>>EXCERPT ONE | Lansing, New York Real Estate Scam | In the winter of 1835 to 1836, two brothers from New York plotted the area now known as REO Town and named it “Biddle City”. This land lay in a floodplain and was underwater during the majority of the year. Nevertheless, the brothers went back to Lansing, New York, to sell plots for the town that did not exist. 16 men bought plots in the nonexistent city, and upon reaching the area later that year found they had been scammed. Those who stayed quickly renamed the area “Lansing Township” in honor of their home village in New York.
>>EXCERPT TWO | Fowlerville Cornet Band | “The crowd was entertained during the wait at the depot by the Fowlervile Cornet Band in full uniform. As soon as the train halted, Mr. Blaine came out. He thanked the people for his warm reception and introduced that old veteran republican, John C. Fremont. Mr. Van Zile stepped to the front and introduced Gen. R. A. Alger, and the train sped on its way.” Fowlerville Observer 1884