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

744

PIONEER HISTORY OF INGHAM COUNTY

license to teach school in Vevay Township by the Inspectors of
Primary Schools for the township. The inspectors were Anson
Jackson, J. B. Chapin, A. E. Steele. (Jonathan B. Chapin lived
in the Rolfe district, was a physician, he moved to Battle Creek,
where he practiced the rest of his life; he died in 1891.)
When I first attended school the school house was located where
it is now (1865), but I have a very vivid recollection of having
been informed that the first "red school house" was just up the
hill from the "corners" opposite of where Almon Chapin now lives.
When my people moved to Michigan there came with them
John Bliss, a cousin, whom many of you may remember as being
blind and living at Carlos Holdens about 20 or 25 years ago. He
went to California in 1852 with others from this vicinity, among
them Arnold Walker, of Leslie, and about the same time James
Chase. I note in one of his letters that he and James Chase were
rooming together in San Francisco (1853). I have several letters
which Mr. Bliss wrote back to Eden, and he comments on news
items which had been written to him from Eden and indirectly we
get some Vevay news-for instance, some of us younger generation may think that prohibition is of recent origin-say 40 years
or so back, perhaps when the Red Ribbon crusade was the craze,
but note what was going on in Eden 70 years ago, he writes, "at
once I am transported back to my adopted home, taking part in
the spelling schools, debates, sham lawsuits and all. You say
King Alcohol has been tried for murder; if he has not been sentenced to the penitentiary it would be a good idea to have the
criminal code amended in this instance that he might be publicly
executed. This reminds me of the Eden division of the Sons of
Temperance, is it still in existence and does its good effects begin
to tell on the Edenites? If my worthy brothers in the cause are
not conducting themselves as they ought to, send me word."
Another item in this letter (March 31, 1853), "A singing school
at Hubbardville, who is the teacher,-Obid I think for I do not
know of anyone else there who has a musical talent, and if he has
one he must have ten."
In another letter August, 1853, he says, "I think your school
mam has a queer name, she is a daughter of General Jackson
I suppose, look out she don't hit you."
Another item in his March 31st letter, commenting upon not