Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-11-05
From the Detroit D. Advertiser,

The following authentic statement of facts con-
necued with the death OF the late DIR. ghou
has been hand, 10 US by one Of his iliends for
publication
Eagle River Lake Superior.
Oct. IA, 1915.
Statement Of facts connecad with the drowning
of DIR. DOUGLASS HoUGHToN, Geologist of the
State Of Michigan, and two of hts ,nen, Tousin
P.qu. tie and Oliver Larrmer, near Eagle River
on the night of the 18th Of October A. d. ls45.
as rel ated by Peter McFarIine and John Bap.iste
Rodrie surviv, RS.
DR.. Houshton camped on the night of 18th of
October at Eagle Harbor, on the morning OF the
18th he slrted IN his boat with The undersigned ac-
ting as royagers wilh three barrels of -four, bag
of peas, small quantity of pork. tent aud bedding
aud travelling port folio Tor Eagle River dis
lance of 3 miles TO the wesI ward.
On arriving at Eagle River, they there took in
sor1, additional c,ihng for the surveying party
aud proceeded five miles still farther west, To the
sloreIuuse of Messrs. Hussey & Avery. They
arrived there al noon aud immediately commenced
uaioading the BIO n; sfter wal g some tine, the
miuers a work The location OF Messrs. Hussey
d Avery came IN to their dinner, and from some
oil them DR.. lloughlon occurred the key of the
storehouse, and deposited his provisions.
We all took dlnier here, after he started for MIR
Hills surveying p,r'y, distance ofthree miles
on the Luke Coast. D.. Housh;on and McFarine
they stlr,ed into the woods OH the line, and uo
fiadiny Mr.. II III fctsrued to the boat. aud found
by the arrival of Tousin Pquelte aud Oliver Larri
mer, thai MIR. Hill aud his men were miles still
farther up the Lake,
DR.. Houphton then started in his boat in pursuit
OF Mr.. Hill, with the undersigned, Tuusn P.q-
uet.e aud Oliver LarIimer. We net Mr.. Hui
a
nearly an holr aud transac,ing sone business,
then put back with the same persons for the pur.
pose Of reaching Eagle River that night. We
had uothIng in the boat but 81 me bedding and that
the port folio, at the tine of lea wing. there
gentle land breeze aud heavy sea from the out.
side.
Du Houghton took his usual seat in the stern
as sleersmlaii, while four of as rowed the boat
Ga arriving opposite the Hussey location, McFar-
line asked DIR. Houghon ri he was going to slOpp
DR.. Hong hton REPLIED mo, for If do not get to
Eagle RIVER tonight Oliver will lose his passage
down the Lake." McFarIne then stated to DIR.
Houghlon, THAT he was afraid IL going 10
blow F" DIR. Houghton said, mo guess not-a
land breeze Cannot hurt u.s." By this time we
were opposite the storehOuse of Messrs. Hussey
&, Avery. McFarne then told DR.. Houghion,
'.that he must 20 ashore at the Warehouse as
DIVERS baggage was at that place. Al this we
put into ihe laI,dog aud after 4itlng the baggage
we then stood for Eagle River.
The wind was about the same as when we left
Mr.. Hills except that 1t commenced showing ii
iiile aud growing dark alter rowing nearly three
miles, we found ourselves opposite place called
the "Sand Beach," At this place the wind chan
ged, and commenced blowing from the north. east
and showing last.
= la short line we encountered a heavy sea
caused by reef projecting into the Lake about
mile and half. McFariane then asking DIR.
Houghlon "lo 60 ashore at the ''sand beach, DIR,
Houghton replied, "we had better keep on-we
are not far from Eagle River-puil away boys
pull hard" - e
At this Bodrie spoke in the French language to
McFarane and said, 1--WE had better 20 ashore"
DIR. Houghton immediately inquired of NcFarlane
"whai did Bodrie say 2" McFarlaue told him,
when DR.. Houghion replied, I've had better go To
Eagle River tonight as we shall there have new
log house to dry US in"
The wind and snow kept increasing, and after
rowing some time DR.. Houghton remarked once
,r twice "pul away my boys we shall soon be in
pull away" and encouraged us by similar express.
ons.n we commenced shipping water and made 7
but Ittlle progress. After knocking and rolling
hon, among the breakers for over an hour, and
forming ali the time, McFariane baiied the boat
~ and advised DR.. Houghton TO put ca his life