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

LOCKE TowNSI1P AND) ITS HISTORY

667

worm. I have stood in his library and wondered how he ever
found a book from his jumbled, overcrowded shelves. When I
recall his short figure, smooth face and long hair, I am reminded
of the character of that preacher in "Felix Holt the Radical."
The likeness was similar. The other man in the group was Elder
Cunningham, the United Brethren minister. He is living today
and could relate some interesting experiences. Some of the early
Methodists in the seventies seceded from the mother church and
formed a society under the leadership of a young red-headed
preacher named Golden. Under his leadership they went to extremes in their form of worship, became fanatical, brought discredit upon themselves, and were disb)anded and scattered.
Some of their proselytes joined a band of SalvNation Army workers, who drilled them in the saner forms of God's worship.
The muscular Christianity group had a leader, "Big George
Tuttle." His assistants were his brothers and other minor lights
who were enrolled under his banner. Their usual meeting place
was Williamston on Saturday afternoons. After a visit to the
saloons and coming in contact with similar bands from White Dog
Corners, Wheatfield Township, and also from Lee's Corners,
then the fun commenced. In the contests which followed,
wrestling, running, jumping, or boxing, every man tried to wear
the victor's crown.
Big George wore the fighter's belt for several years, or until he
was cowardly assaulted and nearly killed in a brawl at Fowlerville.
After the influx of law and order men from Dansville the bands
were scattered and the Saturday nights were quiet and peaceful.
The village marshal's work was not so strenuous and he could retire after, locking the jail, to his unbroken slumber after twelve
o'clock. Most of Big George's band experienced religion, became
good church men, used their surplus energy in breaking new land,
instead of heads, chopping cord wood, etc.
The unbelievers, free-thinkers and irregulars were small in
numbers, could not agree among themselves, so never were able to
combine or form a society, and for that reason left no lasting
impressions upon the neighborhood where they lived.
Among the medical men who lived in this township was one
who chose the new country instead of the crowded city for his life
work. I never was personally acquainted with him but many of