CORNELL 
 
 UNIVERSITY 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME 
 OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT 
 FUND GIVEN IN 189I BY 
 
 HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE 
 
Cornell University Library 
 F 472 J 1 H67 
 
 History of Jackson ,fO"V,ltXiii|W,iliSi}iii&^^ 
 
 3 1924 028 846 505 ^^^^ 
 olin 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of tiiis book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028846505 
 
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THE 
 
 HISTORY 
 
 OF 
 
 JACKSON COUNTY, 
 
 MISSOURI 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 A HISTORY OF THE COUNTY, ITS CITIES, TOWNS, ETC., 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF ITS CITIZENS, JACKSON COUNTY IN THE LATE WAR, 
 
 GENERAL AND LOCAL STATISTICS, PORTRAITS OF EARLY SETTLERS 
 
 AND PROMINENT MEN, HISTORY OP MISSOURI, MAP OF 
 
 JACKSON COUNTY, MISCELLANEOUS 
 
 MATTERS, ETC., ETC. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 KANSAS CITY, MO.: 
 
 UNION HISTORICAL COMPANY, 
 
 BIRDSALL, WILLIAMS & CO. 
 
 1881. 
 
/) (pS/^'^X- 
 
 Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1881, hy 
 
 BIEDSALL, WILLIAMS & CO., 
 in Office of Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C. 
 
 KANSAS CITY, MO., 
 
 Ramsey, Mii,i,ett & Httdson, Printers, Binders, etc, 
 
 1881. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The history of Jackson County has been written, in many respects, under 
 trying circumstances. There has been no lack of material, but the work of col 
 lecting and compiling the same into one homogeneous record has been attended 
 by many obstacles and perplexities. 
 
 While it has been an interesting occupation to gather from the oldest citizens 
 their reminiscences of events occurring in the first settlement of Jackson County, 
 her metropolis, towns and villages, it has also been one of arduous labor and deli- 
 cate responsibility, necessitating the careful perusal of many old volumes, and 
 newspaper files, those daily records of by-gone years. Many of the founders of 
 our great cities and towns may still be found where they first settled and like 
 sea shell found where the ocean once surged, tell of a tide of life of which little 
 is known by the present generation. The old pioneer has often been able to 
 narrate with clearness many important events, but utterly unable to give the date, 
 which is so essential in a historical work. The records of the county and the files 
 of the oldest newspapers have furnished much matter of inestimable value. 
 
 In the absence of written record, it has often occurred that different indi- 
 viduals, honest and sincere in their statements, have given conflicting versions of 
 the same events, and it has been a matter of much care and delicacy to bring 
 harmony out of these conflicting statements. It has been our aim to record 
 only such facts as are based upon the most reliable and trustworthy authority, 
 and to this end we have exhausted every available source of creditable informa- 
 tion. How well the task has been performed, the intelligent reader must judge. 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 It would be strange indeed, if, in the multiplicity of names," dates and events, 
 no errors or omissions should be detected. To say that it is perfect would be 
 presumption. No mortals were ever perfect except Enoch and Elijah, who were 
 translated, and it is written that even the latter committed errors. The few typo- 
 graphical errors are such as are liable to be found in all publications, and the 
 intelligent reader will find them no obstacle to a clear and easy understanding of 
 the subject before him. Unwearied care and studious and constant watchful- 
 ness has been exercised in the hope of making a standard work of reference, as 
 well as a work of interest to the reader. Through the kindness of many, the 
 courtesy of all, we have been enabled to present a very complete volume. To 
 those who have thus assisted in collecting and arranging the historical record, 
 our sincere thanks are due. 
 
 We especially desire to thank the pioneer settlers who so cheerfully responded 
 to our request for early events; also the county officials of Jackson County. In 
 addition to these, we desire to acknowledge valuable aid from the press of the 
 county, and from the following named gentlemen : Colonel Theodore Case, Jacob 
 Gregg, J. C. McCoy, D. I. Caldwell, Martin Rice. 
 
 Our thanks are also due to the county officers of Wyandott County, Kansas, 
 its press, and to Dr. Root, who rendered us important service, and to all others 
 who so kindly assisted us in our arduous task. In the belief that our book will 
 meet with a generous appreciation, it is submitted to the public. 
 
 THE PUBLISHERS. 
 
^, 
 
 :^GOSTEETS.fe 
 
 ^ 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Page. 
 Louisiana Purchase. — Brief Historical 
 Sketch 9 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 Descriptive and Geographical.— Name 
 — Extent — Surf ace — Rivers — Timber — 
 Climate — Prairies — Soils— Population by 
 Counties 13 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Geology of Missouri.— Classiflcalion of 
 Rooks— Q,uaternaryPormation— Tertiary 
 —Cretaceous— Carboniferous— Devonian 
 — Silurian— Azoic— Economic Geology- 
 Coal — Iron— Lead— Copper— Zinc — Build- 
 ing Stone — Marble — Gypsum — Lime — 
 Clays— Paints— Springs — water Power... 18 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Title and Early Settlekents.— Title to 
 Missouri Lands — Right of Discovery — 
 Title of Prance and Spain— Cession to 
 the Ujaited States— Territorial Changes- 
 Treaties with Indians— First Settlement 
 — Ste. Genevieve and New Bourbon— St. 
 Louis— "When In corporated— Potosl— St. 
 CharJes— Portage des Sioux— New Mad- 
 rid—St. Francois County— Perry— Missis- 
 sippi — Loutre Island — "Boon's Lick" — 
 Cote Sans Dessein — Howard County — 
 Some First Things— Counties— When Or- 
 ganized 23 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Territorial Organization. — Organiza- 
 tion 1812 — Council — House of Representa- 
 tives — Wm. Clark first Territorial Gov- 
 ernor — Edward Hempstead first Delegate 
 —Spanish Grants— First General Assem- 
 bly—Proceedings — Second Assembly — 
 Proceedings — Population of Territory- 
 Vote of Territory — Ruf us Easton — Ab- 
 sent Members — Third Assembly — Pro- 
 ceedings-Application for Admission 28 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 Application of Missouri to be Admitted into 
 the Union — Agitation of the Slavery 
 Question — " Missouri Compromise" — 
 Constitutional Convention of 1820— Con- 
 stitution Presented to Congress — Further 
 Resistance to Admission— Mr. Clay and 
 his Committee make Report— Second 
 Compromise— Missouri Admitted 31 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 Missouri as a State. — First Election for 
 Governor and Other State Oflicei-s— Sen- 
 ators and Representatives to General 
 Assembly — Sheriffs and Coroners — U. S. 
 Senators— Representatives in Congress- 
 
 Page 
 
 Supreme Court Judges— Counties Organ- 
 ized—Capital Moved to St. Charles— OfH- 
 cial Record of Territorial and State Offi- 
 cers , 35 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 Civil "War in Missouri. — Fort Sumter 
 Fired Upon— Call for 75,000 Men— Gov- 
 ernor Jackson Refuses to Furnish a Man 
 — U. S. , Arsenal at Liberty, Missouri, 
 Seized — Proclamation of Governor Jack- 
 son—General Order No. 7 — Legislature 
 Convenes — Camp Jackson Organized — 
 Sterling Price Appointed Major-General 
 — Frost's Letter to Lyon — Lyon's Letter 
 to Frost — Surrender of Camp Jackson 
 —Proclamation of General Harney— 
 Conference between Price and Harney 
 
 — Harney Superseded by Lyon— Second 
 Conference — Governor Jackson Burns 
 the Bridges Behind him— Proclamation 
 of Governor Jackson — General Blair 
 takes possession of Jefferson City- 
 Proclamation of Lyon— Lyon at Spring- 
 field — State OJBces <Declared Vacant 
 —General Fremont Assumes Command 
 — Proclamation of Lieutenant-Governor 
 Reynolds — Proclamation of Jefferson 
 Thompson and Governor Jackson — 
 Death of General Lyon — Succeeded by 
 Sturgls — Proclamation of McCulloch 
 and Gamble — Martial Law Declared — 
 Secoad Proclamation of Jeff. Thompson 
 —President Modifies Fremont's Order- 
 Fremont Relieved by Hunter — Procla- 
 mation of Price— Hunter's Order of As- 
 sessment — Hunter Declares Martial Law 
 —Order Relating to Newspapers— Hal- 
 leck Succeeds Hunter— Halleck's Order 
 81 — Similar Order by Halleck — Boone 
 Comity Standard Confiscated- Execution 
 of Prisoners at Macon and Palmyra — 
 General Ewing's Order No. 11— General 
 Rosencrans takes Command— Massacre 
 at Centralia — Death of Bill Anderson — 
 General Dodge Succeeds General Rosen- 
 crans— List of Battles 89 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 Early Military Record. -^ Black Hawk 
 War— Mormon Difficulties — Florida War 
 — Mexican War 47 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH.— 
 
 Missouri as an Agricultural State— The 
 Different Crops— Live Stock — Horses — 
 Mules — Milch Cows — Oxen and Other 
 Cattle — Sheep — Hogs — Comparisons — 
 Missouri Adapted to Live Stock— Cotton 
 
 — Broom-Corn and other Products — 
 Fruits — Berries — Grapes — Railroads — 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 First Neigb of the "Iron Horse" in ills- 
 souri — Names of Railroads — Manufac- 
 tures — Great Bridge at St. Louis 50 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 Educatiou.— Public School System— Public 
 School System of Missouri — Lincoln In- 
 stitute—Officers of Public School System 
 — Certificates of Teachers — University of 
 Missouri — Schools — Colleges — Institu- 
 tions of Learning — Location — Libraries 
 —Newspapers and Periodicals— Number 
 of School Children— Amount Expended 
 — Value of Grounds and Buildings — 
 " The Press." 55 
 
 Page 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Religious Denominations. — Baptist 
 Church— Its History— Congregationa,l — 
 When Founded— Its History— Christian 
 Church— Its History— Cumberland Pres- 
 byterian Church— Its History— Metho- 
 dist Episcopal Church- Its History- 
 Presbyterian Church- Its History— Pro- 
 testant Episcopal Church— Its History- 
 United Presbyterian Church— Its His- 
 tory—Unitarian Church— Its History- 
 Roman Catholic Church— Its History 02 
 
 HISTORY. OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Name and Location. — Different Counties 
 Named Jacjison — Most Favored County 
 in the Union — The Area and Exact Geo- 
 graphical Position — General Observa- 
 tions for the Reader &y 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Physical Features. — Names and Descrip- 
 tion of Water Courses— The Surface- 
 Beautiful Land— Timber, etc 71 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Geology, Botany and Climate. — General 
 Observations — Different Formations — 
 Indications of Coal— Trees, Plants and 
 other Productions — Horticulture — Bee 
 Culture — Climate and Health — The Jack- 
 son County Cyclone — Climate, Health 
 and Disease Continued 74 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Early Settlements.- Fort Osage Started 
 in 1808 — Slate Admitted 1821 — County 
 Organized 1826— Different Settlements in 
 the County — The Names of Voters in 
 Jackson County 1828 — The Vote for Gen. 
 Jackson — Examples of Ancient Records. 101 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Organization of the County.— St. Louis 
 County Included what is now the East- 
 ern Part of Jackson in 1813 — Then How- 
 ard County— Then Cooper— Then Lillard 
 — Then Lafayette— And then Jackson — 
 Jackson County Organized December 15. 
 182S, and Included what is now Cass and 
 Bates Counties — First County Court — 
 County and Township System— Govern- 
 ment Surveys — Organization of Town- 
 ships — Three Townships at first. Blue, 
 Fort Osage and Kaw — Location of Roads 
 — HarmonyiTownship— Boone Township 
 — S n i-a-b a r Township — Washington 
 Township — Van Buren Township — 
 Prairie Township— Westport Township 
 — Brooking Township 115 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Old Settlers of Jackson County.— Meet- 
 ing at Kansas City December 30, 1871— 
 Names of Old Settlers with date of Settle- 
 ment — Officers of the Association — Reso- 
 lutions— First Address— The "Far West" 
 —The Pioneers— Tom Rule— The Site of 
 Kansas City— Dates of Important Events 
 —Meeting March, 1872— Old Settlers As- 
 semble July 4, 1872— The Life of Daniel 
 Boone by Dr. Johnston Lykins — Meeting 
 of Pioneers July 4, 1874— Speeches of W. 
 H. Wallace, General Bingham, Jacob 
 Gregg, Johnston Lykins, Colonel Van 
 Horn and others — Prizes Awarded — 
 Death of Daniel Boone— Meeting April 
 24, 1880— The Pioneers— Addre.ss by Mr. 
 
 McCoy— The Last Grand Meeting of the 
 Fathers and Mothers, May 22, 1880— 
 Speeches of Jacob Gregg, Alexander 
 Majors, J. C. McCoy, Dr. Winfrey, and . 
 Martin Rice— An Old Timer's Poem- 
 Rev. Father Donnelly— Old Residents 
 and Date of Coming 131 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Santa Fe Trade.— Originated and 
 Started from Old Franklin, Howard 
 County- Began at Independence in 1831 
 —About the Year IS:i7 the Trade Sprung 
 Up at Westport— Names of Firms at In- 
 dependence Engaged in the Trade- 
 Starting Out of a Caravan— Hostile In- 
 dians—The Earliest Traders— Lost on the 
 Plains and Dying of Thirst — Council 
 Grove— Surgical Operation in the Desert 
 —Santa Fe— Revolt of Indians In i680— 
 New Mexico in 1840— Names and Dis- 
 tances of Camping Places Between Inde- 
 pendence and Santa Fe 170 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 County Officials. — County Court — County 
 Clerks — Circuit Clerks— Recorders — 
 Treasurers — Assessors — Sheriffs — School 
 Commissioners — Surveyors — Marshals — 
 Collectors— State Senator-s- State Repre- 
 sentatives — Verbatiin Record of Marri- 
 ages—The First WarrantyDeed— Regis- 
 tration Notice 178 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Railroads.— Names of the Different Roads 
 —Missouri Pacific- Chicago & Alton — 
 Wabash — Hannibal & St. ^Toseph — Kan- 
 sas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluff's- 
 Kansas City, Leavenworth & Atchison — 
 Union Pacific — Atchison, Topeka & 
 Santa Fe — Kansas City & Fort Scott — 
 Missouri, Kansas & Texas, and others — 
 Non-completed Roads — Misappropria- 
 tion of Funds by the County — One Mil- 
 lion Dollars Paid by the County and no 
 Benefit Derived 191 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Finances.— Introductory— Current Expen- 
 ses for the years 1869, 1870 hnd 1871— An- 
 nual Report, January 1, 1872, Showing 
 all the Receipts and Expenditures for 
 the Year — Jackson County Finances 
 from November 1, 1875, to February 15, 
 1876— The Last Official Report of Jackson 
 County Finances to the County Court 
 —Indebtedness of the County— County 
 Treasurer's Report— Township Railroad 
 Funds- County Poor Farm— A Report 
 for Ten Years Ago 212 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Agriculture.— Its Establishment and the 
 Men Active in the Enterpiise— The First 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 Fair lu Jackson County— In 1S54 New 
 Grounds Purchased — No Fairs During 
 the War— Names of tlie Officers ol the 
 Association Each Year— Complete Ac- 
 count of the Fair for 1870— Fair of 1871- 
 The La*:t Fair of the Association 229 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Educational,.— Introductory— Private En- 
 terprise— Six Mile Academy— The Wood- 
 worth School, of Independence— Mrs. 
 Buchanan's School — D. I. Caldwell's 
 School — Independence Female Academy 
 —Mrs. Bettie T. Tillery's Academy- 
 Woodland College- Highland College- 
 Independence High School— Independ- 
 ence Female College — St. Mary's Semi- 
 nary-Public Schools of the County- 
 Superintendent's Report in 1866— Jack- 
 son County Teachers' Institute— Report 
 of the School Commissioner, D. I. Cald- 
 well, in 1870 230 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 Mormons in Jackson County. — An Au- 
 thentic and Impartial History from the 
 Foundation of the Church — A Sketch of 
 the Life of Joseph Smith, the Prophet — 
 The Book of Mormon — The Rapid 
 Growth of the Church— They come to 
 Jackson County, Missouri, in July, 1831 
 — The "Morning and Evening Star" — 
 DifHcultles Arising Between the Saints 
 and Gentiles — The Saints Assemble for 
 Protection— Several Deadly Encounters 
 —The Saints driven into Clay County — 
 Documentary Evidence of Unlawful 
 Violence— The Subseqvieut Action of the 
 Mormons in Missouri, and their final 
 Expulsion from the State 250 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 Incidents of the Wae.— Politics in Jack- 
 son County from 1857 to 1860— Missouri 
 Men and Families Abused — Colonel 
 Henry Younger and John Fristoe — Cole 
 Younger's Revolution to Avenge his 
 Father's Death — Dr. Lee and the Sum- 
 mit, etc. — The County Officers — Two 
 Silly Young Men — Captain Quautrell 
 and his Men— He Dashes upon the Head- 
 quarters of the Troops, and Escapes 
 Again — The Community 270 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 Jackson County During the War.- Sack- 
 ing of the United States Arsenal, at Lib- 
 erty — Confederate Camp on Rock Creek 
 —Death of Captain Halloway— Confed- 
 erates enter Independence in 1861 — Burn- 
 ing of Property— Captain Fuller takes 
 Independence, and Hangs a Man on the 
 Public Square — Quantrell comes into In- 
 dependence — Campaign in 1862 — Battle 
 of Lone Jack — Fort Pennock — Order 
 Number Eleven— Price's March through 
 this Section- Organization of the Home 
 Guards— The Iron-Clad Oath— Etc., etc.. 277 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 BiiUE Township.— Organized May 22, 1827— 
 At First it Included Land in what is 
 Cass and Bates Counties — Present Bound- 
 aries and Physical Features — Blue 
 Township a Favored Locality— Names 
 of the Pioneers — What the Pioneers 
 Themselves say of Early Days— The Old- 
 est Man in the State— Additional Items 
 —Wayne City— Lexington — New Salem 
 Church 296 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Fort Osage Township.— Boundaries and 
 
 General Features— The Oldest Township 
 
 in the County— Pioneers of Port Osage 
 
 Township— General Slble.\ — Fort Sibley 
 
 Page. 
 —Town of Sibley Laid Out in 1836— First 
 Lots Sold — The Town Burned — Great 
 Flood— Present Business of Sibley— The 
 Town Plat Being Vacated — Buckner — 
 Ancient Bed of the River- Business Di- 
 rectory of Buckner— Levasy— Lake City. 306 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Sni-a-bae Township.— Geographical Posi- 
 tion and Population— The Name— Phys- 
 ical Features — Early Settlers — Blue 
 Springs— Churches— Business Directory 
 — Oak Grove — Incorporation of the Town 
 —Business Enterprises— Grain Valley — 
 Pink Hill— What Jacob Gregg has to say 
 About a J. P.— Incidents by Daniel 
 Joyce— The Sni Hill Rangers 312 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 Van Bueen Township.— Its Location and 
 First Settlement on Big Creek — First 
 Entries of Land— First Cabin— First Set- 
 tler at Lone Jack— Pioneer Life— Going 
 to Mill — Preachers, Preaching, and 
 Churches — Lone Jack Church — New 
 Liberty Church— Sni Mills' Church— The 
 Christian Church- The Methodists— The 
 Presbyterians — Schools — Doctors and 
 Lawyers— Mails and Newspapers— First 
 Township Officers- Lone Jack— Retro- 
 spect^The Oldest Man —The OldestWom- 
 an— Physical Features 325 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 Peaikie Township. — Organization and 
 General Features of the Municipal Town- 
 ship-Early Settlers of the Township- 
 Lee's Summit Laid Out in October, 865, 
 by W. B. Howard— Lee's Summit in 1869 
 —Incorporation as a City— City Ordi- 
 nances-List of City Officers— The Busi- 
 ness a'nd Public Enterprises— Churches 
 and Schools — Business Directory — 
 Greenwood College — Cemetery 341 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 Westport Township.— Geographical Posi- 
 tion — Old Settlers — Westport Formerly a 
 Part of Kaw— The Santa Fe Trade, and 
 Those Engaged in It — Justices of the 
 Peace from 1854 to the Present Time— 
 The 'Town of Westport Laid Out— Incor- 
 poration — City Charter — City Govern- 
 menf^Names of Mayors and Other Offi- 
 cers — Churches and Schools — Business 
 Directory 350 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 Washinoton Township.— Washington 
 Township Organized February 9, 1836 — 
 The Orders of Court fixing the Bound- 
 aries — First Election held at the House 
 of Anson McCrackln— The Lost Town- 
 ships-Physical Features— Old Settlers — 
 Hickman's Mills — New Santa Fe — Lay- 
 ing out the Towti — Notes from New San- 
 ta Fe— Union Points-Washington Town- 
 ship saw much of the Border and Civil 
 Wars— A story of Border Warfare 357 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 BeookingTownship— The Youngest Town- 
 ship in Jackson County — The Order of 
 Court Organizing the 'Township, bears 
 Date March 13, 1872— The Order Itself— 
 First Constable— A Word from Rev. J. J. 
 Robinson— Interesting Reminiscences— 
 A Letter in the Spring of 1876— West Fork 
 Baptist Church— A Farmers' Meeting 367 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 Kaw Township. — When Established and 
 its Original Extent — The Establishment 
 of Washington and Westport Townships 
 —The First Settlers and First Officers- 
 The First and Second Elections, etc 370 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 HISTORY OF CITIES AND TOWNS 
 
 Page. 
 CHAPTER I. 
 Introductory.— How Ancient Cities were . 
 Founded and Built— The Considerations 
 Determining their Location — American 
 Cities, how Located and Built — Western 
 Cities — The Importance of Transporta- 
 tion Facilities — ^The People who Determ- 
 ined their Location, and Why — "Motion 
 Follows the Line of Least Resistance."... 374 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 Early Expeditions and Settlements.- 
 The Pur Companies — The First Settle- 
 ment of Kansas City^ How and Why it 
 was Made— In the Wilderness— The En- 
 try of the Land — The French Settlement 
 and Life Among the French Settlers— 
 The Advantages of the Place Recog- 
 nized by Others— An Anecdote of Wash- 
 ington Irving 376 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 The Great Indian Tradk.— Proposed Re- 
 moval of the Indians to the west— The 
 Numbers to be Moved— The Removal — 
 The New Locations- Effect on Western 
 Trade— Founding of Westport, and Con- 
 centration of the Trade There 385 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 The Santa Fe Trade. — Its Origin and 
 Character— Its Real Beginning- The Ef- 
 fect of Steamboats — It Locates at Inde- 
 pendence — Changing to Westport^Char- 
 acter and Methods of the Trade— Statis- 
 tics to 1838 389 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 The Founding of Kansas City.— The Sit- 
 uation in 1838 -The First Ferry — The 
 Santa Fe and Indian Trade Tend to Kan- 
 sas City— Purchase of the Prudhomme 
 Estate for a Town Site— The Survey and 
 Sale of 1839— Troubles of the Company 
 Retarded the Town— What was Thought 
 of It^Its Early Trade— A Description of 
 Early Kansas Cit.y— Efforts to Divert the 
 Santa Fe Trade— Its Suppression In 184.3— 
 Statistics— Situation in 1843— The Great 
 Flood of 1844— The Events of 1843 to 1846 
 —The Mexican War 395 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 Kansas City Redivii'us.- Re-organization 
 of the Town Company— The First Great 
 Sale of Lots — An Interesting Record — 
 Bad Titles— Further Surveys and Sales 
 —The Company Dissolve— Town Devel- 
 opment—The California Emigration — 
 The Concentration of the Santa Fe and 
 ludian Trades at Kansas City— Cholera 
 and its Direful Effects — Municipal Or- 
 ganization—The First Newspaper — Re- 
 vival After the Cholera 408 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 The Settlement of Kansas. — The Kan- 
 sas-Nebraska Act Preparations by Pro- 
 Slavery and Anti-Slavery Parties to 
 Occupy Kansas — Early Settlement — 
 Kansas City Again Recognized— Devel- 
 opment of Kansas — Navigation of the 
 Kaw River— The Kansas Troubles— The 
 Effect on Kansas City— Col. Coates 421 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 The Growth of Kansas City Prior to 
 the War. — Improvements of Streets 
 and Roads— Trade and Steamboats— Ri- 
 val Cities— Rapid Growth of Kansas City 
 —Stages and Malls— The Commerce of 
 the Prairies— The First BanJis, Jobbing 
 Houses, and Telegraphs— The First Com- 
 mercial Organization- The Panic of 1857 
 —The Enlargement of the City 431 
 
 Page 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The Inception of our Railroads.— Kan- 
 sas City Takes the Lead in Efforts to Se- 
 cure Railroad Facilities — Her Efforts 
 Start a Fever in Railroad Enterprises In 
 Western Missouri and Kansas — The In- 
 ception of Her Own System — The Hos- 
 tility of Kansas— The First Efforts in Be- 
 half of Trans-Continental Railroads- 
 Kansas City in the Struggle with Both 
 the Slave and Anti-Slave Sections for 
 the Road — The Enthusiasm of the Pe- 
 riod—Beginning of Railroad Work— The 
 Real Founders of Kansas City, Their 
 Trials and Triumphs 443 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Kansas City in the War. — The Excite- 
 ment and Events Preceding the Great 
 Struggle — The Marshaling of the Hosts 
 on Both Sides— Van Horn's Battalion— 
 The First Fighting— Bush-whackers and 
 Red Legs — The Depression of Trade, and 
 its Revival — Resumption of Railroad 
 Building— The Great Raid of 1864 466 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 A Great Bra in Kansas City.— The Close 
 of the War — The Resumption of Rail- 
 road Construction — Seven Roads and the 
 Bridge Completed Before 1870 — Other 
 Railroad Enterprises not Finished- Rap- 
 id Growth — Schools, and Street Im- 
 provements—Population Grown From 
 5,000 to 30,000 478 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The Progress From 1870 to 1872.— Imjjrove- 
 ment and Enlargement of the Railroad 
 Facilities— Inception of the Barge Line 
 —Water and Gas Works Buill^The Law 
 Library— The Barge Line— The Exposi- 
 tion, the Board of Trade, and Other Im- 
 provements 494 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 The Progress of 1873 to 1876.— Street Rail- 
 roads—Barge Line Agitation— The Panic 
 of 1873— Efforts to Get the Indian Terri- 
 tory Opened to Settlements-Efforts for 
 Transportation Improvements — Free 
 Mail Delivery — The Securing of the 
 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the 
 Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroads — 
 How the Latter was Done — The Grass- 
 hopper Plague— The Revision of the City 
 Charter — Efforts to Secure a Mint—The 
 Re-organizatlou of the Board of Trade, 
 and Building of the Exchange Building. 512 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The Markets and Packing Houses.— His- 
 tory of the Texas Cattle Trade— Its Fi- 
 nal Concentration at Kansas City— The 
 Growth of the Market and Character of 
 the Present Supply— The History of the 
 Packing Business — Why It Came to 
 Kansas City — Its Statistics— The Grain 
 Market, When and How It Started— Its 
 Development, and Circuiustances At- 
 tending it — Its Present Facilities and 
 Magnitude 532 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 The Progress of Three Years. — The 
 Events of 1877 — The Alton Road— The 
 Union Dcpol^The Test of Barges on the 
 
 Missouri— The Great Railway Strike 
 
 Bank Suspension — Railway Extension 
 Affecting Kansas City.— The United 
 States Court House and Post-office, and 
 United States Courts— Rapid Growth of 
 the City 544 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 The Events of 1880 to 1881.— The Establish- 
 ment of the Smelting "Works— The Barge 
 Company Organized — The Missouri Riv- 
 er Improvement Convention — The Mis- 
 souri River Improvement Association 
 Formed — Street Improvements — Col. 
 Van Horn's Election to Congress— Rail- 
 way Construction and Railway Changes 
 —The Great Flood of 1881— The Growth 
 of the City — Statistical Exhibit of the 
 City's History 557 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 Social Development of Kansas City.— 
 The History of the Press— Social Socie- 
 tles— Masons— Odd Fellows— Knights of 
 Pythias — Other Secret Orders — The 
 Churches, Schools, and Other Social In- 
 stitutions 573 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 Kansas City — "Why She is and "What 
 She is. — A Summary of the Facts of 
 Her History — The Facts that Caused 
 Her Growth — Her Markets, Her Rail- 
 road System, and Fast Freight Lines- 
 Steamship Agencies — The New "West 
 and Its Resources 612 
 
 HiSTOKY OF Independence.— Introductory 
 Names of Early Settlers Given Under 
 Blue Township— County Seat Located 
 In 1827— Additions to the Town of Inde- 
 
 Page, 
 pendence— Sale of Lots— First Instru- 
 ment of Record— The First Court^Gold 
 Excitement— The First Court House- 
 Jails and Sheriffs— Business of the City- 
 Banking, Etc.— Streets and Boulevards 
 — Beautiful S c e n e r y — Incorporation- 
 Names of Mayors — Religious History — 
 Joab Powell— Baptists— M. E. Church, 
 South— Christian Church— Old School 
 Presbyterians— M. E. Church— Cumber- 
 land Presbyterians— Old School Baptists 
 — Latter Day Saints— Catholic Church— 
 The Cemetery— Colleges and Schools- 
 Secret Societies— Business Directory— 
 "Wavne City Bluff— The Finest Mansion 
 in Jackson County 633 
 
 HiSTOEY OF "Wyandott, KANSAS.— The City 
 —The Organization of Kansas Territory- 
 Constitution of the State— The First Set- 
 tlements in "Wyandott— Great Flood of 
 1844^Electlon in 1852— First Churches 
 and Schools— Organization of "Wyandott 
 County in 1859— First Railroad in Kansas 
 -Early Elections at "Wyandott— Com- 
 plete Roster of County Officials — Statis- 
 tical-Financial Report— Early History 
 of Wyandott and Qulndaro— Incorpo- 
 ration of the City— Complete Roster of 
 City Officials- Church History— History 
 of Secret Societies— "Wyandott the Me- 
 tropolis of Kansas- Newspapers 668 
 
 Additional HisTOKY OP Lee's Summit 947 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 "Wyandott, Kansas 713 
 
 Kansas City 734 
 
 independence 868 
 
 Blue Township 884 
 
 Fort Osage Township 899 
 
 Sni-a-bak Township 811 
 
 Van BuREN Tq"wnship 930 
 
 Lee's Summit 948 
 
 Prairie Township 957 
 
 "Washington Township 977 
 
 Brooking Township 988 
 
 "Wbstport Township 994 
 
 Kaw Township 1004 
 
 CoL. R. T. Van Horn ; 
 
 Col. Theo. S. Case 689 
 
 Ed. H. "Webster 721 
 
 "Wm. B. Grimes 753 
 
 LITHOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS. 
 
 ; 657 
 
 Dr. G. S. Todd 
 
 Chas. D. Lucas 
 
 Isaac M. Ridge 
 
 Gen. W. H. Morgan., 
 
 785 
 
 . 807 
 
 817 
 
INDEPENDENCE FEMALE COLLEGE. 
 
History of Missouei. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 LOUISIANA PURCHASE 
 
 BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 The purchase of the vast territory, west of the Mississippi River, by *he. 
 United States, extending through Oregon to the Pacific coast and south to the 
 Dominions of Mexico, constitutes the most important event that ever occurred in 
 the history of the nation. 
 
 It gave to our Republic, additional room for that expansion and stupendous 
 growth, to which it has since attained, in all that makes it strong and enduring, 
 and forms the seat of an empire, from which will radiate an influence for good 
 unequaled in the annals of time. In 1763, one hundred and eighteen years ago, 
 the immense region of country, known at that time as Louisiana, was ceded to 
 Spain by France. By a secret article, in the treaty of St. Ildefonso, concluded in 
 1800, Spain ceded it back to France. Napoleon, at that time, coveted the island 
 of St. Domingo, not only because of the value of its products, but more especially 
 because its location in the Gulf of Mexico would, in a military point of view, 
 afford him a fine field, whence he could the more effectively guard his newly acquired 
 possessions. Hence he desired this cession by Spain should be kept a profound 
 secret until he succeeded in reducing St. Domingo to submission. In this under- 
 taking, however, his hopes were blasted, and so great was his disappointment, that 
 he apparently became indifferent to the advantages to be derived to France from 
 his purchase of Louisiana. 
 
 In 1803 lie sent out Laussat as prefect of the colony, who gave the people of 
 Louisiana the first intimation that they had had, that they had once more become 
 the subjects of France. This was the occasion of great rejoicing among the inhabi- 
 tants, who were Frenchmen in their origin, habits, manners and customs. 
 
 Mr. Jefferson, then President of the IJnited States, on being informed of the 
 retrocession, immediately dispatched instructions to Robert Livingston, the 
 American Minister at Paris, to make known to Napoleon that the occupancy of 
 New Orleans, by his government, would not only endanger the friendly relations 
 existing between the two nations, but, perhaps, oblige the United States to make 
 common cause with England, his bitterest and most dreaded enemy ; as the 
 possession of the city by France, would give her command of the Mississippi, 
 which was the only outlet for the produce of the Western States, and give her also 
 
10 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 control of the Gulf of Mexico, so necessary to the protection of American 
 commerce. Mr. Jefferson was so fully impressed with the idea that the occupancy 
 of New Orleans, by France, would bring about a conflict of interests between the 
 two nations, which would finally culminate in an open rupture, that he urged Mr. 
 Livingston, to not only insist upon the free navigation of the Mississippi, but to 
 negotiate for the purchase of the city and the surrounding country. 
 
 The question of this negotiation was of so grave a character to the United 
 States that the President appointed Mr. Monroe, with full power, to act in con- 
 junction with Mr. Livingston. Ever equal to all emergencies, and prompt in the 
 Cabinet, as well as in the field. Napoleon came to the conclusion that, as he 
 could not well defend his occupancy of New Orleans, he would dispose of it, on 
 the best terms possible. Before, however, taking final action in the matter, he' 
 summoned two of his Ministers, and addressed them as follows : 
 
 " I am fully sensible of the value of Louisiana, and it was my wish to repair 
 the error of the French diplomatists who abandoned it in 176-5. I have scarcely 
 recovered it before I run the risk of losing it ; but if I am obliged to give it up, it 
 shall hereafter cost more to those who force me to part with it, than to those to 
 whom I shall yield it. The English have despoiled France of all her northern 
 possessions in America, and now they covet those of the South. I am determined 
 that they shall not have the Mississippi. Although Louisiana is but a trifle com- 
 pared to their vast possessions in other parts of the globe, yet, judging from the 
 vexation they have manifested on seeing it return to the power of France, I am 
 certain that their first object wi be to gain possession of it. They will probably 
 commence the war in that quarter. They have twenty vessels in the Gulf of 
 Mexico, and our affairs in St. Domingo are daily getting worse since the death of 
 LeClerc. The conquest of Louisiana might be easily made, and I have not a 
 moment to lose in getting it out of their reach. I am not sure but that they 
 have already begun an attack upon it. Such a measure would be in accordance 
 with their habits ; and in their place I should not wait. I am inclined, in order 
 to deprive them of all prospect of ever possessing it, to cede it to the United States. 
 Indeed, I can hardly say that I cede it, for I do not yet possess it ; and if I wait 
 but a short time my enemies may leave me nothing but an empty title to grant to 
 the Republic I wish to conciliate. I consider the whole colony as lost, and I 
 believe that in the hands of this rising power it will be more useful to the political 
 and even commercial interests of France than if I should attempt to retain it. 
 Let me have both your opinions on the subject." 
 
 One of his Ministers approved of the contemplated cession, but the other 
 opposed it. The matter was long and earnestly discussed by them, before the 
 conference was ended. The next day, Napoleon sent for the Minister, who had 
 agreed with him, and said to him: "The season for deliberation is over. I 
 have determined to renounce Louisiana. I shall give up not only New Orleans, 
 but the whole colony, without reservation. That I do not undervalue Louisiana, 
 I have sufficiently proved, as the object of my first treaty with Spain was to 
 recover it. But though I regret parting with it, I am convinced it would be folly 
 to persist in trying to keep it I commission you, therefore, to negotiate this affair 
 with the envoys of the United States. Do not wait the arrival of Mr Monroe, but 
 go this very day and confer with Mr. Livingston. Remember, however, that I 
 need ample funds for carrying on the war, and I do not wish to commence it by 
 levying new taxes. For the last century France and Spain have incurred great 
 expense in the improvement of Louisiana, for which her trade has never indemnified 
 them. Large sums have been advanced to different companies, which have never 
 been returned to the treasury. It is fair that I should require repayment for these. 
 Were I to regulate my demands by the importance of this territory to the United 
 States, they would be unbounded ; but, being obliged to part with it, I shall be 
 moderate in my terms. Still, remember, I must have fifty millions of francs, and 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 11 
 
 1 will not consent to take less. I would rather make some desperate effort to 
 preserve this fine country." 
 
 That day the negotiations commenced. Mr. Monroe reached Paris on the 
 1 2th of April, and the two representatives of the United States, after holding a 
 private interview, announced that they were ready to treat for the entire territory. 
 On the3othof April, 1803, eighteendays afterward, the treaty was signed, and on the 
 
 2 ist of October, of the same year, congress ratified the treaty. The United States 
 were to pay $11,250,000, and her citizens to be compensated for some illegal cap- 
 tures, to the amount of $3,750,000, making in the aggregate the sum of $15,000,- 
 000, while it was agreed that the vessels and merchandise of France and Spain 
 should be admitted into all the ports of Louisiana free of duty for twelve years. 
 Bonaparte stipulated in favor of Louisiana, that it should be, as soon as possible, 
 incorporated into the Union, and that its inhabitants should enjoy the same rights, 
 privileges and immunities as other citizens of the United States, and the clause 
 giving to them these benefits, was drawn up by Bonaparte, who presented it to the 
 plenipotentiaries with these words: "Make it known to the people of Louisiana, 
 that we regret to part with them ; that we have stipulated for all the advantages 
 they could desire ; and that France, in giving them up, has insured to them the 
 greatest of all. They could never have prospered under any European govern- 
 ment as they will when they become independent. But while they enjoy the priv- 
 ileges of liberty let them remember that they are French, and preserve for their 
 mother country that affection which a common origin inspires." 
 
 Complete satisfaction was given to both parties in the terms of the treaty. 
 Mr. Livingston said : "I consider that from this day the United States takes rank 
 with the first powers of Europe, and now she has entirely escaped from the power 
 of England," and Bonaparte expressed a similar sentiment when he said: "By 
 this cession of territory I have secured the power of the United States, and given 
 to England a maritime rival, who, at some future time, will humble her pride." 
 These were prophetic words, for within a few years afterward the British met with 
 a signal defeat, on the plains of the very territory of which the great Corsican 
 had been speaking. 
 
 From 1800, the date of the cession made by Spain, to 1803, when it was pur- 
 chased by the United States, no change had been made by the French authorities 
 in the jurisprudence of the Upper and Lower Louisiana, and during this period 
 the Spanish laws remained in full force, as the laws of the entire province ; a fact 
 which is of interest to those who would understand the legal history and some of 
 the present laws of Missouri. 
 
 On December 20th, 1803, Gens. Wilkinson and Claiborne, who were jointly 
 commissioned to take possession of the territory for the United States, arrived in 
 the city of New Orleans at the head of the American forces. Laussat, who had 
 taken possession but twenty days previously as the prefect of the colony, gave up 
 his command, and the star-spangled banner supplanted the tri-colored flag of 
 France. The agent of France, to take possession of Upper Louisiana from the 
 Spanish authorities, was Amos Stoddard, captain of artillery in the United States 
 service. He was placed in possession of St. Louis on the 9th of March, 1804, by 
 Charles Dehault Delassus, the Spanish commandant, and on the following day he 
 transferred it to the United States. The authority of the United States in Mis- 
 souri dates from this day. 
 
 From that moment the interests of the people of the Mississippi Valley be- 
 came identified. They were troubled no more with the uncertainties of free navi- 
 gation. The great river, along whose banks they had planted their towns and vil- 
 lages, now afforded them a safe and easy outlet to the markets of the world. Un- 
 der the protecting aegis of a government. Republican in form, and having free 
 access to an almost boundless domain, embracing in its broad area the diversified 
 climates of the globe, and possessing a soil unsurpassed for fertility, beauty of 
 
12 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 scenery and wealth of minerals, they had every incentive to push on their enter 
 prises and build up the land wherein their lot had been cast. 
 
 In the purchase of Louisiana, it was known that a great em lire had been se- 
 cured as a heritage to the people of our country, for all time to corns, but of its 
 grandeur, its possibilities, its inexhaustible resources and the important relations it 
 would sustain to the nation and the world were never dreamed of by even Mr. 
 Jefferson and his adroit and accomplished diplomatists. 
 
 The most ardent imagination never conceived of the progress, which 
 would mark the history of the "Great West." The adventurous pioneer, who 
 fifty years ago pitched his tent upon its broad prairies, or threaded the dark laby- 
 rinths of its lonely forests, little thought, that a mighty tide of physical and in 
 tellectual strength, would so rapidly flow on in his footsteps, to populate, build 
 up and enrich the domain which he had conqaered. 
 
 Year after year, civilization has advanced further and further, until at length 
 the mountains, the plains, the hills and the valleys, and even the rocks and the 
 caverns, resound with the noise and din of busy millions. 
 
 " I beheld the westward marches 
 Of the unknown crowded Nations. 
 All the land was full of people, 
 Restless, struggling, toiling, striving, 
 Speaking many tongues, yet feeling 
 But one heart-beat in their bosoms. 
 In the woodlands rang their axes. 
 Smoked their towns in all the valleys ; 
 Over all the lakes and rivers 
 Rushed their great canoes of thunder." 
 
 In 1804, Congress, by an act, passed in April of the same year, divided 
 Louisiana into two parts, the "Territory of Orleans," and the "District of 
 Louisiana," known as "Upper Louisiana" This district, included all that por- 
 tion of the old province, north of "Hope Encampment," on the Lower Missis- 
 sippi, and embraced the present State of Missouri, and all the western region of 
 country to the Pacific Ocean, and all below the forty-ninth degree of north lati- 
 tude not claimed by Spain. 
 
 As a matter of convenience, on March 26th, 1804, Missouri was placed 
 within the jurisdiction of the government of the Territory of Indiana, and its 
 government put in motion, by Gen. WiUiam H. Harrison, then governor of 
 Indiana. In this, he was assisted by Judges Griffin, Vanderberg and Davis, 
 who established in St. Louis, what were called. Courts of Common Pleas. The 
 District of Louisiana, was regularly organized into the Territory of Louisiana by 
 Congress, March 3d, 1805, and President Jefferson, appointed Gen. James 
 Wilkinson, Governor, and Frederick Bates, Secretary. The Legislature of the 
 Territory, was formed by Governor Wilkinson and Judges R. J. Meigs, and John 
 B. C. Lucas. In 1807, Governor Wilkinson was succeeded by Captain Meri- 
 wether Lewis, who had become famous by reason of his having made the expe- 
 dition with Clark. Governor Lewis committed suicide in 1809 and President 
 Madison, appointed Gen. Benjamin Howard, of Lexington, Kentucky, to fill his 
 place. Gen. Howard resigned October 25, i8io, to enter the war of 1812, 
 and died in St. Louis, in 1814. Captain William Clark, of Lewis and Clark's 
 expedition, was appointed Governor in 1810, to succeed Gen. Howard, and 
 remained in office, until the admission of the State into the Union. 
 
 The portions of Missouri, which were settled, for the purposes of local 
 government were divided into four districts. Cape Girardeau was the first, and 
 embraced the territory, between Tywappity Bottom and Apple Creek. Ste. 
 Genevieve, the second, embraced the territory from Apple Creek to the Meramec 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. . 13 
 
 River. St. Louis, the third, embraced the territory between the Meramec and 
 Missouri Rivers. St. Charles, the fourth, included the settled territory, between 
 the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The total population of these districts at 
 that time, was 8,670, including slaves. The population of the district of Louis- 
 iana, when ceded to the United States was 10,120. 
 
 CHAPTER IT. 
 DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Name — Extent — Surface — Rivers — Timber — Climate — Prairies— Soils — Populati^ti by Counties. 
 
 NAME. 
 
 The name Missouri, is derived from the Indian tongue and signifies muddy. 
 
 EXTENT. 
 
 Missouri is bounded on the north by Iowa (from which it is separated for 
 about thirty miles on the northeast, by the Des Moines River), and on the east 
 by the Mississippi River, which divides it from Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, 
 and on the west by the Indian Territory, and by the states of Kansas and Nebraska. 
 The state lies (with the exception of a small projection between the St. Francis 
 and the Mississippi Rivers, which extends to 36°), between 36° 30' and 40° 36' 
 north latitude, and between 12° 2' and 18° 51' west longitude from Washington. 
 
 The extreme width of the state east and west, is about 348 miles ; its width 
 on its northern boundary, measured from its northeast corner along the Iowa 
 line, to its intersection with the Des Moines River, is about 210 miles ; its width 
 on its southern boundary is about 288 miles. Its average width is about 235 miles. 
 
 The length of the state north and south, not including the narrow strip 
 between the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers, is about 282 miles. It is about 
 450 miles from its extreme northwest corner to its southeast corner, and from the 
 northeast corner to the southwest corner, it is about 230 miles. These limits 
 embrace an area of 65,350 square miles, or 41,824,000 acres, being nearly as 
 large as England, and the states of Vermont and New Hampshire. 
 
 SURFACE. 
 
 North of the Missouri, the state is level or undulating, while the portion 
 south of that river (the larger portion of the state) exhibits a greater variety of 
 surface. In the southeastern part is an extensive marsh, reaching beyond the 
 state into Arkansas. The remainder of this portion between the Mississippi and 
 Osage Rivers is rolling, and gradually rising into a hilly and mountainous district, 
 forming the outskirts of the Ozark Mountains. 
 
 Beyond the Osage River, at some distance, commences a vast expanse of 
 prairie land which stretches away toward the Rocky Mountains. The ridges 
 ibrming the Ozark chain extend in a northeast and southwest direction, separat- 
 ing the waters that flow northeast into the Missouri from those that flow southeast 
 into the Mississippi River. 
 
 RIVERS. 
 
 No state in the Union enjoys better facilities, for navigation than Missouri. 
 &y means of the Mississippi River, which stretches along her entire eastern 
 boundary, she can hold commercial intercourse with the most northern territory 
 
14 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 and state in the Union ; with the whole valley of the Ohio ; with many of the 
 Atlantic States, and with the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 "Ay, gather Europe's royal rivers all — 
 
 The snow-swelled Neva, with an Empire's weight 
 
 On her broad breast, she yet may overwhelm ; 
 
 Dark Danube, hurrying, as by foe pursued, 
 
 Through shaggy forests and by palace walls, 
 
 To hide its terrors in a sea of gloom ; 
 
 The castled Rhine, whose vine-crowned waters flow, 
 
 The fount of fable and the source of song ; 
 
 The rushing Rhone, in whose cerulean depths 
 
 'Ihe loving sky seems wedded with the wave ; 
 
 The yellow Tiber, chok'd with Roman spoils, 
 
 A dying miser shrinking 'neath his gold ; 
 
 The Seine, where fashion glasses the fairest forms ; 
 
 And Thames that bears the riches of the world ; 
 
 Gather their waters in one ocean mass, 
 
 Our Mississippi rolhng proudly on, 
 
 Would sweep them from its path, or swallow up, 
 
 Like Aaron's rod, these streams of fame and song." 
 
 By the Missouri River she can extend her commerce to the Rocky Mountains, 
 and receive in return the products which will come in the course of time, by its 
 multitude of tributaries. 
 
 The Missouri River coasts the northwest Hne of the State for about 250 miles, 
 following its windings, and then flows through the State, a little south of east, to 
 its junction with the Mississippi. The Missouri River receives a number of trib- 
 utaries within the limits of the State, the principal of which are the Nodaway, 
 Platte, Loutre and Chariton from the north, and the Blue, Sniabar, Grand, Osage 
 and Gasconade from the south. The principal tributaries of the Mississippi within 
 the State, are the S ilt River, north, and the Maramec River south, of the Missouri. 
 
 The St. Francis and White Rivers, with their branches, drain the southeastern 
 part of the State, and pass into Arkansas. The Osage is navigable for steamboats 
 for more than 275 miles. There are a vast number of smaller streams, such as 
 creeks, branches and rivers, which water the State in all directions. 
 
 Timber. — Not more towering in their sublimity were the cedars of ancient 
 Lebanon, nor more precious in their utility were the almUng-trees of Ophir, than 
 the native forests of Missouri. The river bottoms are covered with a luxuriant 
 growth of oak, ash, elm, hickory, cottonwood, linn, white and black walnut, and 
 m fact, all the varieties found in the Atlantic and Eastern States. In the more 
 barren districts may be seen the white and pin oak, and in many places a dense 
 growth of pine. The crab apple, papaw and persimmon are abundant, as also 
 the hazel and pecan. 
 
 Climate. — The climate of Missouri is, in general, pleasant and salubrious. 
 Like that of North America, it is changeable, and subject to sudden and sometimes 
 extreme changes of heat and cold ; but it is decidedly milder, taking the whole 
 year through, than that of the same latitudes east of the mountains. While the 
 summers are not more oppressive than they are in the corresponding latitudes on 
 and near the Atlantic coast, the winters are shorter, and very much milder, except 
 during the month of February, which has many days of pleasant sunshine. 
 
 Prairies. — Missouri is a prairie State, especially that portion of it north and 
 northwest of the Missouri River. These prairies, along the water courses, abound 
 with the thickest and most luxurious belts of timber, while the " rolling " prairies 1 
 occupy the higher portions of the country, the descent generally to the forests or 
 bottom lands being over only declivities. Many of these prairies, however, ex- 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 15 
 
 hibit a gracefully waving surface, swelling and sinking with an easy slope, and a 
 full, rounded_ outline, equally avoiding the unmeaning horizontal surface and the 
 interruption of abrupt or angular elevations. 
 
 These prairies often embrace extensive tracts of land, and in one or two in- 
 stances they cover an area of fifty thousand acres. During the spring and summer 
 they are carpeted with a velvet of green, and gaily bedecked with flowers of 
 various forms and hues, making a most fascinating panorama of ever changing 
 color and loveliness. To fully appreciate their great beauty and magnitude, they 
 must be seen. 
 
 Soil. — The soil of Missouri- is good, and of great agricultural capabilities, but 
 che most fertile portions of the State are the river bottoms, which are a rich allu- 
 vium, mixed in many cases with sand, the producing qualities of which are not 
 excelled by the prolific valley of the famous Nile. 
 
 South of the Missouri River there is a greater variety of soil, but much of it 
 is fertile, and even in the mountains and mineral districts there are rich valleys, 
 .and about the sources of the White, Eleven Points, Current and Big Black Rivers, 
 the soil, though unproductive, furnishes a valuable growth of yellow pine. 
 
 The marshy lands in the southeastern part of the State will, by a system of 
 drainage, be one of the most fertile districts in the State. 
 
 POPULATION BY COUNTIES IN 1870, 1876, 1880. 
 
 1870. 1876. 1880. 
 
 Adair ii,449 13.774 i5>i90 
 
 Andtew 15. ^37 i4,992 '6,318 
 
 Atchison 8,440 10,925 14,565 
 
 Audrain 12,307 i5,iS7 i9,739 
 
 Barry 10,373 11,146 14,4^4 
 
 Barton 5,087 6,900 , 10,332 
 
 Bates 15,960 17,484 25,382 
 
 Benton 11,322 11,027 12,398 
 
 Bollinger 8,163 8,884 11,132 
 
 Boone . 20,765 31,923 25,424 
 
 Buchanan 35,109 38,165 49,824 
 
 Butler 4,298 4,363 6,011 
 
 Caldwell 11,390 12,200 13 654 
 
 Callaway 19,202 25,257 23,670 
 
 Camden 6,108 7,027 7,269 
 
 Cape Girardeau 17,558 17,891 20,998 
 
 Carroll 17,44° 21,498 23.300 
 
 Carter i,44o i,549 2,168 
 
 Cass 19,299 18,069 22,431 
 
 Cedar 9,471 9,897 10,747 
 
 Chariton 19,136 23,394 25,224 
 
 Christian 6,707 7,936 9,632 
 
 Clark 13,667 14,549 15,631 
 
 Clay • 15,564 15.320 15.579 
 
 Clinton 14,063 13,698 16,073 
 
 Cole 10,292 14,122 15,519 
 
 Cooper 20,692 21,356 21,622 
 
 Crawford 7,982 9,391 10,763 
 
 Oade 8,683 11,089 12,557 
 
 AJlas 8,383 8,073 9,272 
 
 Daviess i4,4io i6,557 19>174 
 
 DeKalb 9,858 ii,iS9 13.343 
 
 Dent 6,357 7.4oi 10,647 
 
16 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Douglas 3,915 
 
 Dunklin 5,982 
 
 Franklin 30,098 
 
 Gasconade 10,093 
 
 Gentry 11,607 
 
 Greene 2r,549 
 
 Grundy 10,567 
 
 Harrison 14 63s 
 
 Henry 17,401 
 
 Hickory 6,452 
 
 Holt 11,652 
 
 Howard 17,233 
 
 Howell 4,218 
 
 Iron 6,278 
 
 Jackson 55, 041 
 
 Jasper 14,928 
 
 Jefferson 15,380 
 
 Johnson 24,648 
 
 Knox 10,974 
 
 Laclede . ' 9,380 
 
 Lafayette 22,624 
 
 Lawrence 13 ©67 
 
 Lewis 15,114 
 
 Lincoln 15,960 
 
 Linn 15,906 
 
 Livingston 16,730 
 
 McDonald 5,226 
 
 Macon 23,230 
 
 Madison 5,849 
 
 Maries 5,9 '6 
 
 Marion 23,780 
 
 Mercer ii,5S7 
 
 Miller 6,616 
 
 Mississippi 4,982 
 
 Moniteau 13, 375 
 
 Monroe 17,149 
 
 Montgomery 10,405 
 
 Morgan 8,434 
 
 New Madrid 6,357 
 
 Newton i2,82r 
 
 Nodaway 14,751 
 
 Oregon 3,287 
 
 Osage 10,793 
 
 Ozark 3,363 
 
 Pemiscot 2,059 
 
 Perry 9,877 
 
 Pettis 18,706 
 
 Phelps 10,506 
 
 Pike • 23,076 
 
 Platte. , , 17,352 
 
 Polk 14,445 
 
 Pulaski 4,714 
 
 Putnam 11,217 
 
 Ralls 10,510 
 
 Randolph 15,908 
 
 6,461 
 
 7,753 
 
 6,25.') 
 
 9,604 
 
 26,924 
 
 26,536 
 
 11,160 
 
 11,153 
 
 12,673 
 
 17,188 
 
 24,693 
 
 28,817 
 
 13,071 
 
 i5,2or 
 
 18,530 
 
 20,318 
 
 18,465 
 
 23,914 
 
 5,87° 
 
 7,38^ 
 
 13,245 
 
 15,51" 
 
 17,815 
 
 i8,42JJ 
 
 6,756 
 
 8,8m 
 
 6,623 
 
 8. 1 S3 
 
 54,04s 
 
 82,328 
 
 29,384 
 
 32,021. 
 
 16,186 
 
 18,736 
 
 23,646 
 
 28,177 
 
 12,678 
 
 13,047 
 
 9,845 
 
 11,524 
 
 22,204 
 
 25,761 
 
 13,054 
 
 17,585 
 
 16,360 
 
 15,925 
 
 16,858 
 
 17,443 
 
 18,1 10 
 
 20,016 
 
 18 074 
 
 20,205 
 
 6,072 
 
 7,816 
 
 25,028 
 
 26,223 
 
 8,750 
 
 8 806 
 
 6,481 
 
 7,304 
 
 22,794 
 
 24,837 
 
 13.393 
 
 14,674 
 
 8,529 
 
 9,8c7 
 
 7,498 
 
 9,270 
 
 13,084 
 
 14,349 
 
 17,751 
 
 19,07s 
 
 14,418 
 
 16,250 
 
 9,529 
 
 10,134 
 
 6,673 
 
 7,694 
 
 16,87s 
 
 18,948 
 
 a3,i96 
 
 29,560 
 
 4,469 
 
 5,791 
 
 11,200 
 
 11,824 
 
 4-579 
 
 5,618 
 
 3,573 
 
 4,299 
 
 11,189 
 
 11,895 
 
 23,167 
 
 27,285 
 
 9,919 
 
 12,565 
 
 22,828 
 
 26,716 
 
 15,948 
 
 17.372 
 
 13,467 
 
 15,74s 
 
 6,157 
 
 7,250 
 
 12,641 
 
 13,556 
 
 9,997 
 
 11,838 
 
 19,173. 
 
 22,751 
 
18 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Ray 18,700 18,394 20.196 
 
 Reynolds 3>7S6 4,7i6 5-722 
 
 Ripley 3,175 3.913 5.377 
 
 St. Charles 21.304 21.821 23,060 
 
 St. Clair 6,742 11,242 14,126 
 
 St. Francois 9.742 11,621 13,822 
 
 Ste. Genevieve 8.384 9.409 i°.309 
 
 St. Louis* 351.189 • • • 31.888 
 
 :,aline 21,672 27,087 29,912 
 
 Schuyler 8,820 9.881 10,470 
 
 Scotland 10,670 12,030 12,507 
 
 Scott 7.317 7,312 8,587 
 
 Shannon 2,339 3,236 3,441 
 
 Shelby 10,119 13.243 14,024 
 
 Stoddard 8,535 10,888 13,432 
 
 Stone ■ 3.253 3.544 4,4o5 
 
 Sullivan 11,907 14,039 16,569 
 
 Taney 4.407 6,124 5,605 
 
 Texas 9.618 10,287 12,207 
 
 Vernon 11,247 I4,4i3 i9.37o 
 
 Warren 9.673 10,321 10,806 
 
 Washington • ii,7i9 13,100 12,895 
 
 Wayne 6,068 7,006 9,097 
 
 Webster io,434 10,684 12,175 
 
 Worth 5,004 7,164 8,208 
 
 Wright 5. 684 6,124 9,733 
 
 City of St. Louis • • • 35°,522 
 
 "o 1,721,295 1,547,030 2,168,804 
 
 Males 1,127,424 
 
 Females 1,041,380 
 
 Native i, 957, 564 
 
 Foreign 211,240 
 
 White 2,023,568 
 
 Coloredf 1 HS- 236 
 
 CHAPTER IFL 
 GEOLOGY OF MISSOURL 
 
 Classification of Rocks — Quatenary Formation — Tertiary — Cretaceous — Cartoniferous— Devonian 
 — Silurian — Azoic — Economic Geology — Coal — Iron — Lead — Copper — Zinc — Building Stone 
 Marble — Gypsum — Lim^ — Clays — Paints — Springs — Water Power, 
 
 The stratified rocks of Missouri, as classified and treated of by Prof. G. C. 
 Swallow, belong to the following divisions : I. Quatenary ; II. Tertiary ; III. 
 Cretaceous ; IV. Carboniferous ; V. Devonian ; VI. Silurian , VII. Azoic. 
 
 "The Quatenary formations, are the most recent, and the most valuable to 
 man : valuable, because they can be more readily utilized. 
 
 * St. Louis city and county separated in 1877. Population for 1876 not given, 
 t Including 92 Chinese, 2 half Chinese, and 96 Indians and half-breeds. 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 19 
 
 The Quatenary formation in Missouri, embraces the Alluvium, 30 feet 
 thick ; Bottom Prairie, 30 feet thick ; Bluff, 200 feet thick ; and Drift, 155 feet 
 thick. The latest deposits are those which constitute the Alluvium, and includes 
 the soils, pebbles and sand, clays, vegetable mold, bog, iron ore, marls, etc. 
 
 The Alluvium deposits, cover an area, within the limits of Missouri, of more 
 than four millions acres of land, which are not surpassed for fertility by any 
 region of country on the globe. 
 
 The Bluif Prairie formation is confined to the low lands, which are washed 
 by the two great rivers which ci)urse our eastern and western boundaries, and 
 while it is only about half as extensive as the Alluvial, it is equally as rich and 
 productive." 
 
 " The Bluff formation," says Prof Swallow, "rests upon the ridges and river 
 bluffs, and descends along their slopes to the lowest valleys, the formation cap- 
 ping all the Bluffs of the Missouri from Fort Union to its mouth, and those of the 
 Mississippi from Dubuque to the mouth of the Ohio. It forms the upper stratum 
 beneath the soil of all the high lands, both timber and prairies, of all the counties 
 north of the Osage and Missouri, and also St. Louis, and the Mississippi counties 
 on the south. 
 
 Its greatest development is in the counties on the Missouri River from the 
 Iowa line to Boonville. In some localities it is 200 feet thick. At St. Joseph it 
 is 140 ; at Boonville 100 ; and at St. Louis, in St. George's quarry, and the Big 
 Mour.d, it is about 50 feet ; while its greatest observed thickness in Marion 
 county was only 30 feet." 
 
 The Drift formation is that which lies beneath the Bluff formation, having, as 
 Prof. Swallow informs us, three distinct deposits, to-wit : "Altered Drift, which 
 are strata of sand and pebbles, seen in the banks of the Missouri, in the north- 
 western portion of the state. 
 
 The Boulder formation is a heterogeneous stratum of sand, gravel and 
 boulder, and water-worn fragments of the older rocks. 
 
 Boulder Clay is a bed of bluish or brown sandy clay, through which pebbles 
 are scattered in greater or less abundance. In some localities in northern 
 Missouri, this formation assumes a pure white, pipe-clay color." /-\ 
 
 The Tertiary formation is made up of clays, shales, iron ores, saiy ^^e, and 
 sands, scattered along the bluffs, and edges of the bottoms, reachinsr • \:om- 
 merce, Scott county, to Stoddard, and south to the Chalk Bluffs in / '0-<^. 
 
 The Cretaceous formation lies beneath the Tertiary, and is/ '^^^os,eA of 
 variegated sandstone, bluish-brown sandy slate, whitish-brown imp' ic sandstone, 
 fine white clay mingled with spotted flint, purple, red and blue iiays, all being 
 in the aggregate, 158 feet in thickness. There are no fossils in these rocks, and 
 nothing by which their age may be told. 
 
 The Carboniferous system includes the Upper Carboniferous or coal- 
 measures, and the Lower Carboniferous or Mountain limestone. The coal- 
 measures are made up of numerous strata of sandstones, limestones, shales, clays, 
 marls, spathic iron ores, and coals. 
 
 The Carboniferous formation, including coal-measures and the beds of iron, 
 embrace an area in Missouri of 27,000 square miles. The varieties of coal found 
 in the State are the common bituminous and cannal coals, and they exist in 
 ■quantities inexhaustible. The fact that these coal measures are full of fossils, 
 which are always confined to the coal measures, enables the geologist to point 
 them out, and the coal beds contained in them. 
 
 The rocks of the Lower Carboniferous formation are varied in color, and are 
 quarried in many different parts of the State, being extensively utilized for build- 
 ing and other purposes. 
 
 Among the Lower Carboniferous rocks is found the Upper Archimedes 
 Limestone, 200 feet ; Ferruginous Sandstone, 195 feet ; Middle Archimedes, 50 
 
20 HJSTORY OF MI.SOURI. 
 
 feet; St. Louis Limtstorie, 250 feet; Oolitic Limestone, 25 feet; Lower Archi- 
 medes Limestone, 350 feet ; and Encrinital Limestone, 500 feet. These lime- 
 stones generally contain fossils. 
 
 The Ferruginous limestone is soft when quarried, but becomes hard and du- 
 rable after exposure. It contains large quantities of iron, and is found skirting the 
 eastern coal measures from the mouth of the Des Moines to McDonald county. 
 
 The St. Louis limestone is of various hues and tints, and very hard. It is 
 found in Clark, Lewis and St. Louis counties. 
 
 The Lower Archimedes limestone includes partly the lead bearing rocks of 
 Southwestern Missouri. 
 
 The Encrinital limestone is the most extensive of the divisions of Carbonifer- 
 ous limestone, and is made up of brown, buff, gray and white. In these strata are 
 found the remains of corals and mollusks. This formation extends from Marion 
 county to Greene .county. The Devonian system contains: Chemung Group, 
 Hamilton Group, Onondaga limestone and Oriskany sandstone. The rocks of the 
 Devonian system are found in Marion, Ralls, Pike, Callaway, Saline and St. Gene- 
 vieve counties. 
 
 The Chemung Group has three formations, Chouteau limestone, 85 feet; Ver- 
 micular sandstone and shales, 75 feet; Lithographic limestone, 125 feet. 
 
 The Chouteau limestone is in two divisions, when fully developed, and when 
 first quarried is soft. It is not only good for building purposes but makes an ex- 
 cellent cement. 
 
 The Vermicular sandstone and shales are usually buff or yellowish brown, and 
 perforated with pores. 
 
 The Lithographic limestone is a pure, fine, compact, evenly-textured lime- 
 stone. Its color varies from light drab to buff and blue. It is called "pot met- 
 al," because under the hammer it gives a sharp, ringing sound. It has but few 
 fossils. 
 
 The Hamilton Group is made up of some 40 feet of blue shales, and 170 feet 
 of crystalline limestone. 
 
 Onondaga limestone is usually a coarse, gray or buff crystalline, thick-bedded 
 and cherty limestone. No formation in Missouri pres,ents such variable and wide 
 ly different lithological characters as the Onondaga. 
 
 The Oriskany sandstone is a light, gray limestone. 
 
 Of the Upper Silurian series there are the following formations : Lower Hel- 
 derburg, 350 feet ; Niagara Group, 200 feet; Cape Girardeau limestone, 60 feet. 
 
 Tl-.e Lower Helderberg is made up of buff, gray and reddish cherty and ar- 
 gillaceous limestone. 
 
 Niagara Group. The upper part of this group consists of red, yellow and ash- 
 colored shales, with compact limestones, variegated with bands and nodules of 
 chert. 
 
 The Cape Girardeau limestone, on the Mississippi River near Cape Girardeau, 
 is a compact, bluish-gray, brittle limestone, with smooth fractures in layers from 
 two to six inches in thickness, with argillaceous partings. "These strata contain a 
 great many <ossils. 
 
 The Lower Silurian has the following ten formations, to-wit : Hudson River 
 Group, 220 feet; Trenton limestone, 360 feet; Black River and Bird's Eye lime- 
 stone, 175 feet; first Magnesian limestone, 200 feet; Saccharoidal sandstone, 125 
 feet; second Magnesian limestone, 250 feet; second sandstone, 115 feet; third 
 Magnesian limestone, 350 feet ; third sandstone, 60 feet ; fourth Magnesian lime- 
 stone, 350 feet. 
 
 Hudson River Group: — There are three formations which Prof. Swallow re- 
 fers to in this group. These formations are found in the bluff above and below 
 Louisiana; on the Grassy a few miles northwest of Louisiana, and in Ralls, Pike, 
 Cape Girardeau and Ste. Genevieve Counties. 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 21 
 
 Tretiton limestone : — The upper part of this formation is made up of thick 
 beds of hard, compact, bluish gray and drab limestone, variegated with irregular 
 cavities, filled with greenish materials. 
 
 The beds are exposed between Hannibal and New London, north of Salt 
 River, and near Glencoe, St. Louii county, and are 75 feet thick. 
 
 Black River and Bird's Eye limestone the same color as the Trenton lime- 
 stone. 
 
 The first Magnesian limestone cap the pictilresque bluffs of the Osage in Ben- 
 ton and neighboring counties. « 
 
 The Saccharoidal sandstone has a wide range in the state. In a bluff about 
 two miles from Warsaw, is a very striking change of thickness of this formation. 
 
 Second Magnesian limestone, in lithological character, is like the first. 
 
 The second sandstone, usually of yellowish-brown, sometimes becomes a pure 
 white, fine-grained, soft, sandstone as on Cedar Creek, in Washington and Frank- 
 lin counties. 
 
 The third Magnesian limestone is exposed in the high and picturesque bluffs 
 of the Niangua, in the neighborhood of Bryces' Spring. 
 
 The third sandstone is white and has a formation in moving water. 
 
 The fourth Magnesian limestone is seen on the Niangua and Osage Rivers. 
 
 The Azoic rocks lie below the Silurian and form a series of silicious and other 
 slates which contain no remains of organic life. 
 
 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. 
 
 Coal. — Missouri is particularly rich in minerals. Indeed, no State in the 
 Union, surpasses her in this respect. In some unknown age of the past— long 
 before the existence of man, nature, by a wise process, made a bountiful provis- 
 ion, for the time, when in the order of things, it should be necessary for civilized 
 man — to take possession of these broad, rich prairies. As an equivalent for lack 
 of forests, she quietly stored away beneath the soil, those wonderful carbDniferous 
 treasures for the use of man. 
 
 Geological surveys, have developed the fact, that the coal deposits in the 
 State, are almost unnumbered, embracing all varieties of the best bituminous coal. 
 The southeast boundary of the State, has been ascertained, to be one continuous 
 coal field, stretching from the mouth of the Des Moines River, through Clark, 
 Lewis, Scotland, Adair, Macon, Shelby, Monroe, Audrain, Callaway, Boone, 
 Cooper, Pettis, Benton, Henry, St. Clair, Bates, Vernon, Cedar, Dade, Barton, 
 and Jasper, into the Indian Territory, and the counties on the northwest of this 
 line contain more or less coal. Coal rocks exist in Ralls, Montgomery, Warren, 
 St. Charles, Moniteau, Cole, Morgan, Crawford, and Lincoln, and during the 
 past few years, all along the lines of all the railroads in north Missouri, and along 
 the western end of the Missouri Pacific, and on the Missouri River, between 
 Kansas City and Sioux City, has systematic mining, opened up hundreds ol 
 mines in different localities. The area of our coal beds, on the line of the south- 
 western boundary of the State alone, embrace more than 26,000 square miles, ol 
 regular coal measures. This will give of workable coal, if the average be one 
 foot, 26,800,000,000 tons. The estimates from the developments already made, 
 in the different portions of the State, will give 134,000,000,000 tons. 
 
 The economical value of this coal, to the State; its influence in domestic 
 life ; in navigation, commerce and manufactures, is beyond the imagination of 
 man to conceive. Suffice it to say, that in the possession of her developed, and 
 undeveloped coal mines, Missouri has a motive power, which in its influences 
 for good, in the civilization of man, is more potent than the gold of Cahfornia. 
 
 Iron. — Prominent among the minerals, which increase the power and pros- 
 perity of a Nation, is iron. Of this ore, Missouri has an inexhaustible quantity, 
 and like her coal fields, it has been developed in many portions of the State, 
 
22 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 and of the best and purest quality. It is found in great abundance in the coun- 
 ties of Cooper, St. Clair, Green, Henry, Franklin, Benton, Dallas, Camden, 
 Stone, Madison, Iron, Washington, Perry, St. Francois, Reynolds, Stoddard, 
 Scott, Dent and others. The greatest deposit of iron, is found in the Iron 
 Mountain, which is two hundred feet high, and covers an area of five hundred 
 acres, and produces a metal, which is shown by analysis, to contain from 65 to 
 69 per cent of metallic iron. 
 
 The ore of Shepherd Mount&in contains from 64 to 67 per cent of metallic 
 iron. The ore of Pilot inob, contains from 53 to 60 per cent. 
 
 Rich beds of iron, are also found at the Big Bogy Mountain, and at Russell 
 Mountain. This ore has in its nude state, a variety of colors, from the red, 
 dark red, black, brown, to a light bluish gray. The red ores are found in 21 or 
 more counties of the State, and are of great commercial value. The brown 
 hematite iron ores, extend over a greater range of country, than all the others 
 combined; embracing about 100 counties, and have been ascertained to exist in 
 these in large quantities. 
 
 Lead. — Long before any permanent settlements were made in Missouri, by 
 the whites, lead was mined within the limits of the state, at two or three points on 
 the Mississippi. At this time more than five hundred mines are opened, and 
 many of them are being successfully worked. These deposits of lead cover an 
 area, so far as, developed, of more than 7,000 square miles. Mines have been 
 opened in Jefferson, Washinsfton, St. Francis, Madison, Wayne, Carter, Reynolds, 
 Crawford, Ste. Genevieve, Perry, Cole, Cape Girardeau, Camden, Morgan and 
 many other counties. 
 
 Copper and Zinc. — Several varieties of copper ore are found in Missouri. The 
 copper mines of Shannon, Madison, and Franklin counties have been known for 
 j'ears, and Some of these have been successfully worked, and are now yielding 
 good results. 
 
 Deposits of copper have been discovered in Dent, Crawford, Benton, Maries, 
 Green, Lawrence. Dade, Taney, Dallas, Phelps, Reynolds, and Wright counties. 
 
 Zinc is abundant in nearly all the lead mines in the southwestern part of the 
 state, and since the completion of the A. fir P. R. R. a market has been furnished 
 for this ore, which will be converted into valuable merchandise. 
 
 Building Stone and Marble. — There is no scarcity of good building stone in 
 Missouri. Limestone, sandstone, and granite exist in all shades of buff, blue, red, 
 and brown, and are of great beauty as building material. 
 
 There are many marble beds in the state, some of which furnish very beauti- 
 ful and excellent marble. It is found in Marion, Cooper, St. Louis, and other 
 counties. 
 
 One of the most desirable of the Missouri marbles is in the 3d Magnesian 
 limestone, on the Niangua. It is fine-grained, crystalline, silico-magnesian lime- 
 stone, light-drab, slightly tinged with peach blossom, and clouded by deep flesh- 
 colored shades. In ornamental architecture it is rarely surpassed. 
 
 Gypsum and Lime. — Though no extensive beds of gypsum have been discovered 
 in Missouri, there are vast beds of the pure white crystalline variety on the lifie of 
 the Kansas Pacific Railroad, on Kansas River, and on Gypsum Creek. It exists 
 Iso in several other localities accessible by both rail and boat. 
 
 All of the limestone formations in the State, from the coal measures to the 
 fourth Magnesian, have more or less strata of very nearly pure carbonate of pure 
 lime. 
 
 Clays and Paints. — Clays are found in nearly all parts of the State suitable for 
 making bricks. Potters' clay, and fire-clay are worked in many localities. 
 
 There .are several beds of purple shades in the coal measures which possess the 
 properties requisite for paints used in outside work. Yellow and red ochres are 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 23 
 
 found in considerable quantities on the Missouri River. * Some of these paints have 
 been thoroughly tested and found fire-proof and durable. 
 
 SPRINGS AND WATER POWER. 
 
 No State is, perhaps, better supplied with cold springs of pure water than 
 Missouri. Out of the bottoms there is scarcely a section of land but has one or 
 more perennial springs of good water. Even where there are no springs good 
 water can be obtained by digging from twenty to forty feet. Salt springs are 
 abundant in the central part of the State, and discharge their brine in Cooper, 
 Saline, Howard, and adjoining counties. Considerable salt was made in Cooper 
 and Howard counties at an early day. 
 
 Sulphur springs are also numerous throughout the State. ' The Chouteau 
 springs in Cooper, the Monagaw springs in St. Clair, the Elk springs in Pike, and 
 the Cheltenham springs in St. Louis county have acquired considerable reputation 
 as salubrious waters, and have become popular places of resort. Many other 
 counties have good sulphur springs. 
 
 Among the Chalybeate springs the Sweet springs on the Blackwater, and the 
 Chalybeate spring in the University campus are, perhaps, the most popular of the 
 kind in the State. There are, however, other springs impregnated with some of 
 the salts of iron. 
 
 Petroleum springs are found in Carroll, Ray, Randolph, Cass, Lafayette, 
 Bates, Vernon, and other counties. The variety called lubricating oil is the more 
 common. 
 
 The water power of the State is excellent. Large springs are particularly 
 abundant on the waters of the Maramec, Gasconade, Bourbeuse, Osage, Niangua, 
 Spring, White, Sugar, and other streams. Besides these, there are hundreds of 
 springs sufficiently large to drive mills and factories, arid the day is not far distant 
 when these crystal fountains will be utilized, and a thousand saws will buzz lo 
 their dashing music. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 Title to Missouri Lands — Right of Discovery — Title of France and Spain— Cession to the United 
 States — Territorial Changes — Treaties with Indians — First Settlement— Ste, Genevieve and 
 New Bourbon — St. Louis — When Incorporated — Potosi — St. Charles — Portage des Sioux — 
 New Madiid — St. Francois County — Perry — Mississippi — Loutre Island — " Boon's Lick " — 
 Cote Sans Dessein — Howard County — Some First Things^Counties — When Organized, 
 
 The title to the soil of Missouri, was, of couf-se, primarily vested in the 
 original occupants who inhabited the country prior to its discovery by the whites. 
 But the Indians, being savages, possessed but few rights that civilized nations 
 considered themselves bound to respect, so when they found this country in 
 the possession of such a people, they claimed it in the name of the King of 
 France, by the right of discovery. It remained under the jurisdiction of France 
 until r763. 
 
 Prior to the year 1763, the entire continent of North America, was divided 
 between France, England, Spain, and Russia. France held all that portion th;t 
 now constitutes our national domain west of the Mississippi River, except Texaf, 
 and the territory which we have obtained from Mexico and Russia. The vast 
 
24 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 ^region, while under the juTisdiction of France, was known as the " Province of 
 Louisiana," and embraced the present State of Missouri. At the close of the 
 "Old French War," in 1763, France gave up her share of the continent, and 
 Spain came into the possession of the territory west of the Mississippi River, 
 while Great Britain retained Canada and the regions northward, having obtained 
 'hat territory by conquest, in the war with France. For thirty seven years the 
 lerritory now embraced within the limits of Missouri, remained as a part of the 
 possession of Spain, and then went back to France by the treaty of St. Ildefonso, 
 October ist, 1800. On the 30th of April, 1803, France ceded it to the United 
 States, in consideration of receiving $11,250,000, and the liquidation of certain 
 claims, held byjcitizens of the United States against France, which aniounted to 
 the further sum of $3,750,000, making a total of $15,000,000. It will thus be 
 seen that France has twice, and Spain once, held sovereignty over the territory 
 embracing Missouri, but the financial needs of Napoleon afforded our government 
 an opportunity to add another empire to its domain. 
 
 On the 31st of October, 1803, an act of Congress was approved, authorizing 
 the President to take possession of the newly acquired territory, and provided 
 for it, a temporary government, and another act approved March 26th, 1804, 
 authorized the division of the "Louisiana Purchase," as it was then called, into 
 two separate territories. All that portion south of the 33d parallel of north 
 latitude, was called the " Territory of Orleans,'' and that north of the said 
 parallel was known as the "District of Louisiana," and was placed under the 
 jurisdiction of what was then known as " Indiana Territory." 
 
 By virtue of an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1805, the " District of 
 Louisiana," was organized as the "Territory of Louisiana," with a territorial 
 government of its own, which went into operation July 4th, of the same year, 
 and it so remained till 1812. In this year the "Territory of Orleans," became 
 the State of Louisiana, and the " Territory of Louisiana," was organized as the 
 " Territory of Missouri." 
 
 This change took place under an act of Congress, approved June 4th, 181 2. 
 In 1819, a portion of this territory was organized as " Arkansaw Territory," and 
 in 182 1, the State of Missouri was admitted, being a part of the former " Terri- 
 tory of Missouri." 
 
 In 1836, the " Platte Purchase," then being a part of the Indian Territory, 
 and now composing the counties of Atchison, Andrew, Buchanan, Holt, Noda- 
 way, and Platte, was made by treaty with the Indians, and added to the State, 
 It will be seen then, that the soil of Missouri belonged : 
 
 I St. — To France with other territory. 
 
 2d. — In 1768, with other territory it was ceded to Spain. 
 
 3d. — October ist, i8oo, it was ceded with other territory from Spain, back 
 to France. 
 
 4th. — April 30t 1, 1803, it was ceded with other territory by France, to the 
 United States. 
 
 5th. — October 31, iSos, a temporary government was authorized by Con 
 gress, for the newly acquired territory. 
 
 6th. — October i, 1804, it was included in the " District of Louisia?ia," and 
 placed under the territorial government of Indiana. 
 
 7th. — July 4, 1805, it was included as a part of the "Territory of Louisiana," 
 then organized with a separate territorial government. 
 
 8th. — June 4, 181 2, it was embraced in what was then made the " Territory 
 of Missouri." 
 
 9th. — August 10, 182 1, it was admitted into the Union as a State. 
 
 loth. — In 1836, the " Platte Purchase" was made, adding more territory to 
 the State. 
 
 The cession by France April 30, 1803, vested the title in the United States, 
 

 
26 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 subject to the claims of the Indians, which it was very justly the policy of the 
 government to recognize. Before the government of the United States could vest 
 clear title to the soil in the grantee it was necessary to extinguish the Indian title 
 by purchase. This was done accordingly by treaties made with the Indians, at 
 different times. 
 
 EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 The name of the first white man who set foot on the territory now embracec* 
 in the State of Missouri, is not known, nor is it known at what precise period the 
 first settlements were made. It is, however, generally agreed that they were made 
 at Ste. Genevieve and New Bourbon, tradition fixing the date of these settle- 
 ments in the autumn of 1735. These towns were settled by the French from 
 Kaskaskia and St. Philip in Illinois. 
 
 St. Louis was founded by Pierre Laclede Lignest, on the isth of February, 
 1764. He was a native of France, and was one of the members of the company 
 of Laclede Lignest, Antoino Maxant & Co. , to whom a royal charter had been 
 granted, confirming the privilege of an exclusive trade with the Indians of the 
 Missouri as far north as St. Peter's River. 
 
 Wnile in search of a trading post he ascended the Mississippi as far as the 
 mouth of the Missouri, and finally returned to the present town site of St. Louis. 
 After the village had been laid off he named it St. Louis, in honor of Louis XV, 
 of France. 
 
 The colony thrived rapidly by accessions from Kaskaskia and other towns on 
 the east side of the Mississippi, and its trade was largely increased by many of the 
 Indian tribes, who removed a portion of their peltry trade from the same towns to 
 St. Louis. It was incorporated as a town on the 9th day of November, 1809, by 
 the court of Common Pleas of the district of St. Louis ; the town trustees being 
 Auiuste Chouteau, Edward Hempstead, Jean F.Cabanne, Wm. C. Carr and Wm. 
 Christy, and incorporated as a city December 9, 1822. The selection of the 
 town site on which St. Louis stands was highly judicious, the spot not only being 
 healthful and halving the advantages of water transportation unsurpassed, but sur- 
 rounded by a beautiful region of country, rich in soil and mineral resources. St. 
 Louis has grown to be the fifth city in population in the Union, and is to-day, the 
 great center of internal commerce of the Missouri, the Mississippi and their trib- 
 utaries, and, with its failroad facilities, it is destined to be the greatest inland city 
 of the American continent. 
 
 The next settlement was made at Potosi, in Washington County, in 1765, by 
 Francis Breton, who, while chasing a bear, discovered the mine near the present 
 town of Potosi, where he afterward located. 
 
 One of the most prominent pioneers who settled at Potosi was Moses Austin, 
 of Virginia, who, in 1873, received by grant from the Spanish government a league 
 of land, now known as the " Austin Survey." The grant was made on condition 
 that Mr. Austin would establish a lead mine at Potosi and work it. He built a 
 palatial residence, for that day, on the brow of the hill in the little village, which 
 was, for many years, known as " Durham Hall." At this point the first shot- 
 tower and sheet-lead manufactory were erected. 
 
 Five years after the founding of St. Louis the first settlement made in Nonh- 
 em Missouri was made at or near St. Charles, in St. Charles county, in 1769. 
 The narne given to it, and which it retained till 1784, was Les Petites Cotes, signi- 
 fying, Little Hills. The town site was located by Blanchette, a Frenchman, sur- 
 named LeChasseur, who built the first fort in the town and established there a 
 military post. 
 
 Soon after the establishment of the military post at St. Charles, the old 
 French village of Portage des Sioux, was located on the Mississippi, just below 
 the mouth of the Illinois river, and at about the same time a Kickapoo village 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 27 
 
 was commenced at Clear Weather Lake. The present town site of New Madrid, 
 in New Madrid county, was settled in 1781, by French Canadians, it then being 
 occupied by Delaware Indians. The place now known as Big River Mills, St. 
 Francois county, was settled in 1796, Andrew Baker, John Alley, Francis 
 Starnater, and John Andrews, each locating claims. The following year, a 
 settlement was made in the same county, just below the present town of Farm- 
 ington, by the Rev. Wm. Murphy, a Baptist minister from East Tennessee. In 
 1796, settlements were made in Perry county by emigrants from Kentucky and 
 Pennsylvania; the latter locating in the rich bottom lands of Bois Brule, the 
 former generally settling in the " Barrens," and along the waters of Saline Creek. 
 
 Bird's Point, in Mississippi county, opposite Cairo, 111., was settled August 
 6th, 1800, by John Johnson, by virtue of a land-grant from the commandant 
 under the Spanish Government. Norfolk and Charleston, in the same county, 
 were settled respectively in 1800 and 1801. Warren county was settled in 1801. 
 Loutre Island, below the present town of Herman, in the Missouri River was 
 settled by a few American families in 1807. This little company of pioneers 
 suffered greatly from the floods, as well as from the incursions of thieving and 
 blood-thirsty Indians, and many incidents of a thrilling character could be 
 related of trials and struggles, had we the time and space. 
 
 In 1807, Nathan and Daniel Boone, sons of the great hunter and pioneer, in 
 company with three others went from St. Louis to " Boone's Lick," in Howard 
 county, where they manufactured salt, and formed the nucleus of a small 
 settlement. 
 
 Cote Sans Desseiu, now called Bakersville, on the Missouri River, in 
 Callaway county, was settled by the French in 1801. This little town was 
 considered at that time, as the "Far West" of the new world. During the war 
 of 181 2, at this place many hard-fought battles occurred between the whites and 
 Indians, wherein woman's fortitude and courage greatly assisted in the defense 
 of the settlement. 
 
 In 18 10, a colony of Kentuckians numbering one hundred and fifty families 
 immigrated to Howard county, and settled in the Missouri River bottom, near the 
 present town of Franklin. 
 
 Such, in brief, is the history of some of the early settlements of Missouri, 
 covering a period of more than half a century. 
 
 These settlements were made on the water courses ; usually along the banks 
 of the two great streams, whose navigation afforded them transportation for their 
 marketable commodities, and communication with the civilized portion of the 
 country. 
 
 They not only encountered the gloomy forests, settling as they did by the 
 river's brink, but the hostile incursion of savage Indians, by whom they were for 
 many years surrounded. 
 
 The expedients of these brave men who first broke ground in the Territory, 
 have been succeeded by the permanent and tasteful improvements of their 
 descendants. Upon the spots where they toiled, dared, and died, are seen the 
 comfortable farm, the beautiful village, and thrifty city. Churches and school 
 houses greet the eye on every hand ; railroads diverge in every direction, and, 
 indeed, all the appliances of a higher civilization, are profusely strewn over the 
 smiling surface of the State. 
 
 Culture's hand 
 Has scattered verdure o'er the land ; 
 And smiles and fragrance rule serene. 
 Where barren wild usurped the scene. 
 
28 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 SOME FIRST THINGS. 
 
 The first marriage that took place in Missouri was April 20, 1766, in St. Louis. 
 
 The first baptism was performed in May, 1766, in St. Louis. 
 
 The first house of worship, (Catholic), was erected in 1775, at St. Louis. 
 
 The first ferry established in 1805, on the Mississippi River, at St. Louis. 
 
 The first newspaper established in St. Louis, {Missouri Gazette), in 1808. 
 
 The first postoffice was established in 1804, in St. Louis — Rufus Easton, post- 
 ma,ster. 
 
 The first Protestant church erected at St. Genevieve, in 1806 — Baptist. 
 
 The first bank established, (Bank of St. Louis), in 1814. 
 
 The first market house opened in 1811, in St. Louis. 
 
 The first steamboat on the Upper Mississippi was the General Pike, Capt. 
 Jacob Ried; landed at St. Louis 1817. 
 
 The first board of trustees for public schools appointed in 181 7, St. Louis. 
 
 The first college built, (St. Louis College), in 1817. 
 
 The first steamboat that came up the Missouri River as high as Franklin was 
 the Independence, in 181 9; Capt. Nelson, master. 
 
 The first court house erected in 1823, in St. Louis. 
 
 The first cholera appeared in St. Louis in 1832. 
 
 The first railroad convention held in St. Louis, April 20, 1836. 
 
 The first telegraph lines reached East St. Louis, December 20, 1847, 
 
 The first great fire occurred in St. Louis, 1849. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION. 
 
 Organization iSiz — Council— House of Representatives — Wm. Clark first Territorial Governor 
 
 Edward Hempstead first Delegate — Spanish Grants — First General Assembly — Proceedings^ 
 
 Second Assembly — Proceedings — Population of Territory — Vole of Territory Rufus Easton — 
 
 Absent Members — Third Assembly — Proceedings — Application for Admission. 
 
 Congress organized Missouri as a Territory, July 4, 181 2, with a Governor 
 and General Assembly. The Governor, Legislative Council, and House of Rep- 
 resentatives exercised the Legislative power of the Territory, the Governor's 
 vetoing power being absolute. 
 
 The Legislative Council was composed of nine members, whose tenure of 
 office lasted five years. Eighteen citizens were nominated by the House of Rep- 
 resentatives to the President of the United States, from whom he selected with 
 the approval of the Senate, nine Councillors, to compose the Legislative Council. 
 
 The House of Representatives consisted of members chosen every two years 
 by the people, the basis of representation being one member for every five 
 hundred white males. The first House of Representatives consisted of thirteen 
 members, and, by Act of Congress, the whole number of Representatives could 
 not exceed twenty-five. 
 
 The judicial power of the Territory, was vested in the Superior and Inferior 
 Courts, and in the Justices of the Peace ; the Superior Court having three Judges 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 29 
 
 whose term of office continued four years, having original and appellate jurisdiction 
 in civil and criminal cases. 
 
 The Territory could send one delegate to Congress. Governor Clark issued 
 a proclamation, October ist, 1812, required by Congress, reorganizing the districts 
 of St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste. Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid, into 
 five counties, and fixed the second Monday in November following, for the 
 election of a delegate to Congress, and the members of the Territorial House of 
 Representatives. 
 
 William Clark, of the expedition of Lewis and Clark, was the first Territorial 
 Governor, appointed by the President, who began his duties 1813. 
 
 Edward Hempstead, Rufus Easton, Samuel Hammond, and Mathew Lyon 
 were candidates in November for delegates to Congress. 
 
 Edward Hempstead was elected, being the first Territorial Delegate to Con- 
 gress from Missouri. He served one term, declining a second, and was instrumental 
 in having Congress to pass the act of June 13, 1812, which he introduced, con- 
 firming the title to lands which were claimed by the people by virtue of Spanish 
 grants. The same act confirmed to the people "for the support of schools," the 
 title to village lots, out-lots or common field lots, which were held and enjoyed by 
 them, at the time of the cession in 1803. 
 
 Under the act of June 4, 181 2, the first General Assembly held its Session 
 in the house of Joseph Robidoux, on the 7th of December, 1812. The names of 
 the members of the House were : 
 
 St. Charles. — John Pitman and Robert Spencer. 
 
 St. Louis. — David Music, Bernard G. Farrar, William C. Carr, and Richard 
 Clark. 
 
 Ste. Genevieve — George Bullet, Richard S. Thomas, and Isaac McGready. 
 
 Cape Girardeau. — George F. Bollinger, and Spencer Byrd. 
 
 New Madrid. — John Shrader and Samuel Phillips. 
 
 John B. C. Lucas, one of the Territorial Judges, administered the oath of 
 office. William C. Carr was elected Speaker, and Andrew Scott, Clerk. 
 
 The House of Representatives proceeded to nominate eighteen persons from 
 whom the President of the United Spates, with the Senate, was to select nine for 
 the Council. From this number the President chose the following; 
 
 St. Charles. — James Flaugherty and Benjamin Emmons. 
 
 St. Louis. — Auguste Chouteau, Sr. , and Samuel Hammond. 
 
 Ste. Genevieve. — John Scott and James Maxwell. 
 
 Cape Girardeau. — William Neeley and Joseph Cavenor. 
 
 New Madrid. — Joseph Hunter. 
 
 The Legislative Council, thus chosen by the President and Senate, was 
 announced by Fredrick Bates, Secretary, and Acting-Governor of the Territory, 
 by proclamation, June 3, 1813, and fixing the first Monday in July following, as 
 the time for the meeting of the Legislature. 
 
 In the meantime the duties of the executive office were assumed by William 
 Clark. The Legislature accordingly met, as required by the Acting-Governor's 
 proclamation, in July, but its proceedings were never officially published. Con- 
 sequently but little is known in reference to the workings of the first Territorial 
 Legislature of Missouri. 
 
 From the imperfect account, published in the Missouri Gazette, of that day ; 
 a paper which had been in existence since 1808, it is found that laws were passed 
 regulating and establishing weights and measures ; creating the office of Sheriff; 
 providing the manner for taking the census ; permanently fixing the seats of 
 Justices, and an act to compensate its own members. At this Session, laws were 
 also passed defining crimes and penalties ; laws in reference to forcible entry and 
 detainer; establishing Courts of Common T'sas^ incorporating the Bank of St. 
 
30 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Louis; and organizing a part of Ste. Genevieve county into the county of 
 Washington. 
 
 The next session of the Legislature convened in St. Louis, December 6, 1813. 
 George Bullet, of Ste. Genevieve county, was speaker elect, and Andrew Scott, 
 clerk, and William Sullivan, doorkeeper. Since the adjournment of the former 
 Legislature several vacancies had occurred, and new members had been elected to 
 fill their places. Among these was Israel McGready, from the county of Wash 
 ington. 
 
 The president of the legislative council was Samuel Hammond. No journal 
 of the council was officially published, but the proceedings of the house are found 
 in the Gazet/e. 
 
 At this session of the Legislature many wise and useful laws were passed, hav- 
 ing reference to the temporal as well as the moral and spiritual welfare of the peo- 
 ple. Laws were enacted for the suppression of vice and immorality on the Sab- 
 bath day ; for the improvement of public roads and highways ; creating the offices 
 of auditor, treasurer and county surveyor ; regulating the fiscal affairs of the 
 Territory and fixing the boundary lines of New Madrid, Cape Girardeau, Wash- 
 ington and St. Charles counties. The Legislature adjourned on the 19th of Jan- 
 uary, 1 8 14, sine die. 
 
 The population of the Territory as shown by the United States census in 1810, 
 was 20,845. The census taken by the Legislature in 1814 gave the Territory a 
 population of 25,000. This enumeration shows the county of St. Louis contained 
 the greatest number of inhabitants, and the new county of Arkansas the least — 
 the latter having 827, and the former 3,149. 
 
 The candidates for delegate to Congress were Rufus Easton, Samuel Ham- 
 mond, Alexander McNair and Thomas F. Riddick. Rufus Easton and Samuel 
 Hammond had been candidates at the preceding election. In all the counties, 
 excepting Arkansas, the votes aggregated 2,599, of which number Mr. Easton re- 
 ceived 965, Mr. Hammond 746, Mr. McNair 853, and Mr. Riddick (who had 
 withdrawn previously to the election) 35. Mr. Easton was elected. 
 
 The census of 18 14 showing a large increase in the population of the Terri- 
 tory, an apportionment was made increasing the number of Representatives in the 
 Territorial Legislature to twenty-two. The General Assembly began its session in 
 St. Louis, December 5, 1814. There were present on the first day twenty Repre- 
 sentatives. James Caldwell of Ste. Genevieve county was elected speaker, and 
 Andrew Scott, who had been clerk of the preceding assembly, was chosen clerk. 
 The President of the Council was William Neely, of Cape Girardeau county. 
 
 It appeared that James Maxwell, the absent member of the Council, and Seth 
 Emmons, member elect of the House of Representatives, were dead. The county 
 of Lawrence was organized at this session, from the western part of New Madrid 
 county, and the corporate powers of St. Louis were enlarged. In 18 15 the Ter- 
 ritorial Legislature again began its session. Only a partial report of its proceed- 
 ings are given in the Gazette. The county of Howard was then organized from 
 St. Louis and St. Charles counties, and included all that part of the State lying 
 north of the Osage and south of the dividing ridge between the Mississippi and 
 Missouri Rivers. 
 
 The next session of the Territorial Legislature commenced its session in De- 
 cember, 1816. During the sitting of this Legislature many important acts were 
 passed. It was then that the "Bank of Missouri" was charted and went into 
 operation. In the fall of 1817 the " Bank of St. Louis " and the " Bank of Mis- 
 souri were issuing b lis. An act was passed chartering lottery companies, cliar- 
 tering the academy at Potosi, and incorporating a board of trustees for superin- 
 tending the schools in the town of St. Louis. Laws were also passed to encour- 
 age the "killing of wolves, panthers and wild-cats." 
 
 The Territorial Legislature met again in December, t8i8, and, among other 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 31 
 
 things, organized the counties of Pike, Cooper, Jefferson, Franklin, Wayne, Lin- 
 coln, Madison, Montgomery, and three counties in the Southern part of Arkan 
 sas. In 1819 the Territory of Arkansas was formed into a separate government 
 of its own. 
 
 The people of the Territory of Missouri had been, for some time, anxious 
 that their Territory should assume the duties and responsibilities of a sovereign 
 State. Since 1812, the date of the organization of the Territory, the population 
 had rapidly increased, many counties had been established, its commerce had 
 grown into importance, its agricultural and mineral resources were being devel- 
 oped, and believing that its admission into the Union as a State would give fresh 
 impetus to all these interests, and hasten its settlement, the Territorial Legislature 
 of 1818-19 accordingly made application to Congress for the passage of an act 
 authorizing the people of Missouri to organize a state government. 
 
 CHAPTER VL 
 
 Application of Missouri to te Admitted into thi Union — Agitation of the Slavery Question — " Mis- 
 souri Compromise" — Constitutional Convention of iSzo — Constitution presented to Congress — 
 Further Resistance to Admission — Mr. Clay and his Committee make Report — Second Compro- 
 mise — Missouri Admitted, 
 
 With the application of the Territorial Legislatlire of Missouri for her admis- 
 sion into the Union, commenced the real agitation of the slavery question in the 
 United States. 
 
 Not only was our National Legislature the theater of angry discussions, but 
 everywhere throughout the length and breadth of%he Republic the "Missouri 
 Question " was the all-absorbing theme. The political skies threatened, 
 
 "In forked flashes, a commanding tempest," 
 
 Which was liable to burst upon the nation at any moment. Through such a cri- 
 sis our country seemed destined to pass. The question as to the admission of 
 Missouri was to be the beginning of this crisis, which distracted the public coun- 
 sels of the nation for more than forty years afterward. 
 
 Missouri asked to be admitted into the great family of States. ' ' Lower Louis- 
 iana," her twin sister Territory, had knocked at the door of the Union eight years 
 previously, and was admitted as stipulated by Napoleon, to all the rights, privileges 
 and immunities of a State, and in accordance with the stipulations of the same 
 treaty, Missouri now sought to be clothed with the same rights, privileges and 
 immunities. 
 
 As what is known in the history of the United States as the " Missouri Com- 
 promise," of 1820, takes rank among the most prominent measures that had up to 
 that day engaged the attention of our National Legislature, we shall enter some- 
 what into its details, being connected as they are with the annals of the State. 
 
 JPebruary i^th 18 ig. — After the House had resolved itself into a Committee 
 of the Whole on the bill to authorize the admission of Missouri into the Union, 
 and after the question of her admission had been discussed for some time, Mr. 
 Tallmadge, of New York, moved to amend the bill, by adding to it the following 
 proviso : 
 
 " And Provided, That the further introduction of slavery or involuntary serv- 
 itude be prohibited, except for the puishment of crime, whereof the party shall 
 
S2 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 have been duly convicted, and that all children born within the said State, after 
 the admission thereof into the Union, shall be free at the age of twenty-five years." 
 
 As might have been expected, this proviso precipitated the angry discussions 
 which lasted for nearly three years, finally culminating in the Missouri Compro- 
 mise. All phases of the slavery question were presented, not only in its moral 
 and social aspects, but as a great constitutional question, affecting Missouri and 
 the admission of future States. The proviso, when submitted to a vote, was 
 adopted — 79 to 67, and so reported to the House. 
 
 Hon. John Scott, who was at that time a delegate from the Territory of Mis- 
 souri, was not permitted to vote, but as such delegate he had the privilege of 
 participating in the debates which followed. On the i6th day of February the 
 proviso was taken up and discussed. After several speeches had been made, among 
 them one by Mr. Scott and one by the author of the proviso, Mr. Tallmadge, the 
 amendment, or proviso, was divided into two parts, and voted upon. The first 
 part of it, which included all to the word "convicted," was adopted— 87 to 76. 
 The remaining part was then voted upon, and also adopted, by 82 to 78. By a 
 vote of 97 to 56 the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. 
 
 The Senate Committee, to whom the bill was referred, reported the same to 
 the Senate on the 19th of February, when that body voted first upon a motion to 
 strike out of the proviso all after the word " convicted," which was carried by a 
 vote of 32 to 7. It then voted to strike out the first entire clause, which prevailed 
 — 22 to 16, thereby defeating the proviso. 
 
 The House decUned to concur in the action of the Senate, and the bill was 
 again returned to that body, which in turn refused to recede from its position. 
 The bill was lost, and Congress adjourned. This was most unfortunate for the 
 country. The people having already been wrought up to fever heat over the agi- 
 tation of the question in the National Councils, now became intensely excited. 
 The press added fuel to the flame, and the progress of events seemed rapidly 
 tending to the downfall of our nationality. 
 
 A long interval of nine months was to ensue before the meeting of Congress. 
 That body indicated by its vote upon the " Missouri Question," that the two great 
 sections of the country were politically divided upon the subject of slavery. The 
 restrictive clause, which it was sought to impose upon Missouri as a condition of 
 her admission, would in all probability be one of the conditions of the admission 
 of the Territory of Arkansas. The public mind was in a state of great doubt and 
 uncertainty up to the meeting of Congress, which took place on the 6th of Decem- 
 ber, 1819. The memorial of the Legislative Council and House of Representa- 
 tives of the Missouri Territory, praying for admission into the Union, was presented 
 to the Senate by Mr. Smith, of South Carolina. It was referred to the Judiciary 
 Committee. 
 
 Some three weeks having passed without any action thereon by the Senate, 
 the bill was taken up and discussed by the House until the 19th of February, when 
 the bill from the Senate for the admission of Maine was considered. The bill for 
 the admission of Maine included the "Missouri Question," by an amendment 
 which read as follows : 
 
 "And be it further enacted, That in all that territory ceded by France to the 
 United States, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of thirty six degrees 
 and thirty minutes, north latitude (excepting such part thereof as is) include 1. 
 within the limits of the State, contemplated by this act, slavery and involuntary 
 servitude, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have 
 been convicted, shall be and is hereby forever prohibited; Provided, always, That 
 any person escaping into the same from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed, 
 in any State or Territory of the United States, such fugitive may be lawfully re- 
 claimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or services as afore- 
 said." 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 33 
 
 The Senate adopted this amendment, which formed the basis of the " Missouri 
 Compromise," modified afterward by striking out the words, ^'^ excepting only such 
 '<art thereof ." 
 
 The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 34 to 20. On the 2d day of March 
 the House took up the bill and amendments for consideration, and by a vote of 
 134 to 42 concurred in the Senate amendment, and the bill being passed by the two 
 Houses, constituted section 8, of " An Act to authorize the people of the Missouri 
 Territory to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of 
 such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States, and to 
 prohibit slavery in- certain territory." 
 
 This act was approved March 6, 1820. Missouri then contained fifteen organ- 
 ized counties. By act of Congress the people of said State were authorized to 
 hold an election on the first Monday, and two succeeding days thereafter in May, 
 1820, to select representatives to a State convention. This convention met in St. 
 Louis on the 12th of June, following the election in May, and concluded its labors 
 on the 19th of July, 1820. David Barton was its President, and Wm. G. Pettis, 
 Secretary. There were forty-one members of this convention, men of abihty and 
 statesmanship, as the admirable constitution which they framed amply testifies. 
 Their names and the counties represented by them are as follows : , 
 
 Cape Girardeau. — Stephen Byrd, James Evans, Richard S. Thomas, Alexan- 
 der Buckner and Joseph McFerron. 
 
 Cooper.— RohtrX. v. Clark, Robert Wallace, Wm. Lillard. 
 
 Franklin. — John G. Heath. 
 
 Howard. — Nicholas S. Burkhart, Duff Green, John Ray, Jonathan S. Find- 
 ley, Benj. H. Reeves. 
 
 Jeffcison. — Daniel Hammond. 
 
 Lincoln. — Malcolm Henry. 
 
 Montgomery. — Jonathan Ramsey, James Talbott. 
 
 Madison. — Nathaniel Cook- 
 
 New Madrid. — Robert S. Dawson, Christopher G. Houts. 
 
 Pike. — Stephen Cleaver. 
 
 Si. Charles. — Benjamin Emmons, Nathan Boone, Hiram H. Baber. 
 
 Ste. Genevieve. — John D. Cook, Henry Dodge, John Scott, R. T. Brown. 
 
 St. Louis. — David Barton, Edward Bates, Alexander McNair, Wm. Rector, 
 John C. SulHvan, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., Bernard Pratte, Thomas F. Riddick. 
 
 Washington. ^r-1o\a\ Rice Jones, Samuel Perry, John Hutchings. 
 
 Wayne. — Elijah Bettis. 
 
 On the 13th of November, 1820, Congress met again, and on the 6th of the 
 same month Mr. Scott, the delegate from Missouri, presented to the House the 
 Constitution as framed by the convention. The same was referred to a select com- 
 mittee, who made thereon a favorable report. 
 
 The admission of the State, however, was resisted, because it was claimed, 
 that its constitution sanctioned slavery, and authorized the Legislature to pass laws 
 preventing free negroes and mulattoes from settling in the State. The report ot 
 the committee to whom was referred the Constitution of Missouri was accompanied 
 by a preamble and resolutions, offered by Mr. Lowndes, of South CaroUna. The 
 preamble and resolutions were stricken out. 
 
 The application of the State for admission shared the same fate in the Senate. 
 The question was referred to a select committee, wlio, on the 29th of November, 
 reported in favor of admitting the State. The debate, which followed, continued 
 for two weeks, and finally Mr. Eaton, of Tennessee, offered an amendment to the 
 resolution as follows : 
 
 " Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to give 
 the assent of Congress to any provision in the Constitution of Missouri, if any such 
 there be, which contravenes that clause in the Constitution of the United States, 
 
34 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 which declares that the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the pnvileges 
 and immunities of citizens in the several States." . , 
 
 The resolution, as amended, was adopted. The resolution and proviso 
 were again taken up and discussed at great length, when the committee agreea to 
 report the resolution to the House. 
 
 The question on agreeing to the amendment, as reported from the committee 
 of the whole, was lost in the House. A similar resolution afterward passed tne 
 Senate, but was again rejected in the House. Then it was that that great states- 
 man and pure patriot, Henry Clay, of Kentucky, feeling that the hour had come 
 when angry discussions should cease 
 
 " With grave 
 Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd 
 A pillar of state ; deep on his front engraven 
 Deliberation sat and public care ; 
 And princely counsel in his face yet shone 
 Majestic" ***** 
 
 proposed that the question of Missouri's admission be referred to a committee 
 consisting of .twenty-three persons, (a number equal to the number of States then 
 composing the Union,) be appointed to act in conjunction with a committee of 
 the Senate to consider and report whether Missouri should be admitted, etc. 
 
 The motion prevailed ; the committee was appointed and Mr. Clay made its 
 chairman. The Senate selected seven of its members to act with the committee 
 of twenty- three, and on the 26th of February the following report was made by 
 that committee: 
 
 "Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
 States of America in Congress assembled : That Missouri shall be admitted into 
 the Union, on an equal footing with the original States, in all respects whatever, 
 upon the fundamental condition that the fourth clause, of the twenty-sixth section 
 of the third article of the Constitution submitted on the part of said State to Con- 
 gress, shall never be construed to authorize the passage of any law, and that no 
 law shall be passed in conformity thereto, by which any citizen of either of the 
 States in this Union shall be excluded from the enjoyment of any of the privileges 
 and immunities to which such citizen is entitled, under the Constitution of the 
 United States ; provided. That the Legislature of said State, by a Solemn Public 
 Act, shall declare the assent of the said State, to the said fundamental condition, 
 and shall transmit to the President of the United States, on or before the fourth 
 Monday in November next, an authentic copy of the said act ; upon the receipt 
 whereof, the President, by proclamation, shall announce the fact ; whereupon, 
 and without any further proceeding on the part of Congress, the admission of the 
 said State into the Union shall be considered complete." 
 
 This resolution, after a brief debate, was adopted in the House, and passed 
 the Senate on the 28th of February, 1821. 
 
 At a special session of the Legislature held in St. Charles, in June following, 
 a Solemn Public Act was adopted, giving its assent to the conditions of admission, 
 as expressed in the resolution of Mr. Clay. August loth, 182 1, President 
 Monroe announced by proclamation the admission of Missouri into the Union to 
 oe complete. 
 
HISTORY Of MISSOURI. 36 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 MISSOURI AS A STATE. 
 
 First Election for Governor and Other State Officers — Senators and Representatives to General Ai- 
 sembly —i-heriffs and Coroners — U, S. Senators — Representatives in Congress — Supreme Court 
 Judges — Counties Organized — Capital Moved to St. Charles — Official Record of Territorial and 
 State Officers. 
 
 By the Constitution adopted by the Convention on the 19th of July, 1820, 
 the General Assembly was required to meet in St. Louis on the third Monday in 
 September of that year, and an election was ordered to be held on the 28 th of 
 August for the Election of a Governor and other State officers, Senators and Rep- 
 resentatives to the General Assembly, Sheriffs and Coroners, United States Sena- 
 tors and Representatives in Congress. 
 
 It will be seen that Missouri had not as yet been admitted as a State, but in 
 anticipation of that event, and according to the provisions of the constitution the 
 election was held, and the General Assembly convened. 
 
 William Clark (who had been Governor of the Territory) and Alexander 
 McNair were the candidates for Governor. McNair received 6,576 votes, Clark 
 2,556, total vote of the State 9,132. There were three candidates for Lieutenant 
 Governor, to-wit : William H. Ashley, Nathaniel Cook and Henry Elliot. Ashley 
 received 3,907 votes. Cook 3,212, Elliot 931. A Representative was to be elected 
 for the residue of the Sixteenth Congress and one for the Seventeenth. John 
 Scott, who was at the time Territorial delegate, was elected to both Congresses 
 without opposition. 
 
 The General Assembly elected in August met on the 19th of September, 1820, 
 and organized by electing James Caldwell, of Ste. Genevieve speaker, and John 
 McArthur cierk, William H. Ashley, Lieutenant-Governor, President of the 
 Senate ; Silas Bent, President, pro tern. 
 
 Mathias McGirk, John D. Cook and John R. Jones were appointed Supreme 
 Judges, each to hold office until sixty-five years of age. 
 
 Joshua Barton was appointed Secretary of State ; Peter Didier, State Treas- 
 urer; Edward Bates, Attorney-General and William Christie, Auditor of Public 
 Accounts. 
 
 David Barton and Thomas H. Benton were elected by the General Assembly 
 to the United States Senate. 
 
 At this session of the Legislature the counties of Boone, Callaway, Chariton, 
 Cole, Gasconade, Lillard, Percy, Ralls, Ray and Saline were organized. 
 
 We should like to give in details the meetings and proceedings of the differ- 
 ent Legislatures which followed; the elections for Governors and other State of- 
 ficers ; the elections for Congressmen and United States Senators, but for want 
 of space we can only present in a condensed form the official record of the Ter- 
 ritorial and State officers. 
 
 OFFICIAL RECORD TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. 
 
 Governors. — Frederick Bates, Secretary and Acting- Governor, 1812-13. 
 William Clark, 18 13- 1820. 
 
 OFFICERS OF STATE GOVERNMENT. 
 
 Governors. — Alexander McNair, 1820-24. Frederick Bates, 1824-25. Abra- 
 ham J. Williams vice Bates, 1825. John Miller vice Bates, 1826-28. John 
 Miller, 1828-32. Daniel Dunklin, 1832-36, resigned; 'appointed Surveyor 
 
36 HISTORY OF MISSOTTBI. 
 
 General U. S. Liburn W. Boggs vice Dunklin, 1836. Lilburn W. Boggs, 1836- 
 40. Thomas Reynolds, 1840, died 1844. M. M. Marmaduke vice Reynolds- 
 John C. Edwards, 1844-48. Austin A. King, 1848-52. Sterling Price, 1852-56. 
 Tiusten Polk, 185657, resigned. Hancock Jackson vice Polk, 1857. Robert 
 M. Stewart vice Polk, 1857-60. C. F. Jackson, i860, office vacated by ordinance. 
 Hamilton R. Gamble vice Jackson; Gov. Gamble died 1864. Wilham P. Hall, 
 1864, vice Gamble. Thomas C. Fletcher, 1864-68. Joseph W. McClurg, 1868 ■ 
 70. B. Gratz Brown, 1870-72. Charles H. Hardin, 1874-76. John S. Phelps, 
 1876-80. Thomas T. Crittenden, 1880, and is now Governor. 
 
 Lieutenant-Governors. — William H. Ashley, 1820-24. Benjamin A. Reeves, 
 1824-28. Daniel Dunklin, 1828-32. Lilburn W. Boggs, 1832-36. Franklin 
 Cannon, 1836-40. M. M. Marmaduke, 1840-44. James Young, 1844-48. 
 Thomas L. Rice, 1848-52. Wilson Brown, 1852-^5. Hancock Jackson, 1856- 
 60. Thomas C. Reynolds, 1860-61. Williard P. Hall, 1861-64. George Smith, 
 1864-68. Edward O. Stanard, 1868-70. Joseph J. Gravely, 1870-72. Charles 
 P. Johnson, 1872-74. Norman J. Colman, 1874-76. Henry C. Brockmeyer, 
 1876-80. Robert Campbell, 1880, and is the present incumbent. 
 
 Secretaries of State. — Joshua Barton, 1820-21. William G. Pettis, 1821-24. 
 Hamilton R. Gamble, 1824-26. Spencer Pettis, 1826 28. P. H. McBride, 1829- 
 30. John C. Edwards, 1830, term expired 1835, re-appointed 1837, resigned 
 1837. Peter G. Glover, 1837-39. James L. Minor, 1839-45. F. H. Martin, 
 1845-49. Ephraim B. Ewing, 1849-52. John M. Richardson, 1852-56. Benja- 
 min F. Massey, 1856-60, re-elected i860, for four years. Mordecai Oliver, 1861- 
 64. Francis Rodman, 1864-68, re-elected 1868, for two years. Eugene F. 
 Weigel, 1870-72, re-elected 1872, for two years. Michael K. McGrath, 1874, 
 and is the present incumbent. 
 
 State Treasurers. — Peter Didier, 1820-21. Nathaniel Simonds, 1821-28. 
 James Earickson, 1829-33. John Walker, 1833-38. Abraham McClellan, 1838- 
 43. Peter G. Glover, 1843-51. A. W. Morrison, 1851-60. George C. Bingham, 
 186264. William Bishop, 1864-68. William Q. Dallmeyer, 1868-70. Samuel 
 Hays, 1872. Harvey W. Salmon, 1872 74. Joseph W. Mercer, 1874-76. Elijah 
 Gates, 1876-80. Phillip E. Chappel, 1880, and present incumbent. 
 
 Attorney- Generals. — Edward Bates, 1820-21. Rufus Easton, 1821-26. Robt. 
 W. Wells, 1826-36. William B. Napton, 1836-39. S. M. Bay, 1839-45. B. F. 
 Stringfellow, 1845-49. William A. Roberts, 1849-51. James B. Gardenhire, 
 1851-56. Ephraim W. Ewing, 1856-59. James P. Knott, 1859-61. Aikman 
 Welsh, 1861-64. Thomas T. Crittenden, 1864. Robert F. Wingate, 1864-68. 
 Horace P. Johnson, 1868-70. A. J. Baker, 1870-72. Henry Clay Ewing, 
 1872-74. John A. Hockaday, 1874-76. Jackson L. Smith, 1876-80. Mclntire, 
 1880, and present incumbent. 
 
 Auditors of Public Accounts. — William Christie, 1820-21. William V. Rector, 
 1821-23. Elias Barcroft, 1823-33. Henry Shurlds, 1833-35. Peter G. Glover, 
 1835-37. Hiram H. Baber, 1837-45. William Monroe, 1845. J. R. McDer- 
 mon, 1845-48. George W. Miller, 1848-49. Wilson Brown, 1849-52. Wilhara 
 H. Buffington, 1852 60. William S. Moseley, i860 64. Alonzo Thompson, 
 186468. Daniel M. Draper, 1868-72. George B. Clark, 1872-74. Thomas 
 Holladay, 1874-80. John Walker, 1880, and present incumbent. 
 
 Judges of Supreme Court. — Matthias McKirk, 1822-41; John D. Cooke, 
 i822-'23; Jno. R. Jones, 1822-24; Rufus Pettibone, 1823-25; Geo. Tomp- 
 kins, i824-'45; Robt. Wash, 1825-37; Jno. C. Edwards, 1837-39; Wm. Scott, 
 appointed 1841 till meeting of General Assembly in place of McKirk resigned, ; 
 re appomted 1843; P. H. McBride, 1845 ; Wm. B. Napton, 1849-52 ; Jno. F. Ry 
 land, 1849-51 ; Jno. H. Birch, 1849-51 ; Wm. Scott, Jno. F. Ryland and Hara 
 ilton R. Gamble elerted by the people 1851 for six years; Gamble resigned 1854; 
 Abitl Leonard elected to fill vacancy of Gamble; William B. Napton (vacated 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 4 37 
 
 by failure to file oath), William Scott and John C. Richardson (resigned), elected 
 August, 1857, for six years ; E. B. Ewing, 1859, to fill Richardson's resignation; 
 Barton Bates appointed 1862; W. V. N. Biy appointed 1862; John D. S. Dry- 
 den appointed 1862; Barton Bates, 1863-65; W. V. N. Bay, elected 1863; John 
 
 D. S. Dryden, elected 1863; David Wagner appointed 1865 ; Wallace L. Love- 
 lace, appointed 1865; Nathaniel Holnes, appointed 1865; Thomas J. C. Fagg, 
 ippointed 1866; James Biker, appointed 1868; David Wagner, elected 1868- 
 "70; Philemon Bliss, 1868-70; Warren Currier, 1868-71,' Washington Adams, 
 appointed 187 1 to fill Currier's place who resigned; Ephriam B. Ewing, 
 elected 1872; Thomas A. Sherwood, elected 1872 ; W. B. Napton, appointed 
 1873 in place of Ewing, deceased; Edward A. Seins, appointed 1874, in place of 
 Adams, resigned; Warwick Hough, elected 1874; William B. Napton, elected 
 1874-80; John E. Henry, 1876-86; Robert Ray succeeded William B. Napton, 
 in 1880: Elijah H. Norton, appointed in 1876 — elected in 1878. 
 
 United States Senators. — T. H. Benton, 182050; D. Barton, 1820-30; Alex. 
 Buckner, 1830-33; L. F.Linn, 1833-43; D. R. Atchison, 1843-55; H. S. Geyer, 
 1851-57; Jas. M. Green, 1857-61; T. Polk, 185763; Waldo P. Johnson, 1861; 
 Robt. Wilson, 1861; B. Gratz Brown, 1863, for unexpired term of Johnson; J. 
 B. Henderson, 1863 69; Chas. D. Drake, 1867-70; Carl Schurz, 1869-75; D. F. 
 Jewett, 1870, in place of Drake, resigned; F. P. Blair, 1871-77; L. V. Bogy, 
 1873; F. M. Cockrell, 1875-81, re-elected 1881; Geo. G. Vest, 1879. 
 
 Representatives to Congress. — Jno. Scott, 1820-26; Ed. Bates, 1826-28; Spen- 
 cer Pettis, 1828-31; Wm. H. Ashley, 1831-36; John Bull, 1832-34; Albert G. 
 Harrison, 1834-39; Jno. Miller, 1836-42 ; John Jameson, 1839-44, re-elected 1846 
 for two yeats; Jno. C. Edwards, 1840-42; Jas. M. Hughes, 1842-44; Jas. H. 
 Relfe, 1842-46; Jas. B. Bowlin, 1842-50; Gustavus M. Boner, 1842-44; Sterling 
 Price, 1844-46; Wm. McDaniel, 1846; Leonard H. Sims, 1844-46; John S. 
 Phelps, 1844-60; Jas. S. Green, 1846-50, re-elected 1856, resigned; Williard P. 
 Hall, 1846-53; Wm. V. N. Bay, 1848-61; John F. Darby, 1850-53; Gilchrist 
 Porter, 1850-57; John G. Miller, 1850-56; Alfred W. Lamb, 1852-54; Thos. 
 H. Benton, 1852-54; Mordecia Oliver, 1852-57; Jas. J. Lindley, 1852-56; Samuel 
 Caruthers, 1852-58; Thomas P. Akers, 1855, to fill unexpired term of J. G. Mil- 
 ler; Francis P. Blair, jr., 1856, re-elected i860, resigned ; Thomas L. Anderson, 
 1856-60, James Craig, 1856-60; Samuel H. Woodson, 1856-60; John B. Clark, 
 sr., 1857-61 ; J. Richard Barrett, i860; John W. Noel, 1858-63; James S. Rol- 
 lins, 1860-64; Elijah H. Norton, 1860-63; John W. Reid, 1860-61; William A. 
 Hall, 1862-64; Thomas L. Price, 1862, in place of Reid, expelled; Henry T. 
 Blow, 1862-66; Sempronius T. Boyd, elected in 1862, and again in 1868, for two 
 years; Joseph W. McClurg, 1862-66; Austin A. Ki g, 1862-64; Benjamin F. 
 Loan, 1862-69; John G. Scott, 1863, in place of Noel, deceased; John Hogan, 
 1864-66; Thomas F. Noel, 1864-67; John R. Kelsoe, 1864-66; Robt. T. Van 
 Horn, 1864-71; John F. Benjamin, 1864-71; George W. Anderson, 1864-69; 
 William A. Pile, 1866-68; C. A. Newcomb 1866-68 ; Joseph E. Gravely, 1866- 
 68 ; James R. McCormack, 1866-73 \ John H. Stover, 1867, in place of McClurg, 
 resigned; Erastus Wells, 1868-82; G. A. Finklinburg, 1868-71; Samuel S. 
 Burdett, 1868-71; Joel F. Asper, 1868-70; David P. Dyer, 1868-70; Harrison 
 
 E. Havens, 1870-75 ; Isaac G. Parker, 1870-75; James G. Blair, 1870-72 ; An- 
 drew King, 1870-72; Edwin O. Stanard, 1872-74; William H. Stone, 1872-78; 
 Robert A. Hatcher, elected 1872; Richard P. Bland, 1872; Thomas Crittenden, 
 1872-74; Ira B. Hyde, 1872-74; John B. Clark, 1872-78; John M. Glover, 1872; 
 Aylett H. Buckner, 1872; Edward C. Kerr, 1874-78; Charles H. Morgan, 1874; 
 John F. Phelps, 1874; ^. J. Franklin, 1874; David Rea, 1874; Rezin A. De- 
 Bopt, 1874; Anthony Ittner, 1876; Nathaniel Cole, 1876; Robert A. Hatcher, 
 1876-78; R. P. Bland, 1876-78; A. H. Buckner, 1876-78; J. B. Clark, jr., 1876- 
 78; T. T. Crittenden, 1876-78; B. J. Franklin, 1876-78; Jno. M. Glover, 1876-78; 
 
38 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOirBI. 
 
 Robt. A. Hatcher, 1876-78; Chas. H. Morgan, 1876-78; L. S. Metcalfe, 1876-78 j 
 H. M. Pollard, 1876-78; David Rea, 1876-78; S. L. Sawyer, 1878-80; N. Ford, 
 1878-82; G. F. Rothwell, 1878-82 ; John B. Clark, jr., 1878 82; W. H. Hatch, 
 1878-82; A. H. Buckner, 187882; M. L. Clardy, 1878-82; R. G. Frost, 1878-82; 
 L. H. Davis. 1878-82 ; R. P. Bland, 1878-82 ; J. R. Waddill, 1878 80 ; T. Allen, 
 1880-82 ; R. Hazeltine, 1880-82 ; T. M. Rice, 1880-82 ; R. T. Van Horn, 1880-82. 
 
 COUNTIES — WHEN ORGANIZED. 
 
 Linn January 7, 
 
 Livingston January 6, 
 
 McDonald March 3, 
 
 Macon January 6, 
 
 Adair ^January 29, 
 
 Andre'W January 29, 
 
 Atcliison January 14, 
 
 Audrain December 17, 
 
 Barry January 5, 
 
 Barton December 12, 
 
 Bates January 29, 
 
 Benton January 3, 
 
 Bollinger , March i, 
 
 Boone November 16, 
 
 Buchanan February 10, 
 
 Butler February 27, 
 
 Caldwell December 26, 
 
 Callaway November 25, 
 
 Camden January 29, 
 
 Cape Girardeau October i, 
 
 Carroll. January 3, 
 
 Carter March 10, 
 
 Cass September 14, 
 
 Cedar February 14, 
 
 Chariton November 16, 
 
 Christian March 8, 
 
 Clark December 15, 
 
 Clay .January 2, 
 
 Clinton January 15, 
 
 Cole November 16, 
 
 Cooper December 17, 
 
 Crawford January 23, 
 
 Dade • ■ . January 29, 
 
 Dallas December 10, 
 
 Daviess .... . December 29, 
 
 DeKalb February 25, 
 
 Dent February 10, 
 
 Douglas October 19, 
 
 Dunklin February 14, 
 
 Franklin December 11, 
 
 Gasconade November 25, 
 
 Gentry February 12, 
 
 Greene January 2, 
 
 Grundy January 2, 
 
 HarrisoB February 14, 
 
 Henry . , .... December 13, 
 
 Hickory February 14, 
 
 Holt February 15, 
 
 Howard January 23, 
 
 Howell March 2, 
 
 Iron February 17, 
 
 Jackson December 15, 
 asper January 29, 
 
 Jefferson. . December 8, 
 
 Johnson ..... . December 13, 
 
 Knox February 14, 
 
 Laclede February 24, 
 
 Lafayette November 16, 
 
 Lawrence February 25, 
 
 Lewis January 2, 
 
 Lincoln December 14, 
 
 841 
 841 
 84s 
 836 
 83s 
 835 
 841 
 
 835 
 851 
 820 
 
 839 
 849 
 836 
 820 
 841 
 812 
 
 833 
 859 
 
 835 
 845 
 
 82) 
 
 860 
 818 
 822 
 
 833 
 820 
 818 
 829 
 841 
 844 
 836 
 
 845 
 851 
 
 857 
 845 
 8^8 
 820 
 841 
 833 
 843 
 845 
 834 
 845 
 841 
 816 
 857 
 857 
 826 
 841 
 818 
 834 
 845 
 849 
 820 
 845 
 833 
 818 
 
 Madison December 14 
 
 Maries March 2, 
 
 Marion December 23 
 
 Mercer February 14, 
 
 Miller February 6, 
 
 Mississippi February 14, 
 
 Moniteau February 14, 
 
 Monroe January 6, 
 
 Montgomery December 14, 
 
 Morgan January 5 
 
 New Madrid October i 
 
 Newton , ■ • December 31 
 
 Nodaway February 14 
 
 Oregon February 14 
 
 Oiage January 29 
 
 Ozark January 29 
 
 Pemiscot February 19 
 
 Perry November 16, 
 
 Pettis January 26, 
 
 Phelps .... . November 13 
 
 Pike December 14, 
 
 Flatte December 31 
 
 Polk March 13 
 
 Pulaski December 15 
 
 Putnam February 28 
 
 Ralls November 16, 
 
 Randolph January 22, 
 
 Ray November 16 
 
 Reynolds February 25 
 
 Ripley January 5 
 
 St. Charles October I, 
 
 St. Clair January 29, 
 
 St. Francois ... . December 19, 
 
 Ste. Genevieve Octo er i 
 
 St. Louis October I 
 
 Saline November 25 
 
 Schuyler February 14, 
 
 Scotland January 29 
 
 Scott December 28- 
 
 Shannon ......._ January 29, 
 
 Shelby January 2 
 
 Stoddard January 2, 
 
 Stone February 10, 
 
 Sullivan February 16, 
 
 Taney January 16 
 
 Texas February 14, 
 
 Vernon February 1 7; 
 
 Warren January 5, 
 
 Washington , August 21 
 
 Wayne December 11 
 
 Webster March 3 
 
 Worth February 8, 
 
 Wright January 29, 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 39 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI. 
 
 Fort Sumter find upon — Call for 7S,ooo men— Gov. Jackson refuses to furnish a man — V. S. 
 Arsenal at Liberty, Mo,, seized — Proclamation of Governor Jackson — General Order No. 
 7 — Legislature convenes — Camp Jackson organized— Sterling Price appointed Major- Gen- 
 eral — Frost's letter to Lyon — Lyon's letter to Frost — Surrender of Camp Jackson — Procla- 
 mation of Gen. Harney — Conference between Price and Harney — Harney superseded by 
 Lyon — Second Conference — Gov. Jackson bums the bridges behind him — Proclamation 
 of Gov. Jackson — Gen. Blair takes possession of Jefferson City — Proclamation of 
 . Lyon — Lyon at Springfield — State offices declared vacant — Gen. Fremont assumes com- 
 mand — Proclamation of Lieut. Gov. Reynolds — Proclamation of Jeff. Thompson and Gov. 
 Jackson-^Deaih of Gen. Lyon — Succeeded by Sturgis — Proclamation of McCulloch and 
 Gamble — Martial Law declared — zd Proclamation of Jeff. Thompson — President modifies 
 Fremont's Order — Fremont relieved by Hunter — Proclamation of Price — Hunter's Order 
 of Assessment — Hunter declares Martial Law — Order relating to Newspapers — Halleck 
 succeeds Hunter — Halleck' s Order 8i — Similar order by Halleck — Boone County Standard 
 confiscated — Execution of prisoners at Macon and Palmyra — Gen. Swing's Order No. ii — 
 Gen. Rosencrans takes command — Massacre at Centralia — Death of Bill Anderson — Gen. 
 Dodge succeeds Gen. Rosencrans — List of Battles, 
 
 " Lastly stood war — 
 
 With visage grim, stern looks, and blackly hued, 
 
 Ah ! why will kings forget that they are men ? 
 And men that they are brethren ? Why delight 
 In human sacrifice ? Why burst the ties 
 Of nature, that should knit their souls together 
 In one soft bond of amity and love ? " 
 
 Fort Sumter was fired upon April 12, 1861. On April isth, President 
 Lincoln issued a proclamation, calling for 75,000 men, from the militia of the 
 several States to suppress combinations in the Southern States therein named. 
 Simultaneously therewith, the Secretary of War, sent a telegram to all the gov- 
 ernors of the States, excepting those mentioned in the proclamation, requesting 
 them to detail a certain number of militia to serve for three months, Missouri's 
 quota being four regiments. 
 
 In response to this telegram, Gov. Jackson sent the following answer : 
 
 Executive Department of Missouri, 
 Jefferson City, April 17, 1861. 
 To THE Hon. Simon Cameron, 
 
 Secretary of War, Washington, D. C, : 
 Sir: Your dispatch of the isth inst., making a call on Missouri for four 
 regiments of men for immediate service, has been received. There can be, I 
 apprehend, no doubt but these men are intended to form a part of the President's 
 army to make war upon the people of the seceded States. Your requisition, in 
 my judgment, is illegal, unconstitutional, and cannot be complied with. Not one 
 man will the State of Missouri furnish to carry on such an unholy war. 
 
 C. F. Jackson, 
 
 Governor of Missouri. 
 
 April 21, 1861. U. S. Arsenal at Liberty was seized by order of Governor 
 Jackson. 
 
40 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 April 22, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation convening the Legis- 
 lature of Missouri, on May following, in extra session, to take into consideration 
 the momentous issues, which were presented, and the attitude to be assumed by 
 the State in the impending struggle. 
 
 On the 22nd of April, 1861, the Adjutant-General of Missouri issued the 
 following military order : 
 
 Headquarters Adjutant-General's Office, Mo., 
 Jefferson City, April 22, 1861. 
 {General Orders No. 7.) 
 i. io attain a greater decree of efficiency and perfection in organization and 
 discipline, the Commanding Officers of the several Military districts in this State, 
 having four or more legally organized companies therein, whose armories are 
 within fifteen miles of each other, will assemble their respective commands at 
 some place to be by them severally designated, on the 3rd day of May, and to go 
 into an encampment for a period of six days, as provided by law. Captains of 
 companies not organized into battalions, will report the strength of their companies 
 immediately to these headquarters, and await further orders. 
 
 II. The Quartermaster-General will procure and issue to Quartermasters of 
 Districts, for these commands not now provided for, all necessary tents and camp 
 equipage, to enable the commanding officers thereof to carry the foregoing orders 
 into effect. 
 
 III. The Light Battery now attached to the Southwest Battalion, and one 
 company of mounted riflemen, including all officers and soldiers belonging to the 
 First District, will proceed forthwith to St. Louis, and report to Gen. D. M. Frost 
 for duty. The remaining companies of said battalion will be disbanded for the 
 purpose of assisting in the organization of companies upon that frontier. The 
 details in the execution of the foregoing are intrusted to Lieutenant-Colonel John 
 S. Bowen, commanding the Battalion. 
 
 IV. The strength, organization, and equipment of the several companies in 
 the Districts will be reported at once to these Headquarters, and District Inspec- 
 tors will furnish all information which may be serviceable in ascertaining the 
 condition of the State forces. 
 
 By order of the Governor. 
 
 WARWICK HOUGH, 
 
 Adjutant-General of Missouri. 
 
 May 2, 1861. The Legislature convened in extra Session. Many acts were 
 passed, among which was one to authorize the Governor to purchase or lease 
 David Ballentine's foundry at Boonville, for the manufacture of arms and 
 munitions of war ; to authorize the Governor to appoint one Major-General ; to 
 authorize the Governor, when, in his opinion, the security and welfare of the 
 State required it, to take possession of the railroad and telegraph lines of the State ; 
 to provide for the organization, government, and support of the military forces ; 
 to borrow one million of dollars to arm and equip the militia of the State to repel 
 invasion, and protect the lives and property of the people. An act was also 
 passed creating a "Military Fund," to consist of all the money then in the 
 treasury or that might thereafter be received from the one-tenth of one per cent, 
 on the hundred dollars, levied by act of November, 1857, to complete certain 
 railroads ; also the proceeds of a tax of fifteen cents on the hundred dollars of the 
 assessed value of the taxable property of the several counties in the State, and the 
 I)roceeds of the two mill tax, which had been theretofore appropriated for educa- 
 tional purposes. 
 
 Mays, 1861. " Camp Jackson," was organized. 
 
 May 10, 1861. Sterling Price appointed Major-General of State Guard. 
 
42 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 May 10, 1861. General Frost commanding "Camp Jackson" addressed 
 General N. Lyon, as follows : 
 
 Headquarters Camp Jackson, Missouri Militia, may 10, i86r. 
 Capt. N. Lyon, Commanding U. S. Troops in and about St. Louis Arsenal: 
 
 Sir : — I am constantly in receipt of information that you contemplate an at- 
 tack upon my camp, whilst I understand that you are impressed with the idea that 
 an attack upon the Arsenal and United States troops is intended on the part of 
 the Militia of Missouri. I am greatly at a loss to know what could justify you in 
 attacking citizens of the United States, who are in lawful performance of their 
 duties, devolving upon them under the Constitution in organizing and instructing 
 the militia of the State in obedience to her laws, and, therefore, have been dis- 
 posed to doubt the correctness of the information I have received. 
 
 I would be glad to know from you personally whether there is any truth in 
 the statements that are constantly pouring into my ears. So far as regards any 
 hostility being intended toward the United States, or its property or representa- 
 tives by any portion of my command, or, as far as I can learn, (and I think I am 
 fully informed,) of any other part of the state forces, I can positively say that 
 the idea has never been entertained. On the contrary prior to your taking com- 
 mand of the Arsenal, I proffered to Mayor Bell, then in command of the very 
 few troops constituting its guard, the services of myself and all my command, 
 and, if necessary, the whole power of the State, to protect the United States in the 
 full possession of all her property. Upon General Harney taking command of 
 this department, I made the same proffer of services to him, and authorized his 
 Adjutant-General, Capt. Williams, to communicate the fact that such had been 
 done to the War Department. I have had no occasion since to change any of the 
 views I entertained at the time, neither of my own volition nor through orders of 
 my Constitutional commander. 
 
 I trust that after this explicit statement that we may be able, by fully under- 
 standing each other, to keep far from our borders the misfortunes which so unhap- 
 pily affect our common country. 
 
 This communication will be handed you by Colonel Bowen, my Chief of 
 Staff, who will be able to explain anything not fully set forth in the foregoing. 
 
 I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant, 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL D. M. FROST; 
 
 Commanding Camp Jackson, M. V. M. 
 
 May loth, 1861. Gen. Lyon sent the following to Gen. Frost: 
 
 Headquarters United States Troops, 
 St. Louis, Mo., May 10, 1861. 
 Gen. D. M. Frost, Commanding Camp Jackson : 
 
 Sir: — Your command is regarded as evidently hostile toward the Govern- 
 ment of the United States. 
 
 It is, for the most part, made up of those Secessionists who have openly 
 avowed their hostility to the General Government, and have been plotting at the 
 seizure of its property and the overthrow of its authority. You are openly ir 
 communication with the so-called Southern Confederacy, which is now at war with 
 the United States, and you are receiving at your camp, from the said Confederacy 
 and under its flag, large supplies of the material of war, most of which is known 
 to be the property of the United States. These extraordinary preparations plain- 
 ly indicate none other than the well-known purpose of the Governor of this State, 
 under whose orders you are acting, and whose communication to the Legislature 
 has just been responded to by that body in the most unparalleled legislation, hav 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 43 
 
 ing in direct view hostilities to the General Government and co-operation with its 
 enemies. 
 
 In view of these considerations, and of your failure to disperse in obedience 
 to the proclamation of the President, and of the imminent necessities of State 
 policy and warfare, and the obligations imposed upon me by instructions from 
 Washington, it is my duty to demand, and I do hereby demand of you an imme- 
 diate surrender of your command, with no other conditions than that all persons 
 surrendering under this command shall be humanely and kindly treated. Believ- 
 ing myself prepared to enforce this demand, one-half hour's time before doing so 
 will be allowed for your compliance therewith. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 N. LYON, 
 Capt. 2d Infantry, Commanding Troops. 
 
 May 10, 1861. Camp Jackson surrendered and prisoners all released except- 
 ing Capt. Emmet McDonald, who refused to subscribe the parole. 
 
 May 12, 1 86 1. Brigadier-General Wm. S. Harney issued a proclamation to 
 the people of Missouri, saying " he would carefully abstain from the exercise of 
 any unnecessary powers," and only use " the military force stationed in this dis- 
 trict in the last resort to preserve peace." 
 
 May 14, 1861. General Harney issued a second proclamation. 
 
 May 21, 1861. General Harney held a conference with General Sterling 
 Price of the Missouri State Guards. 
 
 May 31, 1861. General Harney superseded by General Lyon. 
 
 June 11-, 1861. A second conference was held betiveen the National and 
 State authorities in St. Louis, which resulted in nothing. 
 
 June II, i86r. Gov. Jackson left St. Louis for Jefferson City, burning the 
 railroad bridges behind him, and cutting telegraph wires. 
 
 June 12, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation calling into active 
 service 50,000 militia, "to repel invasion, protect life, property, etc." 
 
 June 15, 1861. Col. F. P. Blair took possession of the State Capital, Gov. 
 Jackson, Gen. Price and other officers having left on the 13th of June for Boon- 
 ville. 
 
 June 17, 1861. Battle of Boonville took place between the forces of Gen. 
 Lyon and Col. John S. Marmaduke. 
 
 June 18, 1861. General Lyon issued a proclamation to the people of Mis- 
 souri. 
 
 July 5, 1 86 1. Battle at Carthage between the forces of Gen. Sigeland Gov. 
 Jackson. 
 
 July 6, 1861. Gen. Lyon reached Springfield. 
 
 July 22, 1861. State convention met and declared -the offices of Governor, 
 Lieutenant-Governor and Secretary of State vacated. 
 
 July 26, 1861. Gen. John C Fremont assumed command of the Western 
 Department, with headquarters in St." Louis. 
 
 July 31, 1861. Lieutenant-Governor Thomas C. Reynolds, issued a procla- 
 mation at New Madrid. 
 
 August I, 186 r. General Jeff. Thompson issued a proclamation at Bloom 
 field. 
 
 August 2, 1861. Battle of Dug Springs, between Captain Steele's forces and 
 General Rains. 
 
 August 5, 1 86 1. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation at New Madrid. 
 
 August 5, 1 86 1. B-ittle of Athens. 
 
 August 10, 1861. BTttle of Wilson's Creek, between the forces under Gen- 
 eral Lyon and General McCuUoch. In this engagement General Lyon was killed 
 General Sturgis succeeded General Lyon. 
 
44 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 August 12, 1864. McCulloch issued a proclamation, and soon left Missouri. 
 
 August 20, 1864. General Price issued a proclamation. 
 
 August 24, 1861. Governor Gamble issued a proclamation calling for 32,000 
 men for six months to protect the property and lives of the citizens of the State. 
 
 August 30, 1 86 1. General Fremont declared martial law, and declared that 
 the slaves of all persons who should thereafter take an active part with the enemies 
 of the Government should be free. 
 
 September 2, 1861. General Jeff. Thompson issued a proclamation in re 
 sponse to Fremont's proclamation. 
 
 September 7, 1861. Battle at Drywood creek. 
 
 September 11, 1861. President Lincoln modified the clause in Gen. Fre- 
 mont's declaration of martial law, in reference to the confiscation of property and 
 liberation of slaves. 
 
 September 12, 1861. General Price begins the attack at Springfield on Colo- 
 nel Mulligan's forces. 
 
 September 20, i86r. Colonel Mulligan with 2,640 men surrendered. 
 
 October 25, 1861. Second battle at Springfield. 
 
 November 2, i?6i. General Fremont succeeded by General David Hunter. 
 
 November 7, 1861. General Grant attacked Belmont. 
 
 November 9, 1861. General Hunter succeeded by General Halleck, who took 
 command on the 19th of same month, with headquarters in St. Louis. 
 
 November 27, 1861. General Price issued proclamation calling for 50,000 
 men, at Neosho, Missouri. 
 
 December 12, 1861. General Hunter issued his order of assessment upon cer- 
 tain wealthy citizens in St. Louis, for feeding and clothing Union refugees. 
 
 December 23-25. Declared martial law in St. Louis and the country adja- 
 ■ cent, and covering all the railroad lines. 
 
 March 6, 1862. Battle at Pea Ridge between the forces under Generals Curtis 
 and Van Dorn. 
 
 January 8, 1862. Provost Marshal Farrar, of St. Louis, issued the following 
 order in reference to newspapers : 
 
 Office of the Provost Marshal, 
 General Department of Missouri. 
 St. Louis, January 8, 1862. 
 
 (General Order No. 10.) 
 
 It is hereby ordered that from and after this date the publishers of newspapers 
 in the State of Missouri, (St. Louis City papers excepted), furnish to this office, 
 immediately upon publication, one copy of each issue, for inspection. A failure 
 to comply with this order will render the newspaper liable to suppression. 
 
 Local Provost Marshals will furnish the proprietors with copies of this order, 
 and attend to its immediate enforcement. 
 
 Bernard G. Farrar, 
 Provost Marshal General. 
 
 January 26, 1862. General Halleck issued order (No. 1 8) which forbade, among 
 other things, the display of Secession flags in the hands of women or on carriages, 
 in the vicinity of the military prison in McDowell's College, the carriages to be 
 confiscated and the offending women to be arrested. 
 
 February 4, 1862. General Halleck issued another order similar to Order No. 
 18, to railroad companies and to the professors and directors of the State Univer- 
 sity at Columbia, forbidding the funds of the institution to be used "to teach 
 treason or to instruct traitors." 
 
 February 20, 1862. Special Order No. 120 convened a military commission, 
 which sat in Columbia, March following, and tried Edmund J. Ellis, of Columbia, 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 45 
 
 editor and proprietor of ^' The. Boone County Standard" for the publication of 
 information for the benefit of the enemy, and encouraging resistance to the United 
 States Government. Ellis was found guilty, was banished during the war from 
 Missouri, and his printing materials confiscated and sold. 
 
 April, 1862. General Halleck left for Corinth, Mississippi, leaving General 
 Schofield in command. 
 
 June, 1862. Battle at Cherry Grove between the forces under Colonel Jos. 
 C. Porter and Colonel H. S. Lipscomb. 
 
 June, 1862. Battle at Pierce's Mill between the forces under Major John 
 Y. Clopper and Colonel Porter. 
 
 July 22, 1862. Battle at Florida. 
 
 July 28, 1862. Battle at Moore's Mill. 
 
 August 6, 1862. Battle near Kirksville. 
 
 August II, 1862. Battle at Independence. 
 
 August 16, 1862. Battle at Lone Jack. 
 
 September 13, 1862. Battle at Newtonia. 
 
 September 25, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners were executed at Macon by 
 order of General Merrill. 
 
 October 18, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners executed at Palmyra by order 
 of General McNeill. 
 
 January 8, 1863 Battle at Springfield between the forces of General Mar- 
 maduke and General E. B. Brown. 
 
 April 26, 1863. Battle at Cape Girardeau. 
 
 August — , 1863. General Jeff. Thompson captured at Pocahontas, Arkan- 
 sas, with his staff. 
 
 August 25. 1863. General Thomas Ewing issued his celebrated Order No. 
 II, at Kansas City, Missouri, which is as follows : 
 
 Headquarters District of the Border, ] 
 Kansas City Mo., August 25, 1863. J 
 (General Order No 11.) 
 
 First. — All persons living in Cass, Jackson and Bates counties, Missouri, and 
 in that part of Vernon included in this district, except those living within one 
 mile of the limits of Independence, Hickman's Mills, Pleasant Hill and Harrison- 
 ville, and except those in that part of Kaw township, Jackson county, north of 
 Brush Creek and west of the Big Blue, embracing Kansas City and Westport, are 
 hereby ordered to remove from their present places of residence within fifteen days 
 from the date hereof. 
 
 Those who, within that time, establifh their loyalty to the satisfaction of the 
 commanding officer of the military station nearest their present places of residence, 
 will receive from him certificates stating the fact of their loyalty, and the names 
 of the witnesses by whom it can be shown. All who receive such certificate will 
 be permitted to remove to any military station in this district, or to any part of the 
 State of Kansas, except the counties on the eastern borders of the State. All others 
 shall remove out of this district. Officers commanding companies and detach- 
 ments serving in the counties named, will see that this paragraph is promptly 
 obeyed. 
 
 Second. — All grain and hay in the field, or under shelter, in the district from 
 which the inhabitants are required to remove within reach of military stations, 
 after the 9th day of September next, will be taken to such stations and turned 
 over to the proper officer there, and report of the amount so turned over made to 
 district headquarters, specifying the names of all loyal owners and the amount of 
 such produce taken from them. All grain and hay found in such district after 
 the 9th day of September next, not convenient to such stations, will be destroyed. 
 
 Third. — The provisions of General Order No. 10, from these headquarters, 
 
46 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 will at once be vigorously executed by officers commanding in the parts of the 
 district, and at the stations not subject to the operations of paragraph First of this 
 Order — and especially in the towns of Independence, Westport and Kansas City. 
 
 Fourth — Paragraph 3, General Order No. 10, is revoked as to all who have 
 borne arms against the government in the district since August 20, 1863. 
 By order of Brigadier-General Ewing. 
 
 H. HANNAHS, Adjutant. 
 
 October 12-13, Battle of Arrow Creek. 
 
 January, 1864, General Rosecrans takes command of the Department 
 
 September, 1864, Battle at Pilot Knob, Harrison and Little Morceau River. 
 
 October 5, 1864, Battle at Prince's Ford and James Gordon's farm. 
 
 October 8, 1864, Battle at Glasgow. 
 
 October 20, 1864, Battle at Litrie Blue Creek. 
 
 September 27, 1864, Massacre at Ceatralia, by Captain Bill Anderson. 
 
 October 27, 1864, Capt. Anderson killed. 
 
 December — , 1864. General Rosecrans relieved, and General Dodge ap- 
 pointed to succeed him. 
 
 Nothing occurred specially, of a military character, in the State after Decem- 
 ber, 1864. We have, in the main, given the facts as they occurred without com- 
 ment or entering into details. Many of the minor incidents and skirmishes of 
 the war have been omitted because of our limited space. 
 
 It is utterly impossible, at this date, to give the names and dates of all the 
 batties fought in Missouri during the civil war. It will be found, however, that 
 the list given bejow, which has been arranged for convenience, contains the 
 prominent battles and skirmishes which took place within the State : 
 
 Potosi, May 14, 1861. 
 Boonville, June 17, 1861. 
 Carthage, July 5, 1861. 
 Monroe Siation, July 10, 1861. 
 Overton's Run, July 17, I^6I. 
 Dug Spring, August 2, 186 1. 
 Wilson's Creek, August 9, 1861. 
 Athens, August 5, 1861. 
 Moreton, August 20, 1861. 
 Bennett's Mills, September — , 1861. 
 Dry wood Creek, September 7, 1861. 
 Norfolk, September 10, 1861. 
 Lexington, September 12-20, 1861. 
 Blue Mills Landing, September 17, 
 
 1861. 
 Glasgow Mistake, September 20, 1861. 
 Osceola, September 25, 1861. 
 Shanghai, Oct. 13, 1861. 
 Lebanon, Oct. 13, 1861. 
 Linn Creek, Oct. 15, i86t. 
 Big River Bridge, Oc-. 15, 1861. 
 Fredericktown, Oct. 21, 1861. 
 Springfield, Oct. 25, 1861. 
 Belmont, Nov. 7, 1861. 
 Piketon, Nov. 8, 1861. 
 Little Blue, Nov. 10, 1861. 
 Clark's Station, Nov. 11, 1861. 
 Zion Church, Dec. 28, 1871. 
 
 Silver Creek, Jan. 15, 1862. 
 New Madrid, Feb. 28, 1862. 
 Pea Ridge, March 6, 1862. 
 Neosho, April 22, 1862. 
 Rose Hill, July 10, 1862. 
 Chariton River, July 30, 1862. 
 Cherry Grove, June — , ii)62. 
 Pierces Mill, June — , 1862. 
 Florida, July 22, 1862. 
 Moore's Mill, July 28, 1862. 
 Kirksville, Aug. 6, 1862. 
 Compton's Ferry, Aug 8, 1862. 
 Yellow Creek, Aug. 13, 1862. 
 Independence, Aug. 11, 1862. 
 Lone Jack, Aug. 16, 1862. 
 Newtonia, Sept. 13, 1862. 
 Springfield, Jan. 8, 1863. 
 Cape Girardeau, April 29, 1863. 
 Arrow Rock, Oct 12 and 13, 1863. 
 Pilot Knob, Sept. — , 1864. 
 Harrison, Sept. — , 1864. 
 Moreau River, Oct. 7, 1864. 
 Prince's Ford, Oct. 5, 1864. 
 Glasgow, Oct. 8, 1864. 
 Little Blue Creek, Oct. 20, 1864. 
 Albany, Oct. 27, 1864. 
 Near Rocheport, Sept. 23, 1864. 
 Ceatralia, Sept. 27, 1864. 
 
HISXORV OF MISSOURI. 47 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 EARLY MILITARY RECORD. 
 
 Black Hawk War — Mormon Difficulties — Florida War — Mexican War. 
 
 On the 14th day of May, 1832, a bloody engagement took place between the 
 Ti gular forces of the United States, and a part of the Sacs, Foxes, and Winneba- 
 goe Indians, commanded by Black Hawk and Keokux, near Dixon's Ferry in 
 Illinois. 
 
 The Governor (John Miller) of Missouri, fearing these savages would invade 
 the soil of his State, ordered Major-General Richard Gentry to raise one thou- 
 sand volunteers for the defense of the frontier. Five companies were at once 
 raised in Boone county, and in Callaway, Montgomery, St. Charles, Lincoln, 
 Pike, Marion, Ralls, Clay and Monroe other companies were raised. 
 
 Two of these companies, commanded respectively by Captain John Jaimison, 
 of Callaway, and Captain David M. Hickman, of Boone county, were mustered 
 into service in July for thirty days, and put under command of Major Thomas W. 
 Conyers. 
 
 This detachment, accompanied by General Gentry, arrived at Fort Pike on the 
 15th of July, 1832. Finding that the Indians had not crossed the Mississippi into 
 Missouri, General Gentry returned to Columbia, leaving the fort in charge of 
 Major Conyers. Thirty days having expired, the command under Major Con- 
 yers was reheved by two other companies under Captains Sinclair Kirtley, of Boone, 
 and Patrick Ewing, of Callaway. This detachment was marched to Fort Pike by Col. 
 Austin A. King, who conducted the two companies under Major Conyers home. 
 Major Conyers was left in charge of the fort, where he remained till September 
 following, at which time the Indian troubles, so far as ^lissouri was concerned, 
 having all subsided, the frontier forces were mustered out of service. 
 
 Black Hawk continued the war in Iowa and Illinois, and was finally defeated 
 and captured in 1833. 
 
 MORMON DIFFICULTIES. 
 
 In 1832, Joseph Smith, the leader of the Mormons, and the chosen prophet 
 and apostle, as he claimed, of the Most High, came with many followers to Jack- 
 son county, Missouri, where they located and entered several thousand acres of 
 land. 
 
 The object of his coming so far West — upon the very outskirts of civilization 
 at that time — was to more securely establish his church, and the more effectively 
 to instruct his followers in its peculiar tenets and practices. 
 
 Upon the present town site of Independence the Mormons located their 
 "Zion, " and gave it the name of "The New Jerusalem." They published here 
 The Evening Star, and made themselves generally obnoxious to the Gentiles, who 
 were then in a minority, by their denunciatory articles through their paper, their 
 clannishness and their polygamous practices. 
 
 Dreading the demoralizing influence of a paper which seemed to be inspired 
 only with hatred and malice toward them, the Gentiles threw the press and type 
 iiito the Missouri river, tarred and feathered one of their bishops, and otherwise 
 gave the Mormons and their leaders to understand that they must conduct them- 
 selves in an entirely different manner if they wished to be let alone. 
 
 After the destruction of their paper and press, they became furiously incensed, 
 and sought many opportunities for retaliation. Matters continued in an uncertain 
 
48 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 condition until the 31st of October, 1833, when a deadly conflict occurred near 
 Wes'port, in which two Gentiles and one ISlormon were killed. 
 
 On the 2d of November following the Mormons were overpowered, and com- 
 pelled to lay down their arms and agree to leave the county with their families by 
 January ist on the conditioQ that the owner would be paid for his printing press. 
 
 Leaving Jackson county, they crossed the Missouri and located in Clay, Car- 
 roll, Caldwell and other counties, and selected in Caldwell county a town site, 
 which they called " Far West," and where they entered more land for their future 
 homes. 
 
 Through the influence of their missionaries, who were exerting themselves in 
 the East and in different portions of Europe, conve ts had constantly flocked to 
 their standard, and "Far West," and other Mormon settlements, rapidly 
 prospered. 
 
 In 1837 they commenced the erection of a magnificent temple but never 
 finished it. As their settlements increased in numbers, they became bolder in 
 their practices and deeds of lawlessness. 
 
 During the summer of 1838 two of their leaders settled in the town of De- 
 Witt, on the Missouri river, having purchased the land from an Illinois merchant. 
 DeWitt was in Carroll county, and a good point from which to forward goods and 
 immigrants to their town — Far West. 
 
 Upon its being ascertained that these parties were Mormon leaders, the Gen- 
 tiles called a public meeting, which was addressed by some of the prominent 
 citizens of the county. Nothing, however, was done at this meeting, but at a 
 subsequent meeting, which was held a few days afterward, a committee of citi- 
 zens was appointed to notify Col. Hinkle (one of the Mormon leaders at DeWitt), 
 what they intended to do, 
 
 Col. Hinkle upon being notified by this committee became indignant, and 
 threatened extermination to all who should attempt to molest him or the Saints. 
 
 In anticipation of trouble, and believing that the Gentiles would attempt to 
 force them from DeWitt, Mormon recruits flocked to the town from every direc- 
 tion, and pitched their tents in and around the town in great numbers. 
 
 The Gentiles, nothing daunted, planned an attack upon this encarripment, 
 to take place on the 21st day of September, 1838, and, accordingly, one hundred 
 and fifty men bivouacked near the town on that day. A conflict ensued, but 
 nothing serious occurred. 
 
 The Mormons evacuated their works and fled to some log houses, where they 
 could the more successfully resist the Gentiles, who had in the meantime returned 
 to their camp to await reinforcements. Troops from Howard, Ray and other 
 counties came to their assistance, and increased their number to five hundred 
 men. 
 
 Congreve Jackson was chosen Brigadier-General ; Ebenezer Price, Colonel ; 
 Singleton Vaughan, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Sarchel Woods, Major. After some 
 days of discipline, this brigade prepared for an assault but before the attack was 
 commenced Judge James Earickson and William F. Dunnica, influential citizens 
 of Howard county, asked permission of General Jackson to let them try and ad- 
 just the difficulties without any bloodshed. 
 
 It was finally agreed that Judge Earickson should propose to the Mormons 
 that, if they would pay for all the cattle they had killed belonging to the citizens, 
 and load their wagons during the night and be ready to move by ten o'clock next 
 morning, and make no further attempt to settle in Howard county, the citizens 
 would purchase at first cost their lots in DeWitt and one or two adjoining tracts 
 of land. 
 
 Col. Hinkle, the leader of the Mormons, at first refused all attempts to settle 
 the difficulties in this way, but finally agreed to the proposition. 
 
 In accordance therewith, the Mormons without lurther delay, loaded up their 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 49 
 
 wagons for the town of Far West, in Caldwell county. Whether the terms of the 
 agreement were ever carried out, on the part of the citizens, is not known. 
 
 The Mormons had doubtless suffered much and in many ways — the result oi 
 their own acts — but their trials and sufferings were not at an end. 
 
 In 1838 the discord between the citizens and Mormons became so great that 
 Governor Boggs issued a proclamation ordering M<ijor-General David R. Atchi- 
 son to call the militia of his division to enforce the laws. He called out a part of 
 the 1st brigade of the Missouri State MiHtia, under command of Generalx^. W. 
 Doniphan, who proceeded to the seat of war. General John B. Clark, of Howard 
 county was placed in command of the militia. 
 
 The Mormon forces numbered about i,ooo men, and were led by G. W. 
 Hinkle. The first engagement occurred at Crooked river, where one Mormon 
 was killed. The principal fight took place at Haughn's Mills, where eighteen 
 Mormons were killed and the balance captured, some of them being killed after 
 they had surrendered. Only one militiaman was wounded. 
 
 In the month of October, 1838, Joe Smith surrendered the town of Far West 
 to General Doniphan, agreeing to his conditions, viz. : That they should deliver 
 up their arms, surrender their prominent leaders for trial, and the remainder of the 
 Mormons should, with their families, leave the State. Indictments were found 
 against a number of these leaders, including Joe Smith, who, while being taken to 
 Boone county for trial, made his escape, and was afterward, in 1844, killed at 
 Carthage, Ilhnois, with his brother Hyrum. , 
 
 FLORIDA WAR. 
 
 In Feptember, 1837, the Secretary of War issued a requisition on Governor 
 Boggs, of Missouri, for six hundred volunteers for service in Florida against the 
 Seminole Indians, with whom the Creek nation had made common cause under 
 Osceola. 
 
 The first regiment was chiefly raised in Boone county by Colonel Richard 
 Gentry, of which he was elected Colonel; John W. Price, of Howard county, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel; Harrison H. Hughes, also of Howard, Major. Four com- 
 panies of the second regiment were raised and attached to the first. Two of these 
 companies w.ere composed of Delaware and Osage Indians. 
 
 October 6, 1837, Col. Gentry's regiment left Columbia for the seat of war, 
 stopping on the way at Jefferson barracks, where thev were mustered into service. 
 
 Arriving at Jackson barracks, New Orleans, they were from thence trans- 
 ported in brigs across the Gulf to Tampa Bay, Florida. General Zachary Taylor, 
 who then commanded in Florida, ordered Col. Gentry to march to Okee-chobee 
 Lake, one hundred and thirty-five miles inland by the route . traveled. Having 
 reached the Kissemmee river, seventy miles distant, a bloody battle ensued, in 
 which Col. Gentry was killed. The Missourians, though losing their gallant 
 leader, continued the fight until the Indians were totally routed, leaving many of 
 their dead and wounded on the field. There being no further service required 
 of the Missourians, they returned to their homes in 1838. 
 
 MEXICAN WAR. 
 
 Soon after Mexico declared war, against the United States, on the 8th and 
 9th of May, 1846, the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma were fought. 
 Great excitement prevailed throughout the country. In none of her sister States 
 however, did the fires of patriotism burn more intensely than in Missouri. Not 
 waiting for the call for volunteers, the " St. Louis Legion" hastened to the field 
 of conflict. The "Legion" was commanded by Colonel A. R. Easton. During 
 the month of May, 1846, Governor Edwards, of Missouri, called for volunteers 
 to join the " Army of the West," an expedition to Santa Fe — under command of 
 General Stephen W. Kearney. 
 
50 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Fort Leavenworth was the appointed rendezvous for the volunteers. By 
 the i8th of June, the full complement of companies to compose the first regi- 
 ment had arrived from Jackson, Lafayette, Clay, Saline, Franklin, Cole, Howard 
 and Callaway counties. Of this regiment A. W. Doniphan was made Colonel ; 
 C F. Ruff, Lieutenant-Colonel, and William Gilpin, Major. The battalion of 
 light artillery from St. Louis was commanded by Captains R. A. Weightman and 
 A. W. Fischer, with Major M. L. Clark as field officer ; battalions of infantry 
 from Platte and Cole counties commanded by Captains Murphy and W. Z. 
 Augney respectively, and the " Laclede Rangers," from St. Louis, by Captain 
 Thomas B. Hudson, aggregating all told, from Missouri, 1,658 men. In the 
 summer of 1846 Hon. Sterling Price resigned his seat in Congress and raised one 
 mounted regiment, one mounted extra battalion, and one extra battalion of Mor- 
 mon infantry to reinforce the " Army of the West. " Mr. Price was made colonel, 
 and D. D. Mitchell lieutenant-colonel. 
 
 In August, 1847, Governor Edwards made another requisition for one thou- 
 sand men, to consist of infantry. The regiment was raised at once. John 
 Dougherty, of Clay county, was chosen colonel, but before the regiment marched 
 the President countermanded the order. 
 
 A company of mounted volunteers was raised in Ralls county, commanded 
 by Captain Wm. T. Lalfland. Conspicuous among the engagements in which 
 the Missouri volunteers participated in Mexico were the battles of Brazito, Sacra- 
 mento, Canada, El Embudo, Taos and Santa Cruz de Rosales. The forces from 
 Mi^ouri were mustered out in 1848, and will ever be remembered in the history 
 of the Mexican war, for 
 
 "A thousand glorious actions that might claim 
 Triumphant laurels, and immortal fame." 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH. 
 
 Missouri as an Agricultural State— The Diferent Crops— Live Stock— Horses— Mules— Milch Co^us 
 —Oxen and other Cattle— Sheep-Hogs— Comparisons-Missouri Adapted to Live iitock— 
 Cotton— Broom-Corn and other Products— Fruits—Berries—Grapes—Railroads— First Neigh 
 of the "Iron Horse" in Missouri— Names of Railroads— Manufactures-Great Bridge at St. 
 
 Agriculture is the greatest among all the arts of man, as it is the first in supply- 
 ing his necessities. It favors and strengthens population ; it creates and maintains 
 manufactures ; gives employment to navigation and furnishes materials to com- 
 merce. It animates every species of industry, and opens to nations the safest 
 channels of wealth. It is the strongest bond of well regulated society the surest 
 basis of internal peace, and the natural associate of correct morals 'Among all 
 the occupations and professions of life, there is none more honorable, none more 
 independent, and none more conducive to health and happiness. 
 
 " In ancient times the sacred plow employ'd 
 The kings, and awful fathers of mankind ; 
 And some, with whom compared, your insect tribes 
 Are but the beings of a summer's day. 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 51 
 
 Have held the scale of empire, ruled the storm 
 Of mighty war with unwearied hand, 
 Disdaining little delicacies, seized 
 The plow and greatly independent lived." 
 
 As an agricultural region, Missouri is not surpassed by any State in the Union. 
 It is indeed the farmer's kingdom, where he always reaps an abundant harvest. 
 The soil, in many portions of the State, has an open, flexible structure, quickly 
 at^orbs the most excessive rains, and retains moisture with great tenacity. This 
 being the case, it is not so easily affected by drouth. The prairies are covered 
 with sweet, luxuriant grass, equally good for grazing and hay, grass not surpassed 
 by the Kentucky blue grass — the best of clover and timothy in growing and fat- 
 tening cattle. This grass is now as full of life-giving nutriment as it was when 
 cropped by the buffalo, the elk, the antelope and the deer, and costs the herds- 
 man nothing. 
 
 No State or Territory has a more complete and rapid system of natural 
 drainage, or a more abundant supply of pure, fresh water than Missouri. Both 
 man and beast may slake their thirst from a thousand perennial fountains, which 
 gush in limpid streams from the hill-sides, and wend their way through verdant 
 valleys and along smiling prairies, varying in size, as they onward flow, from the 
 diminutive brooklet to the giant river. 
 
 Here, nature has generously bestowed her attractions of climate, soil and 
 scenery to please and gratify man while earning his bread in the sweat of his brow. 
 Being thus munificently endowed, Missouri offers superior inducements to the 
 farmer, and bids him enter her broad domain and avail himself of her varied re- 
 sources. 
 
 We present here a table showing the product of each principal crop in 
 Missouri for 1878. 
 
 Indian Corn 93,062,000 bushels 
 
 Wheat 20,196,000 '' 
 
 Rye 732,030. " 
 
 Oats 19,584,000 " 
 
 Buckwheat 46,400 " 
 
 Pota oes 5,415,000 " 
 
 Tobacco 23,o2j,ooo pounds 
 
 Hay 1,620,000 tons 
 
 There were 3,552,000 acres in cornj wheat, 1,836,000; rye, 48,800: oats, 
 640,000; buckwheat, 2,900; potatoes, 72,200; tobacco, 29,900; hay, 850,000. 
 Value of each crop: corn, $24,196,224; wheat, $13,531,320; rye, $300,120; 
 oats, $3,325,120; buckwheat, $24, 128; potatoes, $2,057,700; tobacco. $1,151,- 
 150; hay, $10,416,600. 
 
 Average cash value of crops per acre, $7.69; average yield of corn per acre, 
 26 bushels; wheat, 11 bushels. 
 
 Next in importance to the corn crop in value is live stock. The following 
 table shows the number of horses, mules and milch cows in the different States 
 for 1879: 
 
 STATES. HORSES. MULES. MILCH COWS. 
 
 Maine 81,700 169,100 
 
 New Hampshire . . 57,100 98,100 
 
 Vermont 77, 400 217,800 
 
 Massachusetts . . . 131,000 160,700 
 
 Rhode Island . . . 16,200 22,000 
 
 Connecticut. . . . S3, 500 116,500 
 
52 
 
 STATES. 
 
 New York 
 
 New Jersey . . . 
 Pennsylvania . . . 
 Delaware .... 
 
 Maryland 
 
 Virginia .... 
 North Carolina . . 
 South Carolina . . 
 
 Georgia 
 
 Florida 
 
 Alabama .... 
 Mississippi . . . 
 Louisiana .... 
 
 Texas 
 
 Arkansas .... 
 Tennessee . . . 
 West Virginia . . 
 Kentucky .... 
 
 Ohio 
 
 Michigan . . . 
 
 Indiana 
 
 Illinois 
 
 Wisconsin .... 
 Minnesota .... 
 
 Iowa 
 
 Missouri .... 
 
 Kansas 
 
 Nebraska .... 
 
 California .... 
 
 Oregon . . , . . 
 
 Nev., Col. andTer's 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 HORSES. MULES. 
 
 898,900 11,800 . 
 
 114,500 14,400 . 
 
 614,500 24,900 . 
 
 19,900 4,000 . 
 
 108,600 11,300 . 
 
 208,700 30,600 . 
 
 144,200 74,000 . 
 
 59-600 SI>'5°° • 
 
 119,200 97,200 . 
 
 22,400 11,900 , 
 
 112,800 111,700 . 
 
 97,200 100,000 , 
 
 79,300 80,700 , 
 
 618,000 180,200 . 
 
 180,500 ... . 89,300 
 
 323,700 99.7°^ ■ 
 
 122,200 2,400 , 
 
 386,900 117,800 . 
 
 772,700 26,700 
 
 333.800 4.3°o 
 
 688,800 61,200 . 
 
 :, 100,000 138,000 . 
 
 384,400 8,700 
 
 247,300 7,03O . 
 
 770,700 43,400 
 
 627,300 191,900 
 
 275,000 50,000 
 
 157,200 13,600 
 
 273,000 25,700 
 
 109,700 3,500 
 
 250,000 25,700 , 
 
 MILCH COWS. 
 ,446,200 
 152,200 
 
 82^,4oo 
 23,200 
 100,500 
 236,200 
 232,300 
 131,300 
 273, 100 
 70,000 
 215,200 
 188,000 
 110,900 
 544,500 
 187,700 
 245,700 
 130,500 
 257,200 
 714,100 
 416,900 
 439, 200 
 702,400 
 477,300 
 278,900 
 676,200 
 516,200 
 321,900 
 127,600 
 459,600 
 1 12,400 
 423,600 
 
 It will be seen from the above table, that Missouri is the -fifth State in the 
 number of horses ; fifth in number of milch-cows, and the leading State in num- 
 ber of mules, having 11,700 more than Texas, which produces the next largest 
 number. Of oxen and other cattle, Missouri produced in 1879, 1,632,000, which 
 was more than any other State produced excepting Texas, which had 4,800,000. 
 In 1879 Missouri raised 2,817,600 hogs, which was more than any other State 
 produced, excepting Iowa. The number of sheep, was 1,296,400. The num- 
 ber of hogs packed in 1879, by the different States, is as follows : 
 
 STATES. NO. 
 
 Ohio 932,878 
 
 Indiana 622,321 
 
 Illinois 3,214,896 
 
 Iowa 569,763 
 
 states. no. 
 
 Missouri 965,839 
 
 Wisconsin 472,108 
 
 Kentucky 212,412 
 
 Average weight per head for each State : 
 
 states. pounds. 
 
 Ohio 210.47 
 
 Indiana 193.80 
 
 Illinois 225-71 
 
 Iowa 211.98 
 
 states. pounds. 
 
 Missouri 213.32 
 
 Wisconsin 220.81 
 
 Kentucky 210.11 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 63 
 
 From the above, it will be seen that Missouri annually packs more hogs 
 than any other State excepting Illinois, and that she ranks third in the average 
 weight. 
 
 We see no reason why Missouri should not be the foremost stock-raising 
 State of the Union. In addition to the enormous yield of corn and oats upon 
 which the stock is largely dependent, the climate is well adapted to their growth 
 and health. Water is not only inexhaustible, but everywhere convenient. The 
 ranges for stock are boundless, affording for nine months of the year, excellent 
 pasturage of nutritious wild grasses, which grow in great luxuriance upon the 
 thousand prairies. 
 
 Cotton is grown successfully in many counties of the southeastern portions 
 of the State, especially in Stoddard, Scott, Pemiscot, Butler, New Madrid, Law- 
 rence and Mississippi. 
 
 Sweet potatoes are produced in abundance and are not only sure but profi- 
 table. 
 
 Broom corn, sorghum, castor beans, white beans, peas, hops, thrive well, and 
 all kinds of garden vegetables, are produced in great abundance and are found 
 in the markets during all seasons of the year. Fruits of every variety, including 
 the apple, pear, peach, cherries, apricots and nectarines, are cultivated with 
 great success, as are also, the strawberry, gooseberry, currant, raspberry and black- 
 berry. 
 
 The grape has not been produced, with that success that was at first antici- 
 pated, yet the yield of wine for the year 1879, was nearly half a million of gallons. 
 Grapes do well in Kansas, and we see no reason why they should not be as sure- 
 ly and profitably grown in a similar climate and soil in Missouri, and particularly 
 in many of the counties north and east of the Missouri River. 
 
 RAILROADS. 
 
 Twenty-nine years ago, the neigh of the "iron horse" was heard for the first 
 dme, within the broad domain of Missouri. His coming presaged the dawn of a 
 brighter and grander era in the history of the State. Her fertile prairies, and more 
 prolific valleys would soon be of easy access to the oncoming tide of immigration, 
 and the ores and minerals of her hills and mountains would be developed, and 
 utilized in her manufacturing and industrials enterprises. 
 
 Additional facilities would be opened to the marts of trade and commerce ; 
 transportation from the interior of the State would be secured; a fresh impetus 
 would be given to the growth of her towns and cities, and new hopes and inspi- 
 rations would be imparted to all her people. 
 
 Since 1852, the initial period of railroad building in Missouri, between four 
 and five thousand miles of track have been laidj additional roads are now being 
 constructed, and many others in contemplation. The State is already well sup- 
 plied with railroads which thread her surface in all directions, bringing her 
 remotest districts into close connection with St. Louis, that great center of west- 
 ern railroads and inland commerce. These roads have a capital stock, aggregat- 
 ing more than one hundred millions of dollars, and a funded debt of about the 
 same amount. 
 
 The lines of railroads which are operated in the State are the following : 
 
 Missouri Pacific — chartered May loth, 1850; The St. Louis, Iron Mountain 
 & Southern Railroad, which is a consolidation of the Arkansas Branch ; 
 The Cairo, Arkansas & Texas Railroad. The Cairo & Fulton Railroad : The 
 St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railway; St. Louis & San Francisco Railway ; 
 The Chicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad; The Hannibal & St. Joseph Rail- 
 road ; The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad ; The Illinois, Missouri & Texas 
 Railroad; The Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad ; The Keokuk 
 & Kansas City Railway Company ; The St. Louis, Salem & Little Rock Rail- 
 
54 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 road Company; The Missouri & Western ; The St. Louis, Keokuk & North- 
 western Railroad ; The St. Louis, Hannibal & Keokuk Railroad ; The Missouri, 
 Iowa & Nebraska Railway; The Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad; The 
 Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway ; The Burlington & Southwestern Rail- 
 road. 
 
 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 The natural resources of Missouri especially fit her for a great manufacturing 
 State. She is rich in soil; rich in all the elements which supply the furnace, the 
 machine shop and the planing mill; rich in the multitude and variety of her gi- 
 gantic forests; rich in her marble, stone and granite quarries; rich in her mines 
 of iron, coal, lead and zinc; rich in strong arms and willing hands to apply the 
 force; rich in water power and river navigation; and rich in her numerous and 
 well-built railroads, whose numberless engines thunder along their multiplied track- 
 ways. 
 
 Missouri contains over fourteen thousand manufacturing establishments, 
 1,965 of which are using steam and give employment to 80,000 hands. The cap- 
 ital employed is about $100,000,000, the material annually used and worked up, 
 amounts to over $150,000,000 and the value of the products put upon the markets 
 $250,000,000, while the wages paid, are more than $40,000,000. 
 
 The leading manufacturing counties of the State, are St. Louis, Jackson, Buc- 
 hanan, St. Charles, Marion, Franklin, Green,. Lafayette, Platte, Cape Giardeau, 
 and Boone. Three-fourths, however, of the manufacturing is done in St. Louis, 
 which is now about the second manufacturing city of the Union. Flouring mills 
 produce annually about $38,194,000; carpentering $18,763,000; meat-packing 
 $16,769,000; tobacco $12,496,000; iron and castings $12,000,000; liquors $11,- 
 245,000; clothing §10,022,000; lumber $8,652,000; bagging and bags $6,914, - 
 000, and maAy other smaller industries in proportion. 
 
 GREAT BRIDGE AT ST. LOUIS. 
 
 Of the many public improvements which do honor to the State and reflect 
 great credit upon the genius of their projectors, we have space only, to mention 
 the great bridge at St. Louis. 
 
 This truly wonderful construction is built of tubular steel, total length of 
 which, with its approaches, is 6,277 feet, at a cost of nearly $8,000,000. The 
 bridge spans the Mississippi from the Illinois to the Missouri shore, and has sep- 
 arate railroad tracts, roadways, and foot paths. In durability, architectural beau- 
 ty and practical utility, there is, perhaps, no similar piece of workmanship that 
 approximates it. , 
 
 The structure of Darius upon the Bosphorus ; of Xerxes upon the Hellespont; 
 of Csesar upon the Rhine ; and Trajan upon the Danube, famous in ancient histo- 
 ry, were built for miUtary purposes, that over them might pass invading armies 
 with their munitions of war, to destroy commerce, to lay in waste the provinces, 
 and to slaughter the people. 
 
 But the erection of this was for a higher and nobler purpose. Over it are 
 coming the trade and merchandise of the opulent East, and thence are passing 
 the untold riches of the West. Over it are crowding legions of men, armed not 
 with the weapons of war, but the implements of peace and industry ; men who 
 are skilled in all the arts of agriculture, of manufacture and of mining ; men who 
 will hasten the day when St. Louis shall rank in population and importance, sec- 
 ond to no city on the continent, and when Missouri shall proudly fill the measure 
 of greatness, to which she is naturally so justly entitled. 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 55 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 Puhtic School System — Public School System of Missouri — Lincoln Institute — Officers of Publii 
 School System — Certificates of Teachers — University of Missouri — Schools — Colleges — Institu- 
 tions of Learning — Location — Libraries — Newspa.pers and Periodicals — No. of School Chit- 
 dren — Amount Expended — Value of Grounds and Buildings — "The Press." 
 
 The first constitution of JMissouri provided, that ' ' one school or more, shall 
 be established in each township, as soon as practicable and necessary, where the 
 poor shall be taught gratis." 
 
 It will be seen that even at that early day, (1820), the framers of the con- 
 stitution made provision for at least a primary education, for the poorest and the 
 humblest, taking it for granted that those who were able would avail themselves 
 of educational advantages which were not gratuitous. 
 
 The establishment of the public school system in its essential features, was 
 not perfected until 1839, during the administration of Governor Boggs, and since 
 that period, the system has slowly grown into favor, not only in Missouri, but 
 throughout the United States. The idea of a free or public school for all classes 
 was not at first a popular one, especially among those who had the means to pat- 
 ronize private institutions of learning. In upholding and maintaining public 
 schools, the opponents of the system felt that they were not only compromising 
 their own standing among their more wealthy neighbors, but that they were to 
 some extent, bringing opprobrium upon their children. Entertaining such preju- 
 dices they naturally thought that the training received in public schools, could not 
 be otherwise than defective, hence many years of probation passed, before the 
 popular mind was prepared to appreciate the benefits and blessings which spring 
 from these institutions. 
 
 Every year only adds to their popularity, and commends them the more 
 earnestly to the fostering care of our State and National Legislatures, and to the 
 esteem and favor of all classes of our people. 
 
 We can hardly conceive of two grander and more potent promoters of civili- 
 zation, than the free school and the free press. They would indeed seem to con 
 stitute all that was necessary to the attainment of the happiness and intellectual 
 growth of the Republic and all that was necessary to broaden, to liberalize and 
 instruct. 
 
 "Tis education forms the common mind; 
 
 "For noble youth there is nothing so meet 
 As learning is, to know the good from ill; 
 To know the tongues, and perfectly indite, 
 And of the laws to have a perfect sk'iU, 
 Things to reform as right and justice will, 
 For honor is ordained for no cause 
 But to see right maintained by the laws." 
 
 All the States of the Union, have in practical operation the public school 
 system, governed in the main by similar laws, and not differing materially in the 
 manner and methods by which they are taught, but none have a wiser, a more 
 Uberal and comprehensive machinery of instruction than Missouri. Her school 
 laws since 1839, have undergone many changes, and always for the better, keep. 
 
56 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 ins; pvce with the most enlightened and advanced theories of the most experienc- 
 ed ed icators in the land. But not until 1875, ^^en the new constitution was 
 adoptei, did her present admirable system of public instruction go into effect. 
 
 Provisions were made not only for white, but for children of African descent, 
 and are a part of the organic law, not subject to the caprices of unfriendly legisla- 
 tures, or the whims of political parties. The Lincoln Institute, located at Jeffer- 
 son Ci y, for the education of colored teachers, receives an annual appropriation 
 trom t le General Assembly. 
 
 F jr the support of the public schools, in addition to the annual income de- 
 rived from the public school fund, which is set apart bylaw, not less than twenty- 
 five p 'r cent, of the State revenue, exclusive of the interest and sinking fund, is 
 annually applied to this purpose. 
 
 The officers having in charge the public school interests, are the State 
 "Board of Education;" the State Superintendent; County Superintendent; 
 County Clerk and Treasurer; Board of Directors; City and Town School Board : 
 and Teacher. The State Board of Education is composed of the State Superin- 
 tendent, the Governor, Secretary of State and the Attorney General, the execu- 
 tive officer of this Board, being the State Superintendent, who is chosen by the 
 people every four years. His duties are numerous. He renders decisions con- 
 cernin'^ the local application of school law ; keeps a record of all the school funds 
 and annually distributes the same to the counties ; supervises the work of county 
 school officers ; delivers lectures; visits schools ; distributes educational informa- 
 tion ; grants certificates of higher qualifications; and makes an annual report 
 to the General Assembly of the condition of the schools. 
 
 The County Superintendents are also elected by the people for two years. 
 Their work is to examine teachers, to distribute blanks and make reports. Coun- 
 ty clerks receive estimates from the local directors and extend them upon the 
 tax-books. In addition to this, they keep the general records of the county and 
 township school funds, and return an annual report of the financial condition of 
 the schools of their county to the State Superintendent. School taxes are gather- 
 ed with other taxes by the county collector. The custodian of the school funds 
 belonging to the schools of the counties, is the county treasurer, except in coun- 
 ties adopting the township organization, in which case, the township trustee 
 discharges these duties. 
 
 Districts organized under the special law for cities and towns are governed 
 by a board of six directors, two of whom are selected annually, on the second Sat- 
 urday in September, and hold their office for three years. 
 
 One director is elected to serve for three years in each school district, at the 
 annual meeting. These directors may levy a tax not exceeding forty per cent, on 
 the one hundred dollars valuation, provided such annual rates for school purposes 
 may be increased in districts formed of cities and towns, to an amount not to ex- 
 ceed one dol'ar on the hundred dollars valuation ; and in other districts to an amount 
 not to exceed sixty five cents on the one hundred dollars valuation, on the condi- 
 tion that a majority of the voters who are tax-payers, voting at an election held to 
 decide the question, vote for said increase. For the purpose of erecting public 
 Ijuildings in school districts, the rates of taxation thus Umited, may be increased 
 when the rate of such increase and the purpose for which it is intended shall have 
 been submitted to a vote of the people, and two-thirds of the qualified voters of 
 such school district voting at such election shall vote therefor. 
 
 Local directors may direct the management of the school in respect to the 
 choice of teachers and other details, but in the discharge of all important business, 
 such as the erection of a school house or the extension of a term of school beyond 
 the constitutional period, they simply execute the will of the people. The clerk 
 of this board may be a director. - He keeps a record of the names of all the chil- 
 dren and youth in the district between the ages of five and twenty-one; records 
 
58 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 all business proceedings of the district, and reports to the annual meeting, to the 
 County ClerK and County Superintendents. 
 
 Teachers must hold a certificate from the State Superintendent or County 
 Commissioner of the county where they teach. State certificates are granted upon 
 personal written examinations in the common branches, together with the natural 
 sciences and higher mathematics. The holder of such certificate may teach in any 
 public school of the State without further examination. Certificates granted by 
 County Commissioners are of two classes, with two grades in each class Those 
 issued for a longer term than one year, belong to the first class and are suscepti- 
 ble of two grades, differing both as to length of time and attainments. Those 
 issued for one year may represent two grades, marked by qualification alone. 
 The township school fund arises from a grant oflandby the General Government, 
 consisting of section sixteen in each congressional township. The annual income 
 of the township fund is appropriated to the various townships, according to their 
 respective proprietary claims. The support from the permanent funds is supple- 
 mented by direct taxation laid upon the taxable property of each district. The 
 greatest limit of taxation for the current expenses is one per cent. ; the tax per- 
 mitted for school-house building cannot exceed the same amount. 
 
 Among the institutions of learning and ranking, perhaps, the first in impor- 
 tance, is the State University located at Columbia, Boone county. When the 
 State was admitted into the Union, Congress granted to it one entire township of 
 laind (46.080 acres) for the support of " A Seminary of Learning." The lands 
 secured for this purpose are among the best and most valuable in the State. 
 These lands were put upon the market in 1832 and brought $75,000, which 
 amount was invested in the stock of the old bank of the State of Missouri, where 
 it remained and increased by accumulation to the sum of $100,000. In 1839 by 
 an act of the General Assembly, five commissioners were appointed to select a site 
 lor the State University, the site to contain at least fifty acres of land in a com- 
 pact form, within two miles of the county seat of Cole, Cooper, Howard, Boone, 
 Callaway or Saline. Bids were let among the counties named and the county ol 
 Boone having subscribed the sum of$ii7,92i, some$i8,ooo more than any other 
 county, the State University was located in that county, and on the 4th of July, 
 1840, the corner-stone was laid with imposing ceremonies. 
 
 The present annual income of the University is nearly $65,000. There are 
 still unsold about 200,000 acres of land from the grant of 1862. The donations 
 to the institutions connected therewith amount to nearly $400,000. This Uni- 
 versity with its different departments, is opened to both male and female and 
 both sexes enjoy alike its rights and privileges. Among the professional schools, 
 which form a part of the University, are the Normal, or College of Instruction in 
 Teaching ; the Agricultural and Mechanical College ; the School of Mines and 
 Metallurgy; the College of Law ; the Medical College; and the Department ot 
 Analytical and Applied Chemistry. Other departments are contemplated and 
 will be added as necessity requires. 
 
 The following will show the names and locations of the schools and institu- 
 tion of the State as reported by the Commissioner of Education in 1875 : 
 
 UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES. 
 
 Christian University Canton. 
 
 St. Vincent's College Cape Girardeau. 
 
 University of Missouri Columbia. 
 
 Central College , Fayette. 
 
 Westminster College Fulton. 
 
 Lewis College Glasgow. 
 
 Pritchett School Institute Glasgow. 
 
 Lincoln College Greenwood. 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 59 
 
 Hannibal College Hannibal 
 
 Woodland College ... Independence. 
 
 Thayer College Kidder. 
 
 La Grange College • • . . La Grange. 
 
 William Jewell College . , _ Liberty. 
 
 Baptist College Louisiana! 
 
 St. Joseph College St. Joseph. 
 
 College of Christian Brothers St. Louis. 
 
 St. Louis University St. Louis. 
 
 Washington University St. Louis. 
 
 Drury College '. '. Springfield'. 
 
 Central Wesleyan College Warrenton. 
 
 FOR SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF WOMEN. 
 
 St. Joseph Female Seminary St. Joseph. 
 
 Christian College Columbia 
 
 Stephens' College Columbia. 
 
 Howard College Fayette. 
 
 Independence Female College Independence. 
 
 Central Female College Lexington. 
 
 Clay Seminary Liberty. 
 
 Ingleside Female College Palmyra. 
 
 Linden Wood College for Young Ladies St Charles. 
 
 Mary Institute (Washington University) St. Louis. 
 
 St. Louis Seminary St. Louis. 
 
 Ursuline Academy St. Louis. 
 
 FOR SECONDARY INSTRUCTION. 
 
 Arcadia College Arcadia. 
 
 St. Vincent's Academy Cape Girardeau. 
 
 Chillicothe Academy Chillicothe. 
 
 Grand River College Edinburgh. 
 
 Marionville Collegiate Institute Marionville. 
 
 Palmyra Seminary Palmyra. 
 
 St. Paul's College Palmyra. 
 
 Van Rens-elaer Academy Rensselaer. 
 
 Shelby High School Shelbyville. 
 
 Stewartville Male and Female Seminary Stewartsville. 
 
 SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE. 
 
 Missouri Agricultural and Mechanical College (University of Missouri) . Columbia. 
 
 Schools of Mines and Metallurgy (University of Missouri) Columbia. 
 
 Polytechnic Institute (Washington University) St. Louis. 
 
 SCHOOLS OF THEOLOGY. 
 
 St. Vincent's College (Theological Department) , Cape Girardeau. 
 
 Westminster College (Theological School) Fulton 
 
 Vardeman School of Theology (William Jewell College) Liberty. 
 
 Concordia College St. Louis. 
 
 SCHOOLS OF LAW. 
 
 Law School of the University of Missouri Columbia. 
 
 Law School of the Washington University • • . . . St. Louis. 
 
60 HISTORY OF MrSSOURI. 
 
 SCHOOLS OF MEDICINE. 
 
 Medical College, University of Missouri Columbia. 
 
 College of Physicians and Surgeons St. Joseph. 
 
 Kansas City College of Physicians and Surgeons Kansas City. 
 
 Hospital Medical College St. Joseph. 
 
 Missouri Medical College St. Louis. 
 
 Northwestern Medical College St. Joseph. 
 
 St. Louis Medical College St. Louis. 
 
 Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri St. Louis. 
 
 Missouri School of Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children . St. Louis. 
 
 Missouri Central College St. Louis. 
 
 St. Louis College of Pnarmacy St. Louis. 
 
 LARGEST PUBLIC LIBRARIES. 
 NAME. LOCATION VOLUMES 
 
 St. Vincent's College Cape Girardeau 5,500 
 
 Southeast Missouri State Normal School . . . Cape Girardeau 1,225 
 
 University of Missouri . Columbia 10,000 
 
 Athenian Society Columbia i 200 
 
 Union Literary Society -Columbia; 1,200 
 
 Law College Columbia 1,000 
 
 Westminster College Fulton 5, 000 
 
 Lewis College Glasgow 3,000 
 
 Mercantile Library Hannibal 2,219 
 
 Library Association Independence i.ioo 
 
 Fruitland Normal Institute Jackson 1,000 
 
 State Library Jefferson City 13,000 
 
 Fetterman's Circulating Library . . Kansas City i,3-o 
 
 Law Library Kansas City 3,000 
 
 Whittemore's Circulating Library Kansas City 1,000 
 
 North Missouri State Normal School .... Kirksville 1,050 
 
 William Jewell College Liberty 4,000 
 
 St. Paul's College Palmyra 2,000 
 
 Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy . . Rolla 1,478 
 
 St. Charles Catholic Library St. Charles 1,716 
 
 Carl Frielling's Library St. Joseph 6,000 
 
 Law Library St. Joseph 2,000 
 
 Public School Library . . . St. Joseph 2,500 
 
 Walworth & Colt's Circulating Library . . .St. Joseph 1,500 . 
 
 Academy of Science . St Louis 2,744 
 
 Academy of Visitation St. Louis 4,000 
 
 College of the Christian Brothers St. Louis 22,000 
 
 Deutsche Institute St. Louis 1,000 
 
 German Evang. Lutheran, Concordia Col. ege. St. Louis 4,8co 
 
 Law Library Association . . . . .St. Louis 8,000 
 
 Missouri Medical College St. Louis 1,000 
 
 Mrs. Cuthberts Seminary (Young Ladies) . St. Louis 1,500 
 
 Odd Fellows Library St. Louis 4,000 
 
 Public School Library St. Louis 40,097 
 
 St. Louis Medical College St. Louis 1,100 
 
 St. Louis Mercantile Library St. Louis 4 5, 000 
 
 St. Louis Seminary St. Louis 2,000 
 
 St. Louis Turn Verein St. Louis 2,000 
 
 St. Louis University St. Louis ....... 17,000 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 61 
 
 NAME. , LOCATION^ VOLUMES. 
 
 St. Louis University Society Libraries . . . .St Louis 8, ooo 
 
 Ursuline Academy St. Louis 2,000 
 
 Washington University St. Louis 4,500 
 
 St. Louis Law School St. Louis 3,000 
 
 Young Men's Sodality St. Louis i 327 
 
 Library Association Sedalia 1,500 
 
 Public School Library Sedalia 1,015 
 
 Drury College Springfield 2,000 
 
 IN 1880. 
 Newspapers and Periodicals 481 
 
 CHARITIES. 
 
 State Asylum for Deaf and Dumb Fulton. 
 
 St. Bridget's Institution for Deaf and Dumb St. Louis. 
 
 Institution for the Education of the Blind St. Louis. 
 
 State Asylum for Insane Fulton. 
 
 State Asylum for the Insane St. Louis. 
 
 NORMAL SCHOOLS. 
 
 Normal Institute Bolivar. 
 
 Southeast Missouri State Normal School Cape Girardeau. 
 
 Normal School (University of Missouri) . Columbia. 
 
 Fruitland Normal Institute Jackson. 
 
 Lincoln Institute (for colored) Jefferson City. 
 
 City Normal School St. Louis. 
 
 Missoiiri State Normal School Warrensburg. 
 
 Number of School Children 
 
 IN 1878. 
 
 Estimated value of School Property $8,321,399 
 
 Total Receipts for Public Schools 4,207,617 
 
 Total Expenditures 2,406,139 
 
 NUMBER OF TEACHERS. 
 
 Male Teachers 6,239; average monthly pay $36.86. 
 
 Female. Teachers 5, 060; average monthly pay 28.09. 
 
 The fact that Missouri supports and maintains four hundred and seventy-one 
 newspapers and periodicals, shows that her inhabitants are not only a reading and 
 reflecting people, but that they appreciate ' ' The Press, " and its wonderful influ- 
 ence as an educator. The poet has well said : 
 
 But mightiest of the mighty means, 
 On which the arm of progress leans, 
 Man's noblest mission to advance, 
 His woes assuage, his weal enhance. 
 His rights enforce, his wrongs redress- 
 Mightiest of mighty is the Press. 
 
62 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 CHAPTER XTI. 
 RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 
 
 Baptist Church— Its History— Con^e^ational— When Founded— Its History— Christian Church 
 —Its History— Cumberland Presbyterian Church— Its History— Methodist Episcopal Chweh 
 —Its History— Presliyterian Church— Its History— Protestant Episcopal Church— Its History 
 —United Presbyterian Church— Its History— Unitanan Church— Its History— Roman Cuth 
 olic Church — Its History. 
 
 The first representatives of religious thought and training, who penetrated 
 the Missouri and Mississippi Valleys, were Pere Marquette, La Salle and others 
 of Catholic persuasion, who performed missionary labor among the Indians. A 
 century afterward came the Protestants. At that early period 
 
 "A church in every grove that spread 
 Its living roof above their heads." 
 
 constituted for a time, their only house of worship, and yet to them 
 
 "No Temple built with hands could vie 
 In glory with its majesty." 
 
 In the course of time, the seeds of Protestantism were scattered along the 
 shores of the two great rivers which form the eastern and western boundaries of 
 the State, and still a little later they were sown upon her hill-sides and broad 
 prairies, where they have since bloomed and blossomed as the rose. 
 
 BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The earliest An ti- Catholic religious denomination, of which there is any 
 record, was organized in Cape Girardeau county in 1806, through the efforts of 
 Rev. David Green, a Baptist, and a native of Virginia. In 1816, the first associa- 
 tion of Missouri Baptists was formed, which was composed of seven churches, all 
 of which were located in the southeastern part of the State. In 181 7 a second 
 association of churches was formed, called the Missouri Association, the name 
 being afterwards changed to St. Louis Association. In 1834, a general conven- 
 tion of all the churches of this denomination, was held in Howard County, for 
 the purpose of effecting a central organization, at which time, was commenced 
 what is now known, as the "General .Association of Missouri Baptists." 
 
 To this body, is committed the State mission work, denominational educa 
 tion, foreign missions and the circulation of religious literature. The Baptist 
 Church has under its control, a number of schools and colleges, the most import 
 ant of which is William Jewell College, located at Liberty, Clay County. As 
 shown by the annual report for 1875, there were in Missiouri, at that date, sixty- 
 one associations, one thousand four hundred churches, eight hundred and twenty- 
 four ministers and eighty-nine thousand six hundred and fifty church members. 
 
 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
 
 The Congregationalists inaugurated their missionary labors in the State in 
 1814. Rev. Samuel J. Mills, of Torringford, Connecticut, and Rev. Daniel 
 Smith, of Bennington, Vermont, were sent west by the Massachusetts Congrega- 
 tion Home Missionary Society during that year, and in November, 1814, they 
 preached the first regular Protestant sermons in St. Louis. Rev. Salmon Gid- 
 dings, sent out under the auspices of the Connecticut Congregational Missionary 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 63 
 
 Society, organized the first Protestant church in the city, consisting often members, 
 constituted Presbyterian. The churches organized by Mr. Giddings were all 
 Presbyterian in their order. 
 
 No exclusively Congregational Church was founded until 1852, when the 
 "First Trinitarian Congregational Church of St. Louis" was organized. The 
 next church of this denomination was organized at Hannibal in 1859. Then 
 followed a Welsh church in New Cambria in 1864, and after the close of the war, 
 fifteen churches of the same order were formed in different parts of the State. 
 In 1866, Pilgrim Church, St. Louis, was organized. The General Conference of 
 Churches of Missouri was formed in 1865, which was changed in 1868, to Gener- 
 al Association. In 1866, Hannibal, Kidder, and St. Louis District Associations 
 were formed, and following these, were the Kansas City and Springfield District 
 Associations. This, denomination in 1875, had 70 churches, 41 ministers, 3,363 
 church members, and had also several schools and colleges and one monthly 
 newspaper. 
 
 CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The earliest churches of this denomination were organized in Callaway, 
 Boone and Howard Counties, some time previously to 1829. The first church 
 was formed in St. Louis in 1836 by Elder R. B. Fife. The first State Sunday 
 School Convention of the Christian Church, was held in Mexico in 1876. Be- 
 sides a number of private institutions, this denomination has three State Institu- 
 tions, all of which have an able corps of professors and have a good attendance 
 of pupils. It has one religious paper published in St. Louis, '■'The Christian," 
 which is a weekly publication and well patronized. The membership of this 
 church now numbers nearly one hundred thousand in the State and is increasing 
 rapidly. It has more than five hundred organized churches, the greater portion 
 of which are north of the Missouri River. 
 
 CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 In the spring of r820, the first Presbytery of this denomination west of the Mis- 
 sissippi, was organized in Pike County. This Presbytery included all the territory 
 of Missouri, western Illinois and Arkansas and numbered only four ministers, two 
 of whom resided at the time in Missouri. There are now in the State, twelve 
 Presbyteries, three Synods, nearly three hundred ministers and over twenty thou- 
 sand members. The Board of Missions is located at St. Louis. They have a 
 number of Hig 1 Schools and two monthly papers published at St. Louis. 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 In 1806, Rev. John Travis, a young Methodist minister, was sent out to the 
 "Western Conference" which then embraced the Mississippi "Valley, from Green 
 County, Tennessee. During that year Mr. Travis organized a number of small 
 churches. At the close of his conference year, he reported the result of his 
 labors to the Western Conference, which was held at Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1870, and 
 showed an aggregate of one hundred and six members and two circuits, one 
 called Missouri and the other Meramec. In 1808, two circuits had been formed, 
 and at each succeeding year the number of circuits and members constantly in- 
 creased, until 1812, when what was called the Western Conference *v as divided 
 into the Ohio and Tennessee Conferences, Missouri falling into the Tennessee 
 Conference. In 1816, there was another division when the Missouri Annual Con- 
 ference was formed. In 1810, there were four traveUng preachers and in- 1820, 
 fifteen traveling preachers, with over 2,000 members. In 1836, the territory of 
 the Missouri Conference was again divided when the Missouri Conference includ- 
 ed only the State. In 1840 there were 72 traveling preachers, 177 local ministers 
 and 13,992 church members. Between 1840 and 1850, the church was divided 
 
64 HISTORY OF MIS-OURl. 
 
 by the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1850, the mem- 
 bership of the M. E. Church was over 25,000, and during the succeeding ten 
 years the church prospered rapidly. In 1875, the M. E. Church reported 274 
 church edifices and 34,156 members; the M. E. Church, South, reported 443 
 church edifices and 49,588 members. This denomination has linder its control 
 several schools and colleges and two weekly newspapers. 
 
 PRESBY PERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church dates the beginning of their missionary efforts in 
 the State as far back as 1814 but the first Presbyterian Church was not organized 
 until 18 1 6 at Bellevue settlement eight miles from St Louis. The next churches 
 were formed in 1816 and in 1817 at Bonhomme, Pike County. The First Pres- 
 byterian Church was organized in St. Louis in 1817, by Rev. Salmon Giddng. 
 The first Presbytery was organized in 181 7 by the Synod of Tennessee with four 
 ministers and four churches. The first Presbyterian house of worship (which 
 was the first Protestant) was commenced in 1719 and completed in 1826. In 
 1820 a mission was formed among the Osage Indians. In 183 r, the Presbytery 
 was divided into three : Missouri, St. Louis and St. Charles. These were erected 
 with a Synod comprising eighteen ministers and twenty-three churches. 
 
 The church was divided in 1838, throughout the United States. In i860 the 
 rolls of the Old and New School Synods together showed 109 ministers and 146 
 churches. In 1866 the Old School Synod was divided on political questions 
 springing out of the war — a part forming the Old School, or Independent Synod 
 of Missouri, who are connected with the General Assembly South. In 1870, the 
 Old and New School Presbyterians united, since which time this Synod has stead- 
 ily increased until it now numbers more than 12,000 members with more than 220 
 churches and 150 ministers. 
 
 This Synod is composed of six Presbyteries and has under its control one or 
 two institutions of learning and one or two newspapers. That part of the origi- 
 nal Synod which withdrew from the General Assembly remained an independent 
 body until 1874 when it united with the Southern Presbyterian Church. The 
 Synod in 1875 numbered 80 ministers, 140 churches and 9,000 members. It has 
 under its control several male and female institutions of a high order. The Si. 
 Louis Presbyterian, a weekly paper, is the recognized organ of the Synod. 
 
 PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 The missionary enterprises of this church began in the State in 1819, when 
 a parish was organized in the City of St. Louis. In 1828, an agent of the" Do- 
 mestic and Foreign Missionary Society, visited the city, who reported the condi- 
 tion of things so favorably that Rev. Thomas Horrell was sent out as a missionary 
 and in 1825, he began his labors in St. Louis. A church edifice was completed 
 in 1830. In 1836, there were five clergyman of this denomination in Missouri, 
 who had organized congregations in Boouville, Fayette, St. Charles, Hannibal 
 and other places. In 1840, the clergy and laity met in convention, a diocese 
 was formed, a constitution and canons adopted, and in 1844 a Bishop was chosen, 
 he beinp, the Rev. Cicero S. Hawks. 
 
 Through the efforts of Bishop Kemper, Kemper College was founded near 
 St. Louis, but was afterward given up on account of pecuniary troubles. In 
 1847, the Qlark Mission began and in 1849 the Orphans Home, a charitable in- 
 stitution was founded. In 1865, St. Luke's Hospital was estabhshed. In 1875, 
 there were in the city of St. Louis, twelve parishes and missions and twelve cler- 
 gymeh. This denomination has several schools and colleges, and one newspaper. 
 
 UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 This denomination is made up of the member of the Associate and Associate 
 Reformed churches of the Northern States, which two bodies united in 1858, taking 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 65 
 
 the name of United Presbyterian Church of North America. Its members were 
 generally bitterly opposed to the institution of slavery. The first congregation 
 was organized at Warrensburg, Johnson county in 1867. It rapidly increased in 
 numbers, and had, in 1875, ten ministers and five hundred members. 
 
 UNITARIAN CHURCH. 
 
 This church was formed in 1834, by Rev. W. G. Eliot, in St. Louis. The 
 churches are few in number throughout the State, the membership being probably 
 less than 300, all told. It has a mission house and free school, for poor children, 
 supported by donations. 
 
 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 
 
 The earliest written record of the Catholic Church in Missouri shows that 
 Father Watrin performed ministerial services in Ste. Gene,vieve, in 1760, and in 
 St. Louis in 1766. In 1770, Father Meurin erected a small log church in St. 
 Louis. In 1818, there were in the State, four chapels, and for Upper Louisiana, 
 seven priests. A college and seminary were opened in Perry county about this 
 period, for the education of the young, being the first college west of the Missis- 
 sippi River. In 1824, a college was opened in St. Louis, which is now known as 
 the St. Louis University. In 1826, Father Rosatti was appointed Bishop of St. 
 Louis, and, through his instrumentality, the Sisters of Charity, Sisters of St. 
 Joseph and of the Visitation were founded, besides other benevolent and charita- 
 ble institutions. In 1834 he completed the present Cathedral Church. Churches 
 were built in different portions of the State. In 1847 St. Louis was created an 
 arch-diocese, with Bishop Kenrick, Arch-Bishop. 
 
 In Kansas City there are five parish churches, a hospital, a convent and sev- 
 eral parish schools. In 1868 the northwestern portion of the State was erected 
 into a separate diocese, with its seat at St. Joseph, and Right-Reverend John J. 
 Hogan appointed Bishop. There were, in 1875, ^^ the City of St, Louis, 34 
 churches, 27 schools, 5 hospitals, 3 colleges, 7 orphan asylums and 3 female pro- 
 tectorates. There were also 105 priests, 7 male, and 13 female orders, and 20 
 conferences of St. Vincent de Paul, numbering 1,100 members. In the diocese, 
 outside of St. Louis, there is a college, a male protectorate, 9 convents, about 120 
 priests, 150 churches and 30 stations. In the diocese of St. Joseph there were, 
 in 187s, 21 priests, 29 churches, 24 stations, i college, i monastery, 5 convents 
 and 14 parish schools. 
 
 Number of Sunday Schools in 1878 " 2,067 
 
 Number of Teachers in 1878 18,010 
 
 Number of Pupils in 1878 139,578 
 
 THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS. 
 
 Iristruction preparatory to ministerial work is given in connection with col- 
 legiate study, or in special theological courses, at : 
 
 Central College, (M. E. South) Fayette. 
 
 Central Wesleyan College (M. E. Church) Warrenton. 
 
 Christian Univesity (Christian) Canton. 
 
 Concordia College Seminary (Envangehcal Lutheran) Si. Louis. 
 
 Lewis College (M. E. Church) Glasgow. 
 
 St. Vincent's College (Roman Catholic) Cape Girardeau. 
 
 Vardeman School of Theology (Baptist) . . ; Liberty. 
 
 The last is connected with William Jewell College. 
 
History of Jackson County. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 NAME AND LOCATION. 
 
 Different Counties Named Jackson— Most Favored County in the Union— The Area and Exact 
 Geographical Position — General Observations for the Reader. 
 
 In honor of Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States, 
 this county received its name. There are twenty counties in the Union bearing 
 the same distinguished appellation, but Jackson county, Missouri,_ with her 85,- 
 000, has nearly twice the population of Jackson county, Michigan, which is 
 second in point of inhabitants. Of these twenty counties the one in Oregon, 
 bordering on California is much the largest in extent, having an area of 11,000 
 square miles, but a population in 1870 of only 4,778, and while Jackson county, 
 Missouri, is the first in wealth and population, it is eleventh in area. Twenty- 
 three post offices in the several States and Territories are known by the name of 
 Jackson, and many others by the name of Jacksonville, Jackson Station, Jackson 
 Valley, etc. It seems to have been a favorite custom to christen a new county 
 or town with the name of some distinguished man, especially one who at that 
 time stood prominent before the people. We have twenty eight counties, and 
 thirty four post-towns and villages named Washington, and during the last twenty 
 years not a State or Territory has been organized which does not contain the 
 name of Lincoln. In this State we have counties bearing the immortal names of 
 Washington, Webster, Clay, Douglas, Frankhn, Lafayette, Lincoln, Jefferson, 
 Green, Warren, and many more, and although it is said "there is nothing in a 
 name," in many instances a name means a great deal. It frequently carries with 
 it a whole history. Names are sometimes given to towns and counties by ac- 
 cident; sometimes they originate in the childish caprice of some one individual. 
 Those counties and cities of our State, however, which were named' after distin- 
 guished individuals, or to commemorate great national events or to perpetuate the 
 memory of aboriginal tribes, as Jackson, Independence, and Kansas' City, have 
 real significance. The name of its principal river and the State itself are among 
 the almost numberless examples of the significance of names with which our 
 language is enriched. 
 
 The State had been admitted into the Union, and in the course of a few 
 years all the best tracts of land had been taken along the Mississippi River and 
 far up the Missouri. The county next east which now bears the name of La- 
 fayette had been organized in 1820 and named Lillard; the pioneer pressed west- 
 ward and it was supposed when he reached the mouth of the Kaw, that this 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 67 
 
 would be at the extreme limit of civilization for many years to come ; but still, 
 " westward the course of empire takes it way." 
 
 The period during which a large portion of Missouri was settled, and during 
 which the county was organized, was a period of great events in the history of 
 our country. In the latter part of 1817 a war with the Seminole Indians broke 
 out. General Jackson was sent against Jhem, and speedily brought them to.terms, 
 and for sixteen years thereafter Jackson's name was one of the most prominent in 
 the nation. In his annual message to Congress, December, 1823, the president 
 alluding to the Spanish colonies of America, recently recognized as sovereign 
 powers promulgated the famous " Monroe Doctrine." 
 
 In 1820 a violent debate arose in Congress on the question of admitting Mis- 
 souri as a slave-State and then the world renowned Missouri Compromise was 
 effected. 
 
 In 1824 Lafayette came to the United States as the guest of the nation 
 whose independence he had assisted in gaining with his blood and his fortune. 
 The presidential campaii^n of 1824 had four candidites in the field, Jackson, 
 Adams, Crawford and Clay, and although Jackson received a plurality of the 
 electoral college, yet the House of Representatives elected John Quincy Adams 
 president. The fiftieth anniversary of the national independence, July 4, 1826, 
 was made memorable by the deaths of two eminent American patriots, John 
 Adams and Thomas Jefferson. In 1827 occurred the controversy in reference to 
 the Creek Lands in Georgia. The vexed question of tariff agitated the country 
 in 1828, and the most intense and bitter party strife entered the presidential 
 campaign that fall that the country has ever experienced, and resulted in the 
 election of Jackson president. Daring the greater part of Jackson's administra- 
 tion the Republic was agitated from center to circumference by grave and im- 
 portant questions championed by the eloquence and statesmanship of Webster, 
 Clay and Calhoun. Indian wars, Nullification and the United States Bank were 
 also before the people. 
 
 These are some of the leading events transpiring in the nation at or near 
 the time when the county was born and christened. 
 
 Andrew Jackson was born in North Carolina March 5, 1767, and died near 
 Nashville, Tennesee, June 8, 1845. The distinguishing features and prominent 
 events in this great man's life are too well known by all to need further reference 
 here, but it is no wonder the future greatness of this county was presaged by our 
 fathers with his great name. 
 
 Jackson county is located on the extreme western border of Missouri, 160 
 miles from the south line, and 112 miles from the north line of the State. It is 
 bounded on the north by Clay and Ray counties separated by the Missouri River, 
 on the east by Lafayette and Johnson, on the south by Cass county and west by 
 Johnson county, Kansas. The area is exactly 385,404 acres or 6o24- square miles. 
 It boundaries are more exactly defined in the following: Beginning at the con- 
 fluence of the Kaw (Kansas) and Missouri Rivers and running due south on the 
 line dividing the States of Missouri and Kansas to a point 18.86 miles from the 
 starting point the southwest corner of the county is reached; thence due east on 
 the line dividing the counties of Jackson and Cass to southeast corner of section 
 thirty-three (33), township forty-seven (47) north of the Base Line, and range 
 twenty-nine (29) west of the Fifth Principal Meridian, a distance of 26.27 miles 
 the southeast corner of the county is established ; thence north on the line divid- 
 ing Jackson from Johnson and Lafayette to the Missouri River a distance of 
 21.57 miles , thence in a westerly course following the meanderings of the river a 
 distance of forty miles to the point of starting. 
 
 The south and east Unes were run by the land surveyors who surveyed most 
 of the country in this vicinity, at a magnetic variation of from 7° 30' to 9°, and 
 the west line of the county was established by the conraission appointed to locate 
 
68 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the western boundary of Missouri, September 23d, 1823, at the true variation of 
 11° 8'. The latitude of the mouth of the Kaw (Kansas) river, is exactly 39 4 , 
 that of Kansas City and Independence being the same. The longitude ot Kan- 
 sas City is 94° 30' west. . , . 
 
 Beginning at the south-east corner of Jackson county, for a distance ot six 
 miles Johnson county forms its eastern l?oundary, the remaining 15.57 miles to 
 the Missouri River is the dividing line between Lafayette and Jackson begin- 
 ning with the north-east corner of Jackson county, the Missouri forms the boundary 
 line between Ray and Jackson for a distance of nine or ten miles, and for the re- 
 mainder of the distance it separates Jackson and Clay counties. The center of 
 Jackson county is two hundred and seventy miles a little north of west of St. 
 Louis by the shortest railroad line. By the Missouri Pacific Railroad, Kansas Lity 
 is two hundred and eighty-two miles from St. Louis, and one hundred and fifty- 
 seven miles from Jefferson City. By the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Rail- 
 road, Kansas City is five hundred and thirty miles from Chicago. By the Chicago 
 and Alton Railroad, the distance is four hundred and eighty-nine miles. At Kan- 
 sas City, the north-west corner of the county, the Missouri River makes a great 
 bend from the south to the east, and from thence pursues an easterly course till it 
 unites its waters with the Mississippi. No other county in the State is. so favor- 
 ably located as Jackson. It is in the heart of the best agricultural region in the 
 Missouri Valley, and enjoys the center of traffic for western Missouri and eastern 
 Kansas. Situated as it is in the exact geographical center of the Republic, north 
 and south, and only a few miles east of the geographical center east and west, and 
 possessing natural and developing resources superior to all other sections of the 
 country, ^he future greatness of Jackson county is almost beyond our comprehen- 
 sion. Having referred at sufficient length to the name and location of the county 
 we now proceed with a few general observations, which will be found of service 
 to the reader. The difficulty of compiHng a history of Jackson county, we do 
 not underestimate. 
 
 The importance of the work becomes more and more apparent as, in passing 
 from one county to another, we become more and more deeply impressed by the 
 fact ihat there exists throughout the several counties of the State a deplorable, if 
 not a reprehensible ignorance of those events which form the staple of local his- 
 tory, in which consist the data for determining the ratio of material progress and 
 which form the sole basis for estimating the social, mental and moral conditions of 
 the present. The difficulty of the task consists, to a large extent, in the fact that 
 the events to be treated, while they have to do with the past, are so intimately 
 interwoven with the present, that they are a part of it. The writer of history, as 
 a general rule, deals wholly with the affairs of past generations, and his aim is to 
 pause when he arrives at the realm bounded by the memory of men now living. 
 The whole field of our investigations lies inside that boundary line, as there are, 
 doubtless, some who will peruse these pages, who have witnessed and acted a part 
 in the events which we shall attempt to narrate. 
 
 The first settlement in the county was made in 1808, and there continued to 
 be new arrivals from that time until the organization of the county, December 
 15th, 1826. More importance attaches to the first few, than to the many who 
 came subsequently. The history properly dates from its organization, and taking 
 that date as a beginning, thgre is a period of fifty-five years since then, and some 
 who were here at that time or came shortly after, still live, and have been critical 
 observers of passing events, even as they will be critical readers of the following 
 pages. And such, while they have grown old in body by reason of the hardships 
 and privations incident upon a life of more than ordinary activity and trial, have 
 not grown old in mind. Each one of such knows the history of the county ; and 
 be it said with due reverence for their hoary heads and bended forms, each one 
 knows that history better than any one else. Such readers are very uncharitable 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 69 
 
 critics : and a work of this kind absolutely accurate in all its details and particu- 
 lars, were it within the power of human ability to make such a work, would un- 
 doubtedly be pronounced by many well-meaning and honest persons, faulty and 
 untrustworthy. This results fn.m the fact that fifty-five years, though not a long 
 period in the history of the world, is a long time in the past life of an individual. 
 Events occurring at that length of time in the past we think we know perfectly 
 well, when the fact is, we know them very imperfectly. This is proved and illus- 
 trated by the reluctancy and hesitation manifested invariably by old settlers when 
 called upon to give the details of some early transaction ;. the old setder usually 
 hesitates before giving a date, and after having finally settled down upon the year 
 and month when a certain event occurred, will often come to you in less than a 
 day and request the privilege of correcting the date. In the meantime you. have 
 found another old settler who was an eye-witness of the act in question, and the 
 date he will give you does not correspond with the first date, nor the corrected- 
 date as given by the first old settler. 
 
 We have noticed the same uncertainty in regard to other details of a particu- 
 lar transaction, such for instance, as an early election, whether Mr. A was the 
 successful or defeated candidate; and in regard to an altercation whether Jones or 
 Smith was the aggressor. 
 
 There is, at this time, living in a neighboring county, a noble old gray-head 
 ed man, whose pioneer feet trod close to the tracks of the receding red man ; who 
 has held many offices of honor and trust, and although life has lost none of its 
 charms, he would rather die than utter an untruthful word or commit a dishonor- 
 able deed. It appeared from the official record that at an early day he held the 
 office of county surveyor, and the fact having been made public in a work of this 
 kind, he sought out the writer and informed him that the statement was incorrect ; 
 that not he but a certain Mr. B. had been elected to the position named at the 
 time mentioned. He clung tenaciously to his position and refused to recede from 
 it even when the poll book was produced confirming the statement of the writer. 
 To this day, the old gentleman firmly believes that Mr. B. and not himself was 
 county surveyor in 1849, although in addition to the evidence of the poll book, 
 was the evidence of the county plat book where were certified over his signature, 
 the surveys of at least three different towns. There are some marked exceptions, 
 but as a rule, the memory of the old settler is untrustworthy; his idea of the gen- 
 eral outlines are generally correct, but no one who puts the proper estimate upon 
 his mental faculties when they are impaired by age and weakened by the many 
 infirmities of years, will trust his memory in the arbitrament of questions of partic- 
 ulars and details. 
 
 The historian who goes into a county possessed of none of the information, 
 which those have after years of residence, works at a great disadvan tage in sever- 
 al respects. At first he knows not whom to consult or where to find important 
 records, he must necessarily spend considerable time in learning what others al- 
 ready know. He, however, possesses advantages which'more than outweigh his 
 disadvantages : he enters upon his work with an unbiased mind. He has no 
 friends to reward and no enemies to punish, his mind is not preoccupied and 
 prejudiced by reports which may have incidentally come into his possession while 
 transacting the ordinary affairs of business, and when, in addition to this, he is 
 much better qualified for the task, and to discriminate between statements, seem- 
 ingly of equal weight than those who immediately or remotely are interested 
 parties and whose regular employment lies in other fields of industry. This is 
 true, even though the former be a total stranger and the latter have become famil- 
 iar with men and things by many years of intercourse and acquaintance. He is 
 best judge and best juror who is totally unacquainted with both plaintiff and de- 
 fendant, and he is best qualified to arbitrate between conflicting facts of his- 
 tory, who comes to the task without that bias which is the price one must pay for 
 
70 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 acquaintanceship and familiarity. The best history of France was written by an 
 Englishman, and the most authentic account of American institutions was written 
 by a Frenchmen, and it remained for an American to write the only authentic his- 
 tory of the Dutch Republic. 
 
 The American people are much given to reading, but the kind of reading is 
 such that in reference to many it may truthfully be said, that "truth is stranger 
 than fiction." Especially is this the case with respect to those facts of history be- 
 longing to one's own immediate county and neighborhood. This is, perhaps, not 
 so much the fault in every instance of the" reader as the bookmaker. Books, 
 as a rule, are made to sell, and in order that a book may have a large sale, its 
 matter must be of such general character as to be applicable to general, rather 
 than particular conditions— to station and State rather than to county and town- 
 ship. 
 
 Thus it is, that no histories heretofore published pertain to matters of county 
 and neighborhood affairs, for, such books, in order to have a sale over a large 
 extent of territory, must necessarily be very voluminous and contain much matter 
 of no interest to the general reader. The fault, however, belongs not wholly to 
 the book pubhsher; it lies partly at the door of the people themselves. Things 
 are regarded great in proportion as they are far off. " Distance lends enchant- 
 ment to the view." Like a lens of wonderful power of refraction, it makes events 
 important in proportion as they are far away. The fact is illustrated by the 
 thousands who annually leave America for a journey through Europe. The in 
 convenience, the expense and the danger of an ocean voyage are cheerfully 
 endured by the tourist in order that he may view the mountains and rivers of 
 Germany and Italy, whilst loftier peaks, larger rivers, higher cataracts and broad- 
 er plains at home conspire to make American scenery grander and more magnifi- 
 cent by far than any European scenery, and the thousands who cross the Atlantic 
 to view the Rhine, know nothing of their own beautiful Hudson or grand Mis- 
 souri; they become ecstatic at the prospect from the Alps when their own homes 
 are in the shadow of loftier mountains. It is the same with men as with great 
 events and grand scenery; the great man is usually in the distance, and now, as 
 eighteen hundred years ago, it is true that " A prophet is not without honor save 
 in his own country." The same is true of books. For many years after the settle- 
 ment of America, no book was regarded as worth reading which had not been pub- 
 lished in London or Edinburg and contained a certain quahty of matter. In more 
 recent times, no book could be sold which was not published in New York or 
 Boston. Owing to the enterprise of western authors, and intrepidity of certain 
 western publishers, the fact has been demonstrated recently, that a book worth 
 reading, may be written and printed west of the Alleghany Mountains, and peo- 
 ple are beginning to realize that right in their own state and in their own county 
 are to be found materials for the making of books, the reading of which will afford 
 more interest and profit than those books which are concerned with times and places 
 more remote. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 71 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 PHYSICAL FEATURES. 
 
 Names and Description of Water Courses — The Surface — Beautiful Land — Timber, etc. 
 
 Big Blue — There are in Jackson county four considerable creeks and some 
 other smaller streams. Nearly all have a general course north and discharge their 
 waters into the Missouri. The largest, Big Blue, rises in the south-eastern corner 
 of Johnson county, Kansas, and at first taking a north-easterly course, immedi- 
 ately enters this county at the south-west corner of Washington township ; it then 
 follows a course nearly north across the whole township of Washington, forms the 
 dividing line between Brooking and Westport townships, then between the town- 
 ships of Blue and Kaw and forms a confluence with the Missouri six miles below 
 Kansas City. It has a deep channel and rapid current. On both sides for near- 
 ly its whole course there is timber of good quality, and outcropping from the 
 bluffs building stone is found in endless quantities. 
 
 Brush creek, one of its principal ti'ibutaries, also rises in Johnson county, 
 Kansas, flows east across the center of Westport township and forms a junction 
 with the Big Blue about six miles from its mouth. 
 
 Little Blue — This creek has a longer course than any other stream flowing 
 over the surface of Jackson county. It rises in Cass county near the Kansas line, 
 and taking a north-easterly course, trav.erses Jackson county its entire length 
 through the geographical center of the same. It separates Washington from Prai- 
 rie township, Prairie from Brooking, then flows through the eastern part of Brook- 
 ing and the southern part of Blue, after which it separates Sni-abar and Fort 
 Osage from Blue township. Its tributaries are East Fork and Clear Creek, both 
 of which join it near the center of the county from the east. There is consider- 
 able timber along its lower course but from the center of the county south, timber 
 is not plenty. . 
 
 Fire Prairie Creek— \n Sni-a-bar township this'^creek rises and flows north and 
 east into Lafayette county and thence into the Missouri. It has numerous tribu- 
 taries but all are small. 
 
 Sni-a-bar Creek — Rises close by the little town of Lone Jack near the southeast 
 corner of the county in Van Buren township, flows north into Sni-a-bar township, 
 thence east into Lafayette county and finally discharges its waters into the 
 Missouri. 
 
 Big Creek — Rises near Lee's Summit in Prairie township, flows south into Cass 
 county, thence south east, finding its way into the Osage River a little distance 
 above Warsaw, in Benton county. Rock Creek one of the most noted creeks in 
 the county, though small, forms its head waters south-west of Independence, 
 flows north and empties into the Missouri a short distance below the mouth of 
 Big Blue. * There are still other small creeks in the county and among them we 
 mention Spring, Bryan's, Camp, Mouse, Big Cedar and Little Cedar. 
 
 Numbering by counties, Jackson is the eighth from the Arkansas line, and 
 the sixth from the Iowa State line. It is on very near the same parallel of lati- 
 tude as Annapolis, Md., and Cincinnati, O., being about 39° north. , It consists 
 of nine civil townships, equal in area to a little more than sixteen and a half Con- 
 gressional townships. The civil townships as now constituted are as follows : 
 Blue, Fort Osage, Sni-a-bar, Van Buren, Prairie, Washington, Brooking, West- 
 port and Kaw. None of these correspond to the regular Congressional town- 
 ships as is customary in the newer States. The boundaries in most cases follow 
 
72 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the course of some creek or river, and on this account the lines of these town- 
 ships are very irregular. The present arrangement of townships, all things 
 considered, is as good as could be made. The Missouri River makes a regular 
 division of the northern part of the county into civil townships impracticable. It 
 must not be supposed, however, that the present sub-division of the county into 
 civil townships has been such from the beginning ; on the contrary it has been 
 the growth of years and has only become possible in more recent times. Origi- 
 nally the first settlements were the basis for the formation of the first townships, 
 and new townships were formed from time to time as the county settled up, and 
 such organizations became possible. The sub-divisions of the county into civil 
 townships as they originally existed together with the subsequent changes is a 
 matter which forms a very interesting and important part of the county's history. 
 It will be treated more fully elsewhere. The surface of the county is an undulat- 
 ing plane, there being, however, several marked elevations and depressions in 
 the vicinity of the Missouri River and the creeks. The surface in most places is 
 far from being flat, and there is a perfect system of natural drainage. From some 
 of the highest points the eye commands views of exquisite loveliness, embracing 
 the silvery course of river and creek, the waving foliage of trees, the undulating 
 surface of the prairie, with cultivated farms, farm houses — from the log hut of the 
 first settler, to the brick or painted houses and barns of the more advanced culti- 
 vaters of the soil, and the palatial mansions of the wealthy capitalist. 
 
 A writer of considerable reputation and a close student of natural history, 
 says: 
 
 "The real beauty of this section can hardly be surpassed; undulating prai- 
 ries, interspersed with open groves of timber, and watered with pebbly or rocky 
 streams, pure and transparent, with bariks spotted here and there with timber and 
 again with green sward of the prairie — there are the ordinary features of the land- 
 scape. For centuries, the successive annual crops have accumulated organic 
 matter on the surface to such an extent, that the succession, even of exhausting 
 crops will not materially impoverish the land." 
 
 Jackson county is well watered, as before stated, by many streams, the prin- 
 cipal being the Missouri River. All the streams are timbered, especially in the 
 northern portions of the county. The surface of the earth in some portions is quite 
 broken and uneven, but as these portions are generally covered with timber, they 
 are none the less valuable. In other parts of the county, the land near the 
 streams is rather level in some places, but the very superior system of drainage 
 renders it unsurpassed for agricultural purposes. The high table lands away 
 from the streams are unsurpassed for fertility. The "divides," as they are called, 
 embrace three belts of land about ten miles wide and extending the whole . 
 length of the county north and south. This, as well as the county generally, is 
 settled by thrifty, enterprising and industrious citizens. The soil is chiefly a rich 
 loam of vegetable deposit with a porous subsoil. The depth of the vegetable de- 
 posit, which has been accumulating for ages, varies from two to six feet, and 
 is inexhaustible in fertility. The ease with which the soil is cultivated, is an 
 important item to the farmer. One man with team can tend from forty to sixty 
 acres of corn. There is very little waste land in the county. Such 'portions as 
 are not well adapted to the cultivation and growth of wheat, corn and other ce- 
 reals are the best for grazing lands. The county presented to the first settlers an 
 easy task in subduing the wild land. Its broad prairies in the south were fields 
 almost ready for the planting of the crop, and its rich black soil seemed to be await- 
 ing impatiently the opportunity of paj'ing rewards in the shape of abundant crops 
 as a tribute to the labors of the husbandman. The farms of Jackson county are 
 generally large, unbroken by sloughs and without other obstructions such as 
 stumps and boulders, but they are excellently well cultivated. Corn planters, 
 reaping machines, mowers and all kinds of labor-saving machinery can be used 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 73 
 
 with great ease. The prairie of the county is gently rolling throughout its whole 
 extent. The timber is of a good quality, but the original growth has, to a con- 
 siderable extent, disappeared in some parts. 
 
 The first settlements of the county were invariably made in the timber or 
 contiguous thereto. The early settlers so chose both as a matter of necessity 
 and convenience. The presence of timber aided materially in bringing about an 
 early settlement, and it aided in two ways : first, the county had to depend on 
 emigration from the older settled States of the East for its population, and espe- 
 cially Kentucky and Tennessee. These States originally were almost covered 
 with dense forests, and farms were made by clearing off certain portions of the 
 timber. Almost every farm there, after it became thoroughly improved, still re- 
 tained a certain tract of timber commonly known as "the woods." The woods is 
 generally regarded as the most important part of the farm, and the average farmer 
 regarded it as indispensable. When he emigrated west, one objection. to Jackson 
 county was the scarcity of timber, and he did not suppose that it would be possi- 
 ble to open up a farm on the bleak prairie. To live in a region devoid of the 
 familiar sight of timber seemed unendurable, and the average Kentuckian could 
 not entertain the idea of founding a home away from the familiar forest trees. 
 Then again the idea entertained by the early immigrants to Missouri, that timber 
 was a necessity was not simply theoretical. The early setder must have a house 
 to live in, fuel for cooking and heating purposes, and fences to inclose his claim. 
 At that time there were no railroads by which lumber could be transported from 
 the pineries. No coal mine had yet been opened and few if any had been 
 discovered. Timber was an absolute necessity, without which material improve- 
 ment was an impossibility. 
 
 No wonder that a gentleman from the East, who in early times came to the 
 prairie region of Missouri on a prospecting tour with a view of permanent location, 
 returned home in disgust and embodied his views of the country in the following 
 rhyme : 
 
 "Oh! lonesome, windy, grassy place. 
 
 Where buffalo and snakes prevail ; 
 The first with dreadful looking face. 
 
 The last with dreadful sounding tail! 
 I'd rather live on camel hump, 
 
 And be a Yankee Doodle beggar. 
 Than where I never see a stump. 
 
 And shake to deaths with fever'nager." 
 
 The pioneers were in the main, descendants of the hardy backwoodsmen 
 when that was a new country. When farms were opened in that country a large 
 belt of timber was invariably reserved from which the farmer could draw his sup- 
 ply of logs for lumber and fence rails for fencing, and fuel for heating and cook- 
 ing purposes. Even to the present time, a farm without this accompanying patch 
 of timber is exceedingly rare in those countries. 
 
 Having from their youth up become accustomed to the familiar sight of tim- 
 ber, there is no wonder that the early immigrants were dissatisfied, deprived as 
 they were of the familiar sight of timber and shut off from the familiar sound of 
 the wind passing through the branches of the oaks. 
 
 In this day of railroads, herd laws, cheap lumber and cheap fuel, it is easy 
 enough to open a farm and build up a comfortable home away out on the prairie, 
 far from the timber. But not so under the circumstances surrounding the first 
 settlers. There was no way of shipping lumber, coal mines were unknown, and 
 before a parcel of land could be cultivated it was necessary to fence it. Hence, 
 
74 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the most important resource in the development of this western country, was the 
 belts of timber which skirted the streams; and the settlers who first hewed out 
 homes in the timber, while at present, not the most enterprising and progressive, 
 were, nevertheless, an essential factor in the solution of the problem. 
 
 Along either side of the various streams which flow across the country, were 
 originally belts of timber; at certain ' places, generally near the mouths of the 
 smaller tributaries, the belt of timber widened out, thus forming a grove, or what 
 was frequently called a point, and at these points or groves were the first settle- 
 ments made; here were the first beginnings of civilization ; here "began to operate 
 those forces which have made the wilderness a fruitful place and caused the desert 
 to blossom as the rose." 
 
 Much of the primeval forest has been removed for the building of houses and 
 the construction of fences; other portions and probably the largest part, have 
 been ruthlessly and improvidently destroyed. This destruction of timber has 
 been somewhat compensated by the planting of artificial groves. Among the 
 most abundant of the trees originally found is the walnut, so highly prized in all 
 countries for manufacturing purposes. Oaks, of several varieties, are still very 
 plenty, although for many years this wood has been used for fuel. The best tim- 
 ber in the State is to be found in this county. Detached groves, both natural 
 and artificial, are found at many places throughout the county, which are not 
 only ornamental, in that they vary the monotony, but are very useful in that they 
 have a very important bearing on the climate. It is a fact fully demonstrated by 
 the best authority that climate varies with the physiognomy of a country. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 GEOLOGY, .BOTANY AND CLIMATE. 
 
 General Observations— Different Formations — Indications of Coal — Trees, Plants and other Pro- 
 ductions — HorticuHure — Bee Culture — Climate and Health — The Jackson County Cyclone — 
 Climate, Health and Disease Continued. 
 
 A few introductory words may not be out of place at this time, and a brief 
 synopsis of this chapter will doubtless benefit the reader and furnish a guide 
 for the writer. In all branches of intellectual and physical labor some plan of 
 operations is at first necessary. Every person who aspires to the position of an 
 intelligent American citizen, capable of discharging all duties which attach to 
 such a person, must read, and his reading should, if not extensive, be devoted 
 to matters which particularly affect him in the proper understanding of home 
 and local affairs ; he should be informed in regard to the history of his own State 
 and county, he should, in brief, read just such a work as we propose to make 
 the history of Jackson county. But if he should even read no more it would be 
 well for him to have the facts of local Geology, Botany and Health presented in 
 such a form that it may serve for reference. In this chapter we shall notice but 
 briefly the most important facts in relation to these two sciences as they appertain 
 to Jackson county. Jackson county might be taken as a representative county 
 in the State, not only for agriculture, horticulture and internal improvements, 
 but also in respect to its physical features, mineral resources, growth of forest 
 trees and plants and cultivated crops of all kinds. Its soil, surface, drainage, 
 salubrity of climate and other desirable qualities are not surpassed in the Union. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 75 
 
 There are five sub-divisions of geological time, and beginning with the earliest 
 formation they are named as follows : Azoic, or Archean, Paleozoic, Mesozoic, 
 Cenozoic and Age of Man. The Paleozoic Time is divided into (i), the Silurian 
 Age, or age of invertebrates, (2), the Devonian Age, or age of fishes, and (3), 
 the Carboniferous Age, or age of the formation of coal. Mesozoic Time includes 
 the Reptihan Age, or age of reptiles. The Cenozoic Time includes the Mam- 
 malian Age, or age of mammals. This brings us to the Tertiary Period, or the 
 geological formation which includes all the rock formations found in this county. 
 The sub division of the Tertiary Period are, beginning with the lowest, the 
 Eocene, the Miocene and Pliocene. The Quaternary, or time of the alluvial 
 deposit ushering in the age of man is at the surface. The average thickness of 
 the tertiary formation is 1,319 feet. The Quaternary, or Post tertiary formation, 
 as it is sometimes called, extends to a depth in Jackson county ranging from a 
 few feet to 150 feet. This last formation includes the bluff, or Loess formation, 
 also the alluvial deposits and soils above the tertiary rocks, The Quaternary in- 
 cludes three periods; i, the Glacial, or the Drift; 2, the Champlain, and 3, the 
 Recent, or Terrance. 
 
 The following general vertical section of coal-measure rocks below the Jack- 
 son county group is taken from the geological survey of Missouri for 1872. Be- 
 ginning with the top rock at Kansas City and Independence, a strata thirty feet 
 thick of irregularly bedded gray and buff thin bedded limestone, then blue clay 
 shales with ochre concretions twenty-five feet thick, bluish gray limestone containing 
 ■ large fossils, five feet thick, blue and bituminous shales two feet, even bed of cor- 
 alline limestone one foot, blue shales within upper part, five feet, drab lime- 
 stone nine feet, blue and olive shales five feet, nodular and buff shales two feet, 
 irregularly bedded bluish drab limestone three feet, fossils eighteen feet, shales 
 fifteen feet, blue limestone with fossils fourteen feet, blue clay shales two and one- 
 half feet, rotten coal four inches, very dark blue silicious limestone with lenticu- 
 lar forms and concretionary beds of black chert with numerous fossils especially 
 in upper (art, nine feet, fine-grained dove and drab-colored limestone with calcite 
 specks throughout, nine feet four inches, shales five inches, irregularly bedded 
 drab and blue limestone with some chert concretions and has buff shaly partings 
 with fossils, three feet eight inches, blue shales five inches, concretionary ash-blue 
 limestone fourteen inches, blue shales eleven inches, bituminous shales one foot, 
 seven inches, clay shales, two feet, nodular and shelly fine grained limestone four 
 feet, oolite limestone one foot, Bethany Falls limestone, dun and gray twenty feet, 
 blue clay shales two feet, bituminous shales one foot four inches, blue clay shales 
 seven inches, concretionary limestone six inches, blue clay shales two feet, gray 
 and ferruginous limestone six feet, clay shales fourteen feet, calcareous sandstone 
 and sandy limestone two feet." 
 
 The above rocks have entire thickness of 240 feet. The area and thickness 
 of the coal measures are obtained from the same report: The upper or barren 
 coal measures of Missouri include a vertical thickness of 1087 feet. To this we 
 add 180 feet of the Atchison county rocks with probably about fifty feet of rock 
 not seen in Missouri which should be placed at a lower geological position than 
 our Atchison county rock, thus making a total of 13 17 of upper coal measures, 
 extending to the highest rock in Atchison county, and embracing an area of 8406 
 square miles, including the rocks in the counties of Atchison, Holt, Nodaway, 
 Andrew, Buchanan, Chnton, Dekalb, Gentry, Worth, Harrison, Daviess, Platte, 
 Clay, and most of Cass, Jackson Caldwell, with limited areas in Johnson, Lafay- 
 ette, Ray, Livingston, Grundy and Mercer. 
 
 The south and last boundary of the upper coal measures is about as follows : 
 Entering the State near the southwest part of Cass county, passing eastwardly, 
 near Harrisonville, thence northeast across the mounds between Big Creek and 
 Camp Branch, thence northeast to the middle of T. 46, R. 29, thence north to 
 
76 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Chapel Hill in Lafayette county, thence via Oak Grove and Pink Hill or Owens' 
 Landing on the Missouri River, crossing the river, the line passes down to the 
 vicinity of Albany, Ray county, thence it tends off to the north part of Ray 
 county and the line of Caldwell and Livingston counties, thence northwardly 
 along the ridges on the west side of the east bank of Grand River, to the line of 
 Grundy and Mercer counties, and thence northwardly to Iowa State line. 
 Around and without this line are occasional outlines of upper coal measure rocks, 
 for instance, Center Knob at Kingsville, Johnson county, and the knobs to the 
 north, the long ridge east and north of Greenton, Lafayette county, Grady's 
 Knob near Wellington and hills east of Grand River, Mercer county. Within 
 this border where the streams have made deep erosions, the sandstones of the 
 middle coal series are often exposed for some distance up stream, as for instance, 
 on Big Creek, Cass county, nearly to Jackson county line, on Little Blue, Jack- 
 son county, as far up as the middle of T.48 and on Shoal Creek, Caldwell coun- 
 ty, nearly to Kingston, and up the west fork of Grand River above Gallatin. 
 
 In this great thickness of upper coal measures, only about eight thin seams 
 of coal are found, amounting in the aggregate to about four feet, including one 
 of ten inches, another of about a foot, two are three inches in thickness and the 
 others mere streaks of one to two inches thick. 
 
 COAL. 
 
 Speaking more particular of coal, it may be proper first to observe that in 
 the fall of 1859, a company was formed for the purpose of sinking a shaft, and 
 the shares at that time were $100 each. The members of the company, so far as 
 the writer can now collect, were, J. A. Lobb, R. N. Hudspeth, John Wilson, 
 David Waldo, Wm. McCoy, W. N. White, N. B. Stone and M. O. Jones. 
 There was no money paid in at that time neither was the company fully organiz- 
 ed, and the war put an end to the undertaking before the work was done. The 
 theory advanced at that time was, that coal in paying quantities had been found 
 all around Jackson county, and that from the known laws of the coal measures it 
 must underlie our county; but deeper than in some counties adjacent. The 
 Lexington coal formation had been traced as far up the Missouri River as Napo- 
 leon, where it was to be seen at low water mark, and that it still continued, was 
 evidenced from the fact the floods of 1844 threw up quite a quantity of coal on 
 the head of an island just below Cogswell's (now Mathews') landing. Jonathan 
 Colcord hauled several loads from thence to blacksmith shops in and near Sibley. 
 Some of the blocks were as large as two men could lift and the coal was said to 
 be of the best quality. 
 
 A. M. Allen, living near Cogswell's landing, about two years before the war, 
 struck a layer of excellent coal about eighteen inches thick, in a well some thirty- 
 five or forty feet deep, at the foot of a bluff in Fire Prairie bottom. A mile or 
 two south of Mr. Allen's discovery in the hills of Fire Prairie Creek, coal has also 
 been found of about the same thickness. The last mentioned formation can be 
 traced through the Bone Hill country to Sni-a-bar Creek, and across the creek 
 up Horse Shoe Branch to the neighborhood of Oak Grove. The next best sur- 
 face indications are to be found about three miles northwest of Lone Jack, on the 
 head waters of Sni-a-bar Creek, where sand rock, similar to the sand rock that 
 overlies the Warrensburg coal, is to found, but no coal has been discovered or 
 even prospected for at this place. Surface indications in nearly all the remaining 
 portions of Jackson county are not good, and the presumption is, if we get coal 
 outside of the above named localities, _ we must go deep, although there are nu- 
 merous beds of shale or slate all over the county, and some of them carry a very 
 thin seam of coal, as may seen in the railroad cut north of Little Blue station on 
 the Missouri Pacific Railroad. 
 
 We will now glance at the configuration of our county with reference to coal 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 77 
 
 deposits. Stratified coal, in the carboniferous age, it is conceded, extended over 
 great areas of country, and at that time the deposits were about on the same level ; 
 the thickness of the deposits were not uniform, but would vary gradually at differ- 
 ent places. In subsequent geologic periods the strata of the earth's surface be- 
 came greatly changed, so that in some places they were wavy, in other places 
 broken by faults or other depressions, and in other places, particularly in mountain- 
 ous countries, they were changed by upheaval and the shrinkage of the earth into 
 folds of every conceivable angle, from the horizontal to the perpendicular. 
 
 The surface of our county gives but Uttle evidence of upheaval, hence all 
 stratified formations that are in place, including the coal measures, have not 
 changed their former horizontal positions abruptly, but gradually, and have gener- 
 ally a wavy dip or angle of depression for consideration, and then changing the 
 angle for some other direction. The dip of the stratifications in this county ap- 
 pears to be toward the west or northwest, and the geologic, or rock formations at 
 the water's edge Kansas City are similar to the formations on the top of Bone 
 Hill in the eastern part of the county. From the foregoing it appears that if 
 coal exists in the central and western portions of the county, it must lie deeper 
 than it does farther east. There is presumptive evidence of its existence deep in 
 the earth at Kansas City, since in all their deep borings around that place they 
 strike an inflammable gas, which we cannot well account for, unless we consider 
 that it arises from carboniferous deposits in that locaHty, and we know that still 
 farther to the northwest the enterprising citizens of Leavenworth have developed 
 coal in paying quantities some hundreds of feet below the level of the Missouri 
 River. From the foregoing deductions we conclude that enterprise will develop 
 coal in almost any locality in Jackson county, if there is only the purse and nerve 
 to go deep enough. 
 
 The great consideration is, can we find coal in sufficient quantities by going 
 deep to obtain it. 
 
 We cannot flatter ourselves that the stratum that appears at Lexington, un- 
 less it becomes thicker, would pay in deep excavations, but the experience in 
 coal mining is, that the first stratum indicates other strata below, which, as a rule, 
 are thicker and of better quality ; we would also state, that since the dip of the 
 coal measures in this county are toward the west or northwest, the inference ob- 
 tains that the coal deposits in Jackson County are in a kind of basin, since the 
 coal formations again appear at or near the surface north and west of this county. 
 If this basin-like depression had commenced forming in the carboniferous period, 
 which seems probable, then we may look for an increase in the thickness of the 
 coal strata throughout this basin on the same principle that we look for a deeper 
 soil in low situations. 
 
 The next inquiry is, where to find the best localities for prospecting. In 
 making a selection, we must not deceive ourselves because we have found a bed 
 of shale or slate cropping out of a hill or ravine, or a spring of mineral water, and 
 conclude that by following them into the hill we shall find coal, since we have 
 good evidence, as above stated, that if we find it we must go deep — deeper per- 
 haps than the bed of the Missouri River, consequently deeper than any tributary 
 of that stream. In our view of the proper place to begin work, would be in the 
 bottom lands of some stream, and near where such bottom lands meet the hill or 
 bluff, since in such situations the formations have not been changed at any great 
 distance beneath the surface by the action of water in ages past. 
 
 This was the plan adopted at Leavenworth where they sunk their shafts at 
 the fof t of the bluff and near the margin of the Missouri River. They are at 
 work there on the second stratum, and although they are so near they river, they 
 experience no inconvenience from an influx of water. In an enterprise like this, 
 experienced men should select the site for operations with an eye to railroad facil- 
 ities as well as the lay of the ground. If.coal can be found in paying quantities, 
 
78 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 it would undoubtedly pay better (everything else being equal) to have the works 
 located near Kansas City; but we have reasons to believe that we would reach 
 the coal measures sooner and at less cost east of Independence in the bottom 
 lands of Little Blue or Fire Prairie Creek, where we might reasonably expect to 
 strike the first or Lexington forrnation between one and two hundred feet. 
 
 Prospecting for coal should be done by boring, the cost of which would be 
 much less than the sinking of a shaft. A capital of many thousand dollars would 
 be needed to purchase lands, buy and put up the necessary machinery, buildmgs 
 and fixtures required to carry forward the work. 
 
 It is perfectly reasonable to expect that the mineral wealth stored up in the 
 bosom of historic old Jackson, will be utilized in the coming years of progress. 
 
 Taking the dip of the rocks from Lexington, distance about forty miles east, 
 and also the fall of the river, we may calculate (i) the dip, in a general westerly di- 
 rection, which is about three feet to the mile, which would make about 120 feet 
 below the river at this place, and (2) the fall of the river plus 120 feet would give 
 the depth at which a good vein of coal would be found below low water mark of 
 our own river frontage at Wayne City. 
 
 We are located in what is known as the upper or barren coal measures, which 
 are about 300 feet below what is known as No. 78, in the State survey, and which 
 rocks outcrop of the bluff at Wayne City about iifty feet above the river, and the 
 peculiar formation of the rock with their stratification and above all, the fossils 
 found here, is evidence that coal is there in paying quantities, provided the bor- 
 ing or shaft is sunk deep enough, which, at the elevation of the courthouse, would 
 be about 700 or 800 feet. 
 
 Mr. Thomas, an old miner, whose experience in coal digging extends to for. 
 ty years under ground in the business, and who has prospected all over the 
 county and found what there is in small seams, and knows well their different lo- 
 calities, is sanguine that a four foot vein of coal can be had. 
 
 It appears that we are here right o^er the deepest part of a basin of coal, as 
 all around us coal is found, some places outcropping and at various depths, as 
 for instance we have an eight-inch vein on Little Blue River, this is, however, an 
 inferior quality; and closer to the city on Mill Creek we have a good vein of coal 
 of four inches, and on Rock Creek a two-inch vein of very good bituminous coal, 
 while in the bluffs at Wayne City a vein of semi-anthracite eighteen inches in 
 thickness outcrops, and bu-rns with all the characteristics of the Lehigh coal and 
 leaves as pure and white ash as can be found in any coal. 
 
 Geologists give in their general sections of the upper coal measures a series 
 of 224 strata of rocks, shales and clays. We here in our neighborhood have nu- 
 meral order about No. 100, the public springs of Independence coming out of 
 No. 98, so it can be seen from a, geological point of view, our horizon is not as 
 near as in Atchison where No. 224 outcrops, and at places is 1087 feet. Where 
 here it is about 245 feet, in Platte and Buchanan counties No. 159 outcrops and is 
 the highest there, and has a geological elevation of 757 feet. A geological hori- 
 zon must not be confounded with a geographical horizon, for the latter refers to 
 the level of the earth, whereas the former refers to the upheaval of the rock, caus- 
 ed by the shrinking of the earth's crust. As for instance, Independence is geo- 
 logically higher than the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 Our rocks are mostly limestone, but on the eastern part we have a carbonif- 
 erous sandstone, and at Kansas City there occurs in the bluff in one strata about 
 one foot of the same and about the foot of the bluff at Wayne City. No. 98 is 
 the top rock at Kansas City and Parkville, and in it may be found fossils thft give 
 good indications of the much sought for carbon which has called forth so much 
 discussion and labor. They are unerring guides to the rich treasures lying be- 
 low. Among them we find three varieties of Productus, also Terebratula bovi- 
 dens, Athyris subtilita, Meekella, Myalina quadricostatus, Plerutomaria tabulata, 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 79 
 
 P, spherulata, Machrochular Chonites, Athyris and Orthis (Brachropods) and 
 among the Lamellibranchs Macrodon carbonarius and Allorisma subcuneata. 
 Among the Radiates we find Corals and crinoides, and varieties of fish teeth, 
 notably several varieties of Petalodonts and Placoids which are abundant in a 
 quarry just east of Independence. We also have the Proetus Euprops, Danse, 
 Spirorbis and numerous other fossils belonging to the carboniferous age, that if 
 mentioned here would take too much space. 
 
 Stratum 98 is about thirty feet thick. We next come to bluish gray limestone. 
 We find here the first and upper traces of Trilobites, PhilliDsia and other numer- 
 ous fossils and scales of the Lepidodendron, transformed from their native trees 
 as the epidermis of them to a beautiful sulphuret of iron, and preserving their 
 shape in all their pristine beauty still luring the enthusiast on to deeper diggings 
 to find what must be below, viz : Thicker and better veins of carbon which in- 
 crease as we go deeper. 
 
 WEEPING MOUNTAIN ASH. 
 
80 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 The following is a copy from the 
 in Kansas City : 
 
 ' State Geological Survey '' of a well bored 
 
 I 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 6 
 
 7 
 8 
 
 9 
 lo 
 II 
 
 12 
 
 13 
 14 
 
 IS 
 16 
 
 17 
 18 
 
 19 
 20 
 21 
 22 
 
 23 
 24 
 
 25 
 26 
 27 
 28 
 29 
 
 3° 
 31 
 32 
 33 
 34 
 35 
 36 
 37 
 38 
 39 
 40 
 
 Kinds of Strata. 
 
 Drift at top of bed rock 
 
 Fin? grained bluish limestone (78) 
 
 Light blue clay 
 
 Dark colored clay 
 
 Gray limestone (No. 77) 
 Dove colored clay shales .... 
 Bituminous sandy clay ..... 
 Clay . 
 
 Bituipinous limestone (brown) .... 
 
 Soapstone 
 
 Limestone, with water and oil . . . 
 Arenaceous clay (soft drab sandstone) 
 
 Buff limestone 
 
 Soapstone 
 
 Clay (arenaceous) . . 
 
 Clay and shelly coal and fossils . . . 
 
 Blue micaceous clay 
 
 Dark blue fine-grained sandstone . . 
 
 Dark shales (salt water) 
 
 Coal 
 
 Clay with sand 
 
 Three laminated dark shales . . . . 
 
 Black bituminous shales 
 
 Coal 
 
 Clay and mud 
 
 Mud 
 
 Dark mottled crystalline sandstone 
 Virtreous crystalline .limestone . . 
 
 Fire clay 
 
 Clay and limestone thrarlite 
 
 Dark shale and coal, fossils, plants, salt water flowing 
 
 Coal, dense and bright 
 
 Clay and limestone 
 
 Coarse gray sandstone, strong lime 
 
 Gray and fine sandstone ... 
 
 Blue clay ^ 
 
 Clay or soapstone ... 
 
 Sandy clay, fine grained sandy clay 
 
 Black shale ... ; 
 
 Coal 
 
 2,H 
 
 
 
 P n 
 
 3 n 
 
 CA 
 
 
 ft. 
 37 
 
 in 
 
 ft. 
 
 m 
 
 
 
 
 21 
 
 ... 
 
 5« 
 
 
 I 
 
 ... 
 
 S9 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 63 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 76 
 
 
 100 
 
 ... 
 
 176 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 180 
 
 
 84 
 
 
 264 
 
 
 4 
 
 ... 
 
 268 
 
 
 5 
 
 ... 
 
 273 
 
 
 18 
 
 ... 
 
 291 
 
 
 4 
 
 ... 
 
 295 
 
 
 23 
 
 .. 
 
 3i« 
 
 
 24 
 
 
 342 
 
 
 23 
 
 ... 
 
 365 
 
 
 5 
 
 
 370 
 
 
 25 
 
 ... 
 
 395 
 
 
 37 
 
 
 432 
 
 
 I 
 
 ... 
 
 433 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 433 
 
 4 
 
 10 
 
 
 443 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 8 
 
 449 
 
 
 I 
 
 ... 
 
 45° 
 
 b 
 
 
 6 
 
 451 
 
 
 16 
 
 6 
 
 461 
 
 ... 
 
 12 
 
 
 479 
 
 
 10 
 
 
 489 
 
 6 
 
 3 
 
 6 
 
 493 
 
 ... 
 
 7 
 
 6 
 
 500 
 
 ... 
 
 119 
 
 
 619 
 
 ... 
 
 3 
 
 
 622 
 
 
 I 
 
 
 623 
 
 ... 
 
 S° 
 
 
 673 
 
 ... 
 
 6 
 
 
 679 
 
 ... 
 
 3 
 
 
 782 
 
 ... 
 
 I 
 
 8 
 
 683 
 
 8 
 
 16 
 
 4 
 
 700 
 
 ... 
 
 34 
 
 10 
 
 734 
 
 10 
 
 10 
 
 2 
 
 745 
 
 10 
 
 13 
 
 
 758 
 
 
 So it would appear (from the above) that the deeper we go the thicker the 
 coal, and consequently the better article. There is no doubt but if the boring 
 had proceeded further, say 100 feet, a heavier vein of coal would have been 
 found. The above table appears to correspond with the Leavenworth shaft be- 
 fore it was sunk to its present depth. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 81 
 
 That there is coal here there is no doubt. We have all that is required to 
 positively indicate its existence ; all it wants is for capitalists to go to work and 
 get enough together and let the matter be tried. There are two wells that can be 
 bored deeper (the distillery and Waggoner's); they are now 300 to 400 feet deep, 
 a good beginning, and by following them up it would not take long to tell wheth- 
 er the matter would pay or not. Those wells wef e bored for the purpose of pro- 
 curing a permanent flow, but failed as was predicted ; they cannot get a good 
 flowing well here short of 1,500 or 2,000 feet, for the reason that we are at the 
 bottom or eastern water shed off Pike's Peak. 
 
 Let those who feel interested in the welfare of Jackson county, strike now, 
 before the counties south stop the enterprise, by stocking the markets. 
 
 PLANTS. 
 
 God might have bade the earth bring forth, 
 Enough for great and small. 
 
 The oak tree and the cedar tree. 
 Without a flower at all. 1 
 
 He might have made enough, enough 
 For every want of ours : 
 
 For luxury, medicine and toil, 
 And yet have made no flowers. 
 
 Our outward life requires them not — 
 Then wherefore have they birth? 
 
 To minister delight to man. 
 To beautify the earth ; 
 
 To comfort man — to whisper hope. 
 Whene'er his faith is dim ; 
 
 For whoso careth for the flower. 
 Will much more care for him. 
 
 Jackson county is the most favored locality in the State for the successful 
 growing of forest trees, evergreen trees, apple trees of all varieties, together with 
 peaches, plums, pears, apricots, grapes and small fruits. All kinds of ornament- 
 al and shade trees, flowers and hedges grow and flourish with only reasonable 
 care and with a certainty that is not known east or west, north or south. If 
 we go further south the apple will not flourish, if further north the peach is liable 
 to blight ; but here, all are almost sure to do well. In the following list we give 
 some of the most common native trees and plants. 
 
 The lobelia, mint, sassafras and birthwort families furnish many species of 
 plants having valuable medicinal qualities. The lilies, wild roses, cacti, wild 
 honeysuckle, violets, etc., meet the eye in every wood in early spring and sum- 
 mer with a profusion of rare and beautiful flowers. There is a great variety of 
 valuable forage grasses, such as blue grass, foxtail grass, timothy, millet, etc. 
 Many species of trees and plants are cultivated with great success which are not 
 mentioned in this list. All kinds of trees, shrubs, grains and fruits adapted to 
 this latitude and climate can be produced in the greatest profusion and luxuriance. 
 
 PRODUCTS, ETC. 
 
 The lands of Jackson county, are of the best known in the State — a rich and 
 fertile bottom and upland deposit, producing everything planted. The industrious 
 husbandman is amply rewarded for his labors, abundant crops greet him on 
 every side. Jackson county holds out the most promising inducements to 
 settlers. If you want a good house, good land, water, health, climate, plenty 
 of fruit of all kinds, and good neighbors, come to this county. We have every- 
 
82 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 thing here that the most avaricious could desire. Nature has been liberal with 
 her gifts, bestowing fertile valleys, rich uplands, abundant woods, pure streams, 
 fine orchards, healthy climate and immense deposits of coal. Commerce observ- 
 ing these facts, reached out with its arms of iron and steel, and embraced us. 
 Numerous railroads center here conveying to and from the world articles of trade 
 and traffic. We would say to you, come and behold Jackson county and its 
 lands. Come and see us if you want good homes. 
 
 THE SUB-SOILS 
 
 of the county are generally rich in silicious marls, are strongly marked with the 
 Loess characteristics, range from one to one hundred feet in depth, slack like 
 quick lime on exposure to frost and atmosphere, and are an inexhaustible mine 
 of productive wealth which some day will make Jackson county, and indeed, all 
 Central Missouri, the classic ground of American husbandry. As a whole, the 
 soils mentioned give 
 
 THE WIDEST RANGE OF PRODUCTION 
 
 known to modern husbandry. Every domestic product of the soil that flourishes 
 between the northern limit of the cotton fields and the northern Red River, is at 
 home and reaches perfection, in these soils. Jackson county is emphatically 
 
 THE HOME OF THE GRAIN GROWERS. 
 
 Corn, the great staple cereal of the lower Missouri Valley, gives a yield of thirty- 
 five to ninety bushels per acre, depending upon soil, season and culture, and it 
 is safe to estimate the total crop of the county for 1880 at 4,000,000 bushels. 
 This is 
 
 A CAPITAL WHEAT COUNTY, 
 
 as the superior quality of the late crop fully attests. The south half of the county 
 is largely underlaid with limestone, the subsoils are rich in lime, and every con- 
 dition to successful wheat growing obtains in high measure. Fully 500,000 bushels 
 of white winter wheat were grown in the county in 1879, and the area in wheat for 
 the coming harvest, with the exceptionally fine stand, promises a yield of 1,000,- 
 000 bushels. The oak and hickory soils give a yield of fourteen to thirty bushels per 
 acre, and with anything like thorough culture following clover, the county would 
 give an average yield of twenty-five bushels in ordinary seasons. Jackson county 
 certainly presents a splendid field for ambitious wheat growers. Among 
 
 OTHER FIELD CROPS, 
 
 oats, barley and rye all do finely here, the former often give a yield of fifty to 
 seventy-five bushels per acre. Broom corn makes a fine growth of the finest 
 brush and might be made a very profitable crop. Sorghum is cultivated with 
 decided profit for local use. Hungarian and millet make a wonderful growth and 
 are in great favor with the best farmers. Up to a recent date, 
 
 TOBACCO 
 
 has been an abundant crop here, the dry, warm oak soils of the greater elevations 
 producing a very superior quality of leaf, which under the treatment of old experi- 
 enced Virginia cultivators made an enviable reputation in the great markets. The 
 product of the county^ 1,000,000 to 2,000,000 pounds, could easily be increased 
 300 per cent if the demand shall again warrant the general culture of this plant. 
 
 FIELD AND GARDEN VEGETABLES 
 
 fairly luxuriate in any part of the soil of this noble county, giving generous 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 83 
 
 returns to the cultivator, who may gratify his nobler senses with a little paradise of 
 vegetables, plants and blooms, with half the labor required in the east and north. 
 To the credit of old Jackson be it said that 
 
 NO FAILURE OF THE GRAIN CROP 
 
 is recorded in her 65 years of agriculture. Extreme conditions of climate have 
 sometimes shortened the export surplus of some of the cereals and grasses, but 
 the bounteous soil has never faild to yield ample supply for the use of the home, 
 the flocks and herds. 
 
 HORTICULTURE. 
 
 The people of Jackson county took an interest in the cultivation of fruits at 
 an early day, and no county in the State had a local supply of all the fruits inci- 
 dent to this climate at an earlier period in their history. Apples, peaches, grapes, 
 pears, cherries, apricots and a number of kinds of berries all flourish in Jackson 
 county. Of the earliest orchards nothing now is known but it has been the usual 
 course with the farmers to plant orchards as soon as practicable after the Oiening 
 of their farms, and hence Jackson became a fruit growing county before there 
 was any attempt on the part of those interested in orchards to organize and so 
 preserve a history of the industry. 
 
 The first horticultural organization in Jackson county was effected on the 
 1 8th day of December, 1869, at Independence, when a small number of farmers 
 and fruit growers assembled at the call of Maj. F. S. Ragan for that purpose. At 
 this meeting the Jackson County Horticultural Society was organized, by-laws 
 adopted and officers elected. Alexander Proctor was the first president; F. S. 
 Ragan, Vice-President; U. P. Bennett, Secretary, and John Bryant, Treasurer. 
 The Board of Directors was composed of J. O. Blair, E. M. McGee, W. E. Mc- 
 Bride, Henry Parker and A. Renick. 
 
 At this Meeting Maj. F. S. Ragan read before the association a paper on the 
 General Subject of Horticulture. 
 
 Further meetings were held by the society in January, February, March and 
 April, 1870, at which a list of apples suitable to the country was adopted. Apple, 
 pear and small fruit culture was discussed. 
 
 The society renewed its meetings the following November and at the first 
 meeting the society submitted a list of apples as those so far approved by the 
 society for cultivation in Jackson county. 
 
 We append this list so that our readers may have the benefit of the experi- 
 ence of those longest engaged in the culture of apples in the county : 
 
 Early Apples — Early harvest, early pennock, golden sweet, red astrachan, 
 Carolina June, sweet June, summer pearmain. 
 
 Fall Apples— Rambo, maiden's blush, fall wine, fall pippin, pale red streak. 
 
 Wmter Apples — Ben. Davis, Jesse Black, Wagoner, white winter pearmain, 
 white pippin, wine sap, northern spy, Clayton, McAfee's, none such, Newton 
 pippin (green), Peck's pleasant willow twigg, Fryer's red, Missouri pippin, Rawl's 
 jenet, Huntman's favorite, Talpahockin, Ortiey, Rome beauty, Smith's cider, 
 golden russet. 
 
 At this meeting the annual election was held, at which F. S. Ragan was 
 elected President and U. P Bennett, Secretary, and it was also determined at 
 this meeting that part of subsequent meetings should be held on the premises of 
 members from which there resulted many pleasant gatherings of the horticultur- 
 ists during the spring and summer months of succeeding years. On the 29th 
 of May, 1875, this society was merged into the Missouri Valley Horticultural 
 Society. 
 
 In 1870 the Missouri Valley Grape Growers' Association was organized, for 
 the purpose of fostering the cultivation of the grape. It held three meetings in 
 
84 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 1870 and 187 1, two of which were held at Leavenworth and one at St. Joseph. 
 Its fourth meeting was held in Kansas City, in September, 1872, during the Kan- 
 sas City Exposition, and in the Fine Art Hall of that association. At this time, 
 Major F. S. Ragan, of Independence, was its president. At this meeting it was 
 merged into the Missouri Valley Horticultural Society, which had been organ- 
 ized in 1868, of which J. C. Evens, of Clay county, is now president, a,nd L. A. 
 Goodman, of Jackson county, secretary. 
 
 The Missouri Valley Horticultural Society has followed the habits of the 
 Jackson county society, and holds monthly meetings, partly at the residences of 
 the members, for about five months in the year. At these meetings essays are 
 read on topics connected with the fruit growing interest, experiences and observa 
 tions are exchanged, methods discussed and illustrated, and samples exhibited. 
 Under its influence, and the influence of the other societies merged into it, horti- 
 culture has been materially fostered in Jackson county, better methods have been 
 brought into use, unprofitable varieties of fruits discarded, and more profitable 
 ones adopted'; and the quality and quantities of the fruit produced has been im- 
 proved. 
 
 BEE CULTURE. 
 
 Until 1866 little attention was given to the culture of bees as a distinct branch 
 of industry. Prior to that time there were no opinions as such in Jackson coun- 
 ty, but many of the farmers kept a few bees, allowing them to take care of them- 
 selves during the summer season, and in the fall, when honey was wanted, killing 
 a number of hives with sulphur matches. In 1866 Mr. Harper Bennett came to 
 this county, as agent for improved hives, and went into partnership with Mr. 
 James D. Meador, of Independence, in the manufacture of hives and the culture 
 of bees. They obtained Italian queens, and conducted the keeping of bees in 
 sucji scientific manner as soon to demonstrate its profit. From this small begin- 
 ning the interest grew rapidly, until in 1872 there were so many engaged in it 
 that they convened at Lee's Summit, and organized what they called the Green- 
 wood Bee-keepers' Association of Jackson county, electing Mr. James D. Meader 
 president; WiUiam McKedrick, vice-president; J. D. C. McFarland, secretary; 
 and John Proudfitt, treasurer. This movement gave a great impetus to the inter- 
 est, and caused many others to undertake the keeping of a few colonies by im- 
 proved methods. 
 
 In 1878 the interest met with great disaster in the bees in many colonies by 
 death during the winter from causes which have never been satisfactorily ascer- 
 tained. Many then abandoned the business, but a few of those who understood 
 it belter continued it and have fully overcome the losses of that year. Among 
 these are Messrs. William M. Kitterick, of Greenwood; M. O. Rowe, of Grain 
 Valley; L. W. Baldwin, P. Baldwin, F. J. Farr, J. D. Meador and Charles 
 Crandall, of Independence; Mr. Grigg, Mr. Briant, Mr. Salesbury and E. M. 
 Hayhurst, of Kaw township. Some of these gentlemen, especially those at In- 
 dependence, make bee culture a specialty, and during the year 1 880 the product was 
 not less than twenty-five thousand pounds of excellent honey, mostly gathered 
 from the blossoms of the linden in the space of about eighteen days, and from an 
 area not exceeding five miles square. Mr. Hayhurst of Kaw township, makes 
 more of a specialty of raising improved queens, of which he produces several 
 thousand annually, and distributes them on orders to all parts of the United States. 
 
 Through the efforts of the gentlemen here mentioned, Jackson county has 
 been brought to the front rank of bee-keeping counties in the United States. The 
 county abounds in honey producing flora, and her apiculturists are of the enter- 
 prising intelligent character necessary to realize its highest possibilities. 
 
 THE NATIVE AND DOMESTIC GRASSES. 
 
 Jackson county is pre-eminently a grass country. All the grasses of this great 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 85 
 
 grazing belt attain luxuriant growth here. Better still the soil and climate give 
 them a perfection of quality rarely attained in other regions. 
 
 THE NATIVE PRAIRIE GRASS, 
 
 though not equal in variety to the wild grasses of Nebraska (of which 154 varie- 
 ties have been catalogued by Prof. Aughey) are yet very numerous, especially on 
 the grand Prairie, and from early April to the last of July, give more flesh to 
 grazing animals than any of the domestic grasses ; but they are fast disappearing 
 before 
 
 THE ALL-CONQUERING BLUE-GRASS, 
 
 and may not be named among the permanent grazing resources. The green, 
 luxuriant, nutritious, tenacious blue-grass is the all prevading, all-absorbing herb- 
 age of this beautiful herdman's paradise. It is "marching on to the conquest" 
 of field and forest with a sort of Roman firmness, persistence and confidence that 
 seems heroic enough to be human. It is the grand imperial resource of the country, 
 leading the grain fields " two to one " in net returns. These splendid blue-grass 
 pastures of forest and field in Jackson county, will compare with the best range in 
 Illinois or Kentucky — every acre representing the net returns of two acres of good 
 corn. The writer, though neither venerable with years nor sage in worldly wisdom, 
 remembers in half a dozen years of western travel, a score of opulent blue-grass 
 herdsmen to every instance of personal independence in the great wheat regions. 
 
 THE TIMOTHY MEADOWS 
 
 of Jackson county, though not as extensive as in some of the prairie counties fur- 
 
 RESIDENCE AND SHEEP FARM OF SAMUEL JEWETT. 
 
86 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 ther North, are equal to the very best in Illinois, the Canadas and the Western 
 Reserve. 
 
 RED CLOVER. 
 
 makes a splendid growth here, especially in the oak and hickory soils, is very suc- 
 cessfully cultivated on the oak lands in the southwest part of the county, and is 
 becoming popular among the farmers of other portions resulting here, as every- 
 where, in enrichment of, and large increase in the productive power of the lands. 
 
 WHITE CLOVER, 
 
 like blue-grass, is indigenous to the country, flourishes in all the silicious soils 
 and in years of full moisture adds largely to the grazing capacity and wealth of the 
 country. With the foregoing notes upon the climate, soils, water supply and 
 grasses of Jackson county, it seems almost superfluous to pronounce it 
 
 A SUPERB STOCK COUNTY. 
 
 But I am reminded that three-fourths of the prospective immigrants who are look- 
 ing westward for Etopia, locate that fabulous land somewhere on the broad savan- 
 nas of the New West, and think, talk and dream only of becoming shepherds and 
 herdsmen. Well, that is natural, honorable and sagacious, for no calling is more 
 profitable and reputable, and these gentlemen of the prospective flocks and herds 
 will permit the writer to tell them that north lii^estern Missouri is the 
 
 HOME OF THE STOCK GROWER, 
 
 and that grand old Jackson county is; "pretty nigh" its head center. Here are 
 the cheap lands, here the matchless herbage and clear plenteous waters, here the 
 forest ravines, bluffs, gulches and chaparral that make the finest natural stock 
 shelter known to a mild and equable climate, and these with cheapest transporta- 
 tion to the National and Union stock yards are the things that go into the make 
 up of a royal stock country. We must not forget to add those other essentials — 
 cheap corn and 
 
 ALMOST PERENNIAL PASTURAGE. 
 
 They grow corn here at a cost of fifteen cents per bushel, and the years are rare 
 that do not furnish ten months grazing for young stock. Only a field of rye and 
 a reservation of the autumn growth of blue grass in the underbrush woodlands are 
 necessary to complete as full year's pasturage. It should interest those coming 
 herdsmen, too, to know that there are none of the climatic rigors of the far west- 
 ern plains ; that the good Lord giVes this region plenteous rainfall ; that the coal 
 and wood and fencing timber are almost as "cheap as dirt; " that the highways 
 are made, the bridges and school houses are built ; that there is 
 
 A SLIGHT DIFFERENCE 
 
 between life here and on the borders. It may be well to remind him, too, that 
 there is such an order as polite and refined society for his wife and good schools 
 for his children ; that the country is full of first-class railways ; that the rough 
 work of pioneering was done by other hands than his, half a century ago ; and 
 that Jackson county has stood the test of sixty years of unfailing agricultural pro- 
 duction without diminishing the productive power of its soil. This prospective 
 stock grower who is already asking if Jackson county is really a good county to 
 live in, will pardon me for telling him a little story about the 
 
 EXTENT AND PROFIT OF STOCK HUSBANDRY 
 
 In Jackson county. The late assessors returns accredit the stock men of the 
 county with a total of 19,680 horses; 4,212 mules; 18,325 cattle; 23,275 sheep 
 and 35,390 swine. This splendid aggregation of domestic animals is not made of 
 
 SCRUBS AND SCALAWAGS, 
 
 For these rude tribes, hke the "bushwhacker" of the genus homo, are mainly 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTV. 87 
 
 passed into history. It is worth the journey of a thousand miles to look over the 
 stock ranches, farms and herds. Hardly too much can be said of 
 
 THE CHARACTER OF THE HERDS 
 
 And their progressive owners. There are half a hundred short horns of illustri- 
 ous heraldry and Hneage here ; another half hundred animals of model types, fit 
 for the show-ring, and several hundred finely bred animals of noteworthy families. 
 The feeding herds are all good or high grades, a large per cent, of this stock being 
 bred and fed for the European trade. Some of the enterprising breeders are in- 
 troducing Herefords, to meet a fast growing demand from the ranchmen of new 
 prairie States and Territories. Hundreds of young thorough-bred short horn bulls 
 are annually shipped out of the county for the same destination. Imported Jer- 
 seys, whose names and fame are known to two continents, are kept and bred here 
 in fair numbers. Imported Cotswolds, Downs, Leicesters and Marines of na- 
 tional fame, grace the estates of several sheep breeders, and are giving generous 
 infusion of the best blood into many of the local flocks. Model Berkshires and 
 Poland Chinas that have swept the Provincial and National prize may be found 
 here, and it may be safely said that Jackson county, in regard to blooded stock, 
 has no superior in the west. 
 
 Many another good word might be said for old Jackson county, and its enter- 
 prising citizens, but there are some live and successful stock men in it who are 
 more than deserving of passing notice. Scattered throughout this beautiful county 
 of hills, vales and picturesqueness are some dozen or more noteworthy fine stock 
 
 BREEDERS 
 
 Of short horns, and, indeed, of all other kinds of stock, a note of whom will 
 serve to show the character of the county and herds, and men who are pursuing 
 this noble caHing. Jackson county stands second to no county in the State in the 
 quality of her stock. Three miles east of Independence is Mr. C. Pugsley's Elm.^ 
 Wood farm, that stands as a model of what energy and enterprise can do. It 
 consists of 317 acres of good land, all splendidly fenced and heavily coated with 
 a good covering of blue grass. A good home, ample and convenient stabling, 
 sheds and corrals, ponds and elegant pastures, make up this model farm. His 
 herd consists of 40 recorded short horns of the Rose of Sharon, formerly bought 
 of T. C. Anderson, of Kentucky. His herd is well handled, and has a high 
 pedigree, the bull of the herd is a royal Princess and Bates cross. In addition, 
 Mr. Pugsley has 400 Spanish Merino sheep of pure breeding, and was the first 
 to introduce them into this county. Jackson county has in Mr. Pugsley an old 
 Ohio raised farmer and stockman, a worthy and exemplary citizen, farmer and 
 stockman. A visit to his farm, and a look at his beauties, will convince the -most 
 skeptical that there is something in life yet worth living for. In our researches 
 after food of the above mixture we^run across 
 
 WM. ANDERSON, 
 
 A man rich in mortgages, stocks and bonds, rich in all good human feeling, has 
 a large and exhaustless stock of good common sense, sympathizes with every 
 movement for the advancement of the county, and in practical business talent is 
 the peer of any man in the State. Mr. Anderson, with the enterprising energy 
 characteristic of his nature, has not only added to the lovely attractions of his 
 rural home, but has invested largely in fine blooded stock, among which may be 
 mentioned the following noted families : 
 
 THE GLENDALE HERD 
 
 Of fine short horn cattle, the best in the county, and handled with the best of 
 
88 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 care. The herd is a large one, headed by a male of the celebrated Rose of Sharon 
 family. Mr. Anderson's farm presents to the eye an attraction seldom found m 
 the travels of a lifetime. [We have been unable to glean all the facts connected 
 with the fine breeds of the county, and the fault is not ours, as we have earnestly 
 questioned all.] Mr. H. M. Vaile, another of our fine breeders, has m quarantme 
 at Baltimore a herd of fine blooded cattle, one of which cost him the fabulous 
 sum of $3,000. [We are sorry to say we were unable to see Mr. Vaile.] One 
 more fine stock, man calls for our words of encouranement, and that man is 
 
 MR. JEWETT, 
 
 who resides about two miles east of Independence. He is a man who believes 
 in a good home, good farm and stock, and, therefore, he has all of them. He is 
 a careful, discreet breeder and feeder, is successful in the business, and believes 
 this is one of the finest stock countries in the world. He is a model farmer and 
 a born gentleman of rare good sense, courteous, conservative temper, exception- 
 ally good habits, fine sense of honor, well disciplined mind, is practical, enter- 
 prising and liberal, and is held in high esteem throughout the county for his manly 
 qualities. His farm is one of the best in the county, and his stock of the finest 
 and purest breeds. His attention has been more directly turned toward the breed- 
 ing of fine wool growers than anything else, and his flocks to-day are the best in 
 the State. 
 
 There are several other stock men whose names should appear, but owing to 
 their own carelessness, or fear of notoriety, or loss of a few dimes, failed to give 
 the desired information. Men are known by their enterprise and pluck, and 
 when soft heads decline giving information for ' ' fear you are not posted in regard to 
 stock," they need expect nothing. It is supposed that a practical newspaper man 
 understands his business, and one who does not had better shut shop. Of all the 
 men in this world, a newspaper man should be, if he is not, the most gifted and 
 best posted man, though there are any number of men who are capable of holding 
 wealth, though incapible of making it. 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 Missouri is situated in the southern half of the north temperate zone, conse- 
 quently the winters are not long and rigorous, neither are the summers excessively 
 hot and depressing. 
 
 Jackson county though subject to the sudden changes which visit all 
 parts of the country has a great advantage both in locality and elevation over 
 other counties of this state and also Kansas. At one time it was asserted that 
 the climate of the Missouri Valley was colder in winter and warmer in summer 
 than the Atlantic States in the same latitude, but this idea has long since been 
 exploded by observations which have been made in both regions. The mean 
 temperature during the summer is 75°, and the annual average rainfall is forty 
 inches, no other section of the State having a greater supply of rains. 
 
 From Blodgett's Climatology of the United States we learn that the " early 
 distinctions between the Atlantic States and the Mississippi Valley have been 
 quite dropped, as the progress of observation has shown them to be practically 
 the same, or to differ only in unimportant particulars. It is difficult to designate 
 any important fact entitling them to any separate classification ; they are both 
 alike subject to great extremes; they both have strongly marked continental 
 features at some seasons and decided tropical features at others, and these influ- 
 ence the whole district similarly, without showing any line of separation. At a 
 distance from the Gulf of Mexico to remove the local effect, the same peculiar- 
 ities appear which belong to Fort Snelling ; Montreal as well as to Albany, Balti- 
 more and Richmond." 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 89 
 
 As this county is nearly on the same parallel as Maryland it is fair to pre- 
 sume that the climate is nearly identical, provided the above be true, yet observa- 
 tion shows that there is a perceptible tendency to extremes as we go further west, 
 owing to the lakes and prairies, probably, and shows that the spring and summer 
 are decidedly warmer, and the winters colder here than in Maryland. From the 
 open country, the great sweep of the winds and the force of the sun, the malaria 
 arising from the rich alluvial soil is counteracted and dispelled, so that the cliamte 
 here is as healthy as in any portion of the known world. 
 
 In his observations on the climatology of Missouri, Dr. Engelmann states 
 that the principal elements of the climate of a country are its temperature and 
 moisture. They influence and condition the existence and prosperity of organic 
 life and the well-being of the human family. But these elements are to be con- 
 sidered not only in their average but even more so in their extremes ; for the 
 extremes more than the means establish the capability for and the geographical 
 limits of many productions. The climate of Missouri is on the whole a dry one 
 with strong evaporation, and an atmosphere but rarely overloaded with moisture. 
 The average amount of vapor, or rather dissolved water in the atmosphere, the 
 relative humidity, in only 66°, 72° in winter and 59° in spring, 66° in summer 
 and 68° in autumn. Thus spring proves to have the driest atmosphere, and 
 April more than any other month, which by the way is perfectly comfortable with 
 the considerable fall of rain which we often notice in spring. We enjoy in this 
 country an unusual amount of fair weather. Our autumnal season is celebrated 
 for it and also in the other parts of the year fair weather and bright sunshine 
 prevail to the great benefit of organized life and the well-being of the human 
 family. Thunder storms are frequent in spring, on an average fourteen, in sum- 
 mer twenty, principally from May to July, they occur rarer in autumn seven, and 
 in winter only two. In the warmer seasons they are sometimes accompanied by 
 short but violent tornadoes, which invariably like most thunderstorms come from 
 the southwest, and sometimes do considerable damage. Violent hail storms have 
 prevailed in some seasons and some localities, while others have been free from 
 their injurious visitation. 
 
 The following occurred in this county the first week in June, 1879: 
 
 THE CYCLONE. 
 
 The cyclone struck Jackson county about two miles south of Lee's Summit. 
 For about a half hour it had been raining and hailing from the northwest when 
 another cloud came up from the south bearing a deep, dark color. At once the 
 wind changed and blew furiously from the south, and when the two clouds came 
 together it formed a figure in appearance to that of an inverted funnel, the upper 
 end of the funnel-shaped cloud reached far up in the heavens, while the lower or 
 larger end rested on the ground, and as it advanced seemed to drive the other 
 clouds right and left as a steamboat ploughs through the water. The cyclone 
 was now organized and took a northeasterly course in the direction of Dr. Dun- 
 nington's residence. At that time the family were in the basement at supper, the 
 cyclone seized the house as with the grasp of a giant and scattered it, furniture, 
 clothing, etc. , in fragments all over the surrounding fields,but none of the family were 
 hurt. When it passed the Missouri Pacific Railroad, it twisted off the telegraph poles 
 at the surface of the ground as if they had been pipe stems, and scattered them 
 in fragments over the plain as it had done the house of Dr. Dunnington. Pro- 
 ceeding on its way it mowed its course through crops, fences, hedges, etc. , on a 
 line about half way between the residences of Mr. Goodman and Mr. Reeder, 
 drawing the house of the latter off its foundation about ten feet, but leaving it 
 whole and not injuring a single member of the family, of whom there were sev- 
 eral, but seriously frightening them. Just opposite to Reeder's and a half mile 
 away, it destroyed Mr. Goodman's barn, but doing no further damage. Its next 
 
90 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 pranks were concerned with Mr. Watson's nursery buildings which it damaged 
 somewhat, moving one of the buildings twenty feet in its course without other- 
 wise damaging it. Passing along three or four hundred yards further, it entered 
 the orchard of Mr. John C. Howard, and ploughing its way through it at about 
 two hundred yards in width, uprooted and tore off at the surface large numbers 
 of trees, destroying at least two-thirds of the orchard ; thence it proceeded carry- 
 ing away fences, pulling posts out of the ground, transferring them and the rails 
 and planks to various distances from one hundred yards to a half mile. When it 
 reached the residence of Mr. Cushenbary on the farm of John R. Blackell, it did 
 its work more completely even than before, whirHng the house around, tearing it 
 literally to pieces, carrying most of it for several hundred yards. The family, con- 
 sisting of Mr. Cushenbary, his wife and two children, were taken with the house into 
 the air and borne along in the wind. When they fell to the ground they were more 
 dead than alive, having been dropped down from the clouds head foremost, for their 
 hair was all matted with mud and their clothing was torn in shreds. Mrs C. and 
 one of the children were thought to be fatally injured, but Mr. C. and the other 
 child were uninjured. It seemed a miracle that any being could live through 
 such an experience. Everywhere were scattered pieces of lumber, fences, furni- 
 ture and debris covering the ground. Here more damage was done to the crops 
 than anywhere else on the route of the storm, even the young corn being torn to 
 tatters. On it went reaching and unroofing the house of J. A. Scruggs and the 
 family escaping unhurt except Mrs. Scruggs whose collar bone was broken, just 
 how no one could tell. Next the residence of Mr. T. Constable was demolished 
 and everything it contained, the family escaping with nothing left but their lives. 
 Then the district school house yielded to the unceremonious visitor and was 
 numbered with the things that are past. The fine two-story residence of Mr. 
 John Hutchings was next swept away, hardly leaving a vestige to tell the tale of 
 distraction, but all the family, part above and part on the ground floor, escaped un- 
 hurt. It was by Divine intervention that their lives were preserved. The residence 
 of Mr. Thaddeus Warden, built of large, heavy logs, was taken to pieces in an 
 instant and scattered, the family of six or seven were hurt, but none fatally. 
 Thence the destroyer tore Mr. Black's residence to pieces and proceeded on its 
 way to Blue Springs. 
 
 The little boy Frank Harris who was present and saw the terrible catastrophe 
 says that the first Mr. Harris and family knew of the approach of the cyclone 
 was when it reached the railroad about three hundred yards south of the house. 
 Believing it was coming directly toward the house, Mr. Harris seized the babe 
 and bade the others to follow and with his wife started west and went thirty or 
 forty yards from the house, then saying to his wife "It is coming right here," 
 they reversed their course and ran back to the house, and twenty-five yards east 
 to the straw stable. Here they were overtaken by the cyclone at about its center, 
 the western part sweeping away the house but not extending as far west as the 
 parties had gone on their first attempt to escape. The boy who was a bright lit- 
 tle fellow of nine years of course knew nothing of what occurred after the cyclone 
 struck the family, but was himself thrown into the straw rick and covered over 
 with straw and was there quite a while before he could get out. He was not 
 seriously hurt only bruised or burned about the face. When Mr. Mallory Smith 
 who was the first on the ground arrived, the boy had in his arms the babe which 
 he had picked up from the ground where it had been thrown Hterally stripped of 
 its clothing. The boy stated that when he got out of the stack and saw first his 
 mother that she ran toward him, which with her wild and strange appearance 
 frightened him and he ran from her, but she soon fell to the ground. When Mr. 
 Smith reached the place she was still prone on the ground but conscious. She 
 spoke to Mr. Smith telling him she was killed. Leaving her, Mr. Smith went in 
 search of the others. He passed along the course of the cyclone and in about 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 9] 
 
 thirty or forty yards found the httle eight-year-old girl dead, and going still farther 
 at about three hundred yards in the corn field, he discovered Mr. Harris strug- 
 gling to rise and when he reached him he found him unable to rise and though 
 trying to talk was unable to do so by reason of the mud in his mouth. He 
 assisted him as best he could and amongst the first things said by Mr. H. was 
 that he was killed. His clothing was literally torn into tatters and rolled in the 
 mud, his leg broken and his ribs and other parts of his body seemed to be crush- 
 ed. Other help coming up the entire family dead and ahve were taken to Mr. 
 Smith's, the wife dying on the way and Mr. H. dying about 12 o'clock that night. 
 The tornado after leaving the Harris place kept on in the same general direction, 
 but did no damage of consequence until it reached the residence of Mr. Under- 
 wood, half a mile away, which it also completely demoHshed. The family saw 
 the storm coming and saved themselves by running out of the house lying flat on 
 the ground and clinging to the shrubbery. The next place the storm struck was 
 the residence of Martin Gore, one mile farther on. The gable ends of his dwel- 
 ling were torn out leaving the sides standing and the roof on. After this the 
 storm did no further damage of consequence and after pursuing its course for 
 three miles further it seemed to scatter and was seen by ex-County Judge A. G. 
 Williams to rise directly in front of his residence and disappear into the clouds 
 with a loud noise like the roar of artillery. Mr. Williams and family were pre- 
 paring to vacate their dwelling when the storm disappeared. 
 
 All along the whole path of the tornado trees were uprooted and the leaves 
 were scorched and blackened as if a fire had burned them. The general appear- 
 ance of the storm was very much like that of the cyclone which passed over 
 Richmond, Ray county one year before. As above stated this cloud from which 
 the wind and rain seemed to come was in the shape of an immense inverted fun- 
 nel of a dark bluish cast and seemed to be continually whirling and grinding 
 within itself. The funnel seemed to float along with the bowl part close to the 
 ground but frequently bounding up and almost disappearing in the air for a space 
 of several seconds when it would again drop to the earth. The storm was accom- 
 panied by a heavy storm of rain, and in the vicinity of Blue Springs the rainfall 
 was accompanied by a large shower of black sulphureous mud. 
 
 The storm was plainly visible at Independence, Buckner and other adjacent 
 points, but no effects of it were felt. It was upon the whole the most terrific, as 
 well as most disastrous storm that has ever visited Jackson county and one 
 which will long be remembered and talked of. The damage to life and property 
 was very great. 
 
 Mr. Cushenbary was in bed sick and by his side lay a little babe. He was 
 carried one hundred and fifty yards from the house and was found sitting in the 
 corn field holding the babe in his arms. At the same time a dog was blown about 
 same distance and found near Mr. C. in a hole scooped out apparently for him. 
 On the line of the storm at one place a mule was caught and carried off". At 
 intervals he would reach the earth and plant his feet in it, ploughing it up with 
 the vain endeavor to hold his own — failing he would sail on with the storm, and 
 then stop again in the same way, but there was no use Mr. Mule had to yield up 
 his own preference and obey the exigencies of the master that had him. The 
 same facts are predicted of the horses belonging to Mr. Scruggs, but only two of 
 which were as unfortunate as the mule. A rock two and a half by six feet was 
 pulled out of its bed, turned over and whirled about like a plaything. 
 
 At Mr. Samuel Constable's house a bedstead was taken from under a bed on 
 which two ladies were resting and carried a half mile, and the house scattered in 
 all directions, the occupants of the bed being left intact on the bed on the ground 
 beneath where the floor had been. Several persons report having seen a ball of 
 fire, some say as large as a bushel measure, others like a barrel in size, moving 
 in front of the storm, and leading it whithersoever it went. 
 
92 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. Harris's little son mentioned above was lifted up, deposited in a straw 
 stack near by, and covered over entirely, thus escaping without much injury. 
 Persons carried up compare their sensations to what would be felt in sinking into 
 a snow bank, or in some yielding substance thicker than water. All speak of a 
 sulphureous odor. The storm dispersed when it struck the elevation in the neigh- 
 borhood of Judge Williams' farm, thus leading many to the conclusion that high 
 localities protect against the cyclones. 
 I 
 
 CLIMATE, HEALTH AND DISEASE. 
 
 We shall use as the basis of this article on pathology the notes and experiences 
 of Dr. Leo Twyman, who was for many years a successful practitioner in Jackson 
 county. Dr. Twyman was born in Scott county, Kentucky, January 23, 1799, 
 and was educated at Bardstown in the same State. He married Julia Ann Payne, 
 a native of Woodford county, Kentucky. He removed to Illinois, and there for 
 a short time followed his profession, and in 1827 came to Missouri and settled at 
 St. Charles, where he lived till 1844. I" addition to the medical practice, Dr. 
 Leo Twyman carried on a large mercantile business at St. Charles, and when the 
 St. Charles College was established, under the auspices of the M. E. Church, he 
 erected a large boarding house in connection with the institution, which, however, 
 proved a financial failure. In 1844 he removed to Jackson county, where he 
 died April 22, 1872. He practiced in this county for more than a quarter of a 
 century, and showed himself a superior man in his profession. He was a good 
 student, and did much to advance the science of medicine in Jackson county and 
 the country adjoining. During his later years he kept hotel in Independence, 
 and was an exceedingly popular landlord. At one time he belonged to the Metho- 
 dist Episcopal Church, but some years before his death united with the Catholic 
 Church, the sect in whose care he was brought up and educated, having in youth 
 graduated at the Saint Joseph's Catholic College in Bardstown, Kentucky. At 
 his funeral great respect was show his memory in the vast concourse that assem- 
 bled to do him honor. The funeral obsequies were conducted by Father Donnelly, 
 who died recently in Kansas City. 
 
 The following resolutions of respect were presented at a 
 
 MEETING OF THE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF INDEPENDENCE, MO. 
 
 At the summons of the President, Dr. Asa Farrar, the Medical Society of 
 this city met to pay the last tribute of respect to the venerable Dr. Leo Twyman, 
 who died at his residence Monday night, the 2 2d inst, at 10 o'clock. 
 
 On motion, a committee of three members, Drs. J. T. Brown, J. P. Henry 
 and John Bryant, Jr., were appointed to report resolutions expressive of regret 
 and sympathy for his friends. The Chairman of the committee reported the 
 following : 
 
 Resolved, That it is with sorrow we meet to commemorate the demise of our 
 learned and venerable associate in the Medical Profession, Dr. Leo Twyman. 
 
 Resolved, That this society and the profession at large, have lost a member 
 of exemplary distinction. 
 
 Resolved, That we follow his remains to their last resting place. 
 
 Resolved, That we tender our sympathies to his family and friends, and that 
 a copy of these proceedings be presented to the family of the deceased. 
 
 Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings be furnished the city papers for 
 publication. 
 
 A. M. FARRAR, M. D., President. 
 J. H. McMuRRAY, M. D., Secretary. 
 
 Independence, Mo., April 22d, 1872. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 93 
 
 Dr. Twyman gave considerable attention to the relation of meteorology to 
 hygiene. He studied the typography and climate and the origin of the principal 
 diseases. It is quite important for settlers and immigrants to know what sections 
 of the county are most healthful. Some have asked if this is a healthy county ? 
 The answer without any hesitation will be given in the affirmative, that it is as 
 much so as any in the State. In all the counties there are somethings that are 
 calculated to produce disease — some localities are more healthy than others, and 
 to enable strangers coming into the county to select the one and avoid the other 
 is our object. Jackson county in its general aspect is an elevated, undulating 
 plain intersected by numerous small streams running generally from the southwest 
 to the northeast, and emptying into the Missouri River which forms the north- 
 ern boundary of the county. The principal of these streams are the Big Blue^ 
 the Little Blue, Rock Creek, Sni-a-bar Creek, Fire Prairie Creek, Sugar Creek 
 and Mill Creek and their tributaries. Adjacent to all these streams are bottom 
 lands, more or less extensive, nearly along their whole course on one side, and 
 bluffs or hills on the other. These bottoms are but little subject to overflow for 
 the reason that their beds are very deep and capable of containing and carrying off 
 a large amount of water, and the great number of them when compared with 
 other sections. As may be supposed the country is well supplied with springs 
 of good water ; as an evidence of this let us mention that the city of Indepen 
 dence is situated on one of the highest points of the dividing ridge between the 
 Little Blue on the one side, and Rock Creek and Big Blue on the other. Within 
 the limits of the city are numerous springs which are the sources of considerable 
 creeks, some of which will be noticed. On the southeastern portion of .the town 
 is one of the heads of Sanders Creek, emptying into the Little Blue at a distance 
 of five and a half miles. On the east there are five springs which are the sources 
 of Lick Fork Creek, emptying also into the Little Blue at a distance of six miles. 
 On the north there are seven which unite with various others to form Mill Creek, 
 emptying into the Missouri River eight miles distant. On the west is one of the 
 head springs of Sugar Creek, running into the Missouri River about four miles 
 from its source. In the southwest are three of the sources of Rock Creek, which 
 after running southwest about two miles, turns nearly north and empties into the 
 Missouri River between Sugar Creek and Big Blue. Some idea may be thus 
 formed of the abundance of water, and the perfect manner in which the land is 
 drained. 
 
 The bottoms above mentioned extend up the several branches to near the 
 summit of the dividing ridge, and many of the springs rise within fifty yards of 
 the summit. In the larger bottoms are a number of small ponds or lakes, and 
 spots of marshy ground which are filled with water the greater part of the year, and 
 in rainy seasons become quite extensive, which evaporate and dry up in the hot, 
 dry seasons usually following in the months of July, August and September, and 
 thus generate the poisonous exhalation about which so little is- known, and called 
 by physicians "miasm" or "malaria" which produces fevers of various types 
 and grades. This exhalation follows along the different ravines, even to the 
 summit of the highlands, and is carried a greater or less distance in proportion to 
 the current of air or wind. 
 
 But they do not seem to extend very far up the sides of the ravines unless 
 carried by a strong breeze ; care should, therefore, be taken to avoid locating resi- 
 dences near the heads of ravines, and more particularly where they terminate on 
 the ridges, which is a frequent error. A man finding a good spring near the sum- 
 mit of a hill, builds his house so as to be near the water, on the hill or ridge, and 
 immediately in the course of the ravine, and as a consequence receives the con- 
 centrated "miasm" arising from it. Now at a distance of fifty or at least a 
 hundred yards a point may generrally be selected very nearly if not entirely free 
 from it, The existence of this malarious air in the ravines is very clearly proven 
 
94 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 to any man of observation ; in walking or riding across them in the night, m 
 descending a hill as he approaches the base he will be sensible of cold darnp 
 atmosphere which will disappear at the same elevation in ascending the opposite 
 slope. This fact is often observed in Missouri and Illinois. It is generally be- 
 lieved that the bottoms are much more sickly than the hills, or uplands, which is 
 to some extent true. The cases of fever are perhaps more frequent in the bottom 
 lands, but less malignant, and all experience goes to show that persons fivirig on 
 the bare slopes or summits of hills near the bottoms, suffer most, and those living 
 near the banks of rivers, or creeks of running water in the bottoms, are rnore 
 healthy. The reason is that the exhalations rise and are carried by the winds 
 over the dwellings in lowlands and are wafted to the tops of the highest hills. 
 Several precautions are necessary in selecting sites for dwellings on hills near bot- 
 toms. First, build if possible, on the opposite side of the hill from the bottom, 
 so that the "miasm" after reaching the summit may pass above you j second, avoid 
 the heads of ravines ; third, have a grove of timber between you and the bottom 
 — this will have the effect of protecting you from the "miasm," and moreover, the 
 trees absorb a large portion of it. Again, hills having bottoms to windward of 
 them will be more sickly than those that the wind blows from them to the bottom. 
 The prevailing winds here in the months of June, July and August, are from the 
 south and southwest, but in the lattei part of August they begin to blow from the 
 north and continue mostly during September and October in that direction. Thus 
 it will be seen that persons living north and south of the bottoms will, in a sickly 
 season, suffer first, say in July and August, but the fevers would be milder than 
 later in the season, when the "miasm" has become more concentrated and virulent 
 when the winds are from the north, that is during the latter part of August, and 
 the whole of September and October, then those living south of the bottoms will 
 suffer most, and, for the reasons given above, the fevers will be of more malignant 
 type. Hills east and west of the bottoms are most healthy because the winds in 
 the hot months seldom blow in these directions. 
 
 In speaking of topography of Jackson county it should be observed that in 
 the vicinity of all the streams are strips of woodland more or less extensive, and 
 that along the Missouri River the timber land extends from three to ten miles in 
 width from the river, and in many places the timber is large and of excellent 
 quality, and in others the growth is smaller, forming dense thickets in many 
 places, showing clearly that the timber has encroached on the prairie, and it is 
 interesting to note the gradual change which takes place from almost impenetrable 
 thickets to open woods. As the trees grow and overshadow the undergrowth, 
 such as hazel, sumach, etc., this dies out and the more thrifty and larger trees 
 continue to grow, while the more feeble and delicate die out one after another and 
 give place to their more stately neighbors ; and thus in a few years thickets become 
 open woodlands, and as this process goes on the sun has freer access to the earth 
 and it is consequently drier and more healthy. Many thickets in this county during 
 the period of thirty years have undergone these changes, and are now beautiful 
 open woodlands of trees of considerable size and height. Another very interest- 
 ing fact going to show that the country is becoming more healthy, is that the wet 
 lands in the bottoms are being filled up by the alluvial deposits brought down to 
 them from the roads and cultivated fields, and are being covered by a thick sward 
 of blue grass as fast as they become dry enough, and at the same time the chan- 
 nels of the branches which run through them are being deepened and compressed 
 into narrow space. There are quite a number of bottoms along the Blue which 
 thirty years ago were quite wet and swampy, which have become dry tillable land, 
 and which will, in all probability, continue in the future to improve more rapidly 
 than in the past. This holds good with the broader ravines and valleys in the 
 upland prairies, many of which are quite wet and in many places marshy. Now 
 as these slopes of the hills are cultivated, these marshy spots are filled up and the 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 95 
 
 land rendered more compact by the trampling of stock, the blue grass takes hold 
 readily and a firm sward covers them so that they are less likely to generate "miasm" 
 and consequently the country around will become healthier. Those settling in 
 the prairies should be advised to observe the same rules in building homes as in 
 the timber, that is, to avoid heads of ravines, as mentioned heretofore, and even 
 more carefully on account of the want of protection by trees. It may seem 
 strange, but I believe the statement is fully attested by experience, that in very 
 rainy and consequently sickly seasons, persons living on the prairies suffer more 
 than those in the timber; the cause of this may I think, be found to be the protec- 
 tion afforded by the timber in absorbing and warding off "miasm." Such persons, 
 as soon as possible, should make for themselves a protection by planting groves 
 of timber and orchards near their dwellings, which will be a source of safety 
 from disease and at the same time of pecuniary profit, to say nothing of the agree- 
 able shades in the summer and protection from cold in the winter — both important 
 objects for the preservation of health, and particularly in a climate as variable 
 as ours. 
 
 In considering the causes tending to influence the health of any locality, we 
 should take into account the effect of temperature and the particular season in 
 which we have the greatest amount of rain and highest temperature. As a rule, 
 our rainy season commences about the 20th of May and extends to the loth of 
 July ; when we say season, we do not mean that it is only in that season that we 
 have rains, but that rains are more abundant then than at other times. Yet, there 
 occur seasons that are exceptions to the rule, as we shall see hereafter. The 
 months of June and July, and the early part of August, are marked by the high- 
 est range of temperature. 
 
 We will now endeavor to give a brief account of many of the seasons since 
 I844. The year A. D. 1844 is known in Missouri as the great flood. In the 
 month of May there was considerably more rain than in any other year, especially 
 in the valleys of the Kansas and Platte rivers, so as to cause a partial overflow of 
 the bottoms of those rivers and of the Missouri River. 
 
 About the i sth of June the rains abated, and the rivers receded from the 
 bottoms, but in a short time recommenced exceedingly copious rains of almost 
 daily occurrence to about the loth of July, and the Missouri River and its tribu- 
 taries overflowed their banks to the depth of twenty feet, and in many places to 
 the depth of thirty feet — the temperature at this time being high. It is remarka- 
 ble that during this season the Missouri River, above the mouths of the Kaw and 
 Platte rivers, continued low. The latter part of July and the month of August 
 were very dry and hot, and sickness was general throughout the State, the dis- 
 eases being mostly of a mild character, and yielding readily to the influence of 
 medicines. The winter of 1844 and 1845 was very mild, little snow or rain fell 
 during the winter or spring, so that the rivers were quite low to the latter part of 
 May, when the rains commenced and continued to the beginning of July. Some 
 of the heaviest rains ever know in the State were witnessed this season, but west 
 and north in the valleys of the Kaw and Platte rivers there was but little rain, 
 and the Missouri overflowed its banks but little at the mouths of the Osage and 
 North Grand rivers. This season was also very warm, and about the first of Au- 
 gust sickness commenced and was more general, and of a more malignant type, 
 than in the preceding year, but still quite managable. The succeeding winter 
 was cold, with considerable snow, and the spring pleasant. 
 
 The season of 1846 had no excess of rains, and had not a great many cases 
 of fever, but some of those we had were more violent and difficult to manage. 
 During the early part of the summer there was an epidemic of scarlet fever, and 
 in the fall a great many cases of jaundice. 
 
 The winter following was mild, and the spring aad summer not remarkable 
 
96 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 ■for rain and but little sickness. The following year, 1847, partook very much of 
 the same character, and was also a tolerably healthy year. 
 
 The winter of 1847 and 1848 was very mild, so much so that very little ice 
 formed sufficiently thick to keep. The spring and summer of 1848 was dry and 
 healthy. 
 
 The winter of 1848 and 1849 was remarkably cold, with a great deal of snow, 
 which melted partially in the month of January and froze suddenly, leaving the 
 ground covered with a very firm coat of ice from three to five inches in thickness, 
 which remained the greater part of February, and then melted off, accompanied 
 by rain, and broke up the ice in the rivers, which had formed to a thickness of 
 fifteen to eighteen inches. The spring of 1849 was wet and cold till sometime in 
 April, when commenced a succession of hot weather with frequent rains, alter- 
 nated with sudden changes of cold, which continued through May, June and 
 most of July. Such was the peculiar condition of the atmosphere that a feeling 
 of debility and exhaustion was very generally experienced, and those who have 
 been exposed to its influence will thereafter recognize it as a cholera atmosphere ; 
 the wind during the greater part of this time, and especially during the damp 
 days, was from the east and southeast. In the month of April there occurred a 
 number of cases of sraall-pox among immigrants, which, however, did not spread, 
 to any extent among citizens ; diarrhcea, and other diseases of the digestive or- 
 gans were of frequent occurrence, and on the 17th of April occurred the first 
 case of genuine Asiatic cholera in a vigorous and previously healthy negro man, 
 the property of Jabez Smith. From this time forward occasional cases occurred, 
 not, however, very mahgnant until the 6th of May, on which day it broke out 
 with great malignancy in various parts of Independence which was crowded to over- 
 flowing with California immigrants ; the hotels were excessively crowded, and at 
 the Independence House there occurred seven deaths in the first twenty-four 
 hours; in four or five days afterward ten persons died at the Noland House 
 within twenty-four hours. From this time the disease continued to prevail, with 
 occasional remissions, until sometime in July, and was succeeded by fevers in 
 August, September and October. 
 
 The year 1850 was not remarkable for heavy rains or any great vicissitudes 
 of temperature, and was comparatively healthy; but the following year, 1851, 
 this region was again visited by hot and rainy weather and eastern winds, and 
 cholera again made its appearance and was excessively malignant, continuing 
 from the latter part of May to almost the first of August, which was again fol- 
 lowed by fever ; during this year a greater number of citizens fell victims to 
 cholera than in 1849. The year 1852 was again "a very equable season; there 
 was not a great amount of sickness until late in the fall and beginning of winter, 
 when the vicissitudes of temperature were great and sudden, and there occurred 
 a large number of cases of pneumonia of a typhoid character and a general prev- 
 alence of typhoid diseases. About the middle of December epidemic erysipelas 
 — also assuming a typhoid character — made its appearance, and continued to pre- 
 vail in some neighborhoods until the following April. 
 
 The year 1853 was a mild and pleasant season, unmarked by great rains or 
 changes of temperature, and although there were occasional cases of cholera, it 
 was, in the main, a healthy season. The spring of 1854 was pleasant, and vege- 
 tation came forward very early. About the last of May it began to rain very 
 frequently and heavily, and continued till the 19th of June, from which time 
 scarcely any rain fell until the i8th of November. The crops of small grain were 
 heavy, but in consequence of the long continued drouth after heavy rains the crop 
 of corn was very small, not being more than one-third the usual yield. On the 
 1 8th of June, when we had had several days of hot showery weather, with an 
 easterly wind, the cholera again made its appearance with great violence, and ex- 
 tended generally over the country more than any previous year, the reasons of 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 97 
 
 which were, that there were on the 17th and i8th an unusual number of persons 
 living in the county who were in town attending a meeting at the Christian Church, 
 which was then in progress, and who sickened in a day or two after their return 
 home. The disease continued about two weeks, gradually declining after the first 
 few days. We had considerable fever in August and September ; early in October 
 it became quite healthy, and continued so during the fall and winter. 
 
 The spring and beginning of the year 1855 were pleasant until the latter 
 part of July, when there set in a succession of heavy rains which lasted until 
 about the 20th of August. Crops of all kinds were good, wheat and oats were 
 far better than usual, both as to quality and quantity; but the farmers having 
 adopted the use of threshers, and being busy with the corn and hay crops, failed 
 to house or stack them in season, and at least three-fourths of the crop of small 
 grains was spoiled, and rotted in the fields. This year was quite healthy, except 
 a short time in September and October. The year 1855 was not remarkable as 
 to health, there being no unusual sickness until late in the fall, when typhoid 
 fever prevailed to a considerable extent for some three months. Sometime in 
 November, when the epidemic of very mahgnant scarlet fever made its appearance 
 in the northeast part of the county, and spread over a large portion of the county 
 and towns, and continuing through the winter. The winter of 1856 and 1857 was 
 unusuatly cold, with but little snow, and we had an unusual number of cases of 
 rheumatism, and in the spring considerable pneumonia and other inflammatory 
 affections. The season during most of the year 1857 was not unusual. The fol- 
 lowing winter was not marked by any unusual extremes, and the spring of 1858 was 
 rather dry and pleasant, until the month of June, when we had again excessive 
 and long continued rains, extending to the early part of July; during this month 
 and August the weather was hot anddry. Early in August fever commenced, and 
 we had more sickness than in any year since 1845. 
 
 The ensuing year of 1859 was very similar in regard to temperature and 
 rains, and we again had a considerable amount of sickness through the fall and 
 winter months. The winter and spring of i860 was unusually dry and windy, 
 there being no rain sufficient to wet the ground until the 2Sth of May, at which 
 time and also some time in June, there was a good shower in the northeast part 
 of the county, particularly on the Little Blue, near its mouth. This drouth con- 
 tinued through the summer, and consequently the crops were exceedingly short ; 
 and west of us, in the State of Kansas, almost an entire failure. About the loth 
 of July we had for two or three days a south wind, as hot as if coming from a 
 furnace, which was very oppressive to man and beast, and wilted the vegetation 
 considerably. There was also on the 4th of July a severe storm of wind, amount- 
 ing almost to a tornado, with very little rain. In this year, as well as 1854, we 
 had incontestible evidence of the superiority of the bottom lands along the Mis- 
 souri .River, which are bedded on sand as subsoil, in dry seasons, for reason that 
 the water from the river percolates this sand, and a sufficient quantity of moisture 
 arises to sustain the growth of grain. This is also true to some extent in uplands, 
 in which there is a considerable amount of sand mixed with the sub-soil. The 
 year 1861, which will be long remembered for the inauguration of She civil war, 
 which cursed our country and desolated the finest portions of our land, among 
 which Jackson county is one of the most beautiful and fertile, was a season of 
 unusual health and productiveness — full crops and fruits of all kinds, rewarded 
 the labors of the husbandman ; and had we been blessed with peace, would have 
 been one of abundance and comfort. There was but little sickness during this 
 and the two following years. 
 
 The winter of 1863 and 1864 was exceedingly cold with considerable snow, 
 the spring was pleasant but too cold to bring forward vegetation This dry 
 weather extending through the greater part of summer there was great drouth and 
 vegetation became scarce. The crops of all kinds were light and the Httle prod- 
 
98 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 ucewas mostly destroyed by the two contending armies during Price's raid, which 
 passed through in the latter part of October. During the latter part of summer and 
 beginning of fall there was a severe form of dysentery, followed later in the season 
 by typhoid fever. The year 1865 may be properly called a rainy season for 
 frequent and exceedingly heavy rains set in early in June and continued till the 
 latter part of August. Dysentery again made its appearance in July and prevailed 
 during that month and August. In September,- October and the fore part of 
 November there were many cases of fever which were very violent, being mostly 
 of a congestive type, and complicated with diseases of the bowels. Later in the 
 season we had some cases of typhoid fever, also attended with disease of the 
 bowels and in some cases of the lungs. During the year 1866-7 all the diseases 
 were of a mild character and easily managed. There were no cases of epidemic 
 diseases. In the year 1868 there were more cases of sickness, and some were 
 typhoid fever, but not of a very malignant type. Since the war, even to the 
 present time, there have been no severe cases of cholera since 1854. In 1869 
 the cases of sickness were less frequent than in 1868, all diseases easily managed. 
 There have been no cases of small-pox since the year 1865, and it might be 
 remarked that as the county grows older it becomes more healthy. The summers 
 which are wet and excessively warm are followed in the fall months by more or less 
 fevers. In 1870 there were several cases of " Rothlene," a form of scarlet fever, 
 in the spring, some cases of intermittent fevers in the fall and taken altogether 
 it was more sickly than 1869. During the years 1871 and 1872 there was some 
 pneumonia in the spring, with mild cases of fever in the fall of 1871. There 
 were very few deaths. Several severe accidents occurred in the year 1871 ; one 
 was the falling from a wagon of Mr. A. G. Robinson, of which injuries he died 
 soon after, and another a son of Mr. Oldham receiving so severe a fracture of 
 his leg, from a kick by a horse, that he died. The year 1873 was healthy and 
 all the cases requiring the attention of a physician were easily managed. The 
 summer of 1874 was very dry and hot, several persons required treatment for 
 sunstroke, the mercury ranging for considerable time from 95° to 100° in. the 
 shade. There were some cases of diphtherietic croup, several of which were fatal. 
 There was also epidemic whooping cough. The spring of 1875 ^^s very wet, 
 and there were cases of capillary bronchitis among children and sore throat and 
 catarrh among adults. There were some fatal cases of consumption. The summer 
 of 1876 was healthy and also the year 1877. I" 1^77 there were some cases of 
 scarlet fever, but of mild type and easily managed. The year 1878 was quite 
 healthy. The year 1879 chronicled some scarlet fever in the spring. Mr. John 
 Wilson, one of the prominent citizens of Jackson county, died July 23d, of what 
 is termed chronic cystitis. Mr. Wilson was for many years a resident Independ- 
 ence and a highly respected man. 
 
 Considerable sickness of a typho-malarial character existed during the spring 
 of 1880, but the remainder of the year it was exceedingly healthy. There were 
 sufficient rains to produce the growth of abundant crops, and probably never in 
 the history of the county has there been a better average yield to the labors of 
 the husbandinan. Grekt quantities of fruit and cereals matured and have been 
 gathered for the market. General prosperity and abundance have crowned the 
 year. Men who were in debt are paying up the mortgages on their farms and 
 houses and becoming independent. 
 
 Independence is the highest point of land in the Missouri Valley in the State 
 and admitted by all as being situated in the most healthy locality in this whole 
 region. There are few deaths here, nearly all the old persons who die, die of 
 nervous exhaustion or old age. J. N. Wallace died January 19, 1880, and 
 Thomas Stayton June 14, 1879, the latter's death was caused by softening of the 
 brain.' In the city of Independence there are at present eight regular practicing 
 physicians. The city physician and marshal are constituted a health board and 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 99 
 
 through their vigilance all nuisances injurious to the health of the people are 
 promptly abated. 
 
 We have now given a condensed history of the seasons for the past thirty- 
 seven years, and by it a tolerably correct idea may be formed of the healthfulness 
 of this county. 
 
 It will be found that seasons in which there has been an excess of rains, and 
 of floods in the streams, have produced a large amount of sickness, and this is 
 also true with other portions of this great valley. It will also be remarked, that 
 in our seasons rains are later and more immediately followed by dry and hot 
 weather than in the Eastern States and as a necessary result we would expect in 
 those seasons a considerable amount of fever, but the comparative frequency of 
 such seasons are not greater than in other locaUties. We find also that we have 
 had several visitations of cholera during its last appearance in the West, but this 
 being then a great thoroughfare of travel across the plains and being greatly crowded 
 this was rationally expected, and such, was the case on all the great lines of travel, 
 moreover some places of undisputed reputation for health, have been, similarly 
 afflicted during .the prevalence of cholera at different times, for instance, Lexing- 
 ton, Versailles and Louisville, Kentucky, in the epidem.ic of 1832-3 and various 
 other points in 1849 and the following seasons, to say nothing of the larger cities 
 and their surroundings. As to the prevalence of scarlet fever, measles, erysip- 
 elas and other diseases of similar character, it may be asserted that our county 
 has not suffered more than other parts of the Western, and perhaps less than many 
 of the Eastern States. Of typhoid fever it may be said that the disease is milder 
 and less frequent than in many of the Northern or Eastern States. In the course 
 of thirty-seven years there have been five, or less than one seventh, in which there 
 were heavy and long continued rains in early summer and general prevalence of 
 fevers, the remainder being comparatively healthy. Tljere has been no year 
 when there has been an entire loss of crops and nearly every year great abund- 
 ance has been produced. 
 
 The greater portion of the county — leaving out the bottom of the Missouri 
 River and larger streams — is posed upon a bed of limestone at various depths ; 
 yet such is the formation of the country that the stone very little, if at all, inter- 
 fere with the cultivation of the soil, for the reason that it does not crop out, ex- 
 cept in the immediate vicinity of streams, on the slopes of hills, or at their base. 
 So abundant is the rock throughout the county that it is said that there can 
 scarcely be found four contiguous sections of land on some one of which there is 
 not rock enough for all building purposes ; furthermore, very few spots, and 
 those small, in which the stone is so near the surface as to interfere with the 
 growth of vegetation in dry seasons. Those sections in which the limestone is 
 wanting are based on sand of very considerable depth. There is also in the 
 greater part of the county a large admixture of sand both with the soil and the 
 sub-soil, and consequently, as may be inferred, the land is light and easily culti- 
 vated, much more so than in many fertile regions elsewhere, as, for instance, the 
 rich blue grass lands of Kentucky. No amount of tramping can make it so hard 
 that, if broken up in large clods, it will not shake and fall to pieces, like lime, 
 in the first considerable shower; and moreover, it has the additioual advantage 
 of becoming sufficiently dry in a short time after rains for plowing, and does not 
 break and become hard so easily if worked a little wet. This enables the farmer 
 to cultivate his crops in wet seasons to better advantage than if the sand was want- 
 ing. In addition to this, as mentioned in the last article, drouth does not so 
 greatly affect the crops, because a considerable amount of moisture arises from 
 below, which goes to support vegetation. Indeed, our farmers say that crops 
 will grow here with less rain than in almost any other country. We have in this 
 •county but Hitle poor land; yet the quality of the soil and the growth of the tim- 
 ber indicating thoSe qualities vary a great deal, and the changes are frequently 
 
100 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 abrupt. We have, for example, strips of land covered by walnut, hickory, elm, 
 box elder, honey locust, coffee bean, lima, etc, of some miles in extent, and 
 changing in many instances abruptly, to Oakland, of inferior quality. Again, we 
 have strips on which the growth is white hickory, different species of oak, wild 
 cherry, slippery elm, etc., and the undergrowths are in oak lands, hazel, sumach, 
 and a species of dogwood. The papaw abounds in the walnut and hackberry 
 lands, and on river bottoms and hills contiguous to them. There are also some 
 spots of rather sponty lands, with stiff clay sub-soil, the growth on which is almost 
 exclusively a species of pin-oak, of a dwarfish character, with the limbs extendiiig 
 almost to the ground. There is some diversity of opinion in regard to the fertil- 
 ity of the different characters of soil, but the statement is fully borne out by ex- 
 perience that the walnut and hackberry lands are strongest, and in favorable sea- 
 sons will produce the largest crops of hemp and corn, and are better adapted to 
 the domestic grasses, especially the blue grass, while the brush lands, in which 
 the white hickory abounds, with the undergrowth of hazel and sumach, will on an 
 average pf all seasons, and all kinds of crops, surpass them, and are greatly supe- 
 rior for wheat and other small grains. This county is well adapted to the produc- 
 tion of various kinds of fruits, as the apple, pear, apricot and peach, all of which 
 grow rapidly and yield abundantly, fruits of excellent quality. The common mo- 
 rello cherry also yields well, but the finer qualities of cherries and damson plums 
 do not seem to do as well. The gooseberry, black raspberry, dewberry, black- 
 berry and strawberry are indigenous to the soil, growing in large quantities in the 
 woodland and prairies. Grasses have not yet been extensively cultivated, but so 
 far as their cultivation has been tried the result has been very satisfactory. 
 
 The climate of Missouri is very changeable, the changes of temperature being 
 frequent and sudden, varying often fifty or sixty degrees in a few hours. Great 
 precaution is, therefore, necessary to adapt the apparel so as to be little affected as 
 possible by these sudden vicissitudes, and I would advise those whose business 
 requires them to be at such a distance from the dwellings as to be unable to change 
 their clothes readily, to suffer the inconvenience of being uncomfortably warm 
 for a time rather than run the risk of exposure to these sudden changes when 
 thinly clad. Woolen clothing, therefore, is preferable to lighter fabrics even in 
 summer. 
 
 Dwelling houses should be so constructed as to have free ventilation in every 
 part from cellar to garret, and especial care should be taken that houses without 
 cellars should be somewhat elevated from the ground with openings sufBcient to 
 admit the free circulation of air under them and these should be open in summer. 
 In damp, rainy weather fires should be made occasionally to dispel the dampness 
 and dry the rooms. They also serve to purify the air by producing a draught or 
 current of air which carries off the impure atmosphere which is generated, 
 especially in sleeping rooms, and for these reasons small fires night and morning 
 will be found beneficial. It is improper to close sleeping apartments at night so 
 as entirely to exclude the air, especially when the atmosphere is dry. Yet we 
 should avoid sleeping with a current of air blowing over us. It is better to open 
 the upper sash of windows which will generally admit sufficient external air and 
 carry off that which has become heated and impure. Exposure to cold and damp 
 air especially in the latter part of the night and early morning should be avoided, 
 and if this kind of exposure is necessary it is better to fortify the body by taking 
 a quantity of food, say a cup of coffee with a little bread before going out, and 
 this is more especially necessary during the prevalence of epidemic. Indeed it is 
 better, especially with farmers and others engaged in outdoor labor, to have 
 breakfast before commencing the labors of the day. In the latter part of summer 
 there are very heavy dews and care should be taken to avoid having the feet and 
 legs wet with them, as is frequently the case, and as a rule it is better not to go 
 out before sunrise in the morning. Long contiued exposure to midday sun and 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 101 
 
 heat should also be avoided. Meals should be regular and all unripe fruits and 
 substances difficult of digestion should be avoided. Cleanliness is also an import- 
 ant item, both in person and in habitation. The accumulation of water in cellars 
 and low places as well as all kinds of garbage, decaying animals and vegetable 
 substances should be carefully guarded against. A free use of lime, both by 
 whitewashing houses and cellars and spreading in damp places, will also tend to 
 purify the air and promote health. Cesspools and drains can be purified and 
 deodorized by lime and a strong solution of sulphate of iron thrown into them. 
 Shades about dwellings are very pleasant and promotive of health, but the trees 
 should not be so close together that the sun cannot have access to the ground 
 at some time during the day. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 Fort Osage started in 1808 — State admitted in 1821 — County organized 182b — Different settlements 
 in the County — The names of the voters in Jackson County in iSsS — The vote for Gen. Jackson 
 — Examples of Ancient Records, 
 
 Fort Osage was established as a government fort and factory in 1808. Around 
 the fort a tract of land six miles square was laid off, upon which a limited number 
 of white settlers were permitted to locate in order to raise supplies for the fort. 
 Hon. Geo. C. Sibley, late of St. Charles, was government factor and agent from 
 1818 until the abandonment of the fort in 1825. By treaty with the Osage, Kan- 
 sas and other tribes, the Indians' title to nearly all the territory of Missouri was 
 extinguished in 1808, excepting a strip twenty-four miles wide lying eastward 
 from the western boundry of the State and extending from the Missouri River 
 south into the territory of Arkansas. The eastern line of this strip was a few 
 miles east of Fort Osage and in it lay nearly all of Jackson county. The Indian 
 title to the strip including an immense territory lying westward was extinguished 
 in 1825. 
 ^ The treaty was as follows : 
 
 "June 2, 1825. 
 
 " Art. ist. The Great and Little Osage tribes or nations do hereby cede and 
 relinquish to the United States all their right, title, interest and claim to land lying 
 within the State of Missouri and territory of Arkansas and to all lands lying west 
 of said State of Missouri and territory of Arkansas north and west of the Red 
 River, south of the Kanzas River, and east of a line to be drawn from the head 
 sources of the Kanzas, southwardly, through the Rock saline, with such reserva- 
 tions, for such considerations, and upon such terms, as are hereinafter specified, 
 expressed and provided for." 
 
 June 3d, 1825, a treaty was concluded with the Kansas Indians ceding 
 territory to the United States described as follows : 
 
 "Art. I. The Kanzas do hereby cede to the United States all lands lying 
 within the State of Missouri, to which the said nation have title or claim lying 
 west of said State of Missouri and within the following boundaries ; Beginning 
 at the entrance of the Kanzas River into the Missouri River, from thence north to 
 the northwest corner of the State of Missouri, from thence westwardly, to the 
 
102 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Nodewa river thirty miles from its entrance into the Missouri, from thence to the 
 entrance of the Big Nemahaw river into the Missouri, and with that river to its 
 source, from thence to the source of the Kanzas river, leaving the old village of 
 the Pania :^epublic to the west, from thence, on the ridge dividing the waters of 
 the Kanzas river from those of the Arkansas to the western boundary of the state 
 line of Missouri, and with that line, thirty miles to the place of beginning." 
 
 "The settlers who had been previously stopped in their westward progress 
 at the eastern confines of this strip of land, immediately made a general rush into 
 the new purchase. The next year (1826) a census was taken preliminary to 
 establishing a general county organization. The county records show the cost of 
 taking this census by Jabob Gregg, still a resident of the county, to be ten dollars 
 for ten days services. In 182 1, Francis G. Choteau estalDlished a trading post on 
 the, south bank of the Missouri River about three miles below the present site of. 
 Kansas City. He brought his wife and family all the way from St. Louis to the 
 post in canoes and pirogues, the journey occupying over twenty days. By the 
 great flood of April, 1826, every vestige of his improvements were swept away, 
 and the post was transferred to a point on the Kansas River six miles above the 
 mouth. A few years later several Frenchmen, who were mountain trappers, with 
 their Indian families settled along the Missouri River below the mouth of the 
 Kansas. The county was organized December isth, 1826, and July 2d, 1827, 
 the first county court was held at Independence, Henry Burris presiding and 
 Abraham McClellan and Richard Fristoe associate judges, L. W. Boggs, after- 
 ward governor, clerk. The commissioners, the same month, located the county 
 seat at Independence. Although the timbered portion was soon quite thickly 
 settled, various causes contributed to retard the development of the county, and 
 principally the fact that a large portion of the finest lands were for many years 
 withheld from sale. On the Blue River thirty-six sections were selected for 
 educational purposes for the Kansas Indians, as provided in the treaty of 1825, 
 and a still larger amount under an act of Congress donating public lands to Mis- 
 souri for seminary purposes. These last were sold in 1832 and the proceeds 
 applied to the state University at Columbia. That portion of the public land not 
 reserved for other purposes was offered at public sale on November nth, 1828. 
 Another drawback arose in 1830 in a bitter feud between the original settlers and 
 the Mormons who emigrated in large numbers and settled in Jackson county. 
 They entered several thousand acres of land, mostly west of Independence, 
 professed to own all things in common, though in reality their bishops and leaders 
 owned everything, especially the land titles, and established a Lord's Store-house 
 in Independence, where the few monopolized the trade and earnings of the many. 
 They published the Evening, Star, the first newspaper in the county — in whichv 
 appeared weekly installments of 'revelations,' promising wonderful things to the 
 faithful, and denouncing still more wonderful things against the ungodly Gentiles. 
 The result was that the Gentiles threw the press and type into the Missouri River, 
 tarred and feathered the Bishop and two others on the public square at Indepen- 
 dence, and otherwise maltreated the Saints who retaliated upon their adversaries 
 'smiting them hip and thigh' at every good opportunity. On October 31st, a 
 deadly encounter took place two miles east of Westport, in which two citizens and 
 one Mormon were killed. The Mormons routed their enemies, and elated with 
 victory determined to destroy that wicked place. Independence, which had been 
 the scene of their sorest trials. A 'revelation' ordered the work of destruction 
 and promised victory. They marched during the night, and soon after daylight 
 of November 2d, arrived one mile west of the town, but the Gentiles pouring in 
 from all quarters met them at that point and forced them to lay down their arms 
 and leave the country in 24 hours, which they did, crossing the Missouri, Novem- 
 ber 3d, 1833." 
 
 The above was written for the Gazetteer of Missouri by one of Jackson 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 103 
 
 county's oldest and most prominent settlers, hence we have given it entire as 
 showing exactly what an old pioneer had to say of that locality in which he took 
 such a- lively interest. Then again old settlers themselves will accept it as more 
 authentic than the writings of one who has only lived in this county sufficient 
 time to compile this work. The following short extract is found in the Historical 
 Atlas of Jackson county, published by Brink, McDonough & Co., in the year 
 1877: 
 
 " Jackson county was not settled or organized at as early a date as some 
 others adjoining it. The territory embraced within its limits together with that of 
 Cass, Bates and a part of Carson was occupied by the Osage Indians. Their 
 title was extinguished by treaty with the government during the summer of 1825. 
 However its first occupancy b)' white men dates back to the year 1808, when the 
 government purchased from the Indians a tract of land six miles square which 
 was afterward known as the ' Six Mile,' a name which that territory still contin- 
 ues to bear. This purchase was embraced within the limits of the Missouri 
 River, Fire Prairie and Little Blue. A fort was erected upon it during the same 
 year, and military garrison established which derived its name from the tribe of 
 Indians called 'Osage.' The site of the fort was on a bluff of the Missouri River 
 and a short distance from where the town of Sibley now stands. At the beginning 
 of the war with England in 181 2, this fort was evacuated, and again re-occupied 
 after the war until 1822 when it was finally abandoned. During the occupancy of 
 this fort a few white families were encouraged by its officers to settle on the 
 adjacent territory. After the removal of the troops immigration commenced 
 filling up the country with great rapidity. The Indians were removed during the 
 summer of 1825 and in the autumn of that year all the timbered portion of the 
 county west of the Little Blue was partially occupied. The first settlers were 
 principally from other portions of the State, but during the following year large 
 immigrations from Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, etc., augmented the population 
 rapidly. During that year an application was prepared to submit to the Legislature for 
 county organization, and the census of the district was taken. The 'Blue County,' 
 as it was then called, was attached for civil and military purposes to Lafayette 
 county and in the year 1826, at a general election, Abraham McClellan, of ' Six 
 Mile,' and Silborn W. Boggs, of the same place, were returned as representatives 
 to the Lower House of the Legislature. The ensuing Assembly passed an act 
 organizing the county, which was approved December 15th, 1826, and Daniel 
 Ward and Julius Emmons, of Lafayette county, and John Bartleson, of Clay 
 county, were appointed Commissioners for the purpose of locating the County 
 Seat. These gentleinen failed to comply with that portion of the act under which 
 they were appointed requiring them to fix the future capital within three miles of 
 the center of the county. The prevaihng opinion at that time and for many years 
 afterward, in which these worthy Commissioners appear to have participated, that 
 the magnificent savannahs which spread out in supernal beauty over that desig- 
 nated 'center,' was utterly useless for any agriculturnal purposes and would 
 remain unsettled to the end of time, and following the line of settlement which 
 was confined to the 'timber,' they located their seat of justice on the 29th day of 
 March, 1827, in the southwest quarter of section two, township 49, in range 32, 
 and gave it the name which it has since borne, that of ' Independence.' 
 
 "On the 22d day of January, 1827, the Legislature appointed Abraham 
 McClelland, Richard Fristoe and Henry Burris as presiding judges of the county. 
 These officers held their first session and were sworn in on the 21st day of May 
 following. These orders at that session provided for the division of the county 
 into three townships. Fort Osage on the East, Kaw on the West and Blue in the 
 center. The first deriving its name from the Fort referred to, the second from 
 the Kaw or Kansas River, and the third from Blue River, which was named 
 from the color of its waters. They likewise ordered that a plat of the county seat 
 
104 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 should be made and. presented to the court, which was done and approved on 
 the first day of the following June. At the same session the following named 
 persons were appointed Justices of the Peace : Wm. J. Baugh, Jesse Lewis and 
 Joel P. Walker, for Fort Osage ; Wm. Yates, Lewis Jones, James Chambers and 
 William Silvers, for Blue; Samuel Johns jn and Andrew P. Patterson, for Kaw 
 township. 
 
 The first session of the Circuit Court was held at the house of John Young, 
 near where the Ross House now stands, on the 29th day of March, 1827, in Inde- 
 pendence, and was presided over by Judge David Todd, of Howard county. 
 
 Its first clerk was Robert Wilson, of Howard county, who was the appointee 
 of the Judge and accompanied him for that purpose. It appears that this gentle- 
 man was so unfavorably impressed with what he regarded the rough exterior and 
 uncultivated manners of the people, and the unfavorable prospects of ultimate 
 civilization and refinement, that he gave up his position in disgust. He was suc- 
 ceeded by Mr. Samuel C. Owens, who served in that capacity for many years. 
 
 Subsequent to the survey of the county an act was passed by Congress 
 granting to the State of Missouri a certain amount of land for seminary purposes. 
 A large port on of that land was selected ia the vicinity of Independence, and 
 the best lands of the county were thus reserved for settlement and held at $2.00 
 per acre. This miUtated to some extent against its early improvement. There 
 were likewise two townships in the eastern part of the county, 49 and 50 in range 
 30, which was not opened for purchase for about fifteen years after the organiza- 
 tion of the county. This likewise retarded its early settlement and improvement. 
 " Lost townships" have a singular history. They were situated in the southwest- 
 ern part of the county and known as "High Blue," and were not surveyed or 
 sectionalized in the original survey. The officer reported to the government that 
 as they were mostly "prairie" he did not think they would pay the expense of 
 bringing ihem into the market, and further, that in attempting to run some lines 
 through them he found the pressure of some powerful magnet which so influenced 
 his compass as to make survey impossible. An amusing story is told in this con- 
 nection by some old settlers, from which it appears the surveyor in "knocking 
 around" came up one evening to a small distillery on the banks of the "Sni," 
 and being of a familiar turn of mind he was soon on the most excellent terms with 
 the distiller, and before leaving was so hospitably entertained that he lost his hat 
 and field notes, which were discovered by an old sow and efifectually demolished. 
 Ashamed of his loss, and not wishing to go over the ground again, this faithful 
 official made the report as above stated. We cannot undertake to decide whether 
 it was the head or the compass of this surveyor which was so much disturbed, the 
 result is all we have to deal with, and we know that was to keep this land out of 
 market frorn fifteen to twenty years after the other portion of the county. This, 
 however, did not entirely prevent its settlement, as it appears that it was finally 
 offered by the government. It was dotted over by finely impoved farms, and 
 is now one of the best portions of the county. All difficulties in the way of settle- 
 ment being at length removed, the county augmented in wealth and numbers very 
 rapidly. 
 
 It is evident from all sources that the first settlement was at Fort Osage, on 
 the Missouri River, afterward called Sibley. The government had established 
 this for the purpose of frontier defense, and also to trade with the Indians. It is 
 understood that Lewis and Clark made their discoveries along this county's north- 
 ern border in the year 1804, and Fort Osage was established four years later. 
 For nearly twenty years there were no important permanent settlements within 
 the limits of the county, but just as soon as the Indian title was extinct the 
 county was settled and organized. At Fort Osage there was a ferry across the 
 Missouri River and all along to the present time it has been more or less used for 
 crossing. Settlements were afterward made in the neighborhood at Blue Mills, 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 105 
 
 and what was known as the " Hudspeth Settlement." This was eight or ten miles 
 a little north of east, of Independence, on the road to Sibley. William Hudspeth, 
 William Frankhn, Christopher, Joel and Richard Childs, Thomas Potts, Sr. , and 
 Jr., David Bittle, Lynchburg Adams, Lewis Franklin, Jesse Morrow, William 
 Huntsucker, John Hambright, Michael Rice, and many others, were among early 
 and prominent settlers of that vicinity. A mill was built and operated on the east 
 side of Little Blue by Michael Rice. At an early day a school was taught in the 
 neighborhood by Geo. S. Parks. In this vicinity was built the iirst church in the 
 county, called the "Six Mile Baptist Church." 
 
 Settlements were next made at Independence, then at Westport, then Lone 
 Jack, then Blue Springs, then Kansas City, and many other points, such as New 
 Santa Fe, Hickman's Mills, Stony Point, Wayne City, Oak Grove, Pink Hill, 
 Greenwood, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Buckner, and others. 
 
 The early settlements were all in or near the timber or some spring of water, 
 the settlers thinking the prairie land not only difficult to be subdued, but actually 
 worthless as far as agricultural purposes were concerned. When they first com- 
 menced breaking the prairie they used the " barshear" plow, to which they at- 
 tached from four to eight yoke of oxen. Independence was located for the seat 
 of justice in March, 1827, and from that time it became the most important point 
 in the county, both in size and business. Soon the Santa Fe trade, of which more 
 particular mention will hereafter be made, sprang up, and soon rendered Inde- 
 pendence a growing city of extensive commerce on the prairie. Among some of 
 the early settlers were John O. Agnew, Solomon Flournoy, Robert Rickman, 
 William Lawrence, Leonard H. Renick, Henry Baker, Samuel C. Owens, John 
 R. Swearengen, Russell Hicks, John W. Moodie, Reuben Wallace, Joseph H. 
 Reynolds, Samuel Weston, Robert Weston, John Lewis, Richard McCarty, Lewis 
 Franklin, Allen Chandler, S. D. Lucas, Richard Friscoe, John McCoy, William 
 McCoy, Alexander Todd, Henry Ruby, Reuben Ruby, and others. After a 
 correct enumeration in the fall of 1834, it was found that the town of Indepen- 
 dence contained just 250 inhabitants. 
 
 At an election held in the court house at Independence, August 4, 1828, 
 there were 231 votes cast for John Miller for Governor. The following is a ver- 
 batim copy of the abstract of the votes : 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, 
 County of Jackson, 
 
 Township of Blue, 
 
 ' ' An abstract of the votes given at a general election held at the court house 
 in the town of Independence, in the County of Jackson, and Township of 
 Blue, on the first Monday in August, the same being the fourth of said month, in 
 the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight. 
 
 John Miller, for governor, two hundred and thirty-one (231) votes. 
 
 Alexander Buckner, for lieutenant-governor, one hundred and fifty-two (152) 
 votes. 
 
 Alexander Stuart, for lieutenant-governor, twelve (12) votes. 
 
 Felix Scott, for lieutenant-governor, one (i) vote. 
 
 Daniel Dunklin, for lieutenant-governor, two (2) votes. 
 
 Samuel Perry, for lieutenant-governor, forty-six (46) votes. 
 
 Spencer Pettis, for representative to congress, two hundred and thirty-one 
 (231) votes. 
 
 William Carr Lane, for representative to congress, five (5) votes. 
 
 Edward Bates, for representative to congress, one (i) vote. 
 
 Lilborn W. Boggs, for state senator, one hundred and eighty-three (183) 
 votes. 
 
106 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Richard Linville, for state senator, one hundred and eighty-three (183) votes. 
 
 William D. McRay, for state senator, two (2) votes. 
 
 Ware S. May, for state senator, three (3) votes. 
 
 Abraham McClellan, for state legislature, fifty (50) votes. 
 
 Smallwood V. Nolan, for state legislature, one hundred and six (106) votes. 
 
 Robert Johnson, for state legislature, seventy-five (75) votes. 
 
 Joseph R. Walker, for sheriff of Jackson county, ninety-eight (98) votes. 
 
 Richard B.- Chiles, for sheriff of Jackson county,* twenty-eight (28) votes. 
 
 Isaac Drake, for coroner of Jackson county, thirty-eight (38) votes. 
 
 Eli Roberts, for coroner of Jackson county, one hundred and eighty (180) 
 votes. 
 
 "We, the undersigned, judges of the election held^at the time and place above 
 designated, do certify that the preceding is a correct and fair abstract of all the 
 votes given, and that the number annexed to each in4ividual name is the amount 
 of votes respectively given to each person. Given under our hands, this fifth day 
 of August, in the year aforesaid. ' 
 
 Samuel Weston, ) ,-1 , /- t^, ^- i 
 
 Samuel C. Owens, } ^^^'^' of Election. 
 
 AARON OVERTON, 
 
 WILLIAM YATES, \- Judges of Election. 
 
 S. G. FLOURNOY, 
 
 STATE OF MISSOURI, 
 County of Jackson, 
 
 Township of Blue. 
 
 "I, Isaac Jones, a justice of the peace within and for the county and township 
 aforesaid, do certify that Aaron Overton, William Yates and Solomon Flournoy, 
 as judges of the foregoing election, and Samuel Weston and Samuel C. Owens, 
 as clerks of said election, were each of them sworn according to law, prior to 
 their entering upon their duties. Given under my hand this fifth day of August, 
 1828. LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 
 The following are the names of those voting at the aforesaid election : 
 "A poll-book of a general election held at the court house in the town of 
 Independence, in the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, on the first Mon- 
 day in August, 1828. 
 
 NAMES OF VOTERS : 
 
 Edwin T. Hicks, Wm. Moon, Jesse BuUer, David Burris, Mulse Box, John 
 Moore, Hiram Wilburn, Edward Wilburn, Samuel Sweet, Britian Williams, Elder 
 League, Joseph Kenyon, John Silvers, William Noland, Joshua Yates, Mark 
 Foster, Jamison D. Dicky, James Wood, Paul Pulkit, John Baxter, James Roth- 
 well, William Nolan, George H. Arnold, William Davis, Peter Hart, Richard 
 Canada, Doctor Smith, Enoch Shepherd, Thomas Burgen, Edward Bradley, 
 Ashford D. Nolan, John Gibson John Drummond, John Burgen, Jesse Moon, 
 Daniel Kink, Ira Smith, James Ross, Phillip Russell, Jason L. Dickey, Wright 
 Akeman, Thomas Pitcher, WilHam Burgen, John R. Swearingen, John Fitzhugh, 
 James Shepherd, Jr., Joseph Moon, John Proctor, Solomon Fitzhugh, William 
 Bledso, John Tucker, Joshua Nolan, Nicholas Proctor, James Baxter, Hermon 
 Brigham, Samuel Kimzly, Larkin McCarty, Jacob Wells, Hugh Patten, John 
 Wiseman, James Shepherd, Sr., James McCarty, Dabney Johnston, Jacob Powell, 
 Henry Nolan, Jr., James Brock, Jesse Overton, Henry Nolan, Sr., Robert AuU, 
 Jonathan Cameron, Greenberry Pitcher, Michael McClellan, Andrew Tibell, 
 Daniel P. Lewis, John Young, James W. McClellan, Levi Yates, Richard Fristoe, 
 Isaac Donahoe, Thomas Riddle, John Cook, David Reed, Joshua Anderson, 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 107 
 
 John McCarty, Henry . Burris, Perry Brock, Richard Millam, Johnson Srnith, 
 Henry Tucker, Samuel Hays, John Becket, Joshua Lewis, William Ferril, Zach- 
 aria Linville, Aaron Linville, Joseph Keeney, John Shepherd, James Donahugh, 
 Elisha Hartley, James Bingham. Will. Shepherd, Thomas E. Dicky, Hugh 
 Parsons, Mirick Davis, Jabez Jones, lola Cheeseney, John Busier, John Powers, 
 James Gray, John Hayes, Thomas Hearrengdon, Lewis Shepherd, James King- 
 ley, Solomon Yates, William Worden, Darling Williams, Ambrose Williams, 
 Delany Williams, Jesse Nolan, Lawrence Flournoy, Hugh Horton, John Jack- 
 son, John Covenet, William Bratten, Davis L. Cadle, Robert Anderson, William 
 Silvers, John Wedle, Samuel R. Moore, James Savage, Edward Wilburn, Sr. , 
 Cheeseney Young, Joseph Brown, Thomas Fitzhugh, John S. Dean, Joseph C. 
 Davis, James King, David Lynch, Elliott Johnson, Jesse Cox, Levi Russell, 
 Daniel Monroe, Nimrod McCracken, Jesse Lewis, Joseph Connor, Frances 
 Prian, Willis Creeson, Stephen Wells, William Davis, Eli Glasscock, Perry G. 
 Cheeseney, John Johnston, James Lynch, William McCarty, Sr., William Butler, 
 Adam Christopher, James Parson, James Brown, Samuel Hink, ]ra Hitchcock, 
 Benjamin Burns, Isaac Lance, Aaron Roberts, James King, Solomon Lynch, 
 David Dickey, Antony House, Samuel Johnston, Tederton Nowland, Charles 
 Johnston, William Parish, Aminus Carry, Zachariah Morris, Morris Backer, John 
 Sneed, William Baxter, Herman Noland, Bryant Baxter, James Flournoy, Hugh 
 Glen, Frederick Barnes, George Nelson, Jacob Gregg, Benjamin Mayors, John 
 W. Clenny, James Riddle, Isaac Allen, James Gibson, Edward E. Sneed, James 
 Connor, Dodson Tropp, William Connor, William Barnes, Jonathan C. Fugate, 
 John McCord, John Walker, G. Johnston, Anderson Jones, David Daily, Luke 
 Vaughn, Jeremiah Burns, Isaac Lynch, Andrew Wilson, Morgan Wikinson, Wil- 
 liam Yatter, William Blanton, William McCarty, John Blanton, H. Warden, _ 
 Hiram Silvers, Eli Roberts, James Chambers, G. Bledso, Noah Williams, Robert 
 Smith, James Welch, James Scott, Elisha Watkins, Edward Shepherd, James 
 Blakely, James Lewis, Amos Velley, Thomas Frost, Abner Teddair, John Davis, 
 A. Davis, William Prian, Lewis Jones, Joseph Walker, Abraham McClellan, 
 Smallwood Nolan, Robert Johnston, Nathan Teague, Charles Williams. William 
 Arrington, John B. Lucas, George T. Taylor, Richard B. Chiles, William I. 
 Baugh, Timothy Riggs, William Munkis, John Smith, John King, Solomon 
 Fournoy, Sam'l Weston, Aaron Overton, William Yates, Herman Gregg, Samuel 
 C. Owens." 
 
 At the same general election for State officers the electors in Fort Osage 
 township met at the house of Joel P. Walker, and the following is a list of the 
 voters : 
 
 James Rose, John Patton, John Huntsucker, Joshua Adams, Joshua Lane, 
 John Huntsucker, Jr., William Huntsucker, W H. Russell, William Lewis, 
 Joseph Russell, William Adams, Thomas Huntsucker, Richard Addams, Frances' 
 Williams, Stephen Bledsoe, L. W. Ailstock, Peter Kendrick, Lathan Russel, 
 William Williams, Isaac Moody, Thomas Patton, — — Williams, Joseph Glen, 
 Lynchburg Addams, Joel Walter, E. Cornet, Thomas Williams, Zedediah Baker, 
 James Lewis, David G. Buttersell, Daniel Redman, David Brittle, William Strick- 
 lan, Nathan Russel, Sr. , Robert A. Renick, Isaac Bledsoe William Smith, Isaac 
 Drake, Isaac Burnes, Joel Riddle, James Bledsoe, John Fitzhugh, William Drake, 
 John Wilson. 
 
 A general election held at the house of Joel P. Walker, in the county of 
 Jackson, Fort Osage township, on the first Monday of August, A. D. 1828. 
 
 John Miller, for Governor 44 votes. 
 
 Alexander Buckner, for Lieut. Governor 44 " 
 
 Alexander Stewart, " " — " 
 
 Daniel Dunklin, " " — " 
 
 Felix Scott, ■ " " — " 
 
108 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Samuel Perry, " " — 
 
 Spencer Pettis, for Representative in Congress 43 votes. 
 
 W. C. Lane, " " — " 
 
 Edward Bates, " " 2 " 
 
 L. W. Boggs, for State Senator 43 votes. 
 
 Wm. D. McRay, " " i " 
 
 Richard Linville, " " — " 
 
 Wm. S. May, " " — " 
 
 Abraham McClellan, for State Representative 42 votes. 
 
 Robert Johnston, " " — " 
 
 SmallwoodV. Nolan, " " i " 
 
 Joseph R. Walker, for Sheriff 4i votes. 
 
 Richard B. Chiles, " — " 
 
 Edward C. Sneed, " — " 
 
 Isaac Drake, for Coroner ". 42 votes. 
 
 " We the undersigned do certify that this is correct to the best of our belief. 
 
 ZEBADIAH BAKER, 
 JAMES LEWIS, 
 THOMAS WILLIAMS, 
 
 Judges." 
 
 Kaw township held an election at the house of William Johnson at the same . 
 time, and the following is the only extant record of the same : 
 
 "A poll book of the general election held at the house of William Johnson in 
 the township of Kaw, Jackson county, on the first Monday of August, A. D. 
 1828. 
 
 NAMES OF VOTERS. 
 
 "William Lewis, John Bostic, Abraham Linvill, Permin Henderson, Dyer 
 Cash, Benjamin Hancock, Major Hancock, Lewis Huneau, Paul Lacoot, Francis 
 Tromley, WiUiam Johnson, Thomas Linville, Pier Revellett, Taplew Bingham, 
 Andrew Patterson, John Savage, Andrew Gaudy, Isaac Ray, Joseph Boggs, 
 Robert Y. FouUer, Silas Hitchcock, Samuel Son, Michael Farrer, Lewis Levan- 
 tieur, Sampson Hitchcock, John Young, Andrew Patterson, William Master, 
 James Jennings, Richard Hancock, James Johnson. 
 
 "We the undersigned, Judges of the above election, having carefully compared 
 and corrected the poll books thereof, of which this is one, do certify that the 
 above poll book presents a correct statement of the votes given at said election, 
 and for whom the said votes were given. 
 
 Certified by us this Fourth day of August, A. D. 1828. 
 
 Attest: ANDREW P. PATTERSON. 
 
 James Jennings, JOHN YOUNG, 
 
 Rd. Hancock, WILLIAM MASTERS, 
 
 Clerks. Judges." 
 
 The fourth and last voting precinct in Jackson county was called Harmony, 
 and the following named persons voted at the August election, A. D. 1828. 
 
 "A poll book of a general election, held at the Mission school house in the 
 township of Harmony, county of Jackson and State of Missouri, on the ist 
 Monday of August, 1828. 
 
 NAMES of voters. 
 
 " James Moore, L. Dodge, H. Spearer, A. Jones, K. B. Dodge, S. B. Bright, 
 Richard Colby, D. H. Austin, Wm. Madvel, Joseph Porter. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 109 
 
 John Miller, 12 votes. 
 
 Alexander Stewart 11 
 
 Edward Bates 13 
 
 L. W. Boggs 16 
 
 Abraham McClellan 11 
 
 Joseph P. Walker 10 
 
 Richard B. Chiles i 
 
 State of Missouki, 
 
 County of Jackson, 
 
 Township of Harmony. 
 
 " We the undersigned Judges and Clerks, after being duly sworn do certify 
 that the above election was held according to law, August 4th, 1828. 
 
 S. B. BRIGHT, 
 D. H. AUSTIN, 
 RICHARD COLBY, 
 WM. MADVEL, 
 JOSEPH PORTER." 
 
 The manner of conducting elections in those early times was somewhat dif- 
 ferent from the present time. Three judges of the election and two clerks were 
 selected to receive and record the votes. Each clerk kept a separate list of those 
 who presented themselves at the polls. The elector would give the name of the 
 candidate whom he desired to receive his vote, and the clerk would record the 
 same opposite his name, thus leaving a record, not only of the party voting, but 
 also the name of the person for whom he voted. Of those who voted at the 
 August, as well as the November, election of 1828, none are left without a record 
 of their favorite candidate. At the above election, August 4, 1828, there were 
 316 votes cast in the county for John Miller, 231 in Blue, 44 in Fort Osage, 29 in 
 Kaw and 12 in Harmony township. 
 
 It is impossible to find all the returns of the Presidential election of 1828, 
 November 4, when Andrew Jackson, after whom this county is named, was elected 
 the first time. We have nearly all the names of those who voted for Jackson in 
 Independence and Fort Osage, but in the fifty-three years that have passed since 
 that time the papers containing the balance of the county electoral vote have been 
 lost. 
 
 Herewith we give a copy of the judges certificate to the vote in Indepen- 
 dence, which shows that the Jackson electors received 57 times as many as the 
 Adams electors, or a majority of 157, being over 98 per cent of all the votes cast 
 in Blue township. There was not a vote cast in Fort Osage township for J. Q. 
 Adams, but there were 49 cast for Jackson, as the reader will perceive from what 
 follows the Blue township canvass : 
 
 "State of Missouri, 
 
 ■Jackson County, 
 
 Blue Township, 
 
 "We, the undersigned judges of an election, held on the first Monday in No- 
 vember, 1828, in the county and township aforesaid, for the purpose of electing 
 electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, do certify that the 
 following named persons got the number of votes annexed to their respective 
 names, to wit : 
 
 John Bull got 161 votes 
 
 Benjamin O'Fallon got 161 " 
 
 Augustus Jones got 161 " 
 
110 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Benjamin H. Reeves got 3 " 
 
 Joseph C. Brown got 3 " 
 
 John Hall got 3 " 
 
 "Given under our hands and seals at Independence, this 3d day of Novem- 
 ber, 11828. 
 
 LEWIS JONES, [seal." 
 
 WILLIAM YATES, [seal. 
 
 JAMISON D. DICKEY, [seal. 
 Judges." 
 Thomas E. Dickey, 
 John P. Shepherd, 
 
 t Clerks. 
 
 "An election held at the house of Joel P. Walker on the 3d day of Novem- 
 ber, 1828, for President and Vice-President, electors received the following vote: 
 
 John Bull ■ 49 votes 
 
 Benjamin O'Fallon 49 " 
 
 Augustus Jones 49 " 
 
 B. H. Reeves ' None 
 
 Joseph C. Brown None 
 
 John Hall None 
 
 Given under our hands and seals this the day and date above. 
 
 JAMES LINES, [seal 
 
 ZEBADIAH BAKER, [seal 
 ISAAC ALLEN, [seal 
 
 Judges." 
 
 H. FUGATE, 
 
 L. W. Ailtork, 
 
 Clerks. 
 
 "I do certify that the judges and clerks were sworn according to law. 
 "Given under my hand, this the 3d day of November, in the year of our 
 Lord eighteen hundred and twenty-eight. 
 
 J. P. WALKER, 
 
 Justice of the Peace." 
 
 In the year 1830, at an election held in Harmony township, we find there 
 were 14 votes cast, which the following will show : 
 
 "Mr. Samuel C. Owens, Clerk. 
 
 ''Dear Sir: — At an election held at Harmony township, in the county of 
 Jackson, in the State of Missouri, A.ugust 2, 1830, for the purpose of choosing a 
 Representative to the Legislature, High Sheriff and Coroner for said county, we 
 the undersigned affirm that Robert Johnson, Representative, received 13 votes; 
 J. R. Swearingen, for High Sheriff, received 14 votes; A. McClelland, for Repre-, 
 sentative, received i vote. 
 
 A. JONES, 
 R. COLBY, 
 WM. MODREL, 
 
 Judges." 
 S. B. Bright, 
 J. H. Austin, 
 
 Clerks. 
 "We the said Jones, Modrel, Colby (judges), and S. B. Bright and J. H. 
 Austin (clerks), were duly qualified by oath of office as the law directs." 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. Ill 
 
 The same year we have the following from Boon township : 
 
 " We certify that Abraham McClelland got ten votes, Richard Johnson none, 
 
 S. V. Nolan six, Lewis Jones none, for representative; Jacob Gregg four, John 
 
 Swearingen seven, James Brown four, G. Hensley none, for Sheriff; J. B. Floury 
 
 ten, for Coroner. 
 
 "Given under our hands this 2d day of August, in the year of our Lord, one 
 
 thousand, eight hundred and thirty. 
 
 ' D. G. BUTTERFIELD, 
 JOSHUA ADAMS, 
 JOHN BECKETT, 
 
 Judges." 
 The following will show the vote of the entire county in 1836 : 
 
 'STATE OF MISSOURI, 
 
 y ss 
 
 COUNTY OF JACKSON, ' 
 
 ■} 
 
 "We, Samuel C. Owens, Clerk of the County Court, and Richard R. Rees 
 and John Smith, two acting Justices of the Peace within and for the county afore- 
 said, do certify that we have carefully examined the poll books of general election 
 held on the first Monday in August, 1836, in the different townships of said 
 county, and find on inspection thereof that 
 
 FOR GOVERN6R, 
 
 S. W. Boggs received 597 votes 
 
 William H. Ashley received 192 " 
 
 FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. 
 
 Franklin Cannon received 516 votes 
 
 James Jones received 164 " 
 
 FOR CONGRESS. 
 
 Samuel C. Owens received 351 votes 
 
 James H. Birch received 145 " 
 
 John Miller received 480 " 
 
 Albert G. Harrison received 533 " 
 
 George F. Strother received 15 " 
 
 Alpheus Wetmore received ^ << 
 
 George Shannon received i " 
 
 FOR STATE LEGISLATURE. 
 
 Smallwood V. Nolan received 585 votes 
 
 Thomas Jeffries received 541 " 
 
 Jacob Gregg received 161 " 
 
 John R. Swearengen received ■ 252 " 
 
 FOR SHERIFF. 
 
 Amos Riley received i votes 
 
 John King received 474 " 
 
 Thomas G. Hudspeth received 93 " 
 
 Page Nolan received 212 " 
 
 FOR CORONER. 
 
 Joseph H. Reynolds received 487 votes 
 
 FOR ASSESSOR. 
 
 Isaac Crabtree received 43 1 votes 
 
 Jesse W. Morrow received 89 " 
 
 Archibald Stuart received. . . ' 168 " 
 
112 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 FOR CONSTABLE OF BLUE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Henry Basey received 210 votes 
 
 T. Elledge received 170 ' 
 
 Jesse Noland received 43 
 
 FOR CONSTABLE OF KAW TOWNSHIP. 
 
 William Lovelady received 57 votes 
 
 Peter Booth received _ 44 
 
 FOR CONSTABLE OF SHNEEABAR TOWNSHIP. 
 
 William Williams received 1 1 votes 
 
 Jephtha Crawford received 4° 
 
 Thomas P. Clark received 29 " 
 
 William Nolan received 5 
 
 FOR CONSTABLE OF FT. OSAGE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 JohnW. Hambright received 21 votes 
 
 FOR CONSTABLE OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Anson McCracken received 32 votes 
 
 Given under my hand this sth day of August, 1836. 
 
 SAMUEL C. OWENS, 
 Clerk. 
 
 JOHN R. SWEARENGEN, 
 JOHN SMITH, 
 
 Justices ofthe Peace." 
 
 The following ancient document was handed us by Mr. R. Wallace, which 
 we publish without comment, further than to state that Mr. Jacob Gregg, of Sni- 
 a-bar township, is the only man now living whose name is mentioned in the doc- 
 ument referred to. Here it is : 
 
 "County of Jackson, to-wit : 
 
 "The State of Missouri, to the sheriff of Jackson County, greeting: — You are 
 hereby commanded to cause to be empannelled and come before the judge of our 
 circuit court of pur said county of Jackson, on the first day of our next Novem- 
 ber term, at the court house, in the town of Independence, a grand jury of good 
 and lawful men, not less than sixteen nor more than twenty-three, housekeepers 
 of said county, who are then and there upon their oaths, to enquire into and pre- 
 sent all such offences as may have been committed within the body of said county, 
 and that you make due return of the names of said jury and this writ : 
 f Private! Witness: Samuel C. Owens, clerk of our said court, at office, 
 
 I Seal, j this 15th day of September, A. D. 1828, with my private seal, 
 (there being no seal of office provided). Sam'l C. Owens, Clerk." 
 
 "Following is the grand jury summoned in accordance with the above order: 
 
 Venire Facias, November term, 1828. 
 
 John Busby, Jamison D. Dickey, John Shepherd, 
 
 Thomas Arrington, Doctor Smith, John Whismon, 
 
 Thomas Frost, Michael Earns, Solomon Yates, 
 
 John Davis, Jabez Jones, Austin Bledsoe, 
 
 Anderson Jones, Thomas Williams, Nathaniel Teague, 
 
 Abraham Linville, Robert Smith, John B. Lucas, 
 
 James Lovelady, James Brock. • James Shepherd, 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 113 
 
 "I, Joseph R. Walker, sheriff of Jackson County, do certify that the forego- 
 ing named persons were summoned as grand jurors for November term, 1828. 
 
 J. R. Walker, Sheriff." 
 Jacob Gregg, Deputy Sheriff" 
 
 Westport was the next place to become settled after the town of Independence 
 and vicinity; and after the Santa Fe trade had found its chief starting point at Inde- 
 pendence, for several years it gradually transferred a portion of it to Westport. J. C. 
 McCoy, who now resides in Johnson county, Kansas, laid out the town, and was 
 one of its principal settlers for some time. Robert Johnson was another early 
 settler there; James McGee and sons, John Harris, Jacob Ragan, William Mat- 
 ney, Johnston Lykens, and many more, were among the early settlers in the 
 vicinity of Westport. Before Kansas City became of any commercial importance 
 Westport was a flourishing town, with a large Santa Fe trade. 
 
 Perhaps the next settlement was made at Lone Jack, where families had clus- 
 tered in the vicinity, and became very much attached to the place. Lone Jack 
 was thus named from a large jack oak tree, which stood alone there in the prairie. 
 It has since been a post-village of considerable importance. Among the early 
 settlers in the vicinity we mention the names of Warham Easley, Galen Cabe, 
 John Snow, Stephen Easley and John Daniel. This was the principal settlement 
 in the southeastern portion of the county, and here their township elections were 
 held. 
 
 Kansas City was not settled for a long time after Sibley, Independence and 
 Westport. As late as 1839 wild deer, wolves and wild turkeys inhabited those 
 bluffs and valleys, where Kansas City now stands, undisturbed by man; there were 
 large trees and thick underbrush, which made it most emphatically a wilderness. 
 In the month of December, 1839, Mr. H. G. Rees, who now lives at Indepen- 
 dence, crossed the river from Kansas City to Harlem, at a point just below the 
 present great railroad bridge, and when about to step upon the ferry boat a large 
 flock of wild turkeys came from the opposite shore, sailing over his head, and 
 ahghted only a few yards distant. When the turkeys saw the men they ran up 
 the bluff into the unsettled wilderness, where the business portion of Kansas City 
 is now located. Mr. Rees had remained over night in an old log hut among the 
 trees, on the south side of the river, in which Thomas Smart then lived. Blank- 
 ets were nailed upon the inside of the cabin, to break the wind from those en- 
 deavoring to keep warm 'within; the chinks between the logs had not been plas- 
 tered with mud, and it was difficult to keep warm. 
 
 New Santa Fe was also an early but not very important settlement. It was 
 on the direct route of travel for those starting from Independence engaged in the 
 Santa Fe trade, situated near the southwest corner of the county on the Kansas 
 State line. There were only a few houses here and at the present time scarcely 
 more, but some of the early inhabitants in that locality were John Bartleson, 
 William Gray, John Whitsett, Edward Gray, Richard Kirby, John Fitzhugh, 
 George Fitzhugh, John B. l,ucas, John Self, Linzey Lewis. Most of the early 
 settlers in this section went to Independence and Westport for supplies. They 
 usually lived in the timber and ate hominy and potatoes, frequently having no 
 bread. At or near Stony Point, near the south boundary of Sni a-bar Township, 
 there were several early settlers. Near the present site of the little village of 
 Blue Springs was the early home of the Smiths, Clarks, Burrises, Dailies, Judge R. 
 D. Stanley and others. The first prairie broken in Jackson county was done here 
 by David Dailey near the East Fork of the Little Blue. The work was accom- 
 plished with a "barshear plow," which consisted of a beam to which was 
 fastened the coulter or "shear," as it was called, to cut the tough sod, with 
 wooden mouldboard. When Mr. Daily undertook to cultivate or cross plow his 
 field the tough sod collected in a huge pile in front of the plow, necessitating an 
 
114 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 abandonment of the work till the turf became dead and decayed. When it 
 became apparent that he could not mellow the sod he took his ax and cut holes 
 in the obdurate turf, dropped therein his corn and with another stroke of the ax 
 covered the seed. In this way he planted and raised a good crop the first year. 
 At that time there were no weeds and grasses, such as the fox-tail and other 
 species, which at the present time so obstinately resist the labors of the husband- 
 man. When they plowed the prairie they attached to the plow six or eight yoke 
 of oxen and opened a much larger and deeper furrow than at the present time. 
 Mr. Dailey lived here a long time and finally sold out to a wealthy Virginian by 
 the name of Frank Coward, Dailey moving further southeast in Van Buren. 
 When Mr. Dailey first came to this State he landed at St. Louis and obtained hats 
 for his dozen boys. We have never heard of a man who by one and the same 
 wife had so large a family as Mr. Dailey afterward reared. They had twenty- 
 seven children. The anecdote told of him on landing at St. Louis is this : "When 
 he applied for a dozen hats for his boys the merchant was surprised and told him 
 if he would bring twelve of his own boys into the store he would give each a hat. 
 Mr. Dailey, delighted with the promise as his money was very scarce at that 
 time, went down to the river landing and took his boys back to the merchant who 
 provided each with a good new hat." 
 
 David Dailey was a very industrious man and possessed an iron constitution. 
 No neighbors hved near and wild turkeys came to the house and ate feed with 
 the hogs in the trough; wolves howled about and often destroyed the pigs and 
 sheep of early settlers. He built a grist-mill and ground for customers who came 
 from long distances. The mill was run by horses on a tread wheel, corn and 
 wheat being the principal grain. He also had a distillery to manufacture whisky, 
 and it may be well to note in this connection that it found a ready market in the 
 immediate neighborhood. The old man died about five years ago at the 
 advanced age of ninety. 
 
 It may be interesting to read a few entries found in the account book of 
 Henry Chiles : 
 
 Sept. 20, 1833. George Rider, Dr., to writing two bonds $ i.oo 
 
 Jan. 10, 1834. Amos Ridley, Dr., to hog about 100 pounds 3.00 
 
 Jan. 24, 1834. Wm. I. Cayton, Dr., to writing mortgage to Shepherd . . i.oo 
 Feb. 6, 1834. T. Waller, Dr., to balance on settlement 4.79 
 
 Same Cr. by order to Moreland 4.79 
 
 Feb. 6, 1834. J. H. Flournoy, Dr., to taking depositions, three days in 
 
 all, as per act. rendered .... . 15.00 
 
 Sept. 28, 1834. Wm. I. Baugh, Dr., to deed from Franklin to Gregg . . i.oo 
 
 Cash loaned 50 
 
 July 22, 1835. John Parker, Dr., to oxen and wagon part of one day . . .75 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 115 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. 
 
 St. Louis County included what is now the eastern part of Jackson in iSij — Then Howard County 
 — Then Cooper— Then Ltllard — Then Lafayette — And then Jackson — Jackson County organ- 
 ized December ij, 182b, and included what is now Cass and Bates counties — First County 
 
 Court — County and Township system — Government Surveys — Organization of townships Three 
 
 townships at first. Blue, Ft. Osage and Kaw — Location of roads — Harmony Township Boone 
 
 Township — Sni-a-bar Township — Washington Township — Van Buren Township Prairie 
 
 To7onship—-Westport Township — Brooking Township. 
 
 • 
 The territory which now bears the name of Jackson county, Missouri, was 
 first embraced in the county of St. Louis except the western part which belonged 
 to the Osage Indians. The eastern boundary of the Osages at that time com- 
 menced at a point on the Missouri River near the mouth of the Little Blue and 
 thence ran directly south. The boundaries of St. Louis county fixed by an act 
 of the Territorial Legislature of Missouri, December 31, 1813, included a strip 
 of land lying south of the Missouri River and containing about twenty-five counties 
 as at present organized. The- boundaries as fixed by the aforesaid act were as 
 follows : "All that portion of the territory bounded north by the south line of 
 the county of St. Charles, east by the main channel of the river Mississippi, 
 south by a line to commence in the main channel of the Mississippi immediately 
 opposite to the upper hne of a tract of land owned by Augustus Chouteau which 
 is about half way between the mouths of the Plattin and Joachim rivers ; thence 
 running in a direct line to a point on the dividing ridge bfetween those waters 
 where Wright's road falls into the road leading from the town of Herculaneum to 
 the Mine a Burton; thence along said road to a point thereon immediately oppo- 
 site a noted spring called the " Dripping Spring," which spring is situated about 
 two hundred yards south of said, road ; thence on a direct course to the mouth of 
 Mineral Fork of Grand River, thence such a course as shall leave all the persons 
 now settled in that settlement, usually known by the name of the Richwood 
 settlement to the south of said course or line in the county of Washington, thence 
 southwest to the western boundary line of the Osage purchase; thence north- 
 wardly on said line to the river Missouri, thence down said river Missouri in the 
 main channel of the same to the southwest corner of the county of St. Charles 
 shall compose one county and shall be called and known by the county of St. 
 Louis." 
 
 This territory remained as St. Louis county till the act of January 23, 181 6, 
 which constituted Howard county as follows : 
 
 "All that part of the county of St. Louis and all that part of the county of St. 
 Charles and bounded as follows, to wit: Beginning at the mouth of the Great 
 Osage River, thence up said river and in the middle of the main channel thereof 
 unto the Osage boundary line thence north with said boundary line to the river 
 Missouri, thence up the river Missouri and in the middle of the main channel 
 thereof to a point opposite the mouth of the Kansas River, thence with the Indian 
 boundary line (as described in a proclamation of the governor issued on the ninth 
 day of March, 181 5) northwardly one hundred and forty miles, thence eastward 
 with said line to the main dividing ridge of high ground between the rivers Mis- 
 sissippi and Missouri, thence with said ridge of high ground to the main fork of 
 the river Cedar, thence down said river to the Missouri, thence down the river 
 Missouri and in the middle of the main channel thereof to the mouth of the 
 
116 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Great Osage river, the place of beginning is hereby laid off and erected into a 
 separate and distinct county, which shall be called and known by the name_ of 
 Howard county. William Head, Benjamin Estill, David Jones, David Kincaide 
 and Stephen Cole, be and are hereby appointed commissioners with full powers 
 and authority to point out and fix upon the most suitable place in said county 
 whereon to erect a court house and jail and the place whereon they or a majority 
 of them shall agree, shall be and is hereby declared to be the permanent seat of 
 justice for said county of Howard." 
 
 Howard county remained with the above described boundaries from January 
 23, 1816, to December 17, 1818, when a part of it was laid off and named 
 Cooper. The act entitled ' ' An act establishing a part of the county of Howard 
 into a separate and distinct county by the name of Cooper county," was as fol- 
 lows : " Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Territory of Missouri, 
 that all that part of the county of Howard bounded as follows, to wit : beginning 
 at a point in the middle of the main charftiel of the Missouri River opposite the 
 middle of the main channel of the Osage River at its mouth, and running thence 
 to the middle of the main channel of the Osage River at its mouth ; thence up 
 the Osage River along the middle of the main channel thereof to the Osage boun- 
 dary line ; thence north with said boundary line to the middle of the main channel 
 of the Missouri River ; thence down the middle of the main channel of said last 
 named river to the beginning, is hereby laid off and established into a separate and 
 distinct county, which shall be called and known by the name of Cooper county. 
 William Weir, Luke WiUiams, Julius Emmons, ^el Owen and Charles Canole 
 be, and they are hereby appointed, commissioners of the said county of Cooper, 
 with full power and authority to point out and fix upon the most suitable place in 
 the said county of Cooper whereon to erect a court house and jail for said county 
 of Cooper. 
 
 Approved December 17, 1818." 
 
 From December 17, 1818, to November 16, 1820, the boundaries of Cooper 
 remained unchanged, but at the latter named date a county called " Lillard," in 
 honor of a State Senator by that name, was laid off, including the territory now 
 included within the present counties of Lafayette, Johnson, Henry, part of St. 
 Clair, Bates, Cass and Jackson. 
 
 An act estabUshing the county of Lillard : " Be it enacted by the General 
 Assembly of the State of Missouri that, all that part of the county of Cooper 
 lying and being within the following bounds, to wit : beginning at a point in the 
 middle of the main channel of the Missouri River opposite the range line between 
 ranges twenty- three and twenty-four; thence with said line to the termination 
 thereof; thence due south to the middle of the main channel of the Osage River; 
 thence up said river in the middle of the main channel thereof to the western 
 boundary hne of the State, and thence north with said boundary line to the mid- 
 dle of the main channel of the Missouri River ; thence down said river in the 
 middle of the main channel thereof to the place of beginning, shall be, and the 
 same is hereby laid off and erected into a separate and distinct county, which 
 shall be known and called by the name of Lillard. John Duston, James Bounds, 
 Senr., David McClilland, James Dillard and David Ward, be, and are hereby 
 appointed, commissioners with full power and authority to select the most suitable 
 place in said county whereon to erect a court house and jail, and the place which 
 they, or a majority of them, shall agree to erect a court house and jail on, as 
 aforesaid, shall be, and is hereby declared to be, the seat of justice of Lillard 
 county. 
 
 Approved November 16, 1820. 
 
 By the act of the Legislature February 16, 1825, the name of Lillard was 
 changed to Lafayette, and the western boundary thereof was the middle of range 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 117 
 
 number twenty-nine. By an act of the General Assembly, approved February 
 i6, 1825, the county of Jiickson was laid off. The act was entitled " An act de- 
 finining the limits of the several counties in this State ;" s^tion 30 reads as 
 follows : be it enacted, that all that portion of the country bounded as follows, to 
 wit : beginning at a point in the middle of tiie main channel of the Missouri 
 River due north of the termination of the line running through the middle of 
 range twenty-nine west ; thence due south with said line to the middle of the 
 main channel of the Osage River; thence due west to the western boundary of 
 this State ; thence north with the said western boundary line to the middle of the 
 main channel of the Missouri River ; thence down said river in the middle of the 
 main channel thereof to the beginning, shall comprise the county of Jackson. 
 Provided, That the territory included within the bounds above named shall con- 
 tinue to be attached to and form part of the county of Lafayette for all civil and 
 military purposes until the same be established and organized as a separate county 
 by law. 
 
 Approved February 16, 1825. 
 
 The organization of Jackson county, though also including the present 
 counties of Cass and Bates, was effected by an act entitled, " An act to organize 
 the county of Jackson," approved December 15th, 1826, which was as follows: 
 
 "Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, that the 
 county of Jackson, heretofore attached by law for all civil and military purposes 
 to the county of Lafayette, be, and the same is hereby declared to be erected 
 into a separate and distinct county, and that all rights and privileges granted by 
 law to separate and distinct counties, be and the same are hereby extended to the 
 said county of Jackson. 
 
 2. David Ward and Julius Emmons, of the county of Lafayette, and John 
 Bartleson, of the county of Clay, be and are hereby appointed Commissioners 
 for the purpose of selecting the seat of justice for said county, and the said 
 Commissioners are hereby vested with all the powers granted to Commissioners 
 under the law entitled 'an act to provide for organizing counties heretofore 
 established.' 
 
 Approved January 14th, 1825. 
 
 3. The said county of Jackson shall be added to and form a part of the 
 first judicial district and that the circuit courts for said county shall be held on the 
 third Mondays of March, July and November in each and every year until oth- 
 erwise provided for by law. 
 
 4. The courts to be holden in the said county shall be at the house of John 
 Young, until the tribunal transacting county business shall fix on a temporary 
 seat of justice for said county. 
 
 5. The Probate Court shall be holden in the said county of Jackson on the 
 second Monday of March, June, September and Ddfcember. 
 
 6. The said county of Jackson shall be attached to and compose a part of 
 the Thirteenth Senatorial District, and shall, in conjunction with the counties of 
 Clay, Ray and Lafayette, elect one Senator at the general election in eighteen 
 hundred and twenty-eight. 
 
 This act shall take effect from and after the passage thereof. 
 December isth, 1826 " 
 
 r The reader will now inquire how and when it transpired that Jackson county 
 was circumscribed within its present limits. The answer is briefly as follows : 
 When by act of the Legislature March 3d, 1835, the county of Van Buren was 
 defined then the present southern boundary of Jackson county was established 
 and in the following language : Beginning at a point on the middle of range 
 twenty-nine, where the same intersects the township line between townships 
 
Il8 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 forty- six and forty-seven thence west with said township line to the State 
 boundary. 
 
 It will be remembered that Van Buren county was subsequently named Cass. 
 In the same act it is further stated that : "The northern boundary of Van Buren 
 as constituted by the foregoing section shall be the permanent southern boundary 
 of Jackson county ; and all the territory included in the county of Bates shall 
 be, for all civil and military purposes, attached to the county of Van Buren (now 
 Cass) until the said county of Bates shall be organized into a separate and distinct 
 county by law. David Ward, of Lafayette, Samuel Hinck and Wilham Brown, 
 Jackson county, are hereby appointed Commissioners to select the permanent 
 seat of justice for said county." 
 
 March 3d, 1835. 
 
 We have thus followed the organization of counties in which Jackson was 
 concerned, from December 13, 1813, to March 3, 1835, during which time the 
 counties of which Jackson formed a part, were reduced from the size of the State 
 of Massachusetts to its present limits. The organization, early settlements and 
 first elections have been alluded to in a former chapter ; but in order that a county 
 should be fully organized, and legally qualified to transact business, the county 
 court must be qualified, accordingly we give herewith the names of the Judges 
 appointed by Governor John Miller, together with their commissions and oath of 
 office. When this has been perused the student of Jackson county history will 
 have followed each step in the laying off and organization of the county. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF THE FIRST COUNTY COURT. 
 
 '■} 
 
 STATE OF MISSOURI, 
 
 COUNTY OF JACKSON. 
 
 At a special term of the county court, for the county of Jackson, begun and 
 held at the house of John Young, in said county, on the 21st day of May, 1827, 
 agreeably to public notice, where (in pursuance of an act of the Legislature of this 
 State, entitled an " act to amend and alter an act entitled an act to establish 
 Courts of Justice and prescribe their powers and duties," approved 2d January, 
 1827,) the following gentlemen, to-wit: Abraham McClelland, Richard Fristoe 
 and Henry Burris, Esquires, being appointed Justices of the County Court, for 
 this county, and each of the said parties having been duly qualified according to 
 law, produced the following commissions, and the said commissions being read in 
 open court, took their seats as the Justices of the County Court within and for 
 the county of Jackson. 
 
 COMMISSION OF JUDGE ABRAHAM m'CLELLAND. 
 
 "JOHN MILLER, 
 
 Governor of the State of Missouri. 
 To all who shall see these presents Greeting: 
 
 Know ye, that reposing especial trust and confidence in the integrity, learn- 
 ing and abilities of Abraham McClelland, I have nominated, and by and with the 
 advice and consent of the Senate, do hereby appoint him a Justice of the County 
 Court of the county of Jackson, and do authorize and empower him to discharge 
 the duties of said office according to law ; to have and to hold the said office with 
 all the privileges and emoluments of the same of right appertaining unto him, 'the 
 said Abraham McClelland, for the term of four years, and until his successor is 
 duly commissioned and qualified., unless sooner removed for misdemeanor in 
 office. 
 
 In testimony whereof I have hereinto set my hand and caused the great seal 
 of the State of Missouri to be affixed. Done at the city of Jefferson, this first 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 119 
 
 day of May, A. D. 1827, of the independence of the United States the fifty-first, 
 and of this State the seventh. 
 
 , > (Signed) JOHN MILLER. 
 
 THE GREAT SEAL ") 
 
 OF THE STATE V By the Governor, 
 
 OF MISSOURI. ) Spencer Pettis, Secretary of State." 
 
 COMMISSION OF judge RICHARD FRISTOE. 
 
 "JOHN MILLER, 
 
 Governor of the State of Missouri. 
 To all who shall see these presents Greeting : 
 
 Know ye that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, learning 
 and abilities of Richard Fristoe, I have nominated and by and with the advice 
 and consent of the senate, do hereby appoint^ him a Justice of the County Court 
 for the county of Jackson, and do authorize and empower him to discharge the 
 duties of said ofifice according to law. To have and to hold the said office with 
 all the powers, privileges and emoluments to the same, of rights appertaining 
 unto him, the said Richard Fristoe, for the term of four years, and until his suc- 
 cessor is duly commissioned and qualified unless sooner removed for mis- 
 demeanor in office. 
 
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of 
 the State of Missouri to be affixed. Done at the city of Jefferson this first day of 
 May, A. D. 1827, of the independence of the United States the fifty-first, and of 
 the State of Missouri the seventh. 
 
 . ■ > (Signed) JOHN MILLER, 
 
 the great SEAL ") 
 
 OF THE state [■ By the Governor, 
 
 OF MISSOURI. 3 Spencer Pettis, Secretary of State." 
 
 COMMISSION OF JUDGE HENRY BURROWS. 
 
 "JOHN MILLER, 
 
 Governor of the State of Missouri. 
 To all who shall see these presents Greeting: 
 
 Know ye, that reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, learn- 
 ing and abilities of Henry Burrows, I have nominated, and by and with the 
 advice and consent of the Senate, do hereby appoint him a Justice of the County 
 Court for the county of Jackson, and do authorize and empower him to discharge 
 the duties of said office according to law. To have and to hold the said office 
 with all the powers, privileges and emoluments to the same of right appertaining 
 unto him, the said Henry Burrows, for the term of four years and until his succes- 
 sor is duly commissioned and qualified, unless sooner removed for misdemeanor 
 in office. 
 
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal 
 of the State of Missouri to be affixed. Done at the city of Jefferson, the first day 
 of May, A. D. 1827, of the independence of the United States the fifty-first, and 
 of the State the seventh. 
 
 , ' . (Signed) JOHN MILLER. 
 
 f THE GREAT SEAL ~\ 
 
 \ OF THE STATE Y By the Govcrnor, 
 
 (^ OF MISSOURI. ) Spencer Pettis, Secretary of State." 
 
120 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 The following is the oath of office taken by Abraham McClellan and in- 
 dorsed on his commission. 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, | ^^ 
 County of Jackson. j 
 
 Personally appeared before me, Joel P. Walker, one of the acting justices of the 
 peace for said county, the within named Abraham McClellan and took an oath 
 to support the constitution of the United States and of the State of Missouri, and 
 to demean himself truly, faithfully and impartially as a judge of the County Court 
 for the county of Jackson during his continuance in office. Sworn to before me 
 this i8th day of May, 1827. 
 
 (Signed) JOEL P. WALKER, 
 
 Justice of the Peace. 
 
 The following are the oaths of office taken by Richard Fristoe and Henry 
 Burrows and indorsed on their commissions : 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI,! ^^ 
 
 County of Jackson. [ 
 
 Personally appeared before me Abraham McClellan an acting justice of the 
 County Court Vvithin and for the County of Jackson the within named Richard 
 Fristoe, and took the oath to support the Constitution of the United States and of 
 this State and to demean himself truly, faithfully and impartially as a judge of the 
 County Court for the County of Jackson during his continuance in office. 
 
 Sworn to before me this 21st day of May, 1827. 
 
 [Signed.] Abraham McClellan." 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, Igg 
 County of Jackson, [ 
 
 Personally appeared before me Abraham McClellan an acting judge of the 
 County Court within and for the county of Jackson the within named Henry 
 Burrows, and took an oath to support the Constitution of the United States and 
 this State and demean himself truly, faithfully and impartially as a judge of the 
 County Court for the County of Jackson during his continuance in office. 
 Sworn to before me this 21st day of May, 1827. 
 [Signed.] Abraham McClellan." 
 
 The court thus qualified appointed Abraham McClellan president thereof 
 and Lilburn W. Boggs clerk pro tempore. The court being now organized pro- 
 ceeded to the discharge of public business. 
 
 county and township system. 
 
 Some of the general properties that belong to counties and townships will 
 doubtless be interesting and profitable to the intelligent reader. So much depends 
 in business and civil transactions upon county limits and county organizations 
 that for the general reader we should not do justice without giving some explana- 
 tion, before proceeding further, of the county and township system. 
 
 "A county," says Webster, "is a circuit or particular portion of a State or 
 kingdom separated from the rest of the territory for certain purposes in the admin- 
 istration of justice." It is legally defined to be "A civil division of a State or 
 kingdom for political and judicial purposes formerly governed in England by 
 the earl or count from whom it derived its name." Another authority says: "In 
 Great Britain and some of the British colonies and in all the States of the Union 
 except Louisiana which is still divided into parishes, a county is a politic;! 1 divis- 
 ion nearly corresponding to a province of Prussia or a department of France." 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 121 
 
 It is synonymous with shire with which designation it is often interchanged 
 in England but never in Ireland. This division in England though popularly 
 attributed to Alfred was probably earlier since several counties as Kent, Sussex 
 and Essex, are nearly identical with ancient Saxon kingdoms. There are fifty-two 
 counties in England and Wales, thirty-three in Scotland and thirty-two in Irelaiid. 
 The county is an administrative division and its principal officers aie a lord-lieu- 
 tenant who has command of the militia; a castor rotulorum, or keeper of the rolls 
 or archives; a sheriff, a receiver-general of taxes, a coroner, justices of the peace, 
 an under-sheriff and a clerk of the peace. The assize court, county court and 
 hundred courts are the chief judicial tribunals. There are in England four 
 counties, Palestine, Chester, Lancaster and Durham, the earl of which had all the 
 jura regalia, or rights of sovereignty in the shire. The first two of these have 
 been long annexed to the crown, and Durham previously governed by its bishop 
 was annexed in 1836. In the United States there are in each county, officers who 
 superintend its financial affairs, a county court of inferior jurisdiction and stated 
 sessions of the supereme court of the State." 
 
 With regard to the origin of dividing individual States into county and town- 
 ship organizations, which, in an important measure, should have the power and 
 opportunity of transacting their own business and governing themselves, under 
 the approval of, and subject to, the State and general government, of which they 
 both form a part, we quote from Elijah M. Haines, who is considered good author- 
 ity on the subject. 
 
 In his "Laws of Illinois, Relative to Township Organizations," he says : 
 " The county system originated with Virginia, whose early settlers soon became 
 large landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeljng, living apart in almost baronial 
 magnificence on their own estates, and owning the laboring part of the population. 
 Thus the materials for a town were not at hand, the voters being thinly distributed 
 over a great area. 
 
 " The county organization, where a few influential men managed the whole 
 business of the community, retained their places almost at their pleasure, scarcely 
 responsible at all, except in name, and permitted to conduct the county concerns 
 as their ideas or wishes might direct, was moreover consonant with their recollec- 
 tions or traditions of the judicial and social dignities of the landed aristocracy of 
 England, in descent from whom the Virginia gentlemen felt so much pride. In 
 1834 eight counties were organized in Virginia, and the system extending through- 
 out the State, spread into all the Southern States, and some of the Northern 
 States; unless we except the nearly similar division into 'districts' in South 
 Carolina, and that into ' parishes ' in Louisiana, from the French laws. 
 
 " Illinois, which with its vast additional territory, became a county of Vir- 
 ginia on its conquest by General George Rogers Clark, retained the county organ- 
 ization, which was formally extended over the State by the constitution of 1818, 
 and continued in exclusive use until the constitution of 1848. 
 
 " Under this system, as in other States adopting it, most local business was 
 transacted by those commissioners in each county, who constituted a county court 
 with quarterly sessions. 
 
 " During the period ending with the constitution of 1847, ^ large portion of 
 the State had become filled up with a population of New England birth or char- 
 acter, daily growing more and more compact and dissatisfied with the compara- 
 tively arbitrary and inefficient county system. It was maintained by the people 
 that the heavy populated districts would always control the election of the com- 
 missioners, to the disadvantage of the more thinly populated sections — in short, 
 that under that system, ' equal and exact justice ' to all parts of the county could 
 not be secured. 
 
 " The township system had its origin in Massachusetts, and dates back to 
 
 1635- 
 
122 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTV. 
 
 "The first legal enactment concerning this system provided that, whereas, 
 ' particular townships have many things which concern only themselves, and the 
 ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of business in their own town, there- 
 fore the freemen of every township, or a majority part of them, shall have power 
 to dispose of their own latds and woods with all the appurtenances of said town, 
 to grant lots, and to make such orders as may concern the well ordering of their 
 own towns, not repugnant to the laws and orders established by the general 
 court. 
 
 " They might also (says Haines) impose fines of not more than twenty shil- 
 lings, and ' choose their own particular officers, as constables, surveyors for the 
 highways and the like.' 
 
 " Evidently this enactment reHeved the general court of a mass of munici- 
 pal details, without any danger to the power of that body in controlling general 
 measures of public policy. 
 
 " Probably, also, a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt for the 
 control of their own home concerns. 
 
 ' ' The New England colonies were first governed by a General Court or Legis- 
 lature, composed of a governor and a small council, which court consisted of the 
 most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exercised both legislative and judi- 
 cial powers, which were limited only by the wisdom of the holders. 
 
 " They made laws, ordered their execution by officers, tried and decided 
 civil and criminal cases, enacted all manner of municipal regulations, and, in fact, 
 did all the public business of the colony. Similar provisions for the incorpora- 
 tion of towns were made in the first constitution of Connecticut, adopted in 1639 ; 
 and the plan of township orgajiization, as experience proved that it was remark- 
 ably economical, and that it was adapted to the requirements of a free and intel- 
 ligent people, was universally adopted throughout New England, and went west- 
 ward with the emigrants from New England into New York, Ohio and the West- 
 ern States." 
 
 Thus we find that the valuable system of township and county organization 
 had been thoroughly tested and proven before there was need of adopting it in 
 Missouri or any of the broad region beyond the Mississippi River, but as the 
 country began to settle up, and eastern people began to move westward across 
 the mighty river, county and township organizations followed in quick succession, 
 and those different systems became more or less modified as the tastes and 
 requirements of the people demanded. Experience and the demands of the 
 people brought about these changes — not suddenly, but gradually, until the sys- 
 tem reached its present state of efficiency and perfection. 
 
 The subsequent subdivision of territory into separate and distinct counties 
 was not the work of a day. It was in the interests of the older counties to 
 retam the territory attached to them and the movement to detach territory and 
 form new counties usually originated with the settlers living in the sparsely setded 
 regions. Of course, these movements were not at first successful. 
 
 The Legislature began by organizing counties along the Mississippi River. 
 As each new county was formed it was made to include, under legal jurisdiction, 
 all the country bordering on it from the west, and required to grant to the occi- 
 dental settlers electoral privileges and an equal share in the county government. 
 
 GOVERNMENT SURVEYS. 
 
 No person can intelligently understand the history of a country without a 
 the same time knowing its geography, and in order that a clear and correct idea 
 of the geography of Jackson county may be obtained from the language always 
 used in defining different localities and prices of land, we insert herewith the plan 
 of Government Surveys as given in Mr. E. A. Hickman's Property Map of 
 Jackson county : "Previous to the formation of our present Government the 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 123 
 
 eastern portion of North America consisted of a number of British colonies, the 
 territory of which was granted in large tracts to British noblemen. By treaty of 
 1783 these grants were acknowledged as valid by the colonies. After the Revo- 
 lutionary War when these colonies were acknowledged "Independent States," 
 all public domain within their boundaries was acknowledged to be the property 
 of the colony within the bounds of which said domain was situated. 
 
 Virginia claimed all the northwest territory including what is now known as 
 Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. After a meeting of 
 the representatives of the various States to form a Union, Virginia ceded the 
 northwest territory to the United States Government. This took place in 1784 ; 
 then all this northwest territory became Government land. It comprised all south 
 of the lakes and east of the Mississippi River and north and west of the States 
 having definite boundary hnes. This territory had been known as New France 
 and had been ceded by France to England in 1763. In the year 1803 Napoleon 
 Bonaparte sold to the United States all territory west of tl^e Mississippi River 
 and north of Mexico, extending to the Rocky Mountains. 
 
 While public domain was the property of the colonies it was disposed of as 
 follows: Each individual caused the tract he desired to purchase to be surveyed 
 and platted. A copy of the survey was then filed with the Register of lands, 
 when by paying into the State or Colonial treasury an agreed price, the purchaser 
 received a patent for the land. This method of disposing of public lands 
 made lawsuits numerous, owing to different surveys often including the same 
 ground. To avoid these difficulties and effect a general measurement of the ter- 
 ritories, the United States adopted the present mode, or system, of land surveys, 
 a description of which we give as follows : 
 
 In an unsurveyed region a point of marked and changeless topographical 
 features is selected as an initial point. The exact latitude and longitude of this 
 point is ascertained by astronomical observation, and a suitable monument of iron 
 or stone to perpetuate the position. Through this point a true north and 
 south line is run, which is called a Principal Meridian. This principal meridian 
 may be extended north and south any desired distance. Along this line are 
 placed at distances of one-half mile from each other, posts of wood or stone, or 
 mounds of earth. These posts are said to establish the line, and are called section 
 and quarter-section posts. Principal meridians are nmmbered in the order in 
 which they are established. Through the same initial point from which the prin- 
 cipal meridian was surveyed, another line is now run and established by mile 
 and half-mile posts as before, in a true east and west direction. This line is called 
 the Base Line, and like the principal meridian, may be extended indefinitely in 
 either direction. These lines form the basis of the survey of the country into 
 townships and ranges. Township lines extend east and west parallel with the base 
 line, at distances of six miles from the base line and from each other, dividing 
 the country into strips six miles wide, which strips are called townships Range 
 lines run north and south parallel to the principal meridian, dividing the country 
 into strips six miles wide, which strips are called ranges. Township strips are 
 numbered from the base line and range strips are numbered from the principal 
 meridian. Townships lying north of the base line are "townships north," those 
 on the south are " townships south." The strip lying next the base line is town- 
 ship one, the next one to that, township two, and so on. The range strips are 
 numbered in the same manner, counting from the principal meridian east or west 
 as the case may be. 
 
 The township and range lines thus divide the county into six-mile squares. 
 Each of these squares is called a congressional township. All north and south- 
 lines north of the equator approach each other as they extend north, finally meet 
 ing at the north pole ; therefore north and south lines are not literally parallel. 
 The east and west boundary lines of any range being six miles apart in the 
 
124 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 latitude of Missouri or Kansas, would, in thirty miles, approach each other 2.9 
 chains, or 190 feet. If, therefore, the width of the range when started from the 
 base line is made exactly six miles, it would be 2.9 chains too narrow at the dis- 
 tance of thirty miles, or five townships north. To correct the width of ranges 
 and keep them to the proper width, the range lines are not surveyed in a continu- 
 ous straight line, like the principal meridian, entirely across the State, but only 
 across a limited number of townships, usually five, where the width of the range 
 is corrected by beginning a new line on the side of the range most distant from the 
 principal meridian, at such a point as will make the range its correct width. All 
 range lines are corrected in the same manner. The last and west township line 
 on which these corrections are made are called correction lines or standard paral- 
 lels. The surveys of the State of Missouri were made from the fifth principal 
 meridian which runs through the State, and its ranges are numbered from it. The 
 State of Kansas is surveyed and numbered from the sixth. Congressional town- 
 ships are divided into thirty-six square miles, called sections, and are known by 
 numbers, according to their position. The following diagram shows the order of 
 numbers and the sections in a congressional township : 
 
 io_ 
 
 > 
 
 — r~^ 
 
 is 
 
 I2 
 
 i) 
 
 •J 
 
 S 
 
 i« 
 
 10 
 
 \\ 
 
 12 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 ! 
 
 
 
 18 
 
 iV 
 j 
 
 16 
 
 l'5 
 
 \'i 
 
 I's 
 
 i 
 
 
 
 19 
 
 20 
 
 21 
 
 2 2 
 
 is 
 
 ii 
 
 
 
 
 80 
 
 i^ 
 
 28 
 
 in 
 
 2fi 
 
 5>'k 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 ; 
 
 1 
 
 31 
 
 32 
 
 S3 
 
 s'4 
 
 3 5^ 
 
 3'fi 
 
 1 
 
 Sections are divided into quarters, eighths and sixteenths, and are described 
 by their position in the section. The full section contains 640 acres, the quarter 
 160, the eighth 80 and the sixteenth 40. In the following diagram of a section 
 the position designated by a is known as the northwest quarter ; t is the northeast 
 quarter of the northeast quarter ; d would be the south half of the southeast quar- 
 ter, and would contain 80 acres. 
 
 Sec.post 
 
 
 
 H Seo.post 
 
 Sec.post" 
 
 leOaor'B'. 
 
 ?l 
 
 i 
 
 
 / 
 
 9 
 
 K Sec.post 
 
 
 b 
 
 c 
 
 e 
 
 S_eo.poBt 
 
 a 
 
 ^ec.poBt 
 
 Jackson county, Missouri, lies north of the south line of township 47 north, 
 and west of the center of range 29 west from the fifth principal meridian, and extends 
 to the Missouri River on the north, and to the western side of range 33 on the 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 125 
 
 west, where it joins range 25 east from the sixth principal meridian, from which 
 Kansas is surveyed. Congressional townships, as we have seen, are six miles 
 squares of land, made by the township and range lines, while civil or municipal 
 townships are civil divisions, made for purposes of government, the one having 
 no reference to the other, though similar in name. On the county map we see 
 both kinds of townships — the congressional usually designated by numbers and 
 in squares ; the municipal or civil township by name and in various forms. 
 
 By the measurements thus made by the government, the courses and distances 
 are defined between any two points. St. Louis is in township 44 north, range 8 
 east, and Independence is in township 49 north, range 32 west; how far, then, 
 are we apart on a direct line? St. Louis is 40 townships east — 240 miles — and 
 five townships south — 30 miles; the base and perpendicular of a right-angled tri- 
 angle, the hypothenuse being the required distance. 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS. 
 
 In the organization of Jackson county into townships, no regard was had to 
 the congressional township boundaries; the county lines, rivers and creeks have, 
 as a rule, determined the limits of civil townships in this county. The "town- 
 ship," as the term is used in common phraseology, in many instances, is widely 
 distinguished from that of "town," though many persons persist in confounding 
 the two. " In the United States, many of the States are divided into townships 
 of five, six, seven, or perhaps ten miles square, and the inhabitants of such town- 
 ships are vested with certain powers for regulating their own affairs, such as re- 
 pairing roads and providing for the poor. The township is subordinate to the 
 county." A " town " is simply a collection of houses, either large or small, and 
 opposed to " country." 
 
 The most important features connected with this system of township surveys 
 should be thoroughly understood by every intelligent farmer and business man ; 
 still there are some points connected with the understanding of it, which need 
 close and careful attention. The law which established this system, required that 
 the north and south lines should correspond exactly with the meridian passing 
 through that point ; also, that each township should be six miles square. To do 
 this would be an utter impossibility, since the figure of the earth causes the merid- 
 ians to converge toward the pole, making the north line of each township shorter 
 thiui the south line of the same township. To obviate the errors, which are, on 
 this account, constantly occurring, correction lines are established. They are 
 parallels bounding a line of townships on the north, when lying north of the prin- 
 cipal base ; on the south line of townships when lying south of the principal base, 
 from which the surveys, as they are continued, are laid out anew ; the range lines 
 again starting at correct distances from the principal meridian. In Michigan 
 these correction Hues are repeated at the end of every tenth township, but in 
 Oregon they have been repeated with every fifth township. The instructions to 
 the surveyors have been that each range of townships should be made as mUch 
 over six miles in width on each base and correction line as it will fall short of the 
 same width where it closes on to the next correction line north ; and it is further 
 provided that in all cases, where the exterior lines of the townships shall exceed, 
 or shall not extend six miles, the excess or deficiency shall be specially noted, and 
 added to or deducted from the western or northern sections or half sections in 
 such township, according as the error may be in running the Unes from east to 
 west, or from south to north. In order to throw the excess of deficiencies on the 
 north and on the west sides of the township, it is necessary to survey the section 
 lines from south to north, on a true meridian, leaving the result in the north line 
 of. the township to be governed by the convexity of the earth, and the converg- 
 ency of the meridians. 
 
 Navigable rivers, lakes and islands are "meandered" or surveyed by the 
 
126 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 compass and chain along the banks. " The instruments employed on these sur- 
 veys, besides the solar compass, are a surveying chain thirty-three feet long of 
 fifty links, and another of smaller wire, as a standard to be used for correcting 
 the former as often at least as every other day, also, eleven tally pins, made of 
 steel, telescope, targets, tape measure and tools for marking the lines upon trees 
 or stones. In surveying through woods, trees intercepted by the line are marked 
 with too chips or notches, one on each side; these are called sight or line trees." 
 Sometimes other trees in the vicinity are blazed on two sides quartering toward 
 the line ; but if some distance from the line the two blazes should be near to- 
 gether on the side facing the line. These are found to be permanent marks, not 
 only recognizable for many years, but carrying with them their own age by the 
 rings of growth around the blaze, which may at any subsequent time be cut out 
 and counted as years ; and the same are recognized in courts of law as evidence 
 of the date of the survey. They can not be obliterated by cutting down the 
 trees or otherwise, without leaving evidence of the act. Corners are marked 
 upon trees if found at the right spots, or else upon posts set in the ground, and 
 sometimes a monument of stones is used for a township corner, and a single stone 
 for section corner; mounds of earth are made where there are no stones nor 
 timber. At the corners the four adjacent sections are designated by distinct 
 marks cut into a tree, one in each section. These trees, facing the corner, are 
 plainly rriarked with the letters B. T. (bearing tree) cut into the wood. Notches 
 cut upon the corner' posts or trees indicate the number of miles to the outlines of 
 the township, or if on the boundaries of the township, to the township corners." 
 When Jackson county was first divided up into townships it contained three, two 
 of which, Fort Osage and Blue, were each larger than the present county. The 
 following order of the County Court, bearing date of "Tuesday, 22d May, A. D. 
 1827," defines first, the boundaries of Fort Osage, Blue and Kaw townships re- 
 spectively : The court met pursuant to adjournment, all the members (Abraham 
 McClelland, Richard Fristoe and Henry Burris) present. 
 
 Ordered : That this county be subdivided into three townships, to be denomi- 
 ated as follows, to wit : 
 
 jsi. Fort Osage Township. — To commence eastwardly at the eastern line 
 of this county ; thence running with the Missouri westwardly to Brine's Ferry on 
 the Missouri ; thence southwardly by a direct line so as to strike Little Blue at 
 Fristoe's Fish Trap ; thence up the said creek to the mouth of the Cedar Fork ; 
 thence due south to the southern boundary of the county ; thence east to the 
 southeast corner of the county; thence north to the beginning— all of which ter- 
 ritory lying within the limits of the above described boundary shall compose the 
 township of Fort Osage. 
 
 2d. Blue Township. — To commence on the Missouri River at Brine's Ferry 
 and run with the western boundary of Fort Osage township to the southern boun- 
 dary of the country ; thence west with said boundary to the southwest corner of 
 iad county ; thence due north with the State line to where it crosses the main fork 
 of Big Blue; thence with said creek to its junction with the Missouri River ; 
 thence down the middle of the main channel of the Missouri to the point of 
 beginning— all which described territory within the aforesaid limits shall constitute 
 the township of Blue. 
 
 3d. Kaw Township. — To commence at the mouth of the Big Blue, thence up 
 said creek to the state line, thence north with said line to the middle of the main 
 channel of the Missouri River, thence down said river to the point of beginning ; 
 all of which territory contained within the above boundary shall compose the 
 township of Kaw." 
 
 On the same day the County Court recommended to the Governor of the 
 State for the justices of the peace for Fort Osage township, William J. Baugh, 
 Jesse Lewis and Joel P. Walker ; and justices for Blue township, WiUiam Yates, 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.. 127 
 
 Lewis Jones, James Chambers, and William Silvers ; and justices of the peace 
 for Kaw township, Samuel Johnson and Andrew P. Patterson. 
 
 The boundaries of these townships have undergone many and material 
 changes, till at the present time they contain only a portion of what they con- 
 tained in 1827. At that time Fort Osage contained its present territory, together 
 with Sni-a-bar and Van Buren townships, and the whole eastern portion of Cass 
 and Bates counties. 
 
 Blue township contained what is now Blue, Brooking, Prairie and part of 
 Washington, also more than a half of Cass and Bates counties. Kaw township 
 then contained its present dimensions, Westport and a part of Washington. 
 
 Soon after the county was organized and the County Court qualified, public 
 roads received considerable attention as will be observed from the follwoing re- 
 ports of road commissioners and petitions for roads. The first commission of 
 road viewers consisted of the following named persons : 
 
 "On petition of twelve householders, inhabitants of Jackson county, pre- 
 sented to the Court by Mr. Aaron Overton, praying for the appointment of 
 suitable persons to view and mark out a road from Joel P. Walker's on the "Six 
 Mile" by the nearest and best way to the county seat of this county. It is there- 
 fore ordered by the Court that David Lynch, Jacob Powell, David Dealy, Daniel 
 Musno and William Williams be appointed commissioners for that purpose. 
 
 May 22d, A. D. 1827." 
 
 The next petition of the same kind was during the August term of court and 
 read as follows: "On petition of twelve or more householders, inhabitants of 
 this county, presented to the Court, by Edwin F. Hicks, praying for the appoint- 
 ment of suitable persons to view and mark out a road from the public square of 
 the town of Independence to intersect the Missionary road , on the east side of 
 Little Blue, crossing Little Blue at Fristoe's fish trap. It was ordered by the 
 Court that John Cornett, John Cook, James Ross, Perry Brock and Joshua 
 Yates, be appointed commissioners to view and mark out said road the nearest 
 and best way, and make their report to this court on the first Monday in Septem- 
 ber next." 
 
 Various other roads were ordered viewed and marked out, and several com- 
 missions reported, the first of which was as follows : 
 
 "We the undersigned, commissioners appointed to view and mark out a 
 road leading from the wagon ford of Little Blue to Prines Ferry, in pursuance of 
 an order of Court to us directed, we have viewed and laid out and do report for 
 public use the following road, to-wit : Beginning at the wagon ford of Little 
 Blue and running near a west course with very little variation from the present 
 road as now traveled as the nearest and most practicable route from the said wagon 
 ford of Little Blue to Prines Ferry, and to the greatest ease and convenience of 
 the inhabitants, and as little as may be to the prejudice of any person or persons. 
 
 Given under our hands this 6th day of August, 1827. 
 
 (Signed) JAMES LEWIS, 
 
 ISAAC ALLEN, 
 BENEDICT WILDER, 
 JAMES BLAKELY, 
 DABNEY JOHNSON. 
 
 Ordered. — That the above road be established as a public highway, agreeably 
 to the foregoing report. 
 
 Before the first general election had transpired another township was formed 
 from the south part of Ft. Osage township. This township was named Harmony 
 from the name of the mission to the Indians. It included about one-half of 
 Bates county. The county there was first settled in 1818 by missionaries sent to 
 
1 
 128 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the Osage Indians by the American Board of Foreign Missions. Harmony mis- 
 sion was established August 2, 182 1, and maintained with good success until 
 1835 when it was abandoned, the Indians having removed farther west and south. 
 The missionaries traveled from New York in keel boats and landed near the present 
 site of Papinville. The Indians received them in the most friendly manner and 
 the missionaries had no difficulty in taking possession of the three sections of land 
 which the government had donated them. They selected for their establishment 
 a beautiful location above high water level partly timber and partly prairie near a 
 little brook which they called Missouri Branch; this with the Marais des Cygnes 
 (Osage) river which at this place is about two hundred feet wide running over a 
 gravelly bed and easy of access afforded plenty of water. They built a mill, 
 store, blacksmith shop, church and several dwelling houses, also planted an orch- 
 ard of apple trees. They called the settlement Harmony Mission and dwelt 
 among the Osage Indians for many years, doing what they could to teach arid civil- 
 ize them. After the Indians were removed to the Indian Territory, the missionaries 
 broke up the establishment and located in different parts of the county where 
 some of them who were then young still reside with their descendants. In 1861 
 and subsequent years of the war it suffered greatly, being on the border it became 
 the prey of the Kansas Jayhawkers, and Missouri Bushwhackers In 1863 Gen. 
 Ewing issued his famous "General Order No. 11," ordering the inhabitants to 
 leave the county within fifteen days, and when that time had expired nearly every 
 inhabitant had crossed its border, and for three years its history was a blank. 
 During these years the prairie fires swept over the land adding to the desolation. 
 In the spring of 1866 some of the former inhabitants returned, but with a very few 
 exceptions not a vestige of their old homes was left, save the chimneys rising 
 above the beds of rank weeds. 
 
 The order of "court organizing Harmony township was during the May 
 term, 1828, and clothed in the following language: 
 
 "Ordered: That there be established in this county a new township with 
 the following boundaries and be denominated the township of Harmony. To 
 commence at a point on Grand river where the eastern line of Ft. Osage township 
 crosses the same, thence with the meanderings of Grand River westwardly to the 
 line between Ft. Osage and Blue townships, theuce with said line southwardly to 
 the southern boundary of the county, thence with the said southern boundary of 
 the county eastwardly to the southeast corner of the county, thence with the 
 eastern boundary of Ft. Osage township northwardly to the point of beginning 
 on Grand River, all the territory comprised within the aforesaid limits shall consti- 
 tute the township of Harmony, and it is further ordered by the court that the 
 northern boundary of the Harmony township shall be the southern boundary of 
 Ft. Osage township. And that the clerk be directed to certify the same to the 
 Secretary of the State. May 5, 1828." 
 
 At the first general election held in Jackson county, for Governor, August 
 5th, 1828, the number of votes cast by the four townships were as follows, the 
 names of the votes having been given in the preceding chapter : 
 
 Fort Osage township cast 44 votes. 
 
 Blue " " 231 
 
 Kaw " " 29 
 
 Harmony " " 12 " 
 
 Total 316 
 
 The Presidential election which occurred on the first Monday of November, 
 1828, at which selection Andrew Jackson was elected President of the United 
 States, the election in the respective townships, was held at the following named 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 129' 
 
 places : The election in Fort Osage township was held at the house of Joel P. 
 Walker. For Kaw township at the house of William Johnson. For Blue town- 
 ship at the Court House. For Harmony township at the Harmony Mission 
 School House at Harmony on the Marais des Cygnes River; and the judges of 
 the elections in the respective voting precincts were for Fort Osage, Thomas 
 Williams, Stuart Lewis and Zebadiah Baker ; for Blue, Aaron Overton, William 
 Yates and Solomon Flournoy ; for Kaw, Andrew P. Patterson, James Welch and 
 William Lewis ; for Harmony, Nathaniel B. Dodge, Amasa Jones and Samuel 
 B. Bright 
 
 At the same sitting Eli Wadkins was ordered recommended to the Gover- 
 nor for Justice of the Peace for Fort Osage township in place of William J. 
 Baugh who had removed. Doubtless the election was held as arranged, but as 
 very few are now alive who witnessed that election and there are few records of 
 the event no positive statement can be made. 
 
 The following constables were appointed May 31, 1828, and their term of 
 office commenced July 8, 1828 : James W. McClellan, constable for Fort Osage 
 township; Solomon G. Flournoy, for Blue township; William Lewis, for Kaw 
 township. 
 
 The next township formed was Boone, the order of court defining its 
 boundaries given in the month of May, 1830: "In the petition of several 
 inhabitants of Fort Osage township, it is ordered that the following district cr 
 country be erected into a separate township and to be knovvn by the name of 
 Boone township, "to wit: Beginning east of the county line between townships 
 number forty-seven and forty-eight, thence running due west until it intersects 
 the line of Blue township, thence south to the main channel of Grand River, 
 thence down Grand River to the county line, thence north to the beginning. It 
 is further ordered that Joel P. Walker and David G. Butterfield be appointed as 
 justices of the peace in said township, and Isaac Dunaway constable." At the 
 general election in 1830, polls were opened at the following places : 
 
 For Fort Osage township at the house of Nathan Russell, with Anderson 
 Davis, James Lewis and John Patten judges of the election. 
 
 For Blue township, at the Court House, with John Davis, G. Johnston and 
 John Smith, as judges. 
 
 For Kaw township at the dwelling house of Michael Farns, with Andrew P. 
 Patterson, James Welch and William Lewis as judges of the election. 
 
 For Boone township at the house of Reddin Crisps, with David G. Butter- 
 field, William Dunaway and Joshua Adams as judges of the election. 
 
 For Harmony township at Harmony Mission school house, with Samuel 
 Bright, Leonard Dodge and M. Moderal as judges of the election. 
 
 On the first day of November, 1830, the boundaries of Fort Osage and Boone 
 towships underwent further changes. 
 
 Sni-a-bar (or Shnee-a-bar, Shnebar) township was defined and named May 
 Sth, 1834. 
 
 " On petition of sundry inhabitants of the township of Fort Osage, praying for 
 the division of said township, the Court doth order that said township be and the 
 same is hereby divided and formed into two distinct townships as follows, to-wit : 
 Commencing on Little Blue creek at Benjamin Mayor's mill, on the upper road lead 
 ing from Independence to Lexington, thence on a line with said road east to the 
 line of Lafayette county, and that all that section of territory lying north of the 
 aforesaid road, and within the boundaries of the aforesaid Fort Osage township, 
 be and the same is hereby erected into a separate township to be known and 
 designated by the name of Shne-bar township, and that all the territory of land 
 lying on the north of the aforesaid road and within the boundaries of Fort Osage 
 township, be known and designated by the name of Fort Osage township." 
 
 On the 23d day of July, 1836, the fractional part of Boone township which 
 9 
 
130 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Still remained within the boundaries of Jackson county, after the organization of 
 Van Buren (now Cass), was attached to "Shne-bar" township. 
 
 An order of the County Court, February 9, 1836, defines the boundaries of 
 a new township, largely from Blue township, and called Washington. The order 
 is as follows : 
 
 "On application of the inhabitants of the south and of Blue and Kaw town- 
 ships, in Jackson county, the Court orders that a new township be formed out of 
 said townships, said new township to comprise the following bounds, to-wit : Com- 
 mencing at Cummins' mill on Big Blue, so as to include said mill, thence running 
 due west to the boundary line, thence south with said boundary line to the corner 
 of Van Buren (now Cass) county^ thence east with said county line to a point oppo- 
 site the head of Little Cedar Fork of Little Blue, thence dowa said Cedar Fork 
 until it intersects the main fork of Little Blue, thence a straight direction to the 
 beginning, all which territory lying within the limits of the above described 
 boundary shall compose the township of Washington." 
 
 Van Buren township was laid off by order of court May 3, 1837. " The 
 court divides ' Shnee-a-bar ' township in this county into two townships by an east 
 and west line running through the center of township 48 in all the ranges that 
 were included in ' Shnee-a-bar ' township and make all the county south of said 
 line that formerly belonged to Shnee-a-bar township into a new township to be 
 called 'Van Buren.'" All of the above order was made on the petition of the 
 inhabitants of Shnee-a-bar township. 
 
 Prairie township was ordered organized June 4, i860. "Now at this day 
 comes William Dapuy and S. Maddox and presents a petition of sundry citizens 
 of the west part of Van Burnen township in Jackson county, praying the court to 
 divide said township of Van Buren into two municipial townships by the follow- 
 ing line, viz. : Beginning at the farm owned by Thomas M. Field and running 
 southward along the line of the county road and terminating at the Cass county 
 line at the southeast corner of the farm formerly owned by Col. James A. Fisher, 
 which said petition being by the court here seen and understood and for the reasons 
 set forth in said petition the court doth divide said municipal township of 
 Van Buren by the line above set forth making all that part of Van Buren 
 township west of said line into a new township to be called by the name of 
 ' Prairie ' township, in Jackson county, Missouri, and the territory included in 
 said new township shall be known in law as Prairie township, of Jackson county, 
 Missouri." 
 
 Westport township was established by order of court May 17, 1869, ^^'^ '^e fol- 
 lowing is a copy of the order : ' 'The court orders that a new municipal township be 
 formed out of that portion of Kaw township described as follows : Beginning at 
 the southwest corner of section 18, township 48, range 33, thence north along 
 the State line to a point 60 chains north of the southwest corner of section 18, 
 township 49, range 33, thence east at a variation of 80° 30' to the center of Big 
 Blue River, thence south in the center of said river to where it intersects the 
 south line of 14, township 48, range 33, thence west along the south hne of sec- 
 tions 15, 16, 17 and 18 to the place of beginning, and that said township be called 
 Westport township." 
 
