Charles Marshall

Charles Marshall was born in about 1852, the son of David Marshall. Possibly the oldest of four known children - Charles, Albert, David and Annie. [Birth order from Durant roll field notes.] Very little is known about David Sr. and his wife.

On 9 Oct 1879 in Munising, Schoolcraft, Michigan, Charles Marshall married Ellen Perrault [Ke che quay], the granddaughter of Mawdosh.

Mawdosh was brother of Pi-aw-be-daw-sung and the following annuity roll info includes info on Charles and  Ellen's families.

"Pi aw be daw sing was the chief of the Chippewas who resided on Sugar Island also known as Garden River Band. This band does not appear on the annuity rolls until the 1850s. In 1853 there are 165 members and at the 1855 treaty the population had increased to 205." [Source - Larry Wykoff]

"O maw no maw ne became the chief of the Grand Island Band in 1839. His band moved to Naomikong Point between 1846 and 1849 and O maw no maw ne purchased land there in 1851.

By the time of the treaty of 1855 this band had increased to eighty-four members." [Source - Larry Wykoff]

1857 Annuity Roll

Pi-aw-be-daw-sung's band
#1 Pi-aw-be-daw-sung, Chief, 1 man, 1 woman, 2 children, receiving $76.04
#2 Maw-dosh, 2 men, 1 woman, 3 children, receiving $114.06

mixed bloods
#79 Marshall, David, no men, no women, 1 child, receiving $19.01 [this child could be Charles]

1861 Annuity Roll

Py aw be daw sung's band
#1 Py aw be daw sung, Chief, 1 man 1 woman, 1 child, receiving $13.86
#2 Maw-dosh, 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, receiving $23.10

#32 Mrs. David Marshall, no men, 1 woman, 4 children, receiving $23.10, under Sault Ste. Marie Chief Edwd. O man no maw ne


====

1868 Annuity Roll

Pi-aw-be-daw-sung's band
#23 Pi-aw-be-daw-sung, Chief, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, receiving $47.55
#24 Maw-dosh, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, receiving $47.55
#25 Maw-dosh, David 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, receiving $47.55
#26 Pi-aw-be-daw-sing, Edwd. 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, receiving $47.55

Edwd. O-maw-no-maw-ne's band
#10 Mrs. David Marshall 1 man, 1 woman, 3 children, receiving $79.26


====

The 1870 Annuity Roll has

#10 page 7, Mrs. David Marshall, no man, 1 woman, 4 children, receiving $76.50 under Chief Edward O-maw-no-maw-ne

#1 page 1, Chief Maw-dosh, 1 man, 2 women, 2 children, receiving $61.20

# 43 page 2, Ke-che-e-quay, no man, 1 woman, 1 child, receiving $30.60 under Chief Maw-dosh

#1 page 9, Chief Pi-aw-be-daw-sing, 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child, receiving $45.30


On 9 Oct 1879 in Munising, Schoolcraft, Michigan, Charles Marshall married Ellen Perrault. Her social security application gives her birth as 6 Dec 1861, Sugar Island, Michigan, daughter of Charles Perrault. The Durant Field notes state her father was Canadian and her mother was the daughter of Maw-dosh.

The 1880 Federal Census of Munising, Schoolcraft county lists;

Charles Marshall, 27, laborer, 5 months unemployed
Ellen, 19, wife, keeping house

next house is:
Annie Marshall, 38, widowed [she is probably older if she is Charles' mother]
Albert, 22, son, single, laborer
David, 11, son
Ledia, 1, granddaughter [possible child of daughter Annie?]

Charles' daughter Martha, was born in 1881

Daughter Annie was born in 1885

Son Clinton was born 9 Apr 1887

Son Edgar was born 1891

Daughter Sarah was born in 1897

Son Thomas was born Jun 1890

The 1900 Federal Census - Bay Mills, Chippewa County lists the family as follows:

Charles Marshall, head, born May 1861, 49, married 20 years, born Michigan, parents born Michigan, laborer in lumber yard, full Chippewa, lives in fixed dwelling.

