illustrate the hardships of those early days, Mr. Sanford relates that in 1849 he carried on his back from Grand Haven to his mill, about thirty miles, his first saw, weighing about forty-five pounds, his employe, who carried the other, gave out near the ford at the mouth of Black Lake, and Mr. Sanford had to shoulder both the saws, and wade across up to the shoulders. To show the character of the roads he relates that it took him in 1849 a whole day to get his team four miles on the road to Grand Rapids, and the only way he did so at all was by cutting a new road along side of the old one, which was fearfully muddy. The depression in timber lasted until about 1853, when it began to improve, new mills were erected, and the "hum" of good times set in, lasting three years, and being followed in 1857 by three years of depression, and of course many failures. Mr. Sanford was elected Sheriff of Ottawa and Muskegon in 1847, taking office January 1, 1858, and continuing in office until January 1, 1860, and had good opportunity to know how hard the times were. As showing how sparsely the county was settled, he says that he collected the taxes in the north half of this county in just one week. The census of 1860, taken by Mr. Sanford, showed 300 at White River, 11 at Whitehall, 40 at Carleton's Mills, and 65 at a point beyond the latter mills. When he visited White Lake he made his home at the Knudsens on the Montague side. Carleton's idea in the division of the county was to detatch certain towns from the south of Oceana and the north of Muskegon, forming a new county of Oceana with the center at his own mills, which would be the county seat. The southern part of Muskegon was to remain with Ottawa. Had he obtained his desire, he could not have retained the county seat, as it would have gone down to Whitehall or Montague, where the population and wealth have centered. Mr. Sanford came down to the city and located land on Section 29, for Ransom E. Wood, afterwards purchasing it himself, owning at one time 400 acres in the city. Although over 60 years of age, he is still hale and vigorous, and he still retains that vigorous grip of the hand which none of the early settlers wanted to experience a a second time. He was noted for his rapid gait in walking, going forty miles to Grand Rapids in eight hours, and doing the duties of his office as sheriff on foot, so that he was known as the "Walking Sheriff." His Indian name was "Wabunskindip" or "white head,” from the color of his hair. ELIAS W. MERRILL'S STATEMENT. Mr. Merrill, one of the oldest representative men of Muskegon, who has lived retired since 1865, makes the following statement: I settled in Muskegon in 1844; over four years previously Muskegon had been organized as a village; the people used to meet and elect officers, and then allow the municipality to become dormant, no taxes being raised. They would get roused up once in a while by a threat to annex them to Spring Lake. In 1839 the lands north of Grand River known as Indian Reserve, were thrown open and then advertised. There had been preemptions for saw mills as early as 1836. The first steam mill was where White & Swan's now stands, built by Lloyd & Place of Grand Rapids. It was a water mill, and served a double purpose, as a saw and grist mill. The bulk of the lumber was manufactured at that time up the river at Croton, in Newaygo and at Sand Creek, now Bridgeton. My brother had a water mill up there. Ryerson & Knickerbocker's mill was built in 1844. In 1845 Mear's mill was all there was in Whitehall. The next mill in Muskegon was built by Wm. Lasley, and sold to Chapin, afterwards Chapin & Foss. Mr. Lasley was the heaviest Indian trader north of the Grand River, and died the year after building his mill. As to the organization of the county the Ferrys were strongly opposed to it, and the legality of the organization was a question carried to the higher courts. In the north, Carleton and Dalton, representatives of White River and Oceana, were opposed to the formation of Muskegon, and went to Grand Haven, where they were refused seats, and when they came back to Muskegon Board of Supervisors they were told that the organization could be proceeded with without them, so their taxes were lost that year. In the Legislature the question was hotly debated, the representative from the north, Capt. Dalton, and that of the south, Henry Pennoyer, together with Senator Ferry, opposed organization, but it was carried by one vote over the necessary two-thirds. But after a while all worked in amicably. Pennoyer's speech on that occasion was a remarkably impressive one. He closed with, "I pray you do not separate, Muskegon will soon come back as a pauper to Ottawa suing to be taken back. Why every step you take, you step on nothing but pine knots and sand!" The meaning of the Indian word Ottawa" is said by Gov. Holt to be “traders," while "Muskegon" denotes "marshy river” or "wet prairie." On the other hand, Father Van Pamel, of Muskegon, believes that "Muskegon" denotes " abundance of fish." The first two-seated carriage brought into Muskegon County was by Alvah Trowbridge. 