there was a pronounced sentiment in favor of having 
the village incorporated. December 1, 1870, the editor of the village paper 
alluded to this subject and called a public meeting of citizens in an article as 
follows: "At present we have fourteen stores of different kinds, ten shops, 
three saloons, three hotels, one printirg office, one dentist, four physicians, 
three lawyers, one daguerrean gallery, open part of the year, one barber shop, 
one meat market, one livery stable, one foundry, one tannery, one paint shop, 
one saw and grist-mill and one brewery. We have also a church, lately built at a 
cost of about $4,000, and a union school with an average daily attendance of 
about 160 students. The population of the place has materially increased. During 
the past season there have been thirteen houses built, or now nearly completed 
and five new business places. Many important additions have been made to 
residences and business places. The population of the village at the last census 
was 180. In consideration of our rapid growth would it not be well to direct our 
attention to the subject of procuring a village charter? Nothing has been done 
as yet toward the improvement of our back streets, building sidewalks, etc. It 
requires a population of not less than 300 to get a corporation one mile square. 
That is as large as is needed at present. The legislature will soon meet, and it 
is time something was done by our citizens. We have mentioned the subject to 
several, and all express the same opinion-'something should be done.' We 
therefore take the responsibility of calling a meeting for Monday evening of 
next week at 7:30 o'clock precisely, to take the matter of incorporation into 
consideration, and if at that meeting it is thought best by the citizens to 
procure a village charter, proceed immediately to the necessary measures to 
secure one. Let every citizen of Caro be present at the meeting at precisely 
half past seven at the court-house."

    In pursuance of the call made a meeting was held at the court-house, of 
which F. Craw was chairman, and H. G. Chapin, secretary. It was unanimously 
voted to proceed to incorporate the village of Caro. C. P. Black, J. P. Hoyt and 
H. P. Atwood were appointed a committee to draft a charter for submission to a 
subsequent meeting. William E. Sherman, R. Whiteside, and William McPhail were 
appointed to investigate and report at a subsequent meeting, on limits of the 
corporation. The meeting then adjourned until Monday evening, December 19, at 6 
o'clock.

    At the adjourned meeting, held December 19, 1870, a charter was adopted and 
arrangements made for presenting it to the legislature. It was determined that 
section 3 of the township of Indian Fields should comprise the corporation.

    A bill for the incorporation of the village was passed by the legislature in 
February, 1871, and signed by the governor.

    The charter provided, among other things, that so much of the township of 
Indian Fields, in the county of Tuscola and State of Michigan, as is comprised 
in section 3, township 12 north, range 9 east, should be made and constituted a 
village corporate under the name and title of the village of Caro. That the 
elective officers should consist of a president, recorder, treasurer, assessor 
and eight trustees, to be elected by a plurality of votes by ballot, of the in-
habitants of the village, having the qualification of electors under the 
constitution of the State; these officers to hold their offices for one year and 
until their successors were elected and qualified; no person, however, being 
eligible who had not the qualification of an elector of the State nor been a 
resident of the village three months. The president, recorder and trustees were 
constituted a body corporate and politic with perpetual succession, to be known 
and designated by the name and title of "the common council of the village of 
Caro." Annual election of officers to be held on the first Tuesday in March in 
each year.

    It being the general feeling of the citizens of the village that partisan 
politics should not enter into their charter election, a call was made for a 
citizens' caucus, to be held March 6, 1871, for the purpose of nominating a 
union ticket. At the election held March 7, an opposition ticket appeared in the 
field, but excited little interest, the entire union ticket being elected. 102 
votes were polled, said to have been about a two-thirds vote. The officers 
elected were as follows. President, H. P. Atwood; recorder, S. C. Arm-strong; 
treasurer, A. M. Judd; assessor, Henry Church; trustees: C. P. Black, J. P. 
Hoyt, G. W. Howell, S. P. Sherman, W. Balch, G. S. Gage, C. Montague, A. P. 
Cooper.