Ellen, wife, born Mar 1864, 36, 9 children born, 3 living, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
Martha, daughter, born Jan 1883, 17, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
Annie O., daughter, born May 1885, 15, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
Davis, son, born Apr 1887, 13, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
Thomas N., son, born Jun 1890, 9, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
Edgar C., son, born Apr 1883, 7, born Michigan, parents born Michigan
Sarah L., daughter, born Dec 1889, 5/12, born Michigan, parents born Michigan

1900 Federal Census has brother Albert is living in Munising, Alger county:
Albert born Nov 1861, 38, married 14 years, laborer
Mary J., wife, born May 1863, 37, 1 child born, 1 child living
Lulu M., daughter, born Jan 1887, 13

Charles' daughter Martha was married to Angus Kay on 14 Sep 1901 in Bay Mills.

The Durant Roll has multiple pages concerning the family.

Page 1 #1
Madosh, a brother of Pi-Aw-Be-Daw-Sung #1/9, dead
wife, dead
grandchild, Ellen Marshall, age 41, on roll as #43/2, see 10/7
"Her father was a Canadian & her mother was dead & she was enrolled with a brother of her grandfather, the head of this sheet. Durant"

page 2 #43

Ke Che-e-quay, now Ellen Marshall, see 1/1, see 10/7

page 7 #10

Mrs. David Marshall, dead
children:

Charles Marshall, 56, Bay Mills
wife, Ellen, 41, see #1/1 see 43/2
Martha E. Marshall, 26, at Genoa School, NE
Annie O. Marshall, 24, at Genoa School, NE
Clinton D. Marshall, 21, at Genoa School, NE
Edgar C. Marshall, 16, Bay Mills
Sarah Marshall, 10, Bay Mills
Ellen E. Marshall, 9, Bay Mills
Blanche Marshall, 5, Bay Mills


Albert Marshall, 52, Munising
Mary Jane 44, see #2/7, see #15/7
Lulu, 26, single
Bessie, 3, single

David Marshall, 41, single, Bay Mills

Annie Marshall Shaffer, dead
husband white, dead
Ida Sebastian, 30, Sugar Island
husband David Sabastian, Payment, MI
William Sebastian, 12
Myrtle Sebastian, 10
Clara Sebastian, 3

Page 9

Page 9 #1 Pi-aw-be-daw-sung, dead, wife dead

1910 Federal Census - Bay Mills, Chippewa
Charles Marshall, 55, married 30 years, occupation - fishing on lake
Ellen, wife, 50, 7 children born, 5 living
Martha, daughter, 27, 2 children born, 2 living, no occupation
Annie, daughter, 25, no occupation
David, son, 23, no occupation
Thomas, son, 21, occupation - fishing on lake
Sarah, daughter, 14
Ellen, granddaughter, 9
Annie, granddaughter, 5

1911 Bay Mills roll

#112 - Charles, full, 59, head
#113 - Ellen, full, 48, wife
#114 - Martha, full, 28, daughter
#115 - Anna, full, 26, daughter
#116 - David, full, 24, son
#117 - Thomas, full, 21, son
#118 - Sarah, full, 11, daughter
#119 - Ellen, full, 9, daughter
#120 - Blanche, full, 6, daughter

#121 - Albert, 1/2, 49, head
#122 - Mary J., full, 45 [48?], wife
#123 - Lulu, 3/4, 24, daughter
#124 - Bessie, 3/4, 5, granddaughter

The 1914 census of Bay Mills gives birth years instead of age and no blood quantum.

Marshall, Charles, head, 1852
Ellen, wife, 1863
Martha, daughter 1883
Annie, daughter, 1885
David, son, 1887
Thomas, son, 1890
Sarah, daughter 1900
Blanche, daughter of Martha, 1905
Theodore, son of Annie, 1913

Marshall, Albert, head, 1862
Mary J, wife, 1866
Lulu, daughter, 1887
Bessie, daughter, 1906

1915 census gives the same information as 1915 with the exception of Blanche and Theodore being called the children of Charles instead of grandchildren.

From the Sault Ste Marie Evening News 2 Mar 1916

Charles' daughter Annie was married 3 Mar 1917 in Zeba, Arenac County to Peter Tyosh.

On 5 Jun 1917 sons Clinton and Thomas registered for the draft in Bay Mills.

Clinton Davis gave his birth as 4 Apr 1887, and was described as medium height and build, brown eyes and dark hair.

Thomas Nindes gave his birth as 28 Jun 1890. He was described at short, medium build, with brown eyes and black hair.

On 31 Jul 1918 Battery C, 329th Field Artillery departed Brooklyn, NY on the ship Maunganui. Thomas is line 122, nearest relative is mother, Ellen.

