Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-12-17
WHITE RIVER. Dec. s. 1856.

time been noticed and commented upon in
the Times. There are two ranges of towns
(not originally or properly belonging to the
county, but which have always been attached
to it for judicial purposes) that, though Of
more importance than the fact would seem to
warrant have been entirely overlook. A few
facts in relation to its growth, improvements
and prospects, may not be uninteresting to
the readers of your sheet. The township Of
White River comprises towns eleven and
twelve north, range Is, 16, II and Is
west, embracing White and Duck Lakes with
the streams emptying into them. There are
four steam, and four water mills in operation
on White Lake and River, and one steam and
one water mill ON Duck Lake, running nine
upright and twenty-five circular saws, capa-
bic of cutting on an average, four million
feet of lumber for each steam, and two mill
ion feet for each water mill, annually. There
has been, the present season, one hundred
and forty-two arrivals, and one hundred and
forty departures of vessels, of an average ca
pacity of 100 M feet of lumber being equal
to fourteen million feet shipped from this
place IA number of cargoes were single bolts
and shingles), not including over four million
feet shipped from Duck Lake There has
been received this fall over $4,000 worth of
grain, provisions and supplies, almost entirely
for the different numbering establishments
Of grain alone there has been over thirteen
thousand bushels landed here this fall In
January, 1854, there was less than one thou
sand acres of hard timber or alarming
land" (of which we boast considerably enter
ed in the township. There is now not piece
within ten miles of Lake Michigan in the
hands Of Government, and the most Of it has
been entered by actual residents. In 1858
the only mail we had was brought down in
the pockets of citizens here when business
called them towards Grand Haven; and for
tunate did we think we were when we heard
IOlil JuC OUUCI WOiIl OllCC Ill tNO WcchS. Luz
ring the winter, months would elapse and no
mail matter of any kind reach us. Now,
through Messrs. PENNoYER and FLETCHER,
contractors, we are regularly supplied with a
weekly NAH. The receipts of the p 0 here
have rapidly increased, and even with the
withdrawal of the matter for Duck Lake and
the establishment of an office there, the last
spring, we are now entitled to stamps, &c,
from Government, chasing the Office with
what Grand Haven was but very few years
ago. In 1852, when the township included
the townships Of Clay Banks and Stony
Creek, ffty-two votes were polled--every
vote there was in the whole country. There
are now over three hundred voters in this
township, though the poll list, on account Of
the violent storm, showed but one hundred
and twelve. White Lake is fine sheet of
water, with bold, high banks, and very deep;
about five miles long, and one and half
wide, and sufficient depth of water, by shun-
ming three points or shoals, for the largest
of vessels, could they but get into it. The
judicious expenditure Of few thousand dol
lars would make good harbor, and at no
point on the whole lake is it more needed.
The expenditure by private enterprise of less
than one thousand dollars in 1885 '36, has
increased the depth Of water from ten inches
to four feet. There is water enough running
over the bar that, were it confined and pro-
tected, would of itself cut out a channel of
not less than seven feet. At this time there
is eight feet at the end of slab pier placed
at the mouth in 1854.
On the first of this month by the enter
prise of Messrs. CARLTON and DALTON and
the Grand River Steamboat King R. S.
PARKS, the waters of White Lake were
plowed by the first steam craft ever upon it.
The steamer Oceana, Capt IRONS, made her
first trip up White River, running as far as
the Trading Post, GU Tuesday, Dec. 2, 1856.
May she live to see her tracks followed by a
host Truly Yours,
N. H. F.
"JoHN PHOENIX" The Free Press learns,
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