Midland County Centennial Celebration

June 9, 1950 - June 11, 1950

June 9, 1950 - June 11, 1950

June 9, 1950 - June 11, 1950

This pageant was performed by a cast of 400 on the athletic field of the Midland High School (now Central Intermediate School) on Rodd Street.

Shows were at 8:30 p.m. during the three days of the celebration.

Prologue

     Trumpeters and Cadets in colorful uniforms herald the arrival of the guests of the Queen's Court. The veterans organizations are represented by the Color Guards of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Sailors in natty white add to the brilliance of the array. Queens of Foreign Nations come to pay homage to the Centennial Queen. The Centennial, her Lady-in-Waiting, and the Princesses of her Court arrive and are greeted by the visitors.

Episode No. 1

THE BATTLE OF THE OX-BOW

 

     An early Chippewa Indian village is shown with all in colorful attire. The activities of Indian life are shown. It was here in the territory of Midland the Chippewas reigned supreme. The Sauks, another powerful tribe, endeavored to dispossess them of these beautiful valleys, which were the choicest of hunting lands. The Ox-Bow Battle took place about 2½ miles west of the city at a bend in the river and today is known as the old Indian burial ground.

 

Episode No. 2

ARRIVAL OF JOHN WYMAN - 1837

 

     The first actual settler who arrived here was John Wyman. His wife was Sarah Snyder, daughter of Joseph Snyder, who also came--later in 1837. The point at which the Wyman first located was at the junction of the local rivers where friendly Indians helped them erect the first log cabin.

 

Episode No. 3

MISS MIDLAND COUNTY - 1837

 

     After the Wymans were settled in their pioneer home, among the Indians, came Charles Cronkright and Samuel Gordon in June of 1837.. The next event, taking place on the Sixth day of July in 1837, was of great importance, for here was born that day in the Wyman cabin, the first white child in Midland County-- Julia Ann Wyman.

 

Episode No. 4

EARLY LIFE AT THE FORKS

 

     The little settlement was growing gradually but surely and we are reminded of what a hardy race of people our forefathers were. The worked from dawn until dusk, the cleared their land, felled trees of the forests for cabins and firewood, brought in wild game for food, and planted their fields. Yet in spite of all the hardships and privations, sleeping under the crudest shelters and in wagons until their homes were built, suffering from cold and deprived of all but the barest necessities of life, they prospered. Clearings in the wilderness grew into settlements, crude settlements into communities, and thus a glorious county came into being.

 

Episode No. 5

MIDLAND COUNTY'S FIRST ELECTION

 

     In the year of 1850 the population of our county to the great number of 65. In March of this year, the legislature passed an act organizing Midland County, but the county did not immediately organize under this act, but was represented on the board of supervisors of Saginaw County until the year 1855. In that year the legislature amended the act of 1850, providing for a complete organization and also for the election of county officers. Thus in the year 1855 Midland County really came into its own.

 

Episode No. 6

READIN', 'RITIN', AND 'RITHMETIC

 

     Education in Midland County began with the Indian children as far back as 1830, and it is said the first mission was located on what was known later as Ball's farm. The first school house built in the county was in 1850. It was made of logs and was located on what was known as the Herbert Sias farm. Henry C. Ashmun was the first teacher. He was an expert at making quill pens and taught writing school on winter evenings.

 

Episode No. 7

REMEMBER THE SABBATH

 

     From the early days of the county religion was an integral part of the life of the territory. The first meeting house erected in Midland County was built one mile south of Midland City by the Methodist fraternity, who were doing missionary work among the Indians. Then as the county began to grow othe denominations were established. There were the Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Episcopal, Unitarian, Congregational, and Catholic Churches. On Sunday morning the work was laid aside and the Michigan pioneer attended his church. It was his day of rest and devotion. He found his readings in the Bible and the hymns were his poems.

