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Misc Stories BY EPHRAIM S. WILLIAMS
The Williams' block on the northeast corner of Kearsley street was completed and the post office, with E. S. Williams as postmaster, located in the rear, was proud of its new and first display of letter drawers and boxe's; W. I. Beardsley occupying a corner with the first ''news depot. " The Presbyterian and old Episcopal churches were well up town and Dr. Willett felt little apprehension of being elbowed ¦out of home by business encroachments. Since that day the vacancy south of the Dewey block has been filled, the entire block below Union street built and the block of fine shops between the railroad track and river, the entire block south of First street to the Presbyterian church, the row below Union street •on the east, except the old Thurber block, the entire row of fine buildings between Kearsley and First streets on the east, except the* City hotel and the two stores of James Decker and Charles Harrison, the Bishop block above the old Hazelton building, the Gazley block, Bishop's, Judd's and Pratt's fine stores and the Charles block, between First and Second streets and covering the ground of the old Gazley rookery, the Rev. D. E. Brown's residence and the old Episcopal church; and since the fire, which wiped out the "Irving, " the splendid blocks which include the four story Masonic Temple and the adjoining new hotel, besides several brick stores between Second and Third streets, the city hall, court house, etc. So much for Saginaw street.
The Williams block spoken of above was built by E. S. Williams and was the first block of brick stores of three stories built in Flint in 18534. All business except in the mills was confined to Saginaw street. And how-changed the business persona? of the city! Before the advent of Smith or Judd or Stone; of Spencer, or Davidson, or Mclntyre!
Michigan
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