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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PIONE0ER HISTORY OF INGIIAMI COUNTY

Its engine was also sold when the steamers came and is now owned
at Jamaica Plains, Long Island, not so far from Oyster Bay,
where Roosevelt lived. It, too, is said to be carefully preserved.
PAY IN BONDS.
Another incident in connection with the first engine is that of
what became of the money when it was sold. The sale of the old
"tub" to Cheboygan was engineered by Watts S. Humphrey, a
lawyer, once here but later of Cheboygan. Payment was made in
bonds of Cheboygan, bearing 10 per cent. When it was discovered that there was "something in it" for the old boys, members of
old Torrent Company were called together again. The minutes
were scanned and those who had not paid their dues were declared
to have forfeited their membership, as the by-laws provided.
So, with the circle thus reduced, there was a nice little fund to distribute among the few faithful.
The disposal of these bonds connects the story up with Orlando
M. Barnes, Mayor of Lansing in 1871, and the city's foremost
financial figure in his time. The residence built by him, still
occupied by the widow, Mrs. Amanda F. Barnes, is still considered one of the remarkable show places of the city. Mr. Barnes
sold the Cheboygan bonds in the Wall Street market, with which,
as a railroad financier, he was familiar.
So the story of the first old fire engine in one way or another runs
through practically three generations. The old relic is worthy in
itself, but, considered as to the memories that may be clustered
about it, it is priceless. It deserves a glass case right now, without
waiting for the pioneer museum which may be a long way in the
distance.-State Journal.