    The first marshal of the village was J. T. Mills, and the first street 
commissioner, Joseph Gamble.

    The total number of votes cast at the first election was 102. The first 
meeting of the common council was held at the court-house, March 11, 1871, at 
which only preliminary business was transacted.

    One of the objects sought to be gained by the incorporation was that of 
local improvements, and the first work of the council was upon streets, alleys 
and sidewalks. The question of cattle running at large also came before the 
council, and early in the summer a pound was ordered built, and an ordinance for 
the impounding of animals passed. The enemy of the public pound appears to have 
been abroad in the land about this time, and the first official appearance of 
that institution after its construction is in connection with the prosecution of 
a certain individual, who, not having the fear of the law before his eyes and 
being actuated by unlawful de-signs upon the peace and dignity of the 
municipality, did burglariously enter and feloniously take from the said village 
pound a certain occupant thereof.

    It is noted that in August, 1871, the street commissioner was directed to 
clear Sherman Street of logs.

    At a meeting of the council held January 18, 1872, it was resolved that a 
special meeting of the tax paying electors of the village be held at the court-
house, January 29, 1872, to vote upon the question of issuing the bonds of the 
village to the amount of $3,000 to be used in aiding in the construction of a 
court-house. At that election fifty-seven votes were cast, a majority of which 
were in favor of the issue; whereupon the council at its next meeting, February 
6, 1872, ordered that three bonds of the village, of $1,000 each, bearing seven 
per cent interest and payable March 15, 1873, be issued for the purpose 
specified. At the same meeting the first step in the direction of a fire 
department was taken, an order being passed for procuring six ladders, two 
twenty-five feet long, two twenty feet long and two fifteen feet long, 
sufficiently strong to hold two persons; also to procure twelve buckets, with a 
light wagon to carry ladders and buckets.

    The first step toward a village lock-up was taken in August, 1873, by an 
order for the construction of two cells, in connection with other improvements 
on the town hall, recently purchased.

    The cost of moving the town hall is reported as having been $45, and the 
relative cost of the building to that of removing it would seem somewhat 
strangely disproportioned, were it not explained that the sale to the village 
was a mere formality to satisfy the requirements of the law.

    The number of qualified electors who voted at the third annual charter 
election, in 1874, was 106.

    May 12, 1874, A. M. Judd tendered to the common council his resignation as 
president, which was accepted, and on the 9th of June, H. P. Atwood was by the 
council elected president to fill the vacancy.

    107 votes were cast at the fifth charter election.

    The treasurer's report for the year ending March 2, 1875, shows total 
receipt, $620.31; total expended, $509.50.

    April 13, 1875, the council directed the street commissioner to remove the 
stumps from the street running northeast from the church to Grant Street.

    June 1, 1875, the council authorized the expenditure of 520, to assist in 
stumping, logging and grading Frank Street.

    On the 2nd of November, 1875, the common council was instructed to make 
arrangements with the sheriff of Bay County, to receive prisoners sentenced 
under the village ordinances. The marshal was directed to arrest all disorderly 
persons during the night and Sabbath, and to see that the ordinance requiring 
the closing of saloons at nine o'clock P. M., is enforced.

    At the meeting of the council January 25, 1876, the recorder announced the 
death of Hon. C. C. Stoddard, president of the village and presiding officer of 
the council. Thereupon a committee was appointed to draft resolutions of respect 
which were duly reported and adopted.

    Seemingly imbued with the exhilarating spirit of the centennial year the 
village council determined upon a more exalted state of things, and March 14, 
1876, attested its sincerity by the adoption of the following resolution: 

"Resolved, that no justice of the peace be allowed the use of the council room, 
unless they clean the room immediately after."

    The village still remains without any fire department, although several 
attempts have been made to secure some kind of fire protection. The subject of 
water works has been agitated, but up to the present time no decisive action has 
been taken.

