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 INGHAM COUNTY

the surveying parties which were to follow. After a wait at
Presque Isle and Porcupine bay, the party landed and began the
real work of the laborious trip.
"You might have seen us," says the narrative, "first on the
lake shore, then on the top of a rocky mountain, then seven or
eight hundred feet below in a cedar swamp, wading through and
climbing over logs (and the mosketers as thick as h-l). At
night we sat down on the ground to eat our bean soup, and then,
each one of us took his blanket and laid down on the ground to
rest his weary limbs. For pillows, one takes his boots, another a
sandstone, the third a chunk of rotten wood, and I a frying pansome one thing and some another.
"Again we resume our labor among the rocks, and first we
know we run against a small lake, when we take out our axes, cut
some old dry trees, build a raft and launch out for the other side.
Then commence climbing again-sometimes 'chaining,' sometimes
carrying a heavy pack, then making bean soup and mixing bread,
and other times running in search of water or digging a hole in
the swamp in search of it.
"Again you would have seen us take our boat and launch out
for the middle islands; then land and climb huge rocks, as barren
as the desert of Arabia. Again we take another start and go out
to Huron islands, and survey them. Coming back, we are nearly
cast away, but we finally reach the shore in safety, take our suppers and retire to rest. In the night comes a thunder storm, with
heavy rain and knocks our tent into a cocked hat. We gather
up our things and retreat to an old leaky storehouse, and stay till
morning, but not to sleep, for the danger of the old trees around."
After such a night as this, in the morning the party loaded on
heavy packs, and started for the woods. "We done seven miles a
day," says the record, "and sometimes eight." Trouble was
experienced with a heavier lake or pond, full of mire holes.
"The most of the country is not worth five dollars a section,
except the slate rock section, and that is good land, covered with
sugar timber; no white oak, no beach, no walnut-long rolling
and undulating, but not broken. The game is scarce-few bears
and a few deer, partridges and grouse."
On a trip, apparently to the Pictured Rocks, the homesick surveyors saw a mirage. "The weather was calm and the lake