 Brooking township was organized by order of County Court, March 13, 
 1872. "The court orders that a new municipal township be formed out of that 
 portion of Washington and Blue townships described as follows : Beginning at 
 the mouth of Round Grove Creek, thence up said creek to where it crosses the 
 half section line running east and west through the center of section 29, town- 
 ship 49, range 32, thence with said line to the range line between ranges 31 and 
 32, thence south to line of Prairie township, thence west to Little Blue Creek, 
 thence up said creek to where the south line of section 22, township 48, range 
 32 crosses the same, thence west with said line to the half section line on south 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 131 
 
 side section 19 of said township, thence north to the center of said section, thence 
 west to Big Blue Creek, thence with said creek to place of beginning, and that 
 said township be called Brooking. 
 
 The Court on the same day appointed T. L. Cassell constable for the new 
 township of Brooking to serve till the general election, and till his successor 
 should be qualified. He was required, in accordance with the custom to give 
 bond in the sum of one thousand dollars. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 OLD SETTLERS OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Meeting at Kansas City December jo, iSjI — Names of Old Settlers, with Date of Settlement — Of- 
 ficers of tipe Association — Resolutions — First Address — The ^^ Far West''"' — The Pioneers — Tom 
 Rule — The Site of Kansas City — Dates of Important Events — Meeting March, 1872 — Old 
 Settlers Assemble July 4, 1872 — The Life of Daniel Boone, by Dr. Johnston Lykins — Meeting 
 of Pioneers July 4, ^874. — Speeches of W, H. Wallace, Gen. Bingham, Jacob Gregg, Johnston 
 Lykins, Col. Van Horn, and others — Prizes Awarded — Death of Daniel Boone — Meeting 
 April 24, 1880 — The Pioneers — Address by Mr. McCoy — The Last Grand Meeting of the 
 Fathers and Mothers, M^iy 22, 1880 — Speeches of Jacob Gregg, Alexander Majors, J. C. 
 ■McCoy, Dr. Winfrey and Mirtin Rice — An Old Timer's Poem- — Rev. Father Donnelly — Old 
 Residents and Date of Coming. 
 
 A meeting of old settlers of Jackson county was held at the Council Cham- 
 ber, Kansas City, December 30, 1871. It was called to order by Dr. Lykins, and 
 Walter Bales was made chairman and Daniel Geary secretary. On motion of 
 Col. R. T. Van Horn, the settlers of twenty-five years proceeded to organize the 
 
 OLD SETTJLERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 The following names, with date of residence, were then recorded : 
 
 David Dealy, February, 1823. 
 
 John R. Swearingen, March 6, 1825. 
 
 John Majors, March 6, 1825 ; settled in Lafayette county in 1819. 
 
 Thomas Pritcher, November 10, 1826. 
 
 William Mulkey, 1826. 
 
 Mobillon W. McGee, 1827. 
 
 William Dealy, February, 1823. 
 
 Walter Bales, October, 1831. 
 
 John C. McCoy, August, 1830. 
 
 Johnston Lykins, July 8, 1831. 
 
 Samuel Campbell, November, 1834. 
 
 William O. Shouse, October 25, 1837. 
 
 Ansel Collins, April, 1834. 
 
 Levi W. Bradley, December 17, 1833. 
 
 John W. Polk, 1838. 
 
 Lucius Carey, 1840. 
 
 Major H. Alley, December, 1844. 
 
 Frances M Alley, December, 1844. 
 
 Wallace Smith, October, 1841. 
 
 James H. McGee, born in county 1837. 
 
132 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 William Bales, born in county December 28, 1834. 
 
 James C. Evans, born in county April 25, 1833. 
 
 John T. Dealy, born in county August 26, 1845. 
 
 The society -then being organized elected David Dealy, President ; Dr. 
 Johnston Lykins, Vice-President, and John C. McCoy, Recording and Corres- 
 ponding Secretary. The following gentlemen were then made members by vote 
 of the society : 
 
 R. T. Van Horn, J. W. Cook, Kersey Coates, Theo. S. Case, Joseph C. 
 Ranson, Daniel Geary, Sands W. Bouton, John Hayden, D. Y. Chalfant, A. B. 
 Earle, T. B. Lester, Charles Long, 'John Baeurlein, Peter Schmidt, John C. 
 Groom. 
 
 A resolution was adopted that any citizen of twenty-five years residence 
 could become a member of the society by subscribing his name to the roll. 
 
 On motion of John W. Polk, the editor of each newspaper in Jackson and 
 adjoining counties were voted honorary members of the society. 
 
 The following resolutions were then adopted : 
 
 Resolved, That the officers of this society be, and they are hereby authorized, 
 to take such steps as may be necessary to the permanent organization of this 
 society under the laws of Missouri, and all such other action as may be necessary 
 to the permanent organization of this society and carrying out of the object of 
 the same, viz : the collection and preservation of the history of the settlement of 
 Jackson county and western Missouri, its preservation and compilation. 
 
 Resolved, That the secretary be authorized to keep the list of members open 
 for the enrollment of the names of those desiring to become members, and who 
 come within the rule prescribed — a residence of twenty-five years — at any time, 
 and all such are hereby made members of this society. 
 
 Resolved, That the President or Vice President and Secretary shall have 
 authority to call meetings of this society at any time and that six members shall 
 constitute a quorum to do business. 
 
 R'solved, That John R. Swearengen be appointed Assistant Secretary at In- 
 dependence, to receive the names of members and perform all the duties necesary 
 for the eastern portion of the county, in the same manner as the regular Secretary. 
 
 R. T. Van Horn, John W. Polk, John C. Groom, Kersey Coates and Theo- 
 dore S. Case were appointed a committee at that meeting to draft a constitution 
 and by-laws for the society. After some other business by the society a paper 
 was read by John C. McCoy. 
 
 THE FIRST PAPER READ BEFORE THE OLD SETTLERS HISTORICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 This first paper was by John C. McCoy, and is worthy a place in the lasting 
 records of Jackson county : 
 My Old Friends and Neighbors : 
 
 You will agree with me, I think, that it is eminently right and proper for us 
 to have occasionally a social friendly gathering of as many of the few remaining 
 survivors of the first settlers of this favored region as can make it convenient to 
 meet together, where we may interchange friendly greetings and recall almost for- 
 gotten memories of incidents and persons once familiar in " Auld Lang Syne," 
 and at these meetings, like stand points or mile stones by the road-side in life's 
 journey, look back along the track of our past journey. A retrospect down the 
 long dim outline of our past pilgrimage will doubtless be reflected' with shadows 
 and sunshine, with dark clouds and clear sky — will recall many long forgotten 
 incidents and mem-ories, some of them casting a shadow of sadness and gloom, 
 and manv of them lighted up with the joys and blessings of other days. From 
 half a century tp three score years and ten (and some even longer) have we been 
 steadily borne onward as we hope toward a better land. 
 
 Not inappropriately might we compare a few venerable survivors like a few 
 scattered trees of the old primeval forest, scattered by the storms and covered by 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 133 
 
 the frosts of many winters, one after another their companions have lost their 
 verdure, withered and have fallen, but what a vigorous dense growth has taken 
 their places, what a wonderful transformation has the face of nature undergone 
 within the recollection of us all. 
 
 Those of us who, during the past half century have been eye witnesses of 
 the gradual but rapid development of this goodly land, can appreciate the change. 
 In early youth we removed to and settled in a country universally known over 
 the continent as the "Great West." We have until to day remained citizens of 
 this region, but are today citizens of the " Great Center." All of the vast terri- 
 tory almost unknown and untraveled, lying from the Mississippi westward to the 
 Pacific ocean, was once known as the "Great West." Towns, steamboats, post- 
 ofifices, and children were named " Far West," in honor of that wonderful country. 
 Persons hailing from that far-off country were regarded with pecular interest in the 
 old States as travelers from a distant land, and in the hall of Congress and in de- 
 liberative assemblies they were addressed as "gentlemen from the Far West," — 
 but where is that famous land to-day? — even the name is unused and unknown. 
 Col. Bartleson, Gov. Boggs, Joab Powell, Jim Baxter, Tom Rule and a host 
 of the first pioneers of this region, long years ago chased that vanishing phantom 
 Lind over the western plains, the snowy range, the Sierra Nevadas, and lost sight 
 of it forever in the broad Pacific. Only one of the number, as far as I know, 
 holds on to the chase, poor Tom Rule, who used to preach a pretty fair back- 
 woods hardshell sermon, and boasted that with only hickory withes and a jack-knife 
 he could make a very good wagon, refused to be comforted or give up the chase 
 after his beloved " P'ar West." 
 
 Only last year I met him on Grand Avenue mounted on a mountain mustang, 
 his face, what little of it could be seen besides hair, looking very much like a small 
 piece of buffalo meat, and with hair standing out hke porcupine quills. He was 
 spurring and belaboring his jaded mustang in an easterly direction, evidently, as 
 I conjectured, bound to head off his favorite " Far West " as it came 'round the 
 world from sun-rise; he may have given up the chase however at old Davy Sur- 
 ges', where he expected to spend the night. The panorama which has been un- 
 rolled before the eyes of old settlers who still survive, by the westward rolling 
 wave of civilization and empire, has been so rapid and wonderful, that we may 
 with propriety exclaim : "A nation is born in a day." 
 
 The very ground upon which we now stand, was only a few years ago a wild 
 uncultivated wilderness, now transformed as if by magic into the busy, crowded, 
 proud city we see it to-day. Truly, "the wilderness and the solitary place have 
 blossomed like the rose." Let us endeavor to recall some of the features of the 
 landscape then and now. A clearing or old field of a ie.vf acres lying on the high 
 ridge between Main and Wyandotte, and Second and Fifth streets, made and 
 abandoned by a mountain trapper. A few old, girdled, dead trees standing in 
 the field, surrounded by a dilapidated rail fence. Around on all sides a dense 
 forest, the ground covered with impenetrable brush, vines, fallen timber and deep 
 impassable gorges. A narrow, crooked roadway winding from Twelfth and Wal- 
 nut streets, along down on the west side of the deep ravine toward the river, 
 across the Public Square to the river at the foot of Grand avenue. 
 
 A narrow, difficult path, barely wide enough for a single horseman, running 
 up and down the river under the bluff, winding its way around fallen timber and 
 deep ravines. An old log house on the river bank at the foot of Main street, oc- 
 cupied by a lank, cadaverous, specimen of humanity, named Ellis, with one blind 
 eye and the other on a sharp lookout for stray horses, straggling Indians and 
 squatters, with whom to swap a tin-cup of whisky for a coon skin. Another old, 
 dilapidated log cabin below the Pacific depot. Two or three small clearings and 
 cabins in the Kaw bottom, now caHed West Kansas, which were houses of French 
 mountain trappers. The rest of the surroundings was the still solitude of the na- 
 
134 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 tive forest, unbroken, only by the snort of the darting deer, the barking of the 
 squirrel, the howl of the wolf, the settler's cow-bell and mayhap the distant bay- 
 ing of the hunter's dog, or the sharp report of his rifle. 
 
 This, my old compeers, is a brief and imperfect outline of the place in which 
 we now meet, and which many of us will recognize as it appeared to us then. I 
 need not attempt to describe the picture as it appears to us now. It is spread out 
 before us. The ceaseless hum of the busy, restless multitude, the rumble and 
 clatter of a hundred locomotives and trains and a thousand vehicles of all degrees. 
 The continual scream of the steam whistle and a thousand other sounds all con- 
 tribute to make up a medley of discordant music, far different from that once 
 heard by us around the " old field," from the sonorous cow-bell and the melan- 
 choly howl of the wolf, and tells us unmistakably, that something has happened 
 in the neighborhood of the " old field," and we are confirmed in the conviction, 
 when we look around us — miles of crowded thoroughfares lined with stately, mag- 
 nificent buildings, the Court House, Opera House, the towering Broadway and 
 other hotels; the church spires and schools, and the greatest monument of genius 
 and enterprise, the great iron bridge spanning the river, in short a wilderness of 
 houses has crowded in and taken the place of the venerable six thousand year old 
 forest once clothing these hills. 
 
 Well, my dear old iriends, have you become accustomed and reconciled to 
 the scenes which now surround us? They call it progress and manifest destiny 
 and all that. We have this day called a halt at our milestone, to take a look back- 
 ward along the line of march, and this reminds me that this writing was designed 
 to be a short historical sketch of men and events, which were notable in this re- 
 gion forty years ago. As a historical sketch I confess it is a failure thus far, and 
 without spinning my yarn to a length which would probably put some of my 
 friends to dozing, I cannot do more now than to make a brief mention of a few of 
 those historical facts. 
 
 The treaties between the United States government and the Osage and Kan- 
 sas Indians, ratified in 1825, extinguished the Indian title to all the country lying 
 in western Missouri, and what is now the State of Kansas, except the reservations 
 for these two tribes situated in the latter State. These treaties opened the border 
 counties lying in Missouri territory for the settlement of the whites, and the 
 people were not slow to avail themselves of the privilege; consequently in 1825 
 the first settlers entered this county. 
 
 Fort Osage ( Sibley ), situated on the river near the northeast corner of the 
 county of Jackson, was established in 1803 by Merri weather Lewis, the first gov- 
 ernor of Louisiana after its purchase, and continued as a military and trading 
 post until the country was settled. Before 1825, Francis Chouteau, father of P. 
 M., and brother of Cyprien Chouteau, both now of Kansas City, had a trading post 
 an the south bank of the river about three miles below the citv. In 1826 every 
 vestige of his improvements was swept away by the great flood'which occurred in 
 the Missouri River that year. This flood made a clear sweep of all improve- 
 ments situated in the bottoms, but was no higher than that of 1844 — and this 
 reminds me that prehaps P. M. Chouteau, the present city collector, is the old- 
 est resident, still living, in this county although not an old man. The county 
 seat was located, and the town of Independence begun in 1827 When I passed 
 through the town four years afterward, the square was thickly studded with 
 stumps of trees. Westport was laid off into lots in 1833, J. C. McCoy, proprietor. 
 Westport Landing is situated about three miles north of the town on the river, 
 and has growij to be a place of considerable importance. A town was laid off 
 there which was named Kansas City first in the year 1839, but the proprietors of 
 the ground disagreed in some particulars and the town made but little progress 
 until 1846, when it was laid out on a larger scale a second time (not with a grape 
 vine), since which time it has been increasing with varying prospecft. 
 
HTSTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 135 
 
 But my friends I find that the historical part of this sketch must be curtailed. 
 Your patience is doubtless already exhausted, and the space I ought in decency 
 to claim has more than been exhausted, and I beg leave, therefore, to wind up my 
 uninteresting yarn very rapidly taking no thought of my going. I will in 
 addition merely mention some o'f the most interesting and important events which 
 now occur to me which have transpired in this county, viz : 
 
 The first advent of Mormons, 1830. 
 
 The Mormon war and expulsion, 1833. 
 
 The great flood in the Missouri, 1 844. 
 
 The Osage war, 1836. 
 
 This little war has been overlooked by modern historians, not even men- 
 tioned by them for the last thirty years. I will at some future time try to rescue 
 from oblivion the heroes and daring deeds of that glorious campaign. Suffice it 
 now only to say that it was a military raid from the border against the Osage In- 
 dians. Some of those ruthless savages committed murder upon several hogs 
 belonging to settlers near Westport. The command numbered 560 officers and 
 men, consisting of one Major-General, two Brigadiers, four Colonels, besides 
 Lieutenant Colonels, Majors, Captains, Lieutenants, Chaplains, Surgeons, etc., 
 ad infinitum, being 98 officers to command 432 privates. It is needless to tell 
 you that the expedition was a success. Old Girand's squaws, papooses, and six 
 other savages, if still living, have a sorrowful recollection that the way of the 
 transgressor is hard. I will take occasion ere long to sharpen my pen and chron- 
 icle a few of the interesting facts connected with that famous war,' but for the 
 present, my old friends, I beg that you will allow me to close this hastily written, 
 imperfect sketch to permit those of you who have fallen asleep during its delivery 
 to wake up, and with a heartfelt expression of the hope that we all may meet 
 again, if not here amid the transitory, vanishing scenes of earthly conflict, at least 
 in that better land where weary, way-worn travelers may forever be at rest. 
 
 J. C. McCOY. 
 
 A meeting of Old Settlers was held in Kansas City the latter part of March, 
 1872. There was a large attendance of members of the society, the men who 
 first broke the sod of Jackson county and those who drew from the bowels of 
 the earth the first fruits of the abundance that has since given its fertile fields the 
 proud name they now bear. On account of the absence of the President, the 
 Vice President of the Association, Dr. Lykins, called the meeting to order, and 
 in a short address announced its objects, which were to take what further steps 
 were necessary to perfect their organization and to make the beginning of an 
 authentic history of the county. 
 
 The proceedings of the first meeting, held at Kansas City, December 30, 
 1871, was ordered read, but owing to some oversight they had been left and their 
 reading was therefore dispensed with. 
 
 Addresses were delivered by E. A. Hickman, J. J. Robinson and others ; 
 on motion of Mr. E. A. Hickman, Dr. Waldo was requested to write up the 
 history of 'the Santa Fe trade. 
 
 The following new members were announced. The dates after each name 
 indicate the time at which they first became settlers : Alexander Harris, Novem- 
 ber, 1839; David Waldo, May, 1828; James D. Meador, January, 1845; 
 Redmon G. Silvers, born. May, 1833; Samuel Ralston, October, 1842; Thos. 
 B. Swearingen, born, November, 1843; Benjamin F. Wallace, October, 1833; 
 Beverly Todd, 1844; Samuel Robinson, born, November, 1833; John Lewis, 
 July, 1830; William McCoy, June, 1838; Edwin P. Hickman, November, 1830; 
 James B. Yager, June, 1837; John Dickey, March, 1846; John M. Wallace, 
 October, 1833; John C. Wallace, May, 1843; Wiley M. Aiken, February, 1841; 
 W. T. McLellan, October, 1844; Porter McLannahau, August, 1841 ; Edwin A. 
 
13li HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Hickman, May, 1829; Reuben Wallace, October, 1833; John Wilson, April, 
 1834; Redmon D. McKinney, October, 1825; Hugh L. Dodds, September, 
 1839; C. R. Barnes, March, 1839; Philip Uhlinger, May, 1840; Martin L. 
 Kritzer, 1838; Jaqueline A. Lobb, October, 1836; J. H. McMnrry, October, 
 1832; Wm. Botts, October, 1841 ; Benjamin F. Davidson, October, 1844; John 
 W. Smart, July, 1842 ; lohn A. Overfelt, September, 1841 ; Bennett Hale, April, 
 1833; Amos Allen, October, 1838; Henry C. Owens, born, February, 1838; 
 William Parker, October, 1838; Perry G. Brock, born, March, 1831 ; Henry C. 
 Parker, November, 1837; J. J. Robinson, September, 1843; Lyncburg, Adams, 
 spring of 1820; W. C. Adams, b )rn, March, 1836. 
 
 On motion, David Waldo, E. A. Hickman and the editors of the Independ- 
 ence papers, with Theo. S. Case, J. C. McCoy, aud the editors of the Kansas 
 City press, were appointed a committee to select historical notes. 
 
 The following resolution was offered by J. J. Robinson : 
 
 Resolved, That we invite all friends to give us short written sketches of any 
 and all of the old or early settlers of Jackson, and of any event; and that such 
 communications be addressed to the Chairman of our Historical Committee. 
 
 On motion, E. A. Hickman, John Wilson, J. J. Robinson, J. A. Lobb and 
 Henry Parker were appointed a Committee of Arrangements for holding the 
 next meeting of the Society. 
 
 It was also carried that a meeting should be held on the 4th of July, on the 
 fair grounds at Independence. The Committee were empowered to select speak- 
 ers and arrange interrogatories for historical facts. 
 
 A committee, consisting of Geo. Sinclair, W. C- Adams, Warham Easly, 
 Benj. F. Wallace, were appointed to enroll the names of old settlers as members, 
 and forward them to the Secretary, after which, and the transaction of some 
 minor business, the Society adjourned. 
 
 OLD settler's re-union at independence. 
 
 July 4, 1872, was a day long to be remembered by both the young and old 
 of Jackson county — the events of which mark an epoch in the history of the 
 county, over which the most pleasing recollections will ever linger. It was the 
 assembling together of the old settlers — the pioneers who laid the corner stone of 
 the present magnificent structure, and have been spared to witness its grandeur — 
 who came to this section, some of them half a century ago, when it was a perfect 
 wilderness, inhabited only by the red man. 
 
 They were met also by a younger generation, who, even in this latter day, 
 reverence old age, and had come from every household to do honor to the pioneers 
 of Jackson county. 
 
 The weather was all that could be desired — bright, genial, pleasant, and all 
 nature seemed inclined to smile upon the scenes of the day. At an early hour 
 the road leading to the fair ground was literally thronged with wagons, carriages, 
 buggies, horsemen and pedestrians. At a later hour the train from Kansas City 
 augmented the number, -until the ample grounds could hold no more. 
 
 The gray-haired grandfather and grandmother, familiar with the 'events of 
 the last century, were there perhaps for the last time — the middle aged man was 
 there with his wife and bouncing children — young men, gallant beaux, blushing 
 damsels — rosy lipped angels and innocent prattling children were all there. The 
 farmer, the mechanic and the professional man for one day had laid aside busi- 
 ness and assembled to honor the old settlers. 
 
 The members of the I. O. O F. of Independence had formed in procession, 
 preceded by the band, and followed by an array of children, marched to the 
 grounds, where the first order of the day was the reception of the Kansas City 
 delegation, after which a number of old settlers formed in line inside the amphi- 
 theater. Then followed an eloquent address in behalf of the youth to the Old 
 
HISrOKY OF JACKSON COUN'IY. ] 37 
 
 Settlers by Capt Turner A. Gill, of tLansas City, responded to in the most appro- 
 priate manner by Col. S. H. Woodson of Independence. A sketch of the life of 
 Dan'l M. Boone, of Jackson county, was given by that venerable old settler. Dr. 
 Johnston Lykins, of Kansas City. A complete sketch of Independence, the county 
 seat of Jackson, was read by John McCoy, of Independence. It was intensely 
 interesting;. A sketch of the lives of Judge Brooking, Richard Fristoe and 
 others, was read by Rev. J. J. Robinson, of Raytown, and highly appreciated, as 
 was also a sketch of the lives of S. C. Owen, Smallwood Noland and Sam'l D. 
 Lucas, by Wm. McCoy. The historical sketch of Kansas City, by Jno. C. Mc- 
 Coy of that place, received, and was deserving of great praise. 
 
 Just before the premiums were awarded, calls were made for Mr. Lynchburg 
 Adams, the oldest settler in the county, who responded in a few interesting, 
 appropriate and touching remarks. 
 
 Then came the most interesting event of the day — the awarding of premi- 
 ums Mr. Henry Noland and Elizabeth Noland received the elegant silver 
 pitcher, as having resided the longest time in the county as man and wife. They 
 were married on the nth day of January, 1826, her maiden name being Elizabeth 
 Pitcher — so the old pioneer was a second time made happy with a Pitcher. In 
 consequence of there being no justice of the peace in the county at that time, 
 the couple were compelled to go to Clay county to have the ceremony performed. 
 They were both Kentuckians, and had lived for forty-six years in this county, as 
 husband and wife. 
 
 The splendid silver goblet was awarded to Mr. Lynchburg Adams, as being 
 the oldest settler in the county, having been here nearly fifty-three years. 
 
 The presentations were made in a most happy and appropriate manner by 
 Hon. A. Comingo, of Independence. 
 
 This closed the programme, and the immense throng dispersed, perfectly 
 satisfied that a pleasant day had been enjoyed, and one that will often be reverted 
 to with feelings of pride and pleasure. The meeting of old friends, who will 
 perhaps see each other no more in human form, the respect paid them by the 
 younger and still younger generation, the happy strains of music, gushing songs, 
 and the delightful repast, all combined to render the occasion a peculiarly happy 
 one. May the old settlers of Jackson live to witness many more scenes of a 
 similar nature ! 
 
 The following appeared in the Kansas City Journal of Commerce, Saturday, 
 July 6, 1872 : 
 
 " The Old Settlers' celebration, at Independence, stands without parallel, in 
 that it was not only one of novelty, but also in numbers and pleasures, a grand 
 affair and success. The Missouri Pacific trains were crowded with parties excurt- 
 ing to the grounds until the number had been swelled to four thousand, all with 
 joy depicted on their countenances, and their hearts leaping with expectant enjoy- 
 ment. The exercises were opened by the introduction of Mr. Turner Gill, who 
 delivered a splendid oration on the Old Settlers of Jackson county, followed and 
 answered by Samuel Woodson, who distinguished themselves by the excellent 
 manner in which they handled the subject. Dinner was then announced, which 
 was certainly one of unusual sumptuousness. After dinner, Mr. Lykins read an 
 essay on "The Life of Daniel Boone," followed by Mr. John McCoy, on the 
 " Early Settlements of Jackson County," which was filled with interesting remi- 
 niscences in the history of the county. A silver pitcher was then presented to the 
 married couple that had lived longest together in Jackson county. What 
 couple received this handsome present we have been unable to learn, but did 
 learn of the great inconvenience they were subjected to, by having to cross 
 the river into Clay county to get the marriage ceremony performed, as there was 
 then no justice of the peace in Jackson county. Mr. Adams, who came to this 
 county in the year 18 19, having resided in the county fifty- three years, was given 
 
138 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the silver, gold-lined goblet, as the oldest resident of the county. Our space for- 
 bids the full description we so much desire to give. Suffice it to say the affair 
 was a perfect success." 
 
 SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF A SON OF DANIEL BOONE. 
 
 The following sketch by Dr. Johnston Lykins, of Kansas City, was read at 
 the Old Settlers meeting at the Fair Grounds near Independence, July 4, 1872 : 
 Ladies and Gentlemen of the Old Settlers Association, and Fellow Citizens : 
 
 " I am called upon to speak of the life and incidents in the life of the late 
 Daniel Morgan Boone, son of the far-famed pioneer of our sister State, Kentucky. 
 In the discharge of this duty, I can, at present, give but a glance at the character 
 of this strange and wonderful man, whose worth and merit were only understood 
 by his compeers, and whose memory is fast passing away. But I promised, 
 should my life be prolonged, to gather up the facts and events of Daniel M. 
 Boone's life, and place them in your hands for perpetuation. In order to fully 
 comprehend the worth and character of the man of our subject, it is necessary 
 that we should glance back to that period where the past is as dark as the future. 
 At the time of the landing of our forefathers on the Atlantic shores and settle- 
 ment at Jamestown, our great West was utterly unknown to civilized men. No 
 one from the walks of literature, or culture, had ever looked upon its grandeur, 
 or gazed upon its beauties. The mighty river which sweeps by our northern 
 boundary had never mirrored the face of other than the wild and rude nomad of 
 its banks. Far removed from the din of commerce and the clatter of busy man, 
 it slumbered in the embraces of an unwritten age, powerless to assert it beauties, 
 or to extol its munificent wealth in climate, soil, minerals and all that challenges 
 fitness for the seat of empire. 
 
 " About the year 1673, Marquette, the French Jesuit, in pursuit of savage 
 tribes to save or enlighten, was the first to near the shores of the mighty Missouri, 
 and to gaze upon its angry and turbid waters. Close upon the track of this dis • 
 ciple of Loyola and herald of the cross, followed the devotees of Mammon, the 
 fur traders of France, Spain and other lands, were established at Portage De 
 Sioux, St. Louis, Kaskaskia and St. Charles, and while our State was yet a prov- 
 ince of Spain and afterward of France. The objects sought by these early 
 comers to the Missouri Valley were purely mercenary and for the Indian trade, and 
 in no sense in the promotion of agriculture or civilization, and hence their num- 
 bers were small, confined for many long years to the wants of the Indian trade. 
 It matters not that the rich and varied soil tempted to the plow and the sickle. 
 For these the happy and volatile Frenchman, and the gay and chivalrous Spanish 
 cavalier had no taste. They sought only the rich furs of our plains and streams, 
 and found in Indian life a happy escape from the trammels and conventionalities 
 of civilized societies. For these the mighty West might have remained a wilder- 
 ness for ages to come. At the time of which we speak no honey-bee, the accom- 
 paniment of civilized man, had ever been seen this side of the Mississippi, or had 
 ever sipped the honey of Missouri's flowers ; no tiller of the soil with his family 
 had ever crossed the Father of Waters or built his rude cabin within this mighty 
 valley. Laclede, the ancestor of the great Chouteau family, had not yet pushed 
 his heavy batteaux against the stubborn current of the Mississippi from New 
 Orleans to St. Louis, and long before the celebrated Lewis and Clark had reached 
 this port in the month of June, a stranger— a strange being — was discovered on 
 the east bank of the Mississippi opposite St. Louis making signals. After many 
 hours of fruitless effort a canoe was dispatched for him. That stranger, strange 
 being, a mere stripling, was Daniel Morgan Boone, the representative, the 
 pioneer, the leader and forerunner of the noble, toiling sons of the plow and the 
 axe who have since filled our mighty State. 
 
 ' ' Kentucky, the dark and bloody ground, under the pioneership of the elder 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 139 
 
 Daniel Boone, was filling up with hardy and noble men, but no white man 
 with his family had dared to pass beyond the confines of their settlements 
 east of the Ohio River. All the country from the Ohio to the Mississippi, was a 
 wide wilderness, destitute alike of men or tenement, save him of the war-club and 
 scalping-knife. Across this trackless and forbidding desert, occasionally a strag- 
 gling trapper from the Spanish posts of the Missisippi, had found his way to 
 Kentucky, and told wondrous tales of that far-off and goodly land. To these 
 young Daniel Boone, our subject, listened with quiet delight, and they filled him 
 with the same thirst for adventure which had inspired the bosom of his noble 
 father with the desire to cross the Alleghany Mountains and penetrate the 
 goodly land of Kentucky. The mind of young Daniel Boone was at once made 
 up. Like his father, for him the wild beasts of the forest, nor the more fearful 
 red savage had any terrors. He resolved to go, but there was no one of like 
 nerve or taste to accompany him, and he determined alone to brave the dangers 
 of the way. Being eighteen years of age, (a mere boy of his day,) in the month 
 of May, in or about the year 1787, mounted on a pony he addressed himself tp 
 this perilous task by boldly steering without compass, chart or path for the Span- 
 ish post of St. Louis. When Columbus headed his little fleet out of the port o' 
 Palos, in Spain, in search of an unknown world, he had trustworthy ships and 
 skilled companions in the art of navigation. Our young Boone when he turned 
 his back upon Fort Hamilton, a post on the big Miami just west of Cincinnati, 
 and plunged into the dark wilderness forest, was alone. Wirh a courage tamely 
 denominated heroic, he went forward, rafting streams, killing his food by the way, 
 sleeping in the dense jungles by night undisturbed by the howl of the wolf, the 
 hooting of the owl or the scream of the panther. On the 30th day from Fort 
 Hamilton, and without having seen a single human being, he stood and beheld the 
 majestic Mississippi before him. He had so far won, but closely scanning the view 
 far and near,he could perceiveno signs of human beings andhuman habitation. He 
 was perplexed.and knew not whether he was above or below St. Louis, the object of 
 his search. He encamped and rested. He reflected that St. Louis was a trad- 
 ing post, and the tracks of the Indian horses might indicate the direction of the 
 post. On closely inspecting a buffalo trail near by, he found that the pony tracks 
 mostly ascended up the river. He pursued the trail, and came in sight of St. 
 Louis on the opposite side of the river. There was no ferry and it was with great 
 difficulty that he made his presence known. At length, to his delight, a canoe 
 came and landed him safely in the little Spanish village where a most generous 
 welcome was extended to him. Of the heroism of this exploit I cannot now 
 speak, much less can I here properly dwell upon the influence his coming at that 
 time has had upon the destinies of our now great and prosperous State. Among 
 these simple villagers, as a trapper, he made his home for some years. But of 
 his life and various incidents connected therewith, I shall not now speak, reserv- 
 ing that part of my duty until a future occasion, devoting a few remaining re- 
 marks to the influence which he exerted in promoting the early settlement of the 
 upper Louisiana territory, now the noble State of Missouri. After having ex- 
 plored the country from St. Louis to the mouth of the Kansas as a trapper, he 
 devoted his attention to the procuring of the removal of his friends from Ken- 
 tucky to this then garden portion of the world. To his noble father. Col. Boone, 
 then an exile from the beautiful land of Kentucky, and a sojourner in the wilds 
 of Western Virginia, he sent messages concerning the goodly land which he had 
 found, and he came in 1795, drawing after him by his influence many of those 
 hardy pioneers whose sons now fill our State. Daniel Boone, the younger, 
 occupied himself in inducing emigrants to come from Kentucky and all parts of 
 the country, he meeting the caravans of new comers in the wilderness and pilot- 
 ing them to this Eden of the West, and that the great pioneer of Kentucky, and 
 the younger pioneer of Missouri, with their united influence and friends came to 
 
140 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 people our great State, and to found a Commonwealth destined to become the 
 proudest and greatest of the American Union. Kentucky has re-claimed and 
 borne back to the land he loved so well, the bones of her own great pioneer, and all 
 that great State was moved when the remains of her noble Boone were laid to 
 rest in her soil. The remains of our own great pioneer, no less worthy of a mon- 
 ument, rest in our midst, near Westport, within twelve miles of this spot, in an 
 unmarked grave. Surely the pen of some historian will not suffer the memory of 
 one so worthy to perish. Surely the State, our own Missouri, will not fail to 
 honor him. 
 
 "This strange man, strange in his meek and quiet spirit, strange in the great- 
 ness and benevolence of his nature, in his heroism and disinterested goodness — 
 first opened his eyes to the light of day, beyond the Blue Mountains, on the 
 banks of the Yadkin, N. C. After a pilgrimage of over three score years, almost 
 upon the western line of the State, and upon the, then,' very verge of civilization, 
 he closed them in death. Too generous to be accumulative, to liberal to hoard up, 
 he died shorn of property and destitute of wealth. To this association I commend 
 the task of perpetuating in history his memory, to the Legislature of our noble 
 State, that of erecting over his remains a monument." 
 
 July 4, 1874, there was another Old Settlers' meeting at the fair grounds, near 
 Independence, when it was estimated that at least 3,500 of the inhabitants of 
 Independence, Kansas City,, and other places enjoyed their Fourth. 
 
 The train from Kansas City on the Missouri Pacific leaving at 9:45 A. m. 
 was crowded to its utmost capacity. Two extra coaches were added, each seat 
 counted its three excursionists, the aisles and platforms were thronged, and upon 
 the "round whirligig" of each brake was perched a happy thoughtless picnicker, 
 intent only upon getting to Independence, and of spending the day with one 
 grand hurrah for the gay festivities, speeches, races and songs which were to con- 
 stitute the celebration for Jackson county, 1874. 
 
 THE KANSAS CITY DELEGATION 
 
 arriving at the place of destination found the gay throng already assembled, and, 
 in an interest common to all shook hands in friendly grasp and commenced the 
 occasion in earnest. The grounds, though large in the extreme, were filled even 
 to the smallest and most inconsiderable standing room. In the center of the in- 
 closure was erected a large square lunch stand, and this was crowded around the day 
 long. The speakers' stand had been in use for many years, the steps leading to the 
 platform were broken and the stand itself was fast crumbHng to the ground. 
 
 The amphitheater was the scene of busy life from morning till nearly mid- 
 night. The seats were filled with thousands of visitors, each with programme in 
 hand, watching and awaiting the ceremonies. 
 
 At about 10 o'clock the attention of the multitude was called to the speakers' 
 stand and the speeches began. The introductory address was delivered by 
 
 MR. W. H. WALLACE, 
 
 of Kansas City, who spoke in an earnest manner, claiming the attention of his 
 hearers from the beginning to the end of his very interesting and elaborate dis- 
 course. He spoke as follows : 
 
 "Ladies and Gentlemen: — There are times when the feelings of the human soul 
 are so intense that they find no adequate expression through the medium of ordi- 
 nary language. There are occasions in the history of every struggling, aspiring 
 young man when, suddenly becoming the recipient of some feeble token of the 
 regard or esteem of his fellow men, there wells up in his bosom a tide of gratitude 
 so deep and so high, that the tongue itself is drowned in its flow, and he stands 
 perfectly mute in the presence of his benefactors. Thus stands your unworthy 
 speaker to-day. For appearing before you as the humble receiver of the unex- 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 141 
 
 pected and unsolicited confidence and esteem of the Old Settlers, the hoary 
 headed sages of my county, whose bare recognition I have always regarded as a 
 lasting eulogy, [ am unable to return any fit thanks for the honor they have con- 
 ferred upon me, but must content myself with simply assuring them that, deep 
 down in the inmost recesses of this heart of mine, there dwells a sense of gratitude 
 which no circumstance will ever erase, no lapse of time can ever obliterate, and 
 which no poor words of mine could possibly describe. 
 
 "To me there is something peculiarly beautiful, as well as becoming, in those 
 little civilities and courtesies which are generally paid by a rising to a retiring 
 generation. Surely there is no more appropriate custom in all the code of com- 
 mon politeness than that which requires that the young should bow in reverence 
 to the old. Yea, I may say, no more sacred or binding duty in all the code of 
 Ethics than that which teaches that we, who are in the morning or meridian of 
 life, should look up with profoundest respect to those at its close — confessedly the 
 worthiest of earth to become the objects of our veneration. Rhetoricians may 
 talk as they please of hill and dale, and mountain and river ; of the roaring cata- 
 ract ; the belching volcano ; the bespangled firmament above, or the surging ocean 
 beneath, as objects of beauty, grandeur or sublimity, but to me the purest type of 
 the grand or sublime to be found in all the wide domain of the handiwork of God, 
 is simply the Creator's culminating work in its ripeness — the venerable gray-haired 
 old man. To look upon one of these old warriors, who has withstood the rifts 
 and shocks of time, and it may be for three score and ten years like some giant 
 oak, bared his breast to the storms and forked lightnings of earth, now that the 
 tempest is past and the quiet eve of life is about him, calmly leaning upon his 
 staff, standing upon the boundaries of two worlds and looking back with com- 
 placent memory to the one and forward with bright anticipation to the other, is 
 certainly the sublimest spectacle that has ever greeted these eyes of mine. 
 
 " How eminently appropriate then, to set aside a great celebration day like 
 this, that we who are in the prime of manhood and womanhood may turn aside 
 from the din and hurly-burly of the world to commemorate the heroic lives of that 
 little host of aged ones, who still honor us with their presence, to pay our grate- 
 ful homage at their feet, hold up their noble examples once more for our imita- 
 tion, and as they pass rapidly down the rugged hill, attempt to smooth their 
 pathway in front of them, not forgetting at the same time to cherish a hallowed 
 memory for those who are gone and to decorate their graves with the freshest and 
 sweetest flowers we can pluck. As I sat at my window a few evenings since, 
 meditating upon the sacred duty of this hour, I looked out, and yonder blazing 
 king of day, that now hangs in meridian glory, had just finished h s fiery course 
 and hidden himself behind the western hills; I looked up, and immediately there 
 sprang forth upon the blue canopy of heaven a whole generation of stars and 
 seemingly bowed their heads in reverent awe at his glorious departure. So, 
 thought I, should the generations of men bend themselves in lowly, continual 
 obeisance when one of our stately fathers has run his course through the brief 
 day of life, and gone down forever in the night of death. I looked again, and 
 the soft majestic moon rolled slowly on in her orbit, and in a few hours had 
 buried herself beneath the horizon, and immediately another myriad of gUttering 
 orbs came silently forth, and though they shone still more brightly in the "azure 
 glow of night," drew around them a deeper and heavier mourning as they sang 
 together a melancholy requiem that the beauteous queen was no longer one of 
 their number. So, thought I, should even children's children gather around and 
 attune their voices to plaintive strains when one of our gentle mothers has accom- 
 plished her holy mission on earth; and, drawing about her the drapery of death, lays 
 her down to peaceful slumbers in the tomb. If there is a single one in that vast 
 concourse of young men which I have the privilege of representing upon this 
 occasion who does not indorse the sentiments now being expressed,' but who is so- 
 
142 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 lost to all nobility as to attempt (as, with shame and sorrow, I have often heard 
 them) to cast a reproach upon the dignity and sacredness of old age, he certainly 
 deserves to be held up as the object of the just scorn and execration of every 
 grateful being. Let him be assured that no bright future awaits him ; his way is 
 not upward, it is groveling and downward, and his end will be bitterness — yes, 
 
 "If such there breathe, go mark him well : 
 For him no minstrel raptures swell; 
 Living, he shall forfeit fair renown ; 
 And, doubly dying, shall go down 
 To the vile dust from whence he sprung. 
 Unwept, unhonored and unsung." 
 
 If, as some have seriously feared, that accursed day shall ever arise in the 
 history of this great republic, when the youth of the land shall have advanced so 
 far beyond their fathers as to cease "to rise up before the hoary head," and 
 " young Americanism" shall have gone so far as to openly scoff and jeer at the 
 venerable Elishas in Israel, then may you bid a long farewell to all our boasted 
 freedom; then may you wipe completely out all that this hallowed day commemo- 
 rates ; then may you appropriately strike up the funeral dirge of moral and social 
 happiness, and through the black darkness of universal anarchy, sound out the' 
 death knell of American liberty. 
 
 But I am not only reminded upon an occasion like this, of the dignity of 
 age and the veneration which is due it, but being told that it was also a time for 
 the interchange of practical experience, I am reminded of my own checkered 
 but mostly delightful stay in this the county of my adoption. When as a mere 
 child, something more than seventeen years ago, I exchanged village for rural 
 life and came with my father's family to this portion of Missouri, it seemed to me 
 that I had suddenly been ushered into the very Eden described by the pen of 
 Moses. And indeed if there is anything in universal prosperity, anything in 
 overflowing abundance or aught in the rapturous intercourse of a united brother- 
 hood, it certainly came as near it as ever did a favored spot on the broad earth. 
 Joy then seemed to loom up in every soul; unity was the watchword upon every 
 lip, and fraternal affection the ruling passion in every breast. Barns and store- 
 houses were filled with plenty, and the winepresses of the land "burst forth with 
 new fatness." Neighbor met neighbor in those days not as now miser meets 
 miser, each to scan the purse of the other, but as brother meets brother with his 
 heart in his hand. The very animals and rocks and hills and glens seemed to 
 catch the joyous spirit of the times, and to revel in the all pervading beatitude. 
 
 When as a school boy I roamed our rolling prairies and gathered the flowers 
 with which they were fretted, methinks now they breathed to heaven the 
 fragrance of brotherly love ; when as a barefoot I stood in the running brook, I 
 can distinguish even now in its warbhng waters the accents of by-gone purity, 
 and when I lay me down to rest on the green grass under the shade, I hear 
 piercing the silent air the mellow cooings of the dove of peace, and all around, 
 beneath and above are bathing in the broad sunlight of happiness and prosperity. 
 
 But so delightful a reign was not destined to be perpetual. It is a sad truth, 
 that the choicest blessings are shortest in their visits to undeserving men. After 
 but a few years, a black and ominous cloud was seen to protrude its terrible crest 
 above the horizon, and ere we could prepare ourselves for the coming shock it 
 came rolling onward and burst upon us in all the wild fury of civil war. 
 The American J anus was thrown wide opan ; horrid, foreboding specters 
 stood before me in my dreams, and the hideous "dogs of war" went 
 howling through' the land. Ears till then only accustomed to the soft 
 notes of peace, were suddenly affrighted with the loud alarum of battle, 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 143 
 
 the rattle of musketry and the peal and roar of the wide-mouth can- 
 non. Brother arrayed himself against brother, father against son and 
 son against father, and, casting aside the purest love of earth for the bitterest 
 hatred of hell, plunged into the din and smoke of the contest and amidst expir- 
 ing groans and demoniacal yells reveled oft times hand to hand in the bloody 
 work of death. Where once was heard the merry prattling of the child or the 
 sweet music of a mother's voice, the widow's cry and the orphan's wail rent the 
 air. Our fair land, accustomed only to the light tread of the sons of peace, 
 trembled beneath the heavy tramp of mustering squadrons, and its luxuriant 
 verdure, hitherto bedecked solely with the white hoarfrost of morning or the' 
 silvery dew of evening, was dyed with the crimson tinge of human gore. Fire, 
 Sword, Rapine, Death went on with their terrible work, until at length a poor, 
 homeless fugitive, the last to cross the borders of my country, I cast back a long 
 lingering look, not at a paradise but at a wide waste wilderness, where on many a 
 silent chimney the solitary owl screeched out the shrill moan of our departed 
 glory. 
 
 " But it has been beautifully said that ' there is no night without a morning.' 
 After four years of scourging the hand of a beneficent Providence was reached 
 down and the blackened cloud at least partially removed, and as we gazed upward 
 we behold once more the glorious sun of liberty peeping through its crevices. 
 But, alas, its first rays fell upon an impoverished, ruined, but thank Heaven, not 
 a down cast or dispirited people. The highest type of manhood is seen, the 
 noblest feats of heroism are performed, not in the full blaze of prosperity when 
 all goes well, but in the deep, dark hour of adversity when the man is crushed to 
 the very earth, but when like eternal truth he rises again, shakes off the dust of 
 oppression and prepares to regain his fortunes and vindicate himself in the eyes 
 of the world. Such, without the slightest reference to either contendmg party, are the 
 evidences of manhood which have been portrayed, and the deeds of heroism which 
 have been achieved under the most trying circumstances in the noble old county of 
 Jackson. They are mentioned not in the effort to recall any unpleasant remembrance 
 or to awake in any breast the bitter feeling of the war, but because I conceive that 
 that there is to be found in the history of those times the crowning glories of 
 many of our Old Settlers, and because by this just comparison we can then see the 
 hardships they have endured and the obstacles they have overcome in the progress 
 of the last ten years. I mention it, because I know at least one young man who 
 is proud that it was not his lot to be reared in the sickly lap of luxury, but that 
 he was called upon to share the necessity and watch the bright examples of just 
 such a race of heroes. No, far be it from me, to attempt to throw an apple of 
 discord into an assembly like this, for even this morning I have beheld if possible 
 a still grander exhibition of Christian manhood than the one just mentioned, in 
 that, 1 have seen the conquered and the conqueror ' clasp hands across the bloody 
 chasm,' and that hardest of all divine injunctions, ' forgive thine enemies,' 
 beautifully and practically illustrated. 
 
 "To-day, as we look around us, instead of beholding a howling wilderness we 
 see a land of prosperity and plenty, and can count over the teeming thousands of 
 the second county in the great State of Missouri. In ten short years by a series 
 of triumphant progress almost unprecedented in the history of nations, we have 
 emerged from the desolation of war, and now with a population of more than 
 60,000 inhabitants stand out to the gaze of an admiring world a little empire 
 within ourselves, larger and stronger than the petty republics of ancient Greece, 
 the primitive cradle of the liberties we now enjoy. Agriculture, science and all 
 the peaceful arts again flourish in our midst, whilst upon our western border, on 
 the banks and commanding the commerce of the valley of what is really "the 
 father of waters," there rises upon a thousand hills 9, busding growing metropolis 
 that one day bids fair to bring the blush of shame to the cheek of ancient Rome, 
 
144 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 as she sat upon only seven hills, on the banks of the classic but insignificant 
 Tiber. Whatever else may be said, harmony is again restored, the sweets of 
 peace are again within our fruition, the olive branch again blooms upon the grave 
 of the past, and even though a gauzy cloud may now and then bedim our sky, 
 let us look forward with hope to a bright future, and once more in the pure 
 atmosphere of free, open, independent thought and action, look up and thank 
 the Giver of all Mercies that ours is indeed the citizenship of the "land of the 
 brave and the home of the free." 
 
 "Although your patience has been already put to a much severer trial than 
 was anticipated, you must be kind enough to permit me, in conclusion, to apy a 
 passing tribute to what is doubtless far the noblest reflection suggested by an occa- 
 sion like this, for otherwise I should feel that I had come infinitely short of my 
 duty, and fallen far below the dignity of this hour. There are those nice, flip- 
 pant, airy, modernized ones, who have doubtless sneeringly called this "the meet- 
 ing of the old fogies." Old fogy ! I must confess that, to me, there is something 
 noble in the term. They possess a god-like element of character, which, to our 
 reproach be it said, seems now to have almost gone out of date — in a lax, vacil- 
 lating, degenerate age — you always know just where to find them I See you yonder 
 mountain, firmly planted in its base ? It may not be covered with a particle of 
 moss, nor be decked with the green foliage of herbs and trees ; it may not be 
 decorated with all the fantastic lattice-work and ginger-bread of modern civiliza- 
 tion ; but there in its native, unadorned simplicity it stands; and all the storms 
 and tempests of heaven may come and beat against it, but there it remains, un- 
 moved and unshaken. Thus have I seen what you, call the old fogy stand; and, 
 though the billows of error beat against him, the machinations of men assailed 
 him, and the whips of parties cracked around him, he stood there, and all the 
 powers of earth and hell combined, couldn't move him. To come plainly to the 
 point, as I here gaze down into the wrinkled faces of the sires of a former gener- 
 ation, I am reminded of those time-honored, immutable, glorious principles of 
 our government, handed down to us, bedewed with tears, hallowed by the prayers 
 and stained in the blood of our forefathers, and of which to our shame be it con- 
 fessed, we are too often the ungrateful recipients. I am reminded that there was 
 a time in the history of this nation, when all the miserable sham and deceit, and 
 wire- working and trickery of policy and party were unknown, and when men 
 planted themselves upon eternal principle; a time when there were "giants in 
 the land" who had but one heart, one purpose, one country, one God; a time 
 when rulers ruled not for sordid pelf alone ; when patriots struggled not for ambi- 
 tion, but for the good of their race and when we stood out not a " bye-word and 
 hissing " to the nations, but the wonder and admiration of the world. How, 
 if I had time, could I dwell upon so delightful a theme ! How could I wish for 
 my country a return of those happy days ! Oh, how I could pray heaven for the 
 gift to my own lax times of a few such immortal men ; men who would dare 
 to stand at the post of honor, men who lived not for themselves but for others ; 
 men who cared not for majorities; men who, in the midst of threats, and scorns, 
 and ridicule, would not be afraid to do their duty; men who stand like mighty 
 invincible rocks, and roll back the tide of error and iniquity that now engulf the 
 land. Would to God that I had an archangel's voice, for louder than ten thun- 
 ders, would I sound it out through the length and breadth of this fair land, call- 
 ing the young men to action, calling them away from the giddy whirl of modern 
 life, to a just appreciation of the sacred trusts committed to their care. My fel- 
 low comrades, ye who hear me now, gather around, and here behold in the per- 
 son of our fathers, the embodiment of that which is really substantial and sub- 
 lime. Here contemplate types of grander proportions and more unfading beauty 
 than ever yet the painter drew upon the glowing canvass, or the "Grecian chisel 
 awoke from out the sleeping marble." Here let us come to emulate their exam- 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 14& 
 
 pies, and, like so many solar stars, place them high in the northern sky, and while 
 the way is still lighted up, by ihe aurora borealis of their own effulgent hves, 
 press onward to the attainment of their virtues. Yes, as vahant soldiers, let us 
 come and take our places in the ranks of war, with the few battle-scarred veterans 
 who still remain with us as our standard-bearers; and when amid the roar and 
 smoke of the mighty contest, the tattered ensigns shall drop from their trembling 
 hands, let us catch them as they fall, and bear them on to victory or to death. 
 
 "I am happy that ray poor effort on this occasion is now to receive a response 
 from just the kind of a man I have attempted to describe — the living portrayer of 
 those independent traits and graces which we are all bound to love and admire — 
 a man who always reminds me of an inexorable old Roman soldier at his post; 
 a man who would not turn aside from the path of duty were all the execrable 
 shapes of the infernal world to impede his progress ; a man, who, in America's 
 second but darkest hour of affliction, like the immortal Lafayette, threw aside his 
 own self-interest, overcame the power of prejudice and maganimously and defiant- 
 ly bared his breast to the tyrant's bolt, in the cause of the oppressed. Let me assure 
 you, sir, you have your reward. So long as there breathes a disinterested patriot's soul 
 on Missouri soil ; so long as the undying artist may perpetuate his genius on the 
 painted canvas; so long as there lives a tongue to lisp the name of the true and 
 brave ; just so long shall you dwell in the fond memory of thousands ; just so long 
 shall your unfading productions embellish the walls of our habitations, and just so 
 long shall the voices of an admiring people dwell with delightful rapture on the 
 name of George C. Bingham." 
 
 At the conclusion of W. H. Wallace's remarks the next speaker was General 
 George C. Bingham. His response was as follows: 
 
 " In responding to the kind, considerate and eloquent address, which as a rep- 
 resentative of the young men of this portion of the State, you have delivered to your 
 gray-haired seniors of the same se tion, who in accordance with their annual custom, 
 are here assembled, 1 state but the truth in affirming, that I feel myself but poorly 
 quahfied to meet the just demands of the occasion. 
 
 THE REMINISCENCES 
 
 growing out of the trials and struggles of the past — its successes, reverses, tri- 
 umphs and defeats — constitute the history with which they are associated. This, 
 so far as it relates to them, must soon reach its last chapter and last page, thence 
 forward to be laid on the shelf, to form a portion of those annals which give to 
 each succeeding generation the experience and garnered thought of its predeces- 
 sors; tending thus to make the sons wiser than the fathers, and by so doing, force 
 onward and upward that march of human progress, the measured step of which, 
 we have reason to believe will continue with accelerated pace when our mortality 
 shall put on immortality, and the temporary sleep of the grave give place to the 
 ceaseless activity of an endless Hfe. 
 
 ON THE OTHER HAND 
 
 those whom you represent have but recently entered upon the stage of active life. 
 Your history is yet to be made. How its fair and uninscribed pages are to be 
 filled up, whether they shall exhibit a record of manly and patriotic deeds, of ill- 
 directed and abortive efforts, or worse still, be blurred with transactions such as 
 disfigure the sad and dark portion of the history of our tempted and erring race, 
 are matters which yet belong to the unknown, and which the future only can 
 reveal. 
 
 " Men who have supposed themselves drowning, and thus perishing without 
 disease in the vigor of manhood, have testified, that all the transactions of their 
 lives, both good and bad, passed in review before them in that brief and terrible 
 moment. 
 
14U HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 " It is well known that very aged men, in the act of throwing off the wornout 
 habiliments of this life, have frequently imagined that they were school-boys again, 
 conning over their lessons, or sporting on the lawn with the associates of their 
 childhood. It seems indeed to be 
 
 A LAW OF OUR NATURE 
 
 that impels us, as we approach the end of our earthly pilgrimage, to look back 
 and survey the route over which we have traveled, recount the adventures and 
 dangers, the mishaps and successes which have marked our journey, and by the 
 blessed faculty of memory, with which we are so highly endowed, walk amidst 
 the scenes, and enjoy anew the society of long-buried companions of our early 
 life. 
 
 "Those of us who have chalked down our three score years, and our still more 
 advanced and more venerable associates, have but little more to anticipate in our 
 earthly future. The hopes which gave energy and elasticity to our movements 
 in our younger days, can impel our sluggish blood no longer. They have either 
 perished beneath the relendess tread of a harsh experience, or been realized by a 
 reasonable fruition. They have nothing further to promise us in the brief space 
 that intervenes between us and the terminus to which we are ticketed, and which 
 marks the finale of all sublunary desires and expectation. 
 
 "But it is far different with you, and those whom you so creditably represent 
 upon the present occasion. All that now appears to you is tinged with the roseate 
 hues of the morning. 
 
 " From our own early experience we can safely venture the assertion that the 
 active fancy of yourself, and of each of your young associates,is daily teeming with 
 plans and purposes looking to the future, and abounding in promises of rich re- 
 sults, all seemingly assured to your yet inexperienced minds by the cheering fal- 
 lacies of hope. Some of you have diligently qualified yourselves for the learned 
 professions, and expect to achieve wealth and distinction therein. 
 
 HONORS AND EMOLUMENTS. 
 
 " The tempting bait of official position which inspires alike the low craft of 
 the politician, and the nobler ambition of the statesman, may reasonably be sup- 
 posed to obtrude itself occasionally in the prospect which lies open before you. 
 This is as it should be. Such aspirations are in complete harmony with the great 
 design of our being, and stimulate to exertion that period of human life most 
 capable thereof. And although the result of individual exertions in myriads of 
 cases may fall immeasurably short of the expectations which prompted them, it is, 
 nevertheless, to human effort impelled by human aspirations that we are indebted 
 for all those real, tangible and grand results which we now behold around us, 
 and which confer the practical blessings of an advanced civihzation on so many 
 millions of the human race. Many of the most important and most wonderful 
 of these results are to be credited to the genius, energy and perseverance of those 
 whose surviving representatives and colaborers are to be seen in the venerable 
 forms and time-scarred visages which are here assembled. Within the compara- 
 tively brief period commencing with their birth, we shall scarcely go beyond the 
 truth in affirming that more has been accomplished by man for the benefit and 
 amelioration of his race than can be properly credited to the aggregated human 
 effort of any preceding five hundred years. When they drew their first breath, 
 the locomotive which draws the freight of nations over every quarter of our globe, 
 had no existence even in the dreams of its immortal projector. 
 
 ' 'The use of steam in propelling water craft was equally unknown, and had any 
 one. at that period, predicted that the person was then living who would see the 
 lightning of heaven subdued and put in harness by the genius of man, and its 
 fiery speed utilized in transmitting instantaneous intelligence over every quarter of 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 147 
 
 the inhabited earth, he would have been regarded as the wildest visionary that 
 ever merited quarters in a lunatic asylum. But these and other miracles of human 
 invention equally wonderful — and all contributing to the advancement of our race 
 — by no means transcend in importance the redemption from savage sway, and 
 the opening to emigrants from all lands, of this vast western territory which we 
 inhabit. For this service, the millions who are to succeed us, and whose ballots 
 are destined to shape the future policy of our great republic, will not fail to give 
 a due portion of credit to the hardy pioneer — '■Hht old settler" — who boldly ven- 
 tured beyond the confines of civilization, and by the stroke of his ax, or the 
 crack of his rifle, first broke the silence of the primeval forest. 
 
 DANIEL BOONE 
 
 and his hardy and adventurous associates, and the old time-worn settlers who are 
 here to-day, are as fully entitled to the gratitude of our coming generations as the 
 statesmen who have given organic form to our republican institutions, the generals 
 who have led our armies to victory, or the Morses, Fultons, and Stevensons who 
 have enriched the world by their inventions. They have been leaders in a field 
 which made leadership pre-eminently the position of hardship, danger and pri- 
 vation, requiring the constant exercise of those qualities of the head and heart 
 which form the elements of the hero. In the full vigor of early manhood, they 
 tore themselves from the associations in which they were reared, and boldly 
 ventured out into untrodden paths to make available to civilized man the locked- 
 up wealth of a region whose products are now burthening the channels of com- 
 merce, and feeding the hungry of distant lands. No discouragements were 
 allowed to impede them in their perilous journeyings. Through malarious swamps 
 and mountain passes, they pushed onward until their stakes were fixed on the 
 virgin soil which was to be the future homes of themselves and children. Their 
 unerring rifles furnished them the means of immediate subsistence. The ax and 
 a few simple tools were all that they required in the construction of their primitive 
 log cabins. 
 
 "These up, and affording shelter to their wives and little ones, the clearing 
 and the cornfield next appeared. The golden grain gathered therefrom, and the 
 porkers fattened thereon, soon secured them the well-known and substantial 
 luxuries of frontier life. The dressed skins of the wild deer furnished the men 
 and boys with outer garments, than which none could be better adapted to resist 
 briers, brush, and the frosts of winter. The spinning wheel and the looms were 
 set in motion in every cabin, and the fleece of a few sheep, and products of the 
 flax or cotton patch were constantly being wrought by steady and dexterous 
 female hands into shirts for the men and gowns for the women. 
 
 " Thus, without commerce or intercourse with the civilized world, from which . 
 they had separated, each sparse settlement, formed by their location, became a 
 self-sustaining community, supplying from its own unaided resources those essen- 
 tial wants of life beyond which the temperate desires of its members seldom, or 
 never extended. 
 
 "Against all assaults of the red men, banded together for their extermination, 
 they heroically defended their infant settlements and successfully maintained their 
 right to dwell upon and cultivate the soil which savage possessioa would have 
 continued a perpetual wilderness. And it is this right to occupy and bring into use 
 the unappropriated soil of the earth, thus bravely defended and maintained by 
 our Old Settlers, which now constitutes the real basis of the title to every acre 
 of land lying within the limits of our broad domain. 
 
 "It would be folly iu me here to attempt even a brief recital of their heroic 
 deeds of self-sacrificing services in the cause of civiUzation. Many of them 
 occupy a conspicuous place in the written history of their country. Others will 
 
148 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 go down to posterity in traditions from father to son, and furnish material for the 
 poet, novehst and painter for unnumbered years to come. 
 
 " Well merited, therefore, is the honor which you have so elegantly recognized 
 as due to their venerable survivors who yet linger with us and give interest to this 
 occasion by their presence. And when those of you have the good fortune to 
 survive the dangers, accidents, and diseases which strew the journey of life with 
 the wrecks of mortality, shall become the old men of Jackson county, and as 
 such meet together as these venerable citizens now do, may your retropections 
 be as pleasant and satisfactory as theirs, and a life of patriotic devotion, integ- 
 rity and usefulness equally entitle you to the remembrance and gratitude of pos- 
 terity." 
 
 FOLLOWING THIS 
 
 the Old Settlers of the county, sixty-four in number, formed in line and, headed 
 by the band, marched in procession around the ring. This concluded and an 
 hour of recess was allowed for dinner. Baskets filled with home food were hauled 
 from their hiding places in the wagons, clean white cloths were spread upon the 
 grass, gay couples ranged in order round the tables and the grounds fast assumed 
 the look and shape of a real old-fashioned picnic. 
 
 After the sandwiches were disposed of the merry assembly was again called 
 to order and 
 
 JACOB GREGGS, ESQ., 
 
 of Sni-a-bar township, was introduced. He delivered a very interesting speech, 
 giving a thorough history of Jackson county from its earliest settlement down to 
 the present time. 
 
 The "early French settlers" of Jackson county called 
 
 DR. JOHNSTON LYKINS 
 
 to his feet. He spoke as follows : 
 
 " I was appointed to prepare for presentation to you on this occasion brief 
 sketches of the early French settlers of Jackson county. For this service the 
 notice was too short and unexpected, and urgent business intervening, I have 
 been unable to do more than to get up a list of the names of those early and 
 hardy comers to our pleasant county, and have to beg your indulgence for further 
 time and opportunity for sketches which may appear in the papers. 
 
 "Almost forty-five years ago, almost in youth, with a young wife and child, I 
 came to this region and found here the most lovely and fertile country — in its 
 almost virgin state — to be found anywhere under the broad expanse of heaven. 
 The best country, the best people, and let me say, the best wives, sisters and 
 mothers in the world. 
 
 " Old Settlers and New, I rejoice to meet you here to-day, to shake hands and 
 to wish you a prosperous and happy future. 
 
 " Reference was made by the eloquent young gentleman who, in behalf of a 
 younger generation addressed us Old Settlers, to the days of the past, and here allow 
 me to say that when the early pioneers took possession of this land, we found on its 
 highways no stage coaches or daily mails, on its rivers no steamboats, no railroads, 
 no telegraph lines, no steam power in use, no cities, no towns, no churches or 
 school-houses, or improvements of any kind, save the rude and hasty structures 
 prepared by our hardy and daring pioneers. In surrendering this, our noble 
 charge, to you, a younger generation, to you young men before me, we do it with 
 a mournful pleasure, because we are passing away. We pause to-day to recall 
 with pleasure the remembrance of the wooed and cherished ones, the long list of 
 our loved fellow pilgrims who sleep by the wayside of the past, and are admonished 
 that our rest draws near. But in turniiig from you, perhaps never again to thus 
 stand before you, I gladly and proudly point to a wilderness found by us fifty 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 149 
 
 years ago, now budding and blossoming as the rose, with exultant feelings of joy, 
 to the great net-work of railroad everywhere bisecting our country ; to our multi- 
 pUed telegraph lines flashing inteUigence to every land'; to our cities, our towns, 
 our stately churches, our palatial halls of education, our floating palaces, and that 
 type of civilization, intelligence and refinement present and before me to-day — a 
 land filled with arts, sciences and wealth. So have we, your sires, discharged 
 our trust, 
 
 " Such is the charge we surrender, as one by one welie down to rest — a heri- 
 tage — a land — the soil, the climate, the locaHty of which wiH compel this to 
 become the cradle of the highest type of civilization, the center of the greatest 
 activities, of commerce, the arts, sciences, and human progress, and from which 
 shall go out a moral, religious and political power to bless the world." 
 
 An address was then delivered by 
 
 COL. R. T. VAN HORN, ' 
 
 On the " Commercial Future of Jackson County." 
 
 In the meantime the judges had been busily engaged in receiving, taking 
 down and counting the votes and names for the different prizes to be awarded. 
 When completed they ran as follows : 
 
 For the oldest settler of Jackson county, an easy chair, value $21.50, which 
 was awarded to Mrs. Pitcher. 
 
 The names of the contestants for this prize, together with the year in which 
 they first became resident, are subjoined : 
 Mrs. Mary A. Pitcher, 1821. 
 Wilson Lewis, 1822. 
 Emanuel Bitter, 1823. 
 Mrs. Flora A. Gregg, 1823. 
 Col. James Lewis, 1825. 
 Mrs. Polly Lewis, 1825. 
 Jacob Gregg, 1825. 
 Henry Noland, 1825. 
 Mrs. Margaret Chambers, 1825. 
 James Chambers, 1826. 
 William Shepherd, 1826. 
 Silas Hudspeth, 1827. 
 Mrs. M. A. Irwin, 1827. 
 Sloper Adams, 1828. 
 Roiiet Hudspeth, 1828. 
 Joel Hudspeth, 1828. 
 George Hudspeth, 1828. 
 Mrs. M. P. Bell, 1828. 
 Mrs. Mary Smart, 1829. 
 Abraham Coger, 1829. 
 Levi Potts, 1829. 
 Mrs. Tobithe Silvers, 1829. 
 Albert Vaughn, 1832. 
 Landes Stayton, 1833. 
 Mrs. Michael Rice, 1835. 
 For parent or parents of greatest number of children born in Jackson county, 
 silver pitcher, goblet and waiter, value $41. The contestants were fewj as fol- 
 lows, David Daily carrying off the prize : 
 David Daily, 22. 
 Nelson Warren, 20. 
 Levi Montgomery, 19 
 Francis E. Johnson, 16. 
 
150 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 For the oldest continued resident of Jackson county, an easy chair, value 
 $20.50. The entries were as follows : 
 
 Mrs. Mary A. Pitcher, December, 1821. 
 
 David Daily, January, 1822. 
 
 John Bogard, February, 1822. 
 
 Larkin Johnson, November, 1822. 
 
 Mrs. Jemima Russel, May, 1823. 
 
 Mrs. Matilda Maxwell, August, 1823. 
 
 John Majors, February, 1825. 
 As the two first and oldest names recorded had already been the recipient of 
 one prize, and as none were allowed to receive but one, the chair was placed in 
 the hands of the third, Mr. John Bogard, he having resided in the county over 
 fifty-two years. 
 
 For the oldest native born citizen of Jackson county, now a resident, set of 
 silver knives and forks. The following names were found recorded, which re- 
 sulted in the first, Mrs. Margaret Christeson, now in her fiftieth year, having been 
 born and lived since in the county; 
 
 Mrs. Margaret Christeson, March, 1824. 
 
 Sarah A. McClanahan, April, 1828. 
 
 C. B. L. Boonhe, April, 1829. 
 
 Nelson Adams, May, 1829. 
 
 Fannie C. Twyman, April, 1829. 
 
 Jesse Nolan, October, 1830. 
 
 Landes Stayton, October, 1833. 
 The presentation speeches were made by Mr. Richard R. Reese, now of 
 Leavenworth, Kansas, but for years one of the old Jackson county boys, in a 
 fluent and acceptable manner, and as each would receive and bear off his or her 
 prize, cheer upon cheer would ascend from the crowds around ; and though there 
 were many disappointed faces to be seen, the utmost good humor prevailed 
 throughout, and none. seemed to envy the other or to begrudge him the present. 
 Next in order came the foot race, booked for which there were six contest- 
 ants, all of whom were over 65 years of age: Henry Donahue, Thomas Pitcher, 
 Henry Tull, George W. Clair, Samuel Ralston, Bennett Hail. 
 
 From some unaccountable cause, however, but the first three ran for the 
 prize, which consisted of a gold-headed cane, valued at $15, which fell to the lot 
 of the first, Mr. Henry Donahue, aged 70 years. 
 
 This last concluded the long and very agreeable programme provided for the 
 day's entertainment, and gradually the buggies began to fill, horses were saddled 
 and harnessed to the old- country wagons, and by twos and threes the vast crowd 
 began to move homeward. 
 
 Many of the residents of Kansas City boarded the return train at 3:30, 
 though the majority were determined to "see it out," and the train leaving Inde- 
 pendence at 9:50 p. m. found many weary picnickers in waiting at the depot. 
 
 Matters, however, in the meantime were varied. A large number of the ex- 
 cursionists received and accepted a courteous invitation from Mr. Vaughan, of 
 Narrow gauge fame, and indulged in a delightful ride for a few miles up the road. 
 > Others sought the city of Independence, and time passed pleasantly in the 
 watching of fireworks, etc., and for hours did the dull old town resound with 
 Kansas City shouts. But when the time came to go home they were all there, 
 and the train left the depot bearing away many a full stomach and an aching 
 head. t 
 
 As far as heard from none regretted the visit, and in the minds of the many 
 thousands who attended, the Jolly Old Settlers will ever remain fresh, while "The 
 Fourth, of 1874, at Independence," will never be forgotten by the picnicking 
 people of Jackson county. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 151 
 
 DEATH OF DANIEL BOONE. 
 
 The following recollections were penned by Mr. J. C. McCoy on the death of 
 Daniel Boone, one of the pioneers of this region of country : 
 
 " From a brief notice we receive intelligence of the death of Daniel Boone, 
 one of the earliest pioneers of Jackson county, Missouri, and of the State of 
 Kansas, which occurred at his old homestead, eight miles south of Kansas City, 
 February 22, 1880. Deceased was a grandson of the famous Kentucky and 
 Missouri pioneer, and son of Daniel Morgan Boone, who was, without doubt, the 
 first actual resident householder within the limits of the State of Kansas, and who 
 died at the same old homestead about the year 1834. 
 
 " For almost half a hundred years I had been on terms of intimate friendship 
 with him, and honored the sterling worth and guileless life of my worthy old 
 friend and fellow pioneer. I may not call the news of his death sad. His earthly 
 pilgrimage had extended beyond the ordinary limit of three score years and ten. 
 His active work on earth was finished, and believing, as I do, in the wisdom of 
 the conclusion of the King, that a ' good name is better than precious ointment, 
 and the day of death better than the day on one's birth,' why then should we 
 contemplate the departure of such an one to his long home, with sadness and 
 regret ? The same wise King hath said : ' Then shall the dust return to the 
 earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God who gave it.' 
 
 " Deceased was born in St. Charles county, Missouri, August 27,1809, and in 
 1826, his father, Daniel Morgan Boone, lived in the lower part of Kansas City, 
 near the mouih of the small creek below the gas works, that point being the 
 agency for the Kanzan Indians; and at that point resided Benito Vasques, who 
 was United States agent, and Daniel Morgan Boone, the father of the subject of 
 this notice, with his family — the latter having the appointment of government 
 farmer for the Kansas tribe. 
 
 " Early in 1827, they removed, and established the agency at a point about 
 eight miles above Lawrence, on the north bank of the Kansas River. It was 
 here that I first met my friend, who is now deceased Daniel Boone was then 
 about twenty, while I was nineteen. From that day till the day of his recent 
 death, through the long lapse of half a century, during which the wild wilderness 
 of our youth had become transformed into smiling fields and busy marts of com- 
 merce, and all the appliances of human industry and progress, we were friends 
 in the true meaning of the term. I can use none other more expressive of our re- 
 lations during that long period. 
 
 "In 1833 his father removed with his family, to the State of his old home- 
 stead, where his son died where he lived in 1834. 
 
 " In 1832 our old friend was married to Mary Philbert, who is still living in 
 the enjoyment of health and vigor, mental and physical, at that pleasant, unosten- 
 tatious, hospitable homestead. She, too, has a personal history full of interest 
 connected with the early settlement of these western wilds. The panorama un- 
 rolled to our vision, and the experiences of half a hundred years, would fof m the 
 subject and theme of an epic worthy of the grand old Homer. Eulogies are de- 
 livered in set speeches, by chosen and gifted orators, on the demise of great men 
 of the earth, and those holding high official trusts, and the inanimate clay is con- 
 signed to earth, the rappings and blaze of funeral pomp. All proper and right, 
 if the eulogies pronounced tell the truth, and the whole truth, and if the sable 
 badges of mourning represent the true sorrow of the multitude. 
 
 "Not so, however, was it with our deceased old friend, Daniel Boone. His 
 humble eulogy was more appropriate, more eloquent, and more touching, pro- 
 nounced by tearful eyes and loving hands, and the heartfelt sympathies of life- 
 long friends, who surrounded his bedside, and cheered him as his feet met the 
 waters of the dark river. It would hi a pleasant and grateful task to write an 
 obituary of such an one ; but none is needed. It is already graven on the hearts 
 
152 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 of his triends, ' Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like 
 his.'" 
 
 MjEETING APRIL 24, 1880. 
 
 The old settlers met at Kansas City, in the county court room, including 
 men who have lived in and around Jackson county from twenty-five to fifty years, 
 who date their arrival with the earliest pioneers who settled in this section of 
 Missouri. At the morning session a committee was appointed to prepare the pro- 
 gramme for the evening. WiUiam O. Shouse was selected as chairman, and C. 
 D. Lucas, secretary. In ihe afternoon the old settlers again assembled, and the 
 committee made a report, which was adopted, and the proceedings had in regular 
 order, as suggested in the report. The first question under consideration, the 
 advisabihty of forming themselves into an association, was discussed by R. N. 
 Hudspeth, J. C. McCoy, F. R. Long, William Jarboe, and others. 
 
 They then adopted the name of " Historical Society of Old Settlers." The 
 society was understood to include all the old residents of Jackson, Clay, Cass and 
 Piatt counties, Missouri, and Wyandqtte and Johnson counties, Kansas. Jacob 
 Gregg was elected President. He is now one of the olde^ residents in Jackson 
 county, was sheriff in an early day and has served in the State Legislature, D. 
 C. Allen, of Clay county, was elected first Vice-President, Chas. D. Lucas, 
 second Vice-President, J. C. McCoy, Secretary, and Joseph S. Chick, Treasurer. 
 An executive committee was appointed with powers to appoint various sub-com- 
 mittees to arrange for the meeting on the 2 2d of May at the Fair Grounds in 
 Kansas City.' The committee consisted of Wallace Laws, Col. Theo. S. Case, 
 Col. A. B. H. McGee, Col. R. T. Van Horn, and Judge F. R. Long. By re- 
 quest Judge Adams, Secretary of the Historical Society of Kansas, address- 
 ed the meeting giving valuable suggestions as to the mode of operation for the 
 gathering of historical facts. Judge Adams was then invited to be present at the 
 re-union May 2 2d. 
 
 A resolution was adopted appointing John C. McCoy, Col. Case, L. B. 
 Dougherty, D. C. Allen and E. A. Hickman a permanent committee on history, 
 with a view of collecting historical facts connnected with the early settlement of 
 this portion of the West. 
 
 The following is a list of the names of those present and the date at which 
 they settled in this locality, some of them running back fifty years or more : 
 
 Allen McGee 1827 F. R. Long 1828 
 
 C. B. L. Boothe 1829 R. A. Hudspeth 1829 
 
 WiUiam Mulkey 1829 J. C. McCoy 1830 
 
 Samuel Gregg 1831 Walter Bales 1831 
 
 James M. Adams 1833 C. D. Lucas 1834 
 
 William J. Jarboe 1834 Alexander Collins 1835 
 
 Larkin Steele 1836 William Stewart 1836 
 
 J'siah Davenport 1836 Bryan Wright 1836 
 
 W. J. Wright 1837 John C. Wallace 1837 
 
 Amazon Hayes 1837 Samuel Bales , . 1837 
 
 Myers Hale 1837 W. O. Shouse 1837 
 
 John J. Moore 1837 G. B. Regan 1837 
 
 J. F. Thomas 1838 Joel Lipscomb 1839 
 
 N. B Wallace 1839 Wallace Smith 1840 
 
 Joseph C. Ranson 1842 William Radcliff 1843 
 
 George W. Shepherd 1844 W. S. T. Patton 1846 
 
 Wallace Laws 1846 William R. Bernard 1847 
 
 John C. Agnew 1847 A. B. Earle 1848 
 
 J. M. Ross 1850 Isaac McCarty i8c2 
 
 R. T. Van Horn 1855 D. Y. Chalfant tsU 
 
 A. M. Allen 1855 • " 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 153 
 
 By request J. C. McCoy then read an address to the society. 
 
 ADDRESS BY J. C. m'cOY. 
 
 The following was delivered before the pioneers of Jackson county, April 
 24, 1880 : 
 
 " This reunion of Old Settlers is to me as it is no doubt to all present an 
 occasion of great and profound interest. Aside from the opportunity it affords 
 us for an interchange of friendly greetings and the renewal of old friendships and 
 the expression of words of mutual sympathy and cheer as we draw near the end 
 of life's journey, it may not be inaptly regarded as a pleasant way-station, a halt- 
 ing place, where we may take our bearings and view the surroundings, a high 
 point from whence we may note and fix upon land-marks that shall safely guide 
 us to oar haven of rest. Only a few years more will come and go, before such 
 a meeting as this will cease to be held altogether, and when the small remnant 
 of the pioneer band who first entered this goodly land shall have passed over to 
 another and we may hope a better one. In this regard, then, this meeting of 
 Old Settlers has no ordinary significance. It means, not only a reunion of old 
 familiar friends, but a sort of leave taking, an adios to the scenes and the recollec- 
 tions of our early boyhood, our mature manhood and our autumn days whose 
 chilling blasts have so plentifully sprinkled our heads with withering frosts. 
 
 "Half a hundred years have elapsed since many who are now here first 
 entered this beautiful, bountiful land, known then as the farthest "Far West." The 
 broad boundless area lying westward and a very large proportion of that lying 
 eastward and northward, was then a wide, waste wilderness, clothed in the garb 
 of nature's own handiwork, unknown and almost untrod by civilized man undis- 
 turbed and unmarred by the ax or plowshare, the pick and shovel. But all this 
 is now changed. Instead of the lonely wolf howl and the scream of the panther, 
 the hills and valleys now resound with the shrill warning of the steam whistle, 
 the rumbling and rattle of the locomotive with its long, swift flying train, and 
 the ceaseless hum of the busy multitude over the vast wild region from the 
 Mississippi to the Pacific, and from the Northern Lakes to the Gulf. Civilization 
 and enlightened human progress, like a broad wave has swept across plain and 
 mountain, hill and valley, in its onward, resistless, westward flow, obliterating 
 our ancient land marks, uprooting our grand old forests, spanning our rivers with 
 iron bridges, building throughout its entire length and breadth a network of rail- 
 roads, cities, towns and villages. Churches and school houses have sprung up 
 until we find ourselves to-day no longer in the Far West, but in the great mid- 
 continental center of commerce and trade. Nearly all these marvelous results 
 have been accomplished within the last twenty years. 
 
 "Our old slow going modes of locomotion and travel, of cultivation of soil, 
 of harvesting and handling its products, in the diff'usion of knowledge, in the 
 mechanic arts, in the contrivances and labor saving inventions to help carry on 
 the various industries and the necessary household duties, and in all the depart- 
 ments of trade, commerce and manufacturing, everything has been changed. 
 The world now moves by machinery and steam and electricity — and its inhabi- 
 tants now live, move, work, think, preach and pray by machinery — for one can 
 now hold familiar converse with friends many miles distant, or listen to a sermon 
 delivered in a distant city while comfortably seated at his own fireside. What 
 think you would have been the emotions of good old Joab Powell, who emigrated 
 from the Sni country to Oregon in 1843, and who was credited with selecting his 
 text on one occasion from the "two-eyed chapter of the one-eyed John," or of 
 old uncle Jimmy Savage had they been assured that this mode of preaching the 
 gospel could, and would be practiced, during his lifetime. Little doubt we have 
 but that in the extremity of their disgust and in behalf of outraged common sense 
 they would have exclaimed : " Now, Gabriel, blow your horn, and take us out 
 
154 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 of this pestilent atmosphere, to where we can get a good breath of God's own 
 fresh, wholesome air." We need only to open our eyes and look around us to 
 realize something of the triumphs of ambitious man over nature's obstacles. The 
 rough unsightly hills and deep gorges of primitive times, once scattered all 
 around where we now meet have melted away, and in a great measure been 
 leveled down before the pick and shovel of the stalwart omnipresent Irishman. 
 
 "The floor of the county court room where we meet is forty feet below the 
 original surface of the surrounding ground ; and if the earth were again restored 
 to its original level, nothing of the proportions of the large and costly court house 
 would be visible except its dome. All around us is the great and growing city. 
 When we came fifty years ago the nearest newspaper office was 130 miles east of 
 this (the Boonehck Monitor, published at Fayette, Howard county, by James H. 
 Birch). 
 
 "I need not tell you or attempt to enumerate the number of those luminaries 
 now shedding abroad their bright rays around us and away off toward the setting 
 sun. Their name is legion, and the State of Kansas alone, that old American 
 desert, now rejoices in the light of nearly three hundred periodicals and publica- 
 tions. Leaving out of the estimate the mihtary cantonment, Leavenworth, the 
 entire white population of the State of Kansas fifty years ago numbered less than 
 sixty souls. It now numbers nearly 1,000,000, and the old mythical desert has 
 become the banner wheat producing State in the Union. The wild denizens and 
 countless herds that once roamed over those plains from time immemorial, have 
 all taken their flight before the shrill scream of the locomotive and the steam 
 thresher. The long straggling line of the yeatly outgoing and incoming caravans 
 of white-topped prairie schooners with its herds and boisterous, jovial happy 
 crowds of American and Mexican Greasers, no longer winds its slow length across 
 those plains. I doubt whether there was then a stationary steam engine west of 
 St. Charles. We were then destitute of a thousand things, that people nowadays 
 consider indispensable, and yet I can't see but people were just as happy and 
 contented then as now. I think the average man was gifted with an allowance 
 of brains fully equal to the man of the present day, and I am very sure they were 
 better, and came nearer the divine standard ; were more honest, more given to 
 practice of hospitality and the virtues that ennoble and adorn mankind. It is 
 true that knowledge has greatly increased, but we may have grave doubts whether 
 the true wisdom that looks beyond to the higher sphere of excellence has had 
 any increase. 
 
 "Will some tell us this is the bliss' of ignorance? One can now make the 
 journey around the earth with more safety and more expeditiously than he could 
 then travel from the mouth of Kaw River to the Pacific. It required two years 
 of great privation, danger and fatigue for Lewis and Clark in 1804-5 '^ make the 
 journey from St. Louis to the Columbia and back with all the needful aid of the 
 government in men and money. The world is now moved by steam, machinery, 
 electricity and the thousand subtile and incomprehensible agencies provided by 
 an all-seeing, wise and beneficent Creator for the well-being of his creatures. 
 Where is the limit, the height and depth, the boundless' scope that has not been 
 reached or attempted by the daring ambition and irrepressible intellect and genius 
 of the human race? Truly, it would seem that in this evening of the nineteenth 
 century of the Christian era the time had arrived predicted in the last chapter of 
 the book Daniel, ' when many shall run to and fro in the earth and knowledge 
 be increased.' And yet, there are a few transcendently wise men, and scientists 
 who tell us this world and the human race has existed many millions of years, 
 and will continue to exist many more. I won't dispute it. I am only too thank- 
 ful that they allow us to have a beginning and ending at all. But more than 
 that, they tell us that all the stupendous results just spoken of have been accom- 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 155 
 
 plished by being descended from baboons. Ah ! what a fall is this, my country- 
 men, from the sublime to the ridiculous. 
 
 ' They tell us ******* We must 
 
 Give up our origin Divine; 
 
 We came by methods we define — 
 
 Development — from toads and swine. 
 
 The man is but a brute complete. 
 
 The maiden, laughing, loving, sweet, 
 
 Should with a cousin's welcome, greet 
 
 Each kindred thing 
 
 With beak and witig. 
 And ne'er with pride of former shape, 
 Forget she's but a lovely ape. 
 Bound down to earth beyond escape. 
 Must we accept this pedigree ? 
 This stunted, scrubby family tree ! 
 This beauty, genealogy ! ' 
 
 " Never, is my unfaltering and ernphatic answer in behalf of the Old Settlers, 
 although I am sorry to confess that I have in my long experience, known a few 
 men who did have very strongly marked characteristics of the hog. But, enough 
 of this. When an old back-woodsman, who couldn't tell the difference between 
 a thoroughbred Pegasus and a spavined cart-horse, takes to quoting poetry, its 
 time to put on the brakes. I said that it was a great pleasure to me to recall the 
 faces, the incidents and pleasant memories of by-gone years, to draw comparisons 
 between the past and present.- In doing this, the question naturally arises, 
 whether with all the wonderful discoveries and inventions, wrought out and set 
 in motion by scientific knowledge and the genius of man, the sum of human 
 happiness has been increased. 
 
 " Whether the average man comes nearer the divine standard to-day than he 
 did fifty years ago ? With the increase of knowledge and wealth has there been 
 a corresponding increase in the virtues that alone make man god-like ? These 
 are questions profoundly impressive and full of interest to the old timer — and 
 which we fear are fully answered " not so." We have listened to speeches and 
 discourses as grandly eloquent and logical, in the unpretentious court house and 
 the humble log meeting house of the backwoods, as we ever heard in the halls of 
 legislation or under the tall church spire. There is a very large amount of knowl- 
 edge, so called, of the present day, that it would be a great blessing to the 
 human race were it unlearned and obliterated altogether. It would greatly thin 
 out our over crowded penitentiaries, jails and alms houses. No my friends, we 
 need have no fears to institute a comparison from a moral or a social stand point 
 between the people with whom we mingled in the days of our youth, and those 
 who now occupy their places. As for me it is a source of unalloyed pleasure and 
 profound interest to recall the faces and scenes of my boyhood, my youth and 
 early manhood', of the boy, the careless, joyous, happy boy, plodding along to the 
 small log school house, embowered in the shade of the grand old forest near the cool 
 sparkling spring, to listen again to the sonorous cow bell, to reconstruct the almost 
 forgotten picture of the unpretentious but comfortable log house with its surround- 
 ings of out houses and fields of waving grain, to listen again to the hum of the 
 spinning wheel and cast shy, furtive glances toward the red-cheeked maiden who 
 so daintily trips back and forth as she deftly whirls around the big wheel and 
 gathers her woof on the spindle. Talk of your modern dancing schools 1 was 
 there ever a school teaching the poetry of motion and posture like unto or equal 
 to this. Then the ceasless clatter of the everlasting loom, without which no con- 
 siderable housewife could consent to live a day ; and the old familiar tread-mill 
 
156 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 or pull-round horse mill, ?.nd the gossipy miller, and the old log meeting house 
 where we all went on Sundays to show our Sunday clothes and take no notice of 
 the girls dressed out in their brilliant ginghams, calicoes and linseys. Ah! well! 
 no need to proceed further with this topic. Every one of you old veterans know 
 how it is yourself. It is very true that "distance lends enchantment to the view" 
 —and perhaps the distance of time (not place) leads us to view with undue par- 
 tiality and favor the persons and faces famihar to us in our early life ; but we 
 have reason to rejoice and thank God that we can do so conscientiously. We 
 do not say that all men in our early days were good men and true, but we do say 
 that the proportion of the bad to the good was much smaller than now ; that the 
 vast increase of population, wealth and knowledge has also brought with these 
 elements of civil progress a vastly disproportioned increase of crime in a thousand 
 new and varied forms then unknown, permeating our whole land and yielding a 
 rich and perennialharvest of rogues and criminals of high and low degree. We need 
 then have no fear to institute a comparison between the social, moral, physical or 
 mental standing of the men of our early days and those who swarm around us. 
 "Nearer my God to thee." And now my old friends do we fully realize the vast 
 changes that have been wrought all around us, for better or worse ? All, all is 
 changed, and we old pioneers, too, are changed. Our once vigorous, buoyant, 
 elastic step is changed to the slow, cautious plodding of the weary as we pick our 
 way along the down grade of life. Our dark locks are changed to iron-gray and 
 white. Our early dreams, our aspirations and our hopes are changed, a few to 
 full fruition many to ashes of disapp .intment and sorrow, and the bright air castles 
 of our youth are vanished to the baseless fabric of a vision. Our home circles 
 and our familiar friends who have passed on before us are changed, we fully hope, 
 in their new sphere of existence, "where the wicked cease from troubling, and 
 the weary be at rest." That we, too, who still linger on the way m&y with our 
 loins girded, and our lamps burning, in God's own good time have with them one 
 other happy, unending re-union, is the fervent wish of one of the Old Settlers." 
 
 MEETING OF OLD SETTLERS, MAY 2 2, 1880. 
 
 It was a gala day for the Old Settlers of Jackson county. Their meeting was 
 at the Fair Grounds in Kansas City. The plain, old, substantial farmer, arrayed 
 in th,e primitive homespun, was there with his bright, happy, and healthful family. 
 The old and the young mingled together in a gay and joyous holiday. Here and 
 there beneath the great forest trees were noted groups of Old Settlers, who re- 
 counted to each other the scenes of bygone days. The gray-haired pioneer re- 
 counted his battle with life, and the Usteners drank deep of the historic lore of 
 half a century ago. 
 
 The silvered locks of the lordly old man blended in the scene with the auburn 
 curls of youth and beauty. Friends who had not seen each other for years shook 
 hands in a warm and friendly grasp, and the deep, cheery tones, " How are you ? " 
 and " God bless you my old and true friend," rendered the picture a pleasing and 
 happy one. Relatives met after a lapse of many years and greeted each other 
 with warm demonstrations of joy. The day itself was beautiful and of the right 
 temperature for a pic-nic. The forenoon was spent entirely in hunting up old 
 friends and relatives, and in pleasant converse. At twelve o'clock preparations 
 were commenced for the pic-nic dinner. Baskets loaded to the fullest capacity, 
 were brought from the wagons and buggies. The tablecloths were spread on the 
 grass and work of unburdening the baskets began. All over the southern por- 
 tion of the grounds, groups, of five to twenty, were soon engaged in the pleas- 
 ing pastime of devouring the good things prepared by the thrifty house-wife. 
 There were no formalities about the meal ; everybody, stranger or friend, was in- 
 vited to join and dine with one of the many groups, there was enough, and to 
 spare. The generous hospitality tendered by the honest yeomanry of Missouri, 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 157 
 
 permitted no one to go away hungry. Chicken, ham, mutton chops, pies, cakes, 
 pickles, jellies, ice-cream and all other edibles found in the house of the old set- 
 tler, were on the bill of fare. 
 
 The preparations by the executive committee had been ample and complete, 
 except the arrangement made for speakers Generals Doniphan and Atkinson 
 did not arrive, and there were no orators of the day. The other arrangements, 
 including chairs and seats provided in the grand stand, were most ample and satis- 
 factory. Here was stationed the splendid band that discoursed excellent music 
 all day long. 
 
 Wallace Laws Esq. , had provided a large register, in which the names of the 
 Old Settlers could be registered. Swings, lemonade stands, and other convenien-- 
 ces, for pleasure and comfort were provided. About two o'clock it was announ- 
 ced that some of the Old Settlers would make a few remarks on the subject of old 
 times. Hon. Jacob Gregg, one of the Oldest Settlers in Jackson county, was the 
 first speaker. He said that he came here a long time ago, among the first. He 
 could remember when spinning-wheels and looms occupied almost the entire atten- 
 tion of the female portion of the inhabitants ; now such articles were a curiosity. 
 He could also remember when on a Sabbath the young folks went to church, they 
 carried their shoes and stockings in their hands, until within a short distance of 
 the meeting-house, then sat down and put them on. He remembered when Kan- 
 sas City was a corn-patch. No idea of its present dimensions entered the heads 
 of the primitive settlers. He could have bought the entire land upon which the 
 city now stands for a mere song. 
 
 Alexander Majors was the next speaker. Mr. Majors came here in the month 
 of March, 1825. The Indians then owned all the lands in the western portion of 
 the county. He was only old enough to drive a yoke of oxen and ride the near 
 steer. The progress made by the county since he came here had been remarkable. 
 The railroad in his time was something unheard of and the iron horse was en 
 tirely unknown to the hardy pioneer. Mr. Majors made quite a lengthy speech, 
 full of good points and interspersed with anecdotes that elicited laughter and ap- 
 plause from all present. 
 
 John C. McCoy, one of the oldest residents of the county, then made a few 
 remarks, winding up with the following : 
 
 "Sometime during the summer of 1829, half a century ago, when I was a 
 youth about eighteen years old, I was standing in front of the principal hotel, 
 kept by Ignatius P. Owens, in the small town of Fayette, Howard county, Mis- 
 souri, listening to a conversation going on between two gentlemen, who were 
 sitting on the sidewalk, under the shade trees. They were talking about the 
 ' Great West' — the land we now live in : its prospects and its destiny. One of 
 them was a merchant, I think, from Boonville, then a small village situated on 
 the south bank of the Missouri River; the other was a tall, fine-looking young 
 man, with sandy colored hair, approaching to red; if I mistake not, a young 
 lawyer, who came west to cast his lot with the early pioneers. While sitting there, 
 the gentleman from Boonville took from his pocket two cigars, and then also 
 took from his pocket something, the like of which I had never before seen, and 
 few, if any others, had ever seen west of the Mississippi River. He rubbed it 
 on the sole of his boot, and lo ! there was combustion fire. It was the friction 
 match, a new invention, and wonderful discovery of how to produce fire. Pre- 
 vious to that, our resource to produce fire was the flint and steel, the punk and 
 tinder. Fifty eventful years, with their lights and shadows, have come and gone 
 since then. The tall, good-looking young man, who came to cast his lot with 
 early pioneers, had remained, and been one of them to this day ; their people 
 have been his people, and their cause his cause, and their God his God. And 
 now, my old friends, you will, no doubt, think that thus far this simple story is 
 very tame and pointless; and so it is; but I expect to be able to give it some in- 
 
158 
 
 HISTORY OB' JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 terest by pointing out to you, in this assembly, that tall, bright-haired Kentuck- 
 ian, now the gray-haired veteran of three score years and ten, who I expected 
 would make an address to the Old Settlers to-day — General A. W. Doniphan." 
 
 For some reason. General Doniphan could not be present, and the Old Set- 
 tlers were not treated to his experiences. 
 
 Dr. Winfrey, an old pioneer of 1843, ^^^ ^^^ '^^^' speaker. The doctor 
 said he crossed the Missouri River at St. Joseph, when that place was a little vil- 
 lage. When he arrived here, there were only a few straggling houses, here and 
 there, and little did he imagine, at that time, that Westport Landing, as it was 
 then called, would ever amount to such a place as Kansas City is to-day. The 
 • doctor dwelt upon the fact that the geographical situation of this city would make 
 it a great metropolis in spite of anything that could result to the contrary. Fol- 
 lowing the doctor's remarks, Martin Rice, of Lone Jack, Van Buren township, 
 read the following original poem, which has since elicited the most favorable 
 comments from all who have seen it. We deem it of great value, not only as a 
 literary production from one of the Old Settlers, but also from the authentic his- 
 tory it contains : 
 
 OLD SETTLERS' POEM. 
 
 BY MARTIN RICE. 
 
 'Tis almost half a hundred years. 
 Since you and I, old pioneer. 
 
 With aspirations free 
 A home within this region sought; 
 But who of us then dreamed or thought 
 To see the many changes wrought. 
 
 That we have lived to see ? 
 
 From different counties then we came ; 
 Our object and our aim the same — 
 
 A home in this far West. 
 A cabin here and there was found. 
 Perhaps a little spot of ground 
 Inclosed and cleared, while all around 
 
 In nature's garb was dressed. 
 
 Here then we saw the groves of green 
 Where woodman's ax had never been — 
 
 The spreading prairies too. 
 Within these groves so dense and dark 
 Was heard the squirrel's saucy bark ; 
 The bounding stag was but the mark 
 
 To prove the rifle true. 
 
 But all is changed and cabin's gone ; 
 The clapboard roof with weight poles on. 
 
 The rough hewn puncheon floor : 
 The chimneys made of stigk and clay 
 Are seen no more ; gone to decay ; 
 The men that built them, where are they ? 
 
 I need not ask you more. 
 
 They're gone, but they're remembered yet. 
 Those cabin homes we can't forget 
 Although we're growing old : 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 159 
 
 Fond memory still the spot reveres, 
 The cabin homes of youthful years 
 Where with compatriot pioneers 
 We pleasure had untold. 
 
 The dense and tangled woodland too, 
 The groves we often wandered though 
 
 No longer now are there ; 
 The prairie with its sward of green 
 With flowerts wild no more are seen. 
 But farms with dusty lanes between 
 
 Are seen where once they were. 
 
 Large towns and villages arise 
 And steeples point toward the skies, 
 
 Where all was desert then ; 
 And nature's scenes have given place 
 To those of art ; the hunter's chase 
 Has yielded to the exciting race 
 
 Of speculating men. 
 
 The very spot on which we stand — 
 This city, so superb and grand — 
 
 How did we see it then ? 
 How wild was that forbidden scene. 
 The hills, with gorges thrown between. 
 As if by nature it had been 
 
 Made for a panther's den. 
 
 Those hills have since been leveled down, 
 The gorges filled, the streets of town 
 
 In all directions range ; 
 The labors of ten thousand hands, 
 The workingman from thousand lands, 
 The energy that wealth commands. 
 
 Have made the wondrous change. 
 
 Ah, what a change the pioneer 
 In forty years has witnessed here; 
 
 (And things are changing still;) 
 And streets and alleys then were not ; 
 Its greatest thoroughfare was — what ? 
 A ground-hog walk or a possum trot 
 Which led from hill to hill. 
 
 Ah, yes my friends, old pioneers. 
 Full many a change within those years 
 
 The country's undergone ; 
 How many changes it's passed through — 
 And we old friends are changing too — 
 There's been A change in me and you 
 
 And still that change goes on. 
 
 And when we think upon the past. 
 Those friends whose lots with us were cast 
 
 On this one wild frontier, 
 And pass them all in our review. 
 
160 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 As oftentimes in thought we do — 
 Alas ! how very few 
 
 Are there remaining here. 
 
 A few more years will come and go, 
 As other years have done, you know ; 
 
 And then — ah, yes, what then ? 
 The world will still be moving on; 
 But we, whose cheeks are growing wan, 
 Will not be here : we'll all be gone 
 
 From out the ranks of man. 
 
 Our places will be vacant here. 
 And of the last old pioneer 
 
 The land will be bereft. 
 The places which we here have filled. 
 The fields which we have cleared and tilled. 
 Our barns, though empty or though filled. 
 
 To others will be left. 
 
 But ere we pass to that far bourn, 
 From whence no traveler can return. 
 
 We meet old pioneers. 
 The few of us who yet remain, 
 And we who here have met, would fain 
 Now clasp those friendly hands again. 
 
 We clasped in by-gone years.. 
 
 In glad reunion now we meet. 
 Each other once again to greet, 
 
 And conversation hold ; 
 And while we socially to-day 
 A few brief hours may while away. 
 Let us, although our heads are gray. 
 
 Forget that we are old. 
 
 Let us gt) back — in memory, go 
 Back to the scenes of long ago. 
 
 When we were blithe and young ; 
 When hope and expectation bright 
 Were buoyant, and our hearts were light; 
 And fancy that delusive sprite 
 
 Her siren sonnets sung. 
 
 And as we join in friendly chat, 
 We'll speak of this and talk of that. 
 
 And of the many things 
 That have occurred within the land. 
 Since first the little squatter band 
 Came to this country, now so" grand. 
 
 Before 'twas ruled by rings. 
 
 'Tis natural that we should think. 
 While standing on the river's brink, 
 
 How wide the stream has grown. 
 We saw it when 'twas but a rill. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 161 
 
 Just bursting from the sunny hill; 
 And now its surging waters fill 
 A channel broad, unknown. 
 
 'Tis natural and proper, too, 
 
 That we compare the old and new — 
 
 The present and past, — 
 And speak of those old fogy ways 
 In which we passed our younger days, 
 Then of the many new displays 
 
 That crowd upon us fast. 
 
 We little knew of railroads then, 
 
 Nor dreamed of that near period when 
 
 We'd drive the iron horse; 
 And 'twould have made the gravest laugh. 
 Had he been told but one-half 
 The wonders of the telegraph — 
 
 Then in the brain of Morse. 
 
 We did not have machinery then. 
 To sow and reap and thresh the grain. 
 
 But all was done by hand ; 
 And those old-fashioned implements 
 Have long ago been banished hence. 
 Or rusting, lie beside the fence — 
 
 No longer in demand. 
 
 Yes, there are grown up men I know. 
 Who never saw a bull-tongue plow, 
 
 A flail or reaping hook ; 
 And who could not describe, you know, 
 A swingling board or knife, although 
 Their grandmas used them long ago. 
 
 And lessons on them took. 
 
 The young man now would be amused 
 To see some things his grandsire used. 
 
 Some things he ne'er has seen. 
 The way in which we clean our wheat. 
 When two strong men with blanket sheet 
 Would winnow out the chaff and cheat. 
 And twice or thrice the thing repeat. 
 
 Until the grain will clean. 
 
 The single shovel plow and hoe. 
 
 To clean out weeds was all the show — 
 
 We knew no better ways; 
 And now olir sons would laugh to scorn 
 Such poky ways of making corn, 
 And bless their stars that they were born 
 
 In more enlightened daysi 
 
 They say the world is wiser grown, 
 They've got the speaking telephone — 
 Talks twenty miles or more. 
 
162 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 And preachers now may preach and pray 
 To congregations miles away ; 
 And thousand other things they say 
 We never had before. 
 
 And yet I do not know but what 
 The pioneer enjoyed his lot, 
 
 And lived as much at ease, 
 As men in those enlightened days 
 With all their strange, new-fangled ways. 
 Which wealth and fashion now displays, 
 
 The mind of man to please. 
 
 'Tis true we did not live so fast, 
 But socially our time was passed. 
 
 Although our homes were mean. 
 Our neighbors then were neighbors true. 
 And every man his neighbor knew. 
 Although those neighbors might be few 
 
 And sometimes far between. 
 
 Ah, yes, old pioneers, I trow. 
 
 The world was brighter then than now 
 
 To us gray-headed ones. 
 Hope pointed us beyond the vale, 
 And whispered us a fairy tale 
 Of coming pleasures, ne'er to fail 
 
 Through all the shining suns. 
 
 Ambition, too, with smile so soft, 
 Was pointing us to seats aloft. 
 
 Where fame and honor last. 
 We had not learned what now we know, 
 The higher up the mount we go. 
 The storms of life still fiercer blow, 
 
 And colder is the blast. 
 
 That though we reach the mountain top ; 
 Fruition find of every hope. 
 
 Or wear the victor's crown ; 
 Though far above the clouds we tread. 
 There's other clouds still overhead. 
 And on the mind there is the dread, 
 
 The dread of coming down. 
 
 Ah, yes. Old Settlers, one and all. 
 Whatever may us yet befall. 
 
 We will not, can't forget, 
 The simple, old fashioned plan, 
 The routes in which our father's ran 
 Before the age of steam began 
 
 To run the world in debt. 
 
 And while we talk upon the past, 
 Of friends who are dropping off so fast. 
 And those already gone, 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 163 
 
 It may not be, my friends, amiss 
 For each of us to this — 
 The curtain of forgetfulness 
 
 Will soon be o'er us drawn. 
 
 And though in glad reunion we 
 Have met to-day, perhaps 'twill be 
 
 A day of taking leave. 
 And we who oft have met before, 
 And parted in the days of yore, 
 We'll part, perhaps, to meet no more 
 
 When we shall part this eve. 
 
 The mind goes back through all the years — 
 We call to mind the pioneers, 
 
 Those bold and hardy men ; 
 We pass them in the mind's review. 
 The many dead, the living few, 
 Those unpretending settlers who 
 
 Were our compatriots then. 
 
 Men who of toil were not afraid, 
 Men who the early history made 
 
 Of this now famous land ; 
 The men who ere the Mormons came 
 This heritage so fair to claim. 
 Were here prepared through flood and flame, 
 
 Those claimants to withstand. 
 
 Sara. Lucas, Boggs and Swearingen, 
 The Nolands and the Fristoes, then 
 
 The Greggs, with Owens, two ; 
 The Davises and the Flournoys, 
 The Kings and Staytons and McCoys, 
 And Dailey with his twenty boys — 
 
 All these and more we know. 
 
 The Wilsons and the Adamses, 
 The Irvings and the Lewises, 
 
 The Webbs and the Fitzhughs, 
 The Powells and the Harrises, 
 The Walkers and the Barrises, , 
 
 The Bakers and the Savages, 
 
 The Hickmans, Woods and Pughs. 
 
 Yes, some of these were noted men. 
 Well known, and much respected then, 
 
 Although their coats were plain ; 
 And when in office they were placed, 
 They proved themselves not double-faced — 
 The people's trust was not misplaced, 
 
 We need such men again. 
 
 We had our courts of justice then, 
 A terror to dishonest men 
 
 Who feared the halter's drop. 
 
164 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Judge Rayland then the courts could hold 
 In full a dozen counties told, 
 Decide the cases manifold, 
 
 And keep with business up. 
 
 We had our lawyers too, but they, 
 Or nearly all, have passed away, 
 We expected one of them to-day — 
 
 A brave and goodly man ; 
 But we are disappointed sore, 
 That man of fame and legal lore, 
 Now we may never see here more — 
 
 Brave Colonel Doniphan. 
 
 But where are all his old compeers ? 
 The lawyers 'mongst the pioneers. 
 
 Old French and Hicks and Young ? 
 Where now are both the Reeces gone, 
 And where is Hovey, noisy one, 
 And where is David Atchison, 
 
 That man of fiery tongue ? 
 
 They're gone, you say, 'tis ever thus. 
 The men of note are leaving us. 
 
 The men of greatest heft ; 
 But when we pause and look around, 
 A few whose heads are 'bove the ground, 
 A few, perhaps, may still be found ; 
 
 Sawyer and Woodson left. 
 
 ■And then we had our preachers too, 
 And one of them I think you knew. 
 
 And knew their christian worth ; 
 And who of you that ever heard 
 Good Joab Powell preach the word. 
 But had his better ieelings stirred 
 
 By plain and simple talk. 
 
 McKinney, Ferrell, Nelson too, 
 Slayton, Warder and Fritzhugh, 
 
 Tillery, Rice and Hill, 
 And there was Elder Kavanaugh, 
 And those of yore who ever saw 
 Old Jimmy Savage, sure to draw 
 
 A picture of him still. 
 
 4h, yes, the preachers of those days 
 Were noted for their simple ways, 
 
 And some for style uncouth. 
 But they are gone, they all are dead, 
 Another class are in their stead, 
 Much better paid and better read. 
 
 But have they more of truth ? 
 
 But time would fail to speak of all 
 Those changes that our minds recall; 
 The world is shifting strange. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 165 
 
 And soon its shifting scenes will bear 
 The last old pioneer to where 
 His lost and loved companions are, 
 Low in the silent grave. 
 
 But ere, my friends, we hence embark, 
 We fain would place some lasting mark. 
 
 Upon this mountain shore 
 A mark the traveler may see 
 In coming years and know that we 
 Have lived and passed the road that he 
 May then be passing o'er. 
 
 When death's dark curtain shall be drawn 
 And we old pioneers are gone, 
 
 Let truthful history tell 
 To far posterity the tale. 
 As down the stream of time they sail, 
 How we with motto " never fail " 
 
 Came here and what befell. 
 
 Let history then impartial state 
 The incidents of every date, 
 
 And that it so may do. 
 Let pioneers of every age, 
 In this important work engage. 
 And each of them produce his page. 
 
 His page of history true. 
 
 The incidents of early years, 
 Known only to the pioneers, 
 
 With them will soon be lost. 
 Unless before they hither go. 
 Those incidents are stated so 
 Posterity the facts may knew. 
 
 When they the stream have crossed. 
 
 The last speaker of the day was Rev. Father Donnelly who related some 
 interesting personal reminiscenses of his early pioneer life in this county. Father 
 Donnelly has been a Catholic priest in this county for many years. 
 
 OLD PERSONS PRESENT. 
 
 John Christerson, of Jackson county, can lay claim for being the oldest 
 pioneer within its limits. He was born here in 1819 and has lived in the coiinty 
 ever since his birth, making a total residence of sixty-one years. 
 
 David Tyburn, of Clay county, comes next on the list. He is from Ken- 
 tucky where he was an infant. The date of his arrival is also 18 19, and he was 
 reared in Clay county where he has lived about sixty-one years. 
 
 Margaret Christerson was the first white female child i)orn in this county. 
 This occurred in the year 1824 in what is now Sni-a-bar township. She is still a 
 resident of the same township. 
 
 Adam Christerson has lived in Jackson county since 1825. He was born in 
 1794 and was the oldest man on the grounds. Alexander Majors of Platte county 
 has resided there ever since 1825, and is sixty-six years old. 
 
 James Hunter has resided in Jackson county since 1829. 
 
 Edward Turner has lived in Clay county for the last fifty years. 
 
166 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 REGISTERED LIST. 
 
 The following is a complete 
 county : 
 
 Walter Balis, Jackson county- 
 James K. Sheley, " " 
 Martin Rice, " " 
 M. Hale, Platte county . . . 
 John Trenter, Jackson county 
 Alsom Renick, " " 
 J. Farmer, Cass county . . . 
 Greenup Bird, Clay county . 
 Henry Adams, Platte county 
 Mrs. S. Chick, Saline " 
 
 F. R. Lorey, Clay " 
 J. M. Belcher, Jackson " 
 E. A. Hickman, " " 
 John Gunter, " " 
 Wm. McCraw, " " 
 J. S. Davenport, " ', 
 J. A. Steele, " " 
 James Wilson, " " 
 
 B. F. Duck, Jackson county . 
 
 C. Powell, " " 
 A. B. H. McGee, " 
 Caleb Winfray, " " 
 E. Marion, " " 
 J. B. Forbs, " " 
 E. Allen, " " 
 J. H. J. Harris, " " 
 James Genders, " " 
 Richard Keely, " 
 Edward West, " " 
 W. E. Boyne, " " 
 W. H. Radcliff, " 
 Agnes Flournoy, " " 
 Rebecca Potet, " " 
 David Tyburn, Clay county - 
 J. B. Wornall, Jacksqn county 
 E. R. Hickinan, " " . 
 J. M. Teegardin, Ray county 
 — Jackson, Jackson county 
 Thos. J. Ford, " 
 Geo. Sellman, " 
 A. V. Freeman, " 
 Wallace Smith, " 
 C. G. Hopkins, " 
 S. W. Hopkins, " ' 
 C. Whitehead, 
 I. Hopkins, " 
 R. Harris Sr., 
 
 G. R. McCorkle, Clay county . 
 J. J. Willoughby, Jackson county 
 G. Lejnon, Clarke, county . 
 Sol. Young, Jackson county . . 
 
 list of names registered, with date of coming to the 
 
 1 83 1 Margaret Christerson, born in Jack- 
 
 1852 son county 1824 
 
 1833 John Christerson, born in Jackson 
 
 1837 county 
 
 1836 James Hunter, Jackson county 
 
 1843 J. R. Fry, 
 
 1837 W. D. Steele, 
 
 1 83 1 Adam Christerson , • ' " 
 
 1838 C. PhiUibert,. " " 
 1822 John M. Hale, " " 
 1828 Alexander Majors, " " 
 
 1832 Jesse Davis, " " 
 
 1840 Alexander Harris, " " 
 1842 B. B. Cane, Cass " 
 
 1836 L. B. Leef, Jackson " 
 
 1833 Philip Weinger, " " 
 
 1844 R. L. Shanks, " " 
 
 1825 J. P. Withers, " " 
 1852 Edward Tanner, Ray county 
 
 1 83 1 N. W. Ashlog, Jackson county 
 
 1828 B. F. Minis, " 
 
 1842 John Long, " 
 
 1833 J. P. Henry, 
 1868 N. Vinquest " 
 1826. J. O. Matthews, " 
 
 1832 W. M. Cogswell, " 
 
 1837 Benj. Ricketts, Clay county 
 , 1 836 J.H. Robertson, Jacks'n county 
 
 1834 C. B. L. Boothe, " " 
 
 1843 Clifton Twyman, " " 
 
 1843 W. H. Winship, " " 
 
 1826 W. C. Staples, " 
 1836 E. Von Schwonefeldt, " 
 1819 J. D. Noland, " " 
 
 1844 O. P. W. Bailey, " 
 
 1 84 1 H. C. Brooking, " " 
 
 1839 James M. Reed, " " 
 
 1835 Thomas Winship, " " 
 1850 W. E. Croysdale, " " 
 
 1857 W. H. Hill, 
 1846 John Frazier, " " 
 
 1840 A. B. Earle, " " 
 
 1840 John C. Agnew, " " 
 
 1858 Archibald Clark, " " 
 1856 Daniel Dofflemyer, " " 
 
 1842 John P. Knoche, " " 
 
 1827 J. S. Chick, " " 
 1848 S. H. Woodson, " " 
 
 1829 Robt. Barnhart, " " 
 1850 Charles Keller, " " 
 
 1841 W. M. Johnson, " " 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 167 
 
 T. M. James, Jackson 
 
 county 
 
 • i8S4 
 
 S. W. Speas, Jackson county 
 
 ■ ■ 1852 
 
 J. R. Morrison, 
 
 
 
 . 1865 
 
 J. M. Adams, 
 
 
 
 • ■ 1833 
 
 S. J. Piatt, 
 
 
 
 . 1844 
 
 Richard Steele, 
 
 
 
 1832 
 
 Chas. D Lucas, 
 
 
 
 ■ 1834 
 
 Jos. C. Ranson, 
 
 
 
 . 1842 
 
 Wallace Laws, 
 
 
 
 . 1846 
 
 D. W. Banta, 
 
 
 
 • 1857 
 
 J. R. Griffin, 
 
 
 
 . 1857 
 
 Chas. Long, 
 
 
 
 ■ 1847 
 
 J. C. McCoy, 
 
 
 
 ■ 1853 
 
 Geo. Long, 
 
 
 
 . 1848 
 
 H. M. Northrop, 
 
 
 
 . 1844 
 
 C. E. Miles, 
 
 
 
 . 1867 
 
 Mary J. Clark, 
 
 
 
 . 1842 
 
 C. J. White, 
 
 
 
 . 1865 
 
 William Mulkey, 
 
 
 
 . 1826 
 
 John H. Reid, 
 
 
 
 • 1854 
 
 Catharine Mulkey, 
 
 
 
 • 1839 
 
 L. A. Allen. 
 
 CI ic 
 
 . 1858 
 
 Margaret Northrop, 
 
 
 
 . 1842 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 A RELIC. 
 
 
 
 
 J. S. Davenport of Jackson county exhibited an old rusty plow point made 
 on the Little Blue River, forty years ago, by a blacksmith named Cockrell. That 
 plow broke up the entire farm formerly owned by Rufus Montgall, but now known 
 as^the Joe Thompson farm. The plow-point is certainly a historic relic of by-gone 
 days and is highly prized by its owner. 
 
 All in all this was one of the most enjoyable meetings ever held by the Old 
 Settlers Association, and will be remembered for a long time. There were at least 
 five hundred in attendance. 
 
 Doniphan's expedition. 
 
 The following, in reference to the veterans of General Doniphan's expedi- 
 tion, appeared in the Ray County Conservator, September, 1871 : 
 
 " As will be seen, by a letter published elsewhere, it is proposed by the peo- 
 ple of Kearney, Clay county, to give a grand dinner to the surviving soldiers of 
 "Doniphan's Expedition to Mexico." This is a move in the right direction. 
 Nearly a quarter of a century since, these gallant men responded to the bugle 
 call. Old Ray sent her bravest sons, and they proudly bore their banner where 
 the foe was the thickest; and many, like General Henley, whose honored remains 
 lie within sight of our city, sealed their valor with their blood. Clay and Clinton, 
 and Lafayette, and Jackson, and, in fact, the whole State, was represented in 
 that band, whose marches across the plains and through Mexico, gave them a 
 world wide reputation, and added luster to the American name. Since then time 
 has set his seal upon many of its best and bravest. Their chief still lives, buoy- 
 ant and stout of limb as when he was welcomed by the spontaneous outburst of a 
 hundred thousand voices in St. Louis, and himself and worthy followers the re- 
 cipients of an ovation, second only to a Roman triumph. But in the gathering 
 now proposed, many will be missed, whose e|..itapns have been written, whose si- 
 lent resting places have been bedewed with tears, and whose names are as dear 
 to us as household words. 
 
 " ' It will be a time for memory and for tears.' 
 
 '' The warm heart of friendship will throb in manly bosoms, gray hairs will 
 bow over the recollections of friends gone to the vale of shadows, and the grasp 
 of manly hands will be tightened by the tumultuous rush of feelings warmed into 
 life from the misty realms of the past. 
 
 " A new generation will surround them, gray-haired veterans of a war that 
 added luster to our history, and will listen to the eloquence of their honored chief, 
 whose voice and sword has always belonged to his common country. It will be 
 worth a score of every day gatherings, to be present upon this occasion, and we 
 sincerely hope that every one of the members of General Doniphan's command, 
 
168 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 that can possibly get there, will put in a personal appearance. We want to see 
 them." 
 
 OLD CATHOLIC CEMETRY, KANSAS CITY. 
 
 One by one the marks by which the old timers note the increase of the_ city's 
 growth are disappearing. One by one the old landmarks— if any institution of 
 this infant giant of towns can properly be called old — are going, swept out of 
 sight and obliterated by the never-ending march of progress. The last to go is 
 the old burying ground on Penn street. Notwithstanding the fact that every inch 
 of the ground has been made sacred by the tears of mourners and sanctified by 
 the prayers of bereaved ones, the cemetery must be vacated, a writ of restitution 
 served on the silent tenants of the hill top, to make room for their animated suc- 
 cessors. No matter that each tree and shrub in the little plot of ground derived 
 a portion of its vitality and growth from the overflowing fountains of the orphan's 
 heart, or that each flower has been bedewed by the tears of parents for their loved, 
 ones, the homes of the dead must make way for the residences of the living. 
 
 Little did the old Catholic fathers dream, as they dedicated the ground to its 
 holy purposes, that in thirty years their secluded, out-of-the-way little cemetery 
 would be in the center of the most prosperous, rapidly growing, and altogether 
 the most phenomenal city of America, or of the world. The old graveyard, 
 where lie the buried hopes of a generation, is in the way, and must go, taking 
 with it all the tender, 
 
 CLUSTERING MEMORIES OF THE PAST. 
 
 In less than a year, in all probability, the cemetery will be graded down to 
 the street level, and its site occupied by dwelling houses, or perhaps business 
 blocks. The cemetery has not been used for five years, the last interment being 
 made in 1877. The spot has been unkept and uncared for since that time, the 
 grading of the streets rendering the place difficult of access, and the building up of 
 the neighborhood with dwelling houses has made it neccessary to "improve" the 
 graveyard, and it was decided last fall to begin the work of removing the coffins 
 this year. The frost, in coming out of the ground this spring, loosened the earth 
 on the embankments made by grading the streets and the soil caving away ex- 
 posed several coffins. Certain ghouls of the daily press of Kansas City, in their 
 thirst for a sensational article, which thirst is as reprehensible as it is common, 
 magnified the scare and attempted to horrify the public. The enbankments were 
 boarded up and the work of exhumation and removal of the dead to St. Mary's 
 on the hill began. Already thirty-two graves have been opened and orders for 
 the removal of twelve more are made. The work will be carried on rapidly to 
 completion. Rev. D. J. Doherty is giving lots in the new cemetery gratis to 
 those who desire to have the remains of their friends removed. After the first 
 of June the officers of the church will have all the bodies of the unknown dead, 
 and of those whose friends are unable to bear the expense, removed, and by the 
 first of October the cemetery will be vacant. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE OLD CEMETERY. 
 
 The history of the spot of ground for so many years used by the parishioners 
 of the Catholic church is very interesting. 
 
 The property first came into the possession of the church in 1834. On the 
 5th of April of that year. Father Roux, one of the advance guards of civiliza- 
 tion, purchased forty acres of land of Pierre La Liberte, one of the first settlers, 
 for sixty dollars. Ten acres of the tract was deeded to the church. A log 
 structure was at once erected, and for many years was used as a place of worship 
 by the devout of the parish. This log church was torn down some years since 
 when Penn street was graded. On another part of the lot Father Donnelly put 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 169 
 
 up his historic log cabin. As was customary when Kansas City consisted of but 
 one or two houses, the church yard was used as a burial ground, and thus it was 
 that the graveyard grew up around the log church. The record of interments 
 was begun January i, 1846, although it is probable that one or two burials had 
 been made prior to that date. The record shows that people were brought from 
 distant points in the territory of Kansas, for funeral services here. 
 
 THE FIRST ENTRY 
 
 is in the handwriting of Father Donnelly, the pioneer in the cause of religion. 
 The death was of an Indian girl known as Mary, who was of the tribe of Otta- 
 was. The funeral services were conducted by Bishop Edward Barron, who was 
 visiting Father Donnelly at the time. As a historical reminiscence it might be 
 interesting to note that Bishop Barron was a brother of Sir Henry Winton Bar- 
 ron, Waterford, and was vicar apostolic of Liberia and of the Guineas. In 1845 
 he resigned his charge on account of ill-health and came to America and to the 
 West to recuperate. In 1854, during the yellow fever season in the South, Bishop 
 Barron, with the spirit of self-sacrifice characteristic of his brotherhood, went to 
 Georgia to care for the sufferers, and on the 12th of September of that year died 
 in the cause of humanity. 
 
 The entries on the book are very infrequent during the early days, the next 
 being dated June ist, an explanatory note saying that the burial occurred during 
 Father Donnelly's absence. The early occupants of the graveyard were princ- 
 ipally French settlers and Indians. Among them was Mary Montredieu, also of 
 the Ottawa tribe. A little incident connected with this girl was very frequently 
 related by Father Donnelly. One evening he noticed some one in the burying 
 ground near a grave, and going out found an Indian lad, a brother of the girl, 
 planting a little sapling near the head of the grave. The tree grew and is now one 
 of the largest in the cemetry. During the year 1849 several entries on the record 
 are by Rev. A. Lannier. In 1850 Father Donnelly returned from Independence 
 to again assume charge, and all subsequent entries are made by him. December 
 23, 1853, Pierre La Liberte, the original owner of the graveyard, was laid away to 
 rest. In the list of burials which follows a great number of the deaths are shown 
 to have been from violent causes, banks caving in, falling trees, and the bullet 
 reaped almost as large a harvest, proportionally, as now. One very suggestive 
 entry states that the person who was buried was killed in a riot on Delaware street. 
 The names of several persons designated as slaves appear on the book previous to 
 1861. The Bluff street bridge also had an example for its fatality in 1858. Pat- 
 rick Kelly was buried, his death resulting from a fall from the "Market street 
 bridge." In 1859, Dr. Benoist Troost was interred, his age being seventy-two 
 years. War times came on and the burials multiplied. The first victim of the 
 unpleasantness whose name appears was John Boland, who was killed, so the rec- 
 ord shows, by a train falling through "a bridge burned by the secession rebels 
 near St. Joseph." 
 
 And so the entries run until May 14th, 1873, when the book is filled closing 
 with the following : 
 
 May 14, 1873. — I am obliged to close this volume at this date. The forego- 
 ing records preserve the names of all persons interred in the Catholic cemetry to 
 this date. The total number is about 1,406. Not only must I commence a new 
 volume, but in a few months, begin to bury the dead in a new cemetery already 
 paid for. B. Donnelly. 
 
 The new record which follows the entries are made by Father Donnelly until 
 the time when Father Doherty took charge of the pastorate. The last interment 
 in the old cemetry was a man killed by a boiler explosion in West Kansas. The 
 whole number was 1,886, the last being made December 20, 1876. The first in 
 the new cemetry was January 2, 1877. 
 
170 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 THE SANTA FE TRADE. 
 
 Originated and Started from Old Franklin, Howard County — Began at Independence in i8^i — 
 About the Year 1837 the Trade Sprung Up at Westport — Names of Firms at Independence 
 Engaged jn the Trade — Starting Out of a Caravan — Hostile Indians — The Earliest Traders 
 — Lost on the Plains and Dying of Thirst — Council Grove — Surgical Operation in the Desert 
 — Santa Fe — Revolt of the Indians in 16S0 — New Mexico in 1840 — Names and Distances of 
 Camping Places Between Independence and Santa Fe. 
 
 The Santa Fe trade first began at Old Franklin, a little town on the Missouri 
 River, in Howard county, and continued from this point till the year 1831, when 
 it sprung up at Independence. The town of Independence being a hundred 
 miles further west, and near the great bend of the Missouri River, it was thought 
 to be a more favorable place for fitting out caravans for Mexico, since also the 
 route could be made from Franklin to Independence much better by water than 
 land. At Independence the bulk of the trade continued till about the years 
 1838-40, when it began at Wesport, and subsequently at Westport Landing (now 
 Kansas City). Some of the men who early engaged in the Santa Fe trade were 
 Nathan Simons, Philip Thompson, Robert Isaacs, Edward Samuel, Josiah Gregg, 
 and many others. 
 
 Some of the persons engaged in the trade at Independence were Col. Samuel 
 C. Owens, one of the principal wholesale dealers connected with the Mexican 
 trade. He was a general merchant, having a general store on the southwest cor- 
 ner of the square. Many of his goods were bought in Philadelphia, brought to 
 Pittsburgh over the Alleghany Mountains, then shipped by boat down the Ohio 
 River to Cairo, then up the Mississippi to St. Louis, thence up the Missouri 
 River to Independence Landing. 
 
 Samuel D. Lucas had a store on the north side of the square, near the center 
 of the block, where he did a large business. 
 
 John O. Agnew had a general store also on the north side, and dealt largely 
 in goods designed for the New Mexican trade. 
 
 Robert Courtney had a store on the southeast corner. The firm was after- 
 ward known as Courtney & Mickelborough, then Courtney & Lewis. 
 
 McCoy & Lee had a Store on the south side of the square, and continued 
 from 1839 to 1845. Lee died about the year 1848. 
 
 Henry Speares was a merchant trader, and accompanied the caravans to their 
 destination in New Mexico. He continued for a long time in this occupation ; 
 afterward went to New York City, and finally failed and committed suicide on 
 account of losses met on the Black Friday crash in Wall street. He was a Ger- 
 man Jew. There were others engaged in the same trade, and some of them quite 
 extensively. The two landings for boats that brought merchandize to Indepen- 
 dence were at Wayne City, and the other Owen's Landing. The trade became 
 so extensive that the United States government established here a custom house 
 office, so that goods kept in original packages could be subjected to a rebate. 
 
 The large trade necessarily created a demand for wagons, and their manu- 
 facture was commenced at Independence. Frank Simpson, John W. Modie, 
 Robert Weston, and later Hiram Young, a free negro, who still lives in Inde- 
 pendence, were engaged in the wagon manufacture. 
 
 Early in the trade, goods were carried on pack mules. The packs consisted 
 of two parts fastened together by means of straps passing over the back of the 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 171 
 
 mule. A train consisted of from ten to 150 pack animals, and usually about five 
 or six pack horses to each man, sometimes as high as fifteen to a man. These 
 caravans would travel fifteen, twenty or twenty-five miles a day, and in some 
 cases as many as thirty milgs in a day. 
 
 The train of traders usually started out of camp early in the morning, some- 
 times before sunrise, and made a long halt for dinner, encamping again for night 
 before dark and getting everything prepared to prevent a surprise by the Indians. 
 The stopping places were suited to the conditions of grass and water, sometimes 
 a long and weary distance would be necessary before they could reach an advan- 
 tageous camping ground. In some cases when extremely hot, they would travel in 
 the night and take longer halts at noon. In a hostile country where danger was 
 apprehended from Indians, guards would be posted as soon as a halt was made, 
 and always by night as well as by day the rifle was within reach. 
 
 The introduction of wagons for these expeditions was made in the year 1824 
 by a company of traders, about eighty in number. A portion of this company 
 employed pack mules. There .were some twenty-five wheeled vehicles, of which 
 some were road wagons, two carts, the whole conveying about $25,000 to $30,- 
 000 worth of property. Colonel Marmaduke, afterward a State official in high 
 position, was one of the party. This first expedition, transporting their merchan- 
 dise on wheels, made the journey with little difficulty, probably less than could 
 have been reasonably expected from its being the first attempt. It should be re- 
 marked here that probably no where else on the American continent can be 
 found a route of 8co miles in extent more easily traversed by wagons than the 
 one between Independence and Santa Fe. 
 
 When this trade began, small companies of traders could cross the plains 
 with little trouble anticipated from the Indians, but soon the hostile red man so 
 often imposed upon by the white, sought every opportunity to rob aud even kill 
 when it could be done without too much exposure to himself The traders were 
 in a great measure blamable for the treacherous conduct of the Indians. They 
 would cheat and often kill in cold blood every Indian who came near the camp 
 when he was friendly and intended good rather than harm. 
 
 When the traders returned from Mexico their proceeds were usually partly 
 in specie and partly in buffalo robes and furs ; and sometimes, although set upon 
 by marauding Indian bands, they could easily persuade the savages to retire, 
 if resolute, and this, too, without the killing of a man, for the Indians seldom 
 jeopardizes the life of a brave unless in revenge or in open warfare. When the 
 Americans appeared defenseless and afraid, the Indians became more bold and 
 took such advantages as they could. A story is told of what happened to a 
 party of half dozen traders in the year 1826 on the Cimarron River. The 
 party were bringing through a herd of five hundred horses but had only four 
 servicable guns between them, hence were virtually unprotected against the 
 Indians. 
 
 A party of Indians, discovering their defenselessness, came in a friendly 
 manner, talked a little while, and then went away. Soon, however, they return- 
 ed, about t)iirty strong, all on foot. They said that they were tired of traveling 
 on foot, and desired each a horse. The Americans, knowing the uselessness of 
 refusing, quickly consented; but the Indians were not satisfied with one horse 
 apiece, so they asked for two. This being granted also, they drove into the herd 
 with a whoop, and ran them all off. 
 
 At another time an incident transpired on the banks of the same river — the 
 Cimarron — which had a strong tendency to render the Indians more hostile. Two 
 young men by the name of McNees and Monroe, were straggling from the main 
 caravan, the Indians came upon them and shot them. They were buried accord- 
 ing to the fashion on the plains, and just as they were returning to camp, another 
 party of Indians came along on the opposite bank of the river. They evidently 
 
172 HISTORY OF JACKSON" COUNTY. 
 
 desired a friendly conference, of course, not having even heard of the outrage 
 upon the two whites. Some of the traders desired to vent their revenge upon 
 these Indians, caring not to inquire if they were concerned in the murder of their 
 friends or not, but simply because they were Indians, fired upon them, and killed 
 all except one, who returned to his tribe to relate the sad fate of his comrades. 
 Such acts as these served to make the Indians hostile. The Indians became more 
 and more desperate against the pale face, and lost no opportunity to wreak their 
 vengeance. The same caravan mentioned above was attacked several times be- 
 fore they reached the United States, and many of their horses taken away. The 
 traders realizing their danger, petitioned the Government for an armed escort, 
 and accordingly, Major Riley, with three companies of infantry, was sent out to 
 accompany the expedition as far as Choteau's Island, in the Arkansas River. The 
 next day the Indians attacked the caravan, and killed one man. A courier was 
 dispatched for Major Riley, who soon came up, and continued several days, till 
 no danger from the "children of the desert" seemed to threaten. Captain 
 Wharton was also in aid of the traders, with two companies of dragoons. 
 
 In 1843, large escorts were under convoy of Captain Cook. The exact 
 origin of these expeditions to Mexico, or the very first, is not definitely known. 
 
 James Pursley, while trading with some Indians near the sources of the 
 Platte River, heard of settlements in New Mexico, and in the year 1805, made 
 his way to Santa Fe, where he remained till his death. James Pursley is said by 
 Captain Pike to have been the first American who crossed the plains to Santa Fe. 
 Other writers say that a merchant of Kaskaskia, named Morrison, had, in 1804, 
 sent a French Creole, by the name of La Lande, to Santa Fe, who, also, on ac 
 count of his kind treatment, never returned to the United States. 
 
 The first great impetus given to the traffic with New Mexico, and the Indians 
 in the mountains southwest of here, was about the year 1812, after the glowing 
 account of this new region by Captain Pike, on his return, had been published. 
 Pike had been sent out by the Government, to explore the region. 
 
 The first expeditions, however, met with many disasters. One party was 
 taken to Chihuahua, and thrown into prison, where they were kept for nine years. 
 Another party suffered with almost starvation on the journey. A man by the 
 name of Glenn, from Ohio, reached Santa Fe with his caravan in 182 1, by way 
 of the upper Arkansas. In the year 182 1, Captain Becknell, of this State, went 
 to Santa Fe by the far western route. Captain Becknell and his little party start- 
 ed from old Franklin with the purpose of trading with the Comanche Indians, 
 but when they reached the Rocky Mountains, they fell in with a party of Mexican 
 rangers, who had little difficulty in persuading them to accompany them to Santa 
 Fe. Here they disposed of their few goods at a handsome profit. 
 
 Up to this time — 182 1 — New Mexico had received nearly all her goods and 
 supplies irom the interior provinces, whither they had been transported from Vera 
 Cruz; these goods were sold at exorbitant rates, common calicoes selling as high 
 as two and three dollars a yard, and other articles in proportion. When Captain 
 Becknell returned to the United States and gave a glowing description of the 
 country many others at once embarked in the enterprise. Colonel Cooper with 
 a few neighbors with pack animals, started in the month of May, 1822. They 
 reached Taos in safety. 
 
 A month later, Captain Becknell started a second time, having thirty men 
 and about $5,000 worth of goods. He was desirious of avoiding the circuitous 
 route which had been previously taken, accordingly, when he reached the place 
 called "The Catches," he took a straight course toward Santa Fe, not anticipat- 
 ing the fearful trials he was destined to meet with on the arid and pathless des- 
 ert. He hoped to be able within a reasonable length of time to reach Cimarron 
 River. 
 
 They had provided sufficient water to last them two days, but this scanty 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 173 
 
 supply being exhausted, the suffering of man and beast was intense. On they 
 pressed, expecting soon to obtain relief from the terrible thirst which parched 
 their throats. The blood of slain dogs was drunken, they cut off the ears of 
 some of their mules to obtain blood to quench their thirst, but it seemed to 
 madden and exasperate them. They separated in squads and followed the 
 "mirage" or " false ponds," as these alluring pictures are called, all to no pur- 
 pose. They knew a horrible death was near at hand, and not knowing that they 
 were upon the very banks of the Cimarron, resolved to retrace their steps and 
 meet almost certain death before they should again reach the Arkansas. They 
 were not equal to the journey, and would certainly have perished on those ver- 
 dureless plains had not a stray buffalo come within range of one of their rifles, 
 his stomach distended with water recently quaffed from the river just beyond. 
 One of the party afterward relating the circumstance to a friend, said: "No 
 cooling draught from a limpid mountain spring was ever half so sweet and re- 
 freshing to my lips as that obtained from the stomach of that slaughtered buffalo." 
 Knowing from the condition of the buffalo that water in abundance must be 
 close at hand, they pressed on, and immediately came to the Cimarron River, 
 where man and beast partook of God's beverage to man. The party finally 
 reached Santa Fe by way of Taos without further serious difficulty. Since that 
 time many other traders have crossed the same country, but being better acquaint- 
 ed with the distances and topography of the country, have provided against the 
 possibilities of the scarcity of water. 
 
 When an expedition was being fitted out many things were almost indispens 
 able, such as provisions, proper clothing, training the animals, etc. The ordinary 
 supplies for each man were about fifty pounds of flour, the same of bacon, ten 
 pounds of coffee, twenty pounds of sugar and some salt, these are considered in- 
 dispensable in the line of provisions, while sometimes, crackers, beans and other 
 articles of food are found in the train. A supply of fresh meat can nearly always 
 be obtained from the buffalo, and the traveler is excited with joy when he can 
 for the first time see this king of the plains. The most common substantial 
 clothing is provided for the men, some with linsey or leather hunting clothes, 
 others with jeans, and still others with flannel suits. 
 
 Oxen were first used in 1829, by Major Riley, and after that about one-half 
 the animals in a train were oxen, and it was found that they could make the trip 
 in about the same time as mules. The tenderness of the feet of oxen, to some 
 extent, render them less valuable than mules, though the hoof of the mule some- 
 times became dry, hard and slippery, so much so that he could not haul a heavy 
 load without shoes of iron or steel. The horses, mules, oxen and provisions 
 being provided for the journey, the next thing was to load the merchandise. So 
 expert had some of the wagoners become in loading, that they could stow away 
 a vast amount of goods in a small amount of space, and so pack the articles to- 
 gether that they could not jostle or move from the exact position in which they 
 had been placed, through the whole journey of 800 miles, the goods would be 
 found to have sustained less injury than in going a mile in a common farmer's 
 wagon over an ordinary turn-pike road. When the loads are all arranged, the 
 men and animals in their places, the grand caravan leaves Independence with as 
 much joy and light-heartedness as a party going to a Fourth of July celebration; 
 but how changed when they have experienced all the hardships of the plains. 
 Generally, a thorough organization was not effected till out on the journey some 
 distance from Independence. This point was sometimes at the place called 
 Council Grove, which is about one hundred and fifty miles from Independence. 
 Council Grove consists of a long strip of forest trees about half a mile in width, 
 extending for many miles along the bank of a creek of the same name, and in- 
 cludes such trees as the oak, walnut, ash, elm, hickory, and other varieties. 
 There is a legend or story told of this Council Grove worthy of mention, and 
 
174 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 that is ; " Here the Pawnee, Arapaho, Comanche, Leloup and Eutaw Indians 
 all of whom were at war with each other, meet once a year and smoke the pipe 
 of peace." 
 
 When the different parties reached this place they would camp till all arrived 
 and then effect an organization and appoint their officers to aid in mutual defense 
 against the hostile Indians. Sometimes the merchandise of the whole caravan 
 was valued from $200,000 to $300,000, and ponsisted of over a hundred wagons 
 and two hundred men effective for service. After the organization had been 
 effected, the company was divided into eight watches, each watch standing one- 
 fourth of every alternate night, though when the company is small the numberof 
 watches is reduced, and each man had more of this disagreeable duty to perform. 
 No man able to bear arms in the caravan is exempt from night-watch duty, not 
 even to procure a substitute. The captain seeing all preparations complete, 
 sounded the familiar note of "catch up!" Then all was commotion and bustle 
 till each teamster, one after another, responded " All's set. " Again from the cap- 
 tain came the word, " Stretch out !" " Fall in !" and the long line of wagons was 
 on their way across the plains. The command of "catch up," is joyously re- 
 ceived by the caravansers after the weary delay of preparation. Let us follow a 
 caravan across the plains. We are now far beyond Council Grove and entering 
 the Arkansas valley at a point 270 miles out from Independence. Cries of 
 "The Indians!" strike great terror into the minds of the novices, and every 
 wolf yell, every bellowing of the ox, and every snort of the horse seems to indi- 
 cate that the animals are snuffing the crouching savages approaching the camp. 
 
 The banks of the Arkansas are very low, bordered with a narrow strip of tim- 
 ber of stunted trees. In some places, however, we find no trees on the banks of 
 the Arkansas, and one would come to the stream without suspecting from the 
 usual indications that a river was at his feet. Most of the trees in this vicinity 
 are cottonwood, though occasionally we see hackberry. After leaving Council 
 Grove, or the Neosho River, vegetation grows less and less, till Missouri's verdant 
 growth of trees and grasses is entirely lost in the almost barren plains. The route 
 is now up the course of the Arkansas for twenty miles before reaching Walnut 
 Creek. In the summer of 1826 a surgical operation was performed at this point 
 which is worthy of note. A Mr. Broadus, in attempting to draw his rifle from a 
 wagon, muzzle foremost, discharged its contents into his arm. The bone being 
 dreadfully shattered, the unfortunate man was advised to submit to an amputation 
 at once, otherwise, it being in the month of August and exceedingly warm, morti- 
 fication would soon ensue. But Mr. Broadus obstinately refused to consent to 
 this course till death began to stare him in the face. By this time, however, the 
 whole arm had become gangrened, some spots having already appeared above the 
 place where the operation should have been performed. The invalid's case was,* 
 therefore, considered perfectly hopeless, and he was given up by all comrades, 
 who thought of little else than to consign' him to the grave. But being unwilling 
 to resign himself to the fate which appeared frowning over him without a last 
 effort, he obtained the consent of two or three of the party, who undertook to 
 amputate his arm merely to gratify the wishes of the dying man, for in such a 
 light they viewed him. Their only " case of instruments" consisted of a hand- 
 saw, a butcher's knife and a large iron bolt. The teeth of the saw being too 
 coarse, they scon filed a finer set on the back. The knife having been whetted 
 keen, and the iron bolt laid upon the fire, they commenced the operation, and in 
 less time than it takes to tell it, the arm was opened round to the bone, which 
 was in almost an instant sawed off, and with the sizzling hot iron the whole stump 
 was so effectually seared as to close the arteries completely. Bandages were then 
 applied, and the company proceeded on their journey. The arm commenced 
 healing rapidly, and in a few weeks the patient was sound and well, and perhaps 
 may be living to-day, though this happened fifty-five years ago, to bear witness 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 175 
 
 to the superiority of the " hot iron " over " ligatures " in " taking up " arteries. 
 
 After leaving Walnut Creek the caravan usually passed the Pawnee Rock, 
 about fifteen miles distant from the customary camping ground on the Walnut. 
 
 It is called Pawnee Rock because early in the nineteenth century the Pawnees 
 had bloody battles with some other tribes at this point. The plains in the vicin- 
 ity of the Pawnee Rock teemed with buffalo in the early days of Santa Fe expe- 
 ditions, and the land was peculiarly adapted to the pleasures of the chase. Rat- 
 tle snakes were very numerous and there being no stick or stone with which to 
 destroy the dangerous reptile, the pistols, rifles and whips of the wagoners were 
 brought into effective use. 
 
 The route was up the course of the Arkansas River for more than a hundred 
 miles before they attempted to cross the arid plains before reaching the Cimarron 
 River. 
 
 The distance across this trackless and treeless ocean plain is over fifty miles, 
 not a thing to mark the direction, and the compass was their only guide. Before 
 crossing the casks were always ordered filled with water, about five gallons to 
 each wagon. After reaching the Cimarron several days' travel is occupied along 
 its course toward the higher plains, then to the Canadian River and along the 
 region of rocks, the wagons by this time showing signs of wear; tires loosening 
 and spokes falling out. Before reaching the principal mountains the trader 
 journeys passed the Point of Rocks, a spur projecting from the north, and from 
 beneath whose ledges issues a large cooling crystal spring. At this point there is 
 always a halt. This is more than a hundred and fifty miles from Santa Fe and 
 the course is for that distance in sight of the snow capped mountains. This 
 region is frequented by terrible thunder and hail storms. Sometimes the light- 
 ning would kill horses, mules and oxen from the train, and the hail fall in immense 
 size and thick showers. 
 
 San Miguel was the first settlement of any note on the whole route, it was 
 fifty miles southeast of Santa Fe consisting of mud-wall huts in the fertile valley 
 of the Rio Pecos. Here the route made a grand turn to find a passway through 
 a broken extremity of the spur of mountains and took a course to the northwest 
 till Santa Fe was reached. The houses of Santa Fe were built of unburnt brick 
 and presented a novel appearance to the American who saw them for the first 
 time. 
 
 The stores generally contained in those days an assortment of goods and 
 notions usually kept by western merchants; a variety of dry goods, silks, hard- 
 ware, domestic cottons, both bleached and brown, etc. The demand for these 
 goods was so great that at least one-half of the merchandise of the caravan was 
 of that kind of stock. 
 
 Santa Fe was a very old town when this trade across the plains commenced ; 
 it dates among the earliest settlements of America. It is related that soon after 
 the conquest of Mexico by Hernon Cortez a small band of adventurers proceeded 
 as far north as this point. Some fix the date of the first settlement in 1581-83. 
 
 In the year 1680 there occurred an uprising among the Indians in all north- 
 ern Mexico, and the Spanish people who then lived in New Mexico and other 
 provinces south, suffered the horrors of Indian warfare. The Indians had fixed 
 upon the 13th of August, 1680, for the day in which to mercilessly butcher all the 
 Spanish population except such females as they desired to save for wives So 
 secretly did^they mature their plans that not even an Indian woman in all the 
 country knew of the uprising, the men, only, being informed. But a few days 
 before the war of extermination was to begin, two Indians informed the governor 
 and he sent with all dispatch to collect all the Spanish population at Santa Fe, 
 Taos, La Canada and other fortified towns. The Indians seeing that their plot 
 had been discovered, commenced at once their work of murder. The villages 
 were sacked, and the Spanish inhabitants that could be found were put to the 
 
176 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 sword, the priests were especially treated with barbarity. Some were compelled 
 to go on all-fours through the streets of Pueblo while the savage monsters lashed 
 them with whips and rods. The Indians finally either killed or drove out all the 
 Mexicans from the vast territory extending from Santa Fe 300 or 400 miles south. 
 
 Santa Fe at that time as now was the capital of New Mexico and was the 
 only town of importance in the whole region. It was sometimes called Santa Fe 
 de San Francisco (Holy Faith of St. Francis). Like most of the towns at that 
 time in Northern Mexico it occupied the site of an ancient pueblos or Indian vil- 
 lage, whose race had been extinct for a great many years. It is situated fifteen 
 miles east of the Rio del Norte, at the western base of a snow-clad mountain, 
 upon a beautiful stream of rippling water which comes down from the icy cas- 
 cades of the mountain peaks and joins the Rio del Norte some twenty miles 
 southwest of the town. The population of the city itself at that time was then 
 a little over 3,000 ; yet including several surrounding villages which were em- 
 braced in the corporate jurisdiction of Santa Fe, it amounted to about 6,000. 
 Its height above the level of the sea is 7,000 feet ; and the highest peaks which 
 are northeast of the town are 5,000 feet higher. 
 
 Santa Fe was very irregularly laid out, and most of the streets were httle 
 better than common highways traversing scattered settlements which were inter- 
 spersed with cofn fields nearly sufficient to supply the inhabitants with grain. 
 The only attempt at anything like architectural compactness and precision con- 
 sisted in four tiers of buildings whose fronts were f^haded with a fringe of portals 
 or corridors of the rudest possible description. They stood around the public 
 square and comprised the Palacio or Governor's house, the Custom House, the 
 Barracks (with which was connected the fearful Calabozo), the Casa Consistorial 
 of the Alcaldes, the Capilla de los Soldados or Military Chapel, besides several 
 private residences, as well as most of the shops of the American traders. The 
 population of New Mexico was then (1840-44) almost exclusively confined to 
 towns and villages, the suburbs of which were generally farms. Even most of 
 the individual ranchos and haciendas had grown into villages — a result almost 
 indispensable for protection against the marauding savages of the surrounding 
 wilderness. The principal of these settlements were located in the valley of the 
 Rio del Norte, extending from nearly one hundred miles north to about one hun- 
 dred and fifty south of Santa Fe. Wheat and corn could be raised in great crops 
 in the valleys whose soil had been cultivated for two hundred years without any 
 apparent diminution of the productiveness. The whole population of New Mex- 
 ico in 1841, including mixed Creoles, Spaniards and Indians, was estimated to be 
 about 70,000. 
 
 In New Mexico the arts and sciences had been so neglected, that it might be 
 said that no progress had been made for a hundred years. Education was almost 
 entirely neglected, no one pretended to study in the schools more than the simple 
 accomplishment of learning to read and write. There were some who were edu- 
 cated abroad for the duties of priests, and some to manage the affairs of Govern- 
 ment, but the common people, were ignorant of arithmetic, geography and all 
 other branches usually taught in the public as well as private schools of the Uni- 
 ted States at that time. 
 
 Below will be found a table of distances from Independence to Santa Fe, to- 
 gether with the names of the principal camping places on the entire route. 
 
 MILES. TOTAL. 
 
 Independence — - — 
 
 Round Grove 35 35 
 
 Narrows 30 65 
 
 no-Mile Creek 35 100 
 
 Bridge Creek 8 108 
 
 Big John Spring (crossing several creeks) 40 148 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 177 
 
 PAWNEE ROCK. 
 
 MILES. 
 
 Council Grove 2 
 
 Diamond Spring 15 
 
 Last Spring 15 
 
 Cottonwood Creek 12 
 
 Turkey Creek 25 
 
 Little Arkansas 17 
 
 Crow Creek 20 
 
 Arkansas River ... 16 
 
 Walnut Creek (up Arkansas River) •. . . 8 
 
 Ash Creek' 19 
 
 Pawnee Fork 6 
 
 Coon Creek 33 
 
 Caches 36 
 
 Ford of Arkansas 20 
 
 Sand Creek (leaving Arkansas River) 50 
 
 Cimarron River (lower spring) 8 
 
 Middle Spring (up Cimarron River) . . . . 36 
 
 Willow Bar 26 
 
 Upper Spring 18 
 
 Cold Spring (leaving Cimarron River) 5 
 
 McNee's Creek 25 
 
 Rabbit Ear Creek 20 
 
 Round Mound 8 
 
 12 
 
 TOTAL. 
 
 I6S 
 180 
 192 
 217 
 234 
 254 
 270 
 278 
 297 
 
 336 
 372 
 392 
 
 442 
 
 450 
 486 
 
 512 
 
 53° 
 S35 
 560 
 580 
 588 
 
178 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 MILES. TOTAL. 
 
 Rock Creek 8 596 
 
 Point of Rocks 19 615 
 
 Rio Colorado 20 635 
 
 Ocate 6 641 
 
 Santa Clara Springs 21 662 
 
 Rio Mora 22 684 
 
 Rio Gallinas (Vegas) 20 704 
 
 Ojo de Bernal (spring) 17 721 
 
 San Miguel 6 727 
 
 Pecos Village 23 750 
 
 Santa Fe 25 775 
 
 The distance from Independence to Santa Fe, was variously estimated at 750 
 or 800 miles. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 COUNTY OFFICIALS. 
 
 County Court — County Clerks — Circuit Clerks — Recorders — Treasurers — Assessors — Sheriffs — 
 School Commissioners — Surveyors — Marshals — Collectors — State Senators — State Representatives — 
 Verbatim Record of Marriages — The First Warranty Deed — Registration Notice. 
 
 JUSTICES OF THE COUNTY COURT. 
 
 1827 — Richard Fristoe, Abraham McClellan, Henry Burris. August, 1829, 
 Samuel Weston. 
 
 1831 — Richard Fristoe, Lewis Jones, Samuel D. Lucas. August 7, 1832, 
 Richard B. Chiles; February 13, 1833, John Smith. 
 
 1834 — Moses G. Wilson, Lawrence Flpurnoy, Daniel P. Lewis. 
 
 1838 — John Davis, Lawrence Flournoy, John Smith. 
 
 1842 — James B. Yager, Alvin Blocking, Richard Stanley. 1844, Richard 
 Fristoe. 1846, James Smart. 
 
 1846 — Alvin Brooking, Richard D. Stanley, James Gray. 1848, Walter 
 Bales. 
 
 1850 — Richard D Stanley, Walter Bales, Richard Stith. 
 
 1854 — Richard D. Stanley, James Porter, James B. Yager. 
 
 1858 — Richard D. Stanley, James McClellan, Thomas A. Smart. 
 
 1862 — Jacob Leader, Nathaniel H. Scruggs, Oscar H. Cogswell. 1864, 
 Lucius Carey. 
 
 1865 — M. T. Graham, James D. Allen, A. G. Newgent. 
 
 1866 — Andrew G. Newgent, M. T. Graham, Jacob Leader. 
 
 1867 — G. W. Gates, Lucius Carey, Joshua Petty. 
 
 1869 — James B. Yager, Lucius Carey, Joshua Petty. 
 
 187 1 — James B. Yager, L. Carey, J. Petty. 
 
 Jan. I, 1873 — James B. Yager, Lucius Carey, Luther Mason, and May 6, 
 1873, the two following were added: A. L. Harris, W. R. Bernard. 
 
 Jan. 1, 1875— A. G. Wilhams, J. B. Yager, A. M. Allen, T. H. Brougham, 
 Thomas McNamara. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. ] 79 
 
 Jan. I, 1877 — Josiah Collins, J. B. Yager, A. M. Allen, T. H. Brougham, 
 Thos. McNamara. 
 
 Aug. I, 1877— W. E. Hall, Josiah Collins, J. B. Yager. 
 
 Jan. I, 1879 — J. B. Yager, D. A. Frink, Charles E. Strode. 
 
 Jan. 1, 1881 — James B. Yager, W. O. Shouse, Charles E. Strode, present 
 court. 
 
 COUNTY CLERKS. 
 
 1827 — Lilburn W. Boggs, circuit and county clerk, and ex-officio recorder. 
 1828 — Samuel C. Owens, circuit and county clerk, and ex-officio recorder. 
 1842 — Samuel D. Lucas, circuit and county clerk, and ex- officio recorder. 
 1848 — John R. Swearingen, county clerk. 
 1867-7— Ezra R. Hickman, county clerk. 
 1876 — W. Z. Hickman, present county clerk. 
 
 CIRCUIT CLERKS. 
 
 1848 — Samuel D. Lucas, circuit clerk, and ex-officio recorder. 
 1865 — W. C. Ransom, circuit clerk, and ex-officio recorder. 
 1867 — Reuben Wallace, circuit clerk. 
 1871 — Wallace Laws, present circuit clerk. 
 
 RECORDER. 
 
 1867 — A. Comingo, recorder. 
 
 1 87 1 — Chas. D. Lucas, present recorder. 
 
 TREASURERS. * 
 
 1827 — Samuel C. Owens. 1862 — Reuben Wallace. 
 
 Russell Hicks. 1866— John T. Pendleton. 
 
 1858 — O. P. W. Bailey. 1870— Joseph B. Glover. 
 
 i860 — Dr. John Montgomery. 1872 — Joseph W. Mercer. 
 
 1861 — J. B. Glover. 1874— John Murray. 
 
 1878 — Benjamin Holmes, present treasurer. 
 
 ASSESSORS. 
 
 1848-52— George Hedges. 1866 — R. A. Ball (died after i mo.) 
 
 1854 — George Anderson. 1866 — James K. Sheley. 
 
 1852 54— Elliott Carriger. 1868 — W. Z. Hickman 
 
 1856— B. F. Thompson. 1870— C. A. Moor. 
 
 1 86 1 or 2 — Daniel O'Flaherty. 1874 — Leander Dehoney. 
 
 1865 — James Lee (appointed). 1878 — Russell Noland. 
 
 SHERIFFS. 
 
 1827 — Joseph Walker. 1854 — William Botts. 
 
 Joseph Brown. 1858 — John W. Burrus. 
 
 Jacob Gregg. 186 i—O. P. W. Bailey. 
 
 John King. 1862 — John G. Hayden. 
 
 1840 — Joseph H. Reynolds. 1864 — H. H. Williams. 
 
 1844 — Thomas Pitcher. 1866 — Charles Dougherty. 
 
 1846 — Benjamin F. Thompson. 1870— James Gray. 
 
 1848— George W. Buchanan. 1872 — C. B. L. Boothe. 
 
 1852 — Benjamin F. Thompson. 1876 — O. P. W. Bailey. 
 1880 — John C. Hope, present Sheriff. 
 
 SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS. 
 
 1853 — William Chrysman. 1862 — John R. Swearingen. 
 
 1856 — John O. Buchanan. 1866 — George S. Bryant. 
 
 i8gy_W. L. Bone. 1868— David I. Caldwell. 
 
 i860— William Taylor. 1870— John E. Hale. 
 
 1872 — David I. Caldwell, present commissioner. 
 
180 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 SURVEYORS. 
 
 1836— John C. McCoy. Edmund O'Flaherty. 
 
 1840— George W. Rhodes. 1872— Martin O. Jones. 
 
 1844-8— G. W. Buchanan. 1876— Thos. C. Lee. 
 
 1848— Lat. Coffman. 1880— Daniel O'Flaherty. 
 
 MARSHALS. 
 
 1872 — George D. Page. 1874 — Patrick Conneis 
 
 1873 — Jeremiah Dowd. 1876— James W. Liggett. 
 
 1880 — Cornelius Murphy, present marshal. 
 
 COLLECTORS. 
 
 1872 — M. W. Anderson. 1876— Daniel Murphy. 
 
 1880 — Joseph M. Green, present collector. 
 
 List of Senators representing Jackson county in the State Legislature from 
 the organization of the county till the present time. 
 
 Jackson county was organized by an act of the General Assembly, approved 
 December isth, 1826. It was attached to the 13th Senatorial District and in 
 conjunction with Clay, Ray and Lafayette counties was authorized to elect one 
 Senator in the year 1828. 
 
 1828 — sth General Assembly, met November 17, 1828. Lilburn W. Boggs, 
 13th District. 
 
 By an act of General Assembly, approved December 23d, 1828, the sena- 
 torial districts were re-apportioned and Lafayette and Jackson counties were con- 
 stituted the 14th Senatorial District. 
 
 1830— 6th General Assembly, met November 15th, 1830. Lilburn W. 
 Boggs, 14th District. 
 
 1832 — 7th General Assembly, met November 19th, 1832. Julius Emmons, 
 14th District. 
 
 1834 — 8th General Assembly, met November I'jtY^, 1834. Abraham Mc- 
 Clelland, 14th District, 
 
 1836 — 9th General Assembly, met November 21st, 1836. Abraham Mc- 
 Clelland, 14th District. 
 
 During this session a new apportionment was made for the loth and nth 
 General Assemblies, and the counties of Jackson and Van Buren, (now Cass,) 
 were constituted the 26th Senatorial District. 
 
 1838 — loth General Assembly, met November 19th, 1838. Smallwood V. 
 Noland, 26th District. 
 
 1840 — nth General Assembly, met November 6th, 1840. Lewis Franklin, 
 26th Senatorial District. 
 
 At this session there was another re-apportionment, and Jackson, Van Buren 
 and Bates were made the 14th Senatorial District. 
 
 i842—i2th General Assembly, met November 21st, 1842. Lilburn W. Boggs, 
 14th District. 
 
 1844— 13th General Assembly, met November i8th, 1844. Lilburn W. 
 Boggs, 14th District. 
 
 At this session there was an apportionment and the counties of Jackson, 
 Johnson, Van Buren and Lafayette were constituted the 25th District, with two 
 Senators. 
 
 1846— 14th General Assembly, met November T6th, 1846. James Chiles, 
 William Calhoun, 25th District. 
 
 1848— isth General Assembly, met December 25th, 1848. James Chiles, 
 John J. Burtis, 25th District. 
 
 At this session there was an apportionment, and the counties of Jackson and 
 Van Buren were constituted the 23d Senatorial District. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 181 
 
 1850 — i6th General Assembly, met December 30th, 1850. Alvan Brooking, 
 23d, District. 
 
 18.52 — 17th General Assembly, met August 30th, 1852. Alvan Brooking, 
 23d, District. 
 
 1854 — i8th General Assembly, met December 25, 1854. William J. Mayo, 
 23d District. 
 
 1856 — 19th General Assembly, met December 29, 1856. William J. Mayo, 
 23d District. 
 
 At the adjourned session of the 19th General x\ssembly which met October 
 19, 1857, there was are-apportionment and Jackson, Cass and Bates counties were 
 constituted the 14th District. 
 
 1858 — 20th General Assembly, met December 27, 1858. R. L. Y. Peyton,. 
 14th District. 
 
 i860 — 2 1 St General Assembly, met December 31, i860. R. L. Y. Peyton, 
 14th District. 
 
 1862 — 22d General Assembly, met December 29, 1862. Robert T. Van 
 Horn, 14th District. 
 
 1864 — 23d General Assembly, met December 26, 1864. R. T. Van Horn, 
 14th District. 
 
 R. T. Van Horn was also in the adjourned session which met November i, 
 1865, at \vhich there was an apportionment, but the 14th District remained un- 
 changed. 
 
 1867 — 24th General Assembly, met January 2, 1867. Minor T. Graham, 
 14th District. 
 
 1869 — 25th General Assembly, met January 6, 1869. Minor T. Graham, 
 14th District. 
 
 1871 — 26th General Assembly, met January 4, 1871. Jno. B. Wornall, 
 14th, District. 
 
 1873 — 27th General Assembly, met January i, 1873. Jno. B. Wornall, 
 14th District. 
 
 1875 — 28th General Assembly, met January 6, 1875. J- B. Newbury. 
 
 By the constitution of 1875 the senatorial districts were re-apportioned and 
 Jackson county was constituted the 15th Senatorial District. 
 
 1877 — 29th General Assembly, met January 3, 1877. Geo. F. Ballingal. 
 
 1879 — 30th General Assembly, met January 8, 1879. Geo. F. Ballingal. 
 
 1881 — 31st General Assembly, met January i, 1881. T. V. Bryant. 
 
 The representatives who have served Jackson county in the General Assembly : 
 
 1828 — Smallwood V. Nolan, 5th General Assembly. 
 
 1830 — Robert Johnston, 6th General Assembly. 
 
 1832 — Smallwood V. Noland, 7th General Assembly. 
 
 1834 — Smallwood V. Noland, Richard Pristoe, 8th General Assembly. 
 
 1836 — Smallwood V. Noland, Thomas Jeffries, 9th General Assembly. 
 
 1838 — Thos. Jeffries, J. Chiles, loth General Assembly. 
 
 1840 — John King, Coleman C. Kavanaugh, nth General Assembly. 
 
 1842 — Geo. F. Tate, Robt. G. Smart, 12th General Assembly. 
 
 1844 — Joseph H. Reynolds, William Patterson, 13th General Assembly. 
 
 1846 — Frank Smith, 14th General Assembly. 
 
 By the apportionment of 1845 'he representation of Jackson county was re- 
 duced to one member. 
 
 1848 — Franklin Smith, isth General Assembly. 
 
 By an apportionment made at this session Jackson county was again allowed 
 two representatives. 
 
 1850— Benj. F. Thompson, Jacob Gregg, i6th General Assembly. 
 
 1852 — Samuel H. Woodson, Joseph H. Reynolds, 17th General Assembly. 
 
 1854. — E. C. McCarty, John W. Reid, i8th General Assembly. 
 
182 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 1856— John W. Reid, James Childs, 19th Gen eraV Assembly. 
 
 At the adjourned session, which met October 19, 1875, ^r. Childs was 
 elected Speaker. 
 
 1858 — George W. Tate, James B. Yager, 20th General Assembly. 
 
 i860 — N. C. Claiborne, James Porter, 21st General Assembly. 
 
 1862— M. J. Payne, E. M. McGee, 22d General Assembly. 
 
 1864 — M. J. Payne, 23d General Assembly. 
 
 1867 — Jesse P. Alexander, John C. Gage, 24th General Assembly. 
 
 1869 — 25th General Assembly. There was no one from Jackson county at 
 the first session of the 25th General Assembly, and no election returns are on 
 file in the office of Secretary of State from Jackson county. In October, 1869, 
 J'acob G. Boarman and Sidney S. Neely were elected to fill a vacancy, and served 
 in the adjourned session of 1870. 
 
 1871 — G. W. Tate, Henry J. Latshaw, 26th General Assembly. 
 
 By an act of the General Assembly, approved April i, 1872, Jackson county 
 was given three representatives. 
 
 1873 — Stephen P. Twiss, James McDaniels, James R. Sheley, 27th General 
 Assembly. 
 
 1875 — A. B. Spruill, Stephen P. Twiss, A. H. Powell, 28th General Assem- 
 bly. 
 
 The constitution of 1875 g^'^^ Jackson county four representatives. 
 
 1877 — Benjamin F. Wallace, George N. Nolan, Stephen P. Twiss, Henry H. 
 Craig, 29th General Assembly. 
 
 1879 — W. C. Adams, S, C. Ragan, N. M. Gwynne, P. H. Tiernan, 30th 
 General Assembly. 
 
 1881— A. W. Randall, A. M. Allen, D. P. Bigger, Harmon Bell, 31st Gen- 
 eral Assembly. 
 
 FIRST RECORD OF MARRIAGES. 
 
 Cupid, who is everywhere busy, was at work here in the hearts of the youth- 
 ful immigrants, and as no officiating priest could be had, the aid of the Justice 
 was invoked. Records followed as a legal necessity, and the first marriage notice 
 we have on the books, is that of David G. Butterfield and Nancy Grayham, Feb- 
 ruary 26th, 1827. Herewith we insert a verbatim copy of a few of the earlier 
 marriages. 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, ) 
 Jackson County. f 
 
 ' ' This is to certify, that on the fifteenth of February, I celebrated the writes 
 of matrimony between Francis Prine and Eliza Daily, and joined them together 
 as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand this i8th day 
 of May, 1827. JOEL P. WALKER, 
 
 J. Peace." 
 " The above certificate was received and recorded on the 27th of July, 1827. 
 
 Sam'l C. Owens, Clerk 
 Circuit Court, Ex-Officio Recorder. 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, I 
 Jackson County. | 
 
 "This is to certify, that on the 15th day of February last, I celebrated the 
 rites of matrimony between Silas Hitchcock and Margaret Patterson, and joined 
 them together as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand 
 and seal this i8th day of May, 1827. JOEL P. WALKER, J. P." 
 
 " The above certificate wa« received in my office on the 27th day of July, 
 1827, and recorded on the same day. Sam. C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson county. Mo." 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 183 
 
 FIRST MARRIAGE. 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI,! 
 County of Jackson. [ 
 "This is to certify, that on the 26th day of February I celebrated the writes of 
 matrimony between David G. Butterfield and Nancy Grayham, and joined them 
 together as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand this i8th 
 day of May, 1827. JOEL P. WALKER." 
 
 " The above certificate was recorded in my office on the 27th day of July, 
 1827, ami recorded on same day. Sam. C. Owens, C. C. and 
 
 Ex-0'fficio Recorder for Jackson county." 
 
 " I do hereby certify, that I married David Reed and Timmy Brock in the 
 holy matrimony on the ninth day of April. Given under my hand this twenty- 
 first day of April, 1827. WM. SILVERS." 
 " Recorded 7th of July, 1827, recorded on same day. 
 
 Sam'l C. Owens, Cl'k, 
 and Ex-Officio Recorder of Jackson county, Mo." 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, 1 ^r i,- <■ t^i . •. 
 County of Jackson. j- Township of Blue, to wit : 
 
 " I do hereby certify, that I joined together William Butler and Margaret 
 Warden, in the holy estate of Matrimony, on the first day of April last, this the 
 28thday of June, 1827. LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 
 " Recorded on the 7th day of July, 1827; received on same day. 
 
 Sam. C. Owens, Clerk, 
 and Ex-Officio Recorder of Jackson county.'' 
 "JACKSON COUNTY,! 
 State of Missouri, j 
 
 " This is to certify, that I, Caleb Weeden, a regularly authorized preacher 
 of the Gospel, did on the 17th day of April, 1827, legally solemnized the rite of 
 matrimony between Mr. James Chambers and Miss Margaret Johnson, of the 
 county and State above mentioned. Given under my hand this i8th day of April, 
 1827. CALEB WEEDEN." 
 
 " The above certificate was received in my office on the 27th day of July, 
 1827, and recorded on the same day: Sam. C. Owens, C. C. 
 
 and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson county." 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI,} 
 Jackson County. j 
 
 "This is to certify, that on the 27th day of May, 1827, I Celebrated the 
 writes oi matrimony between Hyram Shears and Eliza Creek, and joined them 
 together as husband and wife, according to law. Given under my hand this 2 2d 
 day of August, 1827. ABR'M McCLELLAN." 
 
 " The above certificate was received in my office on the 24th day of August, 
 1827, and recorded on the same day. Sam'l C. Owens, 
 
 Ex-Officio Recorder." 
 " STATE QF MISSOURI, ) 
 
 County of Jackson, [• to-wit : 
 
 Township of Blue. ) 
 "I do hereby certify that I joined together in the holy state of matrimony 
 Mr. William Warden and Mahulda Butler on the 27th of this instant, this the 
 28th day of June, 1827. 
 
 LEWIS JONES, J. P. 
 Recorded on the 7th of July, 1827 ; received on the same day. 
 
 Samuel C. Owens, Clerk, 
 and Ex-Officio Recorder of Jackson county. Mo." 
 
184 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, 
 County of Jackson. 
 "I, William I. Baugh, a justice of the peace within and for said county, do 
 certify that on the 17th day of August, A. D. 1827, I joined together as husband 
 and wife, Moses Belcher and Eliza Richy. 
 
 Given under my hand this 3d day of November 1827. 
 
 WM. I. BAUGH, J. P." 
 "The above certificate was received in my office on the 3d day of Novem- 
 ber, 1827, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 Clerk and Ex-Officio Recorder." 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI,] 
 Jackson County. } 
 
 " I, Lewis Jones, a justice of the peace within and for said county, do cer- 
 tify that I joined together Mr. James Lewis and Miss Margaret Gregg, both of 
 this county, on the 6th day of this instant, this 20th day of November, 1827. 
 
 LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 "The above certificate was received in my office on the 20th day of Novem- 
 ber, 1827, and recorded on same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson county.'' 
 
 "JACKSON COUNTY,") 
 State of Missouri, j 
 
 " I do certify that I joined together in bonds of matrimony Jonathan Cam- 
 eron and Phoebe Connor, September 27th, 1827. 
 
 JOEL P. WALKER, J. P." 
 " The above certificate was received in my office on the 27th of March, 
 1828 and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. C. and Ex-Qfficio Recorder for Jackson county, Mo.'' 
 
 "December the 29th day, 1827. 
 ' ' To the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Jackson County : 
 
 This is to certify that I solemnized the rites of matrimony between Charles 
 Johnston and Kisiah Trapp according to Law, on the i8th of October 1827. 
 
 ZACHARIAH LINVILLE, 
 Elder of the Christian Church." 
 " The above certificate was received in my office on the 31st day of Decem- 
 ber, 1827, and recorded on the same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson coi^ty." 
 
 " STATE OF MISSOURI; 
 
 Jackson County. 
 
 "I, William I. Baugh, a justice of the peace for Fort Osage township in 
 said county , do certify that on the 18 of October, 1827, I joined together as man 
 and wife Levi Russell and Nancy Bledsoe in the holy bands of matrimony. 
 
 Given under my hand this 18 January, 1828. 
 
 W. I. BAUGH, J. P." 
 
 " The above certificate was received in my office on the 1 8th. of January, 
 1828 and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County." 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOUki, | 
 
 Jackson County. f 
 
 " I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the Peace within and for said county do cer- 
 tify that I joined together Mr. James Lewis and Miss Mary Gregg both of this 
 county, on the 6th day of this instant, this 20th day of November, 1827. 
 
 LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 
 I' } ss. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 185 
 
 " The above certificate was received in ray office on the 20th day of Novem- 
 ber, 1827, and recorded on the same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. and ExOfficio Recorder for Jackson county." 
 
 " STATE OF MISSOURI, ] 
 
 Jackson County. ) 
 
 "I, Lewis Jones, a justice of the peace within and for said county, do hereby 
 certify that I, joined together in the holy state of matrimony on the i8th day 
 of this instant, Mr. John Smith and Miss Sarah Fristo. both of this county, this 
 20th day of November, 1827. LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 
 " The above certificate was received in my office on the 20th day of Novem- 
 ber, 1827 and recorded on the same day. Samuel C. Owens. 
 
 C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson county." 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, 
 County of Jackson, 
 
 Fort Osage Township. 
 " I, Jesse Lewis, a justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid, 
 do certify that on the 22d day of December, 1827, I united Jonathan Smith and 
 Elizaan Dier in the holy estate of matrimony according to law. 
 Given under my hand this isth day of February 1828. 
 
 JESSE LEWIS, J. P. 
 "The above certificate was received in my office on the 17th of March, 
 1828, and recorded same day. S. C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder, Jackson county." 
 
 "JACKSON COUNTY,] 
 State of Missouri. ) 
 
 ' ' This is to certify that I joined together in the bands of matrimony Daniel 
 Prine and Catharine Bryant, December iith, 1827. 
 
 JOEL P. WALKER, J. P." 
 "The above certificate was filed in my office on the 27th of March, A. D. 
 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. C, and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson Co." 
 
 ^ STATE. OF MISSOURI, ) ^^^^ ^^^ ^^., 
 
 Jackson County. J ' 
 
 "I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county afore- 
 said, do certify that on the 27th day of December, 1827, I united Joseph Keeny 
 and Winny Chesney in the holy state of matrimony. 
 
 "Given under my hand this, the ist day of March, 1828. 
 
 LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 "The above certificate was received in my office on the 17th of March, 
 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. C, and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson Co." 
 
 ' STATE OF MISSOURI, I „ t^ 
 
 o T „„^„„ r Blue Township, to-wit : 
 
 County of Jackson. J ' 
 
 "I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the county aforesaid, 
 do certify that on the third day of January, 1828, I united Thomas Pitcher and 
 Nancy Parish in the holy estate of matrimony. Given under my hand this first 
 day of March, 1828. LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 
 " The above certificate was received in my office on the 17th of March, 
 1828, and recorded the same day. Samuel C, Owens, 
 
 C. C. C, and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson Co." 
 
 "I do hereby asertify that I, William Silvers, z. justes of the peace, did, on 
 
186 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the 14th day January, 1828, marry Thomas Milsaps and Matilda Chesney in the 
 holy matrimony. Given under my hand this tenth day of April. 
 
 WILLIAM SILVERS, 1828. 
 "The above certificate was filed in my office on the 12th of April, 1828, and 
 recorded same day. Samuel C. Ovs^ens, 
 
 C. C. C, and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County." 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, I T^.^„^ Blue Township. 
 County of Jackson. ) 
 "I, Lewis Jones, a justice of the peace, within and for the county afore- 
 said, do certify that on the 30th of January, 1828, I united Joseph Brown 
 and Nancy King in the holy estate of matrimony. Given under my hand this 
 I St day of March, 1828. LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 
 "The above certificate was received in my office on the 17th of March, 
 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. C, and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County." 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, 
 
 County of Jackson, 
 
 Fort Osage Township. 
 
 ' ' I, Jesse Lewis, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the county aforesaid, 
 do certify that on the 8th day of February, I united in the holy estate of matri- 
 mony James Linch and Mary Smith, according to law. Given under my hand 
 this, the first day of May, 1828. JESSE LEWIS, J. P. 
 
 "The above certificate was filed in m.y office on the first day of May, 1S28, 
 and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County, Mo." 
 
 "I do hereby certify that I, William Silvers, a justice of the peace, for the 
 
 County of Jackson, did, on the 14th day of February, 1828, marry Mirich Davis 
 
 and Sary Anderson, in the holy mattremony Given under my hand this, the 
 
 I oth day of April. WILLIAM SILVERS, 1828. 
 
 "The above certificate was filed in my office on the 12th of April, 1828, 
 and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. C, and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson County." 
 "JACKSON COUNTY, I 
 Missouri. J 
 
 "This is to certify that I joined in the bands of matrimony the persons under 
 named, Jacob Gregg and Nany Lewis, on March 4, 1828. 
 
 JOE P. WALKER, J. P." 
 " The above certificate was filed in my office this 27th day of March, A. D. 
 1828, and recorded same day. Samuel C. Owens, 
 
 C. C. C. and Ex-Officio Recorder for Jackson county.'' 
 " This is to certify that I joined together in the bands of matrimony Reuben 
 Collins and Hannah Crisp, March 11, 1828. JOEL WALKER, J. P." 
 
 "I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the peace within and for the county of Jack- 
 son, do certify that on the 20th day of March, 1828, I united John Gibson and 
 Sarah Noland in the holy estate of matrimony. LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 
 "I, William Silvers, a justice of the peace, within the county aforesaid, do 
 certify that on the 25th day of May, 1828, I joined together as man and wife 
 Hugh Parsons and Nancy Smith in the holy estate of matrimony. 
 Given under my hand this day and date aforesaid 
 
 WILLIAM SILVERS, J. P." 
 
 "I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the Peace within and for the county aforesaid, 
 do certify that on the 23d day of March, 1S28, I united James Townson and 
 Hannah Smith in the holy bands of matrimony. LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 187 
 
 " I, William Silvers, Justice of the peace within and for the county aforesaid, 
 certify that on the nth day of June, 1828, I joined together as man and wife 
 Edly Garnet and Elizabeth Davis in the holy estate of matrimony. 
 
 WILLIAM SILVERS, J. P." 
 
 "This is to certify that I joined together in the bands of Matrimony Bryant 
 Baxter and Sarah Ross, on the 8th day of July, 1828. 
 
 JOEL WALKER, J. P." 
 
 " This is to certify that I joined together in the bands of matrimony Jeremiah 
 Burnes and Sarah Baxter, on the 3d day of July, 1828. 
 
 JOEL P. WALKER, J. P." 
 
 "I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the peace within and for said county, do 
 certify that on the loth day of July last, I united Mr. Bretton Savage and Mrs. 
 Rachel Linch in the holy estate of matrimony. LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 
 "I, Lewis Jones, a justice of the peace within and for said county, do 
 certify that on the 19th day of August last, I united Absolom Smith and Hilly 
 Kinzly in the holy estate of matrimony. LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 
 " I William Silvers, a justice of the peace for Jackson county, did on the 
 24th of August, 1828, join together as man and wife Benjamin Tucker and Clar- 
 issa Noland. WILLIAM SILVERS, J. P." 
 
 "I do hereby certify that Pierre Reualette was married to Mrs. L. Roi, 
 both of the one said county, and that they were married in the presence of sev- 
 eral witnesses by the undersigned Justice of the peace on the tenth day of Sep- 
 tember last. 
 
 given under my hand and seal the 8th of October, 1828. 
 
 SAMUL JOHNSTON, J. P." 
 
 " I, Lewis Jones, a Justice of the peace within and for said county, do 
 certify that on the 25th day of December, 1828, I united in the holy estate of 
 matrimony Mr. Hesekiah Warden and Miss Sarah Butler, by the consent of each 
 of their parents. LEWIS JONES, J. P." 
 
 " Married by the undersigned justice of the peace .on the 25th day of De- 
 cember, 1828, Andrew Patterson to Elizabeth Hitchcock, both of this county, 
 and were married in the presence of several witnesses. 
 
 SAM'L JOHNSTON, J. P." 
 
 In the year 1827 there were recorded seventeen marriages, in 1828 nineteen 
 marriages. We have thus fully chronicled these first marriages because of the 
 peculiarity of their style of expression, and because the names are now nearly 
 forgotten and lost. Many, however, yet living in Jackson county and elsewhere 
 will recognize in these their ancestral names. Marriages have rapidly increased, 
 and, whereas, formerly nearly all the ceremonies were performed by justices of 
 the peace, now it is the prevailing custom to call in a minister of the gospel to 
 solemnize the matrimonial rite. In the year 1880 there were 557 marriages in 
 Jackson county, and it is very probable that there will be a much larger list during 
 the year 1881. 
 
 THE FIRST WARRANTY DEED. 
 
 To All to Whom these Presents shall Come : 
 
 Greeting : Know ye, that I, John Baptiste James lonka, of Jackson county 
 and State of Missouri, for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred and 
 fifty dollars, lawful money of the United Sta,tes, to me in hand paid by Joseph 
 Roi, of the county and State aforesaid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowl- 
 edged, have granted, bargained, sold and conveyed, and by these presents do 
 grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the said Joseph Roi all my right, title and 
 claim unto a certain tract or parcel of land containing six hundred and forty acres. 
 
188 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 which land I hold as a half-beed of the Kansas Nation or tribe of Indians, by 
 virtue of a reserve made said nation from the United States in the late treaty 
 between the Kansas Nation and the United States, together with all and singular 
 the rights, privileges and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto him, the said 
 Joseph Roi, his heirs and assigns forever ; and I do covenant unto the said Joseph 
 Roi that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises, and that they are free from 
 all encumbrances. 
 
 In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty-fifth 
 day of June, eighteen hundred and twenty-eight. 
 
 his 
 JOHN BAPTISTE X JAMES lONKA. 
 mark [seal] 
 
 Signed, sealed and delivered before us, 
 Robert Johnson, 
 William Lewis. 
 
 " STATE OF MISSOURI, 1 
 County of Jackson. j 
 
 " On the twenty-fifth day of June, eighteen hundred and twenty-eight, John 
 Baptiste James lonka, personally known to me, appeared before nie and exe- 
 cuted and acknowledged the above and foregoing instrument of writing, as his 
 hand and seal, for the purpose therein contained, this 2Sth June 1828. . 
 
 SAMUEL JOHNSON, 
 
 Justice of Peace." 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, Kg 
 County of Jackson, j 
 
 " I Samuel C. Owens, Clerk of the Circuit Court and ex-officio Recorder for 
 the county aforesaid, do certify that the preceding instrument of writing from 
 John Baptiste James lonka to Joseph Roi was filed in my office on the 5th day 
 instant, and by me duly recorded same day, September 3, 1828. 
 
 SAMUEL C. OWENS, 
 C. C. C. & Ex- Officio Recorder." 
 
 another warranty deed. 
 
 This indenture, made and entered into this twenty-ninth day of September, 
 one thousand eight hundred and twenty-eight, between Abner J. Adair and Mary 
 Adair, his wife, of the county of Jackson and State of Missouri, of the first 
 part, and Joseph Adair, of the county of Fleming and State of Kentucky, of the 
 second part; witnesseth, that the party of the first part, through natural love and 
 affection, do give unto our brother, Joseph Adair, of the second part, all that lot 
 or parcel of ground, situate lying and being in the town of Independence, Jack- 
 son county, Missouri, numbered twenty and twenty-one, with all the rights, titles, 
 claim or interest of us or either of us inlaw or equity, of, in and to the above premises; 
 to have and hold unto his own proper use, benefit and behoof; for which we bind 
 ourselves, our heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, to the said Joseph 
 Adair, his heirs or assigns, that the before recited tract of land and premises 
 aforesaid, they will warrant and forever defend against the right, title, claim, in- 
 terest or estate of all and every person or persons whatever. In testimony where- 
 of, we have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year aforesaid. 
 
 ABNER J. ADAIR, [seal]. 
 MARY ADAIR. [seal]. 
 
 STATE OF MISSOURI, ^ 
 County of Jackson, 
 
 Be it remembered, that on this tenth day of December, in the year of our 
 Lord, eighteen hundred and twenty-eight, before me, a justice of the peace with- 
 
 [■ ss. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 189 
 
 in and for the county aforesaid, personally came Abner J. Adair and Mary, his 
 wife, both personally known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed 
 to the foregoing instrument of writing, as having executed the same, and severally 
 acknowledged the same to be their act and deed, for purposes therein mentioned ; 
 she, the said Mary Adair, being by me first made acquainted with the contents 
 thereof, and examined separate and apart from her husband, whither she executed 
 the said, and relinquishes her dower to land and tenements therein mentioned vol- 
 untarily, freely, and without compulsion or undue influence of her said husband, 
 acknowledged and declared that she executed the said deed, and relinquishes her 
 dower in the said lands and tenements therein mentioned, voluntarily, freely and 
 without compulsion or undue influence of her husband. 
 Taken and certified the day and year aforesaid. 
 
 WILLIAM SILVERS, J. P. 
 STATE OF MISSOURI, ] 
 
 County of Jackson, ) ^^' 
 I, Samuel Weston, deputy clerk of the Circuit Court, and ex-officio recorder 
 for the aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing instrument of writing, being a deed 
 from Abner J. Adair and his wife, was filed in the office on the tenth instant, and 
 by me duly recorded same day, December lo, 1828. 
 
 SAMUEL WESTON, 
 Deputy, ex-officio Recorder. 
 This indenture made and concluded this 12th day of August, in the year of 
 our Lord one thousand, eight hundred and twenty-nine, by and between Samuel 
 Owens, commissioner of the seat of justice for the county of Jackson (the same 
 being the town of Independence), in the State of Missouri, on the one part, and 
 Abner J. Adair of the other part, witnesseth that the said Samuel C. Owens, 
 commissioner aforesaid, for, and on behalf of the county of Jackson 
 aforesaid, has this day for, and in consideration of twenty-two dollars, 
 lawful money, to him paid by the said Abner J. Adair, the reseipt 
 whereof is hereby acknowledged, bargained and granted, sold and con- 
 veyed, and do by these presents bargain, grant, sell and convey unto the 
 said Abner J. Adair, his heirs and assigns forever, certain tracts or parcels 
 of land lying and being in the town of Independence, the same being the seat 
 of justice for the county of Jackson, containing each forty-five square rods 
 and known as the plat of said town by the numbers of twenty and twenty- 
 one, together with all and singular the privileges and appurtenances to the said 
 land, lots, parcels or pieces of ground of aforesaid thereto belonging or in any 
 wise appertaining. To have and to hold the above granted premises to said 
 Abner J. Adair, his heirs and assigns to his and their use and behoof forever. 
 And I, the said Samuel C. Owens, commissioner aforesaid, for and on behalf of the 
 county aforesaid, do covenant with the said Abner J. Adair, his heirs and assigns, 
 that I the said Samuel C. Oivens commissioner aforesaid for and on behalf of the 
 county aforesaid, am lawfully seized in fee of the afore granted premises that 
 they are free from all encumbrances. That I, Samuel C. Owens, commissioner 
 aforesaid for and on behalf of the county aforesaid have as such good right to 
 sell and convey the same to the said Abner J. Adair as aforesaid. That I Samuel 
 C. Owens commissioner aforesaid for and on behalf of the county aforesaid will, 
 and that my successor or successors in office shall warrant and forever defend 
 the same to the said Abner J. Adair, his heirs and assigns, against the lawful 
 demands of all persons whatsoever. 
 
 In testimony whereof I, Samuel C. Owens, commissioner aforesaid, for and in 
 behalf of the county aforesaid, have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal at 
 the county of Jackson, this day and date aforesaid. 
 
 . Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of John D. McRay. 
 
 Samuel C. Owens, [seal.] 
 
190 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI,) 
 County of Jackson. j ^^ 
 
 Be it remembered that I, Samuel C. Owens, the within named commissioner, 
 and who was personally known to the undersigned, personally came and appeared 
 before me, John Smith, a justice of the peace within and for the county afore- 
 said, and acknowledged the within deed of conveyance for and on behalf of the 
 county aforesaid, and that the premises herein described to be the property of 
 Abner J. Adair. 
 
 Given under my hand and seal this i8th day of August, 1829. 
 
 John Smith, J. P." 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, ") 
 County of Jackson. j ' 
 
 "I, Samuel C. Owens, of the Circuit Court, and Ex-OfEcio Recorder for the 
 county aforesaid, do certify that the foregoing deed from Samuel C. Owens, 
 commissioner on the part of said county to A. J. Adair, was filed and recorded 
 in my office on the 18th of August, A. D. 1829. SAMUEL C. OWENS, 
 
 C. C. C. J. C." 
 registration notice. 
 
 The several registering officers appointed to make registers of the qualified 
 voters in the several election districts of this county, will be in session for 
 the purpose of registering all persons entitled to registration as voters, in their 
 respective districts, from 8 o'clock a. m. to 6 o'clock p. m. , on each and every 
 Saturday, between the twentieth day of September, 1866, and the fifteenth day 
 prior to the sixth day of November, 1866, said Saturdays being the twenty-second 
 and twenty-ninth days of September, 1866, and the sixth, thirteenth and twentieth 
 days of October, 1866, at the usual place of voting in each election district of 
 said county as follows r 
 
 At Independence, Blue Township, ist Election District. 
 
 At Sibley, Fort Osage Township, 2nd Election District. 
 
 At the Baptist Church, Sni-a-bar Township, 3d Election District. 
 
 At Lone Jack, Van Buren Township, 4th Election District. 
 
 At the school house, near James Wilson's, Prairie Township, sth Election 
 District. 
 
 At Hickman's mill, Washington Township, 6th Election District. 
 
 At Westport, in part of Kaw Township, 7th Election District. 
 
 At the court house, Kansas City, .8th Election District. 
 
 At Metropolitan Hall, McGee's Addition, 9th Election District. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 191 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 RAILROADS. 
 
 Names of the Different Roads— Missouri Pacific — Chicago dr' Alton — Wabash — Hannibal 6f 
 St. Joseph — Kansas City, St. Joseph <5i^ Council Bluffs — Kansas City, Leavenworth &f 
 Atchison — Union Pacific — Atchison, Topeka ^ Santa Fe — Kansas Cityhf Port Scott — Mis- 
 souri, Kansas &" Texas, and others — Non-completed Roads-r- Misappropriation of Funds 
 by tlie County — One Million Dollars Paid by the County and no Benefit Derived. 
 
 Railroads have done more toward building up and developing the resources 
 of Jackson county than any other one enterprise. There are at least a dozen 
 great railroad lines centering at Kansas City, several of which run entirely ath- 
 wart the county, furnishing direct connection with all points north, south, east 
 and west. Among these great railroad corporations are the Chicago & Alton, 
 Missouri Pacific, Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs, Missouri, Kansas & 
 Texas, Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern, Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf, 
 Hannibal & St. Joseph, Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific, Union Pacific, Chicago, 
 Rock Island & Pacific, Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the Kansas City, Bur- 
 lington & Santa Fe Railway companies. 
 
 Of these we mention first the Missouri Pacific Railroad, running to St. Louis 
 on the south side of the Missouri River. 
 
 Second — The Chicago & Alton Railroad, running on the south side of the 
 Missouri River to Glasgow, where it crosses to the north side and runs to both 
 St. Louis and Chicago. 
 
 Third— The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway, running on the north side 
 of the Missouri River to St. Louis, and branching at Moberly to the Iowa line, 
 where it connects with the Iowa Central for central Iowa and St. Paul, Minnesota, 
 also at Brunswick for Omaha, and at R. and L. Junction for St. Joseph. 
 
 Fourth — The Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, running to Hannibal, Mis- 
 souri, and Quincy, Illinois, where it connects with the Wabash road for Toledo 
 and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy for Chicago. 
 
 Fifth — The Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, running to 
 the northward along the eastern bank of the Missouri River to St. Joseph, Coun- 
 cil Bluffs and Omaha, connecting at Council Bluffs with, the Sioux City & Pacific 
 for Sioux City and St. Paul, and at Omaha with the Union Pacific for California. 
 It also branches at St. Joseph to Creston, Iowa, where it connects with the Bur- 
 lington & Missouri River Railroad for Burlington and Chicago. 
 
 Sixth — The Missouri River Railroad, operated under lease by the Missouri 
 Pacific, running along the west bank of the Missouri River to Leavenworth, 
 Atchison and St. Joseph, connecting at Leavenworth with the Kansas Central for 
 Holton, Kansas, and at Atchison with the Central Branch Pacific for Beloit, Kan- 
 sas, and the Atchison & Nebraska for Lincoln, Nebraska. 
 
 Seventh — The Union Pacific Railway, running along the north bank of the 
 Kansas River to Lawrence and Topeka, Kansas, and crossing the State to Den- 
 ver, Colorado, and Cheyenne and Hazard, Wyoming, and with the Colorado 
 system of railroads for all points in the mines of that State. This road has a 
 branch from Junction City to Clifton, one from Solomon City to Beloit, and one 
 from Salina to McPherson, Kansas. 
 
 Eighth — The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, running along the 
 south bank of the Kansas River to Lawrence and Topeka, and thence to the 
 southwest, through the famous Arkansas Valley, to Pueblo and Canon City, Col- 
 
192 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 orado, and Cliftona, New Mexico. This road connects with the Denver & Rio 
 Grande Railroad, for Denver, and with the Southern Pacific Railroad of Califor- 
 nia, at Deming, which makes it a great transcontinental line It has branches to 
 Wichita, Wellington and Arkansas City, to McPherson, to Manhattan, and to 
 El Dorado, in Kansas, and to Santa Fe, in New Mexico. 
 
 Ninth— The Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern Railroad, running to the 
 southwest to the southern line of Kansas at Coffeyville. At Ottawa it has a 
 branch to Lawrence, and connects with the Kansas City, Burlington & South- 
 western Railroad for Burlington, Kansas. It has a branch also from Cherryvale 
 to Wellington, Kansas. 
 
 Tenth— The Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, running southward 
 from Kansas City, through Fort Scott to Baxter Springs, Kansas. At Girard, 
 Kansas, it connects with the Joplin Railroad for Joplin, Missouri. It has a 
 branch from Prescott, Kansas, to Rich Hill, Missouri, one from Fort Scott to 
 Springfield, Missouri, and one from Baxter Springs to Carthage, Missouri. 
 
 Eleventh — The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, connecting at Nevada, 
 Missouri, with the Lexington & Southern Branch of the Missouri Pacific, which 
 leaves the main line of that road at Pleasant Hill, in Cass county, and over which 
 its trains run to Kansas City. It runs to the southward through Kansas and the 
 Indian Territory to Dennison, Texas, where it connects with the Texas Central 
 for Houston, Austin and Galveston. 
 
 Twelfth^The Kansas City & Eastern (Narrow Gauge) Railroad, running 
 eastward along the south side of the Missouri River to Independence and Lex- 
 ington, Missouri. 
 
 Thirteenth — The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (which uses the 
 Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad track to Cameron, Mo.), running to Chicago, 
 Illinois, Leavenworth and Atchison, Kansas. 
 
 Thus Jackson county is so provided with railroads that her trade reaches 
 directly over her own or tributary lines into every nook and corner of the country 
 for hundreds of miles in all directions. 
 
 The lines all terminate at her depots, and are so arranged that, she is the 
 gateway through which all trade between the country east of her and that to the 
 west must pass. So long as there were no railroad pools west of the Mississippi 
 River, Kansas City enjoyed exceptional advantages in through freight rates to the 
 East, often getting lower rates than were given St. Louis, and sometimes equally 
 as low as were given Chicago. Still, under the present pool, she usually gets 
 advantages when large consignments are offered. 
 
 The tendency of the railroads is to make Kansas City the western out-post 
 of trade and the western point of competition, as they have heretofore made St. 
 Louis and Chicago, and the effect will be to put Kansas City on an equal footing 
 with those places, and eventually to consign St. Louis to the position of a way 
 station, as has already been done with Cincinnati. 
 
 In the construction of several of these roads the county has liberally aided, 
 bonds to the amount of $275,000 were issued for stock in the Missouri Pacific 
 Railroad; $300,000 in the Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad ; 
 $50,000 in the Lexington, Lake & Gulf Railroad; $100,000 in the Kansas City, 
 Lawrence & Topeka Railroad; $250,000 in the Wyandotte, Kansas City & 
 Northwestern Railroad; $25,000 in the Westport Horse Railroad Company. 
 
 The Missouri Pacific bonds were all paid off as early as 1867, while a greater 
 part of the balance of the railroad bonds are still outstanding. Of these bonds 
 $100,000 in favor of the Kansas City, Lawrence & Topeka Railroad are against 
 Kaw Township, it having voted a separate tax, and in favor of the Wyandotte, 
 Kansas City & Northwestern Railroad a like sum against Blue Township, it also 
 having voted the amount. Kaw township issued bonds to the amout of $150,- 
 000 — to the Wyandotte, Kansas City & Northwestern Railroad Company. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 193 
 
 Of these corporations for whose benefit such immense amounts of money 
 have been expended, the Clinton & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho 
 Railroad, and the Lexington, Lake & Gulf Railroad have not been constructed, 
 and not a dollar of direct benefit has accrued to the county, save perhaps a 
 piece of experience with gigantic fraud and wholesale stealing. Some grading 
 and masonry work was the only perceptible outlay of the people's money. Two 
 of the bonds, $i,ooo each, issued to the Lexington, Lake & Gulf Railroad Com- 
 pany have already been paid, and the remaining forty-eight together with all in- 
 terest thereon, the county's credit is holden for. In the case of the Clinton & 
 Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, the tax-payers of Jackson, 
 Cass and Henry counties were fearfully defrauded, and since such a vast 
 sum of money has been fraudulently charged to the credit of the county, the 
 people have taken a deep interest in the project, and it becomes one of the most 
 important historical facts in connection with Jackson county. The bonds are 
 now bearing eight per cent interest and before they can be paid the scheme will 
 haVe cost Jackson county over one million dollars; every dollar must be paid; 
 the bonds were declared valid by the Supreme Court of the United States. Who 
 those parties were that concocted the frauds, wasted and stole the public funds 
 of the county your historian is entirely ignorant, but he has sufficiently investi- 
 gated to know that there was great wrong committed, and it becomes his duty 
 to give some of the facts in this work, most of which are in the form of pubhc 
 records, thus no one person can be censured for relating what is public property. 
 The records alone will show that the county for the last ten years has been 
 deeply humiliated and incensed on account of the burden of taxes which the 
 Tebo & Neosho Railroad scheme has imposed, and will continue to impose for 
 the next ten years to come. 
 
 The following record of the County Court proceedings contains the several 
 orders that were made for the subscription of three hundred thousand dollars to 
 the Kansas City & Memphis Railroad, and the revocation of that order, and 
 subsequent subscription of a like sum to the Clinton & Kansas City Branch of 
 the Tebo Neosho Railroad Company, together with a full history of all sub- 
 sequent proceedings in court, touching said subscription, and issuing and deliver- 
 ing the bonds to pay such subscription. 
 
 The following is an exact copy of one of the thousand dollar bonds, issued 
 by the court: 
 
 "UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 
 STATE OF MISSOURI, 
 
 Jackson County Bond. 
 $1,000.00. No. 149. 
 
 " Interest eight per cent, per annum, payable on the first day of August and 
 February, in New York. 
 
 " Know all men by these presents, that the County of Jackson, in the State 
 of Missouri, acknowledges itself in debt and firmly bound to the Tebo & Neo- 
 sho Railroad Company, to the use and benefit and in the name of the Clinton 
 & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, in the sum of one 
 thousand dollars, which sum the said county for value received hereby promises 
 to pay to the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, or bearer, to aid in building 
 the said Branch Railroad, at the National Bank of Commerce, in the city of New 
 York, on the first day of May, A. D. 1891, redeemable, however, at the option 
 of the County Court of said county at any time after the lapse of eight years af- 
 ter the date hereof, together with interest thereon, from the first day of May, 
 1871, until paid, at the rate of eight per cent, per annum, which interest shall 
 be payable semi-annually, on the first days of August and February of each year, 
 including the interest due at the maturity of this bond, on the presentation and 
 
 13 
 
19-4 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 delivery at said bank of the coupons of interest, hereto severally attached. 
 
 "This bond is issued under and in pursuance of an order of the County 
 Court of the County of Jackson, in the State of Missouri, and in pursuance of 
 and by authority of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, 
 entitled, an act to incorporate the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, approved 
 January i6, i860, and of an act of the General Assembly of the State of Mis- 
 souri, entitled, an act to aid in building of branch railroads in the State of Mis- 
 souri, approved March 11, A. D. 1868. 
 
 "In testimony whereof the said County of Jackson has executed this bond by 
 the presiding justice of the County Court of Jackson county under the order of 
 said court signing his name hereto and by the clerk of said court under the order 
 thereof, attesting the same and affixing the seal of said court at the city of Inde- 
 pendence, County of Jackson of aforesaid, this tenth day of July, A. D. 1871. 
 
 ^-" ' Attest, JOSHUA PETTY, 
 
 Jackson \ presiding Justice of County Court of Jackson county, Missouri. 
 
 Cpunty, V s J ^ ^ HICKMAN, 
 
 Missouri. ) ^^^^^ pj. Qounty q^^j.^ ^f Jackson county, Missouri." 
 
 ^ ^ 
 
 A copy of one of the coupons : 
 " $40. Independence, Jackson Co., Mo., 1 
 
 May I, 1871. J 
 "The County of Jackson acknowledges itself to owe and promises to pay to 
 the bearer forty dollars on the first day of February, 1891, at the National Bank of 
 Commerce in the city and State of New York, being six months' interest on bond 
 No. 149. E. K. HICKMAN, 
 
 •Clerk of Jackson County Court, Missouri." 
 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, I In the Jackson County Court, September 
 
 County of Jackson. ) ^ ' term, 1871. 
 
 " Be it remembered that at the term aforesaid and on the isth day of said 
 month amongst others the following proceedings were had and made, viz : 
 
 "It is ordered by the court that an election by the tax-payers of Jack- 
 son county shall be held at the respective voting precincts in the County of Jack- 
 son, on the 8th day of October next, A. D. 1870, to ascertain the sense of the 
 voters at such election upon the following proposition : 
 
 "That the County of Jackson shall subscribe to the capital stock of the 
 Kansas and Memphis Railroad, it being a branch of the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
 Railroad, as organized under the charter of the original Kansas City, Galveston 
 & Lake Superior Railroad the sum of thre ehundred thousand dollars upon such 
 terms and conditions as the County Court may affix. One of which conditions 
 shall be that said road shall start at a point near the southern tier of Kansas City, 
 and near Grand avenue, and shall be located so as to run through the corporated 
 limits of Westport, thence to the southern line of the county in the general direc- 
 tion of Hickman's Mill and Harrisonville. Another of which conditions shall be 
 that the bonds of Jackson county to be issued in payment for said subscription shall 
 not be issued until the County Court shall be satisfied that a sufficient amount of 
 stock has been subscribed to grade, bridge and tie the road to the south line of 
 the State or to its intersection with some other road in like manner to be grad- 
 ed, bridged and tied leading to the state line in the same direction the money to be 
 expended in Jackson county. And further that the County of Jackson subscribe 
 such an additional amount to the capital stock of the Louisiana & Missouri 
 River Railroad Company as may be necessary with the subscription already made 
 to complete the grading, bridging and tieing said railroad through the County of 
 Jackson, including the purchase of the right of way, depot grounds, water stations, 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 195 
 
 side tracks, etc., etc., and on such terms and conditions as the County Court 
 may prescribe not inconsistent with the terms of the former subscriptions of said 
 county to the cipital stock of said last mentioned company. Such subscriptions 
 however riot to exceed the sum of two hundred thousand dollars. The bonds of 
 Jackson county in payment thereof shall not be issued until the County Court of 
 Jackson county is satisfied of the ability of said company and of their intention 
 to complete said railroad its entire length from Louisiana to Kansas City to run 
 through the counties of Saline, Lafayette and Jackson, the money to be expended 
 in Jagkson county. Said stock to both of said companies to be payable in the 
 coupon bonds of Jackson county of the denomination of one hundred dollars 
 each at their par value, payable not exceeding twenty years after their issue and 
 bearing interest at the rate of not exceeding ten per cent, per annurti, payable 
 semi-annually in the city of New York upon the coupons to be attached to said 
 bonds. 
 
 The clerk of this court shall prepare the Poll Books, and distribute the same 
 to the different voting precincts ; said clerk shall also give notice of such especial 
 election by publishing this order, together with a statement of the time said elec- 
 tion shall be held, twenty days previous to the day of election, in each of the 
 daily papers of Kansas City, and each of the papers published in Independence. 
 
 The form of the ballot shall be as follows : For the subscription to the Kan- 
 sas City & Memphis Railroad and to the Louisiana & Missouri River Railroad 
 Company — "Yes." For the subscription to the Kansas City & Memphis Rail- 
 road and to the Louisiana & Missouri River Railroad Company — " No." 
 
 And afterward, to wit: At the October term 1870, and on the 21st day of 
 said month, amongst others, the following proceedings were had and made, viz. : 
 Whereas, at the September terra of this court, and on the isth day of September, 
 A. D. 1870, an order was'made by said county for an election to be held by the 
 tax-payers of Jackson county at the several voting precincts in said county on the 
 8th day of October, A. D. 1870, for the purpose of ascertaining the will of said 
 taxpayers upon the proposition for the County of Jackson to subscribe to the 
 capital stock of the Kansas City & Memphis Railroad Company, a branch of 
 the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company, the sum of three hundred thousand 
 dollars, and to the capital stock of the Louisiana & Missouri River Railroad 
 Company, a sum not exceeding two hundred thousand dollars, upon the terms 
 and subject to the restrictions in said order specified. 
 
 And, whereas, at said election on said day the vote cast in the several pre- 
 cincts in said county in favor, of said subscription being made was as follows : 
 For the subscription, 4,403; against said subscription, 940 ; majority in favor of 
 said subscription, 3,463; and at said election the majority of votes cast in favor 
 of said subscription being made being 3,463, it is therefore ordered by said court, 
 that said subscription be made to the capital stock of said railroad companies 
 respectively in accordance with and upon the terms and subject to the restrictions 
 contained in said order. 
 
 And afterward, to wit : At the November adjourned term, 1870, and on the 
 17th day of said month, amongst others, the following proceedings were had and 
 made, viz. : 
 
 Ordered by the court, that the county of Jackson, in the State of Missouri, 
 take and subscribe to the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company for^three 
 thousand shares of the stock of said company of the denomination of one hun- 
 dred dollars to. the share, amounting to three hundred thousand dollars, to aid in 
 the building of a branch road, the name of which branch is, " The Kansas City 
 & Memphis Railroad," and which branch is to commence at a point in Kansas 
 City, and near the southern line thereof and near Grand avenue, and from the 
 last point to be located so as to run through the corporate limits of Westport, 
 thence to the southern line of the county in the general direction of Hickman's 
 
196 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Mill and Harrisonville. The subscription shall be made under and by virtue of 
 "an act to incorporate the Kansas City, Galveston & Lake Superior Railroad 
 Company," approved February 9th, 1857, and of "an act to amend an act to 
 incorporate the Kansas City, Galveston & Lake Superior Railroad Company," 
 approved February 9th, 1857, and for other purposes, approved February i6th, 
 1864 and of " an act to aid in the building of a Branch, Railroad in the State of 
 Missouri " approved March 21st, 1868. The subscription shall be made to said 
 company as required by "an act to aid in the building of a Branch road in the 
 State of Missouri," in the name of, for the use of, and aid in the constiuction of 
 said branch, the name of which branch is, " The Kansas City & Memphis 
 
 Railroad." . , , ,. x , 
 
 This subscription shall be paid for, in coupon bonds of Jackson county, Mis- 
 souri, at their par value, of the denomination of One Thousand Dollars, payable 
 not exceeding twenty years after date, at the National Bank of Commerce in New 
 York City. Said bonds shall bear eight per cent, interest, which interest shall be 
 paid semi-annually, on the first days of January and July, at the bank aforesaid, 
 on the coupons to be detached from said bonds. 
 
 The subscriptions shall be made subject to the following stipulations and 
 conditions : 
 
 Pirst. — No bonds in payment of said stock shall be issued, until the County 
 Court of Jackson county shall be satisfied, that a sufficient amount of stock has 
 been subscribed to grade and bridge the road, from the south line of this county 
 to the southern line of the State. 
 
 Second. — The money received on the bonds, here and before provided for, 
 shall be expended in Jackson county. 
 
 Third. — That Jackson county as a subscriber to the stock of said company, 
 shall be protected in all her rights under the law, and particularly those rights se- 
 cured her under " an Act to aid the building of a Branch Railroad in the State of 
 
 Missouri. 
 
 Fourth. — When the County Court is satisfied there has been sufficient sub- 
 scribed to grade and bridge the road from the southern line of the county to the 
 southern line of the State, there shall be issued the bonds heretofore provided for, 
 which bonds shall be signed by the Presiding Justice of this Court, countersigned 
 by the Clerk and attested by the seal of the Court. The coupons shall be signed 
 by the Treasurer of the county. Said bonds shall be delivered as follows : 
 
 pifth, — The work shall be commenced at the designated point in Kansas 
 City, and for every mile graded and bridged from said point on, the line as here- 
 tofore designated, there shall be delivered fifteen of said bonds, but the Court 
 may use its discretion, for heavy work increase the number of bonds per mile, 
 for any number of miles it may seem proper. The contracts for grading and 
 bridging on said road for its entire length, through said County of Jackson, shall 
 be let at the City of Kansas, in said county, and the letting thereof shall be ap- 
 proved by the agent or agents appointed by the County Court of said county. 
 
 It is further ordered, that Samuel H. Woodson be appointed a Commissioner 
 to subscribe for said stock in the name of Jackson county, and that he be instruct- 
 ed to make the subscription in strict compliance with this order. 
 
 The County of Jackson stipulates to comply with all the conditions hereinbe- 
 fore 'set forth, and to pay her subscriptions faithfully as herein made. 
 
 And afterward, t.o-wit, at the March term 1871, and on the 13th day of said 
 month, amongst others, the following proceedings were had and made, viz.: 
 
 Whereas, this court, at their November term 1870, made an order that the 
 County of Jackson take and subscribe to the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad 
 Company for three thousand shares of the stock of said company to aid in the 
 building of a Branch Road the name of which branch is the Kansas City & Mem- 
 phis Railroad, upon certain conditions of said order named. And whereas the 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 197 
 
 agent of court thereafter made such subscription upon conditions in said order 
 named. And whereas this court is advised and fully satisfied that the conditions 
 in said order named have not been complied with, and will not be, and that said 
 subscription has never been accepted by said Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad 
 Company, or by any one for them, it is ordered, adjudged and ordained that said 
 order of subscription so made as aforesaid be and the same is hereby rescinded, 
 and the subscription so made as aforesaid be, and the same is hereby reckoned 
 withdrawn, canceled and annulled. 
 
 It is further ordered by the county that the board of construction of said 
 Kansas City & Memphis Railroad be served with a certified copy of the fore- 
 going order. 
 
 And afterward, to-wit, on the i6th day of March, 187 1, the following pro- 
 ceedings were had and made, viz.: 
 
 Whereas, at an election heretofore held in the County of Jackson, a large 
 majority of the tax payers of said county voted in favor of a subscription to be 
 made by the county to aid in the construction of a railroad from Kansas City to 
 Memphis, in the State of Tennessee, and whereas, this court is desirous to carry 
 out the will of the people in securing the early construction of said railroad through 
 the County of Jackson, in the general direction of Memphis, and being author- 
 ized so to do by law, it is ordered, adjudged and ordained that the County of 
 Jackson, in the State of Missouri, do subscribe for and agree to take three thou- 
 sand shares of the capital stock of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, now 
 in part the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company, in the name and for 
 the benefit of the Clinton & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Rail- 
 road, and to aid the construction thereof, each share being of the denomination 
 of one hundred dollars and amounting in the aggregate to three hundred thousand 
 dollars, under and by virtue of the authority in the charter of the Tebo & Neosho 
 Railroad Company contained, and under the act of the General Assembly of the 
 State of Missouri, "entitled an act to aid the building of branch railroads in the 
 State of Missouri," approved March 21st, 1868, and in accordance with the order 
 and resolutions of the Board of Directors of the said Tebo & Neosho Railroad 
 Company, establishing said Branch Railroad, and authorizing subscriptions to said 
 capital stock to aid in the building thereof, adopted on the 6th day of June, 1870, the 
 said stock to be paid for by the issue and delivery to the committee appointed to 
 construct said Branch Railroad of the coupon bonds of said County of Jackson of the 
 denomination of one thousand dollars, each bearing date the first day of May, 187 1, 
 with interest from date at the rate of eight per cent per annum, payable semi-annu- 
 ally on the first days of August and February in each year thereafter, excepting the 
 last three months' interest, which shall be payable at the date of the maturity of said 
 bonds at the National Bank of Commerce in the City of New York, at which place 
 the principal of said notes shall also be payable twenty years after the date thereof, 
 redeemable, however, at the option of this court at any time after the lapse of 
 eight years from their date, the said notes to be signed by the presiding justice of 
 this court and attested by the chief clerk thereof with the seal of the court at-, 
 tached and the coupons to said bonds be signed by the clerk of this court or by 
 the /ac simile of his signature lithographed or engraved thereon ; and when so sign- 
 ed the said bond shall be delivered to and deposited in the City of New York, 
 subject to sale either of the whole amount or by installments of one hundred thou- 
 sand dollars or less, and upon any sale being made by the committee of construc- 
 tion of said Clinton & Kansas City Branch Railroad,the bonds so sold shall be deliv- 
 ered to the purchasers and the proceeds of such sale shall be deposited in the said 
 bank to the credit of Jackson county, or paid over to the said committee as here- 
 after provided, the said subscription, however, being made upon the following 
 express terms and conditions — that is to say : 
 
 j?ifst — That said Branch Railroad shall be located through the County of 
 
198 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Jackson as follows, to-wit: Commencing at a point in the City of Kansas, near 
 the southern limits thereof and near Grand avenue, near which point there shall 
 be established and maintained passenger and freight depots ; thence by the most 
 practicable route through the corporate limits of Westport to the southern limits 
 of Jackson county by way or near to Hickman's Mill, and thence to Harrison- 
 ville and CHnton, at which last named place unbroken connection shall be made 
 with the Clinton & Memphis Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad so as to 
 form a through line of said road from Kansas City through Clinton to the south- 
 ern hne of the State in the direction of Memphis, in the State of Tennessee. 
 
 Second — That said bonds, or the proceeds thereof, shall be applied and ex- 
 pended in the construction of said Branch Railroad within the limits of said County 
 of Jackson. 
 
 Third — That said bonds or proceeds thereof shall be issued, delivered and 
 paid to the committee of construction of said Branch Railroad, or its duly author- 
 ized agent, as follows, to-wit; When ten miles of the work of gradation and 
 masonry on said line of road within the limits of Jackson county, has been let to 
 contract to responsible parties, of whose responsibihty the court shall be reason- 
 ably satisfied, one hundred thousand dollars of said bonds, or the proceeds there- 
 of, shall be delivered and paid as aforesaid; and when the remainder of said road 
 within the limits of Jackson county, shall be let to contract as aforesaid, and the 
 gradation and masonry on said Branch road within the county shall be commenc 
 ed in good faith, then the additional sum and amount of one hundred thousand 
 dollars of said bonds or the proceeds thereof, shall be delivered and paid as afore- 
 said ; and when the sum of one hundred thousand dollars shall have been ex- 
 pended in and upon said work, according to the estimates of the engineers of 
 said Branch Railroad, within the county, then the remainder of said bonds, or the 
 proceeds thereof, shall be delivered and paid as aforesaid — provided, however, 
 that before any of said bonds are issued and delivered as aforesaid, the court 
 shall be satisfied that a sufficient amount of stock has been subscribed in good 
 faith by responsible parties or by municipal bodies, to the capital stock of said 
 company, in aid of said Branch Railroad and in aid of the CHnton & Memphis 
 Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, to grade, bridge and furnish the ties 
 thereof from the southern line of Jackson county to the southern line of St. Clair 
 county ; and that said subscriptions are available and sufficient to accomplish said 
 work, and that said company have the ability and intention to build said Clinton 
 & Memphis Branch Railroad to the southern boundary line of the State, in the 
 direction of Memphis. 
 
 Fourth— That the work of gradation and masonry shall be commenced with- 
 in the County of Jackson, on the line of said Branch road, within three months 
 after the making of this subscription, and shall be thereafter diligently and contin- 
 uously prosecuted until the said railroad is built through the county of Jackson. 
 And the court further order that Samuel H. Woodson be and is hereby appointed 
 the agent of this court and of the County of Jackson, in the State of Missouri, 
 to subscribe for the capital stock aforesaid, in accordan.ce with the terms of the 
 foregoing order, and that he cause the said bonds to be prepared and lithograph- 
 ed, and that they may be signed and disposed of as aforesaid. And afterward, 
 to-wit, on the day and year aforesaid comes Samuel H. Woodson, the agent of 
 the county, to make the subscription ordered by the Tebo & Neosho Railroad 
 Company, in the name of and for the use and benefit of the Clinton & Kansas 
 City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, and reports to the court that he 
 has m obedience to the order of the court, made the said subscription to said cap- 
 ital slock, in the words and figures following, to-wit : 
 
 The County of Jackson, in the State of Missouri, by Samuel H. Woodson, 
 IS duly appointed agent for that purpose, hereby subscribed for, and agrees to 
 take three thousand shares of the capital stock of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad 
 
HISTORY OK JACKSON COUNTY. 199 
 
 Company (now in part the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Company) in 
 the name of and for the use and benefit of the Clinton & Kansas City Branch 
 of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, each share being of the denomination of one 
 hundred dollars, and amounting in the aggregate to the sum of three hundred 
 thousand dollars, and to pay for the same in the manner and form provided in 
 the order of the County Court of said county, made and entered of record on the 
 15th day of March, A. D. 1871, the said subscription being made in accordance 
 in said order contained. 
 
 Done at Independence in said Jackson county, this 15th day of March, 187 1. 
 
 JACKSON COUNTY, 
 By S. H. Woodson, Agent. 
 
 And the Court having heard the said subscription read, and being fully ad- 
 vised thereof, approve the same and ordered the said subscription to be spread 
 upon the records of this Court. 
 
 And afterward, to-wit: at the May Term, 1871, and on the second day of 
 said month, amongst others, the following proceedings were had and made, viz : 
 
 It is by the Court ordered, adjudged and ordained that the condition of the 
 subscriptions by Jackson county to the capital stock of the Tebo & Neosho Rail- 
 road Company for the use and benefit and in the name of the Clinton & Kansas 
 City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, be and the same are modified as 
 follows, the committee of construction of said Branch Railroad assenting thereto: 
 
 First : — The bonds in said order provided to be issued and delivered, shall 
 be deposited with Northrup & Chick, bankers, in the city and State of New York, 
 to be disposed of as hereafter provided. 
 
 Second: — A financial agent for the county shall be appointed by the Court, 
 who shall in conjunction with the financial agent of the committee of construction 
 of said railroad company negotiate and sell such bonds, the proceeds of which sale 
 shall be deposited in the city of New York with said firm of Northrup & Chick to 
 the credit of the County of Jackson for the use and benefit of the Clinton & Kansas 
 City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, subject to the draft, from time to time, 
 of the said financial agent of Jackson county who is hereby required to draw 
 the same as fast as shall be required to pay the current expenses and monthly 
 estimates of work actually performed on said Branch Railroad within the limits of 
 said County of Jackson, and proceeds of said bonds when so drawn to be paid to 
 the treasurer of the construction committee of said Branch road by the financial 
 agent of said county, the amount from time to time so agreed to be paid to be 
 determined by the certificates of the chief engineer and superintendent of said 
 Branch Railroad. 
 
 Third : — A passenger and freight depot shall be established and maintained 
 at the town of Westport, provided the right of way for said railroad through said 
 town and suitable grounds' for said depots are furnished to said company free of 
 charge. 
 
 Ordered further — That William Chrisman be and he is hereby appointed the 
 financial agent of the County of Jackson to negotiote and sell said bonds as herein 
 above provided. It is also 
 
 Further ordered — That should the subscription heretofore made to the capi- 
 tal stock'of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company in the name and for the use 
 of the Clinton & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, prove in- 
 sufficient to complete the gradation, masonry and the furnishing the ties for said 
 Branch Railroad within ihe limits of the County of Jackson, the additional amount 
 required to complete the same shall be raised by means other than subscription 
 by the County of Jackson at large." 
 
 At a meeting of the committee of construction of the Clinton & Kansas 
 
200 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 City Branch of the Tebo & Nesoho Railroad, held at Kansas City on the 2d day 
 of May 187 1 the following among other proceedings were had, to-wit : 
 
 Resolved, That the modifications of the order of subscription heretofore 
 made by Jackson county to the capital stock of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad 
 Company in the name of and for the use and benefit of the Chnton & Kansas City 
 Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, this day made by the County Court of 
 Jackson county, be and the same are hereby assented to and accepted. 
 
 We certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the resolution 
 this day adopted by said committee as fully as the same is found upon the records 
 of said committee. 
 P. A. SADIEE, DEWITT C. STONE, 
 
 Secretary pro tem. Chairman. 
 
 And at the May term, 187 1, and on the 29th day of said month, amongst 
 others, the following proceedings were had and made, viz. : 
 
 Whereas, There exists in the community a feeling of uneasiness that the 
 subscription of Jackson county to the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company is 
 illegal, and that said organization has not a legal existence, and that there is 
 danger that the county subscription may be wasted and lost if issued to and 
 superintended by said company, and to avoid all uncertainty in this matter, and 
 to ascertain the validity of said organization and of the county subscription thereto, 
 and to ascertain whether siid company proposing to build the Clinton & Kansas 
 City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, has a valid and legal 
 existence, the court hereby appoints a committee, consisting of Wm. Chrisman, 
 P. M. Black, John C. Gage, James R. Sheley and C. O. Tichenor, with the 
 request that they will make a thorough examination with the above questions, and 
 report to this county as soon as they determine the legal status of said railroad 
 organization, and whether it is safe for the court to issue the bonds to such com- 
 pany; in the meantime this court will take no further steps in issuing such bonds 
 until such report is made. And afterward to wit: at the July term, 1871, and 
 on the 10th day of said month, amongst others, the following proceedings were 
 had and made, viz. : 
 
 In the matter of the subscription by the County of Jackson to the capital 
 stock of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, in the name of, for the use and 
 benefit of the Clinton & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad. 
 
 The court being satisfied, by sufficient evidence, that the terms and conditions 
 in the order of this court, and the subscription made thereunder by the County of 
 Jackson to the capital stock of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, in the 
 name and for the use and benefit of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad contained, 
 upon which the bonds therein provided for were to be issued and delivered, 
 have been fully complied with, it is ordered by the court that three hundred bonds 
 of the County of Jackson of the denomination of one thousand dollars each in 
 form and terms as are in said order and subscription provided (except they be 
 dated this day instead of ist day of May as in said ord^r specified), be prepared 
 and signed as the said order and subscription, provided, and when so prepared 
 and signed, be delivered to William Chrisman, the financial agent of the County 
 of Jackson, to be disposed of by him as is provided in the order of this court in 
 relation thereto, made on the 2d day of May, 187 1. Ordered by the court, that 
 the order of this court, made on the 2d day of the May term, 1871, of said 
 court, directing the deposit of the bonds and proceeds thereof issued to the Tebo 
 & Neosho Railroad Company for the use and benefit of the Clinton & Kansas 
 City Branch thereof be modified so as to allow the financial agent therein named 
 to deposit said bonds or proceeds either with the banking house of Northrup & 
 Chick, in the city of New York, or with the Third National Bank, in the city of 
 St. Louis, at option of said agent. And afterward, to wit : at the November 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 201 
 
 term, 1871, of said court, and on the 15th day of said month, amongst others, 
 the following proceedings were had and made, viz. : 
 
 Whereas, The agent of Jackson county heretofore appointed by the order 
 of this court to sell the bonds of the county and pay over the proceeds to the 
 proper officers of the Clinton & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Rail- 
 road Company as the works on said railroad in Jackson county, Missouri, 
 progressed, has sold a portion of said bonds and paid over the proceeds as directed 
 by said order. And 
 
 Whereas, Estimates have now been furnished said agent, amounting to $266,- 
 233 j'q'q, upon which the officers of said road are now claiming from him the 
 remainder of said bonds or their proceeds. And 
 
 Whereas, Some of the taxpayers of said county have expressed to this court 
 their belief that either some error exists in said estimates, or that there has been 
 some mismanagement on the part of the officers in charge. Wherefore, the 
 court considers it due to the taxpayers of the county, as well as to the officers of 
 the company, to have said matters examined into at once. It is therefore ordered 
 by the- court here, that a committee be appointed to cause a fair and impartial ex- 
 amination and measurements to be made to ascertain the actual amount and value 
 of the work done and legitimate expenses incurred on said road in Jackson county. 
 Said committee is hereby authorized, on behalf of said county, to employ some 
 practical, reliable civil engineer, and such assistants as may be needed, to aid 
 them in making the required estimates, as the representatives of the county of 
 Jackson (said county being a stockholder in said company). Said committee is 
 authorized to make such examination of the books and papers of the company as 
 they may deem necessary. They are also requested to ascertain and report, not 
 only the contract prices, but also the usual ordinary prices of any of the works 
 done. The object of this investigation being to ascertain the real value of the 
 work done. They are also requested to make said investigation and report the 
 result to this court as speedy as practicable. George W. Bryant, W. R. Bernard 
 and Sol. Young are hereby appointed said committee. Until the report of said 
 committee shall be made, and the further order of this court in the premises, the 
 financial agent of said court is requested to make no further payment to the officers 
 of said company out of the proceeds of said bonds. And afterward, to wit : 
 on the 15th day of November, 1871, among others, the following proceedings 
 were had and made, viz. : 
 
 Ordered by the court that the appointment of Sol. Young and W. R. Barn- 
 ard, as commissioners to examine into the affairs of the Clinton & Kansas City 
 Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company be, and the same is hereby 
 revoked, and that A. S. Packard and M. O. Jones be appointed on said com- 
 mittee in their stead. 
 
 And on the i6th day of November, 1871, among other proceedings, the fol- 
 lowing were had and made, viz. : 
 
 Ordered by the court that the order made on yesterday rescinding the ap- 
 pointment of Sol. Young and W. R. Barnard, and appointing A. S. Packard and 
 M. O. Jones be, and the same is hereby rescinded. Judge Yager protesting and 
 asking that all of said five men be appointed on said committee. And on 
 the 20th day of November, 1871, among others, the following proceedings were 
 had and made, viz. : 
 
 The court orders that the names of A. S. Packard and M. O. Jones be 
 added to the committee appointed by this court to investigate the action of the 
 Clinton & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, and 
 that they act in conjunction with the other members of said committee. And 
 afterward, to-wit: at the January term, 1872, and on the i8th day of said month 
 amongst others, the following proceedings were had and made, viz. : 
 
 Whereas, The affairs concerning the construction of the Kansas City & 
 
202 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Clinton Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad within the limits of Jackson 
 county have become complicated so that it is difficult to obtain a clear and satis- 
 factory statement of the condition of the work and expenditures within the limits 
 of this county; and 
 
 Whereas, The subscription of this county court was made on the express 
 condition that the whole amount thereof should be expended in construction in 
 this county, and 
 
 Whereas, A full and complete statement and understanding of amount of 
 work done in this county, and of the amount paid and expended therefor, and 
 for rights of way, and a fair proportion of the engineering experises is necessary, 
 before the county agent can be justified in paying over any additional amount to 
 said board, or on their order. Therefore, it is ordered by the county, that Wra. 
 Chnsman is instructed not to pay over either in cash or in bonds, any further 
 sum upon any estimates or order of said committee of construction of said Branch 
 Railroad, until first there shall be a full and complete statement made of the 
 dispositions that have been made of the amount of $107,000, which has heretofore 
 been paid over to said committee of construction, and in case any part of said 
 money has been applied to other purposes than the construction in this county, 
 and to the fair proportion of engineering expenses and of a reasonable salary to a 
 superintendent of construction, then such money so misappropriated shall be 
 refunded to the Jackson county agent and applied to the payment of debt, still 
 due for construction in this county. That this settlement must be full and com- 
 plete and accompanied by proper vouchers to the satisfaction of the county court. 
 That when such statement shall be made, showing that said amount of funds 
 have been applied strictly within the terms of the order of this court making said 
 subscription in good faith, the county agent will be- authorized on the order of 
 said construction committee, or the proper officers thereof, to pay over either in 
 money or bonds to the contractors any amount that may still be due to them on 
 construction in the county, provided said contractors shall consent to accept the 
 measurements and estimates made by the commission of citizens and engineers 
 appointed by this court, and the prices made in the original contract made by 
 these with said committee of construction and if any difference in measurements 
 the county agent may make arrangements with said contractors for a new measure- 
 ment to be settled thereafter, and as to the contract of second class masonry, the 
 said county agent is authorized to pay off at the rate of $8.50 per cubic yard, 
 and no more, and upon such payments to all of said contractors, they shall each 
 execute a release to said Branch Railroad in full, for all demands against the 
 same. It is further requested that upon a full settlement of all accounts upon 
 this basis the said committee of construction shall pass an order agreeing to 
 re-offer, and shall resign and turn over the said Branch Railroad and its control 
 and all of its assets still on hand and consenting, shall pass an order agreeing to 
 resign, and shall resign and turn over the said Branch Railroad and its control 
 and all of its assets still on hand, and consenting for the Board of Directors of 
 Tebo & Neosho Railroad and the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad Company 
 as the successor of Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company to appoint a new board 
 of committee of construction to take and complete said Branch Railroad which 
 shall be satisfactory to the counties that are stockholders. It being understood 
 responsible parties are ready 10 take and complete the road upon fair and reason- 
 able terms, if such change shall be made. And afterward, to-wit : at the Janu- 
 ary term, 1873, and on the 20th day of said month amongst others, the following 
 proceedings were had and made, viz. : 
 
 Whereas, inquiries are continually made of this court by tax-payers of Jack- 
 son county as to the condition of the assets and accounts of the Kansas City & 
 Clinton branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company and of its illegal 
 successor the Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad Company (which last 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 203 
 
 named company seems to have charge of the whole matter), and as to the man- 
 ner in which the one hundred and seven thousand dollars of the Jackson county 
 subscription, received by said Branch road, has been disbursed. And, whereas, 
 the court is not informed in reference to these matters and it is due to the tax- 
 payers that this information should be given, and when given should be reliable. 
 
 It is therefore ordered by the court here that a committee of five be appoint- 
 ed to investigate the aforesaid matter fully, and ascertain, if possible, whether 
 the funds of said company have been properly expended, and if not, in what 
 respect ; and that said committee consist of Howard M. Holden, Henry W. Ess, 
 John Q. Watkins, Preston and William Chrisman, and these five are appointed 
 and requested to make said investigation as soon as convenient and report to the 
 court with such recommendations as said committee may see fit to make." 
 
 And afterward, to-wit, at the July term 1873, and on the 23d day of said 
 month, among others, the following proceedings were had and made : 
 
 SUBSCRIPTION CHANGED. 
 
 "In the matter of the subscription of Jackson county to the capital stock of 
 the Clinton' & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company. 
 
 Whereas, heretofore, to wit, on the i6th day of March, 187 1, this court by an 
 order of record did subscribe for and in the name of the county of Jackson, 
 $300,000 to the capital stock of the Clinton & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo 
 & Neosho Railroad Company, upon terms in said order named and afterward, 
 to-wit, on the 2d day of May, 187 1, by an order of record duly accepted by said 
 company, did modify and change said original order of subscription so as to pro- 
 vide that the bonds of said county provided tp be issued in payment of said sub- 
 scription should be deposited with the banking house of Northrup & Chick in the 
 city and State of New York, that a financial agent should be appointed by this 
 court for said county who, in connection with the financial agent of said company, 
 should be authorized to sell said bonds and deposit the proceeds thereof with 
 said Northrup & Chick. That said financial agent should be authorized, empow- 
 ered and required to draw such proceeds and pay the same over to said companj , 
 upon monthly estimates of work actually done upon said road, and the current 
 expenses of said Company, and did appoint William Chrisman such financial 
 agent for said county who took charge of said bonds and deposited the same with 
 said Northrup & Chick. And, whereas, said Chrisman as financial agent as 
 aforesaid, did sell a number of said bonds and did pay over in money and bonds 
 to said company upon estimates of work done on said road the sum of one hun 
 dred and thirty thousand dollars, and has remaining in his hands about the sum 
 of twenty- five thousand, six hundred and eleven dollars and sixty cents, proceeds 
 of the sale of bonds and accrued interest collected, and there remains on deposit 
 with said Northrup & Chick one hundred and forty-seven of said bonds, being the 
 balance of said bonds now in his hands and being the proceeds of the sale of a 
 portion of said bonds heretofore sold, less any charges he may have for expenses 
 incurred or commissions on sale of said bonds. And, whereas, a large amount 
 of work consisting of gradation and masonry has been done upon said road by 
 said company which has been greatly damaged by rain and other causes, and is 
 liable to entire destruction if not repaired. And, whereas, as by reason of dif- 
 ficulties arising in regard to estimates of work done upon said road and other 
 causes, suits have been commenced in reference thereto causing the entire sus- 
 pension of work thereon. And, finally, said road and company have been 
 thrown into bankruptcy, and a suit instituded and now pending in the District 
 Court of the United States for the Western District of Missouri, by the assignees 
 in bankruptcy of said road and company against said county of Jackson and 
 William Chrisman, agent as aforesaid, to recover said bonds and the proceeds of 
 such thereof as has been sold now in the hands of said agent, involving the 
 
204 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 whole subject n such complications as to render the carrying out of said modify- 
 ing order impracticable, if not impossible. And, whereas, this court is informed 
 and is satisfied from the installments of writing now before them that said Clinton 
 & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company with all its rights, 
 privileges, franchises and property, including the rights of said Branch Rail- 
 road to said unsold bonds and the proceeds of such as were sold and remained in 
 the hands of said agent, has been sold, conveyed and transferred according to 
 law to the Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad Company, a corporation 
 duly organized under the laws of the State of Missouri, and is the property of 
 the last named company. And, whereas, said Kansas City, Memphis & 
 Mobile Railroad Company propose to complete said road over the route hereto- 
 fore adopted and partially constructed, and to establish depots at Kansas City, 
 Westport and Hickman's Mill, as in said original order provided, and to adjudge 
 and have dismissed the proceedings in bankruptcy and the suit against said county 
 and Chrisman, as aforesaid. Now, therefore, in order to release said road and 
 the County of Jackson and the said financial agent from all complications and em- 
 barrassments, and to faciliate the speedy completion of said road and carry out 
 and fulfill the original object and purpose of said subscription, it is ordered by the 
 court that as soon as a certified copy of the order of the District Court of the 
 United States for the Western District of Missouri describing said proceeding in 
 bankruptcy and said suit, is filed in the office of the clerk of this court, said 
 William Chrisman, financial agent as aforesaid, be and is hereby ordered and di- 
 rected to deposit with Donnell, Lawson & Co., bankers of New York City, the 
 whole of the bonds aforesaid remaining unsold, and the balance of the proceeds 
 of such of said bonds as may have been sold, together with the interest that may 
 have been collected on any of such bonds remaining in his hands, such deposit 
 to be made in the name of Jackson county, Missouri, as the property of said 
 county and subject only to the order of this court, and said agent is required to 
 take the receipt of said Donnell, Lawson & Co. to that effect, and return the 
 same to this court at its next session after such deposit. 
 
 "And it is further ordered by the court that when said company shall have 
 completed the gradation and masonry of said road in a style and quality provid- 
 ed for in said original order of subscription, and of a width and quality adapted 
 to and suitable for a standard gauge railroad, and in a condition to receive the 
 ties, and superstructure beginning at Kansas City, at the point named in said 
 original order, and running over the same route heretofore adopted, and upon 
 which work has been done from Kansas City to Harrisonville, in Cass county 
 (stipulating hereby that said work shall include not only the unfinished grada- 
 tion and masonry thereon, but the complete repair and adjustment to the stand- 
 ard gauge of such work as may have been done, and inferred as aforesaid) ; and 
 shall also have secured the rights of way over said route, then upon the report of 
 commissioners to be appointed by this court, who shall have made a thorough ex- 
 amination of the same, that said gradation and masonry has been completed, 
 and the right of way secured as aforesaid, the whole of the proceeds of the sale 
 of said bonds and the money deposited by said financial agent, as in this order 
 provided, remaining in the hands of said Donnell, Lawson & Co., after the pay- 
 ment of such orders of this court, securing the right of way for said road for' ad- 
 justing claims in bankruptcy, and the cost of said proceedings in bankruptcy, as 
 hereinafter named, shall be paid over to said Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile 
 Railroad Company in full payment of the balance due upon said subscriptions. 
 And said Donnell, Lawson & Co. are hereby authorized and directed to sell the 
 said bonds at the highest prices that can be obtained, not less than eighty cents 
 on the dollar, over and above commission, and exclusively of accrued interest, 
 and to retain the whole of the proceeds of such sale, together with the money to 
 be deposited as aforesaid by said financial agent, until the completion of the 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 205 
 
 work upon said road as in this order provided, except so much thereof as this 
 court may from time to time direct to be paid out for securing the right of way 
 for said road within the County of Jackson, and eighteen thousand dollars or any 
 less amount, to cover advances in adjusting claims in bankruptcy, and the cost 
 of said proceedings in bankruptcy. And it is further ordered that when the pro- 
 visions of this order are complied with by William Chrisman, agent, as aforesaid, 
 and said bonds are removed from the banking house of said Northrup & Chick, 
 said Chrisman as said financial agent, and said banking house of Northrup & 
 Chick, shall be and they are hereby in that siJlit held harmless, and released from 
 all further responsibilities in the premises. And it is further ordered that this or- 
 der shall be in force and take effect when and not until the Board of Directors of 
 said Kansas City, Memphis and Mobile Railroad Company, by an order duly 
 entered of record in the books of said company, shall accept the same, in all its 
 terms and provisions, and file with the clerk of this court a certified copy of such 
 order of acceptance. Judges Yager and Mason dissenting. And afterward, to- 
 wit, at the August adjourned term, 1873, and on the 20th day of said month, 
 amongst others, the following proceedings were had and made, viz : 
 
 RESOLUTION. 
 
 KANSAS CITY, MEMPHIS & MOBILE RAILROAD COMPANY, ) 
 
 Office of the General Superintendent, I 
 
 Kansas City, Mo., July 26th, 1873. ) 
 
 At a meeting of Board of Directors of the Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile 
 Railroad Company, held at the office of the company in Kansas City, July 26th, 
 1873, among other proceedings the following resolution was passed and recorded 
 on the records of the company : 
 
 Resolved, That the order- passed by the County Court of Jackson County, at 
 Independence, on the 24th day of July, 1873, at adjourned term, requiring this 
 Company to complete the gradation and masonry on the line of the road from 
 Kansas City to Harrisonville before said company shall be entitled to receive the 
 balance of the bonds and money now in the hands of William Chrisman, financial 
 agent of said county, which said agent holds in trust for this Company, and re- 
 quiring said Chrisman, among other things, to deposit said bonds and money in 
 the Banking House of Donnell, Lawson & Co., New York, is hereby accepted in 
 all of its terms and provisions, and the Secretary pro tem. is hereby directed to 
 cause to be filed with the Clerk of said county, at Independence, a copy of this 
 resolution. 
 
 A true copy of the records of the Company. 
 
 HENRY REIHL, 
 
 Secretary Pro Tem. 
 
 ORDER district COURT IN BANKRUPTCY. 
 
 In the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Mo. : 
 In the matter of The Clinton and Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho 
 
 Railroad — Bankruptcy. 
 
 At Court, City of Jefferson, in said district, on the 19th day of August, A. 
 D. 1873, Western District of Missouri, ss. It now appearing to the Court that 
 the publication ordered notifying all parties interested that an application for 
 dismissal of proceedings herein had been filed, has been duly made, and also- 
 all costs and charges in this cause and in the several issues arising out of the 
 same have been fully paid, as also all officers' fees, no objection having been filed 
 to such dismissal nor any person interested having appeared and objected to an 
 order dismissing proceedings herein. 
 
 It is now ordered by the Court that said proceedings in bankruptcy pending 
 
206 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 in this Court against the CHnton & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho 
 Railroad be and the same are dismissed. 
 
 [Seal.] Witness the Honorable Arnold Krekel, Judge of the said Court, 
 
 and the seal thereof at the City of Jefferson, in said Dis- 
 trict, on the 19th day of August, A. D., 1873. 
 ALFRED S. KREKEL, 
 Clerk of District Court for said District. 
 Be it remembered that on the Tuesday August 19th, 1873, ^^ the District 
 Court of the United States for the Western District of Missouri, the following, 
 among other proceedings, were had to-wit : 
 
 In the matter of the Clinton & Kansas \ 
 
 City Branch of Tebo & Neosho [- Insolventary Bankruptcy Case 812-3. 
 Railroad Company. ) 
 
 Morrison Mumford and James ") 
 C. Babbit, Assigners. 
 
 Plaintiffs. | 
 vs. J- Bill in Chancery. 
 
 WiUiam Christman and Jack- I 
 son County, I 
 
 Defendants. J 
 Now, on this day of the costs being paid by the Kansas City, Memphis & 
 Mobile Railroad, it is ordered by the Court that this cause be and the same here- 
 by is dismissed. 
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, } 
 Western District of Missouri, j ' 
 I, Alfred S. Krekel, Clerk of the District Court of the United States for the 
 Western District of Missouri, hereby certify that the writing hereunto annexed is 
 a true copy of the record of the dismissal in the cause, wherein Morrison Mum- 
 ford and James C. Babbitt, assigners of the Clinton & Kansas City Branch of 
 the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, Bankrupt, are plaintiff, and William 
 Chrisman and Jackson County are defendants, as the same remains of record in 
 said case in this office. 
 
 In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name and affix the seal of said 
 county at office in the city of Jefferson, in said District, this 2d day of August, 
 A. D. 1873. 
 
 ALFRED S. KREKEL, 
 
 Clerk. 
 
 ] SEAL [ 
 
 "And afterward, to-wit : at the June term 1874, and on the 6th day of said 
 month, amongst others, the following proceedings were had and made, viz : 
 
 "Whereas, This Court at its July term, 1873, made an order in relation to 
 the completion of the gradation and masonry of the Kansas City, Memphis & 
 Mobile Railroad from Kansas City in this county to Harrisonville in the county 
 of Cass ; and in pursuance of the terms of said order the bonds therein men- 
 tioned were placed in the hands of said Donnell, Lawson & Co., of New York, 
 therein specified, who now hold the same or proceeds thereof; and, 
 
 "Whereas, Peter Soden and Patrick Soden, contractors, with said Kansas 
 City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad Company, have done a large amount of work 
 in said order provided to be done, which they claim to be due them from said 
 company the sum of fifty-seven thousand, five hundred dollars, and for which 
 they have a judgment against said company. And, 
 
 "Whefeas, Divers and sundry persons and corporations who claim to be 
 creditors of said company have instituted suits in the State and county of New 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 207 
 
 York against said company in said State and county of New York, and are seek- 
 ing to subject the said bonds or proceeds thereof to the payment of their said 
 claims, and in order to prevent the same from being done, the county has also 
 instituted certain suits in said county and State of New York, and which last suits 
 are now pending. And, 
 
 "Whereas, Said company has also been adjudicated a bankrupt by the Dis- 
 trict Court of the United States for the Western District of Missouri. 
 
 Now Therefore, With a view to avoid further suits, litigation, delay, and id 
 the end that said road may and shall be completed, it is ordered as follows : It is 
 agreed by the County of Jackson, the said railroad company and said Sodens, that 
 when and so soon as the said company or any one for it shall cause all of the said 
 suits and proceedings so brought or pending against it in the State and county 
 of New York to be dismissed, and said bonds and proceeds thereof to be relieved 
 from any and all of the said claims, and the said proceedings in bankruptcy to be 
 dismissed, and the proper evidence of such dismissal of all of said proceedigns to 
 be filed in this Court, then the Court will cause the said suits so brought by the 
 county to be dismissed and will also cause to be turned over Soden Brothers' 
 bonds at eighty cents on the dollar or the proceeds thereof to the amount of their 
 said debt, interest and cost as aforesaid, and will also cause to be turned over to 
 the Continental Bank Note Company at eighty cents on the dollar or proceeds 
 thereof to the amount of its judgment, in payment of the claims against said 
 railroad company and will also cause to be paid to W. F. Chittenden in payment 
 of his claim against railroad company bonds at eighty cents on the dollar or 
 proceeds thereof to the amount of his judgment and warrants, being the claims 
 on the Lillie & Co. and Morther warrants amounting not to exceed $5,600, with 
 interest and costs to be added. And will also cause to be turned over to said 
 railroad company an amount of bonds or proceeds thereof not to exceed $3,000- 
 to be used solely in payment for services rendered by the engineers of said rail- 
 road company since the date of the aforesaid order and for no other purpose, and 
 $1,000 of said bonds at eighty cents on the dollar or proceeds thereof to the 
 amount of $1,000 shall also be turned over to the treasurer of Jackson county to 
 be by him used in defraying the costs received by this county in the said suits by 
 it brought as aforesaid ; the remainder of said bonds or proceeds thereof to be 
 used and applied as hereinafter provided for and are hypothecated for said pur- 
 poses alone, and to be held in trust therefor. 
 
 And in consideration of all which, and for such other consideration as may 
 be agreed upon by said railroad company and the said Sodens' covenant, and 
 agree to and with the County of Jackson, to proceed at once and do and complete 
 the entire gradation, and repairing the old road bed of said road from Kansas 
 City to Harrison ville, over the line and in such manner as is specified in their 
 proposition heretofore, filed and proposed; and so soon as said gradation and 
 repairing shall be fully completed from Kansas City to Belton, then an estimate 
 of the work done in all by the said Sodens since the last estimate shall be made 
 by such engineer as shall be selected and agreed upon by this court, the said 
 company and said Sodens, at prices specified in the present contract of said So- 
 dens with said company, except earth-work in repairing old road bed, for which 
 forty (40) cents per cubic yard shall be allowed, and a sufficient amount of said 
 bonds at eighty cents on the dollar, or proceeds thereof, if enough, there shall 
 be paid over to said Sodens to pay said estimate ; and another like estimate shall 
 be made when said Sodens shall have fully completed all work to a point equi-dis- 
 tant between said Belton and Harrisonville, and another like payment made if 
 enough there be of said bonds, or the proceeds thereof, remaining. 
 
 And when said Sodens shall have fully completed said work to Harrison- 
 ville, another like estimate shall be. made, and paid for as before mentioned, if 
 enough there be of said bonds or the proceeds thereof remaining ; but in no 
 
208 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 event shall this county be liable or bound to pay any other amount of money or 
 bonds than is left in the hands of said Donnell, Lawson & Co. after the payments 
 hereinbefore first provided for. 
 
 And if the said bonds or the proceeds thereof shall be exhausted at or be- 
 fore the completion of said road to any one of the aforesaid points, the said So- 
 dens bind themselves to do and complete such work, as in their proposition em- 
 bodied in preliminary order throughout, and rely wholly and solely on said com- 
 pany for the payment of any and all deficiencies. Said work shall be prosecuted 
 with all reasonable diligence, and completed to said Harrisonville by the ist of 
 December next, as provided, and conditions in the proposition of Soden Brothers 
 embodied in preliminary order of court. 
 
 Before this order or any part thereof shall take effect or be in force, the said 
 Sodens, with securities to be approved by the court, shall file herein their bond 
 to the County of Jackson, in the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, condition- 
 ed for the faithful fulfillment and performance of each and every and all the pro- 
 visions and conditi ns of this order, on their work provided to be done and perform- 
 ed, and the Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad Company shalUikewise file 
 therein its written acceptance of all the terms, conditions and provisions of this 
 order. The necessary engraving expenses to be paid at times of making esti- 
 mates and paying same ; said road to be repaired and completed as now located, 
 and at present width of old road bed, to wit — nine feet on surface. The said 
 Soden Brothers also agree, on the terms aforesaid, to repair the third-class mason- 
 ry of culverts to Bolton, in Cass county. It is further agreed that in completing 
 the gradation of the road bed from Belton to Harrisonville, that where culverts 
 are out of repair a gap may be left, as may be required by the engineer in charge 
 of the right of way in Jackson county, to be provided for as in the order of July, 
 1873, Judges Yager and Mason dissenting. 
 
 In pursuance of the power and authority conferred upon us by the Board 
 of Directors of the Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad Company, by a 
 resolution dated and adopted May 26th, 1874, we hereby accept the terms of 
 settlement and contract with Soden Brothers, and all the provisions and condi- 
 tions of the trial order of the Jackson County Court, made and ordered to be 
 recorded on the 6th day of June, 1874, in regard to the payment of the balance 
 of the subscription of Jackson county and the completion of the road bed of 
 said Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad oq the terms and in the manner 
 in said trial and preliminary orders of said county court, as modified and adopted, 
 is provided, and on the part of said Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad 
 Company, and in pursuance of the authority vested in us by the aforesaid reso- 
 lution of the Board of Directors, we hereby accept, consent to ratify and confirm 
 said agreement and settlement as provided in said trial order and preliminary 
 order of said County Court of Jackson county, and hereby consent and agree, 
 on behalf of said railroad company, to carry out and perform all the requirements 
 and conditions of said preliminary and final order of June the 6th, 1874. 
 
 ROBT. T. VAN HORN, 
 A. D. SADIEE, 
 JOHN W. POLK, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 Appointed by the Board of Directors of the Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile 
 Railroad Company to complete and ratify the settlement with Jackson county. 
 
 Kansas City, Mo., May 20th, 1871. 
 To the Committee of Construction of the Clinton b" Kansas City Branch of the Tebo 
 
 &= Neosho Railroad: 
 
 Gentlemen : — We propose to do the work of gradation and masonry on 
 the first ten (10) miles of your road at the following rates, namely: 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 209 
 
 Earth excavation per cubic yard $00 243^ 
 
 Solid rock excavation per cubic yard 115 
 
 Loose rock excavation per cubic yard o75 
 
 Tunnel work per cubic yard 3 25 
 
 Third class masonry per cubic yard 4 00 
 
 Chopping and clearing per acre 35 0° 
 
 Extra haul (this is after first 100 feet) at the rate of one cent per cubic 
 yard for each additional 100 feet. 
 
 Respectfully, &c., 
 
 P. SODEN & BRO. 
 
 The foregoing bid was accepted by the Construction Committee of the 
 Clinton & Kansas City Branch of Tebo & Neosho Railroad, and afterward 
 adopted and sanctioned by the Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad Com- 
 pany, and reduced to contract June 5, 1874. 
 
 A. D. LaDUE, 
 General Superintendent. 
 
 Now at this day comes P. Soden & Bro. and file herein their bond as 
 mentioned in the foregoing order, which said bond is in words and figures fol- 
 lowing, to wit : 
 
 Know all men by these Presents, That we, Peter Soden and Patrick Soden, 
 under the firm name of Peter Soden & Brother, as principal, and Bernard Don- 
 nelly, Michael Diveley, Francis Foster, C. J. White, J. W. Cook, Amos Green, 
 as securities, are held and firmly bound unto the Kansas City, Memphis & 
 Mobile Railroad Company and the County of Jackson, in the sum of $100,000, 
 for the payment of which, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our 
 heirs, executors and administrators firmly by these presents, signed and sealed, 
 this 2d day of June, A. D. 1874. Now the conditions of the above obligation 
 are such that, whereas, the above named Peter Soden 8z: Bro. have entered into 
 a contract with said Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Ra^road Company for the 
 completion of the gradation and repairing of the road bed of the Kansas City, 
 Memphis & Mobile Railroad from its starting point on the Santa Fe switch in or 
 near Kansas City in the County of Jackson, to the town o'f Harrisonville in the Coun- 
 ty of Cass. Now, if the said Peter Soden & Bro. shall complete the gradation 
 and repairing of said road bed according to the terms and stipulations of their 
 said contract, and in the manner and within the time therein specified, and fully 
 perform and keep said contract on their part, then this obligation to be void, else 
 to remain in full force and effect. 
 
 PETER SODEN, [seal 
 
 PATRICK SODEN, [seal 
 
 BERNARD DONNELLY, [seal 
 MICHAEL DIVELEY, [seal 
 FRANCIS FOSTER, [seal 
 
 C. J. WHITE, [SEAL 
 
 J. W. COOK, [seal 
 
 AMOS GREEN. [seal 
 
 Which said bond bears the following indorsements. 
 Approved by the court June term, A. D. 1874. 
 
 E. R. HICKMAN, Clerk. 
 
 The court nominates Charles H. Knickerbocker as the engineer of the 
 Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad Company. 
 
 And afterward, to-wit: at the June adjourned term and on the 23d day of 
 said month amongst others the following were had and made, viz. ; 
 
 It is ordered i)y the county court that Donnell, Lawson & Company out of 
 
 14 
 
210 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the bonds of Jackson county on deposit with their pay to Peter Soden & Brother 
 the sum of fifty-nine thousand, six hundred and eighty dollars and twenty-five 
 cents in bonds at eighty cents on the dollar, or if said bonds are sold pay said 
 sum of ($59,680.25) in money out of the proceeds of sale, also that they pay to 
 the Continental Bank Note Company, of New York, the sum of $2,000 and in- 
 terest, and costs in bonds at eighty cents on the dollar, or if sold pay said sum in 
 money; also that they pay to John J. Mastin & Company so much of the judg- 
 ment in favor of W. F. Chittenden as is owned by said John J. Mastin & Com- 
 pany ; and also pay to James Campbell the sum of three thousand dollars in 
 bonds at eighty cents, or if sold in money, to be applied by said Campbell to 
 paying pro rata the amount due the engineer corps, said amount to be paid by said 
 Donnell, Lawson & Company so soon as the attachment suits now pending against 
 said bonds are dismissed and discharged as to said bonds, and the leases, if any 
 created thereby discharged, so as to release said bonds from all lease by reason 
 thereof, said amount to bear interest until paid, except the three thousand dollars 
 to James Campbell frpm the date of this order, and a certified copy of this order 
 indorsed by the parties to whom said amounts are respectively payable, shall 
 be sufficient authority to said Donnell, Lawson & Co. for paying, and a re- 
 ceipt to them or voucher against Jackson county. The one thousand dollars also 
 to be paid the treasurer of Jackson county, to be applied as fees of said county 
 and expenses and costs, same as the foregoing amounts. 
 
 The Mastin's judgments amount to $4,300. The county to dismiss its 
 suit as soon as Judge Barbour, the attorney of Jackson county, is satisfied that 
 the attachment leases on the bonds are all discharged. The dismissal of the 
 bankrupt case also to be complete before any payment is made, and a certified 
 copy of such dismissal to be presented to Donnell, Lawson & Co. before paying 
 any of the aforesaid amounts. The right of way through Jackson county to be 
 provided for out of funds with Donnell, Lawson & Co. if the amount now in 
 the Mastin bond is insufficient to pay the same as per order of July, 1873. 
 
 And afterward at the July term, 1874, and on the 9th day of said month 
 amongst others the following proceedings were had and made, viz : 
 
 Ordered by the court that Honorable John M. Barbour, of the City of 
 New York, attorney, employed by this court to institute and prosecute certain 
 suits in the name of Jackson county against the Continental Bank Note Company, 
 W. F. Strickland, Strickland, the Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Rail- 
 road Company and Donnell, Lawson & Company, bankers, of the City of New 
 York. Which said suits are now pending in the Supreme Court, of said City 
 of New York, be, and is hereby authorized and directed to dismiss said suits so 
 soon as he is satisfied that all the suits now or hereafter pending in the courts of 
 the county and State of New York against said Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile 
 Railroad Company have been dismissed and the bonds of the County of Jackson 
 and the proceeds thereof now in the hands of said Donnell, Lawson & Co. are fully 
 and entirely released from any and all claims sued upon in said last n med suits, 
 and that the proceedings in bankruptcy in the District Court of the United States 
 for the Western District of the State of Missouri against said Railroad Company 
 be discharged therefrom. 
 
 Ordered by the court that Donnell, Lawson & Co., bankers, of the City of 
 New York, be, and they are hereby authorized and directed out of the proceeds 
 of the bonds of Jackson county now in their hands, which by an order of this 
 court, made on the 23d day of June, 1874, was directed to be paid into the 
 county treasury to pay fees, expenses and costs in certain suits brought by said 
 county in the Superior Court, of New York, they pay all such costs as may be 
 required to be paid before the dismissal of said suits, and report the amount so 
 paid to this court, and this order shall be then sufficient authority for paying the 
 same. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 211 
 
 And afterward, to-wit: at the October term, 1874, and on the 26th day of 
 said month amongst others, the following proceedings were had and made, viz : 
 
 In the matter of the Kansas City, Memphis and Mobile Railroad Company. 
 This day comes the said Kansas City, Memphis and Mobile Railroad 
 Company, also Peter Soden & Brother, and file the estimate for work done in 
 completing the gradation of the Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad to 
 Belton, in the County of Cass, under the contract heretofore made and entered 
 into between the County of Jackson, said railroad company and said Peter Soden 
 & Brother, which estimate amountstothesum of $52,151 24; and also the account 
 for engineering expenses under said contract, which said account amounts to the ag- 
 gregate sum of $4, 730 90. And the Court having duly signed, and attested by the 
 engineers, and the Court being satisfied by their correctness ; and it is also further 
 appearing to the Court that the estimate of said Soden & Brother and said en- 
 gineers' accounts exceed the residue of the subsciiption of Jackson county now 
 receiving the hands of Messrs. Donnell, Lawson & Company, of No. 92 Broad- 
 way, New York, in the bonds of Jackson county or their proceeds if sold. 
 
 It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Donnell, Lawson & Co., on 
 the presentation, by said Peter A. Soden & Brother, of a duly certified copy of 
 this order, pay to said Soden & Brother all the remaining bonds of Jackson coun- 
 ty now in their hands; or, if sold, the proceeds thereof, and the said certified 
 copy of this order so presented by said Soden & Brother with their receipt there- 
 on shall be a full and complete voucher and discharge to said Donnell, Lawson & 
 Co. from all liability under their said trust for said bonds and their proceeds ; and 
 it is also ordered that said Soden & Brothers pay over to said engineers the 
 amount of said engineers' account in bonds at eighty cents on the dollar, or if 
 sold, in money. Also that the said Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad 
 Compariy file with the Clerk of this Court a receipt in full for the subscription of 
 said County of Jackson, and that said county be and is hereby released from all 
 further liability under its said subscription, and- all contracts made in reference 
 thereto, both to said railroad company and to said Soden & Brother, this being a 
 full and final setdement of said subscription of Jackson county, so far as the 
 county is concerned, of all liability on her part under the aforesaid contract with 
 Peter Soden & Brother." 
 
 And on the 27th day of October, 1874, the following proceedings were had 
 and made, viz. r 
 
 Received of the County of Jackson for and in behalf of the Kansas City, 
 Memphis & Mobile Railroad Company, three hundred thousand dollars in 
 bonds, at their face, being in full of the subscription of said county to the Tebo 
 & Neosho Railroad Company to aid in the construction of the Clinton & Kan- 
 sas City Branch, and which last named Branch road was afterward sold and with 
 all its assets stransferred to the Kansas City, Memphis & Mobile Railroad Com- 
 pany. This receipt to cover all former receipts. 
 
 Witness our hands officially and the seal of the company this 27th day of 
 Oct., 1874. 
 
 W. O, MEAD, Secretary. R. T. VAN HORN, President. 
 
 By Henry S. La Due, Secretary Pro Tem. 
 
 I, William J. Hickman, Clerk of the County Court, within and for the coun- 
 ty and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a full and complete 
 transcript of all the proceedings in the matter of the subscriptions of Jackson 
 county to the Clinton & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad 
 Company as fully as the same appears of record in my office. 
 
 In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal 
 of said county at my office, in the City of Independence, this 
 20th day of November, A. D. 1878. 
 
 WILLIAM J. HICKMAN, Clerk. 
 
212 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 FINANCES. 
 
 Introductory — Cun ent Expenses for the Years i8bg, 1870 and 1871— Annual Report, January 
 I, 1873, showing ali the Receipts and Expenditures for the Year— Jackson County Finances 
 from November i, 187 J, to February /J, 1876 — The Last Official Report of Jackson County 
 'Finances to the County Court — Indebtedness of the County — County Treasurer's Report — 
 Township Railroad Funds — County Poor Farm — A Report for Ten Years Ago. 
 
 During the early history of the county, revenues were light, although the 
 rate of taxation was very Uttle, if any, less than at present. During the first four 
 or five years the county expenses ranged from fifteen hundred to three thousand 
 dollars. The books were not kept in a very systematic manner, and it is difficult 
 now, even as it must have been then, to so far understand the system of book- 
 keeping as to be able to determine accurately the exact condition of the county 
 finances. This much we know, that with the very limited resources at their 
 command, the persons whose duty it was to manage county affairs kept the ma- 
 chinery in operation, and no large debts were contracted. 
 
 A complete account of the finances of the county would, of itself, make a 
 large book, and the facts necessary for such an authentic history are not at hand, 
 even though we might desire to record them. There are to be found at various 
 places throughout the county records certain facts at our command, whereby we 
 are enabled to form some idea of financial affairs from the first. It is our pur- 
 pose, at this place, to give a brief insight at some of the more salient features of 
 money affairs. 
 
 CURRENT EXPENSES OF THE COUNTY FOR 1869, 1870 AND 1871. 
 
 1869 $ 76,530 04 
 
 1870 90,325 23 
 
 187I 109,592 GO 
 
 The first is the clerk's official statement for that year. The second is the 
 footing up of warrants issued in 1870. The third is amount of warrants issued 
 in 1871. 
 
 FINANCIAL CONDITION OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 In presenting the annual financial report of Jackson, county for the year end- 
 ing December 31, 1871, and in order that it may be clear and comprehensive, 
 I propose in this preface to submit a report, the grand total of which will show, 
 without a labyrinth of figures, the indebtedness of the county, including the 
 bonds issued to the Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, and 
 the funding bonds of two hundred thousand dollars, and all other indebtedness 
 of every kind : 
 
 Total indebtedness of Jackson county, December 31, 1871 . . . .$646,66961 
 May be deducted from above — 
 
 There is in the hands of the treasurer, in cash, to meet 
 
 the above indebtedness $ 47,352 67 
 
 Uncollected taxes for 1871 98,840 27 
 
 1870 • . . 43's68 5° 
 
 1869 43,682 03 
 
 1868 22,079 20 
 
 Uncollected taxes for 1871 to 1867, inclusive .... 76,642 54 
 
 Bonds subject to the control of Wm. Chrisman, financial 
 
 ^gSI^t 170,000 00 $502,195 21 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 213 
 
 The above credits may be deducted or not, at the pleasure of the Court or 
 the public generally, as they may choose. I deem it but right to set these facts 
 forth in this preface and in this comprehensive form, in order that it may be un- 
 derstood by the most superficial reader. It is but fair to say that the county has 
 had to assume the delinquent school tax of r868 and 1869, which amounted to 
 about fifty-six thousand dollars, which they were compelled to do by an act of 
 the legislature, passed in 1867, and compelled to bear the burden of runnmg the 
 criminal courts of the county, which perhaps amounts to eight or ten thousand 
 dollars a year, the fines of which are absorbed by the public school funds of the 
 county, and which already amounts to twenty thousand dollars. Hence it will 
 be seen the revenue proper of the county is made to subserve the public school 
 system in more ways than by direct taxation. In the foregoing statement is in- 
 cluded the appropriation for repairing and building both our court houses. And 
 another important item is about sixty thousand dollars which has been appropri- 
 ated in building bridges over the different streams in the county. 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 To the honorable County Court of Jackson county : 
 
 I have the honor to report to you the financial condition of Jackson county 
 on the first day of January, A. D. rSyz, as follows: 
 Amount of outstanding revenue warrants : 
 
 1851 $ 22 20 
 
 1852 . . 4 40 
 
 1853 58 30 
 
 1854 4 50 
 
 185s 5 00 
 
 1856 II 00 
 
 1857 12 15 
 
 1858 00 50 
 
 1859 61 55 
 
 i860 66 15 
 
 1861 244 00 
 
 1862 7 5° 
 
 1863 31 25 
 
 1864 22 75 
 
 1865 32 80 
 
 1866 534 00 
 
 1867 1,185 °o 
 
 1868 342 10 
 
 1869 505 45 
 
 1870 561082 07 
 
 1871 18,826 45 
 
 Poor House warrants 783 49 
 
 Bridge • 9>502 00 
 
 Road 290 00 
 
 Total amount of warrants $88,657 61 
 
 The bonded debt is as follows : 
 
 To the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company $300,000 00 
 
 Funding bonds of Jackson county 200,000 00 
 
 Missouri Pacific Railroad 14 000 °o 
 
 Bond No. 16 " • ■ 12,000 00 
 
 Bridge bonds held by John Lewis 5>°°° °° 
 
 Borrowed school money . . . i 27,012 00 
 
 Total warrants and bonds $646,669 61 
 
214 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Of the above item of $300,000.00, issued to the Tebo & Neosho Railroad, the 
 sum of $170,000 is in the hands of the financial agent of Jackson county and sub- 
 ject to the order of this court. 
 
 The receipts for the year 187 1, from all sources, is as follows : 
 
 County revenue • ^T^j'^IS 91 
 
 .Railroad 31,9°9 32 
 
 Special interest 47,329 93 
 
 Poor House 8,626 18 
 
 Bridge 21,705 37 
 
 Road 16,903 44 
 
 Total $204,760 18 
 
 The amount of expenditures for same time is as follows : 
 
 County revenue . $66,745 13 
 
 Special interest 6,138 27 
 
 Poor House 10,848 92 
 
 Bridge 12,402 32 
 
 Road 1,944 68 
 
 Total $98,079 32 
 
 The amount in the hands of the treasurer to pay protested warrants is as 
 follows : 
 
 County revenue $3,000 00 
 
 Bridge 9,874 60 
 
 Road 3,924 85 
 
 Poor House 1,667 91 
 
 Railroad 8,920 85 
 
 Special interest 19,964 46 
 
 Total $47,352 67 
 
 All special interest and road warrants have been paid on presentation, and 
 there is money enough on hand to pay all Poor House warrants protested to Jan- 
 uary, 1872. 
 
 All interest on borrowed money has been paid up promptly, and leaves a 
 balance, as before stated, of $19,964.46 to be appHed on interest falling due in 
 July next. 
 
 The difference between receipts and expenditures on the road fund has been 
 worked out by the overseers. 
 
 Our resources are as follows : 
 
 Delinquent list of 1871 — 
 
 County revenue $27,872 07 
 
 Railroad 20,916 95 
 
 Special interest 27,875 07 
 
 Poor House 4,357 76 
 
 Bridge 11,656 71 
 
 Road 6,158 71 
 
 Total . . $ 98,740 27 
 
 Delinquent list, 1861 to 1879 inclusive 186,002 27 
 
 Total $284,842 55 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTV. 215 
 
 The following is a financial statement of our indebtedness for and in behalf of 
 Van Buren township : 
 For bonds issued to the Lexington, Lake & Gulf Railroad . ... $50,000 00 
 
 Delinquent tax on the same for 1871 ... . . . . i)73S 00 
 
 For and on behalf of ^Cansas City and Westport Horse Railroad . . . 25,000 00 
 DeHnquent tax on same for 1871 . . 533 25 
 
 The indebtedness created by the two last named townships is not a part of the 
 county indebtedness at large, but is set forth for the satisfaction of the court and 
 the residents of said townships : 
 
 Theassessed value of real estate property of Jackson county for 1872, is $12,930,585 
 
 Personal 3.552. °35 
 
 Merchants' goods 1,100,000 
 
 Total $17,581,620 
 
 In the foregoing report it will be borne in mind that I have in all instances 
 deducted the State tax, and reference is only made to county indebtedness. 
 
 It will be observed that the outstanding warrants for the year i87o_is much 
 larger than for any other year given, which may be accounted for in the fact that 
 warrants were in March of said year for the delinquent school tax already referred 
 to. All of which is respectfully submitted. 
 
 E. R. HICKMAN, Clerk. 
 
 JACKSON COUNTY FINANCES FROM NOVEMBER 1ST, 1875, TO FEBRUARY I5TH, 1 87 6. 
 
 State tax $44,997 62 
 
 County tax ■ . . . 48,925 45 
 
 Special interest tax 28,175 07 
 
 Poor House tax 11.740 5° 
 
 Bridge tax 9, 291 05 
 
 Van Buren Township Railroad tax 1.968 86 
 
 Blue Township Railroad tax. 2,504 97 
 
 Kaw Township Railroad tax 13.558 87 
 
 Westport Horse Railroad tax 917 60 
 
 Penalty 176 30 
 
 Kansas City School ... . 51,456 06 
 
 Independence School 4 154 77 
 
 Westport School . .' . . 1,966 88 
 
 Lee's Summit School 1,826 85 
 
 Total $221,760 85 
 
 RAILROADS. 
 
 State tax ;?i,05i 48 
 
 County tax 1,161 19 
 
 Special interest 290 29 
 
 Bridge 232 24 
 
 Road 339 43 
 
 School 1.285 19 
 
 Kaw Township Railroad 219 97 
 
 Blue Township Railroad 144 17 
 
 Total $34,723 96 
 
216 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 AMOUNT COLLECTED ON BACK TAXES. 
 
 State tax $10,514 39 
 
 County revenue 8,500 89 
 
 Special interest . 5; 178 9° 
 
 Poor House •• • 897 38 
 
 Bridge 2,378 81 
 
 "Van Buren Township Railroad . . . . ... 244 41 
 
 Blue Township Railroad 132 25 
 
 Kaw Township Railroad ■ 45 1 9^ 
 
 Westport Horse Railroad • i37 48 
 
 Penalty 5.724 62 
 
 Advertising 446 56 
 
 Independence School tax 230 97 
 
 Lee's Summit School tax 61 14 
 
 Westport School tax 633 22 
 
 Kansas City School tax 9,651 08 
 
 Total $45,154 07 
 
 RECAPITULATION. 
 
 Total amount collected on merchants' tax and regular 
 
 tax books for 1875 $221,760 85 
 
 Total amount collected on railroads for 1874 4,723 96 
 
 Total amount collected on back taxes 45,154 08 
 
 $271,638 89 
 
 We give the foregoing figures in full, in order that all who are interested 
 specially in any of the funds, may have a better knowledge of their status, and 
 that the people at large may see what their servants are doing. 
 
 For the first time in twenty years we are told county warrants are at par. 
 This, too, has been accomplished through the management of those having the 
 finances of the county in their hands, without funding. The collector turned 
 over $26,000 cash, the other day, to the treasurer, on county revenue, a fact 
 worth remembering, in connection with the never-to-be-forgotten grasshopper 
 year. The total collections on the tax books are about 70 per cent, of the whole, 
 and collections on the delinquent or back taxes, as will be seen above, run up to 
 the handsome sum of $45,154.07. This is a splendid showing, and is worthy of 
 the good old county of Jackson. 
 
 An official report of the financial affairs of -Jackson county for the year 1879 : 
 To the Honorable County Court of Jackson County, Mo. : 
 
 I hereby submit my annual report of the receipts and expenditures of Jackson 
 county for the year 1879, and also giving the amount of the indebtedness of said 
 county. The outstanding indebtedness of said county is as follows: $300,000 
 bonds issued to the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company; $200,000 funding 
 bonds of Jackson county; $150,000 Kaw township bonds, issued to the Wyan- 
 dotte, Kansas City & Northwestern Railroad Company; $100,000 Kaw town- 
 ship bonds issued to the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Topeka Railroad Company ; 
 Jioo,ooo Blue township bonds issued to the Wyandotte, Kansas City & North- 
 western Railroad Company ; $48,000 Van Buren township bonds issued to the 
 Lexington, Lake & Gulf Railroad Company; $1,300 Westport bonds issued to 
 the Westport Horse Railroad Company. Of the above bonds, those issued on 
 the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, to the amount of $300,000, are bearing 
 8 per cent, interest. No interest has been paid on the same since February, 1876, 
 and as your Honors are well aware suit has been entered and judgment rendered 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 217 
 
 against Jackson county for the sum of $48, 549.54, in the United States Circuit 
 Court for the Western District of Missouri, on the part due coupons of said bonds, 
 and mandamus has been issued to enforce the collection of the same. There have 
 also been judgments rendered against Jackson county on behalf of Kaw township 
 to the amount of $7,398.22 and Blue township to the amount of 36,586.87, in 
 favor of the bondholders on past due coupons, both of which townships are be- 
 hind on interest since August, A. D. 1876. No suit has been begun by the bond- 
 holders of the Van Buren township bonds, but it is understood that the decision 
 of Kaw and Blue township cases also decides theirs. In the Westport & Kan- 
 sas City Horse Railroad bonds, suit has been brought in the United States Court 
 and decided against the bondholders. Whether they have been appealed to the 
 United States Supreme Court, I am not informed. 
 
 There are no outstanding warrants against the county, all having been paid 
 on presentation to the county treasurer, and there is in the hands Of the treasurer 
 the following amounts to the credit of the following funds, to-wit : 
 
 County revenue fund $47)839-95 
 
 Special interest fund 20,166.98 
 
 Poor House fund 8,084.78 
 
 Bridge fund '. 6,345.64 
 
 Road fund . . , 3,450.08 
 
 Indebtedness fund 1,597.92 
 
 Van Buren township railroad 2,671.04 
 
 Westport Horse Railroad 462.75 
 
 Blue township railroad 839.77 
 
 Kaw township railroad 2,779.61 
 
 Making a total of $94,288.52 
 
 In addition to the amounts on hand to the credit of the township funds, 
 there are the following amounts loaned out on real estate security, which can be 
 called in when wanted, to-wit : 
 
 Kaw township railroad fund $10,969.95 
 
 Blue township railroad fund 2,731.68 
 
 Van Buren township railroad fund 619.81 
 
 Total $14,321.44 
 
 For a detailed statement I refer your Honors to the following accounts of 
 each fund made out separately : 
 
 REVENUE FUND. 
 
 To balance on hand last year $ 39,236 81 
 
 To amount received as per schedule "A" 69,761 20 
 
 $108,998 01 
 
 Credits. 
 
 By amount county warrants paid off $51,72858 
 
 By criminal scrip paid off 5; 768 53 
 
 By law and Equity Court scrip paid off 2,219 5° 
 
 By Circuit Court scrip paid off, 1,082 75 
 
 By commission on railroad taxes 16 39 
 
 By coroner's accounts allowed 196 61 
 
 By W. T. Wright, wolf scalp i 50 
 
 By J. Pendleton, damages on road 64 60 
 
 ByG. W.Adams, " " 64 60 
 
 By W. A. Cunningham, damages on road 15 °° 
 
 By balance on hand 47)839 95 
 
 $108,998 01 
 
218 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 SPECIAL INTEREST FUND. 
 
 To balance on hand last year ... .$13,686 55 
 
 To amount received as per schedule "A" 24,924 14 
 
 $38,610 69 
 Credits. 
 
 By 399 coupon funding bonds $15,960 00 
 
 By warrants paid off 2,45^ °S 
 
 By exchange and express charges 20 25 
 
 By commission on railroad taxes 5 4^ 
 
 By balance on hand 20,168 98 
 
 $38,610 69 
 
 POOR HOUSE FUND. 
 
 To balance on hand last year $ 7,660 37 
 
 To amount collected as per schedule "A" 9,286 08 
 
 $16,946 45 
 Credits. 
 
 By amount warrants paid off $ 8,859 04 
 
 By commission on railroad tax 2 63 
 
 By balance on hand • 8,084 78 
 
 $16,946 45 
 
 BRIDGE FUND. 
 
 To balance on hand last year $1,002 40 
 
 To amount collected as per schedule "A" 7,917 33 
 
 $8,919 79 
 Credits. 
 
 By warrants paid off $2,574 15 
 
 By balance on hand 6,345 64 
 
 $8,919 79 
 
 ROAD FUND. 
 
 To balance on hand last settlement $ 2,833 43 
 
 To amount collected as per'schedule "A" 7)897 06 
 
 $10,730 52 
 Credits. 
 
 By warrants and road receipts paid off $ 7.273 95 
 
 By commission 6 49 
 
 By balance on hand 3,45° 08 
 
 $10,730 52 
 
 INDEBTEDNESS FUND. 
 
 To balance on hand last year $ 877 44 
 
 To amount received per schedule "A" 720 48 
 
 $1,597 92 
 Credit. 
 
 By balance on hand $i)597 9 
 
 2 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 219 
 
 VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP FUND. 
 
 To balance on hand last year $2,739 25 
 
 To amount received as per schedule "A" i8i 79 
 
 $2,921 04 
 CredUs. 
 
 By amount loaned' $ 250 00 
 
 By balance on hand 2,671 04 
 
 Dr. 
 
 $2,921 04 
 
 WESTPORT HORSE RAILROAD FUND. 
 
 To balance on hand last year $387 33 
 
 To amount received, schedule "A" 75 42 
 
 Credit. 
 
 $463 75 
 
 By balance on hand $462 75 
 
 BLUE TOWNSHIP RAILROAD FUND. 
 
 To balance on hand last year. ., $ 832 03 
 
 To amount received as per schedule "A" 557 74 
 
 ^ ,. $^-389 77 
 
 Credits. 
 
 By amount loaned $500 00 
 
 By balance on hand 889 77 
 
 KAW TOWNSHIP RAILROAD FUND. 
 
 To balance on hand last year $6,139 11 
 
 To amount as per schedule "A" 2,040 50 
 
 $8,179 61 
 Credits. 
 
 By amount loaned out $5, 400 00 
 
 By balance on hand 2,779 61 
 
 $8,179 61 
 Below is given the financial statement of Collector JVIurphy's final settlement 
 
 with the County Court. For current year 1880, collections on real estate and 
 
 personal property were : 
 
 State $ 54,038 76 
 
 County 40,700 78 
 
 Tebo and Neosho special interest 27,138 51 
 
 Special interest ^3,566 79 
 
 Poor House 6,782 45 
 
 Bridge 6,781 01 
 
 Road S)085 11 
 
 County schools 20,124 12 
 
 Independence schools 3.347 98 
 
 Lee's Summit schools 598 10 
 
 Kansas City schools 68,702 99 
 
 Westport schools 1,962 29 
 
 Interest 212 38 
 
 Collections $248,032 20 
 
220 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 State $ 65,254 26 
 
 County 49>i84 79 
 
 Tebo and Neosho special interest 32,789 82 
 
 Special interest i63,9S5 59 
 
 Poor House 8,203 80 
 
 Bridge 8,205 20 
 
 Road 6,145 10 
 
 County school 23,754 52 
 
 Independence school 3,759 54 
 
 Lee's Summit school 701 3° 
 
 Kansas City school 83,571 90 
 
 Westport school 2,729 47 
 
 Total assessments for current year $3ao,9o8 13 
 
 DELINQUENT TAXES OF 1880. 
 
 State $ 11,215 50 
 
 County 8,484 01 
 
 Tebo and Neosho special interest 5,651 3^ 
 
 Special interest 2,828 80 
 
 Poor house 1,420 35 
 
 Bridge 1,424 19 
 
 Road . 1,059 99 
 
 County School 3,63° 43 
 
 Independence school 411 96 
 
 Lee's Summit school 103 20 
 
 Kansas City school . . . , 14,868 97 
 
 Westport school 767 22 
 
 Total delinquent $ 51,865 93 
 
 OTHER COLLECTIONS. 
 
 Merchants' and manufacturers' license $ 28,369 39 
 
 Dramshop, billiard and auctioneers' license 21,311 19 
 
 Total $ 49,680 58 
 
 Total collections . . . $267,712 78 
 
 CREDITS. 
 
 Delinquent list $ 51,865 93 
 
 Abatements by County Court 6,759 37 
 
 Commission on current tax 4,240 01 
 
 Commission on dramshop tax, etc 372 92 
 
 Commission on merchants tax 496 43 
 
 Total credits $ 63,734 66 
 
 Cash paid county treasurer $286,854 05 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 221 
 
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222 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Below will be found a report submitted to the County Court ten years ago : 
 1 have the honor to report the indebtedness of Jackson county on the first 
 Monday, lA. D. 1870, as follows: 
 
 WARRANTS OUTSTANDING. 
 
 For the year 1851 $ 25 20 
 
 For the year 1852 4 4° 
 
 For the year 1853 5^ 3° 
 
 For the year 1854 6 00 
 
 For the year 1855 ■ . . . 15 3° 
 
 For the year 1856 " 00 
 
 For the year 1857 12 14 
 
 For the year 1858 12 55 
 
 For the year 1859 61 70 
 
 For the year i860 96 93 
 
 For the year 1861 765 25 
 
 For the year 1862 7 5° 
 
 For the year 1863 . . 42 25 
 
 For the year 1864 55 54 
 
 For the year 1865 156 47 
 
 For the year 1866 869 58 
 
 For the year 1867 3>8i4 81 
 
 For the year 1868 • 4,891 45 
 
 For the year 1869 3,265 54 
 
 Making a total of $17,21221 
 
 Borrowed school money 20,174 11 
 
 Bond No. 16 held by Sawyer & Chrisman 12,000 00 
 
 Bond No. 7, held by Fletcher 1,000 00 
 
 63 bonds of Pacific Railroad 63,000 00 
 
 Interest on the same 8,600 00 
 
 II bonds to Louisiana and Missouri R. R 5,506 00 
 
 Bridge bonds due February i, 1871 19,600 00 
 
 Grand total $147,086 32 
 
 The amount of receipts from all sources, for the year 1869, amounted as 
 follows : 
 
 County revenue . . $ 56,362 89 
 
 Pooir House 6,868 94 
 
 Special interest 13,070 06 
 
 Bridge 14,096 99 
 
 Road 15,145 65 
 
 Railroad 29,430 14 
 
 Total $135,904 47 
 
 The amount of expenditures for the year 1869, for all purposes, amounted as 
 follows : 
 
 County revenue $ 44,423 73 
 
 Poor House 9,002 32 
 
 Special interest 5,406 64 
 
 Bridge 7,813 61 
 
 Road . 3,419 24 
 
 Railroad 6,404 50 
 
 Total $ 76,530 04 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. , 223 
 
 Leaving a balance of receipts over expenditures of $59,374.43, which has 
 been apphed to the payment of old debts. 
 
 It will be seen that the receipts of the county revenue have exceeded the 
 expenditures by $11,939.10, leaving a balance of that much to be applied to the 
 payment of the outstanding warrants that have been protested. 
 
 The expenditures of the Poor House fund have exceeded the receipts by 
 $2,133.38, which has been expended in erecting a new and additional building 
 on the county farm. 
 
 The receipts on the road fund have been $15,143.65, while the expenditures 
 in road warrants have been only $3,419.24, the balance has been expended by 
 the road overseers in the various districts, and as they have not, as yet, made 
 settlement, it is impossible for me to lay before your honor the result of their 
 labors. 
 
 The special interest fund shows receipts of $13,976.06 and expenditures of 
 $5,406.04. As this is a new fund created out of the old county bounty fund, the 
 expenditures have not been so great, but will mostly be consumed in paying off 
 the interest due on borrowed school money and railroad bonds due February ist, 
 1870. 
 
 The receipts on the railroad fund have been $29,460.14, and expenditures 
 have been $6,404.50, of which amount $5,500.00 was issued to Samuel L. Saw- 
 yer, as one of the directors of the Louisiana & Missouri River Railroad Company 
 for the purpose of making the survey through the County of Jackson, and for 
 which the said Jackson county is to have credit on the subscription of $250,000 to 
 the capital stock of said road. 
 
 The interest on bonds No. 7 and 16 have been paid by Jackson county up to 
 January ist, 1870. 
 
 The interest on the bridge bonds has been paid (or money set aside to pay) 
 up to April ist, A. D. 1870. 
 
 Of the amount of interest due on old warrants I am unable to state, as I have 
 no knowledge of the date of presentation of the same to the treasurer for payment, 
 and can, therefore, form no idea of the amount necessary to pay the same 
 
 I find after careful examination there is due on the delinquent list of 1869, 
 and the same lists of 1861 to 1868 inclusive the following amounts : 
 
 County revenue .... $35,754 80 
 
 Special interest . . . . 10,980 08 
 
 Poor House 5>277 27 
 
 Bridge • • 9, 941 21 
 
 Railroad . . . ■ • 3°;5S5 0° 
 
 Road 6,214 73 
 
 Total ... $98,722 73 
 
 So that it will be seen if all delinquent taxes were paid it would leave our 
 gross indebtedness only $48,345.58. 
 
 There would also be in the treasury money as follows : 
 
 County revenue $18,541 79 
 
 Special interest .... . 10,980 50 
 
 Poor House ... 3!^43 67 
 
 Road 6,214 73 
 
 Making a general total of . '. .$37,960 73 
 
 And the balance due on the railroad debt to be only $46,545.00. All of 
 which is respectfully submitted, 
 
 E. R. HICKMAN, Clerk. 
 
 By W. Z. Hickman, D. C. 
 
224 , HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 COUNTY POOR FARM. 
 
 There were few applications in early days for county aid by persons who 
 were poor and unfortunate. In those days few persons were very rich, and it is 
 likewise true that there were few very poor. The history of Jackson county in 
 this respect was not different from that of other counties. As the county settled 
 up, farms were improved, elegant farm-houses erected, and the natural resources 
 of the county developed; the more industrious and economical and fortunate 
 became richer, and those who were less energetic or fortunate became poorer. 
 After the lapse of some time the number of paupers was so great, and the expense 
 of maintaining them so large, that the taxpayers began to clamor for some more 
 economical method of relieving the deserving poor. Not only had the number 
 of paupers increased rapidly, but exorbitant prices were frequently demanded for 
 maintaining such, and, when accommodations could not be procured elsewhere, 
 the authorities were compelled to pay the prices demanded. Under these circum- 
 stances the people began to inquire after some plan whereby the poor could be 
 more economically cared for. In 1852 there seemed to be a general feeling in 
 favor of purchasing a farm and erecting buildings suitable for an infirmary. The 
 County Court had been, previous to that time, frequently petitioned by various 
 individuals, and the feasibility of the undertaking, doubtless, had frequently sug- 
 gested itself to that honorable body. 
 
 Jackson County Poor Farm is situated ten miles south of Independence, and 
 contains 160 acres. It was bought in the year 1852. A summary of the annual 
 reports of Superintendent D. Gregg for 1879 and 1880 will be sufficient to show 
 the practical workings of the institution : 
 
 REPORT FOR 1879. 
 
 Number of paupers on hand January i, 1880 52 
 
 Number received in 1879 . 46 
 
 Number discharged in 1879 42 
 
 Number of deaths in 1879 11 
 
 Total January i, 1880 45 
 
 Number insane and idiotic January i, 1879 28 
 
 Number received in 1879 4 
 
 Number of deaths in 1879 3 
 
 Total January i, 1880 29 
 
 SEX OF PAUPERS. 
 
 White males 11 
 
 White females i 
 
 Black males 3 
 
 Black females i 
 
 SEX OF INSANE AND IDIOTIC 
 
 White males 16 
 
 White females 6 
 
 Black males . 2 
 
 Black females 5 
 
 EXPENDITURES. 
 
 /' Goods $350 17 
 
 Groceries 625 22 
 
 Plour 37 75 
 
 Hardware 48 36 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 225 
 
 EXPENDITURES CONTINUED. 
 
 Amount brought forward *i ogj 
 
 44 
 48 00 
 
 Coffins 
 
 Blacksmithing ■ ^42^ 
 
 Beef cows, etc ■,-,a a^ 
 
 ' 334 45 
 
 00 
 
 Lounges . . ^8 
 
 Harness 
 
 Rails .....[ 
 
 Salaries 
 
 Ice '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.['.'.. 21 eg 
 
 Superintendent coo 00 
 
 Physician ,2^ 
 
 Paid County Treasurer on sale of mule 94 
 
 9 8s 
 
 22 so 
 
 720 70 
 
 00 
 
 T°'^l- ■■ „ $3,093 19 
 
 Amount on hand January i, 1879 i,373 
 
 00 
 
 4,466 19 
 
 00 
 
 25 00 
 5 00 
 
 BY PRODUCE OF FARM — CREDIT. 
 
 Milch COWS . . $241; 
 
 One bull .".'.".!! 
 
 One calf 
 
 Beef cattle 280 00 
 
 Stock hogs 120 00 
 
 Pork on hand .... . iso 00 
 
 Two stacks of hay 20 00 
 
 One rick of oats S° °° 
 
 Clover seed and two ricks hay 100 00 
 
 100 bushels of potatoes 40 00 
 
 560 lbs. lard 56 00 
 
 16 acres growing wheat 80 00 
 
 360 bbls. corn 450 00 
 
 4 bbls. molasses 48 00 
 
 40 bushels wheat 40 00 
 
 $1,709 00 
 
 $4,466 10 
 
 1,709 00 
 
 $2,757 19 
 Deduct bill for rails 70 50 
 
 $2,686 69 
 The average number of paupers for the year is 40^, at a cost $59.47 per 
 annum per capita; $i.io_^ per week, or 15^ cents per day. 
 
 REPORT FOR 1880. 
 
 Number of paupers on hand January i, 1880 4S 
 
 " received during i88o 57 
 
 " discharged 1880 . • 34 
 
 " died 1880 9 
 
 Total number on hand January i, 1881 59 
 
 15 
 
226 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 REPORT FOR 1880 — CONTINUED. 
 
 Number of insane in 1880 28 
 
 " " received in 1880 10 
 
 " " discharged 7 
 
 " " deaths ■ • • ■ ■ 3 
 
 Total insane • ■ • 28 
 
 Number of children 4 
 
 SEX OF PAUPERS : 
 
 White males 23 
 
 " females ... 3 
 
 Black males 3 
 
 " females 2 
 
 Total ■ 31 
 
 SEX OF insane: 
 
 White males 14 
 
 " females 7 
 
 Black males 2 
 
 " females 5 
 
 Total 28 
 
 paupers received in 1880. 
 
 White males '..... 36 
 
 " females 8 
 
 Black males 2 
 
 " females i 
 
 Total 47 
 
 Deaths 10 
 
 , expenses. 
 
 Goods $ 471 04 
 
 Groceries 420 06 
 
 Bacon 366 08 
 
 Hogs 405 18 
 
 Beef 3°3 73 
 
 Wood and coal 232 13 
 
 Coffins 49 5 1 
 
 Hardware 75 10 
 
 Wagon 70 00 
 
 Saddlery iS 25 
 
 Lounges 24 00 
 
 Oats. 7 50 
 
 Blacksmithing ' 36 95 
 
 Tobacco 10 00 
 
 Repairing wagon 6 95 
 
 Threshing and cutting grain 5375 
 
 Transportation of paupers 35 60 
 
 Labor on farm 183 15 
 
 Steward , .... 277 00 
 
 Cook 192 00 
 
 Medicine • 138 45 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 227 
 
 $3,379 
 1,709 
 500 
 
 EXPENSES — CONTINUED. 
 
 Amount brought forward 
 
 Moneys on hand 
 
 Superintendent 
 
 Physician ^"g 
 
 Matron's services j-^ 
 
 Total expenditures ... $6 oi;i 
 
 CREDITS BY 
 
 2,250 bushels corn $671; 
 
 3 stacks hay ■ • qq 
 
 I " oats ... ; .' ■ 60 
 
 100 bushels potatoes 40 
 
 24 fat hogs _■ 240 
 
 67 stock hogs 240 
 
 S heef cattle 
 
 5 cows 
 
 1 calf 
 
 Pork 
 
 Clover seed 
 
 Clover seed sold 
 
 " " sown 
 
 Wheat sown 
 
 2 steers sold 
 
 5 calves sold 
 
 Hides 
 
 Wagon 
 
 Lounges 
 
 43 
 00 
 00 
 61 
 00 
 
 175 
 
 17s 
 
 15 
 
 150 
 57 
 77 
 
 15 
 
 100 
 
 96 
 
 SO 
 27 
 70 
 24 
 
 °3 
 
 00 
 00 
 00 
 00 
 00 
 00 
 00 
 00 
 00 
 00 
 5° 
 5° 
 00 
 00 
 
 25 
 00 
 
 50 
 00 
 00 
 
 A- l^'377 75 
 
 Expenditures • $6,051 03 
 
 Credits 2,377 75 
 
 Net expenditures $3,673 28 
 
 The average number of inmates for the year was fifty-one, at a cost of $72. 
 02^ per annum, $1.38^^ per week, 19^ cents per day. 
 
 Respectfully, J. P. HENRY, M. D. 
 
 D. GREGG, Supt. 
 
 PRAIRIE HOMES. 
 
228 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 INVENTORY. 
 
 To the Honorable Court of Jackson 
 " I have this day, February 2 
 me to go upon the Poor Farm and 
 upon said farm. 
 
 5 Mules in good order. 
 
 5 Milch cows in common order. 
 
 I Beef steer. 
 
 78 Stock hogs in good condition. 
 
 1,842 Bushels of corn. 
 
 3 Ricks of clover hay. 
 
 1 Rick of oats. 
 
 2 Wagons. 
 
 1 Spring wagon. 
 
 2 Sets wagon harnesses. 
 
 2 Single plow harnesses. 
 
 1 Molasses mill and evaporator. 
 I Cutting box. 
 
 1 Harrow. 
 
 3 Carpets. 
 
 2 Bedsteads. 
 
 2 White blankets. 
 
 2 Mattresses. 
 
 I Medicine desk. 
 
 I Domestic sewing machine. 
 
 I Hay. knife. 
 
 I Wash stand. 
 
 28 Chairs. 
 
 36 or 40 Bushels of potatoes. 
 
 140 Pieces of bacon. 
 
 County : 
 
 18, 1881, complied with your order directing 
 
 make an inventory of the personal property 
 
 2 Large kettles. 
 
 3 Axes. 
 
 1 Bathing tub. 
 
 4 Double shovel plows. 
 
 2 Large plows. 
 
 2 Single shovel plows, 
 i^ Bushels salt. 
 I Twenty gallon barrel of lard. 
 ^ Barrel Lard. 
 
 3 Large tin cans of lard. 
 I Brace and bit. 
 
 1 Hand saw. 
 3 Planes. 
 
 2 Cythes and cradles. 
 60 Lounges with blankets, apparently 
 
 sufficient for them. 
 16 Stoves. 
 
 1 Scalding box. 
 
 2 Pairs handcuffs (one key lost). 
 
 5 Pitch forks. 
 I Sausage mill, 
 t Churn. 
 I Pick. 
 I Shovel. 
 I Spade. 
 
 " In making out the above list, some things I gave but a passing notice, as, 
 for instance, the vessels for the cooking stove. I did not count the dishes, 
 plates, knives, forks, and many other things belonging to the pauper table. 
 
 " Please accept this report. ' P. N. GRINTER." 
 
 It will be seen from the foregoing that the farm is well managed, and that 
 the management is carefully and systematically looked after. 
 
 With such facilities for receiving inmates, it is certainly proper that parties 
 subject to public maintenance be removed to the infirmary as speedy as possible. 
 There are cases when it is advisable to pay a weekly sum for the -support of an 
 individual or family, but these are exceptionable. It is neither to the interest of 
 the needy nor in the interests of public morals to furnish indiscriminate aid to 
 out- door paupers. 
 
 Asylums for the poor and disabled are peculiarly Christian institutions, and 
 they become more common with the growth of civilization. None of the heathen 
 nations of antiquity in the times of their greatest prosperity established benevo- 
 lent institutions for the unfortunate; but in this age, a State, or even a county of 
 any considerable size, would be considered far behind the times in all the ele- 
 ments of progress, unless some provisions were made for the care of the unfortu- 
 nate. " Over the hills to the poor house " is a sad story, but there are many 
 sadder ones to be found in the history of those people who have no such institu- 
 tions. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 229 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 AGRICULTURE. 
 
 Its Establishment and the Men Active in the Enterprise — The First Fair in Jackson County In 
 
 i8$4 New Grounds Purchased — No Fairs During the War — Names of the Officers of the As- 
 sociation Each Year — Complete Account of the Fair for i8yo— Fair of iSyi — The Last Fair 
 of the Association. 
 
 JACKSON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 It was established at Independence in the fall of 1853. Those prominent in 
 the organization of the association : Wm. Chrisman, Samuel H. Woodson, Alvin 
 Brooking, A. Comingo, Isaac Hockaday, Ezra R. Hickman, W. B. Howard, N. 
 B. Stone, William Stone, John Wilson, John Parker, J. B. Hovey, B. F. Thomp- 
 son, Samuel Ralston, B. S. Grant, Jacob Stonestreet, John B. Wornall and 
 Robert Hill. 
 
 The first fair was held in Wood Noland's pasture, which was between where 
 Alex. Proctor lives and the Chicago and Alton Depot. It was held in September, 
 1853, and continued three days. 
 
 The first fair was well patronized by the people, and as many as 1,500 or 
 2,000 were in attendance on the last day. Twenty-five cents was charged for 
 each ticket. There was a small ring in which to parade the stock and try the 
 speed of horses, a few seats for the ladies, and a rope inclosed the grounds. The 
 show of stock was large, but fruit, grain and implements were not numerous. 
 Mr. Robert Weston and Mr. John G. McCurdy exhibited a few farm implements. 
 In 1854 the association bought 15 acres, at $75 per acre, of John R. Oldham, 
 one and one-half miles south of Independence, and afterward held their exhibits 
 here. The land and improvements were paid for by the issue of stock, which 
 was in sums of $20 each. The stock was always at par value until the Civil 
 War. 
 
 An eight-foot picket fence was built all around, and an ampitheater, which 
 would seat about 6,000. Fairs were held on these grounds till the war broke out, 
 and then again in 1866, 1867, 1868, 1869, 1870 and 187 1. 
 
 Those influential in the Jackson County Agricultural and Mechanical Asso- 
 ciation afterward gave their influence to the Kansas City Exposition. 
 
 The first officers w^e : Alvin Brooking, President, William Chrisman Sec- 
 retary. Directors : James K. Sheley, A. Comingo, Isaac Hockaday, Robert G. 
 Smart, Jacob F. Stonestreet. 
 
 Officers in 1854 : Alvin Brooking, President, E. R. Hickman, Secretary. 
 
 Officers in 1855 : S. H. Woodson, President, E. R. Hickman, Secretary. 
 
 Officers in 1856 : John B. Wornall, President, E. R. Hickman, Secretary. 
 
 Officers in 1857 : James K. Sheley, President, E. R. Hickman, Secretary. 
 
 Officers in 1858: Benj. Thompson, President, Schuyler Lowe, Secretary. 
 
 Officers in 1859 : Benj. Thompson, President, Robert Hill, ist Vice Presi- 
 dent, J. B. Hovey, 2d Vice President, Schuyler Lowe, Secretary. 
 
 Officers in i860 : Thomas M. Fields, President, Schuyler Lowe, Secretary. 
 
 In 1 86 1 the war came and no Fair was held until 1866. 
 
 Officers in 1866 were : Preston Roberts, President, Schuyler Lowe, Secre- 
 tary, A. T. Slack, Treasurer. 
 
 In 1866 many of the prominent agriculturists of the country again united 
 their efforts and held a fair during the second week of September of that year. 
 
230 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 The officers for 1867 were S. K. Knox, President, William L. Bryant, Sec- 
 retary. 
 
 In 1868 Failing Lane was President and William L. Bryant was Secretary. 
 
 In 1869 Felling Lane was again President, and William L. Bryant was also 
 again Secretary. 
 
 In the fall of 1869 the association issued new stock in shares of twenty dollars 
 each, which sold readily. 
 
 The Fair for 1870 was held Sept. 12, 13, 14 and 15. 
 
 At a meeting of the stockholders November 20, 1870, Henry C. Parker was 
 chairman and O. P. W. Bailey was secretary. The stockholders then proceeded 
 to the election of officers for the year 1871, with the following result : O. P. W. 
 Bailey, President ; Henry C. Parker, Vice-President. 
 
 Directors — M. W. Anderson, W. E. Croysdale, W. H. Franklin, Schuyler 
 Lowe, A. S. Packard, Jacob Powell, C. R. Barnes, Sam'l Jewett, John T. Smith, 
 John B. Wornall, Wm. B. Howard, S. K. Knox, Z. S. Ragan. 
 
 O. P. W. Bailey, Sec'y. 
 
 At a meeting of the directors of the Jackson County Agricultural and Mechan- 
 ical Association, held at the office of Messrs. Woodson & Sheley in the city of 
 Independence, Mo., on Monday, 21st November, 1870. V. M. Hobbs, Esq., 
 was elected secretary for the ensuing year, and John T. Pendleton, treasurer. 
 
 It seems that the society had a successful exhibition in September, 187 1. 
 
 The last fair under the auspices of the Jackson County Agricultural and Me- 
 chanical Association was held September 5-7, 1872. The attendance was not 
 large, although a very respectable number were present. It seems that the dis- 
 trict fairs had attracted nearly all interest from county exhibitions. We under- 
 stand that the association was out of pocket some one or two hundred dollars. 
 
 CHAPTER XIL 
 EDUCATIONAL. 
 
 Introductory— Private Enterprise— Six Mile Academy— The Woodworlh School, of Independence-^ 
 Mrs. Buchanan's School^D. I. Caldwell's School— Independence Female Academy— Mrs. 
 Betlie T. Tillery's Academy— Woodland College— Highland CMlege— Independence HighSchool 
 —Independence Female College— St. Mary's Seminary— Public Schools of the County— Suits. 
 Report m 1866— Jackson County Teacher's Institute— Report of the School Commissioner, D. 
 I. Caldwell, in 18^0. 
 
 Missouri having been admitted as a member of the Union in 182 1, as early 
 as 1825, the Legislature, impressed with the importance of a general system of 
 education, as a factor in the success and permanence of Republican institutions, 
 as well as of personal and social happiness, passed a bill establishing a system of 
 public schools for the State. Born, as Missouri was, amid the alarming conflict 
 of sectional prejudices; together with many hardships and calls for self-denial 
 ever incident upon the settlement and organization of a new State, it was not 
 wonderful that the people were slow in the practical adoption of such a system, 
 and would pause to consider its advantages ; more especially, as the older States, 
 from which many of the early settlers had come, had not given the public school 
 system such importance in their legislation in this direction as it really deserved. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 231 
 
 The hardy yeomanry, who are generally the pioneers in new States, are not, 
 generally, as a rule, of that class, who comprehend in all its relations, the benefits 
 of a thorough and general education; and not realizing these, they are generally 
 disposed to subordinate them to the acquisition and accumulations of the more 
 material comforts of life. Yet, at an early day, individual counties, as they in- 
 creased in population, and had gathered around them the means of comfort, 
 availed themselves of the munificence of the general government, supplemented 
 by the intelligent legislation of the State. 
 
 The western border counties, contiguous to the Indian Territory, were sub- 
 jected to many hindrances to the advancement of their educational interests. 
 Like all border territory, the people found many exciting topics, and many ab- 
 sorbing subjects in the different departments of trade and business, to occupy 
 their thoughts; Jackson county, from her peculiar location, had more of this 
 than any other border county. Yet, settled as she was, by a hardy and indus- 
 trious people; they were, from the very first, an enterprising, intelligent class of 
 men and women, many of them men of fine ability, if not of liberal education, 
 such as the Greggs, Owens, Simpson, Stith and others; and as early as 1838, 
 having a number of scholarly citizens, such as Waldo, McCoy, Lee, Palmer, 
 Woodson and Chiles. We are authorized in believing that attention was early 
 directed to establishment and encouragement of good private schools, some of 
 them affording advantages equal to those of older States. 
 
 As early as 1841 a charter was secured from the Legislature for the estab- 
 lishment of a Seminary, to be called the Six Mile Academy, and to be located in 
 the Six Mile country, in the northeast part of the county, near the line between 
 ranges thirty-one and thirty-two, east of Little Blue River. The trustees of this 
 Seminary, as named in the articles of incorporation, were Thomas Douglas, 
 Samuel Kimsey, Ebenezer Dixon, Jonathan Cameron, Thomas Hudspeth and 
 Joseph Handson. For some cause, unexplained, this Seminary was never or- 
 ganized under the charter; but the enterprising citizens, with other intelligent 
 neighbors, determined to avail themselves of the spirit of improvement thus 
 aroused, and, near the original location, erected a commodious log house and 
 made arrangements to open a school during the year 1814. The school was ac- 
 cordingly opened, with Mr. Walker Buckner, a native of Kentucky, as its 
 principal. This house was continuously occupied from that time until the sum- 
 mer of 1880, when the citizens of district number one, township fifty, range 
 thirty, substituted a good substantial frame building. The old log house was left 
 standing as a memorial of the early enterprise of the pioneers and a sample of 
 the original school houses all over the State. This house, however, was more 
 pretentious, having glass windows, fire-places and chimneys of brick. The " old 
 log school house" is not only traditionary, but, in many places, is still the only 
 temple in which "the young idea is taught to shoot." Nor is this description of 
 school house pecuUar to Missouri. Well does the writer remember, long years 
 ago, in his native State, Kentucky, sitting through the long summer, or shorter 
 winter, days, in just such a school house, on benches hewn from the trees of the 
 neighboring forest, in the construction of which the only tools used were the axe, 
 saw and auger. In these houses the children were generally free from any lia- 
 bility to contract diseases incident to the want of sufficient ventilation, however 
 crowded they might be. Ventilation was admirably secured by the removal of a 
 log the whole length of the room, and the aperture closed when necessary by a 
 plank suspended by leathern straps. The most efficient means of ventilation, 
 however, was the ceiling (loft), consisting, as it often did, of loose boards laid 
 upon round poles, which served the place of rafters. The ill-fitting door, muti- 
 lated chinking, and floor made of slabs hewed from the larger trees and loosely 
 laid, contributed essentially to the furnishing of fresh air to the future conservators 
 of republican institutions. The means of warming were just as efficient. The 
 
232 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 fire-place occupied the greater part of one end Of the house. The chimney, from 
 coping up, consisted of spUt sticks, the interstices daubed with mud. Many were 
 the narrow escapes from conflagration incident to the near approach of the com- 
 bustible to the abundant flame in such a furnace. Many more costly edifices have 
 failed to furnish professional and business men superior to those receiving the 
 ground-work of their usefulness in these old log school houses. Presidents, 
 senators, judges and theologists have here received their first impulses to eminence. 
 The love of learning, which has urged men on to deeper and higher attainments 
 of sciences that have resulted in so much benefit to the world, was here first ex- 
 cited. Around the old log school house cluster brightest and dearest recollections, 
 and for them the sensitive heart entertains a respectful reverence. 
 
 About this time — 1841 or 1842 — the enterprising citizens of Independence, 
 many of whom in the states of their nativity had enjoyed the advantages of a 
 liberal education, and having young families growing up around them, were 
 moved to provide means of education superior to those furnished by the primary 
 schools. Fortunately, a man well educated and devoted to the cause, endowed 
 with a happy faculty and aptness for teaching and conducting a school of high 
 order, presented himself in the person of Prof. H. D. Woodsworth. 
 
 A stock company was organized, composed of the intelligent citizens of the 
 town ; a site was selected, and a building of limited accommodations was erected 
 in the southern part of the city, near the present site of the Narrow Gauge round- 
 house, and Independence Female Academy opened. (This title has been attached 
 to several other institutions at later dates. ) Its opening prospects promised much 
 more for the educational interests of Western Missouri than any former enter- 
 prise. This institution became the pride of the embryo city, and deserved all 
 that was claimed for it. The patrons looked to it with hope for the education of 
 their daughters, and not without circumstances of encouragement. For two 
 years its success was wholly satisfactory. Unfortunately, however, circumstances 
 wholly unconnected with the school occurred which resulted in disaffection and 
 alienation on the part of the people toward Prof Woodsworth. Patronage was 
 withdrawn ; and, after a successful career of nearly three years, the institution 
 declined and finally closed. Discouraged by this failure, no effort was made to 
 continue the school under the same arrangement, successive teachers continued, 
 however, to supply the demand for the next four years. 
 
 In 1846, Mrs. Gertrude Buchanan, a lady of superior accomplishments, good 
 scholarship, fine administrative ability, withall endowed with decided practical 
 talent, opened a school for young ladies in the Presbyterian church on Rock 
 street, on the site of the present First Baptist church. The citizens were in a 
 condition to embrace so favorable an opportunity, and, consequently, the school 
 was a success from the first. Mrs. Buchanan, in addition to her accomplishments, 
 possessed superior qualifications as a teacher of music ; and through the urgent 
 solicitation of her patrons to enlarge her sphere of usefulness, was persuaded to 
 take a music class, which she continued to teach, in addition to her other duties, 
 until the summer of 1847, at which time she was only too glad to relinquish her 
 school to Mr. D. I. Caldwell. Mr. Caldwell, a graduate of Center College, at 
 Danville, Kentucky, brought to the school ripe scholarship connected with large 
 experience and energy and decision of purpose. This enterprise was necessarily 
 hmited for want of suitable buildings. In the winter following, Mr. Caldwell pur- 
 chased the property known as the Old Irish Tavern, well located on South Main 
 street, but not as suitable for the purpose of a seminary as could have been 
 desired. The school increased in patronage until every foot of space was filled. 
 Thus it continued until the spring of 1849, when, worn and enfeebled by over- 
 work,' he was constrained to retire to the country to recuperate his health. At 
 this time the community was much excited with regard to the Smta Fe trade, 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 233 
 
 which excitement arose to fever heat upon the news of the discovery of gold in 
 California. 
 
 Had the people been free to give to the cause of education that attention 
 which its importance demanded, this was the time to have inaugurated a female 
 school on a high basis, liut the circumstances above mentioned so absorbed all 
 attention, that schools and all pertaining to schools were measurably lost sight of. 
 
 In 1850, Rev. R. S. Symington opened a school for young ladies in the room 
 formerly occupied by Mr. Caldwell. This school met with a success fully com- 
 mensurate with the accommodations until 1852, when Mr. S. was called to Pleas- 
 ant Hill to take charge of the Presbyterian church and the Female Seminary of 
 that thriving village. 
 
 Dr. Bruner succeeded as the principal of the school at Independence. How 
 long he continued to conduct the school is not known to the writer. 
 
 Independence thus continued to be supplied with good schools until 1853. 
 About this time Rev. W. H. Lewis, of the Methodist Episcopal church, South, 
 who had been President of Monticello Academy, in Howard county, and after- 
 ward Principal of a Female Seminary at Jefferson City, opened a school in the 
 Methodist church on Rock street. 
 
 The next year a stock company was organized, and the large, commmodious 
 building on North Liberty street, now occupied by the city Public Schools, was 
 erected, and a large and flourishing school opened with Mr. Lewis as President, 
 aided by a full corps of competent assistants. 
 
 This school was well patronized by the citizens of this and adjoining counties and 
 soon became a beacon of encouragement to Western Missouri. All the departments 
 of literature generally taught in the best schools of the country were filled by com- 
 petent teachers and success was secured. A career of prosperity adorned its 
 history until 1861, when the scourge of nations and the destroyer of our highest 
 hopes — the unfortunate civil war — dashed these hopes and closed the doors of 
 the seminary which promised so much usefulness to an anxious people. The 
 school was suspended and the building occupied as a barracks and hospital for 
 Federal soldiers. 
 
 This institution having continued longer, was, perhaps, the most successful 
 in its results of all the enterprises undertaken up to this period- 
 Mr. Lewis, having during the war made other arrangements, did not propose 
 to open the school after the close of the unfortunate interruption. 
 
 In 1847, Mrs. M. M. Langhorne, a lady of fine culture, opened a school on 
 West Lexington street, for young ladies, and was well patronized for about two 
 years, when her husbund, Dr. J. W. Langhorne, partaking of the great California 
 epidemic, determined to embark for that Eldorado of the West. 
 
 One of the most successful enterprises in the interest of education, and one 
 that told with marked results upon the community and especially upon the young 
 ladies enjoying its advantages, was that of Miss Bettie T. Tillery. Mrs. T. was 
 endowed with more than ordinary mental ability, cultivated and strengthened by 
 education in all the branches usually taught in our best seminaries ; possessed 
 also of firmness of purpose, connected with kindness and amiability of temper; 
 all these adorned with womanly modesty. She commanded not only the respect, 
 but the love and devotion of the young ladies under her tuition and control. Her 
 fine administrative ability contributed very much to her eminent, success. Mrs. 
 Tillery opened her school in the basement of the First Presbyterian church, on 
 West Lexington street. Soon after, she purchased the property nearly opposite 
 the church on South Osage street, and added largely to its accommodations, and 
 in 1855 moved her school to that place and connected with it a boarding depart- 
 ment. Mrs. T. aimed at no more extensive arrangements than such as she could 
 personally supervise and control; hence, school was always as full as she 
 desired it to be. It must not, however, be concluded that it was very much lim- 
 
234 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 ited in its range of influence. On the contrary the boarding department was 
 usually filled to its utmost capacity with pupils from a distance. Rarely has \yest- 
 ern Missouri enjoyed such educational advantages as were afforded by thig. insti- 
 tution. 
 
 Like most of the private institutions of learning, especially those under the 
 control of principals and teachers not in sympathy with the invasion of southern 
 rights, this school was suspended, during the war and Mrs. Tillery was banished 
 from her home. When the war closed Mrs. T. returned, but so reduced in her 
 resources that she was unable to afford the accommodations usually enjoyed in 
 the institution. Having conducted the school for a few years longer, the posi- 
 tion of first assistant in the public schools of the city was offered and accepted; 
 which situation she continue to fill until 1876, when she resigned and went to 
 Kentucky, where she still resides. 
 
 In 1869 Profs. W. A. and W. Buckner, former principals of Bourbon Female 
 College, Paris, Kentucky, purchased at a cost of $11,000 the property known as 
 the McCauley property, in the western suburbs of the city, an eligible and command- 
 ing site on the Kansas City road, and on the line of the contemplated boulevard. 
 The building was suitably enlarged, by the addition of wings, at a cost of $4,500, 
 making the whole cost of property and furniture nearly $17,000. 
 
 With encouraging prospects, these enterprising young gentlemen opened 
 their school in the fall of the same year. This school was from the first designed 
 for a female school, and Messrs. Buckner, bringing to the institution ripe scholar- 
 ship and large experience, could but command the patronage of an intelligent 
 community. The faculty was composed of Profs. W. A. and W. Buckner, as- 
 sociate principals. Mrs. H. S. Twyman, first assistant, and Miss Hattie Hutton, 
 preparatory department. 
 
 The music department was under the instruction of Miss M. Gossine. 
 
 The session of 1870-71 opened with the same gentlemen as principals. Prof. 
 Frank Smith, mathematics; Mrs. Smith, preparatory, and Miss M. Gossine, 
 music. 
 
 The graduates this year were Misses Eva Mariner, Jessie Farrar and Nannie 
 Ragan. 
 
 For the years 1871-2-3, the working principal. Prof. W. A. Buckner, having 
 been called to the presidency of Lexington Christian Female College, Wood- 
 land College came under the control of Prof. A. E. Higgason. During this time 
 young gentlemen were admitted to the classes. 
 
 At the opening of the session of 1873-4 Prof. W. A. Buckner again took 
 charge of the school, as president, assisted by Mr. F. W. Smith, Mrs. C. B. 
 Buckner and Miss Jessie Tipton. 
 
 The graduates were Misses Lizzie Mariner, Emma Ragan and Kate Ross. 
 
 1874-5. Faculty' — Prof. W. A. Buckner, President; Mrs. Aldrich and Mrs. 
 C. B. Buckner, assistants; Mrs. Sallie Price, music department. 
 
 1875-6. Faculty— Prof. W. A. Buckner, President; Mrs. C. B. Buckner, 
 assistant; music. Prof. H. Schultz. 
 
 1876-7. Prof. W. A. Buckner, President; assistants, F. W. Allen and Miss 
 Ida Gray; music. Miss Louise Hoffman. 
 
 Graduates : Misses Ida Gray, Kate Gibson, Linda Thomson, Louise L. 
 Noland, Lula Waldo, Laura Moss, Emma Weitzel and Lula Stone. 
 
 1877-8. Faculty same as preceding. 
 
 Graduates: Misses Carrie Robinson, Alice M. Moore, Maud McVay, Lou. 
 Hardin, Kate Buckner, Annie Oldham, Betta Frazier and Annie Wize. 
 
 1878-9. Faculty — Prof. W. A. Buckner, Mrs. C. B. Buckner, Miss Kate 
 Buckner; music. Miss M. E. McGary. 
 
 In 1879 the institution was purchased by a stock company and organized as 
 a mixed school for young ladies and gentlemen, with the following gentleman as 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 235 
 
 a board of trustees : Messrs. E. A. Hickman, J. S. Mott, J. P. Jones, Chas. E. 
 Wilson, L. M. Sea, H. C. St. Clair, John Bryant, Jr., H. H. Noland, Alexander 
 Procter and J. P. Alexander. 
 
 The officers of the board were Maj. E. A. Hickman, President ; J. S. Mott, 
 Vice-President; H. H. Noland, Secretary, and H. C. St. Clair, Treasurer. 
 
 The faculty consisted of the following: Alex. Proctor, A. M., President 
 and Professor of Mental and Moral Science and Evidences of Christianity ; J. W. 
 Ellis, A. M., Professor of Mathematics, Latin, Ancient and English Literature, and 
 Dean of Faculty; H. Christopher, A. M., M. D., Professor of Natural Science, 
 Natural History and Greek; W. A. Buckner, A. M., Professor of English 
 branches and Astronomy; Maj. E. A. Hickman, Professor of Field Practice and 
 Applied Mathematics; Miss Nellie Loar, instrumental and vocal music; Mrs. C. 
 Buckner, primary department. 
 
 Graduates for 1880; Misses Nannie D. Cox, salutatory. Gertrude L. 
 Beard, Martha Crenshaw, Lucy E. Crump, Louisa Famish, Myra Gilkey, Lena 
 G. Hardin, Lizzie H. Masters, Virginia White, salutatory. Mr. Alfred N. 
 Gosset, valedictory. 
 
 At the close of the first session, Prof. EUis retired and took possession and 
 control of the flourishing Academy at Plattsburgh, Mo. The vacancy thus 
 occurring, was filled by the appointment of Prof. C. R. Thomson, of Midway, 
 Kentucky. 
 
 Miss Nellie Loar having resigned her position as teacher of music, the 
 vacancy was filled by the appointment of Miss Rosa Lee Wilhoyte, of Louisville, 
 Kentucky. 
 
 There has been inaugurated a school, which, .with intelligent and liberal 
 management, may prove a rich blessing to this broad, God-favored western 
 country. 
 
 In 1845, McDonald District No. 2, in the southwestern part of the county, 
 in township lorty-eight, range thirty-three, was organized into a High School, by 
 Mr. Jefferson H. Johnson, of Hinds county, Mississippi, a gentleman of liberal 
 education and endowed with a spirit of enterprise and progress. Devoted to the 
 cause of education, and realizing the necessity of suitable accommodations for 
 such an enterprise, he, on his own land, and at his own expense, the next year, 
 erected suitable buildings, about one and a half miles from the original site, and 
 a short distance north of the south hne, of what is now Brooking township. 
 In the fall of 1846, Mr. Johnson, as proprietor and head of the [boarding 
 department, opened the school under the title of Highland Academy. The first 
 Principal was Mr. S. S. Woods, Of New York, a man of superior scholarship and 
 accomplishments, but soon developed a lack of administrative ability, and was 
 discharged after a few months' service. The number of pupils was about forty. 
 In this school were taught the higher branches of English, together with Latin 
 and Greek. Prof. Woods was succeeded by Mr. Young, who, proving wholly 
 incompetent to conduct the school, at his own suggestion, was relieved, and suc- 
 ceeded by Mr. Joseph Bledsoe, a gentleman of fine endowments, who had de- 
 voted himself to the profession of law; and having with great ability and success, 
 conducted the Academy for five months, resigned, to enter upon the practice of 
 the profession of his choice. The resignation of Mr. Bledsoe was much regretted 
 by all the friends of this young and growing enterprise. Through all these dis- 
 couragements the school was continued, and in 1846, Prof. J. H. Youley was 
 induced to accept the position of Principal, than whom, perhaps, no better selec- 
 tion could have been made. Thoroughly conversant with all the departments of 
 English and classical education; and endowed with eminent decision of character, 
 and withal devoted to the profession of teaching, he was especially fitted to take 
 charge of such an institution. His eminent qualifications being recognized, the 
 school opened with fifty or sixty pupils, which number was soon augmented to 
 
236 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 seventy or eighty of all grades, but chiefly of the higher. They came from several 
 different States, north, as well as south. Prof. Youley continued to preside over 
 the institution until 1849, when, having been called to a position at Camden 
 Point, in Platte county, he resigned the trust, carrying with him the regret of the 
 whole community. 
 
 In this school, were educated young men, who, in after life, became the 
 most useful and influential citizens ot the States, from which they came ; among 
 whom may be mentioned, of this county : J. T. Belt, J. L. Winchester, Hon. 
 S. C. Ragan, N. L. Simpson, H. Clay, James Cogswell and Charles Cowherd ; 
 Reed and McGee, of Platte, James Payne, of Clay, Quincy and Thomas Mercer, 
 of Hinds county, Miss., and R. and W. Forbes, of Nelson Co., Ky. 
 
 The failing health of Mr. Johnson, shortly after resulting in his death, lead 
 to the suspension of the school. After his death, the property fell in other hands, 
 and the school was not re-opened. 
 
 After the suspension of Highland Academy, the intelligent citizens of the 
 same neighborhood, having enjoyed the blessing of a good school, and not alto- 
 gether disposed to give up the good work, built a commodious school house, 
 about one and a half miles southwest of Highland, which is now known as 
 Union Point. A school was here opened under the direction and tuition of Mr. 
 S. C. Ragan, a pupil of Highland. At this place, a good school has ever since 
 been sustained. The school, however, about 1850 or 1851, was organized under 
 the public school law, and has thus been conducted ever since. 
 
 An important enterprise connected with the educational interests of Jackson 
 county, known as Independence High School, chiefly under the supervision arid 
 instruction of Prof. George .S. Bryant, deserves especial notice. Some time in 
 1857 Prof. M. W. Miller opened a school for instruction in the higher branches 
 in the southwestern part of the city. The accommodations being limited and 
 wholly unsuited to the purpose, the friends of Prof. M. associated themselves in 
 a stock company and erected the building still standing on the property adjoining 
 that of Dr. John Bryant, Sr., where the school was conducted by Prof. M. until 
 i860. At this time George S. Bryant, having graduated with honors at Bethany 
 College, Va. , and the success of the school demanding assistance, went in as 
 associate principal. The war ensuing a few months later, Prof. Miller, on account 
 of his strong Southern proclivities, was forced to leave the county. He went to 
 St. Louis, and is now one of the ward principals in that city. Mr. Bryant con- 
 tinued the conduct of the school after the war and until 1875. At this date he 
 was chosen Principal of the Christian Female College at Columbia, Mo., and 
 severed his connection with the school at Independence, and is still the popular 
 and honored President of the above named college. 
 
 Independence High School has, perhaps with justice, been regarded as the 
 school of the county. The writer of this sketch has had much to do with the 
 schools of the county, and, as a general thing, has found the students of Indepen- 
 dence High School better drilled and more thoroughly instructed than those of 
 any other school in the county, and perhaps not excelled by any institution in the 
 State. 
 
 In the summer of 1871 the corner stone of Independence Female College, 
 on North Liberty street, was laid with masonic ceremonies. Grandmaster W. E. 
 Whiting officiating, and Rev. M. M. Fisher, D. D., delivering the address. 
 
 This institution was founded by enterprising citizens in connection with the 
 First Presbyterian Church of Independence. The following gentlemen consti- 
 tuted the first board of trustees: William Chrisman, A. Comingo, George P. 
 Gates, Charles D. Lucas, G. W. Buchanan, John H. Taylor, William McCoy, 
 John T. Smith, John McCoy. 
 
 The school opened with flattering prospects in the fall of 1871, and had in 
 attendance during its first session eighty-three pupils. The faculty consisted of 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 237 
 
 Rev. M. M. Fisher, D.D., President; Miss M. Henderson, First Assistant; Miss 
 Sadie Allen, Intermediate, and Miss Kate Buchanan, Preparatory. At the close 
 of the first session, June, 1872, there were three graduates. Misses Velona Hen- 
 derson, Annie Ralston and Mattie A. Wyatt. The music department was under 
 the direction of Prof. H. Shultz, Mrs. M. Moulton and Mrs. M. Lucas Watson. 
 
 The session of 1873-4 was under the same faculty, and graduated six young 
 ladies. Misses Hattie Colbern, Emma Farrar, Bettie Parberry, Laura Ragan, 
 Susie Mariner and Maggie Chrisman. 
 
 In 1874 Prof. Strother, formerly President of St. Charles Female College, a 
 gentleman of fine scholarship and much experience in teaching, succeeded Dr. 
 Fisher in the presidency of the college, and brought to his assistance his accom- 
 plished lady, Mrs. S. Strother, and his daughter Miss Minnie Strother and Miss 
 Ruffner in the preparatory department. 
 
 Mrs. Strother, Miss Neeb and Miss Bertha Strother had charge of the 
 music department. 
 
 The graduates this year were Mi'-ses Ella Dent, Luella Mitchell, Marietta 
 Garvin, Jennie McCoy, Lizzie Chiles, Minnie Waldo and Scottie Buchanan. 
 
 The session of 1875 opened with the same faculty. 
 
 The only graduate this year was Miss Mary Collins. 
 
 In the fall of 1875 Rev. J. E. Wheeler, formerly of Vicksburg, Miss., and 
 latterly of Sedalia, Mo., a gentleman of accomplished scholarship and ability, 
 having accepted the charge of the First Presbyterian Church, was chosen presi- 
 dent, and in September opened the school, with Miss M. Clark, First Assistant, 
 and Miss Lillie Treadway in the primary department. 
 
 Prof. Sherwood has charge of the music department. 
 
 Mrs. Harriet Groesbeck controlling the boarding department. 
 
 Owing to a change in the curriculum and management of the school, there 
 were no graduates in 1876. 
 
 The session of 1876-7, under the control of the same faculty, with the ex- 
 ception of the primary department, which was efficiently conducted by Miss An- 
 nie Groesbeck. 
 
 Graduates in 1877 : Misses Lora Cannon, Anna Pagsley, Maggie White, 
 and Mamie Langhorne. 
 
 In 1877 the board secured the services of Prof. P. F. Witherspoon, of Pau- 
 totoe, Mississippi, a gentleman of much experience in conducting Female Col- 
 leges in the South. Mr. Witherspoon entered the college in June, but not until 
 September did he take full charge of the institution, at which time he opened 
 with an encouraging roll of pupils and the following faculty : 
 
 Prof. P. F. Witherspoon, President. 
 
 Rev. J. E. Wheeler, mental and moral science. 
 
 Mrs. Witherspoon, elocution and history. 
 
 Miss Sue Myers, intermediate department. 
 
 Miss Anna Gordon, primary department. 
 
 Miss Caroline StoU, German department. 
 
 Prof. B. F. Curtis, music department. 
 
 The graduates this session were : Misses Maggie Hollis, Ida H. Hope, Liz- 
 zie I,owe and Florence Perry. 
 
 The faculty for the session 1878-9 were Prof. P. F. Witherspoon, Rev. J. C. 
 Wheeler, Mrs. W. Wheeler, Miss Jessie Farrar, Miss Ida Hope, and Miss Maggie 
 Hollis. 
 
 Miss S. A. Smith, music. The graduates were Misses Mary Baird and Car- 
 oline Stoll. 
 
 The session of 187,9-80 opened with the following faculty : 
 
 Prof. P. F. Witherspoon, President. 
 
 Rev. J. E. Wheeler. 
 
238 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Miss Nellie Epler. 
 
 Miss Mary Gentry. 
 
 Miss Caroline Stoll, German. 
 
 Miss S. A. Smith, music. 
 
 The graduates this year were Misses Lizzie Collins, Neddie Cowherd, Vena 
 Henderson, Lillie Sampson, and Pauline Witherspoon. 
 
 During the vacation of 1880, the board re-organized the faculty, with the fol- 
 lowing appointments : 
 
 Prof. P. F. Witherspoon, president and professor of mental and moral sci- 
 ence; Rev. A. Carroll, superintendent literary department and professor of 
 ancient languages, science and mathematics ; Mrs. Witherspoon, history, physiol- 
 ogy and botany ; Mrs. Helen M. Nash, modern languages and English literature; 
 Miss Mary Fulton, preparatory department; Miss Evelyn Westlake, vocal and 
 instrumental music; Mrs. H. C. Crysler, oil and portrait painting; Mrs. Wither- 
 spoon, wax and hair flowers, photocrome and Grecian painting ; Miss Lila Carr, 
 matron. 
 
 Rev. A. Carroll, having for several years conducted the Independence pub- 
 lic schools, as superintendent, and more lately the schools of Olathe, Kansas, 
 brought to the institute that literary culture and experience that give to the friends 
 of the college assurance of large success. This institution has been founded 
 with an outlay of about $19,000. A liberahty and devotion to the cause of edu- 
 cation, and consequently to the best interests of the city and vicinity, on the 
 part of the founders, so commendable, calls for cooperation and encouragement, 
 on the part of a community so enlightened. 
 
 With Independence Female College, Woodland College, St. Mary's Semi- 
 nary (afterward to be mentioned), and Independence public schools. Indepen- 
 dence offers educational advantages unsurpassed by any city in the west. 
 
 St. Mary's Seminary, under the control of the Catholic Church, was built in 
 1878. The building is substantial and commodious, and well suited for the pur- 
 poses for which it was built. It is located on North Liberty street. 
 
 This institution opened in the fall of 1878, with the following corps of in- 
 struction in the female department : Mother Vincent, Sister Mary Francis, 
 Sister Bernadette, Sister Mary Gregory; Sister Mary Gougago, music; Sister 
 Rose, male department. The above conducted the school for two years. 
 
 In 1880 the institution was placed under the control and instruction of the 
 following corps of teachers in the female department : Mother Xavier, Sister 
 Joseph, Sister Mary Austin, Sister Placide, Sister Cunagunda ; Sister Seraphine, 
 music ; Sister Mida has control of the boys' department. 
 
 This institution opened with a full attendance in both departments, which 
 patronage has continued to the present time, thus insuring success to the institu- 
 tion. 
 
 In addition to the above mentioned schools there have been several private 
 schools, the history of which, at this present writing, could not be fully ascertain- 
 ed. Notable among these is that of a school for boys, conducted by Mr. John 0. 
 Buchanan. It is much to be regretted that so few facts regarding this school are 
 accessible to the writer. Perhaps, for the time it continued in operation, there 
 was no school more worthy to be remembered than this. Mr. Buchanan came 
 from New York to this county at an early date and taught several schools in dif- 
 ferent parts of the county, and in 1846 or 1847 located in Independence and oc- 
 cupied the building originally built for the Independence Female Seminary, in the 
 southern part of the city. This was a school for boys. But where facts are so 
 meager it must suffice to mention them, with such remarks as we are fully per- 
 suaded are reliable. The writer was well acquainted with Mr. Buchanan and 
 has ever esteemed him as an able instructor of youth in the common branches. 
 
 We regret very much that, owing to the want of proper records, so little can 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 239 
 
 be learned at this dite concerning the first organization of schools under the com- 
 mon school laws. All that can be learned rests upon the recollection of the old 
 citizens interested in this cause, paramount to all others save that of the church 
 of Christ. 
 
 From the best information derived from this source, it is certain that there 
 were organized districts, with schools and teachers, as early as 1842. In 1841, 
 the citizens of township 48, range 32, with a spirit of progress worthy each man, 
 conceived the idea of availing themselves of the privileges and advantages vouch- 
 safed by the Government, and took the preliminary steps to organize a district 
 school, which is beheved to be the first common school district in the county. 
 This organization was completed in 1842. The Hon. Alvin Brooking, John 
 Minir and Ben. Thomson composed the first board and Jas. H. Thomas was the 
 first teacher. The school house was built on thp southwest quarter of section 27, 
 township 49, range 32. 
 
 In the same year another district was organized in township 47, range 29, of 
 which David Harris was the first teacher. This was in what is now called Van 
 Buren township, and was numbered 6, from which we reasonably conclude that 
 there were five previously organized. It is probable, however, that these were 
 all organized during the same year. In 1838 the Legislature revised the school 
 laws, and, from the superior provisions offered, doubtless a spirit of progress in 
 this direction was aroused in the minds of the people which awoke them to a 
 sense of their best interests and the advantages of a system that looked to the 
 education of the masses. The school house in the last mentioned district was 
 built on the southeast quarter of section 29, township 47, range 29. It was a log 
 structure and remained until 1861 ; at this date having the same stove that warm- 
 ed the fingers and toes of the little sovereigns who there secured the foundation 
 of their future usefulness. We are assured by the rural bard, who was a citizen 
 of this district at the time of its organization, that the said stove is good for at 
 least twenty years longer 
 
 From this time onward districts continued to multiply, adding more or less 
 every year to the number. These schools, however, having no supervision, it is 
 not remarkable that the advance was slow. It must not be inferred that the un- 
 organized territory was destitute of all means of education. On the contrary, in 
 many districts where the population was sufficiently dense, might be found good 
 schools — some taught in the "old log school house," and others in buildings 
 more pretentious. The people, having no one whose business it was to visit their 
 schools, explain the law to the people, and to set the system before them with all 
 its advantages, were prone to hold on to the old system of "pay schools." Un- 
 der the system in operation at this time, the teachers were examined by a com- 
 mission — usually the township directors who gave the certificates. 
 
 The first County Commissioner of whose acts we have any record, was Mr. 
 Wm. Chrisman, at present one of the banking firm of the banking house of 
 Chrisman, Sawyer & Co. From the record we infer that he was appointed to 
 theofficein 1853. For that year twenty-six districts reported. The enumeration of 
 children, thus reported, amounted to 1,981. The apportionment of public funds 
 amounted to bank dividend, $1,278.99; county revenue, $1,755.56; total, 
 $3,034.35. In addition to this there was apportioned to districts not reporting 
 $734.90, making the whole amount of public funds for that year $3,767.25. 
 Installment not given. , 
 
 In 1854 Mr. Chrisman reports 4,853 children enumerated, with an enrollment 
 of 1,229. This year fifty-three districts reported, giving an average enrollment 
 of twenty-three to the district. 
 
 In 1855 examinations of thirty-seven teachers are recorded, but no grade 
 given. Enumeration 4,339. No enrollment given. 
 
 In 1856 Mr. John O. Buchanan succeeded to the office of County Commis- 
 
240 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 sioner. The only word recorded, other than the examination of teachers, during 
 his continuance in office, is the enumeration of children, which amounted to 
 4,931. The number of districts reporting, fifty nine. 
 
 In November, 1857, W. L. Bone, Esq., was appointed County Commissioner. 
 The record, of this administration, is much more full and satisfactory than that 
 of any previous commissioner. In 1858, together with the last two months of 
 1857, certificates were granted to seventy-four teachers. The enumeration of 
 children of school age amounted in 1857 to 5,110. Enrollment not recorded. 
 The amount of public funds disbursed was as follows ; Township fund, $2,598.- 
 97; county fund, $743.00; State fund, $3,577.00; total, $6,918.97. The 
 enumeration of children for 1858 was 5,539. The distribution of public funds, 
 not given. 
 
 For 1859 the number of certificates recorded was only forty-nine. The re- 
 port to State Superintendent shows the following facts : Number of districts, 
 
 seventy; enumeration, 5,677; money disbursed, ; township fund, $2,150.- 
 
 00; State fund, $3,860.00; county fund, $2,085.00. 
 
 At this date the records fail, and we have no certain knowledge of facts 
 connected with the history of pubUc schools, until 1862. At this date it appears 
 that one worthy County Clerk, John R. Swearingen, was appointed County 
 Commissioner. How long he held the office, or what was done, during his ad- 
 ministration, appears not on the record, save a few items with regard to district 
 government, of no pubHc interest. 
 
 From a single item, we find that after this time. Prof. Wm. Taylor served as 
 County Commissioner ; but as to date of appointment or length of term of service, 
 or what was done, we have no record. 1866 Mr. W. J. Shaw seems to have 
 acted as County Commissioner, as there is a record of the examination of a few 
 teachers, but nothing more. 
 
 In November, 1867, Prof. Geo. S Bryant was elected commissioner; and 
 this seems to have been the first election of County Commissioner, by the people. 
 The only record left by Prof. Bryant, is that of the examination of 125 teachers, 
 between November i, 1867, and the close of 1868. 
 
 In November, 1868, at the general election. Prof. D. I. Caldwell, without 
 solicitation on his part, was elected County Commissioner, and contmued to per- 
 form the duties of the office until January ist, 1871. 
 
 According to his report to the State Superintendent, there were at that time 
 eighty-two districts, in addition to the city schools of Kansas City, Independence 
 and Westport. Total number of teachers in the county, 103; total enumeration 
 of children, 12,379; total enrollment, 5,293; number of months taught, 4^; 
 average salary of teachers per month: males, $50.50, females $36.00; estimated 
 value of property, $100,000. Previous to the administration of Prof. Caldwell, 
 the schools of the county had not been visited, whilst required by the law, to 
 visit all the districts in the county ; yet the time allowed for this work, together 
 with his office work, examination of teachers, etc., was only sixty days. The 
 consequence was that he failed to visit half the districts in the county. He visit- 
 ed enough, however, to find out that there was a number of schools where good 
 work was being done. An additional fact was also fixed firmly in his mind, viz : 
 that intelligent, faithful supervision was the life of the system. The limited visi- 
 tation which the commissioner was able to do, in the time adopted, infused new 
 life and vigor into the work, and public schools, all over the county, were greatly 
 improved. The work was better done ; the children became more interested ; 
 and the people estimated their schools at an increased value. 
 
 During the year 1869-70 the number of districts had increased to eighty- 
 six — the number of teachers the same as the preceding year. Total enumeration, 
 as far as reported, 12,400; total enrollment 7,461. The above enumeration and 
 enrollment embraced the cities. Average salaries of teachers: males, $46.80; 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 241 
 
 females, $41.58. Total valuation of school property, including cities, $150,000. 
 
 In the letter of County Superintendent to State Superintendent, the follow- 
 ing facts and suggestions were stated: "The cause of common schools has 
 steadily increased in interest and in favor with the people. The handsome, com- 
 modious school-houses — most of which are fitted up with patent desks and good 
 blackboards, and some with globes, maps, charts, blocks, etc. — all are evidence 
 of great interest on the part of the people. Another, and perhaps a better 
 evidence, is the demand for a higher grade of teachers. 
 
 "In as large and populous a county as Jackson, and where the school officers 
 — township and local — are so little acquainted with the law and the duties of their 
 offices, and where the law itself is so vague and unsatisfactory, there is a great 
 deal of work of which the County Superintendent can make no note or record, 
 which, however, requires many little ' scraps ' of time, and which, in the aggre- 
 gate, make quite an item. 
 
 "In a few weeks I shall leave the office. Permit me, respectfully, to suggest 
 to you, as State Superintendent, and through you to the Legislature, that the 
 office of County Superintendent, at least in Jackson county, should be a salaried 
 office, the salary at least fifteen hundred dollars. 
 
 "The enlightened judgment and skill of the city superintendents and boards 
 in the organization and management of the public schools under their direction, 
 have done much toward rendering the cause popular. The qualifications of 
 teachers is about what it has been, not up to the demand, nor what it ought 
 to be. 
 
 "The great obstacles to the success of the public school system are prejudice 
 and a want of interest on the part of many good citizens, but especially of the 
 school officers. I am happy to say, however, that these are slowly but surely 
 passing away. D. I. CALDWELL, 
 
 County Superintendent, Jackson County, Mo." 
 To Hon. T. A. Parker, 
 
 State Superintendent. 
 
 At the general election in 1870 Prof. Caldwell having declined a re-nomina- 
 tion, Mr. John E. Hale was elected County Superintendent, and administered 
 the office for two years. From his first annual report for 1870-71 we gain the 
 following facts : Number of districts 93, besides Kansas City, Independence, 
 Westport, Lee's Summit and Lone Jack, organized under the special act. There 
 were employed during the year, winter and summer terms, 156 teachers; total 
 enumeration 14,310; total enrollment 10,062; average salary of teachers per 
 month, males $61.00; females $41.00; estimated value of school property 
 
 $223,357- 
 
 The report, embracing the work of 1871-72, shows as follows: enumeration, 
 whites 13,627 ; colored 776; total 14,703; enrollment 9,656; number of teachers 
 
 137- 
 
 In the fall of 1872 Prof. Caldwell, at the general election, was again called 
 up to take charge of the office of County Superintendent. 
 
 The annual report for 1872-73 shows the following facts : The enumeration 
 and enrollment, as reported, were very imperfect, the former amounting to 14,343 
 — the latter 9,861; number of districts xoo; number of teachers 151; average 
 salary per month, males $47.68; females $39.04; total valuation of school prop- 
 erty $208,538. 
 
 The report for 1873-74 embraces the following statistics: enumeration 15,381 ; 
 teachers 158; average salary per month, males $61.55; females $40.96; total 
 valuation of school property $253,378. 
 
 In the annual letter to the State Superintendent for this year, we find the fol- 
 lowing : 
 
 " I am gratified to be able to report a healthy progress in the following re. 
 
 16 
 
242 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 spects : an increased demand for teachers of a higher grade ; an increased interest 
 on the part of the people and the manner in which the township and sub-district 
 officers discharge their several duties ; but especially in the improved methods of 
 teaching, giving more life and cheerfulness to the school-room. I might also 
 mention, as another encouraging feature indicative of progress, the fact that, 
 whilst there has ever lurked in the bosom of a number of the people of the county 
 an antipathy to the whole policy of public schools, there is a giving away of op- 
 position, and many former op posers are now earnest advocates of the system. 
 
 Having been for many years, a sincere and earnest advocate for the educa- 
 tion of the masses, I am more than gratified to find the system so nearly a com- 
 plete success. This county is now dotted all over, as previously remarked, with 
 commodious, comfortable school houses. There is not a neighborhood, where 
 the children do not enjoy the privilege of a primary education, from four to ten 
 months in the year. Much of this, I am sure, is the result of the efficient work 
 of the county superintendency. 
 
 In compa.ring the grade of teachers four years since, with those of the pres- 
 ent year, I am pleased to find a difference of from twelve to fifteen per cent in 
 favor of the latter. 
 
 The city schools, organized under the special act, are an honor to the county, 
 and some of them, in their appointments, second to none in the State. I trust, 
 that I may, without any seeming favoritism, allude especially to the schools of 
 Kansas City, under the intelligent and scholarly superintendence of Prof. John 
 R. Phillips, whose energy, aided by an intelligent board, has brought the schools 
 of this young but growing city, to a degree of efficiency, little inferior, if not 
 equal, to any in the west. The corps of teachers, from the Primary to the High 
 School, is of the best material that good wages can command. Their school' 
 buildings and furniture are at once a wonder to strangers and an ornament to 
 the city, as well as an honor to the wisdom, energy and perseverance of the 
 board. 
 
 I might also speak in complimentary terms of the schools in Independence, 
 Westport, Lee's Summit and Lone Jack. 
 
 It may here be remarked, that, from 1866 to 1874, the public schools were 
 under the supervision of a county superintendent, whose business, in addition to 
 the common duties of examining teachers, and gathering statistics for the annual 
 report, was to visit and examine the schools, deliver lectures on education, etc. 
 In 1874, the office of county commissioner was restored, the duties of which were 
 the same as above, with the exception of visiting and examining schools. This 
 was a great mistake on the part of the Legislature, and its results were soon 
 marked in the efficiency and consequent dechne in the grades of schools. 
 
 The report of the county commissioner for 1874-5, shows the enumeration 
 to be 16,353. Number of teachers, 162. Statistics of this year are unavailable. 
 For 1876-7, the statistics are more complete. Enumeration was so changed as 
 to include only those between six and twenty, instead of those between five and 
 twenty-one. The enumeration consequently, instead of being proportionately 
 increased, was only 16,839. Enrollment, 9,399. Number of teachers employed 
 during the year, 194. Average cost per day, .06^-^-^ cents. Receipts public 
 funds, $23,543.91. District tax. $116,512.55. Total, $140,056.46. Total ex- 
 penditures, including teacher's wages, incidentals, fuel, etc, $86,590.26. Past 
 indebtedness, $58,760.64. 
 
 The report for 1877-8, shows a total enumeration of 18,878. Total enroll- 
 ment, 9,361. Total number of teachers employed during the year, 205. Amounts 
 received, public funds, $23,696. District tax, $130,307,97. Average salary of 
 teachers per month, males, $45.44. Females, $42.70. Expenditures: Teachers' 
 wages, $63,106.85.' Fuel, repairs and incidentals, $10,576.03.. Building, $960.00. 
 Defraying past indebtedness, $43,853.57. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 243 
 
 Commissioner's report for 1878-9 shows the following statistics • Enumera 
 tion, 19,480. Enrollment, 11,885. Average cost per day, .07 cents Teachers 
 employed, 223. Average salary per month, males, $66.88. Females $57 c8 
 Receipts, including cash on hand and money from all sources $1^0 ocx' 76* 
 Total expenditures, $149,177.86. ^^ '' ' 
 
 The annual report for 1879-80 developes a large increase in the number of 
 children of school age, m the county. Total enumeration, 23,726. Enrollment 
 12,486. Number of teachers, -males, 84. Females, 154. Total, 238 Average 
 salary per month, males, $43.79. Females, $38.58. Average cost per day 
 .07 cents. Value of school property, $250,840.75. Total receipts, including 
 cash on hand, $173,858.45. Total expenditures, including past indebtedness 
 $123,037.32. ' 
 
 The above includes all the work under the public school system, as far as 
 recorded, to the last report made. 
 
 It will be readily observed, that the educational facilities have kept pace 
 with the wonderful increase in population. The increase in the population of 
 the county for the last ten years, will be found to be about 49.5 per cent, while 
 the increase in the number of teachers employed will amount to a 'small fraction 
 less than 69.0 per ceat. 
 
 The people of Jackson county have ever been awake to the importance of 
 education; and while some parties, sectional or denominational, may claim to be 
 paragons in this the paramount interest in all sects and in all parties, it will be 
 found that Jackson county, in her educational history, gives a flat denial to any 
 such assumption. The people as a people, without any reference to sects or par- 
 ties, have ever been ready to second every effort looking to the better education 
 of the masses. 
 
 The schools organized under the special act for cities, towns and villages de- 
 serves a special notice ; notable, those of Kansas City and Independence. 
 
 In 1866, the people of Independence— the city at that time including what 
 
 is known as Gilpin town, together with the territory north to the river held a 
 
 meeting and resolved to organize the city into a school district under the special 
 law. September 4th an election was held, and the following gentlemen elected as 
 a board of directors : Wm. Chris man, Jacob Leader, Wm. McCoy, Jacob May, Peter 
 Winters and U. P. Bennett. These gentlemen were soon qualified, and resolved 
 to open a school for the primary branches, fixing the salaries of teachers as follows : 
 superintendent, per month, $100 ; ist principal,$75 ; assistants, $50. Very liberal 
 salaries, certainly. It was resolved to have one school for whites to be taught in 
 the Anderson building.on Rock street, near the M. E. Church ; and one for colored 
 children in the German church in the southeast part of the city. The teachers em- 
 ployed were Rev. Jasper A. Smith, superintendent, Paul Glove, ist assistant, Miss 
 Sue Leader, in city proper and Miss Lucy J. Bennett in Gilpin town. Mr.' Wm. 
 Byrne was principal of the colored school. 
 
 The first enumeration amounted to 1152. The president of the board and 
 superintendent were authorized to increase the number of teachers as necessity 
 required ; also to appoint the teachers so added. 
 
 In 1867, Mr. Geo. F. Thomson was employed at a salary of $75 for a 
 month to teach in the basement of the Presbyterian church on Lexington street. 
 
 In March of this year the board purchased of the Rev. W. H. Lewis the 
 Female Seminary building and grounds, at a cost of $11,000 to be paid in three 
 annual installments. Thus having incurred heavy indebtedness, in addition to 
 that of teachers salaries, incident to the want of a levy the previous year, the 
 board now ordered a levy of $5,000 to pay the current expenses of this and the 
 next year, together with a further sum of $5,000 to pay their indebtedness. 
 
 This is a clear indication of the liberahty of the board, and the determina- 
 tion to establish a first-class school. 
 
244 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 In May, 1867, the school — whites — took possession of the seminary building, 
 where the school has ever since been conducted, except for a few years, the board 
 allowed the Catholics to fit up two rooms in the old Catholic church, at their own 
 expense, for the Catholic children. While the teachers were members of the 
 Catholic church, they were chosen by the board and as much under the super- 
 vision and control of the superintendent and «board as any room in the main 
 building In 1874, however, the arrangments being unsatisfactory to some mem- 
 bers of the board as well as to a large number of the citzens, they were abolished 
 and the schools transferred to the main building. 
 
 In July, the salaries of the teachers were readjusted, and the superintendent 
 allowed $1200 per annum; ist assistant $800; and all others $400, except the 
 teacher at Gilpin town who was allowed $500. 
 
 For the session of 1867-8, Rev. J. A. Smith was continued as superinten- 
 dent, Prof. A. Carroll, ist assistant, with Misses Lucy J. Bennett, Sue Leader, 
 Clara B. Allen, Mary Wardell, and Mrs. R. F. Thomas, completing the corps 
 of teachers for the whites ; and Harriet L. Alivard and Mrs. Ellen J. Wilson 
 had charge of the colored school, while Mr. James Rice and Miss Mary Ward 
 conducted thfe Catholic school, and Mr. Wm. Kennedy had charge of the school 
 in Gilpin town. In October 1867, Misses Isa Dodd and M. E. Hampton were 
 added to the corps of teachers. Miss Isa Dodd has continued to occupy, with 
 credit, the same room in the school from that date to the present, and is now the 
 only teacher who has continuously occupied a position all the time from her first 
 appointment. She now fills the place of ist assistant. 
 
 Mrs. Thomas occupied her position from the date of her appointment until 
 the close of the term of 1879-80. 
 
 During the fall of 1867, Prof. Smith was requested, by the board, to deliver 
 a course of lectures on natural philosophy and chemistry, and Prof. Carroll was 
 requested to give a series of vocal concerts by the scholars. It was also proposed 
 by the board that a class be formed for instruction in the theory and practice of 
 teaching. It was further resolved by the board that the Congressional Teachers 
 Institute be requested to hold their next session at Independence. These meas- 
 ures all manifest a wide-awake and intelligent interest in the cause of education, 
 and in the elevation of the standard of moral and intellectual culture. 
 
 In 1868, Prof. Carroll was promoted to the superintendency of the city 
 schools. Prof. Carroll was eminently qualified for the work. Through many 
 difficulties surrounding his boyhood and youth, he succeeded in cultivating a 
 naturally good intellect ; but especially is he adapted to work of supervision of 
 schools, through his systematic and discriminating methods of thought. Quick 
 in discernment, as well as firm and decided in his judgment, and kind in the ad- 
 ministration of discipline, he was an eminent success as superintendent. He 
 continued to conduct and control the school until 1873.' 
 
 In the summer of 1873, P^^of. A. E. Higgason succeeded Prof. Carroll, as 
 superintendent. Prof. Higgason is a Virginian by birth, and a graduate in i860, 
 of Bethany College, in that State. He came to Independence in 1871, and was 
 associated with Prof. G. S. Bryant, in the Independence High Schools. In 
 1872-3 he had charge of Woodland College, and the next fall took charge of the 
 Independence public schools, which position he still retains. 
 
 Prof. Higgason has developed fine executive ability, as well as aptness. De- 
 voted to the cause of education, and thoroughly imbued with a spirit of progress, 
 with discrimination of judgment, and skill in organization and drill, he has proved 
 himself worthy of the trust committed to him. 
 
 The public schools of Independence having been mostly under an intelligent 
 working board, superintended by intelligent, working superintendents and teach- 
 ers, have taken rank among the best schools of the West. Ample provision has 
 been made for competent instruction for all children, both white and colored; 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 245 
 
 thus adding to the testimony above given, to the devotion of the people of Jack- 
 son county, of all parties, to the education of the masses. Let the people of 
 other States, who have been duped and frightened by lying magazines and other 
 pubHcations, come and examine for themselves, and it will be found that the 
 grade of teachers, the appearance, comfort and convenience of the school houses 
 and fixtures, as well as devotion to the efficiency and success of the schools, on 
 the part of the people, no part of the Union will take precedence to Jackson 
 county, Missouri. The work done in Kansas City and Independence will com- 
 pare favorably with that of Boston or any other city in the Union. Many of the 
 country districts are doing a work which, if more extensively known, would com- 
 mand commendation from intelligent educators. 
 
 The following report was made to the State Superintendent of Public 
 Instruction, November i, 1866, by County Superintendent, W. J. Shaw : 
 
 Dear Sir: — Were the school interests of Jackson county in as flourishing 
 a condition as her wealth and natural resources should indicate, I would take 
 more pleasure in penning, and you would be more highly gratified in perusing 
 this letter. It is anything, sir, but a pleasant duty to make a just statement of 
 educational matters as they stood at the time Of the adoption of the late law ; 
 but the approaching future under the new order of things begins to mantle 
 brightly over the gloom. 
 
 SCHOOL HOUSES. , 
 
 The school buildings of our county are, as a general thing, very inferior 
 structures, chiefly log, and permitted, during the war, to get much out of repair. 
 Occasionally, however, is found a more substantial brick or frame building, and 
 there are some five notable exceptions in the way of seminaries or colleges. I 
 have considered it strange that our agricultural community are, on the whole, 
 better than our towns and cities supplied with school structures. For example : 
 Independence, with its 1,052 children to educate, has but one public school 
 house, located in one of its additions, and Kansas City has none of which I am 
 aware. Independence and Kansas City, however, had their seminaries for the 
 education of such in the community as could afford to pay. Such facts induce 
 the conclusion that it has been held wise in Missouri conservative policy not to 
 educate the poor ; and the old imperfect system, while it gave a mite of state 
 patronage behind which the moneyed- aristocracy could hide their worst designs, 
 proved a fitting instrument to accomplish the object. In September our citizens 
 of Independence adopted the special act, and elected as a board of instruction 
 progressive men, who, entering spiritedly upon their task, have accomplished 
 everything that could be immediately hoped for. Houses have been rented, 
 qu#lified teachers employed, and to-day, six school rooms are filled to overflow- 
 ing and the number of scholars daily increasing. About twenty-eight sub- 
 districts in the county have organized under the law. Besides these, a number 
 of private or select schools have been put in operation, as well in the city as in the 
 county, gene 'ally under the auspices of men who with difficulty can scratch their 
 own names, yet affirm " they will school their own children before they will send 
 to aiman who will take the oath of loyalty." Such opposition, however, must 
 shortly cease. The wedge has been entered in Jackson county, and will accom- 
 plish its work. 
 
 So far as I can learn, there is no school furniture in Jackson county worthy 
 the name ; nor apparatus of any kind. These things, I ana assured by many of 
 the boards, will be obtained when the opportunity for raising money by taxes 
 comes round. Our boards have shown a disposition generally to pay teachers 
 liberal salaries ; but I have found it difficult to supply the demand for good teach- 
 ers. With one or two exceptions, those certificates by me have held the third 
 
246 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 and fourth grades. I have adopted for teachers a periodical written examination ; 
 for schools none, as they have been in operation but a few weeks. 
 
 Our county institute has been convened but once, and was then adjourned 
 until the completion of school organizations in the county. There are now ma- 
 terials out of which to organize an effective association. 
 
 The reports of schools officers have been necessarily incomplete; for that, in 
 this county at least, there have been very few public schools in operation since 
 the inception- of the war. 
 
 In the matter of the education of the colored people, there are prejudices to 
 overcome, and such influences have been brought to bear upon it as made it diffi- 
 cult, for some time, to obtain a person with sufficient nerve to undertake the 
 duty of instruction in this city. It has, however, been accomplished, and a fine 
 school is in operation. I know of no place in the county where they are of suffi- 
 cient numbers to make school privileges practicable. 
 
 The school interests of Kansas City never have, and probably will not thrive 
 under their special act. Such of the citizens to whom I have spoken on the sub- 
 ject seem to realize the fact, and would doubtless, on its repeal, support the 
 adoption of the general act for towns and cities. The success of the school sys- 
 tem in our county, as throughout the State, doubtless depends in a great measure 
 upon the election. Should the progressive party fail, from the disposition mani- 
 fested by our local conservative leaders, it will be uprooted or rendered ineffec- 
 tive in its administration. That such may not be its fate, is the wish of 
 
 Yours, respectfully, 
 
 WM. J. SHAW, 
 
 County Superintendent. 
 
 The Jackson County Teachers Institute was organized in 1868. It held its 
 second session at Lee's Summit, October 25th to 29th, at which the following 
 instructions were presented : 
 
 Resolved, That we tender our hearty thanks to the citizens of Lee's Summit 
 and vicinity for the manifestation of their support of the public schools of Jack 
 son county, and their very hospitable entertainment of the teachers in attend- 
 ance. 
 
 Resolved, That we tender our sincere thanks to the Baptist Church, who 
 have so kindly tendered to the institute the use of their house of worship. 
 
 Resolved, That Superintendent Hale, of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, re- 
 ceive the thanks of this institute for return tickets. 
 
 Resolved, That we, the teachers of common schools of Jackson county, re- 
 gard the attendance at the institutes as imperative and obligatory. 
 
 Resolved, That the Executive Committee be requested to assign conductors 
 before the close of this session, for the different class exercises, and essayists Tor 
 the next session of the institute. 
 
 Resolved, That we recognize in the public school system of the State, an ed- 
 ucational system well calculated to meet the wants of the greater number, and, 
 therefore, worthy of our earnest support. 
 
 Resolved, That as an organization dependent upon and growing out of our 
 pubHc school system, we will stand by our public school officers in their efforts to 
 secure to the public a more general, thorough and efficient organization through- 
 out the county. 
 
 CORNELL CRYSLER, 
 C. W. LITSINGER, 
 J. S. DAVIS, 
 
 Committee. 
 
 The resolutions were adopted unanimously, with the exception of the sixth, 
 on which a discussion arose, opened by Mr. Carroll, who took strong grounds in 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 247 
 
 favor of public schools, bringing forward a vast array of facts and figures in sup- 
 port of the resolution. 
 
 It having been previously announced that any person in the audience might 
 take part in the discussion, Mr. Yantis, of Lee's Summit, in reply to Mr. Carrol, 
 denied that " the State should educate the children of the State." ' He did not 
 believe that common school education was cheaper — did not think the burden 
 was equalized. With regard to religion and politics, he thought politics was in 
 the system, from the Superintendent downward. He complimented the teachers 
 present, but " was down on the whole system." 
 
 President Caldwell agreed in part with Mr. Carroll, but spoke against the 
 resolution. The system in our community was forced upon us, and does not 
 meet the wants of the people. The school law was imperfect, and the County 
 Superintendent has only advisory powers in case of dispute There was too 
 little religion in the schools: for he had not yet found the Bible used as a text- 
 book. But we have the new system and should make the best of it. 
 
 Rev. Mr. Bright next spoke. Considered the system wholly unrepublican, 
 and, further, as a Missourian, he was not in favor of it. He thought the public 
 schools ignored religion and that therefore, as in Germany, they will foster infi- 
 delity. The only safe method was to place the schools in the hands of those who 
 had the moral interest of the community in their care. He was opposed to the 
 whole system. 
 
 Mr. Crysler was astonished that a minister of the Gospel and County Super- 
 intendent should oppose the system and not suggest a remedy. After some 
 stirring remarks on the prejudices against the system, he proposed a plan for 
 remedying the defects. 
 
 Mr. Caldwell, in reply, stated that he was pledged to try to make the system 
 ■ work, and cared not where it came from ; was in favor of the education of the 
 masses, but still contended that the school system, in its plan and working, was 
 very imperfect. 
 
 J. A. Blair, of Lee's Summit, replied to the charge that the public school 
 system was unrepublican, and wanted to know when Missouri would be ready for 
 tihe system, if not ready now. If the system is imperfect, it is our duty to try to 
 correct it. 
 
 The following view of Jackson county schools was furnished the Independ- 
 ence Sentinelhy Mr. D. I. Caldwell, December 24, 1870 : 
 
 Permit me to occupy a small space in your excellent paper, to make a few 
 remarks with regard to the public schools in Jackson county. I am ha.ppy to say 
 that the public schools, for the most part, are in a hopeful condition. That is, 
 they are improving. The system is becoming better understood. The people 
 are taking more interest in the subject. The law has been improved a little. A 
 better grade of teachers are occupying the school houses. The school houses are 
 better, and better furnished. Altogether the whole machine is in a better condi- 
 tion than formerly. All we want for a complete success, is a little change in 
 some parts of the law, and more efficiency on the part of the school officers. I 
 am sorry to say they are too little interested in the matter of reports. Facts that 
 are of vital interest to the complete working of the system are often not reported 
 without trouble on the part of the County Superintendent. This is a great draw- 
 back ; and much of the opposition to the system, is the result of an improper 
 understanding of its workings ; and this depends mainly upon the efficiency of 
 the officers, township and local. For the want of proper statistical reports, I am 
 unable to give a full and complete report of the facts. But as I have said above, 
 the condition of the schools is gratifying. The following is a summary of my 
 annual report to the State Superintendent : 
 
248 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Whole number of children between five and twenty-one . 12,500 
 
 Whole number enrolled in public schools 7)53° 
 
 Number of teachers 140 
 
 Number of school houses 102 
 
 Value of school houses $197,529 
 
 Value of furniture, apparatus, &c 14,546 
 
 During the last year, there has been an increase in the demand for teachers 
 of a high grade ; an evidence of progress and elevation in the grade of schools. 
 
 The public schools in Kansas City, under the judicious and intelligent 
 management of Prof. J. R. Philhps, have attained to a position, that challenges 
 the respect, if not the indorsement, of their most violent opponents. In Inde- 
 pendence, Prof. Carroll, by his untiring energy, and the co-operation of an 
 intelligent board, has placed the schools under his superintendence, upon a 
 footing, not inferior to any schools of the same grade in the State. Not having 
 had the opportunity and pleasure of visiting the public schools at Westport and 
 Lee's Summit, I cannot speak so confidently of their condition. But from what 
 I have learned from members of the boards, and from what I know of the 
 teachers engaged in those schools, I feel warranted in saying, that their success 
 is worthy the generous liberahty of those, who have furnished such commodious 
 and comfortable buildings and such suitable furniture, as are to be found at each 
 of these thriving little cities. 
 
 Any report of the educational statistics, of our county, would be incomplete 
 without something being said of the several private enterprises in the county. 
 To go into detail would make this communication too long. In Kansas City 
 there are six such schools, and in Independence two : all of them worthy the 
 very liberal patronage they enjoy. These schools employ twenty-seven 
 teachers, and have enrolled 1,014 pupils, making the whole number of children • 
 in school, in the county, 8,544. 
 
 About to retire from the superintendency of public schools in Jackson 
 county, permit me to thank you for the prompt and generous support you have 
 always given me, in my efforts to render the public school system a success and 
 to give to the public, schools worthy of their support. Permit me, also, to 
 bespeak for my worthy successor in office, the same kindness and co-operation. 
 And, in conclusion, permit me to say, that I trust your pen and your tongue 
 may ever be ready to plead the cause of popular education. 
 
 Respectfully, 
 
 D. I. CALDWELL, 
 
 County Superintendent. 
 
 The following address was issued to the citizens of Jackson county in the 
 interests of her public schools, by the County Commissioner of schools, March 
 26th, 1881. 
 
 To the Legal Voters : In a few days you will be called upon to re-adjust your 
 boards by the election of one or more'directors, and to consider the interests of 
 your several districts in all matters pertaining to the efficient running of your 
 schools for the next year. 
 
 I have frequently been asked the question, "Who are qualified voters?" 
 The general question is settled by the Constitution, in Art. viii. sec. 2. "Every 
 male citizen of the United States, and every male person of foreign birth who may 
 have declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States accord- 
 ing to law, not less than one year or more than five years before he offers to vote, 
 who is over the age of twenty-one years, possessing the following qualifications, 
 shall be entitled to vote at all elections by the people. 
 
 ''First, He shall have resided in the State one year immediately preceding 
 the election at which he offers his vote. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 249 
 
 "Second, He shall have resided in the county, city or town where he shall 
 offer his vote at least sixty days immediately preceding the election." 
 
 The only difficulty with regard to the above provision is, whether the sixty 
 days residence applies to school districts. I am happy to say that the State 
 superintendent, whose legal adviser is the attorney-general of the State, sustains 
 me in my decision that it does apply to the school districts. I may also add that 
 this decision is concurred in by the best legal talent of the country, including 
 those who helped to make the constitution. No one, then, has any right to vote 
 at the annual meeting who has not resided in the district at least sixty days imme- 
 diately preceding that meeting. All such have a right to vote on any of the 
 questions usually considered at the annual meeting, and enumerated in section 
 7031, School Laws. 
 
 There are, however, certain questions that may be considered at special 
 meetings, such as the increase of levy for school purposes, or for erection of 
 school houses ; in these cases none but tax payers can vote. A tax payer has 
 been defined to be a man who has a tax receipt or is on the assessor's books, 
 liable to pay taxes. 
 
 With this question settled, permit me to suggest the importance of selecting 
 the best men in your district for directors. I do not mean best men so far as 
 honesty and morality are concerned, but men, in addition to those things, who 
 will best discharge the duties of the office. 
 
 This is a very important and responsible office. Every good citizen will not 
 make a good director. He should be a man of sound judgment, interested in the 
 success of the school, of fair education, of fair business qualifications and experi- 
 ence, and withal willing to make some sacrifice for the benefit of all. 
 
 The trust committed to a school board is a serious trust. The people's money 
 is under their control and management, as well as the higher and more sacred 
 interest, the proper instruction of your children. 
 
 To the directors and others, I would say, see well to the exercise of the pre- 
 rogatives intrusted to you by the people. Do all things according to law. Let 
 no warrant be issued except by order of the board, met and organized as a board. 
 If possible, every member should have notice of each meeting; otherwise, I 
 doubt the legality of any business transacted. See that every act of the board 
 be recorded by the clerk, especially for the issue of a warrant for the payment of 
 money, however small the amount. 
 
 In the selection of a teacher, the board should be very careful as to qualifi- 
 cations. A certificate of good grade is not the only criterion of qualification. 
 While I would say that a certificate of a low grade, as a general rule, is sufficient 
 reason for the rejection of an applicant. Yet there are a few every year who are 
 examined for the first time, and consequently are not expected to obtain as good 
 certificates as teachers of age and experience, and yet make successful teachers ; 
 but these are the exceptions, and their success is the result of application, study 
 and a determination to succeed. The general rule is good scholarship for good 
 teachers. The means of Normal instruction are in the reach of all who desire to 
 qualify themselves.. We have Kirksville and Warrensburg Normal schools sup- 
 ported by the State. Also a normal class at Woodland College and one at the 
 Independence Female College, under the instruction of Prof. Carroll, a gentleman 
 of large experience in this kind of work. Besides these means, we have a num- 
 ber of excellent educational journals, devoted to the instruction of teachers in all 
 the departments of their work. So that there is no excuse for the want of quali- 
 fication. I would, as a general rule, discourage the employment of a teacher 
 who does not expect to make teaching his profession. See to it, then, that all 
 applicants for positions are those who have availed themselves of the best means 
 at command to prepare them for their work. A young man looking to the law 
 or medicine, as a profession, or mechanics as the business of his life, not only 
 
250 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Studies his profession as a science, but its practical work. As a mechanic studies 
 how to prepare and fit his work, so ought a teacher to study the art of organiza- 
 tion and will of his pupils. 
 
 Again, the people and the boards as such should see to it, at the annual 
 meeting, that the District Clerk is prepared to make a report that will show all 
 the work of the school, and has made his settlement with the County Treasurer, 
 and can give accurately the receipts and expenditures for the year. Then will his 
 report to the county commissioner show a cltan balance. 
 
 These suggestions are eminently important to every citizen who feels any in- 
 terest in the success of our public school system. There has been a manifestly in- 
 creased interest, and consequent improvement in all these matters suggested in 
 the last few years , and I trust the day is not far distant when the whole business 
 of running the public schools will be such as we shall not be ashamed for the 
 State Supeiintendent and Legislature to see ; and when the County Commissioner 
 shall be enabled to make such a report as shall be an honor to the intelligence 
 and business qnalifications of the school officers of our county. 
 
 To the clerks of districts, I would say and urge that, in making your reports 
 
 to the annual meeting and County Commissioner, you should hunt up every item 
 
 of expense, and see that the receipts and expenditures balance exactly, and then 
 
 your commissioner can with pride report your work to the State Superintendent. 
 
 Respectfully, D. I. CALDWELL, 
 
 County Commissioner. 
 
 CHAPTER XIIL 
 MORMONS IN JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 An Authentic and Impartial History from the Foundation of the Church — A Sketch of the Life of 
 Joseph Smith the Prophet — The Book of Mormon — The Rapid Growth of the Church — They 
 Come to Jackson County, Mo., in July, iS^i — The " Morning and Evening Star" — Difficul- 
 ties Arising Between the Saints and Gentiles — The Saints Assemble for Protection — Several 
 Deadly Encounters — The Saints Driven Into Clay County — Documentary Evidence of Unlawful 
 Violence — The Subsequent Action of the Mormons in Missouri, and their Final Expulsion 
 from the State. 
 
 A very prominent feature of the early history of Jackson county was the 
 trouble between the Mormons and other citizens during 1831 and 1832, which 
 led to the expulsion of the former from the county during the latter part of the 
 year 1832. This sect was brought into existence on the 6th day of April, 1830, 
 near Manchester, New York. The first society consisted of six persons — Joseph 
 Smith, Sr., Joseph Smith, Jr., Hyrum Smith, Samuel Smith, Oliver Cowdrey and 
 Joseph Knight. The three Smiths last mentioned were brothers, and sons of 
 Joseph Smith, Sr., and Joseph Smith, Jr., was the the reputed author of the new 
 faith, and is the prophet of Mormon history. 
 
 This Smith family came from Vermont, where Joseph, Jr., was born at 
 Sharon, in Windsor county, December 23, 1805. They are represented by their 
 neighbors, both in Vermont and New York, to have been a shiftless, worthless 
 family. The parents are represented as having been dishonest, unreliable, igno- 
 rant and superstitious, and the sons seem to have inherited all these peculiarities. 
 A part of the business of the father was that of "water witch," in which capacity 
 he went about the country with a hazel rod divining where water could be found 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 251 
 
 by digging wells, by the writhings of the rod when held in the hands in a peculiar 
 manner. 
 
 Young Joseph is reported to have been a wild, reckless boy, dishonest, un- 
 truthful and intemperate. As he grew toward adult age he adopted his father's 
 profession of water-witching, and afterward added to it the more practical busi- 
 ness of digging the wells he thus located. While in this capacity he discovered a 
 smooth, round stone of peculiar shape while digging a well for a Mr. Chase near 
 Manchester. This he adopted as a " pup stone," and pretended that by placing 
 it in his hat in a peculiar way it had the miraculous power of revealing to him 
 where lost and stolen articles could be found, and he then added this to his pre- 
 vious miraculous business of water-witchery. 
 
 During the decade from 1820 to 1830 a great religious revival swept over 
 the country, and gave rise to the phenomena known as "jerks." This excite- 
 ment raged greatly in western New York and in the neighborhood of the Smiths. 
 Joseph, Jr., and some of his sisters and brothers became converted at one of the 
 revivals, but Joseph was greatly vexed in spirit by the uncertainty as to which of 
 the sects was the right one. He became a constant reader of the Bible for a time, 
 but subsequently fell again into his old ways, and later events indicate that he fell 
 also into some new ones, which have extended the peculiarities of his nature 
 much beyond the sphere of his personal influence and beyond the period of his 
 time. He put forth the claim that in September, 1823, God sent messengers to 
 him to say that he was forgiven for, his sins. Again in 1826 he claimed an angel 
 visited him with the information that in the hill Cumorah, not far from Manches- 
 ter, were hidden certain golden plates which he was to unearth and translate. 
 These plates were exhumed in September, 1826, as Joseph represents it, "with 
 a mighty display of celestial machinery," and were delivered by the angels to 
 him. These plates were afterward translated by Joseph Smith, Oliver Cowdery, 
 a schoolmaster, and one Martin Harris, and pubHshed in the early part of the 
 year 1830 as the "Book of Mormon." 
 
 Another account of the origin of the Book of Mormons is that it was written 
 as a historical romance, to account for the Indians in America, in 1812, by a Mr. 
 Solomon Spaulding, a retired preacher, and presented to Mr. Patterson, a book- 
 seller in Pittsburg, for publication, together with a preface representing it to have 
 been taken from plates dug up in Ohio. Mr. Patterson did not think the enter- 
 prise would pay, and hence, did not publish it ; but Sidney Rigdon, afterward 
 quite noted in early Mormon history, was then at work in the office of Mr. Pat- 
 terson, and it is suggested that he stole the manuscripts, and had his full share in 
 bringing Mormonism into existence, though he did not appear in connection with 
 it for some months after the organization of the first society. 
 
 But, however the book may have come, Joseph Smith appears from the first, 
 as prophet, and directed the movements of the new sect by what he claimed to 
 be divine revelations, and put forth the most extravagant claims for himself and 
 his prophetic powers. This was a time particularly favorable for the cultivation 
 of such a superstition. The religious ideas prevailing at the time of the rehgious 
 excitement referred to, embraced the belief in the direct dealings of God with 
 man, very much after the manner represented in ancient Jewish history, which 
 made such pretenses as these, peculiarly liable to be accepted. Immediately af- 
 ter the organization of the first society, as above stated, there was an administra- 
 tion of the sacrament, and the laying on of hands for the " Gift of the Holy 
 Ghost." Five days afterward, on the irth of May, Oliver Cowdery preached the 
 first sermon on the new faith, and before the close of the month, at Colesville, in 
 Browne county. New York, there wae what was claimed by the new sect, to be 
 miracles performed. From this the new sect took strong root with the ignorant 
 and superstitious, and it gained members rapidly, notwithstanding the prophet 
 was several times arrested for misdemeanors. In August, Paxley P. Platte and 
 
262 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Sidney Rigdon appeared as Mormons, and soon afterward Orson Platte was con- 
 verted and baptized .into the new sect. 
 
 The work of propagandation now became very active and effective. Smith 
 put forth a revelation that mundane things were about to be brought to an end, a 
 claim that was likely to strike terror into the hearts of the ignorant and supersti- 
 tious, after the strong religious excitement, that had been prevailing, and with the 
 ideas of hell and the future state at that time current in theology. This was 
 industriously proclaimed by the preachers, and accompanied with the narration 
 of Smith's miracle, and the injunction to ask safety in the new church. Its effect 
 upon the ignorant and superstitious was very great, and by October, 1830, the 
 society numbered fifty, and by June, 183 1, about two thousand. Rigdon having 
 taken up his residence near Kirtland, Ohio, had gathered around him about fifty 
 very fanatical people. In January, 1831, he visited Smith in New York, and 
 Smith returned with him to Kirtland, and soon afterward there was a gathering 
 of all the adherents at Kirtland. This is known in Mormon history as the 
 "First Hegira." 
 
 The sect at this time, as at all others, was composed of ignorant super- 
 stitious and fanatical people prepared by these qualities to accept anything 
 marvelous that might be told them, or to do anything to which they might be 
 directed by one imposed upon them as a prophet or something demanded of 
 them by the Lord. 
 
 Such was the character of the people w,Jiom Smith attempted to settle in 
 Jackson county. In June, 1831, Smith put forth a revelation to the effect that 
 the final gathering place of the Saints, which name they had now assumed, was 
 to be in Missouri. Accordingly he set out with a few elders for the new land of 
 promise, arriving at Independence in July. Here he put forth another revelation 
 staling that this, was the land, or as he put it, " the Zion that should never be 
 moved," and that the whole land was "solemnly dedicated to the Lord and his 
 saints." They began at once to build and first erected a log house in Kaw 
 township about twelve miles from Independence. On the 2d of August he 
 gave out another revelation that the site of the great temple was three hundred 
 yards west of the court house in Independence, and accordingly on the 3d of 
 August the spot was taken possession of by Joseph Smith, Sidney Rigdon, 
 Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Oliver Cowdery, Martin Harris and Joseph 
 Coe, and dedicated with great ceremony, and followed by an "accession of 
 gifts " from God. The next day, August 4th, another and larger party arrived 
 from Kirtland and the first "general conference" in the land of Zion was imme- 
 diately held. During this conference Smith gave utterance to another revelation, 
 stating that the whole land should be theirs and should not be obtained ' ' but by 
 purchase or by blood." The situation, surroundings and leadership of these people 
 seemed to impress their ignorant and superstitious minds with the idea that they 
 were a chosen people designed in the purposes of God, to effect some great 
 reformation in the world, and they seem to have imagined that they occupied a 
 similar position to that assigned by the Bible to the ancient Jews at the time of 
 their escape from Egyptian bondage and replanting in Canaan. From this 
 extravagance the way to others was open, easy and natural. In their poverty 
 the purchase of the "whole land" by them was manifestly not intended and 
 hence they seemed to expect that in some way the Lord would establish them in 
 the possession of Missouri without that. Assuming this that they were the holy 
 people of the Lord, that the Lord was the real owner of all things, and that all 
 his possessions were free to them, they were not calculated to be respectful of the 
 rights and interests of their non-Mormon neighbors. But though no overt acts 
 of transgression upon such rights were being committed, the rapidly gathering 
 members of the Mormons, their ignorance, poverty and fanaticism, and the 
 boastfulness and assurance with which they reiterated their beUef in their 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 253 
 
 destined possession of the country, backed by Smith's significant revelations 
 and the dishonesty of the methods of the leaders, made the new sect an object 
 of profound solicitude to the people. 
 
 In August following the " general conference," Smith and Rigdon returned 
 to Kirtland, where they established a mill and a bank, the latter being an irre- 
 sponsible "wild cat" concern that failed soon after its notes were well afloat, 
 which failure was attended by another revelation to Smith, directing him and 
 Rigdon to depart at night for Missouri. 
 
 Soon after their arrival at Kirtland in August, W. W. Phelps was appointed 
 to purchase a press and estabhsh a church paper in Independence, to be called 
 the Evening and Morning Star. The prospectus for this paper appeared in 
 February, 1832, and the paper itself in June following. On the 25th of March, 
 1832, Smith and Rigdon, while away from home, were seized by a mob and 
 tarred, feathered and beaten for "attempting to establish communism, and 
 for forgery and dishonorable dealings." In April, 1832, Smith being at Inde- 
 pendence a council was held and the printing press set up with religious cere- 
 monies. In June the paper made its appearance and further excited the appre- 
 hensions of the citizens by an article on " Free People of Color," which was un- 
 derstood by the slave-holding population of Missouri to mean that the new sect 
 were what was the appropriately called " abolitionists," and which, in the excite- 
 ment of that time about slavery, were as abnoxious to slave-holders as though they 
 had possessed the " cloven foot." This was a further cause of apprehension and 
 led to a reply in a pamphlet entitled, " Beware of False Prophets ! " In the spring 
 of 1833 the Mormons numbered fifteen hundred in Jackson county. They had 
 nearly taken possession of Independence, and were rapidly extending their set- 
 tlements. They grew bolder as they grew stronger, and daily proclaimed to the 
 older settlers that the Lord had given them the whole land of Missouri ; that 
 bloody wars would extirpate all other sects from the country ; that it would be 
 "one gore of blood from the Mississippi to the border," and that the few who 
 were left unslain would be the servants of the Saints, who would own all the 
 property in the country. 
 
 At the same time they fell into equal extravagances regarding spiritual things, 
 and declared themselves " kiiigs and priests of the Most High God," and all 
 other religious sects or reprobates, the creation of the devil designed to speedy 
 destruction, and that all but themselves were doomed, cast away Gentiles, worse 
 than the heathen and unfit to live. They notified all "Gentiles" who were 
 building new houses and opening new farms that is was needless, that the Lord 
 would never allow them to enjoy the fruits of their labor and that in a few months 
 the "Gentiles " would have neither name nor place in Missouri. 
 
 At the same time that these extravagances were thus indulged, there does 
 not appear to have been any more lawlessness among them or by them than would 
 result from any equal number of low, ignorant people, so that while their pres- 
 ence was rapidly becoming insufferable they were doing nothing that would war- 
 rant their legal expulsion. Still, their numbers constantly increased by accessions 
 from the east and from time to time large and enthusiastic meetings were held. 
 In addition to their paper they had established a church store in Independence, 
 which was kept by Bishop Partridge. During the spring and summer it began 
 to be manifest that they would be strong enough at the fall election to control 
 the election of officers and the other settlers could not regard, except with grave 
 apprehension, the filling of all the county offices by members of such a sect. 
 These apprehensions were intensified by scandalous stories, which about this tinie 
 began to reach Missouri about the leaders of the sect in Ohio, and as the feeling 
 of apprehension increased, there arose a state of restlessness and friction closely 
 bordering upon open hostility. However, beyond some mutual petty annoyances, 
 such as throwing stones at houses, breaking down fences, etc. , there was no open 
 
254 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 action taken until the 20th of July, when a number of citizens, about four hun- 
 dred, assembled to take action on the situation. 
 
 The following account of this meeting is taken from a report published in the 
 Western Monitor, at that time published by Weston F. Birch, at Fayette, Mo. ; 
 
 The meeting was organized by calling Colonel Richard Simpson to the 
 chair, and appointing James H. Flournoy and Colonel Samuel D. Lucas, as 
 Secretaries. 
 
 Messrs. Russell Hicks, Esq., Robert Johnson, Henry Chiles, Esq., Colonel 
 James Hambriglet, Thomas Hudspeth, Joel F. Chiles, and James M. Hunter, 
 were appointed to draft an address ; the meeting then adjourned, and convened 
 again, when the following was presented : 
 
 "This meeting, professing to act not from the excitement of the moment, 
 but under a deep and abiding conviction, that the occasion is one that calls for 
 cool deliberation, as well as energetic action, deem it proper to lay before the 
 public an expose of our peculiar situation, in regard to this singular sect of pre- 
 tended Christians, and a solemn declaration of our unalterable determination to 
 amend it. 
 
 "The evil is one that no one could have foreseen, and it is therefore un- 
 provided for by the laws, and the delays of legislation, would put the mischief 
 beyond remedy. 
 
 ' ' But little more than ten years ago some two or three of these people made 
 their appearance in the upper Missouri, and they now number some twelve hun- 
 dred souls in this county, and each successive autumn and spring pours forth its 
 swarm among us, with a gradual falling of the character of those who compose 
 them, until it seems that those communities from which they come were flooding 
 us with the very dregs of their composition. Elevated, as they mostly are, but 
 little above the condition of our blacks, either in regard to property or education, 
 they have become a subject of much anxiety on that point, serious and well 
 grounded complaints having been already made of their corrupting influence on 
 our slaves. 
 
 " When we reflect on the extensive field in which the sect is operating, and 
 that there exists in every country a leaven of superstition that embraces with 
 avidity notions the most extravagant and unheard of, and that whatever can be 
 gleaned by them from the purlieus of vice and the abodes of ignorance, it is to 
 be cast like a waif into our social circles. It requires no gift of prophecy to tell 
 that the day is not far distant when the civil government of the county will be in 
 their hands ; when the sheriff, the justices and the county judges will be Mormons, 
 or persons wishing to court their favor from motives of interest or ambition. 
 
 " What would be the fate of our lives and property in the hands of jurors 
 and witnesses who do not blush to declare, and would not upon occasion hesitate, 
 to swear that they have wrought miracles, and have been the subjects of miracu- 
 lous and supernatural cures ; have conversed with God and his angels, and possess 
 and exercise the gifts of divination and of unknown tongues, and fired with the 
 prospect of obtaioing inheritances without money and without price, may be 
 better imagined than described. **>i=*:H*;t:* 
 
 " And we do hereby most solemnly declare, 
 
 " That no Mormon shall in future move into and setrie in this county. 
 
 " That those now here who shall give a definite pledge of their intention, 
 within a reasonable time, to remove out of the county, shall be allowed to remain 
 unmolested until they have sufficient time to sell their property and close their 
 business without any material sacrifice. 
 
 ' ' That the editor of the Star be required forthwith to close his office, etc. 
 * * * ******* 
 
 " That those who fail to comply with these requisitions be referred to those 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 255 
 
 of their brethren who have the gift of divination and of unknown tongues to in- 
 form them of the lot that awaits them." 
 
 CompUance with these demands being refused, the people assembled, tore 
 down the printing office, scattering the materials and papers on the ground, and 
 took Bishop Partridge, and a man named Charles Allen, to the public square, 
 where they stripped and tarred and feathered them. Mr. Gilbert, who was now 
 connected with the store, agreed to close it, and the mob then dispersed until the 
 
 On the 23d of July this convention of citizens again convened, and a com- 
 mittee was appointed to confer with the Mormon leaders. This committee was 
 met by Messrs. Phelps, Partridge, Gilbert, and Messrs. Covil, Whitmer and 
 Morley, elders of the sect. Between them an agreement was made to the effect 
 that Oliver Cowdrey, W.W.Phelps, William McLellin, Edward Partridge, Lyman 
 Wright, Simeon Carter, Peter and John Whitmer, and Harvey Whitlock, were 
 to remove from the county on or before January i, 1834, and were to use their 
 influence to secure the removal of all the Saints — one-half by January ist, the 
 other half by April i, 1834; John Corril and Algernon Gilbert were to be al- 
 lowed to remain as agents to settle up the business of those removing ; the Star 
 was not again to be published nor any other press set up in the county ; Mr. 
 Phelps and Mr. Patridge, if their families removed by January ist, were to be al- 
 lowed to come and go in settling up their business. The committee of citizens 
 pledged themselves to use their influence to see that no violence was to be used 
 against the Saints while compliance to the agreement was being observed. 
 
 This agreement was reported to the meeting, was unanimously adopted by 
 the citizens, and the minutes signed by the chairman, Richard Simpson, and the 
 secretaries, S. D. Lucas, J. H. Flournoy. 
 
 In September Orson Hyde and W. W. Phelps were appointed by the Mor- 
 mons as a delegation to Governor Dilnklin, then Governor of Missouri, to 
 represent the affairs already recited, and to ask- for protection. They prepared 
 and presented to the Governor, October 8th, a long memorial setting forth a long 
 list of grievances, wrongs and intimidations which they had suffered at the hands 
 of the people of Jackson county. The Attorney-General being absent, Governor 
 Dunklin declined to take any action until his return, so that it was not until the 
 19th of October that they received his decision. The case presented to him was 
 an ex parte one, and it received a decision which led the Mormon leaders to rely 
 upon his protection. He denied the right of any citizen to take into their own 
 hands the redress of their grievances, and recommended the Mormons to appeal 
 to the civil courts by affidavit and legal process for redress of the wrongs com- 
 plained of, and promised them a faithful enforcement of the laws. 
 
 In pursuance of this action of the Governor, the leaders resolved not to abide 
 by the agreement made with the people in July. Preparations for removal from 
 the county were stopped, and their leaders engaged Messrs. Woods, Reese, 
 Doniphan and Atchison to defend them and prosecute for them in the courts. 
 This aroused the citizens again, and although the Mormons had not so violated 
 law as to enable the people to proceed against them by legal process, the prospect, 
 from the facts already stated, were regarded by the people as so extraordinary as 
 to warrant extraordinary measures. Their safety, appeared to them, depended 
 upon the expulsion of the Mormons from the county by force, and they at once 
 began preparations to that end. 
 
 On the 31st day of October, a party of forty or fifty armed men, without 
 other warrant than their own judgment of the requirements of the situation, visit- 
 ed a settlement of Mormons on the Big Blue, destroyed ten houses and whipped 
 a number of the men. On the night of the ist of November another party visit- 
 ed a settlement about twelve miles southwest of Independence, where Parley P. 
 Pratt had assembled a force of about sixty men ; here they encamped for the 
 
256 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 night and put out guards, two of which, Robert Johnson and a man named Har- 
 ris, had an encounter with Pratt, whom one of them knocked down with a mus- 
 ket. They were then captured by Pratt's party and detained over night. The 
 same night they were attacked in Independence and houses were stoned, doors 
 broken down, etc. Part of A. S. Gilbert's house was pulled down and the doors 
 of the store were broken in and the goods scattered on the street. A party of 
 Mormons, summoned from a neighboring settlement, saved part of the goods and 
 attempted to have a man named Richard McCarty arrested for participation in 
 the affair, but the Justice of the Peace applied to, Samuel Weston, refused to 
 issue a warrant for the purpose. At the same time other Mormon settlements 
 were visited by the people and great consternation was caused thereby among the 
 women and children, the men having fled, but no injury was done them. The 
 next day, November 2d, all the Independence Mormons, numbering about thirty 
 families, left town arid gathered together for protection. The same day people 
 made another attack on the Big Blue settlement, when they unroofed another 
 house. They attacked also another settlement about six miles from Independ- 
 ence. The next day, November 3d, Joshua Lewis, Hiram Page and two 
 other Mormons went to Lexington to ask protection from the circuit court, which 
 was refused; while others applied to Justice of the Peace Silvers at Independence 
 with a like result. A number of persons at this time visited the Mormons and 
 advised them to leave the country as the people were so incensed at them that 
 their lives were in danger. This was Sunday, and the Mormons had a rumor 
 among them that a general massacre was impending for Monday. 
 
 When Monday came the citizens collected and took possession of a ferry be- 
 longing to the Mormons across the Blue, but they soon abandoned it and gather- 
 ed in greater numbers at Wilson's store about one mile west of it. A party of 
 Mormons, numbering about thirty started from an adjacent settlement to help 
 those on the Blue, but hearing of the assembly of the citizens at the store fled 
 through the cornfields and were pursued by the citizens. Later in the day a 
 party of about thirty arrived from the settlement on the prairie where Pratt had 
 encountered the guards a few nights before, and between them and the citizens a 
 fight occurred, in which Hugh L. Brozeal and Thos. Linville of the citizens were 
 killed and a Mormon named Barber fatally wounded. This fight created great 
 excitement throughout the county. 
 
 The same day Richard McCarty caused Gilbert and Whitney to be arrested 
 for assaulting him in Independence Saturday night, and for causing his arrest and 
 attempting to prosecute him afterward. The situation of affairs now was that no 
 Mormon could receive justice from the public courts any more than a citizen 
 could have received justice in a trial by Mormons. The conduct of the Mormons 
 had so disrupted pubUc peace and order that the county was virtually in the 
 hands of a mob. In this situation Samuel C. Owens, Clerk of the County Court, 
 advised Gilbert and Whitney to go to jail as a means of protection, and they 
 together with W. E. McLellin and a Mr. Covil and Morley, and one other 
 Mormon, took his advice. During the night Gilbert, Covill' and Morley were 
 taken out for the purpose of an interview with their fellow Mormons, but on being 
 returned the next morning were fired upon by a party of six or seven citizens. 
 Covill and Morley ran and escaped, but Gilbert was retained by the sheriff. The 
 balance of the party were released next day. 
 
 The next day, November 5th, brought still more exciting times, for rumors 
 from both sides exaggerated the scenes that had transpired ; the citizens gathered 
 to the number of hundreds from all parts of the county ; the Mormons, too, were 
 rallying, one hundred of them collecting about a mile west of Independence. 
 There they halted waiting to learn the condition of affairs. They were informed 
 that the militia had been ordered out for their protection and that Colonel Pitcher 
 was in command. Upon application to this officer the Mormons were told that 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTV. 257 
 
 there was no alternative, they must leave the county forthwith; and deliver into 
 Col. Pitcher's hands certain ones of their number to be tried for murder; and to 
 give up their arms. To these demand the Mormon's yielded. The arm's, about 
 fifty guns of all sorts, were surrended; the men present accused of being in the 
 skirmish the evening before, were given up for trial ; and after being kept in dur- 
 ance for a day and a night Col. Pitcher took them into a cornfield near by and 
 said to them, " Clear out! " 
 
 Following this event small parties of citizens went over the country warning 
 the Mormans away wherever found, and not unfrequently using violence with the 
 men when any of them were caught. This was continued by the infuriated citi- 
 zens until the Mormons had all fled the county. They attempted to find refuge 
 in adjoining counties, but Clay was the only one that would receive them. 
 
 This was the end of Mormonism in Jackson county but not the end of the 
 Mormon trouble, for through the influence of their attorneys, and in the absence 
 of such open violations of law as would have warranted the legal expulsion from 
 the county, they were able to impress Governor Dunklin with the idea that they 
 were then the victims of a ruffianly mob and were being persecuted on account of 
 their religion. Hence for several years afterward there was a sort of support 
 given them by the governor, which, though insufficient to reinstate them in Jack- 
 son county, was sufficient to inspire them with the hope, and caused them to 
 expect and to some extent propose to return. This kept up the trouble. 
 
 Whether the people were justified in so employing violence to rid themselves 
 of an obnoxious sect, the members of which had not so violated law as to war- 
 rant their legal expulsion, was shown by the events of the next few years. The 
 Mormons settled, finally, in Clay, Carroll, Ray, Caldwell and Davies counties, 
 where they grew strong and prosperous, and, as in Jackson county, became cor- 
 respondingly arrogant, and unbearable. They took political possession of Davies 
 county, and there and in Caldwell county began to put in practice the things 
 the people of Jackson county had apprehended and to prevent which they ex- 
 pelled them from the county. After making for themselves a record for treason, 
 arson, burglary, theft, murder, and a long list of other crimes, they were finally, 
 in 1838, expelled from the State by Governor Boggs, whom they attempted after- 
 ward, on the 6th day of May, 1842, to assassinate while sitting in his house at 
 Independence. 
 
 A quite detailed account of their efforts to get back to Jackson county, and 
 of the action of Governor Dunklin, and the negotiations between them and the 
 people of Jackson county has been furnished in the following, which, it will be 
 observed, is as favorable to the Mormons as possible : 
 
 November 21st, R. W. Wells, Attorney-General of Missouri, wrote to the 
 legal counsel employed by the Saints, that he felt warranted in advising them, 
 that in case the " Mormons " expelled from Jackson county desired to be re'in- 
 stated, he had no doubt the Governor would send them military aid. He further 
 advised that the ■" Mormons" might organize into miHtia and receive public arms 
 for their own defense. Judge Ryland, also wrote attorney Amos Reese, stating 
 that the Governor had inquired of him respecting the " outrageous acts of un- 
 paralleled violence that have lately happened in Jackson county ; " and wished 
 to know whether the " Mormons " were willing to take " legal steps against the 
 citizens of Jackson county." 
 
 He further wished to know whether a writ issued by him upon the oath of 
 Joshua Lewis and Hiram Page had been handed to the sheriff for service ; and 
 if so, what was the fate of said writ. This letter was dated Nov. 24, 1833. 
 
 In answer to the Governor's inquiries Mr. Gilbert wrote that officer on Nov. 
 29th, giving the following reasons why an immediate court of, inquiry could not 
 be held. " Our church is scattered in every direction : some in Van Buren, (a 
 new county ;) a part in this county, (Clay : ) and a part in Lafayette, Ray, etc. 
 
 17 
 
258 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Some four principal witnesses would be women and children, and while the rage 
 of the mob continues, it would be impossible to gather them in safety to Inde- 
 pendence. And that your Excellency may know of the unabating fury with 
 which the last remnant of our people, remaining in that county are pursued at 
 this time, I here state that a few familes, perhaps fifteen to twenty, who settled 
 themselves more than two years ago on the prairie, about fifteen miles from the 
 county seat of Jackson county, had hoped from the obscurity of their location, 
 that they might escape the vengeance of the enemy through the winter ; conse- 
 quently, they remained on their plantations, receiving occasionally a few individ- 
 ual threats, till last Sunday, when a mob made their appearance among them; 
 some with pistols cocked and presented to their breasts, commanding to leave 
 the county in three days, or they would tear their houses down over their heads, 
 etc." =i= * * 
 
 " An immediate court of inquiry called while our people are thus situated, 
 would give our enemies a decided advantage in point of testimony, while they 
 are in possession of their homes, and ours also ; with no enemy in the county to 
 molest or make them afraid." 
 
 This letter was read and concurred in by Mr. Reese. 
 
 Those people threatened on the 24th, as stated by Mr. Gilbert, fled into 
 Clay county and encamped on the Missouri. 
 
 December 6th, an additional memorial of facts and petition for aid, was 
 sent to Governor Dunklin, setting forth the facts of their dispersion, and signed 
 by six of the elders of the church. A letter accompanied the petition informing 
 His Excellency of the wish and intention of the Saints to return to their homes, 
 if assured of safety and pretection. 
 
 On Monday, December 24th, four families, living near Independence, whose 
 age and penury prevented their removal in haste, were driven from their homes ; 
 the chimneys of their houses were thrown down, and the doors and windows 
 broken in. Two of these men were named Miller and Jones, Mr. Miller being 
 sixty-five years old, and the youngest of the four. 
 
 A court of inquiry was held in Liberty, Clay county, during December, 
 which resulted in the arrest of Colonel Pitcher, for driving the Saints, or Mor- 
 mons, from Jackson, for trial by Court Martial. 
 
 Mr. Gilbert wrote Governor Dunklin from Liberty, Clay county, January 
 9th, 1834, submitting for consideration the idea of the Saints making the endeav- 
 or to purchase the property of a number of the most violent opposers, if such 
 effort would be satisfactory, and help to solve the question peaceably. 
 
 Governor Dunklin replied to the memorials and petitions of the Saints in a 
 friendly manner, avowing his desire and design to enforce the civil law, and, if 
 practicable, to re-instate those unlawfully dispossessed of their homes. Two 
 clauses in this letter disclose something in reference to the peculiar animus of the 
 persecution waging against the Mormon population. He wrote : "Your case is 
 certainly a very emergent one, and the consequences as important to your society 
 as if the war had been urged against the whole State ; yet, the public has no 
 other interest in it, than that the laws be faithfully executed. Thus far, I presume 
 the whole community feel a deep interest, for that which is the case of the Mor- 
 mons to-day, may be the case of the Catholics to-morrow ; and after them, any 
 other sect that may become obnoxious to a majority of the people of any section 
 of the State. So far as a faithful execution of the laws is concerned, the Execu- 
 tive is disposed to do everything consistent with the means furnished him by the 
 Legislature, and I think I may safely say the same of the Judiciary. 
 
 "As now advised, I am of the opinion that a mihtary guard will be neces- 
 sary to protect the State witnesses and officers of the court, and to assist in the 
 execution of its orders, while sitting in Jackson county." 
 
 An order was sent by the same mail from the Governor, directing the captain 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 259 
 
 of the Liberty Blues, a military organization, to comply with the requisitions of 
 the Circuit Attorney, in the progress of the trials that might ensue. This letter 
 is dated February 4th, 1834. 
 
 Suits were instituted by Messrs. Phelps and Partridge, in the proper courts 
 of Jackson county, and a dozen or so of the brethren summoned by subpoena to 
 attend the sitting of the court of inquiry to be held. These witnesses were met 
 February 23d, at Everett's Ferry, by the Liberty Blues, fifty strong, commanded 
 by Captain Atchison, to guard them into Jackson county. They crossed the riv- 
 er, and encamped about a mile from it. From reports brought into camp by 
 scouts sent out, Captain Atchison sent an order to Captain Allen for two hundred 
 drafted militia, and to Liberty for ammunition. The next day the party reached 
 independence, where the witnesses met the District Attorney, Mr. Reese, and 
 the Attorney General, Mr. Wells ; and from them it was ascertained that all pros- 
 pect for any criminal prosecution was at an end. Mr. Wells had been instructed 
 by the Governor, to investigate, "as far as possible,'' the outrages in Jackson ; 
 but the determined opposition presented to the enforcement of the law, by those 
 who had driven the Mormons out, prevented the performance of executive duty. 
 The Judge discharged Captain Atchison and his company of Blues, stating that 
 their service was not needed ; and that officer marched out of town, with the 
 witnesses under guard, to the tune of " Yankee Doodle." 
 
 While all this was transpiring time passed on and others were made to 
 suffer. One old man, Lindsay, nearly seventy, had his house thrown down, his 
 goods, corn, and other property piled tDgether and fired, but was fortunate 
 enough, after the parties, who did it left, to save a pirt of his effects through 
 the exertions of a son. Lyman Leonard, one of those who was compelled to 
 return from Van Buren county was dragged from his house, beaten and left for 
 ■dead, but revived and escaped. Josiah Sumner and Birnet Cole were beaten 
 severely at the same time. 
 
 March 31, 1834, Ira L WiUis went over from Clay county into Jackson to 
 look for and reclaim a cow that had strayed. While at the house of Justice 
 Mmship, making proof to the ownership of the cow he was set upon and 
 cruelly whipped. 
 
 April 10, 1804, a petition was prepared memorializing the President of the 
 United States, and stating the facts of the expulsion of the people from Jackson 
 county ; and further setting forth that an impartial investigation into their several 
 individual wrongs in the county where those wrongs were committed was 
 impossible; they therefore asked that the executive power of the United States 
 be exercised in their protection. This memorial and petition was signed by 
 one hundred and fourteen of the expelled refugees. 
 
 In answer to this petition the president by order replied that the matter of 
 the petition was referred to the War Department, and the department declined 
 interference, as it did not appear that the emergency warranting such interference 
 had occurred. This information was dated May 2, 1834, and signed by Lewis 
 Cass. On the same day Governor Dunklin wrote to Messrs. Phelps and others, 
 that the Court of Inquiry, before which Lieut. Col. Pitcher was to answer, had 
 decided that the demand made by that officer for the surrender of the arms of 
 the Saints on November 5, 1833, was improper, and an order was sent to Col. 
 Lucas to return them. This order directed Col. Lucas to deliver to W. W. 
 Phelps, E. Partridge and others, fifty-two guns and one pistol, received by Col. 
 Pitcher from the Mormons, November 5, 1833. 
 
 The result of this order is seen from the following communication made to 
 Gov. Dunklin, May 7, 1834 : . "Since the 24th uit , the mob of Jackson county 
 have burned our dwellings to the number of over one hundred and fifty. Our 
 arms were also taken from the depository, (the jail), about ten days since and 
 distributed among the mob. " * * * 
 
260 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 The order for the restoration was forwarded to Col. Lucas, at Independence, 
 May 17th, with a statement that he might return the arms to eitherof the three 
 ferries on the Missouri, the line between Jackson and Clay counties. Of tl:"= 
 delivery of the order the Governor was informed by letter dated May 29th. To 
 the letter and order to Col. Lucas, that officer stated that he would reply by May 
 2 2d, but before that time he removed to Lexington and did not reply what he 
 would do. 
 
 Some time in May the expelled Mormons and their friends in Clay county 
 began the manufacture of weapons, in order to be prepared for defense if occasion 
 again required it ; and in this many of the influential men of the county encour- 
 aged them in order, as they said, "to help the Mormons to settle their own diffi- 
 culties." 
 
 In the fall, and before the agreement to leave Jackson county had been 
 made, by the Mormons afterward expelled, a number of their brethren in Ohio, 
 including Joseph Smith, Sylvester Smith, Frederick Williams and others, not far 
 from one hundred and fifty men in all, had made arrangements to move into 
 Missouri, with the intent to aid their followers there in defending themselves, or to 
 share with them the fate that might await them. Of their intention thus to enter 
 the State as immigrants, they notified their brethren in Missouri, who by letter 
 dated April 24th, 1834, informed the Governor, asking that their arms be restored 
 to them and they be re-instated in their homes with the privilege of maintaining 
 themselves in those homes, when so re-instated, by force; further asking the 
 Governor to give them a guard to escort them to Jackson county, when their 
 friends from the east arrived. This letter was signed by A. S. Gilbert and four 
 others. 
 
 This company, above referred to, left Kirtland May sth, 1834, arid on June 
 5th, Mr. Gilbert notified the Governor, in accordance with the opinion of Mr. 
 Reese, District Attorney, that the company was nearly to their journey's end ; 
 and again asked for an escort. 
 
 In answer to the communications of Mr. Gilbert and others, Governor Dunklin 
 made answer, dated at Jefferson City, June 6th, 1834, from which letter, directed 
 to Col. J. Thornton, the following extracts are taken : 
 
 ' ' Dear Sir : — I was pleased at the reception of your letter, concurred in by 
 Messrs. Reese, Atchison and Doniphan, on the subject of the Mormon difficult- 
 ies. * * * A more clear and indisputable right does not exist, that the 
 Mormon people, who were expelled from their homes in Jackson county, to 
 return and live on their lands, and if they cannot be persuaded as a matter of 
 policy to give up that right, or to qualify it, my course, as the chief executive 
 officer of the State is a plain one. The Constitution of the United States declares : 
 "That the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities 
 of citizens in the several States." Then we cannot interdict any people who have 
 a political franchise in the United States from immigrating to this State, nor from 
 choosing what part of the State they will settle in, provided they do not trespass 
 on the property or rights of others. * * * And again, our Constitution says, 
 "That all men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship Almighty God 
 according to the dictates of their own consciences." I am fully persuaded that 
 the eccentricity of the religious opinions and practices of the Mormons, is at the 
 bottom of the outrages committed against them. They have the right constitu- 
 tionally guaranteed to them, and it is indefeasible, to believe, and worship Joe 
 Smith as a man, an angel, or even as the true and living God, and to call their 
 habitation Zion, the Holy Land, or even heaven itself. Indeed, there is nothing 
 so absurd or ridiculous, that they have not a right to adopt as their religion, so 
 that in its exercise they do not interfere with the rights of others. * * I con- 
 sider it the duty of every good citizen of Jackson and the adjoining coun- 
 ties, to exert themselves to effect a compromise of these difficulties, and were I 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 261 
 
 assured I would not have to act in my official capacity in the affair, I would visit 
 the parties in person and exert myself to the utmost to settle it. My first advice 
 would be to the Mormons to sell out their lands in Jackson county, and to settle 
 somewhere else, where they could live-in peace, if they could get a fair price for 
 them, and reasonable damages for injuries received. If this failed I would try 
 the citizens and advise them to meet and rescind their illegal resolves of last 
 summer ; and agree to conform to the laws in every particular, in respect to the 
 Mormons. If both these failed, I would then advise the plan you have suggested, 
 for each party to take separate territory, and confine their numbers within their 
 respective limits, with the exception of the public right of ingress and egress 
 upon the public highway. If all these failed then the simple question of legal 
 right would have to settle it. It is this last that I am afraid I shall have to con- 
 form my action to in the end, and hence the necessity of keeping myself in the 
 best situation to do my duty impartially. 
 
 To facilitate any effort that might be made to effect a settlement of the trouble, 
 the Governor appointed Col. Thornton as an aid to the commander-in-chief, and 
 requested him to keep himself and the Governor closely informed of all that was 
 transpiring. 
 
 The company emigrating from Ohio, under the charge of Joseph Smith, were 
 joined at Salt River, Missouri, by a number from Michigan in charge of Hyrum 
 Smith and Lyman Wright, their united number being two hundred and five men. 
 These were organized and drilled under Mr. Wright, who was appointed to the 
 command of the whole force. 
 
 June 9, 1834, the Governor issued a second order for the return of the arms, 
 directed to Col. Pitcher, Col. Lucas having resigned his command and left the 
 county. This order to Col. Pitcher required him to collect the arms, if not in 
 his possession, and return them to Messrs. Phelps, Partridge and others from 
 whom they were taken. 
 
 June loth, Judge John F. Ryland wrote Mr. Gilbert from Richmond, re- 
 questing that the Mormons be called together at Liberty the following Monday, 
 the 1 6th, at which time he would meet them with a deputation of some of the 
 most respectable citizens of Jackson county and explain to them his views ; stat- 
 ing further that he dreaded the consequences likely to ensue if he failed in his 
 efforts to secure an amicable adjustment between the parties. This request was 
 acceded to. Mr. Gilbert and others notified their brethren of the time and place 
 of meeting and its object ; and on the i6th the meeting was held, the citizens of 
 Clay county, including the Mormons, numbering between eight hundred and a 
 thousand, assembled at the Court House, where they were met by the Judge and 
 a deputation from Jackson county. At this meeting the citizens of Jackson 
 county, through a committee consisting of Mr. Samuel C. Owens and nine others, 
 submitted propositions in substance as follows : That they would purchase the 
 lands and improvements of the Mormons at a valuation to be fixed by arbitrators 
 to be agreed upon by the parties; that when these arbitrators should have been 
 chosen, twelve of the Mormons should be permitted to go with the arbitrators to 
 point out the lands and improvements to be valued, the people of the county 
 guaranteeing their safety while so doing ; that when these arbitrators should have 
 fixed said valuation, the people of Jackson county would pay the same with one 
 hundred per cent added thereto within thirty days after said report. That upon 
 said payment so made the Mormons should execute deeds for the lands, and make 
 no effort ever after to settle as a community, or as individuals within the county. 
 Both parties were to enter into bonds to keep the terms of the agreement when 
 made. A counter proposition was that the Mormons should buy all the lands of 
 the people of Jackson county and their improvements on the public lands, the 
 valuation to be made in the same way by arbitrators, and the same addition of 
 one hundred per cent to such valuation when reported, payment to be made by 
 
262 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the Mormons within thirty days after said report of valuation, as in the first propo- 
 sition. 
 
 After the reading of this proposition, its adoption and enforcement were 
 warmly urged by Mr. Owens, chairman of the deputation from Jackson county, 
 and were as warmly met and opposed by Gen. Doniphan. Rev. M. Riley, of 
 the Baptist church, urged the expulsion of the Mormons, stating that they had 
 "lived long enough in Clay county, and must either clear out or be cleared out." 
 Mr. Turnham, the moderator of the meeting, answered this speech, counseling 
 moderation, saying, among other things, "let us be Republicans; let us honor 
 our country and not disgrace it like Jackson county. For God's sake don't dis- 
 franchise or drive away the Mormons. They are better citizens than many of the 
 old inhabitants." This expression was indorsed by Gen. Doniphan. Consider- 
 able excitement ensued, during which a quarrel occurred between some part- 
 ies outside the door, in which one Calbert stabbed another man named 
 Wales. Some one shouted into the door of the court room, "A man stabbed," 
 which broke up the meeting. Pending the restoration to order, Messrs. Phelps, 
 McCIellin and others consulted together and replied to the proposition, that they 
 were not authorized to accede to either of the set of terms submitted, but that 
 they would give general notice and call a meeting of their brethren and make 
 definite answers by the following Saturday or Monday; and that such answer 
 should be placed in the hands of Judge Turnham, chairman of the meeting earli- 
 er than the day named if possible ; assuring Mr. Owens and others that there was 
 no design to open hostilities upon the people of Jackson or other counties. They 
 further pledged themselves to prevent any of their brethren coming from the east 
 from entering into Jackson. 
 
 Messrs. Philips and Gilbert submitted to Mr. Owens and others of the Jack- 
 son committee a reply dated June 21st, 1834, stating that they had consulted with 
 their brethren, as agreed, and were authorized to state that the propositions as 
 made to them June i6th could not be acceeded to. In the same communication 
 they gave the assurance that there was no intention on the part of themselves or 
 their brethren to invade the County of Jackson in a hostile manner. 
 
 By this uniting, immediate conflict seemed to be averted, and the Jackson 
 county committee returned home by way of the ferry where is now the Wayne 
 City landing. The boat was taken over to them and ten or twelve men and as 
 many horses went aboard the boat. When about the middle of the Missouri the 
 boat filled with water and sank ; men, horses and all went down together. 
 George Bradbury, David Linch and James Campbell were drowned. S. V. 
 Nolan could not swim, but catching hold of his horse's tail was hauled safely to 
 the Jackson county shore. Samuel C. Owens and Thomas Harrington clung to 
 the wreck of the boat and floated down a mile, and when the boat reached a sand 
 bar Mr. Owens divested himself of all his clothes except his shirt, left the wreck 
 and swam safely to the shore. He found a cow path which he followed to the 
 main road. While traveling the path he found himself terribly annoyed by the 
 sting of the nettle, but he walked to Independence a distance of some four miles. 
 Mr. Harrington hung to the boat and was drowned. Wilham Everett swam to 
 the Jackson shore anrfwas washed against a drift and was found there ten days 
 afterward, one hand fast hold of a projecting snag. The other men swam back 
 to the Clay county shore where they all made it safe except Smallwood Nolan 
 who clung to a "sawyer" only a short distance from the shore. The men who 
 made the shore built a fire and encouraged Nolan to "cling on" till they could 
 rescue him. He did cling with the grip of death. When daylight came and the 
 men went in to take him off his scanty support, they found that the water was 
 only waist deep and he could have waded to the shore with ease if he had known 
 it. 
 
 It was rumored that the Mormons had secretiy bored holes in the boat above . 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 263 
 
 the customary water mark, but when loaded would sink to the holes and then fill 
 with water. But the most reasonable idea was that the boat did not generally 
 carry such heavy loads, hence the timbers had become dry and the corking loose, 
 and when the water pressed against it gave away and the boat filled. 
 
 Joseph Smith and his party passed through Richmond, Clay county, June 
 19th, and encamped between two branches of Fishing River, not far from their 
 junction. Here they were met by five armed men, who informed them that sixty 
 men from Ray, and seventy from Clay counties, were to meet others from different 
 places and prevent their further progress. They also learned that two hundred 
 from Jackson county were to cross the Missouri River at Williams' Ferry, there 
 to meet the forces from Ray and Clay counties, at Fishing River Ford, and thence 
 to attack and disperse or destroy them. Their designs, if entertained, were pre- 
 vented, for on the night following a severe storm of wind and rain occurred, 
 which raised the" streams, flooded the country and prevented any hostile move- 
 ments being made by either party. 
 
 Mr. Smith's band moved out on the prairie on the 20th and encamped, 
 where on the 21st they were visited by Col. Sconce and two other leading men 
 from Ray county, who were anxious to know what were their intentions. Mr. 
 Smith replied stating that they had come to assist their brethren, bringing with 
 them clothing and other supplies to aid them in being re-instated in their rights; 
 and disclaimed any design to interfere with, or molest any people. These men 
 returned from this visit satisfied of the intentions of Mr. Smith and those 
 with him, and rode through the neighborhood using their influence to allay the 
 excitement. 
 
 Cornelius GiUium, Sheriff' of Clay county, went to the camp of Mr. Smith 
 and party on June 22nd, and aslced for Mr. Smith; and upon being presented to 
 him, gave them some instructions concerning the peculiarities of the inhabitants 
 of the county ; and advised Mr. Smith and the rest as to the course that should 
 be pursued by them to secure the protection of the people. Mr. Smith and those 
 with him resumed their march to reach Liberty, Clay county, on the 23rd ; but 
 were met by Gen. Atchison and others, when within six miles of the town, and 
 were by them persuaded not to go to Liberty, as the people were too much in- 
 censed against them. The party, therefore, turned away to the left and encamped 
 upon the premises of a member of the fraternity named Burghardt, on the bank 
 of Rush Creek. 
 
 From here, a proposition for settlement was agreed to on the part of the 
 Mormons, and was by them sent to Mr. S. C. Owens, and others, the committee 
 from Jackson county. This proposition was in substance, as follows : 
 
 That if the inhabitants of Jackson county would not permit them to return 
 to their homes and remain in peace, then twelve disinterested men were to be 
 chosen, six by each party to the strife, and these twelve men were to fix the 
 value of the lands of those men resident in the county who were opposed to the 
 Mormons, and could not consent to live in the county with them ; that when this 
 valuation was made, the Mormons were to have one year in which to raise the 
 money ; that none of the Mormons should enter the county to reside until the 
 money was paid; that the same twelve men were also to fix the am«unt of 
 damages incurred by the Mormons in their expulsion, and the amount of damages 
 so fixed, should be taken from the aggregate sum to be paid by the said Mor- 
 mons for the land appraised by said arbitrators. 
 
 On June 25th Mr. Smith caused his company to be broken into small bands, 
 and scattered them among the resident members. He also apprised Generals 
 Doniphan, Atchison and Col. Thornton of what he had done, informing them 
 that his company of emigrants would so remain dispersed until every effort for 
 an adjustment of differences had been made on their part, " that would in any- 
 wise be required of them by disinterested men of Republican principles." 
 
264 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 June 26th, by agreement among the Elders of the Mormons, a letter was 
 prepared to Governor Dunklin, informing him of their arrival in Clay county, of 
 their having been met by General Doniphan, of their present condition and the 
 nature of the negotiations then pending, of the character of the proposals made by 
 them, and notifying the Governor that if the present effort for peace failed they 
 should do all that could be required of them by human or divine law to secure peace- 
 ably their homes in Jackson county, their claim to which they would not abandon. 
 They further notified the Governor that within the week one of their brethren was 
 taken by some citizens from Jackson county, and forcibly carried from Clay county 
 across the Missouri, and after being detained in custody for a day and night was 
 threatened and released. Also, that the houses of a number of their members in 
 Clay county had been broken into and rifled of guns and arms during the absence 
 of the men folks, the women being threatened and intimidated. , On the same day 
 they received a rejection of their proposals to Mr. Owens, by the way of their 
 attorney, Mr. Reese. 
 
