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PHOEBE PRATT DIXON

Mr. William Sterling, with his wife and infant child, had joined the Dixons during the summer. In the meantime, Mr. Wolcott had left, seeing dim prospects for the future. The two men had accumulated a quantity of lumber with which to build a scow to aid in clearing the river. They had hopes of building a sawmill and clearing the river was the first priority. The demand for lumber was great, and there were virgin forests untouched for miles around.

At one time it so happened that both men were away on business, Mr. Dixon at Bear Creek (now Petoskey) and Mr. Sterling at Mackinac. The night of their departure Mrs. Dixon and Mrs. Sterling, from a window, saw several men load the precious lumber on a boat. What the men could not take with them they threw into the river, then disappeared into the darkness.

In great fear for their lives the panic stricken women discussed in some length what should be done. It was decided that Mrs. Dixon would go to Bear Creek to get Mr. Dixon. She set out before dawn the next morning, following the beach the full distance, climbing over fallen trees, wading many streams, but, hungry and determined, reaching her destination. The Dixons returned immediately, by boat, to Pine River. Fears of harm to the children were banished but there remained a deep and lasting sense of frustration.

Becoming more and more fearful for the safety of his family he moved them to Northport, where he followed after getting out his crops.

The harassment of the settlers by Strang and his followers ended with his assassination in 1856. That fall Mr. Dixon returned to Pine River with his family.

He built a house on the shore of Pine Lake, (now Lake Charlevoix), not far from the present site of the R. R. depot, and, with renewed hope took up the struggle of providing for his family. Not being the robust type he worked the land as best he could, using whatever itinerant help was available.

In the first town election, on the last Tuesday of May, 1857, ten votes were cast, Mr. Dixon being one of the ten. The town board was composed entirely of Mormons. At this point the saints still outnumbered the gentiles.

In the years following Mr. Dixon was called upon to discharge many public duties, and held office of justice of the peace, superintendent of schools, county clerk, and in 1863-1864 was representative from the Grand Traverse district in the State legislature.

In 1872 he built a large dwelling on the bank overlooking Pine Lake which was the family home for many years. Today it is a beautiful residence at 200 Mercer Blvd., the home of Mrs. Zelma Withers.

"MR. & MRS. DIXON WERE PIONEERS IN THE FULLEST MEANING OF THAT WORD. THE CHANGES WROUGHT UPON THEIR POSSESSIONS HAVE BEEN GREAT, AND A CHARMING VILLAGE HAS GROWN UP BEFORE THEIR DOOR."

-- THE TRAVERSE REGION

NOTE: Mr. Dixon had intended moving to Pine River in 1854 but had received waring from Mackinac of the depredations of the Mormons. He therefore spent the year at Old Mission with his family. He was not idle, however. He traveled to Lansing when the Michigan legislature was in session, with the hope of reorganizing Emmet County. The legislature was eager to curb Strang's power so, with Mr. Dixon's aid, the bill for reorganization was passed. By the act the Beaver Island group became a new County called Manitou. All legal interference in Pine River by Strang was thus prevented.