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

MASON NOTE.
July 17, 1873-Ingham County News, Mason, Mich.
S. P. Stroud, of this village, has just completed and put in running order a splendid new hearse, which is a credit to the town.
He has built the body of it entirely himself, and estimates the
cost at $300, but some say they have seen hearses that cost $500
that were not as handsome and well built. The glass in it cost
$67.50; the fringe $7, and the handles and hinges to the doors
$6.25.
The iron work was very tastily and well done by John Hemans,
and the painting by Mr. Hall of the firm of Rhodes and Hall.
It is built after the latest style, with large oval windows on the
side so that almost the entire coffin can be seen on occasions when
it is used. It is so arranged with a roller near the back door and a
truck that runs from one end to the other inside the hearse that
the heaviest coffin can be put in or taken out easily. The fringe,
which hangs a little ways down below the top of the windows on
the inside is very heavy and handsome. The hearse can be used
with either one or two horses. We feel that we can with perfect
truthfulness say that there are very few places in this state outside of the largest cities that afford so elegant a hearse as Mason.
Of course we can't hope that Mr. Stroud will have lots of
patronage to repay him for the energy and enterprise he shows in
getting up such a hearse, but we hope he will receive a due proportion of such patronage as the unfortunate losers of their friends
must bestow on someone.
VEVAY NOTES, APRIL 14, 1873.
By MRS. MARY LINDERMAN HAMMOND.
The various articles regarding Ingham county history which
have appeared lately have set me to thinking that I might be able
to add a little regarding the early settlement of Mason.
My father, Peter Linderman, came here in the summer of 1836