Thomas was part of the 337th Infantry. "It was organized 30 Aug 1917 at Camp Custer, Michigan. The regiment was deployed to France and was billeted in the cities of Nevers and Cosne. The Regiment didn't participate in any named campaigns during the war, it's infantrymen were used as individual replacement to the fighting Divisions." source

Company H, 337th Infantry returned from Brest, France to Camp Upton on 24 Mar 1919 on the U.S.S. Frederick. Thomas is line 62.

Charle's daughter Sarah was married 18 Aug 1919 in Brimley to Frank Teeple.

1920 Federal Census - Bay Mills, Chippewa
Charles, 59, fisher
Ellen, 56, wife
Clinton, 30, son, sailor on great lakes
Theodore, 7, grandson

Son Thomas was married 2 Feb 1920 in Sault Ste Marie to Cora Messinger, daughter of Peter Messinger and Lydia Cameron.

Son Clinton married Agnes Tyosh on 29 Jul 1920 in Zeba, Baraga county.

Charles died 13 Sep 1920, Superior township, Chippewa county, parents unknown. Burial was at Mission Hill.

Brother Albert's wife, Mary Jane, died 13 Dec 1920

Albert married Julia, the daughter of Company K civil war soldier Amos Crane, on 20 Aug 1924.

The L'Anse Sentinel of 1 May 1925 tells of Ellen and Theodore returning home after a visit with Clinton.

The L'Anse Sentinel of 14 Jan 1927 tells of Clinton's wife and children going to visit Brimley.

Albert's second wife, Julia, is said to have died 17 Jan 1928 in L'Anse.

1930 Federal Census - Bay Mills township, Chippewa county
Marshall, Ellen, 67, widowed
Parrish crossed out, Theodore, son, 17, single
Marshall, Clinton, son, 45, married, sailor on the Great Lakes
Marshall, Thomas, son, 39, married, laborer at lumber saw mill

Albert died 28 Oct 1934 in Zeba, Baraga county.

1940 Federal Census - Bay Mills, Chippewa county
Thomas, 49, married [wife not enumerated with him], occupation handicraft for W.P.A.
Ellen, mother, 79, widowed.

Thomas died 7 Feb 1953 and is buried in Mission Hill Cemetery, Brimley, Chippewa county.

From the Sault Ste Marie Evening News 9 Feb 1953

Ellen, who had been a traditional healer and midwife died in 1959 in Bay Mills. In 1998 the Bay Mills clinic and wellness center was named the Ellen Marshall Memorial Health Center.




...

Smallpox 1881

“The virus which causes smallpox is contagious and spreads through person-to-person contact and saliva droplets in an infected person’s breath. It has an incubation period of between 7 and 17 days after exposure and only becomes infectious once the fever develops. A distinctive rash appears two to three days later. The most infectious period is during the first week of illness, although a person with smallpox is still infectious until the last scabs fall off. The speed of smallpox transmission is generally slower than for such diseases as measles or chickenpox. Patients spread smallpox primarily to household members and friends because by the time patients are contagious, they are usually sick and stay in bed.” (World Health Organization)

---

In 1881 it was customary for two-mast schooners to come up from Chicago and anchor off the western shore of Grand Traverse Bay between Traverse City and Northport. Men would then use canoes to transport wood and other goods from the beach to the schooners.

Two such schooners were the Helen Pratt and the Perry Bronson. Unknown to the Natives two men were exposed to smallpox while loading these schooners and brought the disease back to Peshawbestown were it spread quickly.


The Helen Pratt

The Michigan Department of Health Annual Report, 1882, does not name these men and neither the Leelanau county death records or the Michigan death records list any deaths in Bingham township for October of 1881. However two white men, brothers Frank Foster and Jay Foster died in Kasson township on Oct. 26^th and Nov. 1^st of small pox.

From "The Inter Ocean" Chicago, Illinois, 17 Nov 1881, page 2

In a letter dated Nov. 20, Dr. L.F. Ingersoll, health officer of Bingham Township, Leelanau County stated that once he was informed on Oct. 18 that a death had occurred and “that the deceased had a peculiar breaking out” he went to investigate.