66 The first store in that part of Muskegon City known as Middle Town," was that of Durkee & Truesdell. In 1855 there were but two mills between Levi Truesdell's store and Pt. Sherman, the B idler and Ruddiman mills. EARLY HISTORY OF WHITE LAKE REGION. In April 1837, Charles and Albert Mears, the latter then a boy of fifteen, with two men named True and Herrick, made their memorable journey from Paw Paw to White Lake. The story of that momentous journey is given in the history of White Lake saw mills. It was the means of inducing Charles Mears to enter into his early lumber and land speculations around White Lake and Duck Lake, which have proved such a fortune to Mr. Mears, and which have given an impetus to the White Lake region. Charles came again that fall, and in 1839 built the old water mill, now removed, on White Lake, near where the Wilcox company's mill stands. The sloop Ranger, built by C. Mears at St. Joseph, and carrying 15,000 feet of lumber, was the first sailing craft ever on White Lake. Albert Mears did not return until 1861. T. Stannage, of Montague, John Hanson, and John Barr were at White Lake in 1838. There were Indians at Clay Banks, and Chief Wabiningo and half a dozen lodges were near the mouth of White River. About 1859 C. Mears built a store (D. Leitch's). In 1858 Whitehall was platted, and all west of the railway was John Hanson's wheat field. S. C. Hall, now the wealthy lumberman of Muskegon city carried the first mail afoot. 1844. C. Mears builds the old water mill, sells to A. M. Thompson in 1866. Before this the Duck Lake mill was built by C. Mears. 1845. Dalton Bros. build Silver Creek mill up White River; Dalton & Menges buy in 1868. July 4th, 1846, there was a grand celebration at the Mouth; Hulbert, the hotel-keeper, furnished a salt pork dinner, after which there was a swimming match. In 1847 Andrew Knudsen came to White Lake. In 1850 Rev. W. M. Ferry builds a mill at the mouth of White Lake. Scott & Stebbins run the mill and store until 1854. In 1853 White River Township was organized. In 1854 Noah H. Ferry arrives in the Fall to run the mill at White River, the former mouth of White Lake.-First post office at White River.-A. A. Caine, post-masterJewell mill built; sold in 1860 to Heald & Co. In 1855 the Jewell mill and Storms' hotel were built. One Hulburt lived at the salt marsh. In 1861 E. Knudsen built a store and house.Piers at Mouth built by Ferry.The first schooner to enter was the " Telegraph," which took part of a load.-May 11th Jesse D. Pullman arrives at White River. Miss Hazleton starts the first school (private) in all White River.-Public schools organized in 1856. The first settled minister (Methodist) come to White River, (Rev. L. M. Bennett), built a parsonage and stayed two years.-Rev. McCarthy followed, then Rev. Mills and Rev. G. W. Chapin, brother of Mrs. E. Burrows. In 1856 Whittaker & Hall built Staples & Covell's old mill.I. E. Carleton Supervisor, and Rev. Mr. Bennett (colored) treasurer. Dr. Wheeler commences to practice at the Mouth. In 1857 a town meeting was held at Dalton's water mill, White River then including the present White River, Montague, Whitehall, Fruitland, Dalton, Blue Lake, Cedar Creek and Holton, what is now eight towns.--Dalton was elected Supervisor, and J. P. Brown Treasurer. -Geo. A. Rodgers drowned off Long Point, where he was operating a mill.——S. J. B. Watson comes to White River. Printed tickets first used at elections of old White River Township N. H. Ferry Supervisor.--Carleton & Dalton purchased the brig Oceana. In 1858 Whittaker & Hall's mill was sold to Thompson & Covell. They sell to W. Weston in 1864, and he to Lewis & Hall the same Fall, who sold to Staples & Covell. The latter firm tore the old mill down in 1875.-Peter Hobler settles at White River. April 19th Geo. E. Dowling arrives at the Mouth.--Peter Dalton Supervisor, Moody Farman Clerk, and P. Hobler Treasurer. The steamer Comet, with a big excursion from Grand Haven, enters the piers at the Mouth. In 1858 I. E. Carleton was Supervisor of White River. Muskegon County was organized. The towns of Dalton and Oceana organized.--Whitehall first platted, as Mears. In the Fall C. Mears starts a store- -Great races at White River. W. H. Woodbury came to the Mouth in the Spring of this year. In 1860 Whitehall was surveyed by A. M. Hiersch, employed by C. Mears and G. B. Slocum. In 1861 the post office was first opened, with A. Mears as the first post-master.S. C. Hall, on foot, first mail carrier, and Horace Jones in 1861.