In doing research on stories for larger projects, I occasionally come across stories of wolf encounters in the old newspapers of the 1800's.  In Southwest Michigan there were several encounters in the early 1830's as settlers began arriving in Calhoun, St. Joseph, Hillsdale and many other Southern Counties.  In researching the Hicks family history at Hicks Cemetery in Pennfield Township I came across a detailed one about the time when William Hicks took his three teanage sons to his new property with the family cow, and telling them to keep a fire going all night and he would see them in the morning.  The boys spent the entire evening keeping wolves at bay who wanted a taste of their bovine companion and maybe a teenager sandwich or two.  There were also several other tales I uncovered about wolves chasing, attacking and occasionally killing people in those unpredictable times, which I include in this episode.

If you would like to see the video I created on YouTube about the Hicks Cemetery, that I mention in this episode, here is the link:

Exploring History at Hicks Cemetery

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Have you ever heard of the story of Old Hannibal (AKA Hannibal) the elephant who visited Battle Creek Michigan in the 1850's as part of the Van Amburgh Menagerie, and while parading down Main Street fell through the wooden bridge over the Mill Race channel?  He was a 15,000 ib Asiatic elephant who toured North America for over four decades, and was larger in mass and weight than the more popular Jumbo the Elephant who traveled with PT Barnum a half century later for only 3 years.  Hannibal's story is a forgotten one from over 170 years ago, but it is a fascinating chapter in Southwest Michigan history.

To watch my video on Youtube on this subject: The Story of Old Hannibal - The Good, The Bad & The Elephant

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Prior to passing of Congressional funding secured by Michigan's 3rd elected Territorial Delegate to Congress, journey into the inland wilderness was near impossible.  With the survey and development of the Territorial Roads across lower and central Michigan, it opened up pioneer expansion into the newly organized lower counties.  This is the story of these vital roads that made Southwest Michigan settlement possible.

To watch my YouTube video: Tracking the Territorial Road - The Original Pioneer Trail - Battle Creek, Michigan

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This episode takes a journey from when Michigan was deparated from the Indiana Territory and became the Michigan Territory, and the path to statehood.  It is a shortened version of a longer episode to come later.  It covers the actions of the early Governors William Hull and Lewis Cass.  

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The city of Battle Creek was founded by Sands McCamly and other pioneer industrialists.  When McCamly arrived into the wilderness region of present day Battle Creek in Calhoun County in 1831, he saw the potential of the confluence of two rivers at different elevations, envisioning a mill race between them.  This started his journey to acquire the land, which through delays and challenges he eventually accomplished 4 years later.  The Mill Race was finally constructed in 1835, and it marked the beginning of the city known today as Battle Creek.  His establishment of a productive milling community made it possible for the cereal industry to evolve many decades later.

To watch my video on Youtube The Founding of a City: Sands McCamly Built a Canal

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