 While encamped on Rush Creek the cholera broke out among them, and out 
 of sixty-eight attacked thirteen died, among them John S. Carter, Eber Wilcox 
 and Algernon S. Gilbert, he who was expelled from Independence. 
 
 Mr. Gillium published the result of his visit to the Mormon camp, and the 
 propositions made by them as stated above, in the '■'■Enquirer," July ist, 1834, 
 apd the whole country then became acquainted with the purposes and wishes of 
 these worshipers. We quote from this publication the following : 
 
 " We wish to become permanent citizens of this State, and bear our proportion 
 in support of the Government and to be protected by its laws. If the above prop- 
 ositions are complied with, we are willing to give security on our part, and we 
 shall want the same of the people of Jackson county, for the perfoimance of this 
 agreement. We do not wish to settle down in a body, except where we can pur- 
 chase the land with money ; for to take possession by conquest or the shedding of 
 blood is entirely foreign to our feehngs. The shedding of blood we shall not be 
 guilty of, until all just and honorable means among men prove insufficient to re- 
 store peace." 
 
 This declaration was signed by Joseph Smith, Jr., F. G. Williams, then 
 Acting-President of the Church, Lyman Wright, Rodger Orton, Orson Hyde and 
 John S. Carter, all leading men among the Mormons. It was directed to John 
 Lincoln, John Sconce, George R. Morehead, James H. Long and James Collins. 
 
 The Mormons also appointed a committee of their number, who drafted an 
 Appeal to the people of the United States, in which they set forth the purposes 
 expressed by them in their statement to Mr. Gillium. This appeal was published 
 and scattered abroad, but it is not known what effect it had, other than possibly 
 to exasperate the feeling in Missouri against them. 
 
 The message of the Governor of Missouri to the General Assembly of the 
 State, then in session, communicated on November 20th, 1838, recommended a 
 commission of members of both Houses of the Legislature to inquire into the 
 Mormon difficulties. The House, in Committee of the Whole on the State of the 
 Republic, November 2 2d, appointed a select committee of seven to co-operate 
 with such number from the Senate as that body might appoint, to inquire into the 
 " causes of said disturbances, and the conduct of the military operations in sup- 
 pressing them, with power to send for men and papers." The Senate, on Novem- 
 ber 23d, appointed Messrs. Turner, Noland and Scott as their part of said com- 
 mittee, thus concurring in the action. This committee reported in the Senate, on 
 December i8th, that they had taken the matters submitted to them into consider- 
 ation, and decided that they "thought it unwise and injudicious under all the 
 circumstances of th^ case to predicate a report upon the papers, documents, etc. , 
 purporting to be copies of the evidence taken before an examining court, held in 
 Richmond, Ray county, for the purpose of inquiring into the charges alleged 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 265 
 
 against the people called Mormons, growing out of the late difficulties between 
 that people and other citizens of this State." 
 
 The reasons given are : The evidence given in that examination was in a 
 great degree ex parte, and not of a character to afford a "fair and impartial 
 investigation." The papers had not been so certified as to satisfy the committee 
 of their authenticity. There were still charges pending against some of the 
 Mormons for treason, murder, and other felonies, which charges were to be tried 
 before the courts in the several counties, where such crimes were charged to 
 have been committed. Publication of the evidence and papers referred to might 
 affect seriously, the right of trial by a " jury of the vicinage," by prejudicing public 
 sentiment against the accused. Were the committee to act, and send for papers 
 and persoris, it might interfere with the action of the courts wherein the suits 
 were pending. For these reasons the committee recommended the appointment 
 of a committee, who should, after the adjournment of the assembly, go into the 
 vicinity of the scenes of difficulties, there to make inquiry and make proper 
 report to the legislature of their inquiry and examination when concluded. 
 Among other reasons given for such recommendation occur these; that the 
 "documents, although serviceable in giving direction to the course of inquiry, 
 are none of them, except the official orders and correspondence, such as ought 
 to be received as conclusive evidence of the facts stated." And that it "would 
 not be proper to publish the official orders and correspondence between the 
 officers in command, and the Executive, without the evidence on which they were 
 founded ; and that evidence is not sufficiently full and satisfactory to authorize 
 its publication." 
 
 The recommendations of the committee were concurred in by the senate, 
 January loth, and on the i6th, Mr. Turner introduced a bill providing such 
 inquiry ; making it the duty of the commission when appointed to inquire into 
 the causes of the disturbances. This bill passed after amendment, and being 
 reported to the house, was on February 4, 1839, laid on the table until July 4th, 
 by 48 to 37. 
 
 Pending the expiration of the time for which this bill to inquire into the 
 causes of disturbance of the peace in the various counties of Clay, Ray and 
 Davies, the history of the Mormons of the State is about as follows : 
 
 After the removal from Jackson, and the acceptance of the final decision, 
 nothing further appears of any settlement being attempted in Jackson county by the 
 expelled party, or their brethren. Joseph Smith returned to Kirtland, Ohio, 
 with many others, while some concluded to remain in the, to them, land of Zion; 
 and these settled in and through the counties above named. 
 
 Things did not long remain in a peaceful condition, however, and, it became 
 apparent that there would again be trouble. To avoid this, if possible, it 
 appears that some of the leading men among the Mormons were sent to Rich- 
 mond, Ray county, and made inquiry as to whether the citizens would be willing 
 that they should settle upon the territory, north and contiguous to the county of 
 Ray, at that time unorganized. To this no answer was given, and, taking it for 
 granted that no objections would be offered, many removed, and Mr. James M. 
 Hunt, in his "Mormon War," written in 1844, declares that: " Here, for some 
 time, the prophet concentrated his followers; houses were erected, as if by 
 magic — improvements were prosecuted with such rapidity as to promise a flour- 
 ishing town and country in a very short time. The country round about was fast 
 being settled, and undergoing improvements — every month bringing swarms of 
 deluded fanatics, to forward the designs of their ambitious leader." 
 
 Settlements were made at Far West ; one on Grand River in Davies called 
 Adam-on-di-Amon, and one in Carroll county called DeWitt. At these places, 
 says Hunt, "members gathered, improving town and country rapidly." "It is 
 due the Mormons," further says this writer, "here to state, that they were an 
 
266 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 industrious, agricultural people, or at least that portion of them who located in 
 the country round about the 'stakes' " as these settlements were called by them. 
 
 Between the years 1834 and the beginning of 18.38, these settlements, out- 
 side of Jackson, continued to thrive, disturbed, possibly, by now and then an 
 outrage or reprisal, such as may occur in newly settled countries among any class 
 of settlers, for which mutual wrongs, attempted redresses were sought before 
 mutual courts, as some of the local minor courts were in the hands of the Mor- 
 mons, though the county and superior ones were held by other citizens ; and each 
 party claimed that injustice was done them by these courts by reason of partisan 
 iDias. The feeling was growing bitter against the Mormons on the part of the 
 citizens, and the feelings of injury and resentment began to crystallize into provo- 
 cation and resentment, (especially so with some indididuals,) on the part of the 
 Mormons. Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon had settled with their families in 
 the State, and under their direction the people had been organized and armed, 
 more or less efficiently, to repel encroachments and protect themselves, as they 
 stated, from unlawful aggressions. They had been told that the authority of the 
 Legislature and Executive could not be brought to bear for their defense until 
 remedies at the lesser courts failed them, and then only at the requisition of local 
 civil officers, and had been advised whether judiciously or otherwise to defend 
 themselves. There grew up some dissensions among themselves ; a few, some of 
 their prominent men among them, dissented from the rules of the society and 
 the authority of Messrs. Smith and Rigdon ; these were denounced as apostate, 
 and attempts made to drive them out from the society and settlements, which 
 resulted in mutual recrimination and the making public exaggerated accounts 
 of the intentions of the Mormon leaders. Some of the brethren more fanatical 
 or more unwise than others, were guilty of of flagrant excesses of language 
 calculated to createsuspicion and uneasiness in the minds of those already 
 prejudiced against them as a people. There were some law-breakers among them 
 who committed crimes and were not punished ; all of which hastened the 
 impending trouble. These things among themselves, and the constant, manifesta- 
 tion of hostility from many of the citizens, lawless and irresponsible, and some of 
 note and ability among' the most respectable as well, with occasional depre- 
 dation upon the Mormons, resulted in making further .peace very improbable. 
 
 In June, 1838, Sidney Rigdon preached a sermon taking strong ground 
 against the dissenters and the Missourians. This sermon was construed as a dec- 
 laration of war against the apostates and of reprisal against the citizens. Mr. 
 Hunt states that in this state of things the citizens apprehended wrong-doers 
 against them, but having to go before a Mormon justice and jury they failed and 
 were abused by the Mormons for bringing vexatious suits ; and that the Gentiles 
 were not idle in "setting afloat their grievances, and probably exaggerating them." 
 
 Mr. Rigdon is said to have delivered an oration July 4th, 1838, at Far West, 
 before a gathered multitude, which was called a treasonable speech. This oration 
 we have carefully read, and can now see that the passages construed as treas- 
 onable and dangerous, may have been but the indignant protest against violence 
 that a possible enthusiast might unadvisedly use. They are as follows: "And 
 that mob that comes on us to disturb us, it shall be between us and them a war of 
 extermination ; for we will follow them till the last drop of their blood is spilled, 
 or they will have to exterminate us, for we will carry the seat of war to their own 
 houses and their own famihes, and one party or the other shall be utterly de- 
 stroyed. Remember it, then, all men ! We will never be the aggressors — we 
 will infringe on the rights of no people, but shall stand for our own until death. 
 We claim our own rights, and are willing that all others shall enjoy theirs. No 
 man shall be at liberty to come into our streets, to threaten us with mobs for if he 
 does, he shall atone for it before he leaves the place ; neither shall he vilify or 
 slander any of us, for suffer it we will not in this place. ;!< * h< =K 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 267 
 
 Neither will we indulge any man or set of men, in instituting vexatious law-suits 
 against us to cheat us out of our rights ; if they attempt it, we say woe be 
 unto them." 
 
 August I St, at an election in Davies county, a quarrel ensued between some 
 citizens and Mormons. One of the latter was badly stabbed, and others on both 
 sides wounded. From this occurrence, rumors flew in every direction. The 
 Mormons at Far West were told that several of their number had been killed, and 
 two hundred of them went into Davies county, to inquire into it. They found 
 no one killed ; but Mr. Adam Black, a justice of the peace of Davies county, 
 stated under oath, before John Wright and Elijah Foley, fellow justices, that Mr. 
 Smith and others, to the number of one hundred and fifty-four, exacted from him 
 about August 8th, 1838, a written promise to support the Constitution of the 
 State and the United States ; and not to support a mob, nor to attach himself to 
 any mob, nor to molest the Mormons. To answer to this charge, Mr. Smith, L. 
 Wight and others were arrested, and recognized to appear for trial. Other dis- 
 turbances followed, and upon representation of a depiitation of citizens from 
 Davies county, Major-General Atchison, at the head of a thousand men of the 
 Third Division of Militia, went to the scene of trouble. The Major-General 
 found the citizens and the Mormons in hostile array. He dispersed both parties, 
 and reported to the Governor, with the further statement that no further depreda- 
 tions were to be feared from the Mormons. Almost simultaneously disturbances 
 occurred in Carroll and Caldwell counties. The citizens determined to drive the 
 Mormons out of the State ; the Mormons refused to be driven. A number of 
 the citizens made representations to General Atchison, on September loth, that 
 the citizens of Davies had a Mormon in custody, as a prisoner, and that the Mor- 
 mons had Messrs. John Comer, Wm.. McHamy and Allen Miller prisoners, as 
 hostages. Certain of the Mormons, and other citizens of Carroll county, peti- 
 tioned the Governor from De Witt, stating the committal of lawless acts against 
 them, among which was the ordering them to leave the county, giving them until 
 October ist, and asking interference and relief. This was dated September 22d, 
 1838. 
 
 From reports filed with the Governor, by Generals H. G. Parks, David R. 
 Atchison and A. W. Doniphan, copies of which accompanied the message of the 
 Governor to the Assembly, it appears that when the proper authorities of the State 
 appeared on the scene of difficulty, the Mormons gave up, not only the prisoners 
 they had taken in reprisal, but their arms, and also the men of their number 
 against whom civil processes were pending. General Parks, in a report dated 
 Mill Post, September 25th, 1838, states : " Whatever may have been the dispo- 
 sition of the people called Mormons, before our arrival here, since we have made 
 our appearance, they have shown no disposition to resist the laws, or of hostile 
 intention." * * * "There has been so much prejudice and exaggeration 
 concerning this matter, that I found things, on my arrival here, totally different 
 from what I was prepared to expect. When we arrived here, we found a large 
 body of men from the counties adjoining, armed, and in the field, for the pur- 
 pose, as I learned, of assisting the people of this county against the Mormons, 
 without being called out by the proper authorities." General Atchison wrote the 
 Governor from Liberty, Missouri, September 27th, 1838: " I have no doubt 
 Your Excellency has been deceived by the exaggerated statements of designing 
 or half crazy men. I have found there is no cause of alarm on account of the 
 Mormons ; they are not to be feared ; they are very much alarmed." 
 
 Hostile feeling culminated rapidly. The citizens, in absence of the militia, 
 gathered their forces together, and, on the night of October ist, attacked Dewitt. 
 A committee of citizens of Chariton county went into Carroll county and found 
 Dewitt invested by a large force, the Mormons in defense and suing for peace, 
 and wishing for the interposition of the civil authorities. They reported October 
 
268 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Sth, 1838. General Atchison reported October i6th that the Mormons had sold 
 out in Carroll county and left, and that a portion of their assailants were on the 
 march to Davies county with one piece of artillery, " where, it is thought, the 
 same lawless game is to be played over, and the Mormons driven from that 
 county, and probably from Caldwell." " Nothing, in my opinion," wrote this 
 general in his report, " but the strongest measures within the power of the execu- 
 tive will put down this spirit of mobocracy." 
 
 The Mormons resisted, and in their turn plundered the store of Jacob Stol- 
 lings at Gallatin, removing the goods, burned the store and other buildings in that 
 place and Millport. The citizens of Ray, Davies, Carroll, Jackson, Howard and 
 some other counties gathered, and apprising the governor that the Mormons, now 
 growing desperate, had become the aggressors, the governor, L. W. Boggs, moved 
 thereto by the representations made to him, issued orders to General John B. 
 Clark, placing him in command of all the force necessary, with instructions that 
 he was in receipt of information of the most appalling nature, ' ' which entirely 
 changed the face of things, and places the Mormons in the attitude of an open 
 and armed defiance of the laws, and of having made war upon the people of this 
 State. * * * The Mormons must be treated as enemies, and must be exter- 
 minated or driven from the State, if necessary for the public peace — their out- 
 rages are beyond all description." 
 
 In obedience to this order. General Clark, associated with General Lucas, 
 proceeded to the seat of war, and, without much resistance, disbanded the armed 
 forces of the Mormons, demanded and received their arms, took Joseph Smith, 
 Sidney Rigdon, Hyrum Smith and fifty other leading men prisoners for trial upon 
 various charges — high treason against the State, murder, burglary, arson, robbery 
 and larceny. These men were examined before Austin A. King, Judge of the 
 Fifth Judicial Circuit in the State of Missouri, at Richmond, beginning Novem- 
 ber 12, 1838. At this examination some were discharged for lack of evidence 
 to hold them, but Joseph Smith, Lyman Wright, Hyrum Smith, Alexander 
 McRae and Caleb Baldwin were held for trial and comrnitted to jail in Clay 
 county; some others were recognized for trial and gave bonds. A further demand 
 was made to the effect that the Mormons make an appropriation to pay their debts 
 and indemnification for the damage to citizens done by them. The property said 
 to have been taken by them was mostly restored upon demand of the officers. 
 
 The Mormons began leaving at once , and continued to leave until all were 
 gone, except now and then a recalcitrant member, or one who had some personal 
 friends among the citizens. Many sold out for what they could get, and many 
 were compelled to go without selling at all. Their leaders were taken prisoners, 
 their means of defense, as well as offense, were taken from them by law, and by 
 the will of the citizens, enforced by the order of the governor, some twelve thou- 
 sand people were driven from the State. The number of killed in this Mormon 
 war is stated by the official report of the general in command in the following 
 language: "The whole number of the Mormons killed through the whole diffi- 
 culty, as far as I can ascertain, are about forty, and several wounded. There 
 has been one citizen killed and about fifteen badly wounded." This is rather a 
 damaging result against the State after the terrible character given the Mormons 
 by those opposed to them, and upon whose reports the governor ordered their 
 suppression. Messrs. Smith, Rigdon and his comrades in jail in Liberty took 
 change of venue to Boone county, but the officer charged with their delivery in 
 Boone in his return of the order of removal to Davies county states that the 
 prisoners escaped. They afterward reached Illinois in safety. 
 
 Such in brief is the history of that strange people called Mormons, in Mis- 
 souri; the events succeeding their departure from the County of Jackson and 
 settlements in Ray, Clay, Caldwell, Davies and other counties, have been hurried 
 over as not properly belonging in our history of Jackson. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 269 
 
 After this expulsion from Missouri, the Mormons settled in Illinois, where in 
 six years, from 1838 to 1844, they increased rapidly, and laid the foundation for 
 a magnificent city. They began the erection of a stone temple upon a sightly 
 location. Trouble followed them, the citizens were again aroused; Process was 
 issued for the arrest of Joseph and Hyrum Smith, on charge of treason ; awaiting 
 trial upon which charge in the jail of Hancock county, Illinois, June 27th, 1844, 
 they were attacked and killed by a mob. Two years after that, the Mormons, 
 under the leadership of Brigham Young, were expelled from Illinois, and Utah 
 and polygamy are the outcome. 
 
 There is now in Jackson countyj a body of people calling themselves Latter 
 Day Saints. They are in fact a branch of the Reorganized Church of Jesus 
 Christ of Latter Day Saints, of wlTich chur.ch Joseph Smith, Jr., the eldest son of 
 Joseph Smith, the putative father of Morfflonism, is the president. The present 
 headquarters of this church is at Piano, Kendall county, Illinois; where they 
 have a printing house, containing engine, presses, type and other facilities for car- 
 rying on quite an extensive business. They number some fifteen thousand mem- 
 bers now, dispersed through the United States in over four hundred congregations, 
 including branches in Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, St. Louis, Salt Lake City 
 and many other prominent cities ; and are most numerous in Illinois, Iowa and 
 Missouri. In many places they have houses of worship, which they by the en- 
 couragement and aid of the citizens have built ; one of these buildings is in Inde- 
 pendence. 
 
 This church, under Mr. Smith's presidency, has kept an active ministry at 
 work in Utah, endeavoring to disabuse the Mormons of that territory of the dogma 
 of polygamy, which they assert to be no part of primitive Mormonism ; and from 
 the history of the sect during its stay in Missouri from 1835 to 1838, it would 
 appear that these organizers are correct ; for not a single charge of such dogma 
 being held or taught appears in the many statements made against them, or in the 
 published orders and reports of the officers engaged in expelling them from the 
 State. They, at all events, oppose the tenet, and are directiy antagonizing Utah 
 Mormonism. 
 
27o HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 INCIDENTS OF THE WAR. 
 
 Politics in Jackson County from i8S7 to i860 — Missouri Men and Families Abused — Colonel 
 Henry Younger and John Fristoe — Cole Younger' s Revolution to Avenge His Father's 
 Death — Dr. Lee and the Summit, Etc. — The County Officers — Two Silly Young Men— 
 Capt. Quantrell and His Men — He Dashes Upon the Headquarters of the Troops and 
 Escapes Again — The Community. 
 
 The enormities of violated law in Jackson county will never be recorded ; 
 figuratively speaking, the half has never been told and the history of the important- 
 events alone would fill a book. 
 
 At this late day when our country is sailing over the smoothest seas of pros- 
 perity, and when all is favorable and inviting for at least a succession of years to 
 come, men are beginning to be disposed to remember that unfortunate period in 
 our history as a dream, as some story of romance that they remember to have 
 read years ago. Therefore there is some difficulty in getting men to agree to 
 live that life over again in the way of telling men what they saw and suffered 
 during those times. 
 
 It is not so much our wish to learn which individual was guilty and thereby 
 establish the innocency of his neighbor, or which party was just and right while 
 the other was wrong and deserving of annihilation, but to know and record the 
 facts, in the case, as the attorney would say, in his pleading at the bar. The 
 harsh and unreasoning world is by no means in sympathy with historians ; but 
 to the contrary, often times, there is the bitterest feeling toward them, simply 
 because they endeavor to solicit and place on record the truth. In the following 
 sections on the civil and criminal record of Jackson county, from the spring of 
 i860 to the autumn of 1866, the charity and good will of all are sought, and 
 their assistance is earnestly desired that true and reliable facts as they really 
 occured might go down to coming generations. 
 
 It is not the trouble to find something to write about, as much as it is what 
 to write, and what not to write. There is not a more prolific period for a multi- 
 plicity of interesting subjects in the history of Missouri than in that of Jackson 
 county during the years 1860-6. Crime and blood-shed held high carnival for 
 some time outside of the above indicated years, a part of which has found 
 its way into the history of our country, but the great part is yet unwritten and 
 remains within the minds of those who were unfortunate enough to experi- 
 ence it. 
 
 There must be a difference made between crimes. As a matter of course, 
 rebellion and treason are more or less reprehensible wherever found, yet quite 
 frequently in the history of nations do we find very respectable and plausible 
 rebellions and revolutions. No particular illustrations are necessary to prove this 
 observation ; it is almost understood as a condition of man's energies in behalf of 
 liberty. Consequently, it need not be expected by either North, East, South or 
 West for the late Civil War — in the great Rebellion, as some choose to call it — to 
 be considered as a crime in these pages; not that there were no crimes committed 
 during those troublesome times, for both sides of that desperate struggle did things 
 that have disgraced the fair name of American freemen. So, if any have charges 
 to make, let them be made against the times and not against the men ; and hardly 
 so much against the times as against the culmination and development of certain 
 counter and exceptional principles that enter the constitutions of all Republics. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 271 
 
 Most certainly, if men did wrong as individuals, they are responsible, and their 
 names will ever be praised or blamed, according to what they did. 
 
 There has been more or less interest taken in politics in Jackson county ever 
 since the border troubles in 1857 and some time afterward. About the year of 
 1858 there were quite a number of new settlers in Jackson county, an important 
 majority of whom were first class citizens, and consequently were cordially wel- 
 comed by the people of the county. Along with this number came others who 
 strenuously contended for the notions and prejudices of the sections from which 
 they came, whether North or South. It would not take a very imaginative mind, 
 therefore, to perceive that if there was much persistence on the part of either class 
 of citizens, there would be trouble. These two classes, the slaveholders and the 
 non-slaveholders, continued to increase, as also did the feelings concerning the 
 abolition question, By the time of the Presidential nominations in the spring of 
 i860, matters took a definite course, and it only took the example of the earlier 
 seceding States to throw the country into party lines. All during the summer of 
 i860, as the campaign of the several Presidential nominees was going on, some 
 considerable feelings were being aroused throughout the country, to the extent 
 that the election of Lincoln in the autumn of i860, and his inauguration in the 
 spring of 1861, sounded the key-note of what was to follow. 
 
 Of course, as the question of slavery was the hinging issue of the election, its 
 success in the election of Abraham Lincoln was at once manifest ; consequently the 
 feelings between the border counties of Missouri and Kansas were almost at once 
 raised to blood heat. The least infringement upon the rights of any of either 
 party were causes whose effects, before the troubles were over, were destruction 
 of much property and the cruelest blood-shed and murders. In the autumn of 
 1861 the Kansas Volunteers, under Colonel Jennison, entered Jackson county and 
 committed many atrocious crimes, which should, and perhaps would, had circum- 
 stances been favorable, have convicted any man in the Criminal Court of the 
 county; but as things were then going, revenge and retaliation were about the 
 only measures adopted. 
 
 Many citizens of the county, who were, in fact, good, law-abiding men, 
 Union men, were roughly handled, their families abused, and property confiscated 
 by those robbers and marauders who came into the county from Kansas, under 
 the pretense of protecting property and the people. Had they proven true to 
 the purpos/for which they were sent, and faithful to the authority that sent them, 
 perhaps hundreds of their own men, and scores of the country's best citizens, as 
 well as millions of her property, would to-day be blessing the world. But alas ! 
 they are no more ; only the little biographical pamphlets and stories of the 
 wrongs of the Civil War remain. It might not be of much use to mention any 
 of the several families, that fell victims to this first attack and storm of violence, 
 for they have been given to the world in many different forms ; but as this chap- 
 ter is exclusively devoted to incidents of the late war in the whole county, 
 the names of Colonel Henry Younger, old Esquire Lee, the Wilsons, etc. ,• can- 
 not well be omitted. There is no doubt that the above named families and many 
 others that could be mentioned as well as not, were unjustly and unmercifully 
 treated by those men from Kansas. It is highly probable that the people from 
 among whom these Volunteers came,had been unjustly treated ; but the moral that 
 " Two wrongs never make one right," should have been considered by the 
 United States authorities before they commenced to destroy and kill in the way 
 they did. And then, after that was done, the other side should not have taken 
 the desperate steps it did, by any means in the world ; for it inaugurated a strug- 
 gle of annihilation, that has not been surpassed since the days of the memorable 
 crusades. Were the National Volunteers responsible for what they did ? Were the 
 people of the county responsible for what they did ? are questions that will have 
 to be answered at the judgment, and perhaps they will never before. -We may 
 
272 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 form whatever conjectures we will, notwithstanding; but besides this high handed 
 species of crime, in which many people were engaged, there were many lesser 
 crimes, or, to be more explicit, many personal and individual crimes, such as 
 murdering, killing, thieving, etc., trespassing upon the rights of others, violating 
 the written and unwritten laws of the county and State. 
 
 Colonel Henry W. Younger and Mr. John Fristoe were living, when the war 
 broke out, on the Independence and Harrisonville road, a few miles from what is 
 now known as Lee's Summit — at least they owned valuable property in that neigh- 
 borhood. Judge Younger was County Judge for eight years and afterward was 
 twice elected to the State Legislature; it seems that when he, his family and his 
 property were first attacked, he was a United States Mail Contractor and had 
 his transportation ^«^^ stationed at Harrisonville, Missouri. The first dash of Jenni- 
 son through Jackson and Cass counties swept the lovely property of Colonel 
 Younger away ; this gained, of course, for the Federals, eternal hatred from the 
 Younger family ; they espoused immediately the Confeder3,ie cause, though they 
 were primarily Union men. The next year brought its full harvest of death and 
 crime. On the 20th of July, 1862, Colonel Younger was waylaid and assassin- 
 ated five miles from Independence. As he had been trading in town the day be- 
 fore rather extensively, the presumption is that he was killed for his money. 
 Though he had some $2,000 or $3,000 about his person, the robbers did not get 
 but about $400. It would have been good for the world and Jackson county had 
 the assassins that killed Colonel Younger never been born. For this and other 
 insults that have been offered to the Younger family brought to the front one of 
 the most daring and dangerous characters that ever drilled beneath the black flag. 
 Coleman Younger, more hastily called Cole, son of Colonel Younger, while be- 
 holding the agonizing tremors of his delicate mother and sisters over the dead 
 body of his dear father, made resolutions the faithful carrying out of which has 
 cast a shadow over his father's family and good name, made hundreds of widows 
 and fatherless children, and scattered forgotten graves over the entire portion of 
 Western Missouri and Eastern Kansas. Many a noble son and brother that vol- 
 unteered to fight for the glorious stars and stripes of our native land melted and 
 went down before the remorseless anger and resolutions of that injured son and 
 brother. The historical narrative and connection would be entirely broken, were 
 the deeds and crimes of the Younger brothers to be followed. 
 
 Mr. John Fristoe, who was related to the Younger family by marriage, was the 
 owner of considerable land, stock and residences, by his relation to the guerrillas, 
 the presumption was that he offered them aid and comfort. Consequently his 
 fine country mansion was burned to the ground, his stock driven off, etc. , to the 
 extent that his creditors came upon him and nearly broke him up. His troubles 
 and anxieties, exposures and melancholy had a fatal effect upon him, so much so, 
 that he died a few years afterward of pulmonary consumption ; his widow still 
 lives on the old homestead near Lee's Summit. 
 
 Doctor Lee, also, suffered much from those troublous times, and shortly 
 afterward was shot upon his own premises in cold blood. He lived upon and 
 owned many of the broad acres of land in and around the station on the Missouri 
 Pacific Railroad, now known as Lee's Summit. If there was any cause for the 
 maltreatment of the doctor and his property, more than that his sons and 
 nephews were in the Confederate army, it has not come to light; neither does it 
 appear that he made any resistance, but suffered those men who were actually 
 enemies to law and order, in whatever cause, to lead him forth in his own yard 
 and before his own family, and shoot his head full of lead. How completely must 
 those times have been a reign of terror ! The house of Esquire Hink was also 
 burnt with that of a dozen others, in that part of the county. Thus far, it might be 
 observed, that the names above given were in sympathy with the Confederacy, as 
 many others may be given, who were badly treated and some of whom were 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 273 
 
 killed. By the summer and autumn of 1862, cases of murder and other crimes 
 were occurring frequently and fast all over the county, many cases of which 
 were completely in the dark and are until this day. It is quite likely, that can- 
 vassers for this very book, as they travel over the county, will find many families 
 that lost a husband, a father, or a brother concerning whose death and for what 
 they died they cannot give the remotest idea. One thing they can tell, however, 
 and that is, that my husband, my brother, or my son on a certain day in 186 — 
 left home, to go and see our neighbor beyond the Blue or the Kaw, and he never 
 returned. Ah ! how sad must the helpless have fell, when there was no assurance 
 that their loved ones would ever return again. The mother with her little 
 ones did not know how much to fear or how much to dare; perhaps, her stay 
 and protector would be met by the "Red-legs " or the guerrillas, the Federals or 
 the Confederates and be murdered or hung like a dog. Some citizens of Jackson 
 county during those times, disappeared under circumstances like the above, and 
 have never been seen or heard of since. They surely must be dead, but how can 
 we know it, where will the widowed wife and orphan children go and weep ; 
 what wound will they dress, and strew with garlands of spring — where will they 
 scatter beautiful flowers, upon the grave of a husband, a father, or a brother? 
 No, no, no, that is impossible, he was mortally wounded and was burnt to death 
 in his neighbor's dwelling, or was hung in the midst of a lone and desolate forest, 
 where none would visit him but the fowls of heaven ; or was mangled and muti- 
 lated and his body was buried in the rough sands of the bottom of the Blue. As 
 for who killed the poor man, or innocent youth it is as much a mystery as where 
 they left him, or where he lies to-day. It seems as if all the furies of infernal 
 hell had been let loose in Jackson county, there would not have been more agen- 
 cies benton the destruction of human life. The " Red legs," mighthave done it; 
 or the bush-whackers, or guerrillas, or desperate Confederate scouts might have done 
 it, it is absolutely impossible to determine; but one thing we are quite sure of, 
 and that is, that it was done, and too frequently in cold blood. It was cold blood 
 murder in many cases as far as the unfortunate individual was concerned; but the 
 men who did such things, (and they did frequently,) were very often in close 
 places; perhaps more than a dozen times had the surging breath of death and 
 destruction scorched their blood-stained garments, and it was in the cowardly act 
 of killing the innocent that they took revenge. 
 
 The question might be asked where was the County Sheriff, or the County 
 Marshal when so much outlawry and committance of crime was going on ? You 
 might as well ask where the parson was, for one would have done about as much 
 good as the other. That was the trouble ; there was no law ; the law was set 
 aside for the time being, and every man was a law unto himself. No doubt there 
 were county officers — plenty of them, but they were mere figure-heads. They 
 were housed up at Independence, Kansas City and Westport, taking care of 
 number one as best they could, and perhaps did not hear of half the crimes com- 
 mitted in the county. Were they to blame we might ask ? Perhaps not in every 
 instance ; there were no informers, no warrants issued and no one to confess his 
 guilt. So, from circumstances such as these, we can partly conceive of the 
 troubles and disasters that swept over our county during the years 1862-4. 
 
 In the summer of 1863, a respectable and well-known citizen by the name of 
 John Hagan, was living a few miles south of Independence ; he was a man that 
 respected the rights of others, and by words and actions asked others to respect 
 his, but alas ! the sequel will tell things quite differently. One bright Sunday 
 morning, while he and his family, a wife and three children, were driving up to 
 his brother's, William Hagan, who still lives near Lee's Summit, he met a band of 
 Federal soldiers, who were much exasperated because the telegraph wire had 
 been cut the day before. They ordered him to dismount from among his family 
 and go before them into a neighboring wood, where they shot him through the 
 
 18 
 
274 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 head ; he was found next day killed in the manner described. This was the 
 cause of a more bloody tragedy, or at least a more desperate one. Whether a 
 murder could be more bloody and censurable than that which drags a devoted 
 husband and father from the midst of his family and cruelly takes his life, so that 
 the half-distracted wife and her frightened little ones had to go on and find some 
 one to return and search for the missing husband and father, is a serious ques- 
 tion. Yet, we will presently see where blind vengeance and madness did their 
 gory work without the least suspicion as far as learned. 
 
 Two young men, both of confederate sympathies resolved upon revenge. 
 One was known as Ed. Hink and the other as Sam Jones, the former was an 
 uncle to the latter. As they were riding along the road where Mr. John Hagan 
 was killed a short time before, they in the ardor and indiscretion of youth, 
 vowed to each other to kill the next man they met. How silly and yet how 
 singular was such as this to the spirit of the times! See those boys that might 
 have been, under favorable circumstances, pious and model young men, sweeping 
 along the highway swearing eternal death and destruction to the first man they 
 met, whether friend or foe ! Behold their misguided zeal hurrying them on to 
 the next meeting where they were to imbue their youthful hands in innocent 
 blood. How can we imagine they felt as they turned the bend of the road and 
 saw their victim approaching without the least intimation of their diabolical design. 
 Oh ! how fortunate it would have been if some friendly hand could have stopped 
 those youths from their first murder, how some mother's heart would have 
 rejoiced if her wayward son had escaped the terrible sin of blood-guiltiness! 
 But like the dangerous son of Hamilcar, they were bound under the heaviest 
 oaths to shed human blood. As they charged along the highway, making the 
 air hideous with their mischievous threats, they met another young man a few 
 miles from Independence. The name of the latter has not been ascertained, 
 though much can be found concerning the high esteem in which he was held by 
 every one. From oral statements of the former young men, when they met the 
 man they killed they did not ask him a single word, not even for the cause with 
 which he sympathized, not whether he was a Union man or a Confederate man, 
 but simply drew their deadly revolvers and shot him dead upon the spot. They 
 did not show him as much mercy as the guiltiest and most deserving of death 
 would have received at the hands of the most desperate guerrilla band. When 
 they had done their worst, after they had sent all that was immortal of their 
 comrade, trembling into the presence of the Great Judge of all without a single 
 moments warning, they searched the body of his fair person and found to their 
 great horror and regret that he was a young medical student just returned home 
 to his friends and relatives with his diploma.' Poor man ! He was entirely inno- 
 cent of all the wrongs and their exaggerated reports of either side ; little did he 
 dream as he bore his authority "to go and heal the nations" that his career 
 would terminate so unnecessarily and cowardly. But then, he that sheddeth 
 man's blood by man shall his blood be shed " has gone forth into the world and 
 has certainly been verified among all tongues and peoples. Not very long after 
 this bloody deed had been done, one of these young men, and the presumption 
 is, the principal one, met his fate. The other is still living, but his garments, as 
 it were, smell of blood. Like Cain, he is fearful of being slain. 
 
 Thus far it has been seen that there were crimes committed — black and in- 
 delible crimes that our country can never blot out ; crimes, for generations yet 
 to come, that will make the blood chill to relate. And these, too, we must re- 
 member, were committed by men who were on both sides of that dreadful war ; 
 over which, however, we ask our kind readers and noble Americans to spread 
 the robe of charity, so that a few years hence the world will never know that we 
 were once engaged in such a deadly struggle. But before concluding this chap- 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 275 
 
 ter, it is but due the historical narrative that some of the crimes committed in 
 Jackson county in the years of 1864-5 should be noticed. 
 
 By the spring of 1863 there were to be no doubts as to a man's politics, 
 whether a " jayhawker " or a "bush-whacker," a militiaman or a guerrilla, a Fed- 
 eral or a Confederate, he was to show his colors and get into Hne or leave^the 
 country. Prominent among those who had distinguished themselves in the deeds 
 of crime was Quantrell. He did many things as a guerrilla chieftan that the 
 world would not believe, and perhaps he himself will not conceive of its enormity 
 until he stands before the Judge of all the earth at the last day, and then in what 
 he did he was not alone by any means; it was through Quantrell that the world 
 ever heard and felt the merciless vengeance of Cole Younger, Bill Anderson 
 George Tucker, the James Boys and a host of other blood-thirsty wretches that 
 have long since met their terrible fate. As has been stated elsewhere, most of these 
 had causes of their own for entering so desperately into the war. Many of their 
 families and relatives had suffered almost inhumanly from the other side. By the 
 unfortunate crimes offered to Quantrell and his neighbors, to the Younger Brothers 
 their parents and sisters, was brought such a whirlpool of madness upon the peo- 
 ple of the country, that the like has never been experienced in the history of the 
 country; but it is not so much the insults that brought these outlaws to the front 
 as the terrible deeds they committed — not that their injuries should be overlook- 
 ed, for such is not the case. They have given rise to not a few almost fictitious 
 works, in which the very wrong offendings done have been greatly exaggerated. 
 The year 1863, it seems inaugurated a different movement on the part ot the des- 
 peradoes and guerrillas in Jackson county. The country was being filled with 
 Federal soldiers, so that it was impossible for the guerillas to have anything like a 
 permanent camp or headquarters ; consequently, they selected from among the 
 Southern sympathizers the bravest and most dangerous men to be found; they 
 bound themselves together by an oath that, perhaps, has not its equal in the mem- 
 ory of man, that they would work together, act under the black flag and take no 
 prisoners ! About the time such a combination was effected, and as though it 
 needed some fresh and startling crime to revive the memory of Colonel Younger's 
 assassination, his daughters' prison death and the recent death of other friends 
 and neighbors, Mr. Lee, Quantrell's respected friend, was dragged from his house 
 and put to death. Mrs. Younger, Cole's mother, though deprived of her hus- 
 band and stripped of all her children, was compelled, at the point of the bayonet, 
 to apply the torch to her own house. Such fresh deeds as this brought to light 
 the bloody Bill Anderson and some of the James Boys and relatives. Bill An- 
 derson was, perhaps, the most unconscientious man that ever shed blood. The 
 number of lives these men have destroyed has never been known. The number 
 that the soldiers and county officials destroyed in attempting to take them has 
 never been ascertained. The innocent suffered invariably, while the guilty es- 
 caped. 
 
 Quantrell and his men, principal among whom was Cole Younger, in these 
 latter years of the war, did not hesitate to dash into the very heart of any defens- 
 less community, do their fatal work, make their way back into the eastern por- 
 tion of Jackson county, and there suddenly disappear in their mysterious 
 cave. Do we wish to stop and learn more definitely? Will we attempt to reviv- 
 ify those horrid scenes that the most credulous will hardly believe ? Were we 
 disposed, the spirit and culture of our time forbid. What huge volumes it would 
 take to contain descriptions of the bloody and ghastly steps of the Guerrilla chief- 
 tains ! But will we call all these individual crimes, for whom the perpetrators 
 should have suffered ? Should the unqualified outrages committed by all persons, 
 of whatever name or sympathies, be traced to the guilty hand, and it be made to 
 feel the vengeance of a violated law ? Were such the case, many of the best 
 and most respectable citizens in the county and surrounding country, would be 
 
276 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 made to tremble; many of our best and most religious mothers, who are now in- 
 stilling the strictest piety into their growing up children, would be shown to have 
 wished, anxiously brooded over the shrine, that death and destruction might 
 sweep over the homes of their next door neighbors. Were they culpable ? per- 
 haps, will be the debatable question in a few generations to come. If so, the 
 guilty could, undoubtedly, have been found in every regiment and army in the 
 field ; in every cast of party, and, to a qualified extent, every home to be found 
 in the thickest of the trouble. Oh, the horrors of a civil war ! May we all 
 drink such Lethean draughts that we might never have aught against our neigh- 
 bor. Then, it seems, as for the crimes of individuals, they have all vanished into 
 the clouds of the war. The county records, of course, contain a great deal about 
 outraged justice during those years of our history, but, to say the least, they 
 must be very incomplete. Then it was the times and the occasions, and not the 
 men, to a wonderful degree. The crimes, however, that these times inaugurated 
 did not terminate with the war; but they are continuing on till this day (1881), and 
 perhaps will grow for years to come. But for all later crimes, the law endeavors, 
 and justly, too, to apprehend and bring the offenders to justice; in some degree 
 it has been successful, but there are to-day, running at large, many highwaymen, 
 who almost put the law at defiance. They had their start in this career of crime 
 in Jackson county, and are, therefore, to some extent, connected with its history. 
 The bloody and destructive attack upon Lawrence, Kansas, could almost be in- 
 corporated into the history of Jackson county, for the identical leaders of that 
 bond of death, and the most of its two hundred privates, lived formerly in Jack- 
 son county, Missouri. When Quantrell and his blood-guilty men returned from 
 that raid of annihilation, they mysteriously disappeared somewhere in the county. 
 Recent revelations seem to indicate that that wily chief, in association with Cole 
 Younger, had a cavern in which they could conceal themselves, with several men 
 and their horses and booty. Whenever, in the' desperate years of 1861-4, they 
 did mischief, either upon the Federal soldiers or upon citizens around in the coun- 
 try, they could be traced into certain localities in the county, and suddenly disap- 
 pear as though the earth would swallow them up. 
 
 Imagine, if you can, the terrible condition a community would be in when 
 they would be situated between the galling fires of Federals and guerrillas; not 
 very often at once, but where one party would go killing and burning persons and 
 things of the other party, the soldiers and scouts of that party would come in a 
 few days and do worse. And it is well to notice and record, the burning shame 
 upon our history, that many crimes, individual crimes, were committed, but, per- 
 haps, not one in a score was brought before the courts. Why were not those un- 
 controllable soldiers that murdered several innocent men, some few cases women, 
 and fewer children, made to pay the debt of their guilt? Why was not that most 
 terrible of all devils. Bill Anderson and his accomplices, that stabbed so many 
 hearts and cut so many throats, brought to the bar of a most completely violated 
 law and made to answer for his crimes? The answers to the preceding might 
 be many and various, but the simplest and best would be, perhaps, that it was 
 not able under such disorganized circumstances. The depredations of the guer- 
 rillas ; their almost certain escape with valuable spoils; the soldiers pursuit 
 out into the country districts of the county inaugurated a species of retaliatory 
 vengence that did not subside for several years after the war. In fact, crimes 
 and misdoings that resulted from those times have reached down to a very few 
 years since ; a full history of which, however, will be found in other parts of this 
 volume. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 277 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 JACKSON COUNTY DURING THE WAR. 
 
 Sacking of the United States Arsenal, at Liberty — Confederate Camp on Rock Creek — Death of 
 Capt. Halloway — Confederates enter Independence in 1861 — Burning of Property — Capt. 
 Fuller takes Independence and Hangs a man on the Public Square — Quantrell comes into In- 
 dependence — Campaign in 1862 — Battle of Lone Jack — Ft. Pennock — Order Number Eleven 
 — Price's March through this Section — Organization of the Home Guards — The Iron- Clad 
 Oath — Etc., etc. 
 
 The secession of several of the Southern States in the spring of 1861, precip- 
 itated the strife in Jackson county, and especially in and around Independence, 
 and men began to express their opinions openly and boldly,_with the cause that 
 had their sympathies, whether it gave offense or not to their neighbors. The 
 first immediate attack it seems between the two sections — the North and South — 
 in these parts had anything to do, was the sacking of the United States Arsenal 
 in Clay county. 
 
 Men were in that action from the counties of Clay, Jackson, Platte and 
 Lafayette. They supplied themselves with muskets,, holster pistols, sabers, am- 
 munition, etc., and then quietly returned to their several counties and homes 
 and awaited the course of events. It was not long afterward when a similar 
 occurrence took place at Lexington, Missouri ; as these things had been done it 
 was evident to any one that there were serious apprehensions of trouble. So, 
 early in the summer of 1861, there was a camp formed of Confederates, on 
 Rock Creek, a few miles west of Independence ; as ascertained, many of these 
 were citizens of Independence. A short while after they had struck their camp, 
 perhaps a day or two, there was a reconnoitering party sent out from Kansas City; 
 the two companies met under truce — and it so turned out that the Captains were 
 very nearly dressed alike, and were acquainted with each other, and each one 
 advanced and both were talking upon the circumstance of their thus meeting, 
 when the Confederates fired upon the Federal soldiers, which precipitated a fight, 
 in which Captain HoUoway, of the Confederates, was killed. This created no 
 little excitement in Independence ; the gravest and most unexcitable men of the 
 town of both parties felt that a portentous crisis was just ahead. 
 
 A short time afterward Lowe & Jennison's cavalry from Kansas attacked In- 
 dependence, placed several citizens under guard care at the grocery store of Porter 
 & Eraser, and the hardware store . of Moss & Co. and carried away a great deal 
 of property such as carriages, horses, harness, wagons and cattle. As they were 
 returning, it seems, to Kansas City they burnt Pitcher's mill, as well as his and 
 Reuben Johnson's residence. This was in the fall of 186 1 ; and during the win- 
 ter Capt. Oliver was sent into the county with five companies of the seventh 
 Missouri — the bloody seventh they called themselves. He and his command 
 were charged by the people of Independence with many oppressive acts and 
 needless cruelties. 
 
 In the spripg of 1862, Capt Fuller was sent from Kansas City to Independ- 
 ence, soon after the bridge over the Big Blue had been burned by Quantrell. In 
 the neighborhood of the burned bridge he captured a man whom he had reason to 
 believe was a member of Quantrell's band,andhe took him to Independence and 
 hanged him publicly on the public square. This same Capt. Fuller also captured 
 the town and gathered many of the citizens on the public square, where they were 
 more or less questioned concerning their political predilections. Fuller did not re- 
 
278 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 main in Independence very long, before Lieutenant-Colonel Brown, in the spring 
 of 1862, with a detachment of soldiers came down from Kansas City; there 
 were then in town several companies of infantry and cavalry. About this time 
 when the Federal soldiers were making, or beginning to make, Independence a 
 kind of headquarters for these parts, Quantrell, with his desperate scouts, who 
 had been causing the Federals some trouble for some time, was known to be hov- 
 ering around the neighborhood. They made one of their intrepid dashes upon 
 the town, and before the Federals had time to array themselves, the Confederates 
 were on the public square. Imagine the confusion. Three or four dozen men 
 in the center of perhaps a thousand well armed soldiers. From the actions of 
 Quantrell, it appears that he did not intend to hazard an engagement at this time, 
 that it was not his wish to measure strength with a thousand soldiers ; but rather 
 to charge in, capture some important equipments, some five prisoners from whom 
 to receive all the information that could be had, concerning the anticipated 
 movements of the opposing side. Reports of persons who were living in the 
 town at that time, say that there was one of Quantrell's men killed and two of the 
 Federals, besides what were wounded on both sides. 
 
 Quantrell's men took a young man prisoner, unarmed him and were marching 
 him off with them, as they were going out on the east side of the square, the 
 young man was ordered to ride faster but he refused to do so, and he was shot, it 
 is said on good authority, somewhere about the head. But the result of the shoot- 
 ing was not fatal The young man, either on foot or on horseback, broke and 
 ran away, the Confederates after him. It appears, however, that he left his horse, 
 and by dashing through alleys, over fences and through houses, he got away; 
 perhaps, they were being too hotly pursued by the Federal soldiers and had to get 
 out of town to save their hves. 
 
 As they were leaving Independence by way of the Spring Branch road, 
 Quantrell's horse was either shot from under him, or stumbled and fell, and he 
 had to take it afoot ; such might have been a little unusual to Quantrell at that 
 early day of the war, but at a later date it was quite ordinary for him to have to 
 escape in that and similar ways. This little retreat of Quantrell's was nothing 
 more than he expected, if we receive the best and most authenticated accounts of 
 that transaction. The Federals stationed in the town took a little more precau- 
 tion and consequently increased their assurances of future safety — but they 
 "should have taken heed least they fall." 
 
 In the summer of 1862, Colonel Buell was placed in command of the forces 
 at Independence; though a good soldier and splendid commander, he did not 
 thoroughly understand the kind of men he was expecting to meet. If he had and 
 studied their modes of warfare, it probably would have saved him an inglori- 
 ous defeat. About fifteen hundred men under Hughs and other com- 
 manders, atatcked Independence and after hard fight defeated Colonel Buell 
 and took about 350 prisoners, all of whom they paroled. But the Federal 
 soldiers came into town in such numbers that the Confederates could not hold 
 the place. But as it seems from their general mode of warfare in these parts, 
 they had done mostly what they had desired to do, namely, to show their power, 
 to obtain arms and large stores of ammunition, all of which they got in abundance 
 in that engagement. They also dislodged many offensive persons and restored as 
 well as took off some considerable property. In no State of the Union was the 
 horrors of the war more visible, or more severely felt than in Missouri; especially 
 was Missouri more deeply and severely scourged with the evils and evil conse- 
 quences of guerrilla warefare than any other. No county of Missouri suffered as 
 much from that species of warfare as did the County of Jackson; and no town- 
 ship, perhaps, in the county had greater reason to complain of those evils than 
 Van Buren. The Sni Hills in this and adjoining townships came to be consid- 
 ered but another name for bush-whacking exploits, and barbarities on one side, and 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 279 
 
 Federal retaliation and revenge on the other. Every southern State had its battle- 
 fields, gory with blood and ghastly with the dead ; some of them surpassing in 
 ghastliness anything in modern times, but none of them surpassing in stubborn 
 courage, determined resistance, and heroic valor that scene which was wit- 
 nesssd in the little village christened for the lone tree of the township. 
 
 The citizens of that village had been accustomed to alarms and scenes of 
 bloodshed and cruelty. Scarcely a week passed without some exciting occur- 
 rence, or some violent death. But it was reserved for the i6th of August, 1862, 
 to witness the grim monsters, war and death, and carnage, in all their horrors. 
 It is the battle then of Lone Jack that the historian of the township will have to 
 record as the bloodiest of all the bloody scenes in the township during all of that 
 long and crual war. 
 
 For months the guerrilla, Quantrell, and others had been carrying on their 
 system of bush-whacking warfare from their hiding places in the Sni Hills and 
 other parts of the county; while the Union soldiers held and garrisoned the 
 principal towns, and sent out scouting parties to chastise the troublesome bush- 
 whackers; and too often the chastisement fell upon the innocent in place of the 
 guilty. During the first week in August, 1862, a strong effort was made to 
 strengthen the Confederate force in the county, and recruiting officers were busy 
 swelling their ranks. A very large majority of the citizens were in sympathy with 
 the South, and many of them who were opposed to a guerrilla warfare, and had 
 managed to stay at home, by hiding in the woods when ever a Federal scout was 
 in the vicinity, were persuaded then to enter the regular Confederate service, as 
 the surest means of safety; and Col. John T. Hughes, a regular Confederate officer, 
 on recruiting service, was prepared to enlist and swear them into service, as 
 honorable soldiers. While others, who were not at all averse to the bush-whack- 
 ing mode of warfare, were at the same time swelling the ranks of Quantrell. 
 Hughes, Quantrell and Hays having mustered and united their forces, on the 
 loth of August made an attack on Independence; garrisoned by a Federal force 
 under Col. Buell; which place and force they captured, with all its stores of arms 
 and ammunition; which circumstance still further aided and stimulated the Con- 
 federates in the work of recruiting. Col. Hughes was killed at the taking of In- 
 dependence, and his command devolved on Col. Gideon Thompson, of Clay 
 county, and Col. Upton Hays. The Confederate officers, with their regiments, 
 battalions and companies, were hurrying up from the South, recruiting and swel-- 
 ling their ranks as they came ; and it was given out, that Lexington and other 
 Federal posts would soon fall, as Independence had dope. In the forenoon of 
 August 15th, those regiments, battaHons and companies began to arrive in Lone 
 Jack, and continued to arrive during the day, under the command of Cols. 
 Cockrell, Tracy, Hunter, Jackman and Lewis. Col. Totten, commanding the 
 Federal post at Lexington, after the battle at Independence, having learned that 
 Thompson and Hays were somewhere between Independence and Lone Jack, 
 in compliance with orders from General Schofield, sent out Major Emory Foster, 
 with eight hundred men to cut them off from the reinforcements coming from the 
 south, before those reinforcements could arrive. At the same time Col. Fitz 
 Henry Warren, 15th Iowa cavalry, was ordered from Clmton to co-operate with 
 Major Foster, having left Lexington early in the morning of Friday, August 15th ; 
 sent out two small flanking parties to make inquiries, and hunt up the enemy he 
 was after; posted on with his main force, over seven hundred strong, and arrived 
 at Lone Jack at 8 o'clock in the night. His force consisted mostly of Missouri 
 militia, mustered into the United States, drawn from the 6th, the 7th and 8th, 
 Catherwood's, Phillips' and McClurg's regiments, and Nugent's battalion. He 
 also had some Illinois and Indiana soldiers and the 7th Missouri cavalry, with 
 two field pieces of Babb's Indiana battery. Foster had been told before reaching 
 town that Confederates to the number of four thousand were there ; but, as he 
 
280 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 said, having been lied to so often, he refused to credit the report, and pushed on 
 thinking it was the force he was in search of. That force, however, was not there ; 
 nor was there any immediately in the village. Thompson and Hays with five 
 hundred men or more were encamped on the eastern banks of the Little Blue, 
 some fifteen miles away; Quantrell, still further off, and of the reinforcements 
 just from the South, Cockrell was northwest of the village three or four miles; 
 Tracy and Coffee south of it about a mile, on the farm of David_ Arnold; Lewis 
 still further south ; Jackman was also in the neighborhood. Passing through the 
 village, Foster opened fire on Coffee's and Tracy's company; a skirmish ensued 
 as the Confederates retreated west, in which a few of them were wounded, and 
 two of Foster's men killed by their comrades, in the darkness and confusion. 
 
 After the retreat, Foster returned to the village, where he remained unmo- 
 lested until morning. Foster and some of his officers occupied the large hotel of 
 B. B. Cave; who, with a majority of the male citizens of the place, had left the 
 town in the care of the woman and children. The horses were picketed in the 
 town, and along a lane running south ; and the men lay down to sleep as best 
 they could. In the mean time, the word was being carried to Cockrell, Hays, 
 Quantrell and others, of the situation of things in the village. Thompson and 
 Hays united their forces with Cockrell's, and at daylight arrived within one and 
 a half miles of town ; there they first heard the Federal bugle, sounding the morn- 
 ing reveille, and then they dismounted and marched to the attack on foot. 
 
 The town was divided into new and old town. The hold, and Federal 
 camp being in the new town, on the prairie ridge, where stood the lone tree, from 
 which the town derived its name. The main street being half a mile in length, 
 from the south side of the new town to the north of the old. On the east of the 
 new town, was a hedge, and full of corn ; on the west was a field, uncultivated 
 that year, and overgrown with rank and tall weeds. Through these weeds, the 
 Confederates made their way, stooping and crouching, and arrived in shooting 
 distance undiscovered ; and while the Union soldiers were busy in feeding their 
 horses, and getting breakfast, a single gun, and then a volley, announced the 
 battle begun. 
 
 The Federals were taken by surprise, but they soon rallied, each man to his 
 post. The artillery drew up on the public square, and joined its roar to the 
 roar of musketry already going on. The hotel, the hedge row, the fences, 
 the shops and the houses, were converted into fortifications and breastworks. 
 The Confederates advanced on and on ; and it was soon a hand to hand conflict. 
 The artillery supports, the artillery horses, and the artillery men were shot down, 
 and the guns were taken by the Confederates. In a short time they were re-taken 
 by the Federals. Taken by the Confederates a second time ; and again re-taken. 
 A large blacksmith shop, which stood near, was a blockhouse and fortification, 
 for each party in turn. The hotel, was at the commencement a fortification for 
 the Federal forces ; from the windows of which they fought and did great action : 
 but the Confederates worked their way nearer and nearer, and at length set fire 
 to it, and it was soon in flames ; and the occupants forced to retire ; and two or 
 three dead bodies were consumed in the burning building. The hours passed, 
 and the contest was kept up, it was Missourian against Missourian, and neighbor 
 against neighbor. Boys who had played together, gone to school together, and 
 grown up together ; were opposed to each other in a deadly strife. Four hours 
 passed, and the conflict of arms was still going on. Both parties, however, were 
 nearly exhausted ; faint with hunger, thirst, heat and fatigue : and shortly after 
 ten o'clock, the Federals spiked the cannon, drew them off a short distance, col- 
 lected their horses and retired, unmolested from the field, and made good their 
 retreat to Lexington. This was a hard fought contest ; and for the numbers 
 engaged, the hardest fought in the State — perhaps in any State — during the whole 
 war ; and it is often asked who had the best of it ? 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 281 
 
 Many accounts have been given of it, more or less partial to one side or the 
 other ; but as this is intended as a part of the history of the county, that will 
 live when all the actors in that bloody drama shall have passed away ; and the 
 hand that writes it will be cold in death ; and there will be none left to correct 
 its errors, or false statements ; let it for once be impartial, and true ; and the im- 
 partial reader, whoever he may be, will say of a truth, neither party had much 
 to boast of, in the way of victory. The Confederates could, with truth , and did 
 claim the victory, as the field was left in their possession ; they buried their own 
 dead, and cared for their wounded, and could show as trophies, the two aban- 
 doned field pieces, which they carried off with them the next day ; when they 
 themselves had to retreat before superior numbers. On the other hand, the 
 Unionists claim that when the fight ended, and the firing ceased, they were in 
 possession of the ground, and that the Confederates had drawn off to the northern 
 part of the village, and were there being re-inforced by fresh troops ; and thus it 
 was only when they saw, or heard of the re-inforcements of Coffee, Tracy, and 
 Quantrell, that the field was abandoned ; and that the artillery was left for the 
 want of horses to draw it off. The Federal Commander, Major Foster, was left 
 on the field severely wounded, and his brother mortally wounded ; the command 
 devolving on Capt. M. H. Browner. In retreating to Lexington, the Federals 
 made a detour southward, hoping to meet or fall in with Fitz Henry Warren, 
 from Clinton ; but were disappointed, and following the Warrensburg road, to 
 the cross-road from Holden to Lexington, they turned north and arrived at Lex- 
 ington before night. The battle over the little town presented a ghastly spectacle. 
 The wounded were gathered up, and almost every house became a hospital. The 
 Confederate dead were gathered together and buried that evening; a few feet 
 away from the lone tree, which though dead, was still standing at that time. 
 Some, however, of the dead, on each side, were carried away by friends, and 
 buried in the county cemeteries. Some prisoners, from twenty to fifty had 
 been taken, and to them and a few citizens was assigned the task of burying the 
 Federal dead. At the request of W. H. H. Cundiff, the Federal surgeon. Ambers 
 Graham, and A. L. Snow two of the citizens, harnessed a team and gathered up 
 and carried the killed to the place of burial, and the wounded to the hospital or 
 seminary. On account of the scarcity of help, none of the Federal dead were 
 buried that day. Next morning (Sunday), while engaged in burying the Union 
 dead, and in hauling off the dead horses ; the advance of Warren's and Blunt's 
 army came in sight ; marching up from the south ; and the Confederate forces 
 retreated, making a detour to the east, a few miles, and then turning south, 
 closely pursued for several days ; but finally making good their retreat into Ar- 
 kansas. This retreat of the Confederate forces, left to the citizens of the county, 
 with the surgeons and nurses that remained, the task of finishing the burial of 
 the dead, and taking care of the many wounded ; and it was not till Wednesday, 
 the 20th, that the dead horses, numbering about sixty, were all removed from the 
 town. There have been many, and conflicting statements, as to the number of 
 killed and wounded on each side ; also, as to the numbers engaged in the con- 
 flict, and perhaps the exact truth will never be kpown. As has already been said 
 800 Union soldiers were dispatched from Lexington : of these, two small flanking 
 parties were not in action. 
 
 Of the Confederates, they claimed, the day before when they came in, to 
 number over 4,000. A writer has since said that Cockrell, Tracy, Hays, Hun- 
 ter, Jackraan and Quantrell had between them but 900 men, and that of these 
 200 were not in the action. It is well to make allowance for both of these 
 statements. When we recollect that an object of this expedition north was for 
 the purpose of recruiting their numbers, and when we recollect that recruiting 
 officers generally picture things to the eye of the recruit in a color different from 
 the reality, we may readily suppose that the number would be represented as 
 
282 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 larger than it really was, and when the young man was told by these recruiting 
 agents that they had come to the county to stay, that a new leaf was now turned, 
 and that Confederates would garrison the towns, these same agents would fain 
 have had them believe that they had the force to carry out their promises. On 
 the other hand, when it is recollected that one avowed object, and perhaps the 
 real intention, was to make an attack on Lexington and capture that as they had 
 Independence, Mo., no sane person will admit that 900 was the sum total of their 
 forces, especially as the same writer, who places it at 900, has said only a few 
 pages before, that Cockrell, Tracy, Hunter and Jackman had each a regiment, 
 Quantrell a battalion, and Hays 300. Though these, and suck stories as these, 
 have been repeatedly told and printed, they are not necessarily all true. But 
 putting all the information together, that appears most reliable. It is thought the 
 combined force of the Confederates in and near Lone Jack was over (3,000) 
 three thousand, of which more than half were in the action, perhaps not all at 
 one time, but at some time during the few hours conflict. A letter from one of 
 Hays' captains, who can be relied on, and who furnished for this sketch, writes 
 thus: " On the 15th of August, 1862, about 500 Confederates, mostly raw and 
 undiscipHned troops, under Cols. Hays and Thompson, went into camp on the 
 east bank of Little Blue, about twelve miles southeast of Independence and 
 twelve northwest of Lone Jack. About 2 o'clock a. m. of the i6th the troops 
 were awakened and ordered to mount and fall into line, and march in the direc- 
 tion of Lone Jack. The order was obeyed with quietness and alacrity. About 
 daylight we arrived within one and a half miles of Lone Jack, midway between 
 Noel's and Long's. Here we first heard the enemy's bugle. Here nearly all the 
 cavalry were dismounted ; the troops marched to the battle ground on foot — a 
 part of the way through tall and growing corn and high weeds. 
 
 " The Confederates, about one thousand strong, under Colonels Hays 
 and Cockrell, approached the town from the west, consequently the enemy were 
 attacked on their western side." 
 
 The battle then having been commenced by Hays and Cockrell with 1,000 
 men, and other detachments of other commands claiming to have been engaged, 
 the impartial mind comes to the conclusion above stated. As to the number 
 killed on the Confederate side, there is not much room for doubt, or for conflict- 
 ing statements, and there never has been much. They were buried with more 
 care than the Union soldiers, and head boards were placed at their graves, on 
 which were written the names of the several soldiers. Two weeks after, these 
 boards numbered fifty-nine, which, with an addition of perhaps a dozen carried 
 away by friends, will approximate the number of the killed and the mortally 
 wounded. Of the number killed on the Federal side there have been statements 
 made differing widely. They were all buried in one long and narrow trench — 
 laid in side by side, with no board or other mark to designate the name or 
 number. The writer above alluded to says : one hundred and thirty-six were 
 dead on the ground. Some others claim to have counted over one hundred, 
 others eighty, etc., etc. 
 
 The Federal surgeon reports forty dead when the battle ended, and A. L. 
 Snow, who assisted in carrying the dead to the place of burial, counted, when 
 done late in the evening, forty-three. About twelve or thirteen of the wounded 
 are said to have died that night, and a few others before they were removed on 
 the 20th. 
 
 The grave, six feet in width, in which they were laid side by side as closely 
 as men could be placed, will serve to indicate, or approximate, the number very 
 nearly. It is eighty feet in length, and any person who has had any experience 
 in burying men in that way, can arrive very nearly at the number that are repos- 
 ing there now. That silent mound is an important and an impartial witness, the 
 testimony of which cannot be doubted. From all the evidences obtainable, then. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 283 
 
 we venture to say that the loss in killed was so nearly equal that it cannot be said 
 with certainty which suffered the greater loss. 
 
 It has been said that more than one half the number engaged in the fight on 
 each side were killed and wounded. We think this an over estimate. The num- 
 ber of the wounded reported by the Federal officer was i6o, and the number of 
 the Confederate wounded is thought not to have been much, if any, in excess of 
 that number. 
 
 This battle, like all other hard fought battles, had its incidents, incidents 
 which will never be forgotten by those who witnessed them ; and not only were 
 the combatants there to witness them, but others, now combatants were unwilling 
 spectators of the bloody scene. The citizens of the town were there ; at least 
 the women and children were there; and the conflict was in their midst, and 
 around and about them. In the streets, in the houses, in the yards, and in the 
 f\elds, on either side. When the house of B. B. Cave was occupied by armed 
 men, his mother, his wife and little children were there, and there they remained 
 till the attack was made, remained while the storm of battle was raging in and 
 around it, not daring to face the leaden tempest outside, but crouching in the 
 safest rooms of the building, while their once peaceful home was converted 
 into a blockhouse, filled with armed warriors, dealing death and meeting the 
 same. There they remained, until to the roar of the battle was added the roaring of 
 the flames above and around them, and when the aimed occupants were driven 
 from it by the devouring element, they too had to leave and encounter the showers 
 of leaden hail that fell and passed on every side. The mother was an aged lady, 
 very fleshy, who on ordinary occasions could walk but slowl)', and with great 
 difficulty; but there was no help for it now, she must get away ' somehow. 
 Safely they passed out of the burning building, out of the Union line into the 
 field on the west, through the Confederate line, and beyond it and lay down 
 amongst the tall weeds which shut out the sight, but not the sound of the raging 
 battle. After some time the infant child demanded the sustenance which nature 
 requires, and the young mother partially raising herself to apply the breast to the 
 lips of her suffering babe, was pierced with a ball, which passing through the 
 lungs inflicted a fatal wound, of which in a few weeks she died; another victim 
 of cruel war, and of that sanguinary contest. 
 
 Another house further north, the one now owned and occupied by Wm. 
 Phillips was then occupied by Benjamin Pitcher. He too was about, having 
 left when the soldiers came in on the night of the 15th. But his wife and two 
 small children and a niece of sixteen were here. When the attack was made 
 some of the Union soldiers were in the house cooking breakfast — a breakfast 
 they were destined never to eat. As the fight waxed warmer and warmer the 
 women and children crept into a wardrobe to escape the bullets that were 
 piercing the house. In the course of the fight the confederates occupied the 
 house and fought from it, firing from the windows above and below. This 
 being noticed the artillery was turned upon the house, and ball after ball 
 went crashing through it, one ball cutting off" the part of an old fashioned bed- 
 stead near the wardrobe. The soldiers in the house then assisted them out and 
 told them to escape for life. They fled to the church 600 yards away and took 
 refuge in the house of their God. That lady-left her house a fortification suffer- 
 ing a cannonade ; she returned some hours after to find it a hospital, filled as 
 other houses in the town were, with the wounded and dying, the beds and 
 bedding saturated with blood, or torn into strips to make bandages for the 
 wounded. She met some days afterward, at the "house of the writer, the Federal 
 sergeant who was cooking breakfast in the house when the action began. He 
 had received a severe wound, a wound from which he never recovered, but rode 
 with the retrea:ting column two and a half miles to the house of Jacob Bennett, 
 when faint and unable to proceed further he stopped and was well cared for. 
 
284 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 In an incredibly short time the result of the action was known for miles 
 around, and citizens were coming in to give the needed assistance to the wounded 
 or to carry oif and bury the friends who had fallen, for amongst the dead were 
 some of Van Buren's own citizens; some who had but recently entered the 
 Confederate service and fell in their first fight, amongst whom may be men- 
 tioned James Helms, D. C. Webb, John Temple, Walden and Tally. Those 
 or nearly all of them were carried off by relatives and friends in Round Prairie. 
 
 In a few hours, too, friends were there from Pleasant Hill and beyond, and 
 carried back with them the dead body of Drary Farmer, a Union soldier, and 
 Capt. Wm. Allen Long, mortally, and Sergeant Luke Williams, severely 
 wounded. 
 
 Women, too, when the men were absent, or too timid to venture, were soon 
 seen coming in with baskets and boxes of provisions and other needed articles ; 
 and this continued for several days, until the necessity ceased. 
 
 When General Blunt, on Sunday, the 17th, came into the town, and the 
 Confederates retreated, he did not stop to take possession of the field, or the 
 woundedj or leave any garrison, but pushed on with his whole force in pursuit ; 
 and the town and the wounded prisoners were left in command of Colonel Gideon 
 Thompson, who remained for some time. The Federal authorities at Lexington 
 sent ambulances and carriages, and, on Wednesday, the 20th, removed nearly all 
 the wounded to Lexington, from which place they were sent in boats to Jefferson 
 City ; and in the National Cemetery, there may be seen more than one head 
 stone, in memory of soldiers who died of wounds received at Lone Jack. Some 
 few of the wounded, who had been quartered, or had found a resting place in the 
 houses of citizens, and comfortably situated, preferred not to go, and were left to 
 the hospitality of strangers ; and one poor unfortunate was left alone,- in a dying 
 state, in the Seminary building, which had been used as the Federal hospital. 
 He, too, was cared for while living, and buried when dead, by John W. Tate, 
 Thos. Potter, and other. 
 
 With a few exceptions, the brave Union soldiers, who were wounded, and 
 those taken prisoners, were treated with kindness and courtesy, by their equally 
 brave captors, of the Confederacy, and by the citizen sympathizers with the Con- 
 federacy ; and nearly all who would accept it received a discharge on parol of 
 honor. A few exceptions there may have been — a few exceptions there were — as 
 there almost always is ; some were robbed of their money, their valuables, and 
 some of their clothing ; and one. Lieutenant Levi Copeland, who had incurred 
 the ill will of a portion of his captors, as was said by unnecessary acts of severity 
 toward the friends and families of bush-whackers ; and, on that account, was 
 particularly obnoxious to them, was given over to the Guerilla Quantrell, and 
 was never seen by his friends again. There is no doubt as to what his fate was, 
 (It is said there were two or three others, but this is not certain.) As has been 
 said, in this fierce conflict, neighbor and friend fought against neighbor and 
 friend ; members of the same Christian church, who had together knelt at the 
 altar, and had partaken of the sacrament together, were here on opposite sides ; 
 and many have, or might possibly have, taken each others lives. Major Foster, 
 who commanded the Federal soldiers, and Colonel Vard Cockrell, who brought 
 on the attack, were neighbors and acquaintances in Johnson county; Captain Al- 
 len Long, who led a company in Foster's command, and Colonel Warner Lewis, 
 were friends and neighbors in Cass. Long, who was mortally wounded, also had 
 many friends and acquaintances in the Confederate column, and among the 
 Confederate sympathizers ; and by some of them he was carried to Pleasant Hill, 
 where he died in a very few days. 
 
 These are but some of the incidents of this memorable struggle, which has 
 made the little town of Lone Jack historic. Where the lone tree once stood now 
 stands a marble shaft, which has been erected by voluntary contributions from 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 285 
 
 the friends of the lost cause. On each of the four sides of the pedestal, is the 
 following inscription : 
 
 IN MEMORY OF THE 
 
 CONFEDERATE DEAD 
 
 WHO FELL IN THE BATTLE OF LONE JACK, 
 ON THE i6tH of AUGUST, 1862. 
 
 Just west of this, and but a few paces from it, is the long and narrow mound 
 in which the Union soldiers sleep, with no stone to mark their resting place. 
 
 Several years ago a society was formed, and an effort made, to raise the 
 needed funds to erect a monument to their memory ; but the required amount 
 was not obtained, and it was abandoned. Congress has appropriated money to 
 place head stones at the grave of every Union soldier that can be identified ; but 
 here are at least sixty brave rnen promiscuously laid together, and no one of them 
 can be distinguished from another. 
 
 Year after year the citizens of Jackson and surrounding counties have met on 
 the 1 6th of August, to commemorate the deeds <9i daring done on that memorable 
 day in 1862. It is the big day of the year, for all the country round; and the 
 i6th of August, brings together larger crowds to the little village of Lone Jack, 
 than even the 4th of July does in some of our large cities ; and one pleasing cir- 
 cumstance, in relation to these gatherings is, that as time passes, at each succeed- 
 ing anniversary, there is less of partisan feehng manifested. May it continue to 
 be so until none of that sectional partisan bias and feeling will be perceptible. 
 
 Among the killed and wounded on the Federal side were Captain Wm. 
 Plumb and Captain Jas. Dunden, of Catherwood's regiment, and Captain H. D. 
 Moore and Lieut. Jno. R. Foster, of McChengo's regiment. Captains Brady and 
 Bryant among the Confederates were killed. 
 
 THE DYING SOLDIER AT LONE JACK. 
 
 A soldier of the Union lay 
 
 Sore wounded at Lone Jack, 
 And as his life-blood ebbed away. 
 
 His thoughts were wandering back — 
 Back to his childhood's early home. 
 
 Back to his native land. 
 And dreaming, fancy seemed to roam 
 
 Amid a kindred band. 
 
 No wife or child beside him now. 
 
 Though wife and child he had; 
 No comrade bathed his bloody brow — 
 
 His comrades all had fled ; 
 And there upon that hard fought field, 
 
 In that small village street. 
 He lay with those who scorned to yield. 
 
 Disdaining to retreat. 
 
 No kinsman's hand or voice was nigh 
 
 To minister relief; 
 But yet there was a pitying eye 
 
 Looked on the scene with grief — 
 A stranger, though a friend, stood near 
 
 The dying soldier's side. 
 And wept, his dreaming talk to hear, 
 
 And soothed him till he died. 
 
286 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 " Farewell my wife and children all 
 
 My country calls away, 
 And can I hear my country call, 
 
 And not the call obey ? 
 I go, and ere I shall come back. 
 
 Grim war shall cease to frown ; 
 I go though men may call me back. 
 
 To put rebellion down." 
 
 " I go my wife ; I go my son, 
 
 The Union to sustain, 
 For North and South shall still be one, 
 
 And one shall still remain. 
 ' I go and if I ne'er return, 
 
 Farewell ye loved ones all — 
 And if I fall I trust you'll learn 
 
 I fell as man should fall." 
 
 But then his fancy more and more. 
 
 And wider seemed to roam — 
 He seemed to think the war was o'er, 
 
 And he was safe at home. 
 And there as if to friends, he told 
 
 Of war and war's alarms. 
 Of many a comrade soldier bold, 
 
 And many a feat of arms. 
 
 Of conflicts sore, he spoke of one — 
 
 A sore, a bloody fight — 
 The hard day's march from Lexington, 
 
 The skirmish of the night. 
 Spoke of the sleepless bivouac. 
 
 As on their arms they lay 
 Within the village town of Lone Jack, 
 
 To wait the coming day. 
 
 And then he spoke of the attack. 
 
 Which came at early morn — 
 The rebel charge, the falling back — 
 
 The hedge and growing corn. 
 He spoke of deeds of daring done, 
 
 Of many a soldier slain, 
 The loss of the artillery gun, 
 
 The taking it again. 
 
 But here his memory seemed to fail — 
 
 His voice was failing too — 
 Alas! he ne'er will tell .the tale 
 
 To those he loved so true ; 
 Some other tongue to them will tell 
 
 The story he assayed ; 
 Describe the battle where he fell, 
 
 The spot where he was laid. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 287 
 
 Through scenes of youth he seemed to pass, 
 
 Though now his hair was gray, 
 And once again he led his class, 
 
 As in his school boy days ; 
 He called his playmates' names, although 
 
 None answered to his call, 
 For some had died long years ago, 
 
 And far, far distant all. 
 
 He often called his father's name — 
 
 He called his brother's, too — 
 But oftener still his mother came 
 
 Within his dreaming view ; 
 He seemed to think that mother near, 
 
 And for her hand would feel, 
 'Twould melt the hardest heart to hear 
 
 His piteous appeal ! 
 
 "Oh, mother, help your little son — 
 
 My head is aching sore. 
 And here I lie, with pillows none, 
 
 Upon the cold hard floor. 
 Oh, lay me on my trundle bed. 
 
 Or take me on your knee — 
 She does not hear what I have said; 
 
 Oh, where can mother be ? " 
 
 Anon the scene would change, and he 
 
 By fancy still beguiled 
 A husband — father — seemed to be, 
 
 And spoke of wife and child ; 
 He spoke of them so tenderly, 
 
 So often called their names. 
 Though absent, yet 'twas plain that they 
 
 Were present in his dreams. 
 
 His days of early manhood came, 
 
 And passed in plain review 
 His constant struggles after fame, 
 
 His disappointments too ; 
 He spoke of hardships undergone. 
 
 He spoke of dangers passed. 
 And still his thoughts kept wandeirng on. 
 
 And wandered to the last. 
 
 But when more recent scenes appeared, 
 
 To claim his wandering thought — 
 The storm which civil war had stirred, 
 
 The suffering it had wrought. 
 Upon his home and family 
 
 His thoughts appeared to dwell, 
 With them again he seemed to be — 
 
 To them he bade farewell. 
 
288 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 And there beneath that lonely tree 
 
 Which gave the town its name, 
 The traveler will turn to see 
 
 And read the warrior's fame. 
 And when that tree shall cease to stand, 
 
 As it must shortly do, 
 A monument with marble hand 
 
 Will point to where it grew. 
 
 The Federal troops in Jackson county in the fall of 1862 and spring of 1863, 
 were commanded by such officers as Lieutenant-Colonel Thompson, Colonel Pen- 
 nock and Major W. C. Ranson. Colonel Pennock's regiment remained in Inde- 
 pendence until the spring of 1863. During the time he remained in town he 
 burned several houses; the Confederates were also occasionally beating around the 
 town trying to burn some houses, especially the house still known as Samson's store 
 and the public school building, which was then a seminary owned and conducted by 
 Prof. Lewis. The buildings, however, by the action of the citizens were put out. 
 There was some fighting between these outlying Confederates around the town 
 and the Federal soldiers within, but nothing that amounted to much. Some 
 rather close shots were made at the assailants and they left. Then there was 
 formed what was called the Home Guards who closely invested the town, took 
 every precaution toward preventing the place from falling into the hands of the 
 Confederates, but, from facts that will be related presently, they also failed in 
 that. The court house and yard were packed full of the citizens of Independence, 
 but that measure did not seem to bear much fruit or safety, either to the Federal 
 or Confederate elements among the people of the town. In fact it would have 
 been a great blessing to the adherents of both parties living in the city limits, or 
 those adjacent, if either one or the other of the contesting armies had gotten pos- 
 session of the place and secured it during the whole civil war. There certainly 
 would have been more protection offered to inoffensive women and children 
 than was, if such had been the case. We, at this time, have reasons to believe 
 unless the soldiers had lost all their gallantry and bravery, that the weak and 
 helpless would have been protected, though the husbands, brothers and fathers 
 had been in the opposing army. But as it was, first one side and then the other 
 was in control of the town, so there was cruelty and needless injuries inflicted 
 upon the once noble and beautiful little city of Independence. During this same 
 spring of 1863, or the summer following, Colonel Pennock built what was called 
 Fort Pennock, near the public spring in the city of Independence. He was oc- 
 cupying this post when General Ewing's famous order No. n was issued. 
 
 ORDER NO. II. 
 
 This celebrated order was issued just one week after the memorable butchery 
 at Lawrence, by the Guerrilla mob, led by Quantrell, and the object of it was to 
 deprive Quantrell of a lodgment and rendezvous in the borders of Missouri, 
 where he and his band had been protected and supported by sympathizing citizens 
 for the preceding three years. ' 
 
 General Order No. 10, which immediately preceded Order No. 11, should 
 also be understood, for we are well aware that after nearly a score of years have 
 passed, many of those who were here then have passed away, and others, who 
 were young, have come into the active stations of life, but knew little or nothing 
 about the particulars. Then, again, there are thousands who having come into 
 Jackson county, never heard of these transactions that occurred during the prog- 
 ress of greater events in the great Civil War. 
 
 There were only three paragraphs of Order No. 10 that bore any particular 
 relation to Order No. 11, and these were paragraphs i, 2, and 3. Order No. 10 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 289 
 
 provided (i)--For escort to all loyal persons desiring to remove to a military 
 post in the district, and to all persons who had been slaves of persons in rebel- 
 lion, and that the teams of those who had aided in rebellion, whenever needed, 
 should be taken to assist in the removal, and then turned over to the ofificer com- 
 manding the military station. 
 
 (2) — All persons who willfully gave aid to the guerrillas, except women, who 
 were heads of families, were to be arrested ; but careful discrimination was to be 
 made between those who were compelled by threats to do so, and those who aid- 
 ed them from disloyal motives. Wives and children of known guerrillas, and 
 women, heads of families, willfully engaged in aiding the guerrillas, were to be 
 notified to remove out of the district forthwith, and be permitted to take unmo- 
 lested their stock, provisions and household goods. If they did not so remove, 
 they were to be sent to headquarters at Kansas City, for shipment south. 
 
 (3) — Persons who laid down their arms and surrendered themselves, to be 
 banished with their families, were to be sent to such State or district outside the 
 department as the commanding officer might direct. No. 3 was revoked, as will 
 be seen by reference to Order No. 11. General Order No. 10 was issued Au- 
 gust 18, 1863, just one week before Order No. 11, of which the following is a 
 copy : 
 
 general order no. ii. 
 
 Head Quarters District of the Border, 1 
 Kansas City, Mo., August 25, 1863. j 
 
 I. All persons living in Jackson, Cass and Bates counties, Missouri, and 
 in that part of Vernon- included in this district, except those living within one 
 mile of the limits of Independence, Hickman's Mills, Pleasant Hill and Harri- 
 sonville, and except those in that part of Kaw township, Jackson county, north of 
 Brush Creek and west of the Big Blue, are hereby ordered to remove from their 
 present places of residence within fifteen days from the date hereof. 
 
 Those who, within that time, establish their loyalty to the satisfaction of the 
 commanding officer of the military station nearest their present places of resi- 
 dence, will receive from him certificates stating the fact of their loyalty and the 
 names of the witnesses by whom it can be shown. All who receive such certificates 
 will be permitted to remove to any military station in this district, or to any part 
 of the State of Kansas, except the counties on the eastern border of the State. 
 All others shall remove out of this district. Officers commanding companies and 
 detachments serving in the counties named, will see that this paragraph is prompt- 
 ly obeyed. 
 
 II. All grain and hay in the field or under shelter, in the districts from 
 which the inhabitants are required to remove, within reach of military stations, 
 after the gth day of September next, will be taken to such stations, and turned 
 over to the proper officers there ; and report of the amount so turned over made 
 to District Head Quarters, specifying the names of all loyal owners, and the 
 amount of such produce taken from them. All grain and hay found in such dis- 
 trict after the 9th day of September next, not convenient to such stations, will be 
 destroyed. 
 
 III. The provisions of General Orders No. 10 from these headquarters will 
 be at once vigorously executed by officers commanding in the parts of the dis- 
 trict, and at the stations, not subject to the operation of Paragraph i of this Or- 
 der — and especially in the towns of Independence, Westport and Kansas City. 
 
 IV. Paragraph 3, General Order No. 10, is revoked as to all who have 
 borne arms against the Government in this district since the 20th day of August, 
 1863. 
 
 By order of Brig. Gen. Ewing. H. HANNAHS, Adjutant. 
 
 19 
 
290 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Five months after the order was issued, Col. Theo. S. Case, Chief' Quarter- 
 master of the Border under General Ewing, now postmaster at Kansas City, 
 wrote a letter to the Missouri Democrat, of St. Louis, commenting on railroad 
 matters in this part of the state, the anniversary of the emancipation proclama- 
 tion and other things in which he referred to General Order No. ii, in the 
 following language : "The experience of the. past three years has shown that 
 the plan adopted in constructing the ' Division of the Border ' from the territory 
 on both sides of the boundary line of Kansas and Missouri, is the only one 
 which has succeeded in giving anything like peace to this vexed region. It 
 must not be forgotten that less than six months ago this border was alive with 
 bush-whackers and guerrillas on one side and with 'red legs' on the other, the 
 first of whom exceed the atrocities of the savages in their horrible deeds of 
 blood, while the latter excel in dexterity the horse steahng exploits of John A. 
 Murrell's most experienced gangs. Now neither party is known on this border. 
 Not a bush-whacker has been heard of in any part of the District of the Border 
 for months and the term ' red leg ' is rapidly becoming obsolete. Stage coaches, 
 solitary horsemen and footmen can and do travel ummolested from this city 
 (Kansas City) to Lexington, Warrensburg, Harrisonville or Fort Scott, a state- 
 ment which could not have been truthfully made at any previous time since 
 May, 1861 ; while horses, mules and cattle roam about at large with almost the 
 same immunity as of yore. 
 
 ' ' All this has been brought about by the well-directed efforts of General 
 Ewing who having control of both sides of the boundary line has been enabled 
 to produce a result which no officer could have secured, whose jurisdiction 
 ceased at the line on the other side. His measures have been harsh, it cannot 
 be denied, but when we recall the history of the part in Jackson and Cass 
 counties, the almost unanimous adherence to the rebel cause among their people, 
 the harboring of bush-whackers, the persecution of Union men, as long as any 
 remained to be persecuted, the impossibility of obtaining information in regard 
 to the movements of the guerrillas amongst them, the certainty of the heralding 
 to the enemy of any movement of the federal troops, the determined and 
 repeated acts of duplicity and treachery by almost the whole population, men, 
 women and children — when all these things are considered, and the result of Gen. 
 Ewing's course ascertained, none but copperheads and traitors find any objection 
 to it, while all loyal and true hearted men applaud it. It will be remembered 
 that by order No. 11 these counties were depopulated. The entire population was 
 ordered to remove. Such as would take the oath of allegiance and could prove 
 that they had never harbored bush-whackers were permitted to remain at the 
 various military stations in the district. All others were compelled to remove 
 altogether. The forage thus abandoned has been collected and used by the 
 government and paid for where the owner was loyal. Ample time was given for 
 the removal of cattle and thus the guerrillas were deprived of all means of support 
 and information. After several months General Order No. 20 was issued, per- 
 mitting all loyal citizens to remove to their homes, the males to enroll them- 
 selves, form militia companies for home defense, receiving arms, clothing and 
 subsistence from the government. Under this order about 250 men, mostly 
 heads of families, have returned, enrolled themselves, and are now prepared to 
 defend themselves against the bush-whackers should they attempt to return. Of 
 course none are permitted to return whose loyalty is not abundantly attested. 
 This course will gradually fill up the counties again with men who have been 
 true to their country from the beginning, but who have been exiles from their 
 homes since 1861. They know personally the bush-whackers and their harborers, 
 and will not permit them to return. There are families now living almost desti- 
 tute in this city, who have good farms, within from ten to twenty miles, but who 
 have not dared to visit them for two years, through dread of the rifle or bowie 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 291 
 
 knife of their former neighbors and friends. It is the latter class of people who are 
 expelled by General Order No. ii. And the former class who are permitted to 
 again enjoy the happiness and comfort of living upon their own farms by General 
 Order No. 20. 
 
 " It is true that there is very little of the conservative element about this 
 mode of dealing with the enemies of the country and their sympathizers, and it 
 is equally true that little is needed. 
 
 " The first order relieved us entirely of the presence of the guerrillas for the 
 first time during the war. The second order re-admitted a loyal people to Jack- 
 son and Cass counties for the same time during the same period. All loyal men 
 thank General Ewing for both orders. 
 
 ' ' This plan will succeed without doubt, but should any mistaken policy dictate 
 the removal of the barriers thus set up by General Ewing, the same scenes of per- 
 secution, robbery, murder and wholesale butchery may be expected on the bor- 
 der during the coming season, that have marked the past three years. The first 
 to rush in, should an indiscriminating permission be granted to all former resi- 
 dents, would be those who have been the sysmpathizers and harborers of the 
 guerrillas, the spies upon the movements of the Federal troops, the persecutors of 
 their Union neighbors in past days ; and close upon their heels the ruthless butch- 
 erers of Lawrence, Olathe and Shawneetown. 
 
 " Rely upon it, the only successful plan of filling up these depopulated coun- 
 ties is the straining or filtering process by which all noxious matters are excluded 
 and only the pure and loyal allowed to pass through." 
 
 The American Cyclopaedia for the year 1863, published by D. Appleton & 
 Co., has the following paragraph relating to Quantrell and General Order No. n : 
 
 "The most atrocious outrage of the war was the attack of Col. Quantrell 
 and his band of Confederate guerrillas upon the thriving city of Lawrence on the 
 2ist of August, 1863. The attack was made, in the early morning and entirely 
 without warning. Th-e citizens, unarmed, were unable to make any defense, 
 and were many of them shot down in the streets in cold blood. 
 
 "The Eldridge House, the largest hotel in the city and all the stores on Mas- 
 sachusetts street, the principal business street, were plundered and burned, as 
 were many dwellings and stores in other parts of the city. Two hundred and five 
 men were killed and many others wounded. No women or children were killed 
 or wounded, though one assailant snapped his pistol at Miss Lydia Stone, a heroic 
 woman who had exposed her life for the preservation of others. Several of the 
 churches were destroyed, and the projperty stolenand burned was estimated to 
 exceed the value of $2,000,000. 
 
 " Quantrell, the leader of the gang, had been at one time a resident of Law- 
 rence. Senator Lane (General James H. Lane) was in Lawrence at the time, 
 but succeeded in avoiding the guerrillas, and as soon as they left the town raised 
 such a force as could be gathered and started in pursuit. Some thirty or forty 
 of the guerrillas were overtaken and slain, but the remainder got away safely with 
 their plunder. 
 
 " Much indignation was felt by the citizens of Kansas at the alleged remiss- 
 ness of General Ewing, who was in command of the district of Kansas and West- 
 ern Missouri, and of General Schofield, who commanded the department of Mis- 
 souri. Two days after the attack. General Ewing issued the order known as 
 General Order No. 11. Quantrell and his band of marauders still hovered 
 around the Kansas border. 
 
 "There have been in Kansas and probably in Western Missouri, also, a con- 
 siderable number of men, soldiers of fortune, who, while professing to belong on 
 the side of the Union, have been ready to plunder and rob in the name of free- 
 dom, all against whom they could raise any suspicion of sympathy with the Con- 
 federates. These "Jayhawkers," as they were called, had really as little interest 
 
292 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 in the success of the Union cause as their counter-parts, the guerrillas, had in the 
 Confederates; the controlling motive being in both instances the obtaining of 
 plunder lor their own emolument." 
 
 GENERAL PRICE'S MARCH THROUGH JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 The autumn of '64 will ever remain important in the history of our country. 
 There were some little things of importance going on in the county about that 
 time; but things took a definite and determined course when it was rumored 
 throughout the county that Gen. Sterling Price was on a northern war march and 
 would certainly come through the county. News reached St. Louis that General 
 Price, with Generals Fagon, Joe Shelby and Marmaduke, crossed the Arkansas 
 River at Dardanelles, a village in Pope county, Arkansas, on his way north. The 
 size of Price's army when he crossed the river was not ascertained, though it is 
 pretty certain that by the time he struck Lexington and Jackson county, .his ar- 
 my swelled to nearly 30,000 men. 
 
 Many were the reports and messages sent hither and thither throughout 
 Missouri and adjoining states during Price's raid. The movements of General 
 Price were closely noticed and anticipated by the Federal General Rosecrans, 
 who was then stationed at St. Louis ; he kept his other officers well informed, 
 concerning the marches and proposed attacks of the Confederate army. 
 
 So they rightly anticipated his course, and made heavy preparations. There 
 were officers and men enough on the elert to have annihilated the whole invading 
 army, if they had been properly disposed and had made the best assaults. The 
 presumption is, that why Price was not driven back to his rebel retreats in 
 Arkansas, our men were too much scattered, and had but little hopes of success 
 when they did attack. General Curtis, who was stationed in West Kansas, was 
 called to Jackson County, Missouri, while Generals Blunt, Sykes, Lowe, Ford, 
 Pleasanton, Moonlight, A. J. Smith and a host of others from Kansas and the 
 Indian Territory, were gathered along the line of march; there surely could not 
 have been many less than 60, 000 soldiers and militia ready to strike the enemy. 
 After General Price passed Jefferson City there were to be no doubts as to -his 
 direction and his intention. Many preparations were made by the Union army 
 to keep Lexington from falling into the hands of the Confederates. But Price, 
 accompanied by Fagon, Shelby and Marmaduke, some of whom were acquainted 
 with the country, was not to be defeated or turned from his line of march. They 
 marched upon Lexington, which with but little resistance surrrended. The Fed- 
 erals then were very well satisfied that Price and his whole army would make for 
 Kansas City and Westport by way of Independence. 
 
 In the meantime guerrillas did much skirmishing and much damage to the 
 Federal army. The Union soldiers did noble fighting, and as it has been well 
 said, contested almost every foot of ground between Lexington and Independ- 
 ence. While the engagements were going on at and around Lexington, Inde- 
 pendence was occupied by Colonel James H. Ford; when it was known that 
 Price was marching toward Independence, on the 20th of October, 1864, Gen- 
 eral Blunt with several other commanders reinforced Colonel Ford at Independ- 
 ence. Colonel Moonlight, Captains Green and Huntoon, with a strong force, 
 were ordered to make a strong resistance at Little Blue River, a few miles east of 
 Independence. In due time did Price's army make its appearance. On the 
 morning of the 21st, General Joe Shelby drove the pickets in, and the battle 
 known as the Little Blue began in good earnest. As the river was shallow, at 
 that season of the year, an army could ford it at a number of places. The Con- 
 federates poured across the stream in almost countless numbers; the Union forces 
 were compelled to give way and burnt the bridges as they retired. Major 
 Nelson Smith, of 2d Colorado regiment, fell in this fight shot through the heart, 
 and where also fell George Todd, the guerrilla. Price's entire army moved up 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 293 
 
 to the scene of battle, the Federals could not do anything else but give way; 
 though they fought nobly, they were driven from all their entrenchments. The 
 Confederates arrived in time to extinguish the burning bridge, so that their artil- 
 lery had no trouble in passing the river. This defeat, which from the circum- 
 stances could not have been otherwise, threw the whole county into the greatest 
 confusion, for as soon as the results were known at Independence, the greatest 
 hurry was made to evacuate the town. It is true a second stand was made by 
 General Blunt about two miles from Independence, but it proved of little avail, 
 as the position was soon swept away by the double columns of the advancing 
 edemy. Independence, that had been for years the headquarters of the Federal 
 forces, was taken without a struggle. 
 
 General Curtis and his corps of officers decided to take the next stand on the 
 west bank of the Big Blue River, a few miles west of Independence ; and it was 
 there that they did some of their best fighting. It was deemed exceedingly im- 
 portant that the Confederate army should not be allowed to penetrate further 
 toward Kansas City and Kansas, and no place offered better advantages for suc- 
 cessful resistance. 
 
 The fall of Independence had nothing about it of interest in the history of 
 Price's raid, as it is generally called, however of importance it might be in the 
 history of the town. The Confederate soldiers remained in the town only a day 
 or two and then pressed on their march toward Kansas City. It was well known 
 by all, that General Curtis had decided to measure strength with the enemy at 
 Big Blue. After taking his stand at the bridge, he was immediately reinforced by 
 General Deitzler of the Kansas division. Colonels Hogan and Blair, Weir and 
 Montgomery, and Captains Dodge and Minor, the latter of whom was of the 
 colored volunteers. As the river was rather large, deep, and of steep banks, it 
 was reasonably thought that a successful stand could be made. Above the 
 main crossing McLain's Colorado battery held a commanding position, at Sim- 
 mon's Ford, two miles south. Colonel. Pennock was stationed with the loth Kan- 
 sas regiment. Pennock was soon re-enforced by Colonel Moonlight, who had 
 just come from the engagement at Little Blue east of Independence. Three 
 miles from Simmon's Ford is another known as Byrom's Ford, which proved to 
 be the objective point made to by Price's army. The roads from Raytown and 
 Independence cross at the latter ford and then diverge to Kansas City and West- 
 port. Colonel McLain was directed to proceed to Byrom's Ford and hold it for 
 further orders, but was also instructed to thoroughly scout the eastern bank and 
 vicinity, as well as to open communication with Russel's Ford if possible. Colo- 
 nel McLain, with some difficulty, took his position on the 2 2d, and dispatched 
 an escort of twenty men to Hickman Mills, all of whom were taken prisoners by 
 the Confedrates except one who escaped by the fleetness of his horse. At 9 
 o'clock next morning Colonel Jennison with the ist Brigade also took a position 
 at the same crossing. Still further above on the same stream, was another ford 
 
 called Hickman Mills Crossing, which was held by General . Such 
 
 was, in the main, the order of the Federal forces when Price's army made its ap- 
 pearance on the opposite bank of the Big Blue, October 22d, 1864. From the 
 skirmishers situated on Rock Creek, the Union soldiers soon. learned that the 
 main body of Price's army was near at hand. The pickets from Rock Creek 
 were driven in, and from a feint thrown out by General Shelby on the main road 
 to Kansas City, the Federal army- soon discovered that Price was intending to 
 cross the Blue at some ford above where Curtis was garrisoned. The following 
 dispatch will show how accurate was the Federalists' information concerning 
 Price's movements the day before the fight : 
 
 Headquarters, Forks of the Road, \ 
 9 A. M. October, 22d, 1864. j 
 
 General ; — Price is making very feeble demonstrations in front ; look 
 
294 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 out for your position. Send scouts on road to Pleasant Hill, and also toward 
 Independence to see if Price is moving toward my flank. Send me reports every 
 thirty minutes. S. R. CURTIS, Major-General. 
 
 When it was known that Byrom's Ford was the place of greatest importance, 
 Colonel Jennison had trees felled, crossed and piled so as to make it almost im- 
 passable by these obstructions, and the concentration of Federal troops at the 
 latter place. Shelby was retarded from about eleven o'clock in the morning 
 until three o'clock in the afternoon, but finally he effected a passage. In the 
 meantime. Colonel Jennison had placed his howitzers in the road commanding 
 the east bank. Their pieces poured into the advancing columns many deadly 
 volleys, but by the onward rush over logs, rocks, pit-falls and tree tops the Union 
 forces were compelled to give way. During this deadly contest, messages were 
 sent to Generals Curtis and Blunt for assistance, they heard the reports of the 
 artillery and made efforts to render aid, but they were too late, Price's army had 
 forced the crossing and were bearing everything before them ; along in the after- 
 noon, however, Shelby was compelled to fall back to the river where he struck 
 camp with the main body of Price's army. From a Confederate who was cap- 
 tured about this time it was learned that Price's army comprised something like 
 thirty thousand men. 
 
 In completing the history of General Price's raid, as it is called, in Jackson 
 county, we have reports and orders of only one side, and many of which are 
 manifestly whitewashed and defective. In behalf of history only could we wish 
 that the full materials and reports of the rebel army were in our hands. Thus, 
 having but little that amounts to much on that side, we have to supply as best we 
 can and go on. 
 
 Whether it was Price's intention to attack Kansas City, and then make for 
 Fort Leavenworth and a circuitous route in eastern Kansas, is not known. We 
 have no documents to prove either case coming from Confederate headquarters. 
 So whether the Union forces turned him south from Westport, or whether he 
 turned of his own accord, is a question unanswered. General Price and his army 
 had certainly proved themselves irresistible on all the preceding occasions of 
 that memorable campaign. However the foregoing might be, we are quite sure 
 that at the battles of Westport and State Line he turned southward. 
 
 The Sabbath of October 23, 1864, will ever remain prominent in the history 
 of Westport. The night before had been one of continual dread. Price's array 
 lay in the neighborhood, and the next day would decide whether he would go 
 into northern Kansas or not. It was a day such as seldom dawns upon a people. 
 After the fight closed on the Saturday evening before, the Federals were busy 
 directing and concentrating their different armies. The troops of General Curtis 
 were on watch all night, and any movements made by the Confederates were 
 soon reported to headquarters. The Union armies were well stationed along the 
 roads that led to Kansas City, and the way to Westport was fortified with the 
 greatest care. From the house-tops in Westport the commanding officers, with 
 their field-glasses, could easily observe the movements of the advancing army, 
 which, in the early morning, were seen moving in almost all directions. General 
 Pleasanton was bringing up the rear of Price's army, not that he dared to attack 
 the main army, but he retook Independence after Price had advanced on toward 
 Westport and Kansas City. From many written accounts of this engagement, it 
 appears that the general pressure upon Price's army from all quarters by the 
 Federals compelled him to move in some direction. Though General Joe Shelby 
 had some detachments out toward Westport, the main body moved from the 
 beginning in a southwesterly direction, leaving Westport entirely to the right, 
 being led by General Marmaduke. This movement on the part of Price's army 
 was rightly construed that he was turning southward, and that he did not intend 
 to come to an engagement with his whole army unless forced to it. There was 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 295 
 
 more or less fighting on the outer skirts of the town between General Shelby's 
 division and the Federal soldiers, though none such as characterized the deadly 
 struggle at Big Blue the day before. On Sunday night Price's army camped 
 about ten miles south of Westport. On Monday morning, October 24, 1864, 
 they moved off with their immense train down the State Line. It seems from 
 their trail that they marched in two columns, with their artillery in their midst. 
 
 Price's army left Jackson county some miles south of Westport and entered 
 Linn county, Kansas. They marched to Mound City, county seat of Linn coun- 
 ty, and halted for refreshments. They were warmly pursued by the Federals, 
 but nothing of historical interest was transacted, as a matter of course, by being 
 pursued, the receding army did not have so much time to deploy and send out 
 soldiers to learn and to kill. In fact, such business was almost impossible any- 
 way, for the country was not much more than a dry and desolate prairie. 
 
 In the spring of 1865 came the surrender, which, instead of being the an- 
 nouncement for peace and good will between citizens of all classes and political 
 proclivities, it was the beginning of civil troubles in Independence and Tackson 
 county to a great extent. There was organized what was called Home Guards, 
 for self protection ; if they had stopped at that the movement would have been a 
 good one, they certainly did much good as it was, but after there had been such 
 a wear on the patience of good and law-abiding citizens so long, it would almost 
 have taken perfect humanity to have done no wrong. Many people that had 
 been identified with the Confederate cause were more than willing to accept the 
 situation and return peaceably and quietly to their dilapidated homesteads to 
 do the best they could for themselves and country; but the end was not yet. 
 There had been too many injuries received from both sides of the war for every- 
 thing to subside calmly and quietly ; people were mad and not satisfied. Conse- 
 quenriy the guerrillas, themselves, and their families which in many cases had 
 been roughly treated, were not disposed to lay down their arms. So for a year 
 or two after the surrender in April, 1865, there was no little trouble and blood- 
 shed. 
 
 And then the "iron-clad oath," as it has passed into history, had the tenden- 
 cy to revive many of the unpleasant transactions between friends and neighbors 
 that have taken place during the war. This oath required all voting citizens to 
 come to Independence and swear to eighty actual conditions ; the substance of 
 which was, what they did do or what they did not do during the war. As a mat- 
 ter of course. Independence was the place where many acrimonious scenes took 
 place. Neighbors would appear before the register's office and challenge his 
 neighbor's oath. Some would come and swear that they were not in such and 
 such offenses during the war, others would appear and swear that they were. So, 
 for some years after the war, and perhaps now, there is much slumbering feeling 
 toward one another, for actions done in those times. 
 
 But such is the case in all civil wars. In the fall and winter of 1865, things 
 took a start to calm down in Independence, and a few years hence one would 
 never know that Independence had passed through the times of fire and blood. 
 
296 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 BLUE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Organized May 23, 1827 — At First it Included Land in what is Cass and Bates Counties — Present 
 Boundaries and Phyiscal Features — Blue Township a Favored Locality — Names of 
 the Pioneers — What the Pioneers Themselves say of Early Days — The Oldest Man in the State 
 Additional Items — Wayne City — Lexington — New Salem Church. 
 
 Blue township was organized May 22, 1827, the order of court fixing the 
 boundaries as follows : ' ' Commencing on the Missouri River at Prine's Ferry 
 and running with the western boundary of Fort Osage township to the southern 
 boundary of the county, thence west with said boundary to the southwest corner 
 of the county, thence due north with the State line to where it crosses the main 
 fork of Big Blue, thence with said creek to its junction with the Missouri River, 
 thence down the middle of the main channel of the Missouri to the point of be- 
 ginning." Subsequently the township has been reduced to its present geograph- 
 ical bounds by cutting off the counties of Cass and Bates from Jackson, and still 
 later by the organization of the townships of Washington, Prairie and Brooking. 
 The present boundaries of Blue township are north by the Missouri River which 
 separates it from Clay county, east by Little Blue which separates it from the 
 townships of Fort Osage and Sni-a-bar, north by Prairie and Brooking, and west 
 by the townships of Brooking, Westport and Kaw, from the last two being sepa- 
 rated by the Big Blue. 
 
 There is considerable timber, especially along the creeks and the Missouri 
 River. The land is high and rolling, some of the bluffs along the river attaining 
 a height above the river of over three hundred feet. Limestone quarries are 
 abundant in all parts of the township, furnishing superior advantages for building 
 and other purposes. Rock Creek rises southwest of Independence and flows 
 north, emptying into the Missouri near the mouth of Big Blue. Springs of pure 
 water issue from the hills, and water courses are abundant in every locality. 
 
 No more favored spot can be found than Blue township, especially for agri- 
 cultural, stock raising, horticulture and the general requisities to a good home. 
 The proximity to market, the excellent facilities for communication with the east 
 and west, the fertility of the soil, the healthfulness of the surroundings, and the 
 intelligence and moral culture of the citizens are combined in a greater degree, 
 and exist to a more desirable extent than in any other locality in Jackson county. 
 The Missouri Pacific, Chicago & Alton and the Narrow Gauge Railroads run 
 through the very heart of the township, and connect Independence by the most 
 complete arrangements with all the large cities in the State. The well cultivated 
 farms, adorned with beautiful and costly homes, orchards, shade trees and lawns, 
 furnish a picture perfectly grand. 
 
 Most of the history of Blue township centers in Independence, and with the 
 origin, growth and development of that town may be found nearly all the impor- 
 tant history of the civil township of Blue. 
 
 Many of the land owners who now reside in the country near Independence 
 have been citizens of the town and vice versa. Independence has been the 
 market, post-office and trading point for the farmers round about from the 
 location of the town to the present time and the rapid growth of Kansas City 
 does appear to retard Independence, but much unlike Westport it has continued 
 to successfully compete with other business centers in the vicinity and hold its 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 297 
 
 share of trade. To the old and prominent citizens in the vicinity Independence 
 has become a very dear and cherished place. 
 
 The following are the names of some of the old residents of Blue township 
 and Independence : 
 
 James Lewis, Harmon Gregg, Daniel P. Lewis, John Belcher, William 
 Baxter and several sons, Thos. Stayton and several sons, James Shepherd and 
 eight sons, Aaron Overton, Daniel Monroe, Gan Johnson, William Yates, John 
 Cornet, Williamson Hawkins, James Chambers, Robert Sloan, Jacob Gregg, 
 John Davis, James King, John King, Daniel King, James King, Jr., Reuben 
 Harris and several sons, Gabriel Fitzhugh, Solomon • Fitzhugh, John Fitzhugh, 
 George Fitzhugh, Matthias Reed, Bennett Hail, Col. Thos. Pitcher, Smalwood 
 Nolan, Smalwood V. Nolan, Wm. Nolan, Stephen Nolan, Joseph Braden and 
 several sons, Lilburn W. Boggs, John Cook, Samuel C. Owens, John O. Agnew, 
 Jones H. Flournoy, Dr. Lawrence Flournoy, Solomon Flournoy, Rowland 
 Flournoy, Robert Rickman, Garnet Hensley, John Smith, Richard Fristoe, 
 Joseph H. Reynolds, Adam Hill, Hadley A. Head, Oliver Caldwell, James 
 Smart, Lewis Franklin, Henry Ruby, Reuben Ruby, Henry F. Baker, John 
 McMurry, William Moon, Joseph Moon, William B. Howard, B. F. Thompson, 
 John S. Wood, Jeremiah Wood, Larkin Johnson, Jamer Stallcup, Leonard H. 
 Renick, John R. Swearingen, Russell Hicks, John W. Moodie, Reuben Wallace, 
 Samuel Weston, Robert Weston, Richard McCarty, Richard R. Rees, Allen 
 Chandler, John Parker, John McCoy, William McCoy, Alexander Todd, Maj. 
 E. A. Hickman, Capt. E. P. Hickman, Henry Nolan (called Trusty Nolan), Jesse 
 Noland. " Trusty" Noland's son Jesse was the first white male child born in 
 Jackson county. Lynchburg Adams, Willis Jepson, Andrew J. Drake, William 
 Drake, James Drake, William Crabtree, Joseph Kirk, William McGowan, Hugh 
 Boyles, a Methodist preacher and Hiram Meek. 
 
 James Lewis came in an early day and at present lives about six miles north- 
 east of Independence; Harmon Gregg lived about four miles northeast of 
 Independence; Daniel P. Lewis removed to the Piatt Purchase and was judge of 
 the County Court there ; John Betcher lived four miles northeast of Independ- 
 ence ; William Baxter and Thomas Staylon with their families live northest of 
 Independence; Aaron Overton died in Texas several years ago; Daniel Monroe 
 lived on the bluff overlooking the river three miles north of Independence ; Gan 
 Johnson lived on a farm three miles south of Independence, he died many 
 years ago; Williamson Hawkins lived six miles south of Independence, he was 
 murdered about the year 1838, and the murderer was hanged at the county seat; 
 John Davis lived southeast of Independence, he was once County Judge in an 
 early day ; Gabriel Fitzhugh was a Baptist preacher and lived two miles west of 
 Independence ; Col. Thomas Pitcher was prominent in the Mormon trouble ; the 
 Nolans and Pitchers were Kentuckians; Samuel C. Owens was a prominent 
 merchant in Independence ; John O. Agnew was of Irish descent and a promi- 
 nent merchant in Independence; the Flournoy's were prominent men in the 
 town and county ; Robert Rickman came from Tennessee and lived a highly 
 respected citizen, he died at Independence in 1880; John Smith was a justice of 
 the peace ; Adam Hill settled two miles west of Independence where he still 
 resides ; Joseph H. Reynolds was from Lincoln county, Kentucky, and came to 
 Independence in 1834, where he still resides; Maj. E. A. Hickman was from 
 Kentucky, and has for many years been one of the prominent citizens of 
 Jackson county ; George Dickerson, Stephen Adams, and Jabez Smith came from 
 Virginia and brought with him about 450 slaves ; Thomas H. Wilson, Moses G. 
 Wilson, John F. McCauley is now living in San Francisco, Robert Gwin came 
 from Tennessee, as did William McCormick and Dr. Armstrong. 
 
 The following is what Mr. James Wilson, one of Jackson county's pioneers, 
 
298 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 who was born in Cooper county, Missouri Territory, June i, 1819, and moved to 
 Jackson county in T825, says: 
 
 " The first houses built west of the Little Blue were on a farm now owned 
 by Messrs. Pugsley and Staples, three miles east of Independence. These two 
 cabins were built by Andrew Wilson and Henry Burris. Wilson also built the 
 first mill in the county. The earliest settlers were Andrew Wilson, Henry Bur- 
 ris, Jacob Gregg, Osborn, Stayton, Swearingen, Adams, Jeffreys, Chiles and oth- 
 ers. As the city of Independence began to build up, there were many others, 
 and I give some of their names : S. D. Lucas, S. C. Owens, the Westons, the 
 Nolands and the Flournoys. 
 
 " The first post-office established in the county was at Independence, in 
 1827 ; first marriage remembered was Joseph Moon to Betty W^ilson ; first birth 
 remembered was Lucinda Wilson ; first death remembered was John Wilson ; 
 first minister was Joab Powell, a Baptist minister; the first physician was Flenory ; 
 first lawyer was Judge Hicks ; first teacher was Rev. William Ferrial, a Methodist 
 minister. He taught in a pole cabin, dirt floor, covered with boards, being put 
 on with weight poles, there being no nails to nail them. This was the first 
 school that I attended. Religious meetings were held at the cabins and groves. 
 There were no churches until about 1830, no Sunday-schools earher than 1835. 
 
 " The'Mormons commenced coming to the county about 1829, and cleared 
 their Temple Lot at Independence. They were driven from here to Clay coun- 
 ty. In those early days, there were many fights, for that was the way they had of 
 settling difficulties, and seeing which was the best man. 
 
 " In those days the ladies made all the clothing, by spinning and weaving 
 cotton, wool and flax. This being the case, the first thing a young man 
 thought of was to get him a wife to make his clothes, for there were no clothing 
 stores then. But when a young man gets married now, he must have plenty of 
 money to commence on. As to the hardships of pioneer life, I cannot say that 
 it was hard in Jackson county, there being plenty of deer, turkeys and other 
 game, and also plenty of wild honey. As to money, they needed but very litde, 
 as there were none of the unreasonable taxes and special interest collected as they 
 have now, and none of the large salaries to pay the county officers that are now 
 paid. There were a great many Indians passing through the county in those 
 days, camping and hunting. There were also a great many large wolves and 
 snakes. As to the early settlers, I consider them all as good men as ever lived 
 in any county." 
 
 Another eminent pioneer relates his experience thus : 
 
 "In the first settling of Jackson county, the first thing any immigrant did was 
 to select^a piece of land for a home, put up a log cabin, then go to work making 
 a farm. Making the farm was a specialty until it had attained sufficient size for 
 all the crops commonly raised on farms in this county, and as opportunity would 
 present put other improvements on the place. 
 
 The life of the early settler was one of hard toil, with many disadvantages, 
 inconveniences and hardships. The soil was rich and yielded abundant crops. 
 Taking in view the implements used in the cultivation of the land, it was astonish- 
 ing what wonderful crops were raised. All the work done on the farm was with 
 oxen. The land was all plowed with ox teams ; all the hauling of timber, 
 going to mill and market, and not unfrequently to church, was done with oxen. 
 The only farm work that was done with horses was plowing the corn crop and 
 garden. Wheat was raised in the greatest abundance, and was tramped out on a 
 dirt floor and cleaned by the wind and ground in an old horse mill and bolted by 
 hand, that is by turning the bolt with one hand and feeding the flour in with the 
 other. 
 
 Mills in those days were very rude structures indeed, and very scarce. Some- 
 times a farmer would have to go ten or twelve miles to one of those rude specimens 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 299 
 
 of a corn crusher, and have to remain on the ground three or four days before he 
 could get his grain ground; frequently would have to go home without, and re- 
 sort to the hominy, mortar and grater for bread. The meal made at those mills 
 was anything but a good article. One man said that he got some corn ground 
 and it was so course he planted some of it and it came up. Saw mills were very 
 scarce; the demand for lumber could by no means be supplied. It was nothing 
 uncommon to see the floor of a man's house laid with logs split open and hewed 
 with a broad ax. One old man built a little mill on the Sni. The neighbors 
 used to tell it on him that he would fill up the hopper and start the mill of a 
 morning, then go out and plow his corn until noon, replenish the hopper at 
 noon, then go back and plow until night. He also had a saw mill attached 
 One day a neighbor was at his house, which stood about a half mile from his 
 mill ; he had a man at the mill running the saw ; he invited the neighbor out in 
 the yard to listen how nice his saw ran. They stepped out, and all at once the 
 saw stopped. The owner remarked, " there, now, she has struck a knot." The 
 prairie sod was so strong it took from five to six yoke of cattle to break it... A 
 sod plow, in those days, cut a furrow about sixteen inches wide with wooden 
 mold-boards. The plow used for breaking the old land consisted of an iron bar 
 with a shear welded to it, a wooden mold joined to the shear and fastened at the 
 back end with a couple of pins to one of the handles. 
 
 The plowman would invariably have a wooden paddle hanging on one of 
 his plow handles, and every few rods have to stop and throw his plow down, and 
 with his paddle, push the dirt off the mold-board. The corn crop was cultivated 
 with shovel plows, made by the smiths living in the country. They were any- 
 thing but good mechanics. Every farmer did his own plow-socking, and some of 
 them were wonderful to behold. Sometimes you would hear a man tellmg about 
 " another" socking a plow, and after he had completed the job it looked so fright- 
 ful, he said, he chained it to a tree, and that it got loose and killed some of his 
 cattle. 
 
 All the wearing apparel was manufactured at home. Men, women and chil- 
 dren worked incessantly. While the men were engaged improving their farms 
 and in cultivating their crops, the women were engaged making cloth to clothe 
 the family. Every farmer had some sheep, and every year planted a cotton patch. 
 There were no carding machines, nor cotton gins, in the country for a number of 
 years. The seed was picked out of the cotton by hand, and wool was both carded 
 and spun by hand and woven into cloth ; all of this caused incessant labor, under 
 the circumstances impossible to avoid. If there was a great scarcity of money 
 among the people, the plan upon which they were working, manufacturing every- 
 thing at home, it required but little money to answer their purposes. 
 
 Thus it was in other days in Jackson county. The hum of the spinning 
 wheel and the noise of the loom could be heard almost the year round at every 
 farm house. But as time rolled on the fruits of this great and incessant toil be- 
 gan to be happily realized. Cotton jeans, carding machines and saw and grist 
 mills began to spring up in all parts of the country where necessity required 
 them, which lightened the burden of the people and removed many of the incon- 
 veniences under which they had formely been laboring. The erection of school 
 houses and churches, and the people building better houses to live in, and many 
 other things went to show that the country was gradually emerging from the 
 pioneer age and was on the great highway of prosperity. And thus it was ; on 
 she went, increasing in population and wealth until the breaking out of the war, 
 at which time J ackson county ranked among the first counties in the State. At 
 that time Jackson county could boast of .as much fine stock — horses, cattle and 
 mules — as almost any place in the Union. A great many farmers for several 
 years had been making mule raising a specialty, and had large droves of mules 
 on hand when the war broke out ; but, alas, all was wreck and ruin and devast- 
 
300 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 ation during that unhappy period. Jackson county was a battle field ; and at 
 the close of the war all the fruits of the labor of these long years Of toil was swept 
 away, and Jackson county was again as a wilderness." 
 
 CHRISTOPHER MANN THE OLDEST MAN IN MISSOURI. 
 
 What he says about himself: 
 
 "I was born Sept. 15, 1774, in Virginia, and when about two years old 
 moved to Kentucky with my parents. My father's name was Jonas and my 
 mother's name was Agnes and her maiden name was Williams. At this time 
 Kentucky had a very few settlers, and my father was among the first. 
 
 "When my father crossed the Alleghany Mountains from Virginia to Ken- 
 tucky, they had one pack horse to carry the small children and household goods. 
 My sister and myself were tied to a bed, which was thrown over the old gray 
 horse, and thus we traveled day after day, father ahead leading the horse and 
 mother walking behind carrying some articles on her shoulders. I was reared in 
 Kentucky and saw Daniel Boone many, many times. I saw him in his hunting 
 dress on the chase with six dogs and three sons with their guns. Daniel Boone 
 hunted animals for their furs and sold them in markets east of the mountains. 
 Boone lived there many years, but, finally, after a few settlers had come into the 
 present State of Kentucky, he said; "I must move away; a settler has come 
 within seventy miles. This is no place for me." I left Kentucky for Ohio when 
 about twenty-four years of age, where I married Miss Betsie Rusk, by whom I 
 had seventeen children — seven of whom are still living. Their names were as 
 follows : Peggy, Ann, Peter, Jonas, David, John, James, Sallie, Nancy and 
 Washington (still living in California now over seventy years old) ; Andrew Jack- 
 son (living in California), Christopher (living in California), Elson (living in Cali- 
 fornia), Samuel (living in California), Betsey (married to Wni. Mayes and still 
 lives in California), Julia (married to Ezekiel Robinson and still lives in Cali- 
 fornia). Some of my children died while infants. My first wife died in 1844 
 in Jackson county. 
 
 "I lived and farmed in Indiana for many years. I made a flat boat 
 near the old battle field of Tippecanoe and with the boat shipped my farm prod- 
 uce to New Orleans. 
 
 "I came to Missouri, Jasper county, in the year 1838, and after living there 
 about five years, came in 1843, to Jackson county and settled on land now 
 owned by H. M. Vaile. I bought the land of Nicholas Crenshaw to the amount 
 of eighteen 8o's or 1440 acres. I lived here many years and then reriioved to 
 the Monroe farm which overlooks Wayne City. The farm is known as the Daniel 
 Monroe place. August 5, 1863, the bush-whackers came and robbed my house, 
 turned my family out, and burned the house to the ground. They came to me 
 and told me if I would remain and watch my house while they burned a few of 
 my neighbors' houses, they would not burn mine ; but when they came back they 
 burned mine also. They asked me if I was not a black Abohtionist, and when I 
 told them : "I am a Union man, sir ! " one of the bush-whackers struck me with 
 his revolver and broke out two of my teeth. 
 
 " After the war I bought the Gov. Gilpin farm, where I now live. It is one 
 and a half miles northwest of Independence, Sec. 27, Tp. 50, R. 32. 
 
 " I was married a second time to Mrs. Lydia Ann Dean, March 24, 1848. 
 The names of the children are : Mary (died when two years of age), Frances 
 Jane, William Franklin, Wilson B., Louisa L., Sallie R., James M., Alice B., 
 and Lydia Anora. The youngest of my children will be only fifteen years old on 
 the ist of July, 1881. 
 
 " My health is good, and I expect to live a longtime yet. I never took a dose 
 of medicine in my life. I am a Republican, ajid have been a hard shell Baptist 
 for eighty years. I have always been a hard working man, and put up as many 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 301 
 
 as six cords four foot wood in one day. I have cut and split 500 rails in a day. 
 I have voted for every President of the United States at every election since the 
 time of Washington. I have voted for the man who was elected each time, ex- 
 cept when Harrison was elected, and at one other time. I voted for President 
 James A. Garfield at the election Nov. 2, 1880. I started to the polls on foot, 
 but before I reached there Mr. Z. S. Ragan overtook me and persuaded me to 
 ride to Independence. I shall always vote the Republican ticket for President 
 if I live a hundred years longer. I drank some whiskey but never was intoxi- 
 cated in my life. I never sat and played cards and bet on games in a saloon. 
 I detest drunkards and gamblers. I have not much of an education, can spell 
 all kinds of common words, but cannot read my letters. I was in the Black 
 Hawk War and in the battle of the Big Woods. I was out on that campaign 
 thirty days and received therefor thirty dollars in cash and one hundred and sixty 
 acres of land. I was in the Home Guards during the Civil War of 1861-5. 
 
 ' ' My father's family consisted of seven boys and six girls. My father was 
 a native of New Jersey, and grandfather was a native of Germany. 
 
 " My height is just one quarter of an inch less than six feet and my average 
 weight has been one hundred and sixty-five pounds, I have weighed one hundred 
 and ninety, but now weigh one hundred and fifty pounds. I could hold my 
 breath one minute and a half, and can yet. I use no spirits, but use tobacco. I 
 could walk to Independence, and I think I could walk to Kansas City. I can 
 do light work on the farm even now. I never had a decayed tooth, but have 
 had some drawn by a dentist, though never had the toothache. 
 
 ' ' When I went to Ohio it was a territory, and when I left, I went boating 
 on the Ohio River. I enlisted in Jackson's War, but my father paid and would not 
 let me go ; he paid $110 to another man to go in my place. I removed again to 
 Kentucky and then again to Ohio." 
 
 It might be remarked that Mr. Mann is now a hearty, healthy, and intelli- 
 gent man, possesses a complete command of his mental faculties, and can remem- 
 ber all the important incidents of his long and eventful life. He talks readily 
 and intelligently on all subjects. He has a full head of hair, walks with a firm 
 and steady step, though his sight is imperfect in consequence of weak eyes. He 
 appears as an ordinary man of about sixty or seventy years. He says that he 
 wants his last days to be his best days. 
 
 The following items of interest were given by another early settler : 
 
 "The first grist mill in Jackson county was built in the southwest part of Blue 
 township, in Sec. 29, Tp. 49, R. 32, about five miles from Independence. The 
 mill was run for the purpose of accommodating the farmers in the vicinity. James 
 Kimsey was the builder and owner of the mill for several years. 
 
 "The first school house in the county was erected in Sec. 29, Tp. 49, R. 32. 
 This was a private enterprise built by subscription. Also the first school house 
 erected under authority of the school law of the State was at the same place. 
 James Kimsey preached the first sermon in the county in the first school house 
 above mentioned. The first distillery in this township, as also in Jackson county, 
 was put up on Sec. 29, Tp. 49, R. 32. 
 
 " The first orchard planted in Jackson county was planted on Sec. 29, Tp. 49, 
 R. 32, among which was one chestnut tree.. This orchard was in full bearing m 
 the year 1849, and contained four hundred large trees. At the present time there 
 are a few of those old apple trees standing. The chestnut tree is now a large and 
 flourishing tree. The above named trees were planted by James Kimsey." 
 
 In 1827 James Brock was married to Henrietta Pitcher in an old house tl^en 
 standing on Sec. 28, Tp. 49, R. 32. This is said to be the first marriage in Jack- 
 son county." 
 
302 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 WAYNE CITY. 
 
 The following is the record in reference to the plat of Wayne City : 
 
 " The above is a plat of a town called Wayne City, in the County of Jack- 
 son, State of Missouri, lying on the bank of the Missouri River, on a tract of 
 land belonging to the heirs of William Avert, deceased, bounded as follows, 
 to wit : 
 
 " Beginning at a' rock on the bank of the river and running down the river 
 bank north 31^^°, east 56 poles; thence south 58^°, east 22 poles; thence south 
 31^°, west 56 poles; thence north 58^", west 22 poles, to the beginning. Con- 
 taining 7 j-W acres. The bearings of the streets and alleys and lanes of the lots 
 are parallel, or at right angle with the exterior lines. The lots are all of the same 
 size, 55 feet by 127 feet. 
 
 GEO. W. RHOADES, 
 SAMUEL D. LUCAS, 
 
 July, 3, 1847." Commissioners. 
 
 LIVINGSTON. 
 
 The town of Livingston was laid off in Tp. 50, R. 31, by Henry Chiles, and 
 recorded April 29, 1837. It was laid off on the south bank of the Missouri 
 river, but no town was built there. 
 
 NEW INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 The town of New Independence on the south bank of the Missouri, about 
 six miles from the county seat in Blue township, was laid off by R. S. Mize, June 
 9, 1855. This town was never built up. 
 
 THE NEW SALEM BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The following church history was handed us by Mr, David Allen, the clerk 
 of the church : 
 
 This church was organized either in 1826 or 1827, the records of the church 
 up to 1843 have been lost. The following facts were given by Bro. Stephen Ad- 
 ams, who united with the church in the year 1828, and is now the only living 
 member who belonged to the organization at that time. Pastors having served 
 the church since the organization : Thomas Stayton, John Jackson, James Sav- 
 age and William Ously. In 1843 the church record gives the names of pastors in 
 the following order : Joab Powell, Lewis Franklin, Rev. Saunders, William 
 White, Henry Farmer, Edward Wood, T. N. O'Brien, G. L. Black, Thomas 
 Montgomery, J. L. Hampton, J. J. Robinson, E. H. Foster and H. B. Turner. 
 The present pastor is John W. Sage. Book A of the church records commences 
 with the organization in 1826-7, and continues to August, 1843, under the name 
 of the "Salem Church." Book B commences with August, 1843, and ends with 
 May, 1868. The names of the members of the church in 1845 were as follows: 
 Absalom Powell, Elizabeth Powell, Rebecca Powell, Stephen Adams, Mary Ad- 
 ams, Nelson Adams, Anna Adams, William Rice, Sarah Belcher, Thos. J. Bel- 
 cher, Martha Powell, Elizabeth Williamson, C. C. Rice, Jane Rice, Johnson Lacy 
 and Sarah Lacy. 
 
 On the 31st of March, 1845, the church was dedicated by Lewis Franklin, 
 H. P. Thompson and A. P. Williams, and the name of the church was changed 
 to "New Salem Church." The church membership was scattered during the 
 war. The church building was burned in 1870 and a good commodious brick, 
 45x60 feet, erected in 187 1. 
 
 At the present time the church membership is eighty- five. Rev. John W. 
 Sage was called to the pastorate in January, 1881. This church is situated on the 
 Lexington road, five miles north east of Independence. Among its early mem- 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 303 
 
 bers were the names of some of the first settlers west of Little Blue. The ravages 
 of the civil war of 1861-5, are now nearly obliterated from the county, and espe- 
 cially from Blue township. 
 
 Railroads have been built, public and private structures erected, the minds 
 and feelings of the people have been changed from the prejudices and animosities 
 engendered by civil strife, to the kindly and generous feelings of neighbors and 
 friends. Nor yet those exciting and bitter contentions which pervaded the poli- 
 tics of the county for some years subsequent to the war; but it is admitted by all, 
 that no time since the Border troubles of 1855, has there been in this locality 
 such kindly feeling in the political parties, such fellowship between the churches 
 and such a desire to forget the differences of the past, as at the present time. The 
 inhabitants of Independence and Blue township have a bright future in store' for 
 them. 
 
 The historian must be true to his calling and represent things in their true 
 light, and leave the facts of their consideration to the present and future genera- 
 tions. The more important events of the civil war can be found in connection 
 with subjects relating thereto, but the civil condition of affairs here can be gath- 
 ered more correctly than otherwise from the following extracts : 
 
 By-laws of the Blue township Law and Order Association, July 14, 1866 : 
 
 1. Each member of the association shall subscribe his name to its Constitu- 
 tion, and shall pledge himself faithfully to labor to promote its object, as therein 
 expressed. 
 
 2. The president, or in the event of his absence, the vice-president, shall 
 preside at the meetings of the association ; and if neither of these officers should 
 be present, any member may be called to the chair as president pro tempore. 
 
 3. The President shall appoint all standing committees, shall preserve or- 
 der, and shall perform such other duties as usually devolve upon the presiding of- 
 ficers of deliberative bodies. 
 
 4. The captain may, at any time where he shall deem it necessary, call out 
 a part or the whole of the members of this association, to aid the civil authorities 
 in the discharge of their duties, or to render any other service that may be deem- 
 ed essential to the maintenance of good order, or the attainment of any of the 
 other objects of the organization. 
 
 5. The captain shall have exclusive control and command of the members 
 of the association, when called out to aid the civil authorities in their efforts to 
 execute the laws or enforce obedience thereto, to arrest offenders against the 
 laws, or to perform any other official duty, in the performance of which they may 
 require assistance. And on all occasions, where said authorities are present, he 
 and the members of this association under him, shall hold themselves in subordi- 
 nation, and shall act as auxiliary thereto. But if said authorities are absent, or 
 cannot be consulted, the captain, or the officer in command, shall exercise discre- 
 tionary power, and shall thereafter report his action to said authorities, and to the 
 executive committee of the association. 
 
 6. In the absence of the captain, the first lieutenant, and, in his absence, 
 the second lieutenant, shall take command, and exercise all the powers conferred 
 upon the captain. 
 
 7. The secretary shall keep a record showing, as far as practicable, the pro- 
 ceedings of the association, shall file . and preserve all reports of standing and 
 special committees, and all other papers relating to or connected with the business 
 or interests of the organization, shall under the direction of the President, corre- 
 spond with other similar associations, at all times when such correspondence may 
 be deemed necessary or advisable, shall receive and keep an account of all funds 
 belonging to the association, and pay the same to the treasurer, taking his receipt 
 therefor and. charging him therewith, and shall furnish the captain with a hst of 
 
304 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the names of the members of the association, and from time to time with the 
 names of such as shall be added thereto. 
 
 8. The treasurer shall receive from and receipt to the secretary for all funds 
 that shall come into his hands, and shall pay out the same on the order of the 
 president, countersigned by the secretary ; but no such order or warrant shall be 
 drawn by the president except by order of the association, or by direction of its 
 executive committee. 
 
 9. Connected with the association shall be the following standing commit- 
 tees : An executive committee, a vigilance committee, a finance committee, and 
 a committee on membership, the first two of which shall consist of five members 
 each, and the latter of three each. 
 
 10. The executive committee, together with the president of the associa- 
 tion, shall, as often as occasion may require, consult and advise with the captain 
 touching the service he may be required, or that he may deem it advisable to 
 perform, and he, or the lieutenant in command, shall, as far as practicable, sub- 
 mit to said committee such places, purposes and views as he may have or enter- 
 tain, with reference to the objects and interests of the association. And said 
 committee, together with the captain or other officer in command, shall have full 
 authority to devise and execute such schemes and plans for the attainment of the 
 ends of the organization, as they may deem advisable. And said committee 
 shall, at the first meeting in each month, or oftener, should they consider it nec- 
 essary, report to the association, giving an account of their labors, as far as may 
 be deemed advisable, and shall make such recommendations relative to the work- 
 ings of the organization, as they may consider important, or calculated to increase 
 its efficiency and usefulness. 
 
 II. The vigilance committee shall use all appropriate means to ferret out 
 offenders against the laws of the land, and discover their haunts and places of 
 retreat; and shall without delay, as often as they obtain information which they 
 regard as reliable, and believe may prove serviceable, report the same to the 
 executive committee, or to the captain or the president of the association. They 
 shall also closely observe and watch the conduct and movements of suspicious 
 characters who may at any time be found in this community, and do all in their 
 power to detect and prevent the commission of crime ; and shall make such 
 reports and recommendations to the association, as they believe important, or of 
 useful tending. And for the purpose of aiding them in the discharge of their 
 duties, they may, should they see proper, employ other discreet members of this 
 association, whose co-operation they may desire, and may delegate to them any 
 of the powers they themselves possess by virtue of these by-laws. 
 
 12. The member or members of the vigilance committee, or other person 
 or persons co-operating with them, who may be instrumental in detecting, and 
 the member or members of the association who shall be actively employed in 
 arresting any offender against the laws of the land, shall be entitled to receive all 
 rewards offered by the State, county or municipal authorities, or by individuals, 
 for the arrest of such offender ; and shall also receive such further rewards as 
 may, by a vote of this association, be appropriated out of its funds. 
 
 13. After the organization shall have been perfected, all applications for 
 membership, shall be submitted to the committee on membership ; and they shall 
 recommend the acceptance or rejection of the applicant; but said organization 
 shall not be considered as perfected to this extent, until it shall have been so 
 declared by resolution of the association, adopted and spread upon its records. 
 
 14. The committee on finance shall examine and report upon all claims 
 presented against the association, except such as may be accredited by the execu- 
 tive committee, and paid by their order. They shall also devise and recommend 
 some plan for raising funds to defray the expenses of the association, and to pay 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 305 
 
 a reasonable compensation to such of its members as may have to neglect their 
 business and incur expenses in the discharge of their duties. 
 
 15. Each member of the association shall labor to increase its usefulness and 
 efficiency; to preserve its unity and harmony; to maintain law, order and fraternal 
 feeling in our midst, and to promote its objects as set forth in its constitution; 
 and the act of signing said constitution shall be considered as a solemn pledge, 
 to that effect. 
 
 16. The regular meeting of the association shall be held on the second and 
 fourth Tuesdays of each month ; but the president may call special meetings as 
 often as he may consider it necessary. 
 
 17. Any by-law may be temporarily suspended by a vote of three-fourths 
 of the members present. 
 
 18. Twenty members shall constitute a quorum. 
 
 The following editorial appeared in the Independence Sentinel Augnst nth 
 1866. 
 
 "peace in JACKSON COUNTY — THE LAST OF WAR — GLORIOUS WORK OF THE LAW 
 
 AND ORDER ASSOCIATION BUSH-WHACKERS GIVE BOND — NO MORE DISCORD 
 
 AND COMMOTION. 
 
 "It is known to most of our readers that some efforts have been recently 
 made to allay the uneasiness which every one has felt in regard to the condition 
 of affairs in our county. 
 
 "For some weeks back a growing anxiety existed lest by some misapprehen- 
 sion of the desire and intent of the civil authorities, difficulties might arise that 
 would again involve us in the wild and reckless confusion that prevailed during 
 the war. It was thought that the Sheriff had indictments in his hands against 
 many of the returned Confederate soldiers, upon which he was bound to procure 
 their arrest, and they themselves being under the same impression, and fearing that 
 in case of their arrest they might be taken for trial to the neighboring State of Kansas, 
 or might not otherwise have an impartial examination, many of them had absented 
 themselves from their homes, and might be induced to resist the necessary en- 
 forcement of legal process. Such being the case, it was easy o perceive that a 
 single collision would put the matter beyond remedy, and, hence, it was sought 
 on the part of a few of our citizens to bring about a conference between these 
 parties and the Sheriff (Major Williams) in the hope that the erroneous impression 
 which they had as to the number of indictments against them might be corrected, 
 and that they might be induced to repose confidence in' the declarations of the 
 Sheriff, that he did not desire to molest or interfere with them any further than his 
 duty as an officer of the law required. A meeting was accordingly agreed upon 
 to take place some miles east of town one day last week, it having been mutually 
 understood that no arrests on the one hand nor violence on the other, would be 
 attempted. The assemblage was not as full as was desirable for want of sufficient 
 notice, and after a frank and^ candid explanation by Major Williams of his posi- 
 tion and his great desire to avoid undue excitement and disturbance, he proposed 
 to them to relieve him of the duty of arrest by voluntarily coming forward and 
 giving bail for their appearance at Court, such of them as could do so, and then 
 return to their homes, where he pledges himself they should remain undisturbed, 
 unless under new infractions of the law. 
 
 These overtures were received in a spirit of confidence, and a definite reply 
 promised at a succeeding meeting on the following Saturday, at which time a for- 
 mal acceptance of the proposition was given and is now in process of being car- 
 ried out in good faith. We think, in view of the results attained, our citizens 
 may well congratulate themselves, and rejoice at the happy termination of those 
 scenes of strife and bloodshed which have so lately seemed to be impending over 
 us, and that each one should regard it his duty in the future to co-operate with 
 20 
 
306 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the authorities in the maintenance of order and the cultivation of a kind and 
 fraternal intercourse with each other. 
 
 The Sheriff has had a difficult task to perform between such contending ele- 
 ments. We have no acquaintance with him and are in no wise governed by per- 
 sonal reasons when we assert that much credit is due him, but we do so because 
 we have watched his course at times that are best calculated to show men's char- 
 acters. 
 
 ' ' We hope that the people in the county will give their confidence to the 
 Sheriff, because we beheve he is earnest in the assertion that he makes, and we shall 
 continue to do so until we see something to induce us to believe to the contrary. 
 Upon the other hand we believe that the late agreements have been entered into 
 by the bush-whackers with an equally good faith, and with a determination to be- 
 come quiet and good citizens, who would protect Major Williams from insult or 
 injury as quickly as any citizen in the county in the legal performance of his duty. 
 
 ' ' Let every good citizen rejoice that the last cause of discord has been re- 
 moved from our midst, that henceforth we are to have quiet and order, and let us 
 hope that business and good will will revive among us." 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Boundaries and General Features — The Oldest Township in the County — Pioneers of Ft. Osage 
 Township — General Sibley — Fort Sibley — Town of Sibley Laid Out in 1836 — First Lots 
 Sold — The Town Burned — Great Flood — Present Business of Sibley — The Town Plat Being 
 Vacated — Buckner — Ancient Bed of the River — Business L)irectory of Buckner — Levasy — 
 Lake City. 
 
 Fort -Osage township is bounded north by the Missouri River, which separates 
 it from Clay and Ray counties; east by Ray and Lafayette counties; south by 
 Sni-a-bar township, and west by Blue township. This township is well watered, 
 having the great Missouri on the north, the Little Blue on the west, and Fire 
 Prairie Creek flowing through the center of the township, and discharging its 
 waters into the Missouri, after coursing its way a short distance into Lafayette 
 county. There is considerable timber in the north, along the Missouri River; 
 also, following the course of Little Blue. Elsewhere in the township there is little 
 timber, the banks of Fire Prairie Creek being almost destitute of trees. The sur- 
 . face is rolling, though along the course of Fire Prairie Creek the level bottom 
 lands are very wide. 
 
 Fort Osage township was one of the three original townships into which the 
 county was divided, and although these three — Fort Osage, Blue and Kaw — were 
 defined on the same day. May 22, 1827, Fort Osage was the first defined on the- 
 records, and hence can properly be called the first township in Jackson county. 
 It will be seen from the following boundaries that Fort Osage township, at that 
 time, included more territory than is now comprised within the limits of all of 
 Jackson county, since at that early day and for several years thereafter Jackson 
 county included what is now comprised in Cass and Bates counties. The order 
 reads as follows : 
 
 " To commence eastwardly at the eastern line of this county, thence running 
 with the Missouri River westwardly to Prine's Ferry on the Missouri, thence south- 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 307 
 
 wardly by a direct line so as to strike Little Blue at Fristoe's Fish Trap, thence 
 up the same creek to the mouth of Cedar Fork, thence due south to the southern 
 boundary of the county, thence east to the southeast corner of the county, then 
 north to the beginning — all of which territory lying withm the limits of the above 
 described boundary shall compose the township of Fort Osage." 
 
 The first Justices of the Peace and those recommended by the County Court 
 and appointed by the Governor, were William J. Baugh, Jesse Lewis and Joel P. 
 Walker. The first white family in the county hved in this township, at Old Fort 
 Osage on the river. 
 
 Numerous hills dot the surface of the township, arising from the surrounding 
 prairie to an elevation of from fifty to one hundred feet, and their formation ap- 
 pears to be successive strata of fossiliferous limestone. 
 
 Among the old setders were : John H. Sanders lived near the center of the 
 township. He came from Kentucky and lived here till his death. He was a 
 prominent man in the county and a farmer of considerable means. He bought 
 and sold largely in mules. 
 
 Colonel James Chiles lived west of Sibley about four miles, and Frank 
 Chiles, his brother, lived on an adjoining farm. Both were prominent men in 
 the county, James especially, was a politician and held many important offices. 
 James Chiles now lives in Texas, being a man of eighty-five years of age. He 
 came from Kentucky when a young man and became one of the first settlers in 
 Fort Osage township. 
 
 Major W. Hudspeth came from Kentucky, and settled in the west part of 
 the Six Mile District. He was a prominent man in the county and lived there 
 many years, where he reared a large family, and died at the old homestead. 
 
 Ebenezer Dixon came and settled in the eastern portion of the Six Mile 
 District, where he still lives. 
 
 Samuel Kimsey was one of the very earliest settlers in the county, and es- 
 pecially in Fort Osage township. He lived in the western portion of the town- 
 ship. He was a good farmer and lived there till about the year 1876, when he 
 died at the old homestead. 
 
 Col. John Hambright was an early settler about two and a half miles south- 
 €ast of Sibley. He Hved on the State road and kept a stage station, till there 
 was no more use for stages. He died there about six years ago. 
 
 Joseph St. Clair lived here in an early day, having settled on a farm about 
 one mile northwest of Buckner Station. He is still living on the same farm, 
 being a man of about seventy-five years of age. 
 
 Jacob Drake setttled in the western end of the township in an early day and 
 still lives there. 
 
 James T. Brown came from Kentucky, and settled in Sibley in 1852, and 
 there lived till he removed to Independence. He practiced medicine there about 
 ten years. 
 
 Joseph Willis came from Kentucky, and settled about three miles southwest 
 of Sibley in 185 1-2. He now lives in Kansas City. 
 
 W. H. Hughes came from Kentucky in 1853, and settled one and a quarter 
 miles south of Sibley, where he lived till 1865, when he came to Independence, 
 and is now engaged in the banking business. 
 
 Col. A. G. Steele came in 1854, and settled one mile east of Sibley, where 
 he still resides. Samuel Johnson, William Sailors, James Johnson, Nathaniel 
 Teaugus, Lewis Jones, Joseph R. Walker, Joel P. Walker, Ex-Governor Boggs, 
 and others were among the prominent early settlers. 
 
 When General Sibley came he built a large frame house about half a mile west 
 of the old Fort. The house contained twenty doors and windows, and was consid- 
 ered a large house for those times. In this house the family of Gen. Sibley lived 
 
308 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 while he continued in command of the fort. Remnants of the old chimney of 
 this house are still seen. 
 
 Mrs. Gen. Sibley had a piano which was brought from St. Louis and used 
 in this house, and it is said to have been the first piano brought west of St. Louis. 
 The house was gone many years ago, and it was said by some to have been burned. 
 That old house was the first one built in Sibley, as also in the township of 
 Fort Osage. The next house was built by Abraham McClellan, about one and 
 a quarter miles southwest of the old Fort, on a farm now owned by A. G. Steele. 
 A portion of the house still stands. It was an old log house built about the year 
 1822, one and a half story double house. It will be remembered that Abraham 
 McClellan was one of the prominent men of Jackson county in its pioneer days. 
 
 FORT SIBLEY. 
 
 This fort was established by the United States Government, and built on the 
 brow of the hill overlooking the river to the north and east, about one mile north 
 of the present site of the town of the same name. The indications are that it was 
 about ten rods long and eight or ten rods wide, with a ditch around the whole 
 inclosure, also a kind of stockade so built as to make it extremely difficult or en- 
 tirely impossible to get into the fort except through the gate. There are still pits 
 or holes where the old fort stood, for a distance of about two rods on the brow of 
 the hill there are these marks which can be distinctly seen. The fort was estab- 
 lished as an Indian trading post, garrisoned by a company of soldiers. The fort 
 was abandoned in 1825, and soon fell into disuse and decay. The fort was 
 named from the commander, General George C. Sibley, and the township derived 
 its name from the fact of there being a fort here and the Osage Indians having 
 occupied the land. Sibley was thereafter the name of the village which was built 
 near the site of the old fort. 
 
 SIBLEY. 
 
 The town of Sibley, situated near the center of the southern limits of Tp. 
 51, R. 30, on the south bank of the Missouri River, Sec. 34, and 35. The fol- 
 lowing is the conclusive record : 
 
 " The plat of the town of Sibley was laid out by the undersigned proprietor, 
 in the year 1836, and I acknowledge this plat filed in the Recorder's office to be 
 my act, and at the same time I do reserve to myself or my heirs or assigns the 
 rights of ferry to and from said town within the limits thereof. 
 
 Independence, June 4, 1836. ARCHIBALD GAMBLE. 
 
 The first lots sold in the town were lots Nos. 7 and 8, block No. 14, by 
 Archibald Gamble to Michael S. Corre. The next lots were sold to Thomas G. 
 Settle, these were lots 9 in block 10, and 2 and 9 in block 14, and 3 and 8 in 
 block 28. The next were sold to Albert Gushing and were in lot 10 block 14. 
 The next were sold to Frederick Biltzhoover, lot 7 block 10, lot 2 block t6, lot 3 
 block 23, and lot 10 block 40. After this the one-third of the town lots were sold 
 to Josiah Spaulding and one-third to George Collier, together with a large tract of 
 land. 
 
 The three proprietors, Archibald Gamble, Josiah Spalding and George 
 Collier, owned all of the town lots except the few lots above mentioned and 
 several sold subsequently to other parties, till October 9, 1880, when the interest 
 of the three original proprietors above named was sold for taxes, and bought by 
 Dr. J. C. Page, of St. Louis. Dr. Page has since sold lots to Wm. Teegardin, 
 Benjamin Johnson, Charles McMillan, P. H. Cook and Albert Robertson. A 
 petition to the County Court in February, 1881, for the purpose of vacating the 
 streets and alleys of the original town was granted, and a copy is herewith given : 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 309 
 
 NOTICE OF APPLICATION 
 For Vacation of Parts of Certain Streets and Alleys in the Unincorporated Town of Sildey Mo. 
 
 Notice is hereby given that the undersigned petitioners will make application 
 to the County Court of Jackson county, Missouri, at the February term thereof, 
 1 88 1, to be held on the first Monday in February, 1881, in Kansas City, Mo.,' 
 for the vacation of the following described parts of the following streets and 
 alleys in the unincorporated town of Sibley in said Jackson county, Missouri, as 
 laid out in the plat of said town, executed by Archibald Gamble, June 4; 1836, 
 and recorded in Plat Book i, on page 60, in the recorders office of said Jackson 
 county at Independence, Missouri, to-wit : 
 
 Comanche street from the south line of said town of Sibley to the south line 
 of Second street ; Mandan street from the south Une of said town of Sibley to 
 the south line of Second street ; Otto street from the south line of said town of 
 Sibley to the south line of Second street ; Kansas street from the south line of 
 said town of Sibley to the south line of Second street ; Comanche street from 
 the north line of Second street to North street ; Otto street from the north line of 
 First street to North street ; Kansas street from the north line of First street to 
 North street ; Eighth street from the west line of Santa Fe street to the west line 
 of said town of Sibley ; Seventh street from the east line of Kansas street to 
 the west line of said town of Sibley ; Sixth street from the west line of Santa 
 Fe street to the west line of said town of Sibley ; Fifth street from the east line 
 of Kansas street to the west line of said town of Sibley; Fourth street from the 
 east line of Kansas street to the west line of said town of Sibley ; Third street 
 from the east line of Kansas street to the west line of said town of Sibley ; all of 
 North street, all of that part of Water street that lies north and west of a line 
 extended eastward from the southeast corner of Block one ( 1 ) to the river all 
 the alleys in blocks fifty-three (53), fifty-two (52), fifty-one (51), fifty (50), forty- 
 nine (49), forty-eight (48), thirty-eight (38), thirty-seven (37), thirty-six (36), 
 thirty-five (35), thirty-four (34), thirty-three (33), thirty two (32), twenty-one (21), 
 twenty (20), nineteen (19), eighteen (18), seventeen (17), sixteen (i6), two (2), 
 three (3), four (4), and five (5). 
 
 That said application will be made by the undersigned as owners of the 
 grounds and lots lying on both sides of and fronting on the parts of streets and 
 alleys above described, and for the reason that the same are no longer needed 
 for public use. 
 
 James C. Page, trustee of Mary E. Page, 
 
 Mary E. Page, 
 
 W. H. Teegardin. 
 Jackson County, Mo., May 20, 1881. 
 
 The remainder of the streets and alleys in the old town except Santa Fe 
 street, running north and south. Fourth and Fifth streets extending from Santa Fe 
 street to the eastern limits of the town, wer? vacated on petition of the following 
 persons : W. H. Teegardin, Benjamin Johnson, Albert Robertson, John Baker, 
 P. H. Cook, J. A. Martin, George D. Cole, Wm. T. Neill, C. B. Thompson. 
 
 Most of the town was burned by the Federal soldiers during the Civil War. 
 It was said that Federal boats passing on the river were fired upon by bush-whack- 
 ers and others, from this point, and the soldiers taking it for granted that this was 
 the headquarters of rebels and enemies of the government, hence the destruction 
 of the town. Only eighteen houses were spared, more than twice that number 
 having been reduced to ashes. The town has n^ver recovered from this. 
 
 During the great flood of 1844 several hemp warehouses were swept away 
 by the river overflowing the northern portion of the town, the water rising to 
 the depth of twelve feet in the streets of the village. When the people saw the 
 
310 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 water overflowing its banks, and apprehending a damage, removed the contents 
 from the war^ehouses and chained them with long cables and rope to cottonwood 
 trees, but the flood broke the cables and swept the buildings away. 
 
 There have been severe fires since the burning in the civil war, but the one 
 which destroyed some of the old landmarks occurred on February 26, 1878, 
 when a building belonging to W. B. Cobb, and one belonging to T. J. Anderson; 
 these two the only remaining business houses m the town. The one belonging 
 to Mr. Cobb was one of the first houses built in the town. It was put up by 
 George Harra about the year 1840. The fire is supposed to have originated by 
 accident in the flue. The Bryant Bros., who had rented the building from Mr. 
 Cobb, and carrying on a drug business, lost their entire stock. Mr. Charles S. 
 McMillan and James R. Pollard were carrying on a dry goods trade in Ander- 
 son's building, and succeeded in saving their entire stock. After the fire the 
 Bryant Bros, engaged in farming, and McMillan & Pollard sold goods from the 
 school-house, being the only accessible building in the town. These young men 
 have built a new store near the site of the old building, and intend there to carry 
 on a general merchandising business. 
 
 The post-office was established here in about the year 1840. Among those 
 who have served as post-master are John S. Pryor and the present incumbent, S. 
 S. Neely. Mr. Neely was commissioned post-master in the spring of 1878. 
 Mails from Independence twice a week. 
 
 The Christian church, a frame building about 60x40 feet, was built in the 
 year 1871, and cost about $4,000. It is well seated. The present pastor is Elder 
 D. M. Granfield. There is a membership of about one hundred. A Sabbath- 
 school is maintained, with an average of about fifty scholars. 
 
 The school-house is situated on the bluff, in the eastern part of the town, 
 and will seat about sixty pupils. It is a one-story brick. A. W. Mann is the 
 present teacher. This school-house was partially destroyed by a cyclone, April 
 i8, 1880. The cyclone also demohshed a brick storehouse in the center of the 
 town, and also blew down a irarae house in the southern part of the town. The 
 cyclone appeared to come from the southwest, and did no great damage except 
 in the town of Sibley. 
 
 A large flouring mill, owned by M. P. Embree & Co., was destroyed by fire 
 in 1878. The mill was built in 1868 by the Embrees and James Proctor at a 
 cost of about $1,800, and did a large merchant and custom trade till it was 
 burned. It has not been definitely known whether the fire caught from a hot 
 bearing or a spark from the smoke stack. A mill, while in progress of comple- 
 tion soon after the war, was burned. It was being built by Mr. Chiles. It 
 would seem that Sibley has experienced more than its share of destructive fires. 
 There is a blacksmith shop operated by George D. Cole. 
 That portion of the town which has been vacated will be devoted to the cul- 
 tivation of crops. 
 
 This town, though the oldest in Jackson county, is at the present time one 
 of the smallest, though its site is on a high and healthy bluff overlooking the 
 Missouri River and surrounded by one of the richest agricultural districts in the 
 county. Good farms are on both sides of the river, both in Jackson and Ray 
 Qounties. Sibley was at one time the only shipping point west of Lexington. 
 Sibley now contains a population of 120. The physician is James Gilbert; the 
 attorney-at-law, S. S. Neely ; constable, John Thompson ; Justices of the Peace, 
 William C. Harrelson and S. S. Neely. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 311 
 
 BUCKNER. 
 
 This growing town, named in honor of Mr. Buckner, who lived on a hill not 
 far distant, is situated fifteen miles east of Independence, near the center of Fort 
 Osage township. It was laid out by Thomas Monroe, in the spring of 1875, on 
 the Kansas City & Eastern Railroad. The present population is 80. The first 
 house built on the present site of Buckner was by John T. Cobb, in which he 
 kept a general country store. This was in the year 187 1. He continued in bus- 
 iness here till 1877, and then removed to Independence, and soon after to Blue 
 Springs, where he is engaged in merchandising. The next store in Buckner was 
 built by R. Wallace & Co., in the spring of 1877. It was a brick house, in 
 which they are still engaged in a general merchandising. The religious people 
 are building a church for Union services, under the control of the Methodists. 
 The church will cost $700. 
 
 It is supposed, and there is most satisfactory evidence, that the Missouri 
 River once came through this valley, and pursued about the same course as is 
 now pursued by Fire Prairie Creek. The bayou, or portion of the river which 
 flowed here, came into the land at or near the mouth of Little Blue, and contm- 
 uing in a southerly direction, along the course of Little Blue, to near the south- 
 east corner of Tp. 50, R. 31, thence east near the present site of Lake City, 
 and thence following the course of Fire Prairie Creek, uniting again with the 
 main current in Lafayette county. Large cottonwood trees have been found in 
 the sand and earth twenty feet below the surface, about one-half mile northwest 
 of Buckner station. When boring a well near the same place, cockle burs, in a 
 good state of preservation, have been taken out eighteen or twenty feet below the 
 surface ; also, butternut hulls were found at the same depth. Other wells dug in 
 the ancient bed of the great river, show layers of river sand in the exact position 
 left by the flowing current. All things show most conclusively that- nearly all of 
 the Six Mile District was once an island in the Missouri River — the main branch 
 on the north side, where it now flows past Sibley, and the south branch taking the 
 course above mentioned. 
 
 Buckner is situated on a broad and level plain, averaging two miles wide 
 north and south, and following the course of Fire Prairie Creek east and west. 
 This valley is extremely fertile, and the alluvial deposit produces crops of corn, 
 wheat, potatoes, and other products in great abundance. The Narrow Gauge 
 Railroad, running from Lexington to Kansas City, was built through Fort Osage 
 township in the fall of 1875, and finished in the spring of 1876. The road was 
 first called the " Wyandotte, Kansas City & Northwestern," and in 1877 its name 
 was changed to the " Kansas City & Eastern," and in 1880 the Missouri Pacific 
 Railroad Company bought it, and now it is called the " Missouri Pacific, Kansas 
 City & Eastern Division, Narrow Gauge Railroad." 
 
 BUSINESS DIRECTORY — BUCKNER. 
 
 General store, H. L. Hewit. 
 
 Noah Vest. 
 Drug store, John J. Mann. 
 Harness shop, James Duffield. 
 
 " " J. C. Edgar. 
 Post-office, E. R. Henthorn, P. M. 
 Cabinet store, E. R. Henthorn. 
 Mo. Pacific depot, Miss A. Chiles, agt. 
 Blacksmith, Adolphus Fry. 
 
 " Luther Simmons. 
 
 Corn mill, W. B. Vest. 
 Stock and grain buyer, W. B. Vest. 
 Lumber yard, Jacob Martin. 
 
 Carpenter, Garrison Rainboldt. 
 
 " Jacob Martin. 
 
 " Ernest Henthorn. 
 
 Coal dealer, John S. Pryor. 
 Bridge builder, A. A. G. Stayton. 
 Physician, L. G. Hollingsworth. 
 
 " J. F. Locke. 
 
 " J. S. James. 
 Attorney-at-law, James Adams. 
 Teacher, J. D. Mershon. 
 Minister — Baptist, William Leonard. 
 Hotel, William Radcliff'. 
 
312 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 LEVASY. 
 
 This little village is about a mile west of the Lafayette county line, on the 
 Narrow Gauge Railroad. George Ward built the first business house in the town, 
 and commenced merchandising in 1876. The next store was built by James 
 Wasson, in 1877. The third store about the year 1877. 
 
 At the present time there are the following business firms : 
 
 General store, J. G. Ward. 
 Grocery " John Hightower. 
 Drug store, John Suddeth. 
 Blacksmith, Peter Rife. 
 Physician, C. A. Paxton. 
 W. J. Gardner. 
 
 Physician, Dr. Henderson. 
 Teacher, C. C. Lattimer. 
 Mo. Pacific depot, J. G. Ward. 
 Post-office, J. G. Ward, P. M. 
 Justice of Peace, N. N. Burnley. 
 
 LAKE CITY. 
 
 This town was laid out in the northeast quarter of Tp. 50, R. 30, by Robert 
 Hudspeth, April 17, A. D. 1876, and located on the Kansas City & Eastern 
 Railroad, about eleven miles east of Independence. The following persons are at 
 present engaged in business here : 
 
 Physician, William Surface. 
 Attorney-at-law, John W. Clements. 
 Teacher, Jesse W. Clements. 
 
 Post-office, S. T. Harris, P. M. 
 General store. White & Van Cleve. 
 Drug " S. T. Harris. 
 Mo. Pacific depot, S. T. Harris, agt. 
 
 The little settlement called Blue Mills, is in the western part of Fort Osage 
 township, and contains : 
 
 General store, Richard Powell. I Post-office, Richard Powell, P. M. 
 
 " " ■ Washington Dixon. | Physicians, L. W. Twyman & Son. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 SNI-A-BAR TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Geographical Position and Population — The Name — Physical Features — Early Settlers— Bltie 
 Springs — Churches — Business Directory — Oak Grove — Incorporation of the Town — Business 
 Enterprises — Grain Valley — Pink Hill — What Jacob Gregg has to say About u J. P. — 
 Incidents by Daniel Joyce — The Sni Hill Rangers. 
 
 Sni-a-bar or ' ' Shnee-a-bar " township, as it occurs in some old records, was 
 first organized May 5, 1834, but has undergone many changes since that date. 
 Sni-a-bar township is bounded north by Fort Osage, east by Lafayette county, 
 south by Van Buren and Prairie, and west by Prairie and Blue townships. It is 
 the central eastern township, and enjoys as great a variety of surface and soil as 
 any in Jackson county. The population is between 4,350 and 5,000, and the agri- 
 cultural resources are very superior especially in the western portion. The town- 
 ship contains 600 farms under cultivation, averaging 100 acres each, and these 
 farms are valued at from $20 to $35 per acre, depending on location and improve- 
 ments. The Chicago & Alton Railroad runs through the township in an easterly 
 and westerly direction, and upon this line Blue Springs, Grain Valley and Oak 
 Grove, three little villages within its borders are located. Pink Hill, another little 
 post village, is situated about four miles north of the Chicago & Alton Railroad. 
 
HISTORY 'OF JACKSON COUNTY. 313 
 
 The township is somewhat broader from east to west than from north to south, 
 being thirteen miles in the former direction and nine in the latter direction. 
 
 THE NAME. 
 
 In an early day, when a Frenchman by the name of Abar was ascending the 
 Missouri River in a Canadian boat, called a Mackinaw boat, he conceived that 
 Sni-a-bar creek was a slough which would conduct him out a little distance and 
 then back into the river, but after going up the little creek the distance of a mile 
 he found it was not a slough or sni, as he had supposed, but a creek flowing into 
 the Missouri River. From this circumstance the creek was called Sni-Abar, 
 from the name of the above named Frenchman; the township was afterward 
 called Sni-a-bar from the name of its principal stream. The boat in which this 
 Frenchman navigated the river was a curiously constructed craft. It was pro- 
 pelled by oars, setting poles or cordelles. The oars were manned by about ten 
 persons, five on a side, being long, with a wide blade, and used almost exclusively 
 in descending the stream and in crossing from one side of the river to the other. 
 The poles were used in propelling the boat up stream ; also the cordelles were 
 brought into use while ascending One man stood upon the boat and with a 
 pole kept the boat from the shore, while several men with a rope or cordelle 
 attached to the bow would haul it along. The poles for propelling the boat 
 could not be used when the water was deep. 
 
 Any person who visits Sni-a-bar township in the spring or summer would be 
 struck with the peculiar beauty and attractiveness of the undulating surface, 
 adorned with fine oak timber, well cultivated fields and running streams of living 
 water. For miles around, as far as the eye can reach, these gently undulating 
 lands, reminding one of the succession of waves to be seen upon the ocean when 
 subsiding from the effects of a storm, meet the view of the beholder on every 
 hand. One of the admirers of this section says that ' 'after God had created the 
 world and pronounced all that he had made 'good', he certainly must have 
 gazed upon this section with supreme satisfaction that he had fashioned it 
 more especially for agriculture, fruit growing and stock raising than any other 
 section of his moral vineyard." He proceeds to say that "notwithstanding this 
 section of Jackson county has been overlooked by the eastern and western immi- 
 grant in his haste to reach Kansas, Nebraska and Colorado to secure cheap lands 
 and a cheap home, the far-seeing Kentuckian and the sober calculating Virginian 
 concluded to stop and look at Sni-a-bar township, where, after a careful examina- 
 tion of the rich lands to be seen upon every side, concluded here was the spot 
 where the raising of stock, grain, grasses and fruits could be done more success- 
 fully and profitably than in his native State ; and lands here 'were cheap enough 
 for him.' Hence a large per cent of this township has been settled by the most 
 intelligent and enterprising class of farmers for which Kentucky, the home of 
 Clay, and Virginia, the land of Presidents, has commanded such high respect 
 and consideration ever since the organization of the Government." 
 
 PHYSICAL FEATURES. 
 
 The principal streams are Little Blue and Sni-a-bar, the former flows north 
 along the western border, and the latter rising in Van Buren and Prairie town- 
 ships flows in a northeasterly course through the township. The banks of Little 
 Blue are somewhat precipitous, though not seriously broken, it has a deep chan- 
 nel and generally fringed with timber ; in many places the timber extends out 
 into the prairie the distance of a mile or more. As a general rule the bed of the 
 stream is of a clay sub-soil, but near their sources some rock is found. The 
 stream was called " Blue" because of the color of water. In the fall of the year 
 before the islands were much cultivated, the water assumed a bluish hue .prob- 
 ably from having filtered through the green herbage as it left the prairie to mingle 
 
314 HISTORY OF JACKSON. COUNTY. 
 
 in the channel of the stream. The pioneers first called it "Blue,"' then all who 
 succeeded used this most appropriate name, till now it is known in records and in 
 history as Little Blue. 
 
 Sni-a-bar Creek after leaving this township flows into Lafayette county, thence 
 continuing northeast discharges its waters into the Missouri near Wellington. 
 The channel is more shallow than that of the Little Blue as a general thing, banks 
 more sloping, and timber sometimes growing near the water's edge, also the 
 water is more muddy and has fewer good fords than Little Blue. Stock can go 
 down and drink without danger of miring, nearly all along its course, though in 
 places when wet, teams would not undertake to cross. On this stream there 
 is much timber — oak, hickory, walnut, elm, hackberry, ash, persimmon, syca- 
 more, Cottonwood, maple, buckeye, box elder, linden, and other species abound. 
 The undergrowth consists of papaw sumach, hazel and willow. There are . 
 numerous small tributaries watering a large section of country commonly called 
 " Sni Hills." The " Sni Hills" are now densely covered with different species of 
 oak with some hickory ; but in early days before the country was fully set- 
 tled, these hills were nearly destitute of trees except, perhaps, one years growth 
 of shrubbery, and here and there a large tree, the fire usually sweeping over once 
 a year and killing, the small growth, till by the cultivation of the prairies and 
 using other means to prevent the fire, a growth of timber was allowed to come 
 up. There was, however, a section of about four miles north and south along 
 the county line, by two miles east and west called "^Vhite Oak Woods," which 
 seemed to escape the destructive influence of fire. In this section stock men find 
 an excellent place to breed and fatten stock, being well watered and protected 
 from the weather in winter. The central portion of the township has the most 
 prairie land, and is gently undulating, all susceptible of high cultivation ; the 
 eastern and western being more broken though equally susceptible to cultivation. 
 
 EARLY SETTLERS. 
 
 When in 1836 Mr. Jacob Gregg took the Missouri State Census he found 
 settlers along the course of Little Blue and Sni-a-bar Creeks, but on the prairies 
 there were no settlements. At that date there were within the bounds of what is 
 now Sni-a-bar township, not exceeding one hundred and fifty souls. Not one of 
 the setttlers living here at that date is living here now, and scarcely one alive. 
 Mr. John Gilum, now living in Texas, was living here at that time, and the 
 enumerator, Mr. Jacob Gregg, staid at his house over night. Mr. Gilum then 
 lived on the farm now occupied by Robert Wood, about one mile east of Pink 
 Hill, his house being about 100 yards from Sui-a-bar Creek. 
 
 James Welch, a typical pioneer, came from Tennessee about the year 1820, 
 first settling in Lafayette county, then taking a claim near the southern line of 
 the township, about one half mile east of Sni-a-bar Creek. He d ed at this resi- 
 dence about the year 1848 and was buried in the burying ground in the neighbor- 
 hood. He was a hunter, and whenever he visited a neighbor he bore his rifle on 
 his shoulder and was very cautious about letting others handle it, for fear of 
 putting a spell upon it. He professed to have the power of removing that spell 
 by conjuration. The spell was supposed to prevent the gun from carrying the 
 ball straight. He never wore a coat, but his hunting shirt and pants constituted 
 his outer garments, he carried in his belt a hunting knife and sometimes a toma- 
 hawk. He hunted deer and bear and was considered a good marksman. 
 
 William Cox who came from Tennessee about the year 1820, nearly the 
 same time with Welch, lived near the eastern boundary of the township on a 
 stream called the Horseshoe Branch of the Sni-a-bar. He went to Texas many 
 years ago where it is supposed he long since died. He sold his premises to John 
 McKinney, a Methodist minister, who obtained the estabhshment of a post-office 
 at that place and called it Oak Grove. This was the first post-office in Sni-a-bar 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 315 
 
 townsfiip. Mr. McKinney went to Oregon and William Philpot was appointed 
 postmaster, and removed the ofifice one mile west. William Philpot then went to 
 Oregon and Alexander Joyce was appointed postmaster and removed the post- 
 office one half mile north of Philpot's. A. Joyce kept the office here several 
 years, then Dr. Frick obtained the office and removed it one mile east, to a little 
 settlement called Lickskillet, but afterward Oak Grove. This, then, was the 
 origin of the town named Oak Grove. 
 
 Alexander Joyce, Caleb Darby, Adison Philpot, David George, and John 
 Hudson, all lived in the vicinity of Oak Grove, but are now dead, their descend- 
 ants still live in the vicinity. They were all good citizens and men of prominence. 
 Caleb Darby came from Virginia originally, as also Alexander Joyce, John Hud- 
 son and Adison Philpot, but David George was from Tennessee. 
 
 Caleb Darby was a man of fine sensibilities, but strong prejudices. He be- 
 came a neighborhood doctor and often assisting in sickness, using the Thompsonian 
 remedies. He died during the war. David George was a peculiar man in his 
 manner and conversation, possessing a jocular turn of mind. He, it was, who gave 
 the little settlement above mentioned the name of Lickskillet. He went south 
 and was supposed to have been killed. John Hudson was a man of good natural 
 ability as well as of acquired wealth. He died at his home in the year 1848, hav- 
 ing been Justice of the Peace several years. Alexander Joyce was postmaster 
 and Justice of the Peace for many years, a man of good mind and moral 
 habits. He died in about the year 1867 at his home. Adison Philpot had a 
 peculiar faculty of making money. He lived on the premises which he first set- 
 tled till his death, having accumulated a good fortune. 
 
 Frankhn Smith settled near the village of Blue Springs about the year 1838. 
 He established the first post-office at this point, and named it Blue Springs, from 
 which the village afterward derived its name. He came from Virginia. He 
 represented the county in the General Assembly of the State, and held the office 
 of Justice of the Peace for many years, for which he was considered particularly 
 well qualified. 
 
 The first settler at Blue Springs was Dr. Smith. The property is now occu- 
 pied by Major J. M. Burris. Dr. Smith sold out and left, probably, for the Piatt 
 Purchase. He was succeeded at this settlement by Jeremiah Wood, who lived 
 there about five years. While Mr. Wood lived here Jacob Gregg, the County 
 Surveyor, run off a tract of land forty acres in extent on the east side of Wood's 
 farm, in the open prairie. The owner of the land offered it to Wood for $75, and 
 he refused to give it for the reason that "it was unfit for anything except to let 
 cows graze on, and his cows would get as much of the grass as any one's." Now, 
 this tract of forty acres, with the improvements, could be sold for at least $450 per 
 acre. Mr. Wood died about the year 1855, and was buried in the cemetery at 
 Blue Springs. He was a manufacturer of tobacco, and made many a sharp bar- 
 gain. 
 
 The first settlers of Blue Springs were nearly all Virginians. Among them 
 we mention : Joel Clark, Franklin Smith, William Harris, Jeremiah Wood, Isam 
 Hall, Richard Stanley. 
 
 Joel Clark lived about one-half mile south of Blue Springs, having settled 
 there about the year 1838. He died therle an old man about the year 1850. He 
 was a common farmer. Many of his descendants now live in this vicinity. 
 
 William Harris had a fondness for hunting, and in those early pioneer days 
 killed many a deer. He settled there about the year 1832, and died there about 
 the year 1840. 
 
 Isam Hall was also a common farmer, having come into the neighborhood 
 about the year 1838, and died of a cancer in the year i86o. He was economical, 
 and left a small estate. 
 
 Richard Stanley came about the year 1836 from Virginia, and setded about 
 
316 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 one mile west of Blue Springs. He reared a family, some of whom still survive. 
 He was a prominent man, though not liberally educated. He had a very reten- 
 tive memory, and could recall facts with great exactness. He was Judge of the 
 County Court for many years, and was very popular as a judge, and his decisions 
 were of great weight on the bench among his associate justices. He was able to 
 recall decisions of other courts, as well as his own, bearing upon the questions in 
 controversy. He was a great poHtician, and discoursed with much precision upon 
 the history of parties and the doings of their respective candidates from Washing- 
 ton down to that day. He was a warm adherent to the Democratic principles. 
 He was judge when the civil war broke out. He became deranged in the year 
 1862, and in a year or two thereafter died while in Carroll county, Missouri, 
 whither he had fled before the terrors of General Order Number Eleven. 
 
 Rev. Joab Powell, the pioneer Baptist preacher, lived southeast of Blue 
 Springs about three miles, this being his second settlement. His first settlement 
 was about three miles east of Independence. He was illiterate, though could 
 read and' write in a clumsy manner. His deportment as a minister was much 
 different from that of many others ; he did not assume uncommon goodness, nor 
 did he go about with a downcast look, but he would make himself sociable with 
 all classes of moral and respectable people, sometimes engaging in the sports of 
 young people and the discussion of political and religious subjects. At one time 
 in the year 1846, he engaged with Jacob Gregg in the discussion of the subject 
 of "Which has the greater cause of complaint, the negro or Indian?" at a school 
 house about four miles southeast of the present village of Blue Springs. Mr. 
 Gregg gained the decision and Bro. Powell after the meeting still clung to his 
 belief. He believed that men should show their religious faith by their works. 
 Accordingly, with very little assistance either in labor or money, he built a 
 church which he afterward used as his own church. He could draw the largest 
 congregations of any minister in the vicinity. He removed to Oregon and there 
 died about five years ago. Jacob Gregg came into this township and settled in 
 the south part, at the place which he named Stony Point, about two miles and a 
 half south of his present home. 
 
 He came into the township in March, 1839. Tennessee is his native state, 
 where he lived till seven years of age, then came to the Territory of Illinois in the 
 year i8og. In 1812 he came to Boone's Lick, in the Territory of Missouri, 
 since Howard county. During his father's residence at Boone's Lick, after at- 
 taining his majority, he spent one year in Arkansas, then went on a trading expe- 
 dition to New Mexico in the first wagon train across the plains, a distance of 
 800 miles. A short time after returning from Santa Fe, he removed with his 
 father to what was then known as the Blue River country, about four miles a lit- 
 tle north of east from Independence. This was the fall of 1825, and only a few 
 settlers then lived in what is now Jackson county, Jacob Gregg lived there with 
 his father for about three years and then after living near the old homestead for 
 about two years, removed to Independence, where he remained about two years. 
 Then lived on two different farms east of Independence for several years, then 
 came to Sni-a-bar township in which he now lives. In the year 1826, he was ap- 
 pointed constable of Blue township by the authority of the county court of Lafay- 
 ette county. In 1827, J. R. Walker was sheriff' and Gregg his deputy, in which 
 position he served for three years. During this time he was appointed county 
 surveyor and was surveyor till elected sheriff in the year 1832. He was sheriff 
 till 1836, and in 1850 was elected to the General Assembly of Missouri, on the 
 Whig ticket, and served one term. While at Stony Point he was postmaster. 
 Mr. Gregg now lives at Grain Valley, on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, fifteen 
 miles south east of Independence, He has five sons now living, two of whom live 
 in the vicinity of Grain Valley. Nine children, all of whom have grown to matu- 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 317 
 
 rity, six sons and three daughters, constituted his family, and all are still alive 
 except one son. 
 
 Jacob Gibson, Silas Gibson and Joseph Gibson came and settled about four 
 miles northeast of Blue Springs in the year 1838. They were originally from 
 Kentucky. Jacob died in the year 1849, '"'''^ 'he cholera, On his own farm. He 
 owned one of the finest farms in Jackson county, consisting of six hundred and 
 thirty acres. 
 
 Joseph Gibson also owned a fine farm. The old homestead is now occupied 
 by his son-in-law, Judge Albert G. Williams. He died.many years ago — probably 
 before his brother Jacob. Silas Gibson also owned and occupied a good farm, 
 now owned by Dr. J. H. Daniels. He died about the year i860. These three 
 men were considered good and substantial citizens. 
 
 Nathan Russell came and settled in the Six Mile district in 1823, coming 
 from Tennessee originally. He then removed to this township in about the year 
 1836, and settled about five miles north of Blue Springs, on what was called "Burr 
 Oak Branch," near the Little Blue. He remained there as a prominent farmer, 
 using the primitive appliance of farm culture, such as a truck wagon with wheels, 
 constructed of solid blocks of wood sawn from a large log, with a large round 
 hole cut in the center of each, for the spindle and axletree of the truck. He 
 hauled many rails and other wood on the above described truck, for a consider- 
 able distance. At one time, when he went after a load of rails, some two miles, 
 to what was known as " Fire Prairie Hill," after he had loaded the rails and start- 
 ed back, the wheels of the truck made a noise something like the yelping of a 
 pack of hounds. It so happened that Colonel James Chiles and others were out 
 for a deer chase at this time. After the hounds were put out, the men took their 
 respective stands, expecting the deer to pass by them ; and about this time Na- 
 than Russell started his truck loaded with rails. Colonel Chiles heard the hounds, 
 as he thought, coming in his direction, and as they were heard to bear off in an- 
 other direction, he moved his position, and there watched for the approach of the 
 deer, but behold, to his surprise, he found that it was Nathan Russell's old truck 
 wagon squeaking upon its bearing, which he had taken for the barking of the 
 pack of hounds. 
 
 John Robinson came from Kentucky about 1836, and settled about three 
 miles north of Blue Springs. He Hved there and made considerable money for 
 this country, and died about the year 1858 or '9. Judge Chas. Strode now lives 
 on these premises. John Robinson, although possessed of coBsiderable wealth, 
 would ride a small, cheap horse, with rope stirrup and rope bridle, and the tree of 
 a saddle, barefoot, and in this manner would frequently ride to Independence, 
 and attend public meetings. 
 
 Morgan Walker came from Kentucky in about the year 1838, and settled 
 two miles north of Blue Springs, on a place which was afterward known as the 
 "Walker farm." He died in the year 1867, and was buried in the vicinity in 
 what is known as the Lobb graveyard. He was fond of accumulating real es- 
 tate, and accordingly acquired a large tract of land of the first quality. 
 
 Aquilla Lobb came from Kentucky about the year 1840, and settled north 
 of Blue Springs about four miles. He lived there till i860, then removed to 
 Nebraska, and in 1867 returned to his farm, where he lived a few years, then 
 moved to his present home near Independence. 
 
 Judge Albert G. Williams came from Kentucky and settled in the neighbor- 
 hood where he now lives, northeast of Blue Springs. 
 
 Britton M. Capell came from Kentucky in the year 1840, and settled a farm 
 near what is now the village of Grain Valley, and still hyes where he first settled 
 and reared a family. He is a man of strong individual will and set purpose. 
 
 Claiborne Webb came from Tennessee about the year 1836, and married in 
 
318 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 this vicinity in Jackson county. He settled at first near Oak Grove ; after marry- 
 ing his second wife, lived northwest of Pink Hill about three miles. 
 
 BLUE SPRINGS. 
 
 The town of Blue Springs is located on the southeast quarter of the northeast 
 quarter of section number thirty-six, township forty-nine, north of range thirty- 
 one, west of the fifth principal meridian, and also fifteen acres of land off the 
 south end of the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of said section thirty- 
 six, township and range aforesaid. The magnetic variation at this point being 
 7° 7' on all lines north of Walnut street. 
 
 Mr. S. K. Knox caused this town plat to be laid off, and it was recorded on 
 the 12th day of September, 1878. 
 
 C. W. Mock built the first business house in Blue Springs. This occurred 
 in July, 1878. J. K. Parr was the first party to move his family to Blue Springs, 
 and claims the title of "the first settler" in the new town of Blue Springs. 
 
 In this township there are four post towns named as follows according to 
 size, beginning with the largest : ^ 
 
 Blue Springs 300 inhabitants. 
 
 Oak Grove 280 " 
 
 Grain Valley 150 ' " 
 
 Pink Hill 50 
 
 The three former are situated on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, and Pink 
 Hill about three miles north of the railroad, exactly on the range line between 
 ranges twenty-nine and thirty. 
 
 The name Blue Springs was first given to a spring of water flowing from the 
 side of a hill and falling into a tributary of Little Blue River. It was then given 
 to the post-office, which was established in the year 1845, about three-fourths of 
 a mile northwest of the spring of water. After the post-office was established 
 there sprung up a little settlement, in which Esquire Franklin Smith kept a store ; 
 then Riley Slaughter commenced a mercantile business there. The little village 
 of Blue Springs remained northwest of the present site of Blue Springs till the 
 year 1879, when it was removed to the railroad. 
 
 John Murry succeeded Riley Slaughter in the mercantile trade ; then Thomas 
 Ricordkept store at Blue Springs, then James Walker, and Walker sold to a man 
 who removed to the new site. 
 
 As early as 1825 this spring of water attracted campers and traders, and 
 many of those starting on the Santa Fe expeditions rendezvoused here preparatory 
 to crossing the plains. The spring was named Blue Springs by freighters freight- 
 ing provisions to the Harmony Mission, on the Marias de Cygnes River, in Bates 
 county, from Lexington in Lafayette county. At the same time these freighters 
 named many prominent points on their route, such as : Double Branches, Twin 
 Mounds, Eight Mile, Two Mile, Camp Branch, Big Creek, Rocky Branch, etc. 
 . Mr. Shannon Knox, in the early part of 1879, laid out the present site of 
 the town of Blue Springs. He had purchased the land of Malory Smith for that 
 purpose, at about twenty dollars per acre. The lots were offered for sale, but at 
 first did not find a quick market, subsequently, however, many persons have 
 bought lots and built thereon. 
 
 There are ten stores and business houses in the town, two of which would be 
 regarded as carrying good stocks in much larger towns. The business is increas- 
 ing from year to year, and the now rapid settling up of the lands that are tributary 
 to it will offer inducements to others who may be seeking favorable locations for 
 merchandising. There are also two hotels, the Chicago & Alton House, owned by 
 Mr. J. K. Parr, and the Denver House by Mrs. M. R. Alexander, which was 
 opened nearly two years ago, at which we are how domiciled. Mrs. Alexander 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 319 
 
 conducts the Denver in a style that must secure for her most favorable comments 
 from those who stop at the Denver. We learn the Chicago & Alton is well kept. 
 
 Here is located the widely celebrated " Blue Springs Flouring Mill," owned 
 by Messrs. Hoover, Jones & Co., built in 1879, at a cost of $18,000, having 
 four run of burs, with a capacity to manufacture eighty barrels of flour every 
 twenty-four hours. The machinery is propelled by a sixty-horse power engine, 
 and run day and night in order to supply the constantly increasing demand made 
 upon them for their elegant brand of flour, now recognized as being superior to 
 any that reaches the Kansas City market,, and commanding higher prices. 
 
 Blue Springs has also become a shipping point of much importance. During 
 the year 1880, there was shipped 150 head of horses, 558 of cattle, 4,020 hogs, 
 150 sheep, twenty-seven cars of wheat, 28 of corn, 17,500 barrels of flour, 1,080 
 cords of wood, and sixty car loads of other products. 
 
 The society of Blue Springs commands the very highest consideration for 
 their educational enterprise, religious culture and inteUigence. There cannot be 
 found a more genial and hospitable people in any community in this or any other 
 •county. 
 
 BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 
 
 Mayor, J. A. Webb. 
 
 Wood Dealer, Kei Muir. 
 
 General store, Thos. W. Records & M. 
 
 V. Dillingham. 
 ■General store, M. S. Masters & J. W. 
 
 Ligget. 
 •Grocery store, J. T. Cobb. 
 
 " J. B. McCorraick. 
 
 Harness store, J. A. Webb. 
 Drug and grocery store, C. W. Mock & 
 
 J. K. Parr. 
 Drug and grocery store, T. J. Walker. 
 Post-office, C. W. Mock, P. M. 
 Boot and shoe repair shop, William G. 
 
 Gill 
 Hardware store, J. A. Webb. 
 Utadertakers, T. D. Montgomery & A. 
 
 Andrews. 
 Lumber yard, T. D. Montgomery & A. 
 
 Andrews. 
 Carpenters, J. Cummins. 
 ' " Jerry C. Fields. 
 L. A. Ford. 
 
 " Montgomery & Andrews. 
 
 " Paul Weatherford & Bro. 
 Blacksmith, Mike M. Warmicks. 
 
 H. Frellick. 
 Carriage shop, R. J. Cook & J. L. Bras- 
 field. 
 Carriage shop, C. H. Brown. 
 
 Chicago & Alton Depot, Charles Cam- 
 eron, agt. 
 
 Hotel, J. K. Parr, Proprietor. 
 " Mrs. M. R. Alexander. 
 
 Boarding house, Ed. Jones. 
 
 " Daniel Stanley. 
 
 Livery stable, Daniel F. Stanley. 
 
 Blue Springs Mills, Hoover, Jones & 
 Co. (built in 1879). 
 
 Millinery store, Mrs. Burris. 
 
 " Mrs. MolKe Gore. 
 
 Physicians, C. C. Frick. 
 " David Mock. 
 " N. P. Wood. 
 
 Presbyterian Church, Rev. J. Dalton. 
 
 Baptist Church, Rev. Foster. 
 
 Barber shop, George Flannery. 
 
 Justice of Peace, T. D. Montgomery. 
 
 Teacher, Miss T. Cooper. 
 
 Stock buyer, Daniel F. Stanley. 
 " John Gore. 
 
 Stock dealer, Harrison Trow. 
 
 Meat market, John Armbruster. 
 
 City Treasurer, E. C. Hallar. 
 
 Marshal, John K. Parr. 
 
 Deputy Marshal, T. J. Walker. 
 
 City Councilmen : J. A. Webb, D. F. 
 Stanley, J. W. Hoover, M. M. 
 Warmicks, T. J. Walker. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 There are twelve churches in Sni-a-bar township, representing the Methodist, 
 Baptist (old and new school), Presbyterian and Christian denominations. The 
 Missionary Baptists are the leading denomination in the township, then comes the 
 'Christian denomination, then the Methodist, then the Old School Baptists and 
 
320 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Presbyterians. The religious sentiment of the inhabitants is good, and all who 
 will, may worship God just as he sees fit. 
 
 The Blue Spring Baptist church was organized in November, 1842, with 
 fourteen members, only two of whom are now' living, namely : Levi S. Mont- 
 gomery and Elizabeth Wood, all the rest have passed away. They met for some 
 time in private houses in winter and in the grove in summer. They had no reg- 
 ular pastor for several years, but were supplied by Revs. Joab Powell and Lewis 
 Franklin alternately. The Rev. William White was the first regular pastor who 
 served one year, he was succeeded by the Rev. Henry Farnor, who served for 
 ten years, then Rev. Edward Wood who served for two years. Then the civil 
 war broke out and consequently stopped all public service, during which time 
 the church house was burned. The members who returned to their homes met 
 at a private house and were re-organized by the Rev. W. A. Durfey. The church 
 then called the Rev. Samuel Shepherd, as pastor, who served three years. Then 
 the church called the Rev. E. H. Foster, of Leavenworth, Kansas, who is now 
 in his eleventh year of pastoral service. 
 
 During the pastorate of Rev. Samuel Shepherd the church built a frame 
 house at a cost of about fifteen hundred dollars, which has been used till the 
 present winter, when the society took it down and moved it to town and enlarged 
 it, and will soon have it completed. The church, like all others, has had some 
 gracious revivals. After dismissing sixty-five at one time to organize another 
 church, it has grown from fourteen to the present number, two hundred and nine. 
 
 A fine growth of timber covers about one-eighth of the surface of the town- 
 ship, including nut trees and the hackberry, black and white oak, walnut and other 
 trees found upon rich alluvial bottoms. Some of these trees have attained a 
 large size. There is a black walnut near Blue Springs, planted thirty years ago, 
 that measures one foot in diameter and fifty feet in height; this is only a repre- 
 sentative tree of others found in this vicinity, showing what the soils of this sec- 
 tion may produce. Near the eastern boundary of the township, within a mile and 
 a half of Oak Grove, a vein of surface coal is found cropping out from six to twelve 
 inches in thickness, extending along the ridge for six miles. The entire township 
 has a black, rich soil, which is peculiarly adapted for raising wheat successfully. 
 
 In 1867 G. M. Smith raised upon a ten-acre lot, upon which a part of the 
 town of Blue Springs now stands, forty -two bushels, for which he reahzed eighty dol- 
 lars per acre, or eight hundred dollars for the ten acres. The same season there was 
 raised upon a twenty-acre field, on the farm of Judge Williams, four miles east of 
 the town, a crop of wheat which the judge sold for twelve hundred dollars. 
 Jacob Gregg, residing at Grain Valley, says he distinctly recollects of his father 
 reaping forty bushels to the acre forty years ago, when the present improved 
 implements for farming were unknown. John King, upon a farm near Oak 
 Grove last year, raised on a lot forty bushels to the acre. 
 
 Notwithstanding these evidences of the capacity of these soils to produce a 
 large yield of wheat, the average yield is estimated by the farmers in the town- 
 ship to be from 20 to 35 bushels per acre. The estimated average yield of corn 
 is from 40 to 80 bushels per acre, although first-class farmers, in a favorable sea- 
 son, have produced 100 bushels to the acre. 
 
 Blue grass, clover and timothy grow here to great perfection and the farmers 
 are turning their attention,, to a considerable extent, to stock raising. Until 
 quite recently — the past three or four years — the raising of mules received more 
 attention than that of horses. At the present time a good span of mules would 
 readily bring from $250 to $350. The introduction of high bred horses only a 
 few years ago is working a radical change here, and the day is not far distant 
 when Sni-a-bar Township will contain as good horses and as many of them as 
 any section of its size in this part of the State. This township has been giving 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 321 
 
 more attention to the raising of horses than cattle, though there are several farm- 
 ers who keep a number of thoroughbred cattle. 
 
 OAK GROVE. 
 
 The town of Oak Grove is situated on the southeast quarter of southeast 
 quarter of Sec. 32, Tp. 49, R. 29. The outside limits of the town correspond with 
 the boundary of the forty acres above described. It was laid out by Wm. E. Frick 
 and attested August 21, 1878. 
 
 Oak Grove, one of the oldest post villages in the township, is located on 
 the Chicago and Alton Railroad near the Lafayette county line and contains 
 about 280 inhabitants. It has eleven stores and business houses, a school house, 
 church, post-office, hotel, livery stable, and a very elegant mill building, which 
 will be ready for occupancy this year. 
 
 The following communications will show the preliminary steps looking to 
 the incorporation of the town of Oak Grove : 
 
 LETTER TO COUNTY CLERK. 
 
 Oak Grove, March 21, 1881. 
 Mr. W. Z. Hickman, Independence, Missouri: 
 
 Dear Sir : — Inclosed is a petition for incorporation which please present 
 to the honorable County Court for action in Kansas City, with the following 
 names recommended by quite a number of the petitioners as a board of trustees, 
 to-wit: J. Darby, W. H. Perkins, I. H. Woolery, J. J. Fulkerson, and T. M. 
 Vermilhon. By attention to this matter you will confer a great favor and oblige 
 
 Yours, etc., T. M. Vermillion. 
 
 The fallowing is a copy of the petition with the several signatures: 
 
 ^ Oak Grove, March 25, 1881. 
 
 To the Honorable County Court of Jackson County, Missouri: 
 
 We, the undersigned citizens of said county and State of aforesaid, pray that 
 our village (Oak Grove) and commons be incorporated with the following metes 
 and bounds, to-wit : Beginning at the northeast corner of southwest quarter of 
 southwest quarter in Sec, 33, Tp. 49 of R. 29, and running west to the northwest 
 corner of southwest quarter of southwest quarter in Sec.32,Tp.49,of R.29, thence 
 south to the southwest corner of same Sec, Tp., and R. , thence south 30 rods 
 in Sec. 5, Tp. 48, R. 29, thence east 80 rods in Sec. 5, Tp. 48, of R. 29, thence 
 east 80 rods in Sec. 4, Tp. 48, of R. 29, thence north to the place of beginning 
 and a police be established for our local government, and for the preservation 
 and regulation of any commons appertaining to such town or village. 
 
 R. C. Farmer, 
 W. H. Perkins, 
 T. M. Vermillion, 
 M. Callaghan, 
 W. H. Poindexter, 
 B. D. Owings, 
 W. J. Parker, 
 I. H. Woolery, 
 S. H. Todd, 
 W. H. Miller, 
 M. K. Farmer, 
 John W. Hughes, 
 A. Shrock, 
 John Riebener, 
 21 
 
 NAMES. 
 
 C. W. Magill, 
 P. P. Price, 
 G. C. Vermillion, 
 Michael M. Keeler, 
 Guy Radcliff, 
 William Johnson, 
 Mike Kane, 
 J. E. Holland, 
 H. A. Porter, 
 J. M. Turpin, 
 G. W. Dovis, 
 John Andlour, 
 G. D. Keithline, 
 Jno. R. Surface, 
 
 N. B. Owings, 
 W. H. Johnson, 
 Jas. J. Choate, 
 John Darby, 
 W. E. Frick, 
 M. A. Clemmens, 
 T. G. Magill, 
 T. W. Nichols, 
 J. J. Fulkerson, 
 G. Case, 
 T. M. Kidd, 
 J. R. Youree, 
 J. R. Moyers, 
 James Moloney. 
 
322 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 
 
 Physicians — W. E. Frick, J. J. Fulker- 
 son, J. J. Choate. 
 
 General Store — R. C. Farmer, John 
 Andlour, N. B. Owings, J. E. Hol- 
 land, Dowes & Poindejfter, S. H. 
 Todd. 
 
 Furnishing Goods — M. K. Farmer. 
 
 Hardware — Perkins & Surface. 
 
 Drugs and Books — I. H. Woolery. 
 
 Undertaker and Real Estate — John 
 King. 
 
 Saddles and Harness — J. M. Turpin. 
 
 Milliners — Perry & Redier, Mrs. Fran- 
 cis Youree, Mrs. Rebecca Jacobs, 
 
 We will give below a statement as received from R. P. Price, the accommo- 
 dating agent at this place, from January ist, 1880, to December 31, 1880: 
 
 Miss Theo King. 
 Lumber— W. H. Miller. 
 Blacksmith and Wagon Shop — H. A. 
 
 Porter. 
 Blacksmith — M. Clemens. 
 Depot — E. H. Price, Agent. 
 Hotel — Andy Shrock. 
 Barber— C. B. Biggert. 
 Livery Stable — J. R. Youree. 
 Post-office— John Darby, P. M. 
 Justice of the Peace and Notary — T. 
 
 M. Vermillion. 
 Constable — W. J. Parker. 
 
 SHIPPED. 
 
 Wheat 80 cars 
 
 Corn and Rye . . . . 76 " 
 
 Oats 6 " 
 
 Cattle IS " 
 
 Hogs . 35 " 
 
 Other freight 163 '■ 
 
 RECEIVED. 
 
 Lumber 25 cars. 
 
 Agricultural Implements 6 " 
 Other freight 28 " 
 
 Total 59 
 
 Total 375 ^ 
 
 Amount of tickets sold during last year, $4,106.50. 
 
 GRAIN VALLEY. 
 
 This town was laid off by Joseph Peters, September 5, 1878. It is described 
 as follows : Commencing 58 feet south of the northwest corner of the northeast 
 quarter of the southwest quarter of Sec. 35, Tp. 49, R. 30, thence north seven 
 hundred and fifteen feet, thence east four hundred and forty feet, thence south to 
 the railroad, thence following the railroad west 120 feet, thence south to the 
 southern limits of the town, thence west to the place of beginning; making an 
 inclosure of four acres. 
 
 This httle village is situated on the Chicago & Alton Railroad, in the central 
 southern portion of Sni-a-bar township. It was laid out in the fall of 1878, by 
 James Lucas, three-quarters of a mile from Sni-a-bar Creek and five miles from 
 Blue Springs. It being in the heart of the valley, its future promises most en- 
 couraging results. Surrounded by a farming country of unsurpassed fertility, it 
 will soon become a place of considerable commercial importance. ' 
 
 The following persons are at present engaged in business at Grain Valley : 
 
 Physician, James H. Daniels. 
 G. U. Keener. 
 " J. W. Starnes. 
 Minister, G. U. Keener. 
 Justice of the Peace, J. H. Cannon. 
 Notary Public, J. A. Porter. 
 General store, John Graves. 
 
 " " J. H. Cannon. 
 
 Grocery store, Frank Gregg. 
 Drugs and groceries, J. H. Daniels. 
 
 Drug store, G. U. Keener. 
 Post-office, J. H. Cannon, P. M. 
 Hotel, G. U. Keener. 
 Depot, Wm. Morrow, agent. 
 Blacksmith and wagon maker, J. A. 
 
 Spindle. 
 Shoe repair shop, Geo. Kreigel. 
 Painter, H. A. Hamilton. 
 Carpenter, Joseph Wright. 
 Livery stable, Joseph Keshler. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 323 
 
 The business of this little place is said to be at least $75,000 annually. Their 
 shipment of products of all kinds was last year 235 car loads. 
 
 PINK HILL. 
 
 The little village of Pink Hill is situated in Sni-a-bar township, on the line 
 dividing ranges 19 and 20, in township 49. Its' plat bears date of November 5, 
 1854, and is signed by George W. Love and D. A. Neer. Some years ago there 
 was a little post town called Stony Point, situated in the southern part of the 
 township. 
 
 What Jacob Gregg says about an ex-Justice of the Peace marrying a couple : 
 
 " When the territory, now Jackson county, was first settled, she was under 
 the jurisdiction of Lafayette County. The county court of Lafayette county laid off 
 the townships of Fort Osage, Blue and Kaw, and appointed the Justices of the 
 
 Peace and constables in each township. After a tirrie, 'Squire term of office 
 
 expired, he changed his place of residence into another part of the county, but 
 he still bore the title Esquire. It so happened that he had a near neighbor, and 
 he had a full grown daughter, and she had a beau. They concluded to make 
 themselves one, and, looking around for a suitable person to join them together 
 for life, their neighbor Esquire was proposed and accepted. So Esquire was sent 
 for, and he performed the marriage ceremony with full confidence that he had 
 the right to do so. 
 
 In about four weeks the marriage certificate was presented to tlie clerk to be 
 recorded. The clerk refused to record it, knowing it was not a legal marriage. 
 The parties were then informed of their condition. They then sent for a legal 
 parson and were married over. The groom is still living in this county, raised a 
 respectable family, but lost the first wife some years ago, and has been married 
 three times since, but never made any more mistakes about getting the legal 
 parson." 
 
 Mr. Daniel Joyce says : 
 
 " I came to Missouri and settled in the neighborhood of Oak Grove in 1837 . 
 James Welch, Red Head Cox, and a Mr. Cummins, Caleb Darby, John H. 
 Hudson, Phillip Cantrell, Addison Philpot, were among the .first settlers in this 
 part of the county. There were no churches in the county for several years after 
 that time. Gotril Fithew, Henry Bowers, William Housley and John- Warden 
 were the only ministers that preached through this part of the country for a num- 
 ber of years. They preached at people's houses, and in summer time not un- 
 frequently in the shady groves. The first church built in Oak Grove neighbor- 
 hood was in 1850. It was built as a Union church, cost $500, and was a frame. 
 For a number of years the nearest physician to be had was at Independence. 
 Drs. Flournoy, Troost and Wilkinson did the practice in this part of the county, 
 all of whom lived in Independence." 
 
 The first post-office in Sni-a-bar township was Oak Grove. Jonn McKinney 
 was post-master. The office changed hands several times, and moved each time 
 it changed hands, until it finally got into the village of Oak Grove, about three 
 years before the war. The town of Oak Grove is situated on the Chicago & Alton 
 Railroad, and derived its name from the post-office. I am not able to tell the 
 exact date when Sni-a-bar township was organized. John H. Hudson was the 
 first Justice of the Peace in the eastern part of Sni-a-bar township, and Joseph 
 Crawford was the first constable. 
 
 The heads of some of our Justices in those days were not any too well stored 
 with legal lore. There was a certain Justice in Van Buren township, who sold his 
 property and moved to Cass county, and consequently had to resign his office. He 
 accordingly took his books and papers to the Clerk's office at Independence, 
 delivered them up to Mr. Lucas (who was then County Clerk), and told him he 
 was going to move to Cass county and wished him to swear him out of office. 
 
324 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 On another occasion there were two men who swapped horses, one was by a 
 certain time to deliver the other a cow as boot in the trade. The time passed 
 and the cow was not delivered according to agreement. The man that was to 
 receive the cow brought suit for the worth of the cow in money. The Justice 
 after hearing the evidence decided that a cow he was to have and a cow he 
 should have, that a judgment in that case without a cow in it would be a viola- 
 tion of both law and contract. 
 
 During the Civil War of 1861-5 bands of bush-whackers and lawless despera- 
 does infested this township. They were called " Sni Hill Rangers." Many of 
 these outlaws had relatives in Sni-a-bar and often secreted themselves here when 
 pursued by the county civil authorities or United States soldiers. 
 
 Most of those who had been engaged in guerrilla warfare took advantage of 
 the amnesty granted them by the statute of the State, and have since become 
 worthy and law abiding citizens. 
 
 Occasionally, however, there have been outbreaks since the war and fights 
 and personal encounters have occurred, probably on account of some old feud 
 engendered during the war, but as a general thing all those feelings are dying out 
 and will soon be forgotten. There was a shooting affair at the Pink Hill M. E. 
 church during service one night in the fall of 187 1, men having indulged in 
 carrying deadly weapons till a general protest was circulated in the township, a 
 copy of which herewith speaks for itself. It bears the date of October, 187 1. 
 
 PROTEST, 
 
 BY THE CITIZENS OF SNI-A-BAR TOWNSHIP, 
 
 ARMS. 
 
 AGAINST CARRYING FIRE- 
 
 We, the undersigned, citizens of Sni-a-bar township, Jackson county. Mo., 
 deeply regret the homicides lately committed in our township, by which Elijah 
 Gardner, Robert St. Clair and Grandville Love lost their lives ; and believing 
 that no justifiable cause existed for any of the said homicides, and feeling it our 
 duty, as peaceable and law-abiding citizens, to do all in our power to prevent any 
 future occurrences of the same sad and disgraceful character. 
 
 We hereby enter our solemn protest against the practice of carrying pistols 
 and other deadly weapons in a''^eaceable community — believing as we do, that 
 no necessity exists for any man to so arm himself, we regard the practice as 
 destructive to the good morals of the young men and boys of our township, and 
 productive only of evil, by setting bad examples as well as killing men. 
 
 We, therefore, respectfully ask all persons to desist from^such debasing prac- 
 tices, and abandon habits that only produce evil and immorality, and we hereby 
 pledge ourselves to use all means in our power to put a stop to said practice and 
 all other like evils : 
 
 Britton M. Capell, 
 Wm. H. Marion, 
 Joel Patterson, 
 W. J. Williams, 
 W. S. Wourley, 
 A. E. Clarkson, 
 John W. C. Mann, 
 John T. Phillips, 
 Thomas A. Tucker, 
 Wm. S. HoUoway, 
 Bob W. Wood, 
 Jas. W. Meador, 
 G. W. Sutton, 
 James C. Keshlear, 
 A. G. Knight, 
 
 G. M. Campbell, 
 
 I. Michael, 
 
 John A. Williams, 
 
 F. A. Youree, 
 E. H. Wyatt, 
 
 G. R. Carlile, 
 A. W. Souard, 
 H. G. Reese, 
 W. E. Rowe, 
 E. P. St. Clair, 
 W. J. Wells, 
 
 J. E. W. Kabrick, 
 Jas. Larimore, 
 Wm. Working, 
 W. J. Parker, 
 
 Jos. Pollock, 
 
 A. Heflin, 
 T. L. White, 
 T. M. Webb, 
 J. F. Hall, 
 
 J. Grubb, 
 
 B. Sharp, 
 
 J. H. George, 
 W. E. Frick, 
 M. B. Rowe, 
 M. L. Hall, 
 J. W. Colvin, 
 R. H. Martin, 
 N. Murphy, 
 W. L. Mayes, 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 325 
 
 P. H. GiUen, 
 J. D. Jones, 
 J. W. White, 
 J. B. Wood, 
 A. L. Jacobs, 
 A. Joise, 
 W. C. Simpson, 
 Jas. Pollock, 
 T. J. Duncan, 
 John Darby, 
 W. C. Bell, 
 S. R. Bell, 
 J. M. Harding, 
 A. Easton, 
 A. T. Dunsan, 
 T. T. Bell, 
 J. M. Adams, 
 W. B. Kerby, 
 
 O. Ashcraft, 
 A. Foster, 
 C. Alford, 
 G. E. Mizener, 
 
 A. Shrock, 
 
 T. A. Honerker, 
 
 B. L. Hunt, 
 
 R. W. Duncan, 
 J. P. Mizener, 
 J. B. Jackson, 
 A. Huffman, 
 S. Shrock, 
 L. M. Borton, 
 B: F. Harding, 
 J. D. Todd, 
 J. A. Campbell, 
 L. G. Copeland, 
 S. H. Todd, 
 
 E. T. Pallett, 
 
 G. W. Pack, 
 
 O. P. Thompson, 
 
 J. R. Hudson, 
 
 R. A. Bolekly, 
 
 H. Kabriek, 
 
 W. J. Campbell, 
 
 S. Hall, 
 
 W. G. Austin, 
 
 T. H. Corwin, 
 
 D. White, 
 
 A. Philpot, 
 
 J. D. Wood, 
 
 Jas. Bowlin, 
 
 C. Webb, 
 
 P. K. Wyatt, 
 
 W. A. Brown, 
 
 A. W. Cosner — 99. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. 
 
 BY MARTIN RICE. 
 
 lis Location and First Settlement on Big Creek — First Entries of Land — First Cabin First Settler 
 
 at Lone Jack — Pioneer Life — Going to Mill^ Preachers, Preaching and Churches — Lone Jack 
 
 Church— New Liberty Church — Sni Mills' Church — The Christian Church— The Methodists 
 
 The Presbyterians — Schools — Doctors and Lawyers — Mails and Newspapers — First Township 
 Officers — Lone Jack — Retrospect — The Oldest Man — The Oldest Woman — Physicial Features 
 
 The township of Van Buren, as now constituted, lies in the southeastern 
 corner of Jackson county; being nine miles north and south, by eight miles east and 
 west. The first organization for municipal purposes was in May, 1834; embracing, 
 in addition to its present territory, the whole of what was called the Big Creek 
 Settlements in Jackson county; which then included, or had jurisdiction of all the 
 territory now included in Jackson, Cass and Bates counties. The Big Creek 
 country, or the Big Creek Settlements so called, also included the few inhabitants 
 on the contiguous head branches of Sni-a-bar. 
 
 The first settlement, or first cabin made on the creek was by David G. But- 
 terfield, in the autumn of 1827, in what is now Prairie township, near the head of 
 the creek or branch on which Pleasant Hill is now situated. This cabin was 
 built on or near the east half of the northwest quarter of Sec. 25, Tp. 47, R. 31. 
 The farm has since been known as the old Connor farm. Butterfield was from 
 Lafayette county ; an old resident of Missouri, and had recently married Nancy 
 Graham, a widow, also a resident of the State since 1816. His nearest neigh- 
 bor when settling, as stated, at the head of the creek, was on Little Blue ; but 
 who that neighbor was, or whereabouts is not known. The whole country lay 
 in its native wildness; no white man lived between him and Harmony Mission, 
 which was a small government school for the Indians, in the present County of 
 Bates. The Mission Road from Lexington and Fort Osage to Harmony, ran near 
 the house ; as also did the Shawnee trail, a small trail made by the Shawnees in 
 
326 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 moving from the Lower Mississippi to their homes west of the Kansas River ; and 
 this lone cabin served as a house of entertainment for many a lost, belated and 
 weary hunter and traveler, though the entertainment may not have been sumptuous, 
 it was better than none. How long it was that he was the only settler on the creek 
 is not certainly known. From the best information David Creek was the next at or 
 near the Vanhoy farm, north of Pleasant Hill. Joseph Walker is also said to have 
 located near the same place, at or about the same time, but remained only a short 
 period. During the years 1829 and 1830 several families came and settled on 
 that and other branches of Big Creek, among whom may be mentioned Jeremiah 
 X. and Alfred G. Sloane, both yet living in Cass county ; Thomas, James and 
 Joel Biddle ; Isaac, Austin and Gaven Bledsoe ; David and Henry Burriss ; the 
 Wardens, Butlers, Burgens and others. 
 
 The first land entered, or bought from the Government, in this part of the 
 county was in the Butterfield neighborhood, on the 12th day of January, 1830. 
 On that day WiUiam Adams entered the west half of the northwest quarter of Sec. 
 36, Tp. 47, R. 31; and on the same day Thos. Hamlin entered the west half of 
 the northwest — of Sec. 25, same township; James Wilson now owns the first and 
 Mary C. Hicklin owns the second. On the 20th of the same month Joab Powell 
 entered the east half of southeast quarter of Sec. 35 ; and on the 3 ist Butterfield en- 
 tered his home, east half northwest of 25 ; and on the 3d of February John Powell 
 entered the west half of the southwest quarter of Sec. 30, Tp. 47, R. 30, now owned 
 by I. J. Russell. Those lands are now in Prairie township. 
 
 The first settlement, or the first cabin built in the territory now included in 
 Van Buren, was built by Isaac Dunnaway in the spring of 1830. It was a short 
 distance west of the present village of Lone Jack; on Sec. 23, Tp. 47, R. 30, on 
 the farm and a short distance from the residence of George Griffith. The same 
 spring Daniel Graham, a son of Nancy Graham, who had married Butterfield as 
 above stated, built his cabin a short distance south of Dunnaway on the west 
 half of the southeast quarter of Sec. 26, it being eighty acres that his wife had 
 entered a short time before marriage, and only a short time before settlement. 
 The same spring, also. Redden Crisp settled across the creek west of Dunnaway 
 and Graham, on the Keersey farm, on the west half of southwest quarter of Sec. 
 27, which he entered the same day that Celia Edmundson did the tract on which 
 Graham built, January 26th, 1 830. These three famihes were all that resided within 
 the present Hmits of the township that year. Some others bought lands or made 
 claims and did some work during the summer and autumn but did not move until 
 the spring of 1831. Of this number were William Crawford, Charles Hopper 
 (Big Charley) and Joshua Hitchcock. Crawford broke prairie and planted corn, 
 with no fence, on the farm now owned by Wesley Yankee, Sec. 31, Tp. 47, R. 
 29. He gathered his corn in the fall, but the turkeys it is said, ate it up during 
 the winter. Hopper selected his home a- short distance east of the lone tree, 
 where John Shawhan now lives, on Sec. 18, and Hitchcock a little farther east, 
 a part of the Miller Easley farm, same section. 
 
 In 1 83 1 and 1832, the Lone Jack settlement received an addition of several 
 families among whom may be mentioned Warren P. Reavis, Charles Hopper, 
 Jr., A. H. Helms, Thomas McKnight, David L. Cadle, Thomas Hamlin, Squire 
 Bridges, George Larrison, William and Samuel English, John Beeler and James 
 Noel. In the mean time a few families had settled in the northeastern part of 
 the township, a short distance south of Oak Grove, and in and near the Round 
 Prairie ; WilHam Cox, Elihu and Silas Cox, Parson McKinney, Jephtha Craw- 
 ford, Robert, Stephen and Joseph Austin, Elijah Thompson, Thomas Sharp, 
 Jacob and Abram Roger, some of the Webbs, and also John S. and Martin Corn. 
 In the fall of 1833 the writer of these collections, a youth of nineteen, came with 
 his father and father's family, and built a cabin where he now lives, on Sec. 29, 
 Tp. 47, R. 29. It was while building that cabin that the Mormons were expelled 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 327 
 
 from the county, and the great meteoric shower occurred, on the 13th of Novem- 
 ber, 1833. Settlers continued to come in 1834 and 1835, ^^^ ^' began to be said 
 there was not room for many more. There not being woodland enough, it was 
 thought to fence and supply many more farms with the needed timber ; and the 
 making of farms away out on the large prairies, as has since been done, was not 
 even dreamed of. In 1833 there was one house between Blue Springs and Lone 
 Jack. Francis Prine had built a house and opened a farm on the Sni-a-bar creek, 
 on Sec. 32, Tp. 48, R. 30, which a few years after he sold to Wilson Alexander. 
 Since, it has been known as the Dr. Miller place. David Dealy had entered 
 land and done some work on it in 1833, but did not move to the farm, on Sec. 
 3, Tp. 47, R. 30, till the spring of 1834. William Adams (Captain William) 
 came with the writer from Tennessee in 1833, and located on Sec. 10, same town- 
 ship, where he died about the year 1859 or i860. 
 
 PIONEER LIFE. 
 
 Having stated who were here at that early day, let us ask or rather answer 
 the question, how they lived? In general they lived as most back-woodsmen and 
 pioneers do, in cabins small and rude, with clap-board roofs and puncheon floors, 
 and chimneys made of sticks and clay, or of rough and undressed stones. There 
 were no saw-mills nearer than Little Blue, and very few of them from which lum- 
 ber could be obtained. Of grist-mills there were a few horse-mills of the 
 draught-wheel pattern run with a rawhide band, one kept or owned by William 
 Cox near Chapel Hill, one by William Savage west of Pleasant Hill, and one by 
 Thomas Burgen three miles east of it. The settlers, however, generally went to 
 water mills in the neighborhood of Independence and Lexington, except when 
 the water was too low to grind, taking a wagon load of grain at a time. Going 
 to mill was one of the hardships of pioneer life, and the settlers would gladly 
 give one bushel of corn to get another one carried to mill and ground. 
 
 One of those early settlers yet living,' says : "I well remember my first trip 
 to mill in Missouri. It was the last of December, 1853, when I and James Noel 
 went to a water mill on Little Blue, built and owned by Benjamin Majors. I 
 had sold a rifle gun to Wm. Rider, near the mill, for corn and other articles nec- 
 essary for new beginners in the country. We shelled our corn at Riders, and 
 took it to mill, and that night a deep snow fell, and before our load of meal 
 could be ground, it had turned bitter cold ; but with the assistance of the miller, 
 Aleck Majors (afterward the great ox driver across the plains), we loaded up and 
 got over the icy and dangerous crossing of the Blue, and set out for home. We 
 had a five horse team, and twenty odd miles before us. Noel rode the saddle 
 horse and drove the team, until to avoid freezing he would jump off and run by 
 its side, till tired and exhausted, he would mount and ride and whip again. In 
 the same manner, I rode in the wagon, and ran in the snow behind it by turns. 
 Dark came on, and oh ! how cold — how bitter cold. To make matters worse, in 
 crossing a ravine at the head of the creek, our team became tangled in the gear- 
 ing, and some of it was broken or came loose, in arranging which Noel's fingers 
 were frozen, and I fell into the ravine, and so twisted One knee as for a time not 
 to be able to walk. He, however, managed to get hitched up again, and I man- 
 aged to get in the wagon, and he drove Jehu-like until we reached the house of 
 Isaac Dunnaway, who opened his hospitable door, and saved us from freezing to 
 death.' 
 
 Of meat, the early settlers had enough, both tame and wild. Beef and 
 pork — especially pork — were plenty and cheap, and wild game abundant, and 
 the major part of the settlers knew how to kill it. 
 
 Though those early pioneers were thrown together from different parts of the 
 country, they soon became socially connected and intimately acquainted with each 
 other. Though neighbors might be said to be few and far between, therg was 
 something that drew them together as friends and helpers of one another. If one 
 
328 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 had a house to raise, a log rolling, a brush cutting, or a rail making, the neigh- 
 bors for four or five miles would turn out to help. 
 
 On Sunday, when they went to meeting (they had preaching then, though 
 no meeting houses or churches), they met with their neighbors, far and near, and 
 every one who behaved himself was as good, or at least, thought himself as good 
 as another. 
 
 PREACHERS, PREACHING AND CHURCHES. 
 
 We are told that the first preaching services in the Big Country, or portion 
 of Jackson county, was north of the present town of Pleasant Hill, near the pres- 
 ent line between Jackson and Cass, the date not remembered ; the preachers be- 
 ing James Savage and Joab Powell, both early settlers, both living on Little Blue, 
 and both Baptists. Powell was quite an illiterate man, but possessed of good 
 common sense, natural ability, a good reputation for honesty and industry, and 
 full of the milk of human kindness. He it was of whom it was said, that he 
 took his text in the two I chapter of the one I John, and quoted the epistle of 
 General Peter, instead of the epistle general of St. Peter — a made tale, no doubt. 
 
 Old Jimmy Savage was pretty much the same kind of man, never read 
 anything but the Scriptures, and not much there ; yet he was a man of note 
 among the early pioneers, for he was one of the oldest of them ; and so far as 
 we know, these two did the principal part of the preaching for some years, aided 
 by Jesse Butler, and by Wm. B. and Hiram Savage, licentiates, with an occasion- 
 al sermon by preachers of other denominations. 
 
 The first church or worshiping assembly was constituted by the Baptist's on 
 the second Saturday in June, 1832, at the house of Warren Reavis, where A. 
 Amos now lives. Sec. 34, Tp. 47, R. 29; or at the house of Wm. Butler, one 
 mile south of it. It was constituted by Elders Enoch Finch and Thos. Stayton, 
 Finch being from the present Greenton, in Lafayette county, and Stayton from 
 near Independence. James Savage was the first pastor and Warren P. Reavis, 
 clerk. 
 
 The earliest records of that church were lost during the civil war of 1861, 
 and the number and names of those who first went into it are not known. 
 
 When the narrator of these incidents first came to the county in 1833, and 
 his father and mother united with that church, it numbered near forty members. 
 Savage was yet pastor and was living on Little Blue ; but about that time he sold 
 out his farm and mill there and bought the farm of Isaac Dunnaway, to which 
 he moved in the spring of 1834. Reavis Was gone and David L. Cadle was clerk 
 and the most influential member. 
 
 In addition to Cadle and wife, the following names are remembered as be- 
 longing to the church : Thomas Hamlin and Mary, his wife, William Butler, 
 Sr., and wife, Wm. Butler, Jr., and wife, Jesse Butler, John Butler, Wm. 
 Savage and wife, Hiram Savage and wife, Wm. B. Savage, William Warden and 
 wife, Hezekiah Warden's wife, Catherine Bledsoe, Nancy Hopper and Artilla 
 Hopper. The meetings were held at private houses — most commonly at the 
 house of Thomas Hamlin, where George Rheem now lives. Sec. 25, Tp. 47, R. 
 30; or at the house of Wm. Butler, three miles east of Pleasant Hill. This con- 
 tinued until the year 1837 or 1838, when a log meeting house was built where the 
 cemetery known as the Rheem Cemetery now is on the farm of Fred. Edmund- 
 son, Sec. 25. That house was built by the voluntary contributions and labors of 
 the brethren and friends. In 1837 Wm. 'Ousley, a Baptist minister, moved into 
 the vicinity, and after a time became pastor of the church. It prospered until 
 the year 1841, when it numbered over 100 members. In that year and the year 
 following the question of missions divided it. The Lone Jack Church (first called 
 Basin Knob) and one called Bethel being constituted out of a part of its mem- 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 329 
 
 bership — Basin Knob in 1842, and Bethel in 1843 or 1844. Bethel dissolved or 
 was merged into other churches several years after. 
 
 The old Pleasant Garden church still has a name to live. After Ousle)' and 
 Savage withdrew from it and formed the Bethel church, Elder Hiram Bowman 
 served it as pastor up to the time of his death, about the year 1872. Many years 
 ago the church sold its old log house and built a frame building about three miles 
 'southeast of Lone Jack, on Sec. 33, Tp. 47, R. 29, where its meetings are yet 
 held. It now styles itself t^e Regular Predestinarian Baptist Church, and belongs 
 to the Mount Zion Association of Anti-Mission Baptists, and is ministered to by 
 Elders Mercer and McVey. That church, which may with propriety claim to 
 be the mother church of all the Baptist churches between the Little Blue and the 
 Osage River, numbering now less than twenty members. 
 
 LONE JACK CHURCH 
 
 Was constituted Oct. 29th, 1842, by Elders Joseph White, Wm. White, Joab Pow- 
 ell and Henry Farmer. It was constituted with fourteen members, their names be- 
 ing as follows : Samuel Cunningham, Wilbourne Cunninghim, Stephen I. Easley, 
 William Hopper, Morris Edwards, David Lynch, Frances Cunningham, Cath- 
 erine Cunningham, Rebecca Easley, Mary A. Easley, Artilla Hopper, Mahala 
 Fox, Minerva Alexander, the last named being the only one now remaining, Hen- 
 ry Farmer (who with his uncle, John Farmer, both Baptist ministers, came to Cass 
 county in 1837), was called as its first pastor, and served it as such uninterrupted- 
 ly for twenty years, during which time it grew from 14 to 212 members. Its 
 first meetings were held in a school house, in private houses, or in the groves 
 until 1849, when a comfortable frame house was built at Lone Jack, and the 
 name of the church was changed from Basin Knob to Lone Jack. 
 
 Since the close of the Civil War, it has had as its pastors, Jeremiah Farmer, 
 Abram Weaver, A. M. "Johnson, Solomon D. Brown, Wm. Farmer, I. B. Jack- 
 son, Isaac N. Newman, and the present pastor, F. W. Leonard. It numbers 
 now one hundred and twelve (112). 
 
 There are three other Baptist churches in the township. New Liberty, Sni 
 Mills and Willow Spring ; all of which, as well as Strasburg, in Cass, Elm 
 Spring, in Johnson, and Concord and Chapel Hill, in Lafayette, mainly grew 
 out of the Lone Jack church. 
 
 NEW LIBERTY CHURCH 
 
 was constituted in 1859 with the following named members: Abram Koger and 
 wife, Ehas Duncan and wife, Thornton Duncan and wife, Jacob M. Adams, 
 Sinai Koger, Alvis Lynch and wife, William Gosney, Flemming Harris and wife, 
 and Sarah Wood. 
 
 A frame house costing $700 was erected in 1859, and dedicated by Rev. 
 Josiah Leake. 
 
 Since then the following pastors have served the church : Edward Wood, 
 Samuel Shepherd, David S. Miller, Abram Weaver, L B. Jackson, A. M. John- 
 son, and Thos. L. Powell, the present pastor ; membership 70. 
 
 SNI MILLS CHURCH 
 
 was constituted in the year 1875, with the following named members : Nicholas 
 Hutchins, Benj. Hutchins, J. N. Hutchins, John C. Faulkenberry, Louis D. 
 Long, Nathan Hunt, I. Faulkenberry, Lucy Hutchins, Margaret Hutchins, Re- 
 becca Hutchins and Nancy Williams. The church built a frame house in 1877, 
 costing about $400. 
 
 It has had as pastors, S. D. Brown, J. B. Jackson, Charles White, and Dr. 
 . L. M. Horn. 
 
330 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 WILLOW SPRINGS CHURCH 
 
 was constituted in June, 1877, with the following members : Drury Davis, 
 Joseph Haynes, M. Haynes, Joseph A. Jackson, George H. Noel, Mollie Davis, 
 Rebecca A. E. Jackson, Rachel Noel, Sarah J. Noel, Sarah Williams, J. B. 
 Jackson, Helen Jackson, Sidney Jackson, Noel Jackson, Frances Jackson, 
 Frances Jackson, Jr., EHas Duncau, Mary F. Duncan, Wm. Duncan, Ellen. 
 Duncan, Samuel Shepherd and Lucinda Shepherd. This church has no house of 
 worship of its own. 
 
 Its pastors have been J. B. Jackson, George H. Noel, and Thos.. S. Powell. 
 
 Although the Baptists have from the beginning predominated in the township, 
 other religious denominations have had a place in the community. ' Even the 
 Mormons, when their headquarters were at Independence, had a stake, as it was 
 called, on Big Creek. Daniel Graham, one of the oldest pioneers, tells of a 
 meeting, held in the neighborhood, at which Sidney • Rigdon, Liba Peterson, 
 Ohver Cowdery, Lyman White, and Elder Whitman, were in attendance; and 
 that Joshua Hitchcock, Jesse Hitchcock, and Mrs. Thomas McKnight were con- 
 verted to the faith, and baptized into their fellowship. Peterson, one of their 
 elders, was for a short time residing in the township, and taught the first school 
 ever taught in it. But when Mormonism was expelled, he and Jesse Hitchcock 
 went also. Joshua and McKnight remained a few years, and they too left. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, 
 
 sometimes called Campbellites, were here at an early day. The first baptism 
 that the narrator ever witnessed in the State, was by an elder of that church, 
 whose name he thinks was Stanley or Sanders ; the person baptized was a Miss 
 Elizabeth English; this was in 1834. Afterward Simon Bradley, Elder Mulkey, 
 Thos. McBride, James McBride, William Parker and oth-ers preached and organ- 
 ized churches. Elder Parker, who came to the county in 1842, continued to 
 preach up to near the close of his life, about 1875. Next to the Baptists this is, 
 perhaps, the most numerous sect in the township ; preaching at Lone Jack, Hicks 
 City, New Liberty and other places. 
 
 The local church at Lone Jack was organized on the 21st of September, 1842, 
 and they have an interest in the Baptist church building erected in 1848. The 
 names of the original members were : Thos. Mulkey, Sion Bradley, Thos. Mc- 
 Bride, Sr., Thos. McBride, Jr., John S. Cave, Wm. Parker, Wilson Lewis, John 
 Wright, Robert H. Crawford, Elizabeth L. Bynum, Fannie Parker, Euphronia 
 Crawford, Ann Wright, Elizabeth Gibson, Susan Drake, Annie Snow, Martha 
 Bynum. Of these the only, one now living and belonging to the church is Annie 
 or Alice Snow. The pastors who have served the church in succession are Thos. 
 Mulkey, Thomas McBride, Sion Bradley, Wm. Parker, Joel Wilmot, C. P. 
 Arbuckle, John O. Kane, Madison Burnett, John W. Dawson, W. R. Cunning- 
 ham, H. M. Price and Jas. L. Warren. 
 
 THE METHODISTS 
 
 Were slow to commence in the township. Elder McKenney, in 1833 or '4, set- 
 tled between Oak Grove and Round Prairie, and William Ferrill and Patrick 
 Talbot a short time after, rlear the site of Pleasant Hill, and there preached as 
 occasion served; but there was no local church established in the township or any 
 stated preaching till 1837. 
 
 In 1836 John Patton bought out Joshua Hitchcock and Charles Hopper, Jr., 
 and moved to the present Miller Easly farm — a pious, good man of that faith ; and 
 in 1837 Samuel Yankee and James Sanders also moved into the neighborhood, 
 and a church or class was formed, consisting of these three famiUes, Wm. Hays 
 and family, and Charles Hopper, Sr., with perhaps one or two others. Their 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 331 
 
 meetings and preaching were at Patton's residence, and they were ministered unto 
 for several years by travehng preachers in succession, as follows : Elder Lacy, 
 George Bewly, Jesse Green, Thomas Ashley, Daniel Capell, Silas Williams (a 
 
 son of the old pioneer Baptist of Cooper county), Watts, D. A. Leeper, 
 
 Deggs, Cummings, Wells, Thomas Wallace, Samuel Colburn, 
 
 Warren Pitts, Henry Webster, W. M. Page, Banner, R. A. Foster, and 
 
 their number increased as the county increased in population and they have 
 ever since had a respectable minority of the worshiping community. 
 
 In 1844 the great division occurred in the Methodist Church, since which 
 time a large majority of the Methodists in the township have been with the Church, 
 South ; though the Northern branch has' had its adherents, and for years kept up 
 an organization, and were ministered unto in turn by Westerman, Dodds, Lee, 
 Thomas Ferrill and others. 
 
 Of the original members of that church, organized in 1837, there are yet 
 living in the vicinity James Sanders, Wm. Hays and Mrs. Parmelia Yankee. 
 
 THE PRESBYTERIANS 
 
 Have ever been weak in the township. There is, however, a number in the north- 
 western part, and they have regular preaching at the Union church house, on the 
 line between this and Prairie township. 
 
 The Cumberland Presbyterians some years since had a church and regular 
 preaching at Lone Jack, but for some years it has been discontinued. They have 
 also had monthly meetings at New Liberty, Elder Dalton and others officiating. 
 
 SCHOOLS. 
 
 The preacher was not the only useful character that was found among the 
 early pioneers of the county. The school teacher was also here at an early day. 
 It has already been stated that the Mormon preacher, Peterson, was the first 
 teacher in the township. 
 
 He, it is said, was one of the first five commissaries sent out by the prophet, 
 as Caleb and Joshua were, to spy out the land, and to select the New Jerusalem 
 in the West. After selecting Independence as the site, he next turned his atten- 
 tion to selecting a bride for himself, instead of selecting one for his master's son ; 
 and his choice fell on a Miss Hopper, the daughter of an old citizen of Lafayette 
 county. And as his wife had a brother, two sisters and other relatives near the 
 Lone tree, he fell in there also, and at a time when the settlers began to think of 
 sending their children to school. The fact that there was no school house did 
 not stand in the way at all. A few of the neighbors went to work, cut a few 
 hickory logs, split them so as to make two of one, notched them up in the shape 
 of a pen, twelve or fourteen feet square and the height of a man's head, cut down 
 a burr oak tree standing near by, and made it into clap-boards four feet in length; 
 and with these boards and a few poles to hold them up, and few more to keep 
 them down, covered the pen, and the school house was there. A doorway, how- 
 ever, was wanted to get into it. This was soon sawed or chopped out, and* 
 nothing remained to be done but to furnish the house. A few more poles were 
 cut and split open, the splinters hewed off, auger holes bored and legs put in, and 
 the seats were there. 
 
 That pioneer school house was built on the east half of the northwest quarter 
 of Sec. 32, Tp. 47, R. 29, on the Kreeger or Fish farm, southeast of Lone Jack, 
 and the first school was taught in the summer of 1833. How long the term 
 continued is not known, nor who all the pupils were. 
 
 Of the next school, which was taught the next summer, something more 
 definite can be stated ; as the youth who taught that school then, writes these 
 recollections now. When the school of seventeen scholars was made up, with a 
 promise to pay two dollars per quarter per scholar, it was determined to move 
 
332 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the site of the school house, the old one not being centrally located. The school, 
 however, was to commence and go on in the old house, until another was ready. 
 One week of school in the old pen, and the teacher and the other boys of the 
 neighborhood, met on Saturday with axes and two yoke of oxen, and cut and 
 dragged up logs enough for the house. 
 
 Another week of school in the old house, and on the next Saturday the house 
 was raised. The boards and benches were hauled over from the old house. The new 
 one was covered, a door cut out, and that house was done, and furnished and 
 the school went on ; and for several years the schools in that part of the town- 
 ship were taught in that house. But after that session they managed to get a fire 
 place and floor on it; and there are several persons now living in the township, 
 and other parts of the county, who got the whole or the principal part of their 
 schooling in that small house ; which stood a very short distance from the resi- 
 dence of Wesley Yankee. 
 
 The names of the pupils who attended the first school that was taught in it, 
 as near as recollected, were : Willie B. English, Christopher McKnight, Wm. 
 McKnight, Jonathan McKnight and sister, William Edmundson, Rufus Edmund- 
 son, Elvira Edmundson, Spencer Rice, Isaac Rice, Elizabeth Rice, Nancy Rice, 
 James Rice, Rachel Beeler, Mary Beeler, Joab Bridges and sister, Leannah 
 Larrison and two sisters. 
 
 The first school ever taught at Lone Jack, or its immediate vicinity, was in a 
 house built where the cemetery east of town now is. It was considered a good 
 house in its day ; built of hewed logs, with floor, chimney and fire place. The 
 first school was taught by Wesley Underwood. After that, Warren Easly, John 
 Snow, Galen Cave, Charles Hopper, John Patton and Samuel Yankee, employed 
 one John E. Roberts to teach a school for a whole year ; binding themselves in- 
 dividually to pay him two hundred dollars, which was considered good wages — 
 $16.66 per month. It was considered the best school that had been taught 
 in the county, and no doubt it was; and better, perhaps, than some schools 
 taught now, costing three times as much money ; in houses that cost five times 
 as much as that did. The first 
 
 PUBLIC FREE SCHOOL 
 
 taught in the township, was in 1842. Township 47 in Range 29, was organized 
 in the spring of that year, under the school law of 1838, and the southwest 
 fourth of that six mile square was the first district. The two houses that have 
 been mentioned were both in that district; one on the north, and one on the 
 south side. So a new house was built on the lands of John Hunter, on the south- 
 east quarter of northwest quarter of section 29 : a large roomy log house, in 
 which David Harris taught the first school, for $16.66 per month. 
 
 The stove that was put into that house then is yet in use in that school dis- 
 trict, and looks as if it might last twenty years to come ; and the old house is a 
 stable on the Miller- Easly farm. 
 
 Since then things have changed in the way of schools as well as in other 
 things. Instead of one organized school district, and one school taught under 
 the free school laws of the State, there are thirteen in the township, in which 
 schools are taught on an average six months in the year, and teachers are paid 
 more than double as much as then. The houses, with one or two exceptions, are 
 all comfortable frame structures. But truth compels us to say, that the pupils do. 
 not receive the same benefit in proportion to the dollars and cents expended, that 
 they did in the little log cabin schools when the teacher's wages came out of the 
 patron's pockets individually; and the teachers were of the old fogy style, taught 
 themselves in the old fogy school ; or else self-taught, instead of in the normal 
 schools as at present. This may not be the fault of the school law. It may not 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 333 
 
 be the fault of the school officers. It may not be the fault of the teachers or the 
 pupils; but such is the fact and the cause lies somewhere. 
 For many years there were neither 
 
 DOCTORS NOR LAWYERS 
 
 in the township. In fact we have never had a resident lawyer in it, except 
 Judge Russell Hicks, who owned a good farm here and spent a part of his time 
 upon it. When the school. Sec. i6, Tp. 47 R. 29, was sold in 1837, Russell 
 Hicks bought the whole section, except the west half of southwest quarter^ also 
 buying a large quantity contiguous to it. He then spent a large part of the 
 money he made in his large practice, in improving it and stocking it with live 
 'stock and slaves ; and no doubt lost money by his farming operations ; and when 
 the events of the war swept away his negroes and large herds, he was left almost 
 in poverty. He was a man of giant intellect, and great legal attainments, and 
 his history belongs to the county and State ; and not to any particular township. 
 Hicks' City, which he laid out upon his lands on the Lexington, Lake & Gulf 
 Railroad, if it shall ever grow to be a city, will perpetuate his name to posterity. 
 The first doctors to practice in the township were Doctor Caleb Darby, near 
 Oak Grove, and Patrick Talbot, near Pleasant Hill. They both came about the year 
 1836. Darby was a botanic or steam doctor, and was both farmer and doctor. 
 Talbot was farmer, doctor, lawyer and preacher. They both lived and died on 
 their first locations. Previous to their coming, in cases of emergency or extreme 
 sickness, doctors were sent for to Independence, or wherever they could be 
 found. 
 
 MAILS AND NEWSPAPERS. 
 
 The early pioneers labored for some years under many difficulties, among 
 which was the want of 
 
 MAIL FACILITIES. 
 
 It was not until 1838, that a post route was established between Lexington 
 and Harrisonville, and post-offices located at Greenton, Cool Spring (now Chapel 
 Hill), Lone Jack and Pleasant Hill. Stephen I. Early, was the first contractor, 
 and A. L. and Wm. Snow, were the first mail carriers on the route. They both 
 live yet, not far from Lone Jack. Before the opening of that route the settlers 
 got their mails from Independence and Lexington, and newspapers were not often 
 read, when they were, they were frequently a month or six weeks old. 
 
 In 1834 the citizens of the Big Creek country established a sort of news- 
 paper circulating club; made three distributing offices, or agencies, and sub- 
 scribed for three weekly newspapers : the Washington Globe, the Missouri Republi- 
 can, and the Jefersonian Republican (Jefferson City). One was to be sent to 
 Andrew Wilson, west of Pleasant Hill, one to Wm. Butler, three miles east of it, 
 and one to Enoch Rice, near Lone Jack. These papers were to pass from hand 
 to hand, and be read in turn. It was tried for a year; did not work well, and 
 was abandoned. 
 
 FIRST TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 
 
 As was said, the township was first organized in 1834, part being in what is 
 now Cass county. The first Justices of the Peace appointed were Wm. Savage, 
 Wm. Butler and Enoch Rice. James WilHams, (a son of the noted pioneer 
 peacher, Luke Williams,) was constable. 
 
 The county boundaries of Van Buren county had been defined, or pre- 
 scribed at the session of 1832, but owing to the sparseness of the population, it 
 still remained as a part of Jackson, for all civil and military purposes. 
 
 In August, 1834, the general election for the township was held at the house 
 of Thos. Burgin, in what is now Cass county, and the candidates at that election, 
 
334 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 were Michael McClelland, Russell Hicks and Wm. Savage, for the State Senate. 
 Richard Fristoe, Smallwood V. Noland, Thomas Jefferies and Robert Rickman, 
 for the House of Representatives ; John King, for Sheriff; James Noel and James 
 Williams, for Constable; (clerks. Justices of the Peace and Judges were not then 
 elective). McClelland, Fristoe, Noland, King and Williams were elected. 
 
 The Legislature next winter organized the County of Van Buren (now Cass), 
 and those citizens of Jackson on the heads of Big Creek and Sni, were for a time 
 added to Sni-a-bar township. The election in 1835, to vote for members of 
 congress, was held at the house of James Lewis, near Stony Point, and the voters 
 were called on to vote bv general ticket for two members of congress ( that being 
 the number to which the State was then entitled). Albert G. Harrison and 
 George F. Strother, were the Democratic candidates, and Wm. Ashley and James • 
 H. Birch, Whigs. Harrison and Strother were elected ; receiving nearly the 
 unanimous vote of the township. At the same election, Sam. C. Owens was 
 elected Circuit Clerk, over Franklin Smith. 
 
 In 1836 or 1837 the township was re-organized or separated from Sni-a-bar, 
 embracing its present territory and the greater part of what is now Prairie town- 
 ship. Warham Easley and Wilson Alexander were the first elected Justices of the 
 Peace, and David L. Cadle the first constable, and, as near as we have been able 
 to learn, the following served as Justices of the Peace in the order named : James 
 Tucker, William Baugh, John A. Green, Samuel Yankee, T. M. Poindexter, 
 Edmund McCraw, Wather Flournoy, Robert F. Campbell, Samuel Clark, Miller 
 W. Easley, Samuel Crump, Nicholas Hutchins, Charles Smith, William Caryle, 
 Alvis Lynch, John Trandle. These were the Justices before the war of the re- 
 bellion. During those years of war civil laws were almost suspended. After .the 
 war we have had as Justices : John C. Allen, Charles Smith, Harvey G. Hickton, 
 Daniel B. Borrow, Easthan Allen, Daniel Joyce, David Faulkenberry and James 
 Thompson. The office of constable has been filled, in addition to D. L. Cadle, 
 by his son, Patterson Cadle, Woodson Tucker, James Dealy, George Webb, 
 Andrew Chamberlain, Henry Long, Jr., William Spainhower, Wilson D. Round 
 and Milton Cash, the present incumbent. 
 
 LONE JACK. 
 
 The plat of the town of Lone Jack was made and the town laid off at the 
 request of Warham Easley, and it is situated in Van Buren township, on the divid- 
 ing line between ranges 19 and 20 in township 47, being a part of the northwest 
 quarter of southwest quarter of Sec. 19, containing twelve acres ^^^\, including 
 three acres owned by James Finlay, and subdivided into streets, lots and alleys. 
 The main street runs east and west and is sixty feet wide. It bears the signatures 
 of James Firilay and Warham Easley, and dated April 8, 1841. 
 
 When the township was organized in 1837, the place of voting was fixed at 
 Beattie's store, on the site of the present town of Lone Jack. The first to build 
 a cabin on that site was 'Squire Bridges. Emigrating from Tennessee he first 
 settled and built his cabin in 1831 on Sec. 32, Tp. 47, R. 29 — a part of the Fish 
 or Kreeger farm, southeast of Lone Jack. In 1832 he sold to John Beeler, and 
 in the winter of that year built north of the lone tree, on the southwest quarter of the 
 northwest quarter of Sec. 19, a very short distance north of George H. Shanhan's 
 present residence. Not having teams enough to break prairie and to haul rails 
 and fence it, he cleared a field a mile or two north and fenced it with the rails 
 and brush that grew upon it, and there he made his corn for two or three years. 
 In 1856 he sold to Jasper Hopper, and he to Pamphaey Byram. 
 
 In 1835-6 Galen Cave, Warham Easley and John Snow, three brothers-in- 
 law, came from North Carolina, and entered the land on which the lone Black 
 Jack tree stood, and some hundreds of acres adjoining and contiguous, and being 
 men of energy, some means, and some help in the way of slaves, soon made 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 335 
 
 their mark in the way of good farms and comfortable dwellings in close proximity 
 to each other, and also close to the lone tree. 
 
 In the winter of 1836 a Mr. Beattie built a storehouse, the first in the town- 
 ship. This house was built of logs, a large, roomy building, and the logs were 
 cut on what was called the condemned land in Cass county ; that is, land not yet 
 surveyed or brought into market, and which, it was said, had been returned as 
 not worth surveying. The goods were brought into the house in the spring of 
 1837. Reuben B. Fulkerson, a brother-in-law of Senator Cockrell, was the first 
 clerk or salesman, and he still lives a few miles from' the town in Johnson county. 
 After Beattie had sold goods for three years, Jas. Findlay, a son-in-law of Hon. Judge 
 John F. Ryland, sold goods in the same house until about the year 1846, when 
 Major George W. Tate, and Col. John W. Tate, his son, succeeded him, and sold 
 goods there until near the opening up of the great rebellion. In the meantime 
 there were othe4- rival merchants, and in 1843 or 1844 Warham Easley laid off 
 «ome lots and christened the newly laid off town Lone Jack, by which name it 
 had already been known for years. The post-office, establishd'd in 1838, bore the 
 name Lone Jack. The store was called the Lone Jack store, and the country 
 round was called the Lone Jack neighborhood. And why? Simply on account 
 of the solitary lone Black Jack tree that stood on that elevated ridge, dividing the 
 waters of the Missouri from those of the Osage. That tree could be seen for 
 miles in almost every direction, and in the early days was a noted landmark to 
 the hunter and traveler when no roads were in the country. But the tree is 
 gone. It died in 1861. The men, too, who first made their homes here are 
 gone. Bridges left in 1836 or 1837, and his intimate friends soon lost sight of 
 him altogether. He went, none knew where. 
 
 Byram died many years ago and the farm fell into the hands of G. W. 
 Tate ; he too has been dead nearly twenty years. Galen Caves, who entered 
 the land on which the tree grew, and John Snow, his brother-in-law, died in a 
 few days of each other in 1851, with that dread disease cholera. Warham 
 Easley, who bought the tract on which the tree stood, of his brother in-law 
 Cave, and laid a part of it out in town lots, has been dead five or six years. 
 
 The first doctor to stop in the town for practice was a Dr. Profontaine, we 
 believe, in 1839. He staid but a short time. He was one of the band engaged 
 in the robbery and murder of the Mexican merchant Chaves, at Cow Creek, as 
 he was on the way from Santa Fe to Westport. 
 
 After him there were Doctors Horn, Talbot, Patterson, Warren, Cruise, E. 
 D. and J. B. Harris; and afterward. Doctors Wash burn e, Porter, Benton, Win- 
 frey and othens, up to the year 1861. 
 
 In the year 1847 Stephen Easley built near the town a saw mill on the 
 tread wheel principle. It was an old fashioned sash saw and did some sawing, 
 but it was not a success and soon fell into disuse. It was, however, turned into 
 a grist-mill, and carding machine and under the management of the present 
 excellent miller, Noah Hunt, did good work. 
 
 In 1859 or i860 Dr. E. D. Porter built the first steam flouring mill in the town- 
 ship. It was just west of the village, at the large spring near Henry Longs, an 
 ■excellent mill with two run of burrs. John Daniel and Nathan Hunt furnished 
 the means to build, and the mill fell into their hands and was run by them until 
 1863, when it was abandoned under the stern mandate of order number eleven, 
 and burned by armed marauders a few days afterward. 
 
 The first and only church built at Lone Jack was built by the Baptists in 
 1849, and the first sermon preached from its pulpit was by Henry Farmer, in 
 January, 1850. It is a frame building, 40x50 feet, roughly plastered, and 
 plainly seated. Although owned by the Baptists, other denominations of Chris- 
 tians preached in it, whenever they desired to do so, if not occupied by the 
 ■owners. And in consideration of the Christian church, having plastered the 
 
336 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 house, they are secured by a written contract in the use of the house, for wor- 
 ship, one-fourth of the time. There being no town hall it is also frequently used 
 on public occasions for lectures, township and political meetings, etc. 
 
 In 1866 Noah Hunt built just east of the town a steam flouring mill and 
 carding machine, which he still runs, and which has been profitable to him and 
 beneficial to the community. 
 
 Between this mill and the town is the steam saw mill and distillery of Geo. 
 H. Shauhan, which does considerable business. 
 
 The seminary or school building in Lone Jack was built by Dr. E. Porter, in 
 1858-9, as a private seminary. After his death it was bought by the school 
 district, and is now the public property of district number — , Tp. 47, R. 
 30. It is a neat two story building, with which any school district should be 
 content, the upper room being sometimes used by the Masonic brotherhood. 
 
 RETROSPJECT. 
 
 In looking back over the fifty years that have passed since the first settlement 
 of the county, and calling to mind the names of those earliest settlers, we are re- 
 minded of many incidents in their history, that would perhaps be interesting or 
 amusing to the men of the present and coming generations. Nearly all of those 
 first and early pioneers have passed away ; and in many cases they and their des- 
 cendants have been lost sight of by the few who yet remain ; and it is only by a 
 few old gray headed ones that they are remembered as ever having aided or taken 
 part in opening up a wilderness land, and preparing it for the homes and the civil- 
 ization of to-day. A few reminiscences will now be given of those early pio- 
 neers. Some of them had been among the pioneer settlers in counties or States 
 farther east, and when settlements crowded upon them too closely, had come 
 farther west, to be where the deer and other wild game were abundant. Others 
 were young men just commencing in life, who had taken Horace Greeley's advice 
 long before he gave it, and had come west to grow up with the country. 
 
 David G. Butterfield was an old settler of Lafayette county. After moving 
 to Jackson, and living almost alone at the head of Big Creek for some years, he 
 moved further south, and in 1836 was elected the first assessor of Cass county, 
 then Van Buren. In a very few years, he sold out again, and moved still farther 
 south. 
 
 John, William and James Savage, and their brother-in-law, William Warden, 
 were four of the early settlers of Jackson county, and they were four of the fif- 
 teen who, with their famiHes, in the war of 1812, lived together in Cole's Fort, 
 on the present site of Boonville. 
 
 William Warden and Hezekiah Warden, Hiram and Bowling Savage, were 
 also among the early settlers here, and, according to Slaven's History of Cooper 
 county, they were four of the seventeen pupils that attended the first school ever 
 taught in that county, which school was taught by John Savage, in the shade of a 
 tree, the pupils sitting on a log; the site of which school is now covered by the 
 city of Boonville. 
 
 William Savage, as has been seen, was a candidate for the State Senate in 
 1834, and, though he was not elected, he had the votes of nearly all his neigh- 
 bors. James Savage, or old Jimmy, as he was familiarly called, came early to 
 Jackson county, and built or bought a small water mill on the Little Blue, and 
 did the early grinding and preaching in that part of the country. He sold his 
 mill in 1833 to a Mr. Hawkins, who was afterward murdered there, by his wife 
 and a Dutchman, named Gaston. After selling his farm and mill. Savage moved 
 to Big Creek, in the early spring of 1834, and was elected captain of a company 
 of volunteer minutemen, who had volunteered to resist the threatened return of 
 the Mormons to the county. He had seen service in the war of 1812 ; he had 
 fought the Indians in those troublous times, and had used the rifle and flint- 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 337 
 
 lock all his life ; hence, the choice of the old Baptist preacher for a leader. 
 And as the old captain has long ago gone to his rest, and the most of the brave 
 volunteers he commanded have gone too, it may not be amiss, for one of 
 the very few who remain, before he too goes where they are, to put upon rec- 
 ord some of the services and doings of that brave captain, and his equally brave 
 compatriots, in the campaign of 1834. It was in the month of April (says the 
 narrator) that rumors became rife, that the followers of the prophet, Jo. Smith 
 who had been expelled from the county the preceding autumn, were being strong- 
 ly re-enforced from New York and Ohio, and would, in a short time, re-possess 
 themselves of their former homes, and of the whole of Jackson county. About 
 the last of that month, at a meeting of the citizens of the Big Creek settlements 
 at the house Hezekiah Warden, a company of volunteer minutemen was organ- 
 ized, with James Savage, captain, Wm. English, lieutenant, and Andrew Wilson 
 ensign, and each volunteer was enjoined to keep his horse and gun in readiness. 
 Each week the rumors became more alarming, as to the preparations making on 
 the north of the river, to cross over and exterminate the Gentiles on the south. 
 Our patriotic captain resolved to see for himself, and passing himself as a horse 
 hunter, he crossed the Big Muddy, entered the enemy's camp, made his observa- 
 tions, returned and reported : that the enemy was already strong, and growing in 
 strength ; that the Mormons were much better provided than the Israelites were 
 in the days of Saul, for they had of blacksmiths quite a number, and that those 
 smiths were busily engaged in repairing guns, and in making swords, spears and 
 other dire and dangerous weapons of war; that he had not only penetrated the 
 enemy's camp, but had entered the house of one of the principal elders (Part- 
 ridge), and, by leading his wife to believe him a brother, had learned from her 
 that large re-enforcements were shortly expected, and that the promised land 
 would soon be possessed. The whole county of Jackson was now in arms, and 
 the adjoining one, Lafayettee, was appealed to for help. General Samuel C. 
 Owens was appointed commander-in-chief and generalissimo of the army of occu- 
 pation and defense ; and he was notified that the Big Creek battalion — Captain 
 James Savage — was at his service whenever needed. 
 
 There being no post-offices or post roads, the news was brought from the seat 
 of war every few days by couriers, mounted upon swift-footed horses and mules 
 and thus the citizens were informed of what was transpiring. The failure of the 
 Peace Congress at Liberty, to which General Owens, Judge Fristoe, Smallwood 
 Nolan and Smallwood V. Nolan, with other prominent citizens of Jackson had 
 been sent. Also how an attempt had been made to drown those delegates on 
 their return.- How the ferry boat was scuttled and sunk in crossing, and 
 Lynch, Bradbury, Carey, and two others drowned ; and how narrowly the other 
 delegates and passengers escaped by goodluck, and by good swimming. At length 
 on the morning of the 20th of June, David Dealy, Jun., arrived with a dispatch 
 to the captain, caUing for his promised battalion. By three o'clock it was assem- 
 bled at the house of the captain, and soon after fifty strong commenced its march 
 to Independence. Through the almost pathless prairies, it wended its way; 
 night came, and by the light of the moon the march was continued. Arriving at 
 Independence late at night but no army of occupation was there, not even a sen- 
 tinel, to halt us as we approached. The town seemed wrapped in sleep, with no 
 one to bid us welcome, or hail us as deliverers come to their rescue. 
 
 Some demonstration being made by the trampling of horses, or the murmur 
 of disappointed soldiers, a man in nightdress appeared on the street and demanded 
 whence we came. He was soon recognized asL. W. Boggs, Lieutenant-Governor, 
 and afterward elected Governor of the State. He informed us that the army was 
 at the river guarding the ferries and crossings, to prevent the crossing of the 
 enemy ; but that the commander, General Owens, was then in town and at his 
 home. To the commander's house then, our Lieutenant and Orderly (Wm. 
 
338 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 H. Moore) repaired to report and receive orders ; but all the orders they received 
 were to let him sleep and not disturb his repose. Then there was some grumbling; 
 and some of the boys said if they were at home, they would stay there ; which, 
 no doubt, has been said by many a volunteer soldier before and since. 
 
 Our officers then ordered us to mount and ride back on the road we came. 
 About this time the moon which had shone brightly all the night began to refuse 
 her light, and it became darker and darker, until we were in total darkness. It 
 was. a total eclipse. 
 
 Two miles from town the battalion went into camp in Daniel King's wood- 
 pasture. Each soldier hitched his horse and lay down on his blanket to sleep, or 
 not to sleep as it might happen. Next morning, after going through a short 
 military drill by our stuttering Lieutenant, we rode again to Independence, and 
 received a more cordial reception. The commander apologized, and excused 
 himself on the ground of his unremitted labors and want of sleep. The citizens 
 spread their tables and opened their corn cribs, and to us was assigned the post 
 of honor, the defense of the town. 
 
 In the afternoon the cheering intelligence reached us that a treaty of peace 
 had been concluded, by which the elders of the Mormon faith had agreed to 
 desert from their threatened invasion and leave the people of Jackson in quiet ; 
 and in a short time the army of defense arrived from the river, and marched into 
 town with their six pound cannon, which was drawn up on the square and fired 
 several times to announce the war ended. The volunteer allies from Lafay- 
 ette received the thanks of the officers, and the whole army was discharged and 
 disbanded, and Captain Savage and his battalion returned home ; and that gray 
 haired veteran lived and died without receiving a land warrant or pension for his 
 services either in this or the war of i8i2. 
 
 As has been said elsewhere, he was preacher and pastor of the first Baptist 
 church ever organized between Little Blue and the Osage River, and for that and 
 other churches growing out of it, he continued to preach until about the year 
 1847, when he moved to Grayson county, Texas, where he died and where some 
 of ids family yet live. 
 
 Daniel Graham was the second person to settle in the township, and contin- 
 ued to live on the farm he first settled until after the war of the rebellion, 
 increasing the number of his acres, the number of his slaves, and other personal 
 effects. The war, however, and its effects took away his slaves, and much of his 
 other possessions, and in 1866 he sold his valuable farm to P. S. Alexander, the 
 present live stock man of the township, and moved to Texas. There he met with 
 losses and misfortunes and moved back to Cass county, where losses and misfor- 
 tunes still followed him ; till now in his old age with a large family by a second 
 wife, he is hving in the northeast corner of Cass county, about six miles from his 
 old home in straitened circumstances, but with a memory stored full of incidents 
 of pioneer life in Jackson county. He has two sons, David and Ambers, living 
 and doing well on a part of his old homestead, sold or given to them before the 
 war. David claims to have lived longer in the township than any other person 
 living or dead. 
 
 Charles Hopper, or Big Charley, was among the first to locate near the 
 lone tree. He selected his home there in 1830 and moved to it in i83i;and 
 like Graham, continued to add to it, until he became a large landholder, as well 
 as one of the greatest hunters of the country. It was said he could kill more 
 deer than any one man in this or the adjoining counties. He was one of the 
 prominent men among the pioneers, and a leading member in society, and of 
 the First Methodist church in the township. In 1835 Greenville Crisp, Anthony 
 Bledsoe and some other Big Creek boys returned from hunting and trapping in 
 the mountains, with Walker Sublette and others, and told such marvelous tales of 
 California, and the mountain life that Big Charley took the California fever (the 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 339 
 
 first that had ever had it in the county). It stuck to him, and a few years after 
 with Col. Bartleson's company he crossed the plains and the mountains to the 
 Pacific, and after some months spent in exploring, returned, but not to rernain. 
 Some years after he sold out his farm to John Darniel, and moved to the land of 
 gold before that gold was discovered, and is yet living there a wealthy man. 
 
 Jasper Hopper, who was an uncle to Big Charley, and also his father-in-law, 
 with his sons, Little Charley, William and Tuck, were all among the early 
 settlers, all of them like Nimrod — mighty hunters, and all of them gone to Cali- 
 fornia. Uncle Jasper (as he was called) died there a few years ago at the age of 
 loo years, and it is said was a hunter almost to the last. In his younger years 
 he had spent some time in hunting and trapping in the mountains of New 
 Mexico, and with trading with the natives at Santa Fe, and could tell many a 
 cranky tale of his life among the Spaniards and Arapahoe Indians. 
 
 Peace to his memory (says the narrator). Many hundreds of miles he 
 reposes, from that hospitable home where I first knew him, but his companion in 
 that home, the wife of his youth, reposes just across the field, in plain view of 
 my door, and some of his children, companions of my youth are there too. 
 
 William Crawford moved to the township in the spring of 1831. He was 
 the son of an Irish widow woman of New York City. He there entered in the 
 regular army of the United States, served his five years and was discharged at 
 Fort Gibson about the year 1828. He there became acquainted with young 
 Daniel Graham, who had wandered out there after his mother married Butter- 
 field, and when Dan returned to his step-father's cabin, on the head of Big 
 Creek, Crawford came with him and the two somehow became acquainted with 
 and married two widowed sisters in Lafayette county. Their names originally 
 were Celia and Leah Hicklin. They had married two brothers, Richard and 
 Edmundson, and after the death of the brothers, transferred their affections, 
 their slaves and other possessions to the two friends, Graham and Crawford, and 
 with them came to the vicinity of the Lone tree. Crawford's wife died many 
 years ago, and he sold his farm (the one on which Wesley Yankee lives) to Lion 
 Bradley, and moved to Bates county, where he died in 1878. He was not of 
 the ordinary class of backwoods hunters, but a man of intelligence, and better 
 read than most of the early settlers were. 
 
 David Dealy, though not the oldest settler in the township, was an older 
 settler in the county than any of the others. He had settled in the Six Mile, near 
 Fort Osage, and as soon as he was permitted to do so, came west of the Little 
 Blue, he being one of the first to plow the rich soil "between the Blues," and 
 is said to have sowed the first wheat in that locality. He afterward settled south 
 of Blue Springs, on the old Cowherd farm; and in 1834 came to the farm where 
 he died, four miles northwest of Lone Jack. He was the father of twenty-six 
 children, all of the same mother, some of whom yet live in the county. He died 
 in 1878. Few men in the county were possessed of more muscular power than 
 David Dealy, and very few retained it to the age that he did. 
 
 Thomas Hamlin built the first cabin on what is called the Rheems farm Sec. 
 25, Tp. 47, R. 30, or at least he was the first to Hve there. Wm. Adams 
 entered the land on which it stood, but exchanged with Hamlin for lands in 
 R. 31. Hamlin moved there in 1832, and opened a farm, and the first plow- 
 ing that the writer of these recollections ever did in Missouri was on that farm, 
 when he hired to work for Hamlin for ten dollars per month. Hamlin was one of 
 those plain, hard working men, who after marrying in Tennessee, resolved to come 
 west and grow up with the country. An old friend, Joab Powell, assisted him in 
 the selection of a home in the new settlement. He did well for a few years, 
 when, like many others desiring to do better, he sold his farm to John Daniel, 
 and moved to Arkansas. 
 
 John Daniel came in the spring of 1836, enlarged the farm, and built the 
 
340 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 large brick house which is still there. He also built the first tread wheel mill in 
 the township, which was considered a great help to the citizens, and a great 
 advantage to the country; and for many years that mill supplied a large scope of 
 country with its meal and flour. The great drawback was that each customer, 
 when he went to mill, had to take the motive power with him in the shape of a 
 team, four or five horses or oxen being necessary to make the mill go. It was 
 more reliable, however, than the water-mills of the county, as they always 
 stopped when the rain ceased. In 1856 Daniel sold his large and well improved 
 farm to Wm. Robinson, and moved to the farm which he had bought from 
 Charley Hopper. At the commencement of the great civil war he was the largest 
 landholder and taxpayer in the township. As a result of the war he lost his 
 slaves and much other property, and afterward divided among his children the 
 greater part of what remained. He died in 1879, at the residence of his son-in- 
 law, John Shanhan, on the old Charley Hopper farm. His widow Rachel, (a 
 daughter of John Beeler,) resides there with her daughter, and she and her sister 
 Orleana Yankee, and her aunt Rachel Noel, have lived longer in the township 
 than any others, except, perhaps, David Graham. They came from Tennessee 
 in the fall of 1832 ; he was born in the township in the spring of the same year. 
 
 The oldest man living in the township on the ist of March, i88t, is John 
 Hunter, aged ninety-two years. He emigrated from Surry county, N. C, in 1835, 
 and located near Lone Jack, in the spring of 1836, on Sec. 29, Tp. 47, R. 
 29, where he has resided ever since, with the exception of eighteen months during 
 the great civil war, when, with others, by the mandate of Order No. 11, he was 
 expelled from his home and left it under circumstances distressing indeed, being 
 compelled, on the day that he left, to assist with his own hands in burying his 
 two only sons, a son-in-law, a grandson and two other near neighbors, who, on 
 that day, Sept. 6th, 1863, met a violent death at the hands of armed men. 
 
 The oldest lady in the township on March, 1,1881, was Mrs. Mary Rice, 
 who died March 11, 1881, aged eighty-nine years, widow of Enoch Rice, who 
 came from Tennessee to Jackson county in 1833. Those two aged persons (Mr. 
 Hunter and Mrs. Rice), have made their homes on adjoining farms, and have hved 
 within three hundred yards of each other the principal part of the time since 
 1836. 
 
 PHYSICAL FEATURES, ETC. 
 
 The features of the country is diversified with prairie and timber land. The 
 elevated ridge or table land dividing the waters of the Missouri from those of the 
 Osage, passes through the township from east to west near its center. On the 
 south are the head branches of Big Creek, and on the north those of Sni-a-bar ; 
 and on these streams is an ample supply of timber for farming and other pur- 
 poses, the timber and brush lands of the Sni-a-bar, being considered the best 
 tobacco lands of the county, if not of the State. 
 
 Van Burren has no railroad completed in its territory. The Lexington, Lake 
 & Gulf Railroad, for which the township in 1870 voted $50,000 in bonds, has 
 been graded and bridged from Lexington to Butler, since which, nothing more 
 has been done. 
 
 It is said, however, now that there is a prospect of its completion and exten- 
 sion to the coal fields in Bates county. 
 
 The population of the township is twenty-five hundred; amount taxable 
 property, $400,000. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 341 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Organization and General Features of the Municipal Township— Early Settlers of the Township 
 
 Lee^s Summit laid out in October, iS6j, by IV. B. Howard— Lee's Summit in i86g 
 
 Incorporation as a City— City Ordinances — List of City Officers — The Business and Public 
 Enterprises — Churches and Schools — Business Directory — Greenwood College — Cemetery. 
 
 By order of the County Court, June 4, i860, Prairie township was organized 
 and laid off from the west part of Van Buren township, a copy of the order hav- 
 ing been given in this work under the head of "Organization of Jackson county." 
 
 This township is situated in the southern central portion of the county, and 
 is bounded north by Brooking, Blue and Sni-a-bar townships, east by Sni-a-bar 
 and Van Buren townships, south by Cass county, and west by Washington and 
 Brooking townships. It is watered by Big Creek flowing south into Cass county, 
 and by Clear Creek east of Little Blue and Sni-a-bar creeks flowing north. The 
 surface is generally level, more so than any other township in the county. 
 
 Prairie township is the most central in Jackson county, east or west, con- 
 taining one hundred and twelve square miles, or 7 1 , 680 acres of land, nearly all 
 of which are under a high state of cultivation, about one-tenth of which is cov- 
 ered with a very fine growth of timber skirting the water courses. 
 
 These lands are beautiful rolling prairie, some of which are a mulatto soil, 
 the majority, however, a rich black loam from eighteen inches to six feet in depth, 
 underlaid by spongy sub-soil that make them peculiarly adapted to resist extreme 
 drouth or readily absorb superabundant rainfalls. 
 
 There are three hundred and ninety farms in this township under cultiva- 
 tion, averaging one hundred and sixty acres each, the largest of which is owned 
 by John R. Blackwell, containing 1,910 acres. The home farm has 1,480 acres, 
 nine hundred of which is in blue grass, timothy and clover. 
 
 More than usual attention is given to the raising of blooded stock, and some 
 of the finest herds, containing strains of the best families to be found in the 
 county, if not in the State, are within the limits of Prairie township. Another 
 important industry Overlooked in many places is fruit growing, and the extensive 
 nursery of Blair Brothers, the West Missouri Nursery, owned by James A. Baylis, 
 Robert Watson & Co and J. B. Bailey & Co., are worthy of special note. 
 
 The Missouri Pacific Railroad runs northwest and southeast, through the 
 center of the township, furnishing superior accommodations for freight and pas- 
 sengers. 
 
 Among those who were early and prominent settlers in Prairie township are : 
 John Fristoe, W. B. Howard, Zachariah Cooper, John A. Moore, Frank Fisher, 
 John Boggs, R. G. Wilson, Zachariah Park, Charles Cowherd, Edmund Cowherd, 
 Rev. J. W. Wallace, Isaac Hockaday, P. N. Grinter, Travace Moore, A. J. Stone, 
 J. N. Hargis, Josiah ColHns, Thomas Moore, C. A. Moore, William Moore, 
 Thomas Hickman. 
 
 Francis K. Cowherd was the father of Edmund and Charles, and one of the 
 oldest citizens of Prairie township. He lived in the eastern part of the township. 
 
 John Shepherd was one of the early pioneers of this section. He lived about 
 two miles northwest of Lee's Summit. He died a few years ago. 
 
 Thomas Constable lives about two miles northeast of Lee's Summit, where he 
 has resided many years. 
 
 Nimrod Chrisman and Abraham Chrisman were pioneers. William Allen 1 
 
342 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Harry W. Younger, Daniel D. White, Samuel Caldwell, Richard Fisher, James 
 R. Wood, Dr. P. J. G. Lee, Alfred Lee, Fountain F. Freeman, Samuel Parsons, 
 William P. Cook, Jackson Cooper, James Cooper, David Talley, William Hagan, 
 Samuel White and Judge Fristoe 
 
 Most of the early settlers were from the States of Kentucky, Virginia and. 
 Tennessee. In the year 1850 there were in the territory, now embraced in Prairie 
 township, not over 100 inhabitants, but soon thereafter settlers flocked in, so that 
 in 1853 every acre was taken up. The land on which the town of Lee's Summit 
 now stands, including 160 acres, was bought for the sum of $140, that being the 
 price of a Mexican war warrant, which called for that amount of land. 
 
 There are two good towns for supply points to the farmers of the township 
 and surrounding country: Lee's Summit, the larger, and Greenwood, a beautiful 
 little town in three quarters of a mile of the Cass county line. These two towns 
 are situated on the main line of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and are supported 
 by an agricultural district which surrounds them unsurpassed in the fertility of the 
 soil. The central portion of the township was, in the pioneer days, a vast prairie, 
 unbroken by tree or fence, but at the present time well-cultivated farms occupy 
 the entire territory. It is elevated ground, and is thus described by an eloquent 
 writer : 
 
 " From an elevated point within the limits of Lee's Summit, Jackson county, 
 Missouri, a broad expanse of gently rolling prairie impresses one with utter aban- 
 donment with which natural beauty has lavished her grandest gifts, and in the 
 language of Charles P. Johnson, it can truthfully be said that the fabled produc- 
 tiveness of the Orient, or the divinely blessed promised lands, pales "before this 
 sublime and broad expanse. 
 
 "As far as the eye can reach a grand panorama of magnificent prairie, skirted 
 with timber growing upon every rivulet and stream of water, enraptures the visi- 
 tor. This point being recognized as the most favored locaHty from which, upon 
 a clear day, the whole of Jackson county can be distinctly seen, has been very 
 appropriately named Lee's Summit." 
 
 lee's summit. 
 
 This beautifully located town has, according to the United States census of 
 1880, a population of goo. It contains five church edifices, a large school build- 
 ing, depot, hotel, bank, two restaurants, five physicians, two ministers and four 
 lawyers. There are twenty-five business houses representing all kinds of mer- 
 chandise found in towns of this size, their annual sales being from $150,000 to 
 $200,000. 
 
 This town is centrally located in Prairie township, fourteen miles south of 
 Independence upon the Missouri Pacific Railroad, giving it a direct communica- 
 tion with St. Louis upon the east and Kansas City upon the west. 
 
 The town was laid out in October, 1865, by William B. Howard, Esq., one 
 of the oldest, most highly respected and influential citizens of the township. 
 
 The original plat contained 70 acres, the additions now embrace 150 acres 
 within the town limits. 
 
 There was an arrangement between Mr. Howard and the railroad company, 
 by which 'the latter was to receive every alternate lot in four blocks, two on each 
 side of the track, near the center of the town. The first sale of lots was on Octo- 
 ber 29, 1865, and the first house put up on the present site of the town was by a 
 man named Schmidt, who sold goods till he said "the town was grown too large 
 for him and too many people had come," when he departed.. The next building 
 was put up for a hotel by a man named Mounts. 
 
 That the reader may form a better and more correct estimate of Lee's Sum- 
 mit at the present time, we give below what was said by one who visited the 
 place in October, 1869 : 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 343 
 
 "We had the pleasure, a day or two since, of spending a few hours in the 
 beautiful and growing young town of Lee's Summit. Although our stay was 
 short, and we had but a limited opportunity of seeing the sights, our impressions 
 of the town and surrounding country were of the most favorable character. This 
 town is situated on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, about twelve miles south of 
 Independence, and near the center of Jackson county, in a beautifully rolling 
 prairie, abundantly supplied with water and convenient to timber. The location is 
 delightful, and, we should judge, one of the most healthy and pleasant in the 
 country. It was laid off into town lots only about three years ago. The signs of 
 improvement are everywhere visible. New and substantial buildings are being 
 constantly erected and speedily filled with the enterprising and industrious seek- 
 ers of fortune in the west. The people are an energetic, moral and industrious 
 class, and it requires no prophetic vision to foretell for Lee's Summit a bright and 
 splendid future. 
 
 INCORPORATION. 
 
 Herewith is given the order of the County Court incorporating the town : 
 
 " Commencing at a point 250 yards south of where sections five (5), six (6), 
 seven (7) and eight (8), of Tp. 47, R. 31, corner; running thence east 80 rods, 
 thence north 250 yards to section line; thence north 160 rods, thence west 
 160 rods, thence south 160 rods to section line, thence south 250 yards, thence 
 east to the place of beginning. 
 
 " Shall be a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of ' the inhabi- 
 tants of the town of Lee's Summit,' and by that name they and their successors 
 shall be known in law ; have perpetual succession unless dis-incorporated ; sue 
 and be sued; plead and be impleaded; defend and be defended; and in all 
 courts and in all actions, pleas and matters whatever, may grant, purchase, hold 
 and receive property, real and personal, within such town and no other (burial 
 grounds and cemeteries excepted), and may lease, sell and dispose of the same 
 for the benefit of the town, and may have a common seal, and break and alter 
 the same at pleasure." 
 
 Below is given the proclamation of Mayor W. P. Anderson notifying the 
 people that the town has been incorporated, also the division of the town into 
 two wards : 
 
 Whereas, ' By an ordinance passed by the Board of Trustees for the town 
 of Lee's Summit, County of Jackson, and State of Missouri, on the sth day of 
 November, 1877, submitting to the qualified votes of said town a proposition to 
 become incorporated as a city of the fourth class, under and by virtue of an act 
 passed by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, and approved April the 
 2ist, 1877 ; and 
 
 Whereas, On the first day of December, 1877, said proposition was sub- 
 mitted to the quahfied votes of said town, and from the returns thereof, said 
 proposition was carried by a large majority of the qualified voters voting thereat. 
 Now, 
 
 Therefore, I, W. P. Anderson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, do 
 hereby declare said town incorporated, under the act of the General Assembly of 
 the State of Missouri, above recited, as a city of the fourth class. 
 
 Given under my hand this 3d day of December, A. D. 1877. 
 
 W. P. ANDERSON, 
 
 Chairman. 
 
 Be it ordained by the Board of Aldermen, of the City of Lee's Summit, as follows : 
 
 The city of Lee's Summit shall be divided into two (2) wards, and shall be 
 known and designated as the first and second wards, and divided as follows : 
 Beginning at a point on Third street at the western limits of said city, and run- 
 
344 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 ning in an easterly direction along' said Third street to the east line of said city, 
 thus dividing the city into two wards, to wit : All that part of the city south of 
 the center of Third street to be the first ward, and all that part north of same to 
 be the second ward. 
 
 Approved January 7th, 1878. 
 
 W. P. ANDERSON, 
 
 Mayor. 
 W. H. C. Dryden, 
 
 Clerk. 
 
 Below will be found a list of city officers from its first organization to the 
 present time : 
 
 DECEMBER II, 1 868. 
 
 Chairman, W. H. C. Dryden; Marshal, J. J. Craft; Treasurer, H. O. Perry; 
 Register, J. A. Blair ; Aldermen, D. C. Wilson, R. S. Farnum. 
 
 APRIL, 1869. 
 Chairman, W. H. C. Dryden; Marshal, J. J. Craft; Treasurer, H. Mc- 
 Knight ; Register, J. A. Blair ; other Aldermen, D. C. Wilson, W. A. Gattrell, 
 R. E. Bennett, R. S. Farnum. 
 
 APRIL, 1870. 
 
 Chairman, John Proudfit; Marshal, J. J. Craft; Treasurer, G. W. Hinkly, 
 Register, O. F. Meyers. 
 
 APRIL, 187 1. 
 Chairman, Josiah Collins; Marshal, J. H. Stinson; Treasurer, H. C. Miller; 
 Register, Milton Moore. 
 
 APRIL, 1872. 
 Chairman, Josiah Collins ; Marshal, J. H. Stinson ; Treasurer, William D. 
 L. Warren ; Register, Thomas H. Best. 
 
 APRIL, 1873. 
 Chairman, G. W. Hilton ; Marshal, Edd H. Smith ; Treasurer, Wm. D. 
 Warren ; Register, T. H. Best. 
 
 APRIL, 1874. 
 Chairman, James B. Campbell; Marshal, James A. Shaw; Treasurer, Josiah 
 Collins ; Register, J. S. Cannon. 
 
 APRIL, 1875. 
 Chairman, J. B. Campbell; Marshal, J. A. Shaw; Treasurer, Josiah Collins; 
 Register, J. S. Cannon. 
 
 APRIL, 1876. 
 Chairman, J. H. Stinson ; Marshal, James Near ; Treasurer, Josiah Collins ; 
 Register, W. H. C. Dryden. 
 
 APRIL, 1877. 
 Chairman, W. P. Anderson ; Marshal, James Near ; Treasurer, Josiah Col- 
 lins ; Register, W. H. C. Dryden. 
 
 APRIL, 1878. 
 Mayor, J. H. Stinson ; Marshal, James Near ; Treasurer, A. Blackwell ; 
 Clerk, Wm. Lewis. 
 
 APRIL, 1879. 
 
 Mayor, J. H. Stinson ; Marshal, James Inskeep ; Treasurer, A. Blackwell ; 
 Clerk, William Lewis. 
 
 APRIL, 1880. 
 Mayor, J. H. Stinson ; Marshal, J. M. Short ; Treasurer, O. H. Lewis ; 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 345 
 
 Clerk, E. F. Jones ; Aldermen, J. G. Ocker, John Proudfit, John Boggs, R. S. 
 Hall. 
 
 At an election held April, 5, 1881, Mayor and Aldermen were elected, and 
 the city officers iiow are as follows : 
 
 Mayor, Joseph M. Cooper; Marshal, J. M. Short; Treasurer, O. H. Lewis; 
 Clerk, E. F. Jones ; Aldermen, Robert Close, D. B. Park, Z. T. Lewis. 
 
 What James A. Shaw, Esq., says about Lee's Summit: 
 
 " Lee's Summit, the largest town in Prairie township, derived its name from 
 Dr. Lee, and from the fact of its location being the highest point between Kansas 
 City and St. Louis en the Missouri Pacific Railroad. 
 
 " Dr. Lee lived one-half mile north of the town. During the war he was taken 
 from his house by unknown parties, to a place near where the depot now stands 
 (then the open prairie), and shot to death. No cause is assigned for the act, as 
 the doctor was highly respected by all. He was a non-combatant, taking no part 
 in the war. 
 
 " After the close of the war this place (Lee's Summit) was considered a hard 
 rendezvous. This was the headquarters of some of the worst bandits in the State. 
 A great many of the old citizens were honest, and wished to have the laws enfoirced, 
 but were too weak to have it done. New comers arriving, and being so well 
 pleased with the country determined to make it their homes, and feeling that their 
 o«rn lives and the safety of their property was continually in danger, organized 
 themselves into a vigilance committee, and many of the old citizens joined the 
 organization. The result of it was the death of a few of the outlaws and the scat- 
 tering of the rest, so that those who at that time ruled the country with the (to 
 them) higher law, are now gone to that unknown country, or are serving their 
 time in some state's prison. Now we have peace, and law is recognized." 
 
 This is the largest grain shipping point in Jackson county outside of Kansas 
 City. During the past twelve months the entire grain shipments may be estimated 
 at $250,000, and the shipment of cattle and hogs proportionately large. 
 
 CHURCHES. 
 
 The first house of worship in the town of Lee's Summit was built by 
 the Methodists, and the Baptists built the second house. The M. E. Church, 
 South followed, then the Cumberland Presbyterians and Christians. The Episco- 
 palians hold services in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Old School 
 Presbyterians hold services in the M. E. Church, South. 
 
 Since 1870 the church going people have increased in numbers, and at pres- 
 ent there is a good feeling between the different denominations, and a healthy 
 religious influence. There are five Sunday-schools in active operation, and meet 
 in their respective places each Sabbath. A remarkably charitable and liberal 
 Christian spirit exists among the members of the different churches, union meet- 
 ings are held, and each one works with untiring zeal wherever the greatest good 
 may be accomplished. 
 
 BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The Baptist church at Lee's Summit was organized April 14, i860, and 
 among the original members were: Roberts. Sanders, Adaline Sanders, William 
 Jones, Jemima Jones, William Hagans, Elder David Miller. The church was 
 originally called Big Cedar church but its name was changed to Lee's Summit 
 church in August, 1869. The frame church building was erected in 1868, at a 
 cost of $2,500. Some of the pastors names are Revs. Mitchell, Jeremiah Farmer, 
 J W. Sparks, J. L. Blitah, I. M. Beason, S. W. Swift and the present pastor A. 
 C. Rafferty. The present membership is 145. A good Sunday-school is main- 
 tained, with J. C. F. Boler as superintendent. 
 
346 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 M. E. CHURCH. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal church of Lee's Summit was organized in 1867 and 
 the church was built the same summer. The church edifice is about 40x24 feet and 
 cost about $1,000. It was dedicated in the fall of the same year. Five of the 
 original members are still living here. The present membership is 120 and may 
 be said to be in a flourishing condition. The Sunday-school meets every Lord's 
 Day with an average of about eighty. G. B. Fenn is superintendent of the 
 school, and Rev. S. R. Reese is pastor of the church. 
 
 CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Lee's Summit was organized Jan. 
 12, 1873, with the following original members : W. T. Christmas, Minerva Christ- 
 mas, Geo. W. Belcher, J. J. Moore, Maggie Moore, L. H. Berner, Aaron Botts, 
 N. J. Botts, Stephen D. Hultz, Rebecca Hultz, Joseph H. Stinson, W. D. L. 
 Warren, Lou E. Lewis, William C. Reed, M. E. Reed, Mollie Hylton, Jane 
 Goshen, Nancy C. Burkley, Lillie Parkes, N. G. Hall, Sarah J. Harden, Mattie 
 A. Thomas, Thomas F. Parker, Adelia Parker. 
 
 The present frame church was built in the fall of 1872, at a cost of $1,700. 
 It is about fifty feet long by thirty-six feet wide, containing a seating capacity of 
 three hundred, an organ and other fixtures needful in a church. The church w^s 
 dedicated by Rev. J. H. Houx, of Warresburg, assisted by Rev. Frank Russell. 
 The pastors that have served the church are as follows : S. D. Givens, Frank 
 Russell and Y. W. Whitsett. 
 
 A Sabbath-school meets here every Sabbath with J. B. Campbell, superin- 
 tendent, and Miss Emma Lytle, assistant. The average attendance is forty. 
 
 A large revival was held in the church during the winter of 1873, conducted 
 by Rev. S. D. Givens, assisted by Rev. Rush, when there were forty-two addi- 
 tions to the church. There were many others who united with other churches in 
 the town. The Lexington Presbytery was held with this church in the fall of 
 1874, when there were about 125 delegates and visitors in attendence. The ser- 
 vices were held five days. There is a membership at present of 27, many hav- 
 ing taken letters and removed elsewhere. 
 
 lee's SUMMIT PUBLIC SCHOOL. 
 
 The first graded school was taught in the winter of 1870-71, with • Rice 
 
 as principal, and E. M. Hanlon first assistant, and two ladies also as assistants. 
 In the spring prior to this there was a school taught in a frame building near the 
 center of the village, with Mr. E. M. Hanlon as teacher. Before this, all the 
 schools had been subscription schools. Among the teachers were Zachariah 
 Davis, Rev. J. W. Wallace, Rev. Bright and others. The present brick build- 
 ing was built in the year 1870 at a cost of about $10,000. There are four 
 rooms, accommodating 225 pupils. The rooms are of the same size. There is a 
 large bell which can be heard in any part of the village. The schools are in ses- 
 sion at least seven months each year, and are well supported. The teachers 
 are educated and well qualified for their positions. The present teachers are : J. 
 H. Wilson, principal; E. M. Hanlon, Carrie Buxton, Elsie Adams, assistants. 
 
 The post-office was established in 1865, with a Mr. Schmidt as postmaster. 
 Then followed Josiah Collins and J. B. Campbell, the present postmaster. 
 
 The Lee's Summit cametery was laid out soon after the war ; a portion of 
 the land was given by W. B. Howard. It includes at the present time four acres 
 and contains over two hundred graves. There are several fine monuments among 
 them, I. W. Adams, W. T. Christmas, Thomas Powell, W. H. Colburn. There 
 is a board fence around the grounds and soft maple trees set in profusion. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 347 
 
 HISTORY OF THE MASONIC ORDER AT LEE S SUMMIT. 
 
 Summit Lodge No. 263 was first organized under dispensation on the 17th of 
 December, 1869, and thus continued until the 13th of October, 1870, when their 
 charter was granted. 
 
 The first officers were: A. H. Powell, W. M.; A. Hamilton, S. W.; J. W. 
 Threlkeld, J. W.; C. J. Cowherd, Treas.; H. McKnight, Sec; C. A. Goshen, 
 S. D.; G. W. Scott, J. D.; D. E. Cornwell, T. 
 
 Dr. C. A. Goshen was the first Master under the charter, elected on the 17th 
 of Nov., 1870, and served until the first general election, which occurred on the 
 iSth of Dec. 1870. 
 
 At this election, G. W. Scott was elected W. M.; C. A. Moore, S. W.; John 
 J. Moore, J. W.; H. C. Miller, Treas., and Thos. R. Thornton, Sec. 
 
 On the 27th of Dec, i87r, the following officers were installed: A. Hamil- 
 ton, W. M.; J. A. Shaw, S. W.; W. D. Warren, J. W.; H. C. Miller, Treas.; E. 
 M. Hamilton, Sec. 
 
 On the 27th of Dec, 1872, the following officers were installed : James A. 
 Shaw, W. M.; W. D. Warren, 8. W.; Thos. R. Thornton, J. W.; U. Nieder- 
 auer, Treas.; Dr. C. A. Goshen, Sec. 
 
 Dec. 27, 1873— James A. Shaw, W. M.; W. D. Warren, S. W.; W. C. 
 Reed, J. W.; A. Hamilton, Treas., J. B. Campbell, Sec. 
 
 Dec 27, 1874— James A. Shaw, W. M.; J. B. Campbell, S. W.; W. C. 
 Reed, J. W.; A- J. Childs, Treas.; C. A. Goshen, Sec. 
 
 Dec. 27, 1875— J. B. Campbell, W. M.; H. F. Cowherd, S. W.; U. Nieder- 
 auer, J. W.; A. J. Childs, Treas.; J. N. Shrout, Sec. 
 
 Dec 27, 1876— James A. Shaw, W. M.; P. H. Grinter, S. W.; D. G. Dine, 
 J. W.; J. B. Campbell, Treas.; T. R. Thornton, Sec. 
 
 Dec 27, 1877— J. A. Shaw, W. M.. D. G. Dine, S. W.; A. Blackwell, J. 
 W.; J. B. Campbell, Treas.; Thos. R. Thornton, Sec. 
 
 27, r878— D. G. Dine, W. M.; A. Blackwell, S. W, 
 
 Campbell, Treas.; Thos. R. Thornton, Sec. 
 
 27, 1879 — James A. Shaw, W. M.; James Demott, S. W.; John H. 
 
 W.; A. Blackwell, Treas.; Thos. R. Thornton, Sec. 
 
 Dec. 27, 1880— James A. Shaw, W. M.; John H. Sheriff, S. W.; G. 
 Smith, J. W.; J. B. Campbell, Treas.; Thos. R. Thornton, Sec. 
 
 The last report of this lodge to the Grand Lodge shows a membership of 
 members in good and regular standing. The lodge under the present and past 
 officers for the past ten years has been most prosperous, peace and harmony al- 
 ways prevailing. The lodge is on a solid financial basis ; and, aside from bearing all 
 expenses, has a nice sum of money on which to draw in case of necessity. They 
 have a very comfortable hall in which to meet, and are the owners of their own 
 furniture and owe no debts. Taken all in all. Summit Lodge is in a prosperous 
 condition. 
 
 BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 
 
 W 
 
 Dec 
 J. B.. 
 Dec. 
 
 Sheriff, J. 
 
 G. L. Smith, J. 
 
 L. 
 
 50 
 
 Mayoj-, J. H. Stinson. 
 
 Ma.rshal, J, M. Short. 
 
 Episcopalian, Rev. Dunn, pastor. 
 
 M. E. church, Rev. S. R. Reese, pas- 
 tor. 
 
 Baptist church. Rev. A. C. Rafferty, 
 .pastor. 
 
 Presbyterian church. Rev. J. W. 
 Wallace. 
 
 Christian church. Elder Shanklin. 
 
 Ancient Order United Workmen. 
 
 Books and stationery, E. P. Hulbert. 
 Furniture store, John G. Ocker. 
 
 " " Martin Axam. 
 
 Millinery store, Mrs. J. A. Shaw. 
 " " the Latham Sisters. 
 Lumber yard, J. G. Ocker. 
 
 " J. Collins and W. P. 
 Anderson. 
 Coal yard, Daniel Whiting. ■ 
 Grain elevator, Daniel Whiting. 
 Livery stable, W. F. Crane. 
 
348 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Masonic Lodge, Jas. A. Shaw, W. M. 
 Odd Fellows Lodge, Matthew Irvin, 
 
 N. G. 
 Knights Pythias, John Nichols, C. C. 
 Banking house, A. H. Powell & Son. 
 Pacific Express, W. P. Anderson, 
 
 agent. 
 Saw's hotel, Nancy A. Walworth. 
 Hotel and boarding house, John C. 
 
 Norvill. 
 Missouri Pacific depot, A. H. Price, 
 
 agent. 
 Night operator, James Murphy. 
 Public school, John Wilson, principal. 
 General store, H. C. WiUiamson. 
 " W. F. Lewis. 
 
 " " ' W. A. Gattrell. 
 
 " " J. B. Sampson. 
 
 Grocery store, D. B. Park. 
 
 " " J. H. Stinson. 
 
 " " J. N. Shrout. 
 
 " " Thomas Warren. 
 
 Drug store, A. Blackwell. 
 " John C. Erk. 
 Groceries and hardware, Collins & 
 
 Anderson. 
 Hardware and agricultural implement 
 
 store, John Proudfit. 
 Hardware and agricultural implement 
 
 store, George B. Fenn. 
 
 GREENWOOD. 
 
 The town of Greenwood was laid out in four sections, in sections 27, 
 28, 33 and 34, Tp. 47, R. 31, and the plat was filed for record on the 25th day of 
 June, [867. It is located very near the southern limits of Jackson county, on 
 the main line of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. 
 
 Alfred Hanscom, R. W. Price, Frank Brooks and Rev. S. G. Clark were 
 among those who laid out the town of Greenwood. The first store was kept by 
 a man named Wise, at present living in Holden, Johnson county. Soon after 
 R. W. Price put up a building for business and residence. Then Thos. Hinton 
 built an hotel, but Mr. Hinton soon after died, and the building was rented to 
 different parties. 
 
 The public school-house was built in the year 1870, contains three rooms and 
 will seat 175 children. The building cost $2,500. The first church was the 
 Congregational, since which time the Christian denomination has purchased the 
 building. The Congregational church was built in 1867. 
 
 The lands surrounding the town and tributary thereto are very similar to 
 those of Lee's Summit, being settled up by an enterprising farming com- 
 munity. The principal attraction of Greenwood is Lincoln College, founded by 
 the Rev. Randall Ross, under the auspices of the United Presbyterian Church. 
 
 Five acres of ground was donated by the town company. A building was 
 erected at a cost of $5,000, and the first session was opened by Mr. Ross in 1870. 
 From various causes this institution failed to meet the most sanguine anticipations 
 of its wartaest friends. Fortunately, however, within the past year Prof. J. A. 
 McKirahan, a ripe scholar and educator, accepted the presidency, which has 
 opened a new era for Lincoln College. The vim, energy and enterprise which 
 
 Flour mill, J. N. White & Co. 
 Tailor shop, J. G. Miller. 
 Blacksmith shop, R. S. Hall. 
 
 " Edgar Whiting. 
 " Henry Ferrh. 
 Carpenter shop, J. G. Ocker. 
 " " Martin Axam. 
 
 " " M. Sechler. 
 
 Barber shop, J. E. Hough. 
 Harness store, D. B. Hicks. 
 " " G. N. Jones. 
 
 Meat market, J. H. Boggs. 
 Tin and stove store, O. H. Lewis. 
 Attorneys at law, James A. Shaw. 
 " " James A. Blair. 
 
 " N. C. Scoville. 
 " " John Wilson. 
 
 Physicians, W. W. Miller. 
 " J. C. Rogers. 
 
 T. R. Thornton. 
 " C. A. Goshen. 
 
 " Samuel Ellis. 
 
 Post-office, James B. Campbell. 
 Justices of Peace, John Boggs. 
 " " Peter Mason. 
 
 Constable, Sam. G. Miller. 
 Road overseers, W. H. Mayhew. 
 " " Robert G. Wilson. 
 
 " " James A. Berry. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 349 
 
 Prof. McKirahan has developed, will, in due time, make Lincoln College one 
 among the prominent institutions of learning in Jackson county. 
 
 The curriculum of this institution embraces all the branches taught in the 
 oldest and most noted colleges in the East, and with the encouragement it de- 
 serves, will prove a very important factor in the great educational work now so 
 successfully inaugurated in Jackson county. A move has already been inaugu- 
 rated to raise a sufficient fund to replace the present building with one more 
 commodious and better adapted to the wants of the institution. Every man of 
 enterprise and liberality in Jackson county, should, in a most practical manner, 
 give encouragement to the erection of a suitable building that will in the near 
 future create an institution of learning under its present able management that 
 will be a pride, not only to Greenwood, but the county as well, if not the State. 
 
 UNION BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 This church was organized in the fall of 1836. There were seven persons 
 who constituted the first organization but their names cannot now be obtained. 
 The church was located four miles south of the present site of Greenwood, in 
 Cass county. It was removed to Jackson county in the spring of 1872. The 
 present brick edifice was built in 1872, at a cost of about $2,700. It was dedicated 
 in 1873 by Rev. Joseph L. Bhtch. The first pastor was a Rev. Jackson. Rev. 
 Henry Farmer was pastor for twenty years ; Rev. N. M. Longfellow two years, 
 and the present pastor is Rev. A. C. Rafferty. A Sunday-school in connection 
 with the church meets every Sabbath with deacon D. F. Belcher superintendent. 
 
 CEMETERY. 
 
 The Greenwood cemetery is located just one mile north of the town, and was 
 established in the year 1870 by Rev. Randall Ross and H. M. Jamison. The 
 first person buried there was the wife of James A. Kirton, and then the body of 
 Thomas Hinton was taken from a plat just southeast of Greenwood and laid by 
 the side of the remains of his daughter. There are now 150 graves therein. 
 
 POST-OFFICE. 
 
 It was established in the year 1866 with R. W. Price the first postmaster, the 
 next was J. S. Weyand, followed by E. J. McKitrick, then by Fuqua Higley and the 
 present postmaster, Francis T. McCullough. The mail has always been delivered 
 from the Missouri Pacific Railroad at the station. 
 
 DIRECTORY. 
 
 Lincoln college. Rev. W. Wright, 
 
 pres. 
 Baptist church, Rev. A. C. Rafferty, 
 
 pastor. 
 Christian church. Elder Lawson, pas- 
 tor. 
 Presbyterian church, Rev. Robinson, 
 
 pastor. 
 United Presbyterian church, Rev. W. 
 
 Wright, pastor. 
 Justice of Peace, F. T. McCullough. 
 Physician and dentist, R. W. Price. 
 Physician, Joseph McFarland. 
 " Miss Julia Brown. 
 " Dr. Thomas. 
 Harnesses and saddles, J. M. Allen. 
 Blacksmith, E. King. 
 
 " J. A. Smith. 
 
 " John Bowyer. 
 
 BUSINESS 
 
 Public school, George Henderson, 
 
 principal. 
 Post-office, F. T. McCullough, 
 Hotel, W. H. Mayhew. 
 Depot, Robert S. Thomas, agt. 
 Drug store, James A. Kirkton. 
 General store, J. C. Wright and Wm. 
 
 Kerr. 
 General store, W. A. Smith. 
 Groceries and queensware, E. Adams 
 
 & Bro. 
 Livery stable, W. H. Mayhew. 
 Boot and shoe repair shop, John Steen. 
 Dress making, Jane Brown. 
 Flour store, William Wilson. 
 Flour mill, T. L. Sergeant. 
 Carpenter shop, James R. McCand- 
 
 less. 
 Lunvber yard, J. R. Nicholson & Co. 
 Grain dealers, " " 
 
350 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 WESTPORT TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Geographical Position — Old Settlers — Westport Formerly a Part of Kaw — The Santa Fe Trade 
 and Those Engaged in It^Justices of the Peace from 18^4 to the Present Tim,e — The Town 
 of Westport Laid Out — Incorportion — City Charter — City Gmiemment — Names of Mayors 
 and Other Officers ^Churches and Schools — Business Directory. 
 
 Independence had for some ten or fifteen years been the center of the Mex- 
 ican and Santa Fe trade, and had greatly prospered through the wealth thus 
 brought into its door ; but a point of outfit and pasturage for the teams of the 
 traders was sought further west. The outfitting post was located twelve miles 
 west of Independence, and named from its position with respect to Independence, 
 " Westport." Its close proximity to the unoccupied lands of the Shawnee In- 
 dians, where the Mexican caravans could feed, made Westport the scene of an 
 active trade with the towns of Sonora, Chihuahua and Santa Fe, bringing in 
 wealth and business to its inhabitants. Extensive wagon manufactories were kept 
 in full operation for many years, and saddle and harness manufactories employed 
 many hands. Westport continued to flourish till "Westport Landing," now 
 Kansas City, increased more rapidly, and soon outstripped its parent, drawing 
 most of the business nearer the river. Westport to-day is a faded suburb of 
 Kansas City. Westport township has a population of 1,200. 
 
 Westport township is bounded on the north by Kaw, on the east by Blue 
 and Brooking, on the south by Washington township, and on the west by the 
 State of Kansas. It was next to the last township organized in Jackson county, 
 being laid off by an order of the County Court, May 17, 1869, and became a 
 separate township, with the boundaries as defined in the latter part of the chapter 
 on County Organization. Big Blue courses along the eastern boundary from 
 south to north, throughout its full extent. Brush Creek flows from west to east 
 through near the center of the township, and empties into Big Blue about four 
 miles east of the city of Westport. Big Blue has a deep bed, and the waters are 
 of a bluish hue, hence its name. The surface and soil of the whole township 
 are well adapted to agriculture, and inagnificent crops are yearly harvested. 
 There are miles of stone fence, that material being readily obtained from quarries 
 of shelving rock found in every section of the township. 
 
 Some of the old and prominent settlers of Westport township were : 
 
 Allen McGee, who came from Kentucky in 1825-6, and settled near where 
 Kansas City now is, and about the year 1845, came and settled where he now 
 lives, one-half mile north of the town of Westport. 
 
 John Crutchfield came at an early day, and lived at Independence for some 
 time ; then about thirty years ago came and settled in the town of Westport. He 
 came from Kentucky, being now about eighty years of age. 
 
 Isaac McCarty came early, and lived in Westport, where he still resides. 
 
 Mr. Wright has been in Westport for many years. 
 
 John B. Warnall came and settled on a farm about three miles south of West- 
 port town, where he still lives in a large brick farm house. 
 
 Frederick Chouteau was born in St. Louis, and came with his brothers Francis 
 and Cyprian, to the present site of Kansas City, and being appointed by the Gov- 
 ernment to trade with the Indians in Kansas, removed thither. He came to 
 Westport, where he now lives, in 1874. 
 
 T. J. Goforth came and settled in Westport town as early as 1850, and has 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 351 
 
 since resided there and held some of the prominent offices in the city and town- 
 ship. 
 
 William Bernard lived a long time in Westport town and carried on a large 
 Santa Fe trade. He still lives at Westport and does business in Kansas City. 
 
 Joseph Bernard, Lewis Vogel and John Morris, were among the earliest 
 settlers of the town, but have deceased. 
 
 Charles Kearney was also an early settler. 
 
 Westport township was organized -from a part of Kaw, and Kaw township 
 was one of the three original townships into which the county was divided by or- 
 der of county court. May 22, 1827. The order organizing Kaw township was as 
 follows: "Commencing at the mouth of Big Blue, thence up said creek to the 
 State Une, thence north with said line to the middle of the main channel of the 
 Missouri River, thence down said river to the point of beginning; all of which 
 territory contained within the above boundary shall compose the township of 
 Kaw." 
 
 INDIAN AND SANTA FE TRADF, AT WESTPORT. 
 
 In 1848, the traders with the Indians were Simpson and Hunter, E. D. 
 Price, Boone and Hamilton, S. C. Roby, C. Chouteau & Co., W. G. & G. W. 
 Ewing and the American Fur Company. This trade until 1848, was all with the 
 Indians. The Indian tribes trading here were Shawnees, Delawares, Wyan- 
 dottes, Kickapoos, Pottawatomies, Kansas, Osages, Sac and Foxes, Miamis, 
 Ottawas and many small tribes. All of these tribes lived in what is now the State of 
 Kansas ; many of them had been removed from States east of the Mississippi 
 River by the U. S. Government. The trade with these tribes just enumerated, 
 was the whole trade of the place up to 1848, subsequently there has been trade 
 with the Indians of the Plains and Rocky Mountains. The names of some of 
 the prominent tribes were the Sioux, Cheyennes, Arapahoes, Kiowas and Co- 
 manches. 
 
 The traders with these last named tribes, were : Bent & St. Vrain, Ward & 
 Guerrier, John L. Hatcher, Lucien Maxwell, the proprietor of the Maxwell 
 Grant in New Mexico and the American Fur Company. St. Vrain was the 
 proprietor of the St. Vrain Grant in what is now Colorado. James Bridger, of 
 Ft. Bridger, was another trader. William Bent built two forts on the Arkansas 
 River. St. Vrain built a fort on the Platte River about forty miles from the pres- 
 ent site of Denver. Some of these forts were built as early as 1840. It should 
 be remembered that in 1848 a trader by the name of F. H. Aubry, made a trip 
 on horseback from Santa Fe, New Mexico, to Independence, Jackson county, in 
 five days and twenty-two hours, a distance of 800 miles, over one hundred and 
 thirty three miles per day. He was also the first man who was able to take a 
 mule train across the plains in the winter time, which was done during the winter 
 of 1849-50. F. H. Aubry established a fast winter freight line from Westport 
 to Santa Fe, known as Aubry's express. His train consisted of twenty wagons of 
 eight mules each. 
 
 In 1848 the Santa Fe trade commenced with great vigor. Those engaged 
 in the trade at its initiation were Boone & Bernard. This was the only firm 
 engaged in the trade of that time. The first large stock of goods was consigned 
 to them and loaded at Westport Landing, what is now the foot of Grand avenue, 
 Kansas City. It belonged to Messowey arid Webb, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, 
 and consisted of sixty-three wagon loads and was freighted by John F. McCau- 
 ley, of Independence. It was a general stock of merchandise suitable for the 
 Mexicans and Indians, for the Indians received about the same kind of goods as 
 the Mexicans. Each wagon contained 6,000 lbs, and drawn by six yoke of 
 oxen. It took six months to make the round trip with oxen. There were about 
 
352 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 seventy-five men, all armed and disciplined for active service. The wagon- 
 master was manager of a train usually of twenty-six wagons. 
 
 In 1849 Jose Chaves was the first Mexican merchant who outfitted at West- 
 port. He obtained his outfit from Boone and Bernard. When he came in he 
 brought 103,000 Mexican silver dollars, which he deposited with the above 
 named firm and took exchange on New York. The silver was transported in 
 two wagon loads, cased in raw hide skins which had been sewed around, 
 about $4,000 or $5,000 in each package. When the hides became dry they 
 would shrink and become so tight that the money would not "gingle." 
 
 This man's brother had been murdered on the plains about five years previous 
 and robbed of $34,000. The murderers were caught, tried and hung in St. 
 Louis. It was with a sense of great relief, therefore, that he deposited the money 
 with Mr. Bernard. . He remarked that he had not slept nights during a great 
 portion of the trip of eight hundred miles for fear of robbers, and was, therefore, 
 greatly relieved when he reached civilization and security. This Mexican silver 
 was the principal currency of the border. The United States government annu- 
 ally paid in silver to the Indians over $300,000 as an annuity, which, together with 
 the furs and pelts taken by the Indians, constituted the trade with those tribes at 
 Westport 
 
 The California immigration commenced in 1849, when it was estimated that 
 40,000 crossed the plains, of which probably 20,000 passed through Westport, 
 and outfitted there; and in 1850 about the same number outfitted for California. 
 
 The trade to Mexico continued to increase and the prominent traders coming 
 from New Mexico, in addition to those mentioned, were : Manuel Armijo, 
 brother of Gov. Armijo. Armijo also traded to Chihuahua, in Old Mexico. The 
 Perias were also traders. Ambrosio and Nestor Armijo from Albuqurque. 
 
 About this time the manufacturing interests commenced, which consisted of 
 wagons, plows, harness and ox yokes. 
 
 In 1853 Charles E. Kearney, who had been a successful merchant in New 
 Mexico, was associated with W. R. Bernard in place of A. G. Boone, under the 
 name of Kearney & Bernard. This year the firm of Kearney & Bernard extend- 
 ed their trade not only in New Mexico, but into Chihuahua and Sonora, in Old 
 Mexico. Other manufactories for wagons and harness were started at Westport. 
 
 In 1853 six hundred wagons were outfitted at Kearney & Bernard's estab- 
 lishment for the New Mexican and mountain trade. In 1854, eight hundred and 
 twenty-two wagons by the same firm. In 1853, 1,217 wagons. In 1856, J. & 
 W. R. Bernard, successors to Kearney & Bernard, outfitted 1,407 wagons, most 
 of which were loaded with goods bought from this firm, the trade having at 
 this time assumed more of a jobbing than outfitting trade. In 1857, 1,560 wagons; 
 in 1858, 1,902 wagons; in 1859, 2,242 wagons; in i860, 2,113 wagons. 
 
 In 1858 there were manufactured at Westport, 240 new wagons for this Santa 
 Fe trade, two thousand ox yokes, 3,000 wagon sheets, and $25,000 worth of 
 harness. There were also at this time several plow factories that turned out from 
 800 to 1,200 plows annually. The Santa Fe trade fell off in the spring of 1861 
 about one-fourth, and in the fall of the same year entirely ceased. The sales of 
 the firm of J. & W. R. Bernard ranged for the year 1857 to i860 inclusive, from 
 $218,000 to $260,000. 
 
 It should be said to the credit of the honest Mexican that in all this trade 
 there was just half of one per cent, lost, or in a business of one million dollars, 
 five thousand dollars would cover all the losses. 
 
 In 1858 the town of Westport contained a population of over two thousand. 
 Many of the merchants were doing a large business with settlers in the vicinity, 
 and even as far south as Arkansas and southern Kansas. At this time there were 
 at least five church buildings, several good schools, and a grist mill. Until the 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 353 
 
 war Westport was a flourishing town, but after the war it was absorbed by 
 Kansas City, and nearly all the trade removed to the latter named place. 
 
 After C. E Kearney had disposed of his interest in the firm of Kearney & 
 Bernard at Westport, he took a trip to Europe, and after his return established a 
 wholesale grocery business in Kansas City on the Levee. 
 
 JUSTICES OF THE PEACE. 
 
 This township was laid off May 17, 1869, but the Justices of the Peace for 
 Kaw township, when Westport township was a part of it, from 1854 were as 
 follows, as near as can be recollected at the present time : 
 
 1854 — Albert McGee, G. D. Foglesong, H. O. Shouse, James Davenport. 
 
 G. D. Foglesong resigned in 1854 and Wm. P. Lee was appointed by the 
 court to fill the vacancy. Lee also resigned, and Oscar Scruggs was appointed in 
 his place, and Scruggs resigned the same year, then T. J. Goforth was put in his 
 place and has since held the office of Justice of the Peace, except four years during 
 the war. 
 
 In 1855 the Justices of the Peace for Kaw township were : James Davenport, 
 Milton McGee, Alexander Street, T. J. Goforth. 
 
 Alexander Street resigned in 1855, and H. Clay Pate was appointed to fill the 
 vacancy. 
 
 1856 — Milton McGee, J. P. Summers, T. J. Goforth, James Davenport. 
 
 1857 — T. J. Goforth, J. P. Summers, Milton McGee, James Davenport. 
 
 1858 — T. J. Goforth, J. P. Summers, Milton McGee, James Davenport. 
 
 1859 — T. J. Goforth, Sela Hudson, Elisha B. Cravens, J. P. Summers. 
 
 i860 — T. J. Goforth, Sela Hudson, J. P. Summers, E. B. Cravens. 
 
 i86i — ^T. J. Goforth, Sela Hudson, J. P. Summers, E. B. Cravens. 
 
 1862 — T. J. Goforth, Sela Hudson, J. P. Summers, E. B. Cravens. 
 
 1863 — T. J. Goforth, Sela Hudson, J. P. Summers, E. B. Cravens. 
 
 1864 — From 1863 to 1867 the office of Justice of the Peace was not regularly 
 filled. 
 
 1868— T. J. Goforth, William Douglass. 
 
 1869 — T. J. Goforth, William Douglass. 
 
 1870 — T. J. Goforth, William Douglass. 
 
 1871— T. J. Goforth, William Douglass. 
 
 1872— T. J. Goforth, William Williams. 
 
 1873— T. J. Goforth, WilKam Williams. 
 
 1874— T. J. Goforth, William Williams. 
 
 1875— T. J. Goforth, William Williams. 
 
 1876— T. J. Goforth, William Williams. 
 
 A. Washman was appointed this year, making the number of Justices three. 
 
 1877 to 1881 — T. J. Goforth, S. J. Shue, and these two are the present in- 
 cumbents. 
 
 The present city of Westport was surveyed and laid off by J. C. McCoy in 
 the year 1833, but was not incorporated till 1857. 
 
 Louis Vogle's first addition to Westport was made April i8th, 1848, and re- 
 corded August isth, 1848. 
 
 Louis Vogle's second addition was made February loth, 1852, and filed for 
 record May 2d, 1853. 
 
 Louis Vogle's third addition to Westport was filed for record August 14th, 1854. 
 
 John Harris' addition to the town of Westport was made April iSth, 1851, 
 and filed in the Recorder's office December 3d, 1851. 
 
 Edmund Price's addition was attested November 12th, 1851, and filed the 
 12th of February, A. D. 1852. 
 
 A. B. H. McGee's addition was attested June loth, 1851, and filed March 
 3d, 1852. 
 
 23 
 
354 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Boggs' addition bears date of July 21st, 1852. 
 
 C. Pardon's addition is dated January 25th, 1855. 
 
 Jones' and Fisher's addition, March 31st, 1856. 
 
 Louis Vogle's fourth addition, August i8th, 1857. 
 
 H. Clay Pate's first addition, December 19th, 1857. 
 
 Union Cemetery, for the cities of Kansas and Westport, was platted in the 
 year 1858, and filed for record on the isth day of April of the same year. 
 
 The Kansas City & Westport Horse Railroad affords excellent communica- 
 tion between the two cities above named every half hour. 
 
 The Clinton & Kansas City Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad was 
 graded north and south through the township, but rails were never put upon the 
 grade, and it is probable never will be, unless some other company utilizes the 
 same. 
 
 NAMES OF MAYORS, CLERKS AND MARSHALS. 
 
 1857 — Mayor, T. J. Goforth; Clerk, Park W. Lee; Marshal, Francis Booth. 
 
 1858 — Mayor, Luther M. Carter; Clerk, Mr. Monday; Marshal, John 
 Frazier. 
 
 1859— Mayor, T. J. Goforth; Clerk, Mr.-Monday; Marshal, Francis Booth. 
 
 i860 — Mayor, J. O. Boggs ; Clerk, Mr. Monday; Marshal, Francis Booth. 
 
 1861— Mayor, Selea Hudson; Clerk, W. T. Dewitt; Marshal, J. M. W. 
 Wells. 
 
 1862 — Mayor, Selea Hudson; Clerk, T. P. Boteler; Marshal, George London. 
 
 1863— Mayor, J. O. Boggs; Clerk, W. A. Bevis; Marshal, W. A. Bevis. 
 
 1864 — Mayor, C. C. Huffaker ; Clerk, Henry Graham ; Marshal, W. A. Bevis. 
 
 1865 — Mayor, C. C. Huffaker; Clerk, Henry Graham; Marshal, W. A. Bevis. 
 
 1866 — Mayor, C. C. Huffaker; Clerk, A. Washman : Marshal, F. H. Booth. 
 
 1867 — Mayor, George W. Daggett; Clerk, A. Washman; Marshal, Robert 
 Boggs. 
 
 1868 — Mayor, Wm. R. Bernard; Clerk, A. Washman; Marshal, — Rhodes. 
 
 1869 — Mayor, Dr. T. Dill; Clerk, A. Washman; Marshal, George London. 
 
 1870 — Mayor, T. J. Goforth; Clerk, W. W. Williams; Marshal Amerson 
 Hayes. 
 
 1871 — Mayor, J. D. Clayton; Clerk, W. W. Williams; Marshal, Amerson 
 Hayes. 
 
 1872 — Mayor, John C. Morris ; Clerk, A. Washman ; Marshal, J. P. Ridge. 
 
 1873 — Mayor, John C. Morris; Clerk, A. Washman; Marshal, J. P. Ridge. 
 
 1874— Mayor, J. D. Clayton; Clerk, W. W. Williams; Marshal, Samuel 
 Bucher. 
 
 1875 — Mayor, T. J. Goforth; Clerk, John Morris; Marshal, J. P Ridge. 
 
 1876— Mayor, T. J. Goforth; Clerk, John Booth; Marshal, W. J. Wright. 
 
 1877— Mayor, John Booth; Clerk, J. M. Morris; Marshal, J. P. Ridge. 
 
 1878— Mayor, John Booth; Clerk, W. W. Williams; Marshal, J. P. Ridge. 
 
 1879— Mayor, T. J- Goforth; Clerk, W. W. Williams; Marshal, Michael 
 McCarty. 
 
 1880— Mayor, Patrick O'Hallahan; Clerk, W. W. Williams; Marshal, J. P. 
 Ridge. 
 
 1881— Mayor, S. J. Shue; Clerk, W.. W. Williams; Marshal, J. P. Ridge. 
 
 Postmasters here have been appointed as follows: 1854, H. Clay Pate; 
 1861, Selea Hudson; 1866, Mr. Smith; 1868, Edward Price; 1870, R. J. 
 Lewis; 1873, Mr. Davies ; 1875, S. J. Shue; 1879, Mrs. Martha Griffin, the 
 present postmistress. 
 
 CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. 
 
 Westport is well supplied with good schools and churches. The graded 
 public school furnishes ample accommodations for all children within the limits 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 355 
 
 of the city and for considerable distance around. Among the churches are the 
 Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian and Christian; all or nearly all have regular 
 religious worship on the Sabbath, and also maintain a thriving Sunday-school. 
 A diligent effort has been made to obtain more particulars in reference to the 
 churches, but we give what we were able to secure. 
 
 The "First Baptist Church" was known originally as the " Regular Baptist 
 Church at Big Blue," and was organized on the 4th day of July, 1840. The 
 names of the early prominent members found in the constitution are as follows: 
 Henry Bowers, Mary Bowers, Peter Booth,. Francis Booth, Jane Bradden, 
 Catherine Bradley, John W. Campbell, Eliza Ann Campbell, Stephen Daven- 
 port, Hugh L Gregg, Cynthia Ann Gregg, Jesse King, Angelina King, Permelia 
 Laws, Thomas R. Rule. 
 
 A Brother Burris, who resided on the other side of the river, was the first 
 chosen pastor. In those days, no remuneration for pastoral services was expec- 
 ted; hut a, minute in the record shows that the church magnanimously agreed to 
 pay the good hvother' s ferriage back and forth across the river. It is presumed 
 that this did not greatly burden our ecclesiastical ancestors, inasmuch as the pas- 
 tor did not continue his visits but a very short time. 
 
 In March, 1841, the church ordained, from among its own membership, a 
 brother Henry Bowers, who entered upon his work in the following December. 
 His pastorate proved a stormy one, for about this time the great anti-mission con- 
 test came up. Unfortunately, the pastor and deacon, with other leading mem- 
 bers, took strong ground against missions ; and, through their influence, a 
 majority declared themselves "opposed to the institutions of the day commonly 
 called benevolent." It was a crisis in the history of the little church, and sorely 
 tried the more liberal and enlightened portion of the membership. It was at this 
 juncture that the boldness and decision of the clerk, Bro. John W. Campbell, 
 brought him to the front. It seems that the Association, " Blue River," had al- 
 ready taken a stand on the side of missions. The Anties had called a conven- 
 tion, to meet on the fourth Saturday in March, (1842); and it was the intention 
 of the pastor and his confreres to have the church represented; but this object 
 was defeated through the energetic action of the clerk, who thoroughly counter- 
 plotted, (and yet in a perfectly legal way,) his opponents; and finally called upon 
 all who were in fa^or of abiding by their constitution, and remaining with their 
 association, to meet him upon the tiext regular day, at the house of Bro. B. M. Ad- 
 ams. They did so; the names of the Anties were erased, and thenceforth the or- 
 ganization became known as the "United Baptist Church at Big Blue." The 
 record shows that the church now enjoyed uninterrupted harmony and prosperity; 
 constant additions being made to its membership. 
 
 In May, 1843, Brother J. Farmer was called to the pastorate, under whose 
 ministry we find the first mention of a "pastor's salary;" the church agreeing to 
 "try to raise" seventy-five dollars; upon which precarious promise, the faithful 
 man cheerfully left home and family, as well as more lucrative business to take 
 care of themselves, whilst he rode regularly, through storm and cold, all the way 
 from Harrisonville, to meet his little flock and break to them the bread of life. 
 The light of eternity alone will enable us to appreciate the faithfulness and hard- 
 ships of those older brethren who laid the foundations of our cause, and into 
 whose labors we have entered. 
 
 The subsequent pastors of the church until the war, were as follows : 
 
 Henry Farmer, called March 1345; Wm. White, June, 1848; A. P. Wil- 
 liams, October, 1850; J. Farmer, April, 1852; E. S. Dulin, May, 1854; R. S. 
 Thomas, May, 1855; E. S. Dulin, July, 1859; J. W. Mitchell, October, i860; 
 G. L. Black, March, 1861. 
 
 The church, from its organization, like the ancient Tabernacle, maintained 
 rather a migratory existence, holding its meetings from house to house, or in some 
 
356 
 
 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 school building, according to circumstances and convenience, until about the 
 year 1850 when the " Old Union Meeting House " was built, and the name of 
 the " First Baptist Church of Westport" was assumed. 
 
 In August, 1861, the present edifice was completed, at a cost of $3,250, 
 and dedicated by E. S. Dulin. The new pastor. Rev. G. L. Black, had entered 
 upon his work, and all looked fair; but alas! " Man proposes, God disposes." 
 Here follows the sad story of the war, with its dark days. We need not particu- 
 larize. Suffice it to say, preachiifg ceased, the pastor left, the membership scat- 
 tered, and the candlestick seemed removed. 
 
 PART SECOND. 
 
 To introduce part second, we will give the following brief extract from a let- 
 ter from Hon. J. B. Wornall, to the Western Recorder, dated June 6, 1864: f 
 
 " Brother Machett's position severing his connection from the Presbyterian 
 church, he united with us on Saturday, before the first Sunday in May, and was 
 baptized by our venerable brother, James E. Welch. Our church called a council 
 May 8th, and after a satisfactory examination, proceeded to the solemn rite of 
 ordination. 
 
 "We had not met, previously, for more than two years. The evils arising 
 from the war, in which our country has been involved, had so disorganized our 
 church that we had become scattered, and were as ' sheep without a shepherd.' 
 Brother M. has been preaching regularly ever since to a large and attentive con- 
 gregation. 
 
 " At our church meeting, last Saturday, we received five additions ; on Sun- 
 day, two more." 
 
 In the following October, 1864, a gracious revival followed, in which many, 
 many backsliders were reclaimed, thirty-seven souls were hopefully converted, 
 and the numerical strength of the church doubled. 
 
 At that time, of the Baptist churches in Jackson county, before the war, 
 none remained except Kansas City and Westport, and these were indebted to the 
 timely aid obtained from the Home Mission Society. 
 
 Since the war the following men have been pastors of the church : Revs. X. 
 X. Buckner, J. L. Tichenor, G. W. Wheatley, and Alex. Machett, under whose 
 preaching the church was divided, January, 1875, on the communion question, he 
 taking part of the members, and organizing what was called an open Communion 
 Baptist Church, which continued as such for about four years, he being their 
 pastor. They then disbanded, and Mr. Machett, with some of the members, 
 came back to the old church. After the division, Rev. A. C. Rafferty was chosen 
 pastor, who was succeeded by Prof. A. J. Emerson, and he by Rev. W. T. Camp- 
 bell, its present pastor. The present membership is 120. 
 
 The church has regular services every Sabbath, prayer meeting Tuesday eve- 
 ning, business meetings Saturday before the first Sabbath in each month ; Sabbath- 
 school numbering 65, A. D. Budle, superintendent. 
 
 BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 
 
 Groceries and hardware, |D. ^Merri-j 
 
 wether. %^ Sjlj^ jfa- 
 
 Dry goods, Mrs. P. L. Price. ;^. 
 Dry goods and groceries, Mrs. jH. 
 
 Dixon. 
 Groceries and feed, John Endres. 1 
 " " August Rodert. [id 
 
 " " Christian Sautter. ,, 
 
 " S. I. Shue. 
 " B. F. Hamilton. 
 
 Gunsmith, William Schoenshine. 
 Hotel, Mrs. F. Chouteau, prop. 
 Tin shop, James Perriman. 
 Post-office, Mrs. Martha Griffin, post- 
 mistress. 
 Justice of Peace, T. J. Goforth. 
 
 " S. J. Shue. 
 Lawyers, G. N. Noland. 
 
 R. J. Lewis. 
 Physicians, Duke Hunter. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 357 
 
 Butcher shops, Mr. W. H. Tucker. 
 
 " " Hugh Brett & Co. 
 Blacksmith, A. Heppely. 
 T. Crutchfield. 
 " Michael Rierd&n, 
 
 Drug store, A. F. Chase. 
 Cabinet and furniture, Henry Sager. 
 Wagon shops, William Will. 
 " " Frank Hahan. 
 
 Livery and feed stable, William Bran- 
 nick. 
 Saddle and harness stores, M. Steg- 
 
 miller. 
 Saddle and harness stores, J. F. Ra- 
 
 gen. 
 Shoe stores, William Reinsch. 
 
 " " Philip Becker. 
 Grist Mill, A. P. Warfield. 
 Shoe repair shop, M. Wirtz. 
 
 Physicians, W. W. Russell. 
 
 William E. Mabry. 
 F. Herford. 
 School directors, A. P. Warfield, Ed- 
 ward West, John Endres, F. R. 
 Green, Clark Gregg. 
 Ministers, W. F. Campbell, Baptist. 
 " Rev. King, Methodist. 
 " Rev. Brice, Presbyterian. 
 Teachers, S. J. Huffaker, principal. 
 " Miss Mildred Watkins, as- 
 sistant. 
 Teachers, Miss Julia Behan, assistant. 
 " Miss Lou West, assistant. 
 " R. W. Foster, colored 
 school. 
 Teachers, Mrs. Lou Eiliot, private 
 school. 
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Washington Township Organized February g^ 18^6 — The Orders of Court fixing the Boundaries — 
 First Election held at the house of Anson McCrackin — The Lost Townships — Physical Features 
 — Old Settlers — Hickman's Mills — New Santa Fe — Laying out the Town — Notes from New 
 Santa Fe — Union Point — Washington Township saw much of the Border and Civil Wars — 
 A story of Border Warfare. 
 
 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 When this township was organized from Blue and Kaw, February 9, 1836, it 
 included much more territory than it does at the present time. The southern and 
 western boundaries were then about the same as now, but the eastern boundary 
 ran north and south near the present site of Lee's Summit, and the northern 
 boundary ran east and was through the junction of Cedar Fork with Little Blue. 
 
 The order of court defined the original boundaries as follows : 
 
 "Commencing at Cummins Mill on Big Blue so as to include said Mill, 
 thence running due west to the boundary line, thence south with said boundary 
 to corner of Van Buren county ( now Cass), thence east with said county line to 
 a point opposite the head of Little Cedar Fork of Little Blue, thence down said 
 Cedar Fork until it intersects the main fork of Little Blue, thence in a straight 
 direction to the beginning. All which territory lying within the limits of the 
 above described boundary, shall compose the township of Washington." 
 
 The present boundaries are: north by Westport and Brooking townships, 
 east by Prairie township, south by Cass county, and west by Kansas State line. 
 
 The principal stream of water is the Big Blue, which rises in the State of 
 Kansas, flows in a northeasterly direction till it intersects with the Missouri 
 River, six miles below Kansas City. Big Blue is a historic stream and the largest 
 in Jackson county. Hickman's Mills and New Santa Fe ajre the only post towns 
 in Washington township. 
 
358 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 The township includes land in four different congressional townships, all of 
 the land in Tp. 47, R. 33, and a portion of the northwest corner of Tp. 47, R. 
 32, also a portion of Tp. 48, R. 32 and 33. The land is generally undulating, 
 but not seriously broken. 
 
 Washington township was reduced in size June 44 i860, when Prairie town- 
 ship was organized, and again, August 13, 1872, when Brooking township was 
 organized. 
 
 The first election in the Township of Washington was held at the house of 
 Anson McCrackin, March 6, 1836. This election was for the purpose of electing 
 two Justices of the Peace; and the Judges of the election were John Batleson, 
 John Fitzhugh and Abraham Chrisman. 
 
 In Washington township there are several churches, representingthe different 
 denominations. The Christian church at Hickman's Mills, the Bensonia Baptist 
 church, the Christian church at New Santa Fe, and the New Baptist church, are 
 among the places of worship. Meetings are also held at school houses. 
 
 There is a cemetery at Blue Ridge, the New Baptist church, and in J. S. 
 Muir's neighborhood. 
 
 Considerable of the land in this township was embraced in what was termed 
 "The Lost Townships." 
 
 "The Lost Townships," as some of the land in the southern portion of the 
 county was termed, were not surveyed and sectionalized in the original sur- 
 vey. The surveyor reported to his superior officer that "it was mostly prairie, 
 and he did not think it would pay to bring it into market; " and further, "that in 
 attempting to run some lines through these townships, the presence of some pow- 
 erful magnet so influenced the compass as to make the survey impossible." 
 
 The real reason for not reporting the survey was that the surveyor had lost 
 his field notes. In those days a Hard Shell Baptist run a still up on the Sni, and 
 when the surveyor, who liked the genial influence of the " spirits," happened 
 along one evening, the Hard Shell Baptist treated him till he lost his hat and field 
 notes, a hungry sow having found them, and being ashamed to return without the 
 notes or a good excuse, he framed the one above given. In consequence of this 
 delay, it was fifteen or twenty years before the land was placed in market. 
 
 The bed of the Big Blue is very deep and the banks steep. Limestone rock 
 is found in vast quantities all along its course and also where small streams enter 
 it from the high prairie. Stone walls are numerous; fences neat and substan- 
 tially built of this material are seen along the roads for miles. In the eastern 
 States the presence of stone walls would indicate undesirable lands, too stony to 
 be cultivated ; but here in Washington township the soil, of a rich loam, covers 
 the rock from a depth of a few feet to that of more than twenty. The stone for 
 fencing is taken from quarries a little below the surface and laid wherever needed 
 in a neat and workmanlike wall from four to six feet in height. 
 
 Some of the old and prominent settlers of Washington township were : John 
 Self, John R. Whitsett, Solomon Young, Martin Hackler, Alvin Adams, Burgess 
 Wyatt, Solomon Wyatt, Isaac Bryant, John Smith, Thos. Taylor, Sidney Barnes, 
 J. H. Kemper, WiUiam Gray, Edward Gray, Joseph Lipscomb, Benjamin Robin- 
 son, Samuel Gregg, Thomas Rule, Geo. Harper, John Bartleson, Edward McPher- 
 son, John Wilson, Abraham Chrisman, John Fitzhugh, Stephen Davenport, Wil- 
 liam Muir, John S. Muir, Edward T. Noland, Noah Hatton, Dr. Thos. Lee, 
 Thomas Poindexter, Wm. Shank, Dr. M Pendleton, James Chiles, Zion Flanory, 
 James Flanory, John Flannagan, Joseph Talley, Stephen Absalom, Richard Kir- 
 bey, Enoch Oldham, E. A. Hickman, Dr. D. A. Bryant, J. H. J. Harris, Wil- 
 liam Irwin, O. H. P. Rippetoe, John Wells, Josiah Vaughn, Reuben Vaughn, 
 John R. Moore, John A. Moore, Stubbens Watts, William Stewart, Christopher 
 Mann. 
 
 Most of these early settlers came from Kentucky, though a goodly number 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 359 
 
 came from North Carolina, Tennessee and other eastern States. They were a 
 hardy and thrifty class of people who were undaunted by hardships and dangers. 
 They came to subdue the western wilds for their future homes. They brought 
 with them their families and all their property. When they came, the vast prai- 
 ries east of the Big Blue had no fence, and for miles not a tree could be seen. 
 They were plain honest farmers, upon whose minds the suspicious frauds of mod- 
 ern business had not left its baneful effect. 
 
 John Self lived near the Big Blue, north of Indian Creek, but is now an old 
 white-headed man of eighty; and lives on his old homestead. 
 
 John R. Whitsett came from Kentucky, and still lives on his farm, one mile 
 northeast of Hickman's Mills. 
 
 Solomon Young came from Kentucky and settled two miles south of Hick- 
 man's Mills. He still lives there. 
 
 Martin Hackler came from North Carolina and settled one-half mile south- 
 west of Hickman's Mills. He still lives on the homestead. 
 
 Alvin Adams came from Kentucky and settled one mile southwest of Hick- 
 man's Mills. He moved to the northern portion of the State. 
 
 Burgess Wyatt came from North Carolina and settled three miles south of 
 Hickman's Mills. He died about three years ago. 
 
 Isaac Bryant settled two miles southwest of Hickman's Mills. He came 
 from Kentucky and now lives at Hickman's Mills. 
 
 John Smith came from Kentucky and settled two miles southwest of Hick- 
 man's Mills. He died before the civil war. 
 
 Thomas Taylor settled one-half mile west of Hickman's Mills, and died 
 many years ago. 
 
 Sidney Barnes came from Kentucky and settled at Hickm.an's Mills. He 
 now lives in Colorado. 
 
 J. H. Kemper came from Kentucky and settled three miles northeast of 
 Hickman's Mills, where he now lives. 
 
 William Gray lives four miles west of Hickman's Mills. 
 
 Edward Gray lived two and a half miles northwest of Hickman's Mills, 
 where he died. 
 
 Joseph Lipscomb came from Kentucky and settled one mile north of New 
 Santa Fe, where he still lives. 
 
 Samuel Gregg settled one mile south of Hickman's Mill. He came from 
 Kentucky. 
 
 Benjamin Robinson came from Jessamine county, Kentucky, in the year 
 185 1, and settled one mile west of Hickman's Mills, where he now lives. 
 
 Thomas Rule came from Kentucky and settled three miles south of Hick- 
 man's Mills. He removed to Colorado at the breaking out of the civil war. 
 
 George Harper lived three miles south of Hickman's Mills. He came from 
 Kentucky, and died in Westport five years ago. 
 
 John Bartleson lived on the Big Blue, six miles southwest of Hickman's 
 Mills. 
 
 Edward McPherson came from Kentucky and settled one half mile south of 
 New Santa Fe. 
 
 John Wilson settled on the High Grove Farm, four miles south of Hickman's 
 Mills. He came from Kentucky. 
 
 Abraham Chrisman settled in the east part of what is now Washington town- 
 ship, near little Blue Creek. 
 
 Stephen Davenport came from Kentucky and settled in the northeast of the 
 ' township. He still lives in the neighborhood. 
 
 William Muir came from Kentucky; now lives at Union Point, five miles 
 northeast of Hickman's Mills, where he first settled. 
 
X 
 
 360 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 Edward Noland came from Kentucky and settled half a mile east of Hick 
 man's Mills. He died during the civil war down south. 
 
 Noah Hatton lived two miles east of Hickman's Mills. He came from Ken 
 tucky, and now lives about five miles from Independence. 
 
 Dr. Thomas Lee came from Virginia and settled one mile northeast of Hick 
 man's Mills. He removed to Texas, where he died. 
 
 Thomas Poindexter came from Kentucky and settled one and a half mile 
 west of Hickman's Mills, where he died long before the civil war. 
 
 James Chiles came from Kentucky and settled at Union -Point. He move( 
 to Texas about the year i860. 
 
 William Shank came from Kentucky and settled north of Hickman's Mill 
 three miles, where he died in 1858. 
 
 Dr. M. Pendleton came from Kentucky. He settled northeast of Hickman' 
 Mills about two miles. He died about the year 1877. 
 
 Zion Flannery settled at Union Point. He was killed in Lafayette county 
 in the war. 
 
 James Flannery still lives on the waters of Little Blue, northeast of Hick 
 man's Mills. 
 
 John Flannaghan came from Ireland and settled about six miles northeast o 
 Hickman's Mills. 
 
 Joseph Talley came and settled in the north part of the township, where hi 
 died. 
 
 Stephen Absolom settled two miles southwest of Hickman's Mills. He diec 
 at Independence in 1858 or 1859. 
 
 Richard Kirbey lives two miles east of New Santa Fe, where he first settled 
 
 Enoch Oldham came from Kentucky and settled a short distance south 
 Hickman's Mills. He died in the year 1879. 
 
 E. A. Hickman came from Kentucky and settled at Hickman's Mills, fron 
 whom it derived its name. He now lives at Independence. 
 
 Dr. D. A. Bryant came from Kentucky and settled about three miles north 
 Hickman's Mills. He now lives just west of Hickman's Mills. 
 
 J. H. J. Harris came from Kentucky and settled about two miles west 
 Hickman's Mills. He now lives in Kansas City. 
 
 William Irwin came from Kentucky and settled near Big Blue, two and 1 
 half miles west of Hickman's Mills. 
 
 O. H. P. Rippetoe came from Tennessee in 1845. 
 
 Job and John Crabtree were among the first settlers of the neigborhood in thi 
 northeastern portion of the township. Both came from Virginia in the year 1833 
 and became farmers. 
 
 Among the first marriages in the township was that of Robert Pierson, whicl 
 occurred in 1838, and among the first births in that neighborhood was Thoraa 
 Flannery, son of John and Rebecca Flannery, in 1837 — February nth. Jamei 
 Savage, a missionary Baptist, was the first minister, and preached at the homes o 
 the settlers. The first school was taught in a house built on John Flannery's farm 
 It was taught by Isaac Crabtree, who died some time after on his way to Oregon 
 The first school house was built by the neighbors in Washington township, ii 
 1840. 
 
 At that time each housewife did her own spinning and weaving. There wer 
 no public roads, and no wagons in the whole neighborhood, and all supplies wer 
 obtained from Independence ten or twelve miles away. 
 
 This is a land of exceeding loveliness stretching out to the view on all sides 
 The different agricultural products are raised here in great abundance, am 
 many of the farmers of the township are raising and growing stock. 
 
 The first post-office in the township was at High Blue, southwest of Hickman' 
 Mills, and Isaac Bryant was postmaster. This office was discontinued before th 
 
361 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 war, and afterward, about the year 1867, the office was re-established, with Mar- 
 cellus Gilham as postmaster. 
 
 Hickman's mills. 
 This is the most important village in the township. It is a trading point for 
 a large scope of country. Hickman's Mills is sixteen miles from Independence, 
 the same distance from Kansas City, and eight miles from Lee's Summit. 
 
 BUSINESS directory. 
 
 Physicians— D. A. Bryant and Alonzo 
 
 Sweaney. 
 General Store — John R. Moore and 
 
 T. F. Simon. 
 Blacksmith Shop — Isaac Bryant & Son 
 
 and Shadrick Sechrest. 
 Post-office— T. M. Simon, P. M. 
 Christian Church— Elder J. W. Waller, 
 
 Pastor. 
 Public School — Miss Lizze M. Havron. 
 The population of this little village is about fifty. 
 
 NEW SANTA FE. 
 
 This little post village is situated on the west line of Missouri, about midway 
 in Washington township. It now contains one store and post-office and a few 
 dwelhng houses. Being on the State line between a free and a slave State, it has 
 experienced some of the most remarkable events that have been known on a tur- 
 bulent border: the Border Ruffian War of 1855-6, the awful commotions of the 
 Civil War, and the bands of outlaws, murderers and robbers since the War of the 
 Rebellion ceased have haunted this section to an unwonted degree. The country 
 around about New Santa Fe is of unsurpassed loveliness and fertility. 
 
 This town was laid out October 5th, 1851, and described as follows : 
 
 ''Situated on the southwest corner Sec. 7, Tp. 47, R. 33. Beginning one 
 pole north of the southwest corner of said Sec, leaving one pole for an alley on 
 the south side — variation of north and south lines io^° and east and west 7j^°. 
 The lots are all five poles or 82 J^ feet wide by 165 feet deep. Main street is 66 
 feet wide, the others 50 feet wide, the alleys i6}4 feet wide. Given under my 
 hand this October 6, A, D. 1851. Lott Coffman, Co. Surveyor. 
 
 D. LIPSCOMB." 
 "STATE OF MISSOURI, 1 ^^ 
 County of Jackson. j 
 
 Dabney Lipscomb and Elizabeth W. Lipscomb, his wife, both of whom are 
 personally known to the undersigned Justice of the Peace, to be the same persons 
 whose names are subscribed to the foregoing plat, this day personally appeared 
 before me in said county, and acknowledged that they executed the said plat for 
 the uses and purposes therein expressed, giving and granting to Jackson county 
 for public uses and benefits for roads and highways, all the streets and alleys as 
 shown and designated on the foregoing plat free from all obstruction or incum- 
 brances. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this third day of April, 
 A. D. 1852. H. S. Vivion, J. P. 
 
 "Filed April 5, 1852, S. D. Lucas, Clerk and Recorder." 
 
 Washington township had her share of experience in the civil war. Price's 
 whole army encamped there for several days; and when after the battle of West- 
 port and the Blues he moved south, he swept across Washington township taking 
 everything which a destitute and harassed army needs. 
 
 On the farm of Benjamin Robinson, one-half a mile from Hickman's Mills, 
 Gen. James Lane, of Kansas, encamped at one time for several days with three 
 thousand men. The Sunday evening before they took up their line of march. 
 Gen. Lane took his stand on the front porch of Mr. Robinson's house and made 
 his army a speech in which he said that he would follow and capture the enemy 
 or drive him into the Gulf of Mexico. Hickman's Mills was a Federal post and 
 a company of U. S. soldiers a great portion of the time was stationed here. 
 
362 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 FURTHER INCIDENTS IN THE WAR. 
 
 The following is a war story told by J. T. Palmer : 
 
 "Fort Sumter had been fired into, and the 'waT dogs' had already been 
 turned loose at other places. Men were leaving their homes, and women were in 
 distress. The mails being stopped, the country was full of dreadful reports, and 
 to those whose fortune or misfortune it was to be living on the border of Missouri, 
 the name of Jayhawker or Federal brought terror to the heart. A man was lia- 
 ble to be shot down at any time, without a minute's warning. 
 
 " I had several reasons for not engaging at an early date in the conflict. I 
 was somewhat conscientious about taking an oath that would place me under the 
 command of wicked men, who would be likely to lead me contrary to what I be- 
 lieved to be right, for I had confessed the name of Jesus Christ befoire men, and 
 accepted him as my leader. I had been reading the Bible, and was not sure that 
 I would be doing right in going to war. . I was living with Mr. Wells, and my 
 friend, Mr. Perry Rippetoe, was living with Mr. Chiles. Mr. Chiles was prepar- 
 ing to move to Texas. Mr. Wells said to me, ' Will you take my wagon and 
 team, and help Perry to bring some freight wagons from the Up Hayes farm ?' I 
 said that I would. We went northwest past Watt's mill, then along the Kansas 
 line, then northeast into Missouri. If I ever hauled an awkward load, it was two 
 Santa Fe wagons tied to a common two-horse wagon. Perry Rippetoe was an 
 experienced freighter, and I followed him. 
 
 "We brought one load, and dinner not being ready, we ate a few late 
 peaches, and started back after another. We had passed Mr. Poteet's house, on 
 the State line, and half the length of his big corn field on the east, the open prai- 
 rie of Kansas being on the west. Mr. Rippetoe, looking ahead, said, ' Look 
 yonder.' Looking, I saw a company of armed men horse-back, coming over 
 the prairie ridge in front. 'Yes, that is those Jayhawkers or Federals — seethe 
 flag.' Mr. Rippetoe said, 'What had we best do — hide in the corn, or take a 
 mule each and run?' 'Neither,' said I ; ' if we hide in the corn they will find-us, 
 there are so many of them, just see them still coming over the ridge, and if we 
 run, there are plenty fast horses among them, and they will catch us on any of 
 these mules; and besides, if we attempt to run or hide, they will kill us sure, for 
 they will think we have done something wrong. My word for it, we had better 
 drive right ahead, put on the best face we can, meet them, and risk our chances.' 
 He said, 'If you think best, we will do it.' All this time we had been moving 
 onward. The advance came up ; we turned to the west, intending to give them 
 the full benefit of the road, as there was plenty of room. ' Halt !' ' Halt !' We 
 obeyed. ' Get down off" that mule, and have you any arms ?' Having our coats 
 off, they did not search us. In the meantime, the Stars and Stripes went stream- 
 ing past, with the bright colors glittering in the sunbeams. Glorious, indeed, 
 was the old flag, in the hands of true men, but on that occasion it was calculated 
 to inspire in our heart anything but respect. While we were thus held captive at 
 the road side, a few words were exchanged by those who held us captive and the 
 soldiers, as they rode by, such as 'I will attend to that business," and another 'I 
 will see you again about something else," which showed that they were intimate- 
 ly acquainted with each other ; and now they turn their attention to us. ' Where 
 are you going, and where are you from ?' ' We live back here a few miles, and 
 are going after some Santa Fe wagons for Mr. Chiles. The freighting company 
 has dissolved, and Mr. Chiles is having his part of the wagons brought home.' 
 'Get on your mules and drive up,' was the positive command, and we readily 
 but not cheerfully obeyed. ' What is your politics ?' comes the horrid question, 
 and I heard Mr. Rippetoe reply that he was a Union man, and always had been. 
 ' Why are you not in the army, fighting for your country?' was the next question, 
 in an angry mood. My turn came next : ' What is your politics ?' ' I am a 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 363 
 
 Southern man; I was born and raised in the South.' We were now traveling 
 rapidly west, guarded closely by four men, who made it their business by turns 
 to question us. Here comes a rather low, compact built man, with his rifle in a 
 direct line of my body. He has his broad-brimmed hat set a little to one side. 
 He seems to be proud of his situation — really, he has a mean look. He don't 
 have very much to say, and I am glad of it. A small man now rides up, with 
 his revolver in his hand, and sword at his side. He asks, ' Do you know any 
 Sesesh?' I replied, ' Yes, sir.' ' Where do they live?' ' They have gone south, 
 to the Southern army.' Now he gives place to a tall man, with a heavy double- 
 barreled shot-gun, who is my especial escort for a while. I had rather he would 
 turn his gun in any other direction. 
 
 / — "Where are you taking us?" 
 Tall Man — "Into Kansas City." 
 
 / — '' We are going in the wrong direction for Kansas City." 
 Tall Man — " We will turn and go into the city. If we went down the line 
 we might run into a company of Sesesh." " Why are you not in the army 
 fighting for your country?" he asks in a pompous manner and continues, " the 
 southern men are trying to destroy the Union." " I don't look at it in that 
 way, "was my reply. 
 
 Tall Man — ' They have taken Fort Sumter, and are now in rebellion 
 against the Union." 
 
 /—"This is- not altogether a one-sided business." " What do you mean, 
 sir," said the tall man. "I mean that the southern men could not get their 
 constitutional rights in the Union ; " when their negroes were stolen they could 
 not get them back." 
 
 Tall Man — "Who stole their negroes ? " 
 
 / — "Why, a great many men from the north have made it their business 
 for years to persuade and steal the negroes which belong to the southern men 
 under the constitution, and you know it as well as I do." 
 
 Tall Man — "Why didn't they get them back bylaw, the northern man 
 helped to enact the fugitive slave law." 
 
 /^"They did try but could not haye the law enforced." 
 Tall Man — " I don't believe that the war is about the negroes. The south- 
 ern men have violated the constitution and want to break up the Union." 
 
 /—"The northern men have violated the constitution too. Old John 
 Brown took Harper's Ferry and fought the soldiers and now they have violated 
 the constitution from the president down." 
 
 Tall Man — angrily — "When did President Lincoln violate the consti- 
 tution?" 
 
 /^" Why was it necessary for congress to pass bills legalizing the acts of 
 the president if he had not violated the constitution? He did violate it." 
 Tall Man — "How did you get this information?" 
 /^"It was published in the papers." 
 
 Tall Man — " There are a great many things in the papers that are not true. 
 I don't believe it." 
 
 /—"I admit that many things are published in the papers that are not true, 
 but I believe this and the war is carried on contrary to the constitution to-day. 
 Here we are taken up on the pubhc highway and marched as prisoners, 
 although we did no wrong." 
 
 Tall Man — "This rebellion must be put down." As the subject was an 
 unpleasant one I tried to talk about something else. The small man with sword 
 and revolver who was the leader is again at my side and we are now going south- 
 west. I said, "Captain, where are you taking us." He replied, "to Mound 
 City, sir." Now I had heard that Mound City was the headquarters of the 
 jayhawkers. If he had said that he was going to deliver us into the hands of 
 
364 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 the whole United States Army and Navy combined, it would have been good news 
 compared with going to Mound City, for I verily believed that if they took us 
 into Mound City we would never get out alive. So I said, "Captain, it is get- 
 ting late and we have had no dinner, don't you intend to give us supper ?" I 
 was not hungry, but did not wish to let him know that there was any dread in my 
 mind. 
 
 Captain — "I don't know, it is war times now, and you will have to do as I 
 do ; sometimes I eat once a day and sometimes oftener, just as I can get it." 
 
 / — " I am in the habit of eating three times a day and would hke to have 
 supper if you can get it, if you don't I will do the best I can without it." I kept 
 on secretly praying, yes, praying ; I could raise my heart to God in prayer for 
 the Lord is nigh to all that call upon Him in truth, and he could hear me now, 
 although I was very closely guarded. I thought of many instances where God 
 had delivered his people in Bible times and of many cases recorded in history. 
 I was trying to plan our escape, I felt as if I could act my part in a desperate 
 manner if the Lord should give me the opportunity, provided it did not endanger 
 the hfe of my friend Mr. Rippetoe, could I get hold of the revolver, rifle or 
 double-barreled shot-gun, and a few seconds time to use it. You may well think 
 that these were very wicked thoughts for a Christian to harbor, but remember 
 that I am but human; and if the Lord had not been watching over me I might 
 have beein turned into a desperado. They did not give us the least opportunity 
 to escape. About dark they stopped at a house and the Captain gave us each a 
 piece of pie. Here one man, whom I have not described, took leave to go to 
 Olathe. We then turned due south, I was quite willing to let my mules slack 
 their speed, but when I was commanded "to hurry up " those mules, I knew I 
 had to do it. The moon arose about dark and shone brightly. I still talked to 
 my escort as calmly as if nothing unusual was happening, and on we went until 
 about one or two o'clock in the night. We had just crossed Coffee Creek in the 
 Black Bob district of Kansas, when we were stopped in the midst of an old 
 Indian camping ground, with brush around the edges. The moon was shining 
 in splendor. As the night air was cool I shd down from the saddle and our 
 guard stood consulting near Mr. Rippetoe, for they seemed to guard him closely, 
 and they may well have afforded to do it. At this time I was near my team 
 looking down, kicking my feet in the dust and thinking so deeply that when the 
 Captain said "step here," I paid no attention to it. Mr. Rippetoe then said 
 "the Captain wants you to step here." Immediately remembering what the Cap- 
 tain had said, I hastened to obey. 
 
 Everything looked very suspicious, so I determined not to become excited, 
 if I could help it. As I stepped forward, I said as camly as I could : "Well, 
 Captain, what is it now?" The Captain spoke slow, and as if excited : "You 
 men have one of two things to do right here, and right now." I spoke again : 
 ' ' Well, Captain, what is that ? " 
 
 Captain — " Take the oath and return to your homes, or die right here." 
 
 / — " That looks hard, but what is your oath? " 
 
 'Captain — " That you will support the constitution of the United States, and 
 not take up arms against the Government." 
 
 / — "Captain, I have no objection to taking part of that oath, I am willing 
 to swear that I will not take up arms against the Government, as I told you be- 
 fore I do not want to fight, I could have been into it before now if I had chosen to 
 do so, but to swear to support the constitution, I can't do that, I think you 
 should let me. off without taking that part of the oath." 
 
 Captain- — " It is against my oath to do so. Will you, take the oath ? " 
 
 /—"I will not! 
 
 Captain — " Then, you shall suffer for it." 
 
 /— " The Lord is my helper, I will not fear what man shall do unto me." 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 365 
 
 The Captain now turned to Mr. Rippetoe, inquired if he would take the 
 oath, and hastily swore him, and turned toward me, at the same time raising 
 his revolver, which I plainly heard click. Click went the rifle in the hands of 
 the man with his hat set on the sjde of his head, at the same time cUck, click, 
 went the double barreled shot-gun, as the tall man raised it to his face. Already 
 my heart seemed feeling for the messenger of death. I could feel my body 
 bracing itself to receive the shock. My last earthly hope was gone and I had 
 but one request to make. I said : " Captain, give me a few minutes for prayer, 
 please." Without waiting for an answer I knelt down, Mr. Rippetoe sank down, 
 covering his face with both hands as he groand out: "Oh, Lordy ! " All this 
 had taken place in very quick time, yet I could watch as well as pray; there stood 
 the three ready to send me to eternity, the Captain with his revolver presented, 
 the man with his hat set on the left side of his head taking deliberate aim along 
 his rifle, seemed very anxious to show his skill, and the tall man with his big 
 double-barreled shot-gun has squared himself, and I think his aim is true. In a 
 few broken sentences I acknowledged my dependence upon the great God that 
 had made and taken care of me, confessed my sins and short-comings, prayed the 
 Lord to forgive all my sins, and be with me. Committed myself into his hand, 
 offered up a short petition for those who were near and dear to me, and then 
 said in my prayer : " Lord, have mercy on our Nation and country; may this 
 war and bloodshed be stopped; and may the time soon come when war shall be 
 no more ; but all shall know Thee, from the least to the greatest ; and these men, 
 remember them, in thy great mercy; may they see the wickedness of their ways, 
 and turn, before they go down to eternal ruin; Father, forgive them, for they 
 know not what they do." Here, I thought I had finished my course, but as 
 they did not fire, I continued praying in a few broken sentences, when the man 
 with the rifle, said : " Captain, stop this foolishness " The tall man then spoke : 
 "Captain, I think you should let this man go, he don't beheve there is any 
 Union." The Captain said : " I don't like to kill him." My friend who had by 
 this time uncovered his face, spoke a few words in my favor. The Captain then 
 stepped to where I was, still on my knees, he put out his hand, I arose and took 
 his hand, and he spoke in a mild tone, as follows : "Do you, sir, pretend to 
 say that you are a better man than Washington, and the men who made the con- 
 stitution and gave their lives for it, and all the great and good men of our day 
 who swear to support it, and are ready to die for it?" I said: "No, I don't 
 say any such thing, Washington and the men who made the constitution have 
 done a great and good work, and all I have to say about the great and good men 
 of our time who are swearing to support the constitution is this, they think differ- 
 ent from what I do, or they would act different from what they do." 
 
 Captain — "What do you think about the negroes?" 
 
 /—"I think that they are just in the place God intended them to be." 
 
 Captain— "YftW, I don't." 
 
 /—"Well, I do." 
 
 Captain— "y^eW, I guess that I will have to let you off; will you take that 
 part of the oath ? " 
 
 /—"I have no objections to swear that I will not take up arms against the 
 United States. 
 
 Captain — "In case a company of southern soldiers were to come along, 
 would you swear to support the Confederate States ? " 
 
 /— " I could not do it if I had taken this oath." 
 
 Captain — "Then hold up your hand and be sworn; do you solemnly swear that 
 you will not take up arms against this Government?" 
 
 I— "Yes, I swear to that." 
 
 Mr. Rippetoe was soon at my side and the Captain said, "now you can re- 
 turn to the place from whence you came." 
 
366 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 I said, " Captain, let me drive Mr. Well's team back with me." 
 
 Captain — " Can't; I dread it." 
 
 /—"Well, the two old lame mules in front; they will do you no good in 
 the service; let us each have one to ride home.'.' 
 
 Captain — " It is against my oath to do any such thing." 
 
 /—"Well, Captain, there is that saddle; I borrowed it from old Rube, a 
 real good old negro; you won't take that." 
 
 Captain — " You couldn't take it to him if you had it." 
 
 / — " I would just hide it here in the brush and tell old Rube, and he would 
 come and get it — he knows all this country." 
 
 Captain — " Do you ever go to Kansas City?" 
 
 / — " I have been there often." 
 
 Captain — " I can't spare it now ; the next time you go to Kansas City you 
 come to Camp Union, on the hill, and I will either leave the saddle there or pay 
 for it ; you can come and get it for him." 
 
 / — " All right, good bye;" and we shook hands with the Captain and started. 
 We had not gone twenty yards when the Captain called to us to come back ; we 
 looked at each other, looked toward the brush, but was not long in turn- 
 ing back ; the Captain had a little blank book in his hand and said that he had 
 forgotten to take down our names ; we gave our full names. He again told us 
 that we could go, and we could hardly keep from running we felt so light and 
 free. We crossed the branch and took the road for home. We had not gone far 
 when Mr. Rippetoe squatted down and crept into the tall grass and wild sun-flpwers; 
 I followed as quickly as I could. With our heads close to the ground, we could 
 hear a tramping sound, but it did not sound like horsemen. I whispered, " Perry, 
 what did you see ?" "I don't know," was his reply. I finally ventured to part 
 the grass and peep out. I saw that it was a herd of cattle going toward the 
 creek. I said, "Perry, it is nothing but cattle going for water." He said, " I 
 can stand it if you can." We went ahead then on quick time until within about 
 four miles of New Santa Fe, when a thunder storm came up ; we took refuge in 
 a little vacant house near the roadside. As the rain came rattling down and the 
 thunder jarred the windows, I lay down among the pea vines on the floor and 
 was soon asleep. My friend, Mr. Rippetoe, was more cautious ; he had been 
 west among the wild Indians and knew how to keep a sharp lookout. The shower 
 soon passed over, my friend called to me ; remembering where I was, I sprang to 
 my feet. We arrived at New Santa Fe at daybreak. Seeing a light burning, we 
 knocked at the door of Mr. A. R. White. Mrs. White came to the door ; she 
 was excited and talked very fast. She said, " the Federals have been here and 
 taken Mr. John Davis' goods ; we have been up all night ; the men are all hid ; 
 the soldiers have been all over the neighborhood ; we heard guns firing all around 
 and no telling who is killed; but they are all gone now, won't you come in?" 
 We said " no, thank you; they have had us and we must go home." I soon saw 
 my friend Rippetoe buckle on his heavy revolver. 
 
 As he started south, he said: " they have forced that oath upon me, and I 
 don't feel bound by it. They will never get me again alive." 
 
 After the war was over I saw a stranger turn into the yard ; he looked as if 
 he was tired ; he came toward the house I recognized him as my old friend, Perry 
 Rippetoe. As I took his hand I noticed that his revolver was gone, and he had 
 on a palmetto hat that had been made and presented to him by the ladies in the 
 extreme south. He said, " I heard that you were living here, and determined to 
 stop and see you before going home." Since that time we both have been per- 
 mitted to live peaceable and quiet lives at home. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 367 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 BROOKING TOWNSHIP. 
 
 The Youngest Township in Jackson County — The Order of Court, Organizing the Township, bears 
 Date March /j, 1872 — The Order Itself— First Constable — A Word from Kev. J. J. Robin- 
 son— Interesting Reminiscences — A Letter in the Spring of 1 8^6 — West Fork Baptist Church 
 — A Farmers^ Meeting. 
 
 Brooking township is the youngest child in Jackson county's family of town- 
 ships, it was organized by order of the county court March 13, 1872. The follow- 
 ing is the order : 
 
 The Court orders that a new Municipal township be formed out of Washing- 
 ton and Blue townships described as follows : Beginning at the mouth of Round 
 Grove Creek, and thence up said creek to where it crosses half section hne, 
 running east and. west through the center of Sec. 29, Tp. 49, R. 32; thence 
 east with said line, to the range line between ranges 31 and 32, thence south to 
 line of Prairie township; thence west to Little Blue Creek; thence up said creek 
 to where the south line of Sec. 22, Tp. 48, R. 32 crosses the same; thence 
 west with said line to the half-section line on south side Sec. 19 of said township; 
 thence on the center of said section ; thence west to Big Blue Creek ; thence with 
 said creek to place of beginning, and that said township be called Brooking town- 
 ship. 
 
 The Court appoints T. L. Cassell constable of Brooking township. 
 
 The following, bearing date of March 16, 1872, is from the pen of one of 
 Jackson county's old and most respected citizens : 
 
 " Brooking township. — This is the name of a new township formed out of 
 territory heretofore included in Blue and Washington townships. It is in the 
 center of Jackson county, and embraces a large portion of Jackson county's finest 
 lands. It is a good farming country, having good land, good water and good 
 timber, three qualities not often found near each other. 
 
 "There are, perhaps, more good springs of water in this township than any 
 of the same size in the State. Many of our farmers have not had to drive their 
 stock off their farms to get water for them in the last twenty-five years. 
 
 "We have two post-offices — Raytown and Little Blue, and an industrious, 
 civil community, erecting school-houses and churches to beautify and adorn the 
 ennobling virtues of civilized society. 
 
 " We have given the name 'Brooking' to our township in respect to the 
 memory of the late Hon. Alvin Brooking, who, in his long and faithful public life, 
 was true not only to the finances but to every great interest of Jackson county. 
 And, sir, may our new township prove worthy to perpetuate the name and 
 memory of so true and good a man. J. J. ROBINSON." 
 
 Brooking township is too young to have a very long historical sketch. The 
 first church organization of any denomination took place on Round Grove in 
 1 83 1, near or on the lands now owned by Capt. H. C. Brooking. It was a 
 United Baptist church. Elders Moses Stayton and James Kinsley, preached to 
 them. They partly built a log house, which was used for both church and school 
 purposes. This church was dissolved in 1838 (or 9). The first death and burial 
 was that of Samuel Kimsley. His grave was made July 7, 1832, near this house. 
 James Kimsley, in 1831, built a horse-mill at Round Grove, near Rock Falls. 
 It was washed away in 1833. Water six feet deep, fell from a "water spout," 
 
368 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 and came in a flood against it. James Kimsley and another man were in the mill, 
 but escaped unhurt. 
 
 After this Wm. Cox built another horse-mill about one mile south of this, 
 on the place which has the honor to be the oldest settlement in the township. 
 Johnson Kimsley states that his father Samuel Kimsley settled the Cox farm in 
 183 1, and that the first settlement east of Heart Grove was . made by Wm 
 Pierson in 1835. Tp. 48, R. 32, was then known as "the condemned townships." 
 Long after this it was surveyed and brought into market. George W. Rhoades, 
 who as surveyor platted the town of Independence, lived here. For many years 
 he was a prominent citizen of the county, and also County Surveyor — they never 
 had a better surveyor. 
 
 About the year 1840, a Mr. Slusher built a water-mill on Little Blue. It 
 was not a success. Then Reuben Harris built another horse-mill. It was a great 
 convenience ; but otherwise of little profit. 
 
 George W. Howel also built a horse-mill. It was about one mile west of the 
 Kimsley mill. It was also of greater convenience to the people, than profit to 
 the owner. 
 
 For many years education and schools did not receive that attention which 
 their importance demands. The age in which we now live, tells to each reflect- 
 ing mind, these are a part 0/ the body poliiic. But pioneer life had its charms, in 
 roving among the wilds of nature. Education and schools did not occupy 
 enough of their thoughts. It required an effort to build the first school house. 
 This rude structure was about three hundred yards south of the present residence 
 of Mr. T. W. Green. The people then called it "Science Hill." But one and 
 another taught several good "subscription schools" there — averaging from fifty 
 to sixty scholars. Now, within four miles .of the spot where stood "Science 
 Hill school house," are eight or nine well organized school districts — each having 
 a good school house ; and furnished with the latest and best patented seats, etc. 
 Few if any of them have less than seven or eight months' school in each year. 
 Self interest, if nothing else, will compel them in the near future to build a high 
 school at Raytown, and perhaps also at other places. When this shall be accom- 
 plished Brooking township will be one of the most inviting localites for a country 
 residence to be found any where in the great State of Missouri. 
 
 Brooking township has two villagee — Raytown and Little Blue. Raytown 
 occupies a central location in what is called the " Blue Prairie" — being on the 
 ridge between Big and Little Blue, eight miles from Independence and ten from 
 Kansas City. It has a Masonic hall, one meeting house, one store and saddler's 
 shop, one blacksmith shop and a doctor's office, also a post-office and school 
 house. Little Blue is on the Mo. P. R. R.; has one store, a school house; is a 
 " station; " has a telegraph office, and several other houses. 
 
 Brooking township has ever been the home of good, skillful physicians. Dr. 
 Samuel Hobbs, deceased, was one of the most successful practitioners the county 
 ever had. Dr. R. Hewitt, was also a good physician, and resided for many years 
 in Raytown. Dr. M. T. Smith now has an extensive practice, and is a skillful 
 physician. 
 
 Brooking township has, perhaps, more good, "never-failing " springs than 
 can be found any where else in the same extent of territory. 
 
 Raytown is the center of many roads. A good road runs by the house of 
 every family in the school district. And a good ridge road could be located from 
 Raytown to Kansas City.' 
 
 WEST FORK BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The following church history was furnished by Rev. J. J. Robinson : West 
 Fork Church, situated one mile east of Raytown, was organized in December, 
 1842, by Elders Moses Stayton and Henry Farmer, at the house of John Davis. 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 369 
 
 The following were the constituent names: John Davis, Sarah Davis, Alvin 
 Brooking, Fannie Brooking, Lewis Jones, Sarah Jones, C. S. Stribling, Elisabeth 
 Stribling, Joseph Davis, Annie Davis, James Beckham, Eliza Beckham, James 
 Allen, Edwin Allen, Mahala Slusher and Ellen Mobly. 
 
 This was the first permanent church organization of any denomination in the 
 central southwestern portion of Jackson county. It has ever held a prominent 
 position among our churches. Elder^J. Farmer, of Cass county, was the first pas- 
 tor. He is a man of good mind and of pleasant address, and by his prudence 
 did much to harmonize the Baptists and allay prejudice against "Missionary 
 Societies." During his ministry the church increased in numbers almost con- 
 tinually. 
 
 The church, when organized, had no meeting house, but met in private 
 dwellings, or in some grove. At this time Brother A. Brooking became so fully im- 
 pressed with the idea the Lord's " set time to favor his Zion" here had come, that 
 he not only built a " stand," but also prepared a place before the meeting began 
 to baptize. Twenty-two were received at that meeting— the greater part by expe- 
 rience and baptism. 
 
 In 1845 Mr. A. S. Tackard, now of Independence, gave the church two 
 acres of land on which to build a meeting house. A stone house was built. The 
 expense of building this house was borne mainly by Alvin Brooking, J. Mickle- 
 borough and Archy Rice. In 1859 a good brick house was erected, costing about 
 $2,300. 
 
 In 1847 J. J. Robinson began to preach. He has preached to the church 
 once a month (either as pastor or otherwise), most of the time since. 
 
 In 1852 J. Bowers was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. He was 
 a man of good ability, and had a very strong voice. He lived only a few years, 
 dying of pneumonia soon after the close of a sucessful meeting, at Pleasant Valley 
 church. 
 
 Howard Chism was also a minister of this church. He was a man of good 
 practical sense, and also a good preacher, strongly devoted to the doctrines of the 
 Baptist. 
 
 The names of the other ministers who have preached to this church statedly, 
 either as pastor or otherwise, are : H. Farmer, L. Franklin, J. B. Bowers, H. 
 . Chism, W. A. Durfey, J. W. Swift, J. Lee, R. Thomas, E. Wood, A. W. Cham- 
 bliss, DD., and J. O. Anderson, the present pastor. J. J. Robinson continues to 
 preach on the fourth Sabbath in each month. 
 
 This church has been blessed with many precious revivals. In 1880 forty-six 
 were added to the church ; forty-four were baptized in one day. West Fork Church 
 has dismissed many valuable members to aid in the organization of the First Bap- 
 tist church in Independence, Blue Ridge, Lee's Summit, Besonia, etc. At present 
 the church has 170 members. 
 
 Their deacons have been Alvin Brooking, Peter Courtney, J. J. Robinson, 
 W. C. DeBord, Jesse Davis, J. Cummins, S. R. West, L. M. Dehoney, H. C. 
 Brooking, B. Brown, B. Rice and T. W. Green. 
 
 It was at this church that the first country Sunday-school was organized in 
 Jackson county. Alvin Brooking, ever ready and willing to lead in every "good 
 work," was the first superintendent. Then J. J. Robinson, J. B. Bowers. T. W. 
 Green and J. B. McKeever. 
 
 In the list of members of West Fork Church we find the names of three of 
 Jackson county's court judges, viz: Alvin Brooking, Richard Fristoe and John 
 Davis. Of these Judge Brooking represented Jackson county four years in the 
 State Senate, and Richard Fristoe represented the county two years in the House 
 of Representatives. We also find the name of F. H. Lane, who for many years 
 was the honored President of the Jackson County Agricultural and Mechanical 
 Association. 
 
 24 
 
370 HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 It will soon be forty years since the organization of West Fork Church. Of 
 the original members only one yet remains on the church book — Fannie Brooking, 
 the honored relict of Judge Brooking. Few churches have a more inviting and 
 useful field to occupy ; and its members feel as if its usefulness was only begun. 
 Long may West Fork continue to be one of the "land marks" of Jackson. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 KAW TOWNSHIP. 
 
 When established and its original ei^tent — The establishnunt of Washington and Westport townships 
 — The first settlers and first officers — - The first and second elections, etc. 
 
 Kaw township was established by order of the County Court, dated May 2 2d, 
 1827. This was at the second day's session of the first County Court of Jack- 
 son county ; the judges — Abraham McClelland, Richard Fristoe, and Henry 
 Burris— holding their office by appointment from the Governor, and having been 
 sworn into office the day previous. This order established Kaw, Blue and Fort 
 Osage townships. Kaw township, as established by this order, embraced all that 
 part of Jackson county lying west of the Big Blue. On the 9th of February, 
 1836, the County Court, by order, established Washington township and included 
 in it that part of Kaw township now embraced in Washington west of the Big 
 Blue. On the 17th of May 1869, Westport township was cut off of the south end 
 of Kaw, reducing it to its present dimensions, which include but about twenty 
 full sections of land. 
 
 On the day that the County Court established the first three townships, it 
 recommended to the Governor for appointment as Justices of the Peace certain 
 gentlemen in each township, those for Kaw being Samuel Johnson and Andrew 
 P. Patterson, who were appointed and were the first Justices of the Peace in Kaw 
 township. 
 
 The first white man, probably, who ever entered the territory of Kaw town- 
 ship was Col. Daniel Morgan Boone, a son of the celebrated Daniel Boone, who 
 is said, in a memoir of him written some years ago by Dr. Johnson Lykins, to 
 have trapped beavers twelve winters on the Blues prior to 1800, at which time 
 he was married at St. Louis and ceased trapping in that way. The first settle- 
 ment in Kaw township was that made by the French fur traders, opposite Ran- 
 dolph bluffs, in 1821. Francois Chouteau was the head of this party, of which a 
 more extended history will be given in the history of Kansas City. 
 
 The territory embraced in the township not having been relieved from Indian 
 possession until 1826, there was no real settlement in it until 1826 and 1827. 
 Among the early settlers were William Lewis, John Bostic, Abraham Linville, 
 Perman Henderson, Dyer Cash, Benjamin Hancock, Major Hancock, Lewis 
 Haneau, Paul Lacoot, Francis Tromley, William Johnson, Thomas Linville, Pierre 
 Revellett, Taplaw Bingham, Andrew Patterson, John Savage, Andrew Gaudy, 
 Isaac Ray, Joseph Boggs, Robert Y. Fouller, Silas Hitchcock, Samuel Son, 
 Michael Farrer, Lewis Levantieur, Sampson Hitchcock, John Young, Andrew 
 Patterson, William Master, James Jennings, Richard Hancock, James Johnson. 
 These parties were all residents and voters in 1828, by which time there were 
 probably, a number of others in the township. It was about this time that James 
 H. McGee came into the township, and at that time Francois Chouteau and a nam- 
 
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 371 
 
 ber of other Frenchmen were residing in the French settlement near the mouth of 
 the Kaw. 
 
 The first election in Kaw township, was held at the house of William John- 
 son on the first Monday in August 1828, with Andrew Patterson, John Young 
 and William Master, as judges, and James Jennings and Richard Hancock as 
 clerks. The second was held on the first Monday in August, 1830, at the house 
 of Michael Fames, with Andrew P. Patterson, James Welch and William Lewis 
 as judges. 
 
 Kansas City is in Kaw township, and now embraces about half of it within 
 its corporate limits, the history of which embraces substantially the history of 
 the township. This history will be found elsewhere in this volume. Westport 
 was embraced in Kaw township until the establishment of Westport township in 
 1869, and its history might be said to belong to that of Kaw township. This 
 history is also mainly embraced in that of Kansas Gity, above referred to, the 
 two places having been always so nearly identical that the history of one must 
 embrace the leading features of the other. 
 
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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 BY W. H. MILLER, SECRETARY BOARD OF TRADE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 How Ancient Cities were Founded and Built-^The Considerations Determining their Location 
 
 How Modern Cities are Built, and the Considerations Determining their Location — American 
 Cities, how Located and how Built — Western Cities — The Importance of Transportation Facil- 
 ities — The People who Determined their Location, and why — "Motion Follows the Line of 
 Least Resistance." 
 
 The first efforts of mankind to build cities antedates history, hence nothing 
 very definite concerning the circumstances and methods is or can be known ; but 
 in the earlier ages of the historic era, when the race was divided into compara- 
 tively small and warring factions, and afterward, when these factions grew to be 
 powerful but not less warlike nations, cities were located by kings and conquerors 
 and built by the people under their immediate supervision and direction. In 
 those warlike ages a site of a city was determined mainly by the advantages of 
 defense of the spot of ground selected, though the Contiguity of fertile and pas- 
 toral country seems not to have been entirely ignored; hence cities built in those 
 ages were at once the capital and fortress of the king, while immediately surround- 
 ing it was a country susceptible of supporting his subjects. No regard seems to 
 have been had, however, to facilities for transportation, not even so much as 
 would facilitate military operations, while trade, which consisted chiefly of ex- 
 change between the people of the town and the adjacent domain, was entirely 
 ignored. Exhanges between people of different dominions existed only as 
 pillage. 
 
 In earlier periods, however, the conquering of one people by another, the 
 combination of different cities under the same dominion and the necessities of 
 military operations, seem to have caused more attention to be given to transpor- 
 tation facilities in the location of cities. This was after the adoption of methods 
 for utilizing the larger streams an-d the inland seas, and the erection of cities 
 after that time seems to have been determined by the three principles of defensi- 
 bility, contiguity of productive country, and facilities for water transportation, 
 and hence were usually located on large rivers or arms of the sea. At least it 
 was cities so located that in this period were most prosperous and became most 
 famous. 
 
 These features continued to be the ruling factors in determining the location 
 
374 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 of cities until after the American Revolution. The cities of the United Stat 
 built before that time were founded, not directly by royal hands, but by the 
 holding royal patents for that purpose, and the same features seem to have be^ 
 observed by them, as were regarded by kings and conquerors for many previo 
 ages in the Old World. 
 
 BUILDING CITIES IN AMERICA. 
 
 Since the Revolution, however, cities have ceased to be founded in the Ui 
 ted States by authority ; the people have done it themselves, without supervisic 
 or interference from government. . The sites have been selected by individua 
 or companies ; the grounds staked off, and the lots offered for sale. This don 
 the balance rested with the people, and though the number of cities founded 
 this country west of the Alleghany Mountains is almost infinite, each of whi( 
 was expected by its founders rapidly to become a great emporium, the peop 
 have built but few. The popular choice among the many rivals tl^at have pr 
 sented themselves in every section has been determined by principles as well ; 
 ascertained as those of old, and as easy of definition. 
 
 CONSIDERATION OF TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES. 
 
 Defensibility has ceased to be a consideration, for in the interior of the Un 
 ted States we have had no foe that made it neces.sary. Contiguity to ferti 
 country can scarcely be said to have exerted an influence, for this country is a 
 fertile. Facilities for transportation, however, have exerted a very great and coi 
 trolling influence. Having never been a warlike people, and having a country ( 
 wonderful and varied productiveness, the Americans are, of necessity, a produi 
 ing and trading people. The chief consideration to such a people is transport, 
 tion, and the city or the proposed city, possessing this feature in the highest di 
 gree, be it wagon roads, watercourses with keel or steamboats, or railroads, wi 
 be most prosperous ; and the one that by such means, each in its age, has accon 
 modated the country farthest into the interior has commanded the widest extei 
 of trade. The history of interior cities is but a history of the development ( 
 transportation in its different forms. Where we find that a place now almost ol 
 solete was once more promising than its rivals, we will likely find that it had th 
 best transportation of the kind then employed, but that in some subsequent phas 
 some rival took the advantage and the lead. Indeed there are but few, besidf 
 our own city, that from the first have held the advantage over all rivals in a 
 phases of transportational development, or that stand to-day more pre-eminent i 
 this regard. 
 
 BY WHOM WESTERN CITIES WERE LOCATED. 
 
 The importance of facilities for transportation in determining the locatio 
 and prosperity of cities cannot be better indicated than by a brief reference t 
 the character, vocation and habits of the class of men who determined the Iocs 
 tions of all our important western cities, though they did not actually build an 
 of them. We refer to the pioneer traders, trappers and hunters who preceded th 
 march of civilization from the Atlantic coast —a class now rapidly disappearin 
 into tradition and history, because the wilderness, and the wild animals the 
 loved to chase are gone, and the red men, their companions, associates and foe 
 are rapidly going. Daniel Boone was the type of the American element in thi 
 class, and also of the hunters who constituted a part of it; but the most of ther 
 appear to have been of French origin or descent. They were divided into thre 
 distinct classes — hunters and trappers, traders and voyageurs. This latter class wer 
 always in the employ of the traders, and it was their business to propel the wate 
 craft which the traders employed in transportation. The hunters and trapper 
 were sometimes independent and sometimes in the employ of the traders. The 
 penetrated far into the wilds and explored the unknown regions. They were th 
 
( ; 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 375 
 
 true pioneers. The furs and skins procured by them were sold to the traders, or 
 procured for them. The traders, originally independent but subsequently under 
 the direction of the great fur companies, established posts far into the interior of 
 the wilderness, to which they transported articles suitable for traffic with the 
 Indians, and such supplies as hunters and trappers wanted, and at which they 
 purchased robes, skins and furs, which they transported back to the borders of 
 civilization. Irving' s " Astoria" and " Booneville" give an excellent history of 
 this trade, which, about the beginning of the present century, was immense, and 
 extended all over the uninhabited parts of North America. The men engaged in 
 it were a brave, adventurous class, for whom the wilderness and association with 
 wild animals and wild men possessed more charms than civilization. With a 
 few articles of traffic, a gun and perhaps a few tools for constructing traps, they 
 pushed their way hundreds and even thousands of miles into the untrodden wil- 
 derness, not knowing what moment they might fall in with some unknown 
 ferocious animal, or some band of hostile savages. They put their canoes and 
 rafts into streams and followed their course, not knowing to what falls or dangers 
 they might lead. Their lives were a perpetual vigil, and they may be said to have 
 lived with their finger on the trigger. In the beginning they confined their ex- 
 cursions to a limited territory where the valuable fur animals were to be found. 
 Here they spent their winters in solitude, and in the spring went with the pro- 
 ceeds of their trapping to a trading post where they were disposed of and new 
 supplies purchased, when they were off again into the solitude for another year. 
 Subsequently they became the employees or agents of the fur companies, by whom 
 expeditions of great magnitude and extended exploration were undertaken. 
 
 The traders were mostly French, and as they employed trappers as well as 
 traded with them and the Indians, and as the fur animals were chiefly found 
 along streams, their posts were usually located on them or near their confluence. 
 The latter were deemed the most desirable locations, as they gave access to larger 
 districts of country by keel boats and pirogues, and hence more easily commanded 
 a larger trade. Their only means of transportation was packing on their own 
 backs, or on the backs of horses, and light water craft which could be propelled 
 in the rivers with pikes. The manifest great superiority of the latter method for 
 conducting an extensive trade is sufficient explanation of their preference for the 
 confluence of streams, as the latter gave them access to more than one valley and 
 thus increased possibilities for trade. This explains, also, why the vicinity of 
 Kansas City became so attractive to them when they came to know of it, as the 
 sequel will show that it was ; for, from here they had direct access to St. Louis, 
 their headquarters at the time they came here, and had also good command of the 
 upper Missouri, Kansas and Platte River valleys, while it was but a short distance 
 across the prairie country to the valleys of the Osage, Neosho, and Arkansas. 
 
 The American and British Governments have always maintained niihtary 
 posts on the frontier, for the protection of advancing setdement, yet they have 
 never led, but always followed these men ; and military men in scientifically deter- 
 mining the strategic advantages of locations for posts have always found the 
 judgment of these pioneers unerring as to the points that held best command of 
 the adjacent country, and have located their posts in the vicinity of the traders 
 and where substantially the same advantages were secured. 
 
 The principle underlying these facts — underlying the law of transportation 
 itself — is the long since observed universal physical law that " motion follows the 
 hne of least resistance." The movements of communities, classes and individuals 
 whether in commercial, industrial, military, or social elTorts, no less than of 
 physical bodies, obey this universal law. All effort employs the methods, and 
 follows the lines that most facilitate the attaiiiment of its object, which is but 
 another form of expression of the law that ' ' motion follows the line of least resist- 
 ance." 
 
376 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 EARLY EXPEDITIONS AND SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 The Fur Companies — The First Settlement at Kansas City — How and Why it was Made — In the 
 Wilderness — The Entry of the Land — The French Settlement, and Life Among the French 
 Settlers — The Advantages of the Place Recognized by Others — An Anecdote of Washington 
 Irving. 
 
 The French element of the class of pioneers above referred to, settled Can- 
 ada and the northwestern part of the United States, as well as the country about 
 the mouth of the Mississippi River. They came into the upper Mississippi and 
 Missouri Valleys in 1764, under the lead of Pierre Laclede Liguest (always called 
 Laclede), who held a charter from the French Government, giving him the ex- 
 clusive right to trade with the Indians in all the country as far north as St. Peters 
 River. Laclede brought part of his colony from France, and received large ac- 
 cessions to it in New Orleans, mainly of hunters and trappers, who had had ex- 
 perience with the Indians. In the year 1764, this colony established itself on the 
 west bank of the Mississippi River, and founded the present city of St. Louis. 
 From this point they immediately began their trading and trapping incursions in- 
 to the then unbroken wilderness in their front. Their method of proceeding 
 seems to have been to penetrate into the interior and establish small local posts 
 for trading with the Indians, and from whence the trappers and hunters were out- 
 fitted and sent out into the adjacent woods. These local posts were many of 
 them independent, but usually they were under the general management of par- 
 ties in St. Louis. In this way, the country west and northwest of St. Louis was 
 traversed and explored by these people at a very early day as far west as the 
 Rocky Mountains, but of the extent of their operations little has been recorded; 
 hence, httle is known concerning the posts established by them. It is known, 
 however, that such posts were established at a very early day, on the Chariton 
 and Grand Rivers, in Missouri, and at Cote Sans Dessein, in Callaway county. 
 
 In the year 1799 a post was established in the Blacksnake Hills, near St. 
 Joseph, and in 1800 one was estabhshed at Randolph Bluffs, opposite and three 
 miles below Kansas City. The Indian and fur trade constituted the commerce 
 of St. Louis for half a century, and when the Territory of Louisiana was ceded 
 by France to the United States, in 1803, the population of St. Louis was all of 
 this class of people, and the Indian and fur trade its principal interest. 
 
 Prominent among the men who were engaged in an extensive way in this 
 trade, were Auguste and Pierre Chouteau, of St. LOuis, who came from France 
 with Laclede. Auguste had charge of the workmen who began the clearing of 
 the forest for the city of St. Louis in 1764. Both at once engaged in the fur and 
 Indian trade. Pierre was interested in the posts on Grand and Chariton Rivers, 
 and it is supposed was the proprietor of the post at Randolph Bluffs, which ap- 
 pears to have been under the immediate charge of Louis Bartholet, afterward 
 known in the settlement at the mouth of the Kaw as " Grand Louis," in counter- 
 distinction to his son, who was known as " Petite Louis." Both these Chou- 
 teaus were afterward connected with the Missouri Fur Company, and the sons of 
 Pierre, and Francois, with the American Company. 
 
 Probably the first white man who came into the territory of Jackson county 
 was Col. Daniel Morgan Boone, a son of old Daniel Boone. He came to St. 
 Louis in 1787, where he was warmly received by the trappers and traders. In a 
 memoir of him written by the late Dr. Johnson Lykins, of this city, it is stated 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 377 
 
 that he spent twelve winters trapping beavers on the Blue, spending his summers 
 in St. Louis. He was married in the year 1800, when he abandoned trapping. 
 After the settlement of the county he returned and located on a farm near West- 
 port, where he remained until his death from Asiatic cholera in 1832. 
 
 THE FUR COMPANIES. 
 
 The increase of the volume of any business and of the amount of capital 
 employed in it, naturally leads to more extended operations and more systematic 
 methods. It gives rise also to a tendency to concentrate into fewer hands. This 
 was true of the fur and Indian trade as well as of all others. In 1787 this uni- 
 versal tendency of business to concentrate led to an abandonment, to a large 
 extent, in Canada, of the simple individual methods above described, and the 
 organization of the Northwest Fur Company at Montreal. John Jacob Astor, 
 of New York, having been for some time interested in the fur trade with others 
 began business for himself in 1807, and in 1809 organized the American Fur 
 Company. The year before this event, that is 1808, twelve persons, among 
 whom were Pierre and Auguste Chouteau, residing at St. Louis, gave systematic 
 shape to the trade of the Missouri valley by the organization of the Missouri Fur 
 Company, of which, Manuel Lisa, a Spaniard, was the leader. Sometime pre- 
 vious to this the Mackinaw Company was organized in the northwest in the region 
 of the lakes. About 1809 or 1810 the Missouri, American and Northwestern 
 companies began to push their expeditions across the Eocky Mountains about the 
 head-waters of the Missouri and Columbia rivers, with a view of establishing a 
 chain of posts across the continent, and they thus became. strong rivals. They 
 made one expedition each and effected the desired lodgment, but, owing to the 
 unfortunate killing of a Blackfoot chief, there arose a hostility on the part of those 
 Indians which drove out the American and Missouri companies. 
 
 At this time there was another more northern company operating in the 
 nothwest, known as the Hudson Bay Company. In 1810 Mr. Astor organized 
 the Pacific Fur Company and undertook the Astoria enterprise, of which Wash- 
 ington Irving has written such an excellent history. In 1811 the Mackinaw com- 
 pany was bought out by the American and Northwestern companies, jointly, and 
 its territory and effects divided between them. This year the American company 
 sent a second expedition up the Missouri River under charge of Wilson P. Hunt, 
 who was closely followed and strongly opposed by a second expedition of the 
 Missouri company, under Manuel Lisa. 
 
 During the war of 181 2, the Astoria enterprise failed, and it was some years 
 before the American company again attempted extended operations in the far 
 northwest. In 1813 the Missouri Fur Company was merged into the American, 
 and in 1819 a branch house of the latter was estabHshed at St. Louis, under the 
 general direction of Samuel Abbott. The Chouteaus and others who had been 
 connected with the old Missouri company then became connected with it. Pierre 
 Chouteau, eldest son of Pierre Chouteau, who came from France, was quite promi- 
 nent in its operations, and his brother, Francois Chouteau, was also connected with 
 it This company having inherited the posts and trade of the Missouri com- 
 pany, occupied the territory included in Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska, and 
 extended also into Arkansas and the Indian Territory, although there were still 
 a number of independent traders in this territory. After the absorption of the 
 Missouri cofhpany, the American company began to make great efforts to monop- 
 olize the trade of the southwest by rooting out the independent traders. In pur- 
 suance of this, Francois Chouteau was sent into the country to establish posts and 
 to bring the local traders into subordination to the company. At what time he 
 first entered upon this work is unknown, but he was thus engaged for several 
 years. Among the posts thus established by him, was one on the Kaw River 
 about twenty miles from its mouth, known as the "Four Houses," from the fact 
 
378 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 I 
 
 that it consisted of four log houses so arranged as to inclose a square court equal 
 in size to the width of one of the houses. In other words a square was marked 
 off and the houses built so that one end of each should be on one line of the 
 square, the corners touching. This form of construction presented in each di- 
 rection a defensible front equal to the length of two houses and the width of 
 another. 
 
 FIRST SETTLEMENT AT KANSAS CITY. 
 
 In the spring of 1821 M. Chouteau was sent back to this country to establish a 
 general agency for the posts he had established or connected with the Company, 
 from which supphes could be sent to the posts, and at which the proceeds of the 
 trade could be collected. The extent of this trade was such as to demand an 
 establishment of this kind nearer than St. Louis. The knowledge of the country 
 he had already acquired enabled him to judge of the merits of different points for 
 such agency, having in view always the advantage offered by each for extended 
 operations by the methods of transportation then employed. At the Kawsmouth 
 he had access by water to the entire valleys of the Kaw, Missouri, Platte and 
 smaller tributaries, while it afforded the shortest land transit to the Indians of the 
 plains and to the valleys of the Osage, Neosho and Arkansas. Hence, with that 
 unerring judgment for which his class was peculiar, he selected this point and 
 established himself in the bottom opposite Randolph Bluffs, about three miles 
 below what is now Kansas City. This was the first recognition of the natural 
 advantages of this angle of the river for a large distributive trade, and the actual 
 founding of the interest which has since expanded into the varied and wide ex- 
 tended activities of this city. He brought with him at this time about thirty men, 
 all of whom were employed in the service of the company as courriers des bois or 
 voyageuTS, and through them he concentrated at his general agency here the trade 
 of the trans-Missouri country. His post at this point was in a sense a trading 
 post for the Indians near by, but its distinctive feature was asa depot of supply and 
 as a point of concentration for traders, trappers, hunters, and the interior posts. 
 In the fall of the same year he brought his family to this post in a keel boat, 
 which was towed all the way from St. Louis. The men who came with M. 
 Chouteau, in 1821, were, with few exceptions, dispatched into the interior, where 
 they established trading posts or traveled and traded among the Indians. 
 
 At a later date, 1825, M. Chouteau's younger brother, Cyprian, joined him 
 here and soon afterward built a trading house on the south side of the Kaw River 
 about opposite the present site of Muncie. A few years later he was joined here 
 by another brother, Frederick, now living at Westport, in this county, and after- 
 ward they removed their post about eighty miles up the Kaw River. 
 
 In 1826 there was a flood in the rivers which washed away M. Chouteau's 
 houses opposite Randolph Bluffs and caused great loss. A part of the stock was 
 taken to Randolph Bluffs; he sent his family to the Four Houses, and soon after- 
 ward rebuilt his house, but this time higher up and on higher ground, which is 
 now embraced in what is known as Guinott's Addition to Kansas City. This 
 place became wellknown as "Chouteau's Warehouse," and was the landing place 
 for large amounts of freight for Indian trade, and for the trade with northern 
 Mexico, which subsequently sprung up here. 
 
 M. Chouteau subsequently entered the land on which his house stood, 
 thus becoming a permanent resident. He continued here until he died in 1840, 
 and his aged wife and his son, Pierre M. Chouteau, still reside in this city. 
 
 Soon after the flood above referred to, the men who came with Mr. Chouteau 
 in (821, and others of the same class, who had been living among the Indians 
 and in the mountains, began to gather here with their families, to settle, and thus 
 established that wonderful French settlement, which, for a quarter of a century, 
 existed here. This settlement was never very large, probably never exceeded a 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 379 
 
 few dozen families, but it was always important as the headquarters of a very ex- 
 tensive trade. 
 
 Of the location made by the people little i# known, but Louis Bartholet 
 (Grand Louis) settled on the bottom north of the junction of Fifth and Bluff streets 
 and at a point now near the middle of the Missouri River. Calise Montardeau 
 settled at the foot of Delaware street, and opened a farm of a' few acres on the 
 hill, the center of which was about the present crossing of Fourth and Delaware 
 streets. Louis Uneau settled at about the foot of Main street, and Louis Roy, 
 whose son afterward established the first ferry across the river at this point, 
 settled on the low lands a little below the foot of Grand avenue. Besides these 
 ■ there were a number of others who were known in the Kawsmouth settlement 
 after Americans began to come into the adjacent country, but whether they came 
 with M. Chouteau, or afterward, is not known. Among these were Gabriel 
 Prudhomme, Gabriel and Louis Phillabert, Clement Lessert, Benedict Raux, 
 Pierre La Siberte, Louis Tromley, Benj. Lagotrie, John Gray, Maj. Dripps, Louis 
 Tourjon, Louis Ferrier, M. Vertefeuylle, M. Cabori and John Le Sarge. 
 
 IN THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 At the time this general agency was established it was practically in the heart 
 of the western wilderness. Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois were but 
 sparsely settled, and still contained all the indigenous Indian tribes. The ad- 
 mission of Missouri into the Union was pending, and was not consummated until 
 afterward. At the time of its admission the State had a population of but 66,586, 
 mostly along the Mississippi. The population of St. Louis was but 5,500. The 
 Indian title to the country south of the Missouri River had been extinguished 
 soon after the establishment of Fort Osage in 1808, except twenty-four miles 
 along the western border. The Indian title to the country north of the river and 
 west of a line running due north from the mouth of the Osage River, had been 
 extinguished in 18 15, and settlements had been made in Sahne county in 1810, 
 in Cooper in 1812, in Lafayette in 1815, in Carroll and Ray in 1816, and in Jack- 
 son, east of Fort Osage, in 1819. But these were the merest outposts — the 
 country was substantially in the hands of the Indians, except a small part along 
 the eastern border. All the country north of the Missouri, including part of 
 Iowa, was still the hunting grounds of the Sac, Fox and Iowa Indians, and was 
 occasionally traversed by Kickapoos. The first three of these tribes occasionally 
 crossed south of the river, and at this time had a village south of Fort Osage. 
 The country on the south side was still subject to the incursions of the Osages 
 and Kaws, who occupied the twenty-four mile strip in Missouri above referred to, 
 and all the country south and west from the Platte River on the west to the 
 Arkansas River in the south. Through this country, south and west, the posts 
 had been established, which the general agency here was to supply. 
 
 The Fort Osage above referred to was established in 1808 by Captain Clem- 
 son, under the name of Fort Clark, which name was afterward changed to Fort 
 .^ Osage. It was before the Indian title to southern Missouri was extinguished, on 
 a tract six miles square ceded by the Indians for that purpose. Soon after its 
 establishment the treaty by which the Indian title to southern Missouri was ex- 
 tinguished, was negotiated there by Pierre Chouteau, the elder, of St. Louis. In 
 1810 a man named Audrain had settled about a mile and a half below the Fort, 
 but he was probably connected in some way with the Fort, as there was no other 
 sett'ements in Jackson county until 1819, when there were some settlements made 
 east of the Indian line. There was no settlement of any consequence in the 
 county until after the extinguishment of the Indian title to the twenty-five mile 
 strip in 1825, and Jackson county was not organized until 1827, and the early 
 settlers had to go to Cyprian Chouteau's trading house, on the Kaw River, as the 
 nearest place to trade. The first white man, other than the French traders who 
 
380 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 became connected with the Kawsmouth settlement, were the attaches of the Kaw 
 Indian agency, established here in 1825, but these, too, were, with one excep- 
 tion, Frenchmen, They consisted of Baronette Vasques, sub-agent, Daniel 
 Morgan Boone, a son of the celebrated Daniel Boone, farmer, Clement Lessert, 
 interpreter, and Gabriel Phillebert, blacksmith. They established themselves 
 near the foot of Gillis street, remained there until 1827, when they were removed 
 to the Kaw agency, on the Kaw river, about eight miles above the present town 
 of Lawrence. 
 
 The first white man other than these and the French traders to locate on 
 ground nOw embraced within the corporate limits of. Kansas City was James 
 H. McGee, who settled here in 1828 and whose family was so prominently 
 identified with the early development of Kansas City. Several of his sons still 
 reside in this city and vicinity. But there was not enough infusion of Americans 
 into this French settlement to materially affect its character for a number of years 
 afterward, but it continued as it had begun, the center of an extensive fur and 
 Indian trade. The first ferry across the Missouri river in the vicinity of Kansas 
 City was established at Randolph Bluffs by a Mr. Younger, grandfather of the 
 "Young boys" who in connection with th^ "James boys" have been so noto- 
 rious in the west. At what time this ferry was established is not known, but it 
 was in operation in 1828. The only means of crossing the river at Kansas City 
 at that time consisted of canoes. Two of these lashed together were used from 
 the time of the first settlement of Americans in thi§ vicinity, to cross over with 
 their grists to a horse mill on the other side of the river, and it continued of 
 about this character until 1836. 
 
 The first road from this settlement into the interior appears to have led 
 from Chouteau's warehouse up the hill in the vicinity of where Forest avenue now 
 is, running southward nearly to Twelfth street and then southwest to about the 
 intersection of Broadway and Seventeenth street when it descended the hill and 
 bore south to a point where Westport is and thence west into the prairie. AVhen 
 this road was first used is unknown, but it was probably developed from a foot 
 or horse trail soon after the first settlement opposite Randolph Bluffs. When 
 roads came to be made from Independence westward through Westport and 
 thence into the Indian country, they were connected with this road at Westport. 
 In 1829 and 1830 this was the outlet from the settlement and the ground upon 
 which Kansas City is now located, was a dense forest overgrown upon rugged 
 hills and deep ravines save where the Frenchmen had built their cabins and 
 made small clearings. 
 
 ENTRY OF LAND AT KANSAS. 
 
 In 1828 a land office was opened at Franklin, and the lands in Jackson were 
 brought into market. The ground upon which Kansas City stands was located 
 as follows : 
 
 Southeast quarter Sec. 5, Tp. 49, James H. McGee, November 14, 1828, 
 160 acres. 
 
 East half northeast quarter Sec. 7, Tp. 49, James H. McGee, November 14, 
 
 1828, 80 acres. 
 
 West half northwest quarter Sec. 8, Tp. 49, James H. McGee, November 
 14, 1828, 80 acres. 
 
 East half southwest quarter Sec. 5, Tp. 49, James H. McGee, March 3, 
 
 1829, 80 acres. 
 
 , Northwest fractional quarter Sec, Tp. 49, Joseph Phillibert, June 18, 1831, 
 154.90 acres. 
 
 Southeast fractional quarter Sec. 31, Tp. 50, Louis Bartholet, August 12, 1831, 
 49.6 acres. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 3S1 
 
 South fractional half Sec. 32, Tp. 50, Gabriel Prudhomme, , 1831, 
 
 271.77 acres. 
 
 West half northwest fractional quarter Sec. 5, Tp. 49, Francis Chouteau, 
 December 5, 1831. 
 
 East half northwest fractional quarter Sec. 6, Tp. 49, Gabriel PhiUibert, De- 
 cember 14, 1831, 170.41 acres. 
 
 Lot I, southwest fractional quarter Sec. 6, Tp. 49, Joseph PhiUibert, Decem- 
 ber 10, 1832. 
 
 Lot 2, southwest fractional quarter Sec. 6, Tp. 49, Francis Chouteau, 160.66 
 acres. 
 
 East half southeast quarter Sec. 6, Tp. 49, Clement Lessert, December 10, 
 1 83 1, 86 acres. 
 
 • East half northwest quarter Sec. 8, Tp. 48, James H. McGee, December 10, 
 
 183 1, 80 acres. 
 
 Northwest fractional quarter Sec. 33, Tp. 50, Louis Roy, April 9, 1832, 53.25 
 acres. 
 
 Lot I, northeast fractional quarter Sec. 5, Tp. 49, O. Caldwell and H. Chiles, 
 June 2, 1852. 
 
 Lot 2, northeast fractional quarter Sec, 5, Tp. 49, W. B. Evans, June 2, 
 
 1832, 164.62 acres. 
 
 West half lot i, northwest fractional quarter Sec. 5, Tp. 49, W. B. Evans, 
 September 22, 1832. 
 
 West half lot 2, northwest fractional quarter. Sec. 5, Tp. 49, Calise Montor- 
 deau, October 31, 1832. 
 
 East half lots i and 2, northwest fractional quarter Sec. 5, Tp. 49, O. Cald- 
 well and H. Chiles, November 8, 1834, 166.43 acres. 
 
 East half lots i and 2, fractional quarter' Sec. 6, Tp. 49, Pierre La Libertie, 
 October 22, 1832! 
 
 West half lots i and 2, fractional quarter Sec. 6, Tp. 49, Benedict Raux, 
 April 10, 1834, 166.46 acres. 
 
 West half southeast quarter Sec. 6, Tp. 49, Wm. Gillis, December 10, 1832, 
 80 acres. 
 
 Southwest quarter of southwest quarter Sec. 5, Tp. 49, James H. McGee, 
 May 2, 1833, 40 acres. 
 
 I West half of northeast quarter Sec. 7., Tp. 49, Joseph Jarboe, November 3, 
 1834 80 acres. 
 
 Southeast quarter Sec. 8, Tp. 49, O. Caldwell and H. Chiles, November 8, 
 1834, 160 acres. 
 
 Northwest quarter of southwest quarter Sec. 5, Tp. 49, Wra. Bowers, Decem- 
 ber 17, 1835, 40 acres 
 
 Southwest quarter Sec. 33, Tp. 50, Francois Chouteau, August 15, 1836, 160 
 acres. 
 
 The General Government gave the State of Missouri an endowment of land 
 for a State University, part of which was located within the present borders of 
 Kansas City. This land was sold in 1832, and the following named tracts in Kan- 
 sas City were purchased as follows : 
 
 East half lot 2, northwest fractional quarter Sec. 4, Tp. 49, James Johnson, 
 40 acres. 
 
 East half lot 2, northwest fractional quarter Sec. 4, Tp. 49, Daniel King ; 
 west half Ipts i and 2, northwest fractional quarter Sec. 4, Tp. 49, Daniel King, 
 162.76 acres. 
 
 Southwest quarter Sec. 4, Tp. 49, James Johnson, 160 acres. 
 
 East half northwest quarter Sec. 9, Tp. 49, Adeliza and Constantia Fowler, 
 80 acres. 
 
KANSAS CITY COURT HOUSE. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 383 
 
 Northwest quarter of southwest quarter Sec. 9, Tp. 49, Joseph Boggs, Sr., 40 
 acres. 
 
 Southwest quarter of northwest quarter Sec. 9, Tp. 49, L. W. Boggs, 40 acres. 
 
 These land entries indicate that at the time they were made there were few in 
 the Kawsmouth settlement except the French. And so it continued without change 
 from the situation already stated until 1838; in fact, until 1846, though great 
 changes were wrought in other parts of the county by settlement, and though 
 Independence had become the headquarters of the overland trade with northern 
 Mexico, and both it and Westport had grown to be considerable and thriving 
 towns. During all these years the Indian trade was the leading interest, and dur- 
 ing the larger part of the time the only interest. The French were the dominant 
 element, and conducted the trade after their peculiar methods, and gave tone and 
 character to social intercourse. 
 
 LIFE AMONG THE FRENCH. 
 
 Of life among the French and in fact in western Missouri at this time, the 
 late Rev. Father Donnelly gave an interesting account a few years ago in a pa- 
 per contributed to ih.e: Journal. Father Donnelly came to Kansas City in 1845, 
 and his mission then embraced eight or ten counties extending as far east as 
 Boonville. For twenty years he traveled on horseback over this extent of coun- 
 try, stopping often at farm houses. This afforded him an excellent opportunity 
 to observe the conditions of life and the situation, customs, habits, manners and 
 characters of the people. He noticed that the people were substantially clothed, 
 and that they generally manufactured their clothes at home. There was a spin- 
 ning wheel and loom in almost every house, and the young women of the family 
 all spun and wove, and the piles of blankets, quilts and clothing attested the skill 
 and taste and industry of the farmer's daughters. He also observed that when 
 occasion demanded it, they could dress richly and elegantly, and always with stud- 
 ied propriety and unaffected modesty. The people were healthy, hardy, indus- 
 trious and well developed, and he found them not lacking in social culture and 
 refinement, notwithstanding their home-spun, and always and everywhere he 
 found them courageous, courteous and hospitable. Of the French settlers at the 
 Kawsmouth, he says : 
 
 "They were a very sociable people — they had their innocent balls and dances, 
 especially in winter. They got up their social assemblies on a novel but simple 
 plan of their own. A select committee waited upon some settler and informed 
 him that a dancing party would visit his place on a certain evening. The party 
 waited upon was reminded that his friends expected that he would have the in- 
 dispensable pot de Bouillon prepared for his guests; but what was this pot de 
 Bouillon ? It was a rich, palatable soup, cooked in a large pot, composed of 
 chickens, wild fowl, venison, and sometimes sHces of buffalo meat, to all of which 
 were added a few handsful of corn meal, with seasoning of small pepper, etc. 
 The soup was quaffed from gourds, cups, dishes, etc. 
 
 "Messrs. Joe and Peter Revard were the parish fiddlers — two respectable 
 brothers. All went to the ball — men and women, young and old, and all danced. 
 It seems to me that some of your readers would like to ask 'did the beaux escort the 
 belles to the ball-room, as they do in our polished times?' Not a bit of it. 'How 
 then?' Why, the belles went, and returned too, by the side of their own affec- 
 tionate mothers. Not only that, but the daughters took their seats in the ball- 
 room itself beside their mothers, and at the end of every dance the beau restored 
 his partner to the same secure place. This, too, is the proper etiquette among 
 the old French themselves in 'La Belle France.' A most respectable gentleman, 
 Mr. Ndrthrup, informed me that he attended these parties, that he never wit- 
 nessed anywhere such real politeness, such guarded deportment, and such genu, 
 ine, amiable, refined enjoyment, as he witnessed among the old French half. 
 
384 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 breeds of Westport Landing, at their winter balls and reunions. The strictest 
 decorum, decency and politeness always prevailed. 
 
 " There was no liquor drank, no boisterous talk, no unbecoming word or act 
 seen among them. All were happy ; all danced; all partook of the Bouillon. 
 There were no quarrels, no contentions and no scandals among them, nor thefts, 
 nor wrongs, nor impudicity, no adulteries, nor injustice, nor slanders, nor deceit. 
 
 "They took one another's word in buying and selling and they never broke 
 it — they kept their word because there was honor among them of the christian 
 sort." 
 
 They were all Catholics, and of course, brought their religion with them 
 when they came to the Kaw's mouth. Father Reau was the first priest, but it is not 
 known at what time he came. Their first church was a log structure in the vi- 
 cinity of Penn and Eleventh streets, where the first parsonage, a long since 
 abandoned and dilapidated log hut stood, until recently. 
 
 This condition of society was largely adopted by others as they came in, and 
 was substantially maintained until the Rebellion broke out. In the winter time 
 when boats could not run, the Santa Fe trade stopped, and there was no business 
 of any consequence to do. The Santa Fe traders were all in and the trappers and 
 travelers on the plains and in the mountains came to " the camp " to spend the 
 winter. There was nothing to do but enjoy life, and dance and festival succeeded 
 each other so rapidly as to occupy the time until spring brought the boats, started 
 the trains, and business broke in upon the revels of pleasure. 
 
 The trade of this period was peculiar. It was chiefly an exchange of com- 
 modities. The Indian brought his ponies and pelts, and the fruits of the chase ; 
 the trapper brought his furs, and both were exchanged, not for money, for 
 neither Indian or trapper had use for that, but for supplies— blankets, trinkets, 
 groceries, flour, salt and whisky — everything received here was brought by the 
 boats, even flour, bacon and corn, which the country now produces so abund- 
 antly, were brought from eastern Missouri and Illinois, and merchants had to 
 lay in a stock in the fall to last the community, and the trade, until the boats 
 brought more in the spring. 
 
 RECOGNITION BY OTHER PARTIES. 
 
 At an early date, which it is now impossible to fix, the Rocky Mountain 
 Fur Company began to debark at the Kawsmouth settlement. It is probable 
 that the members and agents of that company were attracted hither by the same 
 natural advantages for their trade that had previously brought the American com- 
 pany. It was doing the same kind of business and operating in the same field. 
 This company was brought into existence in 1822, by Gen. Ashley, of Missouri. 
 Its forces made their first expedition up the river in keel boats and across the 
 mountains in 1824. In 1830 it took the name of the Rocky Mountain Fur 
 Company, with William L. and Milton Sublett and Robert Campbell, of St. 
 Louis at its head These men afterward became property owners in Kansas City 
 and were identified with its early history as a town. 
 
 Washington Irving, in Astoria, gives an excellent account of some of their 
 early expeditions, and bestows a fitting tribute upon their courage and enterprise. 
 Several of their expeditions were debarked at Chouteau's warehouse, and followed 
 the road above described, thence westward until about the present town of To- 
 peka, they crossed the Kaw River and followed up the Blues, thence to the 
 Platte and into the mountains above and north of Cheyenne. There were some 
 very important firms and individuals engaged in this trade who also took a de- 
 parture from here. Among these were Maj. Dripps and Bent and St. Vraine. 
 Father DeSmedt attended one or more of the expeditions, thus departing from 
 this point, being entertained while here at the Catholic parsonage by Father 
 Reau. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. SSS- 
 
 The advantages of this as a point of departure for the west, southwest and 
 northwest, were afterward recognized by Captain Bonneville, who took his depart- 
 ure from Fort Osage in 1832, and of whose expeditions such an excellent account 
 has been given by Washington Irving. Lieut. Lupton, and Fremont and Beale sub- 
 sequently took their departure for their celebrated expeditions from the French 
 setdement where Kansas City now is. In 1832, Colonel Ellsworth, commission- 
 er of Indian affairs, visited the Indians west of Missouri and Arkansas, and like- 
 wise took their departure from this point. Colonel Ellsworth's party consisted of 
 a number of persons of great distinction, among whom were J. H. B. Latrobe,. 
 architect of the Capitol at Washington, Count Pourtales, of Switzerland, Paul 
 Leguest Chouteau, of St. Louis, and Washington Irving. It was this expedition 
 that furnished Irving the material for his "Tour on the Prairies," in which he 
 gives an excellent account of it. However, there was one incident of this tour 
 which he does not mention, and which occurred in this county, so strongly illus- 
 trative of the disregard the hardy frontiersman of that time had for rank and posi- 
 tion in society, that it is given here. The party had engaged as a camp assistant 
 Mr. Harry Younger, of this county, the father of the "Younger Boys." The 
 first morning after leaving Chouteau's house, Mr. Irving requested him, at the 
 breaking of camp, to bring up the horses, so that they might start on the journey. 
 The horses were grazing at a little distance. "All right," replied Mr. Younger, 
 " let's go after them." "But," said Mr. Irving, "we expect you to do that." 
 "Well," said Mr. Younger, "why can't some of you help me. There's that 
 d — d Count, why can't he go? He does nothing but shoot snowbirds." Mr. 
 Younger, with the social equality ideas peculiar to the hardy frontiersman, could 
 not readily appreciate the dignity of a Commissioner of Indian affairs, a Swiss 
 Count or a celebrated author, nor see why they should not help bring in the horses. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 THE GREAT INDIAN TRADE. 
 
 Proposed Remmial of the Indians to the West — The Numbers to be Moved — The Removal— The 
 New Locations — Effects on Western Trade — Founding of Westport — And Concentration of 
 The Trade There. 
 
 Having thus briefly sketched the fur trade and its result in the recognition 
 of the advantages of the point at which Kansas City came subsequently to be 
 built, and the recognition of the same advantage by the various exploring par- 
 ties sent into the unknown west, it comes next in order to state a set of contem- 
 poraneous facts which led to a most important increase of the Indian trade of 
 this section and its relations to the future city. 
 
 The close of the British war of 18 1 2, which occurred in 181 5, was followed 
 by an immense immigration to the west and northwest during the ten years fol- 
 lowing. Mr. Schoolcraft, in his history of the Indian tribes, says that no such 
 movement of people into a new country was ever witnessed before in the entire 
 history of the world. This brought the whites into contact with the Indians in 
 the northwestern territory, in the present States of Ohio, Indiana, lUinois and 
 Michigan, and in the southwest in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. 
 The indigenous tribes still lived in these localities. This pressure upon the In- 
 dians and curtailment of their hunting grounds led to constant conflicts and bloody 
 
 25 
 
386 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 wars, and the necessity of removing the Indians to more distant localities became 
 every year more apparent, and a policy of that character gradually shaped itself. 
 
 PROPOSAL TO REMOVE THE INDIANS TO THE WEST. 
 
 In pursuance of this fact. President Monroe, Jan. 27th, 1825, sent a message 
 to Congress, formally proposing such a course. At the same time Mr. Calhoun, 
 then Secretary of War, furnished Congress with a statement of the numbers and 
 locations of the Indians proposed to be removed. The whole number was 92,664, 
 divided as follows : In Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio and New York 13,250, 
 which he proposed should be removed to the country north of Illinois and west 
 of Lake Michigan. In Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Alabama and Mis- 
 sissippi 53,625, which, together with the Wyandottes, Shawnees, Senecas, Dela- 
 wares, Kaskaskias, Munsas and Eel Rivers of the northwest, 3,082; the Semi- 
 noles, in Florida, 5,000, and Dela wares, Kickapoos, Shawnees, Weas, Peorias, 
 lowas, Prankashaws, Quapaws, Osages and Cherokees of Missouri arid Arkansas, 
 he proposed to locate on the territory west of Missouri and Arkansas, occupied 
 at that time by the Osages and Kansas. 
 
 OPPOSITION TO REMOVAL. 
 
 This proposition of removal was severely opposed by the people of all the 
 States mentioned. The I,egislatures of some of them adopted resolutions strongly 
 protesting against it, and memorials were sent to Congress from the people pro- 
 testing against it. Most of the Indians were receiving annuities from the Govern- 
 ment, and their trade was a valuable item of business which the people desired to 
 retain. The wildest stories regarding the sterility and uninhabitableness of the 
 country proposed for them were circulated among both whites and Indians, and 
 the communications of Gen. Clark, of Missouri and others well acquainted with 
 the country, from expeditions they had made through it, were inadequate to quiet 
 such misrepresentations. Hence delegations of Indians were sent out to examine 
 it for themselves. Among these delegations was one consisting of representatives 
 of several tribes in the northwest, in charge of Rev. Isaac McCoy, father of our 
 esteemed fellow citizen, John C. McCoy. This party crossed the country to 
 Younger's Ferry, on the Missouri River, at Randolph Bluffs in 1828, and pressed 
 on into the Indian country west of Missouri and Arkansas. This fact is men- 
 tioned here because Mr. McCoy several years afterward, in 1831, after the re- 
 moval of part of the Indians had taken place, caused the establishment of Shaw- 
 nee Mission, eight miles south of this city, Dr. Johnston Lykins, recently de- 
 ceased, being placed at its head. 
 
 THE REMOVAL AUTHORIZED. 
 
 The Government and the Indians having become satisfied of the suitable- 
 ness of the proposed country. Congress on the 28th of May, 1829, passed an act 
 authorizing President Jackson to cause the removal of the Indians, and to allot 
 the different tribes their portion in the new territory. The Kansas Indians, an 
 indigenous tribe, who occupied a large tract of the country in Missouri and a large 
 part of the State of Kansas extending from the great Nemaha southward, had in 
 1825 ceded it to the government, so that a part of the land for the new reservation 
 was already in hand. Subsequently in 1833 the Pawnees were induced to relin- 
 quish the title to that part of Nebraska lying between the Piatt and the great Ne- 
 maha, for the same purpose. 
 
 THE REMOVAL. 
 
 In pursuance of the authority given by Congress, President Jackson caused 
 treaties to be made with the Indians for the relinquishment of their eastern res- 
 ervations and removal to the west. These treaties were made as follows : With 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 387 
 
 the Creeks, April 4, 1832; with the Seminoles, May 9, 1832; with the Appa- 
 lachicoles, October 11, 1832; with the Chickasaws, October 20, 1832 ; with the 
 Kickapoos of Missouri, October 24, 1832; with the Pottawatomies, of Indiana, 
 October 26, 1830; with the Shawnees and Delawares of Missouri, October 26, 
 1832; with the Piankashaws and Peorias, October 26, 1832; with the Weas, 
 October 29, 1832, and with the Senecas and the Shawnees of Neosho, October 
 29, 1632. The removal followed soon after the treaties and by 1836 the Choc- 
 taws and Chickasaws, Creeks and part of the Cherokees and Seminoles, the 
 Osages, Quapaws, Senecas, Shawnees, Delawares, Kickapoos, Weas, Peorias, 
 Piankashaws, Kaskaskias and Ottawas, had located on the new reservations. 
 These numbered 37,748, leaving out the Creeks. There were yet to come the 
 Wyandottes, Chippewas, Pottawatomies and part of the Ottawas, beside some of 
 the southern tribes. 
 
 THE NEW LOCATION. 
 
 When these Indians were all located, which occurred soon after 1836, they 
 occupied the territory as follows: Beginning at the Platte River in Nebraska 
 the Otoes occupied the country southward to the Little Nemaha; between Little 
 and Great Nemaha were half breeds ; south of the Great Nemaha arranged in 
 the order here mentioned were the lowas. Sac and Kickapoos, the southern hne 
 of the territory of the latter intersecting the Missouri River at Fort Leavenworth. 
 The Delawares came next with a small river front but extending far back to the 
 west. The Wyandottes occupied a triangular tract bounded by the Missouri River 
 on one side the Kaw on another and a line running diagonally from the Missouri 
 near Fort Leavenworth to the Kaw River at about the same distance as Fort 
 Leavenworth from its mouth. The Pottawatomies lived west of the Wyandottes 
 and south of the Delawares, their territory extending over to the south side of 
 Kaw River. South and east of the Pottawatomies, extending to the Missouri 
 State line were the Shawnees, south of the Shiwnees and on the Osage River 
 were the Weas, Piankaskaws, Peorias, Kaskaskias and a band of affiliated Sacs 
 and Foxes. West of these were the Kaws, and on the south of the Weas were 
 the Miamis. Between these tribes and Fort Scott and extending from the State 
 line on the east to the Vetdigris river on the west, was an unoccupied strip 
 reserved for the tribes of New York. South of this strip and lying along the 
 State line to the Indian Territory was Cherokee country, and west of the Chero- 
 kees were the Osages. South of them and in the Indian Territory were the Semi- 
 noles, Quapaws and an affiliated band of Shawnees and Senecas. West of these 
 was the larger territory of the Cherokees, and farther south lay the lands of the 
 'Creeks, Seminoles, Choctaws and Chickasaws. 
 
 These allotments of land, it will be seen, occupied the entire country south- 
 ward from the Platte River in Nebraska to the southern line of the Indian Terri- 
 tory, and extending west to the wild Indians of the plains, thus covering the most 
 ■of Nebraska, Kansas and the Indian Territory. In 1836, 45,000 Indians had 
 been concentrated in this territory and there were as many more to come; and 
 they did come soon afterward, making a total of 90,000. Besides these lands 
 they had been given money for their eastern reservations, the total of which was 
 ^26,983,068, which, when they came here was being paid to them in annuities, 
 This made them immensly richer than they had been in the east, and since their 
 trade there was regarded by the people as a valuable thing, it is easy to see that 
 after their removal it was far more valuable. 
 
 EFFECT ON WESTERN TRADE. 
 
 The removal of the Indians to this country, from 1832 to 1840, and the 
 trade caused by them as they came into the county, did not immediately effect 
 the French settlement at the mouth of the Kaw, but it greatly stimulated the 
 growth of other places along the border, but none more than the present town of 
 
388 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Westport. Rev. Isaac McCoy, who has already been mentioned in connection 
 with the Indian removal, and the establishment of Shawnee Mission, determined 
 to settle in the country, and so entered the land four miles south of the French 
 settlement, at the intersection of the roads from that settlement and from Inde- 
 pendence into the Indian country. This was in 1831. The following year his 
 son, John C. McCoy, who figured so prominently in the early history of Kansas 
 City, estabhshed a trading house at this place, having the Indians to trade with on 
 the one side and the new settlers in Missouri on the other. At that time steam- 
 boats were running on the Missouri River, and M. Chouteau of the American Fur 
 company was receiving his supplies from St. Louis by them. These goods were, 
 of course, landed at his warehouse. Mr. McCoy received his first stock of goods 
 in the same way and by the steamer John Hancock, but he caused them to 
 be landed in the woods above Chouteau's house, at about the place where Grand 
 avenue now reaches the river. This was in 1832, and it was the first landing 
 ever made at what afterward became the Kansas City levee. 
 
 WESTPORT FOUNDED. 
 
 In 1833, Mr. McCoy's ideas of his new trading post had become so enlarged 
 that he laid off the ground adjacent to it into town lots and called it Westport. 
 The new town thus founded grew rapidly, and in a short time Messrs. Lucas & 
 Cavanaugh, Capt. John A. Suter, A. G. Boon, Street & Baker, and Alfonda Van 
 Biber had established trading houses and opened an extensive trade with the 
 neighboring Indians. Mr. McCoy being a surveyor was soon induced to accept 
 an engagement from the Government in surveys that were then being made 
 south and west of the river, and hence sold his trading house to Wm. M. Chick. 
 But these were not all ; many others came in from year to year, and among them 
 Messrs. W. G. and G. W. Ewing, who afterward became a most extensive concern. 
 