     At the spring election in 1883, James W. Spencer, Republican, received 132 
votes, and R. J. Parkhurst, Democrat, 128 votes.

FIRST PILLAGE PRESIDENT.

    Hon. HENRY P. ATWOOD, first president of Caro village, was born in Tompkins 
County, New York, from whence his father brought his family in 1836 to Ingham 
County, Michigan, and settled on a farm. While a resident of that county he 
studied law in the office of Griffin Paddock, at Mason. In 1854 he left that 
county and went to Gilford, Tuscola County and began farming, his health being 
too poor to continue office work. In 1855 he returned to the law and was 
admitted to the bar at Saginaw City, Judge S. M. Green being the judge presiding 
at the time of his admission. He then commenced practice at Vassar, where he 
remained from 1856 until 1865, also carrying on a farm at the same time. From 
Vassar he returned to Ingham County, practicing at Lansing for some time. He 
then came back to Tuscola County, locating first at Watrousville, but finally 
coming to Centerville, now Caro, where he has resided continually ever since. In 
public life Mr. Atwood has held the following offices: Clerk of Ingham County in 
1848; member of the State legislature from Tuscola County in 1854; prosecuting 
attorney five terms; supervisor for the township of Juniata and also for Indian 
Fields, and first president of the village of Caro. The latter position he has 
filled twice since. Married and has a family of six children.

VILLAGE OFFICERS.

YEAR  PRESIDENT           RECORDER            TREASURER            ASSESSOR
1871  H. P. Atwood        S. C. Armstrong     A. M. Judd           Henry Church
1872  H. P. Atwood        Thomas A. Mills     E. W. Gerrish        A. M. Judd
1873  F. A. Goodell       J. J. Weale         Avril Harris         A. M. Judd
1874  A. M. Judd          Wm. L. Rogers       Henry S. Johnson     H. S. Lee
1875  C. C. Stoddard      Henry G. Chapin     Henry S. Johnson     Tiffany Nettleton
1876  Wm. M. Rogers       Henry G. Chapin     Henry S. Johnson     C. Montague, Sr.
1877  Wm. M. Rogers       J. H. Cummings      Gilbert Johnson      W. L. Rogers
1878  C. P. Black         W. C. Buchanan      Marcus C. Cobb       J. W. Spencer
1879  Wm. M. Rogers       W. C. Buchanan      Marcus C. Cobb       J. W. Spencer
1880  John F. Wilmot      Manly C. Dodge      John D. Knight       Marcus D. Robb
1881  F. H. Thomas        Manly C. Dodge      Gilbert Johnston     John D. Knight
1882  John Staley, Jr.    Fred D. Aplin       Gilbert Johnston     W. L. Rogers
1883  J. W. Spencer       F. C. Townsend      Gilbert Johnston     J. R. Gillespie

TRUSTEES.
    1871.-C. P. Black, J. P. Hoyt, G. W. Howell, S. P. Sherman, W. Balch, G. S. 
Gage, C. Montague and A. P. Cooper.

    1872.-C. P. Black, J. P. Hoyt, D. Kinyon, A. Reynick, J. Riley, Charles 
Montague, J. N. Mertz and T. Nettleton.

    1873.-G. Johnson, Charles W. Husted, William McPhail, A. W. Ale, J. N. 
Mertz, J. H. West, M. M. Cross and S. S. Utter.

    1874.-John M. Boyd, Alexander Reynick, James Howell, John Riley, William M. 
Rogers, John Kelley, Charles Montague and William E. Sherman.

1875.-Charles Montague,, Jr., Alexander Reynick, Hubbard L. Lee, D. C. Bush, 
Jonathan Sprague, Samuel Strickland, John M. Boyd and Lonson Wilcox.

    1876.-J. Sprague, Alexander Reynick, James W. Spencer, Charles Montague, D. 
S. Stevens, F. W. Norton and F. Pool.