--A volunteer company was formed this Fall with N. H. Ferry Captain, H. Heffernan 1st Lieut., and E. C. Dicey 2d Lieut.--Ferry built the schooner Success. In 1862 Thompson & Covell start a store in the place known afterward as Bratz's store. First hotel, moved by P. Hobler from Harl Landing. In 1863 the first church in Whitehall (Congregational) was organized by P. R. Van Frank. The first meeting were held in the old log house. In 1864 the bridge was built between Montague and Whitehall by W. H. Parks. In 1865 Franklin & Wheeler buy out Thompson & Covell's store in June, and sell to Louis Bratz in 1866.--The first drug store was started by Zerah Mizner this Spring; Ruggles' drug store was started in 1867, Wheeler's in 1868, Sandberg's in 1875, and D. P. Glazier's in 1877.——A. A. Cone moves his hotel from the Mouth. The first saloon opened by W. M. Simons, the first law office by Duane Thompson.- -First practicing physician, Dr. J. A. Wheeler. In 1866 Congress voted $67,000 for harbor improvements. In 1867 the village of Whitehall was incorporated, and the first telegraph office opened. The Harbor Company, with a capital of $20,000, was formed in 1869, and Congress having added $45,000 more, White Lake becomes one of the best harbors on the Lake. The first newspaper The Whitehall Forum-was printed in 1869 by B. Frank. In September, 1870, the Booming Company was formed, and in the following October the first train of railway cars enters Whitehall. In December the first bank opens. The Hon. I. E. Carleton, after a residence of twenty years on White Lake, died on March 28, 1871. EARLY STAGE LINES. The first to start anything like a stage or public conveyance from the south into Muskegon was old Mr. Brittain, still a resident of Ferrysburg, who entered on the work of stage driving in the early days of "small things." Shortly after 1850 Francis Blood, now of Wright, had a stage route from Muskegon to Ravenna connecting with Grand Rapids, and in 1855 Geo. Bradford, now a carpenter on Pine street, Muskegon, purchased the stage, and it took in good weather one day to go to Muskegon and another to return. In bad weather, in Spring and Fall, it took twice that time. Mr. Bradford settled in Muskegon in 1871, with his son Andrew, now of the American Hotel. Mr. Thomas Merrill, of Muskegon, then of Ferrysburg, was the first to enter upon staging on a large scale, in connection with Thomas Culbert & Bro., of Muskegon. He came to Ferrysburg in 1850, was ten years foreman of Ferry's saw mill, and in 1865 established a regular mail, express and stage route. The road from Ferrysburg was cut in 1858, being underbushed, but not traveled until 1860. The stage line consisted of five to ten three seated, spring, buck-board wagons, capable of carrying five passengers and the driver. Among the early drivers still residents of Muskegon will be remembered Jack Sharp, F. Wright; Louis Morse (of the Omnibus line) John Currier, and Wm. Flanders, since 1865 foreman for Mr. Merrill. In 1869, when the railroad was building, the stage used to meet the train, and in 1880 staging ceased with the completion of the railroad. As high as sixty horses were used at one time on the great passenger, express and freight trains. There were three routes to Ferrysburg, the oldest road that by Black Creek, the next was the Telegraph road, which was built by the State; and the best was the Lower road, built by subscription, and partially by the State. WHITEHALL STAGES. The first mail route to Whitehall was on foot over the Indian trail and the first mail carrier was Mr. S. C. Hall, now a wealthy lumberman of Muskegon City, who carried the mail on foot for the first three weeks in a carpet bag. The first letter was for Joseph Hinchman. The first stage to Whitehall was by Gale & Nichols, then came Bickford's stage, then Smith & Saunders, Hall & Alsauer, Lee, Scully & Co., and Culbert Bros. to the South, and first Bickman and then Rodky to the North. STEAMBOATING. Among the earliest to commence the steamboat passenger business was Mr. J. T. Ryerson, now of Muskegon, who ran two boats, the old "Truesdell" and the "Ottawa," as combined lumber and passenger boats until 1867, when he sold out to Mr. A. E. Goodrich, of Chicago, who has run steamers to Muskegon, Ottawa and Grand Haven, both propellers and side-wheelers, but chiefly the latter from that time until the Fall of 1880, when he withdrew the line for a year but they are again being put on in 1882. As early as 1866 Mr. Goodrich ran a few trial trips with one of his steamers. For |