mazoo House, whose picture is shown on your program, and tying a tag on the bag of money throw it under the counter and go to bed and in the morning each received his own intact. Sales ran as high as $150,000 or $200,000 a month. A week or even ten days were expended by these land lookers who came from Kent County, Indiana, Lake Michigan and Jackson. When the hotels were crowded the overflow was taken care of by David Hubbard, Mrs. Daniels, Elmer Hawley and others. Sometimes there were bushel baskets marked to receive money, and with full faith in their fellowmen, these prospective land buyers would deposit their money, climb the ladder to their lodging and were not disappointed in receiving their money all right the next morning. Senator Dolliver always contended the country was growing better, but I doubt if any examples of such integrity could be produced to-day. No robbery as far as known was ever proven or even charged. A land agent under General Jackson was charged with a defalcation of $3,000. Upon the question of his removal the man said no improvement would result from a change as he did not need any more money, and the new man would. Kalamazoo at this time was the second largest postoffice, only surpassed by Detroit. The St. Joseph Enterprise (newspaper) was moved from White Pigeon. Mr. Gilbert contended that in 1836 the Kalamazoo Gazette was the oldest continuous newspaper outside Detroit. The first marriage was Isaac Dickery to Miss White. Mr. Wiemar was a merchant tailor.

The postoffice is a great factor in civilization. In those days there were no envelopes, all accounts were kept by stamps; newspapers and letters went by weight, distance also affected the price. Unpaid letters were five cents collected at either end of the route. If sent over 500 miles, postage ten cents. Now all accounts are by stamps bought from and paid to the government. It was customary for the postmaster to do many kind acts for his neighbors in writing their letters as he had free postage. The postmaster had to make up his mail by billing the number of letters with amount of postage. One bill reads: Kalamazoo to Battle Creek, 5 letters, 3 cents each, 15 cents; Kalamazoo to Battle Creek, 3 papers, 3 cents each, 9 cents; Kalamazoo to Battle Creek, 3 papers, 6 cents each, 18 cents;

and the bill enclosed. Accounts were required of all letters received and sent. Kalamazoo is at present third in postoffice rank, Detroit leading and Grand Rapids second. He urged keeping newspaper files as they would give a good local history.

A violin and piano duet was given by Masters Lester and Wesley Marston. At the close the visitors were invited to another room where tea and wafers were served by the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Women's clubs of the city. A fine setting was made by

the exhibit of curios, particularly a fine exhibit of Indian relics in charge of George F. Larned who explained to the audience the use and value of many specimens. Mr. E. A. Crane who had contributed much to the department was detained at Bronson Hospital by serious illness.

Mr. Martin spoke of the Vermontville colony and of the old trails. Letters of regret were read as follows:

January 30, 1911.

Mr. J. D. Clement, Secretary, The Commercial Club, Kalamazoo, Michigan :

My Dear Mr. Clement:-I am very grateful for the kind invitation of the Commercial Club and the Pioneer Historical Society of Kalamazoo, to speak at their mid-winter convention, which will be held in your city on January 31.

It would afford me the greatest pleasure if I could arrange my engagements so as to be present on this occasion, but I find it will be impossible.

I fully recognize the successful and effective work which has been performed by the Society in the field of historical research. The efforts of those who have achieved so much along this line are of great value to Michigan and worthy of high commendation.

Please convey to the members of your Club my deep appreciation of the splendid things they are accomplishing in the business and civic development of your city. Such organizations as yours represent a high standard of citizenship and are furthering and fostering the best there is in business and municipal life.

With assurances of my high regard, I am

Yours very sincerely,

CHASE S. OSBORN,

Governor.

Galesburg, Mich., Jan. 27, 1911.

Mr. Louis H. Conger, Secretary Commercial Club, Kalamazoo, Mich. : Dear Sir:-When I accepted the invitation, by your predecessor, to take a modest part in the entertainment by your organization of the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Society, that acceptance was conditional upon my recovery from physicial complications then existing. To my profound regret, those complications still exist in so aggravated a form, as make my presence an utter impossibility.

Realizing that the disappointment is mine, and trusting that no inconvenience may result from the above facts and also wishing the Commercial Club and their honored guests unqualified enjoyment of the occasion, I remain Respectfully Yours,

I. B. ROGERS.

At the evening session over 500 persons were present. The opera house was staged by the management with appropriate settings. The exercises were in charge of the Lucinda H. Stone Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mrs. H. B. Peck, chairman. The cos tumes were very rare and elegant, many heirlooms being exhibited. Mrs. E. N. Dingly, as Dolly Madison, carried out her part very ably and gracefully. Several ladies appeared with the extinct hoop skirts; one work-basket used was over one hundred years old and another lady had a choice fan of the same age. Snuffboxes and knitting work were also displayed. The fife and drum corps of the Grand Army of the Republic gave an inspiring selection.

"Michigan, My Michigan" was sung, accompanied by Mrs. C. C. Cutting on an organ about one hundred years old, and owned by J. D. Clement. William L. Jenks, vice-president of the Society, made a plea for assistance in securing information how and when names of the several counties were obtained and their meaning. He gave an amusing account of his efforts to find the origin of the name of Crawford County. He also referred to Kakalamazoo or Kenamazoo, meaning "smoky” or “boiling," being given as name for the present county. Mrs. Lombard gave a solo "Killarney" and sang "Bonnie Doon," when called again on the program. Mr. Burton introduced Mrs. E. N. Dingley as Dolly Madison who recited "Whistling in Heaven" and whose return being called for responded with the song "Kitty Clyde." Several musical selections of quartettes, solos and choruses were given which elicited much applause for their genuine sweetness and merit.

