Detroit, Mich., USA, Saturday Oct 15/98.
Very lovely morning. After breakfast, Sarah & I set out to visit Robert Francis Forster, a brother of Father Dan‘s, & one of 20 children of Sarah’s uncle, John Forster. He is a teacher in Sandwich College presently, been educated in same college & now going on the 9th year since entering same. We took car from within 100 yards of Mr. Fetterley’s, Grand River Ave. & 18th Street, & got off for ferry at Woodward & Jefferson Avenue. We walked down to the ferry, a very short distance & got the monster steam ferry, “Fortune”, & in her crossed the Detroit River to Canada side, Windsor town, only 5 minutes to cross – very pretty on both sides & much shipping traffic passing continuously to & from the lakes. We took car electric at Windsor near the landing & was soon on our way to the college, 10:05 a.m., & was ushered into the reception room, & had not long to wait before a fine, smart, young man, with his “Sontan” on, a long clerical coat, & he was very pleased to see Sarah (his half cousin), & on her introducing me, he was very warm & genial, & was delighted we had called upon him. He knew long ago that I was to be a visitor at Detroit & that he would see me. We stayed half hour, during which we had much to talk about, & as he had a class to teach at noon, he arranged to come over to Detroit the next afternoon, Sunday, & spend a few hours with us at Mr. Fetterley‘s. They don’t get much liberty as they are kept very closely to work. They have over 120 pupils at present, all boarders, & as each teacher has his own subjects, liberty is only to be had during two afternoons in the week, Sunday being one, & they have to be in again at 6. He hopes to come to England, Plymouth, someday. The Dominican Fathers have an institution there & he expects to spend sometime there (he will be a teacher not a priest), & I hope he will [7:90] get north. Surely he will to see his relatives. They have a fine building for college & boarding, & a large church with manse, & fine grounds, fruit trees & grapes in abundance. We left again & got a car close by, & was soon at the ferry where we crossed again for Detroit. Customs on both sides examine baggage, but we hadn’t any – very particular, both in States & Canada, & as we crossed the river, then journeying to La Fayette, the officers examined all baggage entering the States & same on returning. Yesterday, Tuesday, the Canadian officers examined all on the car steamer. On arrival at Detroit, we viewed awhile. I took 2 photos, one the great “Majestic” building 15 stories, & the soldiers’ monument, with new opera house behind it. Then we took a car to Grand Ave. & Kirby St. for Mr. Fetterley’s. Mr. Fetterley, who does not get home just now till 4:30 a.m., had arranged to get dinner with us, & then take me out to view during the afternoon. I was pleased to meet him, a handsome looking man with a kindly face & talking manner, & we soon fell into each others’ affections, & a rare afternoon we spent together. We spent most of the afternoon in Belle Isle Park, a most delightful national park, stands in the center of Detroit River & is approached by a magnificient [sic] large bridge from Detroit. It belongs the States, & Canadians must first ferry over to Detroit & approach the park by this bridge. No boats from Canada are allowed to land on the isle. They are “mighty ‘tickler” about conceding any liberties to Canadians, aye, or any other peoples, the States for the Americans only. The isle is 7 miles circuit, not very broad. It contains 700 acres & laid out in the most lovely & artistic style I’ve yet seen. It’s magnificently grand, all free & such provision is made for the public, tables & seats beneath trees for picnics, cycling paths, every where carriage & riding drives, skating lakes, casinos where refreshments are to be had, zoological collections, great variety.[1] [7:91] I snapped the bears for Charlie, 5, 6, & 7, & by the way, I posted that spool this morning (Wednesday) home from here (Simcoe). These I took for Charlie’s benefit. It was rather dull but if an impression at all, he will be pleased. We visited the forcing houses,[2] very large & many men employed. Also the botanical gardens where I saw many varieties familiar to my eye, having seen them growing in the tropics.[3] Grounds throughout are lighted by electricity, & coaches run at regular intervals around the park for 15 cents, but it was too late for us to travel it as Mr. Fetterley had to go on duty at 7 & we were 5 miles from home. Besides, we had sat chatting over dinner & was much later in setting out than had been his intention, however, we enjoyed ourselves. I took a snap of him standing near a fine bed of “cannas”.[4] Artificial water & canals over which are pretty bridges, intersect the isle & the pretty flower designed beds are so attractive, making the beauty of the park a real charm. We left it after 5 & made home, satisfied with our outing. We did a lot, tho’ my description is little. After supper, 6 o’clock, Mr. Fetterley left for the city at 6:40 & we spent a very cheery night indoors. On Sunday morning, we were astir in fair good time & had breakfast. I got a little diary writing done, & so also during the night before.