"I gave instruction to have the dead interred immediately, and the house thoroughly disinfected. The other case is still living, isolated. The school suspended, and the same evening a meeting of the board called to decide on what steps to purse. As a result of that meeting I was instructed to vacciante every man, woman and child in this township. I commenced with the Indians, and have nearly completed my work in the town. Notices were printed and posted in different localities, informing the public that travel was not permissible through the village. In order that isolation might be more complete, a man was stationed at the village and provision for all the Indians supplied from this place, no Indian from that section being allowed to leave. A great many had been exposed before it was known that the dread disease had made its appearance, and as Indians are of a wandering nature, some of the exposed ones had carried the contagion into the interior, and across the bay, as shown by the disease making its appearance in two other ports of this county. Of those exposed thirty-three have contracted the disease, and eighteen have died." [Michigan Dept. of Health – Annual Report, 1882, page 416]


From the "Emmet County Independent" 22 Nov 1881:

"Week before last, Father Zorn, the Catholic priest, returned from Grand Traverse county, where he had been called upon to attend members of his church who had the small pox. He was taken sick Sunday, and on Tuesday last developed unmistakable signs of the small pox. As soon as the facts were made known a special meeting of the village [Harbor Springs] council was held, and it was determined to take stringent measures to prevent the spread of the disease. The schools were ordered closed for two weeks, and all public meetings prohibited. all persons who had been exposed were ordered quarantined, and the marshal was instructed to arrest any who appeared upon the streets. Vaccine virus [i.e., smallpox material] was obtained at once and all persons who had been in the slightest manner exposed were vaccinnated [sic].To still further lessen the liability of the spreading of the disease the Indians were advised to leave town and go upon their homesteads at once, and a large proportion of them have done so. It is confidently expected that by the adoption of these precautions the spread of the disease will be entirely prevented, although it is possible that one or two of the Indian nurses may have taken the contagion. There is no danger whatsoever of the disease becoming epidemic, and there is every reason to believe that, as in several other towns of this region where the disease has appeared, there will be but one or two cases. Some were disposed to condemn the council for becoming frightened without sufficient cause; but all will admit that in such matters an excess of caution is preferable. Father Zorn having been vaccinnated [sic] years ago has only the varioloid, and is already recovering.   [Transcription by Art Dembinski]

Dr. Ingersoll's next letter, dated Dec. 5, states twenty-four have died and thirty-two are convalescent.

"The close of the outbreak was reported by Dr. Ingeroll on Jan. 1, 1882 as follows: -- Small-pox has ceased spreading at last, the thorough vaccination having headed it off. Thorough disinfection has been accomplished, and yesterday bedding and clothing were furnished those who have been afflicted with the disease. All clothing and bedding has been burned. Also several houses that had sheltered a great many of the sick and were difficult of disinfection have been burned." [Michigan Dept. of Health – Annual Report, 1882, page 417

Bingham township small pox deaths were reported to the Leelanau county clerk.

page 163:

16 Dec Louis Wabawonnago, age 38 years, 9 months,, son of Francis and Agatha

4 Dec William Sha a waki, age 6 years, 2 months, son of Peter and Margaretha

29 Nov Joseph Naquam, age 2 years, 7 months, son of Charles and Mary Ann

page 164:

10 Nov girl, age 4 months, parents not given

16 Nov Charles Naquan, age 25 years, 1 month, son of John and Mary Naquam

27 Nov Michael Kabian, age 28 years, 9 months, son of Joseph and Margaretha

-- Dec Moses Pjiquoewidong age 25 years, 1 month, parents unknown

27 Nov Mary Ann Kingbirth, age 7 years 1 month, daughter of John and Louisa
[her cause of death is unknown].

20 Nov Selina Blackman, age 13 years 2 months daughter of Joseph and Mary

24 Nov Mary Ann Blackman, age 8 years, 4 months, daughter of Joseph and Mary

23 Dec Michael Nanago, age 12 years, 3 months, son of Peter and Lucy

31 Dec Moses Nanago, age 10 years, 5 months, son of Peter and Lucy

20 Dec Agatha Nanago, age 8 years, 2 months, daughter of Peter and Lucy

19 Dec Hubert Nanago, age 6 years, 6 months, son of Peter and Lucy

24 Dec Julius Nanago, age 2 years, 2 months, son of Peter and Lucy

30 Nov Wabaquam, age 49 years, 7 months, parents unknown

5 Nov Joseph Kessawaby, age 16 years, son of Joseph and Mary Ann

18 Nov Mary Nanago, age 11 years and 5 months, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ann

21 Nov Steven Keshebanasy, age 18 years, 9 months, son of Louis and Catherine

20 Nov Mary Ann Keshebanasy, age 14 years, 6 month, daughter of Louis and Catherine

page 165:

27 Nov Francis Kesb...anasky age 7 years, 2 months, son of Louis and Catherine Keshebanchy

30 Nov Joseph Blackman, age 39 years, son of John and Mary

14 Nov Agnes Blackman, age 15year 4 months, daughter of Joseph and Mary

14 Nov Margaretha Blackman, age 1 day, daughter of Joseph and Mary

14 Nov Willliam Banachy, age 37 years, 9 months, son of Joseph and Mary Benachy

16 Nov Jacob Benachy, age 2 years, 1 month, son of William and Mary

18 Nov Mary Pontiac, age 16 years, 5 months, daughter of Louis and Angelique

16 Nov Enis (no last name given), age 6 months, son of unknown

20 Nov Mary Smook, age 2 years, 1 month, daughter of John and Elizabeth

23 Nov Joseph Chippeway, age 66 years, 6 months, son of Joseph and Mary Ann

21 Nov Louis Chipeway, age 22 years, 7 months, son of Joseph and Mary Ann

26 Nov Daniel Agoshy, age 70 years, 4 years, parents deceased

28 Nov Mary Ann Agoshy, age 68 years, 3 months, parents deceased

30 Nov Joseph Burd, age 12 years, 9 months, 9 days, son of William and Elizabeth

14 Dec Michael Agoshy, age 38 years, 11 months, son of Daniel and Mary Ann

16 Dec George Agoshy, age 12 years, 5 months, son of Daniel and Mary Ann

10 Dec John Kenwaqueonqua, age 38 years, 1 month, son of John and Mary Ann

8 Dec Sophia Kenwequenqua, 26 yers, 8 months, daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann

11 Dec Mary Ann Kenwequenqua, age 9 years, 2 months, daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann

10 Dec unnamed female, age 7 years, 6 months, daughter of Daniel and Mary Ann

10 Dec unnamed, age 10 days, child of Daniel and Mary Ann

William Thomson, supervisor of Milton township, Antrim county reported on Dec. 12, 1881.

"The infection was brought to this township by an Indian from Sutton's Bay, Leelanaw county, Michigan. The number of deaths is 10, and the number of cases is 12. There are no cases at present in the township. A quarantine has been established within the township, 1 1/2 miles from any public highway, where all parties that have been exposed to the disease are now. Communication is made by a bulletin board. A disinfectant has been used quite extensively amongst the Indians; sulphur has been used. I think they have been used with good results. [Michigan Dept. of Health – Annual Report, 1882 pages 392-393]

In Kewadin smallpox started with John Smoke and in 3 1/2 weeks took his entire family.

John Smoke, age 30, died 20 Oct. (listed as single)

Ma-ge-nah, age 25, died 10 Nov, wife of John Smoke, listed as married

Lucy Smoke, age 3, died 14 Nov, daughter of John Smoke and Ma-ge-nah

Madeline Smoke, age 10 days, died 14 Nov, daughter of John Smoke and Ma-ge-nah

Mary Smoke, age 11, died 15 Nov, daughter of John Smoke and Ma-ge-nah

Next to die:

Samuel, age 5, died 15 Nov, son of Noch-we-ge-sick

Oh-me-quay, age 30, died 24 Nov, single

Mary No-pe-nee-quay, age 50, died 25 Nov, single

Aiken, age 42, died 1 Dec, married

Julia Aiken, age 9, died 1 Dec, daughter of Aiken

Me-shaw-n-qua, age 50, died 2 Dec, married

Na-ah-te-no-quay, age 48, 20 Dec, married

Ce-me-mah,go-quah, age 95, 21 Dec, married

The Elk Rapids newspapers of the time were slow to report.

Nov 4, 1881 "The Indian who was reported to have had the small pox died on Friday. It has been pronounced no to be small pox but the result of sleeping among poison ivy"

Nov 25, 1881 "A case of small pox has been reported at Indian Town. Every precaution has been taken to prevent its spread"

Dec 2, 1881 "Ten Indians have died of small-pox at Indian Town, and those that have been exposed to the disease are kept away from the others."

Dec 2, 1888 "The small-pox is creating considerable excitement among the Indians and they are scattering in all directions. No white person has had the disease yet, and precautions are being wisely taken.