A very high tribute was paid by Right Rev. John H. McCormick to Dr. E. H. Van Deusen, who, during his life was a public benefactor to Kalamazoo. Father Fitzpatrick read a memoir of William Maybury of Detroit, written by Rev. John Connolly, A. M., of Detroit, who was unable to be present. A quartette gave "Nellie Gray" and for an encore they responded by singing "Juanita." Mrs. Gipp sang "Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes" and responded to an encore with "The Old Arm Chair." A letter of regret to "Dolly Madison" from Governor Osborn was read by Mr. Burton.

Wednesday morning a board meeting was held but there being no quorum present only general business could be transacted. At eleven o'clock carriages and autos conveyed the visitors to Nazareth Academy, the place being the source of much surprise and great pleasure. The location is admirable and the buildings fine. The grounds charmingly laid out and appointments immaculately clean and sanitary, giving evidence of great care and faithfulness. A short program was given in the Chapel. The Nazareth Band played vigorously and well. The guests were shown the different departments, including the new Barbour

Hall recently dedicated. The Sisters then conducted them to the dining room where delicious coffee and sandwiches were served. Mr. Burton spoke words of commendation for the admirable work conducted, and returned the appreciative thanks of the Society for courtesies so bountifully extended to them.

The afternoon session at two o'clock opened with a musical selection by the Nazareth Academy Orchestra. Mrs. John den Bleyker prepared a paper on "Early Schools of Kalamazoo" which was read by Mrs. Bigelow, owing to the illness of Mrs. den Bleyker. A great deal of history was brought out and which appears in this publication. The father-in-law of Mrs. den Bleyker was Nathaniel A. Balch, a prominent pioneer of the county.

A pupil of Nazareth academy sang "To Mother, Boy, Be True."

George N. Fuller, A. M., of Ann Arbor, told of "The Early Settlement of Michigan."

A violin solo was encored and a piano solo by Mrs. Lautrette composed of airs from old melodies was excellently rendered.

The students of Nazareth Academy were asked to repeat their music which they did and sang "The Last Rose of Summer." A resolution was offered by Mr. Bement that the invitation from Pontiac to hold the next mid-winter meeting there be accepted, with Port Huron as alternate choice. This was carried.

Mrs. J. V. Campbell of Grand Rapids offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted:

Resolved: That the State Pioneer and Historical Society take immediate and necessary steps for the preservation of the so-called Governor Stevens T. Mason Flag, which he presented to the Brady Guards of Detroit, February 22, 1837.

C. E. Bement gave a paper on "The Needs of the Society."

Mr. Burton emphasized the importance of local assistance. He paid a fine tribute to the citizens of Kalamazoo who had made this the best and most important mid-winter meeting ever held. He thought much of it was due to its being acknowledged the largest educational center in the State. With such extensive enterprises in hand should follow the conservation of historical interests. That records of all kinds including documents and papers of value and interest which found their way to the paper-mill in the city and were ground up and information lost, should be systematically inspected with a view of the preservation of matters of public interests. Mr. Winslow said the people were too busy to give a great deal of time to the past, but he hoped the local society they were to organize would accomplish results.

Mr. Mary M. Hoyt spoke of her life passed in Yankee Springs Hotel about mid-way between Grand Rapids and Battle Creek. This edifice

was known as a tavern, seven stories high, all on the ground floor. She had known as many as one hundred to be lodged under its roof in one night. Afterwards she moved to Arcadia in 1851 and in 1857 came to Kalamazoo. Mrs. Deal, granddaughter of Henry Little, followed with references to her pioneer ancestors and promised gifts to the museum representing the family.

Major Soule, for many years treasurer of the University of Michigan, gave a short biography, explaining that his business had not been that of chronicler but to pass the hat. He was born in western New York in 1832, and came to Michigan when two years old and brought his parents with him. Settling in Calhoun County the Pottawatomie Indians were their nearest and almost their only neighbors. He and his sister were their constant playmates, there being only one white man they saw very often. The most of their supplies came from Detroit. The family came into the country with a yoke of oxen and a covered wagon and a horse fastened behind. Several times they stuck in the mud and all hands including his sister and himself were obliged to push. They took what was called the "army route," camping nights, passed through Canada and St. Clair and reached Marengo at the end of the week's journey. On the way they were on the lookout for land to preempt and came across quite a number of squatters. One time his father went on business which occupied him two or three days. The Indians came to trade. They offered two or three fish for some whiskey. They made a pocket by tying a corner of their dirty blankets and then wanted whiskey for fish. His mother feared the effect of liquor on them and said she had no whiskey. They passed their opinions of such conditions and on their departure they met his father, who was a justice of the peace, and said to him "Squire, your squaw dam fool no whiskey." The soldiers came from Fort Wayne to move these Indians when he was yet a small child.

He gave an account of the funeral of Wap-pi-zik. He had been bitten by a rattle-snake and the leg had to be amputated but with his wooden crutch, he could distance most of the runners, getting over the ground like a greyhound. Squire Soule preached the sermon. On account of snakes which the Indians avoided and disliked, they placed their dead in trees, covering them with grass. The bodies, the trees and the Indians have been gone several years. In his neighborhood there were probably about 150 Indians. They usually found them good and never regarded them as mean. There was one old fellow who ranked second to the chief who used to come to his father and borrow one dollar for one moon. Returning the money at the time mentioned. He wished to again beg the loan for two moons. His father marked the money and after several such experiences invariably found it the original piece. He