Name/Title
Lost and Found in 1833Entry/Object ID
2025.03.02Scope and Content
Local history items found by Chris Clark online:
"Lost and Found in 1833"
In 1833, Indians brought a white man who had been lost for weeks to the William Butler home.
The news item below comes from The Philadelphia Inquirer, Saturday October 5, 1833, Page 2
(from The Detroit Courier)
The Lost Found. — In the early part of June last, Mr. S. M. Douglass, recently from England, having embarked at Buffalo on board the schooner Atalanta, was landed at Grand River, at which place he engaged a barge belonging to Mr. Campau in which he proceeded towards the Rapids, — within six miles of which, he landed, with a view of reaching them on foot. He had traveled but a short distance ere he missed the trail, and unaware of his error, continued his misguided steps until fatigue and hunger convinced him of his danger. He continued to wander in the woods for twenty-five days, subsisting mostly on snails, and occasionally a turtle, or a few frogs. He was without fireworks, and was exposed to heavy rains without any overcoat to protect him. The fears of Mr. Campau and others on account of the singular absence of Mr. Douglas, induced them to employ several Indians to go out to seek for him; they continued their search with increased numbers for several days without success, till at last they almost despaired of again seeing the object of their anxiety. But on the 4th of July, our almost exhaustless wanderer, after roaming about in the wilderness several weeks, found himself at the mouth of the Black River, nine miles north of the Kalamazoo. The first human beings he discovered, were two lndians, to whom by signs he made known that he was lost. They immediately conducted him to the house of Mr. William G. Butler, at the mouth of the Kalamazoo — the only white family within 30 miles. His appearance on reaching this hospitable abode, was that of a worn-out pilgrim. His long beard, tattered garments and enfeebled frame, all contributed to elicit the sympathies which have conduced to restore. him to his former health and strength.Context
According to Chris Clark, "One person who matches the name, age, and origin of the man in the story is Schroffield Mears Douglas (1813-1885). He was born in England, spent time in Wisconsin, and lived the latter part of his life in Watertown, New York."Collection
1830 Settlement, pioneer era, 0001 Anishinabek/Ojibwe/Odawa/BodéwadmiCataloged By
Winthers, SallyAcquisition
Accession
2025.03Acquisition Method
FoundLocation
* Untyped Location
Digital data in CatalogItRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Clark, Chris, Butler, William Gay 1799-1857Create Date
January 15, 2025Update Date
January 15, 2025