(P.64) The favorable prospect of the early completion of the Detroit and Howell Railroad, and also the continuation of the road to the city of Lansing, gave an impetus to industry and enterprise, and induced the rapid settling of the village.

     The route for the Railroad from Howell to Lansing, was surveyed the first of May, 1868, under the supervision of Mr. Wm. Scott, Chief-Engineer of the Detroit and Howell Railroad, and Mr. Joseph H. Wilcox, of Howell, one of the Directors of the Howell and Lansing Road.

     Accession of Lots to the Village Plot

     In April, 1868, Wm. McPherson and Sons, Nathan J. Hickey and John H. Galloway, made an addition to the north-east part of the village, of 108 lots. In the same month, Almon Whipple added 50 lots to the east part. In May following, Mrs. Jewett, widow of George W. Jewett, added 64 lots to the west part.

     Newspaper

     In March, 1868, Mr. Waddell sold his interest in the Livingston Republican, and retired from its editorial charge, when Mr. Julius D. Smith became editor, proprietor and publisher of the paper.

Educational

     (P.65) From the first commencement of the settling of the town, the inhabitants have been zealous in the cause of education, and as the town became sufficiently populous, new school districts were formed and at this date there are seven districts in the town, and each district is now provided with a commodious frame school house.

     The Village School House

     This superb edifice was erected on the site of the former house, under contract, by school district No. 1, and Mr. B. B. Rice, of Detroit, builder. When the building is completed, it will cost $25,000. It is three stories high above the basement, with a tower 100 feet high. The house is divided into rooms by appropriate halls. The first story has two halls one is 14 feet in width and 65 feet in length, the other is 11 feet in width, and 35 feet in length. There are three school rooms, and each room is 25 feet by 3 5; two wardrobes each 6 feet by 16.

     The second story has two balls, one 14 feet in width and 65 in length, the other is 1.1 feet in width and 35 in length; three school rooms, each 25 feet by 35; one room for philosophical instruments, which is 12 feet square, and one recitation room, the same size; two wardrobes, each 6 feet by 16.

     The third story has one hall 14 feet in width and, 65 feet in length; one lecture room 35 feet by 65; one school-room 25 feet by 35; one room for the director, 12 feet square, and one recitation room, the same size. The first and second stories of the building are 13 feet and two inches high in the clear. The third story is 16 feet high in the clear. Most of the (P.66) brick used in the building, were manufactured by Mr. Wm. Lake, on sections 21 and 22, in this town.

     Conclusion or the Volume

The reader will perceive that brevity has been our aim. But we have endeavored to be sufficiently explicit in giving an account of the settlement, and the most important events that have occurred, hopeful that the History of Howell will be continued in the future, as this volume is only introductory, it being necessary that the history should be commenced within the life and recollection of the first residents of the place. At this date there are but sixteen men living in the town or village, who settled in either place previous to the year 1838. With these concluding remarks, this book Is respectfully submitted to the inhabitants of the town and village, for their perusal

E. H. S.