 At this time the principal landing place for goods was at Blue Mills, eight 
 miles below Independence, but the distance made it desirable to the Westport 
 merchants that a nearer- landing place should be had ; hence some of them fol- 
 lowed Mr. McCoy's example and caused their goods to be landed at the French set- 
 tlement, first at Chouteau's warehouse, but afterward higher up the river, as the 
 sequel will show. This was the second recognition of the trade advantages of 
 this point, the settlement of the French here having been the first. But as above 
 stated, the occurrence of these events at Westport had little immediate effect upon 
 the French settlement. It continued as it had been from the first, the center of 
 a most extensive trade conducted with far off Indians by the primitive methods 
 of the early pioneers. The trade at Westport soon became larger, but it was of a 
 different character. It was a point to which the Indians came personally to trade 
 and from whence the government traders with the different tribes were supplied. 
 Westport thus became a great center for this near-by Indian trade for precisely the 
 same reasons, and on precisely the same principles that led M. Chouteau to locate 
 his general agency for the American Fur company on the ground now occupied 
 by Kansas City. It was the most central point that had command of good 
 transportation facilities for receiving supplies, and the development of its trade 
 confirmed the judgment previously exercised by M. Chouteau as to the natural 
 advantages of this angle of the river, as a point of distribution and concentration 
 of trade from the country south and west. , 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 389 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 THE SANTA FE TRADE. 
 
 Its Origin and Character — Its Real Beginning— The Effect of Steamboats— It Locates at Inde- 
 pendence — Changing to Westport — Character and Methods of the Trade — Statistics to 
 1838. 
 
 While this extensive French-Indian and fur trade was being conducted at the 
 French settlement, and while this near-by Indian trade was being developed and 
 conducted at Westport, another interest was being developed, which, in after 
 years, gave the third recognition of the advantages of this angle in the river, for 
 an extensive distributive trade, and contributed largely to the development of 
 Kansas City. This was the once great overland trade with northern Mexico, 
 popularly known as the Santa Fe trade. This trade was for many years of great 
 magnitude and importance, and attracted much attention in all parts of the coun- 
 try. The arrival and departure of the caravans were watched for with as much 
 interest, and were as regularly and scrupulously chronicled by the press, as are 
 the arrivals and departures of steamers at great commercial ports. 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE TRADE. 
 
 This trade seems to have originated with the Indian traders, or rather they 
 were the first to discover its possibility; and others, mostly American frontiers- 
 men, inaugurated and conducted it until the Mexicans themselves became inter- 
 ested, and formed a considerable portion of those engaged in it. Though popu- 
 larly known as "The Santa Fe Trade," it was in reality a trade with all the north- 
 ern provinces of Mexico, Santa Fe being merely the port of entry from the United 
 States. 
 
 These northern provinces were of very early settlement. Dr. Gregg, who 
 resided in the country for nine years, and had unusual facilities for historical and 
 statistical research, informs us in his " Commerce of the Prairies," that while the 
 settlements so far north as New Mexico are of traditional and doubtful date, the 
 country was certainly known and inhabited by Spaniards as early as 1550. He 
 found historical statements, though of questionable authenticity, that the country 
 even so far north as Santa Fe, was penetrated and conquered soon after the cap- 
 ture of the City of Mexico by Cortez, and he found a well authenticated record 
 of colonization in the valley of the Rio del Norte, near Santa Fe, or on that 
 ground, as early as 1595. 
 
 Whatever may have been the date of the first settlement. New Mexico, Chi- 
 huahua and California were defined provinces, setded and populous at the begin- 
 ning of the present century. The interior, New Mexico, Chihuahua, Durango, 
 Zacaticas and Sonora, were then receiving their supplies of foreign merchandise 
 from the sea coast at Mazatlan, Matamoras, Vera Cruz, Tampico and Guaymas. 
 About this time, the courriers des bois in the employ of the fur companies and In- 
 dian traders, pushed westward by the advance of civilization, penetrated far 
 beyond the wooded country from whence they took their name, and traversing 
 the illimitable plains of the West, discovered these settlements, and on their re- 
 turn, reported the fact, and their isolated situation. The prospect of a rich trade 
 with an isolated people, who were then nearer the frontiers of the United States 
 than the existing sources of supply, was too tempting to the adventurous and 
 commercial spirit of the Indian traders and frontiersmen, not to be improved. 
 
 The first attempt to reach this country on a trading expedition is stated by 
 
390 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Capt. Pike, in his narrative of his explorations in search of the head-waters of Red 
 River, to have been in 1804, when a merchant of Kaskaskia, named Morrison, 
 sent out a French Creole by the name of La Land with a pack of goods on his 
 back, with instructions to traverse the Platte Valley, and if possible penetrate to 
 Santa EjS. The expedition was entirely successful, and La Land reached Santa 
 Fe in safety, but was so well pleased with his success and the county that he 
 never returned, but took up his residence among the Mexicans, and went into 
 business on his employer's capital. Capt. Pike also speaks of a James Pursley 
 who, after wandering for some time, perhaps years, in the unexplored regions of 
 the Northwest fell in with some Indians on the Platte River near the mountains, 
 who told him of New Mexico, and he with a party of the Indians went down 
 to Santa Fe in 1805. 
 
 In 1806 Capt. Pike, afterward General Pike, killed at the victory of York, 
 in Upper Canada, in 18 13, was sent to explore the country on Upper Red River, 
 and if possible discover the sources of that stream. Capt. Pike passed around 
 the head of Red River, and crossed the Rio del Norte, which he mistook for the 
 Red River. Believing himself in the territory pf the United States, he went into 
 winter quarters and built a small fortress for the protection of his little party 
 until spring, when he proposed to descend the river to Natchitoches. However, 
 he was in Mexican territory, and not over eighty miles from Sante Fe ; hence the 
 Mexicans soon became aware of his presence, and the governor at Santa Fe sent a 
 party to bring him in. The commandant of this party assured him that the Gov- 
 ernor had heard of his presence and his objects, and, learning that he had missed 
 his way, had sent an escort to guide him, and animals to convey his men to a 
 navigable point on the Red River, and would be pleased to see him at Santa Fe, 
 which might be taken in on the way. Trusting to the friendship of the Mexicans, 
 Capt. Pike went with them ; but no sooner had he reached Santa Fe than a dif- 
 ferent line of treatment was adopted. He was sent with an escort to the com- 
 mandant-general at Chihuahua, where his papers were seized and he and his men 
 sent under escort to the United States by the way of San Antonio de Bexar. 
 
 THE FIRST EXPEDITIONS. 
 
 On his return to the United States he published a description of the northern 
 provinces of Mexico and their situation, which proved of the most exciting char- 
 acter. Soon afterward, in 1812, an expedition was fitted out by some parties 
 about Franklin, in Howard county, opposite Boonville. From Dr. Gregg's 
 account it appears that this party, like many that followed in the early years of 
 the trade, conveyed their goods on pack animals. The names of the party are 
 not all known, but among them were Messrs. McKnight. Beard and Chambers. 
 They followed Capt. Pike's route as near as possible, and reached Santa Fe in 
 safety, but here they received treatment which they were little expecting, and for 
 which they were little prepared. Previous to the Declaration of Independence 
 by Hidalgo, in i8io, all trade with Mexico was prohibited, except by permission 
 granted by Spain. These adventurous men, relying upon that declaration believ- 
 ed all restrictions removed until they reached Santa Fe, when they learned to 
 their sorrow that Hidalgo had been captured and executed, and that the royalists, 
 with all their restrictions on trade, were again in power. The party were imme- 
 diately arrested as spies and sent to Chihuahua, where they were imprisoned for 
 nine years. Their goods were all confiscated. Two of the party escaped in 
 1821, and made their way back to the United States, and the next year the repub- 
 lican forces under Iturbide having gained the ascendant, the others were all re- 
 leased. 
 
 The removal of the restrictions on trade incident to the success of Iturbide 
 encouraged others to launch into it, and in 182 i a Mr. Gillam, who had a trading 
 house at the mouth of the Verdigris River, sent through a small party in perfect 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 391 
 
 safety. The same year Captain Beckwith, with four companions from the vicinity 
 of Franklin, went out to trade with the Indians, but falling in with a party of 
 Mexican rangers, and learning from them of the removal of the restrictions on 
 trade, they pushed their way through to Santa Fe, arriving also in 182 1. 
 
 REAL BEGINNING OF THE TRADE. 
 
 The profits of those early trading parties were so great, and their reports so 
 flattering and exciting, that the next year, 1822, a large number of parties, with 
 large amounts of merchandise, went out. The isolated situation of the northern 
 provinces at the time caused prices of all imported merchandise to range very 
 high. Common calico sold as hgh as two and three dollars per vara, the Spanish 
 yard of thirty-three inches, and everything else in proportion. In 1822 Col. 
 Cooper and sons, from the vicinity of Franklin, Captain Beckwith and others, 
 conducted expeditions across the unexplored prairies with the greatest hardships 
 and with much suffering. The trade may be said to have been fairly inaugurated 
 that year, and the route so far determined that substantially the same trail was 
 followed for many subsequent years. 
 
 STEAMBOATS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON THE TRADE. 
 
 Steamboats had then just begun to run on the Missouri River. The first 
 boat to arrive at St. Louis was the General Pike, August 2d, 181 7. The first 
 boat on the Missouri River was the " Independence," which ascended the stream 
 in 1819, probably as far as Council Bluffs. She passed Franklin May 28, where 
 a dinner was given to the officers, but we have no record of her dates at points 
 higher up. In August and September of the same year the steamers " Western 
 Engineer," "Expedition" and " R. M. Johnson," ascended the stream with 
 Major Long's scientific party, bound for the Yellowstone. 
 
 The Missouri River trade appears to have been attractive to steam-boatmen, 
 but the difficulties of navigation appear to have been quite a restriction. How- 
 ever, this new method of water transportation soon had its effect on the Santa Fe 
 trade, as the traders were only too ready to avail themselves of it to escape the 
 longer transit overland. As their stocks began to be enlarged and their number 
 increased, the boats became valuable in dehvering them at points higher up than 
 Franklin. 
 
 IT LOCATES AT IN DEPEND F.NCE. 
 
 The points that at first competed for this trade at this angle of the river were 
 Blue Mills, Fort Osage and Independence. Blue Mills, which was situated about 
 six miles below Independence, soan became the favorite landing point, and the 
 exchange between wagons and boats settled there and defied all efforts to remove 
 it. Independence, being the county seat, was the larger and more important 
 place, and became the American headquarters of the trade and the outfitting point 
 as early as 1832. It continued so until the trade was temporarily suppressed in 
 1843. Independence preferred Wayne City as a landing point, and made great 
 efforts to secure its adoption. The river front was paved with stone ; still, how- 
 ever, the landing point continued to be at Blue Mills, and the headquarters and 
 outfitting at Independence, which, under the rapidly growing trade, experienced 
 an era of rapid development and great prosperity. 
 
 ANOTHER CHANGE OF BASE. 
 
 However, Independence was not to be allowed to enjoy a monopoly of the 
 trade for any great length of time. The Mexican traders finding accommodations 
 for themselves at Westport, so much nearer the prairies, where they could herd 
 their teams while awaiting the arrival of their goods at Blue Mills, soon took ad- 
 vantage of that fact. The large numbers of them that stopped there, and the 
 
^.^ ^^^m:^ L„'t nf 
 
 
 I |i 
 
 fill I 
 
 ij 
 
 
 
 s?t4FE: 
 
 G- 'ST 
 
 ^r I 
 
 / 
 
 _ , *- F'r — — 1^ 
 
 TS-I, 1*( 
 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 393 
 
 trade they naturally caused, added an additional element to the prosperity of 
 Westport, and there began to be some outfitting done there, but in a smaller way 
 than at Independence. Among the first to avail themselves of the advantages 
 afforded by Westport were such of the old Indian traders as had become engaged 
 in the Mexican trade. Understanding the river and the country, as well as the 
 methods of conducting a frontier trade, better than others engaged in it, they 
 were quick to perceive the advantages to this new trade of a landing nearer to 
 their new headquarters than that at Blue Mills. Knowing the character of the 
 landing at Chouteau's warehouse, and perceiving the advantage of the superior 
 pasturage for their teams on the prairies, and the saving of the eighteen miles 
 haul over wooded roads, they began to land their goods at Chouteau's warehouse. 
 As early as 1834, Messrs. Bent and St. Vrain landed a cargo of goods at this 
 point for the Mexican trade, and for their Indian posts on the plains. Others 
 followed their example, and then a tendency to make headquarters at Westport 
 and use Chouteau's warehouse as a landing place arose and gradually increased, 
 adding the Santa Fe business to that of the Indian and fur trade already done at 
 this place and Westport. It was this tendency more than anything else that 
 suggested the idea of a town where Kansas City now is, and led to the organiza- 
 tion of a company for that purpose in 1838, at which time the trade had assumed 
 very large proportions. 
 
 CHARACTER AND METHODS OF THE TRADE. 
 
 In the earlier years of this great trade, pack animals were largely used for 
 conveyance. The first expeditions, prior to 1822, appear to have been conducted 
 on foot with packs on the backs of the traders, after the fashion of a peddler. In 
 1822 and 1823, pack animals were mostly used, and in 1824 and 1825, the cara- 
 vans were composed partly of pack animals and partly of wagons. From 1826 
 on, only wagons were used. For many years no party started from the border 
 strong enough to feel it safe to attempt the passage alone, hence they adopted the 
 custom of rendezvousing at Council Grove, in what is now the State of Kansas. 
 Here they united in such numbers as to feel safe in attempting the passage, and 
 organized, electing a captain and such minor officers as they deemed requisite. 
 The men engaged in the trade were of the most hardy and courageous class ; 
 and it was well, for their life on the plains was one of peculiar dangers and hard- 
 ships. From Council Grove to within a few miles of Santa Fe, they were beset 
 with hostile savages. The caravans marched four wagons abreast with guards all 
 round, and were so corralled at night as to form a barricade, which was well 
 guarded. Affrays with the Indians were of frequent occurrence, and many oi the 
 earlier parties lost some of their men, and some were nearly annihilated. Some 
 were compelled to cache their goods, that is, bury them in the earth to keep them 
 ' from falling into the hands of the Indians, and escaped themselves only with the 
 utmost hardships and suffering. Others again were lost for days on the prairie, 
 without water, and nearly famished. One instance is recorded by Dr. Gregg of 
 a party that were saved only by finding a buffalo fresh from a stream to them un- 
 discovered, with stomach full of water, which, after killing the animal, they eagerly 
 drank, and esteemed it the most delicious draught they had ever tasted. Although 
 opening and developing a trade of such vast importance to the United States, 
 and although constantly beset with hostile savages, the government furnished but 
 three military escorts, and these only so far as to the American line, then the Ar- 
 kansas River/ These escorts were in 1829, 1834 and 1843. 
 
 STATISTICS. 
 
 Dr. Gregg, in his "Commerce of the Prairies," gives the statistics of this 
 trade from the beginning down to 1843, from which the following table is taken, 
 to show its growth to the close of the year 1837 and its magnitude at that time : 
 
S94 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CllY. 
 
 Years. 
 
 1822 
 1823 
 1824 
 1825 
 1826 
 1827 
 
 1828 , 
 
 1829 , 
 1830. 
 
 1831 , 
 
 1832 . 
 
 1833 . 
 
 1834 . 
 
 1835 ■ 
 1836. 
 
 1837 . 
 
 Amount 
 Merchandise. 
 
 No. 
 Wagons. 
 
 No. Men. 
 
 No. Pro- 
 prietors. 
 
 Taken to 
 
 ChihuahuE 
 
 $ iS>o°o 
 
 , , 
 
 70 
 
 60 
 
 $ 
 
 12,000 
 
 . . 
 
 5° 
 
 30 
 
 
 35.o°o 
 
 26 
 
 100 
 
 80 
 
 3,001 
 
 65,000 
 
 90,000 
 
 85,000 
 
 150,000 
 
 37 
 60 
 
 55 
 100 
 
 130 
 
 100 
 
 90 
 
 200 
 
 90 
 70 
 
 5° 
 80 
 
 5,°°' 
 7,00' 
 8,co( 
 
 20,001 
 
 60,000 
 
 3° 
 
 5° 
 
 20 
 
 8,oo( 
 
 120,000 
 
 70 
 
 140 
 
 60 
 
 20,00< 
 
 150,000 
 
 130 
 
 320 
 
 80 
 
 8o,oo( 
 
 140,000 
 180, coo 
 
 70 
 105 
 
 15° 
 185 
 
 40 
 60 
 
 5o,co( 
 8o,oo( 
 
 150,000 
 
 80 
 
 160 
 
 5° 
 
 70,00c 
 
 140,000 
 130,000 
 150,000 
 
 75 
 70 
 80 
 
 140 
 
 135 
 160 
 
 40 
 
 35 
 35 
 
 7o,oo( 
 6o,ooc 
 8o,coc 
 
 Of the fur and Indians conducted from this center, no statistics were evei 
 preserved; but at the close of 1837, when the Santa Fe trade had reached such 
 proportions as are above given, these others were almost, if not quite, as promi 
 nent. 
 
 KANSAS CITY UNION DEPOT. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 395 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 THE FOUNDING OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 The Situation in 1S3S — The First Ferry — The Santa Fe and Indian Trade Tend to Kansas 
 City — Purchase of the Prudhomme Estate for a Town Site — The Survey and Sale of zS^g — 
 Troubles of the Company Retard the Town — What Was Thought of It — Its Early Trade — 
 A Description of Early Kansas City— Efforts to Divert the Santa Fe Trade — Its Suppression 
 in 184.3 — Statistics — Situation in 1843 — The Great Flood of 1844 — The Events of 18 4j to 
 1846 — The Mexican War. 
 
 Having now briefly sketched the history of the three principal elements that 
 entered into the commercial foundation of Kansas City, it comes next in order 
 to set down the circumstances under which the town originated, the manner in 
 which it was founded, and the course of events entering into its development. 
 
 THE SITUATION IN 1 838. 
 
 At the time to which each of the preceding chapters brought this record, to 
 1838, the entire country west of the Missouri River and the State line of Mis- 
 souri and Arkansas was in the possession of the Indians. The tribes on these 
 borders were all in receipt of large annuities from the Government which gave 
 rise to .a rich and profitable trade with them. There was in existence a trade of 
 about equal volume between this western border and southern Mexico, crossing 
 the intervening Indian country, and there was still in existence a large volume of 
 the old French, Indian and Fur trade. These three elements of trade gathered 
 at this angle of the river as at a focus, for the reason already stated, that this was 
 the nearest point toward the scene of each of them that could be reached by 
 water transportation. To stop lower down the river, or advance higher, were 
 ahke detrimental. 
 
 At that time Missouri was still quite a sparsely settled State. The western 
 half of it had been settled in part for not exceeding twenty years, and the tide 
 of immigration into it, though considered large in these times, was trifling when 
 compared with the immense movements of population since witnessed into other 
 States. What is called the " Platte Purchase," that is, the territory embraced in 
 Platte, Buchanan, Andrew, Holt, Nodaway and Atchison counties, had been 
 added to the State in 1836, the State line prior to that time having run directly 
 north from the mouth of the Kaw River. This country was not opened for set- 
 tlement until 1837, and though its settlement was rapid for those days, it was 
 still an unorganized country. 
 
 THE FIRST FERRY. 
 
 The settlement of this Platte purchase had an important effect upon the 
 future city. Up to that time there had been no ferry across the river here, other 
 than the canoes heretofore referred to, but with the opening of this new country 
 there was a spasmodic movement into it from the south side of the river. To 
 accommodate this movement Peter Roy, a son of Louis Roy, who settled at the 
 foot of Grand avenue during 1826, estabHshed a flat-boat ferry, and in order to 
 provide better acces'S to it than the old road heretofore mentioned, he cut a new 
 road through the woods from about where Walnut street crosses Fifteenth street 
 down by the present junction of Main and Delaware streets, and thence down a 
 deep ravine which followed down Delaware street to Sixth, thence across by the 
 corner of Main and Fifth streets, diagonally across the Public Square and thence 
 to the river a little east of the present line of Grand avenue from Third street 
 
396 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 down. This road afterward became a factor in the concentration of the Indian 
 and Santa Fe trade at this place. The ferry, thus established by Mr. Roy, was 
 conducted by him but a short time when he sold it to James H. McGee, who 
 then lived on a farm south of Sixteenth street. McGee sold the ferry in less than 
 a year to Rev. Isaac McCoy, of whom mention has already been made, who con- 
 ducted it until 1843, when he sold it to his son, John C. McCoy. Mr. McCoy 
 subsequently sold a half interest in it to John Campbell, and in 1854 the other 
 half to Messrs. Northrup and Chick. 
 
 THE SANTA FE AND INDIAN TRADES TEND TO KANSAS CITY. 
 
 At this time, 1837 and 1838, many of the Santa Fe traders had adopted the 
 custom heretofore mentioned of stopping at Westport to await the arrival of their 
 goods at Blue Mills. To them, and to the Indian traders at Westport, a new land- 
 ing only four miles distant, at the French Settlement, offered great advantages 
 over one eighteen miles distant, at Blue Mills. Hence, with the facilities afforded 
 by the new road cut by Petite Roy, there arose a strong tendency to receive their 
 goods at this point. It then became manifest that the best landing point was 
 higher up than Chouteau's house, on the property belonging to the estate of Gabriel 
 Prudhomme, who died about this time. This point was at the foot of Grand 
 avenue, Walnut, Main, and Delaware streets, and the new road gave access to 
 this new locality. Here there was a natural rock landing superior, by nature, to 
 those of Blue Mills and Wayne City, notwithstanding all the improvements that 
 had been made upon them. It was this fact that determined the site of Kansas 
 City, by determining the exact spot of transfer between boats and wagons of these 
 two great branches of trade. 
 
 PURCHASE OF THE PRUDHOMME ESTATE. 
 
 The Prudhomme estate, upon which existed this natural landing, is de- 
 scribed as the south fractional half of section thirty, township fifty, and includes 
 the land lying between Broadway and Troost avenue, from the river back to the 
 township line, which runs along Independence avenue. 
 
 On the 30th of October, 1837, Prosper Mercier and wife, his. wife being a 
 daughter of Gabriel Prudhomme, and one of the heirs of the estate, petitioned the 
 Circuit Court of Jackson county for an allotment of dower to Prudhomme's 
 widow, and a division of the land among the heirs. On the 9th of December, 
 the court made an order appointing Wm. M. Chick, Peter Booth and Samuel 
 Johnson commissioners to make such allotment of dower and division of the land 
 among the heirs. On the 3d of April, 1838, these commissioners reported to the 
 court that after viewing the land they were satisfied that such allotment of dower 
 and division of land could not be made without great injustice to the parties. 
 On the next day, April 4th, the court made an order for the sale of the land, 
 and releasing from the commission Messrs. Chick and Johnson at their request, 
 appointed James P. Davenport and Elliott Johnson in their stead. These com- 
 missioners were instructed by the court to advertise the sale of the land for six 
 weeks prior to day of sale by notice in a paper in Liberty, Clay county, and one 
 in St. Louis, and by hand bills, and to make the sale on twelve months' credit. 
 They made the sale July 7th, 1838, and reported it to the court on the loth of 
 August. At this sale James H. McGee, who, on the 21st of August, 1837, had 
 been appointed guardian of the minor heirs, acted as crier. In fact, it appears 
 that he had conducted the whole business, and that the advertising had been in- 
 adequately done. At the sale there were present only Mr. McGee, Abraham 
 Fonda and a Mr. Clark, who came with him; and William Gillis and Michael 
 Auther besides, perhaps, some few others who had dropped in merely as specta- 
 tors. Fonda was bidding and offering such low prices that Gilhs and Auther 
 asked for time to consult, with a view to bidding. They retired for this purpose, 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 397 
 
 and while absent the sale was made to Fonda for $i, 800. A remonstrance 
 against this sale was filed with the court on the 8th of August, two days before 
 the filing of the report of the sale. It was sef up that McGee, Fonda and Clark 
 were interested together in the purchase of the land, and that the sale had been 
 conducted fraudulently in not allowing time for bidders (Gillis and Anther) to 
 make bids. A new sale was asked for, and on the nth of October, the court 
 made an order setting aside the sale and directing that another be made, the ad- 
 vertising to be as before, and the sheriff of Jackson county, to act as crier. 
 This sale was made November 14, 1838, for $4,220. 
 
 At the time these events were transpiring, there was much discussion among 
 certain men, who had observed the tendency of the Santa Fe and Indian trade to 
 effect transfers at this point, concerning the feasibility of building a town here. 
 In fact, it was supposed that McGee, Clark and Fonda were interested together, 
 and had that in view in the first sale. Wm. L. Sublett, of St. Louis, who had 
 become well acquainted with the place during the operations with the Rocky 
 Mountain Fur Company regarded it as a feasible enterprise, and wanted to take 
 an interest in such a movement. This idea took shape pending the advertising 
 for the several sales, and a company was formed for the purpose. 
 
 This company consisted of Wm. L. Sublett, Moses G. Wilson John C. Mc- 
 Coy, Wm. Gillis, Fry P. McGee, Abraham Fonda, Wm. M. Chick, Oliver Cald- 
 well, Geo. W. Tate, Jacob Ragan, Wm. Collins, James Smart, Samuel C- 
 Owens, and Russell Hicks. The last two gentlemen lived in Independence, the 
 first being the leading merchant, and the other the leading lawyer of the county. 
 Independence and Westport were jealous of the enterprise, foreseeing the danger 
 of its absorbing the trade of the Indians from the one, and the Santa Fe trade 
 from the other. Hence, Hicks and Owens were taken into the company with a 
 view of placating the jealousy of Independence. Messrs. McCoy and Chick 
 were of Westport, and were prominent there, but they went into the enterprise 
 on its merits. The addition of the two Independence gentlemen was no advan- 
 tage to the company, but rather the reverse. 
 
 The sale was set for November 14, 1838, at which time it occurred, the sum 
 realized at this time being four thousand two hundred and twenty dollars, and the 
 company bought it, and proceeded at once to lay out the town, which they called 
 Kansas. 
 
 THE SURVEY AND SALE OF 1839. 
 
 Mr. McCoy was the surveyor of the party, but being engaged at that time 
 in government surveys, he could not attend to laying off the town. According- 
 ly, he drew up a plat for about fifteen acres of it, and employed W. S. Donahue 
 to make the survey; This survey included that part of the city bounded by 
 Wyandotte street and Grand avenue, and extending from the river back to Sec- 
 ond street. From the old records of the company, now in the hands of John 
 Campbell, Esq., of this city, it is learned that a sale of lots was had in May, 
 1837, at which lots were sold as follows : 
 
 Lot I, to W. B. Evans $155 00 
 
 Lot 3, to J. H. McGee 70 00 
 
 Lot 5, to F. Kleber 82 00 
 
 Lot 10, to J. C. McCoy 200 00 
 
 Lot 12, to J. Ragan 151 00 
 
 Lot 26, to J. Ragan 32 00 
 
 Lot 81, to J. Ragan 62 00 
 
 Lot 24, to J. C. McCoy 30 00 
 
 Lot 48, to W. B. Evans 144 80 
 
 $926 80 
 
398 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 These sales were made on one year's time, at ten per cent, interest; and the 
 company, anxious to give the town a start, built a log warehouse for the accom- 
 modation of the Santa Fe and Indian trade, which was kept by W. B Evans. 
 
 TROUBLES OF THE COMPANY RETARDED THE TOWN, 
 
 But just at this point the company met with difficulties which checked this 
 enterprise and held it in statu quo for eight years. The first of these was that 
 the law required that every member of the company should sign and acknowl- 
 ed the plat, and that it should be filed for record with the county clerk before 
 the company could give a title to lots. It had been arranged that this should be 
 done at a meeting to be held on the morning of the sale of lots, but it so happened that 
 less than a majority of the company attended the meeting ; hence, after the sale 
 titles could not be given, but the company got over this difficulty by giving title 
 bonds to purchasers. It was then observed also that two of the commissioners ap- 
 pointed to sell the estate, Peter Booth and Elliott Johnson, had died before the sale 
 of the land, leaving a minority of the commissioners to do the business. The legality 
 of this sale was called into question on this account, and this question was not 
 settled until in 1846. The method employed by the company to procure a set- 
 tlement of the question was unique. It was a question for judicial decision, and 
 to get it into the courts for that purpose required that a case should be made up. 
 To do this was the trouble, but the company finally decided to dispute the 
 legality of the sale thus made by one of the commissioners, refuse to pay him 
 the purchase money, and compelled him to sue for it. This they did ; the suit was 
 brought and the members of the company appeared as defendents in a case they 
 really much desired to have decided against them. The decision was finally 
 made in 1846, the legality of the action of the commissioners was confirmed 
 and executions were made against the members of the company for the purchase 
 money. It is needless to say that these executions were cheerfully paid. In the 
 situation in which it was placed pending the litigation, the company could not, 
 of course, sell lots nor make titles to those already sold nor even collect from the 
 purchasers. However those who had bought lots made some improvements on 
 them and a few trading houses were opened. Among these early trading houses 
 Messrs. Cohn & Block appear to have been the first to offer a stock of general 
 merchandise. This was in 1839, and about the same time A. B. Canville, 
 Anthony Richter and Thos. A. Smart, opened houses. The latter being what 
 was then called a grocery. 
 
 WHAT WAS THOUGHT OF THE TOWN. 
 
 There were many different opinions about the prospects for the new town 
 prior to the difficulties just mentioned. Independence and Westport nick-named 
 it "Westport Landing" in derision, and, owing to its non-development, for so 
 many years, it came to be generally known by this name. However, there were 
 others who regarded it differently. Senator Benton, than whom none better knew 
 the controlling facts of trade, while visiting Randolph, nearly opposite three miles 
 below the city at this time, pointed to it and remarked that it was destined to 
 become the greatest commercial center west of St Louis. Senator Benton after- 
 ward repeated this prophecy in Kansas City. 
 
 EARLY TRADE. 
 
 Some trade immediately sprung up at the trading houses, and concerning its 
 character, Spalding's Annals contains the following : 
 
 " The great portion of this early trade of the city was a trade similar to that 
 of all new towns, and was what our Yankee neighbors would consider, in their 
 vernacular, as a "truck and dicker trade," mainly done with the neighboring 
 Indians, and employees of the mountain traders and freighters, and Mackinaw 
 boatmen, etc., etc. Ponies, pelts, furs, trinkets and annuity moneys, were receiv- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 399 
 
 ed by early traders in exchange for powder ,lead, tobacco, sugar, coffee, candies, 
 beads, and as there was at that time no temperance orders among these buyers 
 and sellers, a little bad whisky was also sold by 'the large and small.' We are 
 happy to announce, however, that in this border ruffian era, a reform has taken 
 place in the sale and use of this 'large and small' commodity. In 1839 and 
 1840, the Indian tribes trading at Kansas City were the Delawares, Munsas, Stock- 
 bridges, Shawnees, Kansas (or Kaws), Kickapoos, Osages, Pottawatomies, Weas, 
 Peorias. In addition to articles already enumerated, these Indians bought of our 
 traders, calicoes, blankets, very many saddles, bridles and ribbons; and rings, 
 costing ten cents in St. Louis were frequently sold to them for five and six dol- 
 lars ; and large profits were made on every thing. As a general thing, the Indians 
 paid cash for goods ; and when they had no money they would freely pledge any- 
 thing in their possession, such' as ponies, silver arm-bands, ear ornaments, etc. 
 Bacon was sold to them as high as from thirty to forty cents per pound ; and salt 
 for fifteen and twenty cents per tin cup full. As early as 1840 it was not uncom- 
 mon, on the arrival of Mackinaw boats, to see as many as three or four hundred 
 men on the levee at one time, and all of them buying, more or less from our 
 traders " 
 
 A DESCRIPTION OF EARLY KANSAS CITY. 
 
 In a paper read before the Old Settlers' Association in January, 1872, John 
 C. McCoy thus describes the appearance of the place at that time : 
 
 "A clearing, or old field, of a few acres, lying on the high ridge between 
 Main and Wyandotte and Second and Fifth streets, made and abandoned by a 
 mountain trapper, a few old girdled dead trees standing in the field, surrounded 
 by a dilapidated rail ffence ; all around on all sides a dense forest, the ground 
 •covered with impenetrable underbrush and fallen timber, and deep, impassable 
 gorges; a narrow, crooked roadway winding from Twelfth and Walnut streets 
 along down on the west side of the deep ravine toward the river, across the 
 public square, to the river at the foot of Grand avenue; a narrow, difficult path, 
 barely wide enough for a single horseman, running up and down the river under 
 the bluffs, winding its crooked way around fallen timber and deep ravines ; an 
 old log house on the river bank, occupied by a lank, cadaverous specimen of 
 humanity named Ellis, with one blind eye and the other on a sharp lookout for stray 
 horses, straggling Ir^dians and squatters with whom to swap a tin cup of whisky 
 for a coon skin; another old dilapidated log cabin on the point below the Pacific de- 
 pot; two or three small dwelings and cabins in the Kaw bottom, now called West 
 Kansas, which were houses of French mountain trappers, engaged principally in 
 raising young half breeds. The rest of the surroundings were the still solitude of 
 the native forest, broken only by the snort of the startled deer, the bark of the 
 squirrel, the howl of the wolf, the settler's cow bell, and mayhap the distant bay- 
 ing of the hunter's dog or the sharp report of his rifle." 
 
 The man Ellis mentioned in the above description of Kansas City; by Mr. 
 McCoy, was, at the time he speaks of, living in the house built originally by 
 Louis Uneau, at the foot of Main street, and was the first Justice of the Peace 
 ever officiating at Kansas City. 
 
 The difficulties surrounding the Kansas Town Company prevented town de- 
 velopment and retarded the tendency of trade to concentrate here. Still, however, 
 the Indian trade continued to flourish at both Westport and Kansas City, and the 
 Santa Fe trade at Independence until 1843, when it was temporarily suppressed 
 by order of General Santa Anna. 
 
 EFFECT TO DIVERT THE MEXICAN TRADE FROM MISSOURI. 
 
 Two efforts were made to divert this trade from the Missouri frontier, but 
 without success, because of the superior advantages afforded by this point. In 
 1839, Dr. Josiah Gregg, after nine years' experience with this route, and a pretty 
 
400 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 thorough acquaintance with the. plains and with Northern Mexico, undertook to 
 open a river route from Van Buren on the Arkansas River. Finding that a good 
 point for steamboats to ascend to, considerably nearer Santa Fe, and with a sea- 
 son nearly a month earlier in spring and a month later in the fall, he thought it 
 much more desirable, and undertook to conduct an expedition from that point 
 and open a new route. He was successful in getting through with less hardships 
 than the early explorers had experienced on the route from Missouri, but he found 
 that the old route had some advantages that the new one could not equal, and no 
 further attempt was made. The trade from the Missouri border had been ex- 
 tended to Chihuahua, and so large a part of the imports of that place had come 
 to be received from that source via Santa Fe, that in 1840 the Mexican govern- 
 ment undertook to open a new and shorter route from that country to the United 
 States. Some point on Red River, at the American border, was selected, and 
 the party, with a concession of special advantages, as to imposts, duties, etc., 
 started from Chihuahua April 3, 1839. It succeeded in getting through to Red 
 River that year, and the next year, 1840, took back a large amount of goods. 
 This expedition, however, failed to discover any advantage in the new route, 
 though much nearer for Chihuahua than the old route from Missouri, and no fur- 
 ther effort was ever made to develop it. These two attempts to divert the trade 
 from the Missouri border were of importance in this connection, as showing the 
 superior command of the country, even to Chihuahua, held by the locality of 
 Kansas City. 
 
 ITS SUPPRESSION IN 1 843. 
 
 On the 7th of August, 1843, Santa Anna, then President of Mexico, issued 
 a decree closing the ports of Taos, in New Mexico, and Paso del Norte and 
 Presido del Norte, in Chihuahua. As these were the only ports at which goods 
 were passed through the custom-house into northern Mexico, it nearly suppressed 
 the trade. This was done in consequence of the sympathy and co-operation of 
 Americans with the people of Texas, who, although they had previously', in 1838, 
 achieved their independence, were still subject to the hostihties -of Mexico, and 
 were practically in a state of war. Prior to this decree, the hostile attitude of 
 Texas and Mexico toward each other had made the trade peculiarly hazardous. 
 Two expeditions had been fitted out in Texas to raid it, the Texans not regarding 
 the fact that a large part of those engaged in it were citizens of the United States 
 — a friendly power. Santa Anna's decree was issued with equal injustice to the 
 large number of his own subjects who were engaged in it, and with no less injus- 
 tice to the large sections of his country which were accommodated by it. This 
 decree so far caused the abandonment of the trade that, although another decree 
 was issued March ii, 1844, raising the embargo, not over ninety wagons, with 
 not over two hundred men and $200,000 worth of goods crossed the plains to 
 Santa Fe in 1844. The Mexican war coming on soon afterward further em- 
 barrassed and restricted it until the close of that struggle. 
 
 We are indebted to Dr. Gregg's admirable " History of the Commerce of the 
 Prairies," for the following statistics of the trade prior to its suppression in 1843 •* 
 
 Amount No. No. No. Taken to 
 
 Years. Merchandise. Wagons. Men. Proprs. Chihuahua. 
 
 1838 90,000 50 100 20 40,000 
 
 1839 250,000 130 250 40 100,000 
 
 1840 50,000 30 60 35 10,000 
 
 1841 150,000 60 TOO 12 80,000 
 
 1842 160,000 70 120 15 90,000 
 
 1843 450,000 230 350 30 300,000 
 
 *=* Although this table is given by Dr. Gregg as representing the entire trade, we are inclined to think it is 
 far short of the actual aggregates. The year 1840, for instance, appears to include only the Chihuahua ex- 
 pedition from Red River. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 401 
 
 THE SITUATION IN 1843. 
 
 At the time the Mexican trade was temporarily suppressed by order of Gen. 
 Santa Anna in 1843, Blue Mills was the principal landing point for Independence, 
 the effort to divert it to Wayne City having proved ineffectual. Independence 
 enjoyed a monopoly of the outfitting business. Westport had attained much im- 
 portance as an Indian trading post and was rapidly becoming the headquarters for 
 the Mexican traders, who stopped there to graze their teams on the prairies, and 
 await the arrival of their goods at Blue Mills ; Liberty had grown to be quite a 
 town; a town had been established at Randolph Bluffs, and at this time contained 
 one or more quite respectable mercantile houses, and a number of residences, and 
 had macadamized one short street. The town of Barry, which came into exis- 
 tence prior to the openmg of the Platte purchase to settlement, had became quite 
 an important place, as had the town of Weston. A town had been started at 
 Parkville, an Indian trading post, and was doing a large trade with the new 
 settlers in the adjacent country and with the Indians across the river. Parkville 
 then contained several trading houses. At this time Kansas City was much 
 smaller than any of these places, and was not perceptibly growing, owing to the 
 inability of the Town Company to make titles to ground. Kansas City then con- 
 tained three warehouses, those of the Town Company, Francis Chouteau, or rather 
 the American Fur Company, and that of W. G. and G. W. Ewing, of Westport, 
 two or three small trading houses and a few log cabins, mostly occupied by 
 Frenchmen. It was then known only as Westport Landing, but as a landing 
 place for Westport was beginning to attract some attention from Mexican traders, 
 who saw the advantage of receiving their goods at this place rather than at Blue 
 Mills. Still, however, it continued the headquarters of the fur and Indian traders 
 established by the old St. Louis guild of French traders, and conducted by the 
 American Company or their successors. This trade was then, as it had been 
 from the first, distributive, and though it made much less local show, and was 
 probably less in volume than the Indian trade done at Westport, it covered a 
 much greater area of country. 
 
 In 1840 W. G. and G. W. Ewing, already referred to as having become 
 prominent Indian traders, at Westport, in about 1836, determined to build them- 
 selves a warehouse at Kansas City. They had received goods at Blue Mills, and 
 at Chouteau's Warehouse just below Kansas City, but their trade had become so 
 large that they desired to avoid this warehouse tax and so built a warehouse as 
 above stated. 
 
 In June, 1842, Gen. John C. Fremont came to Kansas City on his first ex- 
 pedition across the plains. At this time he made his headquarters at Cyprian 
 Chouteau's house, six miles west, but outfitted here at Kansas City. In his subse- 
 quent expeditions he made his headquarters with Wm. M. Chick, at Kansas City, 
 while outfitting. 
 
 During the year of 1843, Wm. M. Chick, father of Jos. S. Chick, now 
 President of the Bank of Kansas City, who was then Hving at Westport, saw the 
 tendency of trade to concentrate at Kansas City, and removed to this place and 
 built a warehouse here. 
 
 FROM 1843 TO 1846. 
 
 The suppression of the Mexican trade in 1843 was a severe blow to Inde- 
 pendence and damaged Westport somewhat. The former was thrown back upon 
 its resources of local trade with the adjacent country, and the latter was left de- 
 pendent mainly upon its Indian trade Aside from the loss by the warehousemen 
 of the few cargoes they had been receiving, on account of this trade, Kansas City 
 was not affected. 
 
KANSAS CITY JOURNAL BUILDING. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 THE GREAT FLOODS. 
 
 In 1843-4 events transpired here which have furnished material for many a 
 fireside story among the old settlers. These were the great floods and attendant 
 adventures of these two years. That of 1843 was not so great as that of 1844, 
 which was the greatest ever known in these rivers. 
 
 During the past Spring of 188 1, the United States Engineer, having charge of 
 the river improvements at this point, J. W. Nier, Esq., informed the press that he 
 had information of great snows and large accumulations of water in the Upper 
 Missouri and its tributaries, which rendered a recurrence of these floods not im- 
 probable. This called forth from John C. McCoy, Esq., the following graphic 
 historical sketch of the great flood, which will be interesting in this connection : 
 
 " The subject of floods in the Missouri and Kansas River in the past, and the 
 probabilities of their recurrence in the future, is neither a pleasant or popular 
 theme to talk or write about just now, and those who indulge in speculations or 
 predictions of danger are looked upon as croakers and birds of evil omen, espe- 
 cially by those whose interests would be in jeopardy in the event of their fulfillment. 
 This is very plainly shown by the way many persons interested in West Kansas 
 City and the bottom lands of the river have received warnings and statements of 
 the United States engineer as to the probable danger of a devastating flood in the 
 Missouri River, and which appeared in the Journal a few days ago. His state- 
 ments have, I think, provoked a good deal of unjust and unnecessary criticism 
 and comment. He is a stranger to me, but holding the position of trust and re- 
 sponsibility he does in the engineer service of the Government, we may safely 
 conclude that he is at least theoretically competent, and certainly possesses the 
 most correct information obtainable to enable him to form a proper estimate of 
 the danger to be apprehended. Not only this, but it is his special business to 
 titudy the situation. He is in possession of all the facts and facilities requisite to 
 form a correct conclusion in the premises. 
 
 "Now, granting that it is his deliberate judgment, formed from these sources, 
 that the dire calamity of a devastating flood was likely to sweep over the West 
 Kansas City bottoms, causing the loss of millions of dollars value in property, and 
 perhaps many lives, his failure to give timely warning, would, under the circum- 
 stances, be looked upon as little short of murder; and then, if his predictions fail 
 and the elements over which he has no control are propitious, why then he sub- 
 jects himself to ungenerous flings and jeers. His situation in the^premises is one 
 of great responsibility and certainly by no means to be envied. Having some 
 knowledge of facts connected with floods in the Missouri River, I will venture, 
 disagreeable as the subject may be to many, to briefly state them. Physic, albeit 
 nauseating, is sometimes very beneficial to general health. We may sincerely 
 hope the general health in this case is in no danger at present. The records of 
 the past tell us of only three floods that may be regarded as devasting, viz: In 
 1782, 1826 and 1844. (One other in 1843 only partially so, and many others 
 where the overflows caused little or no dimage.) According to my recollection, 
 the overflow of 1843 occurring the last of May and the first of June, reached a 
 height about six feet lower than that of the succeeding year of June, 1844, and 
 the damage was correspondingly less. The winter of 1842-3 was along, hard 
 one with much snow toward the mountains. In January there was a general 
 thaw and break up with fine wetaher lasting nearly three weeks and the steamer 
 "lone" ascended the river to Kansas City. On the diy of her arrival it turned 
 suddenly cold, the river froze up again and so remained until near the ist of May, 
 during which time the boat remained near the foot of Grand avenue. 
 
 "The rise of water in 1843 was high enough to wash away some heavy new 
 one-story log houses stariding near the river bank at the lower end of Harlem, 
 which I had put up at the beginning of winter. I stood on the levee one day and 
 
404 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 witnessed their departure with sudden lurch and a graceful sweep of the upper end 
 toward the river that mingled and melted away in the boiling flood. — Have I told 
 this story so often that I really believe it was an actual occurrence, and that ru- 
 mors of the snowfields to the northwest, caused me as soon as the ice was out of 
 the river, to vamose the imperiled ranch? Nay, even before that occurred that I 
 pulled down one house and hauled the hewed logs across on the ice and put them 
 uptoUve in near the foot of William street? Does any one doubt the correct- 
 ness of this statement? And that this occurred in 1843, the year before the 
 great flood? I hope not, for I am now going to say something of another flood 
 that far exceeded this one in its desolating effects — that which occurred from the 
 13th to the i6th of June, 1844. The water rose to a height of six feet or more 
 above that of the previous year. The Missouri River at about the 13th was only 
 a few feet over the bottom lands, but the great volume of water that came down 
 the Kansas River madly rushing against the mighty Missouri caused the seething 
 waters to pile up at the mouth, no doubt several feet higher than they would have 
 done had they met at the point of junction more obliquely.. 
 
 "On the morning of the 14th, Col. Wm. M. Chick, who was temporarily oc- 
 cupying with his family a house he owned, which stood on the east side of Tur- 
 key Creek, not far southeast of the State Line house, was surprised to find the 
 water just rising above the banks of the creek. By 9 o'clock it had reached the 
 door step, and as the ground was lower toward the hills eastward, he deemed it 
 advisable to seek a place of safety on higher ground, which they succeeded in 
 doing with the aid of a canoe or small boat. His daughter, Mrs. Peery, went to 
 the hills near Twelfth Street on a horse, the water being then about mid-side to 
 the horse near the hills. From thence she made her way to my house, two miles 
 south of the city, and astonished me by her statement of facts. I galloped down 
 to the ferry across the river, which I owned, and ran at that time, and taking a 
 skiff with Col. John Polk, we made our way, with great difficulty and danger, up 
 through the woods to the house, where we arrived at about twelve o'clock, and 
 found the water about waist deep on the lower floor. We secured as many articles 
 as our skiff would carry, placed the balance out of the reach of the water, and 
 made our way back to the ferry, where I immediately secu'ed a party of about ten 
 persons to take up the ferry flat to secure that which was left. 
 
 " The seething, foaming flood of water was not only dashing madly onward in 
 the river channel, but it swept across the heavily timbered bottom of West Kan- 
 sas, from bluff to bluff, with a roar almost deafening. With the aid of twenty or 
 more men in rounding the rocky headland above the bridge, we finally reached 
 the building about four o'clock p. m., when we found the water had reached 
 nearly to the upper floor. Placing the boat beside the house we tore off a portion 
 of the roof, the eaves of which was probably five feet above the boat — the upper 
 window being too small to pass out the furniture. Being now nearly dark we 
 held a council, and decided to tie up for the night, deeming it unsafe to venture 
 into the river in the dark. So we ran up to the smoke-house, built of heavy logs, 
 in which about 5,000 pounds of bacon was floating about, and there spent the 
 long, dreary hours of the night in roasting bacon and haras and telling marvelous 
 tales of blood-curdling scenes that never happened, probably. 
 
 "In the morning we found that the depth of water under our boat was at 
 least ten feet, and the water still rising. 
 
 " Now, those who feel disposed to believe the above statements of facts can 
 make their own estimate of the rapidity of the rise of water in twelve hours from 
 the morning of June 14. I make it from eight to ten feet. Is this incredible? 
 If so, ask Col. Polk, Allen McGee, William Mulkey, and others who spent the 
 night with me in that flood of waters. 
 
 "I will now mention only one other episode of that eventful day in West Kan- 
 sas. During the night of the isth, and the next morning, from time to time 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 405 
 
 loud cries of distress were heard over at Wyandotte, in the direction of the resi- 
 dence of Louis Tromley, who then lived near the Missouri south bank, just east 
 of the State line. Those who listened to those cries knew full well that the old man 
 was in deep trouble, as well as deep waters, but the impetuous Kaw forced its 
 mad waters into the broad sea of the Missouri with a current so rapid that it was 
 impossible to get the ferry flat across to the opposite woods (for there were no 
 banks then) without cordeling the boat some distance up the Kaw, and before 
 this could be done darkness had overspread the desolate scene. At early dawn 
 brave hearts and strong arms were ready for the rescue. Isaiah Walker, Ethan 
 Long, Russell Garret, David Froman, and Tall Charles, of Wyandott, soon made 
 their way with the boat, cutting their way through the woods, to poor old Trom- 
 ley, whom they found perched in a tree, and a few hundred yards farther on his 
 wife in another tree, and a short distance further his boy sitting astraddle of the 
 comb of the house which was just beginning to sway into the seething waters 
 of the river. 
 
 "Tromley had tried to make his way to Wyandotte on a log, in order to pro- 
 cure a boat and help, but finding he would be inevitably swept into the Missouri, 
 he desisted from his effort and betook himself to his perch in the tree, and thus 
 passed the long vigils of that dreary, desolate night to those three heipless 
 persons. Poor Tromley meanwhile trying throughout its long watches to cheer 
 and comfort his terrified wife and boy, whom he was unable to reach. The res- 
 cuers took them to the hills, near Twelfth street, on their way, picking up some 
 others as they went. Soon afterward old Tromley's house, with his favorite dog 
 perched upon its top, was seen by the hundreds gathered on the hillsides passing 
 rapidly down in mid current and Poor Tromley, who had just arrived, called to 
 his dog by name, who set up a mournful wail, and the old man seemed disposed to 
 dash in to its rescue. During this day, the isth, the Wyandotte rescuers, were 
 busy saving persons and property in the West Kansas bottom until darkness clos- 
 ed their labors, theirs being the only boat that operated on that day, and after 
 that none was needed for nothing was left to save of life or property. On the 
 same day I went down with an old horse boat I had and brought up Mrs. 
 Chouteau and her household goods from her homestead below East Kansas, to 
 the high grounds above. 
 
 "Now, Mr. Editor, I have written these few incidents of the great flood of 
 1844 not as a sensation, for the facts are just as I have related them without any 
 undue coloring. Neither have I done so to create any unnecessary alarm, for I 
 don't know that there are any grounds for any, but simply to communicate some 
 facts that everyone having interests in the river bottoms ought to know. But 
 smart people may laugh me to scorn, and so they would have done to old Trom- 
 ley a day or two before he went to roost in that, hackberry tree, had he been 
 guilty of the same indiscretion. I have seen times when I would have felt su- 
 premely happy to be sitting astraddle of a good dry log with my neither extremi- 
 ties dangling in the waters beneath." 
 
 The great flood of 1826 has already been mentioned in this history as having 
 washed away the house of Mr. Chouteau, opposite Randolph Bluffs, which 
 caused him to remove higher up the river and to higher ground. Little is known 
 of this flood, but it doubtless was not such as' to cover the ground to which Mr. 
 Chouteau removed; for it is not probable that after being washed away once he 
 would rebuild below the high water line. However, the flood of 1844 proved 
 that he made a mistake,, for it washed away this second house which he had built. 
 It also washed away the warehouse built by W. G. & G. W. Ewing, which was in 
 the same vicinity, both being below the limits of the land of the Prudhomme estate, 
 which had been partly laid off" into town lots in 1839. It also washed away the 
 warehouse built by the town company in 1839, and rose to the door of Wm. M. 
 Chick's warehouse. This latter warehouse stood at the corner of Main street and 
 
406 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 the levee, and on ground fully six feet higher than the ground at that place 
 at this time. The old log cabins built by the Frenchmen in 1826, on the river 
 front and in the West Kansas bottoms, were all washed away, and that was about 
 all there was of Kansas City at that time. During the flood steamboats ran up 
 to Mr. Chick's warehouse door, which shows that they were floated over our 
 present levee at an altitude fully, six feet above the present level of the street. 
 
 This flood had no material effect on the course of trade, as it did no damage 
 at Blue Mills, at which point most of the Indian and Santa Fe trade was then 
 effecting its exchange between boats and wagons, and it did not cause any of the 
 warehouse business that was being done here, to drift away. It was of material 
 advantage, however, in a local way, for two of the leading warehouses were below 
 what was then the town, which diverted trade to that point. These were Chou- 
 teau's and Ewing's, and by the washing away of these, the trade was drawn to 
 Chick's warehouse, which was in town. Thus this great calamity was an advan- 
 tage to what was then Kansas City, and every great calamity since, except the 
 war, has equally redounded to her advantage, as the sequel will show. 
 
 OTHER EVENTS OF 1843 TO 1846. 
 
 In 1844, H. M. Northrup, now a banker at Wyandotte, Kansas, came to 
 Kansas City with the largest stock of merchandise that had yet been offered here, if 
 not, in fact, the largest stock that had yet been offered at any place near this angle 
 of the river. He made an effort at once to do a jobbing trade with the tradeis in 
 western and southwestern Missouri and the Indian country, and was very success- 
 ful in establishing that kind of a trade ; so much so that he soon became an import- 
 ant jobbing merchant, and shipped goods to local traders two hundred miles down 
 the border of Missouri. This was the first attempt at a jobbing trade in Kansas 
 City or on this border, and was the fitting super-position of a civilized distributive 
 trade upon the old distributive trade of the French with the Indians ; and pre- 
 served that distinctive feature of trade as Kansas City passed from the French- 
 Indian era into an era of civilized commerce. Mr. Northrup was a most impor- 
 tant element in the early development of Kansas City, and in the building up of 
 his business did more than any other man of that time, to build up the town. 
 
 In 1845, James H. McGee made some brick on his farm south of the then 
 town, and built the first brick house ever built in Kansas City. From this lot of 
 brick J. C. McCoy, who then conducted the ferry at this place, built the L part 
 of a brick house, which still stands on the bluff, between Grand avenue and Wal- 
 nut street. These were the first brick made in Kansas City, and the first laid 
 here. 
 
 RENEWAL OF THE MEXICAN TRADE. 
 
 In 1845 the Santa Fe trade was resumed with larger proportions than before, 
 and with many new men engaged in it. By this time steamboatmen had become 
 better acquainted with the river and had come to appreciate the natural rock 
 landing at the town of Kansas, which was then superior to that of Blue Mills or 
 Wayne City. The traders had also come to appreciate the advantages of this as a 
 starting point. Before the suppression of the trade in 1843 they had learned the ad- 
 vantage of herding their teams on the-prairie across the line in the Indian country, 
 and to a considerable extent had adopted the custom of keeping their teams there, 
 making their own headquarters at Westport, then the nearest town, and waiting 
 until their goods arrived at Blue Mills, when they would hitch up and go after 
 them. To this fact Westport owed whatever share of the trade she enjoyed prior 
 to that suppression. This custom was established with the re-establishment of the 
 trade in 1845, and then the hardship of going twelve miles after their goods 
 through a wooded country had been greatly increased by the settlements and cut- 
 ting up of the country into farms, hence there arose a more urgent necessity for a 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 407 
 
 nearer landing. Messrs. Bent and St. Vrain, who were among the oldest Indian 
 traders on the plains, and who understood the advantages of th?s point better than 
 many others who had engaged in the Santa Fe trade, landed a cargo of goods 
 here this year, which, it is stated in Spalding's "Annals of Kansas City," pub- 
 lished in 1858, was the first cargo of goods that ever went from this point in a 
 train to Santa Fe. Others followed their example, so that in 1846 the people 
 of Kansas City had what they regarded as a fair show of the trade 
 
 THE EFFECT OF THE MEXICAN WAR. 
 
 During the winter of 1845 ^'^'^ 1846, the Mexican war was impending, and 
 preparations were being made at Fort Leavenworth and all along the border, for 
 the expeditions that were to be started out in the spring. This gave a great im- 
 pulse to the trade and prosperity of the border towns; for now, more than ever 
 was the advantages of this angle of the river as a point of departure for the south- 
 west appreciated. It was the nearest point, to the scene of the struggle, that 
 could be reached by water. To stop below was to increase the wagon transpor- 
 tation over bad roads, and to go above was to increase the distance. Besides, 
 at this angle of the river was the best landing and the best roads leading to 
 Mexican territory. This locality, therefore, became the focus of outfitting and 
 departure. Recruiting offices were opened in the border towns, and suttlers 
 and quartermasters outfitted at them. Westport landing then became much more 
 important than it ever had been before, as a place for transferring goods from 
 steamboats to wagons, though it was not enough of a place to do much in the 
 way of outfitting. Weston, Parkville and Liberty, but more particularly Inde- 
 pendence and Westport, were greatly benefited by this trade ; the latter two 
 places enjoying the lafgest part of the outfitting business Westport was chiefly 
 benefited, and at that time got an impulse that speedily raised it to rank with 
 Independence. However, Kansas City felt the impulse of the preparations that 
 were being made during the winter, and from the anticipation of the large amount 
 of warehousing, and receiving and forwarding of military and suttler's goods, out- 
 fits and supplies, soon to occur, it acquired new and improved prospects. These 
 facts, united with the tendency the M&xican trade had shown the previous year 
 to come to this place, led the town company to adjust their differences, and lay 
 anew the foundation of the future city. 
 
 bird's-eye view of the KANSAS CITY EXPOSITION GROUNDS. 
 
408 ^ HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 KANSAS CITY REDIVIVUS. 
 
 Reorganization of the Town Company — The First Great Sale of Lots — An Interesting Record — Bad 
 /'itles — Further Surveys and Sales — The Company Dissolved — Town Development — The Cali- 
 fornia Emigration — The Concentration of the Santa Fe and Indian Trades at Kansas City — 
 Cholera and its Direful Effects — Municipal Organization — The First Newspaper — Revival 
 After the Cholera. 
 
 The events chronicled in the last chapter concerning the movement and 
 development of trade, together with the settlement of the question concerning 
 the title of the town company to the Prudhomme estate led to a revival of the 
 town building feeling. A meeting was held on the 28th of February, (1846), at the 
 house of Wm. B. Evans, at which time were present Messrs. William Gillis, 
 Fry, P. McGee, Jacob Ragan, Wm. B. Evans and John C. McCoy. These 
 gentlemen, together with Robert Campbell and H. Jobe now held the fourteen 
 original shares, some of the original parties having sold out to some of their 
 associates or to the new parties here introduced into the company. The fourteen 
 shares always existed so long as the company existed, but some members held 
 two or more. The record of this meeting is as follows : 
 
 "On motion of F. P. McGee, ordered that a sale of lots be advertised to 
 take place on Thursday, the last day of April, next, and to be sold on twelve 
 months credit, reserving the title of said lots until the money is paid, and to 
 bear interest from due until paid at the rate of ten per cent per annum from due 
 until paid." 
 
 "On motion of Wm. Gillis ordered that the above sale be advertised in the 
 following newspapers." 
 
 The names of the newspapers do not appear however in the record. 
 
 A settlement of the sales of 1836 was now made with the purchasers of lots 
 at that sale. Interest was charged on the purchase price at ten per cent for six 
 years, making the total for that sale, $11,482.88; the money was collected and 
 titles made, the deeds being signed by each member of the company and the 
 wife of each member, which was an expensive and laborious way of making 
 titles. 
 
 While the sale ordered at this meeting in February was being advertised a 
 new survey was made by John C. McCoy. At this time he adopted the survey 
 of 1838, and extended it back to the township line and east half a block beyond 
 Grand avenue, then called Market street, and west three hundred feet be- 
 yond Wyandotte street. 
 
 THE FIRST GREAT SALE OF LOTS. 
 
 The sale was held as advertised, and the original records of the company 
 show that one hundred and twenty-seven lots were sold singly and two whole 
 blocks together, Robert Campell being the purchaser of the two blocks, for 
 which he paid three hundred dollars. These two blocks were those lying between 
 Fourth and Fifth streets and Wyandotte and Main streets, now the center of 
 Kansas City's Jobbing Trade. The highest price paid for any one lot sold at this 
 sale was three hundred and forty-one dollars, paid by Wm. M. Chick for lot No. 
 9. A few others in the same vicinity on the levee between Wyandotte and 
 Walnut streets sold for between two and three hundred dollars, but most of them 
 went below one hundred. The amount for which some of the lots were sold 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 409 
 
 is not carried out in the original record, but the total of those carried out is $8,- 
 i'37.42. A copy of this record made at a later date foots up the sale $8,643.62. 
 Spaldings Annals states this aggregate at $8,625, and the average at $55.65, but 
 the records of the company do not appear to contain the data for such calculations. 
 
 AN INTERESTING RECORD. 
 
 A very interesting feature of the record of this sale is that it gives the voca- 
 tion of most of the purchasers, as well as their names, and this shows what kinds 
 of business prevailed here at that time, as well as who lived here. Thus it is 
 shown that there were seven farmers among the purchasers, Jacob Ragan, N. 
 Ross, W. G. Barkley, F. P. McGee, John Park, Peter McGee and Thomas A. 
 Smart; four merchants, H. M. Northrup, W. M. Chick, P. M. Chouteau and 
 Thos. Elliott; three butchers, John Javins, H. Javins and Thos. Javins ; three 
 doctors, Jos. O. Boggs, Benoist Troost and S. G. Harlan ; two carpenters, Henry 
 Jobe and M. Walden ; two grocers (saloon keepers in these times), Geo. Hudson 
 and A. G. Yancy ; two traders, F. H. Booth and B. Linkingfelter ; two laborers, 
 Henson Javins and Peter Belanger; two brick makers, Wm. B. Pruddy and Jas. 
 Pruddy ; two brick layers, Wm. Champagne and Franklin Barnes ; one landlord, 
 Wm. B. Evans ; one pilot, Chas. Dripps ; one lawyer, L. Kaufman ; one broker, 
 Chas. Horning; one stone mason, D. Edgerton ; one Santa Fe trader, B. Pruitt; 
 one surveyor, John C. McCoy; one tailor, J. A. StuU; one gunsmith, Gabriel 
 Phillebert , one wheelwright, Moise Belmar ; one school master, Lott Caufman ; 
 one Indian, Isaac Zane, and one gentleman, Wm. Gillis. A "gentleman" in 
 those days signified a man who had no regular business, and lived without labor. 
 There were also among the purchasers Robert Campbell, formerly of the Rocky 
 Mountain Fur Company, Thos. Breeze, Edward F. Hand, Lewis Ford, David 
 McWilliams, Robert Hudgins, Elijah Jackson S. D. Ray and Mr. Parsons, whose 
 vocations are hot stated in the record. 
 
 Notwitfistanding the inability of the company to make titles or sell lots be- 
 tween 1838 and 1846, the tendency of trade to transfer itself to this point, caused 
 an accumulation of people here for various purposes, so that at the time of this 
 sale, in April, 1846, it was estimated that the town had already a population of 
 not less than three hundred. 
 
 BAD TITLES. 
 
 Notes were taken for lots sold in 1846, having fallen due in 1847, on the ist 
 Ma:y, of that year, P. M. Chouteau, son of Francois Chouteau, was appointed by the 
 company, to collect the money. On the 3d of May, Fry P. Mc Gee was also ap- 
 pointed to collect. At this time, of course, titles had to be given to the lots, as 
 the notes were collected, and the method employed the previous year — that of 
 each member of the company and his wife signing the deed — was too slow and 
 cumbersome to be re-adopted, hence a power of attorney was given to Mr. Chou- 
 teau to sign the deeds for the company. This he did, but signed them by his 
 own name as " attorney-in-fact," without signing the name of the company by 
 himself as " attorney in-fact. " This was afterward found to be irregular, and it 
 gave rise to much trouble in adjusting titles 
 
 While referring to this subject, it may be as well to mention another fact 
 which subsequently arose to cause some litigation and trouble. A posthumous 
 daughter was born to Gabriel Prudhomme after preceedings for sale in partition 
 had been initiated by the other heirs. In this situation the order of court naming 
 the heirs among whom the proceeds of sale were to be divided did not mention 
 her, and hence the commissioner paid her nothing. She afterward became the 
 wife of Col. M. J. Payne, now president of the Kansas City Gas Company, 
 and suit was brought for her portion. This suit was not successful in its object, 
 but for a- long time it caused a cloud to rest upon the title to every lot in the 
 Prudhomme estate. 
 
410 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 FURTHER SURVEYS THE COMPANY DISSOLVE. 
 
 In May, 1847, the company decided to lay off the balance of their land into 
 lots Accordingly, a contract was made for the clearing of the land east of Mar- 
 ket street (Grand avenue) to " Phillibert's Branch," about Campbell street, run- 
 ning back to Fifth street; and John C. McCoy was employed to lay off the bal- 
 ance of the land into lots. All this having been done, another sale of lots was 
 held July 17, 1847, at which twenty-three lots were sold for an aggregate of $1,- 
 
 475-3° 
 
 On this same day — July 17th — the company decided to close up its affairs, 
 and divide proceeds. Accordingly, Messrs. McGee, Gillis and Evans were ap- 
 pointed to make a survey of the assets of the company, preparatory to such ac- 
 tion. On the 30th <# September following, the division was made, lots and notes 
 being apportioned to each share in the company, in as nearly equal values as possi- 
 ble. The company appears here to have practically gone out of existence, as the 
 record shows no further proceedings, except some business transacted for it by 
 McCoy and Gilhs, in disposing of a few lots overlooked by the committee, in 
 the division of the proceeds. 
 
 TOWN DEVELOPMENT. 
 
 At the time of the first sale above referred to, April 30, 1846, it was estimat- 
 ed' that there were about three hundred people in the new town, nearly all settled 
 along the river front. However, under the impulse of the Mexican war and San- 
 ta Fe trade, added to the Indian trade already existing, the place grew rapidly, 
 and before the close of the year, the population was estimated at seven hundred. 
 New warehouses and outfitting houses were established, trade facilities became 
 much enlarged, and the tendency of the Santa Fe and Mexican war trades to 
 concentrate at this point largely increased. 
 
 The next year, 1847, Colonel Charles E. Kearney, now of this city, located 
 in Westport, and went into business with W. R. Bernard, still a citizen of that 
 place. Mr. Bernard was at that time engaged with Colonel A. G. Boone, in In- 
 dian trading, and Colonel Kearney had been for some years previous trading in 
 Old Mexico, from southern points. The new firm opened a large outfitting house 
 for the Santa Fe traders, and thus supplied, the only lacking facility for transfer- 
 ring the trade to the border, and obviating the eighteen miles haul and the bad 
 roads, and the rendezvous twelve miles from the depot of supply. Kansas City, 
 in her new warehouses, in her unequaled natural steamboat landing, and her near 
 proximity, suppHed all the balance. For the next three years Westport was the 
 headquarters of the trade, but Kansas City was rapidly absorbing it. 
 
 CALIFORNIA EMIGRATION. 
 
 The excitement incident to the revival of the Santa Fe trade and the Mexi- 
 can War, was supplemented by the CaHfornia gold excitement in 1849. The 
 progress of Kansas City meantime was rapid, for anew town against older, more 
 populous, and better known towns. Still, she had not, up to this time, advanced 
 to a point where she could successfully compete with \Vestport and Independence 
 for this new trade, and while it lasted they had the hon's share of it. The emi- 
 gration was large through this locality, for it was soon found that on the more 
 northern routes the springs were later, and the winters came earlier, not giving 
 emigrants time to get through. Besides, the routes up the valley of the Kansas 
 River, or over the prairies toward Santa Fe, were by far the best for the emi- 
 grants. Many of them came by boat to this place, and outfitted here. It was 
 useless to go higher up the river, for they got no nearer to California by doing so, 
 besides which they lost their time, and approached the latitude of shorter seasons. 
 Here again this locality vindicated its natural advantages, and again Kansas City 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 411 
 
 vindicated her natural advantages as the best steamboat landing on the river, and 
 her rightful claim to the business being done from neighboring points. 
 
 CHOLERA AND ITS EFFECTS. 
 
 At the same time this new element of trade and town development came into 
 existence, there came also that dread scourge, the cholera. It came first in 1849. 
 It first made its appearance among some Belgians brought here by Mr. Guinotte 
 and Mr. Chouteau. There were about eighty of them camped below town, and 
 the cholera proved very fatal among them, and soon spread to other classes of 
 the populations and to Independence, Westport and other neighboring places. 
 Fi/om the earliest history of this disease, it appears to have traveled farthest and 
 fastest and with deadliest effect along water courses. Wherever it has taken epi- 
 demic form in this country, it has shown this peculiarity to a marked degree, and 
 once possessing itself of a footing on the Mississippi it has penetrated all the 
 ramifications of its tributaries. Kansas City this year having a large trade and 
 many steamboats touching her levee from points below, received the scourge in 
 its most fatal form. It followed the California emigrants in 1849 and 1850 on to 
 the plains, and besides decimating their numbers also greatly depressed the trade 
 and emigration. In 1850 there was little if any of it in Kansas City, or in the 
 adjacent cities of Independence and Westport, and, though it had caused the flight 
 of many people from here, they returned, and in 1850 Kansas City had a popula- 
 tion of between 700 and 800. 
 
 THE SANTA FE TRADE DRIFTS TO KANSAS CITY. 
 
 But though Kansas City did not participate to any great extent in the rich 
 harvests of the Mexican war and California emigration trade, she felt the stimu- 
 lus of it and grew rapidly. And as she grew, adding warehouses and outfitting 
 stores to the facilities of her natural landing, she began more and, more surely to 
 command the Santa Fe trade. At a banquet given by the merchants Christmas 
 day, 1857, Col. E. C. McCarty made a speech, a report of which is here copied 
 from the Journal of contemporaneous date, because of its historical value : 
 
 " He said he was a poor speaker, but would make some few statements as 
 to the Santa Fe trade. He had been engaged in it as early as 1828, having come 
 to Missouri in December of that year. The Santa Fe trade was then in its infancy, 
 from ;J5o,ooo to $100,000 being the amount of merchandise transported annually 
 across the plains. In those days there were very few trains with more than two 
 or three wagons, and it was customary for all the Mexican traders to meet at 
 Council Grove, organize into a company under a captain there chosen, and so 
 proceed on their journey under his direction. The press of the whole United 
 States then used to make particular mention of the departure of the Santa Fe 
 caravan from Council Grove, and like notice was given of their return. It was 
 almost universally the case in those early days for some one or more of the party 
 to be scalped by the Indians. The trade gradually commenced to increase year 
 by year, and has multiplied to the present almost incredible amount. I was in- 
 formed two years ago, by Dr. Connelly, probably the largest trader in New 
 Mexico, that the Santa Fe trade across the plains then amounted to five millions 
 of dollars, nearly all of which passed through the City of Kansas. It was on 
 this statement of the amount of trade as set forth as above, that he succeeded in 
 forcing the passage of a bill by the Legislature establishing a Court of Common 
 Pleas in this city, while bills sent in in favor of other counties were rejected. In 
 the spring of 1847 he, in company with Mr. Russell, now (1857) of Leavenworth, 
 started the first train from this city to New Mexico. Old Mr. McDonald went in 
 charge of it, and was the first man that ever crossed the great American Desert 
 with a wagon. Mr. Northrup was the first merchant he had the pleasure of doing 
 business with in Kansas City, and their business operations have been continued 
 
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HISIORY OF KANSAS CITY. 413 
 
 until the present time with high satisfaction to the speaker. Mr. Northrup was 
 one of those men who had taken an early day for settlement in Kansas City and 
 had stuck to it ever since. In the spring of 1850 his brother, then in New Mexico, 
 came in as a partner of Capt. St. Vrain, and through their influence and his own, 
 all outfitting trade, previously done in Independence, was brought to this point, 
 and from the year 1850 dates the era of Kansas City trade with New Mexico. 
 Six hundred wagons started from this point that year. Was engaged, as one of 
 the firm of Brown, Russell &. Co., during the summer and fall of 1850, in trans- 
 porting the army supplies from Fort Leavenworth to the western forts, and from 
 their knowledge of the routes they oiTered the Government to receive the freight 
 at St. Louis, and pay freight and insurance on the same from thence to this point 
 if the Government would permit them to land the goods here instead of at Fort 
 Leavenworth, as the advantages of the route from this point would more than com- 
 pensate for the additional expense. The Government refused to do it — for who 
 ever knew an army officer to walk ten steps out of his way to accommodate any- 
 body? Their loss, in consequence of not being permitted to start from this point, 
 amounted to sixty thousand dollars, one item in which was 600 yoke of oxen. 
 For a number of years it was customary to transport all goods over the plains by 
 mules, as it was thought impossible for oxen and wagons to be used. He was 
 the first man that started an ox team across the plains from this point, and they 
 had been used altogether ever since." 
 
 At the time of the occurrences here referred to by Col. McCarty, Kansas 
 City had not probably more than five hundred inhabitants, owing to the effects of 
 the cholera in 1849 in driving people away. In 1850 Kansas City, Independ- 
 ence and Westport were none of them ijicorporated towns, hence the census of 
 that year does not give the population separate from that of the townships in 
 which they were located. Lexington, however, was a considerable place, and 
 Weston had a population of 3,775. The growth of these two places was due to 
 the large production of hemp in those days, for which they were the markets. 
 
 CHOLERA AGAIN. 
 
 However the rapid development of the city promised by the fact here noted 
 by Col. McCarty it was destined to receive a serious check by the re-appearance of 
 the cholera in 1851. At this time it created a panic, which speedily reduced the 
 population to about three hundred. People literally deserted the town and fled 
 in all directions. The scourge revisited the place in 1852, and revived to a consid- 
 erable degree the previous panic. That year forty-eight deaths occurred in Westport 
 within twenty-four hours after the appearance of the disease, and there were in a 
 like space of time about forty deaths in Independence and twenty or more in 
 Kansas City. Owing to this circumstance the outfitting business for the Santa Fe 
 trade and the trade on and across the plains did not fully concentrate itself here 
 until several years afterward — about 1856 and 1857. 
 
 MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 
 
 There was no municipal government in Kansas City prior to 1853. Previous 
 to that time the peace was preserved and difficulties were adjusted by a township 
 Justice of the Peace and a constable, but a circumstance occurred in December, 
 1852, which led to the establishment of municipal gevernment. This circum- 
 stance was the arrest of a man for some light offense by the constable, upon 
 whose trial it was discovered that the commission issued to the authorities was 
 for the next congressional township east, which located their jurisdiction at least six 
 miles from where they had been exercising their authority. This led to a move- 
 ment looking to municipal organization. That winter, February 22, 1853, a char- 
 ter was obtained from the State, and in the spring of 1853 a municipal government 
 was organized. The land embraced in Kansas City, according to this charter, was 
 
414 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 bounded by the river on the north, by Summit street on the west, by Ninth street 
 on the south, and on the east by the alley between Holmes and Charlotte streets, 
 and therefore embraced much that was not yet, nor for two years to come, laid 
 off into town lots. All that was platted at that time was the old Prudhomme 
 estate, the boundaries of which have already been given. At the election, W. S. 
 Gregory was elected mayor, but served only a short time when Dr. Johnson 
 Lykins was elected to succeed him. Dr. Lykins was re-elected next spring, and 
 in the spring of 1855 John Johnson was elected, but resigned a month afterward. 
 M. J. Payne succeeded him, and held the office till i860. 
 
 A list of city officers from the organization of the town to the present time 
 is here inserted: 
 
 1853 — Mayor, W. S. Gregory, Johnston Lykins; Treasurer, P. M. Chouteau; 
 Assessor, G. W. Wolf; Register, S. W. Bonton; Marshal, N B. Hedges; Attorney, 
 Judge Nelson ; Councilmen, Wm. G. Barkley, Thompson McDaniel, M. J. Payne, 
 Wm. J. Jorboe, T. H. West, Johnston Lykins, T. S. Wright.: 
 
 1854 — Johnston Lykins, Mayor; H. M. Northrup, Treasurer; Hallom Rice, 
 Assessor; John Curtis, Wm. G. Barkley, Registers; J. P. Howe, Marshal; John 
 Curtis, Asa Bartlett, City Attorneys; Councilmen, Benoist Troost, J. C. McNees, 
 Daniel Edgerton, Caleb Keer, M. J. Payne, Tilman H. West. 
 
 1855 — John Johnson, M. J. Payne, Mayor; E. R. Threlkeld, Treasurer ; 
 J. W. Summers, Assessor ; M. J. Payne, W. S. Bouton, Registers ; Fred Breck- 
 enridge, C. C. Spaulding, City Engineer ; J. P. Howe, Marshal ; Asa Bartlett, 
 City Attorney ; Councilmen : Caleb Keer, A. T. Gilham, John W. Ammons, 
 John S. Campbell, T. J. Wilson, John C. McNees. 
 
 1856— M. J. Payne, Mayor; E. R. Threlkeld, Treasurer; J. P. Howe, 
 Assessor ; S. W. Bouton, Register ; Robt. J. Lawrence, City Engineer ; J. P. 
 Howe, Marshal ; S. W. Bouton, City Attorney ; Councilmen : John Johnson, T. 
 J. Wilson, Caleb Kerr, John S. Campbell, A. T. Gilham; Wm. J. Jarboe,jN. 
 
 B. Hedges. 
 
 1857 — M. J. Payne, Mayor; E. R. Threlkeld, Treasurer; F. M. Barnes, 
 Collector; S. W. Bouton, Assessor; John S. Hough, S. W. Bouton, Register; 
 
 C. P. Wiggins, E. O' Flaherty, City Engineer; J. P. Howe, Marshal; Wm. A. 
 Strong, City Aitorney; Councilmen: R. J. Lawrence, Wm. J. Jarboe. R. T. 
 Van Horn, A. T. Gilham, Michael Smith, L M. Redge, D. J. Williams. On 
 the 17th of August this council resigned and the following were elected; Wm. 
 J. Jarboe, John Johnson, James A. Frame, T. B. Lester, I. M. Ridge. John A. 
 Boarman. 
 
 1858— M. J. Payne, Mayor; E. P. Threlkeld, Treasurer; D. L. Shouse, 
 Collector ; Lott Coffman, Jas. A. Gregory. Assessors ; J. W. Robinson, L. B. 
 Scott, Register; J. Q. Anderson, Engineer; S. M. Gilham, Wharf Master; F. 
 M. Barnes, Marshal; J. W. Robinson, City Attorney; Councilmen: T. B. Les- 
 ter, John W. Ammons, John S. Hough, Michael Smith, Charles Long, George 
 W. See. 
 
 1859 — J. M. Payne, Mayor: John A. Boarman Treasurer; D. L. Shouse, 
 Collector ; S. W. Bouton, Assessor ; Daniel Geary, Register ; J. Q. Anderson, 
 City Engineer; S. M. Gilham, Wharf Master; W. A. Pollard, Wharf Register; 
 Jonathan Richardson, Marshal; John W. Robinson, City Attorney; John W. 
 Summers, Recorder ; Councilmen : J. B. Higgins, E. M. McGee, L. A. Sehoen, 
 E. B. Cravens, Theodore S. Case, N. C. Clairborne. 
 
 i860 — C M. B. Maughs, Mayor; John A. Boarman, Treasurer; S. D. 
 Vaughan, Collector; J. K. Staw. Assessor, Daniel Geary, Register; C. L. 
 DeHam, City Engineer; J. E.Jewell, W. V. Pulliam, Wharf Master; Thomas 
 Oliver, Wharf Register ; Jonathan Richardson, City Attorney ; John W. Sum- 
 mers, Recorder ; Councilmen : Lott Coffman, W. V. Pulliam, W. W. Ford, A. L. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 415 
 
 Harris, John Campbell, D. A. N. Grover, W. J. Jarboe, D. M. Tarboe, Dennis 
 O'Brien. 
 
 1861— R. T. Van Horn, Mayor; John A. Boarman, Treasurer; S. D. 
 Vaughan, Collector; E. O'Flaherty, Assessor; Michael Smith, Register; E. 
 O'Flaherty, City Engineer; Thos. Oliver, Wharf Register; Geo. F. Irwin, Wm. 
 Holmes, Marshal; J. S. Boreman, City Attorney; Geo. W. Taler, Recorder; 
 Councilmen : D. A. N. Grover, A. L. Harris, Patrick Shannon, Charles Long, 
 J. E. Snyder, M. J. Payne, B. M. Jewett, N. Vincent, Johnston Lykins. 
 
 1862— M. J. Payne, Mayor; J. A. Bechman, Treasurer; S. D. Vaughan, 
 Collector; E. O'Flaherty, Assessor; M. Smith, Register; Bernard Donnelly, 
 Register; E. O'Flaherty, Engineer; F. R. Lord, Wharf Master; D. M. Jarboe, 
 Wharf Master ; John Joyce, Wharf Register ; Wm. Holden, Marshal ; William 
 Quarles, City Attorney; Geo. W. Toler, Recorder; Councilmen: Joshua 
 Thorne, M. Diveley, E. M. Sloan, J. R. Ham, John Kaney, Lewis Deardorf, 
 Thomas Burke, P. Switzgable. 
 
 1863 — William Bonnefield, Mayor ; A. B. Cross, Treasurer ; C. F. Smith, 
 Collector; D. M. Jarboe, Assessor; B. Donnelly, Register; R. B. Whitney, 
 Engineer; Fred. Von Longinan, F. McMillian, Wharf Master; W. B. Hoag- 
 land, Alphonso Hughes, Wharf Register; Dennis O'Brien, Marshal; William 
 Quarles, City Attorney ; A. Ellenberger, Recorder ; Councilmen : ' C. W. Fair- 
 man, P. Switzgable, W. C. Holmes, F. Timmerman, F. P. Flagler, Lewis Dear- 
 dorf, Thomas Burk, Charles Dwyer. 
 
 1864 — R. T. Van Horn, P. Shannon, Mayor; S. D. Vaughan, Treasurer; 
 R. Salibury, E. B. Cravens, Collector; E. O'Flaherty, Assessor; B. Donnelly, 
 Register; William Miller, Engineer; T. R. Lord, Wha'f Master; John Joyce, 
 Wharf Register; Dennis O'Brien, Marshal; Charles Carpenter, Attorney; A. 
 Ellenberger, Recorder; Councilmen: C. A. Carpenter, Jas Mansfield, Charles 
 Dwyer, T. S. Case, Thomas Burk, B. L. Riggins, Aaron Raub, P. C. Causey, 
 P. Shannon, P. S. Brown. 
 
 1865— P. Shannon, Mayor; S. D. Vaughan, Treasurer; E. B. Cravens, 
 Collector; E. O'Flaherty, Assessor; B. Donnelly, Register; William Miller, E. 
 O'Flaheriy, Engineer ; Thomas Fox, Wharf Master ; Samuel Quest, Wharf Reg- 
 ister ; Jeremiah Dowd, Marshal ; T. B. Rummel, Attorney ; C. A. Carpenter, 
 Recorder ; Councilmen : P. S. Brown, J. Q. Watkins, H. L. Hughn, E. F. 
 Rogers, John Taylor, Gerhart Zueker, Thomas Burke, William Kalb. 
 
 1866 — A. L. Harris, Mayor; S. D. Vaughan, Treasurer; Charles, Long, 
 Collector; B. Donnelly, Assessor; D. O'Brien, Register; Edmond O'Flaherty, 
 Engineer ; H. G. Toler, Wharf Master ; Phillip Ott, Wharf Register ; Jeremiah 
 Dowd, Marshal; Charles Carpenter, Attorney; C. A. Carpenter, Recorder; 
 Councilmen : Charles Dwyer, John Bauerlein, Robert Salisbury, F. A. Mitchell, 
 N. Vincent, Henry Tobener, Thomas Burk, David Slater, John R. Balis. 
 
 1867 — E. H. Allen, Mayor ; J. W. L. Slavens, Treasurer ; James Lee, As- 
 sessor; Dennis O'Brien, Auditor; Oscar Koehler, . Engineer; E. B. McDill, 
 Wharf Master; A. T. Hoover, Wharf Register; T. J. Brougham, City Clerk; 
 J. B. Brothers, Marshal; William Warner, City Attorney; P. Lucas, C. A. Car- 
 penter, Recorder ; Edmond Keller, Market Master ; Councilmen : John Camp- 
 bell, Herman Hucke, H. W. Cooper, E. A. Phillips, H. L. Hughn, E. H. 
 Spalding, J. W. Keefer, Henry Speers. 
 
 1868 — A. L. Harris, Mayor; George Sweeny, Treasurer; J. B. Drinkard, 
 Assessor; Dennis O'Brien, Auditor; John Donnelly, Engineer; A. T. Hoover, 
 Wharf Master ; J. Draggon, Wharf Register ; D. E. Dickinson, City Physician ; 
 T. B. McL-ean, T. J. Brougham, Mell. H. Hudson, City Clerk; J. L. Keck, 
 Marshal ; H, P. White, Attorney ; C. A. Carpenter, Recorder ; Edward Keller, 
 Market Master; Councilmen : Wm. Smith, M. English, Junius Chaffee, J. W. 
 
416 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Cook, H. Hucke, John Campbell, H. W. Cooper, E. A. Phillips, A. H. Water- 
 man. 
 
 iSfip^^F. R. Long, Mayor; George Sweeny, Treasurer; C. F. Smith, As- 
 sessor; Dennis O'Brien, Auditor; John Donnelly, Engineer; A. T. Hoover, 
 Wharf Master; Mell. H. Hudson, City Clerk; J. L. Keck, Marshal; D. 8. 
 Twitchell, Attorney; W. H. Sutton, Recorder; D. E. Dickinson, City Physician; 
 Councilmen : Junius Chaffee, C. J. White, J. W. Cook, M. English, J. H. McGee, 
 A. H. Waterman, T J. Wolf, R. W. Hilliker. 
 
 1870 — E. M. McGee, Mayor; George Sweeny, Treasurer; P. M. Chouteau, 
 Collector; Robert Salisbury, Assessor; John T. Tobin, Auditor; John Donnelly, 
 Engineer; A. T. Hoover, Wharf Master; Daniel Geary, City Clerk; Thomas 
 M. Speers, Marshal; H. P. White, Attorney; C. A. Carpenter, Recorder; H. 
 F. Smith, Market Master; D. E. Dickinson, City Physician; Councilmen: Junius 
 Chaffee, John Campbell, C. J. White, P. J. Henn, J. H. McGee, John W Keefer, 
 D. EUison, J. Lykins, T. J. Wolf, Thomas Burk, R. W. Hilliker, James E. 
 Marsh. 
 
 1871. — Wm. Warner, Mayor; Samuel Jarboe, Treasurer; P. M. Chouteau, 
 Collector; O. Chanute, J. J. Moore, Engineers; John J. Tobin, Auditor; Rob- 
 ert Salisbury, Assessor; Daniel Geary, City Clerk; J. W. Dunlap, City Attorney; 
 D. A. ,N. Grpver, Recorder ; T. M. Speers, Marshal ; W. C. Evens, City Phys- 
 ician; R. C. Gould, Market Master; John C. Gage, J. Brum back. Counselors; 
 Councilmen, Junius Chaffee, John Campbell, William Weston, H. T. Hovelman, 
 P. J. Henn, J. W. Keefer, David Ellison, J. Lykins, Jacob Toney, Thomas 
 Burke, James Hannon, James E. Marsh. 
 
 1872. — R H. Hunt, Mayor; H. C. Kumpf, Auditor; Samuel Jarboe, Treas- 
 urer; O. G. Long, Recorder; Wm. Sheppard, Marshal; John C. Campbell, At- 
 torney ; H. B. Toelle, Supervisor of Registration ; Daniel Geary, J. Enright, 
 City Clerk; J. M. Silvers, Chief of Fire Department; Sam. Winram, Inspector of 
 Weights and Measures; W. C. Evens, Physician; H. L. Marvin, Engineer; P. 
 M. Chouteau, Collector ; R. C. Gould, Market Master ; Robt. Salisbury, Asses- 
 sor; J. Brumback, Counselor; W. A. M. Vaughan, Wharf Master; J. Y. Lever- 
 idge. Wood Inspector ; Chas. Quest, E. H. Russell, Supt. Workhouse ; Council- 
 men, Michael Flynn, Wm. Weston, Lyman McCarty, Michael Diveley, M. Hor- 
 ner, E. L. Martin, H. T. Hovelman, M. English, D. H. Porter, D. Ellison, 
 Patrick Kirby, Patrick Fay. 
 
 1873. — E. L. Martin, Mayor; D. H. Porter, Recorder; H. C Kumpf, 
 Auditor; Wm. Weston, Treasurer; G. G. Neiswanger, Marshal; H. M. Withers, 
 Attorney ; D. L. Hall, Supervisor of Registration ; M. McCormick, Supt. of 
 Workhouse ; Web. Withers, Collector ; H. L. Marvin, Engineer ; John Phillips, 
 Market Master ; John T. Blake, Robt. Salisbury, Assessor ; E. H. Russell, Sani- 
 tary Sergeant ; J. M. Silvers, Chief of Fire Department ; A. M. Crow, Physician ; 
 A. Mayer, City Clerk ; James Sweeny, Inspector of Weights and Measures-; Thos. 
 Clowdsley, T. McLean, Wood Inspector; J. Brumback, Counselor. 
 
 1874. — S. D. Woods, Mayor; James Farron, Recorder, H. C. Kumpf, Audi- 
 tor; P. M. Chouteau, Treasurer; J. C. Tansney, Attorney; J. M. Ekdahl, Super- 
 visor of Registration ; .F. M. Black, J. W. Dunlap, Counselor ; E. O'Flaherty, 
 Engineer ; J. O. Day Physician ; W. B. Napton, Comptroller ; M. E. Burnet, 
 Chief of Fire Department ; F. Fitzpatrick, Supt Workhouse ; M. Renahan, Mar- 
 ket Master; Robt. Salisbury, Assessor; John Ryan, Inspector Weights and Meas- 
 ures ; A. Mayer, City Clerk ; Thomas Fox, License Inspector ; Thomas M. 
 Speers, Chief of Police. Councilmen, John Campbell, Jos. M. Beach, F. B. 
 Nofsinger, A. C. Moffat, D. A. N. Grover, Dennis Levy, Chas. A. Ebert, W. 
 W. Payne, O. H. Short, Ed. H. Webster, P. Kirby, Edward Kelley. 
 
 1875. — Turner A. Gill, Mayor; P. M. Chouteau, Treasurer; H. C. Kumpf, 
 Auditor ; W. H. Sutton, Recorder ; Wash. Adams, Attorney ; J. M. Ekdahl, 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 417 
 
 Supervisor of Registration; D. A. N. Grover, Comptroller; John C. Gage, J. 
 Brumback, Counselor ; Jas. Bowling, Superintendent Workhouse. Councilmen: 
 J. M. Beach, John Campbell, A. C. Moffat, B. A. Feineman, Dennis Levy, G. W. 
 Lovejoy, W. W. Payne, P. McAnany, Ed. H. Webster, J. W. Reid, Ed. Kelley, 
 H. A. Simms. 
 
 1876. — Turner A. Gill, Mayor; P. M. Chouteau, Treasurer; L. J. Talbott, 
 Auditor; W. H. Sutton, H. R. Nelso, Recorder ; Wash. Adams, Attorney; J. M. 
 Ekdahl, Supervisor of Registration ; J. Brumback, Counsellor ; D. A. N. Grover, 
 Comptroller; Robert SaUsbury, Assessor; A. A. Holmes, Engineer; Patrick 
 O'Reilley, Market Master ; Wm. C. Morris, Physician ; J. W. Wirth, Supt. Work- 
 house ; John Kelley, Inspector Weights and Measures ; A. Mayer, E. R. Hunter, 
 City Clerk; F. Foster, Chief of Fire Department; Thos. M. Speers, Chief of 
 Police. Councilmen : John Campbell, W. S. Gregory, B. A. Feineman, D. R. 
 Porter, Edward Lynde, G. W. Lovejoy, Dennis Levy, P. McAnany, James M. 
 Buckley, J. W. Reid, Wm. Holmes, H. A Simms, David P. Bigger. 
 
 1877. — J. W. L. Slavens, Mayor; L. J. Talbott, Auditor; P. M. Chouteau, 
 Treasurer; D. Ellison, Recorder; James Gibson, Attorney; John M. Ekdahl, 
 Supervisor of Registration; J. M. Dews, Comptroller; H. N. Ess, Counselor; 
 Robert Salisbury, Assessor; W. C. Morris, Physician; F. M. Furgason, Inspector 
 Licenses, Weights and Measures ; Joseph Porter, Market Master ; W. L. Shep- 
 pard. Superintendent Workhouse; W. E. Benson, City Clerk; A. A. Holmes, 
 Engineer; Thomas M. Spears, Chief of Police; F. Foster, Chief of Fire Depart- 
 ment. Councilmen: W. S Gregory, Philip Casey, E. Lynde, R. H. Drennon, 
 Dennis Levy, C. C. Whitmeyer, James M. Buckley, W. B. Robinson, William 
 Holmes, W. H. Winants, David P. Bigger, H. A. Simms. 
 
 1878. — Geo. M. Shelley, Mayor ; William Weston, Treasurer; L. J. Talbott, 
 Auditor; Hamilton Finney, Recorder; James Gibson, Attorney; Erastus Johns, 
 Supervisor of Registration ; Robert SaHsbury, Assessor ; W. E. Benson, City 
 Clerk; W. L. Sheppard, William Kelley, Superintendents of Workhouse ; Joseph 
 Porter, Market Master ; J. M. Trowbridge, Engineer; H. C. Kumpf, Comptroller; 
 W. W. Payne, Inspector Licenses, Weights and Measures; S. P. Twiss, Coun- 
 selor ; A. M. Crow, Physician ; Thomas M. Speers, Chief of Police ; F. Foster, 
 Chief of Fire Department. Councilmen: Philip Casey, P. D. Etue, R. H. 
 Drennon, H. C. Morrison, C. C. Whitmeyer, T. W. Butler, W. B. Robinson, 
 L. A. Allen, W. H. Winants, Louis Dragon, H. A. Simms, A. H. Glasner. 
 
 1879. — George M. Shelley, Mayor; A. C. Walmsley, Treasurer; Wilham 
 Vincent, Auditor; Hamilton Finney, Recorder; Thomas King, Attorney; M. 
 K. Kirk, Supervisor of Registration; T. A. Gill, Counselor; H. C. Kumpf, 
 Comptroller; Robert Salisbury, Assessor; W. E. Benson, City Clerk; C. H. 
 Knickerboclier, Engineer; John Donnelly, Assistant Engineer; D. R. Porter, 
 Physician; William Burk, Market Master ; Benedict Waibel, Inspector Licenses, 
 Weights and Measures ; F. R. Allen, Superintendent Workhouse ; Thomas M. 
 Speers, Chief of Police ; F. Foster, Chief of Fire Department. Councilmen : 
 P. D. Etue, George W. McClelland, H. C. Morrison, J. N. DuBois, T. W. Butler, 
 R. H. Maybury, L. A. Allen, John, Salisbury, Louis Dragon, T. B. Bullene, 
 A. H. Glasner, Patrick Hickey. 
 
 1880. — C. A. Chace, Mayor; A. C. Walmsley, Treasurer; William Vincent, 
 Auditor; H. Finney, Recorder; Thomas King, Attorney; M. Burk, Supervisor 
 of Registration ; Wash Adams, Counselor ; John Donnelly, Engineer ; Nathan- 
 iel Grant, Comptroller ; V. D. Callahan, City Clerk ; Thomas M. Speers, Chief 
 of Police; F. Foster, Chief of Fire Department; Robert Salisbury, Assessor; C. 
 J. Jenkins, Physician ; Adam Johns, Inspector of Licenses ; J. J. Granfield, 
 Market Master ; F. R. Allen, Superintendent Workhouse. Councilmen: J. A. 
 McDonald, T. B. Bullene, John Salisbury, George W. McClelland, W. J. Ross, J. 
 
 27 
 
418 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 N. DuBois, Patrick Hickey, J. N. Moore, R. H. Maybury, W. G. Duncan, Louis 
 Dragon. 
 
 1 88 1. — Daniel A. Frink, Mayor; A. C. Walmsley, Treasurer; M. L. Sul- 
 livan, Auditor; John W. Childs, Recorder; W. J. Strong, Attorney; M. H. 
 Bass, Supervisor of Registration; D. S. Twitchell, Counselor; Nathaniel Grant, 
 Comptroller; Robert Salisbury, Assessor; V. D. Callahan, City Clerk; John 
 Donnelly, Engineer; A. A. Holmes, Assistant' Engineer ; John Fee, Physician; 
 John J. Granfield, Market Master ; B. Waibel, Inspector Licenses, Weights and 
 Measures; Thomas C. Clary, Superintendent Workhouse; Thomas M. Speers, 
 Chief of Police ; F. Foster, Chief of Fire Department ; Councilmen : W. J. Ross, 
 J. M. Ford, J. A. McDonald, D. H. Porter, John W. Moore, James Anderson, 
 L. A. Allen, John Salisbury, L. Dragon, B. A. Sheidley, W. G. Duncan, M. 
 Gafney. 
 
 REVIVING TIMES IN 1 85 3-4. 
 
 During the years 1853-4, there was a material revival of confidence among 
 the people of this locality. The cholera, which, it had been feared, would become 
 an established disease, had failed to make its appearance since 1852. The Santa 
 Fe trade was rapidly growing, and the settlement of the adjacent country made a 
 larger local trade. The fact that this angle in the river was the nearest water 
 transportation for all the Indian country from the head of the Platte River round 
 by the Rocky Mountains to the Cherokee country, caused the whole of the In- 
 dian trade to come here, and at that time it had become very large. People be- 
 gan to return, and others to make their homes here, and at last there began to be 
 new hopes of realizing the bright promises of 1846-9. The next enumeration of 
 the population, which was in 1855, showed a revival to 478, but business grew 
 much faster than population. 
 
 THE FIRST NEWSPAPER. 
 
 As early as the year 1851 or 1852, there was an attempt made ta-establisji a 
 newspaper. A Mr. Kennedy undertook the enterprise, calling his paper the 
 Public Ledger. It was not, however, a financial success, and after a vain struggle 
 with the waves of adversity, Mr. Kennedy yielded, and the Public Ledger ■^3.%%tA. 
 out of existence. The need of a paper to represent the interests of the new city, 
 and properly chronicle local events, had become so apparent that the people in- 
 terested in its welfare could not long do without one. Hence, after much talking 
 about it among themselves, they finally held a meeting at the Union Hotel, now 
 known as the old Gillis House, and determined that a paper must be had. A 
 company was organized at that meeting, the capital stock was fixed at one thous- 
 and dollars, and the larger part of it taken on the spot. The names of some of 
 these subscribers were Wm. Gillis, W. S. Gregory, Northrup & Chick, M. J. 
 Payne, Dr. B. Troost, E. M. McGee, Thompson McDaniel, and Robert Camp- 
 bell. Dr. Troost, M. J. Payne and W. S. Gregory were elected trustees, with 
 power to collect the subscriptions, purchase material, and start and manage the 
 paper. M. J. Payne was deputed by his associates to do the most of the work. 
 He went to St. Louis and purchased the material, and shipped it to Kansas City. 
 About this time, Mr. D. K. Abeel made his appearance in Kansas City, and the 
 trustees finding that he was a printer, engaged him to take mechanical and busi- 
 ness charge of it. Wm. A. Strong, an attorney, was engaged to conduct the ed- 
 itorial department. Its first appearance was in October, 1854, and, as it was 
 deemed only an enterprise, it was given the name of the Kansas City Enterprise. 
 This was the first permanently established newspaper in Kansas City. 
 
 In 1857, its name was changed to Journal of Commerce, and is now known 
 simply as The Journal. On the 15th of June, 1858, it appeared as a small morn- 
 ing daily, the fourth daily in the Missouri Valley. Soon afterward, a telegraph 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 419 
 
 line having been completed to Boonville, arrangements were made for dispatches 
 by that line, and by express . from Boonville to Kansas City. In its different 
 editions prior to the war, it was the most active and wide-awake paper the writer 
 has ever had the pleasure of examining; the fullest of local and business news, 
 and the most devoted to the welfare of Kansas City. It was at once a faithful 
 reflector of all local and business news, the leader and exponent of public com- 
 mercial sentiment, and the fosterer of every public enterprise. 
 
 In the summer of 1855, Col. R. T. Van Horn came to the city and pur- 
 chased the Enterprise, of which he assumed control in October. He had 
 previously lost an ofifice, the Telegraph, at Pomeroy, Ohio, by fire, and for a 
 year or two had been steamboating for a brother-in-law who was largely inter- 
 ested in steamboat stocks. It was from this fact that he got the title of captain, 
 by which he was generally known, until by mihtary services in the late war he 
 gained the one by which he is at present known. In the summer of 1855 he took 
 a boat to St. Louis to sell, and while lying there for that purpose boarded at the 
 Virginia hotel. Here he met William A. Strong, then editor of the Enterprise, 
 who, learning that he was a printer and journalist, induced him to come to Kan- 
 sas City. 
 
 His purchase of the Enterprise was for one thousand dollars, one half cash 
 and the balance on time. From its first issue under his management, it became 
 an active, earnest and vigilant advocate of Kansas City's interests, and so far ex- 
 ceeded the expectations of the old company that before the maturity of his notes 
 they were canceled and presented to him. 
 
 D. K, Abeel, Esq., who had been connected with the paper from the first as 
 printer and business ' manager, soon afterward became associated with Col. 
 Van Horn in the proprietorship, taking charge of the business affairs, into which 
 department he infused that vigor and energy which at once put the paper on a 
 sound and progressive financial basis. These two gentlemen have since been 
 largely associated together in the paper in these respective capacities, each ably 
 fulfilling the promise of their early years. 
 
 KANSAS CITY IN 1854-5. 
 
 At this time all there was of Kansas City was situated along the river front, 
 except a few residences which had been built upon the hills overlooking the river. 
 The levee was only about wide enough for a team to pass, jutting over a ledge of 
 rocks into the river on the one side and rising hundreds of feet into bluffs on the 
 other. Here and there excavations had been made into the hill, and business 
 houses built. One of these houses was the Union Hotel (now Gillis House), 
 built in 1849, and another Chick's warehouse, built in 1843. About the foot of 
 Broadway, the bluffs, coming round in nearly a perpendicular wall from Turkey 
 Creek, jutted into the river, and a wagon road wide enough for one wagon had 
 been cut across it leading into the Kaw bottom, which was then a dense woods, 
 except where the French traders had cleared off a few patches. The hills back of 
 the levee were well covered with woods, except in the less broken portions where 
 clearings had been made. A deep ravine, starting at the lower end of the levee, 
 a little below the present foot of Grand avenue, wound around to the southwest, 
 ■ across the present market square, up by Delaware and Sixth street, and thence 
 southeasterly to the Junction. 
 
 There was a road up this ravine, over which the Santa Fe and other wagons 
 passed, but with its precipitous banks on either side it was a bad road. It took 
 the hill at a point near the junction of Main and Delaware streets, and crossed the 
 creek south of the city, not far from the street railroad stables, going up the hill 
 again toward Westport. A less inviting spot for town building it would be difficult 
 to conceive. But from this great angle in the Missouri River was the best natural 
 road to the southwest and west, and it was the highest point to which goods for 
 
420 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 the great Santa Fe and plains trade could be taken by boat, without increasing 
 the cost of land transportation and incurring worse roads. This determined this 
 locality as the starting point for that trade, while the unequaled river landing de- 
 termined the exact spot whereon the transfer from boat to wagon should be made. 
 These facts were then recognized, and with the beginning of the new era of 
 activity, the plains trade previously done at Independence and Westport, centered 
 entirely at Kansas City. Outfitting houses were opened and provision made for 
 the outfitters, so that they no longer were compelled to go either to Independence 
 or Westport. This trade, however, lasted but a few weeks in the spring while 
 the trains were starting out, and a few weeks in the fall when they returned. At 
 a later period the Enterprise, referring to this date, editorially, says : "Two years 
 since, when we landed in Kansas City in the month of July, there was little or no 
 business doing — ;two boilers, an engine, and a small lot of machinery, covered 
 with a tarpaulin, was all there was to be seen on the levee. Business men in- 
 formed us that the trade of the season was over ; that with the exception of a 
 short time late in the fall no more would be done until next spring." 
 
 SPALDING S COMMERCIAL COLLEGE, KANSAS CITY, MO. 
 
J 
 
 ' HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 421 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 THE SETTLEMENT OF KANSAS. 
 
 The Kansas- Nebraska Act — Preparations by Pi o-Slavery and Anti-Slavery Parties to occupy Kan- 
 sas — Early Settlement — Kansas City again Recognized — Development of Kansas — Navigation 
 of the Kaw River — The Kansas Troubles — The Effect on Kansas City — Col. Coates. 
 
 With the concentration of the Indian and Santa Fe trade at Kansas City, 
 there was here a sufficient business to have made a town of ten or twelve thousand 
 people, had there been no increase of business until the capabilities of the town 
 had developed to an equality with it. But at this time other events were transpiring 
 which were destined to give the place an unprecedented forward impulse. These 
 were the events attending the organization of the Territories of Kansas and 
 I^Tebraska, and the opening of them to settlement. These events, however, were 
 attended with circumstances that made the settlement of Kansas troublousy which 
 injuriously affected the development of the trade of the young city. 
 
 The events leading to the organization of these Territories began as early as 
 December 13, 1852, when Hon. Willard P. Hall of Missouri introduced into the 
 House of Representative at Washington, a bill to organize the Territory of Platte, 
 which was to embrace both Kansas and Nebraska. On the 2d of February, 1853, 
 Hon. William A. Richardson, of Illinois, introduced a bill for the organization 
 of the Territory of Nebraska. Neither of these bills proposed to extend slavery 
 into either of these Territories, as it was already excluded from the country em- 
 braced in both by the Missouri Compromise of 1820. On the loth of February, 
 Richardsbn's bill passed the House, and on the 17th it was reported in the Senate 
 by Hon. Stephen A. Douglas. Nothing was done however before the adjourn- 
 ment and expiration of that Congress. 
 
 At the meeting of the next Congress, Hon. Augustus C. Dodge, of Iowa, 
 introduced into the Senate a bill for the organization of Nebraska. This bill, 
 like its predecessors, did not provide for slavery. On the 4th of January it was 
 reported in the Senate by Hon. Stephen A. Douglas, and on the 23d of the same 
 month Senator Douglas offered a substitute providing for the organization of the 
 two Territories of Kansas and Nebraska and containing this significant clause : 
 
 "That the Constitution, and all laws of the United States which are not 
 locally inapplicable, shall have the same force and effect within the said Territory 
 of Kansas as elsewhere within the United States, except the eighth section of 
 the- act preparatory to the admission of Missouri into the Union, approved 
 March sixth, eighteen hundred and twenty, which, being inconsistent with the 
 principle of non-intervention by Congress with slavery in the States and Territo- 
 ries, as recognized by the Legislature of eighteen hundred and fifty, commonly 
 called the Compromise Measures, is hereby declared inoperative and void; it 
 being the true intent and meaning of this act not to legislate slavery into any 
 Territory or State, nor to exclude it therefrom, but to leave the people thereof 
 perfectly free to form and regulate their domestic institutions in their own way, 
 subject only to the Constitution of the United States, provided, that nothing 
 herein contained shall be construed to revive or put in force any law or regulation 
 which may have existed prior to the act of sixth of March, eighteen hundred and 
 twenty, either protecting, establishing, prohibiting, or abolishing slavery." 
 
 This clause was the result of hostility, on the part of Senators and Represen- 
 tatives for the slave States, to any bill looking to the exfension of freedom in the 
 

 IMDELt-HOTQ, 
 
 LINDELL HOTEL, KANSAS CITY, MO. 
 
 ■f. IV. Poor, Proprietor. 
 
 Fijth and Wyandotte Streets. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 423 
 
 Territory of the United States, and its exemption of Kansas from the operations 
 of the compromise measures referred to wasregardedassignificent of a determination 
 on their part to make Kansas a slave Territory, and subsequently a slave State. This 
 led to one of the most memorable contests in the history of the American Congress, 
 during which were aroused those passions and sentiments and antagonisms which 
 subsequently led to open conflict in Kansas, and, in less than ten years, to the 
 most stupendous civil war in the history of man. 
 
 This bill passed the Senate March 3rd, by a vote of thirty-seven to fourteen. 
 
 The House passed it with amendments May 22nd, by a vote of 113 to 100, 
 there being twenty-one members absent and not voting. It passed the Senate 
 again without discussion. May 24th, by a vote of thirty-five to thirteen, and was 
 signed by President Pierce May 30th. 
 
 While these events were transpiring in Congress, the Indian titles were being 
 extinguished to all save small reservations. The country became intensely ex- 
 cited. It was understood on the part of the slave States, that Kansas was to be 
 made slave, and the free States equally understood that such was the intention of 
 the slave States, and there was an equal determination on their part that it should 
 not be so. While the bills were pending in Congress, both parties in their re- 
 spective localities were preparing for the expected struggle. The Pro-slavery 
 party were open in their expressions of intentions to use force, if necessary to 
 accomplish their purpose. To this end there began to be secret societies organ- 
 ized in Missouri and throughout the slave States as early as February, 1854, called 
 "Blue Lodges," " Society of Friends," "Sons of the South," " Social Bands," 
 etc., the distinctive feature of which was a solemn oath to make Kansas slave 
 territory at all hazards, and keep out by force, if necessary, the Abolitionists, 
 as all opponents were opprobriously called. On the other hand, the Anti-Slavery 
 party were less open in their boasts. If they had any intention of using force, 
 that intention was not expressed ; but, depending upon the right of local settle- 
 ment of the slavery question, they seemed to rely more upon the votes of larger 
 numbers of immigrants ; and, therefore, took steps to fill Kansas with anti-slavery 
 voters as speedily as possible. On the 26th of April the Massachusetts Emigrant 
 Aid Society was organized by act of the Legislature of that State; in June an- 
 other society was organized in that State, and on the 24th of July the New 
 England Emigrant Aid Society was organized, in Boston. The purpose of these 
 societies as expressed by their articles of agreement was to " assist emigrants to 
 settle in the west," Kansas being the particular part of the west meant. 
 
 THE EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 Such were the circumstances under which the settlement of Kansas was begun. 
 As soon as the Territory was opened to settlement people began to flock in from 
 the adjac nt parts of Missouri. The Leavenworth Town Company was organized 
 at Weston, Mo., on the 13th of June, and the Atchison Town Company was 
 organized in Missouri, on the 27th of July; and about these dates the sites of 
 these two places were taken possession of by the Missourians who were determin- 
 ed to make Kansas a slave Territory. 
 
 The pioneer party of anti-slavery emigrants left Boston, July 17th, and 
 arrived in Kansas City July 30th, under the lead of Charles H. Btamscomb. Dr. 
 Charles Robinson and S. C. Pomeroy, since Governor and Senator respectively, 
 of Kansas, came with this party. The first named of these gentlemen proceeded 
 with the party into Kansas, arriving on the Wakarusa on the ist of August, near 
 where they soon afterward founded a town, which, on October 6th, was called 
 Lawrence, in honor of Amos J. Lawrence, of Boston, one of the principal bene- 
 factors of the society. The other, Mr. Pomeroy, remained in Kansas City, and 
 purchased the Union Hotel, (now the old Gillis House on the levee,) to be 
 used as a rendezvous for iTnmigrants, and agency of the society. Great excite- 
 
424 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 ment and enthusiam attended the movements of these societies in the east, and 
 the immigrants were cheered on by orations from the leading men of that section, 
 and by poems from the pens of such distinguished writers as Bryant, Whittier and 
 Lucy Larcom. 
 
 On the other hand, there was an equal excitement and enthusiasm on the 
 part of the pro-slavery element, but it took the form of prevention of anti-slavery 
 immigration, as much as that of fostering pro.slavery immigration. In July a 
 number of meetings were held in Missouri, near the border, at which resolutions 
 were adopted, to the effect that Kansas should be slave at all hazards, and that 
 Abolitionists should receive no protection in the new Territory. The speeches 
 made at these meetings were of a most inflammatory character. Missourians con- 
 tinued to pour over the border in great numbers, but the emigrants from the east 
 continued to arrive and unite with the Lawrence settlement with equal rapidity, 
 and thus for a time Leavenworth and Atchison as pro-slavery, and Lawrence as 
 anti-slavery, grew rapidly. The excitement along the border, meantime, was in- 
 tense, and the friction between the settlers of the different parties in the Territory 
 very great and very irritating. 
 
 KANSAS city's local ADVANTAGES AGAIN. 
 
 At the time these events were transpiring, steamboats were running freely on 
 the Missouri River its whole navigable length, and being the only method of 
 transportation at that time, other than stage coach across the State of Missouri or 
 private wagons, offered equal facilities to all river towns. Independence and 
 Westport had already been overcome by Kansas City, but Parkville, Weston and 
 St. Joseph, all of about equal size with Kansas City, afforded equal advantages for 
 immigrants with Kansas City, except on the one item of easy access to the new 
 country. The new towns of Leavenworth and Atchison were also in the field, 
 but aside from their newness, were lacking in this essential feature, also. Hence, 
 while Missourians passed across the border at the nearest accessible ferry, the 
 emigrants from the east came by way of Kansas City. Subsequently when 
 parties began to come from the south, they came here also, and for the same 
 reason. Thus the movement of population into this new country, like the Indian 
 fur trade, the Santa Fe trade, and the late Indian trade, found this the line of 
 least resistance and followed it. From the settlement of the new Territory, all 
 the border towns, and especially the new Kansas towns of Leavenworth and 
 Atchison, expected great advantages. However, owing to the facts and prin- 
 ciples above mentioned, Kansas City, from the first, was most benefited. 
 
 DEVELOPMENT OF KANSAS. 
 
 The political antagonisms already mentioned were destined soon to affect 
 materially and detrimentally the development of both Kansas and Kansas City, as 
 the record of events will show. 
 
 Hon. Andrew H. Reeder, of eastern Pennsylvania, was appointed first 
 Governor of Kansas, June 29th, 1854. He took the oath of office in Washing- 
 ton, July 7th, and arrived in Kansas, October 7th, temporarily establishing the 
 executive office at Fort Leavenworth. He soon became aware, however, of the 
 superior accessibility of the Territory from the mouth of the Kaw, and hence, 
 November 24th, removed the executive office to Shawnee Mission, eight miles 
 southwest of Kansas City, and on the road leading from this angle of the river 
 into the Territory. 
 
 One of his first official acts, while yet at Leavenworth, was to divide the 
 Territory into sixteen election districts and order an election for delegate to 
 Congress. This election occurred November 29th, and J. W. Whitfield, pro- 
 slavery, was elected. This election was the occasion of the first invasion of 
 Kansas by the people of other States, mainly from Missouri. They were deter- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 425 
 
 mined to control the political affairs of the new Territory in the interests of slavery, 
 and,to that end, hundreds of them went into the Territory and voted, thus electing 
 a pro-slavery delegate to Congress. These events aroused the bitterest feelings 
 of the free-state people in the Territory, and led to the holding of free-state 
 meetings for the purpose of organization. The first of these meetings was held at 
 Lawrence, December 23d, and on the first of February following (1855), the Free 
 State Society was organized at Lawrence. 
 
 On the 8th of March, 1855, Governor Reeder issued a proclamation order- 
 ing an election for members of the Legislature, March 30th. This election was 
 the occasion of another and larger invasion from Missouri, the pro-slavery people 
 of this State being, by this time, most thoroughly aroused by the free-state move- 
 ments in Kansas, and determined, at all hazards, to make Kansas a slave Territory. 
 The excitement, along the border and throughout Missouri was at this time intense, 
 and public meetings were of frequent occurrence. At these meetings speeches 
 of the most inflammatory character were made, and resolutions adopted strongly 
 denouncing the Abolitionists, and justifying any means that might be adopted 
 for their extermination. 
 
 The election of the 30th of March resulted in the election of a pro-slavery 
 body, the Missourians attending and voting by the thousands. Its first session 
 was held at Pawnee, a new town adjoining the Fort Riley military reservation, 
 whither the executive office had been removed by Governor Reeder, June 27th. 
 The Legislature met here, July 2d, as ordered by the Governor, and immediately 
 adjourned to meet at Shawnee Mission, July 16. Here the first session was held, 
 and the first code of laws adopted for Kansas. These laws were largely copied 
 from the Missouri statutes, but the provisions for the protection of slave property 
 were more stringent than were ever enacted before. This law made it a penal 
 offense to deny the right to hold slaves in Kansas, or to have in possession books 
 or papers that denied such rights. It required all officers of the Territory and 
 counties, judges and clerks of election, and all lawyers practicing at the bar, to take 
 an oath to support the fugitive slave law; and made ineligible as jurors, in cases 
 where any questions affecting slaves or slavery was to be decided, all persons who 
 did not believe in that institution. It was provided, also, that all officers of the 
 Territory, and of the counties, were to be appointed by the Legislature, or by 
 some officer appointed by it, and at subsequent elections for members of the 
 Legislature, judges and clerks and voters, if challenged, were required to take an 
 oath to support the fugitive slave law. The effect of these laws was, of course, 
 to prevent free-state men from holding office and to disfranchise them, while any 
 manifestation of anti-slavery tendencies, even to the extent of reading an anti- 
 slavery paper, was a penal offense, and subjected the offender to liability to 
 imprisonment at hard labor and in chains. Before this Legislature adjourned it 
 fixed the permanent seat of government at Lecompton. Governor Reeder having 
 previously located the seat of government at Pawnee, held that this Legislature 
 had no right, under the act of Congress, to sit elsewhere, and could not enact 
 valid laws elsewhere. His refusal to recognize the Legislature led to his removal 
 by the President, who was in sympathy with it and not with him. Notice of his 
 removal was communicated to him August i6th, when Mr. Secretary of State 
 Woodson became acting Governor. 
 
 PAWNEE NAVIGATION OF THE KAW. 
 
 The town of Pawnee, as above stated, was located on lands adjoining the 
 Fort Riley military reservation, which was within a few miles of the junction of 
 the Republican and Smoky Hill Rivers, which form the Kaw. It was a free- 
 state town, and hence soon became the object of hostility of the Pro-Slavery party 
 and of the President, so in the summer of 1855, Jefferson Davis, then Secretary 
 of War, issued an order so extending the military reservation as to include the 
 
426 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 site, and in the fall of that year Col. Cooke, of the army, drove off the settlers 
 and destroyed the houses. 
 
 The motives that prompted Gov. Reeder to locate the seat of Government 
 at this point cannot be definitely stated, but he was doubtless influenced largely 
 by the idea that the Kaw River could be navigated with steamboats to that 
 point, which would make it a commercial center and distributing point. The 
 steamer Excel made a trip on the Kaw in the spring of 1855, prior to the loca- 
 tion of the seat of government of Pawnee, and in May the steamers Emma 
 Harmon, Financier No. 2, and Hartford went as far up as Lawrence. Gov. 
 Reeder has always been credited with the inaugurating this enterprise. While he 
 was Governor he caused two engineering parties to be sent to examine the Kaw, 
 one from Fort Riley to Tecumseh and the other from Tecumseh to the mouth of 
 the stream. He is credited also with having invested money in the boats. 
 
 In 1855 ^^^ Excel and several other small boats plied irregularly on the 
 Kaw and with such success that in December of that year a company was formed, 
 and several boats built for that trade. Those mentioned as plying on the river 
 in 1856-7, werethe Excel, Kate Cassel, T^inancier, Emma Harmon, Express, 
 Lightford, Wa-tos sa, and Lizzie, the latter of which was built at Kansas City 
 and afterward employed as a ferry boat. The navigation of the Kaw was then 
 regarded as successful, though the boats did not run regularly. In 1859, how- 
 ever, two boats ran most of the season as a regular line, but the river appears to 
 have been abandoned after that, though they were said to have found no difficulty 
 in navigating it. These boats were Silver Lake and Gus Linn. 
 
 URMOIL IN KANSAS. 
 
 The course that was being pursued by the Pro-Slavery party, the invasions of 
 the Territory at elections by Missourians, the manifest tendencies of the Legisla- 
 ture, together with a spirit of intimidation on the part of the Pro-Slavery party, 
 became very exasperating to the Free-State party and they began movements, look- 
 ing to assistance. On the 14th and 15th of August, 1855, a convention of free- 
 state men was held at Lawrence, at which they adopted resolutions setting forth 
 that Kansas was without any legal law-making powers, and recommending the 
 holding of a convention of dona fide citizens at Topeka, September 13th, for the 
 purpose of consulting upon all matters affecting public interest but specially the 
 propriety of State organization. This was followed by another similar meeting at 
 Big Springs, September 5th, at which was formulated the platform of the Free 
 State party. The proposed convention at Topeka received the indorsement of 
 this meeting and immediately steps were taken by the Free State party to raise 
 delegates for such convention, and it was held. It provided for the election of 
 delegates to a constitutional convention at Topeka, which election was held, only 
 free state men voting, October 9th; and the convention met October 23rd and 
 formulated a constitution which was submitted to the people and adopted Decem- 
 ber 15th, only free-state men voting. Under this State organization Dr. Charles 
 Robinson, of Lawrence, was elected Governor, at an election held January 15, 
 1856 ;W. G. Roberts, Lieut. Governor; P. C. Schuyler, Secretary of State; C. 
 A. Cutter, Auditor ; J. A. Wakefield, Treasurer ; H. Miles Moore, Attorney- 
 General ; M. F. Conway, S. N. Latta and M. Hunt, Supreme Judges. 
 
 Meanwhile, the Pro-Slavery party were far from being inactive. Wilson 
 Shannon, of Ohio, was appointed Governor to succeed Gov. Reeder, Aug. loth, 
 1855, and arrived at Kansas City, Sept. ist. He was fully in sympathy with the 
 Pro-Slavery party, and at once established the executive office at Lecompton. 
 Prior to his arrival, however, the Pro Slavery party, through Acting-Gov. Wood- 
 son, began preparations for mihtary operations, and a long line ot generals and 
 colonels were appointed. The independent attitude of the free state men, and 
 the large accessions to that class of population from the east, rendered it neces- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 427 
 
 sary, in the judgment of the Pro-Slavery party, to prepare for the use of force, to 
 hold the Territory against them. 
 
 Meanwhile, public feeling was intensely excited and feverish, and there began 
 to be personal collisions and murders. On the 2rst of November, Charles W. 
 Dow, a free-state man residing with Jacob Branson, at Hickory Point, near Law- 
 rence, was killed by Franklin N. Coleman, a pro-slavery man. The next day 
 there was a meeting of the free-state men at the scene of the murder, and that 
 nights. J. Jones, pro-slavery postmaster at Westport, Mo., who had been ap- 
 pointed sheriff of Douglas county, Kansas, arrested Branson for taking part in the 
 meeting. This was the beginning of efforts to enforce the laws against free-state 
 men. On his way to Lecompton, Jones was overhauled by a party of free-state 
 men, and Branson was liberated. Jones sent to Shawnee Mission, where Gov. 
 Shannon was at the time, for aid, and the people of Lawrence, fearing a raid from 
 Missouri, began to gather their forces for the impending struggle. A pubhc meet- 
 ing was held and the citizens were placed underarms, and neighboring settlements 
 of free-state people were notified and began to arm. On the 27th, Sheriff Jones 
 informed Gov. Shannon that open rebellion existed at Lawrence, and Gov. Shan- 
 non directed Maj.-Gen. W. P. Richardson, of the miUtia, to collect as large a 
 force as he could, and proceed to the assistance of Jones. The next day he 
 notified the President of a fearful state of affairs, saying, "It is vain to conceal 
 the fact; we are standing on a volcano." The same day Lucian J. Easton, 
 Brigadier General, ordered his brigade under arms, affirming that a state of open 
 rebellion existed in Douglas county. 
 
 Early in December indictments were found against the leading free-state 
 men by the courts setting at Lecompton. Companies of free-state men gathered 
 at Lawrence from Bloomington, Wakarusa, Palmyra and Topeka, and the pro- 
 slavery militia began to collect at Franklin, a few miles below, and at Lecompton, 
 a few miles above, while a party of Platte county. Mo., Riflemen appeared on the 
 opposite side of the Kaw River. Gov. Shannon applied to Col. Sumner, com- 
 manding at Fort Leavenworth, for United States troops to suppress the Lawrence 
 rebellion, but Col. Sumner would not act without orders from Washington. By 
 the 6th of December, one thousand five hundred Missourians had collected at 
 Frankhn, and that day Thos. W. Barber was shot and killed by pro-slavery men 
 while returning to Bloomington from Lawrence. On the 7th, Gov. Shannon vis- 
 ited Lawrence, and on the 8th concluded a treaty of peace with Gov. Robinson, 
 Gen. J. H. Lane and other leaders, and on the 9th ordered the militia disbanded. 
 
 Thus ended the first struggle, but it seemed only to intensify the bitterness of 
 the antagonism already existing. Besides the killing of Barber, trains of provis- 
 ions from Kansas City to Lawrence had been stopped and robbed by the Pro- 
 Slavery party, and when peace was concluded, it was no peace, but the turmoil 
 continued, and the country became infested with lawless bands and individuals, 
 and life and property became unsafe. It was soon apparent to both sides that the 
 planting of freedom or slavery in Kansas was to be attended with bloodshed, and 
 both parties began to prepare for that result. 
 
 During the winter some of the Southern States appropriated money to send 
 men to Kansas, and parties began to be made up, all of which were armed for 
 the fray and organized into military companies. At the same time the Free-State 
 party sent men to plead their cause in the Northern States, and to ask for aid in 
 men and money, both of which were freely given in various ways. The prospect 
 for the coming spring was anything but peaceful. 
 
 THE EFFECT ON KANSAS CITY. 
 
 As already stated, Kansas City became the gateway to Kansas with the be- 
 ginning of the settlement of that Territory. Its relations to the new population 
 were, therefore, so intimate that such a state of affairs as is briefly sketched above 
 
428 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 could not exist in the new Territory without being reflected in the affairs of Kan- 
 sas City. The hopes of trade from the new population were delayed in their 
 realization by the troubled state of affairs ; and as it was the place of debarkation 
 for both pro-slavery and anti-slavery immigrants, it became disturbed by the dis- 
 turbance across the border. Besides this, the Kansas struggle was otherwise ex- 
 ceedingly depressing to Kansas City, though she still prospered and continued to 
 grow. It retarded the Santa Fe trade and nearly cut off the plains trade. It 
 was previously the custom of Indian agents to bring the annuity money due the 
 Indians to Kansas City, and take it thence to the agencies without a guard; but 
 during this trouble a strong guard had to be sent out with it. The local trade 
 with Kansas towns suffered equally, and from the same causes. It was unsafe to 
 ship goods through the Territory because of roving bands, who, upon political 
 pretexts, managed to do so large an amount of robbing that they assumed more 
 the character of banditti. 
 
 The towns of Leavenworth, Lawrence and Atchison were rapidly settled, 
 and soon overtook Kansas City in population. Then Leavenworth became a 
 strong competitor for the western trade. And in this contest, with about equal 
 population, she was strengthened materially by the fact that government roads 
 were made from there, by a requirement on the part of the Government that its 
 own freight should be transported from that place, and by a State pride hostile to 
 building up a town in Missouri. During the memorable contest in that young 
 State in 1855 and 1856, this feeling ran so high that in the disorganized and an- 
 archical condition of affairs, trains leaving Kansas City were frequently guarded. 
 Notwithstanding all these impediments, Kansas City held the trade ; it was found 
 after awhile that it was impossible to transfer it to Leavenworth. The roads di- 
 verging from thence were rough and the streams unbridged and impassable. After 
 the new route was laid out from Leavenworth by United States authority, 
 and upon the prestige that gave her a few Santa Fe traders were induced to start 
 their trains from there, but when they reached the Kaw River they found it im- 
 passable, and had to return to the mouth of the stream and get a ferryboat from 
 Kansas City to cross them, when they took the old accustomed trail. 
 
 THE TROUBLES OF 1856. 
 
 The events of the spring of 1856 fully reaUzed the sad expectations of all 
 parties. Immigration continued to pour in from the east, and as early as March 
 nearly every boat on the Missouri River was searched for articles which the pro- 
 slavery men had pronounced contraband, and free-state emigrants were robbed 
 and sent back. In April, Maj. Buford arrived in Kansas City with a large body 
 of armed men from Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina. In May, Gov. 
 Robinson, Geo. W. Smith, Geo. W. Deitzler and other free-state men were ar- 
 rested for treason under the stringent laws of the Territory. An attempt was 
 made to arrest Ex-Gov. Reeder, who had remained in Kansas and taken an active 
 part in free-state movements, but he made his escape to Kansas City where he 
 was secreted at the American Hotel (now old GiUis House) by the Eldridges, who 
 then kept it, and from there he made his way in disguise as a laborer and on 
 the deck of a steamboat to Illinois. 
 
 The District Court sitting at Lecompton, declared the Free State Hotel, at 
 Lawrence, and the Herald of Freedom and Kansas Free State nuisances, and 
 ordered their distruction. This order was executed May 21st, by a large party of 
 pro-slavery men under direction of Sheriff Jones. These men were mostly 
 southern men, who had come to Kansas in armed companies for the purpose of 
 driving free-state men from the Territory, and were commanded by Col. H. T. 
 Titus, of Virginia. After the distruction of the hotel and newspaper offices, the 
 stores were robbed and much property ruthlessly destroyed. This led to retalia- 
 tion by the free-state men, and Kansas was soon filled with small armed parties 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 429 
 
 of all kinds, the most prominent among which was John Brown's Free-State party. 
 During all this season, parties of armed men continued to arrive from the south, 
 some of whom remained in Kansas City, but most of whom made their headquar- 
 ters at Westport and from thence projected incursions into Kansas. One of these 
 parties was led by H. Clay Pate, a citizen of Westport, who at one time captured 
 two of John Brown's sons, and who was himself captured by John Brown's party. 
 Another was led by Gen. J. W. Reid of this city, and another by Col. 
 E. M. McGee, of this city, besides those led by Buford of Georgia, Titus of Vir- 
 ginia, Whitfield, Coleman, Bell, Jenigen and others. Besides John Brown's Free- 
 State party already mentioned, there were others led by Shore, Walker, Crockhn, 
 Abbott, Cook and Hopkins. There was also an occasional infusion of United 
 States troops, under command of Col. Sumner and Maj. Sedgwick, when called 
 upon by Gov. Shannon to suppress violence and restore order ; and in August 
 Gen. J. H. Lane added materially to the free-state forces by bringing in a party 
 of emigrants through Iowa and Nebraska, all free-state immigration through Mis- 
 souri having been stopped. Fights and battles and routs between the contesting 
 parties were of frequent occurrence. Thus while Kansas was being filled with 
 people, it was being overrun with armed bands, and industry and trade were 
 depressed. To add to the horrors of the situation, the season was unfavorable 
 for farmers, and before the close of the year the people had to be aided by relief 
 sent to them from the east. In August, Gov. Shannon was removed and Gov. 
 Geary appointed in his place who continued in office until March, 1857, when 
 he was succeeded by Robert J. Walker of Mississippi. This disturbed situation 
 continued until the fall of 1857, when, at the October election. Gov. Walker 
 maintained peace sufficiently to admit of a tolerably free ballot of bona *fide votes, 
 which resulted in free-state triumph, after which the contest was abandoned by 
 the Pro-Slavery party so far. as armed effort was concerned. While these troubles 
 continued, they were exceedingly dispressing to Kansas City. The people of 
 Kansas City with few exceptions were in sympathy with the Pro-Slavery party, 
 but still had little sympathy with the methods employed by it. They wanted the 
 trade of the new population, and were averse to methods that disturbed society 
 and deprived them of it. 
 
 COL. KERSEY COATES. 
 
 At this time, Col. Kersey Coates was a very important man in Kansas City- 
 He was then, as now, a man of more than ordinary determination of character) 
 cool, courageous, and active, and the leading free-state man in Kansas City- 
 He came to Kansas in the fall of 1854 as an agent for a party of Philadelphia 
 capitalists, to buy lands and make investments where, in his judgment, it was 
 most profitable to make them. He first went to Leavenworth and then to Law- 
 rence, looking over the field for investments, and finally came to Kansas City. 
 With that far seeing judgment for which he has since become distinguished, 
 he selected this place for his investments, and in the spring of 1855 purchased 
 large amounts of land adjoining this city, and took up his residence at the 
 American hotel. At the time of which we now write, he was counsel for Gov. 
 Robinson and the prisoners confined with him at Lecompton for treason, and 
 was a bold outspoken free-state man in a community overrun with border ruffians. 
 The people of Kansas City, though perhaps little in sympathy with his political 
 ' views, regarded him as an important tie between them and the people of Kansas, 
 and looked to him largely for the efforts and measures which were to bring them 
 the trade of the new Territory. He was thus supported by them, and in a meas- 
 ure protected against the pro-slavery men from the south, who soon came to 
 regard him as a most dangerous man for their cause, and who would gladly have 
 kidnapped or killed him if they had felt it safe to do so. Afterward, when the 
 tide turned against them, several of them had to appeal to him for protection. 
 
430 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 but, it is needless to say, never got it when inconsistent with the peace and good 
 order of society. 
 
 In the fall of 1856, he visited Washington in behalf of the free-state prisoners 
 confined at Lecompton, charged with treason under the laws at that time prevail- 
 ing in Kansas. During his absence the pro-slavery men had determined upon 
 kidnapping and perhaps killing him on his return. He was met at St. Louis by 
 pro-slavery men from Kansas City and warned of his danger, which shows the 
 esteem in which he was held by men who, though opposed to him in politics, 
 admired his influence in commercial affairs. He spent the winter in Wisconsin 
 where he procured appropriations from the State Legislature for the relief of citizens 
 of Wisconsin living in Kansas, the object being understood to be the strengthen- 
 ing of the free-state forces for the portending struggle of 1857. 
 
 Another man who deserves special mention here was J. P. Howe, the city 
 marshal. He was cool and fearless, and when warrants were placed in his hands 
 diected against any of the lawless peace disturbers from the south, never flinched 
 in his duty. Many interesting incidents are told of his affairs with these men, many 
 of which were exciting at the time and are amusing now. 
 
 GRIMES BUILDING, KANSAS CITY, MO. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITV. 431 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 THE GROWTH OF KANSAS CITY PRIOR TO THE WAR. 
 
 Improvements of Streets and Roads — Trade and Steamboats — Rival Cities — Rapid Growth of Kan- 
 sas City — Stages and Mails — The Commerce of the Prairies — The First Banks, Jobbing 
 Houses and Telegraph — The First Commercial Organization — The Panic of iSjY — ^^^ ^^' 
 largement of the City. 
 
 Notwithstanding the troubles in Kansas, and the hatred thereby engendered, 
 on the part of free-state people toward all Missourians and Missouri towns, Kan- 
 sas City gained considerable advantage from the settlement of the Territory while 
 these troubles were pending, and after their close, in 1857, experienced an era of 
 remarkable development and growth. 
 
 COUNTY ROADS AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS. 
 
 A matter of profound interest to Kansas City, during these years, and until 
 1 86 1, was wagon roads to the country, and it was much discussed. This being 
 the only means of reaching the trade of the rapidly settling new territory, Leav- 
 enworth, Atchison, Lawrence, St. Joseph, Independence, Westport, and even 
 Boonville, attempted to gain a share or a monopoly of it, by improving roads. 
 Kansas City dared not be behind. But in this contest, Leavenworth and Law- 
 rence were the principal competitors, St. Joseph and Boonville being too far 
 away, while Independence and Westport were so near that her superior land- 
 ing placed them at a disadvantage. Kansas City had the advantage of a bottom 
 road up the Kaw Valley, and a divide road to southern Kansas, hence her work 
 was mostly to be done near home. The Shawnee road and bridge across Turkey 
 Creek were opened in 1858. A better road to Westport, through which all 
 freight, mails and emigrants went from Kansas City, began to be agitated in Feb- 
 ruary, 1856. The road was improved somewhat, but in July, 1857, a company 
 was formed to macadamize it. The work commenced in September, but was so 
 much delayed that it was not finally completed before the war. 
 
 The importance of street improvements began to be agitated in the winter of 
 1856-7. Colonel M. J. Payne had been elected mayor in the spring of 1855, 
 which position he held until the spring of i860. In 1855, under his administra- 
 tion, the edge of the bluff was cut away, and the levee widened and paved for 
 about a quarter of a mile, and during the two or three succeeding years, Second, 
 Third, Fourth and Fifth streets were graded, and also Broadway, Wyandotte, 
 Delaware, Main and Market streets (Grand avenue), from the river back to Fifth. 
 In the fall of 1859, an ordinance was passed for macadamizing Main street. The 
 Court House on the square was built in 1856, by J. W. Ammons, contractor, 
 the commencement being made October 30th ; but the market house, which was 
 intended to accompany it, was not built until i860. 
 
 TRADE OF 1856-7 THE STEAMBOAT BUSINESS. 
 
 The Journal of Commerce, at a later period, estimated that the trade of Kan- 
 sas City during these two years did not exceed two million of dollars, but with 
 the close of the struggle, in 1857, the country filled up speedily, the trade was en- 
 larged, and the city grew rapidly. The Santa Fe trade prospered, and the plains 
 trade resumed more than its former proportions, while the trade developed 
 by the settlement of southern Kansas all came to Kansas City, and with that and 
 the outfitting of immigrants, her business became very great, so much so that a 
 
432 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 correspondent of the St. Louis Intelligencer noticed that she had the largest trade 
 of any city of her size in the world, and was the point at which all freight and 
 immigrants for Kansas disembarked. Tht Journal of Commerce, at onetime during 
 these years, described the appearance of the levee as that of a great fair, it was 
 so piled up with all kinds of merchandise. 
 
 This was the great steamboat era on the Missouri River, and everything that 
 entered the upper country then came by boat. In the year 1857 there were a 
 hundred and twenty-five boats at the Kansas City levee, and they discharged 
 over seventy-five million pounds of merchandise. There were then a fleet of 
 sixty through boats from St. Louis, and a daily railroad packet leaving the termi- 
 nus of the Missouri Pacific at Jefferson City. Kansas City was then said by boat- 
 men to be receiving more freight than any other five points on the river. In May, 
 1857, the boats were employed to carry the mails, which they continued to do 
 until superseded by railroads. 
 
 In August, 1857, the packet company made this their terminal point, and all 
 freight for ports higher up the river was transferred here to another line of boats, 
 and tickets were sold by the stage lines through Kansas accordingly. After the 
 completion of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad to St. Joe, which occurred 
 March 1, 1859, a line of boats were put on the river between St. Joseph and 
 Kansas City, as an extension of the shipping facilities of that line to the natural 
 point of distribution. 
 
 RIVAL CITIES. 
 
 By reason of the excitement about Kansas, and the consequent large immi- 
 gration, Leavenworth, Lawrence and Atchison got about an even start with Kan- 
 sas City, so far as population was concerned, and at once entered the lists as 
 competitors for the local trade of Kansas and the trade of the plains and New 
 Mexico. The natural asperities of this rivalry were much intensified by the Kansas 
 troubles. The Missouri border having been the base of operations of the 
 border ruffians, was held in great detestation by the free-state men of Kan- 
 sas, and when that party finally triumphed in the Territory it gave great advantage 
 to Kansas towns. The feeling was very bitter toward Kansas City, for she being 
 the center of trade on the border and their only formidable rival, she was made 
 the object of all their antagonisms. Prompted by State pride, commercial jealousy, 
 and political hatred of border ruffians, every effort was made that could be to 
 divert this trade from her. Roads were laid out and made ; their own advant- 
 ages were industriously and extensively advertised throughout the north and east, 
 and attempts made to create a public impression that Kansas City was an unsafe 
 place to ship merchandise to, or for free-state people to stop at. During the 
 border troubles of 1855-6, armed bands met wagons and teams on the prairies 
 and forbade their coming to Kansas City, and agents were sent down the river to 
 represent to people coming up on the boats that Kansas City was unsafe for 
 themselves or their freight. To such an extent was this carried that at one time, 
 in 1856, a party, claimed to be these agents, broke up a piano box on our levee, 
 and the fact was widely published as an evidence that merchandise or freight con- 
 signed to Kansas City was not safe. 
 
 RAPID GROWTH AND TRADE OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Notwithstanding these facts, Kansas City grew rapidly. There was a great 
 demand for mechanics to build houses. Houses were scarce at all times, and at 
 times rented for more per annum than their original cost. Many additions were 
 added to the city, among them McGee's addition ; and Col. McGee advertised 
 it so extensively and sold lots on such favorable terms to those who would build, 
 that it improved rapidly and soon became a considerable town in itself. It then 
 got the name of "The Addition," by which that part of town was known as 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 433 
 
 separate from the city proper, and it retains that distinction yet. In 1858 (Oct. 
 20) there was a great sale of lots, the result of a combination of property owners, 
 after extensive advertising. 
 
 The details of the improvement of this period cannot be given, but it was a 
 time of great commercial excitement and prosperity. In August, 1857, The 
 Journal made the following statement of progress from May ist. It was about a 
 sample of the five years : 
 
 HOUSES BUILT. 
 
 City proper — 
 
 2, 3 and 4 story bricks 97 
 
 1, 2 and 3 story frames 184 
 
 In Addition — 
 
 2, 3 and 4 story bricks 31 
 
 I, 2 and 3 story frames 284 
 
 Total 527 
 
 VALUE OF REAL ESTATE. 
 
 • May I. Aug. 23. 
 
 Levee lots, each $250 $ 400 
 
 Other city lots 500 iioo 
 
 Addition, on the avenue 500 900 
 
 Addition, other streets 250 500 
 
 During the same time there were 13,440 wagons loaded for the plains, em- 
 ploying 20, 160 men and 36,960 animals, and carrying 40,976,000 pounds of 
 freight. There were also received from the plains 27,000 buffalo robes, 131,000 
 pounds of hides, 19,000 pounds of pelts, 40,000 pounds of wool, and furs to the 
 value of $19,000. The mercantile business of the city for that time was, city 
 proper, $1,075,000; addition, $50,00 . 
 
 Population increased equally rapid, and so, also, did taxable wealth, as 
 will be seen in the subjoined table. 
 
 1855 
 
 1857 ■ . . 
 
 1859 
 
 In the year 1859 there was expended in street improvements : Delaware 
 street, $14,000; Walnut, $3,600; Main, $300; Belvue, $900; Broadway, $600; 
 Sixth, $1,000; Third, $400, and Fourth, $1,000. Total — $28,100. 
 
 The progress of the trade during the years 1857 to i860 cannot be better 
 illustrated than in the following synopsis of the Journal's Annual Review. The 
 mercantile trade of 1856 is stated at $1,150,000, but more detailed statements 
 were made for the following years : 
 1857. 
 
 Merchandise $3,185,502 $3, 
 
 Warehousing 545,020 
 
 Live Stock 2,148,200 2, 
 
 Brick No 84,578 
 
 Exports 1,767,761 2, 
 
 Building 
 
 Manufactures \ . 
 
 *Owing to the absence of the editor no Annual Review was compiled by the Journal for 1859, but one 
 was compiled by the Metropolitan^ and published by the Journal^ with the criticism that it was erroneous in 
 many particulars. These statements, however, were but the closest approximates that could be made, and 
 though that one may not fully represent the business of the year, it seems to show that it was progressing. 
 
 Pop. 
 
 Assessm't. 
 
 478 
 
 $ 5 4, 000 
 
 3>224 
 
 1,200,000 
 
 7,180 
 
 3,3ii>73o 
 
 (858. 
 
 1859*- 
 
 i860. 
 
 232,321 
 
 $2,488,001 
 
 $4,273,835 
 
 116,983 
 
 2,675.930 
 
 164,600 
 
 241,217 
 
 110,099 
 
 455.675 
 
 96,000 
 
 6,000,000 
 
 5,000,000 
 
 018,045 
 
 
 286,801 
 
 . . * 
 
 346,770 
 
 191,896 
 
 . . . 
 
 130,000 
 
 147,140 
 
434 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 STAGES AND MAILS. 
 
 During these years, 1857-60, stage lines were established from Kansas City 
 to Fort Scott, Lawrence and Topeka, Leavenworth and Atchison, and to St. 
 Joseph, with perhaps some others. Westport was for a long time mail head- 
 quarters for all the West and South, and stages in these directions had to go by 
 way of Westport until the mail facilities at that place were extended to Kansas 
 City. A mail line already extended to Santa Fe. In the summer of 1858 Col. 
 Jacob Hall, of Jackson county, effected a contract with the Government for 
 carrying the mail, from Kansas City to Stockton, Cahfornia, and the line with 
 stages was opened October ist, by Porter, Irwin & Co. 
 
 COMMERCE OF THE PLAINS. 
 
 The trade with Mexico became much larger after the close of the Kansas 
 troubles, and in 1857 wool was added to the other articles — gold and silver, pre- 
 viously imported from there. The first considerable consignment of this article 
 was to Chas. E. Kearney, who, in 1857, had removed from Westport to Kansas City. 
 The Chicks and others soon followed, and the trade became quite an item in Kansas 
 City's commerce. There was at this time a large increase in the mountain trade, 
 and the amount of furs, peltries, etc. , brought in by the mountaineers was largely 
 augmented. Kansas City was, from 1821, the headquarters of this class of men. 
 They always came here to settle up old engagements, make new contracts, market 
 their furs, and look up old friends. In 1858 gold was discovered in Colorado, 
 and immediately there set in a large immigration to that country. It was then a 
 part of Kansas Territory. By this time it had become evident that though the 
 cities in Kansas had had about an even start with Kansas City, and some of them, 
 Leavenworth particularly, had outgrown her in population, that the Santa Fe 
 trade and the mountain trade could not be diverted from her, and that had been 
 about given up. 
 
 The contest for Kansas trade was still raging, with the balance turning more 
 and more each year in favor of Kansas City, because of her superior commercial 
 facilities at that time. But with the discovery of gold at the foot of Pike's Peak, 
 there was a new contest opened. Leavenworth, Atchison, St. Joseph, Nebraska 
 City and Omaha, all entered the list of competition, each hoping to attract it to 
 herself, and upon its stimulus gain the ascendancy. Each had its own route. 
 Those of Nebraska City and Omaha united at Fort Kearney and proceeded 
 up the Platte Valley. Atchison and St. Joseph finally adopted the same route, 
 which gave Nebraska City the advantage of all of them. Leavenworth undertook 
 to open a route by the Smoky Hill valley, but in i860 it had to be abandoned, 
 and she opened a road to the Kaw River, a few miles west of Kansas City, where 
 a bridge was built to enable her to get across to the old Santa Fe trail, via Council 
 Grove and the Valley of the Arkansas, which was Kansas City's route. The con- 
 test waged long and bitterly, but the superiority of Kansas City's river landing, 
 the boating arrangements of the Missouri, and the superiority of the Arkansas 
 Valley route, with the earlier and later season, gave Kansas City advantages that 
 secured her the larger part of the trade. In i860 the New York Herald sent a 
 correspondent to the west to write up the great plains' commerce, which was then 
 so' great an attraction to the whole country* He made a careful examination into 
 the whole subject, noted the fact that Kansas City held the lead, that-people from 
 all parts of the west — even to Central Iowa — came here to make their start upon 
 the great plains. He also collected and tabulated the trade of that year, and as 
 nothing can better exhibit the then relative standing of the Missouri Valley cities, 
 we subjoin it : 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 435 
 
 NEW YORK "herald's" STATEMENT — 1860. 
 
 CITIES 
 
 MEN. 
 
 HORSES. 
 
 MULES. 
 
 OXEN. 
 
 WAGONS. 
 
 Kansas City. . 
 Leavenworth . 
 Atchison.. . . 
 St. Joseph . . 
 Nebraska City . 
 Omaha .... 
 
 
 7,084 
 1,216 
 
 1,591 
 490 
 896 
 324 
 
 46 + 
 
 377 
 
 6,149 
 206 
 472 
 520 
 113 
 
 "4 
 
 27,920 
 
 10,952 
 13,640 
 
 3,980 
 II, I 18 
 
 340 
 
 3,°33 
 
 1,003 
 
 1,280 
 4I8 
 912 
 
 276 
 
 
 Total .... 
 
 11,603 
 
 844 
 
 7,574 
 
 67,950 
 
 6,922 
 
 freights 1860. 
 
 From — Weight. 
 
 Kansas City 16,439,134 
 
 Leavenworth , 5,656,082 
 
 Atchison 6,097,943 
 
 St. Joseph : 1,672,000 
 
 Nebraska City 5,946,000 
 
 Omaha 713,000 
 
 Total 36,074,159 
 
 BANKS, ETC. 
 
 The first banking establishment in Kansas City was established in 1856 by 
 Messrs. Coates and Hood, in connection with their real estate business. It con- 
 tinued in operation for several years. In 1857 Messrs. Northrup & Co., after- 
 ward Northrup & Chick, established a banking house which continued until 
 1864, when it was transferred to J. Q. Watkihs & Co., and Messrs. Northrup & 
 Chick went to New York. The next was a branch of the Mechanics' Bank of 
 St. Louis. It was organized May i, 1859, and opened for business in June. 
 The directors were J. P. Wheeler, Kersey Coates, Dr. J. Lykins, Jos. C. Ranson, 
 F. Conant, Wm. Gillis, J. C. McCoy, J. Riddlesbirger and W. J. Jarboe. Dr. 
 Lykins was president. Col. E. C. McCarty cashier and Lewis Ramage attorney. 
 
 The second bank was a branch of the Union bank, which was organized in 
 July, 1859, and opened for business in August. The directors were H. M. Nor- 
 thrup, C. E. Kearney, Thos. A. Smart, W. H. Chick, Thos. Johnson, N. T. 
 Wheatley, Joab Bernard, Alex. Street and Edward T. Perry. H. M. Northrup 
 was president and John S. Harris cashier. 
 
 The first jobbing dry goods house was opened by J. Wise and Co., in July, 
 1857. The first city loan for local improvements was made in 1855, and amount- 
 ed to $10,000, and was all taken at home. This money was expended by Mayor 
 Payne mostly on the levee. In 1858 another loan of $100,000 was made for 
 street improvements, but there was so much delay in placing it that little good re- 
 sulted from it until 1859. 
 
 In 1858 Charles M. Stebbins, president of the Missouri River Telegraph 
 Company, whose line was then in operation to Boonville, sent the people a prop- 
 osition to extend it to Kansas City. The aid asked was $2,500, which he proposed 
 to repay in telegraphing. The aid was promptly given, and the line extended, 
 reaching Kansas City, Dec. 20th. 
 
 In June, 1858, the Metropolitan newspaper was established by Bates & Gilson. 
 In January, 1859, the Missouri Post, the first German paper made its appearance, 
 with Mr. Pienner editor, and A. Wuerz proprietor, and in i860 the daily Enquirer 
 was established. 
 

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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 437 
 
 COMMERCIAL ORGANIZATION — THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. 
 
 The first attempt at commercial organization was in 1856, when the mer- 
 chants established what they called the Board of Trade. It was manifestly too 
 early to attempt anything like a daily exchange, so the Board of Trade took the 
 form of a voluntary association, with little, if any organization, and the only ob- 
 ject of its meetings was to exchange views about things generally, and in some 
 sense maintain uniformity of prices among merchants. 
 
 The need of a more vigorous organization of this kind — one that should ex- 
 ercise a general care over the commercial interests of the city — soon became ap- 
 parent, and hence an association was formed under the name of the Chamber of 
 Commerce, which was chartered by the Legislature Nov. 9th, 1857. Dr. Johnston 
 Lykins, W. A. Hopkins, John Johnson, M. J. Payne, Thos. H. Swope, S. W. 
 Bouton, Kersey Coates, Jos. C. Ranson, E. C. McCarty, H. M. Northrup, H. 
 H. King, J. M. Ashburn, Wm. Gillis, Dr. Benoist Troost, John Campbell and R. 
 G. Stephens were the corporators. Others afterward became connected with 
 it, among whom were R. T. Van Horn, T. S. Case, Dr. D. Y. Chalfant and Ermine 
 Case, and perhaps some others. This organization continued until the rebellion 
 broke it up, and though its records are not now available, if, in fact, they are in 
 existence, it is well remembered by many citizens of that time as one of the most 
 potent elements in the development of Kansas City. It was the center of thought 
 and opinion, and had the effect of largely uniting the people in commercial ef- 
 forts. It became the source of public enterprise and public movements in a most 
 marked degree. Under its potent influence the people all worked together for 
 common ends, and whatever public movement or enterprise it decided upon, re- 
 ceived the support of all, and the strength and energy and intelligence of all were 
 united in giving it shape and carrying it forward. It thus inaugurated a system of 
 railroads for Kansas City, and prepared a map showing the various proposed 
 lines. It organized the companies and procured the charters, and in some in- 
 stances, as in that of the Kansas City & Cameron, and the Hannibal & St. Jo- 
 seph and the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Gulf it pushed the work forward to such a 
 point that other parties took them up and completed them. It thus projected 
 nearly every line of railroad now coming to Kansas City, and proposed for them 
 substantially the routes now occupied. It gave tone and strength to a spirit of 
 public improvement which prevailed during the years intervening prior 
 to the war of the rebeUion, and thus promoted the improvement of streets, roads 
 and bridges adjacent to the city. Its revenues were contributed by its members, 
 one of the provisions of its rules being that each member should pay into the 
 treasury annually, for the purpose of public enterprise, the same amount 
 paid into the city treasury as municipal taxes. This provided it with abundant 
 moneys. 
 
 THE PANIC OF r857. 
 
 Kansas City was but little affected by the panic of 1857. She had a num- 
 ber of railroad enterprises before her then that were stopped, but her trade was 
 httle affected. The large immigration to Kansas helped her over, besides which 
 the C9mmerce of the prairies, which was her main dependence, and which had 
 always employed hard money, was not hurt. There was another favoring cir- 
 cumstance in the large amount of government money then expended on the 
 frontier, of which she eventually, through her trade, became the principal recipi- 
 ent. In November 1857, \ht Journal contained an article on the situation which 
 so admirably explains why this great panic did not hurt the city as it did all her 
 rivals, that it is copied here : 
 
 "Border Money — During the week w,e have obtained from reliable sources a 
 correct estimate of what may most appropriately be called border money— that 
 is gold and silver coin that comes directly from the mint, or from New Mexico, 
 
438 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 and is first put into circulation upon the Missouri border. This is the fund that 
 in our last issue we said constituted the major part of our commercial basis, and 
 which could not be withdrawn Irom the commercial operations of the border, no 
 matter how disastrous the panic in the east may be. It is this fund, together 
 with the general agricultural and industrial prosperiety, that is to sustain the credit 
 of the border, and save her from the general wreck and overthrow of the 
 nation's finances. The whole amount of this border money is $5,100,000. Of 
 this, about $2,800,000 comes directly from the United States Mint, and conse- 
 quently comes here annually by virtue of statue law to that effect. The balance 
 is from New Mexico and immigration. Here are the various funds : 
 
 Annuity Money $1,100,000 
 
 Army Money 2,000,000 
 
 Mail Money. . 200,000 
 
 Emigration Money 300,000 
 
 New Mexico Money 1,500,000 
 
 Total $5,100,000 
 
 " The annuity money is annually paid to the various tribes of Indians on our 
 border — and by them is forthwith expended with our border merchants — not a 
 dollar of it is hid in the earth, or stowed away iv old stockings. The money ' 
 received, the Indian is on his pony and off to trade, and when the last dollar is 
 expended he is satisfied, unless he can obtain credit (which many of them can) till 
 the next pay day. In this way, border commerce gets annuity money. 
 
 " The army money is paid out to privates, for stocks and forage, and to 
 officers. And if any of it is withheld from circulation for any length of time 
 after it passes out of the Quartermaster's Department — then there is more hus- 
 bandry in our army than it has credit for. 
 
 "The mail money is paid direcdy to the contractors, for the transportation of 
 the mail over the plains, and by contractors expended on the border for service, 
 feed and stores. 
 
 "The immigration money is brought hereby immigrants to the Territory, to 
 our own State, and to New Mexico, Utah and Cahfornia. We can find no reliable 
 data from which to estimate the amount of this money brought to our border, 
 but have made up our figures from the information of our business men. This 
 money is expended immediately on the border, and what little the emigrants 
 retain after the purchase of supplies and outfit, he keeps in his pocket — for what! 
 Why, to come down and trade again ! Thus the immigrant pocket money nour- 
 ishes our border commerce. 
 
 " The New Mexico money, amounting annually to $1,500,000 is expended 
 directly with our border merchants and producers, for stock, freight, supplies, 
 and outfits. This money is brought direct from Mexico, and is composed of 
 dubloons and Mexican dollars. On the border the boxes are opened and the 
 money meets a general circulation. Every workshop, mechanic, merchant and 
 farmers on this border, gets some of the money. Such is the intercourse exist- 
 ing between the border and the New Mexico trains, that this money obtains a 
 general circulation with great rapidity. When a train arrives, the camp formed, 
 and everything nicely " corralled," the money is in town, the employees paid off, 
 feed purchased, stock increased or renewed, paid for, and everything connected 
 with the business of the trains transacted with the greatest rapidity — and that 
 makes business — a border panic — and the only panic we ever expect to see on the 
 frontier, while its commerce is based upon border money." 
 
 LIVE-STOCK BUSINESS. 
 
 The immense freighting across the plains made Kansas City a good market 
 for mules and oxen from 1854. In 1857, about 9,000 heid of caitle and horses 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 439 
 
 were driven from Texas and sold here. The total receipts of live-stock for that 
 year were estimated at $200,000. In June, 1858, about 20,000 head of stock- 
 cattle were driven here from Texas, but Kansas City was not then a market for 
 that kind of stock, aud having no railroads could not be. Hence they were 
 driven on in the direction of Chicago, crossing the river at Randolph ferry. At 
 that time there were more coming, both from Texas and the Indian Territory, 
 and the whole number for the season was estimated, from what was deemed 
 reliable data, at 65,000. At the same time cattle were going the other way, and 
 in June 3,800 head crossed the river at Randolph from Iowa, going to California. 
 
 ENLARGEMENT OF THE CITY. 
 
 The commercial growth of the city during this period, its increased popula- 
 tion and the large number of new buildings constructed, required more ground 
 than was embraced in the original surveys, or in fact in the original charter. 
 Hence a large number of additions were platted. In this place is given the date 
 of the filing of plats of these additions and of re-surveys, including also the 
 date of filing of the plat of the old town company in 1839, and 1846 and 1847. 
 
 1839 — First plat. Town of Kansas. 
 
 April 30, 1846, second plat, Town of 
 Kansas. 
 
 1847, third plat. Town of Kansas. 
 
 November 29, 1855, Hubbard's Ad- 
 dition. 
 
 March 28, 1856, first plat, McGee's 
 Addition. 
 
 May 19, 1856, first plat, Troost's re- 
 survey, blk. 16, O. T. 
 
 July 19, 1856, Lykins'. 
 
 April 6, 1857, Lawrence's. 
 
 April 8, 1857, Belleview Place. 
 
 April 16, 1857, Swope's. 
 
 April 30, 1857, Ross & Scarritt's Ad- 
 dition. 
 
 May 26, 1857, Thomas'. 
 
 June 2, 1857, Coates'. 
 
 June 3, 1857, second plat, McGee's 
 Addition. 
 
 June 22, 1857, PuUiam's. 
 
 July 15, 1857, Peery Place. 
 
 August 15, 1857, Turner & Co.'s. 
 
 August 31, 1857, Roberts'. 
 
 September 7, 1857, Johnston's, J. 
 
 September 10, 1857, Rivard's. 
 
 September 19, 1857, Ramson & Hop- 
 kins'. 
 
 September 23, 1857, Bouton's. 
 
 December 21, 1857, Swope's, T. H., 
 
 2d. 
 
 December 23, 1857, Reid's. 
 
 January i, 1858, Guinotte's. 
 
 January 23, 1858, Roberts' Corrected 
 Plat. 
 
 March 18, 1858, Ford & Whitworth's. 
 
 March 31, 1858, McDaniels'. 
 
 July 19, 1858, Hood's. 
 
 July 29, 1858, Ramson & Talley's. 
 
 August 3, 1858, Johnson's sub. of 
 land 7, O. T. . 
 
 August 12, 1858, McGee's, J. H. 
 
 August 26, 1858, Ashburn's (East 
 Kansas). 
 
 January 7, 1859, King's Re-survey, 
 in Hubbard's Addition. 
 
 February i, 1859, Ashburn's. 
 
 February 4, 1859, King & Bouton's 
 Re-survey, W. ^ blk. 10, E. >^ 
 blk. II, O. T. 
 
 March 7, 1859, East Kansas. 
 
 April 7, 1859, Vineyard's. 
 
 June 6, 1859, Ridge's Place. 
 
 July I, 1859, Lockridge's. 
 
 August 5, 1859, Lot Coffman's Addi- 
 tion. 
 
 October 3, 1859, T. A. Smart's Ad- 
 dition. 
 
 March 2 i860, Lucas Place Addi- 
 tion. 
 
 April 13, 1 86 1, West Kansas, Addi- 
 tion No. I. 
 
 May 24, King & Bouton's Re-survey 
 of blocks in Old Town. 
 
 To extend the municipal authority and'protection over the rapidly extending 
 town, an amendment to the charter was procured, January 29, 1857, which ex- 
 tended the limits west to the State line, south to Twelfth street, and made the 
 eastern boundary the half section line which runs along the alley between McGee 
 and Oak streets. This greatly enlarged the corporate limits to the west and 
 
440 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 south, but left out the forty-acre tract on the east which had been embraced in 
 the corporate limits under the original charter. 
 
 On the 1 2th day of February, 1858, the Legislature again enlarged the cor- 
 porate Umits, extending the city southward by the State line to Twenty-second 
 street, eastward along that street to Troost avenue, northward along Troost 
 avenue to Twelfth street, eastward with Twelfth street to Lydia avenue, north- 
 ward with Lydia avenue to Independence avenue, thence to the quarter section 
 line a little west of Lydia avenue, which the corporation line followed to the river. 
 This act divided the city legislature into two branches — a board of aldermen and 
 a city council, a provision which was repealed in December following. It also 
 directed the city council to divide the city into three wards, and to this end an 
 ordinance was adopted March 5th, making all that part of the city east of Grand 
 avenue the first ward, and between Grand avenue and Delaware street, and 
 Main street south of the Junction, the second ward, and all west of Delaware, 
 and of Main street south of the Junction, the third ward. 
 
 THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. 
 
 The events thus chronicled brings this history down to the outbreak of the 
 War of the Rebellion, which was exceeding depressing to Kansas City, checking 
 her progress and causing her to retrograde as will hereafter be shown. 
 
 During the excited political contest of i860 public attention was so much 
 absorbed with politics that there appears to have been but Uttle effort to inaugu- 
 rate new enterprises. Old ones, especially railroad projects, were carried for- 
 ward, but none^. to completion, until the war cloud arose in the winter of 
 1860-1. Kansas City had then become a place of 4,000 population. She had 
 triumphed over all her competitors for the commerce of the prairies, and had ab- 
 sorbed the trade of "southern Kansas. Nearly all the railroads she has now were 
 projected, and the Missouri Pacific and the Cameron Branch of the Hannibal & 
 St. Joseph were soon to be completed. But the darkness of the cloud that cov- 
 ered her hid all her glory. All enterprises, and nearly all business as well, was 
 stopped. The J our v a of Commerce suspended, the other newspapers stopped, 
 and past triumphs, present advantages, progressing enterprises and future hopes, 
 were all forgotten in the frenzied throes of the national agony. 
 
 RETOSPECTIVE, 
 
 In May, 1859, 'in^ Journal of Commerce made this brief but comprehensive 
 retrospect of the progress since 1855 : 
 
 "In October, 1855 when we first took charge of this paper, there was a 
 population of 478, all told, within the city. The levee consisted of a "chute" 
 dug in the bank in front of the warehouses of W. H. Chick & Co. and McCarty 
 & Buckley. The Eldridge House (now old Gillis House) ground entrance was 
 in the present second story, and the only street in the "city" was a common 
 country road, which wound round the bluff into the ravine below Market street 
 (Grand avenue), and followed the windings until it struck the divide south of 
 McNees' mill. The principal products of the city were dog fennel and James- 
 town weed. 
 
 "The business consisted solely of the Santa Fe shipping trade and the like 
 business for the annual trains of the mountain men and Indian traders. The 
 local trade was carried on principally with the Wyandotte Indians, and the people 
 living in the classic shades of " Gooseneck." 
 
 " The city authorities consisted of a mayor, our present active officer, assisted 
 by a board of city fathers, who had the delectable task of disposing of the con- 
 tents of an em ty treasury at the rate of $0 00 per day. The august assemblage 
 was waited upon in the real Kentucky style of doing the dignified, by ex-Marshal 
 Howe, who carried the financial budget of the city in his hat. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 441 
 
 " It was thus we entered the campaign of 1856. At this date, Michael 
 Smith, street contractor, had straightened the river end of the road into Market 
 street, and under one of the cornfield engineers, of whom we have had such 
 bright examples, had commenced excavating at the bottom of the ravine on Main 
 street — but still there was no street. 
 
 "In 1856 a brief season of activity set in which was soon stopped by the 
 frosts of the Kansas troubles, which paralyzed all business and enterprise and 
 stagnated every branch of trade. This state of affairs continued until the close 
 of the season, and when the spring of 1857 opened, there had been but little if 
 any real advances made in the city. 
 
 "The bluffs still towered over the landing ; no streets were cut through; no 
 cross streets were contemplated.' Under all these depressing circumstances, with 
 no foreign capital to assist us, with active competition above, below and behind 
 us, with an empty exchequer and no resources from which to replenish it to any 
 extent, our citizens boldly entered upon a system of improvements of a magnitude 
 never equaled by any city built in the world. It is now twenty-four months 
 since the work begun, eight of which were closed to operations by the frosts of 
 winter and twelve of them under the financial pressure occasioned by the crisis 
 of 1857, and what is the result? 
 
 " A city of eight thousand inhabitants; a list of mercantile houses surpassiiig 
 that of any Missouri River town, with a trade larger than any city of her size in 
 the world; with four streets cut through the buffs, cross streets opened, and open- 
 ing for eight squares from the river; a whole town built up outside of her original 
 limits (McGee's addition), containing the longest continuous block of buildings 
 west of St. Louis; an entire new business locality excavated out of the bluff, and 
 built up with solid and substantial buildings in the center of the city; the crest of 
 our "seven hills" covered with private residences; roads constructed into the 
 interior, and the best levee on the Missour River. AH this has been done since 
 the first day of May 1857, without a dollar of outside capital to assist us, and 
 with the money made by the business of the city itself. 
 
 " We will have in operation in a short time a bank with a capital of $250,000, 
 and before August a second with a like capital. Insurance oflSces that do a larger 
 business than any institution of the kind in the upper country; a city treasury 
 able by the present assessment to pay every dollar held against it ; private bankers 
 that have their drafts honored in any city of the Union or Europe, and a solid 
 and substantial mercantile credit from Boston to New Orleans." 
 
 At the close of the period of which we now write, Kansas City had made 
 considerable further progress in the same general direction. The banks above 
 referred to were put into successful operation ; large numbers of people had been 
 added to the population ; many new houses had been built ; new stores and shops 
 opened, and the trade generally enlarged. The street improvements progressing 
 at the time of the Journal's article above quoted had been much advanced ; coun- 
 try roads had been further improved, and the railroad schemes, in which Kansas 
 City was then interested, had made much progress. 
 
 In other respects the city had made much advancement in social aspects, 
 which, up to this time, we have not noticed. The formation of societies, and 
 the organization of churches and lodges, are the incident of commercial develop- 
 ment, and had attended, so far, the development of Kansas City. At the close 
 of the year i860 there were in Kansas City three lodges of Masons, two of Odd 
 Fellows, one of Good Templars, a Turnverien, Shamrock Benevolent Society, 
 Orpheus Singing Society, a Chess Club and a Bible Society. There were the Kan- 
 sas City Female Seminary, a Rectory School, a young gentlemen's seminary and 
 a German school. The churches were : two Methodist, one Baptist, two Presby- 
 terian, one Episcopal, one Catholic and one Christian. 
 
 There were also the Board of Trade and Chamber of Commerce, both of 
 
442 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CIIY. 
 
 which had grown directly out of the development of trade There were three 
 banks, one Eance company, one daily and two weekly English newspapers, 
 r.np rVrman weekly and a bi-monthly medical journal. . 
 
 it thrcrnsus in i860 the population of Missouri Valley cities w^ 
 
 Independence 3 164; Kansas City 4,418; Leavenworth 7,3795 Weston 2,921; 
 
 SLpSrSve to .he development of r.ilway enterprise.. Th,s .ill be presented 
 
 in the next chapter. 
 
 HH an HJllli iiinn nn BBPliN| prnii 
 
 .Ljpiiilip 
 
 KANSAS CITY LIVE STOCK EXCHANGE. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 443 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 THE INCEPTION OF OUR RAILROADS. 
 
 Kansas City Takes the Lead in Efforts to Secure Railroad Facilities — Her Efforts Start a Fever in 
 Railroad Enterprises in Western Missouri and Kansas — The Inception of Her Own System — 
 The Hostility of Kansas — The First Efforts in Behalf of Trans- Continental Railroad — 
 Kansas City in the Struggle, -with Both the Slave and Anti-Slave Sections for the Road — The 
 Enthusiasm of the Period — Beginning of Railroad Work — The Real Founders of Kansas 
 City — Their Trials and Triumphs. 
 
 The agitation of the construction of railroads began in some parts of Mis- 
 souri in 1849, a convention of that kind having been held in St. Louis in that 
 year. Railroads then began to reach toward St. Louis, and approach the Missis- 
 sippi from the east at other points. The country had become settled and product- 
 ive to an extent that some method of transportation better thkn wagons had be- 
 come necessary ; yet this was the only means, except near the navigable rivers. 
 The Missouri River, by steamboat, was the only method of reaching the central 
 and western parts of the State. The Pacific Railroad, from St. Louis to the 
 western line of the State, was chartered in 1852, and the Hannibal & St. Joseph, 
 through the influence of R. M. Stewart, afterward Governor, some time before 
 that. 
 
 KANSAS CITY STARTS THE FEVER IN WESTERN MISSOURI. 
 
 Kansas City, by reason of being situated at the great angle of the Missouri 
 River, which made her the nearest river point for the New Mexican plain; 
 and Indian trade, was beginning to attract attention on account of her commerces 
 and her people, appreciating the advantage her situation gave her, but knowing 
 that railroads would make a great commercial center wherever they concentrated 
 on the western border, and take all the plains trade to that point, saw that their 
 future depended upon getting the railroads. One had been chartered already to 
 St. Joseph, and another from St. Louis to the western border. She feared the 
 effect of the one, and the possible location of the other. She began to make ef- 
 foris to secure the Pacific, and to tap the Hannibal & St. Joseph, so that she 
 would enjoy equal advantages with the latter named place. Thus, in 1855, there 
 arose an activity in railroad schemes rarely equaled in any community, and the 
 work done was, for a town of less than a thousand people, enormous. The agi- 
 tation of this class of enterprises at Kansas City, at this time, can be best repres- 
 ented by an account of events in the order in which they occurred. 
 
 On the first of December, 1855, news was received from Jefferson City that 
 the Legislature had- passed a bill, giving State aid to certain railroads, among 
 which was the Pacific. This gave great satisfaction here, as it was expected that 
 the road would be immediately pushed through, and Kansas City was sanguine of 
 success in securing its terminus. 
 
 In December, 1855, ^'^ 8°' ^ ^^^' passed by the Missouri Legislature, incor- 
 porating the Kansas City, Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company, the object 
 of which was to build a road to the nearest point on the Hannibal & St. Joseph. 
 The incorporators were Dr. B. Troost, W. H. Chick, M. J*. Payne, A. J. Martin, 
 Thos. Swope, Joel Walker, H. J. Richards, J. Riddlesbarger, Alex. Gilham, 
 Gainus Jenkins, W. J. Jarboe, Jos. C. Ranson, J. W. Ammons, S. W. Bouton, 
 Dr. J. Lykins, Dr. T. B. Lester, D. K. Abeel, J. W. Summers, J. A. Fenley, 
 and WilHam A. Strong. Governor Price vetoed the bill, but it was passed over 
 his veto. This was the inception of the road to Cameron. 
 
444 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 The discussion of this project started the agitation in Western Missouri, and 
 all the towns began to hold meetings, and project railroads. Among others pro- 
 jected was the Parkville & Grand River, the Canton & Western, and the St. Jo- 
 seph & Burlington. Meetings were held in almost every town in Western Mis- 
 souri, and some kind of a project originated. The fever spread to Kansas, and 
 Leavenworth, Lawrence and Atchison soon had their projects. 
 
 The first Legislature of Kansas chartered the Kansas Valley Railroad, from 
 Kansas City to Fort Riley, on the south side of the Kaw. This was the begin- 
 ning of the agitation of a road in that valley, where we now have two. 
 
 THE INCEPnON OF OTHER ROADS. 
 
 The prominence Kansas City had already attained as the headquarters of the 
 trade of the plains, led to the projection of several roads to her ; among which 
 was the Kansas City & St. Joseph Railroad, which was chartered some time prior 
 to 1855. This was the inception of our present Kansas City, St. Joseph & 
 Council Bluffs Railroad. 
 
 A Railroad to Galveston Bay began to be agitated in 1855. The road now 
 known as the Texas Central, or a road occupying substantially the same route 
 had been chartered and its construction begun. 
 
 In the latter part of 1856 a company was organized in Arkansas and started 
 a project called the Napoleon & Kansas City Railroad, which was to run from 
 Napoleon, on the Mississippi River, via Fort Smith to Kansas City. Dr. Lee 
 was president of this enterprise, and Capt. Lloyd Tighlman engineer, and part of 
 the survey was made. It was looked upon with so much favor that some of the 
 Missouri counties were urged to give it aid. Napoleon was then a place of more 
 importance than since the war. 
 
 In discussing the Galveston Railroad project it was soon discovered that the 
 country northward of Kansas City took an interest in it, and would like to have 
 it extended through their section. Hence, in February, 1857, a company was 
 organized here, taking the name of the Kansas City, Galveston & Lake Superior 
 Railroad Company, the purpose of which was to procure the building of a road 
 from Lake Superior to Galveston through Kansas City. Dr. Lykins, Jos. C. 
 Ranson, R. T. Van Horn, Robert J. Lawrence, S. W. Bouton, were the first 
 directors. Dr. Lykins was elected president, R. T. Van Horn, secretary, and 
 Kersey Coates, treasurer. 
 
 January 12, 1856, books were opened for subscriptions to the stock of the 
 Kansas City, Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad It was then expected that the 
 road could be located by March and constructed in two years, and that it would 
 prove the most important line for the city, because more practicable for immi- 
 grants to Kansas. Four days afterward a meeting of the people appointed J. Rid- 
 dlesbarger, Jos. C. Ranson and J. C. McCoy to correspond with E. M. Samuels, 
 of Clay county, relative to the survey of the road. Clay county had already 
 proposed to pay half the expense if this city would pay the other. This propo- 
 sition was promptly accepted. 
 
 January 27th the Kansas Valley Railroad Company was organized with E. 
 F. Perry, W. H. R. Lykins, J. C. Ranson, William A. Hopkins, J. M. Ashburn, 
 Kersey Coates, Dr. J. Lykins, David Hood and Thos. H. Swope as directors. 
 Dr. Lykins was elected president and Kersey Coates secretary and treasurer. 
 The purpose of the company was to build a road on the south side of Kaw River 
 to Fort Riley. Three 'hundred shares of the stock were subscribed at the meeting 
 at which the organization was effected. 
 
 On the 5th of July, 1856, the directors of the Kansas City, Hannibal & St. 
 Joseph Railroad engaged Robert J. Lawrence to survey and locate the line. The 
 work was begun the next week, and an agent accompanied Mr. Lawrence to 
 solicit subscriptions to the stock. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 445 
 
 The day previous to this appointment, July 4, Gol. E. M. Samuels, of Clay 
 county, addressed the people of Liberty in behalf of extending the line to Keokuk, 
 and on the 9th he addressed the people of Kansas City on the same subject. 
 
 On the 19th of July, 1856, was the first mention in Kansas City of the Napol- 
 eon & Kansas City Railroad, in a letter from Dr. F. A. Rice, of Keysburg, Ky. 
 
 On the 19th of July the survey of route of the Kansas City, Hannibal & 
 St. Joseph Railroad was finished by Mr. Lawrence to Fishing Creek, and on the 
 26th, Joseph C. Ranson made the first call upon subscribers to the expense of 
 the survey. 
 
 On the 4th of October, 1858, the directors of this road resolved to organize 
 under the general incorporation law of the State, as the Keokuk & Kansas City 
 Railroad, and asked the people to assemble and memorialize the city council to 
 order an election to vote $150,000 stock in it. 
 
 The election occurred on the 14th, and the proposition was carried almost 
 unanimously. At that time Keokuk had voted $45,000, and it was estimated 
 that $900,000 more could be procured along the hne, besides $50,000 of individ- 
 ual subscription in Kansas City and an equal amount in Clay county. A con- 
 vention in the interest of this road was called to meet at Linneus, November 20, 
 1856; accordingly a public meeting was held in Kansas City on the loth, and 
 the incorporators of the Kansas City, Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad were 
 requested to attend. The report of the survey, made by Robert J. Lawrence, 
 was made November 15th, and the line was regarded as exceptionally favorable. 
 This survey extended only to the line of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. 
 At the railroad convention at Linneus, November 20th, there were delegates 
 from Keokuk, Kansas City and from Scotland, Lewis, Adair, Linn, Livingston 
 and Clay counties. Dr. W. A. Hopkins, Kersey Coates, Jos. C. Ranson, T. M. 
 James, S. W. Bouton, Robt. J. Lawrence, M. B Hedges and R. T. Van Horn 
 attended from Kansas City, and Col. Van Horn was elected secretary. This 
 convention resolved that the road was necessary and must be built, and raised a 
 committee to obtain a charter from the Missouri Legislature. That committee was 
 Col. E. M. Samuels of Clay county, and Kersey Coates and R. T. Van Horn of 
 Kansas City. W. Y. Slack, of Chillicothe, was appointed agent, and an assess- 
 ment of three thousand dollars was made to pay for a preliminary survey, to he 
 made by the Kansas City, Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company. This con- 
 vention was followed with many enthusiastic meetings along the proposed line, 
 and subscriptions of stock by most of the counties. 
 
 On the 2d of January, 1857, Gen. J. W. Reid, of this city, introduced into 
 the Missouri Legislature a bill to incorporate this company, and it passed on the 
 6th, though not without some opposition, as several members were afraid that if 
 the road were built it would become a conveyance for runaway slaves, because it 
 termiuated in a free State. As soon as this charter received the signature of the 
 Governor, the company opened books in Kansas City, and two hundred and fifty 
 shares of stock were immediately subscribed by the people. 
 
 In January, 1857, the Missouri Legislature, also chartered the Kansas City & 
 Galveston road. This road was to extend northward to Lake Superior, and John 
 J. Shoemaker commenced the survey from Kansas City, north through Platte and 
 Clinton counties, and enthusiastic meetings were held at Plattsburg, Smithville 
 and Barry. 
 
 In December preceding (1856) Gen. Duff and party bought up the entire 
 stock of the Kansas City & St. Joseph Railroad, and March 3d a bill was intro- 
 duced by Gen. Reid into the Missouri Legislature which was passed and signed, 
 appropriating $75,000 for it, under the name of the Platte County Road, by 
 which it was afterward known. One-half the sum was to be expended between 
 Kansas City and St. Joseph, and the other half in extending the line to Iowa. 
 In March, 1857, the Louisiana Legislature passed the bill to incorporate the 
 
446 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 New Orleans, Shreveport & Kansas City Railroad, the line to touch the points 
 named and run along the line between Arkansas and the Indian Territory, and 
 Kansas and Missouri. Among the incorporators named in the bill were Kersey 
 Coates and Dr. Lykins, of this city, and E. M. Samuels, of Clay county. 
 
 On the second of June, 1857, Mr. McPherson, president of the Pacific Rail- 
 road, visited Jackson county, and promised to complete the road to Kansas City 
 in eighteen months, if Kansas City would give it $150,000 and Independence 
 $50,000, and it was promptly voted. 
 
 The Kansas City and Keokuk Railroad company completed its organization 
 July 6th, by electing Kersey Coates, president, Joseph C. Ranson vice-president, 
 S. W. Bouton secretary and Robert J. Lawrence engineer. 
 
 The survey of the Kansas City, Galveston and Lake Superior road was 
 completed to the line of the Hannibal and St. Joseph road by Mr. Shoemaker, 
 July ti, and the cost of construction was estimated at $22 000 per mile. 
 
 These, with a contemplated but unorganized road to the Pacific Ocean, and 
 one to Santa Fe, was, in brief, the railroad system mapped out at that early day. 
 It was grand in its conception, grand in the audacity with which it was presented 
 by a frontier town with less than a thousand population and no railroad within 
 two hundred miles of her. The struggle for its realization was a grand struggle, 
 and resulted in the grandest of all — its substantially complete fulfillment. 
 
 Before anything further could be done in way of the roads, which then 
 seemed to be progressing so finely, the financial crash of 1857 came, sweeping 
 away not only credit but the currency as well, and all enterprise, not only in 
 Kansas City, but elsewhere stopped. Kansas City did not suffer much other- 
 wise, as she maintained her fine trade on the plains and with Kansas and Kansas 
 immigrants. But there was no further efforts made in the building of railroads 
 until the following spring, though her favorite enterprises were held in warm 
 remembrance, and much discussed by the people. 
 
 THE SPIRIT OF THE TIMES. 
 
 The spirit and enthusiasm and hopes of that period cannot be better shown 
 than in the following speech by Col. Van Horn at a merchants' supper, Christ- 
 mas, 1857, in response to the toast — " Railroads and the Press — Twin Brothers 
 in American Progress and Development." He said : "The meeting had 
 imposed upon him a task, a response to which might necessarily involve some- 
 what of egotism, for as regarded the press, he felt that it was speaking some- 
 what of self, when he touched upon the habit of his life ; but in regard to 
 railroads no such deUcacy existed. 
 
 " It might seem strange to some gentlemen who had not yet waked up from 
 the effects of the sedatives their mothers administered to their infant necessities, 
 that any one should attempt to speak of Kansas City railroads, when not a mile 
 has yet been built leading from its boundaries. It is true as yet we have only 
 charters, but there never was a railroad built without a charter — so we have at 
 least taken the first step. But we have taken a second step. We have made 
 very thorough surveys of two routes, and have made large subscriptions of stock. 
 The intellect of the city has mapped out a railroad chart for Kansas, covered it 
 with charters, and secured them advantages beyond the power of any interest to 
 cut off. We have not a charter of the seven roads entering here that is not 
 secured forever by the vested rights of their stockholders —there is no city or 
 town in American history that has done so much within the short space of two 
 years. 
 
 ' ' Railroads involve a philosophy in the progress of the world that is fruitful 
 in study. We, living in this rushing age, lashed to the car of progress and borne 
 ahead by the whirl of events, are too apt to forget what the world once was, in 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 447 
 
 the days of pack horses, Connestoga wagons, broad horn river craft — and what 
 it now is in those countries where primitive modes of transport still exist, and 
 where the camel and the ass are the "ships of the desert," and the broad horns 
 of the valleys of the old world — and where even men are bred and trained for 
 the transport of merchandise between distant cities. In those old countries courts 
 built cities, and the decrease of despotic rulers oblige whole empires to pay 
 tribute to their licentious capitals. There it was that Nineveh, Bagdad, Con- 
 stantinople and the ancient seats of commerce and wealth rose to eminence. 
 Th.t people establish their own commercial capitals, and the seats of our Republi- 
 can courts are enlivened only at intervals by the representatives of her commer- 
 cial marts and rural plains, who seek the quiet and seclusion of her civil halls for 
 consultation upon common interest. Washington, Columbus, Springfield, 
 Jefferson City, and Baton Rouge are the ' capitals of our rulers — New York, Cin- 
 cinnati, Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans are the metropolitan cities of our 
 people. God has marked out by topography the lines of commerce, and by the 
 ranges of mountains and courses of rivers has fixed its centers and marts — and 
 it is by studying these great tracings of the Almighty's finger that the pioneer of 
 trade and the herald of civilization has selected the site of these gigantic cities of 
 the Republic, and which has fixed upon the rock-bound bay of the Missouri and 
 Kansas as the last great seat of wealth, trade, and population in the westward 
 march of commerce toward the mountain basins of the Mississippi and Pacific. 
 If men will only study topography the problem is solved. 
 
 " Since the days of Columbus commerce and enterprise have been seeking 
 the west — west, west, has ever been the watchword — over the Atlantic, up the 
 Potomac, across the Alleghanies, down the Ohio, over the Missisippi, up the 
 Missouri. It is found at last. Kansas City stands on the extreme point of west- 
 ern navigation — it is the west of commerce ; beyond ws the west must come to us 
 overland. I say again — the west af last is found. (Enthusiastic and prolonged 
 applause.) 
 
 " We are now passing through the ordeal of early St. Louis. Surrounded 
 by rivajs that control public sentiment to a great degree, and with the legislation 
 of the country against us, we are still outstripping all precedents, and surely and 
 swiftly rising to metropolitan proportions and power. We are in the central paral- 
 lel of population and production, and as sure as the sun in his course imparts to 
 our valleys and plains the richest of his fructifying rays, just so sure will our 
 fortune be great and certain. Without intending to touch upon political topics, 
 I must be permitted to say that Robert J- Walker, in what he said of the isother- 
 mal line, uttered a greater truth and exhibited greater wisdom than in anything 
 else he said in Kansas. It is upon that line that population must center. It now 
 contains two-thirds of the population and four-fifths of the cereals of the world. 
 Thus the law of population itself will bring the great Pacific Railroad up the Kan- 
 sas valley, for through that valley will flow three-fourths of the emigration west- 
 ward — and this is one of our chartered roads ; another leading to Galveston on 
 the south, bringing us nearer to tide-water than are St. Louis, Chicago and 
 Cincinnati, and shortening our present distance fifteen hundred miles ; the Platte 
 country road and the Keokuk road, reaching the northwest and northeast ; the 
 Pacific road east, now half completed to the valleys of the Ohio and the basin of 
 the great lakes ; and the Memphis road penetrating the cotton regions of the 
 sunny South — these roads will, when all opened — as they will be — open up to 
 Kansas City a mine of wealth unsurpassed by any city in the world — bringing 
 within seventy hours of each other the cotton, sugar and stock of Texas, the , 
 robes and furs of the plains and mountains, the manufactures of the east, and the 
 lumber and copper of the Mississippi and Lake Superior. 
 
 " But I am asked by a certain class where is the money to come from ? I 
 will answer that twelve years ago Chicago had a population less than our's now 
 
448 > HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 is, and was without a mile of railroad. Now she has a population of one hundred 
 and thirty thousand, and over ten thousand miles of railroad radiating from her 
 wharves in every direction — and all this has been accomplished without the ex- 
 penditure of a single dollar of her business capital. Let the world know of us as 
 it did of Chicago, that here is the commercial center, fixed by the laws of nature 
 herself, and the capital of the world will stretch out its iron arms for our commerce 
 — the. roads will be built. Let us work westward — that is the word for Kansas 
 City — and the first snort of the iron horse as he bounds away for the headwaters 
 of the Kansas will be the herald of the swift completion of the iron highways of 
 commerce with the East." (Enthusiastic cheering.) 
 
 THE UNITY AND MOVEMENTS OF THE PEOPLE. 
 
 Owing to the severe struggle of border and Kansas towns for commercial 
 supremacy, the people of Kansas City .became closely united as early as 1855, 
 and continued so until the unity was broken by political animosity at the begm- 
 ning of the war. During that period the whole city moved as one man, or as a 
 corporation in which there was no faction. The summer was the business sea- 
 son, and the winter, when there was little trade, enterprises were discussed, or- 
 ganized and set in motion. There was great activity in all directions, but in none 
 more than in railroad projects. , A brief statement of events and movements in 
 their chronological order will best illustrate the activity, earnestness and devotion 
 of those times. 
 
 In May, 1858, there was a revival of interest in the Platte county enterprise, 
 and meetings were held at Kansas City and along the line of the road. An en- 
 gineer was put on and the survey completed between St. Joseph and Kansas City, 
 by way of Platte City, that summer. 
 
 The same month the new directory of the Pacific caused it to be located be- 
 tween Pleasant Hill and Kansas City. This road, from the time its line reached 
 Jefferson City, coquetted with the people along the proposed line for aid and 
 made no location until it had made the counties bid up on each other until the 
 last dollar had been secured. Then it gave the road to the highest bidder. As 
 its terminus on the western State line was not fixed, Cass and Jackson counties 
 became contestants for it. After getting them to put. up their last dollar it ac- 
 cepted the aid of both, located the hne to Kansas City via Pleasant Hill, in Cass 
 county, and thus filled the contract with both. It has since been extended be- 
 yond Kansas City and a line has been built westward from Pleasant Hill, and 
 thus Cass and Jackson have been deprived of what they thought they were to 
 get^-the western terminus of the road. 
 
 A ROAD TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
 
 The idea of a railroad to the Pacific Ocean, which seems to have been first 
 suggested by Fremont, and gained formal and popular shape by the great rail- 
 road convention at St. Louis in 1849, was much discussed in Kansas City up to 
 this time. It was held that justice to the trade of the country and the treasury 
 dictated the Kaw Valley route. It was held that by this route half the trans con- 
 tinental line was already completed — from the Atlantic seaboard to St. Louis — 
 and that thence westward there was available a succession of rich valleys like 
 those through which passed the Baltimore & Ohio and Ohio & Mississippi Rail- 
 roads ; that the route was the most central, the easiest of construction, and em- 
 braced the lowest and most available passes through the mountains. Kansas City 
 made a strong effort to get this route recognized by the estabhshment of an over- 
 land mail, which was being discussed in Congress in 1856 7-8. 
 
 Her sectional [position, however, was not favorable, for Congress was then 
 under the dominance of the South, which could not comprehend that there was 
 anything north of the slave States worth considering, and held a route to be cen- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 449 
 
 tral must be central to the country south of Mason & Dixon's line. St. Louis 
 even favored this view, and lent her influence to a route by the way of Memphis 
 and Little Rock, and thence across the arid Llano Estacado. At the same time 
 the northern members of Congress, equally sectional as the southern, wanted 
 the Pacific Railroad to start from a point on the frontier, west of Chicago. 
 
 Kansas City, undaunted, undertook the task alone, and in July, 1858, her 
 Chamber of Commerce sent Col. Van Horn to Washington with a memorial to 
 Congress on the central route, which was a most thorough, exhaustive and unan- 
 swerable presentation of its advantages, which, on account of its historical value, 
 is here presented. 
 
 MEMORIAL. 
 
 ' ' To the Senate and House of Represeniaiives of the United States, in Congress 
 Assembled : 
 
 "Your Memorialists, the Chamber of Commerce of the City of Kansas, 
 State of Missouri, would most respectfully represelit that we are deeply interested 
 in the question of the construction of a railway to the Pacific Ocean. We are 
 situated upon the central geographical line of the continent, as well as of the 
 Union, and believe that such line is best adapted for the construction of a rail- 
 way. We adopt the premises, that facilities for construction being equal, it is the 
 duty of the Government to construct said road on the most central route, as by 
 so doing all parts of the Union would receive more equal benefits. Believing 
 this to be not only the duty, but the inclination of the Government, it will be 
 our purpose to show that the central route, or, more definitely, the route by the 
 valley of the Kansas River, is not only as practical as any other projected route, 
 but that it is the only route that possesses all the requisites for constructing, main- 
 taining and operating a railway across the continent of North America. In order 
 to present this subject iil all its elements, it will be proper to consider it in the 
 order of its geographical position, climate, capacity to support a population and 
 its topographical adaptation for railway construction. We shall then consider, 
 first, 
 
 ITS GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION. 
 
 " The Lake of the Woods, on the 49th parallel, and Galveston, near the 
 29th parallel, may be taken as the extreme northern and southern boundaries of 
 tlie central portion of the Republic. This would make the 39th parallel the cen- 
 tral line, upon which parallel is the valley of the Kansas River, and an air line 
 drawn from Galveston to the Lake of the Woods cuts the delta of the river. 
 From New York to the mouth of the Kansas River is 1,316 miles ; from Phila- 
 delphia, 1,285 miles; from Baltimore, 1,198 miles; from Charleston, i,oio miles; 
 from New Orleans, 980 miles. These distances are calculated by the most direct 
 railway connections, completed and in progress.- By air lines the distances from 
 the mouth of the Kansas River are, to New Orleans 654 miles, to Charleston 900 
 miles, to Baltimore 936 miles, to Philadelphia 1,012 miles, and to New York 1,012 
 miles. It will be thus seen that most of our principal seaboard cities on the Atlan- 
 tic coast can reach the mouth of the Kansas River by routes nearly equal in 
 length; thus maintaining, in regard to the trade of the Pacific, the same relative 
 positions, advantages and disadvantages now possessed or afforded them by natural 
 position, climate and facilities for ocean and interior commerce. It would place 
 the Government in no position obnoxious to the charge of favoritism, but like the 
 favors of Providence, its work would fall alike upon all, leaving to individual en- 
 terprise and the laws of trade to determine, if any, the points of commercial 
 supremacy. Indeed, if within the province of a memorial, we would suggest 
 that political considerations alone ought to deter Congress from giving to any one 
 section of country undue facilities for controlling the trade and moneyed interests of 
 
 29 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 451 
 
 this great Republic, as all such concentrations and monopolies are destructive of 
 public morality, and that equitable adjustment of interest so essential to the har- 
 mony, protection and development of the whole. 
 
 " In considering this question, it is proper that we should keep before us one 
 great object in the construction of such railway — that is, to. connect the two 
 oceans, aiid afford a military road, accessible from all portions of the Union, for 
 the protection of all its posts. In a strategetical view, your memorialists cannot 
 perceive how the country is to be advantaged by the construction of such a road 
 upon the 48th parallel, its whole length skirted by the possessions of a foreign 
 power; or by taking the 3 2d parallel, on the borders of a State with which we 
 have been at war, and with which only a quasi peace is now, or has been main- 
 tained, for the past twenty years, thus subjecting it to inroads of hostile forces, 
 for half its length, on either route. Again, on either of the above routes it would 
 run entirely outside the forts of the Government, away from the Indian tribes, 
 away from theroutes of travel, and away from all the interests of the country 
 needing protection. 
 
 "The central route between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans seems to be 
 marked out by the topography of the country; and should at least be considered 
 before the question of routes is determined. By reference to maps it will be seen 
 that we have three systems of mountains running north and south ; this gives us 
 six systems of rivers running east and west, which rivers occupy the series of 
 central valleys dividing the continent from east to west. These are : the valleys 
 of the Potomac, the Ohio, the Missouri, the Kansas and the Rio Colorado. 
 
 "This latter valley is turned from its course by the chain of Wahsatch moun- 
 tains, where it deflects to the southwest, entering the Gulf of California in latitude 
 32°. But nature seems to have provided for the result by the valley of the Nicolet 
 whose waters run east of the Wasatch range and divide it by a natural channel 
 precisely on the 39th parallel, by which we have an easy route to the spurs of 
 the Sierra Nevada, near the 119th meridian of longitude, where the route strikes 
 the western stream of the Great Basin, and following which by either of the val- 
 leys of the Carson or Walker River to the valley of the Sacramento, or bearing 
 south by Owen's River to the valley of the San Joaquin, via Stockton, to San 
 Francisco. 
 
 "These maybe denominated the central valleys of the continent, upon which 
 the locomotive is now running for a distance of about 1,223, niiles, 150" of which 
 are west of the Mississippi, and is being prosecuted by the State of Missouri, 
 as rapidly as the work will admit, to the mouth of the Kansas. Within two years 
 there will be a continuous line of railway from tide water, by these central val- 
 leys, to the mouth of the Kansas River. Already has a company been chartered 
 to continue this road up the valley of the Kansas to Fort Riley, which, when 
 completed, will make near 1,400 miles of this route already constructed by the 
 unaided energies of the people inhabiting these central valleys — or one-half of 
 the railroad. 
 
 "By the routes named, or by any other route wherever started, the people 
 would have to go back over a country where population has neither demanded or 
 constructed railways, and rebuild nearly five hundred miles of road already con- 
 structed or in progress, before the locomotive could reach its present western 
 station in the wake of population and trade. 
 
 '.' Is it just- thus to re-tax the energies of the people to the extent of $20, 000,- 
 000 or $30,000,000 to secure commercial facilities that they have already provid- 
 ed? By the selection of either of these routes, it would force upon the country 
 the task of reconstructing their whole system of roads, or of doubling their 
 extent in order to reach the great channel of continental commerce and trans- 
 portation. 
 
452 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 CLIMATE AND POPULATION. 
 
 " In considering this part of the subject, we do not conceive it necessary to 
 lose sight of the object under consideration by a multiphcity of details or baro- 
 metrical observations. It will sufifice to state that within the 32d and 44th paral- 
 lels is embraced California, one-half of Oregan, Utah, New Mexico, Kansas, one- 
 half of Nebraska, Arkansas, Missouri, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, 
 Tennessee, North Carolina, South CaroHna, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 
 Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, 
 and the larger portions of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, 
 Michigan, Wisconsin, New Hampshire and Vermont, and from within these par- 
 allels comes nine-tenths of the representatives on the floor of Congress. These 
 facts abundantly prove its adaptability to support a dense population, so far as 
 tested, from the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. The settlement of Kansas Territory 
 within the past three years, is suiificient evidence of the capacity of the eastern 
 slope of the mountains, when we state the fact that the act erecting Minnesota 
 into a Territory bears date in the year 1849, and the act creating a territorial gov 
 ernment in Kansas bears date 1854, and she is now applying for admission, side 
 by side with Minnesota, as one of the sovereign States of the Confederacy, while 
 Nebraska on the north, with three times her territory, and New Mexico on the 
 south, twice her size and with a settlement that dates back to the time of the 
 Spanish Conquest, are yet dependencies upon the bounty of the Federal treasury. 
 
 ' 'You have also before you the petition of the people of Carson Valley for a 
 territorial government, and the statistics of its population, which discloses the 
 fact that a powerful nucleus for a State is already in existence, in a locality where 
 previous to their petition, such facts were unknown to a greater portion of the 
 people of the United States, so rapid has been the tide of settlement. Already 
 have the people of California begun to consider the question of building a railway 
 to this valley. East of this, upon the eastern vein of the Great Basin, is the City 
 of the Great Salt Lake, which, with its tributary country, is already dense enough 
 in population for a State government. These Mormon settlements extend 
 throughout the valleys of the Great Basin, in a country unsurpassed for the mild- 
 ness and salubrity of its climate, and for the production of all the cereals necessary 
 for the support of man. We state what our annual experience and annual trade 
 demonstrates, upon our counting-house books, that there are not seventy-five 
 miles of country between the thirty-seventh and fortieth parallels that is not now 
 the habitation of the white man, and where settlement has not penetrated and 
 fixed its never-relaxing grasp upon the soil. These facts we conceive to be of 
 the first importance in a great enterprise like that of the Pacific Railway. We 
 know that through this whole extent of the country, from the waters of the Sierra 
 Nevada, are to be fuund white men living; that along it cluster the great Indian 
 tribes of the American continent ; that here is to be found the buffalo, the ante- 
 lope, the horse, and all descriptions of game and fish, upon which ' the Indian 
 subsists. 
 
 "It is on this route his permanent villages are fixed, for it is here he finds his 
 food, fuel to prepare it, water to drink, timber to shelter him from the blasts of 
 winter and from the hot suns of summer, and grass for his stock. These do not 
 exist to the south, on the burning sands and wastes of the great deserts, and 
 there the Indian is never found, except in roving bands, in search of plunder on 
 the more southern valley of Mexico. There are not twenty miles on the "whole 
 route that the iron horse cannot drink from living streams of the purest water. 
 In proof of this, we can only cite the fact, that our ox teams traverse it annually, 
 without loss, taking out our wares, and bringing back in return the robes, furs 
 and skins, obtained from the wild tribes of the Sierra Nevada and the trappers 
 and hunters of the Great Basin. Where we can employ the ox in commerce, 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 453 
 
 science and engineering can employ the iron horse ; and where the ox finds 
 water and subsistence, surely the locomtive can subsist. We wish not to decry 
 other routes, but we merely ask a comparison between this fact and that stated 
 by Lieutenant Beale, in his recent report. When speaking of the capacities of 
 the camel for endurance, he says : " They carried the water for the mules for 
 six days, without tasting a drop, and were in good condition at the end of that 
 time." Yet, the opponents of the central route point triumphantly to the last 
 exploration of Lieut. Beale, as conclusive in favor of their route. They seem to 
 forget that Beale had two objects to attain — a railway route and the success of 
 the camel experiment. But, unfortunately for them, his railway notes and his 
 camel enlogiums are based upon entirely different data. The country that suited 
 a railway did not develop the camel, and we have its topography in glowing 
 colors — but the country in which the camel exhibited his peculiar powers of ab- 
 stinence and wonderful endurance, was not the route of the iron horse ; and we 
 have, instead of curvatures, gradients, and equated distances, the field notes of 
 the dromedary, and his ability to subsist upon the hardest, bitterest, and scarcest 
 shrubs, that a torrid sun and drifting sand clouds could produce. 
 
 "Another consideration in connection with this portion of the subject, seems 
 to have been lost sight of by the advocates of the southern, or thirty-second par- 
 allel route. Their deductions are drawn from the fact that a railway may be 
 operated over this desert route, with intervals of water of seventy-five to one 
 hundred miles, by sinking wells to supply the engines. But they seem to over- 
 look the fact that a railroad must be built before it can be operated ; and how 
 thousands of laborers are to be concentrated on these desert wastes, without 
 water, or dependant upon such prospects as Lieut. Beale holds out, in his well- 
 boring experiments, is a question worthy of consideration, before the Government 
 commits itself to such a project. We assert, without hesitation, and appeal to 
 any authority, from the most scientific to that of the sub-contractor, and the labor- 
 er himself, if the idea of building i,ooo miles of railway — 500 of which are arid 
 wastes, where camels travel six days without water — by the manual labor of hu- 
 man beings, is not one of the most stupendous schemes of folly ever undertaken 
 in the history of the world. It might be done in a long series of years, and 
 after the sacrifice of thousands of lives and millions of treasure ; but is it in con- 
 sonance with the obligations to the American people to attempt such a sacrifice 
 of treasure, life and time, upon such a route, when there is a route of the same 
 character, in cUmate, soil and production, on the part to be constructed, as that 
 upon which the portion already in operation is built. Can men labor, not for an 
 hour, but for days, weeks, and months, on a naked plain, in an atmosphere so 
 hot and dry that ' the nicely seasoned and well finished cases of the English in- 
 struments of Lieutenant Whipple, made many years since, had so shrunk, from 
 the aridity of the air, as not to admit of their original contents ; and when the 
 horn, incasing the reading lens of his micrometer, snapped and flew into three 
 pieces, from the excessive dryness of the atmosphere?' How are dirt carts, 
 picks, spades, and the thousand and one articles attached to a railroad construc- 
 tion party, to be operated in a climate like this, and who are to operate them, if 
 it were possible ? 
 
 " Settlement, population and production are requisites that enter into and con- 
 trol all railway enterprises, and furnish, after they are built, the business which 
 sustains them, and keeps them in operation. We will now examine this branch 
 of our subject, before we dismiss this division, and enter upon the topographical 
 arguments of this memorial. We have shown that the population of the Union, 
 in the proportion of nine-tenths, is already crowded between the parallels 23-44, 
 and that it has extended westward almost to the base of the Rocky Mountain chain, 
 on 37-40. We have also shown that it has commenced on the Pacific Coast, and 
 followed the same parallels east, to meet the tide from this side, as far as Carson 
 
454 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Valley. We have also shown that the necessities of Mormon prosperity have al- 
 ready peopled the eastern vein of the Great Basin, leaving only a narrow strip, 
 .of what is said on the map to be "unexplored" lands, between the two veins of 
 the Basin. But, although " unexplored" by government parties, it is familiar to 
 many of our hardy and enterprising people, who have, for the last thirty years, 
 made the great interior of the continent their homes, and carried their traffic from 
 the possessions of the Hudson Bay Company to the Gulf of California; and it is 
 from these men, our neighbors, our associates in business, and from personal ob- 
 servations, that we speak; to them we fearlessly appeal for the correctness of all 
 herein stated. But to return to the subject: Lying west of Kansas, is the large 
 extent of country drained by the Grand and Green Rivers, affluents of the Rio 
 Colorado of the West, extending north and south 300 miles, by 270 east and 
 west, sufficient for a State as large as New York, of a climate and soil well adapt- 
 ed to the wants of civilization. The country lies between the Rocky Mountains 
 and the Wahsatch Range, and has, in the opinion of even government explorers, 
 uninterrupted navigation to the Gulf of Cahfornia. 
 
 "West of this, and east of the Sierra Nevada, is Carson Valley, of which it is 
 unnecessary for us to again speak in this connection. Thus we find that on the 
 south of the 39th parallel, we have a continuous line of grain producing country, 
 of temperate climate, abundant water, and timber in greater quantities than any 
 other route south, and greater than any route north, until we reach the 49th par- 
 allel, which skirts the sources of all our mighty rivers, in the cold arid inhospitable 
 pineries of the north; a region of country adapted to all the pursuits of civilized 
 life, and where population is now seeking and opening up homes for our people; 
 a route upon which can be built powerful and populous States; and which will 
 furnish protection and businef-s to the road when built. These considerations 
 alone, in the opinion of your memorialists, should decide the Government in the 
 selection of the route for the great Pacific Railway. But, knowing as we do, 
 that notwithstanding all these facts, this route is put down in the report of the 
 Secretary of VVar, for 1855, as "impracticable," from its topography, we deem 
 it proper to show that prejudice in consequence, is not only unfounded, but that 
 the reports upon which he so declared it do not warrant this sweeping and gratu- 
 itous assertion. We ask a still further hearing upon the topography of the coim- 
 try on the 39th parallel route, as well as an exposure of the fallacies of govern- 
 ment explorations as indices, for guidance, in a work of such magnitude as the 
 construction of a railway to the Pacific. We desire, in this connection, to ask 
 on other test than an engineering one, because we cannot permit the Central 
 Route to be abandoned, when we know it presents no greater engineering obsta- 
 cles than the State of Missouri has already overcome on the part of her Pacific 
 Railroad already constructed, and nothing like such engineering difficulties as the 
 Baltimore & Ohio Railroad has surmounted, in its passage of the Alleghanies. 
 
 THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE ROUTE, GOVERNMENT EXPLORATIONS, ETC., ETC. 
 
 " In considering the topography of the 39th parallel route, it is not within 
 the purpose of this memorial to enter into minute details, but to present facts 
 known to exist, leaving to demonstrated experience the question of practicability. 
 From the mouth of the Kansas to the Rocky Mountains, it is everywhere ad- 
 mitted, and by every test demonstrated, that for seven hundred miles there is not 
 an equal line of eligible railway track on the globe — without a hill, without a 
 marsh or swamp, without a large stream to cross, without an obstacle of any 
 description that an ordinary wagon cannot surmount — with wood, water, grass, 
 coal, iron, lead, gypsum, salt and stone all along its course ; covered with buffalo, 
 elk, antelope, grouse and horses; inhabited by Indians, traders, white men and 
 mixed races engaged in cultivation, grazing, hunting, trapping, war and traffic — 
 a country over which from our own city annually go trains of wagons, carrying 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 455 
 
 three tons each, and where no road making party have ever struck an axe or pick. 
 
 "Where can such an argument — such a demonstration — be urged in favor of 
 any other seven hundred mile line on the surface of. the earth ? From this city 
 alone, along this line, covering, as it does, almost two degrees of latitude, is 
 transported a commerce of $7,000,000 annually. This constitutes the first division 
 of the road. 
 
 " The second division lies within the mountain ranges and spurs, and is known 
 as " The Parks," and the valleys of every size that intersect this portion of the 
 country in all directions. It is this region which is held up by the opponents of 
 the true central route, and by the Secretary of War in his report of 1855, as " im- 
 practicable." But instead of being this formidable obstruction, it is, in reality, 
 the finest portion of the whole route in all the elements necessary to population, 
 climate, soilj wood, water and vegetation, and contains in greater profusion the 
 elements necessary for the sustenance of animal life and civiHzed habitation than 
 any other division between the Mississippi and the Pacific. There is no moun- 
 tain region yet known that can equal, or that can bear any comparison with it for 
 salubrity and fruitfulness. Instead of the Rocky Mountains, on this parallel, 
 being a barrier to be dreaded, or an obstacle to be surmounted in the shortest 
 possible time, they are hailed by our trains, droves of stock and emigrants as a 
 resting place for man and a recruiting ground for animals ; for here is found corn 
 and food for man, and the rich, luxuriant and nutritious grass of these natural 
 meadows, upon which stock will travel and fatten. This region extends north 
 and south from the 37th to the 41st degrees of latitude, and embraces from east 
 to west the whole mountain range. We have the testimony of Beale, Fremont 
 and Gunnison of the entire practicability of this region for railroad construction, 
 and find it more abundant in timber, water and stone than any other portion of 
 the range. We refer to these authorities simply to show that other evidence 
 besides our own knowledge of the country exists, as corroborative of what our 
 commercial intercourse with this region proves to us. 
 
 "The third division embraces the valley of the Upper Colorado, between 
 the base of the Rocky Mountains and the Wahsatch range, 150 miles east and 
 west, by 300 or 400 north and south. This valley is open to the construction of 
 any description of road, and bears the usual features of the country, alternated 
 with timber and prairie ; and the simple fact of its being surrounded on three 
 sides with ranges of mountains, covered with perpetual snow, is sufficient to 
 demonstrate its ample supply of water. 
 
 " Those who have wintered in this valley speak of it as almost destitute of 
 snow. Coal abounds in this valley in all directions, and can almost be quarried 
 from the banks of the streams. As to soil, this division is inferior to the first 
 two, but it is equal to the second in wood and water, and superior to both. 
 It is annually traversed by droves of stock, mules, cattle and sheep, and from 
 the accounts of drovers, whom we know personally, who traverse it every year, 
 and from citizens living among us, affords wood, water and grass in abundance 
 for the daily wants of the largest herds driving ten, fifteen and twenty miles per 
 day. 
 
 " The fourth division, through which the great and true central route will 
 pass, extends from the Wahsatch range to the Sierra Navada, and embraces a 
 country less known to the Government by explorations than almost any part of the 
 continent. 
 
 "But, strange as it may seem, it is doubtless one of the richest portions of 
 the American continent in all the elements that make up a desirable country for 
 development by civilization ; coal, iron, timber, rock-salt in almost fabulous abund- 
 ance in the mountain ranges, and soil, water, grass and wood in the valleys, and 
 already settled throughout the whole region — farms under cultivation, towns and 
 villages built, grist and saw mills in operation, smelting furnaces and ' forges 
 
456 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 erected, coal mines opened, and all the wants of the country in iron ore and 
 agricultural implements supplied by the mechanics of this region itself. Startling 
 as this information may seem, it is nevertheless true, and there now exists in this 
 " unexplored region" the nucleus of a powerful and self-sustaining State, larger 
 than many of the ruling States of Europe. Regular communication is kept up 
 through this region between Great Salt Lake and Lower California, and while 
 Congress has sent out party after party by the 48th, 41st, 35th and 32d parallel 
 routes, this great interior region has been neglected until our overland traffic 
 with the Pacific has become endangered by the fact of settlement itself; and we 
 are this season debarred from our California trade in apprehension that Mormon 
 hostility may cut off our herds and trains on this portion of the route which they 
 have so silently appropriated. 
 
 "The mountains of this region are no obstruction, being isolated spurs, with 
 no regular ranges, and traversed in all directions by valleys of luxuriant vegeta- 
 tion. The country can be traveled freely, in all directions, with the utmost 
 facihty, as far west as the eastern base of the Sierra Nevada. Of the route west 
 of this range to the Pacific, it is not our purpose to speak ; as, happily, the energy 
 of the American people in the development of California has relieved your 
 memorialists of the task of showing its practicability. 
 
 " We have thus sketched, rapidly, the features of these separate divisions of 
 the true central route, relying more upon our own knowledge of its character, 
 gained from long acquaintance with it in trade and commerce, rather than from 
 authorities which might be cited, but which would swell this memorial beyond its 
 original intent. We know the route because we use it ; and we know its eminent 
 advantages, for we have found its profit. 
 
 "We will close this memorial by considering the most important feature, prac- 
 tically, in the solution of this railway question : 
 
 THE MOUNTAIN DIVISION AND PASSES. 
 
 "The mountain ranges between Missouri and California are, in the estima- 
 tion of many, a wild, desolate, terra incognita, unexplored and incapable of ex- 
 ploration ; covered with perpetual snows, and forming midway between the 
 Mississippi and Pacific, a cordon not to be surmounted, and holdmg in their fast 
 solitudes secrets never to be revealed by science. This idea owes its existence to 
 several causes, one of which is, that all of our explorations were first made in the 
 higher northern latitudes, by Lewis and Clarke, and the American Fur Company's 
 traders and voyageurs. We had then no possessions south of Astoria, and no 
 trade with what is now our Golden State, and with the northern States of Mexico 
 to draw our citizens to th? southward. But within the past twenty years, since 
 the settlement of western Missouri, a trade has gradually grown up between 
 Missouri and the valleys of New Mexico, which trade has produced among us a 
 class of men who have been the pioneers of modern exploration and discovery. 
 Aubry, Carson and Leroux, are men educated by the trade to which we allude. 
 We use their names, because more notoriety has been attached to them than 
 others, from the fact of their being employed by the Government as guides. But 
 it must not be supposed that they constitute all of their class. We have among 
 us hundreds of men who are as intimately acquainted with the great interior of 
 our country as any named, and as regards the central portions, much better; for 
 it is with the mountaineers, as with all other men, they know the country in which 
 their lives have been passed, and no more. These men, whom the Government 
 so well know, are unacquainted with any portion of the mountains except those 
 parts and those routes over which their traffic has been carried on. 
 
 "The Mormons, when their exodus from Missouri and Illinois was made, 
 passed along the route of the Fur Company, as the only route then known, to the 
 headwaters of the Platte, and by the South Pass, to their present locality. This 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 457 
 
 route was known because it was at a latitude, and was in the country of the 
 beaver and other fur bearing animals, which are hot to be found to the south- 
 ward. It was not that the South Pass was the only pass in the mountains, but 
 because it was in the fur region, and by the pursuit of that traffic was discovered. 
 When 'California was opened up, the overland emigration took that route simply 
 because it was known, and not because it was preferable. The necessity of a 
 better, shorter and more congenial route, directed our attention further south, 
 and instead of finding the mountains the impassable barriers which had been sup- 
 posed, we find them to be, in many respects, the best and most desirable portions 
 of the route to California ; cut up in all directions with valleys, and supplied in 
 fabulous abundance with grass, water and 'timber. 
 
 "We have been thus explicit in this portion of our memorial, in order that 
 the theory of interior discovery might be properly understood. Because all the 
 discoveries of any merit that have been achieved, since the time of Lewis and 
 Clarke, have been made by and through the necessities of the commercial opera- 
 tions of the interior. It is true, government explorations have given us a more 
 technical topographic knowledge of the country shown by 'guides'; but that 
 any 'discoveries' have been made, or any new country added, to what was 
 before known, we must frankly say nothing of the kind has been done, if we ex- 
 cept Fremont and Beale, whose explorations were made, in part, as private 
 expeditions. 
 
 "It was thus that the various 'passes' were discovered and became 
 celebrated, and this brings us to the consideration of this part of the railway ques- 
 tion — one which elicited more controversy than all others connected with the 
 topographic portion of the question, and one to which, in the opinion of your 
 memorialists, an undue importance has been attached, and which promises to 
 work more prejudice to the location of a Pacific Railway than all other questions 
 combined. 
 
 " In order to present this subject properly we must be allowed to go back of 
 the term itself for its explanation, and give its fixed and technical meaning, for, 
 to western men, engaged in overland traffic, a 'pass' has a peculiar and restrict- 
 ed significance which must be understood. 
 
 " Our commerce is carried on principally by heavy wagons, carrying from 
 two and a half to three tons each, and drawn by ten or twelve mules or oxen. 
 This, too, is over a country where a road has never been constructed, a bridge 
 built, or a hillside cut down to afford a track ; and these wagons have not only to 
 traverse th€ plains thus, but they have also to cross the mountains thus. In order 
 to cross our wagons, we are not solicitous as regards the greatest depressions in 
 those mountain ranges ; what we desire is a practicable wagon way, not cut up by 
 deep ravines crossing those depressions, or interlocking in the gorges, but an un- 
 broken ascent, that carries with it over the mountain the features of the plain 
 below — and when this is found it is a 'pass.' This peculiar formation is always 
 at greater altitudes than that of the watercourses, over whose abrupt chasms our 
 oxen and wagons cannot pass, but which, in many instances, can be crossed by 
 bridges of from ten to twenty feet span. There are numberless depressions of 
 this latter character of no serious obstructions to the locomotive, much shorter 
 and lower in grade than any 'pass' known to be practicable for the passage of 
 wagons, and can be found in all parts of the Rocky Mountains, and on any 
 parallel. 
 
 " We ask a comparison of the commerce of the western with the commerce 
 of the eastern mountains, before the construction of roads. ' Where, in the Alle- 
 ghany country, was ever such a spectacle presented in its natural state, as wag- 
 ons carrying three tons, performing a journey of two thousand miles, without 
 cutting a stick or digging a road way for their passage, and crossing that range of 
 mountains on their route ? The fact that this has been done, and is now accom- 
 
458 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 plished every year in this far western region, presents a topographical argument 
 in favor of the country, of more significance and value than any theory connected 
 with barometrical readings or mountain elevations. 
 
 "The most celebrated 'Passes' are the South Pass, Coochatope, and the 
 passes lying west of Auton Chico, near the 42d, 39th and 35th parallels. The 
 South Pass and its discovery we have given. Those west of Auton Chico lie 
 contiguous to the old Spanish settlements of Northern Mexico, and have been 
 known for a longer period than the South Pass. Coochatope became celebrated 
 by the disastrous expedition of Fremont, in 1848-9. Since that time it has been 
 set down as impracticable, notwithstanding Fremont, in 1853, ^"d Gunnison, in 
 18154, have since proved that the disaster was owing to the false information of a 
 pretended guide, and that the pass is not only practicable, but eligible. But even 
 in its vicinity are several depressions much lower than the ' Pass ' itself, and 
 which Gunnison explicitly refers to in his exploration. But there are other passes 
 north of this, and far south of the South Pass, that are better than any of those 
 named, and which our traders and drovers have used for years, and through 
 which annually go and come our trains and caravans, to the Great Basin and 
 California. One, particularly, which we know as Goodale's Pass, is not a mere 
 wagon road of great elevation, or a depression in the chest of the mountain range, 
 but a wide opening in the mountain, with water courses flowing gently through 
 its rich meadows, and that is crossed without a knowledge of the fact, save from 
 observation of the direction of the streams. This is our route of traffic, and 
 which we fearlessly challenge exploration and investigation to establish. 
 
 "We conceive we have just cause of complaint that this country has not met 
 with that attention from Congress, which its great merits, as a practicable route, 
 demands, leaving out entirely its geographical superiority. There is no question 
 as to the practicability of the eastern slope, in any direction from the mouth of 
 the Kansas, either by the Laramie Plains, the South Fork of the Platte, the 
 Smoky Hill Fork of the Kansas, and the Huerfano by the way of Santa Fe. 
 
 "This latter route is the best wagon road, of equal length, in the world; from 
 the mouth of the Kansas to Santa Fe, 760 miles, over which, from this city, go 
 annually from 6,000 to 10,000 heavily laden wagons, and over which the U. 
 S. mail is carried with more regularity than between Boston and Washington, 
 having failed but twice to arrive at schedule time, winter or summer, for eight 
 years, as the records of the Postoffice Department will show. Yet the Govern- 
 ment has expended hundreds of thousands of dollars on military roads in other 
 localities, but has never expended a dollar on this great route of travel and com- 
 merce ; and its present excellence is owing to the road making power of the 
 wheels that pass over it. We have thus, in the face of government explorations 
 and the 'impracticable' verdicts of officials, worn a road superior to any yet con- 
 structed or discovered. Still we are told, by men who never saw the plains, that 
 this route, too, is ' impracticable. ' 
 
 " But there is, in the opinion of your memorialists, a reason for this that 
 Congress should understand. The system of explorations pursued by the Govern- 
 ment has been for practical results in discovery, greatly restricted by the system 
 of instructions. Thus, a company of engineers is sent out to explore, having 
 their course marked out by instructions, from which they are not at liberty to de- 
 viate. Cardinal points, in these instructions, are the ' passes ' of which we have 
 spoken. 
 
 "This, in the expedition of Capt. Gunnison, when he crossed the mountains 
 on the 38th parallel, instead of following that line west, through the country we 
 have described in this memorial, was by his instructions, carried almost directly 
 north, to the 41st parallel, which resulted in setting down the 39th as ' impracti- 
 cable,' a rocky, barren, woodless, waterless desert; when weannually drive sheep 
 and cattle over it, which we calculate on fattening on the route, and which we do 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 459 
 
 fatten, by providing them with grass and water in abundance every night ; and 
 sheep only travel ten miles per day. It is not tangent Hnes of exploration that 
 can discover the practicable crossings of the mountains, but lateral surveys along 
 either base, and following the valleys and water courses, which, on every parallel, 
 divide and break those unknown ranges; and never until this is done, in the 
 opinion of this chamber, can the question of the most eligible passage of the 
 mountains be made satisfactory to Congress. For now, that the question of con- 
 struction is seriously entertained, it is time the ' pass ' feature should be reduced 
 to its legitimate topographical importance. Instead of controlling the location of 
 so great a national work as a Pacific Railway, by diverting it from four to seven 
 degrees of latitude from its true course, the fact of their superior elevation to 
 water courses should be known ; for we confidently assert that a few short 
 bridges, even culverts, and a few cuts, that are nothing in railway engineering, 
 will pass the mountains, at several points, at a lower grade, than by any ' pass ' 
 known to public explorers. 
 
 "We assert what we know to be the truth, that in the Pacific Railroad al-. 
 ready constructed by the State of Missouri, have as formidable obstacles been 
 overcome as are to be met with on the central or 39th parallel route, from the 
 border of Missouri to California. 
 
 "We have shown that the Rocky Mountains are less an obstruction than the 
 AUeghanies, and it only remains for us to speak of the Sierra Nevada. They 
 can be crossed by the Carson Valley, or, bearing north, by the Sacramento, or 
 south by the San Joaquin, through the route passed by Fremont in 1853. 
 
 "The fact of a railway being already talked of between California and Carson 
 Valley, is sufficient to establish its practicability in the minds of the people who 
 know the route. 
 
 "Through the Sacramento valley pours annually the tide of trade and travel 
 by the south pass, and by Walker's lake and San Joaquin go, each season, our 
 herds of cattle and sheep, and which find open valley to the southward into the 
 southern portions of California. But even did not these exist, would the Govern- 
 ment of the United States be justified in locating the railroad from the Pacific 
 from 300 to 500 miles south or north of the true line to avoid an obstacle less 
 than the State of Massachusetts is now removing by her Hbosic tunnel, in order 
 to shorten her connections by a few miles. This, even on the showing of the 
 opponents of the Kansas Valley route, is all that is to be done— one tunnel and 
 its approaches, by deep cuttings, in all only two miles, will overcome the only 
 obstacle on a line of 2,000 miles of railway — and yet men are to be found who 
 talk of 'impracticability' of country of this extent, of which its bitterest enemies 
 can say nothing worse. 
 
 " We can not believe that the location of the Pacific Railroad can be con- 
 summated on either of the extreme routes in the face of these facts, especially 
 when their verification is so easily attainable. But resting upon the geographical 
 justness of the route by the Kansas Valley — its equity to the whole country — its 
 connection 500 miles farther west with railways already built and in progress— the 
 fact of its being but an extension of all the great lines of railway already con- 
 structed — in view of any other route, forcing upon the country the reconstruction 
 or doubling of their present lines, its great agricultural advantages, its woods, 
 water, coal and stone, as well as its latitude, the most favorable on the continent 
 for the working of railway machinery. We submit this memorial to the consider- 
 ation of Congress. " 
 
 Trusten Polk, senator from Missouri, and John S. Phelps, member of the 
 house, opposed this central route and sought to have it located from Memphis, 
 Tennessee, and up the valley of the Canadian River. James S. Green, the other 
 Missouri senator favored Missouri's interests. 
 
 After much discussion the south and the north found that neither was able 
 
460 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 to get its favorite route, and finally, in January, 1861, the House passed a bill 
 amended by motion of Gen. James Craig, of the St. Joseph district of Missouri, 
 creating two branches, one from Kansas City and one from St. Joseph, which 
 were to unite one hundred miles west and proceed by the most favorable route. 
 This idea was substantially followed in the bill that finally became a law in 1862. 
 
 OUR LOCAL ROADS AGAIN. 
 
 But to return to local enterprises. A delegation of the Missouri Pacific com- 
 pany came to Kansas City August nth, 1859, to ask a change in the form of the 
 subscriptions of Jackson county, and Independence and Kansas City, so as to 
 make it immediately available for the construction of the road, and promising to 
 have it finished the following spring. This promise aroused the greatest enthusi- 
 asm in Kansas City. 
 
 The Hannibal & St. Joseph road had been completed and put in operation 
 March ist, to St. Joseph, which was, therefore, that much ahead, and the effect 
 was feared. The County Court was induced to submit the proposition. There 
 was opposition to it in the county, and there ensued a lively campaign. The elec- 
 tion occurred on the 2d of September, and the night before there was a meeting 
 in Kansas City, which best expressed the feelings of the community at the time. 
 As soon as it was dark, a large portion of the buildings on Main street were illu- 
 minated, the greatest display being made in the vicinity of the place appointed for 
 the meeting. Conspicuous over all were the flags and banners of the Metropoliian 
 office, suspended over the street. In front of the building was a full railroad 
 train, of locomotive, tender and two passenger cars, which were handsomely illu- 
 minated, while the smoke from the engine stack poured forth in a. constant cloud; 
 on the "cow catcher" was a poor old fogy, who, being unable to "get out of the 
 way," had been mercilessly impaled upon the car of progress. 
 
 But the grand feature of the evening was the procession from McGee's Addi- 
 tion. That live locality never made a failure. At half past seven o'clock the 
 procession was seen turning the bend of the street at the Union Hotel, headed by 
 the consolidated bands of the city, led by Professors Banta and Jenny, torches 
 blazing and transparencies dispersed at intervals in the long line of enthusiastic 
 voters. At this point it was met by the procession from the north part of the 
 city, when the combined delegations under the direction of Capt. Boarman, 
 chief marshal, aided by Messrs. Francis Foster and S. Thompson, moved down 
 Main street to the levee. 
 
 Just as the procession had passed out of sight from the square, the music to 
 the south announced the coming of the Westport delegation, headed by the splen- 
 did band of Prof. Hunter, under the charge of Sam Justice, in the Westport. 
 'bus, followed by a procession of carriages and horsemen. As they filed into 
 the square where the meeting was to be held, they were hailed with cheer upon 
 cheer, which being caught up by the hundreds there assembled, made the welkin 
 ring. 
 
 At the election the next day the proposition was carried by a vote of 2,142 
 for, to 860 against, every precinct, except Kansas City and Westport, giving a 
 majority against it. 
 
 On the nth of September, 1858, a meeting was held in Paola, Kan., to take 
 steps to secure a railroad to Kansas City. 
 
 In October a large meeting at Des Moines, Iowa, started the project of the 
 Des Moines & Kansas City Railroad. 
 
 A GREAT RAILROAD CONVENTION. 
 
 On the 22nd and 23d of November, 1858, a great railroad convention was 
 held at Kansas City for the purpose of uniting the people of the adjacent country 
 on the lines proposed by this city, and so concentrating interest as to further their 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 461 
 
 construction. It was attended by delegates from Independence, Westport, 
 Wyandotte, Osawatomie, Paola, Shawnee, Olathe, Lawrence, Lecompton, 
 Manhattan, Kansapolis, Mandovi, St. George and Delaware crossing. 
 
 0. C. Brown, of Osawatomie, was President ; E. C. McCarty, of Kansas 
 City, J. A. J. Chapman, of St. George, W. Roy, of Shawnee, N. Scarritt, of 
 Westport, Wm. Chick, of Westport, Wm. Gilpin, of Independence, B. F. Simp- 
 son, of Paola, J. T. Barton, of Olathe, J. B. Chapman, of Maudovi ; J. P. 
 Roote, of Wyandotte, and J. H. Young, of Manhattan, were Vice-Presidents. 
 The committee on resolutions was composed of J. C. Groom, F. W. Crane, K. 
 Coates, J. P. Root, John McCarty, R. T. Van Horn, J. A. J. Chapman, Dr. 
 Johnston Lykins, W. C. Claiborne, W. Chestnut, J. B. Chapman, W. Heberton, 
 and Thos. A. Smart. 
 
 The following resolutions proposed by Col. Van Horn, were adopted : 
 Whereas, We believe the time to have arrived when measures for the im- 
 mediate construction of a great Continental Railway, uniting the Atlantic and 
 Pacific Oceans, should be inaugurated by the Congress of tl^e United States ; and 
 Whereas, The valley of the Kansas River is situated on the central geo- 
 graphical line of the continent and the Union, we are in favor of the route by 
 the valley — and in support of our position we urge the following reasons : 
 
 1. We adopt the premises that facilities for construction being equal, it is 
 the duty of the Government to construct said road upon the most central route, as 
 by so doing all parts of the Union would receive more equal benefit. 
 
 2. The Lake of the Woods, on the 49th parallel, and Galveston, on the 
 29th parallel, may, be taken as the extreme northern and southern boundaries of 
 the central portion of the Republic, thus making the 39th parallel the center, on 
 which parallel is the valley of the Kansas River. 
 
 3. The route for the Continental Railway seems to be marked out by 
 nature — and embraces a series of central valleys traversing the continent, viz : 
 the valleys of the Potomac, the Ohio, the Missouri, the Kansas, the Colorado, 
 the Nicolett and San Joaquin. 
 
 4. That on this route there are already constructed 1,238 miles of railroad, 
 upon which the locomotives are now running; 175 miles of which are west of the 
 Mississippi, and is being prosecuted as rapidly as the work will admit, by the State 
 of Missouri, to the mouth of the Kansas River, making 1,315 miles of the great 
 Continental Railway, built by the unaided energies of the people inhabiting these 
 central valleys — or one-half the road. 
 
 5. The construction of said railroad by this route would disturb none of 
 the existing centers of trade, but leave the great maritime cities of the Union in 
 the same relative positions which they now occupy, as the following will show : 
 From the mouth of the Kansas River to New York it is 1,316 miles; to Phila- 
 delphia, 1,285 miles; to Baltimore, 1,108 miles; to Charleston, 1,010 miles; to 
 New Orleans, 980. It will thus be seen that most of our principal seaboad cities 
 can reach the mouth of the Kansas River by lines nearly equal in length ; thus 
 maintaining in regard to the trade of the Pacific, the same relative positions, 
 advantages and disadvantages now possessed or afforded them by natural position, 
 climate and facilities for ocean and interior commerce. 
 
 6. That we can see no propriety in the construction of said road on the 
 48th parallel, its whole length skirted by the possessions of a foreign power; or 
 on the 32d parallel, on the borders of a State with which we have been at war, 
 and with which only a quasi peace has been maintained for the past twenty years. 
 But that the great object in the construction of such railway shoulcf be to connect 
 the two oceans, and afford a military road accessible from all portions of the 
 Union for the protection of all its parts. 
 
 7. A railway on either of the extreme routes named, would run entirely 
 outside of the government forts, away from the Indian tribes, and away from the 
 
462 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 routes of emigration, travel and commerce, and away from all interests of the 
 country needing protection. 
 
 8. By any other route the people would have to go back over a country 
 where population has neither demanded nor constructed railways, and rebuild 
 over five hundred miles of railway, already constructed, and in progress, before 
 the locomotive could reach its present western station in the wake of population 
 and trade. 
 
 9. It is unjust thus to re tax the means and energies of the people to the 
 extent of 30,000,000 to 50,000,000, to secure commercial facilities that they have 
 already provided. By the selection of another route, it would force upon the 
 country the reconstruction of their entire railway system, or of doubling its ex- 
 tent in order to reach the great channel of continental commerce and transpor- 
 tation. Therefore, 
 
 Resolved, That it is the deliberate judgment of this convention, representing 
 the interests of western Missouri and the Territory of Kansas, that justice to the 
 whole country, as well as the advantages of the General Government, requires and 
 demands the construction of the Continental Railway by the central or thirty- 
 ninth parallel route — the route of the Kansas Valley. 
 
 Resolved, That we call upon our representatives in both houses of Congress, 
 to urge the location of said railroad upon this great central route, as just to the 
 country, in unison with the demaiids of the great centers of population and com- 
 merce, and in a still farther development of the commercial facilities already 
 provided by the people themselves. And, 
 
 Whereas, We deem it a fitting period in the progress of the country, for the 
 people of the west, to take measures for the control of their own commerce, and 
 to provide : 
 
 1. For the opening up of routes to the seaboard, shorter and less exposed 
 to the obstructions of climate and distance. 
 
 2. That, as our nearest seaport by present lines of transportation is more 
 than 1,290 miles, subject to suspension, by ice, snow, and traverse of long 
 lines of rivers, lakes, and railroads, and interrupted by numerous interests con- 
 trolled by competing corporations, that, 
 
 3. We require a shorter route controlled by a community of interests, and, 
 
 4. That it being but 600 miles to the ocean at the Port of Galveston, from 
 the mouth of the Kansas River, that a railroad connecting these points would aid 
 in developing one of the richest portions of the American continent, now denied 
 an outlet to the markets of the world — therefore. 
 
 Resolved, That a railroad from the mouth of the Kansas River, running south 
 to Galveston, in the State of Texas, would add greatly to the wealth and power 
 of the Union, by opening up to the markets of the world, the rich valleys of the 
 Osage, Neosho, Arkansas and Red Rivers, and of the great State of Texas, by 
 affording an outlet to the productions of this vast region, and a direct line to 
 supply our central region with the groceries of the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 Resolved, That in. the opinion of this convention, a grant of lands should be 
 made by Congress for this purpose, which grant would be the means of opening 
 a market by short lines of transit between the productions of the northern and 
 southern portions of the interior of the Republic — nOw denied them.- 
 
 Resolved, That we call upon our representatives in Congress to ask and urge 
 upon that body a compliance with the just demands of the people in this regard — 
 by granting lajjds sufficient to secure the construction of the great line of rail- 
 road. And, 
 
 Whereas, A connection with the system of railroads centering at, and di- 
 verging from Chicago, to the east, by a shorter line than at present, requires a 
 connection north from the mouth of the Kansas River — therefore, 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 463 
 
 Resolved, That a road connection with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, 
 is of the first importance to the country represented in this convention. 
 
 Resolved, That we will aid to the extent of our means and influence, in the 
 early prosecution and construction of such connection. 
 
 Resolved, That in the attainment of objects contemplated by this convention, 
 the only guarantee of success is in combined and harmonious action ; and, there- 
 fore, it is most earnestly recommended to the citizens of the towns and districts 
 in Kansas and Missouri, having a common interest in the construction of one or 
 more of the railroads designated in the foregoing resolutions, to render active 
 and efficient co-operation and aid, with a view of obtainining from Congress a 
 grant or grants of land to aid in the building of such road or roads. 
 
 OTHER INTERESTS. 
 
 In May, 1839, a convention at Richmond, Ray county, proposed a road 
 from some point in North Missouri to Kansas City, which has since been realized 
 in what is now the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific. 
 
 July 26, 1856, at Osawatomie, a company was organized to procure the 
 construction of a road from Kansas City to Galveston, under a charter granted 
 by the State of Kansas, February, 1858. On the 9th of September, the Wyan- 
 dotte and Osawatomie Railroad Company was organized, and later in the season, 
 the Kansas City, Galveston and Lake Superior project was agitated again in a 
 series of meetings. 
 
 At the session of the Missouri Legislature in 1859-60, the Missouri Pacific, 
 Iron Mountain and North Missouri Roads were all in a condition that they could 
 not go forward without further State aid. The Legislature labored with it all the 
 session but finally adjourned without doing anything. Kansas City felt this to 
 be a most calamitous blow. Indignation meetings were held here, and Governor 
 Stewart was urged to recall the Legislature. Other sections similarly situated 
 took like action, and Governor Stewart recalled the Legislature to meet February 
 27, i860. 
 
 During the agitation pending these proceedings Kansas City organized the 
 Kansas City and Gallatin company to build a road to a connection with the 
 Hannibal & St. Joe at the latter named place, but it waited the action of the 
 Legislature in regard to the Pacific. Soon after meeting the Legislature passed a 
 bill giving the required aid. Kansas City had come so near the evils of a long 
 . delay in the building of the Pacific that this action proved most exciting to the 
 people. Meetings were held, torchlight processions had, and for a few days the 
 town was almost wild with joy. Wyandotte and Olathe caught the infection and 
 held meetings also. R. M. Stewart, the father of the Hannibal and St. Joseph 
 road, was Governor, having been elected as a railroad candidate, and by railroad 
 advocates. The bill was just about what he had asked the Legislature to pass, 
 hence the people had good reason to feel that all was secured. It was but a few 
 days, however, until outgivings from the executive office portended a veto. The 
 people were astonished, pubUc enterprise held its breath in suspense. It was not 
 long, however until the blow struck ; the veto came, based upon somfe technical- 
 ities; the Legislature immediately adjourned, and railroad prospects were again 
 plunged in gloom. " The people felt that they had been betrayed by their Gov- 
 ernor; they" had been kept so long oscillating between hope and fear — success 
 and disappointment — that they were thoroughly aroused. The flood of public 
 excitement was turned upon Gov. Stewart, and he was denounced in unmeasured 
 terms. He tried to explain his action through the public press, but to no effect. 
 That veto was his political death. 
 
 KANSAS CITY AND THE CAMERON ROAD. 
 
 At a meeting of indignation in this city, Dr. Johnson Lykins offered a reso- 
 lution, which was adopted, creating an executive committee to foster our railroad 
 
464 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 interests, and to correspond with other places to that end. It at once opened a 
 correspondence with the people of Clay county relative to this road, and to the 
 Hannibal and St. Joseph. The result was that in a few days a company was 
 organized called the Kansas City & Cameron Railroad Company. Meetings 
 were held, and thus an interest awakened along the line. On the 27th of April 
 this city voted it $200,000, and Clay county voted it $200,000, June 12th. The 
 survey was begun April 27th. In July, Mayor Maughs, of this city, E. M. 
 Samuels and Michael Andrews, of Clay county went to Boston and effected a 
 contract with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company, August 7tb, to 
 build the road. The contract for the work was let to W.J. Quealy, August i6lh, 
 and work begun October 8th. In the following January (1861) the work was 
 one-third done. There were about six hundred men employed, and it was ex- 
 pected to have two-thirds done by April and the cars running by June. The 
 virar, however, stopped the work, and the road was not finished until its close. 
 
 Meantime the Pacific Company, having failed to get State aid, effected a 
 shift by which it was able to command the necessary means, and went on with 
 its road. Ground was broken at Kansas City July 25, i860, and the work was 
 progressing rapidly, with every prospect of completion in 1861, when it, too, 
 was stopped by the war. 
 
 KANSAS HOSTILITY. 
 
 A territoral railroad convention was held at Topeka, October 17, i860, 
 which seems to have been the outgrowth of a feeling on the part of several towns in 
 Kansas, hostile to Kansas City. These places had used every effort since the 
 convention in this city in November, 1858, to prevent Kansas people from taking 
 an interest in railroads centering at Kansas City, and to concentrate the interest 
 on railroads running to other places. This spirit was shown in the resolutions 
 adopted, which were as follows : 
 
 Resolved, That a memorial be presented to Congress asking an appropriation 
 of public lands to aid in construction of the following named railroads in Kansas: 
 
 1. A railroad from the western boundary of the State of Missouri, where the 
 Osage Valley & Southern Kansas Railroad terminates, westwardly by way of 
 Emporia, Fremont and Council Grove to the Fort Riley military reservation. 
 
 2. A railroad from the city of Wyandotte (connecting with the Parkville 
 & Grand River Railroad, and the Pacific Railroad), up the Kansas Valley by 
 way of Lawrence, Lecompton, Tecumseh, Topeka, Manhattan and the Fort 
 Riley military reservation, to the western boundary of the Territory. 
 
 3. A railroad running from Lawrence to the southern boundary of Kansas, 
 in the direction of Fort Gibson and Galveston Bay. 
 
 4. A railroad from Atchison, by way of Topeka, through the Territory in 
 the direction of Santa Fe. 
 
 5. A railroad from Atchison to the western boundary of Kansas. 
 
 The Osage & Southern Kansas Railroad referred to in the first section of 
 . this resolution, was a road then chartered to start at the mouth of the Osage 
 River, in Missouri, and follow the valley of that river to the Kansas line. It 
 has never been built. 
 
 The Parkville & Grand River road, referred to in the second section, was a 
 road partly constructed between Parkville, in Platte county, Missouri, to Cam- 
 eron, on the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, and the Pacific referred to in the 
 same section, was the Missouri Pacific, which at that time had decided to make 
 its terminus on the west line of the State, opposite Wyandotte. This section 
 meant opposition to Kansas City's connection with the Hannibal & St. Joe, and to 
 remove the connecting point to Wyandotte for both that road and the Missouri 
 Pacific. There was a great effort made about this time to concentrate interest in 
 the road south from Lawrence, as opposed to the projected road south from Kan- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 465 
 
 sas City. The proposed road up the valley of the Kaw was designed as an 
 opponent to the Kansas Valley Railroad projected by Kansas City. 
 
 The idea of a railroad from Kansas City to Santa Fe was sought to be over- 
 shadowed by a request upon Congress for a grant of lands for such a road by way 
 of Topeka. Hostile to Kansas City as was this action, it was not strong enough 
 for the Leavenworth delegates, so they withdrew, taking some others with them, 
 and held a convention of their own. Two railroad projects were started at that 
 Topeka convention which have since been realized — the Atchison, Topeka & 
 Santa Fe, and the Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern — but the main lines of 
 both run to this city. 
 
 In the spring of 1861 there was a revival of the agitation of a road to the 
 southwest into Kansas. The people of Kansas, under the influence of her cities, 
 had become well imbued with a feeling of State pride in the building of towns 
 and railroads. The people of the southern part of the State understood the com- 
 manding advantages of the point at the mouth of the Kaw, but wanted to make 
 the town on the north side of that stream. Hence they got two companies char- 
 tered — the Wyandotte and Osawatomie, and the Wyandotte and Minneola. 
 These occupied the same route to Olathe, and thence deployed much as do the 
 Fort Scott and Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern roads now. In the spring of 
 1861 there was an effort made to consolidate these companies, as the existing roads 
 are now consolidated, and put them under way, and to that end Kansas City 
 voted $100,000 at the same time it voted aid to the Cameron road. But the war 
 cloud was gathering and it soon engulfed this enterprise also. 
 
 THE MEN OF THE PERIOD. 
 
 The men of this period, many of whose names appear in this chapter, were 
 the real founders of Kansas City. They laid broad and deep the foundations of 
 her present and future supremacy, and though but few of them appeared after 
 the war to build the superstructure, that few, efficiently aided by other hands, 
 have built it as they planned, and the proud city which was to them a fond dream 
 only is to us a grand reality. Whoever has succeeded or may succeed them, will 
 never exhibit more comprehensive enterprise, courageously undertake more am- 
 bitious schemes, or be called upon to be more vigilant, or undergo severer trials 
 for the attainment of grand objects. Their trials and services can never be ade- 
 quately rewarded by succeeding generations. 
 
 J at* 1=* — «" ■ 
 
 M^yi'^iJ' 
 
 30 
 
466 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 KANSAS CITY IN THE WAR. 
 
 The Excitements and Events Preceding the Great Struggle — The Marshaling of the Hosts on Both 
 Sides — Van Horn's Battalion — The First Fighting — Bush-whackers and Red Legs — The De- 
 pression of Trade and its Revival — Resumption of Railroad Building — The Great Raid of 
 1864. 
 
 The close of the year i860 saw Kansas City the most thriving and prosper- 
 ous city on the western border, with the largest local trade, a monopoly of the 
 trade to New Mexico, and much the larger part of that to Colorado. Two rail- 
 roads — the Pacific from St. Louis, and the Cameron Branch of the Hannibal & 
 St. Joseph were near completion, and both were expected to be done by the 
 middle of the summer 1861. 
 
 A FEVERISH COMMUNITY. 
 
 But public sentiment was very unsettled and feverish. The presidential 
 campaign of i860 was an unusually exciting one, and some time before its close 
 it was apparent that it would be followed with excitement and possibly revolution. 
 The division of the country on the slavery question, the division of the advocates 
 of slavery between Douglas and Breckinridge in the campaign, and the unity of 
 all anti-slavery elements upon Mr. Lincoln, early gave the issue an ominous aspect 
 for the Democratic party and the friends of slavery. There were threatenings of 
 revolt from the south before the close of the contest, and the sentiment of the 
 Democracy of Missouri, or at least the dominant element of it, was rapidly crys- 
 tallizing into the form of rebellion when the contest closed. The feeling through 
 the campaign became so bitter toward Republicans, that out of about two hun- 
 dred and fifty residing in Kansas City, but about eighty were bold enough by the 
 day of election to take the chances of voting for that ticket. Outspoken Union 
 Democrats were regarded with little less aversion. The Journal of Commerce 
 supported Douglas, and it was apparent that it and its editor could not be led 
 into any secession scheme. It was the leading paper in the city, and by reason 
 of its warm support of the public enterprises, and the earnest advocacy of the 
 interests of the city for the five years preceding had attained a very influential 
 position. Its manifest anti-secession tendencies made it an object of profound 
 concern to the rapidly forming secession element, and to control it in their interest 
 became an object of first importance. Finding that its editor was implacable, a 
 scheme to get rid of him was concocted, and as early as August ist, i860, he 
 had to dispose of his interest. His partner, D. K. Abeel, became the purchaser, 
 who retained him as editor, and soon let the embryo secessionists see that he was 
 as little to be influenced by them as the editor whom they had sought to get 
 rid of. 
 
 The winter of 1 860-1 was a season of feverish excitement and suspense. 
 Where men had before stood shoulder to shoulder, forming the schemes of future 
 commercial greatness, they now stood apart, narrowly watching each other's 
 movements, and waiting the exciting news from the Southern States. As events 
 in that quarter progressed, the secession sentiment in Kansas City and Missouri 
 crystallized, and early in the winter business began to be neglected and to go 
 down, and instead of preparing for an active spring trade, as had been the pre- 
 vious custom, people prepared themselves for the inevitable storm that threatened 
 the country. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 467 
 
 Public meetings that winter were frequent, not only in Kansas City, but in 
 all adjacent parts of Missouri, as had been the case in previous years, but the 
 resolutions adopted, unlike those of former meetings, were not declaratory of the 
 sense of the people relative to some railroad or business project, but of their sym- 
 pathy with the Union or with secession. Several of the Southern States having 
 seceeded from the Union, and the State officers of Missouri, elected in i860, being 
 all in ardent sympathy with them, a convention was called for February 28, 1861, 
 to determine whether Missouri should follow them. 
 
 The election for delegates to that convention took place February 18th, and 
 for the district composed of Jackson, Cass and Bates counties, James K. Sheeley, 
 Abram Comingo and R. A. Brown were elected delegates. The first named two 
 of these were opposed to secession and the other in favor of it. The convention 
 failed to pass the necessary ordinance of secession, but that did not stop the 
 movement; the threatening storm gathered faster and faster. The Legislature pro- 
 vided for calling out the militia, and Governor Jackson began to prepare ac- 
 tively to defend the State against invasion by the Federal Army. Under this 
 pretext, treasonable as it was, many companies were organized throughout the 
 State. Meantime the situation was constantly getting worse in this city, and by 
 the time spring opened peaceful pursuits were quite abandoned. The Journal of 
 Commerce, for the lack of support, was suspended on the 7 th of March. The 
 Free State Republican, a Republican paper estabUshed in the campaign of i860, 
 and edited principally by Dr. Theodore S. Case, was suspended March 25th, 
 partly for the lack of support and partly because it was no longer safe to attempt 
 the publication of a Republican paper in the city. The Missouri Post, German, 
 and loyal, published by Mr. A. Wuerz, now Post and Tribune, was removed to 
 Wyandotte, while another paper, under the different names at different times, of 
 Enquirer, Star and Dispatch, but always secessionist, continued for a brief time to 
 incite its partisans to overt acts of revolt against the Government. Early in the 
 spring the mihtia pillaged the United States arsenal at Liberty, in Clay county, 
 and armed themselves for the defense of the city. 
 
 RAISING THE REBEL FLAG. 
 
 Toward the latter part of April the Unionists raised an American flag on the 
 public square just east of the market house. This gave great offense to the 
 secessionists, and they proceeded at once to cut the halyards, availing themselves 
 of the cover of the darkness of night for'^hat purpose. The flag, however, caught 
 in some way at the top of the staff and did not fall as they had intended it should. 
 They then determined to offset this circumstance by raising a rebel flag, and pre- 
 pared to make the occasion one of great ceremony. Militia companies and volun- 
 teer companies were invited from the surrounding country, and responded liberally. 
 The day set for the occasion was the 30th of April, and early in the day companies of 
 mihtia and in regular companies came in from Westport, Independence, Sni-a-bar 
 township and from Clay county, and uniting with local companies and sympathizing 
 citizens and a large concourse of citizens from the country, paraded the streets, 
 flying a rebel flag, led by bands playing rebel airs. At the same time, 
 numerous rebel flags were displayed from residences and business houses in all 
 parts of the city. The procession moved to the top of the hill, east of Main and 
 north of Second street, near where the county court-house now stands, and raised 
 the flag with great eclat, attended with the beating of drums, martial music, 
 and the firing of artillery, the gun used on the occasion being one they had stolen 
 from the United States Arsenal at Liberty. Speeches of the most inflammatory 
 character were made and cheered to the echo by an excited concourse of people, 
 large for those days. Union people feeling it unsafe to remain in the city after this 
 ■demonstration, began to pack their property and fly. 
 
KANSAS Criy TIMES BUILDING. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 469 
 
 THE INCREASE OF THE EXCITEMENT. 
 
 At the spring election the question of secession or Union had come squarely 
 before the people, R. T. Van Horn being the candidate of the Union men, and 
 Dr. Maughs, the incumbent, the candidate of the secessionists, and the Unionists 
 had been victorious. But when Mayor Van Horn came into office he found 
 himself almost powerless to preserve order, for among other acts of the Legisla- 
 ture during the winter, was one creating a metropolitan police system for 
 Kansas City, granting the commissioners extraordinary powers, so that through 
 them the Governor might bind Kansas City to the cause of secession, no matter 
 how the people might vote. Hence, Mayor Van Horn found himself unable to 
 control that important part of the municipal machinery, or direct its use to the 
 preservation of public order. 
 
 All the spring was spent by the people in excitement and preparations for the 
 struggle. Gov. Jackson meantime marshaling his militia forces. The first formal 
 assemblage of these was at Camp Jackson, St. Louis, where they were dispersed 
 by Gen. Lyon, May loth. The news of this affair proved very exciting through- 
 out the State, and nowhere more so than in Kansas City. On the 15th, Mayor 
 Van Horn issued a proclamation urging the people to quietude, and forbidding 
 all unlawful and tumultuous assemblages. Excitement now ran very high, and 
 more of the Union men left the city. But Mayor Van Horn found himself pow- 
 erless to preserve order in the city, as the police had not only been taken from 
 under his control but had actually become a source of apprehension to Unionists. 
 In this situation, and with the secessionists arming all over the State and breath- 
 ing threatenings toward Union men, nothing was left them but to prepare for de- 
 fense or abandon their homes. Mayor Van Horn then went to St. Louis, by the 
 way of St. Joseph, and obtained authority from Gen. Lyon to recruit a battalion 
 of troops for the defense of Kansas City, and procured an order, also, for 
 troops to be sent here from Fort Leavenworth to protect Union men while being 
 enlisted. 
 
 MILITAY OCCUPATION. 
 
 In pursuance of this order, Captain Prince, U. S. A., with two companies 
 of infantry and three of cavalry came to Kansas City, June 12th, and took up 
 camp on the hill, near the Catholic church. This was the first military occupa- 
 tion of this city. 
 
 As soon as it became known that Federal troops were coming, the secession- 
 ists began to withdraw and collect at Independence. The next day after his ar- 
 rival. Captain Prince sent Captain Stanley (since better known as Gen. Stanley), 
 with a party of soldiers, under a flag of truce, to interview Captain Halloway, 
 who had command of the secessionists collected at Independence, to ascertain his' 
 purposes, etc. Captain Halloway was very equivocal in his replies to Captain 
 Stanley, and as the latter saw evidences of hostilities among Halloway's men, he 
 ordered his own to retire, when fire was opened upon him. A sharp fight en- 
 sued, in which the secessionists were repulsed, with a loss of three killed. Cap- 
 tain Halloway, J. B. McClanahan and a Mr. Harbaugh, while Samuel Ralson 
 and Pery Stonestreet were wounded. This was the first fight in Jackson county. 
 The rebels then retired to Blue Springs, and the next day Captain Prince went 
 with part of his command to Independence, and after marching about the town, 
 returned to camp in this city. 
 
 While these events were transpiring at Kansas City, matters were assuming 
 more definite shape throughout the State. On the 12th of June Gov. Jackson 
 issued a call for fifty thousand troops to repel the Federal forces. With what 
 forces he could collect under Gen. Sterling Price, he retired from Jefferson City 
 to Boonville, burning the railroad bridges across the Osage and Gasconade rivers, 
 
470 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 and on the 17th the battle of Boonville was fought, soon after which Price and 
 Jackson, with their forces, were driven to the southwest. 
 
 On the 19th of June the secession paper in this city suspended. On the 
 20th'news of the battle of Boonville was received, and the secessionists who 
 then had a large encampment at Blue Springs removed to Lexington. On the 
 24th Mayor Van Horn's battalion being fully recruited, was mustered in and 
 organized, with Mayor Van Horn as major. Captain Prince then withdrew, 
 leaving Major Van Horn in command of the post. One of his first acts was to 
 disband the disloyal metropolitan police force. 
 
 Van Horn's battalion was organized as follows : Major R. T. Van Horn ; 
 Surgeon, Joshua Thorne; Company A, Captain, William Van Dau; First 
 Lieutenant, Frederick Loos; Second Lieutenant, Frederick KHnger: Company 
 B, Captain, William Millar : First Lieutenant, David. Cahill, Second Lieutenant, 
 David O'Neil: Company C, Captain, George C. Bingham; First Lieutenant, 
 Henry Spears; Second Lieutenant, Theo. S. Case. 
 
 Dr. Thorne immediately made arrangements for the opening of a hospital. 
 Lieutenant Case was detailed on the date of his muster-in as quartermaster, com- 
 missary and ordinance officer of the post. 
 
 On the 26th of July, Major Van Horn received orders to take two companies 
 of his battalion, and go to the assistance of Colonel A. G. Newgent, who, in 
 command of a battalion of Missouri State Militia, at Austin, in Cass county, was 
 threatened by a superior force. The command took up line of march immedi- 
 ately. On the 28th, when three miles from Harrisonville, they were attacked by 
 about five hundred secessionists, and after a fight of four hours repulsed them, 
 kiUing fourteen and losing one. D. K. Abeel and Captain Biigher acted as aids 
 to Major Van Horn in this engagement, and both distinguished themselves for 
 gallantry and courage. At midnight that night. Major Van Horn retired from 
 the field. Harrisonville was full of the enemy, who was being constantly re-in- 
 forced ; and Captain Dean had surrounded Westport, where there was a large 
 party of the enemy, and needed his assistance; but near Jonesville, the command 
 was met by Colonel New^gent's forces, and also by a party of the First Kansas, 
 under Colonel Weir. 
 
 The united force returned to Harrisonville, and, after a brief engagement, 
 took it after which the Kansas City battalion returned home. 
 
 In the early part of September, the rebels, to the number of about 2,000, 
 gathered at Blue Springs, and were preparing to attack Kansas City, when Colo- 
 nel Peabody, who, with his regiment, the Thirteenth Missouri Infantry, were at 
 St. Joseph, were ordeaed here. The rebels then moved down to Lexington, to 
 attack that place, and Peabody, with his command, and Major Van Horn, with 
 • Companies B and« C of his, went down there to reinforce Colonel Mulligan. 
 General Sterling Price laid siege to the place on the 6th of September, and main- 
 tained it until the entire force surrendered to him on September 21st. Through 
 the entire siege the Kansas City battalion was in active service. It was part of 
 the force that had the severe fight in the lane, on the 12th, which was the severest 
 fighting of the entire siege — four companies, under Major Van Horn, there en- 
 gaging Price's entire army. On the 19th, Colonel Peabody was wounded, and 
 the command devolved upon Major Van Horn, until he was wounded, and borne 
 from the fight about two hours before the surrender. After the surrender, the 
 officers and men of the battalion were released on parole, until exchanged in 
 December, when the battahon was consolidated with Colonel Peabody's Thir- 
 teenth Missouri Infantry, with Major Van Horn as Lieutenant-Colonel, and the 
 united command became the memorable Twenty-fifth Missouri Infantry, which 
 was sent south, distinguishing itself in many of the battles on the march from 
 Belmont to Vicksburg. 
 
 Lieutenant Case, who had been detailed for special duty as quartermaster 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 471 
 
 commissary and ordnance officer of the post at Kansas City, when the battalion 
 was organized, continued in that position until June, 1862, when he was promot- 
 ed to the rank of Captain and A. Q. M.; after which he continued as quarter- 
 master at the post until the spring of 1863, when part of western Missouri and 
 eastern Kansas were organized into the District of the Border, at which time he 
 became quartermaster for the district. In the spring of 1864, the District of the 
 Border was abolished, and he was assigned to duty as quartermaster of the Dis- 
 trict of central Missouri, with headquarters at Warrensburg. In March, 1865, 
 he availed himself of an opportunity to resign, offered to' all officers who desired 
 to leave the service, and in June following accepted the position of Quarter- 
 Master General of the State on the staff of Gov. Thos. C. Fletcher. 
 
 Dr. Thome continued in charge of the hospital at Kansas City until the close 
 of the war. In the spring of 1863, when the District of the Border was created, 
 it became a general hospital, and as such received several thousand sick and 
 wounded soldiers during the war. 
 
 GUERRILLAS AND RED LEGS. 
 
 In the formative period of the great struggle, the spring and summer of i86r, 
 there was a general uprising of the people of Missouri. The Union men formed 
 into companies of home guards, and the rebels were also marshaled into hostile 
 bands. The ordinary avocations of life were in a great measure abandoned, and 
 every neighborhood was divided into hostile and warring factions, fully realizing 
 all the conditions of internecine war. Under the President's call for three 
 months' troops in April, there were several regiments organized in Missouri and 
 several in Kansas. About the time these were disbanded in the fall of that year 
 there were several marauding bands organized in Kansas for the purpose of prey- 
 ing upon the rebels across the border in Missouri. The most prominent of these 
 were Montgomery's in southern Kansas, a band of old free-state men of 1856, 
 who seem never to have been entirely disbanded ; Cleveland's band in northern 
 Kansas, and Col. Jennison's seventh Kansas regiment, which appears to have 
 been so largely made up of the same class of men that it became as notorious in 
 1861-62 as jayhawkers as either of the other bands. Besides these there were 
 many smaller bands, irregular and unauthorized in their formation, whose sole 
 object seems to have been plunder. Over the border in Missouri there were sim- 
 ilar organizations of rebels. These were composed of secessionists who had not 
 joined Price's army and gone south, but remained to prosecute an irregular war- 
 fare upon the people of Missouri and the borders of Kansas. All the country 
 adjacent to this city was infested with these bands. On the west and south were 
 Montgomery, Jennison and sometimes Cleveland, and to the south, east and north 
 were bush-whackers under Todd, Parker, Jackman and Quantrell. From the 
 spring of 1861 to the fall of 1864, these irregular bands hemmed in Kansas 
 City on all sides, so that it was very hazardous for people to get here to trade, 
 although there was no regular foe to interfere with them. The Santa Fe trade 
 suffered as much as any other, and was for time nearly cut off. The trade of 
 southern Kansas, which had previously come to Kansas City, was diverted to 
 Leavenworth. During all this time teams were scarcely permitted to come to 
 Kansas City from that section, or to go from Kansas City to any part of southern 
 Kansas. The irregular bands operating in Kansas, better known as the Red 
 Legs, were largely composed of Kansans who had a grudge against Missouri 
 because of the old struggle of 1855-56, and they, therefore, left nothing undone 
 that would hurt Kansas City, because she was a Missouri town. It was largely 
 through their operations that the trade of Southern Kansas was diverted to 
 Leavenworth, for trains going to that place wer'e not molested. 
 
 Fort Leavenworth was military headquarters, andthe depot of supply for the 
 army on the border, hence she had a large trade and grew rapidly. Boating on 
 
472 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 the Missouri was rendered hazardous, and the Government took so many of the 
 boats for military use, that the trade between Kansas City and St. Louis was 
 quite broken up. The Platte Country Railroad was built from St. Joseph across 
 to Weston by the year 1863, so that all trade which had previously come up the 
 river now came by way of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, and the Platte 
 County Railroad, and made Leavenworth headquarters. Leavenworth also be- 
 came the headquarters of the Red Legs, at least the place, where their booty 
 was disposed of, and became so notorious in that regard that in 1863 Gov. Ewing 
 placed it under martial law, as a means of ridding it of the miscreants. The 
 Leavenworth press all the time made the most of Kansas City's misfortune to 
 warn people against coming here. 
 
 From the arrival of Capt. Prince, Kansas City continued in military occupa- 
 tion. In 1862, one Lieutenant-Colonel Buel had command here with head- 
 quarters at Independence. He was strongly accused of sympathy with the 
 bush-whackers, and whether guilty or not, his administration was not calculated 
 to extirpate them. Maj. Banzaf with a battalion of the First Missouri cavalry 
 then occupied Kansas City. On the 23d of March, that year, Quantrell killed 
 two men, and burned the bridge across the Blue. On the 25 th he was routed at 
 Tait's house, sixteen miles from this city by Maj. Pomeroy, of the Second Kan- 
 sas. On the 29th the guerrilla Parker was captured at Warrensburg. On the 
 13th of April Quantrell was again routed on the Little Blue, and again on the 
 17 th, near Ray town. These facts are sufficient to show the general condition of 
 things existing here at that time. Col. Buel permitted the establishment of the 
 rebel paper, and it continued to foster the spirit of rebellion and bush-whacking. 
 This condition, this frequency of small fights, was continuous, until near the close 
 of 1863. The brush on the one side of this city was literally full of bush-whack- 
 ers, and the prairies covered with Red Legs. 
 
 In 1862 the militia of Missouri was all enrolled. The regiment raised in this 
 city was numbered 77th; Kersey Coates was colonel and Frank Foster, lieutenant- 
 colonel. None of this militia was ever called upon to do much, and that only 
 in their own locality. During these years, from the spring of 1861 until the au- 
 tumn of 1863, the adjacent parts of Missouri were in an entirely lawless condition. 
 The civil power was entirely suspended ; while the country was completely over- 
 run by small parties of Federal and Confederate troops, between whom fights and 
 skirmishes were of frequent occurrence, beside which, it was equally overrun by 
 the irregular bands of guerrillas and bush-whackers on the one side, and jayhawk- 
 ers and Red Legs on the other. There was absolutely no security for either life or 
 property ; industrial and productive pursuits were impossible ; people on all sides 
 were ruthlessly robbed of whatever they possessed that could tempt robbers, and 
 many men were murdered at their homes for no better reason than that they 
 were found there. 
 
 TRADE. 
 
 Trade, under such circumstances as have been described, was manifestly 
 much embarrassed, yet our city continued to do some business with the 
 southwest and west, and remained, by reason of military protection, the headquar- 
 ters for the remnant of the Santa Fe trade. The long talked of express to Pike's 
 Peak was realized in May, 1861, and that and the Santa Fe mail continued 
 through the war, though robbed several times. 
 
 T^x^ Journal of Commerce, which had suspended March 7th, 1861, was re- 
 sumed as an extra or bulletin May 15th ; stopped again August 20th, and revived 
 again, full size, in March, 1862. Some time in the spring of 1862, Mr. McRey- 
 nolds started the Intelligencer, which soon expired, and in June, 1862, the Fress 
 was started, but continued only a brief time. 
 
 Soon after Samuel Hallett became connected with the construction of the 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 473 
 
 Union Pacific Railroad, he issued a circular relative to the trade of the various 
 points on the Missouri River across the plains from 1857 to 1863, some extracts 
 from which will serve to illustrate the effects of the existing situation on the trade 
 of Kansas City. We insert first a table showing a comparison of river points in 
 i860. 
 
 Table showing the amount of freight forwarded across the plains, from the 
 various posts on the Missouri River, during the year i860, with the required 
 outfit : 
 
 WHERE FROM. 
 
 Kansas^ City . 
 Leavenworth . 
 Atchison . . . 
 St. Joseph . . 
 Nebraska City . 
 Omaha. . . . 
 
 Total 
 
 POUNDS. 
 
 MEN. 
 
 HORSES. 
 
 444 
 
 MULES. 
 
 OXEN. 
 
 WAGONS. 
 
 16,439,134 
 
 7,084 
 
 6,149 
 
 27,920 
 
 3,033 
 
 5,656,082 
 
 1,216 
 
 . . 
 
 206 
 
 10,425 
 
 1,003 
 
 6,097,943 
 
 I;59I 
 
 . . 
 
 472 
 
 13,640 
 
 1,280 
 
 1,672,000 
 
 490 
 
 . . 
 
 520 
 
 3.980 
 
 418 
 
 5,496,000 
 
 896 
 
 . . 
 
 "3 
 
 11,118 
 
 916 
 
 713,000 
 
 324 
 
 377 
 
 114 
 
 340 
 
 272 
 
 36,074,159 
 
 11,631 
 
 841 
 
 7,574 
 
 67,95° 
 
 6,922 
 
 Note. — In the above table the government freight forwarded from Kansas 
 City to western forts is included in the exhibits; the amount being 7,540,102 
 pounds, requiring 1,590 men, 1,307 wagons, 16,260 oxen, and 232 mules; cost 
 of transportation, $890,300. 
 
 EXPORTS OF NEW MEXICO AND COLORADO 1857 TO 1863. 
 
 Table showing the kind, amount and value of the exports of Colorado and 
 New Mexico received at the port of Kansas City from 1857 to 1863, inclusive : 
 
 
 WOOL. 
 
 DRY HIDES. 
 
 BUFFALO ROBES. 
 
 PELTS AND FURS. 
 
 n 
 
 a 
 
 c 
 
 w 
 » 
 
 a 
 a 
 
 V 
 n 
 n_ 
 n' 
 
 
 YEAR. 
 
 
 a 
 
 1 
 
 < 
 EL 
 
 c 
 
 n 
 
 >0 
 
 
 B 
 0. 
 
 < 
 n 
 
 e 
 3 
 cr 
 a 
 
 <: 
 
 Ei. 
 
 n 
 
 •0 
 
 C 
 s 
 0. 
 
 <! 
 <L 
 a 
 a 
 
 
 1857. 
 
 1858. 
 1859. 
 1860. 
 1861. 
 1862. 
 1863. 
 
 465,000 
 525,500 
 456,751 
 349,799 
 590,731 
 640,925 
 954,951 
 
 $ 69,750.00 
 
 78,725.00 
 
 68,572.65 
 
 52,369.85 
 
 118,146.20 
 
 160,231.50 
 
 286,286.30 
 
 32,440 
 58,758 
 58,812 
 98,875 
 38,202 
 29,645 
 67,968 
 
 $2,919.60 
 5,887.60 
 6,469.32 
 9,986.25 
 3,820.20 
 2,964.50 
 6,796.80 
 
 25,000 
 21,750 
 7,040 
 3,622 
 2,440 
 740 
 1,900 
 
 100,000 
 ■87,000 
 29,375 
 16,299 
 10,980 
 3,700 
 9,500 
 
 32,900 
 35,460 
 38,720 
 25,115 
 10,742 
 7,460 
 113,129 
 
 $7,740.00 
 8,164.00 
 7,744.00 
 6,863.00 
 2, 475.. 52 
 2,981.60 
 
 38,384.15 
 
 $225,000.00 
 200,000.00 
 192,019.20 
 300,644.00 
 158,585 50 
 31,531.00 
 546,500.00 
 
 $405,409.60 
 379,754.60 
 304,120.17 
 886,172.10 
 284,007.42 
 206,308.36 
 346,631.25 
 
 The great increase in the value of freight in 1863 was owing to the large per- 
 centage of dry goods and manufactured articles forwarded, and their extreme low 
 prices. 
 
 IMPORTS OF NEW MEXICO AND COLORADO 1 85 7 TO 1 863. 
 
 Table showing the amounts and estimated value of freight transported to 
 New Mexico and Colorado from Kansas City from 1857 to 1863 inclusive, with 
 the number of men, oxen, horses, mules, and wagons required, the value of the 
 outfit, and the cost of transportation : 
 
474 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 
 1857 
 
 1858 
 
 1859 
 
 1860 
 
 1861 
 
 1862 
 
 1863 
 
 Amounts, pounds . 
 
 Value 
 
 Cost of Transportation. 
 Value of Outfit. . 
 Men . . 
 
 
 27,705,000 
 
 $ 4,199,850 
 
 222,346,000 
 
 3,053,500 
 
 5,428 
 
 4,150 
 
 494 
 
 7,766 
 
 4,941 
 
 25,365,000 
 
 $ 4,465,500 
 
 228,285,000 
 
 3,662,500 
 
 4,088 
 
 42,270 
 
 568 
 
 5,460 
 
 5,073 
 
 7,484,390 
 
 $ 1,172,450 
 
 673,587.10 
 
 917,200 
 
 1,746 
 
 12,840 
 
 371 
 
 1,582 
 
 1,497 
 
 21,547,718 
 
 $ 3,340,200 
 
 2,150,985 U 
 
 2,609,575 
 
 4,993 
 
 36,686 
 
 387 
 
 7,325 
 
 4,012 
 
 5,040,840 
 
 $ 2,094,000 
 
 453,675.60 
 
 1,012,900 
 
 1,328 
 
 8,393 
 
 3,209 
 1,396 
 
 5,740,540 
 
 $ 2,285,400 
 
 530,679.95 
 
 882,308 
 
 1,404 
 
 9,146 
 
 2,794 
 1,172 
 
 7,281,491 
 
 $ 3,785.500 
 
 691,741.64 
 
 1,132,805 
 
 1,798 
 
 13,335 
 
 1,515 
 2,476 
 
 Oxen. . 
 Horses. 
 
 Mules . 
 Wagons 
 
 
 
 
 RAILROAD PROGRESS. 
 
 The construction of railroads which had been stopped with the beginning of 
 trouble in i86i, began to be agitated again in 1862. In May of that year Con- 
 gress passed the Union Pacific Railroad bill. This bill provided for one main line 
 from this city with a branch to St. Joseph by way of Atchison, one to Omaha, 
 and one to Sioux City, and authorized the Leavenworth, Pawnee & Western 
 Railway Company to construct a line from that city to intersect the main line on 
 the same terms as the branches were built. Besides some surveying done by Col. 
 Midbery, of Ohio, nothing was done on this road until 1863. In June, 1862, 
 Messrs. Ross, Steele & Co., took a contract to build three hundred and 
 fifty miles of the road and soon thereafter commenced operations at Leavenworth, 
 on the Leavenworth, Pawnee & Western Branch. This company had no means 
 and did but little. In June, 1863, Gen. John C. Fremont and Samuel Hallett 
 took the contract to build the main line, and bought out the franchise of the 
 Leavenworth, Pawnee and Western Branch. 'About the same time work was re- 
 sumed on the Pacific Railroad in Missouri on a contract to complete seventeen 
 miles of the line eastward from this city. It was expected to have the road com- 
 pleted to Independence by November, and finished early in 1864. On the 7th 
 of July ground was broken for the Union Pacific Railroad at this city. By No- 
 vember i8th the first forty miles of the Union Pacific were graded, when there 
 arose a controversy between Samuel Hallett on the one side and Fremont and 
 Ross, Steele & Co. on the other, which with the approaching cold weather, 
 stopped active operations. The Missouri Pacific, however, was not thus fortu- 
 nate. The woods along the line were so full of bush-whackers that work had to 
 be stopped. In August Cole Younger, with a party, burned Pleasant Hill, and 
 Quantrell sallied forth from his headquarters in the Missouri borders, in August, 
 and on the 21st burned and sacked Lawrence, retreating again to Missouri to 
 renew his depredations. 
 
 A MEMORABLE EPOCH. 
 
 Prior to this, in the spring of 1863, it had been determined to dislodge the 
 bush-whackers and guerrillas, who were operating in western Missouri, and to 
 that end the District of the Border, embracing par.t of western Missouri and east- 
 ern Kansas had been erected, and on the 15th of April Gen. Blunt was placed 
 in command with headquarters at Kansas City. His methods did not, however, 
 prove vigorous enough to accomplish the end designed, and on the i6th of June 
 he was superseded by Gen. Ewing, whose policy, though more vigorous, was not 
 sufficiently so to clear the woods of the predatory bands or prevent the affairs 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 475 
 
 above referred to, owing to the sympathy of a large part of the people of Missouri 
 with them. 
 
 The affairs above mentioned seemed to call for more vigorous measures still, 
 and it appeared then, to the satisfaction of Gen. Ewing, who commanded the 
 District, and of Gen. Schofield, who commanded the department, that the only 
 effective way of ridding the country of bush-whackers, would be to rid it also of 
 their aiders and abettors among the people. Accordingly, on the 23rd of August, 
 Gen. Ewing promulgated his celebrated Order No. 11. 
 
 This order was rigidly enforced, and it made a desolation of all the country 
 embraced in it. It stopped for a time all bush-whacking, and filled Kansas City 
 and Independence with the refugee people. 
 
 In November, Gen. Ewing issued General Order No. 20, which provided for 
 the return of all loyal people to their homes, and during the winter of 1863-4, 
 the provisions of order No. 11 were entirely removed. In February, 1864, the 
 District of the Border was abolished, Gen. Ewing was ordered to Pilot Knob and 
 Col. Ford, of the Second Colorado Cavalry succeeded him in command at Kan- 
 sas City, with headquarters at Independence. 
 
 THE RAILROADS AGAIN. 
 
 When the river froze up in December, 1863, the Union Pacific Railroad 
 had received at St. Joseph, iron and equipments for forty miles of road but could 
 not get them to Kansas City untiLspring opened. The winter was spent in pur- 
 chasing ties and making arrangements for a vigorous prosecution of the work in 
 the spring. 
 
 Early in the winter the Leavenworth people invited Mr. Hallett to visit them. 
 He much desired a connection to the east that would not subject him to the exi- 
 gencies of river navigation, and they, the previous winter, had got through the 
 Missouri Legislature, a charter for a road from that place to Cameron. Mr. 
 Hallett went, accompanied by Mr. S. W. Bouton, of this city, and found that 
 they wanted to turn over their charter and get him to work up the interest and 
 built the road. This was a critical time for Kansas City, for had that arrange- 
 ment been consummated, it would have given Leavenworth the Cameron Railroad 
 and the bridge, and secured for her future pre-eminence. Mr. Bouton saw the 
 danger, and used his best efforts, with s.uccess, to induce Mr. Hallett not to make 
 a contract with them until after he should return to this city, promising him that 
 if he would come back here he would procure for him all rights and franchises of 
 the Cameron road from this city, on which $168,000 had already been expended, 
 and the road-bed of which was already completed. Mr. Hallett returned, and 
 Mr.' Bouton called the company together and got it organized as follows: Col. 
 Coales, President; J. M. Jones, Vice-President; S. W. Bouton, Secretary; W. A. 
 Morton, Treasurer; Col. Coates, M. J. Payne, E. M. McGee, C. A. Carpenter, 
 S. W. Bouton, T. S. Case, J. M. Jones, Mr. Deering and Mr. Hall, Directors. 
 Mr. Bouton then got himself appointed attorney for the transfer of the stock of Kan- 
 sas City and Clay county, and offered the road to Mr. Hallett as a gift. This had 
 occupied the time till July, 1864,. and Mr. Hallett appointed the 28th of that 
 month to come over to this city and execute the necessary contract, when he was 
 suddenly assassinated by O. G. Talcott, one of his engineers. 
 
 An incident in connection with this negotiation of Mr. Bouton with Mr. 
 Hallett ought to be told, though it never was very generally known here in Kan- 
 sas City. At the preceding fall election Col. Van Horn had been elected to the 
 State Senate, and Messrs. E. M. McGee and M.J. Payne to the House. A leave 
 of absence had been granted Col. Van Horn from the army and he was in Jeffer- 
 son City at the time. As soon as Mr. Bouton returned from Leavenworth he 
 made the draft of two bills and sent them to Col. Van Horn to be passed. One 
 of them amended the character of the Leavenworth & Cameron Railroad by 
 
476 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 diverting it at Platte City to Weston, six miles above Leavenworth; the other 
 suspended the operation of the general incorporation law of the State in Platte 
 county, so that a new road could not be started under its provisions. The three 
 gentlemen at Jefferson City soon got the bills passed and thus left Leavenworth 
 without a charter that was worth anything to anybody. 
 
 While these negotiations were pending, there was much activity in railroad 
 matters. The press began the agitation of a railroad to Olathe and Fort Scott. 
 Some favorable legislation for the Missouri Pacific was secured in the Legisla- 
 ture that winter, which so encouraged the people of this city as to call forth the 
 greatest rejoicing at a public meeting held for that purpose February ii, 1864. 
 In February the Union Pacific company was re-oganized in St. Louis, at which 
 General Fremont was dropped out; and John D. Perry of the Missouri Pacific, 
 became vice-president and acting president. This led to another difficulty and 
 more litigation between Hallett & Co. , on the one hand, and Fremont and Ross, 
 Steele & Co., on the other, bat the latter was defeated, and the Government 
 recognized the former as the rightful company. In February the Missouri Pacific 
 began laying track between Warrensburg and Dresden, and grading between 
 Warrensburg and Pleasant Hill. On the 24th of March the first locomotive and 
 boat load of iron for the Union Pacific arrived at Wyandotte from St. Joseph. 
 
 About this time the Union Pacific company directed its engineers to make a 
 survey of the route of a road that had been chartered and had a land grant from 
 Lawrence southward to the State line, now the_K. C. , L. & S. R. R., and also of 
 the line of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, which also had a land grant, from 
 Topeka to the western State line. 
 
 Mr. Hallett, expecting to obtain control of the Kansas City and Cameron 
 road, and wanting no rival line, caused himself to be elected a director in the 
 Parkville & Grand River Railroad, and thus obtained control of it. This road 
 had almost as much work done on it as had been done on the Kansas City and 
 Cameron road and ran from Parkville, eight miles above Kansas City, to Came- 
 ron. 
 
 In April the Missouri Pacific company determined to complete the line between 
 Kansas City and Independence, and in June sent the first engine and iron for the 
 track to Kansas City. 
 
 In May the interest in the Kansas City and Fort Scott road began to look up, 
 and a meeting in that interest was held at Paola. 
 
 In June, a treaty was made with the Delaware Indians for the surrender of 
 their lands in Kansas, one of the provisions of which was, that a railroad should 
 be built with the proceeds of the lands between this city and Leavenworth. 
 This road is now the extension of the Missouri Pacific up the river from this city. 
 About this time it was announced that the Union Pacific would be completed 
 and opened to Lawrence on the i8th of August, but owing to the assassination of 
 Mr. Hallett in July, it was not so opened until December igth. 
 
 In June 1864, the North Missouri Railroad Company came into possession of 
 the charter and franchises of the Missouri Valley Railway Company, which was to 
 build a line from Brunswick up the river to St. Joseph. Leavenworth turned her 
 attention to this road, but effected nothing. It has since been built to this city, 
 and is now the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific. 
 
 In September, a pontoon bridge was thrown across the Kaw between this 
 city and Wyandotte — the first bridge between the two places. 
 
 THE GREAT RAID OF 1864. 
 
 These enterprising measures were in progress only because of the practical 
 freedom of Missouri from rebels and bush-whackers ; but they were not destined 
 to continue without interruption from that source. In August it was discovered 
 that Vallandigham, of Ohio, had, during his banishment, formed a conspiracy at 
 
HISTORV OF KANSAS CITY. 477 
 
 Richmond to arouse the secession sympathies of the North, and during his stay 
 in Canada had so far perfected the organization that associations of them had 
 been formed throughout the North and West. Many of the prominent men 
 engaged in it were immediately arrested, but not enough to stop it. A raid by 
 Price into Missouri was to be the signal of their uprising, and that raid was to be 
 made in October. He entered the State with about 18,000 men, by way of Pilot 
 Knob, where he had a severe fight with Gen. Ewing, Sept, 27 th. Ewing 
 retreated, but contested his march again at Harrisonville, from the 27th to the ist 
 of October. 
 
 Price then continued his victorious march to the northwest, fighting at al- 
 most every step, and gathering reinforcements as he went. His entrance into the 
 State was signalized by an uprising of his sympathizers throughout the State. The 
 woods were again swarming with them, as in 1861. The very bushes seemed 
 to hear them as they bear leaves, and eveti as far north as Atchison county the 
 old scenes of 1861 were being repeated. Union men were equally prompt to 
 rise. Missouri and Kansas were placed under martial law, and every man capa- 
 ble of bearing arms was ordered out. It was a time of the utmost excitement 
 and agitation. There was but one cry — to arms ! to arms ! — and throughout the 
 two States there was but one employment — preparing for the fray. About the 
 26th of October Gen. Blunt was driven out of Lexington. On the 21st there 
 was serious fighting at Little Blue, Col. Moonlight's command of Kansas troops, 
 engaging the entire army. Col. Ford, with the Second Colorado, abandoned 
 Independence, and there seemed to be nothing but fire and pillage in store for 
 Kansas 'City. However, General Curtis, in command of the Department of 
 Kansas and General Rosecrans, in command of the Department of Missouri 
 gathered force fast enough to divert Price to the southwest. From Little Blue 
 he moved up the road toward Kansas City, until he reached the Big Blue, at a 
 point where the roads for Kansas City and Westport cross. Here another sharp 
 fight occurred. Thence Price turned toward Westport, and another fight 
 occurred at that place. And from there he went south, fighting all the way. 
 While these movements were being executed and these battles fought between 
 Price's main army and the forces against him, fighting between smaller parties 
 was going on all over the county, and north of the river in Clay, and adjacent 
 counties. Price had sent out recruiting parties and his forces gathered fast, so 
 that although he was in the State but little more than a month, and was fighting 
 all the while, he left it with about 12,000 men more than he brought with him. 
 
 This was the last raid into Missouri, and, aside from bush- whacking, was the 
 end of the war for this city. Peaceful pursuits were resumed, but the disorder 
 and damage to the railroad enterprises in which Kansas City was interested, was 
 such that nothing more was done on them that year except the Union Pacific, 
 which was opened to Lawrence in December. The Missouri Pacific was so injur- 
 ed that it had to ask for aid to repair the damage, which was given by St. Louis, 
 under authority of the Legislature, to the extent of $700,000, in January 1865. 
 
478 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 A GREAT ERA IN KANSAS CITY. 
 
 The Close of the War — The Resumption of Railroad Construction — Seven Roads and the Bridge 
 Completed Before iS^o — Other Railroad Enterprises not Finished — Rapid Growth — Schools 
 and Street Improvements — Population -Grown from 3,500 to 30,000. 
 
 With the beginning of 1865 the country adjacent to this city was in compar- 
 ative peace. Many of the bush-whackers who had infested the country, had gone 
 south with Price, in his great raid of 1864, and others were in winter quarters. 
 Sherman and Grant were closing in on the rebellion, and there appeared to be 
 good reason to believe that, so far as this part of the country was concerned, 
 there would be no more war. The people began, therefore, to cast about them, 
 and collect the fragments of fortunes and business, and prepare for the future. 
 At this time the population of our city had fallen off to between three and four 
 thousand, her streets were out of repair, her houses dilapidated, and her trade 
 practically gone. Leavenworth, having been her most formidable rival before 
 the war, had, during the struggle, been the headquarters of array operations, and 
 had prospered while this city suffered. She had grown to be a city of about 
 eighteen thousand, had secured control of the Southern Kansas trade, and a part 
 of the trade of New Mexico and Colorado. This city seemed to be well nigh 
 out of the race for commercial supremacy, and would have been so regarded had 
 it not been for her well demonstrated natural advantages, and the fact that the 
 main line of the Union Pacific Railway started at this city, and was already in 
 operation to Lawrence ; and the fact that the Missouri Pacific was nearly com- 
 pleted. These gave heart to her citizens to renew the struggle, and an era of un- 
 precedented activity followed. 
 
 Leavenworth, meantime, confident of ultimately securing a road to a con- 
 nection with the Union Pacific, and also one from Cameron, thought to secure 
 the Missouri Pacific also, and to that end voted four hundred thousand dollars in 
 January, to build a road to a connection with it at this city. 
 
 THE SPRING OF 1865. 
 
 In February, the localities in interest obtained from the Missouri Legislature 
 a charter for a road from Kansas City to Iowa State line, in the direction of 
 Council Bluffs, by the way of St Joseph, and embracing what had been built of 
 the Kansas City & St. Joseph Railroad from St. Joseph to Weston. 
 
 About the same time, the interest in the road to Fort Scott was renewed, and 
 the Kansas Legislature was induced to memorialize Congress for a grant of land 
 for it. 
 
 In the month of February, track laying was resumed on the Missouri Pacific, 
 and it was progressing finely when March came, and with it the forests began to 
 put out leaves, affording shelter for bush-whackers, when the bushes began to 
 swarm with them. They cut off trade with adjacent parts of Missouri, and fre- 
 quently visited the line of the Missouri Pacific, and robbed and stopped its hands. 
 General Pope was appealed to for aid in suppressing them, but to no effect. He 
 informed Governor Fletcher that the civil authorities must deal with them by civil 
 process, and thus left this part of the State at their mercy. In May, a large force 
 of them assembled near Lexington — three hundred and fifty was the estimate — 
 and threatened to burn and sack the town. They seemed here to receive the 
 first information they would credit of the collapse of the rebelhon, and a large 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 479 
 
 party of them, under Bill Poole, went into Lexington, and surrendered. Others 
 took to the bushes but gave little trouble after that. 
 
 The southern Kansas trade began to come back to Kansas City, the people 
 of that part of the State finding, as before the war, that they could reach Kansas 
 City much better than Leavenworth. Steamers again began to ply on the Mis- 
 souri; the trade of New Mexico and Colorado were resumed, with all their old 
 proportions, and improvements began to be made in the city. The revival of 
 trade in the city was so rapid when military embargoes had been raised, and the 
 natural laws of commerce were allowed full operation, that by the close of May, 
 according to the Journal reports, twenty-eight million tons of freight had been 
 discharged by steamers at ihe levee here. , 
 
 In May, Colonel Van Horn and Mr. Hallowell bought th?: Journal of Com- 
 merce kom T. D. Thacher, who had purchased it of Mr. Abeel in May, 1863. 
 It immediately took up the old strain of i860, about railroads and improvements, 
 and rallied the people about the old enterprises in which the city had been engag- 
 ed before the war. It urged the reorganization of the Chamber of Commerce, 
 which had been so prolific and fostering a parent of enterprises before the war, 
 and of which it had been the organ and advocate. It urged upon the people in 
 every way possible the importance of unity and action — prompt and decisive. It 
 did more at this particular procedure to arouse the people, than all other agencies 
 combmed, and remarshaled them to the struggle for commercial development as 
 potently as ever trumpet or drum-beat marshaled soldiers to the fray. One of 
 its editorials, taken from its files of August 3, 1865, is here appended, as a sample 
 of the terse and inspiriting articles, with which its columns, at this period, were 
 filled : 
 
 " There is a tide in the affairs of men— and the same is true of cities. We 
 are now approaching the flood. If taken advantage of, we shall be carried on 
 to fortune. If we do not act at the tide of our opportunities, our future history 
 will be a record of failure and humiliation. 
 
 " The present is bright ; we can, if we wish to be, the architects of our own 
 fortune. To be so, we must be earnest, industrious and enterprising. Visions of 
 the future show half a dozen railroads converging at this point ; it shows the river 
 port for the plains ; a point of transshipment for the minerals, the wool and other 
 products of the south, southwest and west, as also the articles from the east 
 and foreign countries. It shows us the great central mart for the distribution of 
 the wealth of half a continent — rich, powerful and magnificent. Providence 
 never assisted a lazy man — fortune never smiled on an indolent community. The 
 price paid for prosperity is labor, energy, enterprise. With a live policy — by 
 throwing old fogy notions to the winds — by placing our mark high and viforking 
 up to it, we shall become in two or three years all that we have described. 
 
 " The converse of this picture is easily realized. Our advantages are sought 
 by others. Our natural advantages alone will never overcome the efforts of rival 
 enterprise. If we rely upon them we shall become neutral ground — a passway of 
 value to railroad corporations, but of no intrinsic power of our own. Prosperity 
 must come from within; it must spring from the city — from the people. Let us 
 all make sacrifices in order to start the impulse in the proper direction — let us all 
 put our strength to the work. Large property owners can give sites for" mills, 
 factories, etc. ; citizens can subscribe stock to work them ; mechanics can build 
 tenement houses for operatives If they produce ten per cent on the. outlay, dop't 
 raise the rent to twenty per cent. If houses are scarce, raising the price of rent 
 will not increase the number. Let our people think and act promptly." 
 
 The many articles of this character published by the Journal about this time 
 were designed, not so much to arouse the people to action, as to give direction to 
 their efforts, and to unify them upon common enterprises and for common pur- 
 
480 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 poses. They were read by a people ready and willing to act, and eager to attain 
 the very objects there urged upon them. 
 
 It was in May that the Journal called the attention of the people to the fact 
 that the base of business in this city would soon be changed from the levee, where 
 it had always been, to "West Kansas," the " French Bottom" — as it was still 
 called — and urged upon the city authorities the importance of opening the cross 
 streets leading to it. Third, Fourth, Fifth and Ottawa (now Twelfth), were the 
 streets recommended to be opened. In July, the city council negotiated a loan 
 of $60,000 for the purpose, and appropriated it to the opening of those streets. 
 This change of base brought about by the prospect that the business of the city 
 would soon be done by railroad as much as by river, and the Union Pacific and 
 Missouri Pacific both terminating at the State line, would, of necessity, have to 
 make their depots in the bottom. 
 
 REVIVAL OF RAILROAD ENTERPRISE. 
 
 In July the Chamber of Commerce, which had a sort of ephemeral and spas- 
 modic life during the war, was re-organized, and became, as it had been before 
 the war, the heart of the city — the focus into which was concentrated her wisdom 
 and wealth, and from whence radiated her energies and efforts — and it became 
 again, as it had been before the war, a most potent promoter of railroad enter- 
 prises. One of the first interests with which it concerned itself was the road 
 to Fort Scott. The old Kansas Valley & Neosho company was revived and re- 
 organized, with Col. Kersey Coates as president, and active efforts were at once 
 begun to secure its construction. The city was urged tovote $200,000 aid to it, and 
 a proposition was submitted to the people on the 19th of September. While this 
 proposition was pending, on the 14th of September Capt. Chas. Keeler commenced 
 work on the road. About the same time the interest in the Kansas City & St. 
 Joseph Railroad was revived, and Kansas City was asked to vote it $25,000 to aid 
 in its completion from Weston to Kansas City. This proposition was submitted 
 to the people at the same time as the proposition for the road to Ft. Scott, and 
 both were voted by the people by large majorities. In November following, John- 
 son and Miami counties, Kansas, each voted the Fort Scott road $ioo,ooo, which 
 was regarded as having secured its construction. 
 
 This road, as projected in 1856, was designed to run to Galveston, but of 
 course could not get through the Indian Territory without first securing the right- 
 of-way by a treaty between the Indians and the Government. This idea was 
 taken up with the revival of the project, and the opportunity for such treaty was 
 waited and watched for, and was soon presented. 
 
 During the war the Creeks, Choctaws, Chickasaws, Seminoles, Shawnees, 
 Kiowas, Wichitaws, Osages, Commanches, Senecas, Quapaws, and Cherokees, 
 in whole or in part, had joined the Rebellion, which was held by the Govern- 
 ment to have worked an abrogation of all treaties existing between them and the 
 United States, and it was proposed, now that the war was over, to negotiate new 
 treaties with them. To this end Judge D. N. Cooly, commissioner of Indian 
 affairs, Hon. Elijah Sells, superintendent of the southern superintendency. Col. 
 Parker, of General Grant's staff, Gen. Harney, of St. Louis, Thos. Nixon of Phil- 
 adelphia, and others were appointed commissioners on the part of the United 
 States to negotiate such treaties, and the Indians were notified to meet them at 
 Fort Smith on the 5th of September for that purpose. The parties interested in 
 this road saw, in this conference, the opportunity they desired to ob|;ain the right 
 for their road through the Indian Territory, and a delegation was made up for 
 the purpose of attending the conference. The Kansas City delegation was ap- 
 pointed' by the Chamber of Commerce and consisted of Col: R. T. Van Horn, 
 Col. E. M. McGee, Col. M. J. Payne, and Matthew Mudeater, the latter being 
 a Wyandotte Indian. Silas Armstrong, of Wyandotte, Col. Wilson, Maj. Rey- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 481 
 
 nolds and Gen. C. W. Blair, of Fort Scott, Gen. R. B. Mitchell, of Paola, and 
 Col. Haines and Gen. Blunt, from other places, constituted the balance of the 
 delegation. In the treaties that were made, these gentlemen were successful in 
 securing the right of way for a railroad through the territory between Kansas and 
 Texas, and, at the instance of St. Louis parties, a like right-of-way was secured 
 across the Territory from east to west, which has since been secured by what is 
 now known as the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad. 
 
 The interest in the Kansas City & Cameron Railroad, which at this time 
 was known as the Kansas City, Galveston & Lake Superior Railroad, was revived 
 early in the year. As heretofore stated, this road was partly built before the war 
 in pursuance of a contract between this company and the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
 Railroad Company by Mr. Quealy. The annual election for directors was held 
 April 29th, at which Maj. W. C. Ransom was chosen president. The new direc- 
 tors became very active, now that peace had been restored, and at once opened 
 negotiations with Mr. Quealy for settlement for the work done by him prior to 
 the war, and for a new arrangment for the completion of the work. It also en- 
 gaged John A. J. Chapman to make a survey of the river for a bridge, which 
 work was completed in September, and a very favorable report made. The com- 
 pany also opened negotiations with J. T. R. Hayward, who had been superinten- 
 dent of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad before the war and with whom all ante 
 bellum negotiations had been had, for a revival of the old contract between this 
 company and the Hanibal & St. Joseph company, for the completion of the work. 
 No satisfactory arrangement was ever made with Hayward, or with the company, 
 until the latter part of 1866; but arrangements were made with Mr. Quealy, and 
 work on the road resumed about the close of 1865. In this settlement with Mr. 
 Quealy the company had to pay him more for the work yet to be done than the 
 original contract price for the whole work, because of the advance, owing to the 
 war, of material and labor, and therefore more aid had to be asked for by the 
 company. But it was not until the following year 1866, that anything definite 
 was done in this matter. 
 
 The Missouri Pacific, which had been progressing finely all summer, was 
 finished September 21st, and opened for business with great rejoicing on the part 
 of the people of this city. 
 
 The North Missouri, having obtained control of the charter of the Missouri 
 Valley Railroad, as heretofore noticed, resumed operations also as soon as the 
 country was free from bush-whackers, and began to push a western branch up the 
 Missouri valley. 
 
 In October, D. R. Garrison, prominently connected with the Missouri Pa- 
 cific, contracted with the Kansas City & Leavenworth Company, now known as 
 the Missouri River Railroad Company, to build that road, and before the close 
 of the month had commenced operations. 
 
 JEALOUSIES AND RIVALRIES AGAIN. 
 
 It was now manifest that, as between Kaftsas City and Leaven A-orth, the 
 natural laws of commerce were all in favor of Kansas City, and there was no better 
 feeling among a certain class of Kansas politicians toward Kansas City than had 
 existed before the war. Senator James H. Lane, of Lawrence, took up the fight, 
 favoring Kansas trade for Kansas towns. He projected an extensive railroad 
 scheme for his State, embracing a road from Pleasant Hill to Lawrence, and one 
 from Leavenworth, by way of Lawrence, to the southern State line in the direction 
 of Fort Gibson. The scheme was to secure to Lawrence the terminus of the 
 Kansas Pacific Railroad, and also the railroad which Kansas City had been so 
 long laboring to have built to the Gulf of Mexico. Even at this early day St. 
 Louis began to see the danger to her trade of building up Kansas City, and 
 readily fell into and supported this scheme of Senator Lane, although the effect 
 
 31 
 
ST. JAMES HOTEL, KANSAS CITY, MO. 
 L. C. Alexander, Proprietor. Walnut Street, bet. Missouri Avenue and Sixth Street. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 483 
 
 of it would have been to connect the Kansas railroads with the Hannibal & St. 
 Joe as to divert the trades of Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and Texas to Chi- 
 cago. 
 
 In pursuance of this scheme, and to get his Gulf railroad into the field first. 
 Senator Lane caused work to be commenced on that road at Lawrence, June 26th, 
 and in October Major B. S. Henning took up his residence in that city and be- 
 came superintendent of the road. In November Col. Vliet made a survey of a 
 branch to Emporia, authorized by the charter. That same month the Pleasant 
 Hill & Lawrence road was surveyed. The first rail was laid on the Atchison & 
 Pike's Peak — the central branch of the Union Pacific — and Major O. B. Gunn 
 commenced the survey of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe from Atchison. 
 
 THE EVENTS OF 1 866. 
 
 At the session of the Kansas Legislature early in 1866, a bill was passed 
 dividing five hundred thousand acres of land given the State for internal improve- 
 ments, between the Northern Kansas Railroad, now the St. Joe & Denver ; the 
 Kansas & Neosho Valley Railroad, now the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf; the 
 Union Pacific Railway, Southern Branch, from Fort Riley along the Neosho Val- 
 ley, now the Junction City Branch of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, 
 and to the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Fort Gibson Railroad, now the Kansas 
 City, Lawrence & Southern Kansas. By this act the Fort Scott & Gulf got 
 twenty-five'thousand acres. 
 
 In February Col. Van Horn, who had been elected to Congress in the elec- 
 tion in 1864, introduced into the House of Representatives a bill granting cer- 
 tain lands in Kansas to the Kansas & Neosho Railroad Company. Also a bill to 
 charter a bridge across the river at Kansas City, and to make Kansas City a port 
 of entry. All these objects were afterward attained in some shape. The bill 
 granting lands to the Fort Scott Railroad became a law in July, and gave that 
 road about 800,000 acres. In the bill giving these lands to the Kansas & Neosho 
 Valley Railroad, it was also given the franchise through the Indian Territory 
 with a grant of land six miles on either side of the track. The bill was fought 
 bitterly by Senator Lane. 
 
 The charter for a bridge was procured as an amendment to a bill chartering 
 a bridge across the Mississippi at Quincy. 
 
 In February Messrs. Barnard and Mastin started a bank in Kansas City, 
 which was succeeded by the Mastin bank; and the First National was started 
 not far from the same time, with Maj. G. W. Branham at its head. Early in the 
 spring Messrs. Marsh, Hilliker & Co. began the construction of a much-needed 
 bridge across the Kaw River between Kansas City and Wyandotte, and it was 
 finished and opened in December, with great rejoicings. 
 
 At the same session of the Kansas Legislature above referred to, the name of 
 the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Fort Gibson Railroad was changed to Leaven- 
 worth, Lawrence & Galveston, and not long afterward the Kansas & Neosho 
 Valley Railroad changed its name, by an action in court, to Missouri River, Fort 
 Scott & Gulf. 
 
 On the 15th of May the first train was run, from Leavenworth to Lawrence, 
 that branch of the Union Pacific Railroad having been commenced June 26, 
 1865, and pushed rapidly through in order to secure a land grant. 
 
 In July Congress chartered the Southern Branch of the Union Pacific Rail- 
 way, with the right to run from Fort Riley down the Neosho River to Fort Smith. 
 This has since become the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. And that same 
 month the Senate confirmed the treaty with the Delaware Indians, by which 
 their reservation in Kansas was sold for the benefit of the Missouri River Rail- 
 road Company, which had just been completed between Kansas City and Leav- 
 enworth. 
 
484 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Before the close of the session of Congress in July, a bill introduced by 
 Hon. Sidney Clarke, of Kansas, became a law, allowing the Union Pacific Rail- 
 road to construct its Hne up the Smoky Hill Valley instead of up the Repubhcan 
 Valley. The original bill required the main line from Kansas City and the branch 
 from Omaha, to connect at the looth meridian, between the Platte and Repub- 
 lican rivers, in Nebraska. But this bill allowed each to adopt its own line and 
 locate the point of junction at any place they might select within one hundred 
 miles west of Denver. The main line from this city had then reached Fort Riley, 
 and during the year 1866 the western freighting went from that place instead of 
 Kansas City, and the mails were also received of the railroad at that point. 
 
 THE CAMERON RAILROAD. 
 
 At the annual election of officers in May, Col. Charles E. Kearney became 
 president of the Kansas City, Lake Superior & Galveston Railroad Company. 
 Although work had been commenced on that line January ist but little had 
 been done because of the deficiency of means. But no sooner did Col. Kearney 
 become president than he threw into it that force and energy for which he is so 
 characteristic, and like all other enterprises with which he ever became connect- 
 ed, it was put immediately on the way to success. He laid the situation before 
 the people of Kansas City at a meeting held at the court house on the 8th of May, 
 and secured on the spot a subscription of $23,000. Committees were appointed 
 to seek further subscriptions of aid, and at a meeting held on the 12th, $52,000 
 was reported, every dollar of which was promptly paid. This was within $25,000 
 of enough to complete the road, and a proposition for the balance was submitted 
 to the people of the county, August 7th, and defeated by the rebel element in the 
 country precincts, although Kansas City voted almost solidly for it. Work was 
 begun immediately, and was pushed rapidly. 
 
 At the time Col, Kearney became president of this company, the board of 
 directors, through their president, Maj. W. C. Ransom, was still endeavoring to 
 revive the old contract with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, under which 
 the work done before the war had been done. This contract had been made 
 originally though Mr. J. T. K. Hayward, who was at the time superintendent of 
 the Hannibal & St. Joseph road. At this time he had ceased to be superintend- 
 ent, but represented himself to be a director in the company. Besides Mr. Hay- 
 ward, Mr. Brooks, who at this time was in Europe, was the only man connected 
 with the Hannibal & St. Joseph road who knew of the old contract, and Mr. 
 Hayward was now assuring the Kansas City company that he was laboring to get 
 it revived. He was actually deceiving them, and had already made an agree- 
 ment with the Leavenworth people to procure a contract between them and the 
 Hannibal & St. Joseph company, to build a road from Cameron to Leavenworth. 
 Leavenworth had previously, during the war, procured a charter, as stated in the 
 last chapter. Col. Kearney was not long in detecting Mr. Hayward's treachery, 
 and was just as prompt to institute measures for his defeat. 
 
 The board of directors of the company was called together on the 1st of 
 June, and Gen. John W. Reid and Col. T. S. Case were appointed agents to 
 visit Boston and make a contract with the Hannibal company, and Col. Kearney 
 immediately telegraphed Col. Coates, who at the time was in Washington, urging 
 the passing of the bill granting lands and right of way through the Indian Terri- 
 tory to the Kansas & Neosho Valley Railroad, to go to Boston and if possible 
 stop the Leavenworth contract until they could get there. Col. Coates got to 
 Boston on Saturday and found that the contract with Leavenworth had already 
 been agreed upon, and was to be executed Monday. On the claim of a prior 
 contract he got a stay of proceedings until Col. Case and Gen. Reid arrived. 
 When they got there the first men they met were the Leavenworth delegation, in 
 the ante-room of the railroad office. They met Col. Coates, succeeded in resur- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 485 
 
 reeling the old contract, and when the company saw it they referred the matter 
 to James F. Joy, their general western manager. Col. Coates had to go back to 
 Washington and Gen. Reid to Baltimore, but Col. Case went and saw Mr. Joy 
 and got him into an agreement that this old contract should be revived, provided 
 Kansas City would procure congressional authority for a bridge across the river at 
 this point. Col. Case returned and reported the contract to Col. Kearney, who 
 immediately telegraphed Col. Van Horn in Washington. The next Monday a 
 bill was to be reported by the committee on post-offices and post-roads, providing 
 for the construction of bridges at Quincy, Clinton and other places. Col. Van 
 Horn went immediately to the chairman of that committee and after some diffi- 
 culty, and full explanations, got him to agree to admit an amendment providing 
 for the bridge at Kansas City. Next morning as soon as the house opened, the 
 reading of the minutes were dispensed with and the bill called up. Col. Van 
 Horn offered his amendment, it was accepted, and the chairman then moved the 
 previous question. While this was being done Hon. Sidney Clarke, of Kansas, 
 came in and in the greatest haste drew up an amendment for a bridge at Leaven- 
 worth ; but he was too late. The previous question had been seconded and his 
 amendment could not be attached. The bill passed, and thus in twenty-four 
 hours from the time the agreement with Mr. Joy, was reported in Kansas City, 
 all its conditions were complied with on the part of Kansas City, and she had 
 a double triumph secured over her rival. 
 
 This was a critical time for Kansas City, and the events just stated probably 
 turned the scales in her favor ; for had Leavenworth secured the contract with 
 the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, Kansas City would have been left without 
 help in the construction of her road. Levenworth would then have got the first 
 bridge. She was already the terminus of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and had 
 a branch of the Union Pacific, hence, the securing of the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
 would have made her the railroad center of the Missouri valley. To Col. Kear- 
 ney, Kansas City owes a debt of gratitude for his sagacity and promptness, as it 
 does also to the other gentlemen connected with its affairs, for their efficiency. 
 
 On the 19th of August a party of engineers, under Col. O. Chanute, com- 
 menced a new survey of the river for the bridgd. On the loth of November 
 Col. Kearney began to advertise for materials for the bridge, and on the ist of 
 December he let contracts for its construction to Messrs. Vipont & Walker. 
 
 The securing a charter for a bridge, and the activity in organizing for its con- 
 struction, caused the North Missouri Railroad Company to determine in August 
 to terminate its western branch at Kansas City instead of Leavenworth, as it had 
 proposed, and in October it let the contract for the immediate construction of the 
 road to J. Condit Smith. 
 
 Meantime, August 2 2d, the favorable situation in which the Missouri River, 
 Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad had been placed by the land grant and charter through 
 the Indian Territory, it was enabled to contract for the building of the road, and 
 Col. A. H. Waterman & Co. were engaged to build the first hundred miles. 
 
 ST. LOUIS OPENS THE FIGHT ON KANSAS CITY. 
 
 With the concentration of railroads at Kansas City, the town began to grow 
 rapidly. The immigration to Kansas at the close of the war was immense, and 
 its trade demands were in proportion 'to its magnitude. More wholesale houses 
 began to be opened, street improvements became active and rapid, and the devel- 
 opment of the city began to be something unparalleled in American annals. It is 
 stated by the Journal of Commerce, that during the years 1865 and 1866, not less 
 than six hundred new houses were built. 
 
 This rapid growth, the concentration of railroads and business, alarmed St. 
 Louis as early as 1865, and was the cause of her falling so readily into Senator 
 Lane's railroad schemes. In 1866 she became much more frightened, and did all 
 
486 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 she could to foster the Pleasant Hill and Lawrence Railroad scheme, as a means of 
 cutting off trade from this city. Her people owned the controlling interest in the 
 Missouri Pacific Railroad, and at once began to use that line, which the people 
 of Kansas City had labored so long and so earnestly in securing, into a means of 
 oppression. In the summer of 1866 an arrangement was effected, based osten- 
 sibly on wash-outs on the road between Kansas City and Lawrence, whereby all 
 freights for points west of Lawrence were taken by way of Leavenworth instead 
 of being transferred here, and at the same time more favorable rates were given 
 Leavenworth than to Kansas City. Passenger fares were but fifty cents more 
 between Leavenworth and St. Louis than between Kansas City and St. Louis. 
 Kansas City was astonished to find that she had no sooner distanced the rivalry 
 of Leavenworth, than she found St. Louis, her old friend, assuming the role the 
 latter had been compelled to abandon. This fight has never ceased, but Kansas 
 City has steadily gained, and the issue will be manifestly the same as in the case 
 with all others. It is but a question of time. 
 
 TRADE AND PROGRESS. 
 
 At the beginning of the year 1867, the city council appointed a committee 
 to compile a statement of the trade and progress of the city for 1866. This com- 
 mittee soon afterward reported as follows : 
 
 Population 15,064 
 
 Buildings erected, 768, costing $2,166,500 
 
 Total trade, all lines 33,006,827 
 
 There were at that time in the city fourteen churches, two colleges, two 
 academies, twelve primary schools, twenty-one dry goods houses, eighty grocery 
 houses, thirteen clothing, eight liquor, fifteen boots and shoes, eight hotels, two 
 daily papers and three weeklies, seven miles macadamized streets, and there were 
 three railroads in operation, all terminating here — the Missouri Pacific, the Union 
 Pacific, Eastern division, and the Missouri River. This latter road connected 
 Kansas City and Leavenworth, and has since become a part of the Missouri 
 Pacific. n 
 
 On the 1 2th of March the Legislature, in amending the charter, defined the 
 wards. The first was all east of Delaware street and north of Ninth, the second 
 all east of Main street and south of Ninth, and the third all west of Main and 
 Delaware streets. 
 
 THE CAMERON RAILROAD IN 1 86 7. 
 
 On the 1 2th of March, 1864, the name of the Kansas City, Lake Superior 
 & Galveston Railroad was changed to Kansas City & Cameron. The begin- 
 ning of the year 1867 saw the company still lacking the means to complete the 
 line. Col. Kearney and others went to Chicago to market $100,000 of Kansas 
 City bonds, when they and Kansas City were violently attacked by the St. Louis 
 press. In February they procured authority from the Missouri Legislature to 
 mortgage the road, and succeeded in mortgaging it to the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
 and Chicago, Burlington & Quincy companies. This, however, did not release 
 the company from the necessity of raising the thirty thousand dollars which the 
 people of Jackson county outside of Kansas City had once voted down, so the 
 company got the proposition before them again March 19th, and it was again 
 defeated. Mr. Joy then came forward with a proposition to take the road off of 
 their hands release the people from the $60,000 they had subscribed, and com- 
 plete the road by November 31st, on condition th^t the city and Clay county 
 would release to him the stock it held in the company. The city attempted to 
 overcome the difficulty by an appropriation of $60,000, which was made in May, 
 but it seemed not to meet the case, and in July it transferred its stock as Mr. Joy 
 had proposed. From this time forward the work went on rapidly. The corner 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 487 
 
 Stone of the bridge was laid August 21st, and on the 2 2d of November the last rail 
 of the road was laid, Col. Kearney, president of the company, and Mr. Gillis, 
 the oldest citizen of Kansas City, driving the last spike. This was an occasion 
 of great rejoicing. Col. Kearney sent congratulatory messages to the Board of 
 Trade, Chicago, and the Chamber of Commerce, St. Louis. The former sent a 
 warm response, but the latter did not respond at all. On the 21st of February, 
 1870, this road was consolidated with the Hannibal & St. Joseph, and soon after- 
 ward became the main line of that road. 
 
 OTHER ROADS. 
 
 In the early part of 1867 Leavenworth attempted to get some legislation 
 through the Missouri Legislature that would make the terminus of both the Platte 
 county and North Missouri roads at that place, and to get an appropriation of 
 half a million dollars through the Kansas Legislature for a bridge there. But 
 this was promptly defeated in both places. In March the several roads known as 
 the Atchison & Weston and Atchison & St. Joseph and St. Joseph & Savannah 
 were consolidated by act of the Missouri Legislature under the name of the 
 Platte Country Railroad, and authorized to build a railroad from Kansas City by 
 St. Joseph to the Iowa line in the direction of Council Bluffs, and to build a 
 branch from St. Joseph by Savannah to the Iowa line in the direction of Des- 
 Moines. 
 
 OTHER INTERESTS. 
 
 The city grew rapidly during 1867, but there was no reliable report of its 
 progress published. In February of that year the First National bank was re-or- 
 ganized, with Howard M. Holden as cashier, and immediately entered upon 
 that career of usefulness and prosperity for which it was so well known, and 
 which raised its capital — then $100,000 — to $500,000, Mr. Holden showed 
 himself to be a courteous gentleman and a sagacious banker, and gained the 
 confidence of all with whom he came in contact usually at the first meeting, and 
 he soon became closely identified with the business movements and operations of 
 the city. In its subsequent development he exerted a potent influence, as the 
 sequel will show. 
 
 In April Messrs. Foster & Wilder became proprietors of the Journal of Com- 
 merce, and that same month Mr. Thomas Pratt, of St. Louis, came to the city 
 and purchased the franchise and charter of a gas company that had been formed, 
 and went immediately to work to build the works. In July the people voted an 
 appropriation for lighting the streets, and the works were put into operation in 
 October. 
 
 By act of March 12th, 1867 the city limits were again changed, the west 
 line being the State line from the river south to 2 2d street, the south line 2 2d 
 street from the State line east to Troost avenue, the east line Troost avenue, north 
 to 1 2th street, thence east to Lydia avenue, thence north to Independence ave- 
 nue, and thence by the Quarter Section line to the river, which constituted the 
 northern boundary. At the same time the city was divided into four wards. 
 The first embraced that part of the city east of Main street between the river and 
 loth street. The second embraced that part east of Main street and south of 
 loth street. The third embraced all south of loth and west of Main street, and 
 the fourth all west of Main street and north of loth street. 
 
 THE SCHOOLS. 
 
 The school system of Missouri had been completely destroyed by the war, 
 and the rankling passions engendered by that struggle, made the people slow to 
 re-organize it, when the Legislature in 1865 adopted laws for that purpose. On 
 the 15th and i8th of March 1866 the Legislature had enacted other laws pro- 
 viding for the establishment of schools in cities, towns rnd villages, with special 
 
488 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 privileges, but it was not until the ist of August 1867, that the Kansas City 
 Board of Education was organized under the authority of these acts. The 
 first Board was composed of W. E. Sheffield, President; H. C. Kumpf, Secreta- 
 ry; J. A. Bachman, Treasurer; E. H. Allen, T. B. Lester and E. H. Spalding; 
 J. B. Bradley, Superintendent and Teacher in Central School. 
 
 Immediately after the organization of the Board, Mr. Kumpf retired, and 
 Mr. A. A. Bainbridge was chosen to fill the vacancy. There were at this time 
 2,150 children of school age, living within the limits of the school district. 
 There was not a public school building in the city. Disorganization reigned 
 supreme. The city was utterly destitute of all school accommodations, and 
 there was not a dollar available for school expenses. The buildings that could 
 be rented for school purposes were old deserted dwellings, unoccupied store 
 rooms and damp, gloomy basements in some of the churches. But the Board 
 was in earnest, and every effort was made to put the schools in operation. In 
 October, 1867, the schools were formally opened in rented rooms, which had 
 been hastily and scantily furnished. Into these unattractive abodes the children 
 were huddled together to receive instruction. A superintendent and sixteen 
 teachers were employed during the year, but as no statistics of the school work 
 are found in the records, it is impossible to give a satisfactory account of what 
 was done. If the work in the schools was unsatisfactory, the energy of the 
 Board was unabated. Preparations for a grand work continued. Sites were 
 purchased, bonds issued and school-houses erected. The rapid and marvelous 
 growth of the city, while it brought a large influx to the school population, did 
 not produce a corresponding increase in the valuation of the taxable property of 
 the district. 
 
 The next two or three years were years of great activity with the School 
 Board. During 1868 it built the Washington, Humboldt and Franklin Schools; 
 in 1869 it added the Central and Lincoln; in 1870 the Lathrop and Benton; 
 and in 187 1 the Woodland. These have since been enlarged and others added 
 as the increase of school population has required. 
 
 THE LOUISIANA RAILROAD. 
 
 About the middle of January, 1868, information was received in this city, 
 that a company had procured a charter for a railroad from Louisiana, Mo., to 
 Kansas City, and in March, 1868, parties arrived in the city to ask the people 
 to take an interest in it, and in June the people voted it $250,000 aid Toward 
 the close of the year, the company got the Chicago & Alton Railroad, of Illi- 
 nois, interested in the project, and the line was speedily constructed from Louis- 
 iana to Mexico, where it connected with the North Missouri Railroad. Owing to 
 some difficulty about the issue of bonds in some of the counties, the balance of 
 the road was not built at that time. The Chicago & Alton built a fine bridge 
 across the Mississippi, at Louisiana, and operated through from Kansas City to 
 Chicago over the track of the North Missouri until 1878 when it was built through 
 to Kansas City. 
 
 KANSAS CITY AND SANTA FE. 
 
 At the session of the Kansas Legislature in 1868, a charter was procured for 
 a railroad from Kansas City to Santa Fe, and in March the company was organ- 
 ized at Olathe, with Col. J. E. Hays president, and Gen. W. H. Morgan, of 
 Kansas City, secretary and treasurer, and books were opened for subscription of 
 stock at the First National Bank on the 5th of June. In July the company was 
 re-organized. P. P. Elder, president; Gen. W. H. Morgan, secretary, and Col. 
 J. E Hays, treasurer. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 489 
 
 THE FT. SCOTT AND GULF. 
 
 When the Cherokee neutral lands were obtained by treaty, and ordered sold 
 for the benefit of the Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad, James F. Joy became inter- 
 ested in the road and bought the land. In the spring of 1868 the American 
 Immigrant company of Connecticut set up a claim to the lands, under a previous 
 sale made by Secretary Harlan, but the difficulty was soon harmonized by assign- 
 ment of their claims to Mr. Joy and the negotiation of a new treaty, which was 
 approved by the senate in June, 1868. On the isth of June, 1868, the city 
 council of Kansas City relinquished to Mr. Joy its interest in the road, and on 
 the 1 2th of December, that year, it was finished to Olathe; and to Fort Scott in 
 December, 1869. 
 
 THE L., L. & G. R. R. 
 
 This road had been finished to Ottawa by the first of January, 1868. In 
 May it received, by treaty with the Osage Indians, 8,000,000 acres of land, upon 
 which there was already much settlement. This was the origin of the Osage 
 ceded land difficulty, which was not settled until 1876 when the United States 
 Supreme Court decided it in favor of the people. 
 
 In November, 1868, the Neosho Valley Railroad Company put one hundred 
 and seventy-five miles of their line under contract from Junction City. 
 
 THE NORTH MISSOURI RAILROAD. 
 
 This line of road had been pushed quietly but rapidly through the year 1868, 
 and on the ist day of December the last rail was laid at the connection with the 
 track of the Kansas City & Cameron Railroad, thus adding to our city a fifth 
 road. The Kansas City & Cameron road soon became merged with the Hannibal 
 & St. Joseph, and took that name; so that at the close of the year 1868, there 
 were completed, the Missouri Pacific, the Hannibal & St. Joseph, and the North 
 Missouri (now Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific), from the east ; the Missouri River 
 to the west was completed, terminating at Leavenworth; the Missouri River, 
 Fort Scott & Gulf Road was in operation to Olathe, and the Union Pacific East- 
 ern Division was operating to Sheridan, four hundred and five miles west of Kansas 
 City, and but two hundred and twenty miles from Denver. 
 
 At the close of the year, the population was estimated at 28,000, and there 
 had been 2,600 houses built that year, which shows it to have been one of great 
 activity and progress. 
 
 THE PROGRESS OF 1 869. 
 
 In January, 1869, Colonel Coates laid the foundations of Coates Opera House, 
 and the City Council chartered the Jackson County and Broadway Horse Rail- 
 road Companies. In February a Board of Trade was organized, with T. K. 
 Hanna, Esq., as president, D. M. Keen, secretary, and H. M. Holden; treasurer. 
 This organization was rendered necessary, by the old Chamber of Commerce 
 having ceased to exist ; and during the year it was a most valuable organization. 
 In March, the Paola & Fall River Railroad Company was organized. It had a 
 spasmodic existence for several years, and graded part of the road between Paola 
 and Garnett. This line was built from Paola to Leroy in 1880, as a branch of 
 the Missouri Pacific, at which time the Holden and Paola Branch of that 
 road was extended from Paola to Ottawa. 
 
 The Missouri Valley Railroad (now Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs) 
 was completed February 27, and opened March ist, making Kansas City's seventh 
 railroad. 
 
 In March, the Missouri Pacific Railroad took an interest in the Pleasant Hill 
 & Lawrence Railroad, and in June it was under contract. In March the city 
 council submitted to the people an ordinance to aid the Kansas City & Santa Fe 
 
490 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Railroad to the extent of $100,000 between Kansas City and Ottawa, but it was 
 voted down, because the people understood that Mr. Joy was interested in it, 
 and intended to build it anyhow. This was found to be a mistake. In April 
 contracts were let for building the Leavenworth & Atchison Railroad, and for the 
 Atchison & Nebraska Railroad. On the 3d of that month, Kansas City, Kansas, 
 was laid out, and on the 6th, the last stone on the Missouri River bridge was 
 laid. Between that time and the 3d of July, the superstructure was put on, and 
 the bridge was opened on the 3d with a celebration ; the first bridge on the Mis- 
 souri River. In May, the Missouri Pacific Railroad began the agitation of a St. 
 Louis and Santa Fe Railroad, to start from Holden, on their line, and run through 
 Paola. Toward the latter part of the month, it was taken hold of by Colonel R. 
 S. Stevens, and called the Missouri, Kansas & Albuquerque. It has since been 
 built from Holden to Ottawa, and is operated as one of the Missouri Pacific cut- 
 offs. 
 
 On the 31st of May, the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad was 
 completed to Paola. In June Mr. Joy became identified with the Leavenworth, 
 Lawrence & Galveston Railroad, and the company was re-organized, after which 
 it was pushed forward rapidly. The Missouri Pacific Railroad was originally 
 built on what is known as the broad gauge, and on the i8th of July, it was 
 changed the entire length of its line to the standard gauge. On the 7th of Au- 
 gust the council again submitted to the people a proposition to vote $100,000 to 
 the Kansas City & Santa Fe Railroad, of which $25,000 was to be expended in 
 building a switch to the southern part of the city, and the balance on the line, 
 between Olathe and Ottawa. This proposition was carried, and in October the 
 line was surveyed. The foundations of the Nelson House, on the corner of Sec- 
 ond and Main streets, were laid in the spring of 1869. Work was stopped on it 
 in the fall, and it was sold the next year to the County Court, and was finished up 
 in 1870 and 1871 as a County Court House. 
 
 During the year 1869 the growth of the city was rapid, and great improve- 
 ment was made on the streets. There was also much discussion of the water 
 works question, and a company was formed to build the works. 
 
 KANSAS CITY & MEMPHIS RAILROAD. 
 
 Early in the year there began to be a great deal of discussion relative to the 
 building of a railroad to Memphis, and on the 26th of August a large convention 
 was held at Springfield for the purpose of setting the enterprise in motion. Only 
 a temporary organization was here effected, but afterward, Oct. 1 9, another meet- 
 ing was held at Kansas City, at which all the parties interested, including the 
 counties in Missouri through which the road would run, Arkansas, and the city 
 of Memphis, were represented. At this meeting an organization was effected, 
 under the provisions of the charter of the Kansas City, Galveston & Lake Supe- 
 rior Railroad, procured by Col. Van Horn in 1857. It was under the same char- 
 ter that the Kansas City & Cameron Railroad was built. The directors elected at 
 this meeting were A. H. Humphreys, E. D. Harper, W. P. Cox, W. L. Strong, 
 W. B. Nichols, G. W. Jones, J. M. Richardson, S. S. Burdett, W. P. Johnson, 
 Col. A. A. Tomlinson, Col. C. E. Kearney, Col. R. T. Van Horn, C. M. Ferree 
 and Col. J. D. Williamson. 
 
 In September, 1869, several companies in Missouri and Iowa were consoli- 
 dated under the name of the Chicago & Southwestern Railroad Company, the 
 object of which was to build a railroad from Davenport, Iowa, to the Missouri 
 River. The line has since been built by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
 Railway Company, and has one branch terminating at Atchison, and another at 
 Leavenworth, while it makes connections to Kansas City over the Hannibal & 
 St. Joseph from Cameron. 
 
 In November, 1869, the Kansas City College of Physicians and Surgeons 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 491 
 
 was founded and incorporated ; and in December the Atchison, Topeka & Santa 
 Fe railroad was surveyed from Atchison to Topeka. This same month the Mis- 
 souri River, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad reached Fort Scott, beyond which its 
 progress was retarded by a league among the settlers on the Cherokee Neutral 
 lands opposed to its progress, and by which the laborers were driven off. The 
 Neosho Valley Railroad, now part of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas, was finished 
 between Junction City and Emporia that month also. 
 
 The Union Pacific, eastern division, by which name the Pacific Railroad from 
 Kansas City had been called, had its name changed in March, 1869, to Kansas 
 Pacific. Its bond subsidy extended only to Sheridan, and for nearly a year it 
 stopped at that place, but in 1869 it effected arrangements for the construction of 
 the line to Denver, and grading was resumed in the latter part of 1869. 
 
 AT THE CLOSE OF THE YEAR. 
 
 The year 1869 was one of the most prosperous in the history of Kansas 
 City. Her business was rapidly extended with the extension of her railroad lines, 
 and the extent to which building was done, was scarcely less than in 1868. Her 
 population had increased to thirty thousand, and she had that year made four 
 and a half miles of street. She had seven railroads in operation, three of which 
 were yet unfinished, but progressing rapidly. These were the Missouri Pacific, 
 the North Missouri, the Platte Country, the Missouri River, completed. The 
 Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf, to Fort Scott, the Leavenworth, Lawrence 
 & Galveston, nearly to Garnett, and the Kansas Pacific to Sheridan. At this 
 time she was so much in the lead that the rivalry between her and other Missouri 
 valley cities was rapidly ceasing. 
 
 CITY ADDITIONS. 
 
 The growth of Kansas City during the period covered by this chapter was 
 never before equaled on the American continent, and notwithstanding the many 
 "additions" to the city during the prosperous era from 1855 to r86i many more 
 were required to afford the people room. During these years the following 
 named additions to the city were made, and the plats filed on the dates here 
 given : 
 
 January 12, 1865 — Resurvey of Reeds' Addition. 
 
 June 3, '65 — McElroy's Sub-division. 
 
 October 4, '65 — T. S. Case's Sub-division. 
 
 October 5, '65 — Pacific Place Addition. 
 
 October 17, '65 — Sol. S. Smith's Sub-division. 
 
 December 15, '65 — Cottage Place Addition. 
 
 December 18, '65 — McGee Place Addition. 
 
 February 19, '66 — Vineyard's Second Addition. 
 
 February 27, '66 — Rice's Addition. 
 
 April 9, '66 — West Kansas Addition, No. 2. 
 
 May 2, '66 — Bailis Place Addition. 
 
 May 21, '66 — Krey's Sub-division. 
 
 May 24, '66— A. J. Lloyd's Sub-division. 
 
 May 24, '66 — Depot Addition (first plat). 
 
 May 27, '66 — Depot Addition (second plat). 
 
 May 30, '66 — T. A. Smart's Second Addition. 
 
 August 7, '66 — McLane's Subdivision. 
 
 October i, '66 — Smart's Place Addition. 
 
 December ri, '66 — Long & White's Sub division. 
 
 January 9, '67 — T. S. Case's Addition. 
 
 April 22, '67 — Guinotte Bluff Addition. 
 
 October, 8, '67 — Gillis' Addition. 
 
492 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 November i8, '67 — Case & Bailis' Sub-division. 
 
 May If, '68— T. A. Smart's Third Addition. 
 
 May 22, '68— E. M. McGee's Sub-division. 
 
 June II, '68 — Extension to West Kansas Addition No. i. 
 
 July 24, '68— B. F. Evans' Addition. 
 
 August 19, '68 — Bidwell's Sub-division. 
 
 October 2, '68 — Wm. Toms' Addition. 
 
 October 30, '68 — Seegar's Addition. 
 
 November 2, '68 — Armfield's Addition. 
 
 November 5, '68 — Broadway Addition. 
 
 December i, '68 — Mulkey's Addition. 
 
 April 21, '69 — Second Resurvey of Reed's Addition. 
 
 May 4, '69 — Hammerslough's Sub division. 
 
 May 21, '68— Hurck's Sub-divison of Guinotte Bluff. 
 
 June 29, '69 — Matthew & Hill's Sub-division. 
 
 July 29, '69 — Thomas Green's Sub-division of lot 116, Hurck's Sub-division. 
 
 September 11, '69 — Ly kins' Place Addition. 
 
 September 12, '69 — Branham's Sub-division. 
 
 September 18, '69 — Gallfy's Addition. 
 
 October 5, '69 — Bank Street Block Addition. 
 
 THE BOARD OF TRADE. 
 
 Reference has already been made to the organization of the Board of Trade 
 in February, 1869, and to the fact that this organization was rendered necessary 
 by the cessation of the Chamber of Commerce, organized in 1857. 
 
 The Chamber of Commerce after its revival after the war, soon revived and 
 secured the various railroads and other enterprises which it had inaugurated 
 prior to the war. In doing this, many of its leading and most active members 
 became connected with the enterprise which it had inaugurted, and were thus 
 individually employed to such an extent that they could not attend to the affairs 
 of the organization. Beside the objects for which it was instituted were now 
 secured and the era of prosperity which it sought to inaugurate was in fullest 
 existence. The occasion for it having therefore ceased in 1866-7, the organiza- 
 tion itself ceased about the same time. Its success, however, in the securing of 
 railroads, and the era of growth and prosperity which it sought, raised a new class 
 of interests and questions which needed the concerted action of the people, and 
 it was. for this purpose that the Board of Trade was organized. 
 
 This organization came into existence on the 6th day of February, 1869, at 
 which time rules and by-laws were adopted and an election for officers held. At 
 this election T. K. Hanna, Esq. , senior member of the jobbing dry goods house 
 of Tootle, Hanna & Co., waselected president; M. Diveley, first vice-president, 
 and S. S. Mathews, second vice-president ; D. M. Keen, was elected secretary 
 and H. M. Holden, treasurer. 
 
 The board had a membership of sixty-seven, among whom were many gen- 
 tlemen still prominent among the business men of Kansas City. Among these 
 men were such as H. J. Latshaw, M. Diveley, Adam Long, James M. Nave, B. 
 A. Feineman, Thos. Green, H. M. Holden, T. B. Bullene, Col. A. A. Tomlin- 
 son, D. M. Jarboe, T. K. Hanna, Gen. Frank Askew, Matt Foster, E. H. Allen, 
 L. Hammerslough, J. B. Wornall, E. W. Patterson, Francis Foster, J. W. Reid, 
 C. M. Ferree, T. V. Bryant, Benj. McLean, Joseph Cahn, D. K. Abeel, J. E. 
 Marsh, C. E. Kearney, J. A. McDonald, T. M. James, Dr. F. B. Nofsinger and 
 T. J. Bigger, though these latter three did not become members until 1870. 
 
 This organization was very active during 1869, and held weekly meetings, at 
 which were discussed questions of importance to the city at that time, and com- 
 mittees appointed to secure the changes and improvements it decided to be for 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 493 
 
 the common welfare. One of the first questions to come before it, was a propo- 
 sition to divide Jackson county, which it vigorously opposed. About the same 
 time it took up the subject of uniform drayage charges, and uniforn freight rates 
 on the roads already constructed to Kansas City. The first of these objects was 
 speedily secured by city ordinance; and the latter, together with all discrimina- 
 tions against the city, was before it all the year, but it finally succeeded with all 
 the roads in securing satisfactory rates and a discontinuance of all discrimina- 
 tions. The movement for paid fire department originated with it and it secured 
 such an establishment. It also secured a license law for drummers selling goods 
 by sample in the city. It endeavored at one time, without success, to have the 
 Kansas Pacific Railroad deliver and receive freight at the Grand avenue depot of 
 the Missouri Pacific Railroad on account of the distance to the State Line depot 
 and the almost impassable condition of Fifth and Bluff streets. 
 
 Failing in this, it undertook next an extensive system of street improvements, 
 including the grading and paving of Second, Fifth, Bluff" and Twelfth streets and 
 Independence avenue. For this purpose it asked the City Council to submit a 
 proposition to the people of the city to vote sixty thousand dpllars for these im- 
 provements. The subject was then referred to a committee consisting of H. M. 
 Holden, A. A. Bainbridge, J. W. Reid, A. C. Dyas and J. B. Wornall, to secure 
 the desired action by the Council. They were successful, and the proposition 
 was submitted at an election held for that purpose August 8th. 
 
 About the same time the board took up this matter, it also took up the ques- 
 tion of voting one hundred thousand dollars aid to the Kansas City & Santa Fe 
 Railroad Company to aid in completing its road between Olathe and Ottawa. It 
 procured the requisite action from the City Council, submitting such a proposi- 
 tion at the same election as that for money to improve the streets. The commit- 
 tee through whom this action was secured was composed of M. Diveley, S S. 
 Matthews and D. M. Keen, who acted jointly with a like committee appointed 
 by the secretary of the railroad company. 
 
 These two propositions being thus submitted to the people, Messrs. T. K. 
 Hanna, J. W. Reid and D. M. Keen were appointed by the board a committee 
 to prepare a memorial addressed to the people showing why it should be adopted. 
 Messrs. A. L. Harris, Col. Frank Foster and Peter Soden, from the first ward ; 
 E. M. McGee, L. Hammerslough and Henry Tobener, from the second ward ; 
 Gen. J. W. Reid, A. A. Bainbridge and J. P. Green, from the third ward ; and 
 J. R. Bailis, G. W. Branham and James E. Marsh, from the fourth ward, were 
 appointed a committee to work for the propositions in their respective wards on 
 the day of election, and were authorized to employ bands of music and carriages 
 to convey voters to and from the polls. Both propositions were carried by their 
 efforts, and thus the street improvements were secured and also the construction 
 of this railroad, which was immediately proceeded with, and by means of which 
 the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad was secured to Kansas City. 
 
 Later in the year, the Board sent a delegate to Springfield, Mo., in the in- 
 terest of the Kansas City & Memphis Railroad, and agitated the question of 
 water works for the city, but it undertook no further enterprises of any magni- 
 tude during that year. 
 
494 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 THE PROGRESS FROM 1870 TO 1872. 
 
 Jmprmiement and Enlargement of the Railroad Facilities — Inception of the Barge Line — Water 
 and Gas Works Built — The Law Library — The Barge Line — The Exposition — The Board of 
 Trade, and other Improvements. 
 
 The rapid progress and development of the city ..at the close of 18&9, con- 
 tinued several years afterward, and until causes of a national character depressed 
 immigration to Kansas, stopped railroad building and produced the condition of 
 financial stringency caluminating in the great panic of 1873 and the subsequent 
 general depression. 
 
 The years of 1-871 and 1872 were years of great prosperity and growth, 
 though before the close of the latter, shadows of the coming depression began to 
 be felt. The year 1872 was less active in buildings and improvements, and in 
 the year 1873 occurred the great panic; after which, for three years, Kanas 
 City, in common with the whole country, made little progress in visible forms, 
 but in the development of and extension of trade, her progress was uninterrupted, 
 and at the close of 1876, she was alike the market and a source of supply of the 
 New West, embracing Western Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and 
 Northern Texas, with Southwestern Iowa and Southern Nebraska, gradually com- 
 ing in. 
 
 THREE RAILROADS FINISHED. 
 
 The subjects of chief discussion in 1870, and the ends to which the city was 
 lending its efforts and energies, were the Kansas City & Memphis Railroad, and 
 the construction of the water works. The Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf, 
 the Kansas City & Santa Fe^, and the Leavenworth, Lawrence and Galveston 
 Railroads were all secured, and in course of rapid construction, hence were not 
 objects of soHcitude to the city. The Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf was 
 completed to Baxter Springs and opened for business in May. The Kansas City 
 & Santa Fe was finished between Olathe and Ottawa, and opened for business 
 August 22d, and from the first was operated as part of the Leavenworth, Law- 
 rence and Galveston Railroad. The Leavenwortih, Lawrence & Galveston Rail- 
 road reached Thayer, Kansas, by the close of the year, and was completed and 
 opened to Cofifeyville, on the southern line of the State, September 4, 187 1. The 
 Kansas Pacific, which was in a-very forward state at the beginning of 1870, was 
 completed to Denver on the 15th of August, and thus affected a conneclion with 
 the Union Pacific, the Denver Pacific, from Denver to Cheyenne, having been 
 already completed. 
 
 RIGHT OF WAY THROUGH THE INDIAN TERRITORY. 
 
 About the same time that Congress granted a charter for the Kansas & 
 Neosho Valley Railroad, at the time of which we now write, known as the Mis- 
 souri River, Fort Scott & Gulf, it granted a charter also for the Southern Branch 
 of the Union Pacific Railroad, which was to run from Fort Riley, Kansas, south- 
 wardly to Fort Smith, Arkansas, which would take it through the Indian territory. 
 This was secured at the instance of southern representatives and senators. At 
 the same time, the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Fort Gibson Railroad, at the time 
 of which we write known as the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad, 
 was in progress from Lawrence southward. This road, as already noticed, was pro- 
 jected by Senator James H. Lane, of Kansas, and by him and others interested 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 495 
 
 was designed to run through the Indian Territory, to connect with the Texas 
 Central for Galveston. Hence the charter for the Fort Scott road introduced by 
 Col. R. T. Van Horn, of this city, and passed in July, was so amended upon its 
 passage, at the instance of the southern senators and representatives, and Senator 
 Lane, as to provide that if either of these latter roads reached the boundary of 
 the Indian Territory before the Fort Scott road reached there, they would have 
 the right to the right of way through the Indian Territory, secured by treaty, and 
 by this charter granted to the Fort Scott road. The Fort Scott road reached the 
 line about a month in advance of the Neosho Valley Railroad, which was con- 
 structed on the charter of the Southern Branch of> the Pacific, and which afterward 
 became known as the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad. Nothwithstanding 
 this fact the latter road raised a question of right with the Fort Scott road to the 
 right of way through the Indian Territory. The ground upon which it contested 
 the right of the Fort Scott road was that the charter provided that the State line should 
 be crossed in the valley of the Neosho River, and it held that the terminus of 
 the Fort Scott road at Baxter Springs was not in that valley. The' map of the 
 route had been approved by the Secretary of the Interior, and thus its location 
 had been approved. Yet the case came up before that officer and the then 
 incumbent decided it in favor of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, and 
 thus shut out the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf. 
 
 THE MEMPHIS RAILROAD IN 1870. 
 
 In February, 1870, Mr. Edward P. Tucke was engaged by the Kansas City, 
 Springfield & Memphis Railroad Company to survey the line, and he began the 
 work immediately. During the spring months, while this work was in progress, 
 the counties along the line voted aid to it, and it was progressing finely. Early 
 in the summer, however, there appeared in the field another enterprise, the Clin- 
 ton, Kansas City & Memphis Branch of the Tebo & Neosho Railroad Company, 
 proposing to build a line of road from Kansas City to Memphis, by the way of 
 Clinton, in Henry county. Mo., instead of by the way of Springfield. The Tebo 
 & Neosho Railroad charter was an old one granted by the Legislature of the State 
 of Missouri, and upon which the Kansas Land and Trust Company had already 
 built a road from Sedalia, by the way of Fort Scott, to Parsons, Kan. , where it 
 united with the Neosho Valley Railroad from Junction City, Kan. This latter 
 road, as already stated, was built on a charter granted by Congress for a South- 
 ern Branch of the Union Pacific Railroad from Fort Riley to Fort Smith, and by 
 the same parties who built the road from Sedalia to Parsons. When these two 
 roads were united under one management, the consolidated road took the name 
 of Missouri, Kansas & Texas. The Clinton, Kansas City & Memphis Branch of 
 the Tebo & Neosho Railroad was a company organized as a branch of this road 
 under a general law of the State of Missouri, authorizing railroads to construct" 
 branches. From the time of its appearance in the field, both companies were 
 canvassing along the line for county aid, and some counties voted aid to one, and 
 some to the other, and the feeling in the country from Kansas City southward 
 was much divided between them. Thus they stood at the end of the year. 
 
 WATER-WORKS. 
 
 The necessity of water-works was much discussed during the early part of 
 the year, and finally took shape in a determination on the part of the city to 
 build them. For this purpose the council adopted an ordinance providing for 
 raising $300,000, and it was submitted to the people and adopted by them on the 
 2d of June. It was soon ascertained, however, that there was some informahty 
 in the election — people being allowed to vote who had not registered, as re- 
 quired by law — which made the bonds of doubtful validity, and the scheme was 
 
496 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 abandoned, but not until after much discussion and too late in the year to inau- 
 gurate another enterprise. 
 
 OTHER ENTERPRISES OF 1870. 
 
 The Texas cattle movement through this city to the eastern markets, which 
 began in 1868, had assumed such proportions as to render better accommodations 
 necessary, and accordingly in the spring of 1870, the railroads running eastwardly 
 from here built stock yards for the receiving and transfer of stock. 
 
 In May, the Platte County Railroad from Kansas City to the Iowa line, and 
 the Council Bluffs & St. Joseph Railroad from the Iowa line to Council Bluffs, 
 were consolidated, having passed into the hands of the Boston interest, with which 
 Mr. Joy was connected, and it then took the name of the Kansas City, St. Joseph 
 & Council Bluffs, by which it is now known. 
 
 In June a company was organized to build a road from Kansas City to the 
 northward, through Plattsburg, but nothing was ever done with it. James Birch, 
 of Plattsburg, was president of the company, and Col. E. M. McGee, of Kansas 
 City, vice-president. 
 
 The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, the construction of which was 
 began in 1868, at Atchison, was this year put into operation to Emporia. The 
 railroad up the west side of the river to Troy, and the M. , K. & T. Railroad 
 between Sedalia and Parsons were finished. 
 
 Coates' Opera House was finished in September, and on the 6th of October 
 dedicated; Mr. Charles Pope, of St. Louis, being the first manager. 
 
 THE "journal" again. 
 
 On the 9th of March Col. John Wilder, the editor of The Journal of Com- 
 merce, which was then being published by John AVilder & Co., was shot and 
 instantly killed by James Hutchinson, at the city court house, about a personal 
 matter. Col. Wilder was a very popular man and editor, and his loss was 
 greatly deplored by the people. Hutchinson afterward died before his trial. 
 On the 2 1 St of May following, Col. Van Horn, who had now completed his third 
 successive term in Congress, purchased the interest of Col. Wilder in The Journal. 
 Three days afterward his old ante-war partner, D. K. Abeel, purchased the 
 interest held by Smith Baker, Esq. , and the firm of R. T. Van Horn & Co. came 
 into existence. 
 
 OTHER NEWSPAPERS. 
 
 The Advertiser, a Democratic daily was established by a gentleman named 
 Simpson in 1865, but failed in 1869. The Bulletin, a Republican daily, was 
 established by George W. Householder, in March, 1868, and failed in 1873. 
 And the Kansas City Times, the present leading Democratic daily, was established 
 by a company in the spring of 1868. The News, an evening independent paper, 
 was established by a co-operative company of printers in 1870 and failed in 1874. 
 And the Mail, an evening Democratic paper, was established by Col. John C. 
 Moore in the spring of 1875, ^'^^ '^ still pubhshed. 
 
 STREET RAILROADS. 
 
 The Kansas City and Westport Horse Railroad Company which had, been 
 organized in 1869, with W. K. Bernard, Edward Price, Geo. W. Briant, Nehe- 
 miah Holmes, Col. E. M. McGee, J. Q. Watkins and William Dunlap as incor- 
 porators, was built in 1870 from the corner of Fourth and Main streets by Fourth, 
 Walnut, Twelfth and Grand avenue to Sixteenth street. 
 
 In 1870 the Jackson County Horse Railroad Company was organized with J. 
 Q. Watkins, F. R. Long, A. C. Dyas, D. O. Smart, C. E. Waldron as incorpo- 
 rators. It was to build a line from Twelfth street and Forest avenue to Indepen- 
 dence avenue, thence to Grand avenue, thence to Fifth street, thence to Walnut 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 497 
 
 Street, thence to Fourth street and thence to Main street, with another line 
 extending along Fourth to Wyandotte, thence to Fifth and thence by way of Fifth 
 and Bluff streets and Union avenue to Mulbery street, thence to Ninth street, and 
 thence to the Sfate line in the direction of Wyandotte. No work was done on 
 this line that year. 
 
 CENSUS AND BUSINESS. 
 
 The United States census, taken in 1870, gave the population of Missouri 
 Valley cities as follows ; 
 
 Kansas City 32,286 
 
 Leavenworth 17)873 
 
 Atchison 7,054 
 
 Lawrence -. 8,315 
 
 St. Joseph 19) 565 
 
 Council Bluffs 10,020 
 
 Omaha 16,083 
 
 Topeka • 5)79° 
 
 The increase for Kansas City from 4,418 in i860, was the largest per cent, of 
 increase ever made by any American city, but its real magnitude can only be 
 appreciated when it is remembered that these ten years included five of war, during 
 which Kansas City's population decreased to about three thousand five hundred, 
 so that instead of the increase being from 4,418 to 32,286 in ten years, it was 
 actually from about 3,500 to 32,286 in five years. 
 
 At the end of the year Kansas City had eight railroads and seven banks; 
 had built, during the year, 927 houses, at an aggregate cost of $3,454,500, had 
 made 60,000,000 brick, and had a jobbing trade as follows: 
 
 Dry Goods $2,511,840 
 
 Groceries 2,614,425 
 
 Liquors 618,108 
 
 Other jobbing lines 3,004320 
 
 Total $8,748,693 
 
 The whole business of the city, including all lines, was estimated to have 
 been $34,794,880. 
 
 THE BOARD OF TRADE IN 1870. 
 
 The Board of Trade was' not a very active organization in 1870. The evils 
 it was brought into existence to remedy, and the interests it sought to secure, 
 having been remedied and secured in 1869, its members yielded to the same im- 
 pulses which had caused the decease of the Chamber of Commerce, and devoted 
 themselves to their own affairs. At the annual election, Jan. 25th, T. K. Hanna 
 was elected President, Gen. Frank Askew, First Vice-President, M. Diveley, Second 
 Vice-President and H. M. Holden Treasurer. 
 
 The principal objects it interested itself ih during the year were the Memphis 
 Railroad, an effort to prevent the removal of the city post-office to the Junction 
 of Main, Delaware and Ninth Streets, the collection of business statistics at the 
 request of Col. Van Horn, to aid him in securing from Congress, ot which he 
 was still a member, the establishment of a custom house, an attempt to prevent 
 the Miss(furi Pacific Railroad from discriminating against this city and in favor of 
 Leavenworth, to which place its line was now extended by use of the Missouri 
 River Railroad between Kansas City and Leavenworth, and a few other matters 
 of less importance. 
 
 EVENTS OF 1 87 1. 
 
 In January, 1871, another commercial organization, called the Merchant's 
 Exchange, was organized, the object of which was to maintain a daily exchange 
 
: : e i M ^ MS f 
 
 BULLENE, MOORES & 
 
 EMERY'S WHOLESALE BUILDING, KANSAS CITY, MO. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 499 
 
 for the sale and purchase of articles of produce, which by this time began to 
 seek a market in Kansas City. Of the doings of this organization no record is 
 now known to be extant, but from the records of the Board of Trade it is learned 
 that an effort was made in January to consolidate the two. Mr. Hanna, President 
 of the Board of Trade, and James E. Marsh of the same organization formed 
 the consolidation, which Mr. Nave and others held that the objects sought by the 
 two were not necessarily identical, and might be better secured by separate organ- 
 izations. This view finally prevailed, and they were not consolidated. The Mer- 
 chants Exchange found itself in advance of the times, and after a few months 
 became quiet. The Board of Trade held but a few meetings in 1871 and under- 
 took no enterprise of importance. The officers this year were : T. K. Hanna, 
 President; Gen. Frank Askew, First Vice-President; James M. Nave, Second 
 Vice-President ; E. L. Martin, Secretary and B. A. Feineman, Treasurer. 
 
 OTHER MOVEMENTS IN 1 87 1. 
 
 In January, 1871, an effort was made to establish a furniture factory, and a 
 stock company was organized for that purpose. A building was erected on the 
 southern part of Walnut street, and the manufacture of furniture begun. It con- 
 tinued but a year or two, however, and failed. 
 
 THE MEMPHIS RAILROAD. 
 
 The conflict between the rival Memphis Railroad Companies continued 
 through the early half of the year. In March the County Court of Jackson 
 county transferred the county subscription from the Springfield to the Clinton 
 road, and there was much agitation and some litigation about the matter. In 
 June, however, the conflicting interests were united and harmonized, and the 
 road, as projected by them, was to be one line to Harrisonville, and thence two ; 
 one by the way of Springfield, and one by way of Clinton. Work was begun on 
 the Kansas City end July 15th, and continued until sometime in the winter, when 
 the company called upon Jackson county for money, and got into a dispute with 
 the authorities about the amount of work done. 
 
 Litigation, growing out of this dispute, stopped all further work until 1873, 
 when the matter was adjusted, the company got the Jackson county bonds, and 
 expended the proceeds thereof in grading on the road. When this was done, 
 the road bed was finished for nearly one hundred miles south from the city; but 
 owing to the depression of the money markets, resulting from the great panic 
 that year, was not afterward able to negotiate its bonds, to purchase the iron and 
 rolling stock. The company was finally forced into bankruptcy, and the road 
 sold December i, 1876, for $1,100. 
 
 WATER-WORKS AGAIN. 
 
 The city continued to agitate the construction of water-works, as it still felt 
 the need of a better supply of water. In April the City Council adopted an ordi- 
 nance authorizing their construction by a company, and soon afterward a company 
 of citizens was organized for that purpose. Colonel Coates was President of this 
 company, and H. M. Holden, Esq. , Secretary and Treasurer. A contract was let 
 to Messrs. Locke & Walruff, to build the works, and it was expected that work 
 would. soon begin. Indeed, the terms of the ordinance under which the company 
 was organized required that it should begin within six months. Nothing was 
 done by the contractors, however, until the time had expired, and the charter 
 was forfeited. 
 
 There continued much agitation of the matter. In the winter of 1872-3 an 
 act was passed by the Missouri Legislature, authorizing the city to contract with 
 a company for the purpose of building works, and in pursuance thereof, two dif- 
 ferent propositions were voted upon, and defeated by the people in the spring of 
 
500 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 1873. In November of that year, a contract was entered into with the National 
 Water- Works Company of New York, which was approved by the people; and 
 that company, in 1874 and 1875, constructed the works, consisting of two reservoirs, 
 two Holly engines, about sixteen miles of street main, and two hundred fire hy- 
 drants. By the terms of the contract, the city guaranteed to the company net 
 earnings to the amount of $56,000 annually, until that sum should be received 
 from rents, after which the guaranty was to cease. In the winter of 1875 'he 
 company reported its works complete, and demanded that their rents for fire pur- 
 poses and the guaranty should begin ; but at this point there arose a dispute be- 
 tween the company and the city authorities, which was made use of for election- 
 eering purposes that spring and the spring of 1876, and the matter was not 
 adjusted for several years. 
 
 COAL. 
 
 In June, 1871, there arose much discussion about coal, and it was believed 
 that coal could be found at Kansas City, since it had been discovered at Fort 
 Scott and so many other adjacent places. A company was formed, and an appro- 
 priation made by the city, to be expended in prospecting. The money was ex- 
 pended in drilHng a well in West Kansas City, but nothing resulted from it. The 
 completion of the Fort Scott road, however, made it less of an object, as it begun 
 to bring coal from Fort Scott and along the line, and it has since become a prom- 
 inent article of commerce in Kansas City, from which the Missouri "Valley is sup- 
 plied. 
 
 THE EXPOSITION. 
 
 About the 4th of August the establishment of an Annual Industrial Exposi- 
 tion began to be agitated. The first mention of this subject was made by the 
 Bulletin newspaper, in an editorial article written by Capt. D. H. Porter, then 
 its editor. The other newspapers immediately took it up and urged the sugges- 
 tion, and scon brought about a public sentiment in its favor which resulted in the 
 organization of a company for an experimental exposition to be held that fall. 
 Edward Fleischer, Esq. , was engaged to superintend it and the work begun. 
 Much interest was taken in it by the people and everything done that was deemed 
 necessary. The buildings were erected, the arrangements completed, and the 
 grounds opened October i6th. It continued six days and was a complete suc- 
 cess, fully thirty thousand people having attended on one day — Thursday. 
 
 Immediately afterward a permanent association was organized, fairgrounds 
 in the southeastern part of the city were secured, and it became a permanent 
 institution with annually increasing interest. 
 
 Col. Coates, who was elected President of the Association by which the 
 experimental exposition was held, become President of the permanent organiza- 
 tion, which position he has continued to fill. D. L. Hall, Esq., the first Secre- 
 tary, continued in that position until 1880, when he resigned and was succeeded 
 by J. Y. Leveridge, Esq. 
 
 THE LAW LIBRARY. 
 
 For several years there had been felt a great need of a law library. The 
 rapid growth of the city had attracted hither a great many attorneys, many of 
 whom were young men who had not yet accumulated libraries of their own. 
 There had been enough agitation of the subject to attract attention abroad, so 
 that about the ist of September, Messrs. Banks & Bros., law-booksellers, of New 
 York, informed some of the attorneys that they had recently been intrusted with 
 the sale of the library of the Hon. A. C. Baldwin, of Michigan, which con- 
 tained complete sets of reports of all the States and Territories in the Union down 
 to 1870. 
 
 A meeting of the attorneys was immediately called, an association organized. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 501 
 
 and the shares fixed at $250 each. Fifty-four shares were immediately sub- 
 scribed, some business men taking part to help the attorneys. The money was 
 thus raised and the library purchased, the books being received here Octo- 
 ber 30th. 
 
 Since that time the association has added subsequent reports, and a set of 
 English reports, making the Kansas City library, with perhaps one or two excep- 
 tions, the most complete in the United States. 
 
 The first officers of this association were John C. Gage, President ; Wallace 
 Pratt, Vice-President; John K. Cravens, Secretary; Henry N. Ess, Treasurer; 
 and Col. A. A. Tomlinson, Judge Nelson Cobbs, Judge Warwick Hough, Judge 
 F. M. Black, J. W. Jenkins, J. C. Gage, E. W. Kimball, Wallace Pratt and L. 
 C. Slavens, Board of Directors. 
 
 THE CHICAGO FIRE. 
 
 About this time, that is about the loth of October, occurred the great fire in 
 Chicago, which so nearly destroyed that city, and turned out its hundreds of 
 thousands of prosperous people without homes or means of subsistence. The 
 mayor of that city made an appeal to the generosity of the public for aid to pre- 
 vent the suffering and starvation that must otherwise follow so appaling a disaster. 
 Among the cities of the United States, Kansas City was not least prompt in 
 responding to this appeal. Mayor Warner immediately convened the council, 
 and an appropriation of ten thousand dollars was made and immediately for- 
 warded. About the same time a public meeting of the people was called, and a 
 relief association organized, of which General W. H. Powell was president. This 
 association held a succession of meetings, and appointed soliciting committees 
 for each ward. It also established a storehouse for the reception of donations of 
 food, money and clothing, and in the course of a few days had collected together 
 several thousand dollars worth of money, food, clothing, etc., and promptly for- 
 warded it to the sufferers, 
 
 THE CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC RAILROAD. 
 
 The ist of September the Chicago & Southwestern Railway was completed 
 to Beverly, on the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad. It im- 
 mediately became the property of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, 
 and until about the ist of January, 1880, made its connections with Kansas City 
 over the line of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs road. At the time 
 above mentioned, however, it made a contract with the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
 Railroad by which it secured the right to use the tracks of that road from Cam- 
 eron to Kansas City, since whicli it has run its trains through to Kansas City by 
 that route. 
 
 THE EVENTS OF 1872. 
 
 In January, 1872, the name of the North Missouri Railroad was changed to 
 St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern. 
 
 In January, 1872, the Board of Trade and Merchants Exchange having 
 both become non-active, there was a movement among the business men for the 
 formation of another commercial organization. This finally took shape January 
 1 6th, in a call for a meeting of the members of both the existing organizations at the 
 court-house. After some preliminary discussion, it was determined to unite the 
 two bodies, elect new officers and start anew. M. English, Esq., was chosen 
 President ^w te.m.. General W. H. Powell, Vice-President, and I.N. Hicks, Secre- 
 tary. Nineteen names were enrolled for the new organization. 
 
 The next day, a second meeting was held, at which rules were adopted and 
 an election of officers held. Gen. Powell was elected President, Dr. F. B. 
 Nofsinger, First Vice-President; J. A. Dewar, Second Vice-President; A. S. Haines, 
 
502 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Secretary, and Junius Chaffee, Treasurer. Mr. Haines finding it inconsistent 
 with business interests to fill the position of secretary, soon afterward resign- 
 ed, and D. Royce Drake was chosen in his place. At the annual election, 
 January, 1873, Hon. H. J. Latshaw was elected President, A. D. Simons, Secre- 
 tary, and Junius Chaffee, Treasurer. In June following, Mr. Simons resigned 
 the office of secretary, and W. H. Miller was chosen in his stead, and by suc- 
 cessive annual elections has continued to fill the office. At the next annual 
 election, in 1874, Dr. F. B. Nofsinger was chosen President, and continued to 
 act as such, by annual election, until 1878. At the annual election, 1875, Mr. 
 Diveley was chosen Treasurer, in the place of Mr. Chaffee, and served one year. 
 He, with Messrs. Nofsinger and Miller, were re-elected to their respective positions 
 again in 1876, but soon afterward. May 9th, he went out of office on a re-organi- 
 zation of the board, Howard M. Holden being chosen to fill the -place. The, 
 Board continued under this organization until May, 1876, and until that time it 
 was only a'voluntary association, the memberships continued for one year only, 
 and were secured by paying such annual sum as was decided upon by the mem- 
 bers attending the annual meetings. 
 
 THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND SANTA FE RAILROAD. 
 
 When the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad had been extended far 
 into the Arkansas Valley and begun to share largely in the transportation of Tex- 
 as cattle, it found that a large proportion of its business, about two thirds, originat- 
 ed at Kansas City, or was destined for that place. Hence it became desirous of 
 securing a line of its own to the city. Accordingly some gentlemen in Topeka, 
 in the spring of 1872, organized the Topeka and Lawrence Railroad Company, to 
 build a line to Lawrence, and at the same time a company called the Kansas City,. 
 Lawrence and Topeka, was organized in Kansas City to build the line between 
 Kansas City and Lawrence, MaJ. L. K. Thacher, Col. R. H. Hunt, E. L. Mar- 
 tin, J. R. Bailis, and F. R. Long constituted this company. On the 12th of No- 
 vember'the city voted $100,000 to aid the company. No progress was made by 
 this company that year. 
 
 THE KANSAS CITY AND EASTERN RAILROAD. 
 
 This important local Hne of railroad was inaugurated in the summer of 1872, 
 under the name of the Kansas City, Wyandotte & Northeastern, and it was at 
 first designed to run from Kansas City through Wyandotte and in a northwesterly 
 direction to the Kansas and Nebraska State line. The company, however, failed 
 to secure the requisite aid, and it was turned the other way, down the Missouri 
 River. August 21, 1872, Kaw township, in which Kansas City is situated, voted 
 it $150,000 aid for the line to the northwest. It was soon found, however, that 
 the requisite aid could not be obtained along the line in Kansas, and its course 
 was changed as above stated, when, Oct. 15, 1872, Blue township, in Jackson 
 county, voted bonds to it. The following March, 1873, the question of transfer- 
 ring the Kaw township bonds to the line westward from the city was submitted 
 to the people, and authority for the transfer given. The contract was let on the 
 first section, between Kansas City and Independeiice, in October, 1873, and 
 work begun in December. That part of the line was finished in 1874, and in 
 1875 the balance of the line at Lexington was put under contract and completed 
 in the spring of 1876. This road is the only narrow gauge road in Kansas City, 
 and is very important as a local road and because of its reaching the great coal 
 mines at Lexington. 
 
 BARGES ON THE MISSOURI RIVER. 
 
 The idea of navigating the Missouri River with barges was first proposed on 
 the 23d of April, 1872, in an editorial article in the Journal, which was written 
 by the then commercial editor. In his study of the commercial situation of Kan- 
 
HISTOR-y OF KANSAS CITY. 503 
 
 sas City, and of the means that might be adopted for its improvement, he hit upon 
 this idea, and in the editorial article referred to, stated the situation and the ends 
 to be attained by barges. The origin of the idea cannot be better shown than by 
 copying the article entire. It was as follows : 
 
 "The business men of this community realize that the great need of Kansas 
 City at the present time is a line of barges on the Missouri river. Quick transit 
 by rail, and the uncertainty and difficulty of navigating the river during the latter 
 part of the summer has rendered steamboating unprofitable, and nearly aboHshed 
 it. We are compelled to receive and ship our freights by the various railroads, 
 and although we are favorably situated in this regard, we cannot offer the induce- 
 ments needed for the shipment of the products of the country around us to this 
 market, nor to the merchants of neighboring towns to supply themselves here 
 with what they want for their customers. Our advantages in freights east are not 
 sufficient to render it entirely irnpossible to load grain on the cars in Kansas, 
 Nebraska, Western Missouri and Western Iowa for the markets to which our 
 grain is shipped ; hence the smaller places in the district named, having access 
 to our railroads, become collecting centers for the grain around them and ship it 
 direct to eastern markets. The larger merchants in such places find themselves 
 able to buy their stocks in eastern places and ship them direct to their establish- 
 ment. 
 
 "A barge line will remove these conditions. By giving cheap freights for 
 grain to St. Louis, it will compel the shipment of all the grain raised in the dis- 
 trict named, to this city, to obtain the benefit of such freights. It will, also, 
 reduce the cost of freights from the east here to such an extent as to bring down 
 the prices of all kinds of manufactured articles, groceries, etc., in this market, 
 and while our dealers will be able to realize their, present profits they will also 
 ■ be able to sell goods at such figures as to successfully compete with all the world 
 for the trade of this country. Thus it will- be seen that scarcely any other enter- 
 prise could secure such benefits to our city. 
 
 " The establishment of a barge line will at once create the business necessary 
 to make it profitable. There is no question about the feasibility of barge naviga- 
 tion of the Missouri, for in Europe many streams are thus navigated which are 
 worse than the Missouri. The moment that it is known that a barge line will be 
 estabhshed to this city, to begin on a certain date, there will be a movement 
 of the products of the country to this city, attracted by its cheap freights, that will 
 load every barge down the river. After harvest, the grain crop of Kansas, 
 Nebraska, western Missouri and western Iowa will all come down here for the 
 same reason, and during the fall will furnish a barge line all the business it can do. 
 
 "Return freights will be ample to load all up river barges. As it is, the 
 quantity of goods that would be shipped to this city, of the class that a barge line 
 would certainly handle, is such that it would afford a fair business. The reduc- 
 tion in freights would so reduce the prices of such goods in this market as to 
 cause an immense increase of the trade, and .thus naturally augment the amount 
 of business that a barge line would have to do. In view of these facts there 
 can be no doubt of the profit of the enterprise. 
 
 "It is stated that Capt. Eads has partly promised to put in such a line of 
 barges soon, but it is too important an interest to take any chances. Ouf Board 
 of Trade can do nothing more important at this juncture than to collect the ma- 
 terial to show to Capt. Eads and others that it will certainly pay, and thus secure, 
 beyond all question, its immediate establishment. 
 
 " In this enterprise, St. Louis has an interest as well as Kansas City, for 
 while it gives us all the advantages of being a receiving and distributing depot, it 
 will secure to St. Louis the passing of all our receipts through that city, and make 
 it the market which our products will reach first on their way to the consumer. 
 If St. Louis cannot derive a great benefit from these facts, she does not possess 
 
504 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 the enterprise for which she receives credit. Further than this, it will cause the 
 shipment to this place and to St. Louis, via this barge line, the products of a vast 
 area of territory in Nebraska, Iowa and Kansas, which now finds their market in 
 Chicago. In return, it will enable St. Louis and this city to supply the same area 
 with merchandise, whereas it is now supplied by Chicago." 
 
 This article excited a deep interest among the mrechants, and it was followed 
 by several others that brought to view more in detail the benefits it was proposed 
 thus to secure. The subject was taken up by the Board of Trade and referred to 
 a standing committee on Internal Improvements, consisting of Col. James E. 
 Marsh, Junius Chaffee, J. A. Dewar, Gen. W. H. Powell and E. R. Thelkeld. On 
 the 29th of April this committee addressed a letter to Capt. Eads, of St. Louis, and 
 one to Col. Octave Chanute, then superintendent of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & 
 Galveston Railroad, with headquarters at Lawrence. On the 9th of May they 
 reported a telegram from Capt. Eads, saying that he " was so constantly occupied 
 that he could not promise a report, but would write a letter strongly urging the 
 plan as soon as he had leisure." They reported also the following from Col. 
 Chanute : 
 
 Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroad, ) 
 
 Superintendent's Office, >■ ^ 
 
 Lawrence, Kansas, May 6, 1872. J 
 J. E. Marsh, J. Chaffee, J. A. Dewar, W. H. Powell, E. R. Threlkeld, 
 
 Committee of Board of Trade, Kansas City, Mo.: 
 
 Gentlemen — I find here upon my return after a short absence, your favor 
 of the 29th ult., asking my opinion as to the feasibility and practicability of es- 
 tablishing a barge line on the Missouri River to St. Louis and New Orleans, with 
 a view to handling grain, etc. 
 
 And first, let me say, that I concur most heartily and earnestly with the wis- 
 dom and opportuneness of the proposal In my judgment, the country to the 
 west, north and south of your city will be worth very little, unless some means be 
 taken to cheapen the transportation of its products, to the existing markets, or new 
 markets opened sufficient to absorb all its surplus ; and the railroads which drain 
 this territory are largely interested in bringing about such a consummation. 
 
 The business of the cities which border the great bend of the Missouri, has 
 hitherto been confined to the distributing of manufactured goods and supplies, to 
 the fast settling up country beyond them. These have been paid for with 
 the money that the emigrants had brought with them, or that which had been dis- 
 bursed by foreign capital that has been building our railroads. These supplies are 
 nearly exhausted, and there must hereafter be exports of surplus products in ex- 
 change for the consumption of goods ; industry must be directed into the most 
 profitable channels, and a great change take place in the character of the leading 
 business. 
 
 I confess I have not yet been able to see how the farmers of Kansas and Ne- 
 braska, would be able to compete successfully with those of Illinois and Missouri, 
 in marketing to the eastward their bulkier products, such as corn, with the pres- 
 ent methods and cost of transportation. They can, to be sure, concentrate their 
 corn into cattle, or hogs or highwines, or starch, and so export them, but the 
 profit will be less, and the return less immediate. 
 
 On the other hand, the railroads to the west and south of you are interested 
 in taking the corn to market in its original shape, in order to secure as much 
 tonnage as possible. For instance assuming a crop of forty bushels to the acre, 
 it requires but seven and one half acres of the tributary territory to load one 
 railroad car, while with the usual allowance of two acres per head per annum, a 
 car carries off the products of forty acres in the shape of twenty head of cattle ; 
 or allowing thirty bushels of corn required per head of hogs for fattening, and 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 505 
 
 one-fourth of an acre per head for range, a car will carry off the product of fifty 
 acres in the shape of so many hogs. 
 
 Our experience in this country has thoroughly proved, that while railroads 
 are admirably adapted to the gathering of the products of the land, over com- 
 paratively short distances, and the quick transportation of the more valuable and 
 perishable commodities, over long distances, they connot compete successfully 
 with well organized water transportation, for the bulkier products in proportion 
 to value, where time is not so essential. Even under the most favorable circum- 
 stances the cost of rail transportation is from two to six times as much as the cost 
 of carrying by water. 
 
 Some years ago a Mr. J. McAlpine, then engineer for the State of New 
 York, investigated the subject with much care, and arrived at the following re- 
 sults, as to the cost of vaiious modes of transportation. 
 
 Ocean — long voyage, 1.50 mills per ton per mile. 
 
 Ocean — short voyage, 2 to 6 mills per ton per mile. 
 
 Lakes — long voyage, 2 mills per ton per mile. 
 
 Lakes — short voyage, 3 to 4 mills per ton per mile. 
 
 Rivers — Hudson and similar character, 2.5 mills per ton per mile. 
 
 Rivers — tributaries of Mississippi, 5 to 10 mills per ton per mile. 
 
 Erie Canal enlarged, 4 mills per ton per mile. 
 
 Railroads — favorable line and grades, 12.5 mills per ton per mile. 
 
 Railroads — steep grades, 15 to 20 mills per ton per mile. 
 
 It must be clearly understood and remembered that the above is the prime 
 cost of the transportation, and that only with sufficient business to keep the lines 
 thoroughly employed. The charges will vary with the rate of profit exacted, the 
 risk attending the carrying, and the volume of business done. 
 
 At a convention held in Chicago in 1863, to promote the improvement of 
 the existing methods of transporting the products of the west to the seaboard, 
 which even then were felt to be inadequate, and to improve the navigation of the 
 Illinois River, the following table was given of the cost and existing charges of 
 forwarding the leading articles, from the mouth of the Missouri River : 
 
 STATEMENT SHOWING THE RATES OF TRANSPORTATION BETWEF.N THE MISSISSIPPI 
 RIVER AND NEW YORK IN 1862; ALSO THE COST WITH A COMMODIOUS WATER 
 TRANSPORTATION. 
 
 
 TO CHICAGO 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 > 
 
 
 ILL. RIVER IMPROVM't. 
 
 LAKE, 
 
 ERIE CANAL ENL'g'd 
 
 HUDSON RIVER. 
 
 
 bo^p 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 si^'S 
 
 FROM 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ALTON, 
 
 1 
 
 a 
 
 ?f 
 
 n 
 
 ■0 8 
 
 -1 
 
 
 
 crO 
 
 O 
 
 ■2° 
 
 1 "■ 
 
 g 
 
 o-O 
 
 O 
 
 r- 
 
 d 
 
 r^- 
 
 
 f 
 
 O 
 
 p" 
 
 p-|S 
 
 ILLINOIS. 
 
 si 
 
 (0 
 
 S 
 o 
 a 
 
 
 2.P- 
 
 
 a 
 
 CI 
 
 at 
 
 3"^ 
 
 "■a 
 
 
 
 B 
 
 n 
 
 a-" 
 
 ■ S 
 
 
 
 p 
 
 p 
 
 o 
 n 
 
 
 ti 
 
 113 
 
 n 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ct7 
 
 
 P 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 p 
 
 
 
 •^ 
 
 
 
 « 
 
 
 Milh. 
 
 Miles. 
 
 c. 
 
 M. 
 
 M. 
 
 n 
 
 c. 
 
 M. 
 
 M. 
 
 c. 
 
 c. 
 
 M. 
 
 M. 
 
 C. 
 
 ct 
 
 C. 
 
 c. 
 
 C. 1 
 
 Corn, . . 
 
 3H 
 
 320 
 
 3 
 
 m 
 
 2 
 
 950 
 
 53 
 
 9.6 
 
 4 
 
 350X 
 
 3.9 
 
 
 2Ji 
 
 151 
 
 1.0 
 
 13.3 
 
 13,2 
 
 36.8 
 
 23 6 
 
 Wheat... 
 
 3Ji 
 
 320 
 
 8.2 
 
 15 
 
 2 
 
 950 
 
 5,7 
 
 10 6 
 
 4 
 
 350^ 
 
 4.2 
 
 
 2« 
 
 151 
 
 1.0 
 
 15.4 
 
 14 2 
 
 41.0 
 
 26 8 
 
 Flour, brls 
 
 SK 
 
 320 
 
 11.2 
 
 35 
 
 2 
 
 950 
 
 19.0 
 
 43.0 
 
 4 
 
 350X 
 
 14. 
 
 
 2X 
 
 151 
 
 3.7 
 
 70. 
 
 47.9 
 
 148.0 
 
 100 
 
 By Rail*. 
 
 Cts. 
 
 Dis. 
 
 Cts. 
 
 Cts. 
 
 Cts. 
 
 Dis. 
 
 Cts, 
 
 Cts, 
 
 Cts, 
 
 Dis, 
 
 Cts. 
 
 Cts. 
 
 Cts, 
 
 Dis. 
 
 Cts. 
 
 Cts. 
 
 Cts, 
 
 Cts. 
 
 Cts. 2 
 
 Corn. . . 
 
 IH 
 
 256 
 
 8.9 
 
 14 
 
 IX 
 
 513 
 
 17.9 
 
 27,5 
 
 IX 
 
 380 
 
 13.3 
 
 20 
 
 IX 
 
 144 
 
 5 
 
 7 
 
 47.6 
 
 69.4 
 
 56 2 
 
 Wheat . . 
 
 IV 
 
 256 
 
 9.6 
 
 15 
 
 iX 
 
 513 
 
 19.2 
 
 29.5 
 
 Hi 
 
 380 
 
 1 12 
 
 21.4 
 
 VA 
 
 144 
 
 5.4 
 
 8.5 
 
 48,4 
 
 74.4 
 
 60 2 
 
 Flour . . 
 
 IX 
 
 256 
 
 32 
 
 50 
 
 IX 
 
 513 
 
 64.1 
 
 any. 
 
 IX 
 
 380 
 
 47.5 
 
 71M 
 
 IH 
 
 144 
 
 18 
 
 27.0 
 
 101 6 
 
 2J6.6 
 
 198 7 
 
 *For six months, during the suspension of navigatian, the cost is given by rail ; but in the last column, from 
 the amount charged is deducted the cost by water. fAmouDts charged between Buffalo, N. Y,, included in, 
 same column. JExisting rates by rail. 
 
506 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 These calculations are based upon the assumption of a reasonable immunity 
 from accidents, and the adoption of such a system as may be best fitted to the 
 character of the stream it is proposed to navigate. If they are correct, the follow- 
 ing would be the cost and charges upon a few of the leading articles, from and to 
 St. Louis : 
 
 ESTIMATED COST AND CHARGES BARGE TRANSPORTATION OF MISSOURI. 
 
 DOWN STREAM. 
 
 ARTICLES. 
 
 Corn per bushel . 
 Wheat per bushel , 
 Flour per barrel . 
 Beef per barrel . . 
 Hay per ron . . . 
 
 a 
 
 f« 
 
 n 
 
 
 > 
 
 > 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 C/l 
 
 B 
 B 
 
 as 
 
 Ul 
 
 Ul 
 
 a 
 
 o 
 
 
 
 
 
 C3 
 
 3 
 
 n 
 
 C 
 
 3 
 
 n 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^ 
 
 
 en 
 
 
 
 O 
 
 0) 
 
 * 
 
 
 g-fi 
 
 
 
 Eh 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 • 
 
 cp 
 
 
 crq 
 
 392 
 
 2-5 
 
 .025^ 
 
 Va 
 
 .02)4 
 
 $ .06 
 
 392 
 
 2-5 
 
 •°3 
 
 .01 
 
 •03 
 
 .07 
 
 392 
 
 2-5 
 
 .10 
 
 .04 
 
 .08 
 
 .22 
 
 392 
 
 2-5 
 
 .16 
 
 ■05 
 
 .19 
 
 .33 
 
 392 
 
 2-5 
 
 .98 
 
 . 12 
 
 .90 
 
 2.00 
 
 ITI 
 
 n 
 
 B 
 
 O 
 
 cr 
 
 UP STREAM. 
 
 Lumber M. F. B. M . . . 
 Iron and Nails per 1000 lbs. 
 
 Glass per 1000 lbs 
 
 Salt per barrel 
 
 Anthracite per ton .... 
 
 392 
 
 5-° 
 
 $2-44 
 
 392 
 
 S-o 
 
 . TO 
 
 392 
 
 5-° 
 
 .10 
 
 392 
 
 S-o 
 
 .29 
 
 392 
 
 5-0 
 
 1.96 
 
 ■35 
 03 
 ,06 
 
 •05 
 .10 
 
 $ 1.20 
 .07 
 .08 
 .12 
 .04 
 
 $4.00 
 
 .20 
 
 .24 
 
 .46 
 
 3.00 
 
 But, it will be said, no such rates of profits and charges now prevail on the 
 river, and the railroads have nearly driven off the steamboats. True, but this 
 may perhaps be the fault, not of the river, but of the character of the boats now 
 upon it, which, originally designed for a mixed passenger and freight trafific, have 
 not yet had time to adapt themselves to an exclusively freight transportation, and 
 to the altered condition of affairs, as to the class of goods to be carried. Their 
 hulls are built for fast running, instead of capacity for carrying, their machinery 
 uses fuel and steam in the most expensive way, and they carry large crews, who 
 cost and waste enormously, and await in idleness the emergencies of the local 
 trafific. A barge line properly designed must effect large savings under all three 
 of the above heads. 
 
 I believe that if they understand their permanent interests aright, the exist- 
 ing railroads will favor the proposition to re-organize the river transportation, so 
 as to reduce its cost to a minimum. They may thereby lose a little tonnage for a 
 time, but their permanent interests are that the trans-Missouri country shall be set- 
 tled and profitably farmed, and that the industry of the people shall be organized 
 and directed in the best manner. No permanent prosperity for the railroads can 
 be estabhshed at the expense of the country, its wealth and well-being must pre- 
 cede and form the basis for the success of its transportation lines. Already there 
 is a preposterous amount of carrying back and to, and the road with which I am 
 connected alone, has shipped to St. Louis, during the past season, many car loads 
 of wheat, which it is now bringing back in the shape of flour at the rate of two 
 or three cars a week. 
 
 It is a significant fact that no railroad in Illinois has as yet paid permanent 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 507 
 
 dividends, save those which terminate upon the great lakes. I might almost say 
 that none but those which terminate in Chicago have achieved great success. I 
 can think of no explanation for this fact, save that these alone have been enabled 
 to avail of the cheap water transportation of the lakes, and carry forward the 
 bulkier products of the soil to be emptied into the vessels. 
 
 In answer to the questions whicli you more particularly ask, I would say ; 
 
 ist. " Can a barge line be successfully operated on the Missouri River from 
 this city to St. Louis ?" 
 
 I think decidedly yes, although I believe such is not the opinion of many 
 men who have spent their lives in navigating the river. Much, very much, it 
 seems to me, depends upon howTbe experiment is inaugurated, and the class of 
 boats and barges which are first put on. A first failure often does more to retard 
 or defeat a worthy project than any intrinsic difficulties in the undertaking. 
 
 2d. " What should be the character and cost of the vessels?" 
 
 As I have had no practical experience of the navigation of the Missouri 
 River, my ideas on this point are necessarily somewhat theoretical and crude. I 
 give them to you for what they are worth, but I would urge that before being 
 adopted, and indeed before any of your plans are carried into execution, the 
 whole should be submitted to the better judgment of old river captains and pilots, 
 and such other experienced persons as are not prejudiced against the experiment. 
 
 The steamboat should, I think, have great surplus power, for use in time of 
 flood against the stream. It should have no passenger accomodation, except for 
 the smallest crew with which it would be safe to handle it. It should be low 
 above the water, and expose as little surface as possible to the wind. 'The wheels 
 I would put well aft, and I am by no means sure that a screw propeller would not 
 be much the best, as giving a more useful application of the power, and avoiding 
 all trouble from drift-wood. It ought to be supplied with powerful movable spar 
 machinery, which could be transported at once to any barge which might get 
 aground, and power transmitted to it tlirough adjustable shelves and blocks pref- 
 erably with wire ropes. The boat might also be provided with anchor beams, to 
 hold it at once, should one of the barges get aground, or strike a snag, and the 
 lashings between them should be so arranged that no harm would result to the 
 remainder of the tow, in going down stream, when the force of the current would 
 tend to cause it to swing around upon the damaged barge as a pivot. 
 
 I am not clear whether high or low pressure of steam would be preferable. 
 I think the former, working steam at 120 to 160 pounds to the inch pressure, 
 and arranged with a variable cut off and expansion gear. I believe there would 
 be an advantage in a high piston speed, and this could best be applied to a screw 
 propeller. The steam chest and cylinders should be thoroughly jacketed and 
 protected. I would burn coal exclusively ; and to save time, have chutes pro- 
 vided at convenient points on the river, from which the coal, stored upon a slope, 
 could run down by gravity upon the boat, on the removal of a tail board. 
 
 Such a boat as I have described, with capacity for towing six barges, carry- 
 ing two hundred and fifty tons each, would probably cost about $20,000 on a 
 wooden hull, and about $25,000 on an iron hull. The latter would probably be 
 the best in the long run, but as mistakes might be made, requiring some changes 
 in the construction, I believe I would begin with wood. 
 
 The barges should, I think, be of iron, divided into compartments by water- 
 tight bulkheads, and stiffened with internal bracing and ribs of wood. The latter 
 I believe important to prevent distortions in case of strain or accident. The ad- 
 vantages of the iron may be briefly stated to be : 
 
 First, Comparative immunity froifl destruction and sinking by running over 
 snags, etc. 
 
 Second, The damaging the cargo in none but the injured compartment. 
 
 Third, Facility for repairs. 
 
508 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Fourth, Greater durability ; the life of the barge being probably increased 
 to thirty years, instead of six or seven, as now. 
 
 Fifth, Exemption from water-soaking, and decreasing carrying capacity. 
 
 Sixth, Greater value of the old materials when worn out. 
 
 These advantages would in my judgment more than counterbalance the in- 
 creased cost of iron over wood and greater interest charge. So great do I con- 
 sider them to be, that I would recommend that at first the company should be 
 their own insurers, until their experience should settle what would be a reasonable 
 rate of premium. 
 
 In order to divide up the load and permit the doubling up around any swift 
 bend of the river, in times of flood, I believe a smaller class of barges than those 
 in use on the Mississippi should be adopted. I am incUned to recommend that 
 they be about loo feet long and 24 to 26 feet beam, drawing not more than eigh- 
 teen inches light, and carrying 250 tons on a draught of six feet, which would 
 give about 130 tons on a draught of four feet They should be "model barges" 
 and not flat^bottom scows, in order to offer the least resistance in towing up 
 stream, and in my estimate of cost, I have assumed them be built of one-fourth 
 inch boiler plate. The decks and inner furring might be of wood and they must 
 be arranged by all means so as to carry deck loads, protected by tarpaulins, in 
 case of need : They must be arranged so as to carry grain in bulk, and to be 
 easily loaded and unloaded by machinery. Success will depend greatly upon 
 doing away with hand labor. 
 
 I estiipate the cost to be about $5,000 per barge, and would advise the begin- 
 ning with six, with ample facilities for loading or unloading at either end, so as 
 to detain the steamboat as little as possible. 
 
 The best manner of making up the tows would have to be ascertained by 
 experience. Whether the barges should be abreast, or somewhat forward, or 
 back of the tow boat, or a number of them grouped to occupy all these positions, 
 I cannot tell. I would begin with two, then try four, and finally experiment with 
 six, but, as already hinted, the lashings should be carefully considered, and so 
 arranged that while they can be released instantly, they will be sure to do their 
 duty when required for hard service. 
 
 The best mode of working the line would also have to be tested by experi- 
 ence. The experiment clearly will be made upon through freights, and in the in- 
 terest perhaps of a single city, but if it succeeds each town bordering the river 
 will have its own barge, which will be leisurely loaded daring the week, to be 
 upon a specified day taken in tow by the steamboat, which is to take it to market, 
 there to be unloaded and reloaded by machinery and sent back with such com- 
 modities as the tributary country requires. 
 
 Partly with this in mind, and in order to meet the unforeseen contingencies 
 sure to arise, the working capital should be made ample, and a good surplus pro- 
 vided. The estimate is as follows : 
 
 I steam tow-boat, wooden hull $20,000 
 
 6 iron barges at $5,000 30,000 
 
 Landings and machinery at termini 5, 000 
 
 Contingencies 10,000 
 
 Working capital 25,000 
 
 Total . $90,000 
 
 If we assume your city as an initial point, we find that it is but 100 miles 
 further by water from New Orleans than Chicago is from New York, while you 
 are nearer New Orleans than Alton is from New York. I take the following fig- 
 ures from Humphreys & Abbott's report on the Mississippi River :* 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Mouth of Kaw to St. Louis by river 392 miles 
 
 St. Louis to New Orleans by river 11 49 " 
 
 509 
 
 1541 miles 
 
 Total 
 
 And by the above table : 
 
 Chicago to Buffalo by lake 950 miles 
 
 Buffalo to Albany by canal 3S°/4 " 
 
 Albany to New York by river 151 " 
 
 Total 145 1 J^ miles 
 
 Difference 8gj4 miles 
 
 There remains, however, in addition against you, the great disadvantage of 
 the effect of tropical climates upon certain cereals in transit, and these may re- 
 quired to be kiln-dried, to fit them for exportation. The southern local consump- 
 tion, however, can perfectly well be supplied. 
 
 I regret that I have no data at hand, later than those for 1853, of the cost of 
 ocean transportation from various ports ; they were then as follows : 
 
 TABLE OF OCEAN CHARGES 
 
 FOR THREE YEARS PRECEDING 1853, FROM VARIOUS AMERICAN PORTS 
 
 
 To Liverpool. 
 
 To Havre. 
 
 To Havana. 
 
 To Rio Janeieo. 
 
 FROM. 
 
 
 Pee Ton. 
 
 g 
 
 Per Ton. 
 
 
 Pee Ton. 
 
 g 
 
 Pee Ton. 
 
 
 Voy- 
 age. 
 
 Per 
 
 mile. 
 
 Voy- 
 age. 
 
 Per 
 mile. 
 
 Voy- 
 age. 
 
 Per 
 mile. 
 
 Voy- 
 age. 
 
 Per 
 mile. 
 
 Quebec 
 
 2910 «n nn 
 
 mills 
 3.75 
 1.74 
 1.60 
 1.70 
 1.60 
 1.70 
 1.60 
 
 313C 
 3000 
 3318 
 3385 
 3620 
 3485 
 4845 
 
 ■$5' 00 
 4 50 
 6 00 
 6 00 
 
 6 00 
 
 7 5u 
 
 mills 
 
 ■ 1.67 
 1.36 
 1.47 
 1.66 
 1.72 
 1.64 
 
 1960 
 1480 
 1260 
 1220 
 1215 
 1170 
 595 
 
 
 mills 
 
 6010 
 5310 
 6240 
 5000 
 6000 
 5000 
 6655 
 
 $4 00 
 
 4 00 
 
 5 00 
 
 6 00 
 600 
 
 7 00 
 
 mills 
 
 
 3020 
 3150 
 3295 
 3530 
 3395 
 4755 
 
 5 25 
 5 00 
 5 50 
 
 5 75 
 
 6 00 
 
 7 60 
 
 $4 00 
 300 
 
 4 00 
 
 5 00 
 5 50 
 4 00 
 
 2.70 
 2.40 
 3.27 
 4.11 
 4.70 
 6.72 
 
 0.75 
 
 New York 
 
 Philadelphia 
 
 0.76 
 1.00 
 
 
 1.20 
 
 Richmond , . 
 
 1 20 
 
 New Orleans 
 
 l.OS 
 
 Note, — The rates of freight to Rio Janeiro are proportionately low, because 
 the return freights are generally good. 
 
 As there is now a barge line in successful operation between St. Louis and 
 New Orleans, I suppose it will be your purpose to connect with that, rather than 
 to attempt for the present to extend as far as New Orleans, the rather as the suc- 
 cessful navigation of the Missouri River, will probably require a somewhat dif- 
 ferent class of boats and barges than that of the Mississippi. 
 
 It will be noticed that in the table given by Mr. McAlpine, the cost of trans- 
 portation on the Mississippi River, is stated to be three mills per ton per mile, 
 and on its tributaries at five to ten mills per ton per mile. This I understand to 
 be the prime cost, and it is undoubtedly high on account of the wasteful methods 
 hitherto practiced on those rivers, and the considerable extra expense entailed by 
 the accommodation of the passenger traffic on the same boats. 
 
 Without having investigated the subject as thoroughly as I could wish, and 
 made as many calculations as I would have done had I fuller data at hand, I am 
 inclined to estimate the prime cost of barge transportation on the Missouri River 
 at one quarter (^) of a cent per ton per mile down stream, and about double, or 
 one-half {^) a cent per ton a mile up stream. 
 
 It is very likely that even this would require to be enlarged in a short time, 
 to insure the success of the undertaking. If it succeeds, as I believe it can, it 
 will yield handsome returns upon many times the above investment. 
 
 Pardon me, gentlemen, for inflicting so long, and I greatly fear, so tiresome 
 a letter upon you. It has been written hurriedly, using such materials as chanced 
 
510 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 to be most convenient at hand, and has grown to its present great length in con- 
 sequence of the great interest I take in any proposal to reduce the cost of taking 
 to market the produce of our Kansas farmers, and the conviction that I entertain, 
 that under the circumstances existing at present, they will find it difficult to make 
 their operations profitable. I am, very respectfully, 
 
 O. Chanute 
 
 Capt. Eads soon afterward wrote the promised letter, in which he took strong 
 ground in favor of the feasibility of barge navigation on the Missouri, but urged 
 that some improvement of the river would be necessary to insure its success. 
 
 Thus sTjpported by the opinions of eminent engineers, tht Journal continued 
 its agitations of the enterpise, yet singular as it may now appear, met with the 
 opposition of every other Kansas City paper and of the united St. Louis press, by 
 whom the ' ' old river captains " were quoted as ridiculing the idea. Undaunted, 
 however, the Journal continued its agitation, though it was not able to bring 
 about any movement looking to the realization of its idea until the following year. 
 
 THE CITY DIVIDED INTO SIX WARDS. 
 
 On the 20th of February, 1872, the Missouri Legislature so amended the 
 charter of the city as to divide it into six wards. The first ward by this enact- 
 ment embraced all that part of the city between the river and Ninth street and 
 east of Walnut street ; the second all that part of the city between the river and 
 tenth street and between Walnut street on the east, and Lincoln and Bluff streets 
 and a line from the junction of Bluff and Fifth streets north to the river. The 
 third ward was all between Ninth and Fourteenth streets east of Walnut. The 
 fourth ward was all south of Fourteenth street and east of Walnut. The fifth 
 ward was all south of Tenth street and west of Walnut to Lincoln and Dripp 
 streets. The sixth ward was all west of Dripp, Lincoln and Bluff streets, north 
 to the river. 
 
 OTHER MATTERS. 
 
 The principal other matters that interested the city during the year 1872, 
 were as follows : An effort was made early in the year, to induce the railroads 
 centering here, to erect a union passenger depot. The building that was being 
 used for that purpose was a small wooden structure, on the site of the present 
 elegant building, which had been erected by the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad 
 on its first entrance into the city. As an encouragement to the railroads, a prop- 
 osition to exempt such a depot from taxation for fifteen years, was submitted to 
 the people at the spring election, but it was unfortunately defeated. 
 
 The city and the Board of Trade during this year were most interested in 
 the adjustment of the difficulties which had arisen between the county authori- 
 ties and the Memphis Railroad. At one time an effort was made to secure a 
 transfer of the subscription of $450,000 to the Louisiania Railroad, to the Toledo, 
 Wabash & Western, which proposed that if sufficient aid was given it, that it 
 would extend a line direct to this city, by the way of Moberly, Mo. An effort 
 was also made to secure the building of a road between Ottawa, Kansas, and 
 Emporia, and between Ottawa and Burlington. The former of these last two ef- 
 forts was unsuccessful, but the latter finally succeeded, mainly through the efforts 
 of W. H. Schofield, Esq., who was the president of the company. This road is 
 now known as the Kansas City, Burlington & Santa Fe, and is operated in con- 
 nection with the Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern Railroad. 
 
 CITY ADDITIONS. 
 
 The plotted part of the city was enlarged during the years covered by this 
 chapter by the following additions : 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 5U 
 
 April 4, 1870 — J. C. Merine's Sub di- 
 vision. 
 
 April 7/70— Wm. Toms' Sub-division. 
 
 April 8, '70 — Munford & Fancher's 
 Addition. 
 
 July 9, '70 — Balis' Addition. 
 
 July 23, '70 — Balis' Sub-division. 
 
 August 18, '70— Matthew & Hill's 
 Addition. 
 
 September 10, '70— M. M. Evans' 
 Addition. 
 
 September 14, '70 — Pratt's Addition. 
 
 October 21, '70 — Payne's Addition. 
 
 November 2, '70 — Jarboe's Addition. 
 
 November, 8, '70 — German Building 
 Association Sub-division. 
 
 July 10, '71 — M. M. Evans Resurvey 
 
 March 21, '71 — East Cottage Place 
 Addition. 
 
 May 2, '71 — Quest's Addition. 
 
 May 20, '71 — John Meyers' Sub-di- 
 vision. 
 
 June 2, '71 — Mulkey's Second Ad- 
 dition. 
 
 October 4, '71 — Tracy's Sub-division. 
 
 October 24, '71 — Jaudon's Addition. 
 
 December i6, '71 — M. J. Payne's 
 Sub-division. 
 
 January 4, '72 — Prospect Place. 
 
 February 3, '72 — John Johnson's Sub- 
 division. 
 
 May 6, '72 — Continuation of Smart's 
 Third Addition. 
 
 June 24, '72 — Sub-division of Blocks 
 in West Kansas Addition No. i. 
 
 July 13, '72— Union Place Addition. 
 
 July 19, '72 — Victorie's Addition. 
 
 October 24, '72 — Bouton Park Addi- 
 tion. 
 
 November 9, '72 — German Building 
 Association Sub-division. 
 
 November 25, '72 — Campbell Block 
 Sub division. 
 
512 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 THE PROGRESS OF 1873 TO 1876. 
 
 Street Railroads — Barge Line Agitation — The Panic of 18^3 — Efforts to get the Indian Territory 
 Opened to Settlement — Efforts for Transportation Improvements — The Mail Delivery — The 
 , Securing of the Atchion, Topeka &= Santa Fe and the Missouri, Kansas &" Texas Railroads 
 — How the Latter was Done — The Grasshopper Plague — The Revision of the City Charter — 
 Efforts to Secure a Mint — The Re-organization of the Board of Trade and Erection of the 
 Exchange Buildings 
 
 But little real progress was made by Kansas City during the year 1873. The 
 depression preceding the panic of that year had already begun to affect public 
 enterprise throughout the country, and Kansas City suffered in common with all 
 other places. The population by this time had increased, by the estimates of the 
 Directory to 40,740, being but a few hundred more than in 1872. There was 
 httle improvement or building of any kind, and every movement looking to the 
 advancement of existing enterprises or the addition of new ones felt the weight 
 of the national depression. However, the spirit of the people was such that they 
 still struggled to secure the improvements of a public nature that they felt the city 
 most needed. There was much discussion of the water works matter, and in the 
 early part of the year an attempt was made to form a company to build works. 
 There was also an effort to secure the union of interest between the Kansas City, 
 Wyandott & Northwestern Narrow Gauge Railroad, which had now been turned 
 to the eastward toward Lexington, and the Keokuk & Kansas City Company, 
 which was proposing to build a road to this city from Keokuk, but it failed. 
 There was also an effort to inaugurate a railroad from Kansas City northward 
 toward Chariton, Iowa. The importance of an extensive white lead manufactory 
 was also much discussed and investigated by a committee of the Board of Trade. 
 
 STREET RAILROADS AGAIN. 
 
 Early in this year the Jackson County Horse Railroad Company was organ- 
 ized, and proposed to build a street railroad from the corner of Fourth and Main 
 streets by Fourth street to Wyandotte street, thence to Fifth street, thence by 
 Fifth and Bluff streets and Union Avenue and Mulberry, thence north to Ninth 
 street, and thence by Ninth street to the State Line, to connect with a company 
 that had been organized in Wyandotte. It proposed another line from the corner 
 of Fourth and Main street by the way of Fourth and Walnut to Fifth, thence by 
 Fifth to Grand avenue, thence to Independence avenue, thence to Forest avenue, 
 and thence southward to Twelfth street. 
 
 About the same time there was organized the Union Depot Company. Its 
 line was to run from the Exposition grounds on Twelfth street to Grand avenue, 
 thence to Eleventh street, thence to Main street, thence to the junction of Main 
 and Delaware, thence down Delaware to Fifth, and thence to Walnut. Another 
 part of the line was to start from Sixth and Delaware, and run along Sixth to 
 Broadway, thence to Fifth, thence down Bluff and Union avenues to the Kansas 
 stock yards. Part of this line was built in 1873 ^^^^ at the same time the wes- 
 tern part of the Jackson county line, and in connection with it the Broadway 
 line from Fifth to Twelfth street. The next year the depot line had some trouble 
 of a financial character, and was sold, when it was bought in by the proprietors of 
 the Jackson county line, and both roads were put under one management, and 
 not long thereafter the Westport road passed into the same management. Since 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 513 
 
 the consolidation of the Jackson county and Depot lines, the latter name has 
 been dropped and that part of the line on Sixth street abandoned and taken up. 
 It is now operated as a double track road from Broadway to Hickory street, and 
 the Delaware and Twelfth street, and Independence and Forest avenue part of 
 the line is operated as a circuit. 
 
 THE BARGE LINE AGITATION OF 1873. 
 
 With the beginning of the year 1873 there was a more determined effort 
 made to secure the establishment of barge navigation of the Missouri River. It 
 was proposed now to make an effort to have this matter tested practically, and to 
 that end the Board of Trade appointed a committee to ascertain if barges could 
 be had, and, if so, what guaranty would be required. This committee corres- 
 ponded with the Mississippi Valley Transportation Company, of St. Louis, then 
 the only party on the western rivers using barges, but got little satisfaction from 
 them. However it was determined to raise a guarantee fund of five thousand 
 dollars, and the money was subscribed. 
 
 While these events were transpiring the people of St. Louis were arranging 
 for a convention of western Congressmen in that city, the object of which was 
 to awaken a more general interest among them in the improvement of western 
 rivers, and especially the Mississippi. This convention was held May 13th, and. 
 the Kansas City Board of Trade was invited to send delegates to attend it. The 
 Board accordingly appointed as such delegates, Col. R. T. Van Horn, Col. 
 James E. Marsh and Hon. H. J. Latshaw. Col. Van Horn could not attend 
 and so appointed as his substitute the commercial editor of the Journal, of which 
 he was editor. This gentleman had a personal acquaintance with Charles Davis, 
 then editor of the St. Louis Globe, a new and very enterprising paper which as 
 yet had no record on the question of Barge Navigation of the Missouri River. 
 During the three days he remained in St. Louis, in attendance at the convention, 
 he furnished Mr. Davis with three editorial articles on Barge Transportation on 
 the Missouri from a St. Louis point of view, strongly favoring it as a St Louis 
 enterprise. The other St. Louis papers which the year before had ridiculed the 
 idea, now indorsed it. The "Old River Captains" were quoted in its favor, 
 and singular as it may seem the Kansas City papers which the year before had 
 opposed it as chimerical republished all these articles from the Globe approv- 
 ingly, and urged the movement already on foot to secure a practical test. Soon 
 afterward the Board of Trade committee was able to make a contract with the 
 Mississippi Valley Transportation Company, to make the trial trip on a guaranty 
 of $2,700. It was now a very unfavorable season of the year. There was httle 
 grain, which it was proposed to load the barges with, remaining in the country, 
 and the water was getting low. By the time all these difficulties could be over- 
 come, and a load of grain secured, it was found that proper insurance to protect 
 the grain, could not be had and its owners would have to take the risk them- 
 selves. This led to an abandonment of the effort. 
 
 THE PANIC OF 1873, 
 
 Mention has been made in several places in this chapter of the financial 
 panic of 1873. It is not necessary here to discuss the causes that led to that 
 event further than to remark that it was the result of the inflated condition of 
 prices which had prevailed since the war, and a most unwise contraction of the 
 national currency by the action of the Secretary of the Treasury. It was precip- 
 itated in September by the failure of the banking house of Jay Cooke & Co., of 
 Philadelphia, and immediately spread to all parts of the country, causing a sud- 
 den suspension of nearly every bank in the land, and the collapse of prices to an 
 equality with the contracted volume of the currency. The banks in Kansas City 
 suspended payment on the 25th of September, and for a time nearly stopped all 
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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 515 
 
 business by the locking up of the funds of their customers. This action of the 
 banks, however, was rendered necessary by the suspension of their correspond- 
 ents east. At that season of the year the movement of currency was to the west, 
 and for them to have continued would have resulted only in paying out what cur- 
 rency they had on hand, which would have been done in a day or two, when 
 they would inevitably'have gone into bankruptcy. The merchants held a meeting 
 at the Board of Trade that day and adopted resolutions approving of the course 
 taken by the banks, and pledging them their cordial support in whatever efforts 
 they might adopt to remedy the difficulty. In a few days new accounts were 
 opened by the banks with their customers, and new checks were paid from the 
 new deposits, the banks promising to pay old deposits as speedily as possible. 
 This arrangement was acquiesced in by the people, and soon business was re- 
 sumed, though on a much restricted scale. 
 
 The First National Bank was at this time the one of chiefest interest to the 
 people. At an annual election in the winter of 1S72, Howard M. Holden, Esq., 
 had been elected president, having previously been its efficient cashier. By his 
 enterprise and liberal management he had advanced the bank to a leading posi- 
 tion, and at this time it was the chief dependence of the live stock, packing, and 
 grain interests, which were now considerable, as will be shown in succeeding 
 chapters, for money with which to move the products of the country. It was ac- 
 cordingly determined by the stock-holders, who were all business men of Kansas 
 City, to strengthen it, and to that end its capital was increased from $250,000 
 to $500,000. 
 
 The effect of this panic was to cause great depression in local improvements 
 and town development, attended with a decrease of population, and the city did 
 not recover from these effects until 1876; otherwise it was an advantage, for in 
 the depression caused in the surrounding country it led merchants to trade here 
 much more largely than they had done before. In their depressed situation they 
 felt the importance of buying nearer home than they had been accustomed to do, 
 so that they might not have to carry such large stocks, and so that they could 
 turn their capital oftener. For the same reasons a closer market became desira- 
 ble to country shippers of all kinds, which caused Kansas City markets to be more 
 liberally pationized. The same causes affected banks, and after the panic a 
 much larger number of the banks in the adjacent parts of the country, and some 
 in Colorado and Texas, began to keep their deposits here. Hence the effect of 
 the panic was to cause a development of trade and the markets, and make Kan- 
 sas City much more of a financial center than she had ever been before. 
 
 OPENING OF THE INDIAN TERRITORY. 
 
 The depression which, it was evident from the first, would follow the panic, 
 led the people to look about them for means of relief. One thing suggested was 
 the opening of the Indian Territory to settlement, which would cause a large im- 
 migration, and create population for Kansas City to trade with. This was not 
 a new idea at that time, having been embodied in a bill for that purpose, intro- 
 duced into Congress in 1868, by Colonel Van Horn, while representing this dis- 
 trict in that body ; but it was revised at this time, hoping that the effort might 
 now be attended with better success. To this end, the Board of Trade joined 
 the National Board of Trade, and caused to be entered upon the official pro- 
 gramme of that body, for discussion at a meeting to be held in Chicago, in Octo- 
 ber, the following resolution, which, it was hoped, might receive the sanction of the 
 National Board, whose indorsement was relied upon, to give the proposition 
 strength in Congress : 
 
 Whereas, It is the duty of the Government and people of the United 
 States, to inaugurate and execute such a policy toward the Indian tribes, occupy- 
 
516 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 ing the National Territory, as will most rapidly bring them under dominion, and 
 usages of our laws and civilization. And 
 
 Whereas, Experience has shown that the Indian tribes may be assimilated 
 to the prevailing civilization of the country, and be gradually brought to a recog- 
 nition of the highest social and civil relations of life. And 
 
 Whereas, By the exclusive occupancy of the Indian Territory, under tribal 
 laws, the hand of industry and the arts of civilized life have been excluded trom 
 a large area in the midst of the continent; an area rich in agricultural and miner- 
 al resources, with highly favorable climatic advantages ; and whose exhaustless 
 treasures need to be developed, to supply the surrounding and incoming white 
 population now pressing into the southwest, and thus contribute to the prosperity 
 of the whole country. And 
 
 Whereas, The enlightened and cultured among the tribes have indicated their 
 unequivocal desire for the presence of our civilization in their midst, as a power- 
 ful ally in their struggle for a higher social and civil life. And 
 
 Whereas, The President of the United States, in a late annual message, 
 invoked such legislation by Congress as will contribute to those high purposes. 
 Therefore : 
 
 Resolved, That Congress be and is hereby respectfully memorialized to estab- 
 lish, without delay, a Territorial Government over the country known as the 
 Indian Territory, bringing the people thereof under the laws and jurisdiction of 
 the United States, on such an equitable basis as will secure — ist. A homestead to 
 the head of each Indian family, the title to which cannot be alienated, for a 
 designated term of years. 2nd. The sale of the remaining lands on such terms 
 as will induce the rapid settlement and development of the Territory ; the pro- 
 ceeds of said sales to be held or invested by the Government as a fund, the 
 interest on which shall be distributed annually and equitably among the several 
 tribes. 3rd. The establishment of free schools, to the end that the Indians may 
 learn the arts and occupations of civilized life. 
 
 Col. James E. Marsh and Hon. H. J. Latshaw were selected as delegates of 
 the Board of Trade to attend the meeting of the National Board in Chicago, and 
 urge the adoption of these resolutions. It was not reached at that meeting, but 
 was reached at an adjourned meeting held in Baltimore, in January, 1874, which 
 was attended by Col. Marsh and Col. Van Horn, at which it was adopted and 
 sent to Washington to be presented to Congress and urged upon the attention of 
 that body. At the election in the fall of 1874 Hon. B. J. Franklin, of this city, 
 was elected to represent this district in Congress, and as soon as he could, under 
 the rules and usages of the house, he took up this subject and introduced a bill 
 for the purpose indicated in this resolution, but with no better success than had 
 attended the efforts of Col. Van Horn. 
 
 THE NEW WEST. 
 
 At a session of Congress in 1873, the Senate created a commission to inquire 
 into the transportation facilities and needs of the country with a view, it was 
 understood, of taking such action, looking to improvements as the country might 
 need. Hon. WiUiam Windom, of Minnesota, was chairman of this commission. 
 The people of Kansas City watched its movements with great interest, hoping for 
 an opportunity to lay before it the needs of improvements in the country in 
 which she was interested. Learning that the commission would hold a session in 
 St. Louis, the Board of Trade appointed Col. Van Horn and Gen. W. H. Powell 
 to attend it, and lay before it the needs of this country. These gentlemen 
 prepared an address far that purpose which, on account of its able and accurate 
 recital of existing facts, at that time, has great historical value now. It is, there- 
 fore, inserted here entire. It should be remarked that it was in this memorial 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 517 
 
 that the country tributary to Kansas City's trade was first styled the "New 
 West." 
 
 THE NEW WEST— ITS RESOURCES, AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS, COMMERCE AND 
 
 transportation needs. 
 
 Board of Trade Rooms, \ 
 Kansas City, October 25, 1873. j 
 
 To Hon. William Windom, and Members of the Committee of the Senate of the 
 United States : 
 
 Gentlemen: — The Board of Trade of Kansas City desire to represent to 
 your committee the needs of the country comprehended by its commerce in 
 marketing the products of its soil and receiving the merchandise consumed by it 
 in exchange. 
 
 The country in question is new to the commerce of the Union — its import- 
 ance dating from the close of the late civil war — its population in that time having 
 increased at a moderate estimate one million in number. 
 
 It embraces Western Missouri, Western Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, 
 the Indian Territory, Northwestern Texas and New Mexico — covering twelve de- 
 grees of latitude, sixteen degrees of longitude, and comprises an area of m'ore 
 than 600,000 square miles. 
 
 This vast district of country has but one navigable river — the Missouri — 
 and its lines of commerce are thus exclusively by railway, except the limited 
 margin on either side of that river. 
 
 The system of railway construction for this interior region — the geographical 
 center of the United States and of the continent — is, so far as the great trunk 
 lines are involved, very far advanced, and are concentrated at the mouth of the 
 Kansas River, the nearest and most available point for all the country to the 
 navigable waters of the Missouri River — as you will see by the map. 
 
 The agricultural portion of this part of the Union embraces the portions of 
 Missouri and Iowa referred to, the States of Nebraska and Kansas, and the In- 
 dian Territory, and is of a more uniform character in quality and production than 
 any equal area on the globe. The soil is of exceptional fertility, and the official 
 report by the census of 1870 shows it to embrace the largest and most productive 
 corn and winter wheat area in the world. 
 
 It also embraces the only natural pastoral region in North America, where, 
 from time beyond the knowledge of this continent, have been subsisted the 
 countless herds of aboriginal cattle, exceeding in number the domestic herds of 
 the globe. These are now being supplanted by the cattle of civilization. The 
 present season has brought together for market, at the several points in Kansas, 
 on the feeding grounds of the Kansas City stock market, over $7,000,000 worth 
 of grass-fed cattle alone. 
 
 In addition to this, a careful computation from the crop statistics of the 
 census of 1870 shows that for the year ending June of that year there was pro- 
 duced in this region 56,452,116 bushels of wheat; 631,353 bushels of rye; 89,- 
 236,854 bushels of corn; 24,367,214 bushels of oats ; 1,429,946 bushels of barley ; 
 1,856,138 tons of hay; 6,235,366 pounds of tobacco. 
 
 In live stock it produced: Of hogs, 2,566,185; cattle, other than exclusively 
 grass-fed, 533,833; of grass-fed, 2,061,343; exclusive of the Indian Territory 
 where there are large herds but from which there are no returns; of mules, 116, 
 585; of sheep, 2,233,326; of horses, 835,833. 
 
 The value in soil products of the amount produced by these figures, at the 
 current market rates paid at Kansas City this season, would amount to $85,228, 
 837. And the live stock, at a low average per head, are in value $26,557,630' 
 
518 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Or, in the aggregate, this portion of the Union produced in 1870, from its 
 soil alone, a wealth of more than $128,000,000. 
 
 A country thus productive, and which has become so practically within 
 seven years, and which has seen its three most productive years since the census 
 figures were obtained, is, we most respectfully submit, entitled to be heard on a 
 question so vital as that for which your committee was raised to inquire into and 
 report upon — transportation. 
 
 And we approach this part of the subject with the statement — that, as com- 
 pared with other portions of the Union affected by both the foreign and domestic 
 markets, it is pratically cut off from both, and in times of abundant crops its 
 products do not admit of shipment with profit to the producer — only when prices 
 are high, induced by failure of crops east of the Mississippi or in Europe, or 
 both, can its grain be profitably transported to the Atlantic seaboard by present 
 facilities. 
 
 From Kansas City, the converging point of the principal great trunk lines, 
 to New York is by rail fourteen hundred miles, being nearer to that city than from 
 any point of the Missouri River above the mouth of the Kansas, and for this 
 reason taken as the standard of computation. 
 
 Taking the rate of transportation by rail, as we find it in the documents 
 printed by Congress, 10 be twelve and a half mills per ton per mile, we find that 
 the cost of a bushel of sixty pounds, from Kansas City to New York, would be 
 fifty-two and a half cents — or eighty seven and a half cents per one hundred 
 pounds for all products. 
 
 This we may assume to be the rate by all rail, and for our corn and pork, 
 which come into market after the close of navigation, rail transportation is our 
 only dependence. As to corn, it is quoted the day on which this is written in 
 New York at fifty-eight and a half to sixty cents per bushel — leaving to the farmer, 
 the shipper and for all expenses of getting it in the car at Kansas City, a margin of 
 six to eight cents. Is it strange that it is burned for fuel to save the destruction 
 of timber? and cheaper than coal at cost of mining and delivery? 
 
 It is unnecessary to lengthen the argument by parallel illustrations as to other 
 products, as this one affecting our great staple is sufficient — everything being 
 governed by it. 
 
 NATURAL OUTLETS. 
 
 But these disabilities can be remedied. They are artificial, and result from 
 causes which are susceptible of remedy — and which have been in great part 
 removed by private and corporate enterprise. 
 
 And we are before your committee to day because it is proposed to devise a 
 general system of relief for the whole country, by opening up cheaper channels 
 of transportation by the common fund of the nation. And because what is need- 
 ed in this respect by us can only be done under national authority. 
 
 There are two outlets for the products we have referred to : 
 
 One by way of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. 
 
 One by the harbor at Galveston, Texas. 
 
 BY GALVESTON HARBOR. 
 
 We shall consider them in the reverse order in which they are mentioned. 
 
 From Kansas City to Galveston it is now eight hundred miles as the rail- 
 road are constructed, but which can be reduced within seven hundred miles — or 
 just half the distance to New York. It is as to cost of transportation, as if Kan- 
 sas City was removed east to Columbus, Ohio. The question as it addresses 
 itself to us is : 
 
 "Why should Kansas City, and the country surrounding it, with its one 
 hundred millions of annual production be compelled to seek the market through 
 
HISTORY OE KANSAS CITY. 519 
 
 Columbus, Ohio, any more than that Columbus should be compelled to seek her 
 market by way of Kansas City?" 
 
 If the port of Galveston was made accessible for ocean going vessels, the 
 wheat and corn of the Missouri Valley could seek the ocean at twenty-six and 
 one-fourth cents per bushel, and pay the same rate it does to-day to New York at 
 fifty-two and a half cents — adding a quarter of a dollar to the price of the 150,- 
 000,000 bushels of these crops, produced in 1870 — or more than $28,000,000 to 
 the farmers of this New West every year. 
 
 Then the country embraced in this central portion of the nation would be, 
 as to foreign markets, as favorably situated as the States of Indiana and Ohio, 
 and our rich lands increased in corresponding value. 
 
 And why the national treasury should not improve this harbor equally with 
 those of the lakes and Atlantic seaboard is, we submit, not a question for discus- 
 sion. Its need is all that requires to be established. And this we feel our illus- 
 tration and the facts recited most conclusively establish. 
 
 BY THE MISSISSIPPI. 
 
 The other outlet for the upper Missouri to the markets of the world is by 
 the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. 
 
 There are two questions to be considered in connection with this route: 
 
 The navigation of the Missouri River by barges, its seasons of low water and 
 ice — and the low water and ice of the Mississippi River above the mouth of the 
 Ohio. 
 
 And a connection by railway with the Mississippi at a point below ice, and 
 at permanently deep water. 
 
 The cost of shipping grain, per bushel, from St. Louis to New Orleans may 
 be fixed by present facilities, at a high stage of water, at eight to ten cents It 
 may be brought to a lower minimum, but we prefer to be within actual figures, 
 as demonstrated in practical transportation. 
 
 At present, as the channel is in the Missouri, it would require lighter tonnage 
 in vessels, and thus the cost be somewhat enhanced over the same distances in 
 the Mississippi. We depend entirely upon conjecture when we put the cost from 
 Kansas City to St. Louis, by barges, at about the same figures — or in all about 
 16 to 20 cents per bushel from Kansas City to New Orleans. 
 
 This would be a saving to ocean ports, over the present rates to New York, 
 of 32)^ cents for all grain for European demand, and of 22^ cents to New York 
 itself, counting ten cents from New Orleans to New York. 
 
