The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-08-12
Michigan One Hundred Years
Ago.

DETROIT. Aug, 1.-THE American rs.
,ociation for the Advancement of Science
met in this city in Clark'- Opera House
this morning, Prof. Hillyard, oi the Coast
Survey in the chair. The proceedings
were opened BY prayer, after which EX-
Judge Charles j. Walker, now one OF the
prof. sor, in the law department OF
Michigan University, welcomed the
guests Of the city in speech in which he
called attention to the fact that
DETROIT WAS FOUNDED IN THE SAME
YEAR As PHILADELPHIA,
and said that it is less than 20 years since
Michigan became u sovereign State, and
vel We claim that We have not lor half
century been drawingirom the population
and culture Of the Old World in vain.
In this centennial period it may not
be inappropriate Tor me 10 rect to
your memory the actual condition Of this
territory one hundred years ago to-day.
There was not settlement OF English
origin within the whole territory. The
entire population did not probably ex.
coed 5000. At the close OF the old French
aud Indian war in 1868, that resulted in
the conquest OF Canada by Great Britain
and the surrender Of this whole region
rs far west rs the Mississippi to british
control, there was probably French
population Of about 10000; but 50 deep
ly dissatisfied were they at the change
that they in large numbers cmigratcd To
the lower Mississippi, which was still I'M
der French control. In l7Gi l.aclcdc
founded ST. Louis, and many went thither.
So great was this change that the Detroit
settlement was reduced from u population
Of 1900 tu about 500, and Kaskaskia from
800 or 2,0OO to about 500. Atthis time,
l71j, Detroit, the most important town,
OCCUPIED ABOUT THREE ACRES
upon the bank Of the river, incloscd by
pirkcts fifteen tn twenty feet high, which
were pierced by four gates, and defended
by block houses and guns. twas tra-
yrrscd by narrow streets or alleys, from
ten to sixteen feet in width, There were
from 50 to 100 dwellings, all Of logs cx.
rcpt the house Ol the cnmmandant. 1t
contained population 0f from 300 Ia
.iOO. Prof. Walker then skclChcd the his
tory nf the district, and incidentally Of
the whole northern territory up 10 the
present day, concluding his address with
4 warm welcome to visitors. President
IIilIyards respondedin u cordial manner,
aud especially referred to the educational
system Of Michigan as
OSE OF THE MOST PERFECT
in the world. Some routine business
waa transacted and then the Secretary an.
nounrcd the death of the following mem
hers: John +. Gavilt, Of New York City,
Dr. Thurman e. lilly aud Joseph Win.
lock, ii the Harvard observatory, Sir
William Logan, NJ the Canadian Coast
Survey, Prof. Jrllrirs Wyman, an old and
distinguished member, and Vim. T.. Whit.
man, who reunited with the Association
at its last meeting. Scvrnty-siy gentle
men were next elected fellows Of the A..
snrIaliun, each unr chosen being noted iur
his scientific achievements. The re-.
mninhcr 0i the morning session was ul u
business character.
The afternoon session was devoted tOI
section reports, and thccvcning session To
social enjoyment. The arrangements lur
the entertainment nf the ladies' aud gen
llcmcm II the Assorialion are perfect in
all respects