 

Episode No. 8

A HOUSE DIVIDED

 

     Midland County began to grow up-- it became filled with good schools, active churches, and enterprising citizens -- all were good neighbors -- staunch and hardy people. God's Grace was shed on this new territory. Happiness and contentment abounded. But in 1859 our country was threatened with destruction when the issue of slavery arose. In 1861 the final impact came. The patriotism and loyalty of Midland County is evidenced by the response of its men to fill the ranks of our army. One hundred and fifty-two men answered the call to arms. Of these, 129 enlisted, and three were drafted during the continuance of the war, thus leaving only 21 able-bodied men in the County.

Episode No. 9

WEDDING OF A BEAU AND BELLE

 

     The war was over, the last shot was fired, and there was much rejoicing. Life was beginning again after a horrible chapter in our history. The heart had become gay again after an eternity of sadness. We see a young soldier returned from the was being married to his sweetheart.

 

Episode No. 10

THE JAM ON GERRY'S ROCKS

 

     Industry was bound to flourish in the growing county and the first important enterprise was as lumbering. Captain Philo Sumner and a man by the name of Snyder built the first saw-mill in the county on Snake Creek in 1858. Lumbering was carried on by some of the wealthiest men in the county and there was a vast supply of timber.

 

Episode No. 11

EARLY LUMBERING TABLEAU

 

     A living tableau is presented in memory of the early pioneers engaged in the lumbering industry which contributed to the early growth of the county.

 

Episode No. 12

GROWING TOGETHER - DOW CHEMICAL AND MIDLAND COUNTY

 

     On February 26 in the year 1866 in Belleville, Ontario, Herbert H. Dow, one of Midland's greatest citizens, was born. In the year 1888, the year of Dr. Dow's graduation from college, Midland had become the largest single producer of bromine in the country. Spending much time in study and research led Dr. Dow to the conclusion that the bromine from brine wells at Midland was of greater potential value that others in the country. And so on a summer day in 1890 he arrived in Midland and began to set up operations. In 1892 the Midland Chemical Company was organized as a corporation. It was also in the year 1892 that Dr. Dow took for his bride, Miss Grace A. Ball, whose father, G. Will Ball, was one of Dr. Dow's most faithful supporters in the early years of his work.

     On January 4, 1897, a son, Willard H. Dow, was born to Dr. and Mrs. Dow. This son was destined one day to assume the presidency of the corporation and guide it far beyond his father's early plans.

 

Episode No. 13

A HOLIDAY IN THE GAY NINETIES

 

     In the 90's Midland boasted of five churches, half a dozen small industries, fourteen saloons, a waterworks complete with wooden mains, the usual collection of livery stables, mercantile house and the mineral spring.

     If you were a gay blade in the Gay Nineties you courted your best gall on a bicycle built for two, that is, if you wee a lucky blade. You raced your buggy down and around through the village streets. You waxed your mustache and slicked down unruly hair... your best girl was proud of her leg o'mutton sleeve dress... You knew a lot of racy slang as "23 Skidoo" and "I love my wife, but OH YOU KID!" You sand about the "Bird In A Gilded Cage" and "The Bird on Nellie's Hat."

 

Episode No. 14

WORLD WARS 1 AND 2

 

     The hand of time has pointed to many different eras, some of which were given to war... In 1917 a great conflict which was raging in Europe engulfed the United States... There was peace for a while and then the war clouds were engulfing the world again... A peace that will and MUST BE EVERLASTING... In viewing the Tableau in honor of those who have given their all for us in all past conflicts and for the peace for which they fought, let us carry a prayer in our hearts. Heroes o Midland County, we salute you by reproducing the tableau of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising....

 

FINALE - PRELUDES TO ETERNITY

 

Preludes to Eternity!

Preludes to Eternity!

Whence is our life but from God in heaven above?

What stills all strife like the magic power of love?

Why, then comes pain to drive away our gladness?

Why hide the sunshine? Why bring us sadness? Why

When peace with its blessing forsakes us

     and storm mutters balefully near

Hark the sound of the trumpet

Hark the sound of the drum

Freedom for all, of ev'ry race and creed

Freedom for all, released from might and greed

Hail, brave new world! All Hail! All Hail!

All Hail! New World

Preludes to Eternity!

Preludes to Eternity!

 

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