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The Semi-Centennial.lt;Apropos to the subject of celebrating the anniversary of the settlement of Marshal}, Is the foDowfng letter clipped from the Union City Register. It would seem proper for the older residents of the city to move In the matter of properly, observing., the 'settlement of this city. At Coldwater the citizens have determined upon, holding .a picnic. Historical reminiscences of the pioneers assembled on the occasion will make the day an interesting one, and the anniversary '*111 he one full of pleasure and profit. Will not the older residents of Marshall act la the matter t “This letter Is nearly fifty years old, and was: written by George K etc hum and furnished by the politeness of his daughter, Mrs. C, M.Whiting:”Ann Abbob, April 27th, 1831.My Dear EuniceI write you as often as opportunity permits. This Is my third letter since hearing from homo, and I leave you to judge of my anxiety about you and my little daughters. You doubtless feel aa equal ahx-I(fety about me.I will try to tell what I: have been doing. 1 started from this place Friday, at. 13 o’clockfor Calhoun, with two wagons, two yoke of oxen, two cows iand calves, seven, men, oqe woman and child. The distance to Calhoun Is 65 miles, through marshes and lakes; the road otherwise is good. We crossed one large marsh where we ha$ to carry all our things over on our backs for the distance of 80 rods, In water knee debp. The oxen we drove single; one broke through the bog, and we worked two hours to get hi m out, with chains under and around him, and It was as mueh as eight men could do to get him out; but succeeded, after great fatigue and trouble. We got to Blashfield’s. about nine o’clock thatnight. That is the last house, and 17 milestftfe side, of our place, and the next house to us. We started Tuesday morning, and arrived late in the evening* and built a fire, cooking our bread and pork jaf ter dark. The'man and his wife Slept In the wajfcon. and the rest of ub on the ground with nothing but our coats and cloaks over us. , .Wednesday we began to build a log house,. selected the site and placed the bottom logs, took our supper and laid down on the ground,, and before day It began to rain and freeze.We all turned out, peelad bark, covered^the wagon, and then setup poles and laid hark over to keen dry. I can assure you we were: a sorrr looking set, all smoke and wet. Itrained bo hard all day that we could cook nothing, and we began to think It hard timesla Michigan,It cleared oft Friday, and all Bet* to work to build a house, and Saturday night^ we had A log house 30x26 feet, a storv an a half high, tlx* rafters cm, m3 halt cbincfrecL 1 nifvfcrhad so good a set of men in my life r not one... ji,— —drinks a drop of liquor, and all work aa ilfor themselves. The man and wife are flue, good people. I have hired three of them for ayear. - i, , m[Two of these persons were the late Thoe.Chisholm and Asahel Wamer.—-Ed.]I made a bfll for the.roiU (saw mill builtVnear White mill on Rice creek) and left them In good spirits, and came back after provisions, and return- to-morrow with a load. People are going to Calhoun. There havebeen since I went 15 lots located out there,some very near by, and some 5 and 13 roues distance from us; and I declare to you, dear wife, that without prejudice, it is toe finest country I ever saw. The water In toe creek Is soft, the land good andhandsomely situated, and I feel confident we shall do well, andmy happiness will be complete when I cansee my dear wife comfortable aod happy here with me.^ Ton need not sell any of our furniture, as we can movaIt cheaper than I expected, andf any of our Mends Acrald come here I*”1 tore they would settle If they conld doit witn-J a# 4Ra marout mucn sacrifice. Every one of the men tiave taken lots, and all have, money to buy, when they come In market. They have, amail coach running from'this place ( Ann Arbor )!to Detroit, and will soon run to Jack-jonburg, within thirty miles cf our place. They think of Btarting one all the way to St. Joseph, which will pass through ourplaee.I have waked through: mud ana .water, slept on the ground In my cloak, ate bread and pork -broiled ou a stick, and was never heartier In my life, and can endure aa much fatigue as I ever could.My earnest prayerla that heaven will grant i health until we srar new home.shall be again united InAllectiouatelv yours,Geobqb Kwrcutfaa. .P. S. Direct to Jacksonburgs Mich.This letter was directed to Bridgewater, ineida county, N. Y.^to Mrs. Ketchum, who. still lives to rejoice with her many friends.
Newspaper Details
Marshall Statesman
Marshall, Michigan, US
Thu, Jul 21, 1881
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Marshall D.
MI, USA 04 Jan 2021
Other Publications Near Marshall, Michigan
Marshall Evening Chronicle
Marshall News Statesman
Marshall News
Marshall Evening Statesman
Marshall Expounder