 We know, it is claimed, and we believe within the limits of practical demon- 
 stration, that these figures can be materially reduced, but we prefer to take what 
 has been done, as it is ample to command consideration — leaving to the future 
 and mutual enterprise to reduce the cost by both routes. The point we desire to 
 enforce being the relative cost between the two — ^both being susceptible of farther 
 cheapening. 
 
 The Missouri River has not been tested by being navigated by grain barges 
 in tow of steamers, as has the Mississippi between St. Louis and New Orleans. 
 It is believed by practical men that it can be so used successfully, and we have 
 so considered it in estimating the cost of transportation. But frankness requires 
 us to say that it has yet to be demonstrated. 
 
 But conceding that it is so, it is insufficient as an outlet for the products 
 of the vast area of country dependent upon it. And for these reasons : 
 
 From August until the close of November is the low water season, when the 
 channel contains but from three and a half to five feet of water. From the last 
 week in November to the middle of March, navigation is suspended by ice. 
 True, in some seasons the interruption from this cause is more brief, but there is 
 no safety within that period, and even by steamboats, it is seldom attempted, until 
 
520 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 the freezing season has entirely passed. And above the mouth of the Kansas 
 River, the obstructions from ice is often some weeks later. 
 
 Thus the season of good navigation in the Missouri may be included from 
 April to August — at its best after its annual rise in June. 
 
 Our corn crop is never ready for shipment until ice has closed the river, and 
 our pork crop, made from it, necessarily so, as well as most of the beef — although 
 a portion of this can go forward before ice is formed. The wheat, in part, may 
 go before the close of navigation, but so far as the Missouri can be availed of, 
 most of our products must lie in store until the opening of navigation in the 
 spring. 
 
 The same obstacles await us between St. Louis and Cairo — both from low 
 water in the autumn months and ice and low water during those of the winter. 
 
 The general result arrived at by these facts and figures is, that this central 
 area of the country has a common interest with the whole Mississippi Valley, in 
 the removal of obstructions to navigation in the channels of that river and its 
 tributaries, and the removal of the barrier at its mouth, as the cheapest and most 
 available outlet to the markets of the world. 
 
 But confined as we are to the one river, the main dependence for gathering 
 the crops and concentrating the products of the agricultural lands for transport 
 is, and for all time must be, upon the railway And for fully one-half the year, 
 we must use the railroad to reach the Mississippi ; and to fully utilize that river, 
 it must be reached by rail below the mouth of the Ohio, where an open channel 
 and deep water can be found throughout the year. 
 
 THE MISSISSIPPI AT MEMPHIS. 
 
 Private enterprise has already fixed upon the point for this connection at 
 Memphis, and the work of constructing a railroad from Kansas City to that city 
 begun — the first hundred miles being well advanced, and the work going forward 
 at this time. The importance of this connection, and the aid of your committee, 
 and through you of Congress, will be seen from the considerations we present. 
 
 From the mouth of the Kansas River to St Louis, by the Missouri, is 400 
 miles. 
 
 From St. Louis to Memphis, 450 miles. 
 
 From Memphis to New Orleans, 750 miles — or 1,600 miles in all, from Kan- 
 sas City to New Orleans. 
 
 In the season when the Missouri is closed, it is by rail to St. Louis, 283 
 miles, and from St. Louis to Memphis, 319 miles; 602 miles by rail from the 
 mouth of the Kansas to Memphis, where the permanently open river and deep 
 water is reached. 
 
 By air line from Kansas City to Memphis it is 365 miles, and can be trav- 
 ersed by rail within 390 miles — in round numbers, 400 miles. 
 
 The upper Missouri Valley can thus reach the Mississippi River below ice, 
 and at permanently deep water, by 200 miles less by rail transportation than as 
 now employed by way of St. Louis. 
 
 By employing 107 miles longer rail transit than at present, 450 miles of river 
 are saved, as against the route by St. Louis; 'and by employing 212 less miles of 
 railway, the same point is reached by all rail, as now. And in both cases the 
 only obstacles now existing are completely and entirely overcome. 
 
 This obtained, and uniform, freights throughout the year are secured, or, if 
 there is any difference, the winter freights will be lower than the summer, from 
 the fact that the boats that are driven from the upper rivers by ice, will seek the 
 lower Mississippi for winter employment, making tonnage more abundant than in 
 the summer. 
 
 Then with the obstructions at the mouth of the Mississippi removed, or 
 avoided, ocean steamers could land at Memphis just as freely as at New Orleans, 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 521 
 
 and grain be loaded direct from the elevators, and shipped either to New York, 
 Philadelphia, Boston or to Europe ; and the flour made from our winter wheat, 
 equal to any in the Union, be shipped by the shortest route to the West Indian 
 and South American markets. 
 
 It would practically place our grain port within four hundred miles of the 
 mouth of the Kansas, and give us both for export and import the lowest rates, 
 and uniform at all seasons. 
 
 Taking the same rates of charges on freight by river and rail, as we have 
 used above, we could by this proposed route place grain in Memphis at 15 cents, 
 in New Orleans at 20 cents, New York at 30 cents, and Liverpool at 35 cents 
 per bushel — or even by rehandling at New Orleans in addition to Memphis, it 
 would only make the cost of our grain at New York and Liverpool 35 and 40 re- 
 spectively; or a saving over present rates to Europe of 36^ cents for every bush- 
 el of the grain of western Iowa, western Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. 
 
 At this writing, grain from St. Louis to Memphis costs 22J4 cents per 100 
 lbs., or about 14 cents per bushel. To New Orleans by barge, 30 cents per 100 
 lbs., or 18 cents per bushel. By barge from Kansas City at corresponding rates 
 to those now paid, grain at Memphis would cost 20 to 22 cents, and at New Or- 
 leans 24 to 26 cents per bushel. 
 
 But with railroad to Memphis to-day, we could save 5 to 7 cents at the rates 
 now charged on the Mississippi River ; and this saving would hold good pro rata 
 on any reduction which improved facilities in transportation might give in the fu- 
 ture. 
 
 It is thus demonstrated, not by presumptive figures and contingencies in the 
 future, but upon actual prices, as paid today, that with railway connection be- 
 tween the Missouri River and the Mississippi — at the mouth of the Kansas and 
 at Memphis — the surplus of our annual product of 146,000,000 bushels of grain 
 can find its cheapest and most available outlet to market. 
 
 There is another element in this proposed route to which we have not allud- 
 ed — that of time. 
 
 The Missouri river, down stream, is not safe for navigation by night, and 
 has never been used by steamers descending the river— the practice always, and 
 made imperative by the rules of the underwriters, being to land and remain at 
 moorings during the darkness. It would require from three to four days for a 
 fleet of barges from Kansas City to reach St. Louis, and longer in proportion to 
 distance from all points above ; while changing cargo at St. Louis and thence to 
 Memphis, would require eight to ten days' time for our grain to reach that point. 
 
 Cars could be loaded at any point on the railroads of the upper Missouri, or 
 from the elevators at Kansas City and unloaded into vessels or elevators at Mem- 
 phis in from thirty-six to forty hours, thus adding largely to the profit of ship- 
 ment — saving a week in tiime and the high rates of insurance above the mouth of 
 the Ohio and in the Missouri River. 
 
 There is but one more proposition in this connection to discuss, and that is 
 the point on the Missouri River at which the railroad connecting with the Missis- 
 sippi should commence. We have assumed it to be at the mouth of the Kansas 
 River — and for the reasons. 
 
 That is the nearest and most available point for the country in question to 
 reach navigation, as an examination of the map demonstrates : 
 
 It has been so recognized by becoming the converging point for the great 
 trunk lines of railway already built and in operation — being to-day the commer- 
 cial center of all the country embraced in this memorial. 
 
 The Missouri River, below the Kansas, is open for navigation later in the 
 autumn and earlier in the spring, making a month's difference in navigation, in 
 some seasons, over points above, and having a larger volume of water, is safer 
 for river craft and heavier tonnage than above the mouth of the Kansas. 
 
522 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 And it is the nearest point at which the Missouri River can be reached for all 
 the country west and north — the distance being increased from either above or 
 below, as the map will demonstrate. 
 
 And because the construction of this important work has already been com- 
 menced, and over one million of dollars expended upon it. 
 
 We have thus briefly laid before you the leading facts in regard to the 
 important portion of the common territory of the Union, with which we are 
 bound up in common interests and in common destiny. 
 
 We have shown that it produces nearly one hundred and fifty millions of 
 bushels of grain annually. 
 
 We have demonstrated that as a meat and wool-producing region it sur- 
 passes any other portions of the United States — and that as yet it is in the infancy 
 of its development in this respect. 
 
 We have not averted to its wealth in iron, coal and lead — for the disabilities 
 under which its agricultural labors are immediate and pressing — but in all these 
 mineral resources it is equal to any portion of the Union. 
 
 We have shown that by distance and other obstacles it is practically cut off 
 from the markets of our own nation and the world. 
 
 We have shown how by two natural and near outlets it can be placed, as to 
 markets, on a footing with the most favored interior districts of the Union. 
 
 And we claim that if so favored, and its products allowed to reach a market, 
 that the effect will be not only beneficial to its own people, but will open up to 
 the industrial masses of other portions an abundant and cheap supply of all the 
 staple elements of food, both now and in increasing volume for all time to come. 
 
 The relief then asked by this portion of the people of the United States 
 may be briefly stated ; 
 
 1. The improvement of the harbor at Galveston, so as to allow of ocean 
 going vessels to land at the wharves of that city. 
 
 2. The removal or avoidance of the obstruction at the mouths of the Mis- 
 sissippi. 
 
 3. To aid in securing a connection with permanent deep water and perma- 
 nent freedom from ice with the Mississippi, as indicated, by railway from the 
 mouth of the Kansas River to Memphis. 
 
 The two first come under the general power of Congress, touching river and 
 harbor improvement. 
 
 As to the latter, we can see no difference between connecting commercial 
 points by rail and by canal. And we are thoroughly convinced that in all the 
 projects submitted to you for the better accommodation of the different portions 
 of the Union, there has been no one proposed conferring so large benefit upon 
 such important interests and so large an area of country, that can be afforded at 
 so small a cost to the National Treasury as this. 
 
 Were it within the scope of this memorial, or within the purposes for which 
 your committee has been raised, we could demonstrate that what we ask, to thus 
 connect us with the Mis^issippi, can be fully accomplished, and that speedily, 
 without the expenditure of a dollar in money by the General Government. 
 
 And upon a favorable consideration of the matters herein presented, and its 
 recognition by your committee as deserving the attention and consideration of 
 Congress, the method by which it can be thus accomplished will be laid before 
 that body through your committee. 
 
 R. T. VAN HORN, 
 W. H. POWELL, 
 On behalf of the Board of Trade. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 523 
 
 FREE MAIL DELIVERY. 
 
 The only other movement of importance undertaken by the people of Kansas 
 City during the year 1873 was to secure a free delivery of mail matter in the city. 
 Congress, on the 3d of March of that year, had enacted that this should be done 
 in cities that in 1870 had a population of over 20,000. On the 17th of May the 
 Board of Trade memorialized the Postmaster General to establish a general free 
 delivery in Kansas City, and by means of this memorial and other efforts, it was 
 secured and put into effect on the ist day of July, the number of carriers then 
 employed being eight. 
 
 THE WATER-WORKS. 
 
 The subject of water-works presented itself again early in 1873, ^^^ th^ 
 Legislature was induced to pass a bill specially authorizing Kansas City to make 
 a contract for the construction of water-works. This bill was passed March 24th, 
 and was regarded as havi- g conferred upon Kansas City such powers as would 
 enable her to offer acceptable terms to some party of capitalists. The National 
 Water-Works Company, of New York, soon became an appHcant for the contract, 
 and on the 27th of October, after the matter had been much discussed, the city 
 council adopted an ordinance which became a contract between the city and the 
 National Water-Works Company. The company began the work early in 1874 
 and completed them in 1875. 
 
 ENLARGEMENT OF LIMITS — REDIVISION. 
 
 On the 3d of March the Legislature adopted amendments to the charter of 
 the city, whereby its boundaries were enlarged. The limits fixed in this charter 
 were as follows : Beginning at the river at the intersection of the State line, 
 thence running southward along the State line to Twenty-second street ; thence 
 east along the half section line dividing sections seven, eight, nine, to Woodland 
 avenue; thence north by Woodland avenue to Independence avenue; thence 
 west to the half section line dividing section thirty-three, and thence north to the 
 river. This is the present Hmits. 
 
 At the same time the city wards were re-established. The First ward 
 was made to include all that part of the city east of Main street and north of 
 Independence avenue; the Second all that part east of Main street between Inde- 
 pendence avenue and Thirteenth street east to Campbell street, and from thence 
 to the east limits, all between Independence avenue and Twelfth street ; the 
 Third, all east of Main street and south of Thirteenth, and of Twelfth street east of 
 Campbell, to Twentieth street, and from thence all east of the quarter section line 
 which runS along the alley between Main street and Baltimore avenue; the Fourth 
 ward lay west of the Third, and extended to the city limits on the south, and to 
 the State line on the west, and its northern boundary was Thirteenth street from 
 Main west to Summit street, then Mulkey west to Dripp street, and Twelfth street 
 from Dripp to the State line; the Fifth ward was all north of Fourth and west of 
 Main street to Penn street and a line in continuation of Penn street from Fifth, 
 street to the river; and the Sixth ward was all west of the Fifth and north of the 
 Fourth. 
 
 EVENTS OF 1874. 
 
 In the spring of 1874 the Topeka, Lawrence & Kansas City Railway Com- 
 pany, heretofore mentioned as organized at Topeka in 1872, for the purpose of 
 building a road to Kansas City, gave way to a new company called the Kansas 
 Midland Railway Company, of which a number of the officers of the A., T. & 
 S. F. were members, and by August the road was built to Lawrence. 
 
 In October the Kansas City company contracted with the Midland company 
 to build the Kansas City end of the line, and it was completed in the following 
 
524 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 December. Previous to this, in August, the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe com- 
 pany began to run its trains to Kansas City by the way of the Midland to Law- 
 rence, thence over the Lawrence & Pleasant Hill Railroad, which was built in 
 1872, to Olathe, and thence over the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf to this 
 city. 
 
 THE M., K. & T. RAILROAD AND GALVESTON TRADE. 
 
 The same week in August that the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad 
 began to run its trains to Kansas City, the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad 
 began to run its trains here also. This came about in this way : This road had 
 been completed to Denison, Texas, the winter previous, where it made connec- 
 tion with the Texas Central for Galveston. Kansas City availed itself of this 
 fact to make an effort, now that it had such connections with Galveston, to realize 
 the old dream of 1856, to effect an outlet by that port to the markets of the 
 world. 
 
 In May, 1874, Dr. Edward Dunscomb presented the subject to the BCard of 
 Trade, which, together with the city press, took it up. In the latter part of that 
 month the Board of Trade sent a delegation to Galveston .to investigate the situ- 
 ation. They were received with many manifestations of pleasure by the people 
 and commercial organizations of Galveston. This delegation consisted of Dr. 
 Edward Dunscomb, Vice-President of the Board of Trade, Col. Jas. E. Marsh, 
 Col. R. T. Van Horn, Dr. M. Munford, T. J. Bigger, A. C. Dyas, B. A. 
 Feineman, M. Dively and Maj. G. W. Branham. These gentlemen left Kansas 
 City, May 12, and after about a week's absence returned and submitted to the 
 Board of Trade the following report : 
 
 To the Board of Trade : 
 
 Gentlemen : Your committee appointed to visit the cities of Galveston and 
 Houston, in Texas, and such other points and parties as might be necessary to 
 the object in view — direct trade with the Gulf of Mexico and the export of the 
 grain of this region of the West — have performed that duty, and beg leave to 
 report what has been accomplished. 
 
 The committee left Kansas City on Tuesday evening, May 12th, at 5:15 p. 
 m., and arrived at the city of Galveston on Thursday, at three p. m. — forty-six 
 hours — two of which were consumed in Fort Scott — making the actual running 
 time forty-four hours between the two cities. 
 
 The committee was most cordially and hospitably received by the city au- 
 thorities and the commercial interests of Galveston, which was during our stay, 
 incessant and uninterrupted — every facility on land and water was afforded in 
 furthering the objects of our visit — ^and we can say in brief, that our stay was 
 made as pleasant as profitable, and crowned by a hospitality and friendly co-oper- 
 ation that admits of no qualification — and for which your committee and your 
 board can not be too grateful — and has incurred an obligation which we trust the 
 future will soon enable us to reciprocate. 
 
 In the city of Houston we were met in the same open-handed and generous 
 manner. The mayor, the city authorities, the merchants, the manufacturers, the 
 navigation interests — all met us with a hearty hospitality, and an active sympathy 
 with the purpose of our visit, that supplemented in every particular and to the 
 fullest extent the reception given us by their sister city. 
 
 The Houston and Texas Central Railroad, through their superintendent. 
 Gen. J. Durand, met us at the line of the State, and tendered us the privileges of 
 their various lines during our stay, which enabled us to visit the capital of the 
 State, and see the most thriving portions of Texas. We desire to acknowledge, 
 in this formal manner, our obligations to this road for courtesies in all respects 
 and at all times, and which largely contributed to the purposes of our visit. 
 
 Our thanks are also due to the Missouri, Kansas and Texas road, through 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 525 
 
 Col. R. S. Stevens, general manager, and the Missouri River, Fort Scott & 
 Gulf Railroad, through Maj. B. . S. Henning, superintendent, for like favors and 
 courtesies. 
 
 THE RESULTS OF OUR VISIT. 
 
 The object in view, for which the committee was raised was— direct trade 
 with the Gulf, and particularly the shipment of grain from Kansas City and the 
 Missouri Valley. 
 
 We can only say that in this direction we have been successful, beyond our 
 expectation and beyond what we had a right to expect. 
 
 The merchants of Galveston, the ship owners, the shipping agents, the capi- 
 talists, the harbor interests — all met us with every assurance that could be de- 
 sired — low rates of freightage, facilities for transferring grain from cars to ships, 
 adequate to fully test the capabilities of the route, and ample capital to handle all 
 that may be sent. The facilities at Galveston now existing afford the means nec- 
 essary to a full test of the advantages offered by that port. The cars run within 
 a few feet of the ships at the wharf, and in all cases are at a higher elevation than 
 the decks of the ships, thus unloading by gravity, and rendering all cartage, or 
 carrying by stevedores, or lighterage unnecessary. 
 
 It will require at the beginning, or in the first shipments, some care in tim- 
 ing the shipments, so that delay may not take place in transferring from cars to 
 steamers and ships, until the facilities for a large and constant grain trade are 
 provided. 
 
 In calculating the practicability of handling our grain with profit, we laid be- 
 fore the merchants of Galveston the present rates from Kansas City to New York, 
 Baltimore and New Orleans, the distances by rail and by water, with all the facts 
 and elements involved in the various routes. And taking rates for distance, 
 they unhesitatingly announced not only their willingness but their ability to han- 
 dle our grain profitably. And as an earnest of their feeling in the matter, two 
 orders were given, for a cargo each, to members of your committee to be for- 
 warded at any time. 
 
 At Houston we were met in the same spirit. The water route from Hous- 
 ton to the waters of the bay of Galveston is by Buffalo bayou and the San Jacinto 
 River, which is now navigable for boats of the class of our Missouri River steam- 
 ers, and from some six miles below the city has ample water to the bay, at which 
 point there is nearly completed a ship canal to the outer bar of Galveston harbor 
 — thus, when completed, making a water route of the depth of the bar from the 
 City of Houston. 
 
 As all freight for the gulf must go to Houston, the advantages of this open 
 channel must be apparent at a glance —as it gives competition at once, and a 
 choice of routes, as well as of increased facilities for the rapid transit and speedy 
 shipment of grain that may be sent forward. Not only this, but it will aid in 
 stimulating effort, and be the means of an earlier development of the trade in 
 question than probable with but a single port and a single route to it. 
 
 Your committee are pleased to say that they found both at Galveston and 
 Houston, only a spirit of emulation as to which should do most to inaugurate this 
 important trade — the rivalry being that of enterprising men intent upon the gen- 
 eral good to their respective cities and of Te.xas, and not a local jealousy that is 
 too often found in similar situations — a broad and generous policy which the 
 committee cannot but commend to our people and our neighbors. 
 
 And lastly to crown all these favorable conditions and prospects, we were 
 met by the controlling authorities of the Central Railroad with a spirit of fairness 
 and enlightened policy that makes all that had heretofore promised so much, an 
 assured fact. 
 
 The Houston and Texas Central road controls three hundred and forty-one 
 
526 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 miles of the eight hundred between this city and the Gulf — from Red River to 
 Houston — and without its co-operation the dififiqulties would be insurmountable. 
 They had studied the situation well and thoroughly, as we found when the con- 
 ference was held with your committee, and they summed up the whole question, 
 when Vice-President Baker closed his remarks with the declaration — ' ' We will 
 make a rate that will compel the shipment of your grain to the Gulf." This 
 declaration was made with full reference to existing rates to other seaports, and 
 designed to cover the whole case. 
 
 Of necessity, no rates specific at this time could be given or asked, as a con- 
 ference of the Central with connecting lines will be necessary, not only to estab- 
 lish through rates, but the other details necessary for the working of all hnes over 
 which the traffic is to pass, both for out-going and in-coming transportation. 
 But so far as the lines in the State of Texas are concerned, we are warranted in 
 saying that all obstacles are already overcome — and business may commence at 
 once. 
 
 It does not come within the purpose for which the committee was raised, to 
 go beyond the simple question of grain transportation and export — nor is it neces- 
 sary to enlarge upon the general advantages and commerce to flow from the suc- 
 cessful opening of such trade. We need only advert to that question and say 
 that at Galveston, at Houston, at Austin, and from merchants and business men 
 from all portions of that Empire State, which we met at the State fair, we found 
 the liveliest interest in the establishment of a more direct and intimate commercial 
 relations with Kansas City, and could have spent a month in travel and intercourse 
 with her cities and towns had we accepted half the invitations pressed upon us. 
 
 This is a suggestive fact to our people. There is really no conflict in produc- 
 tions of Texas and the Missouri Valley. They want what we produce and we 
 need what they grow — it is an exchange oif commodities that await both, not a 
 competition in products. And we being nearer to them than any country of 
 similar production, can sell them cheaper than they can obtain elsewhere, and 
 they being nearer to' us than any seaport, can supply us at the ininimum cost. 
 And the day is not far distant when Texas will furnish from her own soil all the 
 sugar needed in the Kansas City market. 
 
 In conclusion, your committee do not deem it foreign to the subject to advert 
 to the early policy of Kansas City in the direction of trade direct with the Gulf 
 of Mexico. As early as 1857, a railroad charter was obtained for that purpose, 
 out of which has grown the Cameron road, the bridge and the Fort Scott & Gulf 
 road. In 1865, a like committee, on the part of the city, was mainly instrumen- 
 tal in securing, at the great Indian council at Fort Smith, a treaty concession for 
 a road across the Indian Territory, upon which the Missouri, Kansas & Texas 
 road was constructed — now happily at last a Kansas City road. Many were the 
 obstacles from the beginning that have intervened, but practical courage and per- 
 sistence have at last won the great object, the consummation of which may date 
 from this day ; and, though the struggle was long and trying, yet the results 
 achieved are worth it all, and Kansas City may now look forward to a future 
 that will repay discounting a hundred per cent beyond any of her achievements 
 in the past ! 
 
 Congratulating your board, the people of our city and the entire Missouri 
 valley, upon the auspicious beginning of a new era in their prosperity, your com- 
 mittee ask to be discharged. 
 
 R. T. VAN HORN, 
 J. E. MARSH, 
 EDWARD DUNSCOMB, 
 On behalf of the Delegation." 
 
 In July following, a large delegation from Houston and Galveston made a 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 527 
 
 return visit to Kansas City, where they were banqueted and then taken to Colo- 
 rado and back by our citizens. The result of this interchange of visits was that 
 the business men of Houston and Galveston united with those of Kansas City in 
 an effort to bring about an arrangement between the Fort Scott and M., K. & T. 
 R. R. and the Texas Central Railroad, by which there might be an inter- 
 change of business between the people of Kansas City and those of Texas, and 
 by which Galveston might be made a seaport for all the New West. It was 
 through the success of these efforts that the trains of the M., K. & T. R. R. 
 came to be first operated to this city — the same week in August that the Atchison, 
 Topeka & Santa Fe was completed here. For several years afterward there was 
 a continuation of the effort on the part of both the people of Kansas City and of 
 the Texas cities, to secure modifications of the railroad arrangement which would 
 facilitate business ; and, though much success attended these efforts, there were 
 difficulties in the way of complete immediate success that the cities and the rail- 
 roads could not at once overcome. There were business connections established, 
 however, during these visits, that have continued and increased until there is a fair 
 share of the Texas trade enjoyed by Kansas City 
 
 The infection of this movement was caught by the up river towns, and in 
 January, 1875, Kansas City was visited by a delegation from Omaha, Council 
 Bluffs, Plattsmouth, Nebraska City and St. Joseph, who were on their way to 
 Texas, to seek an opening of trade relations with the people of that State, and 
 to give additional strength to the movement already initiated by Kansas City. 
 They were warmly received and sent on their way with words of encouragement. 
 While here they united with the people of Kansas City, through the Board of 
 Trade, in a memorial to Congress praying for the opening of the Indian Territory. 
 
 THE GRASSHOPPER INVASION. 
 
 The invasion of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado and Western Missouri, by the 
 grasshoppers; or more properly speaking, the Rocky Mountain Locusts, in 1874, 
 occurred in the month of August; and was fraught with great disaster to the agri- 
 cultural interests of those States and to the trade of Kansas City. The locusts 
 came in immense clouds and literally covered the territory mentioned. Their 
 first appearance was generally at a great altitude, flying from the northwest to 
 the southeast, and their appearance was that of a snow storm. Sometimes they 
 were so numerous as to darken the sunlight. They settled gradually to the 
 ground, when their voracity soon made itself apparent; whole fields of green 
 corn being destroyed in a single day. Nothing escaped them; there appeared to 
 be nothing they would not eat; at least there was nothing that they did not eat; 
 and in their progress they left the country nearly as bare of vegetation as if it 
 had been scorched by fire. By the time they reached the Missouri River section, 
 vegetation, at least the crops, was too far advanced for them to do material harm, 
 but on the frontiers, where they appeared earlier, and where the new settlers' 
 dependence was a crop of sod corn, necessarily late and immature, their destruc- 
 tion was great and caused much suffering during the following winter. They 
 matured sufficiently to begin to deposit their eggs when about fifty miles west of 
 Kansas City, and continued until they had advanced to about fifty miles east of 
 it. Hence, in the spring of the year 1875, ^ "^^ '^'"OP ^^^ hatched to infest the 
 country, and they proved no less voracious than their progenitors of the year 
 before. A district about a hundred miles wide extending southward from Kansas 
 City a hundred miles and northward to the British possessions, was kept as bare 
 of vegetation as midwinter until June of 1875, when the young brood suddenly 
 took wing and disappeared as mysteriously as their progenitors had appeared, 
 going in a northwesterly direction. The effect of all this was to cost the larger 
 part of the country united by them the bulk of a year's crop, part of it in the 
 
528 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 fall of 1874, and part in the spring of 1875. Such disaster could not but affect 
 detrimentally the business of Kansas City. 
 
 Early in the winter of 1874-5 i' ''^^s ascertained that there was great suffer- 
 ing among the people of western Kansas from this cause, and organized efforts 
 for relief began to be made. The east was appealed to and responded liberally. 
 Kansas City organized a local association in January, which collected and for- 
 warded such aid as our people could give. 
 
 Disastrous as this calamity was to the people of Kansas and to the trade of 
 Kansas City, it had its compensation for Kansas City, in the development it gave 
 to her infant grain market. The loss of Kansas crops in the fall of 1874, made 
 it necessary for the people of that State to import grain from Iowa and Missouri 
 in the spring of 1875. This opened a profitable field for business in Kansas 
 City, and enlisted men in the grain trade who probably would not otherwise have 
 put money into that line of business. The result was that the men and the 
 money to make an excellent little grain market in Kansas City became interested 
 in the spring of 1875, and as the crops of Kansas for that year promised more 
 than usual abundance by the time this importing trade ceased, they continued in 
 itj to handle the exported product in the fall. This circumstance, disastrous as it 
 was, put the grain market of Kansas City on its feet, and secured it that definite 
 organization which only years of labor could otherwise have attained. 
 
 THE EVENTS OF 1875. 
 
 The year 1875 was not fruitful of new enterprises. With the shadow of the 
 panic of 1873 s'i" resting upon trade, and the depression resulting from the grassliop- 
 per plague of 1874 and 1875, there was a tendency, on the part of the people, to 
 await the revival of times and the growth of new crops. 
 
 A REVISION OF THE CITY CHARTER. 
 
 In the depressed state of affairs resulting from the panic of 1873 to the begin- 
 ning of the year 1875, city taxes were collected with difficulty, and it was found 
 difficult by the city officers to pay the interest on her bonded debt, small as it 
 was, and preserve her credit. The First National Bank and the Mastin Bank 
 had tided the city over to this time, by taking and holding its paper ; but the load 
 began to be too heavy for them. Accordingly, in January, the officers of those 
 two institutions prepared and sent to the Legislature, a draft of amendments to 
 the charter, which would provide for a more economical and business like admin- 
 istration of city finances. As soon as this bill was introduced into the Legislature 
 the people took alarm. There was, at this time, trouble brewing between the 
 city and the Water Company, in which the Mastins were interested. The people 
 feared some scheme in the proposed bill that would give the Water Company 
 the advantage, and hence became very much excited. A copy of the bill was 
 sent for, a public meeting was called, and it was examined and condemned. The 
 meeting then appointed a committee of thirteen, of which Major William Warner 
 was chairman, to prepare a revision of the whole charter. This was done, and 
 it was sent to Hon. S. P. Twiss, then representing Kansas City in the Legisla- 
 ture, by whom it was introduced into the House of Representatives. This bill, 
 after a most memorable contest, in which the dominant party of the State took 
 sides against the people of Kansas City, finally became a law, and is our present 
 excellent charter. Its definition of city limits and division of the city into wards 
 are the same as now exist. Among its other provisions, it forbids the city to cre- 
 ate any debt, and will not allow the Council to appropriate, or the Auditor to is- 
 sue a warrant for, any money, until the cash is in the treasury, to meet it ; and it 
 provided for the debt by setting apart a sufficient part of the revenues of the city 
 to pay our interest, and most of the bonds as they mature. 
 
 About the same time this charter was adopted — that is March 27, 1875, — atv 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 529 
 
 act was passed by the Legislature creating a metropolitan police for Kansas City, 
 which has since prevailed, with Thos. M. Speers as chief. 
 
 THE MINT AND SMELTING WORKS. 
 
 In the spring of 1875 Dr. Linderman, director of the United States Mints, 
 was authorized to locate a branch mint in the Mississippi valley. Kansas City 
 at once entered the list with Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati and other places as 
 competitor for it. Preparations were made to receive and entertain Dr. Linder- 
 man on his visit to the west, and a statement of Kansas City's advantages for 
 such an establishment were prepared and forwarded to him. He was received 
 here in September, and all the information given him that he required. At a 
 subsequent period, February ist, 1876, the Board of Trade sent an offer to the 
 Secretary of the Treasury to donate building and grounds for the mint, but still 
 it was not secured. 
 
 In connection with this affair it appeared that one of the difficulties in the way 
 of Kansas City was her lack of smelting works, for which it was believed her 
 ready command of Colorado ores peculiarly adapted her. This caused an effort 
 to supply that defect, but it was not successful at that time. 
 
 OTHER EVENTS. 
 
 Besides a protest against the settlement of the Sioux Indians in the Indian 
 Territory; some fostering of the Narrow Gauge Railroad to Lexington; some 
 efforts to secure alterations in railroad freight tariffs, and a few other matters of 
 less consequence, there were no other other public movements during the year. 
 The water works were completed and put into operation this year, as was also 
 the Washington Street Horse Railroad. This latter was built and is owned 
 by Messrs. Thomas and Bernard Corrigan. This is a double track road and 
 extends from Main and Sixth streets along Sixth to Washington street, thence to 
 Lykins street, thence to Catherine street, and thence to Seventeenth street. 
 
 In July, 1875, the Kansas Rolling Mills were established at Rosedale, four 
 miles from the city. They have since been enlarged, and now do a business of 
 about two hundred tons a day, and employ seven hundred men. 
 
 On the 2d of December, the Kansas City Academy of Science was organized 
 with a fair membership. The society has continued annually to increase in inter- 
 est and importance. 
 
 THE YEAR 1 876. 
 
 The year 1876, like that of 1875, was an uneventful year in Kansas City. 
 Trade at this time had begun to revive, and merchants were active in their efforts 
 to extend their business into new localities in Kansas and Missouri, Colorado and 
 Nebraska. By the middle of the summer, there set in a decided change in the 
 situation of affairs. People began again to come to Kansas City in large num- 
 bers, as they had done previous to the panic. All vacant houses were occupied, 
 and rents began to advance before the close of the year. This was the beginning 
 of the era of prosperity which is now upon us. 
 
 THE BOARD OF TRADE. 
 
 An important change took place in the Board of Trade in 1876, which be- 
 comes a part of the history of Kansas City The grain market, which by this 
 time was considerable, was located, by accident on Union avenue, west of Union 
 Depot, and the rooms of the Board of Trade were under the First National Bank 
 on the corner of Fifth and Delaware streets. 
 
 In April, 1876, the members of the board engaged in the grain business, 
 complained of the inconvenience of attending its daily meetings at the room un- 
 der the First National Bank, where it had been since 1872, and proposed that it 
 
TRUMBULL, REYNOLDS & 
 
 ALLEN'S WHOLESALE HOUSE. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 531 
 
 remove to the western part of the city where they were located. Other members 
 proposed that they should remove their offices to the upper part of the city, which 
 they expressed a willingness to do, but office rooms could not be had to accom- 
 modate them. To remedy this deficiency Dr. Edward Dunscomb proposed that 
 an effort should be made to erect a suitable exchange building containing offices for 
 them. This was assented to, and a committee of thirteen was appointed to devise 
 ways and means, of which Dr. Dunscomb was chairman. This committee finally 
 reported in favor of incorporating and re-organizing the board making member- 
 ships permanent and transferable, and fixing them at $ioo each. The money 
 thus raised was to be appropriated to the erection of a building, any balance that 
 might be needed to be borrowed on a mortgage on the property. The plan was 
 adopted, the board incorporated and re-organized May 9th, and ground for the 
 building purchased. 
 
 Previous to this there had been no membership fee, but only an annual as- 
 sessment of ten and twenty dollars, according to the class of business in which 
 members were engaged. Under this arrangment the board never attained a 
 membership of over one hundred and eight, but under the new, it speedily 
 attained a membership of two hundred and eleven. The ground selected for an 
 exchange building was on the corner of Fifth and Delaware streets and cost $15,- 
 700. Ten thousand dollars was borrowed of citizens of Kansas City, on second 
 mortgage bonds, during the summer, and the erection of the building began in 
 September. It was not completed, however, until the ist of October, 1877, and 
 cost about $47,000. The grain market was moved to it in July, 1877, and has 
 since occupied it. 
 
 THE MARKETS AND PACKING BUSINESS. 
 
 Contemporaneous with the events narrated in the last three chapters, were 
 a series of. active events relating to the development here of the live-stock and 
 grain markets, and of the packing business, which will be given in the next chap- 
 ter. Their history will also be sketched through to the present time, thus antic- 
 ipating somewhat the events to be narrated in the chapter following. 
 
 CITY ADDITIONS. 
 
 For reasons already stated, there was not much local growth of the city dur- 
 ing the years from 1872 to 1877, and but few additions were platted. The follow- 
 ing is the list : 
 
 May 26, '73 — A. Kelly's Sub-division. 
 
 July 9, 'j3 — Fancher and Day's Sub -division. 
 
 July 31, '73 — Kyle's Sub-division. 
 
 September 25, '73 — Daniel O'Flaherty's Sub-division. 
 
 February 12, '74 — Cummirfg's Subdivision. 
 
 February 17, '74— E. H. Websters' Sub-division. 
 
 June II, '74 — Dr. Hovey's Sub-division. 
 
 M^y 3> '75 — Tracy's Addition. 
 
 January 7, '76 — Coates & Hopkins' Addition. 
 
 April 10, '76 — Coates & Hopkins' Second Addition. , 
 
532 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 THE MARKETS AND PACKING HOUSES. 
 
 History of the Texas Cattle Trade — Its Final Concentration at Kansas City — The Growth of the 
 Market and Character of the Present Supply — The History of the Packing Business — Why it 
 Came to Kansas City — Its Statistics — The Grain Market, When and Ho7v It Started — Its 
 Development and Circumstances Attending It — Its Present Facilities and Magnitude. 
 
 When Cortez overran Mexico in the sixteenth century, he introduced into 
 this new Spanish possession the long-horned cattle of Spain, and they became the 
 cattle of the Spanish possession to the exclusion of all others, and continue to 
 this day to hold undisputed possession, although the control of the country has 
 long since passed from Spain to the republics of Mexico and the United States. 
 These cattle thrive best on the plains of western and southern Texas, though 
 they prosper in New Mexico, and, it has been found since their settlement, in 
 Colorado and Kansas also. Old Mexico has not had a surplus of them during 
 this century, because of the disturbed condition of society which makes all prop- 
 erty insecure, and the natural triflingness of the people who prefer pillaging each 
 other to honest industry. The plains of western and southern Texas became 
 their great pasture ground after that State was annexed to the United States, and 
 orderly government gave protection to property. 
 
 THE FIRST NORTHWARD DRIVE. 
 
 These plains soon became the source of beef supply for the southern States, 
 and largely of Mexico also ; but the production was in a more rapid ratio than 
 the growth of the demand, and as early as 1857 the stock growers of that State 
 began to look for other markets. The first attempt to drive them to the north on 
 record was in 1857, when about 20,000 head, with some horses and mules, were 
 driven to Missouri, passing through Kansas City and crossing the river at Ran- 
 dolph Ferry, three miles below town, in June of that year. This is reported to 
 have been an unfortunate venture, except so far as the mules were concerned, 
 which were sold at remunerative prices. There was at that time great demand 
 at Kansas City for oxen and mules for the Santa Fe trade, and in 1858 larger 
 numbers of cattle and mules were driven hither from Texas, and such cattle as 
 were suitable were sold to the freighters for oxen. Many others were sold as 
 stock cattle to immigrants to California, Utah and Oregon. In 1859 and i860 
 the business was continued, and the droves were larger, and during these two 
 years attempts were made to get fat cattle suitable for beeves through to Chicago, 
 but with what success is not recorded. The breaking out of the war in 1861 
 stopped the rapidly growing trade. 
 
 During the war the market for Texas cattle became exceedingly restricted. 
 In the earlier years of the struggle the southern States and Confederate armies 
 made a fair demand for them, but this was practically cut off by the occupation 
 of the Mississippi River by Federal troops in 1863. Cattle could, after that 
 event, be got to the southern States and Confederate armies only by running the 
 blockade of the Mississippi, which was attend with such hazard that the business 
 was not profitable and hardly possible. 
 
 THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVE NORTHWARD. 
 
 Owing to these causes, and the continued rapid increase of cattle in Texas, 
 that State was utterly overrun with them at the close of the war, and there was 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 533 
 
 no market for them. The southern people were not in a condition to buy and 
 Mexico needed but a small part of the annual increase. It is said that cattle 
 men then almost wholly neglected their herds, and a prevalent mode of estimat- 
 ing a man's poverty was by the number of cattle he owned — the more the worse. 
 Cattle that could be bought for from three to six dollars per head, were worth ten 
 times that amount in the northwest. This fact soon becoming known, the drovers 
 began to prepare in 1865 and 1866 to drive to the north, and the movement be- 
 gan in 1866. The exact number of cattle that crossed Red River that year for 
 the north is not known, but it has been generally estimated at 260,000 head. 
 These herds passed through the Indian Territory, and attempted to enter south- 
 western Missouri in the general direction of Sedalia and other points on the 
 Missouri Pacific Railroad in Central Missouri. The story that these cattle spread 
 the fearfully fatal Spanish fever among the native cattle of the north, and that 
 contact with them was certain destruction to natives, led to the most determined 
 resistance to their entrance into the settled parts of Missouri and Kansas. This 
 resistance afforded an excellent opportunity to lawless characters to pillage the 
 drovers, and beside the farmers who honestly opposed them from good but mis- 
 taken motives, there were mobs organized by men who had no property to be 
 injured and for the sole purpose of robbery. These mobs attacked the drovers 
 and lynched many of them, managing meantime to stampede their cattle, after 
 which it was easy to steal large numbers of them. But few of the herds of 1867 
 got through to shipping points, while many were turned back, so that the new 
 field of inviting profit and speedy fortune was realized only as a field of wrong, 
 abuse and ruin. 
 
 OPENING A PLACE OF RENDEZVOUS. 
 
 The attempt and the struggle, however, widely advertised the quality and 
 cheapness of Texas cattle, and hence attracted much attention throughout the 
 north and northwest. They became as determined to have the cattle as the 
 Texas drovers were that they should have them, or the farmers of Kansas and 
 Missouri that they should not be driven through these States. The next point 
 then was to find a point to which Texas cattle could be driven where northern 
 dealers could buy them, and where there were adequate shipping facilities. 
 
 In the study of this problem it occurred to Mr. Joseph G. McCoy, now of 
 this city, but then a cattle dealer in Illinois, that a common point might be found 
 somewhere in western Kansas or the Indian territory outside of the settlements, 
 or somewhere on the southern rivers, from whence cattle could be shipped by 
 boat. Before he had fairly decided in his own mind which would be best, he 
 had occasion to visit Kansas City. Here he met some parties who were interested 
 in Texas cattle, and talked over the project to them, and with their encouragement 
 he went up the Kansas Pacific road to look at the country. Impressed with the 
 favorableness of the situation he returned, and, in an interview with the officers 
 of the Kansas Pacific, they told him that they thought it might pay; that they 
 would encourage it, but were not sufficiently sanguine of its success to put money 
 into it. He got an understanding, however, that if he would erect shipping yards 
 at his own expense, they would arrange with him so that he should have shipping 
 facilities and a fair share of profits. With this understanding he went to St. Louis 
 to ascertain from the Missouri Pacific what rates of freight would be given from 
 Kansas City to that place. He went before the president of that road and^ex- 
 plained the scheme, when the president remarked that it occurred to him that he 
 (Mr. McCoy) had no cattle to ship, and he had no assurance that he ever would 
 have. Very soon afterward Mr. McCoy made an agreement about rates with 
 the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad. 
 
534 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 THE MARKET AT ABILENE. 
 
 He then closed up his business in Illinois and went to Abilene, Kansas, 
 where he built the necessary stock yards and a hotel for the accommodation of 
 drovers, and by the time the herds of 1867 began to reach Kansas, he was ready 
 for them, and that year received into the yards about 35,000 head. As the 
 place was wholly unknown as a cattle market, Mr. McCoy and his associates in 
 the yards were about the only buyers. They bought and shipped to Chicago 
 about 3,000 head; of the balance, a large number were shipped through in first 
 hands and packed in Chicago on the owner's account, but many were driven 
 further north. The first shipment from Abilene was on the 5th of September, 
 1867, and consisted of twenty car loads. The shipments from Abilene that year 
 reached about one thousand car loads, all of which went to Chicago by the Han- 
 nibal & St. Joseph Railroad, except seventeen car loads which went to St. Louis 
 by the Missouri Pacific. The railroad bridge at Kansas City was not then fin- 
 ished, and the proprietors of the Abilene yards, thinking Leavenworth a more 
 eligible place for crossing the river than Kansas City, built the necessary feeding 
 and transfer yards at that point, and shipped their cattle by that place. Leaven- 
 worth, however, took no interest in the movement and offered it no advantages, 
 besides which it was found that the advantages for forwarding cattle were much 
 inferior to those at Kansas City. Hence, the next year, 1868, they transferred 
 their trans shipping business to Kansas City. 
 
 THE MOVEMENT IN 1 868. 
 
 Owing to various causes the operations of the year 1867 were not satisfactory 
 to the drovers, chief among which was their failure to meet buyers at Abilene or 
 elsewhere in Kansas. The proprietors of the yards, comprehending the situa- 
 tion, spent about five thousand dollars in the winter of 1867-8 in advertising 
 Abilene as a cattle market, both in Texas and northwest, assuring the one that 
 buyers would be there in 1868, and the other that many cheap cattle would be 
 offered there. This had the desired effect, and that year there were an abund- 
 ance of buyers, and the number of cattle arriving there was fully seventy-five 
 thousand head. Fortunes were made this year, and the Texas drovers were en- 
 couraged to make larger drives the next year. 
 
 Many of the cattle bought at Abilene in 1868 were shipped immediately into 
 the feeding districts of Illinois and other western States, and soon spread the 
 Spanish fever over the country. Its destructive effects were such as to call forth 
 hostile legislation in most of the western States. It was much investigated and 
 at last ascertained that there is no danger of it after frost; hence after that year 
 it became the practice to hold the cattle on the plains, where they thrive and fat- 
 ten until after frost. Such as were bought for packing or for beef were, however, 
 shipped when needed, as they did not go into feeding districts, or come in con- 
 tact with native cattle, and hence were not liable to spread disease. 
 
 NEW YARDS AT KANSAS CITY GLORY AND DESTRUCTION OF ABILENE. 
 
 In 1869 not less than one hundred and fifty thousand cattle were received at 
 Abilene, while many more went further north, some to feed Indians, some to 
 government posts and to Utah and Montana, while many found their way to 
 market by the way of the Union Pacific Railroad. This year success attended 
 the drovers, and in 1870 they drove not less than three hundred thousand head. 
 The yard faciUties at Kansas City having been found inadequate, in 1869 the 
 North Missouri, Hannibal and St. Joseph, and Missouri Pacific Railroads all 
 built yards of their own. 
 
 That was the year of Abilene's glory, and her great prosperity attracted the 
 attention, of other towns and raised up a host of rivals. The next year the 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 535 
 
 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe road induced some parties to build yards at New- 
 ton, when that place and other points along the line of the Kansas Pacific began 
 to compete successfully with Abilene. There already existed a strong feeling 
 against the trade among the farmers in the country adjacent to .Abilene, and 
 catering to that sentiment the representatives of the country in the Kansas Legis- 
 lature procured the enactment of a law at the session of 187 1 that drove the trade 
 from Abilene. 
 
 With the completion of the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf, and Leaven- 
 worth, Lawrence & Galveston Railroads to the southern line of the State of Kansas 
 in 1870, both began to compete for the trade, the unsettled country over the line 
 in the Indian Territory affording ample pasturage and feeding grounds. For two 
 or three years these roads secured a liberal share of the trade, and would have 
 been preferred because of the shortness of their lines to Kansas City, but for the 
 fact that the Indians levied a tax upon the herding of cattle or the driving of them 
 through their country that made it unprofitable to drivers and supressed the trade. 
 
 Meanwhile, the receiving and forwarding of cattle began to be divided 
 between Ellsworth, on the Kansas Pacific, and Wichita, on the Atchison, Topeka 
 & Santa Fe, and so continued for several years, and until cattle fresh from Texas 
 ceased to be forwarded into the Northwest. For two or three years the Atchison, 
 Topeka & Santa Fe attempted to take all cattle it received by the way of Atchi- 
 son to Chicago, but the lack of adequate yards and bridge facilities were found to 
 be an insuperable barrier, and in 187^ it turned over its cattle to the Missouri 
 Pacific at Atchison for shipment to Kansas City, and the next year effected 
 arrangements for delivering them here itself. 
 
 ORIGIN OF THE KANSAS CITY MARKET. 
 
 In 1868, 1869 and [870 Kansas City was merely a re-shipping and feeding 
 point, and this was done in the yards belonging to the railroad companies Four 
 packing-houses were that year operating here, but packers had to send to the 
 prairies for most of their cattle and send to the adjacent country for their hogs. 
 This was out of their line of business, and made a demand for the employment of 
 another class of men, who should attend to that part of the business and furnish 
 the stock. 
 
 Again, the large number of cattle passing through the railroad yards at 
 Kansas City required better attention than could be given them by railroad em- 
 ployees or the shippers themselves accompanying the stock in transit. There was 
 a need of commission men located here, to whom the stock could be consigned, 
 and who would take care of it. 
 
 There was a great need, also, of better yard regulations. A single yard 
 under one management, where feed and water were provided and which should 
 be used alike by all the railroads was much needed. 
 
 These facts led to the formation of a joint stock company in 187 1, and the 
 construction in time to receive the shipments of that year, of the Kansas Stock 
 Yards. When these yards went into operation, June i, 1871, Jerome D. Smith 
 was elected superintendent. It soon became evident that with this additional 
 convenience men were going into the live stock commission business here, and 
 hence a building was erected to furnish offices for them. When the season 
 opened there were several commission firms ready to begin operations. WiUiam 
 A. Rogers was one of the first to engage in business at the Kansas yards. 
 
 This was the beginning of the live stock market in our city. Packers finding 
 that they could supply themselves here ceased to go to the prairies for their stock. 
 Feeders and others purchasers from the northwestern States had always regarded 
 it as a great hardship to have to go to the frontiers of Kansas to buy their stock, 
 and they, too, welcomed the new market with pleasure, and began at once to 
 give it their patronage. The packing demand for hogs led the commission men 
 
536 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 to make an effort to attract that class of stock to the market, and they were soon 
 in control of the crop of Kansas and western Missouri. Sheep came as a matter 
 of course, and by the close of 187 1 this city had an established live stock market. 
 
 The development of the market from that time has been rapid. All the re- 
 ceipts of cattle in 187 1 were Texas cattle, and probably not more than one-third 
 of them were sold here, the other two-thirds going forward in first hands. By 
 1872 the number sold here was nearly equal to the whole receipts, and in 1873 
 cattle ceased to go forward in first hands. From that time the Kansas City 
 market controlled the Texas cattle, and has been steadily better than any oher 
 market, as is shown by the fact that no man escaped loss who attempted the 
 business of buying here for sale in other markets. Money has been made, how- 
 ever, in buying and shipping into the feeding districts on orders. 
 
 The market for hogs grew as rapidly as for cattle, and as early as 1 8 73 this market 
 controlled the product, not only of Kansas and all the country west and south, 
 but the adjacent parts of Missouri half way to Quincy, and northward into south- 
 western Iowa. For all this country and southern Nebraska, this city has been 
 found to be a better market than any other. Packers have taken all suitable 
 offerings, while the country adjacent and west of this city has demanded all stock 
 hogs that could be had. Receipts steadily increased until in 1874, when the 
 short crop incident to the destruction of the corn crops that year cut down the 
 supply. 
 
 In 1872 native and wintered Texas cattle began to come into the market and 
 since that time the proportion of natives has increased until the larger part of 
 the receipts are of that class. Texas cattle driven to Colorado have stocked up 
 that young State, and for the past few years Colorado cattle have become almost 
 as prominent a feature of the market as those from Texas. 
 
 The following statement of the number of cattle driven from Texas is as 
 nearly accurate as can be made. Since 1872 it is nearly exact : 
 
 1866 260,000 
 
 1867 3S>o°° 
 
 1868 75,000 
 
 1869 35o>°°o 
 
 1870 300,000 
 
 187 1 600,000 
 
 1872 35°,ooo 
 
 1873 400,000 
 
 1874 166,000 
 
 1875 151,618 
 
 1876 32I1998 
 
 1877 201,159 
 
 1878 265,646 
 
 1879 257,927 
 
 1880 394,784 
 
 The following table shows the receipts of different kinds of stock into the 
 Kansas City market. Receipts prior to 1871 were bought in the country and 
 shipped here for packing and for beef : • 
 
 Year. Cattle. Hogs. Sheep. 
 
 1868 4,200 13,000 
 
 1869 4 450 23,000 
 
 1870 21,000 36,000 
 
 1871 120,827 41.036 4,527 
 
 1872 236,802 104,639 6,071 
 
 1873 227,669 - 220,956 5,975 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 537 
 
 Year. Cattle. Hogs. Sheep. 
 
 1874 • 207,069 112,532 8,875 
 
 187s 181,114 S9>4i3 24.987 
 
 1876 183^378 153,777 55>o4S 
 
 1877 215,768 192,645 42,190 
 
 1878 175,344 427,777 36,700 
 
 1879 211,415 588,908 61,684 
 
 1880 244,709 676,477 50,611 
 
 The tendency to drive Texas cattle to the plains of Kansas, Colorado, Ne- 
 braska and New Mexico to winter, and to bring them to this market during years 
 subsequent to their removal from Texas, began about 1876, and has continued 
 until few fresh Texas cattle come into this market. At the same time there 
 began to be a large increase in the proportion of native cattle brought into the 
 market, until now nearly all receipts are of that class, the wintered Texas cattle 
 being absorbed in the western States and Territories, and by the army and Indian 
 contractors. 
 
 A PROMOTER OF THE MARKETS. 
 
 As much is due to Howard M. Holden, of the First National Bank, as to any 
 other individual, for the development of the stock market. As early as 1868 he 
 perceived the advantage of such an institution, and, together with C. J. White, 
 Colonel Bucklin and others, organized a live stock and drovers' association, to 
 help the cattle men open the way to the city. The association accomplished but 
 little, but Mr. Holden was always the friend of the cattle men, and by his 
 liberal treatment soon taught them where to look for financial aid. He made 
 something of a specialty of the commission trade from 1871 down, and was al- 
 ways ready to help the commission merchants. His liberal hand similarly favor- 
 ed the packing interest, and subsequently the grain market, and greatly stim- 
 ulated the development of these interests. Other banks were also liberal, and 
 the Mastin Bank early became an active friend of the cattle men and packers. 
 
 ' . THE PACKING BUSINESS. 
 
 As the events of 1867 demonstrated that a supply of cattle would thereafter 
 be found on the western prairies, packers were attracted to the frontier. The first 
 attempt at packing was at Junction City in 186^, by Edward W. Pattison, for- 
 merly of Indianapolis. He formed a company at Junction City, and in 1867 
 packed about one thousand cattle. The acquaintance with the country thus ac- 
 quired satisfied him that Kansas City, possessing as she did the largest commer- 
 cial facilities near the frontier, offered the best advantages for that business. 
 Hence, in 1868, in company with J. W. L. Slavens, he built the first beef pack- 
 ing house here — the s'tone house now occupied by Jacob Dold & Son. And that 
 year they bought on the prairies and packed about 4,209 cattle. This was the 
 first beef packing done in this city. 
 
 The same year Thos. J. Bigger, formerly of Belfast, Ireland, came here and 
 went into the business of packing hogs for the Irish and English markets. This 
 was the first hog packing done in the city after the war. Previous to the war, 
 about 1858, M. Diveley and some others had packed a few hogs, and in 1859, J. 
 L. Mitchener, now of the Kansas City stock market, came here, backed by Chi- 
 cago capital, and opened a packing house on the east levee, but his business was 
 stopped by the war. In 1868 Mr. Bigger built a small stone house on St. Louis 
 avenue, West Kansas City, where he packed away his meats, the slaughtering 
 being done for him by Messrs. Pattison and Slavens. 
 
 In the spring of 1869, Mr. Slavens disposed of his interest in the packing 
 house of Pattison & Slavens to Dr. F. B. Nofsinger, who had just come here 
 from Indianapolis, and formed the co-partnership known as Furgason, Slavens & 
 
538 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Co. , by which was built that year the large brick packing house now occupied by 
 Slavens & Oburn, thus adding the third packing house. 
 
 The next year, 1870, Mr. Bigger built the house he afterward occupied, near 
 the mouth of Kaw River, and Messrs. Plankinton & Armours came and rented 
 the house of Pattison & Nofsinger, in which they operated that year, and built 
 their own house. 
 
 This gave Kansas City her present four packing houses, which, with ' 
 frequent additions, have kept pace with the growth of the city and the packing 
 interest. Messrs. Plankinton & Armours had already two large houses, one in 
 Milwaukee, and one; in Chicago, but were impressed with the advantage 
 of packing Texas cattle nearer the source of supply, had, after investigation, 
 become satisfied that this city was the best point. It was so situated that 
 the cattle, as driven to the plains of Kansas annually, would be available, and 
 possessed a much better climate lOr the purpose, while, as already an assured 
 railway center, it offered all n 'jessary transportation facilities. S. B. Armour, 
 the head of the house here, was not at the time connected with the firm, but was 
 living on a farm in New York. His brothers induced him to come to this city, 
 take an interest in the business, and conduct the house here. 
 
 Thus our city became a packing point, by 1870, before it was yet a stock 
 market. 
 
 The next year, 187 1, the creation here of a cattle and hog market greatly 
 facilitated packing, and by 1872 Kansas City had attained great importance as a 
 packing point. In 1874 she was the principal source of supply for packed beef, 
 and since that time has attained nearly a monopoly of the trade. 
 
 Hog packing did not prosper equally for the. sole reason that hogs could 
 not be had, the packing capacity of the city being in excess of the supply. 
 
 The following table shows the packing done here since the war : 
 
 HOGS. CATTLE. 
 
 1868-69 . 13,000 1868 4,200 
 
 1869-70 23,000 1869 4,45° 
 
 1870-71 36,000 1870 •. . . 21,000 
 
 1871-72 83,000 1871 45,543 
 
 1872-73 180,000 1872 20,500 
 
 1873-74 175,°°° 1873 26,549 
 
 1874-75 7o,'3oo 1874 42,226 
 
 1875-76 72,500 1875 25,774 
 
 1876-77 114,869 1876 26,765 
 
 1877 180,357 1877 27,863 
 
 1878. 349,097 1878 18,756 
 
 1879 366,830 1879 29,141 
 
 1880 539,097 1880 30,922 
 
 During the summer of 1878, Messrs. Fowler Bros., large packers in Chicago, 
 observing that the supply of hogs had now become sufficient at Kansas City to 
 make it a large packing point, determined to establish a branch house here. 
 They came for that purpose, but found that in addition to the excellent facilities 
 offered by the large stock market and excellent transportation facilities, Kansas 
 City was not disposed to offer much inducements. That is, Kansas City feeling 
 that she possessed advantages for that kind of business unequaled elsewhere in 
 the Missouri Valley, was not disposed to offer any inducements in addition there- 
 to. The City of Atchison, however, was; and offered such inducements in the 
 way of land, etc., as to tempt the Messrs. Fowlers to locate there. That fall 
 they built a large packing house at Winthrop, on the opposite side of the river 
 and went into the business of packing hogs. It was soon found, however, that 
 they could not conduct the business successfully in the absence of a hog market ; 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 539 
 
 and they and others addressed themselves to efforts to develop one at Atchison. 
 The effort was futile, however, the market at Kansas City continued to attract 
 the shipments, and for two years Messrs. Fowlers continued the business there, 
 buying a large part of the hogs in the Kansas City market. It was found, also, 
 that for a large part of their trade in meats their product had to be shipped to 
 Kansas City for distribution. Competition with Kansas City packers, under such 
 circumstances was, of course, unprofitable, and hence in the spring of 1880 they 
 came to Kansas City, secured a large tract of ground near the junction of the 
 Kaw and Missouri Rivers, and built there one of the largest and best appointed 
 packing houses in the west. 
 
 In the summer of 1880 Messrs. Dold & Son, of Buffalo, New York, came 
 to Kansas City and bought the packing house of Nofsinger & Co. , who had not 
 been operating it very extensively for several years. They opened business with 
 the opening of the season 1880-1, and are now proposing to build a much lar- 
 ger house. 
 
 Mr. Bigger having gone out of the packing business several years age, the 
 houses now operating here are Plankinton & Armours, Slavens and Oburn, Fow- 
 ler Bros., and Jacob Dold & Son. Of these houses Plankinton & Armours and 
 Slavens & Oburn still pack a considerable amount of beef It is mostly put up 
 in cans, however, rather than in tierces and barrels as was formerly the custom. 
 The houses all do a large business in packing pork and most of them continue 
 the business through the summer. 
 
 THE GRAIN MARKET. 
 
 From the earliest dates to i37o, Kansas City imported flour from eastern 
 Missouri and Illinois. This country had become self sustaining, so far as this 
 part of Missouri was concerned, before the war, but the great demand by immi- 
 grants to Kansas, and the trade with New Mexico and Colorado, made a demand 
 that local production could not supply. By the time Kansas became a State, she 
 was producing large amounts of grain, but the immigration took all surpluses. 
 Between the close of the war and 1870, the same conditions existed, though the 
 production of the country had immensely increased. By 1870, however, pro- 
 duction began to exceed the local demand, and that year the railroads took 
 small amounts of grain to the eastern markets. Perceiving this fact, the people, 
 in the latter part of 1870 and the early part of 1871, began to agitate the estab- 
 lishment of a grain market. The spring of the year i87r gave promises of a 
 good yield of all kinds of grain ; and the press opened on the subject again. Its 
 agitatioii caused the Board of Trade to take it up and discuss it. 
 
 THE FIRST ELEVATOR — THE INFANT MARKET. 
 
 The result was that in July, 187 r, Messrs. Latshaw & Quade began the 
 erection of an elevator of about one hundred thousand bushels storage capacity. 
 This was situated on nearly the same ground as is now the Union Elevator. It 
 was finished and open for business in December. But there were no grain dealers 
 to use it, and Messrs. Latshaw & Quade went into the business themselves, and 
 were the first men to conduct a grain business in this city as a strictly commercial 
 pursuit. Messrs. Branham & Sons owned and operated a corn mill on Fourth 
 street, near Broadway, and Messrs. Dewar & Smith owned and operated the 
 Diamond mills. These gentlemen were buying grain in the country and shipping 
 it to their mills. Soon after the construction of the elevator they began to do 
 something more than this, and shipped some grain to the east. In 1871 Messrs. 
 Price & Doane took a large house on Santa Fe street and Union avenue, and 
 opened a grain business, but for a long time their business was largely of a 
 retail character. Messrs. Latshaw .& Quade, however, were the principal dealers 
 until the close of 1873, and by that time had built up a considerable order trade 
 
540 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 in the east and south. Their business was, however, summarily closed in Decern 
 ber, 1873, by the burning of their elevator. 
 
 TWO MORE ELEVATORS. 
 
 By the close of 1873, t^^ extent of the grain business had become such as to 
 attract others, and the next spring Messrs. Vanghan & Co. and Gillespie, Reed 
 & Co. went into business. Messrs. Vaughan & Co. undertook the building of 
 Elevator "A," and a stock company, of which A. J. GiUispie became president, 
 commenced the erection of the Kansas City elevator. Both of these were begun 
 in the spring of 1874, and finished in time for the movement of the wheat crop 
 of that year, and had a storage capacity of about 200,000 bushels each. 
 
 Messrs. Branham & Sons had the fall previous built the Advance mills, in 
 connection with which they provided a storage capacity for about 20,000 bushels 
 and all necessary elevator apparatus. From the time of the burning of the ale- 
 vator of Messrs. Latshaw & Quade until the erection of the Kansas City and 
 "A," this was the only facility, and was much used. In the latter part of the 
 year 1876, it was purchased by Col. E. Lynde and converted into an elevator 
 with about 40,000 bushels storage capacity. It was then made regular by the 
 Board of Trade, and has since continued as the Advance Elevator. 
 
 THE MOVEMENT OF 1874 AND 1875. 
 
 The prospect for 1874 was excellent until in August when the Rocky Moun- 
 tain Locusts came down upon Kansas and cut short the corn crop. For a time 
 the outlook was very discouraging but it soon became evident that owing to the 
 shortness of the supply in Kansas, corn would have to be shipped into that State. 
 The Kansas City grain men seized the situation with their characteristic enter- 
 prise and began the purchase of corn in Iowa and northern Missouri for Kansas. 
 This afforded them such an excellent business that numbers of others engaged in 
 it and brought a large amount of capital into the trade. The grain movement 
 that year was the largest that had yet been known in Kansas City, but in the 
 contrary direction from what was expected. The movement of wheat, rye and 
 barley that year was to the eastward, but that of corn and oats was to the west- 
 ward. '■' 
 
 By the time the westward movement of corn ceased in 1875 the eastward 
 movement of wheat had began. 
 
 Our commission men in anticipation of the movement had opened business 
 correspondence with millers and dealers throughout the Middle and Western 
 States, and obtained their orders. When the market opened the existing through 
 rates of freight enabled them to fill their orders at from three to five cents less 
 than the same grades could be supplied from St. Louis, and at the same time 
 pay the country shipper from three to five cents more than they could realize by 
 sending their wheat to St. Louis. St. Louis had formerly been the only western 
 market for winter wheat, and beside this city is still the only market near enough 
 for small shippers in the Missouri Valley. This situation was greatly stimulating 
 to the Kansas City market, and allured many other men into the business, and 
 brought her a number of Chicago, Baltimore and New York buyers. 
 
 OTHER ELEVATORS. 
 
 The extent to which the market had grown rendered more elevator capacity 
 a necessity, and in the fall of 1875 a new company was formed, and the erection 
 of the Union Elevator begun. It has a storage capacity of about 500,000 
 bushels, and. went into operation in February, 1876. The movement of corn 
 during the winter and spring of 1876, proved that even with this additional 
 faciHty there was still not enough, hence during the summer another company 
 was formed, and the Arkansas Valley Elevator was built. It was finished and 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 541 
 
 went into operation on the 2d of June, 1877. In the fall of 1877 Elevator " B " 
 was built in the Hannibal & St. Joseph freight yards. It had a storage capacity 
 of 250,000 bushels, and went into operation March 19, 1878, but it was faulty in 
 its foundations and fell down, December 7th, 1878. 
 
 The Alton Elevator was built near the line of the Chicago & Alton Railroad, 
 in the northeastern part of the city, in the summer and fall of 1879. It went 
 mto operation November 22d, 1879, and has a storage capacity of one hundred 
 and seventy-five thousand bushels. 
 
 The Novelty Elevator was first built as a small transfer house, in the summer of 
 1876, but was subsequently enlarged to a storage capacity of about twenty thou- 
 sand bushels, and so continued until the fall of 1879, when it was "increased to a 
 storage capacity of two hundred and twenty-five thousand bushels, and became 
 regular on the 28th day of June, 1880, The State Line Elevator was built as a 
 small elevator, having a storage capacity of about twenty thousand bushels, in 1877 
 and so continued until 1879, when it was enlarged to a storage capacity of one 
 hundred thousand bushels, and was made regular on the ist day of March, 1880. 
 
 THE GRAIN CALL. 
 
 The call of grain, which is now one of the features of the Board of Trade, 
 was established in June, 1876. At that time the grain merchants were concen- 
 trated about the corner of Union avenue and Santa Fe street, and finding it in- 
 convenient to attend the daily meetings of the Board of Trade at the rooms 
 under the First National Bank on the corner of Delaware and Fifth streets, they 
 organized themselves into a Call Board, subject to the rules and regulatious of 
 the Board of Trade, and elected Maj. W. A. M. Vaughan, moderator, to conduct 
 the call. In November this call was formally recognized by the Board of Di- 
 rectors of the Board of Trade, and rules for its government were established. 
 Maj. Vaughan continued to make the call until July, 1877, when that duty was 
 devolved upon the secretary of the Board of Trade. 
 
 The following statistics of the grain trade will be found interesting. 
 
 STORAGE AND TRANSFER CAPACITY OF REGULAR ELEVATORS AT 
 
 KANSAS CITY. 
 
 
 NAME. 
 
 Storage. 
 
 Daily 
 Transfer 
 Capacity. 
 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 ' Bushels). 
 
 Union 
 
 400,000 
 425,000 
 175,000 
 60,000 
 175,000 
 100,000 
 225,000 
 
 100,000 
 
 Arkansas Valley 
 
 "A" 
 
 125,000 
 30,000 
 15,000 
 
 250,000 
 30,000 
 40,000 
 
 Advance 
 
 Alton • 
 
 State Line ' 
 
 Novelty 
 
 
 Total 
 
 1,560,000 
 
 590,000 
 
 
542 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 TOTAL GRAIN RECEIPTS AT KANSAS CITY PER ANNUM FROM THE FIRST 
 
 OF THE MARKET. 
 
 DATE. 
 
 1871 
 1872 
 
 •873 
 1874 
 
 1875 
 1876 
 1877 
 1878 
 1879 
 1880 
 
 Wheat. 
 
 687,000 
 289,726 
 750,400 
 
 371.273 
 1,256,337 
 1,820,297 
 2,259,573 
 9,014,291 
 
 6,417,952 
 4,093,528 
 
 Corn. 
 
 350,000 
 601,864 
 836,300 
 711,367 
 1,258,700 
 
 5,769,395 
 5,881,703 
 4,911,529 
 4,121,904 
 4,421,760 
 
 Oats. 
 
 93,69s 
 105,200 
 
 210,475 
 382,850 
 117,241 
 180,657 
 155,089 
 
 276,775 
 366,486 
 
 Rye. 
 
 12,921 
 
 10,500 
 3,400 
 
 40,000 
 396,612 
 329,887 
 352,262 
 184,046 
 
 65,267 
 
 Barley. 
 
 3,087 
 12,380 
 
 37.450 
 
 15,100 
 
 109,04s 
 
 203,341 
 
 163,257 
 
 92,591 
 82,894 
 
 The Kansas City Elevator having become inoperative and having ceased to 
 do business on the 29th of May, 1880, it is dropped from the abo^e table of 
 storage capacity. 
 
 THE PRODUCE AND FLOUR MARKETS. 
 
 Produce from the country began to be handled in Kansas City in a small 
 way prior to the war, but first took the form of a commission business soon after 
 that struggle. A. L. Charles, A. S. Haines and R. C. Crowell & Co., were 
 among the first merchants to engage in it. And Kansas City is now a large 
 market for this class of articles. 
 
 The handling of flour grew up about the same time, in the same way and 
 was conducted by about the same men. An effort was made in July, 1880, to 
 organize this trade and put it on 'change. To that end the Board of Trade 
 adopted rules for its government; appointed G. W. Elliot, inspector, and 
 provided sample tables. It has not yet succeeded however in effecting its object. 
 
 THE COAL MARKET. 
 
 With the competition of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad to the city in 
 1867, of the North Missouri (now Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific), and of the 
 Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf to Fort Scott in 1869, they began to bring coal 
 to Kansas City from the mines adjacent to their respective lines. The trade in 
 coal had however begun before this, probably about 1868. Geo. W. McLean, 
 since grain inspector, and A. S. Ingersoll, now a grain merchant, were the first 
 to engage in it. They got their coal at Lexington, Mo., shipped it to Kansas 
 City in sacks, by steamboat, and sold it at forty-five cents per bushel. These 
 gentlemen were soon followed by Pat Casey, T. McKinley, J. A. Bovard and 
 others. 
 
 The first record preserved of receipts was for the year 1870, during which 
 the Fort Scott road is recorded as having brought to Kansas City 18,000 bushels, 
 but the Hannibal & St. Joseph and North Missouri brought coal to the city at the 
 same time, the amount of which cannot now be ascertained. The market grew 
 rapidly from the first, and by 1872 Kansas City was receiving and distributing 
 over two miUion bushels. At this early date all the upper river towns and cities 
 as far north as Omaha were largely supplied from here, as well as accessible parts 
 of Kansas and Nebraska. The railroads in these States and western Iowa were 
 also supplied from here, and have continued to be since. 
 
 The following table shows the receipts of coal into this market each year 
 from 1870 to 1880 inclusive, as near as can now be ascertained. It must be 
 remembered, however, that these figures for years prior to 1877 are n6t ex^t, there 
 having been no report of the coal brought here by the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 543 
 
 Railroad prior to that time and no report of that received here from the North 
 Missouri for 1876. For 1877 and subsequent years the figures are taken from 
 the Board of Trade reports, which are nearly exact. 
 
 Years. Bushels. 
 
 1870 18,000 
 
 1871 1,408,760 
 
 1872 2,722,750 
 
 1873 2,755-50° 
 
 1874 2,799,000 
 
 1875 3.226.500 
 
 1876 2,788,000* 
 
 1877 3,107,050 
 
 1878 4,621,725 
 
 1879 5,307,000 
 
 1880 5.772,405 
 
 * No report for the North Missouri road. 
 
544 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 THE PROGRESS OF THREE YEARS. 
 
 The Events of 1877 — The Alton Road — The Union Depot — The Test of Barges on the Missouri 
 — The Great Railway Strike — Bank Suspensions — Railway Extensions Affecting Kansas 
 City — The United States Court House and Post- Office, and United States Courts — Rapid 
 Growth of the City. 
 
 It was mentioned at the close of the last chapter that Kansas City began to 
 revive from the effects of the panic of 1873, about the middle of the year 1876, 
 and that population began again to come in and fill up the vacant houses, and 
 revive the general tone of business. This revival was not local only, but general, 
 and the whole country shared in it. In the west, especially, there was marked 
 improvement, and not Kansas City only, but the whole west, entered upon a 
 new era of prosperity and development, which, happily, has not yet received any 
 serious check. 
 
 THE EVENTS OF 1 8 77. 
 
 One of the first institutions to take advantage of the revival of times, to ad- 
 vance its interests, was the Chicago & Alton Railroad Company, which, as pre- 
 viously noted, had extended its line to Mexico, Missouri, on the old Louisiana 
 charter, and for some years had been making its connections to Kansas City 
 from that place over the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern. On the 27th of 
 February, 1877, T. B. Blackstone, President, J. J. Mitchell, Vice-President, and 
 J. D. McMullin, General Superintendent, of that road, came to Kansas City, to 
 confer with the people here, relative to extending that road along the route origi- 
 nally proposed for the Louisiana road to Kansas City. After such conference, 
 they returned by the way of Glasgow, accompanied from this city by General 
 John W. Reid, who had always taken an active interest in this line of road. 
 During the spring and summer the sense of the people along the route was taken 
 at a series of public meetings, and in the fall a new company was organized, 
 called the Chicago, St. Louis & Kansas City Railroad Company, for the purpose 
 of building the road. Mr. Mitchell was president of this company, and most of 
 its members and stockholders were Chicago & Alton men. In October Mr. 
 Mitchell submitted to Jackson county and other counties along the line, proposi- 
 tions for aid to the road. Of Jackson county, he required fifty thousand dollars 
 in subscriptions to the stock of the company, and procurement of the right of 
 way through the county. This was submitted to a meeting of the. people, and 
 referred to a committee, of which General Reid was a leading member, to raise 
 the subscriptions, and it was soon accomplished. A like result having attended 
 the effort in other counties, the construction of the road was an assured fact be- 
 fore the close of the year. 
 
 The establishment of barge transportation on the Missouri River was again 
 taken up, March 10th, at a meeting of grain merchants, and referred to a com- 
 mittee consisting of Messrs. M. Diveley, H. J. Latshaw, E. R. Threlkeld, T. J. 
 Lynde, Major W. A. M. Vaughan, Colonel C. E. Kearney, and A. J. Gillespie. 
 This meeting was brought about by some correspondence with the Great Central 
 Dispatch Company, which proposed to put barges on the river. Nothing came 
 of this proposition, however, and subsequently a committee was sent to St. Louis 
 for the purpose of securing, if possible, some relaxation of the railroad pool 
 rates from the Missouri Pacific and St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railroads. 
 But this mission was unsuccessful, and on the return of the committee, an inef- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 545- 
 
 factual effort was made to start a company to build barges, after which the inter- 
 est was allowed to slumber for another year. 
 
 The Memphis Railroad project, in which Kansas City and Jackson county 
 had been so largely and so unsuccessfully interested since 1870, re-appeared this 
 year, and claimed a share of attention. On the 12th of April it was sold in bank- 
 ruptcy, and was bought in by a company of Kansas City men for fifteen thou- 
 sand and twenty-five dollars. Mr. J. D. Bancroft, formerly cashier of the First 
 National Bank, and at this time a grain merchant, became manager for the pur- 
 chasers, and made an effort to raise the money to build it, but without success ; 
 and it slumbered in the hands of this company for several years without anything 
 further being done to build it. 
 
 Other railroad enterprises, however, were more fortunate, and the Atchison, 
 Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad began the construction of branches from Emporia 
 south, since finished to Howard, Kansas, and from Florence to Eldorado, since 
 finished through to a connection with the main line again at Ellinwood. 
 
 During the early part of the year there was considerable discussion of a 
 proposition to put a dam across the Kaw River a few miles above the city 
 for the purpose of creating a water power for manufacturing purposeb, and Mr. 
 Pierson, engineer for the water company, made a favorable report concerning it, 
 but nothing was ever done about it. 
 
 The long-continued effort to induce the railroads centering here to build an 
 eligible Union Passenger Depot was this year successful. Early in the year a 
 company was organized for that purpose, composed of the representatives of the 
 different lines, and the work begun. On the loth of July the old wooden shed 
 which had been used for that purpose was abandoned, and the point of inter- 
 change moved to the State Line Depot. Immediately afterward the old shed 
 was taken down and the construction of the present elegant building begun. It 
 was finished in January following and opened to the public with C. H. Dunham, 
 Esq., as superintendent, A. W. Millspaugh, ticket agent, and John Hale, bag- 
 gage master. Its cost was about two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars. 
 
 One of the most exciting events since the close of the war occurred this year. 
 It was the great railroad strike, which, beginning with the Baltimore & Ohio 
 Railroad in July, swept over the country like a cyclone, causing much loss of 
 property in Pittsburg and other cities, and denioralizing railway business serious- 
 ly for some time. It reached Kansas City on the afternoon of the 23d of July, in 
 . the refusal of freight-train men to work further without an advance of wages. 
 That night meetings of the strikers were held, and the next day a mob of lawless 
 individuals, made up chiefly of idlers, paraded the streets and forbade working 
 men generally to proceed with their work. This looked ominous, and aroused 
 the people. Meetings were quietly held that night and measures taken to protect 
 property. Capt. H. H. Craig promptly raised a company of men and had them 
 sworn in as special police, to protect the city. This prompt preparation for the 
 mob crushed the lawless spirit of that class of idle adventurers, who were evident- 
 ly seeking to take advantage of the railroad strike, create disorder and destruc- 
 tion, such as had prevailed in Pittsburg. The matter was thus confined to the 
 railroad men and their employers, who succeeded in adjusting their difficulties so 
 that freight business was resumed on the 30th of July. The passenger trains 
 were not stopped at any time, as they carried the mails, and the strikers did not 
 apparendy seek a colHsion with the government authorities by stopping the 
 mails. From this affair arose the Craig Rifles, which have since been quite an 
 interesting military and social organization. 
 
 The Board of Trade Building, which had been begun in the fall of 1876, was 
 so far completed that the daily meeting of the Board was removed to it July 28th. 
 On the 2nd day of August the office rooms in the building were let at public 
 auction, only members of the Board engaged in grain, produce, provision or 
 
 3d 
 
COAXES HOUSE, KANSAS CITY, MO. 
 Kersey Coates, Proprietor. Cor. Tenth and Broadiaay. 
 
. HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 547 
 
 flour, being allowed to bid. The letting was at the rate of $13,270 per annum, 
 or about twenty one per cent on the investment. 
 
 During the year 1877 there was considerable improvement in the city, re- 
 lating more, however, to its general condition. The Board of Trade report for 
 that year thus sums up some of its leading features : 
 
 " The population of Kansas City has been increasing rapidly for the past 
 year and a half. The last estimate of population published in oar city directory 
 was in 1873, when it appeared that the population was 40,740. I am informed 
 by Mr. J. H. Ballenger, who compiles our directory, that the population in June 
 of the year under review, was 41,786, showing an increase since 1873 of 1,046. 
 Mr. Ballenger also informs me that immediately succeeding the panic of 1873, 
 the population fell off considerably — a fact attributable to the depression of in- 
 dustrial interests and the cessation of public improvement. About July, 1876, 
 this lost population began to come back to us, and by the beginning of 1877 the 
 tenement houses of Kansas City were again full. Since that time, several hun- 
 dred additional houses have been built and filled, and all vacant rooms over busi- 
 ness houses have been occupied also : so that it is estimated that the new popula- 
 tion coming within the past year and a half does not fall materialy short of eight 
 thousand people. 
 
 " The movement of real estate likewise shows an improvement. There has 
 not been so much improvement in the number of transfers, as in the better tone 
 of the market, the higher valuation at which it is held, and the advance of rentals, 
 which latter will average not less than fifty per cent. 
 
 " There has been no great enlargement of the industrial interest of the city, 
 but estalishments previously existing are doing much more business and employ- 
 ing a larger number of operatives, and are generally much more prosperous. 
 
 "The markets of Kansas City have experienced marked improvement during 
 the year. The amount of property coming into them for sale has much increased, 
 and, in many respects, was of improved quality. There has been an increase of 
 merchants engaged in purchasing and forwarding the produce offered, and with 
 the increase of men there was also an increase of money. The markets have 
 been active during the year, and have sustained their former high valuations as 
 compared with other markets." 
 
 The extension of transportation facilities, other than those mentioned already 
 in this chapter, consisted of the extension of the Clay Center Branch of the Kan- 
 sas Pacific Railroad to Clifton, and the extension of the Central Branch Union 
 Pacific to Concordia. This latter road made its eastern terminus at Atchison, 
 Kansas, but met with such competition in the Republican Valley, from the Clay 
 Center Branch of the Kansas Pacific, that it was compelled to make rates to Kan- 
 sas City, by the way of the Missouri Pacific from Atchison, and thus became vir- 
 tually a Kansas City road. The Joplin Railroad was also built this year from 
 Girard, on the Fort Scott and Gulf, and at the end of the year it was proposed to 
 extend it to the line of the Fort Smith & Little Rock Railroad, in Arkansas, thus 
 securing a through line to the Mississippi River at Chicot, by the latter road and 
 the Little Rock, Mississippi River & Texas, which was then about to be completed 
 between Little Rock and Pine Bluff. 
 
 THE EVENTS OF 1 878. 
 
 The year 1878 began under very favorable auspices, and great activity and 
 improvements were promised. These promises, however, were not fully realized, 
 yet the year was an eventful one. 
 
 In January all the arrangements for the building of the extension of the 
 Chicago & Alton Railroad were completed, except the procurement of the right- 
 of-way through the city. An effort was made early in the year to find a route 
 and procure right-of-way into the southeastern part of the city by the valley of 
 
548 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. , 
 
 O. K. Creek, but it was found that the right-of-way was so expensive, and the 
 grades so high, that it was abandoned, and about the ist of July the company 
 decided to adopt the route on which the road was subsequently built. Much 
 difficulty was experienced in obtaining this right-of-way from the city, owing to 
 the opposition of a few members of the city council. It was formally refused by 
 a vote of that body July 17th, which led to a spirited public meeting at the Board 
 of Trade hall on the evening of the i8th, at which the action of the council was 
 severely commented upon by leading business men. The matter was brought 
 up in the council again on the 8th of August and the right-of-way granted. The 
 construction of the road meantime was progressing rapidly below, and on the 
 4th of December work was begun in the city' limits by the contractor, Peter 
 Soden. 
 
 BANK CHANGES AND SUSPENSIONS. 
 
 About the beginning of the year 1878 was a time of great strain upon the 
 banking houses of Kansas City, owing to the fact that the winter was very mild 
 and very wet, which retarded the movement of the grain crops, depressed hog 
 packing, and hence the live stock market, and materially depressed all kinds of 
 trade. Merchants and others who were customers of the banks could not, there- 
 fore, meet their paper promptly, and, in addition to having to ask for extension, 
 had also to seek further accommodation. 
 
 The Watkins Bank was consolidated with the Bank of Kansas City on the 
 8th of December, 1877, and from subseqiient developments was not in a very 
 strong position when it did so. This bank was originally established by H. M. 
 Northrup & Co. in 1857, and was the first regular banking institution in Kansas 
 City. It was conducted by Messrs. Northrup & Co. until 1864, when it was 
 transferred by them to J. Q. Watkins & Co., and Messrs. Northrup & Chick 
 went to New York, where they did a successful banking business until 1873, when 
 they were so badly injured by the great panic of that year that they again came 
 West. Mr. Chick became cashier of the Kansas City National Bank, which had 
 been established in 1872. This bank was subsequently re-organized as a private 
 bank, under the name of the Bank of Kansas City, with Mr. Chick as president. 
 Thus the original bank, with the establishment of which he was connected in 1857, 
 passed again into his hands, when the Watkins Bank was consolidated with the 
 Bank of Kansas Ciiy in December 1877. 
 
 The event however that affected Kansas City most was the failure of the 
 First National Bank, which occurred on the 29th of January, carrying down 
 with it the Commercial National Bank, a fine little bank of one hundred thou- 
 sand dollars capital. The history and character of the First National up to this 
 time has already been given in these pages. It had come to be regarded as the 
 great bank of Kansas City by all classes of people, and owing to its enterprising, 
 liberal management there was not a Hne of trade, and scarcely a merchant or 
 business man of any class, that was not indebted to it for favors. It had been 
 its practice, since Mr. Howard M. Holden took the management of it, to foster 
 all kinds of business. It had been a great promoter of the markets, and at this 
 time was the leading source of accommodations for live stock and grain merchants 
 and packers. Usually, in the latter part of the year it was liberal with these 
 classes, and so enabled them to carry forward their busmess until they could 
 begin to reahze in the winter. The bad weather of this winter prevented them 
 from meeting their engagements with it and its suspension was unexpectedly 
 announced on the morning of January 29th. The same day the Commercial 
 National closed, being weakened by a similar state of affairs and overborne by 
 the drain that usually results to ail Banks by the suspension of one so promi- 
 nent as was the First National. This made a great sensation in Kansas City and 
 the surrounding country, as the First National was the leading depository in Kan- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY." 549 
 
 sas City, for the. country banks, but the sentiment of the people contained noth- 
 ing of blame for the officers of the Banks. On the contrary, they were the 
 recipients of universal sympathy for their loss, while the people deeply deplored 
 the loss to the city of so valuable an institution. The expression of this senti- 
 ment was so remarkable, and so different from that which ordinarily attends the 
 failure of a bank that it merits a place in our history. 
 
 On the 30th of January, at a meeting of the Live-Stock Merchants, the 
 following paper was adopted and signed : 
 
 Kansas Stock Yards, January 30, 1878. 
 "We, the undersigned Live-Stock Commission Merchants, of Kansas City, 
 Mo., in view of the suspension 01 the First National Bank, of our city, as 
 announced in the morning papers, take this method of expressing our unquali- 
 fied faith in the statement of the Bank officers that every depositor will be paid in 
 full, and in this connection we wish to record our unbounded confidence in H. 
 M. Holden, President of said Bank, as a just and upright man, of unimpeacha- 
 ble integrity, and financial ability of the highest order, to which Kansas City 
 and the country adjacent thereto as largely indebted for their rapid and solid 
 growth. 
 
 [Signed] "W. H. Kingsbury & Co.; Quinlan, Montgomery & Co.; James H. 
 Payne; J. T. Johnson & Co.; Gillespie, Reed & Co.; Shough & 
 Clements; Rogers & Rogers; White & Holmes ; J. F. Foster; 
 John F. Gregory; Irwin, Allen & Co.; Rial, Cox & Co.; StoUer 
 & Hill; L. M. Hunter; T. J. Allen; Barse & Snider; A. B. Mat- 
 thews; L. V. Morse (Supt. Yards); Nofsinger, Harper & Co.; 
 J. K. Proudfit ; W. B. Grimes." 
 
 On 'Change the grain merchants had a meeting and adopted the following 
 resolutions ; 
 
 "Whereas, Financial events in our city may lead to a feeling of uneasiness in 
 business circles, and as this board has ample evidence as to the ultimate solvency 
 of the First National Bank and the Commercial National Bank, therefore, 
 
 '^Resolved, That our confidence in the integrity of the management of these 
 banks is unimpaired, and we believe fully the statement of their officers, that all 
 depojitors and creditors will be paid to the utmost satisfaction of all demands, and 
 we say this, that causeless panic and uneasiness may be prevented. 
 
 "■Resolved, That such is our confidence in these institutions and their officers 
 and stock-holders, that we hope for and desire an early resumption of business, 
 and pledge ourselves to extend all the aid we can to that end — both to the man- 
 agement and to the public. " 
 
 At the annual election of the Board of Trade, about three weeks preceding 
 these events, Mr. Holden had been unanimously elected president of that insti- 
 tution. Hence, from a sense of delicacy, he sent his resignation to the board, on 
 the 30th, the day following the suspension of the bank. This document was laid 
 before the board on the ist of February, when, on motion of E. R. TJirelkeld, 
 the board voted unanimously for the appointment of a committee to wait upon 
 Mr. Holden and request its withdrawal. That committee in the discharge of this 
 duty presented Mr. Holden with the following note, which further exhibits the 
 sentiment prevailing in the community at the time : 
 
 • "Kansas City, Mo., February rst, 1878. 
 "H. M. Holden, Esq., 
 
 ^^ President Board of Trade. 
 
 ''Dear Sir: — At a meeting of the Board of Trade to-day, your resigna- ~ 
 tion as president was tendered, and the undersigned were appointed a committee 
 to return it to you with renewed assurances of our confidence and respect, and to 
 inform you that it is the united wish of the membership that you reconsider your 
 
550 HISTORY OF KANSAS. CITY. 
 
 action, and withdraw your resignation, and that you continue in the office to 
 which you were unanimously elected. 
 
 " We indulge the hope that you will cheerfully comply with this request. 
 
 " Yours very respectfully, 
 [Signed.] "E. R. THRELKELD, 
 
 N. J. LATSHAW, 
 C. E. KEARNEY, 
 J. D. BANCROFT, 
 WEB. WITHERS." 
 
 A few days later, Feb. 4th, after people had taken time to reflect, the mer- 
 chants and business men, who were not' connected actively with either the Hve 
 stock or grain markets, called a public meeting at the Board of Trade Hall, to 
 express themselves concerning the matter. This meeting was lairgely attended 
 and adopted the following resolutions : 
 
 "Whereas, A combination of circumstances which no reasonable sagacity 
 could forsee or skill prevent has compelled the First National Bank of Kansas 
 City to suspend, and 
 
 "Whereas, The officers of said Bank have assured the public that its assets 
 are fully adequate to pay all depositors and creditors, and 
 
 "Whereas, The First National Bank has always stood ready to help the 
 public and private enterprises of Kansas City and the adjacent country, and 
 thereby has exerted a most potent influence in developing the business, commerce 
 and resources of Kansas City and the country, therefore 
 
 ■ '■^Resolved, That we, the merchants and business men of Kansas City, inter- 
 ested as patrons or depositors of the First National Bank, and in the interests and 
 institutions effected by its suspension, have full and complete confidence in the 
 officers of the bank, and in their assurances that all depositors and creditors will 
 be paid in full 
 
 '■'Resolved, That we believe the suspension of said bank was the result of 
 circumstances that could not have been prevented, and that the officers of said 
 bank are not in any respect blamable therefore, 
 
 "■Resolved, That the loss we apprehend from said suspension is that incident 
 to the reduction of our banking facilities, should the suspension become perma- 
 nent, and the withdrawal, from the banking business in Kansas City, of the 
 peculiarly wise and liberal management which has heretofore directed the affairs 
 of the First National Bank, and though it exercised such a beneficent policy in 
 developing the trade and commerce of Kansas City and the resources of the 
 country commercially tributary thereto, 
 
 "■Resolved, That inasmuch as we have ever regarded the First National Bank 
 as peculiarly the friend of Kansas City, and the strongest supporter and promoter 
 of our trade, that we cannot contemplate its permanent suspension and withdrawal 
 from business except with apprehension of results of the mok unfortunate 
 character, and bordering upon pubUc calamity, therefore we wish here to express 
 our earnest hope that it may speedily resume business, and in that event we stand 
 ready to give it the utmost support in our power." 
 
 The papers signed by a large number of depositors and expressing sentiments 
 similar to the above were presented and read at the meeting. 
 
 The suspension of these banks was a severe blow to Kansas City. Owing to 
 the mildness and dampness of the weather, merchants had been unable to dispose 
 of the stock provided for their winter trade, and the products of the country were 
 still unmarketed. Hence, in addition to being deprived of the assistance that 
 might otherwise have been reasonably expected from the banks, the people sud- 
 denly found themselves confronted with the necessity of repaying loans already 
 secured, which caused no httle embarrassment, depressed the markets, cut short the 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 551 
 
 supply of currency for a time, and stopped several enterprises which the people 
 were inaugurating for the ensuing year. 
 
 THE BARGE LINES 
 
 Among the enterprises thus stopped, and the most important of all, was barge 
 navigation on the Missouri River. The grain business had now attained such 
 proportions that the people felt that this facihty must be provided. To that end 
 a meeting was held at the Coates House on the evening of January r7th, at 
 which the matter was referred to a committee consisting of Messrs. H. J. Lat- 
 shaw, C. H. Prescott, T. J. Lynde, R. W. Quade and F. J. Baird, for the pur- 
 pose of maturing plans. Two days afterward, January 19th, another meeting 
 was held at which this committee reported, recommending the organization of a 
 Kansas City company with a capital of fifty thousand dollars, to own and operate 
 the barges. The proposition was so favorably received that four thousand, five 
 hundred dollars was subscribed at the meeting. Resolutions were adopted asking 
 Congress for appropriations to remove snags and other obstructions from the 
 channel ; and a committee of twenty was appointed to place the stock of the 
 company. On the 20th this committee met at the Coates House and laid out 
 their work, and on the 23d a large public meeting was held at the Board of 
 Trade, which was addressed by Messrs. Col. Coates, H. M. Holden, Hon. 
 Stephen A. Cobb, of Wyandotte, James M. Nave, H. J. Latshaw, Capt. A. J. 
 Baker, T. K. Hanna, John Freeland and Capt. McClelland. The committee of 
 twenty was making very satisfactory progress and had placed about twentv thou- ' 
 sand dollars of the stock, and had promises for ten thousand more when the 
 banks failed, after which it was found impossible to place more of it. However, 
 it was believed that the balance could be procured during the spring, and on the 
 i2th of February a meeting of thesubscribers decided to organize the company 
 and appointed Messrs. Latshaw and Lynde to prepare the papers. The work of 
 this committee was reported at a meeting held February 14th, at which the com- 
 pany elected as directors for the first year : Messrs. K. Coates, B. A. Sheidley, 
 T. B. BuUene, T. J. Lynde, H. J. Latshaw, John Freeland, J. M. Nave, H. 
 M. Holden, Thomas Corrigan, S. B. Armour, C. H. Prescott, D. B.- Powers and 
 John J. Mastin. This company finding it impossible in the existing state of 
 financial affairs to place the remainder of its stock, never filed its papers, but it 
 partly accomplished its objects in another way. On the 20th of March, Messrs. 
 Coates, Latshaw and Freeland went to St. Louis for the purpose of ascertaining 
 if barges could be had. They did not succeed in finding barges that could be 
 bought, but their mission brought them into communication with the Mississippi 
 Valley Transportation company and with the Babbage Transportation company, 
 and they both became so favorably impressed with the project that they sent fleets 
 of barges to Kansas City that year. The first of these fleets to arrive at Kansas 
 City was that of the Mississippi Valley Transportation company, and consisted of 
 the steamer Grand Lake and three barges. It left Kansas City July 5th, taking 
 out 83,540 bushels of corn. TKe barges connected with this fleet were very large 
 for the river ; one of them left our wharf drawing six feet of water, yet there 
 being a good stage of water at the time the fleet reached St. Louis in safety, and 
 without material hindrance. The next fleet was the first of the Babbage company, 
 and consisted of the steamer A. J. Baker and three barges. This fleet made 
 three trips during the season. The first, July 27th, took out 62,038 bushels of 
 corn, the second, August 12th, took out 50,938, and the third, August 31st, took 
 out 44,198 bushels of wheat, and all were very successful. The cost of freight 
 by these barges was, to the shipper, five and a half cents per hundred, including 
 insurance, the railroad rate being about eight cents on corn and thirteen on wheat. 
 It cost the barge companies about two and a half cents to carry the grain to St. 
 Louis, and Capt. Lowery, of the Babbage company, estimated that grain could 
 
552 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 then be carried from Kansas City to New Orleans at a cost to the shippers of 
 seven cents, and pay a reasonable profit to the carriers. These facts were re- 
 garded as a demonstration of the feasibility of barge navigation of the Missouri 
 River. 
 
 THE FAILURE OF THE MASTIN BANK. 
 
 The city had fairly rallied from the effects of the failure of the First 
 National and Commercial National Bank, when on the 3d of August the Mastin 
 Bank failed. Prior to the suspension of the First National, that Bank and the 
 Mastin were the two leading banks of the city, hence when the First National 
 failed the Mastin took quite a leading position. Other banks, however, notably 
 "the Kansas City, and the Kansas City Savings Association, were brought into 
 much greater prominence by that event. With the failure of the Mastin Bank 
 in August these two became the leading banks. For a time, however, there was 
 considerable embarrassment in business circles, for the lack of currency. The 
 statement of the Mastin Bank at the time of its failure showed a large advance of 
 money to the Water company and considerable investments in mines, and it was 
 probably the tying up of its resource in this way, more than anything else that 
 led to its failure. The capital of the other two banks mentioned was enlarged 
 soon after the failure of the Mastin, and the Armour Bros, immediately began 
 arrangements to establish another bank. This bank was opened for business on 
 the 15th of September, in the room previously occupied by the Mastin Bank, in 
 the Board of Trade, with A. W. Armour, Esq., as President, and C. H. Pres- 
 cott, for many years previous auditor of the Fort Scott road, as cashier. It at 
 once took a prominent position. 
 
 OTHER ENTERPRISES OF 1 87 8. 
 
 On the 19th of January a number of leading citizens organized a Mining 
 Stock Board for the purpose of locating here a market for Mining Stock. Col. C. 
 E. Kearney was President, T. F. Oakes and H. M. Holden, Vice-Presidents, 
 Col. John C. Moore, Secretary, and Mead Woodson, Treasurer. It tried to 
 arrange for the opening of the Board May loth, but did not succeed, and before 
 the close of the year passed into entire quiescence. 
 
 BLOODED STOCK SALES. 
 
 On the 15 th of May there was opened here the first great sale of blooded 
 cattle, the stock coming mainly from the blue grass regions of Kentucky. It 
 was tried as a venture by parties' owning the stock, and was so successful that it 
 has been since maintained as a semi-annual sale. At this first sale two hundred 
 animals were sold at an aggregate price of twenty-four thousand dollars. This 
 and subsequent sales have brought into the country adjacent to Kansas City large 
 numbers of blooded animals, the effect of which in the improvement of cattle 
 is already perceived. 
 
 THE COURT HOUSE AND POST-OFFICE. 
 
 On the 8th of March, a bill authorizing the construction of a public building 
 in Kansas City, for Post-Office and Custom House purposes passed Congress. It 
 was introduced by Hon. B. J. Franklin, of this city, who at that time represen- 
 ted this district in Congress, and provided for a building to cost two hundred 
 thousand dollars, one hundred of which was appropriated at that session. Besides 
 this bill for the benefit of Kansas City, Mr. Franklin secured the passage of a 
 bill authorizing the holding of United States Courts in this city, and introduced 
 a bill providing for the organization of the Indian Territory and its opening to 
 settlement, for the passage of which he made great, but, unfortunately, unsuc- 
 cessful efforts. In this latter he received the support of the people in unanimous 
 resolutions adopted at public meetings and forwarded to him. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 553 
 
 RAILWAY EXTENSION. 
 
 The extension of railway lines in which Kansas City was interested during 
 the year was thus stated at its close in the report of the Board of Trade : 
 
 " The extension of railroads centering at Kansas City was very considerable 
 during the year. Chief among these extensions was that of the Chicago & Alton 
 from Mexico, Missouri, to Kansas City, making another through line to Chicago 
 and St. Louis. This road was nearly completed during the year, and in a few 
 weeks will be opened for business. The next in immediate importance — probably 
 the most important for this place — was the extension of the Atchison, Topeka & 
 Santa Fe Railroad from Pueblo, Colorado, to Clifton, New Mexico, from whence 
 it is to be rapidly extended to a connection with the Southern Pacific, of Califor- 
 nia, making a southern trans-continental route, a more valuable and important 
 road than the Union Pacific. This road has also been engaged in building a 
 branch to Leadville, Colorado, which will give railroad facilities to the rich San 
 Juan country. The Central Branch Union Pacific has also extended its line to 
 Beloit, Kansas, which brings to Kansas City the trade of the upper Republican 
 and Solomon Valleys of Kansas. The Kansas Pacific extended its Clay Center 
 Branch to Clyde, and built a branch from Solomon City to Minneapolis, which 
 have the same general effect as the extension of the Central Branch. The Kan- 
 sas City, Burlington & Santa Fe Railroad was further extended from Williams- 
 burg to Burlington, which brings Kansas City an important addition to her trade 
 from the southwestern part of central Kansas." 
 
 The pool that had existed since September 15, 1876, was dissolved on the 
 1 6th of March of this year, and was followed with the first severe railroad war 
 in which the lines at Kansas City were ever engaged. This fight was apparently 
 sought by the St. Louis lines, as against those leading to Chicago, and was inau- 
 gurated by the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern, on the ist of April, with a cut 
 of rates to about one third. It raged furiously for a short time, when the pool 
 was re-organized. 
 
 It was during this year that Mr. Jay Gould first became interested in lines of 
 road leading to Kansas City, since when his operations have led to many lively 
 manipulations. This came about in this way: Mr. Gould was the chief owner of 
 the Union Pacific, which, by its charter, was required to pro-rate in equal terms 
 with the Kansas Pacific, for California business — a thing it had always refused to 
 do. T. F. Oakes, Esq., who had, for many years, been general freight agent of 
 the Kansas Pacific, had now became its general superintendent, and in that po- 
 sition was able to give the company most efficient aid in its long struggle with the 
 Union Pacific, for its charter rights. Early in the year he got Mr. Chaffee, of 
 Colorado, to introduce into Congress a bill to compel the Union Pacific to respect 
 the rights of the Kansas Pacific, and a large public meeting in Kansas City, held 
 February 8th, gave it a strong indorsement, and memorialized Congress on the sub- 
 ject. Similar action was taken at other places, and resulted in the favorable report- 
 ing of the bill in March, with a good prospect of its becoming a law. Mr. Gould 
 could not defeat the measure by opposing it, and hence, in April, he sent agents 
 to St. Louis, who succeeded in buying a controlling interest in the Kansas Pacific, 
 and then withdrew the opposition of that company. In June the Kansas Pacific 
 and Union Pacific pooled on Colorado business, but the through rates to Califor- 
 nia, which the public interested in the Kansas Pacific had been struggling for, 
 and were led to expect, were not granted. 
 
 Notwithstanding the bank suspensions and financial embarrassments of the 
 year, jgyS witnessed much substantial progress in Kansas City, due to the large 
 influx of people and money. The population July ist was estimated by the di- 
 rectory at 50,126, an increase of 8,340 since the same time in 1877, and it was 
 estimated that 5,000 had come in between July and January. There were 706 new 
 
554 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 houses built during the year, at a cost of $1,040,000, many of them elegant busi- 
 ness and residence houses. 
 
 THE EVENTS OF 1 87 9. 
 
 Early in the year 1879 a proposition was made by some of the old members 
 of the old Chamber of Commerce to revive that organization, but after several 
 meetings and a conference with the Board of Trade, the scheme was abandoned 
 and the Committee of Commerce of the Board of Trade was appointed in its 
 stead. This committee has never been an active one, yet several important en- 
 terprises have been inaugurated and secured by it, among which was the smelting 
 works and barge line of 1880. 
 
 One of its first acts was to memorialize Congress on the improvement of the 
 Missouri River. On the 7th of January Messrs. Camp, McDowell and Pee, 
 Government Commissioners to lo' ^te the court house and post-office, arrived in 
 Kansas City, and, after acqus'.it'ng themselves with the views of the people 
 and examining the different .,it; ^ offered, accepted the corner of Ninth and 
 Walnut streets, January 2Sth, aid it was purchased for $8,500 and the work of 
 constructing the building soon afterward begun. 
 
 In May a party of United States engineers, under J. W. Nier, Esq., arrived 
 in Kansas City, and commenced work on the improvement of the river a few miles 
 north of the city, an appropriation of $30,000 for that purpose having been se- 
 cured by Mr. Franklin. About the same time the first term of the United States 
 District Court was begun in Kansas City, Judge Krekel presiding. 
 
 In the latter part of the month, Robert Gillham, a young engineer who had 
 recently located in the city, proposed to improve the means of transit between 
 the western and eastern parts of the city by building a tramway down the Bluff 
 on Ninth street. He secured the interest of many of the best men in the city, 
 but the project has met with such unfavorable treatment at the hands of the City 
 Council that it is still one of Kansas City's uncompleted enterprises 
 
 In August, the first effort was made to organize a Provident Association in 
 Kansas City. Mr. J. T. Howenstein was the projector of this movement and 
 about forty prominent business men joined it; but for lack of attention it was 
 allowed to expire. 
 
 In September, much interest was taken in a proposition to convert the 
 roads of Rosedale and Independence into boulevards, but after a number of 
 public meetings the interest was allowed to die out ; yet it will doubtless be done 
 at some future time. 
 
 This year was one of great activity in business and individual enterprises of 
 all kinds. Trade was rapidly extended in all directions ; the population increased, 
 according to the directory estimate, to 60,372. Real estate became very active, 
 and transfers increased $1,943,350; beside which there were thirteen additions 
 platted and largely sold, some of which were outside the city limits. And there 
 were about thirteen hundred new houses built, at an estimated cost of about $1,- 
 500,000. 
 
 RAILROAD MATTERS. 
 
 The chief feature of this year was the construction of new railroads in the 
 country in which Kansas City was interested, and changes in ownership of other 
 roads. The report of the Board of Trade for the year, thus summarizes the 
 matter : 
 
 "The building of new railroads was revived with the beginning of the year, 
 and the roads in which Kansas City is interested were extended or built branches. 
 The Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad built a branch from Baxter Springs 
 tojoplin; the Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern extended its Independence 
 branch to Greenwood, and is pushing it on to Arkansas City. The main line of 
 the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe was extended from Clifton to Las Vegas, New 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 555 
 
 Mexico, its Cottonwood Valley Branch was extended to McPherson, its Eureka 
 branch to Howard, and its Wichita branch to Wellington and Arkansas City. 
 The Kansas Pacific extended its Clay Center branch to Concordia, its Solomon 
 Valley branch to Beloit, and built a branch from Salina to McPherson. It also 
 bought up and rebuilt and put into operation the old Lawrence & Carbondale 
 road, which had been unused for several years. It also bought up the Denver 
 Pacific from Denver to Cheyenne, and the Colorado Central and Boulder Valley, 
 and the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad. The Central Branch Union Pacific, 
 now a part of the Missouri Pacific, extended its Concordia Branch to Cawker 
 City and built a branch to Kirwin and Stockton. The Atchison & Nebraska 
 Railroad was extended from Lincoln to Columbus, and the St. Joe & Denver to 
 a connection with the Union Pacific. Besides the new railroads thus actually 
 built, much more has been laid out for the coming year. The old ill-fated Kansas 
 City & Memphis road has been sold to a party of Boston capitalists, who propose 
 to build about one hundred miles of it the coming year, and extend it afterward 
 as occasion may require. The Burlington & Southeastern Railroad, which now 
 runs from Burlington, Iowa, to Laclede, Missouri, has announced its intention of 
 coming through to Kansas City during the coming year, and has made four sur- 
 veys in search of a suitable route. The Kansas City & Northeastern Company 
 has also surveyed a line from Kansas City to Chillicothe; Mo., and expect to 
 begin the construction during the coming year." 
 
 " Besides the enterprises here enumerated, the Missouri Pacific Company 
 extended its line between Holden and Paola to Ottawa, and built the old Fall 
 River Railroad from Paola to Leroy; and the Lexington & Southern from Pleas- 
 ant Hill, on the Missouri Pacific, to Nevada on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas 
 had been projected." 
 
 The same report thus states the sales of roads : 
 
 " Great changes have taken place during the year in the ownership of the rail- 
 roads at Kansas City. Mr. Jay Gould and associates, who previously held control 
 of the Union & Kansas Pacific and St. Joe & Denver Railroads west of the Mis- 
 souri River and the Wabash road east of the Mississippi, bought early in the 
 year a controlling interest in the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern and consoli- 
 dated it with the Wabash under the name of Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific. This 
 connected the roads except the Union Pacific, and to make connection with it the 
 Pattonsburgh Branch of the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern was extended 
 through to Omaha. Soon afterward the same parties bought the Missouri Pacific 
 and the Central Branch Union Pacific and have since consolidated them, making 
 two divisions, connecting with each other at Kansas City. The same parties also 
 bought an interest in the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad during the year, and 
 latterly have bought the Missouri, Kansas & Texas." 
 
 In addition to the sales of roads here mentioned, the Fort Scott Company 
 bought the Springfield & Western Missouri road in June, and has since com- 
 pleted it to a connection with the main line at Fort Scoit; and Mr. Gould bought 
 the Kansas City & Eastern Narrow Gauge in November, and in December it was 
 leased to the Missouri Pacific, which he had previously bought, and became a 
 division of that road. Another important addition to Kansas City's railway facil- 
 ities was the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, which in December made a con- 
 tract with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad for trackage rights over that road 
 from Cameron, Mo., and it began to run its trains to Kansas City on the ist of 
 January, 1880. 
 
 The year 1879 was characterized by another great railroad war, which 
 seemed to be the result of the completion of the Chicago & Alton Railroad to 
 Kansas City. In view of its early completion the pool was dissolved again on 
 the i2th of April, and a promiscuous cutting of rates opened on the 14th. The 
 Alton, however, was not opened for business until the i8th, and did not begin 
 
556 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 running passenger trains until May 13. The war arose over the allotment of its 
 share of business to St. Louis, and was inaugurated by the St. Louis roads. On 
 the 7th of June the war was extended to passenger business also, and for the re- 
 mainder of the summer passenger rates between Kansas City and St. Louis, and 
 Kansas City and Chicago were but fifty cents ; and freight rates went so low that 
 for a considerable time grain was carried from Kansas City to St. Louis for five 
 cents, and to Chicago for seven cents per bushel, and at one time reached the al- 
 most incredible limit of three cents to St. Louis and five to Chicago. The 
 trouble, however, came to a close in September, and on the 12th of that month 
 a new pool was formed which took in. the Alton. 
 
 While this fight was pending, in June and July, the contract between the 
 Hannibal & St. Joseph and the Wabash, by which the latter road used the track 
 of the former from Arnold Station to the bridge, and the contract for right of way 
 across the bridge, expired, and the result was a lively individual conflict between 
 the two roads. It was ended, however, in the Wabash building a track of its 
 own, and making a new bridge contract, but the end of the fight was reached 
 only through the courts. 
 
 CITY GROWTH. 
 
 The growth of the city during the years included in this chapter was rapid, 
 and the following new additions had been added to the city during this and the 
 preceding year : 
 
 September 3, 1878 — Mastin's Sub-division. 
 
 September 3, '78 — Park Place Addition. 
 
 December 9, '78 — Traber's Sub division. 
 
 April 19, '79 — Hunt's Sub-division. 
 
 May 28, '79 — Hyde & Foster's Addition. 
 
 June II, '79 — Lott's Addition. 
 
 November 12, '79 — Bovard & Dickson's Sub-division. 
 
 June 28, '79 — E. S. Brown's Sub-division. 
 
 July II, '79 — Winter's Addition. 
 
 July 25, '79 — R. Salisbury's Addition. 
 
 August 13, '79 — Vineyard's Third Sub-division. 
 
 August 18, '79 — Woodland Place Sub-division. 
 
 August 23, '79 — Marty's Addition to Woodland. 
 
 September 3, '79 — Brigham's Addition. 
 
 September 9, '79 — Craig's Subdivision. 
 
 October 2, '79 — Wm. C. Arrs' Addition. 
 
 I 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 557 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 THE EVENTS OF 1880 AND 1881. 
 
 The Establishment of the Smelting Works — The Barge Company Organized — The Missouri River 
 Improvement Convention — The Missouri River Improvement Association Formed — Street 
 Improvements — CoL Van Horn's Election to Congress — Railway Construction and Railway 
 Changes — The Great Flood of 188 1 — The Growth of the City — Statistical Exhiiit of the City's 
 History. 
 
 One of the earliest events in 1 880 was the opening of the American Union 
 and Atlantic and Pacific telegraph oflfices in Kansas City, which occurred on the 
 5th of January. The Atlantic arid Pacific had, at one time before, had an office 
 in Kansas City, but several years previous this company had been bought out by 
 the Western Union, and was under the control of that company. When this sale 
 took place the office in Kansas City was abolished. The American Union was a 
 new company, organized about two years before by Mr. Jay Gould, and having 
 now completed an extensive system of lines, was put int<S operation, and the 
 Atlantic & Pacific was again put into operation to fight it. 
 
 Besides some cutting in rates httle occurred to affect the interests of Kansas 
 City until February 27th, when the Union Pacific Railroad Company, with which 
 the Kansas Pacific had been consolidated in January, and which was now con- 
 trolled by Mr. Gould, took possession of the Western Union Wires along the old 
 Kansas Pacific road. This was done by force, and on the ground that, the railroad 
 needed them for its own business, but the real object doubtless was to unite them 
 with the American Union system. This led to litigation which resulted in the 
 restoration of the wires to the Western Union Company, by order of the United 
 States Courts, on the 15th of April. All three of these companies continued to 
 operate in Kansas City until January, 188 1, when they were consolidated and all 
 offices abolished except the old Western Union. 
 
 THE SMELTING WORKS. 
 
 The project of smelting and refining works for the smelting of the ores of 
 Colorado and New Mexico, had been discussed for several years in Kansas City. 
 T. F. Oakes, Esq. , was probably the first man to propose it, and that was while 
 he was general freight agent of the Kansas Pacific Railway. Early in the year 
 1879 the Committee of Commerce of the Board of Trade took up the subject, and 
 tried to organize such an enterprise, but as there was no man available who under- 
 stood the practical part of the business, little was done with it until December, 
 when Col. W. N. Ewing, who had had charge of the Copper Hill Works, in 
 Colorado, came to Kansas City and took an interest in it. During the four 
 months following stock was placed to the amount of fifty thousand dollars, and 
 the company was organized May 12, 1880, with Col. C. F. Morse as President, 
 John Doggett, Vice-President; W. H. Miller, Secretary; and J. M. Coburn, 
 Treasurer. Col. Ewing was engaged as Superintendent, and immediately set 
 about the construction of the works, which were completed and ready for opera- 
 tions by the middle of November. Col. Ewing then went to Colorado to buy 
 ores, where he met with Messrs. Aug. R. Meyers and N. Wetherill, of Leadville, 
 proprietors of two large smelters there. They wanted some place for a refinery 
 where that part of the work could be done more advantageously than it could be 
 in Leadville, and, after a conference with Col. Ewing, they came to Kansas City 
 and submitted a proposition to the company to take an interest in it, and increase 
 
558 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 the capacity of the works to double that originally designed. This proposition 
 was accepted, the stock increased to $160,000, and the works have since been 
 doubled in capacity. 
 
 THE INDIAN TERRITORY MOVEMENT. 
 
 During the year 1879, there had been much discussion throughout the west of 
 a proposition to forcibly invade the Indian Territory, and take possession of a large 
 body of land there, to which the Indian title had been extinguished. This dis- 
 cussion caused the enforcement of the Indians tax upon the numerous herds of 
 cattle held in or driven through the Territory, and caused some herds to be driven 
 out of it. This was quite an injury to cattle men. Early in 1880 this agitation 
 was resumed; a company for the purpose of effecting such invasion and settle- 
 ment had been organized in Wyandotte, December 24, 1879. A meeting called 
 for the purpose of giving this movement a good send off, was held at the Board of 
 Trade Hall, March 4th, though its real object was not publicly disclosed. The 
 meeting was largely attended, and was addressed by Hon. B. J. Franklin, Colonel 
 E. C. Budinot, a Cherokee, and other prominent men, and adopted a memorial 
 to Congress, strongly urging the opening of the Indian Territory. It gave little 
 countenance, however, to the proposed illegal invasion. The agitation continued, 
 however, and before the close of the year a large number of people joined it, and 
 under the lead of a man named Payne, got as far as Caldwell, Kansas, in the 
 direction of the promised land. 
 
 NEW PAVEMENTS. 
 
 Early in March, Mr. B. F. Camp, patentee of the Camp pavement, came to 
 Kansas City, with a proposition to pave the streets with that pavement. The 
 City Council, after much discussion of the matter, made a contract with him to 
 pave Fifth street, between Bluff street and Broadway, as a test. The work was 
 begun late in the year, and is yet unfinished, but the people are so well pleased 
 with the pavement that it is to be laid on Wyandotte street, between Fifth and 
 Ninth, and probably some others. This is the first permanent pavement laid in 
 Kansas City, though there are many miles of macadam, made of common lime- 
 stone. 
 
 THE BARGE LINE. 
 
 The year 1880 saw the long discussed project of barge navigation of the 
 Missouri River put upon a sure footing. The agitation of this subject, which had 
 annually presented itself for discussion since 1872, was brought about by a com- 
 bination between the Missouri Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads, which went 
 into effect April 14th, and by which freight from the line of the latter road was 
 taken through to St. Louis at much less cost than the rate from the same places to 
 Kansas City, and thence to St. Louis. This hurt the live stock and grain markets 
 badly for a few days, until other roads leading east from Kansas City were inform- 
 ed of it, and cut rates from Kansas City east. This awakened the people to the 
 nature of the power into whose hands the railroads had fallen, and warned them 
 of the danger. Protection was sought in the utilizing of the river. In the latter 
 part of April a meeting of the Committee of Commerce of the Board of Trade was 
 held, at which this plan was decided upon. The secretary was instructed to pre- 
 pare a memorial to the people of the city on the subject, which was done May 
 2d, and a subscription to stock in a barge company, to have a capital of one 
 hundred thousand dollars, was at once put into circulation. On the 8th of May 
 a meeting was held at the Board of Trade Hall, for the purpose of fostering the 
 movement; and at this meeting it was decided to call a river improvement con- 
 vention, to consist of representatives from all prominent places along the river. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 559 
 
 and for all the section of country to be affected by the improvement of the river. 
 Colonel K. Coates, chairman of the Committee of Commerce, was made chairman 
 of a sub-committee to place the stock of the barge company, and he did a large 
 part of the work personally. Several meetings of the committee were held dur- 
 ing the summer, but it was not until December that the matter was finally con- 
 summated. On the 6th and 7th of that month, meetings of the subscribers to the 
 stock were held, and at the latter a proposition was presented from Capt. Thomas 
 Poe, of St. Louis, who had commended the Babbage fleets in 1878, to put in the 
 boat Peerless, which he owned, as stock in the Kansas City Company. At this 
 time $65,000 had been subscribed in Kansas City. Messrs. Colonel Coates, Wit- 
 ten McDonald and H. J. Latshaw were appointed a committee to visit and nego- 
 tiate with Captain Poe in St. Louis, and they left at once for that city. Within 
 a few days the remainder of the stock was subscribed, and the company was or- 
 ganized, with Colonel Coates as president, Witten McDonald as secretary, and 
 Jos. S. Chick treasurer. Captain Poe was engaged as commander and general 
 manager. Five barges have since been bought, and early in the spring of 1881, 
 the fleet made its first trip between St. Louis and New Orleans, while waiting for 
 the Missouri River to open. 
 
 THE RIVER CONVENTION. 
 
 As was mentioned above, at one of the meetings in the interest of the barge 
 enterprise, it was proposed to hold a convention at Kansas City to memorialize 
 Congress on the improvement of the Missouri River. This was the first effort 
 ever made for an improvement of that stream on an extended scale. The Com- 
 mittee of Commerce of the Board of Trade caused a memorial on the subject to 
 be prepared, and issued it with a call for the convention for September 21st. 
 The objects sought by this movement cannot be better explained than by the 
 memorial sent to the country, which was as follows : 
 
 Board of Trade, 1 
 Kansas City, August 7th, 1880. j 
 
 To the People of the Missouri Valley : 
 
 The undersigned, the committee of commerce of the Board of Trade of 
 Kansas City, address you at this time for the purpose of inviting your attention 
 to the importance of improving the Missouri River, and if possible of securing 
 your co-operation in measures looking to that end. The object had in view is to 
 secure congressional appropriations adequate to pay for such improvements of 
 the river as will make it an adequate channel for the commerce of the Missouri 
 Valley country, and the immediate expenditure of such appropriations in the 
 actual work of improvement. 
 
 It is true that in the present state of information concerning the Missouri 
 river no estimate can be made of the extent of improvement that will be neces- 
 sary, nor of the aggregate cost of such work when completed, but accurate 
 surveys of the river by competent engineers will soon develop both facts. Such 
 surveys we propose as the first thing to be done, and- we feel assured by the gen- 
 eral knowledge of the stream and by the expressed opinions of eminent engineers 
 that the improvement needed and outlays required will be found far within the 
 reasonable capacity of the Government and not exceeding the improvement and 
 outlays bestowed upon other American waters of like or less importance. 
 
 As stated above, the object of such improvement is to make the stream an 
 adequate channel for the commerce of the whole Missouri Valley country. It is 
 a well known fact that water transportation of equal perfection with the best 
 other methods costs but a small fraction of the best and cheapest of other meth- 
 
560 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 ods. Among the methods now in use it is found that the railroad is the only 
 competitor of water routes, and it is found also that with its greater speed and 
 all other advantages it possesses it is still unequal to water routes, except where 
 the latter are so unimproved as not to admit of the use of the most expeditions 
 and economical craft. The capacities of the Missouri River, in this respect, 
 have been tested, and even in its present wholly unimproved state it has been 
 found far superior to railroads, although the dangers of its navigation are such as 
 to make men hesitate to put their money into the necessary craft. In 1878 four 
 tows of barges loaded with grain were taken from this city to St. Louis. The 
 transportation of this grain, including insurance, cost the shippers five and a half 
 cents per bushel, when the railroads were at that time, charging thirteen cents 
 on wheat and eight cents on other grain. There was a saving therefore of seven 
 and a half cents on the wheat and two and a half on the corn to the shipper; 
 but the most significant fact in connection with these shipments was that it cost 
 the carriers but two and a half cents per bushel including insurance, which ena- 
 bled them to make a little over one hundred per cent, while saving the shippers 
 the amount above stated. With this experience before them, the carriers estima- 
 ted that, with improvement of the river, grain can be carried at a handsome 
 profit to carriers from Kansas City to New Orleans for seven cents per bushel. 
 Now from New Orleans to the European markets it costs but three cents per 
 bushel more than from our Atlantic ports. The rates from Missouri River points 
 to the Atlantic ports are usually about thirty-six cents per bushel on wheat and 
 thirty-three on other grain. Thus it is found that the difference in favor of the 
 river route is, to the seaboard twenty-nine cents per bushel on wheat and twenty- 
 six cents on other grain. Deduct from these the three cents excess which it 
 costs from New Orleans to European markets and we find that the river route 
 will save twenty-six cents per bushel on wheat and twenty-three on other grain. 
 These figures represent the additions that will be made to the present profits 
 of producers, for the price of grain at every railway station in the Missouri 
 Valley are the prices in European markets less carriage, arid the reduction in cost 
 of carriage does not affect European prices. A reduction in that item makes a 
 corresponding addition to the profits of the American producer. Nor is this all; 
 the proposed improvement will bring the farm lands of the Missouri Valley as 
 near market, so far as regards cost of carriage, as the farm lands of New York 
 and Pennsylvania, and it will make them worth more than the lands of those 
 States, in proportion to their great fertility, instead of one-tenth the value as they 
 are now. With such a change in the situation the increased prosperity of the 
 Missouri Valley country is something that cannot be estimated in advance. 
 
 We use here the rate from Kansas City only because that rate has been tol- 
 erably defined by experience, not because we suppose that, with proper improve- 
 ment of the river, the business would be monopolized by Kansas City ; for in 
 that event every point on the river would have its share ; and the ascertainment 
 of what the difference would be from Kansas City but illustrates what it would 
 be proportionally from all other points on the river. It must be borne in mind 
 also, that grain is not the only product we export, and, therefore, the saving in 
 that itpm but serves to illustrate what it would be proportionally on other prod- 
 ucts, such as pork, bacon, lard, mess beef, dairy and barnyard products and field 
 products other than grain. Nor is this all ; a like saving would be found in the 
 cost of imported articles, which constitute the staple of our merchandise and 
 the freight charges for which constitute the bulk of present cost. These are too 
 numerous to be enumerated here. With such double saving of such extent, the 
 increased prosperity of the country is not a thing to be estimated. It is some- 
 thing of far more than local importance, for so considerable a portion of our 
 common country could not be thus benefited without all parts feeling its bene- 
 ficial effects. Thus, in what we propose to ask of the General Government, we 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 5gl 
 
 appear not in the attitude of supplicants for- a local favor, like the improvement 
 of a harbor, the building of a court house or light station, but we seek an im- 
 provement that will be felt in the remotest parts of the country and that will 
 benefit the whole people. 
 
 We feel, however, that the people of the Missouri Valley have a right to 
 such improvement of their river without reference to other considerations than 
 local benefit. The revenues of the Government are derived from internal taxation 
 and from custom duties. Of the former, we pay in proportion to the amount of 
 the business taxed that we have among us. The latter, while paid immediately 
 by the importers, is added to the price of imported articles, and is paid ultimately 
 by the consumers. Thus it happens that we pay our share of this part of the 
 revenues also. Among other expenditures the Government annually pays large 
 sums for improvements of the same class as the one we claim, and as the money 
 thus expended is drawn from the revenues contributed by the whole people we 
 have heretofore paid our proportion of such as have been made. Our river being 
 the only considerable stream in the United States that has heretofore received no 
 attention, we feel, in view of the benefit to be derived from its improvement that 
 we have a right to claim that it shall now be done at public expense, the same as 
 like improvements have been made elsewhere. 
 
 We are induced to present this matter at this time for two reasons. The 
 first is that, with the settlement of political disturbances in the States about the 
 mouth of the Mississippi River and the jetty improvements made thereat the 
 trade of the Mississippi Valley country is rapidly falHhg into its old river channel. 
 Two years ago one line of barges on the Mississippi river from St. Louis south 
 was found adequate, while now two are required. These are over taxed with 
 business and have usually contracts for months ahead, notwithstanding they have 
 so increased their capacity as to have enlarged the tows beyond all precedent 
 accompanied, of course, with an equally unprecedented increase in the amount 
 of property conveyed. Such being the present tendency of commerce the 
 Missouri Valley should be prompt to avail itself of it, and take such measures as 
 will secure its share of the benefits. The second reason is that, the peo^ le of 
 Kansas City have subscribed nearly all the money required to put a line of barges 
 on the Missouri River and will soon organize a company for that purpose. 
 This line of barges is proposed simply as a pioneer line, and if we can secure 
 the improvement requisite to make it a successful venture the way will be open 
 for similar enterprises from all points, which will fill the entire navigable river 
 and make its advantages equal to all alike. 
 
 Accompanying this will be found a call for a convention at Kansas City in 
 September, the purposes of which convention is to bring together people from 
 all parts of the Missouri Valley to discuss the matter, to define and organize 
 public sentiment concerning it, and to provide the means and measures for en- 
 forcing that sentiment upon congressional attention. 
 
 Very Respectfully, 
 
 K. 
 
 COATES, 
 
 R. T. VAN HORN, 
 
 T. 
 
 B. BULLENE, 
 
 H. J. LATSHAW, 
 
 H. 
 
 M HOLDEN, 
 
 C. E. KEARNEY, 
 
 E. 
 
 H ALLEN, 
 
 T. F. OAKES. 
 
 S. 
 
 B ARMOUR, 
 
 BENJ. McLEAN, 
 
 E. 
 
 L MARTIN, 
 
 F. B. NOFSINGER, 
 
 J. 
 
 M. NAVE, 
 
 C. H. PRESCOTT, 
 
 
 M. ] 
 
 MUNFORD, 
 
 Committee of Commerce. 
 
 show 
 
 The convention was largely attended, as the following list of delegates will 
 V : 
 
RAMSEY, MILLETT & HUDSON'S PUBLISHING HOUSE, KANSAS CITY, MO. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 563 
 
 MISSOURI. 
 
 Merchants' Exchange, St. Louis — E. O. Stanard, A. O. Grubb, W. H. Scud- 
 der, Henry Armstrong, George J. Kinsley, N. G. Larimore, Francis W. Crane, 
 Walter S. Barclay, Capt. T. H. Handbury, A. P. Guibert, John D. Hinds, C. 
 B. Carter, H. B. O'Reilly, Hugh Gilham, F. W. Smith, C. S. Rogers, John D. 
 Rankin, P. F. Shirmer, Fred. Schwartz, H. W. Olmstead, O. M. Edgeley, Thos. 
 Warren, Jr. 
 
 Boonville — ^Jno. S. Elliott, W. Speed Stephens, S. Merstetter. 
 
 St. Joseph, City — J. A. Finer, G. W. Belt, Seymour Jenkins, M. M. Clag- 
 gett, E. V. Riley, Wm. Fitzgerald, J. A. Owens, Maurice Hickey, James H. 
 Ringo, C. W. Campbell, Mike Gleason, Stephen Geiger. 
 
 St. Joseph Board of Trade —John D. Clue, Hanson Gregg, H. R. W. Heart- 
 wig, W. A. P. McDonald, J. M. Frazier, E. D. Marsh, J. A. Owens, F. S. Som- 
 raers, A. N. Schuster, Isaac Weil. 
 
 Buchanan County — Dr. Stringfellow, Judge P. M. Mclntire, E. V. Riley. 
 
 Miller County—]. M. UUman, T. E. E. Tumber, P. S. Miller, A. Falkerson. 
 
 Vibbard, Ray County — Thos. R. Grant. 
 
 St- Charles — Glover Johns, Hon. A. A. Stonebraker, J. K. McDearmon, T. 
 F, McDearmon. 
 
 Eighth Mo. Con. District — Hon. S. L. Sawyer. 
 
 Lexinf^on — James Davis, John Reid, George S. Rathbun, W. V. L. McClel- 
 land, John E. Corder, J. Q. Plattenberry. 
 
 Moberly — Hon. G. F. Rothwell. 
 
 Jefferson City—Dt. J. G. Riddles, J. R. Willis, H. W. Kolkmeyer. 
 
 Richmond— C. J. Hughes, E. F. Esteb, S. B. Crispen, L. C. Centwell, J. T. 
 Child, J. D. Bogie. 
 
 Saline County— Dt. M. T. Chastian, Hugh Gilliam, Jas. D. Dill, W. L. Ir- 
 vine, Judge S. M. Thompson, W. L. Erwin. 
 
 Kansas City Board of Trade — K. Coates, H. J. Latshaw, R. . T. Van Horn, 
 Frank Askew, E. H. Allen, S. B. Armour, W. A. M. Vaughan, T. B. BuUene, 
 W. S. Gregory, T. K. Hanna. . 
 
 Kansas City—]. M. Nave, M. Munford, Geo. J. Keating, John W. Reid, 
 A. L. Mason, B. J. Franklin, C. F. Morse, E. L. Martin. 
 
 Washington— T. W. B. Crews. 
 
 NEBRASKA. 
 
 Arago — Joseph Kitt. 
 
 Lincoln Board of Trade— S. G. Owens, L. C. Pace, T. P. Kennard, L. 
 Meyer, H. J. Walsh, J. M. Burk, A. J. Buckstaff. 
 
 Kansas. 
 
 Monticello, Johnson County — R. T. Bass. 
 
 Abilene—^. R. Dyer. 
 
 Severance~-K. W. Waters. 
 
 Parsons— T. C. Cory, A. G. Cory. 
 
 lola — J. H. Richards. 
 
 Wyandotte City—]. S. Stockton, H. M. Northrop, J. P. Root, B. Judd. 
 
 Wyandotte County— Sf. ]. Larie, D. E. Cornell, S. N. Simpson, John Arthur, 
 D. B. Hadley, E. L. Beusche. 
 
 Kansas City, Kansas— B. M. Brake, C. H. Van Fossen, S. N. Simpson, W. 
 S. Carroll, L. E. James. 
 
 Olathe- -Alfred Taylor, John Hindraan, T. J. Kay, Wm. Henry, Hiram P. 
 Mitchell. 
 
 Emporia— B.. C. Cross, Lewis Lutz, S. B. Warren. 
 
 Leavenworth — Hon. W. M. Fortescue. 
 
564 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Doniphan County — F. Harpster. 
 
 Girard — E. Fanger. 
 
 Columbus — Lewis Prell. 
 
 Besides the prominent gentlemen embraced in this list of attending delegates, 
 there were a number of letters from others. Among these were Geo. L. Wright and 
 Capt. E. W. Gould, of St. Louis, Senators Saunders, of Nebraska, Cockrell, of 
 Missouri, and Allison of Iowa. 
 
 Gov. Stanard, of St. Louis, presided at the convention and W. H. Miller, of 
 Kansas City, was secretary. It continued its session for two days, and adopted 
 the following resolutions : 
 
 Whereas, The Missouri Valley country, including two-thirds of Missouri, 
 one-third of Iowa, and all of Kansas and Nebraska, but not Dakota and part of 
 Montana, which might be properly added, embraces an area of over 215,000 
 square miles, contains a population of 4,000,000 people and a taxable wealth of 
 $700,000,000, produces annually nearly 500,000,000 bushels of grain, and is in- 
 creasing in population, wealth and productiveness at a rate not less than five per 
 cent per annum. And 
 
 Whereas, Water transportation is the cheapest known to commerce, and 
 can be supplied to the commerce of this vast area of country by the Missouri 
 River, which is naturally one of the most easily navigated rivers in the world, for 
 ten months in the year, and was prior to the creation of artificial obstructions, a 
 great highway of commerce, and which with the removal of artificial and acciden- 
 tal obstructions can be made available for economical craft, adequate to the wants 
 of the country, whereby the cost of transportation will be reduced fully one-half, 
 and landed property enhanced in value more than fifty per cent. 
 
 Whereas, The banks of this river are composed of a rich alluvial soil, inad- 
 equate to withstand the force of its current, whereby thousands of acres of 
 valuable lands are annually swept away ; and 
 
 Whereas, It has always been the policy of the General Government to ap- 
 propriate money for the improvement of rivers and harbors, and to prevent the 
 property of citizens from destruction by the incursive action of great streams ; 
 having thus expended $200,000,000, of which but $657,500 have been expended 
 on the Missouri River ; therefore. 
 
 Resolved, That this convention, representing Missouri, Iowa, Kansas and 
 Nebraska, most respectfully, but most earnestly, demand that Congress bestow 
 upon the Missouri River a consideration commensurate with the magnitude of the 
 interests to be served by its improvement, and immediately provide for a thorough 
 remedy for all artificial obstructions it has permitted to be created by railway 
 bridges, for the thorough removal of all accidental obstructions, such as snags and 
 drifts of floating timber, and for a thorough survey of the river by competent 
 engineers, with a view to determining the speediest and most economical plan of 
 deepening its channel, and protecting the property of the citizens along its banks. 
 
 Resolved, That we also demand that when such surveys shall have been made 
 and such plans approved, that Congress shall make such appropriations and take 
 such other action as will secure the speediest, permanent and adequate improve- 
 ment of said river. 
 
 Resolved, That in view of the magnitude of the interests to be served by such 
 improvement, the additions thereby to result to the profits of industry and the 
 value of landed property in the Missouri Valley, it is the judgment of this con- 
 vention that devotion to such improvement should be a test of qualification for the 
 offices of senator and representatives in Congress, Governor and members of 
 State Legislatures. And, therefore, we would recommend to all political parties 
 that they refuse to nominate for these offices men not known to be so devoted to 
 this interest, and to the people that they refuse to support at the polls candidates 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 565 
 
 who do not stand pledged to the public to hold this interest paramount, and to 
 make all reasonable effort to secure the ends herein sought. 
 
 Resolved, That for the purpose of inculcating this last resolution, to see that 
 existing laws relating to bridges be observed, to collect and compile statistical and 
 other information relating to the subject, and to impress upon representatives and 
 senators in Congress the importance of the improvement desired, the convention 
 proceed now to organize a permanent Missouri River Improvement Association, 
 which shall continue' to keep alive this interest until the ends sought shall have 
 been obtained. 
 
 Resolved, That the president of this convention appoint a committee of three 
 to prepare a memorial to Congress embodying the action of this convention and 
 the policy demanded, to be forwarded when prepared to the ofificers of the respec- 
 tive Houses of Congress, and to the senators and representatives from the States 
 here represented. 
 
 Resolved, That the survey of the Missouri River, now in progress and nearly 
 completed from its mouth to Sioux City, should, in the opinion of this convention, 
 be continued up to Fort Benton, Montana. 
 
 Before closing its session the convention organized a permanent association, 
 to be known as the Missouri River Improvement Association, and elected the 
 folio wing list of officers : 
 
 PRESIDENT. 
 
 Col. Kersey Coates, Kansas City, Mo. 
 
 VICE-PRESIDENTS. 
 
 Hon. E. O. Standard, St. Louis, Mo. 
 
 John A. Scudder, 
 
 Dr. J. P. Root, Wyandotte, Kan. 
 
 W. M. Fortescue, Leavenworth, Kan. 
 
 John Hinman, Olathe, Kan. 
 
 Hon. Charles Robinson, Douglas Co., 
 
 Kan. 
 P. B. Maxon, Emporia, Kan. 
 John A. Martin, Atchson, Kan. 
 S. J. Crawford, Topeka, Kan. 
 Geo. W. Belt, St. Joseph, Mo. 
 Gen. C. W. Blair, Fort Scott, Kan. 
 J. R. Willis, Jefferson City, Mo. 
 John S. Elliott, Boonville, Mo. 
 
 Col. John Reid, Lexington, Mo. 
 Geo. R. Buckner, St. Charles, Mo. 
 J. J. Hochstetler, Nebraska City, Neb. 
 T. P. Kennard, Lincoln, Neb. 
 J. S. Stockton, Wyandotte, Kan. 
 John W. Chapman, Council Bluffs, la. 
 Hon. Alvin Saunders, Omaha, Neb. 
 P. P. Elder, Ottawa, Kan. 
 Hon. T. D. Thacher, Lawrence, Kan. 
 W. S. Cai.roll, Kansas City, Kan. 
 W. R. Dryer, Abilene, Kan. 
 H. J. Lathshaw, Kansas City, Mo. 
 R. T. Van Horn, " 
 
 SECRETARY. 
 
 William H. Miller, Kansas Citv, Mo. 
 
 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 
 
 Dr. J. P. Root, Wyandotte, Kan. 
 W. M. Fortescue, Leavenworth, Kan. 
 G. W. Belt, St. Joseph, Mo. 
 
 Col. Kersey Coates, Kansas City, Mo. 
 H. J. Latshaw, " " " 
 
 Col. R. T. Van Horn, " " " 
 
 E. 0. Standard, St. Louis, Mo. 
 
 It also appointed as a committee to prepare a memorial to Congress on the 
 subject of the improvement of the river, Messrs. Col. R. T. Van Horn and W. 
 H. Miller, of Kansas City; Dr. John Stringfellow, of St. Joseph; Hon. T. 
 Dwight Thacher, of Lawrence, and George L. Wright, of St. Louis. 
 
 THE RECEPTION OF GEN. GRANT. 
 
 In May it was ascertained that Gen. Grant would, in July make a long 
 promised visit to Kansas City, and the people began to prepare for an appropriate 
 
566 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 reception for the distinguished soldier and ex-President. Meetings were held 
 and a committee appointed. This committee, which was very large, appointed 
 sub-committees on reception, banquet, finance, decoration, procession, transporta- 
 tion, invitations and music, each of which entered at once on the discharge of its 
 duties. Gen. Grant came on the morning of July 2d, and was met some dis- 
 tance from the city on the Chicago & Alton Railroad by the reception commit- 
 tee, consisting of Mayor C. A. Chace, Gen. John W. Raid, Col. R. T. Van 
 Horn, J. M. Nave, Esq., President of the Board of Trade, Geo. H. Nettleton, 
 L. R. Moore, J. D. S. Cook, Rev. Dr. Bell, Dr. D. P. Bigger, Col. J. PI. Day- 
 ton, Rev. Thos. Haggarty, Rev. B. F. Watson and Col. H. Wood, of Kansas 
 City. J. T. Crowder, superintendent of Meriam Park; Maj. A.Pickering, of 
 Olathe; W. S. Chick, of Shawnee; S. N. Simpson, of Riverview; D. B. 
 Hadley, of Wyandotte; J. B. Albert, of Desota; J. B. Bruner, of Gardiner; 
 Alexander Davis, of Spring Hill, and Rev. D. P. Mitchell, of Hutchins, 
 Kansas. On the arrival of the party at the Union Depot, they were met by 
 Gov. J. S. Phelps, of Missouri ; Gov. J. P. St. John, of Kansas ; Mayor Stockton, 
 and Dr. J. P. Root, of Wyandotte; and other distinguished gentlemen from 
 Kansas. The distinguished party, attended by many citizens of Kansas and 
 Kansas City went to Meriam Park, a few miles from Kansas City, on the Fort 
 Scott road, for the afternoon, and on this occasion that park was formally opened 
 to the public. Returning to the city the banquet was attended in the evening, 
 and the next day there was a military and civic parade, which was reviewed by 
 Gen. Grant from a stand erected for that purpose at the junction of Main and 
 Delaware streets. The parade was an extensive and imposing affair. It was led 
 by mounted police, followed by the band of the 19th U. S. infantry. Following 
 this came the carriage drawn by four horses, containing Gen. Grant, Col. Van 
 Horn, of Kansas City, and Gen. C. W. Blair, of Fort Scott, attended by a com- 
 painy of Union veterans. The military companies followed, and there were in 
 the procession, the Craig Rifles, of Kansas City; the Drought Rifles, of Wyan- 
 dotte; Paola Rifles, of Paola; Saxton Rifles, of St. Joseph; Carthage (Mo.) 
 Light Guards; Company K, Kansas Volunteers, from Council Grove; Capital 
 Guards, from Topeka; Ottawa Cadets, a finely drilled company of boys; the 
 Ottawa Rifles, Metropolitan Guards, of Leavenworth; Missouri Guards, of Kan- 
 sas City; St. John Battery, and Winfield Rifles, of Winfield, Kansas; the St. 
 John Guards (colored), of Lawrence, Kansas. The fire departments of Kansas 
 City and Wyandotte and a long line of civic exhibitors, beside numerous bands 
 of music, among which was the Dolby Female Band, of Independence, Kansas. 
 The stands along the line of march were elaborately decorated with flags and 
 flowers. 
 
 For two days the people of Kansas City, and the numerous visitors from 
 Kansas and Missouri, gave themselves up to the enjoyment of the occasion, and 
 made it it one of the most notable affairs in the history of the city. 
 
 THE CONGRESSIONAL CAMPAIGN. 
 
 So far in this history it has not been deemed necessary to refer to the con- 
 flicts or triumphs of political parties, except in a general way to the conflict about 
 slavery in Kansas, and that of i860 leading to the great war of the rebellion. 
 The contest for member of Congress from this, the Eighth district of Missouri, 
 during the fall of 1880 had more than ordinary significance, and may properly 
 enter into this history. The district contains about 23,000 voters, of which nearly 
 two-thirds are Democrats. From 1870 to 1878 that party had uniformally elected 
 the member of Congress by large majorities. In 1878, however, a division had 
 arisen in the party, which resulted in a revolt against the regular nominee. Col. 
 John T. Crisp, and the presenting of Judge Samuel L. Sawyer, of Independence, 
 as an independent Democratic candidate. He was more accepable to the Re- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 567 
 
 publicans than Co]. Crisp, and as the choice lay between them, the Republicans 
 voted for Judge Sawyer, and he was elected. In 1880 a division again arose, 
 and Col. Crisp, of Independence, and Hon. D. C. Allen, of Liberty, were both 
 presented by the Democratic party under such circumstances that one seemed to be 
 about as much the regular candidate of the party as the other. This situation 
 gave the Republicans hope, and on the 7th of October they nominated Col. R. 
 T. Van Horn, believing that his long and faithful devotion to the commercial 
 interests of Kansas City and the Missouri Valley, would give him greater strength 
 with the people than any other candidate they might nominate. His canvass 
 was made as a business man's canvass against mere politicians, and his election 
 was ujiged specially on account of his services to this section when in Congress 
 from 1866 to 1870, and on account of his well-known devotion to the improve- 
 ment of the Missouri River. The result was his election by a plurality of seven 
 hundred and thirty-nine, and it has always been construed as the verdict of the 
 business men of Kansas City and the district in favor of a business representative 
 rather than merely a political one. It was the first fruit of the third resolution 
 of the River Improvement Convention in September. 
 
 THE PROVIDENT ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The idea of a provident association, for the relief of worthy poor, presented 
 itself again in the fall of 1880, and on the 22d of November such an association 
 was organized, with Col. T. S. Case, President ; George H. Nettleton, Vice-Presi- 
 dent; C. S. Wheeler, Secretary; W. P. Allcut, Treasurer, and F. M. Furgason, 
 Superintendent. During the winter it collected and distributed several thousand 
 dollars and relieved much distress. 
 
 THE RAILROADS. 
 
 Movements in railroad matters affecting Kansas City were very active dur- 
 ing the year 1880, as they had been during 1879. The new roads built were the 
 Lexington & Southern, from Pleasant Hill, on the Missouri Pacific, to Nevada, 
 on the Missouri, Kansas & Texas. It has . since been consolidated with the Mis- 
 souri Pacific, and trains are now run from Kansas City by that route over the M., 
 K. & T. to Texas. The Manhattan, Alma & Burlingame road was built in Kan- 
 sas from Burlingame, on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, to Manhattan, on 
 the Union Pacific. The Fort Scott road built a branch from Prescott, Kansas, 
 to Rich Hill, Missouri, to reach the coal fields of Bates county, Missouri. This 
 road also built the long-desired switch from the main line near Turkey Creek 
 into the southern part of the city. The Wabash road built a line into Chicago in 
 July, thus adding a fourth through line between Kansas City and Chicago ; and 
 the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe extended its main line west, reaching 
 El Paso, New Mexico, soon after the close of the year. In March, 1881, this 
 road connected with the Southern Pacific, of California, making a second trans- 
 continental line by way of Kansas City, but it has not, at this writing, been 
 opened for trans continental business. The Fort Scott road also built part of the 
 line between Fort Scott and Springfield, and decided to extend this line to Mem- 
 phis, Tennessee. There were also some other extensions, but nothing very im- 
 portant. 
 
 There were many changes in lines already existing. The Central Branch 
 Union Pacific west from Atchison became a division of the Missouri Pacific, in 
 January, and was afterward, in March, consolidated with the Union Pacific. 
 Later in the year the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs road was sold to 
 the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, and the Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern 
 to the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe. And in May the Missouri, Kansas & 
 Texas was leased for ninety -nine years by the Missouri Pacific, and virtually con- 
 solidated with it. In February the general offices of the Union Pacific were con- 
 
568 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 solidated and located at Omaha, and in May the long-contended for through rates 
 to the Pacific Ocean by this line were granted Kansas City. 
 
 A number of new enterprises were also inaugurated. The first of these was 
 the revival of the old Memphis road. The Kansas City party by whom this in- 
 terest had been bought, sold it in December, 1879, to Messrs. Lyman and Cross, 
 of the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad, but they failed to execute the con- 
 tract. It was again contracted in January to Mr. J. I. Brooks and friends, by 
 whom it was re-organized as the Kansas City & Southern, in June. This company 
 was composed of Theodore Welderbald, W. P. Campbell, John E. Young, and 
 John Sidle, of Illinois, Lloyd B. Fuller, of Emporia, Kansas, and E. L. Martin, 
 of Kansas City. Besides a few surveys, nothing was done during the year, but 
 early in 1881 the company was re-organized, a new contract was made for the 
 property, the capital stock of the company increased, and its early continuation 
 provided for. In January, 1880, the Wyandotte, Oskaloosa & Western Narrow 
 Gauge Company was organized in Wyandotte, but it did nothing and soon be- 
 came quiescent. In March the Union Transit Company was organized in Kan- 
 sas City for the purpose of taking charge of and facilitating switching among the 
 various companies operating here. A large amount of land was purchased west 
 of the Kaw River for yards, but they have not yet been put into operation. The 
 Directors of this company were Geo. H. Nettleton, Col. C. F. Morse, J. S. 
 Ford, T. F. Oaks, and Wallace Pratt. In April the Des Moines & Kansas City 
 Railroad Company was organized in Des Moines, Iowa, for the purpose of build- 
 ing a line to Kansas City, and it is now at work making its survey. In Decem- 
 ber the Kansas City Railway Company was organized in Kansas City, with T. 
 B. BuUene, President, and J. N. Finley, Secretary. This company proposes to 
 build a road from Kansas City by way of Baldwin City, Osage City, and Council 
 Grove to Salina, Kansas About the same time the Kansas City, Nebraska, and 
 Northwestern Railroad Company was organized in Kansas City with Col. K. 
 Coates, President, W. H. Miller, Secretary, S. B. Armour, Treasurer, and T. J. 
 Lynde, general manager. It proposes to build a road from Kansas City, by way 
 of Oskaloosa and Valley Falls, Kansas, to Falls City, Nebraska. 
 
 This year was not destitute of the annual railway war. This was brought 
 about by the opening of the new Wabash line into Chicago, in July, though 
 hostilities did not break out until October i6th. The fight raged with great 
 fierceness for a few days, when it was temporarily stopped only to break out 
 again in a few weeks with increased violence. It soon involved the roads leading 
 to St. Louis, and before the close of the year the roads east of Chicago and St. 
 Louis, and became far more general than any previous war. 
 
 THE GREAT FLOOD OF APRIL, 1881. 
 
 The chief event of interest since the close of 1880, except as already men- 
 tioned, was the flood of April, 1881, which was the greatest rise in the river at 
 Kansas City since 1844, and at points above was reported greater than that cele- 
 brated flood. The winter preceding had been unusually long and cold, having 
 begun at Kansas City about the 20th of November,, nearly one month earlier than 
 usual. There was also an unusual snowfall throughout the Missouri Valley. In 
 the latter part of March the weather became as warm as was due to the season in 
 a few days' time, and the snows in Kansas and Nebraska were converted into 
 water, flooding some parts of the latter State and doing much damage. Early in 
 April the water from this source reached the Missouri River and caused it to rise 
 to within a few inches of the highest point reached since 1844, when the water 
 subsided for a few days. It began to rise again in the upper river abput the 
 middle of April, flooding Omaha and other up-river places, and doing much 
 damage. This rise soon reached Kansas City. On the 26th it broke over a levee 
 that had been built to protect the bottom lands opposite the city, and the bottom 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 569 
 
 became flooded. At this time nearly all the bottom lands from Sioux City to 
 Kansas City were under water, the river in most places presenting the appearance 
 of a great lake from four to ten miles wide. There were many fine farms inun- 
 dated, and thousands of people left their homes in boats where such water had 
 never been known before, since the settlement of the country. About the 2Sth 
 of April it began to threaten the western part of Kansas City, and parties went 
 to work at low places throwing up embankments to prevent its breaking over into 
 the streets. This work was ineffectual, however, for on the 28th it flooded a 
 large part of the "bottoms," .as it is called, surrounded the packing houses and 
 disabled several elevators, among which were "A," Union, and State Line, in the 
 west bottoms. At this time the river covered the entire bottom north of the city. 
 Harlem was submerged, part of the houses washed away, and railroad operations 
 on that side of the river suspended. Part of the embankment leading to the 
 bridge was washed away, together with nearly three miles of the track of the 
 Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, while the Hannibal and 
 Wabash were much injured. The Hannibal and Rock Island roads, however, 
 continued to operate to Randolph Bluffs, making the connection to Kansas City 
 by steamboat, while the Wabash transferred its business to the Chicago & Alton. 
 The Missouri Pacific was, for a time, unable to reach Kansas City with its trains, 
 and the Union Pacific used the track of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe from 
 Topeka, in consequence of the inundation of its track between Armstrong and 
 the Kaw River. Armourdale, lying in the vicinity of this road on the west side 
 of the Kaw River, was completely flooded. Still the water continued to rise and 
 at its highest point, which it attained on the 30th of April, it stood twenty-seven 
 feet above low water mark. The people from a large part of West Kansas, lying 
 south of Ninth street and between Wood street, Kansas City, Kansas, and the 
 bluff at the Advance Elevator, had to leave their homes, and for a time large 
 numbers of them were quartered in the Exposition buildings. The destitution 
 and suffering caused by this fact was very great, aside from the loss of prop- 
 erty, and relief measures became necessary. About five thousand dollars were 
 raised for this purpose. After the 30th of April the water subsided rapidly, and 
 by the 3d of May had withdrawn from the lowest part of the city, and within ten 
 days atterward the railroads were so far repaired that trains were resumed as 
 usual. This flood has been suggestive of the necessity of preparing for the pro- 
 tection of the lower part of the city, which subject was soon afterward brought to 
 the attention of the council by a message from the mayor. 
 
 THE GROWTH OF THE CITY. 
 
 During 1880, and up to the present time in 1881, the growth of the city was 
 as rapid as in 1878 and 1879. The United States census of i88o accredited 
 Missouri Valley cities with populations as follows : 
 
 Kansas City proper 55>8i3 
 
 Kansas City and adjoining towns included in the same com- 
 mercial city 62,977 
 
 Leavenworth 16,550 
 
 Atchison 1^,106 
 
 St. Joseph 32,484 
 
 Council Bluffs 18,059 
 
 Omaha 30,518 
 
 Topeka i5.45i 
 
 The growth of business in Kansas City during 1880 is best shown in the 
 clearing house statement, which, for 1879, "w-as $68,280,251.55, and for 1880 
 $101,330,000.00. Real estate transfers this year were $5,467,900 as against 
 
570 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 $3,604,072 for 1879, and the following new additions were added to the place 
 during the year and the first three months of i88r : 
 
 January 6, '80 — Armstrong's Addition. 
 
 January 20, '80 — J. L. Brown's Sub-division. 
 
 February 7, '80 — Murdock's Addition. 
 
 February 28, '80 — Smart's Partition No. i. 
 
 February 28, '80 — Smart's Partition No. 2. 
 
 February 28, '80 — Smart's Partition No. 3. 
 
 March 30, '80 — P. S. Brown's Addition. 
 
 March 3, '80 — Loring's Sub-division. 
 
 March 12, '80 — Hope & Twitch ell's Sub-division. 
 
 March 18, '80 — Aldme Place Sub-division. 
 
 March 18, '80 — Adam's First Addition. 
 
 June I, '80— R. G. Estill's Re-survey. 
 
 June 25, '80 — Primrose Hill Sub-division. 
 
 March 22, '80 — S. C. Moody's Sub-division. 
 
 March 22, '80 — Whipple's First Addition. 
 
 March 30, '80 — Bellmere Place Addition. 
 
 March 30, '80 — Hazzard Place Sub-division. 
 
 April T, '80 — Austin's Addition. 
 
 April 2, '80 — B. E. Dye's Sub-division. 
 
 April 28, '80 — Wornall's Addition. 
 
 May 5, '80 — PhelpsPlace Addition. 
 
 June 12, '80 — P. S. Brown's Re-survey. 
 
 October 2, '80— City Park Addition. 
 
 October 5, '80 — Dudley & Cook's Addition. 
 
 October 13, '80 — Whipple's Second Addition. 
 
 December 29, '80 — Clatanoff & Stowe's Re-survey. 
 
 December 13, '80 — Brown & Brook's Sub-division. 
 
 January 19, '81 — Winningham's Sub division. 
 
 January 20, '81 — Ellison & Murdock's Addition. 
 
 January 20, '81 — Murdock's Sub-division. 
 
 January 25, '81 — Re-survey Payne's Addition. 
 
 February i, '81 — Cosby's Addition. 
 
 February 28, '81 — Commissioner's Plat Payne's Addition. 
 
 March 7, '81 — Amended Plat of Hyde & Foster's Addition. 
 
 March 14, '81 — Forest Place Sub-division. 
 
 March 15, '81 — William Askew's Sub-division. 
 
 March 15, '81 — Haefner's Second Addition. 
 
 March 22, '81 — Haefner's First Addition. 
 
 March 30, '81 — Forest Home Addition. 
 
 A STATISTICAL EXHIBIT. 
 
 The following statistical exhibit will show at a glance the growth of Kansas 
 City since its beginning : 
 
 POPULATION. 
 STATEMENT showing the populatipn of Kansas City at different periods. 
 
 1838 300 
 
 1846 700 
 
 1855 300 
 
 1857 2,000 
 
 1858 S,i8s 
 
 1859 8,000 
 
 1865 S.ooo 
 
 1870 32,260 
 
 1871 36,000 
 
 1872 40,115 
 
 1873 40.740 
 
 1877 41,786 
 
 1878 50,126 
 
 1879 60,372 
 
 1880 62,977 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 571 
 
 WEALTH. 
 STATEMENT showing the assessed valuation of Kansas City at different periods. 
 
 1846. 
 1858. 
 1861 . 
 1862 
 1863. 
 1864 . 
 1865. 
 1866 
 
 1867 . 
 
 1868 . 
 
 1869 . 
 
 500,000 
 1,802,000 
 1,814,320 
 1,448,284 
 1,313,790 
 1,698,460 
 1,922,670 
 3.587,875 
 3,710,813 
 5,978,068 
 8,408, 1 1 1 
 
 1870 $ 9,629,45s 
 
 1871 10,191,910 
 
 1872 10,957,250 
 
 1873 12,708,290 
 
 1874 12,357.730 
 
 1875 ■ . . . 11,728,750 
 
 1876 8,923,190 
 
 1877 9.370,287 
 
 1878 9,092,320 
 
 1879 10,706,660 
 
 i88o 13,378,950 
 
 Note — The decline from i873 to 1876 was due to changes in standard of valuation. 
 
 CLEARINGS. 
 
 STATEMENT showing the clearings of the Kansas City Clearing House, by months, for a 
 
 series of years. 
 
 
 1876. 
 
 1877. 
 
 1878. 
 
 1879. 
 
 1880. 
 
 January 
 Februar 
 March 
 April . 
 May . 
 Tune . 
 ; uly . 
 August 
 Septeml 
 October 
 Novemb 
 Decemb 
 
 y 
 
 er 
 
 er 
 er 
 
 ■ 
 
 
 $ 5,156,094 03 
 4,566,721 09 
 4,302,291 87 
 4,605,502 34 
 4,664,984 17 
 
 5,742,539 II 
 4,769,684 32 
 
 4,448,729 19 
 5.504.501 35 
 6,915,521 82 
 
 5.857,918 92 
 6,306,420 55 
 
 S 7,137,329 46 
 4,704,922 97 
 5,463,610 38 
 5,270,327 02 
 5,206,200 86 
 5,256,514 19 
 5,112,38932 
 5,548,123 17 
 6,337,525 72 
 6,892,287 14 
 6,129,097 17 
 6,154,684 II 
 
 $ 5,971,704 01 
 1,471,811 18 
 2,052,400 00 
 
 2.283.800 00 
 2,361,312 14 
 1.924,74000 
 2,696,111 34 
 2,235,21364 
 3,390,711 s.i 
 5,533,511 00 
 
 5.542.801 01 
 5,236,201 01 
 
 t 4,604,911 00 
 4,286,200 13 
 4,405,301 00 
 4,092,101 10 
 5,052,501 11 
 4,713,70000 
 4,696,901 21 
 5,601,400 00 
 6,252,200 00 
 9,087,200 00 
 7,215,700 00 
 8,271,836 00 
 
 $ 8,009,700 00 
 6,285,10000 
 7,412,600 00 
 7,116,600 00 
 7,642,600 00 
 7,713,600 00 
 7,780,400 00 
 8,039,400 00 
 8,092,200 00 
 9,684,900 00 
 11,772,900 00 
 11,830,000 00 
 
 Total. . . . 
 
 j!62,840,6o8 76 
 
 ^69,213,011 51 
 
 $41,000,317 56 
 
 ^68,280,251 55 
 
 $101,330,00000 
 
 INTERNAL REVENUE. ( 
 
 STATEMENT showing the amount of Internal Revenue paid to the Government by Kas- 
 
 sas City for a series of years. 
 
 On what 
 Account. 
 
 Beer . . . 
 Cigars . . 
 Tobacco . 
 Licenses 
 Banks , . 
 Spirits . . 
 Penalties . 
 
 1875. 
 
 $ 9,114 10 
 
 11,717 00 
 
 28,877 09 
 
 11,669 00 
 
 3,708 66 
 
 7,059 20 
 
 1876. 
 
 ! 11,642 50 
 
 16,365 60 
 
 22,054 56 
 
 20,000 00 
 
 S.52431 
 
 1877. 
 
 11,598 00 
 16,911 65 
 
 11.954 13 
 11,38400 
 
 5,524 II 
 
 14,155 10 
 
 2,758 20 
 
 1878. 
 
 $ 13,752 00 
 16,107 50 
 5,010 82 
 11,11000 
 6.935 20 
 4,74000 
 2,460 13 
 
 1879. 
 
 $ 14,198 00 
 
 21,922 00 
 
 6,252 40 
 
 14,264 16 
 
 12,444 00 
 
 6,600 00 
 
 5,000 00 
 
 1880. 
 
 $ 16,742 00 
 26,530 60 
 
 5.357 32 
 17,78942 
 28,712 14 
 
 7,2Q0 00 
 420 00 
 
 Total $72,14495$ 75,58697^74,285 19^60,11565 $80.68056 $102,751 48 
 
 TABLE SHOWING THE MOVEMENT OF FREIGHT FOR FOUR YEARS. 
 
 Years. 
 
 Received, 
 Pounds. 
 
 Forwarded, 
 Pounds. 
 
 1877 
 
 1878 
 
 1879 
 
 1880 
 
 1,852,900,694 
 
 2,425,995,917 
 3,188,710,298 
 4,629,344,019 
 
 1,621,900,538 
 2,038,366,446 
 2,739,752,881 
 2,911,892,163 
 

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HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 573 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 The History of the Press — Local Societies — Masons — Odd Fellows — Knights of Pythias — Other 
 Secret Orders — The Churches, Schools and Social Institutions. 
 
 " THE JOURNAL." 
 
 Tht Journal was established by a stock company composed of William Gillis, 
 W. S. Gregory, H. M. Northrup, J. S. Chick, M. J. Payne, Dr. B. Troost, E. 
 M. McGee, Thompson McDaniels and Robt. Campbell, and made its first appear- 
 ance in October, 1854, under the name of The Kansas City Enterprise, with D. 
 K. Abeel, Esq., as printer and business manager, and WiUiam A. Strong, Esq., 
 as editor. One previous attempt had been made by a Mr. Kennedy to establish 
 a paper called the Public Ledger but it failed, and its failure led to the organization 
 of the above named company. In October, 1855, Col. R. T. Van Horn pur- 
 chased the paper and took editorial charge. In 1857 its name was changed to 
 The Western Journal of Commerce. About this time Col. Van Horn took into co- 
 partnership with him Mr. D. K. Abeel, who had remained with the paper from 
 its first issue. In June, 1858, a telegraph line having been built from St. Louis 
 to Boonville, Messrs. Van Horn & Abeel made arrangements for telegraphic 
 reports, receiving them by express from Boonville, and established a daily edition, 
 which made its first appearance on the isth of June, 1858. In the summer of 
 i860 Col. Van Horn sold his interest in the paper to Mr. Abeel, but continued 
 his editorial connection with it until the war broke out in 1861. Mr. Abeel con- 
 tinued the publication of the .paper as sole proprietor until June 14, 1863, when 
 he sold it to T. Dwight Thacher, now editor of the Lawrence, Kansas, fournal. 
 It was suspended, on account of the war, March 7th, 1861, and continued sus- 
 pended for about a year, though it was issued as a daily news bulletin from May 
 i6th to August 20th, 1861. March 23d, 1865, Mr. Thacher sold the paper, 
 Col. Van Horn and A. H. Hallowell being the purchasers. 
 
 On the 2d of March, 1867, Col. Van Horn having been elected to Congress, 
 retired from the paper, and on the 28th of April following, Mr. Hallowell sold it 
 to Messrs. Foster, Wilder & Co. On the 9th of March, 1870, Col. Wilder was 
 shot and killed by James Hutchinson, about a personal matter, and Mr. Abeel 
 again became connected with the paper by the purchase of the interests held by 
 Col. Wilder and Smith Baker. On the 30th of August, 187 1, Col. Van Horn 
 purchased the interest of C. G. Foster, and on the 15th of February, 1872, the 
 Journal Company was organized and incorporated under the State laws. CoJ. 
 Van Horn continuing as editor, Mr. Abeel continued as business manager until 
 August 9th, 1872, when he disposed of his stock in the company and was succeed- 
 ed by Isaac P. Moore, Esq. Mr. Abeel, Chas. N. Brooks, M. H. Stevens and W. 
 A. Bunker purchased a controlling interest in the paper and took charge of it 
 August 8th, 1877, Col. Van Horn retaining his interest and continuing as editor- 
 in-chief. On the loth of January, 1881, Messrs. Abeel, Brooks and Bunker 
 retired, and A. J. Blethen became business manager. 
 
 Since its first issue, under Col. Van Horn's management, in October, 1855, 
 the Journal has been an able and influential paper. From that date it became 
 thoroughly and fully devoted to Kansas City's commercial development, and has 
 since been a most potent and watchful advocate. During the years interven- 
 ing prior to the war its columns teemed with projects and schemes for the ad- 
 
574- HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 vancement of the city, and among these was outlined and developed every rail- 
 road project which Kansas City has realized. And in subsequent years it has been 
 none the less ardent and devoted in the development of other projects calculated 
 to advance Kansas City's commercial welfare. At the same time it has alvvays 
 stood prominent as a newspaper, careful and consistent in its positions, and 
 newsy, without being sensational. It was Democratic until the war, and sup- 
 ported Douglas, in i860, since which time it has been one of the leading Repub- 
 lican papers of Missouri. 
 
 Its stock is now $40,000, and during the past year has sold at a high premi- 
 um. It owns Its own building, an elegant structure on the corner of Sixth and 
 Delaware streets, worth probably $50,000. It is issued daily, tri-weekly, and 
 weekly, and has a very large circulation, considering the population of the city 
 in which it is published, the daily alone averaging nearly 10,000 per day. To 
 print this large edition it now runs a Scott-Webb Perfecting press, the third of 
 its kind set up in the United States. It receives the paper in a continuous roll, 
 prints it on both sides from stereotyped plates at the rate of 15,000 per hour, and 
 delivers it folded for the mail or carrier. The position of the Journal in public 
 esteem is unsurpassed by any western paper, and in influence, character, and 
 circulation, it stands at the head of Missouri Valley journals. 
 
 THE "KANSAS CITY TIMES." 
 
 On Tuesday morning, September 8, 1868, the first number of The Kansas 
 City Times was issued. In starting the Times there was experienced that risk 
 which every journalist that attempts to establish a new paper, encounters. For 
 some time after its first issue the venture did not prove a succeess financially, but 
 its later managers possessing a determination to succeed, in time placed it on a 
 solid foundation. 
 
 The first paper was an eight-column folio, the size of the sheet being 26^x 
 44 inches. At its head it bore the national Democratic ticket for president and 
 vice-president, and also for State officers. B. R. Drury & Co., were proprietors. 
 On December 22, 1868, the paper changed hands, dnd a company was organized 
 under the name of The Kansas City Times Publishing Company Messrs. Wm. 
 E. Dunscombe, Chas. Durfee, J. D. Williams and R. B. Drury were elected 
 directors. Mr. Williams served as business manager, and Messrs. John C. 
 Moore and John N. Edwards, editors. In April of 1869, Mr. James E. Mc- 
 Henry was installed business manager, and held the position until June 38th of 
 the same year, when he was succed by C. E. Chichester. On September 29th, 
 1869, the office was removed to the corner of Fifth and Main streets, and on 
 February 20th, 1870, the company was dissolved and the paper sold at public 
 sale. Mr. Chas. Dougherty, of Independence, together with John C. Moore 
 and John N. Edwards, were the purchasers. The paper moved along with vary- 
 ing fortunes until the 20th of August, 1871, when it again changed hands, and 
 passed under the management that has controlled it since that time. Amos 
 Green was elected president ; Thos H. Mastin, treasurer, and M. Munford, sec- 
 retary and general manager of the new company. John N. Edwards was made 
 editor-in-chief. In September of that year the Times removed to commodious 
 quarters on Missouri avenue, betweeen Main and Delaware streets. On January 
 3d. 1872, the paper appeared in a new dress and enlarged to a nine-column folio. 
 With that issue an extensive review of Kansas City was given in a supplement. 
 The great panic of '73 was safely passed, and after the gloomy days the Times 
 smiled happy and serenely. In April, 1872, Messrs. Mastin transferred their 
 interests to Messrs. Green and M. Munford, and later Mr. J. E. Munford 
 acquired an interest. In May of 1875, Mr. Green sold his interest to Messsrs. 
 Munford. The "Old Times Publishing Company" was then dissolved, and on 
 November 29, 1875, the property was transferred to the present organization, 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 575 
 
 "The Kansas City Times Company," which Messrs. Munford, in connection with 
 Mr. Samuel Williams, had organized. Upon the retirement of the latter in 1878 
 his stock was purchase by the company. The directors of the company after 
 Mr. Williams' retirement were James E. Munford, Morrison Munford and Chas. 
 E. Hasbrook; and the officers were James E. Munford, President; M. Munford, 
 Secretary and General Manager; and Chas. E. Hasbrook, Vice-President and 
 Business Manager. 
 
 The enterprise of the Times has been marked. It was the originator of the 
 great Oklahoma movement for the purpose of opening up the Indian Territory ; 
 m 1876 it published a nine column twenty page review of Kansas City; it con- 
 trolled a special train carrying its own papers containing the proceedings of the 
 Kansas Legislature, between Kansas City and Topeka ; on the 15th of Septem- 
 ber, of the Centennial year, it established a branch office at Denver, Colorado, 
 publishing a Colorado edition during the presidential campaign ; and previous to 
 the nomination of a Democratic candidate for the Presidency 1876, it published 
 an edition in St. Louis in opposition to the nomination of Samuel J. Tilden. 
 These wonderful enterprises characterized the Times as the New York Herald of 
 the west. 
 
 On the 20th of August of the present year, the Times will have been under 
 the sole control and management of the present general manager for ten consec- 
 utive years. From a mere shell of a newspaper when he took it in August 187 1, 
 it has grown and increased steadily, keeping pace with the growth of the city 
 and section until now it is pre-eminently one of the "institutions" of Kansas 
 City. It occupies its own building on Fifth street between Main and Delaware, 
 where it has one of the finest counting-rooms in the city — and a thoroughly 
 equipped outfit of machinery, presses, etc., required to publish its immense cir- 
 culation. It is a newspaper establishment that any city of 100,000 inhabitants 
 might well feel proud of. 
 
 THE KANSAS CITY "MAIL." 
 
 The Evening Mail Publishing Company was incorporated as a stock company 
 May 4th, 1875, by a few prominent business men of Kansas City, with E. L. 
 Martin as President and John C. Gage as Treasurer, having for its object the 
 publication of a journal opposed to the movements of the water works clique as 
 it then existed. Col. John C. Moore was acting editor-in-chief. 
 
 In April, 1876, Mr. E. L. Martin resigned his official connection with the 
 company, M. James T. Kelley being elected to the vacancy. John C. Gage and 
 T. V. Bryant also resigned as directors, their places being supplied respectively 
 by Col. John C. Moore and Frank Grice. Messrs. Moore, Kelley and Grice, all 
 practical newspaper men, having come into possession of the stock, were pub- 
 lishers and proprietors of the Evenihg Mail. 
 
 On April 29th, 1876, a re-organization of the company was effected, and at 
 a meeting of the directory John C. Moore was elected President, Frank Grice 
 Secretary, while J. T. Kelley held as Director and Business Manager. 
 
 On the 7th of May, 1877, Joseph B. Strickland was admitted to the com- 
 pany, and held the practical position of foreman of the mechanical department 
 and was elected director. Meantime Mr. Grice had retired, his stock having 
 passed through W. Scott Ford to Strickland. Col. Moore was yet president of the 
 company, while the secretaryship had fallen to J. T. Kelley, upon the retirement 
 of Frank Grice. On the above date the title of the company was changed to 
 "The Mail Publishing Company," the word " Evening " at the same time disap- 
 pearing from the title page of the paper. At a meeting held November 2 2d, 
 1877, Col. Moore resigned his connection and retired from the Mail, having 
 assigned his stock to Messrs. Strickland & Kelley. Mr. J. B. Strickland was 
 chosen president and Mr. A. D. Gerard secretary of the company. A new pro- 
 
576 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 prietorship was effected December 3, 1877, by the purchase from Messrs. Kelley 
 & Strickland of a controlling interest in the stock by Messrs. A. A. Whipple and 
 T. Ambert Haley, the latter becoming president and Mr. Strickland, who still 
 held an interest, being secretary. The organization took on a better working 
 shape than it had presented since the first few months of its history, and the for- 
 ward movement of the paper indicated the results. . Mr. tialey took active 
 position as business manager, Mr. Whipple as treasurer, and Mr. Strickland as 
 head of the typographical department. 
 
 On the 6th of May, 1878, A. A. Whipple transferred a portion of his stock 
 to his brothers, B. F. and Wayne Whipple, after which the organizatian stood as 
 follows : 
 
 Wayne Whipple, President. 
 
 B. F. Whipple, Secretary. 
 
 A. A. Whipple, Treasurer. 
 
 Directors— A. A. Whipple, T. A. Haley and J. B. Strickland. 
 
 Major W. W. Bloss was political editor, Wayne Whipple city editor and Mr. 
 Haley, business manager. 
 
 September 4, 1878, Mr. T. A. Haley and Whipple Bros, having sold their 
 interests in the Kansas City Mail to S. M. Ford and Samuel Williams, Mr. Haley 
 tendered his resignation as director and business manager. Mr. Ford was elected 
 to these vacancies and the secretaryship. Messrs. Whipple also retired. On the 
 day following an election was held with the following result : 
 
 S. M. Ford, President. 
 
 Samuel Williams, Secretary. 
 
 Directors— S. M. Ford, Samuel Williams, J. B. Strickland. 
 
 On the 20th of January, 1879, the interest of S. M. Ford was purchased by 
 John C. Shea and Col. Williams, and a few months later the interest of J. B. 
 Strickland was bought by W. L. Campbell. 
 
 The organization of the Mail Publishing Company, as it now exists, is John 
 C. Shea, President ; Samuel Williams, Secretary. Directors — Samuel Williams, 
 John C. Shea, W. P. Campbell. The above gentlemen occupy the following posi- 
 tions on the paper : 
 
 Samuel Williams, Editor. 
 
 John C. Shea, Business Manager. 
 
 W. L. Campbell, City Editor. 
 
 The growth of the Mail\\as, been remarkable. In the winter of 1878-9 the 
 Mail suffered severely from the effects of fire. The present management found 
 the material of the paper in ashes and cinders. The expense of fitting up a re- 
 spectable place of business on Missouri avenue was considerable, but the increase 
 of business in the spring and summer of 1859 cleared the office of indebtedness 
 and left a margin for future operations. So flattering was the outlook in the be- 
 ginning of the present year that a new three-revolution Hoe press was ordered 
 and a removal to a more commodious building determined upon. 
 
 The Mail is now issued from its new office in the "Mail Building," 115 
 West Sixth street. 
 
 THE EVENING STAR. 
 
 Recognizing the fact that Kansas City had become a metropolis and should 
 have metropolitan adjuncts, Messrs. M. R. Nelson and S. E. Morss, formerly 
 proprietors of the Fort Wayne (Ind.) Sentinel, came to this city in the fall of 1880 
 and established The Evening Star, a low priced afternoon journal, similar in size 
 and style to those which have proved so popular and profitable in all the other 
 large cities of the country. The first number of The Evening Star appeared on 
 the 1 8th of September. The paper was a success from the beginning, and at 
 once secured a very large circulation. This has constantly increased, and the 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 577 
 
 business of the paper has grown so rapidly that on the first of March it was en- 
 larged and removed to more commodious and convenient quarters at No. /4 
 West Fifth street, where it is at present located. 
 
 The Evening Star has achieved a remarkable success, which its publishers 
 ^scribe to the fact that it is enterprising, thoroughly independent in politics, and 
 furnished at a very low price. It is now well established on a firm basis, and is 
 universally recognized as one of the institutions of Kansas City. 
 
 "the price current and live stock record." 
 
 The history of this paper has been the history of the commercial growth of 
 Kansas City and the live stock interest of the New West. The driving of Texas 
 cattle to Kansas having reached such importance by 1871 as to attract capital 
 and general attention that a publication in support of this growing trade was sug- 
 gested, the Drover, a small folio paper, was started under the auspices of the rail- 
 roads, Frank L. Hise, editor. It ran eighteen months, when it changed hands. 
 Henry Dickson took it and changed its name to the Cattle Trail, making a more 
 general advocate of the live stock business tributary to this market. In 1874 it 
 was again sold, E. W. Perry, now of Chicago, becoming its purchaser. Our 
 jobbing commission trade had grown by this time to considerable importance. 
 Messrs. Perry & Co. made their paper more general in character and called it 
 the Price Current and Live Stock Reporter. The paper at once took its stand 
 among the first commercial journals of the west, and soon made for itself a high 
 reputation. In 1875, the publishers, Messrs. Ramsey, Millett & Hudson, pur- 
 chased a half interest, and the year following, bought full control. Charles E. 
 Hasbrook, now business manager of the Kansas City Times, was given its busi- 
 ness management and A. D. Simons became its editor, and the paper was 
 steadily pushed forward. It had by this time won for itself a permanent place 
 among the leading papers of its kind in the west and the recognized exponent of 
 trade matters and the live-stock interest of this section. It was enlarged to a six 
 column folio in 1876, and in the fall of 1879 changed into a six column quarto 
 and enlarged its scope, the rapid settling up of the country west of us and its 
 development opening up new fields of labor and necessitating a broader conduct 
 of the paper. All matters pertaining to the material interest of the New West is 
 now touched upon. The blooded stock and agricultural interests receive in- 
 creased attention and commercial matters are more liberally treated. 
 
 About the beginning of the year 1878, Messrs. Hasbrook and Simons both 
 withdrew and Cuthbert Powell, Esq., took charge of the editorial management 
 of the paper and has conducted its columns since, with constantly increasing 
 interest. 
 
 "the commercial indicator." 
 
 This publication was established on the 4th day of April, 1878, by Messrs. 
 Etue, Holmes & Simons, as a six-column commercial journal, giving special at- 
 tention to the grain, live stock and produce markets of Kansas City, and the live 
 stock and agricultural interests of the country commercially tributary thereto. 
 Messrs. Etue and Simons, who had special charge of the editorial conduct of the 
 paper, were both well known in the city as superior commercial reporters, both 
 having, at different times, filled that department of the Kansas City Times, and 
 Mr. Simons more lately having been identified with the Price Current. \Vith 
 such a start, and with such editors, the new journal was successful from the first 
 beyond the expectations of its publishers. They owned and conducted a job 
 printing office, in connection with the publication of the Indicator until the first 
 of December, 1878, when the copartnership was dissolved, Mr. Holmes retiring 
 and taking the job office, leaving the Indicator to Messrs. Etue and Simons. 
 About three weeks afterward the office was destroyed by fire, but such was the 
 energy and enterprise of the publishers that they procured new material, and 
 37 
 
BANK BUILDING, CORNER FIFTH AND DELAWARE STREETS. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 579 
 
 continued their paper and the market circular issued in connection with it, without 
 the loss of an issue. In April, 1879, the paper was enlarged to seven columns to 
 the page, and since that time the pressure of has been accommodated by the use 
 of smaller type, the publishers preferring this course to making their paper too 
 large and unwieldly for the reader. 
 
 In January, 1880, the Indicator published a very complete statistical re- 
 view of the live stock and grain trades, and of the general commerce and trade 
 of Kansas City. Its reports of the Kansas City rijiarkets are used daily by the 
 Western Associated Press, and as authority on markets and commercial intelli- 
 gence generally, it occupies a leading position among western commercial journals. 
 It has now become a large and valuable interest, and like most of the great papers 
 of the country, has been built up with its own earnings. Such is its standing 
 that its opinions are freely quoted by the great dailies of St. Louis, Chicago, 
 New York, and other cities. 
 
 In addition to the Indicator, Messrs. Etue and Simons publish the Merchants 
 Exchange Daily Indicator and Daily Live Stock Report, both of which were eistab- 
 11 shed by Mr. P. D. Etue, in January, 1877. The Daily Live Stock Report was 
 the first publication of the kind in Kansas City, and is now the only one, though 
 several others have been brought into existence and died, since it was established. 
 
 "the KANSAS CITY REVIEW OF SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY." 
 
 This publication was first issued in February 1877 by Col. Theodore S. Case, 
 and has been successfully maintained as a monthly scientific magazine. It is now 
 in its fifth year in an enlarged and improved form. The idea of the publication 
 was thus stated by the editor in the first issue. 
 
 "The increasing taste for scientific study which now-a-days manifests itself 
 among all classes of readers, and the evident impossibility of any considerable 
 number of them being able to spare the time necessary to examine the score of 
 journals and magazines devoted to its special branches and subjects, have given 
 rise to the belief that a periodical consisting of a careful resume of the most im- 
 portant inventions, discoveries and treaties of eminent, practical workers in the 
 various departments of science and industry would be a convenience and of ser- 
 vice to such persons, and might meet with sufficient encouragement to make it a 
 success." * * * "As announced in our prospectus, this periodical will -have 
 for its object the popularizing of Science, and will be devoted to the interests of 
 the artisan, the mechanic, the farmer and the household as well as of the more 
 scientific reader." 
 
 The Review has been carefully conducted with close reference to this idea, 
 and has met with the approbation and support of many of the best and most 
 prominent scientists of this country and of Europe, many of whom have con- 
 tributed original articles to its columns. It has also been the recipient of a great 
 many compliments from the most noted scientific magazines and journals of the 
 world. 
 
 Owing to the liberality of the Kansas City people, who feel it their duty, and 
 make it a matter of pride to support every worthy enterprise originating here, it 
 has succeeded beyond the publishers expectations, and is almost self-sustaining, 
 the editor taking such pleasure in the work as to induce him to make up its 
 deficiences rather than discontinue its publication. Being a western publication, 
 devoted to western interests, research and discovery, and the exponent of wes- 
 tern thought and western theories, it merits the cordial support of western people 
 and ought to, and it is believed will, soon become a source of profit to its able and 
 enterprising pubhsher. It is a sixty-four paged octavo monthly and is furnished 
 to subscribers at two dollars and fifty cents a year, or twenty-five cents by the 
 single number. 
 
 Among its contributors during the past year were Profs. G. C. Broadhead, G. 
 
580 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 C. Swallow, F. H. Snow, E. A. Popenoe, E. L. Berthoud, H. S. Pritchett, A. J. 
 Coutant, T. B. Smith, F. W. Clarke, F. E. Nipher, J. T. Lovewell, E. T. Nuson, 
 S. H. Trowbridge, Drs. Ivon D. Heath, A. S. Child, Chas. H. Sternberg, Geo. 
 Halley, Col. R. T. Van Horn, and a large number of other western writers of 
 more or less note, beside such eastern scientists as Prof. H. C. Bolton, Prof. C. 
 V. Riley, Dr. S. W. Williston, Capt. H. W. Howgate, Isaac P. Noyes, Prof. 
 O. T. Mason and Prof. John Rae, F. G. S., of London, and M. F. Connor, of 
 Paris. , 
 
 "MIRROR OF PROGRESS." 
 
 This is a weekly journal devoted to the dissemination of philosophic free 
 thought and scientific knowledge. It was established by David Eccles and E. P. 
 West, of Kansas City, the first number being issued the 28th of June, 1879. The 
 object was declared to be " To afford a channel for the unrestricted flow of honest 
 opinion." "It will be devoted to science, art, literature, physics, metaphysics, 
 philosophy, in a general sense, and whatever tends to an intelligent, honest indi- 
 viduality, and independence of thought." "We Jire aware," they say, "of the 
 grave responsibility we assume ; but, with the honest support of the lovers of truth, 
 we hope to do something toward developing the good which is innate in our race, 
 and to add in some degree to the happiness of mankind." 
 
 Mr. Eccles retired from the paper with the twenty-second number on the i3lh 
 of December, 1879. In his valedictory he assigns as a reason for so doing, "the 
 relentless strain of a prolonged financial depression compels me most reluctantly 
 to sever my connection with this paper and at the same time bury a most flatter- 
 ing ambition." 
 
 The Mirror of Progress was continued under the management of Mr. West 
 until Nov. 20, 1880, when Dr. A. J. Clark, of Indianapolis, Ind., became asso- 
 ciated with it under the name of Progress. Dr. Clark's association with the paper 
 was very brief owing to the culmination of circumstances not anticipated when 
 entering upon the work. His retirement left Mr. West again the sole heir to the 
 venture. 
 
 On the 17th of March, 1881, the transfer of the paper, under the old name 
 of the Mirror of Progress, to Mrs. Mattie Parry Krekel and Mr. David Eccles, 
 who was formerly associated with it, was consummated, and Mr. West's con- 
 nection with it was severed after an association of more than twenty months from 
 the beginning of the enterprise. Mr. West, on leaving the paper, said : 
 
 " On the 28th day of June, 1879, more than twenty months ago, the Mirror 
 of Progress began its battle for existence amid opposing forces, sometimes envi- 
 roned by trying difficulties, and has become firmly rooted in the vast field of 
 journalism, and, I hope, in the affections of a generous people; or those, at least, 
 who seek, through mental freedom, the elevation and happiness of man. I have 
 devoted my entire time as faithfully as I could, and without pecuniary compen- 
 sation, besides the expenditure of large sums of money to establish the paper. 
 In this I have succeeded; the Mirror of Progress is firmly fixed among the jour- 
 nals of the day, and although I may not enjoy its fruits, it is no small satisfaction 
 to know that I have planted and nourished to a vigorous growth in the west a 
 journal devoted to the highest human aspiration, mental freedom and the amelio- 
 ration of the human race. 
 
 Mr. Eccles, on the 7th of May following, "retired," leaving Mrs. Krekel 
 the sole owner and manager of the paper. Under her able management, the 
 Mirror of Progress may be considered permanently fixed. She has the means as- 
 well as the inclination to continue its publication; and, although new in the edi- 
 torial field, she has won an enviable distinction and greatly improved the paper 
 in the limited time she has controlled it. By the inspiration of genius Mrs. 
 Krekel has the happy faculty of saying just the right thing at the right time, and 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 581 
 
 with the assurance that she will keep pace with the progressive tendencies of the 
 age there is every assurance of success. 
 
 THE WESTERN NEWSPAPER UNION. 
 
 The Western Newspaper Union, 529 Delaware street, is one of the branches 
 of a strong corporation, the principal office of which is located at Das Moines, 
 Iowa. The company have a paid-up capital of $100,000, and have large and 
 thoroughly equipped houses at Des Moines, Kansas City, Omaha, and St. Paul. 
 They are now furnishing sheets to more than 400 newspapers in the great " New 
 West," with an aggregate circulation of more than 200,000 copies weekly. In 
 addition to this they have a large and rapidly increasing wholesale paper trade 
 and an extensive and growing stereotyping business. The Kansas City house 
 was established in 1877 by W. A; Bunker and others. When the present corpo- 
 ration was formed, those associated with him retired from the concern and he was 
 appointed manager. The business of this branch has increased to such an ex- 
 tent as to render their present quarters inadequate, and a building is now being 
 erected on the corner of Ninth and Ann streets for their use. This structure will 
 be 30x120 feet and four stories high, with basement and sub-cellar. When com- 
 pleted it will be one of the largest and most convenient printing establishments in 
 the country. This enterprise will not absorb any part of the working capital of 
 the Western Newspaper Union, the necessary funds being supplied from the pri- 
 vate resources of two members of the corporation. 
 
 The success of this concern furnishes another example of what may be ac- 
 complished in the rapidly developing west when business ability and ample capi- 
 tal are employed. Every member of this corporation is a practical newspaper 
 man, and devotes his entire time and attention to the furthering of its interests. 
 It is therefore not surprising that they have achieved a degree of success of 
 which they may well be proud. 
 
 The following history of the societies and churches in Kansas City has been 
 compiled for this history by Mrs. J. D. Parker : 
 
 CHURCH OF THE IMMACULOTE CONCEPTION. 
 
 The early records of this church date back as far as 1834, when Father Ben- 
 edict Roux had charge of the congregation, which had been previously organized 
 by some Jesuit Fathers from St. Louis, probably in 1825. The church records 
 of this earlier date were swept away in the great flood of 1844, and the earliest 
 record now extant is of a baptism which was performed by Father Verrey in 
 February, 1834. During the stay of Father Roux the first log church was built 
 and served the needs of the scattering congregation embraced within an area of 
 fully twenty square miles, for upward of twenty years. Father Bernard Don- 
 nelly, the first stationary pastor of western Missouri, was sent, in the summer of 
 1845, to take charge of the mission at Independence and Kansas City, then 
 known as Westport Landing. From this time the church developed slowly but 
 steadily until, in 1857, the brick church at the corner of Broadway and Eleventh 
 street was erected. After the close of the war the church rapidly increased in 
 numbers and has developed in this direction up to the present time. The finan- 
 cial condition of the church is good, the present valuation of the property, in- 
 cluding the ten acres originally purchased by Father Roux, being $105,000. 
 Within the past year a bishop has been appointed to reside in Kansas City, on 
 account of the growing importance of this denomination. 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (sOUTH). 
 
 This is one of the pioneer churches of Kansas City, being organized as early 
 as 1845. Col. Chick, father of J. S. Chick, Mrs. Chick and James Hickman, 
 were three of the five original members, none of whom are now Uving. The 
 
582 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 first services were conducted at the residence of Col. Chick, and afterward in an 
 old log school-house on the corner of Missouri avenue and Locust street. Not 
 long after its organization the society purchased lots on the west side of Delaware, 
 street, near Fifth, for ninety dollars, and made preparations for the erection of a 
 house of worship. The building was completed in 1852, and dedicated by Bishop 
 Paine. This was the first house of worship buih in Kansas City, and for several 
 years was used by the various religious denominations for organization and wor- 
 ship. The handsome brick edifice on Walnut street, now occupied by this 
 society, was completed in 1879, at a cost of $35,000, and was dedicated the 
 same year by Bishop Wightman. It is one of the finest church edifices in the 
 city, handsomely furnished, and convenient of access. It will accommodate an 
 audience of over 800, comfortably. This church is rapidly extending its influ- 
 ence, during the past year having organized two churches, expending over $10,- 
 000 for this purpose, and also secured property and commenced the erection of 
 another building which will cost about $4, coo. The membership is large, num- 
 bering 400 at present, and steadily increasing. About $8,000 are annually con- 
 tributed by this society for benevolent objects and incidental expenses, two mem- 
 bers of the chuich giving $1,000 each for educational purposes. Among the 
 pastors who have labored in the church are W. M. Leftwich, D. D., J. W. 
 Lewis, D. D., C. D. N. Campbell, D. D.,and S. S. Bryant, D. D. Rev. C. C. 
 Woods, D. D., is the present pastor of the church, and his labors among his peo- 
 ple have been abundantly successful. 
 
 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The First Baptist Church was organized April 21st, 1855, with twelve charter 
 members, whose names appear upon the church records in the following order : 
 Robert Holmes, Mary A. Holmes, T. M. James, Sarah J. James, A. L. Martin, 
 Elizabeth M. Martin, D. L. Mimms, Martha Lykins, Dr. J. Lykins, Julia Lykins, 
 Rev. R. S. Thomas, Elvira Thomas. Before the erection of the first church 
 edifice the regular services of the church were conducted alternately in the old 
 court-house, and the school-house, or in some one of the different churches. In 
 1858 the brick building at the corner of Eighth and May streets was erected at a 
 cost of three thousand dollars, and was occupied until the completion of the 
 new building in r88o. During the twenty years which have elapsed since the 
 organization of the church, ten pastors have been connected with it: Rev. 
 Robert Thomas, being the first, followed by R. S. Doolan, J. B. Fuller, J. W. 
 Warder, Joseph Maple, F. M. Ellis, J. E. Chambliss, J. C. Bonham, C. Monjeau 
 and J. E. Roberts, the present pastor. The new house of worship, on the south- 
 west corner of Baltimore avenue and Twelfth street, was built by Col. W. H. 
 Harris, of Cleveland Ohio, as a memorial of Stillman Witt, of Cleveland. It 
 was dedicated February 15, 1881, by Rev. Dr. Bowker, and donated to the 
 society free of all encumbrance. The church is built in the Elizabethan style, is 
 richly finished and handsomely furnished, and has a seating capacity of over four 
 hundred. The church has steadily increased in numbers, the present member- 
 ship being two hundred and fifty. The Sabbath school is in a prosperous condi- 
 tion, having an average attendance of nearly two hundred. The annual contribu- 
 tion of the church amounts to four thousand dollars. 
 
 CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The Central Presbyterian Church, in its original elements and organization, 
 dates with the year 1857. A preliminary meeting was held in the old Barclay 
 residence then standing on the bluff, near the southeast corner of Delaware and 
 Third streets, and at that time a petition was agreed upon to be presented to the 
 Presbytery of Lafayette, asking for the appointment of a commission to organize 
 a Presbyterian church at Kansas City — the pioneer of its denomination. In re- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 583 
 
 sponse to this request, and by appointment of Presbytery, Revs. Symington and 
 Bracken met with the original members first constituting the church and com- 
 pleted its organization in May, 1857, at the old Seminary home of Prof. Thomas, 
 now remaining between Delaware and Wyandotte, on Fifteenth street. About 
 two-thirds of this first membership are yet living, and remain members of the 
 present Central Church. Rev. Robert S. Symington, now residing in California, 
 was the first minister who served the congregation, continuing about three years, 
 and was followed by Rev. John Hancock, Rev. George Miller and Rev. Robert 
 Scott, with others, filling up the period to 1865, when Rev. J. L. Yantis, D. D. 
 (now a resident of Lafayette county. Mo.), was invited to preach and finally took 
 charge of the church in October, 1865. with encouraging prospects. The mem- 
 bership had increased from the original ten or twelve to almost fifty at the begin- 
 ning of the year 1866. The first house of worship regularly occupied was located 
 on Third street, between Main and Walnut, which, after several years, be- 
 came unsuitable, services being for a time held in other places; and the congre- 
 gation were worshiping in Long's Hall, on Main street, when a lot was procured, 
 and, during the ministry of Dr. Yantis, a comfortable frame church was erected 
 on Grand avenue near Ninth street. About this time a number of members sep- 
 arated from this church, forming a new organization, now known as the First 
 Presbyterian church, and which consequently participates in a common history 
 up to that time. In 1868, Dr. Yantis, having resigned his charge, was succeeded 
 by Rev. , J. M. Cheney, who, with others, supplied the pulpit until August, 
 1869, when Rev. A. D. Madeira was called and finally duly installed as pastor, con- 
 tinuing in that relation nearly twelve years. In July, 1869, initiatory steps were 
 taken to secure a location and build thereon a permanent and more commodious 
 house of worship, adapted to the requirements of an increasing congregation. 
 Selection was finally made and subscriptions obtained to build the substantial and 
 tasteful brick edifice now located on the southwest corner of Grand avenue and 
 Eighth street, completed about ten years ago, which is now known as the Central 
 Presbyterian church. 
 
 The first duly elected officers of this church, in 1857, were W. P. Allen and 
 C. M. Root, as elders, and J. C. McCoy and S. J. Piatt, as deacons, all of whom, 
 with one exception, are still living, and remain members therein. 
 
 Its present officers are : Elders — Geo. R. Peake, G. Bird, T. K. Hanna, T. 
 B. Lester, T. P. Boteler, J. W. Byers and J. M. Love. 
 
 Deacons— C. D. Lucas, Wm. Peake, Wm. C. Duvall, W. H. McGillivray, 
 T. F. Willis and W. S. Bird. 
 
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 Perhaps none of the religious denominations of Kansas City have had more 
 financial disabilities to contend with than the First Presbyterian Church. Their 
 building has been destroyed by fire and storms at different times, necessitating an 
 unusual outlay for building purposes, and in a measure retarding the growth of 
 their church. No less than four church edifices have been erected since the first 
 organization in 1857, at an expenditure of over eighteen thousand dollars. The 
 original site for the church was on Wyandotte street near Seventh, but after the 
 destruction by fire of the third building, the location was abandoned, the lots were 
 sold and property purchased on Grand avenue, where the present building was 
 erected in the winter of 1869-70, under the pastorate of Rev. Robert Irwin. The 
 society expended about three thousand dollars in the erection of this church, ex- 
 clusive of the amount invested in the purchase of lots. Since then the building 
 has been enlarged and improved, the membership increased, and the society is 
 now in a prosperous condition. The fund annually contributed by the church 
 is over four thousand dollars, and the present valuation of church property is 
 about ten thousand dollars. The present building will not long suffice for the 
 
584 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 increasing needs of the congregation, and the erection of a larger house of 
 worship is under contemplation. The church was organized with fifteen charter 
 members, and this number has been increased to three hundred and fifty. The 
 Sunday-school is large and well attended, and the exercises conducted in an 
 interesting manner. About three years ago the services of Rev. S. B. Bell were 
 secured, as pastor, and under his ministrations the church has rapidly extended 
 its influence, and the present outlook is very encouraging. 
 
 SAINT Mary's church. 
 
 This parish was among the early organizations of Kansas City, and the 
 earliest of the Episcopal denomination. In the year 1857 Rev. J. I. Corbyn first 
 began his labors here," and in December of this year organized the society long 
 known as St. Luke's. Parish. The communicants were few in number, but soon 
 commenced operations for building a house of worship. A lot was donated and 
 the foundations of a building were laid, but eventually the work was abandoned, 
 and Mr. Corbyn resigned his pastorate. In i860 Rev. C. M. Calloway was called 
 to take charge of the work already begun, and from this time services were held 
 regularly in a hall on Market street, until the beginning of the war, when the 
 members became scattered and regular services were suspended for a period of 
 nearly four years. In the spring of 1865 efforts were made to gather the scattered 
 members together and in the fall of that year Rev. Joseph Wood, of Coldwater, 
 Michigan, commenced services, and received a unanimous call to the rectorship 
 of the church. He commenced his regular labors in January, 1866. The 
 services were at this time conducted in the M. E. Church every Sabbath after- 
 noon. 
 
 On Easter Day, April ist, 1866, for the first time in five years, the full 
 service of the church was rendered. On this occasion an organ was used by the 
 choir, being the first instrument of the kind ever used in Kansas City. In 1867 
 arrangements were completed for the erection of a neat frame building at the 
 corner of Walnut and Eighth streets, which was finished and ready for occupancy 
 in August of the same year. A Sabbath school was organized and the regular 
 services of the church were conducted in the new house of worship. The conse- 
 cration ceremonies occurred April 29th, 1869, Right Rev. C. F. Robertson, 
 Bishop of the Diocese, officiating. The church was enlarged to its present 
 dimensions in 187 1, and now has a seating capacity of five hundred. Rev. Van 
 Antwerp succeeded Mr. Wood as rector, and he was followed by Rev. Geo. C. 
 Betts. At the expiration of his pastorate Rev. M. E. Buck was called and re- 
 mained with the church but a short time, when death brought his labors to an end. 
 Rev. H. D. Jardine then took charge of the work and still presides over the 
 church. There is now a membership of three hundred and twenty, and the 
 society is in a prosperous condition. The Sabbath-school is well attended and 
 gradually gaining in numbers. In 1879 the name of the church was changed 
 from St. Luke's to St. Mary's and is now known by that name. 
 
 SAINT MARY'S chapel. 
 
 This church was organized as a mission church within the last two years, and 
 is under the charge of St. Mary's Church. A frame building has been erected on 
 East Fourth street, wherein services are regularly conducted by Rev. H. D. 
 Jardine assisted by Mr. Allen. The services are usually well attended and a 
 growing interest manifested in the enterprise. 
 
 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The organization and building of this church occurred at an early date in the 
 history of Kansas City, the society being organized in 1858, and the church erect- 
 ed the following year. From a small beginning the church has increased its mem- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 585 
 
 bership to four hundred and twenty. The original building, situated at the cor- 
 ner of Twelfth and Main streets, and which was used by the congregation for 
 upward of twenty years has recently been removed, and the society have secur- 
 ed a desirable lot on the northwest corner of Eleventh and Oak streets, where a 
 new house of worship will be erected during the present year, at a cost of $27,- 
 000. It is to be built of brick, with stone trimmings, and will have a seating ca- 
 pacity of eight hundred. Rev. J. Z. Taylor is the present pastor of the church. 
 His pastorate has been long and successful, and through his earnest and untiring 
 efforts, both the spiritual and temporal affairs of the church have been steadily 
 advanced. Revs. H. H. Haly, G. W. Longan, J. W. Mountjoy and Alexander 
 Proctor have presided over the church as pastors since its organization. 
 
 CHARLOTTE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH (COLORED). 
 
 Is situated on Charlotte street, near Tenth. The church was organized in 1864, 
 Rev. Clark Moore, Michael Jones, J. Wiggins, Thomas Stewart, James Allen, 
 Mrs. Prude Anderson and Mrs. Grace Bell as charter members. The church 
 building was erected in 1872, costing about five thousand dollars, and was dedi- 
 cated in September of the same year, by Rev. S. J. Anderson, of St. Louis. 
 The church has rapidly increased its membership, and now numbers over five 
 hundred, one hundred having been added since January i, 1881. 
 
 Rev. Henry Roberson took charge of the church in 1872. At this time the 
 spiritual and financial condition of the church was not very prosperous, the mem- 
 bership was not large, and the house of worship consisted of a board shanty. 
 Through the labors of Mr. Roberson, the church has greatly advanced in all its 
 relations, and his ability for carrying forward the work has bean fully demonstra- 
 ted by the success which has crowned his labors here and elsewhere. 
 
 Mr. Roberson was born a slave in 1839, near Charlottsville, Virginia, and 
 was brought to Sahne county, Missouri, by his master when about two years of 
 age, where he lived until 1863. During his servitude he received some private 
 instructions, and had succeeded in acquiring a fair education previous to becom- 
 ing a free man by the Emancipation Proclamation. After obtaining his freedom, 
 he went to Springfield, Illinois, and was engaged in business and farming for two 
 years, when he began a course of study, which he supplemented by a full theolog- 
 ical course. He was ordained to the ministry in 1869, and soon took charge of 
 the Second Baptist. Church at Sedalia, Missouri. He was subsequently called to 
 the church at Lexington, Missouri, where he remained until called to his present 
 charge, 
 
 GERMAN EVANGELICAL ST. PETEr's CHURCH. 
 
 This organization belong to the German Evangelical Synod of North Ameri- 
 ca. The society was organized in the year 1865, with a small membership, con- 
 sisting of about twelve heads of families. The church building is situated on the 
 east side of Walnut street, between Ninth and Tenth streets. It was erected in 
 1866, costing between three and four thousand dollars, is built of brick, and ar- 
 ranged for the accommodation of the pastor's family. The church was dedicated 
 in 1867, by the present pastor, John C. Feil, who also organized the society and 
 was the first pastor of the church. He was succeeded by Henry Kirchhoff, who 
 filled the pastorate until Mr. Feil was again called to take charge of the work. 
 The Sabbath-school is well attended, and also the day school, in which the chil- 
 dren receive religious instruction. The average attendance at both is about eighty. 
 The services of the church are conducted in the German language. 
 
 GRAND AVENUE M. E. CHURCH. 
 
 The present society was organized by Rev. Mr. Nesley, in 1865, and wor- 
 shiped for about a year in an old frame building on Walnut street between Twelfth 
 and Thirteenth streets. Pevious to this, however, in 1863, under Rev. A. H. 
 
586 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Powell, a society of as many as forty members had been gathered in Kansas City 
 and vicinity. The corner of Sixth and Walnut had been secured for a church 
 site, but during the war this society was broken up and the lot sold. 
 
 The society was re-organized in 1865, and was composed of about thirty 
 members. 
 
 Rev. S. G. GrifBs took charge in 1866, and the meetings were held in an 
 upper room of a frame building on Main street, west side, between Eighth and 
 Ninth. During this year a lot on Walnut street was secured for a church, which 
 was afterward disposed of and the present site, corner of Ninth and Grand ave- 
 nue, was purchased. The foundation of the church building was commenced but 
 the work was suspended for lack of funds. 
 
 In the spring of 1867 Rev. J. N. Pierce came to Kansas City and took 
 charge of the society. A wooden tabernacle was built on Delaware street (now 
 Baltimore avenue), near the English Lutheran Church, in which the society wor- 
 shiped until the basement of the church on Grand avenue was so far completed 
 as to admit of occupancy, in which the meetings were held during two years. In 
 the spring of 1869 Rev. Mr. Pierce was succeeded by Rev. J. W. Bushong, who 
 continued as pastor until 1872. During his pastorate the building was completed 
 and dedicated by Doctor, now Bishop, Thomas Bowman in 1870. The cost of 
 the lot and building was about $30,000. A debt of some $7,000 remained on 
 the building. 
 
 The church edifice is built of brick with basement, and audience room 
 above. The dimensions are sixty by ninety feet. 
 
 The following persons have served the society as pastors, since 1872 : Rev. 
 Gilbert De Lamatyr, D. D., Rev. H. R. Miller, Rev. P. P. Ingalls, 1). D., Rev. 
 A. C. Williams and Rev. H. G. Jackson, D. D. 
 
 There are now 450 members and probationers. The Sunday-school, of which 
 W. H. Reed is Superintendent, has an average attendance of about 1,100. 
 
 During the past year the entire debt has been paid. .The contributions to 
 the Missionary Society and other benevolences amounted to $1,155.90, which, 
 with current expenses and indebtedness paid, make the total amount paid by the 
 church last year, $11,247.90. 
 
 The regular yearly expenses — not counting benevolences — is about $3,200. 
 
 SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The Second Presbyterian Church was among the early religious organizations 
 of the city, and encountered many of the vicissitudes incident to the pioneer 
 settlement of the country. The work of establishing a church of this denomina- 
 tion was begun by the New School Presbytery, who sent Rev. Timothy Hill to 
 this field, as the first pastor of the church, after its organization in r865, by Rev. 
 A. T. Norton, D. D. The first house of worship was erected in the spring of 
 1866 and the money needed for this purpose, amounting to nearly four thousand 
 dollars was mostly secured through the eiforts of the pastor, Rev. T. Hill, D. D. 
 
 The organization of the church was completed with ten original members, 
 consisting of T. W. Letton, C. F. Smith, Mrs. Seth Coleman, Mrs. Dr. Aruol- 
 dia, Mrs. Sarah A. Waterman, Mrs. J. K. Cravens, Mrs. Q. N. Smith, Mrs. C. 
 N. Boutin, Miss Mary E. Smith and H. R. Crowell. ,. Four of these members 
 are still connected with the church. In 1869 Dr. Hill relinquished the pastorate 
 to undertake what has since developed into a most successful work in behalf of 
 Home Missions in ^Kansas and New Mexico. He was followed by Rev. C. D. 
 Nott, D. D., and he in turn by Rev. W. M. Cheever, whose pastorate was ter- 
 minated by his death in 1878. Rev. C. C. Kimball, D. D., was then called to 
 the pulpit and for the past three years has discharged the duties of this responsi- 
 ble position in a very acceptable manner, meeting the full requirements of this 
 large and influential congregation. Soon after the commencement of his pas- 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 587 
 
 torate steps were taken to secure a location on which to erect a more commodious 
 house of worship which should meet the demands of the rapidly increasing con- 
 gregation. As a result of these efforts a beautiful site on Central street, valued 
 at $5000, was donated by Mr. S. B. Armour, and generous contributions toward 
 building soon followed, and the work was immediately begun. The foundations 
 are already laid and it is expected the building will be completed during ihe 
 summer and autumn of 1881, as the money needed for the purpose has already 
 been subscribed. It will be in Gothic style, brick, trimmed with stone, fifty- 
 seven feet wide and one hundred and thirty feet long. The main audience room 
 will have a seating capacity of about one thousand. The seats are to be 
 arranged in semi-circles facing the pulpit platform, and the floor will descend in 
 every direction toward the pulpit The interior of the church is to be hand- 
 somely finished and conveniently arranged for Sabbath-school rooms, parlor, 
 kitchen, etc. The cost of the building is estimated at forty thousand dollars, and 
 when completed it will be the largest and most elegant church edifice in Kansas 
 City. 
 
 The prospects of the churgh are more than usually encouraging, and every- 
 thing gives promise of future success. There is now an actual membership of 
 three hundred and forty, and the congregations are large. The Sunday-school 
 is in a fine condition under the management of Dr. E. W. Schauffler, the 
 efficient superintendent, and has an enrolled membership of two hundred and 
 forty. Within the year a mission has been established on Madison avenue 
 which has developed into a work of considerable importance, and services are 
 held regularly every Sabbath, besides the usual Sunday-school exercises. 
 
 AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 Rev. John R. Leving organized this society in the month of October, 1866, 
 with nine original members. Two years from this time the first church building 
 was erected on the southeast corner of Tenth and Charlotte streets, and dedicated 
 in'.iSyi by Rev. J. C. Embry, assisted by Moses Dixon. This building, which 
 cost over ^1,500, was destroyed by fire in 1876, and replaced the same year by 
 a substantial brick edifice at a cost of about $8,000. The church now has a 
 membership of 230, and is gradually paying off an indebtedness of $3,000 in- 
 curred in putting up the present house of worship. Rev. John Turner is now 
 pastor of the church, having labored in this capacity for one year. Under his 
 ministrations the affairs of the society are in a prosperous condition. 
 
 UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 In 1866 Rev. Randall Ross, the well-known western war correspondent, 
 visited Kansas City, and, being a member of the United Presbyterian Church, 
 called upon several families of this denomination. The interest awakened by his 
 visit resulted in a report to the Presbytery which secured the first preaching by 
 this denomination in Kansas City. In 1867 the West Missouri Presbytery ap- 
 pointed Rev. Matthew Bigger, of Warrensburg, Mo. , to canvass the city in the 
 interests of the church, and his report was so favorable that the Presbytery es- 
 tablished a mission station here in April, 1868, which was supplied for a time by 
 the Presbytery, but was turned over to the executive 'committee of the Board of 
 Home Missions in June of the same year, W. C. Williams being the stated 
 supply. The mission grew rapidly, and on March 12th, 1869, the United Pres- 
 byterian congregation was organized with twenty members. Up to this time the 
 services had been held in a school-house, but during this year, at the request of 
 the session, an appropriation of $5,000 had been granted by the General Assembly, 
 a lot was purchased on Walnut street, between Ninth and Tenth, and a church 
 building erected. It was completed and dedicated the third Sabbath in February, 
 1870, by Rev. Robert Irwin, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Kansas 
 City. 
 
588 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 The church now has a membership of seventy-six, and the usual church 
 services are well attended. Rev. D. M. McClellan has been the regularly in- 
 stalled pastor of the church for the past seven years, being called to the charge 
 in 1874. Under his ministry the society has been prosperous, and there has been 
 a manifest increase of spiritual power. 
 
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
 
 In the. early history of Kansas City the conditions of society were unfavorable 
 to the principles held by the Puritans. Still during the border strife and our civil 
 war. Rev. R. D. Parker, then pastor of the Congregational church of Wyandotte 
 did much missionary work in Kansas City, fostering the elements that subse- 
 quently received an organization. In 1866, Rev. Leavitt Bartlett came to Kan- 
 sas City under the auspices of the American Home Missionary Society for the 
 purposes of carrying forward the work already initiated, and of establishing a 
 Congregational church. Congregationalism was very little understood in Missouri 
 at that time, and the field was, in many respects a difficult one. But Mr. Bart- 
 lett undertook his work with a hopeful and earnest spirit, and soon succeeded in 
 effecting an organization. The church was organized January 3d, 1866, the fol- 
 lowing named persons being original members : Rev. Leavitt Bartlett, Mrs. 
 Emily Bartlett, Mrs. Caroline C. Scales, Edward Vaughn, Mrs. Mary C. Vaughn, 
 W. P. Winner, Mrs. Mary Winner, Mrs. D. A. Williams, M. B. Wright and 
 Jonathan Copeland. Five of this number are still connected with the church. 
 The church structure, a frame building, was erected in 1866 at a total expense 
 for building and lot of about $4,500, and the building was enlarged and improved 
 in 1879, at an expense of about $2,000. The original church was dedicated June, 
 24th, 1866, Rev. E. B. Turner, of Hannibal, then Home Missionary agent of Mis- 
 souri, preaching the sermon. The following named persons have, in the order given, 
 been pastors of the church : Rev. Leavitt Bartlett, Rev. E. N. Andrews, Rev. 
 James G. Roberts, and Rev. Henry Hopkins. The Church has purchased an 
 eligible site on the corner of McGee and nth streets, and will soon erect a church 
 building to correspond with the demands of the growing city. 
 
 In the spring of 1880, a committee was appointed with reference to the ad- 
 visability of establishing a mission enterprise in Kansas City, Kansas. As a 
 result of this movement, the Kawsmouth Chapel was built and opened for worship 
 in December, 1880. This chapel has been open for gospel meetings, a sabbath 
 school, a free dispensary, and a reading room. 
 
 Under the pastorate of Rev. Henry Hopkins, the Congregational church has 
 received a steady and vigorous growth, and seems destined to push out other 
 mission enterprises and occupy this important field which is already "white for 
 the harvest." 
 
 ST. Peter's and st. paul's church. 
 
 This is a German Roman Catholic church, situated at the corner of Ninth 
 and McGee streets. The church was built on the petition of the German Catho- 
 lics who desired a church in which their language would be spoken. Rev. 
 Father N. Gross was sent out from St. Louis to establish the new parish. He 
 began his labors in the yea» 1867, and succeded in erecting the present church 
 building. Father Gross remained in charge three years, when he was succeeded 
 by Father Andre who remained nearly two years, when Father E. Zechenter took 
 the charge and is still presiding over the church. Attached to this church is a 
 well attended and prosperous school, called St. Joseph School Society. It was 
 established in 1872. 
 
 FIRST ENGLISH LUTHBRN CHURCH. 
 
 The First English Luthern church is situated on Baltimore avenue, near 
 Eleventh street. It is a neat brick edifice, erected in 1867, costing about eight 
 thousand dollars. It is built in Gothic style, the interior being very tastefully 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 589 
 
 and handsomely finished, and capable of seating two hundred persons, comfort- 
 ably. Recently the society has expended something over twelve hundred dollars 
 in improvements and furniture, which adds much to the comfort and attractions 
 of the church. The church was organized April 4, 1867, with Edward Stine and 
 wife, J. S. Schrell and wife, J. W. Keefer and wife, S. Tholander and wife, 
 Edward Diveley and wife, A. Raub, Daniel Schroll, MeUnda Hendricks and Mary 
 Miley, as charter members. 
 
 In 1868 Rev. Dr. Conrad, of Philadelphia, conducted the dedication services ; 
 Rev. A. W. Wagenshals then being pastor. Since that time Rev. W. H. Steck, 
 Rev. T. F. Dornblaser and Rev. S. S. Waltz have been pastors of the church, the 
 latter having been called in April, 1879, ^^'^ '^ still in charge of this congrega- 
 tion. The church is in a very prosperous condition; has a membership of sixty- 
 five; an interesting Sunday-school of over two hundred pupils, and a rapidly 
 increasing congregation. The pastor. Rev. S. S. Waltz, is greatly beloved by his 
 people, and during his two years' pastorate has been instrumental in greatly ex- 
 tending the influence of the church. 
 
 FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH. 
 
 In the summer of 1868, Henry N. Smith, Agnes Smith, E. D. Parsons, 
 Amos Towle, G. S. Morrison, Alfred Pirtle, Ross Gufifin and Henry A. White, 
 met and organized the First Unitarian society of Kansas City. Soon after the 
 organization the society made arrangements for the erection of a building, which 
 was completed in 1871, at an expenditure of about four thousand dollars. It is 
 situated on Baltimore avenue, near Eleventh street. 
 
 W. E. Copeland was the first pastor who had charge of the organization. 
 After his labors ceased, the pulpit was filled, first by C. E. Webster, then by Enoch 
 Powell and W. S. King. For some time after this there was an interruption in 
 the regular service, during which, the members became somewhat scattered. I n 
 the month of May, 1881, Rev. D. N. Utter was called to take charge of the 
 work, and since that time the society has been rapidly increasing in numbers, and 
 its financial condition greatly improved. At present the congregation is large 
 and attentive, the Sunday-school interesting, and the general affairs of the society 
 in a prosperous condition. The annual contribution of the society is something 
 over fifteen hundred dollars. 
 
 THIRD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 During the latter part of the year 1869 it was decided by some friends of 
 the Presbyterian Church to establish a church in the western part of the city, 
 and measures were immediately taken for this purpose. Rev. T. Hill, T. S. 
 Reeve, G. W. Goodale and Dr. O. S. Chapman were among the number who 
 were actively enga:ged in this enterprise, and in securing funds for the erection of 
 a house of worship. Through their efforts lots were donated at the corner of 
 Fourteenth and Hickory streets, and by March first of the same year, a neat 
 frame edifice had been erected and was ready for occupancy. The original cost 
 of the building was two thousand dollars, eight hundred of which was furnished 
 by the Board of Church Erection, the greater part being raised in the western 
 part of the city. After the completion of the building the church was organized 
 and given the name of the Third Presbyterian Church, and the organization 
 placed under the charge of the Lexington Presbytery, then known as New School. 
 Among the original members were Dr. O. S. Chapman, J. E. Reeve, Mrs. Alice 
 Reeve, Mrs. Jane E. Reeve Mrs. Mary Goodale, Mrs. Mary Mann, Mrs. Anna 
 Stevenson and Miss Mary B. Reeve. Rev. J. H. Byers was the first pastor 
 called to preside over the church. He was ordained and installed January ist, 
 1871, and remained in charge until 1872, when Rev. D. C. Milner became pastor 
 of the church. In 1875 Rev. L. Railsback received and accepted a call to the 
 
590 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 church and has labored successfully in this field up to the present time. The 
 church has been largely prosperous, growing in strength and increasing in num- 
 bers, and gives every evidence of having been founded in wisdom. The present 
 membership exceeds one hundred, while the Sabbath-school, organized in 1870, 
 has increased its numbers to one hundred and fifty. The annual contributions 
 for church expenses exceed one thousand dollars. 
 
 HBERTY STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 In the spring of 1869 P.. G. Siess, A. G. Allen, W. H. Barnes, Chas. Vogt, 
 Joseph Sweeney, Catherine Siess, Mrs. Vogt and Miss Mollie Cozad met for the 
 purpose of organizing the Liberty Street Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. 
 Matthew Sorson was at this time the presiding elder of the district. The organ- 
 ization was completed with Rev. Thomas Walcutt as missionary preacher, and 
 the first meeting and the first quarterly conference were held in a building used 
 for a day school on the corner of St. Louis avenue and Mulberry street, more 
 commonly known as Siess' corner. The church building was commenced in the 
 autumn of 1869, and in the spring of 1870, Rev. A. Waitman was sent by con- 
 ference to take charge of the work. He was the first regular pastor connected 
 with the church. During his pastorate the church was completed. Rev. Dr. 
 George, of St. Louis, presiding at the dedication services in 187 1. At this time the 
 membership had increased to fifty and the church was in a prosperous condition. 
 The first Sabbath-school organized in West Kansas was perfected by the members 
 of this church, and known as the West Kansas Union Mission Sabbath-school. 
 In the summer of 1867, the Sunday-school services were held under the shade 
 trees where the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad freight depot now stands, 
 and the first sermon was preached at this place by Rev. J. N. Pierce. Since its 
 organization, there have been eight pastors connected with the church. Rev. 
 Wesley Johnson being the last. There are now one hundred members and the 
 congregations are usually large. The Sunday-school is increasing in numbers, 
 and has at the present time an average attendance of one hundred and thirty. 
 R. G. Siess is the present superintendent of the school. 
 
 The church edifice is a neat frame building situated on the corner of Liberty 
 and Thirteenth streets. Its original cost was $2,500 and the present valuation is 
 $6,000. A very neat and convenient parsonage has been built at the rear of 
 the church lot. Both church and parsonage are free of debt, and the prospects of 
 the church are encouraging. 
 
 FIRST CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 This church was organized on the 21st day of March, 1878, as a missionary 
 congregation, under the care of the Lexington Presbytery of the Cumberland 
 Presbyterian Church. The following persons were present and united in the 
 organization : Mrs. Love, J. Sharp, Miss J. T. Smithers, Mrs. E. A. Shoemaker, 
 Mrs. O. Q. Mosely, Mrs. Tryphena Venable, Miss Jennie Longworth, Mrs. 
 Caroline Arnold, Mrs. M. M. Harber, Mrs. Jane Lea, Judge R. C. Ewing, 
 WiUiam Arnold, W. J. Shoemaker, Thomas Harber and Rev. J. E Sharp, the 
 missionary. The church building now occupied by the congregation is a small 
 frame building, gothic in style, being 26x40 feet, and was built in the fall of 1869 
 at a cost of about $2 000. During the year 1872 the house was dedicated, Rev. 
 J. E. Sharp preaching the dedication sermon. Rev. James E. Sharp was the first 
 pastor, and served the congregation about four years, when he resigned, and Rev. 
 Walter Schenck succeeded him and served about six months, when he resigned. 
 The congregation was then without a pastor until 1877, when Rev. C. P. Duvall 
 was sent as a missionary, who served one year and a half and resigned. Near 
 six months thereafter the Presbytery called Rev. B. P. Fullerton as the mission- 
 ary, who is yet the pastor. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 591 
 
 The present reported membership is forty-three. The church has suffered 
 many reverses in the change of pastors and in the interregnum between the dif- 
 ferent pastorates. But the present prospects are very encouraging to the 
 congregation. The old property has been sold and a more suitable lot chosen, 
 on whicji a more commodious and attractive building will soon be erected, when it 
 is the purpose of the friends of the enterprise to make the work self-sustaining. 
 
 SIXTEENTH STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 
 
 Is situated on the corner of Sixteenth and Cherry streets. It is a neat frame 
 building, and was first owned by the Missionary Baptist Society, but was bought 
 by the Methodists about the year 1870, for five hundred dollars. It was improved 
 and enlarged to its present dimensions soon after the purchase was made. After 
 its organization by the Methodists, the membership consisted of Messrs. Benson, 
 Campbell, Patterson, Wakeman, Thomas Gray and Henry Godwin. It was 
 first conducted as a mission church, the pulpit being supplied by local preachers. 
 Revs. Campbell, Wakeman and Thomas Gray serving the church in this capacity. 
 The first regularly stationed pastor was I. J. K. Lunbeck, sent from the St. Louis 
 conference. 
 
 He took charge of the church in 1873. Since that time the following pas- 
 tors have been connected with the church : Revs. George Reed, W. V. Hamel, 
 and the present pastor. Rev. Olin B. Jones. The church now has a membership 
 of one hundred and five full members, and seventy on probation. For several 
 years the Sabbath-school has been in a prosperous condition, and now has an 
 average attendance of one hundred and ninety. The present superintendent is 
 James Allen. The valuation of the church property is sixteen hundred dollars. 
 The pastorate of Rev. O. B. Jones expires this year, and the pleasant and har- 
 monious relations existing between him and the church will be severed with feel- 
 ings of deep regret. 
 
 SWEDISH EG. LUTHERAN ELIM CHURCH. 
 
 The organization of this church occurred in the year 1870. Among the 
 original members were P. Nelson, N. Johnson, A. Bergquoist, P. J. Youngquoist, 
 J. A. Johnson, W. Erlandson, S. E. Spencer, J. G. Spencer, A. W. Lonquist. 
 In 1871 a neat frame building was erected on west Fifteenth street, between 
 Broadway and Washington, at a cost of two thousand dollars, and was dedicated 
 the same year. Rev. A. Audreen, from Swedana, Illinois, conducting the cere- 
 monies. The first pastor who had charge of the church was S. J. Osterberg, 
 who remained pastor until Rev. A. Rodell was called to preside over the church. 
 The present pastor, J. P. Neander, has been in charge for the past year, laboring 
 with great acceptance to his people. The church now has a membership of one 
 hundred and forty, besides eighty children, who are also members. The Sunday- 
 school has one hundred and twenty members. Three months in each year a day 
 school is conducted for the purpose of teaching the children the doctrines of the 
 Gospel. The society has commenced the erection of a neat parsonage, which will 
 soon be completed, costing over two thousand dollars. 
 
 GRACE CHURCH. 
 
 This parish was first called St. Luke's Parish, and organized August 29, 
 1870, with about forty communicants. Three years after the first organization 
 the name was changed and it is now known as Grace Church. Previous to the 
 erection of a house of worship the services were held in the basement of the 
 Opera House the greater part of the time, up to the winter of 1874-5 — when the 
 new building was completed and ready for occupancy. The church edifice, 
 erected on the southeast corner of Tenth and Central streets, is a well arranged 
 and neatly finished frame building, costing the society between four and five 
 
592 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 thousand dollars. Within the past year it has been found necessary to enlarge 
 the dimensions of the church to meet the increasing demands of the congrega- 
 tion, and the work will soon be completed. The enlargement will cost about two 
 thousand dollars and will increase the seating capacity to nearly seven hundred. 
 The communicantsnow number two hundred and fifty and the Sunday-school 
 one hundred and fifty. Since the organization of the church the following rec- 
 tors have filled the pulpit : F. R. Haff, Algernon Batte, J. E. Martin, H. C. 
 Duncan and Cameron Mann. The society contributes over four thousand 
 dollars annually for benevolent purposes and incidental expenses. 
 
 CHURCH OF THE ANNUNCIATION OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN. 
 
 This church was organized June 23, 1872, Father Wm. J. Dalton, the 
 present pastor, was appointed by the Archbishop of St. Louis to establish this 
 parish. With the assistance of his people, composed mostly of the laboring 
 classes, he has erected a temporary church, costing over three thousand dollars, 
 and a large and beautiful pastoral residence, costing about four thousand dollars. 
 The property belonging to the parish is valuable and well located. The parish was 
 somewhat embarrassed for a few months during the panic which occurred soon 
 after its organization, but is now out of debt and prosperous. The number of 
 parishioners is estimated at two thousand. There are two schools connected with 
 it, one for boys and one for girls. There is also a Young Men's Benevolent 
 Society attached to the parish which numbers about one hundred. The officers 
 are Wm. J. Dalton, President; Joseph Monahan, Secretary; Patrick Kirby, 
 Treasurer. This church is located in West Kansas, corner of 14th and Wyom- 
 ing streets. 
 
 SAINT Patrick's church. 
 
 In the eastern portion of the city is the handsome brick church edifice 
 belonging to St. Patrick's Parish of the Catholic Church. It is a large and hand- 
 some building and was erected by the voluntary contributions of the friends of 
 the church. Rev. Father Halpin commenced the erection of a substantial church 
 building on the corner of Sixth and Oak streets, which was used many years by 
 the Saint Patrick's congregation. The growth of the city, and the increase of 
 the congregation created a demand for more commodious quarters, and a new 
 church was decided upon during the pastorate of Father Archer. The new 
 building was erected in 1873 ^^'^ the first services were held on Christmas Day. 
 The church is situated at the corner of Eighth and Cherry street and is presided 
 over by Fathers Dunn and Smith. 
 
 trinity church, 
 
 Is a mission enterprise first undertaken by the members of Grace church, 
 under the superintendence of Rev. Mr. Batte. It was organized by him in 1873, 
 with a small membership, but as the society was unable to build and the seruices 
 were conducted at somewhat infrequent intervals there has not been a very en- 
 couraging increase in membership. The mission is now under the charge of St. 
 Mary's church, and the more recent services of the church have been conducted 
 in the Cefiiberland Presbyterian church, by Rev. F. R. Holeman, rector of St. 
 Mary's. The regular services of the society have been discontinued during the 
 past year, but will be resumed as soon as suitable property can be secured and a 
 building erected. 
 
 congregation b'nai jehudah. 
 
 The Jewish Synagogue is a substantial frame building, situated near the 
 corner of Wyandotte and Sixth streets. It was erected in 1875 ^t a cost of seven 
 thousand dollars. The church was completed and dedicated in 1876, the services 
 being conducted by Rev. Emanuel L. Hess. The membership of the church has 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 593 
 
 been increased to one hundred, and the average attendance at the usual church 
 services is good. The annual expenses of the church are between three and 
 four thousand dollars inclusive of pastor's salary. 
 
 The pastors who have been connected with the church since its organization 
 in 1870, with twenty-five original members, are Dr. N. R. Cohen, Emanuel L. 
 Hess, David Burgheim, Dr. I. Grossmann and Dr. E. Eppstein, the present 
 pastor. 
 
 MOUNT OLIVET BAPTIST CHURCH (coLOREd). 
 
 This church was organized by Rev. H. Roberson in 1876, with seven charter 
 members, which have been increased to seventy-five. The services of the church 
 have been conducted in a small building in West Kansas up to the present time, 
 but arrangements have been made for the erection of a brick building on property 
 owned by the society. This church is a mission enterprise, originating in the 
 Charlotte Street Baptist church, and for several years was conducted by this 
 society. Rev. P. T. TuUiver is now pastor of the church. The new house of 
 worship will be situated in West Kansas, in a locality where the needs are great 
 for the extension of religious influence, and where ample opportunity is afforded 
 for Christian labor. 
 
 CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The Calvary Baptist church was organized February 7, 1876, with a mem- 
 bership of thirty-eight. Within two years from the date of its organization, the 
 brick building now occupied by the society, was completed, at a cost of eight 
 thousand dollars, and was dedicated December 2, 1877 — the pastor. Rev. J. E. 
 Chambliss, officiating, assisted by Dr. A. W. Chambliss, Dr. J. C. Bonham and 
 Prof. C. S. Sheffield. The church is now in a prosperous condition ; has increas- 
 ed its membership to two hundred, and has a flourishing Sabbath-school, with an 
 average attendance of one hundred and fifty. The society has in contempla- 
 tion the erection of a more commodious building on the present site, as the 
 increasing needs of the church demand an increase of room, and other facilities 
 for church worship. Rev. J. E. Chambhss, formerly pastor of the First Baptist 
 church, has been pastor of the Calvary church since its organization. J. L. 
 Peak, is the present Sabbath- school superintendent. 
 
 The annual contribution of the church for pastor's salary, church expenses 
 and benevolent objects, average two thousand and five hundred dollars. The 
 church is situated on Grand avenue, near the corner of Eleventh street, and the 
 new house of worship will occupy the remainder of the lot, extending to Eleventh 
 street, and will be adapted to the growing needs of the society. 
 
 CHURCH OF THE REDEMPTORIST FATHERS. 
 
 In the year 1877 the Redemptorist Fathers purchased ten acres of land on a 
 commanding elevation a short distance from the city, on the Westport road. 
 Here they have erected substantial buildings, improved the grounds with walks 
 and gardens, and converted one of the buildings into a spacious chapel, which 
 serves as a church for the Catholics in the vicinity. The pastoral residence of 
 the Father, with the church building and the property belonging to the parish, 
 has a present valuation of $42,000. In connection with this it may be stated 
 that -the total valuation of church property belonging to the Catholics of Kansas 
 City is $343,600. 
 
 WASHINGTON STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 The Tabernacle, as this church was formerly called, was a private enterprise 
 of W. B. Barber, a Methodist layman. He built it during the fall of 1877, and 
 conducted the services as an independent institution for about six months, when 
 he yielded to a pressure brought to bear upon him by a number of Meth odists. 
 
DIAMOND FLOURING MILLS, KANSAS CITY, MO. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 595 
 
 to organize the society into a Methodist Episcopal church. At the time of doing 
 so he deeded the property to five trustees, and continued the pastoral charge for 
 about two years longer, when he resigned, in March, 1880, and Rev. A. C. 
 Williams became pastor and remained in charge until Rev. John R. Eads was 
 called to the position. During the pastorate of Mr. Eads the society felt unable 
 to pay either interest or principal on a $3,000 mortgage, and the church property 
 was sold under foreclosure of same and bought in by Mr. Barber, its originator, 
 for $2,500, and was sold by him to some members of the Walnut street M. E. 
 church, who subscribed the amount needed to place the church out of debt and 
 upon a permanent basis. The church was then organized by this denomination 
 with about twelve members, and Rev. Mr. Scarrett was appointed pastor until 
 the meeting of Conference in the fall, when Rev. George Meredith took charge 
 of the work. The membership has increased to fifty during the year, and the 
 present prospects of the church are very encouraging. .The society is without a 
 pastor at present. 
 
 ZION'S church of the evangelical association of north AMERICA. 
 
 This church is situated on Oak street, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth 
 streets. The organization is of recent date, occurring in 1878 with eleven original 
 members. The building is a neat brick structure, capable of seating three hun- 
 dred people comfortably. The society expended about ^3, 200 in its construction, 
 and had it completed in 1879. The dedication ceremonies occurred in September 
 of the same year. Rev. Mr. Kurtz organized the church and was its first pastor. 
 He was followed by Rev. Henry Mattill, who has recently been appointed to a 
 new field of labor. Rev. S. B. Brown is the present pastor. The membership 
 is now over fifty, and the society is in a prosperous condition. The services of 
 the church are conducted in the German language. 
 
 SECOND christian church. 
 
 The society of this church is, at present, holding services in a rented house, 
 but will, during the present year, complete a house of worship. The lot owned 
 by the society, at the northwest corner of Tenth and McGee streets, is a beauti- 
 ful location for the handsome building in contemplation. Although the organiza- 
 tion of the church is of recent date, occurring in July, 1878, the membership has 
 rapidly increased, and the original number of forty-nine members has more than 
 doubled. Rev. David Walk was the first pastor of the church, remaining one 
 year, when he was succeeded by Prof. A. E. Higginson, who still has charge of 
 the congregation. The society is prosperous, harmonious in action, and earnest 
 in their endeavors for the prosperity and welfare of the organization The Sab- 
 bath-school is well attended and in a flourishing condition. The annual fund 
 contributed for church expenses and benevolent purposes exceeds $2,000. 
 
 ST. Mary's church. 
 
 Rev. F. R. Holeman has been rector of St. Mary's church since its first or- 
 ganization in the year 1879. The original members were C. W. Freeman, J. W. 
 Dunlap, J. F. Ramage, L. B. Austin, G. W. Dunlap, J. M. Lee, F. C. Lee, J. 
 O. Bradenbaugh, P. M. Austin, C. S, Lee, W. H. Lee, Mrs. B. B. Kerr and 
 Mrs. L. B. Austin. The house of worship belonging to the society is situated on 
 the corner of Locust street and East Missouri avenue. It is a neat frame build- 
 ng, erected in the spring of 1880, costing about $1,000. The society has had 
 some serious disadvantages to contend with, as the building was partially destroyed 
 by storm, necessitating considerable outlay for repairs. But the members are 
 hopeful, and are helping to carry forward the work, despite all difficulties, and at 
 present there are good prospects ahead. The membership has increased to forty- 
 five, and the Sunday-school, under the superintendence of J. W. Freeman, is in a 
 
596 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 fine condition, having an average attendance of over sixty, and rapidly in- 
 creasing. 
 
 LYDIA AVENUE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (SOUTh). 
 
 The new church on the corner of Lydia avenue and Ninth street was first 
 opened for service on Sunday, May ist, 1881. Rev. L. P. Norfleet, the pastor, 
 preached a very interesting sermon to a good audience. This church was built 
 during the present year as a mission enterprise of the Walnut Street Methodist 
 church. It is in a part of the city which is being rapidly buDt up, and exactly 
 meets the present demand for the extension of religious influences. It starts 
 under the fairest auspices, and meets with the hearty encouragement and coopera- 
 tion of the people. The church building, though not an extensive edifice, is neat 
 and well adapted to the purpose for which it was intended, and is, to a certain 
 extent, a novelty in church architecture in the West. The building is an octagon, 
 with a high, steep roof in the Gothic style, toned with many elements of Greek. 
 The facade is essentially Greek, as well as the porticos and trimmings. The 
 remainder of the building being Gothic, gives it a very pleasing and unique ap- 
 pearance. 
 
 The dedication services occurred the second Sunday in June, 1881, and 
 were conducted by Dr. E. R. Hendricks, president of Central College, Fayette, 
 Mo. Although the organization of this church is of such recent date, the con- 
 gregations are already large, the services interesting, and the prospects for the up- 
 building of an influential church and society is highly encouraging. 
 
 the MASONIC ORDER. 
 
 Heroine Lodge No. 104, A. F. and F. M., was organized on the twelfth day 
 of December, 1848, and is the oldest lodge in the city. The officers were as 
 follows: Thomas Leonard, W. M.; Geo. B. Dameron, S. M.; B. F. Tubbs, J. 
 W.; W. G. Buckley, Secretary; John Biggerstaff, Treasurer; M. P. Amsbary, 
 Tyler. This lodge has a large and influential membership, the meetings being 
 held on the first and third Mondays in each month. The present officers are : 
 H. B. Ezekiel, W. M.; Jno. Walson, S. W.; A. Trummell, J. W.; E. M. Wright, 
 Secretary; H. Game, Treasurer; Geo. W. Lee, S. D.; John Henry, J. D.; T. J. 
 Hamilton, Tyler. 
 
 Kansas City R. A. Chapter No. 28, holds its regular convocation at Masonic 
 Hall on the first and third Thursday of each month. The charter was granted by 
 the Grand Chapter of Missouri to J. W. McDonald, Geo. E. Pitkins, J. M. 
 Ridge, and several others on May 9, 1869. The total number of names on the 
 register is 218, present membership being 73. The officers are, W. E. Whiting, 
 M. C. H. P.; F. H. Bruce, E. K.; H. G. Russell, E. S.; H. C. Litchfield, Sec- 
 retary. 
 
 Kansas City Lodge No. 220, A. F. and A. M. The charter of this lodge 
 was granted by the Grand lodge of Missouri on the 30th day of May, 1861. W. 
 M. Leftwich, J. T. Moores, B. H. Sevugs and several others being the charter 
 members. Since its organization some 397 names have been enrolled ; the pres- 
 ent membership is 129. The officers are W. J. McCullough, W. M.; J. S. Bots- 
 ford, S. W.; D. H.- Eaton, J. W.; H. C. Litchfield, Secretary. Meetings are held 
 every second and fourth Monday in each month at Masonic Hall. 
 
 Rural Lodge No. 316, F. M. and A. M., was organized in March, 1869. 
 The officers were as follows: B. L. Riggins, S. W.; I. E. Jackson, J. W.; Isaac 
 Stiers, S. D.; J. Johnson, J. D.; W. Smith, Tyler; A. B. Easle, Secretary. The 
 membership is large, being over sixty; some of the above officers still retain 
 their membership. The officers at present are : R. E. Bainbridge, W. M. ; W. 
 G. Ashdown, S. W.; B. W. Warner, J. W.; W. O. Huckett, Secretary; R. E. 
 Peet, Treasurer; Thomas Bell, S. D.; G. S. Peppard, J. D.; C. E. Freidenburg, 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 597 
 
 Tyler. This lodge holds regular meetings on the first and third Wednesday of 
 each month. 
 
 Palace Council, R. & S. M., No. 24, was chartered October 5th, 1877. H. 
 C. Duncan, P. Baker and J. D. A. Cook being among the first members. 
 There are nineteen members. The officers are : P. Baker, D. M. ; H. C. Litch- 
 field, Secretary. The Council meets, at Masonic Hall on the third Tuesday of 
 each month. 
 
 Temple Lodge, No. 29, A. F. & A. M., meets at Masonic Hall every first 
 and third Tuesday in each month. Asa Maddox, W. M. ; J. H. Waite, Sec- 
 retary. 
 
 Oriental Commandery, No. 35, was organized June 3d, 1880, and at present 
 has a membership of between forty and fifty, and is in a flourishing condition. 
 The meetings are held at Masonic Hall, northwest corner of Seventh and Main, 
 over the post-office. Sir J. K. Hardy, Eminent Commander ; Sir S. D Thacher, 
 Generahssimo; Sir A. J. Close, Captain-General; Sir W. P. Moores, Treasurer; 
 Sir W. A. Drowne, Recorder ; Sir A. J. Mead, Senior Warden ; Sir H. C. Parker, 
 Junior Warden ; Sir G. D. Sherwin, Sword Bearer ; Sir N. K. Wager, Warden ; 
 P. Casey, Captain-Guard. The office of Prelate and Standard Bearer are at 
 present vacant. 
 
 Emanuel Chapter Eastern Star, No. 81, meets every first and third Tuesday 
 in each month. Mrs. Chas. Knickerbocker, M. W. ; Wm. McCuUough, W. P. ; 
 Mrs. A. A. Holmes, D. W. M.; Mrs. Wm. McCullough, Treasurer; Mrs. Bell 
 Knickerbocker, Secretary. 
 
 Masonic Board of Relief, is composed of two members of each lodge in the 
 city, with W. M. Potter, President ; W. F. Ford, Secretary and Treasurer ; R. 
 C. Crowell, D. D. G. M.; J. H. Ward, D. D. G. L. Meetings are held in 
 Masonic Hall. 
 
 Kansas City Commandery K. T., No. 10, hold their regular conclave at 
 their Asylum, Masonic Hall, on the second and fourth Thursdays of each month 
 at seven p. m. H. C. Litchfield, E. C; W. J. Connely, Secretary, 
 
 ODD FELLOWS. 
 
 Kansas City Lodge, O. F., No. 257.— Meets at their hall, 531 Main street, 
 every Saturday evening. C. M. Clark, N. G.; Chas. Long, Secretary. 
 
 Wyandotte Lodge, No. 35.— H. H. Swift, N. G.; W. L. Mitchell, Secretary. 
 Meets every Tuesday evening, at 7 p. m., at 531 Main street. 
 
 Lincoln Lodge, No. 173.— Jno. H. Warneke, N. G.; H. W. Zurn, Secretary. 
 Meets Monday evenings at Odd Fellows Hall. 
 
 Kansas City Encampment, No. 27.— T. P. Skinner, C. P.; N. Schwartz, 
 Scribe. Holds its meetings on the second and third Thursdays in each month. 
 
 Relief Committee consists of W. N. McDearmon, R. Harburg, N. Schwartz. 
 
 Riverside Lodge, Knights and Ladies of Honor.— Meets at Knights of Pyth- 
 ias Hall, on the second and fourth Thursday nights of each month. Mrs. Mary 
 Randall, Secretary. 
 
 Knights of Honor, Kansas City Lodge, No. 1255.— Meets at Knights of 
 Pythias Hall, on first and third Thursday evenings of each month. A. Lynch, 
 Reporter. 
 
 Gate City Lodge, No. 1256, K. H.— Meets first and third Wednesdays of 
 each month, at K. of P. Hall, 617 Main street. R. Lampe, P. D.; Dr. G. Hoff- 
 mann, Secretary. 
 
 Uhland Lodge, No. 416, D. O. H., Kansas City, Kansas.— Herman Friese, 
 0. B.; Wm. Rose, Secretary; E. G. Pueschel, D. D. G. B. of Kansas. Meets 
 second and fourth Wednesdays in each month, at Western Hall, 1919 Sixth street, 
 Kansas City, Kansas. 
 
598 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 
 
 Kansas City Lodge, No. i.^ — At a meeting held on the — day of February, 
 1870, in Vaughan's Diamond, a hall located at the junction of Main and Dela- 
 ware streets, Kansas City, Mo , Sol. Smith, Theo. Stritter, C. M. Kendall, H. 
 St. Clair, Chas. Herold, Jacob Bohlender, Henry Scheid, August Weber, Robt. 
 Roth, P. Cooper, S. C. Delme, D. S. Marvin, Sam. Hulme, James DeLuce, 
 Anton Antlaner, G. W. Dyas, W. F. Marshall, Oscar Persons, Geo. R. Filer, 
 L. M. Thompson and S. Brill met for the purpose of considering the propriety 
 of organizing a lodge of the Knights of Pythias in Kansas City, Mo. Peter L. 
 Cooper was elected as Chairman, and Mr. Robert Roth as Secretary. It was 
 resolved unanimously that application be made to organize a lodge in this city, 
 to be known as Kansas City Lodge No. i, K. of P., of Missouri. 
 
 The application list was forwarded on the 2 2d of February, with forty-five 
 signatures, by Robert Roth, the Secretary pro tern., who was also a member of 
 Tremont Lodge No. 128, of Tremont, Pennsylvania. 
 
 In pursuance to a call from the Secretary, the applicants met at Vaughan's 
 Diamond at eight o'clock on the evening of March 3d, 1870, Robert Roth being 
 called upon to preside. 
 
 Pursuant to adjournment and call the following named persons, who had 
 signed the application for a dispensation to organize Kansas City Lodge No. i, 
 met at Good Templars' Hall on the evening of May 5th, 1870, for the purpose of 
 perfecting the organization of said Lodge, viz : Robert Roth, J. E. Neal, Sam. 
 Hulme, Sol. Bertenstein, M. H. Card, August Weber, Henry Scheid, Theodore 
 Stritter and F. A. Taft. 
 
 Past Grand Chancellor John Q. Goss, of Nebraska, was also present, and 
 stated that Supreme Recording and Corresponding Secretary Clarence M. Barton, 
 of the District of Columbia, had forwarded to him the appHcation for said lodge 
 at Kansas City, Mo., with the dispensation granted, authorizing him as special 
 deputy to organize and institute said lodge, and that he was now here for that 
 purpose. He then called the meeting to order and proceeded to perform the 
 duties assigned him. 
 
 D. S. C. Goos, appointed Bro. J. E. Neil as Grand Venerable Patriarch, 
 Bro. Roth as Grand Vice-Chancellor, and Bro. Sam'l Hulme as Grand Recording 
 and Corresponding Secretary. Bros. Wm. Schmahlfeldt and J. B. Guentzer, of 
 Humboldt Lodge No. 2, of Illinois were appointed as Grand Guide and Grand 
 Inner Steward, respectively. 
 
 The Deputy Sup. Chancellor administed the obligations of the three ranks 
 to Messrs. M. H. Card, August Weber, Sol. Bertenstein and Theo. Stritter, after 
 which he opened a Lodge of Knights of Pythias with the ofificers above named, 
 and filled the remaining offices as follows: Bro. M. H. Card, G. F. S.; Bro. A. 
 Weber, as Grank Banker; and Bro. Bertenstein, as G. O. S. 
 
 The three degrees were conferred in ritualistic form on Messrs. F. A. Taft 
 and H. Scheid. 
 
 Deputy Sup. Chancellor Goss presented the cards of Bros. Roth, Neal and 
 Hulme, which were placed on file, and on motion it was resolved to go into the 
 nomination and election of ofificers for said lodge. The result of the ballot at 
 said election was as follows : 
 
 For Worthy Chancellor, Robert Roth; for Vice-Chancellor, Samuel Hulme; 
 for Venerable Patriarch, J. E. Neal; for Recording Secretary, M. H. Card; for 
 Financial Secretary, Sol. Bertenstein ; for Banker, August Weber ; for Guide, 
 Henry Scheid; for Inside Sentmel, Theo. Stritter; for Outside Sentinel, F. A. 
 Taft. 
 
 Whereupon Dep. Sup. Chancellor Goss installed the above brethren in 
 their respective offices; and, after making appropriate remarks in regard ,q 
 
 to 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 599 
 
 the great and grand principles on which the superstructure of Pythianism rests, 
 and giving valuable advice and counsel as to the duties of officers and members 
 of the order generally, and this lodge in particular, he closed by declaring Kansas 
 City Lodge No. r. Knights of Pythias of Missouri, duly organized and instituted 
 in accordance with the laws and usages of the order. 
 
 It is proper here to state that of all the original charter members and officers 
 of Kansas City Lodge No. i, but one only remains in the Lodge, that one is P. 
 G. C. Robt. Roth, who has ever since its inception been a live, active and work- 
 ing member of the order and of his lodge, and ever stands ready to lend his aid, 
 influence and energies to the cause of friendship, charity and benevolence. 
 
 This lodge, like most other lodges, has had its times of adversity as well 
 as prosperity; but, although upon several occasions since its institution it 
 had almost given up in despair, by the help of a few brave and valiant knights it 
 has stood the test, and today stands forth as a living monument of the grand 
 principles of friendship, charity and benevolence. 
 
 It would be impossible to give a detailed account of the rise and progress of 
 this lodge from its inception to the present date. Suffice it to say, Kansas City 
 Lodge No. I is now in the height of her glory, with a membership of about one 
 hundred and twenty good, trie and tried knights, her exchequer is in fine condi- 
 tion, and she is soon to occupy one of the finest halls in the State. All of her 
 members are live, active business men, and all are possessed with earnest love 
 and ardent zeal for her success and that of the Order throughout the world. 
 
 Meetings are held at their hall, northwest corner of Main and Eleventh 
 streets, on Monday evening of each week. John Conlon, K. of R. and S. 
 
 At a meeting of Kansas City Lodge No. i, which was held June 7, 1881, a 
 communication was read from the Supreme Lodge, notifying the lodge that a 
 Grand Lodge would soon be instituted, and authorizing them to elect three past 
 chancellors, as representatives thereto. The result was the election of Thomas 
 Phelan, Robt. Roth and Joseph S. Norman, as representatives. Thus were the 
 first steps taken for the organization of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, which has 
 grown into such a prosperous and influential society. In 1874 this lodge con- 
 solidated with Lucas Lodge No. 9, the membership in both lodges then being 
 but thirty-two. Meetings are held regularly at their hall, northwest corner Main 
 and Eleventh streets. 
 
 The following named Grand Lodge officers reside in Kansas City : R. E. 
 Cowan, Supreme Representative, office is at the Court House; J. F. Spalding, 
 Supreme Representative, at 916 and 918 Main street ; R. H. Mabury, D. D. G. 
 C, at 404 Delaware street. 
 
 The following is a list of the other lodges of this order in Kansas City: 
 
 Sicilian Lodge, No. 39. — This lodge was organized February 11, 1876, with 
 thirty-two charter members, all gentlemen of high social position. The lodge 
 started under very favorable auspices, and its progress has been onward and up- 
 ward from the beginning. The membership has increased rapidly. The lodge 
 meets at 720 Main street, on Friday evening of each week. Present officers: 
 John C. McCoy, C. C; T. S. B. Slaughter, K. of P. and S. 
 
 Kansas City division. No. 3, Uniform Rank. — meets at 720 Main street, the 
 first Thursday of each month. S. B. Prevost, Commander, J. E. Hicks, 
 Recorder. 
 
 Endowment Rank, No. 52. — Meets at 720 Main street, the fourth Thursday 
 of each month. Robert Roth, President, W. J. Ward, Secretary and Treasurer. 
 
 Humboldt Lodge, No. 4 (German). — Meets at 617 Main street, Tuesday 
 evening of each week. Charles Fuchs, C. C, Charles Hiltwein, K. of R. and S. 
 
 GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC. 
 
 McPherson Post, No. 4 — Was organized about one year ago, with twelve 
 
600 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 charter members, and at present has a membership of over two hundred. This 
 Post is not of a political character, being purely benevolent in its aims. The pres- 
 ent officers are : Frank Snow, Post Commander, N. M. Gwynne, Adjutant, of 
 the Post, Mr. Wade, V. P. C, Dan Kern, 2nd V. P. C, Thomas Clowdsley, 
 Chaplain. Meetings are held every second and fourth Wednesday evenings in 
 each month, at 1301 Grand avenue. 
 
 THE ORDER OF MUTUAL PROTECTION. 
 
 Kansas City Lodge, No. 11 — Meets every second and fourth Monday even- 
 ings in each month, at the corner of Grand avenue and Thirteenth streets. Presi- 
 dent, Asa Maddox, Secretary, E. Willoth, 
 
 Excelsior Lodge, No. 16. — Meets every second and fourth Friday evenings 
 in each month, on Main street, northwest corner of Eleventh. 
 
 ANCIENT ORDER OF DRUIDS. 
 
 Kansas City Lodge, No. 30. — Fred. Buehler, Noble Arch, Henry Hartraan, 
 Junior Noble Arch, Fred. Weiss Secretary, Charles Zorn, Treasurer. 
 Meetings are held every Tuesday evening at 1301 Grand avenue. 
 
 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS. 
 
 Edward Berg, Secretary, J. H. Simms, Treasurer. Meets first and third 
 Wednesdays of each month, at 1215 West Twelfth street, West Kansas. 
 
 GOOD TEMPLARS. 
 
 Rising Star Lodge, No. 148. — Holds regular meeting every Saturday even- 
 ing in K. of P. Hall, 720 Main street. Charles Terry, W. C. T., James Fair- 
 man, W. Secretary, J. M. Greenwood, G. L. D. 
 
 ORDER OF CHOSEN FRIENDS. 
 
 No. I Metropolitan.- — Meets every Tuesday^ evening, south side of Thir- 
 teenth, between Main and Walnut. D S. Harriman, C. C.; S. S. McGibbon, 
 recorder ; John Shaw, Treasurer. 
 
 Harmony, No. 3.. — Meets every Thursday evening at 710 Main. S. H. 
 Anderson, C. C. ; R. S. Todd, Recorder ; D. B. Holmes, Treasurer. 
 
 Pioneer, No. 4. — Meets every Friday evening at 13 15 West Ninth street. 
 W. D. Buck, C. C. ; James Gilchrist, Recorder. 
 
 Irish Benevolent Society. — Meets on the first Sunday in each month, south- 
 west corner Seventh and Oak streets. Jeremiah O'Dowd, President; Bernard 
 Owens, Vice-President; James Burk, Treasurer; Wm. Hanloy, Secretary; Hugh 
 Reiley, Corresponding Secretary. 
 
 Ancient Order of Hibernians. — Meets on the first Monday of each month at 
 their hall, northeast corner Main and Seventh streets. Michael White, Presi- 
 dent; George Dugan, Vice-President; Michael Madick, Secretary; Thomas Con- 
 way, Treasurer. 
 
 KANSAS CITY ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 
 
 The Kansas City Academy of Science was organized December 2, 1875. 
 When Prof. John D. Parker, the originator of the Kansas Academy of Science, 
 moved to Kansas City in the summer of 1875, ^^ determined to effect another 
 organization on the same general plan, believing that the two societies would mu- 
 tually strengthen each other. After conferring with citizens possessing scientific 
 procHvities, he pubHshed several articles on the subject calling public attention to 
 the importance of effecting such an organization at an early period. In Novem- 
 ber of the same year he circulated the following call for the organization of the 
 Academy : 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 601 
 
 Kansas City, Mo., November 13, 1875. 
 We, the undersigned, desirous of giving a more systematic direction to scien- 
 tific pursuits, and of securing the advantages arising from association in scientific 
 investigation, do hereby invite all persons interested in science to meet in the 
 parlors of the Coates House, on Thursday evening, November 18, 1875, to or- 
 ganize an Academy of Science for Kansas City and vicinity. 
 
 W. H. REED, R. T. VAN HORN, 
 
 H. H. WEST, JOHN D. PARKER, 
 
 EDWARD H. ALLEN, J. V. C. KARNES, 
 W. H. MILLER, JAMES G. ROBERTS, 
 
 L. K. THACHER, J. M. GREENWOOD, 
 
 THOMAS J. EATON, GEORGE HALLEY, 
 M. MUNFORD, W. W. BLOSS, 
 
 CHAS. E. LOCKE, JOHN C. MOORE. 
 
 In pursuance of the above call about thirty gentlemen assembled in the parlor 
 of the Coates House, where a prehminary organization was effected, and a com- 
 mittee consisting of E. H. Allen, P. Lucas and J. D. Parker, appointed to draft 
 a constitution and by-laws. The meeting adjourned for two weeks at the call of 
 the committee on constitution and by-laws. 
 
 The regular adjourned meeting of the persons agreeing to form an Academy 
 of Science, for Kansas City and vicinity, was held in the High School building, 
 December 2nd, 1875. The committee on constitution and by-laws then made 
 their report which was accepted, and, after thorough discussion and amendment, 
 was adopted. The following named persons then signed the constitution : R. T. 
 Van Horn, A. R. French, Henry A. White, Dr. George Halley, E. Case, Jr. , 
 Dr. J. H. Ridge, Philander Lucas, H. W. Ess, Harry P. Child, H. H. West, Dr. 
 C. D. McDonald, Dr. J. S. Teed, G. W. Fitzpatrick, Dr. John Wilson, L. 
 Traber, D. M. McClellan, B. L. Woodson, Dr. T. J. Eaton, W. H. Sibert, E. 
 P. West, Theo. S. Case, W. E. Winner, James Scammon, W. H. Miller, M. D. 
 Trefren, D. Ellison, Rev. A. M. Colver, John D. Parker, P. S. Mitchener, C. 
 S. Sheffield, Dr. John Fee, W. P. Wade and C. N. Brooks. 
 
 The following named officers were elected for the current year : 
 
 E. H. Allen, President; R. T. Van Horn, Vice-President; C. S. Sheffield. 
 
 Secratary; James G. Roberts, Treasurer; Curator and Librarian, 
 
 Ermine Case, Jr., T. J. Eaton, Dr. J. L. Teed and J. D. Parker, were elected 
 members of executive committee. At a subsequent meeting the office of Corre- 
 sponding Secretary was created, and Col. Theo. S. Case was elected to fill said 
 office, which he has held, by successive elections, to the present time. At the 
 annual meeting. May 29th, 1877, R. T. Van Horn was elected President, which 
 office he still holds by succesive elections. 
 
 At the annual meeting. May 31st, 1881, the following officers were elected 
 for the current year : 
 
 R. T. Van Horn, President ; W. H. Miller, Vice-President ; T. J. Eaton, 
 Treasurer; Theo. S. Case, Corresponding Secretary ; J. D. Parker, Recording 
 Secretary; Harry Child, Curator; Sidney Hare and Dr. R. Wood Brown, Assis- 
 tant Curators ; Robert Gillham, Librarian. Dr. T. J. Eaton, Dr. George Halley, 
 Maj. B. L. . Woodson and John D. Parker are members of the executive com- 
 mittee. 
 
 The Academy has two functions, (i) to increase a knowledge of science by 
 original observation and investigation, and (2) to diffuse a knowledge of science. 
 Located in a large and growing commercial center the Academy has assumed 
 to a considerable extent, a popular character, and many valuable papers have 
 been read which in due time will be gathered up and published in the permanent 
 Transactions. And the Academy has already done some original work worthy 
 of mention. The discovery of the Mounds in Clay county by Judge E. P. 
 
602 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 West, Vice-President, and their development 'uiider the auspices of the Academy- 
 has been a work worthy of any scientific body. The Academy has made some 
 valuable collections and has a growing library. The influence of the Academy 
 in diffusing a scientific spirit is beginning to be felt throughout the city and its 
 immediate vicinity. 
 
 woman's christian association. 
 
 The Woman's Christian Association organized in the year 1876, has 
 increased rapidly in membership, and extended its benevolent work to all parts 
 of the city. The society now owns a valuable building lot and will soon com- 
 mence the erection of a suitable and permanent building. The benevolent work 
 accomplished by the society is beyond estimation and has been met and per- 
 formed in the spirit of true Christian charity. The present officers of the 
 society are : Mrs. F. M. Black, President; Mrs. J. K. Cravens, and Mrs. F. J. 
 Baird, Vice-Presidents ; Mrs. H . M. Holden, Treasurer ; Mrs. Wm. Williamson, 
 Secretary. 
 
 THE CRAIG rifles 
 
 Were organized in the year 1877. The first military officers were J. N. Dubois, 
 Captain ; E. V. Wilkes, First Lieutenant ; John Conover, Second Lieutenant ; 
 John Duncan, Third Lieutenant. The Civil officers were J. A. Cooper, Presi- 
 dent; W. J. Herry, Vice-President; Geo. E. Leach, Secretary; W. H. Winants, 
 Treasurer. The present officers are John Conover, Captain ; John A. Duncan, 
 First Lieutenant ; Wm. Peake, Second Lieutenant. The office of Third Lieu- 
 tenant has been abolished. The present civil officers are Milton Moore, Presi- 
 dent ; Chas. W. Freeman, Vice-President ; E. G. Moore, Secretary and Treas- 
 urer; C. A. Brown, Assistant Secretary. The Staff officers are S. T. Smith, 
 Adjutant; M. A. Bogie, Surgeon; T. F. Cakes, Commissary; C. E. Kearney, 
 Quartermaster; C. H. Prescott, Ordinance Officer; A. D. Madeira, Chaplain. 
 
 miscellaneous societies, clubs, etc. 
 
 Kansas City Medical Society — A. B. Sloan, M. D., President: D. R. Por- 
 ter, M. D., Vice-President; J. H. Van Eman, M. D., Secretary. Meets bi- 
 monthly, in Dr. Sloan's office. 
 
 Jackson County Medical Society. — Dr. C. D. McDonald, President ; Dr. 
 A. B. Spruill, Vice-Presi'^ent; Dr. M. A. Bogie, Secretary and Treasurer. 
 
 Homoeopathic Medical Society of Kansas City. — Meets first and third Tues- 
 days of each month. J. Feld, M. D., President; B. Baker, M D., Vice-Presi- 
 dent; W. H. Jenney, M. D., Secretary. 
 
 Histo-pathological Society — Meets semi-monthly at 120 west Ninth street. 
 F. B. Tiffany, President; A. Jameson, Vice-President; R. T. Shaw, Secretary 
 and Treasurer. 
 
 Kansas City Gun Club. — Meets monthly at the Exposition Grounds. J. K. 
 Stark, President; George C. Sharp, Secretary; J. H. McGee, Treasurer. 
 
 Kansas City Amateur Shooting Club. — J. S Chase, President; J. E. Guin- 
 otte, Secretary; Al. Walmsley, Treasurer. Meets on the second Monday of each 
 month, at No. 10 West Fourth street. 
 
 The Caledonian Society. — Meets at 814 Main street, Tuesday evenings. John 
 H. Mc Arthur, Secretary. 
 
 Arion Singing Club. — Meets at Turner Hall every Tuesday and Thursday 
 evening. F. A. Nichy, Secretary; Henry Steubneroch, President; Adolph Ott, 
 Treasurer. 
 
 Orphen^ Club. — C. A. Rollert, President; Alexander Lux, Secretary. 
 
 Fritzreuter Club. — Meets at Diamond Building, 822 Main street, every sec- 
 ond Thursday. J. H. Paulsen, President; Henry B. Toelle, Recording Secre- 
 tary; Wm. Schultz, Financial Secretary. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 603 
 
 Young Men's Christian Association. — Organized May 21, 1876. The first 
 officers of the organization were : John Doggett, President ; J. L. Whittemore, 
 Secretary; J. W. Byers, Treasurer. Present officers: W. McDonald, President; 
 A. G. Trumbull, Vice-President; J. W. Byers, Treasurer; C. Mainhart, Corre- 
 sponding Secretary; C. E. Paxon, General Secretary. Meetings are held at the 
 rooms, 718 Main street, the first Tuesday in each month. Religious meetings 
 weekly. 
 
 Railroad Young Men's Christian Association. — Rooms, 1054 Union avenue, 
 opposite west end of Union Depot. Officers: W. H. Reed, President; J. M. 
 Lee, Treasurer ; H. F. Williams, General Secretary. Meets every month. Re- 
 ligious meetings weekly. 
 
 B'nai Brith Society. — M. Benas, Secretary; Julian Haar, Treasurer. Meets 
 second and fourth Mondays in each month, in Good Templars Hall. 
 
 Olympic Club. — This society was organized during the winter of 1881 with a 
 large membership. It has increased in numbers and influence since its com- 
 mencement, and has been successful in carrying out the object aimed at in its 
 organization: namely the encouragement of physical culture and social intercourse. 
 Meetings are held regularly every month in their rooms in the Ridge building on 
 Main street opposite Eleventh street. They now have one hundred and thirty 
 members. The present officers are: T. B. Bullene, President; J. W. Sifyder, 
 First Vice-President; G. M. Dean, Second Vice-President; C. C. Courtney, 
 Secretary; M. O. Dean, Treasurer; Dr. W. B. Sawyer, Captain. These officers 
 are members of the Board of Directors, ex-offic'io. Besides these are three mem- 
 bers of the club: W. N. Allen, E. P. Burroughs, W. E. Taylor, who constitute 
 the Board. 
 
 For the following history of the schools, we are indebted to Prof. J. M. 
 Greenwood : 
 
 SKETCH OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM FROM 1867 TO 1882. 
 
 In 1865, Missouri, shattered and bleeding at every pore, was without a pub- 
 lic school system. Private schools and colleges, which had flourished in other 
 years, had been abandoned, or were eking out a precarious existence. Even the 
 State University scarcely had life enough to open its hall doors for the admission 
 of students. During the strife, which had raged for four years with merciless 
 fury, and devastated all parts of the State, the minds of the people had been di- 
 verted from all peaceful and ennobling pursuits; their affections alienated so that 
 neighbor not unfrequently regarded neighbor with feelings of suspicion and dis- 
 trust, and at times with intense hatred. Society was torn asunder, and amid the 
 general convulsion, the education of the youth was almost entirely neglected. 
 The children were growing up illiterates, and unless something could be done, 
 and that speedily, a cloud of ignorance would soon overshadow the whole State. 
 At this crisis, laws were enacted, specifying how to organize country, village, 
 town ,and city schools ; also the mode of levying taxes for buildings and school 
 purposes, and how to collect the same. The duties and qualifications of school 
 officers and teachers were clearly set forth. 
 
 This was a new chapter in the history of Missouri. The measure met with 
 violent opposition in many sections of the State. The conflict raged in town 
 and country. In some localities the citizens positively refused to organize for 
 school purposes, and displayed their hostility to the measure in various ways. 
 
 The press, the public educator, in some counties fell in with the opposition or 
 maintained a lofty silence. Kansas City fared no better than other localities. 
 Public opinion was divided here as elsewhere. Business interests and industries 
 of the west and south drew people here from all sections of the Union. When 
 they came they made their homes among a generous and noble-hearted people. 
 The rankling passions which other and bitter years had produced, were soon 
 
604 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 extinguished or hushed in silence. . Reason, parental love, and philanthropy pre- 
 vailed. Schools must be established and the children educated, was the decision 
 of the majority. 
 
 Thus matters stood when the Kansas City School District was organized 
 under an act entitled : " An act authorizing any city, town or village to organize 
 for school purposes, with special privileges," approved March 15, 1866; also an 
 act entitled : "An act authorizing any city, town or village to organize for school 
 purposes with special privilege," approved March 19, 1866. 
 
 By virtue and under the authority of this act, the Board of Education of 
 Kansas City was organized August i, 1867, composed of the following gentle- 
 men : W. E. Sheffield, President; H. C. Kumpf, Secretary; J. A. Bachman, 
 Treasurer; Ed. H. Allen, T. B. Lester and E. H. Spalding; J. B. Bradley, 
 Superintendent and teacher in Central school. 
 
 Immediately after the organization of the Board, Mr. Kumpf retired, and 
 Mr. A. A. Bainbridge was chosen to fill the vacancy. There were at this time 
 2,150 children of school age, living within the limits of the school district. There 
 was not a public school building in the city. Disorganization reigned supreme. 
 The city was utterly destitute of all school accommodations, and there was not a 
 dollar available for school expenses. The buildings that could be rented for 
 school purposes were old deserted dwellings, unoccupied store rooms and damp, 
 gloomy basements in some of the churches. But the Board was in earnest, and 
 every effort was made to put the schools in operation. In October, 1867, the 
 schools were formally opened in rented rooms, which had been hastily and 
 scantily furnished. Into these unattractive abodes the children were huddled 
 together to receive instruction. A Sperintendent and sixteen teachers were em- 
 ployed during the year, but as no statistics of the school work are found in the 
 records, it is impossible to give a satisfactory account of what was done. If the 
 work in the schools was unsatisfactory, the energy of the Board was unabated. 
 Preparations for a grand work continued. Sites were purchased, bonds issued 
 and school houses erected. The rapid and marvelous growth of the city, while 
 it brought a large influx to the school population, did not produce a correspond- 
 ing increase in the valuation of the taxable property of the district. 
 
 THE YEAR 1 868-9. 
 
 The school year of 1868-9, with the exception of the improvements in build- 
 ings and the purely business character of the proceedings, has scarcely left a trace 
 in statistical information. Enough is preserved to show positively that the schools 
 were taught, but the superintendent made no report to the Board of Education. 
 What was done, or how it was done, are matters of conjecture. 
 
 One change only was made in the Board. Patrick Shannon was chosen 
 the successor of Mr. Spalding. Prof. E. P. Tucke was elected superintendent, 
 which position he held one year. There was also a tremendous increase in the 
 enumeration of school children. The number reported was 3,287, a gain of fifty- 
 three per cent, over the previous year. At the close of the year twelve rooms 
 belonged to the district and twenty one teachers had been employed. 
 
 THE SCHOOLS — LOCATIONS WHEN ERECTED — ACCOMMODATIONS. 
 
 Washington school, southwest corner of Independence avenue and Cherry, 
 was opened in April, 1868; enlarged in 1869; contains eight rooms, and willseat 
 five hundred pupils. 
 
 Humboldt school, northwest corner of Twelfth and Locust ; opened Novem- 
 ber, 1868; six rooms; branch established in 1875, Eleventh and Locust, three 
 rooms; total, nine rooms; will seat five hundred and forty pupils. 
 
 Central school, southeast corner Eleventh and Locust, was purchased in 
 June, 1869; enlarged in 1875 to nine rooms, and will seat four hundred pupils. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 605 
 
 Franklin school, northeast corner Fourteenth and Jefferson ; opened October, 
 1868; seven rooms, and will seat four hundred and twenty pupils. 
 
 Lincoln school, Ninth street; opened November, 1869; removed in 1878 to 
 Eleventh and Campbell'; six rooms, and will seat four hundred pupils. 
 
 Lathrop school, southeast corner of Eight and May; completed March, 
 1870 ; seven rooms, and will seat four hundred and fifty pupils. 
 
 Morse school, on Charlotte and Twentieth; erected in 1870 and enlarged in 
 1871 ; eight rooms, and will seat five hundred pupils. 
 
 Benton school, northeast corner Thirteenth and Liberty; erected in 1870 
 and enlarged in 1871; eight rooms, and will seat four hundred and eighty pupils. 
 
 Woodland school, eastern part of the district; erected 1871 ; opened in 
 November, 1871 ; four rooms, and will seat two hundred and forty pupils. 
 
 As will be seen, the work on the school buildings was pushed forward with 
 wonderful rapidity. April, i868, the Washington school was ready for the 
 admission of pupils, and before the close of the year the Humboldt and Central 
 schools were ready for occupancy. The Franklin and Lincoln were completed 
 in 1869; the Lathrop, Morse and Benton, in 187 1. 
 
 1869-70. 
 
 Two changes were made in the Board of Educatioil in 1869-70. The retir- 
 ing members were Messrs. Bachman and Allen. Messrs. Craig and Karnes were 
 chosen their successors and have remained in the Board ever since. 
 
 The organization of the Board, September, 1869, was as follows : 
 
 W. E. Sheffield, President; A A. Bainbridge, Secretary; James Craig, 
 Treasurer; T. B. Lester, Patrick Shannon, J. V. C. Karnes. John R. Phillips, 
 Superintendent. 
 
 This school year marks a new era in the history and progress of the schools. 
 Prior to the organization in September. Prof. John R. Phillips was elected Super- 
 intendent, which position he filled till August, 1874. 
 
 The work in the school-rooms was now molded into definite form. Classi- 
 fication and grading, which had been sadly neglected, were enforced at the 
 beginning of the first term ; the teachers were required to adhere as nearly as 
 possible to the tabulated courses of study. History of the United States and the 
 elements of Physiology were now taught for the first time since the organization 
 of the schools. Notwithstanding the one-sided culture which the pupils had re- 
 ceived in former years, the close of the year found the schools in a prosperous 
 condition. The number of pupils enrolled was 3,034 ; average number belong- 
 ing, 2,671 ; average daily attendance, 1,388; per cent, of attendance, 83. 
 
 1870-1. 
 
 The Board, organized September, 1870, was as follows: 
 
 W. E. Sheffield, President; Joseph Feld, Secretary; J. V. C. Karnes, 
 Treasurer; James Craig, T. B. Lester, Henry Tobener. 
 
 The statistics of this year show that it was one of decided progress and in- 
 creased prosperity. The number of pupils was larger, the attendance more 
 regular and punctual, the discipline more healthy and judicious, the instruction 
 more exact and thorough than during any preceding year ; enumeration of school 
 children was 4,046; the enrollment, 3,866; the average number belonging, 
 2,237 ; the average daily attendance, 2,049, ^i^d the percentage of attendance 91. 
 The number of teachers employed was 42. 
 
 1871-2. 
 
 There were some changes in the Board this year. 
 
 W. E. Sheffield, President ; James Craig, Secretary ; J. V. C. Karnes, 
 Treasurer ; Joseph Feld, H. H. Buckner and Henry R. Seeger, members. 
 
606 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 The total number of persons in the district of school age was 5,850; 
 the enrollment, 4,042; average number belonging, 2,295; average daily atten- 
 dance, 2,036; number of teachers employed, 50; percentage of attendance, 91. 
 
 The course of study received some modifications this year. Too much 
 prominence had been given to Geography, and it was discontinued in the two 
 highest grades and Botany introduced instead, which alternated with History of 
 the United States. Some little progress was thought to have been made in vocal 
 music, under a special teacher. The regular teachers, so it appears from the 
 published report of this year, had, with few exceptions, not encouraged the 
 music teacher in his labors. 
 
 Drawing had a worse fate than music. The instruction was not systematic 
 and therefore unproductive of practical results. Superintendent Phillips said: 
 ' ' I see no remedy except in employing a thoroughly competent special teacher to 
 superintendent and direct the teaching of mechanical and object drawing in all the 
 schools." 
 
 1872-3-4. 
 
 No report of the schools was published from 1872 to 1874. The superin- 
 tendent preserved some of the statistics, which indicate continued progress in 
 the quantity and quality of the work. Public sentiment in favor of the schools 
 was forming and crystallizing, and whatever opposition there had once been was 
 rapidly dying out. An effort was made during this period to teach "object les- 
 sons " after the plan proposed by Mr. Sheldon. The results in the lower grades 
 were not satisfactory, and the work in this direction was virtually abandoned. 
 
 When the Board was organized in September, 1872, W. E. Sheffield was 
 elected President; James Craig, Secretary, and J. V. C. Karnes, Treasurer. 
 The other members were T. K. Hanna, Henry R. Seeger and Joseph Feld. 
 John R. Phillips, Superintendent. 
 
 The enumeration of school children in 1872 was 6,198, of whom 4,138 were 
 enrolled in the schools. The average number belonging was 2,361; the average 
 daily attendance, 2,034; the percentage of attendance, 90. There were em- 
 ployed 57 teachers, including the special teachers of music and German. 
 
 The school year of 1873-4 produced the following changes in the Board: 
 Major Henry A. White and Mr. C. A. Chace were elected the successors of W. 
 E. Sheffield and Joseph Feld, the retiring members. The only change in the of- 
 ficers was that Henry A. White was elected President. The Secretary and 
 Treasurer were re-elected. 
 
 teach year the schools continued to improve. The pupils were more regu- 
 lar in their attendance, better discipline was maintained, and there was a per- 
 ceptible improvement in methods of instruction. 
 
 The total number of teachers employed was 56. Enumeration of children 
 of school age, 6,636, a small increase over the preceding year. There were en- 
 rolled in the schools, 4,164 pupils; the average number belonging, 2,517; aver- 
 age daily attendance, 2,328; and percentage of attendance, 91.5. 
 
 SUPERINTENDENT JOHN R. PHILLIPS. 
 
 Supt. Phillips resigned July, 1874, after having charge of the city schools 
 for five years. He found the schools unorganized, ungraded, and each school 
 independent of the others. There was an entire absence of anything like a com- 
 mon unity in the work. He addressed himself dihgently to the reformation of 
 abuses that had crept into the schools, A course of study, such as had the sanc- 
 tion of the best educators of our country, was adopted, embracing seven years 
 for the ward schools and four years for the high school department. As an or- 
 ganizer, Mr. Phillips planned^ and executed well. His entire administration was 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 607 
 
 eminently successful, and he laid a solid foundation at the beginning of his work 
 here to which he conscientiously adhered. 
 
 In his official relations with the Board of Education and the teachers he was 
 always courteous and gentlemanly. His sense of right and justice were two of 
 the most prominent traits of his character, and he carried these ideas into all the 
 practical duties of life. 
 
 November, 1874, after a brief illness. Prof. John R. Phillips died at his resi- 
 dence on Forest avenue. Thus passed away in the prime of his manhood one 
 who had devoted five years to building up of the cause of popular education in 
 Kansas City. His loss was universally deplored by all classes of citizens. 
 
 1874-5- 
 
 In July, 1874, Mr. J. M. Greenwood was elected Superintendent, which 
 position he still occupies. 
 
 For the school year of 1874-5, the officers of the board were unchanged. 
 Mr. R. H. Hunt and Mr. James Craig were elected to fill the vacancies which 
 occurred in September, 1874. The board thus organized was composed of the 
 following gentlemen : Messrs. H. A. White, President ; J. V. C. Karnes, Secre- 
 tary; James Craig Treasurer; Thos. K. Hanna, C. A. Chace and R. H. Hunt. 
 
 Enumeration of school children April, 1874, was 7,738; and the following 
 year 8,144. The number of pupils enrolled was 4,262, an increase of sixty-six 
 over the previous year. Fifty-five rooms were owned by the district. During 
 the year there were fifty-eight teachers employed in the schools. 
 
 Upon taking charge of the schools Mr. Greenwood arranged a syllabus of the 
 course of study that would serve as a guide for the teachers. Using this, the 
 work was systematized in all the grades. Special attention was given to language 
 and composition exercises. To remedy defects in reading the teachers received 
 special drill in phonic analysis. How to teach each branch in the ward schools 
 and how to adapt the instruction to the capacity of the pupils were fully explained 
 at the monthly meetings. 
 
 The plan of promoting upon the final examination only was discontinued ; 
 and promotions were made upon the " mean" average of the writteh examinations, 
 the daily work, and the daily deportment record. Excellent results were pro- 
 duced in the schools, and greater incentives to good conduct established. Self- 
 control became an important factor in school management. 
 
 1875-6. 
 
 The school year opened favorably. Messrs. Hanna and White retired, and 
 Mr. Henry Switzer and Mr. E. L. Martin were elected their successors. 
 
 ORGANIZATION SEPTEMBER, 1875. 
 
 Officers: J. V. C. Karnes, President; Henry Switzer, Secretary; James 
 Craig, Treasurer. Members : J. V. C. Karnes, Robert H. Hunt, James Craig, 
 Henry Switzer, C. A. Chace, E. L. Martin. 
 
 STATISTICS. 
 
 Total number of persons, between six and twenty years of age, 7,126; total 
 enrollment of pupils in the schools, 4,301 ; number of teachers, 60. During the 
 summer the Central school building was erected. The total expenditures for all 
 purposes per treasurer's report, was $87,262.98. 
 
 In methods of instruction the following principles were closely adhered to : 
 
 I. The teacher must understand the entire nature of the pupil to be educated 
 — physically, morally, intellectually, socially and esthetically. 
 
 z. This knowledge can be acquired by studying the body and its relations to 
 the mind and recipurocally. 
 
608 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 3. The subject to be taught must always be adapted to the capacity of the 
 pupil. 
 
 4. In teaching, pass by easy steps from the known to the unknown. 
 
 5. In teaching, first present the concrete phase of the subject before the 
 abstract by addressing both the eye and ear. 
 
 6. Small children, especially, need a great deal of practice and but little 
 theory. 
 
 7. Teach one thing only at a time. 
 
 8. Mark the difference between thorough teaching and exhaustive teaching. 
 
 9. The teacher must know the subject matter to be taught. 
 
 SUMMARY OF THE YEAr'S WORK. 
 
 The work of the year was quite satisfactory. Decided improvement in 
 teaching some of the branches was made, and the instruction in other branches 
 more thorough, systematic and rational than ever before. Reading was better 
 taught, and there appeared to be much greater interest taken in the subject than 
 formerly. The reading of the pupils was, generally, natural, the articulation 
 plain and distinct, and there seemed to be an earnest desire on the part of teachers 
 and pupils to express the sentiments and feelings of the author in appropriate 
 language. 
 
 Perhaps one of the marked improvements was in teaching Geography. This 
 subject in nearly all the schools was brought to a fair degree of perfection. 
 
 The year before, the first attempt was made to teach writing on a scientific 
 basis. Most cheerfully the teachers made the effort, and the rapid progress of 
 the pupils surpassed all expectations. 
 
 Drawing received considerable attention ; many pupils made wonderful prog- 
 ress. As a means of cultivating the hand, the eye, the imagination, the taste 
 to appreciate the artistic in painting, sculpture, architecture, and designs of all 
 kinds, drawing is invaluable. 
 
 Composition by degrees worked its way into all the schools, so that now it 
 was one of the regular exercises of each week. 
 
 During the year a public library, to be under the immediate supervision of 
 the board, and to be as permanent as any other department of the school system, 
 was established. In aid of this movement three entertainments were given by 
 the principals of the Lathrop, Humboldt and Washington schools, from which 
 was realized $446. 50, and to this was added the very handsome sum of $490, 
 given by the patriotic ladies of the Centennial Association. From this 
 beginning, together with the many contributions from the citizens, the foundation 
 of a library was laid which will greatly increase the efficiency of our schools, and 
 exert a direct influence on the prosperity of our city. The library was opened 
 November, 1876, with a thousand volumns of choice works on the shelves. 
 
 1876-7. 
 
 The organization of the board remained the same as the year previous, and 
 there was no change in the membership. 
 
 The school population was 8,303; the total enrollment of pupils 4,334, in- 
 structed by 58 teachers. Instruction in the German language was discontinued 
 in the District Schools but retained in the Central school. 
 
 The financial condition of the district steadily improved. In the schools 
 themselves everything was most satisfactory, and it was undoubtedly the most 
 successful year since the organization of the schools, its workings becoming better 
 understood by the people, and they lent a hearty support. In every department 
 there has been the most perfect harmony, and one aim has seemingly prompted 
 all alike, and that was for the greatest possible efficiency and progress. 
 
 A thousand volumes wefe added to the library. It seemed to meet a public 
 
lllSTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 609 
 
 necessity, and the demand has been constantly increasing. There are now 
 in the library about two thousand volumes, embracing every line of reading and 
 investigation. 
 
 During the year the work of the board had been very pleasant. Not a single 
 disturbing element from within, and but few complaints have come from without. 
 The fame of the schools, their harmony and efficiency, has gone abroad, and that 
 the educational growth is considered as marvelous as the commercial prosperity 
 of the city. 
 
 1877-8. 
 
 Owing to a change in the school law the Board was not re-organized till 
 April 1878. The only change in the officers that occurred was that Mr. E. L.- 
 Martin was elected Treasurer and Mr. James Craig General Agent. 
 
 The total number of persons in the district was 9,622, of whom 4,622 
 attended school, and were instructed by 59 teachers. 
 
 The new Lincoln school building, consisting of seven rooms was erected at 
 a total cost of $7,000. 
 
 On June 14, 1878, the public schools of Kansas City closed their eleventh 
 year. From a small and doubtful beginning in the fall of 1867, they steadily 
 grew in usefulness and prosperity until, with much pride and satisfaction, we can 
 fairly say that they were now unsurpassed by any system of public instruction in 
 the west. This high ground had been reached after much care and effort. To 
 maintain this high standard it was necessary to ignore all sectarian and political 
 influence, to preserve entire harmony in all the departments, and in the election 
 of teachers to disregard all favoritism, and employ only those of the broadest cul- 
 ture and most extended experience. 
 
 The past year had been one of unusual success. There had been no dis- 
 turbances of any kind. The teachers vied with one another in the full discharge 
 of their important duties, and as an evidence of their efficiency and fidelity, 
 upon the recommendation of the Superintendent, and with the concurrence of 
 every member of the Board, the entire corps, without a single exception were all 
 re-elected. 
 
 1878-Q. • 
 
 During this year one change only was made in the Board. Mr. R. L. Yea- 
 ger having been elected successor to Mr. R. H. Hunt. 
 
 The officers were re-elected so that there was no change in the organization. 
 
 The school census shows the enumeration of persons of school age in the 
 district to be ir,325, and the enrollment of pupils in school is 5,259, taught by 
 sixty-two teachers. 
 
 The rapid growth of the city rendered it necessary that increased school 
 accommodations should be provided, and during the summer vacation additions 
 were made to the Franklin and Humboldt school buildings, thus furnishing eight 
 new and commodious rooms at a total cost of $8,640 ; but the crowded condition 
 of the schools still remained a subject of constant and anxious consideration of the 
 Board. All the schools were literally packed full of children, yet the entire 
 working of the school system was highly satisfactory. 
 
 187980. 
 
 Since the last annual report, another school year has come and gone. This 
 period has been marked by more than the usual changes in the educational 
 management, the most important of which have been in the organization of the 
 board' On October 31, 1879, James Craig, having removed from the State, re- 
 signed the office of director, which he had held continuously since December 2, 
 1869; and, on April 29, 1880, Henry Switzer died, leaving vacant the. director- 
 ship he had likewise held continuously since September 21, 1875. Both of these 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 611 
 
 were men of efficiency, thoroughly devoted to the work of establishing and per- 
 fecting the public school system in our city. Their loss will be long felt by the 
 community, and their memories deserve to be, and will be enshrined in the affections 
 of a grateful people. Of these positions, the former was filled by the appointment 
 and subsequent election of Gen. Frank Askew, and the latter by the appoint- 
 ment of Henry C. Kumpf, Esq. , both of whom have been long and favorably 
 known to our citizens. Mr. Craig had likewise been the business agent of the 
 board for several years, and, upon his retirement, J. W. Perkins, late principal of 
 the Washington school, was engaged to fill the place. He resigned recently and 
 W. E. Benson, late city clerk, was secured for the "position which he now 
 holds and fills most acceptably. With these exceptions, the board remains 
 as heretofore. 
 
 There was an increased enumeration of children this year over last of three 
 thousand, eight hundred and fifty, (3,850,) making it necessary to greatly extend 
 the school facilities. For that purpose, at the spring election, there was voted a two- 
 mill tax for building purposes. The collection of this was anticipated and four- 
 teen additional rooms were erected. This was accomplished by the erection 
 of the Karnes school on Troost avenue, between Third and Fourth streets; 
 by adding to the Lathrop, Woodland and Lincoln buildings, and by the 
 purchase of a house in West Kansas, designed temporarily, for a branch of the 
 Lincoln school. Year by year the schools grow in favor ; the per cent, of 
 attendance is larger ; the city is doubling itself every decade ; the proportion 
 of children to taxable wealth is very great ; so under these circumstances, how 
 to meet the pressing demands is a question of no ordinary importance. 
 
 The school work of the past year has been entirely satisfactory. Every 
 year is an improvement on the previous one. Our educational growth is keeping 
 pace with our commercial. The people in their wise action, have directed the 
 exclusion of all sectarian or political influences, and so the current of educational 
 life flows smoothly on, widening and deepening as it flows. Our course of in- 
 struction is not so comprehensive as that attempted in many places, but that which 
 is undertaken is well done, and the preparation for useful, intelligent citizenship is 
 now within the reach of every child in this city. 
 
 The same unity of feeling pervades every department that has characterized 
 the school management for years past. The people at all times have accorded a 
 hearty support. From the day the public school system was established in this 
 city, no step has been taken backward, and there is every reason to expect a 
 continuance of this increasing prosperity. 
 
 1880-81. 
 I 
 
 The schools closed June 9, 1881, after having completed the most prosper- 
 ous year's work since their organization. For seven years the utmost harmony 
 has prevailed in every department — the Board of Education, the Superintendent, 
 and teachers — all having worked unceasingly to bring the schools to the highest 
 degree of perfection. From sixteen teachers in 1867, the corps has increased 
 till at present it numbers one hundred and three earnest and faithful workers. 
 Complete preparations have been made to furnish and equip sixteen additional 
 rooms during the present summer so that they will be ready for occupancy when 
 the schools ope.n in September. 
 
 Under the skillful financial management of the Board, all claims of whatso- 
 ever character have been promptly paid on demand, and the entire business for 
 the last six years has been conducted on a cash basis. 
 
 In 1873 the first class, consisting of four members, graduated from the Cen- 
 tral school, and a class has graduated every year since. The total number of 
 graduates is 136, of whom forty-three are males. 
 
 Since the foundation of the library in 1876, it had continued to increase in 
 
612 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 usefulness and importance, and to attend to it properly required so much of the 
 Superintendent's time from his other duties, that the Board last March employed 
 Mrs. Carrie W. Judson as librarian and to perform such clerical duties at the 
 office of the Board of Education as the Superintendent might direct. The library, 
 is now kept open every day and its duties promptly attended to. 
 
 Already there are 3,000 volumes in the library, and large additions will be 
 made during the year. 
 
 There are 16,981 children between six and twenty years of age in this school 
 district, and 8,026 enrolled in the schools. 
 
 The Board remains unchanged in its organization and membership. 
 
 The public schools of this city have achieved a reputation for substantial 
 work which places them among the foremost in the country. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 KANSAS CITY— WHY SHE IS AND WHAT SHE IS. 
 
 A Summary of the Facts of Her History — The Facts that Caused Her Growth — Het Markets, 
 Her Railroad System, and Fast Freight Lines — Steamship Agencies — The New West, and Its 
 Resources, 
 
 The origin and development of Kansas City were based upon certain facts 
 inherent in the nature of things, which, in this closing chapter, it will be well to 
 review. 
 
 It will be seen in the preceding pages that these facts relate to transportation 
 facilities. The situation now is as advantageous as in the beginning, and will 
 in the future, as in the past, maintain for this city a controlling position. 
 
 In the first place, it was the junction of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers at 
 this point that induced the early French traders and trappers to locate here. Their 
 means of transportation was by packing and by batteaux on the rivers, the latter 
 being by far the best. The junction of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers, there- 
 fore, afforded them this facility in a much more extended area of country than 
 any other point in the west. It practically controlled the entire north and west, 
 from the British Possessions to the 38th degree of latitude, and west to the Rocky 
 Mountains. 
 
 Again, it was the angle in the Missouri River, at this point, that directed the 
 Santa Fe trade hither. Steamboat navigation on the Missouri being begun almost 
 simultaneously with that trade, afforded cheaper transportation than by wagons; 
 hence it was employed to this, the nearest point to Santa Fe. The character of 
 the country between this angle in the river and Santa Fe, and its superior facilities 
 for making wagon roads and subsisting trains, held it here against all attempts to 
 divert it to the waters of the Red and Arkansas Rivers. Between here and Santa 
 Fe were high divides, with plenty of grass and water, while from the Arkansas 
 and Red Rivers there were more streams to cross, yet less water and wide stretches 
 of sandy plains. 
 
 The same superior natural facilities for transportation made this the starting 
 point for the expeditions to Mexico during the war. In was the nearest point to 
 Mexico to which troops and supplies could be moved by water, and afforded the 
 best roads. 
 
 It was the same natural facility that diverted hither the larger part of the 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 613 
 
 great California and Utah emigration. It was the most westerly point to which 
 water transportation could be had, and the country beyond afforded the best roads 
 water grades, and fewer streams. 
 
 WHY THE TRADE CAME TO KANSAS CITY. 
 
 These facilities, however, were equally available to Independence and West- 
 port, and as both these places were in existence before Kansas City, and fast grew 
 rich in the Santa Fe trade, the outfitting of Mexican expeditions, and the overland 
 emigration to Cahfornia, it was another fact that finally concentrated these inter- 
 ests at Kansas City. This fact was the superior natural landing for steamboats at 
 this point. The angle in the river here threw the water against the shore at the 
 point where the city is located, making here a rock levee, better than any im- 
 provement could make one at any other point on the river. This made this a 
 preferred point by the river men. Again, the contiguity of prairie for holding 
 and feeding teams made this a preferred point by the freighters and emigrants. 
 These facts led'to the concentration of these interests at the spot where the city 
 now stands, and caused the growth of the city up to 1857, by which time it had 
 distanced all existing rivals. 
 
 It was the same natural facilities that diverted overland freighting to Colo- 
 rado, which began in 1858. It was the most westerly point to which the freight 
 could be transported by water, and hence nearest to the destination of the freight ; 
 whether for mines or government posts, the water, grades and light ascents afford 
 the best wagon roads. It was largely the lack of these advantages that caused 
 Leavenworth, Atchison and St. Joe to fall behind in competition for this trade. It 
 was no nearer to the destination of the freight to take it to those places, while it 
 was further from the starting point and cost more as river freight. At the same 
 time the country between them and the points of destination did not afford such 
 good roads. This fact was illustrated in the case of Leavenworth to a marked 
 degree, as she, after spending two years and considerable money in attempting to 
 open a route of her own, was at last compelled to make a road to the Kansas 
 River and bridge that stream a few miles west of Kansas City to obtain access to 
 Kansas City's route. 
 
 When railroads began to be extended westward from the Mississippi river, 
 the facts above stated had already caused the development at Kansas City of so 
 large a trade as to make it an attractive point for them, besides which the natural 
 faciUties for trade beyond Kansas City made it almost necessary for them to come 
 here to connect with the trade of the plains and mountains. In addition to this, 
 they could reach Kansas City on water . grades, which made it cheaper and 
 easier to build and operate the roads. No such advantages could be secured by 
 seeking other places. These facts controlled their direction. 
 
 In the construction of roads to the westward a similar state of facts existed. 
 In the first place, there was a trade already established, and in the second place 
 there were water grades. Therefore, Congress, in fixing the eastern terminus and 
 route of the great Pacific Railroad, fixed it at Kansas City, and defined its route 
 as the existing route of trade. 
 
 Again, when Southern Kansas was settled the Kansas River was found to be 
 a great barrier between the people and the river cities of their own State, while 
 Kansas City, located at the mouth of that stream, was accessible to them. The 
 same facts had previously concentrated here the trade of the Indians, after their 
 removal to the west. This brought the trade to Kansas City, and railroads have 
 been constructed to accommodate it. So great were these natural advantages 
 that the disturbed condition of society during the war, and the depredations of 
 thieves and bush-whackers upon the trade of Kansas City could not entirely drive 
 trade to other places. And so soon as this unnatural order of things passed away 
 the trade fell naturally into its old channels. 
 
614 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 When the stock growers of Texas began to seek a market for their cattle 
 they soon found Kansas City the nearest point to their herding grounds at which 
 they could avail themselves of competing rates to eastern markets. 
 
 When beef packers, attracted by the cheapness of Texas cattle, sought an 
 adjacent point for packing purposes, they found Kansas City the nearest point to 
 the source of supply where adequate transportation and banking facilities were 
 available. 
 
 The location of the packers here, together with the necessity of re-shipping 
 the cattle here, brought into existence a market for Texas cattle, which in its 
 turn brought here the product of cattle and hogs of the adjacent country, and 
 created the live-stock market. 
 
 The directions of the railroads, as determined by the facts above stated, ex- 
 isting at the time of their construction, made Kansas City the gateway through 
 which all merchandise going into the country west of her, and for all grain prod- 
 ucts 'going to market, must pass. The fact that one system of railroads was pro- 
 jected to Kansas City and another beyond made this the terminalpoint for both 
 and rendered re-shipment necessary. These facts have greatly stimulated the 
 jobbing trade which had already grown out of the outfitting of freighters and the 
 supplying of immigrants, and have called into existence here the grain market. 
 
 It is a well established policy with railroads to make such rates as will con- 
 trol, as far as possible, the shipment of freight to their termini instead of allow- 
 ing it to be switched off to other roads at intermediate stations. It is also a well 
 established policy with railroads to make rates for long distances proportionately 
 less than short. These facts make Kansas City a preferred point by all the rail- 
 roads, because it is their termini, which is a great advantage over any other place 
 in the Missouri Valley, and secure to her such favorable rates to and from the 
 Atlantic cities, that she is able to maintain a higher range of prices in her markets 
 than any other place in the valley, while she can supply merchandise at lower 
 prices. These facts have greatly stimulated her markets and her trade. 
 
 These latter are existing facts that for the future give Kansas City a controll- 
 ing position, as they have done in the past, and will remain so as long as railroads 
 continue to be managed as they are now. 
 
 But there must come a time when better regulations will be established'and 
 the present confused and arbitrary changing of rates abolished. When such a 
 change takes place, the new system cannot but embrace a reasonable allowance 
 of profit on their business. Then roads that can be most cheaply operated will 
 be the cheapest roads to commerce. These will of course be the water grade 
 roads. In that situation Kansas City will be still the possessor of superior ad- 
 vantages, as she has two water grade roads to the Mississippi River, two to the 
 Rocky Mountains, two to the north to Sioux City and Omaha, and two to the 
 south, which, owing to the topography of the country, are equal to water grade 
 roads. 
 
 THE LESSONS OF HISTORY. 
 
 The facts narrated in this history impress two important lessons. The first 
 of these is that, in a free country like America, commerce establishes its own 
 capitals, and that in doing so it is governed by natural laws as fixed and immuta- 
 ble as the laws governing the manifestation of physical phenomena. The pur- 
 pose of commerce is primarily to make profits for those engaging in it, and the 
 profit being fixed the less the exertion and hazard of making it the better, or the 
 exertion and hazard being fixed the greater the profit the better. The tendency 
 of commerce, therefore, is to accomplish its purposes in the speediest and easiest 
 way, and when left free it invariably finds and accepts that way. In other 
 words, motion follows the line of least resistance, which is the great physical law 
 to which commerce no less than all other kinds of movement is subservient. The 
 second of these lessons is that, a people active and united for common purposes, 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 615 
 
 and possessing equal advantages are far more likely to succeed than a people who 
 are divided or inactive. Nay, they may, and often do overcome even superior 
 advantages. This is illustrated in a most marked degree in the efforts of the 
 people of Kansas City at the close of the war of the rebellion. Prior to that time, 
 they had great natural advantages which made her well nigh invincible by any 
 rivalry. But at that time her trade had been dissipated and her people driven 
 away by the facts and exigencies of war. A new era was dawning in which the 
 railroad was to succeed the steamboat and wagon as a means of transportation and 
 travel. The advantage was now with her rivals, except that she was situated at 
 the junction of water grades, which were not then appreciated as they are now. 
 At this juncture her people became united again, notwithstanding the acerbities 
 of war from which they had so recently emerged, and by promptness, vigor and 
 sagacity, secured the advantages others thought they had already in their hands. 
 Kansas City has but to preserve this unity of action to acquire the trade of the 
 whole trans-Missouri country west to Arizona and south to Mexico. 
 
 THE POSITION AND TRADE OF THE CITY. 
 
 Kansas City is the largest city between St. Louis and San Francisco, having 
 double the population of any other. 
 
 She is the undisputed metropolis of the New West, embracing western Mis- 
 souri, Kansas, southwestern Iowa and southern Nebraska, Colorado, New Mexico 
 and northern Texas. 
 
 She is the financial center of that vast region, its banks keeping their depos- 
 its in her banks and drawing their exchange upon them. 
 
 Her jobbing merchants supply this entire country with merchandise. 
 
 She has the only live stock market west of St. Louis — a market that ranks 
 as second or third in the United States, and where the hogs and cattle of the 
 country mentioned are marketed. 
 
 She has the largest packing business west of St. Louis, and the largest cattle 
 packing business in the world. 
 
 She is the grain market for all the country mentioned, and is the best winter 
 wheat market in the United States, and she has the only grain market west of St. 
 Louis where grain is sold on call. 
 
 HER RAILROAD SYSTEM. 
 
 Her railroad system is as follows : 
 
 First — The Missouri Pacific, from St. Louis to Kansas City. 
 
 Second — The Missouri Pacific to Leavenworth and Atchison, connecting 
 with the Central Branch of the Union Pacific, for northern and northwestern 
 Kansas, and the Atchison & Nebraska for Lincoln and Columbus, Nebraska. 
 
 Third — The Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific, for St. Louis, Toledo and Chicago. 
 
 Fourth — The Hannibal & St. Joseph, from Kansas City to Chicago over the 
 Chicago, Burlington & Quincy, from Quincy. 
 
 Fifth— The Chicago & Alton Railroad, for St. Louis and Chicago. 
 
 Sixth — The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, for Chicago. 
 
 Seventh — The Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs, to Omaha, Sioux 
 City and St. Paul. 
 
 Eighth — The Union Pacific, to Denver, Salt Lake and San Francisco. It 
 connects with the Colorado system of railroads, which it controls, except the 
 Denver and Rio Grande. 
 
 Ninth— The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, to Pueblo and Canon City, 
 Colorado, Santa Fe, New Mexico and California cities, by the Central Pacific. 
 
 Tenth — The Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern Kansas to Coffeyville, Win- 
 field and Wellington. 
 
 Eleventh — The Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf road, to Baxter Springs, 
 Joplin and Springfield. 
 
616 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 Twelfth — Kansas City & Eastern, to Lexington, Mo. 
 
 Thirteenth — The Missouri Pacific (M. K. & T. Branch), via Pleasant Hill 
 for Galveston, Houston and intermediate Texas points. 
 
 FAST FREIGHT AND STEAMSHIP LINES. 
 
 The following named fast freight lines have agents located here soliciting 
 business for them : Star Union and National, Great Western Dispatch, Erie and 
 Pacific Dispatch, Canada Southern, Merchants' Dispatch, Continental, White 
 Line. Blue Line, Southshore Line, Commercial Express and the Midland. 
 
 The following named steamship lines have agencies' here and contract for 
 freight to Europe at this point : National, White Star, Great Western, Guion, 
 Cunard, Inman, Anchor, State, Wilson's, Hamburg, American Packet Company, 
 North German Lloyd, White Cross, Netherlands, American, of New York, 
 Montreal and New Orleans, Red Star and American, of Philadelphia. 
 
 AS A MANUFACTURING CENTER. 
 
 As a manufacturing center, Kansas City has unequaled advantages in her 
 cheap and abundant coal, and in the cheapness and abundance of materials 
 afforded by the contiguous country, a brief summary of which will be found 
 further on in this chapter. 
 
 POSITION AND TRADE. 
 
 True, this city does not yet supply all the merchandise, nor market all the 
 products of the vast region tributary to her. The country and the city, com- 
 mercially speaking, are but a quarter of a century old. The people coming in 
 from all quarters, as emigrants always do, at first look back to the point from 
 whence they came for supplies and for markets. It takes time to establish new 
 associations. This city, as a depot of supply, is not to exceed fifteen years old, 
 and as a market not to exceed ten, but her development in these respects is, for 
 rapidity, without a parallel in the history of cities. She has trade relations estab- 
 lished throughout the domain, and now she reaches a point where all competitors 
 must give way forever. She sends merchandise to Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, 
 Missouri, Iowa, New Mexico and Texas, and though this trade has not been in 
 existence to exceed ten years she has now nearly excluded all competitors from 
 the markets for the cattle of Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, the Indian Ter- 
 ritory, New IMexico and western Missouri; the hogs of western Missouri, Kansas, 
 southeastern Iowa, southern Nebraska and northern Texas ; the sheep and wool 
 of Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico, and the wheat of western Missouri, Kan- 
 sas and southern Nebraska, and partly of southwestern Iowa. 
 
 That she will in a few years market all the products of this vast area and 
 supply it with all its merchandise, is certain. Her railway lines penetrate it, 
 radiating from her in all directions. The railway systems of the entire area cen- 
 ters at Kansas City, the roads that do not terminate here making their connection 
 wiih those that do. The absence of navigable waters makes the railways the sole 
 arteries of commerce, and that they will bear the products of the country to Kan- 
 sas City, and bear the merchandise from Kansas City, is as certain as that they 
 radiate from Kansas City to all parts of the country. 
 
 It is a remarkable fact that the markets of Kansas City came into existence 
 and grew to nearly equal importance with those of St. Louis and Chicago— in 
 some respects to a controlling position — within five years, while there was little 
 visible growth in the city and little immigration into the country. It is a remark- 
 able fact also that during the same period, and under the same conditions, the 
 mercantile business of the city was quadrupled, and has continued to grow with 
 unprecedented rapidity since. The significance of these facts is unmistakable. 
 It simply means the rapid, intense concentration of the trade of the country at 
 Kansas City. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 617 
 
 Since, therefore, Kansas City already so largely controls the trade of this 
 vast area, and since its intense and speedy concentration here is assured by the 
 facts above stated, it manifests that her growth will be measured by that of the 
 country. It remains only for us to review the resources of the country and com- 
 pare them with those of districts commercially tributary to the great cities of the 
 world, to arrive at some idea of what Kansas City must become. 
 
 In this we cannot avail ourselves of the exact statistics offered by old, settled 
 and developed countries ; ours is so new that we as yet scarcely know the extent 
 of its possibilities— we know only the nature of them, and have estimated mag- 
 nitudes below which they can not fall. 
 
 THE NEW WEST AND ITS RESOURCES. 
 
 The area in which Kansas City trades may be defined as between the 17th 
 and 29th meridian west from Washington and the 23d and 41st parallels of lati- 
 tude, embracing a greater variety of climate and mineral and soil products than 
 can be found in any similar area in the world. The great agricultural belt of the 
 United States crosses it. It contains the greatest pastoral region in the world, 
 and embraces the famous lead, zinc and coal mines of Missouri and Kansas, and 
 the lead, coal, iron, silver and gold mines of Colorado and New Mexico. There 
 are no adequate statistics of its population or productions. It is so new, and has 
 been settling and developing so rapidly since the general census, in 1870, that 
 the (acts of that census would grossly misrepresent its present condition, and the 
 census of 1880 is not yet available. 
 
 The general conditions of a country have much to do in determining its fit- 
 ness for the habitation of man. These may be said to consist of climate, rainfall 
 and soil, and we propose first to take a brief view of these. 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 As above stated, this country embraces a wide range of climate, due partly 
 to the number of latitudes it embraces, and partly to the difference in altitude, the 
 country rising from about seven hundred feet at the Missouri River, to about five 
 thousand at the base of the mountains. However, the most desirable latitudes 
 cross it, the country between the 38th and 42d parallels, both in this country and 
 Europe, having been found to be the best adapted to vigorous manhood, longev- 
 ity, and physical and mental effort. These parallels embrace, on both hemi- 
 spheres, the largest per cent, of the population north of the equator, and the seat 
 of man's highest achievements. 
 
 The country between the Mississippi River and the Rocky Mountains is 
 specially favored in regard to climate. In the summer the prevailing wind is from 
 south southeast to north northwest, and it comes from the Gulf of Mexico laden 
 with moisture, which tempers the summer heats to a degree not experienced in 
 the country east of the Mississippi River. In winter the prevailing wind is from 
 north northwest to south southeast. It comes from the streams and currents of 
 Pacific Ocean, and in crossing the mountain ranges of the west, its moisture is 
 precipitated in snow, hence it comes to the prairies east of the mountains dry and 
 bracing. It is needless to state the fact that a cold air that is dry is vastly less 
 disagreeable or unhealthy than one that is damp. And this makes the difference 
 between the country west of the Mississippi River and that east of it, in winter 
 time; for while it is dry and healthful west of that stream, the northern wind 
 east of it crosses the great lakes, and is laden with unhealthful moisture. 
 
 It is due to this fact that the western plains are so healthful for man, and so 
 favorable for live stock. Thousands of people who have become invalids in the 
 east, have been restored by removing to the west. It is needless to cite instances ; 
 they are so numerous as to have already established the reputation of the country, 
 and to have made some parts of it, as Colorado, an asylum and resort for health- 
 
6J8 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 seekers. The atmosphere of the western plains is in winter delicious — cool, dry 
 and bracing. All animal life is invigorated, man grows stronger, and animals 
 thrive and fatten better without shelter than they do with it in most eastern longi- 
 tudes. Sounds penetrate to great distances, and the air is so elastic and clear 
 . that it seems, if it could be successfully struck as a bell, it would resound through- 
 out the Heavens with clear, ringing music. Vegetation and dead animals do not 
 decay, but dry up, the former retaining all its nutritive properties. The western 
 prairies are covered in winter, not with dead grasses, but with fine, well cured 
 and nutritive hay, upon which the immense herds of buffalo, elk and deer have 
 lived and fattened throughout all the ages, and upon which it has now been found 
 that cattle and sheep thrive eqally well. 
 
 The following additional facts relative to the climate, we glean from the writ- 
 ings of Dr. Latham : 
 
 "The great belt of country between the Missouri River and the Pacific 
 Ocean is bisected about equally north and south by the great snowy range. As 
 you leave the Pacific Ocean or Missouri River, and approach these lofty moun- 
 tains, you gradually rise until you are on the elevated table lands of the conti- 
 nent. 
 
 "Through these immense grassy tables the streams run which drain this 
 mountain range of its snows and running waters. As you approach nearer to the 
 mountain base, you reach greater elevations, and find the country better watered. 
 
 "Intersecting this country, extending from the Missouri and Mississippi 
 Rivers to the foot of the mountains, one thousand and one hundred miles north 
 and south, and five hundred miles east and west, is the great Rio Grande, Neu- 
 ces, San Antonio, Gaudaloupe, Colorado, Brazos, Trinitj, Main Red, Washita, 
 Canadian, Cimarron, Arkansas, Smoky Hill, Saline, Solomon, Republican, North 
 and South Platte, Loup Fork, Niobrara, White Earth, Big Cheyenne, Little Mis- 
 souri, Powder, Tongue, Rose Bud, Big Horn, Wind River, Yellowstone, Milk 
 River, Mussel Shell, Marias, Jefferson Fork, and the head of the Missouri itself 
 above the Yellowstone ; each one in itself fitted to take rank with the great rivers 
 of the world, and all aggregating fully twenty thousand miles of living crystal 
 water. Each one of these is made up of innumerable smaller streams, some of 
 which would be called great but for comparison with the larger parent streams, all 
 making a complete network of mountain streams, draining every mountain and 
 hillside, and watering every valley. 
 
 "The western slope is equally well if not better watered. I do not think there 
 is another country so well watered as the two Rocky Mountain slopes. From El 
 Paso del Norte, on the Mexican boundary, to the headwaters of the Missouri 
 River, a distance, if measured by the windings of the great mountain range, of 
 from eighteen hundred to two thousand miles, there is not five miles between the 
 small mountain streams that run down the great slopes to form these larger ones. 
 The valleys of these little, and even of the larger streams, are covered with a 
 den^e growth of tall grass ; while the higher grounds between these streams are 
 covered with a shorter but sweeter growth. The blufis bordering on the large 
 streams on the plains are not high nor precipitous, but rounded and regular, and 
 grass-grown. Nearer the mountains, these bluffs are higher and steeper, and 
 in some instances amount to canons, and afford the best protection to all kinds 
 of stock. 
 
 ' ' The country west of the foot of the Sierra Madre or Snowy Range, is divided 
 into the great mountain valleys, such as the great parks of Colorado and the Lar- 
 amie plains, all of which, to the height of nine thousand feet, are covered with 
 luxuriant grass. These valleys are elevated table-lands like the steppes of Asia, 
 with soil, chmate and productions similar. I have devoted this much time to the 
 physical geography of the trans-Missouri country, that your readers may know of 
 its general formation, of its streams, etc. 
 
 "There is, perhaps, no one subject so little understood as that of the climate 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 619 
 
 of this country. It is entirely unlike the Atlantic and Mississippi Valley States. 
 Judged by the climate of the States in the same latitude, and at the same altitude, 
 four-fifths of this larger division of our country would be uninhabitable from 
 snows and frosts. 
 
 "On the Atlantic coast, on the White and Alleghany Mountains, the perpetual 
 snow line is or would be, seven thousand feet above the sea. In the same latitude 
 on the Rocky Mountains the snow line is from twelve to fourteen thousand feet 
 above. 
 
 " The terminal line of vegetation on the White Mountains is five thousand 
 feet; on the Alleghany Mountains it is five thousand five hundred feet; on the 
 Black Hills, at Sherman, eight thousand and two hundred, and the still higher 
 points, as high as nine thousand feet, are covered with luxuriant growth of grass. 
 
 '• Strawberries are picked on the Snowy Range to the height of eleven thou- 
 sand feet, and evergreen trees grow to the tops of the highest mountains, which 
 are over fifteen thousand feet high. The great table lands and the elevated plains 
 and valleys of the mountains, such as North, Middle and South Parks, and the 
 Laramie plains, are one and two thousand feet above the tops of the Atlantic coast 
 range mountains, arid in the same latitude, are as mild as the Atlantic sea le^el. 
 
 "There must be some powerful influence to make such wonderful differences 
 on the same continent, 
 
 " England, in latitute 62", has a warmer climate than Long Island in 40°. 
 Nova Scotia, 45°, is nearly frigid in temperature, while in France, in 49° north 
 latitude — 4° farther north — is vine clad. While the inhabitant of Nova Scotia 
 shivers over his fire, the Frenchman reclines in the shade of his ' ' vine and fig 
 tree." 
 
 "The climate of Europe is tempered by the eternal waters of the Gulf Stream, 
 which has been heated in the tropics. Not only is the climate on the immediate 
 coast directly influenced and changed by the Gulf Stream, but the winds warmed 
 by it give the vine, the ivy and the geranium to the Seine, the Rhine and the 
 Elbe, and even invade the realms of the winter king on the sides of the lofty 
 Alps, the Ural, the Appenines and the Pyrenees. 
 
 " Thus it is here. The western coast of our continent is washed by a tropical 
 stream greater and warmer than the Gulf Stream, and which makes San Fancisco, 
 in the same latitude as Richmond, 14° warmer ; makes Astoria, in the same lati- 
 tude as Fort Brady, Michigan, 28° warmer in winter, and 12° warmer all the year 
 round ; makes Sitka, Alaska, in the same latitude as Nain, Labrador, 32° warmer 
 in winter, and 17° the whole year round 
 
 "The currents of air heated by the thermal waters, are forced east, and 
 spreading through the valleys of the great mountain range, give to Utah (four 
 thousand and five hundred feet above the sea), grapes, peaches, apricots, cotton, 
 the sugar cane, and other tropical productions. To Colorado, along the eastern 
 base of the mountains, at an altitude of five thousand feet, it gives the climate of 
 Virginia and Tennessee. 
 
 " This heated wind, the warm, balmy breath of the topics, makes the snow 
 and ice shrink and retire up the sides of the lofty Sierre Madre ; giving up the 
 land to the wild rose, the mountain lily, and honey suckle, the columbine, and 
 the trailing arbutus, and hundreds more of all the flowers, all spreading out into 
 a floral carpet of the richest and most varied colors. 
 
 " Mild temperatures in our high altitudes and latitudes are not of their kind 
 wonderful in comparison with Asia, whose table-lands in the great Himalayas 
 are many degrees north of ours, and higher than the tops of Long's Peak and 
 Fremont's Peak and Mt. Hood. 
 
 "The Plains of Sadak, belonging to the Rajah of Cashmere, in latitude 40°, 
 are fifteen thousand feet high. Their snow and rain fall is less than ours. Herds 
 of cattle, sheep, and horses gaze upon them the year round, while still higher on 
 the hill sides which surrou,nd them, the Tartars grow barley and oats each year. 
 
620 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 MEAN TEMPERATURE OF POINTS ON THE PLAINS AND IN THE MOUNTAINS. 
 
 " Fort Kearney, Nebraska, has a mean temperature of 50°, so has the whole 
 North Platte region to the fcot of the Black Hills. 
 
 "All the Missouri River, from Omaha to one hundred miles north of Fort 
 Benton, has a mean temperature for the year of 45° Fahrenheit. All the country 
 intervening between the North Platte on the south — the line of 59° temperature 
 — and the Missouri River on the north, has a temperature between 45° and 50°- 
 There is no part of the country north of the Union Pacific Railroad and south the 
 British line, north and south, and between the Missouri River on the east, and 
 the Rocky Mountains on the west, that has a lower annual temperature than 45°. 
 South of the Union Pacific Railroad, to the Rio Grande, the mean annual tem- 
 perature varies from 50° to 60°. No single point has been found south of the 
 Union Pacific Railroad, east of the mountains and west of the Mississippi, where 
 the temperature is below 50°. Nor is there a point where it is higher than 65°." 
 
 THE RAINFALL. 
 
 The facts above stated concerning the prevalent directions of the winds ex- 
 plain the mystery of the western rainfall. The southern winds coming up from 
 the gulf in spring and early summer hear moisture which is precipitated into rain 
 in the higher latitudes. In the latter part of the season the winds coming inthe 
 other direction their moisture is precipitated in snow upon the mountains, and 
 they reach the great plains dry and cool. Owing to this fact, three-fourths of 
 the annual rainfall in the country west of the Missouri River occurs in April, May 
 and June — just the season when the growing crops and grasses need it, while in 
 the latter part of the year, when dry weather is needed to mature the crops, it 
 presents exactly the requisite conditions. 
 
 That is what manifestly gave rise to that popular myth of twenty years ago 
 — "The Great American Desert." Travelers, voyageurs a.\)d emigrants crossing 
 the great plains, leaving the Missouri River in May, reached the supposed locality 
 of this great arid plain after the larger part of the rainfall of the year had been 
 precipitated. They found it dry and covered with a short bunchy grass which 
 was unknown to them, and which was, therefore, supposed to be a worthless, 
 scrubby product, incident to an arid and desert region. Later experience and 
 more adequate observation develops the facts that the rainfall is not so much less 
 than in other districts, as had been supposed, but occurs at a particular season, and 
 that the short bunchy and supposed worthless grass is the best grass in the world 
 for all ruminant animals. 
 
 In this connection the following tables relative to the rainfall will be found 
 interesting and valuable: 
 
 Names of Stations. 
 
 p 
 
 Long. . 
 
 1 
 
 > 
 
 
 •n 
 
 S 
 
 > 
 
 13 
 g. 
 
 ■< 
 
 c 
 
 3 
 
 n 
 
 . 
 
 3H 
 .:: 
 
 Fort Rilev .... 
 
 39° 03' 
 
 96° .36' 
 
 1,300 
 
 0.44 
 
 0.54 
 
 l.U 
 
 1.01 
 
 2.30 
 
 4 22 
 
 9 62 
 
 Lawrence .... 
 
 38° 68' 
 
 96° 16' 
 
 884 
 
 2.30 
 
 0.65 
 
 2.30 
 
 2.86 
 
 1.41 
 
 3.58 
 
 13.45 
 
 Mai hattan. . ... 
 
 89° 12' 
 
 96° 40' 
 
 1,800 
 
 50 
 
 20 
 
 50 
 
 1.40 
 
 2.98 
 
 4 31 
 
 9,89 
 
 Council Grove 
 
 38° 42' 
 
 96° 32' 
 
 1,0110 
 
 3.60 
 
 1 35 
 
 1.70 
 
 2.30 
 
 2.70 
 
 5 66 
 
 17.20 
 
 Fort Leavenworth . . ... 
 
 32° 21' 
 
 94° 54' 
 
 896 
 
 1 44 
 
 1,07 
 
 1.60 
 
 1.40 
 
 1.00 
 
 3.65 
 
 9.96 
 
 Mean 
 
 
 
 . . . 
 
 1.65 
 
 0.62 
 
 1.42 
 
 1.79 
 
 2.09 
 
 4 26 
 
 12.02 
 
 The following table shows the rainfall at the stations named, west of sixth 
 principal meridian, 'from January ist to July ist 1874: 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 621 
 
 Names of Stations. 
 
 " 
 
 s 
 
 > 
 
 
 1^ 
 
 P 
 
 i 
 
 S 
 
 Tea 
 
 3.31 
 3 45 
 
 3.48 
 
 V— 1 
 
 C 
 D 
 a 
 
 S H 
 o -^ 
 
 
 38° 59' 
 
 99° 20' 
 
 2,107 
 1,932 ■ 
 
 1.32 
 0.09 
 0.27 
 
 o.ie 
 
 1.80 7.26 
 0.68 0.20 
 2.47 0.63' 
 1 65 ^ fiR 
 
 2 34 
 O.BO 
 2 60 
 1.81 
 
 2.18 
 0,19 
 1.15 
 1.18 
 
 
 Fort Wallace 
 
 4 97 
 
 Fort Larned 
 
 Mean 
 
 38° 10' 
 
 98° 57' 
 
 10.47 
 1] 34 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 THE EXTENT OF THE FALL. 
 
 The Agricultural Department furnishes the following statement of the average 
 fall of rain in the several States below named, in the months of May, June, July 
 and August, for a period of ten years, which shows favorably for the New West : 
 
 Inches. 
 
 Indiana 15-5° 
 
 Missouri . iS-37 
 
 New York 15-25 
 
 Nebraska 14.96 
 
 Vermont 14.69 
 
 Illinois 14.68 
 
 Rhode Island i4-45 
 
 New Hampshire 14.27 
 
 Wisconsin . .^ 14.15 
 
 Michigan 14.01 
 
 Inches. 
 
 Kansas i9-i9 
 
 New Jersey 17.21 
 
 Iowa 1 7- 05 
 
 Connecticut 16.70 
 
 Massachusetts 16.47 
 
 Pennsylvania 16.28 
 
 Maryland 16.12 
 
 Kentucky 16.12 
 
 Maine 16. 10 
 
 Minnesota 15-91 
 
 Ohio 15.75 
 
 Col. R. S. Elliott, late industrial agent of the Kansas Pacific Railway, made 
 this subject a special study, and in his " Industrial Resources," says : 
 
 "Within a few years the rain-gauge has been brought into service at points 
 distant from each other, but located at irregular intervals across the continent, 
 and its record shows not only greater precipitation than was formerly believed to 
 take place on the plains, but that the distribu-tion is unequal in time, giving us the 
 largest proportions in the growing seasons — spring and summer." 
 
 In his late work, "The Mississippi Valley," Prof. J. W. Foster, says: "The 
 rains which water the Atlantic slope are equally distributed, the variations being 
 very slight; while those which water the Mississippi Valley are unequally dis- 
 tributed, those of spring and summer being greatly in excess — a fact," he says, 
 "which has been overlooked by most meteorologists in reference to the geograph- 
 ical distributions of plants." As we pass westward from the Atlantic the inequal- 
 ity increases until we pass the Rocky Mountains. "Contrasting the two stations. 
 New York and Fort Laramie," says Prof. Foster, " it will be seen that on the sea- 
 board about forty eight per cent, of the yearly precipitations occurs during the 
 fall and winter, while on the plains only twenty-five per cent, occurs during that 
 period, and that, while on the sea-board the precipitation is nearly uniform during 
 the four seasons, three-fourths of the precipitation on the plains occurs during 
 spring and summer." 
 
 At Fort Riley about sixty-nine per cent, of the annual precipitation is in 
 spring and summer ; at Fort Kearney, eighty-one, and at Fort Laramie, seventy- 
 one per cent. From observations at Forts Harker, Hays and Wallace on the line 
 of the Kansas Pacific, the same rule seems to hold good. Records have not 
 been long enough continued at these three posts to give a long average, but the 
 mean appears to be between seventeen and nineteen inches at Hays and Wallace, 
 and probably more at Harker. 
 
 A popular belief exists in Kansas and Nebraska that since the settlement, the 
 planting of trees and the cultivation of the soil, the rainfall has increased, and 
 upon this is founded the prediction that within a brief period dry seasons will 
 become unknown. Referring to this subject, Col. Elliot wrote to Prof. Henry a 
 few years ago, as follows; 
 
622 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 '• Facts such as these seem to sustain the popular persuasion in Kansas, that 
 a climatic change is taking place, prompted by the spread of settlements, west-> 
 wardly, breaking up portions of the prairie soil, covering the earth with plants 
 that shade the ground more than the short grasses ; thus checking or modifying 
 the reflection of heat from the earth's surface. This fact is also noted, that where 
 the prairie soil is not disturbed, the short buffalo grass disappears as the 'frontier' 
 extends westward, and its place is taken by grasses and other herbage of taller 
 growth. That this change of the clothing of the plains, if sufficiently extensive, 
 might have a modifying influence on the climate, I do not doubt ; but whether 
 the change has been already spread over a large enough area, and whether our 
 apparently, or really wetter seasons may not be part of a cycle, are unsettled 
 questions. 
 
 " The civil engineers of this railway believe that the rains and humidity of 
 the plains have increased during the extension of railroads and telegraph across 
 them. If this is the case, it may be that the mysterious electrical influence in 
 which they seem to have so much faith, but do not profess to explain, has exer- 
 cised a beneficial influence." 
 
 Weston's Guide to the Kansas Pacific, published in 1872, commenting upon 
 the statements of Col. Elliott, gives the observations of another gentleman who 
 had devoted much attention to the subject. He says: "It is certain that rains 
 have increased; this increase has coincided with the increase of settlements, rail- 
 roads and telegraphs. If influenced by these, the change of climate will go on ; 
 if by extra mundane influence, the change may be permanent, progressive or retro- 
 grade. He thinks there are good grounds to believe it will be progressive With- 
 in the last fifteen years, in western Missouri and Iowa, and eastern Kansas and 
 Nebraska, a very large aggregate of surface has been broken up, and holds more 
 of the rain than formerly. During the same period modifying influences have 
 been put in motion in Montana, Utah and Colorado. Very small areas of tim- 
 bered land west of the Missouri have been cleared — not equal, perhaps, to the 
 areas of forest orchards and vineyards planted. Hence, it may be said that all 
 the acts of man in this vast region have tended to produce conditions on the 
 earth's surface to ameliorate the climate. With extended settlements on the 
 Arkansas, Canada and Red rivers of the south, as well as on the river system of 
 the Kaw Valley and on the Platte, the ameliorating conditions will be extended 
 in like degree ; and it partakes more of sober reason than wild fancy to suppose 
 that a permanent and beneficial change of climate can be experienced. The 
 appalling deterioration of large portions of the earth's surface, through the acts of 
 man in destroying the forest, justifies the trust that the culture of taller herbage 
 and trees, in a region heretofore covered- mainly with short grasses,' may have a 
 converse effect. Indeed, in Central Kansas, nature seems almost to precede 
 settlements by the latter grasses and herbage." 
 
 From the writings of Dr. Latham we glean the following additional facts : 
 
 " From the same authority (Surgeon General Lawson) the rainfall for the 
 whole year east of the summit of the Snowy Range, is as follows : 
 
 " All the country west of Omaha, on the line of the Union Pacific Railroad, 
 as far as Fort Kearney, is in this belt, where twenty-five inches of rain fall 
 yearly. 
 
 " West of Fort Kearney, extending to the Sierra Madre, on this railroad line, 
 including the Black Hills and Laramie Plains, is the belt where twenty inches 
 fall annually, with the exception of a small portion of country in Texas called 
 the Staked Plain. These two belts include ail the trans-Missouri country west 
 from the Missouri and Mississippi to the Snowy Range. This rainfall includes 
 the snow reduced to water measure, twelve inches of snow making one inch of 
 water. This water falls mostly in the spring in gentle rains, during the month of 
 May, which is the rainy season of the country. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 623 
 
 " This month of May's rain gives our grasses their growth, and by the first to 
 the 15th of June they are fully matured. Our rains then come in short showers, 
 and the fall for the summer is small. Our grasses begin to cure, and by the first 
 of September they have become perfectly cured, uncut hay. This one fact alone 
 is the key to the great superiority of this country for grazing. 
 
 " Our grasses cure instead of decomposing, as there is neither the heat nor the 
 moisture, both of which are necessary for the chemical process of decomposi- 
 tion. 
 
 " As you leave the Missouri River you enter the belt of country where two 
 feet of snow falls. This belt extends like the first belt of rain to Fort Kearney. 
 West of that point to the mountain's foot is the belt of eighteen inches. These 
 two belts include all the country east of the mountains. The snow falls at a 
 single storm are very light, three inches being exceptionally large, and this 
 amount being dry and light, never lies on a level ; in t'wenty-four hours frcm the 
 time of fall the ground is bare." 
 
 SOIL. 
 
 The soil of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa is composed of what 
 geologists callthe Drift, Loess and Alluvial deposits. The first is of comparatively 
 limited extent, and is mostly found combined with the Loess in what is known as 
 Modified Drift. In this form it. is very fertile, and yields sixty bushels of corn 
 to the acre. The second embraces all the upland soil, and the third the bottom 
 lands. Of the upland soils. Prof. Samuel Aughey, of Nebraska, says : 
 
 " As would be expected, from the elements which chemical analysis shows 
 to be present in these deposits, it forms one of the best soils in the world. In 
 fact, it can never be exhausted until every hill and valley of which it is composed 
 are entirely worn away. Its drainage, which is the best possible, owing to the 
 remarkably fine comminuted silica of which the bulk of the deposit consists. 
 When the ground is cultivated the most copious rains soon percolate through the 
 soil, which, in its lowest depths, retains it like a huge sponge. Even the un- 
 broken prairie absorbs much of the heavy rains that fall. When drouths come 
 the moisture comes up from below by capillary attraction. And when it is con- 
 sidered that the depth to the solid rock ranges generally from five to two hundred 
 feet, it is seen how readily the needs of vegetation are supplied in the driest 
 seasons. This is the main reason why over all the region where these deposits 
 prevail the natural vegetation and the well-cultivated crops are rarely dried out 
 or drowned out. I have frequently observed a few showers to fall in April, and 
 then no more rain until June, when, as will be considered farther on, there is 
 generally a rainy season of from two to four weeks' continuance. After these 
 June rains little more would fall till autumn ; and yet, if there was deep and 
 thorough cultivation, the crops of corn, cereals and grass would be most abund- 
 ant. This condition represents the dry seasons. On the other hand, the ex- 
 tremely wet season only damage the crops over the low bottoms, subject to over- 
 flow. Owing to the silicious nature of the soils they never bake when plowed in 
 a wet condition, and a day after heavy rains the plow can again be successfully 
 and safely used. 
 
 "For all purposes of architecture this soil, even to the most massive struct- 
 ures, is perfectly secure. I have never known a foundation of a large brick or 
 stone building, if commenced below the winter frost line, to give way. Even 
 when the first layers of brick and stone are laid on top of the ground there is 
 seldom such unevenness of settling as to produce 'fractures in the walls. On no 
 other deposits, except the solid rocks, are there such excellent roads. From 
 twelve to twenty-four hours after the heaviest rains the roads are perfectly dry, 
 and often appear, after being traveled a few days, like a vast floor formed from 
 cement, and by the highest art of man. The drawback to this picture is that 
 sometimes during a drought the air along the highways on windy days is filled 
 
624 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY.. 
 
 with dust. And yet the soil is very easily worked, yielding readily to the spade 
 or the plow. Excavation is remarkably easy, and no pick or mattock is thought 
 of for such purpose. It might be expected that such a soil readily yielded to 
 atmospheric influences, but such is not the case. Wells in this deposit are fre- 
 quently walled up only to a point above the water line, and on the remainder 
 the spade marks will be visible for years. Indeed, the traveler over Nebraska 
 will often be surprised to find spade-marks and carved out names and dates years 
 after they were first made, where ordinary soils would soon have fallen away to a 
 gentle slope. This peculiarity of the soil has often been a God-send to poor 
 emigrants. Such often cut out of the hill-side, a shelter for themselves and 
 their stock. Many a time when caught out on the roads in a storm, far away 
 from the towns, have I found shelter in a "dug-out" with an emigrant's family, 
 where, cozy and warm, there was perfect comfort, with little expenditure of fuel 
 on the coldest days. In summer such shelters are much cooler than frame or 
 brick houses. I shall never forget one occasion in 1866 when, bewildered by a 
 blinding snow-storm, I came to a " dug-out," and although all the chambers were 
 carved out of the soil (Loess) they were perfectly dry. The walls were hidden 
 and ornamented with Harper's Weekly, with the emanations of Nast's genius, 
 made to occupy the conspicuous corners. My hostess, whose cultivated intel- 
 lect and kindly nature made even this abode a charming resort, was a graduate of 
 an eastern seminary. Her husband, after a failure in business in New York, 
 came here to commence life anew on a homestead by stock-raising. To get a 
 start with young stock, no money could be spared for a house. Eight years after- 
 ward I found the same family financially independent and living in a beautiful 
 brick mansion, but I doubt whether they had any more substantial happiness 
 than when they were looking for better days in the old temporary "dug-cut." 
 Thousands who are still coming into this land of promise are still doing the same 
 thing. So firmly does the material of this deposit stand that after excavations 
 are made in it, underground passages without number could be constructed with- 
 out meeting any obstacles, and without requiring any protection from walls and 
 timber." 
 
 Of the bottom lands — the alluvium — Prof. Aughey says: 
 "When now we bring into our estimate all the river bottoms, and the tribu- 
 taries of these rivers, and reflect that all these valleys were formed in the same 
 way, within comparatively modern geological times, the forces which water agen- 
 cies brought into play almost appall the mind by their very immensity. So well 
 are these bottom lands distributed that the emigrants can, in most of the counties 
 of the State, choose between them and the uplands for their future home. In 
 some of these new counties, like Fillmore, where bottom lands are far apart, there 
 are many small, modern, dried-up lake-beds, whose soil is closely aUied to that of 
 the valleys. Not unfrequently is the choice made of portions of each, on the 
 supposition that the bottom lands are best adapted for the growth of large crops 
 of grasses. But all the years of experience in cultivating upland and bottoms in 
 Nebraska leave the question of superiority of one over the other undecided. 
 Both have their advocates. The seasons as well as the locations have much to 
 do with the question. Some bottom lands are high and dry, while others are 
 lower and contain so much alumina, that in wet seasons they are difficult to 
 work. On such lands, too, a wet spring interferes with early planting and sow- 
 ing. All the uplands, too, which have a Loess origin, seem to produce 
 cultivated grass as luxuriantly as the richest bottoms, especially where there is 
 deep cultivation on old breaking. Again, most of the bottom lands are so min- 
 gled with Loess materials, and their drainage is so good that the cereal'grains and 
 fruits are as productive on them as on the high lands. The bottom lands, are, 
 however, the richest in organic matter." 
 
 On the same subject we have the following from the annual report of 1864 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 625 
 
 of Prof. Mudge, State geologist of Kansas. It applies equally to all the river 
 bottoms from the Platte to the Red river : 
 
 "The alluvial deposits in Kansas are so similar to those of the older western 
 States that no particular description becomes necessary. The river bottoms are 
 usually broad and level, but well drained. The thickness varies from five to fifty 
 feet. In various places in the valley of the Neosho, unaltered wood has been 
 found at the latter depth in digging wells. The nature of this alluvium, or sur- 
 face, is very rich in vegetable matter, and in many places furnishes a nourishing 
 soil throughout its whole thickness. In some cases it is, in part, composed of 
 modified drift. At the salt well in Brown county, a metamorphic boulder was 
 found fifty-two feet below the surface. The humus, or vegetable mold, of the 
 high prairie is from one to three feet in depth. It is the usual development of 
 the prairie features, so common in the other western States. It is the same fine, 
 black, rich loam which has become noted as the most fertile soil in the world." 
 
 J. B. Lyman, Esq., agricultural editor of the New York Tribune, after a tour 
 of five thousand miles through the West, in 187 1, read an article before the 
 Farmers' Club at Cooper Institute, in which he made the following statements: 
 
 " The prairie is substantially unbroken and homogeneous in its character 
 from the valley of the Wabash to Fort Kearney. It is by nature an immense 
 grassy plain, sometimes quite flat, generally more or less rolling, and occasionally 
 broken by bluffs and sharp acclivities, with a region not adapted to the plow. 
 But I think four-fifths, and probably seven-eighths, of the Prairie States can be 
 plowed with as little difficulty and with as ample returns as any part of the rich 
 alluvial places of the East. 
 
 " Yet I speak advisedly and not without a full impression on my mind, of 
 the exceeding attractiveness and fertifity of land in southern Minnesota, when I 
 say that the most attractive country that I saw is west of the Missouri River." 
 
 In 1868 Prof. Louis Agassiz visited Kansas. He declared that he never 
 before had seen so good a soil as he had seen in Kansas and Missouri, and he 
 declared its fruits to be equal to any he had ever tasted. 
 
 Edward Everett Hale, in a book on Kansas, quotes from another writer who 
 says: " It is unrivaled for the fertility of its soil, the value of its timber and 
 forest trees, the amenity and beauty of its broad prairies, the number of its crystal 
 streams and the salubrity of its climate." Mr. Hale himself adds : " For nearly 
 two hundred miles west from the Missouri, a rich vegetable soil, sufficiently 
 wooded, is found throughout the whole of this valley (the Kaw). It is the region 
 of which the eastern part has been principally occupied by the Shawnees, Dela- 
 wares and Pottawatomies, whose indolent farming even produces them the most 
 remarkable results. The soil produces wheat, corn and hemp in great abundance, 
 and is to all appearances inexhaustible. Every variety of timber known in the 
 western forests is found there in sufficient quantity to answer the purposes of 
 settlers. * * * The general appearance of the country is that of vast rolling 
 fields inclosed with colossal hedges." 
 
 In a book entitled, " Irish Immigration to the United States ; What it Has 
 Been and Is," written by Rev. Stephen Byrne, and published by the Catholic 
 Publication Society of New York in 1873, occurs the following statements relative 
 to Kansas : 
 
 " The soil is very productive throughout, mostly presenting a rolling surface, 
 thus affording superior drainage. Every kind of fruit and grain can be grown ; 
 it is especially adapted to the growing of the grape. The rich, black soil is gener- 
 ally from two to six feet and more thick. 
 
 "The cHmate is very salubrious throughout; new sections of the country 
 are visited by intermittent fever in the spring and fall, which disappears with the 
 progress of the cultivation of the soil. Vast numbers of people who have been 
 in feeble health in the more Eastern States, contend that they have been greatly 
 
 40 — 
 
626 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 benefited by the climate. The summer heat is rendered less oppressive and ex- 
 cessive by a continual breeze, and the nights are very refreshing." 
 
 AGRICULTURE. 
 
 The foregoing facts concerning the climate, soil, and rainfall of the New 
 West, leaves but little to be said concerning its agricultural resources, except to 
 show what may be produced and what yields may be expected. But the smallest 
 part of the agricultural land is yet in cultivation, and the aggregate yields, 
 immense as they are, constitute but a moiety of what they will assuredly become. 
 
 No country could be better adapted to agriculture. The whole surface of 
 the country, away from the timbered streams, is one vast rolling plain. All the 
 agriculturist has to do, is to plow and plant it. It has been the usual experience 
 of immigrants to Kansas and Nebraska, that their crops the first year paid for the 
 first year's work, and it is not unusual that it is the only dependence of the immi- 
 grant for support, and the means with which to make a second. That it usually 
 suffices for this purpose is the highest testimonial to the agricultural capabilities of 
 the country. 
 
 In western Missouri and Kansas, winter wheat and corn are the great sta- 
 ples. In western Iowa and Nebraska, spring wheat and corn are the great 
 staples. Besides these, rye, oats, barley, potatoes, sorghum, broom-corn, castor 
 beans, flax, hemp, and all kinds of grasses, native and cultivated, flourish; and 
 in southern Kansas and Texas, cotton and sweet potatoes are grown success- 
 fully. 
 
 The following statement of yields will be found interesting. It is the aver- 
 age of the States named, for nine years, from 1864 to 1872 inclusive: 
 
 
 c 
 
 
 
 
 0' 
 
 5' 
 
 en 
 
 
 
 
 
 2; 
 
 B 
 en 
 
 ia 
 
 Wheat 
 
 Corn 
 
 Rye 
 
 8.8 
 28.9 
 II 2 
 
 II. 4 
 
 34-4 
 12.9 
 
 12.0 
 
 30-9 
 16 1 
 
 131 
 31-3 
 
 16.9 
 
 13.2 
 
 18.2 
 
 13.6. 
 
 34-7 
 20.0 
 
 iS-7 
 34-6 
 21. 1 
 
 In Kansas winter wheat makes a better average yield than spring, and the 
 average at least one-fourth higher than that above given, or about twenty bushels. 
 Spring wheat succeeds best in Nebraska and Iowa, and in Nebraska has been 
 known to make a yearly average of twenty-eight bushels. 
 
 The following table will show the average of some other crops in the four of 
 the States named : 
 
 
 
 
 C 
 
 3 
 p 
 
 2; 
 
 s- 
 
 Ul 
 
 p 
 
 t— I 
 
 
 p 
 
 Oats, bushels per acre 
 
 Barley, bushels per acre 
 
 Buckwheat, bushels per acre . . . 
 Potatoes, bushels per acre .... 
 
 33-0 
 23.1 
 21. 1 
 
 115. 
 
 42.1 
 30.6 
 
 18.5 
 
 149.0 
 
 41-3 
 30.2 
 
 16.7 
 140.0 
 
 37.3 
 26.5 
 
 16.7 
 122.0 
 
 The Centennial edition of the report of the Kansas State Board of Agricul- 
 ture makes a comparison of the yield of corn and wheat for twelve consecutive 
 years in Kansas and several other States— Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, 
 ■ Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri— in which it will be seen that the average 
 for the seven States was: Of corn, 33 bushels ; Kansas, 36.3. Of wheat, the aver- 
 age for the sevenStates was 13.4 bushels ; of Kansas it was 15.8 bushels. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 627 
 
 Western Missouri, Nebraska, and Iowa have about as large yields of corn as 
 Kansas. Western Missouri yields about the same in fall wheat as Kansas. 
 Iowa and Nebraska yield about the same average per acre of spring wheat. But 
 of the aggregate yields of the country, we have no statistics later than the general 
 census of 1870 — the census of 1880 not being yet available. A careful computa- 
 tion from the census shows for that year, ending June, there was produced in 
 this region 26, 4.i;2, 116 bushels of wheat; 631,353 bushels of rye, 89,236,854 
 bushels of corn ; 24,367,214 bushels of oats, 1,429,946 bushels of barley, 1,846,- 
 138 tons of hay, 6,235,366 pounds of tobacco. 
 
 In live stock it produced : Of hogs 2,596,185 ; catde other than exclusively 
 grass-fed, 533,833, of grass-fed 2,061,343 ; exclusive of the Indian Territory where 
 there are large herds, but from which there are no returns; of mules, 116,585; 
 of sheep, 233,326; of horses, 885,833. 
 
 The value in soil products of the amount produced by these figures, at the 
 current market rates paid at Kansas City, would amount to $85,228,837. And 
 the live stock, at a low average per hea,d, are in value $26,557,640. 
 
 Or, in the aggregate, this portion of the Union produced in 1870, from its 
 soil alone, a wealth of more than one hundred and twenty-eight millions of dol- 
 lars. In 1880 the production was many fold greater. 
 
 FRUIT GROWING. 
 
 The country is yet so new that its capacity for the production of fruit is but 
 inadequately developed. The effort so far has been largely experimental, for the 
 climate and soil, differing somewhat from the country already settled, produces 
 different results with the same varieties. Some of those which succeed best in 
 more eastern localities do not succeed well here, hence the country may be said 
 to be just ascertaining what fruits will pay. 
 
 Of its natural adaptability for fruits there can be no question. In no country 
 in the world is there a greater variety or abundance of wild fruits, and in no 
 country do they present more vigorous growths or finer natural flavors. Of the 
 natural adaptation of the country we quote from Prof. Aughey, of Nebraska. 
 What he says of the natural adaptability of the country applies equally well to all 
 parts as well as Nebraska, because it is all of the same character. Referring to 
 the soil deposits he says : 
 
 " As would be expected, these deposits are also a paradise for the cultivated 
 fruits of the. temperate zones. They luxuriate in a soil like this, which has per- 
 fect natural drainage and is composed of such materials. No other region, ex- 
 cept the valleys of the. Nile and of the Rhine, can in these respects compare with 
 the Loess deposits of Nebraska. The Loess of the Rhine supplies Europe with 
 some of its finest wines and grapes. The success that has already attended the 
 cultivation of the grape in southeastern Nebraska, at least, demonstrates that the 
 State may likewise become remarkable in this respect. For the cultivation of the 
 apple its superiority is demonstrated. Nebraska, although so young in years, 
 has taken the premium over all the other States in the pomological fairs at Rich- 
 mond and Boston. Of coarse there are obstacles here in the way of the pomolo- 
 gist as well as in other favored regions. But what is claimed is that the soil, as 
 anilysis and experience prove, is eminendy adapted to grape and especially to 
 apple-tree culture. The chief obstacle is particularly met with in the interior of 
 the State, and results fro-n the climate. In midsummer occasional hot, dry 
 winds blow from the southwest. These winds, where the trunks of apple trees 
 are exposed, blister and scald the bark on the south side, and frequently kill the 
 trees. It is found, however, that when young trees are caused to throw out 
 Hmbs near to the ground, they are completely protected, or if that has not been 
 done, a shingle tacked on that side of the tree prevents all damage from that 
 ource. Many fruit-growers also claim that Cottonwood and box-elder groves on 
 
628 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 the south side of orchards is all that is necessary to protect them from these 
 storms. I mention this here to put any new settler who may read this and who 
 has not learned the experience of fruit-growers in this State, on his guard." 
 
 In addition to the fact above stated by Prof. Aughey, that Nebraska took 
 the premium over all other States at the pomological fairs of Boston and Rich- 
 mond, it needs only to be stated that Kansas took the premium over all other 
 States at the fair of the National Pomological society, at Philadelphia, in 1869, at 
 the fair of the American Pomological society, at Richmond, in 1871, and has 
 taken highest premiums at the fairs of the Pennsylvania Horticultural society, at 
 the St. Louis fair, at the State fairs of New York, New Hampshire, and at the 
 New England fair at Lowell, Mass. 
 
 These facts sufficiently establish the character of Kansas and Nebraska as 
 fruit growing States. In 1873 a collection of Missouri fruits from the western 
 part of the State took the premium at the Kansas State Fair, which sufficiently tes- 
 tifies to the quality of Missouri as a fruit State. At this fair there was an exten- 
 sive display of California fruits, intended for exhibition only, which brought the 
 fruits of Kansas and Missouri into close position and critical comparison with 
 those of the most famous fruit State in the Union. And they did not suffer 
 either as to size, perfection, or flavor. 
 
 Although the fruit interest of these States is young and but Httle developed, 
 displays of fruit have become a prominent feature, and a most attractive one at 
 all their fairs. And it is the verdict of visitors from the east that better fruits are 
 not grown anywhere in the United States. Kansas is the only State from which 
 we have any late statistics of acreage in fruit. She had, in 1875, 100,489.97 
 in all fruits except grapes, and 3,004.44 acres in vineyard. 
 
 LIVE STOCK. 
 
 A country possessing such favorable conditions of climate and producing so 
 abundantly of all that feeds animal life could not be otherwise than favorable for 
 stock growing. It has been the experience of farmers and freighters that cattle 
 and mules live and thrive on the native grasses of the western plains and main- 
 tain fair conditions of flesh although continually under the yoke or in the harness. 
 In many parts of the country cattle are subsisted exclusively on grass the year 
 round and are never provided with shelter, yet they thrive and fatten and are con- 
 verted into beef without further feed. 
 
 Stock of all kinds is becoming a great interest with the farmers of Kansas 
 and Nebraska, as it has already with those of Missouri and Iowa. Cattle, hogs 
 and sheep are, however, taking the lead, as they do everywhere. 
 
 As to the adaptabihty of the country for hogs, little need be said, besides 
 what has been said already relative to the climate and abundance of the yield of 
 corn, which make that one of the most profitable as v/ell as most easily handled 
 kinds of stock. It has already become a prominent interest. However, there 
 were in 1880 1,281,630 hogs in Kansas, and in Nebraska 767,702, and there are 
 as many now. 
 
 CATTLE. 
 
 The production of cattle has become a very profitable branch of agriculture, 
 and farmers prefer feeding their corn to shipping it. In 1880, there were in 
 Kansas 748,672 head of cattle other than milch cows, and in Nebraska in 1880, 
 675,244. This does not include grass-fed cattle which are the chief stock 
 resources of the country, but of these there are no statistics. They are mostly 
 driven from Texas at the rate of from 175,000 to 400,000 head per annum, and 
 fattened on the western plains, after which are. sold at the Kansas City market, 
 western Kansas and Nebraska, and Colorado, New Mexico and Texas, are well 
 stocked with them, and the supply is exhaustless and annually increasing. In 
 fact, there is no country in the world so well adapted to them as the western 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 629 
 
 plains. A few years ago Dr. Latham, of Omaha, collected much valuable 
 information relative to the adaptability of the plains of western Nebraska and 
 Colorado for stock growing. It is needless here to give any extended summary 
 of the facts collected by him. He summarized them all in the following: 
 
 " In conclusion, to be brief, I think no one can deny nor doubt that the 
 above testiraoijy proves conclusively that we have i,ooo,oco,ooo acres of pastur- 
 age, where wool can be produced as cheap as in Buenos Ayres, where 1,000,000,- 
 000 sheep can graze summer and winter, where beef and mutton can be raised at 
 so low a price that the poorest paid labor can have an abundance, and that we 
 should be exporters of all classes of animal productions, instead of dependent 
 importers. It does not need prophetic vision to see, within the next quarter of 
 a century, a time equaled by Mr. Ward's and Mr. Major's experience, 20,000,- 
 000 of people west of the Missouri River, with more live stock than is in the 
 States east of it, and our country providing the wool to run the spindles of the 
 world. There is much more to be said in connection with this subject, such as 
 descriptions of particular locations for stock, but I have treated of this subject at 
 such length that I forbear. My excuse for such great length is the magnitude of 
 this national subject." 
 
 SHEEP. 
 
 The production of sheep and wool has also become a great interest in Kan- 
 sas and Nebraska, and it is rapidly increasing. In 1880, Kansas had 416,492 
 sheep, and Nebraska in 1880 had 194,159, and in Colorado, 782,649 Of the 
 number in New Mexico we have no statistics, but the number is very great and 
 annually increasing. In regard to sheep raising on the western plains, we quote 
 again from Dr. H. Latham : 
 
 ' ' All the country lying west of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers is of that 
 high, dry, rolling character which is so favorable for the growth of the healthiest 
 sheep and most valuable fibers of wool. 
 
 "All of the trans-Missouri country, west of the ninety-eighth meridian, to 
 the crest of the Snowy Range, has less than six weeks of rainy season, which is 
 in the month of May, after the cold weather. Usually there is no rain fall from 
 November till May. The snow is dry and round and does not adhere to the 
 sheep. There is not an acre of all the billion acres of country that does not fur- 
 nish summer and winter grazing for sheep. There is winter grazing enough in 
 Colorado, Wyoming and Montana, to graze all the sheep in the United States. 
 Australia and the Argentine Republic, the aggregate of whose wool product is 
 300,000,000 pounds, worth $100,000,000. 
 
 ' ' There is plenty of water for countless flocks in the network of streams that 
 drain our mountain ranges of their snows. 
 
 " There is an entire absence of the marshy lands and wet soils so destructive 
 to sheep in the form of " foot ail. " The sheep in New Mexico, Colorado and 
 Utah have-not, after ten years in the two latter Territories and forty years experi- 
 ence in the former, developed any diseases. The universal testimony has been 
 in all our Territories and States west of the Missouri River that there have been 
 no diseases among the flocks, and that they have improved in the quality and 
 quantity of the fleeces. 
 
 "The great fact of winter grazing will enable our flock-masters to make wool 
 growing exceedingly remunerative. In many instances which came under my 
 own observation here on the plains, flocks have yielded one hundred per cent 
 annually upon the investment in them. 
 
 "In countries where either the natural resources or protection makes wool 
 growing profitable, it makes most wonderful advancement. The industry of 
 South America, South Africa and Australia does not date back more than ' a 
 quarter of a century — and now they export 250,000,000 pounds. 
 
 " There are many remarkable instances of rapid increase in wool growing, but 
 
230 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 there is nothing that shows how rapidly the product can be increased, and how 
 wonderfully the demand increases, so much as the figures of England's importa- 
 tion thirty years ago — then seventy-four thousand bales were imported from 
 Germany ; ten thousand bales from Spain and Portugal ; British colonies, eight 
 thousand bales ; other places, five thousand; total, ninety-eight thousand bales. 
 In 1864 there were imported from Austraha three hundred and two thousand 
 bales ; Cape of Good Hope, sixty-eight thousand bales ; South America, ninety- 
 nine thousand bales; and two hundred and nineteen thousand, three hundred 
 and thirty-six bales from other sources — in all, six hundred and eighty-eight 
 thousand, three hundred and thirty-six bales. Australia now supplies more than 
 three times the whole amount of foreign wool consumed in England thirty years 
 ago, and the production of South America exceeds the whole consumption then." 
 
 HOGS. 
 
 A country possessing such a climate as the New West is here shown to pos- 
 sess and producing such an abundance of corn cannot fail to be exceedingly 
 prolific in the production of hogs. In fact, this is one of the leading interests of 
 the corn-growing part of this country, as shown in the following table of the 
 number taxed in the States named m 1880. We add in this table also, the 
 number of cattle, horses and sheep in these States for the year 1880 and for the 
 three preceding years, thus showing the increase from year to year : 
 
 
 Horses. 
 
 Cattle. 
 
 Hogs. 
 
 3.367,279 
 
 2,213,226 
 
 1,281,630 
 
 767,702 
 
 456 
 1,599,686 
 
 Sheep. 
 
 Missouri 
 
 Iowa 
 
 Kansas 
 
 Nebraska 
 
 Colorado 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 Texas 
 
 964,039 
 673,055 
 367,589 
 198,381 
 69,274 
 10,602 
 966,760 
 
 1,843,533 
 .1,528,109 
 748,672 
 675,244 
 541,563 
 269,626 
 
 3,552,192 
 
 1,436,820 
 
 301,752 
 416,492 
 
 194,959 
 
 782,649 
 
 171,810 
 
 2,546,582 
 
 Total 1880 
 
 3,249,700 
 
 9,158,940 
 
 9,329,979 
 
 5,951,074 
 
 Total 1879 
 
 2,104,337 
 
 7,396,890 
 
 7,383,013 
 
 3,356,093 
 
 Total 1878 
 
 1,782,028 
 
 6,353,742 
 
 6,832,566 
 
 3,083,831 
 
 Total 1877 
 
 1,935, '76 
 
 6,127,702 
 
 4,826,610 
 
 3,5^9,034 
 
 The timber resources of the New West are large notwithstanding it is a prai- 
 rie country. The prairie part of the country is, of course, dependent upon other 
 locahties for its supphes, but in Missouri, Arkansas, southeastern Kansas and 
 Indian Territory, there are large forests of black walnut, oak, hickory, ash and 
 other valuable hard woods for manufacturing purposes, while in parts of Arkan- 
 sas and Texas there are heavy forests of hard pine. The extension of railroads 
 vi'ill soon make available such of these woods as are not available now. 
 
 MINERAL RESOURCES. 
 
 Of the mineral resources of the New West, probably less is known than of 
 any of its other resources. The mines are yet in so undeveloped a state that no 
 adequate idea of their extent can be attained. But enough is known to warrant 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 631 
 
 the assertion that no other similar area in the world has such a variety or such an 
 extent of mineral wealth. 
 
 SALT. 
 
 There is salt enough in Kansas and Nebraska to supply the continent, and 
 it is of exceptional purity. At the great salt wells at Lincoln, Nebraska, and at 
 numerous places along the lines of the Kansas Pacific and Atchison, Topeka & 
 Santa Fe Railroads in Kansas, the salt water flows to the surface, and crystallizes 
 by solar evaporation into huge cakes, of exceptional strength and purity. This 
 great interest is as yet' wholly undeveloped, but at some future time salt from these 
 localities will constitute a prominent feature of Kansas City's commerce. 
 
 COAL. 
 
 The coal resources of the New West are also immense. All southwest Mis" 
 souri and southeastern Kansas are underlaid with a superior article of bituminous 
 coal. About fifteen thousand car loads are annually moved along the line of the 
 Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf road, most of which is sold in this city. The 
 veins lie near the surface, which makes mining easy and cheap. The prevailing 
 price in this city is not materially above that of other cities contiguous to coal 
 mines, and the quality of our coal is very superior for fuel and steam purposes. 
 
 That obtained at Fort Scott will run a railway engine sixty-five miles to the 
 ton, while forty-five is the highest of other soft coals obtained in the United 
 States. All the western part of Missouri, south of the river, is underlaid with 
 coal of the same veins, and hence of the same quality, and it extends westward 
 in Kansas, to an ascertained distance of seventy-five miles, and may be found 
 much farther west. In the mountain districts of the west it is abundant. 
 
 LEAD. 
 
 This mineral is found in great quantities in southwest and southern Missouri, 
 and as far west and north as Pleasanton, Kansas. The principal mines at the pres- 
 ent time are at Joplin, Missouri, and they have been developed within the past six 
 years, though known for a much longer time. It is the best soft lead found on 
 the American continent, and is, we believe, the only American lead of which the 
 best quality of paints can be made, without an admixture of foreign lead. Of 
 the extent of the product there are no statistics. 
 
 ZINC 
 
 Is also found at Joplin, Missouri, of exceptional purity and richness, and it is be- 
 ing successfully mined and smelted. The late Hon. Henry T. Blow, of St. Louis, 
 affirms that it is from fifty-five to sixty-five per cent, oxide, or thirty-five to fifty 
 per cent, pure metal. 
 
 IRON. 
 
 Missouri is already famous for the extent and richness of her mines. This 
 reputation has been made principally by the ores found in the southeastern part of 
 the State, but the same deposit extends to the western. In fact, all southern 
 Missouri is underlaid with it, as with coal and lead, though outside of the mines 
 at Pilot Knob and Iron Mountain, it is but little developed. It is found also in 
 inexhaustible quantities in the mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. 
 
 GOLD AND SILVER. 
 
 The gold and silver mines of Colorado and New Mexico have been famous 
 for many years. Specie and bullion from New Mexico was a prominent article 
 of traffic in the old days of the Santa Fe trade at Kansas City, though the mines 
 were then but little developed and worked only by the indolent Mexicans. 
 The extent and richness of these mines will not be ascertained for many years to 
 
G32 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 come. The whole Rocky Mountain country is full of gold and silver, as well as 
 coal, iron and lead. Of the annual yield of most of these minerals the statistics 
 are not available, but we here quote from a report for 1880, carefully compiled by 
 John J. Valentine, Superintendent of Wells, Fargo & Co.'s Express, St. Louis, 
 the total product of the precious metals of the western mines for, indeed, it will 
 be seen that that and other sections connected commercially with Kansas City 
 show the largest increase : 
 
 STATES AND TERRITORIES. PRODUCT 1880 
 
 Colorado $21,284,989 
 
 California 18,276,166 
 
 Nevada 15,031,621 
 
 Oregon ■ 1,059,641 
 
 Washington 105,164 
 
 Idaho 1,894,747 
 
 Montana 3,822,379 
 
 Utah. . 6,450,953 
 
 New Mexico 711,300 
 
 Dakota 4,123,081 
 
 Arizona 4,472,471 
 
 Mexico (West Coast) 2,090,557 
 
 British Columbia 844,867 
 
 $80,167,936 
 Commenting on the product of the mines Mr. Valentine says: "Colorado 
 shows an increase of $6,871,474 over our report of last year — chiefly from Lead- 
 ville district. California shows an increase in gold of $579,579, and a decrease 
 in silver of $360,873. Nevada shows a total falling off of $6,966,093, the yield 
 from the Comstock being only $5,312,592, as against $8,830,562 in 1879, a 
 decrease of $3,517,970. The product of Eureka district is $4,639,025, as against 
 $5,859,261 in 1879, ^ decrease of $1,220,236. Utah shows an increase of $982,- 
 074. Dakota shows an increase of $914,094. Arizona shows a notable in- 
 crease." 
 
 ^^^ 
 ■k.' [j,.. 
 
 40 Mi^ffl 
 
 ^T-« ft.'A.V..tV>t 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 633 
 
 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 Introductory — Names of Early Settlers Given Under Blue Township — County Seat Located in 
 ■1827 — Additions to the Town of Independence — Sale of Lots — First Instrument of Record — 
 The First Court — Gold Excitement — The First Court House^Jails and Sheriffs — Business of 
 the City — Banking, Etc. — Streets and Boulevards — Beautiful Scenery — Incorporation — Names 
 of Mayors — Religious History— Joab Powell— Baptists — M. E. Church, South — Christian 
 Church — Old School Presbyterians — M. E. Chutch — Cumberland Presbyterians — Old School 
 Baptists — Latter Day Saints — Catholic Church — The Cemetary — Colleges and Schools — Secret 
 Societies — Business Directory — Wayne City Bluff— The Finest Mansion in Jackson County. 
 
 In this sketch of the history of the city of Independence we shall endeavor 
 to give a comprehensive, though not exhaustive review, of its establishment as 
 the seat of justice of Jackson county, its growth and development and its present 
 condition. Those who know the history of Independence so well that the most 
 observant and inquisitive historical pen could not bring to the mind a single 
 unheard-of incident or experience, nor present an old one in a new light, per- 
 haps may not highly prize what is so familiar to them ; but posterity will cherish 
 a deep interest in any facts with which their fathers were associated. Independ- 
 ence is one of the most beautiful little cities in the Union ; the large and elegant 
 homes, the tall and branching shade trees, the smooth macadam streets, the 
 large and beautiful court house, the commodious churches, the colleges and 
 schools, the substantial business houses, the wealth and business enterprise and 
 the moral and intellectual culture of the citizens, all conspire to make Independ- 
 ence the pride not only of those who reside within its immediate bounds, but of 
 the State at large. 
 
 In speaking thus of this little city of Independence we are at the same time 
 aware that our noble State, Missouri, contains many other good towns, and that 
 the fertile soil, the sunny skies, the fruitful seasons, the advantages of culture 
 and the smiles of Providence are blessings enjoyed in every clime, but to the 
 same extent and degree as found here exceedingly few examples can be cited. 
 Independence is most emphatically one of Missouri's representative towns, but 
 that it is in every particular a model we shall not pretend to maintain. How- 
 ever, it is certMnly much easier with Independence in mind to frame an ideal 
 model, than taking most other cities of the same size as the basis. 
 
 The early settlers for the most part came from Kentucky and Tennessee, 
 though some were from Virginia and other States. Scholarly parents have 
 removed to Independence in order to secure the best advantages for their chil- 
 dren, and there is no place in the State better suited to their purpose. 
 
 Not many of the first settlers of Independence are now alive ; a very few 
 who came soon after the first still live and relate the scenes in which they took 
 such active interest. The laying out of the town, the establishment of the seat 
 of justice for Jackson county, the building of the first Court House and Jail, 
 the New Mexico Trade, the Gold Excitement, Doniphan's Expedition, and many 
 more events of that nature are nearly forgotten by the few old settlers and 
 scarcely heard of by the youths. 
 
 The settlement of Jackson county is inseparably connected with the settle- 
 ment of Independence. In these pages devoted to this beautiful growing town 
 we shall endeavor to present as many facts, as a short sketch will permit. Such 
 men as Abraham McClellan, Richard Fristoe, Samuel C. Owens, Jacob Gregg, 
 Henry Burris, Joel P. Walker, L. W. Boggs and others were among the first 
 pioneers who directed the affairs of this county. 
 
 Independence was laid out by David Ward, Julius Emmons and John Bartle- 
 
634 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 son in 1827. These gentlemen were appointed by the General Assembly of Mis- 
 souri to pre-empt a tract of land upon which to locate a county seat for Jackson 
 county; their final report bears the date of Mareh, 1827. The first court was 
 held by David Todd, on the 21st of May, following. The original town plat 
 contained 240 acres, upon which have been found sixteen springs of pure water. 
 
 The town site now contains 600 acres, with a population of 3,146, as given 
 by the census of 1880. The first public land was sold in Jackson county on the 
 nth day of November, 1828. 
 
 The first census of Jackson county was taken by Mr. Jacob Gregg, in 1826, 
 and he received $10 for ten days services. It hardly looks as if it could have 
 been thoroughly done in that time by one person, but such is the record. 
 
 Mr. Samuel Newton was the commissioner appointed to number the lots and 
 his report gives much of local interest. Labor was cheap, one dollar a day being 
 his own charge for services. He quotes whisky at 50 cents per gallon; and he 
 charged the city 25 cents for the survey of each lot. Paper was high, he having 
 paid $1.50 for four quires, which now can be bought for less than half that price. 
 In the matter of labor and the products of the soil, prices were far below those of 
 the present day ; but when it came to articles of manufacture, which was then in 
 its infancy, the old settlers were compelled to pay pretty good prices. Thirty- 
 seven and a half cents a quire for common writing paper and 25 cents for two 
 paste boards would astonish those of the present day, if it was asked of them. 
 
 S. G. Owens, Garrett M. Hensley, Jno. R. Swearingen and Judge John 
 Smith were appointed commissioners to sell lots. John Dunston was surveyor, 
 and completed his work Jan. 9, 1827, afterward the town was platted off by Geo. 
 W. Rhodes, which plat is on record in the office. Abner J. Adair purchased 
 the first lots, Nos. 20 and 21, in old town; these lots are now occupied by Mrs. 
 McClanahan and Theophilus Thompson. Three years after the first part of the 
 town was laid off, the annexed part, the south half of northwest quarter of sec- 
 tion No. 2, was added by special act of the Legislature, and Abram McClelland 
 was appointed commissioner to convey the property to various individual pur- 
 chasers. This act was passed in 1831. 
 
 The plat of Independence, approved by the County Court, is given here- 
 with : I 
 
 " COUNTY OF JACKSON, ] ^Yo-wif 
 State of Missouri, J ' 
 
 County Court, SpeciaeTerm, | 
 June ist, 1827. j 
 
 " We, the undersigned Justices of the County Court of Jackson county do 
 approve of the within plat of the Town of Independence, the seat of justice of 
 this county, and direct the same to be deposited in the office of the Recorder of 
 the county for safe keeping. 
 
 Given under our hands and seals the day and date above written. 
 
 ABRAHAM McCLELLAND, [L. S. 
 HENRY BURRIS, [L. S. 
 
 RICHARD FRISTOE, [L. S.; 
 
 Additions at various times have been made to the original plat, some of which 
 were by the following persons : 
 
 Joseph Hansbrough's addition, Nov. 28, 1845; Geo. W. Rhodes, surveyor. 
 
 J. F. Moore's addition, June 10, 1846. 
 
 S. H. Woodson's addition, February 14, 1848. 
 
 Henry Rubey's addition, Sept. 13, 1850. 
 
 McCoy's addition, April 5, 1852. 
 
 Woodson & Maxwell's addition, March 20 1851. 
 
 Michael Fallon & Jacob Mailer's addition, October 28, 1852. 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 635 
 
 John F. McCauley's addition, January 28, 1852. 
 Jno. Lewis' addition, March 14, 1853. 
 Lewis Jones' addition, October 21, 1851. 
 Waldo & Norris' addition, March 12, 1858. 
 Hendrickson's addition, June 26,1858. 
 J. W. Bonta's addition, June 26, 1858. 
 Wm. Gilpin's addition, January 3, 1859. 
 R. S. Johnson's addition, Sept. 3, 1867. 
 
 SALE OF LOTS. 
 
 The first sale of lots took place on the 9th, loth and nth days of July, 1827, 
 and in the Recorder's office will be found the report of the commissioner of the 
 sale to the court. 
 
 The account reads : 
 
 "Commissioner's accounts of lots sold in the town of Independence, at the 
 first sale held, on the ninth, tenth and eleventh days of July, A. D., 1827." 
 
 Lot No. 6, James Allen, $11.50; James Blakely, security. 
 
 Lot No. 4, John Cornet, $14.62 ; L. W. Bbggs, security. 
 
 Lot No. 74, Jesse Butler, $ro.oo; James Kimzey, security. 
 
 Lots Nos. 116, 19, 135 and 136, Samuel Newton; Samuel C. Owens, security. 
 
 Lot No. 20, Isaac Blanton, $12.00; John Blanton, security. 
 
 Lot No. 61, John Thornton, $12.00; Samuel C. Owens, security. 
 
 Lot No. 44, Nimrod McCracken, $10.00; James Kimzey, security. 
 
 Lot No. 64, James Flournoy, $34.50; S. G. Flournoy, security. 
 
 Lot No. 38, Fitzhugh & Willson, $15.71; John Fitzhugh, security. 
 
 Lot No. 65, Lawrence Flournoy, $21.50; Rowland Flournoy, security. 
 
 Lot No. 78, James Kimzey, $10.00; Jesse Butler, security. 
 
 Lot No. 8, Edward Sneed, $14.00; J. R. Walker, security. 
 
 Lot No. 130 Jacob Gregg, $30.73 ; L. W. Boggs, security. 
 
 Lot No. 50, Thos. Pitcher, $35.25; William Noland, security. 
 
 Lot No. 18, Smallwood V. Noland, $25.20; Eli Glascock, security. 
 
 Lot No 13, Joseph Roy, $40.50; Mark Foster, security. 
 
 Lot No. 57, James Rothwell, $14.08; Joel P. Walker, s.ecurity. 
 
 Lot No. 53, Joseph Brown, $42.00; Elisha Todd, security. 
 
 Lot No. 3, Armenius Gary, $11.38; Richard Fristoe, security. 
 
 Lot No. 5, Geo. H. Arnold, $25.25; Mark Foster, security. 
 
 Lot No. 12, Richard Fristoe, $34.00; John Cornet, security. 
 
 Lot No. 47, John Cornet, $10.00; Edward Wilburn, security. 
 
 Lot No. II, James Aull, $32.00; Richard Fristoe, security. 
 
 Lot No. 93, Solomon G. Flournoy, $49.72; Rowland Flournoy, security. 
 
 Lot No. 63, John Thornton, $11.25 ! Sam'l C. Owens, security. 
 
 Lot No. 49, Jacob Gregg, $12.50; J. R. Walker, security. 
 
 Lot No. 66, John Smith, $2000; Ira Smith, security. 
 
 Lot No. 139, James King, $23.02; William Silvers, security. 
 
 Lot No. 142, Lewis Jones, $42.20; James Moze, security. 
 
 Lot No. 133, James Kimzey, $18.94; Eli Roberts, security. 
 
 Lot No. 112, G. Johnston, $10.00; S. V. Noland, security. 
 
 Lot No. 94, S. V. Noland, $15.15; G. Johnston, security. 
 
 Lots Nos. 113 and 114, G. Johnston, $20.00; S. V. Noland, security. 
 
 Lot No. 71, Eli Roberts, $10.00; James Kimzey, security. 
 
 Lot No. 103, Cicero Brown, $10.00; Gan Johnston, security. 
 
 Lot No. 76, Daniel Monroe, $10.00; Elisha Todd, security. 
 
 Lots Nos. 134, 127, 124, 125, 126, 79, M. Franker & E. Todd; Eli Roberts, 
 security. 
 
 Lots Nos. 73 and 85, Lewis Jones, $22.00; James Moze, security. 
 
636 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 Lot No. 132, L. W. Boggs, $9.25; J. R. Swearingen, security. 
 
 Lot No. 128, John Young, $14.44; Rob't Johnson, security. 
 
 Lot No. 9, Solomon Flournoy, $20.00; S. C. Owens, security. 
 
 Lot No. 70, Rowland Flournoy, $12.00; S. G. Flournoy, security. 
 
 Lot No. 69, Lawrence Flournoy, $10.00; R. Flournoy, security. 
 
 Lot No. 56, Wm. Conner, $12.00; Aaron Overton, security. 
 
 Lot No. 39, James Savage, $6.64; Henry Burris, security. 
 
 Lot No. 134, Jacob Gregg, $9.16; L. W. Boggs, security. 
 
 Lot No. 62, John Cornet $10.00; Richard Fristoe, security. 
 
 Lots No. 67 and 75, Eli Roberts, $26.50; L D. Dickey, security. 
 
 Lot No. 58, Geo. H. Arnold, $16.00; Eli Roberts and Wm. Silvers, security. 
 
 Lot No. 72, James Kimzey, $27.00; Samuel Kimzey, security. 
 
 Lot No. 60, Cicero Brown, $32.00; Gan. Johnston, security. 
 
 Lot No. 52, Elisha Todd, $43.00; Joseph Brown, security. 
 
 Lot No. 68, Eli Roberts, $15.00; J. D. Dickey, security. 
 
 Lot No. Ill, John Smith, $11.75; ■'■■'^ Smith, security. 
 
 Lot No. 37, James H. Wilson, $10 00; S. Fitzhugh, security. 
 
 Lot No. 40, Solomon Fitzhugh, $10.00; Jas. H. Wilson, security. 
 
 Lot No. 137, John Thornton, $20.44: Samuel C. Owens, security. 
 
 Lot No. 92, James Flournoy, $21.72; R. Flournoy, security. 
 
 Lot No. 29, Levi Yates, $10.00; Wm. Yates, security. 
 
 Lot No. 141, James King, $11.85; Wm. Silvers, security. 
 
 Lot No. 21, S. C. Owens and Ed. Wilburn, $10.00; R. Flournoy, security. 
 
 Lot No. 55, Aaron Overton, $14.64; Wm. Conner, security. 
 
 Total amount of cash received for the sale of land was $374.57. The lots 
 were sold partly on time, and about one-fourth of the amount of each lot was 
 paid down. The following receipt was given for the cash paid at the sale : 
 
 "Received of Samuel Newton, commissioner of the seat of justice for Jack- 
 son county, three hundred and seventy-four dollars and fifty-seven cents, being 
 the whole amount of moneys collected by him on account of sales of lots in the 
 town of Independence, up to this date. L. W. BOGGS, Clerk, 
 
 "Independence, August 6, 1827. Acting County Treasurer." 
 
 Some of the pa.yments on lots became due in July, others in August, and 
 later periods. 
 
 We give the following Voucher as showing the way the business was done, 
 the money received and the kind being fully given in the receipt : 
 
 " Received of Lewis Jones, commissioner of the seat of justice for Jackson 
 county. Two Hundred and Sixty- Eight Dollars and eighteen cents in specie, and 
 Fifty Dollars in United States paper; Fifteen Dollars in Auditor's warrants, taken 
 of L. W. Boggs, by order of the court; Eighteen Dollars in county warrants, 
 payable to L. W. Boggs; paid S. C. Owens, as County Treasurer, Eighteen Dol- 
 lars and ninety-two cents ; also seven dollars and fifty cents, in two notes — one on 
 Smith and the other on John Cornet, both to be charged to said John Smith, as 
 the bidder of the public gaol; making in the whole, allowing the said Lewis Jones 
 one-half per cent for collection, three hundred and sixty-six dollars and fifty-six 
 cents. This 2d day of February, A. D. 1829. 
 
 "SAM'L C. OWENS, Clerk, 
 " Acting as County Treasurer." 
 
 FIRST INSTRUMENT OF RECORD. 
 
 The first instrument recorded in Jackson county is rather a remarkable one 
 and deserving of special mention and remembrance. It was concerning a cer- 
 tain patent obtained by Anthony Bencine, of Greensboro, North Carolina, who 
 for $500, sold the right for the counties of Lafayette, Ray, Clay and Jackson 
 to R. and L. McCaskrie. It states that it is for the improvement of grist mills. 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 637 
 
 specifying that by certain arrangements of burrs, spindles, etc., perfect accuracy 
 in grinding can be had in such a manner as has never before been attained or 
 used in the United States. These letters patent were issued to A. Bencine by 
 John Quincy Adams, President, Henry Clay, Secretary of State, and certified to 
 by Wm. Wirt, Attorney-General of the United States. The witnesses of the sig- 
 nature of A. Bencine, were T. Early Strange and Peter Adams, of North Caro- 
 lina. 
 
 These documents are so exceedingly interesting that a careful perusal of them 
 will afford the reader much pleasure. A simple description of them is not suffi- 
 cient, we therefore insert them : 
 
 LETTERS PATENT. 
 
 THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 To all to whom these letters patent shall spme : 
 
 Whereas, Anthony Bencine, a citizen of the United States, hath alleged that 
 he has invented a new and useful improvement in grist mills, which improvement, 
 he states, has not been known or used before his application ; hath oath that he 
 doth verily believe that he is the true inventor or discoverer of the said improve- 
 ment; hath paid into the treasury of the United States the sum of thirty dollars, 
 delivered a receipt for the same, and presented a petition to the Secretary of State, 
 signifying a desire of obtaining an exclusive property in said improvement, and 
 praying that a patent may be granted for that purpose. These are, therefore, to 
 grant, according to law, to this said Anthony Bencine, his heirs, administrators 
 or assigns, for the term of fourteen years from the sixteenth day of January, one 
 thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, the full and exclusive right and liberty 
 of making, constructing, using and vending to others to be used the said improve- 
 ment, a description whereof is given in the words of the said Anthony Bencine 
 himself, in the schedule thereunto annexed, and is made a part of these presents. 
 In testimony whereof I have caused these letters to be made patent and the 
 seal of the United States to be hereunto affixed. Given under my 
 hand at the City of Washington this sixteenth day of January, in the 
 year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty-seven, and 
 in the Independence of the United States of America the fifty-first. 
 By the President, 
 
 J. Q. ADAMS. 
 H. Clay, Secretary of State. 
 
 City of Washington, to-wit : 
 
 I do hereby certify that the foregoing letters patent were delivered to 
 me on the sixteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight 
 hundred and twenty-seven, to be examined ; that I have examined the same and find 
 them conformable to law, and I do hereby return the same to the Secretary of 
 State within fifteen days from the date aforesaid, to-wit, on this sixteenth day of 
 January, in the year aforesaid. 
 
 WM. WIRT, 
 
 Attorney-General of the United States. 
 
 First court in Jackson county was held by Judge David Todd at the house 
 of John Young, March 29th, 1827, and the following is the official record, 
 together with his commission : 
 
 " At a circuit court held for Jackson county, at the house of John Young, 
 the place appointed by law, organizing said county, on Thursday the 29th day of 
 March, 1827, being the first Thursday succeeding the fourth Monday in said 
 month. Present the Hon. David Todd, judge, who produced his commission 
 with his certificate of qualification thereon indorsed which is ordered to be 
 
638 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 recorded, and is in these words, viz : To all who shall see these presents greeting 
 know ye, Alexander McNaer, ' Governor of the State of Missouri, that reposing 
 special trust and confidence in the integrity learning and abilities of David Todd, 
 Esq., I have nominated and by and with the advice and consent of the senate do 
 hereby appoint him judge of the first judicial circuit in the State of Missouri, and 
 do authorize and empower him to discharge the duties of said office according to 
 law. To have and to hold said office with all the powers, privileges and the 
 emoluments to the same of right appertaining unto the said David Todd during 
 good behaviour or until, or otherwise removed according to law." 
 
 " In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great 
 seal of the State of Missouri to be affixed. Done at St. Charles the 13th day of 
 December, A. D., 1822, and in the Independence of the United States the forty- 
 seventh. A. McNAIR. 
 
 By the Governor, 
 
 William G. Pettus, 
 
 Secretary of State.'' 
 
 Below will be found the certificate of qualification of the Judge : 
 "Be it remembered, that on the eighth day of February, in the year of our 
 Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and twenty-three, before me, Jonathan S. 
 Findlay, Justice of the Peace, within and for the county of Howard, in the State 
 of Missouri, personally came David Todd, Esq., in the within commissioned 
 named, who took before me the oath to support the Constitution of the United 
 States, also to support the Constitution of the State of Missouri, and moreover, 
 the oath to demean himself faithfully, and to the best of his skill and abihties in 
 the office of Judge of the first Judicial Circuit Court, in the State of Missouri, 
 so long as he shall continue to exercise the duties of the same. 
 " Sworn and subscribed before me, J. S. FINDLAY, 
 
 Justice of the Peace, 
 
 Howard Co., Mo." 
 
 The first county court was held in May, 1827, near Mr. Ross's spring, south- 
 east of town. The Judges were Abram McClelland, Henry Burris and Richard 
 Fristoe. Joel Walker acted as sheriff and L. W. Boggs clerk of the court. 
 Daniel Todd was Judge of the Circuit Court, and S. C. Owens clerk, and the 
 first meeting of the court was held in a log house opposite the old foundry. 
 
 NEW COURT HOUSE. 
 
 The building of a court house now began to agitate the people. The rooms 
 occupied were not suitable and the wants of the county and its accommodation 
 of records demanded more commodious quarters. At the September term of the 
 county court the matter was decided, and the following order was entered upon 
 the records for building the first court house in Jackson county. It bears date 
 September 3d, 1827. 
 
 " Ordered, That there be erected a temporary court house in the town of 
 Independence. That the Superintendent of Public Buildings be directed to cause 
 to be erected on the northwest corner of lot fifty-nine, in the town of Independ- 
 ence, a hewed log house thirty six feet in the clear in length, by eighteen in the 
 clear in width, a partition of hewn logs so as to leave the large room twenty-two 
 feet by eighteen and the small eighteen by fourteen. One good story high, say 
 nine feet between joists and the floor, roof to be of rafters and three foot boards, 
 with a brick chimney built so as to have a fire-place in each room, with a rock 
 foundation, with good puncheon floors below and a loft covered with plank, and 
 a sufficient number of hewn joists to each room. The foundation of the house to 
 be laid on stone pillars with a sufficient number of doors and windows, say one 
 door in the large room and one through the partition, cracks chinked with seasoned 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 639 
 
 short chinking and points outside and inside with lime mortar, with two twelve- 
 light windows in the la,rge room and one in the small room, the door shutters to 
 be what is commonly called batton doors of walnut plank well seasoned, planed 
 and neatly and strongly made. The door casing and window casing all to be of 
 well seasoned walnut plank and window shutters to each window. And the 
 Superintendent is authorized to supply any deficiency in the plan so as to make 
 the building complete and fit for use, and make any alteration which may tend 
 to lessen the expense of the county. This court also orders that the sum of one 
 hundred and seventy-five dollars be appropriated to pay for the said building out 
 of any money in the treasury from the sale of lots in the town of Independence." ' 
 
 The following report bearing date of February 4, 1828 explains the adver- 
 tising, proposals and letting of the contract for building the first court house. It 
 is interesting. 
 
 The superintendent of public buildings made the following report which was 
 read and ordered to be entered on record : 
 
 To the Honorable, the Justices of the County Court of Jackson County : 
 
 The superintendent of public buildings for the County of Jackson reports 
 that in pursuance of an order of said Court to him directed at a special term of 
 said Court, on the 3d of September, 1827. Advertisements were published for 
 receiving proposals for building a temporary court house in Independence, on 
 the northeast corner of lot No 59. Proposals were received until the 15 th day 
 of September last, on which day they were opened. The accompanying docu- 
 ment will show what the proposals were, and whose proposal was accepted. The 
 work has progressed with as much expedition as the season would admit, and the 
 work, as far as has progressed, has been done in a workmanlike manner, and the 
 balance of the work will be completed as'soon as the weather will permit. The 
 sura of forty dollars has been drawn and paid to the undertaker. The bond and 
 advertisement are herewith for the inspection of the Court. 
 ^ Respectfully, 
 
 L. W. BOGGS, 
 / Superintendent of Public Buildings. 
 
 February 4, 1828. 
 The following are the proposals for building the court house : 
 
 James Shephard $180 00 
 
 John Smith 190 00 
 
 S. V. Noland 179 00 
 
 Archibald McCorkle 170 00 
 
 Harmon Gregg 190 00 
 
 James Lewis 175 00 
 
 Daniel P. Lewis 150 00 
 
 Daniel P. Lewis being the lowest, was awarded the contract. 
 
 The present court house is located in the center of a square, occupying ooe 
 and one-fourth acres, including the public grounds. It is a handsome brick, two 
 stories in height, which was completed in 1872, at a cost of $48,000, and occu- 
 pying the highest point in the town, from which the streets from either side have 
 a gradual descent, and from the cupola of which a grand panorama of natural 
 scenery greets the eye. 
 
 JAILS. 
 
 The first jail was built in the year 1827, and was constructed of hewn logs 
 of ten to twelve inches in diameter. The building was something over sixteen 
 feet square, and about fifteen feet high, with two rooms or apartments, one 
 above, called the debtors' room, and the lower room, or dungeon, for criminals. 
 The floor was of the same kind of hewn logs, and firmly fastened together. Very 
 little light came through the small grated window to the criminals in the dungeon. 
 
640 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE 
 
 Staples with rings attached were driven into the logs for the purpose of fastening 
 the shackles of desperate men. A stairway on the outside to the upper room 
 was the only way of entering the jail. When within the debtors' apartment, the 
 lower room or dungeon was reached by means of a trap door, through which all 
 the prisoners must come to leave the dungeon. The history of this old jail is 
 very interesting. The prisoners confined there, the escapes of noted desperadoes, 
 the sheriffs and deputies who had them in charge, form an eventful period in the 
 early history of Jackson county. 
 
 This old log jail was finally burned by accident. A family who lived near 
 had been accustomed to deposit ashes and embers by the side of the building, 
 and by this means the fire was started. The second jail was built in 1841, of 
 brick, and now stands, used for the calaboose of the city of Independence. It is 
 about 45 feet long and 18 feet wide, with a height of 30 feet. There are four 
 rooms, two above and two below, with a hall and stairway between the north and 
 south rooms. The two rooms on the north end of the building, both above and 
 below, were lined with heavy square timbers, driven full of twenty-penny nails. 
 Not a square inch of surface, either in the walls or floor of those rooms, is with- 
 out one of these large nails, being driven firmly into the square-faced logs. The 
 two rooms on the south of the hall-way were less firmly constructed, the upper 
 rooms being for women. Connecting the upper and lower rooms on the north 
 end is a heavy trap door, which would require considerable strength, even wheii 
 unbolted, to Hft it. 
 
 At one time a prisoner cut through those heavy timbers filled with nails, and 
 the brick on the outside in the east wall, and made his escape, and the place was 
 afterward covered by a large plate of iron. Only a few years ago, a negro, who 
 had been confined for some small offense, with his pocket knife, cut a large hole 
 in the door, and removed the lock, making his escape in the day time. 
 
 In the upper south room are several relics of implements to confine prison- 
 ers : among them, five large six inch iron balls, with chain and shackle attached. 
 
 Mrs. Atwell now lives in the south room below, and has charge of the whole 
 building. 
 
 After the completion of the third jail, the second was sold to a negro trader, 
 who carried on the slave trade there for a considerable time. 
 
 A runaway negro was placed in the old log jail for safe keeping one night, 
 and his master, who resided in Lafayette county, came on to claim his property. 
 The owner identified the fugitive, left him in the care of the jailor, and retired to 
 the hotel for the night. On the morrow he ordered the stage driven around to 
 the jail, to get the negro, but on entering, they were surprised to find him stone 
 dead, and hanging by his neck so low that his knees touched the floor. He had 
 managed to find a piece of rope, with which he committed the rash act. 
 
 The present jail was built in the year 1859. The residence for the jailor is a 
 comfortable brick structure in front of the jail proper, and is two stories high, 
 frith sufficient room for a family. This is immediately south of the calaboose, 
 and the calaboose stands on the site of the old wooden jail. The present jail is a 
 safe structure about 30 feet square and 25 feet high. The walls are of large stone 
 blocks two feet in thickness, quarried from a piece of land near Rock Creek. It 
 contains two apartments — one above and one below — with six cells in each apart- 
 ment. One of these cells below is used as the "dungeon," to confine obdurate 
 prisoners. There is a high board fence inclosing the jail yard and jail property. 
 Under the care of Marshal H. Holland, the prisoners are well cared for, and the 
 jail is well and comfortably kept. The jail is well lighted and warmed. 
 
 Since December 4. 1876, there have been confined 409 prisoners, eleven of 
 whom have been confined since the present marshal came in charge. Mr. M. M. 
 Langhorne took charge of the jail December 4, 1876, and continued till Novem- 
 ber 28, 1880, when Mr. H. Holland succeeded to the charge. 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 641 
 
 During the history of these jails, there have been several noted prisoners con- 
 fined and several daring escapes, some of which we shall chronicle. 
 
 Two murderers escaped at the same time, digging through the floor, then 
 tunneling for some distance in the ground. Their names were Henry Gaster and 
 Alpha P. Buckley. Gaster had murdered Williamson Hawkins, who Hved about 
 six miles southeast of Independence. Gaster was hired to commit the awful deed 
 by the wife of Hawkins, for the sum of $150. Gaster and Hawkins' wife ar- 
 ranged the plot, and one evening, while sitting before the fire, Hawkins was shot 
 through the heart from a crack in the wall, by the side of the chimney. The 
 woman was arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced to the penitentiary, but was 
 pardoned before she reached there. 
 
 Buckley killed William Yocum in the old store room, on the south side of 
 the square, owned by Moses Wilson. An altercation, urged on by whisky, took 
 place, in which Buckley used a large stone and completely crushed the skull of 
 his victim. After the escape of Gaster and Buckley, Gaster was recaptured in 
 the southwestern part of this State, and returned to the jail here, but Buckley 
 was never after heard from. 
 
 Gaster was tried, convicted and sentenced to be hanged. He was hung on 
 the open common in the southwest part of the town on the loth day of May, 1839. 
 This was the first and only legal hanging in Independence; but since there has 
 been one legal hanging in Kansas City. The hanging of Gaster was witnessed 
 by thousands who came from far and near. Two large posts twenty feet long 
 were set in the ground, and a cross-bar connected the top ; this constituted the 
 gallows. The doomed man rode upon his coffin which rested on the boards of a 
 common wagon. Sheriff King adjusted the noose and Deputy Reynolds drew 
 down the black cap. The wagon was driven from beneath and the murderer 
 was ushered into eternity. 
 
 There was another escape from the jail by a murderer named John H. Har- 
 per. Harper shot and killed one Merideth, at an office near the southeast corner 
 of the square, the difficulty having arisen from jealousy. Merideth with several 
 companions had come from one of the eastern States and stopped here, to fit out 
 for an overland journey to California. For it will be remembered, that parties 
 starting for the Far West or New Mexico, were .here frequently fitted out with 
 wagons, horses, provisions and other necessaries for the trip. Merideth and party 
 had remained here several days, and had become acquainted with Harper and 
 others. One day Harper invited Merideth to take a drink with him ; he did so 
 and they both returned to his office, but soon Harper came running out calling 
 for the sheriff, saying he had killed a man. A crowd immediately collected and 
 found Merideth breathing his last. Harper was arrested and confined in the jail to 
 await his trial. Before his trial came the prisoner had escaped by cutting through 
 the wall of the jail. A reward was offerd for his apprehension and he was 
 finally caught at or near Fort Smith on the Arkansas River. He was brought 
 back, a change of venue was granted, and was acquitted by a court in Platte 
 county. 
 
 In 1843 there was another escape from jail by two noted criminals, Orrin 
 P. Rockwell and one Watson. Rockwell was arrested for the attempted killing 
 of Governor Boggs. It was alleged at that time, that Joseph Smith, the Mor- 
 mon Prophet, had promised Rockwell a fine horse and carriage to murder Gov- 
 ernor Boggs. 
 
 It will be remembered that Boggs was Governor at the time the Mormons 
 were driven out of the State, and Joe Smith charged upon Governor Boggs the 
 responsibility of an order for the extermination of the Mormons. Rockwell, it 
 was said, was sent here by the Prophet Smith. After Rockwell had worked 
 for parties in Independence, becoming acquainted and acting as a spy under the as- 
 sumed name of " Porter," he left, saying that he should not return. In a few days 
 
 41- 
 
642 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 thereafter Governor Boggs was shot and severely wounded in the neck and head. 
 Rockwell, who it is supposed committed the deed, rode away on horseback, 
 crossed the Missouri River and made good his escape. He was afterward ar- 
 rested in St. Louis and brought to this county for trial. As soon as the policeman 
 drove into Independence with the prisoner he was recognized as the man who 
 had called himself "Porter." The other man, Watson, confined with Rockwell, 
 had been arrested for stealing a large amount of money in New Orleans. These 
 two prisoners were considered very desperate and brave, so the shackles were 
 placed around their ankles. A colored woman was accustomed to give them 
 watermelons through the grated window, and, with a case-knife which they used 
 to carve the melon, they sawed off the shackles' from their ankles, and when 
 the deputy came in at night to feed them, they both rushed out and locked the 
 officer in, and ran for the woods. They were, however, caught before they 
 had proceeded far and again confined. Watson was acquitted for want of proof, 
 and Rockwell after taking a change of venue, was discharged for the want 
 of the appearance of the principal prosecuting witness. Watson, together 
 with two other men, was arrested in Baltimore for the same offense as be- 
 fore, and all sentenced to a term of years in the Maryland penitentiary. 
 The names of the two with Watson were Breedlove and HoUiday. Rock- 
 well was afterward known in Salt Lake as a minion of Brigham Young 
 for the assassination of whomsoever Brigham should designate. He is said 
 to have been in the Mountain Meadow Massacre. It is interesting to 
 trace the course of the Mormons from their first settlement in this coun- 
 try to their final journey over the Rocky Mountains ; and in another 
 place in this work the reader will find a full history of the Mormons and their 
 Prophet Joseph Smith, together with many incidents and experiences never be- 
 fore published. 
 
 There is yet another incident connected with the second jail, which trans- 
 pired in 1843. An old man who had been m the Far West came to Independence 
 nearly destitute, having insufficient clothing to keep him warm. He stole some 
 old clothing, was arrested, taken before the Justice of the Peace and committed 
 to jail. The old man's grief was unbounded, and to free himself from the 
 troubles of this life, he undertook to cut his throat and sever the artery in 
 his arm. He succeeded in cutting his arm nearly off, and his throat from ear 
 to ear. This was in January, the weather was intensely cold, the old man over 
 seventy, and it was difficult to keep life in his body, but finally he recovered and 
 was discharged, a purse of money made up for him and he was sent east. 
 
 In the year 1852 George W. Reynolds was confined in jail for the stabbing 
 and killing of John Blythe. Reynolds escaped and hid in a stable loft just out 
 of town, but one John Reed saw Reynolds enter the stable. An officer was 
 called and Reynolds was recaptured. He was convicted and sentenced to five 
 years in the penitentiary, but before reaching the prison a pardon was obtained 
 for him. 
 
 One, Lee, escaped from jail several years ago and has never been heard of 
 since. He was confined for the murder of Henry Stonestreet. 
 
 THE FIRST SHERIFF. 
 
 The first sheriff of Jackson county was Joe. Walker, who lived in Fort Osage 
 township. He was appointed by Governor John Miller, in the year 1827, and on 
 the 29th of March of the same year, was qualified in office before Circuit Judge 
 David Todd. He afterward went to the mountains and recently died in Califor- 
 nia. He was a man of intrepid character, delighting in the excitements of the 
 mountains. The second sheriff was Joe Brown, who was a lame man, and who 
 after his term of office expired, removed to the "Platte Purchase" in the northwestern 
 part of Missouri. Jabob Gregg, who now lives in Sni-a-bar township was the third 
 sheriff He is living near Grain Valley. His father's name was Harmon 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 643 
 
 Gr^'i^g. Jacob Gregg was elected to the Legislature, the lower house, in 1850, 
 and since has been a farmer. Tne fourth sheriff was John King, who was elected 
 two terms, of two years each; in the year 1840, was sent to the Legislature with 
 C. C. KLavenaugh. Although of limited education, he was a higtily respected, 
 honest man. He biloaged to the numerous family of Kin^s most of whom 
 reoDved to the " Platte Purchase." He died near Independence about thirty- 
 six years ago. Joseph H. Reynolds was the fifth sheriff of Jackson county, serv- 
 ing two successive terms, from 1840 to 1844. Mr. Reynolds was elected to 
 represent this county in the State Legislature in 1844, serving one term, and again 
 in 1852 for one term in the Hojse of Representatives. He was a native of Ken- 
 tucky, and came to Jackson county in the fall of 1834, and was elected Justice of 
 the Peace in 1837, and he holds the same office at the present time in the city of 
 Independence. 
 
 The next sheriff was Col. Thos. Pitcher, who now lives four miles southwest 
 of Independence. He held the office one terra. He suffered during the war 
 from depredations committed by marauding bands, his large and costly house was 
 destroyed with other property. Benjamin F. Thompson was the seventh sheriff 
 and served one term. He was subsequently elected to the Legislature. He died 
 more than twenty years ago. 
 
 George W. Buchanan, now a member of the Independence bar, was the 
 eighth sheriff and served two terms which lasted till 1852. Then again Benjamin 
 F. Thompson was called to the office of sheriff for two years. William Botts, 
 who now lives four miles northeast of Independence, was the tenth sheriff and 
 served four years. 
 
 The next to be elected to that office was John W. Burris, who was qualified 
 in August, 1858, and remaided performing the duties of sheriff till his death, 
 which occurred during his second term. O. P. W. Bailey, his deputy, assumed 
 the duties of sheriff and continued till the fall of 1862. John G. Hayden was the 
 next sheriff and served part of two terms. 
 
 In 1864 all civil offices were declared vacant, and H. H. Williams, recently 
 from Kansas, was appointed to the office of sheriff. 
 
 Charles Dougherty was elected in 1866 and served two terms, or four years. 
 
 In 1870 James Gray who died in office was elected and served part of one 
 term. C. B. L. Boothe became sheriff in 1872 and served two terms. O. P. W. 
 Bailey was elected sheriff in 1876 and held that office till the fall of 1880, when 
 the present sheriff, Mr. John C. Hope was elected and qualified. 
 
 There have been numerous escapes from the calaboose, but we have chron- 
 icled the most important in connection, with the jail. Herewith we append an 
 ancient summons of the Justice of the Peace, Mr. Joseph H. Reynolds. It will 
 be found of interest as a relic of arrest for debt. ' 
 
 SUMMONS FROM J. H. REYNOLDS. 
 
 THE STATE OF MISSOURI, 
 
 To THE Constable of Blue Township, 
 
 Jackson County. 
 
 Greeting : We command you to summon Thomas G. Sharp to appear before 
 the undersigned, one of the Justices of the Peace of Blue township, in Jackson 
 county, on the 22d day of June, A. D., 1839, at ten o'clock in the forenoon at 
 my office in the same township, to answer the complaint of Samuel D. Lucas and 
 William W. Kavenaugh, partners, trading under the firm and style of, Lucas & 
 Kavenaugh. Given under my hand this 22d day of May, A. D., 1839. 
 
 JOSEPH H. REYNOLDS, 
 
 Justice. 
 
 In the year 1834 there were two taverns, as they were called in those days, 
 one kept by William Lawrence, on the present site of the Merchants Hotel, and 
 
644 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 the Other by Leonard H. Rennich, situated on the present site of the City Hotel. 
 Mr. Smalwood Noland succeeded Lawrence, and »after the house burned, 19th of 
 February, 1845, he erected the present building called the Merchants Hotel. 
 Mr. E. P. West, who now lives in Kansas City, remodeled the building now 
 known as the City Hotel. It was also called Twyman Hotel. Garnett and 
 Modie opened the house which is now called the Jones Hotel, then known as the 
 Nebraska House. It was built by Lewis Jones and finished by J. W. Modie, in 
 the year 1849. The Farmers House was arranged and built only a few years ago, 
 it is kept by Mrs. Martha Baker. 
 
 In the winter of 1847-9 the California excitement sprang up, but previous 
 to this a few of our citizens of border life procKvities, and having tasted the 
 sweets of said life, longed to know more of the vast region lying beyond the 
 Sierra Nevadas. Lewis Jones, John Bartleson, L. W. Boggs, Major Hickman 
 and others, fitted out an expedition, safely ciossed the barrier, and returned with 
 favorable reports of the goodly land beyond — little dreaming of the immense 
 wealth hidden away in its fields, and so soon to be developed and made attract- 
 ive to thousands. The winter spoken of awakened attention to the auriferous 
 region beyond the mountains, and as soon as the spring months permitted cara- 
 vans to travel, all who could leave their home were on their westward journey. 
 Independence was the prominent point for outfit and departure, and every 
 description of vehicle was called into requisition. The pestilence which broke out 
 among the vast multitudes, and slayed many, far away from home and friends, 
 did not stop the onward progress of the rest. Thousands of them now live in 
 that land, whose climate they say is the finest, soil the most fertile, winter the 
 mildest, and regions the most healthful in the world. In the year 1850, David 
 Waldo, Jacob Hale and Wm. McCoy received the contract for carrying the mail 
 to Santa Fe and New Mexico, and Jas. Brown, (afterward Brown & S. H. 
 Woodson,) to Salt Lake City. The first regular U. S. mail that ever passed the 
 border left Independence in July, 1850, well guarded and prepared for defense 
 against the hostile Indians. It was looked upon as extremely hazardous, and on 
 its return in safety the second month, was hailed with joy as something wonderful 
 in the history of the West. 
 
 Their first four years' contract was successfully fulfilled, and these mails were 
 expected, and did, go and return more regularly than those within the States. 
 Morse's invention of chaining the Hghtning and flashing thought along the wire 
 with a rapidity outstripping time itself, was about this time introduced in Mis- 
 souri, and our aid was invoked to assist in completing a line of telegraph to 'this 
 place — it was accomplished without delay, and the battery was at work dispatch- 
 ing messages to every available point as early as 1850. The spirit of enterprise 
 marked us as a people', and with a liberality equal to the occasion, the scheme 
 of uniting the town and river landing by a railroad was soon entered into, and 
 we can truthfully boast of having built the first three miles of railroad in the 
 State. Like other measures projected and controlled by men ignorant of and 
 unskilled in their business, the railroad proved a failure. The Santa Fe and Chi- 
 huahua traders continued to make this their place of outfit and departure until 
 1856, at which time the prairie country between here and the State line, became 
 so attractive that the lands were inclosed into farms and the, roads turned into 
 by-lanes so crooked that the traders were disheartened with the trouble and 
 expense attendant on their trips to the line. Added to this, the changing current 
 of the Missouri left us without a landing place, so that by compulsion, the trade 
 ■was driven from us, to other points west and higher up the river. Westport, 
 Kansas City, Leavenworth and Nebraska City divided for many years, that which 
 once concentrated here and built us up. Success, it is said, rides on every 
 hour, grapple it and you may win, but without a grapple it will never go with 
 you. Independence failed to grapple at the right time, but Kansas City did, an 
 
645 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 to-day she is. on the high road to renown. From her commanding position she 
 might reach out the friendly hand, use all the available means for binding us more 
 closely together, seek to fill up the intervening gap with costly villas, beautiful 
 gardens, princely mansions and highly ornamented grounds, thus making us one 
 and the same with herself. Then may the prophetic declaration of Gilpin be 
 verified, and this become, as it of right ought to be, the center of the Union. 
 
 If there is anywhere, a place more interesting than this region of Missouri, 
 we have yet to see it. And we have yet to find a country about which there is 
 so much apprehension. 
 
 Turner & Thornton kept a banking house on the west side of the square as 
 early as 1858. . The names of the proprietors were Ulysses Turner and James K. 
 Thornton. A branch of the Southern Bank of St. Louis was established about 
 this time, and both were engaged in business till the Civil War came on. 
 
 The Southern bank became a National bank after the war, and continued 
 doing business till 1878, when it closed and settled up its business. The present 
 banking houses are Chrisman, Sawyer & Co., McCoy & Son, and Anderson, 
 Hughes & Co. No bank in Independence has suffered from the hard times which 
 have frequently been experienced by other business houses of this character. 
 
 In the year 1857 a company was formed, known as the Independence Savings 
 Bank. It afterward became Stone, McCoy & Co. In 1868 it was changed to 
 Stone, Sawyer & Co., and again a few months later to Chrisman, Sawyer & Co., 
 and on the 29th day of August, 1877, was incofporated under the title of Chris- 
 man-Sawyer Banking Company. They occupy a handsome brick building, 40 by 
 60 feet, three stories high, with iron vaults, improved safes, etc. The building 
 was erected in 1869, is now valued at about $18,000. Its capital stock paid in 
 amounts to $70,000. Its present officers are: President, Wm. Chrisman; Vice- 
 President, Samuel L. Sawyer ; Cashier, A. F. Sawyer, and Assistant CasMer, I. 
 N. Rogers. 
 
 The following editorial in reference to the new bank building of Stone, Saw- 
 yer & Co., appeared in the Independence Sentinel October 3, 1869 : 
 
 " One of the most substantial and creditable improvements made in our city 
 the present season, is the new bank building of Stone, Sawyer & Co. , on the cor- 
 ner of Liberty and Lexington streets. It is three stories high — has been erected 
 at a cost of about $14,000, and is altogether an ornament to the city. The cor- 
 ner room is now about completed, and is occupied as the bank. It is fitted up 
 very neatly, and with an eye to business, and few of our large cities can boast of 
 more complete appointments. The large fire-proof safes are from the celebrated 
 factory of McNeal & Urban, of Cincinnati, and are perfectly burglar proof, as well 
 as handsome appendages to the building. The rear room will be occupied as a 
 law office by Sawyer & Chrisman. The west room is now occupied by Ehinger 
 & Co. , as a merchant tailoring and clothing establishment, and is very neady 
 fitted up. 
 
 "The second story has been appropriated for offices, and will be occupied by 
 Messrs. Barnes & Mercer, insurance agents, Mr. Walker Buckner as an insurance 
 agency and Mr. Jno. H. Taylor, lawyer. Messrs. Bone, Gates, Comingo and 
 Slover, as law offices. The entrance to the upper stories is between the First 
 National Bank building and the room occupied by Ehinger & Co. Substantial 
 iron steps and railing have taken the place of the old wooden ones, and for dura- 
 bility and neatness are a decided improvement. Large, roomy steps also enter 
 from the rear of the building, which, in case of fire or accident would greatly 
 facilitate the emptying of the rooms, or the safe retreat of a crowd in the hall above. 
 
 "The third story, not quite completed, is being fitted up expressly for a public 
 hall, and will seat, comfortably, about 500 persons. It is well ventilated, and 
 will be entirely free from any outside annoyances, and altogether, is the most 
 comfortable and respectable hall in the city. 
 
646 HISTORY OF IKDEPENDENCE. 
 
 "The brick work was done by Wm. Randall, ihe carpentering by F. F. Yeager, 
 the plastering by A. J. Liddell, the painting by Russell & Mossop, and the tin 
 roofing and guttering by Bailey & Kessler, all workmen of our city, and great 
 credit is due each and every one of them for the skill and workmanhke execution 
 of their respective contracts." 
 
 Anderson, Chiles & Co., bankers, is one of the leading firms of Indepen- 
 dence. It was established in March, r875, '^^''^'^ M- W. Anderson, C. C. Chiles, 
 W. H. Hughes, H. C. St. Clair. Their capital stock paid in is $20,000. 
 
 The main part of the business houses are upon the public square, a number 
 of which are doing as large a business as any of the retail houses in our commer- 
 cial centers, the surrounding country being settled up by a wealthy farming com- 
 munit)-, who have been convinced they are enabled to buy goods in Indepen- 
 dence upon as favorable terms as they can in Kansas City, ten miles off. 
 
 There are twenty-five of these stores, representing in their stocks all lines of 
 merchandise required for the supply of any community. 
 
 Three hotels, the largest of which, the Merchants, owned and kept by R. K. 
 Morgan, will compare in elegant accommodations with any to be found in the 
 western country. 
 
 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 But few manufacturing interests have as yet been established; nevertheless, 
 we know of no site or town in the west offering so many and favorable induce- 
 ments for profitable investment of capital in this direction as we find in Inde- 
 pendence. 
 
 The growing commerce of the prairies originated the necessity of establish- 
 ments for outfitting purposes and repair shops, and in every quarter the blow of 
 the hammer and ring of the anvil were heard from early dawn till late at night. 
 Robert Weston and others for years supplied the wants of the traders. This con- 
 tinued till the Mexican troubles, when every point in the west was active in get- 
 ting munitions of war. After peace was declared, the outposts necessarily estab 
 lished on the borders were to be supplied, and the General Government gave em- 
 ployment to wagoners. 
 
 The manufacture of wagons for the Santa Fe trade was, in the early days of 
 Independence, a large business. From 1845 to 1850 parties here built wagons 
 to be used not only by the Santa Fe trader, but also for the emigrants going to 
 California. Lewis Jones, Hiram Young, John W. Modie, and Robert Stone 
 also carried on the business. 
 
 Flour mills were put up as early as 1835. One on the Little Blue, eight miles 
 from Independence, was run by Michael Rice. Jacob Hallar, in 1846, built a 
 mill in Independence. Afterward John A Overfelt, Waggoner & Son, and later 
 under the name of Waggoner & Gates, built a flouring and woolen mill. The 
 flouring mill was destroyed by fire some time after, but the woolen mill is still 
 doing a large business. At one time there was a foundry in operation, but has 
 been closed now for some time. All of the principal streets of the city are mac- 
 adamized in the very best manner from rock obtained just east of the town 'site. 
 The street running east and west on the south side of the Square is called Lexing- 
 ton street, and has a hard road-bed for more than a mile in length. Liberty street 
 runs north and south on the west side of the Square, and is macadamized for at 
 least a mile and a half. Rock street, which runs east and west on the north side 
 of the square, is also macadamized through the town. Main street, running north 
 and south on the east side of the square, is macadamized over three quarters of a 
 mile in length. The Wayne City road is macadamized three and a quarter miles 
 from the court house ; it runs from the public square in Independence to the 
 bluff on the Missouri River at the Wayne City Landing, formerly called the old 
 Independence Landing. These roads and streets are under the control of the 
 street commissioner, whose business it is to see that they are kept in good order. 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 647 
 
 INCORPORATION. 
 
 The Board of Councilmen of the city of Independence appeared at the 
 upper room of the court house in pursuance of the proclamation of WiUiam 
 McCoy, mayor, on the 20th day of July, A. D. 1849. 
 
 Messrs. J. B. Hovey, John W. Modie, Robert A. Stone, B. F. Simpson, T. 
 J. Shaw, Porter McClannahan, Robert S. Dukes, R. D. Green and Absolom 
 Wray produced their credentials and took their seats in council. The following 
 is a list of mayors revised and corrected by the present register : 
 
 1849 William McCoy. 
 
 1865 William Peacock. 
 
 1850 Jonathan R. Palmer, J. B. Slaugh- 
 
 i866 R. Wallace. 
 
 ter, for a short time. 
 
 1867 Peter Hinters. 
 
 1 85 1 Jesse Henry. 
 
 1868 
 
 1852 Abraham Comingo. 
 
 1869 B. F. Wallace. 
 
 1853 A. E, Tyree. 
 
 1870 J. H. Slover. 
 
 1854 Thomas J. Shaw. 
 
 1 87 1 V. M. Hobbs. 
 
 1855 George R. Hotsenpiller. 
 
 1872 
 
 1856 Abram Comingo. 
 
 1873 Porter McClanahan. 
 
 1857 " 
 
 1874 Robert Weston. 
 
 1858 W. L. Bone. 
 
 1875 John W. Perry. 
 
 1859 George R. Hotsenpiller. 
 
 1876 
 
 i860 
 
 1877 E. A. Hickman. 
 
 1 86 1 J. K. Stark. 
 
 1878 Horace Sheley. 
 
 1862 Geo. R. Hotsenpiller. 
 
 1879 W. A. Cunningham 
 
 1863 " " 
 
 1880 0. H. Mitchell. 
 
 1864 " " 
 
 
 The present city ofiScers are: Mayor, O. H. Mitchell; Marshal, Redmon 
 Silvers; Register, J. F. Armstrong; Assessor, A. J. Liddil; Treasurer, Christian 
 Ott, Jr.; City Attorney, G. W. Staley; Street Commissioner, Owen Gilcrest ; 
 Sidewalk Commissioner, Patrick Moran; City Weigh Master, John Hockaday ; 
 City Physician, C. Jackson, M. D. Councilmen : First Ward — James W. Adams, 
 John T. Ross, William M. Randall; Second Ward— A. F. Anderson, H. C. St. 
 Clair, W. N. O. Monroe ; Third Ward— W. A. Cunningham, William Z. Hick- 
 man, W. H. Waggoner. 
 
 The elections are held on the first Tuesday of June every year. The num- 
 ber of votes polled at the election in June, 1880 was 478. 
 
 The charter and general ordinances of the City of Independence were re- 
 vised and re-enacted November ist, 1878. The charter is comprised in four arti- 
 cles and the by-laws in forty-three ordinances, approved and attested November 
 1st, 1878, Horace Sheley being Mayor, and C. D. McCoy, Register. The other 
 officers at that time were: Treasurer, O. P. Bryant; Attorney, J. A. Sea; 
 Marshal, J. M. Swearingen. Councilmen : First Ward — J. W. Adams, O. L. 
 Sprague, W. M. Randall; Second Ward — J H. Morrison, J. W. Modie, Jno. 
 Murray; Third Ward — A. Comingo, W. A. Cunningham, G. D. Shultz. 
 
 THE GRAND DRIVE. 
 
 The proposed boulevard will connect the two cities by a ride of 7^ miles 
 from the suburbs of each. 
 
 We understand that the subject of building the boulevard to which we have 
 referred has already claimed the attention of the citizens of both places, and 
 about $15,000 have been thus far subscribed by a few of the prominent citizens 
 of Independence, and only wait the co-operation upon the part of the citizens of 
 Kansas City to commence work upon this most desirable improvement This 
 enterprise, when completed, will contribute largely in bringing about the results we 
 have predicted in the outset of this article, and rapidly enhance the value of real 
 estate. 
 
648 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 We say it advisedly, from careful observation, that there cannot be found 
 upon the route of the proposed boulevard, for three miles out from Independence, 
 a space of 200 feet upon either side of the road but presents the most attractive 
 building spots to be found anywhere upon this continent. Nature has formed 
 and fashioned these grounds especially for the erection of elegant houses, where 
 a grand panorama of beauty can be viewed from every doorway. 
 
 There is another feature in the surroundings of Independence that is worthy 
 of special mention in this connection : 
 
 In 1858 a magnificent turnpike or macadam road was built by machinery, 
 by the citizens of Independence, a distance of two and a half miles, to the ware- 
 house upon the bank of the Missouri River for the accommodation of the immense 
 river traffic of that day. 
 
 This road passes through the most grand and beautiful country, being appar- 
 ently set apart by the Creator, for the erection of magnificent residences, and the 
 grounds for ornamentation. For a distance of over a mile upon either side of 
 this highway is one continuous orchard, embracing all the varieties of fruits 
 known to the horticultural list susceptible of successful cultivation in this latitude. 
 
 Upon leaving the macadam road, as it makes its descent to the river, a drive 
 of a quarter of a mile, terminates upon a bluff, which rises abruptly 400 feet 
 above the Missouri River, from which one of the grandest sights comes in view 
 the eye has ever looked upon. 
 
 As far as the vision extends, up and down the river, can be seen a magnifi- 
 cent country dotted over with farm houses, forest trees and meandering streams 
 rippling onward to empty their waters into the Missouri. 
 
 Here also, can be distinctly seen, Kansas City, Wyandott, Liberty and In- 
 dependence, with their towers and church steeples glistening under the rays of an 
 unclouded sun. At the bottom of this grand bluff, which we will call Prospective 
 View, the old Missouri makes a horse-shoe bend, resembling the great bend on 
 the Alleghany Mountains, crossed by the Pennsylvania Rail Road. 
 
 About a quarter of a mile south of this bluff is located grounds owned by 
 Mr. Charles S. Crysler, Esq., a prominent and rising young lawyer of Indepen- 
 dence. These grounds embracmg 55 acres, will in the near future, present 
 attractions, that will surpass any spot upon the Hudson River, the banks of 
 which have been made famous for the exquisite taste in shrubbery and ornamenta- 
 tion, in front of the palatial residences, viewed from the steamboats plying 
 between New York and Albany. 
 
 From the highest point, on his land, Mr. Crysler will erect a palatial resi- 
 dence from which he will not only have the grand view from Prospect Hill, but in 
 addition thereto Harlem, Orange and other villages near Kansas City, and the 
 magnificent railroad bridge which crosses the river at the latter point. 
 
 The choicest variety of apples, pears, peach, plumb, apricot and cherry 
 trees, and a great variety of useful and ornamental trees, such as chestnut, butter- 
 nut, maple, etc., are to be found upon these grounds. 
 
