Michigan historical collections . s river, they forded it at the old fordingplace below the hill, where then stood the old Rix Robinson tradingpost and where now lies Riverside cemetery. From this elevation theycaught their first view of the Kalamazoo valley as it lay in all itsvirgin loveliness and unbroken wilderness of trees and shrubs, withthe broad river winding in and out below. They were charmed with 144 ANNUAL MEETING, 1905. the view and here, at the request of Mr. Slater, his body lies today^his faithful wife and daughter Emily beside him. Proceeding on their journey and coming in sig
Michigan historical collections . s river, they forded it at the old fordingplace below the hill, where then stood the old Rix Robinson tradingpost and where now lies Riverside cemetery. From this elevation theycaught their first view of the Kalamazoo valley as it lay in all itsvirgin loveliness and unbroken wilderness of trees and shrubs, withthe broad river winding in and out below. They were charmed with 144 ANNUAL MEETING, 1905. the view and here, at the request of Mr. Slater, his body lies today^his faithful wife and daughter Emily beside him. Proceeding on their journey and coming in sight of their destination,the Carey mission, whereon now stands the city of Niles, two Indianscame running from a wigwam with loaded muskets and fired them intothe air. Such a salute on their arrival was quite startling, but it wasexplained that the firing was because an Indian had just died and thiswas done to make the departed spirit know that it must not come backto trouble the living. They remained but a short time at the Carey. OLD RIX ROBINSON TRADING POST.(See Hastings Banner, June 15th, 1905.) mission (the reason for Avhich is given later) and the spring of 1827saw them settled at the Thomas mission, situated on what is now thepresent site of the city of Grand Rapids, and here for the next nineyears they labored very successfully among the Ottawa Indians, havingin charge about 150 families. In the woods all about them were twiceor three times as many, more. Lewis Cass, then territorial governor,^took a great interest in both the Carey and the Thomas missions, com-mending the zeal and faithfulness of those in charge. Mr. Slaters labors were not confined to the Indians alone. Heserved in several capacities in the new settlement. He was made ajustice of the peace and he was also the first postmaster in GrandRapids, receiving his appointment from President Jackson, December22, 1832, and serving as such for the next four years. LIFE OF LEONARD SLATER. 145
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