40. Lost White Child Found by Indians

Julia Morrison was born in her parent’s cabin along what is now Saugatuck’s Lake Street in 1846. Her parents, Stephen and Mary Elizabeth Morrison, were among the earliest settlers and had friendly relationships with the local Odawa (Ottawa) and Bodéwadmi (Potawatomi). One day little Julia got lost in the woods. After much frantic searching her parents, they asked their Indigenous neighbors for help. Soon thereafter Julia was located picking flowers on top of a nearby hill.

Years later, the Morrison’s tannery and real estate investments had brought them considerable wealth. Julia was sent to an elite private school for girls in nearby Allegan. Julia’s daughter, May (Francis) Heath wrote Saugatuck’s first history “Early Memories of Saugatuck, Michigan 1830-1930” that records her parents’ respect for their early neighbors.