 There are also found quarries of very superior variety of blue limestone, and 
 one of dark gray marble susceptible of very high pohsh. These stones are used 
 for building purposes. 
 
 Many beautiful dwellings are in contemplation to be erected on these splen- 
 did sites, and ere another decade shall have passed away, and with modern im- 
 provements in buildings, and more cultivated taste in ornamentation, the muddy 
 Missouri, will present upon her banks, grander views, and representations of cul- 
 ture and refinement than is now the boast' and pride of the dwellers on the Hudson. 
 The son will improve upon the tastes of the father, and profit thereby, having at 
 command a higher order of architectural and mechanical skill for the erection of 
 houses and palaces, and a wider experience in landscape gardening. 
 
 These magnificent building sites, being located upon the highest point of 
 land between the Alleghany and Rocky Mountains, excel all other localities — 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. t)49 
 
 the valleys of the Mississippi and Missouri in salubrity of climate, and pure, fresh 
 air, thus precluding the possibihty of miasma, or being afflicted with diseases 
 peculiar to low lands and flat prairies. 
 
 Independence is now connected with Kansas City by river and three rail- 
 roads, and the completion of a grand boulevard connecting the two cities, will 
 greatly enhance the value of real estate, and complete all desirable connections 
 with Kansas City. 
 
 Independence approached by an inclined plane from the four points of the 
 compass, is finally reached at an elevation of 1,075 ^^et above the Atlantic Ocean 
 and 338 feet above. the level of the Missouri River, being the highest point of 
 land between the two great mountain ranges ; hence, for salubrity and healthy 
 climate it is not excelled upon the American continent. The surrounding country 
 is gently rolhng lands, underlaid with a limestone formation ; the soil being rich, 
 very fertile, and of an alluvial character. Springs of pure crystal water are 
 found gushing out from every hillside, and groves of the finest quality of timber 
 of all kinds, add to the magnificence of the scenery of the valleys covered with 
 a fine quality of blue grass. 
 
 Stone is found in abundance for building and all other purposes where it 
 may be required. 
 
 The public highway between Independence and Kansas City, at an outlay o 
 a nominal sum of money, can be made the grandest drive or boulevard in the 
 world, not excepting the one so famed in Paris, upon which so much wealth has been 
 expended. This magnificent road passes through a strip of land within a few miles 
 of Kansas City, containing about 1,000 acres that apparently has been fashioned 
 by the Creator for a park, that with the expenditure of less than half the money 
 already laid out upon Central Park, New York, can be made to eclipse in grand- 
 eur and beauty any other resort upon the face of the globe. 
 
 The forest trees abound everywhere, and the gentle, rolling grounds are not 
 surpassed as building sites. Were Independence divested of all other attractions, 
 and remote from Kansas City or any other commercial center, she has mineral 
 springs within two miles and only a few rods from the proposed boulevard, that 
 with a reasonable expenditure of money will make it the great watering place of 
 the country. Although fifty-three years has rolled away into the vista of time 
 since Independence became the county seat of Jackson county, these springs 
 have been silently discharging their waters down a deep ravine unnoticed and 
 undisturbed, except by the red men of the forest, of whom tradition (recently un- 
 earthed) says, made them a resort for the cure of chills and fever. 
 
 It is only within the last three or four years their wonderful qualities have 
 attracted the attention of the citizens of Independence. The following chemical 
 analysis made by D. H. Bliss, M. D., shows their medicinal qualities. " One 
 gallon by measure," says Dr. Bliss, " shows the following ingredients in grains as 
 it leaves the springs : 
 
 Chloride of Sodium 31.20 grains. 
 
 Chloride of Potassium 1-94 " 
 
 Sulphate of Potassium 2.01 " 
 
 Nitrate of Sodium 6.05 " 
 
 Carbonate of Iron 411 " 
 
 Carbonate of Calcium 2°-9S " 
 
 Arsenicum 0.50 " 
 
 Silica 7-00 " 
 
 Organic matter 0.40 " 
 
 Total number of grains of solid 74. 16 
 
 Temperature of water at bottom of spring fifty-six degrees Fahrenheit. The 
 combination of the salts of iron with alkaline carbonates causes the precipitation 
 
650 HISTORY Of INDEPtNDENCE. 
 
 of ferrice hydrate (while in contact with the acids of the stomach), and carbonic 
 acid gas is produced." 
 
 He also made a thorough examination of the strata of the earth and masses of 
 stone overlying the course of the water above the spring, and found it to contain 
 mineral in a free state in the form of magnetic oxide of iron, which is a surety of 
 the value of this as a mineral spring." 
 
 The spring is within a half mile of the Narrow Gauge Railroad, and about 
 the same distance from a point on the Missouri Pacific, eight miles from Kansas 
 City as we have above stated, two miles from Independence. 
 
 The grand plateau of grounds surrounding these springs can be made to far 
 excel in beauty the drives and elegant surroundings fw which Saratoga is cele- 
 brated. Capital and enterprise will be required, and in our judgment the day 
 has come when a move should be made to make the Cussenbary springs one of 
 the live attractions of the present generation. 
 
 As yet, but few experiments have been made as to the value of their medic- 
 inal qualities, outside of a number being speedily cured of chills by their use; but 
 the above chemical analysis will doubtless lead to a critical examination by our 
 scientific men and the medical faculty. The water flows from the reservoir pure 
 as crystal. It is inodorous, and no medicinal properties are detected by drinking 
 it. 
 
 What astonishes more than anything else is, that after the close of the Mex- 
 ican war down to 1857, Independence was the great out-fitting post for those 
 engaged in the freighting business to Mexico, and subsequently to California, 
 when Kansas City was merely a steamboat landing. Notwithstanding this won- 
 derful preslige, the tide of fortune and unforseen events has made Kansas City 
 the great inter-ocean railroad terminus and prospective commercial center of the 
 west. These facts demonstrate that enterprise and geographic prestige can 
 accomplish wonders in a few years. 
 
 Nevertheless Independence Has men of large wealth, and a number of enter- 
 prising business men who have located here since the close of the war, from the 
 Eastern and southwestern States, who are now waking up to the advantages their 
 location possesses. The "old fogy" element is rapidly dying out and leaving to 
 their children the means to enable them to recover the advantages lost by their 
 ancestry. 
 
 The Chrismans, Sawyers, Woodsons, Comingos, Wilsons, Pendletons, Reeses, 
 Vailes, Seas, Chiles, McCoys, Mercers, Nichols, Wrights, Morrisons, Mays, 
 Slacks, Motts, Hickmans, Smiths, Hills, Gates, Cryslers, Andersons and others, 
 are beginning to realize and appreciate the opportunities time and events have de- 
 veloped, and with most commendable zeal are investing their wealth in forwarding 
 the enterprises of the times. 
 
 These business men and capitalists, by a concert of action will in the near 
 future make Independence the central focus, from which northwestern Missouri 
 will take high rank among the brightest constellations in the galaxy of States, and 
 become the central attraction to the emigrants from the East, as well as those 
 from Europe who are seeking homes upon the western continent. 
 
 While this section of Missouri sustained serious draw-backs during the war, 
 and bands of desperadoes made it a terror throughout the land, a more serious 
 damage to the growth of this section of the State after the close of the war, was 
 occasioned by unfavorable reports as to the feeling of hostility upon the part 
 of the inhabitants and old settlers toward their northern and eastern 
 brethren. This state of affairs was believed to be true until men from the north 
 and east came to Independence, Kansas City and Jackson county, to learn from 
 a careful observation and investigation that those rumors, in fact were false, and 
 no foundation for their circulation. The ruffian element that existed in this lo- 
 cality for a time has entirely disappeared, and has left the substantial, honorable 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. ■ 651 
 
 citizens in the enjoyment of their homes, who are offering every inducement and 
 facility for emigrants from all the States to settle among them, and share with 
 them the rich inheritance of one of the most beautiful sections of country upon 
 God's footstool. Independence can boast of as high a type of honorable and in- 
 telligent citizens as can be found in any town of its size in the United States. 
 
 RELIGIOUS HISTORY— CHURCHES. 
 
 Somewhat different from many sections of the State, the people in Jackson 
 county early cherished a good religious sentiment. The Baptists established a 
 church near Ft. Sibley as early as 1830, and soon other denominations with their 
 churches followed. By no means were all the first settlers religiously inclined, 
 still, perhaps, a greater percentage in this immediate vicinity had received relig- 
 ious-training in their early homes in Kentucky than in many other localities. 
 
 The Six Mile Baptist Church, on the road from Independence to Sibley, is 
 said to be the first one organized and built in Jackson county. It was constructed 
 of logs and its capacity was small. Before the church was built meetings were 
 held under a walnut tree in the summer and in private cabins or the Fort during 
 the winter. Three years ago last September occurred the 47th anniversary of the 
 organization of that church. Only one of the original members, an old lady, had 
 survived, and she was brought to the church in a chair. It was called the Six 
 Mile Church because it stood within the limits of a district six miles square which 
 was reserved by the United States Government for agriculture around Ft. Sib- 
 ley. The early log houses of worship gave place to frame buildings and the frames, 
 in many instances, have been succeeded by substantial brick edifices, for instance 
 the New Salem church has passed through all three of these stages of progress. 
 Rev. Joab Powell was one of the first pioneer preachers in this county, James 
 Savage, Gabriel Fitzhugh, James Lovelady and William White were also pioneer 
 preachers. Father Powell was a peculiar man, a most fitting type of his class. 
 He was very ignorant and it is stated by good authority that he could not read. 
 One time in coming before his congregation he stated that they would find his 
 text in the " two-I'd chapter of the one-I'd John." At another time he took his 
 text from "the 4th chapter of General Matthew." Rev. Durham (William) 
 White, sat in the congregation near him and noticing his mistake said : "You are 
 mistaken my brother. It is not 'General' Matthew. It is St. Matthew." "Oh! 
 Yes," was Joab's reply, " my poor stammering tongue is always making mistakes." 
 
 At an association of Baptist ministers in one of those pioneer days, it became 
 the duty of Father Powell to preach the annual sermon. It has long been the 
 custom with this denomination to appoint one of the best preachers sufficiently 
 ahead to prepare carefully the introductory sermon, for it is considered, in some 
 sense, a model for the rest of the brethren. Brother Powell saw the responsi- 
 bility of his position, and he thought and prayed over it much. He could not 
 write it out, nor gain much from books, for, as has been stated, he could scarcely 
 read at all. He went into the pulpit, as he said, "trusting in the Lord." Some- 
 times he could preach as if by divine inspiration; at other times he would make 
 an entire failure. Of this he was conscious himself. This time, when he hoped 
 to make the best effort of his life, he utterly failed, and he imagined that he had 
 brought eternal disgrace upon himself and upon the cause he advocated. After 
 service they all repaired to the house of one of the members of the church for 
 dinner ; but when they sat down Father Powell was missing. They became un- 
 easy about him, and when search was instituted, they found him rolling about in 
 the chaff and dust on the barn floor, in great distress. Brother White addressed 
 him in the following language : "What is the matter, my dear brother Powell? 
 Are you sick? " " Yes, sick unto death," he replied. " I want the Lord to kill 
 me. I don't want to live any longer. I have disgraced myself." It was with 
 difficulty that his brethren could persuade him to enter the house and dine with 
 them. He was a man of large proportions, over six feet tall, and weighed two 
 
652 
 
 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 hundred and fifty pounds. Often after repeating his text he would straighten 
 himself to his full height and say: "Well, brethren, this is a great big text, and 
 Joab is a great big man, and he ought to preach a great big sermon." He was a 
 very successful revivalist, and many times, when men of more education failed, 
 he could make the hardest sinner seek the cause. The following anecdote will 
 illustrate: A Cumberland Presbyterian camp-meeting had been in progress for 
 several days at a point about ten miles east of Independence, and there seemed 
 to be no indications of a revival. Day after day the sinners were invited to come 
 forward, but to no purpose. One day Father Powell happened into the camp- 
 meeting, and some of his friends expressed a desire to hear the illiterate though 
 honest old preacher. At first the proposition met with disfavor in the committee, 
 they considering him too fair out of date. Finally, however, since he could do 
 no particular harm, they consented to allow him one sermon. He took his text, 
 and made one appeal after another with all his power, though in his homely but 
 characteristic manner. At the close of his discourse he pathetically invited sin- 
 ners to the anxious seat, and forthwith forty collected around him, and a great 
 revival ensued. He was always dressed in a butternut suit, his ways were plain 
 and simple, and he won the hearts of the people he served. After the county 
 became more settled, and the people more educated and refined, he felt that his 
 mission among them was fulfilled; accordingly, he removed to Oregon, where he 
 served his Master faithfully till his death, which occurred five years since. He 
 was an honest, old-fashioned preacher, with superior native ability, and more than 
 ordinary perseverence. We give herewith one stanza from a poem written to his 
 memory, by an early settler in Jackson county, who knew him familiarly : 
 
 'Tis said that the age and world are progressing. 
 
 That old-fashioned preachers are needed no more; 
 That men of more learning, more knowledge possessing, 
 
 Must now take the places of those gone before. 
 Ah well, with the world I must not be condemning — 
 
 Perhaps it is so, but there's one thing I know, 
 While the greatest D. D's. are their tenets defending 
 
 I think of the preacher of long time ago : 
 That ignorant preacher, that plain simple preacher, 
 
 The old-fashioned preacher of long, long ago. 
 
 Rev. J. J. Robinson, who now hves at Raytown, was also one of the pioneer 
 preachers of this county. He is a good man but possessed of strong prejudices, 
 intense in his views and unique in character. 
 
 Elder F. R. Palmer, a Christian minister, came to this county in 1836, and 
 is said to have been the first preacher of that denomination. He preached in 
 Independence for twenty-four years, and on account of his strict Puritanic principles 
 the boys gave him the sobriquet of " old straight edge." He died at Liberty in 
 1875, in the eighty-third year of his age. 
 
 The first church in Independence was built by the Old School Baptists. It 
 was constructed of logs, 35x30 feet with one door, and two large open fire places. 
 The pulpit was in the center of the opposite side from the door. An old man 
 by the name of Moses Staton preached there, and when the weather was warm 
 and he became enthused with his theme he would take off his coat and dispense 
 the gospel with great force and loud sounding words. 
 
 The early preaching services of all denominations except, perhaps, the Presby- 
 terian consisted mainly in reading a chapter from the Bible and running com- 
 ments thereon, accompanied by exhortations. The Old School Presbyterians who 
 as a rule were better educated, usually took a text and preached under divisions of 
 the subject similar to the present custom. The services were far more demonstrative 
 and emotional in character, frequently their shouts could be heard the distance 
 of a mile. The preachers never used notes, and even now in some sections of 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 653 
 
 the State the congregations could not be induced to listen to a preacher who reads 
 his sermon. There were no salaried preachers in the county for many years after 
 it was first settled ; tliose who broke the bread of hfe looked in other directions 
 for their pecuniary support. Many of them were farmers and during week days 
 worked in the field from morning till night. The Methodist circuit preacher of 
 later years, was allowed one hundred dollars, if single, and two hundred dollars 
 a year, if he had a family. The Baptists seemed to take the lead in this county, 
 and have maintained it ever since, the Cumberland Presbyterians, Methodists, 
 Christians and Old School Presbyterians following. 
 
 There has been a wonderful advance in religion and churches. From 1845 
 to 185s, then again during the years immediately succeeding the civil war, the 
 development of Protestant churches in Jackson county was most rapid. At first 
 they were found more in centers, but now every corner of the county has one or 
 more church organizations. For example, at one time there was only one Chris- 
 tian church in the county, being located at Independence, and containing over 
 400 members. Now there are fourteen churches of that denomination, but none 
 have a membership of over about one half that number. The growth from 1845 
 to 1855 was extremely denominational. Every one sought his own church. Sec- 
 tarian feeling ran high, and the preaching was of a polemical character. During 
 the civil war the cause of rehgion suffered greatly. Divisions and dissensions 
 were perhaps greatest in the Methodist church, though the Presbyterians, Chris- 
 tian and Baptist churches were by no means free from the demoralizing effects of 
 civil war. The Baptists, with perhaps one or two exceptions, were able to control 
 the dividing prejudices of political sentiment and keep the churches together. 
 There has been a wonderful change in Christian charity and forbearance since the 
 war, and especially within the past few years. The minds of men, losing sight 
 of the influences that Breed discord, and taking hold of the great principles that 
 underlie all religion, seek to promote its interests in the truest Christian spirit. 
 There are two churches for colored people in Independence — one Baptist and 
 one Methodist. In Kansas City there are four for the same class of people. In- 
 dependence has one Catholic church and Kansas City several, with a large 
 membership in both places. The Mormon element, or "Church of the Latter 
 Day Saints," has been distinct, having very Uttle influence upon other denomina- 
 tions. They have a church in Independence and maintain regular services. 
 
 More rapid advancement has been made in the Sabbath-schools of this 
 county than in any other department of religion. Early Sabbath-schools were 
 few outside of Independence and Kansas City, now they are scattered all through 
 the county, and even where there is no church building, or even organized re- 
 ligious denomination, the Sunday-schools meet in school-houses and they are 
 conducted by Sabbath-school Workers who love the cause. In Lexington and 
 Independence Sabbath-schools were conducted as early as 1848, but outside these 
 towns, in the country, they were almost wholly unknown till 1856. 
 
 THE BAPTIST DENOMINATION IN JACKSON COUNTY. 
 
 The following was contributed by Rev. J. J. Robinson, an old and highly 
 respected pastor in the Baptist church : 
 
 " Among the early settlers of Jackson county were many Baptists; and peo- 
 ple in sympathy with their sentiments. They came from Virginia, Kentucky and 
 Tennessee. Our first churches were organized as Uxiited Baptist churches, and 
 became associated in a United Baptist Association, Fishing River. Blue River 
 •Association was also organized as a " United Baptist Association." But about 
 the year 1841 or 1842 an opposition to " Missionary Societies " resulted in a di- 
 vision among some of the churches. Those that went with Fishing River Asso- 
 ciation (like the Pleasant Grove church in Independence) ultimately changed their 
 name from "United" to "Regular" Baptist. But the churches that continued 
 with Blue River Association did not change their name. 
 
654 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 " Among the pioneer preachers of our first churches, were Elders Joab Pow- 
 ell, Moses Stayton, James Kimsley, Henry Bowers, Gabriel Fitzhugh, Henry Hill 
 and Lewis Franklin. In "the spht about Missionary Societies," Elders Hill, 
 Bowers and Fitzhugh became " Regular Baptists." (This name, like some others, 
 is found far back in Baptist history, and is claimed both by mission and anti- 
 mission Baptists.) The writer was never acquainted with Elders Stayton and 
 Kimsley ; but those who were, speak well of them. Elders Powell and FranWin 
 were both men of ability — above an average. Elder Franklin had a fair educa- 
 tion. He had, before entering the ministry, once represented Jackson county in 
 the Missouri State Senate. He was a man of great energy, kind-hearted, and 
 did much for- the cause of Christ. 
 
 "Joab Powell possessed a giant mind and a thrilling voice. He was a pow- 
 er for good in any community in which he lived. He moved to Oregon, where, 
 after preaching a number of years, he died, beloved and regretted by a vast num- 
 ber of friends. With these men I have labored in many precious meetings. In 
 many of our churches their works follow them — to be, like them, transplanted to 
 the "shining shore." 
 
 ' ' Most of our churches have been prosperous, and now have commodious 
 houses of worship. In the "good work" of Sunday-schools, the rising genera- 
 tion are gathered from Sabbath to Sabbath ; and those churches that have been 
 the most efficient in Sabbath-school work, have been the most prosperous. 
 
 ' ' Besides the organization of many new churches, and several associations in 
 the surrounding counties, as the result of missionary work, hundreds of valuable 
 members have immigrated to Texas, Kansas, California, Oregon, etc. 
 
 "With Baptists, education and ministerial support, as in times past, have ■ 
 become an object of prime importance. They feel and realize the mighty issues 
 their ministers have to meet, and that the ministerial mind, trained, not only in scien- 
 tific lore, but also in schools of systematic theology, and in the laws of logic, is, and 
 will be required, by the highest calling ever vouchsafed to man, to lead and in- 
 struct an educated people." 
 
 A brief account of a meeting of this Association in September, 1869, is an- 
 nexed : 
 
 The annual meeting of the Blue River Baptist Association was held with the 
 Blue Ridge church, in Jackson county, on the 24th, 25th, and 26th of September. 
 Thirty-five churches' were represented, reporting over 500 received by baptism ; 
 total membership over 3,000. The principal subjects discussed at the meeting 
 were. Domestic and Foreign Missions, Sunday-schools, Colportage, etc. Har- 
 mony prevailed throughout the meeting. On Sunday, the 26th, Rev. J. V. Sco- 
 field, of St. Louis, preached to a large and attentive congregation, after which, 
 Rev. Mr. Brooks, representing the Widows' and Orphans' Home of Mississippi, 
 made some remarks, and took up a collection of $110. In the afternoon. Revs. 
 Buchner and Roan spoke in behalf pf the young men of William Jewell College, 
 preparing for the ministry. 
 
 Between $600 and $700 in, and pledges for, money were raised for mission- 
 ary purposes in the bounds of this association. 
 
 THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 Prominent among the churches of Jackson county is the Baptist. The Six 
 Mile Baptist church, which is on the road to Sibley, is said to be the first relig- 
 ious organization in the county. There are now eighteen Baptist churches in 
 this county, a greater number than of any other denomination. They are as fol-' 
 lows: Antioch, at Buchner, Besonia, at Raytown, Blue Springs, Calvary, at Kan- 
 sas City, First Church, at Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Lone Jack, 
 New Liberty, near Blue Springs, New Salem, northeast from Independence, Oak 
 Grove, Six Mile, Sni-Mills, Greenwood, W«st Fork, Westport, and Willow 
 Springs. These churches, together with those of Cass county, belong to what is 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 655 
 
 known as the Blue River Baptist Association. The association, composed of 
 delegates from each church, meets once a year. The church at Independence 
 was organized January 25, 1851, with tbe following original members : George 
 Neat, S. Rufifner, C. C. Rice, F. T. Meador, James Ruffner, Sanford Ruffner, 
 William Lacy, Ann E. Christopher, Malinda Neat, Ann Beckham, Emeline Mea- 
 dor, Jane Rice, Martha Christopher, Martha Ruffner, and E. A. Beckham. 
 
 The present neat brick church was built in the year 1856, the lot costing 
 $850 and the edifice $3, 216. It is about sixty feet long and forty feet wide, and 
 contains a good bell, a fine Estey organ, communion set, baptistry, and neat 
 pulpit and platform. It is situated on Rock stteet, only one-half a block west of 
 the public square. This church, like all others, suffered considerably during the 
 civil war and from that shock it has not yet fully recovered, though at present it 
 shows signs of greater prosperity. Pastors have occupied the pulpit as follows : 
 H. H. Tilford, G. W. Foster, G. W. Rogers, J. R. Phillips, C. Blood, W. R. 
 Rothnell, D. D., A. Machette, A. C. Rafferty, R. S. Jones, H. K. Dixon and J. 
 M. Wise the present pastor. The number of the present membership is no. 
 The Sabbath-school meets regularly at 9:30 every Sabbath morning with an atten- 
 dance of sixty-five. The Sabbath-school was organized May 9th, 1858 and M. 
 Runyan was superintendent. Since that time several have filled that office, 
 among them, H. G. Goodman, James Norvel, L. F. Franklin and H. E. Marsh- 
 all the present superintendent. During the history of the church there have been 
 several religious awakenings, still none very marked. In July, 1877, there were 
 twenty-nine additions, twenty of whom were by baptism. In September, 1878, 
 there were about ten additions, and in March, 1880 there were twenty-six 
 additions. During the last year of the pastorate of Rev. Joseph K. Dixon, 
 which closed last August, there were received into the church twenty-seven 
 persons, twenty-five of whom were by baptism. There were 334 periodicals and 
 papers taken on subscription by the church and Sabbath-school last year. For 
 the year ending August, 1880, the pastor had delivered eighty-six sermons, sixty- 
 two addresses, attended forty-six prayer meetings, forty-six Sabbath-school sessions 
 and sixty-four revival meetings. The following words by the pastor, on the 
 anniversary occasion, briefly express the condition of the church : 
 
 "The Lord of Hosts has truly smiled upon us. The members have been 
 united and harmonious, filling their obligations with cheerful promptness and 
 earnest fidelity. The prayer meetings and Sabbath services have been marked 
 by a large attendance and interest. The Sabbath-school flourishing, each Sabbath 
 marks a period of growth and interest. A glorious revival has crowned the year's 
 labor, and many souls have been brought into the Kingdom, and we trust also 
 seed has been sown which will fall into good ground and bear much fruit. It is 
 the general verdict of all connected with the church that this pastoral year closes 
 leaving the church in a more prosperous and healthful condition than for many 
 years. All the glory be to our God, and may the present gratifying condition of 
 the church only be the prelude to a much larger growth, higher spiritual attain- 
 ments, stronger zeal, greater extension, deeper, more unaffected piety, and a still 
 deeper and more blessed realization of the presence and power of the Great Head 
 of the church." 
 
 The present pastor. Rev. J. M. Wise, enters upon his work with earnestness 
 and zeal, and success will surely reward his labors. There is preaching every 
 Sabbath morning and evening, prayer meeting on Wednesday night. The 
 deacons are W. H. Franklin, G. D. Schultz, Elias Ellis and H. Hale. Clerk, 
 H. E. Marshall; chorister, John T. Ross; organist, Everett Blood. 
 
 THE METHODIST CHURCH SOUTH. 
 
 This church was organized in the year 1835 by the Rev. J. P. Hulse. 
 
 The names of original members were : Henry Ruby, Rebecca Ruby, John 
 
656 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 McMurry, Jane McMurry, S. Noland, Nancy Nolan, Angeline Nolan, Jesse 
 Nolan, Reuben Wallace, Mary Wallace. This was probably the first Methodist 
 society organized in Jackson county. 
 
 A church building was commenced in 1837, but was not completed until 
 1840, at a cost of about $1,000. 
 
 In 1859 the present church was completed. The building is of brick 50x70 
 feet and two stories high. The lower story is divided into minister's office, class 
 room and lecture room. It is very substantially built, has an excellent bell, and 
 in all respects well arranged for the purposes for which it was built. 
 
 In 1835, we see Independence for the first time in the list of appointments, 
 Lexington and Independence forming one pastoral charge, and was served by 
 Rev. R. H. Jordan as senior, and W. P. Hulse, junior preacher. In 1836, N. 
 Henry was appointed; 1837, Thomas Wallace; 1838, Hugh L. Dodds ; 1839, 
 Benjamin R. Johnson; 1840, C. F. Dryden ; 1841, D. Kinnear and J. Dines; 
 1842, E. B. Headly; 1843, W. P. Nicholds; 1844, R. F. Colburn ; 1845, 
 J. R. Bennett; 1846— this year Independence is made a station, it heretofore 
 having been a circuit, J. R. Bennet is returned as pastor and is the first minister 
 appointed to this pastoral charge for two years in succession ; 1847, Thomas Wal- 
 ace was appointed — he having been stationed here at a former time ; 1848, T. T. 
 Ashby ; 1849, N. B. Peterson; 1850, Wm. H. Lewis; 1851, B. H. Russel; 
 1852, T. T. Ashby. During this year the parsonage, still standing in the rear of 
 the church, was built. The pastor for 1853, ^^^ J. Dines ; 1854, J. F. Truslow; 
 1855, Joseph Boyle; 1856, J. T. Peery; 1857-8, W. B. McFarland, who remained 
 two years; 1859-60, B.T. Kavanaugh, pastor for two years; i86r,W. M. Leftwich ; 
 how long he remained we do not know. The difficulties, etc. , arising from the 
 war were such that he felt justified in leaving his pastoral charge. The church 
 was now without any regular pastor till 1865, when M. M. Pugh was appointed 
 to the work. He remained two years and was succeeded in 1867-8 by S. S. Bry- 
 ant, who remained to the close of the latter year. 1869, G. H. Williamson had 
 charge; 1870, W. F. Camp; 1873, M. J. Law; 1874-5, C. H. Briggs; 1876-7, 
 W. B. McFarland; 1878-9, R. A. Hollaway; 1880, Rev. J. Spencer, who is the 
 present pastor. 
 
 The present membership is 112. The church is in a healthy and prosperous 
 condition. The Sunday-school meets every Sunday with an average attendance 
 of about 100. J. G. McCurdy has been the superintendent for about thirty years. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
 
 This is one of the foremost denominations in Jackson county, its membership 
 and influence is large, and many of the most highly respected citizens of Inde- 
 pendence and vicinity are members of this church. In various parts of the 
 county and in Kansas City the Christian church has been long established. The 
 present house of worship in Independence is large and elegant, and the congre- 
 gation worshiping there is the largest in the city. 
 
 This was, also, one of the early church organizations in Independence, hav- 
 ing been established in the year 1836, a church building being erected about the 
 same time. Among the early and prominent members were : Amos Allen, Oliver 
 Caldwell, James Smart, Eli Glascock, Alexander Collins, F. R. Greenwood, F. 
 R. Palmer, Henry Barker, Adam Fisher, J. H. Eaton, N. J. Hockensmith, Asa 
 Hedges, Benjamin Thompson, Samuel Shortridge, with their wives and families. 
 
 The present church edifice was built by William Huston, in 1854, and re- 
 modeled in 1874., Mr. E. A. Hickman, one of the building committee, estimates 
 the cost of the present brick edifice at about $6,000. Elder F. R. Palmer was 
 one of the early pastors. Elder Alexander Proctor, who now presides over the 
 services of the church, has been pastor for more than twenty years, and this short 
 sketch would be entirely imperfect without a few words in reference to the hfe of 
 one who has dwelt in the hearts of his people so long. He was born in Fayette 
 
r^X^^^^ x>i?7^ 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 657 
 
 county, Ky., April i, 1825. In 1836 removed with his parents to Randolph, 
 Mo. He graduated at Bethany College in 1848, and was ordained as a Christian 
 minister, first taking a charge at Lexington, this State. He removed to Glasgow 
 in the fall of 1850 and there remained till 1856, when he went to St. Louis. In 
 i860 he came to Independence, where he has since resided with the exception of 
 a short time during the turbulent days of the Civil War. He was married to Miss 
 Caroline M. Trewitt, August 29, 1859, and their family consists of four children, 
 Mary, Rowland, Stella and Emma. T?he members formerly worshiped in an old 
 church northeast of the present one. The Sunday-school is large and prosperous, 
 and Jno. A. Sea is Superintendent. 
 
 THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The First Presbyterian church. Old School, at Independence was organized 
 November 21st, 1841, by Rev. J. L. Yantis, assisted by Arthur G. Young, a 
 ruling elder of the church at Lexington. The members thus organized were 
 James Patton, Joseph O. Boggs, Cincinnatus W. Boyers, Mrs. Mary Patton, 
 Mrs. Sarah Irwin, Mrs. Henrietta Mauir, Mrs. Elizabeth Lee, Miss Nancy 
 M. Patton, Mrs. Phoebe Boggs. At this original organization no officers 
 were set apart, nor were there any officers of said church till November 4thj 
 1842, when C. W. Boyers and J. O. Boggs were duly elected, and on the 5 th 
 day of said month (Sabbath) were regularly ordained as the first ruling elders 
 thereof. Said church had no house of worship of their own till about 1852, 
 when the present house was erected. 
 
 Present membership 130. Rev. J. E. Wheeler is present pastor. Sunday- 
 school every Sunday, with John McCoy, superintendent. 
 
 THE METHODIST CHURCH. 
 
 This church was organized in the year 1867, when the present brick church 
 was erected. The cost of the church was about $8,000. It was dedicated by 
 Rev. B. F. Crary, D.D., of St. Louis, editor of the Central Christian Advocate. 
 
 The following named pastors have served the church : J. N. Pierce, S. 
 Griffin, H. R. Miller, Rev. Boucher, W. Stephens, D. A. Pierce, Rev. Carring- 
 ton, Rev. Mortland and the present pastor, R. R. Pierce, who is now in his third 
 year. The present membership is 75. Since the re-organization of the church in 
 this city there has been some opposition manifested toward it, but a better feeling 
 is now growing. The M. E. Church, South, of this city, Kansas City and many 
 other places, are beginning to drop the word " South," and are simply known as 
 the "Rock Street M. E. Church," the "Walnut Street M. E. Church," etc. 
 There is also a Sabbath-school in connection with the church. The present 
 pastor, Rev. R. R. Pierce, is a man of rare talents and peculiarly adapted for his 
 high caUing. His distinguished social qualities, as well as his high moral and 
 religious teachings, have endeared him to his parishioners and the public in general. 
 
 CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 This denomination of Christians, when compared with the age of many 
 others, is yet in its youth. It originated in America. About the year 1799 and 
 1800 a remarkable revival of religion swept with its hallowed influences among 
 the people inhabitating that district of country then known as the Cumberland 
 country, which included that beautiful region through which meanders the Cum- 
 berland River, and extended from the Green River in Kentucky on the north to the 
 Tennessee River on the south. Out of this revival, and in this district of country, 
 sprang the Cumberland Presbyterian church. It was organized on the 4th day 
 of February, 1810. Its first Presbytery was, owing to its locality, called Cum- 
 berland Presbytery, and this is why this Presbyterian church is called Cumberland 
 Presbyterian. 
 4a, — 
 
658 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE 
 
 This church is perhaps the largest Presbyterian body in the State of Missouri, 
 the membership being near twenty thousand in this State. Their numerical 
 strength in the United States is about one hundred thousand. Their academies, 
 colleges and universities, and also their books and periodicals though not as nu- 
 merous as older denominations have, are of a high character, and will not suffer 
 when placed in comparison with those of others. 
 
 THE CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 This church was organized in the spring of 1832, with the following original 
 members : 
 
 Gan Johnston, Wm. W. Kavanaugh and three or four members of his 
 family, Mrs: Margaret B. Cambers, John Lewis and wife, Samuel D. Lucas and 
 wife. The frame church was built in 1831 at a cost of $1,200, and was dedicat- 
 ed by Rev. Wm. W. Kavanaugh. Names of pastors were : W. M. Kavanaugh, 
 Robert Sloan, Barnett Miller, Rev. Kennedy, J. H. Houx, Rev. Woods, I. T. 
 A. Henderson, Levi Henshaw, Rev. Givens and several others, not remembered. 
 The present church is a neat and commodious brick, erected in 1840, and im- 
 proved and enlarged in 1848. The present membership is about 40. 
 
 PLEASANT GI^OVE REGULAR BAPTIST CHURCH OF INDEPENDENCE 
 
 Was organized some 45 years ago. The names of the earliest members can- 
 not be obtained with any degree of accuracy. 
 
 The first church edifice was of logs situated where Lewright's slaughter 
 house now stands. Some of the early preachers were ; Joab Powell, Gabriel 
 Fitzhugh, Revs. Stayton, Henry Hill, James Savage, Thomas Rule, and Fewel. 
 
 Some of the more modern names which have occupied the pulpit are those 
 of George Stout, J. D. Gossett. The present house of worship is brick, 80x45, 
 furnished suitably. It cost about $3,500 and was built sometime before the 
 Civil War. There are now fifty members. 
 
 THE CHURCH OF JESCJS CHRIST OF LATTER DAY SAINTS. 
 
 This church was organized May 25, 1873, by Elder E. C. Brand. The 
 names of the original members were H. Etzenhouser, Hannah Etzenhouser, Ru- 
 dolph Etzenhouser, Daniel Etzenhouser, Mary C. Noble, Albert E. Noble, Lor- 
 inda M. Noble, Louisa Noble, Orwin S Noble and Peter J. Hale. The present 
 brick church was built in the year 1880, at a cost of $1,375. Elder Joseph Luft 
 is present pastor, and Elder A. J. Caster is presiding elder of the Independence 
 District. 
 
 This branch of the church belongs to the Independence District. This dis- 
 trict includes Jackson and Cass counties, Missouri, and Wyandott county, Kan- 
 sas. The district includes 200 members, and was organized by Elder James Caf- 
 fall, in February, 1878. 
 
 The present membership of this branch of the church is 142. 
 
 THE AFRICAN BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 This church was organized January 13th, 1864, by Rev. C. A. Bateman, 
 with the names of William Tadlock, Madison, Mosby, Thomas Hale, Gibson 
 Smith, Ann Mosby, Vinia Tadlock, and Jannie Hale, as original members. 
 They built a frame church in 1867, at a cost of $1,000, which was dedicated by 
 Revs. Clark, Moore and Johnson. 
 
 Names of pastors : Clark, Moore, E. S. Carnn, Granderson Roberts, J. H. 
 Hornesley, O. P. Simes, and G. Gray. The present membership is 145. This 
 is known as the Second Baptist Church, of Independence. Five pastors have 
 served the church, all of whom were paid fair salaries. The society have bought 
 a little brick house of worship formerly owned by the German Methodists. It 
 cost $650. The church is now free from debt. 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 659 
 
 THE AFRICAN M. E. CHURCH. 
 
 This church organization was gathered into the fold of Rev. William Doane, 
 in 1865, and the names of the original members were Benjamin Smith. Mauda 
 Smith, Hartwell Tucker, WilUam Stone, G. W. Ricker, Thomas Scott, Violet 
 Hair. The new brick church was built in the year 1879, at a cost of $2,000. It 
 is 36x50 feet, situated on East Lexington street. The present membership is 125. 
 The names of pastors who have preached for this church are William Doane, W. 
 B. Owsely, two terms, John A. Fouchee, Henry Triplet, Daniel Oaks, G. W. 
 Grey, Joseph P. Alexander. 
 
 ST. Mary's church of independence. 
 
 This was first called the Church of the Holy Cross. The first baptism oc- 
 curred February 11, 1845, and was performed by the Rev. Father Bernard Don- 
 nelly, who, for several years, was pastor of the church before he removed to 
 Kansas City. There were only a few families who united in the first organiza- 
 tion. About that time, the society bought a wagon shop about 24x36, built of 
 brick, for a place of worship. An addition was mide to this first church, 
 and continued in use till 1866, when the present building was erected. The first 
 church cost about $250. 
 
 The present church building, 92x44, of brick, was commenced during the 
 Civil War and finished at about the close of the war, and cost $1,100. It is fur- 
 nished with all the conveniences of worship, including vestments, pews, chande- 
 liers, organ, bell, and other things used in a well-supplied Catholic church. The 
 present membership is 800. The names of the pastors who have served the con- 
 gregation here are Father Bernard Donnelly, Father Dennis Kennedy, Father 
 Patrick M. O'Neil, and Father Thomas Fitzgerald, the present pastor. Father 
 Fitzgerald received this charge April 16, 187-;, and has since filled the office of 
 pastor.- During the year ending October, 1880, there were thirty baptisms and 
 four marriages. The average annual revenue, besides money from festivals, etc., 
 amounts to $900. 
 
 CEMETERY. 
 
 This old and revered place of the dead is located about three-quarters of a 
 mile southeast of the public square, and contains about twenty acres. It was the 
 first burial place in this part of the country. The oldest ground is east of the 
 new, but all in the same inclosure. There are in the old and new many graves, 
 and several fine monuments adorn the grounds. The Catholic cemetery is im- 
 mediately south of the Independence city cemetery, and in this, also, there are a 
 large number of graves. Additions from time to time have been made to the In- 
 dependence cemetery, which is under the control of the city council. 
 
 COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS. 
 
 There are three colleges that are contributing largely in popularizing a liberal 
 education. 
 
 The "Woodland College," of which further mention is made elsewhere in 
 this work, established in 1869, is one of great promise, and its annual cat- 
 alogue shows evidences of success. The grounds, containing seven and a half 
 acres, are most admirable adapted to the purposes for which they are used, and 
 expenditure of a few hundred dollars in shrubbery and ornamentation, will 
 make a most inviting and pleasant resort, that adds so much to the fascination of 
 our institutions of learning. The building for the present is ample for the wants 
 of the pupils, and the faculty is composed of professors of unquestioned ability 
 as educators. The curriculum embraces all the studies known to our larger and 
 older colleges ; and a very respectable chemical and philosophical apparatus, for 
 an institution so young has already been secured. Both sexes are educated here, 
 and we predict, under the present efficient management, the day is not far distant 
 
660 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 when " Woodland College" will take high rank among the prominent and popu- 
 lar institutions of learning in our country, and the necessity of new and larger 
 buildings will claim the attention of the trustees and those interested. 
 
 INDEPENDENCE FEMALE COLLEGE. 
 
 If the quantity of iron used by a people is an index to their material pros- 
 perity, so the character of its schools is an index to their moral development. 
 Closely interwoven with the history of our city must be that of her institutions 
 of learning. To our social, religious and educational facilities is due, in large 
 measure, the prosperity and popularity of the Orchard City. Outstripped by 
 Kansas City in the race for commercial pre-eminence, the lovely suburban city 
 presents a most delightful retreat from the noise and bustle of that great future 
 metropolis of the Missouri Valley. 
 
 The corner-stone of Independence Female College, bears this inscription : 
 "Laid A. L., 5871. July, 1871." The names of its founders are set forth in the 
 following extract from the records of the Circuit Court, under date of June 26, 
 1871 : 
 
 "Whereas, William Chrisman, Abram Comingo, William McCoy, John Mc- 
 Coy, John T. Smith, Geo. W. Buchanan, George P. Gates, John Wilson, Charles 
 D. Lucas and John H. Taylor have filed in the office of the Circuit Court 
 their articles of association in compliance with the provisions of an act concerning 
 corporations, approved March 19th, 1866, with their petition for corporation 
 under the name and style of Independence Female College ; they are therefore 
 declared a body politic and corporate by the name and style aforesaid, with all 
 the powers, privileges and immunities granted in the act above named." 
 
 [Signed.] Samuel L. Sawyer, Judge." 
 
 These names are in themselves a guarantee of success. An idea may be 
 formed of the energy with which they carried their plans into execution, from the 
 facts that the incorporation was completed in June, the corner-stone was laid in 
 July, their liberal contribution of twenty thousand dollars was expended in the 
 completion of the work, and the school was successfully opened in the fall. 
 
 As to the manner in which their purpose has been carried out, the teaching 
 talent employed, the patronage enlisted, and the good accomplished in the way 
 of female education, its success which has been so great, fully attests. 
 
 FACULTY OF 1871-72. 
 
 Rev. M. M. Fisher, D. D., president, and professor of mental and moral 
 science ; Miss Margaret T. Henderson, teacher of belle-lettres, natural science, 
 and mathematics; Miss Sallie A. Allen, principal of intermediate department; 
 Miss Kate Buchanan, principal of primary department ; Henry E. Schultze, 
 professor of vocal, piano, and organ music; Mrs. M. W. Liicas, matron. 
 
 FACULTY FOR 1880-81. 
 
 p. F. Witherspoon, president, mental and moral science ; Rev. A. Carroll,, 
 supreintendent, literary department, ancient languages, science, mathematics; 
 Mrs. Witherspoon, history, physiology, and botany ; Mrs. Helen M. Nash,, 
 modern languages, and English literature ; Miss Lydia Carroll, primary depart- 
 ment ; Miss Evelyn Westlake, vocal and instrumental music ; Mrs. Helen M. 
 Nash, pencil drawing; Miss Pauline Witherspoon, instrumental music; Mrs. H. 
 C. Crysler, oil and portrait painting; Mrs. Witherspoon, wax flowers, hair 
 flowers, photocrome, and Grecian painting. 
 
 THE ST. MARYS CONVENT SCHOOL. 
 
 The college under the patronage of the Catholic church is conducted with 
 the same enterprise peculiar to institutes under the patronage of this denomination,. 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 661 
 
 and this one compares favorably with colleges throughout the country, affording 
 ample facilities for a thorough course of study for which schools of this character 
 have become so extensively known and popular. It was begun October, 1878, 
 established by Father Fitzgerald, the present pastor. It is situated close by the 
 church on the same half-block. The school building is 40x50, two stories, brick, 
 and cost $4,000. It is used both for day school and boarding school, boys 
 attending during the day and young ladies boarding in the building. There are 
 five teachers including the instructor in music. There are now m attendance one 
 hundred pupils. The academic year dates from the first Monday in September 
 and closes on the last day of June, and is divided into two sessions of five months 
 each. 
 
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 The public schools of Independence were organized September 18, 1866. 
 The first Board of Directors consisted of Messrs. Peter Hinters, U. P. Bennett, 
 Jacob May, William McCoy, William Chrisman, and Jacob Leader. Col. May 
 was elected President, William McCoy, Treasurer, and WiUiam Chrisman, Sec- 
 retary. Rev. J. A. Smiih was appointed Superintendent of schools, to be assist- 
 ed by four teachers; this number being increased to ten before February, 1867. 
 
 The district being without a house, the Board rented rooms wherever they 
 could be best obtained, and during the first session the schools were put in so 
 good condition that their success was assured. March 30, 1867, the seminary 
 property belonging to Rev. W. H. Lewis was purchased for $11,000, and such 
 alterations and improvements were made as to adapt it, as nearly as possible, to 
 the uses intended. This building is still occupied by the white schools, and with 
 the repairs that have been made from time to time, promises to be adequate to 
 the wants of the present, and possibly of several succeeding generations. 
 
 The first levy for schools was 1.2 per cent, yielding a revenue of $10,000. 
 The first enumeration of children showed the number, of school age, to be 1,152. 
 Supt. Smith was continued in office two years, and was succeeded by Rev. A. 
 Carroll, in 1868, who was, in 1873, succeeded by Prof. A. E. Higgason, the 
 present incumbent. 
 
 During the first years of these schools the tendency was to spread them over 
 as much educational ground as possible ; hence we find that the number of 
 teachers was gradually increased to seventeen, including an assistant superintend- 
 ent, and teacher of German. The course of study was expanded until it included - 
 almost as much as is required in some of our colleges. 
 
 Until 1876, the white school was divided, two rooms being furnished by the 
 Catholic church and supplied with Catholic teachers. ■ Of course the Catholic 
 children attended these schools. This division of the schools was a virtual divis- 
 ion of the school fund. 
 
 This division has now been abolished, and all the white children attend one, 
 thrown into the same building. 
 
 Since 1873, the policy of. the Board, in its management, has been in the di- 
 rection of simplicity and economy. Latin, Greek, German, chemistry, survey- 
 ing, and all higher studies have been excluded. The course now concludes with 
 geometry, in the mathematical department, rhetoric, in the literary course, and 
 natural philosophy, in the scientific. The course is now so arranged that a child 
 of average ability entering at six or seven years of age will have as much as he 
 can conveniently do for nine years. 
 
 There are in the colored school two grades, in the white there are eight, one 
 teacher being assigned to each, and each grade having in it two classes. By this 
 arrangement the time of the children is divided into two equal parts, one being 
 devoted to study and the other to recitation. The lowest grade frequently con- 
 tains more than two classes. 
 
662 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 The expenses of these schools have been reduced at every point until at 
 present their annual cost is about $4,500, or $7 per annum for each pupil. 
 
 With the accumulated experiences of Board, teachers, and superintendent, 
 many of the errors of former years have been rectified. Expenses have been re- 
 trenched, and the best methods of teaching and government have been adopted. 
 
 There is no aim made at display, but quiet persistent work is insisted on ; 
 these schools are of the people, and for them. The people select a Board to 
 represent their interests. The Board appoints a superintendent as their educa- 
 tional representative ; he supervises the teachers, and they supervise the chil- 
 dren, thus bringing the circuit of supervision back to the people. 
 
 These schools were never more efficient than now, nor were they ever more 
 popular. They must, by virtue of their being public schools, be utterly impartial, 
 but are liberally patronized by the wealthiest citizens, and those of highest social 
 standing, whose children laudably and generously vie with those of the humblest 
 for the highest rank in their classes. Every endeavor is constantly being made to 
 keep them abreast of the best educational methods. They are at all times open to 
 inspection in every department. The frequent presence of visitors is urgently re- 
 quested, and criticism always invited. 
 
 MASONIC. 
 
 Palestine Commandery, No. 17, K. T., organized October 4, 1871, with the 
 following charter members : S. M. Kerr, John Westmoreland, Tarbert Entrikin, 
 Walker Buckner, Marion May, Tandy Westmoreland. Meetings are held the 
 first and third Thursdays of each month, at the Masonic Hall. The present offi- 
 cers are : E. J. Nickerson, E. C. ; John S. Mott, Generalissimo; William Ran- 
 dall, Capt. General; J. A. Westmoreland, Prelate; H. Morrison, S. W. ; M. R. 
 Wright, J. W. ; I. N. Rogers, Treasurer; Samuel Wilson, Recorder; S. A. Sul- 
 livan, Warder; Jacob Vernon, Capt. Guard. 
 
 Independence Lodge, No. 76, A. F. & A. M., organized October 14, 1846, 
 with the following charter members : Richard Rees, Harrison Robinson, Daniel 
 C. Woodall, and others. Its meetings are held in Masonic Hall on the second 
 and fourth Saturday evenings of each month. Present officers : J. A. Westmore- 
 land, W. M. ; W. A. Cunningham, Secretary. 
 
 Independence Chapter, No. 12, R. A. M., was organized October 13th, 1848, 
 with the following charter members: Richard Rees, H. P. / Samuel H. Wood- 
 son, King; John Heard, and others. Meetings are held at the Masonic Hall on 
 ttie first and third Fridays of each month. . The present officers are : M. R. 
 
 Wright, High Priest; , King; , Scribe; H. Morrison, Capt. 
 
 of Host ; J. Westmoreland, P. S. ; John S. Mott, Royal Arch Capt. ; James 
 Adams, M. 3d Vail ; Hezekiah Holland, M. 2d Vail; S. A. Sulhvan, M. 1st 
 Vail; I. N. Rogers, Treasurer; Jacob Leader, Secretary. 
 
 m'DONALD lodge 324, A. F. AND A. M. 
 
 This lodge was organized October 12, 1869, with the following charter mem- 
 bers: James C. Riggs, James Peacock, Porter McClannahan, and others. Their 
 regular meetings are held on the second and fourth Monday evenings of each 
 month, in the Masonic Hall. Harry Wait, W. M.; Jacob Leader, Secretary; 
 Wm. Sullivan, Treasurer; Bailey Strode, S. W.; Silas Hillard, J. W.; are the pres- 
 ent officers. 
 
 CHOSEN FRIENDS LODGE, I. O. O. F. , NO. 21. 
 
 Met and organized March 12, 1847. The first charter was destroyed by fire, 
 and another was issued in June, 1857. Their meetings are held every Tuesday 
 night, in the Jones building, on the north side. The hall is neatly furnished. 
 The present officers are S. A. Sullivan, N. G.; R. D. Wort, V. G.; H. H. No- 
 land, Secretary; Horace Sheley, Treasurer. The present membership numbers 85. 
 
HISTORY or INDEPENPENCE. 
 
 663 
 
 OCCIDENTAL ENCAMPMENT NO. 9, I. O. O. F. 
 
 This encampment was organized June i, 1857, and their regular meetings 
 are on the second and fourth Thursday evenings of each month, at the Odd Fel- 
 lows' Hall. There is a present membership of 25, and the present officers are 
 H. H. Noland, C. P.; H. Sheley, S. W.; John A. Westmoreland, H. P.; Samuel 
 A. Sullivan, J. W.; John S. Swearingen, Scribe. 
 
 KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS, INDEPENDENCE LODGE NO. 3. 
 
 The lodge was instituted in 1868, with the following charter members: C. D. 
 Lucas, John P. Duke, L. F. Franklin, James L. Gray, J. C. Leftwich, A. J. 
 Liddil, Peter Dick. The first Chancellor Commander was C. D. Lucas, and 
 James L. Gray, Vice C. C. 
 
 Meetings every Friday evening, at Odd Fellows Hall. Present officers: H. 
 H. Noland, C. C; David Waldo, Vice C; Peter Dick, P. C; Newton Williams, 
 Prelate; M. W. Anderson, Master Exchequer; John Leftwich, Master Finance 
 M. H. Halderman, K. of R. and S. Present membership numbers 22. 
 
 A. o. u. w. NO. — . 
 
 This order was organized July 19, 1879, with the following charter members: 
 Geo. D. Schultz, P. M. W.; D. G. Parker, M. W.; C. R. Haller, G. F.; John 
 Hutchinson, Overseer; Chas. H Clark, Financier; J. C. Pendleton, Receiver; 
 A. L. McCoy, G.; James M. Nicklin, I. W.; M. H. Halderman, O. W. Meet- 
 ings every Monday night, at Odd Fellows Hall. Present membership, 28. 
 
 Present officers: C. R. Haller, P. M. W.; Chas. H. Clark, M. W., C. Jack- 
 son, Financier; M. H. Halderman, Overseer. 
 
 JACKSON CHAPTER, NO. 59, O. E. S. , 
 
 Was organized March 13, 1875, with the following charter members: Jennie Wal- 
 lace, Palmyra E. Parish, Nannie Wallace, MoUie L. Burns, Bettie Adams, Mary 
 Dill, Nannie McClannahan, Hattie McCormack, Ettie Westmoreland, Lucy 
 Moreland, Gegia Holland, Mattie Baker, Lettie M. Kelley, Mary C. Reynolds, 
 Fannie Morris, and John A. Westmoreland. Meetings are held on the evenings 
 of the first and third Wednesdays in each month. 
 
 Present officers: S. A. Sullivan, Worthy Patron; Mrs. Jennie Wallace, 
 Worthy Matron; Mrs. Cunningham, Associate Matron; Mrs. Rie Fletcher, Con- 
 ductress; Mrs. Bettie Adams, Assistant Conductress; Mrs. Nannie Wallace, Sec- 
 retary; Mrs. Wm. Franklin, Treasurer; Mrs. E. J. Silvers, Ada; Mrs. Rogers, 
 Ruth; Mrs. Strode, Esther; Mrs. Hope, Martha; Mrs. Waite, Electa. 
 
 BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 
 
 Anderson-Chiles Banking Co. 
 Anderson, M. W., banker. 
 Armstrong, J. F., tailor. 
 Alexander, J. P., pastor African M. 
 
 E. church. 
 Beatty, C. E., editor weekly Crisis. 
 Bryant, W. L., druggist. 
 Bryant, John, doctor. 
 Bryant, John, Jr., doctor. 
 Blau, Antone, shoemaker. 
 Bone, William L., attorney at law, 
 Beatty, A. L., jeweler. 
 Brown, J. T. & Bro. , druggists. 
 Brown, J. T., physician. 
 Earnhardt, J. D., boots and shoes. 
 
 BuUard; Daniel, Missouri Pacific Rail 
 way agent. 
 
 Buckner, W. A., president Woodland 
 College. 
 
 Carroll, A., pres. Female College. 
 
 Crysler, Cornell, post-master. 
 
 Crysler & Moore, real estate. 
 
 Crysle, Charles S., attorney at law. 
 
 Cunningham, W. A. & Co., groceries. 
 
 Chrisman-Sawyer, Banking Company. 
 
 Comingo & Slover, law firm. 
 
 Comingo, A., attorney at law. 
 
 Chiles, C. C, banker. 
 
 City Hotel, Mrs. Carmody, prop'ss. 
 
 Clark, Charles H., correspondent Kan- 
 sas City Journal. 
 
664 
 
 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 Caldwell, D. I., superintendent schools 
 of county. 
 
 Dick, Peter, tailor. 
 
 Davidson, Mrs. B., milliner. 
 
 Embree, Mrs. dressmaker. 
 
 Franklin, George, livery stable. 
 
 Fann, J. W. , gunsmith. 
 
 Russell & Forbis, hardware. 
 
 Forbis, J. B , Jr., Hardware. 
 
 Fitzgerald, Thomas, pastor Catholic 
 church. 
 
 Gates, Wallace & Sea, law firm. 
 
 Gates, E. P. attorney at law. 
 
 Grange Store, groceries and queens- 
 ware. 
 
 Guthrie, T. , meat market. 
 
 Gabathuler, John, saloon. 
 
 Gregg & Smart, meat market. 
 
 Green, J. M., county collector. 
 
 Goodin, James, railroad timber con- 
 tractor. 
 
 Gray, Gabriel, pastor African Baptist 
 church. 
 
 Holmes, Benjamin F., county treas- 
 urer. 
 
 Hickman, W. Z., county clerk. 
 
 Herson, T. W. & Co., coal and feed. 
 
 Herson & Son, James, groceries. 
 
 Hartman, D. F., harness, saddles, 
 bridles, etc. 
 
 Hockaday, J. H. 
 
 Henry, J. P., physician. 
 
 Hotsenpiller, G. R., books and sta- 
 tionery. 
 
 Head, William, meat market. 
 
 Higgason, A. E., Supt. city schools. 
 
 Helf, Fred, barber. 
 
 Hinters, J. F., barber. 
 
 Holland, H. H., deputy marshal and 
 jailor. 
 
 Hill & Humphry, blacksmith & wagon 
 shop. 
 
 Henzt, Fred, blacksmith. 
 
 Holmes, A. T., photographer. 
 
 Hallar, C. R., groceries. 
 
 Independence Agricultural Works. 
 
 Independence Woolen Mills, J. Mc- 
 Coy agent. 
 
 Joseph, William, saloon. 
 
 Jackson, C. , city physician. 
 
 Kenney, P. B., millinery and fancy 
 goods. 
 
 Keller, Mrs. F., general dry goods. 
 
 Lentz, Martin, photographer. 
 
 Lewis, E. E., druggist. 
 
 Larkin & Son, livery stable. 
 
 Lewright, Jerome, ice cream. 
 
 Lewright & Bro. , meat market. 
 
 Leftwich, J. C, saloon. 
 
 Lucas, C D., county recorder. 
 
 Laws, Wallace, circuit clerk. 
 
 Luff, Joseph, pastor Church Latter 
 Day Saints. 
 
 Modie, J. W. , harness, saddles, etc. 
 
 Morrison, J. H., druggist. 
 
 McCoy, William & Son, bankers. 
 
 McDonald Lumber Company. 
 
 McClanahan, William, groceries. 
 
 Merchants' Hotel, R. K. Morgan 
 proprietor. 
 
 McCurdy & Son, blacksmith and 
 wagons. 
 
 May, J. & Son, dry goods, boots and 
 shoes. 
 
 Mott, J. S., merchant. 
 
 Nichol, G. M. & Bro. , hardware. 
 
 Ott, C. & Son, furniture and under- 
 takers. 
 
 O'Reilly & Son, shoemakers. 
 
 Oliver, L. R. painter. 
 
 Pierce, R. R , pastor M. E. Church. 
 
 Proctor, Alexander, pastor Christian 
 Church. 
 
 Peacock, James, tailor. 
 
 Parker, B. F., dentist. 
 
 Paxton, J. G., attorney at law. 
 
 Pendleton, J. C, druggist. 
 
 Pendleton & Bros., furnishing and 
 dry goods. 
 
 Parker, Henry, barber. 
 
 Perry, J. W. , livery stable. 
 
 Payne, J. E , editor Sentinel. 
 
 Peacock, C. G. , prop. Pacific House. 
 
 Peiser, M. , restaurant and saloon. 
 
 Reynolds, Joseph, justice peace. 
 
 Roberts, B. F., groceries. 
 
 Rogers, T. J., hardware. 
 
 Spencer, J., pastor Methodist church, 
 South, 
 
 Schulenberg, John, cigars and confec- 
 tionery. 
 
 Slack, A. T,, groceries. 
 
 Sawyer, A. F., cashier bank. 
 
 Sawyer, Sam'l L., banker. 
 
 Sea & Vernon, real estate agents. 
 
 Sea, John A., attorney at law. 
 
 Slover, J. H., attorney at law. 
 
 Sheley, H., attorney at law. 
 
 Sheley, J. H. , attorney at law. 
 
 Southern, J, N., attorney at law. 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 665 
 
 Wheeler, Rev. J. E., pastor Presby- 
 terian church. 
 
 Wells, J. T. , saloon. 
 
 Walker, E. G., editor Sentinel. 
 
 Wilson & Emanuel, real estate. 
 
 Wilson, C. E., groceries. 
 
 Weston, R., blacksmith and plows. 
 
 Wood, Walter, saloon. 
 
 Wagner & Gates, flour mills. 
 
 Wilson, J. W., Chicago & Alton R'y agt. 
 
 Wise, I. M., pastor Baptist church. 
 
 Wilson, J. M., physician. 
 
 Young, Hiram, ox yokes, and wagon 
 material. 
 
 Yeager, F. F. 
 
 Zweifel, John, jeweler. 
 
 Staley, Geo. W. , attorney at law. 
 Sullivan & Sons, boots, general dry 
 
 goods. 
 Stahl Simon, bakery. 
 Strode, B. P., blacksmith. 
 Sampson, Moses, dry goods, etc. 
 Saurbier, S., blacksmith. 
 Todd, Mrs. S. A., Jones Hotel. 
 Tindall, Robert, general store. 
 Thompson, N., jeweler. 
 Torpey, John coal dealer. 
 Wright, M. R. , boots, shoes, hats, caps 
 
 and clothing. 
 Wallace, Wni. H., county prosecuting 
 
 attorney. 
 Woodson & Sheley, law firm. 
 Weitzel, John, shoemaker. 
 
 THE BLUFF AT WAYNE CITY. 
 
 Several dififerent elevations in the county have been noticed elsewhere in this 
 work, but the one under present consideration deserves special attention. 
 
 The St. Louis directrix is 362 feet perpendicularly above the level of the 
 Gulf of Mexico; the level of Independence, Mo., is 610 feet above St. Louis, 
 and the bluff north of the city is 52 feet above that, making the highest point in 
 the county 1,034 feet above gulf level. The highest point in Kansas City is 510 
 feet above the directrix (362 feet) making 882 feet total height. G. C. Swallow 
 is author of the height of directrix, and G. C. Broadhead for the height, by rail- 
 road surveys, of the elevation of the point above the St. Louis zero. The height 
 of bluff above low water mark is 321 feet, which, taken from bluff height, will 
 leave 341 feet water ascent from St. Louis to Wayne City. 
 
 The highest point of land in Jackson county is near the river where Mr. Z. 
 S. Ragan lives, on the bluff overlookmg the great Missouri. It is 321 feet above 
 low water in the Missouri River, and commands one of the grandest views in 
 America. Surrounded by extensive orchards of the finest fruit trees the country 
 can afford, the grandest panorama of natural and artificial scenery meets the eye 
 on every hand. The great Missouri, meandering at your feet, beneath the bluff 
 can be seen stretching through the green hills for twenty miles away, its banks 
 fringed with a beautiful growth of walnut, oak, elm and hickory. Passenger 
 steamers and freight boats are frequently passing up and down so near the bluff 
 that the conversation of passengers, the rush of the steam through the exhaust 
 pipes and the splashing of the paddle wheels can be distinctly heard ; while from 
 either side of the river in the distance the rush and rumble of the passing trains on 
 seven dififerent railroads reverberates through the valley, and the white wreathes of 
 smoke show the course of the iron horse. The spires and houses of a half dozen 
 cities and towns on both sides of the river greet the eye of the beholder, among 
 which are Independence, Kansas City, Wyandotte and Liberty, while near at 
 hand the precipitous and rocky bluff, the macadam road to Independence Land- 
 ing, the highly cultivated farms and gardens, the shrubbery, the clumps of timber, 
 and the thousands of fruit trees make this, above all others, the most attractive spot 
 in the State of Missouri. Apples, peaches, pears, cherries, plums, quinces, grapes, 
 and a great variety of small fruit are grown in great profusion on this bluff. As 
 might be inferred from the desirableness of the locality, land here commands a 
 very high price, and its value is constantly increasing. When the cities of Inde- 
 pendence and Kansas City shall have spread out toward each till they meet, and 
 are included in one vast central city, this bluff, overlooking Wayne City, will become 
 
666 HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 the site of the most magnificent mansions and villas in America, and the rock road 
 which now leads to Indepeildence will become one of the most fashionable boule- 
 vards in this country. 
 
 H. M. Vail's residence, commenced in the summer of 1880 and completed in 
 the summer of 1881, one of the most beautiful and costly residences in Jackson 
 county, IS situated on the west side of North Liberty street, one mile north of the 
 public square of Independence. The length of the mansion is 109 feet, width is 
 48 feet, height is two stories and a mansard roof, making 48 to the top of the 
 roof, 56 to the top of the chimney, and 80 feet to the tower. The view from this 
 tower is magnificent beyond words to express. 
 
 INDEPENDENCE IN 1871. 
 
 The following valuable correspondence appeared in the Sentinel, June 24th, 
 1871, with its comments : 
 
 " A special correspondent of the St. Louis Republican is visiting and 'writing 
 up' the various cities, counties and towns of the State. He has been at Indepen- 
 dence, and the result of his observations while here may be seen in his letter, 
 which we publish elsewhere. 
 
 " His information in regard to this city and county is somewhat meager, but 
 his conclusion must be conceded nearly correct. The picture he gives of the 
 trade and enterprise of Independence is dismal enough • that it is in the main a 
 faithful likeness, is too true ; that it is in the power of tne citizens to change its 
 features is also true — even 'Headlight' sees life and prosperity for Independence 
 in the future, if she will only develop her resources. We ask an attentive 
 perusal of his letter. 
 
 THE OLD TOWN OF INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 " Independence, Jackson Co., Mo., 1 
 June loth, 1871. j 
 
 " While I have visited a great many hve and go-ahead towns in Missouri, I 
 have also occasionally come across some that are retrograding, and I think in 
 many instances unnecessarily so. These towns are usually located from ten to 
 fifteen miles near larger and greater commercial cities, which they complain have 
 carried off their trade, and might add their energy and ambition also. These 
 towns are mostly staid old places, and contain a great deal of wealth, but seem to 
 have lost their desire to push on in the age of improvement, so necessary in the 
 great commercial battle of cities and towns. Their dull and quiet streets and loss 
 of energy are the first things that attract the attention of a stranger, and your 
 correspondent being in quest of 'whys and wherefores' of everything, naturally 
 put the question as to the reason of such dull times that characterized these locali- 
 ties. The answer was invariably 'We are under the shadow of such and such a 
 city, and cannot do anythmg,' though sometimes it would be varied by a mer- 
 chant telling me that 'he had no chance.' Now, if people think and settle down 
 upon such mottoes, they never will have chances, while if they use their faculties, 
 and only enfranchise them, they will find opportunities for advancement abun- 
 dant. All of us have plenty of chances every day falling under our eyes, if we 
 only had eyes to see them and hands to pick them up. 
 
 independence. 
 
 " This is what might be termed an orchard town, beautifully located, and' 
 where the dwelhng houses are so hidden by foliage and large clumps of forest trees 
 which have been left standing, that one could scarcely believe at a glance down 
 the green avenues that the place was inhabited ; but when in my rambles I dis- 
 covered the homes, how prettily they looked with their neat porches covered with 
 roses and honeysuckle and all manner of sweet climbing shrubs and flowers; there 
 was presented to my view sweet homes nestled in the trees, where no storm could 
 
HISTORY OF INDEPENDENCE. 667 
 
 apparently ever reach, but at all times would be blessed with a smooth current of 
 domestic joy and happiness. 
 
 "The city is about two and a half miles from the Missouri River, and to which 
 a railroad was constructed, but in 1856 a sand bar formed in front of it, and a 
 nearer landing than four or five miles could not be found, which fact seriously 
 interfered with their trade, and even now, with the Missouri Pacific at its door, it 
 takes an omnibus ride of over a mile to reach it. The trade of its palmy days 
 has all departed and gone to more western towns, and Independence is left alone 
 "under the shadow of Kansas City," with only her local trade. No more are 
 the streets thronged with dusky ^Indians and swarthy Mexicans, as was the case 
 twenty years ago, and the sight of an ox or mule team, or prairie schooner, as the 
 large white covered wagons were called, would be a strange sight there to-day. 
 Thus from a once busy, bustling frontier town it has settled down into a quiet, 
 pleasant place, with a refined and hospitable society and considerable wealth, the 
 proceeds of business in its early days. 
 
 " Independence already boasts of a very handsome courthouse, and is about 
 remodeling it at a considerable outlay, with the design of making it the finest 
 structure of the kind in the State. In the manufacturing line I notice here a 
 very large woolen mill and three flouring mills. A movement is also on foot to 
 form a stock company with a capital stock of $20,000 for the purpose of construct- 
 ing factories of different kinds, for which the place is remarkably well adapted, 
 having living springs at four or five different points. One half the amount, 
 $10,000, is already paid in, and the balance partly subscribed. 
 
 " In churches I notice several fine buildings, including those of the Catholic, 
 Christian, Presbyterian (old school), Cumberland Presbyterian, Methodist (North 
 and South), Baptist and two colored churches. Episcopalians have an organiza- 
 tion, but not yet strong enough in number to erect a church. There is also a fine, 
 large, brick public school, educating 600 children, and a fine seminary and high 
 school. The sum of $12,000 has recently been subscribed to erecta large college, 
 which is to be conducted under the auspices of the Old School Presbyterians. 
 
 " The town has a population of nearly 4,000, and supports two newspapers, 
 the Sentinel and Democrat, both Democratic in politics, on which score the citizens 
 are particularly sound. There is also a movement being made to establish a large 
 and valuable library, which is evidence that the people are advancing in matters 
 of the mind, if not in business affairs. 
 
 " Granting that a majority of the citizens of Independence are wealthy, and, 
 like the school-boy who lost his arithmetic, don't care whether school keeps or 
 not, there is an evident disposition upon the part of the rising generation to make 
 a break and be up and doing ; hence I think that Independence may yet regain 
 her past greatness in commercial affairs, and become a flourishing business city, 
 as well as a great manufacturing point. 
 
 A SPRINKLING OF MORMONS. 
 
 " Independence is the first town in my travels that I have come across where 
 Mormons live, but here there is a settlement of about one hundred and fifty, that 
 a year since removed from Illinois. I took a particular good look at them, and 
 I failed to discover any material difference in them from other human beings. 
 They are, however, a reformed edition, and do not, I am told, either believe in 
 or practice polygamy. They live in close proximity to one another and are de- 
 cidedly clannish, having their own store, a Mormon doctor and a Mormon church. 
 The men wear a kind of a broad brim hat and look somewhat like Shakers. They 
 own two lots in the town, called "Temple lots," where they intend building a 
 temple, believing -that the ground is the identical spot that " Prophet Joe Smith" 
 intimated in 1833 on which such structure should be reared, and where the Messiah 
 will descend and make them all religiously happy. Head Light." 
 
668 ~ HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 The City — The Organization of Kansas Territory — Constitution of the State — The First Settlements 
 in Wyandott— Great Flood of 184.4 — Election in 18^2 — First Churches and Schools — Organi- 
 zation of Wyandott County in J8^g — First Railroad in Kansas — Early Election at Wyan- 
 dott — Complete Roster of County Officials — Statistical— Financial Report — Early History of 
 Wyandott and Quindaro — Incorporation of tl}e City — Complete Roster of City Officials — 
 Church History — History of Secret Societies — Wyandott the Metropolis of Kansas — NenDs- 
 papers. 
 
 Wyandott is one of the prettiest cities in Kansas, situated on high, rolling 
 ground, at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas Rivers. 
 
 It contains a population of 7,000 inhabitants, and, from a height of from 200 
 to 300 feet above the Missouri, commands a view of the most beautiful scenery 
 to be found in this country. 
 
 The majestic Missouri coming from the north makes a bold turn to the east 
 at the very base of the city. The Kansas River coming down from the west 
 unites its waters with the larger stream exactly in the curve. Kansas City, with " " 
 its spires and domes, its depots and manufactories, its churches and mansions 
 sitting upon a hundred hills, are each objects of beauty and grandeur in plain 
 view from the city of Wyandott. The streets are wide and macadamized in the 
 most approved manner. The business houses and many of the dwellings are of 
 brick and adorned with the most tasteful surroundings. Churches, schools, news- 
 papers, depots, offices,' and all kinds of business usually carried on in cities of this 
 size are found here well conducted. A double-track street horse railroad con- 
 nects Wyandott with Kansas City, on which cars are run every fifteen minutes 
 during the day. 
 
 The railroads place, it in easy communication with all points east and west, 
 north and south. It being the county seat of Wyandott county brings business 
 of importance here, making it the business center of a large section of country. 
 
 The treaty between the United States and the French Republic, by which 
 the land now included within the limits of the State of Kansas, was ceded to the 
 Federal Government was made April 30, 1803. The act of Congress estabhshing the 
 boundaries of the Territory of Kansas, was approved May 30, 1854, and defined 
 its limits as follows : "Beginning at a point on the western boundary of the 
 State of Missouri where the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude crosses the 
 same, thence west on said parallel to the eastern boundary of New Mexico, 
 thence north on said boundary to latitude thirty-eight, thenc^ following said 
 boundary of the Territory of Utah, on the summit of the Rocky Mountains, 
 thence northward on said summit to the fortieth parallel of latitude, thence east 
 on said parallel to the western boundary of the State of Missouri, thence south 
 with the western boundary of said State, to the place of beginning." 
 
 The Constitution of the State of Kansas was adopted at Wyandott July 29, 
 1859. The preamble of that instrument together with the boundaries of the 
 State, being deiined as follows : 
 
 " We, the people of Kansas, grateful to Almighty God for our civil and re- 
 ligious privileges, in order to insure the full enjoyment of our rights as American 
 citizens, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the State of Kansas, with 
 the following boundaries, to-wit : Beginning at a point on the western boundary 
 of the State of Missouri, where the thirty-seventh parallel of north latitude crosses 
 the same, thence running west on said parallel to the twenty-fifth meridian of Ion- ^ ^ 
 gitude west from Washington, thence north on said meridian to the fortieth par- 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 669 
 
 allel of north latitude, thence east on said parallel to the western boundary of the 
 State of Missouri, thence south with the western boundary of said State to place 
 of beginning." 
 
 In April, 1832, the Wyandott Indians sold their lands in Ohio to the Gov- 
 ernment, and removed to the junction of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers in 
 Kansas. These numbered 687 persons. The Wyandotts were of the Iroquois 
 family, called Hurons by the French, but by themselves called " Wendats " or 
 " Yendats." When the French settled Canada they were on the island of Mon- 
 treal and numbered 40,000. A part went to Quebec and a part south of the 
 gre'atlakes. In 1829 a small band Kved on the river Huron, in Michigan, but 
 the principal portion was collected on the headwaters of the Sandusky River. In 
 1855, January 31, by treaty this tribe acquired the right to become citizens, 
 and the Kansas lands of the tribe were divided among them, giving to each per- 
 son about forty acres. On December 14, 1843, the Wyandotts purchased of 
 the Delawares 23,040 acres of land, including the present site of Wyandott. 
 This contract was ratified by the United States July 25, 1848; and on April 
 ist, 1850, they agreed to pay the Wyandotts $185,000 for lands promised them. 
 On January 31, 1855, the Wyandotts ceded to the United States the countr)' 
 purchased by them of the Delawares December 14, 1843, with a few special 
 exceptions. 
 
 That portion .of Wyandott county north of the river formerly belonged to the 
 Delaware Indians ; that portion south, to the Shawnees, except a tract in the 
 bottom reserved by the Government for a fort. 
 
 The first house built oh the present site of Wyandott was erected by John 
 M. Armstrong and occupied by him and his family on the loth day of December, 
 
 1843. It stood a little northeast of Mrs. Lucy B. Armstrong's present residence. 
 Doctor Richard Hewitt, now of Shawnee Township, was agent of the Wyandotts 
 from 1845 to ^^49' ^i^d lived in a log house where Dunning's Hall now stands, 
 and which we will have occasion to refer to hereafter. In the winter of 1843 
 and '44 Wm. Walker camped on Jersey Creek, and gave it its present name. 
 During that winter he built the log house west of Fifth street, now owned by 
 Charles Wyeth. Just west of this and across the ravine was the Methodist Epis- 
 copal parsonage. The Rev. James Wheeler was missionary from July, 1844, to 
 May, 1846. The first school house was erected by the Wyandott Nation in 
 
 1844, and John M. Armstrong opened a school in it in July of that year. 
 
 The spring of 1844 was warm and very dry until in May, when it began to 
 rain and continued for six weeks — rain falling every day. The result was the 
 Kaw River rose so high that what is now Kansas City, Kansas, and West 
 Kansas City, Missouri, was covered with fourteen feet of water; the Missouri 
 backed up to the mouth of Line Creek ; Jersey Creek was backed up to the cross- 
 ing on the Parallel Road. The long continued rains were succeeded by dry and 
 hot weather, and the overflowed vegetable matter decomposing, caused much 
 sickness among the Wyandotts, and by the first of November one hundred of 
 them were dead — being one seventh of the whole number who had come to the 
 country only fifteen months before. 
 
 During the fall of this year the present site of Wyandott was laid off by 
 the Wyandott Chiefs into acre lots and called Wyandott City. 
 
 In the summer of 1852 the organization of a Territory claimed the attention 
 of the leading men of the Wyandott Nation, which resulted in issuing a call for 
 an election for delegates to Congress. The election was held on the 12th day of 
 October, 1852. George I. Clark, Samuel Priestly and Mathew R. Walker acted 
 as judges, and WiUiam Walker and Benjamin C. Anderson as clerks. 
 
 Thirty-five votes were polled, and the following is the order in which they 
 were received : Charles B. Garrett, Isaac Baker, Jose Antonio Pieto, Henry C. 
 Norton, Abelard Guthrie, Henry C. Long, Cyrus Garrett, Francis Cotter, Ed- 
 ward B. Hand, Francis A. Hicks, Russell Garrett, Samuel Rankin, Nicholas 
 
670 HISTORY OF WYANDOTl', KANSAS. 
 
 Cotter, Joel W. Garrett, Isaac Long, Thomas Coon Hawk, James Garlow, Wm. 
 Walker, George I. Clark, Benjamin N. C. Anderson, Matthew R. Walker, Samuel 
 Priestley, Henry Garrett, Wm. Gibson, Presley Muir, Joel Walker, Isaac Brown, 
 Jas. Long, Jno. Lynch, William Trowbridge, John W. Ladd, Daniel McNeal, 
 Edward Fifer, Peter D. Clark and Henry W. Porter. 
 
 Mr. Guthrie received every vote cast, and went to Washington as the duly 
 accredited delegate of the Territory to the Thirty-Second Congress; but, we be- 
 lieve, he never received any compensation for his services. 
 
 The first white settler within the boundary of what is now Wyandott county 
 was Moses Gritter. He located near where the station of Secundine now stands, in 
 1831, aiid lived there till his death in the fall of 1878. In May, 1832 a mission 
 school was established among the Delaware Indians by Rev. Thomas Johnson, a 
 Methodist minister, near the white church. In 1837, John G. Pratt located on 
 section 10, Tp. 30, R. 23, about sixteen miles west of Wyandott City, where he 
 still resides. He established a Baptist mission among the Delawares. Mrs. 
 Pratt is still living at the old place and has never visited either Wyandott or 
 Leavenworth. Mr. Pratt has published several hymn books in the Delaware lan- 
 guage, one of which was printed at the Wyandott Herald office. Mr. Pratt was 
 appointed agent for the Delawares, by President Lincoln. One of his sons mar- 
 ried a daughter of Charles Journeycake, a well known Delaware chief. His eld- 
 est daughter is the wife of Col. Sam. Black, of Leavenworth. In May, 1843, 
 Silas Armstrong and George Clark, with their families, and Miss Jane Tilles, now 
 Mrs. William Cook, came to this section to select a reservation for the Wyan- 
 dotts, who were to be removed from Ohio. Mr. Armstrong was also to build 
 a trading store for the Nation which he did. The town of Armstrong was named 
 after this man. On the 31st of July, 1843, ^^ Si's' party of the Wyandotts came 
 to this section and with them a number of whites; of these there are still living, 
 Mrs. Lucy B. Armstrong, Miss Anna H. Ladd and Mrs. Lydia B. Walker. Mrs. 
 Wm. Cook, who came in the May previous, is also still living. 
 
 Hiram N. Northrup, now a leading banker and prominent citizen of Wyan- 
 dott, located here in 1844. He married Miss Margaret Clark. This marriage 
 was the first in the county, and was celebrated at the Methodist Episcopal par- 
 sonage by Rev. James Wheeler. Miss Clark was a member of the Wyandott 
 Nation, and by this marriage Mr. Northrup was adopted by that Nation, and was 
 one of the most prominent and trusted men in this section. On the 2d of Sep- 
 tember, 1854, a convention was held at Wyandott, on the spot where Dunnings 
 Hall now stands, at which a provisional government was formed for the Territory. 
 At this convention William Walker, a Wyandott chief, was appointed Provisional 
 Governor, Matthew R. Walker, Probate Judge, and George I. Clark, Secretary. 
 Col. Russell' Garrett and Isaiah Walker are the only delegates to that convention 
 now known to be living. 
 
 In 185s the Wyandotts made a treaty with the Government by which their 
 lands were divided in severalty and most of them became citizens, the heads of 
 families being allowed to sell their lands ; as soon as this was done, white settlers 
 came in rapidly 
 
 On the 8th of April, 1856, two churches which had been, built imder the 
 auspices of the Methodist church at Wyandotte were burned down. Mrs. Lucy 
 B. Armstrong was teaching a school in one of these churches at the time. The 
 first school opened in the county was taught by John B. Armstrong in-a building 
 standing on the east side of Fourth street, between Kansas and Nebraska ave- 
 nues. 
 
 The first frame building in the county was the Methodist parsonage erected 
 in 1844, in the northern portion of Wyandott City, and its first occupant was 
 Rev. James Wheeler. 
 
 The first jail in the county was erected by the Wyandotts near the council 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 671 
 
 house in 1848. Its first occupant was locked up for being drunk. In those days 
 when a woman got drunk her head was shaved, while a man was imprisoned. 
 The following located at Quindaro, early in the spring of 1857 : George W. Veale, 
 now of Topeka, V. J. Lane, now editor of the Wyandott Herald; S. N. Simp- 
 son, now residing at Riverview; Charles Robinson, now of Lawrence; A. D. 
 Richardson, author of "Beyond the Mississippi;" John M. Walden, now agent of 
 the Methodist book concern of Cincinnati; S. C. Smith, who was private secre- 
 tary of Gov. Robinson; P. T. Colby, appointed United States Marshal by Presi- 
 dent Buchanan; Fielding Johnson, agent of the Delawares; Alfred Gray, who 
 was the first mayor of Quindaro; M. B. Newman, Perley Pike, Charles Chad- 
 wick, Morris Sherman and Owen C. Russell. About the same time the follow- 
 ing persons located at Wyandott: Col. Daniel Killen, now of Miami county; 
 Dr. F. Speck, E. L. Busche, John E. Zeitz, Hester A. Halford, Mrs. J. W. 
 Huskins, Nicholas, McAlpine, Dr. J. P. Root, Col. S. W. Eldridge, L. H. Wood, 
 Thos. J. Barker, John M. Funk, M. W. Delahay, William Y. Roberts, N. A. 
 Rheinecker, Col. J. R. Parr, C. S. Click, Geo. D. B. Bowling, Joseph Halford, 
 Dr. G. B. Wood and others. The first postmaster at Wyandott was Thomas J. 
 Barker, he used to brin_g the mail on horseback from Kansas City to his office. 
 There have been only four postmasters in the city altogether, T. J. Barker, R. 
 B. Taylor, E. G. Vedder, A. D. Downs. 
 
 A steam ferry was established at Quindaro in 1857, and one at Wyandott 
 in 1858, but at present neither is in existence. The first steam flouring mill was 
 built in 1858 by McAlpine and Washington. 
 
 Silas Armstrong and Matthew R. Walker, erected the first brick buildings in 
 Wyandott, the first at the corner of Minnesota and Fifth streets, afterward the 
 Eldridge House, which was burned in 1865; the other is still standing on Third 
 street. The "first bridge across the Kaw River was erected in 1858 by private 
 subscription, it was located about three miles above Wyandott, and cost $15,000. 
 In i860 a tornado passed over this section and tore out one span of this bridge 
 and the remainder soon disappeared. 
 
 The Territorial Legislature that provided for a constitutional convention af 
 Wyandott city also organized Wyandott county. The act providing for the 
 constitutional convention passed the Legislature first, and the number of delegates 
 for each county having been fixed, when in a few days thereafter the act organiz- 
 ing the County of Wyandott, the matter of delegates to the convention from the 
 new county was overlooked, and resulted in no representation in the constitution- 
 al convention from this county ; though delegates were elected from Wyandott 
 county and were refused admission to the convention. The delegates. Dr. J. E. 
 Bennett and Dr. J. B. Welborn, were elected by a small majority, being Demo- 
 crats. The candidates on the Republican ticket, Gov. W. Y. Roberts and Col. 
 Fielding Johnson. 
 
 The organization of Wyandott county was in 1859, and the following is the 
 act: 
 
 "An act creating and organizing the County of Wyandott. Be it enacted 
 by the Governor and Legislature of the Territory of Kansas. 
 
 "Section i. That a county to be called Wyandott be hereby erected, 
 including that portion of Leavenworth and Johnson counties, within the following 
 limits: Commencing at a point in the middle of the channel of the Missouri 
 River where the north line of the Delaware reserve intersects the same, running 
 thence west on said reserve line to the line between ranges twenty-two and 
 twenty-three, south on said range Hne to the, south boundary of Leavenworth 
 county, thence easterly on said boundary to the main channel of the Missouri, 
 thence northwesterly with said main channel to place of beginning. Also that 
 portion of Johnson county lying north of the township hne between townships 
 eleven and twelve east of range twenty-three. 
 
672 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 " Section 2. That an election shall be held in the various precincts of said 
 County of Wyandott on the fourth Tuesday of February, 1859, for the election 
 of county officers, who shall hold their offices until the next general election of 
 county officers as prescribed by law. 
 
 "Section 3. That it shall be the duty of the present supervisors of each 
 township in said County of Wyandott to appoint two clerks and provide places 
 to hold said election and to act as judges of the same, observing the general 
 election laws, except as herein otherwise provided, and on the first Friday of the 
 election the chairman of all the boards of judges shall meet in Wyandott city at 
 the Eldridge House and canvass the votes and issue certificates to the persons 
 duly elected, and transmit to the secretary of the Territory a true copy of the 
 canvass, showing who was elected to the various offices in said county. 
 
 " Section 4. That the tenure of all other than county offices within said county 
 shall, in no way, be affected by the provisions of this act. 
 
 " Section 5. That it shall be the duty of the clerk of Leavenworth county, 
 as soon as practicable, after the organization of Wyandott county, to transmit to 
 the clerk of said county the papers in all suits which may be pending in the 
 probate court of Leavenworth county, wherein both parties reside in Wyandott 
 county, together with a certified transcript of all the entries on record in each 
 case which causes, when so certified, shall be tried and disposed of in the same 
 manner as though they had been commenced in the County of Wyandott. It 
 shall further be the duty of the clerk of Leavenworth county in like manner to 
 transmit to the clerk of Wyandott county the papers and documents, together 
 with a certified transcript of all entries in said cause pertaining to probate business 
 in all cases wherein the defendant's last place of residence was, within the limits of 
 said County of Wyandott therein to be disposed of according to law. 
 
 Section 6. That it shall be the duty of the clerk of the District Court of the 
 United States in and for Leavenworth county, as soon as practicable after the 
 organization of the County of Wyandott, to transmit to the Clerk of the District 
 Court, in and for said County of Wyandott, a certified transcript of the record 
 and all the papers in each and every case pending in said court wherein the par- 
 ties thereto reside in said County of Wyandott, to be disposed of in the same 
 manner as though the same had originally been commenced in the County of 
 Wyandott. 
 
 Section 7. That it is hereby made the duty of recorders in the Counties of 
 Leavenworth and Johnson to make out and transmit to the recorder of Wyandott 
 county, as soon as practicable, a true copy of the records of all deeds, mortgages, deeds 
 of trust,bonds and other writings in relation to real estate of anyinterest therein, being 
 within the limits of Wyandott county as above described; and the said recorders 
 are authorized to purchase suitable books for that purpose and such clerks and 
 recorders shall be entitled to compensation for said services from the County of 
 Wyandott at the usual legal rates. 
 
 Section 8. The City of Wyandott shall be the temporary county seat until 
 a permanent county seat is established. 
 
 Section 9. That at the next election for members to the Territorial Legisla- 
 ture, the people of said county shall vote for a permanent county seat, and the 
 place receiving the highest number of all votes cast shall be the permanent county 
 seat of Wyandott county. 
 
 Section 10. That portions of any precincts divided by the county lines and 
 being within Wyandott county shall be attached to the precinct adjoining in said 
 County of Wyandott for election and other purposes until otherwise ordered. 
 
 Section 11. That the County of Wyandott shall be liable for all the money 
 appropriated by the county of Leavenworth to be expended within the limits of 
 said county of Wyandott and that all taxes assessed with said County of Wyan- 
 dott shall be paid into the County Treasurer of said county. 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 673 
 
 Section 12. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its pas- 
 sage. Approved January 29th, 1859. 
 
 SAMUEL MEDARY, 
 Marshall A. Garrett, Governor. 
 
 Clerk Probate Court of Wyandott county, Kansas Territory. 
 Per E. T. Vedder, Deputy. 
 
 As given in the above legislative act, Wyandott county was formed from 
 territory previously belonging to Leavenworth and Johnson counties; and the first 
 election under the new organization was held on the 29th of February of that 
 year, when J. W. Johnson was elected probate judge ; Marshall A. Garrett, county 
 clerk ; W. L. McMath, county attorney ; Samuel E. Forsythe, sheriff ; Robert 
 Robitaille, county treasurer; V. J. Lane, register of deeds; J. B. Wilburn, 
 supt. of schools, and Cyrus L. Gorton, surveyor. 
 
 The first bank in the county was established by Davis & Post in 1857. It 
 was called the Exchange Bank, and the first store established after the county was 
 open to settlement was by Barker & Walker. In February, 1857, Colby & 
 Parker opened the first hotel in the county, it was at Quindaro in a building five 
 stories high, and 60x80 feet. The first brick church built in the county after it 
 was opened for settlement, was erected at Quindaro by the Methodists in 1857. 
 
 Beecher's Sharp's rifle company came up the Missouri River in the spring of 
 1856, and this was the first and only armed company who were permitted to 
 land near the present site of Wyandott. 
 
 In December, 1856, J. P. Root and Thomas _B. Eldridge came from Law- 
 rence, on the north side of the Kansas River, and arrived at the present site of 
 Wyandott about ten o'clock the second night, and stayed with Silas Armstrong, 
 the principal chief of the Wyandott Indians. The next day they examined the 
 situation, and at night went to Kansas City, where they found several parties 
 with whom they had made arrangements to form a company, before leaving Law- 
 rence, and other parties, also, who intended to form a separate company. They 
 also found parties from Pennsylvania with money for the purpose of entering into 
 some enterprise where there appeared an opening. The night following they 
 made a consolidated company, consisting of J. P. Root, T. B. Eldridge, S. W. 
 Eldridge, W. Y. Roberts, Thos, H. Swope, R.obert Morrow, Daniel Killen, 
 Gains Jenkins, John McAlpine, and James M. Winchell. This new company 
 sent a committee to Wyandott to represent them, and, if necessary, to take 
 members of the tribe into the company. This committee consisted of W. Y. 
 Roberts, John McAlpine, Thos. H. Swope, and Gains Jenkins, while the remain- 
 der of the company stayed at Kansas City, that they might not disturb the nego- 
 tiations with the Wyandott Indians. This committee made no report for several 
 days, while the portion of the company at Kansas City stayed on that side of the 
 river in accordance with their agreement. When the committee reported at last 
 it was found that they had formed a new company while in Wyandott, consist- 
 ing of this committee, and Silas Armstrong and Isaiah Walker, of the Wyandott 
 tribe. A strong effort was made on the part of some portion of this committee to 
 totally ignore the portion of the company remaining in Kansas City, but after the 
 warm deliberations of one night a compromise was made and an agreement en- 
 tered into whereby the original company was to share alike in all the profits con- 
 nected with the formation of the city of Wyandott, while this committee 
 should remain with the company, with whom they were to share equally. On 
 this basis the purchases were made. Under the direction of the foregoing organ- 
 izations the site was platted and the property divided into shares of ten lots each, 
 and held for sale by the proprietors. This was the origin of the city of Wyan- 
 dott. 
 
 It should be said that the inside and outside companies did not work 
 
674 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 smoothly together, great complaint being made by the outside or original com- 
 pany that in order to make a settlement some years afterward, it was taken into 
 the courts and finally settled in a compromise and division of property, but not 
 until after its value had greatly depreciated. 
 
 Of the members of the original town company, four have died, and the oth- 
 ers, as far as known, are still alive; of the second, or inside company, Thos. H. 
 Swope and Isaiah Walker are the only ones now living. 
 
 Dr. J. P. Root is the only member of the company who still lives in Wyan- 
 dott, this having been his residence since 1856. 
 
 From this time (1856) there commenced a great rivalry between Quindaro 
 and Wyandott. Quindaro was named after a prominent Indian woman. Each 
 point claiming that it was to be the future great city of this vicinity. The moving 
 spirits of Quindaro preeminently were Gov. Chas. Robinson and S. N. Simpson, 
 and they were assisted by as enterprising men as ever engaged in any enterprise. 
 They boasted of their rock landing, their hills made expressly to fill up their 
 valleys, their nearness to Lawrence; and on the other hand, to the mud landing 
 of Wyandott. Almost as by magic first-class hotels sprung up, four-story brick, 
 ironed-columned stores and other enterprises in comparison. At one time it con- 
 tained a thousand inhabitants ; lots sold for a thousand dollars each, and all kinds 
 of real estate were exceedingly high, and for many months the local appearance 
 of the city argued in favor of the final fulfillment of the wildest promises of its 
 most sanguine projectors. The charter when finally passed by the first free State 
 Legislature was found to be nearly the exact reading of the charter of the city of 
 Buffalo, being so voluminous that it was only read by title in Legislature. And 
 it was found on the day before an election was to transpire under it, that in 
 describing its boundaries they commenced on the Missouri River, and after encom- 
 passing a large amount of territory returned to the Missouri River. But the east- 
 ern boundary of the city was not defined, so it required a hasty journey to Law- 
 rence where the Legislature was in session to get the charter amended before the 
 election should transpire. 
 
 Aside from daily coaches running to Lawrence, the beautiful steamer "Light- 
 foot, built and commanded by Thaddeus Hyatt, of New York, plied regularly or 
 advertised and attempted so to do between Q uindaro and Lawrence, but the failures 
 proving more numerous than the successes the Lightfoot was taken to another place. 
 One of the things promised for this boat was that she would run on a heavy 
 dew. 
 
 The Chindowan, a weekly newspaper, was issued by the enterprising editor, 
 John W. Walden. But the fading of Quindaro's glory was almost as sudden as 
 its up-building, so that for years in the business portion of that once prosperous 
 city there has not been a single habitation. In the vicinity back of the old town 
 there are some of the finest fruit farms in the State of Kansas, also a store and 
 post-office. 
 
 Miss Vinnie Ream, now Mrs. Hoxie, who designed the statue of Admiral 
 Farragut, unveiled with so much ceremony at Washington, was a resident of 
 Wyandott, Kan., for a number of years. Her father kept the first hotel in 
 Wyandott in 1857, and the little Vinnie of those early days was one of the 
 sparkling little jewels whose bright winning ways and charming smiles made the 
 pioneer's hotel home so attractive. Who thought in those primitive days that 
 the petite black-eyed, laughing beauty of Ream's hotel in Wyandott would so 
 soon become immortal as the author of Lincoln and Farragut in enduring marble? 
 
 In the fall of 1858, V. J. Lane, G. W. Veale and Alfred Gray took the office 
 of the Chindowan in Quindaro and published the Kansas Tribune during the fall 
 and winter of 1858-9. George E. Buddington, James A. White and M. W. 
 Bottum were also publishers of the Kansas Tribune. The Tribune was pubHshed 
 for the benefit of the town company by the above named proprietors, Francis and 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 675 
 
 Davis being the editors. Mr. Davis retired after three months' connection vsrith 
 the paper, and Mr. Francis continued the publication till the spring of 1861, 
 when he removed the office to Olathe, where it has been used to print the Olathe 
 Mirror. 
 
 The first survey for a railroad was made from Quindaro to Lawrence under 
 the charter of the Missouri River & Rocky Mountain Railroad Company. The 
 first grading for a railroad in Kansas was done at Wyandott on the Kansas Valley 
 Railroad. This was about twenty feet higher than the present road bed of the 
 Kansas Pacific (now the Union Pacific). The Kansas Pacific Railroad was put 
 in operation in 1863, and the first locomotive was called the Wyandott. The 
 Missouri Railroad was put in operation in 1866. 
 
 In 1867 the county built a fine bridge across the Kaw about two miles above 
 the town of Armstrong at a cost $165,000. There is also a fine iron bridge across 
 the Kaw connecting Wyandott with Kansas City, Kansas, which cost $62,500. 
 A street railway from the center of Wyandott City to the State Hne of Missouri, 
 a mile and a half long, was put in operation in 1873. The convention that framed 
 the present state constitution met at Wyandotte July 29, 1859. The hall in which 
 its meetings were jheld was afterward used as quarters for the first Kansas regi- 
 ment raised for the late war. It was a four story building. The regiment moved 
 out of it at half past ten on the morning of June i, 1861; at twelve o'clock the 
 same day the building tumbled into a heap of ruins. At the time it fell Captain 
 James H. Harris was in it, with nineteen recruits, some of whom were so seriously 
 injured that they afterward died, though none were killed outright. 
 
 For the last ten years the growth of the county has been a substantial one, and 
 the improvements of the solid character needed by its rapidly increasing business. 
 The population in i860, 2,609; i" 1870, 10,015, increase in ten years 7,406; , 
 population in 1875, 12,362, increase in five years 2,347; population in 1878, 
 13,161, increase in eighteen years 10,552; in 1880, 19,152. The rural popula- 
 tion is about 11,500, and the population of Wyandott City 6,500. 
 
 Timber abounds to a greater or less extent throughout the county. The 
 entire county was formerly heavily timbered except the extreme northern limit. 
 The varieties are cotton wood, walnut, oak, hickory, sycamore, pecan, hackberry, 
 etc. Bottom land includes about 20 per cent, and upland the remaining 80 per 
 cent., forest 25 per cent and prairie 75 per cent. The average width of bottoms 
 one or two miles, and the general surface of the county is undulating and bluffy. 
 The Missouri River forms the northeastern boundary of the county, flowing in an 
 easterly and southeasterly direction. The Kansas (Kaw) river forms part of the 
 southern boundary, then flows north and east into the Missouri at Wyandott ; 
 each has numerous tributaries distributed through the county. The county 
 abounds in splendid springs, good well water obtained at a depth of from 20 to 50 
 feet. ■ 
 
 For the object of testing the practicability of reaching coal at Wyandott, 
 boring was commenced in 1875 under the direction of a company organized for 
 that purpose. The diameter of the bore is 4^ inches. At the depth of 250 feet 
 gas was struck. A constant issue of gas has escaped since it was reached in May, 
 1875. It is estimated that 10,000 cubic feet of gas escaped hourly, affording 
 240,000 feet every twenty-four hours; a sufficient quantity, it is estimated, to light 
 a city of double the population of both Wyanjdotte and Kansas City. The boring 
 has reached salt water, and the escaping gas forces up a constant stream of this 
 water at a height of from 12 to 15 feet. The gas roars hke the escape of steam 
 from an engine, and when ignited, as it has been at night, a continual column of 
 flame of several feet in diameter is seen shooting into the air to the height of from 
 30 to 40 feet. This gas has not been as yet utilized only in an experimental way. A 
 
 wo inch pipe conducts a sufficient quantity of it to the house of a Mr. Wilderman, 
 
 supply all needed light and fuel. 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. ti76 
 
 The engine which is used in the boring for coal is constantly run by a portion 
 of the gas as its only fuel. The gas burns with a strong, clear, white flame, and 
 is free from sulphurous smell. The salt water yields 4j^ ounces of salt per gal- 
 lon of water, the salt being free from impurities. At the depth of 500 feet, coal 
 had not been reached. 
 
 Fine quarries of white magnesian limestone extend for five miles along the 
 Kansas River. It is similar to the Cottonwood Falls stone; also an excellent 
 quality of blue limestone for building purposes. The abutments and piers of the 
 Union Pacific Railway bridges near Wyandott, are constructed of this stone. 
 
 The Missouri Pacific Railroad follows th6 bank of the Missouri River under 
 the bluff, and the principal stations in this county are Wyandott, Quindaro, 
 Pomeroy, Barker's Tank and Connor. The Union Pacific Railroad crosses the 
 Kansas River near Wyandott, and follows along the north bank of the same, on 
 its course west. The principal stations in this county are Wyandott, Armstrong 
 and Edwardsville. 
 
 In Wyandott county there are 97,920 acres of land, of which 50,000 are 
 under cultivation. 
 
 THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD. 
 
 The following is a copy of an invitation sent to Mr. V. J. Lane, now editor 
 of the Wyandott Herald, to attend the celebration and excursion, starting from 
 Wyandott, which, at that time, was the eastern terminus of the U. P. R. R. 
 
 the letter of invitation. 
 
 "Union Pacific Railway Company, Eastern 1 
 Division, St. Louis, July i, 1864. ) 
 ' ' Dear Sir : 
 
 "The Government of the United States, a little more than a year ago, with 
 a wisdom looking far beyond the burdens and anxieties of the hour, provided aid 
 for the construction of a railroad from the Missouri River to the Pacific Ocean. 
 Stimulated by its liberality, and by the spirit of American enterprise, the work 
 has been undertaken, and already the first section of forty miles is approaching 
 completion. The opening of this section, giving earnest to the people of the 
 country that within the time prescribed by law, the great highway will be built to 
 San Francisco, bringing into closer union the States of the Atlantic and Pacific, 
 and offering to the industrial enterprises of our people, the incalculable wealth of 
 a continent, is an event worthy of commemoration by the leading men of Amer- 
 ica. 
 
 ' ' You are respectfully invited to attend the celebration, and will be received 
 by the committee of arrangements at Weston, Missouri, on the i8th day of Au- 
 gust next, on the arrival of the morning train from the east. Upon the - receipt 
 from you of an acceptance of this invitation, addressed to me, at 58 Beaver street. 
 New York, you will be furnished with a free pass to Kansas and return, good 
 over all the principal intermediate roads. Faithfully yours, 
 
 SAMUEL HALLETT." 
 copy of the invitation card. 
 
 "U. JP. R'Y— E. D. 
 " San Francisco. New York. 
 
 "The Union Pacific Railway Company, Eastern Division, invite you to be 
 present, as per letter of Mr. Samuel Hallett, to celebrate the opening of the first 
 section of forty miles of their road west from the Missouri River." 
 
 It is an interesting fact that before the Government built Fort Leavenworth, 
 trees were felled and preparations made to build the fort near the mouth of the 
 Kaw. Many stumps and trunks of trees for years after the founding of Wyan- 
 
HISTORV OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 677 
 
 dott, remained on the bottom where Kansas City, Kansas, now is, midway be 
 tween the Kaw and Missouri Rivers, as witnesses of this fact. 
 
 EARLY ELECTION AT WYANDOTT. 
 
 The following is a copy of the returns of the votes in the Wyandott Nation 
 at an election held in 1852, from a manuscript copy contributed to the collections 
 of the Kansas Historical Society by Mrs. Lydia B. Walker; one of the survivors 
 of Wyandott immigration in 1843 : 
 
 " The following is the return of votes polled at the election held in the Wy- 
 andott Nation, Nebraska Territory, October 12, 1852, for a delegate to represent 
 the aforesaid Territory in the Thirty-second Congress of the United States: 
 Abelard Guthrie was the only candidate and received all the votes. The following 
 are the names of the voters: Charles B. Garrett, Isaac Baker, Jose Antonio 
 Pieto, Henry C. Norton, Abelard Guthrie, Henry C. Long, Cyrus Garrett, 
 Francis Cotter, Edward B. Hand, Francis A. Hicks, Russell Garrett, Samuel 
 Rankin, Nicholas Cotter, Joel W. Garrett, Isaac Long, Thomas Coonhawk, 
 James Garlow, William Walker, George I. Clark, Benjamin N. C. Andrews, 
 Matthew R. Walker, Samuel Priestly, Henry Garrett, William Gibson, Presley 
 Muir, Joel Walker, Isaac Brown, James Long, John Lynch, William Trowbridge, 
 John W. Ladd, Daniel McNeal, Edward Fifer, Peter D. Clark, Henry W. Porter. 
 Total number of votes given thirty-five. 
 
 To this return the following certificate is attached : 
 
 Wyandott, Nebraska Territory, 1 
 October 12, 1852. j 
 
 We, "the undersigned sworn clerks of the election, held in this place on this 
 day, certify that Abelard Guthrie, of the Territory aforesaid, received thirty-five 
 votes for delegate to the Thirty-second Congress of the United States. 
 (Signed), WILLIAM WALKER, 
 
 BENJAMIN N. C. ANDREWS, 
 
 Clerks. 
 
 Wyandott, Nebraska Territory, 1 
 October 12, 1852. j 
 
 We the undersigned sworn judges of the election held in this place on this 
 day, certify that Abelard Guthrie, of the Territory aforesaid, received thirty-five 
 votes for delegate to the Thirty-second Congress of the United States. 
 (Signed), GEORGE I. CLARK, 
 
 ^ SAMUEL PRIESTLY, 
 
 MATTHEW R. WALKER, 
 
 Judges of Election. 
 
 COUNTY officers. 
 
 A complete roster of each general election since the organization of the 
 county will be found below. 
 
 FIRST election. 
 
 Jacques W. Johnson, Probate Judge. 
 M. A. Garrett, Clerk. 
 V. J. Lane, Register of Deeds. 
 S. E. Forsythe, Sheriff. 
 W. L. McMath, Attorney. 
 Robert Robitaille, Treasurer. 
 C. L. Gorton, Surveyor. 
 Dr. G. B. Wood, Coroner. 
 J. B. Welborn, Superintendent of Pub- 
 lic Schools. 
 
 1859. 
 W. L. McMath, Representive 
 B. Gray, Probate Judge. 
 V. J. Lane, Register of Deeds. 
 M. B. Newman, County Clerk. 
 L. H. Wood, Sheriff. 
 S. M. Emerson, Attorney. 
 D. C. Boggs, Surveyor. 
 R. Robitaille, Treasurer. 
 P. Julian, Coroner. 
 
678 
 
 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 i860. 
 
 W. Y. Roberts, Representative. 
 
 Barzillai Gray, Probate Judge. 
 
 Vincent J. Lane, Register of Deeds. 
 
 L. H. Wood, Sheriff. 
 
 S. M. Emerson, Attorney. 
 
 D. C. Boggs, Surveyor. 
 
 M. B. Newman, County Clerk. 
 
 R. Robitaille, Treasurer. 
 
 Peter Julian, Coroner. 
 
 William McKay, John W. Dyer and 
 
 Julius G. Fisk, Commissioners. 
 John B. Dexter, Assessor. 
 
 1861. 
 
 W. W. Dickinson and James Mo- 
 Grew, Representatives. 
 
 L. H. Wood, Sheriff. 
 
 James A. Cruise, Clerk. 
 
 Martin Stewart, Assessor. 
 
 John A. J. Chapman. Surveyor. 
 
 Charles Morasch, Coroner. 
 
 Francis Kessler, Richard Cook and 
 Leonard Lake, Commissioners. 
 
 James McGrew, Senator. 
 
 Isaac B. Sharp, Probate Judge. 
 
 James A. Cruise, Clerk of District 
 
 ■ Court. 
 
 Stephen Perkins, County Commis- 
 sioner. 
 
 James M. Chinault, Assessor. 
 
 Frederick Speck, Superintendent of 
 Schools. 
 
 1863. 
 
 W. W. Bottum, Representative. 
 
 Pembroke S. Ferguson, Sheriff. 
 
 James A. Cruise, Register of Deeds. 
 
 Byron Judd, Treasurer. 
 
 John A. J. Chapman, Surveyor. 
 
 Eli McKee, Assessor. 
 
 William B. Bowman, Probate Judge. 
 
 Benjamin F. Mudge, Superintendent 
 
 Public Instruction. 
 Stephen Perkins, Joseph Grindle and 
 
 Francis Kessler, Commissioners. 
 Thomas P. Fenlon, District Attorney: 
 
 1864. 
 
 William Weer, Senator. 
 Charles S. Glick, Representative. 
 James A. Cruise, District Clerk. 
 Isaac B. Sharp, Probate Judge. 
 Moses B. Newman, County Attorney. 
 
 Michael Hummer, Superintendent 
 
 Public Instruction. 
 David Pierson, Assessor. 
 John A. J. Chapman, Surveyor. 
 
 1865. 
 
 Isaiah Walker, Representative. 
 Pembroke S. Ferguson, Sheriff. 
 Charles N. H. Moore, Coroner. 
 Moses B. Newman, County Clerk. 
 John M. Funk, Treasurer. 
 James A. Cruise, Register of Deeds. 
 David Pearson, Assessor. 
 Benjamin F. Mudge, Superintendent 
 
 of Schools. 
 William Cook, Martin Stewart and 
 
 Francis Kessler, Commissioners. 
 
 1866. 
 
 Isaac B. Sharp, Senator. 
 Thomas J. Barker, Representative. 
 Daniel Killen, Representative. 
 William B. Bowman, Probate Judge. 
 James A. Cruise, District Clerk. 
 Rynear Morgan, Surveyor. 
 Charles S. Glick, County Attorney. 
 
 1867. 
 
 Eichard Hewitt, Representative. 
 
 Vincent J. Lane, Representative. 
 
 James A. Cruise, Register of Deed. 
 
 Jesse J. Keplinger, County Clerk. 
 ^ Thomas W. Noland, Coroner. 
 
 Silas Armstrong, Sheriff. 
 
 Samuel Parsons, Surveyor. 
 
 William Cook, Patrick Reedy and 
 Hiram Malott, County Commission- 
 ers. 
 
 1868, 
 
 Charles S. Ghck, Senator. 
 Henry W. Cook, Representative. 
 Thomas Feeny, Representative. 
 Isaac B. Sharp, Probate Judge. 
 John B. Scroggs, County Attorney. 
 James A. Cruise, Clerk of the District 
 
 -Court. 
 Emanuel F. Heisler, Superintendent 
 of Public Schools. 
 
 1869. 
 
 Vincent J. I^ane, Representative. 
 John T. McKay, Representative. 
 Joseph C. Welsh, Treasurer. 
 James A. Cruise, Register of Deeds. 
 Edward Riter, Sheriff. 
 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 679 
 
 Patrick Kelly, Clerk. 
 Samuel F. Bigham, Surveyor. 
 George B. Wood, Riley M. English 
 and H. F. Reed, Commissioners. 
 
 1870. 
 
 George P. Nelson, Senator. 
 Rufus E. Cable, Representative. 
 Isaac B. Sharp, Probate Judge. 
 Joseph K. Hudson, Representative. 
 Henry W. Cook, County Attorney. 
 Emanuel F. Heisler, Superintendent 
 
 of Public Instruction. 
 James A. Cruise, Clerk of District 
 
 Court. 
 Harvey Hortsman, Sheriff. 
 
 1871. 
 
 Stephen A. Cobb, Representative. 
 Hiram Malot, Representative. 
 Andrew B. Hovey, County Clerk. 
 Nicholas McAlpine, Treasurer. 
 James A. Cruise, Register of Deeds. 
 Edward S. Drought, Sheriff. 
 Robert E. Ella, County Surveyor. 
 Bryant Grafton, Coroner. 
 William P. Overton, Commissioner to 
 
 fill vacancy. 
 Robert P. Clark, Samuel Beatty and 
 
 William Richart, Commissioners for 
 
 full term. 
 
 1872. 
 
 Byron Judd, Senator. 
 
 William J. Buchan, Representative. 
 
 William S. Tough, Representative. 
 
 Henry L. Alden, County Attorney. 
 
 James A. Cruise, Clerk of District 
 Court. 
 
 William W. Dickinson, Superintend- 
 ent of Public Instruction. 
 
 1873- 
 Richard B. Taylor, Representative. 
 Sanford Haff, Representative. 
 G. W. Betts, Clerk of the Distr-ict 
 
 Court to fill vacancy. 
 Edward S. Drought, Sheriff. 
 David R. Churchill, Probate Judge to 
 
 fill vacancy. 
 Alison Crockett, Register of Deeds. 
 Andrew B. Hovey, County Clerk. 
 Nicholas McAlpine, Treasurer. 
 David W. McCabe, Coroner. 
 Francis House, Surveyor. 
 
 Charles Hains, Samuel Beattie and 
 Richard P. Clark, Commissioners. 
 
 1874. 
 
 Byron Judd, Senator. 
 
 Sanford Haff, Representative. 
 
 William J. Buchan, Representative. 
 
 George W. Betts, Clerk of District 
 Court. 
 
 Henry L. Alden, County Attorney. 
 
 David R. Churchill, Probate Judge. 
 
 William W. Dickinson, Superintend- 
 ent of Public Instruction. 
 
 1875- 
 Sanford Haff, Representative. 
 Henry W. Cook, Representative. 
 Edward S. W. Drought, Treasurer. 
 William H. Ryus, Sheriff 
 Alison Crockett, Register. 
 David R. Emmons, County Clerk. 
 Samuel T. Bigham, Surveyor. 
 William G. Scott, Coroner. 
 Richard P. Clark, William Jacks and 
 Theodore Schultz, Commissioners. 
 
 1876. 
 
 Hiram Stevens, District Judge. 
 
 Byron Judd, Senator. 
 
 Sanford Haff and H. W. Cook, Rep- 
 resentatives. 
 
 D. R. Emmons, County Clerk. 
 
 D. R. Churchill, Probate Judge. 
 
 G. W. Betts, District Clerk. 
 
 H. L. Alden, County Attorney. 
 
 N. McAlpine, Treasurer. 
 
 W. H. Ryus; Sheriff. 
 
 Alison Crockett, Register of Deeds. 
 
 Samuel F. Bigham, Surveyor. 
 
 Dr. W. G. Scott, Coroner. 
 
 W. W. Dickinson, Superintendent In- 
 struction. 
 
 R. P. Clark, William Jacks and Theo- 
 dore Schultz, Commissioners. 
 
 1877. 
 
 W. J. Buchan, Senator. 
 H. L. Alden, Representative. 
 L. E. James, Representative. 
 G. W. Greever, llepresentative. 
 D. R. Churchill, Probate Judge. 
 J. S. Gibson, County Attorney. 
 G. W. Betts, Clerk District Court. 
 J. S. Clark, Register Deeds. 
 L. C. Trickey, Superintendent of 
 Schools. 
 
680 
 
 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 1878, 
 
 E. S. W. Drought, Treasurer. 
 
 W. H. Ryus, Sheriff. 
 
 D. R. Emmons, Clerk. 
 
 J. S. Clark, Register of Deeds. 
 
 Francis House, Surveyor. 
 
 L. T. Holland, Coroner. 
 
 1879. 
 
 W. J. Buchan, Senator. 
 
 R. B. Armstrong, Representative. 
 
 L. E. James, Representative. 
 
 G. W. Greever, Representative. 
 
 R. E. Cable, Probate Judge. 
 
 G. W. Betts, Clerk District Court. 
 
 H. C. Whitlock, Superintendent of 
 
 Schools. 
 J. S. Gibson, County Attorney. 
 Perley Pike, County Commissioner. 
 
 1880. 
 
 T. B. Bowling, Sheriff. 
 Wm. Albright, Treasurer. 
 D. R. Emmons, Clerk. 
 
 J. S. Clark, Register Deeds. 
 Walter Hale, Surveyor. 
 G. W. Nevill, Coroner. 
 Jas. T. Johnson, County Commis- 
 sioner. 
 
 W. J. Buchan, Senator. 
 E. S. W. Drought, Representative. 
 T. J. Barber, Representative. 
 B. L. Stine, Representative. 
 J. S. Gibson, County Attorney. 
 R. E. Cable, Probate Judge. 
 Geo. W. Betts, Clerk District Court. 
 D. B. Hiatt, Superintendent Schools. 
 Hiram Malott, Perley Pike and James 
 T. Johnson, County Commissioners. 
 D. R. Emmons, County Clerk. 
 Jas. S. Clark, Register Deeds. 
 Walter Hale, Surveyor. 
 G. W. Nevill, Coroner. 
 T. B. Bowling, Sheriff. 
 Wm. Albright, Treasurer. 
 
 STATISTICAL. 
 
 According to the United States census returns for the year 1880, the State 
 of Kansas has a population of 995,666 of whom 952,056 are white and 43,096 
 are colored; 886,261 native born and 109,705 of foreign birth; 536,725 are males 
 and. 459,241 are females. The cities containing over 10,000 inhabitants are as 
 follows: Leavenworth, 16,556; Topeka, 15,451 and Atchison, 15,106. The 
 population of the county is 21,342. 
 
 Quindaro Township 2,123 
 
 Prairie Township 1,151 
 
 Wyandott Township 3, 100 
 
 Delaware Township 1,168 
 
 Shawnee Township 2,800 
 
 City of Wyandott 7,000 
 
 Kansas City, Kansas 4,000 
 
 21,342 
 
 Below we give a comparative table showing the population of the city on the 
 first day of March, 1880, as shown by the report of the City Assessor, and the 
 population on the first day of June, 1880, as shown by the government enumer- 
 ators : 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 681 
 
 
 S^ 
 
 n^ 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Ward. 
 
 ni H 
 
 ri i-T 
 
 en 
 
 C/3 
 
 ■ B 
 
 C/3 
 
 j3 
 
 
 3 .a 
 
 ft o 
 
 ^^ 
 
 (J 
 
 S 
 
 S 
 
 rt 
 
 
 ^^ 
 
 ^^. 
 
 1=1 
 
 1— I 
 
 w 
 
 (S 
 
 Q 
 
 First 
 
 1,261 
 
 '.535 
 
 244 
 
 256 
 
 319 
 
 16 
 
 Second 
 
 1,664 
 
 1,815 
 
 151 
 
 352 
 
 39° 
 
 60 
 
 Third 
 
 1,076 
 1,360 
 
 1,234 
 1,566 
 
 6,150 
 
 158 
 
 206 
 759 
 
 276 
 
 241 
 1. 125 
 
 297 
 
 275 
 
 1,281 
 
 57 
 22 
 
 Fourth 
 
 Totals 
 
 5>39i 
 
 155 
 
 From this it will be seen that the population has incred,sed 759 in the past 
 three months — a rapid growth indeed. The figures in this table reveal the fact 
 that the city has 156 more families than houses, and that there is an average 
 of nearly 5)^ persons to the house, including both dwelling and business houses. 
 The death rate for the past year has been about twenty-six persons to the thou- 
 sand. In the First and Fourth Wards the percentage of deaths is only about 
 one-third that of the Second and Third Wards. The population north of Ne- 
 braska avenue is 3,049 ; south of it, 3,101. The deaths on the north side of that 
 avenue have been 117 ; on the south side of it, 38. The increase of population 
 in the three months from March ist to June ist on the north side has been 309; 
 on the south side, 450. 
 
 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. 
 
 The following is the report of Wyandott county, Kansas, of receipts from 
 October 15th, 1879, to October 12th, 1880, and expenditures for the fiscal year 
 ending December 31, 1880 : 
 
 ASYLUM FUND EXPENDITURES. 
 
 For conveyance of paupers to asylum 
 
 Board and care of sick destitute, outside asylum 
 Groceries and aid for destitute outside asylum . 
 
 Railroad tickets 
 
 Overseers of poor, township and city 
 
 Salaries of county physicians 
 
 Salary of superintendent county asylum .... 
 Repairs and extra work county asylum .... 
 Groceries, dry goods, etc. , for asylum .... 
 
 Team of horses for county asylum 
 
 Coffins and expenses in burial of paupers . . . 
 
 S8.50 
 120.75 
 
 159-53 
 48.00 
 64.50 
 279.40 
 300.00 
 264.94 
 
 734-95 
 139.00 
 485.00 
 
 Total expenditures for superintendent poor 2,684.57 
 
 GENERAL FUND EXPENDITURES. 
 
 For Bailiffs fees district court 
 
 Costs in State cases • • • 
 
 Sheriffs fees 
 
 Board of prisoners and insane 
 
 Guard at jail 
 
 Miscellaneous expenses at jail 
 
 Attendance and mileage jurors district court. 
 
 Expenses in cases of requisition 
 
 Drawing jurors 
 
 Meals for jurors 
 
 Attorneys 
 
 166.50 
 
 610.85 
 
 201.85 
 
 ,379.80 
 
 590.60 
 
 89.40 
 
 777-25 
 
 387-55 
 
 18.00 
 
 17-55 
 100 00 
 
682 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 Costs in civil cases and judgments 479-92 
 
 Index clerk district court i75-oo 
 
 Briefcase, Young vs. Rhinaker - 18.75 
 
 Fees clerk district court 12.90 
 
 Three copies Kansas Digest 24.00 
 
 Services county commissioners including services as board of equal- 
 ization and board of canvassers ... 562.40 
 
 Quarterly examination of county treasury 92.00 
 
 Stationery, blank books, etc 743-70 
 
 Salaries of county officials 5,112.79 
 
 Rent of county offices, court room and jail ij079 98 
 
 Township and city assessors 1,100.00 
 
 Clothing for prisoners and insane 119.46 
 
 Fuel 150.00 
 
 Expenses in location of roads 305.00 
 
 Damages in location of roads 605.00 
 
 County surveyor's fees 252.00 
 
 Services of bridge commissioners ' 148.75 
 
 Repairs of bridges 1,68669 
 
 New bridges , 2,040.60 
 
 Furniture 60.00 
 
 Repairs. 59- 10 
 
 County printing 191.70 
 
 Adv. delinquent tax list ' 160.30 
 
 Adv. notice to contractors, etc 75-85 
 
 Stamps and expressage 14-63 
 
 Expenses coroner's inquests 130.05 
 
 Expenses post mortem examinations 50.00 
 
 Insurance on jail (5 year policy) 204.00 
 
 Expenses of insanity cases including conveyance to asylum. . . . 575-90 
 
 Appropriation to Normal Institute 100.00 
 
 Taxes refunded on void tax sales 750-58 
 
 Services in exairiination of teachers , . ; . . 39.00 
 
 Horse killed 25.00 
 
 Miscellaneous expenses 94- 50 
 
 Total expenditures general fund 21,578.30 
 
 Receipts from Oct. 15th, 187910 Oct. 12th, 1880. 
 
 General fund $24,792.59 
 
 Asylum 3,070.94 
 
 Judgment 595-^9 
 
 Cost of rebuilding Southern Bridge less amount 
 
 received for old superstructure . . . .. 14,931.70 
 
 Cost of jail: * 
 
 Contract for stone, brick and wood work . . . 7,647.00 
 
 Ironwork 3,48500 
 
 Architect and superintendent 200.00 
 
 Cost of grounds 625.00 
 
 Total cost of jail $11,957.00 
 
 One-half the cost or the bridge will be paid out of the levy of 1880 and one- 
 half in 1881. 
 
 This indebtedness is in the shape of certificates bearing interest at the rate of 
 
 7 per cent per annumi. One-quarter of these become due January ist, 1881, and 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 683 
 
 one-quarter July ist, 1881, and the balance in January and July, 1882. The 
 funds are now in the treasury for the payment of those due January ist, 1881. 
 
 The jail will be wholly paid for the present year. One-half the cost of build- 
 ing being due January ist, 1881, and one-half July ist, 1881. This indebtedness 
 is also certificates and bears the same interest, 7 per cent per annum. There 
 will be some additional expense in building fences, outbuildings, etc., which will 
 be paid out of the general fund. 
 
 There are now outstanding bonds to the amount of $170,000, of which amount 
 $120,000 are funding bonds; of these $5,000 become due July ist, 1882, and an 
 increasing amount each year thereafter, for ten years until all are paid. $50,000 
 are for building the iron bridge across the Kansas River, these all become due in 
 1885. For the purpose of providing for the redemption of these, it would be well 
 to levy a sinking fund of two mills each year until they become due. $5,000 in 
 bonds, known as asylum bonds, were redeemed the past year. 
 
 Warrants on the general and other funds are prompdy paid on presentation. 
 
 The large increase in the valuation of the county in the past year, is evidence 
 of solid growth and prosperity. This increase is over $600,000, about 26 per 
 cent, with an estimated increase the present year of $50,000, giving assurance 
 that with a wise and judicious expenditure of the revenues of the county, the 
 burdens of taxation will be lightened each year. 
 
 The item of building and repairing bridges during the past year has aggre- 
 gated the large sum of $3,700.00, over 17 per cent of the entire expenditure for 
 general purposes These have seemed to be much needed public improvements, 
 and much economy and decision have been exercised by the Board to keep the 
 expenditure on bridges and repairs within the limit. 
 
 The item for costs in criminal cases, with the attendant expenses, as board 
 of prisoners, guards, etc., is a large and constantly increasing one, lying, as our 
 county does, on the line of Missouri, and affording criminals easy means of escape 
 from one side to the other. 
 
 With these exceptions, and considering the large increase in wealth and popu- 
 lation of the county, thus increasing the cost of government, the year 1880 will 
 bear favorable comparison with any since the organization of the county. 
 
 By order of the Board, D. R. EMMONS, Co. Clerk. 
 
 VALUATION OF TAXABLE PROPERTY IN WYANDOTT TOWNSHIP FOR 1875. 
 
 The total valuation of taxable property in Wyandott county as returned by 
 the assessors of the different townships amounts to $2,242,772.94. 
 
 Value of realty $1,067,464.00 
 
 Value of personal 204,424.24 
 
 Value of railroads 455,409.70 
 
 The value of property by townships is as follows ; 
 
 Wyandott City ... $596,605.84 
 
 Shawnee township 483,548.00 
 
 Wyandott " 400,013.00 
 
 Quindaro " 307,612.00 
 
 Delaware " 252,781.00 
 
 Prairie " 202,213.94 
 
 Total $2,242,772.94 
 
 This result shows a shrinkage of less than $50,000 over the returns of 1874. 
 
 Valuation of railroads in Wyandott county in 1877 : 
 
 Kansas Pacific $213,800 
 
 Missouri Pacific 150,040 
 
 Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe 84,738 
 
 Mo. Riv. Ft. Scott & Gulf 41.852 
 
684 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 On the loth day of September, 1855, General Calhoun landed in Wyandott 
 with the surveyor general's office. Robert Ream, father of Vinnie Ream, the 
 sculptress, was chief clerk, Sam. Parsons was chief clerk in the Indian depart- 
 ment, Edwin T. Vedder, Robert Ream, Jr. , and Pennymaker were clerks in the 
 office. The land office was opened in a double log house that stood in front of 
 where ex Mayor Stockton now lives ; across the road and where Dunning Hall 
 now stands, was a double log house where Isaac W. Brown kept an Indian hotel, 
 which was subsequently dubbed the Catfish Hotel, by its patrons, on account of 
 the liberal manner in which its bills of fare were garnished with this species of the 
 finny tribe. Just in the rear of the surveyor general's ofificestood a log pen 10x12 
 feet in which a Wyandott Indian, named Peacock, was confined for murder. 
 Peacock had a reed flute of Indian manufacture, with which he kept up a con- 
 stant strain of terrible music. In time the boys in the land office took compassion 
 on him and, not having the fear of the Indian Nation's law in their mind, broke 
 down the prison door and told the prisoner to "scoot," which he lost no time in 
 doing. Peacock was subsequently pardoned by the Wyandott Nation and 
 returned. Silas Armstrong lived in a two story brick which stood about on the 
 ground now occupied by E. L. Buesche's store, on the corner of Minnesota 
 avenue and Fifth street. Joel Walker resided in a double log house on the west 
 side of Third street, on the high ground south of Jersey Creek. H. M. Northrup 
 resided in the log house on the corner of Wyandott avenue and Armstrong street. 
 Mathew R. Walker, one of the largest hearted men in the Wyandott Nation, 
 resided in the brick cottage, now occupied by his widow, Mrs. Lydia B. Walker, 
 on the high ground north of the city. John Armstrong a talented, educated 
 Christian gentleman, resided in a log house about 200 yards northeast of where 
 his widow, Mrs. Lucy B. Armstrong, now resides. Matthias Splitlog resided in 
 a log house a short distance southeast of Peter Connelly's residence, and had a 
 grist and saw mill which stood near where St. Alois Academy now stands. Gov. 
 William Walker lived in the log house now standing on the north side of Jersey 
 Creek and west of Fifth street. Charles Graham, blacksmith for the Wyandott 
 Nation, lived in a log house on the site now occupied by Jerome C. Ives's resi- 
 dence, on Third street, and the blacksmith shop now stands on the alley in the 
 rear olF Odd Fellows' Hall, Nebraska avenue. The old ferry house stood on the 
 east side of what is now known as Ferry street, and a little east of Barnett street. 
 " Irish Molly" lived in a cabin just back of and a little to the east of August 
 Walter's meat shop on Minnesota avenue. The first school house erected in 
 Wyandott then stood on the alley on Fifth between Kansas and Nebraska 
 avenues, and was used for a Council House by the Wyandott Nation. Uncle 
 Charley Garrett lived north of Jersey Creek on what is known as the Garrett 
 farm. At this time Isaiah Walker, without whom no history of the early days of 
 Wyandott would be complete, lived in the old Moravian Mission house, built 
 for the Stockbridge Indians, at Muncie town. Mr. Walker married a Miss Mary 
 Williams who was educated in Cincinnati, by Hon. Nicholas Longworthy, of that 
 city, and at the time of which we write was one of the most handsome and 
 accomplished ladies of the Wyandott Nation. 
 
 The above, we believe, were all the houses at that time on what is now Wy- 
 andott City, except the old Mission House on the Governor Walker farm, and 
 the Southern Methodist Church, a brick structure which was burnt during the 
 Kansas war. It stood where G. K. Grindrod now resides. The greater portion 
 of the town site at that time was covered by a heavy growth of timber. In the 
 winter of 1856 and '57, John McAlpine, Isaiah Walker, Joel Walker, Silas Arm- 
 strong, Gaius Jenkins, W. Y. Roberts and Thomas H. Swope organized the 
 Wyandott Town Company, and proceeded to lay off the town ; John H. Miller, 
 of Girard, Pennsylvania, making the survey. The future metropolis was adver- 
 tised extensively, and shares rose in a few weeks from $500 to $1,000. The 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 686 
 
 original town company are all dead except Isaiah Walker, who at present resides 
 in the Indian Territory and Swope, who lives in Kansas City. Joel Walker died 
 suddenly at Leavenworth in the summer of 1857. Gaius Jenkins was murdered 
 by General Lane in Lawrence in tlie summer of '58. Silas Armstrong died in 
 December '65. John McAlpine fell between the cars in passing from one coach 
 to another and was killed while on a visit to Pittsburg. W. Y. Roberts died in 
 Lawrence a few years ago from the effects of exposure while in the army. The 
 war raging in Kansas at that time affected this portion of the Territory, and on 
 the night of April 8, 1856, the Methodist church at what is now the Quindaro 
 cemetery, and the one at Grindrod's place, were burned. Early in the spring of 
 1857 John McAlpine built a large warehouse on the levee between Washington 
 and Nebraska avenues, and carried on an extensive forwarding and commission 
 business. The upper story of this warehouse served as a town hall up to the 
 time Dunning erected the one on Fourth street. The levee at that time extended 
 fully as far out as the sand bar in front of the city. The frame building on the 
 corner of Third and Nebraska, Hains's shoe store, the old court-house, McAlpine's 
 cottages, since torn down, were built in the rear of Fred Kramer's bakery, the old 
 Mansion House on Nebraska avenue, and four other buildings consumed by fire 
 early in '66. Capt. I. N. White's tin shop, on the corner of Third and Nebraska 
 avenue, the Garno House, and a host of other buildings, sprang into existence 
 during the summer. In order to accommodate the immigration during the spring 
 and summer of 1857, the Eldridges opened a hotel in Silas Armstrong's residence, 
 which has been before referred to in this article, and Col. F. A. Hunt purchased 
 the "St. Paul," an old Missouri River steamboat, anchored it at the foot of 
 Washington avenue, and fitted it up for a hotel and warehouse. During the 
 spring of '57, Thomas J. Barker was appointed postmaster, and opened the office 
 in the old court-house building on Nebraska avenue, in which he and Isaiah 
 Walker were engaged keeping store. Barker held the office until 1863, when he 
 came out in favor of George B. McClellan for President of the United States ; 
 this cost him his ofificial head; he was succeeded by R. B. Taylor, who held the 
 office until 1866, when Andrew Johnson appointed Edwin T. Vedder, who was 
 succeeded in a few months by A. D. Downs. Barker built the building now oc- 
 cupied by the Gazette and moved the post-office into it, where it remained until 
 the appointment of Vedder in '66, who removed it to the building now occupied 
 as a bakery by P. Kaiser. When Downs was appointed he removed it to what 
 is now the ^^ra/(^ office, where it remained until '72, when it was moved to its 
 present quarters. 
 
 In 1857, and indeed up to 1866, the business of the city was principally done 
 on Third street, in the vicinity of the Gazette office. 
 
 A. C. Davis and P. Sidney Post opened a bank on Kansas avenue, just 
 west of Commercial alley, and Byron Judd and William McKay opened a bank 
 and real estate office in the building adjoining the Augusta House. 
 
 The population of Wyandotte at that time was represented by nearly every 
 State in the Union, and by almost every nationality on the face of the earth. 
 The result was a geat laxity in morals ; and we have frequently seen a half dozen 
 men in the street shooting at the white knob on Henry Burgard's door, for the 
 drinks. Henry at that time run a bakery and . saloon where Fred Kramer now 
 lives. 
 
 In May, 1857, Judge Delahay began the publication of the Wyandotte City 
 Register. The first number was issued in a tent on the corner of Nebraska avenue 
 and Third street. Delahay sold to Eddy & Patton. It finally passed into the 
 hands of Abbott, who changed its name to The Citizen. 
 
 About the same time the Register was started, Edmund Babb and John M. 
 Walden commenced the publication of the Quindaro Chindowan. In June, 1858, 
 Mr. Walden retired from the paper, and it suspended. In January, 1859, a com- 
 pany was organized, consisting of George W. Veale, Alfred Gray, George E. 
 
686 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 Budington, James A. White, M. W. Bottum, and V. J. Lane, who revived it, 
 and continued its pubHcation for six months, when an arrangement was made 
 with John Francis, whereby he was to publish it for twelve months for the type 
 and presses. Francis changed the name to Tribune, and after carrying out his 
 contract, removed the office to Olathe, and established the Olathe Mirror. The 
 Argus was issued on the 25th of March, 1858, by A. C. Davis and P. Sidney 
 Post, and run until April, 1861. In 1858, S. D. McDonald purchased the Citi- 
 zen^ and changed the name to Commercial Gazette. McDonald run it until i860, 
 and sold to R. B. Taylor. In January, t86i. the office was burned, and in April 
 following, Taylor bought the Argus office. In 1867 two new ventures were inau- 
 gurated — the Die Fackel, a German paper, which run a few months, and was re- 
 moved to Atchison. J. A. Berry started the Wyandotte Democrat. The Demo- 
 crat "bilked" the people for thirteen months, when it "pegged out" because the 
 people refused to be robbed further. 
 
 The election for Delegates to Congress and for county officers in '57 was 
 held under the "bogus laws," and the voting was done viva voce. There was but 
 one precinct north of the Kaw River, in what is now Wyandott county. The 
 election was held in the McAlpine cottages, on Third street, on the sth day of 
 October. A squad of soldiers were stationed at the polls, to protect the voters 
 and preserve the peace and dignity of the Territory of Kansas. Each voter 
 walked up to the window at the west end of the building, climbed in, announced 
 his vote to the judges, passed through the room, and jumped off a high porch at 
 the rear of the cottage. 
 
 About the same time the Wyandott Company was organized. Gov. Robinson, 
 Abelard Guthrie, Joel Walker and Samuel N. Simpson formed the Quindaro 
 Town Company. It was surveyed by Judge Bassett, now of Lawrence, and was 
 probably better advertised than any other town in the Territory. Shares sold 
 very rapidly, commencing at $100 and running up as high as $1,500 for a single 
 lot. At that time Leavenworth, Quindaro, Wyandotte and Kansas City were 
 rivals. The Town Company built a large and magnificent hotel which was 
 opened early in March by Colby & Parker; its register frequently showed the arri- 
 val of 150 guests in twenty-four hours. Alfred Robinson built a livery stable and 
 put on a daily line of Concord coaches between there and Lawrence. Quindaro 
 prospered up to the breaking out of the war, when the Kansas Second Cavalry 
 under Col. Davis was quartered in the city. The "boys in blue" literally gutted 
 it before they left. 
 
 The spring and summer of 1857 the people of Quindaro built a road to Law- 
 rence, and laid one out to Osawatomie, and established a free ferry over the 
 Kansas River at what is now John H. Matton's place, with a view to competing 
 for the wholesale trade of the Territory. The mail this summer was carried by 
 steamboats ; there were sixty-five first class steamers in the Missouri River trade 
 that season, all of which did a good paying business. In the fall after the 
 election, hundreds of men who had come to Kansas under the auspices of the 
 New England Emigrant Aid Society returned to the States, many of them taking 
 the first boat that came along after they voted. 
 
 The Quindaro Company went to Cincinnati and had the Lightfoot, a light 
 draft sreamer built and estabhshed a steamboat line to Lawrence; Wyandotte 
 followed suit, and Kansas City not to be outdone also embarked in navigating the 
 raging Kaw. 
 
 As an instance of the straits to which early settlers were reduced in order to 
 make ends meet, we will give one incident which will serve as an illustration ; 
 One of the leading business men of to-day found himself a stranger in a strange 
 land, without money and with a small family on his hands. How to manage to 
 ' 'keep the wolf from his door" was the problem that vexed his soul. Happening 
 out at Lewis M. Cox's place, who at that time lived on what is now known as the 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 687 
 
 Riley Judd farm, he saw a very fine cow, the milk of which he concluded would 
 relieve him from the embarrassment of hunger in the household. How to get 
 possession of that cow was soon the uppermost thought in his mind. He finally 
 remembered that down in the bottom of his wife's trunk at home was an elegant 
 dress pattern of silk, which had been purchased east of the AUeghanies. He at 
 once offered to exchange it for the cow ; Cox assented on condition that the 
 quality of the silk should prove as represented ; our friend went home to get it. On 
 the way he came to the conclusion that it would be a greater sacrifice on the part of 
 his wife than she would be wilHng to make, so he determined to get hold of it surrep- 
 titiously, with the hope that fortune would favor him, when he would replace it 
 and his wife be none the wiser for the transaction. There was joy in that family 
 on the arrival of "bossy," and the head of it had the proud satisfaction of know- 
 ing he had a sure thing on keeping the "wolf" away, even if it was at a sacrifice 
 of the silk that formerly reposed at the bottom of his wife's trunk. Before he was 
 able to replace it the wife made the discovery of its loss and thpre was music in 
 the air. He was reluctantly compelled to own up, when harmony was once more 
 restored. 
 
 During the summer and winter months of '57, S. C. Smith, Charles Chad- 
 wick, Owen A. Bassett, A. D. Richardson, J. M. Walden, P. t. Colby, G. W. 
 Veale, C. L. Gorton, Dr. Budington, Alfred Gray, A. J. Rowell, J. G. Fisk and 
 others, organized a Shanghai Court and made it a rule to arrest some person or 
 other every night and try them for some alleged misdemeanor. When court 
 opened the sheriff brought in the prisoner (intended victim) empaneled a jury, 
 called the prosecuting attorney, and the court appointed counsel for the prisoner. 
 A regular trial was had, the jury invariably found the prisoner guilty and assess- 
 ed a fine of a box of cigars or bushel of apples. 
 
 In 1858 Quindaro township was organized and a voting precinct established 
 at that point. 
 
 Up to January 29th, 1859, Quindaro and Wyandott were, both in Leaven- 
 worth county. C. S. Parker was appointed postmaster in May and had the posi- 
 tion until in the fall, when he resigned and V. J. Lane appointed to succeed him, 
 and held the position until June 1861, although having repeatedly tendered his 
 resignation it was not accepted until the postmaster general was informed that if 
 a successor was not appointed, the office would be shipped to Washington. In 
 February of last year V. J. Lane succeeded in getting a settlement and receive 
 $75.00 the balance due him from the Government. 
 
 In 1859 the County of Wyandott was erected out of a portion of Leaven- 
 worth and Johnson counties. The first election was held on the 22nd of Febru- 
 ary of that year, it resulted in a complete and sweeping Democratic victory. 
 
 The commissioners rented a building for county officers that stood on the 
 corner of Nebraska avenue and Third street, since burned down ; from there the 
 offices were removed to Constitution Hall on the levee, from there to Judd's build- 
 ing, on Minnesota avenue, and from there to their present quarters. 
 
 The first term of court held in Wyandott county convened in Constitution 
 - Hall on the 6th day of June 1859, at 10 o'clock a. m. His Honor Jos. Williams, 
 associate justice of the Territory of Kansas presiding, James A. Cruise, clerk, 
 W. L. McMath, prosecuting attorney and S. E. Forsythe, sheriff. A grand 
 jury was empaneled, consisting of Gov. WiUiam Walker, foreman, R. M. Gray, 
 Christopher Schneider, John Collins, B. L. Vedder, G. W. Veale, J. H. Cole, 
 Valorius Rice, James McGrew, Frank H. Betton, Charles E. . Sawyer, S. S. 
 Bradey, Alfred Robinson, George Parker, J. W. H. Watson, Chester Coburn, 
 David H. Toomb, Darius Crouch and James W. Craft. 
 
 The first petit jury empaneled in the county was composed as follows : V. J. 
 Lane, foreman, Mathew Mudeater, Hugh Gibbons, Perley Pike, Elisha Sorter, 
 Elias S. Busick, Leonard Lake, David Pearson, W. D. Ferguson, Daniel Croyle, 
 Thomas Sherman and C. H. Carpenter. 
 
G88 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 The first civil suit on the docket was the case of Gotleib Kneipfer vs. George 
 Sehman. 
 
 Among other proceedings had at this term of court David E. James, Nat. C. 
 Clairborn, E. N. O. Clough, S. A. Cobb, Jacob S. Boreman and M. D. Trefner 
 appHed to the court for admission to the bar as practicing attorneys, and having 
 produced to the court satisfactory evidence of qualification as such they were ad- 
 mitted. 
 
 Court was held on the second floor of the building, which was divided into 
 two rooms, the east room was occupied by the probate court and the west room 
 by the district court. On the third day of the term a little episode occurred 
 which afforded considerable merriment to the bar as well as to the spectators. At 
 that time there was no statutory provision prohibiting county officers from indulg- 
 ing in intoxicating beverages, and it was nothing unusual for His Honor, Jaques 
 W. Johnson, then judge of probate, to open court while under the influence of 
 alcoholic liquorst On the morning in question D. B. Hadley and " Billy" Mc- 
 Dowell were earnestly engaged in arguing an important case in the district court 
 when Judge Johnson called the case of Lewis M. Cox as administrator vs. Mar- 
 garet Getsler, in the probate court. This case elicited great interest as two 
 women appeared in court each claiming to be the lawful wife of the deceased, 
 Andrew Getsler. The assets of the estate consisted of one small house, several 
 barrels of Monongahela whisky, besides numerous jugs, bottles and demi-johns 
 of liquor. The little house just west of the old Brevator building was the one 
 owned by the deceased, but possession of that portion of the estate had but little 
 attraction in comparison with the desire to secure control of the liquid portion of 
 it. The attorneys were Gen. A. C. Davis, now a resident of Brooklyn, New 
 York, and Col. G. W. Glick, of Atchison. These gentlemen entered into the 
 contest with spirit, and the case was conducted in such a manner as to create a 
 feeling of bitterness in the minds of counsel toward each other; the result was the 
 trial partook more of the nature of a personal quarrel between attorneys, than of 
 a trial in a court of justice. General Davis was probably one of the finest orators 
 that ever addressed a court in Kansas, and as he warmed up with his case he be- 
 came very eloquent. Glick fearing the impression Davis would make on the 
 court, if permitted to proceed with his argument, attempted to badger him. As 
 counsel grew excited it was impossible to proceed with business in the district 
 court, on account of the noise. Judge Williams ordered the sheriff to notify the 
 probate judge if he did not keep better order he would arrest him for contempt. 
 Judge Johnson on being so informed by the sheriff, sent back word to Judge Wil- 
 liams that he did not recognize his authority to interfere in affairs of his court, and 
 that he had better not, if he did not want to be sent to jail for 30 days. Just at 
 this juncture of affairs Vol Rheinecher and John Moody, at that time boys about 
 17 years of age, passed by the hall playing Yankee Doodle, on a drum and fife ; 
 Judge Wilhams being passionately fond on music sang out, " Mr. Sheriff adjourn 
 court until ro o'clock to-morrow morning," making a dive for his hat, at the same 
 time disappeared down the stairs and followed the boys around in the hot sun 
 until he was literally exhausted, thus happily preventing a conflict of authority 
 between the federal and probate courts. 
 
 The Legislature of 1859 and '60 remodeled the Judicial Districts, and Wyan- 
 dotte county was transferred from the Fort Scott to the Leavenworth District. 
 The Spring term of court was held in May, His Honor John Petit, Chief Justice 
 of the Territory presiding, James A. Cruise clerk, S M. Emmerson attorney, and 
 Luther H. Wood, sheriff. Petit was ill-natured, petulant, high-tempered, profane, 
 tyrannical and abusive, but withal was as clear headed and able a jurist as ever 
 donned the judicial ermine in Kansas. It was nothing unusual for him to go to 
 Kansas City and play poker and drink whisky all night. The bar generally had 
 to suffer for it the next day. In this connection we cannot refrain from giving an 
 
*r,-^. 
 
 
 
 ^^^^^ .^;^ 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. (589 
 
 incident that occurred at the Game House, during one of his terms of court. S. 
 L. Norris, a young man from Vermont, who lived by his wits, brought out a car- 
 pet sack of bank notes on the St. Alban's bank, which had bursted in the crash of 
 1857. Judge James, Col. Weer, Norris and one or two other parties set up a 
 job on Petit and got him to playing poker. The old man was permitted to win 
 nearly every game, and every time he won, the boys shoved out a $20 bill on the 
 broken bank of St. Albans, Petit paying change in good money. At the close of 
 the term the old Judge was in high glee as his capacious wallet was filled with $20 
 bills. But when he came to pay Mrs. Halford his hotel bill and shoved out one 
 of his $20 notes, he learned the bank was broken ; a second and third tender 
 meeting a refusal on the same grounds, he saw that he had been sold. He re- 
 turned to Leavenworth minus about $300 in cash; with about $1,000 in worthless 
 money, a sadder but wiser man. 
 
 One of those- delightful zephyrs peculiar to Kansas, was making everything 
 "hum" the morning Judge Petit first opened court in Wyandott, and after 
 climbing up to the court room, which was on the fourth floor, he was nearly out 
 of breath, being a much fatter man than Philip Hescher, though not so tall. Just 
 as he began to call the docket, an unusually stiff breeze sprang up, which made 
 the building tremble from foundation to turret. When the building began to vi- 
 brate he said, " Mr. Sheriff, can't you get some room on the ground in which to 
 hold court?" The Sheriff replied that there was no room large enough, unless he 
 took one of the churches. Just then a little stififer breeze came, and the Judge 
 fairly roared, " Mr. Sheriff, adjourn court till two o'clock, and get a church, g — 
 d — it, take a church !" and started for the street, but had scarcely got half way 
 down when some one cried out, "The building is falling !" The crowd made a 
 rush for the stairway, and soon the old Judge found himself crowded and pushed 
 to the door, where he barely escaped injury from the brick and debris of the fall- 
 ing building. 
 
 On the 5th day of July, 1859, the delegates to the constitutional convention 
 assembled in Constitutional Hall, in this city, and on the 29th of the same month 
 the present constitution of the State was completed. 
 
 The year i860 was one of hardships and privation to the settlers. No rain 
 fell for a period of twelve months, and but httle was raised. During the fall and 
 winter of that year, an immense amount of supplies of various kinds, were sent 
 to the Territory, by more fortunate parties in the east. The summer was intensely 
 hot, the sun having the appearance of a ball of fire. At 6 o'clock p. m., on the 
 4th day of July, 1857, a tornado passed over a portion of the county, blowing 
 down a number of houses in Quindaro, and one span of the old Southern Bridge. 
 In the fall of that year, the Whangdoodles, a secret benevolent society, was or- 
 ganized. W. Y. Roberts, Gen. A. C. Davis, Dr. Joseph Speck, T. J. Barker, 
 Henry West, Junius Chaffee, Philip Hescher, J. R. Parr, I. N. White, Isaiah 
 Walker, C. H. Van Fossen, W. P. Overton, Doc. Bowling, and others, were 
 among the leading members of the organization. The initiatory exercises were 
 impressive and sometimes painful. 
 
 A vigilance committee was also formed during this year. Parties arrested 
 and taken before it for trial, if found guilty, were tied up and received so many 
 lashes. It caused many a reprobate to leave the county, for its good. 
 
 On the breaking out of the Rebellion, Wyandott county responded gallantly 
 to the call for troops. The Kansas First and Second Infantry contained a good 
 portion of these citizens. In May the Second Regiment was quartered in Con- 
 stitutional Hall, a four story brick on the levee. Early in June the regiment re- 
 ceived marching orders. About 9 o'clock A M., the building was vacated, the 
 regiment marching out to the Southern Bridge. A squad of nineteen recruits, 
 under Luke Havens, now of Fort Scott, were ordered to the building, to be 
 sworn into service, and while waiting for an officer to swear them in, Constitu- 
 
 44 — 
 
690 , HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 tional Hall came down with a crash, burying the men in the debris. Every per- 
 son turned out, and in about two hours the last man was rescued. None of them 
 were killed. The building was a complete wreck ; not a stone in the foundation 
 was left on top of another. 
 
 At the battle of Wilson Creek, John W. Dyer, one of the commissioners of 
 this county was killed, Captain Alden lost an eye, Bryan Henry was shot through 
 the left lung, the ball taking a portion of his ribs through his back, and he was 
 left for dead on the field. Bryan managed to come to and was taken prisoner, 
 but released and returned to Wyandott, arriving at the ferry on the 24th of 
 August, bare headed, bare footed, his pants worn out above the knees traveling 
 through the prairie grass, without any coat, as bloody as a butcher and the vermin 
 gamboling through his wound. It wasn't long until the boys had Dr. Root at 
 work dressing his wound. As soon as the Doctor got through the boys had Henry 
 West fit Bryan out in one of Grautman's best suits. 
 
 In August 1863 work was commenced on the Kansas Pacific Railway, and 
 early in the fall track laying commenced. The Wyandott No. i was the first 
 engine received; as soon as it was landed the engineer, Frank' Tuell, got up 
 steam, and John Hallett managed to run it into the Missouri River. 
 
 During the war Wyandott county was infested with a gang of Red Legs, who 
 robbed and pillaged for a livelihood. After the war closed they made this county 
 their headquarters; the result was the crimes of robbery and murder were not 
 infrequent. The numerous crimes committed, and the facilities with which the 
 desperadoes escaped punishment, was occasion for the people taking the law into 
 their own hands. 
 
 The first act occurred in the spring of 1866. John Tehan, a section boss on 
 the Missouri Pacific Railroad, went to the livery stable of J. L. Conklin a little 
 after dark and employed Conklin to take him to Kansas City ; before starting 
 Tehan inquired of Conkhn what time it was. On the way over Conklin was 
 shot in the groin. Tehan, who was under the influence of liquor, rode on to 
 Kansas City. The next day he was arrested, brought to Wyandott, identified by 
 Conklin, put In jail, taken out that night and hung to the steps of the old court- 
 house. A great many persons are of the opinion Tehan was innocent. 
 
 Early in the summer of 1866, Newt. Morrison, a noted red leg and desperado, 
 was found one morning hanging from the same place. In a few months after this 
 two colored men were taken from from the calaboose and shot and hung. These 
 two colored men were hung on suspicion of being implicated in the murder of 
 oneMcNamara; no one doubts their innocence to-day. Since that time Wyan- 
 dott county has been as quiet and orderly as any portion of the United States. 
 
 In the fall of this year myriads of grasshoppers settled down on vegetation, 
 but did little damage to crops. 
 
 The Wyandott Herald was established on the 4th day of January, 1872. 
 
 In July, 1873, the Wyandott and Kansas City Street Railway was completed, 
 and has been in successful operation since that time. 
 
 In the fall of 1874 the grasshoppers appeared for the second time, doing 
 great damage to the fruit trees, the shrubbery, late vegetables,, and in some places 
 partially destroying the fruit. During the fall they deposited their eggs, and early 
 in the spring of 1875 the ^^%^ began to hatch. For a time vegetation struggled 
 with the young hoppers for the ascendency, but the latter increased so rapidly 
 that all vegetable matter succumbed to the voracious appetites of the pests. The 
 first, second, and in some instances even the third planting of crops was destroyed. 
 Thousands of bushels of the insects were driven into ditches and killed. In June 
 they took flight to the northwest. On the 17th day of that month the whole face 
 of the country was bare, with no sign of vegetable life. Good crops of corn 
 were raised after they left. 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 691 
 
 At the expiration of six months, from the time of the first purchase, Wyan 
 dott had a population of 1,200 inhabitants, including five hundred buildings. 
 
 The universal depression in business, which pervaded the entire country in 
 the fall of 1857, seriously interefered with the growth of Wyandott. 
 
 The city was incorporated and trustees appointed in the spring of 1858, of 
 which William McKay was chairman. 
 
 Early in the spring of 1857 Mr. Dickenson was employed by the Wyandott 
 Company to build a first-class wagon road from this city to Lawrence, on the 
 north side of the Kansas River. He performed his work in approved style, 
 Quindaro building most of the bridges. It was the best road ever built in the 
 State of Kansas. It was perfectly easy to drive on a trot from the levee at Wyan- 
 dott to the city of Lawrence. A Concord coach, drawn by four horses, left each 
 of the above named cities in the morning and at noon of each day. Mr. Dicken- 
 son is now street commissioner of the city of Wyandott. Unfortunately, some 
 years after this, the splendid road was cut up in obedience to the desire of Quin- 
 daro, who secured a bill from the Legislature appointing commissioners to lay 
 out a road running west from the city of Quindaro. These commissioners were 
 Hon. W. A. Phillips, since member of Congress, now of Salina, Kansas, Hon. 
 O. B. Gunn, now of Kansas City, and Charles Chadwick, Esq., then a resident 
 of Quindaro, but now and for many years a Justice of the Peace in Lawrence. 
 This commission obeying the wishes of Quindaro laid out the new road on an air 
 line running west from the landing at Quindaro on the Missouri River, regardless 
 of the topography of the country, and thus was commenced a system of roads in 
 direct lines which not only destroyed the old road, but seriously interfered with 
 easy and rapid travel in different parts of the county. 
 
 INCORPORATION. 
 
 The following is a copy of the order of court in reference to the incorpora- 
 tion of the city : 
 
 In the matter of the Inhabitants of the Town of Wyandott : 
 
 Be it known that on this 8th day of June, A. D., 1858, in open court came 
 Charles S. Click and presented the petition of B. Gray, A. B. Bartlett, Daniel 
 Killen arid other resident tax payers of the following described territory, the same 
 being in the Township of Wyandott, in the County of Leavenworth and Territory 
 of Kansas. To wit, commencing on the eastern boundary of the Territory of Kansas 
 where the same is intersected by the second standard parallel, thence west on said 
 parallel line to the northwest corner of section four (4), township eleven (11), range 
 twenty-five (25), thence south to the southwest corner of section nine (9), township 
 and range above said, thence east to the middle of the Kansas River, thence by 
 the middle of the Kansas and Missouri Rivers to the place of beginning ; asking 
 that they be incorporated by the name and style of the "Inhabitants of the Town 
 of Wyandott," within the above metes and bounds, and that they may have a 
 local government established therein. And the court being fully satisfied that 
 said petition is subscribed by two-thirds of the resident tax payers and voters 
 therein, does hereby make and incorporate the petitioners and all others residing 
 in said described territory, as a body, corporate under the name and style of 
 "The Inhabitants of the Town of Wyandott," of the above metes and bounds 
 and do hereby appoint as trustees thereof William McKay, George Russell, 
 Daniel Killen, Charles S. Glick and William F. Simpson, and do hereby order 
 said persons so appointed to be duly commissioned by the clerk of this court. 
 All of which is accordingly done. 
 
 G. W. GARDNER, 
 
 Judge. 
 
I 
 
 692 history of wyandott, kansas. 
 
 Territory of Kansas, ) 
 County of Leavenworth, j 
 
 I, Henry C. Fields, clerk of said court, do hereby certify that the foregoing 
 is a true copy of the record of proceedings of said court, 3d day of June term, 
 A. D., 1858, held at the city of Leavenworth. 
 
 ,_*_ Witness my hand and the seal of said court this 9th day of June, 
 
 SEAL I A. D., 1858. 
 
 ^^^^ j HENRY C. FIELDS, 
 
 ^-v-' Clerk. 
 
 Filed in ofnce of Town Clerk June 14th, 1858, by 
 
 RUFUS HALL, 
 
 Deputy Clerk. 
 
 The first meeting of the board of trustees appointed by the probate court 
 of Leavenworth county for "The inhabitants' of the Town of Wyandott,'' held 
 June 12, 1858. 
 
 The board being all present subscribed to the following affidavit, and were 
 then duly sworn in office by William L. McMath, Justice of the Peace. 
 
 "County of Leavenworth, 1 
 Territory of Kansas. j 
 
 William McKay, George Russell, Daniel Killen, William F. Simpson and 
 Charles S. Click, hereby duly sworn say, that they will support the Constitution 
 of the United States and the act to organize the Territory of Kansas, and faithfully 
 demean themselves in office as trustees of 'The Inhabitants of the Town of Wy- 
 andott. ' 
 
 [Signed.] WILLIAM McKAY, 
 
 CHARLES S. CLICK, 
 GEO. RUSSELL, 
 WILLIAM F. SIMPSON, 
 DAN'L KILLEN. 
 Sworn to before me this 12th day of June, A. D., 1858, 
 
 WM. S. McMATH, J. P." 
 
 The board then organized by unanimously electing William McKay, chair- 
 man, and appointing William F. Simpson, temporary clerk. 
 
 On motion of Charles S. Click, Joseph W. H. Watson was nominated clerk 
 of the board and unanimously elected. 
 
 On motion of George Russell, Charles W. Patterson was nominated as town 
 assessor and duly elected. 
 
 On motion of George Russell, Walter N. Canfield was nominated town 
 collector and duly elected. 
 
 On motion of Charles S. Click, Samuel E. Forsythe was nominated town 
 constable and duly elected. 
 
 Charles S. GUck, moved that a committee of two be appointed to prepare 
 rules and regulations for the government of the Board, and appoint times and 
 provide place of meeting ; the motion was adopted, and William McKay and 
 Charles S. Glick, appointed as the committee. 
 
 On motion of Charles S. Glick, W. F. Simpson was instructed to procure a 
 full bound record-book to keep the record of the proceedings of the Board. 
 
 On motion of George Russell, the Board adjourned to meet on the next 
 Monday at 3 o'clock p. m., at the office of Bartlett & Glick. 
 
 WM. F. SIMPSON, 
 
 Clerk, pro tem. 
 William McKay, Chairman. 
 
 The act to incorporate and establish the City of Wyandott, was approved 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 693 
 
 by the Legislative Assembly and Governor of the Territory of Kansas, January 
 29, 1859. 
 
 CITY OFFICERS. 
 
 The following is a complete roster from organization of the city to the pres- 
 ent time. 
 
 1858. 
 
 Wyandott incorporated June 8, A. 
 D. 1858, under the name of 
 
 ''Tht Inhabitants of the Town of 
 Wyandott:' 
 Trustees, William McKay, George 
 
 Russell, Daniel Killen, Charles S. 
 
 Glick, Wm. F. Simpson. 
 Wm. McKay, Chairman. 
 Jos. W. H. Watson, Clerk. 
 Charles W. Patterson, Assessor. 
 Walter N. Canfield, Collector. 
 S. E. Forsyth, Constable. 
 
 1859. 
 
 James R. Parr, Mayor. 
 
 Aldermen, W. P. Overton, I. N. 
 White, B. Judd, D. Killen, Isaiah 
 Walker, and H. McDowell. 
 
 Clerk, E. T. Vedder. 
 
 Assessor, David Kirkbride. 
 
 Treasurer, J. H. Harris. 
 
 Attorney, W. L. McMath. 
 
 Marshal, N. A. Kirk. 
 
 Engineer, W. Miller. 
 
 Street Commissioner, H. Burgard. 
 
 i860. 
 
 Mayor, George Russell. 
 
 Alderman, Joseph Speck, Philip 
 Hescher. A. D. Downs, B. Wash- 
 ington, S. A. Bartlett, C. R. Stuck- 
 alager. 
 
 Clerk, T. J. Darling. 
 
 Assessor, J. W. Dyer. 
 
 Treasurer, C. H. Van Fossen. 
 
 Attorney S. A. Cobb. 
 
 Marshal, H H. Sawyer. 
 
 Street Commissioner, David Leavitt. 
 
 Engineer, W. Miller. 
 
 1861. 
 
 Mayor, George Russell. 
 
 Aldermen, Jacob Kerstetter, E. L. 
 
 Buesche, James Sommerville, C. 
 
 R. Stuckslager, O. S. Bartlett, and 
 
 C. Schneider. 
 Clerk, Francis House. 
 Assessor, W. Hood. 
 
 Treasurer, I. D. Heath. 
 Attorney, S. A. Cobb. 
 Marshal, P. S. Ferguson. 
 Street Commissioner, W. Curran. 
 Engineer, Gustavus Zeitz. 
 
 1862. 
 
 Mayor, S. A. Cobb. 
 
 Aldermen, Jacob Kerstetter, Robert 
 
 Halford, J. P. Hanrion, N. A. 
 
 Reinecher, W. H. Schofield, and 
 
 J. M. Funk. 
 Clerk, W. B. Bowman. 
 Marshal, P. S. Ferguson. 
 Assessor, W. Hood. 
 Attorney, J. S. Stockton. 
 Treasurer, I. D. Heath. 
 Street Commissioner, G. Knipfer. 
 Engineer, Horatio Waldo. 
 
 1863. 
 
 Mayor, J. M. Funk. 
 
 Aldermen, Matthew Splitlog, W. P. 
 Holcomb, J. P. Hanrion, B. Wash- 
 ington, J. Grindle, and R. Chalk, 
 
 Clerk, W. B. Bowman. 
 
 Treasurer, I. D. Heath. 
 
 Attorney, J. S. Stockton, 
 
 Assessor, — Hance. 
 
 Street Commissioner, G. Knipfer. 
 
 Marshal, P. S. Ferguson. 
 
 1864. 
 
 Mayor, J. M. Funk. 
 
 Aldermen, W. Cook,' E. L. Beusche, 
 
 Fred. Weber, R. Chalk, I. Moore, 
 
 and S. A. Cobb. 
 Clerk, W. B. Bowman. 
 Treasurer, W. P. Holcomb. 
 Attorney, W. B. Bowman. 
 Assessor, Joseph Hanford. 
 Marshal, Matthew Clary. 
 Engineer, W. Miller. . 
 
 1865. 
 
 Mayor, I. B. Sharp. 
 
 Aldermen, W. Cook, J. R. Parr, J. 
 
 M. Chrysler, E. T. Hovey, Dan. 
 
 Cable, and J. J. Hughes. 
 Clerk, W. B. Bowman. 
 
694 
 
 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 Marshal, John Bolton. 
 Attorney, C. S. Glick. 
 Treasurer, W. P. Holcomb. 
 Assessor, Joseph Handford. 
 Street Commissioner, W. Bucher. 
 Engineer, J. A. J. Chapman. 
 
 1866. 
 
 Mayor, I. B. Sharp. 
 
 Aldermen, W. Cook, R. Anderson, 
 C. Hains, D. Cable, B. Washing- 
 ton, and N. A. Kirk. 
 
 Clerk, J. A. Cruise. 
 
 Attorney, C. S. Glick. 
 
 Marshal, M. Clary. 
 
 Assessor, Joseph Handford. 
 
 Engineer, J. A. J. Chapman. 
 
 Street Commissioner, G. A. Schrei- 
 ner. 
 
 1867. 
 
 Mayor, J. McGrew. 
 
 Aldermen, G. P. Nelson, H. West, 
 
 J. H. Haris, B. Washington, Joab 
 
 Toney, P. Lugibihl. 
 Clerk, J. A. Cruise. 
 Attorney, J. B. Scroggs. 
 Engineer, S. Parsons. 
 Treasurer, N. McAlpine. 
 Marshal, J. Lecompt. 
 Street Commissioner, G. A. Schrei- 
 
 ner. 
 Assessor, E. F. Heisler. 
 
 1868. 
 
 Mayor, S. A. Cobb. 
 
 Councilmen, J. Hennessy, A. Jost, 
 
 H. Grautman, R. E. Cable, J. 
 
 Townsend. 
 Police Judge, J. M. Funk. 
 Marshal, Thomas Redfield. 
 Attorney, F. B. Anderson. 
 Treasurer, Byron Judd. 
 Clerk, J. A. Cruise. 
 Engineer, C. Pinney. 
 Assessor, E. F. Heisler. 
 Street Commissioner, John Hosp. 
 
 1869. 
 
 Mayor, Byron Judd. 
 
 Alderman, F. Castring, O. K. Serviss, 
 
 J. Hennessy, R. E. Cable, N. 
 
 Kearney, P. Knoblock. 
 Police Judge, W. B. Bowman. 
 Marshal, H. C. Johnson. 
 Assessor, E. F. Heisler. 
 
 Clerk, J. A. Cruise. 
 Attorney, F. B. Anderson. 
 Road Overseer, T. Purtill. 
 Engineer, J. McGee. 
 Treasurer, J. C. Welsh. 
 
 1870. 
 
 Mayor, J. S. Stockton. 
 
 Councilmen, F. Bell, J. Bolton, R. 
 E. Cable, F. Castring, P. Knob- 
 lock, O. K. Serviss. 
 
 Police Judge, W. B. Bowman. 
 
 Marshal, H. C. Johnson. 
 
 Assessor, E. F. Heisler. 
 
 Clerk, H. L. Alden. 
 
 Engineer, S. Parsons. 
 
 Street Commissioner, John Hosp. 
 
 Attorney, H. W. Cook. 
 
 1871. 
 
 Mayor, J. S. Stockton 
 
 Councilmen, Frank Bell, John Bolton, 
 
 Peter Connelly, H. C. Johnson, N. 
 
 Kearney, P. Knoblock. 
 Treasurer, O. K. Serviss. 
 Police Judge, W. B. Bowman. 
 Marshal, H. T. Harris. 
 Attorney, E. L. Bartlett. 
 Clerk, H. L. Alden. 
 Engineer, Francis House. 
 Assessor, G. P. Nelson. 
 Road Overseer, S. Balmer. 
 
 1872. 
 
 Mayor, J. S. Stockton. 
 
 Councilmen, D. W. Batchelder. P. 
 Connelly, E. M. Dyer, C. C. 
 Gerhardt, A. Jost, D. W. McCabe, 
 Jacob Meunzenmayer, M. W. Phil- 
 lips. ' 
 
 Police Judge, W. B. Bowman. 
 
 Marshal, H. T. Harris. 
 
 Treasurer, O. K. Serviss. 
 
 Clerk, William Albright. 
 
 Attorney, W. J. Buchan. 
 
 Engineer, Francis House. 
 
 Assessor, G. P. Nelson. 
 
 1873- 
 
 Mayor, James McGrew. 
 
 Councilmen, D. W.i Batchelder, W. 
 Cook, B. Grafton, James Hennessy, 
 E. T. Hovey, J. C. Ives, A. Jost, 
 L. Schleifer. 
 
 Police Judge, M. B. Newman 
 
 Treasurer, O. K. Serviss. 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 695 
 
 Clerk, William Albright. 
 
 Marshal, H. T. Harris. 
 
 Engineer, Francis House. 
 
 Assessor, J. J. Keplinger. 
 
 Street Commissioner, W. B. Garlick. 
 
 Attorney, W. J. Buchan. 
 
 1874. 
 
 Mayor. G. B. Wood. 
 
 Councilmen, R E. Cable, W. Cook, 
 
 N. McAlpine, F. W. Meyer, J. 
 
 Raid, W. H. Ryus, Louis Schleifer, 
 
 F. Speck. 
 Police Judge, M. B Newman. 
 Treasurer, O. K. Serviss. 
 Clerk, W. Albright. 
 Engineer, F House. 
 Street Commissioner, J, P. Faber. 
 Assessor, J. J. Keplinger. 
 Marshal, H. T. Harris. 
 Attorney, W. J. Buchan. 
 
 1875- 
 Mayor, C. Hains. 
 Councilmen, Russell, Burdette, R. E. 
 
 Cable, G. Grubel, F. W. Meyer, J. 
 
 Reid, T. B. Roberts, L. Schleifer, 
 
 F. Speck. 
 Police Judge, M. B. Newman. 
 Marshal, H. T. Harris. 
 Attorney, W. J. Buchan. 
 Treasurer, J. C. Stout. 
 Clerk, W. Albright. 
 Assessor, G. W. Bishop. 
 Engineer, F. House. 
 Street Commissioner, J. P. Faber. 
 
 1876. 
 
 Mayor, C. Hains. 
 
 Councilmen, C. Anderson, Russell 
 Burdette, H. E. Chadborn, J. L. 
 Conklin, G. Greubel, J. Handford, 
 H. C. Long, M. M. Stover. 
 
 Police Judge, M. B. Newman. 
 
 Marshal, M. Collins. 
 
 Clerk, W. Albright. 
 
 Treasurer, J. W. Wahlenmaier. 
 
 Assessor, G. W. Bishop. 
 
 Engineer, F. House. 
 
 Street Commissioner, F. Kramer. 
 
 Attorney, F. B. Anderson. 
 
 1877. 
 
 Mayor, F. Speck. 
 Marshal, Mike Collins. 
 Police Judge, R. E. Cable. 
 
 Treasurer, J. W. Wahlenmaier. 
 
 Treasurer Board Education, Perley 
 Pike. 
 
 City Attorney, F. B. Anderson. 
 
 Justices of Peace, R. E. Cable, M. B. 
 Newman. 
 
 Constables, C. D. Shrader, M. Col- 
 lins. 
 
 Councilmen, L. Cook, Dan. Williams, 
 R. Burdett, J. C. Welch. 
 
 Members Board of Education, R. 
 Halford, J. P. Denison, J.H. Gadd, 
 A..M. Moyer. 
 
 1878. 
 
 Mayor, Fred. Speck. 
 Marshal, Michael Collins. 
 Treasurer, O. K. Serviss. 
 Treasurer Board Education, Perley 
 
 Pike. 
 Attorney, F. B. Anderson. 
 Councilmen, John E. Zeitz, M. M. 
 
 Stover, J. Lecompt, James S. Bell. 
 Members Board Education, C. Croth- 
 
 ers, W. R. Chapman, James Furga- 
 
 son, H. C. Darby. 
 
 1879. 
 
 Mayor, J. S. Stockton. 
 Treasurer, Chris. Bernhard. < 
 
 Police Judge, R. E. Cable. 
 City Attorney, J. A. Hale. 
 Treasurer Board Education, Chris. 
 
 Bernhard. 
 Justices of Peace, F. B. Anderson 
 
 and J. S. Stockton. 
 Constables, D. M. Ward and C. Pat- 
 terson. 
 Councilmen, Lawson Cook, J. W. 
 
 Wahlenmaier, Dan Williams, V. S. 
 
 Lucas and John Burk. 
 Members of Board Education, J. L. 
 
 Conklin, P. H. Knoblock, Jas S. 
 
 Gibson, G. W. Bishop. 
 
 1880, 
 
 Mayor, J. S. Stockton. 
 
 Marshal, H. T. Harris. 
 
 Councilmen, Louis Burnett, Daniel 
 Wilhams, D. E. Cornell, James S. 
 Bell. 
 
 Members Board Education, H. C. 
 Darby, W. R. Chapman, James 
 Furgason, C. Anderson. 
 
 Constables, C. Patterson, O. K. Ser- 
 viss. 
 
C9C HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 City Attorney, J. A. Hale. 
 Police Judge, R. E. Cable. 
 Treasurer, Chris. Bernhard. 
 
 Treasurer, Chris. Bernhard. 
 
 City Attorney, Henry McGrew. 
 
 Councilmen, Louis Bernett, Peter 
 Lugibihl, T. B. Roberts, D. E. Cor- 
 nell, James S. Bell, Daniel Williams, 
 J. C. Stout, George A. Dudley. 
 
 Board Education, Emile Kreiser, H. 
 C. Darby, P. H. Knoblock, W. R. 
 Chapman, J. Furgason, C. D. Shra- 
 der, W. C. Lyman, C. Anderson. 
 
 Mayor. R. E. Cable. 
 Marshal, V. S. Lucas. 
 Police Judge, F. B. Anderson. 
 Justices of Peace, F. B. Anderson, 
 Wm. Caffrey. 
 
 WYANDOTT THE METROPOLIS OF THE WEST. 
 
 The locality of Wyandott is. thought by many to pre-eminently fit it to be- 
 come the site of the greatest city in the Central States of the Union. Meetings 
 have been held and plans devised, and it seems probable that the aspirations of 
 the people will be realized either in the growth of Kansas City reaching out and 
 taking into its vast proportions Wyandott and the territory extending far west of 
 the mouth of the Kaw, or Wyandott itself expand till its commercial and manu- 
 facturing importance shall outstrip any other city in the valley. In pursuance of 
 notice given in the Wyandott newspapers, a mass meeting of the citizens of 
 Wyandott county was held at Dunning Hall, September 4th, 1875, for the pur- 
 pose of discussing the views set forth in the Ingalls-Cobb open letters, and to 
 devise ways and means to assist in building up the commercial metropolis of the 
 State of Kansas at the mouth of the Kaw. 
 
 V. J. Lane was appointed Chairman and N. McAlpine Secretary. After 
 the chairman stated the object of the meeting. Colonel S. A. Cobb, in furtherance 
 of said object, introduced the following resolution, which passed unanimously : 
 
 Resolved, That a meeting of the citizens of the State of Kansas be held at 
 Dunning's Hall, on Thursday, the 23d day of September, in the afternoon and 
 evening, and that prominent citizens of the State be invited to address the meet- 
 ing, and become our guests. 
 
 On motion the following five persons were appointed as an Invitation Com- 
 mittee : Messrs. H, W. Cook, John B Scroggs, R. B. Taylor, V. J. Lane and 
 Sanford Haff. 
 
 On motion a Committee on Arrangements and Finance was appointed, con- 
 sisting of Messrs. S. A. Cobb, Mayor Hains, Mayor Teed, of Kansas City, 
 Kansas, E. L. Bartlett, Dr. Thorne, Thomas Vick Roy, L. H. Woods, J. S. 
 Stockton and W. J. Buchan. 
 
 On motion a committee of five on Assessment and Taxation was appointed, 
 viz : Messrs. L. H. Wood, Mayor Hains, H. M. Northrup, J. J. Keplinger and 
 N. McAlpine. 
 
 The following is a copy of the call for a meeting to be held September 23d, 
 1875, ^"<^ published in the newspapers : 
 
 To the People of Kansas ■ 
 
 " The citizens of Wyandott county, mindful of the fact that the increasing 
 commerce of the Missouri Valley must concentrate somewhere on the bank of 
 our great river for general exchange, and build up a great emporium at the point 
 where such general exchange shall be made, believe that the necessities of trade, 
 the laws of nature, facts not to be denied, have fixed that point at the mouth of 
 the Kansas River ; this commerce, for the most part, is the product of the in- 
 dustry, the intelligence and the resources of Kansas, the city, which is its offspring, 
 they believe should be on Kansas soil, subject to her laws and tributary to her 
 wealth. They believe that city may be planted by wise and judicious action on 
 the part of the people within the borders of their State. They believe a generous 
 interchange of sentiment on the spot by citizens of Kansas, with their fellow 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 697 
 
 c itizens who reside at the mouth of the Kansas River, will convince the most 
 skeptical and win him to their belief as to where that great mart shall be seated. 
 Therefore, in no spirit of rivalry, as citizens of Kansas, solicitous of her welfare, 
 they cordially invite as many of the people of their State as can attend a public 
 meeting, to be held at Wyandott, on Thursday, September 23d, 1875, ^^ ^^^ 
 evening, to consider the subject. To such as come they pledge a hearty wel- 
 come to their homes." 
 
 The invitation extended to the people of Kansas to meet the citizens of 
 Wyandott in mass convention on the 53d inst. as guests of the city, with a view 
 of examining the advantages presented at the mouth of the Kaw for building the 
 commercial metropolis of the State, met with a liberal response, three hundred 
 persons from abroad being present. The guests were met at the depot by the 
 citizens and escorted through the principal streets of the city in carriages. The 
 meeting was composed of representative men of the State. 
 
 The following counties were represented by their delegates in person : Doug- 
 las, Riley and Davis to the west ; Leavenworth on the north ; Johnson, Miami 
 and Bourbon on the South; Franklin, Anderson and Allen on the southwest; 
 and Jefferson on the northwest. The following counties sent words of indorse- 
 ment and cheer by letter : Shawnee, Jewell, Crawford, Coffey, Linn, Osage, 
 Pottawatomie, Saline, Ellis, Republic, Ellsworth and Atchison. 
 
 The press was represented by W. H. Miller, of the Kansas QXXy Journal ; S. 
 M. Ford, of the Kansas City Times ; H. Wilcox, of the Kansas City JVews and 
 Chronicle; R. B. Taylor, of the Wyandott Gazette, and V. J. Lane, of the Wyan- 
 dotte Herald. 
 
 The ladies had decorated Dunning Hall where the meetings were held. 
 Col. S. A. Cobb was elected president, and the following gentlemen as vice-pres- 
 idents : Gen. W. H. M. Fishback, of Johnson county ; Theodore C. Bowles, 
 Esq., of Franklin county; Hon. John T. Lanter, of Anderson county; Hon. L. 
 J. Worden, of Douglas county; Dr. George B. Wood, of Wyandott county; 
 Judge Williams, of Jefferson county ; Gen. John A. Halderman, of Leavenworth 
 county, Hon. George A. Crawford of Bourbon county. Judge Hiram Stevens, of 
 Miami county ; Judge N. F. Acres, of Allen county, and Hon. John K. Wright, 
 of Davis county. 
 
 Speeches were made by Colonel Cobb, Senator Harvey, Gov. J. P. St. John, 
 Gov. George A. Crawford, Gen. J. A. Halderman, Hon. T. C. Bowles, Hon. 
 John K. Wright, Hon. L. J. Worden, Judge Williams, Hon. W. J. Buchan and 
 others. Letters and telegrams were read from other parties, among them Hon. 
 J. J. Ingalls, Hon. J. R. Goodin, Hon. Byron Sherry, Governor Osborn, George 
 W. Veale, Chancellor Marvin, Hon. John Frazer, P. I. B. Ping, Esq., and H. 
 P. Dow. 
 
 The following extract is from an address by Col. S. A. Cobb : 
 
 "The terminus of one great trunk line of railroad, the Kansas Pacific, her 
 trade extends westward beyond our limits to the mining camps of Colorado, and 
 the grazing fields of New IVJexico. On the north of this line of railroad, her sup- 
 plies and goods minister to the wants of the settlers in the counties of our State 
 lying west of the district drained by the Central Branch Union Pacific and the 
 St. Joseph & Denver Railroads, until she reaches the neighborhood of the Bur- 
 lington & Missouri River Railroad of Nebraska. Then extending westward 
 under the advantages of the pro rata bill passed at a recent session of Congress, 
 by way of Denver and Chyenne, her influences are felt, as the competitor of 
 Omaha, on the plains of Wyoming and the valleys of Utah. On the sftuth of the 
 Kansas Pacific Railroad she has practically no competition in the field of 
 trade, and her business men solicit and receive exchanges over the whole expanse 
 of country southward to the northern boundary of Texas, and westward to the 
 limits of settlements this side of the Rocky Mountains. Confining the question to 
 
698 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 our own State, the railroads which extend westwardly from the mouth of the 
 Kansas River drain every section of Kansas, except the Counties of Leavenworth,. 
 Atchison, Doniphan, Nemaha, Brown, Marshall, Jackson and portions of Jeffer- 
 son, Pottawatomie and Washington. The Republican Branch of the Kansas 
 Pacific, which extends northward up the valley of the Republican River to Clay 
 Center, in Clay county, takes the trade of the northwestern counties, which 
 would otherwise go to the Central Branch or St. Joseph & Denver Roads 
 to the line of the Kansas Pacific. The Kansas Midland Road between this point 
 and Topeka, and the line between here and Ottawa, are the lines over which the 
 trade of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe, and the Leavenworth, Lawrence 
 & Galveston Roads will respectivdly pass with the same facility with which it will 
 pass to Atchison or Leavenworth. 
 
 The people of Wyandott county contend that the mass of trade carried by 
 these roads will follow the valley of the Kansas River to its junction with the 
 Missouri. They contend, other things being equal, that the companies owning 
 these roads can afford to deliver freights cheaper at the mouth of the Kansas 
 River than at any other point on the Missouri, because the grades of the roads 
 are uniform and decending after they touch the valley of that river, while to 
 carry their freight to the original terminus requires them to pass over elevated 
 tracts of country with heavy gradients. But things are not equal. Any great 
 city in the Missouri Valley will be tributary either to the greater cities of St. 
 Louis or Chicago. The State of Kansas is by nature tributary to St. Louis. To 
 re-distribute passengers and freight bound to St. Louis from the principal portion 
 of Kansas northward of this point, is to take them out of a direct line for redis- 
 tribution. But the mass of the producers of Kansas will not engage in the busi- 
 ness of re-distribution. They will dispose of their products where they can find 
 the buyers and seldom go further from home in quest of them than to the Mis- 
 souri Valley. The people of this county contend that they will go there where 
 the greatest competition may be had, and that to-day no man can question that 
 the grain elevators, the packing houses and the stock yards at this point all dem- 
 onstrate that the buyers of the staple products — of grain and cattle — are far 
 more numerous here than anywhere else on the Missouri River. They contend 
 that the mouth of the Kansas River is the natural site for the metropolis of the 
 Missouri Valley, and that all efforts to build it elsewhere will be futile. They be- 
 lieve that the failure of other places to become the metropolis is owing to no mis- 
 take on the part of the citizens of those places, but they simply lacked the thou- 
 sand and one natural advantages that this spot so happily possesses. It is said, 
 "facts are born, not made." So of these great marts that spring up in the 
 march of civilization across the continent. The people of Kansas would gladly 
 have made their metropoHs elsewhere, but this spot was born to be it, and they 
 must accept the fact. 
 
 In all I have said I have not spoken of the eastern connections of railroads 
 with this point. To name them is sufficient. The Missouri Pacific and the St. 
 Louis, Kansas City and Northern furnish rival lines and some competition to St. 
 Louis. The Hannibal and St. Joseph and the Kansa's City and Northern to Mo- 
 berly, and then the Missouri, Kansas and Texas supply the like facilities to 
 Chicago. Keeping in view these competitive lines alone, no other place in the 
 valley of the Missouri approaches these advantages. 
 
 LETTER FROM HON. BYRON SHERRY. 
 
 , Leavenworth, Sept. 21st, 1875. 
 
 Messrs. H. W. Cook and others, Wyandott, Kansas. 
 
 Gentlemen: — Your invitation of the loth inst., inviting me to visit your 
 city on the 23rd September was duly received, and in reply, beg leave to say, I 
 regret very much that I cannot on account of professional engagements, be pres- 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 699 
 
 ent at the time indicated. While I am not unmindful of the many difficulties at- 
 tending the building up of a metropolis within the State of Kansas, I cannot but 
 wish you God speed in the great and important undertaking. You have the ad- 
 vantage of location, and I believe that it would insure to the benefit of the 
 whole State to assist in making Wyandott the commercial center. 
 With my best wishes for the prosperity of your city. 
 
 I am, very truly, yours, 
 
 Byron Sherry, 
 letter from hon. j. r. goodin. 
 
 Humboldt, Kas. , September 22, 1875. 
 H. W. Cook, John B. Scroggs, R. B. Taylor, Sandford Haff and V. J. Lane, 
 Esqrs., Wyandott, Kas. 
 
 Gentlemen : — Until this morning I had expected to be with you at your 
 meeting to-morrow, but an urgent business engagement calls me in another direc- 
 tion at that time. I am exceedingly sorry to be deprived of the pleasure of 
 mingling with the citizens of Wyandott, with whom my relations are so friendly, 
 and to interchange views, in a spirit of true devotion to the interests of our State, 
 as to the future commercial metropolis of this growing Commonwealth. As a 
 citizen of Kansas I never hear of the prosperity of one of her cities without feel- 
 ing within me proud emotions, and a desire, in some humble way, to aid in 
 promoting still greater growth. From my first settlement in Kansas — nearly a 
 score of years ago — I have confidently looked forward for the time when some- 
 where within our boundaries there would spring up, out of the irresistible neces- 
 sities and laws of commerce and trade, a business center, which, while it would 
 serve as a commercial mart, and, by the contribution of revenues largely diminish 
 the high taxes usually incident to a State during its early years of development, 
 at the same time awaken just pride among the people who would ever be found 
 willing helpers in its advancement. 
 
 The same desire I yet feel; and I confess my gratification when I see that at 
 Atchison, Lawrence, Topeka, and at other cities in the State, the people are 
 coming together with the earnest endeavor to meet face to face the stern logic of 
 the times, and devise some practical plan to invigorate their growth. Kansas has 
 to-day quite a number of gromng towns and cities, which, with the speedy de- 
 velopment of her own resources, will continue on in the march of permanent 
 improvements and commercial consequence. 
 
 But it is hardly to be anticipated that all of our towns are to become com- 
 mercially great ; yet every one admits the possibility of a city within our borders 
 of fifty or seventy-five thousand inhabitants, and just now the mind of the wide- 
 awake Kansans, peering into the future, is bent on discovering the situs of this 
 coming city, which is to cast its lengthened shadows far out upon the peaceful 
 prairies of the State. 
 
 Now where shall it be built 
 
 By "your invitation I observe that the leading men of the State," who are 
 to be the guests of your city, will have pointed out to them the advantages pre- 
 sented at the mouth of the Kaw {ox hv^-^dxag \h& commercial metropolis, not only of 
 Kansas, but the Missouri Valley." 
 
 For several years I have not doubted that Kansas City, in the not distant 
 future, would become one of the leading cities of the west in population, as it 
 now is in point of business importance ; and the close proximity of Wyandott to 
 it, may justly arouse the assurance that the two cities may yet " clasp hands 
 across the Kaw bottom," and, like two loving souls, peacefully blend in one. 
 
 The rapidly increasing business of Kansas City, and the steady, substantial 
 growth of Wyandott, show the demand for more territory ; and while the rugged 
 hills, frowning upon both cities, seem repulsive to the eye of civilization, the quie 
 
700 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 plain sandwiched so willingly, awaits the heavy tread of the advancing metropolis, 
 and, like the youthful Isaac of bibUcal renown, is ready to be offered up as a sac- 
 rifice to metropolitan ambition. 
 
 I do not feel, gentlemen, like attempting to advise you what course you 
 should pursue at your meeting. If you could ' ' resolve " Kansas City over into 
 Kansas, I should certainly suggest that you do it, for surely nine-tenths of her 
 business nien would be pleased with such a result, while Kansans everywhere 
 would rejoice at it. But I fear that the transaction will be fraught with many 
 difficulties, if ever accomplished, and while not absolutely dispairing of a change 
 in State boundaries, whereby she may become one of us, I am far from being 
 sanguine of it. 
 
 In conclusion, gentlemen, permit me to say, that I trust a large number of 
 the "leading men of the State," from other cities, may be with you to-morrow; 
 that your deliberations may be marked by wisdom ; that your expressions and 
 actions may be broad-gauged and generous, and that the result of your meeting 
 may ultimately work advantage to the State of which we are all proud. 
 
 Again expressing my regret at the necessity which deprives me sharing the 
 hospitality of the large hearted people "at the mouth of, the Kaw," 
 
 I Remain, Very Respectfully Yours, 
 
 JOHN R. GOODIN. 
 
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, WYANDOTT. 
 
 The first record of this society was made July 7, A. D. 1858, and reads as 
 follows : "In pursuance to a call, all persons desirous of organizing a Congrega- 
 tional Church in Wyandott city, Leavenworth county, and Territory of Kansas, 
 met at the Methodist Church, North, in said Wyandott. 
 
 "The meeting was called to order by the Rev. S. D. Storrs; opening prayer 
 by Dr. J. P. Root. On motion of Brother Samuel Crosby, Rev. S. D. Storrs 
 was made chairman, also by vote, D. A. Bartlett was made secretary of the 
 meeting. On motion of Brother D. C. Collier, a committee consisting of Broth- 
 ers D. C. Collier, Samuel Crosby, Dr. J. P. Root and W. F. Downs were ap- 
 pointed by the chair to draw up and present to our next meeting a constitution 
 for a church, articles of faith and covenant. After singing and closing prayer 
 by Rev. S. D. Storrs, adjourned." 
 
 Among the earliest members were the following: W. P. Winner, S. F. 
 Mather, Dr. J. P. Root, Rev. S. D. Storrs, W. F. Downs, D. A. Bartlett, Sam- 
 uel Crosby, D. C. CoUier, J. S. Stockton, Mrs. Mary Walcott, Mrs. Frances E. 
 Root, Mrs. Mary E. Stockton, Mrs. M. Louisa Bartlett, Mrs. Louisa K. Downs, 
 Mrs. M. A. Mather, John Furbish, Mrs. R. B. Taylor, A. D. Downs, E. T. 
 Hovey and wife, Mrs. C. M. Downs, O. S. Bartlett, Jesse Cooper, Mrs. Hester 
 A. Garno (now Mrs. Halford). 
 
 The present membership of the church is 83, and in a prosperous condition. 
 The names of the pastors are as follows: Rev. S. D. Storrs, 1858; Rev. R. D. 
 Parker, 1859, and continued eight years; then succeeded Rev. E. A. Harlow, 
 1869, and remained three years; then the church was without a pastor for over 
 one year, and Rev. James G. Dougherty was called, and served the church and 
 congregation for three years. The present pastor. Rev. R. M. Tunnell, came to 
 this charge in the fall of 1875, and has since discharged the duties of spiritual 
 adviser and pastor in a most acceptable manner. 
 
 The present church is a large and commodious frame structure built in i860, 
 at a cost of about $2,500, and will seat 300 persons. The church was dedicated 
 August I, i860, and the services were conducted by Rev. R. D. Parker, the 
 pastor. Rev. J. G. Roberts, of Kansas City, Rev. J. D. Liggett, of Leaven- 
 worth, and several other Congregational ministers of the State of Kansas. The 
 
HISTORY 'OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 701 
 
 sermon was preached by Rev.- R. Cordley, of Lawrence, and the dedicatory 
 prayer by Rev. S. D. Storrs, of Quindaro. 
 
 There has always been a good Sabbath-school connected with the church. 
 The present average attendance is one hundred, with C. E. Wilcox as Superin- 
 tendent, and W. B. Spencer, Secretary. 
 
 The early history of this church was very happily prepared by Rev. R. D. 
 Parker, January 9th, i860, who was at that time the pastor. It was embodied 
 in a report of the church committee, at their second annual meeting January 9th, 
 i860. The report says : 
 
 ' ' For some six months previous to the organization. Rev. S. D. Storrs, of 
 Quindaro, had preached here, doing missionary labor to an audience of from 
 twenty to thirty persons. Our place of worship was Kirk's Hall, on Nebraska 
 avenue. In April, 1858, we removed to the M. E. Church, North, on Washing- 
 ton avenue, and here our church was organized July i8th, 1858, with twelve 
 members. Rev. Storrs continued our only supply, though from the date of our 
 organization commenced our efforts to secure a pastor. The place was growing 
 rapidly, everybody seemed engaged in the one great project, money-making, 
 indeed the "Old Guard" was threatened by the, "Arch Enemy." The efforts 
 of a few, from the various societies of the place, to sustain a union prayer meeting 
 proved almost abortive, though it is hoped that some good fruits remain. With 
 a population variously estimated from 2,000 to 2,500 souls there were not more 
 than 150 persons attending the various services on the Sabbath. With such an 
 existing state of things we felt that we must have a pastor. The interests of the 
 church and the people demanded pastoral labor. In August following we again 
 moved and for about two months worshipped in the store room of R. S. Leavett, 
 corner of Kansas avenue and Third street, from which we removed to Overton's 
 brick building on Third street, between Kansas and Minnesota avenues. Here 
 we occupied a room which, a portion of the time, was used as a sleeping room 
 and storage room, and we were compelled to find another room because of the 
 quantities of barrels, boxes, etc., which rendered our occupying the room an im- 
 possibility. We next took possession of Chestnut's old store room on Washington 
 avenue, where we remained until July, 1858. The congregation here very 
 materially increased, but we were yet without a pastor, several names had been 
 suggested and the Home Missionary Society had proffered us missionary aid. 
 The secretary of the church had a somewhat lengthy correspondence with Rev. 
 Christopher Cordley, of Randolph, Mass. , but had learned from him that he could 
 not accept a call from this church, on account of the health of his family. Spirit- 
 ually we were famishing for want of a pastor. During the period of more than 
 one year and a half we had seen Bro. Storrs once in our families, he would have 
 been much oftener welcome, but his duties and labors were arduous, the two fields, 
 Quindaro and Wyandott, were entirely more than could be expected of one pastor 
 to take charge of, hence arose the cry for a pastor. Many and earnest were the 
 prayers offered for this one object, and happily we trust have they been answered. 
 In July, 1859, we again removed to the room we now occupy on Nebraska 
 avenue, this room is the most commodious and convenient of any we have before 
 occupied, but yet we want many necessary comforts. In January last a society 
 was organized in connection with this church. A board of trustees chosen, a 
 legally constituted body who immediately considered the subject and took 
 measures for the raising of means necessary to build a house of worship, their 
 efforts have been crowned with partial success. Dea.' Samuel Crosby spent some 
 six months east and returned with some twelve hundred dollars, in cash and 
 pledges. 
 
 In June a weekly prayer meeting was organized and has been well sustained 
 by the church. In September the society extended a call to Rev. R. D. Parker, 
 of Leavenworth, to become pastor, which call was accepted, and he commenced his 
 
702 HISTORY OF WYAND0TT7 KANSAS. 
 
 labors in October following. This church is now composed of thirty-one mem- 
 bers. During the year which has passed there have eight united with the church 
 by letter and two on profession of their faith. There have been six baptisms of 
 children. As a church, we have ever had great cause of thankfulness, in that 
 we have been blessed with exceeding great blessings. Our number has not been 
 diminished by death. Peace and prosperity reigns. Truly, the promise has 
 been ours — " The Lord will be around his people henceforth and forever." 
 
 The third annual report January 14th, 1861, contains among other historic 
 matter, the following : Divine service has been held by this church on each 
 Sabbath of the year with preaching morning and evening. The Wednesday 
 evening prayer meeting has been maintained with an attendance varying from 
 eight to twenty. Two have been received on profession, three children and 
 one adult baptized. The pastor has been called to attend five funerals, all chil- 
 dren. W. F. Downs last September resigned superintendency of the Sunday- 
 school and D. A. Bartlett has been elected in his place. 
 
 The congregation met in their new church July 2 2d, the house having been 
 built by the blessing of God during the year. Work was commenced on the 
 church in March and was completed about the middle of July, cost, $2,000: 
 During the year ending January 13th, 1862, regular services were maintained. 
 The National Fast appointed for September 26th, 1861, was observed by this 
 church and congregation, and on that day the Third Iowa Regimerlt landed here 
 from the battle of Blue Mills, and many of them were at the meeting. On the 
 following evening 250 officers and soldiers held a prayer and conference meeting 
 of intense interest. The ladies of the church ministered to the wants of the 
 wounded for some weeks. The church has steadily prospered in their labors, in 
 good works to the present time, and has, and is considered one of the most 
 useful organizations in the county. 
 
 ST. Paul's episcopal parish. 
 
 This was the first parish organized in what is now the State of Kansas, it 
 then being the Territory of Kansas; it was organized in the year 1858 or '59 by 
 authority of Right Rev. Jackson Kemper, the first missionary bishop of the Protest- 
 ant Episcopal church in the United States. Among the original incorporators 
 were Dr. Fred. Speck, Col. W. Y. Roberts, A. C. Davis, W. L. McMath, James 
 Chestnut. The first rector was Rev. Rodney S. Nash, now living at Lexington, 
 Mo. Rev. Hatton and Dr. A. Beatty succeeded. Rev. L. L. Holden became 
 rector in 1869 and remained till 1871, then Rev. Nash was called a second time 
 to the parish. In 1872 Rev. J. Godfrey Jones was called to the rectorship and 
 remained one year. Rev. Thos. Betts was rector in 1874, the Rev. A. Batte, of 
 Kansas City, having supplied a short interregnum before the coming of Mr. 
 Betts. Rev. Betts- was rector three years and then the field was without a rector 
 for a time, Rev. F. R. Holeman officiating during summer months, spending the 
 winter in Florida. Rev. John Bennett was called to the rectorship in April, 1880, 
 and entered upon his duties on the first of May, and has been in that capacity 
 since that date. His first anniversary sermon was preached to the parish on May 
 I, 1881, in which he says: "The rector performed two marriages, nine funeral 
 services, one hundred sermons and discourses, parochial calls made on ninety-five 
 families, communion sixteen times, the offerings of the parish $600." There are 
 now thirty-eight communicants belonging to the parish. The present church 
 edifice was built about the time of organization, at a cost of about $1,000. The 
 Sabbath-school meets every Sabbath with an average attendance of about sixty. 
 Mr. Charles Ericsson is the present superintendent. 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 703 
 
 M. E. CHURCH. 
 
 Organized in 1843 as the Wyandott Mission, for the purpose of giving the 
 Indians the advantages of religion. Among the early members was Silas Arm- 
 strong. 
 
 Silas Armstrong was one of the leading members of the M. E. church among 
 the Indians while they were in Ohio, and married the daughter of the missionary 
 among the Wyandotts, the lamented Russell Bigelo. Mr. Armstrong was a half- 
 bteed and died while on business to Ohio, about 20 years ago. Their first church 
 was built on Washington avenue, it being the first church edifice in Wyan- 
 dott. This church was found too small after the city had increased in popu- 
 lation, accordingly in 1875 there was erected a large brick church on the corner 
 of Kansas avenue and Fifth street at a cost of $5,000. It will seat about 600 in 
 the main auditorium. There is also a large basement for the Sunday-school and 
 other meetings which will seat 350, and class rooms and stairways. The church 
 is neatly furnished with pulpit, carpet, organ, and other conveniences. There at 
 present 135 members of the church with a Sunday-school of 175. The present 
 superintendent is Mark B. St. John, and Frederick Soper, librarian. 
 
 The pastors of this church have been Dr. Dickinson, recently died, J. Law- 
 rence, H K. Muth, S. P. Jacobs, now a missionary in India, WiUiam Smith, 
 John Cook, C. L. Shackelford, E. R.. Brow, the present pastor. 
 
 This church belongs to the Kansas Conference, which includes the whole of 
 northern Kansas. This church is in a good, prosperous condition, probably in 
 the most prosperous condition of any period during its history. During the past 
 year there have been 35 additions. 
 
 M. E. CHURCH SOUTH. 
 
 This church was organized in the year 1845, ^^^ ^^^ originally composed 
 principally of the "Wyandott Tribe," the Indians in greater numbers having 
 .united with the southern branch when the division occurred in 1844. The pres- 
 ent brick church edifice was erected in 1873, at a cost of $3,000, but is not yet 
 quite completed. 
 
 Names of pastors : E. T. Peery, B. F. Russel, Daniel Dofflemayer, J. T. 
 Peery, Nathan Scarritt, William Barnett, H. H. Craig, D. C. O'Howell, Joseph 
 King, D. S. Heron, E. G. Frazier, T. H. Swearingen and J. W. Payne, present 
 pastor. 
 
 The present membership is forty-five. The Sabbath-school is in good con- 
 dition, numbering one hundred and fifty scholars and well supplied with books 
 and papers. Henry Nye is the present superintendent. 
 
 GERMAN M. E. CHURCH, 
 
 This church was organized August 24, 1859, with the following persons as 
 original members : Frank Weber, Maria Weber, Louise Feisel, Maria Feisel, 
 Adelhaid Holzbeierlein, Catherine Schatz, Margaret Ortmann, Henry Helm, Au- 
 gust Gabriel, Carl Gabriel, Henriette Gabriel, Gottlieb Knoepfer, Margaret 
 Knoepfer. 
 
 The church was erected in 1866, being a brick structure and costing about 
 $4,000, and was dedicated in September, 1866, by Rev. M. Schnierly. 
 
 The present membership numbers one hundred and sixty. Two years ago 
 the church built a parsonage containing nine rooms. 
 
 Names of pastors : Gottlieb Widm an n (1858-9), George Schatz (1859-60), 
 Chas. Stiickemann (1860-2), Jacob Feisel (1862-4), A- Holzbeierlein, (1864-5), 
 Philip May (1865-7), W. Meyer (1867-8), M. Schnierly (1868-70), W. Meyer 
 (1870-1), Jacob Feisel (1871-2), Wm. Kleinschmidt (1872-5), J. A. Reitz (1875-8), 
 J. G. Leist (1878-81). 
 
704 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 SAINT MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 
 
 Organized in 1858 with about thirty members. They met at John Warren's 
 about six months, then built a church on Ann street, between Fourteenth and 
 Fifteenth streets, the church being 25x50 feet. They worshiped there till 
 1865, when they built the present house of worship on Ann street, between 
 Fifth and Sixth. The present church is a convenient and well built church, cost- 
 ing $9,000. The pastors have been William Fish, Dr. McGee, Casper Miller, 
 A. Kuhls, the present pastor. Father Kuhls took charge of the parish in 1865, 
 with thirty families ; sold the old church and has since built the present church 
 parsonage, convent and parochial school, and now the church includes two 
 hundred; two parishes having since been taken off. These church buildings 
 were erected largely with funds contributed by the denomination in eastern States. 
 
 M. E. CHURCH (colored). 
 
 Organized by the present pastor. Rev. Felix Landor, May, 1880. Rev. Landor 
 was formerly a slave in Louisiana and, owned by the French, spoke that language. 
 He was converted lat the close of the war of the Rebellion from the Catholic 
 faith and was educated by the Freedman's Aid Society in New Orleans, and came 
 to this field in February, 1880. 
 
 There are at present about thirty members and they support a good Sun- 
 day-school. 
 
 Their small frame church in the northwest part of the city is convenient, 
 and will seat about one hundred. 
 
 THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF WYANDOTT (COLOREd). 
 
 Organized in the year 1862, with the following names: Thos. Branch, Mil- 
 ton Boyd, Rev. Henry Jennings, John Emerson, Dea Fry, Geo. Washington, 
 Lucy Jones, Martha Jennings, Nancy Branch, Susan Blanton, Lizzie Boyd, 
 Caroline Washington, Jane Briggs, Sarah Reed, Daniel Williams, Alexander' 
 Williams. The church was built in 1869, on Nebraska avenue between Sixth 
 and Seventh streets, and it was dedicated by Rev. Beverly Lee who preached 
 the sermon, assisted by Rev. William Harris in 1869. It is a frame structure 
 and cost about $1,500. 
 
 The pastors have been as follows: Henry Jennings, William Harris, William 
 Belay, Gabriel Gray, James Lewis, F. D. Ewing, the present pastor. There is 
 now a membership of about 230. There is a Sunday-school of about 70 in 
 average attendance. Daniel Williams is superintendent. The church are now 
 building a new brick structure on corner of Fifth and Nebraska avenue. The 
 church will be a fine one and cost about $5,000. 
 
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 The graded school of Wyandott, Kansas, was estabHshed in the year 1867, 
 and the building for the purpose erected the same year. 
 
 The names of the principals and superintendents have been: H. L. Alden, 
 1867; O. C. Palmer, 1868 to 1874; M. Waters, 1875, and Sherman the present 
 superintendent, since the year 1875. The names of the other teachers are : Mrs. 
 F. M. Sherman, Miss B. C. Gushing. H. L. Gibson, Miss Clara Serviss, Miss A. 
 L. Sharpe, Miss E. McNally Miss L. O'Brien, Miss L. Collins, Prof. J. D. 
 Bowser, John W. Anderson, Miss Nellie Johnson-. The money expended last 
 year was $7,000, and the number of pupils in attendance is one thousand. 
 
 The school children of the city number 2,627. 
 
 The population of the city is located as follows: 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 705 
 
 First ward 1,627 
 
 Second ward 1)797 
 
 Third ward i>393 
 
 Fourth ward 1,801 
 
 Total 6,548 
 
 WYANDOTT ACADEMY. 
 
 Established in 1878, and the first term of school opened September 23rd of 
 the same year, with Prof. O. C. Palmer as principal. The present elegant brick 
 structure for the use of the academy was built in the summer of 1879, by the 
 energies and financial means of the principal. The building is two stories high 
 40x60 feet and contains six rooms, including a large, convenient and well fur- 
 nished school room, a principal's office, music room, and recitation rooms. The 
 cost of the buildmg was about $6,000. This school is fast winning favor with 
 the people of Wyandott and vicinity. The present teachers are: Prof. O. C. 
 Palmer, Mrs. O. C. Palmer, Miss L. M. Dickinson, Miss Belle Sears, Miss Julia 
 Walcott. Both sexes are educated here. The number of pupils since last Sep- 
 tember are 187. The school is located on the corner of Ann and Seventh streets 
 overlooking the cities of Wyandott and Kansas City. 
 
 KANSAS INSTITUTE FOR THE BLIND. 
 
 This institution was opened in September, 1868, with seven inmates. Mr. 
 H. H. Sawyer had charge of it at that time. The institution at present consists 
 of four brick buildings. The south wing of one building is used for recitation 
 rooms. The other buildings are used for library, music room, work-shop, and 
 dormitories. Dr. W. W. Updegrafif and Prof. John D. Parker had charge of this 
 institution for several years. 
 
 There are at present 51 in attendance — all that can be accommodated with 
 present facilities. The Legislature has recently made a liberal appropriation for 
 increased conveniences, which will, when carried into effect, accommodate about 
 250 pupils. The institution at present is in charge of Geo. H. Miller, assisted 
 by a corps of five competent teachers. 
 
 MASONIC. 
 
 In July, A. L., 5854, a Dispensation was issued from the G. L. of Missouri, 
 to J. M. Chivington, W. M., M. R. Walker, S. W., and Cyrus Garrett, J. W., 
 authorizing them to meet and work, U. D. The first meeting under this warrant 
 was held August nth, A. L., 5854, and a Lodge of Masons, U. D., was duly 
 organized. The officers of the Lodge were installed by Bro. Piper, D. G. M. of 
 Missouri. 
 
 In May, A. L., 5855, a charter was granted from the G. L. of Missouri, to 
 M R. Walker, W. M., Russell Garrett, S. W., and Cyrus Garrett, J. W;, author- 
 izing them to meet and work, under the name of Kansas Lodge, No. 153, A. 
 F. & A. M. The first meeting under this charter was held July 27, A. L , 5855. 
 
 On the 27th of December, A. L., ^855, a meeting of the Lodges of the 
 Territory of Kansas was held in Leavenworth city, at which Wyandott, Smithton 
 and Leavenworth Lodges were represented. At this meeting the G. L. of Kan- 
 sas was organized. 
 
 On the 20th of October, A. L. , 5856, a charter was granted by the G. L. of 
 Kansas to Cyrus Garrett, W. M., Geo. C. Vanzandt, S. W., and Henry Garrett, 
 J. W., authorizing them to meet and work, under the name of Wyandott Lodge 
 No. 3, A F. & A. M. The first meeting under this charter was held February 
 20th, A.. L., 5857, ... 
 
 The Lodge has continued its labors uninterruptedly from its inception to the 
 present time. 
 45 — 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 706 
 
 Wyandott Lodge No. 3, A. F. & A. M. — Holds regular communications on 
 the first and third Fridays of each month, at 7:30, at their own hall, corner Third 
 street and Minnesota avenue. The present officers are M. M. Harris, W. M.; 
 James Hampson, S. W.; — McClure, J. W.; J. B. Speck, Secretary; H. T. Har- 
 ris, Treasurer; A. Hlatky, S. D.; B. E. McNally, J. D.; R. Halford, Chaplain- 
 J. B. Walters, Tyler. 
 
 Wyandott Chapter, No. 6, R. A. M.— Organized October, 1866. James 
 Hampson, H. P.; F. C. Aechternacht, Secretary. 
 
 Wyandott Council, Royal and Select, and Super-Excellent Masters. — Organ- 
 ized October 18, 1877. 
 
 Mendias Chapter No. i, Order of the Eastern Star. — Holds regular convo- 
 cations on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, at the Masonic 
 Hall. EmmaE. Drought, Worthy Matron ; G. J. Neubert, Worthy Patron ; Julia 
 Brown, Associate Matron; Mrs. Welsh, Treasurer; William Priestly, Secretary. 
 This is said to be the oldest Eastern Star Lodge in the United States. The name 
 is in honor of an Indian lady called by them " Mendias," her real name was Mrs. 
 Lydia B. Walker. There is now a membership of about one hundred. Originated 
 by authority of the Supreme Constellation of American Adopted Rite and was in- 
 stituted on the 23d of July, 1856. William Barnett, Heleon ; Joel W. Garrett, 
 Philomath ; Matthew C. Walker, Verger ; Geo. C. Van Zandt, Herald ; Cyrus Gar- 
 rett, Warder; Mary Garrett, Luna; Lydia B. Walker, Hebe; Sarah H. B. Van 
 Zandt, Flora ; Martha R. Walker, Thetis ; Eliza L Garrett, Areme. 
 
 ODD FELLOWSHIP. 
 
 Summunduwot Lodge No. 3, I. O. O. F. — Meetings every Monday evening 
 at Odd Fellows' Hall, corner Sixth street and Minnesota avenue. It was insti- 
 tuted October 7th, 1857, with six charter members, Silas Armstrong, Sr., J, A. 
 Fligor, J. H. Miller, I. N. White, Joseph Rosenwald, J. W. Garrett. They 
 formerly met in the old Constitution building, but now they meet in their own 
 hall, which is sixteen feet high, sixty or seventy feet long and twenty-five feet 
 wide. The order owns the two-story brick in which there is a large store room 
 first floor and the hall above. The building was finished in 1876 at a cost of 
 about $4,000. The present officers are : P. H. Knoblock, N. G.; John Lamont, 
 V. G.; E. F. Blum, Secretary; Perley Pike, Treasurer; Geo. M. Willfong, S. 
 P. G.; J. A. Nelson, R. S. to N. G.; James Hall, L. S.; G. A. Schreiner, R. 
 S. to V. G.; G. W. Robaugh, L. S. to V. G.; Albert Scoles, Conductor; Adolph 
 Gardner, Warden; W. B. Cooper, R. S. S.; Gust. Ahlsted, L. S. S.; A. 0, 
 Clark, I. G.; S. Warrery, O. G. 
 
 Wyandott Encampment, No. 9. — Meetings held on the second and fourth 
 Mondays of each month in Odd Fellows' Hall, corner 6th and Minnesota avenue. 
 This lodge was instituted in 1869 with seven charter members : J. C. Welch, 
 Fred. Speck, H. W. Cook, John Bolton, W. B. Bowman, Solomon Balraer, 0. 
 K. Serviss. Present membership is sixty. The present officers are: W. H. 
 Young, C. P.; Perley Pike, H. P.; E. F. Blum, S. W.; G. W Robaugh, J. W.; 
 John Lamont, Guide ; John Bennett, Scribe ; William Priestly, F. S.; J. A. 
 Nelson, I. S.; Stewart Warrey, O. S. 
 
 Teutonia Lodge No. 68, I. O. O. F. — Instituted January, 187 1, with about 
 thirteen charter members, by District Deputy J. C. Welch. Meeting Tuesday 
 evening of each week in the Masonic Hall, corner Third and Minnesota avenue. 
 The present membership is sixty. The present officers are: H. Fieser, N. G.; 
 Philip Kaiser, V. G.; J. J. Bernhardt, Secretary; F. Poehler, Treasurer; Geo. 
 Frank, P. G.; John Schaaf, Conductor; John Eckholdt, Warden. 
 
 KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 
 
 Myrde Lodge No. i, organized February, 5, 1880, with fourteen members: 
 E. L. Bartlett, W. P. Overton, John A. Hale, M. M. Harris, C. E. Neubert, C. 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 707 
 
 F. Aechternacht, J. W. Brown, D. E. Cornell, Jas. S. Gibson, R. Halford, 
 James Hampson, Theo. Pottery, Ed. Richardson, C. H. Van Fossen, Louis 
 Hanswirch. They meet at the Masonic Hall, corner Minnesota avenue and 
 Third street, on the first and third Mondays in every month. John A. Hale C. 
 C; C. F. Aechternacht, V. C; E. L. Bartlett, Prelate; Mac. Armstrong, K. of 
 R. & S.; Bates Dunlevy, M. of F.; A. C. Seward, M. of E.; Chas. E. Neubert, 
 M. at A.; J. R. Goodwin, I. G.; J. B. Walters, O. G. The present membership 
 is 63. . 
 
 Fellowship Lodge No. 2, instituted April 11, 1872, with twenty-seven char- 
 ter members. At first, their meetings were held in Odd Fellows Hall, then for a year 
 or more met in the Masonic Hall, and for the past two years have met in the Odd 
 Fellows Hall. Meetings are held every Thursday night. The present officers 
 are: E. F. Blum, C. C.; H. L. Alden, V. C.; A C. Darby, P.; J. F. Hall, M. 
 of E.; Jas. P. Flannagan, M. of F.; G. T. Roberts, K. of R. & S.; Daniel 
 Faulkner, M. at A.; James Kirkbride, I. G.; Stewart Warry, O. G. Present 
 membership is 90. 
 
 ANCIENT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN. 
 
 Tauromee Lodge No. 30, organized January 15, 1880, with twenty-three 
 charter members, E. S. W. Drought, J. S. Clark, R. H. Arrington, C. Crothers 
 Ed. Webster, William Albright, J. M. Squires, H. H. Sawyer, Charles Hardesty' 
 J. A. Hale were the first officers of the lodge. Meetings are held in the Masonic 
 Hall, corner Third and Minnesota avenue, on the first and third Wednesday even- 
 ings of each month. The present membership is 65. The present officers are : 
 R. H. Arrington, P. M. W.; H. H. Sawyer, M. W.; C. Crothers, Foreman; Ed.' 
 Webster, Overseer; Ed. Taylor, Recorder; C. Green, Financier; J. M. Squires 
 Receiver ; Chas. Geyson, Guide ; George Robaugh, I. G. 
 
 ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS. 
 
 The dispensation was granted August, 1880. The charter members were 
 Dudley Staats, Wm. D. Gentry and M. J. Edwards. The meetings are held on 
 the first and third Wednesday evenings of each month. D. Staats, C. R.; M. J. 
 Edwards, Secretary. 
 
 Equitable Aid Union, instituted in 1880. Meetings are held in the Odd 
 Fellows Hall the 2d and 4th Friday evening in each month. 
 
 The German Lodge of the same order, the only one in America, was insti- 
 tuted in the year 1881. The founder of this order in Wyandott was W. D. 
 Gentry. 
 
 Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, charter granted in 1874, with P M 
 Arthur P. C. E., and L. B. Green F. G. A. E. 
 
 MANUFACTORIES. 
 
 There are at present few manufactories in Wyandott. There is a plow manu- 
 factory, wagon shop, and planing mill, The railroad shop having been removed 
 to Armstrong it becomes necessary for the enterprising people to encourage other 
 manufacturing industries. A few well regulated manufacturing establishments in 
 Wyandott would do more toward making a rich and prosperous town than any- 
 thing else. The .money sent from Kansas to eastern manufactories every year 
 for any of the following articles, if spent here, would be a source of great wealth: 
 agricultural implements, leather, boots and shoes, hats and caps, cotton goods, 
 white lead, nails, glass, iron and furniture. The money raised every month by 
 building and loan associations would be sufficient to embark in the manufacture 
 of any of the articles above enumerated. 
 
 NEWSPAPERS. 
 
 The first paper pub.lished in Wyandott City was the Wyandott Citizen, by 
 Ephrfim Abbott. It was started in 1857 or early in 1858, but was not continued 
 
708 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 many months. It was succeeded by the Western Argus, which was printed on 
 the same material and published by the Western Argus Company, J. E. Bennett, 
 editor, and P. Sidney Post commercial editor. The first number of the Argus was 
 issued March 25, 1858, and was continued till March 9, 1861, when the material 
 was sold to R. B. Taylor, and now constitutes a part of the office of the Wyandott 
 Gazette. 
 
 The first number of the Gazette was issued August 7, 1858, S. D. McDonald 
 editor and proprietor. Mr. McDonald continued the Gazette one year, issuing a 
 daily during the session of the Constitutional Convention, and then suspended. 
 
 In August, Mr. McDonald re-commenced the publication of the Gazette, 
 taking R B. Taylor in as a partner. The partnership continued but for a few 
 weeks, and Mr. Taylor hired the office of Mr. McDonald and pubhshed the 
 paper alone. On the 15th of January, 1861, while the editor was in the east on 
 business connected with the paper, the office was entirely destroyed by fire, 
 together with the building in which it was located, both office and building 
 belonging to Mr. McDonald. When Mr. Taylor returned from the east he 
 purchased the material of the Argus office and printed the Gazette on it. Mr. 
 Taylor continued to publish the Gazette till the spring of 1867, when Philpott & 
 Brown got possession of the office and published it three months under agreement 
 to purchase, which they failed to perform. 
 
 Mr. Taylor then took the management of the paper again and continued in 
 control till October i, 1869, when he leased the office to Kessler & Tuttle. On 
 the ist of January, 1870, Mr. Tuttle withdrew, leaving Mr. Kessler sole lessee 
 and editor. Richard Baxter Taylor, who for a long time was editor of the Ga- 
 zette, was born in Buckland, Franklin county, Massachusetts, March 29, 1822, 
 and died at his residence in Wyandott, Kansas, March 26, 1877. He received a 
 good common school and academical education. When seventeen years of age 
 he went to Canandaigua, New York, where he was engaged as an educator about 
 five years, and then went to Ellenville, Ulster county, in the same State, where 
 he commenced the study of law. He became connected with the Ellenville 
 Journal, and so remained until he came west. In 1857, he visited Kansas, and 
 the next year removed with his family to Wyandott. His purpose in coming to 
 Kansas was to aid in making it a free State. In 1851 he married Miss Rachel 
 Broadhead. Mr. Taylor was a Republican, though not for the spoils of office. 
 As a journahst, he was able, intelligent and bold. Through his efforts the Kansas 
 State Editorial Association was organized, and he was president of the first meet- 
 ing which was held at Topeka, January 17, 1866. 
 
 He strongly advocated the writing and printing of words by the phonic 
 method. 
 
 The editorial association which Mr. Taylor was so active in organizing, at its 
 annual meeting held at Manhattan, April 7, 1875, suggested the action which led 
 to the organization of the State Historical Society, and Mr. Taylor made one of 
 its first directors. 
 
 At the death of R. B. Taylor, his son, Wra. B. Taylor, conducted the Gazette 
 till October, 1879, when R. B. Armstrong and A. N. Moyer bought the office 
 with all its appurtenances, and have since, under the firm name of Armstrong & 
 Moyer, published the paper. The first issue bears date October 3, 1879. 
 
 Herewith is given the adieu of Mr. Taylor and salutatory of Messrs. Arm- 
 strong & Moyer: 
 
 ADIEU. 
 
 "1 have this day transferred all my right, title and interest in the Wyandotte 
 Gazette to Messrs. Armstrong & Moyer, who at once assume editorial and busi- 
 ness management thereof Thanking my friends for the constant and generous 
 patronage which they have, without solicitation, bestowed upon me during my 
 connection with the Gazette, and trusting confidently -that they will treat i^i like 
 
HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 709 
 
 manner, in even greater measure, my successors — than whom two more honor- 
 able gentlemen, in every sense of the word, do not tread Kansas soil — with 
 mingled feeling of joy and sorrow, gladness and regret, I step down and out. 
 Wyandotte, Oct. ist, 1879. Wm. B. Taylor." 
 
 SALUTATORY. 
 
 "It is with some degree of diffidence that we step forward and make our best 
 bow to the readers of the Gazette. We shall ask a liberal degree of forbearance 
 until we get broken in to the editorial harness. 
 
 "Our aim shall be to continue the Gazette as, z.X\vq, earnest, Republican paper. 
 While we shall endeavor to avoid personalities we shall, at the same time, con- 
 sider public men as public property, and shall consider the interests of the county, 
 or city, as far outweighing the feelings or interests of a single individual who may 
 hold, or aspire to an office. 
 
 " We shall never forget the standard so frequently applied to candidates by the 
 late R. B. Taylor. 'Is he honest, is he capable.' 
 
 " We ask the aid of correspondents, and of all who have the interests of our 
 county and city at heart, to assist us in pushing on the great forward movement 
 toward creating a truly ' ' Kansas " City and of making this the garden county of 
 our State, already so happily inaugurated at the mouth of the Kaw." 
 
 The Gazette is a seven column folio, issued every Friday. D. W. Leavitt, 
 foreman, and R. H. Mitchell, Charles Wilgus, William Fletcher and Wilbur 
 Coulant, compositors. 
 
 The Kansas Post, a German weekly, was removed from Kansas City to 
 Wyandott early during the war, and remained one year. It was pubhshed by A. 
 Wuerz and John Haberlein who was principal editor. 
 
 The Kansas Real Estate Herald was issued at Wyandott, by E. F. Heisler, 
 from November, 1868, to July, 1869. 
 
 The first number of Die Fackel, (The Torch), was printed in Wyandott Sep- 
 tember 12, 1866, by Kastor, Fischer & Co. H. W. Kastor editor. It was first 
 printed on the Gazette press. On the ist of January, 1868, Die Fackel was 
 removed to Atchison. 
 
 The Kansas Pilot was established in Wyandott in 1879, ^"^d William CafiFrey 
 is the present editor and publisher. 
 
 "WYANDOTT HERALD." 
 
 The Wyandott Herald was established in 1871 by V. J. Lane & Co., with V. 
 J. Lane as editor. The paper was the saine as now, a seven column folio, and 
 printed on the corner of Minnesota avenue and Fifth street, where it remained 
 one year. In 1872 the office was removed to the corner of Third street and 
 Minnesota avenue, and remained one year and a half when it was removed to 
 Hescher's building, on the north side of Minnesota avenue between Fourth and 
 Fifth streets ; here the Herald was published till January ist, 1880, and then 
 removed again to the Masonic building, on the corner of Minnesota avenue and 
 Third street. 
 
 A new building of brick and iron, 25x75, is in process of construction on 
 the north side of Minnesota avenue, between Fifth and Sixth streets, by the pro- 
 prietors of the Herald, and it is expected this will be completed and ready for 
 occupation September ist, i88i. The estimated cost of the building will |be 
 $3,500, and furnish abundant conveniences for the increasing business of the 
 paper. 
 
 B. R. Lane, son of the editor, bought one-third interest in the Herald April 
 ist, 1880, and has since been a partner with his father. 
 
 The Herald has a large circulation in Wyandott county and this section of 
 the State, it being Democratic in politics, and there being comparatively few 
 
710 
 
 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 papers holding those political principles in this part of the State, finds a wide field 
 of operations. 
 
 The following was Mr. V. J. Lane's salutatory on taking charge of the Her- 
 ald, January 4, 1872 ; 
 
 " It is usual, we believe, for publishers when they launch their bark on a sea 
 of public opinion and public favor, to mark out on the political chart the 
 course they intend that their craft shall sail. In fact, this is so common that 
 the absence of a salutatory in the initial number of a paper, abounding in all 
 kinds of fail promises in favor of the public, which is the party saluted, is an ex- 
 ception to the general rule. As the publishers of the Herald do not desire to 
 break through the established usages of ages of successful journalism, we offer 
 the following as our salutatory : We intend to try to publish a good live, reliable 
 and interesting paper. In cSder to do this, we shall need a hearty support from 
 the people among whom it is published. In politics, this paper shall be Demo- 
 cratic; but its editors are not so wedded to their political faith that they will over- 
 look or mitigate fraud or peculation in members of their own party. The princi- 
 pal aim of this paper is to assist in the up-building of this city and the develop- 
 ment of the resources of the county. In this we hope to have the hearty co-op- 
 eration of all our fellow citizens, without regard to party affiliations. It shall be 
 OUT endeavor to keep our readers informed of all that is transpiring in our midst 
 as well as furnishing the latest intelligence from all parts of the world. 
 
 "In conclusion, we would say that we shall try to do our duty, and if we 
 shall fail therein we hope our little world will kindly overlook shortcomings; and 
 attribute their failure to lack of capacity rather than a disregard of the importance 
 of the responsibilities we have thus voluntarily assumed." 
 
 There is only one other Democratic paper in this county, the Evening Spy of 
 Kansas City, Kansas. In 1857 a Democratic paper called the Wyandott Argvs 
 was established in the city of Wyandott by Gen. P. S. Post, for the past fourteen 
 years consul to Vienna, and continued till the Civil War, when Gen. Post sold 
 the paper to R. B. Taylor, who started the Wyandott Gazette, a Republican paper. 
 From 1861 to 1866 there was no Democratic paper in Wyandott county, but at 
 the latter named date J. A. Berry started the Wyandott Democrat, issued it 
 thirteen months and then he abandoned the paper, and it is said left the city 
 with considerable money advanced on the second year's subscriptions. The next 
 Democratic paper in this county was the Herald, commenced in 1871. 
 
 LONGEVITY FOR 1880. 
 
 When this portion of Kansas was first settled by the whites, it was a rare 
 thing to see persons who had attained the age of fifty. All this is changed now, 
 and we not only have hundreds who have attained that age, but a great many 
 who have lived beyond the time allotted to man. The oldest white man in the 
 county is Joseph Dixon, of Quindaro township, whose age is 94 years; while 
 Mrs. Anna Best, of this city, is the oldest white woman, having reached the age 
 of 86 years. The oldest woman in the county is Ann Crawford, a colored woman 
 of Kansas City, who has reached the advanced age of no years. Below we give 
 a list of those who have reached three-score and ten on the journey of life : 
 
 CITY. 
 
 Wm. Arthur 70 
 
 Thomas Branch, c 79 
 
 Philip Browders, c 76 
 
 Richard Chaddock 73 
 
 Fanny Cane, c 75 
 
 Sophia Dorman 84 
 
 Serena Dillon, c 77 
 
 Fanny Griffin, c loi 
 
 Julia Ann Baker 70 
 
 Samuel Brewster, c 78 
 
 Maria Bell, c 70 
 
 Henry Clayton, c 71 
 
 Peter Cox, c 88 
 
 John P. Denison 71 
 
 Margaret Farnsworth 75 
 
 Michael Hummer 78 
 
HISTORY OF WVANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 711 
 
 Matilda Johnson, c 70 
 
 Julia Johnson, c 95 
 
 Lucy Lewis, c 79 
 
 Louisa Martin, c 73 
 
 Curtis Pollock, c 70 
 
 Nicholas Reed, c 70 
 
 Rina Simon, c 75 
 
 Joshua A. Taylor, c 77 
 
 Mary Anderson, c 80 
 
 Jacob Burdett, c 80 
 
 Ben. Brown, c 70 
 
 Elizabeth Bates 78 
 
 Sina Crawford, c 85 
 
 R. H. Childs 80 
 
 Heyster Fry, c 78 
 
 Kitty Grigsby, c 80 
 
 Isabella Harris, c 80 
 
 Harriet Havens 74 
 
 Lewis Hammet, c 75 
 
 Lucy Lewis, c 80 
 
 Phillip McCracken, c 75 
 
 Julia Miller 72 
 
 Frank Reid, c 70 
 
 Israel Sidney, c 75 
 
 Viola Taylor, c 80 
 
 Henry Johnson, c 70 
 
 Henritta Jones, c 70 
 
 Mary C. Meyer 71 
 
 Allen Martin, c 76 
 
 John Reeves, c 70 
 
 Catharine Shields 71 
 
 Mary E. Taylor 75 
 
 S. Anderson, c 70 
 
 Geo. Brasie, c 70 
 
 Sallie Betts 80 
 
 Ellen Beiston 70 
 
 Ann Best 86 
 
 Hanna Childs 77 
 
 Frederick Drought 92 
 
 Cynthy Ford, c 80 
 
 Frances Givens, c 70 
 
 Hanna HoUiday, c 70 
 
 Andrew Jackson, c 70 
 
 Sarah Hammet, c 70 
 
 Jerry Mack, c 80 
 
 John F. Miller 76 
 
 David Ryus 70 
 
 Kitty Robinson, c 75 
 
 Asa Sterling, c 70 
 
 Anderson Young, c 90 
 
 QUINDARO TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Betsey Alexander, c 95 
 
 Richard Bradley, c 75 
 
 Mary V. Blanton 76 
 
 James Brown, c 74 
 
 Eunice Dickinson 72 
 
 Nancy Dixon 76 
 
 Margaret Griffith 80 
 
 Charles Harden, c 79 
 
 Mary HoUox 80 
 
 Ann Johnson, c 71 
 
 Henry Kern 73 
 
 Edward C. Menser, c 75 
 
 Benjamin Randall, c 79 
 
 Lavina Rankins, c 73 
 
 Wm. Stone, c 70 
 
 Peter Wilson, c 72 
 
 Phebe Washington, c 70 
 
 Pompey Bradley, c 74 
 
 Harriet Bradley, c 76 
 
 Mary A. Brown, c 90 
 
 Robert Crawford, c 70 
 
 Joseph Dixon 94 
 
 Isaiah Drake, c 73 
 
 Abram Grier, c 80 
 
 Margaret Harris, c 80 
 
 Ellen D. Hagen 77 
 
 Ransom Kelley, c 74 
 
 Mahala McCann, c 79 
 
 Enoch A. Moore , 83 
 
 George Robinson 70 
 
 Sarah Roberts, c 70 
 
 Thirza Thorp 72 
 
 Henry Wilcox, c 78 
 
 WYANDOTT TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Maria Anderson, c 87 
 
 W.Bryant • 76 
 
 Joseph Banks, c 75 
 
 M. M Chase 73 
 
 Thomas Connelly 75 
 
 Patty Dow, c 73 
 
 Cassius Gray, c 70 
 
 Nancy A. Hilliard 77 
 
 Susan Imes, c 75 
 
 Harriet Jones, c 75 
 
 Thomas Alford, c 70 
 
 Ann Brogan 70 
 
 Patrick Canary 70 
 
 Mary Canary 70 
 
 Henry Douglas, c 80 
 
 Harvey Fleming, c 75 
 
 Sarah Gray, c 70 
 
 J. B. Hillard 70 
 
 Jennie Johnson, c 96 
 
 Louisa Kinney 70 
 
712 
 
 HISTORY OF WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 Charles Lockett, c 70 
 
 Andrew Lillich • . . 76 
 
 Baily Mann 72 
 
 Andrew McMahon 78 
 
 Sarah Prater 74 
 
 Thomas Bobinson, c 80 
 
 Wm. Russell 80 
 
 S. Stephens 70 
 
 Samuel Lewis, c 70 
 
 James Melton 74 
 
 Rebecca McDanield 71 
 
 Eliza Peters 70 
 
 Emiline Rice, c 70 
 
 Aramenta Robinson, c 78 
 
 Mary Russell 70 
 
 Polly White, c 79 
 
 PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Fannie Saws 80 
 
 Adolf Shalfdolf 71 
 
 Simon Welkie 76 
 
 America Roberts 70 
 
 Elizabeth Stigers 72 
 
 DELAWARE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 John Anderson 75 
 
 Rachael Allen 75 
 
 Mary Bell, c 80 
 
 Mary Dunlap 77 
 
 Lucretia Green 77 
 
 Charles Geron 70 
 
 Lunin Morris, c 75 
 
 Robert Peck 75 
 
 Paul Snell 72 
 
 Jacob Allen 80 
 
 Kate Burde 73 
 
 Phillip Coon 72 
 
 Robert Foster, c 78 
 
 Harry Howard, c 90 
 
 Bart'w McDanield 72 
 
 James McCarthy 76 
 
 Melinda Petty 76 
 
 Thomas Thorp 73 
 
 SHAWNEE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Dorothy DeFleury 82 
 
 Mary Dobbins 80 
 
 Geo. R. Holsinger 72 
 
 Hannah Hewitt 70 
 
 Sarah Justice 73 
 
 Sarah Morgan 76 
 
 George Shoote 70 
 
 Grannison Taylor 75 
 
 Michael Dobbins 84 
 
 Abraham GrandstafF 73 
 
 John R. H. Howard 70 
 
 Herman Jasper 70 
 
 Mary A. Jenkins 75 
 
 Francis Robinson 72 
 
 Tamar Scott 78 
 
 KANSAS CITY, KANSAS. 
 
 M. Bagley 72 
 
 L. Edwards 70 
 
 B. Graves 84 
 
 H. Hahn 78 
 
 M. Johnson 70 
 
 M. Lawther 76 
 
 M. Nelson 70 
 
 J. Sullivan 72 
 
 C. Steptoe 70 
 
 A. Crawford no 
 
 J. Ganan 70 
 
 E. Hamilton 71 
 
 C. Harris 76 
 
 C. Lany 70 
 
 L. Norris 74 
 
 W. Rogers 72 
 
 G. W. Steptoe 75 
 
 L. Smith 75 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 — ■ G ^ - ^ O ■ 
 
 ^VYANDOTT, KANSAS. 
 
 WILLIAM AHERN, 
 
 Manager Wyandott Street Railway. Was born November 26, 1855, in Limerick, 
 Ireland, and remained in his native city attending school until the summer of 
 1871, when he came to the United States. On arriving in this country he emi- 
 grated west and settled in Carroll county, Missouri, where he engaged in farming. 
 In 1872 he went to Kansas City and found employment with the Fort Scott & 
 Gulf Railroad ; rernained with this company some two years, when he returned 
 to Carroll county and went to farming again. He remained on his farm for five 
 years, when, in May, 1879, he came to Kansas City and engaged with the Jack- 
 son County Street Railroad Company. On the ist of February, 1881, he was 
 transferred to take charge of the company's office and barns at Wyandott, a 
 position of trust as well as responsibility. Mr. Ahern has worked himself up to 
 where he is to-day, and is thought a good deal of by the public as well as by the 
 company. 
 
 WILLIAM ALBRIGHT, 
 
 Treasurer of Wyandott county. Was born in Germany on the loth of December, 
 1847, and came to the United States with his parents when but seven years of 
 age They settled in St. Joseph, Missouri, and Mr. Albright spent his childhood 
 days in that city, receiving a fair school education. In 1862 he enlisted in the 
 army and served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. 
 After the war he returned and was engaged at clerking in different city offices. 
 In 1867 he removed to Wyandott and took up the trade of a painter, which he 
 followed until the spring of 1872, when he was appointed city clerk. In 1876 he 
 was appointed deputy county treasurer, which office he held until November, 
 1879, when he was elected county treasurer, and there is no man in Wyan- 
 dott county more fitted for the office of treasurer than Mr. Albright, as his 
 record shows. He discharges his official duties with great care and fidelity, 
 and with credit to himself and friends. He has, since he became fourteen years 
 of age, taken care of himself; is an active member of the Ancient Order of 
 United Workmen. Mr. Albright married Miss Elizabeth Schniarle in Wyandott 
 in 1867. Mrs. A. is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born in 1848. Their 
 family consists of six children: Minnie O., Charles A., Frank B., Willie E., 
 May M. and Calvin F. They are members of the Methodist church. 
 
 FRANCIS B. ANDERSON, 
 
 Justice of the Peace. Was born in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, in October, 1820, 
 and removed to Randolph county, Illinois, and came to Wyandott in 1866. 
 Here he established himself as an attorney, having studied law in Pennsylvania 
 previous to removing to Illinois. He was admitted to the bar in Illinois and 
 practiced through that State for some twenty-five years before removing here. 
 
714 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Mr. Anderson enlisted in the 142nd Illinois Infantry as a private, and at the 
 expiration of his term of service was mustered out as orderly sergeant. He was 
 elected city attorney in 1867, which office he hela for five successive terms. In 
 1879 he was elected Justice of the Peace, which office he now holds. He was 
 married to Miss Matilda T. Shields at Logansport, Indiana, in i860. They had 
 eight children, six of whom are living. 
 
 MAC ARMSTRONG. 
 
 No person of whom mention is made in this work is more deserving of notice 
 than our subject. Though young he has had much experience, and has worked 
 his way unaided, until now he ranks one of the foremost among our business 
 men. Mr. Armstrong is a son of Silas and Zelinda, the former chief of the 
 Wyandott nation in England, and who came with them to this place in 1844. 
 He necessarily was well acquainted with other tribes and prominently known in 
 Washington, his name often being mentioned there. Mac, the third in a family 
 of five children, was born in Wyandott. When eleven years old his father died, 
 and at this early age he was thrown upon his own resources. His education was 
 obtained entirely by self application, his only schooling being received in the httle 
 brick school-house, now in this city, and that only during the winter, while he 
 worked summers. At the age of sixteen he went to Colorado and was employed 
 in the largest wholesale and retail dry goods house in Denver, and probably in the 
 State. After remaining there for eight years, part of the time being engaged as 
 traveling salesman, he returned to Wyandott and engaged in the drug business, 
 January ist, 1877. Has since followed this ahhough extensively engaged in the 
 real estate business. He is the owner of several houses in Kansas City, Kansas, 
 and in this place, and derives his principal income from these. Mr A. is a self- 
 made man ; commencing life without means, through his own efforts, unaided by 
 friends or fortune, he has paved his own pathway to success and is a worthy ex- 
 ample for the young men of the county. Let them study it ! His marriage was 
 in October, 1880, to Miss Helen, daughter of Mr. Volk, the superintendent of 
 the motive power at the Union Pacific shops. He formerly held that position in 
 Hannibal. 
 
 JOHN ARTHUR, 
 
 Physician and Surgeon. Was born in Clay county, Missouri, October 14th, 
 1826, and was principally reared there. His education was obtained at the State 
 University, at Columbia, graduating from that institution in 1847, after which he 
 attended the St. Louis Medical College. From there he graduated in 1853 and 
 studied medicine with Dr. J. M. Wood, of Kansas City. In 1854, commenced 
 practicing in Clay county, but did not devote himself entirely to it, and in 1864 
 moved to Nebraska City, and to Iowa in 1866. From there he returned to Clay 
 county, in 1867, and thence to Wyandott in 1868. He first engaged in the 
 banking business, and after three years gave his attention to farming, also practic- 
 ing his profession to a small extent. In 1853. he took 1,200 head of cattle across 
 the plains to California, and after a while sold them. Dr. Arthur now owns 470 
 acres of land adjoining Wyandott and 100 acres in Clay county, Missouri; also 
 possesses a handsome residence. He has been twice married. First, in 1848 to 
 Miss Ann F. Young, a native of Kentucky. She died in 1849, and in November 
 of that year he married Miss Amanda D. Stephens, of Liberty, Missouri, born 
 April ist, 1832. They have six children : Michael, Elizabeth, Ettie, John M , 
 Rinna and Joseph A. Himself and wife belong to the Christian church, of 
 which he has been a member for two years. 
 
 M. O. BALDWIN, 
 
 Physician and Surgeon. Was born on the i6th of October, 1840, and remained 
 with his parents until eighteen years of age, receiving a thorough education at the 
 
WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 715 
 
 public schools. In 1858, he removed to Iowa and settled in Anamosa, Jones 
 county, where he remained until the breaking out of the war. He then enUsted in 
 Company B, 9th Iowa Infantry, and served three years, when he was honorably 
 discharged. He participated in the battles of Pea Ridge, siege of Vicksburg, 
 Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge, and through the Atlanta campaign, until 
 the fall of Atlanta. During his time of service be served some eighteen months 
 as hospital steward. After being mustered out at Atlanta, he went to Vicksburg 
 and entered the hospital for the purpose of studying medicine, where he remained 
 one year. Then returned to Iowa and shortly after went to Chicago and entered 
 the Rush Medical College, where he remained studying medicine and surgery for 
 two years. Here he received his diploma, and went to Dundee, lUinois, and 
 opened an office for the practice of medicine, remaining there two years. Thence 
 to Kansas and settled in Wamego, continuing the practice of his profession and re- 
 maining until 1879, when he removed to Kansas City and opened an office. In 
 1880, he came to Wyandott and engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery. 
 Doctor B. is an active member of the Masonic fraternity and also of the Foresters. 
 He married Miss May J. Dunton in 1866. She was born in 1839 and is a native 
 of New York. They have a family of three children :. Josephine, Gertrude and 
 Max. They are members of the Presbyterian church. 
 
 CAPT. O. S. BARTLETT, 
 
 Undertaker. Was born September 26, 1822, inParmelia, NewYork^ and was prin- 
 cipally reared in Watertown. While young he learned the carpenter's trade, and 
 in 1855 removed to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1857, then came to 
 Wyandott and engaged in contracting and building, and in 1862 he enlisted in 
 Co. A, 1 2th Kansas Infantry, and served for ten months, as a private. Was then 
 commissioned second lieutenant. He recruited Co. H of the Second Kansas 
 (colored) Infantry, it afterward becoming the 83d U. S., and was made first- 
 lieutenant. At the battle of Jenkin's Ferry, the captain being killed, Mr. B. was 
 promoted to that position, holding it until the regiment was mustered out of ser- 
 vice, at Leavenworth, in the fall of 1865. He returned to Wyandott, engaged in 
 the grocery business and then in the car shops. In 1872 he commenced his 
 present business. He has two hearses, two carriages for funeral use, and carries 
 a large stock in his line. He has been twice married. First, to Miss Nancy 
 Trotle, of N. Y., in 1846. She died in the spring of 1868, leaving two children: 
 Ella and Frank. His second marriage was in the fall of 1869 to Miss Julia E. 
 Foster. They are active members of the Congregational church. 
 
 CHRIS. BERNHARD, 
 
 City Treasurer. Was born in Switzerland in February, 1855, and came to the 
 United States with his parents in 1865, and settled in Quincy, 111. Having a fair 
 education Mr. B. entered the High school in Quincy, where he received a thor- 
 ough education, also at the same time taking two courses of German. In 1867 
 his parents removed west and settled in Wyandott. Mr. Bernhard on coming to 
 this city at once established himself in business, opening a tobacco and cigar 
 store, also a cigar factory. He continued to run this branch of business for a (ew 
 years, when, finding he was gradually losing health, sold out, and went with his 
 father in the book bindery business. While with him, he took up the art of teleg- 
 raphy, and purchasing an instrument, and forming a sort of a club of the younger 
 class of people of Wyandott. he learned telegraphy perfectly, and finally became en- 
 gaged as operator for the Western Union company, and during the time he was in 
 their employ, opened out a small stationery store on Minnesota avenue. He 
 continued in the stationery business, added periodicals of all classes, German and 
 English, until to-day he has the largest stationery and news depot in Wyandott 
 county. His stock comprises the latest literature, besides all kinds of notions 
 
716 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 and goods pertaining to a first-class stationery store. In 1879 Mr. B. was elected 
 city treasurer and also treasurer of the Board of Education. During his term 
 of office, which expires in 1881, he has made a host of friends. He married Miss 
 Elmie Wolfe, a native of Galesburg, III., in Denver, Col., in 1879. 
 
 G. W. BETTS, 
 
 Clerk of the District Court of Wyandott county. Was born on the 8th of April, 
 1840, in Chillicothe, Ross Co., Ohio. He received excellent educational advan- 
 tages in youth, and spent his boyhood days on a farm, making that and stock- 
 raising his business while he remained there. He came to this county in 1867, 
 and settled in Edwardsville, and engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. 
 In 1871 he entered the law office of Cook & Sharp, at Kansas City, and com- 
 menced the study of law, and was admitted to the bar in 1873. Iii April of that 
 year, was appointed to fill vacancy as clerk of court of Wyandott county, and has 
 been elected five consecutive terms since. He carried the petition for signers to 
 organize the township of Delaware, in this county, and also suggested the name 
 to the board of county commissioners, which they adopted. He is a member 
 of the Masonic fraternity, also Knights of Pythias. He married Miss R. J. Tim- 
 mins in 1861. She is a native of the same place as her husband, and was born in 
 1842. She is a graduate of the Springfield University, Ohio. Their family consists 
 of two children living: C. E. and S. B. Lost one. Mrs. Betts is a member of 
 the M. E. Church. 
 
 E. F. BLUM, 
 
 Of the firm of Blum & Priestley. Was born in Pekin, 111., in 1852, and in 1857 his 
 parents removed west and settled in Wyandott, his father following the cooper 
 trade. Mr. Blum, Sr., was one of the old pioneers of Illinois, as also one of the 
 old settlers of Wyandott. At the age of fourteen, E. F. had the misfortune to lose his 
 father, and he went to clerking in a confectionery and stationery store, re- 
 maining in this busmess for five years. In 1872 he was bookkeeper for the Kan- 
 sas Pacific Railway. In October, 1880, Mr. Blum, in connection with Mr. Wm. 
 Priestley, opened out a large grocery store on Minnesota avenue, where they are 
 located at the present time. He is an active worker in the Samunda Lodge, No. 
 3, I. O. O. F., having been secretary for the past three years, and is also Chan- 
 cellor Commander of the Knights of Pythias. 
 
 W. S. BOYLAN, 
 
 Of the firm of Boylan & Garnett. Was born Nov. 2, 1849, in New York, and was 
 educated and fitted for college in the town of Nunda, N. Y. He entered the 
 Cornell University, located at Ithaca, in 1872, and graduated with honors 
 in 1876. Then moved west, and settled in Danville, 111. Here he was engaged 
 as principal of the High school. In the summer of 1879 he removed to Wyan- 
 dott, and continued to follow teaching, being engaged in the public schools. Re- 
 mained for one year, and in the summer of 1880, he, in connection with R. B. 
 Garnett, opened an abstract office. Their office is the largest one of the kind in 
 the county, and their business of taking abstract of titles, deeds and other records 
 is such, that they have in their employ now, several clerks. They are possessed 
 of a complete set of abstract books of Wyandott county. Mr. Boylan married 
 Miss Nellie S. Dennison, on the i8th of November, 1880. She is a native of 
 New Hampshire, born in 1852, and is an active member and worker of the Con- 
 gregational church. Mr. Boylan is entirely a self-made man, and has worked his 
 own way through life, having borne his Qwn expenses while attending college. 
 
 J. R. CHAPMAN, 
 
 Dentist. Was born on the 25th of March, 1849, i"^ Warren County, Pa., and was 
 reared and educated there. He came to Kansas City in 1871, and commenced 
 
WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 717 
 
 the study of dentistry under Dr. S. B. Prevost. Later he bought a half interest 
 with Dr. Prevost, and in 1874 came to Wyandott, and commenced business for 
 himself, opening rooms on Minnesota avenue. His rooms are neat and cozy, 
 and are well fitted for the dentistry business. He is an active member of the 
 Ancient Order of United Workmen. Mr. C. was married to Miss H. K. Parr, 
 in 1877. She was born in April, 1855, and is a native of Pennsylvania. They 
 have one child : Edna Grace. 
 
 J. S. CLARK, 
 
 Register of Deeds of Wyandott County. Was born January 13th, 1837, in Pitts- 
 burg, Pa., where he received a good school education. On the 6th of May, 1861, 
 he enlisted in Co. L, io2d Pennsylvania Infantry, and served until the close of 
 the war, being mustered out as first sergeant of the company. Mr. Clark was 
 all through the Peninsula Campaign, and was captured at Fredericksburg. He 
 was also with Grant on his march to Richmond. At the close of the war he re- 
 returned to Pittsburg, and followed his trade, which was that of roller in the Pitts- 
 burg Rolling Mills. In 1866 he removed to Mansfield, Ohio, went to railroading, 
 and in April, 1869, he moved to Wyandott, and continued to follow the same, 
 being engaged on the Kansas Pacific railway. In 1874 he was elected a mem- 
 ber of the school board, and served two terms. In 1876 he was elected regis- 
 ter of deeds of Wyandott County, to fill an unexpired term, caused by the death 
 of Allison Crockett, and was reelected in 1877 for the full term. In 1879 he 
 again had the honor of being elected by an overwhelming majority, showing his _ 
 popularity among his Wyandott friends. Mr. Clark is ably assisted in his office 
 by his daughter, Sarah E., as assistant register. Miss Clark was appointed 
 notary public by the Governor, in May, 1880, being the only lady ever having had 
 that honor in Wyandott County. She has had remarkable success as a convey- 
 ancer. Mr. Clark has had to support and take care of himself since he was eight 
 years of age. He is a member of the Masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias 
 and Ancient Order of United Workmen. He was married to Miss Josephine 
 Taylor, a native of Pittsburg, in 1856. Their family consists of two children : 
 Sarah E. and Sheridan T. They are active workers and members of the Episco- 
 pal church. 
 
 JOHN S. COX, 
 
 Was born Dec. 4, 1825, in West Virginia, and in 1852 moved to Illinois, engag- 
 ing in the mercantile business. In 1862 he enlisted in Co. B, 119th Illinois In- 
 fantry, serving three years; was captured at Alexandria, La., and in 1864 held 
 the position of steward of the hospital there ; was taken to Camp Ford, Texas, 
 remaining nearly nine months ; escaped twice, was chased by hounds and was re- 
 captured, but the second time succeeded in reaching the Union lines. At the 
 close of the war he settled in Zanesville, Ohio, and in 1870 came to Wyandott. 
 Has been engaged in the real estate business here and has filled the office of Jus- 
 tice of the Peace. He is well and favorably known throughout this vicinity 
 Mr. Cox was married March i, 1849, to Miss Mary A. Hamrick, a native of 
 West Virginia, born July 4, 1823. They have three children; William W., Ella 
 L. and Rosa B. 
 
 C. CRUTHERS, 
 
 Proprietor of Cruthers' Plow Works. Was born in Illinois on the 3d of March, 
 1839. He was raised and educated in his native State, and at the age of thirteen 
 commenced to learn the blacksmith and plow maker's trade. In 1865 he came to 
 Wyandott and established himself in business, building a shop and opening up a 
 plow factory and blacksmith shop. In July, 1878, he had the misfortune to lose 
 everything he possessed by fire. Not being a man easily discouraged, he went 
 to work again, and, with the aid of the citizens of Wyandott, he erected a large 
 
718 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 brick building and soon was doing business on even a larger scale than before the 
 fire. He makes a specialty of the manufacture of plows, and they are known 
 all over the State of Kansas. His manufactory was the first factory of any kind 
 established in Wyandott. He married Miss Adeline Shields in i860. They 
 have had six children, four of whom are living : Cora, Frank, Laura and Effie. 
 They are members of the M. E. Church. 
 
 L. M. CULVER. 
 
 Was born in 1832 in Ohio and was partly reared in Illinois. He learned the 
 soap makers trade in his youth, and followed it while there. He came West in 1864, 
 and located in Atchison county, Kansas, and engaged in the son p business; remained 
 some fifteen years, and then spent one year in California and on the coast. He 
 came to Wyandott in the summer of 1880, and contemplates starting a soap fac- 
 tory here. He married Miss Bridget M. Carroll in December, 1855. She is a 
 native of Connecticut, and was born in 1837. They have two children living: 
 A. L. and Nellie. A. L. has a first-class grocery on Minnesota avenue and is 
 one of the rising young merchants of Wyandott that bids fair to make a success 
 in life. 
 
 J. T. DARBY, 
 
 ' Restauranteur. Was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, in 1842, where he was 
 reared. In 1864 he went to Oregon and Montana and remained several years, 
 finally settling in Chautauqua county, Kansas, where he resided for some nine 
 • years. In July, 1880, he removed to Wyandott and opened a large and fashiona- 
 ble restaurant on Minnesota avenue, at which place he continues to carry on 
 business. His tables are furnished with the best the market affords, and this is 
 being appreciated by the citizens of Wyandott, for his customers are daily on the 
 increase. He was married to Miss Carrie Shepler in West Virginia in 1873. Mr. 
 D. enlisted in the United States navy in i860 and served until expiration of term 
 of service (1863), when he was honorably discharged. They have one child: 
 John Henry. 
 
 E. S. W. DROUGHT, 
 
 Contractor and builder. Was born November 19, 1843, ™ Montreal, Canada, 
 and was taken to Wisconsin by his parents when about four years of age. He 
 was mostly reared there, and spent his boyhood days on a farm He accompanied 
 his parents to Kansas in the spring of f858. They settled at Leavenworth, and 
 in 1861 Mr. D. enlisted in Captain Williams' company, 5th Kansas cavalry. This 
 was the first organized cavalry from Kansas. He served until the close of the 
 war, the last year being in General Hancock's veteran corps ; took part in twenty- 
 two noted engagements, besides any number of skirmishes, and at the close of 
 the war was appointed post-trader at Fort Larned, Kansas, by order of General 
 Grant. He sold out and came to Kansas in 1870 and engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits, and was elected sheriff of Wyandott county in tiie fall of 1871, and 
 held the position four years ; was then elected county treasurer, and filled that 
 position four years. In the fall of 1880 he was elected to the Legislature, and 
 has filled that position with credit to himself and friends. The various positions 
 of trust and honor he has been called to fill is ample evidence of the esteem in 
 which he is held by the people. He is at present engaged in contracting and 
 building. Is a member of the Masonic fraternity. He married March 16, 1854, 
 Miss Emma E. Colby, an estimable lady and a native of Andover, Massachusetts. 
 She was born on the i6th of March, 1854. They have a family of four children: 
 Jessie, Philip E., Charlotta and Maggie. They attend the Episcopal church. 
 
 G. W. DURRIN, 
 
 Proprietor of meat market. Was born in Lewis county, N. Y., in 1838, where he 
 remained until 1854, when he removed to Little Falls, N. Y. In 1861 Mr. D. 
 
WYANDOIT, KANSAS. 719 
 
 enlisted in the 34th New York Infantry, and served until the expiration of terni 
 of service (1863) when he was mustered out. He then re-enlisted in the i6th 
 Heavy Artillery, and served with them until the close of the war, when he was 
 mustered out as second-lieutenant. On returning he moved to Michigan, and 
 settled in East Saginaw, working at the carpenter trade, where he remained some 
 four years. In 1869 he went to Mankato, Minn., and followed his trade until 1873. 
 He then went further west and settled at Leavenworth, Kan., still continuing to 
 work at his trade, until 1876, when he went to Amboy, Kan. and opened out a 
 large store for the sale of pumps, engines and machinery of all kinds. He con- 
 tinued to carry on the business until 1879, when he came to Wyandott and opened 
 a large restaurant, which he continued until 1880, when he went into the butcher- 
 ing business, opening up a large new market on Third street. Mr. D. married 
 Miss Mary Hill in Western Missouri in 1867. 
 
 JOHN M. FUNK 
 
 Was born January 28, 1817, in Franklin county, Penn., and was reared and edu- 
 cated in his native State. He engaged in the mercantile business when about twenty 
 years of age, and followed it some four years. In 1845 he commenced the iron 
 business in York Co., Penn., continued therein until 1850, and then immigrated 
 to Georgia and started iron works for the manufacturing of pig iron. Remained ^ 
 there some four years and returned to Pennsylvania. Came from there to Kansas 
 in 1856, and to Wyandott in 1857. He has filled the office of mayor, county 
 commissioner, city treasurer, and has always stood with the free-state party. He 
 is now interested in the real estate business, and is one of the pioneers here, and 
 has the respect of a large circle of friends. 
 
 RUSSELL GARRETT 
 
 Was born in Ohio in 1829, where he received a good school education, and where 
 he remained with his parents on a farm until the spring of 1843, when they went 
 west and settled on a farm in Kansas, which is to-day known as Wyandott. In 
 1849 Ml"' Garrett went to California, and, though young, went into the mines, 
 where he remained for two years, and then returned to Wyandott. In 1851 he 
 attended school at Chapel Hill, Mo., for a period of three years. In 1854 he 
 removed to Pottawatomie county, Kan., and bought a large farm, where he re- 
 mained for some three years. He then sold out and returned to Wyandott and 
 remained a short time. In 1858 he went back to his parents' old homestead at 
 Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and remained two years, when he returned and settled in 
 Westport, Mo., in i860. Then he bought a farm and continued to improve it 
 until the spring of 1862, when he enlisted under General Price and served four 
 years. At the close of the war he returned to Wyandott and went on his farm. 
 Mr. Garrett spends most of his time on his land, having two large farms in Wyan- 
 dott county. He also spends some of his time at San Van Teura, California, 
 where he is engaged in carrying on a cattle ranch. He left for California in 
 February and expects to be gone a year. In 1855-56 he was elected a member 
 of the Kansas Legislature. 
 
 W. D. GENTRY, 
 
 Physician and surgeon. Was born in Richland, Madison county, Kentucky, 
 Sept. 8, 1836, and was educated at the Southern Kentucky Seminary, of Hopkins- 
 ville. In 1853 he entered the employ of the Missouri River Telegraph Company, 
 came to Kansas City and put the first wire across the Missouri River at this point. 
 He resided at St. Joseph until 1856, returned to his native town and purchased 
 the Hopkinsvilk Press. This he edited until August, 1861. The politics of his 
 paper (Douglas Democrat) being distasteful to Gen. Alcom and his men, he 
 cleaned out the establishment and ran the type into bullets. Mr. G. then went 
 into the employ of the U. S. Military Telegraph Corps, and served with Gens. 
 
720 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 McClellan, Burnside and Dix, until 1864. Was then appointed superintend- 
 ent of the Baltimore and Ohio Telegraph Division, holding the position until the 
 close of the war. Then went to New York City, where he engaged in telegraphy 
 and also attended a course of medical lectures. Was then employed as Superin- 
 tendent of the Southern, Nashville & Tennessee Telegraph Company. In 1870 
 he commenced the practice of medicine in Alabama, and in 1873 went to Mem- 
 phis when that city was infected with yellow fever. On account of his career, 
 he received flattering testimonials from the mayor and the Howard Association. 
 In 1878 he came to Wyandott; has taken an active part in all public enterprises, 
 and is now president of the Reading Association. He married Miss Pet Furnish, 
 May 12, 1856. She was born in 1837, in Howard county. Mo. They have two 
 children : George V. (telegraph manager at the stock-yards) and Gus. They are 
 members of the Christian church. Mr. G. is actively engaged in helping to pro- 
 cure water works and also the electric light for the city. 
 
 JOHN GIBSON, 
 
 Dealer in cigars and tobacco. Was born in England on the 6th of June, 1844, 
 and in 1850 his parents came to the United States, where they remained but one 
 year and then returned to England. Mr. Gibson, on his return to England, at- 
 tended school and received a thorough school education. Later, he learned the 
 carpenter trade, which he followed until 1868 when he came to the United States 
 and settled in LaPlatte, Mo., following his trade for two years. In 1870 he 
 came to Wyandott and was engaged at the Kansas Pacific shops as car repairer, 
 remaining in their employ for three years. In 1873 ^^ started in business for 
 himself, opening a cigar and tobacco store on Minnesota avenue. His place, 
 though not large, is neat and cozy, and is a place that has been wanted in Wyan- 
 dott for some time. He is also engaged in the manufacture of cigars. He is an 
 active member of the Odd Fellows as well as Knights of Pythias. 
 
 G. M. GRAY, 
 
 Physician and surgeon. Was born in Waukegan, 111., in 1856, and removed to 
 Kansas in 1858 with his parents, settling in Quindaro, three miles from Wyan- 
 dott, which was at that time one of the principal townships, being a boat landing. 
 Mr. Gray began studying medicine in 1875 with Dr. Schauffler, of Kansas City, 
 and graduated at the Kansas City Medical College and also at the Bellevue Hos- 
 pital College, New York. In the summer of 1880 he opened an office for the 
 practice of medicine on Minnesota avenue. His practice extends far and wide 
 through the township and for a young practitioner has made a good beginning. 
 Mr. Gray's father (Mr. R. M. Gray) is one of the old pioneers of IlUnois, and 
 was born in Rhode Island in 1821. 
 
 HENRY HAFNER, 
 
 Proprietor of meat market. Was born in Germany on the 12 th of September, 
 1841. There remained with his parents until twenty-eight years of age, attend- 
 ing school and learning the butcher trade with his father. During the time he 
 lived in Germany he served four years in the Prussian Army, and came to the 
 United States in 1869, landing at Castle Garden on the 19th of June. Then 
 went to Erie county, N. Y., and married Miss Amelia Ismert. They remained 
 there some two months and then came west and settled at Wyandott. In Sep- 
 tember, 1869, Mr. Hafner opened a large meat market on Minnesota avenue. 
 The building is well adapted for his business, and his market is handily arranged 
 in every respect, as well as being stocked with the best of meat. On the i8th of 
 December, 1874, Mrs. H. died, leaving four children, two of whom are living : 
 Julia and Eugene. June 10, 1875, he married Miss Kate Stewart, who was born 
 in September, 1853, and is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have had four 
 
!■! ■jiiiiijU-:-irii', l-i 
 
WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 721 
 
 children, two of whom are living : George and Albertus. They are members of 
 the Catholic church. Mr. Hafner is a member of the Catholic Mutual Benefit 
 Association. 
 
 C. HAINS, 
 
 Dealer in boots and shoes. Is a native of Germany, and was born August i6, 
 1830. Here he was reared and educated. When quite young he learned the 
 milling trade, and later the shoe-making trade. Mr. Hains served two years in 
 the German Army, and took an active part in the Revolution of 1849, and car- 
 ries today an ugly mark that he received at that time. He came to the United 
 States in 1853 and settled in Altoona, Pa., where he remained some four years, 
 following the shoe-making business. In 1857 he came west and settled in Wy- 
 andott, and still continued to follow his trade. Little by little his business grew 
 larger as the town began to grow, but he was equal to the emergency. He con- 
 tinued to increase his stock, and finally opened out a large store on Minnesota 
 avenue. His store to-day is the largest in Wyandott, and is stocked with all 
 classes of boots and shoes, both of ladies' and gents' wear. He started here a 
 poor man, and, working himself up to what he is to-day, he is respegted by all 
 who have any dealings with him. He is assisted in his store by his daughter 
 Minnie and his niece, Millie Lugibihl, who are his clerks. Both of these young 
 ladies are well educated, and are experts as saleswomen. Mr. Hains married 
 Theresa Lugibihl in 1855. She was born in 1830, and is a native of Germany. 
 The family consists of seven children: Mary (now Mrs. Phoeler), Rosa, A. T., 
 Charlie, Minnie, John, and Henry. Mrs. Hains and her daughters are members 
 of the Catholic church of Wyandott. 
 
 JOHN A. HALE, 
 
 City Attorney. Was born on the 8th of August, 1851, at Foxcroft, Maine, and 
 was reared and educated there. In 1869 he came to Wyandott, stayed two 
 years, when he returned to his native State and began to read law at Bangor, 
 under A. W. Payne; was admitted to the bar in 1874 in Penobscot county, and, 
 in the fall of 1874, he again removed to Wyandott and opened an office for the 
 practice of law. He has a large circle of friends in Wyandott county, and his 
 practice extends well over the State. In 1880 he was elected city attorney, and 
 through his management the city to-day has a clean record. Mr. Hale is Chan- 
 cellor Commander of the Knights of Pythias, and also an active member of the 
 Ancient Order of United Workmen. He married Miss Millian Walker in No- 
 vember, 1875. She was born in 1855, and is a native of Wyandott. They have 
 one child : Lydia S. E. 
 
 WALTER HALE, 
 
 County Surveyor. Was born on thf 8th of May, 1852, in Worcester county, 
 Massachusetts, and remained there attending school and studying for a civil engineer 
 until 1870. Then he entered the city civil engineer's office and remained two 
 years, when he became employed by the W. & N. R. R. as civil engineer, -and 
 remained there two years. In 1874 he went to St. Louis, still following his 
 profession, and remained until 1877. In the fall of 1877, he came to Wyandott, 
 engaged in teaching, and taught two terms, when he was elected city civil en- 
 gineer, and later was elected county surveyor by a handsome majority. The 
 man is well fitted for the office, and Mr. Hale has given the county the best of 
 satisfaction. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and also, of the United 
 Workmen. He married Miss Margaret Young, in 1879. She was born in 1856, 
 and is a native of Canada. They have one child. 
 
 16 
 
722 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 S. B. HARRIS, 
 
 Dentist. Was born in Alabama, in 1852, and lived with his parents until 1870, 
 attending school and receiving a thorough education. In 1870 he removed with 
 his parents to Missouri, and engaged in the dry goods business with his father, 
 remaining until 1872, when he commenced the study of dentistry. After finish- 
 ing his studies he commenced to practice and opened an office at St. Louis, 
 where he remained some time, and then visited several places, including Browns- 
 ville and Carrollton, and in 1879 came to Wyandott and fitted up an ofifice. His 
 practice extends for miles around Wyandott. Mr. Harris is a graduate of the 
 Missouri Dental College, of St. Louis. 
 
 CAPT. J. H. HARRIS, 
 
 Contractor. Was born in Zanesville, Ohio, in 1822, and came to Wyandott in 
 the spring of 1857. Here he estabUshed himself as a contractor of brick and 
 stone masonry. In 1861 he entered the army as captain of Company A, Fourth 
 Kansas Infantry, and served until March, 1862, when the regiment was mustered 
 out of service. He Tyas then mustered in as first-lieutenant of Company G, 
 Tenth Kansas Infantry, and served until the 19th of August, 1864, when he was 
 honorably discharged. At the breaking out of the war, Mr. H. organized a 
 company for the First Kansas, but owing to being non-commissioned, was not 
 mustered in. Not being a man who would take a defeat hke this he went to 
 work and organized a company for the Second Kansas. He had the company 
 all organized and was quartered in a large brick warehouse at Wyandott, when 
 he received orders from headquarters to report to be mustered in. As prepara- 
 tions were being made to move, the building, an old structure fell in, burying 
 some twenty-eight of the men. Many of them were injured, but none killed. 
 When the men were in line, they marched to headquarters, but arrived too late 
 to be mustered into the second, the regiment being full. The company was then 
 mustered into the Fourth Kansas. In 1858 Capt. Harris was elected city treas- 
 urer of Wyandott. He was also a member of the city council in 1867-68. He 
 is at present engaged in the contracting business, taking and superintending in 
 large contracts of brick and stone masonry. He married Miss Virginia Brown 
 in Zanesville, in 1849. They have had ten children, of whom five are living : 
 Blanch A., Sebee G., James M., Otto F. and Fannie. His family are members 
 of the Congregational church, of Wyandott. 
 
 D. B. HIATT, 
 
 Superintendent of Public Instruction. Was born in Knightstown, Henry county, 
 Indiana, on the 9th of December, 1832, and was there reared and received a thor- 
 ough school education. In 1854 he immigrated to Kansas and settled in Wa- 
 baunsee county, and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He also taught three 
 terms of school there. On the 15th of August, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, 
 1 ith Kansas Infantry. Shortly after his company was transferred to a cavalry 
 regiment. He was mustered out of service on the 5th of July, 1865; was 
 engaged in the battles of Cane Hill and Prairie Grove. Soon after the close of 
 the war he moved to Wyandott and engaged in the lumber and contracting 
 business. In 1871 he commenced reading law, and in 1874 was admitted to the 
 bar. He has been engaged in agricultural pursuits since he came to Wyandott 
 county. In the fall of 1880 he was elected Superintendent of Public Instruction. 
 Mr. Hiatt has been twice married, his first wife being Miss Caroline Foss; she 
 died February 16, 1875. By this union they had one child, Prentiss. His 
 present wife. Miss Maggie Humphry, he married on the 8th of March, 1875. 
 They have one child, Henry H. Mrs. Hiatt is a member of the Disciple church, 
 Mr. Hiatt is a member of the Congregational church, and also belongs to the 
 Masonic fraternity. 
 
WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 723 
 
 FREDERICK HCERSEMAN, 
 
 Wagon and carriage builder. Was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1836, and came 
 to the United States in 1854, and going west, settled in St. Louis, Mo., where he 
 remained, following the blacksmith trade until June, 1851. In the summer of 
 185 1 Mr. Hoerseman removed to Wyandott, and worked for Weber & Co., 
 wagon builders and blacksmiths, continuing with this firm until 1865, when he 
 bought out those gentlemen and continued in business for himself: As the city 
 increased in population, so his business increased, and he added to his already 
 large wagon works, a shop for the manufacture of carriages, where he is to-day 
 turning out all classes of wagons and carriages. The " Hoerseman Bros.' 
 Wagon" is known all though Wyandott county, and is finding its way through 
 Jackson county, Mo. He has in connection a large blacksmith and horseshoeing 
 shop. His works are situated on Minnesota avenue, above Fifth street. Mr. 
 Hoerseman married Miss Caroline Nolter, in Wyandott in 1863, she being a 
 native of Quincy, 111. They have four children, all of whom are living, and art 
 members of the German Methodist church of Wyandott. 
 
 GEORGE H. HCERSEMAN, 
 
 Union Pacific Carriage Works. Was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1855 
 and came to the United States with his parents in 1863, settling in Wyandott. 
 Mr. Hoerseman remained in Wyandott some seven years receiving a thorough 
 school education at the public schools. In 1870 he went to Qumcy, 111., and 
 worked at his trade, that of carriage maker, at the same time attending college. 
 He then returned to Wyandott and shortly after went to California, where he 
 accepted an offer as foreman in some carriage works. Returning to Wyandott, he 
 established himself in business with his brother and opened out a large carriage and 
 wagon works on Minnesota avenue. The "Hoerseman Bros'. Wagon" became 
 known all through the county, and is to-day finding its way all through the State. 
 In 1877 the firm of Hoerseman Bros., disolved, and he opened up the Pacific 
 Carriage Works. He continued to carry on this place until 1880, when he sold 
 out and purchased five lots on the corner of Nebraska avenue and Fifth street, 
 where he erected a large two-story building, and opened up the Union Pacific 
 Carriage Works. He has the largest building for the manufacture of wagons and 
 •carriages in Wyandott county, and has the facilities for turning out the best work 
 in the line of fine carriages. He has in connection a large paint shop, and makes 
 a speciality of fine carriage and decorative painting. He has also a large black- 
 smith shop. 
 
 F. HOUSE, 
 
 Civil Engineer. Was born in Derby, Orleans county, Vermont, March 15th, 
 1830, and was there reared and educated, also studying for the profession which 
 he now pursues. In the spring of 1858, he came to Wyandott, and has 
 since identified himself with the interests of that vicinity. In i860, he assisted O. 
 B. Gunn in surveying the Kansas City & Cameron Railroad, and next became 
 interested with the Kansas Pacific and also the Ft. Scott & Gulf roads. In 1871, 
 he became civil engineer of this city, holding the position until 1879, 1° the satis- 
 faction of all. He has been twice married. First, to Miss Mary Bartlett, a native 
 of Vermont. His second marriage occurred in July, 1861 to Miss Susan C. 
 Collier, of New York, born in June 1829. They have had six children, only two 
 • of whom are living': Mary and Walter P. Mr. H. is a member of the M. E. 
 church, and his wife of the Congregational church. 
 
 AUGUST JOST. 
 
 Was born January 17, 1842, in Germany, and was brought to the United States 
 hy his parents when five years of age. Then settled in Missouri on a farm, and 
 
724 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 August there spent his boyhood days. In 1865, he commenced the mercantile 
 business at Boonville, this State, and in 1866 came to Wyandott, opening the 
 Augusta House. In this he has since been interested. He has served several 
 terms as a member of the city council. Mr. J. was married in 1863 to Miss 
 Catherine Momberg, born in Missouri, in 1842. They have three children: 
 Augusta, Laura and Ida. Have lost two. He is a member of the Odd Fellows 
 and Knights of Pythias. 
 
 J. W. JOYCE, 
 
 Of the firm of Mackin & Joyce, undertakers. Was born in March, 1854, is Eng- 
 land, and was reared and educated in London, and brought up to learn the dry goods 
 business. He followed that industry there until 1872, when he came to the 
 United States and settled in Chicago, where he remained some three years. He 
 then returned to England and remained but a short time when he came back 
 and settled in New York for a year. Then went to Albany and remained a year, 
 and in 1878 made another trip to England and stayed a short time, and on re- 
 turning went back to Albany, and followed the undertaking business for a year. 
 Then came to Kansas City, and finally landed in Wyandott. In January, 1881, 
 he formed a partnership with Henry Mackin in the undertaking business, open- 
 ing out a large and handsome place on Minnesota avenue. Mr. Joyce is a mem- 
 ber of the Episcopal church. 
 
 BYRON JUDD, 
 
 Real Estate Agent. Was born in Otis, Massachusetts, August 13th, 1824, and 
 was there reared and received his education, spending his boyhood days on a farm. 
 Upon coming west in 1855 he settled at Des Moines, Iowa, and from there came 
 to Wyandott in 1857, then almost a wilderness. Mr. J. has been influential in 
 making it what it is to-day. He engaged in the banking and real estate business, 
 and operated a private bank for some fifteen years, and in 1870 it was made a 
 National bank. In 1878 he retired from the banking business. He has filled the 
 offices of mayor, councilman, justice of the peace and county treasurer. In 
 1872, he was elected to the State Senate, and was re-elected in 1874; and in 
 the various positions of trust and honor he has been called on to fill, he has dis- 
 charged his official duties with scrupulous care and fidelity. March 12th, 1865, 
 he married Mrs. Mary L Bartlett, a native of Vermont, born October 12th, 1835, 
 and a most estimable lady. They have two children: Emily J. and Sarah L. 
 Mrs. Judd is a member of the Congregational church. 
 
 FRED. KRAMER, 
 
 Proprietor of bakery. Was born in Germany in 1839, and came to the United 
 States in 1850. Coming west settled in St. Louis, Missouri, where he remained 
 some three months. He then took a trip through the Middle States looking for a 
 place to locate, and in 1857 settled in Leavenworth, Kansas; not being satisfied, 
 he made a tour of the State, and finally settled in Wyandott in April, 1857. He 
 then opened out a small place and followed his trade, which was that of a baker. 
 This was the first bakery opened in Wyandott, and Mr. Kramer did consider- 
 able business, having the furnishing of the Indians with bread. He has followed 
 the bakery business since, and has to-day a large store on Minnesota avenue, 
 having a restaurant attached. In 1875 he was elected street commissioner of 
 Wyandott, holding office one term. He is also an active member of the I. 0. 0. 
 F. He was married to Miss Margaret Hartmann, in Wyandott, in 1861, she 
 being a native of Chicago, Illinois. The family consist of two children. They 
 are members of the Roman Catholic church of Wyandott. 
 
WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 725 
 
 N. McALPINE, 
 
 Speculator. Is a native of the " Emerald Isle," and was born near Belfast, April 5, 
 183S, and received his early education in this city. When quite a youth his 
 parents immigrated to the United States and settled at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, 
 where the subject of this sketch was employed as a messenger in the Savings 
 Bank & Trust Company, and afterward served seven years in the Exchange & 
 First National Bank, and received a through training in the routine of banking. 
 Desiring a more active business he emigrated westward, at the opening of Kansas 
 Territory joining his uncle, John Mc Alpine, (one of the founders of Wyandott), 
 in April, 1857. He and B. Washington built the first saw mill and flour mill in 
 Wyandott city. In 1866 he was elected city treasurer of Wyandott, and in 1867 
 county treasurer, and re-elected in 1871 and 1873, and was appointed by the 
 county commissioners to fill a vacancy, serving as treasurer of Wyandott county 
 , seven years, and has held other city offices. He was one of a party who dis- 
 |;||, covered the natural gas well and mineral waters since so celebrated for its cura- 
 tive qualities. He has manifested commendable public spirit in the growth and 
 prosperity of the town, and taken an active part in every public improvement. 
 He is a man of excellent character, and his official record is without a stain. He 
 married Miss Maria Walker, daughter of Joel Walker, in May, 1866. Their 
 family consist of two children : Robert and Jessie. 
 
 JOHN MACKENZIE, 
 
 Superintendent of Machinery in the Union Pacific shops. Was born in Scotland 
 on the 2 2d of September, 1844, and came to the United States with his parents 
 in 1846. They settled in New York City, where they resided until 1857. John 
 received an excellent education at the public schools of New York. In the fall of 
 1857 he removed with his parents to Memphis, Tennessee, and went to work, 
 learning the trade of a machinist. Here his parents resided until 1861, when 
 they removed to Nashville, and remained until the close of the war. At its close 
 they removed back to Memphis, and remained until 187 1. In 187 1 Mr. Mac- 
 kenzie went to Patterson, New Jersey, and became engaged with the Roger 
 Locomotive Works, where he stayed for four years. Then went to Hannibal, 
 Missouri, and remained one year. In August, 1876, he came to Wyandott and 
 took entire charge of the Kansas Pacific Railroad shops, (now Union Pacific,) as 
 superintendent of machinery, a position he holds at the present time. He is a 
 : member of the Masonic fraternity, is a Knight Templar, and also a member of 
 the Knights of Pythias. He married Miss Sarah Weber in 1867 ; she was born in 
 1850, and is a native of Tennessee. They have a family of six children : Annie, 
 Ellen, John, Robert, Mabel and Edward. 
 
 HENRY MACKIN, 
 
 Of the firm of Mackin & Joyce, undertakers. Was born in the State of New York, 
 in August, 1854. When six years of age he removed with his parents to Chicago, 
 ■where he remained six years attending school, receiving a good school educa- 
 tion. In 1868, he removed to Kansas City and attended school for a short time, 
 when he came to Wyandott, and continued his studies for three years. After 
 leaving school he went to teamhag, which business he carried on for nearly four 
 years, when he went to Denver, Colorado, and resumed it there. He remained 
 in Denver for some five years. Mr. ' Mackin has made five trips from Kansas 
 City to Denver, Colorado. He returned to Wyandott in the winter of 1880, and 
 in January, 1 881, he established, (in connection with J. W. Joyce), the under- 
 taking\business, opening at a large store on Minnesota avenue. He married 
 Miss Bridget Carmady, in May, 1879. She was born in 1855, and is a native of 
 Wisconsin. They are members of the Catholic Church. 
 
726 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 JACOB MAEGLY 
 
 Was born in Germany, in 182 1, and came to the United States in 1835, 
 settling in Cincinnati, Ohio. He started out in life there, working as a finisher 
 in the Novelty Works, remaining for fifteen years, and in 1850, went west and 
 settled in St. Joe, Mo. There he bought a farm and commenced improving it, 
 remaining four years, when he removed to Westport, Mo., andstayed one year, 
 as pastor of the German Methodist Church. The term allowed at this time by 
 the Missouri Conference was one year. He was then transferred to Brunswick, 
 Mo., where he remained two terms (two years), and was then sent to Morgan 
 county for two years. Thence to Leavenworth, Kansas, and under the Kansas 
 Conference, stayed two and a half years as minister of the German Methodist 
 Association. In the fall of 1861, Mr. M. came to Wyandott and bought a large 
 farm, and in 1872, removed to Morrison, Gassinett county, where he purchased 
 a large saw mill, and carried on the lumber business, shipping timber and lumber 
 to St. Louis, and also furnishing the Kansas Pacific Railroad with considerable 
 of its timber. He remained at this business until 1877, when he returned to 
 Wyandott, leased his farm and built a fine residence in the city and is at present 
 living a retired life. His farm consists of 200 acres, and is well cultivated. He 
 married Miss Margaret Klipper, in Cincinnati, in 1844. She is a native of. 
 Germany and came to the United States in 1838. They have had ten children, 
 seven of whom are living, and are also members and active workers of the Ger- 
 man Methodist Church. 
 
 DR. S. F. MATHER, 
 
 Druggist. Was born Sept. 4th, 18 11, and is a native of the " Green Mountain 
 State." When thirteen years of age he commenced clerking in a general mer- 
 chandise and drug store, and while there studied medicine under the proprietor, 
 who was a physician, and at the age of twenty became a partner in the store. 
 He afterward immigrated to Troy, New York, and engaged in the dry goods 
 business, remaining for twelve years, after which he removed to Michigan, and 
 embarked in the merchandise and drug trade. Eight years later he went to 
 Louisiana and commenced the practice of his profession; in 1858, came here 
 and engaged in the drug business which he has since followed, with the exception 
 of about two and a half years, when he partially retired. He is very prominent 
 with the people, and being a thorough student, commands a good business. He 
 married Miss Mary A. Reed, in 1837. She is a native of Chester, Massachusetts, 
 and was born in August, 181 7. They are members of the Congregational church 
 and he is a member of the Masonic frternity. 
 
 F. S. MERSTETTER, 
 
 Grocer. Was born in July, 1851, in Boonville, Mo., and was reared and edu- 
 cated there. In 1868, he came to Wyandott, learned the trade of brewer, and 
 worked at it for about four years. Thence to Cincinnati, where he spent eight 
 years at the same business and then retured to Wyandott, January ist, 1880. 
 He purchased the establishment which he now conducts and is doing well, and 
 has gained all by industry and integrity. He is a member of Humboldt Lodge, 
 of Cincinnati, the I. O. O. F. and was one of tl>e charter members of the Grand 
 Lodge of Brewers. He married Miss Mary Knapp, August 7th, 1878. She is 
 a native of Boonville, Mo., and was born in 1852. They have one child Tilly. 
 Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Catholic Church. 
 
 F. NOBLE f 
 
 Was born in Westchester county. New York, in September, 1849, and when an 
 infant, was taken by his parents to New York City. There he resided for five 
 years and then accompanied his father and mother to Leavenworth, Kansas, in 
 
WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 727 
 
 1856. In 1858, he came to Wyandott, and opened a tinware shop in 1869, re- 
 maining until 1 87 1, when he removed to Palestine, Texas. There engaged at his 
 trade with a railroad company, returned to Wyandott in the spring of 1879, and 
 opened the store he now operates, and is doing a good business. He is a mem- 
 ber of the Odd Fellows and the Knights of Pythias. He married Mrs. Josephine 
 Endel, in November, 1877. She is a native of Bloomington, Illinois, and was 
 borp in August, i860. 
 
 HIRAM M. NORTHRUP. 
 
 Few men in the present metropolis of the west have done as much for its 
 building and prosperity as the subject of this sketch. Coming here when it was 
 nothing but a hamlet, he has seen nearly its entire growth ; has been a part of it 
 in its hardships and prosperity, and is now numbered among the honored men of 
 the city. He was born at Olean, Cattaraugus county. New York, June 4, 1818. 
 His mother dying when he was two years of age, he was brought up by, and lived 
 with an auntuntil fourteen, when she died. He had received a good common school 
 education, and engaged in clerking in his native place until fifteen. At this early 
 age, he went to Pennsylvania, and taught a district school in McKean county, 
 and gave good satisfaction, having an attendance of sixty pupils. In 1835 he 
 rafted down the Ohio River to Cincinnati, where he was employed in a ship-yard, 
 remaining until the fall, when he joined his father in Alabama, who was in the 
 mercantile business. He was soon given the management of the store, and after- 
 ward a share, the firm being Northrup & Son. Soon after, becoming involved, 
 Hiram lost all he had accumulated. In 1844 he came to what was then Westport 
 Landing, nojv Kansas City, and formed a partnership for the purpose of trading 
 with the Indians in Texas and Mexico. While in that country, the Indians robbed 
 them of nearly all'their goods, and Mr. N. had a narrow escape for his life. He 
 returned to Westport, formed a partnership with E. P. Hart in the Indian trade, 
 went to St. Louis an entire stranger, and purchased $3,500 worth of goods on 
 credit, which were shipped here. 
 
 Mr. Hart seUing out, Mr. P. M. Chouteau purchased an interest, which he 
 held twelve months, and then disposed of it to Mr. N., he continuing it alone. 
 After a few seasons, a partnership was formed with two members of the Wyan- 
 dott Nation, and afterward with J. S. Chick, which soon controlled a large share 
 of the Santa Fe trade. - The first bill of goods sold wholesale in Kansas City was 
 sold by H. M. Northrup. His firm sold the first goods that went to Lawrence, 
 Topeka, Manhattan, and other western cities. Their trading posts were estab- 
 lished all over the Indian Territory, their sales amounting to over $300,000 an- 
 nually. . Mr. N. for many years was a member of the Wyandott tribe by adop- 
 tion, and always took a deep personal interest in their affairs, and a few years be- 
 fore the war, went to Washington as their agent, collecting $53,000 due them 
 from the Government. 
 
 In 1857, the firm of Northrup & Chick established the first bank west of 
 Lexington and south of the Missouri River, their house being the headquarters 
 for trade for the western country. 
 
 In order 10 establish a post office in Kansas City, Mr. N. and Mr. Wm. Chick 
 paid the carrier, and became responsible for the mails carried by him. The re- 
 ceipts for the first year, however, were sufficient to cover that expense. At 
 one time, when that place was worth nothing, they loaned the corporation 
 $60,000. Mr. N. built the first house on Main street, erected after the town was 
 laid out, and in 1847 built a log house on the corner of Main and Fourth. Pur- 
 chased other property at almost nothing, where now it is impossible to obtain. 
 He was made a president of the branch bank of the Union Bank of Missouri, of 
 St. Louis, which he resigned in i860. About this time Messrs. N. & Co. deter- 
 mined to move to New York City. Arrangements being made, the bank was es- 
 tablished on Nassau street, and afterward on Wall street. They met with pros- 
 
728 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 perity, and their business increased rapidly until the panic of 1873, when they 
 met with heavy losses, but in four months' time liquidated every claim against 
 them. While in New York, he was a director of the Hanover National 
 Bank, member of the Stock Exchange and Gold Exchange. Soon after, he 
 came to Wyandott, establishing the banking house of Northrup & Son, which 
 still continues, one of the most reliable houses of the west. November 27, 1845, 
 he was married to Margaret Clark, born on Wyandott Reserve, near Lower San- 
 dusky, Ohio, August 28, 1828. She was a most beautiful girl, and in any society 
 in which she has moved has always been a favorite. Their family consists of two 
 children now living : Milton C. and Andruss B. Two are deceased : Thomas C. 
 and McHenry. 
 
 NORTHRUP BROS., 
 
 Proprietors of the City Flouring Mills. The elder brother, John P., was born 
 May I, 1844, in Sussex county. New Jersey. Received a collegiate education, 
 and was almost brought up in the milling business. In May, 1861, he enlisted 
 in Co. B., 2d N. J. Vol. Infantry, and served for about three years, taking part 
 in the battles of Gaines Mills, Malvern Hill, Gettysburg and many others. At 
 the close of the war he resumed milling, and in 1878 came to Wyandott. His 
 marriage occurred January 9, 1870, to Miss Anna H. Bale, born in Sussex county, 
 N. J., in July, 1844. They have three children; Benjamin E., John F. and 
 Lottie F. 
 
 B. J. Northrup was born in Sussex county, N. J. , in July, 1849, ^^'^ there was 
 reared and attended school. He first engaged in the milling business and then in a 
 manufacturing establishment. In the fall of 1877 became to this, city and embarked 
 in his present business. In April, 1874, he married Miss Bessie Bale, born in New 
 Jersey in July, 1854. They have a family of two children : Freddie and Maggie. 
 Mrs. N. is a member of the Christian church. 
 
 Northrup Bros, took possession of this mill in April, 1878. Their machinery 
 is on the new process plan, and their manufacture meets with a ready sale. 
 
 ' CAPT. GEO. P. NELSON. 
 
 Was born in Pittsburg, Penn., October 14, 1817, andinhis youth learned the sad- 
 dlers trade. In 1853 he was elected sheriff of Wyandott county, Ohio, holding 
 the position until 1857, when he came west and settled at this place. He built 
 the first steamboat in the Territory, called the Kansas Valley, and ran her on the 
 Missouri and Kaw Rivers. She was the last boat to visit Topeka, Kansas. In 
 1863 this was sold and in 1864 he bought the Emma, which sank the same season 
 near Wayne City. Then he chartered boats and operated them on the Missouri 
 until 1870, when he was elected to the State Senate, being the only Democrat in 
 that body. Was elected a member of the City Council in 1867, and a member 
 of the School Board in 1875, and has been appointed city assessor some six dif- 
 ferent times. In 1870 he retired from active business life. Mr. Nelson belongs 
 to the I. O. O. F. fraternity. His marriage was March 17, 1840, to Miss Rebecca 
 Rogers, a native of Penn., born in April. 1814. They have a family of three 
 children : James, Isabella (now Mrs. J. B. Crews) and Emma (now Mrs. R. C. 
 Maply). Have lost two. 
 
 W. P. OVERTON, 
 
 Coal Operator. Was born September 22, 1826, in Jackson county. Mo., and spent 
 his boyhood days on a farm. In 1844 he took a trip to Texas, returned the same 
 year, and became a member of Co. A, First Missouri Mounted Volunteers, and served 
 with Gen. Wool in the Mexican War. At the close he engaged in the overland 
 trade to Mexico and California until 1855. Then came to Wyandott and en- 
 gaged in the saw mill business, afterward in the grocery business with D. Stone, 
 and commenced the coal business in the fall of 1880. He was one of the first 
 
WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 729 
 
 trustees in the county, has been a member of the city council, also of the county 
 boatd of commissioners. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, also of the 
 Knights of Pythias. He has been twice married. First, to Miss Mary J. Wales, at St. 
 Joe, in 1847. She died in 1852, leaving one child, Elizabeth (now Mrs. Hetrick 
 of Kansas City). He married again. Miss Sarah Barnett, in 1858. She is a 
 native of Mo., and was born in 1842. By this union they have seven children: 
 Maud, Jesse, Estella R., William R., Letitia D., George and Margaret. 
 
 H. C. PIERSON, 
 
 Agent of the Missouri Pacific and Kansas Pacific Railroads. Was born at Leb- 
 anon, Ohio, in August, 1848, and remained hving with his parents until 1861, 
 attending the Hillsboro Normal school. He then went to Olney, 111., and com- 
 menced to learn the art of telegraphy, remaining there two years. Removed 
 to Fort Hearth and remained a short time, and from there to Lexington, Ken- 
 tucky, where he was in the employ of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad. Still 
 continuing in their employ he went to East St. Louis, and accepted the position 
 of cashier of the road at that point. He came to Wyandott in July, 1879, and 
 on the 28th of the same month accepted a position as ticket, freight, and express 
 agent for the Missouri Pacific, and also the Kansas Pacific Railroads, at Wyan- 
 dott. He has made railroad telegraphing a specialty through life, and being well 
 educated, is capable of taking charge, not only of the telegraph offices of the 
 roads, but also of the ticket, freight and express offices. The companies are 
 aware of the kind of gentleman they have secured, therefore place their responsi- 
 ble positions in the hands of a reliable man. Mr. Pierson married Miss Kate E. 
 Voris, on the i6th of December, 1875, she having been born in May, 1856, and a 
 native of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have two children: Robert K. and Florence V. 
 He is a member of the Knight Templars, of Olney, Illinois, and also of Myrtle 
 Lodge No, I Knights of Pythias, of Wyandott. The family are members of the 
 Universalist church. 
 
 ,W. H. RYUS, 
 
 Of the firm of Drought & Ryus. Was born in July, 1841, in Monterey, New 
 York, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. H^came west in i860, and be- 
 came conductor of the Overland Mail service between Kansas City and Santa Fe, 
 New Mexico, remaining some three years in this capacity. Then became inter- 
 ested in the milling business in 1867, and continued it five or six years. Held 
 the position of deputy sheriff four years, and was then elected sheriff and served 
 four years. In February, 1880, he formed a partnership with E. S. W. Drought 
 in the contracting and real estate business. The aggregate of their business 
 transactions for the last year amounts to about $90,000. In December, 1880, 
 Mr. Ryus formed a partnership with Judd & Co., and started a planing manufac- 
 tory for sash, doors, bUnds, etc. He married Miss Sarah J. Loward in Novem- 
 ber, 1865. She is a native of Ohio, born in 1839. They have two children liv- 
 ing : Charles and Ida M. Lost one. He is a member of the Odd Fellows 
 Lodge. 
 
 THEODORE SCHULTZ, 
 
 Dealer in groceries and provisions. Was born in Germany in 1834, and came 
 to the United States in 1856 and settled in Chicago, Illinois, where he remained 
 until 1858. Then removed to Areola, Douglas county, and remained until 
 1861, when he enlisted in the 5Sth Illinois Infantry and served until 1865 ; he 
 was then honorably discharged. Mr. Schultz settled in Wyandott in 1 866, where he 
 established himself in the liquor business which he carried on for four years. In 
 1870 he made a trip to Germany, and on returning engaged with Mr. Ferdinand 
 Drees in the liquor business, which they carried on until 1874. In the fall of 
 1874 they sold out and established themselves in the grocery and provision busi- 
 
730 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 ngss, opening a large store on Minnesota avenue, which they carried on until 
 1879, when Mr. Drees retired from the firm and Mr. Schultz continued to carry 
 on the business at the old stand. His country products are brought to his store 
 every morning by his many country dealers, and to see the number of teams and 
 people about his place on mornings one can imagine the amount of business done 
 by him. He is an active member of Teutonia Lodge, No. 68, I. O. O. F. He 
 was married to Miss Nancy Corghill at Wyandott, in 1873. They have had five 
 children, two of whom are living. 
 
 ISAAC B. SHARP, 
 
 Lawyer. Was born in Ohio in January, 1836, and spent his boyhood days in 
 his native State, attending college at the Oberlin University, Oberlin, O. He 
 remained at college for four years and graduated in 1856, when he went to Fre- 
 mont and commenced reading law. Remaining for one year, he went to Cleve- 
 land and attended the Ohio State Union Law College, and in 1858 graduated at 
 that institution and was admitted to the bar. In January he went west and set- 
 tled in Wyandott, opening up an office for the practice of law, and it was not 
 long before his name was known far and near and his practice began to extend 
 throughout the State of Kansas. In i860, Mr. Sharp, although but young in the 
 county, was appointed by District Attorney Thomas P. Fellow, to be assistant dis- 
 trict attorney with office at Wyandott. He held this office until 1862, when he 
 was elected probate judge of Wyandott county, and in 1864 was re-elected. In 
 the fall of 1865 he was elected mayor, and re-elected in 1866. In the same fall 
 he was elected, by a handsome majority, state senator for a term of two years. 
 At the expiration of this term, he was again elected probate judge for two years 
 — and again in 1870, thus making eight years he has been probate judge. In 
 1868 he was also president of the Board of Education. At the close of his 
 official term as judge, he commenced the practice of law, opening an office on 
 Minnesota avenue. Mr. Sharp is an active member of Commandery No. i, 
 Knights Templar, of Leavenworth, and a. member of Wyandott Lodge No. 3, 
 of Masons. In 1875 he was Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Kansas. 
 He married MissMaria'A. Bennett, a native of Baltimore, Md., in i860. They 
 have three children: Anna I«, Emma B. and Clarence E. 
 
 D. T. SKELTON, 
 
 Was born November 15, 1822, in St. Charles county, Missouri, and during his 
 youth resided on a farm. In 1839 he came to western Missouri and engaged in 
 the saw milling business in 1846, at Weston. In 1855 he followed the saw 
 industry at Delaware, and in 1856 moved to Leavenworth, Kansas. There he 
 resumed his former occupation and afterward erected a large flouring mill, known 
 as the Leavenworth Mills. He started his first mill in, Wyandott in June, 1877, 
 and it has the capacity of sawing from six to ten thousand feet per day. He 
 married Miss Sarah J. Dean in 1874. She is a native of Kentucky, and was 
 born in June, 1828. They have one child, Medora (born July 5, 1877). They 
 lost one. Mr. and Mrs. Skelton are members of the Baptist church, and he has 
 belonged to the Masonic fraternity for some thirty years. 
 
 A. T. SHOLES, 
 
 Civil engineer. Was born in Green Bay, Brown county. Wis.,, in 1834, and spent 
 his boyhood days in that village and received excellent educational advantages. 
 He then entered the Lawrence University and commenced to study for a civil 
 engineer. In 1856 he came to Kansas and became engaged in the real estate 
 business, and in 1859 went to Colorado. At the breaking out of the war he re- 
 turned to Kansas and became a member of what was, at that time, known as the 
 "Red Leg Scouts," and afterward assisted in organizing the first colored regi- 
 
WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 731 
 
 ment of Kansas, which was the first colored regiment mustered in the United 
 States Army. He was elected captain of a company and accompanied the regi- 
 ment to the front and remained until the close of the war. After the war he be- 
 came engaged with a survey party then surveying the line of the Leavenworth, 
 Lawrence & Gulf Railroad, as civil engineer. Since that time he has been en- 
 gaged on various railroad surveys in this vicinity. Mr. Sholes is at present en- 
 gaged in the mining business in Colorado. He is an active member of the Odd 
 Fellows and Ancient Order of United Workmen, and also a member of the As- 
 sociation of Railroad Conductors. Was married to Miss L. F. Kirkbride in No- 
 vember, 1873. She was born in April, 1852, and is a native of Pekin, lUinois. 
 They have one child, Georgia. 
 
 FREDERICK SPECK, 
 
 Physician and surgeon. Was born November 24, 1818, at Carlisle, Cumberland 
 county, Penn., and at the age of twenty-five commenced the study of medicine. 
 He first attended the Maryland University, of Baltimore, and then the Franklin 
 Medical College, of Philadelphia, graduating therefrom, and receiving his diploma. 
 Then he commenced the practice of his profession at Fremont, Schuylkill county, 
 Penn., continuing for about four years and then removed to Union county. Six 
 years later, in 1857, he came to Wyandott, and there is now but one physician 
 in practice here, who then resided at this place. He was elected mayor of the 
 city and served one term, and also held the position of physician for the Blind 
 Asylum. His marriage was in 1848, to Miss A. M. Dennis, born in Philadelphia 
 in 1824. She died in 1881, leaving four children: Annie M., Mary C, Joseph 
 B. and Richard D., all are members of the Episcopal church. Dr. F. Speck is 
 a member of the A. F. and A. M., I. O. O. F. and K. of P. fraternities; has 
 held the positions in the I. O. O. F., of G. M. of the State in 1865, Grand Chief 
 Patriarch of the Grand Encampment, and Grand Representative. 
 
 B. L. STINE, 
 
 Was born on the 24th of April, 1846, in Juniata county, Penn., and spent his 
 boyhood days on a farm- with his parents, and received a good school education. 
 In 1863 he enlisted in Company D, 36th Pennsylvania Infantry, and served with 
 his company until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged ; was 
 with his regiment at the battle of the Wilderness, Mine Run, Beaver Dam, 
 Chancellor sviUe, Appomattox, and also at the surrender of Lee. The first year 
 he served as a private, and during the second was promoted to orderly sergeant, 
 and thence to first-lieutenant. At the close of the war he located in Ohio, and 
 engaged in the butchering business, where he remained for a period of five years: 
 then removed to Kansas, and stayed but a short time, when he went into Mis- 
 souri, and after about eighteen months, returned to Pennsylvania, and remained 
 for four years. In 1876 he again came to Kansas and located at Rosedale, where 
 he was offered and accepted a position as shipping clerk f6r the Kansas Rolling 
 Mill Coijipany. He at present resides at Rosedale, where he has a fine residence. 
 He has held the position of police judge and that of justice of the peace of his 
 township. In November, 1880, he was elected a member of the Kansas Legis- 
 lature from his district, and during the session just closed he has given the best 
 of satisfaction. He married Miss Edith R. Baird in December, 1871. She was 
 born on the loth of October, 1848, and is a native of Crawford county, Ohio. 
 He is an active member of the Masonic fraternity, and also of the Ancient Order 
 of Forresters. 
 
 DERRICK STONE, 
 
 Is a native of Hocking county, Ohio, and was born in December, 1826. He 
 spent his boyhood days on a farm arid attending school, and on becoming of age 
 he removed to Perrysburgh, Wood county, and engaged in the mercantile busi- 
 
732 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 ness. There he remained until the breaking out of the war, when he enhsted in 
 Co. A, looth Ohio Infantry, and-served until the close of the war, when he was 
 honorably discharged. During most of the time he served in the commissary 
 department, and was in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, Tennessee, and 
 several others, also with Sherman at Atlanta. He was at Washington, D. C, 
 when Lee surrendered, and also the night that Lincoln was assassinated, thus 
 witnessing two of Washington's most stirring times. At the close of the war he 
 came west and settled inWyandott and remained for a short time, when he went 
 to Pomeroy and engaged in the mercantile business. He built the first house 
 built at Pomeroy, and had his store there. At this time (1868) he held all the 
 offices of the town, such as postmaster, school director, ticket agent and railroad 
 agent. He remained there two years, when he returned to Wyandott and en- 
 gaged in the grocery business, which he continued to carry on until the fall of 
 1879, then he took Mr. W. C. Overton in as a partner, and in 1880 retired from 
 active life. Mr. Stone is an active member of Myrtle Lodge, Knights of Pythias. 
 He married Miss E. Jennie Ay res, a native of Ohio, in 1869. 
 
 J. C. STOUT, 
 
 Master Painter of the Union Pacific Shops. Was born on the nth day of April, 
 1 83 1, at Adrian, Mich. He was reared and educated there, and after finishing 
 his schooling he took up painting, at which he worked for some time. In 1857 
 he left Adrian and engaged at his trade in various places, including Litchfield, 
 Illinois, and New Albany, Indiana. He then spent a short time in Kentucky, 
 but, not liking the South, he returned and settled at Fort Wayne, Indiana, for a 
 few months. ' In 1862 he returned to his native city and became engaged as 
 master painter of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad, where he re- 
 mained for eight years. In the winter of 1869 he came to Wyandott and took 
 charge of the Kansas Pacific Railroad shops (now the Union Pacific) as master 
 painter. He is a thorough artist in his line, and is held in high esteem by the 
 company. Mr. Stout has assisted in building up Wyandott, and a few years ago 
 made a large addition to the city known as "Stout's Addition." He has held 
 several prominent positions of trust under the city government. He was a mem- 
 ber of the school board, and was elected city treasurer, and also treasurer of the 
 Board of Education. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has been 
 master of Wyandott Lodge No. 3 for the past two years. He married Miss 
 Martha Montgomery in 1862. She was born on the 13th of December, 1841, 
 and is a native of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. They have had two children, one 
 of whom is li.ving : Ralph. Mrs. S. is a member of the Congregational church. 
 
 J. S. STOCKTON, 
 
 Mayor of the city of Wyandott. Was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, May 31, 
 1828. He removed with his parents in a few years to Mt. Vernon, Ohio, where he 
 resided until 1850, receiving a thorough academic education in his early days. At 
 the age of 21 he commenced studying law with his father, J. C. Stoajcton, in 
 Mt. Vernon, and in 1850 emigrated to Ottawa, 111., where he contmued to 
 read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. In 1858 Mr. Stockton re- 
 moved west and settled in Wyandott, which was at that time a part of Leaven- 
 worth county, and continued to practice law. In i860 he was elected to the 
 office of city attorney, which he held until 1867. In 1870 he was elected mayor 
 of the city, and served three successive terms. In the spring of 1879 he was 
 elected to serve a two years term as mayor, which office he holds at the present 
 date, making five years that he has been mayor of Wyandott. His law practice 
 has extended throughout eastern Kansas and western Missouri. He has been prom- 
 inently identified with the interests of the county and State for several years, and 
 has taken a large interest in all its public affairs. He married Miss Mary E. 
 Batchelor in 1852, in Ottawa. She is a native of Cardiff, N. Y., born in 1829, 
 
WYANDOTT, KANSAS. 733 
 
 and was educated at Cazenovia, N. Y. They have had four children, three of 
 whom are living : Minnie (wife of J. H. Huddleson, who is a prominent railroad 
 man, connected with the Oregon River and Navigation Company of Oregon), 
 Richard and Manley. In 1872, death removed one of their family, John. The 
 family have been active members and workers of the Congregational church since 
 their settlement in Wyandott. , 
 
 GEORGE STUMPF, 
 
 Hardware dealer. Was born in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany, in 1850, and when 
 but six years of age came to this country with his parents, they settling at St. 
 Louis. Here George spent his boyhood days, and through his own exertion and 
 self-application, received a fair school education. In 1870 he came west, looking for 
 a place to settle, and in passing through the State of Kansas, settled at Wyandott. 
 He then engaged in the manufacture of tinware, which he carried on until 1872, 
 when he commenced in business for himself, opening out a large store on Minne- 
 sota avenue, and by close attention to business, made a good start in the world. 
 His store to-day has increased to double the size of his former one, and is stocked 
 with all things pertaining to the hardware business. He came to Wyandott with- 
 out the first cent in his pocket, and has to-day the largest store and the best stock 
 of goods in the county, as also a surplus of $15,000 in the bank. He married 
 Miss Rowena E. Galbraith, in October, 1873. She is a native of Illinois, and was 
 born in July, 1858. They have had two children, one of whom is living : Ada 
 May. The family are members of the Congregational church. 
 
 JOSEPH TOWNSEND. 
 
 Was born in Warwickshire, England, November isth, 1825, and when about 
 eight years of age, was brought by his parents to America, they settling at Utica, 
 New York. He was there reared and educated, and on the 18th of December, 
 1847, was married in that city to Miss Amy Wratten, a native of England, born 
 in county Kent, November j6th, 1825. They settled at Oneida, New York, 
 remaining about five or six years, and then removed to Adrian, Michigan. From 
 there they went to Chicago, and thence to Racine, Wisconsin, where he lived 
 until he came to Wyandott, in 1863. He has been engaged in the railroad busi- 
 ness all his life, and is now master car builder on the Chicago & Alton Railroad. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Townsend have had six children, four of whom are living : James 
 A., Libbie J., (now Mrs. L. W. Barnard), Frankie F., and Julia M., (now Mrs. 
 H. McGrew). He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and his son James 
 belongs to that fraternity. 
 
 AUGUST WOLTER, 
 
 Proprietor of Welter's meat market. Was born in Germany, in March, 1825. He 
 spent his boyhood days in Germany and learned the carpenter trade, which he 
 followed until 1849, when he came to the United States. Then went west and 
 settled at St. Louis, where he followed his trade and remained one year. In 1850 
 he removed to Arrow Rock, Saline county. Mo., and engaged in the furniture 
 business, and in 1856 returned to St. Louis and established himself in the mercan- 
 tile trade. In 1857 he came to Wyandott, the city at that time containing but 
 two houses, and became engaged in various pursuits. In 1868 he started a meat 
 market, and has since that time continued in the same business. His shop is large 
 and his stock is what the Wyandott citizens term Ai. During the late war Mr. 
 Wolter raised a company of volunteers, but was taken sick soon after and was 
 unable to take command. He married Miss Elizabeth Colhaf in 1852. She is a 
 native of Germany and was born in 1834. They have had seven children, six of 
 whom are living : Ellis, William, Hermann, Matilda, Minnieand Ada. Mr. W. 
 is one of the oldest Odd Fellows in Kansas, having become a member in 1851. 
 Mrs. W. is a member of the Catholic church while her husband is a Presbyterian. 
 
734 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 KANSAS CITY. 
 
 WASHINGTON ADAMS, 
 
 Attorney at law. The subject of this sketch was born in Boonville, Cooper 
 county, Missouri, April i6, 1849, and attended the preparatory school of F. T. 
 Kemper, brother of ex-Governor of Virginia. He entered the University of 
 Charlottsville, Virginia, and commenced the study of law at that place, in 1867, 
 continuing the same with Judge Adams his uncle, and one of the supreme judges 
 of the State. Mr. W. Adams came to Kansas City in the summer of 1870, and 
 has been a resident ever since. In 1875 ^^.s elected City Attorney, and in 1876 
 was re-elected to the same ofifice. During the spring of 1880, he was appointed 
 by the Mayor, City Counselor, which ofifice he holds at the present time. He 
 married Miss Ella B. Lincoln, on the sthday of June, 1877. She is a daughter 
 of John K. Lincoln of Plattsburg, Clinton county. Mo., and is a native of Ken- 
 tucky, but principally reared in this State. Mr. Adams, although quite young is 
 an active and successful attorney. .,_i:i, 
 
 JACOB ADDISON, ;,«^ 
 
 Of the firm of Addison & Dennis. Was born in Hamilton county, Ohio, on the 
 Little Miami River, thirteen miles from Cincinnati, May 7, 1829. There resid- 
 ed with his parents until about seven years of age, then accompanying them to 
 Illinois. The grandfather of our subject was one of the first settlers in Cincinnati, 
 where he worked at the shoemaker's tride. The father of Mr. Addison was also 
 a very early settler of Illinois, moving there even before the city of Chicago had a 
 single house. Jacob was reared on a farm and received his education in such 
 schools as the State at that time supported, far inferior to the ones of the present 
 day. In 1850 he became engaged in the mercantile business at St. Francisville, 
 Illinois, where he continued for three years and then resumed farming. This he fol- 
 lowed until he sold out and went to Kansas in 1870, settling in Montgomery 
 county, and for six years was employed in tilling the soil. Thence to Indepen- 
 dence, same State, commenced in the book and stationery business. Thirteen 
 months later he took up fruit growing and gardening, and after about two yean 
 his health failed. In the summer of 1880, he went to the mountains, travehng a 
 short time in the Gunnison country and upon his return engaged in his present 
 business in Kansas City, Kansas. On the 17th of November, the partnership was 
 formed with Mr. Dennis. His first marriage was in 1850; his wife died in 1863 
 leaving three children : Dora, George and Annis. Was married a second time to 
 Mrs. L. Ramsey, in 1864. Their family consists of Margaret and Mary A. Mr. 
 and Mrs. A. are members of the M. E. church. 
 
 J. W. AIKEN, 
 
 Dentist. Was born November 7, 1849, and is a native of this county, where he 
 was reared and educated. After leaving school he commenced to learn the den- 
 tal profession with Drs. Tindall and Stark, and in 1871 removed to Independence. 
 He was there engaged in practicing until 1879, when he returned to Kansas City 
 and is here located, in business, his residence being at Westport. Being a skillful 
 workman, he has built up a successful patronage. His marriage was in Colorado 
 October 6, 1874, to Miss Celestia Houck. They have three children — Samuel 
 W., Thomas H. and Lottie C. 
 
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI. 735 
 
 W. A. ALDERSON, 
 
 Of the firm of Alderson & Young, attorneys at law. Was born in St. Charles, 
 Missouri, October i, 1856. His father is B. A. Alderson, a native of Hartford 
 county, Maryland, and his mother, Mary L. Baker, a native of Rappahannock 
 county, Virginia. His father is by profession a civil engineer, and was one of the 
 engineers-in-chief in the construction of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and en- 
 gaged for many years on the Mississippi levees, and construction of railroads in 
 the south and west. His mother was of the family of Gambles, of Virginia, be- 
 ing a niece of Judge Hamilton B. Gamble, of Missouri. Both are still living in 
 St. Charles (where they were married in 1850), at the ages of seventy and sixty 
 years respectively, W. A. Alderson received his primary education at St. 
 Charles, Missouri. He graduated at West Nottingham Academy, Cecil- county, 
 Maryland, in 1874, and the same year entered Lafayette College, where he re- 
 mained two years. In 1876 he accepted a position in the government lake sur- 
 vey party; returned to St. Charles the same year, commenced teaching and study- 
 ing law under T. F. McDearmon, and was admitted to the bar in 1878, on his 22d 
 birthday. He came immediately to Kansas City, entered into copartnership with 
 Ed. L. Scarritt for one year, and in March, 1880, formed a copartnership with 
 Albert Young, which still exists. 
 
 L. C. ALEXANDER, 
 
 Proprietor of the St. James Hotel. Is a native of Missouri, and was born near St. 
 Louis, May 28, 1841. He is the son of B. W. Alexander and Octavia Orrae. 
 His mother died in 1880, but his father is still living in St. Louis. He is a des- 
 cendant of two very old families. His ancestors on his mother's side came to 
 America with Lord Baltimore, and his great grandfather on his father's side went 
 ^to Kentucky with Daniel Boone, and was one of the pioneer settlers of that 
 State. Linden attended the public schools of St. Louis until he was sixteen, and 
 when seventeen he went into the store of W. L. Ewing & Co., wholesale grocers, 
 and was with them for three years, acquiring a knowledge of mercantile business. 
 Leaving tliera in 1861, he went to Denver, Colorado, and was employed in the 
 wholesale grocery house of Bast, Alexander & Co., being the representative of 
 his father in the concern. Returning to St. Louis in 1863, he embarked in busi- 
 ness for himself, and became one of the firm of W. S. Gregory & Co. , which 
 afterward, in 1864, changed to Threlkeld & Co., he still remaining as one of the 
 firm until 1865. In 1866 he became connected with his father in the mercantile 
 business, under the firm name of B. W. Alexander & Son, they dissolving in 
 1872, when he came to Kansas City with his father-in-law. They beca.me the 
 proprietors of the Pacific Hotel, which they kept until 1873, when they purchased 
 the St. James Hotel, which they kept until 1877, when Colonel Bruce retired, 
 leaving Mr. Alexander sole proprietor. The St. James is the leading ^commercial 
 hotel in the city, being supplied with all the modern hotel improvements. Decem- 
 ber 7, 1869, he married Miss Nannie Bruce, daughter of Colonel H. Bruce, at 
 that time of New York City, but now proprietor of the Brevoort House of Kan- 
 sas City. They have two children living : Linden C. (born in St. Louis, May 8, 
 1872,) and Pauline (born in Kansas City, October 23, 1878). 
 
 F. R. ALLEN, 
 
 Supervisor of Work House. Was born in Ohio, April 10, 1825, and resided there 
 until nineteen years of age, when he removed to Kentucky. There remained 
 until 185 1, when he came to this county, and after a time moved to Pleasant Hill, 
 making it his home for twelve years. From that place he came to Kansas City, 
 in April, 1879, ^i^d was appointed to the office which he is now filling. His 
 marriage was on the 13th of January, 1849, to Miss May Williams, of Danville, 
 
736 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Kentucky. Their family consists of two children : Pearley, (now Mrs. Ward, of 
 this city), and William H. 
 
 JAMES ANDERSON. 
 
 Was born in the city of Columbia, Adair county, Kentucky, July 6th, 1817. 
 Immigrated to Illinois 1831, locating in Macomb, where he resided until 1844, 
 and then removed to Dubuque, Iowa, living here until 1851. He returned 
 to Macomb, Illinois, his former home, and engaged in the lumber trade, which 
 he followed until 1865. Then sold out his business and moved to Andrew 
 county, Missouri, where he engaged in the lumber business and continued to 
 follow this until the fall of 1872, when he came to Kansas City. Shortly after 
 arriving in this city he embarked in the lumber trade, and has established a large 
 and lucrative business, and has the confidence and esteem of the trading public 
 generally. He married Miss Julia Rutherford, of Greenville, Bond county, Illinois, 
 in October, 1836, a lady of refined tastes and fine domestic habits. The union 
 has been blessed by eight children : William H., Mary E., John E., Martha M., 
 James R. , Emma M., Jennie H., and Sarah H. 
 
 S. H. ANDERSON, 
 
 Dentist. Was born in Syracuse, N. Y. , February 17, 1823, and received the rudi- 
 ments of his education in the common school of Syracuse, completing it in the 
 Academic Institute of Onondaga, N. Y. In 1845 he began the study of medicine 
 under Dr. Brewster, of Onondaga, studying with him some time, when he took 
 up the study of dentistry under Dr. C. C. Chandler, of Syracuse'. He opened 
 his first dental rooms in Hannibal, Mo., in 1847, where he practiced until 1879, 
 when he came to Kansas City ; here he has an extensive practice. Mr. Anderson 
 is one of the first, if not the first dentist, who introduced whole sets of teeth in- 
 serted on suction plate in the State of Missouri. He was also a member and once 
 vice-president of the first dental association formed in the Mississippi Valley. He 
 was at one time proprietor of a flouring mill at Hannibal, and extensively engaged 
 in manufacturing flour for foreign markets. Has been twice married. His first 
 wife was Miss Maria J., daughter of Aaron G. Gano, of Hannibal, Mo., whom 
 he married in 1851 and who died in 1852. He married his second wife, Miss 
 Anna M., daughter of Thomas H. Tatlow, of Palmyra, Mo., in 1856. By her 
 he has two children : Harry F. and Russell V. 
 
 O. T. ANGELL, 
 
 Real estate dealer and insurance agent. Was born in Windham county. Conn., 
 August 31, 1828, and there resided until 1850, when he moved to Western New 
 York. One year later went to Pennsylvania and there engaged in the drug trade for 
 four years. While young he had been employed in a cotton mill and worked in it un- 
 til 1850. In 1858 he moved from Pennsylvania to Kansas, and settled in Topeka, 
 and afterward spent his time in farming in Shawnee county. This was continued 
 for about seven years, when he removed to St. Joseph, Mo., and engaged in the 
 practice of medicine, having previously followed it in Kansas. For two years he fol- 
 lowed the drug trade, returned to Pennsylvania and continued it until 1878. Again 
 came to Kansas and engaged in the real estate business, which he has continued 
 ever since, in Kansas City, Kansas. He has by industry and fair dealing suc- 
 ceeded in building up a fine business. He was married in 1846 to Miss C. S. 
 Clark, by whom he has had one child, now deceased. He is a Royal Arch 
 Mason. 
 
 GEORGE W. ANTHONY, 
 
 Is another of the very oldest settlers of Kansas City. Upon his first coming here 
 the city site was a wilderness, and he has killed wild turkeys and deer where now 
 is one busy scene of trafiic and the hurly-burly of business greets the ear. He was 
 
KANSAS CITY. 737 
 
 born in Colunibia, Mo., in 1828. His parents came to Jackson county in 1847 
 and settled five miles east of Kansas City, on what is now the Independence 
 road, where he lived with them and worked at brick laying with his father until 
 the spring of 1850, when he went to California and mined until 1859. Returning 
 that year to Jackson county he has here resided ever since, and has been and 
 now is a contractor in brick laying. During the late war he served three years 
 in the Confederate service under General Price. In 1863 he married Miss Ann 
 Hume, who was born and reared in Boone county, Missouri. They have six chil- 
 dren : Florence, Bettie, George Lee, Robert G. , Oliver and Lilly May. 
 
 D. AUSTIN, 
 
 Of the firm of D. Austin & Co., jobbers of pumps, pipe, belting, etc. Is a 
 native of Skancateles, Onondaga county. New York, born the 14th of.September, 
 1826. He was reared on a farm and received an academic education. On the 
 23d of March, 1849, he was united in marriage with Miss Mariette Hatch, of 
 Owasco, Cayuga county. New York. Mr. Austin was engaged in farming in his 
 native place until the spring of 1872, when on account of poor health he was 
 compelled to change climate. Then commenced a mercantile business in Kansas 
 City, whither he moved his family in the spring of 1875. Here they now reside 
 and expect to remain. Mr. and Mrs. Austin have seven children : Frank H. (of 
 Colorado Springs), Fred. C. (of Chicago), James B., C. W., D., Jr., M. Estelle 
 and Anna, at home. 
 
 FRANK J. BAIRD, 
 
 Attorney and dealer in real estate. Was born in Brown county, Ohio, May 14, 
 1838, remaining their until nine years of age, when with his parents he removed 
 to Putnam county, Illinois, settling on a farm with his father in 1847. The latter 
 was a non-commissioned officer in the war of 1812, and served through the cam- 
 paign. Our subject was educated at the University of Michigan, graduating in 
 the law class of 1865. Then came to Kansas City, Mo., engaged in the practice 
 of his profession, but on account of failing health, and feeling confident of the 
 future of this city, he became engaged in the real estate business. This he has 
 since followed with marked success. During the late war Mr. Baird was a lieu- 
 tenant in the 138th Illinois Infantry. 
 
 O. P. W. BAILEY, 
 
 Judge of the Probate Court. The subject of this sketch stands prominent among 
 the influential men of this city, and has gained for himself a wide and honorable 
 reputation. He was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, where he lived' and re- 
 ceived a liberal education. Arriving at the age of seventeen years he removed with 
 his parents to Jackson county, Missouri, in 1852, and here accepted a position 
 in the clerk's office, holding it for a term of one year. After this he was ap- 
 pointed United States Deputy Marshal for the western district of Missouri, which 
 office he held for a period of two years. In 1858, he was elected to the office of 
 county treasurer, filling it two years when he resigned, and at the death of the 
 acting sheriff .was appointed to fill the unexpired term, holding the office until 
 • 1862. Then he resigned and went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He returned 
 to his former home and in 1866 was elected to the office of sheriff, which he 
 held for two terms of two years each, and in the fall of 1880 was elected judge 
 of the probate court, of Jackson county, which office he now holds. On the 
 20th day of April 1859, he was married to Miss Frances A. Hall, of Pittsburg, 
 Pennsylvania. Their family consists of three children : Fanny A., Ella H. and 
 Charley H. 
 
738 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 PETER BAKER, 
 
 Homeopathic physician. Was born in Baltimore, Maryland, April 6th, 1818 
 where he was educated. He began the study of medicine in 1841, and in 1844 
 went to Memphis, Tenn., where he practiced medicine six or seven years. He 
 removed to Warsaw, 111., in 1854, and engaged in the mercantile business until 
 1 86 1, when he again resumed the study and practice of his profession, and in 
 1863 graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago. After gradu- 
 ating, he went to White Water, Wisconsin, but left this place in 1 864 and went to 
 Monmouth, III, where he settled and practiced until the spring of 1868. In the 
 fall of 1867 he met with a severe accident, being thrown from his buggy, dislo- 
 cating his ankle and fracturing his leg. He being the only homeopathic physician 
 in the place, his services were in demand, and he was called on before being fully 
 recovered. 'He imprudently went and attended to the case, which exposure 
 caused the erysipelas to set in. To get rest and opportunity to recover, he made 
 a trip to Kansas City; and while there was so favorably impressed with the future 
 progress and growth of the place, that he concluded to permanently locate in 
 the city. He left a large city and country practice at Monmouth for an exclusive 
 city practice at a smaller place. In his anticipation of the growth of Kansas 
 City and extensive practice, he has not been disappointed. He is the oldest es- 
 tablished homeopathic physician in the city and has a very large practice. De- 
 cember 24th, 1845, he married Miss Rebecca A. Wiley, of Memphis, Tenn., by 
 whom he has two children: Charles E., (a farmer, near Wyandott,) and Myra, (wife 
 of W. E. Winner, of Kansas City). Himself and wife are members of the Uni- 
 tarian Church. He was at one time the president of the Kansas City Homeo- 
 pathic Medical Society, and is a member of the Western institute of Homeopathy, 
 and of the Western Academy of Homeopathy. 
 
 B. J. BAKER, 
 
 Tin and sheet-iron works. Was born in London, July 28, 1846, and was there 
 reared and educated. When fifteen and a half years old he commenced serving 
 an apprenticeship to the trade of tin and sheet-iron worker, continuing until 
 twenty-one. He was engaged in working in London for two years and then com- 
 menced traveling through Europe, following his occupation in different cities. 
 Soon afterward he came to America, landing in New York, where he remained 
 but a short time, then coming to St. Louis. For six months was employed in 
 different shops in that city and succeeded in saving some money, which he in- 
 vested in a team and a wagon and commenced traveling throughout Iowa and 
 northern Missouri. This he followed for several years, principally along the lines 
 of railroads. During our severe winter he made headquarters at Des Moines, 
 and at another time at Ames, in Story county. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Baker 
 arrived in Kansas City, purchased a set of tinner's tools and opened a shop in the 
 eastern part of the city, which he still operates. He has worked up a large trade 
 in his line and devotes himself earnestly and faithfully to his work. 
 
 H. E. BARKER, 
 Proprietor of Eastern Marble Works. Was born in Richmond, Province of 
 Quebec, Canada, October 6, 1856, and there was reared. Received his educa- 
 tion partly in the schools of that city and afterward attended the High school in 
 Montreal. When sixteen years of age he apprenticed himself to learn the trade 
 of marble cutter, with Mr. G. Z. Hill, serving under him for three years. Then 
 went to Montreal, worked at his trade there one year and then came to Kansas 
 City, being employed under J. P. Daley for three years. In 1880 he started in 
 business for himself and is very successful, having few equals. He is a fine work- 
 man, and at the State Fair of Missouri in 1879, received the first specimen for the 
 best specimen of marble work. Though but a young man he has built up a fine 
 
KANSAS CITY. 739 
 
 trade and has constantly orders ahead. He is a member of the Odd Fellows 
 and a zealous worker in the cause of temperance. 
 
 M. H. BARTLETT, 
 
 Livery-man. Was born in Jefferson county, New York, in 1825, and resided there 
 until he reached his majority. His early education was received in the common 
 schools of his neighborhood, after which he removed to Illinois in 1854. While liv- 
 ing in Troy, N. Y., he learned the trade of carriage trimmer, and was there mar- 
 ried in 1 84 1 to Miss Eliza Burns of that place. Mr. Bartlett remained in Illinois 
 for two years and in 1857 came to Kansas City, soon after engaging in the car- 
 riage business. Afterward commenced the grocery business, and soon embarked in 
 his present business, in which he has been successful. While a resident of Liberty, 
 Clay county, Mo., our subject was appointed to the office of deputy sheriff, hold- 
 ing it for two years and held the same office here. They have had two children. 
 
 W. R. BERNARD, 
 
 Abstract and real estate dealer. Was born in Augusta county, Virginia, Decem- 
 ber 8, 1823, and came with his parents to Missouri in 1839, settling in Callaway 
 county. There he lived with them until 1844. He received his education in the 
 common schools of Virginia and Missouri, and studied geological surveying by 
 field practice in the summer season, and was instructed by Dr. C. T. Jackson, of 
 Boston, and C. C. Douglas, of Detroit, during the winter months. In 1844 he 
 went to the copper regions in the northern peninsula of Michigan as second 
 assistant of the United States geological survey, and in 1846 and 1847 was em- 
 ployed by the Boston Mining Company. In the summer of 1847 he came to 
 Jackson county and settled at Westport in the fall of that year, and engaged in 
 geoeral mercantile business with Alberg G. Boone, the nam? of the firm being 
 Boone & Bernard. Their sales were confined mostly to the Indian traders of the 
 border and Rocky Mountains and New Mexico. In the spring of 1848 the firm 
 of Boone & Bernard received the first large consignment of New Mexican goods, 
 it being to Messervy & Webb, of Santa Fe, requiring sixty-three wagons drawn 
 by six yoke of cattle each, and taking six months to make the round trip. By 
 their promptness and business management they induced many heavy Mexican 
 traders to ship through them, the most important being Jose Chavis, Manuel Ar- 
 raijo and the Pereas, and these were soon followed by the great overland traveler 
 F. X. Aubry, a freighter and trader. In 1853 Mr. Boone having retired from the 
 firm, Col. Charles E. Kearney became connected with Mr. Bernard, and the firm 
 was changed to Kearney & Bernard, and they extended their trade to Chihuahua 
 and Sonora, Mexico. In 1856 Col. Kearney retired, when a brother, J. Ber- 
 nard, of Baltimore, became connected with him. The business had so increased 
 that their sales amounted to $250,000 yearly. In i860 their books show that they 
 hadoutfitted and started for other parties to Mexico and beyond, 2 r,ooo freighting 
 wagons, called prairie schooners. By the breaking out of the war in 186 1 the 
 trade was destroyed, and they were obliged to close their freighting and commis- 
 sion business. During the war and up to 1873 he was engaged in overland 
 transportation, transporting army camps and Indian supplies for the Government 
 to Fort Union, in New Mexico, and to Forts Doragi, Sill and Laramie, and from 
 then until 1879 he mined in Colorado, and was also interested in mines in Joplin, 
 Missouri. He still resides in Westport on the grounds from which he cut the 
 hazel brush in 1850. He established himself in the abstract business in Kansas 
 City in 1879. I" 1^65 he organized the private bank of Bernard & Mastin, of 
 Kansas City, which afterward became the Mastin Bank, he retiring in 1867. 
 He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Margaret Buckner, daughter 
 of Col. Robert R. Buckner, of Callaway county, Missouri, whom he married in 
 1850, and who died the following year. He married his second wife. Miss Susan 
 Harris, of Westport, in 1853, by whom he has two daughters: Nettie, born 
 
740 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 May 15th, 1861, and Annie E., born June 7th, 1868. Himself and wife are 
 Presbyterians, and members of Dr. Madeira's church of Kansas City. 
 
 JOHN BAUERLEIN, 
 
 Was born in Hollfield, Bavaria, July 10, 1828, and when nineteen he came with 
 his parents to the United States, landing in Baltimore in July, 1847. After a visit 
 with friends in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, they went to St. Louis, Missouri, and 
 settled. He received only an elementary education in the old country, and after 
 arriving at St. Louis attended the St. Mary's Seminary, at Barnes, in order to fa- 
 miharize himself with the English language. Also served an apprenticeship at 
 boot and shoe making. October 20, 1853, he married Miss Barbara Friederitze, 
 of St. Louis, and in March, 1854, he came to Kansas City and established him- 
 self in the boot and shoe business, opening his shop on the levee in a building 
 near where the Gillis house now stands. Two years after he removed to the 
 corner of Main and Fifth streets, which he purchased and improved, where 
 Hammerslough's clothing house now is. Selling that place in May, 1857, he 
 bought on the corner of Sixth street and Grand avenue, where he lived and carried 
 on the grocery business from 1869 to 1880. He has been successful in business 
 in Kansas City, and is now enjoying the fruits of his industry and thrift. Has a 
 neat residence on Harrison street in the midst of an interesting family : James 
 (an engraver, with Cady & Olmstead, with whom he has been eight years), Frank 
 (attending college at Columbia, Missouri), Louis (clerk and collector in Whipple, 
 Cowherd & Co.'s bank), and Anna. 
 
 WILLIAM F. BAYNE. 
 
 Was born in Roanoke county, Virginia, in 1816, and when very small was taken by 
 his father to Louisville, Kentucky. There he was reared, his educational advantages 
 having been such as could be obtained from the common country schools. In 1843 
 he removed to Kansas City, Missouri, being among the earliest settlers of the 
 county, and has made his home hereabouts since that time. After arriving he 
 engaged in farming, and continued to follow it until a few years ago. Since that 
 time he has been engaged in contracting for the city and private individuals. 
 Mr. Bayne was married in January, 1844, to Miss Lucy M. Hudgens, a native 
 of Cumberland county, Virginia, born in May, 181 8. They have two children 
 living : Lucy C. and Julia A. Two are deceased : Mary J. and James D. 
 
 A. E. BEGGS, 
 
 Buyer for Plankinton & Armours. Was born in Morgan county, 111., April 14, 
 1846, and was there reared and educated in the common schools. In 1863 he 
 entered the Western University, of Bloomington, 111., graduating June 21, 1867. 
 While in his native county, was engaged in the stock business, principally feed- 
 ing. October 9, 187 1, he came to Kansas City, where he has since been engaged 
 in the live stock trade, except the winter of 1876-7, which he spent in St. Louis 
 and Chicago. Was married to Mrs. Maggie G. Scott (Gentry), of Boyle county, 
 Kentucky. 
 
 VALENTINE BICKING, 
 
 Merchant tailor. Was born in the Province of Nassua, Prussia, February 14,1833. 
 When thirteen years of age he went to the city of Maintz, where he learned his 
 trade of tailoring, and where he remained until he was nineteen, when he came 
 to the United States, arriving in New Orleans on Christmas day of 1851. Shortly 
 after he went to Indianola, Texas, and from there to San Antonia, by ox team, 
 in company with friends who came with him from Prussia; there engaged in his 
 business as a tailor, remaining until 1853, when he returned to New Orleans. He 
 worked at his trade in that city and afterward in Louisville, Ky. , Florence, Ala., 
 Tuscumbia and Pocahontas, Miss., and Memphis, Tenn. , until 1855, when he 
 
KANSAS CITY. 741 
 
 went to Philadelphia and worked until 1863; then came to Kansas City, and 
 was employed as foreman in the tailoring department of Louis Hammerslough's 
 house, being with him until 1867, when he established himself in his present 
 business, which compels him to employ twenty-iive hands. In 1858 he mar- 
 ried Miss Jane Crogan, of Philadelphia; she died April 10, 1880. 
 
 J. A. BENT, 
 
 Attorney at law. Was born in West Virginia, July 15, 1853, and there was 
 reared and attended school until fifteen years old. At this early age he started 
 in business for himself and since then has been his own support. About 1868 he 
 came to Kansas, and took charge of a farm for his brother, and two years after- 
 ward entered the academy at Topeka. After completing his education there, he 
 entered college, and remained therein two years. At the age of twenty-two com- 
 menced the study of law with Crumrine & Vance, of Topeka, with whom he 
 remained one year and then moved to Atchison ; continued there for one year, 
 and on account of some business matters in the east, went there and was for 
 some time unsettled. He returned to Kansas and afterward engaged in the law 
 business in this city. Mr. Bent is quite notably connected, being a ■ cousin of 
 Hon. E. B. Washburne, of Ilhnois, and also of "Stonewall " Jackson. His grand- 
 father was a soldier in the Revolutionary war, having been with Washington at 
 the battle of Valley Forge. Two of Mr. Bent's brothers were killed while in the 
 Confederate army at the Seven Days' fight at Richmond. 
 
 MRS. MATTJE A. BINGHAM, 
 
 Nee Livingston. Is a native of Kentucky, and was born near Frankfort, in 
 January, 1824. Being deprived of her parents by death when she was only three 
 years old, she was taken and reared by her grandmother. She received her ele- 
 mentary education in the schools of Frankfort, completing it at Shelbyville, 
 Kentucky. She left the latter place when sixteen, and Uved with a married 
 sister, Mrs. Thomas J. Hughes, of Jefferson City, Missouri, and afterward lived 
 alternately with her and another married sister, Mrs. W. W. Owen, of Shelby- 
 ville, until 1847. Then she went with Mrs. Hughes to Lexington, Missouri, and 
 soon after opened a private school for young ladies and taught until 1850. On 
 October 12th, 1851, she was married to Dr. Johnston Lykins, and after spending 
 the winter in Washington, D. C. , she came with her husband to Kansas City, 
 where they made their home. Here she was the companion of her husband, a 
 devoted noble wife, even assisting him to relieve destitute and suffering humanity. 
 His death occurred in 1876. When she was fourteen she became a member of 
 the Baptist church, and she and her husband were two of the original eight 
 members who organized the first Baptist church of Kansas City. June :J4th, 
 1878, she was married to her second husband, Gen. George C. Bingham, who 
 was at the time filling the chair of Fine Arts in the State University, at Columbia. 
 He died July 7th, 1879. In the late war she favored the Confederate cause, and 
 was not sparing in her energy or means to alleviate the wants and sufferings of 
 Confederate widows and orphans at its close. She, aided by many noble ladies, 
 founded the Widows' and Orphans' Home, located at Kansas City, and which af- 
 terward became the Industrial Home and School for the orphans and indigent chil- 
 dren of the State of Missouri. She served as president from 1866 until 1880, 
 when, declining to act longer was elected treasuress. In 1877, after the society 
 had donated the building and grounds to the State, it became a State institute, by 
 an act passed in the Legislature, in 1874; but the State seemingly not appreciat- 
 ing its beneficence, let it revert back to the society. Mrs. Bingham, prompted 
 by a benevolent spirit, instituted a boarding school for young ladies, and all the 
 proceeds over contingent expenses were devoted to the support and education of 
 orphans remaining in the Home, being five in all, the others being returned to 
 the counties from whence they came, or were sent to homes found for them. She 
 
742 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 acted as principal until her marriage with Gen. Bingham, when she left Kansas 
 City to live in Columbia, Missouri. 
 
 M. A. BOGIE, 
 
 Physician and surgeon. Was born on the 20th of December, 1841, and is a native 
 of Richmond, Madison county, Ky., at which place he was partly brought up on 
 a farm. He received good educational advantages, and attended the Kentucky 
 University, from which he graduated in 1862. He commenced the study of 
 medicine in i860, and went to Philadelphia, where he attended lectures. Thence 
 to New York and graduated M. D. first in 1 864. He returned to Kentucky, 
 engaged in practicing a short time, and in January, 1865, went to Mexico. 
 There he followed his profession until August, 1870, ■»'hen he left that country 
 and went to New York. Spent .eighteen months in the hospitals and medical 
 schools, and graduated while there twice more. Dr. Bogie took up his residence 
 here in the winter of 1871, and since that time has been enjoying a good practice. 
 He was married November 19th, 1872, to Miss C. E. Park, born in Kentucky, 
 October 27th, 1846. She died March 6th, 1876. Lost one child. 
 
 BOUSCAREN & KENYON. 
 
 This law firm was established in Kansas City, January i, i88r. O. Bous- 
 caren, the senior member, is a native of Kentucky, having been born in Grant 
 county. May 9, 1856. He was educated at St. Xavier's College, Cincinnati, 
 graduating from that institution in 1876, and immediately began the study of law 
 under Judge G. W. Craddock. He completed his studies in the spring of 1879, 
 and was immediately admitted to the bar in Frankfort, Kentucky, and in the fall 
 of that year went to Washington, D. C, where he resumed the study of mining 
 and patent laws. There remained until September, 1880, when he came to Kan- 
 sas City, and here made the acquaintance of C. A. Kenyon, the junior member 
 of the firm. Mr. Kenyon was born in Kalamazoo county, Michigan, May 9, 
 1857. His parents moved to Logan county, Illinois, in 1859, where he lived 
 until coming to Kansas City in 1881?. He was educated at Illinois College, grad- 
 uating from that institution in 1877, and soon after began the study of law in the 
 office of Bason & Blinn, of Lincoln, Illinois. He completed it, and graduated 
 from the law department of the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, in 1880, 
 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Michigan in April of that year. He 
 came to Kansas City during that fall. They are a young firm, favorably received 
 by the older practitioners, and have promise of a successful career. 
 
 J. DALLAS BOWSER, 
 
 Editor of the Gate City Press. Was born near Weldon, Halifax county. North 
 Carolina, February 15th, 1846, of free parents of whose ancestry nothing is known, 
 further, than that his grandfather derived his name from being found one morning 
 when but a few weeks old, at the door step of a family named Bowser, who cared 
 for the little stranger, gave him their family name, and adopted him for their son. 
 When the subject of this sketch was but six weeks old, his parents disliking the 
 restraints of slavery upon the free people of color of the State, and desiring to 
 secure for their children the advantages of an education, removed to Ohio, arriv- 
 ing at Chillicothe in May, where the father engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
 summer and school teaching in winter. At the age of twenty James left home to 
 take charge of a school in Jamestown, Ohio, teaching without intermission or 
 vacation in various parts of the State until March, 1868, when he came to Kan- 
 sas City, taught a spring term of school at Westport, Missouri, and in the fall took 
 charge of the colored schools of Kansas City, holding the position of principal for 
 eleven consecutive years. Some unpleasant controversies arising, he resigned his 
 position in Kansas City in August, 1879, to take charge of the public schools of Wy. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 743 
 
 andott, Kansas. In July, 1870, Mr. Bowser returned to Ohio to wed a Miss Chris- 
 tie A. Lett, but who died within a week after his arrival. In July, 1873, he married 
 Miss Dora S. J. Troy, of Zenia, Ohio, who for six years has been teaching in the 
 Kansas City schools. In 1875, Mr. Bowser was- nominated for supervisor of reg- 
 istration, but was defeated by Mr.- J. W. Bell, the Democratic candidate. In 
 religion as well as in politics he is a liberal, choosing to think and act for himself. 
 In theology, he is a follower of Henry Ward Beecher : in philosophy, of Herbert 
 Spencer. Mr. Bowser is the fortunate possessor of a handsome residence prop- 
 erty on East Tenth Street. 
 
 H. C. BOWER, 
 
 Photographer. Was born in Illinois, on the loth of February, 1852, and there 
 lived until about ten years of age. His parents then removed to Kansas and 
 settled in Linn county, and in this new and lonely country the subject of our 
 sketch was brought up and educated. He followed farming about ten years and 
 then learned the business of a photographer which he has followed ever since. 
 He is now located in Kansas City, Kansas, where he is prepared to do all kinds 
 of work in the picture line with neatness and dispatch. 
 
 LEE E. BOWERS, 
 
 Dealer in groceries and provisions. Was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, Feb- 
 ruary 14th, 1850, and when about three years of age accompanied his parents to 
 Illinois, settling in St. Clair county, where he was reared and educated. At the 
 age of about seventeen, he commenced learning the trade of carpenter and joiner 
 which he followed while in that State. About the year 1870, he moved to St. 
 Louis, followed his trade for about one year and then came to Kansas City, be- 
 coming engaged in the manufacture of crackers, with Taylor Brothers. This he 
 followed for about four years and then commenced in the saloon business. 
 Four years later he engaged in his present business. He keeps a large and well 
 assorted stock and enjoys a liberal patronage as he well deserves. His marriage 
 was April 12th, 1876, to Carrie Wirtz, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, a pleasant lady 
 who assists her husband in the store. They have one child, Mabel. Mr. B. is a 
 member of the Knights of Pythias. 
 
 BRABROOK & KNOWLES. 
 
 This firm was established January i, 1880, and is composed of W. F. Bra- 
 brook and J. W. Knowles. They both came from Worcester, Mass., where they 
 had been previously employed in the estabhshment of Ware, Pratt & Co., the 
 former as superintendent for eleven -years, and the latter as cutter for six years. 
 
 The senior member was born in Sterling, Mass., June 12, 1848. His father 
 died when he was four years old, and after his father's death Mr. Brabrook lived 
 with his mother until he was eight years old, when he was sent to live with his 
 guardian. Burgess Taylor, of Chattanooga, Tenn. He lived with him until De- 
 cember, 1859, when he returned to Worcester, and attended school until 1861, 
 then enlisting in Company E, — Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers, and served 
 until July, 1862, when he was discharged on account of sickness. He returned 
 to his native town, and April 5, 1863, married Miss Ida E. Pope, of Hardwick 
 Vt. They have four children: Arthur G., William, Daisy and George W. 
 The junior member, Mr. Knowles, was born in Providence, Mass., June 28, 
 1846, and there lived until he was eighteen. When seventeen he went into the 
 shop of William Boyne to learn to be cutter, being with him one year when he 
 went to Boston, and was there employed in the house of Ryder, Crocket & Co.; 
 worked with them until 1868, and after working as cutter in various places he 
 went to Worcester, Mass. , where he was employed by Ware, Pratte & Co. , as 
 before stated, being with them until he came to Kansas City, in 1880. January 
 
744 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 15, 1877, he married Miss Ellen Chilson^ of Woonsocket, R. I., by whom he has 
 one child, A. Williston. 
 
 G. W. BRIANT. 
 
 Prominent among the early settlers of Jackson county who have passed the 
 ordeal of pioneer life and whose early struggles well deserve a place in these 
 memorials is the subject of this brief notice. Mr. Briant is a native of this State, 
 born in Cooper county on the 12th day of March, 1830. Five years later he 
 with his parents removed to Lafayette county. Mo., where they lived until 1842, 
 when they came to this county. • Mr. Briant was educated at the Highland 
 Academy, and on reaching his majority he engaged in the freighting business 
 with the Hon. W. F. Ewing, in the Santa Fe trade, occupying a prominent place 
 of trust for one year, at the end of which time he embarked in the same business 
 for himself, commencing with but two teams and continued successfully, making 
 upward of sixty-six trips from Jackson county, Mo., to Santa Fe, New^ Mexico. 
 In 1865 our subject formed a partnership with Mr. J. L. Watkins in the banking 
 business in Kansas City under the firm name of Watkins & Co. He retained his 
 relation with this firm until 1877, when he retired from the business, since 
 which time he has given his attention to the stock tiade, which business he started 
 before his retirement from the bank, and is also interested in the Eagle Flouring 
 Mills, of Kansas City. Mr. Briant is a man of good business qualifications and 
 by close attention to business has gained a fair share of this world's goods. He is 
 a true neighbor, never forgetting the injunction of the Savior to remember the 
 poor. His charities are distributed in a quiet and private manner. He is also a 
 warm friend of the young, often giving them, in an unobtrusive and most kindly 
 manner, words of advice which are like apples of gold in pictures of silver. He 
 was married to Miss Elizabeth A. Lobb, October 6, 1858. She is a native of 
 Missouri. Mr. and Mrs. Briant are both members of the Cumberland Presby- 
 terian Church. 
 
 BROOKS' SIGN WORKS. 
 
 This is the leading establishment of the kind in the west, and their handiwork 
 can be found in many places in this part of the country as in others. The busi- 
 ness in Kansas City is carried on by the firm of Charles Brooks, and his son 
 Charles Brooks, whom all the banks, telegraph and express companies and every 
 railroad centering here they have as their patrons. The elder Brooks for many 
 years prior to the war, carried on business at Detroit and Ann Arbor, Michigan. 
 When the tocsin of war sounded in i860 he threw up his business and joined the 
 Fifth Michigan Cavalry as sergeant, serving through the war under the ill fated 
 Custer. After being mustered out at Leavenworth, Kansas, in June, 1865, he 
 closed up his business in Michigan and started out to seek fresh fields for his 
 labor. Coming to the City of Kansas, then numbering less than 4,000 souls, he 
 started, the business that has assumed such vast proportions. His sons George 
 C, Charles and James F. , as they grew up " took to the business like ducks to 
 water,"' and they are now classed among the best sign painters of the country. 
 During the depressing times of 1875, the elder Brooks went to San Francisco 
 where he started the business soon to make the name of Brooks Sign Works fa- 
 miliar on the Pacific Coast. For his assistants he had his two sons, and leaving 
 the business in their hands, he returned to Kansas City where his son Charles 
 held the business during his absence. Concord and unanimity are characteristics 
 ,of the firm, and between employer and employees are cherished the most friendly 
 feelings. Their foreman, Mr. Vincent Whelan, has been in their employ for ten 
 years, and is esteemed by them almost as a partner. The firm contemplate start- 
 ing a branch of their works at El Paso or some other point in Arizona, where 
 the younger son, James F., will locate. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 745 
 
 P. S. BROWN 
 
 Was born in Bedford county, Penn , October 14, 1833, and received his early 
 education in the schools there. At the age of seventeen he received instruction 
 from Dr. John McKinny, an eminent teacher and noted for his ability, and con- 
 tinued with him for some time, dividing his attention between school and the duties 
 of the sheriff's office. Then was engaged with the Cambria Iron Company for two 
 years, after which he removed to Davenport, Iowa, where he engaged in the 
 grocery business. Some time after he commenced the study of law with J. W. 
 Thompson, and was associated with this eminent gentleman three years. In 1857 
 was admitted to the bar in Scott county, practicing in the district court, and in 
 March, 1858, he came to Kansas City. November 3, 1858, he married Miss Julia 
 A. Shaffer, of Pittsburg. Soon after he commenced practicing law, and has been 
 actively engaged at it since. In 1866 he was elected a member of the city coun- 
 cil, serving two terms, and during this time introduced an ordinance granting the 
 right of way to the Pacific Railroad Company, for which the city received $35,- 
 000. Was also actively engaged in promoting the completion of the Kansas City, 
 Galveston & Lake Superior Railroad, doubtless one of the turning points in the 
 history of Kansas City. He contributed his services one year as their attorney, 
 and was instrumental in establishing the road on a firm basis, building the bridge, 
 etc. Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had nine children, six of whom are living — 
 Julia A. (now Mrs. Edward Shillito, of Cincinnati), Lulu K., William H. (at 
 University*at Columbia), P. S., Ralph and Sadie L. (twins). Mr. Brown is an 
 elder, and has been connected with the First Presbyterian church since 1859. 
 His wife is also a member. 
 
 DR. R. WOOD BROWN 
 
 Is the son of Henry E. Brown, a wholesale grocer of long standing in New York 
 City. He was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., March 11, 1852, and when eight years 
 old entered the military school at Danbury, Conn. , attended for four years and 
 then removed with his father to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where he lived with them 
 until he was eighteen, when he went to Philadelphia ; there took a full course in 
 the Philadelphia Dental College, graduating from that instiution in the spring of 
 1873, thus finishing a course of study which he began when sixteen. After grad- 
 uating he returned to Brooklyn and opened an office for the practice of dentistry, 
 and at once entered upon the study of medicine in the Long Island College 
 Hospital, also holding, at the same time, the position of surgeon dentist, which 
 he filled for two years, graduating as M.D. in June, 1876. In the fall of that year 
 he made a tour to Europe, visiting Liverpool, London, Paris, Turin, Rome, 
 Naples and Milan, consulting with many of the eminent physicians and surgeons 
 of those cities for the purpose of making himself proficient in the profession. 
 He made a nine months' trip, returning to Brooklyn in 1877, where he remained 
 only a short time, being called to Green Bay by the sickness and death of his 
 mother. In the fall of that year he came to Kansas City and established him- 
 self in the dental profession, and has a lucrative practice. He is assistant secre- 
 tary of Academy of Science, as well as holding membership in the Kansas City 
 Histological and Pathological Society, the Dental Society of Kansas City and the 
 Kansas City Medical Society. 
 
 R. B. BUFFINGTON, 
 
 Weigh Master at cattle scales for Kansas City Stock Yards, was born in Chester 
 county, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1842, and in the spring of 1857 he left his native 
 State with his parents and moved to Warren county, Illinois. He was reared a 
 farmer's boy, and followed the same till the fall of 1868, when he came to Kansas 
 City, and July i, 187 1, he accepted the position as shipping master for the Kan- 
 
746 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 sas City Stock Yards. Retaining this position till August i, 1872, he was allotted 
 to his present situation. 
 
 THOMAS B. BULLENE. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Oswego county, New York, August 
 10, 1828, and is the youngest son in a family of sixteen children. His father 
 was a successful farmer and merchant in his native county, and afterward identi- 
 fied himself with the lumber business in Albany. At the age of seven years our 
 subject accompanied his parents to Albany, where he lived until ten years of age, 
 and in 1837 went to Southport (now Kenosha), Wisconsin. Here he was reared 
 and educated, receiving an academic education only, which he supplemented 
 with a discriminative course in ancient and modern literature and history. At the 
 age of twenty-one he entered actively into the mercantile business at Lyons, 
 Wisconsin, in partnership with another brother, remaining until 1856, prospering 
 and laying the foundation of his future enlarged operations in business. In 1851 
 he was married to Miss Amareit Hickock, daughter of Harris Hickock, Esq., of 
 Bridgeport, New York. By this union they have a family of five children : 
 Thomas C. born in Lyons; Lathrop B. born at Independence, Iowa; Harris 
 Hickock born at Independence, Iowa; Fred S. born in Kansas City in 1864 
 and Lora Amarett born in Kansas City in 1870. In 1856 Mr. Bullene removed 
 to Iowa, there being engaged in business until 1863, when he removed to Kansas 
 City and purchased property, buying, at that time, the land on which now stands 
 the great mercantile house of Bullene, Moores & Emery, it being then far re- 
 moved from the business portion of the city. On arriving here he found the city 
 under martial law, some very prominent mercantile estabhshments being closed 
 by order of the provost marshal, among them the house of Gillis & Coates. ' Mr. 
 Bullene bought the interest of Mr. Gillis, and, in connection with his brother, 
 L. Bullene, of Lawrence, and K. Coates, Esq., organized the dry goods house of 
 Coates & Bullene. Mr. Coates only rerhained in the firm one year, the business 
 being continued until 1867, when Mr. W. E. Emery was admitted, constituting 
 the firm of Bullene Brothers & Emery. Early in 1870 Mr. L. T. Moore, of 
 Kentucky, joined in the business, and the firm then became Bullene, Moore & 
 Emery, and in 1871 Mr. L. R. Moore, of Montgomery, Alabama, and a brother 
 of L. T., took an equal interest in the business, and the title became Bullene, 
 Moores & Emery. Mr. Bullene was one of the founders of the Kansas City 
 Agricultural and Mechanical Association, and has always been one of its directors ; 
 is also a director in the Merchants Exchange. He has a fine literary taste, con- 
 tributing to public journals in the most unobtrusive manner, characteristic of the 
 man. He is of unquestioned integrity, a close reasoner and a prpfound thinker. 
 To a thorough knowledge of his business, he joins the general culture derived 
 from a varied and extended course of reading and observation. 
 
 WALTER A. BUNKER, 
 
 Manager of the Kansas City house of the Western Newspaper Union, was born 
 at Bethlehem, N. H., March 12th, 1847. When he had reached the age of seven 
 years the family emigrated to the Northwest, setthng in the southern part of 
 Minnesota. In 1865, at the age of eighteen, he purchased a half interest in a 
 flouring rnill in the locality in which he then lived, and operated it with marked 
 success for about three years, when, feeling the need of a more thorough business 
 education than could be acquired in the village in which his mill was located, he 
 disposed of that property and removed to St. Paul. Entering the business college 
 of that city as a stuaent, he soon became so proficient in the science of accounts 
 that he was chosen, out of a class of one hundred, to take charge of the book- 
 keeping department of the institution, This position he filled acceptably till the 
 year 1870, when he asked to be relieved that he might accept the more lucrative 
 office of head book-keeper in the Second National bank of St. Paul. Having dis- 
 
KANSAS CITY. 747 
 
 charged the duties of this responsible position to the entire satisfaction of the 
 officers of the bank for seven years, he resigned and removed to Kansas City for 
 the purpose of engaging in business for himself, having been united in marriage, 
 in the meantime, to Miss Blanche Monroe, of Minneapolis, Minn. In Kansas 
 City he, with some other gentlemen, founded the first *' ready print" or "auxil- 
 iary" publishing house west of the Missouri river. In 1878 his firm purchased a 
 controlling interest in the Kansas Ciiy Journal, but he continued to devote his 
 entire personal attention to the "ready-print" business, which so prospered under 
 his able management that in June, 1880, it was consolidated with the Iowa Print- 
 ing Company, of Des Moines, a stock company was organized with a paid-up 
 capital of $100,000.00, and Mr. Bunker having sold his interest in the Journal 
 retained the management of the Kansas City house. Although still a young man, 
 he has attained a degree of success in business of which he might justly feel proud 
 if it represented the results of a lifetime of effort, instead of the first fruits of his 
 ability and industry. 
 
 J. W. BURD, 
 
 Dealer in Real Estate, Kansas City, Kans., was born in Warren county, New 
 Jersey, Dec. 6, 1839. Was there reared and attended school. With the excep- 
 tion of one year Mr. Burd lived in N. J. until 1880. During that year he was in 
 Monroe county, Penn., engaged in the flour and saw mill business. For three 
 years he was in the cabiriet business and the remainder of the time has been en- 
 gaged in tilling the soil. On the I St of May, 1880, he came to this city. For 
 six months he made his residence in Allen county and then returned here, where 
 he has since been engaged in his present business. On the 28th of June, 1867, 
 he was married to Miss Carrie H. Lawrence, of Morris county, N. J. They have 
 theee children : Alonzo, Arnold and an infant. 
 
 WILLIAM BYERS, 
 
 Manufacturer of cider and vinegar. The subject of this sketch was born in 
 Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in January, 1845, ^^^ ^^^ there raised. 
 In 1872 he went to southern Kansas, remained but a short time, and then en- 
 gaged in railroading, continuing but a little while. Thence to Colorado, and 
 while there was engaged in trading in buffalo hides. After this he commenced 
 the cider business in 1877, which he has since followed. He became a resident 
 of Kansas City in the fall of 1880, and then established his present business. 
 
 MICHAEL E. BURNETT, 
 
 Of the firm of Burnett & Kane, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, at which place he 
 lived until five years of age, when he went with his parents to St. Louis, Missou- 
 ri. After attending school for seven years he went to learn the butcher trade, at 
 which he worked in St. Louis until the year 1868, when he came to Kansas 
 City. Here he also engaged in the butchering business until he went with Gen. 
 Wright and was one of the party that surveyed the Union Pacific Railroad across 
 the plains. After leaving the employ of this gentleman he joined Col. Green- 
 wood's party and went as far as Denver, Colorado. After this he visited Central 
 City and Cheyenne, subsequently going to Fort Sanders, in the employ of Mr. 
 John Finn, as quartermaster, issuing meat to the United States soldiers. This 
 business he followed for about one year, when he went into business for himself 
 at Bryan City. Continued it one and one half years, then returned to Kansas 
 City, where he engaged in buying stock and carrying on the meat trade. While 
 engaged in this business he helped to organize a hook and ladder company, and 
 was elected foreman, which position he held until the aboHtion of volunteer com- 
 panies, when he was appointed by the city as running foreman of engine No. i. 
 While in this capacity he was appointed chief of the fire department, consisting 
 of three steam fire engines, one Babcock on wheels, four hose carriages, and one 
 
748 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 hook and ladder company, holding the position of chief about one and one-half 
 years. After leaving the fire department he engaged in the retail grocery and meat 
 business, where he is now located. Mr. Burnett was married January 12, 1873, 
 to Miss Margaret Connor, of Kansas City, by which union they have three chil- 
 dren : Agnes (now dead), John, Edward, and Joseph. 
 
 JAMES BURK, 
 
 Proprietor of the Sterling Stone Works, was born in Vandreud county, Canada? 
 June 23, 1844, and there lived until he was thirteen. He attended school until 
 twelve, when he went into the country store of Donald McDonald, and was em- 
 ployed as clerk one year, and then went to an adjoining county, and was employ- 
 ed as clerk by Angus S. McDonald, with whom he stayed three years. Leaving 
 him in the fall of 1862, he was engaged as foreman in a lumbering camp, making 
 square timber, which he followed until 1865, when he came to Chicago, and was 
 employed in the office of the Northern Transportation Company. Soon after, he 
 made a tour through Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, and finally located in Kansas 
 City in 1868, when he engaged in lathing and carpenter work. He was city car- 
 penter for three years, and was employed as such one year by the city water- 
 works. In 1875 ^^ t)uilt the jetties in the Kaw River, under contract, for the 
 Stock Yards Company, and afterward, up to 1878, he was a general contractor 
 and builder, and in that year he established himself in the grocery business, at 
 which he did a successful business. In 1880 he sold out, to engage in the man- 
 ufacture of the Sterling stone, under the Greer patent, he owning the full right 
 in Jackson county, Missouri, and one-half of the United States. He manufact- 
 ures window and door caps and sills, walks and curbing, burial vaults, and lawn 
 ornaments of the most beautiful designs. He has been twice married; first, to 
 Emma Malone, of Kansas City, in 1870, who died in 1874. They had one 
 child, John T. In 1876 he married his second wife. Miss A. C. Mansfield, 
 also of Kansas City, by whom he has three children : May, Frances and Rose, 
 all living at home. 
 
 JOHN W. BYERS. 
 
 Is a Virginian by birth, having been born near Shepherdstown, November 12th, 
 1833. There he spent his early childhood. His father removed to Washington 
 county, Maryland, when he was eight years old, where he lived until attaining 
 his majority. His education was mostly obtained under the tutorship of his 
 father, who was a practical teacher and taught many years. When ten years of 
 age he entered the office of the Pledge, published at Hagerstown, Maryland, as an 
 apprentice to learn the printer's trade, and made such rapid proficiency that by 
 the time he was thirteen he was foreman in the office. He left that office in 1845, 
 when eighteen years of age, and was employed as a clerk by Tice & Hammond, 
 in the hardware business, of the same place, for eight years. Leaving there in 
 1854 he came to Missouri, and settled in Fayette county, where he was engaged 
 as an accountant in a general business house until 1857. Then came to Kansas 
 City, or what was then Westport Landing, where he was employed as an 
 accountant by Alexander Majors, a freighter. Was with him until 1859, when 
 he spent one year in visiting in Kentucky, Virginia and Maryland, and on 
 returning to Kansas City was employed by C. E. Kearney, having general charge 
 of his office business, until the spring of 1864, when he went to Leavenworth, 
 Kansas. There took charge of the office of the Government Transportation 
 Company, and was employed as such until 1867. In the following year he, with 
 his family, made a trip east, to regain his health, which had been somewhat impair- 
 ed by close application to business. Returning to Kansas City in 1869, in 
 company with J. L. Kelley, he embarked in the wholesale hardware business 
 under the firm name of J. L. Kelley & Co., and although Kansas City, at that 
 time, had no railroad transportation, their business amounted to one-fourth of a 
 
KANSAS CITY. 749 
 
 million dollars during that year. In 1870 he retired from the firm to accept the 
 position of cashier in the Mechanics' Bank of Kansas City, it being a branch of 
 the Mechanics' Bank of St. Louis, which is still in existence. The bank having 
 closed up its business here in 1875, he again engaged in the mercantile business 
 in Kansas City, retiring from it in 1878, when he became engaged in the real 
 estate business, which he is still pursuing. He is among the enterprising men to 
 whom Kansas City is indebted for its many substantial business blocks and fine 
 residences. He has built two business blocks on Delaware street, and a fine 
 residence on Charlotte street. April 14th, 1858, he married Miss Lucy C. 
 HoUoway, of Fayette county, Missouri, a granddaughter of Mathew G. Scott, so 
 long connected with the Northern Bank of Kentucky. They have one daughter. 
 Lulu Lee, wife of James M. Love, of Kansas City. 
 
 J. W. CALDWELL, 
 
 Physician and Surgeon, was born in Adams county, Illinois, and is'now forty-three 
 years of age. His father was a farmer and the son helped with the duties of the 
 farm. He attended school at Quincy College and also McKendree College in 
 Illinois. Took a course in the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, gradu- 
 ating therefrom in 1863; also graduated in Bellevue Hospital Medical College, 
 New York, in 1866. From the spring of 1863 until the close of the war Dr. 
 Caldwell was assistant surgeon in the 97th Ohio Regiment. He found a wife in 
 the person of Miss Isabell Calvin, of Adams county, Illinois, whom he married 
 in October, 1866. By this union they have one child, Victor, twelve years of 
 age. Dr. Caldwell came to Kansas City in 1868, and has since been engaged in 
 the practice of his profession, with a large degree of success. He is well and 
 favorably known among his brother practitioners, and to the sick is always a 
 welcome visitor. 
 
 L. F. CALHOON, 
 
 Proprietor of Livery, Feed and Sale Stable, was born May 7th, 1838, in Mahon- 
 ing county, Ohio, and moved to Indiana when thirteen years of age. There 
 remained till nineteen, when he came to Missouri and settled in Sullivan county, 
 and engaged in farming. Followed the business some eight years and came from 
 thereto Kansas City in 1868, and commenced the livery business in which he has 
 since been engaged. He keeps an average of about thirty head of horses and a 
 good stock of buggies and carriages. He is the youngest of a family of twelve 
 children, and they are all living. He was married to Miss Mary Flickinger, in 
 1866. She is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, and was born in 1843. 
 
 O. B. CAMPBELL, 
 
 Of the firm of Elliott & Campbell, was born in West Virginia in the year 1847, 
 and lived in that State until he was twenty-three years of age, attending medical 
 and literary colleges, also took a medical course at Cleveland, Ohio. After com- 
 pleting his studies, at the age of twenty-four, he went to Powhattan, Belmont 
 county, Ohio, and entered into the practice of medicine. Stayed in Powhattan 
 until the year 1878, and then went to Great Bend, Kentucky, and practiced 
 medicine two years, and then came to Kansas City, Missouri, where he is now 
 in the real estate business. Mr. Campbell was married in 1873 ^° ^iss Mary A. 
 Campbell, of Manteno, Kankakee county, Illinois, and by this union they have 
 two children : Alice L. and Lizzetta. The firm of Elliott & Campbell is No. 
 605, Main street. 
 
 CAPT. J. S. CANNON, 
 
 Attorney at law, was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey, March 12, 1832, 
 and there lived with his grand-parents until fourteen, his parents having died 
 when he was very young. At that age he went to sea on a vessel called the 
 
750 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 " Two Sisters," his relations being ship-owners and interested in the vessel. He 
 followed the sea one year and then returned to his native town and entered Rut- 
 ger's College, graduating in 1850, at the age of eighteen. He immediately began 
 the study of law in the office of Wm. L. Dayton, where he studied three years, 
 and after attending, the law department at Princeton one term, was admitted to 
 the bar in Trenton, in 1853. He opened his first office in New Brunswick, 
 where he practiced a short time, then he went to New York City and established 
 himself in his profession, where he was for a long time retained by Horace H. 
 Day in his numerous suits against the Goodyear Rubber Company. In 1855, 
 being broken down in health, he gave up the practice of law and again went to 
 sea, and became interested in the Charleston and Savannah Steamship Company, 
 being connected with them until their business was destroyed by the events of 
 the late war. In 1861 entered the navy as an ensign and served during the war 
 on the southern coast, being promoted through the various grades from ensign to 
 lieutenant-commander, and when he was mustered out held the rank of captain. 
 He participated in the bombardments of Port Royal and Forts Sumter and Pulaski, 
 and in the capture of many of the coast towns. Immediately after being mustered 
 out of service he came to Missouri, and settled near Lee's Summit, in the spring 
 of 1866, where he purchased a large tract of land and engaged in farming, which 
 he is still following in connection with his law practice and real estate business. 
 He became a resident of Kansas City in the winter of 1878, and, in connection 
 with his other business, he is heavily engaged in building residences and business 
 houses for rental. He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Elizabeth 
 Chestnut, of Philadelphia, whom he married in 1855, and who died in 1864, 
 leaving two children : Spencer and Elizabeth. His second wife, Miss T. N. 
 Barrett, of Savannah, Georgia, he married in 1866. She died in Kansas City 
 in, 1879. By her he has five children : Mary, Robert, Nellie, John, and Richard. 
 He is a member of the Grand avenue M. E. Church, and is the teacher of. the 
 auditorium bible class of that Sabbath-school. 
 
 W. D. CARLILE, 
 
 Attorney, was born in Barbour county, Virginia, May 20, 185 1. When a child 
 his parents moved to Clarksburg, Harrison county, where he was raised. His 
 father, John S. Carlile, held an office of public trust in that State for about thirty 
 years, as senator, etc. His mother, Mary E. , whose maiden name was Gettings, 
 was a cousin of Stonewall Jackson. The subject of this sketch received his 
 primary education in the common schools of Clarksburg, and spent one year in 
 the Military Institute of Maryland. In 1866 he entered the University of West 
 Virginia, with the intention of taking a thorough classical course, remaining two 
 years. At the end of his junior year, on account of failing health, was compelled 
 to give up this undertaking. The following year he was engaged in teaching school 
 and working on a farm. In the fall of 1870 he entered the University of Ann 
 Arbor, Michigan, where he remained one year. He then accepted the position 
 of travehng agent for the Mutual Life Insurance Company of Michigan, which 
 he retained about three months, and then was appointed manager of the Brook- 
 lyn Life Insurance Company for West Virginia and the District of Columbia, 
 continuing in this three months, when he resigned, and devoted his time to the 
 study of his present profession. May 20, 1872, was admitted to the Harrison 
 county bar, where he was engaged in practice till October, 1874, when he was 
 elected to the Legislature for two years. 
 
 The summer of 1876, he went to Chicago, and was there engaged in the 
 practice of his profession till 1878, with considerable degree of success. In 
 March, 1878, was taken sick, and took a trip to CaUfornia, and on his return, 
 spent six months in Denver, Colorado. January, 1879, he moved to his present 
 location. Was married December 15, 1875, to Miss Mary S. Foster. She is a 
 
KANSAS CITY. 751 
 
 daughter of Geo. F. Foster, one of the pioneers of Chicago, where she was born, 
 October 6, 1854. They have one child, Mary Seville, who was born in Kansas 
 City, June 26, 1879. 
 
 GEO. CARMAN, 
 
 Architect, was born in Milwaukee county. Wis., December 24, 1852, and was 
 there raised and educated in the common schools, spending four terms in the 
 High School at Broad Head, Wis. In 1872 he went to St. Paul, and immedi- 
 ately began the study of his profession under the instruction of Radcliffe & Buf- 
 fington, the most prominent architects of Minnesota, taking a year's course. In 
 the spring of 1875 he went to Milwaukee, where he was engaged at his profes- 
 sion, and also in the furniture business with Mathews & Co. for three years. In 
 the spring of 1879 he located in Kansas City, and is considered one of the promi- 
 nent architects of the city. 
 
 THEO. S. CASE. 
 
 There are few men in Kansas City who are more highly esteemed, by all 
 who know him, than Theodore S. Case, the present postmaster of that city. He 
 is native of Georgia, but his parents were both natives of Connecticut, who 
 removed to Jackson, Butts county, Georgia, soon after their marriage, and where 
 Theodore was born, January 26, 1832. Soon after his birth they returned to the 
 north, and settled at Columbus, Ohio. He obtained the rudiments of his educa- 
 tion in the best schools of Columbus, and was graduated from Marietta College, 
 at Marietta, Ohio, in tSsr. He began the struggle of life for himself as a teacher, 
 being the principal of the schools in Dublin, Ohio, and filled the chair of mathe- 
 matics in Esther Institute, at Columbus, Ohio. In 1853 he began the study of 
 medicine under Prof. S. M. Smith, M. D., graduating from Starling Medical 
 College, at Columbus, Ohio, in 1856, and afterward practicing with his preceptor 
 until May, 1857; then he came to Kansas City, where he practiced until 1861. 
 At the time of his arrival, Kansas City was an unsightly town built on hills and 
 in hollows, but was the headquarters of western emigration and transportation. 
 He soon built up a lucrative practice, and identifying himself with the interests 
 and growth of the new city, became associated with the men to whom Kansas 
 City now owes her rapid growth and prosperity. In 1 860 he, with Dr. G. M. B. 
 Maughs, began the publication of a medical journal, which was discontinued on 
 the breaking out of the late war, his colleague giving his services to the Confed- 
 erate army, and he enlisting in the Union army as a private in the spring of 1861, 
 in Company C, of Col. R. T. Van Horn's Battalion of the U. S. Reserve Corps, 
 which was afterward the 2Sth Missouri Volunteers. Two weeks after his enlist- 
 ment he was elected second-lieutenant, and one year after, was appointed by 
 President Lincoln, captain and assistant quartermaster of volunteers stationed 
 at Kansas City, filling that position until the spring of 1863. He was promoted 
 by Gen. Thomas Ewing to chief quartermaster of the District of the Border, 
 his headquarters being at Kansas City. 
 
 The District of the Border being abolished in the spring of 1864, he was ap- 
 pointed by Gen. E. B. Brown chief quartermaster of the District of Central Mis- 
 souri, with headquarters at Warrensburg. Resigning his command at the close of 
 the war, in 1865, he was immediately appointed quartermaster-general of the 
 State of Missouri by Gov. Fletcher, stationed at St. Louis, filling that position 
 until June, 1866, when he again resigned and returned to Kansas City. Finding 
 its prosperity and growth blighted by the war, its business crippled, and the pop- 
 ulation reduced from 7,000 to 3,000, he, with renewed energy and zeal, began, 
 with others, to build up the city, being ever ready to aid with work, influence, 
 advice or money as far as he possessed it. He was also engaged with John R. 
 Balis in the real estate business, which he successfully followed until 1870. when, 
 with Col. Coates, John R. Balis, Major L. K. Thacher and W. S. Ide, he organ- 
 
752 , BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 ized the Commercial Bank, of which he was president, and at the same time was 
 connected with his brother, Oliver Case, in the manufacturing of wagons and 
 farming implements, in which, on account of the severe drouth and grasshoppers 
 of 1872 devastating Kansas, they failed, losing heavily, but maintaining their 
 character for honesty and integrity unspotted. In 1873 he received the appoint- 
 ment of postmaster of Kansas City, a position which he still holds. He has 
 been twice married, first to Julia M. Lykins, daughter of Dr. J. Lykins, of Kan- 
 sas City, October 12, 1858. She died in 1872, leaving three children, Lilah, 
 Johnston and Ermine. He married his second wife, Miss Fidelia O. Wright, of 
 Kansas City, in June, 1846. 
 
 Col. Case is of decidedly a literary turn of mind, having, as before stated, 
 published the- Kansas City Medical Review before the war. He also wrote a 
 military work for the use of army officers, in 1864, called the Quartermaster's 
 Guide, which was highly recommended by the quartermaster-general offthe army, 
 and many other prominent officers. For the past five years he has added to his 
 other avocations the publication of the Kansas City Review of Science and Indus- 
 try, a popular periodical which has a wide circulation in the west, and which has 
 received the approbation of many of the most distinguished scientists in this 
 country and Europe. 
 
 P. CASEY 
 
 Was born in Wayne county, Ohio, January 3, 1833, ^'^^ '^^^ principally reared 
 and educated in Ashland county. In 1856 he came to Iowa, locating in Iowa 
 City, then the capital, and remained four years, and during '59-' 60 he went to 
 the mountains. After returning he was engaged in the mercantile business until 
 1862, when he enlisted in the nth Iowa Infantry, served during the war and was 
 mustered out at Detroit, Michigan. Again went to Iowa in the summer of 1865, 
 and thence to Kansas City in September, immediately embarking in the coal trade, 
 thus continuing until 1880. Since then he has been engaged in various enter- 
 prises. In 1877 was elected alderman on the Republican ticket, serving for two 
 years. Was married in 1861 to Miss Catharine Givans, of West Liberty, Iowa. 
 By this union they have seven children, five boys and two girls : Frank, Lizzie, 
 James E., Phihp R., Eva B., Stanley C, and Norris M. 
 
 CHARLES A. CHACE. 
 
 Among those who have been prominently identified with railroad interests in this 
 State and others, is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Austerlitz, Colum- 
 bia county, N. Y., and his father, who was a farmer in that county, educated 
 Charles in the common schools of Monroe county and also in the Rochester Colle- 
 giate Institute, his course being chiefly in the commercial branches. Having 
 completed his schooling at Rochester, he went to Brighton, Monroe county, and 
 while living there was elected superintendent of schools in the town, and served 
 for two years. Then came west, locating at Rockport, 111., and there became 
 connected with the Chicago and Galena Union Railroad ; was first made ticket 
 agent, but after six weeks was sent to the end of the road at Warren, being placed 
 in charge of all stations from Freeport to Warren. From this time on he had 
 charge of all new stations as the road progressed. After the road was opened he 
 was ordered to move to the Dixon Air Line, at Dixon, 111., and opened all the 
 stations from there to Fulton, on the Mississippi River, and appointed agents be- 
 tween the two places. In 1859 Mr. Chace resigned his position and in the spring 
 of 1861 came to Missouri and was appointed station agent at latan for the H. & St. 
 Joe R. R. , holding the position two years. As the road advanced he was removed 
 to Weston, where he lived four years. On the completion of the road to Kansas 
 City in 1867, he came here and was appointed general agent of the company at 
 this place, and so many years continuous employment as a railroad official indi- 
 cates a confidence in his business ability and integrity that must be very grateful 
 
'Xu^vP iV ^ ^ J" ^ 
 
KANSAS CTIY. 753 
 
 to Mr. Chace. He has always felt a deep concern in the subject of education ; 
 in 1873 was elected a member of the Board of Education, and at the expiration 
 of his first term, which was for three years, was re-elected for another term. Mr. 
 C. is a Knight Templar in the Masonic order, having been made a Mason in 
 Dixon, in 1855. He was Master of the Lodge in Fulton, 111., three years. His 
 marriage occurred in 1852 to Miss Martha E. Dryer, of Brighton, N. Y. 
 
 S. E. CHAMBERLAIN, 
 
 Architect. Was born in Hedgetown, Seneca county, Ohio, and was reared in 
 his native place, learning the carpenter trade. In i860 he went to Peru, Ind., 
 followed his trade till April 19, 1861, when he enlisted in Company B, Thirteenth 
 Indiana, and was discharged June 26, 1862, on account of physical disability. 
 Participated in the battles of Rich Mountain, Green Brier. Winchester, Va., and 
 other skirmishes. From the service he went to Lambertville, N. J. ; remained four 
 months, went to Ohio, and there remained till the spring of 1863, when he went to 
 Fort Wayne, Ind. Stayed till August and went to Chicago, remaining till October, 
 1864, when he went to Niles, Mich., and in January, 1869, returned to Chica- 
 go. In 1878 he moved to Kansas City, commenced following his trade and also 
 studying architecture till 1869, since which time he has made architecture his ex- 
 clusive business. Was married to Miss Annette Corell, Septembei 25, 1867. She 
 is a native of Pennsylvania and was born in Erie county, December 25, 1843. 
 Have one child, Robert E. 
 
 G. E. CHAMBERS, 
 
 Carpenter and contractor. Was born in Fremont, Sandusky county, Ohio, No- 
 vember 29, 1834. When eighteen years of age he went to Princeton, Bureau 
 county. 111., and i860 to Des Moines, Iowa. Remained three years and then 
 returned to Illinois, where he lived until 1865, and then removed to Kansas City. 
 Has resided in Jackson county since that time and has followed his present trade 
 from boyhood. His principal work since locating here, has been erecting public 
 school buildings ; has built several, in different parts of the county. 
 
 A. L. CHARLES, 
 
 General commission merchant. Was born in Charleston, Pa., in 1820. His father 
 dying when he was very young, he was early thrown upon his own resources to 
 procure a livelihood, and chosing the trade of a miller he became apprenticed to 
 that business. In 1843 he left his native town and went to Dayton, Ohio, where 
 he was employed by Joseph H. Dryden to superintend his milling and distilling 
 business. Upon leaving him, in 1854, he went to Middletown, Ohio, and estab- 
 lished himself in the same business, which he followed until 1865, and then closed 
 up. After prospecting in various States, he came to Kansas City in the fall of 
 1867, and in the same year estabhshed himself in general commission busi- 
 ness, where he has been successful in his business career, and, having grown up 
 with the new city, his commission business is one of its permanent establishments. 
 In 1849 he married Miss Frances Dryden, near Dayton, Ohio, and they have six 
 children: Joseph D. (clerking for his father), and Oscar (who is- his father's head 
 bookkeeper), A. Lester (a graduate of the Kansas City College of Physicians and 
 Surgeons, and now a practicing physician at Bunker Hill, Kansas), Nancy 
 (attending the Central high school), and Catherine (attending the Lathrop school). 
 
 JOSEPH CHEW, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, was born in Fredericksburg, Va. , October 16, 181 2, 
 where he received a good common school education. Leaving there with his 
 parents in his eighteenth year, he went to Lexington, Ky. , and from that time 
 until he was twenty-five he was more or less engaged in the mercantile business. 
 
 48 
 
754 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 In 1827 he began the study of medicine under Dr. Joseph G. Chinn, of Lexing- 
 ton, and graduated from the medical department of the Transylvania University, 
 of Kentucky, in the spring of 1842. Soon after he caaie to Missouri and located 
 at Richmond, where he built up a lucrative practice and where he lived until 
 i860, when he came to Kansas City, and here he has had a good practice for 
 over twenty years. He has been twice married. His first wife was Miss Mary 
 Lamme, of Fayette county, Kentucky, whom he married December 23, 1833, 
 and who died June 11, 1844. They had two children, V. T. Chew, M. D.' 
 (of Collins county, Texas,), and Maria Helen (wife of E. M. Sloan, of St. Louis). 
 He second wife was Miss Mary A. Moore, of Ray county, Missouri, by whom 
 he has four children, Addie (wife of W. W. Morris, of Virginia City, Montana 
 Territory), Virginia (living with her sister, Mrs. Morris), Mary Price and Robert 
 Lee, living at home. 
 
 E. CHELLIS, 
 
 Grain and produce merchant, was born in Meriden, New Hampshire, in 1826 
 residing there until his majority. He received a liberal education, and after this 
 removed to Vermont, locating at Barre. Here he remained a period of eight 
 years and then went to Faufox, making this his home until i860. During this 
 time he was engaged in the milling and lumbering business. Leaving here he 
 removed to the town of Georgia and engaged in railroading and after remaining six 
 years he returned to Faufox; thence to Kansas City in the spring of 1871, and 
 has here made his home since, having been engaged in many enterprises tending 
 to advance the growth of his adopted city. In 1855 he was married to Miss 
 Amanda B., daughter of Dr. A. G. Taylor, a prominent physician of Sedon. 
 They have one daughter, Ruth. 
 
 HARRY P. CHILD, 
 
 Superintendent of the Kansas City Stock Yards, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Octo- 
 ber 7, 1848, and is a son of Dr. A. L. Child, who is Hving a retired life in Plats- 
 month, Neb. In 1854 the subject of this sketch, moved to Monmouth, Ills., and 
 located on a farm, where he remained till the fall of 1859, and then he came to Kan- 
 sas City; in the spring of 1861 went to Chicago, and spent his time in a school 
 until the spring of 1863, when he apprenticed himself to the printer's trade, and 
 was engaged in the Journal office for two years. Then had to retire from this 
 position on account of his faihng health, and accepted the position as clerk for 
 the Union Stock Yards, C. B. & Q. Division, continuing till the fall of 1869, 
 when he returned to Kansas City and was engaged with J. L. Mitchener in buy- 
 ing and shipping live stock. June 2, 187 1, he was appointed yardmaster of 
 
 the Kansas City Stock Yards. January i, , he was appointed to his present 
 
 position on account of vacancy made by the death of L. V. Morse. 
 
 HENRY E. CLARK, 
 
 Superintendent of the Gas Works, is a native of Massachusetts, born in Roxbury 
 in 1829. He early immigrated to Pennsylvania, locating in Philadelphia, and in 
 1853 removed to Bloomington, III., and was for ten years connected with the 
 gas works. In 1870 he took a trip to Denver, Col., and in 1871 came to Kansas 
 City, taking charge of the gas works here. Since then he has been connected 
 with them, and under his directions, the business has increased so rapidly that 
 the company contemplate enlarging the building the coming year. 
 
 THOMAS C. CLARY, 
 
 Dealer in drugs and medicines, was born in Lewis county. New York, on the 
 24th of July, 1846, where he lived with his parents until about eight years of age, 
 and then removed to Wisconsin, settling in Waukesha county. Was brought up 
 on a farm and attended the public schools. At the age of about twenty years he 
 
KANSAS CITY. 755 
 
 came to Kansas City, where he becime engaged in railroid business, first in the 
 capacity of a fireman which he followed on the Fort Scott & Gulf road for the 
 period of two years, and then as an engineer, in which capacity he continued for 
 eleven years. He then worked at lead mining at Galena, ICausas, where he was 
 very successful, following this for one and a half years. Then came to this city 
 and embarked in the drug business, still retaining an interest in the mines. He 
 has a fine brick residence and property on the bluff and flat in West Kansas City, 
 besides a fine drug business, where he carries a stock worth about $2,000. He 
 was married in the year 1872 to Miss Anna Flanery, of Kansas City; they have 
 four children : James A., Thomas F., Joseph, and Anna M. 
 
 V. W. CODDINGTON, 
 
 Architect, is a son of Isaiah and Elizabeth (Osburn) and was born in Linton 
 Greene county, Ind. , July 5, 1852. When twelve years of age they moved to 
 Menomee, Wis, his physical labor till nineteen years of age being that of a carpen- 
 ter. Then went to Champaign, 111., taking a course of studies in the State 
 Industrial University, graduating in his profession in 1875, after which he took a 
 post-graduate course of two years, having charge of the practical part of the 
 architectural school. In the spring of 1878 he located in Kansas City, and im- 
 mediately began the practice of his profession, which he has pursued with a con- 
 siderable degree of success. He was married to Miss Alice Lee, June 15, 1876. 
 She is a native of Mt. Auburn, 111. They have one child, Corinne. 
 
 WILLIAM H. COE, 
 
 Physician and Surgeon. The subject of this sketch was born in DeKalb county, 
 Georgia, July 17, 1849, ^^^ removed with his parents to Atlanta, Georgia, where 
 he was reared. He received a good English and classical education at the schools 
 and academy, at Atlanta, and at Conyers Institute near that city, and at the age 
 of eighteen entered upon a regular course of medical study under the instructions 
 of Dr. J. F. Alexander, a physician of fine professional attainments and much 
 practical skill. Graduating from Atlanta Medical College in 1871, he formed a 
 partnership with Dr. Alexander, which continued for three years. In 1872 Dr. 
 Goe was elected city physician of Atlanta, and a member of the board of health. 
 During the same year he was also elected adjunct professor to the chair of diseases 
 of the eye and ear and clinical surgery, in Atlanta Medical College, which posi- 
 tion he held for two years. In 1874 he was elected secretary of the board of 
 health, and two years later was made its president and became the chief health 
 •officer of the city. He was a member of the State Medical Association of Georgia, 
 and also a member of the Atlanta Academy of Medicine. For a man of his years 
 Dr. Coe has had a large experience, and has been intimately associated with the 
 ablest physicians of Georgia. He attended Hon. Alexander H. Stephens during 
 his severe illness in 1876, at Liberty Ha,ll, Crawfordsville, Georgia, and has since 
 Tcceived from that distinguished statesman a most flattering testimonial of personal 
 respect and professional appreciation. Dr. Coe is a man of pleasing address and 
 progressive ideas. He is a devoted medical student and a close observer of human 
 nature. He came to Kansas City in March, 1878, and bids fair to make his mark 
 in his chosen profession in his new home. 
 
 W. H. COLLINS, 
 
 Druggist, was born in Howard county, Missouri, October 4, 1848, and when ten 
 years of age removed with his parents to Clinton county, this State, residing there 
 a short time ; thence to Henry county, where he lived until his majority. In 
 1869 he commenced the study of his profession under the direction of J. D. 
 Trolinger, of Clinton, Missouri, where he continued to live and follow his profes- 
 sion for several years. From this place, came to Kansas City, where he has 
 
756 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 made it his home ever since. Shortly after coming here he accepted a clerkship 
 in a drug store, which position he held for eight years, daring four of which he 
 took full charge of the store. In 1878, he established his business in the large 
 room, where he does a large business, and has built up an enviable reputation 
 as a careful prescriptionist. On the i8th day of July, 1880, he married Miss 
 Lota Gage, of Kansas City, but a native of Kansas, born in Leavenworth, and 
 the daughter of Henry Gage, Esq. 
 
 JOHN CONLON, 
 
 Machinist and plasterer by trade, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, in 
 1845, and when eighteen years of age immigrated to the United States, landing at 
 St. Louis, Mo. He early entered the Model National School, where he pursued 
 his studies faithfully until 1864, when he graduated. He continued to reside in 
 St. Louis, working at his trade of carpenter, until 1868, when he came to Kansas 
 City, and resumed his former occupation ; and he has built many fine buildings 
 here. In May, 1880, he became engaged as book-keeper in the establishment of 
 R. B. Farley, where he is now employed. 
 
 JOHN D. S. COOK 
 
 Was born in Ulster county. New York, and when an infant removed to Oswego 
 county, receiving a common school education there and in Ulster county, where 
 the family returned in [847. In 1845, his father went to Sullivan county and to 
 Wayne county, Pennsylvania, in 1850, and during this time, John was attending 
 the Delaware Literary Institute, of Franklin, Delaware county. New York, where 
 he completed preparations for college in 1852. Then taught school in northern 
 Pennsylvania until the fall of 1855, when heentered Union College, at Schenectady, 
 graduating therefrom in 1859, in the last class taught by the famous Dr. Nott. 
 He studied law in Kingston, N. Y. , and also at the Albany Law School, where 
 he graduated in 1861, and then returned to Kingston, remaining in the office of 
 his former perceptor until October, 1861. He was mustered into the U. S. ser- 
 vice as first-lieutenant of Company I, 20th regiment N. Y. S. M., and com- 
 manded his company at the battles of Norman's Ford, Warrentowa Springs, 
 Second Bull Run, and Chantilly, Va., in August and September, 1862, and at 
 the battle of Fredericksburg, December 15-17, 1862. Was promoted to captain 
 in March, 1863, and promoted provost marshal at Aqua Creek, Va., in May and 
 June, 1863. He also commanded the company at the battle of Gettysburg, 
 Penn., and after that fight was attached to the headquarters of the Army of the 
 Potomac, taking part in its campaign in Virginia, at Mine River, under General 
 Meade, and in the battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North Anna, Cold 
 Harbor, and before Petersburg, under General Grant. December 19, 1864, he 
 resigned from the army, on account of the death of his father, returned to Penn- 
 sylvania, and settled up the estate, and in the fall of 1865 was married to Rose 
 E. Barlow, of Scranton, same State. Then he removed to Caldwell county, 
 Missouri, and engaged in the practice of law, holding the positions of county 
 attorney two years and assistant assessor of internal revenue in 1867-8. In 
 1870 came to Kansas City, and has since been practicing his " profession. Was 
 register in bankruptcy in June, 1874, holding the office until the repeal of the 
 law. He is Republican in politics, and has been a delegate to several State con- 
 ventions, and was alternate delegate to the Chicago National Convention in 1880. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Cook have four children, two sons and two daughters. 
 
 JAMES W. COOK. 
 
 Was born in Lexington, Kentucky, March 3r, 1821, and resided there until his 
 majority, receiving his education in the schools of that city. In 1856 he re- 
 moved to Kansas City, and soon after engaged in the dry goods business, con- 
 
KANSAS CITY. 757 
 
 tinuing it until i868. During this time was also engaged in the real estate busi- 
 ness and ran a dairy for eight years, milking as many as thirty cows at a time. 
 In 1859 he was elected a member of the city council, and again in 1868, serving 
 for two years. He is the originator of what is known as the Kansas City Green- 
 back Scrip, which was the result of saving to the citizens of thousands of dollars. 
 As a citizen, he stands high in the estimation of the people. Has been twice 
 married. First, in 1846 to Miss Eliza A. Pickett, of Lexington. She died March 
 15, 1880, leaving six children : William P., George W., Thomas H., Jennie C., 
 John R. and Henry C. His second marriage occurred in April, 1881, to Miss 
 Fannie A. Baird, of Lexington, and a sister-in-law of the celebrated temperance 
 lecturer, Geo. W. Baird. 
 
 D. J. COON, 
 
 Dealer in mantels, grates, brass andirons, fenders, etc. This is a branch of busi- 
 ness quite new west of the Mississippi. The beautiful designs in mantels, brass 
 findings and floor tiles, both American and imported, are enough to convince 
 purchasers wishing to ornament their houses that they cannot be excelled any- 
 where. He has had a long experience in the business. He is a native of New 
 Jersey, having been born at Plainfield, April 21, 1848. His first experience in 
 the business was in the house of W. D. & A. S. Nichols, of New York City, as 
 clerk, being with this firm from 187 1 to '78. He came to Kansas City in January, 
 1879, and opened his business in 716 Main street, where he has two rooms, each 
 twenty-two by sixty-five being his sample and sale-rooms, also having a large 
 stock in store in his store-room on Grand avenue. His patrons are in many of 
 the western towns of Missouri, Kansas and Colorado. 
 
 GEORGE C. COWART, 
 
 Attorney. Was born in Canton, April 23, 1846. He was educated in Columbia 
 College, New York, graduating in 1869. After graduating he went to Newark, 
 New Jersey, where he studied law under Hon. A. S. Hubbell, and was admitted 
 to the bar at the same place in February, 1871, and where he practiced until 
 July, 1877. Then came to Kansas City and opened an office in No. 16, West 
 Fifth street. 
 
 HENRY H. CRAIG, 
 
 Is a native of Woodford county, Kentucky, and was born March 13, 1849. He 
 was the son of Henry H. and Emily C. , who belong to one of the oldest and 
 most honored families of Kentucky, and who can trace their genealogy back 
 several hundred years. Henry was educated in his native State and showed a 
 taste to no small extent, for mathematics and classics. He also enjoyed outdoor 
 sports, and when about fourteen years of age left home and joined Scott's Loui- 
 siana Cavalry. When eighteen years old he began to teach school, and followed 
 this profession several terms. In 1868 he began the study of law at Versailles, 
 Kentucky, with Gov. T. P. Potter and was licensed to practice by two Supreme 
 Judges, Chief Justice Williams and Judge Robinson. In 1869 he moved to 
 Kansas City and began the practice of his profession. Mr. Craig was elected in 
 November, 1876, by a large majority to the Missouri House of Representatives 
 from the fourth district of Jackson county. He acted on several important com- 
 mittes, notwithstanding he was one of the youngest members of the house. He 
 has held the position of Past Chancellor in the order of Knights of Pythias. 
 We should mention the company of "Craig Rifles," of Kansas City. This 
 military organization originated amidst the excitement of the labor strike of July, 
 1877. The city was then without available means of defense and was hourly 
 threatened by riotous bands and gangs of vagrants, made bold by its helplessness. 
 At this time Mr. C. called around him a band of young men for the defense of 
 the city. The organization was effected one night in the new court house and 
 
758 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Capt. Craig had under his command i6o men rank and file. After the strike 
 was over the company dis"banded, and the younger members organized a perma- 
 nent military company which they named " Craig Rifles," in honor of our sub- 
 ject. In 1880 Mr. C. was appointed by the Governor, Police Commissioner, 
 which position he now holds. 
 
 SENECA L. CRANE, 
 
 Weighmaster at Kansas City stock yards, Pacific side. Was born in Portage 
 county, Ohio, July 23, 1840, and was reared and educated in his native county. 
 His father, Edward M., was born in the same county June 16, 1810, where he 
 yet resides, and has been engaged in agricultural pursuits from youth. In the 
 fall of 1861 the subject of this sketch went to Michigan for a short time and soon 
 returned to Ohio. In the fall of 1862 he went to Wisconsin and was there en- 
 gaged in the pineries. In June, 1863, went to Minnesota for a short time, and 
 thence to Hancock, county, Illinois, where he was engaged in the stock business 
 till December, 1864. From there to Nashville, Tennessee, where he was em- 
 ployed in the quartermaster department from January, 1865, till June, 1865, 
 when he went to his native home. Remaining two months he went to Hancock 
 county, Illinois, and in November, 1867, came to Kansas City, where he was 
 engaged under the ■ Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, holding different offices till 
 November, 1878. Then began work for the Kansas City stock yards company 
 as night yardmaster, retaining this position one year, when he was appointed to 
 his present situation. Was married to Miss Addie McGowan, of Albany, New 
 York, November 9, 1871. They have one child, Frank A., born February 5, 
 1877. 
 
 A. B. CROSS, 
 
 Architect. Was born near Camden, New York, December 9, 1826, where he 
 lived with his parents until he attained his majority, obtaining a good common 
 school education. When twenty-one, in 1847, he went into the office of A. B. 
 Stone, an architect, of New York City, where he studied the principles of archi- 
 tecture for two years, and then went to St. Louis, Missouri, finishing his studies 
 with John Johnson, studying with him two years, and then, in 1851, became 
 connected with him in the business in that city, and remained with him until 
 1858, when he came to Kansas City. He is the pioneer architect of the city, 
 and to whom it is indebted for many of its beautiful buildings. His patrons are 
 not only found in Kansas City, or the State of Missouri, but his designs are to be 
 seen in the cities and towns of Kansas, Texas, and Colorado. In April, 1858, 
 he married Mrs. R. Taylor, of St. Louis. 
 
 LOUIS DAENZER, 
 
 Dealer in fruits, confectionery, cigars, etc. Was born in Prussia, on the Rhine, 
 March 8, 1828. At the age of fourteen he started out for himself, and found em- 
 ployment at Griessen University, where he remained three years. Then went to 
 various places until he found himself at Heidelberg, where he remained during 
 the revolution of Baden, being employed as waiter in several principal hotels, 
 more particularly the Prince Karl, and while there served many important per- 
 sonages, among whom were the Queen of England, Emperor of Germany, and 
 Emperor of Russia. Leaving he went to London and found employment in the 
 Cafe Verry, the famous French restaurant, remaining there during the exhibition 
 of 1851. Then went to the Royal Hotel, Manchester, England, there meeting 
 one of the proprietors of the St. Nicholas Hotel, New York City ; he engaged 
 with him as head waiter for that hotel, sailed at once for New York, where he ar- 
 rived in April, r854; remained in that position one year. Came thence to Chi- 
 cago, where he formed a co-partnership with a Mr. May ; they started one of the 
 
KANSAS CITY. 759 
 
 first first-class European hotels in that city. Sold his interest to his partner in 
 the fall of 1857, and came to Kansas City, where he opened a fruit and confec- 
 tionery store on Main street. In 1874 he removed to Wyandott county, Kansas, 
 there following farming until opening his present place. He was married at Chi- 
 cago, Illinois, in November, 1856, to Miss Emelia Steiger. Six children have 
 been born to them, five now living. Mrs. Daenzer died in Kansas, September 
 14, 1876. 
 
 C. A. DANNAKER, 
 
 Physician and surgeon. Was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the 20th 
 of October, 1848, and was educated in the schools of that city, where he received 
 a fine education. At the age of seventeen years he entered a noted college, at 
 which school he was a student for about two years, when he entered the Uni- 
 versity of Pennsylvania. There he took a four years' course, including his 
 medical education. He began the study of medicine in 1868, and graduated on 
 the i2th of March, 1872. After graduating he went to Bedford, Bedford county, 
 where he engaged in the practice of his profession, and continued in business 
 there for eight years. He served three years in the capacity of surgeon for the 
 Pennsylvania Railroad Company, and in this secured a good education in surgery. 
 He was also county physician for Bedford county for two years. He came to 
 Kansas City on the 20th of April, 1880, and commenced the practice of his pro- 
 fession, and by attention t© business has succeeded in working up a nice practice. 
 He was corresponding secretary of the Bedford County Medical Society while in 
 Bedford. 
 
 W. T. DAWSON, 
 
 Physician and surgeon. Was born May 22, 1857, in Columbus, Georgia, and is 
 of Scotch descent. He was principally reared in Baltimore, Maryland, and re- 
 ceived excellent educational advantages, graduating from Princeton (New Jersey) 
 College with honors in 1877. He then took a two years' course of medicine at 
 the University of Maryland, and graduated from there and received his diploma. 
 Then spent one year in the hospital there, and came to Kansas City in December, 
 1880. He intends making a permanent residence here, and possessing the true 
 spirit of industry, and as he understands his profession thoroughly, he is already 
 becoming very popular with the people of Kansas City. 
 
 DeLONG & BAKER, 
 
 Upholsterers. This firm is composed of H. L. DeLong and C. C. Baker. The 
 former was born in the city of Utica, New York, on the nth day of March, 1843, 
 where he was brought up and educated. There learned the trade of an uphol- 
 sterer, where he worked under instructions from 1865 to 1868. After finishing his 
 apprenticeship, he became engaged as a journeyman mechanic, serving, however, 
 but a short time, when he traveled from city to city and followed his trade for 
 several years. Finally settled at Binghamton, New York, where he was engaged 
 at his trade for five years. In 1880 he came to Kansas City and entered into a 
 partnership with a Mr. Reynolds in the upholstery business. January ist, 1881, 
 the firm was dissolved and the present partnership was formed. He was married 
 in 1871 to Miss Frances Reynolds, of New York. They have two children : 
 Charlie R. and Dora Mary. Clarence C. Barker was born in Lee, Massachu- 
 setts, on the 25th of March, 1853, and, while young, his parents removed to 
 Lenox, same State, where he was brought up and educated. There remained 
 till the year 1880, except one year when he worked in Albany, New York. Dur- 
 ing his younger days he was engaged as a wholesale dealer in dressed cattle at 
 Lenox, Massachusetts. In April, 1880, he came to Kansas City and engaged in 
 a confectionery store, and on the ist of January, 1881, engaged in his present 
 business. He was married on the 21st of September, 1871, to Miss Mary J. 
 Fitch, who died on the 3d of August, 1878, leaving one child: Helen. These 
 
760 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 young men are good mechanics, and deserve the patronage which they are ob- 
 taining. 
 
 T. J. DELANY, 
 
 With Thompson & Payne, live stock commission merchants, is now one of the 
 oldest book-keepers in the yards, having begun in June, 1871. First with John 
 B. Hunter & Co., till January, 1874, and from then was engaged in buying and 
 shipping of stock till January, 1877, when he accepted his present position. 
 
 B. DENNIS, 
 
 Of the firm of Addison & Dennis. Was born in Lancaster county, Penn., 
 December 9th, 1843, ^^'^ there resided with his parents until three years of age, 
 when his father died. His mother being in poor health, he was taken to live 
 with an uncle in Illinois. There they remained about two years and moved to 
 Kansas in 1849, settling near Fort Scott. Here his uncle resided about one 
 year removing to Allen county where our subject was reared and partly educated. 
 Owing to tlie inefficiency of the schools he was sent to Lexington, Illinois, and 
 remained in school there nearly three years. Then returned to Kansas, conduct- 
 ing the uncle's farm, and for six or eight years was largely engaged in raising cat- 
 tle. Then commenced in the livery business at Humboldt, continued it a short 
 time and again resumed farming. Soon after this in company with others, he 
 took an extensive trip southwest by team, visiting the Gulf of California and other 
 places of interest. Spent about two years traveUng, and for three years was 
 engaged in the barber business at lola, Kansas. Thence to Independence, same 
 State, resumed his business three years longer. During the troubles at the close 
 of the late war he was connected with an association of detectives under the pay 
 of the Government, rendering valuable service. Though young in years, he is 
 old in experience. His marriage was to Miss Clara Bodley. In November, 1880, 
 he became connected with Mr. Addison, and still continues the same. 
 
 JOSEPH C. DICKINSON 
 
 Was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 12th, 1817. His father dying 
 when he was four years old, he lived with his mother on a farm near Christiana, 
 in Lancaster county, where he received a good common school education, and pur- 
 sued farming until 1847. Then he embarked in the mercantile business at Chris- 
 tiana, and did much in building up that place, erecting several dweUings, a large 
 hotel and a warehouse. In 1847-8, he represented his district in the Pennsylva- 
 nia Legislature. In 1857 he came to Missouri on a prospecting tour, and 
 permanently located in Kansas City in 1859, where he is largely interested in real 
 estate. He has been twice married. First, to Miss Sarah M. Sellers of Lancas- 
 ter county, Pennsylvania, in 1842, who died in 1858 leaving four children: 
 Esther, (wife of Isaac W. Haines, of Chester county. Pa.), Samuel S., Henry C, 
 and Edgar P. He married his second wife, Mrs. Matilda McFarlan, of Indian- 
 apohs, in 1868. He was brought up a Quaker and still adheres to that faith. 
 His wife is a member of the Second Presbyterian church of this city. 
 
 P. W. DITSCH 
 
 Was born in Trier, Prussia, in 182 1, where he was reared and had the advantages 
 of a high school education. His father being a brewer, he was brought up to 
 that business. On account of the revolution in Germany in 1848, he was obliged 
 to leave his native country, he being president of the Lance Weir and favoring the 
 assembly in opposition to the Government, had either to submit to a court mar- 
 tial or emigrate. Chosing the latter, he came to the United States and settled in 
 Burlington, Iowa, and engaged in brewing with Charles Mahhnger. They did 
 business together until 1852, when he retired from the firm and went to Musca- 
 
KANSAS CITY. 761 
 
 tine, Iowa, where he did an extensive coopering business until 18.156. Then 
 changed from that to rectifying liquors, which he carried on in that city until 1861, 
 when he removed his business to Kansas City. Continued it here until 1870, 
 when he had to give it up on account of poor health. In 1869 he became presi- 
 dent of the German Savings Bank of Kansas City, holding that position up to 
 1871, when he retired from business. In 1850 he married Miss Julia Geiss, of 
 Barlington, Iowa, who died in Kansas City in 187 1, leaving four children ; Charles 
 L. (police sergeant), Peter W. (sign painter), Henry (druggist clerk) and Ascora 
 (mechanic). 
 
 MICHAEL DIVELEY. 
 
 Was born in Somerset county, Pa., December 8, 1828, and is of German descent. 
 His father was a volunteer in the war of 1812, entering as captain, soon after 
 was promoted lieutenant-colonel, and subsequently became brigadier-general. After 
 receiving an academic education, Michael spent a year at Washington College, 
 Pennsylvania, taking a commercial course, and in 1855 removed to Iowa City, 
 Iowa, and engaged for a short time in land speculation. Then opened a whole- 
 sale grocery store, and continued in this until 185.8, when he came to Kansas 
 City. In 1862-3 was a member of the city council, and filled the office of mayor 
 in the early part of the latter year, while Mayor Payne was in the State Legisla- 
 ture. In 1867, in connection with several prominent men, Mr. Diveley organized 
 the First National Bank of Kansas City, and was chosen its first president, a posi- 
 tion he held for six years, when he resigned and became one of its directors. 
 Was also president of the old Mechanics' Bank three years, and director six 
 years. In 1872 was again elected a member of the city council, and appointed 
 chairman of the finance committee, and while serving as such introduced a reso- 
 lution for the investigation of the finances, which resulted in the discovery of 
 frauds and defalcations to the amount of $150,000. In 1874 he opened a whol- 
 sale commission house under the firm name of Diveley & Co. In 1873 he was 
 commissioned by Gov. Woodson as the representative of Missouri to the Vienna 
 Exposition, and while on that side of the Atlantic, made an extensive tour through 
 Europe. He is a member of the Board of Trade, and was one of the first dir- 
 ectors of the Cameron Branch of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, and, in 
 connection with other enterprising men, secured the Kansas City & Santa Fe 
 road, now the Ottawa branch of the Leavenworth, Lawrence & Galveston Rail- 
 road. He is a member of the Protestant Episcopal church. September 13th, 
 i860, he married Miss Hattie E. Sherman, of Elmira, N. V., a distant relative of 
 General Sherman. They have one child, George S. Mrs. Diveley died March 
 17, i88o. 
 
 L. F. DOANE, 
 
 Architect. Was born in Brookfield, Worcester county, Massachusetts, August 
 13th, 1842. He was educated in the common and high schools of his native 
 town and Worcester Academy, graduating from the latter in 1861. When 
 eighteen, he enlisted in the Union army, being a member of Company I, 24th 
 Regiment Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers, going out as sergeant. In May, 
 1862, he was promoted to a commander of a battery of artillery, in which he 
 served until December 4th, 1864. While in service he participated in thirty-six 
 battles. When discharged he returned to his native town, and soon after engaged 
 as builder and architect at Worcester, Massachusetts, where he followed that busi- 
 ness until 1873. Then went to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where he followed 
 the same business until 1876. In 1877 ^^ designed and built the first buildings 
 at Falmouth Heights, a watering place on the coast of Massachusetts, consisting 
 of cottages, a chapel and a hotel. He came to Kansas City in 1879, and in the 
 short time that he has been in the city has designed, drafted and superintended 
 the construction of twenty buildings, among them the Wales Block, corner of 
 
762 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Sixth and Delaware streets, and the Dundee Land Company's building on 
 Delaware street. October 31st, 1878, he married Miss Mary R., daughter of 
 Silas Jones, President of the Falmouth National Bank. They have one child, 
 Bertha Leigh, aged three years. 
 
 MICHAEL DOBBINS, 
 
 Policeman. Was born in Ireland, January 29th, 1851, and came to America 
 when three years of age, landing at New York. He located in Kibernia, Morris 
 county. New York, remained till 1865, and then engaged in the iron mines. 
 Came to Kansas City and was appointed on the police force in May, 1880. 
 Was married to Miss Nellie Quirk, of Ireland, April 7th, 1880. They have one 
 child, Mary. 
 
 REV. DANIEL DOFFLEMYER 
 
 Was born in Rockingham county, Virginia, August 21, 1813, and resided there 
 until the age of nineteen years Then removed to Morgan county, Illinois, ar- 
 riving April ist, and there lived until the autumn of 1836. From this place 
 went to Van Buren county, then a territory, locating on a point near Bentons- 
 port, where he remained until 1846. During this time, in 1842, his wife died, 
 leaving four children, two of whom are living. In the spring of 1846 took up 
 his residence in Fayette, Howard county, Mo., remaining until the fall of 1848, 
 when he came to Kansas City. From here went to Shawnee Mission, at the 
 same time receiving instruction from Rev. Nathan Scarritt, of the High school. 
 This he continued until May 17th following, in the meantime, being employed as 
 a carpenter, to oversee and do the general repairing about the institution. His 
 next move was to Cahfornia, engaged in mining, there remaining until June, 
 1850, when he returned to the mission. In 1851 was licensed to preach, and 
 was sent to Wyandott Mission, where he served in connection with Rev. Scarritt, 
 three nations, Wyandotts, Delawares and Shawnees, for a period of one year. 
 After this, was given exclusive control of the Wyandott Mission, but left Wyan- 
 dott and went to Scaine, Mississippi, being interested to have settlements begin 
 in Kansas. In 1856 went to survey a claim, when he came in contact with Jim 
 Lane, who set up the right to the claim. After this Mr. D. returned to Scaine, 
 Mississippi, with his family, and in 1857 settled permanently in Kansas City. 
 His second mariage occurred June 8, 1851, to Miss Virginia T., daughter of P. 
 Ellington, a native of Virginia. He was among the first settlers of Platte county, 
 Mo. By this union the family consists of six children : John T., Alice, Thomas 
 J., Louis E., Virginia L. and Charlie. 
 
 JOHN DONNELLY, 
 
 City engineer. Was born in Ireland, in the county of Cavan, August 4, 1843, 
 and when a small boy, emigrated to the United States with his father, in the year 
 1847, landing at New York City. Then came immediately to Jackson county, 
 Missouri, locating at Independence, where he was principally raised, and con- . 
 tinned to reside until 1858 when he came to Kansas City, and has made it his 
 home since. In 1868 he was elected to the office of city engineer, and again in 
 1869, holding the ofSie in 1870 by appointment. After this he was connected 
 with the office as assistant from 1874 to 1880. Has continued to hold the same 
 to the present time. 
 
 H. M. DOWNS, 
 
 Physician and surgeon. Was born in Wyandott, Kan., November i, 1858, and 
 was reared and educated in his native home. Also attended the State University 
 at Lawrence, Kan. He studied medicine with Dr. George B. Wood, of Wyan- 
 dott, and in the fall of 1877 entered the medical department of the State Uni- 
 versity at Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating with a three years' course July i, 1880. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 763 
 
 Then returned to his home and located in West Kansas City, October i, 1880, 
 and is now considered prominent among the medical profession. 
 
 LOUIS DRAGON 
 
 Was born in the southern part of France, near the city of Marseilles, and when 
 four years of age was brought to the United States. He lived in the northern 
 part of New York, and from here his father's family removed to Canada East. 
 He received his primary education there, quitting school with credit to himself. 
 Then went to the State of New York and accepted a clerkship ; and from there re- 
 moved to Kalamazoo, Mich. After remaining for four years he returned to New 
 York, locating at Rochester, where he was connected with the wholesale estab- 
 lishment of Steadheimer & McDonald. In the spring of 1865 he came to Kan- 
 sas City and has since been engaged in business. He established the general 
 transfer line. Was first elected a member of the City Council in the spring of 
 1878 and in 1880 was re-elected and still holds the position. September 9, 1847, 
 he married Miss Clara Tremblee, of Keysville, New York. They have nine 
 children, all living: Maggie, George, Mary L., Hattie, Clara, Ada, Thomas, 
 Olive and Jennie. ^ 
 
 TALBOT C. DRIGGS 
 
 Was born September 27, 1846, at Fairlee, Orange county, Vermont, where he 
 attended school until he was nineteen years of age and worked on a farm. Then 
 went to Boston, Mass., and for two years was engaged in the wholesale dry goods 
 house of R. H. Stearns & Co., and for two years in the employ of J. A. Baird 
 & Co., in the same business. After leaVing the last named firm he went to Grand 
 Tower, Jackson county. 111., where he engaged in the retail dry goods business, 
 which he followed one and one-half years. Then came to Kansas City in 1870, 
 when he engaged in the lumber trade under the firm name of Driggs Bros. Re- 
 mained in the lumber business about one year, and, after disposing of his inter- 
 est he engaged with the firm of O. R. Kresse and was with him about six months. 
 He was also connected with the wholesale dry goods firm of G. M. Shelly & Co, 
 for about one year, when he went into the retail dry goods trade for himself for two 
 years. Then went to Denison, Grayson couuty, Texas, into business, and after 
 two years sold out and returned to Kansas City and entered the employ the sec- 
 ond time of G. M. Shelley, staying one year, after which started in the retail dry 
 goods business for himself. He was married August 29, 1872, to Miss Julia C. 
 Maxwell, and they have one child: Talbot C. (born Nov. 27, 1875). 
 
 WILLIAM G. DUNCAN 
 
 Was born in Fairfield county. Conn., in 1854, and was there principally reared. 
 In 1875 removed to St. Paul, Minn., where he resided for two years, and in 1877 
 came to Kansas City, which his since been his home. After coming here he 
 was employed by the elevator of the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad, holding the 
 position eighteen months. Then engaged in the livery and transfer business, 
 becoming connected with F. A. Miller & Son and S. F. Freeman, the style of 
 the firm being Freeman & Duncan. This continued until May, 1880, when they 
 retired from the business, Mr. Duncan continuing it alone. In 1880 he was 
 elected to the office of alderman, or city councilman, and still holds the position. 
 
 REV. JAMES A. DUNN 
 
 Was born in Adams county, Penn., Sept. 25, 1840, and was the oldest child of 
 Owen and Mary (Whelan) Dunn. His father was born in Ireland, in 1820, and 
 immigrated to America in 1834, living for some time in Cumberland county, Mary- 
 land. He eventually moved to Dubuque, Iowa, where he died in 1872. Of his 
 three children, only two are Hving. James attended the common schools and 
 the Brothers Schools, under the jurisdiction of Bishop Losas, until sixteen years 
 
764 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 of age, when he assumed charge of his father's store, managing it successfully for 
 four years. Gave considerable attention to his studies in the meantime, and when 
 about twenty years of age, with his father's assistance, he entered into partner- 
 ship with an experienced miner, and soon after opened up what was known as 
 the " Dunn Lead Mine." They were exceptionally successful, and he obtained, 
 as the result of one year's labor, about $io,ooo. His ambition for literary cul- 
 ture still continuing, all his spare time was given to books, his attention being 
 specially directed to English philosophy. In August, 1862, he went to Niagara 
 Falls and commenced a thorough classical course in the "Seminary of Angels," 
 at the same time occupying the chair of rhetoric and history in that institution. 
 Here he remained until the seminary was destroyed by fire, in 1864, when he 
 entered St. Vincent's College, at Cape Girardeau, Mo., continuing his course in 
 classics, philosophy and theology until his ordination, July 4, 1868. This was 
 the long-looked-for point of his life; and after two months he was appointed to 
 St. Laurence O'Toole's chuch, St. Louis, to fill the vacancy caused by the absence 
 of Father Henry. Upon the return of the latter, our subject was assigned to St. 
 Malachia's church, where he remained nearly five years, then being appointed to 
 the charge of St. Patrick's church, Kansas City. Here he commenced laboring 
 March 4, 1873. He found the congregation financially poor, being $4,000 in 
 debt and unprovided with a suitable church building. This has now become, 
 mainly through his own personal efforts, the largest congregation in Kansas City. 
 The school which he has founded is largely supported by his own private means. 
 In this school nearly 200 children are receiving instruction under the supervision 
 of the Sisters of Charity. I 
 
 J. P. DUKE, 
 
 Shoe maker. Was born in County Cavon, Ireland, in 1824, and resided there 
 until of age. In 1846 he came to the United States,. landing at Philadelphia, 
 where he resided for two years and removed to Cincinnati, and thence to St. 
 Louis. Remained in that city until 1854,'- when he emigrated to Independence, 
 Jackson county, Missouri, and here estabhshed himself in the boot and shoe man- 
 ufacture. In 1856 opened a branch firm in Kansas City, continuing to run this 
 for two years, when he sold out and turned his attention wholly to the factory in 
 Independence. In 1862 all his effects were taken by the U. S. troops, and he 
 then went to Omaha, Neb., there accepting a position as foreman in the manu- 
 facturing establishment of O. P. Ingall. Remained in this until 1865, when he 
 returned to Independence and resumed business until 187 1, then coming to 
 Kansas City. Here he continued his former business, and in March, 1880, was 
 appointed Supervisor of the U. S. Census of the 6th District of Missouri, com- 
 prising seventeen counties. He employed one hundred and seventy-two men, 
 and executed his work with credit and satisfaction to the government. May 12, 
 1851, he married Miss Mary J. Gill, of Cincinnati, Ohio. Their family consists 
 of nine children : Katie, John, Anthony, Minnie, Rose A. , LiUie, Agnes, 
 Thomas and Edward. 
 
