History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens; . 1869 and the erection of this $75,000building was under the immediate superintend-ence of our subject, its dedication taking placeon February 9, 1873. In connection with theaffairs of this house of worship, some incidentsof local history, in which he bore a prominentpart, are most interesting. The history of almost every church willshow that a few families are always more orless concerned in its final completion and equip-ment, and this was notably the case with theFirst Baptist Church of Bay City. The Averelland Fraser families w
History of Bay County, Michigan, and representative citizens; . 1869 and the erection of this $75,000building was under the immediate superintend-ence of our subject, its dedication taking placeon February 9, 1873. In connection with theaffairs of this house of worship, some incidentsof local history, in which he bore a prominentpart, are most interesting. The history of almost every church willshow that a few families are always more orless concerned in its final completion and equip-ment, and this was notably the case with theFirst Baptist Church of Bay City. The Averelland Fraser families were conspicuous in thiscongregation, and one member of the latterfamily, Mrs. William McMaster, formerlyMrs. James Fraser, at that time a resident ofToronto, Canada, paid a visit to her old homein Bay City. Noting the needs of the newchurch she decided to make it a valuable andunsuspected present, selecting as her assistantand almoner, her friend Captain Averell. Priorto her return to Toronto, in September, 1873,this good lady interviewed Captain Averell and. k^><0 EDWARD A. EICKEMEYER AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS. 431 made a compact, by the terms of which sheagreed to donate a bell for the church, providedhe would undertake the business of procuringthe same and the placing of it on the churchedifice in secrecy, her wish being that the firstintimation the congregation should have of thegift should be when it should peal out in thetower to call them to worship. Altliough herealized the many difficulties in the way, Cap-tain Averell accepted the commission, althoughhe was bound to entire secrecy, even being one to be surprised. The bell, one of considerable size and finetone, was ordered from Troy, New York, andwas shipped to Saginaw in a sealed car, whereit was retained until Captain Averell had com-pleted his plans for hoisting it. At the lastmoment he was obliged to take a few meninto his confidence, and the car was sent onto Bay City. The night was dark, the
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