Whoever reported that there was small-pox in this village [Elk Rapids] to the State Board of Health did it maliciously or else he did not know much about the geography of his own town. All the cases that are known of in the county have been in Milton township."

Dec 23, 1881 "Phy Bailey vaccinated 54 Indians at Deroucher's and it worked on 53. All that could be done, has been, to alleviate the sufferings of the Indians there, and to prevent the spread of the disease"

Frances Blackman and Dr. Horace W. Nelson wrote to George Lee on 9 Nov 1881

Original

George Lee in turn wrote to Hon. H. Price (Commissioner of Indian Affairs) 9 Nov 1881 including the above letters.

Original

W. H. Nelson (same as Dr. Horace W. Nelson) wrote to George Lee on 16 Nov 1881.

 

 

 

Geo. W. Lee wrote to Hon H. Price on 23 Nov 1881 regarding Dr. Nelson's letter.

Geo. Lee to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs 23 Nov 1881

Original 

Geo. Lee to H. Price, dated 19 Dec 1881.

Original

The letter of Dr. Nelson names the following deaths:
Mitchel Agosa, his father, mother and grandchild, Joe Blackman,  a brother of Andrew Chippewa, and a female in the Nannegon family.

Death records show:
Joseph Blackman died 30 Nov; daughters Margaretha born 13 Nov, died 14 Nov, Agnes, died 14 Nov.; Selina, died 20 Nov. and Mary Ann, died 24 Nov.

Michael Agosa died 14 Dec, his father Daniel and mother Mary both died 28 Nov., his brother George also died 14 Dec. Michael's children were young themselves, therefore no grandchild.

Lewis Chippewa, brother of Andrew, died 21 Nov.

Peter Nanego lost the following children: Hubert, 19 Dec; Agnes, 20 Dec, Michael, 23 Dec, Julius, 24 Dec, and Moses, 31 Dec.

Grace Hooper's Pioneer Notes gives this [incorrect] story of smallpox in Kewadin. "On fall a ship came to Traverse City and put ashore a man with small pox. The man sat by the old dock eating when Wa-qua-see, an Indian, passed by. The man gave the Indian some of his food. Next morning the man was found between two lumber piles, frozen to death. In a short time, the Indian came to Kewadin, stopping at several tepees to visit. The next day he died. He had stopped at Jacob Sogod's. There, a relative became sick and Jacob took care of him, but did not become sick for he had swallowed som of the fluid of the skunk mixed with herbs. This kept the sickness away. Had the others known this sickness was coming, they could have stopped it, but about fifty people died. Some bodies were buried, but some whole families were left unburied. Small pox had swept the village like a plague."

Michigan Dept. of Health – Annual Report, 1882

page 416

LEELANAW COUNTY.

Dr. S. J. Hutchinson, of Northport. reported, Nov. 6, small-pox in Leelanaw township, where it had been contracted from Bingham township, where it had been prevailing some time. The health officer of Bingham township, Dr. L. F. Ingersoll, was immediately asked to report it, and the following, dated.

Nov. 20, is his reply:—
Your communication arrived yesterday, and I take this early opportunity of replying to

the inquiries contained therein.
October 18 I was informed by an Indian that a death had occurred at Pashawba town, an Indian

village four miles north of this place, and that the deceased had a peculiar breaking out.
It became my duty, as health officer, to investigate, so I repaired thither, taking with me the

supervisor of the township. I found what I suspected, that the Indian had died from small-pox,

and also that another Indian was affected in a similar manner. I found that these two Indians

were engaged in loading a schooner near Traverse City, where they were, without at the time

knowing it, exposed to the disease.

I gave instruction to have the dead interred immediately, and the house thoroughly disinfected.

The other case is still living, isolated. The school suspended, and the same evening a meeting of the board called to decide on what steps to pursue. As a result of that meeting I was instructed to vaccinate every man, woman and child in this township. I commenced with the Indians, and have nearly completed my work in the town. Notices were printed and posted in different localties, informing the public that travel was not permissible through the village. In order that isolalation might be more complete, a man was stationed at the village and provision for all the Indians supplied from this place, no Indian from that section being allowed to leave. A great many had been exposed before it was known that the dread disease had made its appearance, and as Indians are of a wandering nature, some of the exposed ones had carried the contagion into the interior, and across the bay, as shown by the disease making its appearance in two other ports of this county. Of those exposed thirty-three have contracted the disease, and eighteen have died. It has been impossible for me, as yet, to get names and ages correct, but I hope to do so soon, and will forward the same to you. If we have been derelict in our duty please inform me. We, as the board of health of Bingham township, have discharged our duty to the best of our ability, and if we have erred it is through ignorance, and any suggestion will be gratefully received and acted

upon.

