The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-11-04
Michigan Letter.
WAKEsHMA, MICH, Oct. 26, 1880.

old citizen of Ravenna, and for twelve
years a resident of Kalamazoo Co.,
Mich, and thinking that your readers
might be interested with brief ac-
count of the doings of this place, its
history and eminent rise from will
derness to it's present high standing,
I have ventured to write a few lines,
hoping if found worthy it may find a
place in your columns.
Fifty years ago Kalamazoo was
known only as the haunt of the Indi-
an to-day no spot in Michigan is a
center of more attraction and beauty.
In the early settlement Of6Bronson,
now Kalamazoo, bears and panthers
were very common, but wolves were
much more numerous and destructive.
Those who had cattle and sheep were
obliged to confine them in pens close
to their dwellings, and then they were
not always safe.
/ find among the early records the
following notice: s. AT a meeting held
OH The first Monday in April, in 1884
it was voted to raise 800 for the de-
struction of wolves, and that 4 dollars
be paid for every scalp taken in said
town until the 500 be expended"
On the bank of the Kalamazoo Riv-
er, about mile below this place, is
pointed out spot which is said to have
been the scene of a battle between the
70
that WacOnista, the Chief of the Ot-
tawas, had formed plan of attack by
night, in order that he might come
upon the enomy unawares. But the
enemy learned the design through his
own son, who, cherishing an affection
for the daughter of the Sioux Chief,
ventured to the tent of her father on
the night of the intended massacre,
and privately warned the maiden to
flee. But she considering her duty to
her people and kindred paramount to
the affection of, a lover, instantly gave
the alarm. The Sioux warriors. being
thus put on their guard, silently await
ed the approach of the enemy, who
advancing secretly and cautiously
within a short distance of the Sioux
tents, rushed upon their works with
the soul-chilling war-whoop: but the
enemy, forewarned, We're prepared to
receive them, which so completely
surprised the Ottawas, that they were
compelled to retreat on the first onset
but, being rallied by their Chief, they
returned to the contest, and after q
long and bloody struggle, succeeded in
defeating the Sioux, losing, however
their chieftain, a warrior deserving
first rank among Indian heroes.
The first settler in Kalamazoo Coun-
ty was BAIL Harrison, a nephew oil
Benz. Harrison, one Of the signers OF
the Declaration, and cousin of Gen.
Harrison, elected President in 1910.
His revolutionary ancestry and distin-
guished family naturally made him. a
notable man in anycircie. AS its first
white settler, he became notable land
mark in this County's history. He
was the first Judge of the County Court,
and through his long life was respected
and honored by all: He died in 1877,
at the great age Of lO3 years. But in
drawing our attention from the early
days of pioneer life to the present time,
we find Kalamazoo County one of the
richest farming districts in the State,
many of her farms containing. from
600 to ], 600 acres of choice land, and
containing all the modern improve
ments necessary to successful and
progressive life of ihusbandry. Kala-
Wazoo Village, the county seat and the
metropolis. of Kalamazoo County, is a
model town of nearly 10000 inhabit-
ants. The largest factory i'll the world
for making elliptic springs is located
here. Also, the world-renowned Port
land Cement Works. Bush & Prtter-
son, combined with jobbing and build
ing, sash and blind factory, employing
a large force of men. isanother leading
enterprise. There are five grain ele-
vators, and four merchant Touring
mills, owned by. Merrill s. McCourtie.
There are twelve churches, five union
school buildings, Mt. Holyoke Semin-
ary, and two colleges, State lunatic
asylum, with 500 inmates Parsons
commercial college; Kalamazoo paper
company, one of the largest paper
mills in the West, is located here.
There are three newspapers, two dali
lies aud three weeklies, with large
public library and free reading room
adjoining. There are ten hotels, OF
which the Burdick, American, and
kalamazoo. rank as first-class. Four
railroads run through the town, of
which Mich. Central, Lake Shore &
Mich. Southern, Grand Rapids & In
diana, are trunk lines. The legal tall
ent is fully represented by forty law
yers, of whom twenty.eight are for
Hancock and English. There are 81
doctors, for whom there is not much
demand. The kalamazoo River. q
moderate sized stream, winds its course
on the eastern border Of the town, and
empties into Lake Michigan. It is
navigable for steamboats, and light
steam craft for twenty-five miles from
its mouth. A large and beautiful park
is located south of the court house,
with one Of the finest fountains in the
State. The basin Of the fountain is
ornamented with goldfish, speckled
trout, greyling. and other rare varie-
ties Of fish. There is also II mound
formed by the Indians, it being their
old camp-ground, and is one of the
principal attractions of the town.. On
all pleasant evenings hundreds Of peo-
pie assemble there to walk and chat,
and listen to enchanting music by the
Kalamazoo and Peninsula Command
cry Band. .-.!,,.. yH
One more item that may be of inter-
est to Ravennians, is the water-works.
The town is supplied with water by
the Holley system. A large well %
feet in diameter and 20 feet deep, fur
nishes 1000, 900 gallons of water daily,
without any diminution of the con-
slant quantity in the well. Two large
engines, the Holley and Worthington,
are stationed in building near the
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