By Nine 9 o'clock the "tea" is over
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Learn some history about the places geocaching leads you to. The little town of Fife Lake literally provides all it’s history information every step of the way, on plaques through out the town. There’s more in The library, the little historical school house and of course at the museum. My favorite history story about the towns name is shared here.
The library is some what new, it's like visiting an up north cottage with a large front porch over looking the lake & the cozy stone fireplace inside. A stones throw away from the down town Fife Lake History walk which displays various historical information on plaques through out the town. Thus the history story presented in the letter.
The story expressed in the letter, reveals the character of the men who originally named Fife Lake. It’s an interesting story that allows the reader to envision what it was like for the surveyors and commissioners & they’re crew as they hiked and camped while they surveyed their route.
I believe they would have been adventurous geocachers if it had been around in 1867.
This letter was written in 1881 by Geo F. Steele explaining how Fife Lake was originally named in 1867. The purpose of the letter was to clear up a discrepancy regarding the correct name of the Village of Fife Lake, which was also spelled as Fyfe Lake; as a result of a spelling error by the Grand Rapids & Indiana Rail Road in 1872.
Sir:
In reply to your inquiries in regard to the name of Fyfe or Fife Lake, I would say that I surveyed the western division of Midland, Houghton Lake & Traverse Bay State Road from Traverse City to Houghton Lake, in the fall of 1867, in company with Hon. D. C. Leach, of Traverse City, who went to approve of the route as a commissioner, and with William H. Fife, Esq., of Yuba, Grand Traverse County, who went as commissioner of the Traverse Bay & Houghton Lake State Road.
The line of our survey on Monday the 21st of October, 1867, was extended only with much difficulty and perseverance through thick brush and in almost constant rain, till dark obliged us to leave our instruments and follow with quick steps the two of our party who had been sent on to select a camping place.
By their shouts and the firelight we found them, and almost the first question was: 'Boys, have you got water for the camp? Did you find the lake?' 'Yes, we did. Don't you see it not two rods from us?'
The shore was lined with an almost impenetrable thicket and the camp fire made darkness only darker, but sure enough, the pine torch revealed one edge of the clear, placid waters of a lake the government surveyors had omitted to name.
By nine o'clock the 'tea' is over, the tents are up, the dripping boughs are spread, and a wet, merry party of surveyors are standing around a roaring fire, some thinking of the folks at home, some caring more for glee.
The foremost one proposes that the surveyor be requested to name on his plats every lake and stream of importance on the route. Objected to. Proposed again that this party name this lake 'Leach Lake.' To which all are agreeable but Mr. Leach, who will not be thus sacrificed and decides there is not a quorum present.
He being an old legislator of course we yielded. Proposed again that this lake be called and known as 'Fife Lake,' which Mr. Fife tries modestly to decline, on the ground that such a Fife as he ought not to play a part.
The plea does not avail, the rights of the American citizen and the majority are at stake; the surveyor thinks so too, and Bowering he says yes; Shepherd takes a fresh chew; Emerson tallies one for that: Father Denniston throws up his hat and Woodbury don't dare to vote no.
I find in my diary, written on that night, Oct. 21, 1867: 'Rained nearly all day. Reached Fife Lake and camped. This lake, in Town 25, Range 9, we name after Commissioner Fife.'
Hoping that this, lie all momentous questions which affect the American people, may be settled rightly, and that every one on their first visit to the growing village of Fife Lake may do as we did call for water.
I am truly yours,
Geo. F. Steele
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Irel ynetr erznvaf bs jung znl unir orra fgnaqvat & tebjvat jura gur zra anzrq Svsr Ynxr.