Dr. Ingersoll was informed that the board of health of Bingham had been neglectful of its duty in not informing this Board at once, on Oct. 18, of the existence of small-pox in that township. He was also asked regarding the name, nature, port of departure, etc., of the vessel from which the Indians first contracted the disease. His reply is as follows, dated Dec. 5, 1881

Your favor is at hand and so far as is in my power I will satisfy your inquiries. For two weeks
previous to the development of the disease (small-pox) in the two Indians who first died, they
were engaged in loading the Perry Bronson and Helen Pratt, respectively. They are schooners,
and came from Chicago and were loaded at different points between Northport and Traverse
City. They were loaded from the beach by Indians, as is the custom here, the wood, etc., being
transported in canoes from land to the vessels, so it cannot be said that the vessels came to any
particular port.

There was developed at about the same time one case at Traverse city, in the Bay House, a hotel.
Through press of business I did neglect notifying you of the existence of small-pox in our town,
and not from any desire to hush the matter up, as is evident from the fact that within less than
half a week nearly every person in this county was apprised of the danger and immediate steps
taken to vaccinate the people and isolate the Indians. I remarked before that the Indians are a
restless race, and to prevent any of the 300 residing in the northern part of this town from wander-
ing away would require a regular picket-guard entirely round the town, which is not compact but

page 417

scattered for two or three miles along the beach. They are crafty, treacherous, and cannot be
relied upon, and we find them very difficult to manage. They are so in fear of the disease that
they steal away even after exposure, and I only wonder that no more cases in the interior have
developed. Twenty-four have died, thirty-two are convalescent, and the vaccination has pre-
vented the development of any new cases.


We offered free vaccination to each and every inhabitant of this township. There being no
money in the treasury a town meeting was called and bonds voted for the requisite amount. The
bonds were issued and money drawn and paid. Many question the right of townships to issue
bonds to raise money for this purpose.


The close of the outbreak was reported by Dr. Ingersoll on Jan. 1, 1882, as follows:—


Small-pox has ceased spreading at last, the thorough vaccination having headed it off. Thorough disinfection has been accomplished, and yesterday bedding and clothing were furnished those who had been afflicted with the disease. All clothing and bedding has been burned. Also several houses that had sheltered a great many of the sick and were difficult of disinfection have been burned.

Page 392

ANTRIM COUNTY.
The infection was brought to Milton township, Antrim county, by an Indian from Sutton’s Bay, Leelanaw county. William Thomson, supervisor of the township, reported as follows, Dec. 12, 1881:—

Page 393

The infection was brought to this township by an Indian from Sutton’s Bay, Leelanaw county,
Michigan. The number of deaths is 10, and the number of cases is 12. There are no cases at
present in the township. A quarantine has been established within the township, 1 1/2 miles from
any public highway, where all parties that have been exposed to the disease are now. Commu-
nication is made by a bulletin board. A disinfectant has been used quite extensively amongst tho
Indians; sulphur has been used. I think they have been used with good results. No white per-
sons have been infected by the disease, and the Indians that have been affected are all with dark
complexions

Vonda Belanger, in her book "Hertiage of Provement", now Lake Leelanau, mentions the smallpox epidemic. Of the eight deaths in Leland township in 1881, none was Native American and none was from smallpox. The events mentioned took place in Peshawbestown. 

Additional letters and transcriptions available at "We have a terrible sickness here at this place..."

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https://books.google.com/books?id=sCviAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=editions:jiWoc-5EJX0C&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwis35qbt8XKAhWE5iYKHZaaDSg4FBDoAQg9MAY#v=onepage&q&f=false


The exact burial place of all of those who died of smallpox is unknown.  Those in Peshawbestown were said to have been placed in a 'fish house' by the lake, below the school and the building was burned. In the 1940s two female elders used to go to the spot and pray for the victims. Those in Kewadin were possibly buried behind the Kewadin Indian Mission church.

Copyright (c) 2019 Vicki Wilson