Pioneer history of Ingham County, compiled and arranged by Mrs. Franc L. Adams, secretary of the Ingham County pioneer and historical society.

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PIONEER HISTORY OF INGIIAM COUNTY

sawed the planks we have been riding upon and for months it
worked night and day for the contracts of H. H. Smith and James
Turner, Sr., to supply them with material. Three miles east of
here, at a bend in the road, we pass a log house on our left which
was the birthplace of Mr. York, the merchant at North Lansing.
One mile east we pass a saw mill and hotel that was operated by
a man by the name of Alger. Mr. Alger was considered rich by
his neighbors, for he had a section of land besides the saw mill and
hotel. One-half mile east we pass through a strip of timber where
the thriving village of Webberville is now located.
In a small clearing on the north side and near another hotel was
a small house where lived a woman who was a familiar figure in
this and surrounding country. She was an educated woman, a
poet, and you can find today in some of the old collections of
books her pamphlet of poems and songs. A domestic trouble or
sorrow in early life clouded her mind and made her a wanderer.
I can see her now with her queer home-made clothing, her pack
of wool or yarn, her knit socks, traveling the highway. She used
to frighten the small children with her abrupt ways and crazy
talk, but the older people who were acquainted with her always
were kind and hospitable. She used to lecture in school houses
and in the fields on moral and religious subjects, and people out of
curiosity would most always give her an audience. Who was she?
Clarrisa Lighthall, the traveling angel.
On half a mile east, we pass the county line and are in Livingston
county; a short distance we descend a hill and cross the west
branch of the Red Cedar river. Near this bridge is a log building...
that was used for a grocery and dwelling. A German named
Richeter sold groceries and supplies to the road and surrounding
country. William Richeter, the taxidermist, was his son. Many
are the stories told of the Dutch Grocery by the old settlers. Mr.
Richeter's quaint German ways and his good nature was sorely
tried by the young men, who, under the influence of hard cider
or something stronger, tried to make a disturbance, but after the
thing was over they always paid for the damages done to his
property.
Half a mile east in a bend of the road was the Old Compton
Hotel. Let us put up here and the hostler will give the stage
horses a drink. The horses freshened by their drink quicken