Soon our young people will be heading off to college. It is an exciting time for them, and a time of mixed emotions for their parents. At least we can get them there safely.
Headed for College
1868-The Rev. and Mrs. George N. Smith with youngest daughter “Annie” and eldest granddaughter Arvilla “Tissie” Wolfe. – Courtesy Wolfe collection
In 1852, it was a different story for Rev. George N. Smith and his wife in Northport. Their son, George had been home schooled, and now was headed to Olivet College with his sister where he would be for the next 6 years. Twice during this time George made the journey from Northport to Grand Rapids or back on foot. Alone. Walking. Carrying his pack of blankets, books, and provisions on his back. On one of these trips, perhaps coming home for Christmas, he had to wear snowshoes as the snow was so deep.
As his mother later describes this journey, “George found himself wearied out long before the journey ended.” The food he had brought along for his journey was running out, so he divided what remained into two parts, saving one part for his breakfast the next morning. And he trudged on, hoping to find somewhere to spend the night before dark set in.
Pack of Wolves
Feeling quite tired as the miles dragged on and he was still deep in the woods, he heard the distant bay of a pack of wolves. “One after another their voices gathered from here and there, ever getting nearer and louder.” He began to think the wolves stood a better chance of getting supper than he did. But then he heard a gunshot, and a party of three or four surveyors appeared on the trail, the wolf pack at their heels.
George was so happy to see them, that, having found out they had not eaten all day, he shared what was left of his food with them, and they pressed on to reach a lumberman’s shanty that the surveyors knew of, hoping to rest and find food there. It was a long way off and dark was settling in. The wolves were still howling close behind them, kept at bay by an occasional volley of gunshots from the surveyors.
The group decided that George and another young man in the party should leave their belongings to be carried by the others, and move ahead more quickly to the shanty, while the rest kept the wolves from following. Hopefully, the two would have food prepared by the time the others arrived.
Finding shelter in the Shanty
The two trudged ahead, getting increasingly exhausted as they went. At around 9:30 they spotted the light from the shanty, tramped through the snow to the door, and as the door was opened, George “fell fainting on the floor.” Thankfully, the resident of the shanty was a kindly man, and helping George in where he could lie down, he prepared food and a warm fire for the rest of the party, who arrived a half hour later. The wolves howled around the shanty until dawn, but come morning they set out again, and the rest of the journey home was made without any more trouble from the wolves.
George graduated from Olivet in 1858, went on to study for the ministry, and was ordained in 1860. He served many churches in Michigan and beyond.
When he died, he was returned to Northport, where he was buried in the family plot. George was the oldest son of Rev. and Mrs. George N. Smith, the missionary in Northport who dedicated the Omena Presbyterian Church on Christmas Day in 1858.