 UPTON EBY, 
 Of the firm df Gregory & Co. Was born at Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, 
 May 4, 1844, and the same year came with his parents to this State. They set- 
 tled in Boonville, where he was reared and educated. He came to Kansas City 
 in 1858 and engaged in the photographing business, following it for ten years. 
 Then commenced the grocery business and became identified with this house as 
 traveling salesman, 1872. He traveled through southern Missouri on the line of 
 the Ft. Scott and Gulf Railroad. In 1877 he became a member of the firm. 
 Was married in this city in 1865 to Miss Lizzie A. Watson, a native of Cole 
 county. Mo., born in 1846. They have three children — Nellie, Lulu and Frank. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 765 
 
 JOHN W. ELSTON, 
 
 Physician and surgeon. Was born near Weston, Platte county, Missouri, No- 
 vember ii, 1844, where he remained with his parents on their farm until his 
 maturity ; then entered the Kentucky University, of Lexington, and after com- 
 pleting his junior course, he served one year as assistant to the chair of chemistry. 
 In i858 he entered Bellevue Hospital Medical College, and graduated as M. D., 
 in 1870. During the last year of his undergraduate course he held the position 
 of fever physician in Bellevue Hosptal. Before graduating he also passed an 
 examination at Philadelphia, and was appointed to fill the position of Assistant 
 Surgeon in the United States Navy, which he held until 1874. Served in various 
 stations, at one time being surgeon in charge of the Nicaragua Inter Ocean Ship 
 Canal, and at another, surgeon of the United States steamer "Tigress," Dr. Francis 
 Hall's Arctic Exploring vessel, which cruised four months off the coast of North 
 Greenland in search of the survivors of the "Polaris." In the spring of 1874, 
 havingresigned his commission in the United States Navy, he came to Kansas City, 
 and commenced devoting himself exclusively to the general practice of medicine 
 and surgeory. In 1877 he married Miss Sarah J. Gentry, by whom he' has 
 two children. 
 
 ABRAHAM ELLENBERGER 
 
 Was born in Rheinpflalz, Bavaria, August 5, 1817, residing there until about 
 fourteen years old. At the age of seventeen he went to Switzerland as a journey- 
 man cabinetmaker, where he remained working at his trade until 1838. He then 
 returned home and was engaged in business for himself until the fall of 1840, 
 when he immigrated to the United States, landing in New Orleans a few days 
 before the presidential election of General Harrison. In March, 1841, be re- 
 moved to Memphis, Tennessee, remained five years, and in 1844 came to St. 
 Louis at the time of high water, stepping from the boat into the second story 
 windows of houses. The next day he took a trip to Illinois, and only found land on 
 the bluffs seven miles from St. Louis. In 1848 he married Miss Catharine 
 Johnson, a native of the same country as her husband. She died in 1865, leaving 
 Christena (now Mrs. Strein), John, born in West Poir^t, Iowa, December 27, 
 1854, and Elizabeth, born in Kickapoo, Kansas Territory, August 26, 1857, and 
 now Mrs. Sepdehimer. In i860 Mr. E. came to Kansas City. In 1861, on 
 the breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Company H, Van Horn's battalion, 
 and he was the one who placed the Union flag on the court-house at Harrisonville 
 in that year. He served until detached as commissary and quartermaster sergeant 
 of the post of Kansas City, until relieved by order of Department of War. In 
 the spring of 1863 he was elected City Recorder, serving a term of two years, 
 and that same year (1863) received the commission of Notary Public of Jackson 
 county from Governor Gamble. In 1876 was elected Justice of the Peace of 
 Kaw township, serving four years. Of late he has lived a somewhat retired life. 
 
 JOHN F. ENEBERG 
 
 Was born in Sweden December 21, 1825, and was reared and educated in 
 his native country. In 1853 he immigrated to the United States, landing at New 
 York city, and then removed to Lexington, Lafayette county, Missouri. He re- 
 sided there until May, 1880, and during this time he was engaged in the mercantile, 
 grain and lumber business. He then came to Kansas City and became associated 
 with the firm known as the Kansas City Lumber Company. They have built up 
 a reputation for honesty, fair dealing, etc. , which will stand by them for a long 
 time to come. Mr. E. was married in 1854 to Miss I. Jome, of Lexington, 
 Missouri, a lady of culture and refinement. 
 
76tj BIOGRAPHICAL 
 
 E. EPPSTEIN, D.D., 
 
 Rabbi of the Congregation B'nai Jehudah. Dr. Eppstein is a native of France, 
 and was born near Epernin October 15, 1833. He there lived with his parents 
 until ten years old, when he began his studies under Rabbi Moshe Mertzig, at 
 Paris, it being a Jewish custom to begin the Hebrew studies at that age. Was 
 with that teacher and attending the St. Joix Lyciem from 1843 until 1847, when 
 he went to Saarlouis, on the borders of France and Prussia, where he continued 
 his studies until 1849. -^^ '■'^^'^ went to Bonn, Prussia, and graduated from the 
 university of that place in 1850. After having charge of a congregation in 
 Prussia until 1852 he came to the United States, and after traveling one year 
 through the northern and southern States and on the Pacific coast, he settled at 
 Syracuse and took charge of the congregation Salen of that city, remaining there 
 two years. In 1855 he went to New York City and organized and took charge of 
 the first French congregation, called Shaare Brocho, being in charge until 1865. 
 He then went to Jackson, Michigan, having in charge the congregation at that 
 city; was called by the congregation Bethel, of Detroit, and then by the congre- 
 gation Bne Jeshurun, and in 1880 he received and accepted the call from the 
 congregation B'nai Jehudah of Kansas City, where he is now officiating as Rabbi. 
 In 1853 he married Fanny Brouner, of Syracuse, New York, by whom he has 
 seven children : Bessie (wife of H. Blozh, of Kansas City), Tillie, (wife of F. 
 Kander, also of Kansas City), Jacob (professor of music at Santa Fe, New 
 Mexico), Samie (with J. Cahn & Co., of Kansas City), Jennis, Josie and Daisy. 
 
 R. G. ESTILL, 
 
 Of the firm of Estill Brothers, real estate dealers, was born in Montgomery 
 county, Missouri, October 29, 1834 and was principally reared there. He re- 
 ceived his early education in the primitive school house, after which he entered 
 Westminister College in 1857. In this he took a scientific course, and in 1861 
 engaged in teaching school, and dealing in live stock. Was also connected with 
 the raising and shipping of stock to eastern markets. In 1870 he commenced in 
 the live stock commission business at St. Louis, which he followed until 1875, 
 then coming to Kansas City, and resumed his former business on a more ex- 
 tensive plan. In 1878, he engaged in the real estate business, and has thus been 
 successfully engaged since. His marriage was June 19th, 1875, to ^i^s May A. 
 Maupin, of Monroe county, this State. They have two children: Benjamin R. 
 (born, June 21st, 1876), and James WiUiam (born in September, 1878). 
 
 EWING, KINNEY & COMPANY, 
 
 Wholesale Dealers in Cigars and Tobacco. This firm moved from Chicago to 
 this place m 1880. They keep an excellent stock of goods and do a good busi- 
 ness. A. Ewing was born September 23d, 1845, in Texas, was reared there un- 
 til thirteen years of age, and then commenced attending school at Georgetown 
 College, District of Columbia. He first engaged in business in 1867, in eastern 
 Texas, and dealt in gent's furnishing goods. Followed that about five years, and 
 then went into the tobacco business with D. H. Miller & Sons, of Baltimore. 
 He has been engaged in the business since, in various places, as New York, New 
 Orleans, Chicago. Came here in 1880, and they carry one of the best stocks in 
 the city. Mr. Ewing is a member of the Odd Fellows, also of the Knights of 
 Pythias. He organized the last named order in Texas, and held the office of First 
 Grand Chancellor of the State. He is attentive to his business, and by fair deal- 
 ing has built up a good trade. 
 
 GEORGE FAIRWEATHER 
 
 Was born in Arbroath, Scotland, April itth, 1833. His mother died when he 
 was about four years old, and his father when sixteen. He lived in his native 
 
KANSAS CITY. 767 
 
 town until his seventeenth year when he went to Musselburg, near Edinburg. 
 Being thrown upon the world to provide for himself when only ten years old, he 
 was first employed in a flax factory, and worked daily thirteen hours ; and to ob- 
 tain an education, had to improve the short time he had in the evenings, at home 
 and at night schools. ]n 1853, he ^^^ Musselburg and went to New Castle where 
 he followed the same occupation until 1854, when he immigrated to the United 
 States, landing in New York City, August loth, of that year. He was first em- 
 ployed in a paper house in Patterson, New Jersey ; working about eight months, 
 when he went to Louisville, Kentucky, where he was employed in a rope factory. 
 After being there a short time he came to St. Louis, arriving in the spring of 
 1855, where he again worked in a rope factory. The following fall, he came to 
 Lexington, Missouri, where he settled, and, in 1858, married Miss Christenia 
 Griesse. He lived here till 1863, when he went to Moberly, and was employed 
 as foreman in Joseph Shelby's rope factory, until he was burned out by the bush- 
 whackers, in the same year. He now returned to Lexington; in a short time 
 went to Concordia, Missouri, where he lived until 1881, when he came to Kan- 
 sas City. In 1873-4, he visited Scotland, spending some twelve weeks. He has 
 five children: Mary, James, George, Matilda and John, all, except George, who 
 is in Leadville, Colorado, being at home. 
 
 J. C. FARRAND, 
 
 Architect. Was born in Steuben county, New York, July 3d, 1834, and has 
 maintained himself since he was sixteen. At that age he began to learn the trade 
 of carpenter and joiner with an uncle, at Hornelsville, New York, being with him 
 three years when he began to work under Freeman Stanton, a millwright. He 
 worked six years, and. while with him he received his first instructions in archi- 
 tecture. In 1859 he began the study of architecture under Samuel Sloan, of 
 Philadelphia, being under his instructions for three years. In 1862 he went to 
 La Crosse, Wisconsin, and soon after raised a company of volunteers for the 25th 
 Regiment, he being elected captain, and served two years. After the battle of 
 Vicksburg his regiment was sent north, but he being too sick was left in hospital 
 at Memphis, when he soon after received his discharge. After his discharge he 
 he went to Muscatine, Iowa, and thence to Davenport and became connected 
 with W. S. Carroll, architect of the city, being with him for two years. Then he 
 went to Des Moines, and opened an office and carried on the business of architect 
 for three years, leaving there in 1870 ; and after traveling through Wisconsin; 
 Michigan, Illinois, Missouri and Texas, he came to Kansas city in 1879, where 
 he is doing a good business in designing and superintending the construction of 
 buildings. 
 
 R. B. FARLEY. 
 
 Was born in Rockland, Ohio, January 9th, 1850, receiving his education in the 
 common schools, and there resided until twelve years of age. In 1862 he 
 removed to Dayton, and engaged in paper making, which trade he had learned in 
 his native to'wn, and made his home there about three years. Then went to 
 Middletown and afterward came to Kansas City, and was engaged in working at 
 his trade. Not being successful, in 1870 he embarked in the gas and steam fitting 
 business which he has since followed. March 17th, 1880, he was married to 
 Miss Florence Ensminger, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. 
 
 GEORGE W. FITZPATRICK, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, came to Kansas City in December, 1865, and is a specialist 
 streating diseases of the eye and ear. He was born in Clark county, Ohio, 
 August 4th, 1835, and when a year old his parents moved to Washington near 
 Salem. He received his early education in the common schools, and completed 
 it in the High school of Salem. In 1856 he went to Atchison county, Missouri, 
 
768 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 where he taught school, and studied medicine under Dr. John Lewis, of Rock- 
 port, which he continued until 1861. Then entered the Union service. Seeing 
 the troops of both armies pass his school house, his patriotism was aroused, and 
 dismissing his school in the middle of a term he entered into the United States 
 service, and when his term expired, in the following February, he raised Company 
 D, of the sth Missouri Cavalry Missouri State Militia, furnishing horses and 
 equipments for those who did not have them. He was subsequently elected and 
 commissioned captain. In September, 1862, on account of sickness, he resigned 
 his commission and went to Cincinnati, Ohio, and attended the Ohio Medical 
 College, graduating in July, 1863, and in the following August he was commis- 
 sioned assistant surgeon and placed in charge of prisoners of war at Camp Chase, 
 Ohio. Served in various places where duty called him, closing his services at 
 North Carolina as brigade surgeon, July i8th, 1865. In the fall of that year he 
 located at St. Joseph, but came to Kansas City and made investments. Before 
 leaving St. Joseph he married Mrs. Kate Connor, daughter of M. Rogers, one of 
 the oldest residents of that city. Himself and wife are Catholics and membets of 
 St. Patrick's church. They have three children : Catherine Jane, Ambrose N., 
 and Mary E. 
 
 J. E. FLEMING, 
 
 Architect and builder. Was born in Canada April 7, 1836, and resided there 
 until sixteen years of age, when he immigrated to the United States, settling in 
 Massachusetts in 1852. Here he remained for two years and then removed to 
 Michigan, living there till the war broke out. He was one to help organ- 
 ize Company B, of Breedkud's Cavalry, and served his company for three years, 
 taking part in numerous battles, and had several very narrow escapes. After 
 being mustered out, he returned to Michigan, but, on account of the health of 
 his wife, removed to Topeka, Kan. From there went to Philadelphia, remain- 
 ing three years, and while there contracted and built some of the finest blocks in 
 the city. He came to Kansas City in 1876 and has resided here ever since. Has 
 been actively engaged in contracting and building some blocks here and has won 
 an enviable reputation in his line. Mr. Fleming was married in 1863 in Wash- 
 ington, D. C, to Miss Esther Wiswell, of Shenango county, N. Y. They have 
 one son and one daughter : Thaddeus S. and Carrie May. 
 
 GEORGE FOERSCHLER, 
 
 Of the firm of Foerschler & Mach, butchers. Was born in Baden, Germany, 
 June 20, 1850, and there lived until about seven years of age. Then accom- 
 panied his parents to America, settling in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., where our sub- 
 ject was reared and educated.. At the age of thirteen years he became engaged 
 in the dairy business for his father, in that city, which he continued for about 
 eight years. Then was employed as salesman in a grocery house, and was thus oc- 
 cupied for five years when he commenced the butchering business, following it 
 three years. In 1876 he came west and engaged in farming near Wyandott, 
 Kas. , and three years later removed to that city, engaging in the meat business. 
 One year later he came to this city and formed a partnership with Mr. Mach. 
 They are doing a good business and have a fair patronage. Mr. Foerschler was 
 married in 1873 to Lizzie Bogler. They have a family of two children : George 
 and Lillie. 
 
 FORD & ARNOLD. 
 
 This firm is one of the oldest in its line, in the city, and is composed of J. M. 
 Ford and H. C. Arnold. Mr. Ford was born at Wabash, Ind., May 30, 1841, 
 and until nineteen years of age his time was spent on a farm, and in attending the 
 High school. He entered the Wabash College, at Crawfordsville, and from there 
 enlisted in the three month's service, in Co. I. Sth Indiana, and on account of ill- 
 
KANSAS CITY. 7g9 
 
 ness was mustered out at Indianapolis. Afterward re-enlisted for three years in Co. 
 H, 130th Indian^ Volunteers, serving until the close of the war. He entered the 
 army as private, was promoted to be first-lieutenant and commanded the company 
 in the serious battles around Atlanta. After the fall of that city he was detailed 
 by the secretary of war, and placed in charge of the depot of ordinance, Department 
 of the Missouri, at Jefferson City; was mustered out at the close of the war, at St. 
 Louis. Mr. Ford then returned to Indiana, commenced the study of medicine 
 and attended the University of Michigan, at Ann Arbor, graduating M. D. in 
 1869. He remained in the department of sciences and took the degree of Phar- 
 maceutical Chemist. Practiced medicine in Indiana for one year, and removed 
 to Gibson, Ford county, 111., where for one year he was engaged in the drug 
 trade. From that place moved to Colony, Anderson county, Kansas, and was in 
 the general merchandise business and the buying and shipping of stock. Four 
 years later he came to Kansas City and purchased the store corner of Fifth and 
 Main, where he has since remained. Mr. Ford is the owner of considerable real 
 estate, and has done much toward improving land in and around the city. He 
 purchased land and laid out the town of Riverview, and was one of the promoters 
 and builders of the bridge across the Kaw at the foot of Sixth street. Has large 
 interests in the boulevards and has taken an active part in the building and im- 
 proving of the southwestern boulevards. He is treasurer of the Wabash and 
 Democratic Consolidated Mining Company of Colorado, and was lately elected a 
 member of the City Council from the First ward. In October 1871, Miss Beulah 
 Kirk, of Indianapolis, Ind., became his wife. They have one son, Ernest E. 
 
 H. C. Arnold, was born on the 17th of May, 1849, and is a native of Monroe 
 county. Mo. He attended the Westminster College, graduating from that insti- 
 tution in 1864. In 1865 went to the commercial colleges at Chicago and Quincy. 
 Then moved to Sedalia where, for three and a half years he was engaged in 
 clerking. From that place he moved to Moberly, opened a drug store, continued 
 six weeks and then went to Nevada, in southwestern Missouri, on the line of the 
 M. K. & T. R. R. " to grow up with the country." For eight years he was suc- 
 cessfully engaged in the drug business there. He returned to Sedalia, and in the 
 fall of the same year sold out and came to this place, where he formed a partner- 
 ship with J. M. Ford. They conduct a business estabhshed as long as any of the 
 kind here. Mr. Arnold was married in Sedalia in 1872 to Miss Fannie Wood, of 
 that city. They have three children : Pauline, Hugh and Wood. 
 
 JOHN J. FOSTER. 
 
 Among the many prominent business men of this city is the subject of this 
 sketch. He is interested in the manufacturing and sale of harness, saddles, bri- 
 dles, etc. Mr. Foster has had a large experience in this business, and under- 
 stands it thoroughly, and goods of his manufacture meet with a ready sale. 
 In his manners he is pleasant and agreeable, and has won the respect of a large 
 circle of friends. 
 
 L. F. FRANKLIN, 
 
 Is a son of W. H. Franklin and grandson of Elder Lewis Franklin, who died at 
 his residence in Jackson county, Missouri, on the 2nd of November, i860. He 
 was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, March 2, 1793, and came to Missouri in 
 1829, locating in this county in 1830. He united with the Baptist church in 
 November, 1840, and was ordained a minister of the gospel by the Six Mile Bap- 
 tist church in 1842. Was a- man of strong intellect, and a zealous worker in the 
 cause, and by his energy and own exertions had acquired a large share of this 
 world's goods, and an. untarnished character. His son, W. H., moved to Inde- 
 pendence in i860, where he invested largely in real estate, and had two sons 
 and one daughter. The eldest of these children, our subject, was born February 
 
770 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 II, 1849, and in i860 moved with his father to Independence. There he ob- 
 tained a common school education, and in 1867 entered William Jewell College, at 
 Liberty, Clay county, Missouri. In 1871 he returned to his home and engaged 
 in the mercantile business with the firm of W. H. Franklin & Sons, hardware and 
 agricultural implements. Was appointed deputy county collector in 1872, hav- 
 ing his office at Kansas City. Mr: Franklin embarked in the real estate and 
 loan business in 1,877, under the firm name of Cannon & Franklin, but on the 
 I St of May, 1881, he bought out Mr. Cannon's interest and has conducted the 
 business alone at the same place. His marriage was July 15, 1880, to Miss Hat- 
 tie E. Hale, youngest daughter of Col. H. Hale, Superintendent of the Missouri 
 Pacific Railway. 
 
 C. E. FRADENBURG, 
 
 Depot master of the Union depot. Was born in Yates county. New York, May 
 6, 1834, and when sixteen his parents moved to Laporte county, Indiana. 
 There he lived until he attained his majority, having only the advantage of a 
 common school education. He came to Kansas City in i860, and in August of 
 the same year was employed by the Hon. A. B. Greenwood, Commissioner of 
 Indian Affairs, to make a trip with an overland expedition to Old Fort Bent, 
 near the head waters of the Arkansas River. This was the headquarters of the 
 Arrapahoe and Cheyenne Indians. Took four months to make the trip, and it 
 was one of the most pleasant events of his life.- After returning, to his home in 
 Kansas City he went to his old home in Indiana, aad, after serving in the quar- 
 termaster's department during the late war, he returned to Kansas City, arriving 
 there in March, 1866, where he followed his trade, that of carpenter, until 1871. 
 Was then employed on the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, erecting 
 bridges and station houses, until 1876, when he reeeived the appointment of 
 depot master of the Union Depot of Kansas City, and still holds that position. 
 April 2, 1862, he married Miss Elnora E. Free, of La Grange, Indiana, by 
 whom he has four children : Baron J., George E., Tom., and Rozeltha. 
 
 DANIEL A. FRINK, 
 
 Mayor of Kansas City. Prominent among the enterprising men of this city, is 
 the subject of this sketch,~who was born in Toland county, Connecticut, January 
 18, 1835. He was there reared, and received his education, working on a farm 
 until sixteen years of age. He then lost his father by death, and although young 
 and without much means, removed to Ohio, locating at Bedford, about twelve 
 miles from Cleveland. Here he made his home for nearly three years, next going 
 to Kalamazoo, Michigan, and remained for twelve years. In the fall of 1867 he 
 located in Kansas City, and has since been one of its most active and energetic 
 citizens. The first building he erected was on the site of the present post-office, 
 and he was engaged in the real estate business until the fall of 1878, when he was 
 elected to the office of judge of Jackson county. This position he occupied for 
 two years, discharging his official duties in a manner satisfactory to all political 
 parties. On the nth of March, 1881, the Republican party realizing his ability 
 as a public official, and his popularity with the people, nominated him for mayor 
 of the city, and he was elected by 1,200 majority. His marriage occurred in 
 1856, at which time Miss Helen E., daughter of August Mills, Esq., of Rich- 
 land, Michigan, became his wife. She is a sister-in-law of Governor Giddings, 
 who died in New Mexico, he having been Governor of that Territory. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Frink have brought up a family of three daughters : Fleta (wife of T. B. 
 Boothby, who is superintendent of the Pullman Car Company in this city), Nellie 
 (wife of George Spraker, a salesman in G. Y. Smith & Co.'s), and Lena (now 
 Mrs. Ferguson). 
 
KANSAS CITY. 771 
 
 ROBERT FUCHS, 
 
 Was born in Germany, in 1847, and wis there reared and educated. In 
 1872 he immigrated to the United States, arriving at New York, and from there 
 came at once to Kansas City. Soon after, he engaged in the bakery business, 
 which he has since followed. He has a large trade, and is one of the enterprising 
 citizens of our city, and one of whom she may be proud. He has built up a 
 fine reputation. In 1874 he was mirried to Miss Louise Breslick, of this city, 
 and by their union they have one son, William. 
 
 J. C. GARNEY, 
 
 Manufacturer of boots and shoes. Was barn in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, 
 October 13, 1845, where he remained until eleven years of age; then accompanied 
 his parents to Philadelphia, where he was reared and educated. At the age of 
 seventeen years, he commenced learning the trade of shoemaker, serving an ap- 
 prenticeship of sixteen months, when, owing to his master's tyrannical minner, 
 he went to Chicago. There worked as jouraeyraan for two years, and also at his 
 trade. From there to St. Louis, resuming his trade for two years more, and then 
 came to Kansas City, establishing himself in business in 1877. He has succeeded 
 in building up a good trade, on account of fair dealing and superior workman- 
 ship. Mr. Garney was married in 1879 to Miss Erme Miserez. He is a member 
 of the Mutual Protective Society. 
 
 ' S. GARDENER, 
 
 Dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, June 16, 
 1841, and there was reared and educated. When fourteen years of age he was em- 
 ployed in the wholesale hardware house of Ty'er, Davidson & Co., of Cincinnati, 
 being in their employ for ten years. On leaving that house in 1865 he went to 
 Natchez, Miss., and engaged in the hardware, stoves and tinware business with H. 
 M. Gastrell, under the firm name of H. M. Gastrell & Co., but on account of 
 the unsettled condition of the country and little demand for hardware he sold 
 out, and after prospecting through Kansas, Missouri and Alabama, he found no 
 place superior to Kansas City. Here he established himself in the hardware 
 business in 1866, and has continued ever since. In 1867 he took in Mr. Fred. 
 MuUett as a partner, the firm being Gardener & MuUett. They were together 
 until 1875, when Mr. Mullett sold his interest to Mr. J. C. Boyd, changing the 
 firm to Gardener & Boyd, and in 1876 Mr. Boyd sold out his interest to Mr. 
 Gardener, since which time he has carried on the business under firm name of 
 Gardener & Co.. He h^s met with success in his business enterprise in Kansas 
 City and thinks himself permanently located. In 1874 he married Miss Lou M. 
 Alms, daughter of H. Alms, of Kansas City. 
 
 R. G. GARDNER, 
 
 Photographer. Was born in Wyoming county. New York, August 11, 1826, and 
 was there reared. He worked in a factory when young and also attended school. 
 When he became of age he removed to Warsaw, and until the breaking out of 
 the war was engaged in the harness business. He offered his services to his coun- 
 try but was rejected. He commenced to learn his present business in New 
 York, and after a time commenced for himself and since then has successfully 
 followed it. He only remained in New York about one year and then removed to 
 Ashtabula, Ohio, where he was married to Violetta Potter, of New York. She died in 
 about one year and he then removed to Maquoketa, Jackson county, Iowa, 
 where for ten years he was engaged in busmess. There met with a serious loss 
 in the burning out of everything he had. After this he went to Topeka, and 
 ■after a residence of one and a half years, came to Kansas City in 1S78. His 
 
772 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 second marriage was December 30, 1866, to Pruella A. Moriarty, of Iowa. 
 Their family consists of two children, Richard M. and Frank. 
 
 I. A. GARLINGHOUSE, ^ 
 
 Physician and surgeon. I. A. Garlinghouse was born in Steuben county, New 
 York, October 9, 1852, and was educated at the Hammondsport Academy. In 
 1875 he began the study of medicine under Dr. J. C. Hughes, of Keokuk, Iowa, 
 and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, at Keokuk in June, 
 1878. Then he entered the hospital at Cleveland, Ohio, as house student, being 
 in practice there one year, when he returned to his old home in Steuben county 
 New York, and was engaged in setthng up his father's estate. After traveling 
 through Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Michigan he came to Kansas Citv 
 January 28, 1881, where he is acting as medical director for the Seventh Grand 
 •Division of the order of the Home Guardian (against sickness and accident), con- 
 sisting of the States of Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Dakota and Minne- 
 sota, and is also medical examiner for the sub-district of Kansas City, also a 
 general practitioner. 
 
 GEORGE GASTON 
 
 Was born in the Kingdom of Bavaria, in 1839, and resided there until 1861. He 
 was intended for the profession of arms, and graduated in the National Military 
 School in the city- of Munich, in 1858, being then about nineteen years of age. 
 He at once entered the Bavarian Army as, what would be known here, as brevet 
 second-heutenant of cavalry, and continued in that service until the outbreak of 
 our Civil War in 1861. In that year he resigned his commission in the Bavarian 
 service and immigrated to this country. 
 
 Upon his arrival here, his education as a soldier, together with the general 
 warlike spirit of our people at that time, irresistibly impelled him to re-assume the 
 uniform. He was tendered and accepted a commission as second-lieutenant in 
 the 32d New York Independent Battery, light artillery, and immediately joined 
 the army of the Potomac near Washington, with his battery. He served 
 under McClellan until the latter was relieved from command of the arm)', and 
 continued with the army of the Potomac in all its campaigns until after the battle 
 of Gettysburg, being, during the larger portion of this period, in command of his 
 battery. He was severely wounded in a skirmish near Maryland Heights in 1864, 
 and thus becoming incapacitated for field service, was made post adjutant at 
 Parkersburg, W. Va. He was mustered out of service in 1865. 
 
 After the war he entered into business in New York City, where he remained 
 about a year. He afterward came west to St. Louis, and subsequently, in 1867, 
 visited Kansas City, and foreseeing, with many others, its speedy growth and 
 commercial importance, determined to locate here. Untrained for any profession 
 or trade useful in peace, without financial resources, the immediate outlook was 
 not brilliant; but endowed liberally with that spirit of indomitable perseverance 
 with which all successful men and pioneers seem to be favored, he yet determined 
 to identify himself with the fortunes of his adopted home. That he has succeeded 
 is evidenced by his host of friends to whom "Gaston's" is a familiar word from 
 the Mississippi to the Rio Grande. He has accumulated a comfortable prop- 
 erty, and in his public capacity as caterer, has become one of the "institutions" 
 of Kansas City. By virtue of his many admirable personal qualities, his genial 
 sociable traits, his honesty and public spirit, the "colonel," as he is familiarly 
 styled, has acquired — and seems likely long to hold — an enviable position in pub- 
 lic estimation. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 773 
 
 J. C. GATES 
 
 Is one of four brothers, sons of Samuel Gates, a farmer of Hartford county, 
 Conn. He was born in April, 1829, and attended the common schools until he 
 was fifteen, when he began to clerk in a country store in his native county. Con- 
 tinued to do so until he was nineteen, when he went to Owego, N. Y., where he 
 was employed by N. Matson, jeweler, for v/hom he traveled three years as 
 salesman. Afterward purchased goods in New York and traveled for himself 
 three years. In 1854 he went to Illinois, and engaged in farming until 1867, 
 when he came to Kansas City and engaged in the wholesale boot and shoe busi- 
 ness with W. W. Kendall, under the firm name of Gates .& Kendall. He retired 
 from the firm after a successful business career in 1879, and invested in real es- 
 tate and building, and now owns many residences and business houses in Kansas 
 City. When starting out in Hfe he received but $200, but would have received 
 $500 had he remained on the farm until he had attained his majority, that being 
 the amount his father gave to each son when they became of age, and all the aid 
 he ever did receive was $1,000 from his' father's estate, long after he had begun 
 business for himself. In October, 1852, he married Miss Jane C. Hayes, who 
 was born and reared in his native county. They have four children : Nellie A. 
 (wife of Albert Marty, of Kansas City), Mamie J. (now attending the Gannett 
 Institute at Boston, Mass.), Lulie A. and Marvin H. Mr. and Mrs. Gates, with 
 their family, attend the Congregational church. 
 
 JAMES P. GAUGH 
 
 Was born in Lexington, Ky., December, 1836, and in 1854 went with his parents 
 to Bloomington, 111., where he lived until 1856, when he came to Kansas City. 
 Before coming here he clerked for R. O. Warriner, of Bloomington, 111., and on 
 his arrival in Kansas City, was employed by G. B. Thomas in the dry goods 
 business, being with him four years. In 1861 he began clerking in the mercantile 
 house of L. BuUene & Bro., being in their company until 1865, when he went 
 into the agricultural house of Plant Bros. & Co. Was with them until 1868, 
 when he was employed as clerk by John Doggett & Co., remaining with them 
 until 1874, and since then he has been in various employments, being three years 
 in the real estate business. In 1859 he married Miss M. M. White, who is one 
 of the first settlers of Kansas City. She came here in 1846, when seven years 
 old, with her mother, Mrs. Asenath White. At that time the city site was a 
 wilderness. There was only one business house, and in the same was kept the 
 post-office by Dr. Lykins. Her first schooling was in a log school-house that 
 stood in the woods near where the St. James hotel now stands. She has seen the 
 city grow from the diminutive hamlet of Westport Landing to the magnitude of a 
 metropolis. They have three children : W. Mortimer, Hattie A. and Minnie. 
 
 G. G. GAUGH, 
 
 •Book-binder. Was born at Lexington, Ky., September 8, 1853, and when six 
 years old his parents came to Kansas City. He attended the public and High 
 schools of this city until he was eighteen, when he began to learn the trade of 
 book-binder with an older brother, being with him two years. In 1873 he pur- 
 chased the business and began for himself, and although the youngest man in this 
 business in the city, he is building up a good trade and has an extensive patron- 
 age. His bindery is furnished with all the modern improvements for binding the 
 books, and he has the facilities for doing everything in his line. December it, 
 1874, he married Miss Carrie M. Fields, of Malone, N. Y. They have one child, 
 Walter, three years old. 
 
774 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 A. H. GLASNER, 
 
 Wholesale dealer in fancy groceries and delicacies. Was born- in or near Bruns- 
 wick,, Germany, February 30, 1846, and when young was brought by his parents 
 to America, landing in New York. They went immediately to St. Louis, Mo., 
 remained about three years and then moved to Nauvoo, where our subject was 
 reared and educated. At about the age of eighteen he entered the business col- 
 lege at Keokuk, Iowa, took a regular course and graduated. Then engaged in 
 the insurance business and afterward as salesman in a hardware store, serving in 
 the latter capacity about eight years. For one year was employed in the insur- 
 ance business, and then came to Kansas City in 1872, being engaged in the hard- 
 ware business as salesman, A year and a half later he became associated with 
 Mr. Lohrer, in the grocery business, this continuing one year, when Mr. Glasner 
 bought out his partner's interest. Two years later he became connected with 
 Adrian Dick in the-same business, this partnership continuing two years. Then 
 commenced running the business alone, and so continues it. In 1881 he started 
 in the wholesale business and is liable in the near future to be numbered among 
 the leading merchants of Kansas City. Mr. Glasner was married in 1878 to Miss 
 Bertha Dick. They have one child. Mr. Glasner is a member of the A. F. and 
 A. M., having attained the degree of M. M. 
 
 A. GEORGE, 
 
 Dealer in live stock. Is a native of Germany, and was born April 14, 1841. In 
 the spring of 1848 crossed the water to America, landing at Baltimore, and located 
 in Augusta county, Va., remaining in this State till the spring of 1857. Then went 
 to McDonough county, 111., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits till 
 the spring of 1862, when he crossed the plains to Washington Territory; pros- 
 pected about the different Territories of Washington, Idaho, Montana and Oregon, 
 engaged in various business, also purchased a ranch in Payette Valley, Idaho, 
 which he had charge of during most of his stay in the West. In 1869 he returned 
 to Illinois. In the spring of 187 1 went to Ft, Scott, Kansas, to buy cattle, keep- 
 ing them till fall when he shipped them to Chicago and returned to Illinois, 
 remaining over winter. In the spring of 1862 he went to Neosho county, Kan., 
 where he was engaged in buying and shipping cattle till fall, when he came to 
 Kansas City. Here he has since made his home, and been engaged in the cattle 
 trade. From May i, 1876, to the fall of 1877 ^ ^s in the commission trade as one of 
 the firm of Gillespie, Reed & Co. During 1880 was one of the firm of Geo. 
 Beggs & Co. He is also proprietor of a restaurant and saloon opposite Stock 
 Exchange Building. Was married to Miss Jennie Bowden, of Indiana, July 5, 
 1874. They have three children, two of whom are living : Elmer F. and Minnie. 
 
 HENRY G. GILCHRIST, 
 
 Grocer. Mr. Gilchrist is a native of Jackson county, Mo. He was born at In- 
 dependence June 3, 1849, where he was reared and educated. His father was 
 killed during the late war, supposed to be by Quantrell's men, while he was out 
 buying cattle. In 1867 Mr. G. took a commercial course at Rohrer's Business 
 College at St. Louis, and afterward in the same year he, with an uncle, made a 
 trip through Colorado to Santa Fe to purchase cattle, and drove back, returning 
 in the spring of 1868. He afterward made several trips up to 1870, when he 
 was employed in the grocery house of James Burnes, being with him until De- 
 cember, r875. I"^ February of 1876 he engaged in the grocery business for him- 
 self and is still in business. 
 
 ROBERT GILLHAM, 
 
 Civil Engineer. Was born in New York City September 24, 1854. By the time 
 he was fifteen he had received a good literary education and at that age he began 
 
KANSAS CITY. 775 
 
 a scientific course in the Mathematical Institute of New Jersey, at Hackensack, 
 under the instructions of Professors William Wiiham and D. G. Murray, graduat- 
 ing in 1871, and soon after he became the first assistant of Professor Wiiham in 
 his library, and at the same time began taking a special course in civil engineering. 
 He began his labor as a practical engineer in Hackensack and in 1873 also had 
 an office in New York City. His proficiency as a civil engineer has been duly 
 appreciated, and the preferments received from eminent pubHc men and civil 
 engineers mark the standard of his merits, having been placed on committees, to 
 make important investigations in legal and personal disputes, with such men as 
 Prof. Charles B. Brush, of the University of New York City, and William B. 
 Earl, engineer of the Jersey City Water Works! He superintended the construc- 
 tion of the double draw bridge of Court street, Hackensack, and also the iron 
 combination bridge built by the Watsons' Bridge Company of Patterson, N. J. In 
 1879 he made a trip to Colorado and accidentally stopping at Kansas City on his 
 return, and readily seeing its promising future, and its imperfect system of sew- 
 erage and non-established grades presented a good field for a practical engineer, 
 he determined to locate and cast his lot with those who had preceded him. Since 
 establishing himself in Kansas City he has originated an improvement of Ninth 
 street by connecting it with West Kansas by an inclined plane, and has organized a 
 company for its construction composed of the representative men of the city. He 
 has made sewerage and sanitary engineering a study, and has submitted a system 
 of sewerage to the Academy of Science of Kansas City in a series of lectures, 
 which have been published, and may be adopted by the city. He is a member 
 of the Academy of Science, of this city, and also of the Kansas Academy of 
 Science, at Topeka, being one of a committee on geology of that society. 
 
 A. J. GILLESPIE, 
 
 Of the firm of A. J. Gillespie & Co. , Live Stock Commission Merchants. 'Is a 
 native of Illinois, and was born in CHnton county, March 14th, 1835, was educated 
 in his native county, and has followed the stock business from boyhood. When 
 about twenty-five years of age he moved to St. Louis, where he was engaged in 
 speculating in stock, horses and mules, also in filling government contracts. In 
 1868 he came to Kansas City and immediately began in the live stock commission 
 trade as one of the firm of Toby, Gillespie & Co. In 1870 he was with W. A. Rogers 
 till 1873. Tn connection with the stock trade was also interested in an elevator 
 known as that of Gillespie & Bancroft. They erected this, and it was the only 
 one in the city, and had charge of it four years. In 1878 he, with his three sons, 
 started the present firm. They also have a ranch in Wyoming Territory, where they 
 keep many cattle, and have, since 1875, driven cattle from Montana and Washing- 
 ton Territories. He was married to Miss A. L. Nichols, May 4th, 1859. They 
 have three children: Louis J., Thomas E., and John F. 
 
 J. B. GISH, 
 
 Physician and surgeon. Was born in Virginia, in 1836, and in 1848 he immi- 
 grated to Indiana. Lived in that State until 1865, when he came to Missouri, 
 locating in Cedar county. In 1861 he moved to Kansas and made that State 
 his home until 1880, living in Jefferson county from 1862. He attended the St. 
 Louis Medical College, and graduated in 187 1. On the 24th day of January, 
 i88o. Dr. Gish took up his abode in Kansas City. His marriage was June isth, 
 1856, to Miss Kate A. Masterson. 
 
 A. L. GLENN, 
 
 Circulator of the Kansas City daily Journal of Commerce. Was born in Green 
 county, Pennsylvania, in 1837, and at the age of twelve years removed to Iowa 
 with his brother. From there he went to Kansas, and thence to Colorado, and in 
 
776 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 1862 he enlisted in the 2nd Colorado Cavalry, and served for three years. During 
 this time he was in many severe skirmishes, and was mustered out at Leaven- 
 worth, Kansas, in 1865. After this he came to Kansas City, and December i, 
 1870, he took charge of the circulation of the Kansas City AzAj Journal of Com- 
 merce, which has a large patronage. Mr. Glenn was married in 1871, to Miss 
 Alice Umbarger, of Liberty, Clay county, Missouri. She was born and reared 
 there, her father being one of the earhest settlers of Clay county, having come 
 from Keijitucky. They have had three children, two of whom are living : Cora 
 E., and Daisy B. One child died when twelve months old. 
 
 JOHN J. GRANFIELD, 
 
 Market Master. Was born in the State of New Hampshire, February 28th, 1851, 
 and received an education in the St. Patrick's Academy at La Salle, Illinois. 
 After this he spent some years in traveling over the west and finally located in 
 Kansas City, in the. spring of 1873. ^^ ""^^.s employed by the Hannibal & St. 
 Joseph Railroad Company as check clerk and foreman of the freight house in 
 Kansas City, filling this position to the satisfaction of all concerned. In April, 
 1880, he received the appointment to the office which he now holds. 
 
 MRS. E. P. GRAVES, 
 
 Nee Amanda C. Smart, is another of the first settlers of Kansas City who came 
 to Jackson county with her parents in 1837, before Kansas City was ever thought 
 of as a city, and while it was known as Westport Landing. At that time there was 
 an old log warehouse and a small collection of frame and log houses. She was 
 born near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, April 21st, 1829. Her father, Thomas A. 
 Smart, was a native of Virginia, and her mother of Kentucky. They settled on 
 an acre of ground that is now between Ninth and Twelfth streets and east of 
 Main street, that being near his farm which is now the main part of Kansas City, 
 and' where she, in her girlhood days, dropped corn and pumpkin seed with her 
 father's negroes, as a pastime. Her old home was on the corner of Main and 
 Twelfth streets, where Deardorff's lumber yard now is, that being the play-ground 
 of her brothers and sisters, nine in all, only two of whom are now living, herself 
 and sister, and Mrs. Dr. John Bryant, Jr. Her first schooling was in the old log 
 building near the old convent, which still remains, and is the only building of the 
 days primeval of Kansas City. She was mostly educated at the High school of Inde- 
 pendence, Missouri. She has been three times married. Her first husband was 
 Madison M. Waldron, to whom she was married in 1847 and who died in 1854; 
 they had three children, only one of whom (Alice, wife of D. O. Smart, of Kan- 
 sas City) is living. Her second husband was G. W. McLeod; they were married, 
 in 1857, and he died in 1867 ; they had one daughter, Martha Elizabeth, (wife of 
 Langston Bacon, Esq., of Kansas City). She married her present husband, E. 
 P. Graves, in 1872. 
 
 S. S. GRANT, 
 
 Manager of the Kansas City Stock Yards, Horse and Mule Market, was born 
 in Lawrence county, Alabama, August 24, 1823. His father, Thomas B., was 
 a native of Virginia, and was one of the .first settlers in Alabama, and spent his 
 entire life dealing in fine stock. The subject of this sketch, in 1844, moved to 
 Tuscaloosa, where he remained engaged in the horse and mule trade till December, 
 1859, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio. There he was also engaged in the 
 same trade, till the commencement of the war, after which he was engaged buy- 
 ing horses and mules for the Government. He bought through several States, hav- 
 ing the name of purchasing more than any other one man in the business. After 
 the close of the war he moved to St. Louis, at which place he had a part of the 
 time been interested during the time of his government purchases, and was in 
 this place till the fall of 1878. Then he came to Kansas City and accepted his 
 
KANSAS CITY. 777 
 
 present position. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Millet September 4, 1844. 
 She is a native of same county as himself, and was born December 8, 1824. 
 They have seven children, five of whom are living : Benjamin T. , Solon C. , 
 I,orenzo, Martha E., Sarah A. 
 
 JAMES M. GREENWOOD, 
 
 Superintendent of the Kansas City Schools, was born in Sangamon county, 
 Illinois, November 15, 1836, and in 1852 removed with his father to Adair county, 
 Missouri, where the latter now resides. James was brought up on a farm, and at 
 the age of nine years commenced attending school in winter and working on the 
 farm in summer. He went to school in this manner until sixteen years of age, 
 when he moved to Missouri, where, for four years, all his school advantages were 
 at an end. But by self application he made substantial progress in Latin, alge - 
 bra, chemistry, etc., and in 1855 commenced teaching. During the next winter 
 he attended school, and after working on the farm the following summer, entered 
 Canton Seminary, where he passed the examinations of the entire course, but, 
 however, at the cost of his health. For one year he gave himself up to rest, and 
 from this time until 1867 he taught during the winter and worked on the farm in 
 summer. Upon the establishment of the North Missouri Normal School at Kirks- 
 ville, in 1867, he was chosen to teach the higher branches, and filled this position 
 for three years, when he accepted the same chair in the Mount Pleasant College, 
 at Huntsville. Here he taught until the North Missouri Normal School was made 
 a State Normal, when he returned to that institution. This position he resigned 
 in the summer of 1874 to accept the superintendency of the Kansas City schools. 
 Since holding this office he has refused the principalship of four Normal schools 
 within the State. In 1872 Prof. Greenwood received the well merited degree of 
 A. M. from the Missouri State University. During the last twelve years he has 
 delivered five hundred lectures on educational topics in Missouri, Iowa and Illi- 
 nois. He has conducted Normal institutes since 1868, and in the meantime has 
 contributed largely to leading journals of our State. He was made a Mason in 
 1864, and belongs to Kirksville Lodge No. 105. He is also a member of K. of 
 P. Lodge No. 39, Kansas City. He served in the State militia from 1862 to 1864. 
 Prof. Greenwood was married in Carroll county, Missouri, November i, 1859, to 
 Miss Amanda A. McDaniel. They have three children: Ada M., Hervey V. 
 and Nettie E. Under the present management the city schools are attracting 
 attention for the high standard of scholarship, the thoroughness of their instruc- 
 tions and the efficiency of their government. 
 
 DR. HARRIS S. GREENO 
 
 Was born at Millport, Chemung county. New York, August 7, 1832. His father 
 was an extensive millwright, contractor, and builder, and during the war of 181 2 
 was placed in charge of the construction of boats for government use, at Buffalo. 
 The parents of our subject both died in the fall of 1849, within two months of 
 each other, and one of his brothers, Isaac, died the same night of his mother's 
 death. Two weeks later another brother, Horace, died, leaving him the only 
 member of the family at home. At this time, being seventeen years of age, he 
 removed to Owego, New York, and entered the Owego Academy. He paid his 
 *ay by doing janitor work at the institution, and working nights and mornings. 
 This course he pursued for over two years, receiving a fair education, and then 
 was employed by the Panama Railroad Company, for six months, laying up a 
 small amount of money. This enabled him to pursue the study of medicine, 
 which he had previously chosen, and after studying it for one year, he engaged 
 in the mercantile business at Roseville, Pennsylvania. Being burned out, he 
 determined to finish his medical education, and accordingly entered the medical 
 department of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1857. His first 
 field of practice was at Amboy, Lee county, Illinois, where he remained until 
 
778 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 August, 1858, then moving to Kansas. He engaged in practicing at Osawatomie 
 until the fall of 1859, when he moved to Fort Scott, residing until the breaking 
 out of the war in 1861. There being great excitement along the border of Kan- 
 sas and Missouri, and as there was no military protection at that time, he organ- 
 ized an independent force of over one hundred men, establishing a camp on Cox's 
 Creek, twelve miles south of Fort Scott. In that capacity he gave such protec- 
 tion as was in his power, until Gen. Lane arrived with Kansas troops, in Au- 
 gust 186 1, when he disbanded his men, most of them entering the regular 
 service. Our subject himself was made captain of Company C, 6th Kansas Vol- 
 unteers, and was afterward engaged in scouting and fighting guerrillas. In the 
 spring of 1862 he was placed in charge of four companies of the 6th Kansas 
 Cavalry, attached to the command of Col. Charles Doubleday, of the 2nd Ohio 
 Cavalry, and started on an expedition to the Indian nation. Space prevents a 
 full account of the engagements along this route. On the 24th of August, 1862, 
 Captain Greeno was wounded, which prevented him from duty for several weeks. 
 On the 26th of November he rejoined his regiment and was engaged in recruiting 
 and raising companies until October 14, 1864, when he was promoted to major. 
 He served until the close of the war, was mustered out at Little Rock, and was 
 afterward breveted colonel by the President, for meritorious conduct. Dr. Greeno 
 is a prominent secret society man, being a Royal Arch Mason (of which he has 
 filled the chair as Master of the Blue Lodge), and an Odd Fellow, a member of 
 the Grand Army of the Republic, and for several years was Post Commander of 
 the G. A. R., of Topeka. He resumed the practice of his profession after the 
 close of the war, and in March, 1877, came to Kansas City. He was married 
 August 28, 1855, to Miss Sarah E. Bodine. They have one daughter, Nettie, 
 who was educated at Mt. St. Mary's Convent. One died at the age of two years. 
 
 JOHN F. GREGORY, 
 
 Of the firm of Gregory & Stephens, Commission Merchants, was born in Cayuga 
 county, New York, May loth, 1838. When sixteen years of age, he came to 
 Shelby county Illinois. June, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company G, 22nd 
 Illinois Infantry, for three years, and after being in service one year, was pro- 
 moted to non-commissioned orderly sergeant, participating in the battles of Charles- 
 ton, Belmont, New Madrid, No. 10; Farmington, Mississippi; siege of Corinth, 
 Stone River, and Murphy's Ferry, Tennessee. Here he was wounded in the 
 wrist, after which he was taken prisoner and lodged in the hospital at Montgomery. 
 Was kept in this institution three months when he was transferred to Vicksburg, 
 remaining till the begining of Grant's siege, when he was taken to Libby prison. 
 Remained about fifteen days, when he was released, serving his time out in the 
 veteran reserve corps. Was mustered out, June, 1864, and then returned to 
 Vandalia, Illinois, accepting a position as clerk in a store. Retained this position 
 one year, when he went to Chicago and engaged in a sash and door factory. 
 In 1868 he began the stock business, most of the time with Gregory, Cooly & Co., 
 till 1870, when he came to Kansas City. Here he opened an office, attending 
 business for the firm till 1875, when he began an office for himself. In 1879, he 
 accepted as partner James Stephens, which constitutes the present firm. Was 
 married to Miss Lillie Sanford, June 9th, 1878. 
 
 WILLIAM B. GRIMES, 
 
 Son of Richard and Charlotte Bradford Grimes, was born at Rocky Hill, Hartford 
 count)'-, Connecticut, September 15th, 1825. His father was a great seaman and 
 of Scotch lineage, while his mother was a direct descendant of the second colo- 
 nonial Governor, William Bradford, who came over in the Mayflower in 1620. 
 When twelve years of age, our subject was left in New York City to be educated, 
 and when seventeen returned to his native place to begin his career as a mer- 
 
KANSAS CITY. 779 
 
 chant. After serving an apprenticeship of three years, he removed to Circleville, 
 Ohio, remaining there for three years, when, nearly falling a victim of malaria, he 
 visited his father's home in Texas in 1847. In 1848, he commenced raising cat- 
 tle, giving his entire attention thereto for ten years, when he engaged in shipping 
 cattle to New Orleans. On account of the civil war, Mr. Grimes, to meet the 
 demand for general supplies in his section, conceived the idea of sending cotton 
 to Europe by way of Mexico, which he continued until the close of the war, be- 
 ing pecuniarily successful. Soon after, in connection with another party, he 
 furnished means to two young men to carry on the dry goods jobbing business, 
 but not giving his personal attention to this enterprise it proved a financial failure, 
 proving a serious loss and many years of perplexity and care. In 1868 he erected 
 in Texas, at his home ranch in Matagorda county, a steam rendering and packing 
 house, in which were slaughtered from 5,000 to 14,000 cattle per annum ; adding, 
 in 1873, beef canning for foreign markets. In 1875, owing to Indian depreda- 
 tions on a cattle ranch he had established about i860 on the Mexican frontier, 
 he was obliged to devote his attention to their removal, and in 1875 stopped his 
 canning works, in the full tide of prosperity, to take these cattle to the Kansas 
 market. Being successful in this, he has continued in the business to the present, 
 all cattle interests and his Texas ranch being in charge of his son, B R. Grimes. 
 Commencing life in Texas, as a bachelor, he built a log house for a home and 
 purchased about 1,000 cattle. In 1854 he purchased another ranch near by and 
 continued adding to his herds up to the time he located in Kansas City, in 1877, 
 when he had about 20,000 cattle on his Texas ranch, and about 4,000 in Kan- 
 sas In 1854, his losses and damages were heavy, caused by a hurricane which 
 visited that section. In 1875, ^^- Grimes handled in Kansas 8,000 cattle; in 
 1876, about the same; in 1877, something over 10,000; wintering in Kansas in 
 1877-8 over 4,000 head which he marketed in eastern cities. Through all these 
 operations he must have been very systematic, and his early training for mercan- 
 tile pursuits was carried into the work of his later life. He has never taken' an 
 active part in politics nor mingled in public life, more than his large range of 
 business has compelled him to do. Mr. G. at the age of thirty, 1855, was first 
 married to Maria L. Robbins, of Hartford, Connecticut, when he took his wife to 
 Texas, erected a store, dwelling, etc., and lived with her in Texas for twenty 
 years, where she died at the age of thirty-nine, leaving nine children ; four had 
 preceded her and one immediately followed to her heavenly home. His second 
 marriage was to Mrs. Irene T. Poole, widow of a well known and highly respected 
 gentleman of Indianola, Texas, having three children. December, 1880, Miss 
 Grace Irene was presented to Mr. G. , making twelve the entire number of chil- 
 dren in his household. Mr. G's. experience in handling Texas cattle on the plains 
 of Kansas, and frontier country northwest, west and southwest of Kansas City, 
 gave him great faith in the future of the "Gate City" of the West ; hence in 1877 
 he bought a large, comfortable but plain residence, and made a number of invest- 
 ments in real estate at this point. In 1880, he built the fine stone business house 
 on Delaware street known as the "Grimes Block," after which he organized the 
 dry goods jobbing house of Grimes, Woods, La Force & Co. , which firm are fill- 
 ing that entire block with one of the most complete stocks of dry goods andnotions, 
 ever brought west of the Missouri River. 
 
 MRS. AIMEE GUINOTTE, 
 
 Me Brichaut, was born in Breuxelles, Belgium, July 24th, 1823, where she was 
 reared and received her elementary education, graduating from the Academic de 
 Donai, France. She, accompanied by relatives, came to the United States in 
 1852, shipping from Liverpool and landing in New York City, where she was 
 united in marriage with Joseph Guinotte, the Right Reverend Archbishop 
 Hughes, officiating, and the marriage was attested to by the Hon. H. Mali, Bel- 
 
780 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 gium, consul at New York City. She had made the acquaintance of her husband 
 in her native country and their marriage was delayed by his going to Mexico in 
 1842, to superintend the building of the first railroad in that Government, that 
 running from Vere Cruz to the City of Mexico. There he remained until the 
 Mexican Government became incensed against the French during the Mexican 
 War and he was obliged to leave, and traveling up the beautiful valley of the 
 Missouri m 1848, he at once located at Kansas City. He had letters of intro- 
 duction and recommendation to prominent families in St. Louis, and from there 
 to the Chouteau family in Kansas City, and soon after his arrival, he built the log 
 house, still occupied by his family, on a prominence on the bank of the Missouri 
 River. It was built for the reception of his afifianced, whom he was expecting 
 and afterward married as before mentioned. He had such confidence in the 
 future growth of Kansas City that he with four others purchased the tract known 
 as the Chouteau tract, containing twelve hundred acres and which was so ruth- 
 lessly taken from him during the late war, virtually impoverishing his family, and 
 was the immediate cause of his death which occurred September ist; 1867, he 
 taking his life by his own hand. She has an interesting family of four children: 
 Edgar, a graduate of Washington College of St. Louis, and is a practicing lawyer 
 in Kansas City, to whom much credit is due for the effort he has made to support 
 his widowed mother and his sisters ; Lydia, a teacher in the Karnes school of 
 Kansas City, a graduate of the Kansas City High school, and also of St. Theresa 
 Academy ; Emma, teaching French in the Kansas City High school, of which 
 she is a graduate; Karl, an architect of Kansas City and also a graduate of the 
 Kansas City High school. 
 
 THOMAS HACKETT, 
 
 Merchant tailor. Is a native of Liverpool, England, and was born November 
 12, 1830. When thirteen years of age he began the tailor's trade, working at it in 
 his native city till July 28, 1850, when he started for America, landing at New 
 Orleans, September 28. Remained there working at his trade till the fall of 
 1851, taking a trip through Arkansas in the spring of 1852. That summer he 
 came to Independence, Mo. , and in the fall to Kansas City and located near the 
 old Gillis House on the levee. Was there engaged at his trade two years and 
 1854 went to Osceola, St. Clair county. Remained during 1854-5, when he 
 went to Benton county. In 1861 he joined the Confederate forces and remained 
 in service two years when he returned to Sedalia in November, 1863, and was at 
 this point very successfully engaged at his trade till the spring of 1877, when he 
 again located in Kansas City. Was married to Miss Margaret Thoso, a native of 
 Virginia, December 21, 1854; they have five children: Ellen M., Jennie M., 
 Howell E., Laura and Thomas E. 
 
 JOSEPH HAEFNER, 
 
 Senior member of the firm of Haefner & Dunham, dealers in lumber. This 
 gentleman was born in the city of Wurtzburg, Germany, May 5, 1830, and ed- 
 ucated at one of the famous universities of that city. Leaving there in his seven- 
 teenth year, he went to Vienna, and engaged as day book-keeper in a large 
 manufactory, remaining for some time, until finding an opening, he learned his 
 trade — that of baker and confectioner. He came to America, landing in New 
 York, August 12, 1851, remaining there one and one-half years. Leaving there, 
 he went to New Orleans, where he remained two years; then engaged as steward 
 on the steamer "Black Warrior," plying between New Orleans and San Francisco 
 via Isthmus of Panama. He made two trips, and the climate of the Isthmus not 
 agreeing with him, he quit the service, and landed in New York City. During 
 the year 1855, he came to Kansas City, and found employment as steward in the 
 Southern Hotel. Served in that capacity until the spring of 1856, when he em- 
 barked for himself in the bakery and confectionery business, carrying on that 
 
KANSAS CITY. 781 
 
 until 1864. He traded places with Mr. George Messerschmidt, and car- 
 ried on the grocery business until May ist, 1880. Then purchasing his present 
 location, he associated himself with his present partner, Mr. Dunham. Mr. 
 Haefner has always associated himself in everything pertaining to the growth and 
 prosperity of this city, and is the owner of a large amount of real estate and a 
 heavy tax-payer. Was married in August, 1856, in Decatur, Illinois, to Miss 
 Margaret Hamann. They have had ten children. Six are now living : Gertrude, 
 Ida A. , Lizzie, Margaret, Joseph and Frank. 
 
 J. A. HAHN, 
 
 Wholesale manufacturer of ladies' sewed shoes. Mr. Hahn established his busi- 
 ness in Kansas City in January, 1881, having followed that trade since his boy- 
 hood. He is a native of Wisconsin, and was born in Dodge county, near Ken- 
 osha, on the 24th of July, 1854. He lived at this place until sixteen years of 
 age, when he went to Wrightstown, near Green Bay, to learn the shoe manufac- 
 turing business with an uncle by the name of N. Remmel. He served two 
 years and received for compensation for the time the sum of fifty dollars. On 
 leaving his uncle, in 1872, he returned home; and after a short visit went to 
 Fond du Lac, Wis. , where he was employed in a shoe manufacturing establish- 
 ment. Leaving Fond du Lac in 1873, he went to a small village on Lake Win- 
 nebago called Pope Village. Here he was a year employed in his business, and 
 in 1874 he went to Escanoba, Mich., where he was again employed in the busi- 
 ness. Leaving here in 1876, he again visited his home. This same year he went 
 to Ripon, Wis., and was employed by Thomas McCormick; continued with him un- 
 til 1878. At this time was employed by Shirley & Rummell, of Philadelphia, as a 
 traveling salesman, and traveled through Michigan and Wisconsin until 1879, 
 when he again visited his home. He soon after went to Milwaukee and was em- 
 ployed in the shoe manufactory of Ammazeen & Haley and remained with 
 them until 1881, when he came to Kansas City and established himself in his pres- 
 ent business. He employs twenty hands, and manufactures about seventy-five 
 pairs of shoes per day. His trade extends through Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, 
 Colorado, Texas and New Mexico. He was married on the i8th of May, 1879, 
 to Miss Clara Kuehue, of Milwaukee. They have one child, Cora, born in 
 Milwaukee. 
 
 A. S. HAINES, 
 
 Grain and produce commission merchant. Was born near Xenia, Ohio, in 1843, 
 his parents moving to Muncie, Indiana, when he was very young. Was there 
 reared and educated in the common schools, and there remained until he came 
 to Kansas City in 1868. On his arrival here he at once embarked in the grain 
 and produce commission business on East levee, and in that year built the first 
 building in Kansas City used for storing grain. Up to that time the grain, all of 
 which was bought from wagons, was irnmediateiy shipped in sacks to St. Louis, 
 and about all the dealing in meats was buffalo, antelope and game. He is among 
 the very first commission merchants of the city that had the facilities for storing 
 grain. Has been successful in business, and has ever been alive to the growth 
 and advancement of Kansas City. He was one of the prime movers of the 
 present Board of Trade, being its first secretary, and during its infancy worked 
 to secure its permanency. He was one of the committee to select location and 
 approve plans for the New Board of Trade building, and is now serving his third 
 term as director. He did business during the severe winter of 1874 when he 
 took possession of his present house. His business extends throughout Illinois, 
 Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Dakota, 
 Texas and New Mexico, and annually amounts to from $125,000 to $150,000. 
 June 15, 1865, he married Miss Emma Winton, daughter of Dr. Robert Winton, 
 of Muncie, Indiana, by whom he has three children, Robert, Charles and Maud. 
 
782 BIOGRAPHICAL. , 
 
 R. J. HAIRE, 
 
 Attorney at law. Was born in Jackson county, Michigan, January 2th5, 1850, 
 and was there principally reared. He received his early education in the com- 
 mon schools, and after leaving them, entered the classical department of Michigan 
 University. He graduated from the literary school of this institution in 1872, 
 and the same year entered the law school. He commenced the practice of his 
 profession in Jackson county which he continued until January, 1881, and during 
 two years of thistime he was prosecuting attorney of his native county. In 1881 
 he came to Kansas City and engaged in practicing, and, although not a long resi- 
 dent, bids fair to build up a good business. He has been very successful so far, 
 as he was before coming here. 
 
 GEORGE C. HALE ■" 
 
 Was born in Caton, St. Lawrence county. New York, October 22, 1847, residing 
 there until 1863, when he came to Kansas City, and has been identified with its 
 improvements since. After coming he engaged in the foundry business as ma- 
 chinist, pattern maker and molder, being thoroughly posted in regard to the 
 trade. In 1868 he took charge of the machinery on the Missouri River Railroad 
 bridge during its building, and in 1869 resumed his business in the foundry, 
 which he continued until 187 1, when he was employed by Kansas City to take 
 charge of the steam fire engine, and still fills the position. He was the builder 
 of the first steam engine in this place, and completed it in 1847. After a few 
 years it was removed to the lead mines at Joplin, Mo., and is still in operation 
 at that point. December 6, 1877, he invented the Hale rotary engine, setting 
 one up at the Capitol in Washington, D. C, and one in our own vicinity. They 
 can be seen at Plankinton & Armours' packing house, and also in I. Whitaker's, and 
 Smith & Co.'s foundry and machine works. July 23, 1874, he invented an un- 
 hitching apparatus, to be applied to the halters of horses used in fire departments. 
 Another one of his inventions is the Hale swinging harness, which is suspended 
 above the tongue of a truck, also for use in engine houses. Space prevents us 
 giving an extended account of this, suffice it to say that it is in use in all large 
 cities and this has received the hearty indorsement of Henry B. Hamel, chief of 
 the fire department. 
 
 G. W. HALLETT, 
 
 Dealer in fancy goods, notions, etc.; proprietor of "The Fair." Was born in 
 St. Johnsbury, Vermont, August 23, 1841. Made that place his home until 
 fifteen years of age, receiving his education in the common schools and an acad- 
 emy. In 1856 he went to Rochester, New York, engaging in the bakery busi- 
 ness. Remained there about three years, then went to IngersoU, Canada, and 
 resumed his former business. He put in the first machine tor making crackers 
 ever introduced in Canada, and was successfully engaged until a fire swept every- 
 thing he had. On account of ill-health, he spent about a year around Lake 
 Superior, and soon after went to Meridan, Connecticut, where he started in the 
 manufacturing business. He moved it from there to Middletown, Connecticut, 
 and put the business into a stock company of $75,000. In this continued for 
 two years, and then became engaged in selling fancy goods and notions, with his 
 brother, at Gloversville, New York. Since then he has followed the same business 
 in Amsterdam, Schenectady, Oswego, New York, Eria, Pa., Cleveland, Ohio, 
 and Buffalo, N. Y. From this latter place, Mr. Hallett came to Kansas City, in 
 October, 1879. He married Miss Mary F. Harvey, daughter of Colonel Harvey, 
 of Passumpsic, Vt., on the 6th of October, 1862. They have three children: 
 Carrie M., Charlie R. and Freddie O. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 783 
 
 JOHN E. HALE, 
 
 Book-keeper for J. R. StoUer, commission merchani. Was born in Andrews 
 county, Mo., September 28, 1841. Was educated in his native State, and was 
 there engaged in teaching school, working on a farm, till 1863. He went to the 
 plains in 1866, returned to Platte county, and remained till the fall of 1867, 
 when he came to Kansas City. Taught school about three years, holding the 
 office of county superintendent during the years of 1871-2, after which he taught 
 about three years more. Then began working in the interest of the Kansas City 
 Stock Yards, being with Powers, Rial & Co. one year, and with James & Bryant 
 one year, after which time he accepted his present position. Was married to 
 Miss Adelia Lewis, January 20, 1867. Six children were the fruit of this union : 
 Myrtie, Maud,' Jessie, Jewell, Ruby and an infant. 
 
 JOHN HALL, 
 
 Architect, was born near Stratford on Avon — the birth-place of Shakespeare- 
 July 26, 1845, and is the oldest son of WiUiam Hall, of Warwick, an officer of His 
 Majesty's forces. He was educated at Rigby, and in 1861, at the age of sixteen, 
 began to study the principles of architecture, under H. C. Robinson, of London, 
 England, and was at the same time attached as a joiner to W. Ballard, to facilitate 
 his knowledge in his chosen profession. He was also a student of the Museum 
 of Arts and Science, at Kensington, England, and is a prize holder from that 
 institution, for free hand-drawing and practical geometry. His designs for public 
 and private are to be found in many cities and villages in England. He came to 
 the United States in 1879, and naturally gravitated to Kansas City, when he at 
 once took steps to find the most practical and popular architect, and was referred 
 to A. B. Cross, with whom he engaged himself for some months. Since he 
 opened his office as an architect and superintendent, his business has steadily 
 increased, until it is very extensive. 
 
 LOUIS HAMMERSLOUGH. 
 
 Perhaps there is no name more familiar to the people of Kansas City and 
 vicinity than that of Louis Hammerslough. For twenty-three years he has been 
 a merchant of this city and thoroughly identified with its interests. In February, 
 1858, he located in the clothing business on Third street, where he remained two 
 years. Afterward he removed to the corner of Third and Main streets, which 
 place he occupied for ten years, building up a large trade and making his name 
 and business known throughout the west. In 1869 Mr. Louis Hammerslough 
 lost his entire fortune, the sum of $100,000, in railroad speculations, but nothing 
 daunted by this reverse of fortune, he commenced at the lowest round of the 
 ladder and has steadily ascended to the top. In every enterprise that has been 
 inaugurated for the benefit of the city he has taken a prominent part, and the 
 enthusiastic vigor and common sense which he infused into the enterprises has 
 served to make it successful beyond doubt. Mr. Hammerslough was one of the 
 original committee that organized the Kansas City Industrial Exposition, and 
 labored with great zeal and diligence toward making it a grand success, and to 
 him much is due for the prominence and reputation which this exposition has 
 achieved all over the west. Mr. Hammerslough was also mainly instrumental in 
 organizing the first board of trade in this city. He was also the primary cause 
 of the narrow gauge road, now the eastern division of the Missouri Pacific,- being 
 built. By his industry, perseverance and patience, stock was taken, subscription 
 raised and the road built. The first locomotive that ever traveled over the road 
 after completion, was named Louis Hammerslough. He is a member in good 
 standing of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows' orders, and is also a consistent 
 member and prominent officer of the B'Nai B'raith. 
 
 He was married in 1861, and is the father of nine children, five of whom 
 
784 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 are living. In personal appearance Mr. Hammerslough is pleasing, and in con- 
 versation is affable, polite and entertaining, and numbers his friends by the score. 
 He is now in the forty-sixth year of his age and is still youthful looking in appear- 
 ance, and will doubtless live long to enjoy the fortune which he has made by his 
 own industry and perseverance, as Mr. Hammerslough is essentially a self-made 
 man in every sense of the word. 
 
 In 1870 Mr. Hammerslough purchased the building at the corner of Fifth 
 and Main streets, and has occupied the same ever since as a clothing emporium. 
 He is a native of Germany, having been born in Hanover, August 25, 1835. 
 
 J. T. HAMMOND, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, was born in Baltimore, Md., July 31, 1845, ^^^ was 
 there reared. He attended select schools and a college for about three years, 
 and then went to Richmond and attended a college. For six years he was en- 
 gaged in the drug business at Leavenworth, Kan., and in St. Louis, Mo., and in 
 1873, entered the old McDowell, or Missouri Medical College. There received 
 a thorough education, and after graduating, he practiced for one year in the hos- 
 pital before starting in his profession on his own account. He then practiced 
 in Leavenworth, Kan., Platte county. Mo., and in May, 1880, came to Kansas 
 City. Has secured a good practice and stands high among his brother prac- 
 titioners. 
 
 JOHN H. HAMILTON, 
 
 Of the firm of Hamilton & Co., was born in Pekin, Tazwell Co., 111., January 
 24, 1840, and remained in his native home till about fifteen years of age. Then, 
 with his parents, L. D. and Martha A., he moved to Logan county, where his 
 parents yet remain. In 1878, John W. went to Benton, 111., where he was en- 
 gaged in the railroad business for eighteen months and returned to his native 
 home. Previous to his railroading, he had been engaged as clerk and book- 
 keeper. After spending about six months at his native home, he located in Kan- 
 sas City, and embarked in the sale of staple and fancy groceries, and is now one 
 of the leading business men of Kansas City. Was- married to Mrs. Susan Neal 
 {nee Bradly), Dec. 14, 1879. She has two children, Charles and Edward. 
 
 JAMES M. HARNER, 
 
 Tonsorial artist, was born in DuPage county, , 111., March 28, i860, and there 
 received his primary education in the common schools. When seven years of 
 age he removed, with his parents, to Kansas City, Mo., where he has since lived. 
 After arriving he attended school for a time, and then learned his trade of his 
 father, having commenced when quite young. He has literally grown up in his 
 business, and in all respects is a superior workman. He owns a shop fitted up 
 with the latest improvements, and belongs to a class of wide-awake business men. 
 Thus far he has succeeded well and deserves to continue so. His father, who 
 died in 1874, was a native of Pennsylvania, and among the earliest settlers of Illi- 
 nois. He was a respected citizen, widely known, loved 'and honored. He left, 
 besides his wife, a son and two daughters. Before his death, in 187 1, he was 
 elected alderman. 
 
 JOHN L. HARGREAVES & BRO., 
 
 Plumbers, gas and steam fitters. This firm was organized in December, 1880, 
 and is composed of J. L. and Geo. C. Hargreaves. The former was born Sept. 
 9, 1852, in Cincinnati, Ohio, but was principally reared in Wheeling, West Vir- 
 ginia. There commenced to learn his trade. He traveled considerably through 
 the United States and Europe, and finally settled here in 1879, holding the posi- 
 tion of foreman in Hornbrook Bros.' shops. He engaged in his present business 
 in December, 1880. George C. was born September i, 1857, in WheeHng, West 
 

 
 
 Jl^, i ."^c^^V^ 
 
KANSAS CTIY. 785 
 
 Virginia. Learned his trade there and came here in the summer of 1880. Both 
 members of the firm are excellent workmen, and are building up a good trade. 
 They attend the Second Presbyterian church. 
 
 HARRIS & SPRINGER, 
 
 Novelty Manufacturing Company, commenced business in December, 1880. In 
 January, i88i, they invented and patented a clock which displays a great deal of 
 ingenuity. By setting the clo.ck in the evening, a fire can be lighted without any- 
 body touching it in the morning. C. C. Harris was born in Rochester, N. Y. , 
 January 13, 1853 ; received excellent educational advantages in youth, and after 
 becoming of age, as a marine engineer and machinist. In 1879 went to Lead- 
 ville, engaged in his present business, following it for one year. Then commenced 
 silver mining, and is still interested in it to some extent. In December, 1880 
 he came to this city and, in partnership with Mr. Springer, started this business. 
 He married Miss Mary Eastman in October, 1875. She is a native of Cornwall, 
 Ontario. Their family consists of two children, Charles and Russell. 
 
 G. R. Springer was born in Germany, February 25, 1859. He came to the 
 United States in 1875, settling in Rochester, N. Y., where he learned the trade 
 of concaving and grinding razors. This he followed until becoming connected 
 with Mr. Harris, in 1880. 
 
 JULIAN E. HARBY, 
 
 Attorney, was born in Sumter, South Carolina, August i, 1857. Was educat- 
 ed in the common schools, and in 1870 he entered the Bingham Military Insti- 
 tute, North Carolina, graduating in the summer of 1873. In the fall he went to 
 New York City, where he engaged in the study of his profession in the office of 
 Hudson & Straus. After reading for a term of two years he entered the Uni- 
 versity Law School of this city, remaining in this school two years, and graduat- 
 ing with honors, being the youngest one of his class. Then went in the office 
 with Gen. J. E. Ward, of New York, one of the most prominent lawyers in the 
 city. September 9, 1878, was admitted to the New York City bar, practicing in 
 that city till March 1880. Spent a few months in the south with his friends and 
 relatives, and located in Kansas City, August 15, 1880, and was admitted to the 
 Jackson county bar at the October term of circuit court, 1880, before Judge 
 Woodson. Mr. Harby is a young man of untiring energy, and his friends know 
 him as a man careful with interests intrusted to his keeping. 
 
 D. A. HARRINGTON, ■ 
 
 Contractor and builder, was born in Castletown, County of Cork, Ireland, the 
 22nd of December, 1844. Left his native country when nineteen years of age, 
 and came to the United States, first settling in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he began 
 working at the trade of carpenter, and met with success. He went to Nashville, 
 Tennessee, and worked in the employment of the Government until 1865, when 
 he returned to Cincinnati, and still worked at his trade until 1868 Then re- 
 moved to Covington, Kentucky, and was employed in a planing mill for a year, 
 his work being terminated by the explosion of a boiler, blowing the mill to atoms. 
 He immediately began working in the car shops of the Kentucky Central Rail- 
 road, and a short time after came to Kansas City. He arrived here in the fall of 
 1869, and worked as journeyman until 1871, when he embarked in business for 
 himself He has been successful in his business operations, and has built many 
 buildings, among which the most prominent are the business houses of J. Ken- 
 nan and M. Burnett, and the residences of A. G. Trumbull, Hugh Lynch, the 
 Karnes school building, and many others. He employs from fifteen to thirty men. 
 November 22, 1866, he married Miss Mary Tobin, of Cincinnati. They have 
 five children; James born in Cincinnati in August, 1867, William H. born in 
 
786 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Covington, Ky., October 22, 1869, Sarah born in Kansas City January 30, 
 187 1, George born in Kansas City August 25, 1873, and Minnie born in Kan- 
 sas City October 15, 1877. He is the owner of extensive property in the city, 
 consisting of several residences. Besides being a contractor and builder, he is 
 an experienced architect, holding diplomas and premiums from the Kansas City 
 Exposition for plans and specifications. He is one of the leading mechanics of 
 the city. 
 
 C. C. HARE. 
 
 Was born in Bullet county, Kentucky in 1831, and was principally reared in the 
 city of Louisville. There resided until 1868, and during this time he was engaged 
 in working in sheet metal, which trade he learned there. This he continued until 
 1 861, when on the outbreaking of the war, he enlisted in Co. G, 34th Volunteer 
 Infantry, and was afterward transferred to Co. L, Fifth Kentucky Cavalry, with 
 the rank of captain. Served four years, and then tendered his resignation, re- 
 turning home in 1865. Resumed his former business and in 1868 removed to 
 Kansas City, where he at once engaged in the manufacture of metal cornices and 
 roofing. This he has since followed and his work may be seen on many of the 
 principal business houses here as well as in Kansas and other States. In 1852 he 
 married Miss Isadore Bethmum, who was born and reared in Louisville, Ky. 
 They have six children living : William C, Sidney J., Florence G., Frank, Hugh 
 N. and Dora M. 
 
 BENJAMIN HASKELL, 
 
 Of the firm of Means & Haskell, live stock commission merchants, was born 
 in Franklin county, Mass., October 30, 1827, and when nineteen years of age, 
 went to Hartford, Conn., where he was engaged in various branches of business, 
 principally produce, grain and real estate ; also mail contracting over different 
 States. Beginning in the west in 1862 went first from Des Moines, la. to Council 
 Bluffs and other points. During his travels through the west he created an anxiety 
 to make it his future home. April 10, 1879, he moved to Atchison, Kansas, 
 where he embarked in the live stock commission trade with F. P. Halsey, re- 
 maining till November 15, 1880, when he began business in his present location. 
 Miss Martha A. Sears became his wife in November, 1852. She was born in 
 Hartford, Conn., November 10, 1831. She was reared and educated in her native 
 city and there lived till the time of her marriage, being the first graduate in the 
 High school of that place. They have one child, Kate L., born in Hartford, 
 Conn , and graduating in the same school as her mother. 
 
 CHARLES E. HASBROOK, 
 
 Who is now thirty-four years of age, was born and reared in Galesburg, 111. He 
 received excellent educational advantages in youth, and entered the Lombard 
 University, from which he graduated in 1870. In 1871 he received the degree 
 of LL. B. from the law department of the Chicago University, and in 1872 be- 
 gan his career as a journalist. He was connected with the Chicago press until June, 
 1874, when he became city editor of The Kansas City Times. Later he took edi- 
 torial charge of the Boonville (Mo.) Advertiser, and continued there with marked 
 success. He was elected secretary of the Missouri Press Association for two 
 terms. Returning to Kansas City, Mr. Hasbrook was with the Kansas City Price 
 Current until 1879, when he was tendered the position of business manager of 
 Tke Times. He is now secretary and one of the directors of the company. In 
 1881 he received the appointment as aid to Governor Crittenden, with the rank of 
 lieutenant-colonel. Mr. Hasbrook was married in October, 1871, to Miss Delia 
 Ekins, of Galesburg, Illinois. They have had three children : Adah May, Ethel 
 and Lucile. The latter died in 1879, and was buried in the old cemetery at 
 Galesburg. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 787 
 
 JOHN G. HAYDEN. 
 
 Was born in Hopkinsville, Christian county, Ky., July 8, 1808, and at the age of 
 eighteen years removed to Marion county, Mo., locating at Palmyra. There re- 
 mained until the fall of 1834, then removing to Clay connty, where he resided 
 until 1840, and thence to Platte county. During this time he was appointed 
 general wagon master and continued two years. Leaving Platte county he came 
 to Jackson county, and in September, 1857, to Kansas City. Was elected marshal 
 of Kaw township in i860, and then was elected sheriff of this county, serving for 
 two years. Was re-elected in the fall of 1862, serving for nine months, when he 
 was displaced by the Governor, and superseded by Major Williams, of Kansas. 
 Shortly after Mr. H. was appointed deputy U. S. marshal for the western dis- 
 trict of Missouri, holding this office for two years. In 1864 received the appoint- 
 ment of government inspector of liquors and coal-oil, serving one year and then 
 resigned, since which time he has lived a somewhat retired life. He has been mar- 
 ried three times. First in 1831 to Miss M. S. Price, of Ky., who died in 1833, 
 leaving one son, James P. His second marriage occurred in 1835, to Mrs. Eliz 
 L. Bradshaw, a sister of his first wife. She died in 1862, leaving six children- 
 Elizabeth, Martha A., Louisa, George, Samuel, and Robert, three of whom are 
 deceased. In 1865 he was married to Susan Daniel, a native of Mississippi, and 
 daughter of William Daniel, of St. Louis. 
 
 OLE HEG, 
 
 Grocer, was born in Norway in r83r, and there remained until eight years of 
 age, when he accompanied his parents to America. Settled in Racine county, 
 Wisconsin, and here our subject was reared and educated. At an early age he 
 began the printing business, which he follosved until about twenty-five years of 
 age, and then engaged in the mercantile business at Waterford, same State. He 
 remained in busmess there until 1876, when he came to Kansas City, and has 
 since made it his home. By strict integrity and attention to business has been 
 quite successful. Mr. Heg is a brother of Col. Heg, of the 15th Wisconsin, 
 killed during the war, and who, at one time, was commissioner of the State's 
 Prison of Wisconsin. Our subject has been twice married. First in 1853 to 
 Miss Amelia Christenson, of Racine ; they had three children, only one of whom 
 is now living, Mrs. George E. Newell, a practicing physician of Waterford. His 
 second marriage was to Nanna Christerson, a sister of his first wife. Mr. Heg is 
 a member of the Masonic fraternity and a Knight Templar. 
 
 PHILLIP J. HEUN, 
 
 Dealer is Groceries and Crockery. Was born in Bavaria, Germany, July 31st, 
 1835, and was there reared and educated. He came to America in 1854, and 
 went to Hamilton, Butler county, Ohio, and there engaged in the mercantile trade 
 for about twelve years. In June, 1866, he moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and 
 purchasing the real estate, at his present location, he built his large and commodi- 
 ous store that he now occupies, and where he is doing a very extensive business. 
 Mr. Heun has been prominently identified in the city interests, having represent- 
 ed the second ward in the city council for two terms and during that time has 
 served on several important committees, such as the Board of Public Works, 
 Board of Fire Department and various others, and always filled these positions of 
 trust with universal satisfaction. Like many others, beHeving in the rapid growth 
 of Kansas City, he has invested largely in real estate and improved property, 
 owning several buildings, one in particular being the fine block on the corner of 
 Thirteenth and McGee streets. He was married in New York to Miss Margaret 
 Bescher, October 5th, 1859. They had eight children, five of whom are now 
 living: Henry J., born July isth, i860; Peter A., born June 6th, '62; Clara, 
 
788 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 born April 7th, '67 ; Mary A., born August 28th, '69; Annie M., born February 
 25th, '72. 
 
 P. J. HENNESSY, 
 
 Physician and Surgeon. Was born in Ireland, County of Cork, on or about the 
 17th day of March, 1851. Owing to the bitter persecution waged against its 
 Irish subjects by England his parents were obliged to leave and come to free 
 America, he being but one year old. Arriving in America and landing at New 
 Orleans, they at once proceeded to St. Louis, their future home. Here the 
 doctor was raised, and at an early age was placed under the care of the Christian 
 Brothers, and being an apt scholar rapidly learned. Arriving at the proper age 
 he was sent to the College of the Christian Brothers and from thence went to 
 study medicine at the St. Louis Medical College at the age of twenty-one. 
 Havmg graduated he left for Iron Mountain to begin his professional career. 
 Here he remained for six months, at which time his mother and brother contem- 
 plated a trip to Europe, not desiring to leave and being ambitious to make his 
 mark during their absence he returned to his field of labor. About this time 
 considerable attention was paid to this section of country by the Government, on 
 account of very fine granite being found, and here the basement of the St. Louis 
 custom house was quarried and worked. Graniteville, as the place was called, 
 was a thriving town, and at the earnest solicitation of Orville Grant, the President's 
 brother, he removed to Graniteville, six miles distant, and was physician and 
 surgeon for the government employees, where he remained two years. Again 
 returning to Iron Mountain he resumed local practice and remained there till the 
 panic times of 1876, when the mines were completely stopped and workmen dis- 
 charged. Then he resolved to return to his first home in St. Louis, and at once 
 entered actively upon his professional duties. Here he remained till May nth, 
 1880, when a confrere of his died in Kansas City, and his dying request being 
 "if Dr. Hennessy would take my place?" he came to Kansas City and has made 
 for himself an enviable reputation, and to-day his practice is large and daily 
 increasing. Being a man of the people he is with them in all things pertaining to 
 their general welfare. In 1873 he was elected county delegate of the Ancient 
 Order of Hibernians of Iron county, Missouri. In the year 1874 he was elected 
 coroner of Iron county on the Democratic ticket, b'y a large majority. In 1875 
 he was elected as one of the delegates to represent said county. In 1878 he was 
 elected physician and surgeon of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, for the city of 
 St. Louis, the largest society in the city, comprising ten divisions. In 1879 he 
 was re-elected to the same responsible position and served with marked ability 
 and to the entire satisfaction of the members. In 1880 he was unanimously 
 elected president of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of West Kansas City, and 
 vice-president of the Land League. The doctor is unmarried, he is a genia,! 
 gentleman and makes friends slowly but surely ; a man of few words, but deep 
 thought, and one who attends strictly to his own business. 
 
 JOHN C. HEROLD, 
 
 Butcher. Was born in Saxony, February 7, 1833, and resided there until his 
 twentieth year, his education being received in the common schools before he 
 was fourteen. He then came to the United States in 1853, landing in New York 
 city, there working at different trades. From there he went to New Orleans, 
 remaining until 1855, when he removed to St. Louis, and thence to Kansas City 
 in 1865, and has been engaged in the butchering business since. He occupies 
 one of the best shops in the market alley, and has built up a good trade. In 1858 
 he married Louisa Howard, of St. Louis. Their family consists of six boys; 
 Charles S., George, William, Augustus, Alfred and Otto. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 789 
 
 JAMES HEWSON & CO., 
 
 Of Hewson's Chemical Works. Began business in 1873 in small quarters on 
 Delaware street, manufacturing the French Baking Powder on a small scale. 
 The growth of the business speedily necessitated larger quarters, and they removed 
 to Missouri avenue, where they occupied a three story building until it no longer 
 afforded adequate facilities, when they erected their present splendid four story 
 brick building, Nos. 10 and 12 East Third street, especially for their business. 
 It is of handsome exterior, and is regarded as one of the most complete for its 
 intended use in the United States. The chemical works occupy four floors, 
 40x75 each. The basement, which is lofty, with extensive areas, is used for the 
 prepartion of Hewson's Liquid Blueing, one of the hundred articles manu- 
 factured by Hewson & Co. The main floor is occupied by the handsome show 
 rooms, in which samples of the goods manufactured are displayed. The second 
 floor contains the laboratory and storeroom for chemicals, etc. On this floor is 
 prepared, with the utmost care and precision, the celebrated French Baking 
 Powder, the standard article on which the success of the firm has been secured. 
 On this floor are also prepared and bottled triple extracts, flavoring, toilet articles 
 and perfumes which have now a great and popular a demand. Mr. James 
 Hewson, the principal of the firm, was born near Toronto, Canada, February 
 26, 1841, where he lived with his parents on a farm until eighteen, and up to 
 that time he had acquired a good education by attending the common schools. 
 On leaving home in 1859 he went into the store of Lindsey & Co., of Tullamore, 
 Canada, as a clerk, and was with them nearly three years, when he saw the ne- 
 cessity of a business education, and at once began a commercial course at the 
 Toronto Commercial College, graduating from that institiition in the fall of 1862. 
 In the summer of 1863 he was employed as head bookkeeper by Gooderham & 
 Worts, millers and general mercantile men, and was with them three years. In 
 1868, after prospecting through Canada and finding no desirable location, he 
 came to Kansas City. February 9, 1870, he married Miss Amelia Austin, of 
 Canada. They have three children : Birdie, Sadie May and Myrtle Edna. Him- 
 self and wife are members of the Grand Avenue M. E. church. 
 
 REV. TIMOTHY HILL, D. D. 
 
 Was born in the town of Mason, Hillsborough county. New Hampshire, 
 June 30, 1819. He received a liberal education at the common school of his 
 native town, and at the age of nineteen entered Dartmouth College, and gradu- 
 ated from-that institution in 1842. In the fall of the same year he entered Union 
 Theological Seminary, of New York City, graduating in June, three years after. 
 In October, 1846, he removed to Missouri, locating at St. Charles, where he 
 took charge of the Presbyterian church for a period of five years. After this he 
 went to St. Louis, where he resided for several years, taking charge of Fairmount 
 church; under his direction and teaching the membership, was largely 
 increased, the social status raised to a higher standard, and a general unanimity 
 of feeling was felt throughout. Most of his time during the war was spent in 
 Illinois. In July, 1865, he came to Kansas City and began the formation of the 
 Second Presbyterian church, and organized the same with ten rnembers ; was 
 also instrumental in raising funds and erecting a large and comfortable church in 
 which to worship. He remained there as pastor until October, 1868, when he 
 was appointed district secretary of the Presbyterian church, in which capacity he 
 has proved himself a faithful worker. To his care has been committed the entire 
 State of Kansas, in which may be seen, by a glance on the map, dots inscribed 
 in a circle showing where he has established churches in all the settled counties in the 
 State but two. Also has jurisdiction over the whole Indian Territory, and has 
 had, at different times, the care of the Home Mission work in Missouri and Texas. 
 On November '2, 1854, he married at St. Louis Miss Frances A. Hall. They 
 
790 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 have two children, John Boynton, born November 3, i860, and Henry Edward, 
 born February 9, 1863. 
 
 JOHN B. HILL, 
 
 Of Mason, New Hampshire, and formerly of Bangor, Maine, and a brother of 
 the preceding, has attained considerable celebrity as a writer of local history, and 
 is an extensive owner of real estate in Kansas City, also of many fine build- 
 ings which secure for him a large income. To these the care and oversight has 
 been assigned to his brother. Rev. T. Hill. 
 
 ISAAC HIRE, 
 
 Proprietor of meat market. Was born in Ross county, Ohio, Sept. 4, 1837, 
 and when ten years of age immigrated with his parents to McDonough 
 county, Illinois. There spent his youth on a farm, and when twenty-two years 
 of age, commenced to learn the butchers' trade. Followed it there about ten 
 years, then removed to St. Louis. After one year he came to Kansas City and 
 opened his shop, which is neatly arranged and a good stock always on hand He 
 married Miss Elizabeth J. Palmer, March 25, 1858. She was born in Hancock 
 county, Illinois, September 19, 1837. They have six children living : Elizabeth 
 M., William E., Jessie T. , Isaac C, Luther P. and Addie L. Lost two. Mrs. 
 Hire is a member of the M. E. church. 
 
 R. J. HOLMES, 
 
 Farmer. Was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, January 15, 1810, and was 
 there reared, his early education being received at the common schools. Novem- 
 ber 26, 1833, he was married to Miss Mary A. Bradshaw, a native of Bourbon 
 county, Kentucky. They have, one son and one daughter : James T. and May 
 C. (now Mrs. Stewart). In 1846 he removed with his family to Jackson county, 
 Missouri, stopping at Westport during the winter. Then purchased the farm on 
 which he now lives, and has been actively engaged in agricultural pursuits and 
 dealing in stock. His farm contains 275 acres,' well improved; it was mostly 
 timber when he bought, and a large portion of it was cleared by himself, and 
 his buildings are now large and commodious. Mr. H. has seen Kansas City 
 grow from a small village to the metropolis of the west. 
 
 HOWARD M. HOLDEN 
 
 Was born in Maiden, Mass., on the 28th day of August, 1837. His parents were 
 Rev. Eli Holden and Phoebe Holden, of that place. He received a good En- 
 glish and business education in the local schools of Maiden, having graduated 
 from the High school, but has not had the advantages of a collegiate course. In 
 185s he came west and located in Muscatine, Iowa, where he connected himself 
 with the banking house of Messrs. Green & Stone. He continued in this con- 
 nection until 1858, by which time he had given such evidences of that financial 
 ability, for which he since became distinguished, that he was offered a connection 
 with the American Exchange Bank of New York, which he accepted and re- 
 mained for about a year, when he returned to Iowa, and in the winter of 1859- 
 60 he established a branch of the Iowa State Bank at Marshall in Washington 
 county, of which he was at first cashier, and afterward president. He contin- 
 ed in the management of this bank until the spring of 1866, when he withdrew 
 from it. In the fall of that year he came to Kansas City. Within the first six 
 months of his residence in Kansas City, he invested $110,000 here, the largest 
 sum of money that at that time had been brought to the city by any single new 
 resident, and all of which was the product of his own effort since leaving Maiden 
 in 1855. $8o,.ooo of this sum was invested in the stock of the First National 
 Bank, the remaining $17,000 at that time in the bank being held by, Dr. St. Clair 
 
KANSAS CITY. 791 
 
 and his son, M. W. St. Clair. Mr. Holden became cashier of the bank, and 
 under his management it immediately entered upon a career of prosperity and 
 usefulness rarely equaled by any banking institution. It was a leading feature 
 of his management to extend whatever aid he legitimately could to enterprises and 
 new interests, and thus he made the bank a potent element in the development 
 of the young city. It was to his hberal course toward the Texas cattle 
 drovers more than to any other agency that that cattle business came 
 to be concentrated at Kansas City, and without his liberal help that 
 interest would likely not have been received. The establishment of a 
 large beef packing business here in 1868, and the two or three following 
 years was equally due to his efforts. In all other public enterprises and interests 
 of a commercial character, from 1866 to 1878, he took an active and substantial 
 interest, and during all these years his bank was a source of public spirit that 
 made itself potently felt in the rapidly growing young city. In 1870 the demands 
 upon the bank having become greater than its capital would warrant, its stock was 
 increased to $250,000, the business men of Kansas City becoming the purchas- 
 ers of the new stock. In September, 1873, the bank yielded to the financial 
 storm at that time precipitated upon the country, and for a time was suspended. 
 It soon rallied, however, and resumed business, but so many of its debtors- were 
 nearly or quite bankrupt by the shrinkage of orders incident to the panic, that 
 their obligations were never met. To overcome such losses and maintain the 
 bank, Mr. Holden determined upon another increase of its stock, and such was 
 the regard of the people for it, that they readily took $250,000 additional stock he 
 desired to place, thus increasing its capital to $500,000. 
 
 However, in January, 1878, the bank again met with disaster, from which 
 it could not be ralHed, and passed into the hands of a receiver. The circum- 
 stances leadmg to this event are peculiar. The bank had become the source of 
 credit for live stock and grain merchants, and to some extent to producers of these 
 classes of property. It had been its habit to aid them Uberally in the fall and 
 early winter when they needed money to hold their property for better markets, 
 and this had contributed alike to the prosperity of the bank, the Kansas City 
 markets and the country. This winter however was exceptionally mild and 
 damp, grain did not become sufficiently dry to be marketed, and pork packing 
 had to be entirely suspended. The debtors of the bank could not, therefore, meet 
 , their engagements with it, until the reduced trade in winter merchandise com- 
 pelled merchants to withdraw their deposits to meet eastern bills. The bank 
 suspended and went into liquidation the 29th of January, amid the universally 
 expressed regrets of the people. Smce that time Mr. Holden has devoted him- 
 self to the settlement of its affairs, and to the fulfilling of a pledge made to the 
 people at the time that it would be made to pay its debts in full. 
 
 In 1856 Mr. Holden represented his county in the Iowa Legislature, where 
 he made many political friends who sought his consent to become a candidate for 
 state treasurer at the next election. It seemed that a political career was thus 
 opening upon him, but it was less attractive to him than banking and he declined 
 it. He was married to Miss Mary F. Oburn, daughter of Rev. William Oburn, 
 in Indiana, in 1867, and has three children. He is a member of the Second Pres- 
 byterian church of this city, and was once quite an active Mason, but has not 
 given much attention to the order during his residence in Kansas City. 
 
 M. HOLBROOK, 
 
 Book-keeper in the Great Western Laundry. Was born in Pensnett, England, 
 December 27, 1846, where he lived with his parents until he was fifteen. Then 
 immigrated to America, arriving at Point Levy, Canada, in the spring of 1862, 
 and from there went to Ottawa. In 1864, he went to Oswego, N. Y. In 1866, 
 he went to Chicago, where he was employed as clerk in the shirt manufacturing 
 
792 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 establishment of the Wilson Brothers. In 1870, the same firm established a shirt 
 factory in Troy, N. Y., and sent him there. Leaving them in 1871, he went to 
 New York City, where he was employed as manager in the same business by J. 
 W. Henderson, and was with him until 1873. Then returned to Troy, remaining 
 until 1877, when he came to Kansas City, and was employed by his present 
 employer, J. R. Williamson, in the Great Western Laundry of Kansas City. 
 May 31, 1870, he married Miss Mary Burt, of Troy, N. Y. They have one 
 child: Hattie, born in Troy, N. Y., March 29, 187 1. 
 
 GEO. HOLMES, 
 
 Of the firm of White & Holmes, commission merchants, came to America in 
 1848, landing at New York, remaining about eight months, when he immigrated 
 to the Rocky Mountains. There was engaged in mining for two years, when he 
 came to Westport, Jackson county. Mo., remaining until 1857; then went to 
 Texas. Previous to this, while in Westport, was engaged in a store as book- 
 keeper. Returning from Texas in a short time, and in the fall of 1857 located 
 on a farm, where he was engaged in the stock business, having the name of feed- 
 ing the first cattle in this locality. In 1875 he began in the commission trade, in 
 the firm of which he is now a partner. He was married to Miss Susan Stone, 
 November 29, 1856. She is a daughter of Daniel Stone, who was one of the 
 pioneers of this county. She was born in Virginia, February 27, 1836. They 
 have six children: Charles E., Luta (now Mrs. RatHff), Jennie, George, Guy, 
 Daniel. 
 
 ALFRED HOOVER 
 
 Was born near Nicholasville, Jessamine county, Ky., April 4, 1820, where he 
 lived with his parents, until he attaiaed his majority. He married, and settled 
 there, remaining until 1853, when he came to Jackson county, Mo. August 10, 
 1843, he married Miss Elizabeth J. Hackett, of Jessamine county, Ky., by whom 
 he has eleveri children: Anna (wife of F. S. Rice, of Jackson county), John W. 
 (one of the proprietors of the Blue Springs Flouring Mills, near Independence), 
 Jacob F. (of Blue Springs), Sarah, Charles S. (miller of the Lee's Summit Mills), 
 and Elizabeth, Alfred, Fred, George H., James and Edward. Fred is clerking 
 in a grocery store of R. M. Kimball, of Kansas City. When he first came to 
 Jackson county, he established himself in the wagon making business, on the 
 Santa Fe road, near Independence, which he followed until the breaking out of 
 the war. Then went to Bloomington, 111., and lived until 1865, when he returned 
 and located on a farm on Sugar Creek, in Blue township, where he has lived until 
 recently, having sold his farm. Mr. and Mrs. Hoover are members of the 
 Christian church, and have been since 1830. 
 
 G. W. HOPSON, 
 
 Railroad engineer, was born in New York, April 11, 1838, where he resided 
 until 1857, when he removed to St. Louis and accepted a position as engineer on 
 the Missouri Pacific Railway. He remained with this company until 1868, when 
 he came to Kansas City and accepted a similar position on the Kansas City, Ft. 
 Scott & Gulf Railroad, which position he holds at the present time. His run is 
 from Kansas City to Joplin, Jasper county, Missouri, on a passenger train. He 
 is one of the first engineers on this branch, and one of the oldest on the road. 
 Mr. Hopson has had a large experience in the railroad business, and understands 
 it thoroughly, having been in it in different capacities for twenty-four years. He 
 is a member of Kansas City Lodge, No. i. Knights of Pythias, and also Section 
 5?, Endowment Rank. He was married to Miss Mary Herman, July 26, 1861. 
 Mrs. Hopson is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and was born on the 17th of 
 February, 1841. Their family consists of four children ; Sarah V., George W., 
 
KANSAS CITY. 793 
 
 Josephine A., and Robert E. They are members of the Second Presbyterian 
 church of Kansas City. 
 
 JOHN C. HOPE, 
 
 Sheriff of Jackson county. Was born at Harrodsburgh, Mercer county, Ken- 
 tucky, February 14, 1836, and when but one year old was taken by his parents to 
 Boyle county. There he was reared until he was eighteen years of age, receiving 
 a common school education, and in 1854 came to Jackson county arriving on 
 the 14th of April. He engaged in clerking, and afterward commenced in the 
 mercantile and commission business at Wayne City, continuing until 1859. Jan- 
 uary 3, i860, he married Miss Mittie T. Wallace, daughter of a noted Methodist 
 divine of this county. She was born in Lexington, Missouri, May 18, 1842. 
 Mr. Hope went to Pike's Peak after his marriage, remained about a year, then 
 returned and was engaged in farming until the breaking out of the war. He en- 
 listed in the Confederate service, Company A, Haye's regiment, 1st Missouri 
 Cavalry, and was in the battle of Independence, Lone Jack, then south to New- 
 tonia, and from there to Van Buren, Arkansas, Hartsville, and was in all the 
 battles until his surrender at Shreevesport, Louisiana. He went to New Orleans, 
 and then to Jessamine county, Kentucky, where his family was located. De- 
 cember 24, 1867, he returned to Jackson county, and in 1871 was elected consta- 
 ble of Blue township, filling the position four years. For two years was deputy 
 marshal, under Patrick Conner, and deputy sheriff under O. P. W. Bailey during 
 the last four years of his term. November 7, 1880, he was elected to his present 
 office. Mr. and Mrs. Hope have had nine children, seven of whom are living ; 
 Ida, Etta, Lena L., Mamie, Georgie, Hollis, and John H. 
 
 GEORGE S. HORTON 
 
 Was born in Fishkill, Dutchess county, New York. Worked on a farm until he 
 was twenty-two years of age, when he went into the dry goods business as sales- 
 man for the retail firm of S. G. & J. T. Smith, of Fishkill. Remained with them 
 three years, after which he was in the employ of C. R. Owen for three years. 
 He then went to Poughkeepsie, where he engaged with Donald, Converse & 
 Maynard for three years, and after leaving their employ he came to Kansas City, 
 in 1879, when he engaged as clerk for his brother, in retail dry goods and fancy 
 notions. Here he is now located. Mr. Horton was married in 186S to Miss E. 
 P. Hammond, of Poughkeepsie, New York, and by this union they have three 
 children: Minnie H., Harry L., and George E. 
 
 DR. N. N. HORTON 
 
 Is a native of Genesee county, Mich., and was born July 29, 1838. He was 
 brought up on a farm, receiving his early education in the common schools, and 
 afterward graduated at Ann Arbor, in the literary and chemistry courses. He 
 commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Hewitt, of the Michigan University, 
 and graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, of New York City, 
 in the spring of 1862. Dr. Horton was then tendered the position of physician 
 for a number of families who were on their way to the World's Fair, at London, 
 which he accepted, and while on that side of the ocean he traveled extensively 
 over the continent, and visited the hospitals of Paris. Upon his return he re- 
 ceived the appointment in the army of assistant surgeon, and was soon promoted 
 to be surgeon of the 47th United States Colored Infantry. He was soon placed on 
 staff duty as medical director of General Hawkins' division. Previous to this, 
 however, the Doctor was division surgeon of Steele's command, at the capture of 
 Mobile. After the close of the war he came west and settled in Fort Scott, Kan- 
 sas, where he continued to reside for eight years practicing his profession. Then re- 
 moved to Kansas City, under appointment as surgeon of the Kansas City, Fort Scott 
 & Gulf, and the Kansas City, Lawrence & Southern Railroads, of which he had full 
 
794 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 charge ; also of tjie Western Division of the Missouri Pacific, and the Hannibal & St. 
 Joseph Railroads. One day in August Dr. Horton, while traveling on the cars, 
 conceived the idea of inventing an easier mode of riding, and in September, 1876, 
 received the patent for the chair, since so celebrated. The Horton chair cars 
 are now in use on twenty five different railroads. His marriage was in Fort 
 Scott, December 9, 1867, to Miss Ella S. Campbell, a native of Michigan. They 
 have a family of three children : William C, Norris H., and Lizzie A. 
 
 HENRY T. HOVELMAN 
 
 Was born in Bilnen, Prussia, in 1844, and immigrated to the United States with 
 his parents in 1854. They resided in St. Louis until 1866 and then our subject 
 removed to Kansas City, where he has since lived. Soon after coming he opened 
 a restaurant, following this business for two years, when he sold out, and bought 
 the lot on which he built his present store house. Then engaged in the grocery 
 business, and has built up a large business, his gross receipts amounting to fifty 
 thousand dollars annually. In 187 1 was elected to the common council, and 
 re-elected in 1872. In 1866 he married Miss Flora Timpe, of Warren county, 
 Missouri. Their family consists of three children : William T. , Ella W. and 
 Edward T. 
 
 JAMES J. HUNTINGTON, 
 
 United States revenue ganger. Our subject was born in Pike county, Missouri, 
 in 1844, and there resided until sixteen years of age. Then entered the volun- 
 teer service, belonging to the Third Missouri Cavalry, in which he held a non- 
 commissioned office. Served for four years, and was honorably discharged in 
 the spring of 1865. Then returned to his former county, and was in the office 
 of the clerk of the circuit court, after which he engaged in the mercantile busi- 
 ness. This he followed until 1 8 70-' 71, and during this' time assisted the post- 
 master. In 1870 took the United States census of Clay county, Mo., and was 
 appointed to the office which he now holds, in 1872. 
 
 JAMES HUNTER. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Russellville, Kentucky, July 2, 1826, 
 and in 1829 removed with his parents to Independence, Mo., his father being a 
 very early settler of this county. He built the first house in Westport,, and soon 
 after embarked in the mercantile trade and sold goods in that place for twenty- 
 five years. During this time James assisted his father, and thus received his 
 early business training. After this our subject engaged in freighting across the 
 plains, continuing for a period of ten years. During the war his expenses were 
 very heavy in this business, yet, he was very successful. After quitting he commenced 
 the mercantile trade in Santa Fe in 1862 and continued it until 1867, since which 
 time he has been somewhat retired. He was married in 1851 to Miss Eleanor, 
 daughter of Colonel Alvin Stephens, of Cass county, Missouri. She fell a victim 
 to cholera in 1852. 
 
 D. PERRY HUNTER, 
 
 Of the firm of Sayers & Hunter, dealers m stoves and tinware. Was born in 
 Jackson county, Missouri, near Kansas City, January 13, 1850. When fourteen 
 years old his father, David L. Hunter, died, and his mother dying one year after 
 he came to Kansas City, and lived with his sister, Mrs. James P. Gaugh. Soon 
 after was employed as clerk in the dry goods house of J. & P. Shannon, and 
 from that time clerked and attended school until 1869, when he became mailing 
 clerk in the Kansas City post-office, serving as such until 1880 under postmasters 
 Foster, Harris and Case. June 15, 1880, he purchased a half interest in the 
 stove and tinware business of H. Sayers. In May, 1875, he married Miss 
 
KANSAS CITY. T95 
 
 Jennie H.* Anderson, of Kansas City. They are both members of the First 
 Christian church, of Kansas City. 
 
 JAMES HURST 
 
 Was born near Mount Sterling, Kentucky, May lo, 1828, and there was reared 
 a farmer and Hved until he was twenty-two years of age. He received his primary 
 education in the common school and finished in the Mount Sterling Academy un- 
 der the tutorship of Prof. Hugh B. Todds. He had been teaching in the com- 
 mon school of his county before completing his course in the academy, and after 
 that he taught in the primary department of that institution, closing his connec- 
 tion with it in 1850, Followed teaching in the country until 1852, when he came 
 to Missouri, and in Columbia was employed as clerk in the store of Alexander 
 Douglas, being with him until 1855, when again employed as clerk by Jonathan 
 Kirkbridge of the same place. In 1857 he quit clerking, disliking the close 
 confinement, and engaged in dealing in horses and mules in Mississippi, Louisiana 
 and Arkansas, which he followed until the breaking out of the war in i86r. 
 Then he located in Mexico, where he engaged in buying horses and mules for the 
 Government and dealing in stock generally. After the close of the war he re- 
 newed his southern trade and continued in it until 1868, when he came to Kan- 
 sas City and invested in real estate and erected one of the first business blocks on 
 Delaware street. In 187 1 he became one of the firm of Warriner & Co., in 
 the wholesale grocery business, retiring from that in 1872. In 1876 he was for 
 a short time one of the firm of Cooper, Hurst & Co., in the wholesale boot and 
 shoe business, and on selling out his interest in that he became a cattle dealer, 
 having a ranch in Southern Colorado. December 18, 1872, he married Miss 
 Julia Howard, daughter of Col. John S. Howard, one of the pioneer lawyers of 
 Clay county. Mo. They have two children : Howard H. and James Cecil. Him- 
 self and wife are active, working members of the Second Christian church of 
 Kansas City. 
 
 H. P. JACQUES, 
 
 Purchasing agent for the Kansas City & Gulf, Lawrence & Southern, Fort 
 Scott & Southeastern Railroads. Was born March 29, 1839, in Tewksbury, 
 Middlesex county, Mass., and there was reared on a farm, receiving a fair edu- 
 cation. At the age of about twenty he removed to Ohio, farmed there for two 
 years and in i860 came to Hannibal, Missouri. There commenced his railroad 
 experience with the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad, remaining in their employ 
 some eighteen years, then accepting the position of chief clerk in the mechanical 
 department. Was then employed as secretary of the superintendent of the Atchi- 
 son and Nebraska road, and after two and a half years came to Kansas City in 
 July, 1880. Then commenced in his present situation which is one requiring 
 considerable judgment on the part of the agent. But Mr. Jacques has proven 
 himself worthy of the trust confided in him, and his long service in railroading is 
 evidence of his ability. He was one of a family of thirteen children and has 
 worked his own way through life. He owns a fine fruit farm of sixty-five acres 
 adjoining Hannibal. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to 
 the commandery of Hannibal, and also to the Odd Fellows lodge there. Decem- 
 ber 10, 1863, he married Miss Manda N. Westfall, born in Ohio in 1843. They 
 have two children : Ruby P. and Harry W. Mr. and Mrs. Jacques are members 
 of the Congregational church. 
 
 ALEXANDER JAMISON, 
 
 Physician and Surgeon. Was born in Glengarry county, Ontario Province, 
 Canada, November 5, 1839. He received his primary and preparatory educa- 
 tion from his father and the Rev. Peter Mc Vicar, of Watertown, Glengarry, en- 
 tering the Queen's University of Kingston, Canada, and graduating as A. B. in 
 
796 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 * 
 
 1863. He then entered the theological department of the same institution, study- 
 ing for two years, when he went to Princeton, N. J., where he graduated in the- 
 ology in 1866. In, 1867 he took charge of the High school of Williamstown, of 
 his native county, as principal, retaining that position until 1874, when he began 
 the study of medicine at McGill College of Montreal, graduating as M. D. in 
 1877. He came to Kansas City in the fall of 1879, where he is building up a 
 good practice. Soon after his arrival here he was tendered the chair of physics 
 and chemistry in the Kansas City Medical College, which he accepted and still 
 holds. 
 
 D. M. JARBOE, 
 
 Of the firm of D. M. Jarboe & Co., Keystone Iron Works. Was born in Nelson 
 county, Kentucky, near Bargetown, June 4, 1830, and came to Jackson county, 
 Missouri, with his parents when he was four years old. When his father first came 
 to the county he entered the land that is now Jarboe's Addition to Kansas City. 
 The only families then residing in the vicinity were those of William Gillis, James 
 H. McGee, William Evans and P. Chouteau. His father's first house was built of 
 round logs, and stood where is now the corner of Eighteenth and Madison streets. 
 His schooling was in a log school-house, located wh^re the St. James Hotel now 
 stands. When he was nineteen he made a trip to California on foot, and there 
 successfully mined until 1851, when he returned to Jackson county and went into 
 a general mercantile business, his store room being a log building 18x20 on the 
 levee, near the foot of Main. In 1856 or '57 he built the first brick store in the 
 city, which is still standing on the levee. In 1861, the war breaking out and 
 retarding business, he went into the State service, serving as captain and quarter- 
 master for nearly three years, and after being mustered out in 1865 he again 
 embarked in the mercantile business, opening a wholesale boot and shoe house 
 with S. K. Green. The firm was known as Jarboe & Green, and their business 
 extended throughout Missouri, Kansas, California and New Mexico. Selling out 
 his interest in this business in 1874, he became associated with James Smith, 
 under the firm name of Jarboe & Co., and established the Keystone Iron Works 
 of Kansas City. June 6th, 1854 he married Emily Hoagland, of New York 
 City, by whom he has two children: John, in the printing business in Kansas City, 
 and Charles, attending school.' 
 
 WILLIAM J. JARBOE 
 
 Is another of the oldest settlers of Kansas City. He was born in Addison county, 
 Kentucky, July 24, 1823, and came to Jackson county, Missouri, with his 
 parents in 1834. They settled on land that is now Jarboe's Addition to Kansas 
 City. The settlements were sparse, and the most of the inhabitants were French 
 and half-breeds. His schooling consisted of what he had before leaving Ken- 
 tucky, and attending different private schools in the neighborhood after coming 
 to Jackson county, thereby getting a fair education by the time he was eighteen. 
 In 1845 he began clerking for A. Crossgrave, of Independence. His employer 
 dying six months after, he was placed in charge of the store by the administrators 
 until the goods were disposed of, and then he was employed by A. B. Canville, 
 being with him until 1848. Then he began business for himself by opening a 
 store for general merchandise on the levee, between Walnut and Main streets, 
 Kansas City, where he did business until the spring of 1861, when he closed out 
 on account of the war. Resuming business -again in the fall of 1863, on the 
 corner of Main and Commercial streets, he continued it until 1868, when, on 
 account of heavy losses caused by the unsettled condition of the country, he was 
 forced to abandon the mercantile business, and since that time has followed various 
 avocations. December 21, 1851, he married Miss Cecilia Barada, of St. Louis. 
 They have seven children : Lydia, wife of George W. Cook ; Carrie, Cecilia, 
 
KANSAS CITY. 797 
 
 Cora, William J., Jr., Joseph and Susan. Himself and family are Catholics, and 
 members of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. 
 
 RICHARD JARRETT, 
 Florist and proprietor of the Palace Garden Conservatory. Was born in the 
 County of Kent, England, October 22, 1842, and when fourteen he began to 
 serve a seven years apprenticeship at the Preston Hall Conservatory. There he 
 learned everything pertaining to the floral business, and at the end of that period 
 he became head gardener to William Mercer, Esq., of Gove House, County of 
 Kent, and while with him exhibited many cut flowers and plants at the Crystal 
 Palace in London, during the great exposition from 1861 to i«63. He also exhib- 
 ited twice a year at the Royal Horticultural Gardens, of South Kensington, 
 receiving first and second premiums. Being with this gentleman three years, he 
 returned to Preston Hall Conservatory, where he served his apprenticeship, and 
 was employed as foreman in the tropical department, serving in that position until 
 1870, when he came to the United States. Settled in Kansas City in September 
 of that year, and established himself in the floral business, where he is meeting with 
 merited success, his sales of cut flowers and plants amounting to about five thousand 
 dollars annually. December 25, 1864, married Miss Susannah Bunyar, of Maid 
 Stone, England, by whom he had six children: Susannah F., Edith, Nelson, 
 Florence, Daisy and Pansy. 
 
 T. P. JANDON, 
 
 Dealer in groceries and provisions. Was born in South Carolina, June 29, 1835, 
 and is of French-English extraction. His boyhood days were spent on his 
 father's plantation, and also in the village of Robertsville, where Mr. Jandon, Sr., 
 kept a grocery store. In April, 1865, our subject came to this city when it was 
 a village, and engaged in farming, which he contmued until the war broke. Then 
 enlisting in 1862 in the Confederate service Joe Lyles' company, and afterward 
 was drafted to Company'F, i6th Missouri Infantry. He returned to Kansas City 
 in 1865, and until 1867 was. engaged in various occupations; at that time took 
 charge of the home for widows and orphans of Confederate soldiers, remaining 
 in this position two years, and then took charge of the Franklin School, as princi- 
 pal, holding it four months. Then resigned in order to enter a painting estab- 
 lishment as manager, and remained five years. He had learned this art when 
 seventeen years of age at Charleston. In 1875 received an appointment from 
 Governor Hardin as coal oil inspector of this city. In 1877 he engaged in his present 
 business. Mr. Jandon was married October 18, 1866, to Miss Eva Williams, a 
 native of this State, born October 29, 1844. They have five children: Thomas 
 P., Mildred A., George M., Benjamin and Richard F. They lost two. They are 
 members of the First Baptist church at Westport. 
 
 C. J. JENKINS, 
 
 Physician and Surgeon. The subject of this sketch is a native of Georgia, and 
 born in Sandville, Washington county, August i, 1836, and was principally 
 reared in Jones and Crawford counties. He received his primary education at 
 the city schools of Knoxville, Crawford county, and from here removed with his 
 parents to Talbot county, Georgia. From this place he was sent to the Medical 
 University of New York City, and graduated from this institution in 1854. Then 
 returned to his native State and stopped at Reynolds where he remained for a 
 period of eight months. Thence to Jasper, Florida, where he resided for several 
 years, and from there to Louisville, Kentucky. On account of the failure of 
 health he quit the practice of medicine and then went to Olney, Illinois. He 
 came to Kansas City and resumed his practice, and received the appointment of 
 city physician, which position he now holds, and has built up for himself an envi- 
 
798 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 able reputation for honesty and fair dealing. He married Miss Sarah E. Thomas, 
 of White Sulphur Springs, Florida, January i, 1857. She is a native of Georgia, 
 and is a lady of culture and refinement. Their family consists of three children : 
 Joseph F., Ida O., and Eugene C. 
 
 SAMUEL O. JEROME, 
 
 Weigh Master, Kansas City Stock Yards. Was born in St. Joseph, Missouri; 
 February sth, 1861, and was reared and educated in his native town. August 
 26, 1879, ^^ came to Kansas City and entered the stock yards as a feed deliverer. 
 December 18, 1880, he accepted his present position. 
 
 H. S. JOHNSON, 
 
 Dealer in Real Estate. Came to Kansas City and engaged in the real estate 
 business in January, 1880. He studied law under Scott Lord in New York City, 
 and was at one time connected with him in the practice of law in that city. He 
 is a genial Christian gentleman, surrounded with a family of lovely and affectionate 
 children and his amiable wife is every where received as a lady of refinement and 
 is esteemed for her modest unassuming and Christian bearing. Husband and 
 wife are Presbyterians and are zealous, ardent workers in the church. The 
 writer, who has been long and intimately acquainted with Mr. Johnson and his 
 family, has taken the liberty to write the above, and regrets that his extreme 
 modesty would not allow him to consent to have a sketch of his life written, on 
 the grounds of his becoming a resident of Kansas City but recently. 
 
 PHILIP JOHNS, 
 
 Of the firm of Johns & Stelp, dealers in hardware. Was born in Germany and 
 lived there until seventeen years of age, when he immigrated to the United States, 
 landing at New York City. From there he went to Louisville, Kentucky, thence 
 to Memphis, Tennessee, where he enhsted in the Third. Regiment of Dragoons 
 and went into the Mexican War, with Gen. Scott commanding, and served until 
 the close of the war. After this he returned to the States and stopped awhile in 
 Harrison county, Mo. From here he went to Iowa to locate his land warrant, 
 after which he fitted out an ox team and crossed the plains in 1851, stopping for 
 a time in Oregon. During his stay here he preempted 320 acres of land. In 1854 
 went to California, where he remained until the spring of 1868, when he returned 
 to Missouri, stopping in St. Louis to visit his father and mother, who during his 
 stay in California had immigrated to the United States and settled at St. Louis. 
 Then went back to Iowa, and in the same year came to Kansas City, where he 
 has made it his home ever since. Immediately after coming he was instrumental 
 in starting the first brass band, of which he became teacher. During this time he built 
 what is now known as the Mastin Bank, at the same time keeping up his teaching 
 of music until 1876, when at the death of J. H. Adams he was appointed administra- 
 tor of this estate, which consisted of a hardware stock, and vyhich he sold by an 
 order of the court to Wm. Stelp. After this Mr. Johns purchased a half interest, 
 forming a partnership under the style and name of Johns & Stelps, which still 
 exists and is one among the live and enterprising firms of Kansas City. In 1876 
 Mr. J. married Mrs. Adams, of Kansas City. She is a native of Kentucky. 
 They have two children living : WiUiam H. and Madie. He has one son, Lafayette, 
 by his former wife. 
 
 B. F. JONES 
 
 Was born in Georgia, June 20, 1831, and was brought up there, and received 
 his primary education. At the age of twenty, he commenced clerking, and then 
 engaged as traveling salesman over the southern States. In April, 1861, he 
 joined a company at Rome, Ga., and was through the service, being in many 
 severe engagements. On account of meritorious conduct and gallant fighting, 
 
KANSAS CITY. 799 
 
 he received various promotions, until reaching the rank of major. At the close 
 of the war, he returned to Rome, Ga., and in March, 1875, came to Kansas 
 City, to take the management of the National Water-works Company, of which 
 he is now superintendent. It is gready owing to his skill and oversight that 
 the company occupies such a high place among public improvements. Has been 
 twice married. First, to Miss Mary A. Nesbit, of Georgia, by whom he had 
 three children : Hattie M. , Chas. A. and Mary O. His second wife was Mary 
 C. Smith, whom he married in Alabama, November 10, 1864, also of Georgia. 
 They have two children : Bayard F. and George A. 
 
 MARTIN KECK 
 
 Is a native of Germany, born in Wilrtenburg, in 1836. There resided until 
 thQ._age of eighteen, when, in company with his mother and brothers, he immi- 
 grated to the United States, arriving in New York in the fall of 1855. Immedi- 
 ately came to Westport Landing, Jackson county, Mo., remaining a short time, 
 and then located in what is now Kansas City. In 1862 he crossed the plains, 
 and was engaged in freighting, being successful. In 1868 he returned to Kansas 
 City, and since then has lived here. In i868 he was married to Miss Mary 
 Halmrich, of this city. They have five children: Amalie, Georgie, Louise, Fred 
 and Otto. 
 
 JAMES KELLY, 
 
 Grocer. Was born in Wilmington, Delaware, January 18, 1836, and was princi- 
 pally reared in Bardstown, receiving his education in the Bardstown College. 
 Here he remained until 1853, when he removed to Louisville, and for one year 
 was engaged in clerking in a grocery store. Thence to St. Louis, Mo., where he 
 learned the trade of machinist, working at it until 1858, and then accepted a 
 position as engineer on a steamboat, running from St. Louis to Omaha, Neb. 
 When the railroad was introduced, the steamboat company suspended operation, 
 and our subject went to Atchison, Kas., where, for a time, he ran a ferry-boat. 
 In 1875 he came to Kansas City, and immediately embarked in his present busi- 
 ness. In the fall of i88o, he built a new business house, and is now very suc- 
 cessfully engaged in trade, having a large patronage. 
 
 DAVID KENDALL 
 
 Was born in Marion county, Virginia, November 4, 1830. At the age of 
 twelve, he left his parents, and has cared for himself ever since. In 1848, while 
 a mere boy, he went to Texas, and engaged in farming, returning to Virginia in 
 1850. In 1854 he came to Kansas City, and was employed by Yeager, Hays & 
 Kinney to drive team, freighting to Las Vegas and San Miguel, New Mexico, 
 being in their employ one year. At one time, when making a trip to the above 
 named places, he and his fellow teamster, Samuel Bloomfield, who was recently 
 murdered by Budd Thomas, in Oregon, narrowly escaped being captured by the 
 Indians. After leaving the firm, he began breaking prairie in Kansas, which he 
 followed until 1856, and from that time until 1857 he sold drugs in Lecompton. 
 Soon after came to Kansas City, Mo., and opened a grocery, in company with 
 John T. Reese and James A. Hutchinson, being with them one year. After 
 quitting the grocery business, he was employed by Russell, Majors & Waddell, 
 government freighters, as wagon master, being in their employ until i860, when 
 he rented a farm near the city, and farmed until 1862. Then he started on_ a 
 tour through Montana, New Mexico and Colorado, returning to Kansas City in 
 the fall of 1866, when he established himself in the business he is still following, 
 that of builder and contractor. He has been twice married. His first wife was 
 Miss Florence C. Nelson, who died in the spring of 187 1, leaving one child, 
 Mary. In July of 1873, he married Miss Jeannette Harris, of Kansas City, by 
 whom he has two children : Marcellus and Ophelia. 
 
800 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 W. W. KENDALL, 
 
 Of the firm of Kendall & Emery, Wholesale Boot and Shoe Dealers, was born in 
 Granby, Hartford county, Connecticut, in November, 1838, and there hved 
 until attaining his majority. He was mostly educated in the Academy of his 
 native town, attending a boarding school at Charlotteville, New York, only six 
 months. In the spring of i860, he left the homestead and went to Blackberry, 
 Kane county, Illinois, and established himself in the general mercantile business 
 with C. Reed, under the firm name of Reed & Kendall There he continued 
 until the spring of 1867 when he came to Kansas City, and with J. C. Gates, un- 
 der the firm name of Gates & Kendall, opened a wholesale boot and shoe house, 
 it being the first wholesale establishment in Kansas City. On Mr. Gates' retire- 
 ment from the firm, in 1879, he retained the business, and soon after took in 
 Mr. C. F. Emery, who had previously been a salesman for the firm, changing the 
 firm name to Kendall and Emery. Mr Kendall is still senior member of the 
 firm, and has done business in the same room for fourteen years and has met 
 with fair success. February 19th, 1863, he married Miss Emily C. Brownell, of 
 New Bedford, Massachusetts, by whom he has three children : Abbie Maud, 
 William Roy and Harriet May. 
 
 DR. W. H. KIMBELIN, 
 
 Oculist and aurist, and proprietor and surgeon of the Kansas City Eye and Ear 
 Infirmary, was born in Paradise, Ohio, July 12, 1843. When sixteen years of 
 age he enlisted in the 6ist Ohio Veteran Infantry as a private, and was engaged 
 in the battles of Raney, Slaughter Mountain, Second Bull Run, South Moun- 
 tain and Antietam, where he was wounded and sent to Convent Hospital, at Fred- 
 erick City, Md. After recovering, he was employed as nurse, and at the age of 
 eighteen, was appointed hospital steward, which he held until the end of the war. 
 During this service he assisted in over 200 surgical operations. His love for 
 medicine and surgery determined his future course, and he at once entered 
 Smithville Veterinary Academy, and, at the same time, became a student of the 
 celebrated Dr. .Metz. Next he entered the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 
 at New York, attending the clinical course at Bellevue Hospital, and later at the 
 New York Eye, Ear and Throat Infirmary, where he was soon tendered the posi- 
 tion of recording surgeon. At the New York Eye and Ear Institute he attended 
 two terms, receiving a license threfrom. Is next elected assistant surgeon of the 
 N. W. Dispensary, which position he filled to the satisfaction of all, receiving a 
 certificate to that effect. Upon resigning, he came west and located at St. Joe, 
 where, in connection with Dr. A. S. Long, United States Pension Surgeon, he 
 established an eye and ear infirmary, enjoying a large and lucrative practice there 
 for ten years. He performed several surgical operations, one, requiring a higji 
 degree of skill, upon a young lady twenty-one years of age, considered hopelessly 
 blind, who had been educated in a blind asylum. Her sight was fully restored. 
 About two years ago the doctor was called to Kansas City to perform a surgical 
 operation, requiring several days' labor. While here, the life, activity and bustle, 
 with the conviction of the future greatness of this city, determined his removal to 
 Kansas City. Dr. KimberHn has purchased the site corner Eighth street and 
 Grand avenue, where he has commenced the erection of an infirmary building. 
 
 CAPTAIN E. W. KINGSBURY, 
 
 General store keeper in Revenue Department. The subject of this sketch was 
 born June 11, 1830, in Connecticut, and in 1859 removed to Colorado. While 
 there during the war he joined the Second Colorado Cavalry, and started on 
 border duty with headquarters at Kansas City, At the close of the war was hon- 
 orably discharged, in 1865. In 1869, he received the appointment of revenue 
 agent in St. Louis and Kansas City, and in 1870 was appointed as general store 
 
4. ^^F . L^^*^ "^^^^^^yi'm^€4/0t 
 
KANSAS CITY. 801 
 
 keeper in the Revenue Department. In 1873, he was discharged by Jones and 
 McDonald of Whisky Ring fame, but was re-instated in 1875, and has since held 
 the office. 
 
 FRANKLIN KIRK, 
 
 Of the firm of Kirk & Rosenberger, proprietors of a sash, door, blind and fixture 
 factory, was born in Butler county. Pa., October 22, 1836, and there learned 
 the trade of a millwright. In 1848 he took a trip south and visited Memphis, 
 New Orleans and other cities, and in 1850 settled in Peoria, engaging in building, 
 an 1851, he was married to Miss Sarah Platter, a native of Ohio, born in 1826. 
 He moved to Davenport in 1856 and started a factory, and August 22, 1872, it 
 was burned, he losing very heavily. Not discouraged, he went to work and has 
 been quite successful. In 1878, he came to Kansas City and commenced the 
 manufacturing business, which he ran alone until the fall of 1880. Then sold a 
 half interest to Mr. Rosenberger. Their factory is fitted up with fine machinery, 
 and they do good work. Mr. and Mrs. Kirk have a family of six children ; E. 
 F., Ora D., Harry D., IdaG., Guy K. and Jessie E ; and have lost one, Charles 
 J. They are members of the Jewish church. The eldest son, now twenty-seven 
 years of age, is in his father's office. 
 
 BERNHART KNAPP 
 
 Was born in Baden, Germany, in 1831, and in 1854 immigrated to the United 
 States, arriving at New Orleans. Thence to St. Louis, where he spent the sum- 
 mer, and the next fall came to Kansas City, and has made his home here since. 
 He engaged in the blacksmith trade, following it for three years, until 1857, be- 
 ing very successful. In that year he bought a house known as the Old Missouri 
 House, which stood on Main street, between Fifth street and Missouri avenue. 
 Continued to run this until the outbreak of the war, when he entered the gov- 
 ernment service in the quartermaster's department in 1862, and served until the 
 fall of 1864. After the war he resumed the blacksmith trade, carrying on an ex- 
 tensive business until 1872, when, on account of failing health, he was obliged to 
 discontinue it. Mr. Knapp has been twice married. First, in 1854, to Miss 
 Frances Lamm, also of Germany. They had five children : Charlie, Emma, 
 Mary, Lena and Otto. His second marriage was to Miss Eliza Hucke, of Kan- 
 sas City, but born in Germany. 
 
 WILLIAM B. KNIGHT, 
 
 Civil engineer. The subject of this sketch is a native of New York City, born 
 in 1848, and was there reared. His father was an extensive manufacturer of lin- 
 seed oil, and one of the heaviest dealers in the east. William received his pri- 
 mary education in the city schools, and in 1864 entered the Rensselaer Polytechnic 
 Institute, of Troy, N. Y. He attended this institution for three years, and then 
 commenced the practicing of civil engineering upon public work, etc., in New 
 York City. He resided in the middle and eastern states until 1878, when he 
 came to Kansas City and established his present business, being associated with 
 many of the most prominent men of this place. His is connected with the Kan- 
 sas City yards for the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, stock yards and 
 also engineer for the Union Transfer Company, besides other corporations, and 
 is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. 
 
 THEODORE KRAUSS 
 
 Is a representative of the old Knickerbocker stock, and was born on the 31st of 
 March, 1834, in was principally reared in the city of Vienna, Austria. He enjoyed 
 excellent educational advantages in his youth, and received a thorough classical 
 education. In 1853 he crossed the " briny waters" and settled in San Francis- 
 si 
 
802 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 CO. Then engaged in the gold refining and bullion business, first with Duncan, 
 Sherman, Alsop & Co. , and then became heavily interested in the mining busi- 
 ness himself. He spent some twelve years on the coast, and then immigrated to 
 Macon county, Mo. , and engaged in the banking and commercial business ; also 
 held the position of judge of Macon county for four years, filling his office with 
 credit to himself and friends. He came to Kansas City in 1878, and became 
 president of the Missouri Valley Bank. This bank was founded in 1872, and 
 was under the management of Mr. Kraus and Robert J. Alther, cashier. 
 
 JOHN H. KRULL, 
 
 Merchant tailor and dealer in gents' furnishing goods, was born on the 19th of 
 November, 1848, in Hanover, Germany, and when thirteen years of age com- 
 menced to learn the tailor's trade. In 1866 he moved to Paris, France, and 
 worked there two years at his trade. He came to the United States in the fall 
 of 1868, settled in New York City, and worked there seven years. He then im- 
 migrated to Ohio and worked four years and came to Kansas City in July, 1879, 
 and engaged in his present business. He has a new store fitted up, and being a 
 first-class workman, gives good satisfaction. He has worked his own way up 
 through life by sterling principles of honesty and fair dealing. He is a member of 
 three different lodges, Knights of Honor, Odd Fellows, and Ancient Order of 
 United Workmen. He married Miss Emma Bittner in 1870. She was born in 
 eastern Pennsylvia in 1851. Their family consists of two children: Harry and 
 Clara. Lost one. 
 
 C. F. KUECHLER, 
 
 Homoeopathic physician, was born June 17, 1822, in Prussia, and was educated 
 in his profession in the city of Berlin. He came to the United States in 1849, 
 stopped one year in New York City, and then immigrated to Springfield, 111. At 
 that time he was the only homoeopathic physician between Chicago and St. Louis. 
 Practiced twenty-seven years in Springfield and came from there to Leavenworth, 
 Kansas, in 1874. Resided there four years, then came to this city and located, 
 and has worked his own way up by skill and energy. He is getting an extensive 
 practice here, as he well deserves, his cheerful countenance and pleasant ways 
 make him a welcome visitor in the sick room. He has been twice married. 
 First to Miss Meta Fisher in 1848, at Springfield, 111. ; by this union they have 
 two children living, Chas. F. and Emma L. (now Mrs. L. K. Beekman, of 
 Petersburg, 111.) This wife died in 187 1. In 1879 he was again married, to Miss 
 Fannie Wiley, of Springfield, III. They are members of the Presbyterian church. 
 He had one son, John H. , (by his first wife) massacred by the Indians near Ft. 
 Dodge. He was with a surveying party. 
 
 HENRY C. KUMPF, 
 
 Real estate, is a native of Germany, and was born at Beerfelden, Odinwald, 
 July 12, 1830. His education was chiefly obtained at the High schools of 
 Michaelstadt, where he attended some three or four years. In 1845 ^^ entered a 
 commercial house in Frankfort-on-the-Main for the purpose of learning the mer- 
 cantile business, remaining there until 1849, when he came to the United States, 
 shipping on board the Miltiades, a sailing vessel, at Liverpool for New Orleans, 
 arriving at the latter city in October of 1849. He immediately went to St. Louis 
 and engaged in the grocery business, which he followed until the breaking out of 
 the late war. Then became shipping clerk in the United States Arsenal at St. 
 Louis holding that position all through the war. In 1865 he came to Kansas 
 City, and opened a biUiard hall. From 1868 to 187 1 he was employed in the 
 United States revenue department of Kansas City as store keeper. In 1872 he 
 was elected city auditor, and held that office for four consecutive terms. In 1876 
 he engaged in the real estate and insurance business in Kansas City, his son 
 
KANSAS CITY. §03 
 
 George being interested with him. In 1877, 1878 and 1879 he was appointed 
 city comptroller. 
 
 F. H. KUMP 
 Was born in Koallen, on the Rhine, December 17th, 1834. Came to America 
 with his parents in July, 1841, they locating in Buffalo, New York. There he 
 had the benefit of the public schools until the age of eleven years, when he left 
 home, working at various places and at any anything he could find'to do until the 
 year 1850. Then found permanent employment at Chicago, Illinois, with W. H. 
 Hutchinson & Co., the pop manufacturers, continuing in their employ for over 
 seven years, and tiring of this he determined to move farther west. Taking his 
 parents he started for Kansas City, where they arrived in November, 1859, and 
 with the few hundred dollars he had saved up Mr. Kump purchased a small pop 
 bottling establishment on Walnut street, near Fourteenth, which he carried on 
 and during the winter months his tjade being dull, and brooms being in great de- 
 mand he purchased the material and minufactured them. He continued along 
 and by hard work made a success. For in 1867 he founded the celebrated Kump 
 Brewery, one of the largest beer brewing establishments in Kansas City, of which 
 he is the sole owner and proprietor. Mr. Kump is also largely interested in Kan- 
 sas City real estate and improved property, owning stores, houses, etc. He was 
 married in Kansas City to Miss Lucretia Argo, December ist, 1862. By this 
 marriage six children have been born them. Four now living : Frank H. Jr. 
 born February i, 1865; Maud, born June 26, 1867; LilHe, born December 3,' 
 1874; Jessie, born June 21, 1880. Mr. Kump's mother is still living at the age 
 of seventy five years, his father having died in Kansas City in 1864 in the sixty- 
 fourth year of his age. 
 
 PETER KUNTZ, 
 
 Of the firm of Emerson & Co. , was born in Prussia, Germany, and was mer- 
 chant tailor while living there. Left Germany in the year 1851 and came to New 
 Orleans. After a short stay there he went to St. Louis, and was in St. Louis 
 twice, embracing in both times eight years, where he was engaged as merchant 
 tailor. After leaving he went to Warrensburg, Johnson county, Missouri, where 
 he worked at his trade, and was also city marshal, which position he filled with 
 honor. He afterward came to Kansas City and entered into the grocery busi- 
 ness with his son-in-law. Mr. Kuntz was married to Miss Augusta Wischman. 
 They have four children living : Charley, Lena, Loui, and Otto. 
 
 J. K. LANDIS, 
 
 Was born April 22, 1823, in Rosetown, Pennsylvania, where he was reared. In 
 1862 he enlisted in Company E, i3Sth Pennsylvania Infantry. He was promot- 
 ed to be corporal, and at the expiration of nine months was honorably discharged, 
 with the rank of sergeant. He then re-enlisted in Company H, 20th Pennsyl- 
 vania Cavalry, and received a commission as first-lieutenant. Having served 
 one year he was transferred to the 197th Infantry as captain of Company C and 
 served until the close of the war. After the war he returned to Pennsylvania and 
 settled in Lancaster, and engaged in shipping stock from that place to Philadel- 
 phia. Then removed to Fairfield, Ohio, where he carried on the same business 
 for two years. Mr. Landis next went to Atlantic' City, New Jersey, where he 
 engaged in the livery business, running 'buses to and from the ocean point, and 
 also shipping stock. His next move was to Hartford, Indiana, where he en- 
 gaged in the livery and stock business, and was also engaged m shipping stock 
 to Florida and Georgia. In the fall of 1876 he moved to Kansas City, and 
 opened a large livery, sale and exchange stable. In the fall of 1880 he took in a 
 partner (I. B. Slack). Their stables are one of the finest in Kansas City, and 
 are well stocked. In 1864 Mr. Landis married Miss Florence A. Homish. Mrs. 
 
804 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 1-andis is a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and was born in 1843. They are 
 members of the M. E. church. 
 
 WALLACE LAWS, 
 
 Clerk of the circuit court, is a native of this county, having been born near 
 Kansas City, April 6, 1846. His education was such as could be obtained in the 
 district schools at that time, and his youth was spent on a farm. In 1863, hav- 
 ing an attack of the "gold fever," he went through Colorado, Montana, Utah, 
 Nevada, and in other States and Territories, and remained until the winter of 
 1866. In the fall of 1870 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and com- 
 menced his duties on the ist of January, 1871, and has occupied the office for 
 ten and one-half years. His long experience has well fitted him for the position, 
 and his popularity may be seen from the length of time which he has filled the 
 place. February 8, 1866, he married Miss Mattie Campbell, born in this county, 
 July 6, 1849. They have three children : Stella, Welter, and Samuel H. 
 
 JOSEPH LEFFLER, 
 
 Was born in Germany in 1836, and in 1846 was brought to the United States, 
 locating in St. Louis in the fall of the same year. There he made his home 
 until 1865, when he came to Kansas City, Missouri, and has since been a citizen 
 here. Soon after his arrival he engaged in brick-making, and continued until 
 1872, when, on account of failing health, he was obliged to. abandon it. The 
 firm of which Mr. Leffler is a member, known as Leffler & Co. , are erecting two 
 stores, with a hall above, and fitted up in the latest style of architecture. He was 
 married in 1867 to Miss Rosy Hamann, of Kansas City. They have two chil- 
 dren : John and Lizzie. 
 
 THOMAS B. LESTER. 
 
 Prominent among our leading physicians and surgeons, is the one whose 
 name heads this sketch. He was born in Charlotte county, Virginia, June 24, 
 1824, and was the son of Bryan W. and Elizabeth (Friend) Lester. The family 
 immigrated to Illinois in 1835, and in September 1837 his father and mother 
 died, leaving him an orphan at the age of thirteen. He attended a common 
 school and afterward Mount Vernon College and Shurtliff College in Upper 
 Alton, Ills. He commenced the study of medicine in the autumn of 1841 with 
 Dr. M. W. Hall, now of Saline county, Mo., and attended his first course of 
 lectures in the medical department of what is now known as the Missouri Medi- 
 cal College, at St. Louis, during the sessions of 1845-6. He took a second 
 course in the same institution in 1849 and '50, graduating in March of the latter 
 year. After attending the first course of lei tures he commenced the practice of 
 his profession, at Salem. Upon the second call for volunteers to the Mexican 
 War, he enlisted in the spring of 1847 and was mustered into service at Alton in 
 Co. C, ist Regiment, Illinois Volunteers Infantry. Was immediately detached 
 and assigned duty in the medical department as acting assistant surgeon, and 
 ordered to accompany the battalion, to Fort Leavenworth, and thence to Santa 
 Fe, New Mexico. This position he held until the close of the war. Upon the 
 arrival of Price at Santa Fe to assume command of the ninth military depart- 
 ment, A^sistant Surgeon B. T. Simpson, U. S. A., was made medical director on 
 General Price's staff, and Dr. Lester was ordered in charge of the general hospi- 
 tal, remaining until February 1848, when he accompanied Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Boyakin to Albuquerque. There he contmued until his muster out of the ser- 
 vice. Returned to Illinois and resumed his practice in Salem. In 1854 he came 
 to Kansas City, at that time containing only 400 inhabitants, and here, he has 
 since practiced his profession, being with one exception the oldest practitioner in 
 the city. Dr. Lester was elected to the chair of "The Principles and Practice of 
 
KANSAS CITY. 805 
 
 Medicine,'' at the organization of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 
 1870. Was made president of the Faculty in 1877; was president of the Medi- 
 cal Association of Missouri in 1870, and appointed delegate to the American Medi- 
 cal Association in 1872-73 and '77. He was a member.of the common council here 
 during 1857-58, and was president the latter year. Was also a member of the 
 Board of Education, at the beginning of the war, and filled a second term, from 
 1867 to 1870, declining re-election. In 1848 was initiated into the A. F. and A. 
 M. Lodge in Santa Fe, and was Worthy Master of Heroine Lodge No. 104, Kan- 
 sas City, from 1855 to '56. On the 4th of June 1850 he was married to Miss 
 Julia E. Horner, of Lebanon, Ills. They have had three children: Chas. H., 
 and two daughters, one of whom is married and resides in this city. C. H., 
 who graduated from the Kansas City Medical College in 1879, and also from the 
 Bellevue Hospital Medical College in 1880, is now connected with his father, and 
 is also assistant demonstrator of anatomy in the Kansas City Medical College. 
 
 F. H. LIPPERT, 
 
 Salesman and prescription clerk in Taylor's drug store, was born in Syracuse, 
 New York, Nov. 20, 1850. Was there brought up and educated, and at the 
 age of fifteen years began working in the drug store of a Mr. Bossenger, remain- 
 ing with him about one and a half years. Then became engaged in a wholesale 
 drug house in that city, and afterward went to Cleveland, Ohio, where for one 
 year he followed the same business. Then returned to his home in New York, 
 and was employed as a book-keeper for eighteen months. The next year he 
 worked with his father who was a contractor, and in 1877 came west, stopping 
 at Hannibal, Mo. There engaged in railroading, but being taken sick went 
 south for his health, there continuing the railroad business during the winter. 
 In April, 1878, he came to Kansas City, Kas., and engaged in the drug business^ 
 and has been in it longer than any person in the city. He was married on the 
 7th of Nov. 1880, to Miss M. L. Lasker, also born and educated in New York. 
 Besides his drug business, Mr. L. owns a photograph gallery and is well and 
 favorably known. 
 
 JOHN A. LOBE, 
 
 Of the firm of Piatt & Lobb, Hve stock commission merchants, is a native of 
 Kentucky, and was born in Boyle county, July 3, 1832. Was reared on a farm, 
 and remained in his native State till the spring of 1852, when he moved to Jack- 
 son county, Missouri, and immediately began freighting to Santa Fe and other 
 points west. Followed this enterprise till the fall of 1864, when he engaged in 
 the hve stock trade. In 1877 he embarked in the commission business, as one of 
 the firm of Lobb & Hamilton. August i, 1879, Mr. Hamilton withdrew, and 
 the present firm was formed. The subject of this sketch was married to Miss 
 Mary White, May 10, 1865. By this union, they have five children: PauUne M., 
 Mary G., NeUie. William and Birdie V. 
 
 GEORGE LONG, 
 
 Retired, was born in Bavaria, in 1803, and resided there until 1848, when he 
 came to the United States, landing at New Orleans. Then removed to St. Louis, 
 where he made his home for three years, after which, in May, 1851, he took up 
 his residence in Kansas City. Immediately after coming, he engaged in the 
 wagon making business, following it until i860, when he retired, and is now en- 
 joying the fruits of his labor. He is quite a hunter and fisher. Has been a 
 prudent and industrious citizen, and is widely and favorably known. His mar- 
 riage was in 1827, to Miss Catherine Nough, of the same country as her husband. 
 She died October 28, 1870, leaving seven children: Charlie, Fretireka, William, 
 .A.dam and Rachel (twins), Mary, and John. 
 
806 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 LONG BROTHERS, 
 
 Wholesale Grocers. This firm is composed of Adam and John Long. The 
 former was born in Germany, in 1838, and in 1848 immigrated to the United 
 States, landing at New Orleans. From there he removed to St. Louis, and resided 
 for five years, after which he came to Kansas City. In the spring of 1853, he 
 embarked in the confectionery business, following the same until 1861, and then 
 formed a copartnership with Thomas Green. This existed until 1871, when Mr. 
 Long and brother bought out the interest of Mr. Green, and the style of the firm 
 was changed to Long Bros. The firm was established in 1861, and is the oldest 
 in its line in the city. Both of these men thoroughly understand business princi- 
 ples. They carry a very select stock, and are quite successful. 
 
 J. H. LOONEY, 
 
 Dealer in coal and wood, is a native of the Isle of Man, Great Britain, born 
 January 31, 1848, and was there reared to manhood. In 1855 he came to the 
 United States, landing at New York, and immediately removed to Galva, 111., 
 remaining until 1863. In the spring of 1866, he became a resident of Kansas 
 City, and has been actively engaged in the wood business since. He at first had 
 to transport the wood on barges on the Missouri River, and this industry has been 
 much appreciated by citizens of this place. His marriage occurred in August, 
 1872, to Miss Mary Kane. She died in 1876, leaving two children: John and 
 Charlie. Mr. Looney commenced hfe in very moderate circumstances, and by 
 hard work, good judgment, and economy, he has secured a comfortable compe- 
 tency. 
 
 VALENTINE E. LOVE, 
 
 Proprietor of the Theatre Comique, is a native of England, born in Norwich, 
 February 14th, 1838. His brother was a captain in the English Navy, and he 
 himself had a commission as second-lieutenant. He first became a member of 
 the dramatic profession under Edward Glover, of Theatre Royal, of Glasgow. He 
 made his debut in the winter of 1859, and afterward acted in all the principal 
 places in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. October 6th, 1863, he married 
 Miss Ellen Maskell, of Brighton, Sussex, by whom he has one child, Charlotte 
 Ellen. She was also an actress, making her first appearance at the Theatre 
 Royal, at Brighton, in the winter of 1861, playing the role oi "Little Rebel" 
 with William Farren, the celebrated English comedian. In the winter of 1868 
 he was engaged by Henry Jarrett, one of the proprietors of Niblo's Garden of 
 New York City, he having previously commenced his theatrical career in America 
 at Tammany Hall, under the above management. Since that time he has been 
 engaged in managing theaters in Brooklyn, Boston, Philadelphia and Baltimore, 
 and previous to his coming to Kansas City was the business manager for J. H. 
 Haverly, of the Adelphia, of Chicago. His first management in Kansas City 
 was the management of the old Frank Hall, which he named the Adelphia of 
 Kansas City, the roof of which fell in during the winter of '78, entirely destroying it. 
 He then leased the theater on the corner of Fourth and Walnut, now known as 
 the Comique. He is the pioneer variety theater manager of Kansas City. 
 
 CHARLES D. LUCAS, 
 
 Recorder of Deeds of Jackson county, Missouri, was "born in Independence, 
 Jackson county, Missouri, on the 5th day of May, 1834. After having received 
 a liberal education he embarked in the dry goods business, and continued in the 
 same until the year 1867, at which time, on account of the illness of his father. 
 Gen. Samuel D. Lucas, who was the recorder of deeds of Jackson county, Mis- 
 souri, he was called upon to discharge the duties of that office. Upon the death 
 of his father he was. appointed to fill the unexpired term, and was himself elected 
 
KANSAS CITY. 
 
 807 
 
 CHAS. D. LUCAS. 
 
 for the first time, to the ofBce in the year 1870; he was again elected in the fall of 
 1874, and was again re-elected to the same office in 1878, which office he 
 still holds. Grand Chancellor Lucas, of the Knights of Pythias, was the first 
 Vice-Grand Chancellor of the State of Missouri, being elected at the organization 
 of the Grand Lodge at the city of St, Louis, Missouri, for the term of six months, 
 at the expiration of which term he was, without opposition, elected to the office 
 of Grand Chancellor, for the term of one year. Having served in that office to 
 the satisfaction of all, his jurisdiction appreciating and approving his past services 
 elevated him to the position of Supreme Representative, which position he has 
 held continously ever since. At the last session of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, 
 in November, 1875, W. Lucas was again called to accept the office of Grand 
 Chancellor, much against his own wishes, but ever ready and willing to advance 
 the cause of friendship, charity and benevolence, he yielded to the earnest solici- 
 tations and requests of his numerous friends and brethren throughout his jurisdic- 
 tion, and was the second time elected to the high and honorable position of 
 Grand Chancellor. Much of the prosperity of the order in his own State is 
 attributed to his untiring energy and zeal in the cause, and it can be truthfully 
 stated that he was the originator and started the first two lodges in the jurisdiction 
 of Kansas, and thus materially aided in adding another star to our galaxy. He 
 was elected Supreme Prelate at the last session, 1876, of the Supreme Lodge of 
 the world, held at Independence Hall, Philadelphia. Mr. Lucas has been twice 
 married, first to Miss Keturath Hickman, in 1857, a native of Kentucky, in 18 — 
 she died, leaving two children : Mary A., and Charles H. His second marriage 
 occured in 1868, to Miss Laura Fisher, of Liberty, Clay county, Missouri, where 
 she was born and reared. By this union they have had five children: Alice Maud, 
 Nellie M., Frank Druval, Louie M., and Marritt W. ; two of whom have since 
 died: Alice Maud and Louie M. 
 
 PATRICK McANANY, 
 
 Of the firm of Mansfield & McAnany, was born in County Armaugh, Ireland, 
 February 15, 1838, and there resided until about ten years of age. Then in 
 company with his parents came to America, landing at New York about April 
 ^5) 1849. Remained there but a short time and moved west, settling in Lee 
 county, Illinois. Soon afterward Patrick started out in life for himself, and 
 though young, traveled through nearly every State in the Union. Being econom- 
 
808 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 ical, by the time he was sixteen he had accumulated quite a sura of money, which 
 he was so unfortunate as to lose. Then went tb Louisiana, remained one year, and 
 in 1857 came to Kansas City. He lived with the Shawnee Indians about three 
 years, and in 1861 enlisted in Company F, ist Kansas, remaining with this regi- 
 ment one year, participating in some hotly contested battles. At the battle of 
 Wilson's Creek he received three gun shot wounds, and now carries a ball in his 
 cheek. Was near at hand and saw Gen. Lyons when he fell, and after this engage- 
 ment was discharged for disability. Then entered the telegraph department of 
 United States service, and served till the close of the war, having witnessed the 
 battles of Mission Ridge, Chickamauga and others. Was discharged at Chat- 
 tanooga in the spring of 1865. Then returned to Illinois, remained about one 
 year and again came to Kansas City, being engaged as foreman on the bridge 
 then being built across the Missouri. For seven years was occupied in the 
 lime, sand and hair business, and follows it to some extent now. Five years was 
 engaged in the grocery business. In the fall of 1880 commenced his present 
 business. Has been twice elected to the council of the city. He was married 
 October 16, 1876, to Miss Helen W. Mansfield. They have five children: Edwin, 
 Philip F., James P., Mary and Rose. 
 
 CHARLES McBRIDE, 
 
 Contractor and builder, was born in Boyle county, Ky., in 1831, and there 
 resided until fourteen years of age. In 1846 he came to Missouri, and then to 
 Westport Landing. Here he stopped a short time and then returned home, 
 remaining until 1849-50. Then came again to Jackson county, locating at Inde- 
 pendence, where he remained until 1850, and then removed to California. There 
 lived a number of years, during which time he bought one-third interest in a mine, in 
 which he was successful. Although not yet twenty-one years of age, he had now 
 made a fortune, and then went to Mapa Valley, where his riches increased rapidly. 
 Afterward spent some time in traveling over the western wilds. In the fall of 
 1 86 1 he started back for the States, and on his way was attacked by the Indians at 
 the City of Rocks, where, in company with fourteen men, they had a desperate fight 
 for their lives. Out of the fifteen men only four lived to get through, nine being 
 burned or hung right in sight. He arrived in Salt Lake City in March, 1862, 
 and immediately returned to Independence, coming to Kansas City in 1866. 
 Since then he has been engaged contracting, his work being found in many of 
 the principal houses here. 
 
 G. W. McCALVY, 
 
 Carpenter for Kansas City Stock Yards Company. The subject of this sketch is 
 a native of Boston, Mass., and was born August 12, 1831. When but ten years 
 of age he with parents moved to Milwaukee, Wis., where they remained till 1849, 
 and he then went to Walworth county, remaining two years. Then took a trip 
 down the Mississippi to New Orleans, where he was in service as a sailor of light 
 boat department on board the Samuel L. Pleasanton, which was stationed about 
 twenty-five miles from Lost Island. Remained one year and returned to Wal- 
 worth county, Wis. In 1856 moved to Lama county, Iowa, and in May, 1859, 
 went to California. January, 1864, he returned to Walworth county. Wis., and 
 there engaged at the carpenter trade for the Chicago & Northwesterh Railroad, 
 working under their employ till the spring of 1869, when in May began work for 
 the Ft. Scott & Gulf Railroad, retaining this position till November. Returned 
 to Walworth county. Wis., and moved his family to Breckenridge, Mo., in the 
 spring of 1870. After using well drill over different parts of Missouri for two 
 seasons, was in 1873 appointed as foreman for the Brunswick, Chillicothe & 
 Council Bluffs Railroad Company for six months, when he was employed by the 
 Detroit Iron Bridge Company. While building the bridge at St. Joe, Mo. , was 
 
KANSAS CITY. 809 
 
 part of the time foreman, being shortly after the completion of this, employed by 
 the American Bridge Company. While building the bridge at Atchison, Kan., 
 October, 1875, moved to Kansas City, where he began under the employ of the 
 Kansas City Stock Yards Company. In April, 1879, returned to Walworth 
 county, Wis., where he was in the mercantile trade till April, 1880, when he 
 again returned to Kansas City and accepted his present position. 
 
 G. w. McClelland, 
 
 Of the firm of McClelland, Stumpf & Co. , proprietors of brick yard, was born 
 July 4th, 1832, in Green county, Pa., and received such educational advantages 
 as could be obtained there. In 1849, he learned the' trade of bricklaying in 
 Brownville, same State, and in 1854 removed to Rock Island, Illinois, there fol- 
 lowing his trade until 1857 ; then removed to St. Joseph, Mo., remaining until 
 the breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in the Federal service, and served 
 about twenty months. After being mustered out in June 1863, he returned to St. 
 Joe and from there went to Leavenworth, Kansas, remaining until 1866. Then 
 spent some tune in traveling, and in 1868 he came to Kansas City, since making 
 his home here. He has been actively engaged in contracting and manufacturing 
 brick and is the senior member of the firm of McClelland & Stumpf. In 1880, 
 the firm was changed to McClelland, Stumpf & Co., on account of the rapid in-: 
 crease of business. In 1879, he was elected a member of the city council from 
 the first ward, and holds that position. December 30, 1875, he married Mrs. 
 May A. Mott, a native of Genesee county. New York. She has one son by a 
 former marriage, W. L. Mott. 
 
 JAMES McCOLLUM, 
 
 Of the firm of McCollum & Edwards, attorneys and abstract men, was born in 
 Greene county, Tennessee, July 13, 1844, and when nine years old, his parents 
 came to Missouri and settled in Harrison county, where they still reside. He 
 obtained his education by private instruction and attending select schools, and 
 when he was fifteen he began teaching school, and taught until he was twenty- 
 four. He had also studied surveying so that at twenty-one years he was a practi- 
 cal surveyor. In 1866, he began the study of law under Judge William G. Lewis, 
 at Bethany, Mo., and was admitted to the bar at Albany, Mo., in 1868. He at 
 once became a partner with his tutor for the practice of law. Mr. Lewis dying 
 three months after, he became connected with J. C. Howell, now circuit judge of 
 the twenty- ighth judicial circuit of Misssouri, with whom he practiced until 1871, 
 when he went lo Augusta, Butler county, Kansas. From thereto Joplin, Mo., 
 in 1874, being engaged in the law, real estate and abstract business in those 
 places, and coming to Kansas City in 1878, where he engaged in the practice of 
 law until 1880. Then he entered the abstract business and the practice of law 
 with T. H. Edwards. In 1872 he married Miss Emma Frisbie, of Bethany, a 
 niece of Col. Jeff. Fatten, by whom he has two children : Myrtle and Maud. 
 
 JAMES McCULLOUGH, 
 
 Provision Inspector, was born near Belfast, Ireland, November 10, 1836. Was 
 reared there and educated, and served an apprenticeship to the butter business, 
 from his fifteenth to his twentieth year, in Belfast, and in 1857, he established 
 himself in the same business in Belfast, and followed it until i860. Then came 
 to the United States and settled in New York City, where he engaged in exporting 
 butter, cheese, and provision. This he followed until 1872, when he came to 
 Kansas City and again followed the same business, and where he has held the 
 position of provision inspector for eight years. July 20, 1859 he married Miss 
 Caroline McBlain, of Belfast, Ireland. They have seven children living : Ernest, 
 Charles, John McBlain, James A., Alfred Robert, Eliza R. and Frank S. 
 
810 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 W. N. McDEARMON, 
 
 General ticket agent for the Wabash & Pacific Railroad, was born in St. Louis 
 county, Mo., February 6, 1836. His parents were natives of Virginia, 
 they emigrating to Missouri in 1829. His father was a very prominent man in 
 the state. He was elected State Auditor, and died in 1848, while holding that 
 position. Young McDearmon was educated mostly at St. Charles College, near 
 St. Louis. By the death of his father he was thrown upon the world to care for 
 himself at an early age. When seventeen he quit school, and wentinto the office 
 of his brother, who was clerk of St. Charles county. Mo., as deputy clerk, being 
 with him seven or eight years. In 1861 he began his career as a railroad man by 
 taking charge of the ticket and freight depot at St. Charles, Mo., for what is now 
 the Wabash road, and afterward became the pioneer ticket agent in Kansas 
 City, being established in the employ of the Wabash railroad in 1869, and still 
 holds the same position. In 1864 he was appointed Police Commissioner by 
 Gov. Woodson, and was re-appointed by Govs. Hardin and Phelps. May 29, 
 i860, he married Miss Laura C, daughter of William Segerson, of St. Louis, by 
 whom he has six children — two boys and four girls. 
 
 JOSEPH McDowell 
 
 Was born in Madison county, Alabama, December 25, 18 16, and when nine 
 years old, his parents emigrated to Tennessee, and from there to Jackson county, 
 Mo., in 1833. Here he lived with them until his majority, when he married and 
 settled on a farm, and lived there until 1847, when he came to Kansas City and 
 settled on land that was newly laid out in town lots, and located on Walnut street 
 and Grand avenue. The city then consisted of a blacksmith and wagon maker's 
 shop, two stores, in one of which was the post office, and probably fifty houses 
 scattered over the hills. He was the first man who manufactured brick in the 
 city. He has recently platted his farm, near Rosedale, making the third addition 
 to that town. 
 
 DR. CALVIN D. McDONALD 
 
 Was born in York county, Pennsylvania, January 23, 1835, ^''^^ is the son of 
 John and Catherine (Weinand) ; the former was of Scotch-Irish ancestry, and the 
 latter of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. Her father was a soldier in the revolution. 
 Young Calvin's educational advantages were exceedingly limited ; an old reader, 
 handed down from the oldest to the youngest of a family, was in many instances 
 the only school book had in the wilds of Pennsylvania. His first tuition at public 
 school was paid with money earned by peddling bee hives, and afterwards taught 
 school to furnish means for further advancements- On reaching his majority, he 
 went to Mt. Blanchard, Ohio, and again taught. Opportunity occurring, he put 
 himself under the care of Dr. Park Loring, and, under his efficient supervision, 
 rapidly acquired proficiency in his profession. In 1859 he was married to Miss 
 Mary Shields, of Findley, Ohio. For the perfecting of his education, the doctor 
 attended the University of Michigan; also Starling Medical College, of Ohio, 
 where he passed honorable examination in the annual systematic course. On the 
 next day after the firing upon Fort Sumpter, he enUsted in the Federal army, and 
 was granted a lieutenantcy, which he finally gave up to return to his profession. 
 In 1 87 1, Dr. McDonald came to Kansas City with his family, poor in pocket, 
 but rich in a determination to succeed, and no comment is necessary to tell how 
 well he has fulfilled that will. He is a member of the Medical Association of 
 Kansas City. Their family consists of two boys and one girl : Park, Chett and 
 Letha. 
 
 wiTTEN McDonald 
 
 Was born June 4, 1846, in Wyoming county. West Virginia; his parents were native 
 Virginians, his ancestors on both sides having been soldiers in the Revolution, and 
 
KANSAS CITY. 811 
 
 war of 1812. His father, Stephen, died when our subject was six years of age, 
 and the next few years of his hfe were spent on a farm, during the summer months, 
 and attending school in the winter. In 1857 his mother moved with her family 
 to Missouri, and settled four miles north of Chillicothe, in Livingston county. 
 Here Witten remained five years, farming and attending schools within reach, 
 until he prepared himself for a term in St. Paul's College, Palmyra, Missouri, but 
 on sccount of failing health he was obliged to abandon his studies. Then traveled 
 extensively in the northern, eastern and southern States, and returned to Chilli- 
 cothe, remaining for some time, and was married to Miss Clara Bird, October 7, 
 1868, a daughter of Greenup Bird, Esq., now a prominent merchant in Kansas 
 City. In August, 1868, Mr. McDonald associated himself with J. W. Hearne, 
 for the sale of lumber and building material. In 1873 he became sole proprietor, 
 and in connection with that business added agricultural implements, wagons and 
 buggies. In January, 1878, the "McDonald Lumber Company" was incorporated, 
 under the statutes of Missouri, with a capital stock of $150,000. The present offi- 
 cers are: President, K. McDonald; Secretary, A. J. McDonald; and Treasurer, 
 Witten McDonald. They are doing business at the following places : St. Joseph, 
 ChiUicothe, Richmond, Liberty, Cameron, Independence, Brunswick, and Car- 
 rollton. While in the latter place our subject was largely interested in the Carroll 
 Exchange Bank, and also in the Chariton County Exchange Bank, of which he 
 was Vice-President. In 1874 he joined the Masonic fraternity, and was soon 
 elected principal sojourner of the chapter. Their family consists of two sons and 
 two daughters. 
 
 MABILLON McGEE 
 
 Was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, December 25, 1817, and is the son of James 
 H. and Eleanor Fry McGee. The former is a native of Virginia and of Scotch- 
 Irish descent, being among the early settlers of Kentucky. Mrs. McGee was 
 born in 1793, in Greenbriar county, Kentucky, and was the daughter of Isaac 
 Fry, a gentleman very respectably connected in that county. Mabillon received 
 very limited educational advantages in youth, and resided on a farm until 1827, 
 when he removed with his parents to Clay county, Missouri. Thence to Jack- 
 son county, and located on a site between what is now Nineteenth and Twentieth, 
 and Broadway and Main streets. Here he pursued his education still further by 
 self application. In 1847 there was a call made by the Government for volun- 
 teers of Jackson county and of the Shawnee and Delaware tribes of Indians liv- 
 ing west of Jackson county, to go to Florida and help fight the Seminoles. As 
 one of the volunteers, Mr. McGee went, and rendered valuable services on ac- 
 count of his acquaintance with the chiefs, and also his knowledge of the Indian 
 language. After returning he engaged in trading with the Indians, which he fol- 
 lowed for' fourteen years, and during this time accumulated a considerable 
 amount of property. He has selected a beautiful spot on which to pass the re- 
 mainder of his days, consisting of sixty acres, now known as McGee's Sum- 
 mitt. April 28, 1844, he married Miss Mary E. Ward, of Greenup county, 
 Kentucky. Her father was.an old settler of that State, and a highly respected 
 citizen. 
 
 A. B. H. McGEE, 
 
 Was born May 21, 1815, two and a half miles from Beardstown, Nelson 
 county, Kentucky, and soon after his birth, was taken by his father to Shelby 
 county, seven miles from Shelbyville, where he was sent to school. When twelve 
 years old his father removed from Shelby to Clay county, Missouri, near the town 
 of Liberty, where, after living one year, he removed to Jackson county, Missouri, 
 then known as the " Great Blue Country." His educational advantages were 
 limited, as he had to help his father, and he worked on the farm and engaged in 
 different occupations during his life. When twenty-one years of age he engaged 
 
812 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 in the saw mill business, and afterward surveyed "Indian grants." He was 
 taken prisoner by the Osages, but was released after necessary promises were ob- 
 tained from the agent. In 1838 he married Melinda Frey, of Shelby county, Ken- 
 tucky, and by this union had seven children, of whom two are now living: M. E. 
 (now Mrs. Judge Allen), and Anna P. (now Mrs. J. W. White). Mrs. McGee died 
 September 19, 1846. The same year our subject engaged in government contracts 
 for building the Sac and Fox Indian agency, and continued trading with the 
 Indians until the spring of 1847, when he went into the mercantile business at 
 Westport, In this year he married a sister of his first wife, who died March 19, 
 1867, leaving one child, who died when five years of age. After three years 
 trading with the Indians he sold his branch house at the Agency, and the next 
 year his store in Westport. From 1848 to 1852 he furnished outfits for emigrants 
 to California, and also equipped John C. Fremont in both of his trips across the 
 continent. Mr. McGee was one of the fourteen who bought the original "Kansas 
 City,". and which was obtained for from $5,000 to $7,000. January 11, 1869, 
 he married Susan B. Gill, born in Bath county, Kentucky, March 8, 1849, and 
 by this union they have two children : Nellie and A. B. H. 
 
 S. S. McGIBBONS, 
 
 Insurance agent, was born August 26, 1826, in Bedford, Pennsylvania, and 
 spent his boyhood days on a farm. He emigrated to Cincinnati when about 
 nineteen years of age, and engaged as clerk in a clothing house. He next became 
 deputy city clerk, and in 1855 he was elected city auditor and served two terms. 
 He emigrated to St. Joseph, Missouri, in 1859 and engaged in the boot and 
 shoe business and followed it ten years, and was then elected city treasurer and 
 filled the office two years. He was a delegate to the Chicago convention that 
 nominated George B. McClellan for president in 1864. In 1869 he moved to 
 Lynii, Massachusetts, and engaged in the manufacture of boots and shoes. There 
 he resided some nine years, and during this time he served two years as alder- 
 man, and represented the county in the Legislature one term. This was the first 
 time this district had been represented by a Democrat. He came to Kansas City 
 in 1878 and engaged in the boot and shoe business one yeaf and six months, and 
 then purchased his present insurance agency from D. S. Harman. He represents 
 several companies, and by sterling principles of honesty and fair dealing has won 
 the respect of a large circle of friends. He is a member of the Odd Fellows 
 fraternity, also of several mutual benefit associations. He married Miss Carrie 
 A. Raddin in 1861. She is a native of Lynn, Massachusetts, and was born on 
 the 14th of April, 1837. She is a member of the Episcopal church, and he is a 
 member of the Southern M. E. church. 
 
 J. C. McGRATH, 
 
 Dealer in groceries, boots ^nd shoes, etc., was born in County Clare, Ireland, 
 in December, 1835, and there lived until thirteen years of age. He was edu- 
 cated in the schools there, and in 1848 accompanied his parents to America. 
 They landed in New York in 1857, going immediately to Williamsport, Pennsyl- 
 vania, where they settled and engaged in hotel keeping. In this our subject was 
 reared, remaining in the same place until 1878, when he came to Wyandott, 
 Kansas, and commenced the grocery business. Nine months later he established 
 himself at his present place. He has succeeded in gaining a fair patronage, as he 
 carries a good stock, worth from $1,500 to $2,000. His marriage ,was in t86- 
 to Miss Catharine Hartnett, of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. They have one 
 child, Ella. 
 
 THOMAS McKINLEY, 
 
 Dealer in coal, was born in the town of Portadown, county Armaugh, Ireland, 
 in 1832, and there remained until 1851, when he came to the United States, 
 
KANSAS CITY. 813 
 
 landing in New York on the ist of May. From here he went to Pennsylvania, 
 and was engaged in teaching in the Normal schools at Monongahela City, being 
 associated with A. J. Buffington, then superintendent of the county schools. At 
 the outbreak of the war, he was connected with the militia, -and the company, 
 Capt. John Keys Ringold's Cavalry having volunteered their services, our subject 
 left his school and served in the army for two years. Was then honorably dis- 
 charged for disability, serving until the close of the war in quartermaster's de- 
 partment. This found him in Tennessee, and he soon- embarked in the 
 mercantile business, which he continued until 1870. Then came to Kansas 
 City, and since that time has been engaged in business here. May 22, 1866, 
 he married Miss S. B. Dunlap, of Frostburg, Maryland. They hive six 
 children: Thompson D., M. Robert J., Arthur A., Samuel S., Sarah B., and 
 Benjamin. 
 
 D. McLEOD, 
 
 Of the firm of McLeod & Combs, photographers and crayon artists, was born 
 in Canada in December 1851, and was there grown to manhood, attending the 
 Woodstock Academy. Graduated from that institution in 1869, and then com- 
 menced in the photographing business, in which he has since been engaged and 
 for which he seems so peculiarly fitted. No house in this city can do finer work 
 than McLeod and Combs. Mr. McL. left Canada in 1873, and went to Chicago, 
 and thence to Sterling, Ills. Was there engaged in business some six years, and 
 in 1880 came to Kansas City. He married Miss Bella Anderson, of Cadiz, 
 Ohio, May 4, 1875. She was born October 7, 1852. Mr. Combs, the crayon 
 artist of the firm, was born in San Francisco, and removed to Chicago about 
 fourteen years ago. From there he came to this place. 
 
 HENRY McMAIN, 
 
 Retired grocer, as born in St. Johns, New Brunswick, December 11, 1838, 
 and resided there until eleven years of age, when his parents took him to 
 Boston, he being reared and educated there. When sixteen years of age he com- 
 menced to learn the trade of an iron moulder, at Augusta, Me. , which business 
 he followed for fourteen years, mostly in Boston. Then engaged in the grocery 
 business there and continuing three yeafs, came west and began working at his 
 trade, at Quincy. Remained there one year, and then in company with others 
 came to Kansas City in 1870, and erected a foundry, for the purpose of making 
 stoves. Before very long he sold out his interest in this business and became a 
 salesman in a grocery kept by J. P. Hamblin. After remaining with him three 
 years, he was employed by John Toney for a year. For a year he was engaged 
 in business on his own occount in West Kansas, and owing to his increasing busi- 
 ness moved where he now holds forth. His marriage was in June 1864, to Miss 
 Mary Caton, of Augusta, Maine. She was reared and educated there They 
 have three children : Edwin, Agnes and Alida. Two are deceased : Mary and 
 Frankie, both dying at the age of two years and four months. 
 
 MR. AND MRS. JOHN C. McNEES. 
 
 This pleasant and interesting old couple are among those who settled in 
 Kansas City in its infancy, they coming here in 1848, when Kansas City was 
 only a small collection of houses called Westport Landing. The city site was 
 then a series of bluffs and ravines, a portion being a dense forest, but as if by a 
 mystic wand they have seen the rough places made smooth and the city grow 
 from a hamlet to the metropolis of the Missouri valley, if not of the West. Mr. 
 McNees is a native of Tennessee, having been born in Rutherford county, in 
 1813. Leaving there when very young with his parents, he came to Howard 
 county, Missouri. Mrs. McNees was born near Glasgow, Kentucky, March 14, 
 1820. Her maiden name was Margaret Ann Hayden. Her parents moved to 
 
814 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 St. Louis, Mo., when she was very young, and where she was reared and lived 
 until her marriage. They have two daughters : May, (wife of Robert Stringfel- 
 low), and Lizzie, (wife of J. A. Lee, bath of Kansas City). Their son James 
 R. , fell a victim to cholera, while residing in the Indian Territory, when twenty- 
 six years old. 
 
 CHARLES McNELLIS, 
 
 Of the firm of Callahan & McNellis, importers and jobbers in Irish and Scotch 
 linens, was born in County Dougall, Ireland, May 8, 1848, and spent his boy- 
 hood days on a farm. When twenty-two years of age he came to the United 
 States, and settled in Chicago, where he was employed as a clerk in a dry goods 
 store. He remained under this firm for eight years, when he was made a member 
 of it, and then came to this city, opening a branch wholesale house. Being the 
 only ones who deal exclusively in these goods, their trade extends throughout the 
 northwest, and they are very successful. Mr. McNellis commenced life a poor 
 boy, and he is a good example of what may be accomplished when energy, with a 
 will is brought into play. 
 
 CULLIN McNUTT 
 
 Was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1802, where he lived until 
 thirteen. His parents moved to Kentucky, and a year after, 1815, moved from 
 that State to Switzerland county, Indiana, where he lived until 1858. May 27, 
 1827, he married Miss Mary Campbell, of Switzerland county, and settled on a 
 wild tract of land in the same county, and succeeded in making one of the most 
 valuable farms of the county. There he lived and reared a family of two sons 
 and three daughters : Patterson, professor of mathematics in the Asbury Univer- 
 sity, of Green Castle, Indiana; William, who died in i860; Elizabeth; Martha, 
 wife of J. W. L. Slavens, of Kansas City, and Frances Mary. In 187 1 he, be- 
 coming infirm from age, sold his farm, and came to Kansas City in the spring of 
 
 1872, where he invested his capital in real estate, consisting of tenement houses, 
 from which he is receiving a good income. In January, 1876, he was bereft 
 of his wife, who died a consistent member of the Grand Avenue Methodist Epis- 
 copal church. They were both members of long standing, being converted and 
 received into the church in 1840. 
 
 ASA MADDOX 
 
 Was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, July 6, 1838, and resided there until 
 he became of age. His early education was received in the common schools 
 of the neighborhood, and in 1855 he entered the St. Louis University, remaining 
 for about eighteen months. Then attended Jones' Commercial College, of St. 
 Louis, graduating in the winter of 1856, and he came to Kansas City in the spring 
 of 1857. Soon after he engaged in the lumber business, continuing until March, 
 
 1873, when he sold out. Previous to this he was elected to the office of presi- 
 dent of the Western Lumber Association of Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska and 
 Iowa, holding the position two years. In 1873 he was elected to the office of 
 sheriff of Jackson county, which he held until 1877. Mr. Maddox is a promi- 
 nent secret society man. In the lodge of Arch Masons, he has held the position 
 of worshipful master for ten years. Was captain-general of commandery of the 
 Knight Templars, and is the present grand marshall of the Grand Lodge of 
 Missouri. Also supreme councilor of the Supreme Lodge of the Order of Mu- 
 tual Protection of the United States. Mr. Maddox has been twice married; first, 
 in 1859, to Miss Mary F. Carter, of St. Louis. She died in 1867, leaving two 
 children: Trustin P. and Effie A. His second marriage occurred in 1869, to 
 Carrie Carter, a sister to his first wife, and of the same place as the former. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 815 
 
 WILLIAM A. MADDIN, 
 
 Carpenter and contractor, was born in St. Marks, Canada, April 22, 1851, and 
 when but five years old moved with his parents to Edwardsburg, Canada. Re- 
 mained about ten years then moved to Lisbon, New York. When eighteen years 
 of age he learned the carpenter's trade, working transiently over New York 
 till 187 1, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio. Remained in Cleveland, engaged at 
 his trade and show-case making till June, 1880, when he moved to Kansas City. 
 
 L. MAINHARDT, 
 
 Of the firm of Mainhardt & Co., jobbers of fine cigars, was born in Wurtemburg, 
 Germany, November 23, 1854, and when fourteen years of age left home and 
 commenced business for himself. He partly learned the art of telegraphy in 
 Germany, and in 1868, came to the United States and settled in Wisconsin. 
 There he remained some two and a half years engaged at his trade and then went 
 south, telegraphing in Tennessee and Alabama for seven years. He came to 
 Kansas City in 1878, and commenced in business. He keeps a good stock of 
 goods, and is deserving of liberal patronage. He has worked his own way 
 through life, and being possessed of a large amount of energy is bound to succeed 
 in whatever he undertakes. 
 
 H. B. MARTIN, 
 
 Broker and commissioner in iron and steel, was born in Galesburg, 111. , January 
 27, 1852, where he lived with his widowed mother, his father dying when he 
 was very young. He received the rudiments of education in the district schools, 
 and fuirther at Knox College at Galesburg. In 1880, after leaving school, he 
 went to Cleveland, Ohio, and entered the Britton Iron and Steel Works, with a 
 view of making himself proficient in the business, and came to Kansas City in 
 February, 1881, and established himself in the commission and brokerage busi- 
 ness. His prospects for the future are very promising. He represents the stand- 
 ard firms of Pittsburgh, Pa., and Cleveland, Ohio, and although quite a young 
 man, is well qualified for the business he has chosen. 
 
 E. S. MARSHALL, 
 
 Druggist, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Mt. Sterling, Fayette county, 
 July 22, 1857. When but a boy, he moved with his parents to Lexington, Ky., 
 where they remained till the fall of 1865, when they moved to Cass county, Mo., 
 and shortly after located on a farm. Was engaged in tilling the soil about fi ve years, 
 when they moved to Holden, Johnson county, Mo. Mr. M. was engaged as 
 clerk in a drug store, and in the fall of 1878 he began a thorough course in phar- 
 macy at Ann Arbor, Mich., graduating July 1st, 1880. In November, 1880, he 
 purchased the store, which he now owns, of W. K. Hawkins. Mr. M. is an 
 enterprising young man and experienced in his business. 
 
 JOHN H. MENSING, 
 
 Gardener and dealer in ice, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 181 8, and 
 when twenty years old he came to the United States, stopping in Charleston, 
 South Carolina, for one year. Thence to Savannah, Georgia, and engaged in the 
 grocery business, and also owned a mill, propelled by horse power, for grinding 
 corn. He left Savannah in 1847, and came to Missouri and settled in Franklin 
 county, where he was in the distilling business for a short time. Then went to 
 Franklin county, Kansas, where he tried to farm but abandoned it in 1859, and 
 came to Kansas City where he has been in variou"s pursuits, and is now gardening 
 and dealing in ice, selling from 600 to i,iooo tons of the latter yearly. He married 
 Miss Mary Ann Gager, of Washington, Missouri, by whom he has had eight 
 
816 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 children: Henry, (connected with his father in the ice business), Willie, Mary, 
 Sarah, Johnnie, Tony, Avis, and Georgie. 
 
 J. W. MERRILL, 
 
 Lumber Dealer, was born in Mesopotamia, on the Western Reserve, of Ohio, 
 September 26, 1827, and when eleven years old his parents removed to Gaines, 
 Orleans county, New York. He was educated by attending the common schools 
 at Gaines. In 842 he went into the printing ofifice of the Western Reserve Chronicle 
 at Warren, Ohio, to learn the printing business, being in that and other offices in 
 the same town until 1845, when he went to Canfield, Mahoning county, Ohio, and 
 established the Mahoning Index. Thisjhe published until the following year when 
 he went to Youngstown, Ohio, and assisted other parties to establish a Democratic 
 paper. In 1847 he went to Wisconsin and settled at Kenosha where he was 
 employed by the Kenosha Pier Company, doing a grain, commission and shipping 
 business until 1868. In the meantime he had himself become owner of several 
 vessels, doing a very successful business on the lakes. In January, 1869, came 
 to Kansas City and established himself in the lumber business, doing a wholesale 
 and retail trade. His sales the last year reached $180,000. March 2d, 1853, 
 he married Miss Mary P. Foster, of Kenosha, Wisconsin, by whom he has four 
 children : John F. , Joseph William, Charles Brockway, and Henry Chase. 
 
 ROBERT B. MIDDLEBROOK, 
 
 Attorney, was born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, September 4, 1855. He 
 received his education at the common schools and the academy of his native 
 county. He graduated from the law department of Yale College in 1878, and 
 came to Kansas City in the fall of that year, where he has established himself in 
 the practice of law. 
 
 WILLIAM H. MILLER, 
 
 Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Trade, is a native or Missouri, and was 
 born on the 12th of January, 1843, in Jasper county. When two years of age he 
 was taken by his parents to Macon county, there remaining until ten years old, 
 when he removed to Atchison county. There he spent most of his time until 
 becoming of age, receiving a common school education. When seventeen he 
 commenced learning the printers trade, which he continued until the breaking 
 out of the war. In July, 1871, the country being so disturbed, it became neces- 
 sary to organize home guards, and Mr. Miller became a member of that organiza- 
 tion. In October, 1861, he enlisted in the Missouri State Mihtia, remaining 
 therein until December 2d, 1862, when he was commissioned second lieutenant 
 of th 35th Missouri Infantry; on the 22d of the same monlh he was promoted to 
 first-lieutenant, and May 26th following to Captain. While in Arkansas ill 
 health caused him to resign from the service in December, 1863, and he went 
 to St. Louis. In January, 1864, he accepted a commission as first heutenant of 
 the nth Missouri Cavalry, returned to Arkansas and remained until July, 1864, 
 when he resigned and left the service. During the following August, 1864, he 
 engaged in the newspaper business continuing until January i, 1877. He was 
 publisher of the Advertiser of Brownsville, Nebraska, for a few months, and also 
 of the Register oi Rulo, same State, for a few months. Then in January, 1865, 
 he became connected with the Press of Nebraska City, of which he afterward 
 became proprietor, but owing to financial depression he suspended that paper in 
 January, 1869, and removed to Omaha, where he was for a time with the Republi- 
 can. He then returned to Nebraska City, and was connected with the Chronicle 
 for a short time. In July, 1871, Mr. Miller came to Kansas City, and accepted 
 a position on the Journal, remaining until January i, 1877. He held the position 
 of reporter, city, commercial and managing editor, and at all times gave the 
 editor-in-chief more or less assistance. In 1873 he became Secretary of the Board 
 
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 -^2.^551^ 
 
 g::£^^^^^^ 
 
 ^ 
 
KANSAS CITY. 817 
 
 of Trade, in connection with editorial duties, until January i, 1877, when he 
 gave up the editorial profession to give his entire attention to this position. He 
 was, until lately, also Secretary of the Kansas City Smelting and Refining Com- 
 pany, and is now Secretary and Treasurer of the Mining Stock Board, and of the 
 K. C. & N. E. and K. C, N. & W. railroads; is vice-president of the Robert 
 Raikes Association, which is interested in religious and benovelent work; and is 
 vice-president also of the Academy of Science. As one of the editors of the 
 Journal and as Secretary of the Board of Trade, he has given much attention to 
 the development of Kansas City's commerce and markets, and originated the idea 
 of barge navigation of the Missouri River. This, after several years' discussion, 
 has finally been made a practical reality in the organization of the Missouri Valley 
 Transportation Company. Mr. Miller was married in Nebraska City, in 1866, to 
 Miss Geneva Linton, a native of Ohio, born August 29, 1848. They have had 
 three children, all of whom are deceased. They attend the Congregational 
 church. 
 
 W. C. MILLER 
 
 Was born in Laporte county, Indiana, April 4, 1840, and was principally 
 reared and educated in his native county. In 1870 he removed to Jackson 
 county, Missouri, and located in Kansas City, where he has made his home ever 
 since. Immediately after coming here, he purchased three farms in Johnson 
 county, Kansas, one of which he traded for a livery stock and outfit in Kansas 
 City, where he has been actively engaged, at the same time doing an extensive 
 business, and has built up for himself an enviable reputation. In 1867 he married 
 Miss Phebe Pottinger, of the same county and State as himself. Their family 
 consists of three children: Lillie T., William R., and Luetta Grace. 
 
 WILLIAM MILLER, 
 
 Liveryman, was born in Greenfield county, Michigan, in 1838, and when 
 twenty-two years of age left his native county, and removed to Kansas City. 
 After coming here, he worked at various avocations, and was engaged in freight- 
 ing across the plains. In 1875 ^^ embarked in the livery business, and has since 
 continued, it being very successful. He has been prudent and economical, and 
 has secured a nice competency to rely upon. In i860 he married Miss Mary 
 Ann McCracken, daughter of Judge McCracken, of this city. Their family 
 consists of six children: Minnie A., Mary M., Jennie, Horace, George W. and 
 Samuel. 
 
 JOHN K. MILLER 
 
 Was born near Shippingsburg, Pa., January 18, 1816. There he was raised, 
 and served an apprenticeship in the blacksmithing business. He left his native 
 town in 1840, and went to Mansfield, Ohio, and engaged in the manufacturing of 
 plows, which he followed until 1855, after which time he made a tour to South 
 America for his health. Returned in 1856, and in the spring of 1857 he came to 
 Missouri, and settled in Kansas City, and opened a shop for shoeing horses at 
 the junction of Main and Delaware streets, being exactly in the center of Main 
 street, and being obliged to move his shop when the street was opened in 1868. 
 He has been very successful in his business, and has realized much by the advance 
 of city property. November 26, 1848, he married Miss Ellen Wise, of Mans- 
 field, Ohio, by whom he has one son, John H., pastor of the First Presbyterian 
 church of Junction City. Himself and wife are members of the First Presbyterian 
 church of Kansas City. 
 
 F. A. MILLER, 
 
 Of the firm of Fred. A. Miller & Son, wholesale dealers in heavy hardware and 
 wagon material, was born in Weston, Platte county,' Mo., June 13, 1855, and 
 52 — 
 
818 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 there resided until 1864, when his father, on account of political differences, was 
 compelled to move. Going to Leavenworth, Kansas, he established himself in 
 the hardware business, and there he is at present engaged. In the year 1878, 
 in company with his son, F. A., they started their business in this city, where 
 they carry a large stock, and are doing a good business in Kansas and Nebraska, 
 beside a fine local trade. Our subject was principally reared and educated in 
 Leavenworth, and when sixteen years of age went to Europe, and attended school 
 in Germany for four years. There he received a thorough German education. 
 After his return, he went to Leavenworth, where he remained three years prior 
 to coming here. Although yet a youug man, he possesses an unusual amount of 
 business principles, and is fully competent for his position. 
 
 A. W. MILLSPAUGH, 
 
 General ticket agent Union Depot. The subject of this sketch is a native of 
 Orange county, N. Y., and was born December 28, 1814. Was reared in his 
 native county and there received his primary education. In January, 1834, (after 
 having attended the Academy of Montgomery), he entered the junior class of the 
 Union College located in New York, graduating in July, 1835, after which he 
 went to Prince Edward county, Va. There he was engaged in teaching a classical 
 and mathematical school for thirteen years. Then he went to Richmond, Va., 
 where he was engaged on the James River and Kewanee Canal about four years. 
 Then became general freight agent on the Richmond & Danville Railroad till 
 1856 ; and till 1857 was most of the time engaged traveling for his health. Was 
 afterward employed by the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad till i860, when he 
 went to Nashville, Tennessee, and took charge of the southern division 
 of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad till 1861. Thence went to St. Louis 
 and was under the employ of the Ohio & Mississippi Railroad a short 
 time. In 1864 went to Washington, D. C, and was there engaged in the 
 Quartermaster-General's office till 1865, and returned to Louisville, Kentucky, 
 where he was contracting agent till 1867, when he returned to St. Louis and 
 was there general agent for the North Missouri Railroad till May and then general 
 ticket agent till 1870 — the time he located in Kansas City. First, he was ticket 
 agent for the North Missouri Railroad till August, 1870, when he began in his 
 present position. Mr. Millspaugh has the name of being one of the most experi- 
 enced railroad men in the west. Was married in Mitchell, Ind., October 7, 1862. 
 They have three children : Mary J., Margaret E. and Susan E. 
 
 J. P. MITCHENER, 
 
 Weigh master at Kansas City Stock-yards, is a native of Cincinnati, Ohio, and 
 was born October 12, 1848. When he attained the age of five years, he, with his 
 parents moved to Warren county, 111. , where they remained till 1859 ; then moved 
 to Kansas City and in 1862 moved to Chicago. In 1866 he accepted the position 
 of weigh master at the Union Stock-yards of Division C. In 1869 removed to 
 Kansas City, and was, till 1871, engaged in buying and shipping live stock. June 
 I 1 87 1, he accepted the position of weigh master for the Kansas City Stock- 
 yards, which he retained till the spring of 1873. Then, with his father, J. L. 
 Mitchener, engaged in the live stock commission trade for one year as the firm of 
 J. L. Mitchener & Son. From May i, 1874, to Feb., 1878 was engaged as book- 
 keeper for Hunter, Evans & Co., when he then again embarked in the commission 
 trade as one of the firm of Saulsbury & Mitchener. January i, 1880, he began 
 work as book-keeper for A. J. Gillespie & Co., remaining till November i, 1880. 
 December i, 1880, he accepted his present position. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 819 
 
 B. F. MITCHELL, 
 
 Dealer in grain and mill feeds, was born March i, 1836, in Montgomery coun- 
 ty, Kentucky. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, and at the age of twenty- 
 one engaged in the mercantile business at Mount Ida. Immigrated to Platte City, 
 Mo., in 1850, thence to Bloomington, 111., in 1862, and to Jackson county, Mo., 
 in 1866. He engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1877, when he came to Kan- 
 sas City and engaged in his present business. Has been identified with the 
 school board for quite a number of years, and at present holds the office of no- 
 tary public. He married Miss Ella Whaley in 1857. She is a native of Ken- 
 tucky and was born in 1838. Their family consists of four children: C. W., 
 Emma L., Susan S. and Claude W. They are members of the Christian church. 
 
 WILLIAM H. MORGAN, (Deceased), 
 
 Whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Piqua, Ohio, March 13, 1834, 
 and was the son of Dr. S. B. Morgan, a physician and druggist of that place. In 
 184S the family removed to Crawfordsville, Indiana, where our subject entered 
 Wabash College, and when eighteen years of age, unaided by his father, he. 
 secured an appointment to the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, gradu- 
 ating in 1856. He resigned immediately after on account of what appeared to 
 him an unjust preferment of a class-mate. He returned home and read medicine 
 with his father, attending lectures at the Medical College at Cincinnati. In the 
 spring of 1861 he went to Kansas to locate some land warrants, and during this 
 trip Fort Sumter was fired upon. On his return, while going down the Missouri 
 River he witnessed such exhibitions of sectional strife among the passengers that 
 he enlisted as a private in a Crawfordsville company immediately after arriving 
 there much to the disapproval of his parents. He was offered the captaincy of 
 a company, but Governor Morton required his services in the military camp to 
 organize and drill recruits as they came in. He was afterward commissioned 
 lieutenant-colonel of the 25th Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and ordered to the 
 department of Missouri, participating in the severe service of that campaign. 
 Charmed with the natural beauty and climate of the State, he resolved at the 
 close of the war to locate in Missouri. During the war his most active service 
 was in the Army of the Tennessee, and was engaged in the battles of Fort Donel- 
 son Hatchie, Pittsburg Landing and Davis' Mills, distinguishing himself for 
 conspicuous bravery and courage at Fort Donelson. Soon after he was promoted 
 colonel of the regiment. At Pittsburg Landing he was wounded, carried off the 
 field and sent home; he was afterward placed at Davis' Mills, Mississippi, to guard 
 that part of the line, and, with a small detachment of a few hundred men, de- 
 feated Colonel Vandorn with 6,000 men. He was afterward placed in command' 
 of a brigade, and General Grant sent his name to Washington urging his speedy 
 promotion. This mail was captured and the request never came before the senate. 
 Near the close of the war he was — by way of reparation — made brigadier-general 
 by brevet, for gallant and meritorious services. He then was retained on a com- 
 mittee for examining applicants for the regular army, not being mustered out 
 until March 6, 1866. On the 7th of April following he arrived in Kansas City. 
 In July he opened the first wholesale drug house in Kansas City; his capital 
 being insufficient to meet the demands of trade, he associated with himself Joseph 
 Parders and J. W. L. Slavens in 1867. The latter shortly retired, and Mr. 
 Parders sold his interest to A. W. Bidwell, who proved to be an unprofitable 
 partner and who committed suicide in 1871. In order that the stock should not 
 be sacrificed at public sale to satisfy eastern indebtedness, thus throwing a heavy 
 debt on the heirs. General Morgan, with the promise of liberal time, bought the 
 interest but at the end of the second year a forced final settlement was made, 
 and the' stock passed into other hands. This misfortune, taken with others, re- 
 sulting from the financial crisis, accelerated the incipient disease engendered 
 
820 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 in the army, causing death by bronchial affection in 1878. He proved himself 
 one of Kansas City's most public spirited citizens ; was a stockholder in the Han- 
 nibal & St. Joe Railroad, and was one of the originators of the Kansan City & 
 Santa Fe Railroad, and a member of the first board of directors. He married a 
 daughter of the late John Binford, of Indiana, in December, 1862. General 
 John Love, of Indiana, left this tribute of our adopted citizen: " General Morgan 
 has the confidence of the people of our State for all the qualities that adorn the 
 gentleman and the soldier." And General Grant, in recommending him to the 
 Secretary of State for a foreign appointment in 1875 said of him: "General 
 Morgan is personally known to me as a brave and gallant soldier, and in my 
 opinion is worthy and capable of filling any position in the government to which 
 he may aspire." 
 
 WILLIAM MULKEY. 
 
 Retired farmer and capitalist, was born in Ash county. North Carolina, Sep- 
 tember 22, 1824, and when young was taken by his parents to Jackson county. 
 Mo., in the fall of 1828, locating at Westport, as it was then known. His early 
 education was given him by the noted Joe Smith, for a period of six months. At 
 the end of this time the Mormons, becoming troublesome, were driven out of the 
 county, and they went to Clay county. Mo. Our subject afterward attended the 
 common schools, and at the age of eleven years commenced business for himself 
 with the Indians, continuing until grown to manhood. In 1844-45 he com- 
 menced in Westport, being engaged in running a little steamer, and was here for 
 a number of years. He has frequently visited John C. Fremont, when he was 
 camping near this place, and assisted in preparing the outfit for his great trip 
 across the plains. Mr. M. well remembers the prediction made by Thomas H. 
 Benton, in a letter to a friend, an early settler here, that the time would come when 
 railroads would run across the plains in all directions, the river be dredged and 
 roads run across the plains and mountains to the Pacific Ocean. Mr. M. has 
 lived to see this reaHzed to the fullest extent. He was married to Miss Catharine 
 Dripps, in 1852. She is a native of Oregon, and a daughter of Major Dripps, one 
 of the Ame^rican fur traders, who died in i860. 
 
 FREDERICK MULLETT, 
 
 Of the firm of MuUett Brothers, wholesale dealers in photographic goods and in- 
 struments, was born in Taunton, England, in 1840, leaving there with his 
 parents when he was very young. They came to the United States and setried 
 in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he was reared. When nineteen, in 1857, he went into 
 the wholesale house of Tyler Davidson & Co. as a clerk, and was in their employ 
 until 1865. In July of that year he went to Vicksburg, Miss., and was employed 
 as manager in the hardware department of the retail house of Louis Hoffman & 
 Brother, being with them until 1866. Then he came to Kansas City and became 
 a partner with S. Gardner in the hardware business, they being together for eight 
 years. Dissolving the copartnership in 1875 he went east and was employed as 
 traveling salesman for Gatchel & Hyatt, of Cincinnati, and oiher firms, until 
 January, 1877, when he returned to Kansas City and established himself in the 
 business in which he is now engaged, with his brother Richard B. Mullett, who 
 became a member of the firm in 188 1. In 18 j 8 he married Miss Martha Camp- 
 bell, of Ottumwa, Iowa. 
 
 CORNELIUS MURPHY, 
 
 County Marshal, was born in Cork, Ireland, August i, 1849, ^nd when 
 quite a small boy came with his parents to the United States, landing at 
 New York City. His father immediately went to Virginia, where he was engaged 
 for some time as contractor on a railroad. His family continued to live 
 
KANSAS CTIY. 82] 
 
 in different parts of the state for several years, when he removed to Jackson county 
 Missouri, in 1857. Settled in what is now known as McGee's Addition, livec 
 here for a short time, after which he went onto a farm with his father. Speni 
 several years, then returned to Kansas City and accepted a clerkship in the cloth 
 ing store of Kahn & Schloss ; continued with these parties for a period of five 
 years, during which time he purchased a scholarship in the commercial college; 
 there prosecuted his studies vigorously, graduating from this institution in 1869- 
 '70. Subsequently was appointed deputy collector of Jackson county, Mo., which 
 office he filled with much credit to himself and satisfaction to the citizens. In 
 1880 was elected to the office of marshal of Jackson county. 
 
 JOHN MURRAY, 
 
 Dealer in real estate, was born in the County Galway, on the River Shannon, 
 June 15, 1831, where he lived with his parents until he was sixteen. He had fair 
 opportunities for education up to that age, attending two years at the Irish Na- 
 tional University at Woodford, a neighboring town. When he left home he was 
 apprenticed three years to the dry goods business, at Portumnd, the residence of 
 Lord Clanricker. In 1848 he came to the United States, landing in New Orleans 
 in November of that year and there he lay some weeks, sick in the Sisters' Hos- 
 pital. His first employment was as a waiter in the St. Charles Hotel, serving as 
 such for six months, when he was employed as book-keeper by Patrick Walch, a 
 heavy manufacturer of harness. Was with him until 1850, when he left New 
 Orleans with his parents, who had arrived from the old country, for St. Louis, 
 and while on the trip had the misfortune to meet with an accident, by which they 
 lost all their clothing and baggage, and nearly lost their lives, caused by the ex- 
 plosion of the boiler of the boat on which they were traveling, near Memphis, 
 on the Mississippi River. There they were obliged to lay up until they had 
 recovered from their injuries. When sufficiently recovered they again started for 
 St. Louis, arriving there in due time, and soon after their arrival there, he was 
 employed as steward on board the steamer Connecticut. Soon after he was em- 
 ployed as second clerk on the steamer Pacific, plying between St. Louis and New 
 Orleans, continuing as such until March, 1852. Then he came to Jackson county. 
 Mo., settling at Independence, where he was employed as a clerk by Thomas 
 Gilchrist and Isaac Campbell, until 1854, when he went to Blue Springs and did a 
 general mercantile business for himself, and was also post-master until 1859. Then 
 returned to Independence and was employed in the forwarding and commission 
 business until i860, when he kept the Excelsior saloon for six months. Then sold out 
 andreturned to Blue Springs, and soon after entered the Confederate army as aprivate 
 and served as such until the fall of Vicksburg, afterward being promoted through 
 various grades up to Provost Marshal. After being mustered out at the close of 
 the war he went to St. Louis, where he accepted a position long enough to earn 
 money to return to Independence, and also to have his family return, which had 
 been banished from the State by Order No. 11, in his absence. He began life 
 again by clerking, which he followed until May, 1867, when he ventured in busi- 
 ness again for himself He held the position of county treasurer from 1874 to 
 1878. Beside being burned out in 1874, he lost heavily in the suspension of the 
 First National and Mastin banks of Kansas City, from which he has not fully 
 recovered. After his reverse he went to Leadville, Col., where he endeavored to 
 retrieve his losses. Returned to Kansas City in 1881, and engaged in the real 
 estate business with William S. Carter, late of Denver, Col. September 6, 1855, 
 he married Miss Mary F. Smith, of Blue Springs, by whom he had one child : 
 William F., of Independence-. Mrs. Murray died in September, 1866. 
 
822 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 J. W. NEIR 
 
 Was born in Mahoning county, Ohio, October 2, 1850, and when about twelve 
 years of age removed with his parents to Michigan. He made this State his home 
 until 1867, when he entered Mount Union College, of Ohio, pursuing his studies for 
 about four years. Then went to the University of Michigan, studied four years, 
 and from there to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, graduating therefrom in 1876. 
 In 1877 he went to work in the copper mines of Lake Superior, and then engaged 
 in the river improvement work on the Missouri River, from which he was de- 
 tached and placed on the lower Mississippi, where he remained about four 
 months. In May, 1879, he came Kansas City, and now holds the position of 
 Assistant United States Civil Engineer. He has been instrumental in promoting 
 everything beneficial to the citizens of thisplace. Mr. Neir was married June 16, 
 1879, to Miss Anna A. McDonald, a native of Canada. They have but one son, 
 William W. 
 
 W. R. NEWLON, 
 
 Druggist. The subject of this sketch is a native of Westmoreland county, Penn., 
 where he was brought up and educated. About twelve years ago he became en- 
 gaged in the drug trade on Grand avenue, and has remained here since. Being 
 a good business man, courteous and pleasing in his manner, he has built up a 
 good trade. His store is a model of neatness. 
 
 M. M. NYE, 
 
 Of the firm of J. W. Hamilton & Co., was born at Rockville, Parke county, Ind., 
 May 3, 1857, and when he was eighteen years of age he went to Henry county, 
 Iowa, spending one year in traveling over the State, and then returned to his native 
 home, where he was engaged in bookkeeping for the Sandered Coal Company 
 for one year. Then went to the southern part of Illinois and was engaged in 
 railroading, holding different positions, as general bookkeeper, freight agent, 
 conductor, and frequently had charge of a part of the construction work. Re- 
 maining till 1880, he returned to Indiana and was for a short time engaged in 
 buying and shipping grain. In October, 1880, he located in Kansas City, at his 
 present occupation. Mr. Nye, as an accountant, is accurate and reliable, and 
 has made a success in all his undertakings. 
 
 DANIEL O'FLAHERTY, 
 
 Surveyor of Jackson county, was born, in Berking county, Virginia, in July, 
 1841, and in 1844 was taken by his parents to Kentucky, where he resided until 
 1855. Then removed to Missouri, locating in Jefferson City, and from there 
 came to this city in 1857, where he has since made his home. In 1867 he was 
 appointed to the office of assistant city engineer, holding this position until 1872. 
 In 1868 was elected county survevor, which position he filled for four years, and in 
 the fall of 1880 was re-elected to the office he now holds. He married Miss Ellen A. 
 Ward, of Kansas City, in June, 1869. She is a native of Ireland. By this 
 union they have three children living : A. E. , Joseph S., and Leo J. Have lost 
 one child, two and a half years old. 
 
 J. O'FLAHERTY 
 
 Was born in County Kerry, Ireland, where he Hved until 1836, when he went to 
 Canada. After a short stay at Quebec, went east, and in 1847 moved to Alle 
 gheny county, Penn., at which place he lived two years. Afterwards removed 
 to Frankfort, Ky. Followed railroading with his father at this place for three 
 years. Also worked in the towns of Falmouth and Cinthiana. He was engaged 
 in railroading in Cincinnati, Ohio, and Lexington, Ind. Then vs'ent to New Or- 
 leans, La., and for one year was clerk in a retail grocery store, after which he 
 
KANSAS CITY. 823 
 
 went to Louisville and engaged in the retail grocery trade. Was there until the 
 riot of 1855, at which time he went to Oshkosh, Fondulac, and other parts of 
 the State of Wisconsin. .After leaving Wisconsin he went to St. Louis, and from 
 there to Cameron, at which place he followed railroading for eighteen months, 
 and then came to Kansas City, where he engaged as contractor and excavator. 
 Worked at this business until the war broke out, when he enlisted as a private in 
 Company B, ist Kansas Volunteers, and'went to Fort Leavenworth, and back to 
 Kansas City. Was through the campaign of 1861, and afterwards was under 
 Major Sturgis and General Lyons ; at the battle of Wilson's Creek was near Gen- 
 eral Lyons when he was killed. Was also at the battle of Milliken's Bend, Cor- 
 inth, Gun Town, Vicksburg, and various skirmishes. Was a captain, command- 
 ing a company, during the fight at Vicksburg, guarding the Mississippi River 
 front, on the Louisiana side. Resigned his command and came to Kansas City, 
 and after staying here a short time, returned to Goodrich Landing and took com- 
 mand of the citizen scouts, and scouted through the territory lying between Good- 
 rich Landing and Lake Providence. While in command of the scouts he had a 
 very hard fight called the battle of the Mounds, which resulted in a glorious vic- 
 tory for the Captain. At the close of the war he located at Vicksburg^ and en- 
 gage(J in the wholesale and retail grocery business. Here he was married to 
 Miss Sarah A. Duggin, of Vicksburg, and they have had three children, two now 
 living: Katie M. and V. J. One, Eugene, is deceased. 
 
 H. B. OLIN & CO., 
 
 Manufacturers of carriages. This firm is composed of H. B. Olin and Mr. 
 Eastey. The former was born in Livingston county, New York, December 24, 
 1852, residing there until about three years of age, when, with his parents, he 
 removed to Wisconsin. There remained about five years, then going to Kalama- 
 zoo county, Mioh., and after five years came to Ottawa, Kas. There our subject 
 was educated, attending the Baptist University for three years. Remained in 
 Ottawa eight years, and then went to the University at Rochester, N. Y. , where 
 he attended until graduating with the degree of A. B. In 1879 Mr. Olin came 
 to Kansas City, and formed a partnership with his brother-in-law, Mr. Eastey, 
 which still continues. They have lately associated with them Mr. A. R. Har- 
 dustry, one of the finest finishers hereabouts. He learned his trade in England, 
 and since coming to this country has been associated with J. B. Brewster, the 
 king of carriage men. Mr. Olin was married February 17, 1880 to Miss C. S. 
 Carter, of Rochester, N. Y. She was brought up and educated there. 
 
 P. L. O'MARA, 
 
 Of the firm of Schoeller & O'Mara, proprietors of meat market, was born in 
 Ireland, September 5, 1861, and when but two years of age, came to America, 
 with his parents, and landed at New York. From there came to St. Louis, where 
 he remained till 1870, when he came to Kansas City. In July, 1879, he entered 
 into partnership with A. E. Schoeller, in his present occupation. 
 
 D. H. PAINTER, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, is one of the many young doctors who took Horace 
 Greeley's advice, and has cast his lot in the Great Western Metropolis. He 
 is a native of Illinois, having been born at Macomb, McDonough county, April 
 13, 1855. He graduated from the Macomb High school in 1874, and immediately 
 began the study of medicine under Dr. P. H. Garretsou, of his native town. 
 Graduated from the Louisville Medical College, at Louisville, Kentucky, February 
 26 1876. He began his practice at Council Grove, Kansas, where he was very 
 successful, and where he served as U. S. medical examiner until January i, 1881, 
 when he located in Kansas City. April 16, 1877, he married Miss Bettie C. 
 
824 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Robinson, of Independence, a granddaughter of Mrs. Atkins, one of the oldest 
 residents of Jackson county. 
 
 JOHN D. PARKER, Ph. D., 
 
 Was born September 8, 1831, in Homer, Courtland county. New York. When 
 five years of age, his father, Rev. Roswell Parker, a clergyman of rare gifts as a 
 theologian and preacher, moved with his family to North Adams, Hillsdale 
 county, Michigan, where he improved and cultivated a large farm for forty years. 
 At nineteen years of age, with his parents' consent and approval, John D. Parker 
 left the farm, for the purpose of securing an education, learned telegraphy, and, 
 moving his instruments into the office of the Jonesville Telegraph, learned also 
 the printing business. He then went to Ann Arbor, where he took a classical 
 course in the Michigan University. He then taught five years in the schools of 
 Indiana and Illinois when he resigned, and took a course in the Chicago Theo- 
 logical Seminary. After preaching two years, he was called to take charge of the 
 preparatory department of Lincoln College, Topeka, Kansas, and was soon elected 
 to the chair of Natural Science. After teaching in the college about three years, 
 Prof. Parker resigned, and accepted a position on the staff of the Commonwealth. 
 At the end of one year, he took charge of the Congregational church at Burling- 
 ton, Kansas, and opened a small fruit farm, with the purpose of making a permanent 
 home. In the autumn of 1871, Governor James M. Harvey, very unexpectedly and 
 without solicitation, appointed him superintendent of the Kansas Institution for the 
 Blind. During his administration of four years, the institution was greatly pros- 
 pered, but when it was becoming a model institution. Governor Thomas A. 
 Osborn changed the management solely for political reasons. On resigning his 
 superintendency. Prof. Parker moved to Kansas City, where he has been engaged 
 as city missionary and in teaching, editing, and reading proof. He is the origin- 
 ator of the Kansas Academy of Science and of the Kansas City Academy of 
 Science. He donated his private cabinet, containing 2,000 choice specimens, to 
 the Kansas Academy of Science, for the use of the Kansas University. He is a 
 member of the Congregational church, and has had rare success in conducting 
 Bible classes for many years. He excels as a writer, and possesses those mental 
 gifts which, by proper cultivation, would give him a place among authors. As 
 an organizer of scientific societies, Prof. Parker has laid foundations upon which 
 men will hereafter build enduring monuments. His plans are laid wisely, he toils 
 year after year with patience, looking for no earthly reward, and he has an abid- 
 ing faith in the feeblest beginnings and darkest hours, of ultimate success. He 
 places the foundation stones where they ought to be laid, and waits for those who 
 come after him, to complete the structure. In 1867, Illinois College conferred 
 upon him the degree of doctor of philosophy, in recognition of his attainments 
 and services in natural science. Prof. Parker inherits the gift of invention from 
 his father, and has obtained letters patent for a composing stick gauge, which 
 will probably prove to be a standard instrument in its department. 
 
 CHARLES H. PATTON, 
 
 Proprietor of milk depot and oyster saloon, was born in Philadelphia September 
 26, 1850, and there was educated. Made it his home until seventeen years of 
 age, when he went to New Jersey and learned the dairy business. This he con- 
 tinued there for seven years when he returned to Philadelphia, engaging in the 
 milk business for one year. Then came to Kansas City, continuing the same 
 business and also engaged in the oyster trade. This has since been his occupa- 
 tion and in it he has built up a good trade. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 825 
 
 M. J. PAYNE 
 
 Is one of the few remaining old settlers of Kansas City who came here thirty 
 years ago. He was born in Christian county, Kentucky, October 29, 1829. His 
 father dying when he was young, he was thrown upon his own resources to gain 
 a livelihood. His education consists of what he obtained in the common school 
 and what he learned after entering the office of the Hopkinsville Express, to learn 
 the printing trade, when only thirteen years old. In 1844 he was employed by 
 A. Gant &.Son in his native town as a clerk, with whom he remained until Janu- 
 ary, 1849, when he accepted a clerkship in the dry goods house of H. D. Cun- 
 ningham of St. Louis, Mo. In 1850 he came to Kansas City and went into the 
 mercantile business with H. L. Weil, of St. Louis, under the firm name of H. L. 
 Weil & Co. , and, on retiring from the firm the following year, he accepted a po- 
 sition in the dry goods house of Northrup & Chick. Remained with them until 
 1855, when he was elected Mayor of Kansas City, subsequently holding that 
 position for five consecutive terms, and has represented his district in the State 
 Legislature. He was also one of the incorporators of the Cameron Branch of the 
 Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad. He has ever given his influence to promote the 
 growth of the young city, and is proud of its present prosperity and future prom- 
 ise. 
 
 PEET BROTHERS & CO., 
 
 Soap manufacturers. This firm consists of Robert and William Peet, and J. W. 
 White. Robert and William are natives of England. They were born near Cam- 
 bridge, in Cambridgshire, and are now aged respectively, 33 and 37 years. They 
 spent their boyhood days on a farm, coming to America when boys of 15 and 19, 
 spending all they had in defraying the expense of their voyage. They began life 
 in a strange land, empty-handed. First found employment in the soap manufac- 
 tory of Joseph Stafford, in Cleveland, Ohio, where the elder brother worked five 
 years, learning the business, while his brother, after one year, quit and learned 
 the carpenter's trade. The elder Peet, after working at the soap business for 
 eight years, had accumulated the sum of $500, and was contemplating a visit to 
 his old home in England, when he was advised by friends to abandon it, and 
 come to Kansas City, well knowing that he was well versed in the secrets of 
 manufacturing soap. After consulting his brother, who then resided at Cleve- 
 land, Ohio, he started for the west, coming to Kansas City in 1872, where he 
 quickly discerned the advantages of the place and telegraphed his brother, who 
 came at once. They first rented the old deserted soap factory belonging to Iven 
 Brothers for one year, but occupied it only ten months, when Gen. W. H. Powell 
 became connected with them. They being very young, and with limited capital, 
 the accession of General Powell gave the business a new impetus, and, requiring 
 larger quarters, they removed to No. 4, East Levee, near where they now are. 
 In 1873, Gen. Powell sold is interest to Capt. J. W. White, when the present firm 
 of Peet Brothers & Co. was organized. They have been successful from the 
 first, and their business so increased that they had to enlarge their quarters by 
 renting different buildings. Now they own the extensive soap works, formerly 
 the old Kearney warehouse, on the levee, at the foot of Delaware street, a build- 
 ing. 25x100 feet and three stories high, to which they are putting up an addition, 
 25x100 feet, with a basement and two stories high. They manufacture 3,000 
 boxes of soap monthly, which is sent throughout Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, 
 Colorado, Texas and New Mexico. Mr. White was born near New Bedford, 
 Mass., August 6, 1821, and when sixteen years of age went on board the old 
 Minerva, and followed the sea thereafter for twenty years, serving from a common 
 sailor up to master of a vessel, and has been in most of the important ports of the 
 world. He has made three whaling voyages in the Arctic regions, being at one 
 time master of the Nasson, and afterwards the William Thompson, taking from 
 two to three years to make the voyage. He abandoned the sea in 1857, and 
 
826 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 lived in Illinois until 1866, when he went to Cleveland, Ohio, and engaged in 
 the implement business. Leaving there in 1873, he came to Kansas City and be- 
 came connected with the Peet Brothers. 
 
 MRS. MARY S. PEERY 
 
 Was born in Tazwell county, Virginia, March 26, 1814, and when five years old 
 her parents moved to Caledonia, Washington county, Mo., where she lived until 
 her eighteenth year. Was then married to Rev. Edward T. Peery, a Methodist 
 minister, the date of their marriage being January 28, 1832. Soon after her hus- 
 band was called to the missionary work among the Indians, she accompanying him 
 and devoting fifteen years among the Shawnee, Delaware, Kickapoo, Pottowat- 
 omie and Wyandott Indians. He was also presiding elder of the Cherokee Na- ■ 
 tion, she remaining and laboring among the Shawnees. Closing their labors 
 among the Indians in 1847, they came to Kansas City and permanently settled, 
 building them a house on his farm, on what is now the corner of Ninth and Har- 
 rison street, but at that time a dense forest, and sparsely settled. There her hus- 
 band labored as a local minister, devoting his energies to build up a branch of the 
 Methodist Episcopal church in his immediate neighborhood. He gave the first 
 lot for a church site in the city, on Fifth, near Wyandotte street, and also aided 
 in erecting it — a house, although made dear by its associations to many of the 
 oldest members, has been recently desecrated by- being converted into a livery 
 stable. Mr. Perry died in 1864, since which time she has resided in the city 
 and vicinity. She has three children : Mary Jane (wife of Henry B. Bouton, of 
 Kansas City), Sarah and Frank T. (of Colorado). She has three grand-children 
 and one great-grandchild. 
 
 ROBERT PENNYCOOK, 
 
 Of the firm of Pennycook & Siverwright, was born in Edinborough, Scotland, 
 and lived in that country until he was twenty-eight years of age. Spent two years 
 in New Castle on Tyne, Cumberland county, England, working at the carpenter's 
 trade as contractor and builder, under the firm name of Pennycook & Blair. 
 Came to America in 1871, landing at New York, and came direct to Kansas City, 
 where he remained four years, part of the time as contractor and builder. After- 
 wards he went to California and worked at his trade and kept saloon for about six 
 years, and after disposing of this he returned to Kansas City in the latter part of 
 1880. Then engaged in business, carrying a general stock of hardware and 
 new and second-hand furniture. Mr. Pennycook has been a heavy property 
 holder in Kansas City fot the last nine years. 
 
 JOHN T. PENDLETON 
 
 Was born near Stanford, Lincoln county, Ky., January 30, 1829, where he was 
 raised and educated. He worked on his father's farm until 1853, when he went 
 to Georgia in charge of a drove of hogs, and that was the first starting out in life 
 for himself. He next went ta Louisville, Ky., where he was employed in the 
 packing house of Hull, Jackson & Co., and leaving them in the spring of 1855 he 
 came to Missouri and was employed as clerk in the old Noland Hotel, of Indepen- 
 dence, a house of wide reputation. In this he was employed until 1857, when he 
 was head clerk in the wholesale and retail dry goods house of Mullen Bros., of 
 Independence, being with them until their failure, in 1858. In the same year he 
 with Samuel A. Shortridge went into the grocery business at Independence, under 
 the firm name of J. T. Pendleton & Co., they doing business together until the 
 spring of r86i, when the firm was changed to Wilson and Pendleton, they suc- 
 ceeding Wilson & Strode. He continued in business with Mr. Wilson until 1867 
 when, being elected treasurer of Jackson county in 1866, he retired from the 
 firm. He held the position of county treasurer until 1870, when he settled on a 
 
KANSAS CITY. 827 
 
 farm near Independence and dealt in stock. In 1877 he established a coal office 
 in Kansas City, near the Levee, where he is doing an extensive business, selling 
 from twenty-five to forty car loads daily. 
 
 W. W. PERKINS, 
 
 Attorney, was born in Rushville, Schuyler county, 111., December ri, 1841. 
 Wm. Perkins, the father of W. W., was a practitioner and a member of the 
 Schuyler county bar, it being the most noted bar of the state of Illinois. Being a 
 prominent member of the Old School Presbyterian church, at the beginning of 
 W. W.'s boyhood days, he gave up the practice of law and chose the profession 
 of the ministry, studying theolgy under the tutorship of Lyman Beecher, of Cincin- 
 nati, the father of Henry Ward Beecher. After preaching over the States of 
 Indiana and Illinois, he returned to Ohio. Having been a strong anti-slavery 
 man he left the Old School Presbyterian and entered the Free Presbyterian church, 
 and was appointed editor of their organ and located in Cincinnati, previous to 
 this having resided in Ripley, Ohio. The subject of this sketch was educated in 
 the common schools, and from 1857 to i860 he attended the Farmer's College at 
 College Hill, teaching school for a short time, and also reading for his chosen 
 profession. In the fall of i860 he returned to Illinois, and in the spring of 1M61 
 entered the pay department in the late war and remained on duty till peace was 
 declared, being part of the time engaged by the express company. Then returned 
 to La Salle county. 111., his father atthat time being the editor and proprietor of the 
 Ottawa Republican. Then pursued the study of law and was admitted to practice 
 by the Supreme Court of the State of Illinois in August, 1865. In 1867 he moved to 
 Chicago, where he was engaged in the practice of his profession with great suc- 
 cess, holding the office of attorney for the Board of Education two terms. He 
 had the misfortune to pass through the Chicago fire, which deprived him of all 
 his earnings, except such matter as was saved by being lodged in his safe, although 
 showing the effects of the intense heat from without, proven by the melting of 
 government seals and scorching of paper, which the writer examined. On ac- 
 count of the failing health of his wife he was compelled to seek a more genial 
 climate, and in 1879 he moved to Windfield,'Cawley county, Kansas. In Octo- 
 ber, 1880, he located in Kansas City and is now considered one of the prominent 
 attorneys of the city. Was married to Miss Bell. Parry, of Liverpool, England, 
 April 13, 1870. They have one child, Charles E. (born March 31, 1871). 
 
 A. J. PIERCE, 
 
 Physician and Surgeon, was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., in 1832. He obtained a 
 good literary education by attending school at Jefferson and Germantown, Pa., 
 and graduated from Jefferson College, in Philadelphia, in 1856, and began prac- 
 tice in Pittsburgh with his father, an old practitioner in that city. In 1857, he 
 came west and located in Leavenworth, where he practiced until i860, when he 
 came to Kansas City and practiced until 1866. Then was called to Pittsburgh to 
 settle up his father's estate, and from that time up to 1874, his time was spent 
 alternately at Pittsburgh and Kansas City. In 1875, having permanently located 
 here, he established the first surgical institute in the city, associating with him Dr. 
 J. W. Foster and Dr. H. S. Greeno. In 1879, he retired from that institution 
 and from general practice, having been in practice for thirty years. He is the 
 first and oldest specialist in the city, and is a descendant of an old line of physi- 
 cians, dating back over one hundred and fifty years, making a specialty of treat- 
 ing cancer and chronic diseases. After retiring from the practice of medicine, 
 he engaged in building and the real estate business, and has done much to build 
 up the city, having built seven business houses on Delaware and Third streets. 
 January 14, 1878, he married Miss Mary Waters of Cleveland, Ohio. 
 
828 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 D. S. POLLOCK, 
 
 Attorney, was born in Christiansburg, Montgomery county, Va., August ii, 
 1842. Was left an orphaned boy when quite young, and since his youth has 
 fought his own way through life. His early education was begun at the Academy 
 in his native town, attending this institution till thirteen years of age, when he 
 went to Newbern, Pulaski county, making his home with his uncle, C. S. Lane. 
 In 1857, he entered the High school at Hillsville, Carroll county. Mo., where he 
 remained about two years and returned to Hillsville, teaching school, principally, 
 till i86r. Then enlisted in the Confederate army, remaining in service till the 
 close of the war, when he returned to Pulaski county, teaching till 1867. Was 
 there elected clerk of the Circuit Court for six years, and was removed by the 
 military department act in 1869. In connection with his business, he had been 
 spending his leisure time reading law, which profession he had chosen before the 
 war. Practicing his profession in Newbern, in 1870 the State was re-admitted 
 to the Union, and he was elected superintendent of public schools of the county. 
 After organizing the schools throughout the county, he resigned his office. In 
 1873, was elected as commonwealth attorney of the county, holding this position, 
 by re-election, till January, 1881. Then he drifted westward and located in Kan- 
 sas City and prinipally engaged in the criminal practice, which he has made a 
 specialty. Was married to Miss Maggie McCauU, a native of Scotlatd, February 
 10, 1880. They have one child, May V. Mr. P. is a member of the Masonic 
 fraternity. 
 
 F. W. POOR, 
 
 Proprietor of the Lindell Hotel, was born in what is now the town of Peabody, 
 Massachusetts, December 18, 1845. His parents were Yankees and were born 
 in the vicinity of Danvers. In 1864 he enlisted in Company C, Fifth Massa- 
 chusetts Volunteers and served until the close of the war. Was connected with 
 a wholesale butcher business fourteen years. Took possession of the Lindell 
 Hotel in June, 1880. After refitting it he opened it to the public, and since 
 then has had hardly room enough to accommodate his guests. He is a member 
 of the Knights of Honor and Royal Arcanium. His marriage was in i867_toMiss 
 G. M. Friend, a native of Berley (now Davens), Mass., born October 8, 1845. 
 They have one child, Florence C. (born December 9, 1872). 
 
 DAVID R. PORTER 
 
 Is one of the oldest practicing physicians and surgeons of Kansas City. He is 
 native of Jefferson county, N. Y., where he was born November 23, 1838. 
 His father dying in 1845 ^^^ leaving no inheritance, he lived with his widowed 
 mother — being one of six children — until his ninth year, when he began the bat- 
 tle of life for himself. In his boyhood he imbibed the desire to become educated, 
 and at once bent his energies to attain that end. He began his literary education 
 in the common schools of his native county and completed it in his twentieth 
 year by graduating from Richmond College, Ohio, He soon after entered upon 
 the study of medicine and in due course of time graduated from the College of 
 Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa, and also from Bellevue Medical Col- 
 lege, New York City. Thus well disciplined in the theory of medicine and sur- 
 gery, he was soon called into active practice by being commissioned assistant sur- 
 geon in the 5th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, and served during the late war. In 
 1865, at the close of his army career, he came to Kansas City and began what 
 has been a long and extensive practice. He has filled the chair of Materia 
 Medicia and Therapeutics in the Kansas Medical College from its infancy ; and 
 as a. citizen is highly esteemed by his fellow citizens, by whose voice he has held 
 many positions of trust in the citv. In 1870 he married Miss Ollie Smith, of 
 Kalamazoo, Michigan, by whom he has one son, Pierre. Thus, in brief, is a 
 biographical sketch of one who, by his unaided efforts, has raised himself to that 
 
KANSAS CITY. 829 
 
 eminence of usefulness so eagerly sought in his younger days, arid of whom it 
 can be truthfully said that "merit is given to whom merit is due." 
 
 M. C. POWELL, 
 
 Agent of the Travelers Life and Accident Insurance Company, of Hartford Con- 
 necticut. The subject of our sketch although young, is one of the best experienc- 
 ed in his business in the city. This company has paid over two hundred losses 
 during the past year, varying from $io to $2,000, and is a very reliable one. Mr. 
 Powell has an excellent patronage and well deserves to succeed. 
 
 CLADIUS PREVOST, 
 
 Dentist, was born at Geneva, Switzerland, July 18, 1818, and was there reared 
 and educated. In 1840 Ije left there and immigrated to America as a Protestant 
 minister to the French Catholics. He was brought up in the Catholic faith but 
 after a time turned from the duties of the priesthood and became a convert to 
 Protestantism. He first entered into the ministry in Canada, where he remained 
 about three years. Then removed to New York, and after laboring there some 
 time, moved to Vermont, and afterwards preached in Ohio, Pennsylvania and 
 Illinois. While preaching in Detroit, Mich., he was obliged to forego further 
 efforts in that direction by reason of failing health. During all this time he 
 taught the French language. After leaving the ministry he learned the business 
 of dentist, and for one year followed this profession in Detroit. Thence to Green- 
 ville, Ohio, and practiced there and at Cocomo for two years, removing to this 
 city in 1865. He immediately entered into business and became very successful, 
 and until 1870 also carried on the jewelry trade. At this time becoming involved 
 in a difficulty, of another person's villiany, he sold out and went to Labette 
 county, Kansas, where he worked at his trade. Then returned to Kansas City, 
 and again started the dental business, but after remaining a short time went to 
 Wyandott. Once again he came to Kansas City, and here he now resides. He 
 has been married four times. First, in 1843, in Champlain county, N. Y. , to 
 Miss Mary Loomis. By her he had one son. His second marriage was to Mrs. 
 Morrison, of Canada West, with whom he lived a short time. Then married at 
 Dayton, Ohio, Mrs. Hubbert. Fourthly, and lastly he was married to Miss 
 Sarah P. Ladd, of Wyandott, a lady of refinement, who is now proprietress of 
 the establishment in which he labors. 
 
 CHARLES RABER, 
 
 Son of Cornelius and Regula Raber, was born in Canton Zurich, Switzerland, 
 December 26, 1841. Came to America with his parents in the spring of 1847, 
 and settled in Highland, Illinois, where he received his education. At the age of 
 14, came with his parents to Kansas City, it being then only a landing place ; 
 they settled in Westport, October 25, 1855. His father rented a small piece of 
 land there (now known as the Judge Lewis place), and followed farming until 
 the day of his death which occurred August 26, 1856, young Charles at that 
 time being in the employ of Mr. Francis H. Booth. He remained with him the 
 majority of the time, until the year 1862, when he formed a copartnership with 
 Mr. Martin Keck, to do a general freighting business. They continued together 
 doing a very successful business, making upward of twenty trips across the 
 plain to Utah, New Mexico, Texas, Colorado and other points, until the fall of 
 1868. The Kansas Pacific R. R., was put through to Denver, and not caring to 
 compete with it, they sold their outfits, (and it may be worthy of mention 
 they had an old ox called Tom that by actual count made over ten thousand 
 miles in Mr. Raber's service), and associated themselves with Mr. Helmerich 
 in the Western Brewery, carrying on the brewing business for two years and not 
 being successful closed out, Mr. Raber connecting himself with the Metropolitan 
 
830 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Billiard Hall corner of Grand avenue and Fifteenth streets. Was married at Kan- 
 sas City to Miss Josephine Engler, June 9, 1874, and by this marriage they have 
 had three children, all living: Clara E., (born March 5, 1875), Cornelius, 
 (born December 24, 1878), and an infant (born December 14, 1880). Mr. Ra- 
 ber's mother is living with him, a hearty old lady of three score years and ten. 
 
 AARON RAUB, 
 
 Butcher, was born on the 15th of December, 1824, and is a native of New York. 
 He was principally reared in Pennsylvania, and at the age of twenty-one removed 
 to Ohio, remaining for two years. Then emigrated to Freeport, 111., residing 
 three years, and from there came to Kansas City, in 1852. Here he has made 
 his home since. Immediately after coming he commenced the butchering busi- 
 ness, which he has since followed. He is no doubt ^le pioneer in his line in 
 the city, and is widely and favorably known for his liberal dealing, and has a large 
 number of friends. 
 
 J. C. RANSON, 
 
 Justice of the Peace, was born near the town of Dundall, Ireland, and when 
 thirteen years of age he, in company with his brother, emigrated to the United 
 States, landing at New York. Then went to Cincinnati, and from this place 
 went to St. Louis, in 1837, residing there until 1842, when he removed to Wes- 
 ton, Platte county, Mo., and there engaged in the mercantile business, following 
 this until 1850, when he went to California. In 1851 he came to Kansas City, 
 and has since been a resident here. From 1853 to 1858 he was engaged in the 
 general merchandise trade, and at that time engaged in the real estate business. 
 This he continued until the outbreak of the Rebellion, when, fearing that Kansas 
 City would be nearly destroyed, he commenced farming, continuing it until 1867. 
 Then was appointed Justice of the Peace of Kaw township, and has held the 
 position since. Mr. Ranson has been twice married. First, in 1845, to Miss 
 Emily Tally, a native of Jackson county. She died in i860, leaving four chil- 
 dren : Angle A., Amanda E., Henry S., and Thomas. His second marriage 
 occurred in 1861, to Mrs. Bettie Reese, a native of this county, daughter of Col- 
 onel Stine, also of Jackson county. They have seven children : Maude, John, 
 Joseph, Samuel, Bettie, Daniel, and Pearl. 
 
 J. M. RAYBURN. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a member of the firm of Moore & Rayburn, proprie- 
 tors of one of the most extensive flouring mills in Kansas City. Mr. Rayburn 
 was born in Ross county, Ohio, December 16, 18 18. Was there reared and ed- 
 ucated, and at the age of twenty-two years became engaged in the live stock 
 trade, which he followed until the year 1850. Then removing to McLean county, 
 111., he engaged in farming and stock raising, continuing in that until 1869, when 
 he moved to Butler county, Kansas, and there carried on the same business until 
 the fall of 1875. Came to Kansas City, Mo., where he continued dealing and 
 handling stock until the year 1878. Seeing a favorable opening in the flour-mill- 
 ing business, he formed a co-partnership with Mr. J. W. Moore, in which busi- 
 ness he is still actively engaged. He was married December 29, 1842, at 
 London, Ohio, to Miss Ann M. Rouse, and by this marriage four children have 
 been born to them: Jane R. (born October i, '50), Agnes (born January 16, '58), 
 Joseph H. (born August 24, '61), and Angle (born January 6, '65). 
 
 GEN. J. W. REED 
 
 Was born in Lynchburgh, Campbell county, Va., June 14, 1820, and resided there 
 until twelve years of age. Received his education from private teachers, and at 
 the age of nine years he entered the high school at his native town. Continued 
 
KANSAS CITY. 831 
 
 his studies until 1832, when, in company with a person by the name of Hess, he 
 removed to Laport, Ind., residing with him until nineteen years old. Then 
 joined his father's family. In 1841 he removed to Saline county. Mo., and 
 resided there, engaged in teaching school and the practice of law until 1846. Then 
 raised a company of volunteers and went into the Mexican War, being captain, 
 and served about thirteen months, when he was honorably discharged and mus- 
 tered out at New Orleans. In the fall of 1847 he came to Jackson county,, set- 
 tling in Independence, and has been a resident of this county since. He com- 
 menced the practice of law there, continuing till the outbreak of the late war. 
 Then moved to Kansas City, and from 1876 until now has been engaged in 
 dealing in real estate. In 1853, and again in 1855, he was sent to the Legislature, 
 and in i860 was elected to represent the people in Congress, and at the close of 
 this season resigned. 
 
 J. T. RETON, 
 
 Proprietor of the type, electrotype and stereotype foundry, was born in New 
 York City December 31, 183 1, and was there brought up and educated. At the 
 age of about twenty years he commenced learning the trade of type founder, and 
 worked with one firm about nine months. Then was employed in the foundry of 
 James Conner & Sons, with whom he finished his trade. About 1856 he became 
 engaged as foreman in the Northwestern Type Foundry, of Milwaukee, Wis., 
 which position he filled for about fifteen years. Then became the proprietor of 
 the St. Paul Type Foundry, at St. Paul, where he continued about one year, and 
 then came to Kansas City. He started the type foundry here in 1872, and has 
 continued to operate it since that time. He keeps a full line of printers' mater- 
 ials and can furnish anything in the sterotype line. His goods are all first class, 
 and he is doing a fine business. His marriage was about 1857, to Miss M. E. 
 Adams, of N. Y. They have by this union five children : Cecilia, Anna, John, 
 William and Arthur. Is a member of Knights of Honor. 
 
 THOMAS S. REYBURN 
 
 Was born in Chariton county. Mo., May 20th, 1832, and at the age of seventeen 
 years removed to Lexington, this State, where he learned the trade of brick layer, 
 continuing it until 1854. Then went to CaUfornia, engaged in mining until i860, 
 then returned to this State, and in 1861, enhsted in the Confederate service. 
 Served three years and then removed to Nevada, and three years later went to 
 California. After returning, he came to Kansas City in June, 1870, and imme- 
 diately commenced working at his trade. This he has since continued, and 
 many fine buildings here are specimens of his handiwork. His brother, J. W., 
 was one of the early settlers in this county, and was one of the parties who res- 
 cued persons, who had settled on the flat or bottoms, during the flood of 1844. 
 He is one of the veterans of the Mexican War, having served under Colonel Doni- 
 phan. He is now living in Carroll county, this state, and has a family of sixteen 
 children, the youngest two months old. In March, 1872, our subject was married 
 to Miss Angeline Cook, a native of South Carolina, but principally reared in 
 Mississippi. She removed to Missouri in i860. They have three children, two 
 of whom are living— Roscoe and Samuel. One died at the age of six years. 
 Mr. Reyburn's parents are natives of Virginia, and of Swedish and Welsh ex- 
 traction. They removed to Kentucky in 1825, and are among the early settlers 
 of that State. 
 
 T. C. RICE, 
 
 Manager of the Kansas City Bag Manufacturing Company, was born in Poland, 
 Ohio, December 5, 1842, and spent his boyhood days there, receiving excellent 
 educational advantages. In the summer of i860, he took atrip to the mountains, 
 remaining till fall. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Battery B, ist Pennsylvania 
 
832 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Light Artillery, and held the position of First Lieutenant. Was with the Army 
 of the Potomac through its most important battles, at Antietam, Gettysburg, bat- 
 of the Wilderness, and others. At the close of the war, he returned to his home 
 in Ohio, finishing his education, then came west, engaging in the drug business 
 at Pleasant Hill, Mo., remaining eleven years. Then took a trip south and 
 stopped a while in St. Joseph, where he married Miss Mary A. Long, a native of 
 Baltimore, Md., born in 1856. They were married in October, 1875, and have 
 two children -. L. J. and Mary C. Soon after their marriage he came to Kansas 
 City, and in April, 1878, took charge of the bag manufactory. He is in a 
 responsible position, as this establishment does a very large business. By his 
 strict business integrity, he has made many friends. Mrs. Rice is a member of. 
 the Catholic church. 
 
 A. RICHARDSON, 
 
 Of the firm of Richardson & Heins, manufacturers of doors, sash, blinds, mould- 
 ings and stair material, was born at Dracutt, Middlesex county, Mass., in 1835, 
 and there was reared on a farm until seventeen, when he went to Lowell and 
 learned the trade of wood turner. Leaving there in 1857, he went to Boston and 
 worked in the Bay State Mills, and the mills of Curtis and ' McNutt, until the 
 breaking out of the war, when he enlisted in Company D, 41st Regiment Massa- 
 chusetts Volunteer Infantry, in which he served one year, when his regiment was 
 transferred to the 3d Massachusetts Cavalry. In this he served during the war. 
 After being mustered out, in 1865, he returned to Boston where he remained one 
 year when he was pursuaded that there were better opportunities for employment 
 in the west. He made a prospecting tour through Minnesota, Illinois and Mis- 
 souri, and finally located in Osawatomie, Kansas, where he was engaged in the 
 furniture business until 1868, then went to St. Louis and was employed in differ- 
 ent manufacturing establishments, and in business for himself, until the fall of 
 1877, when he came to Kansas City, where he started the manufacturing estab- 
 lishment of Richardson & Heins, taking in Mr. Heins as a partner in 1878. Al- 
 though beginning on a small scale, they now own a large shop, on Main street, 
 furnished with all the latest improved machinery, and their annual sales amount 
 to from $25,000 to $30,000. 
 
 E. E. RICHARDSON, 
 
 Assistant secretary and treasurer of Kansas City Live Stock Exchange Company, 
 was born in Buffalo, New York, April 29, 1847, and made that his home till 1869. 
 He is a son of E. K. and Hannah L. (Martin), his father being a miller. E. E. 
 was so reared till seventeen years of age. He was educated in the common 
 schools of his native city and in the High school of Grand Rapids, Michigan. 
 October 7, 1864, he accepted the position of book-keeper in Martin Comstock's 
 wholesale store of feed, seeds and fruit, at that time the largest firm in the city. 
 Resigning this position May i, 1868 he took charge of the wholesale produce 
 store of Wallace Johnson, remaining one year, part of the time as traveling buyer 
 and salesman. June 8, 1869, he went to Milwaukee and engaged as traveling 
 salesman for Johnson & Thyng, soap and candle manufacturers. Not being 
 satisfied with this position, he resigned July 27, 1869, shortly aftei going to 
 Chicago, being on the Board of Trade with Wright & Beebe from August 16 till 
 October 12, 1869. That day he accepted a position as book-keeper for Gregory, 
 Strader & Co., live stock dealers, remaining with this firm till January 21, 1874, 
 when he was appointed to the office which he now fills by the authority of J. M. 
 Walker, who was at that time the president of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
 Railroad, and also of the Kansas City Stock Yards. He was married to Miss 
 Anna M. Nevins December 21, 1868. She was born in New Orleans September 
 22, 1849. They have five children : Dwight N., Anna L., Clara Belle, Frances 
 L. and Elliott K. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 833 
 
 DR. J. C. RIDDELL, 
 
 Proprietor of Opium Curative Institute, is a native of Indiana, born in Con- 
 nersville, Fayette county. Graduating before he had attained to maturity, he at 
 once devoted his attention to his chosen profession, associating himself with his 
 father. Dr. G. W. Riddell, an eminent physician and operative surgeon. A 
 writer of considerable ability, he subsequently became identified with the Indiana 
 Citizen, a prominent and influential journal. His career as a member of the 
 editorial staff of this paper was such as to give him much distinction as an able 
 and logical writer. He was an earnest advocate for the preservation of the Union, 
 being among the first who responded to the call for troops. He enlisted for three 
 months, and subsequently for three years, as a member of the famous ' ' Indiana 
 Bracken Rangers," the first mounted company organized in the State. The 
 brilliant exploits and grand achievements of this company in the field are familiar 
 to all who have read the history of the rebellion. At the close of the war Dr. 
 Riddell returned to his native State, and for some years devoted his attention 
 alternately to his profession and editorial work, and, by his numerous writings, 
 has attained to a high position among the medical fraternity. Although but a 
 comparatively brief period in Kansas City, the doctor is well and favorably 
 known, not only in the city and States of Missouri and Kansas, but throughout 
 the country, enjoying the respect and confidence of all. He is a gentleman of 
 good business capacity, suavity of manners and possessed of great courage and 
 energy. Some years ago the doctor discovered a cure for the opium and mor- 
 phine habit, and has recently devoted much attention to the treatment of cases of 
 that class. In viewr of the fact that there are thousands of persons galling in the 
 shackles of the tyrant opium, it will be of much interest to that unfortunate class 
 to know that Dr. Riddell can deliver them from the gloom and torture into which 
 they have been precipitated through the use of that potent and insidious drug. 
 
 ISAAC M. RIDGE, 
 
 Physician and Surgeon, is one of the oldest settlers of Kansas City, having re- 
 sided here over thirty-three years, and is identified with the builders and founders 
 of the city. He is a hative of Kentucky, having been born in Adair county 
 July 9th, 1825. He completed his education in the High school of Dover, Mis- 
 souri, and studied medicine under Isaac S. Warren, M. D., of the same place, 
 graduating from the Transylvania University at Lexington, Kentucky, in March, 
 1848. He then returned to Missouri, and immediately settled at Westport Land- 
 ing, as Kansas City was then called. He soon had an extensive country practice, 
 and many were the long and cheerless rides over the wilds and hills of Jackson 
 county, and in what was then known as the Wyandott and Shawnee reservations, 
 he having a large practice among the Indians. Having secured a competancy, 
 he retired from practice in 1873, and since then has been improving his city 
 property, located on Main and Walnut streets February 12, 1850, he married 
 Miss Ehza A. Smart, daughter of the late Hon. Thomas A. Smart, by whom he 
 has three children r William E., Thomas S. (now attending the State University 
 at Columbia, Missouri), and Sophia Lee (attending the Christian College at the 
 same place). His wife died in July, 1878. She was a member of the Christian 
 church of Kansas City. 
 
 WILLIAM E. RIDGE 
 
 Is a son of Isaac M. Ridge, one of the oldest settlers of Kansas City, and his 
 mother was the daughter of the Hon. Thomas A. Smart, one of the very first 
 proprietors of the city. He was born on a spot of ground that is now the south- 
 east corner of Ninth and Main street, September 25, 1852. In his boyhood days 
 he rambled over the hills and bluffs, and through woodlands and fields, all of 
 which have disappeared and yielded to the improvements made by the city fathers. 
 
834 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 He was partly educated in his home schools, but finished in Washington and Lee 
 University, at Lexington, Virginia, during 1869-70, the president of which, Rob- 
 ert E. Lee, died while he was in attendance. Returning from school in 1870, he 
 worked on his father's farm, a short distance from the city, continuing to do so 
 up to 1879. In the meantime, in 1873, he married Miss MoUie C. Stone, of In- 
 dependence, Mo. His mother dying in 1878, he left the farm and came to Kan- 
 sas City and lived with his father until the following year, when he occupied his 
 own residence. During the past year he has been busily engaged in superintend- 
 ing the erection of the Ridge Block, on Main street — himself and a brother and 
 sister being the proprietors, they inheriting the lots from their grandfather, Hon. 
 Thomas A. Smart, and their father generously furnishing the capital to put up the 
 buildings. He has four children : Isaac B., William Roy, Eliza Gray and Earl 
 Stone. He was the first newsboy in the city, being employed to sell papers on 
 the street by Matt. Foster. 
 
 T. R. RIGGINS, 
 
 Of the firm of Scarritt & Riggins, attorneys, came to Kansas City with his parents 
 when he was six years old. He was born in Benton county, Missouri, Septem- 
 ber 17, 1854. He was educated in the High school at Kansas City, which he at- 
 tended until he was sixteen, and at the Pritchett Institute, at Glasgow, Mo., 
 graduating' from the High school department of that institution in June, 1872. In 
 the fall of the same year he entered the law department of Harvard College, 
 Mass., attending there one year, when he returned to Kansas City, completing 
 his law course with Judge J. Brumback, in the fall of 1874, and the same fall went 
 to Alpine, Colorado. There he resided until the fall of 1879, when he returned 
 to Kansas City, and in January, 1880, became the junior partner of the firm of 
 Scarritt & Riggins. 
 
 E. F. ROGERS, 
 
 General Agency, was born in Shelby county, Ky., November 29, 1830, and at 
 about the age of six years was taken by his parents to Hendricks county, Indiana. 
 Resided there until 1857, receiving his education in a log house in his neighbor- 
 hood. Consequently his schooling was somewhat limited' there, but he entered 
 the seminary at Danville, continuing his studies until he had received a common 
 English education. Then engaged in teaching in Hendricks and Putnam coun- 
 ties, and in 1849 was married to Miss Eliza, a daughter of David Downs, one of 
 the earliest settlers of the county. Then was engaged in the mercantile business 
 until 1857, when he removed to this State settling in Cass county, and there 
 remained until the outbreak of the war. June 27, 1861, he enlisted in the Union 
 Army, as a private in Company B, Cass county reserve corps, and the next day 
 was promoted to the rank of quarter-master sergeant. On the ist of August, 
 following, was promoted to first lieutenant and regimental quarter-master, and 
 mustered out February 28, 1862. March i, 1862, he enUsted as a private in the 
 second battalion company F, Missouri State Militia, and was promoted to quarter- 
 master sergeant August 16. In an engagement with the enemy at Lone Jack, 
 this State, while acting as aid to E. S. Foster, he was wounded by an ounce 
 minie ball passing through the left lung, above the heart. Was sent to the 
 hospital at Kansas City, and on the 15th of the next December was mustered out. 
 After partially recovering he embarked in the wholesale and retail grocery trade 
 in this city, and since then has been an active citizen in advancing every interest 
 beneficial to the place. He served one term in the city council as president and 
 in 1867 received the appointment as U. S. assessor of internal revenue; resigned 
 in October, 1868, but was forced to continue until April, 1869, his resignation 
 not being accepted. Then engaged in the general agency and collecting business. 
 He is and has been an ardent member of the Baptist church. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 835 
 
 D. M. ROSS, 
 
 Contractor and Builder, was born in Ohio, September 4, 1828, and when 
 young was taken by his father to Indiana, settUng in South Bend, in 1830. Here 
 he was principally reared and educated, and in 1846 entered the Mexican war 
 in the fifteenth regiment under General Morgan. Served until the close when he 
 was honorably discharged in 1848. Then returned to South Bend, remaining 
 until 1850, and in the spring of that year came to Kansas City. Remained until 
 the fall following when he went to New Mexico, and was gone about two years. 
 During this time he engaged in contracting and building, and fitted up the Legis- 
 lative Hall at Santa Fe, New Mexico, for the first legislative body that met there. 
 He was engaged in many public enterprises, and in May, 1852, returned and 
 followed the house building. After this he opened a wagon shop, and in 1865 
 ran a plaining mill, it being the first one in Kansas City. After continuing this 
 for a time he again embarked in contracting and building. He was married in 
 1852, in Westport, to Miss Elitha Light, daughter of John Light, one of the 
 early settlers here. They have two children: Mattie R., (now Mrs. Walker), 
 and John J. 
 
 AUGUST RUMANN, 
 
 Proprietor of grocery, hotel and wagon yard, was born in Hanover, Germany, 
 •and lived there until the age of twenty, when he immigrated to the United States 
 in 1844. Landed at New York, and from there went to Dayton, Ohio, remain- 
 ing several years. In 1846 he enlisted in an Ohio regiment, and entered the 
 Mexican war, serving for two years, during which time he was crippled. Was 
 mustered out in 1848, then returned to Dayton and soon made a visit to his old 
 home. While there he was married to Miss Natalie Seidenskicker, of the Got- 
 tinger University, of Germany, in 1854. She is a lady of refined culture and 
 well educated. Her father is a prominent person in her native place. Returnmg 
 to this country, Mr. R. came to Kansas City in 1864, and has since been in 
 business here. He has met with adversity, but in 1876 purchased the property 
 he now owns and has been successful. Their family consists of four daughters 
 and one son : Cornelia, Anna, Cuno, Clara, and Bettie. 
 
 S. R. RUCKEL 
 
 Was born in Baltimore, Md., July 24, 1833. At the age of seven, his father 
 moved to St. Louis, where he lived until he was sixteen. At this age, he accom- 
 panied an older brother to California, where he lived till 1853, and in going there, 
 he walked from St. Louis, Mo., to Sacramento City, and drove an ox team; and 
 at that time ate the first meal in the first house built in Sacramento. He made 
 three trips back to the States, before settling permanently in Kansas City in 1858. 
 His first location was in thafpart then called South Westport, where he worked 
 at jobbing and carpenter work until i860, when he went to Denver, Col. There 
 followed mining, until the fall of 1861, when troops were called for by Gov. Wil- 
 liam Gilpin. He offered his services and money to equip the first company of 
 cavalry that was mounted in that region. In February, 1S62, he returned to 
 Westport, where he remained until the spring of 1863, when he again went to 
 Denver ; and from there to California Gulch, and was among the first who mined 
 where Leadville is situated In the meantime, between 1864 and 1866, his 
 family resided in Nebraska City, to avoid the threatening danger in Kansas. He 
 settled permanently in Kansas City in 1866; and since that time has been vari- 
 ously employed. He has patented an amalgamator for separating gold and silver 
 from the refuse ore, after it is drawn out of the bottoms, and also from the placer 
 mines, which has so far proved successful. He is also the patentee of the 
 Ruckel school desk, and several other useful inventions. He has been twice 
 married. First, to Miss Martha J. McKee, of Westport, who died in 1865, by 
 
836 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 whom he had one child, Susannah. His second wife was Miss Mary E. Kreigh, of 
 Kansas City, to whom he was married May 28, 187 1, and by her has four 
 children : Lizzie, Hattie, Samuel and Walter. 
 
 EUGENE RUST, 
 
 Yardmaster of the Kansas City Stock Yards, was born in Belfast, Maine, June 
 17, 1852. Was raised and educated in the common schools, also graduated in 
 the Wesleyan Seminary, at Bucks' Post, Me., in the fall of 1869. His father, 
 Wm. M. Rust, being an editor, he was raised as a printer's boy, and also served 
 as local editor till the spring of 1870. Then left his native home for California, 
 and first engaged in the stock business for two months, when he purchased a 
 printing office at Eureka, Humboldt Bay. Published the J>Jorthern Independent 
 till the spring of 1873, when he went into the Modoc War, having charge of a 
 herd of cattle containing four or five thousand head, being there till June, 1874. 
 Then returned to his native home in Maine, and shortly after was appointed as 
 United States Deputy Clerk of Customs, inspector, weigher, gaugher and meas- 
 urer, also acting as United States Shipping Commissioner. In 1878 he came to 
 Kansas City with the intention of going to Texas, where he anticipated raising 
 stock. Shortly after his arrival here he was appointed business manager of the 
 Kansas City Price Current ior"R.2imssy , Millett & Hudson, remaining with them 
 till April, 1878. After traveling over the Western States and territories corres- 
 ponding for the Kansas City Times and Price Current, he engaged with Irwin, 
 Allen & Co., as their correspondent, remaining with them till March, 1880, when 
 he went to Colorado, where he was engaged as general manager of Havilah Min- 
 ing Company. Held this position till December, 1880, when the mine closed 
 business. He returned to Kansas City and accepted his present position. Was 
 married to Miss Nellie A. Case, of Kendeskag, Maine, October 6, 1874. They 
 have two children : Fred. W. and Donald E. 
 
 THOMAS RYAN, 
 
 Foreman Hose Reel Company No. 4, was born in Tipperary, Ireland, June 2, 
 1844, where he was reared. He came to the United States in 1862, landing at 
 Castle Garden, New York, and then emigrated west, and settled in Wisconsin, 
 where he remained one year. In 1863 he removed to Chicago, 111., where he 
 engaged in boiler making for some four years. In the fall of 1867 he went to 
 Kansas City and worked as engineer, and in 1873 joined the fire department 
 occupying the position of engineer of Engine Company No. 3, in which 
 capacity he remained three years, when he was transferred to Hose Reel 
 Company No. 4, as foreman. Mr. Ryan is a thorough fireman, and is well liked 
 among all of his fellow men. He was married in 1873 to Miss Mary A. Bennett. 
 She was a native of Lafayette, Ind., and was born in 1852. In February, 1880, 
 Mrs. Ryan died. They had three children, one of whom, Kate, is living. Mr. 
 Ryan is entirely a self-made man. Coming to this country a poor emigrant and 
 working himself up to the position he occupies, a position of trust, he has 
 made a score of friends. The company to which Mr. Ryan is attached consists 
 of one large two-wheel reel and one horse (Billy), which is driven by I. F. Pel- 
 letier. Billy is a large roan and well trained, getting out of his stall and being 
 hitched up and ready for service in the space of five seconds. 
 
 R. SAGE, 
 
 Was born in Tipperary county, Ireland, and was there reared. He came to the 
 United States in 1846, and settled at St. Louis, where he engaged in the butch- 
 ering business, until 1849, 3-"^ then went to California. Engaged in mining and 
 raising stock until 1859, when he returned to the States and setded in Macon 
 county. 111., dealing in and raising cattle. In 1868 he came to Kansas City, 
 
KANSAS CITY. 837 
 
 and invested in real estate, from which he has derived a fortune, and is among 
 the many large property holders of Kansas City. In 1865 he married Catharine 
 Gary, of Springfield, 111., by whom he has four children : MolJie Ellen, Theresa 
 B., Sylvester R., and Henry P. Himself and wife are Catholics and members 
 of the Church of the Immaculate Conception of Kansas City. 
 
 D. E. SAIGHMAN 
 
 Was born in Quincy, Adams county. Ills., September 17, 1845, and there re- 
 ceived his early schooling. In 1863 he entered Lagun Missouri College, taking an 
 entire course through the institution, and there remained for eighteen months. 
 Leaving this he came to Clay county, residing there for three years, during 
 which time he improved 640 acres of land and until the fall of 1873 was also in 
 the shingle business. He then went to Colorado, engaged in the livery business, 
 and two years later sold out and commenced traveling through the various 
 Western States and territories. In 1867 he first came to Kansas City, embarked 
 in dealing and improving real estate, and also stock. Engaged in buying and 
 shipping a large number of horses and mules to Southern markets. Mr. S., was 
 married in 1868, to Miss S. Onan, of Liberty, Mo. She is a native of Ken- 
 tucky, and a daughter of one of the early settlers there, and an extensive land 
 owner. They have two children : NeUie and Eddie S. 
 
 ROBERT SALISBURY, 
 
 City Assessor, was born in Cayuga county, New York, September 10, 1827, and 
 was reared and educated in his native county. When quite young entered the 
 Huron Academy, located in his own county, where he continued for a period of 
 between two and three years. Leaving this institution, he engaged in teaching 
 school which he followed until 1847, when he commenced to learn the profession 
 of dentistry with the firm of Park and Morgan, of Ithica, New York. In the 
 fall of 1848 went to Norwalk, Huron county, Ohio, where he formed a co-part- 
 nership with S. H. Berry. Continued with him until 1850 when he went to Cali- 
 fornia, he living there five years being engaged in stock raising. He did busi- 
 ness at Colusa, and on leaving this part of the country returned to Ohio, where 
 his parents then lived on a farm. This he bought, but in 1858 sold it and re- 
 moved to the State of Missouri, stopping for a few months in the city of Mont- 
 gomery. Then came to Kansas City in the month of June, 1859, where he has 
 made his home since. Immediately after he came he embarked in the mercantile 
 trade and continued the same until 1862 when he was appointed by President 
 Lincoln to the office of Assistant United States Assessor. This he held until 
 1868. In the year 1870 was appointed to the office of City Assessor, which he has 
 continued to hold up to the present time. He married, December i, 1864, Miss 
 Lydia H. Sanford, of Huron county, Ohio. This union has been blessed by 
 three children : Venna (born January 14, 1868; died when eight months old), 
 Clara Louise (born May 13, i872( and Lillian Abian (born November 27, 1874). 
 
 EDWARD L. SALMON, 
 
 of the firm of Salmon Bros. , proprietors of Fruit Canning and Preserving Works. 
 The subject of this sketch is a native of Drakeville, Morris county, N. J., and 
 was born November 5, 1853. His father, Abraham D., is of French and Eng- 
 lish descent; his mother Magdelina (Messenger) is of German descent; his par- 
 ents both live in Drakeville. Mr. Salmon, after being educated in the common 
 schools went to Philadelphia in 1S70 where he entered the High school, which he 
 attended about two years. In 1875 ^e engaged in the wholesale flour trade at 
 Stanhope, N. J., shipping from Iowa and Michigan. Remained at this enter- 
 prise till 1877, when he drifted westward and located in Howard county, Iowa, 
 where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits till January, 1879. His landed 
 
838 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 estate being both in Iowa and Clay county, Mo., his attention was called to. both 
 States. He commenced his present business in January i, 1881, this firm being 
 the only one in the city of the kind and one of much interest to the welfare of 
 the city. 
 
 T. H. SAYERS, 
 
 Dealer in stoves and tinware, was born in New London, Conn., September 30, 
 1850, and when two years of age was taken to Ohio, where he lost his father by 
 death. Then removed to Kentucky where he was principally reared, and while 
 living there learned his trade at Danville. In 1870 he came to Kansas City and 
 has lived here since. After arriving he did journey work and in 1875 commenced 
 business for himself, engaging in the tin and stove trade. In this he has built up 
 a substantial business and has won a fine reputation for fair dealing. In 1872 he 
 was married to Miss Sallie W. Bailey, of Danville, Ky., a lady of culture and 
 refinement. They have had three children, one of whom is living, Pearl M. 
 
 REV. NATHAN SCARRITT 
 
 Was born April 14, 1821 in.Edwardsville, Ills., and is of Scotch and Irish 
 lineage. His father moved from New Hampshire, in wagons, starting Sep- 
 tember ist, 1820, and was nearly three months making the journey. Our subject 
 worked on his father's farm until sixteen years of age, when, having been deprived 
 of scarcely any education, he attended McKendree College, Lebanon, Ills. 
 Owing to his father's contracted means, young Scarritt was compelled to rely on 
 his own resources. He worked at odd jobs around the college, doing work be- 
 tween regular hours, and by moonlight, and in this manner continued until the 
 end of his junior year had been reached, when on account of his father's illness, 
 he returned home to carry on the farm. Soon after the recovery of the former, 
 he returned to college and graduated in the summer of 1482. Soon began teach- 
 ing in Waterloo, Ills., and in April, 1845, ^^ moved to Fayette, Mo., where he 
 was compelled to make a new start. He joined the late Doctor Lucky in the es- 
 tablishing of a female seminary, and was successful beyond expectation. Out 
 of this have grown Central College, for males, and Howard Female College for 
 females. It would be impossible in the brief space allotted us to follow the move- 
 ments of Doctor Scarritt. He was engaged as a missionary among the Indians, 
 served achurch at Lexington, Missouri, and also at Westport and Kansas City ; was 
 identified with the building of the High school at Westport, and for almost eight 
 years traveled through Kansas, preaching, organizing churches, etc. On account 
 of the civil war he moved to where he now resides, and on the 6th of May, 1862, 
 moved into his log house. During 1864-5, ^^ taught school in this city, and the 
 fall of 1865, returned to his farm. He was first married April 29th, 1850, to 
 Miss M. M. Chick, daughter of William Chick, one of the first proprietors of 
 Kansas City. They had, by this union, nine children, six of whom are living. 
 Mrs. S. died July 29, 1873. Dr. S. married a second time. Mrs. Ruthie E. 
 Scarritt, October 6, 1875. Her father was a missionary in Assam, India, 
 where she was born. Dr. S holds the position of president of the Bank of Kan- 
 sas City. He received the degree of A. B. on graduation ; while teaching at 
 Fayette, the Missouri University, unsolicited, conferred the degree of A. M. 
 Subsequently the degree of D. D. was conferred by McKendree, which was also 
 unsolicited. Although frequently called upon to become a candidate for political 
 offices, he has steadfastly refused. 
 
 EDWARD L. SCARRITT, 
 
 Of the firm of Scarritt & Riggins, attorneys, was born in Jackson county, Mo., 
 near where Kansas City now is, on what is known as the old Harper farm, 
 August 30, 1853. When very young his parents moved to Fayette, Missouri, 
 where his father, Nathan Scarritt, was president of Central College, and where 
 
KANSAS CITY. 839 
 
 he lived until he was six years old. His parents then renaoved to Westport, and 
 there hved until 1861. He obtained his education, first by attending the com- 
 mon schools in Westport, and afterward attending the High school of Kansas 
 City, and the Prichett Institute at Glagow, Mo., completing it by attending the 
 Law Department of Harvard, Mass., one year. Then returned and entered the 
 office of Hon. Warwick Hough, now chief justice of the Supreme Court of Mis- 
 souri, with whom he completed his law course and was admitted to the bar in 
 September of 1873. On account of poor health, he, for a time, abandonded the 
 practice of law and went to Howard county, Mo., where he engaged in raising 
 tobacco and dealing in cattle, which he followed until the fall of 1875. Then 
 he became the junior partner of the law firm of Caples & Scarritt of Glasgow, 
 practicing there until September of 1876, when, his health again failing him, he 
 made a tour through the eastern and western States, returning to Kansas City 
 and opening an office in January, 1877. He practiced alone until November, 
 1878, when W. A. Alderson became his partner under the firm name of Scarritt 
 & Alderson. In the following year, their co-partnership being abandoned, he 
 became connected with J. R. Riggins, an old schoolmate. They were boys to- 
 gether and had attended school in different institutions for several years. 
 
 SCHUELER & THOMAS, 
 
 Abstractors and examiners of titles. Mr. Schueler was born in Cleveland, Ohio, 
 March 24, 1854, and was educated in the Chester Brothers College of St. Louis, 
 Mo. After leaving this institution he was employed in the firm of Steling & 
 Webster, who were engaged in the abstract business, where he became thoroughly 
 acquainted with the business and remained with this firm for seven years. In 
 1876 came to Kansas City and opened out the most complete set of abstract books 
 in the city. The style of the firm is Schueler & Thomas. These young men are 
 deserving of a great deal of credit; they are live, wide-awake men and attend 
 stricdy to business, and have built an enviable reputation for honesty and fair 
 dealing. 
 
 PROF. HENRY E. SCHULTZE 
 
 Was born in Cassel, Germany, February 7, 1836. His parents gave him a liberal 
 education. He began his musical course when eight years old and has had for 
 his instructors Profs Hoffman, Widemueller and Krankenhargen, all celebrated 
 German teachers. He began teaching music as a profession in 1859 and has con- 
 stantly taught ever since, and many of his pupils are now successful teachers. 
 He began his teaching in the United States at Lexington, Ky. , where he taught 
 in the Pinkard school ; he also taught in the State Orphan school of Kentucky, 
 and other important schools of that State. He came to Kansas City in 1869, where 
 he has met with the best of success, his class averaging fifty pupils. In 1866 he 
 married Miss Emma Mary Delph, of Lexingtori, Ky. They are Presbyterians 
 and members of Central church of Kansas City. 
 
 A. C. SCHELL, 
 
 Dentist, was born at Schellsburg, Pennsylvania, July 31, 1 831, and there lived 
 until 1852, when he went to Mansfield, Ohio. Made but a short visit, when he 
 started on a tour through Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Indiana and Kentucky, settling 
 finally at Bellefontaine, Ohio, where he married Miss Belle Patterson, daughter of 
 Robert R. Patterson, one of the oldest residents of that place. In 1858 he re- 
 moved to Columbus Grove, Ohio, and from there to Shelbyville, Illinois, and to 
 Lima, Ohio, settUng there in 1859, and where he practised dentistry for eleven 
 years. In 1868, on account of failing health, he spent four years in Western Mis- 
 souri, returning to Lima in 1872. Leaving there in 1874, he came to Kansas 
 City, where he has a suite of neatly furnished dental rooms, and is meeting with 
 good success in his profession. He and his wife are Presbyterians and are mem- 
 
840 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 bers of Dr. Kimball's church in Kansas City. He has two children : Horace P. 
 (foreman in a printing office in Durango, Colorado), and Anna (wife of A. Mc- 
 Kenzie, of Kansas City). 
 
 WILLIAM J. SCOTT, 
 
 Attorney at law. The subject of this sketch was born in Armagh, the cathedral 
 city of Ireland, on the 23d day of November, 1855. His father was a tea mer- 
 chant of that place, of Scotch extraction, being a lineal descendant of the house 
 of Ancrum, who trace their ancestry from A. D. iioo. His mother, Marie 
 MacLean, was a grand-daughter of Hugh Swan, flax spinner and manufacturer 
 of Keady and Armagh. William was educated in his native town up to his 
 fourteenth year, at which time he was sent to the Queen's College, Belfast, where 
 he remained two years. His father then wishing him to study medicine, which 
 being contrary to his own tastes, compelled him to leave his native land, and seek 
 a home in America, the land of his adoption. Arriving in New York, many 
 kindly offers of situations awaited him among his father's friends (the linen 
 importers of that city), which, however, he declined, preferring to go to Pittsburg, 
 Pa. , where he was without a friend, and with the large sum of $4. 70 in his pock- 
 et. He accepted the first situation which opened — driving the horse of a large 
 carriage manufacturer, with the privilege of two afternoons a week to get a better 
 situation. At the the end of the second week, he was employed by a wholesale 
 hardware house, as clerk, the head of the house (a native of Ireland), becoming 
 his warmest friend, and at the end of two years, knowing his predisposition for 
 the law, offered him..,the money with which to pay for a law course, and support 
 himself in the meantime. Having determined, from the day he left home, ever 
 afterward to rely solely on his own exertions for advancement, he, with the 
 warmest thanks, declined this offer, preferring to work, and wait until he had 
 saved enough from his own salary. Six months later, he engaged in the dry 
 goods business, at which he remained a year, when he was offered the manage- 
 ment of the wholesale cloak department of F. H. Eaton & Co., of Pittsburg, 
 where he remained nearly two years, building up a very large business, when he 
 opened a house in opposition, and carried off nearly all his old customers. Busi- 
 ness flourished for nearly two years, when the panic struck and swept him into 
 bankruptcy. He paid his creditors fifty per cent, and again opened up, when 
 within a year, he was able to pay his creditors in full and sell out, leaving himself 
 a fair sum on which to commence his legal studies. Arriving in Kansas City in 
 February, 1879, ^^ applied himself earnestly to the study of law in his own 
 rooms, studying without preceptor, he in three months became convinced that 
 his knowledge of the law was, to a great degree, intuitive, and determined 
 (although his course was, as far as he knew, without precedent) on applying to 
 the Circuit Court for examination and admission; which being granted, he imme- 
 diately commenced the practice of law, in which he has been very successful, 
 being senior member of the law firm of Scott & Taylor, comprised of Edward 
 G. Taylor, Esq., a man of great promise, and himself. 
 
 SAMUEL F. SCOTT 
 
 Was born September 3, 1849, at Port Hope, Canada West, and is the son of 
 James and Rebecca, who removed to Canada about 1838, and reared a family of 
 eleven children. In 1859 they went to Illinois and engaged In farming. Our 
 subject was raised on the farm, receiving such education as was usually obtained 
 by sons of farmers, and at the age of fifteen went to Beloit, Wisconsin, to learn 
 the business of moulder. Soon after entering upon his apprenticeship he enlisted, 
 February 12, 1865, in the iS3rd Regiment Illinois Volunteers, going immediately 
 to Tullahoma, Tennessee. He was elected company clerk, and served in that 
 capacity until the close of the war. He then returned home, assisted in the farm 
 
KANSAS CITY. 841 
 
 duties, and also attended the select school in the neighborhood for two years, and 
 in the spring of 1867 went to Wisconsin for the purpose of becoming a river man 
 on the Wisconsin river. During the next fall he returned home, but in the spring 
 of 1868 again went to the Wisconsin river, buying a fleet of lumber rafts, which 
 realized a handsome profit. He spent a part of that summer and fall at home, 
 and then, in company with two other young men, started across the country with 
 a team and wagon to visit Kansas. He arrived at Kansas City Deeember 4, 
 1868, and then continued the journey to Kansas. He leased a farm in Anderson 
 county, raising a crop in 1869 which proved a loss. Therefore came to Kansas 
 City, obtaining a position as clerk in a wholesale house, which he continued until 
 the firm quit business. Having saved some money he made an investment which 
 proved successful. In the spring of 1873 he sold out and went to Barrington, 
 Illinois, where, on the ist of January, 1874, he married Miss Mary J. Lombard, 
 daughter of a wealthy farmer there. Atter his marriage he selected Kansas 
 City as his home, but having some interests in St. Joseph spent several months 
 there, and in the fall of '74 came here, opening a real estate agency and began 
 operations as a real estate broker. 
 
 JOHN SCOTT, 
 
 Who is a native of Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, was born November 27, 1838. 
 March 28, 1867, he moved to Chicago, remaining ten months, when he moved 
 to Allen county, Kansas, locating on a farm. There he remained till December 
 6, 1868, when he moved to Kansas City, arriving January 2, 1869. He followed 
 teaming till September 31, 1869, when, unfortunately, he had his collar bone taken 
 out, which disabled him for labor. December 10, 1869, he began as night watch 
 for Jerome, Milliner & Co.'s Bus Line Co. In 1871 he was appointed as foreman 
 for the company. August 5, 1875, he was employed by the Kansas City Stock 
 Yard Company to take charge of the barn, first in the old barn until the new one 
 was built, since which time he has been under the employ of the company. Was 
 married to Miss Mary Buel November 22, 1864. Have two children : Estell 
 and Harry R. 
 
 JOHN SIVERWRIGHT, 
 
 Of the firm of Pennycook & Co., was born in Arbroath, Forforshire, Scotland, 
 and lived there until he was thirty years of age. He then left Scotland, landing 
 at Quebec, and came direct to Kansas City, Missouri, where he engaged in the 
 carpenter business as contractor and builder. While engaged as contractor he 
 built the First Presbyterian, United Presbyterian and Episcopal churches, also a 
 business block for Mr. Schockneck. He was with Colonel Case, acting as car- 
 penter, during the war. After .receiving his discharge he returned to Kansas City 
 and resumed his trade of contractor and builder from 1865 until he engaged in 
 his present business, which consists of first and second hardware and furniture. 
 Mr. Siverwright was married in Scotland to Miss Mary Hutchins. They have had 
 eight children, (five having died) : ist, Ann (deceased); 2nd, Chisholm; 3rd, May 
 (deceased); 4th, Elizabeth (deceased); 5th, Minnie (deceased); 6th, John ; 7th, Isabel. 
 Mr. Siverwright is now enjoying the benefits of an active and busy life, and as one of 
 the early settlers his integrity can be relied upon as a business man and a good 
 citizen. 
 
 MRS. MARY E. SHANNON 
 
 Is one of the old inhabitants of the place which Kansas City now occupies. 
 Born on her father's farm in what is known as Jarboe's Addition August 4, 1836, 
 she was there reared and has made it her home since. At that time our city was 
 known as Westport Landing. Houses or log cabins were few and far between. 
 The hotel, commonly called tavern, was built of logs, as were all public buildings. 
 On the r2th of October, 1858, our subject was married to Patrick Shannon, who 
 
842 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 took an active part in building up the city. He was a soldier in the Confederate 
 army, entering as captain but being promoted to major. His death occurred in 
 1871. They had six children, four of whom are now living: Mary S. (wife of 
 Bernard Corrigan), Carrie B., Susan R. and Anna V. Two died when young. 
 Mrs. Shannon is a member of St. Patrick's church. 
 
 JOHN SHAW, 
 
 Plumber and gas fitter, was born in Clark county, 111., October 2, 1837, and 
 was there reared, receiving his primary education at the Marshall Academy. 
 Continued his studies for some time and then went to Delaney in 1858, remaining 
 until 1859. ."Vt this time he commenced the study of law with Judge Schofield, of 
 Marshall, who is now one of the supreme judges of the State of Illinois, and from 
 there went to Cincinnati, Ohio. There attended the law school, graduating from 
 this institution in April, 1861. In May, of the same year, he enlisted in the late 
 war, serving until 1864. Was honorably discharged that year as captain ; and 
 then returned to Marshall, his former home, and from there to Kansas City in 
 1865. Here he established his present business at once. Was married June 16, 
 1864, to Miss Nettie Barber. She was born in Clarke county. 111. They have a 
 family of three children : Edward and Ernest, twins, born August 31, 1870, 
 and Nettie, born September 7, 1875. 
 
 A. SHELDON, 
 
 Agent for the Blue Springs Flouring Mills, was born February 17, 1845, 'n 
 Manchester, England, and while young learned the dry goods business. In 1870 
 he engaged in the cotton business, and now owns a large manufactory in Man- 
 chester. In 1879 he came to the United States on a pleasure trip, and liking the 
 appearance of the country, especially of Kansas City, determined to locate. He 
 is married and has one child. Himself and wife are members of the Congrega- 
 tional church. 
 
 GEORGE W. SHEPHERD 
 
 Is a pioneer of Jackson county, having been born one and a half miles east of 
 Independence, January 16, 1842. Here labored on the farm until twelve years 
 of age, when his parents moved into the town, and here he was brought up, being 
 educated in the schools of Independence. His father came to this county several 
 years prior to George's birth, and was among the very first white men to settle in 
 the county. Our subject distinctly remembers when there was but one business 
 house in Kansas City, the outfitting house of Majors & Russell. In 1856 Mr. S. , 
 in company with his brother who was a Government contractor, went to Salt 
 Lake City, remaining until 1858, when he returned to his home in Independence. 
 He was engaged in farming until the breaking out of the war, in i86i, when he 
 enlisted in the Confederate service under General Price. He participated in 
 many hotly contested battles of the war, among which were Springfield, Prairie 
 Grove, Pea Ridge and others. After this time Mr. S. says his history is written 
 and can be seen by the general reader. He is now engaged in selling books. 
 His marriage was in 1865, to Miss Martha Maddox. They have one child, 
 James. 
 
 DR. R. W. SHIPLEY 
 
 Was born near Athens, Fayette county, Ky., where he resided until ten years of 
 age. .Then he went with his parents to Laurenceville, Laurence county. 111., and 
 while living there he studied medicine with Dr. H. H. Hayes, and afterward at- 
 tended medical lectures at Evansville College. After passing through a thorough 
 course of lectures he received his diploma, and then went to Laurence county, 
 111., and practiced medicine for two and one half years. Afterward went to 
 Corydon, Wayne county, Iowa, where he also entered into the practice of his 
 
KANSAS CITY. 843 
 
 profession for three years, and then went to Kansas. Located at Osawatomie, 
 in what was then Lykins county, but known now as Miami county. Practiced 
 about six years, then moved on his farm six miles from town, where he founded 
 the town of Fontana. In 1861 went into the army as assistant surgeon, in the 
 Third Kansas volunteer infantry, remaining until 1862, when he was detached for 
 recruiting service for four months. He was then assistant surgeon in the i^th 
 Kansas volunteers until the closing of the war. He was in the battles of Dry- 
 wood, Fort Wayne, Cane Hill, Prairie Grove and Honey Creek. His regiment 
 also took part in several heavy skirmishes. After the war closed the doctor 
 located at Pleasant Hill, Missouri, in the fall of 1865, remained there for three 
 years when he removed to Kansas City, and resumed the practice of medicine. 
 He was married June 2, 1853, to Miss Lydia E. Ruble, of Knox county, Ind., 
 by which union they have four children : Edward A., Minnie V., Richard Colfax, 
 and Marcus H. 
 
 WILLIAM O. SHOUSE, 
 
 Judge of the court of Jackson county, was born in JVoodford county, Ky., but 
 principally reared in Shelby county. There resided until 1839, when he re- 
 moved to Jackson county. Mo., settling in Kaw township, near the present site 
 of Kansas City, arriving on the 25th of October, the same year, having come 
 the entire distance by wagon. He held in his possession the first parchment of 
 the old town site, until 1863, when his house was destroyed by fire, and he lost 
 the most of his valuables. He was appointed Justice of the Peace, and held the 
 office for eight years, and in 1862 was appointed by Governor Gamble to the of- 
 fice of County Judge, but declined to qualify. In the fall of 1880 he was elected 
 County Judge, which office he now holds. On the 12th of December, 1833, he 
 was married to Miss Harriet Byan, born and reared in Kentucky. Her father 
 was the founder of Byan Station, Ky. They have three children : John C, Car- 
 rie W. (now Mrs. L. Deardorfif), and Mattie W. (now Mrs. J. S. Morgan). 
 
 J. B. SHOUGH, 
 
 Commission merchant, was born in Fayette county, Penn., November 3, 1823, 
 and moved to Madison county, Ohio, and located on a farm. April 26, 1849, 
 he started to Bloomington, 111., arriving June 22nd, where he was engaged as an 
 agriculturist and stock raiser, and while in this locality improved three farms, 
 planting an orchard on each. February 7, 1869, he moved to Buder county. 
 Kansas, remaining till November 10, 1874, when he moved to his present loca- 
 tion. In February, 1875, he embarked in, the livestock commission trade in the 
 old Exchange building with James Reynolds. Remained one year when he be- 
 came connected with Hewings & Tiles. In 1878 Wm. R. Clemens took the 
 place, in the firm, of Hewings & Tiles, remained till January, 1880, since which 
 time the firm has been known as J. B. Shough & Co., with L. Harsh as the 
 company. Miss Martha Rayburn became his wife September 22, 1848. She 
 was born in Madison county, Ohio, October 20, 1829, and is a daughter of Judge 
 J. Rayburn, of Madison county, Ohio, and who now resides in Bloomington, 
 111. They have ten children, five of whom are living: Annie, F. P., Susan B. 
 (now Mrs. Drugman), Ulysses Grant, and Eddie McC. 
 
 FRED. C. SHROEDER, 
 
 Grain and provision commission merchant, was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, 
 August 27, 1837, and was educated at the Danish University of his native city, 
 graduating in 1856. In the same year he went to the Island of St. Thomas, of 
 the Danish possessions, and engaged in the mercantile business as clerk, with H . 
 Morrison & Son, hardware dealers. Was with them until 1859, when on ac- 
 count of impaired health, caused by yellow fever, he came to the United States, 
 arriving at San Francisco, and from thence he made a tour through Mexico and 
 
844 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Central America. There having recovered his health, he went to New York 
 City and accepted a situation with W. E. Bowen, in a wholesale liquor establish- 
 ment, and after being in his employ for three years, he went to Milwaukee, Wis. , 
 where he was employed as first clerk in the grain commission house of West & 
 Fowler. In 1872 he, with Robert R. Lindblom, established the grain commission 
 house of Shroeder, Lindblom & Co., they doing business until the spring of 1877, 
 when the firm dissolved, and Mr. Shroeder came to Kansas City. Soon started 
 in the grain commission business, which, though small in the beginning, has in- 
 creased heavily, his field extending through Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, and 
 Texas. March 17, 1856, he married Miss Dora Christians, of Wisconsin. They 
 have seven children : John, Maggie, Fred, Dora, Anthon, Mamie, and Harry. 
 
 O. C. SHULL, 
 
 Jeweler and watchmaker, was born in Highland county, Ohio, December 30, 
 1833, and there resided until eight years of age. Then removed with his parents 
 to Peoria, Ills., where he was reared and educated. When about twenty years 
 old he commenced learning the trade of watch-maker and after serving a regular 
 apprenticeship, worked for one year in Peoria. Thence to Stark- county, and a 
 short time afterward on account of failing health was compelled to abandon this 
 business. Then became engaged in deahng in horses in Illinois, and after re- 
 moved to Iowa, continued his business and commenced farming. On the break- 
 ing out of the war in 1861, he enlisted in Twenty-first Iowa, Gov. Merrill's com- 
 pany, mustered in at Dubuque, Iowa, and came immediately to Rulah, where he 
 was in several minor engagements. On account of illness he was here discharg- 
 ed afterward, going to Peoria. Then commenced clerking in a drug store, con- 
 tinued four years and again on account of his health had to quit it. In 1872 he 
 came to Fort Scott, Kas., and for two years engaged in the sewing machine 
 business and selling marble. Thence to this city and established himself in his 
 present business. He was married in 1857 to Miss Delia Sterm, born in Peoria 
 county. Ills., October 18, 1840. They have three children : Minnie L., Frank 
 L. , and Oliver E. 
 
 DAVID SLATER 
 
 Was born in Carrickon Suire, County Tipperary, Ireland, in March, 1825, and there 
 lived and was educated up to his sixteenth year, when he went to Dublin to per- 
 fect himself in the tailors trade, at which he had worked in his native town. 
 Soon after he went to Newfoundland, on board the ship Sir Walter Scott, 
 loaded with granite from Dublin for the Cathedral of St. Johns, then being erect- 
 ed under the management of Archbishop Fleming. Landing in St. Johns in 
 the spring of 1842, he soon after was employed in the cod fishery and followed 
 that business until 1845, when he went to New York City. There he worked at 
 his trade for six months, and on the loth of October, 1846, he enlisted in Com- 
 pany H, First Regiment of the United States Dragoons, and served during the 
 Mexican war, under Captain Gardener, was with General Scott's army when it 
 made its triumphal march into the City of Mexico. For services rendered he 
 was shown preferments by commanding officers. At one time he was sent as a 
 messenger by Gen. Scott bearing important intelligence from Turcuboy to the 
 City of Mexico. He was also detailed as one of the body guards of the com- 
 manding officers who made peace with General La Bega. After returning to St. 
 Louis after the close of the Mexican war he was detailed as orderly for General 
 Harney. He served in the regular United States Army ten years, and besides 
 participating in the war with Mexico, he has been in service on the frontier, 
 quelling trouble with the Sac and Fox Indians. With his company he has made 
 long marches to the Silkirk settlement on Red River, of the North to settle 
 trouble emenating from the disputed boundry between the United States and the 
 British possessions. He came to Kansas City just before the breaking out of the 
 
KANSAS CITY. 845 
 
 late war, a short time after being mustered out of the regular service, and when 
 the war did break out he was again brought into service by being requested by 
 Gen. McFarren to take charge of the foraging department at White Cloud on 
 the Missouri River. Was afterward under Quartermaster Theo. S. Case in 
 various positions during the war of the rebellion. He has been twice married. 
 His first wife was Margaret Mooney by whom he has one daughter, Mary. He 
 married his second wife Mrs. Margaret Duffy, nee Margaret Sage, of Kansas 
 City, in 1878. Himself and wife are ardent Catholics and are members of the 
 Immaculate Conception of Kansas City. 
 
 MRS. MARY J. SMART, 
 
 Relict of the late Judge Thomas A. Smart, is one of the few pioneers of Jack- 
 son county now living. She came to Missouri in 1848 with a brother, who settled 
 in Westport and was engaged in the mercantile business, and whose failing health 
 in 1850 induced him to make a trip to California, leaving his business in her 
 hands. He dying soon after his departure, she employed Judge Smart, who had been 
 an mtimate acquaintance of her brother to assist her in settling up his business; hence 
 an intimacy sprung up between them and soon after, in 1851, they were married. 
 Herself and husband kept a hotel that occupied the ground where Deardoff's lum- 
 ber yard now is. It was the principal stopping place for all the Free State men 
 who were then going to Kansas. She being a northern woman, with northern 
 . proclivities, was highly esteemed by them for her sympathy and hospitality. Her 
 quaint old-fashioned residence on Main, between Tenth and Eleventh, near the 
 old Smart Hotel, is a relic of the primeval days of Kansas City. 
 
 CHARLES E. SMALL, 
 
 Attorney, was born in Madison county, Illinois, July 27, 1854. He was educated 
 in McKendree College, graduating in 1874. He came to Kansas City in June, 
 1876, and began the study of law under Gage & Ladd, and was admitted to the 
 bar of Jackson county, Mo., in 1878. 
 
 JAMES SMITH, 
 
 Of the firm of Jarboe & Co. , Keystone Iron Works, Kansas City, was born in 
 Canton, St. Lawrence county, N. Y., May i, 1834, where he was reared and 
 educated. When fourteen he entered the shops of Golding & Co. , of Waterville, 
 N. Y., to learn the trade of machinist, being with them four years. Then re- 
 turned to Pottsdam, near his old home, where he was employed by William Gold- 
 ing & Co., and worked for them six years. Leaving them in February, 1858, he 
 went to Rochester, N Y., and was employed by the New York Central Railroad 
 Company until coming to Kansas City in April 1865. Here he established him- 
 self in the foundry and machinist business in the old Lloyd Foundry and Machine 
 Works, associating with him Messrs. Lloyd, Dragon and Hale, under the firm 
 name of A. J. Lloyd & Co. Mr. Lloyd dying in the fall of 1868, the firm dis- 
 solved, when he became connected with J. P. Green & Co. in the State Line 
 Machine Works. In 1870, Mr. Green selling his interes^t to S. McKnight, the 
 firm was changed to McKnight & Co. In 1873, J^r- McKnight failing in busi- 
 ness, the firm was again changed and the present company of D. M Jarboe & 
 Co. was formed February, 1874, and occupy the same quarters and are now 
 known as the Kefystone Iron Works of Kansas City. In 1854 he married Miss 
 Martha Mitchell, of Pottsdam, N. Y. They have an only daughter, Katie, wife 
 of Aug stus M. Graff. 
 
 J. C. SMITH 
 
 Was born in Clayton county, Iowa, and resided in that state until twenty-one 
 years of age. Leaving there he removed to Topeka, Kansas, where he was en- 
 gaged in the saw mill business for about one year. Then removed to Junction 
 
846 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 City, where he was employed with Oberne, Hosick & Co. , dealers in hides, wool 
 and tallow, and traveled about three years. He was afterward engaged as clerk 
 in a retail grocery store for three years, and then again commenced traveling for 
 his former employers. After a time he came to Kansas City and took charge of 
 their business a! this place. Mr. S. was married to Miss A. E. Biggo, of Junc- 
 tion City, Kansas. They have one child, Delia. 
 
 DR. ELLIOTT SMITH 
 
 Is one of the leading dentists of Kansas City. He began the study of dentistry 
 at a very early age under his father, John F. Smith, an old and practical dentist, 
 and one of the oldest practitioners in Canada. Our subject was born in Toronto, 
 Canada, in 1852, where he was raised. In 1862 he made a tour to Europe, 
 visiting London during the World's Exposition at that city, and afterward Glas- 
 gow and many other cities of note. Returning to Toronto in 1863, he actually 
 began the study of* dentistry under his father, continuing to study until 1868, 
 when he became associated with him in the dental profession at Detroit, Michi- 
 gan, and was with him until 1875 when he associated himself with Dr. C. H. 
 Land, in the same city, and practiced with him until 1877. Then became 
 connected with Dr. Hiram Benedict, with whom he practiced for nearly two years, 
 when Dr. Benedict retired from the practice, he continuing until June, 1880. 
 Then he traveled through Canada and the Eastern States, introducing an improve- 
 ment in a metal base for artificial teeth, he being the original inventor. Meeting 
 with encouraging success he came west, and finding his improvement approved 
 by eminent professional men he was induced to come to Kansas City, where he 
 has an extensive practice and is introducing his improvement. 
 
 J. MILLER SMITH, 
 
 Contracting agent for the White Line fast freight, was born in Chester, Penn- 
 sylvania, on the 27th of July, 1853. He received excellent advantages in his 
 youth, attending the Penn Millitary Academy. He studied for a civil engineer 
 and at seventeen years of age engaged in the stone quarry business. Was thus 
 employed one year, and then received an appointment as second heutenant in the 
 regular army. He held this position about two years and six months when he be- 
 came connected with the Huston and Texas Central Railroad, remaining with 
 them some six months. He received an appointment as captain's secretary in the 
 navy, and held this position two years. He returned to Philadelphia and became 
 connected with the Westchester and Philadelphia Railroad. In 1878 he came 
 west and located in Atchison, Kansas. Remained there one year and then came 
 to Kansas City and was employed by the Chicago and Alton Railroad. 
 In October, 1880 he accepted his present position. 
 
 JAMES J. SOULE, 
 
 Ticket agent at Grand avenue depot, was born October 17, 1850, at LaHarpe, 
 Hancock county, lUinois, and there was reared and educated. In 1869 he 
 commenced learning telegraphy with the T., P. & W. Railroad, remaining for 
 three years, when he became agent at Lagrange, Missouri, for the old M. V. & 
 W. R. R. There resided two years. Was married to Miss Mary C. Williams, 
 born in 1853, in that place. His next move was to Peoria, Illinois, where, for 
 one and one-half years, he was under J. E. Ransey, Western Union manager. 
 About this time, he went to assist his father-in-law in the management of a hotel 
 at Kirksville, Missouri, and in the fall of 1878, went to LaHarpe, Illinois, taking 
 charge of the Tremont House. This being destroyed by fire during the winter, 
 he lost heavily, commenced railroading again, and June 16, 1879, became agent 
 at Mount Leonard, this State, on the line of the C. & A. Railroad. On the 15th 
 of July, his wife was thrown from a carriage by a runaway team, and dangerously 
 
KANSAS CITY. 847 
 
 hurt, from the effects of which she died on the 21st of the same month. Leaving 
 Mt. Leonard in August, he went to Higginsville, and thence to Mexico, Missouri. 
 From there to this city, October 15, 1879, and took charge of his present office. 
 He is a fine railroad official, as his long standing therein amply proves. He has 
 two children: Katie V. and James E. Mr. Soule is a member of the Baptist 
 church. 
 
 JAMES F. SPALDING, 
 
 Principal of Spalding's Commercial College, was born near Ypsilanti, Washte- 
 naw county, Michigan, July 28, 1835. When six years of age, his parent moved 
 to Ann Arbor, where he was principally reared. He received excellent educa- 
 tional advantages, and in i860 graduated from the classical department of the 
 University of Michigan, and in 1863 received the degree of A. M. After grad- 
 uation, he taught one year in the Union High school of Ann Arbor, then two 
 years in Bryant & Stratton's Detroit Business College, and for nearly one year in 
 the Albion Commercial College. In 1865 he came to Kansas City, where, on 
 the 25th of October of that year, he founded Spalding's Commercial College, 
 which was duly incorporated July 11, 1867. Under his able management as 
 president, this has now become one of the largest and most successful institutions 
 of the kind in the west. The daily attendance during the past winter was, on an 
 average, over 200. Prof. Spalding has been twice married. First, December 
 25, 1859, to Miss Marietta Lennon, who died December 14, 1863, leaving two 
 children : Ida May and George E. His second marriage occurred October 5, 
 1864, at which time Miss Jennie Carr, of Romulus, Wayne county, Michigan, 
 became his wife. By this union, they have a family of three children: Frank 
 C, J. Mamie, and D. Rollie. Mr. Spalding is a prominent secret society man, 
 and takes an active part in different fraternities. He is a member of the Zeta 
 Psi, A. O. of U. W., I. O. O. F., and K. of P., of which latter order he is now 
 supreme representative. 
 
 J. J. SQUIER, 
 
 Capitalist, was bom in Washington county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1836, 
 and was there reared, his early education being received in the common schools. 
 He afterward entered the Green Academy, continuing therein until eighteen 
 years of age, when his father moved to Ohio, and bought a store at Cambridge. 
 J. J. had charge of this, and was so occupied until 1861, when the establishment 
 was sold, and he removed to Iowa, locating in Mahaska county. Here he was 
 engaged quite extensively in the sheep and cattle business, which he continued 
 for some time. ,He was the first to introduce the Spanish Merino sheep in that 
 county. After leaving here, he went to St. Louis, and embarked in the real 
 estate brokerage business in the spring of 1868, coming to Kansas City in the 
 fall of that year. Mr. Squier afterward went to Chicago, and commenced the 
 wholesale hardware and stove business, and three years later returned to Kansas 
 City. Here he invested in real estate, and engaged in the live stock business. 
 He lately bought what is known as the Walnut Grove Place, formerly owned by 
 Wm. Stewart, consisting of 120 acres, one and one half miles southeast of the 
 city limits, where he has improved and made a beautiful home for his future 
 residence. His marriage was on the 19th of December, 1861, to Miss Mary 
 Stranathan, of Cumberland, Ohio, and a native of that State. They have one 
 child, Cora S., living, having recently lost a son, Albert G., a most interesting 
 and promising boy. 
 
 DRS. JOHN STARK and D. E. DICKERSON, 
 Of the Western Surgical Institute of Kansas City. Dr. Stark was born in Coat- 
 bridge, Scotland, December 20, 1841. He graduated from the Royal College 
 
848 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 of Glasgow, Scotland, and came to the United States in 1863, stopping in New 
 York, when he was commissioned assistant surgeon in the United States Army. 
 Served four years, and for three years of that time had charge of the United 
 States Army Hospital, at Fort Mohave, Arizona. In 1867 he returned to Eu- 
 rope, and while in Glasgow, Scotland, received the appointment of surgeon for 
 the Anchor Line of Trans- Atlantic Mail Steamships. In 1868 he came to Kansas 
 City, when, in 1873, he associated himself with D. E. Dickerson, M. D., 
 when they founded the Western Surgical Institute, under the incorporate laws of 
 the State of Missouri. This enterprise has proved a financial as well as profes- 
 sional success, patients coming from New Mexico, Texas, Colorado, Indian Ter- 
 ritory, Nebraska, and adjacent States, it being the only institution west of the 
 Mississippi that is provided with steam propelled movement cure, that being the 
 mo.->t modern treatment for the cure of paralytics. Difificult surgical operations 
 are performed daily. Dr. Dickerson is a native of New York. He was born in 
 Watertown, May 19, 1835, and received his literary education by attending the 
 Jefferson County Academy, and graduated as M. D. from the New York Medi- 
 cal University at Albany, in 1857. He first practiced in his native town. In 
 1861 he was appointed, by Governor Morgan, surgeon of the Sing Sing Prison 
 Hospital on the Hudson, holding that position only a short time, when the same 
 Governor commissioned him surgeon of the 33d Regiment New York Volunteers. 
 He served in that and other regiments until the close of the war in 1865, and 
 coming to Kansas City in the fall of that year, he soon built up a lucrative prac- 
 tice. Here he has served as city physician on the staffs of Mayors Harris, Long, 
 and McGee. 
 
 E. STINE, 
 
 Undertaker, was born in Jonestown, Lebanon county, Penn., January 2, 1833, 
 and made it his home until sixteen years of age. He then removed to Harris- 
 burg, same State, where he learned his trade, that of cabinet maker, continuing 
 it in that locality for six years. Then took up his residence in Laporte, Ind., 
 resumed his former occupation, and about the year 1857 removed to Iowa. Two 
 years later,^or about 1859, Mr. Stine came to Kansas City. For three years he 
 worked in the employ of A. W. Henning & Co., and in 1862 commenced work- 
 ing for himself. In this business he has been quite successful, and is worthy of 
 what he has gained. He married Miss Emma Coleman, of Vinton, Iowa, in 
 1858. She was born in Ashtabula, Ohio. Their family consists of two children: 
 William and Fannie. 
 
 ERNST G. STOELTZING, 
 
 Dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware, was born at Radenenburg-on-the-Fulda, 
 Germany, January 14, 1842, and was there reared and educated. He came to 
 America in March, 1858, and found employment in New York City as an ap- 
 prentice to the tinner's trade, where he remained until i860. In that year he 
 sailed for Germany, and thinking himself not quite proficient in his trade, went 
 to work there for one year, and also traveled over the various parts of Germany, 
 Switzerland, Italy and France for several years, working in most of the large 
 cititis. Also at his old home, where he worked at the coppersmith trade for his 
 brother. He again saiUd for America and arrived in New York in August, 1866, 
 and came directly to Kansas City, where he found employment with Mr. Charles 
 Thomas, then located at what is now known as the Public Square. He remained 
 about six months there, and then went to Osawatomie, Kansas, where he remained 
 one year. At the expiration of that time removed back to Kansas City and started 
 in business for himself in the Metropolitan Block, on Grand avenue, where he 
 now is. Mr. Stoeltzing, by his attention to business and honest dealing, has 
 gained a large trade. He was married in Illinois in August, 1872, to Miss Mar- 
 tha Dicker. They have one child, Ernst F., born in March, 1880. 
 
W. H. Morgan 
 
KANSAS CITY. 849 
 
 WILL. p. SESSIONS, 
 
 Druggist and pharmacist. The subject of this sketch was born in Missouri City, 
 Clay county. Mo., April 8, 1858, and was there reared and educated. In the 
 year 1870 he came to Kansas City and found employment as clerk for C. F. Hol- 
 man, later Holman & French. He remained with them until September 15th, 
 1880, when he established himself at his present location, and has one of the fin- 
 est drug houses on Main street, and is also doing a large lucrative trade. 
 
 J. R. STOLLER, 
 
 Live stock commission merchant, is a native of Ohio, and was born in Morrow 
 county, June i, 1841. Was educated in his native county, and was there en- 
 gaged in the stock trade till July, 1878, when became to Cass county, Mo., where 
 he was dealing in stock about five years. Then moved to Denver, Col., and was 
 engaged in raising stock on the plains until March, 1877, when he located in 
 Kansas City, and immediately began at his present occupation. In addition to- 
 his commission trade, he has a ranche in the Indian Territory, upon which he 
 keeps several thousand head of cattle. Was married to Miss Lucretia M. Miner, 
 July 5, 1868. They have six children : Laura M., Frank R., Charks E., Lucy 
 C, John C. and Fanny P. 
 
 CONRAD STUMPF, 
 
 Brick manufacturer, was born in Germany, September 20, 1834, remaining there 
 until the age of fifteen, when, in 185 1, he came to the United States. Landed 
 at New York City, thence to Patterson, New Jersey, and after a short stay there 
 went to Canada West. Here he resided three years, engaged in the bricklaying 
 trade, learning that trade there. In 1857 emigrated to Peoria, 111., living there 
 for three years, and during the financial crash of that year, his stock of trade 
 was rather low. In i860 he went to Ionia, Michigan, there commenced business 
 for himself, engaging in contracting and building, and followed it until 1867, 
 when he sold out and removed to Omaha, Neb. Here he resumed his former 
 business, and in i86g came to Kansas City, and formed a copartnership in the 
 brick manufacture with G. W. McClelland, which still exists. Mr. Stumpf was 
 married in June, 1871, to Miss Caroline Westman, who was born in Tuscarawas 
 county, Ohio. They have three children : Estelle A. , Emma G. and Victor C. 
 
 W. R. STUMPFF, 
 
 Of the firm of Zuler & Stumpff, was born in St. Joseph, or where St. Joseph now 
 is, April ist, 1842. He claims to be the first white child born in that city and 
 that his mother filled the first grave. His father settled there in 1841 ; his mother 
 died in 1842, when he was taken by his father to Washington county Kentucky 
 his former home. Here young Stumpff was left with relatives, and here he lived 
 until eleven years old, when he returned to St. Joe with his father. His father 
 dying the following year, he was left with his step mother with whom he lived 
 until he was seventeen, when he enlisted in the Confederate army under Captain 
 Sullivan, in Company C, 5th Regiment , Missouri Infantry Volunteers. Served 
 until 1863, when he was discharged. After his discharge, he went to Paris, 
 Ills., and from there to Terre Haute, Ind., where he worked at the blacksmith- 
 ing trade, he having learned that trade with his father when very young. He 
 afterward worked in many places in Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Texas, Arkan- 
 sas and Kansas, and came to Kansas City in 1877 when the present firm of 
 Zuler & Stumpff was formed. 
 
 F. STURDEVANT, 
 
 Physician and Surgeon, was born in SulHvan county. New York, October 21, 
 1845, and there was reared and educated; remaining untill 1879. He was em- 
 
850 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 ployed on a farm when young, and attended school in winter. When fifteen 
 years of age he commenced learning the trade of a tanner, which he followed un- 
 til the breaking out of the war. Then enlisted in Company G, 143d New York 
 Volunteer Infantry, serving for three years — having been mustered into the ser- 
 vice at Monticello. Was engaged in many of the hotly contested battles of the 
 war, being at Suffolk, Lookout Mountain, three day's fight at Mission Ridge, 
 Knoxville ; and then returning was stationed at Bridgeport, Ala., until the ist of 
 May following, when they took part in Sherman's memorable campaign. Were 
 engaged at Dalton, Buzzard's Roost, Dallas, Big Shanty, and others too numer- 
 ous to mention. Was on Sherman's March to the Sea, at the surrender of Colum- 
 bia, S. C. , and also at the surrender of Joe Johnson. After being honorably 
 discharged, he returned and entered an Academy at Monticello. There finished 
 his literary education, and then entered the medical college at Albany, where he 
 graduated in December, 1869. Then commenced the practice of his profession 
 at Deposit, Broome county, continuing until 1879, when he came west and 
 resided in Kansas until July 5th, 1880, when he came to his present location. 
 He has built up a good practice and is the surgeon of three railroad companies. 
 Mr. S. was married in 1873 to Miss V. M. Judson. Their family consists of two 
 children, Mable M. and Emily. 
 
 RUFUS SUITS, 
 
 Proprietor of the City Cloak and Suit House, was born in Palestine, New York, 
 July 26, 183 1, and there lived and attended school until he was seventeen. 
 Then he went to New York City and was employed by A. T. Stewart & Co., as 
 a salesman in the cloak and suit department, and two years after was promoted to 
 the head of that department and had charge of it for eight years. Leaving there 
 in 1856, he went to Chicago and became connected with the firm of Hamlin, 
 Hall & Co., wholesale and retail dry goods dealers, being with them until the 
 great fire in 187 1, when they were burned out. His gwn residence was also 
 burned, and he thereby lost nearly all he had accumulated. Soon after the fire, 
 he went to Cincinnati and took charge of the cloak and suit department of John 
 Shillito's wholesale manufactory, being with them until 1877, when he came to 
 Kansas City and took charge of the cloak and suit department of Bullene, Moores 
 & Emery. In the spring of 1880, he established his present cloak and suit house 
 in Kansas City, having the facilities to please the most fastidious, employing 
 the most skillful and tasty dress makers. He makes ladies dresses and cloaks 
 either for the trade or on special orders. 
 
 JOSEPH W. SWAIN, 
 
 Superintendent of the Consolidated Tank Line Company, of Kansas City, was 
 born in Cincinnati in 1851, and there received his primary education, also pass- 
 ing through the intermediate grades of the city schools. After this he accepted 
 a position on a steam boat as first clerk, and held the position for three years, 
 soon after becoming connected with a railroad, remaining one year. In 1871 he 
 became identified with the firm of R. H. Fleming & Co., continuing with them 
 until 1873, when he associated himself with the Consolidated Tank Line Com- 
 pany, establishing the first office west of the Mississippi River at St. Joe, Mo. 
 He remained in charge of the business for several years, and then came to Kan- 
 sas City and accepted the superintendency of the company. . They are doing a 
 large business, and handle annually fifty thousand barrels of petroleum, the 
 oil being shipped from the refineries in tank direct from Cleveland to this place. 
 Mr. Swain was married in 1876 to Miss May Howard, of St. Joe, daughter of 
 Dr. Jno. B. Howard, an eminent physician of that place. They have two 
 children : Pauline M. and Sarah. 
 
KANSAS CTIY. 851 
 
 GEORGE SWEENEY 
 
 Was born in County Donegal, Ireland, in 1820, and lived in his native county 
 until reteiving an education. In 1848 he emigrated to the United States, landing 
 at Philadelphia, where he remained a short time and then went to Pittsburg, Penn. 
 Here resided until 1856, when he came to Kan-ias City, and has since made it 
 his home. After coming he engaged in the retail grain trade, continuing it until 
 1866, when he sold out, and in 1868 was elected City Treasurer, holding the 
 position three years. In 1869 he erected a fine building on the west side of the 
 square. In 1842 he was married to Miss Rose Ann Daugherty, of the same 
 place as her husband. 
 
 E. G. TAYLOR, 
 
 Of the firm of Scott & Taylor, attorneys, was born in Lafayette county. Mo., 
 January 26, 1856. He is a son of Hon. S. F. Taylor, who fell a victim in the 
 late war at Corinth, Miss. He attended the public schools until he was sixteen, 
 when he, with an older brother, made an overland trip to Salt Lake City and 
 Idaho. Returning in the spring of 1874, he entered the Missouri State Univers- 
 ity,' at Columbia, taking an irregular literary course, and graduating from the 
 law department of that institution in 1879. Soon after he came to Kansas City 
 and opened an office with Fletcher Cowherd, for the practice of law under 
 the firm name of Taylor & Cowherd. In November of the same year 
 Mr. William J. Scott became connected with them, changing the name of the 
 firm to Scott, Taylor & Cowherd. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Cowherd retired 
 from the firm to engage in the banking business with the Whipple Brothers, of 
 Kansas City, the firm then becoming Scott & Taylor. He is an ardent Demo- 
 crat, and although a young man, was the nominee of his party for the Legislature 
 in 1880. 
 
 GEORGE E. TEED, 
 
 Dealer in cigars, tobacco and confectionery, was born in Portage County, Ohio, 
 March 30, 1842, but only remained there a short time. He was taken by his 
 parents from place to place (as his father was in the canal business) until twelve 
 years of age, when they settled in Michigan. Here he was brought up and edu- 
 cated, and at the age of seventeen or eighteen he engaged as a sailor on the 
 lakes, continuing it until the war broke out. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted 
 in Company F, 19th Michigan Infantry, serving until the close of the war, when 
 he was mustered out. He was in some very important battles of the war, among 
 which were Resacca, Dallas, Peachtree Creek, in the campaign through Georgia, 
 on the memorable March to the Sea, and through the Carolina campaign. He 
 then became engaged in railroading, commencing as brakemin and being pro- 
 moted until he became conductor of a passenger train. This he followed until 
 April, 1880, when he commenced his present business. He was married in 
 June, 1876, to Miss Jane Phillips, of Plymouth, Ind. He is a member of the 
 I. 0. O. F. , A. F. and A. M. , and also a member of the Conductors' Brother- 
 hood. 
 
 ELI TEED, 
 
 With Plankinton & Armours, was born in Ulster county, N. Y., July 10, 1831, 
 and from the time he attained his fifteenth year to his twenty-fifth, his occupation 
 was that of a sailor on the Pacific, to Bedford and most all points on these 
 waters and the Arctic ocean. In 1856 he went to Milwaukee, Wis. , remaining till 
 the spring of 1861, when he went to California. Remained till 1866, then went 
 to Montana Territory, and was there engaged in mining In 187 1 came to Kan- 
 sas City. Has been about eighteen months in his present position. He served 
 as one of the council of Kansas City, Kan., in the years of 1874-5, and was 
 
852 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 mayor 1875-80. Was married to Miss S. J. Sackett, March 19, 1871. They 
 have one child, Elmore S. 
 
 HENRY THILENIUS, 
 
 Wholesale and retail manufacturer of harness and saddles, was born in Hano- 
 ver, Germany, September 6, 1837, and came to the United States with his parents 
 when eleven years old. They settled in St. Louis, and there he lived until 1867. 
 When he was sixteen he began to learn the trade of saddler and harness maker 
 with J. B. Sickles & Co., of St. Louis, serving five years. In 1867 he came to 
 Kansas City and soon after established himself in business of harness and saddle 
 making, and has built up an extensive wholesale and retail trade, his house being 
 the oldest in the city. His wholesale trade extends to New Mexico, Colorado, 
 Kansas and Missouri. 
 
 CHARLES THOMAS 
 
 Was born in Germany in 1832 and at the age of twenty-one years, emigrated to 
 the United States. He landed in New York in 1853-and in 1856 removed to the 
 Territory of Kansas, and thence to Kansas City, where he has since resided. 
 After arriving he engaged in working at the tinner's trade. Mr. Thomas was one 
 of the ninety-one persons who had the courage to vote for Mr. Lincoln in i860, 
 and in x86i was one of the first to help in putting down the rebellion, belonging 
 to Van Horn's battalion some eight months. Was then mustered out but remained 
 in the militia till the close of the war, being mustered out as captain. He did 
 good service in the protection of this State. 
 
 MRS. JULIA ANN THRELKELD, 
 
 Was born in Washington, Mason county, January 19, 1805. Her father, James 
 Kercheval, removed to Lebanon, Warren county, Kentucky, when she was five 
 years old, and her mother dying soon after, she was taken by an aunt who resided 
 in Lebanon. She lived with her until her marriage with Benjamin Threlkeld, of 
 Flemingsburg, Kentucky, in 182 1. They first settled in Flemingsburg, but in 
 1825 they moved to Morganfield, Kentucky, where they lived until 1834, then 
 coming to Missouri. They settled in Boone county, near Columbia, where they 
 lived until 1849, when they came to Kansas City, where they lived until 1852. 
 Then on account of the ill health of her husband and prevalence of the cholera, 
 they went to Providence, Mo., where her husband died the following fall. She 
 resided there until 1855 then returned to Kansas City. She has four children : 
 Edward R. (of Leadviile, Colorado), Anna E. (wife of M. D. Trefner, of Kansas 
 City), Sallie (a teacher in the Humbolt school of Kansas City, having taught in 
 the city for eleven years), and W. W. (of Kansas City). She became a member 
 of the Baptist church in 1827 and still retains her membership. 
 
 G. W. TINDALL, 
 
 Dentist, was born in Howard county, Mo., on the 14th of February, 1833, and 
 until fourteen years of age was reared on a farm. From that time until of age his 
 time was divided between attending school and clerking. When twelve years of 
 age he removed with his parents to Savannah, where he remained two years and 
 then moved to St. Joseph. For three years he was engaged in clerking in a mer- 
 cantile store. In 1854 he went to Lexington and studied dentistry with Dr. H. 
 E. Peebles. During the winter of 1854-5 attended dental college at Cincinnati, 
 Ohio, and on the 5th of February, 1855, he came to Kansas City and commenced 
 the practice of his profession. Dr. Tindall was married to M. A. Macartney, of 
 St. Louis, July 14, 1858. They have by this union four children: Charles M., 
 Minnie L., Laura L., and George W. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 853 
 
 JOHN H. TOWT, 
 Dealer in real estate, was born in Oneida county, N. Y., April 24, 1833, where 
 he was brought up, and attended the common schools. In his young manhood 
 he went to West Poltney, Vt., where he attended the Troy Conference College, 
 a school under the charge of the M. E. church. After leaving there in 1853, he 
 went to Wisconsin, and with others founded the town of Ironton, where they es- 
 tablished large iron works and mills, conducting the business under the firm 
 name of Jones, Towt & Co. Three years later he engaged in manufacturing 
 carriages, which he followed for three years. In the spring of 1859 started for 
 Pike's Peak, but on reaching Omaha, and reconsidering his intentions, he decided 
 to visit towns along the Missouri River. Stopping in Carrollton, Carroll county, 
 he engaged in merchandising for three years. Here he married Miss Jose- 
 phine Kincheloe, formerly of Parkersburg, Va. They now have two children, 
 Charles and Edward, aged fifteen and twelve years. Mr. Towt returned to 
 Ironton and again entered into the carriage manufacture, also hotel keeping. 
 Continuing this until 1869 he came to Kansas City and embarked in the real es- 
 tate business. One year later, in 1870, he took the contract and built the street 
 railway from Kansas City to Westport, for Mr. N. Holmes. After this, com- 
 menced the grocery business, following it until the spring of 1880, since which 
 time he has followed the real estate business. He owns two business houses and 
 two dwelUngs, besides valuable lots. 
 
 WILLIAM TOBENER, 
 
 Of the firm of H. Tobener & Co., manufacturers of cigars and tobacco, was born 
 in Hanover, Germany, in 1837, and came to the United States in 1847, landing 
 in New Orleans. Thence to St. Louis, where he lived until 1852, when he 
 crossed the plains to California, and remained fourteen years, being engaged in 
 mining. In 1866 he returned and located at Kansas City, and has since re- 
 mained here. In 1867 he formed a partnership with his brother, engaging in the 
 manufacture of cigars and tobacco, and has built up an immense business. 
 Their place is better known by the name of. the Metropolitan Tobacco Works. 
 They are live and enterprising business men, and deserve to succeed. In 1867 
 our subject was married to Miss Barbara Selman, of this city, and by this union 
 they have six children : Henry, George, Willam, Frederick, Francis, and Louisa. 
 
 SIMEON SEYMOUR TODD, M.D., 
 
 Is of Scotch ancestry, who, partly because of their religious faith, being Presby- 
 terians, and partly for political reasons, were driven from Scotland about the 
 middle of the seventeenth century, taking refuge in northern Ireland in the 
 County of Down. He is the third son of David Andrew and Mary Todd, grand- 
 son of Owen Todd, great grandson of David Todd, and great, great grandson of 
 Robert Todd, who, with his wife, Isabella and six children, accompanied by his 
 half-brother, Andrew, immigrated from Ireland to this country, landing in the 
 city of New York in the year 1737, and who, soon after, moved to the town of 
 Trappe, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, where three more children were 
 added to the family, and where the patriarch and his wife are buried. The de- 
 scendants of Robert Todd are very numerous, and embrace the reputable family 
 names of the Parkers, the McFarlands, the Findlays, the Majors, the Porters, 
 the Hamills, the McClintocks, etc., of Pennsylvania, and many other well known 
 names in the South and West. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born at the home of his maternal grandfather, 
 Hiram Ogle, in the vicinity of Vevay, Indiana, March loth, 1826, the home of 
 his parents being then at Madison, Indiana. At the age of nineteen years he 
 began the study of medicine in the ofiSce of Dr. William Davidson, an accom- 
 plished physician of Madison. At the end of four years of hard study, eight 
 
854 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 months of which had been spent in military hospitals during the war with Mexico, 
 he graduated with distinction in a class of nineteen at the Indiana Medical College, 
 then located at Laporte. In June, 1849, he went to Kentucky and began the 
 practice of his profession at Lawrenceburg, the county seat of Anderson county, 
 and on the loth of October, 1850, was married to Miss Judith Ann Ridgway, of 
 Laporte, Indiana, by whom he had a daughter and son, while living at Lawrence- 
 burg, both of whom died in infancy. 
 
 In January, 1854, the doctor, with his family, left their home in Kentucky, 
 and in the following summer migrated to California, by the overland route, reach- 
 ing Sacramento in September of that year. The two succeeding years were 
 spent in the gold mines of Plumas county, where, in September, 1856, the family 
 made their home in the beautiful little city of Santa Rosa, county seat of Sonoma 
 county, on the north side of the bay of San Francisco. Meeting with an old 
 classmate here, Dr. J. F. Boyce, an agreeable partnership was formed and a 
 lucrative practice of several years followed. But the doctor sought a wider field, 
 and the opening of the War of the RebelHon found him practicing his profession 
 in San Francisco. A call for six regiments of volunteers having been made, he 
 offered himself, and was appointed surgeon of the Fourth Infantr)% and served 
 in hospitals till the close of the war in 1865. 
 
 Having lost his wife about the time of the breaking out of the war, he had 
 sent to the home of his parents in Indiana his two children born in California, 
 Rush B., the elder, six, and Frank S., four years old. When the war ended he 
 followed his children, and on the 30th day of August, 1865, made his home in 
 Kansas City. 
 
 In August of the following year a violent epidemic of Asiatic cholera made 
 its appearance in Kansas City, during the prevalence of which the doctor ren- 
 dered efficient service. In April, 1867, he was appointed city physician, and 
 fearing a return of the fatal epidemic, a Board of Health was established, of 
 which Dr. Todd was (x officio president. On January 21, 1867, he was united in 
 maraiage with Mrs. Thirza F. Dean, daughter of Thomas Scott, of Ann Arbor, 
 Michigan, widow of Dr. William H. Dean, and sister of the wife of the well- 
 known attorney, Col. D. S. Twitche'll. 
 
 In 1869 our subject conceived the idea of founding a college of medicine at 
 Kansas City, and after consultations with Doctors A. B. Taylor, E. W. Schauffler, 
 D. R. Porter, T. B. Lester, and other leading physicians, a charter was obtained 
 and an organization effected under the title of "The Kansas City College of 
 Physicians and Surgeons," now changed to the " Kansas City Medical College." 
 Dr. Todd was appointed to the chair of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women, and 
 was made president of the faculty, which position he has continued to fill up to 
 the present date, except for one year, when Dr. T. B. Lester was the presiding 
 officer. 
 
 Dr. Todd has been honored by his professional brethren in many ways. In 
 1872 he was elected vice-president of the Medical Association of the State of 
 Missouri, and in 1873 was made president of the same. By virtue of this he is 
 an honorary member of this association. He is also an honorary member of the 
 State Medical Society 'of Kansas ; is a member of the American Medical Associa- 
 tion, and corresponding member of the Boston Gynsecological.Society. His two 
 sons are grown to manhood and both are young men of much promise. 
 
 Dr. Todd is conceded one of the best scholars and physicians in the city. 
 Pleasing in his address, kind in his manners, his cheerful presence makes him a 
 welcome visitor in the sick room. 
 
 MARSTON D. TREFREN, 
 
 Attorney, was born in Lancaster, New Hampshire, February 9, 1824, but was 
 reared in Burlington, Vt., where he graduated from the Vermont, State University 
 
KANSAS CITY. 855 
 
 in his seventeenth year. After his graduation, on account of his heahh being 
 impaired by close application to study, his father sent him to Atlanta, Georgia, 
 where he resided for a short time when he went to New Orleans and became the 
 purser of the Sherwell, a Gulf steamer, belonging to his uncle, plying between 
 New Orleans and Cuba. He served as such for four years and in the meantime, 
 with the consent of his uncle, he had traded more or less for himself, thereby 
 accumulating several thousand dollars. His father dying in 1845 he returned home, 
 being the only one of the family left, his mother dying before he left for Atlanta, 
 and three brothers and two sisters in quick succession. He left the old homestead 
 in January, 1846, and went to Chnton, N. J., where he entered the law office of 
 John Manners, L. L. D. , an intimate friend of his father. Was with him as stu- 
 dent for three years and practiced in his office two years. In 185 1 he began the 
 practice of law in I/ebanori, N. J., where, after practicing the required time, he 
 was, in 1852, commissioned counselor at law, and at the same time received the 
 appointment of master and examiner in chancery from Chancellor Benjamin 
 Williamson. In 1856 he was appointed prosecuting attorney of the State of New 
 Jersey for the County of Hunterdon by Governor Rodman M. Price, which he 
 held until he gave up his practice in Lebanon in 1858 and came to Kansas City. 
 He has been twice married. First, to Henrietta Stone in 1848, who died in 1856. 
 By her he has two children : Kate (wife of Louis E. Rozier, of St. Louis), and Mag 
 gie, living with her father. His second wife was Mrs. Annie E. Sites, daughter 
 of Mrs. Julia Threlkeld, one of the very oldest residents of Kansas City, whom 
 he married December 14, 1858. They have tvifo children : Julia Alice and Annie 
 D. Himself and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church of Kansas City. 
 
 J. A. TROST, 
 
 Was born in Reading, Pa., March 16, 1853. Was educated in the common schools 
 of that city, where he lived until his seventeenth year. He came to Kansas City 
 in 1871 and engaged in the boot and shoe business, and at the same time gave 
 lessons in vocal and instrumental music. In 1880 he established himself in the 
 real estate business. He is of German descent, his parents emigrating from Germany 
 at an early day and locating m Reading, Pa., where they spent their lives. He 
 has been successful in his business enteprises. Starting out in Hfe when a mere 
 boy, and receiving no assistance from any one, he has worked his way up and is 
 now one of the prominent business men of this city. 
 
 W. A. TURNER, 
 
 Was born in Kentucky, December 4, 1833, and was reared on a farm in his na- 
 tive county, remaining until his majority. His education was received in the 
 common schools, and when fourteen years of age he commenced trading in mules, 
 in which he was actively engaged, and still follows the same business. In 1870 
 he sold his farm of 600 acres of fenced land, and removed to Kansas City and at 
 once established himself in business. He has spent considerble time in traveling 
 and has visited the Rocky Mountains several times. Although not in excellent 
 health, Mr. Turner enjoys life. His chief amusement on his farm is hunting, 
 and he has gained quite a reputation. His dogs or hounds are noted for their 
 intelligence. He was married in June, ^853, to Miss M. M. Hall, a native of 
 Nicholas County, Ky. They have had four children, one of whom is living, 
 Nannie J. 
 
 DRURY UNDERWOOD, 
 
 Was born near St. Louis, July 20, 1833, and when nineteen he left his parents 
 and went to St. Louis, where he learned the trade of bricklaying. In 1856 he 
 began business for himself as a contractor and builder, which he followed in St. 
 Louis until 1858, when, on leaving there, he went to Fort Union, New Mexico. 
 
856 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Until the spring of 1861 he traded in horses, mules and buffalo robes, and from 
 that time, until he permanently settled in Kansas City, in 187 1, he led a life of 
 danger on the plains and mountains of the West, at one time delving in the mines, 
 at an other trading, while at times almost reaching the object of his toils, his 
 accumulations would flit away in some bad investment. Fortune would again 
 urge him to make another effort. At one time himself and party, when en route 
 for the Yellowstone, were attacked, while in camp at night, by five hundred 
 Indians. Three men and sixteen horses were killed, and all their camp equip- 
 ments and mining tools taken, and himself badly wounded. Mr. Underwood's 
 eventful life, on the plains and in the mines, is too lengthy for insertion in this 
 work and it will suffice to say that after a checkered life for a number of years, 
 he returned to St. Louis and for a short time again engaged in contracting and 
 building. Came to Kansas City in 187 1, where he is now one of the heaviest 
 contractors ^nd manufacturers of brick in the city. December 20, 1863, while 
 on a visit to St. Louis, he married Miss L. J. Link, of that city, who died 
 October 10, 1879. They had seven children: Iva, Fred T., James B., Lee, 
 Drury, and Jennie. 
 
 HON. ROBERT T. VAN HORN 
 
 Is a native of Pennsylvania, having been born in East Mahoney, Indiana county, 
 May 19, 1824. His ancestors were from Holland, and immigrated to this 
 country more than two hundred years ago. His great grandfather and grand- 
 father were soldiers in the Revolutionary War, and his father enlisted in the war 
 of 1812, and died in September, 1877, at the age of ninety years. His mother 
 was born in Ireland, but came to America when a child. Robert's earlier years 
 were spent on a farm; he attended school generally but three months in the year. 
 At the age of fifteen he was apprenticed to the printing business in the office of 
 the Indiana Register, where he remained four years. From 1843 to 1855 he 
 worked as a journeyman printer in Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana, 
 occasionally varying his occupation by teaching school in winter, and publishing 
 and editing new papers. He was also employed in steamboating on the Mis- 
 sissippi, Ohio, Wabash and other western rivers, and in addition to all these 
 pursuits he studied law, and was admitted to the b^r, but practiced only a short 
 time. In 1848 he was married to Miss Adela H. Cooley, at Pomeroy, Ohio. 
 In 1855 he located at Kansas City, Mo., then a small village, where he founded 
 the Journal 0/ Commerce, now the leading daily newspaper of this part of Missouri. 
 Soon after his settlement here he became much impressed with the future pros- 
 pects of the city, and it is owing greatly to the forcible advocacy of her claims 
 and advantages, expressed in his paper that Kansas City occupies so prominent 
 a position. During this time her present railroad system was outlined, and the 
 charters of most of the roads secured. One of these charters, then known as the 
 K. C, G. & S. S. railroad was drawn by Col. Van Horn, and upon this charter 
 was afterward built the Hannibal & St. Joseph, from Cameron to Kansas and 
 the Missouri River, Fort Scott & Gulf from Kansas City to Baxter Springs, Kas., 
 and upon which a company, of which he was president, afterward undertook and 
 partly constructed a road to Memphis, Tennessee. From 1855 to i860 his paper 
 so persistently advocated the advantages of the river landing here — steamboats 
 being the principal mode of transportation — that freighters across the plains were 
 induced to make this the point of transfer. At a later period, while Senator in 
 the Missouri Legislature, he secured legislation that prevented the diversion of 
 railroads, in which Kansas City was interested, to other places. Later, while a 
 member of Congress, he secured a charter for the present railroad bridge across 
 the river at this city. In 1865, with others, he attended the general Indian 
 council at Fort Smith, Arkansas, and got incorporated into the treaty, there made, 
 a provision granting right of way and bond subsidy for a railroad through the 
 
KANSAS CITY. 857 
 
 Indian Territory. A bill was afterward passed in Congress chartering a road 
 from Kansas City and securing the right of way and land grant. The following 
 year, 1866, in a treaty with the Cherokee Indians, he aided in obtaining for the 
 same road the Cherokee neutral lands, embracing the Counties of Cherokee and 
 Crawford in Kansas. The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad afterward secured 
 the benefits of this charter. Col. Van Horn was also the author of the first bill 
 for the organization of the Indian Territory as Oklahoma. 
 
 Within a few years after his location in this city, he was elected alderman, 
 and appointed postmaster by Buchanan. In i860 he supported Stephen A. 
 Douglas, for President, and after the election took a firm stand for the Union, 
 and in the canvass for members of the convention to decide whether Missouri 
 should secede, he took an active part. In April, r86i, he was selected as the 
 Union candidate for mayor, and after a most exciting canvass was elected. 
 Governor C. F. Jackson having espoused the southern cause, thus leaving no 
 State authority to enlist troops or commission officers for the national army, Col- 
 onel Van Horn, in May, 1861, applied to General Lyon, of the St. Louis arse- 
 nal, and obtained authority to enlist 300 men. In the first engagement in west- 
 ern Missouri, July 18, 1861, he won a victory, and in September following was 
 wounded at Lexington. After the exchange of prisoners his command was con- 
 solidated with the memorable 25th Missouri Infantry, and he was made lieuten- 
 ant-colonel. The regiment under command of Colonel Van Horn was then 
 ordered to Tennessee. At Shiloh and at Corinth he commanded a brigade for a 
 short time. In September he was ordered to southeastern Missouri and Arkan- 
 sas, and after remaining in service for three years — when his regiment was con- 
 solidated with the I St Missouri Engineers — he retired. While in Mississippi with 
 his regiment he was elected to the Missouri Senate, and at the close of his serv- 
 ice in that body was again elected mayor of Kansas City without opposition, and 
 as such had charge of the volunteer militia, and the construction of the defense 
 works around the city, in anticipation of General Price's last raid into Missouri, 
 in 1864. In 1864 our subject was a delegate to the Baltimore convention, which 
 nominated Lincoln for re-election, and has been a member of every National and 
 State Republican Convention since that time. From 1872 to 1876 he was a 
 member of the National Republican committee, and chairman of the State com- 
 mittee from 1874 to 1876. He was elected to Congress in 1864, and again in 
 1866 and 1868. In September, 1875, he was appointed collector of internal 
 revenue for the 6th district of Missouri. During his long service as collector of 
 internal revenue, there was not a single irregularity in the office, and when he 
 turned over his accounts to the Government, he was highly complimented for the 
 faithfulness and ability with which he had discharged the affairs of the office. 
 In 1880 he was again nominated for Congress, and elected by a handsome ma- 
 jority, and is now serving his fourth term in Congress. He has continued in edi- 
 torial charge of the Kansas City Journal, which is the most influential Republi- 
 can and commercial newspaper of the New West, from its commencement in 
 1856 to the present time ; and it is acknowledged by all that a very large share 
 of the credit for the wonderful growth of Kansas City and the surrounding coun- 
 try, is due to his ability and effectiveness as a writer. 
 
 WILLIAM VINCENT, 
 
 City Auditor, was born in Clay county, Missouri, December 14, 1845, ^"d 
 was reared there until the age of fourteen years. Then, in the fall of 1859, 
 removed with his parents to Kansas City. His education was obtained from 
 private teachers, and he also attended the city schools of this place until the out- 
 break of the War. Then went to Arizona where he engaged in mining and also 
 in keeping a ranch until 1869, when he returned to this city. Here embarked 
 in the grocery business for a short time, until he sold out and accepted a position 
 
858 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 as deputy, under Charles D. Lucas, recorder of deeds. Continued with him 
 until the spring of 1879, when he was elected to the office of city auditor, which 
 he has since filled. September 26,1879, he married Miss Anna Williams, of Fort 
 Scott, Kansas. She is a native of Illinois, but principally reared in Indiana. 
 
 WILLIAM VINEYARD, 
 
 Of the firm of Vineyard & Son, dealers in real estate, was born in Greene 
 county, Kentucky, January 15, 1835. Although living with his parents until he 
 attained his majority, he began business for himself at an early age by speculating 
 in stock. His father removed from Kentucky to Illinois, and was one of the 
 original proprietors of Warsaw. Leaving there and coming to Missouri, he settled 
 in what was known as the Platte Purchase, and there young Vineyard lived until 
 1858, when he came to Kansas City and located on land that is now Vinyard's 
 first addition to Kansas City, he having recently platted his fourth addition. 
 Ever since coming to the city he has been engaged in the real estate business, and 
 has been identified with the staunch men of the city, ever alive to its interests 
 and proud of its promotion and growth. March 12, 1858, he married Miss 
 Emma Evans, daughter of Mrs. Steen. The latter is a daughter of one of the 
 first families and probably the oldest resident of Kansas City. He has seven 
 children: John W., (now connected with his father in the real estate business), 
 Anna, William, George, Emma, Velma, and Elra. 
 
 B. VON UNWORTH, 
 
 Architect, was born in Neisse, Germany, October 23, 1838. He was educated 
 in the college of Glogan, and also graduated at the Academy of Architecture in 
 Berlin, in 1859. He was for a time employed by the Prussian government as 
 architect and superintendent for the designing and superstructions of public 
 buildings, also by various railroad companies in Prussia. Was also architect of 
 his royal highness, Prince Charles, of Prussia, from 1861 until 1863. He came 
 to the United States in January 1870. Arriving in New York City, he was employ- 
 ed by several leading architects, and after being employed by the Central railroad 
 of Long Island and others, came to Kansas City in the fall of 1878, where he is 
 doing a successful business. 
 
 J. H. WAITE, 
 
 Shipping master Kansas City Stock Yards, was born in Orange county, Vermont, 
 January 26, 1839, and when but a child, he with his parents (Daniel and 
 Mercy), moved to Genesee county, N. Y. When fifteen years of age went to 
 Dekalb county, Ills., where his parents yet remain. From 1856 to 1862 the sub- 
 ject of this sketch was engaged in teaching school and attending Beloit College, 
 of Beloit, Wis., graduating July 6, 1862. In September 1863 he enlisted in 
 Company C, Seventeenth Illinois Cavalry, for three years, serving as a private 
 for a short time when he was promoted to lieutenant, which position he held till 
 October 1864. Then was promoted to captain, serving as such till close of the 
 War, when he returned to IlHnois, and shortly afterwards accepted the position 
 as collecting agent for Culver Bros., of Cincinnati, Ohio. He traveled over, the 
 States of Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, continuing with this com- 
 pany till the latter part of 1868, when he began as salesman for G. W. Ball & 
 Co., of Cincinnati. In 1870 he came to Kansas City and embarked in the 
 grocery business as one of the firm of J. H. Towt & Co. June 17, 1875, he re- 
 tired from the grocery trade and accepted his present position. Was married to 
 Miss M. Kincheloe, October 4, 1870. She is a native of Parkersburg, W. Va. , 
 and was born November 11, i84i.||j Have two children : John F., and Tyler K. 
 
KANSAS CITY. 859 
 
 G. A. H. WAGNER 
 
 Was born in Stuttgart, Germany, in 1831, and remained there until coming to 
 the United States in 1848. Landed at New York, and from there went to Balti- 
 more, Maryland, and thence to Cumberland, same State. Here he married Miss 
 Anna B. Kagel, of that place, in 185 1, and from there removed to Iowa City, 
 Iowa, in 1855. In 1858 came to Kansas City, where he has since resided. Soon 
 after coming, he engaged in contracting and buildmg. In 1861, by order of 
 Governor Gamble, he joined the militia of Missouri, as captain of Company B, 
 77th, and served three years. After the close of the war, he engaged in the 
 grocery business, following this two years, after which he started a paper mill. 
 Not being successful, in 1868 he engaged in painting signs, cards, etc., and still 
 follows this trade. He is now erecting a large store and dwelling. He owns 
 considerable property in this city. The family consists of six children : Solomon, 
 Clara V., Ernest, Gustave A., Frank R., and Albert. Have lost three. 
 
 A. C. WALMSLEY, 
 
 City Treasurer. The subject of this sketch was born in Lafayette, Indiana, 
 December 9, 1854. His education was partly obtained in the schools of Terre 
 Haute, and at the age of sixteen years, he removed with his parents to this city. 
 In 187 1 he entered Spalding's Commercial College, and was graduated from this 
 institution in 1872. Then commenced clerking in the city treasurer's office in 
 1873, continuing as such until 1879, when he was elected treasurer, and in 1880 
 was re-elected to the same position. 
 
 R. C. WALPOLE 
 
 Was born in the city of Waterford, Ireland, and was there reared and educated. 
 At the age of fourteen years, he entered the York College, remaining for two 
 years, when he went to Hull, Yorkshire, England, and there learned the leather 
 dressing business. After serving a term of five years, he returned to Waterford, 
 intending to establish himself in business, but owing to the depopulation of the 
 country, caused by famine, he failed to succeed, and resolved to come to the 
 United States. Landing at New York in 1853, he tried for some time to obtain 
 employment as book-keeper, but failing in that, started out as a journeyman 
 tanner, traveling through the large cities of the Union. After this returned to 
 England, locating at London, where he remained about one year, and then com- 
 menced learning the morocco manufacturing business. Then in 1853 came again 
 to the United States, and embarked in business at Salem, Indiana, continuing 
 until 1858, when he came to Kansas City, and established the first tannery here. 
 This he operated until 1862, when, on account of tlie War, business was so un- 
 settled that he made a visit to his native home, and after the close of the War ; 
 returned to this city. Here he followed business until 1870, and owing to failing 
 health sold out his business, and returned with his family to Ireland. After a 
 time he came to look after his interests here, and in 1878 his family followed. 
 Since then he has been engaged in dealing in real estate and building. 
 
 ^ WILLIAM H. WALLACE, 
 
 Of the firm of Gates & Wallace, attorneys at law, was born in Clark county, Ky., 
 October 11, 1848, and when quite young came with his parents to Jackson county. 
 In the spring of 1857 they settled on a farm where he was raised, and received a 
 common school education. Also went to Westminster College of Missouri, re- 
 maining from 1863 to 1871, at which time he graduated. Then commenced the 
 study of law under General John A. Hockaday, late Attorney-General of this 
 State, and afterwards taught school, and was reporter and editor of a newspaper 
 until 1875. -^' this time he engaged in practicing law at Independence, and in 
 
860 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 1879 removed to Kansas City, being elected to the office of prosecuting attorney 
 in the fall of i88o. This position he is eminently qualified to fill. 
 
 JOHN WAMSLEY, 
 
 Merchant tailor, is a native of the Island of Jersey, a small island in the British 
 Channel, off the coast of Normandy, France, and was born January 18, 1828. 
 When twelve years of age he left his parents to learn the trade of tailoring, and 
 from that time has depended upon his own exertions for a livelihood. He left 
 his native island when he was twenty, and after spending two years in England 
 and France, he came to the United States. After living in New York, Cincin- 
 nati and Indianapolis, he came to Kansas City, January 3, 1871, and was employ- 
 ed as a cutter by S. B. Windom, being with him until 1876, when he established 
 himself in his present business. In 1852 he married Miss Emma Wray, of Lon- 
 don, England, by whom he has six children: Ernest A., with his father in busi- 
 ness in Kansas City ; Albert C. , city treasurer; John W., attending Spalding's 
 Commercial College; Frank F., Harry W. and Nellie May, living at home and 
 attending school. 
 
 J. C. WARNEKE, 
 
 Proprietor of bakery, confectionery and grocery. The subject of this sketch 
 was born, in the Province of Hanover, Germany, October 19, 1833, where he 
 was reared and educated. Leaving there he went to Bremen, where he learned 
 his trade of baker, remaining three and a half years. He sailed for New York, 
 where he arrived in May, 1852. Resided in New York, working athis trade and 
 following the grocery business until the fall of 1856, when he went to New Or- 
 leans. Remained there six months, then embarked for St. Louis, where he 
 found employment in a wholesale commission store, until December, 1865. Then 
 went to Rolla, Mo., at which place he started the bakery business, continuing 
 this, with good success, until June, 1865, when he sold out and removed to In- 
 dependence, starting a confectionery and grocery store, running the same until 
 the following year. In 1866 he came to Kansas City and embarked in the' con- 
 fectionery and bakery business, on Main street, where he continued until he moved 
 to his present location, in which place he is now doing a large, lucrative business. 
 Mr. Warneke -wbls married to Miss Wilhelmina Kumpf, of St. Louis, in March, 
 i860, and by this marriage they have had eight children, five of whom are now 
 living. 
 
 GEO. W. WARDER, 
 
 Attorney at law, was born, at Richmond, Missouri, May 20th, 1848. His 
 father Luther Fairfax Warder, who, by the family tradition was a lineal descendant 
 of Lord Fairfax, the first governor of Virginia, removed at about the age of twenty 
 from Prince William county, Va., to Lexington, Ky. , and from thence to Rich- 
 mond, Mo., where he married. The subject of this sketch was a precocious 
 youth. He commenced school at an early age, was for a time a student at the 
 Missouri University ; commenced the practice of law at Chillicothe, Mo., at 
 eighteen, and was married at Richmond, Ky., September i8th, 1868, at the 
 early age of twenty, to Miss Virginia D. McWilliams. This union was a very 
 happy one, and after years of domestic felicity, he was called upon to mourn the 
 loss of his faithful wife "the angel of his earthly home" (as he designated her) 
 who departed this life April 28, 1878. Two children were born of this marriage, 
 Alexander Vernon, who died before the decease of his mother, and a little girl, 
 Virginia D. , who still survives. Mr. Warder has practiced law with marked suc- 
 cess, and established an extensive practice, ranking among the ablest at the bar. 
 He is a man of fine business qualities, and a successful financier. Aside from 
 his profession he has been largely interested in banking and real estate specula- 
 tions, and has besides found time to cultivate his literary tastes, being the au- 
 
KANSAS CITY. 861 
 
 thor of two volumes in verse. The first is entitled "Poetic Fragments, or Col- 
 lege Poems" published in 1873, and the other is entitled "Eden Dell, or Love's 
 Wanderings and Other Poems," published ini878. Mr. Warder removed to 
 Kansas City in December, 1878, and has since taken an active part in its public 
 enterprises, and the building up of said city, having erected since his residence 
 here about thirty buildings, perhaps more than any other citizen during the same 
 period. He is a young man of exemplary habits, of marked ability and versatihty 
 of talent, of pleasing manners and address, of fine social qualities, and of a kind 
 hearted and genial nature. Especially fond and appreciative of the society of the 
 fair sex, he never wearies of that gallantry and devotion thereto, that has marked 
 the career of the noblest men of the past. 
 
 E. E. WARNER, 
 
 Proprietor of meat market, was born in Liverpool, Madina county, Ohio, No- 
 vember 19, 1856, and remained there till he was about fifteen years of age, when 
 he went to Oberlin, Ohio, and entered college. Remained two years, then went 
 to Montgomery county, Ilhnois, where he resided one summer and returned to 
 Ohio. In 1878 he went to Ellis county, Kansas, took a homestead, and remain- 
 ed till June, 1880, when he came to Kansas City and engaged in his present busi- 
 ness. 
 
 W. H. WATTS 
 
 Was born in Huntsville, Mo., March 18, 1843. He was educated at Central 
 College, Fayette, Mo., completing the course when he was nineteen. In 1863 
 he attended and graduated from the Jones Commercial College, of St. Louis. 
 In 1864 he filled the chair as professor of ancient languages and higher mathe- 
 matics in the Danville Female Academy, of Danville, Mo. In 1865 he was as- 
 sistant state superintendent of public instruction, under the Hon. James H. Rob- 
 inson, state superintendent, holding that position until September of 1866, when 
 he was elected to the chair of ancient languages in the Patee Female College of 
 St. Joseph, Mo. In the fall of 1867 he assisted Prof. Carr W. Pritchett in found- 
 ing the Pritchett Institute at Glasgow, Mo. In July of 1867 he went to Europe, 
 spending six years on the continent, devoting his time to studying comparative 
 philology, philosophy and law, also attending the universities of Berlin and Hei- 
 delberg. He also received private instruction from Profs. Fleckeinsen and 
 Schlemm, at Dresden. In his absence he visited Berlin, Dresden, Leipsic, Mu- 
 nich, Vienna, Pest, Trist, Venice, Ancona, Rome, Naples and other places too 
 numerous to mention, returning home via Quebec in the fall of 1873. In 1874 
 he was the principal of the High school at Carrollton, and the following year at 
 Lexington, Mo. He began the practice of law in Kansas City in September of 
 1877, where he is building up a good practice. 
 
 ED. H. WEBSTER 
 
 Whose portrait appears in another part of this work, was born February 21, 
 1843, ill Benton, Elkhart county, Indiana. The paternal ancestry was almost 
 entirely of Anglo-Saxon blood, while on his mother's side he was of Irish origin. 
 His early education was such as could be obtained in primary schools, but in 
 later years he made up for those educational advantages denied him in youth, as 
 much of his leisure time was spent over his books. His first business experience 
 was in a post-office, which was held by his father for many years, and there he 
 earned such a reputation as has since characterized him. When about sixteen 
 years of age, he began a regular apprenticeship in the printing business at War- 
 saw, and was rapidly acquiring proficiency in his trade, when the War began in 
 1861. This changed the programme, and Mr. Webster enlisted on the 19th of 
 April, 1861, as private in Company E, 12th Regiment, Indiana Volunteer Infantry. 
 After six months' service was made sergeant. The regiment was re-organized at 
 
862 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 the end of the year, and he was commissioned second lieutenant of Company F; 
 was afterward detailed as inspector general on the staff of General John M. 
 Loomis, commanding the ist brigade, ist division, 15 th army corps. Army of the 
 Tennessee. In the spring of 1864 was promoted captain of Company A, same 
 regiment, which position he held until the close of the war, and was honorably 
 discharged at Indianapolis, in June, 1865. While in service, he was several 
 times judge-advocate of courts-martial and recorder of military commissions in 
 his division. He participated in several of the most important battles of the 
 War^ In the summer of 1865, Captain Webster began reading law in Warsaw, 
 Indiana, with a view of preparing himself for the legal profession. The life of a 
 law student there not suiting him, the fall of 1865 found him in Kansas City, in 
 company of Major H. A. White, a practicing attorney. In 1867 Mr. Webster 
 was admitted to the practice of law. He has always been a Republican, and 
 since residing here has been city assessor and alderman. Since 1864 he has been 
 a Mason. His marriage occurred September 21, 1875, to Miss Medora Richard- 
 son Ferguson, a daughter of Nathaniel R. and Corrilla Ferguson. They have 
 one son, Edward F. Captain Webster is an honored member of society, and 
 being a gentleman of warm impulses, has many friends, and deserves the high 
 character which he holds. 
 
 HENRY WEIS, 
 
 Of the firm of Zahner & Weis, dealers in stoves and tinware, and manufacturers 
 of galvanized iron cornice. Mr. Weis is a native of Hungary, and was born 
 March 19, 1846. Emigrated to the United States in 1864, and when he was 
 thirteen he began to learn the trade of tinner, serving five years. Upon coming 
 to the United States, he landed at New York City, where he stayed two weeks; 
 and after working in eighteen different States up to 187 1, he came to Kansas 
 City, and was employed by Charles Thomas. Worked for him until 1875, when 
 he became the partner of W. E. Zahner, and engaged in the present business 
 under the firm name of Zahner & Weis. March 20 1870, he married Miss Anna 
 Malone, of Osawatomie, Kansas. They have two children : Willie and Ina. 
 
 J. T. WELDEN, 
 
 Undertaker, was born in Syracuse, New York, May 22, 1825, and there lived 
 until eleven years of age. When seven years old he was bound out to a man 
 named C. C. Corkins, and removed with him to Indiana in 1836, remaining 
 under his charge until the age of seventeen. Then ran away from home, next 
 working with a Mr. Miller in the fanning mill business, where he continued for 
 five years. Then entered his office, taking charge of the entire business, after 
 the first year. His employer having died, he ran the business for some time, and 
 then commenced the carpenter and joiner's trade, which he followed for some 
 time. In 1 861 he enlisted as a private in Company D, 40th Indiana Infantry, 
 serving for four years, a part of the time on a gun-boat. Was honorably dis- 
 charged in 1865, then returned to his former home in Indiana. Afterwards re- 
 moved to Sidney Missouri, where he engaged in the mercantile business, carry- 
 ing on an extensive trade for a term of two years. In 1869 he came to Kansas 
 City, and embarked in his present business. He married Miss Anna Buckin- 
 ridge, Jannary 18, 1872, a native of IlHnois, where she was reared. They 
 have two daughters : Mattie and Gertie. 
 
 WILLIAM WESTON 
 
 Was born in Chester county. Pa., April 22, 1832. He served an apprenticeship 
 as bricklayer in Philadelphia, and went to Chicago in 1853, and went from there 
 to St. Joseph, in 1858. On the breaking out of the War, he enlisted in the 
 Union army, on the 28th of October, 1861, and served during the War. He 
 
KANSAS CITY. 863 
 
 was promoted from private to a lieutenant and then to the captain of his com- 
 pany. On his leaving the service in 1865, he came to Kansas City and engaged 
 in the manufacture of lime. He was elected councilman in the First ward, in 
 1870, for a two years term; but in the spring of 1871, he was legislated out of 
 office. He was re-elected in 1872, and was elected city treasurer in 1875, and 
 again in 1878. 
 
 EDWARD WEST, 
 
 Of the firm of Dehoney & West, proprietors of the Delmonico Hotel, West Fifth 
 street, was born on the 9th of June 1824, in Scott county, Kentucky, and at 
 eighteen years of age accompanied his parents to Jackson county, Missouri. 
 They settled four miles south of Independence, where Edward spent his boyhood 
 days on a farm. In 1847 his father died, and he took charge of the farm, and' 
 has been engaged in farming more or less since, except during the war, and has 
 also been considerable of a stock trader. He owns 80 acres of fine land in Cass 
 county, and has a homestead adjoining the town of Westport. On the 15th of 
 August r88o he became associated with Mr. Dehoney in the hotel business. 
 Their house is one of the largest in the city, and they are doing a first-class 
 business. Mr. West is one of the oldest settlers in the' county, and came here 
 when it was inhabited by Indians. There are only about two men living in the 
 city of Independence who were there when he came. He is now in the fifty- 
 seventh year of his age. He married Miss Susan M. Canine on the loth of 
 March, 1854. She is a native of Shelby county, Kentucky, and was born in 1836, 
 and was educated at the Shelbyville College. Their family consists of seven 
 children : James S. , CorneHus C. , Lizzie C. , Lula C. , Mary, WilHe and Emma G. 
 Himself, wife and four of the older children are members of the Baptist church. 
 He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to the Westport Lodge 
 No. 107. 
 
 HENRY P. WHITE, 
 
 Judge of the Criminal Court of Jackson county. Mo. The subject of this sketch 
 was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence county. New York, July 13, 1841, and there 
 resided until grown to manhood. He obtained his English education in the com- 
 mon schools of his native county, and subsequently was sent to St. Lawrence 
 Academy, which was located' at Potsdam, where he continued in school for some 
 time. Leaving this institution, he commenced the study of law with the firm of 
 E. and M. Creary, which afterward became Creary & Vance, and remained with 
 them until 1866. Then removed to Kansas City and commenced the practice of 
 his profession in which he exhibited marked ability. In 1868, he was elected 
 city attorney, and again in 1870, filling this office with much credit to himself, 
 and satisfaction to his constituents. In 1874, was elected Judge of the Criminal 
 Court, and was re-elected in 1880, which office he still holds. He married, on 
 the 27th day of October, 1875, ^^ss Euphemia DeLuce, of New York City, a 
 lady of cultivated and refined tastes. Their family consists of three children : 
 Mary DeLuce, Thomas P., and Charles H. 
 
 C. W. WHITEHEAD, 
 
 Real estate agent, was born on the 20th of November, 1842, in England, and 
 was, taken to the United States by his parents when about three years of age. 
 They settled in Orange county. New York, and Mr. W. spent his boyhood days 
 in the village of Walden. He learned the harness maker's trade in his youth. 
 Enlisted in Company H, 124th New York Volunteers in 1862, serving until the 
 close of the War, and was with the army all through the Virginia- campaign. At 
 the close of the war, he returned to his native village. He married Miss Mary 
 H., daughter of Dr. Charles Duke, of Newberg, in 1868. Their family consists 
 of one child living, C. Hallock. They lost one, Nellie. Mr. W. came to Kan- 
 
864 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 sas City in 187 1, and engaged in the real estate business, and is doing a good 
 trade. Himself and wife are members of the Second Presbyterian church. 
 
 R. C. WHITE, 
 
 Of the firm of White & Holmes, live stock commission merchants, is a native of 
 Estell county, Ky., and in 1843, with his parents, Joel and Elizabeth, moved to 
 Platte county, Mo., where they were engaged in agricultural pursuits and dealing 
 in stock. IniSss he engaged in the mercantile business in connection with the 
 stock business, and in 1857 came to Kansas City, where he was engaged in deal- 
 ing in stock. In 1873 he began in the commission trade. In 1876 formed a 
 partnership with the present firm. Was married to Miss Mary Bradshall, of 
 . Missouri, January 14, 1852. They have six children living: Viola, MolUe, Sue, 
 Joe, James and R. C. 
 
 ■JOHN T. WILSON, 
 
 Clerk of the Criminal Court of Jackson county. The subject of this sketch was 
 born in Boyle county, Ky., February 15, 1851. He was brought by his parents 
 to Jackson county. Mo., in 1852, locating at Independence, where he received 
 his early education at the common schools of that city. A greater part of his 
 youth was spent on a farm. In 1869 he entered the Commercial College of St. 
 Louis, Mo., and continued his studies until 1870, when he graduated. After- 
 ward had quite a mercantile experience in many different establishments. In 
 1875 ^6 received the appointment of Clerk of the Criminal Court, by Gov. 
 Hardin, to fill an unexpired-t'erm. In the fall of 1876 was elected to the office 
 of Clerk of the Crimnal Court, which he still continues to hold. He married Miss 
 Carrie Mason December 17, 1879. She is a native of Missouri, and born and 
 reared in Jackson county. 
 
 JOHN R. WILLIAMSON, 
 
 Proprietor of the Great Western Laundry, was born in Columbia county, Ohio, 
 August 12, 1843. He began to maintain himself at fourteen, leaving his par- 
 ents at that age, and going to Goshen, Indiana. There worked in his brother's 
 carriage shop, working with him for two years, when. he went to Oskaloosa, Iowa, 
 where he made his home with his parents and worked in a woolen mill for three 
 years. Then he went to Davenport and was employed in a flour and feed store 
 until 1862, when he enhsted in Company D, 20th Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and 
 served until the close of the war. After being mustered out at St. Louis in 1865 
 he remained in that city and engaged in the grocery and other business until 1870, 
 when he came to Kansas City. Before coming to the city, however, he had the 
 misfortune to lose all he had accumulated, and had to begin again at the foot of 
 the ladder. He engaged in the laundry business on a small scale, and by hard 
 work and economy he has built up a large business. In 1879 he erected a large 
 building, 32x93, and three stories high, and furnished it with all the modern im- 
 provements for laundry purposes. September 15, 1867, he married Miss Bridget 
 A. McGillick, of St. Louis, by whom he has three children : Theodore P. (born 
 at St. Louis, July 13, 1868,) Albert F. (born August 3, 1873), ^^'^ Johnnie (born 
 April 3, 1878, both in- Kansas City). Himself and wife are Catholics and mem- 
 bers of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. 
 
 JOHN W. WITHERS 
 
 Was born in Union District, South Carolina, January 29, 1817, and at the age of 
 seventeen years removed to Alabama, remaining until 1848. From here he went 
 to Mississippi, where he continued to live until 1856, when he came to Kansas 
 City. He at once commenced carpentering, building and contracting, and fol- 
 lowed it until he retired. He is an old settler here, and was the first to erect a 
 log house near the vicinity of Sixteenth street and Broadway. At this time 
 
KANSAS CITY. 865- 
 
 Kansas City principally existed on the. Levee, and Mr. Withers has seen it grow 
 to a city of nearly 60,000. The buildings he erected can be counted by the 
 score. He has been a hard working, industrious citizen, and deserves his success. 
 In 1846 he married Miss Elizabeth P. Lancaster, of Spartenburg district, South 
 Carolina. They have nine children living: Samuel C, James M., Wilham L., 
 Lulu A., Mary L., Benjamin F., C. Walter, George M. and Cordelia. 
 
 JOHN W. WOFFORD, 
 
 Attorney, was born in Habersham County, Georgia, August 14, 1837. He is a 
 lawyer of large practice and a member of the Jackson County, Mo., bar. 
 
 PETER WOLTERS, 
 
 Was born in Amsterdam, Holland, December 17, 1830, and was there brought 
 up and educated. When twenty-four years of age he left there and came to 
 America, settling at Atchison, Kan. At the age of thirteen he commenced learn- 
 ing the trade of tailor, at which he worked while living in that cour;,ty. After 
 going to Atchison he was engaged at the boot and shoe business for about seven 
 years, and then removed to a farm two and a half miles from the city. After 
 living thereon for twelve years he returned to Atchison, remaining for two years 
 when he came to Kansas City, where he commenced the grocery business, in which 
 he has since continued. Mr, Wolters has been twice married. First, to Miss 
 Peterman, who died in 1856, leaving six children: John, Minnie, Mary, Lizzie, 
 Anna and Peter. Mrs. May, his present wife, was born and educated in Holland. 
 She came to America in October, 1873, and immediately after her arrival was 
 married. She takes charge of the store, but is now on a visit to Europe. They 
 have two children : Edward and Anna. 
 
 I. B. WOODSON, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, was born in Nicholasville, Kentucky, August 23, 1845, 
 residing in his native city until twelve years of age. His early education was 
 obtained in the common schools, and in 1856 he removed with his parents to 
 Bloomington, Illinois, his father's occupation being that of a farmer. In the 
 same year the subject of this sketch entered the State Wesleyan University, in 
 which institution he took a regular course. Then commenced the study of medi- 
 cine under the direction of Dr. Parke, of Bloomington, one of the leading phy- 
 sicians of the place, and received the appointment from the United States Gov- 
 ernment as surgeon in the Russian Army during the Crimean war. In this he 
 greatly distinguished himself. In the summer of 1866 he entered the Chicago 
 Medical College, graduating from this institution in 1868. From there he came 
 immediately to Kansas City and commenced the practice of his profession, where 
 he enjoys a lucrative business and has been closely identified with many interests 
 of his adopted city. On the 2nd day of October, 1872, he was married to Miss 
 Minnie P. Myers, of Chicago, Illinois, a native of Woodford County, and the 
 daughter of Judge J. C. Myers. 
 
 JUDGE WILLIAM T. WOOD 
 
 Was born on the farm of his father at Gordon Station, Mercer county, K'y., 
 March 25, 1806. Mr. Wood was licensed as. a lawyer in December, 1828, at 
 nineteen years of age, and about the first of January, 1829, left Kentucky on 
 horseback for Missouri, reaching the home of his brother. General Jesse T. 
 Wood, in Columbia, Boone county, on the isth of the same month, after a 
 fatiguing journey. In 1830, at the age of twenty-one, he was appointed clerk of 
 the county court of Clay, and after holding the office four or five years, -resigned, 
 but was soon appointed by Governor Lilburn W. Boggs, circuit attorney of that 
 district. This office he filled with great acceptabihty for several years. In 1837 
 55 — 
 
866 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 the " Piatt Purchase " was annexed to the State of Missouri by act of Congress. 
 Mr. Wood was chosen as one of the committee to draft a petition to Congress, 
 and was afterwardelected by the committee to prepare the document, which he 
 did. Having lived in Liberty, Clay county, from July, 1829, he practiced there 
 until 1845, then moving to Lexington. A few years previous to this he was 
 elected to the Legislature. In 1854 he was elected judge of the Circuit Court, 
 and in 1856 resigned this position and moved to St. Louis, and re-entered the 
 practice. In the early part of January, 1861, just previous to the Civil War, the 
 city was under great excitement, and Judge Wood was appointed one of a com- 
 mittee to prepare action for a general and public meeting. In this he rendered 
 efficient help. In 1865 he returned to Lexington, and twice after his return was 
 elected judge of the sixth judicial district. He came to Kansas City in Janu- 
 ary, 1 88 1, where he established himself in the practice of his profession. He 
 has been three times married. First to Miss Eliza A. Hughes, by whom he 
 had one son : Carroll H. His second wife was Miss Maria H. Payne, by 
 whom he had two sons : Payne and T. C. The third marriage was to Miss 
 Mary E. Broadwell. They have two children : a son, M. L. , and Maria. 
 
 MRS. R. M. YATES, 
 
 Daughter of Rev. John S. Major and Lucinda S. Slaughter, was born in Franklin 
 county, K.y., six miles southwest of Frankfort, and was married October 5, 1847, 
 by Rev. William Blanton, to Johnson J., son of Samuel and Nancy Yates, of 
 Mt Sterling, Montgomery county, Ky. They moved onto a farm on the Louis- 
 ville pike, three miles from Frankfort, and there resided until Mr. Yates' demise, 
 in August, 1868. In accordance with his request, our subject sold out and 
 moved to Missouri, having relatives in this State. After traveHng for some time 
 she came to Kansas City, in 1872, and purchased a lot, corner of Eleventh and 
 McGee streets, erecting thereon a fine brick residence. After living there a year 
 or so she went north for her 'health, and finally settled in Sparta, Wis., remain- 
 ing five years. Her health being restored she returned to Kansas City, and has 
 since resided here. In the summer of 1880 she bought a double lot on Grand 
 avenue, between Tenth and Eleventh streets, and built what is now known as 
 "The Hotel de Yates," a large, double three-story brick, containing thirty-seven 
 rooms and spacious halls. Is centrally located, and in all respects a fine house. 
 Mrs. Yates is quite a poetical contributor to the Saturday Evening Herald. 
 
 G. YEOMATSr, 
 
 Provision and Commission Merchant, was born near Delphi, Delaware county, 
 New York, where he was reared, and among his school fellows was the million- 
 aire. Jay Gould. He left his native town in 1857, and went to Manchester, Iowa, 
 where he engaged in the lumber business until 1869, when he came to Kansas 
 City and estabhshed himself in his present business, it being a local trade, doing 
 business with country merchants. His business aggregates $16,000 annually. 
 In 1859, he married Miss Marcellie Gillespie, of Manchester, Iowa. They have 
 two children : Mary and Harvey. The latter is collector in the Savings Bank of 
 Kansas City. 
 
 ALBERT YOUNG, 
 
 Of the firm of Alderson Sz: Young, is a native of the State of Maryland, and was 
 born June 3, 1853, in St. Mary county, on the western shore, about thirty miles 
 south of Washington, D. C. Mr. Young's ancestors upon his mother's side were, 
 and are at present, prominently connected with the political and educational in- 
 terests of that State. His father and grandfather were engaged in the mercantile 
 business and ocean navigation. The subject of this sketch was graduated at Char- 
 lotte Hall College, Md., in 187 1, and in September of that year removed to Mis- 
 sissippi, near the City of Natchez, where he taught school, and began the study 
 
KANSAS CITY. 867 
 
 of law. In September, 1873, ^^ moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he received an 
 appointment as eorresponderit in the office of Gen. Frank P. Blair, then recently 
 appointed State Insurance Commissioner. Here he continued the study ot law 
 under Hon. Alexander Martin, and was licensed to practice during March, 1877. 
 In the latter part of 1878 he located in DeSoto, Mo., about forty miles from St. 
 Louis, on the Iron Mountain Railroad. Here he held the position of city attor- 
 ney until March, 1880, when he removed to Kansas City, Mo., and formed a law 
 copartnership with W. A. Alderson, Esq. , and here has resided up to date. 
 
 EDWARD YOUNG, 
 
 Veterinary surgeon, was born in Richmond, Va., June 10, 1847, ^■nd resided 
 there until 1869. He commenced the study of medicine with James Clark, a 
 prominent physician of that city, and then entered Washington College, of Rich- 
 mond, continuing therein for two years. After this he went to the Surgical In- 
 stitution of Baltimore, where he took a regular course of lectures, and upon leav- 
 ing this, removed to Montreal, Canada. At this place he went before a board of 
 eminent surgeons, and passed a thorough examination in the Third Surgical 
 Institute of London. He received his diploma, and after this returned to Vir- 
 ginia, but soon engaged in traveling over the Western States. In 1875 he 
 came to Kansas City, and has been engaged in practicing since, having built up 
 a good practice. 
 
 ZENITH MILLING COMPANY. 
 
 This firm was organized in 1880. The mill was built by Miller and Young, and 
 when the present company was organized, the purchase was made and the mill 
 became known as the Zenith Mill. They have six run of burrs, one set of rol- 
 lers, and are capable of turning out two hundred barrels of flour per day. They 
 are doing a large business, ship extensively to eastern markets, besides doing a 
 good custom work. Chas. A. Young, who is Secretary 'and Treasurer of the 
 company, is a native of Philadelphia, Penn., and became a resident of Kansas 
 City November i, 1879. 
 
 «|— SI 
 
 _rj_j , . ^_|^ _@->^ 
 
BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 INDEPENDENCE. 
 
 JAMES W. ADAMS, 
 
 Carpenter and contractor, was born in Fauquier county, Va., February 25, 1828, 
 and in 1844, he apprenticed himself to learn the carpenter and joiner's trade. 
 October 26, 1858, he moved to California, Moniteau county. Mo., where he re- 
 mained seventeen months, and then moved to Tipton, same county, there resid- 
 ing two years. engaged at his trade. He then acted as fireman on the Terre 
 Haute & St. Louis Railroad, retaining this position about ten months. In Feb- 
 ruary, 1865, he moved to Nebraska, and remained till December 2, 1865, when 
 he located in Independence, Mo. Was married to Miss Elizabeth Stinson, of 
 Cooper county. Mo., June 25, 1861. 
 
 A. F. ANDERSON, 
 
 Lumber merchant. The subject of this sketch was born in Guernsey county, 
 Ohio, in 1834. His parents died when he was a child, and when about ten years 
 old he went to Wheeling, Va., where he spent about four years, then moved to 
 Cincinnati, Ohio, where he learned the cabinet making trade, and pursued that 
 as a vocation there, and in Louisville, Kentucky, until 1855, when he went to 
 Kansas, locating at Leavenworth. There he learned the carpenter's trade, and, 
 in the spring of 1857, came to Independence. In 1865, he engaged in the lumber 
 business, and has since given it his entire attention. In 1868, he was married to 
 Mrs Amanda Castleman, widow of William Castleman. Her maiden name was 
 Johnson. Mr. A. is a man of public spirit and enterprise, and has done much 
 for the advancement of this town. Has been successful as a business man, and 
 is now doing a large trade in lumber, lath, shingles, etc. 
 
 M. W. ANDERSON, 
 
 Was born in Jackson county. Mo., December 20, 1836, and was there brought up 
 and acquired an education. His time was employed in farming until 1859, when 
 he was appointed deputy sheriff, holding that position for two years. In i860, 
 he was elected township constable, which position he held about one year and a 
 half, then going to Mexico. He returned again in 1864, and again engaged in 
 farming, in which he continued until 1868, again being appointed deputy sheriff. 
 Filling this office about two years, in 1872, he was elected revenue collector of 
 Jackson county, and held the position for four years. In 1875, ^^ connected 
 himself with the banking house now known as Anderson, Chiles & Co., and also 
 embarked in the fine stock business. He was treasurer of the Jackson County 
 Breeder's Association, and proprietor of the Glendale herd of short-horn cattle. 
 Is the owner of a valuable farm comprising 320 acres, within two miles of this 
 city. His marriage occurred in 1861, to Miss Julia, daughter of Robert Daniel. 
 She is a native of Independence. They have a family of two children : Katie E. 
 and Nellie. Have lost one, an infant. 
 
 D. BULLORD, 
 
 Ticket agent, of the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company, was born in Philadel- 
 phia, Penn., October 2r, 1855, and when quite young was taken by his parents 
 to Niles, Michigan. He was there reared and educated, and when about fifteen 
 years of age commenced learning the art of telegraphy. Worked at the trade 
 there for a short time and then removed to Springfield, Mo., remaining two 
 years, when he commenced traveling through the southwestern part of the State. 
 
INDEPENDENCE. 869 
 
 He was employed at various places, but finally settled in St. Louis, where for 
 three years he was engaged by the Missouri Pacific Company. First held the 
 position of clerk to the superintendent, and afterward operator. January 6, 1879, 
 he took charge of his present office, which requires considerable skill and energy 
 as two roads arrive at this point. 
 
 CHARLTON E. BEATTY, 
 
 Editor of ihe NizUonai Crisis, was born in Independence, Mo., June nth, 1851. 
 His early youth was spent in acquiring an education which he completed in his 
 native town. In 1866 he entered the printing office of the Independence Mes- 
 senger where he was employed until 1868, and then became connected with the 
 Independence Democrat, and continued about one year. Was engaged in -^oxV- 
 ing on the Kansas City -fi'wwzVzg' iViwj, where he remained until 1870, and then 
 came to Independence and established the Independence Daily Herald. This 
 he conducted for about three months, and next established the Daily Enterprise, 
 and after about thirty days removed it to Moberly, Mo. There in connection 
 with Messrs. G. B. Kelley, Robert Freeman and A. J. Knowles, he conducted 
 it until 1876, and then returned to Independence and established the Indepen- 
 dence Democrat. In 1877 it passed out of existence, and on the i6th of Au- 
 gust of that year, he established the National Crisis, which he has conducted with 
 an untiring zeal. He was married, December 22, 1874, in Independence, to 
 Miss Cordelia F. Atkinson, a native of Independence. They have three child- 
 ren living ; Charlton A., William and Harvey. 
 
 D. I. CALDWELL, 
 
 County Commissioner of schools, was born in Madison county, Kentucky, on 
 Nov. 7, 181 1. His early youth was spent on a farm, but most of his time was 
 devoted to acquiring an education, which he completed at Center College of 
 Danville, graduating from that institution in 1832. He immediately took charge 
 of a school in Jessamine county, Ky., and conducted it until 1834, when he 
 came to Missouri, and settled at Loutre, Warren county. Here he taught a large 
 private school, for about one year and six months, and then returned to his native 
 county in Kentucky. On January 22, 1838, he was married to Miss Catherine B. 
 Clark, a native of Jessamine county, Ky. Mr. Caldwell then went to Howard 
 county. Mo., where he was engaged in farming for about two years, when he 
 again devoted his time to school teaching. In 1847 he moved to Independence, 
 and has since made it his home, devoting his entire time to the advancement of 
 education. In November 1869 he was elected commissioner of schools, and with 
 the exception of two years has held the office since. It was at the earnest solici- 
 tation of the people that he allowed himself to become a candidate. That he has 
 rendered much valuable service in the cause of education may be inferred from 
 the fact that his elections to office were always brought about without any effort 
 on his part. He has done much for Independence and Jackson county. Although 
 advanced in years he still retains the vigor of his manhood, and continues to 
 labor zealously for the welfare of his fellow men. His family consists of three 
 children: Thomas C, James S. and Fannie. 
 
 HON. WILLIAM CHRISMAN 
 
 Was born in Fayette couuty, Ky., November 23, 1822, and is the son of Joseph 
 and Elenor H. Chrisman. His father was a farmer in comfortable circumstances, 
 who took great interest in his childrens' future welfare, in affording them means 
 for a thorough education. When not attending school, the subject of our sketch 
 was employed on the farm. His early education was received at a private school 
 taught by Rev. Lyman W. Seeley, who afterward became a professor in George- 
 town College, Kentucky. Young Chrisman became a student at that institution 
 
870 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 and graduated at Centre College, Kentucky, with the degree of A. B., and after- 
 ward received the degree of A. M. in course. In addition to the regular classic 
 course he learned to read with fluency several of the modern languages, and after 
 leaving college, he taught school. He made choice of law as a profession, and 
 after a thorough preparation was admitted to the bar in Kentucky in 1847. In 
 1848 he came to Jackson county, Missouri, and settled in Independence, which ' 
 has since been his home. He formed a partnership with Abram Comingo, Esq., 
 of Kentucky, and at once entered upon the practice of law, his profession, and 
 such was the attention he gave to his business and the tireless interest manifested 
 in the cause of his chents, that he sopn built up a lucrative business, which con- 
 tinued to increase up to the time hfe withdrew from the practice in 1869. His 
 partnership with Mr. Comingo continued until early in the late War, when it was 
 dissolved by mutual consent. He soon after formed a partnership with Hon. 
 Samuel L. Sawyer, of Lexington, Mo., which existed until his withdrawal from 
 the practice in 1869, to devote his time to his large private interests, particularly 
 to banking, in connection with which he has devoted considerable attention to 
 the improvement of his landed estate. He has never sought but studiously 
 avoided office, but in 1874, without solicitation on his part, he was elected a del- 
 egate to the Constitutional Convention in 1875, and in that assembly there was 
 no one who inspired more confidence in his integrity, his abihty and knowledge 
 of constitutional law. In 1857 he, with a few others, organized a bank at Inde- 
 pendence, known as the Independence Savings Institution, which has continued 
 under different names until the present time, and is now known as the 
 Chrisman-Sawyer Banking Company ; and in all of the changes the bank has 
 undergone he has been one of its directors, and to his financial skill and manage- 
 ment is to be attributed much of its present high character. He was one of the 
 organizers of the first National Bank of Indepence, and from the first incorpora- 
 tion has been a director and stock holder. In educational matters he has always 
 been prominent and took an active part in founding and establishing the Inde- 
 pendence Female College, and furnished most of the money for erecting the 
 building. He contributed liberally to put in operation the Independence Library, 
 and in making it a credit and benefit to the town and community. Scarcely a 
 public enterprise calculated to advance the religious, social or commercial interests 
 of the community for a quarter of a century, has failed to secure his sympathy or 
 support; and he has been foremost in aiding every worthy cause with his influence 
 and means. Few men have lived more quietly and unostentatiously or exerted a 
 greater influence on the community than Mr. Chrisman; would we had more 
 such men. He married Miss Lucie A. Lee, of Danville, Ky , May 10, 1848, a 
 lady whose graces of mind and person have endeared her to all who enjoy her 
 acquaintance. Their family consists of two children: George L. and Maggie, 
 wife of Mr. Logan O. Swope. Their second son, James, died at the age of nine- 
 teen, while attending Westminster College at Fulton, Mo. 
 
 C. C. CHILES, 
 
 Banker. Prominent among the pioneers of Jackson county, who are indentified 
 with its growth and development, is the subject of this sketch, who was born in 
 Clarke county, Kentucky, in 1831. His father brought him to Jackson county 
 when a mere infant, settling in Fort Osage Township in the autumn of 1831. 
 When about fifteen years of age, our subject engaged in the mercantile business, 
 and continued it until 1854, when he commenced farming. In 1875 he engaged 
 in the banking business in connection with his farming and stock business. Mr. 
 Chiles is virtually selfmade and self-educated, as he began business for himself 
 with very limited capital. What he now has is the result of his own labor. He 
 is in possession of several fine stock farms in different parts of Jackson county, 
 and has taken quite an interest in the breeding of fine stock. He is a prominent 
 member and a director of the Jackson County Breeders' Association. He has 
 
INDEPENDENCE. 871 
 
 witnessed nearly the entire growth and prosperity of Jackson county; has always 
 been identified with its interests, and has seen many changes come and go. He 
 was married in this county in 1857, to Miss Anna M. Haller, a native of Penn- 
 sylvania. They have three children: Lizzie G., Mamie C. and C. C. 
 
 CAPTAIN CORNELL CRYSLER, 
 Postmaster. The subject of this sketch was born in Auburn, New York, Septem- 
 ber 27, 1829, and when about six years of age, his father moved to Syra- 
 cuse, same State. There he made his home until 1868, receiving his education 
 at Onondaga Academy, Monroe Collegiate Institute and the State University 
 at Albany, and graduated from the law department of the latter in 1854. He 
 immediately began the practice of his profession, and followed it until the break- 
 ing out of the War. In 1862 he organized and was appointed captain of Company 
 D, of the 1 2 2d New York Infantry, which position he held until resigning in 
 1863, at Fredricksburg, Virginia. He then returned to Syracuse, and asso- 
 ciated himself with Judge Reigel, and continued the practice of law until 
 his removal to Independence, in 1868. He was appointed postmaster in 
 1873, which office he has since held. He was married in the State of New 
 York in 1852, to Miss Nancy W. Dunlap, a native of that State. They have two 
 children: Franc, wife of John SuUivan, and Charles S., an attorney here. Mr. 
 Crysler has held many offices and positions of pubhc trust, and always to the en- 
 tire satisfaction of his constituents. He was justice of the peace in the State of 
 New York four years, county superintendent of schools for two terms; and was 
 appointed assistant United States marshal for the census of 1870. 
 
 CHARLES S. CRYSLER, 
 
 Attorney, was born in Syracuse, New York, on the 21st day of September, 1856. 
 When about eleven years of age he moved with his parents to Independence. 
 His early youth was spent in the pursuits of agriculture, and he began the study 
 of law when very young and has pursued it with an admirable zeal. In 1874 he 
 entered the post-office as assistant. He attended the State University at Albany, 
 New York, during its sessions of 1876-7 and 1877-8, graduating from the law de- 
 partment in the spring of 1878. He then went to St. Louis and engaged in 
 book-keeping for a commission firm until the spring of 1879. Also pursued his 
 legal studies at the Washington University of that city. In the spring of 1879 
 he came to Independence and was admitted to the bar at Kansas City. In Sep- 
 tember, 1880, he laid out an addition to Independence known as Cottage place. 
 On the first day of October, 1879, he was married to Miss Harriet E. Child, a 
 native of Vermont. As an attorney, Mr. Crysler stands near the head of his pro- 
 fession, and has already distinguished himself in civil and criminal courts. 
 
 W. A. CUNNINGHAM, 
 
 Merchant, was born in Bath County, Kentucky, October 19, 1836, and was there 
 educated and reared. He came to Independence in the spring of 1866 and in 
 1878 engaged in mercantile business and now carries on an extensive grocery 
 business on the south side of the square ; he is also engaged in the fine stock 
 business, being in possession of a valuable farm of 150 acres, one mile south of 
 Independence, which is devoted to stock raising. He has held many places of 
 public trust in Jackson County, has been mayor of Independence. These duties he 
 always discharged creditably. He was married September i, 1864, in Bath Coun- 
 ty, Kentucky, to Miss Annie Hughes, a native of that county. They have two 
 children living : Sadie and Lawrence. 
 
872 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 D. C. ENTREKIN, 
 
 Retired farmer, was born in Ross County, Ohio, September 21, 1814, and spent 
 his boyhood days on a farm, receiving a common school education. Was there 
 engaged in farming until he came to this county in the fall of 1868, when he set- 
 tled in Independence and engaged extensively in farming and stock raising. He 
 now owns 750 acres of land in Clay County, Mo., and 350 in this county, all of 
 which is well improved. He also owns considerable town property. Mr. Entre- 
 kin was married in November, 1839, to Miss Jane Tarbert, a native of Pickaway 
 County, Ohio, born May 9, 1816. They have three children : Nannie (now Mrs. 
 Momyer), Mary and Jennie; one is deceased — Torbert. He and his family are 
 members of the Presbyterian Church, of which he is an elder. 
 
 FORBIS & WAIT. 
 
 It is a lamentable fact that few men get full credit for their deeds and acts, or 
 are fully appreciated in the age in which they live. The rancor and turmoil 
 of business strife warp the judgement and render impossible a true and impartial- 
 verdict, which is only reached after a calm retrospective review of a life's strug- 
 gle; yet the writer has found a man in whom is embodied these admirable 
 qualities of energy, strict business integrity and an untiring zeal in advancing 
 the business resources and social well-being of his town. Such a man is Mr. J. 
 B. Forbis, Jr., of the above firm, who are to be found on the east side of the 
 Public Square, occupying a handsome three-story building, 150x30 feet. We 
 find it well filled with a large and carefully selected stock of Charter Oak cook 
 stoves and ranges. Garland base burners, Denmark retorts, soft coal burners, 
 Eagle cultivators, plows, hay rakes, stalk cutters, breaking plows. Champion 
 corn planters, hay stacker and grain drills. They also handle the justly cele- 
 brated Empire reapers and mowers, as well as the favorite Singer and Domestic 
 sewing machines, and in fact a full line of shelf and heavy hardware. The house 
 was established in February, 1880, and out of justice to the young firm we must 
 say that no firm in Jackson county has a better reputation for honest, upright 
 dealing and reliability of goods, and as they are endeavoring to win a reputation 
 in the great struggle for prominence, they are fully alive to the interests of their 
 patrons, and are willing to promote the well-beiug of them, even at a sacrifice of 
 their own time and money. 
 
 GEORGE A. FRANKLIN, 
 
 Liveryman, is a native of the most popular county of Missouri, familiarly known 
 as Jackson, and was born December 11, 1850. The population of said county 
 was increased by one who, by the attentive care of its overseers, has grown 
 into manhood, and is named as the subject of this sketch. He did not spend his 
 time hunting and fishing during his days under fifteen years, but made use of his 
 physical strength on his father's farm. His early education was obtained in the 
 common schools, and when fifteen years of age his father moved to Independ- 
 ence, where he attended the High school two years. In 1867 he entered the 
 William Jewell College of Liberty, Clay county, Missouri, where he was for three 
 terms busily engaged in mental labor. He then returned to Independence and 
 embarked in the hardware business with his father, it being conducted under the 
 firm name of W. H. Franklin & Sons. In 1875 he disposed of the store and 
 moved on a farm and was engaged in tiOing the soil till September, 1879, when 
 he removed to Independence and engaged in his present occupation. Miss Alice 
 Wilson, of this county, became his wife May 3, 187 1. Two children were the 
 fruit of this union : one boy, WilHam F., and One girl, Effie. 
 
INDEPENDENCE. 873 
 
 D. F. HARTMAN, 
 
 Dealer in saddles and harness, was born in Indianapolis, Ind., January 31, 1837, 
 and there spent his early youth. In 1840 he moved to Warsaw, Ind., and 
 learned the trade of saddle and harness maker, following it as a vocation until 
 1863. He visited California, and after a stay of a few months returned to Indi- 
 ana, where he remained until 1865, then coming to this county. Soon after, he 
 embarked in the saddle and harness business, which he has continued with 
 marked success. He darries a well-assorted stock, and being a superior work- 
 man, finds a ready sale for his goods. Although commencing with nothing, he 
 has now acquired a comfortable competency. In 1858 he was married to Miss 
 A. L. Evans, a native of Indiana. Their family consists of six children : Lillie, 
 Erastus, Winnie B. , Charles M. , Belle, and Jessie. Four died in infancy. 
 
 JONATHAN HILL, 
 
 Retired. His father, Isaac Hill, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of English 
 descent, and his mother, Nancy Henry, a native of Virginia, and of English and 
 German descent. The subject of this sketch was born in Brown county, Ohio, 
 February 4, 1822, receiving the advantages of a limited common school educa- 
 tion. In December, 1841, he drifted westward and located in Carroll county. 
 Mo., at the point called Hill's Landing, his brother having located at the same 
 place a year previous, from which originated the name. At this time he was in 
 very meagre circumstances, and worked the first year for fifty cents a day, but by 
 using good judgment, and being economical, he accumulated a sufficient amount 
 of money to purchase a half interest in the Landing. This he retained till 1850, 
 when he went to California and was there engaged in mining about six months. 
 After returning to Carroll county. Mo., he followed painting for the next three 
 years, when he went to Miles' Point, and until July, 1864, was engaged in the 
 mercantile trade. On account of the war he removed his goods to Carrollton, 
 and there disposed of them, after which he was engaged as book keeper till the 
 close of the war. Afterward returned to Miles' Point, where he was engaged in 
 farming and trading in real estate. Since November, 1870, he has been a mem- 
 ber of the Carroll Exchahge Bank, of Carrollton, Mo., owning a one-tenth con- 
 trolling interest, of which the capital stock and surplus funds amount to over 
 $100,000. Having no desire for further continuance in business, and being a 
 great advocate of education, and feeling a great interest in the welfare of his fam- 
 ily, he concluded to seek a home where might be found all the educational facili- 
 ties required, and so located in Independence in 1874. He has been twice mar- 
 ried. First to Miss Harriet Ridgell, of Kentucky November 22, i860. She 
 died June 7, 1863, leaving one child, Harriet A. Johanna B. Glasser, of Swit- 
 zerland, became his second wife May 5, 1864. By this union they have five 
 children: Anna V., Minnie M., Viola B., Bertie E., and May E. 
 
 BENJAMIN HOLMES, 
 
 County Treasurer, is the son of Silas and Nancy Holmes, and is a native of 
 Jackson county, Missouri ; born August 8, 1846. He was here educated, receiv- 
 ing his primary education in common schools, after which he completed this 
 course in the High school of Kansas City. Was raised an agriculturist and stock 
 raiser, and followed the same till 1877, when he moved to Kansas City, and 
 immediately engaged in the live stock commission business, as one of the firm of 
 Holmes & Lail. In December, 1878, he was elected to fill the office of county 
 treasurer, and moved to Independence. Was re-elected in November, 1880. 
 Mr. Holmes was married to Miss Emma E. Laws, October 18, 1869. She is also 
 a native of this county, and was born January 15, 1849. They have one child, 
 Mattie (born August 31, 1872). 
 
874 BIOGRAPHICAL., 
 
 C. JACKSON, 
 
 Physician and surgeon. The subject of this sketch was born in Howard county, 
 Missouri, in 1842, and when quite young entered the William Jewell College, at 
 Liberty, Clay county. After receiving a liberal education there, he attended the 
 Jefferson Medical College, during its session of 1866-7 and 1867-8, graduating 
 in the spring of '68. Then moved to Kansas City, where he practiced until 
 1874. He assisted in organizing the Kansas City Medical College, where he 
 devoted two years to the study of anatomy. In 187 1 he was married in Platte 
 county, Missouri, to Miss A. A. Perry, a native of that county. In 1874 he 
 moved to Independence, where he has since resided. The doctor is of the alopathic 
 persuasion, a close student and successful practitioner, and now enjoys a large 
 practice. He is public spirited, and a zealous worker in forwarding all commend- 
 able enterprises which might promote the well-being of the county. 
 
 S. K. KNOX, 
 
 Capitalist, was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, March 16, 1837, and 
 was there educated and resided until eighteen years of age. In 1855 he emi- 
 grated to Illinois, and learned the art of telegraphy with the Ohio & Missouri 
 Railroad, and took charge of an office at Sumner, Illinois, where he was also 
 interested in manufacturing. Remained there about ten years, and, it not agreeing 
 with his health, he came to Jackson county, and was engaged in farming for five 
 years. Thence to Independence, where he embarked in the grain and also the 
 mercantile business, the latter at Blue Springs. In the spring of 1879, he closed 
 out his business here, and went to Colorado, and engaged in mining, in which he 
 is still interested. His farm consists of 320 acres, and upon it are eleven springs, 
 making it one of the finest stock, as well as grain, farms in the county. He has 
 now in process of erection a residence in this city, which will be an ornament to 
 the town. Previous to coming here, Mr. Knox employed a physician by the 
 year, and since then, in a family of seven, has only called an outside physician 
 about five times. His marriage was in December, 1861, to Miss Jennie Christy, 
 a native of Illinois, born in April, 1839. They have a family of five children: 
 Anna, Charles E., Mary A., Rodger C, and Andrew C. Mr. and Mrs. Knox 
 and their eldest daughter are members of the Presbyterian Church. He has been 
 a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 M. LARKIN, 
 
 Of the firm of Larkin & Son, proprietors of livery, feed and sale stable, and also 
 of the 'bus line, was born in Brooklyn, Pennsylvania, May 28, 1848, and when 
 but a small boy he, with his parents, moved to Canada, where they remained 
 about three years. Then removed to Wisconsin, residing there nearly four 
 years, and then came to Independence. He is an experienced man in the livery 
 business, having followed it from boyhood. 
 
 JACOB LEADER. 
 
 Among the many pioneers of Jackson county is the subject of this sketch, who 
 was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, on the 4th of December, 1814. 
 His early youth was spent in acquiring an education, and when he was about 
 seventeen years of age he learned the wagon making trade, and has since made it 
 his vocation. In November, 1834, he moved to Pittsburgh, where he remained 
 until the following spring, when he went to St. Louis. Remained about six 
 months and then went to Taswell county, Illinois, thence to Jackson county, 
 settling in Independence where he remained about one year. Returned to 
 Taswell county, where he was married in 1839 to Miss Effie J. Eades, a native of 
 Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. In the summer of 1840 he came again to Inde- 
 pendence, where he engaged in the pursuits of his trade. In 1849 he went to 
 
INDEPENDENCE. 875 
 
 California, and in 1851 returned to Independence, and has since made it his 
 home. Their family consists of one child living: Mary C, (wife of M. C. 
 Masters, of Independence) ; have lost three. Mr. Leader has witnessed much of 
 the growth of Jackson county, and has always taken a warm interest in its welfare. 
 He has seen many changes come,to Independence; has seen it through its years of 
 peace and prosperity, as well as its years of war and pestilence. Politically he 
 was of the Democratic faith until the breaking out of the war, and since then he 
 has been identified with the Republican party. In 1862 he was appointed to fill 
 the ofiftce of county judge, by Governor Gamble, and afterward by Governor 
 Fletcher. He has been elected to the city council for seven or eight terms. 
 Was also a member of the first public school board for four years, and has held 
 many other positions of public trust, and always with credit to himself and satis- 
 faction to the public, and has attained the confidence and esteem of the citizens 
 of the county. He is a man of continued industry, devoting his entire attention to 
 the pursuits of his trade. 
 
 E. E. LEWIS, 
 
 Druggist. This enterprising young business man was born in Muskingum county, 
 Ohio, May 24, 1861. He there spent his early youth in acquiring an education 
 and prepairing himself for the drug business. In the spring of 1877 he went to 
 Abiline, Kansas, where he engaged in the drug business, and also attended the 
 Kansas State University, during the term of 1878-9, devoting his time to the 
 study of chemistry and pharmacy, in 'which branches he is very proficient. In 
 the autumn of 1880 he came to Independence and established his present business, 
 and is now doing a good trade in drugs, medicines, fancy goods, etc. 
 
 CAPTAIN SCHUYLER LOWE, 
 
 Stock agent for the Missouri Pacific Railway Co. , at Kansas City Stock Yards. 
 The subject of this sketch is a native of Kentucky and was born in Washington 
 county, January 30, 1834. Was reared on a farm m his native county. October 
 8, 1853, he arrived in Jackson county. Mo.', and in the summer of 1854, began 
 clerking in a drug store for James McClanaham, remaining with him until the fol- 
 lowing spring. Then he accepted a position in the dry goods store of G. W. 
 Arnold, retaining this position until the summer of 1857, when he purchased a half 
 interest in a drug store, the firm name being Lowe & McMurry. He waj in this 
 business till the fall of 1858, when he disposed of his share and engaged in the 
 insurance business till the spring of i860. Then again embarked in the drug 
 business, being sole proprietor, which he pursued until the beginning of the War. 
 In June, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, ist Cavalry, Missouri State Guards of 
 General Raines' division ; was sworn in as captain and acted as such until Feb- 
 ruary, 1862, when he again enlisted in the regular Confederate service, 3rd Mis 
 souri Battery, known as Lowe's Battery, ranking as captain until the close of the 
 war. He was taken prisoner at St. Joseph, La., in February, 1864, and was re- 
 leased June I, 1865. Was one of the 600 who were placed under fire at Charles- 
 ton. While in service, he participated in the battles of Wilson's Creek, Lexington, 
 Pea Ridge, second battle of Corinth, luka, Hatchie River, Oxford, Grand Gulf, 
 Ft. Gibson, Champion Hills, Black River Bridge, siege of Vicksburg and other 
 skirmishes. After being released from prison he returned to St. Louis, and 
 accepted a position as clerk in a wholesale drug store, where he remained till fall. 
 Then returned to Independence, where he engaged in the real estate business till 
 1868, when he moved on a farm and was engaged in agricultural pursuits 
 till 1873. 'Then commenced in the live stock trade, continuing till April, 1877, 
 at which time he accepted his present position. February 7, i860, he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Mary J. Parker, who was born in Independence, Mo., August, 
 1838. She is a daughter of John Parker, who came to Jackson county Mo., at 
 an early day, and was for a long time engaged in the mercantile trade as one of 
 
876 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 the firm of Wilson & Parker. They have had eight children, five of whom are 
 living: Lizzie, Parker L., Julia W., Susan W., and Jennie. 
 
 JOHN G. McCURDY. 
 
 A history of Jackson county would not be complete without a few sketches of the 
 lives of its prorriinent old settlers, as those men have proved themselves bene- 
 factors to the towns ihroughout the county. The subject of this sketch was born 
 in Rockbridge county, Va., on the 20th day of March, i8i8. His early youth 
 was spent on a farm in the pursuits of agriculture until about seventeen years of 
 age, then went to Scottsville, in Albamarle County, and learned the trade of 
 blacksmith. He was married in Albamarle County, on the 6th of April, 1848, to 
 Miss Ehzabeth R. Beal, a native of that State. Soon becoming impressed with 
 the idea that the West offered superior inducements to men of energy and enter- 
 prise, he came to Independence in the spring of 1848, and soon engaged in black- 
 smithing, which line he has since followed with a marked degree of su'ccess. He 
 has seen many changes come and go to Independence, and has witnessed much 
 of the growth and development of Jackson County. But during all this time he 
 pursued his legitimate pursuits, and labored zealously for the good of his fellow 
 beings. In 1874, he was deprived of his wife by death. His family now con- 
 sists of five children : Lizzie, widow of Wilson Powell; John Samuel, now in 
 partnership with him ; James William, engaged in railroad business in California ; 
 Joseph A. and Henry L., who are in business with him in Independence. He 
 is now conducting a large establishment in the manufacture of plows, farm imple- 
 ments, buggies, etc. Mr. M. is a man of continued industry, and has done much 
 for the development of the town in which he resides and is a much honored and 
 esteemed citizen. 
 
 JOHN W. MODIE 
 
 Stands prominent among the pioneer business men of Independence. He was 
 born in Mansfield, Richland county, Ohio, in 1827, and was there educated and 
 developed to manhood. He learned the harness-making trade, commencing 
 when about fifteen years of age, and has since devoted his attention to it. In 
 
 1848 he came to Jackson county and settled at Independence, where he has since 
 made his home, and soon embarked in the harness and saddlery business. In 
 
 1849 he was married in Independence to Miss Levena McCarty, a native of this 
 town. Their family consists of six children living : John, Charles, Rolland, Nellie, 
 wife of Thomas Pendleton, of Independence; Bina, now Mrs. Frank Wyatt, of 
 this place, and Lessie. Mr. Modie has filled many positions of trust since com- 
 ing to Jackson county ; has been city councilman for several terms, and during 
 the thirty-two years of his residence here, he has always retained the confidence 
 and esteem of the people. He is now conducting a large business in harness and 
 saddlery, carrying a large stock of goods, and is enjoying a trade which is the 
 fruit of labor and careful management. He is closely identified with the social, 
 moral and religious interests of the town, and has always taken an active part in 
 forwarding all commendable enterprises. 
 
 DR. JOHN S. MOTT. 
 
 There are but few persons in Independence more highly esteemed than our sub- 
 ject. He was born in St. Mary's, Ohio, May 2, 1844, and there remained until 
 the age of seventeen, when he entered the army, serving until the fall of 1865. 
 Then came West and traveled through New Mexico, engaging in mining, etc., and 
 in 1872 began merchandising in Independence. His father and mother. Col. 
 Samuel R. and Caroline (Pickei-ell) were early settlers in northwestern Ohio. The 
 former was colonel of the ii8th Ohio Regiment during the War, and well known 
 throughout the community in which he resided. Dr. Mott is pleasing in his man- 
 ners and address, and to meet him is to wish for a more extended acquaintance. 
 
INDEPENDENCE. 877 
 
 H. G. OWENS, 
 
 Ticket agent and telegraph operator at the Narrow Gauge depot, was born in 
 Randolph county, Indiana, January 17, 1857, and there received his education. 
 When fourteen years of age he removed to Bourbon county, Kansas, and was en- 
 gaged in buying and seUing stock until 1873. The panic in that year depressed 
 business, and our subject went to Polk county, Iowa, and engaged in farming with 
 his brother. After one year he came to Kansas City, and was employed as a 
 shipping clerk in an agricultural implement house for three years. Then became 
 connected with the Narrow Gauge Railroad Company at Kansas City, remain- 
 ing until December, 1879; he then took charge of the office at Lexington, and 
 afterward came to this place. He was married, May i, 1879, to Miss E. A. 
 Jaquiss, of Kansas City, who was born in New York City, December 2, 1852, 
 and is of Enghsh origin. They have one child, Frances M., born May 16, 1880. 
 Mrs. Owens is a member of the First Presbyterian church, of Kansas City, and 
 he belongs to the Methodist Episcopal denomination. 
 
 B. F. PARKER, 
 
 Dentist, was born in Coles county, Illinois, on the 20th day of October, 1833, 
 and is a son of Hon. Nathaniel Parker, who was born in Georgia, but located in 
 Coles county at an early day, on a farm. He afterward served fourteen terms in 
 Congress and the Legislature of that State. Our subject's early youth was spent 
 in the pursuits of agriculture until 1857, when he began preparing for his present 
 profession, under the tuition of a Dr. Bradley, of Charleston, Illinois. In the 
 autumn of that year he entered the Ohio Dental College, at Cincinnati, and grad- 
 uated from that institution in the spring of 1858. Then went to Fort Worth, 
 Texas, where he pursued his professional labors until 1862. In 1863 he located 
 jn Salem, Illinois, where he practiced until 1865, when he moved to Independ- 
 ence, and has since practiced, and is now enjoying a large and successful practice, 
 which is the fruit of his many years persistent efforts. The doctor is a man of 
 pubHc spirit and enterprise, and has done much for the development of Jackson 
 county. He is now engaged in fruit raising in connection with his professional 
 labors, and is in possession of a beautiful farm of forty-five acres, one mile east of 
 Independence. He was married in Warrensburg, Missouri, in 1866, to Miss 
 Frances Draper, a native of Salem, lUinois. Their family consists of two chil- 
 dren, living : Lillian O. and Fredrick. The doctor is a man of decided opinions, 
 and is closely identified with the moral and religious interests of his town, and 
 is a zealous worker for the cause of Christianity. He is a deep thinker, and is 
 possessed of a strong and unpredjudiced mind. 
 
 J. E. PAYNE, 
 
 Editor. The subject of this sketch was born in Christian county, Ky., on the 
 2istday of January, 1840, When about six years of age his parents took him 
 to Morgan county, Illinois, where his days were spent until 1852, when he re- 
 turned to his native county. After about two years he went again to Illinois, 
 locating in Maynard county. In 1857 came to Jackson county, arriving in Kan- 
 sas City on the 7th of April, and was there engaged in mercantile business until 
 the breaking out of the War. In October, i84i, he entered the State's service 
 under command of General Price, and on the 23d of December joined the Con- 
 federate service, and was appointed Third sergeant of Company A, 6th Infantry, 
 and served to the close of the war. He was severely wounded at the battle of Cor- 
 inth, Miss., but after about four months he again joined his command. Was 
 also'wounded at the battle of Champion's Hill, and during the siege of Vicks- 
 burg he lost two fingers by a shell. He was then transferred to the quartermas- 
 ter's department, and afterward to the ordnance department. Had charge of re- 
 doubt No. 21. He was one of the parties who escaped on the magazine boat 
 
878 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 from Mobile to Gainsville, Ala., where he surrendered, and was soon paroled. 
 He returned to Kansas City, and in the spring of 1866 received an appointment 
 on the civil engineer corps. Was one of the parties who located the Fort Scott 
 & Gulf Raikoad. On the 3d of September, 1868, he was married to Miss Annie 
 E. Hickman, daughter of Major E. A. Hickman, of Independence. He estab- 
 lished the Cass County Courier, at Harrisonville, in September, 187 1, which paper 
 he conducted until the autumn of 1879, ^.nd in September of that year he became 
 the editor of the Sentinel, of Independence. This he has since conducted with 
 an admirable spirit. Politically he is of the Democratic faith, and is an able ad- 
 vocate of its doctrines. He is a warm friend to all religious institutions, and has 
 a large circle of friends in this and adjoining counties. His family consists of 
 three children : Katie (born September 21, 1869), Hickman, and Robert Emmet 
 (born September 19, 1875). 
 
 J. C. PENDLETON, 
 
 Druggist, was born in Lincoln county, Ky., in 1847. There his early youth was 
 spent until he attained his thirteenth year, when he moved to Jackson county 
 and located in Independence. Here he finished his education. In 1867 he en- 
 gaged in the drug business at his present location, where he occupies a brick 
 building 65x25 feet. He carries a large stock of drugs, medicines, paints, oils, 
 fancy goods, etc., and is enjoying a large and profitable trade. He is a man of 
 public spirit and enterprise, and devotes his entire attention to his legitimate pur- 
 suits. 
 
 M. PENDLETON & BROTHER, 
 
 Merchants. This business was established in 1865, by Messrs. Wilson & Pendle- 
 ton. In March, 1875, Mr. Wilson withdrew, leaving the business in charge of 
 Mr. M. Pendleton, who conducted it until March, 1880. Then he became as- 
 sociated with his brother, Mr. F. Pendleton. The firm is now doing a goocf 
 business, occupying a large two-story brick building, 90x46 feet. They carry a 
 large stock of clothing, dry goods, boots, shoes, notions, etc, employ four clerks, 
 and are numbered among the solid firms of the town. 
 
 I. N. ROGERS 
 
 Was born in Pittsylvania county, Va. , February 27, 1833, and there spent his 
 days until 1847. Then he came to Jackson county, locating at Independence. 
 In 1864 he went to Montana Territory where he remained until 1866, when he 
 came to Independence, and was engaged in the First National Bank as book- 
 keeper, until 1867. In 1877 was elected assistant cashier of the Chrisman-Saw- 
 yer Banking Company, which office he now holds. He was married in Inde- 
 pendence, in 1862, to Miss Natalia, daughter of John Wilson, of this city. 
 Their family consists of four children : Julia V., Sallie W., John W., and Homer. 
 They lost one, an infant, Willie R. Mr. Rogers is a man of public spirit, and 
 occupies a high social position, and is esteemed by a large circle of friends. He is 
 closely identified with the interests and growth of the town in which he resides. 
 
 THOMAS J. ROGERS 
 
 Was born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, on the 9th of May, 1844. In 1847 
 his parents moved to Independence where our subject was educated and reared 
 to manhood, and has since continued to make his home. When about the age of 
 sixteen years he began to learn the tinner's trade under Mr. D. R.. Laramour, and 
 succeeded in fully mastering that industry. In 1867 he embarked in business for 
 himself at Lee's Summit, ttiis county, and contiuued successfully for five years. 
 In 1874 he became impressed with the news of the West, and, actuated by a 
 strong desire to travel, he spent three years through the Territory of Montana and 
 surrounding country. He then returned to Independence, and in February, 1880, 
 
INDEPENDENCE. 879 
 
 he opened his present business on South Main street. He occupies a neat store- 
 room, which is well filled with a large stock of stoves and tinware. He is a man 
 who devotes his entire attention to the pursuits of his trade, and should be classed 
 among the first-class business men of the county. 
 
 MAJOR JOHN T. ROSS, 
 
 Carpenter and contractor, was born in Flemming county, Kentucky, September 
 20, 1829, and when about four years of age his parents moved to Shelbyville, 
 Indiana. In 1832 he returned to Mason county, Kentucky, where he remained 
 till 1847, and again returned to Shelbyville. In the spring of 1848 he enlisted in 
 the Mexican War in Company E, 3rd Indiana, and at the end of one year re- 
 enlisted in Company E, 5 th Indiana, and remained in service till the close of the 
 War. In 1857 he moved to St. Joseph, Missouri, and in 1861 enlisted in the 
 late War in Company G, 16th Illinois, acting as a musician till May 9, 1862, when, 
 by his own consent, he was discharged and returned to St. Joseph. He then 
 enlisted in Company B, nth Missouri Cavalry, and in the spring of 1863 was 
 promoted to captain, which position he filled till August, 1863, when he was 
 promoted to major, acting as same till the close of the War and then returned to 
 Indiana. In 1867 he moved to Independence, Missouri. He has followed 
 cabinet making and the carpenter's trade successfully during life. He was married 
 October 23, 1851, to Miss Clarisa Kennedy, of Indiana. She died March, 1859, 
 leaving four children, three living : Thomas, William and Katie. He was again 
 married to Miss Martha A. Green, of Kentucky, in June, 1861. They have 
 had five children, two now living : James and Vernon. 
 
 A. F. SAWYER, 
 
 Cashier, was born in Lexington, Lafayette county, Mo., July 16, 1849. There he 
 spent his early youth, until 186-. He entered Dr. Yantis' Academy at Sweet Springs, 
 Saline county, of this State, and pursued his studies there about one year. Then 
 entered the Westminster College at Fulton'> Mo., where he remained a time and 
 then went to St. Louis, and attended the Bryant & Stratton Commercial College 
 for one terra. Afterward entered the wholesale grocery house of Tutt & Baker, 
 of that city, and remained with them until the spring of 1869, when he came to 
 Independence. He became associated with the banking firm of Stone, Sawyer 
 & Co., afterward changed to Chrisman-Sawyer Banking Company, and was 
 elected cashier at its incorporation, which position he has since held. He was 
 married in Independence October 31, 1877, to Miss Sallie W., daughter of Hon. 
 S. H.Woodson. She is a native of Independence. They have one son living, Samuel 
 W. Mr. Sawyer is a man who has scarce passed the meridian of life, but has 
 won a reputation for financial ability and business integrity, and has gained the 
 confidence and esteem of all who have had business or social relations with him. 
 
 L. M. SEA, 
 
 Real estate agent, was born in Nelson Co., Va., on the sth of March, 1823. 
 When about thirteen years of age his parents took him to Anderson County, 
 Kentucky, where he made his home until 1840, when he moved to Jessamine 
 County. His days were spent there until 1853, when he came to Jackson County 
 and located in Independence, where he was engaged in mercantile business. In 
 186? he removed to Howard County, this State, and remained until the spring of 
 1865, when he went to Mason county, Kentucky. In the spring of 1868 he 
 returned to Independence. Here he has since resided, with the exception of 
 about six years which he spent in Doniphan County, Kansas. In 1874 he 
 engaged in the real estate business, and has since given it his entire attention, in 
 connection with 'insurance business. In- 1848 he was married to Miss Mary, 
 daughter of Col. John Moesly, of Jessamine County, Kentucky. They have one 
 
880 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 son, John A., attorney of Independence. Mr. Sea is an active member and 
 liberal contributor to the Christian Church. 
 
 HORACE SHELEY, 
 
 Attorney, was born in Callaway County, Mo , December 30, 1846, and in 1852 
 he came to Jackson County. He received his primary education in the common 
 schools and High school of Independence, and from 1864 to r866 attended the 
 State Presbyterian Synodical College at Fulton, Mo. In 1867 returned to Inde- 
 pendence, where he pursued the study of his profession and in the spring of 
 1872 was admitted as a member of the Jackson County bar. He filled the office 
 of Mayor in 1878-9, and from that time to the present has acted as justice of 
 the peace. Was married to Miss Mary Williams, June 18, 1872. 
 
 A. T. SLACK, 
 
 Merchant, was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, on the 23rd day of April, 
 1833. When about four years of age his parents moved to Delaware County, 
 Indiana, and settled near Muncie^ where our subject was educated and reared to 
 manhood. His early youth was spent on a farm, and he continued in the pursuits 
 of agriculture until 1861. In 1866 he came to Independence, where he has since 
 made his home. He was engaged in the hardware business until 1876, and then 
 commenced the grocery trade. He now occupies a stone building 83x23 feet on 
 the south side of the Square, which is well filled with a large stock of crockery, 
 glassware, queensware and a full line of staple and fancy groceries. Mr. Slack is 
 enjoying a large patronage, and is an active worker for the interests of his 
 many patrons. 
 
 J. N. SOUTHERN, 
 
 Attorney, was born in Tazwell County, Tennesee, August 25, 1838, where he 
 spent his days until his twentieth year. He began the study of law under the 
 direction of Judge T. W. Turley, of .Morristown, and was admitted to the bar in 
 the spring of i860. He acted as state's attorney for about twelve months, when 
 he became connected with a supply camp on the Richmond & New Orleans 
 Railroad, and in the spring of 1862 he enhsted in Company I, of a Tennessee 
 regiment. Confederate States troops ; was on detached duty until he went into 
 active service. Was with General Bragg on his march into Kentucky, and after 
 his retreat he was transferred to the department of the Mississippi, under General 
 Pemberton ; was also with Generals Longstreet, Breckenridge, and others. In 
 July, 1865, he came to Missouri, locating in Fayette County, where he was 
 engaged in school-teaching for two years. Then came to Independence and soon 
 became proprietor and editor of the Independence Sentinel, which he conducted 
 with an admirable spirit for about twelve years. Then he disposed of it to its 
 present proprietor, and has since devoted his attention to the pursuit of his 
 profession. He is also engaged extensively in the fine stock business, and is in 
 possession of some very valuable property. He was married December 20, i860, 
 to Miss Martha Allen, a native of Tennessee. Their family consists of six 
 children: Willie M., Ethel, John N., Mattie, Mabel, and Allen. 
 
 H. M. SPRAGUE, 
 
 Train and roadmaster of the Kansas City & Eastern Division of the Missouri 
 Pacific Railroad, was born in Serborn, Chenango County, New York, November 
 13, 1828, and when about eight years of age was taken by his parents to Geneva, 
 Ontario County. Was there reared and educated, and learned to work on wood- 
 work and agricultural implements. In 1852 he went to Elmira and was employed 
 in the car shops, and in 1854 went to St. Louis, where he folloVed car repairing 
 for four years. On account of ill health he was compelled to discontinue this. 
 
INDEPENDENCE. 881 
 
 and then received the appointment of conductor on a work-train, remaining four 
 years. Then was made division roadmaster on the Indiana & St. Louis Railroad, 
 and held various positions after that until September, i S8o, when he received his 
 present office. Having followed railroading all his life he is well qualified for the 
 position. Mr. Sprague has been twice married. First, in 1852, to Miss 
 Catherine P. Dunham, who died August, 1866, leaving five children, one now 
 living: James P. R. His second marriage was in 1869 to Alice M. Herbert. 
 They have two children : George, and Mary A. ; lost one. Mr. Sprague belongs 
 to the Masonic fraternity. He is a member of the Episcopal Church, and his 
 wife of the Catholic. 
 
 D. W. WALLACE, 
 
 Deputy recorder, is a son of Hon. B. F. Wallace, who was among the first 
 settlers of Jackson county, having settled here in 1833. That he was highly 
 respected by the people, is evinced from the fact that he held some position of 
 trust from 1850, and at the time of his death — June 2, 1K77, — was a member of 
 the Legislature for Jackson County, from the First District. He married Virginia 
 Willock, daughter of Major-General Willock, and she still resides in independ- 
 ence. The subject of our sketch was born June 15, i860, and was educated 
 in the common schools, afterward taking a thorough classical course at Finley's 
 High school. In 1874 he accepted a position as assistant docket clerk of the 
 State Senate, and in January, 1877, became assistant engrossing clerk. April 31, 
 1878, he was appointed to his present position, having charge of the office in 
 Independence. 
 
 F. C. WARNKY, 
 
 Owner and proprietor of Warnky's Art Studio, was born in August, 1839, in 
 Germany, and was there reared and educated. When twenty six years of age he 
 commenced to learn the photographing trade, and in 1850 emigrated to the 
 United States. He located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and from there went to 
 San Francisco, California, remaining for fifteen years. Afterward moved to 
 southeastern Colorado, where he Uved for five years, and then took up his resi- 
 dence in Denver, and opened an art studio. Two years later, he removed from 
 there, and spent about four years in the southern part of the State, and in the 
 fall of 1879 he came to Independence. He is the possessor of a nice residence 
 property and considerable real estate. He was married December 19, 1865, to 
 Miss Mary J. Brownell, a native of Sacramento, California, born in September, 
 1848. They have five children living: Melissa C, Harvey G., Mary C, Russell 
 G., and Lester G. Four are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Warnky belong to the 
 denomination of the Latter Day Saints. 
 
 WESTON'S PLOW WORKS. 
 Of the many manufacturing interests . identified with Independence, the Weston 
 Plow Works hold a front rank. The proprietor, Robert Weston, began plow 
 making and general blacksmithing in Independence in 1848, and has pursued the 
 business since, with an unfaltering energy. He occupies a series of brick build- 
 ings, the general blacksmith shop being 60x22^ feet, the plow shop 40x20, with 
 two wood working buildings, each .30x20. Mr. Weston has in his employ about 
 ten men, and is extensively engaged in the manufacture of plows, cuhivators, 
 etc., beside the carriage and wagon works. His establishment is of great credit 
 to the city, and, having almost grown up with the county, enjoys a liberal patron- 
 age, as it well deserves. He is an esteemed citizen of Independence. 
 
 J. M. WILSON, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, April 13, 1844. 
 He began his professional studies when very young, and finished his medical 
 56 
 
882 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 education at the Ohio State University, graduating in 1867. In the winter of 
 1869, he located at Independence, where he has since practiced. He was here 
 married in 1870, to Miss Mary FranlcUn. They had one child, now deceased. 
 The doctor is of the alopathic persuasion, is a very successful practitioner, and 
 is always a welcome visitor in the sick room. He is a close student, and is now 
 enjoying a large patronage from his many friends in this part of the county. 
 
 REV. IVAN M. WISE. 
 
 The subject of this sketch first saw the light on a calm July morning, in the 
 year 1854, on his father's cotton plantation, among the hills of North Louisiana. 
 His father belongs to that branch of the original Wise family in Virginia, that 
 went into South Carolina in the latter part of the eighteenth century. Young 
 Ivan's grandfather moved to the State of Mississippi directly after it was admit- 
 ted into the Union, when his father was about ten years old. ■ Ambrose Wise, 
 his father, when quite a young man, went westward across the great Mississippi 
 River, and settled in Claiborn Parish, La., where he has chosen to live ever 
 since. Some years after his locating, he married Miss Mahanah O'Banion, a 
 member of another Mississippi family, that settled in the same section of country. 
 Ivan -Munroe is the eighth child of a family of eleven children : eight boys and 
 threegirls. When he was sixteen years of age he made a profession of religion and was 
 baptized with three other brothers, and soon afterward began to officiate publicly 
 in divine worship, having in the meantime received considerable encouragement 
 from his pastor. Elder John M. Melton. A short time after that his church 
 licensed him to preach the gospel. This he had exercised but a few months, 
 however, before he was strongly convinced that an effective and respectable min- 
 istry must have an education ; so having received an invitation from the secreta- 
 ry of ministerial education of Mississippi, Rev. James Nelson, to attend college 
 in that State, he entered the Mississippi College in October, 1873, where he re- 
 mained four years. After taking his bachelor's degree, he returned to his native 
 State, Louisiana, where he engaged in preaching and teaching. His first engage- 
 ment was in supplying the pulpit of Rev. Chas. B. Freeman, of Bastrop, Louisi- 
 ana ; after which the church at Oak Ridge, Louisiana, extended to him a unani- 
 mous call to become their pastor, and requested the church that retained his 
 membership to ordain him. Thereupon Mr. Wise was critically and publicly 
 examined before the Association, and was set apart to the gospel ministry by 
 imposition of hands, by the Presbyterian ministry, . and authorized to preach, 
 by the church in September 1877. He returned and took charge of the Oak 
 Ridge Baptist Church, and was also the principal of the public schools. He 
 had one of the most intelligent as well as respectable village churches in the 
 State, his church and congregation being composed of wealthy planters and 
 merchants. While there about thirteen months he baptized seventeen mem- 
 bers, and received a number by letter. It was not his intention, however, 
 to settle then and there. Feeling that after a year's rest and special theo- 
 logical study he would be rested sufficiently to pursue a post-graduate course 
 of study, he resigned his charge in August, 1878, and went to Liberty, Mis- 
 souri, and entered the William Jewell College. But he was not destined to 
 pursue that extra course of study that was his ardent design. He had re- 
 mained in school only a few months when deep seated malaria gave rise to 
 intermitting and remitting fevers. To rid himself of this, he was advised to go 
 immediately to the purer climate of the Rocky Mountains. He settled in La 
 Vita, Colorado, a little railroad town at the foot-hills of the Spanish Peaks ; 
 where in January, 1879, he opened a select and graded school for young men 
 and women. He taught six months and in September following opened another 
 sessio 1, and after six weeks, he came back to Lee's Summit, Jackson County, and 
 married Miss Mollie A. Hagan. Then returned to his mountain home. But their 
 
INDEPENDENCE. 88B 
 
 residence in the Far West was not of long duration. In the summer of 1880 
 they decided to return to Missouri. Iq the meantime the pulpit of the First Bap- 
 tist Church of Independence was vacated by the resignation of Rev. G. K. 
 Dixon. By recommendation of several emiaent divines that church invited Mr. 
 Wise to visit them with a view of settlement. He did so, they called him and 
 he is now energetically preaching to that church. 
 
 PROF. P. F. WITHERSPOON 
 
 Was born in Green County, Alabama, May 2, 1832, and there his days were 
 spent until his twentieth year. He received his early education under a private 
 tutor, and when about thirteen years of age he entered the Mesopotamia High 
 School under Dr. Sparrows. After about two years in that institution he went to 
 Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he attended the State University for two years. Ther 
 entered the Virginia State University and after two years he removed to Pontotoc, 
 Mississippi, where he engaged in farming, and after the close of the War he was 
 elected president of the Chickasaw Female College, which position he filled about 
 ten years. Then came to Independence and in 1875 was elected president of 
 the Independence Female College, which position he held until the spring of 
 1881. He was married in Green County, Alabama, March 14, 1854, to Miss 
 Emma Hedleston, a native of that county. They have six children : Franklin 
 {now a divinity student), Lawrence, Pauline, Mary R., Lallie and Paul. 
 
 M. R. WRIGHT, 
 
 Merchant, the subject of this sketch, was born in Granville, Licking County, 
 Ohio, April 11, 1842. In the autumn of 1857 he moved with his father to Dan- 
 ville, Illinois, where his days were spent until 1861 He there learned telegraph- 
 ing and in the summer of 186 1 went to Cincinnati, where he was employed as an 
 operator until 1864. Then went to Memphis, Tehnessee, and was engaged in 
 the boot and shoe business. He was there married in 1865 to Miss Mary A. 
 Joiner, a daughter of Rufus Joiner, whose father built the first frame house in 
 Memphis. In 1867 Mr. Wrignt came to Independence, where he has since resided. 
 He engaged in the boot and shoe business, in connection with Mr. Ed. J. Mari- 
 ner, and in 1875 purchased the interest of his partner and has since conducted 
 the business alone. He is now doing a large and lucrative trade and carries a 
 large stock of boots, shoes, hats, caps and gents' furnishing goods. Is also agent 
 for the United States and Pacific Express Companies; also for the Western Union 
 Telegraph and Bell Telephone Companies— conducting a central office for the 
 latter. His family consists of five children : Arthur, Florence, Emily, Earl and 
 Loftin. Mr. Wright commands the respect and esteem of the people; he is a 
 zealous worker for the advancement of the business of Jackson County. A 
 warm friend to all religious institutions, he always takes an active part in forward- 
 ing all commendable enterprises. 
 