    1877.-Charles Montague, Alexander Reynick, J. W. Spencer, John F. Wilmot, 
William Thompson, Frederick Pool, C. G. Slayton and H. G. Chapin.

    1878.-G. W. Howell, Charles Montague, W. K. Wheat, Sabin Gibbs, Alexander P. 
Cooper, S. F. Chase, John D. Knight and William Thompson.

1879.-George W. Howell, Alexander Reynick, Alonzo Washburn, Solon P. Spofford, 
Frederick Pool, George T. Alexander, George Van Winkle and Tiffany Nettleton.

    1880.-George W. Howell, H. P. Atwood, Charles Montague, W. K. Wheat, S. F. 
Chase, John Staley, Jr., Augustus L. Reiff and Morgan A. Jones.

    1881.-A. P. Cooper, George W. Howell, A. C. Parsons, S. P. Spofford, R. J. 
Parkhurst, John F. Palmer, N. M. Richardson and H. P. Atwood.

    1882.- C. O. Thomas, C. H. Van Wagoner, S. P. Spafford. L. Wilcox, A. 
Reynick, D. S. Stevens, H. N. Montague and John F. Palmer.

    1883.-George W. Howell, Frederick W. Oesterle, John H. Knickerbocker, John 
N. Mertz, John Wagoner, John F. Seeley and Horace N. Montague.

FIRST FIRE.

    The first fire of any importance that visited the village of Caro, broke out 
about 4 o'clock in the morning of Friday, June 29, 1871, and was described as 
follows: "The fire was first discovered by Mr. David Hemorick, livery and stage 
agent. He noticed a smoke issuing from the engine room attached to the building 
of Mr. E. Belmer, but supposed they were firing up for the day. He finished his 
business with the stage, returned to the barn and hitched up a team, and when 
riding past the second time, discovered that the engine house was in flames. The 
buildings destroyed were all the property of Mr. E. Belmer, who was absent from 
home at the time, and consisted of a wagon and blacksmith shop, the back end of 
which was used as a woolen-mill, and directly back of this was the engine house, 
and a few feet from this a good sized barn. On the west side of the shop was Mr. 
Belmer's new building, occupied by the marble works, D. C. Bush, clothing 
merchant, and the second story by F. A. Leasia, tailor. By the time a sufficient 
number had arrived, the flames had made such rapid progress that the saving of 
the shop was considered an impossibility. The house on the west side, and about 
thirty feet from the shop, required immediate attention, and was saved by hard 
work. And in saving this the Advertiser office and all the upper portion of 
State Street, consisting of eight or ten business places, were saved. The marble 
shop was about ten feet from the burning building, and time was only had to 
clear the burning building, when the flames drove those at work away. The 
contents of the store and tailor shop were all saved, also the windows and a 
portion of the glass front.

    "The engine had been in use the previous day, and was closed up about 6 
o'clock in the evening. Everything was made secure, as was supposed, and an 
examination of the vicinity at 10 o'clock that evening revealed nothing unusual. 
It is supposed by those acquainted with the premises, and the construction of 
the engine, that a coal dropped out and set fire to the wooden frame on which 
the engine was standing, before the engine was closed, and burned slowly until 
the next morning.

    "The loss falls heavily on Mr. Belmer, as the property destroyed had been 
accumulated by years of hard labor, and was not insured. His loss in buildings 
and tools is estimated at $4,000. His house and household goods were mostly 
saved, yet damaged somewhat.

    "The carding machine was the property of Mr. Robert E. Miller, and was 
brought here from Lapeer last winter. His loss will amount to about $1,000. No 
insurance.

    "The marble works lost in building and stock about $1,000. Tools all saved.

    "Messrs. Quick and Smith lost all their accounts, and a set of carpenter and 
joiner tools. The other tools in the shop belonged to Mr. Belmer. Their loss was 
not more than $150."