Lawrence Forster went with me to First Presby’n Church on Woodward Ave. Went in at 10:30, but it was 10:50 ere we got to it – a long way – fully 3 miles. All I’ve described is within the city limits, & the service was advanced, however, we were in time for both collection & hymn preceding sermon, & intimations too. The assistant conducted the service, & you will see the “form” as I enclosed one in my diary letter, which preserve. On it is every particular & I will not here record it. The interior of this church is one of grandeur, but I’ve remarked that churches I’ve attended, both in Canada & States, are of a style of beauty & magnificience [sic] unequalled or approximated [7:92] so far as my experience goes in our country, & I’ve been in a few. People turn out largely to morning service to[o], & throngs are met with every where that churches are located, cars full of people, & long distances have to be travelled by suburban residents who cling to their old church in particular, otherwise there’s no lack of churches in every town or city I have been in. Get on a high building & you get the impression that churches & trees predominate. All churches have spires or towers & give fine effect & relief. The choir consisted of 4 only, 2 m., 2 female. Oh, how refined, quite angelic, a duet, “Rock of Ages” was sung delightfully. The interior is square, vaulted roofs, & up centre is a dome tower, stained glass, 4 galleries, one of which contains a beautifully decorated organ, & the choir of 4 sits in front & just over the platform. Church carpeted throughout & seats cushioned.[5] I’ve noticed this in other churches also. When we got out at noon, several others were “loosing” & there are many on this lovely Woodward Avenue, & the streets & cars were quite throng. Cyclists too were to be seen in great numbers going to & fro, & many fine conveyances. The impression made was that a well to do people are the Detroiters. Beautiful residences on these fine avenues stand well back, all open lawns, no pallisading, & grass kept in lawn style with ornamental beds, statuary, & some pretty fountains playing. Several street parks are passed & great delight seems to be open spaces, & these all landscaped, & beautiful public fountains here & there, & trees in every street. These must be seen to be appreciated, & I am very much impressed with the beautiful street[s], avenues, & boulevards in every city or town I’ve visited in America & Canada. Toronto & Detroit are perfect model cities in my estimation.
We took car home about ½ hour from church. [7:93] They travel at a pace not permissible at home, & only stop at certain stages, not very distant, but if you want a car, you must be there & sharp. They don’t pick up anywhere or drop off, but at their appointed stages, & one price all over, 5 cents, & you can travel the whole system. Transfers are given & freely used, that is, if the car you first join & pay for does not go far in the direction you intend, the conductor, on paying, must ask for it then, gives you a transfer, which you join where this car stops, & it is only good for continuous service, each ticket punched, the hour, date, & route available by it, so you could not go shopping or make a call then use transfer. Well, soon after we got home, Michael Forster, brother of Father Matthew‘s, Mary knows him, he said, draper with Thompson’s, High St., he is in a large store here & charge of woolens &c., Goldsberg & Co., Jews. A fine store it is, many floors & nearly everything, own machinery in basement, make own electricity & pumps water for elevators &c. Michael showed Mr. Fetterley, & Mr. Nolan, & I through on the Monday evening. Well, Michael came to dine & spend the day. Mrs. Fetterley’s first husband was Michael’s brother, John. Then Robert came over from Sandwich – Frank, they always call him – & stayed till 5, & a very pleasant afternoon we had. After supper, 6 o’clock Mr. Fetterley had to go away, then several friends came in to see Sarah & I by invitation from the Fetterleys, but I’m too previous. A married sister of Mrs. Fetterley’s also spent the afternoon, but retired before “supper”. Mrs. Crittenden & her son, Mr. Crittenden, is now in a bakery & does well. Well, at night Mr. & Mrs. Teitzel, friends, & Mr. & Mrs. Hindrich & daughter, who recited very prettily, Mrs. Parent & Miss Sadie Smith, both sisters of Mrs. Fetterl[e]y, & a happy night we all spent, the interval between supper & them coming, Jenny Forster, Mrs. Fetterley’s daughter, played the piano [7:94] & I enjoyed singing some of the beautiful hymns the book contains which I got at La Fayette, so also after the company went away before 10.
[1] Inserted on facing page: “Oct 16/98, Sunday.
Frank Forster.
Mrs Crittenden (& son) – Mrs. Fetterley’s sister.
Michael Forster.
Mr. & Mrs. Teitzel.
Mr. & Mrs. Hindrich & daughter (recited).
Mrs. Parent & Miss Sadie Smith, sisters of Mrs. Fetterley.”
[2] A greenhouse for raising plants, flowers, and fruits at an earlier season than the natural one.
[3] Inserted on facing page: “Petunia seeds, Belle Isle Park”.
[4] Tropical plant
[5] Inserted on facing page: sketch of domed roof, and “1st Presby’n Church, Woodward Ave., Detroit. 4 galleries.”