 F. F. YAGER, 
 
 Lumber Merchant, was born in Boyle county, Kentucky, on the 28th day of 
 April, 1828, and was there educated and developed to manhood. He received 
 an education in the common schools, the advantages of which were very limited, 
 and spent his youth m the pursuits of agriculture until he was about nineteen 
 years of age. Then engaged in the carpenter and house-building trade, which 
 he followed until he engaged in his present fine of busmess. Also devoted his 
 attention to the study of architecture, and has since proved himself very efficient 
 in that art. A specimen of his work in that line can be seen in the design of the 
 Chrisman-Sawyer bank building. In the spring of 1850 he came to Independ- 
 ence, where he has since made his home. In 1854 he engaged in the lumber 
 trade, and, with the exception of a few years during the Civil War, has continued 
 in that linft and is now enjoying a trade which is the fruit of his many years , 
 
884 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 labor. He was married in 1852 to Miss S. M. Ray. She was born in Kentucky, 
 but came to Independence when a child. They have one daughter : S. J. , wife 
 of George H. Griflfin, of Kansas City. Mr. Yager has done much for the devel- 
 opment of the town. He carries a large stock of lumber, laths, singles, paints, 
 etc. Has filled many positions of trust during his residence in Independence, 
 and has been elected a member of its council. He is no political aspirant, pre- 
 ferring to devote his entire attention to his legitimate pursuits. 
 
 ^-S^^t^P^s-es- 
 
 BLUE TO^WNSHIP. 
 
 STEPHEN ADAMS, 
 
 Farmer, section 16, post-office Blue Mills, was born in Wilkes County, North 
 Carolina, November 17, 1803, and in 1824 went to Claiborne county, Tennessee, 
 where he remained three years. In the fall of 1828 he came to Jackson County, 
 Missouri. He has followed farming from boyhood, and now owns 100 acres of 
 land, having given to his children nearly 500 acres. He was married, July 15, 
 1826, to Miss Mary Powell, a native of Claiborne county, Tennessee. She died 
 October 28, 1857. They, had ten children, five of whom are living : Nelson, 
 William, Washington, Ada E. and Eliza J. 
 
 W. C. ADAMS, 
 
 Farmer, section 35, post-office Blue Mills, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, 
 March 13, 1836, and was reared in his native county, and educated in the com- 
 mon schools. He attended the Chapel Hill College, in Lafayette County, Mis- 
 souri, eight months, also for a short period attended the William Jewell College, 
 of Liberty, Missouri, and engaged in teaching school for a few years. In the 
 summer of 1861 he enlisted in a company of militia raised in response to Gov- 
 ernor Jackson's call, and his company was known as the Independence Blues, 
 and was attached to Colonel Rosser's regiment. Mr. Adams was made first lieu- 
 tenant, and he took part in the battle of Lexington, and afterwards lay sick on the 
 Osage River, and subsequently returned home. In December, 1861, he joined 
 Price's army in Southwest Missouri, and was first lieutenant in the ist Missouri 
 Brigade. The captain of the company was killed at Corinth, and Mr. Adams 
 was promoted to that position. He was also wounded by a spent grape shot in 
 this battle. He took part in the battles of Port Gibson and Champion Hill, and 
 the day after the last battle was captured by Federal forces, and for nine months 
 was held a prisoner on Johnson's Island, in Lake Erie. He left this place of 
 imprisonment February 12, 1864, and about a month afterward was exchanged at 
 Point Lookout, Maryland. He was forwarded to Richmond, thence proceeded 
 to join his old command, which was then under General Joseph Johnson, north 
 of Atlanta. He served until that general was succeeded by Hood, and then until 
 the close of the War. He was present at the battle of the Kenesaw Mountains, 
 and in the rapidly succeeding engagements which formed almost one continuous 
 battle, by which the Confederate forces strove hard to arrest the march of Sher- 
 man from Atlanta to the sea. His command was captured at Mobile, Alabama, 
 and in April, 1865, after Lee had laid down his arms in Virginia, he surrendered 
 
BLUE TOWNSHIP. 885 
 
 at Memphis, Tennessee, and on the ist of May he set out for Missouri, arriving 
 May 10, 1865. Again began farming, and in 1878 he was elected to the Legis- 
 lature by his district. Was married April 9, 1868, to Miss Sarah J. Herd. They 
 have five children : Francis S., Edward L., Susan B., Dora May and Charles F. 
 
 AMOS ALLEN, 
 
 Farmer, section 29, post-office Independence, is a native of Kentucky, and was 
 born in Bourbon County, May 8, 1806. Was reared on a farm and has fol- 
 lowed farming from boyhood. He remained in his native County till the fall of 
 1828, when he moved to Tippecanoe County, Ind., where he remained till 1838. 
 Then emigrated to Jackson County, Mo. , poor in pocket. He now owns a farm 
 of 243 acres of fine land. He has also raised considerable stock. Was married 
 October it, 1831, to Miss Ann Canada, a native of Bourbon County, Ky. She 
 died in 1868, leaving five children: Mahala, Eveline, David, William C. and 
 Amos F. 
 
 JAMES BEETS, 
 
 Farmer, section 9, post-office Blue Mills, was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., 
 March 11, 1816, and there remained on a farm till about twenty-three years of 
 age, when he came to Missouri, and located in Boone County for one year. 
 Thence to the Platte Purchase, where he remained but a short time; then went 
 with an old Methodist minister, for the purpose of establishing a Mission with the 
 Pottawattamies. Remained one year, then went to Cass County, Mo. , and stayed 
 till 1855. During this time, in 1848, he spent six months in New Mexico. In April, 
 1855, he went to Kansas and located at Paola, where he was engaged in farming 
 and keeping hotel till 1861, and, owing to his political proclivities, being a south- 
 ern man in principle, was robbed and driven from his home, and came to Jack- 
 son County, Mo., where he remained till February i, 1862. He then went to 
 Springfield and joined the Southern Army, in Company G, 3d Missouri Infanty, 
 and was in all its engagements and travels till April, 1863, when he was discharged 
 on account of failing health, also for being paralyzed while in the battle of Cor- 
 inth. After many hardships and narrow escapes he finally arrived in Jackson 
 County, July 4, 1863. By order No. 11, he moved to Lexington, his family 
 crossing at the ferry and he swimming the river about four miles above. They 
 shortly afterward moved to Fremont County, Iowa, where he remained about 
 eighteen months, and then went to Nebraska and remained about six months. 
 Afterward returned to Jackson County, where he has since resided. His farm 
 contains 240 acres. Was married June 7, 1840, to Miss Ehzabeth J. Tuggle, of 
 Patrick County, Va. She came to Jackson County, Mo., with her parents at an 
 early day and soon after located in Cass County. They have had thirteen children, 
 six of whom are living: Joseph B., Henry R., George W., James D., William 
 J. and Cordelia A. 
 
 URIAH P. BENNETT, 
 
 Farmer and fruit grower, section 26, post-office Independence, was born in Jef- 
 ferson County, Va., May 19, 1814, and when quite small his parents moved to 
 Muskingum County, Ohio. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, and when 
 seventeen years 'of age he learned the printing trade, which he followed till i860, 
 publishing the Zanesville Gazette, and for about one year, in connection with this, 
 he published the Courier. August 17, i860, he moved to St. Louis, and was for one 
 year employed in the post-office department, and for the same period dealt in 
 ffovernment claims. In 1865; he came to Jackson County, Mo., and began in 
 the fruit business, since which time he has made fruit-growing a speciality. He 
 and his son, Lewis Bennett, are also engaged in the breeding of fine blooded 
 cattle and sheep. Mr. Bennett was married January i, 1840, in Albermarle, 
 
886 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Va. They have had four children, three of whom are Hving : Lucie (now Mrs. 
 Fierce), Edward P. and Lewis. 
 
 H. B. BOHANNON, 
 
 Farmer, section 22, post-office Independence, was born in Woodford County, 
 Ky., March 23, 1823, and was reared in his native County, and educated in 
 Center College of Danville. Has followed farming and stock raising from boy- 
 hood. In the spring of 1880 he moved to Jackson County, Mo., where he now 
 resides. September 28, 1838, he was married to Miss Mary Todd, of Frankfort, 
 Ky. They have seven children : William Todd, Fannie M. (now Mrs. Griffiith) 
 Richard B., Henry B., Jr., Lacy R., Lizzie T. 
 
 ALEXANDER CALHOUN, 
 
 Section 7, post-office Independence, was born in Sussex County, Delaware, in 1850, 
 and was reared on a farm, receiving a good education. At the age of twenty-one he 
 moved West and setUed in Blue Springs, Jackson County, where he remained for 
 six months. He then went to Wilson County, Kansas, and after a short time re- 
 moved to Sumner County. In 1873 he removed to Blue Springs, and in 1876 
 took a trip to the Centennial, extending his visit to his old home in Delaware. 
 In the same fall he returned and was employed by May & Son, of Independence, 
 and in January, 1877, he came to this township and settled on his present well 
 improved farm. Mr. Calhoun was married in 1877 to Miss Susie M. Sanders, a 
 native of the county, born in 1852. They have had three children,two of whom 
 are living : Job J. and Guy Hartwell. 
 
 H. H. CANNADY, 
 
 Farmer, section 26, post-office Missouri City, Clay County, was born in Madison 
 County, Alabama, March 12, 1825, and when about four years of age his parents 
 immigrated to Montgomery County, Missouri, where they remained five years. 
 His father there died, and his mother and family returned to his native State, 
 where they remained about six years, and again moved to Montgomery County, 
 Missouri. Here Mr. Cannady remained till the spring of 1856, when he moved 
 to Pettis County and remained till the fall of i860; thence to Dekalb County, 
 staying till the fall of 1865, when he located in Jackson County. He has followed 
 farming from boyhood, and now owns a farm of 149 acres. He was married 
 August s, 1847, to Miss Sarah Brown. She died in 1872, leaving thirteen chil- 
 dren, nine of whom are living: William, Cindrella, Elizabeth M., Tantha, 
 Monima W. and Louisa. Miss Jane Alkise became his second wife July 27, 
 1873. She died August 12, 1874. His third marriage was to Miss Sarah 
 Kendrick May 20, 1875. All of his wives were natives of Kentucky. 
 
 CHRISMAN & LEE, 
 
 Importers and breeders of fine stock, section 15, post-office Independence. This 
 firm is one of the most prominent in this line of business in the County, although 
 not of long standing. They have spared no pains in the selection of their stock. 
 George Lee Chrisman, thesenior partner of the firm, was born in Jackson County, 
 Missouri, August 8, 185 1, and is a son of William Chrisman. He was reared in 
 his native County-, and graduated at the Forrest Home Military College of Achor- 
 age, Kentucky. He was rriarried November 26, 1872, to Miss Lottie S. Duke, 
 daughter of Colonel William Duke, of Danville, Kentucky. She was born in 
 Bourbon County, Kentucky, January 23, 1854, and when quite young her parents 
 moved to Boyle County, Kentucky, where she was reared and educated, com- 
 pleting her education in the Caldwell Institute of Danville, Kentucky. J. A. 
 Lee, the junior partner of the firm, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in 
 Bojle County, December 25, 1856. He was reared in his native County, and 
 
BLUE TOWNSHIP. 887 
 
 after receiving his primary education, he took a thorough course in the Danville 
 Classical Military Academy, graduating in June, 1875. After this he was em- 
 ployed as teacher in the same institution for three years, also teaching a classical 
 school at Paris, Bourbon County, Kentucky. In August, 1S79, he came to 
 Jackson County, Missouri, and shortly afterward engaged in his present occupa- 
 tion. Hisspecial attention is given to the raising of fine blooded horses. In this 
 business his father, Josiah E. Lee, has been extensively engaged during Hfe, 
 also his grandfather, George Lee. 
 
 J. D. CUSENBARY, 
 
 Farmer, section 33, post-ofifice Independence, was born in Logan County, Ken- 
 tucky, October 27, 1832, and remained there until eight years of age, when his 
 parents moved to Jackson County, Misssouri, and settled in the neighborhood of 
 Sibley. There the subject of this sketch was reared, and since 1847 has been 
 engaged in mining interests in different localities, and for several years spent 
 most of his time traveling over the different western States and Territories. 
 He occasionally went to the eastern and middle States. Has also been in differ- 
 ent parts of the West, engaged in dealing in stock, and for some time was 
 employed in freighting and running pack trains. His mining interest now is 
 principally in Arizona. His farm contains 322 acres, being well improved, and 
 being the farm on which the famous Cusenbary Springs are situated, which are 
 mentioned elsewhere. He was married June 2, 1870, to Miss Bettie M. Davis, 
 a native of Lexington, Kentucky, born July 29, 1851. She 'is a daughter of 
 Major Davis, of Kentucky, and was reared in Lexington, and educated in the 
 schools there, graduating from the Female Institute, a Presbyterian College. They 
 have had three children, two now living : James L. and Anna May, 
 
 H. T. DOWNING, 
 
 Farmer, section 28, post-office Independence, was born in Sangamon County, 
 Illinois, March 15, 1832. His parents were natives of Kentucky, only living in 
 Illinois two years, when they returned to Fayette county, Kentucky. There our 
 subject was reared on a farm. The fall of 1856 he came to Jackson County, 
 where he has since resided, except a short time during the War. His landed 
 estate consists of 120 acres. He was married November 16, 1858, to Miss Sarah 
 Fields, born in Boyle county, Kentucky, March 21, 1835. They have had six 
 children, four of whom are living : Amanda, Nannie, Mattie and Sarah. 
 
 L W. DUNCAN, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 33, post-office Independence, was born in Nelson 
 County, Kentucky, November 2, 1835, and was theie reared on a farm, and partly 
 educated in the common schools. He afterward attended the Central College of 
 Danville, Kentucky, graduating from that institution in September, 1857, when 
 he returned to his father's farm. There remained till July, 187^, when he 
 immigrated to Jackson County, and immediately located on a farm, where he now 
 resides. It contains 430 acres, improved, being well supplied with water, which 
 comes from the districts of the Cusenbary Springs. He was married February i, 
 1859, to Miss Susie Lee. She is a native of Boyle county, Kentucky, and was 
 born December 27, 1841. They have had ten children, eight of whom are liv- 
 ing: Ellis, Lee, Garnett, Robert W., Thomas G., Cameron, Mary E. and Annie 
 C. 
 
 R. M. ELLIS, 
 
 Farmer, section 28, post-office Independence, is a native of New York, and was 
 born in Oneida County, January i, 1852. When but four years of age, he 
 with his parents, Elias and Elizabeth Reese, who were natives of Wales, moved 
 to Logan County, 111. In the fall of 1865, they moved to Missouri, and located in 
 
888 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Jackson County where he finished his education, after which he engaged in teach- 
 ing school for a short time. In March, 1877, he moved to his present location. 
 His farm contains 172 acres and is well adapted for the raising of stock, contain- 
 ing a surplus of running water. The old Santa Fe trail passed through the 
 the northern part of his farm. Near where his house is now located, the first 
 wedding in the township occurred. Mr. E. was married September i, 1880, to 
 Miss Manerva Allen, of Jackson County., daughter of David Allen. 
 
 DANIEL FLANAGAN, 
 
 Farmer, section 6, post-office Independence, is a native of Ireland, and was 
 born in 1826. When about four years of age his parents went to Quebec, 
 Canada. They soon after located in Lawrence County, N. Y., where he was 
 reared and educated. When sixteen years of age, he apprenticed himself to the 
 carriage and wagon maker's trade. Followed his trade in Ogden, N. Y., in which 
 place he worked till December, 1847, when he came to Independence, Jackson 
 County, Mo., working in the manufacture of freight wagons during the winter, 
 then returned to Ogdensburg, N. Y. In the spring of 1850, he went to 
 G=ihfornia by way of the Isthmus of Panama, remaining about three months 
 engaged in mining. He then returned by the same route to New Orleans and St. 
 Lous, making his second trip to Independence, where he was engaged in the 
 manufacture of carriages till June, 1853, and again returned to Ogdensburg, N. Y., 
 and erected a carriage and wagon manufactory; this business he pursued till Jan- 
 uary, 1856, after which he spent some time in traveling over the New England 
 States. In July, '1856, he again came to Independence, Mo., where he followed 
 his trade till the year j86i, when he located on a farm which he had purchased 
 some time previous, and since that time has been engaged in agricultural pursuits. 
 His landed estate now consists of 140 acres, which is considered a part of the best 
 in the county. Was married January 19, 1861, to' Miss Emily Pendleton of Ken- 
 tucky. Eleven children are the fruit of their union, all of which are at home : 
 James A., Stephen O., Nannie, Fannie, Mary, Jessy, Carrie, Jennie, George, 
 Ida and Cora. 
 
 D. GREGG, 
 
 Farmer, section 16, post-office Independence, is a native of Jessamine Coun- 
 ty, Ky., and was born July 7, 1831. He was reared on a farm, until 1847, 
 when he came to Missouri, first locating in Clarke County, where he resided two 
 years. He was there attending school a large portion of the time until 1849, 
 when he went to Randolph County. After taking a two years' course in the High 
 School of Huntsville, he came to Jackson County, where he was engaged on a 
 farm till 1855. Then moved to Cass County, remaining two years, when he re- 
 turned to Jackson County. In November, 1862, he enlisted in the Confederate 
 service, and was taken prisoner in June, 1863, and kept at Butler, Bates County, 
 Mo., about six weeks. Was then released, and returned home, and by order 
 No. II he moved his family to Calloway County, where they remained till the 
 close of the war. In 1874 he was appointed as overseer of the County Farm, 
 having charge of this institution till the spring of 1881, when he located on his 
 farm, which contains sixty acres. He was married July 17, 1856, to Miss May 
 Harper. She was born in Bath County, Ky., July 4, 1827, and came to Jackson 
 County in the spring of 1850. They have five children. Geo. H., Laura E., 
 Lera H., Robert L., and Larius M. 
 
 N. S. GRIFFITH, 
 
 Farmer, section 27, post-office Independence, was born in Bourbon County, 
 Ky., June 5, 1858, and when seven years of age his parents moved to Harrison 
 County, Ky., where he remained till about thirteen. Then moved to Woodford 
 County. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, was educated at Chester ville, 
 
BLUE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 889 
 
 Va., in the State University. He graduated from the Commercial College of 
 Poughkeepsie, N. Y., in March, 1878, and also in penmanship in same place in 
 August of that year. In July, 1880, he came to Jackson County, Mo., and lo- 
 cated on a farm, where he now resides, having purchased the same in April pre- 
 vious. He contemplates making the raising of fine stock and growing of fruit a 
 specialty. He was married January 15, 1879, to Mi'ss Fannie M. Bohannon, of 
 Woodford County, Ky., born December 25, 1862, They have two children : 
 Mary Bell and H Burrell. 
 
 JOHN S. HEDGES, 
 
 Farmer, section 16, post-office Independence, is a native of Bourbon County, 
 Ky., born May 28, 1819. Was raised on his father's farm, it being on the line 
 between Clark and Bourbon Counties. When about twenty-five years of age he 
 went to Montgomery County, Ky., where he was for several years dealing in 
 stock. From 1851 to 1856 was engaged in the mercantile trade. The fall of 
 1857 he came to Jackson County, Mo., and immediately engaged in agricul- 
 tural pursuits, residing on a rented farm one year, when he purchased the farm 
 on which he now resides, and which now contains sixty-two acres. Was mar- 
 ried in Aberdine, Ohio, February 9, 1851, to Miss Sallie Whittington. She is a 
 native of Woodford County, Ky., and was born December 28, 1834. She was 
 the only daughter of Edward H. Whittington, ex-sheriff of Woodford County, 
 Ky. They have eleven children : Wm. Edward, Charles C. , Lulu Maude (now 
 Mrs. Rice), Ida M. (now Mrs. McCluse), Cora C., Julia J., John O., James Y., 
 Edmonia L., Richard T., and Ada T. 
 
 GEO. H. HIFFNER, 
 
 Farmer, section 34, post-office Blue Mills, was born in Jessamine County, Ky., 
 February 11, 1833. Was reared in his native county till about seventeen years 
 of age; he then went to Fayette County, where he learned the wagon-making 
 trade, which he followed till twenty-two years of age. He then married Miss 
 Eliza J. Hosine, February 15, 1855. March i, 1857, he left Lexington and 
 landed at Baxter's Landing, Clay County, Mo., March 14, and there remained 
 till March 10, 1870, when he moved to Jackson County. December 14, 1861, 
 he enlisted in the State Guards of Missouri, and remamed in this service six 
 months. His landed estate consists of 348 acres. Mrs. Hiffner was also born in 
 the same county, and there reared. They have seven children: John C, Liz- 
 zie, Luella, Maggie, Wm. L., James L., and Basworth. 
 
 J. G. HOBBS, 
 
 Section 27, post-office Independence, was born in Henry County, Mo., October 
 2, 1847. When about four years of age his parents moved to Jackson County. 
 His father, Dr. Samuel Hobbs, was a native of Kentucky. The subject of this 
 sketch was educted in the High School of Independence; has followed farming 
 from his boyhood; has resided in Jackson County since his first arrival, except 
 from the fall of 186 1 till the spring of 1865, during which time he was in his native 
 county. His landed estate consists of 225 acres. Miss Mary Hinde became his 
 wife October 12, 1880; she is a native of Harrison County, Ky. 
 
 M. R. HUGHES, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, s^tion 36, post office Independence, is a native of Ken- 
 tucky and was born in Jassamine County, April 20, 1827. When but an infant 
 his parents immigrated to Missouri and located in Howard County; he spent his 
 boyhood days on a farm and was educated m the evening schools. When the 
 subject of this sketch attained the age of fifteen, he began driving stock south to 
 New Orleans, which he followed for a number of years. In 1850 he went to 
 
890 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 California where he spent five years on the coast of California and Oregon. Part of 
 the time he was engaged in running a brig from Portland to San Francisco and 
 was for about four years dealing in miners' implements and provisions, both 
 wholesale and retail, wholesale house at Sacramento and retail house at Diamond 
 Springs ; at the same time keeping a hotel called the Howard House and 
 named in honor of Howard County, Mo. During the great fire in Sacramento, 
 his wholesale house was burned, the loss to him and partner being about$i8,ooo, 
 but soon purchased other property where he erected another buildmg and again 
 began business. February, 1854, he again met with greater loss than before, 
 which was caused by a flood which overflowed the entire country surrounding. 
 The summer of 1854 he returned to Howard County, Mo., where he remained 
 about two months when he returned to Cahfornia and was for one year engaged 
 in the mercantile trade at Indian Diggins. April,. 1855, he returned to his native 
 home in Kentucky, and April 26, 1855, was married to Miss Martha E. Mosley; 
 shortly after went to Howard County, Mo., where his father resided. June, 1855, 
 he located in Jackson County, where he remained till 1863, part of the time en- 
 gaged in the saw mill business, but most of the time in the stock trade. He again 
 moved to Howard County, Mo., where he was engaged in the mercantile trade. 
 In 1865 went to Mason County, Ky., where he was engaged in the mercantile 
 trade one year, when he returned to Jackson County, Mo. , and was for a number of 
 years engaged in the mercantile trade. For several years has been engaged 
 in agricultural pursuits and stock raising. His landed estate consists of 168 
 acres finely located, well' watered and improved, containing thirty-eight acres of 
 fine orchard. He also has two fine fish ponds on his farm, well stocked with Gov- 
 ernment fish. Mrs. Hughes is a daughter of Col. John Mosley, of Jessamine 
 County, Ky. They have had three children, one of whom is living, M. Roland, 
 who is in partnership in the stock trade with his father. 
 
 JOHN P. JACKSON, 
 
 Farmer, section 36, post-office Independence, was born in Harvard County, Mo., 
 July 4, in 1825. He was engaged in farming from boyhood, excepting twelve 
 or fifteen years, during which time he was engaged in the manufacture of salt in 
 Harvard County, Mo. His mother, Sarah Ross, was a native of Nashville, Tenn. 
 Our subject was reared and educated in his native county receiving his educa- 
 tion in the common schools. While in school he took great interest in surveying, 
 taking practical lessons by use of instrument. When twenty years of age he lo- 
 cated in Audrain County, Mo., and wag there appointed surveyor by the Govern- 
 ment for two years, and at the end of that time was again appointed for four years. 
 During the War he spent his time in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas, after which 
 he returned to Audrain County, where he remained till February, 187 1, being en- 
 gaged in the real estate trade; also acted part of the time as road commissioner 
 and surveyor. In February, 1871, he moved to Kansas City, where he remained 
 one year. In the spring of 1872 he moved to his present location, and since 
 then has been engaged in farming ; has also acted as traveling agent for Ur. 
 John Saffington's great ague cure. His home farm consists of thirty five acres, 
 well improved; he also has six acres near Kansas City, and a half interest in 1115 
 acres; also eighty acres in Arkansas. He was married in March, 1858, to Miss 
 Carrie Whaley. She died in September, 1861. He was again married in June, 
 1870, to Miss Jemima Dodd, a native of South Carolina. They have one child, 
 Nathaniel D. (born November 3, 1873). 
 
 JOHN M. JOHNSON, 
 
 Farmer, section 32, post-oflfice Independence, was born in Howard County, Mo., 
 August II, 1836, and when about seventeen years of age went to California, 
 where he remained four years. While there he was mostly engaged in mining. 
 
BLUE TOWNSHIP. 891 
 
 Then he returned to Howard .County, Mo., and in 1856 he went to Lykins 
 County, Kansas, and remained one year. He traveled over different counties 
 in Missouri till the spring of 1858, when he located in Jackson County. For a 
 short time during the War he was in the service, and afterward in Howard County. 
 His farm contains 175 acres. His father, John Johnson, was born in Franklin 
 County, Va., February 11, 1796, and in the spring of 1830 moved to Howard 
 County, Mo., and has been with his son during all his moves. His mother, Sa- 
 rah B. Thomas, was born in Patrick County, Va., March 5, 1796. She died 
 June 22, 1879. They had a family of seven children, four now living : Richard 
 C, Julia E., John M., and Michael C. 
 
 W. K. JONES, 
 
 Farmer, section 9, post-ofifice Blue Mills, was born in Hawkins County, Tenn., 
 February 2, 1832, and in the spring of 1843 his parents moved to St. Charles 
 County, Mo., where they remained one year. Then came to Jackson County, 
 where his father, Jonathan, died October 14, 1865. His mother, Ann Beets, 
 died April 2, r88i. Since first locating in Jackson County he has here remained, 
 excepting in i860, when he was in Colorado. Mr. Jones has followed farming 
 from a boy, and his farm now contains 290 acres. Was married May i, 1864, to 
 Miss Marinda Writsman, born in Clay County, Mo., April 28, 1838. They have 
 five children : Wm. A., Jonathan R., Charley F., Claudie M., and Maudie E. 
 
 JOHN P. JONES, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, section 33, post-ofifice Independence, was borh in 
 Shelby County, Kentucky, July 25, 1833, and in August, 1843, he came to 
 Jackson'County, Missouri, where he was reared and 'educated. In May, 1861, 
 he enlisted in the Confederate service, in Company G, 3rd Missouri, ist Brigade, 
 remaining in service till the close of the War. He was mustered in as sergent 
 and promoted to second lieutenant; in November, 1863, was captured by the 
 navy at Grand Gulf, Mississippi, and taken to Vicksburg, and from there was 
 transferred to St. Louis, where he remained five months. Then taken to John- 
 son's island. Lake Erie, where he remained till the close of the War, when he 
 returned to Jackson County, since which time he has been engaged in farming 
 and dealing in stock. He now has a well improved farm of 193 acres, which is 
 adapted for the raising of stock, being well supplied with running water. Was 
 married February 14, 1867, to Miss Laura Parker, a native of Jackson County, 
 Missouri, who died January 19, 1881. They had four children: William T;, 
 George H., Horace B., and Nellie. 
 
 J. H. KNOEPKER, 
 
 Farmer, section 11, post-office Independence, was born in St. Charles County, 
 Missouri, December 21, 1838. His parents were natives of Germany, and 
 emigrated to America in 1836 and located in St. Charles County, Missouri, 
 where they resided the remainder of their lives. Our subject was reared on a 
 farm in his native county. In 1865 he removed to Hopewell, Warren County, 
 Missouri, where he embarked in mercantile pursuits, which he pursued till 
 1876; during this time also filled the office of post-master, and owing to the faiHng 
 health of his family he was compelled to seek a more congenial climate, and chose 
 his present location in Jackson County. His farm consists of 160 acres, being 
 well improved. He also owns a business block on the north side of the Public 
 Square in Independence. Was married June 18, 1863, to Miss Scowenardt, whose 
 parents were natives of Germany, and emigrated to America about 1836; She 
 was born in Warren County, Missouri, February 22, 1841. They had seven 
 children, four of whom are living: Annie M. E., Fredrick H. H., Julia M. C, 
 and George William. 
 
892 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 JOHN KRONHAE.T, 
 
 Farmer, section 33, post-ofifice Independence, was born in Germany, July i, 
 1834. When eleven years of age he came to America, landing at Baltimore, 
 where he remained one year, then went to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and remained 
 six months, then went to Monroe County, Ohio, where he learned the shoemakers' 
 trade, serving three years as an apprentice. In 1865 he moved to Iowa City, 
 Iowa, where he remained six months, engaged as a clerk in a grocery. He then 
 moved to Independence, Missouri, where he worked at his trade six years, and 
 purchased the farm where he now resides, and which contains 1443^ acres. 
 Was married November, 1854, to Miss Barbara Baker, who is a native of Ohio, 
 but her parents of Germany. They have four children, three of whom are living : 
 Jacob, George, and Lusetta. 
 
 JAMES LEWIS, 
 
 Retired farmer, section 17, post-ofifice Independence. Among the pioneers of 
 Jackson County, none are more worthy of mention than the subject of this sketch. 
 He was born in Madison County, Kentucky, Nov, 16, 1798. Was reared in his 
 native county, and spent his boyhood days on a farm, his educational advantages 
 being limited. The fall of 1825 he immigrated to Jackson County, Mo., and 
 located on a farm, where he now resides. When about twenty years of age, he 
 learned the cooper trade which he has followed about fifteen years, and the 
 remainder of his life he has been engaged in agricultural pursuits and dealing in 
 stock. His farm consists of 140 acres. His father, Nathaniel Lewis, was a 
 native of North Carolina, and was a distant relative of Lewis XVI. He served a 
 time in the Revolutionary War, and followed farming from boyhood. He came 
 to Missouri with his son, James, and died July 14, and 1826. November'6, 1827, 
 the subject of this sketeh was married to Miss Polly GTegg. She was born in 
 Howard County, Missouri, January 19, 1813. She is a daughter of Harmon 
 Gregg of Tennessee. They have had fifteen children, eight of whom are living: 
 Samisa, William B., Susan E., Josiah G., John F., David W, Harmon N., and 
 Lucy A. Mr. Lewis was elected lieutenant-colonel of the militia in the spring of 
 1827 and served six years. 
 
 F. M. McVAY, 
 
 Farmer, section 30, post-office Independence, is a native of Kentucky, and 
 was born in Madison County, September 21, 1829. His parents, Patrick and 
 Malinda (Austin) were natives of Virginia, and immigrated to Missouri, when the 
 subject of this sketch was but four years of age, and located in Pike County, 
 and r.emained ten years; then to Brown County, and remained ten years; then to 
 Marion County and remained till the spring of 1 85 z ; then to Buchanan County and 
 remained three years; then to Atchison County, Kansas, being one of the first set- 
 tlers of the county; remaining aboutthree years he went to Platte County, Missouri, 
 and remained four years. He then went to Texas and remained a short time, and 
 came to Jackson County, Missouri, this time during the fall of 1867, since which 
 time he has resided in Jackson County, except a short time when he went to Texas, 
 remaining a brief period, then returned to Jackson County. He has followed 
 farming from boyhood. Was married December i, 1859, in Platte County, to 
 Miss Josaphine Oldham. She is a native of Platte County, Missouri. They have 
 three children: Maud A,, Challis L. and Clifton. 
 
 JAMES MALLINSON, 
 
 Farmer, section 28, post-office Independence, was born in England, December 
 15, 1811. Was reared in his native county on a farm. In 1842 he came to 
 America and landed at Chicago, and was for several years engaged in farming in 
 different parts of lUinois, when he moved to Franklin County. Kansas, but only 
 
BLUE TOWNSHIP. 893 
 
 remained a short time, and moved to Jackson County, Missouri, in the fall of 1859. 
 His farm contains eighty acres. He was married December 25, 1844, to Miss 
 Carohne Hagan. She is a native of Germany. She was born August, 1824. 
 They have ten children, six of whom are living: Abraham, James, Jr., Julia, 
 John, George and William A. 
 
 MRS. MARY W. MASON, 
 
 Section 30, post-office Independence. Her maiden name was Staples, a sister of 
 W. C. Staples, of whom mention is made elsewhere. She was born in Morgan 
 County, Tennessee, August 5, 1826. The following fall her parents immigrated 
 to Jackson County, Missouri, where she was reared, and in the same house where 
 she now lives. She was married November 12, 1845, to James C. Mason, who 
 was a native of Kentucky, and was born near Lexington, July 6, 181 1. When 
 about twenty-eight years of age he came to Missouri and first located in Lexing- 
 ton ; after a few years he came to Independence, where he remained till about 
 1852, when he moved to Platte County, Missouri, where he remained about ten 
 years, then returned to Jackson County, Missouri, where he remained till the 
 time of his demise, February 15, 1881. He was a wagon maker by trade, which 
 he followed most of his life, when, on account of paralysis, was not able even to 
 walk, and had to abandon his work. Mrs. Mason's landed estate consists of 
 iSViinr acres. They have had twelve children, six of whom are living: George 
 A., Felix G., William T., Elizabeth P., Francis M. and Emma. 
 
 WILLIAM H. MOORE, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 29, post-office Independence, was born in 
 Montgomery County, Kentucky, September 27, 1834, and was there reared on 
 a farm. In the fall of 1852 he came to Jackson County, Missouri, where he has 
 since been engaged in farming and raising stock, excepting six months of 1861, 
 which time he spent in Texas. By order No. 1 1 he was obliged to leave Missouri and 
 went to Illinois and remained till the following fall. His farm contains 106 acres. 
 He was married February 21, 1856, to Mattie A. Sale, a native of Jessamine 
 County, Kentucky. They have four children living: Mary A., Eugene L., 
 Charles H. and Mattie F. 
 
 GEORGE W. MOORE, 
 
 Farmer, section 32, post-office Independence, was born in Jackson County, 
 Missouri, August 14, 1842, and is a son of John Moore, who immigrated to 
 Jackson County from Kentucky in 1840; he died in the fall of 1865. George 
 was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools of the county and 
 Independence. He has followed farming closely, and now owns a farm of 152 
 acres. He was married January 16, 1871, to Miss Katie Powell, a native of Platte 
 County, Missouri. They have four children: Willie L., M'ary B., Robert and 
 Grie. 
 
 J. D. NOLAND, 
 
 Farmer, section 17, post-office Indepencence, was born in Jackson County, Mis- 
 souri, October 30, 1839, and was here reared on a farm until about fifteen years 
 of age, when he began freighting to New Mexico, Salt Lake City and other west- 
 ern points. In 1858 he went to California with a drove of cattle, remaining till 
 the wmter of i860, when he went to South America and there stayed during the 
 winter of i860. In the spring he went to Central America and New York City, 
 aiid returned to Jackson County, Missouri, during the summer of 1861 and im- 
 mediaiely enlisted in the Confederate Army, and remained in service till the close 
 ot the War. He then returnrd home, and in the fall of 1865 he went to Colorado 
 and remained during the winter engaged in freighting in the mountains. In the 
 spring of 1874 he made another trip to Colorado and returned in three months. 
 
894 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 He has been married three times, first, January 19, 1866, to Miss Henrietta 
 Glascock, who died in 1867, leaving one child, now deceased. Was married a 
 second time February 20, 1868, to Miss Susan E. Richards, who died in 1880, 
 leaving three children, two of whom are living : Robert A. and Samuel M. His 
 third marriage occurred September 26, 1880, to Miss Ruth A. Fry. 
 
 WILLIAM PARKER, 
 
 Farmer, section 24, post-office Independence, was born in Bourbon County, Ken- 
 tucky, July 18, 1805, and when but a boy his parents moved to Nicholas County, 
 where he was reared, his educational advantages being rather limited. In the fall 
 of 1838, he came to Jackson County, where he has since resided, except ten 
 months during the War. He dealt quite extensively in stock until the last two 
 years, his son, George H. , having charge of the farm, which contains 240 acres. 
 He was married October 4, 1832, to Miss Sarah H. Wilson, born in Virginia, 
 July 26, 1812. They have had eleven children, six of whom are living: James 
 S., born July 30, 1834; Elizabeth A., October 16, 1842; Charles, March 20, 
 1845; George H., April 30, 1847; William, Jr., August 27, 1849; Eliza J., Feb- 
 ruary 6, 1853. 
 
 P. P. PARKER, 
 
 Farmer, section 29, post-office Independence, was born in Jackson County, Mis- 
 souri, September 4, 1840, and was here reared, and has followed farming from 
 boyhood, except about four years, when he was engaged in freighting to Mexico, 
 from 1862 to 1866. He was married, February 25, 1868, to Miss Lizzie F. 
 Anderson, also a native of Jackson County, Missouri. They have two children : 
 Lucy and Sallie J. His parents were natives of Kentucky, and came to Jackson 
 County about 1837. 
 
 JOHN H. PARKER, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, section 20, post-office Independence, was born in Jackson 
 County, Missouri, July 20, 1842, and was here reared and educated. In 1862 he 
 enlisted in the Confederate service, and by re-enlistment served two years. Then 
 went to Kentucky and remained two months, when he went to Nebraska, and 
 resided there till the fall of 1865, when he returned to Jackson County. Since 
 that time he has been principally engaged in the stock trade. His landed estate 
 consists of 347 acres. He was married December 11, 1866 to Miss Annette 
 McGuire. They have three children : Thomas, Albert and Oliver. 
 
 JACOB POWELL, 
 
 Farmer, section 4, post-office Independence, was born in Bedford County, Penn- 
 sylvania, in 1813, and when a mere child his parents removed to Franklin 
 County, Ohio, settling on a farm. He followed farming, receiving a common 
 school education He came to this county and settled on the same section 
 as his present location, in 1865. Mr. Powell's parents, upon settling in Ohio, 
 in 1815, found that county all brush, and have witnessed its growth into cities 
 and towns. Our subject was married in Franklin County, Ohio, in 1834, to Miss 
 Elizabeth H. Brown. They have had eleven children, eight of whom are living. 
 
 C. PUGS LEY, 
 
 Breeder of fine stock, section 3T, post-office Independence, was born in Colum- 
 bia County, New York, September 10, 1830, and when six years of age, his 
 parents moved to Highland County, Ohio. His father, PeterN^. Pugsley, at 
 the time of his immigration to Ohio, brought 1,000 head of Merino sheep with 
 him, where he was engaged ia the raising of sheep until the time of his demise, 
 in January, 1842. Our subject is the youngest of ten children, six of whom are 
 hving. He has followed the stock business during life, but principally the raising 
 
BLUE TOWNSHIP. 895 
 
 of sheep, till his immigration to Jackson County, Missouri, in October, 1865. 
 His landed estate consists of 500 acres in Jackson County and 420 acres in 
 Massac County, Illinois, his home farm being adapted to the raising of stock. 
 He has a fine orchard containing nearly all the varieties of both large and small 
 fruit. He is now considered one of the leading stock raisers of the county, keep- 
 ing many imported sheep and Short-horn cattle. He was married September 18, 
 1855, to Miss Sarah E. Jones, a native of Ross County, Ohio, born in February, 
 1832. They have eight children : ^ellie, Annie Emmi, William, Birdie, Cor- 
 nelius, Carrie and Merrick Vaile. ^ uj<i I g H ^^aa/vJJ-- X^ JUJj^Mm--^^ ' 
 
 MAJOR Z. S. RAGAN, 
 
 Fruit grower, section 27, post-office Independence, was born in Mercer County, 
 Kentucky, April 17, 1817, and when fifteen years of age his parents moved to 
 Hendricks County, Indiana. Robert Ragan, his father, was born in Virginia, July 
 12, 1788, and died in Indiana, October 11, 1870. His wife, Nancy (Smith), was 
 born in Kentucky, February 24, 1794, and died in Indiana, September 12, 1853. 
 In July, 1862, our subject enlisted in the Federal service, in Company C, 70th 
 ■Indiana Regiment, and was mustered in as captain. In the spring of 1 864, he was 
 promoted to major, which position he filled till the close of the War, participating 
 in the battles of Resacca, Georgia, Marrietta, and Lost Mountain. Here he 
 was wounded, and carried from the field. He was next engaged in the battle of 
 Peach Tree Creek, all the fights in the capture of Atlanta, and the battle of Avers- 
 borough; and the last and the most desperate was that of Benton ville. Was also 
 in several other small engagements. He was discharged at Washington City, in 
 June, 1865, and returned to Indiana. In the spring of 1869, he moved to Jack- 
 son County, Missouri, and located in Independence, where he remained about 
 six years. Then he moved to his present farm, where he makes a specialty of 
 the growing of fruit, in which he has been engaged most of his life. Is also 
 interested in the stock business, with his son, who takes principal charge of that 
 department. His fruit farm contains thirty-two acres, which is covered with the 
 finest varieties of both large and small fruit, and this location presents the finest 
 appearance of any in Jackson County. His stock farm is in Cass County, and 
 contains one section. He also has property in both Kansas City and Independ- 
 ence. Was married March 7, 1848, to Miss Mariah Hannah. She was a 
 native of Virginia, and died May 5, 1865. They had four children: Gilbert L., 
 Nannie J., Laura E., and Mary E. Was married the second time to Miss Lena 
 Richardson, February 22, 1866. She is a native of Kentucky, but reared in 
 Illinois, and afterward moved to Indiana. I?^ 
 
 ABRAM RENICK, 
 
 Farmer, section 19, post-office Independence, was born in Bourbon County, 
 Kentucky, June 6, 1814, and was there reared and educated on a farm. Having 
 all the elements of a natural mechanic, he began the gunsmith trade when he 
 attained the age of manhood, following it in Kentucky till 1843, when he immi- 
 grated to Missouri, and located in Jackson County. Since the beginning of the 
 War, in 1861, he has been engaged in farming, and also in working at his trade. 
 His landed estate consists of 190 acres, on which is situated a fine orchard, con- 
 taining 300 apple trees, 150 to 200 peach trees, and other small fruit. He was 
 married to Miss Melvina Reed, December 24, 1840. She died in 1856, leaving 
 four children: Samuel, Mary E., William H., and Louisa. Mrs. Howell, whose 
 maiden name was Reed, and a sister to his first wife, became his second wife, 
 June 24, 1858. They had one child, now deceased. 
 
896 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 A. M. ROGERS, 
 
 Stock dealer, section 33, post-office Independence, was born in Fayette County, 
 Ohio, January 7, 1833, and was there reared on a farm. In August, 1862, he 
 enlisted in the Federal service, as private in Company C, 90th Ohio Infantry, 
 and in the summer of 1864 was promoted to first lieutenant of Company B, same 
 regiment, having previously been promoted to second Heutenant. This regiment 
 was in active service continuously, having the name of being in thirty-three active 
 battles. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Chicamaugua, and was mus- 
 tered out in June, 1865. Then returned to Clinton County, Ohio, and was there 
 engaged in the stock business till the spring of 1871, when he came to Jackson 
 County. Since then he has been engaged in farming and dealing in stock, quite 
 extensively in short-horned cattle. His landed estate consists of 115 acres. 
 His son, John W. , is in partnership in the stock business, supplying the demand 
 of the western country with breeding cattle. Mr. Rogers was married December 
 26, 185s, to Miss Mary C. Webb, a native of Virginia. They have had four 
 children, three now living: John W. , Clara B. and Lucy C. 
 
 JAMES T. ROGERS, 
 
 Section 35, post-office Independence, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, March 
 22, 1844, and was here reared and educated. In the fall of 1864 he enlisted in 
 the Confederate service Company H, Shanks' Regiment, and served till the close 
 of the War when he returned to Jackson County. He was married November 
 16, 1872, to Miss Susan R. Portwood, a native of Jessamine County, Ky. They, 
 have three children : Lottie L. , Sidney P. and Willard F. 
 
 JOHN E. SCRUGGS, 
 
 Farmer, section 15, post-office Independence, was born in Wilson County, 
 Tenn., March 18, 1833, and when about six months of age his parents, Nathan- 
 iel H. and Martha (Bradley), emigrated to Missouri and located in Jackson 
 County, where he grew to manhood. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, his 
 father having been one of the most successful farmers in Jackson County. He 
 was educated in the common schools and the Academy of Jackson County, and 
 graduated in Jones' Commercial College, of St. Louis, in the spring of 1854. 
 In 1855 he embarked in the mercantile business in Papinsville, Bates County, 
 Mo., where he remained till the beginning of the War in 1861. Then moved on 
 a farm near Kansas City, and there remained during the war, after which he 
 moved to Independence. Since then he has been engaged in the mercantile 
 business and farming, excepting in 1867-8. Part of this time he was at Warsaw 
 in the hotel business, and at Sedalia in the mercantile business. In 1869 he 
 moved to his present location. His farm consists of 105 acres, improved, hav- 
 ing a fine orchard. He was married December 2, 1856, to Miss Mary Evans, a 
 native of Kentucky, born in Garred County, June 5, 1838. They have six 
 children: Nathaniel, Jennie, John E., Jr., Walter S., Arthur L. and Nellie M. 
 
 Dr. F. L. SEWELL, 
 
 Farmer and Physician, section 22, post office Independence, was born January 
 24, 1827, in Fairfield County, Virginia, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. 
 While receiving his education he was compelled to work to pay his expenses. 
 When eighteen \ ears of age he chose the profession of medicine, and began its 
 study under the tutorship of Dr. William B. Day, of Drainesville, Virginia. 
 After studying for three years he attended two full courses of lectures at the State 
 Institution of Maryland, graduaiing from this institution at the close of the session 
 of 1850-1. He then went to Henry County, Kentucky, and in that fall began 
 the practice of his profession. I'he following season being noted for the typhoid 
 fever, and its nature not being understood by many of the practitioners, the 
 
BLUE TOWNSHIP. 897 
 
 doctor had flattering prospects, having just returned from the hospital where he 
 had become acquainted with this disease. He remained in this location till 1862 
 when he moved to Christiansburgh, where he was engaged in the practice of his 
 profession till the spring of 1868. Then moved to his present location, having 
 purchased a farm, on a previous visit, in the spring of 1867. Since coming here 
 he has made farming his principal occupation; his farm consists of 180 acres. 
 
 W. C. STAPLES, 
 
 Farmer, section 31, post-office Independence, was born in Jackson County 
 Missouri, July 15, 1830. His father, A. G. Staples, was a native of Augusta 
 Georgia, and when about thirty-eight years of age immigrated to Tennessee' 
 where he remained till 1826, then coming to Jackson County, Missouri. Here 
 he remained till the time of his demise in 1870. The subject of this sketch is one 
 of a family of eight children, five boys and three girls, all of whom grew up but 
 only two are now living. In 1856 he went to Saline County, Missouri, where he 
 was married to Miss Virginia Staples. In September, 1864, he enlis'ted in the 
 Confederate service, Company H, Wood's Battalion, and shortly after his enlist- 
 ment was taken prisoner and held in St. Louis five months, then transferred to 
 Ahon, Illinois, where he was detained four months, and was released on the 
 evening of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, being the last man ever released 
 by him. After being released he returned to his farm in Saline County, Missouri 
 where he remained but a short time when he returned to his native county His 
 farm consists of 112 acres. Mrs. Staples is a native of Henry County Virginia 
 and was born May 30, 1835, and came to Missouri when about five years of aee' 
 she is a daughter of Colonel James Staples. ' 
 
 ■ J. H. STORALL, 
 
 Farmer, section 16, post-office Independence, was born in Jackson County Mis- 
 souri, February 24, 1841, and was there reared on a farm. In 1861 he enlisted 
 in the Missouri State Guards, and at the end of six months re-enlisted in the 
 Confederate service, in Company A, i6th Missouri. Served until the close of the 
 War, and was paroled at Shreevesport, after which he returned to Jackson 
 County. During the winter of 1876-7 he was in Colorado, and was there 
 engaged in teaming. His farm consists of eighty acres, improved. He was 
 married in September, 1869, to Mrs. Lucinda J. Noland, whose maiden name 
 was Moon, and a daughter of William Moon. She has two children by her first 
 husband. 
 
 CALVIN THOMPSON, 
 
 Farmer, section 36. post-office Independence, was born in Canon County Vir- 
 ginia, August 20, 1818, and was there reared and educated, attending the' New 
 London Academy of that county. He was in the mercantile business for a number 
 of years, five years as clerk. In 1848 he moved to Carroll County, Missouri 
 where he engaged in the stock trade till the beginning of the War, during which 
 time he was mostly engaged on a farm. In 1866 he moved to Independence 
 Jackson County, Missouri, where he engaged in the grocery trade for several 
 years, and in 1877 moved to his farm, containing 150 acres, where he now resides 
 He was married in 1846 to Miss Catherine Gwatkiu, of same county as himself! 
 They have had four children, two now living: Charles A. and David L. 
 
 ROBERT TURNER, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 5, post-office Independence, was born in York- 
 shire, England, where he remained till he attained his twenty-second year. Then 
 came to America, landing at New York City, and after a short stay went to Canada 
 West, where he lived about nine years. He went to Edgar County, Illinois 
 
 57 — 
 
898 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 where he remained four years engaged in farming, and then moved to Douglas 
 County, same State, where he lived two years. In i856 came to Independence. 
 Mr. Turner had miny obstacles to contend with, as the change in the current of 
 the Missouri River at one time took his entire crop. He then went to his pres- 
 ent place, and in 1877 the river again rose and swept away his old home, crop 
 and all, to the amount of $8,000. He is how working 500 acres, and is also en- 
 gaged in the ice business, having one ice house in Independence and two houses 
 on the farm. He was married, in Canada, to Miss Maria Richardson, of Som- 
 merville, Canada West. They have had twelve children ten now living : Will- 
 iam J., Mary J., Frances A.., Hannah M., Robert J., Esther E , George R., Jo- 
 seph H., David L., and Oliver A. Henry and Daniel are deceased. 
 
 JUDGE JAMES B. YAGER, 
 
 Section 16, post-office Independence. Among the pioneers of Jackson County, 
 none have figured more conspicuously than our subject, who is of German ex- 
 traction, but a native of Kentucky. His parents, Ananias and Rachel (Brum- 
 field) immigrated from Virginia to Kentucky at an early day. James was born 
 July 19, 1809 in Washington, where he received the advantage of a limited com- 
 mon school education While living there he acted as deputy sheriff during the 
 years 1833-4-5. In the spring of 1837 he moved to Missouri stopping in Calla- 
 way County till December, when he located in Jackson County. His first elec- 
 tion as member of the county court occurred in August, 1842, and he served till 
 1844 when he resigned the position. In 1854 he was elected a second time as a 
 member of the county court and served till the expiration of his term in 1858. 
 At the election in 1858, he was chosen as representative in the Legislature, and 
 served during the sessions of 1858-9 and 1859-60. In 1868 he was elected a 
 third time as judge of the county court, and has held the same position by re- 
 election and appointment up to the present timej now serving a term of two years. 
 From 1854 to 1861, Judge Yager, in connection with his official duties, was 
 engaged in freighting to Santa Fe, and other western points. During the War of 
 the Rebellion his time was spent transiently over different parts of the State not 
 being physically able for service. He was married in Washington County, Ken- 
 tucky, September 29, 1835, to Miss Mary J. Berry. She is a native of Kentucky, 
 and was born in Washington County, September 14, 1812, and is a daughter of 
 Richard and Mary {'^ew), who immigrated to Missouri in 1820. They have had 
 five children, two of whom are living: Rachel M., (now Mrs. Harper) and Lou- 
 isa M., (now Mrs. Hamilton). 
 
 ■^^^'kiF^^S^wS^^^^- 
 
FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP. 899 
 
 FORT OSA&E TO^VlSrSHIP. 
 
 JAMES M. ADAMS, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 35, post-office Buckner, was born in Little Blue 
 Bottom, Jackson County, Missouri, on the 13th of November, 1833, — anight made 
 memorable by the falling of the stars. His father, Lynchburg Adams, was one 
 of the earliest settlers in this county. James spent his youth on a farm, aad 
 received his primiry education in the common schools, then entered Chapel 
 Hill College, in Lafayette County. He afterward attended the State University 
 at Columbia, and also Jones' Commercial College, at St. Louis, from which he 
 graduated in the spring of 1859. Returning to this county, he was engaged in 
 teaching and farming until the outbreak of the War, when he enlisted under 
 General Price, in December, i86r, and served until after the battle of Pea 
 Rid^e, Arkansas. Was taken sick, and remained for two weeks in the hospital 
 at Little Rock. He returned to this county in 1862, and then went to Clay 
 County, and engaged in teaching. At the close of the War, he again came home 
 and eti<ra."ed in farming. In 1866 he became interested in the mercantile busi- 
 ness at Pink Hill, and continued therein, in connection with his farming, until 
 1876, when he sold out his store, and now gives his attention to farming. He 
 owns a fine farm of 150 acres, well improved and also well stocked. He held 
 the position of constable in Kansas City, from November, 1878, to November, 
 1880; has also held the position of justice of the peace and notary public. He 
 married Miss Anna C. Nottingham, April 5, 1859, also a native of this county, 
 born April i, 1837 They have a family of ten children: Lynchburg, John W., 
 Cozettie, Bessie, Fannie, James M., Arthur, Aronia, Emmit, and Otis. He, 
 his eldest son and daughter Bessie, are members of the Southern Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. His wife and daughter Cozettie are members of the Mis- 
 onary Baptist Church. Mr. Adams is also a member of the Masonic and Odd 
 Fellows Orders, and has filled the position of master in the Masonic Order some 
 
 ^•S*^^^^"" ' S.AKERS, 
 
 Farmer section 31, post-office Levasy, was born December 6, 1832, in Floyd 
 County' Kentucky, and came West with his parents when five years of age. 
 They settled in Cass County, ten miles south of Harrisonvilie, and here Sylvester 
 spent his boyhood days on the farm. He received an education in the schools of 
 that county, and also learned the blacksmith trade. When seventeen years of 
 age he commenced teaming across the plains, and followed it three years, and 
 then engaged in farming, and followed it until the War broke out. In 1862 he 
 unlisted under General Shelby, and took part in the battles of Wilson's Creek, 
 Prairie Grove, and was with Price in his raid through this county. At the close 
 of the War, he turned his attention to farming, and in the spring of 1879, he and 
 his family 'moved to Leadville, Colorado, where he engaged in the freighting 
 business. In the sprin of 1880, he returned to his farm, and now owns 160 
 acres of well cultivated land, and keeps a moderate amount of stock. He married 
 Miss Malvina Parsons, in 1852. She is a native of Cass County, born July 30, 
 iS^ri They have three children living: Mary B. (now Mrs. Hollmgsworth), 
 Joseph and William ; lost three. Himself and wife are members of the Chris 
 tian Church, and also of the Patrons of Husbandry. 
 
 JOHN B. ANDERSON, 
 
 Farmer, Clay Township, Lafayette County, post-office Napoleon, was born in 
 West Virginia, January 13, 1802, and was reared there as a farmer, also following 
 
900 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 river life for a time. In the fall of 1848, he came to Missouri, and resided two 
 years near Wellington, and then moved on the place where he now owns 160 
 acres of improved land. In 1833 he was married to Miss Mary Best, a native of 
 Lynchburg, Virginia, born May 4, 1814. She died January 22, 1879, leaving 
 two children : John J. and Martha (now Mrs. Nealey). 
 
 MOSES BEAVER, 
 
 Farmer, section 20, post-office Levasy, was born in Montgomery County, Vir- 
 ginia, February 17, 1825, and was brought up on a farm, receiving his education 
 in the common schools. He came to Jackson County in the fall of 1865, and ' 
 settled in this township, engaging in farming. In 1872 he moved to the farm 
 where he owns seventy acres, on which he resides; also has sixty acres in the 
 bottoms. Has been school director for several terms. In the fall of 1859, he 
 was married to Miss Margaret A. Beavers, a native of Indiana, born December 
 10, 1840. They have six children living: James M., John C, Robert L., 
 Pelatiah, G. A., and Stonewall J.; lost two. Himself and wife are members of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 S. J. CHILES, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 23, post-office Buckner. His parents were na- 
 tives of Clark County, Kentucky, and there S. J. was born June 27, 1832. He 
 was brought to this county by his parents during the fall, and was here reared on 
 a farm and received his primary education in the schools of this county. Then 
 entered Chapel Hill College, where he completed his education. In 1850 he 
 started across the plains to California and spent about five years in the mines, 
 then returned to this county and engaged in farming. He had his first insight 
 into the mercantile business when a boy about fifteen years of age, with his father 
 at Sibley. In 1878 he commenced the mercantile business at Buckner and fol- 
 lowed it some two years and then turned his attention to farming again. He 
 owns 120 acres of land, forty of which are well improved. Mr. Chiles has filled 
 the office of justice of the peace some eight years and of school director several 
 terms ; also taught three terms of school. He was in Kansas City when the first 
 house was erected within the present city limits. In 1852 he married Miss Mary 
 E. Hamilton, a native of Kentucky, born in 1834. They have had three children, 
 two of whom are living : Artie S. and Itaska B. Himself and wife are members 
 of the Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Odd Fellows and Knights of 
 Pythias Lodges. The eldest daughter, Artie S. , holds the position of ticket agent 
 and operator at Buckner for the Wyandotte, Kansas City & Lexington Railroad. 
 She received her education at Lexington, and is an estimable young lady and a 
 member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 W. G. CHILES, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post-office Buckner, was born on the 22nd 
 of June, 1836, in this county, and has here been reared and educated. He gives 
 his attention to agricultural pursuits and owns a well improved farm which con- 
 tains some 280 acres. He has just erected a handsome residence which is an orna- 
 ment to the township. He has a good orchard, and the farm is well stocked. 
 Mr. Chiles has never been an office-seeker, but has always given his attention to 
 his legitimate business. He took a trip to Texas and was captured by the Fed- 
 erals in the Indian Territory in 1862 and held a prisoner at Ft. Leavenworth 
 about one year. Was then banished to Canada by General Schofield. From 
 there he went to Kentucky and received a pass to go on a visit to the coast in 
 1864, and there spent some two years; he returned to this county by Mackinaw 
 flat boats in the fall of 1866. In 1867 he again went to Texas and engaged in 
 farming; returned to this county in 1869. He married Miss May E Marfee 
 in 1870. She is a native of this State, born April 23, 1849. They have two 
 
FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP. 901 
 
 children living: Isaac C. and Graham M.; lost two. They are members of the 
 Christian Church at Sibley. 
 
 H. C. CHILES, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post-office Buckner, was born May 28, 1838, 
 in this county, and here was reared and partly educated. He attended the Ma- 
 sonic College at Lexington, Mo., and took a trip West in 1858 in charge of some 
 Government cattle, and went on to the Black Hills. Returned to this county 
 again and commenced freighting for himself and made several trips across the 
 plains in or about the year 1865. He moved to the place where he now resides 
 in 1869, and owns 780 acres of well improved land. He gives his attention 
 mosdy to stock-raising, and, being one of the pioneers here, has won the re- 
 spect of a large circle of friends. He has filled the office of school director some 
 fourteen years. He married Miss Julia Perrin, December 27, 1866. She is a 
 native of Platte County, Mo., born July 25, 1847. They have six children : Jane, 
 Frankhn, Azubah, Maggie, Susan and Jessie. Himself and wife are members of 
 the Christian Church. 
 
 B. R. CHILTON, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post-office Buckner, was born February 16, 
 1808, in Culpepper County, Virginia, and was taken to Wood County, Kentucky, 
 by his parents in 1816. There he was reared and educated, and, after becoming 
 old enough to do business,' he engaged rather extensively in stock dealing. 
 At one time he held the position of tax collector, also constable, and has hefd 
 other positions of trust. He came West in 1854 and stopped at Sibley, and 
 moved to the place on which he now resides in 1861, but was not suffered to 
 remain on it. Then removed to Texas and remained until the close of the War, 
 when he returned to his farm, which consists of over 281 acres; it is one of the 
 finest stock farms in the county and has a Jiandsome building site on it. His 
 sister-in-law, Mrs. Nancy H. Chiles, and Miss Belle McMerty keep house for 
 him. 
 
 WASHINGTON DIXON, 
 
 Merchant, Blue Mills, was born in Cass County, Indiana, November 8, 1836. 
 His father, William Dixon, was one of the pioneers of Cass County, and for 
 several years acted as county commissioner. When Washington was about sixteen 
 years of age they moved to Jackson County. When about twenty years of age 
 he learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed in connection with farming till 
 he began in his present business in February, 1881. In the fall of 1861 he went 
 to Jackson County, Kansas, where he remained one year, and then to Coffey 
 County, Kansas, where he remained till the close of the War. He was married 
 October 6, 1863, to Miss Georgie A. Roberts, a native of Monroe County, Mis- 
 souri, born October 26, 1841. They have six children: Mary E., Ida M., 
 Mattie Estella, Bessie and Claude. 
 
 WILLIAM L DOUGLASS, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 7, post-office Lake City, was born in April, 1825, 
 in Madison County, Kentucky, and accompanied his parents to this county in 
 October, 1835, ^^^ ^^^ ''^''^ made his home since. He took a trip to Mexico in 
 1846, and also went to California in 1849 ^"d spent about four years on the 
 coast. When order No. i r was issued he removed to Ray County, and resided 
 in the same eighteen months. He owns 200 acres of land, part of which is im- 
 proved. He married Miss Milda J. Sanders in 1855. She is a native of Ken- 
 tucky, born December 5, 1833. They have one child, Thaddeus T. They are 
 members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Douglass is among the oldest pioneers in 
 the county, and has the respect of a large circle of acquaintances. 
 
902 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 JAMES H. DOUGLASS, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 8, post-office Buckner, was born June 5, 1829, 
 in Madison County, Kentucky, and was brought to this county by his parents 
 when six years of age. Here he has been reared as a farmer, and stands high 
 among the pioneers of this county. He took a trip to Mexico in 1848, returned 
 the same year, and in 1850 went to California and spent three years on the coast. 
 During the late War he enlisted in the Confederate Army and served some three 
 years under Shelby and Johnson, and suffered the loss of his right eye by a bullet 
 at the battle of Kennesaw Mountains, Georgia, on the 24th of June, 1864. At 
 the close of the War he settled on the place where he now resides, and owns 145 
 acres of fine farm land, and fifty two acres of timber. His farm is well improved 
 and well stocked. He has filled the office of school director several terms. He 
 married Miss Henrietta Dixon September 4, 1854. She was a native of Virginia 
 and was born in 1835. She died on the 13th of September, 1879, leaving a 
 family of eight children : Walter, May, Thomas, HattieJ., Annie M., Ebenezer, 
 Mertie E. and James. Mr. Douglass is a member of the Christian Church, also 
 a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 JAMES DUFFIELD, 
 
 Harness maker, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, in 1853, and there spent his 
 youthful days on a farm, and received good educational advantages. In 1869 he 
 came West and settled in this township on a farm, engaging in agricultural pur- 
 suits for six years. He then established himself in the harness business with A: 
 D. McPherson, the firm thus continuing until 1879, when Mr. Duffield bought 
 out his partner's interest and has since continued the business alone. He has a 
 good business throughout the township, and is popular with all.- He is a member 
 of Buckner Lodge No. 364, 1. O. O. F. , and Knights of Pythias. 
 
 ALEXANDER ECKLES, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 5, post-office Sibley. "Aleck," as he is famil- 
 iarly called, is the son of R. C. Eckles, one of the pioneers of this county, and 
 was born November 15, 1853, on the place where he now resides. His early 
 youth was spent upon a farm, and here he received his preparatory education, 
 afterward completing it by attending the William Jewell College. In April, 1875, 
 his father died, and our subject came into possession of the farm, consisting of 
 170 acres of well improved and stocked land, and eighty acres of timber. Mr. 
 Eckles has filled the position of sub-director and clerk of this district for about 
 six years. He married February 11, 1879, Miss Susan Hamilton, also a native 
 of this county, born February 19, 1854. They have one child, Robert. Mr. 
 Eckles is a member of the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 J. L. H. FRANKLIN, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post-office Lake City, was born March 30, 
 1842, in this township, and has here been reaired on a farm. He received a 
 common school education, and commenced life on his own account when twenty- 
 one years of' age, and has given his attention to farming and stock raising since. 
 He ownes 634 acres of improved land, and ninety acres of timber; his farm is 
 well stocked; he has a fine orchard and a comfortable house. He moved to 
 Lexington, Mo., and resided there some six months, when Order No. 11 was in 
 force. He has never been an office-seeker, but has always given his attention to 
 his legitimate business, and he has the respect of a large circle of friends. He 
 has been twice married ; First to Miss Marietta Tar in i87r. She died in 1873. 
 He married again, September 16, 1874, Miss Laura C. Turner, a native of South 
 Carolina, born November 27, 1846. They are members of the Baptist Church. 
 
FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP. 903 
 
 WILLIAM H. FUNK, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 7, post-office Buckner, was born September 
 15, 1852, in Kentucky, and was brought to this county by his parents when 
 about seven years of age. He was principally reared here as a farmer, and 
 received his education in the schools of this county. He commenced business 
 on his own account when about twenty years of age, and engaged in agricultural 
 pursuits, and now farms 130 acres of land, and raises considerable stock, princi- 
 pally graded. He holds the office of school director at present, and in his 
 manner is much of a gentleman. He married Miss Mary Kimsey in the fall of 
 1872, an estimable lady and a native of this county, born in 1856. They have 
 two children: Johnny and Elizabeth. Himself and wife are members of the 
 Baptist Church. 
 
 WILLIAM N. GRAY, 
 Merchant at Levasy, was born December 26, 1836, in this county, and spent his 
 boyhood days on a farm, receiving his education in the common schools. During 
 the late War he served three years with General Shelby, and took part in the 
 battles of Helena, Springfield, Lone Jack, Lexington (under General Price), 
 Saline River ( under Kirby Smith), and in many other minor engagements. At 
 the close of the War he engaged in farming again, continuing therein until 1878, 
 when he engaged in the drug business at Levasy, and continued this until the 
 spring of 1881, when he sold out. By his agreeable manners he has won the 
 respect of a large circle of friends. In March, 1867, he married Miss M. R. 
 Hightower, a native of Kentucky, born March 21, 1846. They have two children. 
 Charlie H. and Lena L. Himself and wife are members ot the Baptist Church : 
 Mr. Gray's father, James Gray, was one of the early pioneers in the county, and 
 came here in 1835. During the Mormon War, and also the Osage Indian War, 
 he held the 'position of brigadier-general of the State troops, from the Sixth Dis- 
 trict. Also held the position of county judge a number of years. He died in 
 1865 and left a large circle of friends. 
 
 S. T. HARRIS, 
 Merchant, postmaster, and agent for the Wyandott, Kansas City & Lexington 
 Railroad at Lake City. His parents were natives of Kentucky, and came to. this 
 county in T29, and S. T. Harris was born in 1828, in Sni-a-bar Township. Was 
 here reared as a farmer, and received his education in the district schools. Dur- 
 ing the late War he enlisted under General Shelby, and served over two years. 
 He commenced the mercantile business in the spring of 1872, at Fire Prairie, 
 and removed to Lake City in 1876, and built the first store in that place. Was 
 also influential in having the depot placed there, and has held the position of 
 agent since the office was first established. He holds the position of post-master 
 and trustee, and also carries on a general merchandise store. He formed at 
 partnership with H. W. Webb, the 1st of April, 1881, and they have opened a 
 complete stock of staple and fancy groceries, queensware, etc. Mr. Harris is a 
 member of the Masonic fraternity. He married Miss Barbara N. Bridges in 
 1862. She is a native of Lake City, and was born in 1843. They have 
 seven children: Lucy. Rhoda E., Martha A., Mertie, Ernest and Atox, twins, 
 and Anna. H. W. Webb, of this firm, was born August 15, 181 9, in this coun- 
 ty, and was reared as a farmer. He became a partner April 8, 1881. He is 
 one of the rising young business men of the place. 
 
 JOHN HIGHTOWER, 
 Merchant at Levasy, was born March 16, 1816, in Jespamine County, Ky., but 
 was principally reared in Mason County, that State. He came to this county in 
 October, 1855, and settled in this township and engaged in farming, where he re- 
 sided until Order No. 1 1 compelled him to retire, and he then to moved Lafayette 
 County. Returned to his farm at the close of the War, and continued farming 
 
904 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 until the spring of 1881. He owns 240 acres of fine land. He commenced the 
 mercantile business here about the first of March, 1881, and carries a general 
 stock of dry goods and groceries, and is building up a good business. In No- 
 vember, 1858, he married Miss Sarah A. Van ArdoU, a native of Kentucky, 
 born in March, 1822. They have had eleven children, eight of whom are liv- 
 ing: W. H., C. C, J. T., Geo. P., Margie, Janie, Alice, and Pearly. Mr. 
 Hightower and wife are members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 S. W. HUDSON, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 3, post-office Buckner, was born March 2, 1842, 
 on the place where he now resides, and has been reared here as a farmer. He 
 received his education partly at the Masonic College of Lexington, and also at 
 William Jewell College of Liberty. When Elijah Chiles Organized his company 
 here, Mr. Hudson became one of its members, and held the position of orderly 
 until the company disbanded. He went to Texas in the fall of 1861, and re- 
 turned in January, 1862, and took part in the battle of Lone Jack. Mr. Hudson 
 has never been an office-seeker, preferring the peace and quiet of his own busi- 
 ness. He took a trip across the plains in April, 1865, in the interest of Butter- 
 field's Overland Dispatch Company. He owns 420 acres of well-improved land, 
 where he lives and has a good residence, and two good barns ; also owns ninety 
 acres in Kansas. He is an active member of the Christian Church, in which he 
 holds the office of deacon. January 18, 1871, he married Miss MoUie Gilbert, a 
 native of Kentucky, born April 28, 1852. She died July 14, 1873. 
 
 ROBERT N. HUDSPETH, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 12, post-office Lake City, was born in Simpson 
 County, Kentucky, February 22, 1822, and came with his parents to this county 
 in 1828. Here he has since made his home, and has seen the county grow from 
 a vast wilderness to one of the richest in the State, and Mr. Hudspeth has not 
 been backward in doing his share toward making this change. He is now one 
 of the most highly respected citizens in the county, and is the owner of 1200 acres of 
 fine land, and raises considerable stock. In 1849 he went to California, remain- 
 ing two years, and afterward took another trip to the same place at the close of 
 the War, stopping one year in Utah. During the late War he served for some 
 time with Quantrell. Recently he made a visit to his native county in Kentucky. 
 Being an old settler here, and widely known, he numbers his friends by the score. 
 
 J. R HUDSPETH, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post-office Lake City, was born November 
 21, 1839, in this township, and has here been reared as a farmer. He owns a 
 fine farm of 440 acres, well improved with a good orchard, and has 100 head of 
 cattle, mostly graded. His residence is situated on an elevation which gives him 
 a view of a vast scope of country and a sight of the towns of Independence, Lake 
 City and Buckner Hills. He has filled the position of school director six years. 
 During the late War he joined General Shelby's command and served four years, 
 taking part in the battles of Prairie Grove, Helena, Little Rock, Lone Jack, and 
 was with General Price on his raid through Missouri in 1863; and also in 
 many minor engagements. August 15, 1866, he married Miss S. A. Franklin, a 
 native of Jackson County ; she was born December 24, 1847. They have four 
 children : Joseph, Mary A. , Elvira B. , and Charlie R. Mrs. Hudspeth is a 
 member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 GEORGE W. HUDSPETH, 
 Farmer, section 24, post-office Lake City, was born January 27, 1820, in Simp- 
 son County, Kentucky, and was brought to this country by his father, when 
 eight years of age, and has been partly reared in Jackson County. He owns 487 
 acres of land. He has filled his present office of school director for some twenty 
 
FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP. 905 
 
 years. During the time of order No. ii he moved across the river, and remained 
 about one year and six months. He took two trips to Mexico ; also several 
 journeys to California, and spent five years on the coast. He married Miss 
 Elizabeth Jessie, in March, 1857. She is a native of Russel County, Virginia, 
 born May 6, 1830. They have a family of six children : Tybithia P., Anna E., 
 Lola G., Ida M., Joel E., and Silas B. ; lost two. He is a member of the 
 Baptist Church, also of the Masonic faternity. 
 
 JACOB W. JAMES, 
 Farmer, section 9, post-office Buckner, was born August 18, 1834 in Switzer- 
 land County, Indiana, and at fifteen years of age commenced boating on the 
 Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. In 1854 he went to California and spent four years 
 on the coast engaged in mining. He then returned to Kentucky and followed 
 farming. During the War he joined General Buford's Division in 1862 and serv- 
 ed six months ; then joined Gen. John Morgan and remained with him until he 
 was captured ; was taken to Camp Morton, Indiana, and held there five months ; 
 was then removed to Camp Douglas, Illinois, but dug out of this prison and 
 made his way to Kentucky. He came to this county in 1868 and settled on his 
 present farm. It contains 120 acres, all under cultivation, and he has one of the 
 handsomest building sites in the county. He married Miss Emily C. Gibson in 
 February 1868. She was born in 1846. They have seven children; Lulu, Emma, 
 Ada, George, Nancy, Ida and Ernest. 
 
 J. J. KASTER, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post-office Lake City, was born January 
 10, 1839, in Rush County, Indiana, and was taken to Burlington, Iowa, when 
 eight years of age. He was there reared and received his education, and early 
 engaged in shipping cattle to Chicago and New York. He moved to Fremont 
 County, Missouri in 1863, and engaged in stock raising, farming and lumbering. 
 He came from there to this county in 1878 and purchased the farm on which he 
 now resides. It contains 490 acres of well improved land, and he is quite exten- 
 sively engaged in stock raising, especially sheep. He holds the office of school 
 director. February 13, 1862, he married Miss Sarah E. McAlister, a native of 
 Burlington, Iowa, born May 21, 1842. Her parents were among the pio- 
 neers in that vicinity. They have had six children, five of whom are living : Eu- 
 gene L., EarlT., Birdie, Thomas T. and James J. They are members of the 
 church of Latter Day Saints. 
 
 A. KITTLE, 
 Blacksmith, carpenter, wagonmaKer and farmer, section 7, post-office Blue 
 Mills, was born September 15, 1823, in Randolph County, Virginia, and spent 
 his boyhood days on a farm. He commenced to learn the blacksmith trade at 
 eighteen years of age, and after working some three and a half years at home, he 
 took what might be called a journeyman's tramp through Ohio and Indiana, and 
 finally setded at Lafayette County, Indiana. There he resided two years, and 
 learned to do general wood work on wagons, and also carpenter work, and then 
 returned to Virginia. He came to this county in 1865, and has made this his 
 home since. He started the shop he now operates in in 1867 ; he also farms about 
 sixty acres. He has filled his present office of school director for seven years. 
 He married Miss Martha E. Triplett on the 26th of August, 1847. She is also a 
 native of the same place as her husband, and was born March 4, 1830. They 
 have four children living : Alonzo, Bruce, John L. and William G. ; lost three. 
 Himself and wife are members of the Baptist Church, in which he holds the 
 office of moderator. 
 
 JAMES W. KINSEY, 
 
 Farmer, section 8, post-office Buckner, was born October 4, 1837, on the same 
 act of land where he now resides, and has been reared here as a farmer. He 
 
906 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 received his education in the schools of this county. He took a trip to Fort 
 Laramie in i860, and one to Texas in the fall of 1861, returning the same fall. 
 He then joined the Confederate Army and served four years with Joseph Shelby, 
 and was at the battles of Jenkin's Ferry, Helena, Prairie Grove, Lone Jack, and 
 many other smaller engagements. Was also with Price and Shelby in their raids 
 through this county. He took a trip to New Mexico in 1866, and returned the 
 same fall to his farm. He owns eighty acres of improved land, upon which are 
 three springs that have never been known to go dry. He has never sought after 
 office, but gives his attention to his business. He married Miss Missouri A. 
 Hudspeth in 1868. She is a native of Buckner, and was born December 25, 
 1837. They have two children: Robert S. and Sally V. He is a member of 
 the Masonic fraternity. 
 
 WILLIAM KIRBY, 
 Farmer, section 34, post-office Buckner, was born May 6, 1831, in Warren 
 County, Kentucky, and was there reared as a farmer and received his education 
 in the schools of that county. He immigrated to Texas in 1854 and remained 
 three years; then came to this county and resided here a few years, then taking 
 a trip to California, he spent three years on the coast and returned to this county 
 in 1868, and has been engaged in farming since. He owns 120 acres of land, 
 part of which is under cultivation. He has filled the office of school director 
 several years. He married,' October 7, 1868, Miss Susan Capell, born in this 
 county April 29, 1841. They have had four children, three of whom are living : 
 Eddie E., Sally A. and Derwood B. Himself and wife are members of the 
 Southern Methodist Episcopal Church at Pink Hill. Mr. Kirby is one of Jackson 
 County's best citizens. 
 
 MARTIN LAREY, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 34, post-office Buckner, was born June 7, 1829, 
 in Pickaway County, Ohio, and was there reared as a farmer, and received his 
 education in the schools of that county. He commenced the mercantile business 
 in Palestine, Ohio, in 1861, and continued there until coming West in 1867. 
 He first settled in Siii-a-bar Township, this county, and moved to his present farm 
 in the winter of 1870. He owns 260 acres, 160 of which are well improved and 
 stocked. He has filled the office of school director several terms. In 185 1 he 
 married Miss Annie Dick, a native of Pickaway County, Ohio, born in Novem- 
 ber, 1829. They have a family of three children living: Mary F.' (now Mrs. 
 Becket), Viola E. and WilHe M. ; lost four. Mrs. L. is a member of the Metho- 
 dist Episcopal Church. 
 
 WILLIAM LIVESAY 
 Farmer and stock raiser, was born in Virginia October r, 1824, and when ten 
 years old accompanied his parents to Lafayette County, Missouri, settling in Lex- 
 ington in 1834. There William was educated, and in 1846 went to Mexico, but 
 returned in the spring of 1847. ^^ 1849, he took a trip to California, spending 
 about two years in the mines, when he returned home and during 1852 and 1853 
 he was in Mexico. Mr, L. came to this county in 1855, and is now in posses- 
 sion of 247 acres of fine land, well improved and stocked. The town of Levasy 
 is situated on a part of his land, and was intended to be named after him, 
 although a mistake was made in the name. He has been school director, and is 
 one of Jackson County's best citizens. In 1855, ^^ married Miss Nancy Ward, 
 a native of Lafayette County, born in 1833; they have had nine children ; John 
 W., Annie, Sallie, Libbie Rebecca, Maggie, David F. and Lydia; have lost two. 
 Mrs. L. died in July, 1878. 
 
 NATHANIEL McCUNE, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 26, post-office Buckner, was born January 30, 
 1842, in Coshocton County, Ohio, and was there reared as a farmer, and received 
 
FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP. 907 
 
 his education in the common schools. He enlisted in Company A, 194th Ohio 
 Infantry in 1864, and served until the close of the War. He made a visit to this 
 county in the fall of 1868, and returned to Ohio and moved herein the spring of 
 1869, and now owns a fine farm of 160 acres, mostly improved and well stocked. 
 He was married to Miss Maggie Hall, in August, 1868. She is also a native of 
 Ohio, born in 1853. They have three children living: Nora B., Mary B. and 
 Sarah ; lost one. Mrs. McCune is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 G. W. C. McPHERSON, 
 Farmer, section 18, post-office Lake City, was born December 13, 1806, in Roan 
 County, East Tennessee, and was there reared as a farmer. He immigrated to 
 DeKalb County, Missouri, in the spring of 1844, and during the spring that the 
 county was organized he received the appointment of conimissioner to locate the 
 county seat ; laid off the town of Maysville, and made the sale of the lots. In 
 1863 he moved to Daviess County, remaining about three years, and then came 
 to this county and settled on the Bank farm, three miles south of Independence. 
 He moved to his present place in the spring of 1870, and owns 120 acres of fine 
 land, 100 acres of which are improved. He has filled the offices of school director 
 and overseer. He has been twice married; first, to Amelia Oliver, in 1827, a 
 native of Tennessee, born in 1813 and died in 1857, leaving a family of five 
 children, living: Sophia J., Elizabeth, Samuel H., John W. and Francis A.; lost 
 seven. He was married again in September, i860, to Mrs. Julia A. Rollins, a 
 native of Kentucky, born December i, 1823. She has five children by her former 
 husband living : Susan E., John C, George W., Thomas J. and K. Miller. They 
 are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which Mr. McPherson holds 
 the position of steward and trustee. 
 
 J. J. MANN, 
 Merchant, Buckner, was born in Cass County, Missouri, in 1850, and when a 
 child his parents removed to Cedar County, and engaged in farming. There J. 
 J. received his education, and next moved to Morgan County, and from there 
 to Johnson County, Kansas, in 1866. In 1872 he went to California, and engaged 
 in trading stock. In 1877 he came to Buckner and opened a drug store. On 
 the 15th of April, 1881, he opened a general store, and now runs both establish- 
 ments; his stock is as good as can be found in town, and he merits the esteem in 
 which he is held by the people. Mr. Mann is a member of the Masonic frater- 
 nity. He was married in 1878, at Olathe, Kansas to Miss Bessie Clark, an estima- 
 ble lady, a native of this State, and born in 1859. 
 
 B. H. MORROW, , , 
 
 Farmer, section 24, post-office Lake City, is the eldest child living of Jessie Mor- 
 row, and was born December 16, 1840, in this county, and was reared here as a 
 farmer. During the late War he enlisted in Shelby's Division, and served about 
 five months, being lieutenant most of the time. He returned home and joined 
 Quantrell, and remained with him three years, being with him at Lawrence, Kan- 
 sas, Centralia, Missouri, Baxter Springs and other noted places. He owns 
 fifty-six acres of land, and a third interest in his father's farm. He has held 
 the position of road overseer. He was married to Miss Ellen A. Marsh, in 1875, 
 a native of Kentucky, who was born on the 29th of September, 1848. Tiiey 
 have had three children, two of whom are living : Kate E. and Robert A. Mrs. 
 Morrow is a member of the Christian Church. 
 
 JESSE MORROW, 
 Farmer, section 19, post-office Lake City, was born March 4, 1810, in Simpson 
 County, Kentucky, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He commenced to 
 learn the blacksmith trade at sixteen years of age, and worked at it while remain- 
 ing there. He came to this county in the fall of 1829, and has made his home 
 
908 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 here since. He opened a blacksmith shop in this township, and also carried on 
 his farm. During the time of Order No. ii, he moved to Carroll County, Mis- 
 souri, and resided there one winter. In 1845 he took a trip to California, and 
 remained but a short time, and about 1855 went to Texas. He owns 300 acres 
 of fine land, part of which is under cultivation. He has deeded most of it to 
 his children. He was married to Miss Sylvia Hudspeth, in the spring of 1829. 
 She was also a native of Simpson County, Kentucky, born in 1807 and died in 
 1873, leaving a family of three children: Benjamin, Nathan and Rufus F. B. ; lost 
 six. He is a member of the Baptist Church. His daughter, Rufus, keeps house 
 for her father. She is an estimable young lady, and one that is deserving of a 
 happy future. 
 
 S. S. NEELY, 
 Justice of the peace, Sibley, was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, in 1836, 
 and there remained, receiving a good education, until twelve years of age, when 
 he moved to Madison County, same State. Lived there until 1855, when he 
 came to Fort Osage Township, this county, and commenced teaching school, at 
 which he continued until the breaking out of the War. He took up farming but 
 soon resumed teaching, and in September, 1865, was appointed magistrate of this 
 township, holding the position until 1868. Was then elected to represent this 
 district and served until 1870, when he returned to Sibley, and was again justice 
 of the peace. He was the only justice from 1865 to '68, but in 1872 two were 
 elected, Mr. Neely being one of them, making sixteen years service in all. 
 Has held the office of postmaster, and is also a dealer in real estate, and has, in 
 connection with his other business, a law office. He is one of the main supports 
 of Sibley. 
 
 RICHARD POWELL, 
 Merchant and postmaster at Blue Mills, was born in Henry County, Kentucky, 
 August 14, 1855, and when but a boy his parents moved to Missouri, and first 
 located in Buchanan County, since which time they have lived in several different 
 counties of the State. Richard was educated in the common schools and the 
 State High School of Independence, and also attended the WiUiam Jewell College 
 for one year. Has made two trips to Colorado and one to Mexico. He began 
 in his present business December 16, 1880. 
 
 JOHN S. PRYOR, 
 Merchant, Buckner, was born May 5, 1832, in Crawford County, Missouri, and 
 was taken to Franklin County by his parents when about four years of age. Was 
 there reared and received his education at the Virginia University in Franklin 
 County. He came to this county in 1853, and settled at Sibley, and engaged as 
 clerk and commenced the mercantile business at Sibley, in 1866. Continued 
 therein until March, 1878, when he moved to Buckner, having built the brick 
 block he now occupies, in 1876. It is 20x50 feet, with a large hall overhead. 
 He carries the largest and most complete stock of general merchandise in town 
 and does a good business. He is a member of the Masonic, Odd Fellows, and 
 Ancient Order of United Workmen Lodges, and joined the two first in 1855. He 
 was appointed justice of the peace in 1859, and has held his present office of 
 school-director several terms. He was married December 6, 1856, to Miss 
 Matilda McMillen, a native of this State, born May 29, 1839. They have had 
 • ten children, seven of whom are living: John, James, Abbie, Lucy, Mabel, 
 Wallace, and Charlie. Mrs. Pryor died on the 4th of January, 1877. Mr. Pryor 
 is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
 
 J. T. SALE, 
 Farmer, section 14, post-office Blue Mills, was born in Jessamine County, 
 Kentucky, May 17, 1833, and when five years of age his. parents moved to 
 almyra, Missouri. There his father died soon after, and his mother and 
 P 
 
 • 
 
FORT OSAGE TOWNSHIP. 909 
 
 family returned to his native home where they remained about five years. In the 
 fall of 1845 they immigrated to Jackson County, and in 1850 he went to California 
 by ox-team. Remamed there till the summer of 1853, and during this time was 
 engaged in mining. Returned to Jackson County the following spring; took a 
 second trip to California, but only remained a short time, and since then he has 
 resided in Jackson County ; his farm contains 125 acres. Mr. Sale was married 
 April 26, 1846, to Miss Caroline Botts, a native of Montgomery County, Ken- 
 tucky, born June 2, 1837. She came to Jackson County in 1842. They have 
 had eight children, only one living : Lulu. 
 
 JOSEPH St. CLAIR, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 16, post-office Buckner, was born in Virginia, 
 March 5, 1806, and was brought up on a farm, receiving a common school edu- 
 cation. In the fall of 1835 he immigrated to Lafayette County, Missouri, and 
 came to this county in 1836, being the first settler in Sni-a-bar Township, "in 
 1850 he bought the place on which he now resides, containing 207 acres, mostly 
 improved and well stocked. During the War he removed to Texas, and staid 
 about four years. He has filled the offices of justice of the peace, school direc- 
 tor, road overseer, etc., for several terms. February 26, 1835, he married Miss 
 Mary Gose, a native of Virginia, born July 24, 1831. They have one child, 
 Henry C. Their youngest son died at Vicksburg during the War. Mrs. St. 
 Clair is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 W. H. TEEGARDIN, 
 Farmer and trader, Sibley, was born in Pickaway County, Ohio, September 4, 
 1849, and was reared there, on a farm. He attended Tiabouan College, of War- 
 ren County, and graduated from (hat institution in 1870. Was then employed 
 in teaching for one year, then commenced traveling for an eastern hardware 
 firm. In April, 1872, he came to this county, and with the exception of one 
 year spent in Carroll County, has made it his home since. February 18, 1875, 
 he was married to EUie Embree, a native of Indian, born August 23, 1849. 
 They have had four children, two of whom are living : Alice and Edwin. Mrs. 
 Teegardin is a member of the Christian Church, and he belongs to the A. F. & 
 A. M., and also K. of P. fraternities. 
 
 A. J. TURNER, 
 Blue Mills, is a native of South Carolina, and was born in Moberly District, Jan- 
 uary 10, 1816. When about ten years of age, his parents moved to Stokes 
 County, North Carolina, where he grew to manhood. In the summer of 1849, 
 he came to Missouri, and located in Ray County, where he remained till 1853, 
 when he located in Jackson County. He was engaged in agricultural pur- 
 suits and dealing in stock till the fall of 1877, when he moved to Blue 
 Mills, and took charge of a store, by invoice of Luvene Turner, deceased. Was 
 there engaged in the mercantile trade till December 16, 1880. His landed 
 estate consists of 150 acres, besides comfortable property in Blue Mills. Mr. 
 Turner was married December 24, 1833, to Miss Elizabeth Frazier, a native of 
 North Carolina, who died November 2, 1880. They had nine children, two of 
 whom are living: Nancy J. (now Mrs. Minter), and Laura (now Mrs. FrankUn). 
 
 GEO. T. TWYMAN, 
 Physician and surgeon, is a son of Dr. L. W. Twyman, a well-known practitioner 
 of about thirty years experience in Jackson County, Missouri. Here the subject 
 of this sketch was born December 16, 1853, where he was reared, being educated 
 in the common schools, and at the William Jewell College, of Liberty, Clay 
 County, Missouri. He studied medicine with his father, and attended the Louis- 
 ville Medical College, of Kentucky, in the year 1877, for five months, and then 
 attended the Kentucky Medical College for five months. Afterward took a 
 
910 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 second course in the Louisville Medical College, graduating February 28, 1879, 
 after which he returned to Jackson County. Since that time he has been engaged 
 in the practice of his profession with his father. 
 
 JOHN W. TYER, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 32, post-ofifice Lake City, was born January 16, 
 1839, in Linn County, Missouri, and was brought to this county by his parents 
 when eleven years of age. Here he received his education, and spent his boy- 
 hood days on a farm. During the late War, he served four years under General 
 Shelby, and was at all the most important battles fought in this vicinity, with the 
 exception of Prairie Grove. He owns 160 acres of fine land, 100 of which are 
 under cultivation. He has filled the office of school director for six years. He 
 is a man that gives his entire attention to business and is one of Jackson County's 
 best citizens. He has been twice married. First, to Miss Amanda George, in 
 1868. She died in 1879, ^^^ ^^^^ '^° children: Mary E. and L. W.; lost two. 
 He was married again in the fall of 1879, to Betty Tucker, a native of Lafayette 
 County, Missouri, born in 1841. She is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. 
 
 JOSEPH VAUGHN, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 32, post-office Lake City, was born on the sth 
 of August, 1839, in Sni-a-bar Township, this county, and accompanied his 
 parents to Buchanan County when about six years of age. There he resided ten 
 years, and received his education in the common schools. He returned to this 
 county in 1855, and engaged in farming, and during the late War served about 
 one year with Quantrell. He then turned his attention to farming, and now 
 owns a fine farm of eighty acres, where he resides, and 100 acres in the bottom. 
 "Joe," as he is called, is a hard-working, industrious farmer, and one that attends 
 to his own business He was married in December, 1870, to Miss S. B. Harris, 
 a native of Kentucky, born in 1852. They have two children living: Josephine 
 and Walter; lost two. 
 
 G. J. WARD, 
 Merchant, postmaster and agent for the Wyandott, Kansas City & Lexington 
 Railroad, at Levasy, was born December 21, 1844, in Lafayette County, Mis- 
 souri, and was reared in that and Jackson Counties. He received the principal 
 part of his education atWellington, and during the late War he enlisted under Gen- 
 eral Price in 1861, taking part in the battles of Lexington, Homersville, and others. 
 In 1862 he took a trip to Mexico, and in 1863 went again to the same country. 
 In 1864 traveled west, and visited Salt Lake City, Denver, and spent the winter 
 of 1865 in the Black Hills. Then returned to this county, engaging in teaching, 
 and was married on the T4th of April, 1868, to Miss Jennie Latimer, a native of 
 this county, born in September, 1845. He moved to Napoleon, and resided 
 there one winter, and then purchased his father's old homestead, south of Lex- 
 ington. Two years later, he came to this county, and engaged in farming. Here 
 Mrs. Ward died, April 27, 1874, leaving one child, James L. In the winter of 
 1874 he taught school, and attended the Normal Institute at Warrensburg, in 
 1875. Afterward engaged in teachinij, clerking, etc., and in the spring of 1877 
 came to Levasy, and erected the first building in the place. He keeps a good 
 store, is postmaster, and also express and railroad agent. His second marriage 
 was November 13, 1878, to Miss B-ttie M. Oldham, a native of Independence, 
 born July 5, 1853. Tney have one child, John L.; one is deceased. They are 
 members of the Christian Church. 
 
SNI-A BAR TOWNSHIP. 911 
 
 SNI-A-BAR TO^^^]SrSHIP. 
 
 ROBERT AUSTIN 
 
 Was born in St. Louis, Missouri, August 28, 1811, and came to Oak Grove in 1833 
 and bought 200 acres of land. He married Miss Eliza Jane Watkins in this 
 township in 1834. They have seven children : Jessie G., Thomas T. , Mary Jane, 
 William F., George, John H. and Sarah Ann — all well married and settled in 
 several different States. Mr. Austin is one of those men whose advice and 
 counsel are always sought. Mr. Austin was a Union man and for that was com- 
 pelled to go to Platte County. While there his buildings were burned and his 
 property destroyed, which came near ruining him. In 1864 he disposed of his 
 property in Oak Grove and bought a farm of 160 acres in Johnson County, Kan. 
 He has always been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and has done 
 much for churches, schools and benevolent institutions of different kinds. 
 
 WILLIAM P. BAILEY, 
 
 "Farmer, section 24, post-office Pink Hill, was born in Shelby County Kentucky, 
 April 17, 1832, and remained in his native county on a farm till 1843, when his 
 parents moved to Clay County. There they remained one year, and on account of 
 the high water of 1844 returoed to Breckenridge County, Kentucky, where they 
 remained till the spring of 1850; He then came to Jackson County, where he has 
 since resided-; he moved to his present location in the spring of 1880. Mr. Bai- 
 ley has followed farming from boyhood, and his farm now contains more than 
 eighty acres. Was married May 28, 1858, to Miss Elizabeth Holmes, a native of 
 Shelby County, Kentucky, but reared in Jackson County, Missouri. They have 
 had nine childred, seven of whom are livrng : Nannie, Katie L., Mamie, Emma, 
 Paulina, Fannie and Myrtie. 
 
 O. F. BRIZENDINE, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 32, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Sumner 
 County, Tennessee, December 25, 1829. and was reared on a farm in his native 
 county. December 10, 1856, he started for Jackson County, Missouri, and during 
 the spring and summer seasons of 1858 and i860 he was in ihe mountains engaged 
 in freighting. He enlisted in Price's army and served two months, and during 
 the last two years of the War he lived in Ray County, Missouri. Since that 
 time has been a citizen of Jackson County. His farm contains 174 acres. He was 
 married July 7, 1861, to Miss Frances Bowhn, a native of Jackson County, Mis- 
 souri. They have had ten children, of whom seven are Hving : Nancy E., John 
 Lucy J., R., Jacob, Charles, Joseph, Samuel and Sarah M. 
 
 WILLIAM Q. BRIZENDINE, 
 
 Farmer, section 14, post-office Grain Valley, was born on the 19th of November, 
 1832, in Sumner County, Tennessee, and spent his boyhood days there on a farm; 
 also worked some at the stone-mason trade. He moved to Kentucky in 1853, 
 and remained there two years, and came to this county in 1855, settling in this 
 township; he moved to the place he now occupies in the fall of 1876. He owns 
 175 acres, about 100 of which are under cultivation. He also has a large amount 
 of stock.' Mr. Briz-eudine has filled the ofifice of school director. He enlisted 
 
912 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 in the Confederate Army in 1862, served but a short time, and received a wound, 
 which compelled him to return home. He married Miss Susan K. Alley in 1856. 
 She is a native of Tennessee, and was born in 1841. They have eight children 
 living: John F., George R., Carolina C, Nancy E., Joseph W., Saraantha E., 
 Mary M., and Samuel J. T.; lost four. He is a member of the Christian 
 Church, and his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 J. B. BRIZENDINE, 
 
 Farmer, section 29, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Simpson County, Ky., 
 February 2, 1847. His father being extensively engaged in raising fine stock, 
 J. B. has followed it more or less during life. He came to Jackson County, Mis- 
 souri, in 1871, where he has since resided ; his farm consists of eighty acres, all of 
 which is well improved. He was married November 7, 1872, to Miss Sarah E. 
 Porter, who is a native of Jackson County, Mo. They have four children : 
 Julia B., Mary L., John H., and Thos. L. 
 
 JAMES M. BURRUS, SR., 
 
 Farmer, section 36, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Henry County, Virginia, 
 May 23, 1823, and came to Jackson County, Missouri, in the spring of 1834. He 
 has followed farming from boyhood, excepting from 1859 to 1863, when he was 
 running a saw and grist mill. During the War, on account of Order No. 11, he 
 moved to Boonville, Missouri. His farm contains 120 acres. He was married Au- 
 gust 9, 1859, to Miss Arminta Kimberlin. They have had seven children, of 
 whom five are living: Mattie K., Minnie, Georgie., T. K., and Eva. 
 
 JAMES M. BURRUS, JR., 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 19, post-office Blue Springs, was born Novem- 
 ber 2, 1845, in this county, being raised here as a farmer. He was educated in 
 the common schools, and in the spring of 1861 enlisted in the State Militia, and 
 served six months, and was discharged on the 15th of August, 1862. Then en- 
 listed in the Confederate service in Company D, 2nd Missouri Cavalry, and 
 served till the close of the War, and surrendered at Shrevesport. He took part 
 in the battles of Lexington, Lone Jack, and the most important fought in this 
 vicinity. After the close of the War he returned to this county and engaged in 
 farming, making the raising of stock a specialty. He has one of the finest farms 
 in Jackson County, containing eighty acres, well watered and improved, and his 
 house and surroundings present a fine appearance. He was married November 
 22, 1866, to Miss Elizabeth Noland, a native of Jackson County. She was 
 reared and educated here. They have five children: Florence A., Olney F., 
 James E., WiUiam R., and Jesse L. 
 
 J. B. CAMPBELL, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 5, post-office Levasy, was born January 20, 
 1822, in Loudoun County, Virginia, and immigrated to Jackson County, Missouri, 
 in 1854, and bought 145 acres and entered forty acres of land, where he remained 
 until 1863, when he moved to Kansas and settled on the Shawnee Reservation. 
 In 1866 he returned to this county, and found his farm in almost as bad a state 
 as when he first commenced to work it ; but it is now well improved. Mr. 
 Campbell came to Jackson County a poor man, and by strict economy, honest 
 industry, and careful attention to his own business, he has accumulated quite a 
 fortune. He owns 1400 acres of fine land. He was married August 17, 1847, 
 to Miss Rachel A. Grubb, by whom he had eight children: Joseph E., Mary 
 E., Charity R., James R., John B., George G., Sarah R., and Ruth H. 
 
SNI-A-BAR TOWNSHIP. 913 
 
 J. H. CANNON, 
 
 Merchant, postmaster, magistrate, notary public, and grain dealer. Grain Valley, 
 was born February 27, 1840, in Warren Couniy, Virgmia, where he resided until 
 fifteen years of age, there receiving a part of his education. He then accom- 
 panied his parents to Frederick County, remaining for three years, and taught 
 one term of school. Thence to Wood County, West Virginia, where he engaged 
 in farming and teaching, and in the fall of 1862 enlisted in Company H, 17th 
 Virginia Cavalry, and served until the close of the War, taking part in the battles 
 of Gettysburg, Winchester, Lexington and others. During the last six months 
 of his service he held the position of captain. At the close of the War he 
 removed to Craig County, Virginia, and engaged in teaching for a number of 
 years. Then engaged in the stock business for some eighteen months. In the 
 spring of 1868 he went to Colorado and engaged in mining, remained there one 
 year, then returned to Virginia and resumed the stock business. In the spring of 
 187 1 he came to this county, and engaged in farming and teaching until July, 
 1873, when he began the mercantile business at Stony Point. In the spring of 
 1879 he moved to Grain Valley. Mr. Cannon ownes 129 acres of land, all 
 improved. April 11, 1871, he married Miss Mary E. Dyer, a native of Warren 
 County, Missouri. They have six children: Marshall D., William A., Mary E., 
 Blanche D., Martha A. and Annie S. 
 
 BRITTON M. CAPELL, 
 
 Farmer, section 34, post-office Grain Valley, was born October 2, 1815, in Rich- 
 mond County, North Carolina. His parents were natives of that State, and mov- 
 ed to Simpson County, Kentucky, in 1815. Here Britton was reared and edu- 
 cated in the subscription schools. When seventeen years of age his father 
 apprenticed him to the cabinet maker's trade, at which he worked two years; 
 afterward followed the trade five years. He turned his attention to farming, 
 and immigrated to this county in the fall of 1839 with limited means, and settled 
 on the farm on which he now resides, con^^isting of 460 acres. When Order No. 
 II was in force he moved to Lafayette County, and resided there two years; 
 then returned to his farm. Mr. Cannon has one of the finest farms in the 
 county. He has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 
 1833, and has held the positions of steward and class leader for several years. In 
 early days his house answered the purpose of a church. December 16, 1834, he 
 married Miss Sarah A. Clayton, a native of Logan County, Kentucky, born Janu- 
 ary 20, 1814. She was reared and educated there, and died September 9, 1871. 
 They had eight children, six of whom are living: Bennetter A., Susan R. (now 
 Mrs. Wm. Kirby), Mary M., Martha J. (now Mrs. J. T. Wright), John O. and 
 Trusten P. 
 
 ADAM CHRISTISON, 
 
 Retired, was born in Mercer, now Boyle, County, Kentucky, August 18, 1794, 
 In 181 7, he came to Missouri, and first settled in Howard County, and in 1820, 
 moved to Boone County. In the fall of 1825, he came to where Independence 
 now stands, where he took a claim and remained till 1838, when he moved to 
 Platte County, Missouri. In 1856 he moved to Jefferson County Kansas, where 
 he remained till 1863, when he moved to Leavenworth, and there resided till 
 1866. Then moved to Vernon County, Missouri, and in 1876, returned to Jack- 
 son County, where he has since resided. Since that time he has lived a retired 
 life, but previously had followed farming from boyhood. He was married August 
 6, 1816, to Miss Margaret Silbers, a native of North Carolina; she died in Jefferson 
 County, Kansas, in 1859. They had seven children, four of whom are living: 
 John, Tolan McC, Wilborn, and Marion. He was again married October 7, 
 1866, to Mrs. Fannie Cadle, who died in 1876. John Christison, a son of Adam 
 
 58 
 
914 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Christison, was born in Howard County, Missouri, January, 19, 1819. He re- 
 mained with his father during all his moves till May, 1843, when he was married, 
 in Platte County, to Miss Margaret Russell, of Jackson County, and in 1845 located 
 in the latter county. Here he remained till 1849, then returned to Platte County. 
 In 1859, he moved to Jefferson County Kansas, and in 1862, moved to Buchan- 
 an County, Missouri. In 1865, he again went to Platte County, and remained 
 during the winter, and returned to Jackson County and located on a farm where he 
 now resides, in section 27. His farm consists of 210 acres. They have had ten 
 children, six of whom are living: Amanda P., James M., Charles T., Francis, 
 John W., Louis A. 
 
 J. T. COBB, 
 
 Grocer, Blue Springs, was born in Henry County, Virginia, November 24, 1840, 
 and was partly reared on a farm. During the ' remainder of his boyhood he 
 worked in a tobacco factory. In the spring of 1861, he enlisted in the Confed- 
 erate service in Company H, 24th Virginia Infantry, and remained about fifteen 
 months, then was discharged. Soon after, he enlisted in Company I, 24th Vir- 
 ginia Cavalry, serving until the close of the War. While in the battle of Cold 
 Harbor, he received a slight wound by a minnie ball in the left thigh. In 1868 
 he moved to Castersville, Georgia, where he was engaged in the mercantile trade 
 till 1870, when he came to Jackson County, Missouri, and began in the mercantile 
 trade at Buckner, and there continued till 1876, when he moved to Independ- 
 ence, where he continued business until February, 1879; then began at his 
 present location. Was married September 22, 1872, to Miss MoUie Kimberlain, 
 born in Boyle County, Kentucky. She came to Jackson County when about 
 four years of age. They have had three children, two of whom are living : Fred- 
 erika and Jay Gould. 
 
 H. CURREN, 
 
 Farmer, section 33, post-ofifice Blue Springs, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, 
 January 18, 1830 His father was a native of Ireland, and was there reared, and 
 when about twenty-one years of age, he came to America, being one of the first 
 settlers in Fayette County, Ohio. His mother was also a native of Ireland. 
 Our subject was educated in the common schools of his native county, where he 
 was reared, and has followed farming from boyhood, except about three years 
 when he was engaged in teaching. He moved to Jackson County, Missouri, in 
 the spring of 18/0, where he has since resided. His farm contains eighty acres. 
 He was married in February, 1852, to Miss Barbara Rowe, a native of the same 
 county as himself. They have had fourteen children, eleven of whom are living : 
 Sarah C, Elizabeth J., David H., Mary L., Josephine E., Margaret E., Annie 
 E., Eliza A., Jesse E., Clara and Herbert A. 
 
 REV. J. G. DALTON, 
 
 Minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, section 22, post-office Pink Hill, 
 was born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, June 7, 1824, and there remained on a 
 farm till he was fifteen years of age. In 1858 he immigrated to Jackson County 
 with his parents, and was educated in the common schools. In 1847, he chose 
 the ministry as his profession, and in 1849 ^^-^ licensed to preach, and in 1852 
 was ordained. Since then he has been actively engaged in preaching. In the 
 spring of 1863, he moved to Nebraska City, Nebraska, where he remained till 
 June, 1865, when he returned to Jackson County. His landed estate consists of 
 100 acres, forty of which, his home farm, are well improved. He was married 
 November 30, 1865, to Lucy J. Crump, a native of Jackson County, Missouri, 
 born November 10, 1842. They have three children : Samuel G., Mary E., and 
 Paulina A. 
 
SNI-A-BAR TOWNSHIP. 915 
 
 DR. J. H. DANIELS, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, section 20, post-office Grain Valley, was born in St. 
 Charles County, Missouri, March 4, 1834, and when but two years of age his 
 parents moved to Jackson County, where he was reared. He attended the com- 
 mon schools of the county, also the Chapel Hill College in Lafayette County, 
 entering in 1 850 and attending twenty months. Then under the gold excite- 
 ment, he started to California and there remained about four months. 
 After his return to Jackson County, in the year 1853, he chose the profession of 
 medicine and first began its study under Dr. Porter, of Lone Jack. One year 
 later he studied under Dr. Gregg, continuing from 1.855 to 1858; he was also 
 engaged in the mercantile trade at Kingsville, Johnson County. In the fall of 
 i860 he went to Cincinnati and attended the Physio-Medical College, attending 
 the session of 1860-61. In the spring of 186 1 he went to New Albany, Missis- 
 sippi, where he was engaged in his practice till July 4, 1861, when he enlisted in 
 the Confederate service as a medical officer of Company A, 3rd Mississippi, 
 being assistant surgeon from December, 1861, till after the battle of Shiloh, in 
 April, 1862. He then joined General 3ra-gg, at Alabama. Leaving the army 
 at Danville, Kentucky, at the time of Bragg's raid through Kentucky, he remain- 
 ed in Caldwell County, Kentucky, engaged in teaching school and pursuing his 
 studies till February, 1865. Then returned to Jackson County, Missouri, where 
 he has since been engaged in his practice. Was married July 18, 1855, to Miss 
 Nancy King. They had one child (now deceased). Was married again Septem- 
 ber 20, 1867, to Miss Martha A. McGill, a native of Jackson County. They 
 have seven children : John, Julia F., Mamie E., Thomas L., George Huston and 
 Eleanor (twins), and Josiah H. 
 
 JOHN DARBY, 
 
 Merchant and postmaster, was born in Oak Grove, May 7, 1836. His education 
 was neglected yet he studied at home and improved every opportunity. He 
 married Miss Mary J. Austin, April 29, 1858. They have nine children: R. 
 Belle, Samuel T. , Robert Winfield, Eliza J., William T., Alice, Mittie, Bessie 
 Bertha. Mr. Darby learned the milling business with his father, and carried it on 
 near Oak Grove, in connection with farming, for many years. He afterward sold 
 out his mill and farm and bought a store and also engaged in stock raising. He 
 was appointed postmaster under Grant's administration and has now served for 
 eleven years. He was in the army for six months. After his discharge he was 
 obliged to live for a while in Platte County to protect himself from Quanlrell's men. 
 
 C. J. DILLINGHAM, 
 
 Farmer, section 30, post-office Blue Springs, was born November 24, 1847, in 
 Jacksori County, Missouri, and was here reared; also received his education in 
 the common schools of this county. In 1863-64 he spent his time in Clay County. 
 His farm consists of ninety acres of well improved land. November 19, i868j 
 he married Miss Sarah Luttrell, a native of the same county as her husband. 
 They have had three children: Lulu L., Willis J. and Annie M. 
 
 ROYAL DUNHAM, 
 
 Farmer, section 32, post-office Blue Springs, was born September i, 1815, in 
 Mansfie'ld, Tolland County, Connecticut, and received excellent educational 
 advantages Leaving school at eighteen years of age, he worked for four years 
 and was then employed about five years in the Jerome Clock Works. In the fall 
 of 1846 he went to Texas, bemg twenty-five days on the voyage. He was en- 
 gaged for seven months with Giddings & Harvey's surveying expedition. Then 
 loined the Texas R ingers and took part in the Mexican War, belonging to Cap 
 tain Henry McCollough's company, and served fifteen months on the frontier , 
 
916 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 He took the gold fever in 1849 ^^'^ went to California that fall, and remained six 
 years, engaged in mining, farming and working in lumber. In 1856 he returned 
 to his native home and went from there to Iowa, locating in Marion County on 
 land which he obtained with a land warrant received from the Mexican War, and 
 remained until 1866. Then came to this county and located where he now 
 resides. Was married in August, 1857, to Miss Sarah Ellis, a native of Connec- 
 ticut. They have five children :Mary E. , Hattie, Albert R., Lucy and Jeannetie. 
 
 W. E. FRICK, M. D., 
 
 Was born in Russell County, Virginia, May 21, 1828, and came to Oak Grove in 
 1857, and for many years was the only physician in that vicinity. He married 
 Miss Ellen J. Fulkerson in Virginia, July 31, 1856. They have five children 
 living: Kate V., Eva E., William J., Frank M. and Charles Dow; lo^t one. 
 Dr. Frick studied medicine and attended the medical department of the University 
 of Philadelphia and graduated in 1853. The doctor ownes a farm, and he gave 
 the railroad company land for depot, etc.; also donated land formills, churches, etc. 
 Through his long and successful practice and the location of Oak Grove on his 
 lands, he finds himself in very easy circumstances. He is a strong Jtfferson 
 Democrat. 
 
 J. W. GARUHART, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, section 34, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Jeffer- 
 son County, Virginia, September 12, 1841, and in the spring of 1850 his parents 
 moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and the year following went to Lafayetet 
 County. In the fall of 1865 Mr. Garuhart took a trip to Saline County, where 
 he remained till the fall of 1869, then returned to Lafayette County, and located 
 in Waverly. In 1876 he came to Jackson County. His farm consists of 100 
 acres, and is well stocked. He was married February 2, 1864, to Miss Rushia 
 F. Tally, born in Jackson County, January 28, 1846. They have had eight chil- 
 dren, two of whom are now living: Edward E., born Novembers, 1865, and 
 Mary E., born March 5, 1868. 
 
 SILAS H. GIBSON, 
 
 Farmer, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Jackson County, Missouri. April 24, 
 1836, and when sixteen years of age he went to California by ox-team, and was 
 for some time engaged in hunting and working in the red woods. He attended 
 school a short time while there, and was also engaged in the mines for about 
 eighteen months. In 1855 he returned to Jackson County, and began farming. 
 In i860 he went to Pike's Peak, where he mined, having an interest in eight 
 claims called the Colorado Gulch, and now known as Leadville. Returned home 
 the same year, and in 1861 enlisted in the Missouri State Guards. In the spring 
 of 1862 he went to Texas and remained until fall, being under the employ of the 
 Confederate Government; then went to Arkansas, and soon returned to Jaikson 
 County, and then moved to Carroll County. Thence to Shelby County, Illinois, 
 where he remained one season, and returned to Jackson County in the fall of 
 1865. In February, 1866, he again went to Texas. His farm contains 180 acres. 
 He was married, April 6, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Slaughter, a native of Jackson 
 County, Missouri. They have had seven children, six of whom are now living : 
 Sarah A., Lucy J., John R., Josiah L., Elizabeth M., Myrtie S. and Mary E. 
 
 JOHN GRAVES, 
 
 Merchant, Grain Valley, was born December 20, 1852, in Howard Countv, Mis- 
 souri, was reared on a farm, and attended the common schools. In i869-'7o he 
 attended the State University at Columbia, Boone County, and in 1871 came to 
 Kansas City, where he was employed as clerk in a bank. In the fall of 1874 
 he commenced the grocery business, and two years later traded this for a farm in 
 
SNI-A-BAR TOWNSHIP. 917 
 
 Johnson County, Kansas where he resided two years. Then commenced bus- 
 iness at this place ; is engaged in the lumber business and is express agent. His 
 father, E. P. Graves was one of the leading citizens of this County. April 4, 
 1872, he was married to Miss Ida Porter, a native oif Lexington, Lafayette County, 
 Missouri. They have four children : Porter, Lou, E. P. and Ella. 
 
 J. F. GREGG, 
 
 Grocer, Grain Valley, was born in Stony Point, this county, March 22, 1844, 
 and there received his education. During the War, in the fall of 1862, he and 
 his father were taken prisoners, and were held in confinem'ent some time. J. F. 
 then enlisted in the Missouri State Militia in December, 1862, and served with 
 them until February, 1 863, when he went to Clay County, and in April he met 
 Frank James, and enhsted in Captain Andy Blount's company, remaining with 
 it until fall. He next went to Texas and joined Captain John Jarrett's regi- 
 ment, and traveled to Shrevesport, Louisiana, where, and on the Mississippi 
 River, he remained for some time. During the winter of 1863, he went to Cam- 
 den, becoming one of General Shelby's command, and belonged to Ben Elliott's 
 Battalion. In June, 1864, with sixteen men, he made his way to the Missouri 
 River, being slightly wounded while en route, and was a member of General 
 Todd's command until that officer was killed. At the close of the War he held 
 the position of lieutenant, and surrendered at Lexington. Then turned his atten- 
 tion to farming, and on March 17, 1869, was arrested on an old war indictment, 
 and removed to Lexington. Was held prisoner until December following, and 
 on account of disease was bound over until May, 1870, when he was released. 
 Then returned home, and in 1872 went to Texas, returning in the fall of 1877. . 
 Purchasing property in Grain Valley, in the fall of 1880, he commenced in his 
 present business. February 11, 1872, he married Miss Sallie C. Gilliland, a 
 native of this county. They have three children : Estella P. , Lula P. and Sam- 
 uel T. 
 
 M. L. PI ALL, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, post-office Pink Hill, section 13, was born in Mont- 
 gomery, now Powell, County, Kentucky, November 19, 1844, and was reared on 
 a farm. He came to Jackson County, December, 1868, and located where he 
 now resides. His farm contains 270 acres. Was married November 29, 1863, 
 to Miss Sarah F. Steward, who is a native of the same county as her husband. 
 They have been blessed with seven children, four of whom are living: James M., 
 William R., Carrie Lee, and Herschel L. His father, James H. Hall, is a native 
 of Kentucky, where he now resides. His mother, Emily (Thomas), is also a 
 native of Kentucky, and both are of English descent. 
 
 B. F. HARDING, 
 
 Farmer, section 30, post-office Oak Grove, was born January 26, 1842, in Jackson 
 County, Missouri, and lived with his parents until i86r, during which time he 
 acquired such an education as could be given in the common schools. In 1861 
 he enlisted in the Confederate service; in 1862 was promoted to the position of 
 first lieutenant, serving in that position until the close of the War. In August, 
 1856, returned to the old homestead. Moved to his present place May, 1867. 
 He now owns 186;^ acres of fine land, 100 acres of which is under a good state 
 of cultivation Mr. Harding was married December 20, 1866, to Miss Parthenia J. 
 Webb by whom he had three children: Adlia, Maud, Oscar G., and John A. 
 His wife having died, he married Miss Mary A. Webb, in 1874, by whom he 
 had two children : Bettie and Nettie. 
 
918 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 JOHN M. HARDING, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post-office Pink Hill, was born in Jackson 
 County, Missouri, October 20, 1843; ^^s reared in his native county on a farm, 
 and attended the common schools of same county. In June, 1861, heenlisted inthe 
 Missouri State Guards, Company H, 14th Missouri. In March, 1862, he enlisted 
 in the 3rd Missouri Artillery, and remained in the service till the close of the 
 War. He was promoted to Corporal 1864. He participated in all the battles 
 that the company was engaged in, which were many; Captain Schuyler Lowe 
 being captain of the company. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Vicksburg, 
 but was paroled in five days. After being discharged from service he returned 
 to his home; at that time his parents were living in Ray County, MissOi ri. He 
 then went to St. Louis and attended Stewart's Commercial College, graduating 
 September 13, 1865. He then returned to Jackson County, and in the following 
 spring taught school, and in the fall went to Pleasant Hill, and began working 
 in a store, where he was engaged as clerk till 1868, when he began in the mercan- 
 tile trade for himself, which business he pursued till 1870, since which time he 
 has been engaged in agricultural pursuits; owns 445 acres of land. He was 
 married to Miss Mary E. J. Youree, who is a native of Jackson County, Missouri, 
 and was born March 24, 1843. Her father, Francis A. Youree, was a native oj 
 Tennessee and came to Jackson County about 1834. 
 
 M. M. HERRINGTON, 
 
 Farmer, section 23, post-office Grain Valley, was born Aprir24, 1836, in Simpson 
 County, Kentucky, where he was reared and educated. He came to Dade 
 County, Missouri, in the fall of 1856. In the spring of 1857 came to Jackson 
 County and engaged in farming. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in August, 
 1862, and served until the close of the War, participating in about thirty noted 
 battles, among which were Lone Jack, Prairie Grove, Springfield, Hartsville, 
 Cape Girardeau and others. Was taken prisoner in Lafayette County in Price's 
 raid, and was taken to St. Louis and thence to Alton Where he was released June 21, 
 1865, when he returned to this county and engaged in farming. His farm 
 consists of eighty-three acres; he also owns town property in Grain Valley. He 
 married Miss Sarah F. Holland, a native of Kentucky. Their marriage ocurred 
 November 30, 1861 ; they have had eight children, seven of whom are living: 
 John M., Annie L., David C, May Bell, Magdalene, David S. and Clarinda M. 
 
 H. HINKSON, 
 
 Druggist, Grain Valley, was born May i, 1833, in Harrison County, Kentucky. His 
 parents were natives of that State. He was there reared and received his educa- 
 tion. He came West in 1855 and settled in Lewis County, Missouri, and remain- 
 ed there until the spring of 1875. He then came to Jackson County and settled 
 on Sec. 27, Tp. 49, R. 30, and engaged quite extensively in the stock business. 
 He came to Grain Valley in October, 1880, and in April, i88r, he corhmenced 
 the drug business. He also keeps a stack of groceries and deals in grain. He mar- 
 ried Miss Emma Bowen, a native of Lewis County, Missouri, January 4, 1856. 
 They have four children : Ida M., James P., John T. and William H. 
 
 JAMES R. HUDSON, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 2, post-office Grain Valley, was born July 30, 
 1833, in this county. He was reared here and received the benefit of a common 
 school education. He spent his boyhood days on a farm, and at present owns a 
 fine farm of 190 acres, 160 acres under cultivation and thirty acres of timber. 
 Being an old settler here he has won the respect of a large circle of friends. He 
 took a trip to California in 1852 and remained there about two and a half years. 
 During the late War he was enrolled among the militia-men at Kansas City and 
 
SNI-A-BAR TOWNSHIP. 919 
 
 Independence, for some three months. He took a trip to New Mexico, and 
 spent some three months looking over the country. He married Miss Geneva E. 
 Hamlin, an estimable lady, a native of this State, born April 12, 1843. This 
 marriage occurred April 14, 1859. They have a family of eight children, six of. 
 whom are living : Alice F., Amy B., James O., Page, Hattie M., Frank and 
 Charles S. His mother, Mary P. Hudson, is still living, and is at present in her 
 seventy second year. She came here with her husband in 1833, and has reared a 
 family fo six children. 
 
 GREEN T. JOHNSON, 
 
 Blue Springs, was born in Patrick County, Virginia, October 25, 1820. When 
 fifteen years of age. he came to Howard County, Missouri, with his parents, 
 where he remained till the spring of 1836, when they located in Jackson County. 
 During the late War he enlisted in the Confederate service in Co. D, 1st Missouri 
 Cavalry, remaining in service three years, and participated in the battles engaged 
 in by his company. After the close of the War, he returned and found his family 
 driven to Lafayette County, and his farm in a very dilapidated condition, since 
 which time he has been engaged in farming and dealing in stock in Jackson 
 County. Part of the years 1878-9 were spent on the plains in the live stock 
 business. His landed estate in this county consists of 540 acres; also 640 acres 
 in Texas. Was married February — , 1846, to Miss Elizabeth Hall, who is a 
 native of Virginia. They have had four children, only two of whom are living : 
 James R. and CogarW. Cogar W. was born in Jackson County, April 13, 1857, 
 where he has been reared and educated. Was married March, 10, 1880, to 
 Miss Mattie Knight, of Kansas City. They have one child, David Knight. 
 
 LARKIN J. JOHNSON, 
 
 Farmer, section 22, post-ofifice Pink Hill, is one of a family of sixteen children, 
 eleven boys and four girls, all of whom were born in Jackson County, and here 
 grew up, excepting one boy who died when about nine months old; one 
 girl died after she was grown. Larkin J. was born June 6, 1843, and has followed 
 farming during life. His farm, on which he resides, contains seventy-one 
 acres, improved. Also has 107 acres in section fifteen, and twenty-five acres in 
 section nine. He was married February 9, 1864, to Miss Smira E. Dillingham, 
 a native of Jackson County, who was born February 9, 1832. They have had 
 nine children, six of whom are now living : Lucy J., Dora F., Mettie E., Thom- 
 as P., Myrtie E. and Elmer. 
 
 J. R. JOHNSON, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 11, post-office Pink Hill, was born in Jackson 
 County, Missouri, May 16, 1852, and was here reared and educated; also spfent 
 six months in the South Normal School at Warrensburg, Johnson County. Has 
 always resided in Jackson County, except during the time when Order No. 1 1 was in 
 force, when he was in Lafayette County, Missouri. Has been actively engaged 
 in the stock trade during his life. His landed estate consists of 135 acres. Was 
 married April 25, 1878, to Miss Louvina R. Montgomery. She is a daughter of 
 J. N. Montgomery, and was born m Jackson County. 
 
 E. H. JONES, 
 
 Farmer, section 31, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Amelia County, Virginia, 
 March 26, 1833. When about two years of age his parents moved to Roanoke 
 County, Virginia, where he remained till thirteen years of age, and then 
 came to Jackson County, Missouri, in the fall of 1847. In May, 1856, he went 
 to California, where he remained till February, 1861, and was there engaged in 
 teaming to th e mines. In the spring of 1 86 1 he enlisted in the Confederate service, 
 and by re-enlistments he remained till the close of the War. Was for a short 
 
920 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 time, at the beginning, second lieutenant ; the remainder of the time, first lieuten- 
 ant. He participated in about thirty five battles during his time of service. After 
 the surrender he remained in Texas one year, then returned to Jackson County, 
 where he has since resided. His farm contains ninety acres. Was married Feb- 
 ruary 6, 1862, to Mrs. Bettie A Walker whose maiden name was Montgomery. 
 She is a native of Boyle County, Kentucky. They have had three children, one 
 living, Ida M. 
 
 J. E. W. KABRICK, 
 
 Of the firm of Kabrick Bros. , merchants, Pink Hill, was born in Morrisonville, 
 Loudoun County, Virginia, July 7, 1839, and there received his education. In 
 the spring of 1855 he accompanied his parents to Jackson County, Missouri. 
 His father being a carpenter, Joseph commenced to learn that industry, which 
 he followed until the War broke out. He enlisted in the Missouri State Guards, 
 and served one year ; then re-enlisted in the Confederate service in Company B, 
 6th Missouri Infantry. He was captured at the battle of Champion Hill, May 
 16, 1863, and was taken to (^amp Morton, and from there to Fort Delaware. There 
 remained until September 20, when he was taken to Point Lookout, and in 1864 
 to Richmond, where he received a furlough He went to Montgomery and the 
 White Sulphur Springs, and remained in Virginia until April, 1867. Then 
 returned to this county and engaged in the carpenter's trade until the spring of 
 1871, when he commenced farming. In January, 1879, he embarked in the 
 mercantile business at Pink Hill, and receives a liberal patronage from the pub- 
 lic; also holds the position of postmaster. Was married November 18, 1869, to 
 Miss Sarah C. Patterson, of Jackson County. She died February 4, 1873. He 
 married again on the 2nd of December, 1875, Miss Lottie Philips, a native of 
 Warren County, Kentucky. They have one child, George P. They are mem- 
 bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 HENRY V. P. KABRICK, 
 
 Farmer and carpenter, section 32, post-office Oak Grove, was born November 15, 
 1841, in Morrisonville, Loudoun County, Virginia. Immigrated with his parents to 
 Jackson County, Missouri, in April, 1865, where they bought a farm. Worked 
 for his father until 1861, at which time he entered the Confederate service as a 
 private, .continuing in that capacity until the close of the War. He then went 
 to St. Charles County, where his parents were living, and in 1866 returned 
 with them to the old homestead in Jackson County. At this time he learned the 
 carpenter's trade, which he followed until 1872, when he bought a farip. Since 
 that time he has improved about eighty acres of land, owning at the present 
 time ninety-five acres, eighty of which are under a good state of cultivation. He 
 was married November 15, 1870, to Mrs. Frances Moore, a native of Jackson 
 County, by whom he has had three children: Lorena N. J., David George 
 Lee, and Lula Edna. 
 
 CONRAD KERN, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 35, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Ger- 
 many, May 29, 1834. In the spring of 1852 he came to America, landing at New 
 York, and in the following fall came to St. Louis and from there to Independ- 
 ence, Missouri. He was educated in the schools of his native country. When 
 fifteen years of age he apprenticed himself to the tailor's trade. After working at 
 it in Independence eighteen months, he went to St. Louis, where he was engaged 
 on a steamboat till fall; then returned to Independence. In the spring of 1855 
 he embarked in the mercantile trade, locating in Blue Springs. In 1861 he 
 enlisted under Jackson's call for State Guards. In January, 1862 was taken 
 prisoner, and released in March, 1862. In the fall of 1862 entered the Federal 
 militia, remaining in service till March, 1863, then went to Kansas City and 
 
SNI-A-BAR TOWNSHIP. 921 
 
 clerked in a store till 1864, except a short time during the summer. In 1864 
 he went to Montana, where he remained till 1865, when he returned to Jackson 
 County, where he has since resided and been engaged in farming. His farm 
 contains seventy-five acres, all well improved. Was married November 26, 
 1857, to Miss Emery Smith ; she is a daughter of Franklin Smith, who was once 
 elected to the Legislature from this county. She was born in this county Sep- 
 tember 4, 1841. They have had nine children, eight of whom are living: 
 Thomas F., Fred C, Mary E., Edwin C, Joseph Wm., Nettie S., Nancy, and 
 George L. 
 
 MRS. SARAH B. KESHLEAR, 
 
 Section 13, post-office Pink Hill. Her maiden name was Riggs, and she is a 
 native of Montgomery County, Kentucky, and was born October 7, 18 17. 
 When about three years of age her parents removed to Boone County, Ken- 
 tucky, and came to this county in 1829. Was married July 25, 1837, to Jacob 
 Keshlear, a native of St. Charles City, Missouri, born February 12, 1813. He 
 was raised on a farm, and came to this county some time previous to 1829. He 
 died Mayi 16, 1858, leaving a family of eleven children, seven of whom are now 
 living: Mattie A. (now Mrs. Blackman), William G., James C, Joseph B., 
 George B., Jacob B. , and Alice. Since his death Mrs. Keshlear, with the assist- 
 ance of her sons, has taken care of the farm, which consists of 220 acres of land. 
 By Order No. 11, during the War, she was compelled to leave her farm, but 
 soon afterward returned. Her stock was all taken and she and her sons impris- 
 oned. 
 
 J. B. KESHLEAR, 
 
 Grain Valley, proprietor of Keshlear's Livery Stable, was born July 12, 1855, ^^ 
 this county, and spent his boyhood days on a farm, receiving a common school 
 education. After he became of age he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits 
 until 1875, when he engaged as mail contractor and followed this business four 
 years ; first, between Independence and Lexington, then between Buckner and 
 Pleasant Hill. In 1879 he engaged in the hotel business at Grain Valley, and 
 continued there until i88o. He then engaged in the livery business, and is 
 ever found ready to supply the wants of the public. Was married March i, 
 1877, to Miss Mary E. Karr, a native of this county. They have one child : 
 Lola F. 
 
 GEORGE KRIEGEL, 
 
 Shoemaker and harness-repairer. Grain Valley, was born March 27, 1842, in 
 France, and accompanied his mother to the United States when six years of age. 
 They landed at New York City and located at New Haven, Connecticut, where 
 they remained some six years. They then moved to Davenport, Iowa, where 
 he attended school, remaining there some three and a half years. He then trav- 
 eled over the State, and in the spring of 1858 returned to Hartford, Con- 
 necticut ; he remained there three and a half years, working at the shoemaker's 
 trade. He then spent about eighteen months in New Haven at his trade ; then 
 went to New York City and there worked some three months, and then returned 
 toNew Haven, and from there went to Lawrence, Kansas; remained there one year, 
 then went to Burlington, Kansas, and remained about four years ; then went to 
 Greenwood County, Kansas, and engaged in farming. He came to Grain Valley in 
 the fall of 1880, and purchased the property he is now located on ; has a cosy 
 little shop, and being a first-class workman he is prepared to give entire satisfac- 
 tion to the public. He is honest and industrious, and gives his entire attention 
 to his business. 
 
922 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 JOHN KING, 
 
 Farmer, stock and grain dealer, was born in Virginia, May 21, 183 1, and came to 
 this county in 1844, and engaged in farming, merchandizing and deahng in stock. 
 , He has 600 acres of choice land near Oak Grove, and nine acres in the village. 
 He married Miss A. C. Freeman, in Cass County, in 1854. They have ten 
 children living: Columbus F., Theo. Richard, Mary, Martin; Myrtie, Wallace, 
 Sally, Herbert and Pearl. Mr. King has been very successful in his business, 
 and having seen the county grow up from its infancy, very well understands what 
 the future will be, and is prepared to take advantage of his knowledge. He 
 is, in addition to his farming interests, engaged in selling organs and in the real 
 estate business, and acting as insurance agent, notary public, etc. 
 
 M. C. MASTERS, 
 
 Merchant, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky, 
 February 9, 1833. Was educated in the common schools, and since he attained 
 the age of fifteen years, has depended on his own resources for support. When at 
 that age, he began clerking in a store, which occupation he followed while in his na- 
 tive county. In 1853 he came to Jackson County, and engaged in the same busi- 
 ness. In 1859 he located on a farm, and remained till Order No. 11, then re- 
 turned to Independence. During the summers of 1864 and 1865, he was engaged in 
 freighting on the plains, and after the War was engaged in farming till 187 1, 
 when he moved to Independence, since which time he has been engaged in the 
 mercantile trade. He began business in Blue Springs, in March, 1879, and the firm 
 is now doing the leading business in Blue Springs. Was married May 24, i860, 
 to Miss Mary C. Leader. She is a native of Independence, and was born March 
 4, 1842. They have seven children: Lizzie H., Susie L., Annie M., Charley P., 
 Effie, NeUie, and Gertie B. 
 
 C. W. MOCK, 
 
 Of the firm of Mock & Parr, dealers in drugs, groceries and notions. Blue 
 Springs, was born in Platte County, Missouri, October 4, 1851, and remained in 
 his native county till fourteen years of age, when he went with his parents to 
 Danville, Colorado. There they resided nine months, then returned to Missouri, 
 and located in Jackson County. C. W. was educated in the common schools, 
 and after returning from Colorado, he worked on a farm, and studied medicine 
 under his father. Dr. David Mock. In 1877 he begaii in the mercantile trade at 
 Little Blue, where he remained one year, and' while there established the post 
 known as Mock's Store Post-office. He then went to Blue Springs, where he now 
 resides; helped lay off the town, and built the first house, in which he began in the 
 drug trade. He is eminently fitted for this business, having studied medicine for 
 six years. He has also been postmaster since he began business in Blue Springs, 
 the post-office being as fine as any seen in a town of its size. Mr. Mock 
 was married March 13, 1878, to Miss Anna J. Smith, a native of Jackson 
 County. She died November 22, 1878. He was again married February 24, 
 1881, to Mrs. A. E. Smith. Her maiden name was Knight. She is a native of 
 Jackson County. 
 
 I. N. MONTGOMERY, 
 
 Farmer, section 21, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Mercer County, Ken- 
 tucky, May 17, 1834. His parents, Levi S. and (Sophia W. Crum), moved to 
 Jackson County, Missouri, in the fall of 1846. He was reared on a farm and at- 
 tended the schools of this county; in 1851 he was engaged part of the time in 
 freighting to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and other points West. In the spring of 1851 
 he went to California, driving an ox team, where he remained two years engaged 
 in farming and mining; he afterward returned to Jackson County. In the spring 
 of 1856 he took another trip to Mexico; in 1863 went to Nebraska and there 
 
SNI-A-BAR TOWNSHIP. !)23 
 
 remained till the close of the War, when he returned to Jackson County, where 
 he has since resided. His farm contains 120 acres. Was married December 23, 
 1856, to Miss Eliza S Lowe. She was born in Jackson County, Missouri, De- 
 cember 24, T840. They have had ten children, eight of whom are living : Lou- 
 vina R., Amber W., Samuel L., Eugene E., John W., Roy, Gratz, and Lealar. 
 
 T. L. MONTGOMERY, 
 
 Of the firm of Andrews & Montgomery, dealers in lumber. Blue Springs, was 
 born in Boyle County, Kentucky, February 29, 1836, and the following fall his 
 parents moved to Jackson County, where he was reared. When nineteen years 
 old he returned to Kentucky, where he remained on a farm one year, part of the 
 time attending school; he also learned the carpenter's trade, which he has 
 since principally followed. In the fall of 1862 he went to Quincy, Illinois, and 
 in the spring of 1863 to Nebraska City, where he remained till the close of the 
 War. While there he was engaged at his trade and dealing in lumber, being of 
 the firm of Montgomery & Brown. In March, 1879, he began in the lumber 
 trade in Blue Springs, shipping the first freight over the Chicago & Alton Railroad 
 west of Higginsville. Mr. Montgomery was married October 2, 1858, to Miss 
 Susan E. Gibson, of Jackson County, Missouri. 
 
 ELISHA MOORE, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 26, post-office Grain Valley, was born in Bourbon 
 County, Kentucky, July 27, 1836. When about five years of age his parents 
 moved to Jackson County, Missouri, where he was reared and educated. In 1863 
 he enlisted in the Confederate service. Company K, 2nd Missouri Cavalry; in 
 1864 he was promoted to the quartermaster's department, which position he filled 
 till the close of the War, when he returned to Jackson County. His farm con- 
 tains 140 acres, his house and surroundings being inviting and pleasant. Was 
 married September 8, 1859, to Miss Mary Meador. She is a native of Jackson 
 County. They have five children : Lucy, MoUie, William, Albert Lee and 
 Richard. 
 
 G. MORRISON, 
 
 Farmer, section 16, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Rappahannock County, - 
 Virginia, in 1839, and was reared on a farm, receiving his education in the com- 
 mon schools. In 1870 he came to Missouri and settled in Lafayette, where he 
 resided one year and then removed to Sni-a-bar township this county. He occu- 
 pied J. Walker's farm for one year and then bought the same; his property 
 now consists of fifty acres on section ig, improved, ten acres of timber on section 
 18, and seventy-six acres where he resides. Mr. Morrison has been twice mar- 
 ried. First, in 1872 to Miss K. J. Bell, who died in 1876, leaving one child, J. 
 E. In 1877 he was married again, to Miss Mary J. Slaughter, in this township. 
 
 A. F. MONEY, 
 
 Farmer, section 19, post-office Blue Springs, was born October 31, 1849, ™ Spen- 
 cer County, Kentucky. Our subject spent his boyhood days on a farm in his 
 native county, and received his education at Shelby County Academy, Ken- 
 tucky. After completing his education, he returned to his native county and 
 engaged in farming. He came to this county in February, 1881. He owns a 
 beautiful farm containing 130 acres which nature has supplied with living springs. 
 Was married October 31, 1876 to Miss Jennie Sleadd, a native of Shelby County, 
 Kentucky ; she was reared and educated in that county. They have one child : 
 Maggie. 
 
 ALMA OWEN, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, section 5, post-office Lake City, was born in Tazwell 
 County, IlUnois, August 5, 1833, and in 1836 his parents moved to Caldwell 
 
924 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 County, Missouri, and remained about two years, then returned to McLean 
 County, Illinois, where they resided three years, and soon went to Marshall 
 County, Illinois. After becoming of age, he went to McLean County, where he 
 learned engineering and milling, and followed the same for several years. In 
 November, 1866, he came to Jackson County. His landed estate consists of 420 
 acres on which is located the finest house in the township. His farm is well 
 adapted to stock raising, in which business he is principally engaged. He was 
 married November 28, 1858 to Miss Sebethnie Barnhouse. She was born in 
 Darke County, Ohio, October 13, 1840. They have six children : Charles H., 
 Edward J., William H., Frank A., Ida M. and an infant. 
 
 J. K. PARR, 
 
 Of the firm of Mock & Parr, dealers in drugs, groceries and notions, was born in 
 Licking County, Ohio, August 7, 1844. When about nine years of age, his parents 
 moved to Franklin County, Ohio, and there remained till he was thirteen years 
 of age, and then moved to McDonough County, Illinois. Was reared on a farm, 
 and educated in the common schools. May, 1861, he enlisted in Company B, 
 1 6th Illinois Infantry, and remained in service till the close of the War. In the 
 spring of 1863 he was promoted to corporal and in 1865 was promoted to cap- 
 tain, but was not commissioned on account of the close of the War. He then 
 returned to Illinois. In 1868, he went to Osage County, Kansas, where he re- 
 memained one year, and in the fall of 1869 came to Jackson County, where he 
 remained till the fall of 1875, when he returned to Cowley County, Kansas, and 
 remained about eighteen months then went to Colorado, where he remained 
 six months when, in T878, he again came to Jackson County and began in 
 the mercantile trade at Blue Springs, and continued the same till the spring of 
 1879, when he sold out and began dealing in grain and keeping hotel. April, 
 1 88 1, he became the partner of C. W. Mock; is marshal and collector of Blue 
 Springs. Was married, November 22, 1865, to Miss Isabell Knox, a native of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 JOEL PATTERSON, 
 
 Farmer and bridge contractor, section 25, post-office Grain Valley, was born in 
 Surry County, North Carolina, June 19, 1816. Was reared and educated in his 
 native county, and there remained till the fall of 1836, the time of his immigration 
 to Jackson County, having come by land, and being sixty days on the road. He 
 was for several years engaged in milling, both saw and grist mills. His mill at 
 one time being burned his loss was about $2,000. By Order No. 11 he moved 
 to Carroll County, where he remained about six months and returned to Jackson 
 County, since which time has been farming and bridge contracting. His farm 
 contains 124 acres. Was married September 8, 1833, to Miss Sarah Patterson; 
 she is a native of same county as himself. They have had ten children ; three 
 only are living : Jesse, Joel B. and Mollie. 
 
 HUGH A. PORTER, 
 
 Farmer, section 29, post-office Blue Springs, was born January 27, 1826, in 
 Rutherford County, Tennessee, and in 1833 his parents immigrated to Cass 
 County, Missouri, and remained there until 1846. Hugh received his education 
 in the common schools of this county, and assisted his father on the farm. He 
 came to Jackson County and engaged in farming. In the spring of 1850 he 
 went to Colorado, engaged in teaming, and returned to this county in 1853, 
 where he has since resided, excepting about four months spent with the State 
 Militia. His farm contains 320 acres of well improved land. He was married 
 to Miss Susan M. Gibson September 28, 1854. She is a native of this county. 
 They have had eleven children, nine of whom are living: Sarah E. (now Mrs. 
 
SNI-A-BAR TOWNSHIP. 925 
 
 Brizendine), Elizabeth J. (now Mrs. Gore), Silas W., Rosa B., Samuel J., Dora 
 A., James Lee, Clay T. and Georgie. 
 
 J. K. REID, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, post-office Blue Springs, was born July 26, 1843, in 
 Delaware County, Ohio, and was reared there as a farmer, and received his edu- 
 cation in the common schools. In October, 1861, he enlisted in Company D, 
 20th Ohio Infantry. He was taken sick at Pittsburg Landing, just after the battle 
 of Shiloh, and was sent home, where he lay sick some eighteen months, and was 
 discharged in the fall of 1862. He went to Illinois in the spring of 1864, and 
 farmed one season in Starke County. On the r2th of October, 1864, he enhsted 
 in Company A, 31st Illinois, and served till the close of the War, and participated 
 in the batdes of Fort Donelson, Shiloh and many others. He returned to Starke 
 County, Illinois, and engaged in farming. In the spring of 1866 he went to 
 Colorado, and visited most of the Territories, and was engaged in trading with 
 the Indians. He settled in Jackson County in the fall of 1868, and has been 
 engaged in farming and stock-raising since; he stands among the leading 
 citizens of the county. He was married October 23, 1870, to Miss Matilda A. 
 Care, a native of this county, daughter of John Care, a native of North Carolina, 
 who was one of six men who were taken out and shot near Lone Jack during the 
 War. They have four children: Mary V., Lucy O., Ella W. and Georgie B. 
 
 JOHN RIEDEREN, 
 
 Miller, Oak Grove, was born in Switzerland, February 18, 1836, and in r84S 
 came to this country with his parents, who pre-empted a claim of 160 acres in 
 Washington County, Wisconsin, and in 1847 built a saw mill and in 1851 a grist 
 mill. Although but fifteeri years old, John took charge of the mill and made 
 improvements, until finally the property was sold at a large advance. In 1857 
 he bought 160 acres of land, but not being satisfied with farming, in 1857 he built 
 a saw mill, with a corn burr attachment, continuing until 1861. Then moved to 
 Holten, and in company with another person, erected a steam mill. In 1865 he 
 went to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, bought a hotel, which he soon sold at a profit, 
 and in 1866 bought a farm on the Delaware River. He was engaged in building 
 mills for some time, losing a few by fire, and in 1872 resumed milling, but sold 
 out in 1880 and came to Oak Grove, where he is following his trade. June 22, 
 1857, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Gilbert. They have had nine children : 
 Caroline, Andrew, Emma, George, John, Louisa, Hattie and Mary. 
 
 W. E. ROWE, 
 
 Farmer, section 28, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Fayette County, Ohio, 
 November 17, 1837, and was educated in the schools of that county. In the 
 spring of 1862 he' enlisted in the Union Army, in Company G, 73rd Ohio; he 
 enlisted as a member of a brass band, and played during the War, and was dis- 
 charged July, 1865, when he returned to his native county. In the spring of 
 1868, he immigrated to Jackson County, Missouri.. Has followed farming from 
 boyhood, and is at present dealing in stock. His farm contains 160 acres. He 
 was married September 15, 1874, to Miss Viola L. Mayes, a native of Kentucky. 
 They have one child, William Guy. 
 
 M. T. ROWE, 
 
 Farmer and apiarist, section 28, post-office Grain Valley, was born in Fayette 
 County, Ohio, June 3, 1841, and was there reared. In 1 861, he enhsted as a 
 member of a brass band in Company G, 73ijd Ohio, and served till the close of 
 the War, when he returned to Ohio. The band of which he was a member, 
 received the prize for playing before the President's residence, at Washington City. 
 
926 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 In 1867 he embarked in the mercantile business in Staunton, Fayette County, 
 Ohio, and was there engaged one year, when he came to Jackson County, Mis- 
 souri. Since then he has been engaged in farming and operating an apiary. His 
 farm contains ninety acres, with one of the finest houses of the township. He 
 was married, March 3, 1873, to Miss Carrie Woodruff. She was born in Susque- 
 hanna County, Pennsylvania, in January, 1840, and was educated in the State 
 Normal School of Pennsylvania, graduating in 1861. In 1868 she went to 
 Nebraska, where she remained one year, and went to Kansas, there remaining 
 one year ; then came to Independence. While in Nebraska and Kansas she was 
 engaged in teaching school, also after coming to Independence, she was employed 
 in the High School. They have two children: George C. and Truman. 
 
 J. P. SEITZ, 
 
 Farmer, section 18, post-office Oak Grove, was born January i, 1827, at Darm- 
 stadt, Germany, and in the spring of 1848, emigrated to America. He settled 
 first in Wabash County, Illinois, and then moved to Missouri (Wert County) in 
 the fall of 1852. In 1868 he moved to Jackson County, when he bought the 
 farm on which he now lives. He owns 160 acres, about 100 of which are under 
 cultivation. Mr. Seitz was married in April, 1851, to Miss Deborah Morse, a 
 native of Illinois, by whom he has had six children : Eliza A. , Mary H. , Lovina 
 A., John H., James P. and George J. 
 
 ANDREW SHROCK, 
 
 Proprietor of Hotel, Oak Grove, was born in Tuscarawras County, Ohio, November 
 II, 1836, and moved to Indiana in 1847, and to this county in 1870. He mar- 
 ried Miss Julia A. Working, in Miami County, Indiana, October 6, 1861. 
 They have three children living: Mary Susan, Phileta and Charles B. ; lost three. 
 Mr. Shrock was engaged in farming, milling, etc., until he came to this place, 
 when he opened a boarding house, which has grown into the new hotel. . Mr. 
 and Mrs. Shrock are active Methodists, and lose no opportunity in lending a help- 
 ing hand to advance the interests of the church. Mr. Jacob Working, the father 
 of Mrs. Shrock, was born in Germany, and came to this country in 1830, and in 
 1853 came to this place and bought 100 acres of land, a portion of which is now 
 a part of the village of Oak Grove. He was a very worthy man and esteemed 
 by all. He was a true Union man, but never obtruded his views upon any one; 
 yet for holding these views, he was shot down by his neighbors, while chopping 
 wood at his own door. 
 
 SAMUEL STEWART, 
 
 Farmer, section 18, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Robinson County, Ten- 
 nessee, October 14, 182 1, and when about seven years of age, his parents, John 
 and Agnes (Warren) moved to Macoupin County, Illinois, where he was reared 
 on a farm. When sixteen years of age he learned the blacksmith trade, and 
 followed it about twelve years; was also engaged in farming and raising stock in 
 Illinois till 1875, when he moved to Jackson County, Missouri; remaining one 
 year in Independence, and then came to his present location ; his farm contains 
 120 acres. Was married June 24, 1842 to Miss Lucy A. Wardrip, a native of 
 Kentucky. She died December 4, 1845, leaving Elizabeth A. , Almarinda, J. W., 
 Louisa, Franklin and Ada. 
 
 WILLIAM E. SURFACE, 
 
 Farmer, section 8, post-office Lake City, was born in Montgomery County, Vir- 
 ginia, December 2, 1819, and remained in his native county till thirteen years of 
 age. In 1832 his parents moved to Indiana and located in Johnson County near 
 Indianapolis. Wm. E was reared on a farm and was engaged in farming and 
 teaching school until September 6, 1862, when he enlisted for one year in Com- 
 
SNI-A-BAR TOWNSHIP. 927 
 
 pany K, 99th Indiana; was mustered out in August 1863. In 1868 he moved 
 to Jackson County, Missouri. His farm contains 200 acres, and he makes a 
 specialty of raising fruit, having about 1,000 trees. He -was- married August 3, 
 
 1843, to Miss Maria St. John, a native of Johnson County, who was born Octo- 
 ber 5, 1822. They have had seven children, four of whom are now living :■ John 
 M., Elmer E., Eliza J. and Laura E. 
 
 W. J. SURFACE, 
 Farmer, section 8, post-office Lake City, was born in Johnson County, Indiana, 
 January 19, 1844, and was reared on a farm and followed farming in his native 
 county till 186 1. In September of that year he enlisted in the Federal service 
 in Company F, 7 th Indiana Infantry, and participated in the battles of Green 
 Brier, Winchester and Cedar Mountain, where he was wounded August 9, 1863, 
 in his left limb which necessitated amputation. He was taken to the Mansion House, 
 Alexandria, where he remained nine months, after which he returned to Indiana. 
 Remaining there till 1869, he immigrated to Jackson County, Missouri. He 
 was married in July 1864, to Miss Eliza J. Surface. They have five children: 
 Melinda A., Annie L., Myrtie M., Theresa and Windel B. 
 
 HARRISON TR.OW, 
 
 Of the firm of Hoover Jones & Co., stock dealers. Blue Springs Mills. He was 
 born in Alleghany County, Pennsylvania, October 18, 1843, and when about 
 four years of age his parents moved to Hancock County, Illinois. When he was 
 nine years old they moved to Linn County, Missouri ; his mother having died 
 while in Illinois. At the age of eleven our subject left home, and came to 
 Jackson County, since which time he has relied wholly on his own efforts. In the 
 spring of i86i he enlisted in the State's service under Captain Rennick, for six 
 months, and then re-enlisted in the Confederate service under Captain Webb and 
 served with him about two years. He received two slight wounds, and was 
 .taken prisoner, but held only a short time. Since the close of the War he has 
 been dealing in stock. His landed estate consists of 210 acres. Was married 
 September 10, 1866, to Miss Missouri A. Jesse, who was born in Jackson County, 
 Missouri, October 6, 1843. They have had five children, one now living, Ella 
 Lee. 
 
 E. B. TUCKER, 
 
 Farmer, section 34, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Benton County, Missouri, 
 October 3. 1848, and was four years of age when his parents moved to Jackson 
 County, where he was reared and educated. He has followed farming from boy- 
 hood, excepting the time when he was working in a saw mill. His farm consists 
 of sixty acres. Was married December 23, 1873, to Miss Mary Stanley. She 
 was born where she now resides April 5, 1846. They have had three children, 
 one now living, Lulu J. 
 
 JOHN A. TUCKER, 
 
 Farmer, section 3, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Benton County, Missouri, 
 November 25, 1842, and when about ten years of age his parents moved to Jack- 
 son County. During the late War he was in the service of the State guards, 3rd 
 Missouri. In August 1862, he re-enlisted in the Confederate service, in 
 Company D, 2nd Missouri, Cavalry, and served till the close of the War. In 
 the fall of 1862 he was promoted to sergeant. Since 1865 he has been engaged 
 in farming in Jackson County; his farm consists of 140 acres. Was married 
 January 28, 1866, to Miss Susan Stanley, born in Jackson County, in January, 
 
 1844. They have had eight children, five now living: William L., James R., 
 Thomas E., Mary J., and Richard W. 
 
928 
 
 BIOGEAPHICAL. 
 
 A. J. WALKER, 
 
 Farmer, section i8, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Jackson County, Mis- 
 souri, September r, 1836, and was here reared, and was engaged in farming till 
 the fall of 1863, excepting the time when he was engaged in freighting. In 
 October, 1863, he went to Texas, where he remained till the spring of 1864, and 
 then went to Mexico where he resided about nineteen months. Took a trip to 
 California, remained about two years, and during this time went to Oregon. In 
 March, 1867, he returned to Jackson County where he has since been engaged 
 in farming and dealing in stock, having an interest in a large herd of cattle in 
 the Cherokee Nation ; his farm contains seventy-eight acres. Was married April 
 12, i860, to Miss Elizabeth Braden, of Missouri; she died in 1874. They had 
 four children: Lucy A., Andrew J., Polly J., and Eliza E. Was married 
 November 25, 1875, '^o Miss Eliza Hannon, of Missouri ; she died 1879, leaving 
 four children, three of whom are living : Morgan and Monroe, (twins), and 
 Edward E. Was married February 18, 1880, to Miss Fannie Warren, of 
 Missouri. 
 
 T. J. WALKER, 
 
 Druggist at Blue Springs, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, July 17, 1857, 
 and received the advantages of a common school education. In the fall of 1876 
 he entered the State University, and there remained till the spring of 1879, and 
 the same year he attended Spalding's Commercial College at Kansas City, 
 graduating in August, 1879. During the following winter he taught school, and 
 in the spring of 1 880 he embarked in his present business. 
 
 CAPTAIN JOHN A. WEBB, 
 
 Dealer in hardware, farm implements, etc., was born in Jackson County, October 
 8, 1836, and was reared on a farm and educated in the common schools. His 
 father, Allen Webb, was a native of North Carolina, as was also his grandfather, 
 Joseph Webb, who immigrated to Jackson County in 1838. His mother, Margaret" 
 (Shelby), was a native of Virginia. From 1856 to '61 John A. was engaged in 
 traveling over different States and Territories. In May, 186 1, he enlisted in the 
 Missouri State Guards, and remained till they were dismissed, during the time 
 acting as second lieutenant. He then returned to Missouri, and helped to 
 organize a company of Confederates and was elected captain of the same and 
 served during the War, in Shelby's command, participating in some sixty battles. 
 Was wounded at the battle of Cane Hill, by a ball passing through the left part of 
 his neck, and was disabled about three months. After returnihg to Jackson 
 County he began farming, and moved to his present location in February, 1880, 
 and embarked in his present occupation. Was married February 8, 1866, to 
 Miss Rogers, a native of Jackson County, who died August 26, 1877. He was 
 agMin married September 15, 1879 to Miss Laura P. Philips, who is a native of 
 Texas. 
 
 JUDGE ALBERT G. WILLIAMS, 
 
 Farmer, section 17, post-office Blue Springs, was born in Simpson County, Ken- 
 tucky, December 9, 1835. His father. Judge William J. Williams, was a native 
 of Sumner County, Tennessee, and moved to Kentucky at an early day. He 
 was a lieutenant in the War of 181 2, and was in the last engagement of the bat- 
 tle of the Thames. He also represented the county in the Legislature for several 
 terms; was judge of the county for anumber of years, and was one of the com- 
 missioners in the founding of the county seat of Franklin, Kentucky. Albert was 
 reared in his native county till seventeen years of age, and in 1852 he came to 
 Jackson County, Missouri, on a visit; at this time he determined to make Jack- 
 son County his future home. Then spent about eight months on the plains, and 
 
SNI-A-BAR TOWNSHIP. 929 
 
 returned to this county and was engaged in teaching school for some time. Next 
 engaged in farming, and in 1858 he was elected constable, which office he filled 
 till the winter of 1861 ; at the same time -he acted as deputy sheriff. During the 
 War he was in the militia about six months. Then he went to St. Louis, and 
 remained there and in Illinois till the spring of 1863, when he went to the plains 
 and Denver. There remained till 1865, when he returned to Jackson County. 
 In 1874 ^^ ^^^ elected a member of the county court, serving two years, and has 
 also held other minor offices. From 1877 to 1880 was engaged in handling grain 
 and live stock, since which time he has made farming his entire business ; he has 
 a well watered farm of 148 acres. Was married June 3, 1855, to Miss Amanda 
 Gibson, who was born in Jackson County, Missouri, August 17, 1838. They 
 have had eleven children, ten of whom are living : Louisa A., Mary S., Permeha 
 P., Joseph E., RufusL., Albert L., Flora S., Cora E., Rettie A., and Alice 
 Maud. 
 
 M. N. WOMACKS, 
 
 Blacksmith, Blue Springs, was born in Brown County, Ohio, June 5, 185 1, and 
 when about six years of age his parents moved to Jackson County, Missouri, 
 where he remained till 1863, his father having died in 1862, and his mother while 
 in Ohio. In 1863 his step-mother and family returned to Brown County, and 
 when fifteen years of age he learned the blacksmith trade and worked at it in Ohio 
 till the spring of 1870, when he came to Jackson County and located at Pink 
 Hill. There he worked one year and went to the plains remaining one year; 
 then returned to Pink Hill, since which time he has been engaged at his trade ; 
 moved to his present location in the spring of 1880. Was married November 4, 
 1873, to Miss Sue Munday, born in Jackson County. They have two children 1 
 Delbert B. and an infant. 
 
 CRITTENDEN WYATT, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, section 14, post-office Pink Hill, was born December 
 25, 1819, in Simpson County, Kentucky, and received a common school educa- 
 tion. He came to this county in 1850 and has since given his attention to farm- 
 ing and stock-raising, and deals quite extensively in stock. He owns 372 acres 
 of fine land, well improved, and has two good orchards. He has always attended 
 to his own business. Was married in August, 1840, to Miss Winifred Duncan, 
 a native of Simpson County, Kentucky, where she was reared and educated. 
 They have had ten children, seven of whom are living: Emery H., John J. C, 
 Columbus, Joseph M., Frances E. (now Mrs. Mayberry), Sarah J. and Arabella. 
 
 D. G. YOUNG, 
 
 Farmer, section 34, post-office Grain Valley, was born January 15, 1833, in 
 Simpson County, Kentucky, where he was reared and educated. He first visited 
 this county in the fall of i860 and returned to Kentucky in the spring of 1863 
 and remained four months. Then returned to Wellington, and from there went to 
 Clay County and came to this county in the fall of 1865. Here he has made his 
 home since. He owns 145 acres of well improved land ; also some town property in 
 Grain Valley. He married Mrs. Merinda Karr on the loth of June, 1862. 
 They have two children : Eddie C. and Joseph A. His wife's maiden name was 
 Merinda J. Gibson. She has three children by her former husband : William A., 
 Benjamin F. and M. E. 
 
930 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 VAN BXJRElSr TOWNSHIP. 
 
 W. H. ADAMS, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 8, was born in Lafayette County, Missouri, 
 July 8, 1837, and was a son of Spencer and Rachel Adams, natives of Tennes- 
 see, but very early settlers in Missouri; now both dead. He moved to Jackson 
 County in 1864, and has ever, since been engaged in farming. He had no help 
 in starting in life, and at the close of the War, all the property he possessed 
 was one old pony. But, with a good constitution and a determined will, he went 
 to work, and by industry and perseverence, he has secured a fine home of ninety- 
 two and one-half acres, well improved and stocked. He enlisted as a member 
 of Colonel Hays' Regiment, under General Price, and served with him till after 
 the battle of Lone Jack, where he was severely wounded. He is known as the 
 king of fox hunters, having within the last year, captured tweny-two foxes. At 
 the beginning of the War, he lost everything he had, besides having been security 
 for others, which debts he afterward had to pay. He was married February 16, 
 1859, to Mary Ann Cantrell, who was born in Lafayette County, August 21, 
 1840; she was a daughter of Christopher and Narcissa Cantrell. There have 
 been seven children born, to-wit: Martha Jane, born December 20, 1869, married 
 and living in Jackson County; Wilhe Ann, born July 20, 1862; Mary Ellen, 
 April 16, 1867; Rachel Narcissa, September 15, 1870; Sarah C, February i, 
 1872; Minnie Belle, March 21, 1874; and Lilly May, October 13, 1876. 
 
 EASTHAM ALLEN, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 9, was born in Garrard County, Kentucky ; 
 March 11, 1825, and was a son of Erasmus and Lucy Allen, both natives of Ken- 
 tucky. Our subject received his education in Kentucky, and lived there until 1856, 
 then located in Missouri, where he has since lived, engaged in farming. At the 
 beginning of the War, he enlisted as a member of Colonel Hays' Regiment, 
 under General Price, and served four years with his regiment in the many engage- 
 ments in which it participated, serving as orderly sergeant. He has served the public 
 in many official capacities, as postmaster, assessor, school officer, and justice of 
 the peace, which office he still fills He is an earnest advocate of good schools 
 and a liberal education. At the beginning of the War, he had accumulated 
 considerable property, but, like many others, lost nearly all of it. He now has 
 a comfortable and pleasant home, well improved; also some fine stock. He and 
 his wife are consistent members of the Christian Church. He was married 
 September 16, 1852, to Margaret Jane Arnold, a daughter of Isaac and Jane 
 Arnold. She was born in Garrard County, Kentucky, January i, 1827. By this 
 union four children have been born, to-wit: Isaac, born October 7, 1853, married 
 and living in Carroll County; Erasmus, born June 18, 1855, now a miner in 
 Leadville; John, born January 26, 1858, married on December 19, 1880, to 
 Miranda Jane Bailey, a native of Jackson County, and born September 13, 1863. 
 This son and his wife are living with his parents, and managing the farm. Lucy 
 Jane, born November 24, 1861, married and living in Johnson County. 
 
 A. E. BAIRD, 
 
 Farmer, and stock dealer. The subject of this sketch is a native of Brown Coun- 
 ty, Ohio, and was born December 19, 1835. He was reared and educated in 
 Brown County till eleven years of age, then removed to Putnam County, Illinois, 
 and remained there about nineteen years ; then located in Jackson County, Mis- 
 
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. 931 
 
 souri in March 1866. While in Illinois he attended, for a number of years, the 
 South Salem Academy in Ross County, Ohio, and there received a very liberal 
 education. He was married March 28, 186 1, to Margaret E. Dysart who was 
 born in Putnam County, Illinois, January 23, 1843. ^Y this marriage eight chil- 
 dren have been born, seven of whom are still living: Leslie E. born May 12, 
 1862; WiUiam A., born November 6, 1864; Frank D., born September 11, 1867; 
 Leola J., born October 29, 1868; Archibald S., born August 29, 1871; Ida May, 
 born April 29, 1874; John C, born April 14, 1877, and Helen, born May 18, 
 1880, who died in infancy. He had but little help to start in life, but by energy, 
 and perseverance has secured a beautiful and fertile farm of 170 acres, and he 
 is noted as the model farmer in the township. Although he carries on his farm 
 in such an excellent manner, yet he makes a specialty of buying and shipping 
 stock. Besides his very arduous labors in managing his farm and his other busi- 
 ness, he finds time not only to cultivate his own mind, but takes an active inter- 
 est in the education of his children. His wife is a lady of refinement and education. 
 They are both members of the Presbyterian Church. Surrounded by a pleas- 
 ant family and in an excellent neighborhood, well esteemed by all, they have rea- 
 son to be, as they are, thankful and happy. 
 
 JACOB BENNETT, 
 
 Farmer, stock raiser and carpenter. The subject of this sketch is a native of the 
 State of Ohio, and was born May 12 1833. He lived there till 1853, and there 
 received his education, and learned his trade in Cleveland, Ohio. He then came 
 to Missouri and located in Van Buren Township, and has ever since lived here, 
 except two years during the War, and has been engaged in farming and as acarpenter 
 and joiner. He owns a farm of sixty acres, with fine buildings and orchard, and 
 well stocked. He has served for a number of years as school officer, and takes 
 a great interest in educational matters. Both he and his estimable wife are con- 
 sistent members of the Christian Church. He is a man of fine business qualifica- 
 tions, and is held in high esteem by his neighbors. He was married October 4, 
 1857', to Elizabeth Cave of Jackson County, who was born August 31, 1837. 
 Six children have been born, five of whom are still Hving : George born July 24, 
 1858, now a member of Warrensburg Normal School; Price born July 17, i86i, 
 now salesman in Kansas City; Ella W. born September 4, 1864, and died Novem- 
 ber 16, 1874; Gius born February 24, 1868; Charles born March 10, 1872, and 
 Frank bom February 10, 1875. 
 
 JO-HN BYNUM, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser. In this sketch we have to speak of one of the oldest 
 and most highly respected citizens of Van Buren Township. He was born in 
 Rutherford County, North Carolina, July 17, 1822. At the age of fourteen he 
 came with his parents, and a company of seventy-five others, to Missouri, and 
 located at Lone Jack. Here his father owned 520 acres of land where the town 
 of Lone Jack now stands. They landed here in Miy, 1836, and out of the entire 
 company that then came, there are only four or five now living. He only had 
 the opportunity of going to school a few weeks in his life, yet he is one who has 
 gathered up a great deal of useful information, and is often consulted by those 
 who have had better opportunities to store their minds with knowledge. He is a 
 son of Pomfrey Bynum, a native of South Carolina, but one of the pioneers of 
 Jackson County, Misssouri. His father lived here until 1846. There were nine 
 children in his father's family, only three of whom are now living : the subject of 
 our sketch and his brother, Thomas, now in Oregon, and his sister Catharine, now 
 the wife of George Oldham of Benton County, Missouri. Few men enjoy so 
 much of the public confidence and so many warm friends as our subject. He 
 was married September 29, 1842, to Charlotte Cave, of Jackson County, but 
 
932 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 formerly of Surry County, North Carolina, and born October 6, 1818. She is a 
 daughter of Bartlett Cave, one of Jackson County's old pioneers. The fruits of 
 this marriage have been six children, three of whom are still living : Robert, born 
 March 24, 1845, living near home; William, August 22, 1847, died at the ageof 
 eight years; Galen C, September 29, 1849, died at the age of twenty-four years; 
 James P., January 8, 1852, living near home; Bettie, October 6, 1855, died in 
 infancy ; John W., November 3, 1859, living at home. Mr. Bynum owns a finely 
 cultivated farm of 156 acres, with good improvements and an excellent orchard. 
 
 WILLIAM CASH, 
 
 Farmer and hotel-keeper. Lone Jack, Missouri, was born in Wilkes County, North 
 Carolina, April 16, 1815, and was a son of Lewis and Mary Cash. At an early 
 age he moved with his parents to Lincoln County, Kentucky. Lived in Lincoln 
 County till about seventeen years of age, then learned the blacksmith trade and 
 went to Lexington, and remained for three years working at his trade ; thence to 
 Brucken County, Kentucky, and worked at his trade for about seven years. He 
 was married July 7, 1840, to Miss Ehzabeth Duncan, who was born in Pendleton 
 County, Kentucky, October 3, 1823, she being a daughter of Thornton and Mary 
 Duncan. This couple then moved to Harrison County, and remained there till 
 they moved to Missouri, in 1856, when they settled in Benton County, and lived 
 there eight years ; thence to Cooper County, Missouri, and remained there until 
 1877, when they located in Lone Jack. To this family eleven children have been 
 born, six of whom are still living : Thornton, born October 10, 1843, now a 
 blacksmith in Lone Jack ; Oscar, October 13, 1845, also a blacksmith in Lone 
 Jack ; Mary E , November 10, 1847, now married and living in Benton County, 
 Missouri; Milton, May 4, 1853, married and living in Lone Jack, and has charge 
 of the drug store of George T. Shawhan; Ellen, April 29, 1858, living at home, 
 and John H., January 8, 1861, living in New Mexico. At the beginning of the 
 War he was possessed of considerable property, but, like many others, he lost it 
 all, and at the close of the War had to begin anew. But by care he has again 
 secured a comfortable home in the village of Lone Jack. 
 
 THORNTON CASH, 
 
 Lone Jack, Missouri, was born in Harrison County, Kentucky, October 10, 
 1843; lived there till 1856, then moved with his parents to Benton County, Mis- 
 souri. When but a child he was continually in the blacksmith shop with his 
 father, who was an excellent mechanic, and he would work on the anvil when he 
 had to have a large block to stand upon. He, in this way, intuitively learned the 
 trade which he has ever since followed, and he is an artisan of good ability and 
 skill. At the beginning of the War, although but a boy, he enlisted in the Con- 
 federate Service and served faithfully and well during the War. He participated 
 in the battles of Pea Ridge, Helena, Prairie Grove, Lone Jack, and a number of 
 other engagements and skirmishes. He was taken prisoner at Fort Smith, Arkan- 
 sas, and kept for a short time. After the close of the War, he went to the moun- 
 tains and remained there for some time, and then returned to Missouri, and on 
 February 5, 1866, was married to Miss Mary Dawson, who was born in Benton 
 County, Missouri, May 24, 1846. He has been blessed in his family, eight chil-, 
 dren haveing been born, and all of them are now living, viz : Oscar J., born 
 October 31, 1866; Jennie A., August 14, 1867; William, January i, 1870; 
 Talitha M., December 28, 1871; Mary Alice, January 25, 1873; Wallace L., 
 September 23, 1875; Daniel L., May 3, 1878, and Georgia E., May 5, 1880. 
 Mrs. Cash is a member of the Baptist Church, and a noble christian wife and 
 mother. Mr. Cash is yet a young man, but has won the'confidence and esteem 
 of many warm friends. 
 
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. 933 
 
 MARTIN CORN, 
 
 Farmer, section 25, post-office I.one Jack, was born May 27, 181 3, in Patrick 
 County, Virginia, and resided there on a farm till twenty years of age. He 
 accompanied his parents to this county in 1833, having previously entered the 
 land on which he now resides. He resided some two years in Lafayette County, 
 during the time of Order No. 11. He owns a fine farm of 260 acres, about half 
 of which is under cultivation. He has filled the offices of school director and 
 road overseer. In his manners he is pleasant and agreeable, and has the respect 
 of a large circle of friends. He married Miss Martha Cummings, in 1840. She 
 is a native of this State and was born in 1823. They have had eleven children, 
 six of whom are living: Samuel, George W., Susan F., now Mrs. Brown; Nancy 
 E., now Mrs. Temple; John S., and Louisa, now Mrs. Bale. Himself and wife 
 are members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 C. M. DIMMITT, 
 
 Of the firm of Dimmitt & Arnold, proprietors of steam saw mills on section 24, 
 was born on the 22nd of March, 1841, in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and was 
 reared there and in Iowa. He came to this county in 1869, and has been en- 
 gaged in threshing and the saw-mill business since. He owns a fine farm of thirty- 
 six acres. During the late War, in 1862, he enlisted in the 6sth Illinois, Company 
 E, and served for eighteen months, then re enlisted in the 7th Tennessee, 
 Mounted Infantry, and served about eighteen months; took part in the bat- 
 tles of Antietam, Harper's Ferry, Nashville, and many other minor engagements, 
 serving under McClellan and Thomas. He married Miss Nancy L. Markham in 
 i860. She is a native of East Tennessee and was born on the 2nd of June, 1840. 
 They have had eight children, six of whom are living: Mary T., Sarah J., Will- 
 iam W., Ida O., Albert F., and Louisa E. 
 
 STEPHEN H. EASLEY, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 20, was born and reared on the farm on which 
 he now lives, and is a son of Miller and America Easley; his father was a native of 
 North Carolina, and his mother a native of Virginia. His parents were very 
 old settlers, having located on the place now occupied by the heirs, in 1837, 
 and here they lived till they died. The father died April 17, 1868, and 
 the mother December 30, 1879. They left a family of nine children, five of 
 whom are still on the old homestead : Stephen H., the subject of this sketch, born 
 January 18, 1854; Mary, born July 23, 1850; Laura, born May 17, 1852; 
 Achilles, born February 2, 1856; and Albert, born November 14, 1859. The 
 other four children are named and located as follows : Parthenia, wife of Mr. 
 Raggsdale, at Chapel Hill; Susan, wife of Mr. Rice, in Johnson County; 
 Virginia, wife of Dr. Raggsdale, at Lone Jack-; Leonidas, now living in New 
 Mexico. These have all received fine educations, and are persons of refine- 
 ment and taste. Several members of the family have been very successful teach- 
 ers. The estate is one of the finest in this part of the country, and consists of 
 390 acres, well improved and stocked. The family are church members and 
 highly esteemed citizens. 
 
 FRED EDMONDSON, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, is a native of Jackson County, Missouri, 
 and was born January 23, 1849. He is a son of Julius Edmondson, who was 
 the first white child born in Van Buren Township. His grandfather, Frederick 
 Edmondson, was one of the very earliest settlers of this part of Missouri. Our 
 subject was reared on a farm, and received his education in this township. At 
 the age of fifteen years, he enlisted in the Confederate service, in Williams' 
 Regiment, Missouri Cavalry, and served with his regiment till their surrender 
 
934 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 at Shreveport at the close of the War. He was with his regiment in many- 
 engagements and scouts, and has endured many of the hardships and trials 
 of a soldier's life ; at one time riding three days and three nights without rest or 
 food. After the close of the War, he returned to Missouri, but being sick and 
 completely worn out, he lay for some time at the point of death, at Waverly, 
 Missouri, but under the care of Dr. McReynolds, of Cass County, (a man 
 who deserves great praise for his kindness in caring for returned soldiers) he 
 finally recovered and the good doctor only charged $i for fifteen days medical 
 treatment. Mr. Edmondson came to Jackson County and remained a short time, 
 then crossed the plains from Nebraska City to Fort Laramie, and by the way of 
 Fort Fetterman and Fort C. S. Smith. He endured many hardships during this 
 nine months' trip, as it was the only train that dared to venture so far that season. 
 He was married on December 20, 1869, to Miss Serilda Edmondson, a native 
 of Andrew County, Missouri, born April 16, 1848, she bemg a daughter of 
 John Edmondson, one of the pioneers of Missouri. In the spring of 1873, ^^ 
 together with his young wife and at that time his only child, made a trip to the 
 Green Horn Mountains in Colorado, and there remained for about one year en- 
 gaged in the stock business, and then retuned to Jackson County. He has been 
 an extensive traveler and a close observer, having visited nearly all of the west- 
 ern and southwestern States and Territories for the purpose of selecting a place 
 for a permanent home; yet, after all, he has returned to his "first love," and 
 thinks the home farm in Van Buren Township the best; and he certainly ought 
 to be satisfied, for he owns 220 acres that cannot be excelled for beauty of loca- 
 tion and fertility of soil, and is surrounded by good neighbors and a happy 
 family. Two children have been born to this family, to-wit: Julius C, July 24, 
 1871, and Juha, June 3, 1874. 
 
 AMBERS GRAHAM, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 25,. Here we have as the subject of our sketch 
 one of the natives, born in this township and county March 4, 1837, and 
 although now in the forty-fifth year of his age, has never been more than 
 125 miles from home. He was a son of Daniel Graham, one of the first settlers 
 of Jackson County. He had but very little opportunity for getting an education ; 
 but having an abundance of native talent, he has become a good business man, 
 and one well posted in his business and in the affairs of the county. He takes 
 an active interest in good schools and beheves thoroughly in a liberal education. 
 He has a beautiful home of 120 acres, under a fine state of cultivation, with good 
 buildings and orchards. All this has been gathered together since the War, as at 
 that time he lost everything except his wife and one poor pony that was not worth 
 taking from him. Yet he is one of those happy and contented men who is ever 
 willing to share with a needy neighbor, and, although not a church member, yet 
 he is always ready to give as much as many that are richer, for the cause of Chris- 
 tianity and education. He was married to Sarah J. Stulz on September 13, 1857, 
 she being a native of the same county, and born July 17, 1839. To them have 
 been born three children : MoUie, born June 24, 1866; Lulu, born July 9, 1869; 
 Delia, born June 25, 1872. 
 
 GEORGE W. GRIFFITH, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Mason County, Kentucky, born Jan- 
 uary 29, 1829, and was a son of John and Mary A. Griffith. His father served 
 in the War of 1812 and participated in the batdes of McHenry and Baltimore; 
 he was of Welsh descent and his mother of German origin. At the age of seven 
 years he came with his parents to Missouri and they located in Lafayette County, 
 and in the spring of 1837 came to Jackson County and settled permanently in 
 Van Buren Township. His father died in November, 1859, and his mother in 
 
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. ' 935 
 
 September, 1875. He never had an opportunity of attending school, but by ex- 
 perience has become a very fine business man, and few can excel him in his judg- 
 ment of, and ready mental calculations as to stock and its value. In 1852 he 
 crossed the plains to California and remained till 1861 (with the exception of a 
 short visit home), when he returned some $12,000 the gainer by his farming 
 operations there. He says that he was always a good boy till Order No. 11 was 
 issued, in 1863, when he had to leave home; and after living in Cass County for 
 about nineteen months, he then went with General Price's command till the close 
 of the War. When he started to California in 1852 all this world's goods that he 
 possessed was one cow, and now he owns 400 acres of very choice land well 
 improved and stocked and all accumulated by his own efforts. He is a self-made 
 man, both mentally and financially. 
 
 THOMAS HAIR, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 28, is a native of Lincoln County, Kentucky, 
 and was born November 19, 1811. He was a son of James and EHzabeth Hair, 
 who emigrated from Ireland when quite young. The father died when Thomas 
 was but an infant, and the mother when he was but seven years of age. Left 
 an orphan thus early, without a known relative or any property, he was taken 
 by a man by the name of A. Sublett, who treated him with the same kindness as if 
 he had been one of his own children. He lived with Mr. Sublett till nineteen years 
 of age, then began business for himself by renting a farm. At this he remained 
 two years and then was employed as an overseer for seven years, and then again 
 went to farming and has followed that ever since. He was married when twenty- 
 four years of age, to Jane Duncan. By this union five children were born, three 
 of whom are still living, viz: Samuel, living in Illinois; C. L., living in Cass 
 County, Missouri, and James T., living in Oregon. Mrs. Hair died in August, 
 1855. Mr. Hair was again united in marriage on November 28, 1879, to Mrs. 
 Emily Dutro, of McLean County, IlUnois. She was a native of Muskingum 
 County, Ohio, and born November 20, 1828. One child, George, born on 
 August 5, i860, was the issue of this marriage. Mr. Hair lived about four- 
 teen years in McLean County, Illinois, and in 1865 moved to Missouri and 
 located where he now lives. He controls 170 acres of land, well adapted for 
 grain or stock raising. He is now in the seventy-first year of his age, and 
 is a man who has labored very hard all his life time, yet is a man of remark- 
 able strength and vigor. He and wife are both earnest and consistent members 
 of the Christian Church. They are noted for their liberality and hospitality, and 
 every one speaks highly of this respected Christian couple. 
 
 JOHN HUNTER, 
 
 Farmer, section 29. Our subject is not only one of the oldest settlers, but one 
 of the oldest men now living in Jackson County. He is a native of Stokes 
 County, North Carolipa, and was born March 16, 1789. He was a son of David 
 and Dorothy Hunter, both natives of Virginia. He Uved in Stokes County until 
 nearly forty-five years of age, and then moved to Missouri. After he attained 
 his majority he commenced business for himself, running a distillery, and con- 
 tinued in said business until 1835, when he came to Missouri, and on April 8, 
 1836, he located upon the farm he now occupies. Mr. Hunter suffered more 
 hardships and trials during the War than any of his neighbors On the morn- 
 ing of September 6, 1863, a company of Federals of Colburn and Clark's com- 
 mand came to his place, as he was about moving out of the county under Order 
 No. II, and took two of his sons (William and David), one son-in-law, one 
 grandson, one cousin and another man, and taking them a short distance from 
 the house, shot them all dead, and left the bodies lying on the ground; and this 
 aged father, with only the assistance of his neighbor Martin Rice, hastily buried 
 
936 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 the bodies, without shroud or coffin, by merely covering them up with quilts 
 and placing them in the ground. (It is not the biographer's place to comment in 
 this connection upon this sad affair, as it is fully treated of in another part of 
 this volume.) Mr. Hunter was married on July i8, 1812, to Elizabeth Jeans, 
 she having been born May 14, 1792. By this union nine children were born, 
 three of whom are still living ; Nancy, the widow of John Cave, one of the six 
 shot, as above mentioned ; Matilda, the wife of David Ousley, and Berrilla, 
 born April 8, 183 1, and the only one of the children now at home. There 
 she desires to remain and. with care and affection, soothe as much as possible her 
 deeply bereaved and venerable father, while he remains on earth, Mrs. Hunter 
 died October 25, 1879. Mr. Hunter has been a member of the Baptist Church 
 for a great many years, and clerk of the church since 1852. Mr. Hunter is now 
 in the ninety-third year of his age, and for one that has passed through so much 
 suffering, is still in remarkable health and vigor of intellect. 
 
 NOAH HUNT, 
 
 Proprietor of Lone Jack Flour and Grist Mill and dealer in wool-carding machinery, 
 is a native of Davie County, North Carolina, born February 20, 1831, and is a son 
 of N. C. Hunt, who immigrated to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1842. He 
 was reared on a farm till 1849. His father then put him in charge of the Nathan 
 C. Hunt Horse-power Grist Mill, located six miles northeast of Lone Jack, and 
 he remained there for three years. On August 28, 185 1, he was married to Miss 
 N. E. Cave, who was born April i, 1833. He then located one-half mile west 
 of Lone Jack, and commenced the wool-carding business. In 1856 he also built 
 a horse-power grist mill, and continued to run the wool-carding and milling busi- 
 ness for thirteen years. Then in 1869 he built his present steam-power grist mill, 
 and has ever since continued to run the same, in connection with the carding 
 business. He owns 283 acres of land, 120 of which are in cultivation and well 
 stocked. Twelve children were born to this family: E. F., born October 9, 
 1852; G. C, born March 16, 1854; Mary A., born April 11, 1856; J. M., born 
 March 20, 1858; J. B., born April 29, i860; Bettie F., born September 21, 1862; 
 Lucinda M., born December 24, 1864; W. W., born March 11, 1867; Virginia 
 L., born February 7, 1870; Benjamin B., born September 25, 1871 ; R. T., born 
 January 11, 1874 and S. A., born December 25, 1876. G. C. died November 
 3, 1857; Mary A. died November 28, 1878, and Virginia L. died November 13, 
 1870. Mrs. Hunt died March 7, 1878. He was again united in marriage on 
 September 13, 1880, to Mrs. Mary E. Travis, widow of R. Travis, deceased; 
 she having been born May 25, 1834. As two other members of his family, 
 there live with him the aged mother of his first wife, Mrs. Susan Cave, now in 
 the seventy-sixth year of her age, and Zellah Travis, a daughter of his second 
 wife; she having been born on November 20, 1863. 
 
 JAMES B. JACKSON, 
 
 Minister and farmer, section 34, post-office Lone Jack, was born on the 22d of 
 February, 1820, in Granville County, North Carolina, and was reared on a farm. 
 He studied for the ministry, and received his education at the Missionary Baptist 
 College of Wake Forest, near Raleigh, North Carolina. Commenced preaching 
 in Wake County, North Carolina, in 1850, and remained there until November, 
 1868. Then removed to Kentucky, and soon came to this county. In the 
 spring of 1869, he took charge of the churches at Lone Jack, Oak Grove, Elvira 
 Springs, and Pittsville, Johnson County and Concord, Lafayette County. He 
 has retired from the ministry, on account of age, and has given his attention 
 chiefly to farming, and owns no acres, most of which is under cultivation. He 
 has filled the office of school director. June 5, 1850, he married Miss Helen P. 
 
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. 937 
 
 Knight, a native of North Carolina, born in 1830. They have five children; 
 Julian, Noel, Donald, Sidney, and Fannie E ; lost one. 
 
 WASH. KENNEDY, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 28, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, No- 
 vember 22,1821. He lived in Bourbon County until 1 85 7 , when he moved to Jack- 
 son County, Missouri, and located on the farm which he now occupies in Van 
 Buren Township. He was married June 15, 1858, to Sarah Amos, of Jackson 
 County, Misssouri, but who was borfl in Bourbon County, Kentucky, May 13, 
 1842. Eleven children have been born, all of whom are living at home, and 
 named as follows : Granville A., born October 19, 1859; Jesse F., June 28, 1861 ; 
 Mary W., April 21, 1863; Julia W., December 24, 1864; Joseph, October 28, 
 1868; John S., February 21, 1869; James E., January 21, 1871 ; Martha C, 
 December 20, 1872; Lulu B., Decemcer 14, 1874; Edna P., March 5, 1877; 
 Ida G., May 7, 1880. There has never been a death in this family, and all are 
 in excellent health. Mr. Kennedy spares no pains to give his children good 
 educations. His son, Jesse F., is a member of the William Jewell College, in 
 Clay County, and his daughter, Mary, is a member of the Female Seminary, at 
 Independence. Mr. Kennedy had but little means when he started in life in Mis- 
 souri, and what he had accumulated when the Civil War broke out, was all either 
 confiscated or destroyed, and at the close of the War he had to begin life almost 
 anew. But he now has a very fine farm of 240 acres, and well stocked with 
 some of the finest blooded stock in this part of the county. He makes a specialty 
 of fine stock breeding. During the War he was terribly persecuted by both par- 
 ties ; his life was threatened, and even attempts were made to shoot him, yet he has 
 survived all these hardships, and has again built up a beautiful home, where he 
 and his family live quiet and peaceful lives, honored and respected by all with 
 whom they are acquainted. 
 
 J. D. KREEGER, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 27, is a native of Jackson County, Missouri, and 
 born February 22, 1855, and was a son of George W, Kreeger, one of the old 
 settlers of Jackson County. Our subject received all the advantages of a common 
 school education, and afterward was for two years, a member of Central College, 
 Howard County. After completing his education he became engaged in teaching 
 for a number of years, and was considered a very successful teacher. He was mar- 
 ried December 22, 1880, to Miss H. A. Armstrong, of Vernon County, but orig- 
 inally of Mercer Couiity, Kentucky, and born May 6, 1854. She was a daughter of 
 Joseph Armstrong, of Kentucky. Mr. Kreeger was appointed census enumera- 
 tor for the thirty-third district of the sixth supervisor's district of Missouri, in the 
 spring of 1880. He has 340 acres of choice and well improved land, and deals 
 extensively in stock. Another member of the family, is his younger brother, 
 R. R. Kreeger, who is connected with him in his farming and stock interests. 
 They are all members of the Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Kreeger is a lady of 
 education and refinement, and both of the young men are possessed of a good 
 education and fine business qualifications, and are leadingand influential members 
 of society. 
 
 HENRY LONG, JR., 
 
 Farmer, section 24, post-office Lone Jack, is a native of Surry County, North 
 Carolina, born October 24, 1828. Is a son of Henry Long, Sr., a native of 
 North Carolina, and one of the old pioneers of Jackson County. At the age of 
 fourteen years, and in the year 1842, he located in Van Buren Township, near 
 where he now lives. His occupation through life has been farming. He was 
 married February 4, 1858, to Sally Long, who was born Februry 6, 1836. They 
 
938 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 have four children: Rettie Ann, born September 30, i860; Isaac Lee, July 31, 
 1865; Eddie E , February 4, 1874; Rena May, January 5, 1876. He is an 
 earnest worker for good schools, and spares no pains to give his children a liberal 
 education, believing it to be the best legacy he can leave them. His daughter, 
 Rettie A., has been a very successful teacher, and is highly accomplished, both 
 in vocal and instrumental music By industry and good management he has 
 secured a fine home of 200 acres of well improved land, and on his farm is one 
 of the finest orchards in the county. He makes a specialty of horticulture, and 
 there are but few who can excel his well selected and large stock of all kinds of 
 fruits and berries. All this has been gathered together by the united care and 
 labor of Mr. and Mrs. Long since their marriage, with the exception of what he 
 made in about eight months in California, in 1850. A this time he crossed the 
 plains and endured many hardships and lost his health, but returned $2,000 the 
 gainer. His ancestry are noted for longevity, there being four members in his 
 father's family, three sons and one daughter. The daughter died at the age of 
 seventy-seven, and one of the sons at eighty-seven, and another son is now eighty- 
 two, and the other, the father of our subject, is now seventy-eight years of age. 
 
 L. C. MARTIN, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 29, is a native of Henry County, Virginia, born 
 November i, 1847, and is a son of John R. and Susan Martin, who were both na- 
 tives o fVirginia, their ancestors being originally from England and Scotland. Mr. 
 John A. Martin, the father of the subject of our sketch, is one of the most renowned 
 ministers of the Baptist Church in Henry, Franklin and Pittsylvania Counties, Vir- 
 ginia, where he has been>a faithful and honored laborer for forty years, and al- 
 though now in the sixty-ninth year of his age, is still in full health and vigor. He 
 is a representative of the Martin family of Virginia who were very extensive 
 land and slave owners, and who have done much toward building up that part of 
 the State in which they live. Our subject came to Missouri in 1869, and locat- 
 ed in Sedalia, and lived there and in Pleasant Hill until 1877, when he located 
 upon his farm in Van Buren Township. He' was married May 16, 1872 to Sally 
 Jones, a daughter of Wilham Jones of Pleasant Hill. Mrs. Martin was born 
 April 27, 1852. Two children have been born to the family: Willie R., born 
 September 16, 1875, and Charles F. born March 14, 1879. Mr. Martin owns a 
 beautiful farm of eighty acres finely improved and stocked, and it has all been 
 secured by the united labor of Mr. Martin and his excellent wife within a few 
 years. They are both members of the Baptist Church, and are hving a quiet 
 peaceful life, honored and respected by all who know them. 
 
 W. H. MAXWELL, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, is a native of Johnson County, Missouri, and was born 
 March, 27, 1850. He was a son of O. J. Maxwell who was one of the first set- 
 tlers in Johnson County, Missouri. Our subject came Vi'ith his parents to Jack- 
 son County, and located on the farm on which he now lives. He received his 
 education in this county, and was reared on a farm and thoroughly taught his 
 business of fa.rming and handling stock, in which business he is quite proficient. 
 He was married December 23, 1869 to Ehza D. Yankee, a native of Jackson 
 County, and born September 17, 1854. By this marriage three children have 
 been born: Sally E., born December 28, 1870; Charles O., born March 14, 1872, 
 and Joe K., born October 8, 1873. These children are all more than ordina- 
 rily bright and intelligent, and one seldom finds any one of their age so well ad- 
 vanced in education and general knowledge. Mrs. Maxwell is a member of the 
 Missionary Baptist Church, and Mr. Maxwell a leading member of the A. F. and 
 A. M. fraternity. He owns 120 acres of fine land with good improvements. He 
 is a self-made man, and illustrates fully what may be accomplished by a young 
 
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. 939 
 
 man when he has energy and perseverance, coupled with integrity and honor. 
 He is now, in connection with two other young men, Oscar Cash and Fred Ed- 
 mondson, using great exertions to raise funds tQ,build a fine Union Church in Lone 
 Jack. 
 
 W. J. PHILLIPS, 
 
 United States Store-keeper and Ganger, Lone Jack, was born in Steuben County, 
 New York, September 6, 1838. Removed with his parents to Lee County, 
 Illinois, in the spring of 1854, and came to Missouri in the fall of 1856. 
 Was connected with the engineering party on the survey and location of the 
 Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, until the fall of 1857, when he came to Kansas 
 City, since which time he has made this county his home, though much of his 
 time has been spent abroad, in the employ of the United States Government, 
 either in the military or civil department. He was a member of the 2nd Colorado 
 Cavalry, in the quartermaster's department and as acting ordnance officer. Has 
 also been connected with many of the Kansas City newspapers, and was one of 
 the founders of the Kansas City Evening Mail. Has also visited the most of our 
 • western and northwestern cities, but for the greater part of his time has been con- 
 nected with the revenue department. Was married July 22, 1866, to Mary S. 
 Luggle, at Hickman's Mills, she having been born in Cass County, March 10, 
 1849. The family consists of four children: Ocie G., born June 16, 1867 ; Pearl 
 v., born December 25, 1869; Jettie M., born January 12, 1872, and Irving A., 
 born June 3, 1876. He owns a beautiful and pleasant home at Lone Jack, and 
 is surrounded by a pleasant and happy family. 
 
 EDWARD RAGGSDALE, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, post-office Lone Jack. The subject of our sketch is 
 not only one of the old settlers, but has been one of the most useful and 
 honored citizens of Van Buren Township. Born in Bedford County, Ten- 
 nessee, July 30, 1836. He was a son of Edward and Sarah Raggsdale, both 
 natives of Tennessee. When he was but an infant, his mother died, and when 
 he was but eighteen months old, his father moved to Lexington, Missouri, and 
 lived there till 1842; then moved to Lone Jack, Jackson County. Remained 
 there but a short time, then went to Texas, but soon returned to Lone Jack, and 
 lived there till 1851; then in Lafayette and Holt Counties till 1854, when his 
 father died. He received his education at Chapel Hill College, and graduated 
 in the class of 1856. He then engaged in teaching for six years. He afterward 
 took a course of medical lectures at St. Louis, and subsequently was a member of 
 JefTerson Medical College, in Philadelphia, and graduated from there in 1868. 
 He began the practice of medicine before attending college in Philadelphia, and 
 during the War was steadily engaged in practice at Lone Jack and Chapel Hill, 
 and rendered valuable service to the wounded at the battle of Loiie Jack ; 
 here he has ever since remained, actively and successfully engaged in his profes- 
 sion. He has been twice married. First, on March 3, 1861, to Elizabeth Easley, 
 of Jackson County, who was born December 3, 1840, and who died August 
 7, 1875. By this union, five children were born: Luetta, May 2, 1862; WiUiam 
 Lee, February 9, 1864; Ann Ehza, April 12, 1866; Edward W., December 29, 
 1870, and Thomas, December 3, 1873. He was again united in marriage, 
 March 29, 1876, to Virginia W. Easley, a sister of his first wife, and who was 
 born March 11, 1844. His present wife was a personal but unwilling spectator of 
 the terrible carnage at the battle of Lone Jack. She was a guest at the hotel, 
 which the Federals occupied during the battle, and was standing in the front 
 door when the battle began ; several balls passed through the door while she 
 was there. She was obliged to get what shelter she could, by lymg on the floor 
 among the dead and wounded, till the close of the battle. Although a lady of 
 
940 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 refinement, she was also one of compassion and tenderness, and at the end of the 
 battle rendered great aid in caring for the wounded. 
 
 GEORGE RHEEM, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, is a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, and 
 was born January 13, 1844. He was a son of Daniel and Sarah Rheem. His 
 father was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother of Ohio. He was reared on a 
 farm in Ohio till 1866, then moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and located 
 where he now lives. His father and mother both came to Missouri with him 
 and lived on the farm now occupied by Mr. Rheem until their deaths, which oc- 
 curred on the following dates : His father's on March 19, 1873, ^"d his mother's 
 on March 14, 1876. His grandfather on his father's side was the noted soldier, 
 Samuel Rheem, of Revolutionary fame, who was in the Prussian Array, and 
 emigrated to America in time to lend a helping hand to our forefathers in the 
 struggle for independence. Mr. George Rheem was married February 25, 
 1874, to Miss Lucetta Dutro, of Jackson County, Missouri, but formerly of Mus- 
 kingum County, Ohio, born July 30, 1850. By this union they have been 
 blessed with two children: Mary, born January 25, 1875, ^^'^ Sally, born 
 October 16, 1880. He owns a farni of 340 acres. Mr. Rheem is an active mem- 
 ber of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masonic fraternity, and is a well respected 
 citizen. 
 
 MARTIN RICE 
 
 Ranks among the old settlers of the county, though not among the oldest. He 
 was born in what is now Union County (then Campbell), in east Tennessee, on 
 the 22nd of November, 1814, and came with his father and mother, and a large 
 family, to Jackson County in the fall of 1833. His father Enoch Rice entered 
 the farm on which Martin now resides in October, 1833. It is near Lone Jack, 
 in Van Buren Township, and to this farm he moved in the next month. Martin 
 was the oldest son, then nineteen years old, with nothing but his own energy to 
 depend upon. After assisting to open and fence a small farm in the brush, he 
 was hired to a neighboring farmer during cropping time, for ten dollars per 
 month. After that he taught a small school in a small house (or pen) for a 
 small term, and for very small pay; and again during the winter assisted in 
 improving his father's farm. The next summer, 1835, he made a crop with his 
 uncle Absalom Powell, who lived near the road between Independence and Blue 
 Mills, where Salem Church now is, and during the fall he molded and burned 
 the first brick that was made in Van Buren Township, some of which may be 
 seen in his chimneys to-day. Later in the fall he sold his crop, and with the 
 money obtained and some borrowed, entered lands near his father's (a part of the 
 present Yankee Farm, in Van Buren Township) ; sold it in a few months, and in 
 March, 1836, entered land in Van Buren (now Cass County). On the 3rd of 
 April, 1836, he married Mary Lynch, near Greenton, in Lafayette County, a girl 
 of sixteen, and moved to his newly purchased home in Van Buren County, where 
 he remained during twenty years, until after the death of his wife in December, 
 1855. His father having died before, he sold out in Cass County and bought 
 his father's old farm, on which he yet lives. When he married and settled on 
 the Shawnee trail, his nearest neighbor was a mile and a half off; and the first 
 house below him on the road toward Clinton, was twenty miles away. In 
 August of that year at the first general election in the county, he was elected 
 county surveyor, and in April, 1837, surveyed, or laid out the town of Har- 
 risonville. He is remembered yet by the old settlers of Cass County as one of 
 the business men of the olden time. At the meeting of the Old Settlers' 
 Association of that county in 1879 he was by a vote of the association made an 
 honorary member of it ; and was also by vote requested to prepare and read a 
 poem, descriptive of old times, at their next annual meeting, which he did on 
 
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. 941 
 
 the 30th of September, 1880. He had also before that, at the requ«st of the 
 Old Settlers' Historical Society, of Jackson County, prepared and read one at 
 Kansas City in May, 1880. Mr. Rice, during his career in life, has been farmer, 
 surveyor, school teacher and nurseryman. In 1849 he commenced the propaga- 
 tion of fruit trees, which he has kept up ever since, and some of the oldest 
 orchards in Jackson County and adjoining counties, are of his grafting; he 
 has often been heard to say, "when I am dead and gone, the orchards will 
 be my memorial stones." He began the world poor, and has never accumulated 
 much of this world's goods. Since he moved to the old homestead in Jack- 
 son County, his aged mother has made her home with him, and it was only a 
 short time since (March 12, 1880) that she was laid by the side of her husband 
 and father, who preceded her by nearly thirty years. 
 
 Martin Rice is now sixty-six years old and is considered par excellence the old 
 fogy of the township. He is one of those who cannot be made to believe that 
 the new-fashioned way of doing things is much better than the old. 
 
 In his youth he had not the advantages of a scholastic education. He never 
 went to a college or an academy — not even to a public district school; and but 
 little to the subscription schools of that period. Before he was fourteen he quit 
 school altogether, and he says he had then never seen the inside of a grammar. 
 Webster's American Spelling Book, the Testament and Pike's Arithmetic were 
 the sum total of his school books. In the fall and winter of 1832 he taught 
 the first free school taught in the district, Claiborne County, Tennessee. He 
 had seen the inside of a grammar then and knew something about it, by hard 
 study at home, having carried Lindley Murray in his hat while following the 
 plough. In the winter of 1833, while making rails and grubbing by day to open 
 up a farm on the new Missouri home, he studied Gibson's Surveying at night, and 
 continued the study until it was mastered. And to-day, in some branches of 
 mathematics, he stands head and shoulders higher than any college professor in 
 the land. 
 
 On the farm of Mr. Jones, of Polk Township, in Cass County, there is 
 pointed out the old cabin into which, on his marriage, he moved in 1836. It is 
 now a stable, but has been made famous by his poem of "The Old Cabin 
 Home." 
 
 In 1877 he published his volume of poems entitled "Rural Rhymes, and 
 Poems from the Farm," which has been read by thousands — and by thousands 
 admired for their ease and simplicity. He is an old-fashioned farmer of the old- 
 fashioned school; has been a member of the Baptist Church since 1841, and clerk 
 of the Lone Jack congregation for the last twenty-five years. 
 
 Politically, he has nearly always been in the minority. In the great Civil 
 War he was a firm friend of the Union, quietly remaining at home, aiding and be- 
 friending, so far as he could, his neighbors on the other side, and being aided 
 and b.efriended by them in turn. 
 
 W. M. RUST, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, a native of Murray County Tennessee, was born Jan- 
 uary 31, 1821, and is a son of William Rust, a native of North Carolina, who 
 was a valiant soldier under General Jackson at the battle of New Orleans. When 
 quite young he moved with his parents to Hamilton County, Illinois, and lived 
 there about seven years; then moved to McLean County in the fall of 1834, and 
 lived there till 1867, when he came to Missouri and settled in Van Buren Town- 
 ship, Jackson County, on the farm on which he now lives. He was married 
 January 24, 1842, to Catherine Meyers, of McLean County, Illinois, who was 
 born February 25, 1825, in Christian County, Kentucky. There have been nine 
 children born: James W., born December 18, 1842, and died at the age of two 
 months; Mary J., born August 7, 1844, died November 7, 1871 ; Amanda,. 
 
942 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 born Febnuary 17, 1848, now living in McLean County, Illinois; Franklin P., 
 born July 9, 1851, now living in Jackson County, Missouri; Emma A., born 
 September 30, 1853, now living in Cass County, Missouri; Andrew J., born Feb- 
 ruary 27, 1856, died November 3, 187 1; Carrie, born March 6, 1859, now liv- 
 ing in Vermillion County, Illinois; Louisa M., born May 6, 1862, died October 
 30, 187 1 ; George B. , born October 6, 1864, now living at home. Mr. Rust 
 started in life almost penniless and now owns 220 acres, a fine farm, upon which 
 he has some very fine, blooded stock, especially horses. He gave each of his 
 children an excellent education; several of them have been successful teachers, 
 and George, the youngest son, is a highly accomplished pianist. Mr. Rust is a 
 member of the Christian Church, and his wife and son George of the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church. They are worthy citizens of the community. 
 
 JAMES SAUNDERS, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 28, a native of Fauquier County, Virginia, was born 
 January 1 1, 1809, and is a son of Presley and Lancy Saunders, both natives of Vir- 
 ginia. When five years of age, lie went to Mercer County, Kentucky, and lived 
 there till the fall of 1836 ; then moved to Missouri and lived for one year in Pettis 
 County, and in 1837 located near where he now lives in Jackson County. He 
 has always been engaged in farming. Was married April 27, 1837, to Mary Ann 
 Yankee, who was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, July 11, 182 1. She was a 
 daughter of Samuel and Permelia Yankee, they being old pioneers of Jackson 
 County, Missouri. There were nine children as the fruits of this marriage, five 
 of whom are still living: Julia Ann, now Mrs. Spainhour; Mary Frances, now 
 Mrs. Gibson; Samuel, married and living near his father; Jacob B. , married 
 and living near home ; Josephine, now Mrs. Houston, and Robert Edwin Lee, 
 living at home. Mr. Saunders has ninety-two acres of well improved land, and 
 has been able to give each of his children an excellent eighty-acre farm. He lost 
 at least $5,000 worth of personal property during the War. Mrs. Saunders died 
 August 13, 1877, and he was again united in marriage to Miss E. H. Reed, March 
 14, 1880, she having been born in Alabama, July 10, 182 r. They are both leading 
 members in the church; he having been a member over thirty-eight years. All his 
 possessions have been gained by his own labors, as he had no financial help to 
 start with. 
 
 JOHN T. SHAWHAN, 
 
 Farmer and fine stock raiser, section 20, was born in Bourbon County, Ken- 
 tucky, September 27, 1847. Was a son of Daniel and Minerva Shawhan. His 
 father was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, December 5, i8or, and his 
 mother in Harrison County, Kentucky, May 15, 1807. The father of Dan- 
 iel, named John, was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, October 23, 1771, 
 being a son of Daniel Shawhan, who was born in Kent County, Maryland, 
 in the year 1738. John T. Shawhan was reared on a farm and liVed in 
 Bourbon County, Kentucky, until 1868; then came to Jackson County and 
 located in Van Buren Township. He was married February 24, 1870, to 
 Julia F. Daniel, born in Jackson County, Missouri, April 6, 1853, and a daughter 
 of John Daniel, one of the old pioneers of Missouri, but originally from North 
 Carahna. There are five children in this family : John D., born March lo, 187 1 ; 
 Thomas R., born November ii, 1872; Willie G., born November 13, 1874; 
 Walter R., born July 18, 1877 ; and George A., born December 22, 1879. Mr. 
 Shawhan owns 760 acres of fine land, all cultivated, and well stocked with 120 
 head of blooded cattle, etc. He has very fine farm buildings and good orchards. 
 He met with a sad misfortune on July i, 1874, as follows: he was driving his 
 mower when his team started to run away, and to escape falling before the sickle, 
 he jumped off and broke his ankle; through bad treatment and the mismanage- 
 ment of his physician, it did not heal, but gangrene set in, and the amputation of 
 
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. 943 
 
 his left leg above the "knee became necessary to save his life; and on the 12th of 
 July, 1874, the operation was successfully performed. 
 
 GEORGE H. SHAWHAN, 
 
 Proprietor of distillery and drug store at Lone Jack, was born in Bourbon Coun- 
 ty, Kentucky, December 2, 1843, and was a son of Daniel and Minerva 
 Shawhan, the father having been bom in Bourbon County, Kentucky, Decem- 
 ber 5, 1801, and the mother born in Harrison County, Kentucky, May 15, 1807. 
 The father of Daniel, named John, was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, 
 October 23, 1771, being a son of Daniel Shawhan, who was born in Kent 
 County, Maryland, in the year 1731, and who built the first still, and manufac- 
 tured the first whisky in Bourbon County, Kentucky, and who first gave to his 
 manufactures the noted name of "Bourbon Whisky ; " he commenced the manu- 
 facture of this brand of liquor in 1787. Mr. George H. Shawhan lived in Bour- 
 bon County, Kentucky, until sixteen years of age, then enlisted under D. How- 
 ard Smith, Colonel of the 5th Kentucky Cavalry, commanded by Abe Buford, as 
 brigadier-general ; served about five months with that regiment, then served 
 under Colonel Chenault for five months, and then returned to the original regi- 
 ment commanded by Colonel D. Howard Smith, under General George H. Mor- 
 gan. He was in Morgan's noted raid through Ohio, and was twenty-one days 
 and nights without rest; he was captured July 21, 1863, at Cheshire, Ohio, 
 and sent to Columbus, Ohio, for one month, and then to Camp Douglas, Chi- 
 cago, where he remained till the close of the War. He then returned to Bourbon 
 County, Kentucky, and lived there till 1872, engaged in farming ; then came to 
 Jackson County, Missouri, and located at Lone Jack, and engaged in his present 
 business. Was married January 20, 1868, to Mary F. Tateman, who was 
 born in Ohio on March 16, 1849. Six children have been born to this family : 
 Daniel Lee, born on March 30, 1869 ; Margaret L., born May 8, 187 1 ; Beulah F., 
 born July 26, 1873 ; Edna M., born September 11, 1875 j Georgia E., born Oc- 
 tober 26, 1877; and Sally G., born September 11, 1879. All living except 
 Georgia E., who died May 30, 1878. On the 9th of September, 1880, an acci- 
 dent occurred at his distillery, by the bursting of the still, which resulted in the 
 death of three persons and badly injured six others. 
 
 MARY E. SHARP, 
 
 Section 33, is a native of St. Genevieve County, Missouri, born August 15, 1820, 
 and was a daughter of Conrad Norvine, who emigrated from Germany to America 
 in the year 18 19, and located in St. Francis County, Missouri. She was married 
 January 28, 1840, to William G. Knorpp, of Jefferson County, Missouri, he 
 being a native of Germany, and born February 4, 1816. By this marriap:e eight 
 children were born, five of whom are still living. Mr. Knorpp died May 19, 
 1853. She was again united in marriage on December 24, 1854, to John Shires, 
 a native of Switzerland. Three children were the fruit of this marriage : 
 Caroline, born June 13, 1855; Barbara Ellen, born December 3, 1856, and 
 William B., born January 19, 1861. Mr. Shires enlisted as a member of the 
 Federal Army in 1861, and served one year when he was accidentally killed by 
 being run over by an ammunition wagon. Our subject again married George 
 Sharp on May 24, 1866. Mr. Sl\,arp was a member of Company H, loth Mis- 
 souri, Cavalry; during the entire term of his enlistment he served faithfully and. 
 well,' and was 'discharged June' 27, 1865. After being married to Mr. Sharp they 
 lived about two years in Jefferson County, and then located on the farm now 
 occupied by the family in Van Buren Township. Mr. Sharp died April 21, 1877. 
 Mrs. Sharp, with her three youngest children, now compose the family and form 
 a pleasant and happy circle. William B., the youngest, is the mainstay and 
 
944 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 deserves great credit for the kind care he manifests for his aged mother and his 
 two sisters. The mother is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 JOSEPH SHEPHERD, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post-offide Grain Valley, was born November 
 2, 1822, m Sangamon County, Illinois, and remained there until twenty-two 
 years of age. He spent his boyhood days on a farm and also learned the car- 
 penter trade. Took a trip through Mississippi, Louisiana and Arkansas, and 
 settled in Illinois in 1833, and came to this county in 1844, and has made this 
 his home since. He owns a fine farm of 265 acres, 180 of which are under fence. 
 During the late War he enlisted in the Confederate Army, and served six months 
 with General Price. In 1849 he married Miss Mary C. Clark, a native of 
 Virginia, born in 1829. They have had eleven children, seven of whom are 
 living: W. S., Priscilla C, J. S., M. S., J. D., J. G., and E. T. Mrs. Shepherd 
 is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 JOHN W. TATE, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 19. The subject of this sketch ranks among the 
 old settlers in this part of Missouri. He was a native of Bourbon County, Ken- 
 tucky, and born September 24, 1814. He was a son of George W. and Nancy 
 Tate. His father. Major Tate, was a well-known soldier, commanding a battahon 
 in Virginia during the War of 1812. His father was also a member of the Mis- 
 souri Legislature for two terms. Our subject when three years of age moved 
 with his parents to Montgomery County, Kentucky, where he remained about 
 twenty years; then in 1838 located in Jackson County, Missouri, at Westport, 
 and lived there till 1847, then came to Lone Jack and engaged in the mercantile 
 business till the beginning of the Civil War. He was also postmaster at Lone 
 Jack for twenty- eight years. Being a southern man, his sympathies were with the 
 southern cause, but he took no active part. Yet he was a heavy loser in prop- 
 erty, consisting of stock, household goods and other personal property, to the 
 amount of at least $15,000. While in Kentucky Mr. Tate was a military officer, 
 holding the rank of major, and when he came to Missouri was elected colonel of 
 the militia of Jackson County; he has held many other positions of trust and 
 honor. He is a leading member of the Christian Church, and has always 
 taken an active interest in everything pertaining to the best interests of his county. 
 He now owns 1,100 acres of land, all well improved and stocked. His father 
 was one of the company that purchased the tract of land now occupied by Kan- 
 sas City, and suggested the name of Kansas City for what is now the metropolis of 
 the Missouri Valley. 
 
 Mr. Tate has been twice married; first, to Margaret Warren, February 
 12, 1852, she being a native of Lafayette County, Missouri, and born March 20, 
 1827 ; she was a daughter of John Warren, one of the oldest pioneers of Missouri. 
 By this marriage four children were born : Frank W., born December 14, 1852; 
 George W., born October 25, 1854; Jane McDora, born December i, 1856, and 
 John W., born January 24, 1859. Mrs. Tate died June 28, 1874, and he was 
 married the second time June 24, 1875, to Julia Warren, a sister of his for- 
 mer wife, she having been born October 30, 1844. His children have all re- 
 ceived a liberal education, and his sons are fine business men and extensive deal- 
 ers in stock. His daughter is married and livmg in Johnson County, and all are 
 esteemed citizens of the community. 
 
 GEORGE M. THOMPSON, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 22, was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky, 
 January 12, 1816, and was a son of Nelson A. Thompson who was a native of 
 Virginia, and a direct descendent of Wattie Thompson, a noted politician of 
 
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP. 945 
 
 South Carolina. He lived in Kentucky until 1852, and then moved to Jackson 
 County, Missouri, and located where he now lives in March, 1853, where he has 
 ever since lived engaged, in farming. Was married November 24, 1846, to Susan 
 A. Pemberton of Barren County, Kentucky, who was born July 29, 1822, and 
 was a daughter of Charles Pemberton of same county. The children consisted 
 of seven, only three of whom are now living : James C, born January 29, 1847, 
 married apd living near home ; David, born June 14, 1849, married to Bettie H. 
 Robinson September 15, 1874, she being a native of Mercer County, Kentucky, 
 and was born April 4, 1853 ; Lizzie H., born April 4, 1853, .married and living 
 in Saline County. Three children have been born to David and his wife, 
 they being members of this family, to-wit : Susie M, born July i, 1875; 
 Charlie S., born February 25, 1877, and Robert M., born February 18, 1879. 
 Mr. Thompson had no help when he began life for himself, but when the Civil 
 War broke out, he was possessed of 300 acres of finely cultivated land and large 
 herds of stock, but after the issuance of Order No. 11, he was obliged to leave 
 a great deal of stock, grain and household goods, all of which was confiscated or 
 destroyed. His fine large residence was burned in 1864, and all his fences and 
 other improvements destroyed, and when he returned at the close of the War, he 
 found nothing but the naked land. Before leaving he was terribly harrassed and 
 persecuted and threatened by both parties, and he and his family had to endure 
 many insults and indignities. Among his losses was one very fine race horse, 
 valued at $1,000. Although Mr. Thompson and family have seen much of 
 the ups and downs of life, yet he is a man of remarkable vigor for one of his age. 
 'He has a fine farm of 240 acres, and his family all live near him. They are all 
 members of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 WASHINGTON WHEAT, 
 
 Deceased, was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, February 4, 1809 and lived 
 there and in Fayette County until 1878, then moved to Jackson County, Mis- 
 souri, where he arrived March, 4, 1878 ; being then in failing health, he was sud- 
 denly taken worse and died on the loth of the same month. He was married 
 August 15, 1837, to Elizabeth Kennedy, of Bourbon County, Kentucky, she 
 having been born March 15, 18 19. They began their married life with but little 
 means, but by industry and thrift they accumulated property, and at one time 
 owned 800 acres of choice land in Bourbon County, Kentucky, under a fine 
 state of cultivation, and well stocked. But Mr. Wheat was a very liberal-hearted 
 man, and one always ready to lend a helping hand ; he became security for 
 a number of people, and in large sums, and much of this he was obliged to' pay. 
 He never flinched under these misfortunes, but disposed of his large estates 
 and personal property and paid up everything to the last, and moved to Misbouri, 
 and settled his family on a beautifully located tract of land of 320 acres in Prairie 
 Township just six days before his decease. The family now consists of his widow, 
 four sons and three daughters. Mr. Wheat was a member of the Christian 
 Church, and a man of fine jmlgment and business ability, and one implicitly 
 trusted by all. He not only managed to leave his family a comfortable home, 
 but what was better, a christian example and an unsullied character. His son, 
 John A., is now manager of the farm, and is a young man of great promise. 
 
 SAMUEL YANKEE, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, located on section 32, is a native of Cass County, Mis- 
 souri, and born January 15, 1846 He was a son of Wesley Yankee, who was 
 a native of Kentucky, but who immigrated to Missouri at an early day, and was 
 one of the earHest pioneers. Mr. Samuel Yankee was reared in Cass County, and 
 there received his education. In 1867 he located in VanBuren Township, Jack- 
 son County, and has ever since lived there, engaged in farming. He is a young 
 60 — 
 
946 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 man of fine business ability, and one very highly respected and honored in the 
 community. He owns a fine farm of i6o acres all under good cultivation, and 
 well stocked. Few young men of his age have succeeded so well in life, and he 
 is certainly one who will yet become a representative man of the county. 
 
 J. S. YANKEE AND Z. W. YANKEE, 
 
 Two brothers, engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 29. The elder of 
 the two, and the subject of this sketch, is a native of Jackson County, Missouri, 
 and was born August 25, 1854. He is the son of David and Orlena Yankee, his 
 father is a native of Kentucky and his mother a native of Tennessee. Both 
 were very early settlers in Missouri. Our subject was educated in the common 
 schools, and at the High School at Lone Jack. He has spent most of his time in 
 farming and dealing in stock, and is a young man of fine business abilities. He 
 and his younger 'brother have the management of the David Yankee estate, and 
 the care of their mother and the younger members of the family. 
 
HISTORY OF lee's SUMMIT. 947 
 
 ADDITIONAL HISTORY OF LEE'S SUMMIT. 
 
 KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 
 This lodge was organized on the 30th of January, 1872, with but nine mem- 
 bers. The first officers were : C: A. Goshen, P. C. ; A. Hamilton, C. C ■ Tames 
 A. Shaw, V. C. ; J. G. Ocher, K. R. S. ; H. C. Miller, M. of Ex. ; A G Miller 
 M. A. ; P. J. Rogers, I. G. ; J. R. H. Davis, 'O. G. The present officers are • 
 O. H. Lewis, P. C. ; J. W. Nicholds, C C. ; E. D. Whiting, V. C. ; H C 
 Williamson, M. of Ex. ; W. F. Crane, M. F. ; Joseph Martin, K. R s'- C d' 
 Whiting, M. A. ; John Proudfit, I. G. ; W. R. Caldwell, O. G. The names of 
 those who have passed the chair are as follows ; C. A. Goshen, James A Shaw 
 J. G. Ocher, J. Y. DeShon, S. G. Miller, G. N. Jones, John' Proudfit,' Barcla 
 Jones, O. H. Lewis, Joseph Martin, W P. Anderson and D. F. Jones. The 
 lodge has a present membership of forty-three, and is in fine condition and good 
 working order. The members have provided themselves with fine uniforms. 
 They own their furniture, in connection with the Ancient Order of United 
 Workmen, both of which lodges meet in the same hall, and have among their 
 membership some of the best men and citizens of the town and surrounding 
 country. Taking all in all, the historian is of the opinion that the order is a very 
 worthy one, and that the lodge at Lee's Summit is a desirable one in which to 
 have a membership. 
 
 ANCIENT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN. 
 
 This society was organized on the twenty-fourth day of October, 1879 with the 
 following officers : Y. W. Whitsett, W. M. ; H_ C. Williimson, M W ■ E P 
 Holbert, G. F. ; E. F. Jones, R. ; J. N. Shrout, O. ; G. F. Jones, F. ; J " C Roe- 
 ers, R. ; R. W. Caldwell, I W. ; E. D. Whiting, O. S. W. Trustees :' E.' Dun 
 H. F. Williams and J. G. Ocher. H. F. Williams was the first guide, and Dr! 
 J. C. Rogers, examining physician. ■ The lodge was organized with fifteen mem- 
 bers, and now has a membership of twenty-nine. Is in fine working order and 
 owns its furniture, in company with the Knights of Pythias, and is entirely 
 out of debt. The present officers are : E. P. Holbert, W. M. ; E F Jones G 
 
 F. ; R. W. Caldwell, O. ; J. D. Adams, R. ; H. C. Williamson, R. ; J G Ocher 
 F. ; E. Whiting, G. ; M. A. Rider, I. S. W. ; B. F. Nornal, O. S. W. ' 
 
 PURITY LODGE, No. 201, L O. O. F. 
 
 This lodge was organized on the thirtieth day of December, 1868, with the 
 following named officers, who were installed by W. S. Patrick, District Deputy 
 
 G. M. : C. A. Goshen, N. G. ; H. C. Miller, V. G. ; J. A. Scruggs, Sec. ; G. 
 W. Robaugh, Treas. The followmg are the names of those who have passed the 
 chair of Noble Grand: C. A. Goshen, James A. Shaw, S. G. Miller, E. M. Han- 
 Ion, James A. Blair, Joseph M-irtm, J. A. Coy. The present officers are as fol- 
 lows : J. A. Coy, P. G. ; Joseph Martin, N. G ; M. Enine, V. G. ; C. A. Goshen, 
 H. R. S. ; J. G. Ocher, Treas. This lodge is in good working order, and at 
 present (1881), has a splendid corps of ofifi:ers. Dr. Gosheu, the present record- 
 ing secretary, is a very enthusiastic Odd, Fellow, and his done much for his 
 lodge, of which he was the real father and the first tVDbls Grand, and hts now 
 been the secretary for a number of years. The lodge own their furniture, and. 
 are out of debt. 
 
948 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 LEE'S SXJMMIIT. 
 
 D. T. ANDERSON, 
 
 Dentist, in the office of Mr. Gillespie, was born in Scotland, on the Clyde, in 1850, 
 but while quite young his parents moved to England, where he was brought up and 
 educated. He early learned the profession of dentistry, and came to this country 
 in 1876, and first worked in Canada. He is a first-class workman, and has 
 followed his business in most of the principal cities of the United States. 
 
 BLAIR BROTHERS, 
 
 Nurserymen. This firm consists of three brothers, James A., Robert H., and 
 John C. James A., the eldest and principal business manager, was born in 
 Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, on the 6th day of April, 1836, where he 
 was brought up on a farm and partly educated in the common schools. At the age 
 of about twenty years he entered Elder Ridge Academy in Indiana County, 
 Pennsylvania, which he attended about three years, and from which he graduated 
 in the year 1859. Between the time when he left the common school and the 
 time of entering the Academy he became engaged as salesman in a wholesale 
 and retail store in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which position he accepted in order to 
 secure a thorough business education. In the year i860 he commenced the 
 study of law with the Hon. Henry D. Foster, of Greensburg, Westmorland 
 County, Pennsylvania, with whom he remained three years, and was admitied to 
 the bar in 1863. In 1867 he came to Lee's Summit, Missouri, and entered into 
 a partnership with the two brothers above mentioned, and engaged in the nursery 
 business, at the same time opened a land and law office. The firm are known 
 throughout the entire West as successful propagators, and at the same time 
 caretul and conscientious in their dealings with their customers, thereby winning 
 for themselves a very high and enviable reputation and standing as reliable nursery- 
 men. At the present time (1881), they are engaged in cultivating plants near Lee's 
 Summit and near Kansas City, Missouri. Mr. Blair was married on the 2Sth of 
 January, 1865, to Miss Ceceha M. Smith, of New Albany, Indiana, who is still 
 living, and by this union eight children were born, four sons and four daughters : 
 John S., Andrew, Theodore, Rosa May, Robert W., Mattie B. , Emily and 
 Bertha. Andrew T., and Miss Rosa May, are attending school at St. Louis. 
 Mr. Blair is a prominent member of both the Masonic and Odd Fellows Societies. 
 
 H. J. BOGGS, 
 
 Proprietor of meat market, is a native of Jackson County, and was born within 
 four miles of where he now resides, June 19, 1842, and was brought up on a 
 farm, and educated in the common schools. In 1861, owing to the force 
 of circumstances, he enlisted in what was known as Shank's Regiment, in the 
 Confederate Army, and served until the close of the War. He participated in 
 some of the hotly contested engagements, among which were the battles of Prairie 
 Grove, Cape Girardeau, and two or three engagements at Cane Hill. Was with 
 Price, in his raid on Independence, and Westportrjc^id many minor skirmishes. 
 He was discharged in 1865, at the surrender of Shres^eport. The last two years 
 of his service was both active and dangerous in thi extreme. He was on detail 
 as one of the escort of the body guard of General Shelby, in which position he had 
 much scouting to do. After the War closed, he retired to his former home, and 
 became engaged in the meat business at Lee's Summit, where he has been engaged 
 
lee's summit 949 
 
 ever since; and besides his meat business, he is engaged in buying and shipping 
 stock, in company with Mr. G. L. Smith. He was married on the 22nd day of 
 December, 1868, to Miss Mary L. Smith, of this county, who is still living, and 
 by whom he has had three children: James H., Grace Mary, and Roger Thorn- 
 ton. 
 
 JOHN BOGGS, 
 
 Justice of the peace and stock dealer, was born in Lee County, Virginia, October 
 30, 1 819, and at an early age removed with his father to Lawrence County, 
 Kentucky. There he was reared and educated in a country school, and in 1839 
 came to Missouri, arriving at Independence on November 2. Immediately came 
 to this place, and labored until 1844, being too poor to buy land. Then com- 
 menced farming, and in 1849 went to CaHfornia. Engaged in stock dealing, and 
 returned in 1850, having been successful. On the breaking out of the War, Mr. 
 Boggs thought to stand aloof, but on account of numerous, depredations, joined 
 the Confederate service, and was soon commissioned captain in the commissary 
 department, remaining in service until the surrender at Shreveport. In 1862 
 his house was destroyed and his wife compelled to flee to Kansas. She was 
 bitterly persecuted, at one time being banished from the State, but the order was 
 afterward revoked. Upon returning, Mr. Boggs found things in a dilapidated 
 condition. He commenced farming, and in 1872 removed to this place; engaged 
 in the stock business two or three years, and for three years was selling goods. 
 He has been twice married. First, in 1855, to Mrs. Peace McGuire. She died 
 on the 27th of March, 1876. He was married a second time, on the 7th of 
 January, 1877, to Mrs. Crane widow of Dr. Crane, of Ashland, Ohio. Mr. 
 Boggs is a member of the A. F. & A. M., having attained to the degree of a 
 Master Mason. 
 
 JAMES B. CAMPBELL, 
 
 Postmaster, dealer in jewelry, toys etc., was born in Coles County, Illinois, 
 March 22, 1838, where he was brought up to labor on the farm during the sum- 
 mer, and allowed to attend school during the winter months. When twenty-two 
 years of age he had obtained a very liberal education, and was among the 
 first to enlist in the 8th Ilhnois Infantry, on April 19, 1861. He was mustered 
 into the service at Springfield, and was first engaged in the battle of Fort Henry, 
 Tennessee, and at Fort Donelson, where he was wounded in the right lung. He 
 was thence removed to Mound City, Illinois, and placed in the hospital where he 
 remained for thirty-one days. Was then sent to his home and remained until 
 August 1862, when he returned to his regiment and was discharged on account 
 of his wound. He soon learned the jewelry business and started at Charleston, 
 Illinois, where he continued until May 1865, when he engaged in farming until 
 1867 and came to Lee's Summit, then in its infancy. Here he first engaged in 
 the hardware business, and continued it until 1868, when he was appointed post- 
 master, a position which he has since filled. About one year since he started the 
 jewelry business. He was married in May 1865 to Miss Margaret A. Little, of 
 Charleston, Illinois, who was born and brought up in the same neighborhood as 
 himself. They have four children: Thomas A., Freddie B., Mabel L., and 
 James E. Mr. Campbell is a prominent member of the Masonic order, and has 
 been W. M., L. W. and Sec, and isnow the treasurer of Summit Lodge No. 263. 
 
 EDMOND COWHERD, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, was born in Orange County, Virginia, July 21, 1816, 
 and there was brought up to labor on the farm. In 1835 he came with his par- 
 ents to Missouri, and settled ; first, in Callaway County, where they engaged in 
 farming for one year, and in 1836 removed to Jackson County and settled about 
 six miles south of Independence. By reason of Order No. 11, he was required 
 
950 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 to go north or south. He early became engaged in farming for himself and he 
 was largely interested in raising stock, cattle and mules for the trade with Mexico, 
 and also for the Government. At the breaking out of the late War, he had sev- 
 eral fine farms, all well improved, most of which were destroyed. In 1864 while 
 he was absent, the State militia burned his houses and out-buildings, and on his 
 return home he found his land and but little of anything else. He has been twice 
 married; first, to Miss Elizabeth White, of Jackson County, March 2, 1841. By 
 her he had one child, Mary E. who died in infancy. He married a second time 
 Miss Martha A. Smott, on the 20th day of November 1853. They have two 
 children : Neddie and Mattie ; three are now deceased. Mr. Cowherd, his 
 wife and daughter are all members of the Christian Church, in which he is an 
 elder. 
 
 C. J. COWHERD, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, was born in Orange County, Virginia, July 10, 1827, 
 and hved on the farm until 1835, when his father removed with the family to 
 Callaway County, this State. In 1836 he came to this county and located on 
 Little Blue, twelve miles from Independence. Here he labored on the farm, 
 receiving no education, excepting from his brother, until the spring of 1849, 
 when, in company with others, he went overland to California. Arriving there he 
 became interested in mining, and also the stock business. In the fall of 1850 he 
 returned home and then engaged in farming and stock raising, the following winter 
 going to Texas. In i860 he was engaged in shipping goods to Denver. During 
 the War he suffered much loss, his home being destroyed and things ruined gen- 
 erally. For safe keeping he took his family to Denver, where they remained till 
 the close of the War. Upon returning, he engaged in the mercantile business, 
 continuing until May, 1880. He has been twice married; first, July 7, 1847, 
 to Miss A. E. Shanks, who died the following June. On May 2, 1853, he was 
 married again to Miss Emily Sother, of Beardstown, Kentucky. They have three 
 children : Sarah A. , William S. and Frank A. Mr. Cowherd belongs to the 
 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, and his wife and eldest daughter are mem- 
 bers of the Christian Church. 
 
 W. F. CRANE, 
 
 Liveryman, was born in Preston County, West Virginia, December 21, 1853, 
 where he lived with his parents until the fall of 1866, then removing to Kansas 
 City. There they lived for two years, and while there the subject of our sketch 
 attended the public schools. He afterward entered Lincoln Institute, at Green ■ 
 wood, Missouri, where he finished his education, and subsequently became 
 engaged in the mercantile business, as salesman in the store of Mr. Williamson, 
 with whom he remained one year. He then commenced the livery business at 
 Lee's Summit, where he is still engaged. He was married in 1879 ^o •'^'ss Clara 
 Brown, of Hamilton, Ohio, a daughter of Rev. Brown; she diea in April, 1880. 
 He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and belongs to Lee's Summit Lodge 
 No. 17. 
 
 DR. C. A. GOSHEN, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, was born in Greenbrier County, Virginia, October 14, 
 1813, where he was brought up and educated, and in 1832 came to Missouri. The 
 doctor is an enthusiastic member of the Masonic order, in which he has held 
 important positions. He is perhaps the oldest Mason now living in Jackson 
 County; became a member of the organization in 1846, in Virginia. He has 
 been eight times elected and filled the position of W. M., and has for years 
 been, and is still, the member selected to lecture the order and the candidates, 
 on the secret works of the order. He is also a chapter and council member, having 
 received the chaptfer degree in Independence, Missouri, in 1849, and the council 
 
LEE S SUMMIT. 95X 
 
 degree in Virginia, in 1853. He is a prominent member of I. O. O. R, which 
 he jomed in 1845, at Lexington, Missouri, and has frequently filled important 
 offices in the order. Was the first N. G. of the lodge in this place, and was N. 
 of the first Odd Fellows Lodge organized in Nebraska, and also S. W. of the 
 second Masonic Lodge. He first commenced the study of medicine in Virginia, 
 and continued for a number of years, and finished his studies in Missouri. He 
 was engaged in practicing in Missouri and Nebraska for fifteen years, and accum- 
 ulated considerable money, and in 1863 graduated from the Eclectic Medical 
 University, at Cincinnati, Ohio. Since that time he has been practicing in dif- 
 ferent parts of Missouri. He came to this place in 1868, and assisted in organ- 
 izing the Masonic and Odd Fellows Lodges, and organized the first Sabbath 
 School in this place. He and his wife are both members of the Cumberland 
 Fresbytenan Church. He was married in the year 1836 to Miss Tane Stuart, of 
 Virginia. ■' 
 
 EDWARD M. HANLON, 
 
 Teacher, was born in Columbus, Ohio, January 6, 1844, and there lived with his 
 parents until 1856, then removing to Huron County. Here he made his home 
 for three years, although attending school at Milan the most of the time. For 
 two years he went to a Presbyterian school and then entered OberHn College and 
 remained there three terms. In order to thus educate himself he was obliged to 
 teach school at odd times. He had charge of a graded school in Highland 
 County, Ohio, and for two years thereafter was employed at Petersburg. He 
 then came to this place, purchased a small farm, and the following spring taught 
 a subscription school, the first in Lee's Summit. With the exception of one 
 season Mr. Hanlon has taught constantly since he was eighteen years of age. He 
 owns property near the town, and a farm two and a half miles east, besides a 
 residence and five acres of land in Lee's Summit. He was married in 1872 to 
 Miss Georgia Corlen, of this county. They have three children : Zella, Edna, 
 and Charles C. 
 
 W. S. HECKARD, 
 
 Hedge-grower, was born in Knox County, Ohio, on the 28th day of September, 
 1842, where he resided with his parents until he was eleven years of age, when 
 he removed with them to McLean County, Illinois, where he was brought up on 
 a farm. In the fall of 1869 he came to this State, bringing 1,260 sheep, and 
 stopping first near Marshall, in Saline County, where he continued to operate until 
 the spring of 1870, when he came to Jackson County as the traveling represent- 
 ative of J. P. Taylor & Co., in the hedge business, taking contracts, selling 
 plants, collecting, etc. He continued in this business until the year 1872, when 
 he became engaged in the wholesale nursery business for Mr. Balis, of Lee's 
 Summit, and continued with him for one year, when he went into the boot and 
 shoe business at Lee's Summit, and continued this business for one year when he 
 traded his interest in the store for a farm near the town of Lee's Summit. Has 
 now a nice hedge nursery near Lee's Summit, of about twelve acres. He was 
 married on the 22nd of August, 1872, to Miss Mary A, Cass, of Jackson County. 
 
 ■ELI P. HOLBERT, 
 
 Dealer in books, stationery, wall-paper, etc., was born in Marion County, West 
 Virginia, January 6, 1840, where he resided with his parents until October, 1853, 
 then removed to Columbus, Ohio. He was poorly educated in West Virginia, 
 but finished his education in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. He engaged in teaching 
 school most of the time in FrankUn County until the breaking out of the War, 
 when he enlisted in the 95th Ohio Volunteer Infantry and spent most of the time 
 of his service in western Tennessee. He participated in some of the most im- 
 portant engagements of the War, notable among which were Richmond, Ken- 
 
952 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 tucky, siege and capture of Vicksburg, and Guntown, Mississippi, Fort 
 Spanish, near Mobile, Alabama, the battle at Nashville, Tennessee, between 
 Thomas and Hood, and many minor skirinishes. He was mustered out of the 
 service on the 14th of August, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky, and returned to his 
 home in Columbus, Ohio, where he became engaged as salesman in a dry goods 
 store. There remained until 1868, when he came to his present home. He 
 followed teaching for three years and opened a book and stationery store in con- 
 nection with a news depot,' and has since continued in the same place. He owns 
 a farm of 120 acres two and a half miles southeast of Lee's Summit, and a nice 
 residence property in the town. He was married on the 20th day of June, 1871, 
 to Miss Mary A. Powell, of Franklin County, Ohio. They have two children : 
 Florence and Harry. Mr. Holbert is a member of the Knights of Pythias and a 
 prominent Odd Fellow, in which latter organization he has held the position of 
 M. W. 
 
 JOHN E. HOUGH, 
 
 Barber, was born in York County, Pennsylvania, on the 24th of August, 1847, 
 where he was reared and educated, and there resided until the year 1873. His 
 early life was spent on a farm, where he labored during the summer months and 
 attended school during the winter, and soon engaged in teaching. He taught for 
 five years when he became engaged as a bookkeeper and continued until 1873. 
 Then he came to Lee's Summit and was employed as salesman in the dry goods 
 and grocery business for a short time. Then taught school for four months and 
 again engaged in the grocery and produce business, in which he continued until 
 March I, 1880. Then began traveling . as salesman for a wholesale house in 
 Kansas City. He soon after embarked in his present business, insurance. He 
 was married on the 22 nd of April, 1873, i" Kansas City, Missouri, to Miss Mary 
 A. Miller, of Lee's Summit, by whom he has three children : Minnie, Hugh and 
 Mabel. He is a member of the Masonic order, having attained to the degree of 
 M. M. 
 
 WILLIAM B. HOWARD, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser. The subject of this sketch stands among the foremost 
 of the worthy and enterprising citizens. He was born in Jefferson County, 
 Kentucky, March 10, 182:, and there resided until twenty-one years of age, 
 being reared on a farm. He was educated in the common schools and in 1844 
 removed to this county, landing at Wayne City (now Independence) April i, 
 1844. For six years he was engaged in farming, and in March, 1850, purchased 
 the farm on which he now resides. During the War, he went to Kentucky, and 
 while there his possessions were nearly all destroyed. The engagements which 
 took place at his house and upon his premises, would fill a volume. It was 
 impossible for a person to live peaceably during this time. October 24, 1862, he 
 was taken prisoner, and brought to Independence, being confined for a month. 
 He was finally released on abondof $25,000. Then took his family, and removed 
 to Kentucky, where his wife died. Afterward returned to this county, and 
 engaged in farming. In 1865 he laid out ttie town of Lee's Summit, the original 
 plat containing seventy acres. Two years afterward, he made his first addition, 
 containing eighty acres more. In order to secure the depot at this place, he gave 
 the railroad half of four blocks and grounds for the depot site. He has also 
 given lots to churches, and donated two acres for a cemetery. The town was 
 called by a different name at first, but it was afterward changed to its presen name. 
 His second marriage was to Miss Mary C. Jones. They have five children: 
 Maria, Robert, Mary, Thomas A. and Florence. He and his wife are members 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
lee's summit. 953 
 
 J. D. HYLTON 
 
 Was born in 1844, in Patrick County, Virginia, and when two years of age was 
 brought by his parents to Jackson County, Missouri, settling near Independence, 
 where he resided until 1861. Then enlisted under Price, and in six months was 
 taken prisoner at Springfield and paroled. After three months, he joined Quan- 
 trell, and was wounded at Independence. For about six months, he was unable 
 to travel, and then had to hide from place to place, to prevent being taken pris- 
 oner, until able to join his regiment. He was in a fight at Hopkins, and after- 
 ward went to Kentucky. Was in a terrible engagement, in which Quantrell was 
 killed, and was near him when he fell. He served during the entire War. He 
 was married to Elmira J. Young, by whom he has three children: Thomas W., 
 May B. and Lucy A. 
 
 W. F. LEWIS, 
 
 Dry goods and groceries, was born in Caldwell County, Kentucky, on the 27th 
 day of April, 1831, and there was brought up on a farm, and educated in the 
 common schools. In 1850 he went to California, by the overland route, and 
 became engaged in mining and remained until 1856, when he returned to Ken- 
 tucky. After remaining one or two years, he went to Texas, where he remained 
 but a short time, and then came to Jackson County, Missouri, where he became 
 engaged in the mercantile business at Rose Hill. Was also engaged in farming 
 and stock raising, and remained until the War broke out in 1861, when he 
 espoused the confederate cause, and enlisted under General Price, for three 
 years. At the close of the War, he returned to Jackson County, and entered 
 into business, and is now one of the best citizens and most substantial business 
 men. He was married on the 9th of June, 1859, to Miss Jane L. Compton, 
 who was born, brought up and educated in Boyle County, Kentucky. They 
 have four children: Buford T., Jane, Grace T. and Mary C. Bulord T. is now 
 in New Mexico, where he is engaged as book-keeper for a wholesale house. Mr. 
 Lewis and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 GEORGE McBRIDE, 
 
 Was born in Davis County, Indiana, on the ist of April, 1868, where he lived 
 with his parents until six years of age. They then removed to Harrison County, 
 Missouri, where George was brought up and educated. When eighteen years of 
 age he removed to Lafayette County, this State, and became engaged in farming 
 and dealing in plants, which he continued until 1872, and then removed to this 
 place, where he has been engaged in farming and raising hedge ever since. He 
 is a member of the Knights of Pythias and belongs to Lee's Summit Lodge, 
 No. 17. 
 
 DR. W. W. MILLER, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, was born in Augusta County, Virginia on the 8th day of 
 May, i8r6, where he was brought up and educated, and remained until 1837; 
 then he immigrated to Missouri, and spent the winter in Saline County, and 
 during the summer traveled in Ohio, ' Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois, and in 
 January, 1838, assisted in putting in operation the first line of four-horse stage 
 coaches which was ever run from Jonesboro, in Saline County, to Independence, 
 Jackson County. He then' settled in New Frankhn, and engaged in selling dry 
 goods and in the study of medicine, which he has since so long and successfully 
 practiced. He remained in this place for two years and then went to Louisiana 
 with stock, and remained there one winter and returned to Saline County and 
 engaged in the mercantile business. In 1841, he removed his store to Calhoun, 
 Henry County, where he engaged in business until 1844, and during the winter 
 of 1844-5, he attended lectures at the Medical College at Louisville, Kentucky, 
 
954 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 and in May, 1845, located at Sibley, in Jackson County Missouri. Here the 
 doctor remained and continued his practice until the year 1857, when he removed 
 to this neighborhood, and settled on a farm three miles from where Lee's Sum- 
 mit is situated. Remained until the breaking out of the War, when, owing to 
 the force of circumstances, he became connected with the Confederate Army at 
 Lexington, under General Price, and was appointed assistant med cal director 
 of the 8th Division of Missouri Troops, in which capacity he remained until his 
 troops joined the Confederate Army after the battle of Pea Ridge. Then the 
 doctor became a private, serving a short time, when, owing to- failing health, he 
 was granted a leave of absence for eight months. Was finally ordered to report 
 to General McCullough, commanding the sub-district of Kentucky, when he was 
 appointed surgeon of Chalmer's Regiment, in which capacity he served until the 
 the close of the War. Was then discharged and arrived at his home on the 12th, 
 day of July, 1865. He built the first dwelling house in the town of Lee's Sum- 
 mit which he had the misfortune to lose by fire within three days after completion. 
 The doctor has a lucrative practice. He was married on the 29th of January, 
 1842, to Miss Julia Garth, who died on the 8th day of October, 1855. By this 
 union they had five children, three daughters and two sons : Anna Elizabeth, 
 Sarah K., Samuel G., Henry B., and Maria L.; all married except Anna E. 
 
 J. M. SHORT, 
 
 Marshal, is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Edmondson County, on the 
 20th day of January, 1841, and there resided until 1847, when his parents moved 
 to Saline County, and engaged in farming; here the subject of our sketch was 
 brought up to labor on the farm, and received a common school education. His 
 father died in 1852, while living in Saline County. Mr. Short being the 
 eldest of five children, the burden of the work very naturally fell upon him, and he 
 labored hard to care for his mother and the younger children. In the year 1855 
 the family removed to Lawrence, Kansas ; after remaining there for one year, 
 they removed to Independence, Missouri, where the subject of our sketch con- 
 tinued to hve until 1865. During the late War he was a patriot, and spent eighteen 
 months in the Missouri State Militia, in Company F., where he endured many hard- 
 ships in the border War with Quantrell and his men, and did valiant service for 
 his country. After his discharge in 1865, he sold his property near Independ- 
 ence and removed to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he became engaged in agri- 
 cultural pursuits ; he remained one year when he removed again to Jackson 
 County, and engaged in farming until 1876 when he moved to Lee's Summit; 
 since 1878 he has been the marshal, street commissioner, and collector. He has 
 been twice married; first, to Miss J. Morris, January 31, 1861 ; she died in 1869. 
 By this union they had two children : Lorenzo Dow, now deceased, and Mary 
 A. He was married a second time May 25, 1871, to Miss Lucy J. Kerr, who is 
 still living, and by whom he has three children: Early H., Lucetta M. and 
 Grace. 
 
 JASPER N. SHROUT, 
 
 Hotel-keeper, was born in Bath County, Kentucky, June 8, 1839. In his younger 
 days he engaged in school teaching, which he followed until the breaking out of 
 the War, when he enlisted in the 5th Kentucky, Confederate Infantry, at Prestons- 
 burg, for one year; served three months and then became engaged as recruit- 
 ing officer the balance of the year. Then re-enlisted for three years in the 2nd 
 Kentucky Mounted Riflemen, and served as body guard on the staff of General 
 Humphrey Marshall, and continued to do duty wherever ordered until May, 
 1863, when he was captured at Triplet Bridge, Kentucky. He was engaged in 
 battles and skirmishes too numerous to mention. He was taken prisoner at 
 Crab Orchard, Kentucky, and taken to Mt. Sterling and thence to Lexington and 
 from there to Cincinnati. He remained a prisoner for months in different 
 
LEES SUMMIT. 955 
 
 places, and was appointed hospital steward. Was then imprisoned nine months 
 at Lookout Mountain. Had charge of different hospitals, and, finally, after much 
 maneuvermg (an account of which it is impossible to insert in the brief space 
 allotted us), was discharged. For a year he was engaged in the collecting and stock 
 business, and also in clerking. After being employed in the butchering business, 
 he commenced his present trade. He was married on the 17th day of Novem- 
 ber, 1868, to Miss Josephine Clayton. They have four children: Thomas W., 
 ChatlesN., Pearl and an infant; three are deceased. He is a member of the Masonic 
 fraternity. He is a charter member and a knight of high standing in the Knights 
 of Pythias ; also a charter member of the A. O. U. W. He and his wife are 
 both members of the Christian Church. 
 
 E. H. SINCLAIR, 
 
 .• Sewing machine agent, was born in Delaware County, Ohio, on May 2, 1841, 
 where he was reared and educated. In 186 1 he enlisted in the 4th Ohio Volun- 
 teer Infantry, Company I, with which he participated in many severe engage- 
 ments of the late War, among which were Gettysburg, Fredericksburg, Battle of 
 the Wilderness, Chancellorville, Rumley, Peninsula and many minor engage- 
 ments. When he first enlisted he was made a corporal, and was regularly pro- 
 moted to orderly, or first sergeant. He was honorably discharged in the summer 
 of 1865, after having served over four years. Then became engaged in the rail- 
 road business and followed it two years, and was then elected deputy marshal and 
 deputy constable at Pleasant Hill, Missouri. This he continued for two years, 
 and since then has been engaged in his present business. He was married in 
 1875 to Mrs. Lillian A. Darby, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri. 
 
 G. L. SMITH, 
 
 \Yas born in Madison County, Virginia, January 31, 1837, but when an infant 
 his parents moved to Kentucky, where they remained one year, and then 
 came to Missouri. They settled in Randolph County, and here our subject was 
 brought up on a farm, and was educated in the common schools. In 1858 he 
 came to Jackson County, and settled six miles east of Lee's Summit and engaged 
 in farming, which he followed until 1878, when he became foreman for the fenc- 
 ing department of the railroad company, which business he continued to follow 
 for three years. November 27, 1880, he here engaged in the butchering busi- 
 ness, in connection with H. J. Boggs, and, also, in buying and shipping stock, in 
 which business he still continues. He was, for a short time, connected with the 
 State Militia, and then enlisted in the 2nd Colorado Volunteers, and wasin Inde- 
 pendence when Price made his memorable raidon that place. He served until the 
 War closed, and was discharged. He was married, November 5, 1862, to Miss 
 Josephine Smith, of Jackson County. She died in May, 1865, leaving two 
 children, the eldest of whom died in infancy ; Estella Frances is living. He is a 
 prominent member of the Masonic order, and is at present the junior warden of 
 the Summit Lodge. 
 
 J. H. STINSON, 
 
 Mayor, is one of the best known citizens in this place, and is a native of this 
 State, having been born in Cooper County, January 15, 1824. His parents were 
 from Kentucky, his father having come West in 1819. J. H. was brought up 
 on a farm, and attended the common schools, his education being necessarily 
 limited, as his father was not in easy circumstances. When about twenty-one 
 years old, our subject commenced business for himself, and followed farming 
 until i860, when he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner. He then com- 
 menced working at it, continuing constantly until about six years ago. In 
 August, 1865, he came to Independence, and since then he has always lived in 
 the county. After residing in Independence four years, he came to this place 
 
956 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 and embarked in the grocery business, and has since continued it. In 1878 he 
 embarked in the grocery business, and has since continued it. In 1878 he was 
 honored by the people, by being elected mayor, and again in 1880. Has also 
 held the position of city marshal. In 1845, M"^- Stinson was married to Miss 
 Mary A. Alexander. They have three children : Elizabeth, Francis and Charles A. 
 
 DR. THOMAS R. THORNTON, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, was born at Calhoun, Henry County, Missouri, dn the 
 Sth day of October, 1843, where he lived for several years with his parents, then 
 removed to Jacksofi County, where he was principally reared, and was a student 
 at the academy at Independence fo'r four years. In 1862 he went to Kentucky, 
 where he was engaged as a school teacher for five months, and then went to Col- 
 orado and remained in the vicinity of Denver until the spring of 1864. He 
 returned to Nebraska City, and was employed in a law office. In the spring of* 
 1865 he took a course at Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, at St. Joseph, 
 afier which he accepted a situation with S. A, Ingham & Co., of Nebraska City, 
 which position he filled until the spring of 1866. Then came to Lee's Summit, 
 wh.ere he commenced the study of medicine, which he had been pursuing for 
 some time before. He continued his studies until fall, when he entered the St. 
 Louis Medical College, and attended the terms of 1866-67, and then again in 
 1867-68, graduating in the spring of 1868. Between his terms of school he 
 practiced as an undergraduate at Little Santa Fe, Missouri. After finishing his 
 course he came to his old home and commenced to practice, in the spring of 
 1868, where he has remained ever since. He is a member of the Jackson County 
 Medical Society, of the Kansas City District Medical Association, of which he 
 was president in 1879, and also a member of the Missouri State Medical Associa- 
 tion. He was married in May, 1872, to Miss Alice A. Arnold, of this county. 
 He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and has filled the position of secretary 
 for six years in Summit Lodge. 
 
 CAPTAIN H. C. WILLIAMS, 
 
 Merchant, was born in Westchester County, near New York City, December 8, 
 1838, and was brought up on a farm, until about fifteen years of age, attending 
 school in winter ; also attended one year at the Wisconsin University at Madi- 
 son. In 1853 he came West and was employed as clerk in a grocery store in 
 Aurora, Illinois, and thus continued until 1861. Then he enlisted in Company 
 C, 7th Illinois Infantry, served his term, and then re-enlisted in Company H, 
 5 2nd Illinois, for three years He participated in the battles of Fort Donelson, 
 Pittsburgh Landing, Shiloh, Siege of Corinth, luka, and was with Sherman on his 
 March. to the Sea, taking part in many battles and skirmishes. He was promoted 
 first sergeant and then captain, for meritorous conduct. Was seriously wounded 
 at the battle of Atlanta. Was actively engaged in the Carolina Campaign, until 
 Washington was reached. He received a sword from his company as a token of 
 regard. In 1869 he was married to Miss Emily Eldridge, of Chicago. They 
 have three children : Ada E., Nellie A., and William H. Mr. Williams is a 
 prominent member of the A. O. U. W. ; has held various offices in the same, 
 and is now recorder. 
 
 J. H. WILSON, 
 
 Principal of schools, is a son of a family who were early settlers of this county, 
 he, himself, having been born in Prairie Township, September 26, 1850. He 
 labored on a farm until about twenty years of age, attending private schools, and 
 at that time entered the State University, at Columbia. There he was stu- 
 diously employed for five years, and, July 4, 1876, graduated with the degree of 
 A. B. Then engaged in teaching, and continued his post-graduate studies until 
 
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 957 
 
 1879, when there was conferred on him the degree of A. M. Soon went to 
 Greenwood, taught one year there, and was then elected principal of the schools 
 of that place, in which he has since continued, giving much satisfaction. Dur- 
 ing three summers past, Mr. Wilson has been prosecuting the study of law with 
 Judge Black, of Kansas City, and has been admitted to the bar. In 1880 he 
 visited the eastern States for recreation. He is assisted in his school by one 
 gentleman and two ladies. 
 
 -■^^^^^^Mf^<^'Ss- 
 
 PRAIRIE TO^^^NSHIP. 
 
 O. G. BARKLEY, 
 
 Farmer, section 28, was born in Somerset County, Maryland, July 12, 1841, and 
 lived there about eighteen years; in 1859 came to Missouri, and located two 
 miles south of Kansas City, on the Gillis Estate. Lived there until 1862, then 
 went to New Mexico, engaged in milling and stock raising for ten years, and 
 returned to Missouri in 1872. He lived in Independence for three years then 
 located in Greenwood. Was married September 10, 1865, to Mary E. Conner, 
 of Socorro, New Mexico, born August 27, 1844, in Henderson County, Illinois. 
 The family consists of four children: Mary Ann, born December 19, 1868; Willie 
 Lee, born November 8, 1870; George E., born February 6, 1874; Albert F., 
 May 6, 1876 Mr. Barkley has a beautiful place of six acres, on the old town 
 site of Greenwood. He is a nephew of William Gillis and Mary Ann Troost, 
 his uncle having settled two miles south of Kansas City in 1826. The latter 
 purchased a large tract of land from the French. His aunt was the wife of Dr. 
 Troost, and came to the county in 1833. They were among the earliest settlers 
 in Jackson County. At the breaking out of the War of the Rebellion, Mr. 
 Barkley was quite well situated, financially, but lost everything. He has served 
 as school director in Greenwood a number of terms, and when in New Mexico 
 served for a long time as postmaster and notary public. He was second lieutenant 
 in the enrolled State Militia for about nine months. 
 
 H. E. BARNES, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 10, post-ofifice Lee's Summit, was born on the 
 3rd of April, 1850, in this county, near Independence. He spent his boyhood 
 days on a farm, and in 1865 accompanied his parents to Kansas. Then went to 
 Eureka, Illinois, and attended school two years, and thence to Lexington, Ken- 
 tucky, and attended school some four years. He returned to this county, and 
 engaged in farming. In 1876 he took a trip to Colorado, and remained there 
 eight months, engaged in the mercantile business. He returned to this county, 
 and again took up agricultural pursuits ; he owns 225 acres of fine land, most of 
 which is in pasture. He gives his attention chiefly to stock-raising, and keeps on 
 an average about fifty head of cattle. He married Miss Annie Ludeman, a 
 native of Lexington, Kentucky, born on the 21st of October, 1852. Their 
 marriage occurred on the loth of May, 1870. They have one child, Mattie M. 
 
 WILLIAM BOON, 
 
 Farmer, section 32, was born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, December x-j, 
 1828, and lived there until 1867. Then came to Missouri, and located at Pleasant 
 
958 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Hill, and remained there one year, when he settled in Prairie Township, Jackson 
 County. His occupation has slways been that of farming. He was first married 
 February 25, 1851, to Mary Fergus, of same county, she having been born May 
 12, 1827. By this marriage, four children were born: Hugh F., born March 30, 
 1852; John B., born November 20, 1856; William H. S., born December 26, 
 i860, and Ella J., born January 25, 1864. These children are all living, the two 
 eldest in Kansas, and the other two at home. Mrs. Boon died June 12, 1875. 
 He was again united in marriage May 21, 1878 to Belle M. Ferguson, of Har- 
 rison County, Ohio, born November 9, 1847. Mr. Boon owns a farm of forty 
 acres, well improved. They are active members of the Presbyterian Church, 
 and energetic workers in the Sabbath-school. He is a radical on the temperance 
 movement, and presents a bold front to the common enemy. He is well spoken 
 of as a conscientious, upright man, and he and his family are well respected for 
 their strict Christian deportment. 
 
 JOHN W. BUSH, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, section 34, was born in Livingston County, New York, 
 September 9, 1822. Lived there till about twenty-one years of age, and received 
 his education at the common schoolo, and was afterward a graduate of the High 
 School, at Rochester. In 1843 he went to Sandusky County, Ohio, and was 
 there married, January 9, 1848, to Margaret B. Chambers, who was born June 
 12, 1828. The family consists of six children: Lyman A., born October 27, 
 1848; Lydia A., born November 17, 1850; Benjamin W., born February 18, 
 1853; John W., Jr., born August 2, 1855; Mary E., born August 4, 1859, and 
 Hattie E., born March 31, 1862; all living in Jackson County, Missouri, except 
 Lydia, who is in Cass County. Mr. Bush was a successful teacher in Ohio for 
 ten years. In 1853 he moved to Bureau County, Illinois, and there for sixteen 
 years engaged in farming. He then came to Prairie Township, Jackson County, 
 Missouri, where he has ever since resided, engaged in farming and as a stock 
 dealer. He has a beautifully located farm of eighty apres, joining the town site 
 of Greenwood, with one of the best frame houses in the county. The farm is 
 finely stocked, and has good orchard and but-buildings. He and his family are 
 active and consistent members of the Methodist Protestant Church, of which Mr. 
 Bush is the class leader. 
 
 R. F. CAMPBELL, 
 
 Farmer, section 5,. was born in Greene County, Tennessee, September 5, 1825, and 
 lived there until about twenty-five years of age. Then he located in Cass County, 
 Missouri, and remained three years, and in Bates, Vernon and Lawrence Counties 
 until 187 1, when he came to Jackson County where he has since lived engaged in 
 farming, except when employed in teaching school. He finished his education at 
 Doak's College, Tennessee. Was married to Margaret Peck in 1853. By this 
 marriage there were five children : James B., born October 25, 1854, and now 
 dead; Mary S., born March 21, 1857, and now dead; John T., born January i, 
 1859; Jane F., born April 19, 1861 , and Albert L., born December 16, 1863. 
 Mrs. Campbell died September 11, 1864. He was again married to Nancy A. 
 Rhodes, February 25, 1866, who was born in Ross County, Ohio, August 2, 
 1 83 1. By this marriage two children were born : Robert F., born February 9, 
 1867 and William G., born January 26, 1869. All of the childrea living remain 
 at home. Mr. Campbell has served a number of terms as justice of the peace. 
 He has an eighty acre tract of land on which he resides, about three-fourths of a 
 mile northeast of Lee's Summit, all improved and well stocked He is a mem- 
 ber of the Methodist Church, South, and his wife and daughter are members of 
 the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
 
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 959 
 
 J. W. CAMPBELL, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 29, is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and 
 was born May 9, 1855. Lived there until twenty years of age, then moved to 
 his farm in Prairie Township. Was educated at the High School, Kansas City, 
 and graduated at Spalding's Commercial College. After attaining his education, 
 and up to 1874, he spent most of his time traveling in the mountains. Was mar- 
 ried November i, 1874, to Mary E. Murray, of Clay County, Missouri, who 
 was born December, 25, 1853. There are two children : Nelhe S., born August 
 30, 1875 and Lavina T., born March i, 1879. Mr. Campbell was a son of John 
 S. Campbell who was president of the ferry company, and a son of William Camp- 
 bell, one of Jackson County's first settlers. J. W. owns 140 acres of land all 
 under cultivation; also fine buildings and an orchard of 250 trees. It is univer- 
 sally acknowledged that he has the finest farm in the county, located just one 
 and one-half miles west of Greenwood. He contemplates entering the commer- 
 cial business in Kansas City, where we bespeak for him the best success. Al- 
 though yet a young man he is possessed of more than ordinary business ability, 
 and having a fine education, he is well qualified to fill almost any position of hon- 
 or and trust. 
 
 A. B. CASTLE, M. D., 
 
 Farmer, section 30, is a native of Ashtabula County, Ohio, and was born Janu- 
 ary 22, 1819, and was a son of Amasa Castle Jr. and Rosaline Watrous. The 
 former was born in Plymouth, Connecticut, April 5, 1786, from which place his 
 parents removed to Burlington, Vermont, where they remained several years, and 
 then went to Ashtabula, Ohio, while it was yet a dense forest and teeming with 
 Indians and wild animals. The marriage between Amasa Castle, Jr. and Rosa- 
 line Watrous was celebrated in Jannary 18 13. She was a daughter of Captain 
 John Watrous. For fifty-eight years this father and mother waited hand in hand 
 through the pathway of life, and when he died in 1870, at the age of 84, his 
 devoted wife received his last word and look of recognition. The grandfather of 
 the subject of this sketch, was a brave and intrepid soldier in the Revolutionary 
 War, and the grandmother, Mary Stanley Castle, was a direct descendant of the 
 English Stanleys. She was a woman of rare abilities and strength of character, 
 a worthy mother of children who helped to make the history of this country. 
 A. B. Castle received his early education in Ohio, and was an honored graduate 
 of Transylvania University, Kentucky. At the age of nineteen he enlisted as a 
 member of the 2nd Kentucky Infantry, and was commissioned assistant surgeon, 
 and served faithfully through the Mexican War. He was married April 20, 1848, 
 to Miss Anna A. Windfield. She was born in Woodford County, Kentucky, 
 March 24, 1831. In 1849 he moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and located 
 in Prairie Township, and engaged in the practice of medicine till the beginning 
 of the War. Then went into the United States service as assistant surgeon in the 
 Missouri State Militia, and served with his regiment till the expiration of its term 
 of service. He remained in charge of the hospital at Macon till the close of the 
 War. Then returned to his Missouri home to find it in desolation, everything 
 being burned off and destroyed. He has, since his return, been exclusively 
 engaged in rebuilding and beautifying his old home. He is a self-made man, both 
 as to his mental acquisitions and financial accumulations. He has had no help 
 but his own well directed industry, and that of a worthy wife and family. The 
 family consists of Homer K., born February 5, 1849; Carlos W., born July 23, 
 1851; Emma H., born May 26, 1853; Edward S., born January 10, 1856; David 
 W., born April i, 1858; Hubert A., born March 5, i860; who on his twenty-first 
 birth-day graduated with honor at the St. Louis Medical College ; Horace S., born 
 May II, 1862, who died at the age of two years, and Milo W., born November 
 25, 1866. Mr. Castle owns 240 acres of fine land, all well improved and stocked; 
 one of the finest orchards in the county. 
 
960 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 LUCAS CORLEW, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, was born in Boone County, Missouri, October 25, 1825, 
 and lived there and in Monroe County till ten years of age; then moved with his 
 parents to and located near the south line of Jackson County. Was married to 
 Nancy White, of Cass County, in 1848 ; one child was born, Joseph H. Corlew, 
 now principal of the schools at Oak Grove, he being a graduate of Lincoln Col- 
 lege, Greenwood. Mrs. Corlew died in the fall of 1852, and he was again united in 
 marriage October 25, 1855, to Nancy A. Moore, of Douglas County, Kansas, 
 but formerly of Erie County, Pennsylvania. By this marriage there was one 
 child, Georgia A. Corlew, born October 4, 1857, now married to E. M. Hanlon. 
 Mr. Corlew was in northern Missouri during the Civil War, but took no active 
 part, although his sympathies were with the South. He has a choice farm of 
 forty-eight acres under cultivation and well stocked. The family circle at present 
 is composed of Mr. Corlew and wife and Quintilla Ritter, a young lady of about 
 nineteen years of age who has been reared and educated by Mr. Corlew. She 
 is now engaged in teaching. He is a M. M. of fine standing. Has served as 
 trustee and member of school board, and takes an active interest in educational 
 matters. Mrs. Corlew is a member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 IRA F. DAVENPORT, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, section 23, was born in Morgan County, Illinois, Novem- 
 ber 22, 1839, and lived there until February, 1867, when he moved to Prairie 
 Township, Jackson County, Missouri, near where he now lives. His occupation 
 through life has been farming and feeding and shipping stock.' He was married 
 April 15, i860, to Eliza A. Cox, who was born in Illinois October 13, 1836. 
 Two children were born: Corydon, born February 14, 1861, and Albert, born 
 August 25, 1864. Mrs. Davenport died May i, 1865. He was again married 
 March 22, 1866, to Susan J. Cobb, of Morgan County, Illinois, she having been 
 born in McMinn County, Tennessee, July 29, 1845. ^Y 'his marriage three 
 children were born': Frank R., born April 15, 1871 ; Herbert, born February 7, 
 1874, and Katy May, born November 6, 1879. Mr. Davenport was a son of 
 Henry Davenport, who was a commissioned officer in the Black Hawk War, and 
 a native of North Carolina, he being the son of William Davenport, who was a 
 renowned soldier at the battle of New Orleans. Mr. Davenport owns 252 acres 
 of choice land stocked and improved with good buildings and orchard. He has 
 had no financial assistance, but what he owns has been accumulated by his own 
 industry. He has been a heavy loser by having to pay security debts. Mr. Dav- 
 enport and wife and two eldest sons are active members of the Baptist Church at 
 Greenwood. 
 
 J. H. DAVENPORT, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, section 24, was born in Morgan County, IlHnois, February 
 3,, 1844, and was a son of M. C. Davenport, who was a native of Kentucky. 
 Was educated in Illinois in the common schools, afterward at the High School in 
 Jacksonville, and was a graduate of the Jacksonville Business College, in the 
 cla^s of 1872. He was engaged in dealing in stock from 1870 to 1875, when he 
 moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and settled on the farm which he now occu- 
 pies. He was married September 10, 1877, to Ella Shepherd, a'daughterof Rev. S. 
 Shepherd, of Jackson County, Missouri, but formerly of Wort County, West 
 Virginia. She was born May 5, 1859. One child was born to them, Grace M., 
 August 5, 1878. Mr. Davenport now has 240 acres of fine land, well improved 
 and stocked. He is a man of good education and fine business ability. He and 
 wife are both members of the Baptist Church. 
 
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 961 
 
 JAMES DRIPPS, 
 
 Farmer, section i6, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, June 19, 1830, and when 
 about five years of age he came to America with his parents and located in 
 Mercer County, Pennsylvania, and lived there until 1859. Then moved to Mis- 
 souri and located in Jefferson City, where he remained seven years, and then 
 went to Johnson County and lived for thirteen years near Kingsville. From that 
 place came to Jackson County, and purchased a farm in Prairie Township in 
 1880. He has always followed the occupation of farmer. Was married to Eliz- 
 abeth Johnson January 2, 1853. She was born in Canada in 1832. Four chldren 
 were born, two of whom are living: Elizabeth Jane, born November 29, 1858 
 and James A., born October 10, 1859. Mrs. Dripps died March 8, 1863. He 
 was again united in marriage, March 29, 1870, to Martha J. Skiles, who was 
 born in Washington County, Pennsylvania, August 20, 1842. By this marriage 
 two children were born : John W., born January 25, 1871, and Mary A., born 
 December 14, 1873. Mr. Dripps when he came to the State was penniless, 
 losing all that he had accumulated by being security for others, but by hard, 
 earnest labor and industry has again made a good start, owning a farm of eighty- 
 acres, all well tilled and stocked, and one of the finest orchards for its size in the 
 county. 
 
 JAMES W. DUNN, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 5, was born in Hampshire County, Virginia, July 
 17, 181 1, and lived there for one year; then moved with parents to Winchester 
 where he lived till about eighteen years of age, then moved to Zanesville Ohio' 
 and lived there until 1858. Thence to St. Louis one year, and lived in Gascon- 
 ade County during the War, and in 1865 moved to Jackson County, locating 
 about five miles northeast of Independence. In 1869 he located on his present 
 farm, about three-fourths of a mile northeast of Lee's Summit. Was married 
 August 15, 1837, to Maria Bennett of Muskingum County, Ohio, who was born 
 June 12, 1818. Mr. Dunn now has 560 acres of choice land, all well improved 
 and stocked, also eight choice business and residence lots in Kansas City. The 
 home farm is beautifully located and highly improved with fine buildings and 
 orchard, etc. Few men have risen from so small a beginning to such a competency 
 but Mr. Dunn and wife richly deserve the fruits of their united labors. During 
 the War Mr. Dunn lost about $7,000, and also had his home burned. 
 
 WILLIAM DUPUY, 
 
 Farmer, section 25, was born in Greenup County, Kentucky, July 25, 1808 and 
 lived there until the fall of 1853. Then moved to Jackson County, Missouri and 
 located upon the farm on which he now lives. Was married in 1855 to Miss Ann 
 Littlejohn ; by this marriage two children were born : Richard, who died in the 
 Confederate service, and Mary Ann who now lives in Lee's Summit. Mrs. 
 Dupuy died in Kentucky in the fall of 1865. He was again married in the fall of 
 1877 to Miss Ann Hart, of Lexington, Kentucky. Mr. Dupuy has served his 
 township as justice of the peace for twelve years. He was instrumental in form- 
 ing the first public school in this section of the country, and also in having Prairie 
 Township cut off from Van Buren. He sustained the loss of all his stock and grain 
 during the War, while he was in Kentucky, and when he returned had to begin 
 anew. But he now owns a beautiful and well cultivated farm of 122 acres 
 stocked with orchard, etc. 
 
 ROBERT P. FANN, 
 
 Farmer, section 34, post-office Raymore, Cass County, Missouri, was born on the 
 31st of January, 1837, in Clay County, this State, and was brought to this county 
 by his parents when quite young, and has been reared as a farmer, and has taken 
 61 — 
 
962 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 an active part in the up-building of the county ; he owns a fine farm of eighty- 
 acres most of which is under cultivation. He is one of the honest energetic 
 farmers of this vicinity who gives his attention to his business. April 13, 1862, 
 he married Miss Elizabeth Yeary, a native of this county, born March 16, 1842. 
 They have had seven children, six of whom are living: Charhe, Elbert, Lonzo, 
 Juha, Sadie, and Effie. 
 
 E. P. FOUNTAIN, 
 
 Traveling agent for G. M. Nichol & Brother, Independence, is a native of Staten 
 Island, Richmond County, New York, and was born August 28, 1846. He lived 
 there until about thirteen years of age. Then shipped from New York City on a 
 merchant vessel to San Francisco, visiting China, South America, Sandwich 
 Islands, Arctic Ocean, and various foreign ports. Sailed from San Francisco as 
 master of a coasting vessel. Has been pilot on the Sacramento River. In 1865 
 he had charge of a gang of Cninamen in the construction of the Union Pacific 
 and Central Pacific Railroads ; taking the first train run over the road from Ogden 
 to San Francisco, and followed the business a number of years. Leaving there he 
 helped to construct twenty-two miles of road from Virginia City to Carson City, 
 Nevada. Leaving there he went to Zanesville, Ohio, in the employ of the Balti- 
 more & Ohio Riilroad; from there to Springfield, Ohio, and was there engaged 
 by the Champion Manufacturing Company, manufacturers of reapers and mowers, 
 and traveled four years. He then went to Indianapolis, Indiana, and was there 
 in the employ of Dickson & Co., in the implement business; thence to Kansas 
 City, Missouri, then to Independence and engaged with G. M. Nichol & Brother. 
 February 22, i88r, he was introduced into the business by being sent over the 
 worst roads that were ever seen in the country, and during the great storm, that 
 prevailed at that time. Mr. Fountain and the historian are under lasting obliga- 
 tions to J. W. Campbell, who lives two miles south of Greenwood, for his great 
 kindness in assisting the wearied travelers out of some tremendous snow-drifts. 
 Mr. Fountain was married at Newark, to Miss Mary C. McClearg, June 19, 1875. 
 There have been born to thep two children : Pearl L., born February i, 1876, 
 and Eddie C, born December 29, 1877. Mr. Fountain never had the advan- 
 tages of a good education and no financial assistance, but he has become, by his 
 own exertions, a fine business man. His family at present live in Indianapolis, 
 Indiana. 
 
 T. F. FREEMAN, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, section 28, was born in Fauquier County, Virginia, 
 November 5, 1808. At the age of three years he moved with his parents to Bath 
 County, Kentucky, and lived there until the fall of 1843; then came to Jackson 
 County, Missouri. He was mirried in the fall of 1844 to Elizabeth Coward. 
 Three children were born: Sarah H., William H and Richard Y., the last named 
 being the only one now living. Mrs. Freeman died in 1850, and he was again 
 married in 185 1, to Elizabeth Thomas. By this marriage they had one child, 
 Elizabeth T., now living in California. His second wife died in 1852, and he 
 was again married in 1855 to Ann Eliza Houston, of Lafayette County, Missouri, 
 formerly of Bourbon County, Kentucky, and born January 21, 1832. Just prior 
 to the breaking out of the War, Mr. Freeman owned 600 acres of' land, under 
 cultivation, and well stocked. He was very generous-hearted, and became surety 
 for a great many persons, and has been obliged to pay large sums for other's debts. 
 He has a good home of three and a half acres within the town limits of Green- 
 wood, where he and his excellent wife live quiet and Christian lives. They are 
 both active members of the Christian Church, and enjoy the respect of all their 
 neighbors. Old Uncle Kemp, one of their old servants still remains with them, 
 and says he "never wants to leave Massa and Missus Freeman," 
 
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 1363 
 
 J. B. GHORMLEY, 
 
 Farmer, section 32, is a native of Fayette County, Ohio, born April 4, 1827. 
 There he Hved until eighteen years of age, then moved to Logan County, Ohio, 
 and rem lined until March, 1880, when he came to Jackson County, Missouri, 
 and located in Prairie Townshjp. Has been engaged in farming and the produce 
 trade in Bellefontaine, Onio. He was married, March 15, 1849, to Minerva 
 J. Collins, of Logan County, Ohio. One child, Emma, was born, December 
 16, 1849, who is now married and living in Ohio.\ Mrs. Ghormley died March 3, 
 1862, and he was again married December 31, 1863 to Amanda C. Irwin, of 
 Bellefontaine, Ohio, who was born May 28, 1833. There are four children by 
 this marriage : Ida B., born June 5, 1865; Owen L., January 31, 1869; Wilbur 
 H., September 9, 1871, and Ira H., April 4, 1873. Mr. Ghormley owns 160 
 acres of fine land, the home eighty being well improved and stocked; also a fine 
 orchard. He is a son of David and Margaret Ghormley, who were born in Penn- 
 sylvania, David having been a son of Thomas, who was reared in Pennslvania, 
 and he being a son of Hugh Ghormley, who emigrated from Scotland about a 
 century ago. Mr. Ghormley, although but a new-comer, is highly spoken of in 
 his neighborhood. He and his family are members of the United Presbyterian 
 Church of Greenwood. 
 
 N. GREENLEE, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 13, was born in Polk County, Missouri, Novem- 
 ber 13, 1842, and is a son of David Greenlee, who was a native of Virginia, and 
 who, from the time he was ijine years of age, was running on the Ohio River. 
 He was a pilot from the time steamboats first ran on the river until his death, 
 which occurred in 185 1. Mr. N. Greenlee moved with his parents to Lawrence 
 • County, Ohio, when about four years of age. He received his education there, ' 
 and when eighteen years old he enlisted in Battery B, ist Virginia Light Artillery, 
 and served three years and two months, and was with them in all the various 
 engagements in which they participated. After his discharge he re-enlisted as 
 veteran in Company F, 5th United States Veteran Regiment, Hancock's Corps, 
 and served a little over one year. He was married to Malinda Payton, February 
 26 1865, a native of Lawrence County, Ohio, and born July 30, 1847. She was 
 a daughter of John Payton, a native of Virginia. The family circle is composed 
 of five children: Ella, b irn March 9, 1867; JohnB., January 9, 1871; Julia, 
 November 25, 1873 ; Byron, April 9, 1876; Fannie, March 17, 1879. '^fter the 
 close of the War he lived in Lawrence County, Ohio, for a year and a half, then 
 moved to Brown Co inty, Kansas, and located on a farm, and lived there three years. 
 Then he moved to Jewell County, Kansas, lived there for four years, andini87S, 
 beino- driven out by grasshoppers and drouth, concluded to make Jackson County, 
 Missouri his h )me. He owns 200 acres of land near Lone Jack. For the Ust 
 five years he has been superintendent of the John W. Reed Stock Farm, in 
 Prairie Township. He is a member of the school board, and takes an active 
 interest in the advancement of education, and politically is a stanch Democrat, 
 and liberal in his religious views. Once, while in Ohio, on account of sickness, 
 and once, while in Kansas, on account of failure in crops, he was entirely broken 
 up and when he located in Jackson County, was $200 in debt. He was in thirty 
 different skirmishes and engagements during the War, and was eleven days under 
 fire at one time. He served under Hancock, Shields, Crook, Mulligan, Burn- 
 side, Sheridan and McClellan. 
 
 JOSEPH HAYNES, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 19, was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, 
 October 11 1816, and when but an infant his parents went to Rockford, Surry 
 County and lived there till he was sixteen years of age. Then entered the mer- 
 
964 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 cantile business, first as clerk and then as partner, and was also engaged in trad- 
 ing in tobacco, horses, and wagons for about sixteen years. Afterward moved to 
 Laurel Spring and Gap Civil, in Ashe County, and for nine years engaged in the 
 mercantile business; then back to Surry County and farmed for nine years; then 
 to Champagne County for eleven months, and was in Polk County, Missouri, fore 
 five years. In 1872 he came to Jackson County; Missouri, where he has since 
 lived, engaged in farming. He was married May 12, 1850, to S. L. Johnson, a 
 native of Wilkes County, North Carolina, born August 15, 1819. She was a 
 daughter of William and Letitia! Johnson, both natives of North Carolina. Mr. 
 Haynes was a son of Wm. G. Haynes and Martha Hill, both natives of North 
 Carolina. His grandfather on his mother's side, by name Robert Hill, was a 
 valiant soldier and major in the Revolutionary War, and connected with the 
 renowned family of Hills, of Georgia and North Carolina. Six children have 
 been born to this family: Wm. J., Stephen G. , John H., Martha L. (wife of 
 Henry F. Longenberg), Mary M. (now in Warrensburg at Normal School), and 
 Fannie E. At the age of about twenty-five years he had accumulated quite a 
 fortune, having a half interest in 555 acres of choice land, and a large amount of 
 stock; but being a liberal-hearted man he became security for $8,000, and he was 
 obliged to dispose of all his property to meet the obligation. He has now a 
 home of eighty-nine acres of choice land, under good cultivation, and well 
 stocked. Mr. Haynes, wife, and son are members of the Methodist Church. 
 Mr. Haynes is, and always has been, a stanch Democrat. 
 
 JESSE HENDRICKSON 
 
 Was a native of Maryland, born December 13, 1818.' He was married April 16, 
 1843, to Mary A. Tetter, who was a native of Ross County, Ohio, and born Jan- 
 uary 20, 1824. They lived in Ross County, Ohio, and Somerset County, Penn- 
 sylvania, until moving to Jackson County, Kansas, in 1859. Here they lived 
 about ten years, when they moved to Jackson County, Missouri, where they have 
 since resided. While living in Ohio and Pennsylvania Mr. Hendrickson was 
 engaged in the woolen manufacturing business, and when in Kansas, in farming 
 and stock raising. At the beginning of the War he was preparing to engage 
 extensively in freighting across the plains, and had sixty yoke of work cattle, 
 besides a large number of young stock. This stock was all taken from him by 
 Federals. He enlisted as a member of Company A, nth Kansas Volunteer Cav- 
 alry, but was discharged from active field service on account of ill health. After- 
 ward served as wagon-master in freighting from Leavenworth to Fort Scott, Gib- 
 son and Smith. Ten children were born to this family, eight of whom are liv- 
 ing : Mary Jane (married Benj. McPherson, and died September 3, 1878), 
 Thomas J., George W., Rachel, Josephine (married and living in Jackson 
 County), Hortense (died in 1873), J^^sse, Edwin R., Mary B., and John P. Mr. 
 Hendrickson died February 6, 1875. He was a member of the Methodist 
 Church, and had also been a member of the Sons of Temperance, and of the I. 
 O. O. F. He had served as justice of the peace for a number of terms, and was 
 a man well respected by all, and bi his death society lost a useful and honored 
 citizen, and the family a kind and lovmg husband and father. He left a fine 
 estate of 150 acres, all under improvement and well stocked. Mrs. Hendrick- 
 son and daughter Rachel are members of the Methodist Church. 
 
 INGRAM HICKLIN, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, was born September 27, 1836, on the farm on 
 which he now resides, and h;ts alivays lived there except about eighteen months 
 spent in Colorado during the >e.irsof 1857 and 1858. He was a son of John 
 and Mary F. Hicklin, his father being a native of Tennessee and his mother of 
 Kentucky, they having settled on the farm, now owned by him, in 1834. His 
 
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 965 
 
 father died in 1847 and his mother now lives in Texas with her daughter Eliza, 
 and is in the seventy-fifth year of her age. Mr. HickHn was married August 11, 
 
 1861, to Miss Sally Hayes, who was born in Hawkins County, Tennessee, Sep- 
 tember 20, 1842. She was a daughter of Sterling and Cecelia Hayes, both natives 
 of Tennessee. To this family two children have been born: Ella, born May 25, 
 
 1862, and Helen, born March 26, 1872. Mr. Hicklin owns 194 acres of 
 finely improved land. He takes an active interest in educational matters ; is a 
 member of the A. O. U. W. Politically, he is a Democrat, but during the War he re- 
 mained neutral He and wife and daughter Ella are all active members of the 
 Baptist Church at Greenwood. They are a well-known and respected family and 
 form a pleasant home circle. 
 
 As an incident of war times the following has been learned as occurring in 
 the Hicklin neighborhood. On the night of June 4, 1865, a Federal soldier by 
 the name of Harper, from Colorado, who had been wounded and discharged, was 
 resting for a few weeks at Hicklin's house. About midnight a party of eight or 
 ten men came to the house and two of them, Cyrus Porter and William Reynolds, 
 forcibly took the wounded soldier from his bed and carried him about one mile 
 from the house, where he was found next mornmg, dead. Mr. Hicklin and wife 
 did their utmost to prevent this outrage, but were powerless. One of the men, 
 William Reynolds, soon afterward met his death at Pleasant Hill in the following 
 manner : A warrant for the arrest of Reynolds was in the hands of Deputy Sheriff 
 Holmes and James Copeland, his assistant. Reynolds resisted the officers and 
 was wounded; he then shot and killed both Holmes and Copeland and mounted 
 his horse and fled, but was pursued and captured at the house of Mrs. Thomas, 
 near Mr. Hickhn's where his (Reynold's) mother had conveyed him. Mr. Hick- 
 lin was here pressed into the service and ordered to take his wagon and convey 
 the prisoner to Pleasant Hill. This he did, the wounded man lyini< in the bottom 
 of the wagon upon his mother's lap. When they arrived at Pleasant Hill, Mr. 
 Hicklin was ordered to drive near a certain house, and just as he did so a brother 
 of James Copeland, named Allen Copeland, rode up to the wagon and shot 
 Reynolds twice through the head. 
 
 JULIUS B. HIGLEY, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 14, was born in Rutland, Meigs County, Otiio, 
 November 9, 1822, and is a son of Cyrus Higley, a native of Vermont, and born 
 July 26, 1787; he died July 30, 1854. His grandfather, Brewster Higley, a 
 soldier of the Revolution, died at the advanced age of over eighty-eight years, 
 he having been a native of Connecticut, and the first white settler in the township. 
 He was also the first judge of Gallia County, Ohio, having moved into that 
 State in 1797. Mr. Higley lived in Meigs Co inty until i866, when he moved to 
 Jackson County, Missouri, and located in Prairie Township. He received his 
 education in the common schools and at Chester Academy, and has always fol- 
 lowed the occupation of a farmer Was married March 14, 1844, to Maria 
 Louisa Fuqua, of Greenup County, Kentucky. She was born October 16, 
 1824, and is a daughter of Moses Fuqua, he having been a native of Virginia 
 and of French origin. The family consists of seven children living and one, 
 the eldest daughter, dead: Silas F., born January 25, 1845; Frances E., born 
 September 24, 1846, died March 8, 1869; Cynthia, born February 17, 1848; 
 Dennis B., born September 28, 1849; Artemus J., born October i, 1851; Addie 
 L., born March 13, 1855; Stephen W., born May 3, 1857; Hnbert T., born 
 August 19, 1864. Mr. Higley and family were reared Presbyterians, but since 
 living in Missouri have been connected with the Congregational Church. They 
 are all thorough advocates of temperance, and poUtically, Republicans. Mr. 
 Higley has the management of the John McCoy farm in Prairie Township. 
 
966 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 JOHN T. HOGARD, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 34, was born in the Province of Quebec, November 
 25, 1838, and when but an infant his parents moved to Plattsburi^h, Clinton 
 County, New York. Lived there four years, then went back to Canada, and 
 from there to Wabashaw County, Minnesota. He was the son of Henry 
 and Ann Haynes, natives of England. He remained in Minnesota until 1867, 
 when he located in Prairie Township, Jackson County, Missouri. Was married 
 January 2, 1863, to Rebecca Laren, of Wabashaw County, Mmnesota, formerly 
 of the Province of Quebec, Canada, who was born April 12, 1846. The family 
 consists of four children living, and one dead: Jennie, born April 6, 1865; 
 Katie, born October 4, 1868; Nora, born November 30, 1870; Eddie, born 
 March 15, 1873, and died December i, 1877, ^i^d Charlie, born August i, 
 1878. Mr. Hogard owns 140 acres of fine land, well cultivated and stocked. He 
 and his wife are members of the Baptist Church, and Mr. Hogard is a strong 
 advocate of the temperance cause. His mother made her home with him till she 
 died in 1872. They are well respected people and with all their comfortable 
 surroundings form a pleasant family circle. 
 
 D. M. HOOVER, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post-office Lee's Summit, was born June 1, 
 1833, in Fayette County, Pennsylvania, and spent his youth on a farm When 
 nineteen years of age he immigrated to Butler County, Ohio, and engaged in 
 farming, and came from there to this county in December, 1868. He owns a 
 fine farm of 160 acres, well improved. He married Miss Frances E. Hall, a 
 native of Butler County, Ohio, born April 2, 1833. Their marriage occurred 
 December 7, 1854. They have had seven children, five of whom are living: 
 Lizzie A., now Mrs. Caldwell; Annie G., Bertha J., now Mrs. Leslie; Charles 
 H., and Amanda G. 
 
 FRANK INLOW, 
 
 Farmer and stock dealer, was born in Clark County, Ohio, February 28, 1835, 
 where he resided until twenty-two years of age. Thence to Whitley County, 
 Indiana, for ten years and to Johnson County, Kansas, for two years, and from 
 there came to Jackson County, Missouri, where he has since lived. Was married 
 April 29, 1858, to Orella Cone, of Whitley County, Indiana, who was born 
 January 30, 1837. Her father, Edwin Cone, was a native of Connecticut, and her 
 mother a native of Ohio. By this union five children have been born : William 
 C, born February 18, 1859; Edwin M., born February 10, 1861, and died 
 May 5, 1865; Charles W., born August 5, 1863; Isadora, born February 15, 
 1866, and Arabella, born October 22, 1868. Mr. Inlow and wife had but very 
 little means when they started in life, but now they own a fine farm of 500 acres, 
 well cultivated and stocked. He is an earnest advocate of good schools and, 
 although a heavy tax-payer, says it always does him good to pay his school tax, be 
 it ever so large. 
 
 MARION M. JOHNSTONE, 
 
 Farmer, section 30, is a native of Woodford County, Kentucky, born February 
 28, 1838, and was the son of Joseph B. and Sally Johnstone, who were both 
 natives of Kentucky. He lived in Woodford, Henry and Jefferson Counties for 
 thirty-six years, when he moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and located on his 
 present farm in Prairie Township. He was married October 24, 1874, to Annie 
 E. Goff, of Jefferson County, Kentucky, who was born in Woodford County, 
 Kentucky, October 16, 1837; she is the daughter of James VV. and Mary Goff. 
 James W. was a native of Virginia and the son of Ambrose Goff, who was a 
 valiant soldier under Washington in the Revolutionary War. There has been 
 one child born to them, Olie, born November 16, 1877. Mr. Johnstone owns a 
 
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 967 
 
 choice eighty-acre farm, well improved. As another member of the family, J. B. 
 Johnstone, the father of our subject, lives with him; the old gentleman is now in 
 the seventy-fifth year ot his age, but retains all his physical and mental faculties. 
 Mr. Johnstone is an artist of no small merit; one of his pieces is an oil painting of 
 Castle Carde, England, and would vie with many of the works of those called 
 masters of the art. His genius also displays itself in being able to make almost 
 any kind of mechanical work that has ever been invented. 
 
 WILLIAM S. JONES, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 24, is a native of Boyle County, Kentucky, and 
 was born October 3, 1820, and is a son of Joshua Jones, a native of Virginia. 
 He lived in Boyle County till the Spring of 1854 and then moved to Jackson 
 County, Missouri, and located in Prairie Township, where he has since lived, 
 except a short time during the Civil War. He was married September 12, 1842, 
 to Jemima Best a native of Garrard County, Kentucky, born in 1823. They had 
 a family of thirteen children, five of whom are still living: Mary E., John W., 
 George A., Nancy E. , and Minnie L. Mr. Jones enlisted about August i, 1861, 
 as a member of Colonel Rosser's Regiment under General Price. October 3, 
 1 86 1, he was sent home under a sick furlough and on his return to his regiment 
 at Osceola, he fell in with Colonel Hays at Big Blue, where he had a recruiting 
 camp. About November 11, 1861, they were attacked by Federals under 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Anthony, at White Oak. During the engagement John P. 
 Williams, a neighbor, was fatally wounded, and while Mr. Jones was trying to 
 raise him up, he, himself, was shot through the right lung. Was then placed with 
 Mr. Williams and another neighbor in a wagon and conveyed to their respective 
 homes. He lay from November 11, 1861, till May 1862, and when just able to 
 to rise from his bed was taken prisoner by the Federals and conveyed to Kansas 
 City, where he was kept for about three months and then released. He then 
 went to Fort Union, New Mexico, and in December, 1862, returned and found 
 his family in Chnton County, where they were obliged to move after Order No. 
 II. He remained with them till the close of the War, and then returned to his 
 farm to find it despoiled of everything. He was also a heavy loser in personal 
 property. When his family moved to Clinton County, they drove a pair of two- 
 year old steers to an old wagon, and what was hauled on that was all that was 
 saved of their large amount of property. They now have a fine farm of 360 
 acres, all well improved and stocked. He is now in the sixty-first year of his age, 
 and although he has suffered greatly from his wound, still he enjoys good bodily 
 health. He and his family are members of the Baptist Church, and he is also an 
 active member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Knights of Phythias. 
 
 J. A. KIRKTON, 
 
 Druggist, Greenwood, was born in Ashland County, Ohio, August 23, 1836, and 
 remained there until 1865; then went to C;difornia, and lived there two years 
 and returned to Ohio; after remaining a short time, he came to Missouri, and 
 located in Prairie Township, Jackson County, where he has ever since lived, ex- 
 cept in 1873, when he made an extended visit over Scotland and Ireland. He 
 finished his education at the High Schools of Ashland and Savannah, Ohio. Was 
 first married to Matilda Houston, of Guernsey County, Ohio, in April, 1869. 
 She died eight months thereafter. Was again married November 20, 1873, to 
 Flora V. Van Meter, of Ohio; they have two children : Alda Engle, born August 
 5, 1876, and Glenn Irvin, born August 9, 1878 Mr. Kirkton carries a well selected 
 stock of drugs, oils, paints and stationery. By his genial disposition he wins 
 many friends, and he and his estimable wife are highly respected. They are both 
 active members of the United Presbyterian Church. When he first located in 
 
968 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Jatkson County, he purchased i8o acres of land just west of Greenwood, but only- 
 kept it a few months, seUing it at an advance of $1,300. 
 
 . MRS. N. E. MADDOX, 
 
 Greenwood, widow of the late L. M. Maddox, was born in Russell County, 
 "Virginia, January 16, 1832, and left there when but a child, and came to Jackson 
 County, Missouri. Her parents settled near Independence, and hved there 
 three years, then moved to Cass County, Missouri, and there she remained until 
 she was married, December 28, 1857, ^to L. M. Maddox. They moved to 
 Jackson County, and located in Prairie Township, and lived there till 1862. 
 Thence to Clay County for one year, and resided in Kentucky eighteen months. 
 They returned to Cass County, Missouri, and lived there until 1879. Mr. Mad- 
 dox died August 31, 1865, in Cass County. The family consisted of three 
 children: Jane Ann, born September 25, 1857; Thomas L., born July 24, i860, 
 and Sarah E., born January 25, 1862. Thomas L. died in November, 1861. 
 Mr. Maddox was quite an extensive land owner, having control of 4,000 acres, 
 mostly in Jackson and Cass Counties. During the War he lost about $16,000 
 worth of property, consisting of stock improvements, and household goods. 
 Mrs. Maddox has spent nearly her entire life in Missouri, and has seen and 
 endured all the trials of a pioneer Hfe, and all the losses and hardships of the 
 War; yet she is a lady of remarkable vigor, of both body and mind. She now 
 owns about 600 acres of choice land, almost all improved, and all sup- 
 plied with good buildings and orchards. She also owns eighty acres of very 
 valuable land near Westport. Mr. Maddox, during his life-time, was engaged in 
 farming and stock raising. During the War, Mrs. Maddox, while she remained 
 on the farm, was obliged to pull down her kitchen for fuel. She was also com- 
 pelled to bury, in the ground, what necessaries she had for food. She now makes 
 her home with her daughter, Mrs. Jane Ann Smith, in Greenwood. Mrs. Mad- 
 dox and her daughter are both active members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 LUTHER MASON, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 19, was born October i, 1808, in Montgomery 
 County, Kentucky, and was educated at the Transylvania University, ot Lexing- 
 ton. He moved to Estes County in 1831, and became interested in the Red 
 River Iron Works. In 1836 he sold his interest in this, and in 1837 took a trip' 
 through Missouri and this county. In the spring of 1838 he to moved and settled 
 at Independence, remaining for two years, and then to the farm on which he 
 now resides. He now owns about 965 acres of land, 700 of which are under 
 fence. He gives his attention principally to stock-raising. He has filled the 
 position of countv judge for two years, and has also been school director. In 
 1841 he married Miss Martha M. Price, a native of Nicholasville, Jessamine 
 County, Kentucky, born August 12, 1820. Mrs. Mason died March 7, 1X76, 
 leaving a family of five children: Annie B. , now Mrs. Yantis, of Marshall; 
 Mattie, now Mrs. Dermont, of Independence; Florida, Daniel P., and Carrie 
 W. , now Mrs. Wilson; they have lost four. Mr. Mason is a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church. 
 
 MATTHEW B. MILLER, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 22, is a native of Washington County, Pennsyl- 
 vania, born July 4, 1827. He lived there until 1868, and then moved to Prairie 
 Township, Jackson County, Missouri, and located on the farm which he now 
 occupies. He was educated in the common schools in Pennsylvania, and also 
 took a regular course for two years at Jefferson College. Has followed farming 
 ever since he was married, and before that followed the occupation of brick- 
 laying. He was married March 9, 1852, to Agnes Fergus, of Washington 
 County, Pennsylvania. She was born March 12, 1834. There have been born 
 
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 969 
 
 to them: Thomas B., born May 19, 1853; Hugh F., born April 25, 1855; Mary 
 J., born July i, 1857; Matthew W., born June 17, 1859; David S., born Decem- 
 ber 19, 1861; John G., born March 27, 1864; Martha A., born May 21, 1867, 
 and Aggie, born September 2, 1874. Martha A. died October, 10, 1869. Mr. 
 Miller has served as school director almost continuously, and takes an active 
 interest in the advancement of education. He is also a strong temperance man, 
 and he and wife and daughter are active members of the United Presbyterian 
 Church at Greenwood. He owns 135 acres of fine land, well cultivated, on 
 what is known as the Younger farm, two and one-half miles southwest of Green- 
 wood. It was one of the first places settled in this part of the country, conse- 
 quently one of the best. He never received any assistance in starting in life, 
 and what he has accumulated has been by the united industry of himself and 
 family. 
 
 R. S. NICHOLSON, 
 
 Of the firm of J. R. & R. S. Nicholson, grain and lumber dealers, Greenwood, 
 was born in Addison County, Vermont, June 28, 1814, and lived there about nine 
 years Then moved with his parents to Pike County, Illinois ; resided there 
 until October, 1868, when he moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and engaged 
 in farming for nine years, but of late has been in his present business. Married 
 Mary M. Bagby in 1833 by whom he had eight children : Cornelius, John R., 
 James, William, Henry J., Daniel, Benjamin and Hattie. Mrs. Nicholson died 
 in April 1875. He was again married June 20, 1877, to Mrs. Jane Conner, of 
 Jackson County, Missouri, the widow of W. J. Conner late, of New Mexico. Mr. 
 Nicholson and wife are both members and earnest laborers in the Christian 
 Church in Greenwood. Mr. Nicholson is one of the elders, and to his labors the 
 church is much indebted for its prosperity. Mr. Nicholson has town property of 
 five acres where he raises a large amount of choice fruit. He also has a fine large 
 brick residence. He also owns an interest in the grain and lumber business, and 
 is having a fine trade. 
 
 W. H. NOLAND, 
 
 Superintendent of Poor Farm, section 13, post-office Lee's Summit, was born 
 June 9, 1847 ill Bath County, Kentucky, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. 
 In 1859 he accompanied his parents to Hendricks County, Indiana, and remain- 
 ed there several years. He came to Jackson County in 1866, and has made this 
 his home since. He received his collegiate education at McGee College, in Ma- 
 con County Missouri, and in 1872 commenced teaching and continued therein 
 until he took charge of the Poor Farm on the first of March 1851. He was the 
 Democratic nominee for representative from the Kansas City district in the fall of 
 1875, but was beaten by Mr. Twiss. He was married August, 5, 1875, to Miss 
 S. E. Steel, a native of this county, born February, 14, i860. 
 
 J. P. SCHUREMAN, 
 
 Farmer, section 36, post-office Lee's Summit, was born October 23, 1841 in 
 Essex County, New Jersey, and was taken to St. Louis when quite young and 
 reared there. He immigrated to Jacksonville, Illinois, in 1852, and remained 
 there some five years engaged in the printing business. Then he returned to 
 St. Louis in 1857, and remained there until the spring of 1875, when he came to 
 Jackson County and settled on his present farm. He owns 240 acres, 205 of 
 which are under cultivation. In his manners he is every inch a gentleman, and 
 has won the respect of a large circle of friends. He has filled the office of school 
 director, and has always taken a deep interest in educational matters. In 1866 
 he married Miss Sarah Barrett, a native of Illinois, born in 1845. She was prin- 
 cipally reared and educated in St. Louis. They have had six children, five of 
 whom are living : William H., Francis B., Ella M., Oliver P. and Arthur T. 
 Mrs. Schureman is a member of the Christian Church. 
 
970 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 N. C. SCOVILLE, 
 
 Farmer, section 2, post-office Lee's Summit, was borri February 22, 1837 in St. 
 Lawrence County, New York, and at nineteen years of age went to Williston 
 Seminary, East Hampton, Massachusetts, and remained there two years. He 
 finished his academic course at Philips Exeter Academy, at Exeter, New Hamp- 
 shire, and in i860 entered Yale College, at New Haven, Connecticut; remained 
 there two years, then commenced the Junior year at Harvard College, and gradu- 
 ated with the class of 1864. Then entered the law department and graduated 
 from that in 1866, and came West in the fall of that year, opening a law office in 
 Kansas City. He practiced for ten years, when his health and voice failed, and 
 he was obliged to give up the profession. He then moved to the farm he now oc- 
 cupies and commenced farming. He owns 160 acres of land, on which he has an 
 orchard of forty-three acres. He has never been an office-seeker, but has always 
 given his attention to his business. In his manners he is much of a gentleman. 
 April 14, 1870, he married Mrs. Susan E. Goss, widow of Ernest Goss, a Feder- 
 al officer, killed in the late War. She is a native of this county, born June 18, 
 1845. They have one child, Jessie M. Mrs. Scoville also has one child by her 
 former husband, Emmet G. They are members' of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church. Mr. Scoville is a member of the A. F. and A. M. 
 
 W. W. SMITH 
 
 Was born in Ross County, Ohio, March 24,1840, and is a son of Michael Smith, a 
 native of Pennsylvania. He lived in Ross County for thirty years, and in 1870 
 moved to Jackson County, Missouri, and located near Lee's Summit; his occu- 
 pation has always been that of a farmer. He was married December 18, 1862, 
 to Elizabeth Drummond, of Ross County, Ohio, born December 28, 1841. The 
 family consists of five children: Charles R., born October 19, 1863; Weldon, 
 born October 2, 1865 ; Edgar L., born December 12, 1867 ; Harry, born 
 August 27, 1870 ; and Willie D., born January 10, 1876. Mr. Smith enlisted as a 
 member of Company D, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served with them four 
 months. Was in the battles of South Mountain and Frederick City, Maryland, 
 and was honorably discharged in September, 1864. He had three brothers in 
 the Union Army, and they all made fine records during the War. He is now 
 superintending the large stock and grain farm of Wm. McCoy, in Prairie Town- 
 ship. Has a fine lot of stock and is considered an excellent farmer. He and his 
 family form a pleasant home circle, and are well regarded in the community as 
 excellent citizens. Politically he is a Republican. 
 
 BRUCE STONER, 
 
 Farmer, section t, post-office Lee's Summit, was born on the 20th of May, 1850, 
 in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He 
 immigrated to Illinois when seventeen years of age, and remained there one year, 
 then came to Vernon County, this State, and resided there about two years. Soon 
 came to this county and settled on the land which he now owns, consisting of 
 eighty acres, and has it all under cultivation. In 1872 he married Miss Jennie 
 M. Winship, a native of Ohio, born on the 7th of August, 1848. They have had 
 two children : James B. and Edwin ; lost one child. 
 
 MRS. ELIZABETH J. THOMAS, 
 
 Section 25, widow of James E. Thomas. She was born in Cass County Missouri, 
 January 19, 1838, and is the daughter of Andrew Wilson, late of Jackson County. 
 She lived in Cass County about sixteen years, then moved close to Lee's Summit, 
 Jarkson County, and remained there eight years, and then on the farm on 
 which she now resides. Was married September i, 1851, to John P. WilUams, 
 a native of Kentucky, born February 21, 1833. Three children were born: 
 
PRAIKIE TOWNSHIP. 971 
 
 Warner, born June 15, 1856; Lucy, born January 30, 1859, married and living 
 in Cass County; and Andrew, born February 12, 1861. Mr. Williams started 
 November 8 1861, to join the Confederate forces at White Oak, and on the nth 
 was wounded, brought home, and died November 12, 1861. He was a member 
 of the Baptist Church, and before the War was a farmer and stock dealer, and a 
 highly respected citizen. The widow was again married January 19, 1863, to 
 Wm. C. Conners. He was a member of the State Militia, but never in any 
 engagement On the night of June 4, 1865, he was at his home near Green- 
 wood, with his family, and about ten o'clock at night was called out of his 
 house and asked the way to Pleasant Hill. Just as he stepped outside of the 
 door he was shot through the head by a party of six or eight Confederates. Sev- 
 eral other Union men were killed that same night in the neighborhood. At the 
 time of his death he was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a respected 
 citizen. Our subject was again married June i, 1867, to James E. Thomas. By 
 this marriage one child was born, Henry, July 10, 1869. Mr. Thomas was in 
 the Confederate Army three years, and continued to live on the farm until he 
 died, June 19, 1874. He controlled, at the time of his death, 114 acres of land 
 about two miles east of Greenwood, well cultivated and stocked, where Mrs. 
 Thomas now resides, and with the aid of her sons, Andrew and Henry, farms the 
 place. She was, during the time of her trials, and still is, a consistent member of 
 the Baptist Church, and only the confidence she has had in a Heavenly Pro- 
 tector has enabled her to survive her unusually severe hardships. She is a lady 
 of strong physical and mental powers, and a highly respected member of society. 
 
 R. S. THOMAS, 
 
 Telegraph operator and station agent at Greenwood. The subject of this sketch, 
 although a very young man, is one who, on account of his diligence in study and 
 by his upright and moral character, has won for himself not only a fine reputa- 
 tion, but also an honorable and lucrative position. He is one of the youngest, 
 if not altogether the youngest, employe on the road that holds such a position as 
 he does, and is well known all along the line as one of the most trustworthy. He 
 is a native of Missouri, and his father and grandfather have figured largely in 
 building up the best interests of Jackson County. His grandfather, especially, is 
 well known as one of the most earnest laborers in the Baptist Church in this part 
 of Missouri. 
 
 I. N. THOMPSON 
 
 Was born in Madison County, Illinois, December 2, 1846. At the age of ten 
 years, he went with his parents to Wabashaw County, Minnesota, and lived there 
 ten years, and then moved to Prairie Township, Jackson County, Missouri. He 
 was educated, in the common schools of Illinois and Minnesota, and was after- 
 ward a graduate of Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College, in Chicago. He 
 was married, May 11, 1869, to Mollie Wilson, of Lee's Summit. She was the 
 daughter of D. C. Wilson, and was born December 9, 1849, in Danville, Boyle 
 County, Kentucky. Their family circle consists of five children : Wyman, born 
 November 2, 1870; Mabel, February 16, 1872; Gertie, June i, 1874; Frankie, 
 November 6, 1876, and Wilson, March 31, 1879. Mr. Thompson owns beauti- 
 ful town property, with a fine residence. He is making great efforts to give his 
 children a good education. 
 
 CLARA M. VAN HOY, 
 
 Section 25, widow of the late Dr. W. W. Van Hoy, who died in Greenwood, 
 September 13, 1877. He was born in Stokes County, North Carolina, August 
 27, 1838, and came to Pleasant Hill, Missouri, when about three years of age. 
 On May 12, 1868, he located in Prairie Township, Jackson County, on the farm 
 on which his family now live. He was educated at St. Louis, and was an active 
 
972 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 practicing physician from 1859 until his death. He was married, November 17, 
 1858, to Clara M. Bricker, who was born in FrankHn County, Pennsylvania, on 
 the twelfth day of August, 1843. The family consists of eight children: Libbie, 
 born September 4, 1859; Edwin, February 22, 1862; Nannie, March 13, 1864; 
 Charlie, October 6, 1866; Ruth, November 9, 1868; Maud, March 6, 1871; 
 Cheltie and Willie (twins), December 2, 1872. Mr. Van Hoy, during his life- 
 time, was a successful practitioner, and a man who stood very high in the commun- 
 ity in which he lived, and by his death society lost a useful and honored citizen, 
 and the family a kind and loving husband and father. He left a fine estate of 
 147 acres of choice land, all well improved and stocked. 
 
 J. L. VAN METER, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 16, was born in Clarke County, Ohio, October 30, 
 1820, and remained there till the spring of 1867 ; then moved to Wabashaw 
 County, Minnesota, and remained one year. In the spring of 1868 he located 
 on his present farm, in Prairie Township, Jackson County, Missouri. He was a 
 son of Joel Van Meter, a native of New Jersey, but of Hollandish deScent. He 
 was married to Martha N. Engle, of Clarke County, Ohio, August 16, 1842. By 
 this marriage there are three children living : Alvin C, born July 13, 1843, and 
 now in Nova Scotia, in the agricultural implement business ; Flora V., September 
 9, 1851, now the wife of J. A. Kirkton, at Greenwood, Missouri; Charles E., 
 November 2, 1854, a student at Lincoln College, Greenwood, preparing himself 
 for professsional labors. Mrs. Van Meter died February 24, 1861. He married 
 for his second wife, Amanda E. Cline, November 23, 1861. She was born in 
 Chnton County, Ohio, March 9, 1837. Four sons have been born by this mar- 
 riage : Clarence L., born January 2, 1863 ; Chauncy W., October 12, 1854; Burt 
 C, March 20, 1869, and William H., January 20, 1871. Alvin C. wasamember 
 of the 1 6th Ohio Battery for four years during the Civil War. He served 
 faithfully and well, and received an honorable discharge at the close of the War. 
 Charles E. has been a member of the Regular Army for five years. He was 
 located in Louisiana, at Mount Vernon, AJabama, at Wilkesbarre, Pennsylvania, 
 and at Fort Missoula, Montana, where he was promoted to sergeant, and served 
 as post-sergeant-major for one year, and was then discharged at the expiration of 
 his term of service. Mr. Van Meter controls one of the best 160-acre farms in 
 Prairie Township, well improved and stocked. Mr. Van Meter and wife and three 
 of their children at home are active church members. 
 
 ROBERT WATSON, 
 
 Proprietor of Lee's Summit and Belton Nurseries, was born in County Durham, 
 England, January 7, 1819, and remai;ied there till 1850, and then emigrated to 
 America, and located in Chatham, Illinois, and remained there about seventeen 
 years, and then moved to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1868. He was brought 
 up on a farm until he was eighteen years of age ; was then engaged in railroading 
 until he emigrated, and was then engaged as railroad contractor and road master 
 in Illinois, until he settled in Missouri, and has ever since been engaged in the 
 nursery and hedge-plant business "He now has 130 acres, within two miles of 
 Lee's Summit, in nursery stock; also fifty acres more joining Lee's Summit on the 
 east. The nursery at present contains 60,000 two-year-old apple ti'ees, 100,000 
 one-year-old, and 225,000 grafts, ready to set ; 5,000 two-year-old peach trees, and 
 50,000 one-year-old; also an immense amount of the different varieties of small 
 fruits. He also owns 178 acres of land in Cass County, one mile east of Belton, 
 where most of his hedge plants are raised, and where he has fifty acres of them 
 ready for spring setting. His sales for the year 1880 were over $15,000, and he 
 employs from six to fifty hands. He started in life without financial help, and all 
 his property has been accumulated by his thrift and industry. He is a member 
 
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 973 
 
 of the Church of England, a fine business man, and one universally respected 
 and esteemed for his hberality, high moral character and strict business integrity. 
 
 DANIEL WHITING, 
 Proprietor of Lee's Summit Grain Elevator, is a native of Alleghany County, 
 New York, and was born January 22,, 1855. He went with his parents when 
 but a child to Wayne County, New York, and remained there till twenty-two 
 years of age. He never had the opportunity of attending school, but l.y his 
 own efforts and perseverence has acquired a good education, and is acknowledged 
 a good business man. He went to Walworth County, Wisconsin, and thence to 
 Marathon County, Wisconsin, and remained about ten years; thence to White- 
 side County, Illinois, and remained about eleven years, and in 1869 came to 
 Jackson County, Missouri, and located at Lee's Summit and engaged in the 
 gram business. He was married in 1853 to EHzabeth M. Miller, a native of New 
 York. The following children were born to this family, viz: Belle M., now the 
 wife of Erastus F. Jones, of Lee's Summit; George A., who died at the age of 
 seventeen years; Charles D., now a student at Kansas City College; Emma C, 
 who died at the age of sixteen years; and William S., who died when one year 
 old. Mr. Whiting had no financial assistance when he started in life, but worked 
 by the month in the Wisconsin pineries, also at milling and then in buying and 
 running lumber down the Mississippi from Dubuque to St. Louis. He again 
 went into the milling business in Warsaw, Missouri, but through unforeseen ( ir- 
 cumstances, he lost all that he had accumulated, and in 1858 he went to Illinois 
 and worked as a farm hand, but was soon able to purchase forty acres of land, 
 and soon after another forty ; after improving his eighty acres, he sold it for 
 fifty dollars per acre, and with the proceeds began the grain shipping business at 
 Lee's Summit, in which business he was successful, and in 1870 he formed a 
 partnership with Josiah Collins, and together they erected the first and only grain 
 elevator in Lee's Summit. The building cost $5,000, and had a capacity of 
 10,000 bushels. He remained in partnership fifteen months, then bought out his 
 partner's interest, and in four years remodeled the elevator and put in a steam 
 engine of twenty-five horse- power. In the year ending February i, i8-^i, he 
 had shipped 50,000 bushels of wheat, 120,000 bushels of corn, 12,000 bushels of 
 flax seed, and 2,000 bushels of oats. He is also in partnership with Latham & 
 Boggs in the live stock trade, and doing an extensive business. He owns 320 
 acres of very choice farm land, well improved and stocked. All this has been 
 accumulated since 1858 by Mr. Whiting's uutiring industry and good manage- 
 ment. He is a pleasant and social man, and one universally respected tor his 
 moral character and strict business integrity. He and wife are members of the 
 Episcopal Church, and he takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the 
 public welfare, and is a living example of what man can accomplish by honesty 
 and industry. 
 
 JOHN WIGGINTON, 
 
 Was born in Bourbon County, Kentucky, April 22, 1794; lived there till he 
 attained his majority, then moved to Howard County, Missouri, where he lived 
 till 1840, and then located in Jackson County, near Independence, and lived 
 there, and in Independence, until 1853, when he located in Prairie Township. He 
 was married to Mrs. Mary Ann Gillett, of Howard County, Missouri, in 1831. 
 She was born in Hopkins County, Kentucky, January 5, 1X09. There were 
 five children born to this family: James, born January 6, 1833; William, born 
 May 26, 1834; Amanda, May 9, 1836; Mollie C, February 2, 1842, and George 
 W., September 4, 1843. ^^r. Wigginton was a carpenter by trade, but spent 
 most of his time in farming. He was a southern man by birth, and his symp 1 
 thies were with the southern cause, but he took no very active part; yi t while in 
 Lafayette County attending to the wants of his family he was killed by the FederdI 
 
974 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 troops. He was at that time in the sixty-eighth year of his age. His personal 
 property was all taken and his house burned, leaving- only the land. His sons 
 were all in the Confederate service, and served faithfully during the War, and all 
 three of them were severely wounded. George Wigginton, the youngest son and 
 the one giving this sketch, was a member of Company B, Colonel Jones' Regi- 
 ment, under General Price for a part of the time, and afterward during the 
 remainder of the time, with Quantrell. At the close of the War, George Wiggin- 
 ton settled on the farm just one mile east of Lee's Summit, and began improving 
 his farm of eighty acres. His aged mother and sister find a pleasant home with 
 the son and brother. 
 
 M. J. WILKIN, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 30, is a native of Harrison County, Ohio, and 
 was born May i, 1835, and is a son of John Wilkin, who was born and reared on 
 the same farm in Ohio on which our subject was born and reared, till he was 
 fifteen years of age. He then went into the milling business with his father and 
 brother, and continued in that business for fifteen years; then in 1865 sold his 
 mill and in the spring of 1866 located in Platte County, Missouri, and remained 
 there two years ; then moved to Jackson County and settled in Prairie Township, 
 where he has since remained, engaged in farming and stock-raising, but makes a 
 specialty of sheep husbandry. He was married November 9, 1854, to Martha J. 
 McKittrick, who was born August 18 1832, in Harrison County, Ohio. By this 
 union they have had five children: Mary E. , burn September 8, 1855, now the 
 wife of A. B. Chambers; Robert J., born August 14, 1857; Annetta J , born 
 February 21, i860; Ella B., born July 8, 1862 ; and Orissa A., born November 
 26, 1864. The entire family are active and consistent members of the United 
 Presbyterian Church. Mr. Wilkin is known as a strong advocate of the temper- 
 ance cause and an earnest advocate of good schools. He owns 160 acres of 
 choice land, well improved and stocked. Another member of the family is the 
 aged mother of Mrs. Wilkin, Mrs. Mary F. McKittrick, now in the seventy-first 
 year of her age, and whose declining days are made pleasant by the attentions 
 and thoughtfulness of children and grandchildren. 
 
 JAMES;:;WILSON, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 36, was born in Cooper County, Missouri, June 
 I, 1819; lived there until six years of age, then moved with his parents to Jackson 
 County, and settled three miles east of Independence. Mr. Wilson's father built 
 the first mill erected in Jackson County ; it was run by horsepower and would 
 grind from fifteen to eighteen bushels of corn per day. His father made the first 
 brick in the county at Independence, and the first brick house was built from these 
 brick by a man by the name of Roberts. It was built on the corner east of 
 the Chrisman-Sawyer bank, in the year 1828. In the year 1833 Mr. Wilson's 
 father moved into Cass County and our subject lived there until he was marrried ; 
 then, in 1841, moved on the farm on which he now resides. Mr. Wilson attended 
 school in the first school taught in Jackson County, which was located a .little 
 southwest of Independence. The school house was built of notched poles with 
 dirt floor; the school was taught by William Ferrill, a Methodist minister, and, as 
 Mr. Wilson says, one of the best men that ever lived. He was married June 28, 
 1840, to Elizabeth A. Farmer, who was born in Meigs County, Tennessee, 
 March 5, 182 1. There have been ten children born to them, eight of whom are 
 living: Nancy J , born June 22, 1842; Lucinda, October i, 1844; Ruth, Novem- 
 ber 3, 1846; Sarah E., September 26, 1848; John H. September 26, 1850; 
 William A., August 22, 1852; Ann, October i, 1858; Fannie E. , February 15, 
 1861; Miry L., July 5, 1864, and James F., November 14, 1866. Nancy J., 
 and Ruth are both dead. When Mr. Wilson located upon his present farm his 
 
PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 975 
 
 means were very limited, having just enough to purchase a little land and build 
 a small log cabin ; he now owns 540 acres, a fertile and well cultivated farm, 
 which is well stocked and has all the necessarv improvements. During the War 
 he was a heavy loser in all his stock and improvements, and at the close of the War 
 had to begin almost anew. He endured all the various vicissitudes of a pioneer's 
 life but by his untiring industry and strict moral conduct he has outlived all these 
 hardships and is now very comfortably situated. He and his excellent family are 
 highly respected by their large circle of acquaintances. Having been deprived 
 in youth of the privileges of an education, he fully appreciates its worth and 
 spares no pains in educating his children ; two of his sons are graduates, and are 
 at present among our foremost teachers. 
 
 ELI J. WORTHINGTON, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 13, was born in Johnson County, Missouri, 
 February 18, 1841 ; when quite young he moved with his parents to Jackson 
 County, Missouri, and located in Prairie Township, near where he now lives. 
 Received his education in Jackson County. He was a son of James Worthington, 
 who was a native of Kentucky, and settled in Missouri at an early day. He was 
 married October 18, 1876, to Mary J. Williamson, who was born in Lafayette 
 County, Missouri, Decemberi6, 1852, and was a daughter of Turner Williamson, of 
 the same county. One child was born: Daisy Louisa, born August 26, 1877. 
 He owns a farm of 130 acres of fine land, well improved. He has spent consider- 
 able time in traveling to the mountains. New Mexico, and Dakota Territory; 
 yet in all his travels has found no more attractive place than Jackson County. 
 July 8, 1880, he was deeply afflicted by the death of his estimable wife. 
 
 A. F. WORTHINGTON, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 13, is a native of Johnson County, Missouri, and 
 was born November 17, 1843. His parents came to Jackson County when he 
 was quite young and located near the farm now owned by him. He received his 
 education in the common schools of Jackson County and setded on his farm in 
 the year 1872 March 12, 1874, he was married to Miss Nancy Reider, who 
 was born in Park County, Indiana, July 17, 1853; she is the daughter of Daniel 
 Reider, of this county. One child has been born to them: Madison R., born 
 April 26, 1879. He never had any financial assistance but has been a hard- 
 working and careful man, and has a beautiful home; his farm consists of 130 
 acres under a fine state of .cultivation. He has always lived on a farm, excepting 
 two years when he was engaged in freighting on the plains. 
 
 J. V. A. WOODS, M. D., 
 
 Retired clergyman and physician, Greenwood, was born in Abingdon, Wash- 
 ington County, Virginia, February 24, 1804, and lived there till twelve years of 
 age, then moved with his parents to Blount County, Tennessee, and remained 
 there fifteen years; then removed to Johnson County Indiana, in 1831, and on 
 the loth day of December, 1832, was married to Lucinda Fain. She was born 
 in Pulaski County Kentucky, January 16, 1816, who was the daughter of Colonel 
 Fain who was a well-known soldier in the War of 1812. Their family consisted 
 of nine children, all of whom are hving except Joseph A., and was killed at Law- 
 rence, Kansas, in the Quantrell raid in 1863. Mr. Joseph A. Woods was at 
 that time first-lieutenant in the i6th Regiment, Kansas Volunteer Infantry. 
 Mr. Woods had five sons in the Federal Army, the youngest of them being only 
 a Uttle past fourteen years of age when he enlisted; all of whom served faithfully 
 and well. After being married in 1832, in Indiana, Mr. Woods remained there 
 till 1850, then moved to Oskaloosa, Iowa, and remained there seven years, thence 
 to Maryville, Nodaway County, Missouri, where he remained till i860, and 
 
976 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 thence to Shawnee County, Kansas, where he lived until 1866; then returned 
 to Nodaway County and lived until 1868, when he located in Prairie Township, 
 Jackson County, where he has since lived. He was educated in Blount County, 
 Tennessee, first, in a common school, then three years in the literary department 
 of the Southwestern Theological College, then three years in the theological 
 department, under the tuition of Rev. Isaac Anderson, D. D. He commenced 
 the practice of medicine in Indiana, and practiced in Iowa, Kansas and Missouri. 
 He was ordained a minister of the New School Presbyterian Church in 1829, and 
 labored as pastor of said church at Oskaloosa and Pella, Iowa, and also at 
 Auburn, Kansas. During the War, Mr. Woods was a heavy loser by the de- 
 struction of personal property, and some fine blooded stock ; his farms in Noda- 
 way County, Missouri, and in Shawnee County, Kansas, were stripped of every- 
 thing. Mr. Woods has been an honored and useful citizen, and still, in his old 
 age, retains all his faculties, both physical and mental, to an extraordinary 
 degree. He has a beautiful home in the village of Greenwood, and he and his 
 excellent companion seem to be spending their days in comfort and peace, and 
 beloved by all. ^ 
 
 S— ^ -1 -J -@7g?-?,i1aT5) "tr-f- <^ —i 
 
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 977 
 
 ^WASIilTSTG-TON TOWNSHIF. 
 
 JOHN S. ANDERSON, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 22, post-office Belton, was born in Belmpnt 
 County, Ohio, August 27, 1819, and after obtaining his education, he com- 
 menced farming. This he continue'ti until the spring of 1847, when he engaged 
 in the mercantile business. In the fall of 1856, he was elected sheriff of the 
 county, and held the office until 1859, when he became connected with the paper- 
 manufacturing business. In 1863 he sold his interests in the paper mill, bought 
 the old homestead, and was engaged in farming until the fall of 1866, when he 
 came to Jackson County. He resided at Independence, engaged in business un- 
 til 1868, when he moved on his present farm of 230 acres of well improved land. 
 His marriage was in in Belmont, Anderson County, Ohio, December 7, 1847, to 
 Miss Susan Magee. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living r Sarah 
 E., Alvin M., John W., Ada R., Rush M., Lucy E., and Homer C. Three are de- 
 ceased: Wilber L., Willie J., and Mary N. Mrs. Anderson died May 29, 1880 
 leaving many friends to mourn her loss. 
 
 WILLIAM BALES, 
 
 Farmer, section 19, post-office Westport, was born December 28, 1834, near 
 Kansas City, and has been reared and educated in this county. When sixteen 
 years of age he went to Kansas City and engaged as clerk in a general merchan- 
 dise store ; the post-office was kept in the store, and he assisted in that depart- 
 ment. In 1854, he went to Weston with J. C. Ranson, and remained but a short 
 time, when the store was burned. Then, returned to Kansas City where Mr. 
 Ranson started a general merchandise store, and was appointed postmaster; Mr. 
 Bales attended to the duties of the office and assisted in the store. He was after- 
 ward connected with a wholesale grocery for two years, and in 1859 he opened a 
 grocery store on his own account. This he operated till the fall of 1862, and also 
 sold a stock of drugs. During the War he was employed to take care of property 
 for parties who were afraid to remain ; he was also a member of the Home 
 Guards. He moved to his present farm in the fall of 1864 ; it contains 280 acres 
 of fine land, all well improved. November 7, 1862, he was married to Miss Hat- 
 tie Evans born February 19, 1843, who was the first child born in Kansas City 
 after it was incorporated. She is the daughter of W. B. Evans, one of the origi- 
 nal owners of the town site. They have had one child : Walter J., born January 
 
 2i;, 1864. 
 
 P. H. BAXTER, 
 
 Of the firm of King & Co., dealers in general merchandise, drugs, etc., was 
 born in Clay County, Missouri, June 21, 1840, and when about two years of age 
 was taken by his parents to Caldwell County. From there he went to Buchanan 
 County, and received his education at St. Joseph. Then obtained a position at 
 the Missouri State Prison as guard, and served as such until 1861, when he 
 enlisted in Company D, Saunder's Regiment as orderly sergeant. He served 
 for one year, and on account of disability, was discharged; Returned to St. Joe, 
 and in 1863 went to Nebraska City, where he was employed as assistant wagon- 
 master on the plains, and in 1866 came to Jackson County. He located at New 
 Santa Fe, and is now doing a good business in his line. He was married in this 
 county April 3, 1869, to Martha Rice. They had four children : Ruth, Harry, Joe 
 P. and OUie. 
 
978 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 MORGAN BOONE, 
 
 Farmer, section 20, post-office Westport, was born November i, 1851, in the same 
 house in which he now resides. He was principally reared in this county. He 
 moved to Lawrence, Kansas, in 1861, and remained there eight years, and then 
 returned to this county. He spent three years traveling through Colorado and 
 Texas, also took a trip to Arkansas. He settled on the old homestead in the 
 spring of 1873. He owns 174 acres of land, 100 of which are under cultivation. 
 He married Miss L. E. David in August, 1874. She is a native of Illinois, and 
 was born June 17, 1857. They have a family of three children: Ernest M., 
 Amy and Lawrence N. 
 
 DR. D. A. BRYANT, 
 
 Hickman's Mills, is a native of Kentucky, born October 18, 1828, and received 
 his education at Bacon College, Harrodsburgh, graduating in 1846. He then 
 commenced the study of medicine with his brother. Dr. John Bryant, and in 
 1848 he attended the Transylvania University, of Lexington. He graduated in 
 the same school at Louisville, Kentucky, in the spring of 1850, and then came 
 to this county, locating at Independence. He then followed his profession until 
 the fall of 1850, when he went to Brunswick. There he continued practicing ; 
 returned to Independence in the spring of 185 1, and in 1852 removed to Lee's 
 Summit. He afterward came to this township, settling near Hickman's Mills, 
 and in 1864 went to Carson City, Nevada. In 1866 he returned to Jackson 
 County, and is now doing a lucrative business. His marriage was in Inde- 
 pendence. 
 
 L. b. CONNELY, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 15, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in Clay 
 County, Illinois, April i, 1836, and was there reared and educated. In June, 
 i860, he came to this county, commenced farming, and was so employed until 
 his removal to Illinois, where, in connection with farming, he took up the butcher- 
 ing business. In the spring of 1 86 7 he returned to Jackson County, locating at Lee's 
 Summit, and until the spring of 1878, was engaged in the mercantile and news- 
 paper business. Then moved on the farm where he now resides; he owns 424 
 acres of land. Mr. Connely was married in this county September 6, i860, to 
 Miss Caroline C. Wyatt. They have five children living: Mary E., Rosie M., 
 Lillie v., Daisy D. and Willie B. C. Two are deceased, Annie and Charlie. 
 
 J. E. DAVIS, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in Bath 
 County, Kentucky, March 18, 1827, and when seven years of age came with his 
 parents to this county, where he was reared. After receiving his education, he 
 commenced freighting across the plains, and continued it until 1854, when he 
 engaged in his present business. Now owns a farm of 236 acres, well improved, 
 \yith three springs upon it. September 7, 1854, Mr. Davis was married in this 
 county, to Miss Marian F. Wells. They had eleven children, six of whom are 
 living: Moses M., James E., John W. , Arzelia M., Nancy A., and Mattie F. 
 Five are deceased: William O., Nathaniel K., Mary A., Oliver P. and an infant. 
 
 J. E. DELLER, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 25, post-office Belton, Cass County, was born in 
 Armstrong County, Pennsylvania, March 17, 1845, ^'^'i ""^^ there reared and 
 educated. He early commenced farming, and in the spring of 1867 came to this 
 county, and has since lived here, owning a fine farm of 320 acres, well improved. 
 He is engaged in raising stock to some extent, and has a desirable residence. 
 
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 979 
 
 WILLIAM DODSON, 
 
 Farmer, section 22, post-office Westport, was born September 15, 1825, in Cam- 
 bria County, Pennsylvania, and was reared there as a farmer. He learned the 
 carpenter's trade in his youth, and has followed it considerably through life. 
 Came West in 1857, and settled at Leavenworth, Kansas; remained there four 
 years, engaged, first, in the cattle business, then in the farm and dairy business. 
 In June, 1862, he made a visit to his old home in Pennsylvania, and was held 
 there on account of the draft until November, 1864. Then returned to Leaven- 
 worth, Kansas. He came to Jackson County in the spring of 1865, and settled 
 on the old Yager farm. The bushwhackers run him off, and took all his personal 
 property, but on the 3d of August, the same year, he returned to the farm, and re- 
 mained oh it some three years. Then moved to Leavenworth, and resided there six 
 years. Returned to. this county, and settled on the farm he now occupies, con- 
 sisting of 160 acres of fine land, part of which is under cultivation. He married 
 Miss Sarah J. O'Connor, February i8, 1848. She is a native of Summit County, 
 Pennsylvania, and was born in May, 1826. By this union they had ten chil- 
 dren, nine of whom are living: Ellen, Maria, Samuel, Nannie, Charles, George 
 B. McC, Mary B., William and Johnnie. They are members of the Southern 
 Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 B. F. ERVIN, 
 
 Farmer, section 32, post-office Hickman's Mills, was born September 13, 1841, 
 in this county, and has made this his home all his life, except during the War. 
 He enlisted on the Confederate side, and served under Generals Price, Beaure- 
 gard, J. E. Johnstone and Bragg, and took part in the battles of Lexington, Pea 
 Ridge, Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, Black River, Look Out Mountain, and 
 others. At the close of the War, he returned to this county, and engaged in 
 farming. He owns 150 acres of land, ninety of which are under cultivation. 
 He has filled the offices of school director eight years, and road supervisor one 
 year. He married Miss Susan E. Noland, August 2, 1866. She was bom in 
 Kentucky, on the 4th of April, 1846, but was principally reared in this county. 
 By this union they have three children living : Joseph A. , Miles W. , and James 
 A.; lost two. They are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. 
 
 L. FUQUA, 
 
 Farmer, section 19, post-office Westport, was born September 13, 1833, in Greenup 
 County, Kentucky, and was brought to this State by his parents when three years 
 of age. They settled in Morgan County, and resided there until 1850, when 
 they moved to this county. He lived with his parents until 1855, and then moved 
 to Kansas, where he lived nine years, and then spent four years in Idaho, one 
 year in Oregon, and one year in Texas. He settled on his f^rm in the spring of 
 1870, and now owns 355 acres of well improved land. He married Miss Mary 
 J. Boone, November 18, 1859. She was born in this county in June, 1838. 
 They have had one child, J. B. They are members of the Cumberland Presby- 
 terian Church. 
 
 MARCUS GILL, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 7, post-office New Santa Fe, is a native of Bath 
 County, Kentucky, and was born April 9, 18 14. Was there reared and educated, 
 and after finishing his education, he engaged in farming, also in running a mill 
 which had been built by his father. This he continued until the spring of 1854, 
 when he came to Jackson County, Missouri. He is the owner of 600 acres of 
 improved land, with a nice residence, finely located. Mr. Gill was married in 
 Kentucky, January 23, 1839, to Miss SallieA. Bruton. By this union there were 
 four child'ren, three of whom are living : Enoch B. , Turner A. and Leah C. ; 
 
980 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 arah is deceased. His second marriage was in Kentucky, January 5, 1847, to 
 Mary J. Foster. They have five children : Susan, Sallie G., William K., Mary 
 E. and Louella. 
 
 JAMES GOODWIN, 
 
 Farmer, section 16, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in Rockbridge County, 
 Virginia, January 8, 18 19, and was there reared and educated. In the spring of 
 1837, he removed to Washington County, Virginia, and there learned the brick- 
 laying trade, helping to build the Emery and Henry College of that county. In 
 the fall of 1838 he came to Boonville, Missouri, and in the spring of 1840, went 
 to Warsaw, Benton County, where he built the court-house. In 1850 he located 
 at Kansas City; followed his trade there until 1861, and then moved to Westport. 
 In the spring of 1875 he commenced farming, and has since continued it Mr. 
 Goodwin was married in Warsaw, Benton County, January 19, 1843, to Miss Mary 
 D. Porter, of Kentucky. She died January 19, 1871, leaving seven children, 
 five of whom are now living : Martha J., James F., Joseph, Charlie and Tavia A. 
 Two are deceased : Mary E. and an infant. 
 
 JAMES R. HICKS, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, also manufacturer of agricultural implements, section 27, 
 was born June i, 1829, in Rockingham County, Virginia, and was reared a 
 farmer. He immigrated to Ohio in 1849, and engaged in stock-raising, and in 
 1854 he moved to Marion County, Illinois, and remained there until 1861, en- 
 gaged in farming and stock-dealing. He then received a Government contract 
 for furnishmg horses and mules, and located at Detroit Michigan, where he lived 
 two years. His health failing, he came south and located at St. Louis, and en- 
 gaged in stock-dealing and the commission business, and resided there until 1870, 
 when he came to Kansas City, and engaged in the manufacture of agricultural 
 implements. He owns an interest in manufacturing companies at Kansas City ; 
 also in the Rotary Harrow Manufacturing Company at Jefferson City, Missouri, 
 Little Rock, Arkansas, Atchison, Parsons, Wichita, Independence, Junction City, 
 Salina andChanute, Kansas. He is a member of Rural Lodge, No. 3 16, of Kansas 
 City. He married Miss Martha M. Anderson, in 1861. She was born in Illinois, 
 March 1842. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 RICHARD HOLMES, 
 
 Blacksmith, New Santa Fe. The subject of this sketch is a native of Hawkins 
 County, Tennessee, born March 24, 1841. He was reared there, and after finish- 
 ing his education, he removed to Texas, where he learned his trade. Followed it 
 there until 1865, and then came to this county, where he has since remained. 
 He is a good mechanic, and his work is of the best. 
 
 W. H. IRWIN, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 4, post-office New Santa Fe, is a native of Cape 
 Girardeau, Missouri, born March 15, 1834, and when about twelve years of age 
 came to Jackson County, where he waseducated. He soon commenced teaming be- 
 tween Kansas City, Colorado and California, and has crossed the plains seven- 
 teen times, passing through many hardships. In 1862 he commenced dealing 
 largely in stock and in 1875 turned his attention to farming and stock-raising. 
 He owns 200 acres of land, improved and under cultivation. December 11, 
 1866, he was married in Cass County, Missouri, to Miss Katie S. Yost. They 
 have six children: Charles W., Ida E., George H., William H., Sophie M. and 
 Ella K. 
 
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 981 
 
 MRS. ELIZABETH JESSUP, 
 
 Section 14, post-office Belton, Cass County, was born in North Carolina, and 
 when but one year old she removed with her parents to Indiana, there being 
 reared and educated. June 4, 1853, she was married in that State to James 
 Jessup and in the spring of i860 they came to Jackson County. Here he fol- 
 lowed farming and. stock-raising until his last sickness. He died August 25, 
 1876, mourned by many friends and his loving family. He was honored and re- 
 spected by all. Mrs. Jessup has under her management a beautiful home. 
 
 JAMES H. KEMPER, 
 
 Farmer, section 30, post-office Hickman's Mills, was born March 27, 1804, in 
 Kentucky and spent his boyhood days on a farm, receiving a common school 
 education. He came to this county in the spring of 1851 and settled on the 
 farm on which he now resides, containing 160 acres, half of which is under cul- 
 tivation. He has taken an active part in promoting the interests of the 
 county, and although no office-seeker, he has aided, by his personal efforts 
 and speeches, to secure the election of the most desirable candidates. February 
 8, 1825, he was married to Miss Berrilla Bryant, a native of Kentucky, born 
 October 15, 1808. They have had a family of six children, three of whom are 
 living: George W., born March 28, 1831, in Kentucky, who came here with his 
 parents in 1851 and is engaged at the carpenter's trade ; JohnH., born December 
 29, 1849, in Kentucky, who came here when nine years of age, and is at present 
 managing his father's farm; and Mariah V. He was married September 20, 1868, 
 to Miss Emma Hedges, a native of this county, born October 20, 1848. They 
 have two children : Charlie T. and Emmet R. They are members of the Chris- 
 tian Church. 
 
 RICHARD KERBY, 
 
 Farmer, section 5, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in Greene County, Ken- 
 tucky, June 16, 1820, and in the fall of 1837 came to this county, where he has 
 since resided, and is now the owner of a farm of eighty acres. This is well im- 
 proved and nicely located, and, under the skillful management of its owner, is in 
 excellent condition. He was married in Jackson County, January 25, 1853, to 
 Miss Mary J. Johnstone, a native of this county. She died September 29, [870. 
 
 J. L. KING, 
 
 Of the firm of King & Co., dealers in general merchandise, drugs, etc., New 
 Santa Fe, is a native of Washington County, Missouri, and was born October 18, 
 1846. When about three years of age he came with his parents to this county, 
 and has here been brought up and educated. After leaving school he com- 
 menced farming, and continued it until the fall of 1880, when he engaged in his 
 present business. During the War he was employed in freighting across the plains, 
 and followed it until the close of the War. King & Co. are doing a good busi- 
 ness, and are bound to succeed. 
 
 JAMES KLAPMEYER, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 20, post-office New Santa Fe, is a native of this 
 county, and was born October 8, 1851. Here received his education, and after 
 leaving school he commenced farming and stock-raising ; now owns a fine farm of 
 1 29 acres, being one of the best stock farms in the country. He has many 
 friends. 
 
 HENRY KNOCHE, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 29, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in 
 Prussia, February 24, 1839, and was there reared and attended school, after 
 which, in the fall of 1857, he came to America, landing in New York. He im- 
 
982 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 mediately came to this county and engaged in his present business, and now 
 owns 385 acres of improved land, being an excellent stock farm. He was mar- 
 ried in this county August 20, 1872, to Miss Amelia Kunz. They have three 
 children : Ehzabeth, William H. , and John C. 
 
 JOHN KNOCHE, 
 
 Farmer and slock raiser, section 28, post-oflfice New Santa Fe, was born in Prus- 
 sia September 7, 1828, and was there reared and educated. In the fall of 1858 
 he carae to America, landing in New Orleans, and from there came to Jackson 
 County, and is now the owner of 200 acres of improved land, with a fine resi- 
 dence. He was married in this county January 17, 1866, to Annie E. Hom- 
 rechhouse. They have six children : Emily, John F., John R., Annie, Albert, 
 and Nellie. 
 
 GEORGE KNOCHE, 
 
 Farmer, section 28, post-office Belton, is a native of Prussia, born May 19, 1850, 
 and when seven years of age came with his parents to America, landing in New 
 Orleans. From there he came to Jackson County, and after being reared and 
 educated, commenced farming. He now owns 163 acres of well improved land, 
 and his residence is nearly surrounded by shade trees. He was married Sep- 
 tember 22, 187s, to Miss Elsine Sturginn, of North Carolina. They have four 
 children : Rose D. , Dora E. , Edward E. , and Lee G. 
 
 LOUIS KNOCHE, 
 
 Farmer, section 29, post-office Belton, is a native of Prussia, and was born 
 December 9, 1834, and was there reared and educated. In the spring of 1854 
 he came to America, landing in New Orleans, and from there came to Jackson 
 County, where he now owns a farm of ninety acres, with a good residence. He 
 was married in this county, March 27, 1863, to Katie Knoche. They have six 
 children : Katie, Henry, Louis, George, James and Omolaci. 
 
 NATHAN LIPSCOMB, 
 
 Farmer, section 19, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in this county, July 3, 
 1843, aiid was here reared and educated. In June, i86i,he enlisted in Company 
 A, 6th Missouri Infantry, and served until June, 1865, when he went to Texas. 
 There remained until 1866, and upon returning to Jackson County, was employed 
 by S. E. Ward. In 1868 he commenced his present occupation, and now owns 
 a farm of 107 acres. He was married April 25, 1877, to Miss Letitia Cantrell, 
 a native of Jackson County. 
 
 JOEL LIPSCOMB, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 6, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in Madi- 
 son County, Kentucky, October 2r, 1813, and was brought up and attended, 
 school there. In the fall of 1839, he came to this county, commenced farming, 
 and has since followed it, owning 419 acres of well improved land. He was 
 married in this county, September i, 1840, to Miss Henrietta S. Harris. They 
 had ten children, six of whom are living: Nathan, Louisa S., Frances M., John 
 H., Rodger B. and James H. Four are deceased: Joel, Charles, Henrietta and 
 William S. Mrs. Lipscomb died March 24, 1859. She was an estimable lady, a 
 kind and loving wife and mother, and her loss was deeply felt. 
 
 EDWARD Mcpherson, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 17, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in Ken- 
 tucky, December 20, T809, and was reared and educated there. After leaving 
 school, he learned the blacksmith trade, following it and teaming until the fall 
 of 1835, when he came to Jackson County. Here he resumed teaming, and in 
 
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 983 
 
 1836 commenced farming, and is now the owner of 250 acres of fine land. Mr. 
 McPherson was married in Kentucky, August 30, 1835, to Miss Angeline Collins. 
 They have seven children Hving: Nicholas, Albert, Alexander, Ann, Sarah, 
 Edward and Allie. One, Josiah, is deceased. 
 
 JAMES MACDONALD, 
 
 Farmer, section 21, post-office Westport was born November 22, 1840, in Dub- 
 lin, Ireland and was brought to the United States by his parents, when about 
 five years of age. They first settled in the State of New York and moved from there to 
 Tennessee, where James was principally reared. He came to this county in the 
 fall of 1876, and owns a fine farm of 167 acres, part of which is under cultiva- 
 tion. He married Miss Sarah B. Cunningham, in June, 1873. She is a native of 
 Tennessee, and was born in December, 1854. They have a family of four chil- 
 dren: George W., Frederic B., Mary J., and Oscar S. 
 
 R. F. MASTIN, 
 
 Stock broker, section 36, post-office Belton, Cass County, was born in Tennessee, 
 December 28, 1837, and received his education at the Emery and Henry Colleges 
 in Virginia. In 1855 he became largely engaged in the stock business; followed 
 it until 1 86 1, when he enhsted in Company B, i6th Tennessee Battalion, as 
 captain, and served until the close of the War. Then came to this county, where 
 he is now in possession of 1030 acres of land, making it one of the finest stock farms 
 in the county; he has a fine residence. He was married in Georgia, May 20, 
 1869, to Miss Fredonia Field. They have one son, Herschel F., born November 
 
 5> 1870- 
 
 ELI C. MAXWELL, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 28, post-office Belton, was born in North Caro- 
 lina, April 17, 1827, and after having attended the common schools, he com- 
 menced farming and stock-dealing. In the fall of 1851, he came to this county, 
 and has resided here since, owning an excellent stock farm of 530 acres. He 
 has cattle to about the number of forty. During the War, he suffered much from 
 his property being destroyed; but, by hard, honest toil, he has accumulated a 
 comfortable competency. He was married in North Carolina, December 13, 
 1846, to Miss Mary Wyatt. She died in June, 1865, leaving four children, three 
 of whom are living. He was married again, January 7, 1868, in this county, to 
 Miss Martha Hackler. They have five children by this union. 
 
 CHARLES MILLER, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 12, post-office Hickman's Mills, was born in 
 Jefferson County, Kentucky, February 25, 1809, and there was reared and edu- 
 cated. In the fall of 1829, he went to Lawrence County, Indiana, and there 
 became engaged in the mercantile business, continuing for sixteen years. Then 
 commenced farming and stock-raising and in the fall of 1870 came to Jackson 
 County. He owns a farm of 450 acres, well improved and nicely located. He 
 was married in Lawrence County, Indiana, July 7, 1836, to Miss Elizabeth Simp- 
 son. They have two children living : Mary L. and Simpson ; one, Emily, is 
 deceased. 
 
 WILLIAM MORRIS, 
 
 Farmer, section 29, post-office Hickman's Mills, was born June 29, 1856, in 
 Buchanan County, Missouri, and was principally reared in the city of St. Joe. 
 He came to this county in 1874 andhas made this hishome ever since; hefarms 160 
 acres of land. He married Miss Nancy L. Noland in 1873. She was born June 
 29, 1859, and is a daughter of Amos Noland, one of the oldest settlers in the 
 county. They have two children : Cora M. and Amos. Mrs. Morris is a mem- 
 ber of the Missionary Baptist Church. 
 
984 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 J. T. NOLAND, 
 
 Farmer, section 31, post-office Hickman's Mills, was born November 27, 1848, 
 in Kentucky, and was brought to this county by his parents when quite young. 
 They settled below Independence, and Joseph spent his boyhood days on the 
 farm. During the late War he enhsted in the Confederate Army and served with 
 General Price ; at the close of the War he turned his attention to farming ; he 
 purchased the farm on which he now resides when eighteen years of age, but did 
 not occupy it until the spring of 1870; it consists of 120 acres of good land. 
 He married Miss M. E. Trueman, of this county, December 18, 1870. She was 
 born May, 1849. They have had three children, only one of whom is living, 
 Ruth T. They are active members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 WILLIAM A. POTEET, 
 
 Farmer, section 19, post-office Westport, was born August 2, 1853, in Jackson 
 County, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. During the War he moved with 
 his parents to Nebraska City and remained there four years. When twenty-one 
 years of age he commenced to farm on his own account and is now residing on 
 one of his father's farms and works 160 acres. He married Miss Mary Marty, 
 November 2, 1879. She is a native of Johnson County, Kansas, and was born 
 in August, 1859. They have one child, Ralph. They are members of the 
 Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
 
 S. C. RAGAN, 
 
 Farmer, section 30, post-office Hickman's Mills, was born March 27, 1823, in 
 Montgomery County, Kentucky, and accompanied his parents to this county in 
 1837, and made this his home until 1859. Then immigrated to Texas and en- 
 gaged in farming and stock-raising and returned to this county in 1866; he owns 
 228 acres of land, 165 acres of which are under cultivation. He was elected 
 county assessor in 1854, and has always taken a deep interest in educational mat- 
 ters, and made teaching his business until 1859; he filled the office of school 
 director nine years. In the fall of 1878 he was elected to the Thirtieth General As- 
 sembly from the Second Representative District of Jackson County, and heldthe posi- 
 tion of chairman of the Committee on Local Bills and of the Special Committee 
 on Emigration, and was the originator of the emigrant bill. He enlisted in the 
 Confederate Army during the late War and was commissioned captain ; afterward 
 promoted to major and served under Generals Bragg, Beauregard, J. E. Johnstone 
 and Hood, and operated with the Army of the Cumberland. He married Miss 
 Josephine Childs in 1852. She is a native of this county and was born May 19, 
 1837. They have had a family of eleven children, eight of whom are living: 
 Alexander, Greenberry, Stephen H., Romulus C, Annie F., Horace W., Caffee 
 R. and Ezra R. Himself, wife and two eldest sons are members of the Christian 
 Church. 
 
 F. M. RANDOLPH, 
 
 Farmer, section 19, post-office Westport, was born October 18, 1836. His father 
 came to this State when it was a Territory, and in 1837 he came to this county, 
 where the subject of our sketch was reared a farmer. He owns a fine farm of 
 240 acres, most of which is under cuhivation. Mr. Randolph has taken a 
 prominent part in the building up of this county, and has been an actor here 
 since it was a wilderness. He married Miss Katie May in 1867 ; she is a native 
 of Johnson County, Kansas, and was born in 1836. They have a family of six 
 children: Lester, John, Nellie, Otis, Lola, and an infant unnamed. 
 
 J. M. SCOTT, 
 
 Farmer, section 34, post-office Hickman's Mills, was born July 29, 1826, in 
 Albany, New York, and is of English origin. He was taken to Detroit, Michi- 
 
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 985 
 
 gan, when quite small, and from there to Ann Arbor, and there he was princi- 
 pally reared. He first learned the carpenter's trade, but meeting with an acci- 
 dent which disqualified him for this business he turned his attention to the pho- 
 tograph trade. He followed it there for sixteen years, then came West in the 
 spring of 1866 and settled on the piece of land he now occupies, consisting of 
 100 acres, sixty of which are under cultivation. He has filled the office of school 
 director for nine years. In 1863, he married Miss Louisa Collier, a native of 
 Ann Arbor, born December 8, 1834. They have had six children : George A., 
 Walter L., Charles, William, Adelia, and Henry A. Mr. Scott stands among 
 the leading citizens of the county, and by his pleasant and agreeable ways has 
 won the respect of a large circle of friends. 
 
 T. B. SHARP, 
 
 Farmer, section 8, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in Kentucky, November 
 9, 1806, and there was reared. After receiving his education he commenced 
 farming, and in the fall of 1851 came to this county. Here he has since lived, 
 owning eighty acres of fine land. He was married in Kentucky, May 
 22, 1834, to Miss D. Stewart. By this union they have had nine children, five 
 of whom are living: Elizabeth C, Jane B., Lucy B., Moses T., and Wm. F. 
 Four are deceased: Justine, Mary T., Sindarlia, and Sarah N. Mrs. Sharp 
 died August 3, 1870. 
 
 G. M. SHELTON, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 23 post-office Belton, is a native of Knox 
 County, Tennessee, and was born April 15, 1823. When fifteen years of age he 
 removed with his parents to Jackson County, Missouri, where he was reared. 
 He received a fair education, and soon commenced in his present occupation, 
 and now owns a fine farm of 726 acres. His marriage was in this county April 
 8, 1849, to Miss Annie T. Davidson. The result of this union was ten children, 
 seven of whom are living: John E., Walter A., Alvis G., Norval R., Joseph A., 
 Jane E., and James B. William S., Mary C, and Martha B., are deceased. 
 
 THOMAS F. SIMON, 
 
 Of the firm of Moore and Simon, dealers in general merchandise, Hickman's 
 Mills, was born December 20, 1840 in Kentucky, and was brought up there and 
 attended school. August 17, 186 r, he became engaged in the dry goods busi- 
 ness, and in the fall of 1863, he entered the Confederate service, and remained 
 until the close of the War. He then resumed his former business, and February22, 
 1866, came to this county. He was engaged in farming until April to, 1873, 
 when he took up his present occupation. In May, 1873, he was appointed post- 
 master and still holds the position. He was married in Shelby County, Kentucky, 
 February 22, 1866, to Mary F. Pointdexter. They have three children: Eulah 
 B., Maggie M. and Thomas F. 
 
 DR. A. B. SPRUILL, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, section 5, post-office New Santa Fe, was born June 11, 
 1824, in Pickens County, Alabama, and was reared and educated there. He 
 attended his first course of medical lectures at Augusta, Georgia, in 1843, and 
 then preached two years. He then returned and completed the course, graduat- 
 ed and received his diploma, and then commenced the practice of medicme m his 
 native State and in Tennessee. He came to this county in 1868, and located in 
 Kansas City, and remained there two years. Then moved to a farm and resided 
 thereuntil 1877, losing three of his children, one a very promising young lady. 
 His farm consists of 324 acres of fine land known as the old Childs Farm. He 
 contemplates returning to the city again. He has built up his own reputation as 
 
986 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 a physician by skill and energy, and to the most thorough qualifications as a phy- 
 sician he adds promptness in attention to calls. He married Miss Martha E. Bon- 
 ner in 1851. She was born in South Carolina, October 8, 1828, but was princi- 
 pally reared in Alabama. They have had a family of ten children, six of whom 
 are living : James B., Floyd D., George B., Mary B. and Sarah B. (twins), and 
 Emmet A. B. Mr. Spruill is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 
 
 F. STEVENSON, 
 
 Farmer, section 17, post-office New Santa Fe, was born in Louisiana, February 
 5, 1842, and was broughtupand educated there. In the spring of 1857 he wentto 
 Illinois, where he commenced farming and continued until 1861, when heenlist- 
 ed in Company E, 117th Ilhnois Infantry, and served until the close of the War. 
 Was then honorably discharged, returned home, and in 1866 removed to Kan- 
 sas remaining until 1869, when he came to this county. He now owns a fine 
 farm of 160 acres well improved. Has a residence surrounded by young timber. 
 He was married in this county, October, 17, 1868, to Miss Fannie Vivion. They 
 have three children: Ida M., George H. and James A. 
 
 A. S. TRUMAN, 
 
 Farmer, section 26, post-ofifice Hickman's Mills, was born February 27, 1816, in 
 Shelby County, Kentucky, and was reared there on a farm. He came to Jackson 
 County in the fall of 1846, and resided here until 1853, when he moved to 
 Platte County, Missouri, and resided there until 1866; then returned to this 
 county and settled on the place he now occupies, consisting of 200 acres, too of 
 which are under cultivation. He has filled the office of school director four 
 years. He married Miss Mary A. Holmes in 1846; she was a native of the 
 same place as himself, and was born March 15, 1821. She died February 5, 
 1879, Jeaving a family of five children: William T., Margaret E., now Mrs. 
 Nolan; John A., Emma R., now Mrs. Colgen, and Mary M. Mr. Truman is 
 a member of the Baptist Church. John A. Truman resides with his father and 
 manages the farm; he is an industrious and energetic young man, and one that 
 bids fair to make a success in life. The youngest daughter keeps house for her 
 father and brother. 
 
 DR. JOHN E. WATSON, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, section 18, post-office New Santa Fe, was born Novem- 
 ber 26, 1834, in Pennsylvania, where he was reared and educated. After 
 leaving school he commenced teaching, and followed it until May, 1866, when 
 he came to Jackson County, locating at Kansas City. He there entered upon 
 the study of medicine with Dr. Forest, and in 1869 attended the College of 
 Physicians and Surgeons of Kansas City, graduating in March, 187 1. Then 
 commenced practicing at New Santa Fe, where he is at present in business. He 
 Tias built up a good practice by hard labor and energy. Dr. Watson was married 
 in Pennsylvania, December i, 1859, to Miss Abigal Benscooter. They have one 
 child, Nellie F. , living, and one deceased, Minnie F. His second marriage was 
 November i, 1871, to Miss Lou S. Lipscomb. They have two children living: 
 Frank L. and Lou A. One is deceased, Henrietta. 
 
 WILEY WYATT, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 22, post-office Belton, is a native of North Car- 
 olina, born October 12, 1836, and when about thirteen years of age he came 
 to Jackson County. He was here principally reared, and after finishing his edu- 
 cation commenced farming as a renter, and in i860 bought eighty acres of land. 
 In 1861 he enlisted in the army and served three years, and then returned to his 
 home. He is now in possession of a farm of 353 acres, and also deals extensive- 
 
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 987 
 
 ly in stock. Mr. Wyatt was married in Jackson County, December 24, i860, 
 to Miss Sarah Maxwell. They have eight children: Mary S., William J., Liz- 
 zie, Robert E., Annie, Lorena, Ada and Lettie. 
 
 SOLOMON YOUNG, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 11, post-office Hickman's Mills, was born in 
 Kentucky, April 24, 1815, and was brought up on a farm. After leaving school 
 he followed farming and stock-dealing until the spring of 1841, when he came to 
 this county. In the spring of 1854 he started to California with 1,500 head of 
 cattle, arriving in June, 1855, having lost five hundred on the way. He was 
 engaged in stock-raising there until 1857, when he returned to this county, and 
 has since been in business. He owns 2,000 acres of unimproved land. He was 
 married in Kentucky, January 11, 1838, to Miss Harriet L. Gregg. They 
 have seven children: Susan M., William A., Sarah A., Harrison, Laura, Martha 
 and Ada. 
 
983 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 BROOKING^ TO^VnSTSHIP. 
 
 CAPTAIN HENRY C. BROOKING, 
 
 Section 32, post-office Raytown, was born in Scott County, Kentucky, April 24, 
 1832, and was about six years of age when he came with his father to Missouri. 
 In May 1849, he started to California, and was five years on the Pacific Coast. 
 For three years was mining gold, principally in the Sierra Nevada Mountain 
 Region, but traversing, at different times all the gold fields of California. During 
 the last year of his stay, he was engaged in the mercantile business. He reached 
 Jackson County, on his return, on the sth day of June, 1854, and here remained 
 till the beginning of the War. Then he enlisted in the Confederate Army, and 
 was first in Colonel Martin's Regiment of Cavalry, General Payne's Brigade, Mis- 
 souri State Guards, and on going into the regular Confederate service, became a 
 member of the i6th Missouri Infantry, General Parson's Brigade, Price's Army. 
 He served during the entire War, in the trans-Mississippi department, and took 
 part in nearly every battle of importance fought west of the Mississippi. He was 
 elected first lieutenant of Company A, i6th Missouri Infantry, and at the time of 
 the organization of the company, December, 1862, was promoted to captain; held 
 that rank till the end of the War. He was severely wounded at Prairie Grove, 
 Arkansas, in December, 1862, and for four months lay in the hospital. After the 
 surrender, he remained in Texas and Louisiana till the fall of 1866, and then re- 
 turned to Jackson County. He was married June 30, 1868, to Miss Vyra Laws. 
 She is a daughter of Alfred Laws, and was born in Jackson County, Missouri, 
 August 19, 1843. Her father was a blacksmith by trade, and in 1848, moved to 
 Kansas, where he was employed by the Government as blacksmith for the Indian 
 Agency, the Sacs and Foxes, being in this employ nine years ; then he returned 
 to Jackson County. Mrs. Brooking was partly educated at the Indian Agency; 
 after their return to Jackson County, she entered the Female Institute, at Inde- 
 pendence, where she completed her education, after which time she taught school 
 till married. 
 
 GEORGE W. CASSELL, 
 
 Farmer, section 4, post-office Raytown, was born May 24, 1838, in Jessamine 
 County, Kentucky, and accompanied his parents to this county in 1848, and has 
 made this his home since. The years 1856-7 he spent on the plains. During 
 the late War he took part on the southern side, and served with General Price. 
 In 1863, he again went to teaming on the plains, and remained in this business 
 until 1866. His health failing, he was obliged to give it up, and then turned his 
 attention to farming, and moved on his present farm which consists of sixty-five 
 acres of fine land. He has filled the office of school director two years and 
 constable four years. He married Miss Susan A. Rhodes, March 24, 1857. 
 She was born August 12, 1838, in this county. They have had nine children : 
 Katie, Theodore, Walter, Henry, Charlie, Dolly, Leshe, Oma and Dora. Him- 
 self and wife and eldest child are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 WILLIAM H. COLLINGS, 
 
 Farmer, section 31, post-office Raytown, is a native of England, and was born near 
 Bristol, May 11, 182 1. He spent his boyhood days on his father's farm, and 
 was educated in the Academy at Bristol. While in his native country he was for six 
 years employed in teaching school. In the spring of 1852 he came to America, 
 
BROOKING TOWNSHIP. 989 
 
 landing at Boston, and located in Dyersville, Dubuque County, Iowa, where he 
 taught school for a short time. After this he engaged in farming, and in 
 1856 he moved by the way of Sioux City, Iowa, to DeKalb County, Nebraska. 
 There he was engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also had an interest in a 
 freight train, which they used in filling Government contracts, running from 
 Omaha to points west. In 1867 he moved to Jackson County, Missouri, where 
 he now resides. His landed estate consists of 160 acres, on which is an orchard 
 containing over twenty acres. Mr. Collings is considered one of the most suc- 
 cessful fruit-growers in his township. Since he located in Jackson County has 
 been employed as teacher of the district school for seven terms. Was married to 
 Miss Ann Yeates September 30, 1845. She is a native of the same place as him- 
 self, and was born February 22, 1824. They have had eight children, six of 
 whom are living: William H., Edward H,, Charley B., Albert Y., Frank and 
 Alfred J. 
 
 JOHN COX, 
 
 Farmer, section 5, post-office Raytown, was born March 21, 1825, in Scott 
 County, Virginia, and was brought to this county by his parents in the fall of 
 1834. They settled on the place he now occupies in the spring of 1835, and he 
 has grown up with the country and taken an active part in the up-building of it. 
 He owns a fine farm of 244 acres, all of which is under fence. He met with a 
 severe loss in the winter of 1879, by having his house and household goods 
 burned. He married Miss Charlotte Price February 12, 1856. She is a native 
 of Lawrence County, Kentucky, and was born January 18, 1836. They have 
 seven children living: Moses, John E. E., Henry J., General Longstreet, Sarah 
 J., Benjamin and Sidney C; they lost three. They are members of the Baptist 
 Church. 
 
 L. M. DEHONEY, 
 
 Farmer, section 4, post-office Raytown, was born October 28, 1826, in Scott 
 County, Kentucky, and spent his boyhood days on a farm and worked some at 
 the carpenter's trade. He came to this county in 1847, and settled in the same 
 neighborhood in which he now resides, and engaged in farming. He moved to 
 the place he now occupies in 1856, and owns 536 acres, most of which is under 
 cultivation. He was elected county assessor November, 1874, and served two 
 terms with credit to himself and friends; he has also filled the office of justice of 
 the peace twelve years. He married Miss Sarah Chism in October, 1854. She 
 is a native of Morgan County, Missouri, and was born February 16, 1835. They 
 have had ten children, seven of whom are living : Howard C, Lina, Robert, 
 Leander, Carrie, Cora and Buford. Himself, wife and three of the children are 
 members of the Baptist Church, in which he has held the office of clerk for 
 twenty years. 
 
 J. N. GILLHAM, 
 
 Farmer, section 17, post office Raytown, was born on the 4th of October, 1838, 
 in Scott County, Illinois, and remained on the farm until sixteen years of age ; 
 then commenced the mercantile business and continued it until the War broke 
 out in 1 86 1. He enlisted in Company B, loth Illinois Infantry and served three 
 months, and re-enlisted in Company D, loist Illinois Infantry, and served until 
 the 29th of August, 1864, when he was discharged on account of disability. He 
 took part in the battles of Missionary Ridge, Siege of Vicksburg and many 
 others. He was made first lieutenant at the second enlistment, and was 
 promoted to captain. At the close of the War he settled in Sangamon County, 
 Illinois, and engaged in farming, and moved from there to Clinton County, Mis- 
 souri, in 1869, and to this county in 1876. He owns 210 acres of land, 160 of 
 which are under cultivation. November 15, 1864, he married Miss Jane Epler, 
 a native of Sangamon County, Illinois, born December 12, 1837. They have 
 
990 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 had eight children, seven of whom are living: Charles H., Stella, Jacob E., 
 Newton C, James L., Walter E. and Jennie. They are members of the Metho- 
 dist Episcopal Church. 
 
 T. W. GREENE, 
 
 Farmer, section 9, post-office Raytown. His parents were natives of Montgom- 
 ery County, Kentucky, and moved to this county about 1839. Thaddeus was 
 born May 13, 1842, near Kansas City, and has made this county his home all his 
 life, being engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock-raising. In 1862 he took 
 a trip across the plains to Mexico and remained there one season, and in 1865 
 went to Colorado. He moved to the place where he now resides in the spring 
 of 1866. He owns 400 acres of land and gives his attention principally to stock- 
 raising. Being an early settler he has taken an active part in the building up of 
 the county; he has filled the office of justice of the peace four years, and township 
 clerk some six years. In 1863 he married Miss L. A. Campbell, a native of this 
 county, born December 29, 1845. They have had nine children: Ida, Vyra, 
 Luther, Fannie, Wallace, Mary, Nanny, Joseph and Mattie. Himself, wife and 
 two eldest daughters are members of the Baptist Church 
 
 H. P. HULL, 
 
 Ticket agent, telegraph operator, postmaster, merchant, justice of the peace, etc., 
 at Little Blue, was born July 18, 1845, ^^ Oxford, New York, and was reared and 
 educated there. When eighteen years of age he commenced to learn telegraphy 
 in his native town, and in 1863 went to St. Louis, and entered the mihtary tele- 
 graphic department, remaining there until the close of the War. He then engaged 
 with the New York & Erie Railroad for six months; then came to Warrensburgh, 
 Missouri, and entered the employ of the Missouri Pacific. From there he went 
 to Knobnoster and became agent, operator, mayor of the city and justice of the 
 peace. He came to Little Blue in 1878, and has filled all the important offices 
 in the town which are few. His store is neat and handily arranged, and con- 
 tains a choice stock of goods, and he receives a large patronage from the city. 
 He ma.rried Miss M. C. Rauch, a native of Dayton, Ohio, who was born in 1847. 
 They have had four children, three of whom are living: Leva, Charlie and Maud. 
 Mrs. Hull is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 J. R. HUTCHISON, 
 
 Dealer in general merchandise, saddlery and findings, Raytown, was born June, 
 18, 1837, in Boone County, Kentucky, and was principally reared in Lafayette 
 County. When thirteen years of age he commenced to learn the harness and 
 saddlery trade at Lexington, Kentucky, and remained there fifteen years. Then 
 traveled around over the South considerably, and came West in 1868, settling in 
 Ray County, Missouri, and remained there six years. He moved to Oak Grove, 
 Jackson County, in 1874, and from there to Aubrey, Kansas, in 1878, and came 
 to Raytown in the fall of 1879. He has a good stock of goods, and is receivisg 
 a fair patronage from the people. He held the position of postmaster here for 
 seven months. He married Miss Jennie Marlin in 1866. She is a native of 
 southern Kentucky, and was born in 1848. By this union they have three chil- 
 dren living; Parker, John and Katie; lost one. They are members of the 
 Christian Church. 
 
 M. L. KRITZER, 
 
 Farmer, section 17, post-office Raytown, was born March 8, 1806, in Brooke 
 County, Virginia, and spent his boyhood days on the farm, also learned the cab- 
 inet trade. He immigrated to Greene County, Kentucky in 1824, and resided 
 there until 1827, when he immigrated to Cincinnati, Ohio, remaining there for 
 eight months engaged at his trade. He returned to Kentucky and settled in 
 
BROOKING TOWNSHIP. 
 
 991 
 
 Mason County, and in the spring of 1838 came to Jackson County and settled in 
 Independence, and engaged in the mercantile business. Followed it seventeen 
 years, and then moved to the farm he now occupies which consists of 240 acres, 
 eighty of which are timber. He has filled the office of school director one term, 
 and has taken a deep interest in educational matters. He married Miss Mary 
 Wilson August 19, 1832. She was anative of England, born 1809. She died Feb- 
 ruary 6, 1870, and left a family of ten children: Anna, now Mrs. Thurston; 
 George, Peter, Lydia, Morris, John, Henry, Laura, Kate and Millard. Being a 
 pioneer in this county, he has taken an active part in the building up of the 
 county, and stands among the leading citizens. 
 
 A. B. MADDOX, 
 
 Farmer, section 8, post-office Raytown, was born May 26, 1823, in Greene Coun- 
 ty, Tennessee, and was reared there as a farmer. He immigrated west in the 
 spring of 1848, and settled in Dallas County, Missouri, and engaged in farming, 
 and remained there until 1874, when he moved to Kansas, and resided there 
 four years. He came to Jackson County in the fall of 1878, and settled on the 
 place he now occupies ; owns a fine farm of 400 acres, 240 of which are under 
 cultivation. In 1842 he married Miss Caroline Brown, a native of North Caro- 
 lina, who was born April 8, 1827. They have been blessed with a family of six- 
 teen children, twelve of whom are living: James K. P., Nathaniel, Martha J. 
 (now Mrs. A. S. Stanley), Rebecca A. (now Mrs. G. W, O. Bannon), Mary M., 
 Sabra A. (now Mrs G. W. Sapp), William J, Lizzie (now Mrs. C. Darst), Emma 
 C. (now Mrs. S Rice), Benton, Robert G., and Edward H. Himself and wife 
 are mernbers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. Mr. Maddox is an indus- 
 trious farmer, and one of the best citizens of the county. 
 
 Dr. W. W. NOLAND, 
 
 Farmer, section 36, post-office Independence, is a native of Kentucky, and was 
 , born in Estill County, February i, 1807. He was reared on a farm, and received 
 the advantages of a common school education. In the spring of 1825 he came 
 to Missouri with his parents, arriving in Clay County in June of the same year, 
 where they remained till the following October. They then located in Jackson 
 County, where he has since resided, except eighteen months during the War, 
 which he spent in Sheridan, acting as surgeon for ten months, his father haying 
 been a botanic physician. He received the same instruction and has practiced 
 this profession, in connection with farming, most of his life, except the past few years 
 during which his failing health would not permit. He began in very limited circum- 
 stances and now owns 560 acres of land, comfortably improved, and has resided 
 on his home farm since December, 1833. He was married within less than one mile 
 of this place, to Miss Mary A. Bradin, of Madison County, Kentucky, who was 
 born March 7, 1833. They have had seven children, three of whom are living : 
 George W., Christopher C, and Elizabeth. Dr. Noland was one of the volun- 
 teers of 1837, who were called to subdue the Osage Indians. 
 
 E. C. RICE, 
 
 Farmer, section 5, post-office Raytown, was born May 24, 1824, in Caswell 
 County, North Carolina, and was taken to Monroe County, Missouri, by his 
 parents in 1826. He came from there to this county in 1833, settling below 
 Independence, where he resided for four years, and then moved to the place he 
 now occupies, in 1837; He was reared as a farmer, and at twenty-five years of 
 age commenced business for himself; he owns 480 acres of land, all of which is 
 under fence. He has filled the office of school director several terms. He is one 
 of the oldest pioneers in the county and one of its best citizens. He married Miss 
 C. S. White in November, 1850; she is a native of Greene County, Kentucky, 
 
992 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 and was born August ii, 1832. They have been blessed with a family of five 
 children, four of whom are living: S. W., Quinhter, W. C, and Annie E. They 
 are members of the Southern Methodist Episcopal Church. The children are all 
 married. S. W. and W. C. are farming parts of their father's farm. S. W. was 
 born September 5, 1851, and married Emma C. Mattox, in 1879; she was born 
 April 22, i860. They have one child, Eddie. W. C. was born February 13, 
 1855, and married Miss Lulu Hedges, September 7, 1876; they have one child, 
 E. C. 
 
 THEOPHILUS SECHRIST, 
 
 Farmer, section 13, post-office Raytown, was born July 19, 1830, in Grant 
 County, Kentucky, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He learned the 
 blacksmith trade in his younger days, and came West in 1856, and settled in this 
 county and has remained here since. He owns a fine farm of 200 acres, most of 
 which is under cultivation. Has filled the office of road supervisor, and is one of 
 the honest, energetic farmers of this township. He married Miss Nancy A. 
 Forsythe, July 17, 1856; she is a native of Kentucky, and was born April 29, 1835. 
 By this union they have seven children living: John J., Wayne T., Albert, 
 Luther, Elizabeth, Isabel, and LesUe; lost three. They are members of the 
 Christian Church. 
 
 E. F. SLAUGHTER, 
 
 Farmer, section 19, post-office Hickman's Mills, was born February 16, 1825, in 
 east Tennessee, and was principally reared in Kentucky as a farmer. He has also 
 taught several terms of school during life. He arrived in the county Novem- 
 ber 7, 1852, and spent the first winter in Independence. In the spring of 1853 
 he moved to this neighborhood, and has remained here since, except three years 
 during the War, when he moved to Cass County. He owns a fine farm of 140 
 acres, comfortable buildings, etc. He has held the office of school director and 
 clerk of the school board for several years, and by his honesty and integrity of 
 principles he has won the respect of a large circle of friends. He married Miss 
 Amanda M. Davenport, March 24, 1853 ; she is a native of Kentucky, and was 
 born April 10, 183 1. They have six children living: Orlando V., William F. , 
 Stephen D., George F., Ida F., and Ernest E. They are members of the 
 Christian Church. 
 
 H. W. STORMS, 
 
 Farmer, section 15, post-office Independence, was born April 3, 1830, in Lancas- 
 ter County, Pennsylvania, and learned the cutler's trade in his youth. During 
 the late War, he enlisted in Company A, 3rd Artillery, 152nd Pennsylvania Volun- 
 teers, and served nearly three years, mostly aboard the gun-boats, and was at the 
 action before Petersburg, and also at Malvern Hill. At the close of the War, 
 he engaged in farming in his native county, and came West in the spring of 
 1867, and settled on the place he now occupies; owns a fine farm of sixty acres, 
 part of which is under cultivation. He married Mrs. Loviza Price, in 1872. 
 She is a native of Kentucky, and was born in September, 1848. They have 
 been blest with a family of four children : Lucy M., Cordelia J., David M., and 
 Mattie E. They are members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 JEFFERSON W. WILLIAMS, 
 
 Farmer, section 34, post-office Raytown, was born in Clay County, Missouri, 
 January 13, 1850. When five years of age, he, with his parents, moved to Cass 
 County, Missouri, where he remained till 1865, when he moved to Jackson 
 County, Missouri. He now owns 135 acres of land. Was married January 10, 
 1877, to Miss Nettie Brown. She is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born 
 
BROOKING TOWNSHIP. 993 
 
 January 26, i860. Three children were the fruit of this union: Wilber H., 
 Mary OUie and AUie Ola, the latter two being twins. 
 
 A. M. WOODSON, 
 
 Farmer, section 4, post office Raytown, was born February 28, 1847 ™ Clinton 
 County, Kentucky, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He immigrated to 
 Lincoln County, the same State, in 1865, and came from there to this county in 
 1869. Owns a fine farm of forty nine acres, and has a comfortable house. He 
 holds the office of justice of the peace, and in his manners he is much of a gen- 
 tleman. He married Miss Lizzie M. Rhodes in 1872. She is a native of this 
 county, and was born June 16, 1849. They have had four children, two of 
 whom are living : Mary S. and Maggie M. 
 
994 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 AVESTPOtiT TO^V]S^SHI^'. 
 
 WILLIAM ADAMS, 
 
 Farmer, section 2, post-office Westport, was born May 27, i8oi, in Brooke 
 County, Virginia, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He settled in this 
 county in the fall of 1856, and has remained here since, except five years during 
 the War, when he moved to Kansas. Being an early settler here he has taken 
 an active part in the building up of the courity, and is one of its best citizens ; 
 he owns a fine farm of 160 acres, most of which is under cultivation. He mar- 
 ried Miss Rachel Creal in 182 8; she died in 1866, leaving a family of six chiU 
 dren : James, Joseph, Isabel, Rebecca, William, and Franklin T. His daughter 
 Isabel keeps house for her father and brother. Mr. Adams is now in his eightir 
 eth year, but is still bright and intelligent ; he has seen exciting times in the 
 early history of the county, and a full account of his life would fill a volume. 
 
 N. W. ASBURY, 
 
 Farmer, section 7, post-office Westport, was born February 10, 1814, in Mason 
 County, Kentucky, and learned the carpenter's trade in his youth. He accom- 
 panied his parents to Pike County, Missouri, in 1829. They remained there 
 one season and immigrated to Boone County, and returned to Kentucky in 1832. 
 In 1839 he immigrated to Platte County, Missouri, andresided there until 1866; 
 then came to this county, and has lived here since. He owns a fine farm of 
 eighty acres, most of which is under cultivation. Since he has been here he has 
 taken an active part in the building up of the county, and has won the respect of 
 a large circle of friends. He married Miss Susan R. Beam, an estimable lady, 
 and a native of Bath County, Kentucky, born October i, 1813. The marriage 
 occurred July i, 1846. They have had a family of four children, three of whom 
 are living: William F. , Luther L., and George G. They are members of the 
 Christian Church. Luther L. was born June 27, 1851, and resides on a farm 
 near his father. He married Miss Katherine A. Landy January 13, 1880; she 
 was born January 3, 1862, in Illinois. This young couple have just commenced 
 to climb the road to fortune and fame, and we hope they will succeed. 
 
 A. J. BAKER, 
 
 Farmer, section 7, post-office Westport, was born October i, 1836, in Saratoga, 
 New York, and remained until seventeen years of age, receiving his education 
 there. He then immigrated to Indiana with his parents, and commenced rail- 
 roading, which he continued until 1875 ; he commenced as a fireman and became 
 an engineer, and remained at the throttle seven years ; then became conductor 
 and held that position ten years. He moved to St. Louis in 1869, residing there 
 until July, 1877, when he came here and engaged in agricultural pursuits. He 
 owns a fine farm of 207 acres, well improved, and has a handsome residence. 
 November 20, i860, he married Miss Eliza Durham, a native of Jackson County, 
 Indiana; she was born August it, 1840. They have had a family of five chil- 
 dren : Jessie, Edwin B., Arthur D., Bertha, and A. J. 
 
 A. D. BEEDLE, 
 
 Section 20, post-office Kansas City, was born in Illinois, January 27, 1842, and 
 there was reared and attended school. After this he commenced farming, which 
 he continued until August, 1862, when he enlisted in Company D, 97th Illinois 
 
WESTPORT TOWNSHIP. 995 
 
 Infantry, and served until the close of the War ; was then honorably discharged. 
 He participated in the campaign of the Mississippi, and was then with the depart- 
 ment of tlie Gulf, under General Canby. After his discharge he returned to 
 Illinois, remaining until 1869. when he came to this county. Now owns over 
 fifteen acres of land, devoted to the raising of fruit. In 1867 Mr. Beedle united 
 with the Baptist denomination, and is now clerk of the Westport church, and 
 superintendent of the Sunday school. He was married in Illinois, January 31, 
 1866, to Miss Addle H. Leraen. They have four children ; Katie, Lena, Gor- 
 don and Claude. 
 
 G. W. BRANNOCK, 
 
 Stock dealer, Westport, was born in Harrison County, Kentucky, April 3, 183 1, 
 and there was reared. After receiving his education he commenced railroading, 
 and thus continued until the spring of 1855, when he came to Cass County, Mis- 
 souri. There he was engaged in farming until 186 1, when he enlisted in Com- 
 pany B, under Captain Lowe, and served until 1862. He afterward went to Illi- 
 nois, resumed farming, but in the fall of 1866, returned to Cass County. In 
 March, 1876, he came to this county, and has since lived in Westport, dealing 
 largely in stock. Mr. Brannock was married in Cass County, February 3, 1863, 
 to Miss Mary E. Burnes. They have three children : William R., Annie B., and 
 Nettie D. 
 
 JOHN CECINGER, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 28, post-office Kansas City, is a native of Ger- 
 many, and was born November i, 1816; was there reared and educated, after 
 which he learned the cabinet-making trade, and in 1848 he came to America, 
 landing in New Orleans, from there he went to St. Louis, where he worked at 
 his trade, and ^oon after came to this county, locating at Westport. There was 
 employed at his trade for two years, and then moved to Kansas City. Resumed 
 his former occupation until 1852. From that time until 1879, he was engaged in 
 the dairy business, and then commenced at his present vocation. He owns a 
 farm of 225 acres, well improved. His marriage was in this county, in August, 
 185 1, to Miss Nancy Hendricks. They had by this union seven children, five of 
 whom are living. His second marriage was in May, 1879, to Miss Josephine 
 Reake. 
 
 W. H. DAVIS, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 32, post-office Westport, was born in Washing- 
 ton County, Missouri, in August, 1837, and when aboutten years of age, removed 
 with his parents to Lafayette County. In 185 i he took up his residence in this 
 county, and is now the possessor of 200 acres of fine, improved land. His brick 
 residence is situated two miles southeast of Westport, and his land is well adapted 
 to the raising of stock. He is much esteemed in his neighborhood. 
 
 GRIFFITH DODSON, 
 
 Farmer, section 15, post-office Westport, was born May 15, 1839, in Cambria 
 County, Pennsylvania, and was reared there as a farmer. He immigrated to this 
 county in 1865, and settled on the land he now occupies, and he has been identi- 
 fied with the interests of the county since. He owns a fine farm of eighty acres, 
 most of which is under cultivation. He has been twice married ; first, to Har- 
 riet Bernett, on the 9th of January, 1867. She was a native of this county, and 
 died on the 9th of June, 1877, and left a family of three children : Benjamin, 
 Rufus and Rosa. He was married agiin, to Miss Isabella Rule, on the 23rd of 
 July, 1879. She is a native of Colorado, and was born in i85i. By this union 
 they have one child, David. 
 
996 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 JOHN ENDRES, 
 
 Groceries and provisions, Westport, was born in New Orleans, June 13, 1843, 
 and when two years of age, his parents came to Jackson County, Missouri, locat- 
 ing in Westport, where John was partly educated. In 1858 he went to Rhor's 
 Commercial College of St. Louis, and graduated in i860; then returned to 
 Westport, and at the commencement of the War became engaged in the sutler 
 business, following the same until the spring of 1863. Thenenhsted in Company 
 I, 6th Kansas Cavalry, and served until ihe close of the War, and was mustered 
 out at Duval Bluff, Arkansas. September 16, 1865, he commenced the grocery 
 and provision business, and has continued it since. He was married in Westport, 
 April 15, 1867, to Miss Frances Booth. 
 
 FREDERICK ESSLINGER, 
 
 Wine-grower, section 19, post-office Westport, is a native of Wurttemberg, Ger- 
 many, born April 13, 1818, and there he was educated. After leaving school 
 he learned the organ-manufacturing trade, and continued it until 1850, when he 
 emigrated to America, landing in New York. From there he went to St. Louis, 
 where he continued his trade until 1851, when he came 10 Jackson County, Mis- 
 souri, locating in Kansas City. There he opened a watch-making and repairing shop, 
 continuing until September 1851, when he moved to Westport. There he continued 
 the same business until 1861, when he returned to Kansas City and stayed until 
 1866. He again moved where he now resides, owning one of the finest wine 
 growing places in the township. He was married in Jackson County, Missouri, in 
 February, 1853, to Miss C. Mettney, who died in May, 1855, leaving one child, 
 MoUie. He was married the second time in Cincinnati, in August, 1856, to Louisa 
 Huk. They had five children, four of whom are now living : Louise, William F. , 
 Gustave A. and Ernest E. ; one died, Albert. This wife died in August, 1868. 
 He married his present wife, MaryThers, in November, 1871. 
 
 THOMAS FERGUSON, 
 
 Stock raiser and breeder, section 3, post-office Westport, was born May 31, 1843, 
 in County Down, Ireland, and was reared and educated in his native county. 
 He commenced the mercantile business in i860 and continued therein until he 
 came to the United States in 1870. First settled in Pennsylvania and came from 
 there to this county in 1873 ^"d has made this his home since. He has been 
 engaged in raising short-horn thoroughbreds, and keeps on an average thirty head 
 of as good stock as can be found in the county. He has made' the business a study 
 and understands it thoroughly. In his manners he is much of a gentleman, and 
 has won the respect of a large circle of friends, and stands among the leading 
 citizens of the township. He is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 
 
 W. A. GOSNELL, 
 
 Fruitgrower and stock dealer, section 22, post-office Kansas City. The subject 
 of this sketch was born in Rush County, Indiana, March 4, 1840, and was there 
 reared, receiving his early education from the Highland Academy. He entered 
 Bacon's Mercantile College in the summer of i860, graduating the same year. Then 
 returned to his place of birth and was employed at book keeping until 1861, when 
 he became engaged in trading stock. February 25, 1863, he went to Boone 
 County, Kentucky, and took charge of his father-in-law's plantation, remaining 
 for two years when he returned to near Richland, Indiana. He superintended 
 his father's place for two years, then sold his place and commenced the drug 
 business at Rushville. This he disposed of to his partner in the spring of 1868 
 and came to this county where he is in possession of 100 acres of fine fruit-growing 
 land; also a large number of thoroughbred Cotswold sheep. Mr. Gosnell was 
 married in Kentucky, February 25, 1863, to Miss A. E. Corbin. They have five 
 
WESTPORT TOWNSHIP. 997 
 
 children living: James C, Dora D., Nannie M., Lizzie M. and Mary L; one, 
 Annie M., is deceased. 
 
 B. F. HAMILTON, 
 
 Dealer in groceries and provisions, Westport, was born in Jackson County, Mis- 
 souri, where he was reared and educated. Then commenced clerking, continu- 
 ing for three years, when he went into the general merchandise business with D. 
 Meriwether, the firm being Meriwether & Hamilton. He remained a member 
 of this firm about eighteen months, and in 1878 went to Colorado, where he 
 became extensively engaged in sheep-raising. Also followed the livery business 
 until September, 1880, when he returned to Westport. He was married in West- 
 port, September 16, 1880, to Miss Laura Elmore. They have one child, Jessie. 
 
 CHRIST HELLMANN, 
 
 Farmer, section 21, post-office Kansas City, was born in Germany, October 20, 
 1829, and was there reared and educated. After leaving school he enlisted in the 
 German Army and served for eighteen months. He soon commenced farming 
 and in the fall of 1851 he emigrated to the United States, landing in New York. 
 From there he went to St. Louis and thence to Illinois, where he followed farm- 
 ing. In the spring of 1859 he came to this county and has since made this his 
 home, owning a fine farm of fifty acres of well improved land; also has a fine 
 brick residence. He was married in this county in March, 1862, to Miss Barbara 
 Haman. They have four children, two sons and two daughters. 
 
 B. F. HOLLOWAY, 
 
 Dairyman, section 16, post-office Kansas City, was born in Jackson County, 
 Missouri, January 22, 1841, and was here reared and educated. After leaving 
 school, he commenced farming, and continued it until 1876, when he became 
 engaged in his present business. He has a fine dairy, situated one and a half 
 miles from the city, and is doing a good business. He was married in Cass 
 County, August 10, 187 1, to Miss Emma Lee, a native of Kentucky. They 
 have two children : Nellie May and Mary T. Mr. HoUoway owns twenty acres 
 of land. 
 
 Dr. D. W. hunter. 
 
 Physician and surgeon, Westport, is a native of Jackson County, Missouri, and 
 was born October 22, 1832. Here he was educated, and in 1850 he went to 
 Lebanon University, and graduated in his profession in 1853. Then returned to 
 Jackson County, locating in Westport, where he followed his profession until the 
 fall of 1854, when he went to Tecumseh, Kansas, on account of poor health. 
 Remaining until 1858, he came to Kansas City, where he continued his practice* 
 until 1 86 1, when he joined the 6th Missouri Infantry, as surgeon, serving in 
 that capacity until the close of the War. Then returned to Kansas City, contin- 
 uing his practice until 1873, when he returned to Westport, where he is doing a 
 large and flourishing practice. The doctor is well known m every township, and 
 the respect shown him is as wide as his acquaintance. He is kind to the poor, 
 and has ridden hundreds of miles to administer to their necessities, without the 
 expectation of pecuniary compensation. He was married in Montgomery, 
 Alabama, December 3, 1863, to Miss Annie L. Elmore. They have two chil- 
 dren : Warren and Mabel Ward. 
 
 HIRAM LEE, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 21, post-office Westport, was born in Kentucky, 
 December 4 1824, where he was reared and educated. Then commenced farm- 
 ing, and continued the same until March, 1857, and in the fall of 1859 went to 
 Kansas where he remained until 1864. He soon came to Jackson County, 
 
998 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Missouri, where he has a fine farm. He was married in Kentucky, September 
 7, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Logan. They had eight children, of whom there are 
 six living : Amanda, Casander, Lucy, Elizabeth, Edgar, and General R. E. Two 
 are deceased; William and an infant. 
 
 R. J. LEWIS, 
 
 Fruit-grower, section 19, post-office Westport, is a native of Raclenshire, Wales, 
 born August 24, 1831, and when about two years of age his parents came to 
 America, and located in Michigan, where he was educated. He then com- 
 menced reading law, and in 1857 was admitted to the bar, and practiced 
 until 1858, when he went to southwest Missouri, and there followed his profession 
 until May, i86i; thence to Fort Scott. August 24, 1861, he enhsted in Company 
 C, 6th Kansas Volunteer Cavalry, as first lieutenant, and served until December, 
 1864, when he was honorably discharged. He then went to Fort Leavenworth, 
 where he continued his practice. In June, 1863, he was appointed judge-advocate 
 of the District of the Border, and held that office until the spring of 1864, when 
 he was assigned to Major-General Curtis, at Fort Leavenworth, in same capacity. 
 Remained there until he was mustered out, in December, 1864. In the spring 
 of 1865, he came to Kansas City, where he continued the practice of law, his 
 family living at Westport. He has on his place one of the finest sandstone quar- 
 ries in the State. By going to the summit of what is now called Eagle's 
 Bluff, one has a view of five counties. Mr. Lewis married in Ypsilanti, Michi- 
 gan, December 24, i860, to Miss Mary E. Allison. They have five children : 
 Jennie M., Ettie R., Rus. J., Albert A., and Mary B. 
 
 D. MERIWETHER, 
 
 Dealer in general merchandise, Westport, is a native of Georgia. Was born 
 February 24, 1842, and was there reared and educated. He enlisted in the 
 Army and served three years when he returned to his place of birth. There he 
 followed farming until February, 1868, when he came to Jackson County, Mis- 
 souri, where he continued farming until the fall of 1877 when he located in West- 
 port. Here he became engaged in the mercantile business and is doing a 
 large and flourishing trade. He has a fine farm of 120 acres, situated six miles 
 southeast of Westport, also some valuable property in the village. He was mar- 
 ried in Georgia, December 5, 1865, to Miss M. J. Mastin. They had four 
 children, three of whom are living : Ada M. , William W. , and Anna. Lizzie M. 
 is deceased. 
 
 JOHN J. MOORE, 
 
 Farmer, section 10, post-office Westport, was born February 4, 1837, in this 
 county, and has been reared here as a farmer. He partially learned the black- 
 smith trade when a boy. In 1862, he went on the plains and spent three years 
 trading. In 1869, he sold his farm and moved to Lee's Summit and started a 
 blacksmith shop and a hvery stable. Remained there some four years then turned 
 his attention to farming and now cultivates 400 acres and raises considerable 
 stock, etc. He is one of the sturdy, energetic farmers of this vicinity, that gives 
 his attention to his business. He married Miss Maggie Bryant, May 6, 1858; 
 she is a native of this State, and was born December 9, 1838. They have been 
 blessed with a family of nine children: A. E., W. T., E. M., G. S., Edith, Vel- 
 nia, John, Minnie, and Daisy. They are members of the Cumberland Presby- 
 terian Church. 
 
 PETER MUEHLEBACH, 
 
 Westport, proprietor of Wine Garden, was born in Switzerland, October i, 1835, 
 and there grew to manhood. In the fall of 1852 he emigrated to America, 
 landing in New York, and from there went to Indiana where he learned the shoe- 
 
WESTPORT TOWNSHIP. 999 
 
 maker's trade, following it until 1856. He came to Jackson County, and located 
 in Westport where he continued the shoe-making business until 1857, when he 
 went to Kansas, residing there until i860. Then he went to Pike's Peak, Colo- 
 rado, where he followed gold mining until 1863, and then was appointed post- 
 master at Breckenridge by Abraham Lincoln, and held the office until 1864. He 
 then resigned and went to Montana, where he was engaged in the grocery busi- 
 ness until 1867, and then returned to Jackson County. He was married in Kan- 
 sas City, December 29, 1867, to Miss Mary Hackmann. They have had six 
 children, four of whom are living: Mary M., Rosa, Henry and John P. Two 
 are deceased : Elizabeth and Peter. 
 
 CHRISTIAN MYER, 
 
 Farnier, section 5, post-office Westport, was born January 28, 1828, in the 
 Provmce of Brunswick, Germany, and learned the weaver's trade in his youth and 
 followed it while he resided there. He came to the United States in the spring 
 of 1858 and settled in this township where he has since remained. He owns 200 
 acres of fine farm land, most of which is under cultivation. Mr. Myer is one of 
 the sturdy, energetic farmers of this vicinity. He has been twice married : first, 
 to Wilhelraina Walters in 1854; she died in 1870 and left a family of eight chil- 
 dren: Augusta, Annie, Matilda, Charlie, William, Christ, Paulina and Minnie. 
 He was married again, in 1876, to Mrs. Hefkamire. He is a member of the 
 Church of New Jerusalem and his wife is a member of the Gospel Church. 
 
 SAMUEL POTEET, 
 
 Farmer, section 18, post-office Westport, was born February 22, 1820, in Lauder- 
 dale County, Alabama, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He came West 
 in 1844 and settled in Greene County, Missouri, and remained there until 1848, 
 when he came to this county and engaged in teaming across the plains. He 
 finally became master of a train and afterward owned one of his own. He spent 
 fifteen years at this business and then turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. 
 He owns 600 acres of fine land, well improved. Mr. Poteet is entirely a 
 self-made man. He married Miss Rebecca Majors, on the 14th of April, 1852. 
 She is a native of Missouri and was born in 1837. They have had nine children ; 
 William A., John F., Charlie, Ambrose, Katie, Bessie, Gracie, Benny and Eva. 
 They are members of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 
 
 DR. H. H. RUSSELL, 
 
 Westport, is a native of Grafton County, New Hampshire, and was born May 6, 
 1835. When an infant his parents went to Ohio where he grew to man- 
 hood, and in i860 entered the Starling Medical College of Columbus, Ohio, 
 graduating February 24, 1863. He then went to Benton County, Iowa, where 
 he followed his profession until 1864 when he enlisted in the 138th Home Na- 
 tional Guards, as surgeon; in September, 1864, he was taken to Rock Island Prison 
 Hospital, remaining there until March, 1865. Then he was commissioned ser- 
 geant of the loist Ohio Volunteer Infantry, serving until July, 1865, when he 
 was honorably discharged. In September, 1865, he went to Illinois, where he 
 continued his practice and in August, 1880, came to Jackson County, Missouri, 
 locating in Westport. He was married in Harrisonville, Ohio, March 17, 1863, 
 to Miss Lucretia A. Chase. By this marriage they have two children : Estella 
 and Louis. 
 
 D. P. RYLEY, 
 
 Farmer, section 4, post-office Westport, was born June 17, 1819, in Woodford 
 County, Kentucky, and was reared there on a farm. In 1828 he accompanied 
 his parents to New York City, where his father engaged in the boot and shoe 
 business. They returned to Kentucky in 1831, and D. P. resided there until 
 
1000 BIOGRAPHICAt.. 
 
 1854. Then removed to Callaway County, Missouri, remaining one year and 
 then came to this county. In 1856 he purchased a farm in Cass County and re- 
 mained thereon until 1863, when he came back to this county and has remained 
 here since; he owns a fine farm of 240 acres, well improved, and has a handsome 
 residence. He married Miss Martha Coleman, at Versailles, Kentucky, in 1846. 
 She was a native of Cincinnati and was born December 10, 1826. She died on 
 the 17th of April, 1877, leaving two children: William and Mathis, now Mrs. 
 J. W. Basy. Mr. Easy is in partnership with his father-in-law in the working of the 
 farm ; he is an industrious young man. They are members of the Presbyterian 
 Church, and Mr. Ryley has been an elder in the church for some twenty years. 
 
 L. C. SAALBORN, 
 Physician and surgeon, Westport, was born in Germany, April 23, 1819, a;nd was 
 there reared and educated. In 1841 he entered the Grifswald University in 
 Germany, remaining until 1843, when he went to the Bonn University, staying 
 there until 1844. He then went to Halle University, where he graduated in 
 1845. In the fall of 1846 he emigrated to America, landing in New Orleans and 
 from there went to St. Louis, remaining but a short time when he went to Illinois, 
 locating in Centerville. He followed his profession until 1849, when he moved 
 to Cooper County, Missouri, stopping until the fall of 1850, then coming to 
 Jackson County, Missouri. He located in Independence and Westport, teaching 
 music, continuing it until 1855, then went to Cass County, Missouri, where he 
 practiced medicine until 1862, and afterward returned to Jackson County, locating 
 in Kansas City. Here he continued his profession untiri863, when he went to 
 New Mexico, and in 1864 again returned to this county, locating in Westport, 
 where he opened a fine drug store, and is still following the same business. He 
 was married in St. Louis to Mrs. E. M. Dixon. 
 
 HENRY SAGER, 
 Furniture dealer and undertaker, Westport, was born "in Germany, November 26, 
 1815, and was there brought up. After completing his education he learned the 
 cabinet-making trade and soon enlisted in the Prussian Army. In the spring of 
 1834 he came to America, landing at Baltimore, and from there went to Phila- 
 delphia, where he followed his trade. In 1835 he removed to St. Louis, and in 
 1836 located in Westport, Jackson County. He was married in this county 
 November 21, 1840, to Miss Mary Mateney; they had six children. Mrs. Sager 
 died May 28, 1854. 
 
 DAVID S. SELF, 
 
 Farmer, section 8, post-office Westport, was born November i8, 1836, in this 
 county, and was here reared and educated. He spent his boyhood days on a 
 farm, and when eighteen years of age he commenced to trade on his own account, 
 and since that time has been engaged in business for himself He now owns 
 280 acres of fine farming land, well improved, and has lately built one of the finest 
 residences in the township. He has held the offices of school director and presi- 
 dent of the board. In his manners he is much of a gentleman. Having been reared 
 in this county he has noted the various changes that have taken place since this 
 was a wilderness. In March, 1861, he married Miss Louisa Brumfield, who was 
 a native of Johnson County, and was born October 22, 1839; she was partly 
 reared in this county. They have five children : Emma J., Mary B., Cora B., 
 Finis C, and David V. ; lost one. They are members of the Cumberland Presby- 
 terian Church. Mr. Self has made several trips across the plains. 
 
 JOHN M. SELF, 
 Farmer, section 15, post-office Westport, was born May 13, 1848, in Morgan 
 County, Missouri, and spent his boyhood days on a farm. He came to this 
 county in the spring of 1866 ; has resided here since, and has made agricultural 
 
WESTPORT TOWNSHIP. 1001 
 
 pursuits his business. He moved to the farm on which he now resides in the 
 spring of 1880, and owns eighty acres. He is one of the sturdy, energetic, farm- 
 ers of this township, that gives his attention to his business, and bids fair to make 
 a success m hfe. He has been twice married; first, to R. A. Fitzwater, in 1873. 
 She died October 11, 1878, leaving one child, Warren R. He was married 
 again, January 25, 1880, to Miss Mary E. Wolf, a native of Ohio, born March 
 29, 1859. 
 
 RICHARD L. SHANKS, 
 Farmer, section 3, post-office Westport, was born January 14, 1842, in Stam- 
 ford, Lincoln County, Kentucky, and came to this county with his parents when 
 five years of age, and has been reared here as a farmer. During the late War he 
 operated with General Rains, and carried the first Confederate dispatch that was 
 carried in the State of Missouri. Since the War he has been engaged in farming. 
 He is a correspondent for different papers, and takes a great interest in literary 
 matters. He married Miss Mary H. McKinney, August 18, 1859; she is a native 
 of Callaway County, Missouri, and was born November 24, 1841. They have 
 four children living : Ada L., Mary B., Charlie L., and Dixie L. ; lost seven. 
 They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has the honor of 
 being a grandson of the first white child born in the State ^of Kentucky. 
 
 THOMAS SHEA, 
 
 Farmer, section 16, post-office Westport, was born in County Kerry, Ireland, 
 and came to the United States in 1859 and settled in Holyoke, Massachusetts. 
 Remained there four years and then removed to Springfield, Massachusetts, and 
 resided there three years, learning the trade of stone-cutting. He went to Hart- 
 ford, Connecticut, thence to Nashville, Tennessee, and from there to Lawrence, 
 Kansas ; thence to St. Louis, and in 1867 he purchased the land he now owns. 
 He came to Kansas City in 1869 and remained there until 1875, engaged at his 
 trade ; then moved to Nevada, and remained there about two years ; returned to 
 Kansas City, and removed from there to his farm in the spring of 1877. He 
 owns eighty acres of land. He married Miss Ellen Moynihan in 1872 ; she is 
 also a native of Ireland, and was born in 1848. They have two children : Ellen 
 and Thomas P. ; lost one. They are members of the Catholic Church. 
 
 S. I. SHUE, 
 
 Groceries and notions, Westport, was born in Virginia, February t8, 1835, and 
 was there reared. After finishing his education he learned the painter's trade, 
 and followed it until 1856, when he went, to Council Bluffs, Iowa. In the fall of 
 1856 he went to Illinois, remaining until June, 1857; then returned to Council 
 Bluffs, and in the fall went to Lafayette County, Missouri, where he remained 
 until November, 1859. He returned to Virginia, the place of his birth, and in 
 the spring of i860 came again to Lafayette County, Missouri. In the spring of 
 1868, he came to Westport, where he is doing a large business. He was 
 married in Lafayette County, Missouri, April 25, i860, to Miss A. V. Cundiff. 
 They have had six children, of whom there is one living, George N. 
 
 B. F. SIMPSON, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 32, post-office Westport, was born in Kentucky, 
 and was reared and educated in his native State. After leaving school he 
 engaged in farming, and followed this occupation until 1855, when he came to 
 Jackson County and settled in Westport. In 1858 he was appointed postmaster, 
 and held the office until 1861, and then accepted a situation in a large wagon 
 manufactory. He owns a farm of 140 acres. He married Mrs. Kate McGee, of 
 Westport, Missouri, March 7, 1864. Mrs. Simpson died October 7, 1867. They 
 had one daughter, Katie. 
 
1002 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 WILLIAM STEWART, 
 Farmer, section 21, post-office Westport, was born in Montgomery County, 
 Kentucky, and lived there until 1836, when he came to Jackson County, Mis- 
 souri, where he still resides, and is numbered among the successful agriculturalists 
 of the county, and owns 100 acres where he lives, and_^seventy-nine acres in Blue 
 Township. In 1856 he was appointed deputy sheriff, and served two terms, and 
 collected the first railroad tax in this township. He married Miss Edith Stew- 
 art, July II, 1843. She died in April, 1850. For his second wife, he married 
 Narcissa Stewart, in 1852. By this union, they have one child living; lost one. 
 
 JESSE THOMAS, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 33, post-office Westport, is a native of Madison 
 County, Kentucky, and was born November 7, 1803. He was reared and 
 educated in his native State, and after leaving school, learned the mill-wright trade, 
 and followed it until October, 1839, when he came to Jackson County, where he 
 now owns 400 acres of improved land, and is one of the prominent farmers of 
 Jackson County. He married Miss Maria Davenport, of Kentucky, January i, 
 1828. By this marriage they had seven children, four of whom are living. Mrs. 
 Thomas died in 1844. He married for his second wife E. J. Baily, of Independ- 
 ence, November 30, 18,54. By this union they had one child. His second 
 wife died January 8, 1881. 
 
 ANNIE B. VOGEL, 
 Westport, widow of the late Lewis Vogel. Mrs. Vogel is a lady of rare intellect 
 and honored by her many friends and neighbors. She has a beautiful residence, 
 situated just west of Westport, also fifty acres of fine fruit-growing land ; in fact, 
 has one of the finest places in Westport. 
 
 GEORGE W. VOGEL, 
 Farmer, section 19, post-office Westport, was born in Jackson County, Missouri, 
 May 18, 1846, where he was reared and educated. Mr. Vogel, since leaving 
 school, has followed farming, and now owns thirty-three acres of well improved 
 land, besides 160 acres in Kansas. He has a fine, new residence. He was 
 married in Westport, January 16, 1868, to Miss Katie Wiedernmann. They 
 have three children : MoUie, George W., and Freddie. 
 
 S. E. WARD, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 31, post-office Westport, is a native of Virginia,' 
 and was born March 4, 1820, and lived in his native State until fourteen years of 
 age, and then removed to Indiana, where he Hved two years, and then returned 
 to Virginia. In 1837 he went to St. Louis, Missouri, and occupied the position of 
 clerk in a tobacco factory. In the summer of 1838, he went to Boonville, Mis- 
 souri, and the same year came to Independence, and joined Captain L. P. Lup- 
 ton's expedition to the Rocky Mountains, and returned for a short time, in 1845, 
 and took back a stock of goods, to sell to the Indians. He continued this busi- 
 ness until 1854, and then received the appointment of post-sutler, at Fort Lara- 
 mie, and held the position until 1870. He returned to this county in 1873. He 
 owns a fine stock farm of 450 acres. He married Mrs. M. F. McCarty, February 
 9, i860, in Westport Missouri. They have two children living: John E. and 
 Hugh C. Lost one daughter, Mary F. 
 
 J. W. WHITE, 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 31, post-office Westport, is a native of Missouri, 
 and was born in Clay County, October 21, 1836, and when eight years of age he 
 removed with his parents to Platte County, where he was reared and educated. 
 He was engaged in agricultural pursuits until i860, and then went to Pike's Peak, 
 and remained until October, of that year, working in the mines. He then returned 
 
WESTPORT TOWNSHIP. 1003 
 
 to Platte County, and in 1861 enlisted in the Confederate service, and received a 
 wound in the hip which disabled him, and was mustered out of the service. 
 In 1866 he came to Jackson County, and owns a farm of 100 acres of land. He 
 was married in Westport, Missouri, September 19, 1865, to Miss Annie P. McGee. 
 By this union they have four children: James G., AddieB., William A., and Liz- 
 zie Ward. 
 
 HON. J. B. WORNALL, 
 
 Section 32, post-office Westport, was born in Clark County, Kentucky, October 
 12, 1822, and from that county was taken by his parents to Shelby County Ken- 
 tucky. In the spring of 1844 he came to Jackson County, Missouri. His father, 
 Richard Wornall, bequeathed to him a good name, unstained in any particular, 
 and a place in the public esteem which could only be maintained by that gentle- 
 ness and uprightness and real strength of character, always so much applauded by 
 honest, hard-working pioneers. Mr. Wornall is honorably conspicuous among 
 those who many years ago brought the intelligence, manlmess and intergrity, in- 
 herited through long lines of honorable ancestors, and laid them, in the vigor of 
 manhood and confidence of youth, on the altar of civilization, so newly erected 
 on the western border of Missouri. The Wornall Farm, now so well known by 
 the people of Kansas City, and so frequently pointed out to travelers, as one of 
 the most pleasant of suburban homes, has already won its name for hospitality, 
 and become a center of social life. It is not surprising that Mr. Wornall should 
 rise to influence and become a leader among the people. In every great enter- 
 prise he has stood with the foremost, at once bold and cautious; all who know him 
 are inspired with zeal and confidence in every enterprise in which they have the 
 endorsement of his judgment and the co-operation of his energies. Effort, with 
 him, always stood for success, and success means the grandest possible results in 
 given circumstances. He early became the patron of public schools, and num- 
 erous, beautiful and commodious buildings that have sprung up in every quarter, 
 providing abundantly for the cozy accommodation of all children in the city and 
 suburbs, attest his faithfulness to the common schools. But higher education 
 has found in him also a noble patron. For many years he has been a trustee of 
 the William Jewell College, and much of the time president of the board. He 
 has been a very substantial friend to the institution, at one time giving $8,000 to 
 the endowment fund, and has always been ready with such smaller sums as have 
 seemed to be demanded by the merits involved. In his reUgious preference he 
 is a Baptist, and has always been much interested in the progress of that denomi- 
 nation ; he has been quite as much appreciated in the various departments of 
 Christian work as in educational matters. In the miniites of the General As- 
 sociation of Missouri Baptists, for 1872, his name appears as president of that 
 body, an assembly representing upwards of 8o,coo people, with 900 ministers. 
 For a number of years Mr. Wornall has been president of the Kansas City National 
 Bank. In i86g he was nominated by acclamation for the State Senate from the 
 Fourteenth District, and was elected by a large majority. Mr. Wornall's name 
 was favorably mentioned by a number of Democratic papers of Missouri in 1874, 
 as a candidate for Governor, but he made no canvass or effort for the nomination. 
 He was married in 1850, to Matilda A. Polk, daughter of William Polk, of Ken- 
 tucky; she died in 1851. He again married in 1854, his wife being Eliza S. John- 
 son, daughter of Rev. Thomas Johnson. By this union there are two children 
 living, five deceased. His third marriage occurred in September, 1866, to Miss 
 R. Johnson. Their family by this union consists of two children living; lost one. 
 
1004 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 KA^\^ TCWNSHIP. 
 
 J. C. ANDERSON, 
 
 Farmer, section i, post-office Kansas City, is a native of St. Louis County, Mis- 
 souri, and was born March 29, 1827 ; was reared on a farm and has since followed 
 it as an occupation. He came to Jackson County, Missouri, in 1855, and owns a 
 farm of eighty acres. He was married in Jackson County, August 5, 1856 to 
 Miss Emily Shaw a native of New York, and an adopted daughter of James Hick- 
 man. They have seven children living : Jerome, Martha, George F., William, 
 CharUe, Emily and Ellen. 
 
 L. W. BRADLEY, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 36, post-office Kansas City, was born in Sumner 
 County, Tennessee, March 27, 18 14. He was reared a farmer and gave consid- 
 erable attention to tobacco culture. In November, 1833, he came to Jackson 
 County, Missouri, and owns a farm of i6&j4 acres of land. He was married in 
 Jackson County, Missouri, August 4, 1840, to Miss Margaret M. Parrish. Their 
 family consists of four children living : William P., Eldridge M., Bettie P., and 
 Maggie. They have lost five: James W., Militus E., Thomas E., Ralph P., 
 and Edith G. 
 
 O. C. CARLE, 
 
 Dairyman, section 12, post-office Kansas City, was born in Ohio, August 29, 
 1838. He was reared a farmer and followed it until 1873, when he engaged in 
 the Uvery business until 1875, when he removed to Pennsylvania, and resumed 
 his former occupation. In 1878, he immigrated to Kansas, and in March, 1880, 
 he came to Jackson County, Missouri, where he owns 116 acres of land, and is 
 devoting his attention to his dairy interests, in which he is winning an enviable 
 reputation for the quality of his product. He served in the late War in Company 
 C, 126th Ohio Infantry, enlisting in August, 1861, and serving until the close of 
 the War. He participated in the battles of Winchester, Gettysburgh, Wilderness, 
 Locust Grove, Petersburgh, and many others ; at the last named battle he was 
 wounded. At the battle of the Wilderness, in May, 1864, he was taken prisoner 
 and held ten months when he effected his escape. He was married in Pennsyl- 
 vania, January 12, 1871, to Miss Addie R. Maitland. By this union they had 
 one son : Willie M., born November 13, 1871 ; he died October 22, 1873. 
 
 PETER DUFNER, 
 
 Was born in Baden, Germany, July 27, 1857, and when ten years of age he was 
 brought, by his mother, to .America, landing in New York. From there he came 
 to Kansas City and attended school, after which he was employed as clerk with 
 H. T. Hovelman. He remained with him for three years and a half, and then 
 engaged with H. C. Hucke. In the fall of 1874, he removed to Westport, and 
 engaged in clerking until 1876, when he returned to Kansas City. He there 
 obtained a position in a brewery, remaining until August 16, 1879, and in Sep- 
 tember, engaged in his present business. This he sold to his partner, and 
 August 19, 1880, he opened his present place of business. 
 
KAW TOWNSHIP. 1005 
 
 BEAL GREEN, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 14, post-office Kansas City, was born in Mont- 
 gomery County, Kentucky, March 3, 1815, and was reared there on a farm. He 
 came to Jackson County, Missouri, March 7, 1840 and owns a farm of 297 acres. 
 He was married in Bath County, Kentucky, November 7, 1839, to Miss Corinna 
 RatUff. By this union they have a family of ten children living. November 10, 
 1880, they had a family re-union of the ten children, and twenty-four grand- 
 children. 
 
 J. J. HOWE, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 11, post-office Kansas City, is a native of Mason 
 County, Kentucky, and was born September 9, 1818. Was brought up there, 
 and after leaving school he commenced farming This he followed there until 
 the spring of 1855, when he came to Clay County, Missouri,' and has since made 
 his home here. October 31, 1850, Miss Jane K. Larew became his wife. Their 
 marriage occurred in Kentucky. They had by this union eleven children, eight 
 of whom are living. Mrs. Howe died on the 28th of May, 1881. 
 
 J. E. JACKSON, 
 
 Superintendent of the Fair Grounds, Kansas City; and deputy county collector, 
 was born in Clinton County, Missouri, October 23, 1836, and when ten years of 
 age came with his parents to Jackson County, where he was reared and educated. 
 He commenced his business experience as a clerk in a mercantile house, and 
 continued in this business until i860, when he engaged in farming. He was 
 elected superintendent of the Fair Grounds March 15, 1880. He was married 
 in Jackson County, Missouri, November 22, 1859, to Miss Maria Steele. By 
 this union they have had five children, of whom four are living: Edward L., 
 born September 3, i860; Frank, September 17, 1868; Lloyd, May 14, 1872; 
 Nellie M., October 17, 1874. 
 
 J. Y. LEVERIDGE, 
 
 Secretary of the Kansas City Fair Association, is a native of Cooper County, Mis- 
 souri, and was born January 24, 1839; after finishing his education he learned the 
 jewelry business, and followed it as an occupation until 1861, and then went to St. 
 Louis. In 1869 he came to Kansas City, and continued his business until 1872. 
 In 1879 he was elected to his present position of secretary of the Kansas Ciiy 
 Fair Association. He was married in St. Louis, January 21, 1869, to Miss Ellen 
 Pitcher. Their family consists of four children : Nellie, Florence, Gertrude and 
 Harry. 
 
 R. J. LONG, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section i, post-office Kansas City, is a native of Ken- 
 tucky, and was born March 20, 1834, and was brought, while an infant, by his 
 parents to Jackson County, Missouri, where he has since lived, engaged in farm- 
 ing, and owns 146 acres of land, on which is one of the most promising orchards 
 in the vicinity. He was married in Jackson County, Missouri, October 30, 1872, 
 to Miss Mary E. Burge ; they have two children. 
 
 LEVI OWINGS, 
 
 Farmer and stock raiser, section 10, post-office Kansas City. The subject of this 
 sketch is a native of Baltimore County, Maryland, and was born January 10, 
 1827. He was there reared, and having completed his education, he became 
 engaged in the mercantile business, which he continued until the fall of 1854. 
 He then came to this county, and has since made it his home, and is now the 
 owner of 200 acres of fine land. Mr. O wings has a beautiful farm, and with his 
 excellent wife presiding over the home duties, is pleasantly situated. His mar- 
 
1006 BIOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 riage was in Carter County, Kentucky, August 25, 1868, to Miss Sarah Lewis. 
 Ttiey have four children: Mary M., Mattenia D., Levi M., and Charles N. L. 
 
 Dr. CHARLES ORENDORFF, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, section 12, post-office Kansas City, was born in Tazewell 
 County, Illinois, June 10, 1832. He was educated at Illinois College, and in the 
 spring of 1853, he went to California, and was engaged in prospecting and min- 
 ing for gold, and returned to Illinois in 1858. He made choice of the practice 
 of medicine as his life work, and after a thorough preparation, was graduated 
 from the University of Pennsylvania, March 13, 1862. He commenced the 
 practice of his profession in Illinois. The doctor is a good writer, and is liberal 
 in his religious preferences. He has published a work, called the "Pantheist," 
 which indicates merit, as a writer and thinker. He came to this county in 1872. 
 He married Miss Mollie Hunt, of Illinois, December 22, 1865. They have two 
 children : Otis and Charles B. 
 
 J. M. SLOCOMB, 
 
 Fruit-grower, section 10, post-office Kansas City, is a native of Massachusetts, 
 and was born December 22, 1810. His early education was in the common 
 schools, and in October, 1832, he went to Marietta, Ohio, and entered Marietta 
 College. After leaving his studies, he was engaged as an architect and builder, 
 and continued the business until August, 1866, when he came to Jackson County, 
 and has since devoted his attention to fruit-growing. He was married in Ohio, 
 to Miss J. White, April 5, 1837. They have seven children living: William P., 
 
 Mary P., now Mrs. Lord; Albert H., Harriet E., Martha E., now Mrs. ; 
 
 Edwin M., and Fannie M., now Mrs. Morris; lost one son, George L. 
 
 I. J. SMITH, 
 
 Farmer and carpenter, section 16, post-office Kansas City, was born in Kentucky, 
 July 8, 1829, and when four years of age was taken by his parents to Illinois, 
 where they lived four years, and then removed to Missouri, where he was princi- 
 pally reared. He learned the carpenter's trade in his youth, and followed it as 
 a vocation until 1859, when he commenced farming. His residence is one of 
 the desirable locations of the vicinity. He was married in Jackson County, 
 Missouri, April 21, 1859, to Miss N. J. Holloway, who was born in Kentucky, 
 February r5, 1830. They have three children living — two sons and a daughter. 
 
 JOHN A. POLL & Co. 
 
 This firm has its principal place of business at Cincinnati. The Kansas City 
 house is under the successful management of A. W. Horn. They deal in custom 
 made gents furnishing goods, hats and caps, and are. having a successful patron- 
 age. 
 
 Dr. W. L. SEAMAN, 
 
 Physician and surgeon, was born in Wisconsin, May 21, 1852, and received his 
 early education in the schools of Milwaukee. When eighteen years of age he 
 entered an academy, remaining for three years and pursued a thorough academ- 
 ical course. He was also engaged in the study of medicine with Dr. Hopkins as 
 preceptor, continuing for two years, and then removed to Chicago. He attended 
 the Chicago Medical College from 1871 to 1875, and after graduating commenced 
 to practice in the hospital. He came to West Kansas City in April, 1879, ^.nd 
 has succeeded in securing a good and lucrative practice. He married Miss Anna 
 Chappelle, of Ogle County, Illinois, who was born May 14, 1859. They have 
 one daughter, Emma.